Reactivity of molecular dioxygen towards a series of isostructural dichloroiron(III) complexes with tripodal tetraamine ligands: general access to mu-oxodiiron(III) complexes and effect of alpha-fluorination on the reaction kinetics

We have synthesized the mono, di-, and tri-alpha-fluoro ligands in the tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) series, namely, FTPA, F(2)TPA and F(3)TPA, respectively. Fluorination at the alpha-position of these nitrogen-containing tripods shifts the oxidation potential of the ligand by 45-70 mV per added fluorine atom. The crystal structures of the dichloroiron(II) complexes with FTPA and F(2)TPA reveal that the iron center lies in a distorted octahedral geometry comparable to that already found in TPAFeCl(2). All spectroscopic data indicate that the geometry is retained in solution. These three isostructural complexes all react with molecular dioxygen to yield stable mu-oxodiiron(III) complexes. Crystal structure analyses are reported for each of these three mu-oxo compounds. With TPA, a symmetrical structure is obtained for a dicationic compound with the tripod coordinated in the kappa(4)N coordination mode. With FTPA, the compound is a neutral mu-oxodiiron(III) complex with a kappa(3)N coordination mode of the ligand. Oxygenation of the F(2)TPA complex gave a neutral unsymmetrical compound, the structure of which is reminiscent of that already found with the trifluorinated ligand. On reduction, all mu-oxodiiron(III) complexes revert to the starting iron(II) species. The oxygenation reaction parallels the well-known formation of mu-oxo derivatives from dioxygen in the chemistry of porphyrins reported almost three decades ago. The striking feature of the series of iron(II) precursors is the effect of the ligand on the kinetics of oxygenation of the complexes. Whereas the parent complex undergoes 90 % conversion over 40 h, the monofluorinated ligand provides a complex that has fully reacted after 30 h, whereas the reaction time for the complex with the difluorinated ligand is only 10 h. Analysis of the spectroscopic data reveals that formation of the mu-oxo complexes proceeds in two distinct reversible kinetic steps with k(1) approximately 10 k(2). For TPAFeCl(2) and FTPAFeCl(2) only small variations in the k(1) and k(2) values are observed. By contrast, F(2)TPAFeCl(2) exhibits k(1) and k(2) values that are ten times higher. These differences in kinetics are interpreted in the light of structural and electronic effects, especially the Lewis acidity at the metal center. Our results suggest coordination of dioxygen as an initial step in the process leading to formation of mu-oxodiiron(III) compounds, by contrast with an unlikely outer-sphere reduction of dioxygen, which generally occurs at negative potentials.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rare earth metal alkyl complexes stabilized by anilido phosphinimine and amino phosphine ligands

Anilido phosphinimino ancillary ligand H(2)L(1) reacted with one equivalent of rare earth metal trialkyl [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] (Ln=Y, Lu) to afford rare earth metal monoalkyl complexes [L(1)LnCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)(THF)] (1 a: Ln=Y; 1 b: Ln=Lu). In this process, deprotonation of H(2)L(1) by one metal alkyl species was followed by intramolecular C--H activation of the phenyl group of the phosphine moiety to generate dianionic species L(1) with release of two equivalnts of tetramethylsilane. Ligand L(1) coordinates to Ln(3+) ions in a rare C,N,N tridentate mode. Complex l a reacted readily with two equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylaniline to give the corresponding bis-amido complex [(HL(1))LnY(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)] (2) selectively, that is, the C--H activation of the phenyl group is reversible. When 1 a was exposed to moisture, the hydrolyzed dimeric complex [{(HL(1))Y(OH)}(2)](OH)(2) (3) was isolated. Treatment of [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] with amino phosphine ligands HL(2-R) gave stable rare earth metal bis-alkyl complexes [(L(2-R))Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(2)(thf)] (4 a: Ln=Y, R=Me; 4 b: Ln=Lu, R=Me; 4 c: Ln=Y, R=iPr; 4 d: Ln=Y, R=iPr) in high yields. No proton abstraction from the ligand was observed. Amination of 4 a and 4 c with 2,6-diisopropylaniline afforded the bis-amido counterparts [(L(2-R))Y(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)(thf)] (5 a: R=Me; 5 b: R=iPr). Complexes 1 a,b and 4 a-d initiated the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide with high activity to give atactic polylactides.     

