Structure and Reactivity of a Manganese(VI) Nitrido Complex Bearing a Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand.

Manganese complexes in +6 oxidation state are rare. Although a number of Mn(VI) nitrido complexes have been generated in solution via one-electron oxidation of the corresponding Mn(V) nitrido species, they are too unstable to isolate. Herein we report the isolation and the X-ray structure of a Mn(VI) nitrido complex, [MnVI(N)(TAML)]- (2), which was obtained by one-electron oxidation of [MnV(N)(TAML)]2- (1). 2 undergoes N atom transfer to PPh3 and styrenes to give Ph3P═NH and aziridines, respectively. A Hammett study for various p-substituted styrenes gives a V-shaped plot; this is rationalized by the ability of 2 to function as either an electrophile or a nucleophile. 2 also undergoes hydride transfer reactions with NADH analogues, such as 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH2) and 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH). A kinetic isotope effect of 7.3 was obtained when kinetic studies were carried out with AcrH2 and AcrD2. The reaction of 2 with NADH analogues results in the formation of [MnV(N)(TAML-H+)]- (3), which was characterized by ESI/MS, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. These results indicate that this reaction occurs via an initial "separated CPET" (separated concerted proton-electron transfer) mechanism; that is, there is a concerted transfer of 1 e- + 1 H+ from AcrH2 (or BNAH) to 2, in which the electron is transferred to the MnVI center, while the proton is transferred to a carbonyl oxygen of TAML rather than to the nitrido ligand.

Generation and Reactivity of a One-Electron-Oxidized Manganese(V) Imido Complex with a Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand.

The synthesis and X-ray structure of a new manganese(V) mesitylimido complex with a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [MnV (TAML)(N-Mes)]- (1), are reported. Compound 1 is oxidized by [(p-BrC6 H4 )3 N]+. [SbCl6 ]- and the resulting MnVI species readily undergoes H-atom transfer and nitrene transfer reactions.

Mechanism of Water Oxidation by Ferrate(VI) at pH†7-9.

The kinetics of water oxidation by K2 FeO4 has been reinvestigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry from pH 7-9 in 0.2 m phosphate buffer. The rate of reaction was found to be second-order in both [FeO4 2- ] and [H+ ]. These results are consistent with a proposed mechanism in which the first step involves the initial equilibrium protonation of FeO4 2- to give FeO3 (OH)- , which then undergoes rate-limiting O-O bond formation. Analysis of the O2 isotopic composition for the reaction in H2 18 O suggests that the predominant pathway for water oxidation by ferrate is intramolecular O-O coupling. DFT calculations have also been performed, which support the proposed mechanism.

Reduction of RuVI≡N to RuIII-NH3 by Cysteine in Aqueous Solution.

The reduction of metal nitride to ammonia is a key step in biological and chemical nitrogen fixation. We report herein the facile reduction of a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex [(L)RuVI(N)(OH2)]+ (1, L = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)- o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion) to [(L)RuIII(NH3)(OH2)]+ by l-cysteine (Cys), an ubiquitous biological reductant, in aqueous solution. At pH 1.0-5.3, the reaction has the following stoichiometry: [(L)RuVI(N)(OH2)]+ + 3HSCH2CH(NH3)CO2 → [(L)RuIII(NH3)(OH2)]+ + 1.5(SCH2CH(NH3)CO2)2. Kinetic studies show that at pH 1 the reaction consists of two phases, while at pH 5 there are three distinct phases. For all phases the rate law is rate = k2[1][Cys]. Studies on the effects of acidity indicate that both HSCH2CH(NH3+)CO2- and -SCH2CH(NH3+)CO2- are kinetically active species. At pH 1, the reaction is proposed to go through [(L)RuIV(NHSCH2CHNH3CO2H)(OH2)]2+ (2a), [(L)RuIII(NH2SCH2CHNH3CO2H)(OH2)]2+ (3), and [(L)RuIV(NH2)(OH2)]+ (4) intermediates. On the other hand, at pH around 5, the proposed intermediates are [(L)RuIV(NHSCH2CHNH3CO2)(OH2)]+ (2b) and [(L)RuIV(NH2)(OH2)]+ (4). The intermediate ruthenium(IV) sulfilamido species, [(L)RuIV(NHSCH2CHNH3CO2H)(OH2)]2+ (2a) and the final ruthenium(III) ammine species, [(L)RuIII(NH3)(MeOH)]+ (5) (where H2O was replaced by MeOH) have been isolated and characterized by various spectroscopic methods.

