Acceptor‐Substituted Ferrocenium Salts as Strong,Single‐Electron Oxidants: Synthesis,Electrochemistry, Theoretical Investigations,and Initial Synthetic Application

A series of mono‐ and 1,1′‐diheteroatom‐substituted ferrocene derivatives as well as acylated ferrocenes was prepared efficiently by a unified strategy that consists of selective mono‐ and 1,1′‐dilithiation reactions and subsequent coupling with carbon, phosphorus, sulfur and halogen electrophiles. Chemical oxidation of the ferrocene derivatives by benzoquinone, 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanobenzoquinone, AgPF₆, or 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐oxopiperidinium hexafluorophosphate provided the corresponding ferrocenium salts. The redox potentials of the synthesized ferrocenes were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and it was observed that all new ferrocenium salts have stronger oxidizing properties than standard ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. An initial application of selected derivatives in an oxidative bicyclization revealed that they mediate the transformation under considerably milder conditions than ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. Quantum chemical calculations of the reduction potentials of the substituted ferrocenium ions were carried out by using a standard thermodynamic cycle that involved the gas‐phase energetics and solvation energies of the contributing species. A remarkable agreement between theory and experiment was found: the mean average deviation amounted to only 0.030 V and the maximum deviation to 0.1 V. This enabled the analysis of various physical contributions to the computed reduction potentials of these ferrocene derivatives, thereby providing insight into their electronic structure and physicochemical properties.     

Study of interactive free‐energy relationships on ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of phenyl styryl ketone and its substituted analogues by V(V) in acid medium

Kinetics of Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of phenyl styryl ketone (PSK) and its substituted analogues by V(V) has been investigated in aqueous acetic acid‐sulphuric acid medium in the temperature range 298–313 K. First‐order dependence each on [V(V)], [PSK], [Ru(III)] was observed. Inverse first‐order dependence was observed for [V(IV)]. The rate decreased with the increase in dielectric constant (D) of the medium. The rates were enhanced by electron‐donating substituents in both the phenyl rings and decreased by electron‐withdrawing substituents. Linear Hammett's plots were obtained for various substituents in benzaldehyde moiety of PSK for a given substituent in acetophenone moiety and vice versa. The mechanism proposed envisages formation of Ru(IV) from V(V) + Ru(III) reaction followed by the attack on by Ru(IV). Applicability of interactive free‐energy relationship has been tested. The cross‐interaction constants q_x and q_y have been determined at different temperatures and possible interpretations discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 581–588, 2000     

Preparation and Redox Properties of N,N,N‐1,3,5‐Trialkylated Flavin Derivatives and Their Activity as Redox Catalysts

Eight different flavin derivatives have been synthesized and the electronic effects of substituents in various positions on the flavin redox chemistry were investigated. The redox potentials of the flavins, determined by cyclic voltammetry, correlated with their efficiency as catalysts in the H₂O₂ oxidation of methyl p‐tolyl sulfide. Introduction of electron‐withdrawing groups increased the stability of the reduced catalyst precursor.     

Redox potential and substituent effects in ferrocene derivatives: II

The anodic behavior of 31 ferrocene derivatives (FcX) (four of which have been prepared for the first time) of the types shown below has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (and, in some cases, also by controlled-potential electrolysis and differential pulse polarography) at a Pt electrode, in an aprotic solvent: Fc---C(Y)=Z (class A; Y = R (hydrogen, alkyl or unsaturated-carbon moiety) or Cl; Z = CRR′, derived functionalized groups or {W(CO)₅}); Fc---C(Y)=O (class B; Y --- R or OH); other types (class C, including azide, other unsaturated N moieties, acyloxy or phosphino); disubstituted ferrocenes (class D, with alkyl, aminoalkyl, phosphino, B(OH)₂ or −HGCl substituents, or the S---S---S bridge). All these substituted ferrocenes exhibit a one-electron reversible oxidation centered at iron and the effect of the substituents on the half-wave oxidation potential is discussed in terms of electronic properties. Using the accepted linear correlations between the half-wave oxidation potential and the Hammett constant σ_p of the substituent, σ_p was estimated for the first time for 29 of the substituents in the ferrocenes listed above. The anomalous behavior of complexes with a hydroxy or a carbonyl group is discussed. No correlation was observed between the oxidation potential and either the energy of the electronic absorption bands or the ¹H NMR chemical shift of the unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring, although there are rough correlations for class A compounds. This behaviour is compared with those of [Fc-CHYZ]. kw]Iron; Redox potentials; Ferrocenes; Electrochemistry; Substituent effects     

Electron density distribution in ferrocene analogues of stilbene. Interaction of substituents and molecular groups in ferrocene derivatives

Two techniques, ¹³C NMR and cyclic voltammetry, are utilized to determine the change of electron density distribution caused by substituents in ferrocene analogues of stilbene. The interactions of substituents and some molecular groups in four series of ferrocene derivatives is discussed and the transmission coefficients of these groups are presented.     

