Metalloporphyrin-mediated asymmetric nitrogen-atom transfer to hydrocarbons: aziridination of alkenes and amidation of saturated C-H bonds catalyzed by chiral ruthenium and manganese porphyrins

Chiral metalloporphyrins [Mn(Por*)(OH)(MeOH)] (1) and [Ru(Por*)(CO)(EtOH)] (2) catalyze asymmetric aziridination of aromatic alkenes and asymmetric amidation of benzylic hydrocarbons to give moderate enantiomeric excesses. The mass balance in these nitrogen-atom-transfer processes has been examined. With PhI=NTs as the nitrogen source, the aziridination of styrenes, trans-stilbene, 2-vinylnaphthalene, indene, and 2,2-dimethylchromene catalyzed by complex 1 or 2 resulted in up to 99 % substrate conversions and up to 94 % aziridine selectivities, whereas the amidation of ethylbenzenes, indan, tetralin, 1-, and 2-ethylnaphthalene catalyzed by complex 2 led to substrate conversions of up to 32 % and amide selectivities of up to 91 %. Complex 1 or 2 can also catalyze the asymmetric amidation of 4-methoxyethylbenzene, tetralin, and 2-ethylnaphthalene with "PhI(OAc)(2) + NH(2)SO(2)Me", affording the N-substituted methanesulfonamides in up to 56 % ee with substrate conversions of up to 34 % and amide selectivities of up to 92 %. Extension of the "complex 1 + PhI=NTs" or "complex 1 + PhI(OAc)(2) + NH(2)R (R=Ts, Ns)" amidation protocol to a steroid resulted in diastereoselective amidation of cholesteryl acetate at the allylic C-H bonds at C-7 with substrate conversions of up to 49 % and amide selectivities of up to 90 % (alpha:beta ratio: up to 4.2:1). An aziridination- and amidation-active chiral bis(tosylimido)ruthenium(VI) porphyrin, [Ru(Por*)(NTs)(2)] (3), and a ruthenium porphyrin aziridine adduct, [Ru(Por*)(CO)(TsAz)] (4, TsAz=N-tosyl-2- (4-chlorophenyl)aziridine), have been isolated from the reaction of 2 with PhI=NTs and N-tosyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)aziridine, respectively. The imidoruthenium porphyrin 3 could be an active species in the aziridination or amidation catalyzed by complex 2 described above. The second-order rate constants for the reactions of 3 with styrenes, 2-vinylnaphthalene, indene, ethylbenzenes, and 2-ethylnaphthalene range from 3.7-42.5x10(-3) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). An X-ray structure determination of complex 4 reveals an O- rather than N-coordination of the aziridine axial ligand. The fact that the N-tosylaziridine in 4 does not adopt an N-coordination mode disfavors a concerted pathway in the aziridination by a tosylimido ruthenium porphyrin active species.     

Imido transfer from bis(imido)ruthenium(VI) porphyrins to hydrocarbons: effect of imido substituents, C-H bond dissociation energies, and Ru(VI/V) reduction potentials

[Ru(VI)(TMP)(NSO2R)2] (SO2R = Ms, Ts, Bs, Cs, Ns; R = p-C6H4OMe, p-C6H4Me, C6H5, p-C6H4Cl, p-C6H4NO2, respectively) and [Ru(VI)(Por)(NTs)2] (Por = 2,6-Cl2TPP, F20-TPP) were prepared by the reactions of [Ru(II)(Por)(CO)] with PhI=NSO2R in CH2Cl2. These complexes exhibit reversible Ru(VI/V) couple with E(1/2) = -0.41 to -0.12 V vs Cp2Fe(+/0) and undergo imido transfer reactions with styrenes, norbornene, cis-cyclooctene, indene, ethylbenzenes, cumene, 9,10-dihydroanthracene, xanthene, cyclohexene, toluene, and tetrahydrofuran to afford aziridines or amides in up to 85% yields. The second-order rate constants (k2) of the aziridination/amidation reactions at 298 K were determined to be (2.6 +/- 0.1) x 10(-5) to 14.4 +/- 0.6 dm3 mol(-1) s(-1), which generally increase with increasing Ru(VI/V) reduction potential of the imido complexes and decreasing C-H bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the hydrocarbons. A linear correlation was observed between log k' (k' is the k2 value divided by the number of reactive hydrogens) and BDE and between log k2 and E(1/2)(Ru(VI/V)); the linearity in the former case supports a H-atom abstraction mechanism. The amidation by [Ru(VI)(TMP)(NNs)2] reverses the thermodynamic reactivity order cumene > ethylbenzene/toluene, with k'(tertiary C-H)/k'(secondary C-H) = 0.2 and k'(tertiary C-H)/k'(primary C-H) = 0.8.     

