Nickel(II)-phenoxyl radical complexes: structure-radical stability relationship

Nickel(II) complexes of N3O-donor tripodal ligands, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[([bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]amino)methyl]phenol (HtbuL), 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[([(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]phenol (HtbuLMepy), and 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[([bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]amino)methyl]phenol (HtbuL(Mepy)2), were prepared, and [Ni(tbuL)Cl(H2O)] (1), [Ni(tbuLMepy)Cl] (2), and [Ni(tbuL(Mepy)2)Cl] (3) were structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. Complexes 1 and 3 have a mononuclear structure with a coordinated phenolate moiety, while 2 has a dinuclear structure bridged by two chloride ions. The geometry of the Ni(II) center was found to be octahedral for 1 and 2 and 5-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal for 3. Complexes 1-3 exhibited similar absorption spectra in CH3CN, indicating that they all have a mononuclear structure in solution. They were converted to the phenoxyl radicals upon oxidation with Ce(IV), giving a phenoxyl radical pi-pi transition band at 394-407 nm. ESR spectra at low temperature and resonance Raman spectra established that the radical species has a Ni(II)-phenoxyl radical bond. The cyclic voltammograms showed a quasi-reversible redox wave at E1/2=0.46-0.56 V (vs Ag/AgCl) corresponding to the formation of the phenoxyl radical, which displayed a first-order decay with a half-life of 45 min at room temperature for 1 and 26 and 5.9 min at -20 degrees C for 2 and 3, respectively. The radical stability increased with the donor ability of the N ligands.     

Syntheses and electronic structures of one-electron-oxidized group 10 metal(II)-(disalicylidene)diamine complexes (metal = Ni, Pd, Pt)

Group 10 metal(II) complexes of H2tbu-salen (H2tbu-salen = N,N'-bis(3',5'-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)ethylenediamine) and H2tbu-salcn (H2tbu-salcn = N,N'-bis(3',5'-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine) containing two 2,4-di(tert-butyl)phenol moieties, [Ni(tbu-salen)] (1a), [Ni(tbu-salcn)] (1b), [Pd(tbu-salen)] (2a), [Pd(tbu-salcn)] (2b), and [Pt(tbu-salen)] (3), were prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, and the electronic structures of their one-electron-oxidized species were established by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. All the complexes have a mononuclear structure with two phenolate oxygens coordinated in a very similar square-planar geometry. These complexes exhibited similar absorption spectra in CH2Cl2, indicating that they all have a similar structure in solution. Cyclic voltammograms of the complexes showed a quasi-reversible redox wave at E1/2 = 0.82-1.05 V (vs Ag/AgCl), corresponding to formation of the relatively stable one-electron-oxidized species. The electrochemically oxidized or Ce(IV)-oxidized species of 1a, 2a, and 3 displayed a first-order decay with a half-life of 83, 20, and 148 min at -20 degrees C, respectively. Ni(II) complexes 1a and 1b were converted to the phenoxyl radicals upon one-electron oxidation in CH2Cl2 above -80 degrees C and to the Ni(III)-phenolate species below -120 degrees C. The temperature-dependent conversion was reversible with the Ni(III)-phenolate ground state and was found to be a valence tautomerism governed by the solvent. One-electron-oxidized 1b was isolated as [Ni(tbu-salcn)]NO3 (4) having the Ni(II)-phenoxyl radical ground state. One-electron-oxidized species of the Pd(II) complexes 2a and 2b were different from those of the Ni(II) complexes, the Pd(II)-phenoxyl radical species being the ground state in CH2Cl2 in the range 5-300 K. The one-electron-oxidized form of 2b, [Pd(tbu-salcn)]NO3 (5), which was isolated as a dark green powder, was found to be a Pd(II)-phenoxyl radical complex. On the other hand, the ESR spectrum of the one-electron-oxidized species of Pt(II) complex 3 exhibited a temperature-independent large g anisotropy in CH2Cl2 below -80 degrees C, while its resonance Raman spectrum at -60 degrees C displayed nu8a of the phenoxyl radical band at 1600 cm-1. These results indicated that the ground state of the Pt(II)-phenoxyl radical species has a large distribution of the radical electron spin at the Pt center. One-electron oxidation of 3 gave [Pt(tbu-salen)]NO3 (6) as a solid, where the oxidation state of the Pt center was determined to be ca. +2.5 from the XPS and XANES measurements.     

