Structural studies of diiron complexes with monophosphine ligands tris(4-chlorophenyl)phosphine or diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine

Four diiron dithiolate complexes with monophosphine ligands have been prepared and structurally characterized. Reactions of (μ-SCH₂CH₂S-μ)Fe₂(CO)₆ or [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ with tris(4-chlorophenyl)phosphine or diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine in the presence of Me₃NO·2H₂O afforded diiron pentacarbonyl complexes with monophosphine ligands (μ-SCH₂CH₂S-μ)Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (1), (μ-SCH₂CH₂S-μ)Fe₂(CO)₅[Ph₂P(2-C₅H₄N)] (2), [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (3), and [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[Ph₂P(2-C₅H₄N)] (4) in good yields. Complexes 1–4 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the molecular structures of 1–4 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemistry of diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes with a trans-cinnamate ester

Three diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes with a trans-cinnamate ester have been characterized. Esterification of [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂OH)S}] (1) with trans-cinnamic acid in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylaminopyridine afforded [Fe₂(CO)₆[μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂O₂CCH?=?CHPh)S}] (2) in 94% yield. Carbonyl substitution of 2 with a monophosphine ligand tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine or tris(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphine in the presence of Me₃NO·2H₂O resulted in formation of the corresponding monophosphine-substituted complexes [Fe₂(CO)₅ {P(C₆H₄F-4)₃}{µ-SCH₂CH(CH₂O₂CCH?=?CHPh)S}] (3) and [Fe₂(CO)₅{P (C₆H₄OCH₃-2)₃}{µ-SCH₂CH(CH₂O₂CCH?=?CHPh)S}] (4) in 79% and 84% yields, respectively. Complexes 2-4 were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Moreover, electrochemical properties of 2-4 were investigated.     

Phosphine-substituted diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes as the models for the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases

Abstract

In this article, five diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes containing phosphine ligands are reported. Treatment of complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂CH₂S)] (1) with the phosphine ligands tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine, tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine, tris(3-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(3-methylphenyl)phosphine, or 2-(diphenylphosphino)biphenyl in the presence of Me₃NO·2H₂O as the decarbonylating agent afforded the target products [Fe₂(CO)₅(L)(μ-SCH₂CH₂S)] [L?=?P(4-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, 2; P(4-C₆H₄OCH₃)₃, 3; P(3-C₆H₄Cl)₃, 4; P(3-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, 5; Ph₂P(2-C₆H₄Ph), 6] in 80–93% yields. Complexes 2–6 have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemistry of phosphine-substituted diiron butane-1,2-dithiolate complexes

Abstract

The reactions of the starting complex, [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-SCH₂CH (CH₂CH₃)S}] (1), with the phosphine ligands tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine, diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine, tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine, 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde, or benzyldiphenylphosphine in the presence of the decarbonylating agent Me₃NO·2H₂O yielded the corresponding phosphine-substituted diiron butane-1,2-dithiolate complexes [Fe₂(CO)₅(L){μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂CH₃)S}] (L?=?P(4-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, 2; Ph₂P(2-C₅H₄N), 3; P(4-C₆H₄F)₃, 4; Ph₂P(2-C₆H₄CHO), 5; Ph₂PCH₂Ph, 6) in 75%–87% yields. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, the electrochemistry of 2–4 was studied by cyclic voltammetry, suggesting that they can catalyze the reduction of protons to H₂ in the presence of HOAc.     

2-(Diphenylphosphino)benzoate-functionalized diiron ethane-1,2-dithiolate complexes with uncoordinated or coordinated phosphine ligand

Abstract

Treatment of the starting complex [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂OH)S}] (1) with 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid in the presence of N,N’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylaminopyridine gave the corresponding ester derivative [Fe₂(CO)₆{μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂O₂CC₆H₄PPh₂-2)S}] (2) in 92% yield. Further treatment of complex 2 with one equivalent of Me₃NO · 2?H₂O as the decarbonylating agent yielded diphenylphosphino-substituted complex [Fe₂(CO)₅{μ-SCH₂CH(CH₂O₂CC₆H₄PPh₂-2)S}] (3) in 79% yield. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, as well as by X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the electrochemical properties of these complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthetic and structural studies of the diiron toluenedithiolate carbonyl complexes with monophosphine ligands

Four diiron toluenedithiolate complexes 2–5 with monophosphine ligands are reported. Treatment of [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) with tris(3-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(4-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine or 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde, and Me₃NO?2H₂O in MeCN resulted in the formation of [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(3-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (2), [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (3), [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄CH₃)₃] (4), and [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[Ph₂P(2-C₆H₄CHO)] (5) in 64–82% yields. Complexes 2–5 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structures show that 2–5 contain a butterfly diiron toluenedithiolate cluster coordinated by five terminal carbonyls and an apical monophosphine.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and electrocatalytic properties of bridgehead-C-functionalized diiron dithiolate complexes

