Iron-Mediated Coupling of Carbon Dioxide and Ethylene: Macrocyclic Metallalactones Enable Access to Various Carboxylates.

Treatment of (iPrPDI)Fe(N2)2 (iPrPDI, 2,6-(2,6-iPr2C6H3N═CMe)2C5H3N) with CO2 and ethylene resulted in the formation of a homologous series of saturated and unsaturated iron carboxylate products, (iPrPDI)Fe(O2CR), the distribution of which depends on the ratio of the reagents. The solid-state and electronic structures of a saturated product, (iPrPDI)Fe(O2CC2H5), were elucidated. Product distributions, deuterium labeling studies, and stoichiometric experiments support initial formation of a five-membered metallalactone intermediate, which undergoes subsequent ethylene insertions to generate macrocyclic metallalactones. Competitive ß-hydride elimination, CO2 insertion, or reaction with H2 determines the fate of the metallalactone, the latter accounting for formation of iron complexes with saturated carboxylates. Similar reactivity was observed upon addition of propiolactone and ethylene to (iPrPDI)Fe(N2)2, supporting C-O oxidative addition and C-C bond formation through metallacycle intermediates.

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.

Electrocatalytic generation of H2 from neutral water in acetonitrile using manganese polypyridyl complexes with ligand assistance.

A Mn(i) tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine complex fac-[Mn(κ3-tpa) (CO)3]+OTf- carries out electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from neutral water in acetonitrile. Bulk electrocatalytic studies showed that the catalyst functions with a moderate Faradaic efficiency and turn over frequency. DFT computations support the role of the tpa ligand as a shuttle to transfer of protons to the metal center.

Oxidative Addition of Disulfides, Alkyl Sulfides, and Diphosphides to an Aluminum(I) Center.

The aluminum(I) compound NacNacAl (1) reacts with diphenyl disulfide and diethyl sulfide to form the respective four-coordinate bis(phenyl sulfide) complex NacNacAl(SPh)2 (2) and alkyl thiolate aluminum complex NacNacAlEt(SEt) (3). As well, reaction of 1 with tetraphenyl diphosphine furnishes the bis(diphenyl phosphido) complex NacNacAl(PPh2)2 (4). Production of 3 and 4 are the first examples of C(sp(3))-S and R2P-PR2 activation by a main-group element complex. All three complexes were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure analysis. Furthermore, a variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic study was undertaken on 4 to study its dynamic behavior in solution.

Halide Influence on Molecular and Supramolecular Arrangements of Iron Complexes with a 3,5-Bis(2-Pyridyl)-1,2,4,6-Thiatriazine Ligand.

A series of iron centered complexes, namely, [Fe(Py2TTA)Cl2] (1), [Fe(Py2TTA)Br2] (2), and [Fe(µ-F)(Py2TTAO)F]∞ (3), were isolated via complexation of 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,6-thiatriazine (Py2TTAH) with various ferric halides (e.g., FeF3, FeCl3, and FeBr3). Comparison of the optical and electrochemical spectroscopy, structural analysis, and magnetic studies reveal numerous similarities between the chlorido (1) and bromido (2) derivatives, which crystallize as discrete five-coordinate iron centered complexes with coordination geometries that are intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square base pyramid. Conversely, the fluorido derivative (3) results in a completely different structure due to oxidation of the ligand and the formation of a one-dimensional coordination polymer held together through a bridging fluoride ion. Consequently, the spectroscopic and magnetic behavior of 3 differs significantly compared with 1 and 2. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit paramagnetic properties typical for a mononuclear S = 5/2 system with weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures, whereas complex 3 demonstrates significant exchange couplings within the chain and weak antiferromagnetic interchain interactions, which stabilize a canted antiferromagnetic state below 4.2 K.

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).

Synthesis and Isolation of Organogold Complexes through a Controlled 1,2-Silyl Migration.

During our efforts toward the synthesis of naturally occurring polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinol using a Au(I)-catalyzed 6-endo dig carbocyclization, we isolated stable vinyllic gold intermediates. Optimization lead to isolated yields of up to 98%, using 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl as the ligand. This transformation is derived from a silyl rearrangement that can be fully controlled according to the nature of the substituent on the ynone. This selective transformation does not require basic conditions to prevent protodeauration. These vinylgold complexes are the first isolated intermediates during a silyl migration with gold(I). More than 16 new organogold complexes were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactivity of these complexes is also presented.

Ambivalent binding between a radical-based pincer ligand and iron.

