Organic electrochemistry: Anodic construction of heterocyclic structures

The construction of heterocyclic frameworks constitutes one of the most dynamic and attractive branches in organic chemistry. Electrochemistry provides a versatile and powerful approach to assemble a heterocyclic skeleton. In this review, a selection of representative examples published during 2018–2019 are presented and discussed to showcase how to make use of anodic oxidation for the constitution of heterocyclic compounds.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence: A molecular electrochemistry point of view

1. Download : Download high-res image (116KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Assignment of molecular structures to the electrochemical reduction products of diiron compounds related to [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase: a combined experimental and density functional theory study

The reduction chemistry of (mu-bridge)[Fe(CO)3]2 [bridge = propane-1,3-dithiolate (1) and ethane-1,2-dithiolate (2)] is punctuated by the formation of distinct products, resulting in a marked difference in CO inhibition of electrocatalytic proton reduction. The products formed following reduction of 2 have been examined by a range of electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and spectroscopic approaches. Density functional theory has allowed assessment of the relative energies of the structures proposed for the reduction products and agreement between the calculated spectra (IR and NMR) and bond distances with the experimental spectra and EXAFS-derived structural parameters. For 1 and 2, one-electron reduction is accompanied by dimerization, but the structure, stability, and reaction with CO of the dimer is different in the two cases, and this is responsible for the different CO inhibition response for electrocatalytic proton reduction. Calculations of the alternate structures of the two-electron, one-proton reduced forms of 2 show that the isomers with terminally bound hydrides are unlikely to play a significant role in the chemistry of these species. The hydride-transfer chemistry of the 1B species is more reasonably attributed to a hydride-bridged form. The combination of experimental and computational results provides a solid foundation for the interpretation of the reduction chemistry of dithiolate-bridged diiron compounds, and this will underpin translation of the diiron subsite of the [FeFe] hydrogenase H cluster into an abiological context.     

Syntheses, molecular and supramolecular structures, electrochemistry and magnetic properties of two macrocyclic dinickel(II) complexes

The work in this paper reports syntheses, molecular and supramolecular structures, electrochemistry and magnetic properties of two diphenoxo-bridged dinickel(II) compounds [Ni^II₂L(N₃)₂(H₂O)₂]·CH₃CN (1) and [Ni^II₂L(N₃)₂(H₂O)] (2), where H₂L is the tetraimino diphenolate macrocyclic ligand, obtained on [2 + 2] condensation of 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol and 2,2′-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane. Brown colored compound 1 and green colored compound 2 are produced from the same reaction mixture as a function of temperature; 1 is formed from the reaction mixture in acetonitrile at low temperature (ca. 5 °C), while 2 is formed on heating the reaction mixture in acetonitrile. Crystals of compounds 1 and 2 are monoclinic (space group P2₁/c) and orthorhombic (space group P2₁2₁2₁), respectively. Analyses of the crystal packing of the crystalline phases reveal that two-dimensional topologies are resulted in both 1 and 2 due to hydrogen bonding interactions. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of the two compounds reveal that the metal centers in both the complexes are coupled by moderate antiferromagnetic interactions with J values (H = -2JS₁·S₂) −18.8 and −34.2 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. Electrochemical analyses of 2 reveal that this compound exhibits two-step reduction couples at E_½ = −977 and −1155 mV.     

Supramolecular chemistry: Self-assembly of titanium based molecular squares

The interaction of Cp₂TiCl₂ with LiC₅H₅N and LiC₁₁H₈N provides Cp₂Ti(Cl)(C₅H₅N) and Cp₂Ti(Cl)(C₁₁H₈N), respectively. Reaction of these species with AgOSO₂CF₃ results in self-assembly of the respective cationic, tetranuclear molecular squares where the required 90° bond angles, demanded by a rectangle, is provided by the distorted tetrahedral bond angles of the coordinated Ti.     

Organostannoxane-supported multiferrocenyl assemblies: synthesis, novel supramolecular structures, and electrochemistry

