Nonheme binuclear transition metal complexes with hydrosulfide and polychalcogenides.

The intriguing chemistry of chalcogen (S, Se)-containing ligands and their capability to bridge multiple metal centres have resulted in a plethora of reports on transition metal complexes featuring hydrosulfide (HS-) and polychalcogenides (En2-, E = S, Se). While a large number of such molecules are strictly organometallic complexes, examples of non-organometallic complexes featuring HS- and En2- with N-/O-donor ligands are relatively rare. The general synthetic procedure for the transition metal-hydrosulfido complexes involves the reaction of the corresponding metal salts with HS-/H2S and this is prone to generate sulfido bridged oligomers in the absence of sterically demanding ligands. On the other hand, the synthetic methods for the preparation of transition metal-polychalcogenido complexes include the reaction of the corresponding metal salts with En2- or the two electron oxidation of low-valent metals with elemental chalcogen, often at an elevated temperature and/or for a long time. Recently, we have developed new synthetic methods for the preparation of two new classes of binuclear transition metal complexes featuring either HS-, or Sn2- and Sen2- ligands. The new method for the synthesis of transition metal-hydrosulfido complexes involved transition metal-mediated hydrolysis of thiolates at room temperature (RT), while the method for the synthesis of transition metal-polychalcogenido complexes involved redox reaction of coordinated thiolates and exogenous elemental chalcogens at RT. An overview of the synthetic aspects, structural properties and intriguing reactivity of these two new classes of transition metal complexes is presented.

Reactivity of Thiolate and Hydrosulfide with a Mononuclear {FeNO}7 Complex Featuring a Very High N-O Stretching Frequency.

Synthesis, characterization, electronic structure, and redox reactions of a mononuclear {FeNO}7 complex with a very high N-O stretching frequency in solution are presented. Nitrosylation of [(LKP)Fe(DMF)]2+ (1) (LKP = tris((1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)amine) produced a five-coordinate {FeNO}7 complex, [(LKP)Fe(NO)]2+ (2). While complex 2 could accommodate an additional water molecule to generate a six-coordinate {FeNO}7 complex, [(LKP)Fe(NO)(H2O)]2+ (3), the coordinated H2O in 3 dissociates to generate 2 in solution. The molecular structure of 2 features a nearly linear Fe-N-O unit with an Fe-N distance of 1.744(4) Å, N-O distance of 1.162(5) Å, and

Kinetic isotope effect offers selectivity in CO2 reduction.

A binuclear Ni complex with N,O donors catalyzes CO2 reduction via its Ni(I) state. The product distribution when H2O is used as a proton source shows similar yields for CO, HCOOH and H2. However, when D2O is used, the product distribution shows a ∼65% selectivity for HCOOH. In situ FTIR indicates that the reaction involves a Ni-COO* and a Ni-CO intermediate. Differences in H/D KIEs on different protonation pathways determine the selectivity of CO2 reduction.

Generation and Reactivity of Polychalcogenide Chains in Binuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes.

