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Radicals of the lightest group 13 element, boron, are well established and observed in numerous forms. In contrast to boron, radical chemistry involving the heavier group 13 elements (aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium) remains largely underexplored, primarily attributed to the formidable synthetic challenges associated with these elements. Herein, we report the synthesis and isolation of planar and twisted conformers of a doubly CAAC (cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene)‐radical‐substituted dialane. Extensive characterization through spectroscopic analyses and X‐ray crystallography confirms their identity, while quantum chemical calculations support their open‐shell nature and provide further insights into their electronic structures. The dialane‐connected diradicals exhibit high susceptibility to oxidation, as evidenced by electrochemical measurements and reactions with o‐chloranil and a variety of organic azides. This study opens a previously uncharted class of dialuminum systems to study, broadening the scope of diradical chemistry and its potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the preparation of a new organic σ‐donor with a C6H4‐linker between an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and an exocyclic methylidene group, which we term N‐heterocyclic quinodimethane (NHQ). The aromatization of the C6H4‐linker provides a decisive driving force for the reaction of the NHQ with an electrophile and renders the NHQ significantly more basic than analogous NHCs or N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), as shown by DFT computations and competition experiments. In solution, the NHQ undergoes an unprecedented dehydrogenative head‐to‐head dimerization by C−C coupling of the methylidene groups. DFT computations indicate that this reaction proceeds via an open‐shell singlet pathway revealing the diradical character of the NHQ. The product of this dimerization can be described as conjugated N‐heterocyclic bis‐quinodimethane, which according to cyclic voltammetry is a strong organic reducing agent (E1/2=−1.71 V vs. Fc/Fc+) and exhibits a remarkable small singlet–triplet gap of ΔES→T=4.4 kcal mol−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, reactivity studies of a cyclic bis‐hydridostannylene [(ADC)SnH]2 (1‐H2) (ADC=PhC{(NDipp)C}2; Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3) with various unsaturated organic substrates are reported. Reactions of terminal alkynes (RC≡CH) with 1‐H2 afford mixed acetylide‐vinyl‐functionalized bis‐stannylenes via dehydrogenation and hydrostannylation. Treatment of 1‐H2 with PhC≡CCH3 gives a unique distannabarrelene via dehydrogenative C(sp3)−H stannylation and hydrostannylation of the C≡CCH3 moiety. 1‐H2 undergoes dehydrogenative [2+2]‐cycloaddition reactions with diphenylacetylene, azobenzene, acetone, benzophenone, and benzaldehyde to form the 1,4‐distannabarrelene derivatives. The elimination of H2 in these reactions suggests the masked‐diradical property of 1‐H2. In fact, these [2+2]‐cycloaddition products are also accessible on treatments of the Sn(I) diradicaloid [(ADC)Sn]2 (1) with appropriate reagents. All compounds have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, the catalytic activity of 1‐H2 has been shown for the hydroboration of unsaturated substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus‐centered disbiradicals, in which the radical sites exist as individual spin doublets with weak spin‐spin interaction have not been known so far. Starting from monoradicals of the type [⋅P(μ‐NTer)2P−R], we have now succeeded in linking two such monoradical phosphorus centers by appropriate choice of a linker. To this end, biradical [⋅P(μ‐NTer)2P⋅] (1) was treated with 1,6‐dibromohexane, affording the brominated species {Br[P(μ‐NTer)]2}2C6H12 (3). Subsequent reduction with KC8 led to the formation of the disbiradical {⋅[P(μ‐NTer)]2}2C6H12 (4) featuring a large distance between the radical phosphorus sites in the solid state and formally the highest biradical character observed in a P‐centered biradical so far, approaching 100 %. EPR spectroscopy revealed a three‐line signal in solution with a considerably larger exchange interaction than would be expected from the molecular structure of the single crystal. Quantum chemical calculations revealed a highly dynamic conformational space; thus, the two radical sites can approach each other with a much smaller distance in solution. Further reduction of 4 resulted in the formation of a potassium salt featuring the first structurally characterized P‐centered distonic radical anion (5−). Moreover, 4 could be used in small molecule activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dinitrene 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐phenylenedinitrene was synthesized by photolysis of matrix‐isolated 