A dinuclear Ni(I) system having a diradical Ni2N2 diamond core resting state: synthetic, structural, spectroscopic elucidation, and reductive bond splitting reactions

One-electron reduction of the square-planar nickel precursor (PNP)NiCl ( 1) (PNP (-) = N[2-P(CHMe 2) 2-4-methylphenyl] 2) with KC 8 effects ligand reorganization of the pincer ligand to assemble a Ni(I) dimer, [Ni(mu 2-PNP)] 2 ( 2), containing a Ni 2N 2 core structure, as inferred by its solid-state X-ray structure. Solution magnetization measurements are consistent with a paramagnetic Ni(I) system likely undergoing a monomer <--> dimer equilibrium. The room-temperature and 4 K solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra display anisotropic signals. Low-temperature solid-state X-band EPR data at 4 K reveal rhombic values g z = 1.980(4), g x = 2. 380(4), and g y = 2.225(4), as well as a forbidden signal at g = 4.24 for the Delta M S = 2 half field transition, in accord with 2 having two weakly interacting metal centers. Utilizing an S = 1 model, full spin Hamiltonian simulation of the low-temperature EPR spectrum on the solid sample was achieved by applying a nonzero zero-field-splitting parameter ( D = 0.001 cm (-1)), which is consistent with an S = 0 ground state with a very closely lying S = 1 state. Solid-state magnetization data also corroborate well with our solid-state EPR data and reveal weak antiferromagnetic behavior ( J = -1.52(5) cm (-1)) over a 2-300 K temperature range at a field of 1 Tesla. Evidence for 2 being a masked "(PNP)Ni" scaffold originates from its reaction with N 2CPh 2, which traps the Ni(I) monomer in the form of a T-shaped species, Ni(PNPNNCPh 2), a system that has been structurally characterized. The radical nature of complex 2, or its monomer component, is well manifested through the plethora of cooperative H-X-type bond cleavage reactions, providing the nickel(II) hydride (PNP)NiH and the corresponding rare functionalities -OH, -OCH 3, -PHPh, and -B(catechol) integrated into the (PNP)Ni moiety in equal molar amounts. In addition to splitting H 2, compound 2 can also engage in homolytic X-X bond cleavage reactions of PhXXPh to form (PNP)Ni(XPh) (X = S or Se).     

A Mononuclear Fe(III) Single Molecule Magnet with a 3/2↔5/2 Spin Crossover

The air stable complex [(PNP)FeCl(2)] (1) (PNP = N[2-P(CHMe(2))(2)-4-methylphenyl](2)(-)), prepared from one-electron oxidation of [(PNP)FeCl] with ClCPh(3), displays an unexpected S = 3/2 to S = 5/2 transition above 80 K as inferred by the dc SQUID magnetic susceptibility measurement. The ac SQUID magnetization data, at zero field and between frequencies 10 and 1042 Hz, clearly reveal complex 1 to have frequency dependence on the out-of-phase signal and thus being a single molecular magnet with a thermally activated barrier of U(eff) = 32-36 cm(-1) (47-52 K). Variable-temperature M?ssbauer data also corroborate a significant temperature dependence in δ and ΔE(Q) values for 1, which is in agreement with the system undergoing a change in spin state. Likewise, variable-temperature X-band EPR spectra of 1 reveals the S = 3/2 to be likely the ground state with the S = 5/2 being close in energy. Multiedge XAS absorption spectra suggest the electronic structure of 1 to be highly covalent with an effective iron oxidation state that is more reduced than the typical ferric complexes due to the significant interaction of the phosphine groups in PNP and Cl ligands with iron. A variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 collected between 30 and 300 K also reveals elongation of the Fe-P bond lengths and increment in the Cl-Fe-Cl angle as the S = 5/2 state is populated. Theoretical studies show overall similar orbital pictures except for the d(z(2)) orbital, which has the most sensitivity to change in the geometry and bonding, where the quartet ((4)B) and the sextet ((6)A) states are close in energy.     