A series of six binuclear Co(II)-thiolate complexes, [Co2(BPMP)(S-C6H4-o-X)2]1+ (X = OMe, 2; NH2, 3), [Co2(BPMP)(µ-S-C6H4-o-O)]1+ (4), and [Co2(BPMP)(µ-Y)]1+ (Y = bdt, 5; tdt, 6; mnt, 7), has been synthesized from [Co2(BPMP)(MeOH)2(Cl)2]1+ (1a) and [Co2(BPMP)(Cl)2]1+ (1b), where BPMP1- is the anion of 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol. While 2 and 3 could allow the two-electron redox reaction of the two coordinated thiolates with elemental sulfur (S8) to generate [Co2(BPMP)(µ-S5)]1+ (8), the complexes, 4-7, could not undergo a similar reaction. An analogous redox reaction of 2 with elemental selenium ([Se]) produced [{Co2(BPMP)(µ-Se4)}{Co2(BPMP)(µ-Se3)}]2+ (9a) and [Co2(BPMP)(µ-Se4)]1+ (9b). Further reaction of these polychalcogenido complexes, 8 and 9a/9b, with PPh3 allowed the isolation of [Co2(BPMP)(µ-S)]1+ (10) and [Co2(BPMP)(µ-Se2)]1+ (11), which, in turn, could be converted back to 8 and 9a upon treatment with S8 and [Se], respectively. Interestingly, while the redox reaction of the polyselenide chains in 9a and 11 with S8 produced 8 and [Se], the treatment of 8 with [Se] gave back only the starting material (8), thus demonstrating the different redox behavior of sulfur and selenium. Furthermore, the reaction of 8 and 9a/9b with activated alkynes and cyanide (CN-) allowed the isolation of the complexes, [Co2(BPMP)(µ-E2C2(CO2R)2)]1+ (E = S: 12a, R = Me; 12b, R = Et; E = Se: 13a, R = Me; 13b, R = Et) and [Co2(BPMP)(µ-SH)(NCS)2] (14), respectively. The present work, thus, provides an interesting synthetic strategy, interconversions, and detailed comparative reactivity of binuclear Co(II)-polychalcogenido complexes.

Reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide and generation of reactive chalcogen species by mononuclear Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes of thiolate and selenolate.

Comparative reactivity of a series of new Zn(II) and Fe(II) compounds, [(Py2ald)M(ER)] (E = S, R = Ph: M = Zn, 1aZn; M = Fe, 1aFe; E = S, R = 2,6-Me2-C6H3: M = Zn, 1bZn; M = Fe, 1bFe; E = Se, R = Ph: M = Zn, 2Zn; M = Fe, 2Fe), and [(Py2ald)M]22+ (M = Zn, 5Zn; M = Fe, 5Fe) is presented. Compound 1aZn could react with nitrite (NO2-) to produce [(Py2ald)Zn(ONO)] (3Zn), which, upon treatment with thiols and PhSeH (proton source), could regenerate either 1aZn/5Zn and 2Zn respectively, along with the production of nitric oxide (NO) where the yield of NO increases in the order tBuSH ≪ PhCH2SH < PhSH < PhSeH. In contrast to this, 1aFe, 2Fe and 5Fe could affect the direct reduction of NO2- in the absence of protons to generate NO and [{(Py2ald)(ONO)Fe}2-µ2-O] (8Fe). Moreover, 8Fe could regenerate 5Fe and 1aFe/2Fe upon treatment with 4 and 6 equiv. of PhEH (E = S/Se), respectively, along with the generation of NO. Finally, a comparative study of the mononuclear Zn(II) and Fe(II) compounds for the transfer of the coordinated thiolate/selenolate and the generation and transfer of reactive sulfur/selenium species (RES-, E = Se, S) to a series of organic substrates has been provided.

Transition Metal Mediated Hydrolysis of C-S Bonds: An Overview of a New Reaction Strategy.

Desulfurization of organosulfur substrates is highly important due to its relation with the industrial hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process of fossil fuels, which helps to eliminate the sulfur-containing impurities such as thiols, sulfide, thiophenes, etc. from crude oil for the production of easily processed and more cleanly combusted fuel with very low sulfur content. While the HDS process involves a hydrogenolysis reaction under a high pressure of hydrogen gas at high temperature, the hydrolysis of C-S bonds of organosulfur substrates at ambient conditions may very well be considered as a potential alternative for model desulfurization reactions. However, unlike the availability of an appreciable number of reports on base, acid, and metal ion mediated hydrolysis of thioesters in the literature, reports on the hydrolysis of more difficult substrates such as thiolates, sulfides, and other organosulfur substrates remained unavailable until 2017. The very recent discovery of a transition metal mediated hydrolysis reaction of C-S bonds at ambient conditions, however, has rapidly filled in this gap within the past few years. Development of this new stoichiometric reaction allowed the desulfurization of a large number of organosulfur substrates, including aliphatic and aromatic thiols, thiocarboxylic acids, sulfides, disulfides, thiophenes, and dibenzothiophene, at ambient conditions and was subsequently converted to a catalytic process for the hydrolysis of thiols. A brief overview of this new reaction strategy, a proposed reaction mechanism, a critical analysis of the efficiency, and future prospects are presented.

