Iridium‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Decarbonylation of Primary Alcohols with the Liberation of Syngas

A new iridium ‐ catalyzed reaction in which molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide are cleaved from primary alcohols in the absence of any stoichiometric additives has been developed. The dehydrogenative decarbonylation was achieved with a catalyst generated in situ from [Ir(coe)₂Cl]₂ (coe=cyclooctene) and racemic 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (rac‐BINAP) in a mesitylene solution saturated with water. A catalytic amount of lithium chloride was also added to improve the catalyst turnover. The reaction has been applied to a variety of primary alcohols and gives rise to products in good to excellent yields. Ethers, esters, imides, and aryl halides are stable under the reaction conditions, whereas olefins are partially saturated. The reaction is believed to proceed by two consecutive organometallic transformations that are catalyzed by the same iridium(I)–BINAP species. First, dehydrogenation of the primary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde takes place, which is then followed by decarbonylation to the product with one less carbon atom.     

Dichloro(2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐thiazole‐N3,N3′)copper(II)

The title complex, [CuCl₂(C₆H₆N₄S₂)], has a flattened tetrahedral coordination. The Cu^II atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated by two N atoms from a chelating 2,2′‐di­amino‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐thia­zole ligand and by two Cl atoms. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding exists between the amino groups of the 2,2′‐di­amino‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐thia­zole ligand and the Cl atoms. The intermolecular separation of 3.425 (1) Å between parallel bi­thia­zole rings suggests there is a π–π interaction between them.     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Charge‐Neutral Amidinate‐Containing Iridium Complexes Capable of Efficient Photocatalytic Water Reduction

Two new charge‐neutral iridium complexes, [Ir(tfm‐ppy)₂(N,N′‐diisopropyl‐benzamidinate)] ( 1 ) and [Ir(tfm‐ppy)₂(N,N′‐diisopropyl‐4‐diethylamino‐3,5‐dimethyl‐benzamidinate)] ( 2 ) (tfm‐ppy=4‐trifluoromethyl‐2‐phenylpyridine) containing an amidinate ligand and two phenylpyridine ligands were designed and characterised. The photophysical properties, electrochemical behaviours and emission quenching properties of these species were investigated. In concert with the cobalt catalyst [Co(bpy)₃]²⁺, members of this new class of iridium complexes enable the photocatalytic generation of hydrogen from mixed aqueous solutions via an oxidative quenching pathway and display long‐term photostability under constant illumination over 72 h; one of these species achieved a relatively high turnover number of 1880 during this time period. In the case of complex 1 , the three‐component homogeneous photocatalytic system proved to be more efficient than a related system containing a charged complex, [Ir(tfm‐ppy)₂(dtb‐bpy)]⁺ ( 3 , dtb‐bpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐dipyridyl). In combination with a rhodium complex as a water reduction catalyst, the performances of the systems using both complexes were also evaluated, and these systems exhibited a more efficient catalytic propensity for water splitting than did the cobalt‐based systems that have been studied previously.     

Chlorido(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate‐κ2N,N′)(η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) chloride 1‐hydroxypyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione disolvate

The title complex, [Rh(C₁₀H₁₅)Cl(C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄)]Cl·2C₄H₅NO₃, has been synthesized by a substitution reaction of the precursor [bis(2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐1‐yl) 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate]chlorido(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) chloride with NaOCH₃. The Rh^III cation is located in an RhC₅N₂Cl eight‐coordinated environment. In the crystal, 1‐hydroxypyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione (NHS) solvent molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with the Cl⁻ counter‐anions in the lattice and weak hydrogen bonds with the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) ligands. Hydrogen bonding between the Cp* ligands, the NHS solvent molecules and the Cl⁻ counter‐anions form links in a V‐shaped chain of Rh^III complex cations along the c axis. Weak hydrogen bonds between the dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligands and the Cl⁻ counter‐anions connect the components into a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. The synthetic route to the dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate‐containing rhodium complex from the [bis(2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐1‐yl) 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate]rhodium(III) precursor may be applied to link Rh catalysts to the surface of electrodes.     

