Stepwise Reduction of Redox Noninnocent Nitrosobenzene to Aniline via a Rare Phenylhydroxylamino Intermediate on a Thiolate-Bridged Dicobalt Scaffold.

Nitrosobenzene (PhNO) and phenylhydroxylamine (PhNHOH) are of paramount importance because of their involvement as crucial intermediates in the biological metabolism and catalytic transformation of nitrobenzene (PhNO2) to aniline (PhNH2). However, a complete reductive transformation cycle of PhNO to PhNH2 via the PhNHOH intermediate has not been reported yet. In this context, we design and construct a new thiolate-bridged dicobalt scaffold that can accomplish coordination activation and reductive transformation of PhNO. Notably, an unprecedented reversible ligand-based redox sequence PhNO0 ↔ PhNO•- ↔ PhNO2- can be achieved on this well-defined {CoIII(µ-SPh)2CoIII} functional platform. Further detailed reactivity investigations demonstrate that the PhNO0 and PhNO•- complexes cannot react with the usual hydrogen and hydride donors to afford the corresponding phenylhydroxylamino (PhNHO-) species. However, the double reduced PhNO2- complex can readily undergo N-protonation with an uncommon weak proton donor PhSH to selectively yield a stable dicobalt PhNHO- bridged complex with a high pKa value of 13-16. Cyclic voltammetry shows that there are two successive reduction events at E1/2 = -0.075 V and Ep = -1.08 V for the PhNO0 complex, which allows us to determine both bond dissociation energy (BDEN-H) of 59-63 kcal·mol-1 and thermodynamic hydricity (ΔGH-) of 71-75 kcal·mol-1 of the PhNHO- complex. Both values indicate that the PhNO•- complex is not a potent hydrogen abstractor and the PhNO0 complex is not an efficient hydride acceptor. In the presence of BH3 as a combination of protons and electrons, facile N-O bond cleavage of the coordinated PhNHO- group can be realized to generate PhNH2 and a dicobalt hydroxide-bridged complex. Overall, we present the first stepwise reductive sequence, PhNO0 ↔ PhNO•- ↔ PhNO2- ↔ PhNHO- → PhNH2.

Magneto-Structural Correlation of Five-Coordinate Trigonal Bipyramidal High Spin Cobalt(II) Complexes.

Here, we combined magnetometry, multi-frequency electronic paramagnetic resonance, and wave function based ab initio calculations to investigate magnetic properties of two high spin Co(II) complexes Co(BDPRP) (BDPRP=2,6-bis((2-(S)-di(4-R)phenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidi-nyl)methyl)pyridine, R=H for 8; R=tBu for 9). Complexes 8 and 9 featuring effective D3h symmetry were found to possess D=24.0 and 32.0 cm-1, respectively, in their S=3/2 ground states of 1 e ' ' d x z / y z 4 1 e ' d x y / x 2 - y 2 2 1 a 1 ' d z 2 1 ${{\left(1{{\rm e}}^{{\rm { {^\prime}}}{\rm { {^\prime}}}}\right({d}_{xz/yz}\left)\right)}^{4}{\left(1{{\rm e}}^{{\rm { {^\prime}}}}\right({d}_{{xy/{x}^{2}-y}^{2}}\left)\right)}^{2}{\left(1{{\rm a}}_{1}^{{\rm { {^\prime}}}}\right({d}_{{z}^{2}}\left)\right)}^{1}}$ . Ligand field analyses revealed that the low-lying d-d excited states make either positive or vanishing contributions to D. Hence, total positive D values were measured for 8 and 9, as well as related D3h high spin Co(II) complexes. In contrast, negative D values are usually observed for C3v congeners. In-depth analyses suggested that lowering symmetry from D3h to C3v induces orbital mixing between 1 e d x z / y z ${1{\rm e}\left({d}_{xz/yz}\right)}$ and 2 e d x y / x 2 - y 2 ${2{\rm e}\left({d}_{{xy/{x}^{2}-y}^{2}}\right)}$ and admixes excited state 4 A 2 1 e → 2 e ${{}^{4}{{\rm A}}_{2}\left(1e\to 2e\right)}$ into the ground state. Both factors turn the total D value progressively negative with the increasing distance (δ) of the Co(II) center out of the equatorial plane. Therefore, δ determines the sign and magnitude of final D values of five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal S=3/2 Co(II) complexes as measured for a series of such species with varying δ.

