Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.     

Experimental and Computational Studies on Quadruply Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes with Terminal and Bridging Hydride Ligands

This contribution focuses on complex [Mo₂(H)₂(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂] ( 1 ) and tetrahydrofuran and pyridine adducts [Mo₂(H)₂(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂(L)₂] ( 1⋅thf and 1⋅py ), which contain a trans-(H)Mo≣Mo(H) core (Ad^Dipp2=HC(NDipp₂)₂; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃). Computational studies provide insights into the coordination and electronic characteristics of the central trans-Mo₂H₂ unit of 1 , with four-coordinate, fourteen-electron Mo atoms and ϵ-agostic interactions with Dipp methyl groups. Small size C- and N-donors give rise to related complexes 1⋅L but only one molecule of P-donors, for example, PMe₃, can bind to 1 , causing one of the hydrides to form a three-centered, two-electron (3c-2e) Mo-H→Mo bond ( 2⋅PMe₃ ). A DFT analysis of the terminal and bridging hydride coordination to the Mo≣Mo bond is also reported, along with reactivity studies of the Mo−H bonds of these complexes. Reactions investigated include oxidation of 1⋅thf by silver triflimidate, AgNTf₂, to afford a monohydride [Mo₂(μ-H)(μ-NTf₂)(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂] ( 4 ), with an O,O’-bridging triflimidate ligand.     

Conformational Isomerism in Monomeric,Low‐Coordinate Group 12 Complexes Stabilized by a Naphthyl‐Substituted m‐Terphenyl Ligand

The synthesis and characterization of the first series of low‐coordinate bis(terphenyl) complexes of the Group 12 metals, [Zn(2,6‐Naph₂C₆H₃)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd(OEt₂)(2,6‐Naph₂C₆H₃)₂] ( 2 ) and [Hg(OEt₂)(2,6‐Naph₂C₆H₃)₂] ( 3 ) (Naph=1‐C₁₀H₇) are described. The naphthyl substituents of the terphenyl ligands confer considerable steric bulk, and as a result of limited flexibility introduce multiple conformations to these unusual systems. In the solid state, complex 1 features a two‐coordinate Zn centre with the ligands oriented in a syn/anti conformation, whereas the three‐coordinate distorted T‐shaped complexes 2 and 3 feature the ligands in the syn/syn configurations. The results of DFT calculations are in good agreement with the solid‐state configurations for these complexes and support the spectroscopic measurements, which indicate several conformers in solution.     

Late‐Transition‐Metal Complexes as Tunable Lewis Bases

Syntheses of the first heteroleptic N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–phosphane platinum(0) complexes and formation of the corresponding Lewis acid–base adducts with aluminum chloride is reported. The influence of N‐heterocyclic carbenes on tuning the Lewis basic properties of the metal complexes was judged from spectroscopic, structural, and computational data. Conclusive experimental evidence for the enhanced Lewis basicity of NHC‐containing complexes was provided by a transfer reaction.     

The Physical and Electronic Structure of M<Subscript>2</Subscript> Quadruply Bonded Complexes: A Density Functional Theory Study

The electronic structures and the physical properties (vertical excitation energies, vibrational stretching frequencies, and bond lengths) of a variety of M–M quadruply bonded (M = Mo, W) complexes are investigated using density functional theory (DFT). By utilizing a variety of pure and hybrid exchange-correlation (XC) functionals and a number basis sets, we are able to recommend a theoretical methodology for most efficiently probing the electronic structures of homoleptic M₂(O₂CR)₄ and bridged M₂(O₂C-X-CO₂)M₂ (R = organic group, typically H; X = conjugated organic group) complexes.

Catalytic Reactivity of Molybdenum–Trihalide Complexes Bearing PCP‐Type Pincer Ligands

Molybdenum–iodide complexes bearing a PCP[1] ligand have been found to work as excellent catalysts toward ammonia formation under ambient reaction conditions among dinitrogen‐bridged dimolybdenum complexes and other molybdenum complexes bearing PNP and PCP[2] ligands.     