Tris(2,2′‐bioxazoline‐κ2N,N′)copper(II) diperchlorate and tris(2,2′‐bioxazoline‐κ2N,N′)­nickel(II) diperchlorate

In the two isomorphous title compounds, viz. tris­[2,2′‐bi(4,5‐di­hydro‐1,3‐oxazole)‐κ²N,N′]copper(II) diperchlorate, [Cu(C₆H₈N₂O₂)₃](ClO₄)₂, (I), and tris­[2,2′‐bi(4,5‐di­hydro‐1,3‐oxazole)‐κ²N,N′]­nickel(II) diperchlorate, [Ni(C₆H₈N₂O₂)₃](ClO₄)₂, (II), the M^II ions each have a distorted octahedral coordination geometry formed via six N atoms from three 2,2′‐bioxazoline ligands. For each ligand, the two five‐membered rings are nearly coplanar. It is noteworthy that the Jahn–Teller effect is stronger in (I) than in (II). The three‐dimensional supramolecular structures of (I) and (II) are formed via weak hydrogen‐bonding interactions between O atoms from per­chlorate anions and H atoms from 2,2′‐bioxazoline ligands.     

Three one‐dimensional coordination polymers based on 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole and HgX2 (X = Cl,Br and I)

A new 2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole bridging organic ligand, namely 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₂₆H₂₀N₆, L or (I), has been synthesized and used to create three new one‐dimensional coordination polymers, viz.catena‐poly[[dichloridomercury(II)]‐μ‐1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole], [HgCl₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (II), and the bromido, [HgBr₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (III), and iodido, [HgI₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (IV), analogues. Free ligand L crystallizes with two symmetry‐independent half‐molecules in the asymmetric unit and each L molecule resides on a crytallographic inversion centre. In structures (II)–(IV), the L ligand is also positioned on a crystallographic inversion centre, whereas the Hg centre resides on a crystallographic twofold axis. Compound (I) adopts an anti conformation in the solid state and forms a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic bc plane viaπ–π and C—H...π interactions. The three Hg^II coordination complexes, (II)–(IV), have one‐dimensional zigzag chains composed of L and HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br and I), and the Hg^II centres are in a distorted tetrahedral [HgX₂N₂] coordination geometry. Complexes (III) and (IV) are isomorphous, whereas complex (II) displays an interesting conformational difference from the others, i.e. a twist in the flexible bridging ligand.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Hetero‐Bischelated Complexes of Rhodium(III) Containing Phenyl‐Pyridin‐2‐Ylmethylene‐Amine

Three new hetero‐bischelated rhodium (III) complexes of cis‐[Rh(PA)(L)Cl₂]Cl (where PA = phenylpyridin‐2‐ylmethylene‐amine; L = 2,2′‐bipyridine, 2,2′‐dipyridylamine and 1,10‐phenanthroline) have been successfully prepared and characterized. Each complex shows high intensity bands in the UV region, and these are assigned to spin‐allowed π‐π* transitions. The medium‐intensity absorption band profile in the lower energy region can be explained by convolution of spin‐allowed CT and d‐d* transitions. The emission spectra at low temperature (77 K) of these complexes in EtOH/MeOH (4:1 v/v) are virtually identical. They all exhibit a broad, symmetric, and structureless red emission with a microsecond lifetime and hence are assigned as the d‐d* phosphorescence.     

trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(5,5′‐diamide‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(CO)2Cl2]: Synthesis,Structure, and Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity

A series of trans‐(Cl)‐[Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]‐type complexes, in which the ligands L are 2,2′‐bipyridyl derivatives with amide groups at the 5,5′‐positions, are synthesized. The C‐connected amide group bound to the bipyridyl ligand through the carbonyl carbon atom is twisted with respect to the bipyridyl plane, whereas the N‐connected amide group is in the plane. DFT calculations reveal that the twisted structure of the C‐connected amide group raises the level of the LUMO, which results in a negative shift of the first reduction potential (E_p) of the ruthenium complex. The catalytic abilities for CO₂ reduction are evaluated in photoreactions (λ>400 nm) with the ruthenium complexes (the catalyst), [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; the photosensitizer), and 1‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide (the electron donor) in CO₂‐saturated N,N‐dimethylacetamide/water. The logarithm of the turnover frequency increases by shifting E_p a negative value until it reaches the reduction potential of the photosensitizer.     