Rhodium(II,II) dimer as an efficient catalyst for aziridination of sulfonamides and amidation of steroids

[reaction: see text] Unsaturated sulfonamides underwent direct intramolecular aziridination catalyzed by Rh(2)(OAc)(4) with PhI(OAc)(2) and Al(2)O(3) to give the corresponding aziridine products in excellent yields (up to 98%) and with good to excellent conversions. High turnovers (up to 1375) were achieved. The intermolecular rhodium-catalyzed amidation of cholesteryl acetate with PhI=NTs or PhI(OAc)(2)/NH(2)R as the nitrogen source exhibited both excellent regio- and alpha-selectivity (alpha/beta ratio up to 9:1).     

Intramolecular C-N bond formation reactions catalyzed by ruthenium porphyrins: amidation of sulfamate esters and aziridination of unsaturated sulfonamides

Ruthenium porphyrins [Ru(F(20)-TPP)(CO)] (F(20)-TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion) and [Ru(Por*)(CO)] (Por = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[(1S,4R,5R,8S)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanoanthracen-9-yl]porphyrinato dianion) catalyzed intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters p-X-C(6)H(4)(CH(2))(2)OSO(2)NH(2) (X = Cl, Me, MeO), XC(6)H(4)(CH(2))(3)OSO(2)NH(2) (X = p-F, p-MeO, m-MeO), and Ar(CH(2))(2)OSO(2)NH(2) (Ar = naphthalen-1-yl, naphthalen-2-yl) with PhI(OAc)(2) to afford the corresponding cyclic sulfamidates in up to 89% yield with up to 100% substrate conversion; up to 88% ee was attained in the asymmetric intramolecular amidation catalyzed by [Ru(Por)(CO)]. Reaction of [Ru(F(20)-TPP)(CO)] with PhI[double bond]NSO(2)OCH(2)CCl(3) (prepared by treating the sulfamate ester Cl(3)CCH(2)OSO(2)NH(2) with PhI(OAc)(2)) afforded a bis(imido)ruthenium(VI) porphyrin, [Ru(VI)(F(20)-TPP)(NSO(2)OCH(2)CCl(3))(2)], in 60% yield. A mechanism involving reactive imido ruthenium porphyrin intermediate was proposed for the ruthenium porphyrin-catalyzed intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters. Complex [Ru(F(20)-TPP)(CO)] is an active catalyst for intramolecular aziridination of unsaturated sulfonamides with PhI(OAc)(2), producing corresponding bicyclic aziridines in up to 87% yield with up to 100% substrate conversion and high turnover (up to 2014).     

Amidation of saturated C-H bonds catalyzed by electron-deficient ruthenium and manganese porphyrins. A highly catalytic nitrogen atom transfer process

Amidation of a variety of hydrocarbons with PhI=NTs catalyzed by ruthenium and manganese meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrins 1 and 2 afforded N-substituted amides in up to 92% yields with good to excellent substrate conversions. By employing catalyst 2, exceptionally high turnovers (up to 2600) were achieved, and the amidations can be effected by directly using PhI(OAc)(2)/NH(2)R as amidating reagents; in the case of R = COCF(3) a direct amination was realized in up to 90% yield.     

