Small molecule activation at uranium coordination complexes: control of reactivity via molecular architecture

Electron-rich uranium coordination complexes display a pronounced reactivity toward small molecules. In this Feature article, the exciting chemistry of trivalent uranium ions coordinated to classic Werner-type ligand environments is reviewed. Three fundamentally important reactions of the [(((R)ArO)3tacn)U]-system are presented that result in alkane coordination, CO/CO2 activation, and nitrogen atom-transfer chemistry.     

Synthesis and solvent dependent reactivity of chelating bis-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Fe(II) hydrides

The synthesis and isolation of low coordinate methylenebis-(N-DIPP-imidazole-2-ylidene)iron((II))hydrides, (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))FeH(2-y)I(y) ((DIPP = 2,6-di-isopropylphenyl, y = 1 or 0), was complicated by competitive reactions with solvent, rapid reductive elimination of H(2) and/or dissociation of the bis-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. Addition of KH to (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))FeI(2) in THF/haloalkane mixtures enabled a short lived mono-hydride to be trapped by reaction with CH(2)Cl(2) or cyclo-heptylbromide to form (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))FeI(X) (X = Cl or Br, respectively). Toluene coordination stabilises iron-mono hydride complexes as (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))Fe(II)H{η(6)-(toluene)} species, which can be isolated in low yield from combination of borohydride salts and (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))FeI(2) in toluene, including an imidazole C4 deprotonated carbene-borane, methylene(N-DIPP-imidazole-2-ylidene)(N-DIPP-4-triethyl-borane-imidazole-2-ylidene)](hydrido)(η(6)-toluene)iron. In the absence of toluene, or at short reaction times compounds with empirical formula (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))Fe(H)(HB(R)(3))·LiI (R = Et or sec-Bu) that function as a masked Fe((II))-dihydride are isolated. Whilst (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))Fe(H)(HB(R)(3))·LiI was stable for days in Et(2)O, more polar solvents (MeCN, THF) led to formation of the carbene borane adducts (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))(BR(3))(2). The addition of CO or cyclo-heptylbromide to (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))Fe(H)(HB(R)(3))·LiI formed (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))Fe(CO)(3) and (((DIPP)C)(2)CH(2))FeBr(2), respectively with BR(3) evolved from both reactions as a by-product.     

Implicit solvent simulations of DNA and DNA-protein complexes: agreement with explicit solvent vs experiment

Molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecules with implicit solvent reduce the computational cost and complexity of such simulations so that longer time scales and larger system sizes can be reached. While implicit solvent simulations of proteins have become well established, the success of implicit solvent in the simulation of nucleic acids has not been fully established to date. Results obtained in this study demonstrate that stable and efficient simulations of DNA and a protein-DNA complex can be achieved with an implicit solvent model based on continuum dielectric electrostatics. Differences in conformational sampling of DNA with two sets of atomic radii that are used to define the dielectric interface between the solute and the continuum dielectric model of the solvent are investigated. Results suggest that depending on the choice of atomic radii agreement is either closer to experimental data or to explicit solvent simulations. Furthermore, partial conformational transitions toward A-DNA conformations when salt is added within the implicit solvent framework are observed.     

The structure and reactivity of iron nitride complexes

The structure and reactivity of discrete iron nitride complexes is described. Six-coordinate, four-fold symmetric nitrides are thermally unstable, and have been characterized at cryogenic temperatures by an arsenal of spectroscopic methods. By contrast, four-coordinate, three-fold symmetric iron nitrides can be prepared at room temperature. A range of diamagnetic iron(IV) nitrides have been reported and in some cases, isolated. Among these are the isolable, yet reactive, tris(carbene)borate iron(IV) nitrides. These complexes can effect two-electron nitrogen atom transfer to a range of substrates, in some cases with complete atom transfer occuring through Fe-N bond cleavage. These nitrides are also active in single electron pathways, including the synthesis of ammonia by a mechanism involving hydrogen atom transfer to the nitride ligand. One-electron oxidation of a tris(carbene)borate iron(IV) nitride leads to an isolable iron(V) complex that is unusually reactive for a metal nitride.     