New RuII(arene) Complexes with Halogen‐Substituted Bis‐ and Tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate Ligands

[RuCl(arene)(μ‐Cl)]₂ dimers were treated in a 1:2 molar ratio with sodium or thallium salts of bis‐ and tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands [Na(Bp)], [Tl(Tp)], and [Tl(Tp^{iPr, 4Br})]. Mononuclear neutral complexes [RuCl(arene)(κ²‐Bp)] ( 1 : arene=p‐cymene (cym); 2 : arene=hexamethylbenzene (hmb); 3 : arene=benzene (bz)), [RuCl(arene)(κ²‐Tp)] ( 4 : arene=cym; 6 : arene=bz), and [RuCl(arene)(κ²‐Tp^{iPr, 4Br})] ( 7 : arene=cym, 8 : arene=hmb, 9 : arene=bz) have been always obtained with the exception of the ionic [Ru₂(hmb)₂(μ‐Cl)₃][Tp] ( 5′ ), which formed independently of the ratio of reactants and reaction conditions employed. The ionic [Ru(CH₃OH)(cym)(κ²‐Bp)][X] ( 10 : X=PF₆, 12 : X=O₃SCF₃) and the neutral [Ru(O₂CCF₃)(cym)(κ²‐Bp)] ( 11 ) have been obtained by a metathesis reaction with corresponding silver salts. All complexes 1 – 12 have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data (IR, ESI‐MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy). The structures of the thallium and calcium derivatives of ligand Tp, [Tl(Tp)] and [Ca(dmso)₆][Tp]₂ ? 2 DMSO, of the complexes 1 , 4 , 5′ , 6 , 11 , and of the decomposition product [RuCl(cym)(Hpz^{iPr, 4Br})₂][Cl] ( 7′ ) have been confirmed by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies showed that 1 – 9 and 11 undergo a single‐electron Ru^II→Ru^III oxidation at a potential, measured by cyclic voltammetry, which allows comparison of the electron‐donor characters of the bis‐ and tris(pyrazol‐1‐yl)borate and arene ligands, and to estimate, for the first time, the values of the Lever E_L ligand parameter for Bp, Tp, and Tp^{iPr, 4Br}. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level indicated that both oxidation and reduction of the Ru complexes under study are mostly metal‐centered with some involvement of the chloride ligand in the former case, and also demonstrated that the experimental isolation of the μ³‐binuclear complex 5′ (instead of the mononuclear 5 ) is accounted for by the low thermodynamic stability of the latter species due to steric reasons.     

DFT Study of the Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Deoxydehydration of Vicinal Diols

The mechanism of the molybdenum‐catalyzed deoxydehydration (DODH) of vicinal diols has been investigated using density functional theory. The proposed catalytic cycle involves condensation of the diol with an Mo^VI oxo complex, oxidative cleavage of the diol resulting in an Mo^IV complex, and extrusion of the alkene. We have compared the proposed pathway with several alternatives, and the results have been corroborated by comparison with the molybdenum‐catalyzed sulfoxide reduction recently published by Sanz et al. and with experimental observations for the DODH itself. Improved understanding of the mechanism should expedite future optimization of molybdenum‐catalyzed biomass transformations.     

Univalent Gallium Complexes of Simple and ansa‐Arene Ligands: Effects on the Polymerization of Isobutylene

