Rational Syntheses and Serendipity: Complexes [LSnPtCl2 (SMe2 )]2 , [{LSnPtCl(SMe2 )}2 SnCl2 ], [(LSn)3 (PtCl2 )(PtClSnCl){LSn(Cl)OH}], and [O(SnCl)2 (SnL)2 ] with L=MeN(CH2 CMe2 O)2.

Syntheses and molecular structures of the dimeric tin-platinum complex [LSnPtCl2 (SMe2 )]2 (2), the tin-platinum clusters [{LSnPtCl(SMe2 )}2 SnCl2 )] (3) and [(LSn)3 (PtCl2 )(PtClSnCl)(LSnOHCl)] (6) (L=MeN(CH2 CMe2 O- )2 ), and of the unprecedented tin(II) aminoalkoxide-tin oxide chloride complex [O(SnCl)2 ⋅(SnL)2 ] (5) are reported. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1 H, 13 C, 119 Sn, 195 Pt), 119 Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy (1-3, 6), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (2⋅CH2 Cl2 , 3⋅2 C4 H8 O, 5, 6⋅3CH2 Cl2 ). The tin(II) aminoalkoxide [MeN(CH2 CMe2 O)2 Sn]2 (1) behaves like a neutral ligand, inserts into a Pt-Cl bond, or is involved in rearrangement reactions with the different behavior occurring even within one compound (3, 6). DFT calculations show that the tin-platinum compounds behave like electronic chameleons.

Intermolecular Aminocarbonylation of Alkenes using Concerted Cycloadditions of Iminoisocyanates.

The aminocarbonylation of alkenes is a powerful method for accessing the ß-amino carbonyl motif that remains underdeveloped. Herein, the development of intermolecular aminocarbonylation reactivity of iminoisocyanates with alkenes is presented. This includes the discovery of a fluorenone-derived reagent, which was effective for many alkene classes and facilitated derivatization. Electron-rich substrates were most reactive, and this indicated that the LUMO of the iminoisocyanate is reacting with the HOMO of the alkene. Computational and experimental results support a concerted asynchronous [3 + 2] cycloaddition involving an iminoisocyanate, which was observed for the first time by FTIR under the reaction conditions. The products of this reaction are complex azomethine imines, which are precursors to valuable ß-amino carbonyl compounds such as ß-amino amides and esters, pyrazolones, and bicyclic pyrazolidinones. A kinetic resolution of the azomethine imines by enantioselective reduction (s = 13-43) allows access to enantioenriched products. Overall, this work provides a new tool to convert alkenes into ß-amino carbonyl compounds.

Iron(II) Complexes of a Hemilabile SNS Amido Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity.

We report an easily prepared bis(thioether) amine ligand, SMeNHSMe, along with the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of the paramagnetic iron(II) bis(amido) complex, [Fe(κ3-SMeNSMe)2] (1). Binding of the two different thioethers to Fe generates both five- and six-membered rings with Fe-S bonds in the five-membered rings (av 2.54 Å) being significantly shorter than those in the six-membered rings (av 2.71 Å), suggesting hemilability of the latter thioethers. Consistent with this hypothesis, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and computational (TD-DFT) studies indicate that 1 in solution contains a five-coordinate component [Fe(κ3-SMeNSMe)(κ2-SMeNSMe)] (2). This ligand hemilability was demonstrated further by reactivity studies of 1 with 2,2'-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane, and 2,6-dimethylphenyl isonitrile to afford iron(II) complexes [L2Fe(κ2-SMeNSMe)2] (3-5). Addition of a Brønsted acid, HNTf2, to 1 produces the paramagnetic, iron(II) amine-amido cation, [Fe(κ3-SMeNSMe)(κ3-SMeNHSMe)](NTf2) (6; Tf = SO2CF3). Cation 6 readily undergoes amine ligand substitution by triphos, affording the 16e- complex [Fe(κ2-SMeNSMe)(κ3-triphos)](NTf2) (7; triphos = bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine). These complexes are characterized by elemental analysis; 1H NMR, Mössbauer, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy; and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Preliminary results of amine-borane dehydrogenation catalysis show complex 7 to be a selective and particularly robust precatalyst.

Optical response of the Cu2 S2 diamond core in Cu2II(NGuaS)2 Cl2.

