Iron(II) complexes with bio-inspired N,N,O ligands as oxidation catalysts: olefin epoxidation and cis-dihydroxylation

The Rieske dioxygenases are a group of non-heme iron enzymes, which catalyze the stereospecific cis-dihydroxylation of its substrates. Herein, we report the iron(II) coordination chemistry of the ligands 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (L1) and its neutral propyl ester analogue propyl 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (PrL1). The molecular structures of two iron(II) complexes with PrL1 were determined and two different coordination modes of the ligand were observed. In [Fe(II)(PrL1)(2)](BPh(4))(2) (3) the ligand is facially coordinated to the metal with an N,N,O donor set, whereas in [Fe(II)(PrL1)(2)(MeOH)(2)](OTf)(2) (4) a bidentate N,N binding mode is found. In 4, the solvent molecules are in a cis arrangement with respect to each other. Complex 4 is a close structural mimic of the crystallographically characterized non-heme iron(II) enzyme apocarotenoid-15-15'-oxygenase (APO). The mechanistic features of APO are thought to be similar to those of the Rieske oxygenases, the original inspiration for this work. The non-heme iron complexes [Fe(II)(PrL1)(2)](OTf)(2) (2) and [Fe(II)(PrL1)(2)](BPh(4))(2) (3) were tested in olefin oxidation reactions with H(2)O(2) as the terminal oxidant. Whereas 2 was an active catalyst and both epoxide and cis-dihydroxylation products were observed, 3 showed negligible activity under the same conditions, illustrating the importance of the anion in the reaction.     

Screening of N,N‐bidentate and N,N,N‐tridentate pyridine‐based ligands in the catalytic allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins

A variety of chiral N,N‐bidentate and N,N,N‐tridentate ligands based on the pyridine framework, namely C2‐symmetric dipyridylmethane and terpyridine, N‐(p‐toluensulfinyl)iminopyridines and two kinds of iminopyridines, has been assessed in the asymmetric copper(I)‐catalysed allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins. Catalytic activity and enantioselectivity were found to be highly dependent upon the framework of the ligands, which afforded cycloalkenyl benzoates in low to moderate yields and enantioselectivities. The best yields (up to 70%) and enantioselectivities (up to 53% enantiomeric excess) were obtained with an iminopyridine based on camphane and quinoline skeletons. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yttrium and lanthanide complexes with various P,N ligands in the coordination sphere: synthesis, structure, and polymerization studies

Yttrium and lanthanide complexes with different P,N ligands in the coordination sphere have been synthesized. First the chloride complexes [{CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2}Ln{(Ph2P)2N}Cl] (Ln = Y (1 a), La (1 b), Nd (1 c), Yb (1 d)) having the bulky [CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2]- and the flexible [(Ph2P)2N]- ligands in the same molecule were prepared by three different synthetic pathways. Compounds 1 a-d can be obtained by reaction of [{[CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2]LnCl2}2] with [K(thf)nN(PPh2)2] (n = 1.25, 1.5) or by treatment of [{(Ph2P)2N}LnCl2(thf)3] with K[CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2]. Furthermore, a one-pot reaction of K[CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2] with LnCl3 and [K(thf)nN(PPh2)2] leads to the same products. Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1 a-d show that the conformation of the six-membered metallacycle (N1-P1-C1-P2-N2-Ln) which is formed by chelation of the [CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2]- ligand to the lanthanide atom is influenced by the ionic radius of the central metal atom. In solution dynamic behavior of the [(Ph2P)2N]- ligand is observed, which is caused by rapid exchange of the two different phosphorus atoms. Further reaction of 1 b with KNPh2 resulted in [{(Me3SiNPPh2)2CH}La{N(PPh2)2}(NPh2)] (2). Compounds 1 a-d and 2 are active in the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone and the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. In some cases high molecular weight polymers with good conversions and narrow polydispersities were obtained. In both polymerizations the catalytic activity depends on the ionic radius of the metal center.     

