Stabilization of the Oxidation State +IV in Siloxide‐Supported Terbium Compounds

The synthesis of lanthanides other than cerium in the oxidation state +IV has remained a desirable but unmet target until recently, when two examples of Tb^IV with saturated coordination spheres were isolated. Here we report the third example of an isolated molecular complex of terbium(IV), where the supporting siloxide ligands do not saturate the coordination sphere. The fully characterized six‐coordinate complex [Tb^IV(OSiPh₃)₄(MeCN)₂], 2 ‐Tb^Ph, shows high stability and the labile MeCN ligands can be replaced by phosphinoxide ligands. Computational studies suggest that the stability is due to a strong π(O?Tb) interaction which is stronger than in the previously reported Tb^IV complexes. Cyclic‐voltammetry experiments demonstrate that non‐binding counterions contribute to the stability of Tb^IV in solution by destabilizing the +III oxidation state, while alkali ions promote Tb^IV/Tb^III electron transfer.     

Facile and Reversible Formation of Iron(III)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Adducts from Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Complexes and Cerium(III)

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) or Ce^IV(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆ is often used in artificial water oxidation and generally considered to be an outer-sphere oxidant. Herein we report the spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of [(N4Py)Fe^III-O-Ce^IV(OH₂)(NO₃)₄]⁺ ( 3 ), a complex obtained from the reaction of [(N4Py)Fe^II(NCMe)]²⁺ with 2 equiv CAN or [(N4Py)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ ( 2 ) with Ce^III(NO₃)₃ in MeCN. Surprisingly, the formation of 3 is reversible, the position of the equilibrium being dependent on the MeCN/water ratio of the solvent. These results suggest that the Fe^IV and Ce^IV centers have comparable reduction potentials. Moreover, the equilibrium entails a change in iron spin state, from S=1 Fe^IV in 2 to S=5/2 in 3 , which is found to be facile despite the formal spin-forbidden nature of this process. This observation suggests that Fe^IV=O complexes may avail of reaction pathways involving multiple spin states having little or no barrier.     

Facile and Reversible Formation of Iron(III)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Adducts from Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Complexes and Cerium(III)

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) or Ce^IV(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆ is often used in artificial water oxidation and generally considered to be an outer‐sphere oxidant. Herein we report the spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of [(N4Py)Fe^III‐O‐Ce^IV(OH₂)(NO₃)₄]⁺ ( 3 ), a complex obtained from the reaction of [(N4Py)Fe^II(NCMe)]²⁺ with 2 equiv CAN or [(N4Py)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ ( 2 ) with Ce^III(NO₃)₃ in MeCN. Surprisingly, the formation of 3 is reversible, the position of the equilibrium being dependent on the MeCN/water ratio of the solvent. These results suggest that the Fe^IV and Ce^IV centers have comparable reduction potentials. Moreover, the equilibrium entails a change in iron spin state, from S =1 Fe^IV in 2 to S =5/2 in 3 , which is found to be facile despite the formal spin‐forbidden nature of this process. This observation suggests that Fe^IV=O complexes may avail of reaction pathways involving multiple spin states having little or no barrier.     

Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Dinuclear Copper Complex in a Neutral Aqueous Solution

Electrocatalytic water oxidation using the oxidatively robust 2,7‐[bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐1,8‐naphthyridine ligand (BPMAN)‐based dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(BPMAN)(μ‐OH)]³⁺, has been investigated. This catalyst exhibits high reactivity and stability towards water oxidation in neutral aqueous solutions. DFT calculations suggest that the O? O bond formation takes place by an intramolecular direct coupling mechanism rather than by a nucleophilic attack of water on the high‐oxidation‐state Cu^IV?O moiety.     

Preparation of Dimethyl and Chloro/Methyl Complexes of Platinum(II) Supported by α‐Diimine Ligands: Trends in the Ease of Oxidation to Platinum(IV)