To investigate the influence of bridgehead-C functionality in diiron dithiolate complexes on the molecular structure and electrocatalytic properties of [FeFe]-hydrogenase models, three new bridgehead-C-functionalized model complexes 1–3 have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Treatments of parent complex [(μ-SCH₂)₂CHCO₂H][Fe₂(CO)₆] (A) with the esterification agents o-MeC₆H₄OH, p-ClC₆H₄OH, or p-HOC₆H₄CHO in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature resulted in formation of [(μ-SCH₂)₂CHCO₂R][Fe₂(CO)₆] (R = o-MeC₆H₄–, 1; p-ClC₆H₄–, 2; p-OHCC₆H₄–, 3) in 53–55% yields. The new complexes 1–3 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and especially determined by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of 1–3 and the electrocatalytic H₂ evolution catalyzed by 1 have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, where 1 is a catalyst for HOAc proton reduction to H₂ under electrochemical conditions.     

Synthetic and Structural Studies on Some New Butterfly Fe/S Cluster Complexes Containing 2,6-(CH2)2C5H3N or (CH2)2 Groups

Four new butterfly Fe/S cluster complexes bearing 2,6-(CH₂)₂C₅H₃N or (CH₂)₂ groups, as the active site models of [FeFe]-hydrogenase, have been prepared by condensation reaction and structurally characterized. Treatments of the parent complex Fe₂(CO)₆[(μ-SCH₂)₂CHCO₂H] (A) with 2,6-(HOCH₂)₂C₅H₃N or HOCH₂CH₂OH in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide afforded the single-butterfly Fe/S complexes Fe₂(CO)₆[(μ-SCH₂)₂CHC(O)OCH₂(2,6-C₅H₃N)CH₂OH] (1) and Fe₂(CO)₆[(μ-SCH₂)₂CHC(O)OCH₂CH₂OH] (3) and the double-butterfly Fe/S complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂)₂CHC(O)OCH₂]₂(2,6-C₅H₃N) (2) and [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂)₂CHC(O)OCH₂]₂ (4). The new complexes 1–4 were fully characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR, and ¹H (¹³C) NMR spectroscopy.     

Reaction of the diiron toluenedithiolate hexacarbonyl complex with 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reaction of [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) with 1.5 equivalents of 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) in toluene at reflux gave monosubstituted [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅(dppm) (2) and disubstituted [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₄(dppm)₂ (3) in 27 and 37% yields, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis,structures, and electrocatalytic properties of phosphine-monodentate, −chelate,and -bridge diiron 2,2-dimethylpropanedithiolate complexes related to [FeFe]-hydrogenases

To further extend diiron subsite models of [FeFe]-hydrogenases, the various substitutions of all-carbonyl diiron complex Fe₂(μ-Me₂pdt)(CO)₆ ( A , Me₂pdt = (SCH₂)₂CMe₂) with monophosphines or small bite-angle diphosphines are studied as follows. Firstly, the monodentate complexes Fe₂(μ-Me₂pdt)(CO)₅{κ¹-P(C₆H₄R-p)₃} [R = Me ( 1a ) and Cl ( 1b )] and Fe₂(μ-Me₂pdt)(CO)₅{κ¹-Ph₂PX'} [X' = NHPh ( 2a ) and CH₂PPh₂ ( 2b )] are readily afforded through the Me₃NO-assisted reactions of A with monophosphines P(C₆H₄R-p)₃ (R = Me, Cl) and diphosphines (Ph₂P)₂X (X = NPh, CH₂ (dppm)) in MeCN at room temperature, respectively. Secondly, the chelate complexes Fe₂(μ-Me₂pdt)(CO)₄(κ²-(Ph₂P)₂X) [X = NPh ( 3a ) and NBuⁿ ( 3b )] can be efficiently prepared by the UV-irradiated reactions of A with small bite-angle diphosphines (Ph₂P)₂X (X = NPh, NBuⁿ) in toluene. Thirdly, the bridge complexes Fe₂(μ-Me₂pdt)(CO)₄(μ-(Ph₂P)₂X) [X = NPh ( 4a ) and CH₂ ( 4b )] are well obtained from the refluxing solutions of A and diphosphines (Ph₂P)₂X (X = NPh, CH₂) in xylene. Rarely, the diphosphine-bridge complex 4b may be produced in low yield via the UV-irradiated solutions of A and the dppm ligand in toluene emitting at 365 nm. Eight new complexes obtained above have been well characterized by using element analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ³¹P) spectroscopies, and particularly for 1a , 1b , 2a , 3b , 4a , 4b by X-ray crystallography. Meanwhile, the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of three representative complexes 2a , 3a , and 4a with pendant N-phenyl groups are investigated and compared by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the absence and presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as a proton source, indicating that they are all found to be active for electrocatalytic proton reduction to hydrogen (H₂).     

