Photoproduction of Hydrogen by Decamethylruthenocene Combined with Electrochemical Recycling

The photoinduced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by decamethylruthenocene, Cp₂*Ru^II (Cp*=C₅Me₅), is reported. The use of a metallocene to photoproduce hydrogen is presented as an alternative strategy to reduce protons without involving an additional photosensitizer. The mechanism was investigated by (spectro)electrochemical and spectroscopic (UV/Vis and ¹H NMR) measurements. The photoactivated hydride involved was characterized spectroscopically and the resulting [Cp₂*Ru^III]⁺ species was electrochemically regenerated in situ on a fluorinated tin oxide electrode surface. A promising internal quantum yield of 25 % was obtained. Optimal experimental conditions— especially the use of weakly coordinating solvent and counterions—are discussed.     

Hydrogen Generation by Water Reduction with [Cp*2Ti(OTf)]: Identifying Elemental Mechanistic Steps by Combined In Situ FTIR and In Situ EPR Spectroscopy Supported by DFT Calculations

A detailed mechanism of hydrogen production by reduction of water with decamethyltitanocene triflate [Cp*₂Ti^III(OTf)] has been derived for the first time, based on a comprehensive in situ spectroscopic study including EPR and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy supported by DFT calculations. It is demonstrated that two H₂O molecules coordinate to [Cp*₂Ti^III(OTf)] subsequently forming [Cp₂*Ti^III(H₂O)(OTf)] and [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)]. Triflate stabilizes the water ligands by hydrogen bonding. Liberation of hydrogen proceeds only from the diaqua complex [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)] and involves, most probably, abstraction and recombination of two H atoms from two molecules of [Cp*Ti^III(H₂O)₂(OTf)] in close vicinity, which is driven by the formation of a strong covalent Ti? OH bond in the resulting final product [Cp*₂Ti^IV(OTf)(OH)].     

Synthesis and spectral studies on heterobimetallic complexes of manganese and ruthenium derived from N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide

The complex [Mn^IV(napbh)₂] (napbhH₂ = N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide) reacts with activated ruthenium(III) chloride in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux, giving heterobimetallic complexes, [Mn^IV(napbh)₂Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)] · [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)] reacts with Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux to give [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)Mn^II(OAc)₂]. Replacement of aquo in these heterobimetallic complexes has been observed when the reactions are carried out in the presence of pyridine (py), 3-picoline (3-pic), or 4-picoline (4-pic). The molar conductances for these complexes in DMF indicates 1 : 1 electrolytes. Magnetic moment values suggest that these heterobimetallic complexes contain Mn^IV and Ru^III or Ru^III and Mn^II in the same structural unit. Electronic spectral studies suggest six coordinate metal ions. IR spectra reveal that the napbhH₂ ligand coordinates in its enol form to Mn^IV and bridges to Ru^III and in the keto form to Ru^III and bridging to Mn^II.     

Density Functional Theory Calculations on Oxidative CC Bond Cleavage and NO Bond Formation of [RuII(bpy)2(diamine)]2+ via Reactive Ruthenium Imide Intermediates

DFT calculations are performed on [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 , tmen=2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐butanediamine) and [Ru^II(bpy)₂(heda)]²⁺ ( M2 , heda=2,5‐dimethyl‐2,5‐hexanediamine), and on the oxidation reactions of M1 to give the C?C bond cleavage product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(NH=CMe₂)₂]²⁺ ( M3 ) and the N?O bond formation product [Ru^II(bpy)₂(ONCMe₂CMe₂NO)]²⁺ ( M4 ). The calculated geometrical parameters and oxidation potentials are in good agreement with the experimental data. As revealed by the DFT calculations, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(tmen)]²⁺ ( M1 ) can undergo oxidative deprotonation to generate Ru‐bis(imide) [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐4 H)]⁺ ( A ) or Ru‐imide/amide [Ru(bpy)₂(tmen‐3 H)]²⁺ ( A′ ) intermediates. Both A and A′ are prone to C?C bond cleavage, with low reaction barriers (ΔG^≠) of 6.8 and 2.9 kcal mol^?1 for their doublet spin states ² A and ² A′ , respectively. The calculated reaction barrier for the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on ² A′ is relatively high (14.2 kcal mol^?1). These calculation results are in agreement with the formation of the Ru^II‐bis(imine) complex M3 from the electrochemical oxidation of M1 in aqueous solution. The oxidation of M1 with Ce^IV in aqueous solution to afford the Ru^II‐dinitrosoalkane complex M4 is proposed to proceed by attack of the cerium oxidant on the ruthenium imide intermediate. The findings of ESI‐MS experiments are consistent with the generation of a ruthenium imide intermediate in the course of the oxidation.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

