A Heteroleptic Push–Pull Substituted Iron(II) Bis(tridentate) Complex with Low‐Energy Charge‐Transfer States

A heteroleptic iron(II) complex [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]²⁺ with a strongly electron‐withdrawing ligand (dcpp, 2,6‐bis(2‐carboxypyridyl)pyridine) and a strongly electron‐donating tridentate tripyridine ligand (ddpd, N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dipyridine‐2‐yl‐pyridine‐2,6‐diamine) is reported. Both ligands form six‐membered chelate rings with the iron center, inducing a strong ligand field. This results in a high‐energy, high‐spin state (⁵T₂, (t_2g)⁴(e_g*)²) and a low‐spin ground state (¹A₁, (t_2g)⁶(e_g*)⁰). The intermediate triplet spin state (³T₁, (t_2g)⁵(e_g*)¹) is suggested to be between these states on the basis of the rapid dynamics after photoexcitation. The low‐energy π^* orbitals of dcpp allow low‐energy MLCT absorption plus additional low‐energy LL′CT absorptions from ddpd to dcpp. The directional charge‐transfer character is probed by electrochemical and optical analyses, Mößbauer spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy of the adjacent redox states [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]³⁺ and [Fe(dcpp)(ddpd)]⁺, augmented by density functional calculations. The combined effect of push–pull substitution and the strong ligand field paves the way for long‐lived charge‐transfer states in iron(II) complexes.     

Iron(II) Complexes for the Efficient Catalytic Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

Ferrous efficiency : New achiral and chiral iron complexes containing P‐N‐N‐P diiminodiphosphine ligands display high activity—and in the case of the catalyst shown, high enantioselectivity—in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketones. This is an important step in the journey to replace precious and toxic platinum metal catalysts with cheap and environmentally friendly iron compounds.

     

Highly Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones with Chiral (NH)2P2 Macrocyclic Iron(II) Complexes

Bis(isonitrile) iron(II) complexes bearing a C₂‐symmetric diamino (NH)₂P₂ macrocyclic ligand efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of polar bonds of a broad scope of substrates (ketones, enones, and imines) in high yield (up to 99.5 %), excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), and with low catalyst loading (generally 0.1 mol %). The catalyst can be easily tuned by modifying the substituents of the isonitrile ligand.     

How Ligand Geometry Affects the Reactivity of Co(II) Cyclam Complexes

Cobalt complexes are extensively studied as bioinspired models for non-heme oxygenases as they facilitate both the stabilization and characterization of metal-oxygen intermediates. As an analog to the well-known Co(cyclam) complex Co{N₄} (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), the Co^II complex Co{i-N₄} with the isomeric isocyclam ligand (isocyclam=1,4,7,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) was synthesized and characterized. Despite the identical N₄ donor set of both complexes, Co{i-N₄} enables the 2e⁻/2H⁺ reduction of O₂ with a lower overpotential (η_eff of 385 mV vs. 540 mV for Co{N₄} ), albeit with a diminished turnover frequency. Characterization of the intermediates formed upon O₂ activation of Co{i-N₄} reveals a structurally identified stable μ-peroxo Co^III dimer as the main product. A superoxo Co^III species is also formed as a minor product, as indicated by EPR spectroscopy. In further reactivity studies, the electrophilicity of these in situ generated Co−O₂ species was demonstrated by the oxidation of the O−H bond of TEMPO−H (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-ol) via a H atom abstraction process. Unlike the known Co(cyclam), Co{i-N₄} can be employed in oxygen atom transfer reactions oxidizing triphenylphosphine to the corresponding phosphine oxide highlighting the impact of geometrical modifications of the ligand while preserving the ring size and donor atom set on the reactivity of biomimetic oxygen activating complexes.     

A Unified Treatment of the Relationship Between Ligand Substituents and Spin State in a Family of Iron(II) Complexes

The influence of ligands on the spin state of a metal ion is of central importance for bioinorganic chemistry, and the production of base‐metal catalysts for synthesis applications. Complexes derived from [Fe(bpp)₂]²⁺ (bpp=2,6‐di{pyrazol‐1‐yl}pyridine) can be high‐spin, low‐spin, or spin‐crossover (SCO) active depending on the ligand substituents. Plots of the SCO midpoint temperature (T ) in solution vs. the relevant Hammett parameter show that the low‐spin state of the complex is stabilized by electron‐withdrawing pyridyl (“X”) substituents, but also by electron‐donating pyrazolyl (“Y”) substituents. Moreover, when a subset of complexes with halogeno X or Y substituents is considered, the two sets of compounds instead show identical trends of a small reduction in T for increasing substituent electronegativity. DFT calculations reproduce these disparate trends, which arise from competing influences of pyridyl and pyrazolyl ligand substituents on Fe‐L σ and π bonding.     

