Theoretical study of the Fe(phen)(2)(NCS)(2) spin-crossover complex with reparametrized density functionals

The theoretical study of spin-crossover compounds is very challenging as those parts of the experimental findings that concern the electronic structure of these compounds can currently hardly be reproduced because of either technical limitations of highly accurate ab initio methods or because of inaccuracies of density functional methods in the prediction of low-spin/high-spin energy splitting. However, calculations with reparametrized density functionals on molecules of the thermal spin-crossover type can give improved results when compared with experiment for close-lying states of different spin and are therefore important for, e.g., transition metal catalysis. A classification of transition metal compounds within hybrid density functional theory is given to distinguish standard, critical, and complicated cases. From the class of complicated cases we choose the prominent spin-crossover compound Fe(phen)(2)(NCS)(2) and show in a first step how the electronic contribution to the energy splitting can be calculated. In a second step, the vibrational effects on the spin flip are investigated within the harmonic force-field approximation of the isolated-molecule approach. A main result of the study is the necessity of exact-exchange reduction in hybrid density functionals to arrive at reasonable electronic energy splittings. The study resolves problems that originated from the use of standard density functionals, which are not able to reproduce the electronic contribution to the low-spin/high-spin splitting correctly, and demonstrates to which extent reparametrized density functionals can be used for the prediction of the spin-crossover effect.     

High-pressure spin-crossover in a dinuclear Fe(II) complex

The effect of pressure on the dinuclear spin crossover material [{Fe(bpp)(NCS)(2)}(2)(4,4'-bipy)]·2MeOH (where bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine and 4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, 1) has been investigated with single crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy using diamond anvil cell techniques. The very gradual pressure-induced spin crossover occurs between 7 and 25 kbar, and shows no evidence of crystallographic phase transitions. The pressure-induced spin transition leads to a complete LS state which is not thermally accessible. This structural evolution under pressure is in stark contrast to the previously reported thermal spin crossover behaviour, in which a symmetry-breaking, purely structural phase transition results in only partial conversion to the low spin state. This observation is attributed to the symmetry-breaking phase transition becoming unfavourable under pressure.     

Photoinduced oxygen transfer and double-linkage isomerism in a cis-(NO)(NO2) transition-metal complex by photocrystallography, FT-IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Photocrystallographic experiments show that laser exposure of crystals of [Ru(bpy)2(NO)(NO2)](PF6)2 at 90 K produces a double isonitrosyl-nitrito linkage isomer and provide the detailed geometry of the metastable species generated. The analysis indicates that the isomerization is accomplished through an intramolecular redox reaction involving oxygen transfer from the nitro to the nitrosyl group. At 200 K only a single (nitrito) linkage isomer is formed with a U-shaped conformation of the nitrito group rather than the Z conformation observed at 90 K. A mechanism for the isomerization is proposed based on the crystallographic results and FTIR data collected at low temperatures during the isomerization process. The study presents the first structural evidence for double linkage isomerization in transition-metal complexes.     

Spectroscopic and density functional studies of the dinitrosyl metalloporphyrin complexes Fe(P)(NO)2 and Ru(P)(NO)2

Experimental evidence including infrared spectra for the formation of the dinitrosyl metalloporphyrin complexes M(P)(NO)(2) (M = Ru or Fe, P = tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), octaethylporphyrin (OEP), or tetra-m-tolylporphryin (TmTP)) is described. Although observation of a single NO stretching band in the IR spectrum of each M(P)(NO)(2) complex first suggested a centrosymmetric (D(4)(h)() or C(2)(h)()) structure, DFT geometry optimizations and frequency calculations of model complexes indicate that the trans-syn (C(2)(v)()) conformation should be more stable. The frequency calculations resolve the apparent ambiguity in the IR spectra in terms of the relative oscillator strengths of the predicted IR bands.     

Reliability and storage capacity: a compromise illustrated in the two-step spin-crossover system [Fe(bapbpy)(NCS)(2)

The design of bistable magnetic systems should enable the storage of information by manipulation of the spin degrees of freedom. However, such a strategy relies on the preparation of target objects, whose environment must be controlled to favor a hysteretic behavior. Here, we report the successful modeling of a highly cooperative two-step spin-crossover iron(II) compound, [Fe(bapbpy)(NCS)(2)]. The magnetic susceptibility measurements and low- and high-temperature hysteretic cycles reflect the presence of an intermediate phase, which controls the memory-storage capacity of this material. It is shown that the hysteresis loop widths can be traced theoretically by evaluating the electrostatic contributions between the transiting units. Despite the apparent reduction of intermolecular interactions upon cooling, it is suggested that the enhanced fluctuations of the Madelung field are responsible for the observed hysteresis width changes. This counterintuitive scenario makes the preparation of information storage devices an even more challenging task, where theoretical inspections are very insightful.     

Spectroelectrochemical evidence for the nitrosyl redox siblings NO+, NO*, and NO- coordinated to a strongly electron-accepting Fe(II) porphyrin: DFT calculations suggest the presence of high-spin states after reduction of the Fe(II)-NO- complex

Experimental and computational results for the electron-deficient porphyrin complex [Fe(NO)(TFPPBr(8))] (1; TFPPBr(8)=2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin) are reported with respect to its electron-transfer behavior. Complex 1 undergoes three one-electron processes: two reversible reductions and one irreversible oxidation. Spectroelectrochemical measurements (IR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy) of (14)NO- and (15)NO-containing material indicate that the first reduction to 1(-) occurs largely on the NO ligand to produce nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) character, as evident from the considerable change in ν(NO) from 1715 to around 1550 cm(-1). The second reduction to 1(2)(-) does not result in a further shift of ν(NO) to lower frequencies, but to a surprising high-energy shift to 1590 cm(-1). This and the notable changes of the characteristic porphyrin vibrations as well as significant changes of the UV/Vis absorptions indicate a porphyrin-centered process; DFT calculations predict the shift of ν(NO) to higher frequencies for the intermediate- and high-spin states of 1(2-). The oxidation of 1 is irreversible on the voltammetry timescale, but chemically reversible in spectroelectrochemical experiments, suggesting that the cationic form dissociates to the corresponding ferric porphyrin and NO. DFT calculations support the interpretation of the experimental results.     

Prussian blue analogue CsFe[Cr(CN)(6)] as a matrix for the Fe(II) spin-crossover

The origin of the intriguing spin-transition behavior of the Prussian blue analogue cesium iron hexacyanochromate CsFe[Cr(CN)6] has been investigated by means of correlated ab initio CASPT2 calculations. Using the smallest transiting core [Fe(NC)6]4-, the relative importance of the local ligand field and the Madelung field generated by the rest of the crystal was estimated. It is shown that in the presence of a frozen-charge environment, the high-spin state lies lower in energy than the low-spin state, thus excluding the possibility of observing a spin transition. In contrast, the charge reorganization in the environment evaluated from unrestricted periodic Hartree-Fock calculations creates a prerequisite for the spin-transition phenomenon. The influence of the disorder in the cesium ions' positions on the spin transition has been examined as a possible stabilizing factor of the low-spin state of [Fe(NC)6]4-. It is concluded that this experimentally observed disorder cannot account solely for the unprecedented behavior of the CsFe[Cr(CN)6] compound.     

Asymmetric olefin aziridination using a newly designed Ru(CO)(salen) complex as the catalyst

Highly enantioselective and good to high-yielding aziridination of conjugated and non-conjugated terminal olefins and cyclic olefins was achieved using a newly designed Ru(CO)(salen) complex as the catalyst in the presence of SESN(3) under mild conditions.     

Vibrational spectrum of the spin crossover complex [Fe(phen)(2)(NCS)(2)] studied by IR and Raman spectroscopy, nuclear inelastic scattering and DFT calculations

The vibrational modes of the low-spin and high-spin isomers of the spin crossover complex [Fe(phen)(2)(NCS)(2)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been measured by IR and Raman spectroscopy and by nuclear inelastic scattering. The vibrational frequencies and normal modes and the IR and Raman intensities have been calculated by density functional methods. The vibrational entropy difference between the two isomers, DeltaS(vib), which is--together with the electronic entropy difference DeltaS(el)--the driving force for the spin-transition, has been determined from the measured and from the calculated frequencies. The calculated difference (DeltaS(vib) = 57-70 J mol(-1) K(-1), depending on the method) is in qualitative agreement with experimental values (20-36 J mol(-1) K(-1)). Only the low energy vibrational modes (20% of the 147 modes of the free molecule) contribute to the entropy difference and about three quarters of the vibrational entropy difference are due to the 15 modes of the central FeN(6) octahedron.     

Studies of the catalytic activity of Fe(III)(salen) complexes as epoxidation catalysts

Two new Fe(III)(salen) complexes, FeL¹ClO₄·2H₂O (1) and FeL²ClO₄ (2) [L¹ = N,N′-ethylenebis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylaldimine) and L² = N,N′-cyclohexenebis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylaldimine)], have been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activity of the complexes for epoxidation of alkenes has been investigated in the presence of two terminal oxidants PhIO and NaOCl, with two solvents CH₃CN and CH₂Cl₂. As alkenes styrene and (E)-stilbene have been chosen for investigation; styrene is a better substrate than electron-rich (E)-stilbene. The study also suggests that unlike their Mn(III) counterparts, 1 and 2 are poor epoxidation catalysts; catalysis proceeds with formation of one intermediate, rather than forming more than one intermediate depending on the terminal oxidant used. Use of exogenous neutral donor ligands such as Py, PyNO and 1-MePy is effective to improve catalytic behavior.     