Oxidation chemistry of poly(ethylene glycol)-supported carbonylruthenium(II) and dioxoruthenium(VI) meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin

[Ru(II)(F(20)-tpp)(CO)] (1, F(20)-tpp=meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion) was covalently attached to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) through the reaction of 1 with PEG and sodium hydride in DMF. The water-soluble PEG-supported ruthenium porphyrin (PEG-1) is an efficient catalyst for 2,6-Cl(2)pyNO oxidation and PhI==NTs aziridination/amidation of hydrocarbons, and intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters with PhI(OAc)(2). Oxidation of PEG-1 by m-CPBA in CH(2)Cl(2), dioxane, or water afforded a water-soluble PEG-supported dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrin (PEG-2), which could react with hydrocarbons to give oxidation products in up to 80 % yield. The behavior of the two PEG-supported ruthenium porphyrin complexes in water was probed by NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light-scattering measurements. PEG-2 is remarkably stable to water. The second-order rate constants (k(2)) for the oxidation of styrene and ethylbenzene by PEG-2 in dioxane-water increase with water content, and the k(2) values at a water content of 70 % or 80 % are up to 188 times that obtained in ClCH(2)CH(2)Cl.     

Oxidation of C-H bonds by [(bpy)2(py)RuIVO]2+ occurs by hydrogen atom abstraction

Anaerobic oxidations of 9,10-dihydroanthracene (DHA), xanthene, and fluorene by [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+) in acetonitrile solution give mixtures of products including oxygenated and non-oxygenated compounds. The products include those formed by organic radical dimerization, such as 9,9'-bixanthene, as well as by oxygen-atom transfer (e.g., xanthone). The kinetics of these reactions have been measured. The kinetic isotope effect for oxidation of DHA vs DHA-d(4) gives k(H)/k(D) > or = 35 +/- 1. The data indicate a mechanism of initial hydrogen-atom abstraction forming radicals that dimerize, disproportionate and are trapped by the oxidant. This mechanism also appears to apply to the oxidations of toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, indene, and cyclohexene. The rate constants for H-atom abstraction from these substrates correlate well with the strength of the C-H bond that is cleaved. Rate constants for abstraction from DHA and toluene also correlate with those for oxygen radicals and other oxidants. The rate constant for H-atom transfer from toluene to [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+) appears to be close to that predicted by the Marcus cross relation, using a tentative rate constant for hydrogen atom self-exchange between [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(III)OH](2+) and [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+).     

X-ray Crystallographic Study of the Ruthenium Blue Complexes [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O, [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, and [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2): Steric Interactions and the Ru-Ru "Bond Length"

X-ray crystal structures are reported for the following complexes: [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane), monoclinic P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 14.418(8) ?, b = 11.577(3) ?, c = 18.471(1) ?, beta = 91.08(5) degrees, V = 3082 ?(3), R(R(w)) = 0.039 (0.043) using 4067 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K; [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, monoclinic P2(1)/a, Z = 4, a = 13.638(4) ?, b = 12.283(4) ?, c = 18.679(6) ?, beta = 109.19(2) degrees, V = 3069.5 ?(3), R(R(w)) = 0.052 (0.054) using 3668 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K; [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2), cubic P2(1)/3, Z = 3, a = 14.03(4) ?, beta = 90.0 degrees, V = 2763.1(1) ?(3), R (R(w)) = 0.022 (0.025) using 896 unique data with I > 2.5sigma(I) at 293 K. All of the cations have cofacial bioctahedral geometries, although [Ru(2)Cl(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).4H(2)O, [Ru(2)Br(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2).2H(2)O, and [Ru(2)I(3)(tacn)(2)](PF(6))(2) are not isomorphous. Average bond lengths and angles for the cofacial bioctahedral cores, [N(3)Ru(&mgr;-X)(3)RuN(3)](2+), are compared to those for the analogous ammine complexes [Ru(2)Cl(3)(NH(3))(6)](BPh(4))(2) and [Ru(2)Br(3)(NH(3))(6)](ZnBr(4)). The Ru-Ru distances in the tacn complexes are longer than those in the equivalent ammine complexes, probably as a result of steric interactions.     