Reactions of tris(oxalato)cobaltate(III) with two-electron reductants

The tris(oxalato)cobaltate(III) complex [Co(C(2)O(4))(3)](3-), E(o)(Co)(III/II)=+0.57 V) is readily reduced by the 2e(-) reagents, Sn(II) and Ge(II), in contrast to (NH(3))(5)CoCl(2+) and (NH(3))(5)CoBr(2+), which are unreactive toward these donors. Rates for the oxalato oxidant are only 10(-3)-10(-2) as great as those for vitamin B(12a)(aquacob(III)alamin, E(o)+0.35 V at pH 1), in accord with the suggestion that reductions of corrin-bound cobalt(III) by Sn(II) and Ge(II) occur predominantly through an additional path involving Co(i). Reductions of the oxalato complex by 2e(-) donors are taken to proceed by initial formation of odd-electron intermediates (e.g., Sn(III) and Ge(III)) which react rapidly with Co(III). Such a two-step sequence is in keeping with the observed behavior of the rare reductant, Ti(II), which is found to be oxidized by [Co(C(2)O(4))(3)](3-) more slowly than (independently prepared) Ti(III) under comparable conditions.     

Phenolate and phenoxyl radical complexes of Cu(II) and Co(III), bearing a new redox active N,O-phenol-pyrazole ligand

The synthesis and characterisation of the new N,O-phenol-pyrazole pro-ligand, (pz)LH, comprising a pyrazole covalently linked to an o,p-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenol, are herein reported. In CH(2)Cl(2) at room temperature, the cyclic voltammogram (CV) of (pz)LH exhibits a quasi-reversible one-electron oxidation process (at E(1/2) = 0.66 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc) attributed to the formation of the phenoxyl radical cation [(pz)LH]˙(+). (pz)LH reacts with M(II)(BF(4))(2) (M = Cu, Co) in a 2:1 ratio to afford the bis-Cu(pz)L(2) (1) and tris-Co(pz)L(3) (2) complexes respectively. The X-ray structure of 1 reveals a Cu(II) ion in a square-planar trans-Cu(II)-N(2)O(2) coordination environment whereas that of 2 consists of a Co(III) ion with an octahedral mer-N(3)O(3) coordination sphere; formed by the chelation of two (in 1) or three (in 2) N,O-bidentate phenolate ligands respectively. Both structures are preserved in CH(2)Cl(2) solution, as revealed by their NMR (for 2) and EPR (for 1) data. The CVs of 1 and 2 consist of two (at E(1/2): 0.43 and 0.58 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc) and three (E(1/2) = 0.12, 0.54 and 0.89 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc) reversible one-electron oxidation processes, respectively. The one-electron electrochemical oxidation of 1 and 2 produces the oxidised species, 1(+) and 2(+), which are stable for several hours at room temperature under inert atmosphere in CH(2)Cl(2). The UV/vis and EPR data obtained for 1(+) and 2(+) are unambiguously consistent with the latter being formulated as Cu(II)- and Co(III)-phenoxyl radical complexes, as [Cu(II)((pz)L˙)((pz)L)](+) and [Co(III)((pz)L˙)((pz)L)(2)](+) respectively.     

Carboxylate and alkyl carbonate coordination at the hydrophobic binding site of redox-active dicobalt amine thiophenolate complexes

A series of new dicobalt complexes of the permethylated macrocyclic hexaamine dithiophenolate ligand H(2)L(Me) have been prepared and investigated in the context of ligand binding and oxidation state changes. The octadentate ligand is an effective dinucleating ligand that supports the formation of bioctahedral complexes with a central N(3)Co(mu-SR)(2)(mu-X)CoN(3) core structure, leaving a free bridging position X for the coordination of the substrates. The acetato- and cinnamato-bridged complexes [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)CMe)](+) (2) and [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)CCH=CHPh)](+) (5) were prepared by reaction of the mu-Cl complex [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-Cl)](+) (1) with the corresponding sodium carboxylates in methanol. The electrochemical properties of these and of the methyl carbonate complex [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)COMe)](+) (8) were also investigated. All complexes undergo two stepwise oxidations at ca. E(1)(1/2) = +0.22 and at E(2)(1/2) = ca. +0.60 V vs SCE, affording the mixed-valent complexes [(L(Me))Co(II)Co(III)(mu-O(2)CR)](2+) (3, 6, 9) and the fully oxidized Co(III)Co(III) forms [(L(Me))Co(III)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)](3+) (4, 7, 10), respectively. Compounds 3, 6, 9 and 4, 7, 10 refer to acetato-, cinnamato-, and methylcarbonato species, respectively. The Co(II)Co(III) compounds were prepared by comproportionation of the respective Co(II)(2) and Co(III)(2) compounds. The Co(III)Co(III) species were prepared by bromine oxidation of the Co(II)Co(II) forms. The crystal structures of complexes 2.BPh(4).MeCN, 3.(I(3))(2), 5.BPh(4).2MeCN, 6.(ClO(4))(2).EtOH, 7.(ClO(4))(3).MeCN.(H(2)O)(3), and 9.(ClO(4))(2).(MeOH)(2).H(2)O were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography at 210 K. The oxidations occur without gross structural changes of the parent complexes. The Co(II)Co(III) complexes are composed of high-spin Co(II) (d(7)) and low-spin Co(III) (d(6)) ions. The Co(III)Co(III) complexes are diamagnetic. The oxidation reactions affect the binding mode of the substrates. In the Co(II)(2) and Co(II)Co(III) forms the carboxylates bridge the two Co(2+) ions in a symmetric mu-1,3 fashion with uniform C-O bond distances, whereas asymmetric bridging modes, with one short C=O and one long C-O distance, are adopted in the fully oxidized species. This is consistent with the observed shifts in vibrational frequencies for nu(as)(C-O) and nu(s)(C-O) across the series.     