A complex exhibiting valence delocalization was prepared from 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,6-thiatriazinyl (), an inherently redox active pincer-type ligand, coordinated to iron ( ()). Complex can be prepared via two routes, either from the reaction of the neutral radical with FeCl2 or by treatment of the anionic ligand () with FeCl3, demonstrating its unique redox behaviour. Electrochemical studies, solution absorption and solid-state diffuse reflectance measurements along with X-ray crystallography were carried out to elucidate the molecular and solid-state properties. Temperature- and field-dependent Mössbauer spectroscopy coupled with magnetic measurements revealed that exhibits an isolated S = 5/2 ground spin state for which the low-temperature magnetic behaviour is dominated by exchange interactions between neighbouring molecules. This ground state is rationalized on the basis of DFT calculations that predict the presence of strong electronic interactions between the redox active ligand and metal. This interaction leads to the delocalization of ß electron density over the two redox active centres and highlights the difficulty in assigning formal charges to .

Crystal structure of tetra-butyl-ammonium bromide-1,2-di-iodo-3,4,5,6-tetra-fluoro-benzene-di-chloro-methane (2/2/1).

The crystallization of a 1:1 molar solution of 1,2-di-iodo-3,4,5,6-tetra-fluoro-benzene (o-DITFB) and tetra-butyl-ammonium bromide (n-Bu4NBr) from di-chloro-methane yielded pure white crystals of a halogen-bonded compound, C16H36N(+)·Br(-)·C6F4I2·0.5CH2Cl2 or [(n-Bu4NBr)(o-DITFB)]·0.5CH2Cl2. The compound may be described as a quaternary system and may be classified as a salt-cocrystal solvate. The asymmetric unit contains one mol-ecule of solvent, two o-DITFB mol-ecules, two cations (n-Bu4N(+)) and two crystallographically distinct bromide ions [θI ⋯ Br- ⋯ I = 144.18 (1) and 135.35 (1)°]. The bromide ion is a bidentate halogen-bond acceptor which inter-acts with two covalently bonded iodines (i.e. halogen-bond donors), resulting in a one-dimensional polymeric zigzag chain network approximately along the a axis. The observed short contacts and angles are characteristic of the non-covalent inter-action [d C-I⋯Br = 3.1593 (4)-3.2590 (5) Å; θC-I⋯Br = 174.89 (7) and 178.16 (7)°]. It is noted that iodine acts as both a halogen-bond donor and a weak CH hydrogen-bond acceptor, while the bromide ions act as acceptors for weak CH hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds.

Crystal structure of tetra-ethyl-ammonium chloride 3,4,5,6-tetra-fluoro-1,2-di-iodo-benzene.

Equimolar qu-anti-ties of tetra-ethyl-ammonium chloride (Et4NCl) and 3,4,5,6-tetra-fluoro-1,2-di-iodo-benzene (o-DITFB or o-C6F4I2) have been co-crystallized in a solution of di-chloro-methane yielding a pure halogen-bonded compound, 3,4,5,6-tetra-fluoro-1,2-di-iodo-benzene-tetra-ethyl ammonium chloride (2/1), Et4N(+)·Cl(-)·2C6F4I2, in the form of translucent needles. [(Et4NCl)(o-C6F4I2)2] packs in the C2/c space group. The asymmetric unit includes one mol-ecule of DITFB, one Et4N(+) cation located on a twofold rotation axis, and one chloride anion also located on a twofold rotation symmetry axis. This compound has an inter-esting halogen-bonding environment surrounding the halide. Here, the chloride anion acts as a tetra-dentate halogen bond acceptor and forms a distorted square-pyramidal geometry, with I⋯Cl(-)⋯I angles of 80.891 (6) and 78.811 (11)°, where two crystallographically distinct iodine atoms form halogen bonds with the chloride anion. Resulting from that square-pyramidal geometry are short contacts between some of the adjacent F atoms. Along the b axis, the halogen-bonding inter-action results in a polymeric network, producing a sheet in which the two closest chloride ions are 7.8931 (6) Šapart. The Et4N(+) cation alternates in columns with the halide ion. The expected short contacts (shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii) are observed for the halogen bonds [3.2191 (2) and 3.2968 (2) Å], as well as almost linear angles [170.953 (6) and 173.529 (6)°].

Synthesis and receptor binding in trans-CD ring-fused A-CD estrogens: comparison with the cis-fused isomers.

Ligands which selectively activate only one of the estrogen receptors, ERα or ERß, are current pharmaceutical targets. Previously, we have reported on substituted cis A-CD ligands in which the B-ring of the steroidal structure has been removed and cis refers the stereochemistry of the CD ring junction as compared to trans in estradiol. These compounds often showed good potency and selectivity for ERß. Here we report the synthesis and binding affinities for a similar series of trans A-CD ligands, and compare them to the cis-series. Counterintuitively, trans A-CD ligands, which are structurally more closely related to the natural ligand estradiol, show weaker binding and less ß-selectivity than their cis-counterparts.

Isolation of a hexanuclear chromium cluster with a tetrahedral hydridic core and its catalytic behavior for ethylene oligomerization.

