New synthetic routes to a disulfidodinickel(II) complex: characterization and reactivity of a Ni2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2) core

Activation of elemental sulfur by the monovalent nickel complex [PhTt (tBu)]Ni(CO) [PhTt(tBu)=phenyl{tris[(tert-butylmethyl)thio]methyl}borate] generates the disulfidodinickel(II) complex 2. This species is alternatively accessible via thermal decomposition of [PhTt (tBu)]Ni(SCPh3). Spectroscopic, magnetic, and X-ray diffraction studies establish that 2 contains a mu-eta(2):eta(2)-S2 ligand that fosters antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Ni (II) ions. This observation is in contrast to the lighter congener, oxygen, which strongly favors the bis(mu-oxo)dinickel(III) structure. 2 oxidizes PPh 3 to SPPh3 and reacts with O2, generating several products, one of which has been identified as [(PhTt (tBu))Ni]2(mu-S) (3).     

Influence of ligand electronic effects on the structure of monovalent cobalt complexes

The syntheses, spectroscopic properties, and structures of the monovalent cobalt complexes, [PhTt (tBu)]Co(L), 1-L {PhTt (tBu) = phenyltris[( tert-butylthio)methyl]borate; L = PPh 3, PMe 3, PEt 3, PMe 2Ph, PMePh 2, P(OPh) 3, CNBu (t)}, are described. Complexes 1-L are prepared via the sodium amalgam reduction of [PhTt (tBu)]CoCl in the presence of L. The complexes display magnetic moments and paramagnetically shifted (1)H NMR spectra consistent with triplet, S = 1, ground states. The molecular geometries, determined by X-ray diffraction methods, reveal that some of the complexes display structures in which the L donor is moved off of the inherent 3-fold axis. In the most extreme cases (e.g., 1-P(OPh) 3 or 1-CNBu ( t )), the geometries can be described as cis-divacant octahedra. The origin of the geometric distortions is a consequence of the electronic characteristics of L as first deduced by Detrich et al. for [Tp (Np)]Co(L) ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 1703). The results establish a linear correlation between the magnitude of the structural distortion and the electronic parameter of the phosphine donor.     

Iron(II) complexes with tetradentate bis(aminophenolate) ligands: synthesis and characterization, solution behavior, and reactivity with O(2)

Tetradentate bis(aminophenolate) ligands H(2)salan(X) and H(2)bapen(X) (where X refers to the para-phenolate substituent = H, Me, F, Cl) react with [Fe{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)] to form iron(II) complexes, which in the presence of suitable donor ligands L (L = pyridine or THF) can be isolated as the complexes [Fe(salan(X))(L)(2)] and [Fe(bapen(X))(L)(2)]. In the absence of donor ligands, either mononuclear complexes, for example, [Fe(salan(tBu,tBu))], or dinuclear complexes of the type [Fe(salan(X))](2) are obtained. The dynamic coordination behavior in solution of the complexes [Fe(salan(F))(L)(2)] and [Fe(bapen(F))(L)(2)] has been investigated by VT (1)H and (19)F NMR spectroscopy, which has revealed equilibria between isomers with different ligand coordination topologies cis-α, cis-β and trans. Exposure of the iron(II) salan(X) complexes to O(2) results in the formation of oxo-bridged iron(III) complexes of the type [{Fe(salan(X))}(2)(μ-O)] or [{Fe(salan(X))(L)}(2)(μ-O)]. The lack of catalytic activity of the iron(II) salan and bapen complexes in the oxidation of cyclohexane with H(2)O(2) as the oxidant is attributed to the rapid formation of stable and catalytically inactive oxo-bridged iron(III) complexes.     