Exploring the reactivity of four-coordinate PNPCoX with access to three-coordinate spin triplet PNPCo

The compounds (PNP)CoX, where PNP is (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N- and X is Cl, I, N3, OAr, OSO2CF3 and N(H)Ar, are reported. Some of these show magnetic susceptibility, color, and 1H NMR evidence of being in equilibrium between a blue, tetrahedral S=3/2 state and a red, planar S=1/2 state; the equilibrium populations are influenced by subtle solvent effects (e.g., benzene and cyclohexane are different), as well as by temperature. Attempted oxidation to Co(III) with O2 occurs instead at phosphorus, giving [P(O)NP(O)]CoX species. The single O-atom transfer reagent PhI=O likewise oxidizes P. Even I2 oxidizes P to give the pendant phosphonium species (tBu2P(I)CH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2PtBu2)CoI2 with a tetrahedral S=3/2 cobalt; the solid-state structure shows intermolecular PI...ICo interactions. Attempted alkyl metathesis of PNPCoX inevitably results in reduction, forming PNPCo, which is a spin triplet with planar T-shaped coordination geometry with no agostic interaction. Triplet PNPCo binds N2(weakly) and CO (whose low CO stretching frequency indicates strong PNP-->Co donor power), but not ethene or MeCCMe.     

Radical (NO) and nonradical (N(2)O) reagents convert a ruthenium(IV) nitride to the same nitrosyl complex

The ruthenium(IV) nitride complex (PNP)RuN (PNP = (tBu2PCH2-SiMe2)2N-) reacts rapidly with 2NO to form (PNP)Ru(NO) and N2O, via no detectable intermediate. The linear nitrosyl complex has a planar structure. In a slower reaction, (PNP)RuN reacts with N2O by O-atom transfer (established by 15N labeling) to give the same nitrosyl complex and N2. Density functional theory (B3LYP) calculations show both reactions to be very thermodynamically favorable. Analysis of possible intermediates in each reaction shows that radical (PNP)RuN(NO) has much spin density on nitride N (hence, N2-), while one 2 + 3 metallacycle, (PNP)RuN3O, has the wrong connectivity to form a product. Instead, an intermediate with a doubly bent N2O (hence, a two-electron reduced N-nitrosoimide form) brings the O atom in proximity to the nitride N on the path to a product.     

Influence of the d-Electron Count on CO binding by three-coordinate [(tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N]Fe, -Co, and -Ni

Reduction of (PNP)MCl [PNP = ((t)Bu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2))(2)N] with Mg gives three-coordinate, T-shaped (PNP)M for M = Fe(S = 3/2) and Ni. Their reactivity was tested toward CO; Ni binds one CO, but only reversibly (i.e., CO is completely lost in vacuum), and has a CO stretching frequency showing effective back-donation by NiI. The structure of (PNP)Ni(CO) is intermediate between planar and tetrahedral, in contrast to the planar d8 analogue, (PNP)Co(CO). This structural reorganization on carbonylation changes the singly occupied molecular orbital from having negligible phosphorus character [no P hyperfine structure in the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of (PNP)Ni] to having enough P character to have a triplet structure in the EPR spectrum of the CO. The presence of one fewer electron in (PNP)Fe (vs the Co analogue) leads to binding of two CO, and (PNP)Fe(CO)(2) is characterized as a spin doublet with square-pyramidal structure. Density functional theory calculations strengthen the understanding of the structural and spectroscopic changes along this dn series (n = 7-9).     

Electronic structure of bis(imino)pyridine iron dichloride, monochloride, and neutral ligand complexes: a combined structural, spectroscopic, and computational study

The electronic structure of a family of bis(imino)pyridine iron dihalide, monohalide, and neutral ligand compounds has been investigated by spectroscopic and computational methods. The metrical parameters combined with M?ssbauer spectroscopic and magnetic data for ((i)PrPDI)FeCl(2) ((i)PrPDI = 2,6-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)N=CMe)(2)C(5)H(3)N) established a high-spin ferrous center ligated by a neutral bis(imino)pyridine ligand. Comparing these data to those for the single electron reduction product, ((i)PrPDI)FeCl, again demonstrated a high-spin ferrous ion, but in this case the S(Fe) = 2 metal center is antiferromagnetically coupled to a ligand-centered radical (S(L) = (1)/(2)), accounting for the experimentally observed S = (3)/(2) ground state. Continued reduction to ((i)PrPDI)FeL(n) (L = N(2), n = 1,2; CO, n = 2; 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine, n = 1) resulted in a doubly reduced bis(imino)pyridine diradical, preserving the ferrous ion. Both the computational and the experimental data for the N,N-(dimethylamino)pyridine compound demonstrate nearly isoenergetic singlet (S(L) = 0) and triplet (S(L) = 1) forms of the bis(imino)pyridine dianion. In both spin states, the iron is intermediate spin (S(Fe) = 1) ferrous. Experimentally, the compound has a spin singlet ground state (S = 0) due to antiferromagnetic coupling of iron and the ligand triplet state. Mixing of the singlet diradical excited state with the triplet ground state of the ligand via spin-orbit coupling results in temperature-independent paramagnetism and accounts for the large dispersion in (1)H NMR chemical shifts observed for the in-plane protons on the chelate. Overall, these studies establish that reduction of ((i)PrPDI)FeCl(2) with alkali metal or borohydride reagents results in sequential electron transfers to the conjugated pi-system of the ligand rather than to the metal center.     