Scandium and yttrium metallocene borohydride complexes: comparisons of (BH4)1- vs. (BPh4)1- coordination and reactivity

The synthetically accessible borohydride complexes (C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Ln(THF)(BH(4)) and (C(5)Me(5))(2)Ln(THF)(BH(4)) (Ln = Sc, Y) were examined as precursors alternative to the heavily-used tetraphenylborate analogs, [(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Ln][BPh(4)] and [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Ln][BPh(4)], employed in LnA(2)A'/M reduction reactions (A = anion; M = alkali metal) that generate "LnA(2)" reactivity and form reduced dinitrogen complexes [(C(5)R(5))(2)(THF)(x)Ln](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (x = 0, 1). The crystal structures of the yttrium borohydrides, (C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Y(THF)(μ-H)(3)BH, 1, and (C(5)Me(5))(2)Y(THF)(μ-H)(2)BH(2), 2, were determined for comparison with those of the yttrium tetraphenylborates, [(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Y][(μ-Ph)(2)BPh(2)], 3, and [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Y][(μ-Ph)(2)BPh(2)], 4. The complex (C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Sc(μ-H)(2)BH(2), 5, was synthesized and structurally characterized for comparison with (C(5)Me(5))(2)Sc(μ-H)(2)BH(2), 6, [(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Sc][(μ-Ph)BPh(3)], 7, and [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Sc][(μ-Ph)BPh(3)], 8. Structural information was also obtained on the borohydride derivatives, (C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Sc(μ-H)(2)BC(8)H(14), 9, and (C(5)Me(5))(2)Sc(μ-H)(2)BC(8)H(14), 10, obtained from 9-borabicyclo(3.3.1)nonane (9-BBN) and (C(5)Me(4)R)(2)Sc(η(3)-C(3)H(5)), where R = H, 11; Me, 12. The preference of the metals for borohydride over tetraphenylborate binding was shown by the facile displacement of (BPh(4))(1-) in 3, 4, 7, and 8 by (BH(4))(1-) to make the respective borohydride complexes 1, 2, 5, and 6. These results are consistent with the fact that the borohydrides are not as useful as precursors in A(2)LnA'/M reductions of N(2). An unusual structural isomer of [(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Sc](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)), 13', was isolated from this study that shows the variations in ligand orientation that can occur in the solid state.     

Solvothermal vs. bench-top reactions: control over the formation of discrete complexes and coordination polymers

The formation of discrete complexes [M(mcoe)2S2] (M = Cu, Ni; S = MeOH, H2O) vs. a nitroso-bridged ferromagnetically-coupled Cu(II) coordination polymer [Cu(mcoe)2] is influenced by the use of solvothermal reaction conditions.     

Ligand cleavage put into reverse: P--C bond breaking and remaking in an alkylphosphane iron complex

Complex formation between FeX(2)6 H(2)O (X=BF(4) or ClO(4)) and the pyridine-derived tetrapodal tetraphosphane C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)](2) (1) in methanol proceeds with solvent-induced cleavage of one PMe(2) group. Depending on the reaction temperature and the nature of the counterion, iron(II) is coordinated, in distorted square-pyramidal fashion, by the anionic remainder of the chelating ligand, C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(2) (-))] (NP(3)C(-) donor set: X=BF(4), -50 degrees C: 2; X=ClO(4), RT: 4) or its protonated form C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(3))], in which the methyl group is in agostic interaction with the metal centre (X=BF(4), RT: 3; X=ClO(4), +50 degrees C: 5). A monodentate phosphinite ligand Me(2)POMe, formed from the cleaved PMe(2) group and methanol, completes the coordination octahedron in both cases. Working in CD(3)OD (X=BF(4), RT) gives the deuterium-substituted analogue of 3, with ligands L(CH(2)D) (L=residual chelating ligand) and Me(2)POCD(3). A mechanism for the observed phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage is suggested. Complex 2, when isolated at -50 degrees C, is stable in the solid state even at room temperature. The reaction of 2 in methanol with carbon monoxide (10.5 bar) at elevated temperature forms, in addition to as yet unidentified side products, the carbonyl complex [(1)Fe(CO)](BF(4))(2) (7), in which the previous P--C bond cleavage has been reversed, reforming the original tetrapodal pentadentate NP(4) ligand 1. All compounds have been fully characterised, including X-ray structure analyses in most cases.     

