Oxidation of secondary amines catalyzed by dirhodium caprolactamate

The dirhodium caprolactamate [Rh(2)(cap)(4)] catalyzed oxidation of secondary amines to imines by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) occurs with high chemo- and regioselectivity.     

Benzylic oxidation catalyzed by dirhodium(II,III) caprolactamate

[reaction: see text] Dirhodium caprolactamate [Rh2(cap)4] is an effective catalyst for benzylic oxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) under mild conditions. Sodium bicarbonate is the optimal base additive for substrate conversion. Benzylic carbonyl compounds are readily obtained, and a formal synthesis of palmarumycin CP2 using this methodology is described.     

Propargylic oxidations catalyzed by dirhodium caprolactamate in water: efficient access to alpha,beta-acetylenic ketones

Dirhodium(II) caprolactamate (1, Rh 2(cap) 4) with 70% w/w aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-HYDRO ) is a highly effective catalytic oxidation protocol for the selective C-H oxidation of alkynes to propargylic ketones. The oxidation occurs readily in aqueous solvent under mild conditions with an inexpensive and easily handled oxidant. Alpha,beta-acetylenic carbonyl compounds are formed in up to 80% isolated yield.     

Dirhodium(II) caprolactamate: an exceptional catalyst for allylic oxidation

The oxidation of organic molecules represents a fundamentally important chemical process. Particularly important is allylic oxidation, whereby a single methylene unit is converted directly into a carbonyl group. In this communication, we report that dirhodium(II) caprolactamate [Rh2(cap)4] in combination with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (terminal oxidant) effectively catalyzes the allylic oxidation of a variety of olefins and enones. The reaction is completely selective, tolerant of air/moisture, and can be performed with as little as 0.1 mol % catalyst in minutes. A mechanistic proposal involving redox chain catalysis has been put forth, as well as evidence for the intermediacy of a higher valent dirhodium tert-butyl peroxy complex.     

A silica gel-supported ruthenium complex of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane as recyclable catalyst for chemoselective oxidation of alcohols and alkenes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

A silica gel-immobilized [(Me(3)tacn)Ru(III)(CF(3)COO)(2)(H(2)O)]CF(3)CO(2) complex (1-SiO(2), Me(3)tacn = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) was prepared by simple impregnation, and the catalyst was characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Raman, and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopies. The supported Ru catalyst can effect facile oxidation of alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Primary and secondary benzyl, allylic, and propargylic alcohols were transformed to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in excellent yields; no oxidation of the C=C and Ctbd1;C bonds was observed for the allylic and propargylic alcohol oxidations. Likewise alkene epoxidation by TBHP can be achieved by 1-SiO(2); cycloalkenes such as norbornene and cyclooctene were oxidized to their exo-epoxides exclusively in excellent yields (>95%). The 1-SiO(2) catalyst can be recycled and reused for consecutive alcohol and alkene oxidations without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity; over 9000 turnovers have been attained for the oxidation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol to 1-phenyl-1-propanone. 4-Substituted phenols were oxidized by the "1 + TBHP" protocol to give exclusively ruthenium-catecholate complexes, which were characterized by UV-vis and ESI-MS spectroscopies. No (tert-butyldioxy)cyclohexadienone and other radical coupling/overoxidation products were produced using the "1 + TBHP" protocol. The formation of ruthenium-catecholate is proposed to proceed via ortho-hydroxylation of phenol.     

Efficient aziridination of olefins catalyzed by mixed-valent dirhodium(II,III) caprolactamate

[reaction: see text] A mild, efficient, and selective aziridination of olefins catalyzed by dirhodium(II) caprolactamate [Rh(2)(cap)(4).2CH(3)CN] is described. Use of p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNH(2)), N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), and potassium carbonate readily affords aziridines in isolated yields of up to 95% under extremely mild conditions with as little as 0.01 mol % Rh(2)(cap)(4). Aziridine formation occurs through Rh(2)(5+)-catalyzed aminobromination and subsequent base-induced ring closure. An X-ray crystal structure of a Rh(2)(5+) halide complex, formed from the reaction between Rh(2)(cap)(4) and N-chlorosuccinimide, has been obtained.     