Spin Crossover in a Family of Iron(II) Complexes with Hexadentate ligands: Ligand Strain as a Factor Determining the Transition Temperature

This paper reports the synthesis of a family of mononuclear complexes [Fe(L)]X₂ (X=BF₄, PF₆, ClO₄) with hexadentate ligands L=Hpy-DAPP ({bis[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-3-aminopropyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine}), Hpy-EPPA ({[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-3-aminopropyl][N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-aminoethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine}) and Hpy-DEPA ({bis[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-aminoethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine}). The systematic change of the length of amino-aliphatic chains in these ligands results in chelate rings of different size: two six-membered rings for Hpy-DAPP, one five- and one six-membered rings for Hpy-EPPA, and two five-membered rings for Hpy-DEPA. The X-ray analysis of three low-spin complexes [Fe(L)](BF₄)₂ revealed similarities in their molecular and crystal structures. The magnetic measurements have shown that all synthesized complexes display spin-crossover behavior. The spin-transition temperature increases upon the change from six-membered to five-membered chelate rings, clearly demonstrating the role of the ligand strain. This effect does not depend on the nature of the counter ion. We discuss the structural features accountable for the strain effect on the spin-transition temperature.     

Photophysics of Anionic Bis(4H-imidazolato)CuI Complexes

In this paper, the photophysical behavior of four panchromatically absorbing, homoleptic bis(4H-imidazolato)Cu^I complexes, with a systematic variation in the electron-withdrawing properties of the imidazolate ligand, were studied by wavelength-dependent time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Excitation at 400, 480, and 630 nm populates metal-to-ligand charge transfer, intraligand charge transfer, and mixed-character singlet states. The pump wavelength-dependent transient absorption data were analyzed by a recently established 2D correlation approach. Data analysis revealed that all excitation conditions yield similar excited-state dynamics. Key to the excited-state relaxation is fast, sub-picosecond pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion, which is accompanied by the relocalization of electron density onto a single ligand from the initially delocalized state at Franck-Condon geometry. Subsequent intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold is followed by a sub-100 ps decay to the ground state. The fast, nonradiative decay is rationalized by the low triplet-state energy as found by DFT calculations, which suggest perspective treatment at the strong coupling limit of the energy gap law.     

新型不对称三齿多吡啶配体及其混配钌(II)配合物的合成、表征及与DNA相互作用研究

合成了两个新型不对称三齿多吡啶配体 ,3 ( 1,10 菲咯啉基 2 ) 1,2 ,4 三唑 (PHT) ,3 ( 1,10 菲咯啉基 2 ) 5 甲基 1,2 ,4 三唑 (PHMT) ,及其混配配合物 [Ru(tpy) (PHT) ] 2 + (Ru1)和 [Ru(tpy) (PHMT) ] 2 + (Ru2 ) ,通过元素分析、FAB MS ,ES MS ,1HNMR ,IR ,UV vis ,发射光谱和电化学对它们进行了表征 .运用电子吸收光谱、竞争性结合实验和粘度测试等方法研究了配合物与DNA的作用机理 ,结果显示它们均是通过静电作用与DNA结合 ,且Ru2与DNA的作用比Ru1与DNA的作用更强 .     

Intense Photoinduced Intervalence Charge Transfer in High-Valent Iron Mixed Phenolate/Carbene Complexes

We report high-valent iron complexes supported by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-anchored, bis-phenolate pincer ligands that undergo ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) upon photoexcitation. The resulting excited states – with a lifetime in the picosecond range – feature a ligand-based, mixed-valence system and intense intervalence charge transfer bands in the near-infrared region. Upon oxidation of the complex, corresponding intervalence charge transfer absorptions are also observed in the ground state. We suggest that the spectroscopic hallmarks of such LMCT states provide useful tools to decipher excited-state decay mechanisms in high-valent NHC complexes. Our observations further indicate that NHC-anchored, bis-phenolate pincer ligands are not sufficiently strong donors to prevent the population of excited metal-centered states in high-valent iron complexes.     

Heteroleptic and Homoleptic Iron(III) Complexes with a Tris(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Borate Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Application

Heteroleptic and homoleptic iron(III) complexes supported by a tris(N-heterocyclic carbene) borate ligand have been prepared and crystallographically characterized. The strong electron-donating character of the tris(carbene) donor was revealed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements combined with quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of each complex was evaluated in cyclohexane oxidation reaction using meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (=mCPBA) as an oxidant, and both complexes show high catalytic activity and selectivity with TON=∼350 and A/(K+L)=8–10. Mechanistic studies suggested that radical-chain processes are involved in the reaction due to mCPBA acting as a one-electron oxidant, concomitant with the pathway of metal-based reactive species. Moreover, it was found that the homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes differed significantly in the involvement of metal-based active species, with the homoleptic complex exhibiting more metal-based reactions.     