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations are presented for the dicopper thiolate complex Cu2 (NGuaS)2 Cl2 [NGuaS=2-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidino) benzenethiolate] with a special focus on the bonding mechanism of the Cu2 S2 Cl2 core and the spectroscopic response. This complex is relevant for the understanding of dicopper redox centers, for example, the CuA center. Its UV/Vis absorption is theoretically studied and found to be similar to other structural CuA models. The spectrum can be roughly divided in the known regions of metal d-d absorptions and metal to ligand charge transfer regions. Nevertheless the chloride ions play an important role as electron donors, with the thiolate groups as electron acceptors. The bonding mechanism is dissected by means of charge decomposition analysis which reveals the large covalency of the Cu2 S2 diamond core mediated between Cu dz2 and S-S π and π* orbitals forming Cu-S σ bonds. Measured resonant Raman spectra are shown for 360- and 720-nm excitation wavelength and interpreted using the calculated vibrational eigenmodes and frequencies. The calculations help to rationalize the varying resonant behavior at different optical excitations. Especially the phenylene rings are only resonant for 720 nm. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Selective Activation of Fluoroalkenes with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis of N-Heterocyclic Fluoroalkenes and Polyfluoroalkenyl Imidazolium Salts.

Selective reactions between nucleophilic N,N'-diaryl-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and electrophilic fluorinated alkenes afford NHC fluoroalkenes in high yields. These stable compounds undergo efficient and selective fluoride abstraction with Lewis acids to give polyfluoroalkenyl imidazolium salts. These salts react at Cß with pyrrolidine to give ammonium fluoride-substituted salts, which give rise to conjugated imidazolium-enamine salts through loss of HF. Alternatively, reaction with 4-(dimethylamino)-pyridine provides a Cα-pyridinium-substituted NHC fluoroalkene. These compounds were studied using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Insight into their electronic structure and reactivity was gained through the use of DFT calculations.

Intramolecular Alkene Aminocarbonylation Using Concerted Cycloadditions of Amino-Isocyanates.

The ubiquity of nitrogen heterocycles in biologically active molecules challenges synthetic chemists to develop a variety of tools for their construction. While developing metal-free hydroamination reactions of hydrazine derivatives, it was discovered that carbazates and semicarbazides can also lead to alkene aminocarbonylation products if nitrogen-substituted isocyanates (N-isocyanates) are formed in situ as reactive intermediates. At first this reaction required high temperatures (150-200 °C), and issues included competing hydroamination and N-isocyanate dimerization pathways. Herein, improved conditions for concerted intramolecular alkene aminocarbonylation with N-isocyanates are reported. The use of ßN-benzyl carbazate precursors allows the effective minimization of N-isocyanate dimerization. Diminished dimerization leads to higher yields of alkene aminocarbonylation products, to reactivity at lower temperatures, and to an improved scope for a reaction sequence involving alkene aminocarbonylation followed by 1,2-migration of the benzyl group. Furthermore, fine-tuning of the blocking (masking) group on the N-isocyanate precursor, and reaction conditions relying on base catalysis for N-isocyanate formation from simpler precursors resulted in room temperature reactivity, consequently minimizing the competing hydroamination pathway. Collectively, this work highlights that controlled reactivity of aminoisocyanates is possible, and provides a broadly applicable alkene aminocarbonylation approach to heterocycles possessing the ß-aminocarbonyl motif.

Mononuclear, Dinuclear, and Trinuclear Iron Complexes Featuring a New Monoanionic SNS Thiolate Ligand.

The new tridentate ligand, S(Me)N(H)S = 2-(2-methylthiophenyl)benzothiazolidine, prepared in a single step from commercial precursors in excellent yield, undergoes ring-opening on treatment with Fe(OTf)2 in the presence of base affording a trinuclear iron complex, [Fe3(µ2-S(Me)NS(-))4](OTf)2 (1) which is fully characterized by structural and spectroscopic methods. X-ray structural data reveal that 1 contains four S(Me)NS(-) ligands meridionally bound to two pseudooctahedral iron centers each bridged by two thiolates to a distorted tetrahedral central iron. The combined spectroscopic (UV-vis, Mössbauer, NMR), magnetic (solution and solid state), and computational (DFT) studies indicate that 1 includes a central, high-spin Fe(II) (S = 2) with two low-spin (S = 0) peripheral Fe(II) centers. Complex 1 reacts with excess PMePh2, CNxylyl (2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide), and P(OMe)3 in CH3CN to form diamagnetic, thiolate-bridged, dinuclear Fe(II) complexes {[Fe(µ-S(Me)NS(-))L2]2}(OTf)2 (2-4). These complexes are characterized by elemental analysis; (1)H NMR, IR, UV-vis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy; and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, addition of excess P(OMe)3 to complex 1 in CH2Cl2 produces primarily the diamagnetic, mononuclear Fe(II) complex, {Fe(S(Me)NS(-))[P(OMe)3]3}(OTf) (5).

