Enhanced selectivity in non-heme iron catalysed oxidation of alkanes with peracids: evidence for involvement of Fe(IV)=O species

Catalytic alkane oxidation with high selectivity using peracids and an (N4Py)Fe complex is presented and the role of [(N4Py)Fe(IV)=O]2+ species, molecular oxygen and hydroxyl radicals in the catalysis is discussed.     

Selective inactivation of serine proteases by nonheme iron complexes

Oxidative inactivation of the serine proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin by nonheme iron complexes is described. The nonheme ligands N4Py (1) and derivative 3CG-N4Py (2), which contains a pendant guanidinium group, were used as ligands for iron. Ferryl (Fe(IV)O) species derived from these ligands, [Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+) (7) and [Fe(IV)(O)(3CG-N4Py)](3+) (8), inactivate trypsin and chymotrypsin by the oxidation of amino acid side chains. Ferryl 8 is most effective with chymotrypsin (IC(50) value of 26 μM for 8 vs 119 μM for 7). IC(50) values of 71 and 54 μM were obtained for trypsin with 7 and 8, respectively. Amino acid analysis confirmed that residues cysteine, tyrosine, and tryptophan are oxidized under these conditions. Trypsin is inactivated preferentially over chymotrypsin under catalytic conditions, where the enzyme was pulsed with H(2)O(2) in the presence of ferrous complexes [Fe(II)(OH(2))(N4Py)](2+)(5) and [Fe(II)(Cl)(3CG-N4Py)](2+) (6). Control experiments support the action of a unique oxidant, other than ferryls or hydroxyl radicals, under these conditions, where tyrosine residues are targeted selectively.     

Photocatalytic generation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex with water as an oxygen source

The photocatalytic formation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex, [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) [N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine], efficiently proceeds via electron transfer from the excited state of a ruthenium complex, [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+)* (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) to [Co(III)(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) and stepwise electron-transfer oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with 2 equiv of [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and H(2)O as an oxygen source. The oxoiron(IV) complex was independently generated by both chemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and electrochemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+).     

Kinetic and Product Study of the S-oxidation vs HAT Chemoselectivity in Reactions Promoted by Nonheme Iron(IV)-oxo Complex/NHPI Mediator System

The chemoselectivity between S-oxidation and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from C−H bonds has been investigated in the oxidations of a series of aryl sulfides, alkyl aromatic compounds and benzylic alcohols promoted by the iron(IV)-oxo complex [(N4Py)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺ (N4Py: N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)-methylamine) either alone or in the presence of the N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) mediator via kinetic and product studies. Kinetic analyses indicate a generally higher reactivity of [(N4Py)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺ for S-oxidation process while HAT is favored in the reactions promoted by phthalimide-N-oxyl radical (PINO) deriving from NHPI oxidation. Product analysis in intermolecular competitive oxidations confirms the kinetic results with sulfoxides obtained as major products in the oxidation promoted by [(N4Py)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺. Conversely, when NHPI is employed as a mediator, significant differences in terms of chemoselectivity are observed, and HAT-derived products are obtained in higher yields which translate into an inversion of selectivity in the case of the substrates containing activated C−H bonds like diphenylmethane, triphenylmethane and benzylic alcohols. A similar change of chemoselectivity is also observed in the oxidation of aromatic substrates containing both a sulfur atom and α to OH benzylic C−H bonds, with the sulfoxide product more abundant in the absence of NHPI and carbonyl products prevailing with the [(N4Py)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺/NHPI system.     

Proton-promoted oxygen atom transfer vs proton-coupled electron transfer of a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo complex

Sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo complex, [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), was remarkably enhanced by perchloric acid (70% HClO(4)). The observed second-order rate constant (k(obs)) of sulfoxidation of thioaniosoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) increases linearly with increasing concentration of HClO(4) (70%) in acetonitrile (MeCN)at 298 K. In contrast to sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+), the observed second-order rate constant (k(et)) of electron transfer from one-electron reductants such as [Fe(II)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](2+) (Me(2)bpy = 4,4-dimehtyl-2,2'-bipyridine) to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) increases with increasing concentration of HClO(4), exhibiting second-order dependence on HClO(4) concentration. This indicates that the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) involves two protons associated with electron transfer from [Fe(II)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](2+) to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) to yield [Fe(III)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](3+) and [(N4Py)Fe(III)(OH(2))](3+). The one-electron reduction potential (E(red)) of [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) in the presence of 10 mM HClO(4) (70%) in MeCN is determined to be 1.43 V vs SCE. A plot of E(red) vs log[HClO(4)] also indicates involvement of two protons in the PCET reduction of [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+). The PCET driving force dependence of log k(et) is fitted in light of the Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer to afford the reorganization of PCET (λ = 2.74 eV). The comparison of the k(obs) values of acid-promoted sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) with the k(et) values of PCET from one-electron reductants to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) at the same PCET driving force reveals that the acid-promoted sulfoxidation proceeds by one-step oxygen atom transfer from [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) to thioanisoles rather than outer-sphere PCET.     

End-on and side-on peroxo derivatives of non-heme iron complexes with pentadentate ligands: models for putative intermediates in biological iron/dioxygen chemistry

Mononuclear iron(III) species with end-on and side-on peroxide have been proposed or identified in the catalytic cycles of the antitumor drug bleomycin and a variety of enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 and Rieske dioxygenases. Only recently have biomimetic analogues of such reactive species been generated and characterized at low temperatures. We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of iron(II) complexes with pentadentate N5 ligands that react with H(2)O(2) to generate transient low-spin Fe(III)-OOH intermediates. These intermediates have low-spin iron(III) centers exhibiting hydroperoxo-to-iron(III) charge-transfer bands in the 500-600-nm region. Their resonance Raman frequencies, nu(O)(-)(O), near 800 cm(-)(1) are significantly lower than those observed for high-spin counterparts. The hydroperoxo-to-iron(III) charge-transfer transition blue-shifts and the nu(O)(-)(O) of the Fe-OOH unit decreases as the N5 ligand becomes more electron donating. Thus, increasing electron density at the low-spin Fe(III) center weakens the O-O bond, in accord with conclusions drawn from published DFT calculations. The parent [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+) (1a) ion in this series (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) can be converted to its conjugate base, which is demonstrated to be a high-spin iron(III) complex with a side-on peroxo ligand, [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(2)-O(2))](+) (1b). A detailed analysis of 1a and 1b by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy provides insights into their electronic properties. The orientation of the observed (57)Fe A-tensor of 1a can be explained with the frequently employed Griffith model provided the rhombic component of the ligand field, determined by the disposition of the hydroperoxo ligand, is 45 degrees rotated relative to the octahedral field. EXAFS studies of 1a and 1b reveal the first metrical details of the iron-peroxo units in this family of complexes: [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+) has an Fe-O bond of 1.76 A, while [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(2)-O(2))](+) has two Fe-O bonds of 1.93 A, values which are in very good agreement with results obtained from DFT calculations.     

Ligand Modification Transforms a Catalase Mimic into a Water Oxidation Catalyst

The catalytic reactivity of the high‐spin Mn^II pyridinophane complexes [(Py₂NR₂)Mn(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (R=H, Me, tBu) toward O₂ formation is reported. With small macrocycle N‐substituents (R=H, Me), the complexes catalytically disproportionate H₂O₂ in aqueous solution; with a bulky substituent (R=tBu), this catalytic reaction is shut down, but the complex becomes active for aqueous electrocatalytic H₂O oxidation. Control experiments are in support of a homogeneous molecular catalyst and preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the catalyst is mononuclear. This ligand‐controlled switch in catalytic reactivity has implications for the design of new manganese‐based water oxidation catalysts.     

Mu-eta1:eta1-peroxo-bridged dinuclear peroxotungstate catalytically active for epoxidation of olefins

The reaction of the dinuclear peroxotungstate, [(n-C4H9)4N]2[{WO(O2)2}2(mu-O)] (II), with H2O2 gives the novel mu-eta1:eta1-peroxo-bridging dinuclear tungsten species, [(n-C4H9)4N]2[{WO(O2)2}2(mu-O2)] (I), which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR, Raman, UV-vis, and 183W NMR. Only I is active for the epoxidation of cyclic, internal, and terminal olefins, whereas II is inactive for each. The low XSO (XSO=(nucleophilic oxidation)/(total oxidation)) value of I (0.18+/-0.02) in comparison with that of II (0.39+/-0.01) for the stoichiometric oxidation of thianthrene 5-oxide, which is a mechanistic probe for determining the electronic character of an oxidant, reveals that I is more electrophilic than II. On the basis of the kinetic and spectroscopic results, the catalytic epoxidation proceeds by the reaction of I with an olefin to form II and the corresponding epoxide followed by the regeneration of I by the reaction of II with H2O2.     

