Effects of electron-rich ancillary ligands on green and yellow-emitting bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes

Abstract

Six new green to yellow-emitting heteroleptic bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of the type Ir(C?N)₂(L?X) (C?N?=?cyclometalating ligand, L?X?=?monoanionic chelating ancillary ligand) bearing two widely used cyclometalating ligands (C?N?=?2-(2-thienyl)pyridine (thpy) and 2-phenylbenzoxazole (bo)) and six different ancillary ligands were prepared. In this study, the complexes include structurally diverse ancillary ligands that allow us to investigate several aspects of structure-property relationships. Ancillary ligands used in this study are small-bite-angle N-phenylacetamidate (paa), N-isopropylbenzamidate (ipba) and N,N′-diisopropylbenzamidinate (dipba), and larger bite-angle β-ketoiminate (acNac), β-diketiminate (NacNac), and β-thioketoiminate (SacNac). The emission color is governed by the choice of the cyclometalating ligand, but the ancillary ligands influence the electrochemical and photophysical properties. Electrochemical analysis shows that the energy of the HOMO varies substantially as the L?X structure is altered, whereas the energy of LUMO remains nearly constant. The emission maxima range from 537?nm to 590?nm, with solution quantum yields between 0.0094 and 0.60 and microsecond lifetimes. The results here reveal the ancillary ligands provide a channel to control redox properties and excited-state dynamics in cyclometalated iridium complexes that luminesce in the middle regions of the visible spectrum.     

Terminal end-on coordination of dinitrogen versus isoelectronic CO: A comparison using the charge displacement analysis

The metal dinitrogen bonding in a wide series of terminal end-on dinitrogen complexes is investigated with the charge displacement analysis based on natural orbitals of chemical valence (CD-NOCV). The effect of the σ donation and π backdonation on the N N bond are discussed and compared with the observations for a series of carbonyl complexes, published in 2016 by Tarantelli et al. The σ donation is relative invariant over the series of dinitrogen complexes and has no significant effect on the N N bond strength, whereas the π backdonation causes a considerable elongation of the N N bond. Some uncommon examples of weakly bound dinitrogen with blue-shifted stretching frequency compared to free N₂ (ν = 2330 cm⁻¹) are known. The dinitrogen bonding in these complexes is simulated with a point charge. Apparently, electrostatics account for the shortened N─N bond in these systems.     

Plasma-Assisted Coupling Reactions of Dinitrogen and Carbon Dioxide Mediated by Monometallic YB1–4−⋅Anions: Carbon−Nitrogen Bond Formation

Transition-metal catalyzed coupling to form C−N bonds is significant in chemical science. However, the inert nature of N₂ and CO₂ renders their coupling quite challenging. Herein, we report the activation of dinitrogen in the mild plasma atmosphere by the gas-phase monometallic YB_1–4⁻ anions and further coupling of CO₂ to form C−N bonds by using mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation. The observed product anions are NCNBO⁻ and N(BO)₂⁻, accompanied by the formation of neutral products YO and YB_0–2NC, respectively. We can tune the reactivity and the type of products by manipulating the number of B atoms. The B atoms in YB_1–4N₂⁻ act as electron donors in CO₂ reduction reactions, and the carbon atom originating from CO₂ serves as an electron reservoir. This is the first example of gas-phase monometallic anions, which are capable to realize the functionalization of N₂ with CO₂ through C−N bond formation and N−N and C−O bond cleavage.     

Synthesis and Diverse Transformations of a Dinitrogen Dititanium Hydride Complex Bearing Rigid Acridane-Based PNP-Pincer Ligands

Studies on N₂ activation and transformation by transition metal hydride complexes are of particular interest and importance. The synthesis and diverse transformations of a dinitrogen dititanium hydride complex bearing the rigid acridane-based ^acriPNP-pincer ligands {[(^acriPNP)Ti]₂(μ₂-η¹:η²-N₂)(μ₂-H)₂} are presented. This complex enabled N₂ cleavage and hydrogenation even without additional H₂ or other reducing agents. Furthermore, diverse transformations of the N₂ unit with a variety of organometallic compounds such as ZnMe₂, MgMe₂, AlMe₃, B(C₆F₅)₃, PinBH, and PhSiH₃ have been well established at the rigid ^acriPNP-ligated dititanium framework, such as reversible bonding-mode change between the end-on and side-on/end-on fashions, diborylative N=N bond cleavage, the formal insertion of two dimethylaluminum species into the N=N bond, and the formal insertion of two silylene units into the N=N bond. This work has revealed many unprecedented aspects of dinitrogen reaction chemistry.     