Planar Chiral Organoborane Lewis Acids Derived from Naphthylferrocene

Enantiomerically pure metalated 2‐(1‐naphthyl)ferrocene (NpFc) derivatives NpFcM (M=SnMe₃, HgCl) were prepared and characterized by multinuclear NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis. Optical rotation measurements were performed and the absolute configuration of the new planar chiral ferrocene species was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The mercuriated species NpFcHgCl proved suitable as a reagent for the preparation of the chiral organoborane Lewis acid NpFcBCl₂, which can in turn be converted to other ferrocenylboranes by replacement of Cl with nucleophiles. The highly Lewis acidic perfluoroarylborane derivatives NpFcB(C₆F₅)Cl and NpFcB(C₆F₅)₂ were successfully prepared by treatment with CuC₆F₅. The structures were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and variable‐temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, which suggested that π stacking of a C₆F₅ group on boron with the adjacent naphthyl group is energetically favorable. UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to examine the electronic properties of these novel redox‐active chiral Lewis acids.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,electronic spectroscopy,electrochemistry and biological studies of carbohydrate containing ferrocene amides

A series of four new ferrocene–carbohydrate amides was prepared from pentose and hexose sugar derivatives. These include (5‐amino‐5‐deoxy‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐xylofuranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2a), (5‐amino‐3‐O‐benzyl‐5‐deoxy‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐xylofuranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2b), (methyl‐6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐β‐d ‐ribofuranoside)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2c) derived from furanose sugars and (6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐1,2:3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐galactopyranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2d) derived from pyranose sugar. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and the structure of amide derived from α‐d ‐xylofuranose (2a) was determined by X‐ray crystallography. The electronic and optical properties of the compounds were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy. The UV and electrochemical studies of these compounds, performed in aqueous solutions under physiological conditions (at pH 7.4), confirmed their stability. These results indicated that the compounds were suitable for conducting biological studies. The CD spectral analysis displays the effect of sugar substituents on the compounds. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of these conjugates were investigated on different cancer cell lines and microbes respectively. The degree of inhibition varied over a broad spectrum of Gram‐ positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. In addition, the compounds also exhibited antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Ferrocene Based Naphthoquinones and its Application as Novel Non‐enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide

At present, a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor is fabricated by ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives as 2,3‐Diferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone and 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone. These ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives are characterized by H‐NMR and C‐NMR. The electrochemical properties of these ferrocene based naphthaquinone are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode with ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives exhibits an improved voltammetric response to the H₂O₂ redox reaction. 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone show excellent non‐enzymatic sensing ability towards H₂O₂ response with a detection limitation of 2.7 μmol/L a wide detection range from 10 μM to 400 μM in H₂O₂ detection. The sensor also exhibits short response time (1 s) and good sensitivity of 71.4 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 and stability. Furthermore, the DPV method exhibited very high sensitivity (18999 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) and low detection limit (0.66 μM) compared to the CA method. Ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivative based sensors have a lower cost and high stability. Thus, this novel non‐enzyme sensor has potential application in H₂O₂ detection.     

Electrochemical characterization of some ferrocenylcarboxylic acids

Summary Several carboxy-substituted ferrocene compounds are prepared and investigated by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile solution. The half-wave potentials of most of the acids studied (E _1/2=0.34–0.58 V versus s.c.e.) are more positive than that of ferrocene (0.33 V), reflecting a diminished susceptibility to oxidation of these compounds relative to the parent metallocene. Only -ferrocenylpropionic acid (0.32₅ V) is effectively identical with the latter in its oxidation behaviour, and -ferrocenylbutyric acid (0.31 V) tends to be more readily oxidized. The results are of interest for subsequent chemical oxidation studies of ferrocenylcarboxylic acids.     

