Synergetic activation of carbon dioxide molecule using phenylazomethine dendrimers as a catalyst

Phenylazomethine dendrimers bearing a cobalt porphyrin core act as catalysts for CO₂ reduction in the presence of a strong Lewis acid such as lanthanide trifluoromethanesulfonate (Ln(OTf)₃). We investigated the catalytic activity using electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry) on a glassy carbon electrode in a DMF solution. Dissolving CO₂ gas into the solution, the cyclic voltammograms displayed an irreversible increase of the cathodic current. This result suggests the catalytic reduction of CO₂. The redox potential (–1.3 V versus Fc/Fc⁺) at which the catalytic behavior was observed is 1.1 V higher than that catalyzed by cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP). The generation number (n) dependence of the dendrimer catalysts showed the maximum activity at n = 3. A significant decrease of the activity for the largest dendrimer (n = 4) indicates a steric effect, which prevents transmission of the substrate (CO₂ molecule) and electrons to the catalytic center (cobalt porphyrin core). For more efficient catalysis, a novel open-shell dendrimer having a pocket on one side of the molecule was designed and synthesized. Because the accessibility to the core in the opened shell improved, this dendrimer exhibited the highest catalytic activity. These results suggest that tuning of the local domain around the cobalt porphyrin center would lead to a decisive solution for further activation of the CO₂ molecule. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5229–5236, 2006     

Site-Selective Supramolecular Complexation Activates Catalytic Ethane Oxidation by a Nitrido-Bridged Iron Porphyrinoid Dimer

Development of supramolecular methods to further activate a highly reactive intermediate is a fascinating strategy to create novel potent catalysts for activation of inert chemicals. Herein, a supramolecular approach to enhance the oxidizing ability of a high-valent oxo species of a nitrido-bridged iron porphyrinoid dimer that is a known potent molecular catalyst for light alkane oxidation is reported. For this purpose, a nitrido-bridged dinuclear iron complex of porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterodimer 3 ⁵⁺, which is connected through a fourfold rotaxane, was prepared. Heterodimer 3 ⁵⁺ catalyzed ethane oxidation in the presence of H₂O₂ at a relatively low temperature. The site-selective complexation of 3 ⁵⁺ with an additional anionic porphyrin (TPPS⁴⁻) through π–π stacking and electrostatic interactions afforded a stable 1:1 complex. It was demonstrated that the supramolecular post-synthetic modification of 3 ⁵⁺ enhances its catalytic activity efficiently. Moreover, supramolecular conjugates achieved higher catalytic ethane oxidation activity than nitrido-bridged iron phthalocyanine dimer, which is the most potent iron-oxo-based molecular catalyst for light-alkane oxidation reported so far. Electrochemical measurements proved that the electronic perturbation from TPPS⁴⁻ to 3 ⁵⁺ enhanced the catalytic activity.     

Encapsulation of Metalloporphyrins in a Self‐Assembled Cubic M8L6 Cage: A New Molecular Flask for Cobalt–Porphyrin‐Catalysed Radical‐Type Reactions

The synthesis of a new, cubic M₈L₆ cage is described. This new assembly was characterised by using NMR spectroscopy, DOSY, TGA, MS, and molecular modelling techniques. Interestingly, the enlarged cavity size of this new supramolecular assembly allows the selective encapsulation of tetra(4‐pyridyl)metalloporphyrins (M^II(TPyP), M=Zn, Co). The obtained encapsulated cobalt–porphyrin embedded in the cubic zinc–porphyrin assembly is the first example of a catalytically active encapsulated transition‐metal complex in a cubic M₈L₆ cage. The substrate accessibility of this system was demonstrated through radical‐trapping experiments, and its catalytic activity was demonstrated in two different radical‐type transformations. The reactivity of the encapsulated Co^II(TPyP) complex is significantly increased compared to free Co^II(TPyP) and other cobalt–porphyrin complexes. The reactions catalysed by this system are the first examples of cobalt–porphyrin‐catalysed radical‐type transformations involving diazo compounds which occur inside a supramolecular cage.     