A Discrete, Boron-Containing Triangular Triradical.

A neutral boron-containing triangular triradical based on a triptycene derivative has been designed and synthesized. Its structure, bonding and physical property have been studied by EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as theoretical calculations. The triradical has a series of isosceles triangle conformations in the solution due to the Jahn-Teller distortion, leading to the splitting of the two low-lying doublet states. This factor together with negligible spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of composing light atoms quenches the spin frustration. The work represents a rare example of a neutral through-space triangular triradical.

Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of a Mononuclear N,N,O-Bound Fe(II) α-Keto-Acid Complex.

A bulky, tridentate phenolate ligand (ImPh2 NNOtBu ) was used to synthesise the first example of a mononuclear, facial, N,N,O-bound iron(II) benzoylformate complex, [Fe(ImPh2 NNOtBu )(BF)] (2). The X-ray crystal structure of 2 reveals that the iron centre is pentacoordinate (τ=0.5), with a vacant site located cis to the bidentate BF ligand. The Mössbauer parameters of 2 are consistent with high-spin iron(II), and are very close to those reported for α-ketoglutarate-bound non-heme iron enzyme active sites. According to NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, the structural integrity of 2 is retained in both coordinating and non-coordinating solvents. Cyclic voltammetry studies show that the iron centre has a very low oxidation potential and is more prone to electrochemical oxidation than the redox-active phenolate ligand. Complex 2 reacts with NO to form a S=3 /2 {FeNO}7 adduct in which NO binds directly to the iron centre, according to EPR, UV-vis, IR spectroscopies and DFT analysis. Upon O2 exposure, 2 undergoes oxidative decarboxylation to form a diiron(III) benzoate complex, [Fe2 (ImPh2 NNOtBu )2 (µ2 -OBz)(µ2 -OH)2 ]+ (3). A small amount of hydroxylated ligand was also observed by ESI-MS, hinting at the formation of a high-valent iron(IV)-oxo intermediate. Initial reactivity studies show that 2 is capable of oxygen atom transfer reactivity with O2 , converting methyl(p-tolyl)sulfide to sulfoxide.

A Mechanistic Spectrum of O-H Bond Cleavage Observed for Reactions of Phenols with a Manganese Superoxo Complex.

Reaction of a rare and well-characterized MnIII-superoxo species, Mn(BDPBrP)(O2⋅) (1, H2BDPBrP=2,6-bis((2-(S)-di(4-bromo)phenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)pyridine), with 4-dimethylaminophenol at -80 °C proceeds via concerted proton electron transfer (CPET) to produce a MnIII-hydroperoxo complex, Mn(BDPBrP)(OOH) (2), alongside 4-dimethylaminophenoxy radical; whereas, upon treatment with 4-nitrophenol, complex 1 undergoes a proton transfer process to afford a MnIV-hydroperoxo complex, [Mn(BDPBrP)(OOH)]+ (3). Intriguingly, the reactions of 1 with 4-chlorophenol and 4-methoxyphenol follow two routes of CPET and sequential proton and electron transfer to furnish complex 2 in the end. UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic studies coupled with DFT calculations provided support for this wide mechanistic spectrum of activating various phenol O-H bonds by a single MnIII-superoxo complex, 1.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bridging-Diazene Diiron Half-Sandwich Complexes: The Role of Sulfur Hydrogen Bonding.