α‐Diimine ligands react with the platinum(II) alkyl complexes [(Me₂S)PtMe₂]₂ and (Me₂S)₂PtClMe to form (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂ and (RDAB^R′)PtClMe (RDAB^R′=RN=CR′−CR′=NR; R=2,6‐Me₂Ph, 2,6‐(CHMe₂)₂Ph, 3,5‐Me₂Ph, 3,5‐(CF₃)₂Ph, C₆H₁₁; R′=Me, H). The oxidation of these complexes with Cl₂, I₂, N‐chlorosuccinimide, [PtCl₆]²⁻ and (TMEDA)PtMe₂I₂ has been investigated. Attempts to determine the oxidation potentials of the Pt^II complexes electrochemically yielded only irreversible one‐electron oxidations. However, a qualitative ordering of increasing difficulty of oxidation has been determined for the series (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂<(RDAB^R′)PtClMe<(RDAB^R′)PtCl₂≪(RDAB^R′)PtMe(solvent)]⁺. The oxidation proceeds via a two‐electron inner‐sphere electron transfer from a bridged binuclear intermediate. The oxidation of (RDAB^R′)PtMe₂ by (TMEDA)PtMe₂I₂ exhibits characteristic third‐order kinetics, first‐order each in [Pt^II], [Pt^IV] and [I⁻]. Oxidation by a one‐electron process in MeCN solution results in a rapid subsequent disproportionation to Pt^IIMe and Pt^IVMe₃ cations with MeCN occupying the fourth or sixth coordination sites. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determinations for [(2,6‐Me₂PhDAB^Me)PtMe₃(MeCN)]⁺[PtCl₆]_0.5(MeCN) and [(CyDAB^H)PtMe₃(MeCN)]⁺[PtCl₆]_0.5(MeCN) are reported.     

A Two‐in‐one Pincer Ligand and its Diiron(II) Complex Showing Spin State Switching in Solution through Reversible Ligand Exchange

A novel pyrazolate‐bridged ligand providing two {PNN} pincer‐type compartments has been synthesized. Its diiron(II) complex LFe₂(OTf)₃(CH₃CN) ( 1 ; Tf=triflate) features, in solid state, two bridging triflate ligands, with a terminal triflate and a MeCN ligand completing the octahedral coordination spheres of the two high‐spin metal ions. In MeCN solution, 1 is shown to undergo a sequential, reversible, and complete spin transition to the low‐spin state upon cooling. Detailed UV/Vis and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic studies as well as magnetic measurements have unraveled that spin state switching correlates with a rapid multistep triflate/MeCN ligand exchange equilibrium. The spin transition temperature can be continuously tuned by varying the triflate concentration in solution.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Iridium(V) Coordination Complexes With an N,O‐Donor Organic Ligand

We have prepared and fully characterized two isomers of [Ir^IV(dpyp)₂] (dpyp=meso‐2,4‐di(2‐pyridinyl)‐2,4‐pentanediolate). These complexes can cleanly oxidize to [Ir^V(dpyp)₂]⁺, which to our knowledge represent the first mononuclear coordination complexes of Ir^V in an N,O‐donor environment. One isomer has been fully characterized in the Ir^V state, including by X‐ray crystallography, XPS, and DFT calculations, all of which confirm metal‐centered oxidation. The unprecedented stability of these Ir^V complexes is ascribed to the exceptional donor strength of the ligands, their resistance to oxidative degradation, and the presence of four highly donor alkoxide groups in a plane, which breaks the degeneracy of the d‐orbitals and favors oxidation.     

Binuclear Homoleptic Manganese(III,III) and Manganese(IV,III) Complexes with Deprotonated D-Mannose from Aqueous Solution

Just a “reducing” sugar —namely, D -mannose—is a starting material in the synthesis of a mixed-valence complex of manganese in the oxidation states +III and +IV . Ba₂[Mn^IIIMn^IV(β-D -ManfH₋₅)₂]Cl⋅14 H₂O (Manf=mannofuranose; the structure of the anion is shown on the right) is prepared in aqueous solution by oxidation of an analogous Mn₂^III complex with oxygen. In neutral solutions the Mn^IIIMn^IV binuclear complex is formed by disproportionation of the Mn₂^III precursor.     

