Manganese-Catalyzed Ammonia Oxidation into Dinitrogen under Chemical or Electrochemical Conditions*.

Earth-abundant metal-catalyzed oxidative conversion of ammonia into dinitrogen is a promising process to utilize ammonia as a transportation fuel. Herein, we report the manganese-catalyzed ammonia oxidation under chemical or electrochemical conditions using a manganese complex bearing (1S,2S)-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine. Under chemical conditions using oxidant, up to 17.1 equivalents of N2 per catalyst are generated. Also, mechanistic studies by stoichiometric reactions reveal that a nucleophilic attack of ammonia on manganese nitrogenous species occurs to form a nitrogen-nitrogen bond leading to dinitrogen. Moreover, we conduct density functional theory (DFT) calculations to confirm the plausible reaction mechanism. In addition, this reaction system is applicable under electrochemical conditions. The catalytic reaction proceeds with 96 % faradaic efficiency (FE) in bulk electrolysis to give up to 6.56 equivalents of N2 per catalyst.

Author Correction: Ruthenium-catalysed oxidative conversion of ammonia into dinitrogen.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Synthesis of 1,2,4-azadiphosphole derivatives based on vanadium-catalyzed [2+2+1] cycloaddition reactions of azobenzenes with phosphaalkynes.

A new synthetic method is described to construct 1,2,4-azadiphosphole derivatives based on vanadium-catalyzed [2+2+1] cycloaddition reactions. Reactions of azobenzenes as nitrogen sources with phosphaalkynes as phosphorous counterparts in the presence of VCl2(thf)2 as a catalyst afford the corresponding 1,2,4-azadiphospholes.

Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to tris(trimethylsilyl)amine using rhodium complexes with a pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligand.

Rhodium complexes bearing an anionic pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligand are synthesised and found to work as effective catalysts for the transformation of molecular dinitrogen into tris(trimethylsilyl)amine under mild reaction conditions. This is the first successful example of rhodium-catalysed dinitrogen reduction under mild reaction conditions.

Ruthenium-catalysed oxidative conversion of ammonia into dinitrogen.

Conversion of ammonia into dinitrogen has attracted broad scientific interest in relation to molecular models of the heterogeneous nitrogen fixation process, environmental treatment for denitrification and utilization of ammonia as an energy carrier. Here we show that some ruthenium complexes bearing 2,2'-bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylate ligands work as catalysts for the ammonia oxidation reaction. Production of dinitrogen is observed when ammonium salts are treated with a triarylaminium radical as an oxidant and 2,4,6-collidine as a base in the presence of the ruthenium catalysts. Based on the characterization of some intermediates, we propose a reaction pathway via a bimetallic nitride-nitride coupling process. The proposed reaction pathway is supported by density functional theory calculations. Further investigation of the ammonia oxidation reaction under the electrochemical conditions revealed that the ruthenium complex works as a new anode catalyst for ammonia oxidation.

Molybdenum-Catalyzed Ammonia Formation Using Simple Monodentate and Bidentate Phosphines as Auxiliary Ligands.

We have found molybdenum-catalyzed ammonia formation using simple and commercially available monodentate and bidentate phosphines as auxiliary ligands with a simple and convenient procedure. Molybdenum complexes generated in situ from [MoI3(THF)3] and the corresponding phosphines such as PMePh2 and 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane worked effectively toward ammonia formation.

Alkylation Reactions of Azodicarboxylate Esters with 4-Alkyl-1,4-Dihydropyridines under Catalyst-Free Conditions.

Introduction of alkyl groups on azodicarboxylate esters is an important method to prepare alkyl amine derivatives. Herein, we report reactions of 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines as alkylation reagents with di- tert-butyl azodicarboxylate to prepare alkyl amine derivatives under heating conditions. The alkylation reactions via C-C bond cleavage of the dihydropyridines are achieved in the absence of catalysts and additives.

