Dinitrogen Fixation: Rationalizing Strategies Utilizing Molecular Complexes

Dinitrogen (N₂) is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, but its inertness hinders its use as a nitrogen source in the biosphere and in industry. Efficient catalysts are hence required to ov. ercome the high kinetic barriers associated to N₂ transformation. In that respect, molecular complexes have demonstrated strong potential to mediate N₂ functionalization reactions under mild conditions while providing a straightforward understanding of the reaction mechanisms. This Review emphasizes the strategies for N₂ reduction and functionalization using molecular transition metal and actinide complexes according to their proposed reaction mechanisms, distinguishing complexes inducing cleavage of the N≡N bond before (dissociative mechanism) or concomitantly with functionalization (associative mechanism). We present here the main examples of stoichiometric and catalytic N₂ functionalization reactions following these strategies.     

Ruthenium(II) unsymmetrical N2O2 tetradentate Schiff-base complexes: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic studies

A series of six-coordinate ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(CO)(L ^x )(B)] (B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L ^x = unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base, x = 5–8; L⁵= salen-2-hyna, L⁶= Cl-salen-2-hyna, L⁷= valen-2-hyna, L⁸= o-hyac-2-hyna) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] (E = P or As) with unsymmetrical Schiff bases in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (infrared, electronic, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR) data. An octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes are efficient catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and also exhibit catalytic activity for the carbon–carbon coupling reactions.     

环金属钌配合物的合成、结构多样性及氧化还原调控

环金属钌配合物具有良好的氧化还原和光物理性质,在诸多光电领域如染料敏化太阳能电池、电致变色、电子转移等方面具有重要应用。环金属钌配合物的合成方法主要包括“后期金属化”、“前期金属化”、“转金属化”三种方法。环金属配合物具有丰富的结构多样性。环金属配合物由环金属配体和辅基配体与金属螯合形成。环金属配体包括N^∧C、N^∧N^∧C、N^∧C^∧N和C^∧C^∧C-类型多齿配体。辅基配体主要包括吡啶、咪唑、三唑、嘧啶等杂环。碳-金属键的引入大大降低了钌配合物的氧化还原电位。通过改变环金属配体和辅基配体的结构,可以对金属的氧化还原电位进行有效调控。金属钌配合物的氧化还原电位对敏化电池的性能以及电子转移的过程具有重要的影响。     

Transition Metal Complexes Containing Functionalized Organoimido and Phosphaneiminato Ligands

Two different types of modified imido and phosphaneiminato ligands are investigated, namely chelate ligands and redox‐functionalised ligands. The first examples of di(organoimido)chromium as well as di(phosphaneiminato)titanium and niobium chelates are described. Furthermore, the first complexes containing redox‐functionalised organoimido ligands are presented, together with the first structurally characterised redox‐functionalised phosphaneiminato complex. Compounds of the type [(RN)₂M(CH₂Ph)₂] (M = Cr, Mo) are used as catalysts for the (co‐)polymerisation of the polar olefins methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and vinyl acetate. A range of X‐ray crystal structure determinations provide clear evidence for the quantum‐chemical result that, similar to organoimido complexes, the potential energy well for the angle at the nitrogen atom is very shallow for phosphaneiminato complexes.     

The metal complexes of new Schiff bases containing phosphonate groups and catalytic properties for alkane oxidation

In this study, two new salicylidene phosphonate ligands (HL¹ and HL²) and their metal complexes (Cu²⁺, VO²⁺ and La³⁺) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. The molecular structure of the ligand HL¹ was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study. In the structure of the ligand, there is an intramolecular phenol‐imine hydrogen bond. The synthesized compounds exhibit only one emission maximum upon excitation at 270–295  nm range. Complexation of the Schiff base ligands with metal ions did not cause a considerable quenching effect. Finally, the complexes prepared were used as catalysts in cyclohexane oxidation under microwave irradiation. The complexes showed high conversion rates (> 90%) for cyclohexane oxidation; however, poor selectivity was observed for all complexes. The La³⁺ complexes showed better selectivity for cyclohexane → cyclohexanol transformation with about 45% selectivity.     

