Reaction of Pertechnetate in Highly Alkaline Solution: Synthesis and Characterization of the Nitridotrioxotechnetate Ba[TcO3N]

The preparation of novel technetium oxides, their characterization and the general investigation of technetium chemistry are of significant importance, since fundamental research has so far mainly focused on the group homologues. Whereas the structure chemistry of technetium in strongly oxidizing media is dominated by the anion, our recent investigation yielded the new anion. Brown single crystals of Ba[TcO₃N] were obtained under hydrothermal conditions starting from Ba(OH)₂ ⋅ 8H₂O and NH₄[TcO₄] at 200 °C. crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group P2₁/n (a=7.2159(4) Å, b=7.8536(5) Å, c=7.4931(4) Å and β=104.279(2)°). The crystal structure of consists of isolated tetrahedra, which are surrounded by Ba²⁺ cations. XANES measurements complement the oxidation state +VII for technetium and Raman spectroscopic experiments on Ba[TcO₃N] single crystals exhibit characteristic Tc−O and Tc−N vibrational modes.     

Hydrosilane σ-Adduct Intermediates in an Adaptive Zinc-Catalyzed Cross-dehydrocoupling of Si−H and O−H Bonds

Three-coordinate ^PhBOX ZnR (^PhBOX =phenyl-(4,4-dimethyl-oxazolinato; R=Me: 2 a , Et: 2 b ) catalyzes the dehydrocoupling of primary or secondary silanes and alcohols to give silyl ethers and hydrogen, with high turnover numbers (TON; up to 10⁷) under solvent-free conditions. Primary and secondary silanes react with small, medium, and large alcohols to give various degrees of substitution, from mono- to tri-alkoxylation, whereas tri-substituted silanes do not react with MeOH under these conditions. The effect of coordinative unsaturation on the behavior of the Zn catalyst is revealed through a dramatic variation of both rate law and experimental rate constants, which depend on the concentrations of both the alcohol and hydrosilane reactants. That is, the catalyst adapts its mechanism to access the most facile and efficient conversion. In particular, either alcohol or hydrosilane binds to the open coordination site on the ^PhBOX ZnOR catalyst to form a ^PhBOX ZnOR(HOR) complex under one set of conditions or an unprecedented σ-adduct ^PhBOX ZnOR(H−SiR′₃) under other conditions. Saturation kinetics provide evidence for the latter species, in support of the hypothesis that σ-bond metathesis reactions involving four-centered electrocyclic 2σ–2σ transition states are preceded by σ-adducts.     

Two Types of σ-Allenyl Complexes from Reactions of Silylenes and Germylenes with Chromium Fischer Alkynyl(alkoxy)carbenes

The reactivity of amidinatotetrylenes of the type E(tBu₂bzm)R¹ (E=Si, Ge; tBu₂bzm=N,N′-bis(tertbutyl)benzamidinate; R¹=alkyl or aryl) with the chromium Fischer alkynylcarbene complexes [Cr{C(OEt)C₂R²}(CO)₅] (R²=Ph; ferrocenyl, Fc) has been studied. At room temperature, two different reaction pathways have been identified: (a) attack of the amidinatotetrylene to the alkynyl C² atom (γ-attack), which leads to σ-allenyl complexes in which the original C_carbene atom maintains its attachment to the Cr(CO)₅ and OEt groups (compounds 3 ), and (b) attack of the amidinatotetrylene to the C_carbene atom (α-attack), which ends in σ-allenyl complexes in which the original C_carbene atom is not attached to the metal atom and has been inserted into an E−N bond of the amidinatotetrylene forming an E-C-N-C-N five-membered ring (compounds 4 ). It has been found that compounds 3 are thermodynamically less stable than their corresponding 4 isomers and that some of the former (E=Ge; R¹=CH₂SiMe₃) can be transformed into the latter upon heating. At high temperatures (>70 °C) the reactions involving bulky amidinatotetrylenes (R¹=Mes, tBu) end in the carbene-substitution products [Cr{E(tBu₂bzm)R¹}(CO)₅].     