Hydrolysis and Transfer Reactivity of the Coordinated Thiolate, Thiocarboxylate, and Selenolate in Binuclear Zinc(II) Complexes.

A new binuclear Zn(II) complex, [Zn2(PhBIMP)(DMF)2]3+ (1) (where PhBIMP1 is the anion of 2,6-bis[bis[(N-1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazoylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol), has been shown for the first time to mediate the hydrolytic C-S bond cleavage of a series of aliphatic and aromatic thiolates to yield the corresponding alcohols/phenols along with the formation of a hydrosulfide-bridged complex, [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SH)(DMF)]2+ (2), which has been thoroughly characterized in comparison with the corresponding chloride complex, [Zn2(PhBIMP)(Cl)(DMF)]2+ (3), as a control. The binuclear Zn(II)-thiolate complexes [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SR)]2+ (R = Ph, 4a; 3-Br-C6H4, 4b) have also been synthesized by avoiding the C-S bond cleavage reaction. Based on the experimental results for the effects of H2O and Et3N on 1, 4a, and 4b, the complex [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SR)(OH)]1+ has been proposed to be the active intermediate that precedes the C-S bond cleavage of thiolates. The complex [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SCOPh)(DMF)]2+ (5) also demonstrates the hydrolysis of the coordinated thiobenzoate to produce [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-O2CPh)(MeCN)]2+ (6). However, unlike 4a and 5, the benzeneselenolate-bridged complex, [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SePh)]2+ (7), does not generate the species, [Zn2(PhBIMP)(µ-SePh)(OH)]1+, in solution, and in line with that, the coordinated benzeneselenolate in 7 does not undergo hydrolysis to generate hydroselenide and phenol. Finally, a comparative study for the transfer reactivity of the bridging -SH, -SPh, -SC(O)Ph, and -SePh ligands in 2, 4a, 5, and 7, respectively, toward selected organic substrates has been performed to reveal the distinct differences in the reactivity of these bridging ligands.

Redox Convergent Synthesis and Reactivity of a Cobalt(III)-Pentasulfido Compound.

A new mononuclear cobalt(III)-pentasulfido compound, [(L)Co(S5 )] (3) has been synthesized by using a convergent redox reaction between elemental sulfur and two new cobalt(II)-thiolato compounds, [(L)Co(SR)] (R=Ph, 2 a; 2,6-Me2 -C6 H4 , 2 b), which in turn were synthesized from a dimeric cobalt(II) complex, [(L)2 Co2 ]2+ (1). Compound 3 features a low-spin, diamagnetic, Co(III) center with a coordinated pentasulfido (S5 2- ) chain and has no precedence in the literature. Compound 3 is highly stable towards reduction with a potential of -1.36 V (vs. Cp2 Fe+ /Cp2 Fe) and gives back 1 upon chemical/electrochemical reduction. Reaction of 3 with phosphines yields back 1 and phosphine sulfides, while protonation of the coordinated S5 2- chain in 3 leads to the formation of 1, elemental sulfur and H2 S. Finally, transfer of the coordinated S5 2- chain in 3 to selected organic compounds, such as MeI, PhCH2 Br and PhCOCl, for the generation of organopolysulfido compounds has been demonstrated.

Catalytic Hydrolysis of Thiolates to Alcohols.

A new and efficient catalytic hydrolysis of aliphatic and aromatic thiolates under ambient conditions is presented. Previously, we have demonstrated (Ganguly et al., Inorg. Chem. 2018, 57, 11306-11309) the Co(II) mediated stoichiometric hydrolysis of thiols to produce alcohols/phenols along with a binuclear dicobalt(II)-hydrosulfide complex, [Co2(PhBIMP)(µ2-SH)(DMF)]2+ (1) (PhBIMP is the anion of 2,6 bis[(bis((N-1-methyl-4,5- diphenylimidazoylmethyl) amino)methyl]- 4-methylphenol). In the present work, we have shown that the product of the stoichiometric reaction, 1, may act as an efficient catalyst for the catalytic hydrolysis of a broad range of aliphatic and aromatic thiolates in DMF at room temperature to produce alcohols/phenols. Complex 1 takes up a thiolate (RS-) and a water molecule to generate an active intermediate complex, [Co2(PhBIMP)(µ2-SH)(RS)(H2O)]1+ (2), which, in turn, releases the alcohol/phenol (ROH), hydrosulfide (HS-), and regenerates 1.