Aerobic oxidation reactions catalyzed by vanadium complexes of bis(phenolate) ligands

Vanadium(V) complexes of the tridentate bis(phenolate)pyridine ligand H(2)BPP (H(2)BPP = 2,6-(HOC(6)H(2)-2,4-(t)Bu(2))(2)NC(5)H(3)) and the bis(phenolate)amine ligand H(2)BPA (H(2)BPA = N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylbenzyl)propylamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The ability of the complexes to mediate the oxidative C-C bond cleavage of pinacol was tested. Reaction of the complex (BPP)V(V)(O)(O(i)Pr) (4) with pinacol afforded the monomeric vanadium(IV) product (BPP)V(IV)(O)(HO(i)Pr) (6) and acetone. Vanadium(IV) complex 6 was oxidized rapidly by air at room temperature in the presence of NEt(3), yielding the vanadium(V) cis-dioxo complex [(BPP)V(V)(O)(2)]HNEt(3). Complex (BPA)V(V)(O)(O(i)Pr) (5) reacted with pinacol at room temperature, to afford acetone and the vanadium(IV) dimer [(BPA)V(IV)(O)(HO(i)Pr)](2). Complexes 4 and 5 were evaluated as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol and arylglycerol β-aryl ether lignin model compounds. Although both 4 and 5 catalyzed the aerobic oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, complex 4 was found to be a more active and robust catalyst for oxidation of the lignin model compounds. The catalytic activities and selectivities of the bis(phenolate) complexes are compared to previously reported catalysts.     

M−O Bonding Beyond the Oxo Wall: Spectroscopy and Reactivity of Cobalt(III)‐Oxyl and Cobalt(III)‐Oxo Complexes

Terminal oxo complexes of late transition metals are frequently proposed reactive intermediates. However, they are scarcely known beyond Group 8. Using mass spectrometry, we prepared and characterized two such complexes: [(N4Py)Co^III(O)]⁺ ( 1 ) and [(N4Py)Co^IV(O)]²⁺ ( 2 ). Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy revealed that the Co?O bond in 1 is rather strong, in accordance with its lack of chemical reactivity. On the contrary, 2 has a very weak Co?O bond characterized by a stretching frequency of ≤659 cm^?1. Accordingly, 2 can abstract hydrogen atoms from non‐activated secondary alkanes. Previously, this reactivity has only been observed in the gas phase for small, coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes. Multireference ab‐initio calculations suggest that 2 , formally a cobalt(IV)‐oxo complex, is best described as cobalt(III)‐oxyl. Our results provide important data on changes to metal‐oxo bonding behind the oxo wall and show that cobalt‐oxo complexes are promising targets for developing highly active C?H oxidation catalysts.     

Oxovanadium(V) tetrathiacalix[4]arene complexes and their activity as oxidation catalysts

With the aim of modeling reactive moieties and relevant intermediates on the surfaces of vanadium oxide based catalysts during oxygenation/dehydrogenation of organic substrates, mono- and dinuclear vanadium oxo complexes of doubly deprotonated p-tert-butylated tetrathiacalix[4]arene (H4TC) have been synthesized and characterized: PPh4[(H2TC)VOCl(2)] (1) and (PPh4)2[{(H2TC)V(O)(mu-O)}2] (2). According to the NMR spectra of the dissolved complexes they both retain the structures adopted in the crystalline state, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols with O(2) at 80 degrees C. Both 1 and 2 efficiently catalyze the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, 1-phenyl-1-propanol, and fluorenol, and in most cases dinuclear complex 2 is more active than mononuclear complex 1. Moreover, the two thiacalixarene complexes 1 and 2 are in many instances more active than oxovanadium(V) complexes containing "classical" calixarene ligands tested previously. Complexes 1 and 2 also show significant activity in the oxidation of dihydroanthracene. Further investigations led to the conclusion that 1 acts as precatalyst that is converted to the active species PPh4[(TC)V==O] (3) at 80 degrees C by double intramolecular HCl elimination. For complex 2, the results of mechanistic investigations indicated that the oxidation chemistry takes place at the bridging oxo ligands and that the two vanadium centers cooperate during the process. The intermediate (PPh4)2[{H2TCV(O)}2(mu-OH)(mu-OC13H9)] (4) was isolated and characterized, also with respect to its reactivity, and the results afforded a mechanistic proposal for a reasonable catalytic cycle. The implications which these findings gathered in solution may have for oxidation mechanisms on the surfaces of V-based heterogeneous catalysts are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of tin containing polyhedral oligometallasilsesquioxanes (POMSS)