Chemistry of cobalt acetate. 7. Electrochemical oxidation of mu3-oxo-centered cobalt(III) acetate trimers

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of five cobalt(III) acetate complexes [CoIII3(mu3-O)(CH3CO2)5(OR)(py)3][PF6] are described, where py=pyridine and R=OCCH3 (A), H (B), CH3 (C), CH2CH=CH2 (D), and CH2C6H5 (E). Each is reduced irreversibly as observed by cyclic voltammetry at room temperature and at -40 degrees C in acetonitrile at scan rates up to 20 V s(-1), but oxidized reversibly to a mixed-valence Co(III)2Co(IV) species at approximately 1.23 V vs the ferrocenium/ferrocene couple. Controlled potential coulometry confirmed a one-electron-oxidation process. Spectroelectrochemical oxidation of A at 5 degrees C showed isosbestic points in the electronic absorption spectrum that showed the oxidized complex to be stable in solution for at least 1 h.     

Transient infrared spectroscopy: a new approach to investigate valence tautomerism

In this work we present, to our knowledge for the first time, the results of a transient infrared spectroscopic study of the photoinduced valence tautomerism process in cobalt-dioxolene complexes with sub-picosecond time resolution. The molecular systems investigated were [Co(tpa)(diox)]PF(6) (1) and [Co(Me(3)tpa)(diox)]PF(6) (2), where diox = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dioxolene; tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and Me(3)tpa its 6-methylated analogue. Complex (1) is present in solution as ls-Co(III)(catecholate) (1-CAT), while (2) as hs-Co(II)(semiquinonate) (2-SQ). DFT calculation of the harmonic frequencies for (1) and (2) allowed us to identify the vibrational markers of catecholate and semiquinonate redox isomers. Irradiation with 405 and 810 nm pulses (~35 fs) of (1-CAT) induces the formation of an intermediate excited species from which the ground state population is recovered with a time constant of 1.5 ± 0.3 ns. Comparing the 1 ns transient infrared spectrum with the experimental difference spectrum FTIR(2-SQ)-FTIR(1-CAT) and with the calculated difference spectrum IR(c)(1-SQ)-IR(c)(1-CAT) we are able to unequivocally identify the long lived species as the semiquinonate redox isomer of (1). On the other hand, no evidence of photoconversion is observed upon irradiation of (2) with 405 nm. Temporal evolution of transient spectra was analyzed with the combined approach consisting of singular values decomposition and global fitting (global analysis). After 405 and 810 nm excitation of (1-CAT), the semiquinonate excited species is formed on an ultrafast time scale (<200 fs) and cools down within the first 50 ps. Excitation of (2-SQ) with 405 nm wavelength produces a short lived excited state in which the semiquinonate nature of dioxolene is preserved and the ground state recovery is completed within 30 ps.     

Molecular and electronic structure of square-planar gold complexes containing two 1,2-Di(4-tert-butylphenyl)ethylene-1,2-dithiolato ligands: [Au(2L)2]1+/0/1-/2-. A combined experimental and computational study