Speciation of [Cp*2M2O5] in Polar and Donor Solvents

The speciation of compounds [Cp*₂M₂O₅] (M=Mo, W; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) in different protic and aprotic polar solvents (methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, acetonitrile), in the presence of variable amounts of water or acid/base, has been investigated by ¹H NMR spectrometry and electrical conductivity. Specific hypotheses suggested by the experimental results have been further probed by DFT calculations. The solvent (S)‐assisted ionic dissociation to generate [Cp*MO₂(S)]⁺ and [Cp*MO₃]^? takes place extensively for both metals only in water/methanol mixtures. Equilibrium amounts of the neutral hydroxido species [Cp*MO₂(OH)] are generated in the presence of water, with the relative amount increasing in the order MeCN≈acetone<MeOH<DMSO. Addition of a base (Et₃N) converts [Cp*₂M₂O₅] into [Et₃NH]⁺[Cp*MO₃]^?, for which the presence of a N? H???O?M interaction is revealed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in comparison with the sodium salts, Na⁺[Cp*MO₃]^?. These are fully dissociated in DMSO and MeOH, but display a slow equilibrium between free ions and the ion pair in MeCN and acetone. Only one resonance is observed for mixtures of [Cp*MO₃]^? and [Cp*MO₂(OH)] because of a rapid self‐exchange. In the presence of extensive ionic dissociation, only one resonance is observed for mixtures of the cationic [Cp*MO₂(S)]⁺ product and the residual undissociated [Cp*₂M₂O₅] because of a rapid associative exchange via the trinuclear [Cp*₃M₃O₇]⁺ intermediate. In neat methanol, complex [Cp*₂W₂O₅] reacts to yield extensive amounts of a new species, formulated as the mononuclear methoxido complex [Cp*WO₂(OMe)] on the basis of the DFT study. An equivalent product is not observed for the Mo system. The addition of increasing amounts of water results in the rapid decrease of this product in favor of [Cp*₂W₂O₅] and [Cp*WO₂(OH)].     

Ruthenium(II/III)‐Based Compounds with Encouraging Antiproliferative Activity against Non‐small‐Cell Lung Cancer

Hereby we present the synthesis of several ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes. Proceeding from the Na[trans‐Ru^III(dmso)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ) and cis‐[Ru^II(dmso)₄Cl₂] ( 3 ) precursors, the diamagnetic, mixed‐ligand [Ru^IIL₂(dmso)₂] complexes 4 and 5 , the paramagnetic, neutral [Ru^IIIL₃] monomers 6 and 7 , the antiferromagnetically coupled ionic α‐[Ru^III₂L₅]Cl complexes 8 and 9 as well as the β‐[Ru^III₂L₅]Cl dinuclear species 10 and 11 (L=dimethyl‐ (DMDT) and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDT)) were obtained. All the compounds were fully characterised by elemental analysis as well as ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Moreover, for the first time the crystal structures of the dinuclear β‐[Ru^III₂(dmdt)₅]BF₄ ? CHCl₃ ? CH₃CN and of the novel [Ru^IIL₂(dmso)₂] complexes were also determined and discussed. For both the mono‐ and dinuclear Ru^II and Ru^III complexes the central metal atoms assume a distorted octahedral geometry. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes has been evaluated on non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) NCI‐H1975 cells. All the mono‐ and dinuclear Ru^III dithiocarbamato compounds (i.e., complexes 6 – 10 ) show interesting cytotoxic activity, up to one order of magnitude higher with respect to cisplatin. Otherwise, no significant antiproliferative effect for either the precursors 2 and 3 or the Ru^II complexes 4 and 5 has been observed.     