We report two bridging-diazene diiron complexes [Cp*Fe(8-quinolinethiolate)]2(µ-N2H2) (1-N2H2) and [Cp*Fe(1,2-Cy2PC6H4S)]2(µ-N2H2) (2-N2H2), synthesized by the reaction of hydrazine with the corresponding thiolate-based iron half-sandwich complex, [Cp*Fe(8-quinolinethiolate)]2 (1) and Cp*Fe(1,2-Cy2PC6H4S) (2). Crystallographic analysis reveals that the thiolate sites in 1-N2H2 and 2-N2H2 can engage in N-H···S hydrogen bonding with the diazene protons. 1-N2H2 is thermally stable in both solid and solution states, allowing for one-electron oxidation to afford a cationic diazene radical complex [1-N2H2]+ at room temperature. In contrast, 2-N2H2 tends to undergo N2H2/N2 transformation, leading to the formation of a Fe(III)-H species by the loss of N2. In addition to stabilizing HN=NH species through the hydrogen bonding, the thiolate-based ligands also seem to facilitate proton-coupled electron transfer, thereby promoting N-H cleavage.

Bimetallic H2 Addition and Intramolecular Caryl-H Activation Mediated by an Iron-Zinc Hydride.

Heteronuclear Fe(µ-H)Zn hydride Cp*Fe(1,2-Cy2PC6H4)HZnEt (3) undergoes reversible intramolecular Caryl-H reductive elimination through coupling of the cyclometalated phosphinoaryl ligand and the hydride, giving rise to a formal Fe(0)-Zn(II) species. Addition of CO intercepts this equilibrium, affording Cp*(Cy2PPh)(CO)Fe-ZnEt that features a dative Fe-Zn bond. Significantly, this system achieves bimetallic H2 addition, as demonstrated by the transformation of the monohydride Fe(µ-H)Zn to a deuterated dihydride Fe-(µ-D)2-Zn upon reaction with D2.

Insights into dioxygen binding on metal centers: an ab initio multireference electronic structure analysis.

Why does binding of dioxygen (O2) to metal centers, the initial step of O2 storage, transportation, and activation, almost inevitably induce metal-to-O2 single-electron transfer and generate superoxo (O2-˙) species, instead of genuine O02 adducts? To address this question, this study describes highly correlated wavefunction-based ab initio calculations using CASSCF/NEVPT2 (CASSCF = complete active space self-consistent field, and NEVPT2 = N-electron valence state second-order perturbation theory) approaches to explore the electronic-structure evolution of O2 association on Fe(II)(BDPP) (H2BDPP = 2,6-bis((2-(S)-diphenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)pyridine) and Co(II)(BDPP) to produce S = 3 Fe(III)(BDPP)(O2-˙) (1) and Co(III)(BDPP)(O2-˙) (2). CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations suggest that the processes furnishing 1 and 2 feature an avoided crossing resulting from interactions of two diabatic curves, of which one is characterized as Co(II) and Fe(II) centers interacting with a triplet O2 ligand and the other as Co(III) and Fe(III) centers bound to a superoxo ligand. In both cases, the avoided crossing induces a one-electron transfer from the divalent metal center to the incoming O2 ligand and leads to formation of trivalent metal-O2-˙ complexes. To facilitate the interpretation of complicated multireference wavefunctions, we formulated two-fragment spin eigenfunctions utilizing Clebsch-Gordan coefficients (CGCs) to rationalize computed spin populations on the metal centers and the O2 ligand and compared these results with usual valence bonding (VB) analyses. It turns out that both methods give the same results and are complementary to each other. Finally, the limitation of DFT approaches in describing complex electronic structures involving metal-ligand magnetic couplings is delineated.

An Isolable One-Coordinate Lead(I) Radical with Strong g-Factor Anisotropy.

Lead-based radicals in the oxidation state of +1 are elusive species and are highly challenging to isolate in the condensed phase. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of the first isolable free plumbylyne radical 2 bearing a one-coordinate Pb(I) atom. It reacts with an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) to afford a two-coordinate NHC-ligated Pb(I) radical 3. 2 and 3 represent the first isolable Pb(I)-based radicals. Theoretical calculations and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis revealed that the unpaired electron mainly resides at the Pb 6p orbital in both radicals. Owing to the unique one-coordinate nature of the Pb atom in 2, it possesses two-fold orbital pseudo-degeneracy and substantial unquenched orbital angular momentum, and exhibits hitherto strongest g-factor anisotropy (gx,y,z=1.496, 1.166, 0.683) amongst main group radicals. Preliminary investigations into the reactivity of 2 unveiled its Pb-centered radical nature, and plumbylenes were isolated as products.