Optimal TBHP allylic oxidation of Delta5-steroids catalyzed by dirhodium caprolactamate

Dirhodium caprolactamate is the most efficient catalyst for the oxidation of Delta5-steroids to 7-keto-Delta5-steroids by 70% tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water (T-HYDRO). Isolated product yields range from 38 to 87%.     

The oxidative mannich reaction catalyzed by dirhodium caprolactamate

Dirhodium caprolactamate [Rh2(cap)4] is a highly effective catalyst for the oxidative Mannich reaction. The reaction proceeds via C-H oxidation of a tertiary amine followed by nucleophilic capture. This green transformation is conducted in protic solvent using inexpensive T-HYDRO (70% t-BuOOH in water). Synthetically valuable gamma-aminoalkyl butenolides are obtained.     

Mechanisms of hydrogen-, oxygen-, and electron-transfer reactions of cumylperoxyl radical

Rates of hydrogen-transfer reactions from a series of para-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines to cumylperoxyl radical and oxygen-transfer reactions from cumylperoxyl radical to a series of sulfides and phosphines have been determined in propionitrile (EtCN) and pentane at low temperatures by use of ESR. The observed rate constants exhibit first-order and second-order dependence with respect to concentrations of N,N-dimethylanilines. This indicates that the hydrogen- and oxygen-transfer reactions proceed via 1:1 charge-transfer (CT) complexes formed between the substrates and cumylperoxyl radical. The primary kinetic isotope effects are determined by comparing the rates of N,N-dimethylanilines and the corresponding N,N-bis(trideuteriomethyl)anilines. The isotope effect profiles are quite different from those reported for the P-450 model oxidation of the same series of substrates. Rates of electron-transfer reactions from ferrocene derivatives to cumylperoxyl radical have also been determined by use of ESR. The catalytic effects of Sc(OTf)(3) (OTf = triflate) on the electron-transfer reactions are compared with those of Sc(OTf)(3) on the hydrogen- and oxygen-transfer reactions. Such comparison provides strong evidence that the hydrogen- and oxygen- transfer reactions of cumylperoxyl radical proceed via a one-step hydrogen atom and oxygen atom transfer rather than via an electron transfer from substrates to cumylperoxyl radical.     

Increasing the ketone selectivity of the cobalt-catalyzed radical chain oxidation of cyclohexane

A variety of heterogeneous catalysts for the radical chain oxidation of cyclohexane has been prepared by immobilization of the well-defined cobalt acetate oligomers [py(3)Co(3)(mu(3)-O)(OH)(O(2)CCH(3))(5)](PF(6)) (1) and [py(4)Co(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(3)](PF(6)) (2) on carboxy-modified mesoporous silica supports A-D by carboxylate exchange. The catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in the presence of these homogeneous and immobilized cobalt acetate complexes afforded the corresponding alcohol and ketone in high yield. The immobilization of 1 and 2 results in a significant increase of catalytic activity. TBHP acts as a radical initiator and as source of molecular oxygen, which is also involved in the overall oxidation process. The rate of cyclohexane conversion is limited by the diffusion of molecular oxygen, and steady-state concentrations of cyclohexanone (K, ketone) and cyclohexanol (A, alcohol) are established; these determine the maximum K:A ratio.     

Intervalent Bis(μ‐aziridinato)MII?MI Complexes (M=Rh,Ir): Delocalized Metallo‐Radicals or Delocalized Aminyl Radicals?