Asymmetric Catalysis with Heterobimetallic Compounds

This review focuses on a new concept in catalytic asymmetric reactions that was first realized for the use of heterobimetallic complexes. As these heterobimetallic complexes function as both a Brønsted base and as a Lewis acid, just like an enzyme, they make possible a variety of efficient catalytic asymmetric reactions. This heterobimetallic concept should prove to be applicable to a variety of new asymmetric catalyses. The first part of this review describes the development of rare-earth–alkali metal complexes such as LnM₃tris(binaphthoxide) complexes (LnMB, Ln = rare-earth metal, M = alkali metal), which are readily prepared from the corresponding rare-earth trichlorides or rare-earth isopropoxides, and their application to catalytic asymmetric synthesis. By using a catalytic amount of LnMB complexes several asymmetric reactions proceed efficiently to give the corresponding desired products in up to 98% ee: LnLB-catalyzed asymmetric nitroaldol reactions (L = Li), LnSB-catalyzed asymmetric Michael reactions (S ? Na), and LnPB-catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphonylations of either imines or aldehydes (P ? K). Applications of these heterobimetallic catalysts to the syntheses of several biologically and medicinally important compounds are also described. Spectral analyses and computational simulations of the asymmetric reactions catalyzed by the heterobimetallic complexes reveal that the two different metals play different roles to enhance the reactivity of both reaction partners and to position them. From mechanistic considerations, a useful activation of the heterobimetallic catalyses was realized by addition of alkali metal reagents. The second part describes the development of another type of heterobimetallic catalysts featuring Group 13 elements such as Al and Ga as the central metal. Among them, the AlLibis(binaphthoxide) complex (ALB) is an effective catalyst for asymmetric Michael reactions, tandem Michael–aldol reactions, and hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes.     

MOF-Stabilized Perfluorinated Palladium Cages Catalyze the Additive-Free Aerobic Oxidation of Aliphatic Alcohols to Acids

Extremely high electrophilic metal complexes, composed by a metal cation and very electron poor σ-donor ancillary ligands, are expected to be privileged catalysts for oxidation reactions in organic chemistry. However, their low lifetime prevents any use in catalysis. Here we show the synthesis of fluorinated pyridine-Pd²⁺ coordinate cages within the channels of an anionic tridimensional metal-organic framework (MOF), and their use as efficient metal catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols to carboxylic acids without any additive. Mechanistic studies strongly support that the MOF-stabilized coordination cage with perfluorinated ligands unleashes the full electrophilic potential of Pd²⁺ to dehydrogenate primary alcohols, without any base, and also to activate O₂ for the radical oxidation to the aldehyde intermediate. This study opens the door to design catalytic perfluorinated complexes for challenging organic transformations, where an extremely high electrophilic metal site is required.     

Chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes as catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

The common use of NHC complexes in transition‐metal mediated C–C coupling and metathesis reactions in recent decades has established N‐heterocyclic carbenes as a new class of ligand for catalysis. The field of asymmetric catalysis with complexes bearing NHC‐containing chiral ligands is dominated by mixed carbene/oxazoline or carbene/phosphane chelating ligands. In contrast, applications of complexes with chiral, chelating bis(NHC) ligands are rare. In the present work new chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes and their application in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones are described. A series of chiral bis(azolium) salts have been prepared following a synthetic pathway, starting from L ‐valinol and the modular buildup allows the structural variation of the ligand precursors. The iridium complexes were formed via a one‐pot transmetallation procedure. The prepared complexes were applied as catalysts in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various prochiral ketones, affording the corresponding chiral alcohols in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities of up to 68%. The enantioselectivities of the catalysts were strongly affected by the various, terminal N‐substituents of the chelating bis(NHC) ligands. The results presented in this work indicate the potential of bis‐carbenes as stereodirecting ligands for asymmetric catalysis and are offering a base for further developments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functional ligands and complexes for new structures, homogeneous catalysts and nanomaterials

In this account, we focus on results from our laboratory to illustrate recent developments in various fields of organometallic chemistry. Studies on hemilabile P,N donor ligands and on the ion-pair behaviour of cationic Pd(II) complexes have led to the full characterization of complexes with η¹-allyl ligands. This still rare bonding mode for the allyl ligand in palladium chemistry allows facile insertion of CO into the Pd-C σ-bond, in contrast to the situation in related η³-allyl Pd(II) complexes. In order to develop new homogeneous catalysts for the selective dimerization and oligomerization of ethylene, a range of Ni(II) complexes have been prepared with new chelating P,N ligands where P represents a phosphine, phosphinite or phosphonite donor group and N a pyridine or oxazoline moiety. Finally, we shall examine bottom-up approaches to the formation of new nanomaterials of magnetic or catalytic interest by covalent anchoring of metal complexes and clusters into mesoporous materials using functional phosphine or alkyne ligands containing an alkoxysilyl group.     