Perfluoroalkyl Cobalt(III) Fluoride and Bis(perfluoroalkyl) Complexes: Catalytic Fluorination and Selective Difluorocarbene Formation.

Four perfluoroalkyl cobalt(III) fluoride complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and powder X-ray diffraction. The remarkable cobalt fluoride (19)F NMR chemical shifts (-716 to -759 ppm) were studied computationally, and the contributing paramagnetic and diamagnetic factors were extracted. Additionally, the complexes were shown to be active in the catalytic fluorination of p-toluoyl chloride. Furthermore, two examples of cobalt(III) bis(perfluoroalkyl)complexes were synthesized and their reactivity studied. Interestingly, abstraction of a fluoride ion from these complexes led to selective formation of cobalt difluorocarbene complexes derived from the trifluoromethyl ligand. These electrophilic difluorocarbenes were shown to undergo insertion into the remaining perfluoroalkyl fragment, demonstrating the elongation of a perfluoroalkyl chain arising from a difluorocarbene insertion on a cobalt metal center. The reactions of both the fluoride and bis(perfluoroalkyl) complexes provide insight into the potential catalytic applications of these model systems to form small fluorinated molecules as well as fluoropolymers.

Tris-heteroleptic ruthenium-dipyrrinate chromophores in a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Two novel tris-heteroleptic Ru-dipyrrinates were prepared and tested as sensitizers in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Under AM 1.5 sunlight, DSSCs employing these dyes achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 3.4 and 2.2 %, substantially exceeding the value achieved previously with a bis-heteroleptic dye (0.75 %). As shown by electrochemical measurements and DFT calculations, the improved PCEs stem from the synthetically tuned electronic structure, which affords more negative excited state redox potentials and favorable electron injection into the TiO2 conduction band. Electron injection was quantified by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, which revealed that the highest injection yield is achieved with the dye that acts as the strongest photoreductant.

How Innocent are Potentially Redox Non-Innocent Ligands? Electronic Structure and Metal Oxidation States in Iron-PNN Complexes as a Representative Case Study.

Herein we present a series of new α-iminopyridine-based iron-PNN pincer complexes [FeBr2LPNN] (1), [Fe(CO)2LPNN] (2), [Fe(CO)2LPNN](BF4) (3), [Fe(F)(CO)2LPNN](BF4) (4), and [Fe(H)(CO)2LPNN](BF4) (5) with formal oxidation states ranging from Fe(0) to Fe(II) (LPNN = 2-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]-6-[1-(2,4,6-mesitylimino)ethyl]pyridine). The complexes were characterized by a variety of methods including (1)H, (13)C, (15)N, and (31)P NMR, IR, Mössbauer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry, and X-ray crystallography, focusing on the assignment of the metal oxidation states. Ligand structural features suggest that the α-iminopyridine ligand behaves as a redox non-innocent ligand in some of these complexes, particularly in [Fe(CO)2LPNN] (2), in which it appears to adopt the monoanionic form. In addition, the NMR spectroscopic features ((13)C, (15)N) indicate the accumulation of charge density on parts of the ligand for 2. However, a combination of spectroscopic measurements that more directly probe the iron oxidation state (e.g., XPS), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and electronic absorption studies combined with time-dependent DFT calculations support the description of the metal atom in 2 as Fe(0). We conclude from our studies that ligand structural features, while useful in many assignments of ligand redox non-innocence, may not always accurately reflect the ligand charge state and, hence, the metal oxidation state. For complex 2, the ligand structural changes are interpreted in terms of strong back-donation from the metal center to the ligand as opposed to electron transfer.

Anisotropic covalency contributions to superexchange pathways in type one copper active sites.

Type one (T1) Cu sites deliver electrons to catalytic Cu active sites: the mononuclear type two (T2) Cu site in nitrite reductases (NiRs) and the trinuclear Cu cluster in the multicopper oxidases (MCOs). The T1 Cu and the remote catalytic sites are connected via a Cys-His intramolecular electron-transfer (ET) bridge, which contains two potential ET pathways: P1 through the protein backbone and P2 through the H-bond between the Cys and the His. The high covalency of the T1 Cu-S(Cys) bond is shown here to activate the T1 Cu site for hole superexchange via occupied valence orbitals of the bridge. This covalency-activated electronic coupling (H(DA)) facilitates long-range ET through both pathways. These pathways can be selectively activated depending on the geometric and electronic structure of the T1 Cu site and thus the anisotropic covalency of the T1 Cu-S(Cys) bond. In NiRs, blue (π-type) T1 sites utilize P1 and green (σ-type) T1 sites utilize P2, with P2 being more efficient. Comparing the MCOs to NiRs, the second-sphere environment changes the conformation of the Cys-His pathway, which selectively activates HDA for superexchange by blue π sites for efficient turnover in catalysis. These studies show that a given protein bridge, here Cys-His, provides different superexchange pathways and electronic couplings depending on the anisotropic covalencies of the donor and acceptor metal sites.