Supramolecular Assembly of Metal Complexes by (Aryl)I⋅⋅⋅d [PtII] Halogen Bonds

The theoretical data for the half-lantern complexes [{Pt( )(μ- )}₂] [ 1 – 3 ; is cyclometalated 2-Ph-benzothiazole; is 2-SH-pyridine ( 1 ), 2-SH-benzoxazole ( 2 ), 2-SH-tetrafluorobenzothiazole ( 3 )] indicate that the Pt ⋅⋅⋅ Pt orbital interaction increases the nucleophilicity of the outer d orbitals to provide assembly with electrophilic species. Complexes 1 – 3 were co-crystallized with bifunctional halogen bonding (XB) donors to give adducts ( 1 – 3 )₂ ⋅ (1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene) and infinite polymeric [ 1⋅ 1,1′-diiodoperfluorodiphenyl]_n. X-ray crystallography revealed that the supramolecular assembly is achieved through (Aryl)I ⋅⋅⋅ d [Pt^II] XBs between iodine σ-holes and lone pairs of the positively charged (Pt^II)₂ centers acting as nucleophilic sites. The polymer includes a curved linear chain ⋅⋅⋅ Pt₂ ⋅⋅⋅ I(arene^F)I ⋅⋅⋅ Pt₂ ⋅⋅⋅ involving XB between iodine atoms of the perfluoroarene linkers and (Pt^II)₂ moieties. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, UV/Vis, and CV studies indicate that XB is preserved in CH(D)₂Cl₂ solutions.     

Manipulating Slow Magnetic Relaxation by Light in a Charge Transfer {Fe2Co} Complex

Some cyanide-bridged complexes are known for exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation behavior in a light-induced metastable state. Herein, an unexpected reverse effect is observed for the first time in the S= {Fe^II_LS-Co^III_LS-Fe^III_LS} (HS=high spin, LS=low spin) ground state of a novel V-shaped trinuclear cyanide-bridged {Fe₂Co} complex. In this complex, light-switchable iron-cobalt charge transfer with repeatable off/on switching of slow magnetic relaxation is discovered upon alternating laser irradiation at 785 and 560 nm. An important characteristic of the present compound is that the S= ground state exhibits slow magnetic relaxation before irradiation, whereas this is accelerated after irradiation. This is different from the typical behavior, where the light-induced metastable state exhibits slow magnetic relaxation.     

Modeling Heme Peroxidase: Heme Saddling Facilitates Reactions with Hyperperoxides To Form High-Valent FeIV-Oxo Species

Saddle-shaped hemes have been discovered in the structures of most peroxidases. How such a macrocycle deformation affects the reaction of Fe^III hemes with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to form high-valent Fe-oxo species remains uncertain. Through examination of the ESI-MS spectra, absorption changes and ¹H NMR chemical shifts, we investigated the reactions of two Fe^III porphyrins with different degrees of saddling deformation, namely Fe^III(OETPP)ClO₄ ( 1^OE ) and Fe^III(OMTPP)ClO₄ ( 1^OM ), with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) in CH₂Cl₂ at −40 °C, which quickly resulted in O−O bond homolysis from a highly unstable Fe^III-alkylperoxo intermediate, Fe^III-O(H)OR ( 2 ) into Fe^IV-oxo porphyrins ( 3 ). Insight into the reaction mechanism was obtained from [tBuOOH]-dependent kinetics. At −40 °C, the reaction of 1^OE with tBuOOH exhibited an equilibrium constant (K_a=362.3 M⁻¹) and rate constant (k=1.87×10⁻² s^M−>1) for the homolytic cleavage of the 2 O−O bond that were 2.1 and 1.4 times higher, respectively, than those exhibited by 1^OM (K_a=171.8 M⁻¹ and k=1.36×10⁻² s⁻¹). DFT calculations indicated that an Fe^III porphyrin with greater saddling deformation can achieve a higher HOMO ([Fe(d ,d )-porphyrin(a_2u)]) to strengthen the orbital interaction with the LUMO (O−O bond σ*) to facilitate O−O cleavage.     

Electrocatalytic Proton Reduction by a Cobalt Complex Containing a Proton-Responsive Bis(alkylimdazole)methane Ligand: Involvement of a C−H Bond in H2 Formation

Homogeneous electrocatalytic proton reduction is reported using cobalt complex [ 1 ](BF₄)₂. This complex comprises two bis(1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methane (HBMIM ) ligands that contain an acidic methylene moiety in their backbone. Upon reduction of [ 1 ](BF₄)₂ by either electrochemical or chemical means, one of its HBMIM ligands undergoes deprotonation under the formation of dihydrogen. Addition of a mild proton source (acetic acid) to deprotonated complex [ 2 ](BF₄) regenerates protonated complex [ 1 ](BF₄)₂. In presence of acetic acid in acetonitrile solvent [ 1 ](BF₄)₂ shows electrocatalytic proton reduction with a k_obs of ≈200 s⁻¹ at an overpotential of 590 mV. Mechanistic investigations supported by DFT (BP86) suggest that dihydrogen formation takes place in an intramolecular fashion through the participation of a methylene C−H bond of the HBMIM ligand and a Co^II−H bond through formal heterolytic splitting of the latter. These findings are of interest to the development of responsive ligands for molecular (base)metal (electro)catalysis.     

Insight of the Metal–Ligand Interaction in f-Element Complexes by Paramagnetic NMR Spectroscopy

The magnetic properties of Ln^III and An^III complexes formed with dipicolinate ligands have been studied by NMR spectroscopy. To know precisely the geometries of these complexes, a crystallographic study by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) in solution was performed. Several methods to separate the paramagnetic shifts observed in the NMR spectra were applied to these complexes. Methods using a number of nuclei of the dipicolinate ligands revealed an abrupt change in the geometries of the complexes and a metal–ligand interaction in the middle of the lanthanide series. A study of the variation of the paramagnetic shifts with temperature demonstrated that higher-order terms of the dipolar and contact contributions are required, especially for the lightest Ln^III and almost all the studied An^III. Bleaney's parameters <S_z>_a and relating to the contact and dipolar terms, respectively, were deduced from experimental data and compared with the results of ab initio calculations. Quite a good agreement was found for the temperature dependencies of <S_z>_a and . However, the values obtained from cation magnetic anisotropy calculations showed some discrepancies with the values derived from Bleaney's equation defined for Ln^III. Other parameters, such as the crystal field parameter and the hyperfine constants F_i obtained from the experimental data of the [An(ethyl-dpa)₃]³⁻ complexes (ethyl-dpa=4-ethyl-2,6-dipicolinic acid), are at odds with the assumptions underlying Bleaney's theory.     

Rational Improvement of Single-Molecule Magnets by Enforcing Ferromagnetic Interactions

The anisotropy barrier of polynuclear single-molecule magnets is expected to be higher with less tunneling the better stabilized the spin ground state is so that less M_S mixing in the ground state and with excited spin states occur. We have realized this experimentally in two structurally related heptanuclear SMMs: the triplesalen-based [Mn^III ₆ Cr^III]³⁺ and the triplesalalen-based *[Mn^III ₆ Cr^III]³⁺ . The ligand system triplesalen was developed to enforce ferromagnetic interactions by the spin-polarization mechanism. However, we found weak antiferromagnetic couplings, that we assigned to an inefficient spin-polarization by a heteroradialene formation. To prevent this heteroradialene formation, the triplesalalen ligand H₆talalen was designed. Here, we present the building block [(talalen )Mn^III₃]³⁺ and its application for the assembly of [{(talalen )Mn^III₃}₂{Cr^III(CN)₆}]³⁺ (= *[Mn^III ₆ Cr^III]³⁺ ). Both the trinuclear and heptanuclear complexes are SMMs. The comparison to the related triplesalen complex [(feld )Mn^III₃]³⁺ proves the absence of heteroradialene character and the enforcement of ferromagnetic Mn^III-Mn^III interactions in the (talalen )⁶⁻ complexes. This results in an increase of the barrier for spin reversal U_eff from 25 K in the triplesalen-based [Mn^III ₆ Cr^III]³⁺ SMMs to 37 K in the triplesalalen-based *[Mn^III ₆ Cr^III]³⁺ SMM proving the success of our concept. Based on this study, the next step in the rational improvement of our SMMs is discussed.     

Tetra-Substituted p-Tert-Butylcalix[4]Arene with Phosphoryl and Salicylamide Functional Groups: Synthesis,Complexation and Selective Extraction of f-Element Cations

A new series of lanthanide ( 1 – 5 ) and uranyl ( 6 ) complexes with a tetra-substituted bifunctional calixarene ligand H₂L is described. The coordination environment for the Ln³⁺ and UO₂²⁺ ions is provided by phosphoryl and salicylamide functional groups appended to the lower rim of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene scaffold. Ligand interactions with lanthanide cations (light: La³⁺, Pr³⁺; intermediate: Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺; and heavy: Yb³⁺), as well as the uranyl cation (UO₂²⁺) is examined in the solution and solid state, respectively with spectrophotometric titration and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The ligand is fully deprotonated in the complexation of trivalent lanthanide ions forming di-cationic complexes 2 : 2 M : L , [Ln₂( L )₂(H₂O)]²⁺ ( 1–5 ), in solution, whereas uranyl formed a 1 : 1 M : L complex [UO₂( L )(MeOH)]_∞ ( 6 ) that demonstrated very limited solubility in 12 organic solvents. Solvent extraction behaviour is examined for cation selectivity and extraction efficiency. H₂L was found to be an effective extracting agent for UO₂²⁺ over La³⁺ and Yb³⁺ cations. The separation factors at pH 6.0 are: β_{UO /La} =121.0 and β_{UO /Yb} =70.0.     