Understanding the Deactivation Pathways of Iridium(III) Pyridine-Carboxiamide Catalysts for Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

The degradation pathways of highly active [Cp*Ir(κ²-N,N-R-pica)Cl] catalysts (pica=picolinamidate; 1 R=H, 2 R=Me) for formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Under acidic conditions (1 equiv. of HNO₃), 2 undergoes partial protonation of the amide moiety, inducing rapid κ²-N,N to κ²-N,O ligand isomerization. Consistently, DFT modeling on the simpler complex 1 showed that the κ²-N,N key intermediate of FA dehydrogenation ( I_NH ), bearing a N-protonated pica, can easily transform into the κ²-N,O analogue ( I_NH2 ; ΔG^≠≈11 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔG ≈−5 kcal mol⁻¹). Intramolecular hydrogen liberation from I_NH2 is predicted to be rather prohibitive (ΔG^≠≈26 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔG≈23 kcal mol⁻¹), indicating that FA dehydrogenation should involve mostly κ²-N,N intermediates, at least at relatively high pH. Under FA dehydrogenation conditions, 2 was progressively consumed, and the vast majority of the Ir centers (58 %) were eventually found in the form of Cp*-complexes with a pyridine-amine ligand. This likely derived from hydrogenation of the pyridine-carboxiamide via a hemiaminal intermediate, which could also be detected. Clear evidence for ligand hydrogenation being the main degradation pathway also for 1 was obtained, as further confirmed by spectroscopic and catalytic tests on the independently synthesized degradation product 1 c . DFT calculations confirmed that this side reaction is kinetically and thermodynamically accessible.     

Syntheses,Spectroscopic, Electrochemical,and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Studies of a Hybrid Tris{ruthenium(alkynyl)/(2‐phenylpyridine)}iridium Complex

The synthesis of fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CC₆H₄‐4‐C?CH)}₃] ( 10 ), which bears pendant ethynyl groups, and its reaction with [RuCl(dppe)₂]PF₆ to afford the heterobimetallic complex fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CC₆H₄‐4‐C?C‐trans‐[RuCl(dppe)₂])}₃] ( 11 ) is described. Complex 10 is available from the two‐step formation of iodo‐functionalized fac‐tris[2‐(4‐iodophenyl)pyridine]iridium(III) ( 6 ), followed by ligand‐centered palladium‐catalyzed coupling and desilylation reactions. Structural studies of tetrakis[2‐(4‐iodophenyl)pyridine‐N,C₁′](μ‐dichloro)diiridium 5 , 6 , fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CH)}₃] ( 8 ), and 10 confirm ligand‐centered derivatization of the tris(2‐phenylpyridine)iridium unit. Electrochemical studies reveal two ( 5 ) or one ( 6 – 10 ) Ir‐centered oxidations for which the potential is sensitive to functionalization at the phenylpyridine groups but relatively insensitive to more remote derivatization. Compound 11 undergoes sequential Ru‐centered and Ir‐centered oxidation, with the potential of the latter significantly more positive than that of Ir(N,C′‐NC₅H₄‐2‐C₆H₄‐2)₃. Ligand‐centered π–π* transitions characteristic of the Ir(N,C′‐NC₅H₄‐2‐C₆H₄‐2)₃ unit red‐shift and gain in intensity following the iodo and alkynyl incorporation. Spectroelectrochemical studies of 6 , 7 , 9 , and 11 reveal the appearance in each case of new low‐energy LMCT bands following formal Ir^III/IV oxidation preceded, in the case of 11 , by the appearance of a low‐energy LMCT band associated with the formal Ru^II/III oxidation process. Emission maxima of 6 – 10 reveal a red‐shift upon alkynyl group introduction and arylalkynyl π‐system lengthening; this process is quenched upon incorporation of the ligated ruthenium moiety on proceeding to 11 . Third‐order nonlinear optical studies of 11 were undertaken at the benchmark wavelengths of 800 nm (fs pulses) and 532 nm (ns pulses), the results from the former suggesting a dominant contribution from two‐photon absorption, and results from the latter being consistent with primarily excited‐state absorption.     