Proton-Coupled O-Atom Transfer in the Oxidation of HSO3- by the Ruthenium Oxo Complex trans-[RuVI(TMC)(O)2]2+ (TMC = 1,4,8,11-Tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane).

We have previously reported that the oxidation of SO32- to SO42- by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex, [RuVI(TMC)(O)2)]2+ (RuVI; TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazcyclotetradecane) in aqueous solutions occurs via an O-atom transfer mechanism. In this work, we have reinvestigated the effects of the pH on the oxidation of SIV by RuVI in more detail in order to obtain kinetic data for the HSO3- pathway. The HSO3- pathway exhibits a deuterium isotope effect of 17.4, which indicates that O-H bond breaking occurs in the rate-limiting step. Density functional theory calculations have been performed that suggest that the oxidation of HSO3- by RuVI may occur via a concerted or stepwise proton-coupled O-atom transfer mechanism.

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction of a Ruthenium(VI) Nitrido Complex with HSO3 (-) and SO3 (2-) in Aqueous Solution.

The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of S(IV) (SO3 (2-) +HSO3 (-) ) with a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex, [(L)Ru(VI) (N)(OH2 )](+) (Ru(VI) N, L=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion), in aqueous acidic solutions are reported. The kinetic results are consistent with parallel pathways involving oxidation of HSO3 (-) and SO3 (2-) by Ru(VI) N. A deuterium isotope effect of 4.7 is observed in the HSO3 (-) pathway. Based on experimental results and DFT calculations the proposed mechanism involves concerted N-S bond formation (partial N-atom transfer) between Ru(VI) N and HSO3 (-) and H(+) transfer from HSO3 (-) to a H2 O molecule.

A Highly Reactive Seven-Coordinate Osmium(V) Oxo Complex: [Os(V)(O)(qpy)(pic)Cl](2+).

Seven-coordinate ruthenium oxo species have been proposed as active intermediates in catalytic water oxidation by a number of highly active ruthenium catalysts, however such species have yet to be isolated. Reported herein is the first example of a seven-coordinate group 8 metal-oxo species, [Os(V)(O)(qpy)(pic)Cl](2+) (qpy = 2,2':6',2'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine, pic = 4-picoline). The X-ray crystal structure of this complex shows that it has a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with an Os=O distance of 1.7375 Å. This oxo species undergoes facile O-atom and H-atom-transfer reactions with various organic substrates. Notably it can abstract H atoms from alkylaromatics with C-H bond dissociation energy as high as 90 kcal mol(-1). This work suggests that highly active oxidants may be designed based on group 8 seven-coordinate metal oxo species.

Ca(2+) -Induced Oxygen Generation by FeO4(2-) at pH†9-10.

Although FeO4(2-) (ferrate(IV)) is a very strong oxidant that readily oxidizes water in acidic medium, at pH 9-10 it is relatively stable (<2 % decomposition after 1 h at 298 K). However, FeO4(2-) is readily activated by Ca(2+) at pH 9-10 to generate O2. The reaction has the following rate law: d[O2]/dt=kCa [Ca(2+) ][FeO4(2-)](2). (18)O-labeling experiments show that both O atoms in O2 come from FeO4(2-). These results together with DFT calculations suggest that the function of Ca(2+) is to facilitate O-O coupling between two FeO4 (2-) ions by bridging them together. Similar activating effects are also observed with Mg(2+) and Sr(2+).