N,N′-Bis(aryl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide complexes of ruthenium: Synthesis,structure and redox properties

Reaction of five N,N′-bis(aryl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides (H₂L-R, where H₂ denotes the two acidic protons and R (R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) the para substituent in the aryl fragment) with [Ru(trpy)Cl₃](trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine) in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords a group of complexes of the type [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)], each of which contains an amide ligand coordinated to the metal center as a dianionic tridentate N,N,N-donor along with a terpyridine ligand. Structure of the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-Cl)] complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the Ru(II) complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)] complexes shows a Ru(II)–Ru(III) oxidation within 0.16–0.33 V versus SCE. An oxidation of the coordinated amide ligand is also observed within 0.94–1.33 V versus SCE and a reduction of coordinated terpyridine ligand within −1.10 to −1.15 V versus SCE. Constant potential coulometric oxidation of the [Ru^II(trpy)(L-R)] complexes produces the corresponding [Ru^III(trpy)(L-R)]⁺ complexes, which have been isolated as the perchlorate salts. Structure of the [Ru^III(trpy)(L-CH₃)]ClO₄ complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the Ru(III) complexes are one-electron paramagnetic, and show anisotropic ESR spectra at 77 K and intense LMCT transitions in the visible region. A weak ligand-field band has also been shown by all the [Ru^III(trpy)(L-R)]ClO₄ complexes near 1600 nm.     

Spectroscopic,Electrochemical and Computational Characterisation of Ru Species Involved in Catalytic Water Oxidation: Evidence for a [RuV(O)(Py2Metacn)] Intermediate

A new family of ruthenium complexes based on the N‐pentadentate ligand Py₂^Metacn (N‐methyl‐N′,N′′‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) has been synthesised and its catalytic activity has been studied in the water‐oxidation (WO) reaction. We have used chemical oxidants (ceric ammonium nitrate and NaIO₄) to generate the WO intermediates [Ru^II(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, [Ru^III(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]³⁺, [Ru^III(OH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺, which have been characterised spectroscopically. Their relative redox and pH stability in water has been studied by using UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, HRMS and spectroelectrochemistry. [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ has a long half‐life (>48 h) in water. The catalytic cycle of WO has been elucidated by using kinetic, spectroscopic, ¹⁸O‐labelling and theoretical studies, and the conclusion is that the rate‐determining step is a single‐site water nucleophilic attack on a metal‐oxo species. Moreover, [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is proposed to be the resting state under catalytic conditions. By monitoring Ce^IV consumption, we found that the O₂ evolution rate is redox‐controlled and independent of the initial concentration of Ce^IV. Based on these facts, we propose herein that [Ru^IV(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ is oxidised to [Ru^V(O)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ prior to attack by a water molecule to give [Ru^III(OOH)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺. Finally, it is shown that the difference in WO reactivity between the homologous iron and ruthenium [M(OH₂)(Py₂^Metacn)]²⁺ (M=Ru, Fe) complexes is due to the difference in the redox stability of the key M^V(O) intermediate. These results contribute to a better understanding of the WO mechanism and the differences between iron and ruthenium complexes in WO reactions.     

Model oxygen-evolving center composed of polymer membrane and dimer ruthenium complex

The in situ spectrocyclic voltammetric investigations of the dimeric ruthenium complex used for water oxidation, [(bpy)₂(H₂O)Ru–O–Ru(H₂O)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ (H₂O–Ru^III–Ru^III–OH₂), were carried out in a homogeneous aqueous solution and in a Nafion membrane under different pH conditions. The in situ absorption spectra recorded for the dimer show that the dimer H₂O–Ru^III–Ru^III–OH₂ complex underwent reactions initially to give the detectable H₂O–Ru^III–Ru^IV–OH and H₂O–Ru^III–Ru^IV–OH₂ complexes, and at higher positive potentials, this oxidized dimer underwent further oxidation to produce a presumably higher oxidation state Ru^V–Ru^V complex. Since this Ru^V–Ru^V complex is reduced rapidly by water molecules to H₂O–Ru^III–Ru^IV–OH₂, it could not be detected by absorption spectrum. Independent of the pH conditions and homogeneous solution/Nafion membrane systems, the dimer Ru^III–Ru^IV was detected at higher potentials, suggesting that the dimer complex acts as a three-electron oxidation catalyst. However, in the Nafion membrane system it was suggested that the dimer complex may act as a four-electron oxidation catalyst. While the dimer complex was stable under oxidation conditions, the reduction of the dimer Ru^III–Ru^III to Ru^II–Ru^II led to decomposition, yielding the monomeric cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺.     

