Highly Selective and Catalytic Oxygenations of C−H and C=C Bonds by a Mononuclear Nonheme High‐Spin Iron(III)‐Alkylperoxo Species

The reactivity of a mononuclear high‐spin iron(III)‐alkylperoxo intermediate [Fe^III(t‐BuL^Urea)(OOCm)(OH₂)]²⁺( 2 ), generated from [Fe^II(t‐BuL^Urea)(H₂O)(OTf)](OTf) ( 1 ) [t‐BuL^Urea=1,1′‐(((pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)azanediyl)bis(ethane‐2,1‐diyl))bis(3‐(tert‐butyl)urea), OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate] with cumyl hydroperoxide (CmOOH), toward the C?H and C=C bonds of hydrocarbons is reported. 2 oxygenates the strong C?H bonds of aliphatic substrates with high chemo‐ and stereoselectivity in the presence of 2,6‐lutidine. While 2 itself is a sluggish oxidant, 2,6‐lutidine assists the heterolytic O?O bond cleavage of the metal‐bound alkylperoxo, giving rise to a reactive metal‐based oxidant. The roles of the urea groups on the supporting ligand, and of the base, in directing the selective and catalytic oxygenation of hydrocarbon substrates by 2 are discussed.     

Two‐Coordinate Iron(I) Complex [Fe{N(SiMe3)2}2]−: Synthesis,Properties, and Redox Activity

First‐row two‐coordinate complexes are attracting much interest. Herein, we report the high‐yield isolation of the linear two‐coordinate iron(I) complex salt [K(L)][Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] (L=18‐crown‐6 or crypt‐222) through the reduction of either [Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] or its three‐coordinate phosphine adduct [Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂(PCy₃)]. Detailed characterization is gained through X‐ray diffraction, variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility studies. One‐ and two‐electron oxidation through reaction with I₂ is further found to afford the corresponding iodo iron(II) and diiodo iron(III) complexes.     

Carbon Monoxide Oxidation by Polyoxometalate‐Supported Gold Nanoparticulate Catalysts: Activity,Stability, and Temperature‐ Dependent Activation Properties

Nanoparticulate gold supported on a Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (POM), Cs₄[α‐SiW₁₂O₄₀]⋅n H₂O, was prepared by the sol immobilization method. The size of the gold nanoparticles (NPs) was approximately 2 nm, which was almost the same as the size of the gold colloid precursor. Deposition of gold NPs smaller than 2 nm onto POM (Au/POM) was essential for a high catalytic activity for CO oxidation. The temperature for 50 % CO conversion was −67 °C. The catalyst showed extremely high stability for at least one month at 0 °C with full conversion. The catalytic activity and the reaction mechanism drastically changed at temperatures higher than 40 °C, showing a unique behavior called a U‐shaped curve. It was revealed by IR measurement that Au^δ+ was a CO adsorption site and that adsorbed water promoted CO oxidation for the Au/POM catalyst. This is the first report on CO oxidation utilizing Au/POMs catalysts, and there is a potential for expansion to various gas‐phase reactions.