New polydentate ligand and catalytic properties of the corresponding ruthenium complex during sulfoxidation and alkene epoxidation

Bis(diimine)-ruthenium complexes constitute a class of catalysts with good activity for oxidation reactions, such as sulfoxidation and epoxidation. The synthesis and the full characterization of a new ruthenium complex bearing an original pentadentate ligand (L5pyr for 2,6-bis-(6-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)-pyridine) is reported. Comparison of its activity with regard to[Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)2](2+) and [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+) during alkene and sulfide oxidation allowed us to conclude that the addition of a fifth pyridine ligand in the coordination sphere improves the efficiency of the catalyst. Moreover, under these oxidation conditions a hydroxylation of the ligand L5pyr led to a better activity than its analogue [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+), especially during epoxidation of alkenes by PhI(OAc)2.     

Hydride ion transfer from ruthenium(II) complexes in water: kinetics and mechanism

Reactions of hydride complexes of ruthenium(II) with hydride acceptors have been examined for Ru(terpy)(bpy)H(+), Ru(terpy)(dmb)H(+), and Ru(η(6)-C(6)Me(6))(bpy)(H)(+) in aqueous media at 25 °C (terpy = 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine). The acceptors include CO(2), CO, CH(2)O, and H(3)O(+). CO reacts with Ru(terpy)(dmb)H(+) with a rate constant of 1.2 (0.2) × 10(1) M(-1) s(-1), but for Ru(η(6)-C(6)Me(6))(bpy)(H)(+), the reaction was very slow, k ≤ 0.1 M(-1) s(-1). Ru(terpy)(bpy)H(+) and Ru(η(6)-C(6)Me(6))(bpy)(H)(+) react with CH(2)O with rate constants of (6 ± 4) × 10(6) and 1.1 × 10(3) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The reaction of Ru(η(6)-C(6)Me(6))(bpy)(H)(+) with acid exhibits straightforward, second-order kinetics, with the rate proportional to [Ru(η(6)-C(6)Me(6))(bpy)(H)(+)] and [H(3)O(+)] and k = 2.2 × 10(1) M(-1) s(-1) (μ = 0.1 M, Na(2)SO(4) medium). However, for the case of Ru(terpy)(bpy)H(+), the protonation step is very rapid, and only the formation of the product Ru(terpy)(bpy)(H(2)O)(2+) (presumably via a dihydrogen or dihydride complex) is observed with a k(obs) of ca. 4 s(-1). The hydricities of HCO(2)(-), HCO(-), and H(3)CO(-) in water are estimated as +1.48, -0.76, and +1.57 eV/molecule (+34, -17.5, +36 kcal/mol), respectively. Theoretical studies of the reactions with CO(2) reveal a "product-like" transition state with short C-H and long M-H distances. (Reactant) Ru-H stretched 0.68 ?; (product) C-H stretched only 0.04 ?. The role of water solvent was explored by including one, two, or three water molecules in the calculation.     

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of allenylphosphonates, phenylallenes, and allenyl esters: remarkable salt effect and routes to novel benzofurans and isocoumarins

Coupling reactions of allenylphosphonates (OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)CH=C=CRR' [R, R' = H (1a), R = H, R' = Me (1b), R = R' = Me (1c)] with aryl iodides, iodophenol, and iodobenzoic acid in the presence of palladium(II) acetate are investigated and compared with those of phenylallenes PhCH=C=CR2 [R = H (2a), Me (2b)] and allenyl esters EtO(2)CCH=C=CR(2) [R = H (2c), Me (2d)]. While 1b and 1c couple with different stereochemical outcomes using PhI in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2)/PPh(3)/K(2)CO(3) to give phenyl-substituted 1,3-butadienes, 1a does not undergo coupling but isomerizes to the acetylene (OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)CCMe (7). In the reaction of 1c with PhI, use of K(2)CO(3) affords the butadiene (Z)-(OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)CH=C(Ph)-C(Me)=CH(2) (12); in contrast, the use of Ag(2)CO(3) leads to the allene (OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)C(Ph)=C=CMe(2) (20), showing that these bases differ very significantly in their roles. The reaction of 1a with PhI or PhB(OH)2 in (t)he presence of Pd(OAc)2/CsF/DMF leads mainly to (E)-(OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)CH=C(Me)Ph (21) and (OCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)O)P(O)CH2-C(Ph)=CH(2) (22) and is thus a net 1,2-addition of Ph-H. Compound 1b reacts with iodophenol in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2)/PPh(3)/K(2)CO(3) to give a benzofuran that has a structure different from that obtained by using 1c under similar conditions. Treatment of 1a with iodophenol/Pd(OAc)(2)/CsF/DMF also gives a benzofuran whose structure is different from that obtained by using 2a under similar conditions. In the reaction with 2-iodobenzoic acid, 1a and 2c afford one type of isocoumarin, while 1b,c and 2a,b give a second type of isocoumarin. The structures of key compounds are established by X-ray crystallography. Utility of the phosphonate products in the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction is demonstrated.     