Reactivity of nitrido complexes of ruthenium(VI), osmium(VI), and manganese(V) bearing Schiff base and simple anionic ligands.

Nitrido complexes (M≡N) may be key intermediates in chemical and biological nitrogen fixation and serve as useful reagents for nitrogenation of organic compounds. Osmium(VI) nitrido complexes bearing 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (terpy), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), or hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate anion (Tp) ligands are highly electrophilic: they can react with a variety of nucleophiles to generate novel osmium(IV)/(V) complexes. This Account describes our recent results studying the reactivity of nitridocomplexes of ruthenium(VI), osmium(VI), and manganese(V) that bear Schiff bases and other simple anionic ligands. We demonstrate that these nitrido complexes exhibit rich chemical reactivity. They react with various nucleophiles, activate C-H bonds, undergo N···N coupling, catalyze the oxidation of organic compounds, and show anticancer activities. Ruthenium(VI) nitrido complexes bearing Schiff base ligands, such as [Ru(VI)(N)(salchda)(CH3OH)](+) (salchda = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion), are highly electrophilic. This complex reacts readily at ambient conditions with a variety of nucleophiles at rates that are much faster than similar reactions using Os(VI)≡N. This complex also carries out unique reactions, including the direct aziridination of alkenes, C-H bond activation of alkanes and C-N bond cleavage of anilines. The addition of ligands such as pyridine can enhance the reactivity of [Ru(VI)(N)(salchda)(CH3OH)](+). Therefore researchers can tune the reactivity of Ru≡N by adding a ligand L trans to nitride: L-Ru≡N. Moreover, the addition of various nucleophiles (Nu) to Ru(VI)≡N initially generate the ruthenium(IV) imido species Ru(IV)-N(Nu), a new class of hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) reagents. Nucleophiles also readily add to coordinated Schiff base ligands in Os(VI)≡N and Ru(VI)≡N complexes. These additions are often stereospecific, suggesting that the nitrido ligand has a directing effect on the incoming nucleophile. M≡N is also a potential platform for the design of new oxidation catalysts. For example, [Os(VI)(N)Cl4](-) catalyzes the oxidation of alkanes by a variety of oxidants, and the addition of Lewis acids greatly accelerates these reactions. [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4]2(-) is another highly efficient oxidation catalyst, which facilitates the epoxidation of alkenes and the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds using H2O2. Finally, M≡N can potentially bind to and exert various effects on biomolecules. For example, a number of Os(VI)≡N complexes exhibit novel anticancer properties, which may be related to their ability to bind to DNA or other biomolecules.

Highly efficient alkane oxidation catalyzed by [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4](2-). Evidence for [Mn(VII)(N)(O)(CN)4](2-) as an active intermediate.

The oxidation of various alkanes catalyzed by [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4](2-) using various terminal oxidants at room temperature has been investigated. Excellent yields of alcohols and ketones (>95%) are obtained using H2O2 as oxidant and CF3CH2OH as solvent. Good yields (>80%) are also obtained using (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6] in CF3CH2OH/H2O. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) are determined by using an equimolar mixture of cyclohexane (c-C6H12) and cyclohexane-d12 (c-C6D12) as substrate. The KIEs are 3.1 ± 0.3 and 3.6 ± 0.2 for oxidation by H2O2 and Ce(IV), respectively. On the other hand, the rate constants for the formation of products using c-C6H12 or c-C6D12 as single substrate are the same. These results are consistent with initial rate-limiting formation of an active intermediate between [Mn(N)(CN)4](2-) and H2O2 or Ce(IV), followed by H-atom abstraction from cyclohexane by the active intermediate. When PhCH2C(CH3)2OOH (MPPH) is used as oxidant for the oxidation of c-C6H12, the major products are c-C6H11OH, c-C6H10O, and PhCH2C(CH3)2OH (MPPOH), suggesting heterolytic cleavage of MPPH to generate a Mn═O intermediate. In the reaction of H2O2 with [Mn(N)(CN)4](2-) in CF3CH2OH, a peak at m/z 628.1 was observed in the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, which is assigned to the solvated manganese nitrido oxo species, (PPh4)[Mn(N)(O)(CN)4](-)·CF3CH2OH. On the basis of the experimental results the proposed mechanism for catalytic alkane oxidation by [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4](2-)/ROOH involves initial rate-limiting O-atom transfer from ROOH to [Mn(N)(CN)4](2-) to generate a manganese(VII) nitrido oxo active species, [Mn(VII)(N)(O)(CN)4](2-), which then oxidizes alkanes (R'H) via a H-atom abstraction/O-rebound mechanism. The proposed mechanism is also supported by density functional theory calculations.