New organic–inorganic frameworks incorporating iso‐ and heteropolymolybdate units and a 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bi‐1H‐pyrazole‐2,2′‐diium multiple hydrogen‐bond donor

Poly[bis(3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bi‐1H‐pyrazole‐2,2′‐diium) γ‐octamolybdate(VI) dihydrate], {(C₁₀H₁₆N₄)₂[Mo₈O₂₆]·2H₂O}_n, (I), and bis(3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bi‐1H‐pyrazole‐2,2′‐diium) α‐dodecamolybdo(VI)silicate tetrahydrate, (C₁₀H₁₆N₄)₂[SiMo₁₂O₄₀]·4H₂O, (II), display intense hydrogen bonding between the cationic pyrazolium species and the metal oxide anions. In (I), the asymmetric unit contains half a centrosymmetric γ‐type [Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ anion, which produces a one‐dimensional polymeric chain by corner‐sharing, one cation and one water molecule. Three‐centre bonding with 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bi‐1H‐pyrazole‐2,2′‐diium, denoted [H₂Me₄bpz]²⁺ [N...O = 2.770 (4)–3.146 (4) Å], generates two‐dimensional layers that are further linked by hydrogen bonds involving water molecules [O...O = 2.902 (4) and 3.010 (4) Å]. In (II), each of the four independent [H₂Me₄bpz]²⁺ cations lies across a twofold axis. They link layers of [SiMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions into a three‐dimensional framework, and the preferred sites for pyrazolium/anion hydrogen bonding are the terminal oxide atoms [N...O = 2.866 (6)–2.999 (6) Å], while anion/aqua interactions occur preferentially viaμ₂‐O sites [O...O = 2.910 (6)–3.151 (6) Å].     

(2,2′‐Biquinoline‐κ2N,N′)dichloropalladium(II), ‐copper(II) and ‐zinc(II)

In the three title complexes, namely (2,2′‐biquinoline‐κ²N,N′)dichloro­palladium(II), [PdCl₂(C₁₈H₁₂N₂)], (I), and the corresponding copper(II), [CuCl₂(C₁₈H₁₂N₂)], (II), and zinc(II) complexes, [ZnCl₂(C₁₈H₁₂N₂)], (III), each metal atom is four‐coordinate and bonded by two N atoms of a 2,2′‐biquinoline molecule and two Cl atoms. The Pd^II atom has a distorted cis‐square‐planar coordination geometry, whereas the Cu^II and Zn^II atoms both have a distorted tetra­hedral geometry. The dihedral angles between the N—M—N and Cl—M—Cl planes are 14.53 (13), 65.42 (15) and 85.19 (9)° for (I), (II) and (III), respectively. The structure of (II) has twofold imposed symmetry.     

Study of the Bonding Modes of Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime Ligand towards Ruthenium,Rhodium and Iridium Half Sandwich Complexes

The bonding modes of the ligand di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime towards half‐sandwich arene ruthenium, Cp*Rh and Cp*Ir complexes were investigated. Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime {pyC(py)NOH} react with metal precursor [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ to give cationic oxime complexes of the general formula [Cp*Ir{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 1a ) and [Cp*Ir{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 1b ), for which two coordination isomers were observed by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the complexes revealed that in the major isomer the oxime nitrogen and one of the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the central iridium atom forming a five membered metallocycle, whereas in the minor isomer both the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the iridium atom forming a six membered metallacyclic ring. Di‐2‐pyridyl ketoxime react with [(arene)MCl₂]₂ to form complexes bearing formula [(p‐cymene)Ru{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 2 ); [(benzene)Ru{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 3 ), and [Cp*Rh{pyC(py)NOH}Cl]PF₆ ( 4 ). In case of complex 3 the ligand coordinates to the metal by using oxime nitrogen and one of the pyridine nitrogen atoms, whereas in complex 4 both the pyridine nitrogen atoms are coordinated to the metal ion. The complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques.     