A chromium complex [2-(NHCH2PPh2)C5H4N]CrCl3·THF2 (1) of the ligand PyNHCH2PPh2 has been synthesized, characterized, and examined for its catalytic behavior toward ethylene oligomerization. When complex 1 was treated with (i-Bu)3Al, an unprecedented divalent polyhydride chromium cluster µ,κ(1),κ(2),κ(3)-N,N,P-{[2-(NCH2PPh2)C5H4N]Cr(µ-H)}4[(µ-Cl)Cr(µ-Cl)Al(i-Bu)2Cl]2 (2) was obtained. The complex contains a Cr4H4 core, which is expected to be diamagnetic, and which remains coordinated to two additional divalent high-spin Cr atoms via bridging interactions. Two aluminate residues remain bonded to the peripheral chromium atoms. The structure, magnetism, and electronic configuration are herein discussed.

BC-spiro-estradiols. Synthesis and estrogen receptor binding affinity of four new estradiol isomers.

The synthesis of four new isomers of estradiol in which the ring A to ring C planes are perpendicular to each other as a result of a spiro BC ring junction is described. Heterocyclic analogs and carbocyclic homologs of these compounds are also reported. Estrogen receptor binding studies show that the spiro compounds with the natural stereochemistry at C9 bind almost as strongly as estradiol but with greater ß to α selectivity. These studies show that the estrogen receptors can readily accommodate isomers of estrogen with substantially different fixed shapes than the native ligand.

Preparation and characterization of a reduced chromium complex via vinyl oxidative coupling: formation of a self-activating catalyst for selective ethylene trimerization.

Reaction of the divalent [(t-Bu)NP(Ph)(2)N(t-Bu)]CrCl(2)Li(THF)(2) (1) with 1 equiv of vinyl Grignard (CH(2)=CH)MgCl reproducibly afforded the triangulo {π-[(t-Bu)N-P(Ph)(2)-N(t-Bu)]Cr}(2)(µ,µ',η(4),η(4)'-C(4)H(4)){σ-[(t-Bu)N-P(Ph)(2)-N(t-Bu)]Cr} (2) containing a σ-/π-bonded butadiene-diyl unit. The diene-diyl moiety was generated by an oxidative coupling and deprotonation of two vinyl anions. The crystal structure revealed that of the three chromium atoms, each bearing one NPN ligand, two are perpendicularly bonded to the two sides of the π-system of the butadiene-diyl residue in a sort of inverted sandwich type of structure. The third is instead coplanar with the doubly deprotonated C(4) unit and σ-bonded to the two terminal carbon atoms. Despite the appearance as a Cr(II)/Cr(I) mixed valence species, DFT calculations have revealed that the structure of 2 consists of three divalent chromium atoms, while the additional electron resides on the π-system of the bridging organic residue. Complex 2 behaves as a single component selective catalyst for ethylene trimerization.

Role of the metal oxidation state in the SNS-Cr catalyst for ethylene trimerization: isolation of di- and trivalent cationic intermediates.

The reaction of the highly selective [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl3 catalyst precursor with alkyl aluminum activators was examined with the aim of isolating reactive intermediates. Reaction with Me3Al afforded a cationic trivalent chromium alkyl species {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrMe(mu-Cl)}2{(AlMe3)2(m-Cl}2.(C7H8)2 (1a). Although it was not possible to obtain crystalline samples of sufficient quality from the reaction with MAO (the most preferred activator), the near-to-identical EPR spectra indicated a very close structural similarity with 1a. Ethylene oligomerization tests clearly revealed that 1 and other cationic trivalent dimeric complexes {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy] CrCl(mu-Cl)}2{AlCl4}2.(C7H8)1.5 (2), monomeric [(CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy)CrCl2 (THF)][AlCl4] (3), and {[CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]Cr(eta2-AlCl4)}{Al2Cl7} (4) adducts display the same catalyst selectivity as the [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl3 complex and, therefore, are probably all precursors to the same catalytically active species. 2, 3, and 4 were obtained upon treatment of [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy] CrCl3 with different stoichiometric ratios of AlCl3.. When i-BAO activator was used, reduction of the metal center occurred readily, affording {([CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2S Cy]Cr)(mu-Cl)]2}{(i-Bu)2AlCl2}2 (5). 5 is also a selective catalyst, thus indicating that trivalent species are most probably precursors to a divalent catalytically active complex. Reaction of CrCl2(THF)2 with the ligand afforded the labile divalent adduct [CySCH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2SCy]CrCl2(THF) (6), also catalytically active and selective. Instead, deprotonation of the ligand with n-BuLi followed by reaction with CrCl2(THF)2 gave the dinuclear complex [(mu-CySCH2CH2NCH2CH2SCy)CrCl]2 (7), which did not produce oligomers.