Stoichiometric and catalytic oxidations of alkanes and alcohols mediated by highly oxidizing ruthenium-Oxo complexes bearing 6, 6'-dichloro-2,2'-bipyridine

The ruthenium(II) complex cis-[Ru(6, 6'-Cl(2)bpy)(2)(OH(2))(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (1) is a robust catalyst for C-H bond oxidations of hydrocarbons, including linear alkanes, using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as terminal oxidant. Alcohols can be oxidized by the "1 + TBHP" protocol to the corresponding aldehydes/ketones with high product yields at ambient temperature. Oxidation of 1 with Ce(IV) in aqueous solution affords cis-[Ru(VI)(6, 6'-Cl(2)bpy)(2)O(2)](2+), which is isolated as a green/yellow perchlorate salt (2). Complex 2 is a powerful stoichiometric oxidant for cycloalkane oxidations under mild conditions. Oxidation of cis-decalin is highly stereoretentive; cis-decalinol is obtained in high yield, and formation of trans-decalinol is not observed. Mechanistic studies showing a large primary kinetic isotope effect suggest a hydrogen-atom abstraction pathway. The relative reactivities of cycloalkanes toward oxidation by 2 have been examined through competitive experiments, and comparisons with Gif-type processes are presented.     

Synthesis of mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium(II) tris(heteroleptic) complexes via photosubstitution in bis(carbonyl) precursors

A novel, and quite general, approach for the preparation of tris(heteroleptic) ruthenium(II) complexes is reported. Using this method, which is based on photosubstitution of carbonyl ligands in precursors such as [Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl(2)] and [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(2)](PF(6))(2), mononuclear and dinuclear Ru(II) tris(heteroleptic) polypyridyl complexes containing the bridging ligands 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpt) and 3,5-bis(pyrazin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpzt) have been prepared. The complexes obtained were purified by column chromatography and characterized by HPLC, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, absorption and emission spectroscopy and by electrochemical methods. The X-ray structures of the compounds [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(bpt)](PF(6))x0.5C(4)H(10)O [1x0.5C(4)H(10)O], [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(bpzt)](PF(6))xH(2)O (2xH(2)O) and [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6))(2)xC(4)H(10)O (6xC(4)H(10)O) are reported. The synthesis and characterisation of the dinuclear analogues of 1 and 2, [{Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)}(2)bpt](PF(6))(3)x2H(2)O (3) and [{Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)}(2)bpzt](PF(6))(3) (4), are also described.     

Cu(I) beta-diketiminates for alkene aziridination: reversible Cu-arene binding and catalytic nitrene transfer from PhI=NTs

beta-Diketiminato Cu(I)-lutidine complexes [RMeNN]Cu(2,4-lutidine) (R = Me (4a), (i)Pr (4b)) were prepared in high yield from Tl[RMeNN] and [CuBr(2,4-lutidine)(2)](2). Both 4a and 4b reversibly dissociate lutidine base in toluene to give [RMeNN]Cu(toluene) solvento complexes. A related base-free dicopper species [[Me(2)NN]Cu](2) (6) bridged via eta(2)-binding of opposing N-aryl rings could be isolated by the addition of Tl[Me(2)NN] to CuBr. The lutidine precursors serve as precatalysts for the aziridination of alkenes with PhI=NTs. Styrene, beta-methylstyrene, and cyclooctene gave the highest yields (59-96%) with a low olefin to PhI=NTs ratio (3:1) and 5 mol % catalyst loading.     