Electronic, magnetic, and structural characterization of the five-coordinate, high-spin iron(II) nitrato complex [Fe(TpivPP)(NO3)]-

The preparation and characterization of the five-coordinate iron(II) porphyrinate derivative [Fe(TpivPP)(NO3)]- (TpivPP = picket-fence porphyrin) is described. Structural and magnetic susceptibility data support a high-spin state (S = 2) assignment for this species. The anionic axial nitrate ligand is O-bound, through a single O atom, with an Fe-O bond length of 2.069(4) A. The planar nitrate ligand bisects a N(p)-Fe-N(p) angle. The average Fe-N(p) bond length is 2.070(16) A. The Fe atom is located 0.49 A out of the 24-atom mean porphyrin plane toward the nitrate ligand. From solid-state M?ssbauer data, the isomer shift of 0.98 mm/s at 77 K is entirely consistent with high-spin iron(II). However the quadrupole splitting of 3.59 mm/s at 77 K is unusually high for iron(II), S = 2 systems but within the range of other five-coordinate high-spin ferrous complexes with a single anionic axial ligand. Crystal data for [K(222)][Fe(TpivPP)(NO3)] x C6H5Cl: a = 17.888 (5) A, b = 21.500 (10) A, c = 22.514 (11) A, beta = 100.32 (3) degrees, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, V = 8519 A3, Z = 4.     

Tuning of spin crossover behaviour in iron(III) complexes involving pentadentate Schiff bases and pseudohalides

Investigations on a series of eight novel mononuclear iron(III) Schiff base complexes with the general formula [Fe(L(5))(L(1))]·S (where H(2)L(5) = pentadentate Schiff-base ligand, L(1) = a pseudohalido ligand, and S is a solvent molecule) are reported. Several different aromatic 2-hydroxyaldehyde derivatives were used in combination with a non-symmetrical triamine 1,6-diamino-4-azahexane to synthesize the H(2)L(5) Schiff base ligands. The consecutive reaction with iron(III) chloride resulted in the preparation of the [Fe(L(5))Cl] precursor complexes which were left to react with a wide range of the L(1) pseudohalido ligands. The low-spin compounds were prepared using the cyanido ligand: [Fe(3m-salpet)(CN)]·CH(3)OH (1a), [Fe(3e-salpet)(CN)]·H(2)O (1b), while the high-spin compounds were obtained by the reaction of the pseudohalido (other than cyanido) ligands with the [Fe(L(5))Cl] complex arising from salicylaldehyde derivatives: [Fe(3Bu5Me-salpet)(NCS)] (2a), [Fe(3m-salpet)(NCO)]·CH(3)OH (2b) and [Fe(3m-salpet)(N(3))] (2c). The compounds exhibiting spin-crossover phenomena were prepared only when L(5) arose from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H(2)L(5) = H(2)napet): [Fe(napet)(NCS)]·CH(3)CN (3a, T(1/2) = 151 K), [Fe(napet)(NCSe)]·CH(3)CN (3b, T(1/2) = 170 K), [Fe(napet)(NCO)] (3c, T(1/2) = 155 K) and [Fe(napet)(N(3))], which, moreover, exhibits thermal hysteresis (3d, T(1/2)↑ = 122 K, T(1/2)↓ = 117 K). These compounds are the first examples of octahedral iron(III) spin-crossover compounds with the coordinated pseudohalides. We report the structure and magnetic properties of these complexes. The magnetic data of all the compounds were analysed using the spin Hamiltonian formalism including the ZFS term and in the case of spin-crossover, the Ising-like model was also applied.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of high-spin iron--alkyl- and--pterinperoxo complexes