Polysulfido Chain in Binuclear Zinc(II) Complexes.

The synthesis and a detailed reactivity study of a binuclear zinc(II) bis(benzenethiolate) complex, [Zn2(BPMP)(SPh)2]+ (4), and an unprecedented binuclear zinc(II) pentasulfido complex, [Zn2(BPMP)(µ2-S5)]+ (6), are presented. While one-electron oxidation of the coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 by Cp2Fe+ produces diphenyl disulfide and [Zn2(BPMP)(µ2-OH)]2+ (5), a two-electron redox reaction between coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 and elemental S (S8) generated diphenyl disulfide and the binuclear zinc(II) pentasulfido complex 6. Complex 6 features a chelating, dianionic, pentasulfido (S52-) chain and can consume up to a maximum of 3 equiv of PPh3 to generate Ph3PS and 5, while the reaction of 6 with 1 equiv of diphenylphosphinoethane allowed the isolation of [Zn2(BPMP)(µ2-S4)]+ (7). A proteolysis reaction of the coordinated S52- chain in 6 with fluoroboric acid (HBF4), benzoic acid (PhCOOH), and thioacetic acid (MeCOSH) generates the complexes [Zn2(BPMP)(MeCN)2]3+ (1), [Zn2(BPMP)(µ2-PhCOO)2]+ (8), and [Zn2(BPMP)(µ2-SCOMe)2]+ (9), respectively, while the protonated S52- chain liberates S8 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Finally, the transfer of the coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 and the S52- chain in 6 to selected organic compounds, namely, PhCH2Br and PhC(O)Cl, for the generation of various organosulfur compounds is demonstrated.

Reduction of NO by diiron complexes in relation to flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases.

Reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O) is associated with immense biological and health implications. Flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs) are diiron containing enzymes that catalyze the two electron reduction of NO to N2O and help certain pathogenic bacteria to survive under "nitrosative stress" in anaerobic growth conditions. Consequently, invading bacteria can proliferate inside the body of mammals by bypassing the immune defense mechanism involving NO and may thus lead to harmful infections. Various mechanisms, namely the direct reduction, semireduction, superreduction and hyponitrite mechanisms, have been proposed over time for catalytic NO reduction by FNORs. Model studies in relation to the diiron active site of FNORs have immensely helped to replicate the minimal structure-reactivity relationship and to understand the mechanism of NO reduction. A brief overview of the FNOR activity and the proposed reaction mechanisms followed by a systematic description and detailed analysis of the model studies is presented, which describes the development in the area of NO reduction by diiron complexes and its implications. A great deal of successful modeling chemistry as well as the shortcomings related to the synthesis and reactivity studies is discussed in detail. Finally, future prospects in this particular area of research are proposed, which in due course may bring more clarity in the understanding of this important redox reaction.

A Monohydrosulfidodinitrosyldiiron Complex That Generates N2O as a Model for Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases: Reaction Mechanism and Electronic Structure.

Flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs) protect microbes from nitrosative stress under anaerobic conditions by mediating the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O). The proposed mechanism for the catalytic reduction of NO by FNORs involves a dinitrosyldiiron intermediate with a [hs-{FeNO}7]2 formulation, which produces N2O and a diferric species. Moreover, both NO and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been implicated in several similar physiological functions in biology and are also known to cross paths in cell signaling. Here we report the synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical characterization, and N2O production activity of an unprecedented monohydrosulfidodinitrosyldiiron compound, with a [(HS)hs-{FeNO}7/hs-{FeNO}7] formulation, that models the key dinitrosyl intermediate of FNORs. The generation of N2O from this unique compound follows a semireduced pathway, where one-electron reduction generates a reactive hs-{FeNO}8 center via the occupation of an Fe-NO antibonding orbital. In contrast to the well-known reactivity of H2S and NO, the coordinated hydrosulfide remains unreactive toward NO and acts only as a spectator ligand during the NO reduction process.