Organostannoxane-based multiredox assemblies containing ferrocenyl peripheries have been readily synthesized by a simple one-pot synthesis, either by a solution method or by room-temperature solid-state synthesis, in nearly quantitative yields. The number of ferrocenyl units in the multiredox assembly is readily varied by stoichiometric control as well as by the choice of the organotin precursors. Thus, the reaction of the diorganotin oxides, R2SnO (R = Ph, nBu and tBu) with ferrocene carboxylic acid affords tetra-, di-, and mononuclear derivatives [{Ph2Sn[OC(O)Fc]2}2] (1), [{[nBu2SnOC(O)Fc]2O}2] (2), [nBu2Sn{OC(O)Fc}2] (3), [{tBu2Sn(OH)OC(O)Fc}2] (4), and [tBu2Sn{OC(O)Fc}2] (5) (Fc = eta(5)C5H4-Fe-eta(5)C5H5). The reaction of triorganotin oxides, R3SnOSnR3 (R = nBu and Ph) with ferrocene carboxylic acid leads to the formation of the mono-nuclear derivatives [Ph3SnOC(O)Fc] (6) and [{nBu3SnOC(O)Fc}(n)] (7). Molecular structures of the compounds 1-4 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The molecular structure of compound 1 is new among organotin carboxylates. In this compound, ferrocenyl carboxylates are involved in both chelating and bridging coordination modes to the tin atoms to form an eight-membered cyclic structure. In all of these compounds, the acidic protons of the cyclopentadienyl groups are hydrogen bonded to the carboxylate oxygens (C-HO) to form rich supramolecular assemblies. In addition to this, pi-pi, T-shaped, L-shaped, and side-to-face stacking interactions involving ferrocenyl groups also occur. Compound 6 shows an interesting and novel intermolecular CO2-pi stacking interaction. Electrochemical analysis of the compounds 1-4, 6, and 7 shows a single, quasi-reversible oxidation peak corresponding to the simultaneous oxidation of four, two, and one ferrocenyl substituents, respectively. Compound 5 shows two quasi-reversible oxidation peaks. This is attributed to the positional difference among the ferrocenyl substituents on the tin atom. Additionally, while compounds 2 and 4 are electrochemically quite robust and do not decompose even after ten continuous CV cycles, compounds 1, and 3, 5-7 start to show decomposition after five cycles.     

Novel ferrocenyl nitroxides: Synthesis, structures, electrochemistry and antioxidative activity

Novel ferrocenyl nitroxides 3−6 were prepared as models for studying the linkage structure-activity relationship. Single-crystal X-ray structures of compounds 4 and 5 were determined and comparatively studied. The in vitro antioxidative activities (e.g. scavenging superoxide anion and hydroxide radical) of compounds 3−6 and 4-ferrocenamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-oxy (2) were evaluated. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibit high scavenging activities in low concentration. Results from electrochemistry and UV/Vis spectroscopy show that the redox property and antioxidative activity are closely related to the structure of the linkage bridging ferrocene and cyclic nitroxide moieties. The results further indicate that the ferrocene moiety plays a principal role in antioxidation. The modification of linkage was found to be able to decrease the ferrocene/ferrocenium potential and improve the antioxidative activity effectively.     

In situ measurements of oligoaniline conductance: Linking electrochemistry and molecular electronics

The single-molecule conductance of a dithiolated aniline trimer has been measured under potential control and also under an inert solvent. In each experiment, two sets of currents are found, differing by a factor 4, and these are tentatively assigned to differing connections to the electrodes (e.g., on-top vs. hollow sites). The conductances peak (to 17 ± 1.6 and 5.8 ± 0.85 nS) between the first and second oxidations of the molecule and change smoothly with surface potential. There is no evidence for a coexistence of oxidized and reduced molecules. Measurements made at a fixed surface potential as a function of tip to substrate bias show a peak current at 0.1 V followed by a region of negative differential resistance. This is accounted for semi-quantitatively by modification of the local potential by the applied bias altering the oxidation state of the molecule under the probe. Measurements made in toluene are Ohmic, indicating that the tip does not alter the oxidation state of the molecule in the absence of screening ions. We discuss the role of gap geometry and bonding in these processes.     

Synthesis,molecular and supramolecular structures,electrochemistry and magnetic properties of two macrocyclic dicopper(II) complexes: Microporous supramolecular assembly

Synthesis, molecular and supramolecular structures, electrochemistry and magnetic properties of two diphenoxo-bridged dicopper(II) compounds [Cu^II₂L(H₂O)(ClO₄)]·ClO₄·2H₂O (1) and [Cu^II₂L(N₃)₂]·2H₂O (2) derived from a tetraimino diphenolate macrocyclic ligand H₂L, obtained on [2+2] condensation of 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol and 2,2′-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane, are presented. Supramolecular structure of both 1 and 2 are three-dimensional resulting from hydrogen bonding interactions. Interestingly, the 3-D self-assembly of 2 contains micropores having the dimension of 0.35 nm. Electrochemical analyses reveal that both of these compounds exhibit two-step couples in the reduction window. Variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibilities measurements of the two compounds reveal that the metal centers in both of the complexes are coupled by strong antiferromagnetic interactions with J values (H = ?JS₁·S₂) ?776 and ?836 cm^?1 for 1 and 2, respectively.     