Spectral, structural and DFT studies of platinum group metal 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-4-phenylpyridazine complexes and their ligand bonding modes

Reactions of 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-4-phenylpyridazine (L^ph) with [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me and C₆Me₆), [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, (M = Rh and Ir) and [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl] (Cp = C₅H₅, C₅Me₅ and C₉H₇) afford mononuclear complexes of the type [(η⁶-arene)Ru(L^ph)Cl]PF₆, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(L^ph)Cl]PF₆ and [(Cp)Ru(L^ph)(PPh₃)]PF₆ with different structural motifs depending on the π-acidity of the ligand, electronic properties of the central metal atom and nature of the co-ligands. Complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L^ph)Cl]PF₆1, [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L^ph)Cl]PF₆2, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(L^ph)Cl]PF₆5, [(η⁵-Cp)Ru(PPh₃)(L^ph)]PF₆, (Cp = C₅H₅, 6; C₅Me₅, 7; C₉H₇, 8) show the type-A binding mode (see text), while complexes [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(L^ph)Cl]PF₆3 and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(L^ph)Cl]PF₆4 show the type-B binding mode (see text). These differences reflect the more electron-rich character of the [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ complexes compared to the other starting precursor complexes. Binding modes of the ligand L^ph are determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray analysis as well as evidence obtained from the solid-state structures and corroborated by density functional theory calculations. From the systems studied here, it is concluded that the electron density on the central metal atom of these complexes plays an important role in deciding the ligand binding sites.     

Syntheses, reactivity and DFT studies of group 2 and group 12 metal complexes of tris(pyrazolyl)methanides featuring "free" pyramidal carbanions

Reactions of HC(Me2pz)3 with Grignard reagents, dialkyl magnesium compounds and dimethylzinc are reported, together with a DFT study on some of the aspects of this chemistry. Reactions of HC(Me2pz)3 with MeMgX (X=Cl or Br) gave the half-sandwich zwitterionic compounds [Mg((Me)Tpmd)X] (X=Cl (2) or Br (3); (Me)Tpmd(-)=[C(Me2pz)3](-)). Addition of HCl to 2 gave the structurally characterised half-sandwich compound [Mg{HC(Me2pz)3}Cl2(thf)] (4). The zwitterionic sandwich compound [Mg(MeTpmd)2] (5) formed in low yields in the reaction of MeMgX with HC(Me2pz)3 but was readily prepared from HC(Me2pz)3 and either MgnBu2 or MgPh2. The structurally characterised compound 5 contains two "naked" sp3-hybridised carbanions fully separated from the dicationic metal centre. Only by using MgPh2 as starting material could the half-sandwich compound [Mg(MeTpmd)Ph(thf)] (6) be isolated. The zwitterionic sandwich compound 5 reacted with HOTf (OTf(-)=[O3SCF3](-)) to form the dication [Mg{HC(Me2pz)3}2]2+ (7(2+)), which was structurally characterised. Pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) diffusion NMR spectroscopy revealed both compounds to be intact in solution. In contrast to the magnesium counterparts, HC(Me2pz)3 reacted only slowly with ZnMe2 (and not at all with ZnPh2) to form the half-sandwich zwitterion [Zn(MeTpmd)Me] (8), which contains a cationic methylzinc moiety separated from a single sp3-hybridised carbanion. Density functional calculations on the zwitterions [M(MeTpmd)Me] and [M(MeTpmd)2] (M=Mg, Zn) revealed that the HOMO in each case is a (Me)Tpmd-based carbanion lone pair. The kappa 1C isomers of [M(MeTpmd)Me] were calculated to be considerably less stable than their kappa 3N-bound counterparts, with the largest gain in energy for Mg due to the greater ease of electron transfer from metal to the (Me)Tpmd apical carbon atom on formation of the zwitterion. Moreover, the computed M-C bond dissociation enthalpies of the kappa 1C isomers of [M(MeTpmd)Me] are considerably higher than expected by simple extrapolation from the corresponding computed H-C bond dissociation enthalpy.     