A Diruthenium Complex of an N-Pyridyl-o-aminophenol Derivative: A Route to Mixed Valency

An N-pyridyl-o-aminophenol derivative that stabilises mixed-valence states of ruthenium ions is disclosed. A diruthenium complex, [(L_IQ⁰)Ru₂Cl₅] ⋅ MeOH ( 1⋅ MeOH) is successfully isolated, in which L_IQ⁰ is the o-iminobenzoquinone form of 2-[(3-nitropyridin-2-yl)amino]phenol (L_APH₂). In 1 , L_IQ⁰ oriented towards one ruthenium centre is a non-innocent NO-donor redox ligand, whereas another oriented towards another ruthenium centre is an innocent pyridine-donor redox ligand. Complex 1 is a diruthenium(II,III) mixed-valence complex, [Ru^II(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,III) state. [Ru^III(L_ISQ^.−)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III] contains L_ISQ^.−, which is the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical form of the ligand. Complexes 1 ⁻ and 1 ⁺ are diruthenium(II,II), [Ru^II(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II], and diruthenium(III,III), [Ru^III(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^III], complexes, respectively, of L_IQ⁰. Complex 1 ²⁻ is a diruthenium(II,II) complex of the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate anion radical (L_ISQ^.−), [Ru^II(L_ISQ^.−)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II], with a minor contribution from the diruthenium(III,II) form, [Ru^III(L_AP²⁻)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^II]. Complex 1 ²⁺ is a diruthenium(III,IV) mixed-valence complex of L_IQ⁰, [Ru^III(L_IQ⁰)(μ-Cl)₂Ru^IV]. Complexes 1 and 1 ²⁺ exhibit inter-valence charge-transfer transitions at λ=1300 and 1370 nm, respectively.     

Experimental and DFT Evidence for the Fractional Non‐Innocence of a β‐Diketonate Ligand

New compounds [Ru(pap)₂(L)](ClO₄), [Ru(pap)(L)₂], and [Ru(acac)₂(L)] (pap=2‐phenylazopyridine, L^?=9‐oxidophenalenone, acac^?=2,4‐pentanedionate) have been prepared and studied regarding their electron‐transfer behavior, both experimentally and by using DFT calculations. [Ru(pap)₂(L)](ClO₄) and [Ru(acac)₂(L)] were characterized by crystal‐structure analysis. Spectroelectrochemistry (EPR, UV/Vis/NIR), in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry, showed a wide range of about 2 V for the potential of the Ru^III/II couple, which was in agreement with the very different characteristics of the strongly π‐accepting pap ligand and the σ‐donating acac^? ligand. At the rather high potential of +1.35 V versus SCE, the oxidation of L^? into L^. could be deduced from the near‐IR absorption of [Ru^III(pap)(L^.)(L^?)]²⁺. Other intense long‐wavelength transitions, including LMCT (L^?→Ru^III) and LL/CT (pap^.?→L^?) processes, were confirmed by TD‐DFT results. DFT calculations and EPR data for the paramagnetic intermediates allowed us to assess the spin densities, which revealed two cases with considerable contributions from L‐radical‐involving forms, that is, [Ru^III(pap⁰)₂(L^?)]²⁺?[Ru^II(pap⁰)₂(L^.)]²⁺ and [Ru^III(pap⁰)(L^?)₂]⁺?[Ru^II(pap⁰)(L^?)(L^?)]⁺. Calculations of electrogenerated complex [Ru^II(pap^.?)(pap⁰)(L^?)] displayed considerable negative spin density (?0.188) at the bridging metal.     

Activation and Coordination of Ammonia at [Cp*Ir(H)2]: NMR and Matrix Isolation Studies

¹H NMR exchange spectroscopy of a reaction mixture of [Cp*Ir(H)₄] ( 1 ; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and ammonia suggests an exchange of hydrogen atoms between the hydrido ligands and ammonia. Treatment of 1 with ND₃ led to an H/D exchange between ND₃ and the hydrido ligands of 1 . Subsequent studies showed that photolysis of 1 isolated in frozen argon matrices leads to the formation of the iridium compounds [Cp*Ir(H)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cp*Ir(H)₃] ( 4 ), as it was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. In the presence of water the aqua complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(OH₂)] ( 3 ) was generated simultaneously. Accordingly, photolysis of 1 in an argon matrix doped with ammonia gave rise to the ammine complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(NH₃)] ( 5 ). IR assignments were supported by calculations of the gas‐phase IR spectra of 1 – 5 by DFT methods.     

