The Mechanism of Stereospecific C?H Oxidation by Fe(Pytacn) Complexes: Bioinspired Non‐Heme Iron Catalysts Containing cis‐Labile Exchangeable Sites

A detailed mechanistic study of the hydroxylation of alkane C? H bonds using H₂O₂ by a family of mononuclear non heme iron catalysts with the formula [Fe^II(CF₃SO₃)₂(L)] is described, in which L is a tetradentate ligand containing a triazacyclononane tripod and a pyridine ring bearing different substituents at the α and γ positions, which tune the electronic or steric properties of the corresponding iron complexes. Two inequivalent cis‐labile exchangeable sites, occupied by triflate ions, complete the octahedral iron coordination sphere. The C? H hydroxylation mediated by this family of complexes takes place with retention of configuration. Oxygen atoms from water are incorporated into hydroxylated products and the extent of this incorporation depends in a systematic manner on the nature of the catalyst, and the substrate. Mechanistic probes and isotopic analyses, in combination with detailed density functional theory (DFT) calculations, provide strong evidence that C? H hydroxylation is performed by highly electrophilic [Fe^V(O)(OH)L] species through a concerted asynchronous mechanism, involving homolytic breakage of the C? H bond, followed by rebound of the hydroxyl ligand. The [Fe^V(O)(OH)L] species can exist in two tautomeric forms, differing in the position of oxo and hydroxide ligands. Isotopic‐labeling analysis shows that the relative reactivities of the two tautomeric forms are sensitively affected by the α substituent of the pyridine, and this reactivity behavior is rationalized by computational methods.     

Elucidating the 2D Magnetic Topology of the ‘Metal–Radical’ TTTA⋅Cu(hfac)2 System

The TTTA ? Cu(hfac)₂ polymer ( 1 ; in which TTTA=1,3,5‐trithia‐2,4,6‐triazapentalenyl, and hfac=(1,1,1,5,5,5)‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate) is one of the most prominent examples of the rational use of the ‘metal–radical’ synthetic approach to achieve ferromagnetic interactions. Experimentally, the magnetic topology of 1 could not be fully deciphered. Herein, the first‐principles bottom‐up procedure was applied to elucidate the nature and strength of the magnetic J_AB exchange interactions present in 1 . The computed J_AB values give rise to a 2D magnetic topology of ferromagnetic dimers (+11.9 cm^?1) coupled through weaker antiferromagnetic interactions (?3.0 and ?3.2 cm^?1) in two different spatial directions. The hitherto unknown origin of the antiferromagnetic interdimer interactions is thus unveiled. By using the 2D magnetic topology, the agreement between calculated and experimental χT(T) data is extraordinary. In the metal–radical TTTA ? Cu(hfac)₂ compound, the computational model transcends the local dimer cluster model owing to strong interactions between metal centers and organic radicals, thereby creating a de facto biradical. In addition, it is shown that the magnetic topology cannot be inferred from the polymeric [TTTA ??? Cu(hfac)₂]_n crystal motif, that is, from its chemical coordination pattern. Instead, one should think in terms of magnetic building blocks, namely, the de facto biradicals.     

Nanosized trigonal prismatic and antiprismatic CuII coordination cages based on tricarboxylate linkers

3D coordination cages have been synthesized via the supramolecular 3 + 2 self-assembly of macrocyclic dicopper molecular clips and tricarboxylate linkers, the nature of which allows the introduction of different functionalities to the 3D cages.     

Efficient and selective peracetic Acid epoxidation catalyzed by a robust manganese catalyst

A manganese catalyst containing a tetradentate ligand derived from triazacyclononane exhibits high catalytic activity in epoxidation reactions using peracetic acid as oxidant. The system exhibits broad substrate scope and requires small (0.1-0.15 mol %) catalyst loading. The catalyst is remarkably selective toward aliphatic cis-olefins. Mechanistic studies point toward an electrophilic oxidant delivering the oxygen atom in a concerted step.     

A heterometallic (Ni(II)-Cu(II)) decanuclear cluster containing two distorted cubane-like pentanuclear cores: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

A new heterometallic Ni(II)-Cu(II) decanuclear cluster, {[Ni(4)Cu(6)(μ-OH(2))(2)(dpkO(2))(8)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(4)]·2CH(3)OH·17H(2)O} (1), has been synthesized by self-assembly of the constituent metal ions and the precursor di-2-pyridylketone (dpk) of multinucleating ligand dpkO(2)(2-) and is structurally characterized. The cluster 1 is formed by the union of two symmetry-related distorted cubane-like pentanuclear cores. A magnetic study of 1 reveals strong antiferromagnetic interactions operating through the Ni-O-Ni pathway, which is independent of the assumption D = 0 or D ≠ 0. The pentanuclear cores are ferromagnetically coupled, as supported by density functional theory calculations.     

An azido-metal-isonicotinate complex showing long-range ordered ferromagnetic interaction: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

A new 3D Cu(II) complex [Cu1.5(N3)2(isonicotinate)]n [1], which features two types of bridging modes for azide (mu(1,1) and the rare asymmetric mu(1,1,3)) where the three bonds of the mu(1,1,3)-N3(-) group to Cu exhibit three different distances, has been synthesized and characterized, and magnetic measurements indicate that [1] experiences long-range ferromagnetic ordering at approximately 6 K.     