Catalytic water oxidation by ruthenium(II) quaterpyridine (qpy) complexes: evidence for ruthenium(III) qpy-N,N'''-dioxide as the real catalysts.

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation-resistant and can stabilize high-oxidation-state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)2 ](2+) (qpy=2,2':6',2'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce(IV) -driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100. However, these ruthenium complexes are found to function only as precatalysts; first, they have to be oxidized to the qpy-N,N'''-dioxide (ONNO) complexes [Ru(ONNO)(L)2 ](3+) which are the real catalysts for water oxidation.

Functionalization of alkynes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.

Exploring new reactivity of metal nitrides is of great interest because it can give insights to N2 fixation chemistry and provide new methods for nitrogenation of organic substrates. In this work, reaction of a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex with various alkynes results in the formation of novel (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes. Kinetic and computational studies suggest that the reactions go through an initial ruthenium(IV) aziro intermediate, followed by addition of nucleophiles to give the (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes. These unprecedented reactions provide a new pathway for nitrogenation of alkynes based on a metal nitride.

C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.

We report experimental and computational studies of the facile oxidative C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex. We provide evidence that the initial step involves nucleophilic attack of aniline at the nitrido ligand of the ruthenium complex, which is followed by proton and electron transfer to afford a (salen)ruthenium(II) diazonium intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes unimolecular decomposition to generate benzene and N2.

Oxygen atom transfer from a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex to nitric oxide.

In aqueous acidic solutions trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) (L=1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane) is rapidly reduced by excess NO to give trans-[Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+). When ≤1 mol equiv NO is used, the intermediate Ru(IV) species, trans-[Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+), can be detected. The reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO is first order with respect to [Ru(VI)] and [NO], k(2)=(4.13±0.21)×10(1) M(-1) s(-1) at 298.0 K. ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) are (12.0±0.3) kcal mol(-1) and -(11±1) cal mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. In CH(3)CN, ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) have the same values as in H(2)O; this suggests that the mechanism is the same in both solvents. In CH(3)CN, the reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO produces a blue-green species with λ(max) at approximately 650 nm, which is characteristic of N(2)O(3). N(2)O(3) is formed by coupling of NO(2) with excess NO; it is relatively stable in CH(3)CN, but undergoes rapid hydrolysis in H(2)O. A mechanism that involves oxygen atom transfer from [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) to NO to produce NO(2) is proposed. The kinetics of the reaction of [Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+) with NO has also been investigated. In this case, the data are consistent with initial one-electron O(-) transfer from Ru(IV) to NO to produce the nitrito species [Ru(III)(L)(ONO)(OH(2))](2+) (k(2)>10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), followed by a reaction with another molecule of NO to give [Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+) and NO(2)(-) (k(2)=54.7 M(-1) s(-1)).

Ligand-accelerated activation of strong C-H bonds of alkanes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI)-nitrido complex.