Catalytic activity and stability of anionic and cationic water soluble cobalt(II) tetraarylporphyrin complexes in the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol by molecular oxygen

The catalytic activity and stability of anionic cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichloro-3-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5disulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) and the cationic cobalt(II) porphyrin: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(diethylmethylammonio)phenyl]porphyrinatocobalt(II) tertraiodide have been investigated in the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol by dioxygen. All complexes were efficient catalysts for the auto-oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol. The cationic cobalt(II) porphyrin has been found to be the most reactive catalyst. The rate of auto-oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol catalysed by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5disulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) has been found to increase with increasing the pH from 7 to 9 then decreased at higher pH. The rate constants of auto-oxidation reaction showed linear dependence on catalyst concentration and saturation kinetics in both 2-mercaptoethanol concentrations and dioxygen pressure. Anionic cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes showed higher stability than the cationic catalyst in repeat oxidation reactions. Immobilizing the anionic catalysts on ion exchange resin and supporting the cationic catalyst on clay mineral montmorillonite improved their stabilities towards oxidation.     

Multinuclear cobalt–salen complexes with phenylene linker for epoxide polymerizations

Di‐ and trinuclear cobalt (Co)–salen complexes with a benzene ring as a rigid linker were explored for epoxide polymerizations. The dinuclear Co–salen complex with a 1,2‐phenylene linker showed higher catalytic activity than the dinuclear Co–salen complex with a 1,3‐phenylene linker and the trinuclear Co–salen complex with a 1,3,5‐benzenetriyl linker for the copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) with carbon dioxide. A combination of the absolute configuration of the two Co–salen moieties was found to affect its catalytic activity. The optimized dinuclear Co–salen complex with a heterochiral combination demonstrated highest activity and maintained its catalytic activity under a low catalyst concentration. The heterochiral dinuclear Co–salen complex also showed high activity for the copolymerization of PO with cyclic anhydride. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2150–2159     

Electrochemical Properties of a Binuclear Cobalt-Containing Macroheterocycle with an Enlarged Coordination Cavity

The catalytic activity of a binuclear complex of a macroheterocyclic compound (MHCC) containing cobalt(II) and having an enlarged coordination cavity is studied by cyclic voltammetry. Basic features of the electrochemical behavior of MHCC Co₂O₂ in alkaline solution are found. The complex has a higher catalytic activity as compared to cobalt phthalocyanine.     

Highly Active Catalysis of Cobalt Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin Promoted by Chitosan for Cyclohexane Oxidation in Response-Surface-Methodology-Optimized Reaction Conditions

We aimed at elevating catalytic performances of cobalt tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (Co TPFPP) through axial coordination, nanocavities, and covalently grafting action. The Co TPFPP was immobilized onto nanoporous and nonporous chitosan, forming Co TPFPP/np- and nonp-CTS catalysts, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The catalytic performances of these catalysts for cyclohexane oxidation under response-surface-methodology-optimized oxidation reaction conditions were estimated and compared. Co TPFPP/np-CTS was an excellent catalyst at aspect of catalytic activity, exhibiting the considerable potential reusability, 24.2 mol % yields (KA oil : cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol) in average, and total turnover frequencies (TOFs) of 3.25×10⁶ h⁻¹. This is attributed to the structural characteristics of the Co TPFPP/np-CTS catalyst: the cobalt porphyrin molecules could be highly scattered on CTS, forming the independent active sites, and were not leached. The axial coordination exerted the most important effect on the catalytic activity, and the covalent grafting action had a decisive effect on the increase of the total TOFs and on the reusability of the catalyst.     