1,4‐diazido‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene at 365 or 405 nm in high yields at cryogenic temperatures and characterized by FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, and EPR spectroscopy. The electronic structure of the dinitrene is described best as a quinoidal diradical with an open‐shell singlet ground state and a triplet state laying only 650 ± 5 cal/mol higher in energy. Irradiation with λ = 254 nm results in fragmentation of the dinitrene into FCCF and several olefins which on prolonged photolysis fragment into FCCCN, FCCNC, and FCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of regioisomeric dicyanomethylene substituted dithienodiazatetracenes with formal para‐ or ortho‐quinodimethane subunits were synthesized and characterized. Whereas the para‐isomers (p‐n, diradical index y0=0.01) are stable and isolable, the ortho‐isomer (y0=0.98) dimerizes into a covalent azaacene cage. Four elongated σ‐CC bonds are formed and the former triisopropylsilyl(TIPS) ‐ethynylene groups transformed into cumulene units. The azaacene cage dimer (o‐1)2 was characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis and temperature‐dependent infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR, solid‐state), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopies (solution) indicating reformation of o‐1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multifaceted little Na−B bond in NaBH3‐ cluster has been the subject of many recent studies. Many proposals have been put forward for the complete understanding of the chemical bonding in NaBH3‐ cluster. However, none of the studies provided a complete picture. Herein, the missing recipe of the chemical bonding in NaBH3‐ cluster has been identified which completes the description. Our calculations reveal that the chemical bonding in NaBH3‐ cluster is more multifaceted than ever thought. Our finding suggests that the NaBH3‐ cluster features a Na−B one electron bond which is assisted by three 3‐centre‐2‐electron Na‐B−H bond. Detailed topological analyses of electron density and electron localization function at the correlated level reveal such a bonding situation. This missing 3‐centre‐2‐electron Na‐B−H bond completes the description of chemical bonding in NaBH3‐ cluster which is at‐per with the well established bonding scenario for electron deficient compounds. Similar bonding scenario is observed in KBH3−, CuBH3‐ and AuBH3− clusters, further lending support to the complete picture of bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first SnI diradical [(ADCPh)Sn]2 (4) based on an anionic dicarbene (ADCPh={CN(Dipp)}2CPh; Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3) scaffold has been isolated as a green crystalline solid by KC8 reduction of the corresponding bis‐chlorostannylene [(ADCPh)SnCl]2 (3). The six‐membered C4Sn2‐ring of 4 containing six π‐electrons shows a diatropic ring current, thus 4 may also be regarded as the first 1,4‐distannabenzene derivative. DFT calculations suggest an open‐shell singlet (OS) ground state of 4 with a remarkably small singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔEOS–T=4.4 kcal mol−1), which is consistent with CASSCF (ΔES–T=6.6 kcal mol−1 and diradical character y=37 %) calculations. The diradical 4 splits H2 at room temperature to yield the bis‐hydridostannylene [(ADCPh)SnH]2 (5). Further reactivity of 4 has been studied with PhSeSePh and MeOTf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical methods are useful for probing the energetic viability of chemical mechanisms involved in natural product biosynthesis. Typical computational approaches are described and representative examples of mechanistic studies on radical, pericyclic, and carbocation rearrangement reactions that lead to polycyclic skeletons of complex natural products showcase the utility of such methods in providing understanding and shaping future experimental studies. The importance of inherent substrate reactivity is highlighted and cautions for interpreting computational results are discussed. This article is categorized under:Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and CatalysisTheoretical and Physical Chemistry > Reaction Dynamics and KineticsStructure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The magnetic behavior of the fluorene bridged verdazyl diradicals has been studied theoretically in their neutral and deprotonated states. The deprotonation of C9‐H site of the fluorene ring opens a new coupling pathway, which changes the nature of magnetic coupling. The transmission spectra analysis reveals that the transmission through fluorine has also increased due to the opening of a new coupling path after deprotonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One‐electron reductions of Mes*As=Fl* (1; Fl*=2,7‐di‐tert‐butylfluorenylidene, Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu3C6H2) and diarsaalkenes [1,2‐b]‐IF(=AsMes*)2 (2; IF=indenofluorene) with potassium