The spectroscopic properties and electronic structure of the four-coordinate high-spin [FeIII(L3)(OOtBu)]+ complex (1; L3 = hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate; tBu = tert-butyl) are investigated and compared to the six-coordinated high-spin [Fe(6-Me3TPA)(OHx)(OOtBu)]x+ system (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, x = 1 or 2) studied earlier [Lehnert, N.; Ho, R. Y. N.; Que, L., Jr.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 12802-12816]. Complex 1 is characterized by Raman features at 889 and 830 cm-1 which are assigned to the O-O stretch (mixed with the symmetric C-C stretch) and a band at 625 cm-1 that corresponds to nu(Fe-O). The UV-vis spectrum shows a charge-transfer (CT) transition at 510 nm from the alkylperoxo pi v* (v = vertical to C-O-O plane) to a d orbital of Fe(III). A second CT is identified from MCD at 370 nm that is assigned to a transition from pi h* (h = horizontal to C-O-O plane) to an Fe(III) d orbital. For the TPA complex the pi v* CT is at 560 nm while the pi h* CT is to higher energy than 250 nm. These spectroscopic differences between four- and six-coordinate Fe(III)-OOR complexes are interpreted on the basis of their different ligand fields. In addition, the electronic structure of Fe-OOPtn complexes with the biologically relevant pterinperoxo ligand are investigated. Substitution of the tert-butyl group in 1 by pterin leads to the corresponding Fe(III)-OOPtn species (2), which shows a stronger electron donation from the peroxide to Fe(III) than 1. This is related to the lower ionization potential of pterin. Reduction of 2 by one electron leads to the Fe(II)-OOPtn complex (3), which is relevant as a model for potential intermediates in pterin-dependent hydroxylases. However, in the four-coordinate ligand field of 3, the additional electron is located in a nonbonding d orbital of iron. Hence, the pterinperoxo ligand is not activated for heterolytic cleavage of the O-O bond in this system. This is also evident from the calculated reaction energies that are endothermic by at least 20 kcal/mol.     

Structural diversity in a family of copper(I) thioether complexes

Copper(I) complexes of the tridentate thioether ligands [PhB(CH(2)SCH(3))(3)] (abbreviated PhTt), [PhB(CH(2)SPh)(3)] (PhTt(Ph)), [PhB(CH(2)S(t)()Bu)(3)] (PhTt(t)()(Bu)), and [PhB(CH(2)S(p)()Tol)(3)] (PhTt(p)()(Tol)) and bidentate thioether ligands [Ph(2)B(CH(2)SCH(3))(2)] (Ph(2)Bt), [Et(2)B(CH(2)SCH(3))(2)] (Et(2)Bt), and [Ph(2)B(CH(2)SPh)(2)] (Ph(2)Bt(Ph)) have been prepared and characterized. The solution and solid state structures are highly sensitive to the identity of the borato ligand employed. Ligands possessing the smaller (methylthio)methyl donors, [PhTt] and [Ph(2)Bt], yielded tetrameric species, [(PhTt)Cu](4) and [(Ph(2)Bt)Cu](4), containing both terminal and bridging thioether ligation. The ligands containing the larger (arylthio)methyl groups, [PhTt(Ph)] and [PhTt(p)()(Tol)], form monomeric [PhTt(Ar)]Cu(NCCH(3)) in solution and one-dimensional extended structures in the solid state. Each complex type reacted cleanly with acetonitrile, pyridine, or triphenylphosphine generating the corresponding four-coordinate monomer, of which [PhTt(Ph)]Cu(PPh(3)), [PhTt(p)()(Tol)]Cu(PPh(3)), and [Et(2)Bt]Cu(PPh(3))(2) have been structurally characterized.     