Quantum‐Chemical and Electrochemical Investigation of the Electrochemical Windows of Halogenated Carborate Anions

The range of electrochemical stability of a series of weakly coordinating halogenated (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I) 1‐carba‐closo‐dodecaborate anions, [1‐R‐CB₁₁X₅Y₆]^? (R=H, Me; X=H, Hal, Me; Y=Hal), has been established by using quantum chemical calculations and electrochemical methods. The structures of the neutral and dianionic radicals, as well as the anions, have been optimized by using DFT calculations at the PBE0/def2‐TZVPP level. The calculated structures are in good agreement with existing experimental data and with previous calculations. Their gas‐phase ionization energies and electron affinities were calculated based on their optimized structures and were compared with experimental (cyclic and square‐wave) voltammetry data. Electrochemical oxidation was performed in MeCN at room temperature and in liquid sulfur dioxide at lower temperatures. All of the anions show a very high resistance to the onset of oxidation (2.15–2.85 V versus Fc^0/+), with only a minor dependence of the oxidation potential on the different halogen substituents. In contrast, the reduction potentials in MeCN are strongly substituent dependent (?1.93 to ?3.32 V versus Fc^0/+). The calculated ionization energies and electron affinities correlate well with the experimental redox potentials, which provide important verification of the thermodynamic validity of the mostly irreversible redox processes that are observed for this series. The large electrochemical windows that are afforded by these anions indicate their suitability for electrochemical applications, for example, as supporting electrolytes.     

Unusually Strong Long‐Distance Metal–Metal Coupling in Bis(ferrocene)‐Containing BOPHY: An Introduction to Organometallic BOPHYs

The first organometallic BOPHY (BOPHY=bis(difluoroboron)‐1,2‐bis{(pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene}hydrazine) containing two ferrocene substituents was prepared through a Knoevenagel condensation between tetramethyl substituted BOPHY and ferrocene carboxaldehyde. An unprecedentedly strong long‐range (≈17.2 Å) metal–metal coupling in this new complex was investigated using electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and chemical oxidation methods. Electrochemical data is indicative of a 200 mV separation between the first and the second ferrocene‐centered oxidation processes. Formation of the mixed‐valence states and appearance and disappearance of two NIR bands were observed during stepwise oxidation of the first organometallic BOPHY. The electronic structure and the nature of the excited states in this new chromophore were studied by DFT and TDDFT calculations.     

Acceptor-substituted ferrocenium salts as strong, single-electron oxidants: synthesis, electrochemistry, theoretical investigations, and initial synthetic application

A series of mono- and 1,1'-diheteroatom-substituted ferrocene derivatives as well as acylated ferrocenes was prepared efficiently by a unified strategy that consists of selective mono- and 1,1'-dilithiation reactions and subsequent coupling with carbon, phosphorus, sulfur and halogen electrophiles. Chemical oxidation of the ferrocene derivatives by benzoquinone, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone, AgPF(6) , or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxopiperidinium hexafluorophosphate provided the corresponding ferrocenium salts. The redox potentials of the synthesized ferrocenes were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and it was observed that all new ferrocenium salts have stronger oxidizing properties than standard ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. An initial application of selected derivatives in an oxidative bicyclization revealed that they mediate the transformation under considerably milder conditions than ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. Quantum chemical calculations of the reduction potentials of the substituted ferrocenium ions were carried out by using a standard thermodynamic cycle that involved the gas-phase energetics and solvation energies of the contributing species. A remarkable agreement between theory and experiment was found: the mean average deviation amounted to only 0.030?V and the maximum deviation to 0.1?V. This enabled the analysis of various physical contributions to the computed reduction potentials of these ferrocene derivatives, thereby providing insight into their electronic structure and physicochemical properties.     

Benzo[b]phosphole‐Containing π‐Electron Systems: Synthesis Based on an Intramolecular trans‐Halophosphanylation and Some Insights into Their Properties

The intramolecular trans‐halophosphanylation of 2‐(aminophosphanyl)phenylacetylenes mediated by PBr₃ followed by the oxidation with H₂O₂, produces 3‐bromobenzo[b]phosphole oxide derivatives. This cyclization is also used for the synthesis of a 3‐iodo derivative by conducting the reaction in the presence of LiI. Based on this synthetic method, various benzophosphole‐containing π‐conjugated compounds, including a phosphoryl and methylene‐bridged stilbene 10 , 2,3,6,7‐tetraphenylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]diphosphole‐P,P′‐dioxides 11 , and their phosphine sulfide derivatives 12 , are synthesized. The study of the structure–property relationships in a series of the bridged stilbenes, including a bis(methylene)‐bridged stilbene 10 , and a bis(phosphoryl)‐bridged stilbene, reveals that as the contribution of the phosphoryl groups increased, the absorption and emission maxima substantially shift to longer wavelengths. The intrinsic substituent effects of the phosphoryl group in this skeleton are to decrease the oscillator strength of the electronic transition and thus decrease the radiative decay rate constants from the singlet excited state. Nevertheless, these compounds maintain high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_F>0.8) owing to the significantly retarded nonradiative decay process. In the study of the benzodiphosphole derivatives 11 and 12 , their cyclic voltammetry revealed that both of the phosphoryl and phosphine sulfide derivatives have low reduction potentials (?1.7 to ?1.8 V vs ferrocene/ferrocenium couple) with the high reversibility of the redox waves. These compounds also showed high thermal stabilities with the high glass transition temperatures of 147–159 °C, indicative of their potential utilities as amorphous materials.     