Thiolate Coordination vs C-S Bond Cleavage of Thiolates in Dinickel(II) Complexes.

A detailed study for the synthesis of dinickel(II)-thiolate and dinickel(II)-hydrosulfide complexes and the complete characterization of the relevant intermediates involved in the C-S bond cleavage of thiolates are presented. Hydrated Ni(II) salts mediate the hydrolytic C-S bond cleavage of thiolates (NaSR/RSH; R = Me, Et, nBu, tBu), albeit inefficiently, to yield a mixture of a dinickel(II)-hydrosulfide complex, [Ni2(BPMP)(µ-SH)(DMF)2]2+ (1), and the corresponding dinickel(II)-thiolate complexes, such as [Ni2(BPMP)(µ-SEt)(ClO4)]1+ (2) (HBPMP is 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol). A systematic study for the reactivity of thiolates with Ni(II) was therefore pursued which finally yielded 1 as a pure product which has been characterized in comparison with the dinickel(II)-dichloride complex, [Ni2(BPMP)(Cl)2(MeOH)2]1+ (3). While the reaction of thiolates with anhydrous Ni(OTf)2 in dry conditions could only yield [Ni2(BPMP)(OTf)2]1+ (5) instead of the expected dinickel(II)-thiolate compound, the C-S bond cleavage could be suppressed by the use of a chelating thiol, such as PhCOSH, to yield [Ni2(BPMP)(SCOPh)2]1+ (6). Finally, with the suitable choice of a monodentate thiol, a dinickel(II)-monothiolate complex, [Ni2(BPMP)(SPh)(DMF)(MeOH)(H2O)]2+ (7), was isolated as a pure product within 1 h of reaction, which after a longer time of reaction yielded 1 and PhOH. Complex 7 may thus be regarded as the intermediate that precedes the C-S bond cleavage and is generated by the reaction of a thiolate with an initially formed dinickel(II)-solvento complex, [Ni2(BPMP)(MeOH)2(H2O)2]3+(4). Selected dinickel(II) complexes were explored further for the scope of substitution reactions, and the results include the isolation of a dinickel(II)-bis(thiolate) complex, [Ni2(BPMP)(µ-SPh)2]1+ (8).

Comparative Study for the Cobalt(II)- and Iron(II)-Mediated Desulfurization of Disulfides Demonstrating That the C-S Bond Cleavage Step Precedes the S-S Bond Cleavage Step.

A unique Co(II)- and Fe(II)-mediated complete desulfurization of disulfides of the type RS-SR and RC(O)S-SC(O)R to yield the corresponding alcohols (ROH) and carboxylic acids (RCOOH), respectively, along with the formation of a dicobalt(II)/diiron(II)-hydrosulfide complex, [M2(PhBIMP)(µ2-SH)(DMF)]2+ (M = Co, Fe), has been demonstrated. This new desulfurization reaction involves cleavage of both C-S and S-S bonds, where the cleavage of the S-S bond (presumably two-electron reduction of the S-S bond) may generate two-electron-oxidized dicobalt(III)/diiron(III) species, [MIII2(PhBIMP)(H2O)2(DMF)2]5+ (M = Co, Fe), in solution. While the generation of such a solvent- and/or H2O-coordinated dicobalt(III) species in the reaction solution could not be established beyond a doubt, formation of the diiron(III) species [FeIII2(PhBIMP)(H2O)2(DMF)2]5+ according to the proposed reaction mechanism has been confirmed by a combination of mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy in comparison with an authentic sample, synthesized directly by an independent procedure using Fe(ClO4)3·xH2O. Interestingly, a comparative study using different types of disulfides and the molecular structure determination of a key reaction intermediate, [Fe2(PhBIMP)(MeCOSS)]2+, generated via the cleavage of only one C-S bond of MeC(O)S-SC(O)Me, demonstrates that the C-S bond cleavage step precedes the S-S bond cleavage step during the Fe(II)-mediated desulfurization of disulfides.