Enhancement of metal-metal coupling at a considerable distance by using 4-pyridinealdazine as a bridging ligand in polynuclear complexes of rhenium and ruthenium

Novel polynuclear complexes of rhenium and ruthenium containing PCA (PCA = 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde azine or 4-pyridinealdazine or 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) as a bridging ligand have been synthesized as PF(6-) salts and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical techniques. The precursor mononuclear complex, of formula [Re(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)(PCA)](+) (Me(2)bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), does not emit at room temperature in CH(3)CN, and the transient spectrum found by flash photolysis at lambda(exc) = 355 nm can be assigned to a MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) excited state [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(II)(PCA(-))](+), with lambda(max) = 460 nm and tau < 10 ns. The spectral properties of the related complexes [[Re(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)}(2)(PCA)](2+), [Re(CO)(3)(PCA)(2)Cl], and [Re(CO)(3)Cl](3)(PCA)(4) confirm the existence of this low-energy MLCT state. The dinuclear complex, of formula [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(I)(PCA)Ru(II)(NH(3))(5)](3+), presents an intense absorption in the visible spectrum that can be assigned to a MLCT d(pi)(Ru) --> pi(PCA); in CH(3)CN, the value of lambda (max) = 560 nm is intermediate between those determined for [Ru(NH(3))(5)(PCA)](2+) (lambda(max) = 536 nm) and [(NH(3))(5)Ru(PCA)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+) (lambda(max) = 574 nm), indicating a significant decrease in the energy of the pi-orbital of PCA. The mixed-valent species, of formula [(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Re(I)(PCA)Ru(III)(NH(3))(5)](4+), was obtained in CH(3)CN solution, by bromine oxidation or by controlled-potential electrolysis at 0.8 V in a OTTLE cell of the [Re(I),Ru(II)] precursor; the band at lambda(max) = 560 nm disappears completely, and a new band appears at lambda(max) = 483 nm, assignable to a MMCT band (metal-to-metal charge transfer) Re(I) --> Ru(III). By using the Marcus-Hush formalism, both the electronic coupling (H(AB)) and the reorganization energy (lambda) for the metal-to-metal intramolecular electron transfer have been calculated. Despite the considerable distance between both metal centers (approximately 15.0 Angstroms), there is a moderate coupling that, together with the comproportionation constant of the mixed-valent species [(NH(3))(5)Ru(PCA)Ru(NH(3))(5)](5+) (K(c) approximately 10(2), in CH(3)CN), puts into evidence an unusual enhancement of the metal-metal coupling in the bridged PCA complexes. This effect can be accounted for by the large extent of "metal-ligand interface", as shown by DFT calculations on free PCA. Moreover, lambda is lower than the driving force -DeltaG degrees for the recombination charge reaction [Re(II),Ru(II)] --> [Re(I),Ru(III)] that follows light excitation of the mixed-valent species. It is then predicted that this reverse reaction falls in the Marcus inverted region, making the heterodinuclear [Re(I),Ru(III)] complex a promising model for controlling the efficiency of charge-separation processes.     

9-Oxidophenalenone: a noninnocent β-diketonate ligand?

The redox systems [Ru(L)(bpy)(2)](k), [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)](m), and [Ru(L)(3)](n) containing the potentially redox-active ligand 9-oxidophenalenone = L(-) were investigated by spectroelectrochemistry (UV-vis-near-IR and electron paramagnetic resonance) in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compounds [Ru(L(-))(bpy)(2)]ClO(4) ([1]ClO(4)) and [Ru(L(-))(2)(bpy)]ClO(4) ([2]ClO(4)) were structurally characterized. In addition to establishing electron-transfer processes involving the Ru(II)/Ru(III)/Ru(IV) and bpy(0)/bpy(?-) couples, evidence for the noninnocent behavior of L(-) was obtained from [Ru(IV)(L(?))(L(-))(bpy)](3+), which exhibits strong near-IR absorption due to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer. In contrast, the lability of the electrogenerated anion [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)](-) is attributed to a resonance situation [Ru(II)(L(?2-))(L(-))(bpy)](-)/[Ru(II)(L(-))(2) (bpy(?-))](-), as suggested by DFT calculations.     