From the reaction of in situ generated 1,2-di(4-tert-butylphenyl)ethylene-1,2-dithiol, 2LH2, and Na[AuCl4].2H2O in 1,4-dioxane, green brown crystals of diamagnetic [N(n-Bu)4][AuIII(2L)2] (1) were obtained. As shown by cyclic voltammetry, 1 is a member of an electron-transfer series comprising the dianion [AuII(2L)2]2-, the monoanion [AuIII(2L)2]-, the neutral species [AuIII(2L*)(2L)]0 <--> [AuIII(2L)(2L*)]0, and the monocation [AuIII(2L*)2]+. (2L*)1- represents the pi radical anion (Srad = 1/2) of the one-electron oxidized closed-shell dianion (2L)2-. Oxidation of 1 in CH2Cl2 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate affords green, paramagnetic microcrystals of [AuIII(2L*)(2L)] <--> [AuIII(2L)(2L*)] (2) (S = 1/2). Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both species possess square-planar monoanions and neutral molecules, respectively. From the oxidation reaction of 1 or [N(n-Bu)4][AuIII(3L)2] with 2-3 equiv of [NO]BF4 in CH2Cl2, a green solution of [AuIII(2L*)2]+ and green microcrystals of [AuIII(3L*)2]BF4 (3) were obtained, respectively; (3L)2- represents the dianion 1,2-di(4-diphenyl)ethylene-1,2-dithiolate, and (3L*)1- is its pi radical monoanion. The electronic structures of this series of gold species have been elucidated by UV-vis, EPR spectroscopies, and DFT calculations. It is shown computationally by density functional theoretical (DFT) methods that the electronic structure of [AuIII(1L*)2]+ is best described as a singlet diradical (St = 0); the ligand mixed valency in the neutral species 2 is of class (III) (delocalized); the monoanion in 1 contains a AuIII ion and two closed-shell dianionic ligands; and the corresponding dianions [Au(L)2]2- are best described as an intermediate AuII/AuIII species with a metal-ligand delocalized SOMO (25% Au 5d, 75% 3p of four S atoms). (1L)2- is the dianion 1,2-di(phenyl)ethylene-1,2-dithiolate, and (1L*)1- is the pi radical monoanion. The neutral species [PdII(2L*)2] (4) has also been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Its electronic structure is the same as described for [AuIII(1L*)2]+ (singlet diradical), whereas that of the monoanion [PdII(2L*)(2L)]- <--> [Pd(2L)(2L*)]- corresponds to that of the neutral gold complex 2. Anodic oxidation of the analogous monoanion [AuIII(mnt)2]-, where mnt = maleonitriledithiolate, gave the neutral complex [Au(mnt)(mnt*)] (E1/2 = 0.91 V vs Fc+/Fc). The optical and EPR spectroscopies of [Au(mnt)(mnt*)] were consistent with those observed for the corresponding di(tert-butylphenyl)ethylenedithiolate complex 2.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and redox reactivity of some transition metal complexes with salicylaldimines bearing 2,6-di-phenylphenol

New bidentate N-(2,6-di-phenyl-1-hydroxyphenyl) salicylaldimines bearing X=H and 3,5-di-t-butyl substituents on the salicylaldehyde ring, L(x)H, and their copper(II) complexes, M(Lx)2, (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Pd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV/vis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, ESR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as their oxidation with PbO(2) and reduction (for Cu(Lx)2) with PPh(3) were investigated. ESR studies indicate that oxidation of M(Lx)2 produces ligand-centered M(II)-phenoxyl radical species. The Cu(Lx)2 complexes, unlike others M(Lx)2, are readily reduced by PPh3 via intramolecular electron transfer from ligand to copper(II) to give unstable radical intermediates which are converted to another stable secondary radical species. The analysis of ESR spectra of Cu(Lx)(2), Co(L1)(2) and generated phenoxyl radicals are presented.     

Phenolate and phenoxyl radical complexes of Co(II) and Co(III)

The new phenol-imidazole pro-ligands (R)LH react with Co(BF(4))(2).6H(2)O in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [Co(II)((R)L)(2)] compound (R = Ph (1), PhOMe (2), or Bz (3)). Also, (Bz)LH, reacts with Co(ii) in the presence of Et(3)N and H(2)O(2) to form [Co(III)((Bz)L)(3)](4). The structures of 1.2.5MeCN, 2.2DMF, 3.4MeOH, and 4.4DMF have been determined by X-ray crystallography. 1, 2, and 3 each involve Co(II) bound to two N,O-bidentate ligands with a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere; 4 involves Co(III) bound to three N,O-bidentate ligands in a mer-N(3)O(3) distorted octahedral geometry. [Co(II)((R)L)(2)](R = Ph or PhOMe) undergo two, one-electron, oxidations. The products of the first oxidation, [1](+) and [2](+), have been synthesised by the chemical oxidation of 1 and 2, respectively; these cations, formulated as [Co(II)((R)L*)((R)L)(2)](+), comprise one phenoxyl radical and one phenolate ligand bound to Co(II) and are the first phenoxyl radical ligand complexes of tetra-coordinated Co(II). 4 undergoes two, one-electron, ligand-based oxidations, the first of which produces [4](+), [Co(III)((Bz)L*)((Bz)L)(2)](+). Unlike [1](+) and [2](+), product of the one-electron oxidation of [Co(II)((Bz)L)(2)], [3](+), is unstable and decomposes to produce [4](+). These studies have demonstrated that the chemical properties of [M(II)((R)L*)((R)L)(2)](+)(M = Co, Cu, Zn) are highly dependent on the nature of both the ligand and the metal centre.     