Facile Conversion of syn‐[FeIV(O)(TMC)]2+ into the anti Isomer via Meunier's Oxo–Hydroxo Tautomerism Mechanism

The syn and anti isomers of [Fe^IV(O)(TMC)]²⁺ (TMC=tetramethylcyclam) represent the first isolated pair of synthetic non‐heme oxoiron(IV) complexes with identical ligand topology, differing only in the position of the oxo unit bound to the iron center. Both isomers have previously been characterized. Reported here is that the syn isomer [Fe^IV(O_syn)(TMC)(NCMe)]²⁺ ( 2 ) converts into its anti form [Fe^IV(O_anti)(TMC)(NCMe)]²⁺ ( 1 ) in MeCN, an isomerization facilitated by water and monitored most readily by ¹H NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Indeed, when H₂¹⁸O is introduced to 2 , the nascent 1 becomes ¹⁸O‐labeled. These results provide compelling evidence for a mechanism involving direct binding of a water molecule trans to the oxo atom in 2 with subsequent oxo–hydroxo tautomerism for its incorporation as the oxo atom of 1 . The nonplanar nature of the TMC supporting ligand makes this isomerization an irreversible transformation, unlike for their planar heme counterparts.     

Electron‐Rich Diferrous–Phosphane–Thiolates Relevant to Fe‐only Hydrogenase: Is Cyanide “Nature's Trimethylphosphane”?

The two‐step one‐pot oxidative decarbonylation of [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) with [FeCp₂]PF₆, followed by addition of phosphane ligands, led to a series of diferrous dithiolato carbonyls 2 – 6 , containing three or four phosphane ligands. In situ measurements indicate efficient formation of 1 ²⁺ as the initial intermediate of the oxidation of 1 , even when a deficiency of the oxidant was employed. Subsequent addition of PR₃ gave rise to [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(PMe₃)₃]²⁺ ( 2 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(PR₃)₂]²⁺ (R=Me 3 , OMe 4 ) as principal products. One terminal CO ligand in these complexes was readily substituted by MeCN, and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₃(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 5 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)(PMe₃)₄(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 6 ) were fully characterized. Relevant to the H_red state of the active site of Fe‐only hydrogenases, the unsymmetrical derivatives 5 and 6 feature a semibridging CO ligand trans to a labile coordination site.     

Preparation and electrochemical behavior of dimeric complexes of Ru2(III12, III12) and Ru2(IV,IV) formed by oxidative dimerization of [RuIII(edta)OH2]−

Electrochemical or chemical oxidation of [Ru^III(edta)OH₂]^? proceeds in successive half- and one-electron steps to yield dimeric complexes of Ru(III$\text{1}\text{2}$) and Ru(IV) believed to contain oxo- or dihydroxo-bridging ligands. Spectral and electrochemical properties of the complexes prepared by oxidative dimerization are described and compared with previous reports of dioxygen and peroxo complexes of Ru^III(edta). The dimeric Ru^IV(edta) complex is shown to exhibit modest activity as a catalyst for the oxidation of water to dioxygen.     

Synthesis,X-ray analysis,and quantum-chemical DFT study of features in formation of a binuclear phenanthroline complex with a V<Superscript>IV</Superscript>–O–V<Superscript>V</Superscript> core

A new mixed-valence complex [(O)(phen)₂V^IV(μ-O)V^V(O)phen)(mal)]⁺ was synthesized and characterized by the X-ray structural analysis. Its geometric structure was simulated by the DFT M06/6-31G(d,p) method. Comparison of calculated and experimental data made it possible to draw a conclusion on the oxobridging nature of the bond between vanadium fragments and to confirm the value of the target compound charge. The energy characteristics of cation formation reactions in solution were estimated. It was found that the oxidation of V^IV to V^V assists subsequent substitution of ligands. Joining [(O)V^IV(phen)₂]²⁺ and [(O)V^V(O)(phen)(mal)]^– particles proceeds by the donor-acceptor mechanism.     

Site‐Selective Ligand Exchange on a Heteroleptic TiIV Complex Towards Stepwise Multicomponent Self‐Assembly

A series of heteroleptic [Ti 1 ₂X]^? complexes have been selectively constructed from a mixture of Ti^IV ions, a pyridyl catechol ligand (H₂ 1 ; H₂ 1 =4‐(3‐pyridyl)catechol), and various bidentate ligands (HX) in the presence of a weak base, in addition to a previously reported [Ti 1 ₂(acac)]^? (acac=acetylacetonate) complex. Comparative studies of these Ti^IV complexes revealed that [Ti 1 ₂(trop)]^? (trop=tropolonate) is much more stable than the [Ti 1 ₂(acac)]^? complex, which allows the replacement of acac with trop on the [Ti 1 ₂(acac)]^? complex. This Ti^IV‐centered site‐selective ligand exchange reaction also takes place on a heteronuclear Pd^II? Ti^IV ring complex with the preservation of the Pd^II‐centered coordination structures. Intra‐ and intermolecular linking between two Ti^IV centers with a flexible or a rigid bis‐tropolone bridging ligand provided a tetranuclear and an octanuclear Pd^II? Ti^IV complex, respectively. These higher‐order structures could be efficiently constructed only through a stepwise synthetic route.     