Unusual Electronic Structures of an Electron Transfer Series of [Cr(µ-η1 : η1 -N2 )Cr]0/1+/2.

In dinitrogen (N2 ) fixation chemistry, bimetallic end-on bridging N2 complexes M(µ-η1 : η1 -N2 )M can split N2 into terminal nitrides and hence attract great attention. To date, only 4d and 5d transition complexes, but none of 3d counterparts, could realize such a transformation. Likewise, complexes {[Cp*Cr(dmpe)]2 (µ-N2 )}0/1+/2+ (1-3) are incapable to cleave N2 , in contrast to their Mo congeners. Remarkably, cross this series the N-N bond length of the N2 ligand and the N-N stretching frequency exhibit unprecedented nonmonotonic variations, and complexes 1 and 2 in both solid and solution states display rare thermally activated ligand-mediated two-center spin transitions, distinct from discrete dinuclear spin crossovers. In-depth analyses using wave function based ab initio calculations reveal that the Cr-N2 -Cr bonding in complexes 1-3 is distinguished by strong multireference character and cannot be described by solely one electron configuration or Lewis structure, and that all intriguing spectroscopic observations originate in their sophisticate multireference electronic structures. More critical is that such multireference bonding of complexes 1-3 is at least a key factor that contributes to their kinetic inertness toward N2 splitting. The mechanistic understanding is then used to rationalize the disparate reactivity of related 3d M(µ-η1 : η1 -N2 )M complexes compared to their 4d and 5d analogs.

Monosubstituted Doublet Sn(I) Radical Featuring Substantial Unquenched Orbital Angular Momentum.

Due to their intrinsic high reactivity, isolation of heavier analogues of carbynes remains a great challenge. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a neutral monosubstituted Sn(I) radical (2) supported by a sterically hindered hydrindacene ligand, which represents the first tin analogue of a free carbyne. Different from all Sn(I/III) species reported thus far, the presence of a sole Sn-C σ bond in 2 renders the remaining two Sn 5p orbitals energetically almost degenerate, of which one is singly occupied and the other is empty. Consequently, its S = 1/2 ground state possesses two-fold orbital pseudo-degeneracy and substantial unquenched orbital angular momentum, as evidenced by one component of its g matrix (1.957, 1.896, and 1.578) being considerably less than 2. Consistent with this unique electronic structure, 2 can bind to an N-heterocyclic carbene to afford a neutral two-coordinate Sn(I) radical and initiate a one-electron transfer to benzophenone to furnish a Sn(II)-ketyl radical anion adduct. As a manifestation of its Sn-centered radical nature, 2 reacts with diphenyl diselenide and p-benzoquinone to form Sn-S and Sn-O bonds, respectively.

Unusual Hydrogenation Reactivities of a Thiolate-Bridged Dicobalt µ-Nitride Featuring a Bent {CoIII-N-CoIII} Core.

Transition metal nitrides have received considerable attention owing to their crucial roles in nitrogen fixation and nitrogen atom transfer reactions. Compared to the early and middle transition metals, it is much more challenging to access late transition metal nitrides, especially cobalt in group 9. So far, only a handful of cobalt nitrides have been reported; consequently, their hydrogenation reactivity is largely unexplored. Herein, we present a structurally and spectroscopically well-characterized thiolate-bridged dicobalt µ-nitride [Cp*CoIII(µ-SAd)(µ-N)CoIIICp*] (2) featuring a bent {CoIII(µ-N)CoIII} core. Remarkably, complex 2 can realize not only direct hydrogenation of nitride to amide but also stepwise N-H bond formation from nitride to ammonia. Specifically, 2 can facilely activate dihydrogen (H2) at mild conditions to generate a dicobalt µ-amide [Cp*CoII(µ-SAd)(µ-NH2)CoIICp*] (4) via an unusual mechanism of two-electron oxidation of H2 as proposed by computational studies; in the presence of protons (H+) and electrons, nitride 2 can convert to dicobalt µ-imide [Cp*CoIII(µ-SAd)(µ-NH)CoIIICp*][BPh4] (3[BPh4]) and to CoIICoII µ-amide 4, and finally release ammonia. In contrast to 2, the only other structurally characterized dicobalt µ-nitride Na(THF)4{[(ketguan)CoIII(N3)]2(µ-N)} (ketguan = [(tBu2CN)C(NDipp)2]-, Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) (e) that possesses a linear {CoIII(µ-N)CoIII} moiety cannot directly react with H2 or H+. Further in-depth electronic structure analyses shed light on how the varying geometries of the {CoIII(µ-N)CoIII} moieties in 2 and e, bent vs linear, impart their disparate reactivities.