Using [Ga(C₆H₅F)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 1 ) (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) as starting material, we isolated bis‐ and tris‐η⁶‐coordinated gallium(I) arene complex salts of p‐xylene (1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄), hexamethylbenzene (C₆Me₆), diphenylethane (PhC₂H₄Ph), and m‐terphenyl (1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄): [Ga(1,4‐Me₂C₆H₄)_2.5]⁺ ( 2⁺ ), [Ga(C₆Me₆)₂]⁺ ( 3⁺ ), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺ ( 4⁺ ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺ ( 5²⁺ ). 4⁺ is the first structurally characterized ansa‐like bent sandwich chelate of univalent gallium and 5²⁺ the first binuclear gallium(I) complex without a Ga?Ga bond. Beyond confirming the structural findings by multinuclear NMR spectroscopic investigations and density functional calculations (RI‐BP86/SV(P) level), [Ga(PhC₂H₄Ph)]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^?( 4 ) and [(C₆H₅F)Ga(μ‐1,3‐Ph₂C₆H₄)₂Ga(C₆H₅F)]²⁺{[Al(OR^F)₄] ^?}₂ ( 5 ), featuring ansa‐arene ligands, were tested as catalysts for the synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR‐PIB). In comparison to the recently published 1 and the [Ga(1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salt ( 6 ) (1,3,5‐Me₃C₆H₃=mesitylene), 4 and 5 gave slightly reduced reactivities. This allowed for favorably increased polymerization temperatures of up to +15 °C, while yielding HR‐PIB with high contents of terminal olefinic double bonds (α‐contents=84–93 %), low molecular weights (M_n=1000–3000 g mol^?1) and good monomer conversions (up to 83 % in two hours). While the chelate complexes delivered more favorable results than 1 and 6 , the reaction kinetics resembled and thus concurred with the recently proposed coordinative polymerization mechanism.     

Luminescent Cyclometalated Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes with a Tridentate Pyridine‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, Electrochemistry,Photophysics, and Computational Studies

A new class of luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) complexes with a tridentate pyridine‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine) ligand, [Pt^II(C^N^C)(C?CR)][PF₆], and their chloroplatinum(II) precursor complex, [Pt^II(C^N^C)Cl][PF₆], have been synthesized and characterized. One of the alkynylplatinum(II) complexes has also been structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The electrochemistry, electronic absorption and luminescence properties of the complexes have been studied. Nanosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has also been performed to probe the nature of the excited state. The origin of the absorption and emission properties has been supported by computational studies.     

Combined Experimental and Computational Studies on the Physical and Chemical Properties of the Renewable Amide, 3‐Acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran

The pK_a of 3‐acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran (3A5AF) was predicted to be in the range 18.5–21.5 by using the B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) method and several amides as references. The experimental pK_a value, 20.7, was determined through UV/Vis titrations. Its solubility was measured in methanol‐modified supercritical CO₂ (mole fraction, 3.23×10^?4, cloud points 40–80 °C) and it was shown to be less soluble than 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF). Dimerization energies were calculated for 3A5AF and 5‐HMF to compare hydrogen bonding, as such interactions will affect their solubility. Infrared and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 3A5AF samples support the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and electrostatic potential of 3A5AF were determined through molecular orbital calculations using B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p). The π–π* transition energy (time‐dependent density functional theory study) was compared with UV/Vis data. Calculated atomic charges were used in an attempt to predict the reactivity of 3A5AF. A reaction between 3A5AF and CH₃MgBr was conducted. As 3A5AF is a recently developed renewable compound that has previously not been studied extensively, these studies will be helpful in designing future reactions and processes involving this molecule.     

A Computational Study of the Olefin Epoxidation Mechanism Catalyzed by Cyclopentadienyloxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes

A DFT analysis of the epoxidation of C₂H₄ by H₂O₂ and MeOOH (as models of tert‐butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) catalyzed by [Cp*MoO₂Cl] ( 1 ) in CHCl₃ and by [Cp*MoO₂(H₂O)]⁺ in water is presented (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). The calculations were performed both in the gas phase and in solution with the use of the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM). A low‐energy pathway has been identified, which starts with the activation of ROOH (R=H or Me) to form a hydro/alkylperoxido derivative, [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)Cl] or [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)]⁺ with barriers of 24.9 (26.5) and 28.7 (29.2) kcal mol^?1 for H₂O₂ (MeOOH), respectively, in solution. The latter barrier, however, is reduced to only 1.0 (1.6) kcal mol^?1 when one additional water molecule is explicitly included in the calculations. The hydro/alkylperoxido ligand in these intermediates is η²‐coordinated, with a significant interaction between the Mo center and the O^β atom. The subsequent step is a nucleophilic attack of the ethylene molecule on the activated O^α atom, requiring 13.9 (17.8) and 16.1 (17.7) kcal mol^?1 in solution, respectively. The corresponding transformation, catalyzed by the peroxido complex [Cp*MoO(O₂)Cl] in CHCl₃, requires higher barriers for both steps (ROOH activation: 34.3 (35.2) kcal mol^?1; O atom transfer: 28.5 (30.3) kcal mol^?1), which is attributed to both greater steric crowding and to the greater electron density on the metal atom.     