Substitution reactions of [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2)

The labile nature of the coordinated water ligands in the organometallic aqua complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(3)][OTf](2) (1) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) has been investigated through substitution reactions with a range of incoming ligands. Dissolution of 1 in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide results in the facile displacement of all three waters to give [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(3)][OTf](2) (2) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(DMSO)(3)][OTf](2) (3), respectively. Similarly, 1 reacts with Me(3)CNC to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(CNCMe(3))(3)][OTf](2) (4). Addition of 1 equiv of 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (Me(2)bpy) to acetone/water solutions of 1 initially yields [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(bpy)][OTf](2) (5a) and [Ru(dppe)(CO)(H(2)O)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf](2) (6a), in which the coordinated water lies trans to CO. Compounds 5a and 6a rapidly rearrange to isomeric species (5b, 6b) in which the ligated water is trans to dppe. Further reactivity has been demonstrated for 6b, which, upon dissolution in CDCl(3), loses water and coordinates a triflate anion to afford [Ru(dppe)(CO)(OTf)(Me(2)bpy)][OTf] (7). Reaction of 1 with CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)SH gives the dinuclear bridging thiolate complex [[(dppe)Ru(CO)](2)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(3))(3)][OTf] (8). The reaction of 1 with CO in acetone/water is slow and yields the cationic hydride complex [Ru(dppe)(CO)(3)H][OTf] (9) via a water gas shift reaction. Moreover, the same mechanism can also be used to account for the previously reported synthesis of 1 upon reaction of Ru(dppe)(CO)(2)(OTf)(2) with water (Organometallics 1999, 18, 4068).     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 8-(dimethylphosphino)quinoline (Me(2)Pqn): preparation,crystal structures,and electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of [Ru(bpy or phen)(3)(-)(n)(Me(2)Pqn)(n)](PF(6))(2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; n = 1, 2, or 3)

Several new ruthenium(II) complexes containing 8-(dimethylphosphino)quinoline (Me(2)Pqn) were synthesized, and their structures and electrochemical/spectroscopic properties have been investigated. In addition to the mono(Me(2)Pqn) complex [Ru(bpy or phen)(2)(Me(2)Pqn)](PF(6))(2) (1 or 1'; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), the geometrical isomers trans(P)- and C(1)-[Ru(bpy)(Me(2)Pqn)(2)](PF(6))(2) (tP-2 and C(1)-2) and mer- and fac-[Ru(Me(2)Pqn)(3)](PF(6))(2) (m-3 and f-3) were also selectively synthesized and isolated. It was found that complexes tP-2 and m-3 were converted quantitatively to the corresponding C(1)-2 and f-3 isomers, respectively, by irradiation of light corresponding to the MLCT transition energy. The strong trans influence of the Me(2)P- donor group of Me(2)Pqn was confirmed by the X-ray structural analyses for 1, tP-2, m-3, and f-3. Cyclic voltammetry of a series of complexes, [Ru(bpy)(3)](PF(6))(2), 1, C(1)-2, and f-3, exhibited a reversible one-electron oxidation wave and two or three one-electron reduction waves. The oxidation potentials of the complexes gave a large positive shift with increasing number of coordinated Me(2)Pqn molecules, indicating a larger pi-acceptability of the Me(2)P- group compared with bpy or qn. Complex f-3 in EtOH/MeOH (4:1) glass at 77 K exhibited an intense long-lived (tau = 920 microseconds) emission arising from the quinoline-based (3)(pi-pi) excited state. In contrast, the mixed-ligand complexes 1, 1', and C(1)-2 showed a characteristic dual emission, giving a double-exponential emission decay, and the dual emission originates from both the bpy-based (3)MLCT and the quinoline-based (3)(pi-pi) emitting states.     