Functional Models for the Mono- and Dinitrosyl Intermediates of FNORs: Semireduction versus Superreduction of NO.

The reduction of NO to N2O by flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs) is related to the disruption of the defense mechanism in mammals against invading pathogens. The proposed mechanism for this catalytic reaction involves both nonheme mono- and dinitrosyl diiron(II) species as the key intermediates. Recently, we reported an initial account for NO reduction activity of an unprecedented mononitrosyl diiron(II) complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(NO)(DMF)3](BF4)3 (1) (N-Et-HPTB is the anion of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-(l-ethylbenzimidazolyl))-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane; DMF = dimethylformamide) with [FeII{FeNO}7] formulation [Jana et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 14380]. Here we report the full account for the selective synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of FNOR model complexes, which include a dinitrosyl diiron(II) complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(NO)2(DMF)2](BF4)3 (2) with [{FeNO}7]2 formulation and a related, mixed-valent diiron(II, III) complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(OH)(DMF)3](BF4)3 (3). Importantly, whereas complex 2 is able to produce 89% of N2O via a semireduced mechanism (1 equiv of CoCp2 per dimer = 50% of NO reduced), complex 1, under the same conditions (0.5 equiv of CoCp2 per dimer = 50% of NO reduced), generates only ∼50% of N2O. The mononitrosyl complex therefore requires superreduction for quantitative N2O generation, which constitutes an interesting dichotomy between 1 and 2. Reaction products obtained after N2O generation by 2 using 1 and 2 equiv of reductant were characterized by molecular structure determination and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Despite several available literature reports on N2O generation by diiron complexes, this is the first case where the end products from these reactions could be characterized unambiguously, which clarifies a number of tantalizing observations about the nature of these products in the literature.

Iron(II) Mediated Desulfurization of Organosulfur Substrates Produces Nonheme Diiron(II)-hydrosulfides.

A reaction system involving Fe(BF4)2·6H2O and two dinucleating ligands, HBPMP and HPhBIMP, mediates the desulfurization of aliphatic and aromatic thiols at room temperature. This rare C-S bond cleavage reaction produces two nonheme diiron(II) complexes, [Fe2(BPMP)(SH)2(MeOH)2]1+ (1a) and [Fe2(PhBIMP)(µ-SH)(DMF)]2+ (2a), possibly via an active species similar to [Fe2(PhBIMP)(H2O)2(DMF)2]3+ (2c), while the thiols are converted to the corresponding alcohols/phenols. In the case of thioacetic acid, a bidentate chelating organosulfur substrate, the use of HBPMP produces the corresponding bis-thiocarboxylato bridged complex, [Fe2(BPMP)(CH3COS)2]1+ (1b), instead of 1a. However, the use of HPhBIMP allows the Fe(II) mediated desulfurization of thioacetic acid as well to yield 2a, along with the formation of [Fe2(PhBIMP)(CH3COS)(MeCN)]2+ (2b). This convenient desulfurization reaction has been demonstrated for different substrates in different solvents along with the structural and spectroscopic characterizations of the diiron(II)-hydrosulfide complexes in comparison with two isostructural chloride complexes, [Fe2(BPMP)(Cl)2(MeOH)2]1+ (1c) and [Fe2(PhBIMP)(µ-Cl)(DMF)]2+ (2d). The role of the individual reactants in the desulfurization process has been thoroughly investigated using control reactions, and on the basis of these results and the identification of intermediate species, such as [Fe2(PhBIMP)(StBu)(DMF)3]2+ and [Fe2(PhBIMP)(StBu)(H2O)(DMF)2]2+, in solution by mass spectrometry, a possible mechanism has been proposed.

Transfer of hydrosulfide from thiols to iron(ii): a convenient synthetic route to nonheme diiron(ii)-hydrosulfide complexes.