Bio‐Inspired Transition Metal–Organic Hydride Conjugates for Catalysis of Transfer Hydrogenation: Experiment and Theory

Taking inspiration from yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (yADH), a benzimidazolium (BI⁺) organic hydride‐acceptor domain has been coupled with a 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) metal‐binding domain to afford a novel multifunctional ligand ( L ^BI+) with hydride‐carrier capacity ( L ^BI++H^?? L ^BIH). Complexes of the type [Cp*M( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been made and fully characterised by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and, for the Ir^III congener, X‐ray crystallography. [Cp*Rh( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆]₂ catalyses the transfer hydrogenation of imines by formate ion in very goods yield under conditions where the corresponding [Cp*Ir( L ^BI)Cl][PF₆] and [Cp*M(phen)Cl][PF₆] (M=Rh, Ir) complexes are almost inert as catalysts. Possible alternatives for the catalysis pathway are canvassed, and the free energies of intermediates and transition states determined by DFT calculations. The DFT study supports a mechanism involving formate‐driven Rh?H formation (90 kJ mol^?1 free‐energy barrier), transfer of hydride between the Rh and BI⁺ centres to generate a tethered benzimidazoline (BIH) hydride donor, binding of imine substrate at Rh, back‐transfer of hydride from the BIH organic hydride donor to the Rh‐activated imine substrate (89 kJ mol^?1 barrier), and exergonic protonation of the metal‐bound amide by formic acid with release of amine product to close the catalytic cycle. Parallels with the mechanism of biological hydride transfer in yADH are discussed.     

Iridium Complexes of 2,2′‐Bidipyrrins

The reaction of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐Cl)}₂] and K₂CO₃ or of [{Ir(cod)(μ‐OMe)}₂] alone with the non‐natural tetrapyrrole 2,2′‐bidipyrrin (H₂BDP) yields, depending on the stoichiometry, the mononuclear complex [Ir(cod)(HBDP)] or the homodinuclear complex [{Ir(cod)}₂(BDP)]. Both complexes react readily with carbon monoxide to yield the species [Ir(CO)₂(HBDP)] and [{Ir(CO)₂}₂(BDP)], respectively. The results from NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction reveal different conformations for the tetrapyrrolic ligand in both complexes. The reaction of [{Ir(coe)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] with H₂BDP proceeds differently and yields the macrocyclic [4e^?,2H⁺]‐oxidized product [IrCl₂(9‐Meic)] (9‐Meic = monoanion of 9‐methyl‐9,10‐isocorrole), which can be addressed as an iridium analog of cobalamin.     

A complex containing both five‐ and six‐coordinate [bis(5‐bromosalicyli­dene)benzene‐1,2‐diimine]chloro­iron(III)

The title compound, aqua­chloro{4,4′‐di­bromo‐2,2′‐[o‐phenylenebis­(nitrilo­methyl­idyne)]­diphenolato‐O,N,N′,O′}iron(III)–chloro{4,4′‐di­bromo‐2,2′‐[o‐phenyl­enebis­(nitrilomethyli‐dyne)]diphenolato‐O,N,N′,O′}iron(III)–di­methyl­form­amide (1/1/1), [FeCl(C₂₀H₁₂Br₂N₂O₂)][FeCl(C₂₀H₁₂Br₂N₂O₂)(H₂O)]·C₃H₇NO, contains one independent five‐coordinate [FeCl(C₂₀H₁₂Br₂N₂O₂)] monomer, one six‐coordinate [FeCl(C₂₀H₁₂Br₂N₂O₂)(H₂O)] monomer and a non‐coordinating di­methyl­form­amide solvent mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. In the five‐coordinate monomer, the Fe atom shows distorted square‐pyramidal geometry, with the N and O atoms of the ligand at the base and the Cl atom at the apex of the pyramid. In the six‐coordinate monomer, the Fe atom is in a distorted octahedral geometry and coordinated by the donor atoms of the tetrafunctional ligand in the horizontal plane, and the coordination sphere is completed by the O atom of the water mol­ecule and the Cl atom at the axial positions. The title compound contains intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bonds. Apart from these hydrogen bonds, there are also intermolecular C—H?Cl and C—H?O contacts.     