Redox-active p-quinone-based Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands: synthesis and coordination behaviour

The synthesis, structural characterisation and coordination behaviour of mono- and ditopic p-hydroquinone-based bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands is described (i.e., 2-(pz2CH)C6H3(OH)2 (2a), 2-(pz2CH)-6-(tBu)C6H2(OH)2 (2b), 2-(pz2CH)-6-(tBu)C6H2(OSiiPr3)(OH) (2c), 2,5-(pz2CH)2C6H2(OH)2 (4)). Ligands 2a, 2b and 4 can be oxidised to their p-benzoquinone state on a preparative scale (2a ox, 2b ox, 4 ox). An octahedral Ni II complex [trans-Ni(2c)2] and square-planar Pd II complexes [Pd2bCl2] and [Pd2b ox Cl2] have been prepared. In the two Pd II species, the ligands are coordinated only through their pyrazolyl rings. The fact that [Pd2bC12] and [Pd2b oxC12] are isolable compounds proves that redox transitions involving the p-quinone substituent are fully reversible. In [Pd2b oxCl2], the methine proton is highly acidic and can be abstracted with bases as weak as NEt(3). The resulting anion dimerises to give a dinuclear macrocyclic Pd II complex, which has been structurally characterised. The methylated ligand 2-(pz2CMe)C6H3O2 (11 ox) and its Pd II complex [Pd11 oxCl2] are base-stable. A new class of redox-active ligands is now available with the potential for applications both in catalysis and in materials science.     

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

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

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and catalytic activities of dicopper(II) complexes derived from tridentate pyrazole‐based N2O ligands

A group of a diverse family of dinuclear copper(II) complexes derived from pyrazole‐containing tridentate N₂O ligands, 1,3‐bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol (Hdmpzpo), 1,3‐bis(3‐phenyl‐5‐methyl pyrazol‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol (Hpmpzpo) and 1,3‐bis(3‐cumyl‐5‐methylpyrazol‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol (Hcmpzpo), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and three of them also by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Three complexes, [Cu₂(pmpzpo)₂](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH ( 3 ·2CH₃OH), [Cu₂(pmpzpo)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 4 ) and [Cu₂(cmpzpo)₂](ClO₄)₂·2DMF ( 7 ·2DMF), each exhibits a dimeric structure with a inversion center being located between the two copper atoms. The metal ion is coordinated in a distorted square planar environment by two pyrazole nitrogen atoms and two bridging alkoxo oxygen atoms. Both complexes 1 ·CH₃OH·H₂O and 3 ·2CH₃OH were investigated in anaerobic conditions for the catalytic oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (3,5‐DTBC) to the corresponding quinone (3,5‐DTBQ), for modeling the functional properties of catechol oxidase. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Triphenylantimony(v) catecholates and o-amidophenolates: reversible binding of molecular oxygen

Novel neutral antimony(V) complexes were isolated as crystalline materials and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy: o-amidophenolate complexes [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato]triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[AP-Me], 1) and [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato]triphenylantimony(v) (Ph3Sb[AP-iPr], 2); catecholate complexes (3,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxycatecholato)triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[(MeO)Cat], 3), its methanol solvate 3CH3OH (4); (3,6-di-tert-butyl-4,5-di-methoxycatecholato)triphenylantimony(V) (Ph3Sb[(MeO)2Cat], 5) and its acetonitrile solvate 5CH3CN (6). Complexes 1-7 were synthesized by oxidative addition of the corresponding o-iminobenzoquinones or o-benzoquinones to Ph3Sb. In the case of the phenanthrene-9,10-diolate (PhenCat) ligand, two different complexes were isolated: Ph3Sb[PhenCat] (7) and [Ph4Sb]+[Ph2Sb(PhenCat)2]- (8). Complexes 7 and 8 were found to be in equilibrium in solution. Molecular structures of 2, 4, 6, and 8 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1-7 reversibly bind molecular oxygen to yield Ph3Sb[L-Me]O2 (9), Ph3Sb[L-iPr]O2 (10), Ph3Sb[(MeO)L']O2 (11), Ph3Sb[(MeO)2L']O2 (12) and Ph3Sb[PhenL']O2 (13), which contain five-membered trioxastibolane species (where L is the O,O',N-coordinated derivative of a 1-hydroperoxy-6-(N-aryl)-iminocyclohexa-2,4-dienol, and L' the O,O',O'-coordinated derivative of 6-hydroperoxy-6-hydroxycyclohexa-2,4-dienone). Complexes 9-13 were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Borane and Borohydride Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Elements: Synthesis,Structures, and Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