Structural and Electronic Influences on Rates of Tertpyridine−Amine CoIII−H Formation During Catalytic H2 Evolution in an Aqueous Environment

In this work, the differences in catalytic performance for a series of Co hydrogen evolution catalysts with different pentadentate polypyridyl ligands (L), have been rationalized by examining elementary steps of the catalytic cycle using a combination of electrochemical and transient pulse radiolysis (PR) studies in aqueous solution. Solvolysis of the [Co^II−Cl]⁺ species results in the formation of [Co^II(κ⁴-L)(OH₂)]²⁺. Further reduction produces [Co^I(κ⁴-L)(OH₂)]⁺, which undergoes a rate-limiting structural rearrangement to [Co^I(κ⁵-L)]⁺ before being protonated to form [Co^III−H]²⁺. The rate of [Co^III−H]²⁺ formation is similar for all complexes in the series. Using E_1/2 values of various Co species and pK_a values of [Co^III−H]²⁺ estimated from PR experiments, we found that while the protonation of [Co^III−H]²⁺ is unfavorable, [Co^II−H]⁺ reacts with protons to produce H₂. The catalytic activity for H₂ evolution tracks the hydricity of the [Co^II−H]⁺ intermediate.     

Synthesis and Application of a Perfluorinated Ammoniumyl Radical Cation as a Very Strong Deelectronator

The perfluorinated dihydrophenazine derivative (perfluoro‐5,10‐bis(perfluorophenyl)‐5,10‐dihydrophenazine) (“phenazine^F”) can be easily transformed to a stable and weighable radical cation salt by deelectronation (i.e. oxidation) with Ag[Al(OR^F)₄]/ Br₂ mixtures (R^F=C(CF₃)₃). As an innocent deelectronator it has a strong and fully reversible half‐wave potential versus Fc⁺/Fc in the coordinating solvent MeCN (E°′=1.21 V), but also in almost non‐coordinating oDFB (=1,2‐F₂C₆H₄; E°′=1.29 V). It allows for the deelectronation of [Fe^IIICp*₂]⁺ to [Fe^IV(CO)Cp*₂]²⁺ and [Fe^IV(CN‐^tBu)Cp*₂]²⁺ in common laboratory solvents and is compatible with good σ‐donor ligands, such as L=trispyrazolylmethane, to generate novel [M(L)_x]ⁿ⁺ complex salts from the respective elemental metals.     

NEW DINUCLEAR ASYMMETRIC COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM AND RHENIUM

Abstract

New dinuclear asymmetric complexes of ruthenium and rhenium, of formula [(bpy)(CO)₃ Re^I(4,4′-bpy)Ru^II/III(NH₃)₅]^3+/4+ have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. In the mixed-valent species [Re^I, Ru^III], the back electron transfer reaction Ru^II → Re^II, that occurs after light excitation, is predicted to be in the Marcus inverted region. This fact is consistent with the observed quenching of the luminiscence of the Re chromophore in [(bpy)(CO)₃Re^I(4,4′-bpy)Ru^III(NH₃)₅]⁴⁺, when compared to the parent complex [(bpy)(CO)₃Re^I(4,4′-bpy)]⁺. A theoretical treatment due to Creutz, Newton and Sutin has been successfully applied to predict the electronic coupling element in the mixed-valent complex.     

Redox properties of ruthenium(III/II)–edta complexes with o-phenylenediamine and o-benzoquinone diimine ligands

The reaction of [Ru^III(edta)(H₂O)]⁻ with o-phenylenediamine (opda) in water, under aerobic conditions, affords the diamagnetic [Ru^II(edta)(bqdi)]²⁻ product (where edta stands for the ethylenediaminetetraacetate co-ligand, and bqdi represents the non-innocent o-benzoquinone α,α^′-diimine ligand). In the current communication, the redox chemistry of this system in aqueous solution is described in details on the basis of electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies. The electrochemical behavior of “free” opda is rather complicated with further chemical reactions following the irreversible two-proton/two-electron oxidation (opda→bqdi+2e⁻+2H⁺), whereas its complex is electrochemically well-behaved with two chemically reversible redox processes: the monoelectronic couple associated with the metal ion (Ru^III/Ru^II) and another bielectronic step centered on the coordinated ligand (bqdi/opda). The set of UV–Vis electronic spectra were obtained by electrolytical generation, in situ, of all the redox species accessible in the CV working conditions (i.e., the starting [Ru^II(edta)(bqdi)]²⁻, the fully oxidized [Ru^III(edta)(bqdi)]⁻, and the fully reduced [Ru^II(edta)(opda)]²⁻ species), which are stable and totally interconvertible. The electrochemistry and absorption spectroscopy of these complexes in water were found to be comparable with the tetraammine counterparts. A remarkable difference in redox behavior between the diimine- and the analogous dioxolene-complexes was also revealed by comparison of the system reported herein with the one derived from catechol, and rationalized in terms of the quite efficient π-accepting electronic nature of the bqdi ligand.     