Synthesis, linear, and quadratic-nonlinear optical properties of octupolar D3 and D2d bipyridyl metal complexes

A series of D3 (Fe(II), Ru(II), Zn(II), Hg(II)) and D2d (Cu(I), Ag(I), Zn(II)) octupolar metal complexes featuring different functionalized bipyridyl ligands has been synthesized, and their thermal, linear (absorption and emission), and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined. Their quadratic NLO susceptibilities were determined by harmonic light scattering at 1.91 microm, and the molecular hyperpolarizability (beta0) values are in the range of 200-657 x 10(-30) esu for octahedral complexes and 70-157 x 10(-30) esu for tetrahedral complexes. The octahedral zinc(II) complex 1 e, which contains a 4,4'-oligophenylenevinylene-functionalized 2,2'-bipyridine, exhibits the highest quadratic hyperpolarizability ever reported for an octupolar derivative (lambdamax=482 nm, beta1.91(1 e)=870 x 10(-30) esu, beta0(1 e)=657 x 10(-30) esu). Herein, we demonstrate that the optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties are strongly influenced by the symmetry of the complexes, the nature of the ligands (donor endgroups and pi linkers), and the nature of the metallic centers. For example, the length of the pi-conjugated backbone, the Lewis acidity of the metal ion, and the increase of ligand-to-metal ratio result in a substantial enhancement of beta. The contribution of the metal-to-ligand (MLCT) transition to the molecular hyperpolarizability is also discussed with respect to octahedral d6 complexes (M=Fe, Ru).     

Ruthenium complexes of easily accessible tridentate ligands based on the 2-aryl-4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif: absorption spectra, luminescence properties, and redox behavior

A family of tridendate ligands 1 a-e, based on the 2-aryl-4,6-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif, was prepared along with their hetero- and homoleptic Ru(II) complexes 2 a-e ([Ru(tpy)(1 a-e)](2+); tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) and 3 a-e ([(Ru(1 a-e)(2)](2+)), respectively. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of 2 a and 2 e demonstrated that the triazine core is nearly coplanar with the non-coordinating ring, with dihedral angles of 1.2 and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The redox behavior and electronic absorption and luminescence properties (both at room temperature in liquid acetonitrile and at 77 K in butyronitrile rigid matrix) were investigated. Each species undergoes one oxidation process centered on the metal ion, and several (three for 2 a-e and four for 3 a-e) reduction processes centered on the ligand orbitals. All compounds exhibit intense absorption bands in the UV region, assigned to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible region. The compounds exhibit relatively intense emissions, originating from triplet MLCT levels, both at 77 K and at room temperature. The incorporation of triazine rings and the near planarity of the noncoordinating ring increase the luminescence lifetimes of the complexes by lowering the energy of the (3)MLCT state and creating a large energy gap to the dd state.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of aluminium imino-amide and pyridyl-amide complexes: bulky monoanionic N,N chelate ligands via methyl group transfer

Treatment of the imines [ArN=CH-CH=NAr] and [ArN=CH-2-py] (Ar=2,6-Pr₂ⁱC₆H₃) with AlMe₃ in toluene affords the highly crystalline complexes [AlMe₂{ArN-CH₂-C(Me)=NAr}] (1) and [AlMe₂{ArN-CH(Me)-2-py}] (2); the molecular structures of 1 and 2 show that the aluminiums are bonded to imino-amide and pyridyl-amide ligands respectively arising from methyl group transfer from the aluminium centre to the backbone carbon of the imine ligand.     

Modelling tyrosinase monooxygenase activity. Activation of dioxygen by dicopper(I) complexes and characterisation of dicopper(II) complexes

Activation of dioxygen on dicopper(I) centres was systematically investigated using a group of open-chain and a macrocyclicm-xylyl-based dinucleating ligand from a bioinorganic viewpoint. Even though intermediate peroxodicopper(II) species was not detected (even at −80°C for the open-chain system), the putative intermediate reacted with C–H groups in ligands giving oxygenated products (C–OH groups). Absorption, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the final dicopper(II) complexes have been investigated.     