Nickel complexes of bidentate [S2] and [SN] borato ligands

Nickel(II) complexes of the monoanionic borato ligands [Ph2B(CH2SCH3)2] (abbreviated Ph2Bt), [Ph2B(CH2S(t)Bu)2] (Ph2Bt(tBu)), [Ph2B(1-pyrazolyl)(CH2SCH3)], and [Ph2B(1-pyrazolyl)(CH2S(t)Bu)] have been prepared and characterized. While [Ph2Bt] formed the square planar homoleptic complex, [Ph2Bt]2Ni, the larger [S2] ligand with tert-butyl substituents, [Ph2BttBu], yielded an unexpected organometallic derivative, [Ph2Bt(tBu)]Ni(eta2-CH2SBut), resulting from B-C bond rupture. The analogous thiametallacycle derived from the [S3] ligand, [PhB(CH2S(t)Bu)3] (PhTt(tBu)), has been structurally authenticated (Schebler, P. J.; Mandimutsira, B. S.; Riordan, C. G.; Liable-Sands, L.; Incarvito, C. D.; Rheingold, A. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 331). The [SN] borato ligands formed exclusively the cis stereoisomers upon reaction with Ni(II) sources, [Ph2B(1-pyrazolyl)(CH2SR)]2Ni. Analysis of the Ni(II/I) reduction potentials by cyclic voltammetry revealed a approximately 600 mV anodic shift upon replacement of two thioether donors ([Ph2Bt]2Ni) with two pyrazolyl donors ([Ph2B(1-pyrazolyl)(CH2SCH3)]2Ni) consistent with the all thioether environment stabilizing the lower oxidation state of nickel.     

Synthesis and reactivity of low-coordinate iron(II) fluoride complexes and their use in the catalytic hydrodefluorination of fluorocarbons

Transition metal fluoride complexes are of interest because they are potentially useful in a multitude of catalytic applications, including C-F bond activation and fluorocarbon functionalization. We report the first crystallographically characterized examples of molecular iron(II) fluorides: [L(Me)Fe(mu-F)]2 (1(2)) and L(tBu)FeF (2) (L = bulky beta-diketiminate). These complexes react with donor molecules (L'), yielding trigonal-pyramidal complexes L(R)FeF(L'). The fluoride ligand is activated by the Lewis acid Et2O.BF3, forming L(tBu)Fe(OEt2)(eta1-BF4) (3), and is also silaphilic, reacting with silyl compounds such as Me3SiSSiMe3, Me3SiCCSiMe3, and Et3SiH to give new thiolate L(tBu)FeSSiMe3 (4), acetylide L(tBu)FeCCSiMe3 (5), and hydride [L(Me)Fe(mu-H)]2 (6(2)) complexes. The hydrodefluorination (HDF) of perfluorinated aromatic compounds (hexafluorobenzene, pentafluoropyridine, and octafluorotoluene) with a silane R3SiH (R3 = (EtO)3, Et3, Ph3, (3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)Me2) is catalyzed by addition of an iron(II) fluoride complex, giving mainly the singly hydrodefluorinated products (pentafluorobenzene, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine, and alpha,alpha,alpha,2,3,5,6-heptafluorotoluene, respectively) in up to five turnovers. These catalytic perfluoroarene HDF reactions proceed with activation of the C-F bond para to the most electron-withdrawing group and are dependent on the degree of fluorination and solvent polarity. Kinetic studies suggest that hydride generation is the rate-limiting step in the HDF of octafluorotoluene, but the active intermediate is unknown. Mechanistic considerations argue against oxidative addition and outer-sphere electron transfer pathways for perfluoroarene HDF. Fluorinated olefins are also hydrodefluorinated (up to 10 turnovers for hexafluoropropene), most likely through a hydride insertion/beta-fluoride elimination mechanism. Complexes 1(2) and 2 thus provide a rare example of a homogeneous system that activates C-F bonds without competitive C-H activation and use an inexpensive 3d transition metal.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic investigation of the spin-transition character in a series of single-site perturbed iron(II) complexes