Triplet Emitting C^N^C Cyclometalated Dibenzo[c,h]Acridine Pt(II) Complexes

In a series of Pt(II) complexes [Pt(dba)(L)] containing the very rigid, dianionic, bis-cyclometalating, tridentate C^N^C²⁻ heterocyclic ligand dba^2– (H₂dba = dibenzo[c,h]acridine), the coligand (ancillary ligand) L = dmso, PPh₃, CNtBu and Me₂Imd (N,N’-dimethylimidazolydene) was varied in order to improve its luminescence properties. Beginning with the previously reported dmso complex, we synthesized the PPh₃, CNtBu and Me₂Imd derivatives and characterized them by elemental analysis, ¹H (and ³¹P) NMR spectroscopy and MS. Cyclic voltammetry showed partially reversible reduction waves ranging between −1.89 and −2.10 V and increasing along the series Me₂Imd < dmso ≈ PPh₃ < CNtBu. With irreversible oxidation waves ranging between 0.55 (L = Me₂Imd) and 1.00 V (dmso), the electrochemical gaps range between 2.65 and 2.91 eV while increasing along the series Me₂Imd < CNtBu < PPh₃ < dmso. All four complexes show in part vibrationally structured long-wavelength absorption bands peaking at around 530 nm. TD-DFT calculated spectra agree quite well with the experimental spectra, with only a slight redshift. The photoluminescence spectra of all four compounds are very similar. In fluid solution at 298 K, they show broad, only partially structured bands, with maxima at around 590 nm, while in frozen glassy matrices at 77 K, slightly blue-shifted (~580 nm) bands with clear vibronic progressions were found. The photoluminescence quantum yields Φ_L ranged between 0.04 and 0.24, at 298 K, and between 0.80 and 0.90 at 77 K. The lifetimes τ at 298 K ranged between 60 and 14040 ns in Ar-purged solutions and increased from 17 to 43 µs at 77 K. The TD-DFT calculated emission spectra are in excellent agreement with the experimental findings. In terms of high Φ_L and long τ, the dmso and PPh₃ complexes outperform the CNtBu and Me₂Imd derivatives. This is remarkable in view of the higher ligand strength of Me₂Imd, compared with all other coligands, as concluded from the electrochemical data.     

Spin-State Variations of Iron(III) Complexes with Tetracarbene Macrocycles

Starting from their six-coordinate iron(II) precursor complexes [L^8RFe(MeCN)]²⁺, a series of iron(III) complexes of the known macrocyclic tetracarbene ligand L^8H and its new octamethylated derivative L^8Me, both providing four imidazol-2-yliden donors, were synthesized. Several five- and six-coordinate iron(III) complexes with different axial ligands (Cl⁻, OTf⁻, MeCN) were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and analyzed in detail with respect to their spin state variations, using a bouquet of spectroscopic methods (NMR, UV/Vis, EPR, and ⁵⁷Fe Mößbauer). Depending on the axial ligands, either low-spin (S=1/2) or intermediate-spin (S=3/2) states were observed, whereas high-spin (S=5/2) states were inaccessible because of the extremely strong in-plane σ-donor character of the macrocyclic tetracarbene ligands. These findings are reminiscent of the spin state patterns of topologically related ferric porphyrin complexes. The ring conformations and dynamics of the macrocyclic tetracarbene ligands in their iron(II), iron(III) and μ-oxo diiron(III) complexes were also studied.     

Tridentate Complexes of Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Bearing bis‐Aryloxide Triazole Ligands: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

A novel class of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes bearing tridentate bis‐aryloxide triazole ligands was prepared by using straightforward and high‐yielding synthetic routes. The complexes were fully characterized and the molecular structures of four derivatives were unambigously determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometric analyses. For the most promising luminescent Pt^II derivatives, further experimental investigations were carried out to characterize their photophysical features and to ascertain the nature of the emitting excited state by means of electronic absorption, steady‐state, and time‐resolved emission techniques in different conditions. In degassed fluid solution the complexes displayed broad and featureless photoluminescence with λ_em=522–585 nm, excited‐state lifetime up to few microseconds and quantum yield (PLQY) up to 17 %, depending on the nature of both ancillary ligand and substituent on the tridentate ligand. Computational investigation using density functional theory and time‐dependent DFT were performed to gain insight into the electronic processes responsible for optical transitions and structure–photoluminescence relationship. Jointly, experimental and theoretical characterization indicated that the radiative transition arises from an excited state with admixed triplet‐manifold metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer and ligand‐centered (³MLCT/³LC) character. We elucidated the modulation of the photophysical properties upon variation of substituents for this new family of complexes.     