Snapshots of Early-Stage Quantitative N2 Electrophilic Functionalization.

Electrophilic functionalization of N2 moieties in metal dinitrogen complexes typically initiates the catalytic synthesis of N-containing molecules directly from N2. Despite intensive research in the last six decades, how to efficiently and even quantitatively convert N2 into diazenido and hydrazido species still poses a great challenge. In this regard, systematic and comprehensive investigations to elucidate the reaction intricacies are of profound significance. Herein, we report a kinetic dissection on the first and second electrophilic functionalization steps of a new Cr0-N2 system with HOTf, MeOTf, and Me3SiOTf. All reactions pass through fleeting diazenido intermediates and furnish long-lived final hydrazido products, and both steps are quantitative conversions at low temperatures. All of the second-order reaction rates of the first and second transformations were determined as well as the lifetimes of the intervening diazenido species. Based on these findings, we succeeded in large-scale and near-quantitative preparation of all hydrazido species.

Electrocatalytic Interconversions of CO2 and Formate on a Versatile Iron-Thiolate Platform.

Exploring bidirectional CO2/HCO2- catalysis holds significant potential in constructing integrated (photo)electrochemical formate fuel cells for energy storage and applications. Herein, we report selective CO2/HCO2- electrochemical interconversion by exploiting the flexible coordination modes and rich redox properties of a versatile iron-thiolate platform, Cp*Fe(II)L (L = 1,2-Ph2PC6H4S-). Upon oxidation, this iron complex undergoes formate binding to generate a diferric formate complex, [(L-)2Fe(III)(µ-HCO2)Fe(III)]+, which exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic performance for the HCO2--to-CO2 transformation with a maximum turnover frequency (TOFmax) ∼103 s-1 and a Faraday efficiency (FE) ∼92(±4)%. Conversely, this iron system also allows for reduction at -1.85 V (vs Fc+/0) and exhibits an impressive FE ∼93 (±3)% for the CO2-to-HCO2- conversion. Mechanism studies revealed that the HCO2--to-CO2 electrocatalysis passes through dicationic [(L2)-•Fe(III)(µ-HCO2)Fe(III)]2+ generated by unconventional oxidation of the diferric formate species taking place at ligand L, while the CO2-to-HCO2- reduction involves a critical intermediate of [Fe(II)-H]- that was independently synthesized and structurally characterized.

Homoleptic Fe(III) and Fe(IV) Complexes of a Dianionic C3-Symmetric Scorpionate.

High-valent iron species have been implicated as key intermediates in catalytic oxidation reactions, both in biological and synthetic systems. Many heteroleptic Fe(IV) complexes have now been prepared and characterized, especially using strongly π-donating oxo, imido, or nitrido ligands. On the other hand, homoleptic examples are scarce. Herein, we investigate the redox chemistry of iron complexes of the dianonic tris-skatylmethylphosphonium (TSMP2-) scorpionate ligand. One-electron oxidation of the tetrahedral, bis-ligated [(TSMP)2FeII]2- leads to the octahedral [(TSMP)2FeIII]-. The latter undergoes thermal spin-cross-over both in the solid state and solution, which we characterize using superconducting quantum inference device (SQUID), Evans method, and paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, [(TSMP)2FeIII]- can be reversibly oxidized to the stable high-valent [(TSMP)2FeIV]0 complex. We use a variety of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational techniques as well as SQUID magnetometry to establish a triplet (S = 1) ground state with a metal-centered oxidation and little spin delocalization on the ligand. The complex also has a fairly isotropic g-tensor (giso = 1.97) combined with a positive zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D (+19.1 cm-1) and very low rhombicity, in agreement with quantum chemical calculations. This thorough spectroscopic characterization contributes to a general understanding of octahedral Fe(IV) complexes.