Chemistry of λ-2H-azaphosphirene metal complexes

In this review, important aspects of λ³-2H-azaphosphirene metal complexes are discussed in relation to synthesis, physical properties and synthetic applications; ab-initio calculations on relative energies of CH₂NP isomers and of λ³-2H-azaphosphirene metal complexes (Cr, Mo, W) are also presented. Currently, there are three routes to this unsaturated three-membered ring system, which are discussed in detail: two of them use a rearrangement of metal carbene complexes, whereas the other relies on [2+1] cycloaddition reactions of electrophilic terminal phosphanediyl complexes and carbonitriles. The structural data show characteristics of a very strained heterocyclic ring system, which partially helps to understand the reactivity of this heterocycle complex in solution. The synthetic potential of λ³-2H-azaphosphirene metal complexes is illustrated by selected examples, which demonstrate their ability to serve, under very mild conditions as precursor for various new building blocks, i.e. nitrilium phosphanylide complexes, electrophilic terminal phosphanediyl complexes and phosphavinyl-nitrene complexes.     

Oxidative Transformations of Organic Compounds Mediated by Redox Molecular Sieves

Zeolites are viewed by some as the “philosopher's stone” of modern chemistry.^[1] They are more or less indispensable in oil refining and petrochemicals manufacture where they are widely applied as solid acid catalysts. More recently attention has been focused on their use in the manufacture of fine chemicals. The synthetic utility of zeolites and related molecular sieves (zeotypes) has been considerably extended by the incorporation of redox metals into their frameworks. The resulting redox molecular sieves catalyze a variety of selective oxidations under mild conditions in the liquid phase. Their structural diversity–including variation of the redox metal, incorporation of metal complexes, and the size and polarity of the micropores–provides the possibility of designing tailor-made solid catalysts (“mineral enzymes”) for liquid-phase oxidations with clean oxidants such as O₂, H₂O₂, and RO₂H. Hence, they have enormous potential in industrial organic synthesis as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional oxidations employing inorganic oxidants in stoichiometric amounts. A primary aim of this review is to familiarize organic chemists with the synthetic potential of redox molecular sieves. An outline of their synthesis, structures, and chemical properties, highlighting their unique advantages, is followed by a discussion of general (mechanistic) features that influence the choice of a suitable catalyst for a particular type of oxidation. The main part of the review deals with the oxidation of various substrates of synthetic interest–such as alkanes, alkenes, (alkyl)arenes, alcohols, and amines–and emphasizes the advantages of redox molecular sieves (including selectivity and stability) over their homogeneous counterparts. New directions towards truly biomimetic solid catalysts, for example zeolite-encapsulated chiral metal complexes as heterogeneous catalysts for asymmetric oxidations, are high-lighted.     

Applications of “Hot” and “Cold” Bis(thiosemicarbazonato) Metal Complexes in Multimodal Imaging

The applications of coordination chemistry to molecular imaging has become a matter of intense research over the past 10 years. In particular, the applications of bis(thiosemicarbazonato) metal complexes in molecular imaging have mainly been focused on compounds with aliphatic backbones due to the in vivo imaging success of hypoxic tumors with PET (positron emission tomography) using ⁶⁴CuATSM [copper (diacetyl‐bis(N4‐methylthiosemicarbazone))]. This compound entered clinical trials in the US and the UK during the first decade of the 21^st century for imaging hypoxia in head and neck tumors. The replacement of the ligand backbone to aromatic groups, coupled with the exocyclic N's functionalization during the synthesis of bis(thiosemicarbazones) opens the possibility to use the corresponding metal complexes as multimodal imaging agents of use, both in vitro for optical detection, and in vivo when radiolabeled with several different metallic species. The greater kinetic stability of acenaphthenequinone bis(thiosemicarbazonato) metal complexes, with respect to that of the corresponding aliphatic ATSM complexes, allows the stabilization of a number of imaging probes, with special interest in “cold” and “hot” Cu(II) and Ga(III) derivatives for PET applications and ¹¹¹In(III) derivatives for SPECT (single‐photon emission computed tomography) applications, whilst Zn(II) derivatives display optical imaging properties in cells, with enhanced fluorescence emission and lifetime with respect to the free ligands. Preliminary studies have shown that gallium‐based acenaphthenequinone bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes are also hypoxia selective in vitro, thus increasing the interest in them as new generation imaging agents for in vitro and in vivo applications.     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal and electrochemical characterization of metal(II) complexes with 1-S-methylcarbodithioate-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides

1-S-Methylcarbodithioate-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides (L¹-L³) have been prepared and confirmed by spectral data and elemental analysis. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes with L¹-L³ have been prepared and characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moment, as well as spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR, mass and electronic spectra). The molar conductance data reveal that the chelates are non-electrolytes. The IR and ¹H NMR spectra showed that L¹-L³ are deprotonated in the complexes and act as binegative SNNS donors. The electronic spectra of the complexes as well as their magnetic moments provide information about geometries. Thermogravimetric analysis of some complexes suggests different decomposition steps and ending with metal sulfide as final product. The redox properties of the complexes are explored by cyclic voltammetry.     

Diverse Approaches for Enantioselective C−H Functionalization Reactions Using Group 9 CpxMIII Catalysts

Transition-metal-catalyzed C−H functionalization reactions with Cp*M^III catalysts (M=Co, Rh, Ir) have found a wide variety of applications in organic synthesis. Albeit the intrinsic difficulties in achieving catalytic stereocontrol using these catalysts due to their lack of additional coordination sites for external chiral ligands and the conformational flexibility of the Cp ligand, catalytic enantioselective C−H functionalization reactions using the Group 9 metal triad with Cp-type ligands have been intensively studied since 2012. In this minireview, the progress in these reactions according to the type of the chiral catalyst used are summarized and discussed. The development of chiral Cp^x ligands the metal complexes thereof, artificial metalloenzymes, chiral carboxylate-assisted enantioselective C−H activations, enantioselective alkylations assisted by chiral carboxylic acids or chiral sulfonates, and chiral transient directing groups are discussed.     

Complexation of 4-amino-1,3 dimethyl-2,6 pyrimidine-dione derivatives with cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions: synthesis,spectral, thermal and antimicrobial studies

Four heterocyclic Schiff-base ligands derived from condensation of 4-amino-1,3 dimethyl-2,6 pyrimidine-dione with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 4-(dimethylamino) benzaldehyde, (HL¹, L², HL³and L⁴), respectively, and their Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized via elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moment, thermal and XRPD analysis as well as spectral data (IR, ¹H-NMR, mass and solid reflectance). IR data reveal that the ligands are bidentate neutral ligands except HL¹, which is monobasic tridentate with coordination sites azomethine (N), carbonyl (O) and phenolic (O). Conductance data suggest that all complexes are non-electrolytes, except cobalt(II) complexes of L²and HL³are 1 : 1 electrolytes. The mass spectra confirm the proposed structure of the ligands and their complexes. The solid reflectance spectral data and magnetic moment measurements suggest octahedral, tetrahedral and square planar geometrical structures for the metal complexes. The spectral data were utilized to compute the important ligand field parameters B, β and Dq; LFSE also was calculated. The thermal behavior is also studied. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of the ligands and their complexes show broad-spectrum activities and the metal complexes show higher activity than the free ligands.     

Equilibrium Studies of Iron (III) Complexes with Either Pyrazine,Quinoxaline, or Phenazine and Their Catecholase Activity in Methanol

Currently, catalysts with oxidative activity are required to create valuable chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical products. The catechol oxidase activity is a model reaction that can reveal new oxidative catalysts. The use of complexes as catalysts using iron (III) and structurally simple ligands such as pyrazine (pz), quinoxaline (qx), and phenazine (fz) has not been fully explored. To characterize the composition of the solution and identify the abundant species which were used to catalyze the catechol oxidation, the distribution diagrams of these species were obtained by an equilibrium study using a modified Job method in the HypSpec software. This allows to obtain also the UV-vis spectra calculated and the formation constants for the mononuclear and binuclear complexes with Fe³⁺ including: [Fe(pz)]³⁺, [Fe₂(pz)]⁶⁺, [Fe(qx)]³⁺, [Fe₂(qx)]⁶⁺, [Fe(fz)]³⁺, and [Fe₂(fz)]⁶⁺. The formation constants obtained were log β₁₁₀ = 3.2 ± 0.1, log β₂₁₀ = 6.9 ± 0.1, log β₁₁₀ = 4.4 ± 0.1, log β₂₁₀ = 8.3 ± 0.1, log β₁₁₀ = 6.4 ± 0.2, and log β₂₁₀ = 9.9 ± 0.2, respectively. The determination of the catechol oxidase activity for these complexes did not follow a traditional Michaelis–Menten behavior.     