Phosphorus(III) cations supported by a PNP pincer ligand and sub-stoichiometric generation of P4 from thermolysis of a nickel insertion product

Neutral, mono-, and dicationic phosphorus(III) compounds are accessible with a supporting PNP pincer ligand (PNP = [4-Me-2-iPr(2)P-C(6)H(3))(2)N]). Reaction of (PNP)H with PCl(3) and nBu(3)N furnished (PNP)PCl(2) (1), which displays a highly temperature-dependent structure in solution. Synthesis and characterization by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of Cl/Br-scrambled derivatives, a monocationic derivative [(PNP)PCl][HCB(11)H(11)] (4), and the dicationic derivatives [(PNP)P][OTf](2) (5), [(PNP)P][B(C(6)F(5))(4)](2) (6), [(PNP)P][B(12)Cl(12)] (7) established that 1 not only undergoes several fluxional processes in solution but also possesses a temperature-dependent ground state structure. Reaction of 1 with a Ni(0) source initially leads to a phosphine-phosphinidene complex, followed by thermal generation of P(4).     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of Mn2(H2O)(OAc)4(tmeda)2 (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine): a model for dinuclear manganese enzyme active sites

The complex Mn2(H2O)(OAc)4(tmeda)2 (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) is a model for the active site of hydrolase enzymes containing acetate-bridged dimanganese cores. The two high-spin Mn(II) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled, as determined by previous magnetic susceptibility studies (Yu, S.-B; Lippard, S. J.; Shweky, I; Bino, A. Inorg. Chem. 1992, 31, 3502-3504) to yield a spin "ladder" with total spin S = 0, 1, 2, ..., 5 in increasing energy. In this study, the complex was characterized by Q-band and X-band EPR spectroscopy in frozen solution. Analysis of the temperature dependence of these EPR spectra indicates that the primary spectral contribution is from the S = 2 manifold. The EPR spectra were simulated using a full spin Hamiltonian for this manifold of a coupled spin system, which provided the fit parameters J = -2.9 cm-1, g = 2.00, and D2 = -0.060 +/- 0.003 cm-1. An additional multiline EPR signal is observed which is proposed to arise from the total spin S = 5/2 ground state of a Mn(II) trimer of the type Mn3(OAc)6(tmeda)2.     

On the reaction of Ph2PNHPPh2 with RNCS (R=Et, Ph, p-NO2C6H4): preparation of the zwitterionic ligand EtNHC(S)Ph2P==NPPh2C(S)NEt (HSNS) and the zwitterionic metalate [(SNS)Rh(CO)