Chelate ring size variations and their effects on coordination chemistry and catechol dioxygenase reactivity of iron(III) complexes

The catechol dioxygenase reactivity of iron(III) complexes using tripodal ligands was investigated. Increasing, as well as decreasing, chelate ring sizes in the highly active complex [Fe(tmpa)(dbc)]B(C6H5)4 (tmpa = tris[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine; dbc = 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate dianion), using related ligands, only resulted in decreased reactivity of the investigated compounds. A detailed low-temperature stopped-flow investigation of the reaction of dioxygen with [Fe(tmpa)(dbc)]B(C6H5)4 was performed, and activation parameters of DeltaH++ = 23 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -199 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1) were obtained. Crystal structures of bromo-(tetrachlorocatecholato-O,O')(bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-pyridylamine-N,N',N')-iron(III), (mu-oxo)-bis(bromo)(bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-pyridylamine-N,N',N' ',N')-diiron(III), dichloro-((2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine-N,N',N' ',N')-iron(III) and (tetrachlorocatecholato-O,O')((2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine-N,N',N' ',N')-iron(III) are reported.     

Mechanism of C-O activation in dimethoxyethane cationic iron complexes

The fragmentation mechanism of iron complexes bearing a bidentate ligand, dimethoxyethane (CH(3)OCH(2)CH(2)OCH(3), labeled as DXE) has been investigated by means of FT-ICR mass spectrometry (ion-molecule reactions) and infrared multiphoton dissociation spectroscopy. Two possible reaction mechanisms were envisioned for the Fe(DXE)(+) + DXE reaction, leading to the formation of the Fe(CH(2)O)(DXE)(+) ion. The two mechanisms differ in the nature of the neutral molecules formed: CH(3)OC(2)H(5) or CH(2)=CH(2) + CH(3)OH. The combination of ion-molecule reactions, thermochemistry considerations, and IRMPD spectra leads us to suggest that the mechanism involves successive elimination of the neutrals CH(2)=CH(2) and CH(3)OH, the first step of the mechanism being the insertion of the iron atom in the O-C(central) bond.     

Synthesis and reactivity of cyclopentadienyl iron complexes containing ferrocenyl selenolates

New homo-trimetallic complexes of general formula?1,1??-fc[SeFeCp(CO)₂]₂ (fc?=?Fe(??⁵-C₅H₄)₂) are accessible in high yield by the reaction of 1,1??-fc(SeLi)₂, which is generated from 1,1??-fc(SeSiMe₃)₂ and n-BuLi, with two equivalents of CpFe(CO)₂I. Photolytic CO-substitution reactions of the organoiron diselenolate with bis-phosphines at ?50?°C using 1:2 (metal/ligand) molar ratio afforded 1,1??-fc(SeFeCp(P^P)₂. All these complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Synthesis and dehydrocoupling reactivity of iron and ruthenium phosphine-borane complexes

The Fe and Ru phosphine-borane complexes CpM(CO)2PPh2 x BH3 (1, M = Fe, 4, M = Ru) were synthesized utilizing the reaction of the phosphine-borane anion Li[PPh2 x BH3] with the iodo complexes CpM(CO)2I. The Fe complex 1 reacted with PMe3 to yield CpFe(CO)(PMe3)(PPh2 x BH3) (2) and CpFe(PMe3)2(PPh2 x BH3) (3) whereas the Ru species 4 gave only CpRu(CO)(PMe3)(PPh2 x BH3) (5). The complexes 1-5 were characterized by 1H, 11B, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR and X-ray crystallography for 1 to 4, and EA for 1, 2 and 4. The reactivity of 1 and 4 towards PPh2H x BH3 was explored. Although no stoichiometric reactions were detected under mild conditions, both 1 and 4 were found to function as dehydrocoupling catalysts to afford Ph2PH x BH2 x PPh2 x BH3 in the melt at elevated temperature (120 degrees C). The carbonyl Fe2(CO)9 also functioned as a dehydrocoupling catalyst under similar conditions. Complex 1 and Fe2(CO)9 represent the first reported active Fe complexes for the catalytic dehydrocoupling of phosphine-borane adducts.     