Tin silicate species have shown good catalytic activity in various oxidation reactions. In an attempt to mimic surface tin species, several tin containing silsesquioxanes have been synthesized. Incompletely condensed silsesquioxanes (c-C5H9)7Si7O9(OH)3 and (c-C5H9)7Si7O9(OSiMe3)(OH)2 were reacted with common tin-precursors, which afforded several silsesquioxane ligated tin compounds. Divalent stannasilsesquioxanes form dimers of the type [(c-C5H9)7Si7O11(OX)Sn]2(X=H, SiMe3) with three-coordinated tin centers. The three-coordinated tin(II) are hydrolytically unstable whereas the octahedrally surrounded tetravalent stannasilsesquioxanes [(c-C5H9)7Si7O11(OX)]Sn(acac)2(X=H, OSiMe3) are hydrolytically robust. An unprecedented anionic trimeric cluster, [[(c-C5H9)7Si7O12Sn]3(mu2-OH)3(mu3-OH)]-[HNEt3]+, stabilized by bridging hydroxyl groups was formed when the product formed upon reacting (c-C5H9)7Si7O9(OH)3 with SnCl4 was slowly hydrolyzed. The stannasilsesquioxanes showed no catalytic activity in oxidation reactions.     

Electronic response of a (P,N)-based ligand on metal coordination

The reaction of [(THF)Li(Ph(2)PC(H)Py)] with ZnCl(2) in the presence of ZnO yields the zinc complex [Zn(3)(Ph(2)PC(H)Py)(4)O] (1). Deprotonation of the phosphane Ph(2)P(CH(2)Py) with [Fe(N(SiMe(3))(2))2] gives the iron complexes [(Ph(2)P(CH(2)Py))Fe(Ph(2)PC(H)Py)2] (2) and [Fe(Ph(2)PC(H)Py)(N(SiMe(3))(2))]2 (3), depending on the ratio of phosphane. The solid state structures of the metal complexes illustrate the coordination flexibility of the [Ph(2)C(H)Py](-)-anion. Depending on the electronic requirements of the coordinated metal the anion acts as a (P,N)-chelating amide or C-coordinating carbanion with the P- and N-heteroatoms as donor bases.     

Formation and Evolution of Chain‐Propagating Species Upon Ethylene Polymerization with Neutral Salicylaldiminato Nickel(II) Catalysts

Formation of Ni–polymeryl propagating species upon the interaction of three salicylaldiminato nickel(II) complexes of the type [(N,O)Ni(CH₃)(Py)] (where (N,O)=salicylaldimine ligands, Py=pyridine) with ethylene (C₂H₄/Ni=10:30) has been studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Typically, the ethylene/catalyst mixtures in [D₈]toluene were stored for short periods of time at +60 °C to generate the [(N,O)Ni(polymeryl)] species, then quickly cooled, and the NMR measurements were conducted at ?20 °C. At that temperature, the [(N,O)Ni(polymeryl)] species are stable for days; diffusion ¹H NMR measurements provide an estimate of the average length of polymeryl chain (polymeryl=(C₂H₄)_nH, n=6–18). At high ethylene consumptions, the [(N,O)Ni(polymeryl)] intermediates decline, releasing free polymer chains and yielding [(N,O)Ni(Et)(Py)] species, which also further decompose to form the ultimate catalyst degradation product, a paramagnetic [(N,O)₂Ni(Py)] complex. In [(N,O)₂Ni(Py)], the pyridine ligand is labile (with activation energy for its dissociation of (12.3±0.5) kcal mol^?1, ΔH^≠₂₉₈=(11.7±0.5) kcal mol^?1, ΔS^≠₂₉₈ =(?7±1) cal K^?1 mol^?1). Upon the addition of nonpolar solvent (pentane), the pyridine ligand is lost completely to yield the crystals of diamagnetic [(N,O)₂Ni] complex. NMR spectroscopic analysis of the polyethylenes formed suggests that the evolution of chain‐propagating species ends up with formation of polyethylene with predominately internal and terminal vinylene groups rather than vinyl groups.     