The reaction of Ph(2)PNHPPh(2) (PNP) with RNCS (Et, Ph, p-NO(2)(C(6)H(4))) gives addition products resulting from the attack of the P atoms of PNP on the electrophilic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate. When PNP is reacted with EtNCS in a 1:2 molar ratio, the zwitterionic molecule EtNHC(S)PPh(2)==NP(+)Ph(2)C(S)N(-)Et (HSNS) is obtained in high yield. HSNS can be protonated (H(2)SNS(+)) or deprotonated (SNS(-)), behaving in the latter form as an S,N,S-donor pincer ligand. The reaction of HSNS with [(acac)Rh(CO)(2)] (acac=acetylacetonate) affords the zwitterionic metalate [(SNS)Rh(CO)]. Other products can be obtained depending on the R group, the PNP/RNCS ratio (1:1 or 1:2), and the reaction temperature. The proposed product of the primary attack of PNP on RNCS, Ph(2)PN==PPh(2)C(S)NHR (A), cannot be isolated. Reaction of A with another RNCS molecule leads to 1:2 addition compounds of the general formula RNHC(S)PPh(2)==NP(+)Ph(2)C(S)N(-)R (1), which can rearrange into the non-zwitterionic product RNHC(S)PPh(2)==NP(S)Ph(2) (2) by eliminating a molecule of RNC. Two molecules of A can react together, yielding 1:1 PNP/RNCS zwitterionic products of the formula RNHCH[PPh(2)==NP(S)Ph(2)]PPh(2)==NP(+)Ph(2)C(S)N(-)R (3). Compound 3 can then rearrange into RNHCH[PPh(2)==NP(S)Ph(2)](2) (4) by losing a RNC molecule. When R=Et (a), compounds 1 a, 2 a (HSNS), and 4 a have been isolated and characterized. When R=Ph (b), compounds 2 b and 4 b can be prepared in high yield. When R=p-NO(2)C(6)H(4) (c), only compound 3 c is observed and isolated in high yield. The crystal structures of HSNS, [(SNS)Rh(CO)], and of the most representative products have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Experimental and computational exploration of the dynamic behavior of (PNP)BF2, a boron compound supported by an amido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligand

The diarylamido/bis(phosphine) PNP pincer ligand (2-(i)Pr(2)P-4-MeC(6)H(3))(2)N has been evaluated as a scaffold for supporting a BF(2) fragment. Compound (PNP)BF(2) (6) was prepared by simple metathesis of (PNP)Li (5) with Me(2)SBF(3). NMR spectra of 6 in solution are of apparent C(2) symmetry, suggestive of a symmetric environment about boron. However, a combination of X-ray structural studies, low-temperature NMR investigations, and DFT calculations consistently establish that the ground state of this molecule contains a classical four-coordinate boron with a PNBF(2) coordination environment, with one phosphine donor in PNP remaining "free". Fortuitous formation of a single crystal of (PNP)BF(2)·HBF(4) (7), in which the "free" phosphine is protonated, furnished another structure containing the same PNBF(2) environment about boron for comparison and the two PNBF(2) environments in 6 and 7 are virtually identical. DFT studies on several other diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer (PNP)BF(2) systems were carried out and all displayed a similar four coordinate PNBF(2) environment in the ground state structures. The symmetric appearance of the room-temperature NMR spectra is explained by the rapid interconversion between two degenerate four-coordinate, C(1)-symmetric ground-state forms. Lineshape analysis of the (1)H and (19)F NMR spectra over a temperature range of 180-243 K yielded the activation parameters ΔH(?) = 8.1(3) kcal mol(-1) and ΔS(?) = -6.0(15) eu, which are broadly consistent with the calculated values. Calculations indicate that the exchange of phosphine donors at the boron center proceeds by an intrinsically dissociative mechanism.     

A highly emissive Cu2N2 diamond core complex supported by a [PNP]- ligand

A Cu2N2 diamond core structure, {(PNP)CuI}2 (2), supported by a [PNP]- ligand (1) ([PNP]- = bis(2-(diisobutylphosphino)phenyl)amide) has been prepared. 2 is highly emissive at ambient temperature in both the solid and solution states and is characterized by a relatively long-lived excited state (tau > 10 mus) and an unusually high quantum yield (phi > 0.65). These observations are consistent with a low degree of structural reorganization between the ground state of 2 and its excited state *2, and also with a high degree of steric protection of the two copper centers of 2 afforded by the bulky [PNP]- ligand. An estimate for the excited-state reduction potential of *2 (ca. -3.2 V vs Fc+/Fc), and the availability of two well-separated and reversible ground-state redox processes, suggests that bimetallic copper systems of these types may be interesting candidates to consider for photochemically driving multielectron redox transformations.     

Activation of atmospheric nitrogen and azobenzene N=N bond cleavage by a transient Nb(III) complex

Atmospheric N2 is activated by two transient Nb(III) "(PNP)NbCl2" (PNP- = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2) fragments to form the bridging diimido [(PNP)NbCl2]2(mu-N2) (1). Complex 1 can also be independently synthesized from Nb(IV) and Nb(V) precursors via one-electron and transmetalation reactions, respectively. In the presence of azobenzene, the transient Nb(III) intermediate, prepared from Li(PNP) and NbCl3(DME) (DME = dimethoxyethane) under Ar, cleaves the N=N bond via a metal-ligand cooperative four-electron reduction to form niobium imide and phosphoranimine functionalities. Structural studies are presented and discussed for various Nb systems bearing the pincer-type framework PNP as well as the N2 and azobenzene activated products. Theoretical studies addressing the Nb-N2-Nb core in 1 are also presented.     