Fully Delocalized Mixed-Valent Cu1.5 Cu1.5 Complex: Strong Cu-Cu interaction and Fast Electron Self-Exchange Rate Despite Large Structural Changes.

A flexible macrocyclic ligand with two tridentate {CNC} compartments can host two Cu ions in reversibly interconvertible states, CuI CuI (1) and mixed-valent Cu1.5 Cu1.5 (2). They were characterized by XRD and multiple spectroscopic methods, including EPR, UV/Vis absorption and MCD, in combination with TD-DFT and CASSCF calculations. 2 features a short Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distance (≈2.5 Å; compared to ≈4.0 Šin 1) and a very high delocalization energy of 13 000 cm-1 , comparable to the mixed-valent state of the biological CuA site. Electron self-exchange between 1 and 2 is rapid despite large structural reorganization, and is proposed to proceed via a sequential mechanism involving an active conformer of 1, viz. 1'; the latter has been characterized by XRD. Such electron transfer (ET) process is reminiscent of the conformationally gated ET proposed for biological systems. This redox couple is a unique pair of flexible dicopper complexes, achieving fast electron self-exchange closely related to the function of the CuA site.

Tracking an FeV (O) Intermediate for Water Oxidation in Water.

High-valent iron-oxo species are appealing for conducting O-O bond formation for water oxidation reactions. However, their high reactivity poses a great challenge to the dissection of their chemical transformations. Herein, we introduce an electron-rich and oxidation-resistant ligand, 2-[(2,2'-bipyridin)-6-yl]propan-2-ol to stabilize such fleeting intermediates. Advanced spectroscopies and electrochemical studies demonstrate a high-valent FeV (O) species formation in water. Combining kinetic and oxygen isotope labelling experiments and organic reactions indicates that the FeV (O) species is responsible for O-O bond formation via water nucleophilic attack under the real catalytic water oxidation conditions.

Signet-Ring-Shaped Octaphosphorus-Cobalt Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Functionalization Reactions with Carbene Analogs.

White phosphorus activation with low-valent metal species has proved to be very effective in converting P4 into small Pn-containing molecules with n ≤ 4. Much less developed are metal-mediated P4-coupling reactions that can yield selectively large polyphosphorus clusters. Herein, we report P4-activation reactions with three-coordinate N-heterocyclic carbene(NHC)-cobalt(0)-alkene complexes, which produce the P8 complexes of cobalt [(NHC)2Co2(µ-η6:η6-P8)] (NHC = 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes), 1; 1,3-bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IDep), 2) in high yields. The P8 ligand in 1 and 2 exhibits a signet-ring type structure that was predicted by theoretical study but has never been obtained in synthetic molecules. Theoretical studies suggest that [(NHC)2Co2(µ-η6:η6-P8)] is best described as a Co0-[P8]0-Co0 complex featuring a Co-Co σ-bond and discernible Co-to-P8 back-donation. By treating with N-heterocyclic silylene, phosphinidene precursor, organic azides, and NHCs, complex 1 was transformed into [(IMes)2Co2(µ-η6:η6-P8X)] (X = 1,3-bis(tert-butyl)-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopent-4-en-2-ylidene, 3; PNMe2, 4), [(IMes)2Co2(σ:(µ-η4:η6)-RNPPP6)] (R = SO2-C6H4-p-Me, 5; C(CF3)2Ph, 6), and [(IMes)2Co2(µ-η2:η2-cyclo-P4P(IPri2))(µ-η3:η3-P3)] (7), respectively. Complexes 3-7 can be viewed as the adducts of 1 with the corresponding carbene analogous SiR2, PR, NR, and CR2, but their core structures are distinct. Under similar conditions, white phosphorus is inert toward these reagents. These cage functionalization reactions showcase the enhanced reactivity of the P8 ligand in [(NHC)2Co2(µ-η6:η6-P8)] over that of P4, and indicate the amphiphilicity of the P8 ligand toward electrophiles and nucleophiles.