The Marriage of Peripherally Metallated and Directly Linked Porphyrins: Bromidobis(phosphine)platinum(II) as a Cation‐Stabilizing Substituent on Directly Linked and Fused Triply Linked Diporphyrins

A meso‐bromidoplatiniobis(triphenylphosphine) η¹‐organometallic porphyrin monomer was prepared by the oxidative addition of meso‐bromoZnDPP (DPP=dianion of 5,15‐diphenylporphyrin) to a platinum(0) species. The meso–meso directly linked dimeric porphyrin ( 5 ) was prepared from this monomer by silver(I)‐promoted oxidative coupling and planarized to give a triply linked dizinc(II) porphyrin dimer ( 8 ). Acidic demetallation of 8 afforded the bis(free base) 9 . Dimer 5 was demetallated then remetallated with nickel(II) to give the dinickel(II) analogue 10 , the X‐ray crystal structure of which showed a twisted molecule with ruffled, orthogonal NiDPP rings, terminated by square‐planar trans‐[Pt(PPh₃)₂Br] units. New compounds were fully characterized spectroscopically, and the fused diporphyrin exhibited a broad, low‐energy, near‐IR electronic absorption band near 1100 nm. Electrochemical measurements of this series indicate that the organometallic fragment is a strong electron donor towards the porphyrin ring. The triply linked organometallic diporphyrin has a substantially lowered first one‐electron oxidation potential (?0.35 V versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple (Fc/Fc⁺)) and a narrow HOMO–LUMO gap of 0.96 V. Solutions prepared for NMR spectroscopy slowly decompose with degradation of the signals, which is attributed to partial oxidation to the cation radical. This paramagnetic species can be reduced in situ by hydrazine to restore the NMR spectrum to its former appearance. The combined influence of the two [Pt(PPh₃)₂Br] electron‐donating substituents is sufficient to make dimer 5 too aerobically unstable to allow further elaboration.     

Oxidation‐Triggered Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Eight new N‐Hoveyda‐type complexes were synthesized in yields of 67–92 % through reaction of [RuCl₂(NHC)(Ind)(py)] (NHC=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIMes) or 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIPr), Ind=3‐phenylindenylid‐1‐ene, py=pyridine) with various 1‐ or 1,2‐substituted ferrocene compounds with vinyl and amine or imine substituents. The redox potentials of the respective complexes were determined; in all complexes an iron‐centered oxidation reaction occurs at potentials close to E=+0.5 V. The crystal structures of the reduced and of the respective oxidized Hoveyda‐type complexes were determined and show that the oxidation of the ferrocene unit has little effect on the ruthenium environment. Two of the eight new complexes were found to be switchable catalysts, in that the reduced form is inactive in the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cis‐cyclooctene (COE), whereas the oxidized complexes produce polyCOE. The other complexes are not switchable catalysts and are either inactive or active in both reduced and oxidized states.     

Mössbauer and Electrochemical Studies of Bridged Biferrocenes and Biferrocenylenes

A series of neutral and oxidized π-bridged biferrocenes (Fc—x—Fc) and biferrocenylenes (FC(—x—)₂Fc) (x= —CH=CH—, —CH₃,C=CCH₃—) were prepared and their physical properties have been studied by means of Mössbauuer and cyclic voltammetry. The electrode reaction of these bridged ferrocene derivatives appears to involve a consecutive two-step oxidation process. The results also show that the voltage difference between the first and second oxidaton potentials of the bridged biferrocenes was found to be largely exceeded that founded for the corresponding the bridged biferrocenylenes. The Mössbauer data show that the oxidation of doubly bridged Fc(—x—)₂Fc with iodine, DDQ, and TCNQ given the corresponding dioxidized salts only and no stable mixed-valence compounds were found.     