New linear high-valent tetranuclear manganese-oxo cluster relevant to the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II with oxo, hydroxo, and aqua coordinated to a single Mn(IV)

An unprecedented atom connectivity, MnIV(mu-O)MnIV(mu-O)2MnIV(mu-O)MnIV, is found in the complex [MnIV4O4(EtO-terpy)4(OH)2(OH2)2](ClO4)(6).8H2O (EtO-terpy=4'-ethoxyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, X-ray powder diffraction, EPR spectroscopy, and magnetic studies. This complex is the first example of a compound where a MnIV ion is coordinated by all three types of water-derived ligands: oxo, hydroxo, and aqua. Bond distances and angles for this complex are consistent with a MnIV4 oxidation state assignment. The di-mu-oxo- and mono-mu-oxo-bridged Mn-Mn distances are 2.80 and 3.51 A, respectively. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data for this complex, in the range of 10-300 K, are consistent with an S=0 ground state and were fit using the spin Hamiltonian HHDvV=-J1S2S1-J2S1S1A-J1S1AS2A (S1=S1A=S2=S2A=3/2) with J1=-432 cm-1 and J2=-164 cm-1 (where J1 and J2 are exchange constants through the mono-mu-oxo and the di-mu-oxo bridges, respectively). The first excited spin state of this tetramer is a spin triplet state at 279 cm-1 above the diamagnetic ground state. The next spin states are the S=1 and S=2 levels at about 700 and 820 cm-1 above the S=0 ground state, respectively. These large energy gaps are consistent with the absence of an EPR signal for this complex, even at high temperature.     

Divergent Pathways Involving 1,3‐Dipolar Addition and N−N Bond Splitting of an Organic Azide across a Zirconium Methylidene

The zirconium methylidene (PNP)Zr=CH₂(OAr) ( 1 ) reacts with N₃Ad to give two products (PNP)Zr=NAd(OAr) ( 2 ) and (PNP)Zr(η²‐N=NAd)(N=CH₂)(OAr) ( 3 ), both resulting from a common cycloaddition intermediate (PNP)Zr(CH₂N₃Ad)(OAr) ( A ). Using a series of control experiments in combination with DFT calculations, it was found that 2 results from a nitrene by a carbene metathesis reaction in which N₂ acts as a delivery vehicle and forms N₂CH₂ as a side product. In the case of 3 , N−N bond splitting of the azide at the α‐position allowed the isolation of a rare example of a parent ketimide complex of zirconium. Isotopic labeling studies and solid‐state X‐ray analysis are presented for 2 and 3 , in addition to an independent synthesis for the former.     

FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase: a density functional study of states M(N), M(OX), M(R), and M(I).

The M(N) S = (3)/(2) resting state of the FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase has been proposed to have metal-ion valencies of either Mo(4+)6Fe(2+)Fe(3+) (derived from metal hyperfine interactions) or Mo(4+)4Fe(2+)3Fe(3+) (from M?ssbauer isomer shifts). Spin-polarized broken-symmetry (BS) density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been undertaken to determine which oxidation level best represents the M(N) state and to provide a framework for understanding its energetics and spectroscopy. For the Mo(4+)6Fe(2+)Fe(3+) oxidation state, the spin coupling pattern for several spin state alignments compatible with S = (3)/(2) were generated and assessed by energy and geometric criteria. The most likely BS spin state is composed of a Mo3Fe cluster with spin S(a) = 2 antiferromagnetically coupled to a 4Fe' cluster with spin S(b) = (7)/(2). This state has a low DFT energy for the isolated FeMoco cluster and the lowest energy when the interaction with the protein and solvent environment is included. This spin state also displays calculated metal hyperfine and M?ssbauer isomer shifts compatible with experiment, and optimized geometries that are in excellent agreement with the protein X-ray data. Our best model for the actual spin-coupled state within FeMoco alters this BS state by a slight canting of spins and is analogous in several respects to that found in the 8Fe P-cluster in the same protein. The spin-up and spin-down components of the LUMO contain atomic contributions from Mo(4+) and the homocitrate and from the central prismane Fe sites and muS(2) atoms, respectively. This qualitative picture of the accepting orbitals for M(N) is consistent with observations from M?ssbauer spectra of the one-electron reduced states. Similar calculations for the Mo(4+)4Fe(2+)3Fe(3+) oxidation state yield results that are in poorer agreement with experiment. Using the Mo(4+)6Fe(2+)Fe(3+) oxidation level as the most plausible resting state, the geometric, electronic and energetic properties of the one-electron redox transition to the oxidized state, M(OX), catalytically observed M(R) and radiolytically reduced M(I) states have also been explored.     

