Biomimetic Hydrogenation Catalyzed by a Manganese Model of [Fe]-Hydrogenase

[Fe]-hydrogenase is an efficient biological hydrogenation catalyst. Despite intense research, Fe complexes mimicking the active site of [Fe]-hydrogenase have not achieved turnovers in hydrogenation reactions. Herein, we describe the design and development of a manganese(I) mimic of [Fe]-hydrogenase. This complex exhibits the highest activity and broadest scope in catalytic hydrogenation among known mimics. Thanks to its biomimetic nature, the complex exhibits unique activity in the hydrogenation of compounds analogous to methenyl-H₄MPT⁺, the natural substrate of [Fe]-hydrogenase. This activity enables asymmetric relay hydrogenation of benzoxazinones and benzoxazines, involving the hydrogenation of a chiral hydride transfer agent using our catalyst coupled to Lewis acid-catalyzed hydride transfer from this agent to the substrates.     

A High‐Valent Non‐Heme μ‐Oxo Manganese(IV) Dimer Generated from a Thiolate‐Bound Manganese(II) Complex and Dioxygen

This study deals with the unprecedented reactivity of dinuclear non‐heme Mn^II–thiolate complexes with O₂, which dependent on the protonation state of the initial Mn^II dimer selectively generates either a di‐μ‐oxo or μ‐oxo‐μ‐hydroxo Mn^IV complex. Both dimers have been characterized by different techniques including single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and mass spectrometry. Oxygenation reactions carried out with labeled ¹⁸O₂ unambiguously show that the oxygen atoms present in the Mn^IV dimers originate from O₂. Based on experimental observations and DFT calculations, evidence is provided that these Mn^IV species comproportionate with a Mn^II precursor to yield μ‐oxo and/or μ‐hydroxo Mn^III dimers. Our work highlights the delicate balance of reaction conditions to control the synthesis of non‐heme high‐valent μ‐oxo and μ‐hydroxo Mn species from Mn^II precursors and O₂.