Reactions of nitrogen oxides with heme models. Characterization of NO and NO2 dissociation from Fe(TPP)(NO2)(NO) by flash photolysis and rapid dilution techniques: Fe(TPP)(NO2) as an unstable intermediate

Described are studies directed toward elucidating the controversial chemistry relating to the solution phase reactions of nitric oxide with the iron(II) porphyrin complex Fe(TPP)(NO) (1, TPP = meso-tetraphenylporphinato2-). The only reaction observable with clean NO is the formation of the diamagnetic dinitrosyl species Fe(TPP)(NO)2 (2), and this is seen only at low temperatures (K(1) < 3 M(-1) at ambient temperature). However, 1 does readily react reversibly with N2O3 in the presence of excess NO to give the nitro nitrosyl complex Fe(TPP)(NO2)(NO) (3), suggesting that previous claims that 1 promotes NO disproportionation to give 3 may have been compromised by traces of air in the nitric oxide sources. It is also noted that 3 undergoes reversible loss of NO to give the elusive nitro species Fe(TPP)(NO2) (4), which has been implicated as a powerful oxygen atom transfer agent in reactions with various substrates. Furthermore, in the presence of excess NO2, the latter undergoes oxidation to the stable nitrato analogue Fe(TPP)(NO3) (5). Owing to such reactivity of Fe(TPP)(NO2), flash photolysis and stopped-flow kinetics rather than static techniques were necessary for the accurate measurement of dissociation equilibria characteristic of Fe(TPP)(NO2)(NO) in 298 K toluene solution. Flash photolysis of 3 resulted in competitive NO2 and NO dissociation to give Fe(TPP)(NO) and Fe(TPP)(NO2), respectively. The rate constant for the reaction of 1 with N2O3 to generate Fe(TPP)(NO2)(NO) was determined to be 1.8 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), and that for the NO reaction with 4 was similarly determined to be 4.2 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). Stopped-flow rapid dilution techniques were used to determine the rate constant for NO dissociation from 3 as 2.6 s(-1). The rapid dilution experiments also demonstrated that Fe(TPP)(NO2) readily undergoes further oxidation to give Fe(TPP)(NO3). The mechanistic implications of these observations are discussed, and it is suggested that NO2 liberated spontaneously from Fe(P)(NO2) may play a role in an important oxidative process involving this elusive species.     

Elucidation of a Sc(I) complex by DFT calculations and reactivity studies

Sc(BrMgL)(2)Br (L = (R(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NCMe)(2)CH, R = H) was studied by DFT methods leading to the conclusion that this diamagnetic formal scandium(I) system enjoys stabilization of its Sc-based filled d(yz)() orbital by a delta-acceptor linear combination of BrMgL ring orbitals. Investigation of the reactivity of Sc(BrMgL)(2)Br (L = (R(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NCMe)(2)CH, R = Et) with H(2)O.B(C(6)F(5))(3) and (HOCH(2))(2)CMe(2), respectively, led to decomposition, with LMgBr being isolated in the latter case.     

Crystal structure and DFT calculations of Cp2NbH(SiIMe2)(SiFMe2): an asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex

An asymmetric bis(silyl) niobocene hydride complex, namely, bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(fluorodimethylsilyl)hydrido(iododimethylsilyl)niobium, [Nb(C₅H₅)₂(C₂H₆FSi)(C₂H₆ISi)H] or Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), has been studied to determine the effect of the silyl ligand on the position of the hydride attached to the Nb atom. It has been shown that when a Group 17 atom is substituted onto one of the silyl ligands, there is a greater interaction between the hydride and this ligand, as demonstrated by a shorter Si…H distance. In the present work, we have investigated the effect when the silyl ligands are substituted by different Group 17 atoms. We present here the structure and DFT calculations of Cp₂NbH(SiIMe₂)(SiFMe₂), showing that the position of the hydride is located between the two silyl ligands. The results from our investigation show that the hydride is closer to the silyl ligand that is substituted by fluorine.     