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the intermolecular activation of strong C-H bonds of alkanes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitride were performed. The initial, rate-limiting step, the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the alkane to Ru(VI)≡N, generates Ru(V)=NH and RC·HCH(2)R. The following steps involve N-rebound and desaturation.

Reaction of a (Salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex with thiols. C-H bond activation by (Salen)ruthenium(IV) sulfilamido species.

The reaction of [Ru(VI)(N)(L)(MeOH)](PF(6)) [1; L = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion] with a stoichiometric amount of RSH in CH(3)CN gives the corresponding (salen)ruthenium(IV) sulfilamido species [Ru(IV){N(H)SR}(L)(NCCH(3))](PF(6)) (2a, R = (t)Bu; 2b, R = Ph). Metathesis of 2a with NaN(3) in methanol affords [Ru(IV){N(H)S(t)Bu}(L)(N(3))] (2c). 2a undergoes further reaction with 1 equiv of RSH to afford a (salen)ruthenium(III) sulfilamine species, [Ru(III){N(H)(2)S(t)Bu}(L)(NCCH(3))](PF(6)) (3). On the other hand, 2b reacts with 2 equiv of PhSH to give a (salen)ruthenium(III) ammine species [Ru(III)(NH(3))(L)(NCCH(3))](PF(6)) (4); this species can also be prepared by treatment of 1 with 3 equiv of PhSH. The X-ray structures of 2c and 4 have been determined. Kinetic studies of the reaction of 1 with excess RSH indicate the following schemes: 1 --> 2a --> 3 (R = (t)Bu), 1 --> 2b --> 4 (R = Ph). The conversion of 1 to 2 probably involves nucleophilic attack of RSH at the nitrido ligand, followed by a proton shift. The conversions of 2a to 3 and 2b to 4 are proposed to involve rate-limiting H-atom abstraction from RSH by 2a or 2b. 2a and 2b are also able to abstract H atoms from hydrocarbons with weak C-H bonds. These reactions occur with large deuterium isotope effects; the kinetic isotope effect values for the oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, and fluorene by 2a are 51, 56, and 11, respectively.

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex.

The oxidation of ascorbic acid (H(2)A) by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) species, trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) (tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), has been studied in aqueous solutions under argon. The reaction occurs in two phases: trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) + H(2)A --> trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(OH(2))](2+) + A, trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(OH(2))](2+) + H(2)A --> trans-[Ru(II)(tmc)(OH(2))(2)](2+) + A. Further reaction involving anation by H(2)A occurs, and the species [Ru(III)(tmc)(A(2-))(MeOH)](+) can be isolated upon aerial oxidation of the solution at the end of phase two. The rate laws for both phases are first-order in both Ru(VI) and H(2)A, with the second-order rate constants k(2) = (2.58 +/- 0.04) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) at pH = 1.19 and k(2)' = (1.90 +/- 0.03) M(-1) s(-1) at pH = 1.24, T = 298 K and I = 0.1 M for the first and second phase, respectively. Studies on the effects of acidity on k(2) and k(2)(') suggest that HA(-) is the kinetically active species. Kinetic studies have also been carried out in D(2)O, and the deuterium isotope effects for oxidation of HA(-) by Ru(VI) and Ru(IV) are 5.0 +/- 0.3 and 19.3 +/- 2.9, respectively, consistent with a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism for both phases. A linear correlation between log(rate constants) for oxidation by Ru(VI) and the O-H bond dissociation energies of HA(-) and hydroquinones is obtained, which also supports a HAT mechanism.

Kinetics and mechanisms of the oxidation of iodide and bromide in aqueous solutions by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex.