Combined experimental and theoretical approach to understand the reactivity of a mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo complex in oxygenation reactions

A copper(II) complex bearing a pentadentate ligand, [Cu(II)(N4Py)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)] (1) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), was synthesized and characterized with various spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. A mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo complex, [Cu(II)(N4Py)(OOH)](+) (2), was then generated in the reaction of 1 and H(2)O(2) in the presence of base, and the reactivity of the intermediate was investigated in the oxidation of various substrates at -40 degrees C. In the reactivity studies, 2 showed a low oxidizing power such that 2 reacted only with triethylphosphine but not with other substrates such as thioanisole, benzyl alcohol, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, cyclohexene, and cyclohexane. In theoretical work, we have conducted density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the epoxidation of ethylene by 2 and a [Cu(III)(N4Py)(O)](+) intermediate (3) at the B3LYP level. The activation barrier is calculated to be 39.7 and 26.3 kcal/mol for distal and proximal oxygen attacks by 2, respectively. This result indicates that the direct ethylene epoxidation by 2 is not a plausible pathway, as we have observed in the experimental work. In contrast, the ethylene epoxidation by 3 is a downhill and low-barrier process. We also found that 2 cannot be a precursor to 3, since the homolytic cleavage of the O-O bond of 2 is very endothermic (i.e., 42 kcal/mol). On the basis of the experimental and theoretical results, we conclude that a mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo species bearing a pentadentate N5 ligand is a sluggish oxidant in oxygenation reactions.     

The mechanism of carbon dioxide catalysis in the hydrogen peroxide N-oxidation of amines

The reactivity of the peroxymonocarbonate ion, HCO4- (an active oxidant derived from the equilibrium reaction of hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate), has been investigated in the oxidation of aliphatic amines. Tertiary aliphatic amines are oxidized to the corresponding N-oxides in high yields, while secondary amines give corresponding nitrones. A closely related mechanism for the H2O2 oxidation of tertiary amines catalyzed by CO2 (under 1 atm) and H2O2 at 25 degrees C is proposed. The rate laws for the oxidation of N-methylmorpholine (1) to N-methylmorpholine N-oxide and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (2) to N,N-dimethylbenzylamine N-oxide have been obtained. The second-order rate constants for the oxidation by HCO4- are k1 .016 M(-1) s(-1) for 1 in water and k1=0.042 M(-1) s(-1) for 2 in water/acetone (5:1). The second-order rate constants for tertiary amine oxidations by HCO4- are over 400-fold greater than those for H2O2 alone. Activation parameters for oxidation of 1 by HCO4- in water are reported (DeltaH=36+/-2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS=-154+/-7 J mol(-1) K(-1)). The BAP (NH4HCO3-activated peroxide) or CO2/H2O2 oxidation reagents are simple and economical methods for the preparation of tertiary amine N-oxides. The reactions proceed to completion, do not require extraction, and afford the pure N-oxides in excellent yields in aqueous media.     

Preparation of high purity 1,2-diols by catalytic oxidation of linear terminal alkenes with H202 in the presence of carboxylic acids under solvent-free conditions

The oxidation of terminal alkenes was smoothly catalyzed by a recyclable and environmentally friendly catalytic system: [(C18H37)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O16]/H2O2/formic acid. This new catalytic system is not only capable of catalyzing oxidation of terminal alkenes with a phase-transfer character, but also under solvent-free conditions, avoiding the use of chlorinated solvents. Many different kinds of terminal alkenes could be converted to the corresponding 1,2-diols of high purity in high yields. The catalyst could be easily separated and reused after reaction. Both fresh and used [(C18H37)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O16] catalyst was characterized by Raman and FTIR.     