Precise Control of Intramolecular Charge‐Transport: The Interplay of Distance and Conformational Effects

A new series of donor–bridge–acceptor (D–B–A) compounds consisting of π‐conjugated oligofluorene (oFL) bridges between a ferrocene (Fc) electron‐donor and a fullerene (C₆₀) electron‐acceptor have been synthesized. In addition to varying the length of the bridge (i.e., mono‐ and bi‐fluorene derivatives), four different ways of linking ferrocene to the bridge have been examined. The Fc moiety is linked to oFL: 1) directly without any spacer, 2) by an ethynyl linkage, 3) by a vinylene linkage, and 4) by a p‐phenylene unit. The electronic interactions between the electroactive species have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, absorption, fluorescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations. The calculations reveal exceptionally close energy‐matching between the Fc and the oFL units, which results in strong electronic‐coupling. Hence, intramolecular charge‐transfer may easily occur upon exciting either the oFLs or Fcs. Photoexcitation of Fc–oFL–C₆₀ conjugates results in transient radical‐ion‐pair states. The mode of linkage of the Fc and FL bridge has a profound effect on the photophysical properties. Whereas intramolecular charge‐separation is found to occur rather independently of the distance, the linker between Fc and oFL acts (at least in oFL) as a bottleneck and significantly impacts the intramolecular charge‐separation rates, resulting in beta values between β_CS 0.08 and 0.19 Å^?1. In contrast, charge recombination depends strongly on the electron‐donor–acceptor distance, but not at all on the linker. A value of β_CR (0.35±0.01 Å^?1) was found for all the systems studied. Oligofluorenes prove, therefore, to be excellent bridges for probing how small structural variations affect charge transport in D–B–A systems.     

Towards Norcorrin: Hydrogenation Chemistry and the Heterodimerization of Nickel(II) Norcorrole

5,14‐Dimesitylnorcorrolatonickel(II) was hydrogenated under mild conditions (room temperature, 1 atm H₂, THF solution, 5 min.) in the presence of Raney nickel to yield nonaromatic derivatives that were isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, HRMS, cyclic voltammetry, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The major hydrogenation product, 1,2,3,7,8,9‐hexahydronorcorrolatonickel(II), underwent dimerization in the presence of p‐chloranil to give a nonsymmetrically linked 2,3′‐bis(norcorrole) system that can adopt eight different oxidation states over a redox potential window of 3 V and has a HOMO–LUMO gap of 0.92 V.     

Anion‐binding properties of two calix[4]arene derivatives containing two ferrocene imine or ferrocene amine units at the upper rim

Calix[4]arene derivatives containing ferrocene units at the upper rim have been synthesized and their anion‐binding and sensing investigated towards anions such as chloride, bromide and hydrogen sulfate by cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical studies show that these redox‐active ligands electrochemically recognize chloride and bromide anions. These compounds have excellent selectivity for chloride and bromide ions, in the comparison with hydrogen sulfate anion. With ferrocenyl Schiff base calix[4]arene 1 an anodic shift as large as 302 mV is observed on addition of four equivalents of Cl⁻ anion. Also electrochemical and UV–vis spectroscopic titrations ferrocenyl calix[4]arene derivatives 1 with chloride and bromide ions and 2 (only with Cl⁻) indicate a 1:1 binding‐stiochiometry. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using Ferrocenes to Assist in Voltammetric Characterization of Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes after Electrochemical and Laser Activation

In this report the voltammetry of water‐soluble ferrocene derivatives is used to characterize the surface of carbon fiber microelectrodes before and after both electrochemical and laser activation procedures. Activation of carbon electrodes is necessary to produce a reproducible surface that will allow fast electron transfer. However, the activation method that is best suited for a given analysis can differ with analyte. In order to directly compare activation methods and characterize the resulting electrode performance, the voltammetry of a set of ferrocenes which have fast and well‐known electrochemistry has been used. As expected, electrochemical activation (0.000 to 2.000 V (vs. SSCE) at 500 V/s for 15 seconds) resulted in a hydrophilic surface with increased surface area. Laser pretreatment (20 Hz pulsed nitrogen laser irradiation for 15 seconds) appeared to remove surface oxides thereby producing a more hydrophobic surface that facilitates the adsorption of neutral analytes. In general, anionic ferrocene derivatives exhibited more quasi‐reversible voltammetry and were not as strongly adsorbed as the neutral analyte, particularly with electrochemically activated probes. In addition, neutral analytes show considerable adsorption, particularly at laser‐activated electrodes, while the cationic analyte shows significant adsorption at only the electrochemically‐pretreated electrodes, indicating surface‐specific interactions.