Nickel(II)-molybdenum(III)-cyanide clusters: synthesis and magnetic behavior of species incorporating [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CN)(3)

The substitution of Mo(III) for Cr(III) in metal-cyanide clusters is demonstrated as an effective means of increasing the strength of the magnetic exchange coupling and introducing magnetic anisotropy. Synthesis of the octahedral complex [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CN)(3)] (Me(3)tacn = N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) is accomplished with the addition of precisely 3 equiv of LiCN to a solution of [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CF(3)SO(3))(3)] in DMF. An excess of LiCN prompts formation of a seven-coordinate complex, [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CN)(4)](1)(-), whereas less LiCN produces multinuclear species such as [(Me(3)tacn)(2)Mo(2)(CN)(5)](1+). In close parallel to reactions previously performed with [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CN)(3)], assembly reactions between [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CN)(3)] and [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) or [(cyclam)Ni(H(2)O)(2)](2+) (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) afford face-centered cubic [(Me(3)tacn)(8)Mo(8)Ni(6)(CN)(24)](12+) and linear [(Me(3)tacn)(2)(cyclam)NiMo(2)(CN)(6)](2+) clusters, respectively. Generation of the former involves a thermally induced cyanide linkage isomerization, which rapidly leads to a low-spin form of the cluster containing diamagnetic Ni(II) centers. The cyclic voltammagram of this species in DMF reveals a sequence of six successive reduction waves spaced approximately 130 mV apart, suggesting class II mixed-valence behavior upon reduction. The magnetic properties of the aforementioned linear cluster are consistent with the expected ferromagnetic coupling and an S = 4 ground state, but otherwise vary slightly with the specific conformation adopted (as influenced by the packing of associated counteranions and solvate molecules in the crystal). Magnetization data indicate an axial zero-field splitting parameter with a magnitude falling in the range [D] = 0.44-0.72 cm(-1), and fits to the magnetic susceptibility data yield exchange coupling constants in the range J = 17.0-17.6 cm(-1). These values represent significant increases over those displayed by the analogous Cr(III)-containing cluster. When perchlorate is used as a counteranion, [(Me(3)tacn)(2)(cyclam)NiMo(2)(CN)(6)](2+) crystallizes from water in a dimeric form with pairs of the linear clusters directly linked via hydrogen bonding. In this case, fitting the magnetic susceptibility data requires use of two coupling constants: one intramolecular with J = 14.9 cm(-1) and another intermolecular with J' = -1.9 cm(-1). Reacting [(Me(3)tacn)Mo(CN)(3)] with a large excess of [(cyclam)Ni(H(2)O)(2)](2+) produces a [(Me(3)tacn)(2)(cyclam)(3)(H(2)O)(2)Ni(3)Mo(2)(CN)(6)](6+) cluster possessing a zigzag structure that is a simple extension of the linear cluster geometry. Its magnetic behavior is consistent with weaker ferromagnetic coupling and an S = 6 ground state. Similar reactions employing an equimolar ratio of reactants afford related one-dimensional chains of formula [(Me(3)tacn)(cyclam)NiMo(CN)(3)](2+). Once again, the ensuing structure depends on the associated counteranions, and the magnetic behavior indicates ferromagnetic coupling. It is hoped that substitutions of the type exemplified here will be of utility in the design of new single-molecule magnets.     

Giant metal-cyanide coordination clusters: tetracapped edge-bridged cubic Cr(12)Ni(12)(CN)(48) and double face-centered cubic Cr(14)Ni(13)(CN)(48) species

The crystal structures of two new metal-cyanide clusters with record high nuclearities are reported. A direct assembly reaction involving [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CN)(3)] (Me(3)tacn = N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), NiI(2), and KCN in aqueous solution affords [(Me(3)tacn)(12)Cr(12)Ni(12)(CN)(48)](12+). The structure of this 24-metal cluster features a cube of eight Cr(III) centers linked along the edges by 12 trans-coordinated [Ni(CN)(4)](2)(-) units, and capped on four faces by [(Me(3)tacn)Cr](3+) moieties. Its metal-cyanide cage encloses a 900 A(3) cavity that is accessible through the two noncapped cube faces. A still larger cluster, [(Me(3)tacn)(14)Cr(14)Ni(13)(CN)(48)](20+), was obtained from a related reaction excluding the addition of KCN. This 27-metal species possesses a highly anisotropic geometry in which two face-centered cubic units are fused through a common Ni(II) vertex.