Advanced chiral molecular media for enantioselective electrochemistry and electroanalysis

An increasing number of strategies and tools have been proposed to endow the electrochemical interphase with chirality, to achieve enantiodiscrimination in analytical and/or preparative applications. So far, chirality has mostly been implemented not only at the electrode surface side but also on the medium one. Recently, the attractiveness of the latter approach has remarkably increased on account of the increasing availability of advanced chiral molecular media with intrinsic attractive features for electrochemistry applications, such as chiral ionic liquids, chiral ionic liquid crystals, and chiral deep eutectic solvents. With respect to solid layer/fixed chiral networks, advanced chiral media can still offer a reasonably high degree of local structuring, while being less demanding concerning preparation and management protocols, as well as less sensitive to fouling/regeneration issues. Different ways to implement chirality in advanced molecular media, including cases of powerful ‘inherent chirality,’ will be presented and discussed, particularly focusing on recent applications in the electrochemical field.     

Structural analysis of porphyrin molecular squares using molecular mechanics and density-functional methods

"Molecular squares" formed from Re(CO)(3)Cl corners and porphyrin sides have potential applications as hosts for catalytic sites and as building blocks for membranes. In these materials, knowledge of the conformations of the squares is important. Molecular-mechanics (MM) and density-functional (DF) calculations have been used iteratively in this work to find the minimum-energy configurations of several porphyrin molecular squares. MM predicts that the steric and torsional interactions at connecting junctures of the square framework determine the overall geometry. Torsional degrees of freedom around these junctures were therefore analyzed using DF methods, giving further insight and helping choose among MM force-field options. Single-point DF calculations on the entire squares showed that the energy and conformation of the entire square could be reliably obtained by performing DF calculations on the critical elements of the square and then piecing them together. This "piecewise" strategy allows for both the major torsional motions and the most important local relaxations of large supramolecular species such as molecular squares.     

The molecular electrochemistry of metal–organic metallamacrocycles

Considering that most metallamacrocycles possess redox-active metal nodes as well as redox-active linker ligands, the number of studies aimed at investigating that inherent property is astoundingly small. This microreview summarizes the most relevant, recent work on the electrochemistry of organometallic macrocycles. We hope that this article encourages further incentives to not only explore, but also exploit the inherent redox-activity of metal–organic macrocycles.     

Tetranuclear palladium complexes with benzoquinonediimine ligands: synthesis, molecular structure and electrochemistry

Rare examples of tetrapalladated derivatives in which two flat tetradentate bridging ligands are perfectly face-to-face as a result of a remarkable ancillary ligand effect are reported.     

Synthesis, electrochemistry, and crystal and molecular structures of some molybdenum(0) arene derivatives with fluorinated and phenyl-substituted arene ligands

Compounds of general formula Mo(η⁶-arene)(CO)₃, arene=diphenyl, 1; 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, 2; C₆H₅F, 3; C₆H₅CF₃, 4, have been prepared in good yields by reacting fac-Mo(CO)₃(DMF)₃, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide, with BF₃ · OEt₂ and the appropriate arene. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3, and 4, are reported. The dinuclear derivative Mo₂(η⁶:η⁶-C₆H₅-C₆H₅)(CO)₆, 5, was obtained by thermal reaction of Mo(η⁶-toluene)(CO)₃ with Mo(η⁶-diphenyl)(CO)₃. An electrochemical study has been performed on the new complexes, showing that the dimolybdenum complex undergoes a single two-electron reduction at about the same potential as the corresponding dichromium complex, the molybdenum dianion being less stable than the chromium analogue.     

Dimolybdenum-containing molecular triangles and squares with diamidate linkers: structural diversity and complexity

By employing cis-Mo2(DAniF)2(2+) (DAniF = N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate) as the vertex building block and terephthaloyldiamidate as the linker, four dimolybdenum-containing cyclic oligomers have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In these compounds, described by the general formula [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2((ArNOC)2C6H4)2]n, n = 3 and 4, the geometry and composition of the products are affected by the identity of the aromatic groups of the linker. When Ar = phenyl, n = 3 (1a and 1b); however, n = 4 for Ar = p-trifluoromethylphenyl (2) and when Ar = m-trifluoromethylphenyl (3). All these compounds have a central cavity, shaped by the diamidate linker, that is capable of serving as host to guest molecules in a selective manner. For compounds 2 and 3, self-assembly that takes place in the crystalline state entails intermolecular C-H...F-C interactions. Such interactions generate a one-dimensional network with a tunnel cross section of 10 x 10 A(2) in 2, whereas in 3, they result in a cage in which two THF molecules are encapsulated. The F...H distances vary in a broad range from 2.38 to 2.70 A.