Toward rational control of metal stoichiometry in heterobimetallic coordination complexes: synthesis and characterization of Pb(Hsal)2(Cu(salen*))2, [Pb(NO3)(Cu(salen*))2](NO3), Pb(OAc)2(Cu(salen*)), and [Pb(OAc)(Ni(salen*))2](OAc)

The ability of the transition metal complex M(salen)* (M = Ni, Cu) to form Lewis acid-base adducts with lead(II) salts has been explored. The new complexes Pb(Hsal)(2)(Cu(salen*))(2) (1), [Pb(NO(3))(Cu(salen*))(2)](NO(3)) (2), Pb(OAc)(2)(Cu(salen*)) (3), and [Pb(OAc)(Ni(salen*)(2)](OAc) (4) (Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH, salen* = bis(3-methoxy)salicylideneimine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination environment of the lead in the heterobimetallic complex is sensitive both to the initial lead salt and to the transition metal salen* complex that is employed in the synthesis. As a result, we have been able to access both 2:1 and 1:1 adducts by varying either the lead salt or the transition metal in the heterobimetallic coordination complex. In all cases, the salen* complex is associated with the lead center via dative interactions of the phenolic oxygen atoms. The relationship between the coordination requirements of the lead and the chemical nature of the anion is examined. In compound 1, the Pb(2+) ion is chelated by two Cu(salen*) moieties, and both salicylate ligands remain attached to the lead center and bridge to the Cu(2+) ions. The two Cu(salen*) groups are roughly parallel and opposed to each other as required by crystallographic inversion symmetry at lead. In contrast, the two Cu(salen*) groups present in 2 and 4 attached to the lead ion show considerable overlap. Furthermore, only one nitrate ion in 2 and one acetate ion in 4 remain bonded to the lead center. Compound 3 is unique in that only one Cu(salen*) group can bind to lead. Here, both acetate ligands remain attached, although one is chelating bidentate and the other is monodentate.     

One- and two-step spin-crossover behavior of [Fe(II)(isoxazole)(6)](2+) and the structure and magnetic properties of triangular [Fe(III)(3)O(OAc)(6)(isoxazole)(3)][ClO(4)

The structure and spin-crossover magnetic behavior of [Fe(II)1(6)][BF(4)](2) (1 = isoxazole) and [Fe(II)1(6)][ClO(4)](2) have been studied. [Fe(II)1(6)][BF(4)](2) undergoes two reversible spin-crossover transitions at 91 and 192 K, and is the first two-step spin transition to undergo a simultaneous crystallographic phase transition, but does not exhibit thermal hysteresis. The single-crystal structure determinations at 260 [space group P3, a = 17.4387(4) A, c = 7.6847(2) A] and at 130 K [space group P1, a = 17.0901(2) A, b = 16.7481(2) A, c = 7.5413(1) A, alpha = 90.5309(6) degrees, beta = 91.5231(6) degrees, gamma = 117.8195(8) degrees ] reveal two different iron sites, Fe1 and Fe2, in a 1:2 ratio. The room-temperature magnetic moment of 5.0 mu(B) is consistent with high-spin Fe(II). A plateau in mu(T) having a moment of 3.3 mu(B) centered at 130 K suggests a mixed spin system of some high-spin and some low-spin Fe(II) molecules. On the basis of the Fe-N bond distances at the two temperatures, and the molar fraction of high-spin molecules at the transition plateau, Fe1 and Fe2 can be assigned to the 91 and 192 K transitions, respectively. [Fe(II)1(6)][ClO(4)](2) [space group P3, a = 17.5829(3) A, c = 7.8043(2) A, beta = 109.820 (3) degrees, T = 295 K] also possesses Fe1:Fe2 in a 1:2 ratio, and magnetic measurements show a single spin transition at 213 K, indicating that both Fe1 and Fe2 undergo a simultaneous spin transition. [Fe(II)1(6)][ClO(4)](2) slowly decomposes in solutions containing acetic anhydride to form [Fe(III)(3)O(OAc)(6)1(3)][ClO(4)] [space group I2, a = 10.1547(7) A, b = 16.5497(11) A, c = 10.3205(9) A, beta = 109.820 (3) degrees, T = 200 K]. The isosceles Fe(3) unit contains two Fe.Fe distances of 3.2844(1) A and a third Fe.Fe distance of 3.2857(1) A. The magnetic data can be fit to a trinuclear model with H = -2J(S(1)xS(2) + S(2)xS(3)) - 2J(13)(S(1)xS(3)), where J = -27.1 and J(13) = -32.5 cm(-1).     

{Fe(3CNpy)2[Cu(3CNpy)(mu-CN)2]2}: a one-dimensional cyanide-based spin-crossover coordination polymer

A novel one-dimensional coordination polymer made up of Fe(II), 3-cyanopyridine (3CNpy), and the singular in situ formed [Cu(I)(3CNpy)(CN)2]- anionic bridge has been synthesized. This compound undergoes a spin-crossover behavior according to its magnetic and calorimetric properties. The crystal structure of the title compound has been studied in the high- and low-spin states and correlated with the character of the spin conversion. Evidence for intense spin-state-dependent Cu....Cu interactions between the chains is also reported.