Exploring Excited‐State Tunability in Luminescent Tris‐cyclometalated Platinum(IV) Complexes: Synthesis of Heteroleptic Derivatives and Computational Calculations

The synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of heteroleptic tris‐ cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes are reported. The complexes mer‐[Pt(C^N)₂(C′^N′)]OTf, with C^N=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) or 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), and C′^N′=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2‐thienyl)pyridine (thpy) or 1‐phenylisoquinoline (piq), were obtained by reacting bis‐ cyclometalated precursors [Pt(C^N)₂Cl₂] with AgOTf (2 equiv) and an excess of the N′^C′H pro‐ligand. The complex mer‐[Pt(dfppy)₂(ppy)]OTf was obtained analogously and photoisomerized to its fac counterpart. The new complexes display long‐lived luminescence at room temperature in the blue to orange color range. The emitting states involve electronic transitions almost exclusively localized on the ligand with the lowest π–π* energy gap and have very little metal character. DFT and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations on mer‐[Pt(ppy)₂(C′^N′)]⁺ (C′^N′=thpy, piq) and mer/fac‐[Pt(ppy)₃]⁺ support this assignment and provide a basis for the understanding of the luminescence of tris‐cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes. Excited states of LMCT character may become thermally accessible from the emitting state in the mer isomers containing dfppy or ppy as chromophoric ligands, leading to strong nonradiative deactivation. This effect does not operate in the fac isomers or the mer complexes containing thpy or piq, for which nonradiative deactivation originates mainly from vibrational coupling to the ground state.     

Luminescent Di‐ and Trinuclear Boron Complexes Based on Aromatic Iminopyrrolyl Spacer Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in OLEDs

New bis‐ and tris(iminopyrrole)‐functionalized linear (1,2‐(HNC₄H₃‐C(H)?N)₂‐C₆H₄ ( 2 ), 1,3‐(HNC₄H₃‐C(H)?N)₂‐C₆H₄ ( 3 ), 1,4‐(HNC₄H₃‐C(H)?N)₂‐C₆H₄ ( 4 ), 4,4′‐(HNC₄H₃‐C(H)?N)₂‐(C₆H₄‐C₆H₄) ( 5 ), 1,5‐(HNC₄H₃C‐(H)?N)₂‐C₁₀H₆ ( 6 ), 2,6‐(HNC₄H₃C‐(H)?N)₂‐C₁₀H₆ ( 7 ), 2,6‐(HNC₄H₃C‐(H)?N)₂‐C₁₄H₈ ( 8 )) and star‐shaped (1,3,5‐(HNC₄H₃‐C(H)?N‐1,4‐C₆H₄)₃‐C₆H₃ ( 9 )) π‐conjugated molecules were synthesized by the condensation reactions of 2‐formylpyrrole ( 1 ) with several aromatic di‐ and triamines. The corresponding linear diboron chelate complexes (Ph₂B[1,3‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐phenyl]BPh₂ ( 10 ), Ph₂B[1,4‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐phenyl]BPh₂ ( 11 ), Ph₂B[4,4′‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐biphenyl]BPh₂ ( 12 ), Ph₂B[1,5‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐naphthyl]BPh₂ ( 13 ), Ph₂B[2,6‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐naphthyl]BPh₂ ( 14 ), Ph₂B[2,6‐bis(iminopyrrolyl)‐anthracenyl]BPh₂ ( 15 )) and the star‐shaped triboron complex ([4′,4′′,4′′′‐tris(iminopyrrolyl)‐1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene](BPh₂)₃ ( 16 )) were obtained in moderate to good yields, by the treatment of 3 – 9 with B(C₆H₅)₃. The ligand precursors are non‐emissive, whereas most of their boron complexes are highly fluorescent; their emission color depends on the π‐conjugation length. The photophysical properties of the luminescent polyboron compounds were measured, showing good solution fluorescence quantum yields ranging from 0.15 to 0.69. DFT and time‐dependent DFT calculations confirmed that molecules 10 and 16 are blue emitters, because only one of the iminopyrrolyl groups becomes planar in the singlet excited state, whereas the second (and third) keeps the same geometry. Compound 13 , in which planarity is not achieved in any of the groups, is poorly emissive. In the other examples ( 11 , 12 , 14 , and 15 ), the LUMO is stabilized, narrowing the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO), and the two iminopyrrolyl groups become planar, extending the size of the π‐system, to afford green to yellow emissions. Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated by using the new polyboron complexes and their luminance was found to be in the order of 2400 cd m^?2, for single layer devices, increasing to 4400 cd m^?2 when a hole‐transporting layer is used.     