Synthesis and Diverse Transformations of a Dinitrogen Dititanium Hydride Complex Bearing Rigid Acridane‐Based PNP‐Pincer Ligands

Studies on N₂ activation and transformation by transition metal hydride complexes are of particular interest and importance. The synthesis and diverse transformations of a dinitrogen dititanium hydride complex bearing the rigid acridane‐based ^acriPNP‐pincer ligands {[(^acriPNP)Ti]₂(μ₂‐η¹:η²‐N₂)(μ₂‐H)₂} are presented. This complex enabled N₂ cleavage and hydrogenation even without additional H₂ or other reducing agents. Furthermore, diverse transformations of the N₂ unit with a variety of organometallic compounds such as ZnMe₂, MgMe₂, AlMe₃, B(C₆F₅)₃, PinBH, and PhSiH₃ have been well established at the rigid ^acriPNP‐ligated dititanium framework, such as reversible bonding‐mode change between the end‐on and side‐on/end‐on fashions, diborylative N=N bond cleavage, the formal insertion of two dimethylaluminum species into the N=N bond, and the formal insertion of two silylene units into the N=N bond. This work has revealed many unprecedented aspects of dinitrogen reaction chemistry.     

Vibrational Properties of [FeH(N2)(depe)2]+ and [FeCl(N2)(depe)2]+]: Dinitrogen Bonding in the Low Activation Limit

The vibrational properties of the two octahedral Fe^II dinitrogen complexes [FeH(N₂)(depe)₂]⁺ ( 1 ) and [FeCl(N₂)(depe)₂]⁺ ( 2 , depe = 1, 2‐bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) are investigated with the help of infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Vibrational data are evaluated with a Quantum Chemistry Assisted Normal Coordinate Analysis (QCA‐NCA; N. Lehnert, F. Tuczek, Inorg. Chem. 1999 , 38, 1659). In agreement with high values found for ν(NN) and the corresponding force constants f(NN), the N₂ ligands in compounds 1 and 2 are non‐activated which corresponds to the observation that N₂ is not protonable in Fe^II systems. Taking into account the short Fe‐N bond lengths, the values of the Fe‐N stretching force constants (2.55mdyn/Å for 1 and 2.58mdyn/Å for 2 ) are found to be compatible with those of other Fe^II low‐spin compounds coordinated to backbonding N‐coordinating ligands. The force fields obtained for the Fe‐N₂ units of 1 and 2 are almost identical although the thermal stability of 1 and 2 with respect to loss of N₂ is different. This indicates that the zero‐point vibrational levels are unaffected by possible ground‐state level crossing processes occuring at larger Fe‐N bond lengths, as observed for 2 (O. Franke, B. E. Wiesler, N. Lehnert, C. Näther, V. Ksenofontov, J. Neuhausen, F. Tuczek, Inorg. Chem. 2002 , 41, 3491).     

Trichloro(Dinitrogen)Platinate(II)

Zeise's salt, [PtCl₃(H₂C=CH₂)]⁻_, is the oldest known organometallic complex, featuring ethylene strongly bound to a platinum salt. Many derivatives are known, but none involving dinitrogen, and indeed dinitrogen complexes are unknown for both platinum and palladium. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of K₂[PtCl₄] solutions generate strong ions corresponding to [PtCl₃(N₂)]⁻, the identity of which was confirmed through ion-mobility spectrometry and MS/MS experiments that proved it to be distinct from its isobaric counterparts [PtCl₃(C₂H₄)]⁻ and [PtCl₃(CO)]⁻. Computational analysis established a gas-phase platinum–dinitrogen bond strength of 116 kJ mol⁻¹, substantially weaker than the ethylene and carbon monoxide analogues but stronger than for polar solvents such as water, methanol and dimethylformamide, and strong enough that the calculated N−N bond length of 1.119 Å represents weakening to a degree typical of isolated dinitrogen complexes.     

Nitrogen–Carbon Bond Formation by Reactions of a Titanium–Potassium Dinitrogen Complex with Carbon Dioxide,tert‐Butyl Isocyanate,and Phenylallene

Nitrogen–carbon bond‐forming reactions at coordinated dinitrogen in a bifunctional titanium–potassium system are reported. A titanium atrane complex with a tris(aryloxide)methyl ligand ( 1 ) was treated with two equivalents of potassium naphthalenide under N₂ atmosphere to generate a bifunctional complex ( 2 ) in which N₂ binds end‐on to two titanium centers and side‐on to three potassium cations. Dinitrogen complex 2 reacted with carbon dioxide, tert ‐butyl isocyanate, and phenylallene, forming nitrogen–carbon bonds and affording diverse N‐functionalized products. The reaction of 2 with CO₂ followed by addition of Me₃SiCl resulted in the formation of the starting complex 1 with concomitant release of silylated carboxyl hydrazines while the reaction with two equivalents of tert ‐butyl isocyanate proceeded by insertion into the Ti−N bonds. Treatment of 2 with phenylallene afforded vinyl‐substituted hydrazido complexes.     