Synthesis and characterization of diiron(I) 1,2-dimethylethanedithiolate complexes with bridging or chelating 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene

The reaction of complex [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) with trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (trans-dppv) in the presence of Me₃NO?2H₂O in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN afforded complex {[μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅}₂(trans-dppv) (2) with a bridging dppv. Complex [μ-SCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₄(cis-dppv) (3) was prepared by the reaction of 1 with cis-dppv and Me₃NO?2H₂O. The new complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

γ-Hydroxypropyl-functionalised iron thiolate complexes: crystal and molecular structure of [{Fe2(CO)6(μ-SCH2CH2CH2OH)}2(μ4-S)]

The γ-hydroxypropyl-functionalised diiron dithiolate complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₂] is prepared upon thermolysis of Fe₃(CO)₁₂ and HO(CH₂)₃SH and further reaction with dppm (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) affords [Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-dppm)(μ-SCH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₂]. From the reaction of Fe₃(CO)₁₂ with dppm(S₂) a minor product is the tetrairon cluster, [{Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂CH₂CH₂OH)}₂(μ⁴-S)], the mode of formation of which is unclear. It has been crystallographically characterised and adopts a μ⁴-S bridged double butterfly structure which is compared with other crystallographically characterised complexes of this type. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Benzoate-functionalized diiron propanedithiolate complexes with mono- and di-phosphine ligands as catalysts for reduction of protons

Reaction of the diiron propanedithiolate complex [μ-(SCH₂)₂CHO₂CC₆H₅]Fe₂(CO)₆ (A) with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) or cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethylene (cis-dppv) in the presence of one equivalent of Me₃NO·2H₂O yielded a mono-substituted complex [μ-(SCH₂)₂CHO₂CC₆H₅]Fe₂(CO)₅(PPh₃) (1) or an asymmetrically substituted complex [(μ-SCH₂)₂CHO₂CC₆H₅]Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dppv) (2), respectively. The structures of both complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, the PPh₃ ligand in 1 occupies an apical position of the square pyramidal geometries of the Fe2, while the cis-dppv in 2 coordinates Fe2 in an apical-basal manner. The electrochemistry of both complexes was investigated. The electron-withdrawing benzoate functionality on the bridgehead carbon of the propanedithiolate bridge shifts the oxidation and reduction potentials of 1 or 2 slightly. Both complexes can catalyze the reduction of protons from CF₃COOH but with a higher efficiency for 2.     

{1,1′‐(Dimethylsilylene)bis[methanechalcogenolato]}diiron Complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] (E=S,Se, Te) – [FeFe] Hydrogenase Models

(Bis‐selenolato) and (bis‐tellurolato)diiron complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] were prepared and compared with the known (bis‐thiolato)diiron complex A to assess their ability to produce hydrogen from protons. Treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with 4,4‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐diselenasilolane ( 1 ) in boiling toluene afforded hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methaneselenolato‐κSe : κSe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 2 ). The analog bis‐tellurolato complex hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methanetellurolato‐κTe : κTe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 3 ) was obtained by treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with dimethylbis(tellurocyanatomethyl)dimethylsilane, which was prepared in situ. All compounds were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The electrocatalytic properties of the [2Fe2X(Si)] (X=S, Se, Te) model complexes A, 1 , and 2 towards hydrogen formation were evaluated.     

The effect of a pendant amine in phosphine ligand on the structure and electrochemical property of diiron dithiolate complexes

Abstract

In order to explore the effect of a pendant amine on a phosphine ligand on the structure and electrochemical properties of diiron dithiolate complexes, this work reports the crystallographic and electrocatalytic comparisons of three diiron monophosphine complexes Fe₂(μ-pdt)(CO)₅{Ph₂P(NHR)} [pdt?=?propanedithiolate (SCH₂CH₂CH₂S); R?=?para-methoxycarbonylphenyl (C₆H₄CO₂Me-p) (1), para-methoxyphenyl (C₆H₄OMe-p) (2) and phenyl (Ph) (3)] with a pendant amine and one reference analogue Fe₂(μ-pdt)(CO)₅{Ph₂P(CH₂Ph)} (4). While the new complex 4 has been characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques, the molecular structures of 3 and 4 were further determined by X-ray crystallography. In addition, the electrochemical properties of 1–4 were studied in acetonitrile (MeCN) in the absence and presence of acetic acid (HOAc) as a mild proton source using cyclic voltammetry (CV). This may demonstrate that they are found to be active electrocatalysts for proton reduction to hydrogen (H₂).     