Nonprecious metal catalysts for fuel cell applications: electrochemical dioxygen activation by a series of first row transition metal tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine complexes

A series of divalent first row triflate complexes supported by the ligand tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) have been investigated as oxygen reduction catalysts for fuel cell applications. [(TPA)M(2+)](n+) (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) derivatives were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, NMR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, IR spectroscopy, and conductance measurements. The stoichiometric and electrochemical O(2) reactivities of the series were examined. Rotating-ring disk electrode (RRDE) voltammetry was used to examine the catalytic activity of the complexes on a carbon support in acidic media, emulating fuel cell performance. The iron complex displayed a selectivity of 89% for four-electron conversion and demonstrated the fastest reaction kinetics, as determined by a kinetic current of 7.6 mA. Additionally, the Mn, Co, and Cu complexes all showed selective four-electron oxygen reduction (<28% H(2)O(2)) at onset potentials (~0.44 V vs RHE) comparable to state of the art molecular catalysts, while being straightforward to access synthetically and derived from nonprecious metals.     

Synthesis, structure, and characterisation of a new phenolato-bridged manganese complex [Mn2(mL)2]2+: chemical and electrochemical access to a new mono-mu-oxo dimanganese core unit

The dinuclear phenolato-bridged complex [(mL)Mn(II)Mn(II)(mL)](ClO(4))(2) (1(ClO(4))(2)) has been obtained with the new [N(4)O] pentadentate ligand mL(-) (mLH=N,N'-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N'-methyl-ethane-1,2-diamine) and has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. X- and Q-band EPR spectra were recorded and their variation with temperature was examined. All spectra exhibit features extending over 0-800 mT at the X band and over 100-1450 mT at the Q band, features that are usually observed for dinuclear Mn(II) complexes. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 exhibits two irreversible oxidation waves at E(1)(p)=0.89 V and E(2)(p)=1.02 V, accompanied on the reverse scan by an ill-defined cathodic wave at E(1')(p)=0.56 V (all measured versus the saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). Upon chemical oxidation with tBuOOH (10 equiv) at 20 degrees C, 1 is transformed into the mono-mu-oxo species [(mL)Mn(III)-(mu-O)-Mn(III)(mL)](2+) (2), which eventually partially evolves into the di-mu-oxo species [(mL)Mn(III)-(mu-O)(2)-Mn(IV)(mL)](n+) (3) in which one of the aromatic rings of the ligand is decoordinated. The UV/Vis spectrum of 2 displays a large absorption band at 507 nm, which is attributed to a phenolate-->Mn(III) charge-transfer transition. The cyclovoltammogram of 2 exhibits two reversible oxidation waves, at 0.65 and 1.16 V versus the SCE, corresponding to the Mn(III)Mn(III)/Mn(III)Mn(IV) and Mn(III)Mn(IV)/Mn(IV)Mn(IV) oxidation processes, respectively. The one-electron electrochemical oxidation of 2 leads to the mono-mu-oxo mixed-valent species [(mL)Mn(III)-(mu-O)-Mn(IV)(mL)](3+) (2 ox). The UV/Vis spectrum of 2 ox exhibits one large band at 643 nm, which is attributed to the phenolate-->Mn(IV) charge-transfer transition. 2 ox can also be obtained by the direct electrochemical oxidation of 1 in the presence of an external base. The 2 ox and 3 species exhibit a 16-line EPR signal with first peak to last trough widths of 125 and 111 mT, respectively. Both spectra have been simulated by using colinear rhombic Mn-hyperfine tensors. Mechanisms for the chemical formation of 2 and the electrochemical oxidation of 1 into 2 ox are proposed.     

Alkyne oligomerization mediated by rhodium complexes with a phosphinosulfonamido ligand and isolation and characterization of a rhodacyclopentadiene complex

Treatment of N-tosyl aziridine with KPPh₂ in THF produces Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTsK (Ts = p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂). Reaction of Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTsK with [Rh₂(μ₂-Cl)₂(NBD)₂] (NBD = norbornadiene) and [Rh₂(μ₂-Cl)₂(COD)₂] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) produces [Rh(NBD)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTs)] and [Rh(COD)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTs)] (4), respectively. Reaction of Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTsK with [Ir₂(μ₂-Cl)₂(COD)₂] gives [Ir(COD)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NTs)]. Complex 4 is catalytically active for polymerization of arylalkynes and for cyclotrimerization of HCCCOR (R = OEt, Me). The novel metallacycle [Rh(C(CO₂Et)CHC(CO₂Et)CH)(CH(CO₂Et)CCCCO₂Et)(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂NHTs)₂] was isolated from the reaction of 4 with ethyl propiolate. The metallacycle is catalytically active for cyclotrimerization of ethyl propiolate.