Synthesis and Ligand Modification Chemistry of a Molybdenum Dinitrogen Complex: Redox and Chemical Activity of a Bis(imino)pyridine Ligand

The bis(imino)pyridine 2,6‐(2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃N?CPh)₂‐C₅H₃N (^iPrBPDI) molybdenum dinitrogen complex, [{(^iPrBPDI)Mo(N₂)}₂(μ₂,η¹,η¹‐N₂)] has been prepared and contains both weakly (terminal) and modestly (bridging) activated N₂ ligands. Addition of ammonia resulted in sequential N? H bond activations, thus forming bridging parent imido (μ‐NH) ligands with concomitant reduction of one of the imines of the supporting chelate. Using primary and secondary amines, model intermediates have been isolated that highlight the role of metal–ligand cooperativity in NH₃ oxidation.     

Dinitrogen Splitting Coupled to Protonation

The coupling of electron- and proton-transfer steps provides a general concept to control the driving force of redox reactions. N₂ splitting of a molybdenum dinitrogen complex into nitrides coupled to a reaction with Brønsted acid is reported. Remarkably, our spectroscopic, kinetic, and computational mechanistic analysis attributes N−N bond cleavage to protonation in the periphery of an amide pincer ligands rather than the {Mo−N₂−Mo} core. The strong effect on electronic structure and ultimately the thermochemistry and kinetic barrier of N−N bond cleavage is an unusual case of a proton-coupled metal-to-ligand charge transfer process, highlighting the use of proton-responsive ligands for nitrogen fixation.     

Bent and linear trinuclear nickel complexes with ligands derived from N -acylsalicylhydrazide ligands: structural characterization and bioactivity

Two trinuclear Ni(II) complexes Ni₃(L₁)₂(py)₂(DMF)(H₂O) (1) and Ni₃(L₂)₂(py)₂(DMF)₂ (2) with two new trianionic pentadentate ligands N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-salicylhydrazide (H₃L₁) and N-(phenylacetyl)-5-nitrosalicylhydrazide (H₃L₂) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Nickel ions in the two complexes have square-planar/octahedral/square-planar coordination. Central metal ion and two terminal metal ions in the two complexes are combined by two bridging deprotonated ligands, forming a trinuclear structural unit with an M–N–N–M–N–N–M core. Studies on the trinuclear Ni(II) complexes show that the β-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazide ligands with sterically flexible Cα methylene groups yield linear trinuclear Ni(II) complexes, while α-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazide ligands tend to form bent trinuclear Ni(II) complexes. Antibacterial screening data in a previous study indicates that bent trinuclear Ni(II) compound 1 is more active than linear compound 2 and less active than a tetranuclear nickel compound.     

A five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex including a neutral axial pyridine N‐oxide ligand

While six‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes with pyridine N‐oxides as axial ligands have been studied as they exhibit rare spin‐crossover behavior, studies of five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complexes including neutral axial ligands are rare. A five‐coordinate pyridine N‐oxide–5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrinate–iron(III) complex, namely (pyridine N‐oxide‐κO)(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphinato‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′)iron(III) hexafluoroantimonate(V) dichloromethane disolvate, [Fe(C₄₄H₂₈N₄)(C₅H₅NO)][SbF₆]·2CH₂Cl₂, was isolated and its crystal structure determined in the space group P. The porphyrin core is moderately saddled and the Fe—O—N bond angle is 122.08 (13)°. The average Fe—N bond length is 2.03 Å and the Fe—ONC₅H₅ bond length is 1.9500 (14) Å. This complex provides a rare example of a five‐coordinate iron(III) porphyrin complex that is coordinated to a neutral organic ligand through an O‐monodentate binding mode.     

The Triple‐Bond Metathesis of Aryldiazonium Salts: A Prospect for Dinitrogen Cleavage

The {N₂} unit of aryldiazonium salts undergoes unusually facile triple‐bond metathesis on treatment with molybdenum or tungsten alkylidyne ate complexes endowed with triphenylsilanolate ligands. The reaction transforms the alkylidyne unit into a nitrile and the aryldiazonium entity into an imido ligand on the metal center, as unambiguously confirmed by X‐ray structure analysis of two representative examples. A tungsten nitride ate complex is shown to react analogously. Since the bonding situation of an aryldiazonium salt is similar to that of metal complexes with end‐on‐bound dinitrogen, in which {N₂}→M σ donation is dominant and electron back donation minimal, the metathesis described herein is thought to be a conceptually novel strategy toward dinitrogen cleavage devoid of any redox steps and, therefore, orthogonal to the established methods.     