Preparation,characterization of some transition metal complexes of hydrazone derivatives and their antibacterial and antioxidant activities

A new series of metal complexes of Pd(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II, I) of polydentate Schiff base ligand (H₂L), namely ((Z)-2-(phenylamino)-N'-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene) acetohydrazide) have been prepared. The ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized based on various physicochemical studies as elemental analyses, molar conductance, spectral (UV–Vis, MS, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and XRD), magnetic moment measurements and thermal studies (TG, DTG). In the view of previous studies, the ligand (H₂L) acts as polydentate one and coordinates with metal ions to form all metal complexes. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of decomposition process (ΔG, ΔH, ΔS) were calculated. The possible structures of the metal complexes have been computed using the molecular mechanic calculations using the hyper chem. 8.03 molecular modeling program. The calculations are performed to obtain the optimized molecular geometry. The antibacterial study of the selected compounds was assayed against two pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the complexes (Cu II, I), Cd(II), Pd(II)) and the ligand revealed excellent antioxidant properties and could be useful in fighting the free radicals which occur in close connection with cancerous cells. It was remarkable that the two complexes (Cu II, I) demonstrated stronger antioxidant effects than their parent compounds. It is clear that the new complexes are good active compounds for use in a variety of applications.     

Cerium(IV)‐Driven Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Manganese(V)–Nitrido Complex

The study of manganese complexes as water‐oxidation catalysts (WOCs) is of great interest because they can serve as models for the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II. In most of the reported Mn‐based WOCs, manganese exists in the oxidation states III or IV, and the catalysts generally give low turnovers, especially with one‐electron oxidants such as Ce^IV. Now, a different class of Mn‐based catalysts, namely manganese(V)–nitrido complexes, were explored. The complex [Mn^V(N)(CN)₄]²⁻ turned out to be an active homogeneous WOC using (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆] as the terminal oxidant, with a turnover number of higher than 180 and a maximum turnover frequency of 6 min⁻¹. The study suggests that active WOCs may be constructed based on the Mn^V(N) platform.     

Polynuclear Gold [AuI]4, [AuI]8, and Bimetallic [AuI4AgI] Complexes: C−H Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds and Homogeneous Carbonylation of Amines

The synthesis of tetranuclear gold complexes, a structurally unprecedented octanuclear complex with a planar [Au^I₈] core, and pentanuclear [Au^I₄M^I] (M=Cu, Ag) complexes is presented. The linear [Au^I₄] complex undergoes C?H functionalization of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. In addition, [Au^I₄Ag^I] catalyzes the carbonylation of primary amines to form ureas under homogeneous conditions with efficiencies higher than those achieved by gold nanoparticles.     

NEMATICIDAL,INSECTICIDAL, ANTIFERTILITY,ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF SALICYLANILIDE SULPHATHIAZOLE AND ITS MANGANESE,SILICON AND TIN COMPLEXES

A facile synthesis and studies on the stereochemistry and biochemical aspects of some organosilicon(IV), organotin(IV), and manganese(II) complexes derived from imine having N^∪N^∪O donor system is reported. The imine was prepared by the condensation of salicylanilide with sulphathiazole. This imine reacts with organosilicon(IV)chloride, organotin(IV)chloride, and hydrated manganese(II) chloride to yield compounds having M─O and M←N bonds. The structures of the compounds have been elucidated by physicochemical and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and ESR) studies, which clearly point to a trigonal bipyramidal geometry around silicon(IV) and tin(IV), and tetrahedral geometry around manganese(II), as the active lone pair of the nitrogen is also included in the coordination sphere. In the search for better fungicides and bactericides, studies were conducted to assess the growth-inhibiting potential of the synthesized complexes against various pathogenic fungal and bacterial strains. These complexes are highly active against nematode (Meloidogyneincognita) and insect (Trogodermagranarium). The activity will be increased with increasing concentration. These studies demonstrate that the concentrations reached levels that are sufficient to inhibit and kill the pathogens. All compounds have also been found to act as sterilizing agents by reducing the production of sperm in male mice.