The kinetics and mechanisms of the oxidation of I (-) and Br (-) by trans-[Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) have been investigated in aqueous solutions. The reactions have the following stoichiometry: trans-[Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) + 3X (-) + 2H (+) --> trans-[Ru (IV)(N 2O 2)(O)(OH 2)] (2+) + X 3 (-) (X = Br, I). In the oxidation of I (-) the I 3 (-)is produced in two distinct phases. The first phase produces 45% of I 3 (-) with the rate law d[I 3 (-)]/dt = ( k a + k b[H (+)])[Ru (VI)][I (-)]. The remaining I 3 (-) is produced in the second phase which is much slower, and it follows first-order kinetics but the rate constant is independent of [I (-)], [H (+)], and ionic strength. In the proposed mechanism the first phase involves formation of a charge-transfer complex between Ru (VI) and I (-), which then undergoes a parallel acid-catalyzed oxygen atom transfer to produce [Ru (IV)(N 2O 2)(O)(OHI)] (2+), and a one electron transfer to give [Ru (V)(N 2O 2)(O)(OH)] (2+) and I (*). [Ru (V)(N 2O 2)(O)(OH)] (2+) is a stronger oxidant than [Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) and will rapidly oxidize another I (-) to I (*). In the second phase the [Ru (IV)(N 2O 2)(O)(OHI)] (2+) undergoes rate-limiting aquation to produce HOI which reacts rapidly with I (-) to produce I 2. In the oxidation of Br (-) the rate law is -d[Ru (VI)]/d t = {( k a2 + k b2[H (+)]) + ( k a3 + k b3[H (+)]) [Br (-)]}[Ru (VI)][Br (-)]. At 298.0 K and I = 0.1 M, k a2 = (2.03 +/- 0.03) x 10 (-2) M (-1) s (-1), k b2 = (1.50 +/- 0.07) x 10 (-1) M (-2) s (-1), k a3 = (7.22 +/- 2.19) x 10 (-1) M (-2) s (-1) and k b3 = (4.85 +/- 0.04) x 10 (2) M (-3) s (-1). The proposed mechanism involves initial oxygen atom transfer from trans-[Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) to Br (-) to give trans-[Ru (IV)(N 2O 2)(O)(OBr)] (+), which then undergoes parallel aquation and oxidation of Br (-), and both reactions are acid-catalyzed.

General synthesis of (salen)ruthenium(III) complexes via N...N coupling of (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrides.

Reaction of [Ru (VI)(N)(L (1))(MeOH)] (+) (L (1) = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)- o-cyclohexylenediamine dianion) with excess pyridine in CH 3CN produces [Ru (III)(L (1))(py) 2] (+) and N 2. The proposed mechanism involves initial equilibrium formation of [Ru (VI)(N)(L (1))(py)] (+), which undergoes rapid N...N coupling to produce [(py)(L (1))Ru (III) N N-Ru (III)(L (1))(py)] (2+); this is followed by pyridine substituion to give the final product. This ligand-induced N...N coupling of Ru (VI)N is utilized in the preparation of a series of new ruthenium(III) salen complexes, [Ru (III)(L)(X) 2] (+/-) (L = salen ligand; X = H 2O, 1-MeIm, py, Me 2SO, PhNH 2, ( t )BuNH 2, Cl (-) or CN (-)). The structures of [Ru (III)(L (1))(NH 2Ph) 2](PF 6) ( 6), K[Ru (III)(L (1))(CN) 2] ( 9), [Ru (III)(L (2))(NCCH 3) 2][Au (I)(CN) 2] ( 11) (L (2) = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)- o-phenylenediamine dianion) and [N ( n )Bu 4][Ru (III)(L (3))Cl 2] ( 12) (L (3) = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine dianion) have been determined by X-ray crystallography.

Hydrogen atom transfer reactions of ferrate(VI) with phenols and hydroquinone. Correlation of rate constants with bond strengths and application of the Marcus cross relation.

The oxidation of phenols by HFeO4(-) proceeds via a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism, as evidenced by a large deuterium isotope effect and a linear correlation between the log(rate constant) and bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of phenols. The Marcus cross relation has been applied to predict the rate constant of HAT from hydroquinone to HFeO4(-).