Select ferrous spin-transition complexes with the pentadentate ligand 2,6-bis(bis(2-pyridyl)methoxymethane)pyridine (PY5) were examined using variable-temperature solution solid-state magnetic susceptibility, crystallography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. Altering the single exogeneous ligand, X, of [Fe(PY5)(X)]n)+ is sufficient to change the spin-state of the complexes. When X is the weak-field ligand Cl-, the resultant Fe complex is high-spin from 4 to 300 K, whereas the stronger-field ligand MeCN generates a low-spin complex over this temperature range. With intermediate-strength exogenous ligands (X = N3-, MeOH), the complexes undergo a spin-transition. [Fe(PY5)(N3)]+, as a crystalline solid, transitions gradually from a high-spin to a low-spin complex as the temperature is decreased, as evidenced by X-ray crystallography and solid-state magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spin-transition is also evident from changes in the pre-edge and EXAFS regions of the XAS Fe K-edge spectra on a ground crystalline sample. The spin-transition observed with [Fe(PY5)(MeOH)]2+ appears abrupt by solid-state magnetic susceptibility measurements, but gradual by XAS analysis, differences attributed to sample preparation. This research highlights the strengths of XAS in determining the electronic and geometric structure of such spin-transition complexes and underscores the importance of identical sample preparation in the investigation of these physical properties.     

Diastereopure Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from a tridentate N,N',N-bis(methyl-L-prolinate)-substituted pyridine ligand

A series of mononuclear iron(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the new chiral Py(ProMe)2 ligand (Py(ProMe)2 = 2,6-bis[[(S)-2-(methyloxycarbonyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]methyl]pyridine) have been prepared. The molecular geometry in the solid state (X-ray crystal structures) of the complexes [FeCl2(Py(ProMe)2)] (1), [ZnCl2(Py(ProMe)2)] (2), [Fe(OTf)2(Py(ProMe)2)] (3), [Fe(Py(ProMe)2)(OH2)2](OTf)2 (4), and [Zn(OTf)(Py(ProMe)2)](OTf) (5) are reported. They all show a meridional NN'N coordination of the Py(ProMe)2 ligand. The bis-chloride derivatives 1 and 2 represent neutral isostructural five-coordinated complexes with a distorted geometry around the metal center. Unusual seven-coordinate iron(II) complexes 3 and 4 having a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry were obtained using weakly coordinating triflate anions. The reaction of Zn(OTf)2 with the Py(ProMe)2 ligand afforded complex 5 with a distorted octahedral geometry around the zinc center. All complexes were formed as single diastereoisomers. In the case of complexes 3-5, the oxygen atoms of both carbonyl groups of the ligand are also coordinated to the metal. The stereochemistry of the coordinated tertiary amine donors in complexes 3-5 is of opposite configuration as in complexes 1 and 2 as a result of the planar penta-coordination of the ligand Py(ProMe)2. Complexes 1, 2, and 5 have an overall -configuration at their metal center, while the Fe(II) ion in complexes 3 and 4 has the opposite delta-configuration (crystal structures and CD measurements). The magnetic moments of iron complexes 1, 3, and 4 correspond to that of high-spin d6 Fe(II) complexes. The solution structures of complexes 1-5 were characterized by means of UV-vis, IR, conductivity, and CD measurements and their electrochemical behavior. These studies showed that the coordination environment of 1 and 2 observed in the solid state is maintained in solution. In coordinating solvents, the triflate anion (3, 5) or water (4) co-ligands of complexes 3-5 are replaced by solvent molecules with retention of the original pentagonal bipyramidal and octahedral geometry, respectively.     

Considering Fe(II/IV) redox processes as mechanistically relevant to the catalytic hydrogenation of olefins by [PhBP iPr 3]Fe-H x species