固载化阳离子金属卟啉/杂多阴离子复合催化剂在分子氧氧化乙苯过程中的催化特性

以交联聚苯乙烯微球(CPS)为基质载体, 采用同步合成与固载的方法, 简捷地制得了固载化阳离子苯基卟啉, 继而通过与钴盐的配合反应, 制备了固载化阳离子钴卟啉. 在此基础上, 以Keggin 型杂多酸磷钨酸(HPW)及磷钼酸(HPMo)为试剂, 凭借阳离子钴卟啉(CoP)与杂多阴离子之间的静电相互作用, 制备与表征了固载化的由阳离子钴卟啉与杂多阴离子复合而成的固体催化剂CoPPW-CPS和CoPPMo-CPS. 将两种复合催化剂用于分子氧氧化乙苯的氧化反应, 考察研究了催化特性. 结果表明: 在分子氧氧化乙苯的氧化反应中, 复合催化剂具有很高的催化活性, 可使乙苯高选择性地转化为苯乙酮, 反应12 h, 苯乙酮的产率达30.1%; 复合催化剂的催化活性比单纯的固载化钴卟啉高75%; CoPPW-CPS的催化活性高于CoPPMo-CPS. 在复合催化剂结构组分中, 固载化的杂多阴离子并无催化活性, 起催化作用的组分是钴卟啉; 但是, 杂多阴离子可有效保护钴卟啉, 使其免于被氧化失活, 从而使其保持稳定的高催化活性. 复合催化剂具有最适宜的投加量, 过量催化剂的加入, 会抑制钴卟啉的催化活性. 复合催化剂还具有良好的循环使用性能.     

Integration of electrochemical generator and detector of nitric oxide with the aid of the iron porphyrin

An electrochemical cell of generating nitric oxide (NO) was constructed in order to realize the catalytic reaction of nitrite by iron porphyrin [Y. Chi, J. Chen, K. Aoki, Inorg. Chem. 43 (2004) 8437]. The cell was composed of the generator of the iron porphyrin-including Nafion^®-coated electrode, the ion-exchange membrane, and the electrochemical detector of NO. The reduction of iron porphyrin in the presence of nitrite at the generator coordinates nitrite to form the NO-included complex, of which oxidation releases NO. The water-dissolved NO diffused to the detector through the membrane to block nitrite. It was detected by voltammetry with the aid of the oxidative catalytic reaction of iron porphyrin.     

Self-assembled molecular rafts at liquid|liquid interfaces for four-electron oxygen reduction

The self-assembly of the oppositely charged water-soluble porphyrins, cobalt tetramethylpyridinium porphyrin (CoTMPyP(4+)) and cobalt tetrasulphonatophenyl porphyrin (CoTPPS(4-)), at the interface with an organic solvent to form molecular "rafts", provides an excellent catalyst to perform the interfacial four-electron reduction of oxygen by lipophilic electron donors such as tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). The catalytic activity and selectivity of the self-assembled catalyst toward the four-electron pathway was found to be as good as that of the Pacman type cofacial cobalt porphyrins. The assembly has been characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Surface Second Harmonic Generation, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Density functional theory calculations confirm the possibility of formation of the catalytic CoTMPyP(4+)/ CoTPPS(4-) complex and its capability to bind oxygen.     

Kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of manganese(III) porphyrins

The kinetics of homogeneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of manganese complexes with anionic ligands and various aromatic macrocycles were studied by the volumetric method. Ionmolecular mechanism was proposed on the basis of spectrophotometric data for catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide with participation of manganese(III) porphyrins. The catalytic activity of the porphyrin complexes was higher by a factor of 1.5–3 than the activity of the corresponding solvate complexes with anionic ligands. The catalytic activity of porphyrin manganese complexes can be controlled by variation of the electronic structure of the macroring and the nature of anionic ligand coordinated at the apical position.     