齐聚苯胺修饰的三联吡啶铁配合物的合成及其光谱和电化学性质

合成了一系列齐聚苯胺修饰的三联吡啶铁配合物,研究了齐聚苯胺链长、不同取代基等对配合物光谱性质和氧化还原性质的影响。 结果表明,相对于配合物[Fe(TPY)₂]²⁺(TPY:三联吡啶),供电子齐聚苯胺单元的引入,使得修饰基团与配合物中心核[Fe(TPY)₂]²⁺之间形成了强的D-A体系,导致配合物¹MLCT吸收波长显著红移至594 nm,且摩尔吸光系数增加近5倍。 配合物同时具有基于金属中心、三联吡啶配体和齐聚苯胺单元的多个氧化还原过程,强拉电子取代基使齐聚苯胺单元氧化还原峰简并且峰电势明显正移,而正丁基取代基对氧化还原峰电势的影响较小。     

The Equatorial Ligand Effect on the Properties and Reactivity of Iron(V) Oxo Intermediates

High-valent metal oxo oxidants are common catalytic-cycle intermediates in enzymes and known to be highly reactive. To understand which features of these oxidants affect their reactivity, a series of biomimetic iron(V) oxo oxidants with peripherally substituted biuret-modified tetraamido macrocyclic ligands were synthesized and characterized. Major shifts in the UV/Vis absorption as a result of replacing a group in the equatorial plane of the iron(V) oxo species were found. Further characterization by EPR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and resonance Raman spectroscopy revealed differences in structure and the electronic configuration of these complexes. A systematic reactivity study with a range of substrates was performed and showed that the reactions are affected by electron-withdrawing substituents in the equatorial ligand, which enhance the reaction rate by almost 10¹⁶ orders of magnitude. Thus, the long-range electrostatic perturbations have a major influence on the rate constant. Finally, computational studies identified the various electronic contributions to the rate-determining reaction step and explained how the equatorial ligand periphery affects the properties of the oxidant.     

Heterodinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes of the Bridging Ligand 1,6,7,12‐Tetraazaperylene with Iron(II), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), as well as Palladium(II) and Platinum(II)

The first heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the 1,6,7,12‐tetraazaperylene (tape) bridging ligand with iron(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) were synthesized and characterized. The metal coordination sphere in this complexes is filled by the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3](2,6)‐pyridinophane (L‐N₄Me₂) ligand, yielding complexes of the general formula [(L‐N₄Me₂)Ru(µ‐tape)M(L‐N₄Me₂)](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂ with M = Fe {[ 2 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, Co {[ 3 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, and Ni {[ 4 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}. Furthermore, the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes with palladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐dichloride [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PdCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 5 ](PF₆)₂} and [(dmbpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PtCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 6 ](PF₆)₂}, respectively were also prepared. The molecular structures of the complex cations [ 2 ]⁴⁺ and [ 4 ]⁴⁺ were discussed on the basis of the X‐ray structures of [ 2 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN and [ 4 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN. The electrochemical behavior and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous mono‐ and homodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the tape bridging ligand.     

Excited State Dynamics of Isocyano Rhenium(I) Phenanthroline Complexes from Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

The photophysical processes in a series of isocyano Re(I) phenanthroline complexes {[Re(CNR)_n(CO)_4-n(phen)](PF₆); n=2, 3, 4, R=2,6-(ⁱPr)₂C₆H₃- or ^tBu- (n=2)} in acetonitrile have been studied by resonance Raman spectroscopy, transient resonance Raman spectroscopy, and femtosecond / nanosecond transient spectroscopy to elucidate the nature of their electronic transitions and emissive excited state(s). The kinetics of the intersystem crossing, vibrational relaxation and radiative decay of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer {MLCT [dπ(Re)→π*(phen)]} excited state have also been determined.     

Anion and Additive Effects on the Structure of Mercury(II) Halides Complexes with Tripodal Ligand

The metal complexes [Hg₂(tbim)₂Br₄]·2DMF ( 1 ) and [Hg₂(tbim)I₄]·1.5DMF ( 2 ) were prepared by reactions of 1,3,5‐tris(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzene (tbim) with HgBr₂, HgI₂, respectively, and [Hg₂(tbim)I₄]·0.5(FeCp₂)·H₂O ( 3 ) was obtained by the same method with addition of ferrocene (FeCp₂) as additive. Their structures were determined by X‐ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 1 has a macrocyclic binuclear structure with one benzimidazole arm of the ligand free of coordination and the binuclear units are further connected by C‐H···N hydrogen bonds to give an infinite zigzag chain. Complexes 2 and 3 have a 2D network structure in which tbim serves as a tridentate ligand. The results showed that the halides of bromide and iodide have remarkable impact on the structure of the complexes. The FeCp₂ molecules are trapped in the voids of framework 3 .