led to the isolation of the arsenic‐centered radical anion salts 1K and 2K, respectively. The diradical dianion salts 2K2 and 3K2 were afforded by the reduction of 2 and 2,8‐tBu2‐[2,1‐b]‐IF(=AsMes*)2 (3) with an excess amount of KC8. The radicals have been investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, EPR, and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, along with theoretical calculations. The calculations revealed that 2K2 and 3K2 feature open‐shell singlet ground states with singlet‐triplet energy gaps of 2.1 and 1.0 kcal mol−1, respectively. They are readily thermally excited to triplet states as demonstrated by EPR spectroscopy. The obtained diradicals represent the first examples of heavier Group 15 element centered diradicals with experimentally observable triplet states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore stable organic diradicaloids, meso-thienylquinonoid-substituted porphyrins Pn and hexaphyrins Hn, where 'n' denotes the number of thienyl units in the meso-substituents, were synthesized. P0 was identified as a closed-shell quinonoid, whereas P1 was shown to possess significant diradical character with diradical character index ( y) of 0.99 and quite small singlet-triplet energy gap (Δ ES-T) of −0.13 kcal mol−1. P1 was certainly stable, allowing its isolation, but decomposed gradually in solution. In the hexaphyrin series, it was shown that H0 and H1 were closed-shell quinonoids, but H2 was a highly stable diradicaloid with y=0.85 and Δ ES-T of −3.72 kcal mol−1. The high stability of H2 was ascribed to effective spin delocalization over the entire conjugated network. Characteristically, H2 displays an intense absorption band in NIR region at λmax=1175 nm with molar absorption coefficient ( ϵ) of 8.81×104 mol−1 L cm−1, a narrow HOMO-LUMO gap of 0.69 eV, and nine reversible redox potential waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new diboranes, 2,6-bis(BMes2)mesitylene ( 1) and 3,3′-bis(BMes2)bimesitylene ( 3), were synthesized. Two-electron reduction of 1 with elemental potassium afforded the C−H activation product [(18-c-6)K(THF)2]2+⋅ 22− bearing a BC3 four-membered ring as colorless crystals, whereas the reduction of 3 with potassium led to the isolation of [(18-c-6)K(THF)2]2+⋅ 32−.. as dark blue crystals. Both reduction products were characterized by structural and spectroscopic methods. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and theoretical calculations revealed that the electron spin density of 32−.. mainly resides on the two boron nuclei and features a triplet ground state, which was confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements as well as theoretical calculations. 32−.. represents the first structurally characterized boron-centered diradical with a triplet ground state. In addition, the reactivity of [(18-c-6)K(THF)2]2+⋅ 32−.. toward PhSeSePh and nBu3SnH was investigated, which is consistent with its radical character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to predict the energies of the low-lying electronic states of the dioxa derivative of trimethylenemethane (DOTMM), we have carried out (U)B3LYP, CASPT2, and (U)CCSD(T) calculations, using the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Our calculations predict that DOTMM has a triplet ground state, with one unpaired electron occupying a b2 σ MO and the other a b1 π MO. An open-shell singlet state, with the same orbital occupancy as the triplet, is calculated to lie very close to the 3A2 ground state. However, this open-shell singlet (1A2) is predicted to be the transition structure for methylene rotation and to lead to the barrierless formation of an equivalent pair of α-lactones. We also report the results of some calculations on the of DOTMM to CH2 + CO2. Our predictions about DOTMM could be tested experimentally by generating the DOTMM•− radical anion in the gas phase and obtaining its negative ion photoelectron spectrum. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore regioselectivity and stereoselectivity in the Paternò-Büchi reaction of pyrrole derivatives. The formation of a bicyclic oxetane in the Paternò-Büchi reaction of 2-siloxypyrrole with benzophenone was reported for the first time, and a mechanism involving the distribution of the intermediary triplet diradicals was proposed to account for the regioselectivity of the reaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rival solutions have emerged from applications of spin-coupled (SC) theory, also known as the full-generalized valence bond (full-GVB) approach, to the π system of O3. The lowest solution (SC d) corresponds to significant diradical character but there is a second solution (SC c) which lies fairly close in energy. Combining these two descriptions, it turns out that both of them make significant contributions, with neither being dominant. The situation is entirely different for SO2, with the SC c description being overwhelmingly dominant over SC d. It can be concluded from an examination of various combinations of rival π-space descriptions for both molecules that neither of the SC c nor SC d solutions provides a very satisfactory description on its own of the π system in O3, but that SO2 is already fairly well described by SC c before the explicit incorporation of any SC d character. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rival solutions have emerged from applications of spin-coupled (SC) theory, also known as the full-generalized valence bond (full-GVB) approach, to the π system of O3. The lowest solution (SC d) corresponds to significant diradical character but there is a second solution (SC c) which lies fairly close in energy. Combining these two descriptions, it turns out that both of them make significant contributions, with neither being dominant. The situation is entirely different for SO2, with the SC c description being overwhelmingly dominant over SC d. It can be concluded from an examination of various combinations of rival π-space descriptions for both molecules that neither of the SC c nor SC d solutions provides a very satisfactory description on its own of the π system in O3, but that SO2 is already fairly well described by SC c before the explicit incorporation of any SC d character. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azaborolyl anions, the five-membered BN heterocycles, have attracted a considerable attention due to their aromaticity and isoelectronic relationship with ubiquitous cyclopentadienyl ligands. Besides their syntheses and applications in the preparation of metal complexes, the other aspects of their chemistry have been virtually unexplored. Reduction of the azabutadienyl chelate boron dichloride [ArNC(R)CHC(R)]BCl2 ( 2, Ar=2,6-Me2C6H3, R= tBu) with two equivalents of potassium yielded the novel 2-chloro-azaborolyl anion [ArNC(R)CHC(R)BCl]K(thf) ( 3) as a stable product in good yield. Reaction of 3 with 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (NHC) yielded the first NHC-azaborole adduct with the elimination of KCl. The salt elimination reaction was also observed in the reactions with H2O and the organic azide ArN3, leading to the formation of an oxo-bridged 3 H-1,2-diazaborole and an intramolecular donor-stabilized iminoborane, demonstrating that 3 is a source of the unexplored 1,2-azaborole isosteric to cyclopentadienylidene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What could be simpler than C2, a diatomic molecule that has the second strongest homonuclear bond? This molecule turns out to be a microcosm of the bonding issues that bother chemists, as is shown in this trialogue. Join the three authors in their lively debate, light a candle, as Faraday did, and see the excited states of C2! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enediynes undergo cycloaromatization to p-benzyne diradicals. A new reaction of p-benzynes is here presented. Instead of their usual radical reactivity, they add nucleophiles, followed by protonation. Kinetic evidence showed that the rate-limiting step is the cycloaromatization, followed by rapid addition of a nucleophile. The unusual feature of nucleophilic addition to a radical center in a singlet diradical is discussed. Calculations that ignore solvation suggest that the addition has no activation barrier, but one is created by the necessity for desolvation of the anionic nucleophile. Relative reactivities of several nucleophiles have been measured under competition conditions. The observation of deuterium incorporation from DMSO- d6 or CD3CN shows that the species that is protonated is the aryl anion, not the p-benzyne. The extent of deuterium incorporation increases as the nucleophile is changed from iodide to bromide to chloride. This remarkable instance of selectivity is discussed. These studies of p-benzyne reactivity are exploring the nonradical chemistry of this diradical. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total synthesis of ceratopicanol ( 1) was achieved with a tandem cycloaddition reaction of allenyl diazo compound 6 via a trimethylenemethane (TMM) diyl intermediate. The TMM diyl mediated [2+3] cycloaddition reaction furnished the consecutive quaternary carbon centers and showed an unusual diastereoselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antiaromatic compounds have received a great deal of attention for several decades because of their unusual electronic structures. The electronic structures and properties of antiaromatic pentalene and its six nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives were systematically studied by the density functional theory at the Becke, three-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr level with 6-31G* basis set. The results indicated that all the monomers have stable singlet states and remarkable bond-length alternations. From the dimer to polymer in those molecules, pentalene(P), cyclopenta[ b]pyrrole(CPP), cyclopenta[ d]imidazole(CPI), pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyrrole(PP1) and pyrrolo[3,2- d]imidazole(PI) are stable diradical structures; pyrrolo[3,2- b]pyrrole (PP2) and imidazo[4,5- d]imidazole(II) are stable singlet ground states. The electronic properties including bond length, bond-length alternation, electron density at bond critical points, Wiberg bond index and nucleus-independent chemical shift were analyzed. It was found that in diradical molecules the bond-length alternations are diminished, the charge tends to equilibrate, the π-electron delocalization and conjugation are strengthened. The electronic properties of singlet ground state molecules have nearly no variations from monomers to polymers. The band structure analysis shows that diradical structure molecules have small band gaps (<1.0 eV), wide bandwidth and small effective masses of holes and electrons which suggest that diradical structure molecules are very good candidates for conductive materials. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal C2-C6/ene cyclization of enyne-allenes has become an exciting venue for both mechanistic and synthetic studies. While at first most efforts were aimed at establishing the diradical nature of the thermal process and to derive therefrom efficient protocols for synthetic schemes, recent evidence has disclosed the C2-C6 cyclization as a unique reaction heavily influenced by nonstatistical dynamic effects. Depending on the substituents at the enyne-allene, one can readily identify transitions between classical and nonstatistical behaviors on the basis of experimental data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isomeric 2-dehydro- and 4-dehydro-1,3-benzoquinodimethanes, 18 and 19, were generated by irradiation of the corresponding triiodo compounds in cryogenic argon matrices and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In agreement with multireference computations, both systems possess quartet ground states, whereas in the isomeric 5-dehydro- m-xylylene 20 the 2B2 doublet state lies energetically below the 4B2 state, so that no characteristic quartet signals could be observed for this triradical under similar experimental conditions. The best estimates for the adiabatic doublet-quartet energy splittings (CAS(7,7)-AQCC/cc-pVTZ//CAS(9,9)-RS2c/cc-pVTZ) of 18-20 are 10.4, 7.7, and −1.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The measured zero-field splitting parameters of 18 and 19 are discussed in terms of the contributions of carbenoid resonance structures (spin polarization of the π-system) to the resonance hybrid of the title triradicals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetry and broken symmetry (BS) in molecular orbital description of transition structures and intermediates in oxygenation reactions have been revisited to elucidate states correlation diagrams and mechanisms for addition reactions of molecular oxygen and metal-oxo M&dbond;O (M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)) species to C&dbond;C double bonds. Relative stabilities between diradical (DR) and perepoxide (PE) intermediates were thoroughly investigated by several BS hybrid DFT (HDFT) methods and BS CCSD(T) method with and without spin projection. It has been found that recovery of spin symmetry, namely eliminating spin contamination error from the BS solutions, is crucial for the elucidation of reasonable state correlation diagrams and energy differences of the key structures in the oxygenation reactions because the singlet-triplet energy gap for molecular oxygen is large (22 kcal/mol). The BS HDFT followed by spin correction reproduced activation barriers for transition structures along both PE and DR reaction pathways by the use of the CASPT2 method. Basis set dependence on the relative stability between PE and DR intermediates were also examined thoroughly. Solvation effect for DR and PE intermediates was further examined with self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) and SCIPCM methods. Both BS HDFT and CASPT2 have concluded that the DR mechanism is favorable for the addition reaction of singlet oxygen to ethylene, supporting our previous conclusions. The BS HDFT with spin correction was concluded to be useful enough for theoretical investigations of mechanisms of oxygenation reactions. Implications of the computational results were discussed in relation to the theoretical framework (four configuration model) for elucidation of possible mechanisms of epoxidation reactions with Fe(IV)&dbond;O cores in metalloenzymes on the basis of isolobal analogies among O, O&dbond;O, and Fe(IV)&dbond;O. Correspondence between magnetic coupling mode and radical pathway in oxygenations with these species was clarified based on the BS MO interaction diagrams, leading to local singlet and triplet diradical mechanisms for epoxidations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]