Spectroscopic studies on iron complexes of different anthracyclines in aprotic solvent systems

Iron complexes of daunorubicin, idarubicin, pirarubicin, and doxorubicin in anhydrous DMF were studied by UV/vis, CD, fluorescence, M?ssbauer, and EPR spectroscopy. Titration studies of the metal-free anthracyclines showed one (UV-detectable) deprotonation step requiring 2 equiv of base, compared to 1 equiv for quinizarine. Metal complexation was studied at three different metal/ligand ratios, and with increasing amounts of base. The results obtained from optical spectroscopy show the existence of two different complex species and give clear indications for the requirements of metal complexation. Complex species I, formed at a low iron-to-ligand ratio, is less dependent on base addition than complex species II formed with equimolar ferric ion. EPR and M?ssbauer experiments provide further insight into the structures of both complex species. Lack of spin density of the M?ssbauer samples in EPR indicates spin coupling between the metal centers. M?ssbauer spectra consist of single quadrupole doublets with values typical for high-spin ferric ion in an octahedral arrangement. The M?ssbauer spectroscopic features at 7 T exclude the presence of S = 0 dimers. Complex I represents a monomeric ferric iron complex whereas complex II is consistent with a more or less aggregrated oligomeric Fe-anthracycline system.     

The coordination and activation of carbon disulfide in binuclear rhodium complexes

The reaction of trans-[RhCl(CO)(DPM)]₂ (DPM = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) with CS₂ yields an interesting series of CS₂ complexes culminating in the condensation of two CS₂ molecules yielding the unusual, asymmetric species [Rh₂Cl₂(CO)- (C₂S₄)(DPM)₂]. This novel C₂S₄ species is also produced in the reaction of [Rh₂Cl₂(μ-CO)(DPM)₂] with CS₂. The structural determination of the C₂S₄ complex indicates that the C₂S₄ moiety bridges the rhodium atoms such that it forms a R$\text{hSCSC}$ metallocycle with one rhodium atom while simultaneously bonding through a sulfur atom to the second rhodium atom forming a R$\text{hCSR}$h metallocycle. A scheme for the reactions of the above complexes with CS₂ is presented.     

Influences on the rotated structure of diiron dithiolate complexes: electronic asymmetry vs. secondary coordination sphere interaction

In the pursuit of a "rotated" structure, and exploration of the influence of the aza nitrogen lone pair, the Fe(I)Fe(I) model complexes wherein two Fe(CO)(3-x)P(x) moieties are significantly twisted from the ideal configuration (torsion angle >30°) are reported. [Fe(2)(μ-S(CH(2))(2)N(i)Pr(X)(CH(2))(2)S)(CO)(4)(κ(2)-dppe)](2)(2+) (X = H, 4; Me, 5) prepared from protonation and methylation, respectively, of [Fe(2)(μ-S(CH(2))(2)N(i)Pr(CH(2))(2)S)(CO)(4)(κ(2)-dppe)](2), 1, possess Φ angles of 34.1 and 35.4° (av.), respectively. Such dramatic twist is attributed to asymmetric substitution within the Fe(2) unit in which a dppe ligand is coordinated to one Fe site in the κ(2)-mode. In the presence of the N···C(CO(ap)) interaction, the torsion angle is decreased to 10.8°, suggesting availability of lone pairs of the aza nitrogen sites within 1 is in control of the twist. Backbones of the bridging diphosphine ligands also affect distortion. For a shorter ligand, the more compact structure of [Fe(2)(μ-S(CH(2))(2)N(i)Pr(CH(2))(2)S)(μ-dppm)(CO)(4)](2), 7, is formed. Dppm in a bridging manner allows achievement of the nearly eclipsed configuration. In contrast, dppe in [Fe(2)(μ-S(CH(2))(2)N(i)Pr(CH(2))(2)S)(μ-dppe)(CO)(4)](2), 6, could twist the Fe(CO)(3-x)L(x) fragment to adopt the least strained structure. In addition, the NC(CO(ap)) interaction would direct the twist towards a specific direction for the closer contact. In return, the shorter N···C(CO(ap)) distance of 3.721(7) ? and larger Φ angle of 26.5° are obtained in 6. For comparison, 3.987(7) ? and 3.9° of the corresponding parameters are observed in 7. Conversion of (μ-dppe)[Fe(2)(μ-S(CH(2))(2)N(i)Pr(CH(2))(2)S)(CO)(5)](2), 2, to complex 1 via an associative mechanism is studied.     