Gd2@C79N: isolation, characterization, and monoadduct formation of a very stable heterofullerene with a magnetic spin state of S = 15/2

The dimetallic endohedral heterofullerene (EHF), Gd(2)@C(79)N, was prepared and isolated in a relatively high yield when compared with the earlier reported heterofullerene, Y(2)@C(79)N. Computational (DFT), chemical reactivity, Raman, and electrochemical studies all suggest that the purified Gd(2)@C(79)N, with the heterofullerene cage, (C(79)N)(5-) has comparable stability with other better known isoelectronic metallofullerene (C(80))(6-) cage species (e.g., Gd(3)N@C(80)). These results describe an exceptionally stable paramagnetic molecule with low chemical reactivity with the unpaired electron spin density localized on the internal diatomic gadolinium cluster and not on the heterofullerene cage. EPR studies confirm that the spin state of Gd(2)@C(79)N is characterized by a half-integer spin quantum number of S = 15/2. The spin (S = ?) on the N atom of the fullerene cage and two octet spins (S = 7/2) of two encapsulated gadoliniums are coupled with each other in a ferromagnetic manner with a small zero-field splitting parameter D. Because the central line of Gd(2)@C(79)N is due to the Kramer's doublet with a half-integer spin quantum number of S = 15/2, this relatively sharp line is prominent and the anisotropic nature of the line is weak. Interestingly, in contrast with most Gd(3+) ion environments, the central EPR line (g = 1.978) is observable even at room temperature in a toluene solution. Finally, we report the first EHF derivative, a diethyl bromomalonate monoadduct of Gd(2)@C(79)N, which was prepared and isolated via a modified Bingel-Hirsch reaction.     

S = (3)/(2) <= => S = (1)/(2) spin crossover behavior in five-coordinate halido- and pseudohalido-bis(o-iminobenzosemiquinonato)iron(III) complexes

Five-coordinate halido- and pseudohalido-bis(o-iminobenzosemiquinonato)iron(III) complexes [Fe(III)X(L(ISQ))(2)] (X = Cl(-) (1), Br(-) (2a, 2b), I(-) (3), N(3)(-) (4), and NCS(-) (5)) have been synthesized where (L(ISQ))(1)(*)(-) represents the pi radical anion N-phenyl-o-imino(4,6-di-tert-butyl)benzosemiquinonate(1-). The molecular structures of the two polymorphs 2a and 2b have been determined at 100, 220, and 295 K, respectively, by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data reveal the following electronic ground states, S(t): For 1, it is (3)/(2). Polymorph 2a contains a 1:1 mixture of (3)/(2) and (1)/(2) forms in the range 4.2 to approximately 150 K; above 150 K the latter form undergoes a spin crossover (1)/(2) --> (3)/(2). Polymorph 2b contains only the S(t) = (3)/(2) form (4-300 K). Complex 3 contains the S(t) = (1)/(2) form in the range 4-130 K, but above 130 K, a spin crossover to the (3)/(2) form is observed which is confirmed by three crystal structure determinations at 100, 220, and 295 K. Complex 4 possesses an S(t) = (1)/(2) ground state at 80 K and undergoes a spin crossover at higher temperatures. Complex 5 has a temperature-independent S(t) = (3)/(2) ground state. All crystal structures of 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, and 5, regardless at which temperature the data sets have been measured, show that two o-iminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical anions are N,O-coordinated in all of these neutral iron complexes. The Fe-N and Fe-O bond distances are longer in the S(t) = (3)/(2) and shorter in the S(t) = (1)/(2) forms. The S(t) = (3)/(2) ground state is attained via intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between a high spin ferric ion (S(Fe) = (5)/(2)) and two ligand pi radicals whereas the S(t) = (1)/(2) form is generated from exchange coupling between an intermediate spin ferric ion (S(Fe) = (3)/(2)) and two ligand radicals.     