Electron-Transfer Processes in Indium(II) Iodide-o-Quinone Systems

Indium(II) iodide reacts with various substituted o-quinones in nonaqueous solution by successive one-electron-transfer reactions to give (SQ)InI(2) products (SQ = semiquinonate radical anion). Electron spin resonance spectroscopy demonstrates the presence of both mono- and diradical species in the reaction mixture. Addition of 4-picoline to a mixture of In(2)I(4) and TBQ (=3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-quinone) in toluene causes the precipitation of the indium(III)-semiquinonate complex (TBSQ)InI(2)(pic)(2) whose structure has been established by X-ray crystallography: space group P&onemacr;, with a = 13.013(3) ?, b = 13.317(3) ?, c = 10.828(5) ?, alpha = 97.71(3) degrees, beta = 107.98(3) degrees, gamma = 103.92(3) degrees, V = 1684.8(1.2) ?(3), Z = 2. Refinement converged at R = 0.051 and R(w) = 0.064 for 5918 reflections at 23 degrees C. The InO(2)N(2)I(2) kernel is pseudooctahedral, and the structure confirms the presence of the semiquinonate ligand. A reaction scheme which incorporates these results is proposed.     

Reactivity of the indole ring in palladium(II) complexes of 2N1O-donor ligands: cyclopalladation and pi-cation radical formation

The Pd(II) complexes of new 2N1O-donor ligands containing a pendent indole, 3-[N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-2-hydroxy-3,5-di(tert-butyl)benzylamino]ethylindole (Htbu-iepp), 1-methyl-3-[N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-2-hydroxy-3,5-di(tert-butyl)benzylamino]ethylindole (Htbu-miepp), 3-[N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-2-hydroxy-3,5-di(tert-butyl)benzylamino]methylindole (Htbu-impp), and 3-(N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-4-hydroxybenzylamino)ethylindole (Hp-iepp) (H denotes a dissociable proton), were synthesized, and the structures of [Pd(tbu-iepp)Cl] (1a), [Pd(tbu-iepp-c)Cl] (1b), [Pd(tbu-miepp)Cl] (3), and [Pd(p-iepp-c)Cl] (4) (tbu-iepp-c and p-iepp-c denote tbu-iepp and p-iepp bound to Pd(II) through a carbon atom, respectively) were determined by X-ray analysis. Complexes 1a prepared in CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CN and 3 prepared in CH(3)CN have a pyridine nitrogen, an amine nitrogen, a phenolate oxygen, and a chloride ion in the coordination plane. Complex 1b prepared in CH(3)CN has the same composition as 1a and was revealed to have the C2 atom of the indole ring bound to Pd(II) with the Pd(II)-C2 distance of 1.973(2) A. The same Pd(II)-indole C2 bonding was revealed for 4. Interconversion between 1a and 1b was observed for their solutions, the equilibrium being dependent on the solvent used. Reaction of 1b and 4 with 1 equiv of Ce(IV) in DMF gave the corresponding one-electron-oxidized species, which exhibited an ESR signal at g = 2.004 and an absorption peak at approximately 550 nm, indicating the formation of the Pd(II)-indole pi-cation radical species. The half-life, t(1/2), of the indole radical species at room temperature was calculated to be 20 s (k(obs) = 3.5 x 10(-)(2) s(-)(1)) for 1b. The cyclic voltammogram for 1b in DMF gave two irreversible oxidation peaks at E(pa) = 0.68 and 0.80 V (vs Ag/AgCl), which were ascribed to the oxidation processes of the coordinated indole and phenolate moieties, respectively.     