DOTP versus DOTA as Ligands for Lanthanide Cations: Novel Structurally Characterized CeIV and CeIII Cyclen-Based Complexes and Clusters in Aqueous Solutions

The coordination and redox chemistry of aqueous Ce^IV/III macrocyclic compounds were studied by using the ligands DOTA and DOTP (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrayl)tetraacetic acid and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetra(methylene phosphonic acid), respectively). The hydrolysis tendency of the tetravalent cation in the presence of DOTA is shown to result in the formation of a highly ordered, fluorite-like [Ce^IV₆(O)₄(OH)₄(H₂O)₈(DOTAH)₄] oxo-hydroxo structure both in solution and in the solid state. The lifetime of the analogous species formed in the presence of DOTP was found to be much shorter. Spectroscopic measurements of the latter suggest its similarity to the former. Its gradual decomposition in solution leads to the accumulation of the in-cage complexes [Ce^IVDOTP] and [Ce^IIIDOTP(H₂O)], which were crystallographically characterized in this study. The redox energetics and spectroscopic characteristics for the transition between these two in-cage complexes in aqueous solutions were studied as well. Together with the crystallographic structures of the above-mentioned species, the in-cage [Ce^IVDOTA(H₂O)] complex structure is presented herein for the first time. An elaborative analysis of the X-ray crystallographic structural data obtained for the in-cage complexes studied herein and similar structures published previously suggests that hard-bonding cyclen-derived ligands are, counter-intuitively, better suited for encapsulating, and perhaps kinetically stabilize softer cations than harder ones with DOTP, marked as a possible adequate chelator for the study of the aqueous properties of Ln^II and Ac^III cations.     

Electrochemical detection of the oxidation of alcohols byN-hydroxyethylethylenediamminetriacetatoruthenate(IV)

The oxidation of [Ru^III(hedta)(H₂O)]=(1) to its Ru^IV monomeric complex at a glassy carbon electrode is abserved to promote oxidation of alcohols bearing an a-hydrogen (i-PrOH benzyl alcohol,sec-phenethyl alcohol). Tertiary substitution blocks the oxidation (t-BuOH). The oxidation of the alcohols is detected by an enhancement in the current of the Ru^IV/III waves at potentials above 0.96V, caused by scavenging (reduction) of Ru^IV by the alcohols. Binuclear complexes which possess Ru^IV bridged by oxo to either a second Ru^IV or to Ru^III in species of composition [LRuORuL]ⁿ⁻, L=hedta³⁻, fail to oxidize the alcohols. The terminal oxo moiety attached to Ru^IV is postulated to facilitate the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in a manner analogous to Meyer's [RuO(trpy)(bpy)]²⁺ catalyst. The dissociation of the (III,IV) binuclear complex into its monomers provides a pathway which increases catalytic activity at the expense of the inactive (III, IV) binuclear complex's concentration. TMC 2531     

Dicationic Tellurium Analogues of the Classic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene

The synthesis and comprehensive characterization of the first dicationic tellurium analogues of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been reported, in both the +2 and +4 oxidation states. For the +2 oxidation state, a base‐stabilized form of TeCl₂ is used as the starting material. The dications are isolated by means of halide metathesis and the solid‐state structures confirm the previously calculated diimine bonding arrangement. For Te^IV, a diamine is used in a high‐yielding dehydrohalogen coupling reaction from TeCl₄. The dicationic NHC analogue is isolated in a base‐stabilized form through halide abstraction and subsequent coordination by pyridine.     

Photochemical water reduction by molybdenum tetrachloride

The photolysis of MoCl₄(MeCN)₂ in MeCN in the presence of small amounts of H₂O proceeds according to the equation Mo^IVCl₄·H₂OMo^VIOCl₄ + H₂. It is suggested that a ligand field excited state of MoCl₄(H₂O) _n , which is initially populated by light absorption, is deactivated to a reactive metal-to-ligand (Mo^IVH₂O) charge transfer state.     