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) chloride complexes with 4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole

New coordination compounds with the 4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole ligand (btr), namely tetraaqua‐2κ⁴O‐di‐μ₂‐4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole‐1:2κ²N¹:N^1′;2:3κ²N¹:N^1′‐hexachlorido‐1κ³Cl,3κ³Cl‐trizinc(II), [Zn₃Cl₆(C₄H₄N₆)₂(H₂O)₄], (I), and poly[cadmium(II)‐μ₂‐4,4′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N¹:N²‐di‐μ₂‐chlorido], [CdCl₂(C₄H₄N₆)]_n, (II), reveal an unprecedented molecular zwitterionic structure for (I) and a polymeric two‐dimensional layer structure for (II). Differences between these products, which involve the formation of either charge‐separated chlorometallate/aquametal fragments or complementary organic and inorganic bridges, are attributable to the hardness–softness characters of the metal cations. In (I), two N¹,N^1′‐bidentate btr molecules connect one [Zn(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cation and two [ZnCl₃]⁻ anions into a linear trizinc motif (the Zn atom of the cation occupies a centre of inversion in an N₂O₄ coordination octahedron, whereas the Zn atom of the anion possesses a distorted tetrahedral Cl₃N environment). In (II), the distorted vertex‐sharing CdCl₄N₂ octahedra are linked into binuclear [Cd₂(μ₂‐Cl)(μ₂‐btr)₂]³⁺ fragments by unprecedented N¹:N²‐bidentate btr double bridges and bridging chloride ligands, while the additional chloride anions are also bridging, providing further propagation of the fragments into a two‐dimensional network [Cd—Cl = 2.5869 (2)–2.6248 (7) Å].     

Electronic Coupling between Two Amine Redox Sites through the 5,5′‐Positions of Metal‐Chelating 2,2′‐Bipyridines

Electron delocalization of new mixed‐valent (MV) systems with the aid of lateral metal chelation is reported. 2,2′‐Bipyridine (bpy) derivatives with one or two appended di‐p‐anisylamino groups on the 5,5′‐positions and a coordinated [Ru(bpy)₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine), [Re(CO)₃Cl], or [Ir(ppy)₂] (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine) component were prepared. The single‐crystal molecular structure of the bis‐amine ligand without metal chelation is presented. The electronic properties of these complexes were studied and compared by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and DFT/TDDFT calculations. Compounds with two di‐p‐anisylamino groups were oxidized by a chemical or electrochemical method and monitored by near‐infrared (NIR) absorption spectral changes. Marcus–Hush analysis of the resulting intervalence charge‐transfer transitions indicated that electron coupling of these mixed‐valent systems is enhanced by metal chelation and that the iridium complex has the largest coupling. TDDFT calculations were employed to interpret the NIR transitions of these MV systems.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity of Cyclometalated Iridium Complexes with a Bidentate POC Ligand

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of cyclometalated iridium complexes with a bidentate POC ligand is presented. Metalation of POC-H (di-tert-butyl(phenoxy)phosphane) with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ proceeded rapidly at room temperature and afforded mixture of (POC)(POC-H)IrHCl ( 1 a ) and (POC)(COD)IrHCl ( 1 b ), from which complexes (POC)(L)IrHCl where L=PPh₃ ( 1 c ), bipyridine ( 1 d ) and [2,2′-bipyridine]-6,6′-diol ( 1 e ) were prepared through ligand exchange. The compounds were tested in acceptorless dehydrogenation of 1-phenylethanol and transfer dehydrogenation of ethanol in a context of comparison with pincer counterparts (POCOP)IrHCl and (PCN)IrHCl. An attempt to prepare a dihydride complex from 1 e led to dimeric complex [(POC)(bipy-diol−)IrH]₂ ( 3 ) that could explain the low activity of 1 e . DFT studies provided insight into POC-H vs POCOP-H metalation mechanism.