Incorporation of substitutionally labile [V(III)(CN)6]3- into prussian blue type magnetic materials

A Prussian blue (PB) type material containing hexacyanovanadate(III), Mn(II)1.5[V(III)(CN)6].(0.30)MeCN (1), was formed from the reaction of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) with [Mn(NCMe)6](2+) in MeCN. This new material exhibits ferrimagnetic spin- or cluster-glass behavior below a Tc of 12K with observed magnetic hysteresis at 2 K (Hcr = 65 Oe and Mrem = 730 emu.Oe/mol). Reactions of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) with [M(II)(NCMe)6](2+) (M = Fe, Co, Ni) in MeCN lead to either partial (M = Co) or complete (M = Fe, Ni) linkage isomerization, resulting in compounds of Fe(II)(0.5)V(III)[Fe(II)(CN)6].(0.85)MeCN (2), (NEt4)(0.10)Co(II)(1.5- a)V(II)a[Co(III)(CN)6]a [V(III)(CN)6](1-a)(BF4)(0.10).(0.35)MeCN (3), and (NEt4)(0.20)V(III)[Ni(II)(CN)4](1.6).(0.10)MeCN (4) compositions. Compounds 2-4 do not magnetically order as a consequence of diamagnetic cyanometalate anions being present, i.e., [Fe(II)(CN)6](4-), [Co(III)(CN)6](3-), and [Ni(II)(CN)4](2-). Incorporation of [V(III)(CN)6](3-) into PB-type materials is synthetically challenging because of the lability of the cyanovanadate(III) anion.     

Trinuclear nickel complexes with triplesalen ligands: simultaneous occurrence of mixed valence and valence tautomerism in the oxidized species

The coordination chemistries of the triple tetradentate triplesalen ligands H(6)talen, H(6)talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2), and H(6)talen(NO)(2) have been investigated with nickel(II). These triplesalen ligands provide three salen-like coordination environments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone. The structures of the complexes [(talen)Ni(II)(3)], [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)], and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three compounds are composed of neutral trinuclear complexes with square-planar coordinated Ni(II) ions in a salen-like coordination environment. Whereas the overall molecular structure of [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] is nearly planar, the structures of [(talen)Ni(II)(3)] and [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)] are bowl-shaped as a result of ligand folding. The strongest ligand folding occurs at the central nickel-phenolate bond of [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)], resulting in the formation of a chiral hemispherical pocket. The dependence of the physical properties by the substituents on the terminal phenolates has been studied by FTIR, resonance Raman, UV-vis-NIR absorption, and electrochemistry. The three nickel-salen subunits are electronically interacting via the pi system of the bridging phloroglucinol backbone. The strength of this interaction is mediated by two opposing effects: the electron density at the terminal phenolates and the folding of the ligand at the central phenolates. The parent complex [(talen)Ni(II)(3)] is irreversibly oxidized at 0.32 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc(+)/Fc), whereas [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)2)Ni(II)(3)] and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] exhibit reversible oxidations at 0.22 V versus Fc(+)/Fc and 0.52 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, respectively. The oxidized species [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(3)](+) and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(3)](+) undergo a valence-tautomeric transformation involving a Ni(III) and a phenoxyl radical species, as observed by EPR spectroscopy. Thus, these oxidized forms exhibit the phenomena of valence tautomerism and mixed valence simultaneously. The extent of delocalization of the radical species and of the Ni(III) species is discussed.     

Electrochemical behavior of nickeladithiolene S,S'-dialkyl adducts: evidence for the formation of a metalladithiolene radical by electrochemical redox reactions

The electrochemical behavior of nickeladithiolene S,S'-dialkyl adducts (alkyl = benzyl, methyl, tert-butyl) was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), visible, near-IR, and ESR spectroscopies and bulk electrolyses. The redox potentials of the S,S'-dialkyl adducts were influenced by the electron-donating effect of the functional group on the sulfur atoms. The nickeladithiolene S,S'-dibenzyl adduct [Ni[S(SCH(2)Ph)C(2)Ph(2)](2)] (2) eliminated one benzyl radical by one-electron reduction, and then the monobenzyl adduct anion [Ni(S(2)C(2)Ph(2))[S(2)(CH(2)Ph)C(2)Ph(2)]](-) (3(-)) was formed. Anion 3(-) was also formed by the reaction of nickeladithiolene dianion [Ni(S(2)C(2)Ph(2))(2)](2)(-) (1(2-)) with 1 equiv of benzyl cation. When anion 3(-) was oxidized, the long-lived nickeladithiolene radical [Ni(S(2)C(2)Ph(2))[S(2)(CH(2)Ph)C(2)Ph(2)]] (3) was formed. The visible, near-IR, and ESR spectra of radical 3 could be measured and assigned. When radical 3 was further oxidized, the oxidant 3(+) eliminated one benzyl cation, and then free nickeladithiolene (1) was generated.     

Electrochemical oxidation of CoCp(CO)2: radical-substrate reaction of a 17 e-/18 e- pair and production of a unique dimer radical

Anodic oxidation of the important half-sandwich compound CoCp(CO)2, 1, has been studied under gentle electrolyte conditions, e.g., chlorinated hydrocarbons with weakly coordinating anion (WCA) supporting electrolyte anions. The 17-electron cation 1+ produced at E(1/2)(1) = 0.37 V vs FeCp2(0/+) undergoes a surprising reaction with neutral 1 to form the dimer radical cation [Co2Cp2(CO)4] +, 2+, which has a metal-metal bond unsupported by bridging ligands. The dimer radical is oxidized at a slightly more positive potential (E(1/2) = 0.47 V) to the corresponding dication 2(2+). Observation of the oxidation of 2+ is without precedent in confirming a radical-substrate (R-S) dimerization process by direct voltammetric detection of the R-S intermediate, K(eq) = 3 x 10(4) M(-1) for [2+]/[1][1+]. The R-S mechanism and the reaction products have been characterized by voltammetry, electrolysis, fiber-optic IR spectroscopy, and ESR measurements. DFT calculations indicate that removal of an electron from 1 results in rehybridization in 1+, thereby opening the metal center for interaction with the neutral compound 1, which has a relatively basic metal center. The LUMO of the dimer dication 2(2+) is metal-metal antibonding, and its half-occupancy in 2+ results in lengthening of the Co-Co bond from 2.64 A to 3.14 A. Inclusion of solvent in the (COSMO) calculations shows that solvation effects are necessary to account for the fact that E(1/2)(2) > E(1/2)(1). These results show the importance of medium effects in probing the fundamental redox chemistry of half-sandwich metal complexes.     

Synthesis and properties of diphenoxo-bridged CoII, NiII, CuII, and ZnII complexes of a new tripodal ligand: generation and properties of MII-coordinated phenoxyl radical species

Four dinuclear complexes of composition [MII2(L)2].xS [M=Co, x=0.5, S=1,4-dioxane (1.0.5 1,4-dioxane); Ni, x=0 (2) [single crystals have x=2, S=diethyl ether (2.2 diethyl ether)]; Cu, x=0 (3); Zn, x=0.5, S=1,4-dioxane (4.0.5 1,4-dioxane)] have been synthesized using a new tripodal ligand [2,4-di tert-butyl-6-{[(2-pyridyl)ethyl](2-hydroxybenzyl)-aminomethyl}-phenol (H2L)], in its deprotonated form, providing a N 2O 2 donor set. Crystallographic analyses reveal that the complexes have a similar diphenoxo-bridged structure. Each metal ion is terminally coordinated by 2,4-di tert-butyl-phenolate oxygen, a tertiary amine, and a pyridyl nitrogen. From each ligand, unsubstituted phenolate oxygen provides bridging coordination. Thus, each metal center assumes M (II)N 2O 3 coordination. Whereas the geometry around the metal ion in 1.0.5 1,4-dioxane, 2.2 diethyl ether and, 4.0.5 1,4-dioxane is distorted trigonal-bipyramidal, in 3 each copper(II) center is in a square-pyramidal environment. Temperature-dependent magnetic behavior has been investigated to reveal intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange coupling for these compounds (-J=6.1, 28.6, and 359 cm(-1) for 1.0.5 1,4-dioxane, 2, and 3, respectively). Spectroscopic properties of the complexes have also been investigated. When examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), all four complexes undergo in CH2Cl2 two reversible ligand-based (2,4-di tert-butylphenolate unit) one-electron oxidations [E1/2(1)=0.50-0.58 and E1/2(2)=0.63-0.75 V vs SCE (saturated calomel electrode)]. The chemically/coulometrically generated two-electron oxidized form of 3 rearranges to a monomeric species with instantaneous abstraction of the hydrogen atom, and for 4.0.5 1,4-dioxane the dimeric unit remains intact, exhibiting an EPR spectrum characteristic of the presence of ZnII-coordinated phenoxyl radical (UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy). To suggest the site of oxidation (metal or ligand-centered), in each case DFT calculations have been performed at the B3LYP level of theory.     

Molecular and electronic structure of octahedral o-aminophenolato and o-iminobenzosemiquinonato complexes of V(V), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Co(III). Experimental determination of oxidation levels of ligands and metal ions

The coordination chemistry of the ligands 2-anilino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol, H[L(AP)], and N,N"'-bis[2-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol]diethylenetriamine, H(2)[(L(AP))N(L(AP))], has been studied with the first-row transition metal ions V, Cr, Fe, and Co. The ligands are noninnocent in the sense that the aminophenolato parts, [L(AP)](-) and [L(AP)-H](2)(-), can be readily oxidized to their o-iminobenzosemiquinonato, [L(ISQ)](-), and o-iminobenzoquinone, [L(ISB)], forms. The following neutral octahedral complexes have been isolated as crystalline materials, and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 100 K: [Cr(III)(L(ISQ))(3)] (1), [Fe(III)(L(ISQ))(3)] (2), [Co(III)(L(ISQ))(3)] (3), [V(V)(L(ISQ))(L(AP)-H)(2)] (4), [V(V)(L(AP)-H)(2)(L(AP))] (5), and [V(V)O[(L(AP))N(L(AP)-H)]] (6). From variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-band EPR spectroscopy it has been established that they possess the ground states: 1, S = 0; 2, S = 1; 3, S = (3)/(2); 4, S = (1)/(2); 5, S = 0; 6, S = 0. The o-iminobenzosemiquinonato radicals (S(rad) = (1)/(2)) couple strongly intramolecularly antiferromagnetically to singly occupied orbitals of the t(2g) subshell at the respective metal ion but ferromagnetically to each other in 3 containing a Co(III) ion with a filled t(2g)(6) subshell. It is demonstrated that the oxidation level of the ligands and metal ions can be unequivocally determined by high-quality X-ray crystallography in conjunction with EPR, UV-vis, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. The spectro- and electrochemistry of these complexes have also been studied in detail. Metal- and ligand-based redox chemistry has been observed. The molecular and electronic structures are compared with those of their o-semiquinonato analogues.     

Intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded versus copper(II) coordinated mono- and bis-phenoxyl radicals

Ligands bearing two salicylidene imine moieties substituted in ortho and para positions by tert-butyl groups have been electrochemically oxidized into mono- and bis-phenoxyl radicals. The process involves an intramolecular proton coupled to electron transfer and affords a radical in which the oxygen atom is hydrogen-bonded to a protonated ammonium or iminium group. A weak intramolecular dipolar interaction exists between the two phenoxyl moieties in the bis-radical species. The copper(II) complexes of these ligands have been characterized and electrochemically oxidized. The mono-phenoxyl radical species are X-band EPR silent. The bis-phenoxyl radical species exhibits a (S= 3/2) ground state: it arises from a ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the two spins of the radicals and that of the copper(II) when the spacer is rigid enough; a flexible spacer such as ethylidene induces decomplexation of at least one phenoxyl group. Metal coordination is more efficient than hydrogen-bonding to enhance the chemical stability of the mono-phenoxyl radicals.     

Controlled intramolecular electron transfers in cyanide-bridged molecular squares by chemical modifications and external stimuli

A series of cyanide bridged Fe-Co molecular squares, [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (1), [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(bpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (2), and [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·4H(2)O (3) (tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate, tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, bpy =2,2'-bipyridine, dtbbpy =4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine), were prepared by the reactions of [Fe(CN)(3)(L)](-) (L = tp or tp*) with Co(2+) and bidentate ligands (bpy or dtbbpy) in MeOH. In the molecular squares, Fe and Co ions are alternately bridged by cyanide ions, forming macrocyclic tetranuclear cores. Variable temperature X-ray structural analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed that 1 exhibits two-step charge-transfer induced spin transitions (CTIST) centered at T(1/2) = 275 and 310 K in the solid state. The Fe and Co ions in 1 are the low-spin (LS) Fe(III) and high-spin (HS) Co(II) ions, described here in the high-temperature (HT) phase ([Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)]) at 330 K, while a low-temperature (LT) phase ([Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)]) with LS Fe(II) and Co(III) ions was dominant below 260 K. X-ray structural analysis revealed that in the intermediate (IM) phase at 298 K 1 exhibits positional ordering of [Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)] and [Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)] species with the 2:2 ratio. In photomagnetic experiments on 1, light-induced CTIST from the LT to the HT phase was observed by excitation of Fe(II) → Co(III) intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band at 5 K and the trapped HT phase thermally relaxed to the LT phase in a two-step fashion. On the other hand, 2 and 3 are in the HT and LT phases, respectively, throughout the entire temperature range measured, and no CTIST was observed. UV-vis-NIR absorption spectral measurements and cyclic voltammetry in solution revealed that the different electronic states in 1-3 are ascribable to the destabilization of iron and cobalt ion d-orbitals by the introduction of methyl and tert-butyl groups to the ligands tp and bpy, respectively. Temperature dependence of UV-vis-NIR spectra confirmed that 1 exhibited a one-step CTIST in butyronitrile, of which T(1/2) varied from 227 to 280 K upon the addition of trifluoroacetic acid.