The reaction of potassium 2,5‐bis[N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl]pyrrolyl [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with the borohydrides of the larger rare‐earth metals, [Ln(BH₄)₃(thf)₃] (Ln=La, Nd), afforded the expected products [Ln(BH₄)₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)₂]. As usual, the trisborohydrides reacted like pseudohalide compounds forming KBH₄ as a by‐product. To compare the reactivity with the analogous halides, the dimeric neodymium complex [NdCl₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)]₂ was prepared by reaction of [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with anhydrous NdCl₃. Reaction of [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with the borohydrides of the smaller rare‐earth metals, [Sc(BH₄)₃(thf)₂] and [Lu(BH₄)₃(thf)₃], resulted in a redox reaction of the BH₄^? group with one of the Schiff base functions of the ligand. In the resulting products, [Ln(BH₄){(dip)(dip‐BH₃)‐pyr}(thf)₂] (Ln=Sc, Lu), a dinegatively charged ligand with a new amido function, a Schiff base, and the pyrrolyl function is bound to the metal atom. The by‐product of the reaction of the BH₄^? anion with the Schiff base function (a BH₃ molecule) is trapped in a unique reaction mode in the coordination sphere of the metal complex. The BH₃ molecule coordinates in an η² fashion to the metal atom. The rare‐earth‐metal atoms are surrounded by the η²‐coordinated BH₃ molecule, the η³‐coordinated BH₄^? anion, two THF molecules, and the nitrogen atoms from the Schiff base and the pyrrolyl function. All new compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction data at 6 K were collected to locate the hydrogen atoms of [Lu(BH₄){(dip)(dip‐BH₃)‐pyr}(thf)₂]. The (DIP₂‐pyr)^? borohydride and chloride complexes of neodymium, [Nd(BH₄)₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)₂] and [NdCl₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)]₂, were also used as Ziegler–Natta catalysts for the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene to yield poly(cis‐1,4‐butadiene). Very high activities and good cis selectivities were observed by using each of these complexes as a catalyst in the presence of various cocatalyst mixtures.     

Synthesis, structure, and spectroscopy of phenylacetylenylene rods incorporating meso-substituted dipyrrin ligands

The synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic characterization of a series of phenylacetylenylene rodlike molecules containing dipyrromethene (dipyrrin) ligands are described. The combination of the phenylacetylenylene groups with the porphyrinogenic dipyrrin moieties results in a rich absorption spectroscopy for these compounds, although the fluorescence of the phenylacetylenylene moiety is quenched by presence of the dipyrrin chelator. The Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) complexes of these ligands have been prepared and three of these compounds have been structurally characterized by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Unlike other octahedral metal-dipyrrin complexes described to date, one of the iron complexes demonstrates ideal threefold symmetry in the solid-state. The elongated structure and high symmetry of these complexes suggests the use of these meso-substituted phenylacetylenylene ligands as an interesting class of extended, branched molecules for the construction of supramolecular architectures.     

Extending the Substrate Scope for the Asymmetric Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Minimally Functionalized Olefins by Using Biaryl Phosphite‐Based Modular Ligand Libraries

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most efficient and atom‐economical tools to prepare chiral molecules. However, the enantiodiscrimination of simple, minimally functionalized olefins is still challenging and requires more sophisticated ligand design. Herein, we discuss our progress in the successful development of ligand design for the iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins.

     

Structurally Modelling the 2-His-1-Carboxylate Facial Triad with a Bulky N,N,O Phenolate Ligand

We present the synthesis and coordination chemistry of a bulky, tripodal N,N,O ligand, Im^Ph2NNO ^{t Bu} ( L ), designed to model the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad (2H1C) by means of two imidazole groups and an anionic 2,4-di-tert-butyl-subtituted phenolate. Reacting K-L with MCl₂ (M = Fe, Zn) affords the isostructural, tetrahedral non-heme complexes [Fe(L)(Cl)] ( 1 ) and [Zn(L)(Cl)] ( 2 ) in high yield. The tridentate N,N,O ligand coordination observed in their X-ray crystal structures remains intact and well-defined in MeCN and CH₂Cl₂ solution. Reacting 2 with NaSPh affords a tetrahedral zinc thiolate complex, [Zn(L)(SPh)] ( 4 ), that is relevant to isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) biomimicry. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate the ligand's redox non-innocence, where phenolate oxidation is the first electrochemical response observed in K-L , 2 and 4 . However, the first electrochemical oxidation in 1 is iron-centred, the assignment of which is supported by DFT calculations. Overall, Im^Ph2NNO ^{t Bu} provides access to well-defined mononuclear, monoligated, N,N,O-bound metal complexes, enabling more accurate structural modelling of the 2H1C to be achieved.