Group 6 Transition‐Metal/Boron Frustrated Lewis Pair Templates Activate N2 and Allow its Facile Borylation and Silylation

The reaction of trans ‐[M(N₂)₂(dppe)₂] (M=Mo, 1_Mo , M=W, 1_W ) with B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 2 ) provides the adducts [(dppe)₂M=N=N‐B(C₆F₅)₃] ( 3 ) which can be regarded as M/B transition‐metal frustrated Lewis pair (TMFLP) templates activating dinitrogen. Easy borylation and silylation of the activated dinitrogen ligands in complexes 3 with a hydroborane and hydrosilane occur by splitting of the B−H and Si−H bonds between the N₂ moiety and the perfluoroaryl borane. This reactivity of 3 is reminiscent of conventional frustrated Lewis pair chemistry and constitutes an unprecedented approach for the functionalization of dinitrogen.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

Amidinato Germylene‐Zinc Complexes: Synthesis,Bonding, and Reactivity

Despite the explosive growth of germylene compounds as ligands in transition metal complexes, there is a modicum of precedence for the germylene zinc complexes. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of new germylene zinc complexes [PhC(NtBu)₂Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnX₂]₂ (X= Br ( 2 ) and I ( 3 )) supported by (benz)‐amidinato germylene ligands are reported. The solid‐state structures of 2 and 3 have been validated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, which revealed the dimeric nature of the complexes, with distorted tetrahedral geometries around the Ge and Zn center. DFT calculations reveal that the Ge–Zn bonds in 2 and 3 are dative in nature. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur resulted in the first structurally characterized germathione stabilized ZnBr₂ complexes PhC(NtBu)₂Ge(=S){N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnBr₂ ( 5 ). Therefore, the Ge=S in 5 is in‐between Ge–S single and Ge=S double bond length, owing to the coordination of a sulfur lone pair of electrons to ZnBr₂.     

REVIEW: SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT COORDINATION COMPOUNDS WITH END-ON DINITROGEN

Abstract

There have been several reviews on dinitrogen coordination compounds but no special attention has been paid to correlate the electron configuration of the metal ions with the main features of the ligands in order to establish an electron configuration-stability relationship. In this article we consider nearly 200 complexes with terminal dinitrogen to find common characteristics that lead to the synthesis of other stable dinitrogen compounds. This survey shows that for coordination number 6 there is a strong tendency for a d ⁶ configuration in the metals, with oxidation states between 1- and 2.

On the basis of quantum chemistry, dinitrogen as a ligand can be compared with the isoelectronic species CO, CN^?, NO⁺. The MO and orbital energy diagrams indicate that N₂ is not a good donor neither a good acceptor, but with the appropriate symmetry and in the presence of a good π-donor metal it forms an N₂← M π-bond strengthened by an N₂→ M σ-back-bonding.     

Dynamic 15N NMR studies of iron phosphine complexes containing coordinated dinitrogen

The ¹⁵N‐labelled iron dinitrogen complexes trans‐[FeH(N₂)(PP)₂]⁺[BPh₄]^? (PP = dppe, depe, dmpe) and cis‐[FeH(N₂)(PP₃)]⁺[BPh₄]^? were prepared in situ by exchange of unlabelled coordinated dinitrogen with ¹⁵N₂. ¹⁵N NMR chemical shifts and coupling constants are reported. The ¹⁵N spectra exhibit separate signals for the metal‐bound and terminal nitrogen atoms of the coordinated N₂. The ¹⁵N resonances display ¹⁵N, ¹⁵N coupling as well as ³¹P, ¹⁵N coupling and long‐range ¹⁵N, ¹H coupling when there is a metal‐bound hydrido ligand. Exchange between free and coordinated dinitrogen was monitored by magnetization transfer between ¹⁵N‐labelled sites using an inversion–transfer–recovery experiment. Exchange between the metal‐bound and terminal nitrogen atoms of coordinated N₂ was also monitored by magnetization transfer and this could proceed by N₂ dissociation or by an intramolecular process. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two square‐pyramidal chromium(V)–nitride complexes: bis­(2‐methyl­quinolin‐8‐olato)nitridochromium(V) and nitridobis(2‐sulfidopyridine N‐oxide)chromium(V)

Two new chromium(V)–nitride complexes with a coordination sphere completed by bidentate ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Bis(2‐methyl­quinolin‐8‐olato)nitridochromium(V), [Cr(C₁₀H₈NO)₂(N)], has the coordination sphere completed by an equatorial N₂O₂ set of ligators. The compound crystallizes with the five‐coordinate complexes at sites with twofold rotational symmetry and all Cr—N bond directions aligned with the crystallographic b axis. Nitridobis(2‐sulfidopyridine N‐oxide)chromium(V), [Cr(C₅H₄NOS)₂(N)], crystallizes with the mol­ecules on general positions and has an equatorial S₂O₂ coordination environment, which is unprecedented among nitride complexes of the first‐row transition metals. In both systems, Cr[triple‐bond]N bonds are short at ca 1.56 Å.