Reactions of the methoxo complexes [{M(mu-OMe)(cod)}(2)] (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene, M=Rh, Ir) with 2,2-dimethylaziridine (Haz) give the mixed-bridged complexes [{M(2)(mu-az)(mu-OMe)(cod)(2)}] [(M=Rh, 1; M=Ir, 2). These compounds are isolated intermediates in the stereospecific synthesis of the amido-bridged complexes [{M(mu-az)(cod)}(2)] (M=Rh, 3; M=Ir, 4). The electrochemical behavior of 3 and 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) and CH(3)CN is greatly influenced by the solvent. On a preparative scale, the chemical oxidation of 3 and 4 with [FeCp(2)](+) gives the paramagnetic cationic species [{M(mu-az)(cod)}(2)](+) (M=Rh, [3](+); M=Ir, [4](+)). The Rh complex [3](+) is stable in dichloromethane, whereas the Ir complex [4](+) transforms slowly, but quantitatively, into a 1:1 mixture of the allyl compound [(eta(3),eta(2)-C(8)H(11))Ir(mu-az)(2)Ir(cod)] ([5](+)) and the hydride compound [(cod)(H)Ir(mu-az)(2)Ir(cod)] ([6](+)). Addition of small amounts of acetonitrile to dichloromethane solutions of [3](+) and [4](+) triggers a fast disproportionation reaction in both cases to produce equimolecular amounts of the starting materials 3 and 4 and metal--metal bonded M(II)--M(II) species. These new compounds are isolated by oxidation of 3 and 4 with [FeCp(2)](+) in acetonitrile as the mixed-ligand complexes [(MeCN)(3)M(mu-az)(2)M(NCMe)(cod)](PF(6))(2) (M=Rh, [8](2+); M=Ir, [9](2+)). The electronic structures of [3](+) and [4](+) have been elucidated through EPR measurements and DFT calculations showing that their unpaired electron is primarily delocalized over the two metal centers, with minor spin densities at the two bridging amido nitrogen groups. The HOMO of 3 and 4 and the SOMO of [3](+) and [4](+) are essentially M--M d-d sigma*-antibonding orbitals, explaining the formation of a net bonding interaction between the metals upon oxidation of 3 and 4. Mechanisms for the observed allylic H-atom abstraction reactions from the paramagnetic (radical) complexes are proposed.     

Transition from hydrogen atom to hydride abstraction by Mn4O4(O2PPh2)6 versus [Mn4O4(O2PPh2)6]+: O-H bond dissociation energies and the formation of Mn4O3(OH)(O2PPh2)6

Synthesis, characterization, and reactions of the novel manganese-oxo cubane complex [Mn(4)O(4)(O(2)PPh(2))(6)](ClO(4)), 1+ (ClO(4)(-)), are described. Cation 1+ is composed of the [Mn(4)O(4)](7+) core surrounded by six bidentate phosphinate ligands. The proton-coupled electron transfer (pcet) reactions of phenothiazine (pzH), the cation radical (pzH(.+)(ClO(4)(-)), and the neutral pz* radical with 1+ are reported and compared to Mn(4)O(4)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (1). Compound 1+ (ClO(4)(-)) reacts with excess pzH via four sequential reduction steps that transfer a total of five electrons and four protons to 1+. This reaction forms the doubly dehydrated manganese cluster Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (2) and two water molecules derived from the corner oxygen atoms. The first pcet step forms the novel complex Mn(4)O(3)(OH)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (1H) and 1 equiv of the pz+ cation by net hydride transfer from pzH. Spectroscopic characterization of isolated 1H is reported. Reduction of 1 by pzH or a series of para-substituted phenols also produces 1H via net H atom transfer. A lower limit to the homolytic bond dissociation energy (BDE) (1H --> 1 + H) was estimated to be >94 kcal/mol using solution phase BDEs for pzH and para-substituted phenols. The heterolytic BDE was estimated for the hydride transfer reaction 1H --> 1+ + H(-) (BDE approximately 127 kcal/mol). These comparisons reveal the O-H bond in 1H to be among the strongest of any Mn-hydroxo complex measured thus far. In three successive H atom transfer steps, 1H abstracts three hydrogen atoms from three pzH molecules to form complex 2. Complex 2 is shown to be identical to the "pinned butterfly" cluster produced by the reaction of 1 with pzH (Ruettinger, W. F.; Dismukes, G. C. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 1021-1027). The Mn oxidation states in 2 are formally Mn(4)(2II,2III), and no further reduction occurs in excess pzH. By contrast, outer-sphere electron-only reductants such as cobaltacene reduce both 1+ and 1 to the all Mn(II) oxidation level and cause cluster fragmentation. The reaction of pzH(.+) with 1+ produces 1H and the pz+ cation by net hydrogen atom transfer, and terminates at 1 equiv of pzH(.+) with no further reaction at excess. By contrast, pz* does not react with 1+ at all, indicating that reduction of 1+ by electron transfer to form pz+ does not occur without a proton (pcet to 1+ is thermodynamically required). Experimental free energy changes are shown to account for these pcet reactions and the absence of electron transfer for any of the phenothiazine series. Hydrogen atom abstraction from substrates by 1 versus hydride abstraction by 1(+ )()illustrates the transition to two-electron one-proton pcet chemistry in the [Mn(4)O(4)](7+) core that is understood on the basis of free energy consideration. This transition provides a concrete example of the predicted lowest-energy pathway for the oxidation of two water molecules to H(2)O(2) as an intermediate within the photosynthetic water-oxidizing enzyme (vs sequential one-electron/proton steps). The implications for the mechanism of photosynthetic water splitting are discussed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex

The oxidations of a series of 21 alkylaromatic compounds by trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) (L = 1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane) have been studied in CH(3)CN. Toluene is oxidized to benzaldehyde and a small amount of benzyl alcohol. 9,10-Dihydroanthracene is oxidized to anthracene and anthraquinone. Other substrates give oxygenated products. The kinetics of the reactions were monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometry, and the rate law is: -d[Ru(VI)]/dt = k(2)[Ru(VI)][ArCH(3)]. The kinetic isotope effects for the oxidation of toluene/d(8)-toluene and fluorene/d(10)-fluorene are 15 and 10.5, respectively. A plot of Delta H(++) versus Delta S(++) is linear, suggesting a common mechanism for all the substrates. In the oxidation of para-substituted toluenes, a linear correlation between log k(2) and sigma(0) values is observed, consistent with a benzyl radical intermediate. A linear correlation between Delta G(++) and Delta H(0) (the difference between the strength of the bond being broken and that being formed in a H-atom transfer step) is also found, which strongly supports a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism for the oxidation of these substrates by trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+). The slope of (0.61 +/- 0.06) is in reasonable agreement with the theoretical slope of 0.5 predicted by Marcus theory.     

Formation and characterization of Co(III)-semiquinonate phenoxyl radical species

Co(III) complexes of N(3)O-donor tripodal ligands, 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL), 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL(Mepy)(2)), were prepared, and precursor Co(II) complexes, [Co(tbuL)Cl] (1) and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))Cl] (2), and ternary Co(III) complexes, [Co(tbuL)(acac)]ClO(4) (3), [Co(tbuL)(tbu-cat)] (4), and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))(tbu-SQ)]ClO(4) (5), where acac, tbu-cat, and tbu-SQ refer to pentane-2,4-dionate, 3,5-di(tert-butyl)catecholate, and 3,5-di(tert-butyl)semiquinonate, respectively, were structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. Complexes 3 and 5 have a mononuclear structure with a fac-N(3)O(3) donor set, while 4 has a mer-N(3)O(3) structure. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of complex 3 exhibited one reversible redox wave centered at 0.93 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in CH(3)CN. Complex 5 was converted to a phenoxyl radical species upon oxidation with Ce(IV), showing a characteristic pi-pi* transition band at 412 nm. The ESR spectrum at low temperature and the resonance Raman spectrum of 3 established that the radical species has a Co(III)-phenoxyl radical bond. On the other hand, the CVs showed two oxidation processes at E(1/2) = 0.01 and E(pa) = 0.92 V for 4 and E(1/2a) = 0.05 and E(1/2b) = 0.69 V for 5. The rest potential of 4 (-0.11 V) was lower than the E(1/2) value, whereas that of 5 (0.18 V) was higher, indicating that the first redox wave of 4 and 5 is assigned to the tbu-cat and the tbu-SQ redox process, respectively. One-electron oxidized 4 showed absorption, resonance Raman, and ESR spectra which are similar to those of 5, suggesting formation of a stable Co(III)-semiquinonate species, which has the same oxidation level of 5. The resonance Raman spectrum of two-electron oxidized 4 showed the nu(8a) bands of the semiquinonate and phenoxyl radical, which were absent in the spectrum of one-electron oxidized 5. Since both oxidized species were ESR inactive at 5 K, the former was concluded to be a biradical species containing semiquinonate and phenoxyl radicals coupled antiferromagnetically and the latter to a species with a coordinated quinone.     