While the attempted synthesis of diiron(ii)-hydrosulfide complexes using HS- produced an insoluble precipitate, the reaction of Fe(BF4)2·6H2O, Et3N and HN-Et-HPTB with RSH (R = tBu, CH2Ph) yielded the desired complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(SH)(H2O)](BF4)2 (1a). The synthesis, one electron oxidation and dioxygen activity of 1a in comparison with an analogous chloride complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(Cl)(DMF)2](BF4)2 (2), are described.

Cobalt(II)-Mediated Desulfurization of Thiophenes, Sulfides, and Thiols.

Desulfurization of organosulfur compounds is a highly important reaction because of its relevance to the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process of fossil fuels. A reaction system involving Co(BF4)2·6H2O and the dinucleating ligands HBPMP or HPhBIMP has been developed that could desulfurize a large number of thiophenes, sulfides, and thiols to generate the complexes [Co2(BPMP)(µ2-SH)(MeCN)](BF4)2 (1a), [Co2(BPMP)(SH)2](BF4) (1b), and [Co2(PhBIMP)(µ2-SH)(X)](BF4)2 [X = DMF (2a), MeCN (2c)], while the substrates are mostly converted to the corresponding alcohols/phenols. This convenient desulfurization process has been demonstrated for 25 substrates in 6 different solvents at room temperature.

C-S Bond Cleavage, Redox Reactions, and Dioxygen Activation by Nonheme Dicobalt(II) Complexes.

Synthesis and reactivity of a series of thiolate/thiocarboxylate bridged dicobalt(II) complexes were investigated in comparison with their carboxylate bridged analogues bearing free thiol/hydroxyl groups. Upon one-electron oxidation, complexes [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-SR1)](BF4)2 (R1 = Ph, 1a; Et, 1b; Py, 1c) and [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-SCOR2)](BF4)2 (R2 = Ph, 2a; Me, 2b) yielded [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(DMF)2](BF4)3 (6) (DMF = dimethylformamide) along with the corresponding disulfides (where N-Et-HPTB is the anion of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[2-(1-ethylbenzimidazolyl)]-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane). Unlike the inertness of carboxylate bridged complexes [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-O2C-R3-SH)](BF4)2 (R3 = Ph, 3a; CH2CH2, 3b) and [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-O2CR4)](BF4)2 (R4 = Ph, 4a; Me, 4b; CH2CH2CH2OH, 5) toward O2, the bridging ethanethiolate in 1b was oxidized to yield a sulfinate bridged complex, [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-O2SEt)](BF4)2 (10). Detailed investigation of the synthetic aspects of 1a-1c led to the discovery of a C-S bond cleavage reaction and yielded the dicobalt(II) complexes [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(SH)(H2O)](BF4)2 (8a), [Co2(N-CH2Py-HPTB)(SH)(H2O)](BF4)2 (8b) (where N-CH2Py-HPTB is the anion of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[2-(1-picolylbenzimidazolyl)]-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane)), and [Co2(N-Et-HPTB)(µ-S)](BF4) (9). Both 8a and 8b feature nonheme dinuclear Co(II) units containing a terminal hydrosulfide. The present study thus reports comparative redox reactions for a rare class of 16 dicobalt(II) complexes and introduces a selective synthetic strategy for the synthesis of unprecedented dicobalt(II) complexes featuring only one terminal hydrosulfide.

Functional Mononitrosyl Diiron(II) Complex Mediates the Reduction of NO to N2O with Relevance for Flavodiiron NO Reductases.

Reaction of [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(CH3COS)](BF4)2 (1) with (NO)(BF4) produces a nonheme mononitrosyl diiron(II) complex, [Fe2(N-Et-HPTB)(NO)(DMF)3](BF4)3 (2). Complex 2 is the first example of a [FeII{Fe(NO)}7] species and is also the first example of a mononitrosyl diiron(II) complex that mediates the reduction of NO to N2O. This work describes the selective synthesis, detailed characterization and NO reduction activity of 2 and thus provides new insights regarding the mechanism of flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases.