- Main
Electrostatics Generated by a Supramolecular Capsule Stabilizes the Transition State for Carbon–Carbon Reductive Elimination from Gold(III) Complex
Published Web Location
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b01710Abstract
Tetrahedral assemblies of stoichiometry M4L6 have been proven to catalyze a range of chemical reactions including the carbon-carbon reductive elimination reaction from transition metals such as gold. Here, we perform quantum chemical calculations of Gold(III) transition metal complexes in vacuum, and encapsulated in Ga4L612- or Si4L68- assemblies within both a reaction field continuum solvent and in an aqueous molecular environment with counterions, to rationalize the rate enhancements observed experimentally for the reductive elimination reaction. We find that the Ga4L612- assembly lowers the energy barrier of the reaction compared to Si4L68-, which is consistent with kinetic trends observed experimentally. We have determined that the primary factor for catalytic rate acceleration stems from the electrostatic environment emanating from the Ga4L612- capsule as opposed to the water or counterions.
Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.