Reactivity of the Bicyclic Amido-Substituted Silicon(I) Ring Compound Si4{N(SiMe3)Mes}4 with FLP-Type Character

The bicyclic amido-substituted silicon(I) ring compound Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ 2 (Mes=Mesityl=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) features enhanced zwitterionic character and different reactivity from the analogous compound Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄ 1 (Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) due to the smaller mesityl substituents. In a reaction with the N-heterocyclic carbene NHC (1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene), we observe adduct formation to give Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ ⋅ NHC ( 3 ). This adduct reacts further with the Lewis acid BH₃ to yield the Lewis acid–base complex Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Mes}₄ ⋅ NHC ⋅ BH₃ ( 4 ). Coordination of AlBr₃ to 2 leads to the adduct 5 . Calculated proton affinities and fluoride ion affinities reveal highly Lewis basic and very weak Lewis acidic character of the low-valent silicon atoms in 1 and 2 . This is confirmed by protonation of 1 and 2 with Brookharts acid yielding 6 and 7 . Reaction with diphenylacetylene only occurs at 111 °C with 2 in toluene and is accompanied by fragmentation of 2 to afford the silacyclopropene 8 and the trisilanorbornadiene species 9 .     

One Way Traffic: Base-to-Backbone Hole Transfer in Nucleoside Phosphorodithioate

The directionality of the hole-transfer processes between DNA backbone and base was investigated by using phosphorodithioate [P(S⁻)=S] components. ESR spectroscopy in homogeneous frozen aqueous solutions and pulse radiolysis in aqueous solution at ambient temperature confirmed initial formation of G^.+-P(S⁻)=S. The ionization potential of G-P(S⁻)=S was calculated to be slightly lower than that of guanine in 5′-dGMP. Subsequent thermally activated hole transfer from G^.+ to P(S⁻)=S led to dithiyl radical (P-2S^.) formation on the μs timescale. In parallel, ESR spectroscopy, pulse radiolysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed P-2S^. formation in an abasic phosphorodithioate model compound. ESR investigations at low temperatures and higher G-P(S⁻)=S concentrations showed a bimolecular conversion of P-2S^. to the σ²-σ*¹-bonded dimer anion radical [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ [ΔG (150 K, DFT)=−7.2 kcal mol⁻¹]. However, [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ formation was not observed by pulse radiolysis [ΔG° (298 K, DFT)=−1.4 kcal mol⁻¹]. Neither P-2S^. nor [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ oxidized guanine base; only base-to-backbone hole transfer occurs in phosphorodithioate.     

Interception of Elusive Cationic Hf–Al and Hf–Zn Heterobimetallic Adducts with Mixed Alkyl Bridges Featuring Multiple Agostic Interactions

Heterobimetallic complexes with inequivalent bridging alkyl chains are very often invoked as key intermediates in many catalytic processes, yet their interception and structural characterization are lacking. Such complexes have been prepared from reactions of the cationic cyclometalated hafnocene [Cp^PrCp Hf][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 ) with main group metal alkyls to afford the corresponding hetero-bridged cationic products, [Cp^PrCp Hf(μ-R)E(R)_n][B(C₆F₅)₄] (E=Al or Zn; R=Me, Et, or iBu). NMR and DFT studies demonstrate that both bridging alkyls establish agostic interactions with Hf, which are appreciably stronger for ethyl rather than methyl groups. Hf–Al and Hf–Zn distances are surprisingly short and only slightly longer than computed Hf–Al or Hf–Zn single bond lengths (2.80 Å). Finally, a reaction of [Cp^PrCp Hf(μ-Me)Zn(Me)][B(C₆F₅)₄] with excess ZnMe₂ yields an unprecedented heterotrimetallic species, [(Cp^Pr)₂Hf(μ-Me)(ZnMe)(μ₃-CH₂)ZnMe][B(C₆F₅)₄], the detailed structure of which is elucidated by a combination of NMR spectroscopic methods and molecular calculations.     

Azobenzene Isomerization-Induced Photomodulation of Electronic Properties of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Azobenzene-based protonated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), N,N’-bis(azobenzene)imidazolium chlorides (IAz-X⋅HCl; X=OMe, Br, H) were successfully synthesized and switching abilities of the attached azobenzene units along with the concomitant photoinduced generation of geometric isomers were studied. Upon irradiation with 365 nm UV light, a p-methoxy-azobenzene derivative get transformed from all-trans isomer to nearly all-cis isomer at the photostationary state. The extent of photomodulation of electronic properties in the NHC ring of the p-methoxy-azobenzene derivative is determined through the Tolman Electronic Parameter (TEP). Iridium complex, [(IAz-OMe)IrCl(CO)₂] was synthesized and infrared spectra were recorded in dichloromethane solution as film in NaCl crystals and by drop-casting in an ATR crystal. Comparison in averaged carbonyl stretching frequency between all-trans isomer ( ) and all-cis isomer ( ) indicates a significant decrement of Δ^tt–cc _av=2.7 cm⁻¹ (film) and 3.8 cm⁻¹ (ATR). Therefore, moderate to excellent enhancement of electron density (Δ^tt–cc TEP=2.3 cm⁻¹ [film] and 3.2 cm⁻¹ [ATR]) at the C-2 position of the NHC is achieved through trans→cis isomerization of the remotely placed azobenzene units. This fine phototuning of electron-donating ability at the catalytic center would pave the way to control NHC/NHC-metal catalyzed organic transformations through external stimuli.     

A Revised Structure Model for the UCl6 Structure Type,Novel Modifications of UCl6 and UBr5, and a Comment on the Modifications of Protactinium Pentabromides

The redetermination of the crystal structure of trigonal UCl₆, which is the eponym for the UCl₆ structure type, showed that certain atomic coordinates had been incorrectly reported. This led to noticeably different U−Cl distances within the octahedral UCl₆ molecule (2.41 and 2.51 Å). Within the revised structure model presented here, which is based on single crystal data as well as quantum chemical calculations, all U−Cl distances are essentially equal within standard uncertainty (2.431(5), 2.437(5), and 2.439(6) Å). This room temperature modification, called rt-UCl₆, crystallizes in the trigonal space group P m1, No. 164, hP21, with a=10.907(2), c=5.9883(12) Å, V=616.9(2) ų, Z=3 at T=253 K. A new low-temperature (lt) modification of UCl₆ is also presented that was obtained by cooling a single crystal of rt-UCl_6. The phase change occurs between 150 and 175 K. lt-UCl₆ crystallizes isotypic to a low-temperature modification of SF₆ in the monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/m, No. 12, mS42, with a=17.847(4), b=10.8347(18), c=6.2670(17) Å, β=96.68(2)°, V=1203.6(5) ų, Z=6 at 100 K. The Cl anions form a close-packed structure corresponding to the α-Sm type with uranium atoms in the octahedral voids. During the synthesis of UBr₅ a new modification was obtained that crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P , No. 2, aP36, with a=10.4021(6), b=11.1620(6), c=12.2942(7) Å, α=68.3340(10)°, β=69.6410(10)° and γ=89.5290(10)°, V=1231.84(12) ų, Z=3 at T=100 K. In this structure the UBr₅ units are dimerized to U₂Br₁₀ molecules. The Br anions also form a close-packed structure of the α-Sm type with adjacent uranium atoms in the octahedral voids. Comparisons of the crystal structures of the compounds MX₅ (M=Pa, U; X=Cl, Br) show that the crystal structure of monoclinic α-PaBr₅ is probably not correct.     

Spectral Signatures of Oxidation States in a Manganese-Oxo Cubane Water Oxidation Catalyst

We report IR and UV/Vis spectroscopic signatures that allow discriminating between the oxidation states of the manganese-based water oxidation catalyst [(Mn₄O₄)(V₄O₁₃)(OAc)₃]³⁻. Simulated IR spectra show that V=O stretching vibrations in the 900–1000 cm⁻¹ region shift consistently by about 20 cm⁻¹ per oxidation equivalent. Multiple bands in the 1450–1550 cm⁻¹ region also change systematically upon oxidation/reduction. The computed UV/Vis spectra predict that the spectral range above 350 nm is characteristic of the managanese-oxo cubane oxidation state, whereas transitions at higher energy are due to the vanadate ligand. The presence of absorption signals above 680 nm is indicative of the presence of Mn^III atoms. Spectroelectrochemical measurements of the oxidation from [Mn Mn ] to [Mn ] showed that the change in oxidation state can indeed be tracked by both IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,Structure and Nickel Carbonyl Complexes of Dialkylterphenyl Phosphines

The experimental and computational characterization of a series of dialkylterphenyl phosphines, PR₂Ar′ is described. The new P-donors comprise five compounds of general formula PR₂Ar (R=Me, Et, iPr, c-C₅H₉ and c-C₆H₁₁); Ar = 2,6-C₆H₃-(3,5-C₆H₃-(CMe₃)₂)₂), and another five PR₂Ar′ phosphines containing the bulky alkyl groups iPr, c-C₅H₉ or c-C₆H₁₁, in combination with Ar′=Ar , Ar , or Ar ( L1 – L10 ). Steric and electronic parameters have been determined computationally and from IR and X-ray data obtained for the phosphines and for some derivatives, including tricarbonyl and dicarbonyl nickel complexes, Ni(CO)₃(PR₂Ar′) and Ni(CO)₂(PR₂Ar′). In the solid state, the free phosphines PR₂Ar′ adopt one of the three possible structures formally related by rotation around the C_ipso−P bond. Details on their relative energies and on the influence of the free phosphine structure on its coordination chemistry towards Ni(CO)_n (n = 2, 3) fragments has been obtained by experimental and computational methods.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of NiII- and PdII-Promoted Double Geminal C(sp3)−H Bond Activation Providing Facile Access to NHC Pincer Complexes: Isolated Intermediates and Mechanism

We report the first examples of metal-promoted double geminal activation of C(sp³)−H bonds of the N−CH₂−N moiety in an imidazole-type heterocycle, leading to nickel and palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes under mild conditions. Reaction of the new electron-rich diphosphine 1,3-bis((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole ( 1 ) with [PdCl₂(cod)] occurred in a stepwise fashion, first by single C−H bond activation yielding the alkyl pincer complex [PdCl(PC ^HP)] ( 3 ) with two trans phosphane donors and a covalent Pd−C bond. Activation of the C−H bond of the resulting α-methine C H−M group occurred subsequently when 3 was treated with HCl to yield the NHC pincer complex [PdCl(PC^NHCP)]Cl ( 2 ). Treatment of 1 with [NiBr₂(dme)] also afforded a NHC pincer complex, [NiBr(PC^NHCP)]Br ( 6 ), but the reactions leading to the double geminal C−H bond activation of the N−CH₂−N group were too fast to allow identification or isolation of an intermediate analogous to 3 . The determination of six crystal structures, the isolation of reaction intermediates and DFT calculations provided the basis for suggesting the mechanism of the stepwise transformation of a N−CH₂−N moiety in the N−C^NHC−N unit of NHC pincer complexes and explain the key differences observed between the Pd and Ni chemistries.     

Gold(II) Porphyrins in Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions

In the context of solar-to-chemical energy conversion, inspired by natural photosynthesis, the synthesis, electrochemical properties and photoinduced electron-transfer processes of three novel zinc(II)-gold(III) bis(porphyrin) dyads [Zn^II(P)–Au^III(P)]⁺ are presented (P: tetraaryl porphyrin). Time-resolved spectroscopic studies indicated ultrafast dynamics (k >10¹⁰ s⁻¹) after visible-light excitation, which finally yielded a charge-shifted state [Zn^II(P ^{⋅ +})–Au^II(P)]⁺ featuring a gold(II) center. The lifetime of this excited state is quite long due to a comparably slow charge recombination (k ≈3×10⁸ s⁻¹). The [Zn^II(P ^{⋅ +})–Au^II(P)]⁺ charge-shifted state is reductively quenched by amines in bimolecular reactions, yielding the neutral zinc(II)–gold(II) bis(porphyrin) Zn^II(P)–Au^II(P). The electronic nature of this key gold(II) intermediate, prepared by chemical or photochemical reduction, is elucidated by UV/Vis, X-band EPR, gold L₃-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and paramagnetic ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as by quantum chemical calculations. Finally, the gold(II) site in Zn^II(P)–Au^II(P) is thermodynamically and kinetically competent to reduce an aryl azide to the corresponding aryl amine, paving the way to catalytic applications of gold(III) porphyrins in photoredox catalysis involving the gold(III/II) redox couple.