DFT and Empirical Considerations on Electrocatalytic Water/Carbon Dioxide Reduction by CoTMPyP in Neutral Aqueous Solutions**

A combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) investigation was employed in order to examine the mechanism of electrochemical CO₂ reduction and H₂ formation from water reduction in neutral aqueous solutions. A water soluble cobalt porphyrin, cobalt [5,10,15,20-(tetra-N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin], (CoTMPyP), was used as catalyst. The possible attachment of different axial ligands as well as their effect on the electrocatalytic cycles were examined. A cobalt porphyrin hydride is a key intermediate which is generated after the initial reduction of the catalyst. The hydride is involved in the formation of H₂ and formate and acts as an indirect proton source for the formation of CO in these H⁺-starving conditions. The experimental results are in agreement with the computations and give new insights into electrocatalytic mechanisms involving water soluble metalloporphyrins. We conclude that in addition to the porphyrin's structure and metal ion center, the electrolyte surroundings play a key role in dictating the products of CO₂/H₂O reduction.     

A Valence Tautomeric Dinuclear Copper Tetrakisguanidine Complex

We report on the first valence tautomeric dinuclear copper complex, featuring 2,3,5,6‐tetrakis(tetramethylguanidino)pyridine as a bridging redox‐active GFA (guanidino‐functionalized aromatic) ligand. The preferred electronic structure of the complex is massively influenced by the environment. In the solid state and in nonpolar solvents a paramagnetic, dinuclear Cu^II complex with a neutral GFA ligand is present. In polar solvents, the electronic structure changes to a diamagnetic, dinuclear Cu^I complex with a twofold‐oxidized GFA ligand. Using acetone as a solvent, both electronic structures are accessible due to a temperature‐dependent equilibrium between the two valence tautomeric complexes. Our results pave the way for a broader use of valence tautomeric transition‐metal complexes in catalytic reactions since anionic coligands can now be tolerated owing to the neutral/positively charged GFA ligand.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage Studies of the Dinuclear, Thioacetatocobalt(II) of 3-methylsulfanylpropionic Acid Complex

A new dinuclear cobalt(II) complex containing monothioacetate and 3-methylsulfanylpropionate ligands was synthesized and fully characterized by spectral, magnetic moment, electrochemical, elemental, thermal and FAB mass analyses data. In order to explore the role of labile metal complexes in promoting phosphodiester hydrolysis, kinetic and mechanistic studies were performed. The hydrolyses of ethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphate (ENPP) and the bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) complex are catalytic, as determined by the observations of both rate enhancement and turnover. The pH versus rate profile indicates that deprotonation of the metal-coordinated water occurs to form the active catalyst.     

Asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrenes catalyzed by metal complexes of D2-symmetrical chiral porphyrin: superiority of cobalt over iron

The cobalt(II) complex of D2-symmetric chiral porphyrin [Co(1)] is an effective catalyst for highly diastereoselective and enantioselective cyclopropanation of a broad range of styrene derivatives under mild conditions. Dimerization of diazo compounds, a common side reaction in metal-mediated carbene transfer processes, is minimized in a cobalt porphyrin-based system, obviating the need to employ excess substrates and slow addition of diazo compounds. The high catalytic activity and selectivity of [Co(1)] evidently resulted from the appropriate combination of the cobalt ion and the chiral porphyrin 1 as the use of iron(III) complex of the same ligand [Fe(1)Cl] afforded the desired cyclopropane products in low yields and poor enantioselectivity.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the Co(II)-assisted oxidation of thioureas by dioxygen

Catalytic oxidation of N,N'-dimethylthiourea and thiourea by dioxygen in water using a new cobalt(II) complex of octasulfophenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazine was performed under mild conditions. The reaction is shown to include the formation of an intermediate anionic five-coordinate complex followed by an unusual two-electron oxidation to produce the corresponding urea and elemental sulfur (S8). Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different reaction steps of the process were determined. Drastic differences in catalytic activity of cobalt and iron octasulfophenyltetrapyrazinoporphyrazines were observed.     