Diruthenium(II,III) tetramidates as a new class of oxygenation catalysts

Two new diruthenium(II,III) tetramidate compounds, Ru(2)(NHOCC(CH(3))(2))(4)Cl (1) and Ru(2)(NHOCCH(2)CH(3))(4)Cl (2) have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The activity of promoting sulfide oxygenation using simple oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) was studied. A UV-kinetics study indicated that the initial rates of 1 and 2 are comparable to the previously studied diruthenium tetracarboxylates in promoting TBHP oxygenation of methyl phenyl sulfide (MPS). Using excess oxidant and CH(3)CN as the solvent, organic sulfides MPS and diphenyl sulfide (PPS) were oxidized using 1 mol% of the catalytic species. Compound 1 is more effective than 2 in converting sulfides to sulfoxide under the same conditions. Fast conversion was achieved when the reactions were carried out in the solvent-free conditions, and the major oxidation product was the sulfoxide. The electronic structure of the title compounds was studied with DFT calculations to gain an understanding of the activation of peroxy reagents.     

Isolation and magnetic properties of heterocycle-carrying N-alkoxyarylaminyl radicals

Two N-tert-butoxy-2,6-diaryl-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylaminyls (1) and three N-tert-butoxy-2,6-diaryl-4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenylaminyls (2) were prepared by the reaction of the lithium salts of the corresponding anilines with tert-butyl peroxybenzoate. Although 1 could not be isolated as radical crystals, 2 was successfully obtained as red crystals. The X-ray crystallographic analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed for one isolated radical.     

Scandium ion-enhanced oxidative dimerization and N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylanilines by a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo complex

Oxidative dimerization of N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) occurs with a nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complex, [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), to yield the corresponding dimer, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), in acetonitrile. The rate of the oxidative dimerization of DMA by [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) is markedly enhanced by the presence of scandium triflate, Sc(OTf)(3) (OTf = CF(3)SO(3)(-)), when TMB is further oxidized to the radical cation (TMB(?+)). In contrast, we have observed the oxidative N-demethylation with para-substituted DMA substrates, since the position of the C-C bond formation to yield the dimer is blocked. The rate of the oxidative N-demethylation of para-substituted DMA by [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) is also markedly enhanced by the presence of Sc(OTf)(3). In the case of para-substituted DMA derivatives with electron-donating substituents, radical cations of DMA derivatives are initially formed by Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from DMA derivatives to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+), giving demethylated products. Binding of Sc(3+) to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) enhances the Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from DMA derivatives to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+), whereas binding of Sc(3+) to DMA derivatives retards the electron-transfer reaction. The complicated kinetics of the Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from DMA derivatives to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) are analyzed by competition between binding of Sc(3+) to DMA derivatives and to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+). The binding constants of Sc(3+) to DMA derivatives increase with the increase of the electron-donating ability of the para-substituent. The rate constants of Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from DMA derivatives to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+), which are estimated from the binding constants of Sc(3+) to DMA derivatives, agree well with those predicted from the driving force dependence of the rate constants of Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from one-electron reductants to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+). Thus, oxidative dimerization of DMA and N-demethylation of para-substituted DMA derivatives proceed via Sc(3+) ion-coupled electron transfer from DMA derivatives to [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+).     