A Parent Iron Amido Complex in Catalysis of Ammonia Oxidation.

Parent amido complexes are crucial intermediates in ammonia-based transformations. We report a well-defined ferric ammine system [Cp*Fe(1,2-Ph2PC6H4NH)(NH3)]+ ([1-NH3]+), which processes electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation to N2 and H2 at a mild potential. Through establishing elementary e-/H+ conversions with the ferric ammine, a formal Fe(IV)-amido species, [1-NH2]+, together with its conjugated Lewis acid, [1-NH3]2+, was isolated and structurally characterized for the first time. Mechanism studies indicated that further oxidation of [1-NH2]+ induces the reaction of the parent amido unit with NH3. The formation of hydrazine is realized by the non-innocent nature of the phenylamido ligand that facilitates the concerted transfer of one proton and two electrons.

Metalla-aromatics: Planar, Nonplanar, and Spiro.

ConspectusThe concept of aromaticity is one of the most fundamental principles in chemistry. It is generally accepted that planarity is a prerequisite for aromaticity, and typically the more planar the geometry of an aromatic compound is, the stronger aromatic it is. However, it is not always the case, particularly when transition metals are involved in conjugation and electron delocalization of aromatic systems, i.e., metalla-aromatics. Because of the intrinsic nature of transition-metal orbitals, besides planar geometries, the most stable molecular structures of metalla-aromatic compounds could take nonplanar and even spiro geometries. In this Account, we outline several unprecedented types of metalla-aromatics developed recently in our research group.Around seven years ago, we found that 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes, dilithio reagents with π-conjugation, could function as non-innocent ligands and react with low-valent transition-metal complexes, generating monocyclic metalla-aromatic compounds. Later on, by taking advantage of the unique behavior of dilithio reagents and the intrinsic nature of different transition metals, we have synthesized a series of metalla-aromatic compounds, of which four types are discussed here, and each of them represents the first of its kind. First, nearly planar aromatic dicupra[10]annulenes, a 10 π-electron aromatic system with two bridging Cu atoms participating in the orbital conjugation and electron delocalization, are synthesized by annulating two dilithio reagents with two Cu(I) complexes.Second, four kinds of spiro metalla-aromatics, featuring planar (with Pd, Pt, or Rh as the spiro atom) geometry with a whole 10π aromatic system, octahedral (tris-spiro metalla-aromatics with V as the spiro atom) geometry with an entire 40π Craig-Möbius aromatic system, tetrahedral (with Mn as the spiro atom) geometry having two independent and perpendicular 6π planar aromatic rings, and tetrahedral (with Mn as the spiro atom) geometry with one planar and one nonplanar 6π aromatic rings, respectively, are generated. In sharp contrast to spiroaromaticity with carbon acting as the spiro atom described in Organic Chemistry, the metal spiro atom herein takes part in orbital conjugation and electron delocalization.Third, nonplanar aromatic butadienyl diiron complexes are realized. Different from planar aromatic systems featuring delocalized π-type overlap, this nonplanar metalla-aromaticity is achieved by the novel σ-type overlap between the two Fe 3dxz orbitals and the butadienyl π orbital, forming a 6π aromatic system. Fourth, dinickelaferrocene, a ferrocene analogue with two aromatic nickeloles, is synthesized from our monocyclic aromatic dilithionickelole and FeBr2. The aromaticity of dinickelaferrocene and its nickelole ligands is realized by electron back-donation from the Fe 3d orbital to the π* orbital of nickeloles, which also deepens our understanding of the origin of aromaticity.The search for unprecedented and exciting aromatic systems, particularly with transition metals being involved, will continue to drive this intriguing research field forward. Given the synthetic strategies and various types of metalla-aromatics developed and described, diversified metalla-aromatics of interesting structures and reaction chemistry, novel chemical bonding modes, and useful functions can be expected.