Catalytic Reactivity of Molybdenum-Trihalide Complexes Bearing PCP-Type Pincer Ligands.

Molybdenum-iodide complexes bearing a PCP[1] ligand have been found to work as excellent catalysts toward ammonia formation under ambient reaction conditions among dinitrogen-bridged dimolybdenum complexes and other molybdenum complexes bearing PNP and PCP[2] ligands.

Catalytic C-H Borylation Using Iron Complexes Bearing 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydroisoindol-2-ide-Based PNP-Type Pincer Ligand.

Catalytic C-H borylation has been reported using newly designed iron complexes bearing a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoindol-2-ide-based PNP pincer ligand. The reaction tolerated various five-membered heteroarenes, such as pyrrole derivatives, as well as six-membered aromatic compounds, such as toluene. Successful examples of the iron-catalyzed sp3 C-H borylation of anisole derivatives were also presented.

Molybdenum-catalysed ammonia production with samarium diiodide and alcohols or water.

The production of ammonia from nitrogen gas is one of the most important industrial processes, owing to the use of ammonia as a raw material for nitrogen fertilizers. Currently, the main method of ammonia production is the Haber-Bosch process, which operates under very high temperatures and pressures and is therefore very energy-intensive1. The transition-metal-catalysed reduction of nitrogen gas2-6 is an alternative method for the formation of ammonia. In these reaction systems, metallocenes or potassium graphite are typically used as the reducing reagent, and conjugate acids of pyridines or related compounds are used as a proton source. To develop a next-generation nitrogen-fixation system, these reagents should be low cost, readily available and environmentally friendly. Here we show that the combination of samarium(II) diiodide (SmI2) with alcohols or water enables the fixation of nitrogen to be catalysed by molybdenum complexes under ambient conditions. Up to 4,350 equivalents of ammonia can be produced (based on the molybdenum catalyst), with a turnover frequency of around 117 per minute. The amount of ammonia produced and its rate of formation are one and two orders of magnitude larger, respectively, than those achieved in artificial reaction systems reported so far, and the formation rate approaches that observed with nitrogenase enzymes. The high reactivity is achieved by a proton-coupled electron-transfer process that is enabled by weakening of the O-H bonds of alcohols and water coordinated to SmI2. Although the current reaction is not suitable for use on an industrial scale, this work demonstrates an opportunity for further research into catalytic nitrogen fixation.

Effect of substituents on molybdenum triiodide complexes bearing PNP-type pincer ligands toward catalytic nitrogen fixation.

Molybdenum triiodide complexes bearing various substituted pyridine-based PNP-type pincer ligands are prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. Their catalytic activity is investigated toward the reduction of nitrogen gas into ammonia under ambient reaction conditions.

Copper-catalysed enantioselective intramolecular etherification of propargylic esters: synthetic approach to chiral isochromans.

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral isochromans bearing a terminal alkyne moiety has been accomplished by copper-catalysed enantioselective intramolecular propargylic substitution reactions of propargylic esters with alcoholic nucleophiles. This method represents the first successful example which directly introduced a terminal alkyne group into chiral isochromans.

Copper-Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of Isocyanoacetates with Phosphaalkynes to Prepare 1,3-Azaphospholes.

A novel copper-catalyzed synthetic method is described for phosphorous- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as 1,3-azaphospholes. Cycloaddition reactions of various isocyanoacetates with phosphaalkynes in the presence of copper bromide, bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), and potassium carbonate afford the corresponding 1,3-azaphospholes in high yields with complete selectivity. Some dppm-bridged dicopper complexes were identified as active species for the formation of 1,3-azaphospholes.

Phosphine Oxidation with Water and Ferrocenium(III) Cation Induced by Visible-Light Irradiation.

Stoichiometric oxidation of phosphines with water and ferrocenium(III) cation as the oxygen atom source and the oxidizing reagent, respectively, was achieved in acetonitrile under visible-light irradiation by using 2,6-lutidine as the proton acceptor. The reaction required light irradiation, under which fluorescence was observed for the acetonitrile solution of the ferrocenium(III) cation.

Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkenyl Halides with 4-Benzyl-1,4- Dihydropyridines Associated with E to Z Isomerization under Nickel and Photoredox Catalysis.

Cross-coupling reactions of alkenyl halides with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines as alkylation reagents have been achieved by combination of nickel and photoredox catalysts. Alkenyl halides bearing alkyl and aryl substituents are available. Particularly, in the use of aryl-substituted alkenyl halides, cross-coupling reactions are associated with E to Z isomerization of alkenes. Thus, Z-isomers of the products are obtained as major products. The present strategy provides a novel synthetic method to control the stereochemistry around alkenes.

Synthesis and reactivity of titanium- and zirconium-dinitrogen complexes bearing anionic pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligands.

Dinitrogen-bridged dititanium and dizirconium complexes bearing anionic pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligands are prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. Their catalytic activity is investigated toward reduction of nitrogen gas into ammonia and hydrazine under mild reaction conditions.

Catalytic Reduction of Molecular Dinitrogen to Ammonia and Hydrazine Using Vanadium Complexes.

Newly designed and prepared vanadium complexes bearing anionic pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer and aryloxy ligands were found to work as effective catalysts for the direct conversion of molecular dinitrogen into ammonia and hydrazine under mild reaction conditions. This is the first successful example of vanadium-catalyzed dinitrogen reduction under mild reaction conditions.

Preparation and reactivity of iron complexes bearing anionic carbazole-based PNP-type pincer ligands toward catalytic nitrogen fixation.

Iron-chloride, -dinitrogen, and -methyl complexes bearing anionic carbazole-based PNP-type pincer ligands are designed, prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. Some iron complexes are found to work as catalysts toward nitrogen fixation under mild reaction conditions.

Expression of RSOsPR10 in rice roots is antagonistically regulated by jasmonate/ethylene and salicylic acid via the activator OsERF87 and the repressor OsWRKY76, respectively.

Plant roots play important roles in absorbing water and nutrients, and in tolerance against environmental stresses. Previously, we identified a rice root-specific pathogenesis-related protein (RSOsPR10) induced by drought, salt, and wounding. RSOsPR10 expression is strongly induced by jasmonate (JA)/ethylene (ET), but suppressed by salicylic acid (SA). Here, we analyzed the promoter activity of RSOsPR10. Analyses of transgenic rice lines harboring different-length promoter::ß-glucuronidase (GUS) constructs showed that the 3-kb promoter region is indispensable for JA/ET induction, SA repression, and root-specific expression. In the JA-treated 3K-promoter::GUS line, GUS activity was mainly observed at lateral root primordia. Transient expression in roots using a dual luciferase (LUC) assay with different-length promoter::LUC constructs demonstrated that the novel transcription factor OsERF87 induced 3K-promoter::LUC expression through binding to GCC-cis elements. In contrast, the SA-inducible OsWRKY76 transcription factor strongly repressed the JA-inducible and OsERF87-dependent expression of RSOsPR10. RSOsPR10 was expressed at lower levels in OsWRKY76-overexpressing rice, but at higher levels in OsWRKY76-knockout rice, compared with wild type. These results show that two transcription factors, OsERF87 and OsWRKY76, antagonistically regulate RSOsPR10 expression through binding to the same promoter. This mechanism represents a fine-tuning system to sense the balance between JA/ET and SA signaling in plants under environmental stress.

Synthesis and reactivity of iron-dinitrogen complexes bearing anionic methyl- and phenyl-substituted pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligands toward catalytic nitrogen fixation.

Iron-dinitrogen complexes bearing methyl- and phenyl-substituted pyrrole-based anionic PNP-type pincer ligands are prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. The former complex is found to work as a more effective catalyst than that bearing a non-substituted PNP-type pincer ligand toward the transformation of nitrogen gas into ammonia and hydrazine under mild reaction conditions.