Electron and hydrogen-atom self-exchange reactions of iron and cobalt coordination complexes

Reported here are self-exchange reactions between iron 2,2'-bi(tetrahydro)pyrimidine (H(2)bip) complexes and between cobalt 2,2'-biimidazoline (H(2)bim) complexes. The (1)H NMR resonances of [Fe(II)(H(2)bip)(3)](2+) are broadened upon addition of [Fe(III)(H(2)bip)(3)](3+), indicating that electron self-exchange occurs with k(Fe,e)(-) = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K in CD(3)CN. Similar studies of [Fe(II)(H(2)bip)(3)](2+) plus [Fe(III)(Hbip)(H(2)bip)(2)](2+) indicate that hydrogen-atom self-exchange (proton-coupled electron transfer) occurs with k(Fe,H.) = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) under the same conditions. Both self-exchange reactions are faster at lower temperatures, showing small negative enthalpies of activation: DeltaH++(e(-)) = -2.1 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1) (288-320 K) and DeltaH++(H.) = -1.5 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1) (260-300 K). This behavior is concluded to be due to the faster reaction of the low-spin states of the iron complexes, which are depopulated as the temperature is raised. Below about 290 K, rate constants for electron self-exchange show the more normal decrease with temperature. There is a modest kinetic isotope effect on H-atom self-exchange of 1.6 +/- 0.5 at 298 K that is close to that seen previously for the fully high-spin iron biimidazoline complexes.(12) The difference in the measured activation parameters, E(a)(D) - E(a)(H), is -1.2 +/- 0.8 kcal mol(-1), appears to be inconsistent with a semiclassical view of the isotope effect, and suggests extensive tunneling. Reactions of [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+)-d(24) with [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](3+) or [Co(Hbim)(H(2)bim)(2)](2+) occur with scrambling of ligands indicating inner-sphere processes. The self-exchange rate constant for outer-sphere electron transfer between [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) and [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](3+) is estimated to be 10(-)(6) M(-1) s(-1) by application of the Marcus cross relation. Similar application of the cross relation to H-atom transfer reactions indicates that self-exchange between [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) and [Co(Hbim)(H(2)bim)(2)](2+) is also slow, < or =10(-3) M(-1) s(-1). The slow self-exchange rates for the cobalt complexes are apparently due to their interconverting high-spin [Co(II)(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) with low-spin Co(III) derivatives.     

On the reactivity of mononuclear iron(V)oxo complexes

Ferric tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML)-based catalysts [Fe{C(6)H(4)-1,2-(NCOCMe(2)NCO)(2)CR(2)}(OH(2))]PPh(4) [1; R = Me (a), Et (b)] are oxidized by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid at -40 °C in acetonitrile containing trace water in two steps to form Fe(V)oxo complexes (2a,b). These uniquely authenticated Fe(V)(O) species comproportionate with the Fe(III) starting materials 1a,b to give μ-oxo-(Fe(IV))(2) dimers. The comproportionation of 1a-2a is faster and that of 1b-2b is slower than the oxidation by 2a,b of sulfides (p-XC(6)H(4)SMe) to sulfoxides, highlighting a remarkable steric control of the dynamics. Sulfide oxidation follows saturation kinetics in [p-XC(6)H(4)SMe] with electron-rich substrates (X = Me, H), but changes to linear kinetics with electron-poor substrates (X = Cl, CN) as the sulfide affinity for iron decreases. As the sulfide becomes less basic, the Fe(IV)/Fe(III) ratio at the end of reaction for 2b suggests a decreasing contribution of concerted oxygen-atom transfer (Fe(V) → Fe(III)) concomitant with increasing electron transfer oxidation (Fe(V) → Fe(IV)). Fe(V) is more reactive toward PhSMe than Fe(IV) by 4 orders of magnitude, a gap even larger than that known for peroxidase Compounds I and II. The findings reinforce prior work typecasting TAML activators as faithful peroxidase mimics.     

Mechanistic dichotomy in the solvent dependent access to E vs. Z-allylic amines via decarboxylative vinylation of amino acids

The solvent plays an important role in the photophysical properties of donor–acceptor based photocatalysts. The solvent-dependent access to E vs. Z-allylic amines was achieved via decarboxylative vinylation of amino acids with vinyl sulfones. Detailed experimental studies have been conducted to understand the role of the solvent in the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the vinylation reactions.

A solvent-dependent access to E vs. Z-allylic amines was achieved via decarboxylative vinylation of amino acids. Detailed experimental studies have been conducted to understand the role of the solvent in the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the vinylation reactions.