Copper(II) hexaaza macrocyclic binuclear complexes obtained from the reaction of their copper(I) derivates and molecular dioxygen

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out for a series of Cu(I) complexes bearing N-hexadentate macrocyclic dinucleating ligands and for their corresponding peroxo species (1c-8c) generated by their interaction with molecular O2. For complexes 1c-7c, it has been found that the side-on peroxodicopper(II) is the favored structure with regard to the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III). For those complexes, the singlet state has also been shown to be more stable than the triplet state. In the case of 8c, the most favored structure is the trans-1,2-peroxodicopper(II) because of the para substitution and the steric encumbrance produced by the methylation of the N atoms. Cu(II) complexes 4e, 5e, and 8e have been obtained by O2 oxidation of their corresponding Cu(I) complexes and structurally and magnetically characterized. X-ray single-crystal structures for those complexes have been solved, and they show three completely different types of Cu(II)2 structures: (a) For 4e, the Cu(II) centers are bridged by a phenolate group and an external hydroxide ligand. The phenolate group is generated from the evolution of 4c via intramolecular arene hydroxylation. (b) For 5e, the two Cu(II) centers are bridged by two hydroxide ligands. (c) For the 8e case, the Cu(II) centers are ligated to terminally bound hydroxide ligands, rare because of its tendency to bridge. The evolution of complexes 1c-8c toward their oxidized species has also been rationalized by DFT calculations based mainly on their structure and electrophilicity. The structural diversity of the oxidized species is also responsible for a variety of magnetic behavior: (a) strong antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling with J = -482.0 cm(-1) (g = 2.30; rho = 0.032; R = 5.6 x 10(-3)) for 4e; (b) AF coupling with J = -286.3 cm(-1) (g = 2.07; rho = 0.064; R = 2.6 x 10(-3)) for 5e; (c) an uncoupled Cu(II)2 complex for 8e.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magneto-structural correlations of novel Cu(II) complexes containing a planar [Cu(mu-L1)]2 (HL1 = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole) unit: from dinuclear to tetranuclear and then to one-dimensional compounds

Seven new Cu(II) complexes based on a binuclear planar unit [Cu(mu-L(1))](2), [[Cu(mu-L(1))(NO(3))(H(2)O)](2) (1), [Cu(mu-L(1))(HL(1))(ClO(4))](2) (2), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(NO(3))(2)] (3), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(L(1))(2)] (4), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(mu-L(2))](n) (5), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(mu-L(3))](n) (6), [[Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(4)(mu-L(4))(2)](H(2)O)(3)](n) (7) (HL(1) = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole, L(2) = 1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylate, L(3) = terephthalate, L(4) = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)}, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and X-ray diffraction. In 1 and 2, the Cu(II) centers are linked by deprotonated pyrazolyl groups to form dinuclear structures. 3 and 4 have similar gridlike tetranuclear structures in which two additional deprotonated L(1) ligands bridge two [Cu(mu-L(1))](2) units perpendicularly. 5 and 6 consist of similar one-dimensional (1-D) chains in which gridlike tetranuclear copper(II) units similar to that of 3 are further linked by L(2) or L(3) ligands, respectively. And, in 7, L(4) ligands link [Cu(mu-L(1))](2) binuclear units to form a tetranuclear gridlike structure in chelating/bridging mode and simultaneously bridge the tetranuclear units to form a 1-D chain. The magnetic properties of all complexes were studied by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The obtained parameters of J range from -33.1 to -211 cm(-1), indicating very strong antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions. The main factor that affects the |J| parameter is the geometry of the Cu(N(2))(2)Cu entity. From the magnetic point of view, 1 and 2 feature "pure" dinuclear, 3 and 5 tetranuclear, and 4, 6, and 7 pseudodinuclear moieties.     

First metal azide complex with isonicotinate as a bridging ligand showing new net topology: hydrothermal synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

A new 3D azido-bridged coordination polymer, [Co1.5(N3)(OH)(Isonic)]n (1), has been synthesized and characterized and its magnetic properties studied. Isonicotinate acts as a bridging coligand in this complex. In 1, all of the ligands take tridentate bridging coordination modes, and the overall structure of 1 exhibits a new 3,6-connected net topology.     

Combined effects of diamines and carboxylate bridges on structural and magnetic properties of a series of polynuclear copper(II) complexes with 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid

Six new copper(II) complexes of formula [Cu(mu-cbdca)(H2O)]n (1) (cbdca = cyclobutanedicarboxylate), [Cu2(mu-cbdca)2(mu-bipy)2]n (2) (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), [Cu(mu-cbdca)(mu-bpe)]n (3) (bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane), [Cu(mu-cbdca)(bpy)]2 (4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), [Cu(terpy)(ClO4)]2(mu-cbdca).H2O (5) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), and [Cu(cbdca)(phen) (H2O)].2H2O (6) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were obtained and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a two-dimensional network with a carboxylate bridging ligand in syn-anti (equatorial-equatorial) coordination mode. Complexes 2 and 3 are formed by chains through syn-anti (equatorial-apical) carboxylate bridges, linked to one another by the corresponding amine giving two-dimensional nets. Complexes 4 and 5 are dinuclear, with the copper ions linked by two oxo (from two different carboxylate) bridging ligands in 4 and with only one carboxylate showing the unusual bis-unidentate mode in complex 5. Complex 6 is mononuclear, with the carboxylate linked to copper(II) in a chelated form. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions build an extended two-dimensional network. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of complexes 1-5 in the temperature range 2-300 K show the occurrence of weak ferromagnetic coupling for 1 and 4 (J = 4.76 and 4.44 cm(-1), respectively) and very weak antiferromagnetic coupling for 2, 3, and 5 (J = -0.94, -0.67, and -1.61 cm(-1), respectively). Structural features and magnetic values are compared with those reported for the similar copper(II) malonate and phenylmalonate complexes.