The early years of alkyne metathesis were marked by a somewhat ironic state of affairs: the proposed mechanism was swiftly validated and more than one effective catalyst became available shortly after the discovery of this transformation; surprisingly, however, the impact on synthesis remained very limited for a long period of time. Recent advances, however, suggest that this situation is about to change: the remarkable activity, functional-group tolerance, and reliability of the latest generation of catalysts open the door for highly advanced applications. The resulting (cyclo)alkynes are amenable to numerous postmetathetic transformations, which diversify the product portfolio and bring many different structural motifs into reach. Since the catalysts have also evolved from the glovebox to the benchtop, there should be little barrier left for a wider use of this reaction in organic synthesis.

Alkyne metathesis on the rise.

A general theory for fiber-optic, evanescent-wave spectroscopy and sensors is presented for straight, uncladded, step-index, multimode fibers. A three-dimensional model is formulated within the framework of geometric optics. The model includes various launching conditions, input and output end-face Fresnel transmission losses, multiple Fresnel reflections, bulk absorption, and evanescent-wave absorption. An evanescent-wave sensor response is analyzed as a function of externally controlled parameters such as coupling angle, f number, fiber length, and diameter. Conclusions are drawn for several experimental apparatuses.

Theory of fiber-optic, evanescent-wave spectroscopy and sensors.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on the bioinorganic chemistry of pterin-containing molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. The chapter focuses on the current results and the interplay of model and enzyme chemistry. Attention is directed to sulfite oxidase and xanthine oxidase, the archetypal examples of molybdenum enzymes, containing, respectively, dioxo-Mo(VI) and oxo-thio-Mo(VI) oxidized centers. Biochemical and model studies of molybdopterin, Mo-co, and related species are described in this chapter. A brief survey on the physical and spectroscopic techniques employed in the study of the enzymes is presented and their impact on the current understanding of the coordination about the molybdenum atom in sulfite oxidase and xanthine oxidase is discussed. Structural and spectroscopic models are also presented in the chapter. The chapter also explains the xanthine oxidase cycle and facets of intramolecular electron transfer in molybdenum enzymes. The pterin-containing tungsten enzymes and the evolving model chemistry are discussed. Current descriptions of the coordination environment of the molybdenum centers of the enzymes rest primarily upon the comparisons of the spectra of the enzymes with the spectra of well-characterized molybdenum complexes. The unexpected discovery that several hyperthermophilic organisms possess pterin-containing tungsten enzymes promises to stimulate the development of oxo-thio-tungsten chemistry.

Bioinorganic chemistry of pterin-containing molybdenum and tungsten enzymes

Nitride- and alkylidyne complexes of molybdenum endowed with triarylsilanolate ligands are excellent (pre)catalysts for alkyne-metathesis reactions of all sorts, since they combine high activity with an outstanding tolerance toward polar and/or sensitive functional groups. Structural and reactivity data suggest that this promising application profile results from a favorable match between the characteristics of the high-valent molybdenum center and the electronic and steric features of the chosen Ar(3)SiO groups. This interplay ensures a well-balanced level of Lewis acidity at the central atom, which is critical for high activity. Moreover, the bulky silanolates, while disfavoring bimolecular decomposition of the operative alkylidyne unit, do not obstruct substrate binding. In addition, Ar(3)SiO groups have the advantage that they are more stable within the coordination sphere of a high-valent molybdenum center than tert-alkoxides, which commonly served as ancillary ligands in previous generations of alkyne metathesis catalysts. From a practical point of view it is important to note that complexes of the general type [(Ar(3)SiO)(3)Mo≡X] (X = N, CR; R = aryl, alkyl, Ar = aryl) can be rendered air-stable with the aid of 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine or derivatives thereof. Although the resulting adducts are themselves catalytically inert, treatment with Lewis acidic additives such as ZnCl(2) or MnCl(2) removes the stabilizing N-donor ligand and gently releases the catalytically active template into the solution. This procedure gives excellent results in alkyne metathesis starting from air-stable and hence user-friendly precursor complexes. The thermal and hydrolytic stability of representative molybdenum alkylidyne and -nitride complexes of this series was investigated and the structure of several decomposition products elucidated.

Optimized synthesis, structural investigations, ligand tuning and synthetic evaluation of silyloxy-based alkyne metathesis catalysts.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the organometallic compounds containing oxygen atoms. At present, the range of organic ligands found in organometallic oxo compounds is quite restricted, the majority being either η-C 5 R 5 or alkyls or aryls having no β-hydrogen atom. Two basic routes to organometallic oxo compounds may be envisaged addition of an organic ligand to an inorganic oxo complex or addition of oxygen to an organometallic compound. Exhaustive decarbonylation with concomitant oxidation of a cyclopentadienyl metal carbonyl has proved to be a useful preparative route to cyclopentadienyl metal oxo compounds having no other ligands. In the ethylene complex, the oxo and ethylene ligands are cis to one another and the C–C axis of the ethylene is perpendicular to the M–O bond, a configuration that maximizes π bonding between the W(IV) (d 2 ) and the ethylene. Complexes containing cyclopentadienyl and oxygen as coligands are of two basic types: those containing a terminal double bond between a metal and oxygen, [M=O], and those containing one or more doubly bridging oxygen atoms, [M(μ 2 -O) n M]. The clusters are held together by M–O bonds and the M–( η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) bonding is of the usual type. Parallel to the development of organometallic clusters containing oxygen atoms has been the preparation of organometallic polyoxometallates. Although the organometallic groups are on the surface of the polyoxometallate, they are strongly and covalently bonded to the peripheral oxygen atoms.

Organometallic Compounds Containing Oxygen Atoms

Le compose du titre cristallise dans le systeme rhomboedrique, groupe R3 et sa structure est affinee jusqu'a R=0,03. La molecule contient l'unite lineaire O=W−O−W=O dans laquelle trois groupes neopentyles sont disposes de facon rhomboedrale autour de chaque atome W. Spectres IR

A molecule containing the OWOWO unit. Synthesis, structure and spectroscopy of hexaneopentylditungsten trioxide

Aqueous tungsten(VI) alkyl chemistry

Preparation of anionic tungsten(VI) alkyl complexes containing oxo or sulfido ligands and the x-ray structure of [N(C2H5)4]{WO2[OC(CH3)2C(CH3)2O][CH2C(CH3)3]}

Irene Feinstein-Jaffe

Papers

A molecule containing the OWOWO unit. Synthesis, structure and spectroscopy of hexaneopentylditungsten trioxide

Aqueous tungsten(VI) alkyl chemistry

Preparation of anionic tungsten(VI) alkyl complexes containing oxo or sulfido ligands and the x-ray structure of [N(C2H5)4]{WO2[OC(CH3)2C(CH3)2O][CH2C(CH3)3]}

Fiber optic attenuated reflection spectroscopy (FO-ATR) for investigation of organometallic polymeric films

Aqueous tungsten(vi) alkyl chemistry