On the Aqueous Chemistry of the UIV–DOTA Complex

The 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclodecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) aqueous complex of U^IV with H₂O, OH⁻, and F⁻ as axial ligands was studied by using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemistry. The U^IV–DOTA complex with either water or fluoride as axial ligands was found to be inert to oxidation by molecular oxygen, whereas the complex with hydroxide as an axial ligand slowly hydrolyzed and was oxidized by dioxygen to a diuranate precipitate. The combined data set acquired shows that, although axial substitution of fluoride and hydroxide ligands instead of water does not seem to significantly change the aqueous DOTA complex structure, it has an important effect on the electronic configuration of the complex. The U^IV/U^III redox couple was found to be quasi-reversible for the complex with both axially bonded H₂O and hydroxide, but irreversible for the complex with axially bonded fluoride. Intriguingly, binding of the axial fluoride renders the irreversible one-electron U^V/U^IV oxidation of the [U^IV(DOTA)(H₂O)] complex quasi-reversible, which suggests the formation of the short-lived pentavalent form of the complex, an aqueous non-uranyl chelated U^V cation.     

Synthesis and Application of a Perfluorinated Ammoniumyl Radical Cation as a Very Strong Deelectronator

The perfluorinated dihydrophenazine derivative (perfluoro‐5,10‐bis(perfluorophenyl)‐5,10‐dihydrophenazine) (“phenazine^F”) can be easily transformed to a stable and weighable radical cation salt by deelectronation (i.e. oxidation) with Ag[Al(OR^F)₄]/ Br₂ mixtures (R^F=C(CF₃)₃). As an innocent deelectronator it has a strong and fully reversible half‐wave potential versus Fc⁺/Fc in the coordinating solvent MeCN (E°′=1.21 V), but also in almost non‐coordinating oDFB (=1,2‐F₂C₆H₄; E°′=1.29 V). It allows for the deelectronation of [Fe^IIICp*₂]⁺ to [Fe^IV(CO)Cp*₂]²⁺ and [Fe^IV(CN‐^tBu)Cp*₂]²⁺ in common laboratory solvents and is compatible with good σ‐donor ligands, such as L=trispyrazolylmethane, to generate novel [M(L)_x]ⁿ⁺ complex salts from the respective elemental metals.     

Intramolecular Gas‐Phase Reactions of Synthetic Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Ions: Proximity and Spin‐State Reactivity Rules

The intramolecular gas‐phase reactivity of four oxoiron(IV) complexes supported by tetradentate N₄ ligands ( L ) has been studied by means of tandem mass spectrometry measurements in which the gas‐phase ions [Fe^IV(O)( L )(OTf)]⁺ (OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate) and [Fe^IV(O)( L )]²⁺ were isolated and then allowed to fragment by collision‐induced decay (CID). CID fragmentation of cations derived from oxoiron(IV) complexes of 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (tmc) and N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,5‐diazacyclooctane ( L ⁸Py₂) afforded the same predominant products irrespective of whether they were hexacoordinate or pentacoordinate. These products resulted from the loss of water by dehydrogenation of ethylene or propylene linkers on the tetradentate ligand. In contrast, CID fragmentation of ions derived from oxoiron(IV) complexes of linear tetradentate ligands N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,2‐diaminoethane (bpmen) and N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,3‐diaminopropane (bpmpn) showed predominant oxidative N‐dealkylation for the hexacoordinate [Fe^IV(O)( L )(OTf)]⁺ cations and predominant dehydrogenation of the diaminoethane/propane backbone for the pentacoordinate [Fe^IV(O)( L )]²⁺ cations. DFT calculations on [Fe^IV(O)(bpmen)] ions showed that the experimentally observed preference for oxidative N‐dealkylation versus dehydrogenation of the diaminoethane linker for the hexa‐ and pentacoordinate ions, respectively, is dictated by the proximity of the target C? H bond to the oxoiron(IV) moiety and the reactive spin state. Therefore, there must be a difference in ligand topology between the two ions. More importantly, despite the constraints on the geometries of the TS that prohibit the usual upright σ trajectory and prevent optimal σ_CH–σ* overlap, all the reactions still proceed preferentially on the quintet (S=2) state surface, which increases the number of exchange interactions in the d block of iron and leads thereby to exchange enhanced reactivity (EER). As such, EER is responsible for the dominance of the S=2 reactions for both hexa‐ and pentacoordinate complexes.