Spectroscopic and quantum chemical studies on low-spin FeIV=O complexes: Fe-O bonding and its contributions to reactivity

High-valent FeIV=O species are key intermediates in the catalytic cycles of many mononuclear non-heme iron enzymes and have been structurally defined in model systems. Variable-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (VT-MCD) spectroscopy has been used to evaluate the electronic structures and in particular the Fe-O bonds of three FeIV=O (S = 1) model complexes, [FeIV(O)(TMC)(NCMe)]2+, [FeIV(O)(TMC)(OC(O)CF3)]+, and [FeIV(O)(N4Py)]2+. These complexes are characterized by their strong and covalent Fe-O pi-bonds. The MCD spectra show a vibronic progression in the nonbonding --> pi* excited state, providing the Fe-O stretching frequency and the Fe-O bond length in this excited state and quantifying the pi-contribution to the total Fe-O bond. Correlation of these experimental data to reactivity shows that the [FeIV(O)(N4Py)]2+ complex, with the highest reactivity toward hydrogen-atom abstraction among the three, has the strongest Fe-O pi-bond. Density functional calculations were correlated to the data and support the experimental analysis. The strength and covalency of the Fe-O pi-bond result in high oxygen character in the important frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) for this reaction, the unoccupied beta-spin d(xz/yz) orbitals, that activates these for electrophilic attack. An extension to biologically relevant FeIV=O (S = 2) enzyme intermediates shows that these can perform electrophilic attack reactions along the same mechanistic pathway (pi-FMO pathway) with similar reactivity but also have an additional reaction channel involving the unoccupied alpha-spin d(z2) orbital (sigma-FMO pathway). These studies experimentally probe the FMOs involved in the reactivity of FeIV=O (S = 1) model complexes resulting in a detailed understanding of the Fe-O bond and its contributions to reactivity.     

FeCl3-activated oxidation of alkanes by [Os(N)O3]-

Although the ion [Os(VIII)(N)(O)(3)](-) is a stable species and is not known to act as an oxidant for organic substrates, it is readily activated by FeCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CO(2)H to oxidize alkanes efficiently at room temperature. The oxidation can be made catalytic by using 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide as the terminal oxidant. The active intermediates in stoichiometric and catalytic oxidation are proposed to be [(O)(3)Os(VIII)N-Fe(III)] and [Cl(4)(O)Os(VIII)N-Fe(III)], respectively.     

Complexation of molybdenum(V) with glycolic acid: an unusual orientation of glycolato ligand in {Mo2O4}2+ complexes

(PyH)5[Mo(V)OCl4(H2O)]3Cl2 and (PyH)n[Mo(V)OBr4]n reacted with glycolic acid (H2glyc) or its half-neutralized ion (Hglyc(-)) to afford a series of novel glycolato complexes based on the {Mo(V)2O4}2+ structural core: (PyH)3[Mo2O4Cl4(Hglyc)]. (1)/ 2CH 3CN (1), (PyH) 3[Mo 2O 4Br 4(Hglyc)].Pr(i)OH(2), (PyH)2[Mo2O4(glyc) 2Py 2] (3), (PyH) 4[Mo 4O 8Cl 4(glyc) 2].2EtOH (4), and [Mo 4O 8(glyc) 2Py 4] (5) (Py = pyridine, C 5H 5N; PyH(+) = pyridinium cation, C 5H 5NH (+) and glyc (2-) = a doubly ionized glycolate, (-)OCH 2COO (-)). The compounds were fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy. The Hglyc (-) ion binds to the {Mo 2O 4} (2+) core through a carboxylate end in a bidentate bridging manner, whereas the glyc (2-) ion adopts a chelating bidentate coordination through a deprotonated hydroxyl group and a monodentate carboxylate. The orientations of glyc (2-) ions in 3- 5 are such that the alkoxyl oxygen atoms occupy the sites opposite the multiply bonded oxides. {(C6H5) 4P}[Mo(VI)O 2(glyc)(Hglyc)] ( 6), an oxidized complex, features a reversed orientation of the glyc(2-) ion. The theoretical DFT calculations on the [Mo(V)2O4(glyc) 2Py 2](2-) and [Mo(VI)O2(glyc)2](2-) ions confirm that binding of glycolate with the alkoxyl oxygen to the site opposite the MoO bond is energetically more favorable in {Mo(V)2O4}(2+) species, whereas a reversed orientation of the ligand is preferred in Mo(VI) complexes. An explanation based on the orbital analysis is put forward.