Lactide Polymerisation with Air‐Stable and Highly Active Zinc Complexes with Guanidine–Pyridine Hybrid Ligands

New class of air‐stable catalysts for lactide polymerisation: Guanidine–pyridine hybrid ligands (picture, left) were used to prepare a series of zinc complexes (e.g., depicted cation [ZnL₂(CF₃SO₃)]⁺, where L is the quinoline‐containing ligand with R¹=R²=R³=R⁴=Me), in which the ligand binds through two different N‐donor atoms. The zinc complexes show high activity in ring‐opening polymerisation of d,l ‐lactide (right), giving polylactide with molecular masses up to 176 000 g mol^?1 and in high yield.

     

Nickel(II) Complexes of Pentadentate N5 Ligands as Catalysts for Alkane Hydroxylation by Using m‐CPBA as Oxidant: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

A new family of nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, where L=N‐methyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L1, 1 ), N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L2, 2 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(6‐methyl‐pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L3, 3 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L4, 4 ), and N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐imidazole‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L5, 5 ), has been isolated and characterized by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of [Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ reveals that the nickel(II) center is located in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by all the five nitrogen atoms of the pentadentate ligand and an acetonitrile molecule. In a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the complexes show ligand field bands in the visible region characteristic of an octahedral coordination geometry. They exhibit a one‐electron oxidation corresponding to the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple the potential of which depends upon the ligand donor functionalities. The new complexes catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m‐CPBA as oxidant up to a turnover number of 530 with good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 7.1–10.6, A=alcohol, K=ketone). Upon replacing the pyridylmethyl arm in [Ni(L1)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ by the strongly σ‐bonding but weakly π‐bonding imidazolylmethyl arm as in [Ni(L5)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ or the sterically demanding 6‐methylpyridylmethyl ([Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ and the quinolylmethyl arms ([Ni(L4)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, both the catalytic activity and the selectivity decrease. DFT studies performed on cyclohexane oxidation by complexes 1 and 5 demonstrate the two spin‐state reactivity for the high‐spin [(N5)Ni^II?O^.] intermediate (ts1_hs, ts2_doublet), which has a low‐spin state located closely in energy to the high‐spin state. The lower catalytic activity of complex 5 is mainly due to the formation of thermodynamically less accessible m‐CPBA‐coordinated precursor of [Ni^II(L5)(OOCOC₆H₄Cl)]⁺ ( 5 a ). Adamantane is oxidized to 1‐adamantanol, 2‐adamantanol, and 2‐adamantanone (3°/2°, 10.6–11.5), and cumene is selectively oxidized to 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol. The incorporation of sterically hindering pyridylmethyl and quinolylmethyl donor ligands around the Ni^II leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation, which is in contrast to the lower cyclohexane oxidation activities of the complexes.