Synthesis,structures and electrochemical properties of hydroxyl- and pyridyl-functionalized diiron azadithiolate complexes

The hydroxyl- and pyridyl-functionalized diiron azadithiolate complexes [{(μ-SCH₂)₂N(CH₂CH₂OH)}Fe₂(CO)₆] (1) and [{(μ-SCH₂)₂N(CH₂CH₂OOCPy)}Fe₂(CO)₆] (Py = pyridyl) (2) were prepared as biomimetic models of the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases. Both complexes were characterized by MS, IR, ¹H NMR spectra and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. A network is constructed by intermolecular H-bonds in the crystals of 1. An S?O intermolecular contact was found in the crystals of 2, which is scarcely found for organometallic complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 and 2 were studied to evaluate their redox properties.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of diiron azadithiolate complexes relevant to the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenases

Two N-functionally substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes, [(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OC(O)C₆H₄I-p]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) and {[(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OC(O)C₆H₄I-p]Fe₂(CO)₅Ph₂PCH}₂ (2) as models for the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenases, have been prepared and fully characterized. Complex 1 was prepared by the reaction of [(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OH]Fe₂(CO)₆ with p-iodobenzoic acid in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in 78% yield. Further treatment of 1 with 1 equiv. of Me₃NO?·?2H₂O followed by 0.5 equiv. of trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppe) affords 2 in 60% yield. The new complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by IR and ¹H (¹³C, ³¹P) NMR spectroscopic techniques and their molecular structures were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structure of 1 has two conformational isomers, in one isomer its N-functional substituent is axial to its bridged nitrogen and in the other isomer its N-functional substituent is equatorial. The crystal structure of 2 revealed that its N-functional substituents are equatorial to its nitrogens and dppe occupies the two apical positions of the square-pyramidal irons.     

Synthesis and characterization of carboxy-functionalized diiron model complexes of [FeFe]-hydrogenases: Decarboxylation of Ph2PCH2COOH promoted by a diiron azadithiolate complex

Two carboxy-functionalized diiron complexes [{(μ-SCH₂)₂X}{Fe(CO)₃}{Fe(CO)₂L}] (X = NC₃H₇, L = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂COOH, 4; X = CH₂, L = Ph₂PCH₂COOH, 5) were prepared, as biomimetic models of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site, from the CO-replacement of [{(μ-SCH₂)₂NC₃H₇}Fe₂(CO)₆] (1) and (μ-pdt)Fe₂(CO)₆ (2) by phosphine ligands in CH₃CN at 40 °C, respectively. In contrast, the reaction of 1 with Ph₂PCH₂COOH under the same condition afforded complex [{(μ-SCH₂)₂NC₃H₇}{Fe(CO)₃}{Fe(CO)₂(Ph₂PCH₃)}] (3) with a decarboxylated phosphine ligand. The molecular structures of complexes 3-5 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses, which show that they have similar frameworks with the phosphine ligand on the apical position. The interesting C-H···S contacts between the methylene hydrogen atoms of the PhCH₂COOH ligand and the μ-S atoms of the pdt-bridge are found in the crystal of 5. According to the experimental evidence, a plausible mechanism, via sequential phosphine coordination, N-protonation, and decarboxylation steps, is proposed for the formation of 3 and for explanation of the contrastive reactivities of the adt- (2-aza-1,3-propanedithiolato) and the pdt- (1,3-propanedithiolato) bridged diiron complexes toward decarboxylation of the Ph₂PCH₂COOH ligand.     

Synthesis of a vinylcarbynetetrairon complex. Crystal and molecular structure of [(C5H5)2(CO)2Fe2(μ-CO)]2- (μ-C5H3)+BF4−

The diiron vinyl ether carbyne complex [(C₅H₅)(CO)Fe]₂(μ-CO)- (μ-CCHCHOCH₂CH₃)⁺ BF₄⁻ (1) reacted with the diiron ethenylidene complex [(C₅H₅)(CO)Fe]₂(μ-CO)(μ-CCH₂) (2) to yield the tetrairon complex [(C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂Fe₂(μ-CO)]₂(μ-C₅H₃⁺BF₄⁻ (3) which was characterized by spectroscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of diiron ethane-1,2-dithiolate complexes with tricyclohexylphosphine,methyl diphenylphosphinite,or tris(2-thienyl)phosphine coligands

Transition Metal Chemistry - We have prepared three diiron ethane-1,2-dithiolate complexes [Fe2(CO)5L(µ-SCH2CH2S)] [L?=?P(C6H11)3, 2; Ph2POCH3, 3; P(2-C4H3S)3, 4] by CO exchange of...