Influence of the metal orbital occupancy and principal quantum number on organoazide (RN3) conversion to transition-metal imide complexes

The reaction of phenyl azide with (PNP)Ni, where PNP = ( (t)Bu 2PCH 2SiMe 2) 2N (-), promptly evolves N 2 and forms a P=N bond in the product (PNP=NPh)Ni (I). A similar reaction with (PNP)FeCl proceeds to form a P=N bond but without N 2 evolution, to furnish (PNP=N-N=NPh)FeCl. An analogous reaction with (PNP)RuCl occurs with a more dramatic redox change at the metal (and N 2 evolution), to give the salt composed of (PNP)Ru(NPh) (+) and (PNP)RuCl 3 (-), together with equimolar (PNP)Ru(NPh). The contrast among these results is used to deduce what conditions favor N 2 loss and oxidative incorporation of the NPh fragment from PhN 3 into a metal complex.     

Mechanism of N/O bond scission of N2O by an unsaturated rhodium transient

The mechanism of formation of triplet (PNP)RhO and (PNP)Rh(N(2)) (PNP = N(SiMe(2)CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)) from reaction of two molecules of (PNP)Rh with N(2)O has been studied by DFT, evaluating mechanisms which (1) involve free N(2), and (2) which effect N/O bond scission in linearly coordinated (PNP)RhNNO. This work shows the variety of modes of binding N(2)O to this reducing, unsaturated metal fragment and also evaluates why a mechanism avoiding free N(2) is preferred. Comparisons are made to isoelectronic CO(2) in its reaction with (PNP)Rh.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Mn(III) and Cu(II) tetranuclear azido polyoxometalate complexes: multifrequency high-field EPR spectroscopy of Cu4 clusters with S = 1 and S = 2 ground states

Two new azido-bridged polyoxometalate compounds were synthesized in acetonitrile/methanol media and their molecular structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The [[(gamma-SiW10O36)Mn2(OH)2(N3)(0.5)(H2O)(0.5)]2(mu-1,3-N3)](10-) (1 a) tetranuclear Mn(III) complex, in which an end-to-end N3- ligand acts as a linker between two [(gamma-SiW10O36)Mn2(OH)2]4- units, represents the first manganese-azido polyoxometalate. The magnetic properties have been studied considering the spin Hamiltonian H = -J1(S1S2+S1*S2*)-J2(S1S1*), showing that antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centers (g = 1.98) occur both through the di-(mu-OH) bridge (J1 = -25.5 cm(-1)) and the mu-1,3-azido bridge (J2 = -19.6 cm(-1)). The [(gamma-SiW10O36)2Cu4(mu-1,1,1-N3)2(mu-1,1-N3)2]12- (2 a) tetranuclear Cu(II) complex consists of two [gamma-SiW10O36Cu2(N3)2]6- subunits connected through the two mu-1,1,1-azido ligands, the four paramagnetic centers forming a lozenge. The magnetic susceptibility data have been fitted. This reveals ferromagnetic interactions between the four Cu(II) centers, leading to an S=2 ground state (H = -J1(S1S2+S1*S2*)-J2(S2S2*), J1 = +294.5 cm(-1), J2 = +1.6 cm(-1), g = 2.085). The ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) centers in each subunit is the strongest ever observed either in a polyoxometalate compound or in a diazido-bridged Cu(II) complex. Considering complex 2 a and the previously reported basal-basal di-(mu-1,1-N3)-bridged Cu(II) complexes in which the metallic centers are not connected by other magnetically coupling ligands, the linear correlation J1 = 2639.5-24.95*theta(av) between the theta(av) bridging angle and the J1 coupling parameter has been proposed. The electronic structure of complex 2 a has also been investigated by using multifrequency high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy between 95 and 285 GHz. The spin Hamiltonian parameters of the S = 2 ground state (D = -0.135(2) cm(-1), E = -0.003(2) cm(-1), g(x) = 2.290(5), g(y) = 2.135(10), g(z) = 2.158(5)) as well as of the first excited spin state S = 1 (D = -0.960(4) cm(-1), E = -0.080(5) cm(-1), g(x) = 2.042(5), g(y) = 2.335(5), g(z) = 2.095(5)) have been determined, since the energy gap between these two spin states is very small (1.6 cm(-1)).