Chromium-chromium interaction in a binuclear mixed-valent Cr(I)-Cr(II) complex.

A mixed-valent Cr(I)-Cr(II) binuclear complex, {κ(1),κ(2),κ(3)-N,P,P-cyclo[(Ph)PCH2N(CH2Ph)CH2]}2(CrCl2)[Cr(µ-Cl)(AlClMe2)]·4toluene (1), of a P2N2 cyclic ligand was obtained upon treatment of the chromium precursor with alkylaluminum. Complex 1 was accessible from either its trivalent or divalent precursors, and density functional theory calculations revealed the presence of only σ- and π-orbital interactions in the Cr-Cr bond.

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray crystal structure, DFT calculations, and catalytic properties of a dioxidovanadium(V) complex derived from oxamohydrazide and pyridoxal: a model complex of vanadate-dependent bromoperoxidase.

A vanadium(V) complex with the formula [Et3NH][V(V)O2(sox-pydx)] with a new tridentate ligand 2-[2-[[3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-4-yl]methylene]hydrazinyl]-2-oxoacetamide (soxH-pydxH), obtained by condensation of oxamohydrazide and pyridoxal (one of the forms of vitamin B6), has been synthesized. The compound was characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic methods, and its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations were used to understand the electronic structure of the complex and nature of the electronic transitions observed in UV-vis spectra. In the complex, vanadium(V) is found to be pentacoordinated with two oxido ligands and a bianionic tridentate ONO-donor ligand. The vanadium center has square-pyramidal geometry with an axial oxido ligand, and the equatorial positions are occupied by another oxido ligand and a phenolato oxygen, an imine nitrogen, and a deprotonated amide oxygen of the hydrazone ligand. A DFT-optimized structure of the complex shows very similar metrical parameters as determined by X-ray crystallography. The O4N coordination environment of vanadium and the hydrogen-bonding abilities of the pendant amide moiety have a strong resemblance with the vanadium center in bromoperoxidase enzyme. Bromination experiments using H2O2 as the oxidizing agent, with model substrate phenol red, and the vanadium complex as a catalyst show a remarkably high value of kcat equal to 26,340 h(-1). The vanadium compound also efficiently catalyzes bromination of phenol and salicylaldehyde as well as oxidation of benzene to phenol by H2O2.

Near-IR photoresponse of ruthenium dipyrrinate terpyridine sensitizers in the dye-sensitized solar cells.

Coordination of bidentate 5-pentafluorophenyldipyrrinate (pfpdp) or 5-(2-thienyl)dipyrrinate (2-tdp) to a Ru(II) center bearing 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine-4,4',4″-tricarboxylate (tctpy) and a NCS(-) ligand results in strongly light-absorbing complexes [Ru(tctpy)(L)(NCS)] (L = pfpdp or 2-tdp). Anchored to a mesoporous TiO2 electrode, these complexes afford a photoaction spectral response at wavelengths of up to 950 nm, one of the most red-shifted values reported to date for molecular dyes in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC).

An organometallic building block approach to produce a multidecker 4f single-molecule magnet.

An organometallic building block strategy was employed to investigate the magnetic properties of a Ln(III) organometallic single-ion magnet (SIM) and subsequent single-molecule magnet (SMM) after coupling two of the monomeric units. New homoleptic Dy(III)COT″2 and Ln(III)2COT″3 (Ln = Gd, Dy) complexes have been synthesized. DFT calculations of the bimetallic Dy(III) complex indicate strong metal-ligand covalency and uneven donation to the Dy(III) ions by the terminal and internal COT″(2-) (cyclooctatetraenide) rings that correlate with the respective bond distances. Interestingly, the studies also point to a weak covalent interaction between the metal centers, despite a large separation. The ac susceptibility data indicates that both Dy(III)COT″2 and Dy(III)2COT″3 act as an SIM and an SMM, respectively, with complex multiple relaxation mechanisms. Ab initio calculations reveal the direction of the magnetic anisotropic axis is not perpendicular to the planar COT″ rings for both Dy(III)COT″2 and Dy(III)2COT″3 complexes due to the presence of trimethylsilyl groups on the COT″ rings. If these bulky groups are removed, the calculations predict reorientation of the anisotropic axis can be achieved.