Highly active and stereospecific polymerization of 1,3-butadiene catalyzed by dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes bearing 3-aryliminomethyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehydes

A series of cobalt(II) complexes bearing 3-aryliminomethyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehydes (tridentate [NOO] ligands) was prepared and characterized by FT-IR and elemental analysis along with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that a dinuclear centrosymmetrical structure formed, in which each cobalt atom is surrounded by two bridged ligands and two acetate groups as a distorted octahedron. These dinuclear cobalt complexes displayed high catalytic activities for the polymerization of 1,3-butdiene on activation with organoaluminum cocatalysts to yield cis-1,4-polybutadiene with high selectivity. Ethylaluminum sesquichloride (EASC) was found to be the most efficient cocatalyst resulting in high conversion of butadiene and cis-1,4 content in the polymers with moderate molecular weight. The high catalytic activity and stereoselectivity could be achieved in a wide range of reaction conditions. All the dinuclear cobalt complexes (C1-C6) yielded predominantly cis-1,4-polybutadienes (> 96%) with negligible amounts of trans-1,4 (< 2.4%) and 1,2-vinyl (< 1.5%) products under the Al/Co molar ratio of 80 at 25 °C. The ligand modification by varying the substituents at the 4-position of phenol and on the imino-N aryl ring showed slight influence on the catalytic activity and microstructure of the resulting polymers.     

Assembly of Multi‐Phthalocyanines on a Porphyrin Template by Fourfold Rotaxane Formation

A stacked assembly composed of a porphyrin and two phthalocyanines was prepared through fourfold rotaxane formation. Two phthalocyanine molecules, bearing four 24‐crown‐8 units, were assembled onto a porphyrin template incorporating four sidechains with two dialkylammonium ions each through pseudorotaxane formation between crown ether units and ammonium ions. The Staudinger phosphite reaction, as the stoppering reaction, resulted in the formation of the stacked heterotrimer composed of a porphyrin and two phthalocyanines connected through a fourfold rotaxane structure. UV/Vis spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of the heterotrimer indicated that there is a significant electronic interaction between the two phthalocyanine units due to the close stacking. The electrochemical oxidation process of the stacked heterotrimer was studied by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a dinuclear Cu^II complex, in which two Cu^II phthalocyanines were assembled on a metal‐free porphyrin template, revealed that two Cu^II phthalocyanines were located within the stacking distance, which resulted in an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two S= spins in the ground state of the Cu²⁺ ions in the heterotrimer.     

High‐Performance Electrolytic Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Media Catalyzed by a Cobalt Phosphate Nanoarray

The topotactic conversion of cobalt phosphide nanoarray on Ti mesh into a cobalt phosphate nanoarray (Co‐Pi NA) via oxidative polarization in phosphate‐buffered water is presented. As a 3D oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst electrode at neutral pH, the resulting Co‐Pi NA/Ti shows exceptionally high catalytic activity and demands an overpotential of only 450 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 10 mA cm⁻². Notably, this catalyst also shows superior long‐term electrochemical stability. The excellent catalytic activity can be attributed to that such 3D nanoarray configuration allows for the exposure of more active sites and the easier diffusion of electrolytes and oxygen.     

Dioxygen Reduction in Acetonitrile with Copper Pyridylalkylamine Complexes: The Influence of Acid Strength on the Catalytic Performance

The pyridylalkylamine copper complex [Cu(tmpa)(L)]²⁺ has previously been proposed to reduce dioxygen via a dinuclear resting state, based on experiments in organic aprotic solvents using chemical reductants. Conversely, a mononuclear reaction mechanism was observed under electrochemical conditions in a neutral aqueous solution. We have investigated the electrochemical oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction catalyzed by [Cu(tmpa)(L)]²⁺ in acetonitrile, using several different acids over a range of pK_a. We demonstrate that strong acids lead to the loss of redox reversibility and to the destabilization of the copper complex under non-catalytic conditions. Under milder conditions, the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was shown to proceed via a mononuclear catalytic intermediate, similar to what we have previously observed in water. However, in acetonitrile the catalytic rate constants of the ORR are dramatically lower by a factor 10⁵, which is caused by the unfavorable equilibrium of formation of [Cu^II(O₂⋅⁻)(tmpa)]⁺ in acetonitrile. This results in higher catalytic rates for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide than for the ORR.