Several coordinatively unsaturated pseudotetrahedral iron(II) precursors, [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe-R ([PhBP(iPr)(3)] = [PhB(CH(2)P(i)Pr(2))(3)](-); R = Me (2), R = CH(2)Ph (3), R = CH(2)CMe(3) (4)) have been prepared from [PhBP(iPr)(3)]FeCl (1) that serve as precatalysts for the room-temperature hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g., ethylene, styrene, 2-pentyne) under atmospheric H(2) pressure. The solid-state crystal structures of 2 and 3 are presented. To gain mechanistic insight into the nature of these hydrogenation reactions, a number of [PhBP(iPr)(3)]-supported iron hydrides were prepared and studied. Room-temperature hydrogenation of alkyls 2-4 in the presence of a trapping phosphine ligand affords the iron(IV) trihydride species [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(H)(3)(PR(3)) (PR(3) = PMe(3) (5); PR(3) = PEt(3) (6); PR(3) = PMePh(2) (7)). These spectroscopically well-defined trihydrides undergo hydrogen loss to varying degrees in solution, and for the case of 7, this process leads to the structurally identified Fe(II) hydride product [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(H)(PMePh(2)) (9). Attempts to prepare 9 by addition of LiEt(3)BH to 1 instead lead to the Fe(I) reduction product [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(PMePh(2)) (10). The independent preparations of the Fe(II) monohydride complex [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(II)(H)(PMe(3)) (11) and the Fe(I) phosphine adduct [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(PMe(3)) (8) are described. The solid-state crystal structures of trihydride 5, monohydride 11, and 8 are compared and demonstrate relatively little structural reorganization with respect to the P(3)Fe-P' core motif as a function of the iron center's formal oxidation state. Although paramagnetic 11 (S = 1) is quantitatively converted to the diamagnetic trihydride 5 under H(2), the Fe(I) complex 8 (S = (3)/(2)) is inert toward atmospheric H(2). Complex 10 is likewise inert toward H(2). Trihydrides 5 and 6 also serve as hydrogenation precatalysts, albeit at slower rates than that for the benzyl complex 3 because of a rate-contributing phosphine dependence. That these hydrogenations appear to proceed via well-defined olefin insertion steps into an Fe-H linkage is indicated by the reaction between trihydride 5 and ethylene, which cleanly produces the ethyl complex [PhBP(iPr)(3)]Fe(CH(2)CH(3)) (13) and an equivalent of ethane. Mechanistic issues concerning the overall reaction are described.     

A second-generation janus scorpionate ligand: controlling coordination modes in iron(II) complexes by steric modulation

The second-generation Janus scorpionate ligand [HB(mtda (Me)) 3] (-) (mtda (Me) = 2-mercapto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl) with conjoined ( N, N, N-) and ( S, S, S-) donor faces has been prepared. This second-generation Janus scorpionate ligand [HB(mtda (Me)) 3] (-) differs from the first-generation [HB(mtda) 3] (-) ligand by the replacement of hydrogens on the heterocyclic rings proximal to the nitrogenous face with methyl groups. This study probed whether steric interactions introduced by such methyl group substitution could modulate the reactivity and coordination preferences of these ambidentate ligands. The crystal structures of a sodium complex Na[HB(mtda (Me)) 3].3(MeOH), the potassium complexes K[HB(mtda) 3].MeOH, and K 2[HB(mtda (Me)) 3] 2.3MeOH, and several iron complexes were obtained. The difference between first- and second-generation Janus scorpionate ligands is most obvious from the discrepancy between the properties and structures of the two iron(II) compounds with the formula Fe[HB(mtda (R)) 3] 2.4DMF (R = H or Me). The complex with the first-generation ligand (R = H) is pink and diamagnetic. An X-ray structural study revealed two facially coordinated kappa (3)N-scorpionates with no bound solvent molecules. The average Fe-N bond distance of 1.97 A is indicative of the low-spin t 2g (6)e g* (0) electron configuration. In contrast, the iron(II) complex of the second-generation ligand (R = Me) is yellow and paramagnetic. This structure shows two trans-kappa (1)S-scorpionates and four equatorial-bound DMF where the average Fe-O and Fe-S distances of 2.12 and 2.51 A, respectively, are indicative of the high-spin t 2g (4)e g* (2) electron configuration. The discrepancy in binding modes and spin-states of iron(II) is carried over to the solvent-free Fe[HB(mtda (R)) 3] 2 (R = H, Me) complexes, as determined from Mossbauer spectral studies. The Mossbauer spectral parameters for Fe[HB(mtda) 3] 2 are fully consistent with low-spin iron(II) in a FeN 6 environment, whereas those for Fe[HB(mtda (Me)) 3] 2 are most consistent with high-spin iron(II) in a FeS 6 environment. Interestingly, when either complex is dissolved in highly polar solvents (DMF, DMSO, or H 2O), the ligand completely dissociates forming [Fe(solvent) 6][HB(mtda (R)) 3] 2 (R = H, Me).     

High-spin and low-spin iron(II) complexes with facially-coordinated borohydride ligands

Rare examples of monometallic high-spin and low-spin L3Fe(H3BH) complexes have been characterized, where the two L3 ligands are [TpPh2] and [PhBP3] ([TpPh2] = [HB(3,5-Ph2pz)3]- and [PhBP3] = [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]-). The structures are reported wherein the borohydride ligand is facially coordinated to the iron center in each complex. Density functional methods have been employed to explain the bonding in these unusual iron(II) centers. Despite the differences in spin states, short Fe-B distances are observed in both complexes and there is significant theoretical evidence to support a substantial bonding interaction between the iron and boron nuclei. In light of this interaction, we suggest that these complexes can be described as (L3)Fe(eta4-H3BH) complexes.     

Mononuclear, dinuclear, and pentanuclear [[N,S(thiolate)]iron(II)] complexes: nuclearity control, incorporation of hydroxide bridging ligands, and magnetic behavior

The mixed N3S(thiolate) ligand 1-[bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]amino]-2-methylpropane-2-thiol (Py2SH) was used in the synthesis of four iron(II) complexes: [(Py2S)FeCl] (1), [(Py2S)FeBr] (2), [(Py2S)4Fe5II(mu-OH)2](BF4)4 (3), and [(Py2S)2Fe2II(mu-OH)]BF4 (4). The X-ray structures of 1 and 2 revealed monomeric iron(II)-alkylthiolate complexes with distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometries. The paramagnetic 1H NMR spectra of 1 and 2 display resonances from delta = -25 ppm to +100 ppm, consistent with a high-spin iron(II) ion (S = 2). Spectral assignments were made on the basis of chemical shift information and T1 measurements and show the monomeric structures are intact in solution. To provide entry into hydroxide-containing complexes, a novel synthetic method was developed involving strict aprotic conditions and limiting amounts of H2O. Reaction of Py2SH with NaH and Fe(BF4)2.6 H2O under aprotic conditions led to the isolation of the pentanuclear, mu-OH complex 3, which has a novel dimer-of-dimers type structure connected by a central iron atom. Conductivity data on 3 show this structure is retained in CH2Cl2. Rational modification of the ligand-to-metal ratio allows control over the nuclearity of the product, yielding the dinuclear complex 4. The X-ray structure of 4 reveals an unprecedented face-sharing, biooctahedral complex with an [S2O] bridging arrangement. The magnetic properties of 3 and 4 in the range 1.9-300 K were successfully modeled. Dinuclear 4 is antiferromagnetically coupled [J = -18.8(2) cm(-1)]. Pentanuclear 3 exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior, with a high-spin ground state of S(T) = 6, and was best modeled with three different exchange parameters [J = -15.3(2), J' = -24.7(3), and J' = -5.36(7) cm(-1)]. DFT calculations provided good support for the interpretation of the magnetic properties.     

Bivalent and trivalent iron complexes of acyclic hexadentate ligands providing pyridyl/pyrazine-amide-thioether coordination

Acyclic pyridine-2-carboxamide- and thioether-containing hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis[o-(pyridine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpctb), in its deprotonated form, has afforded purple low-spin (S = 0) iron(II) complex [Fe(bpctb)] (1). A new ligand, the pyrazine derivative of H(2)bpctb, 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpzctb), has been synthesized which has furnished the isolation of purple iron(II) complex [Fe(bpzctb)].CH(2)Cl(2) (4) (S = 0). Chemical oxidation of 1 by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Fe][PF(6)] or [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) led to the isolation of low-spin (S = 1/2) green Fe(III) complexes [Fe(bpctb)][PF(6)] (2) or [Fe(bpctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (3), and oxidation of 4 by [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) afforded [Fe(bpzctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (5) (S = 1/2). X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 4 revealed that (i) in each case the ligand coordinates in a hexadentate mode and (ii) bpzctb(2-) binds more strongly than bpctb(2-), affording distorted octahedral M(II)N(2)(pyridine/pyrazine)N'(2)(amide)S(2)(thioether) coordination. To the best of our knowledge, 1 and 4 are the first examples of six-coordinate low-spin Fe(II) complexes of deprotonated pyridine/pyrazine amide ligands having appended thioether functionality. The Fe(III) complexes display rhombic EPR spectra. Each complex exhibits in CH(2)Cl(2)/MeCN a reversible to quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response, corresponding to the Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox process. The E(1/2) value of 4 is more anodic by approximately 0.2 V than that of 1, attesting that compared to pyridine, pyrazine is a better stabilizer of iron(II). Moreover, the E(1/2) value of 1 is significantly higher (approximately 1.5 V) than that reported for six-coordinate Fe(II)/Fe(III) complexes of the tridentate pyridine-2-carboxamide ligand incorporating thiolate donor site.     

Non-heme iron(II) complexes containing tripodal tetradentate nitrogen ligands and their application in alkane oxidation catalysis

A series of iron(II) bis(triflate) complexes containing tripodal tetradentate nitrogen ligands with pyridine and dimethylamine donors of the type [N(CH(2)Pyr)(3-n)()(CH(2)CH(2)NMe(2))(n)] [n = 0 (tpa, 1), n = 1 (iso-bpmen, 3), n = 2 (Me(4)-benpa, 4), n = 3 (Me(6)-tren, 5)] and the linear tetradentate ligand [(CH(2)Pyr)MeN(CH(2)CH(2))NMe(CH(2)Pyr), (bpmen, 2)] has been prepared. The preferred coordination geometry of these complexes in the solid state and in CH(2)Cl(2) solution changes from six- to five-coordinate in the order from 1 to 5. In acetonitrile, the triflate ligands of all complexes are readily displaced by acetonitrile ligands. The complex [Fe(1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+) is essentially low spin at room temperature, whereas ligands with fewer pyridine donors increase the preference for high-spin Fe(II). Both the number of pyridine donors and the spin state of the metal center strongly affect the intensity of a characteristic MLCT band around 400 nm. The catalytic properties of the complexes for the oxidation of alkanes have been evaluated, using cyclohexane as the substrate. Complexes containing ligands 1-3 are more active and selective catalysts, possibly operating via a metal-based oxidation mechanism, whereas complexes containing ligands 4 and 5 give rise to Fenton-type chemistry.     

Spectroscopic studies of transition metal complexes with a N-donor tetradentate(N4) 12-membered macrocylic ligand

Chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), ruthenium(III), iridium(III), palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes were synthesized with a 12-membered 1,4,7,10-tetraazadodeca-5,6,11,12-tetraene macrocylic ligand (L) and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, electronic, EPR and M?ssbauer [Fe(III)] spectral studies. The molar conductance measurements of all the complexes in DMF solution correspond to non-electrolytic nature for M(L)Cl2 complexes [where M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)], 1:1 electrolytes for M'(L)Cl3 complexes [where M'=Cr(III), Fe(III), Ru(III) and Ir(III)] and 1:2 electrolytes for M'(L)Cl2 complexes [where M'=Pd(II) and Pt(II)]. Thus, the complexes may be formulated as [M(L)C1(2)], [M'(L)C1(2)]C1 and [M'(L)]C1(2), respectively [where L=ligand]. All complexes were of the high-spin type and found to have six-coordinate octahedral geometry except the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes which were four coordinate, square planar and diamagnetic.