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.     

Mononuclear Rh(II) PNP-type complexes. Structure and reactivity

The Rh(II) mononuclear complexes [(PNPtBu)RhCl][BF4] (2), [(PNPtBu)Rh(OC(O)CF3)][OC(O)CF3] (4), and [(PNPtBu)Rh(acetone)][BF4]2 (6) were synthesized by oxidation of the corresponding Rh(I) analogs with silver salts. On the other hand, treatment of (PNPtBu)RhCl with AgOC(O)CF3 led only to chloride abstraction, with no oxidation. 2 and 6 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and dipole moment measurements. 2 and 6 react with NO gas to give the diamagnetic complexes [(PNPtBu)Rh(NO)Cl][BF4] (7) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(NO)(acetone)][BF4]2 (8) respectively. 6 is reduced to Rh(I) in the presence of phosphines, CO, or isonitriles to give the Rh(I) complexes [(PNPtBu)Rh(PR3)][BF4] (11, 12) (R = Et, Ph), [(PNPtBu)Rh(CO)][BF4] (13) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(L)][BF4] (15, 16) (L = tert-butyl isonitrile or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isonitrile), respectively. On the other hand, 2 disproportionates to Rh(I) and Rh(III) complexes in the presence of acetonitrile, isonitriles, or CO. 2 is also reduced by triethylphosphine and water to Rh(I) complexes [(PNPtBu)RhCl] (1) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(PEt3)][BF4] (11). When triphenylphosphine and water are used, the reduced Rh(I) complex reacts with a proton, which is formed in the redox reaction, to give a Rh(III) complex with a coordinated BF4, [(PNPtBu)Rh(Cl)(H)(BF4)] (9).     

Mechanistic studies of (porphinato)iron-catalyzed isobutane oxidation. Comparative studies of three classes of electron-deficient porphyrin catalysts

We report herein a comprehensive study of (porphinato)iron [PFe]-catalyzed isobutane oxidation in which molecular oxygen is utilized as the sole oxidant; these catalytic reactions were carried out and monitored in both autoclave reactors and sapphire NMR tubes. In situ 19F and 13C NMR experiments, coupled with GC analyses and optical spectra obtained from the autoclave reactions have enabled the identification of the predominant porphyrinic species present during PFe-catalyzed oxidation of isobutane. Electron-deficient PFe catalysts based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin [(C6F5)4PH2], 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin [Br8(C6F5)4PH2], and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(heptafluoropropyl) porphyrin [(C3F7)4PH2] macrocycles were examined. The nature and distribution of hydrocarbon oxidation products show that an autoxidation reaction pathway dominates the reaction kinetics, consistent with a radical chain process. For each catalytic system examined, PFeII species were shown not to be stable under moderate O2 pressure at 80 degrees C; in every case, the PFeII catalyst precursor was converted quantitatively to high-spin PFeIII complexes prior to the observation of any hydrocarbon oxidation products. Once catalytic isobutane oxidation is initiated, all reactions are marked by concomitant decomposition of the porphyrin-based catalyst. In situ 17O NMR spectroscopic studies confirm the incorporation of 17O from labeled water into the oxidation products, implicating the involvement of PFe-OH in the catalytic cycle. Importantly, Br8(C6F5)4PFe-based catalysts, which lack macrocycle C-H bonds, do not exhibit augmented stability with respect to analogous catalysts based on (C6F5)4PFe and (C3F7)4PFe species. The data presented are consistent with a hydrocarbon oxidation process in which PFe complexes play dual roles of radical chain initiator, and the species responsible for the catalytic decomposition of organic peroxides. This modified Haber-Weiss reaction scheme provides for the decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide intermediates via reaction with PFe-OH complexes; the PFeIII species responsible for hydroperoxide decomposition are regenerated by reaction of PFeII with dioxygen under these experimental conditions.