Diastereoselective hydrogen-transfer reactions: an experimental and DFT study.

Radical reductions of halogenated precursors bearing a heterocycle exo (α) to the carbon-centered radical proceed with enhanced anti-selectivity, a phenomenon that we termed "exocyclic effect". New experimental data and DFT calculations at the BHandHLYP/TZVP level demonstrate that the origin of the exocyclic effect is linked to the strain energy required for a radical intermediate to reach its reactive conformation at the transition state (ΔE(≠)(strain)). Furthermore, radical reductions of constrained THP systems indicate that high 2,3-anti inductions are reached only when the radical chain occupies an equatorial orientation. Hydride deliveries to different acyclic substrates and calculations also suggest that the higher anti-selectivities obtained with borinate intermediates are not related to the formation of a complex mimicking an exocycle. From a broader standpoint, this study reveals important conformational factors for reactions taking place at a center vicinal to a heterocycle or an α-alkoxy group.

A study of exocyclic radical reductions of polysubstituted tetrahydropyrans.

Exocyclic radical reductions were thoroughly investigated in the context of the synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydropyrans, which are found in numerous macrolides. The radical precursors studied herein were generated by tandem cycloetherification and iodoetherification reactions or, alternatively, by semicyclic acetals substitutions. DFT calculations (BHandHLYP/TZVP) performed at the transition-state level for the hydrogen radical delivery are in good accordance with the experimental data and enabled the identification of important conformational factors that govern the selectivities obtained. This study demonstrates that both the preferred reactive conformation of the radical and steric interactions with the incoming hydride have to be considered in order to fully rationalize the levels of diastereoselection generated in acyclic free-radical processes.

Noncovalent interactions of metal cations and arenes probed with thallium(I) complexes.

The synthesis, characterization, and computational analysis of Tl(I) complexes bearing the bis(imino)pyridine scaffold, [{ArN═CPh}2(NC5H3)]Tl(+)(OTf)(-) (Ar = 2,6-Et2C6H33, 2,5-(t)Bu2C6H3, 4), are reported. The cations of these species showed long Tl-N and Tl-OTf distances indicating only weak or no ligand coordination. Computational analysis of the interactions between the Tl cation and the ligands (orbital populations, bond order, and energy decomposition analysis) point to only minimal covalent interactions of the cation with the ligands. The weak ligand-to-metal donation allows for additional interactions between the Tl cation and arene rings that are either intramolecular, in the case of 3, or intermolecular. From benzene or toluene, 4 crystallizes with inverted sandwich structures having two [{(2,5-(t)Bu2C6H3)N═CPh}2(NC5H3)]Tl(+) cations bridged by either benzene or toluene. A density functional computational description of these Tl-arene contacts required exchange-correlation functionals with long-range exchange corrections (e.g., CAM-B3LYP or LC-PBE) and show that Tl-arene contacts are stabilized by noncovalent interactions.

Molecular and electronic structures of complexes containing 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-phenanthrol (PAPL): revisiting a redox-active ligand.

Herein we report the molecular structures and electronic properties of neutral, homoleptic, six-coordinate complexes of the general formula M(PAPL)2, where PAPL is the monoanion of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-phenanthrol (M = Mn, Ni, Zn). Although, the coordination chemistry of PAPL has been investigated in a few previous reports in the 1970s and 1980s, there are, to our knowledge, no reported single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of any complexes, or any other electronic property or computational studies of complexes containing the PAPL anion until now. The electronic structures of the complexes are probed with a combination of cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and spectroelectrochemical measurements. Density functional theory calculations support the redox-active nature of the PAPL ligand. In all complexes we observe two reversible ligand-centered reduction processes, suggesting it may be possible to access the open-shell radical-anionic state of the ligand.

Influence of the ligand field on slow magnetization relaxation versus spin crossover in mononuclear cobalt complexes.

The electronic and magnetic properties of the complexes [Co(terpy)Cl2 ] (1), [Co(terpy)(NCS)2 ] (2), and [Co(terpy)2 ](NCS)2 (3) were investigated. The coordination environment around Co(II) in 1 and 2 leads to a high-spin complex at low temperature and single-molecule magnet properties with multiple relaxation pathways. Changing the ligand field and geometry with an additional terpy ligand leads to spin-crossover behavior in 3 with a gradual transition from high spin to low spin.