Synthesis and Characterisation of Diruthenium Paddlewheel Compounds Bearing 2,6-Di(p-tolyl)benzoate Ligands

The mixed carboxylate diruthenium complexes trans-[Ru ₂ ^II,III (O₂CCH₃)₂(O₂CAr)₂Cl] (I) and trans-[Ru ₂ ^II,II (O₂CCH₃)₂(O₂CAr)₂] (II) (O₂CAr = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate) have been synthesised along with [Ru ₂ ^II,III (O₂CAr)₄Cl] (III) and the homoleptic complex [Ru ₂ ^II,II (O₂CAr)₄] (IV). The structures trans-[Ru₂(O₂CCH₃)₂(O₂CAr)₂Cl(thf)]·(thf) and [Ru₂(O₂CAr)₄Cl(η ¹-CH₂Cl₂)] were determined by X-ray crystallography, and display the expected paddlewheel arrangement of the carboxylate ligands around the diruthenium core. The structure of III is a rare example of a structurally characterised dichloromethane complex, highlighting the Lewis acidic nature of the diruthenium axial position. The bulky ^?O₂CAr ligand protects the axial positions from intermolecular interactions in the absence of strong nucleophiles for III and IV, and the effect this has on the electronic structure of the diruthenium core in these complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility studies.     

[RhIII(dmbpy)2Cl2]+ as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production in Pure Water: Comparison with Other Rhodium Catalysts

We report a very efficient homogeneous system for the visible‐light‐driven hydrogen production in pure aqueous solution at room temperature. This comprises [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]Cl ( 1 ) as catalyst, [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ ( PS1 ) as photosensitizer, and ascorbate as sacrificial electron donor. Comparative studies in aqueous solutions also performed with other known rhodium catalysts, or with an iridium photosensitizer, show that 1) the PS1 / 1 /ascorbate/ascorbic acid system is by far the most active rhodium‐based homogeneous photocatalytic system for hydrogen production in a purely aqueous medium when compared to the previously reported rhodium catalysts, Na₃[Rh^I(dpm)₃Cl] and [Rh^III(bpy)Cp*(H₂O)]SO₄ and 2) the system is less efficient when [Ir^III(ppy)₂(bpy)]Cl ( PS2 ) is used as photosensitizer. Because catalyst 1 is the most efficient rhodium‐based H₂‐evolving catalyst in water, the performance limits of this complex were further investigated by varying the PS1 / 1 ratio at pH 4.0. Under optimal conditions, the system gives up to 1010 turnovers versus the catalyst with an initial turnover frequency as high as 857 TON h^?1. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements show that the initial step of the photocatalytic H₂‐evolution mechanism is a reductive quenching of the PS1 excited state by ascorbate, leading to the reduced form of PS1 , which is then able to reduce [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ to [Rh^I(dmbpy)₂]⁺. This reduced species can react with protons to yield the hydride [Rh^III(H)(dmbpy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺, which is the key intermediate for the H₂ production.     

Outer‐Sphere 2 e−/2 H+ Transfer Reactions of Ruthenium(II)‐Amine and Ruthenium(IV)‐Amido Complexes

A diverse set of 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ reactions are described that interconvert [Ru^II(bpy)(en*)₂]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(bpy)(en‐H*)₂]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, en*=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH₂, en*‐H=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH⁻), forming or cleaving different O−H, N−H, S−H, and C−H bonds. The reactions involve quinones, hydrazines, thiols, and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene. These proton‐coupled electron transfer reactions occur without substrate binding to the ruthenium center, but instead with precursor complex formation by hydrogen bonding. The free energies of the reactions vary over more than 90 kcal mol⁻¹, but the rates are more dependent on the type of X−H bond involved than the associated ΔG °. There is a kinetic preference for substrates that have the transferring hydrogen atoms in close proximity, such as ortho ‐tetrachlorobenzoquinone over its para ‐isomer and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene over its 1,4‐isomer, perhaps hinting at the potential for concerted 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ transfers.