No abstract

The kinetics of the equilibrium reaction between [Ni(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(2)(dppe)] (R= MeO, Me, H, Cl, or NO(2); dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)) and mixtures of [lutH](+) and lut (lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) in MeCN to form [Ni(SHC(6)H(4)R-4)(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(dppe)](+) have been studied using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The kinetics for the reactions with R = MeO, Me, H, or Cl are consistent with a single-step equilibrium reaction. Investigation of the temperature dependence of the reactions shows that DeltaG = 13.6 +/- 0.3 kcal mol(-)(1) for all the derivatives but the values of DeltaH and DeltaS vary with R (R = MeO, DeltaH() = 8.5 kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS = -16 cal K(-)(1) mol(-)(1); R = Me, DeltaH() = 10.8 kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS = -9.5 cal K(-)(1) mol(-)(1); R = Cl, DeltaH = 23.7 kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS = +33 cal K(-)(1) mol(-)(1)). With [Ni(SC(6)H(4)NO(2)-4)(2)(dppe)] a more complicated rate law is observed consistent with a mechanism in which initial hydrogen-bonding of [lutH](+) to the complex precedes intramolecular proton transfer. It seems likely that all the derivatives operate by this mechanism, but only with R = NO(2) (the most electron-withdrawing substituent) does the intramolecular proton transfer step become sufficiently slow to result in the change in kinetics. Studies with [lutD](+) show that the rates of proton transfer to [Ni(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(2)(dppe)] (R = Me or Cl) are associated with negligible kinetic isotope effect. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The rates of proton transfer to [Ni(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(2)(dppe)] vary with the 4-R-substituent, and the Hammett plot is markedly nonlinear. This unusual behavior is attributable to the electronic influence of R which affects the electron density at the sulfur.

The protonation of [Ni(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(triphos)](+) (triphos = PhP[CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)](2); R = NO(2), Cl, H, Me, or MeO) by [lutH](+) (lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) to form [Ni(S(H)C(6)H(4)R-4)(triphos)](2+) is an equilibrium reaction in MeCN. Kinetic studies, using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, reveal that the reactions occur by a two-step mechanism. Initially, [lutH](+) rapidly binds to the complex (K(2)(R)) in an interaction which probably involves hydrogen-bonding of the acid to the sulfur. Subsequent intramolecular proton transfer from [lutH](+) to sulfur (k(3)(R)) is slow because of both electronic and steric factors. The X-ray crystal structures of [Ni(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(triphos)](+) (R = NO(2), H, Me, or MeO) show that all are best described as square-planar complexes, with the phenyl substituents of the triphos ligand presenting an appreciable barrier to the approach of the sterically demanding [lutH](+) to the sulfur. The kinetic characteristics of the intramolecular proton transfer from [lutH](+) to sulfur have been investigated. The rate of intramolecular proton transfer exhibits a nonlinear dependence on Hammett sigma(+), with both electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing 4-R-substituents on the coordinated thiolate facilitating the rate of proton transfer (NO(2) > Cl > H > Me < MeO). The rate constants for intramolecular proton transfer correlate well with the calculated electron density of the sulfur. The temperature dependence of the rate of the intramolecular proton transfer reactions shows that deltaH() is small but increases as the 4-R-substituent becomes more electron-withdrawing [deltaH = 4.1 (MeO), 6.9 (Me), 11.4 kcal mol(-)(1) (NO(2))], while DeltaS() becomes progressively less negative [deltaS = -50.1 (MeO), -41.2 (Me), -16.4 (NO(2)) cal K(-)(1) mol(-)(1)]. Studies with [lutD](+) show that the rate of intramolecular proton transfer varies with the 4-R-substituent [(k(3)(NO)2)(H)/(k(3)(NO)2)(D) = 0.39; (k(3)(Cl))(H)/(k(3)(Cl))(D) = 0.88; (k(3)(Me))(H)/(k(3)(Me))(D) = 1.3; (k(3)(MeO))(H)/(k(3)(MeO))(D) = 1.2].

The kinetics of the reactions between [Zn4(SPh)10](2-) and an excess of MX2 (M = Co, X = NO3 or Cl; M = Fe, X = Cl), in which a Zn(II) is replaced by M(II), have been studied in MeCN at 25.0 degrees C. (1)H NMR spectroscopy shows that the ultimate product of the reactions is an equilibrium mixture of clusters of composition [Zn(n)M(4-n)(SPh)10](2-), and this is reflected in the multiphasic absorbance-time curves observed over protracted times (several minutes) using stopped-flow spectrophotometry to study the reactions. The kinetics of only the first phase have been determined, corresponding to the equilibrium formation of [Zn3M(SPh)10](2-). The effects of varying the concentrations of cluster, MX2, and ZnCl2 on the kinetics have been investigated. The rate law is consistent with the equilibrium nature of the metal exchange process and indicates a mechanism for the formation of [Zn3M(SPh)10](2-) involving two coupled equilibria. In the initial step binding of MX2 to a bridging thiolate in [Zn4(SPh)10](2-) results in breaking of a Zn-bridging thiolate bond. In the second step replacement of the cluster Zn involves transfer of the bridging thiolates from the Zn to M, with breaking of a Zn-bridged thiolate bond being rate-limiting. The kinetics for the reaction of ZnCl2 with [Zn3M(SPh)10](2-) (M = Fe or Co)} depends on the identity of M. This behavior indicates attack of ZnCl2 at a M-mu-SPh-Zn bridged thiolate. Similar studies on the analogous reactions between [Fe4(SPh)10](2-) and an excess of CoX2 (X = NO3 or Cl) in MeCN exhibit simpler kinetics but these are also consistent with the same mechanism.