1,2-Azolylamidino ruthenium(II) complexes with DMSO ligands: electro- and photocatalysts for CO2 reduction.

New 1,2-azolylamidino complexes fac-[RuCl(DMSO)3(NHC(R)az*-κ2N,N)]OTf [R = Me (2), Ph (3); az* = pz (pyrazolyl, a), indz (indazolyl, b)] are synthesized via chloride abstraction from their corresponding precursors cis,fac-[RuCl2(DMSO)3(az*H)] (1) after subsequent base-catalyzed coupling of the appropriate nitrile with the 1,2-azole previously coordinated. All the compounds are characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy. Those derived from MeCN are also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies showed several reduction waves in the range of -1.5 to -3 V. The electrochemical behavior in CO2 media is consistent with CO2 electrocatalytic reduction. The catalytic activity expressed as [icat(CO2)/ip(Ar)] ranged from 1.7 to 3.7 for the 1,2-azolylamidino complexes at voltages of ca. -2.7 to -3 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium. Controlled potential electrolysis showed rapid decomposition of the Ru catalysts. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction experiments using compounds 1b, 2b and 3b carried out in a CO2-saturated MeCN/TEOA (4 : 1 v/v) solution containing a mixture of the catalyst and [Ru(bipy)3]2+ as the photosensitizer under continuous irradiation (light intensity of 150 mW cm-2 at 25 °C, λ > 300 nm) show that compounds 1b, 2b and 3b allowed CO2 reduction catalysis, producing CO and trace amounts of formate. The combined turnover number for the production of formate and CO is ca. 100 after 8 h and follows the order 1b < 2b ≈ 3b.

(1,2-Azole)bis(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Complexes: Electrochemistry, Luminescent Properties, And Electro- And Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction.

New cis-(1,2-azole)-aquo bis(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (1,2-azole (az*H) = pzH (pyrazole), dmpzH (3,5-dimethylpyrazole), and indzH (indazole)) complexes are synthesized via chlorido abstraction from cis-[Ru(bipy)2Cl(az*H)]OTf. The latter are obtained from cis-[Ru(bipy)2Cl2] after the subsequent coordination of the 1,2-azole. All the compounds are characterized by 1H, 13C, 15N NMR spectroscopy as well as IR spectroscopy. Two chlorido complexes (pzH and indzH) and two aquo complexes (indzH and dmpzH) are also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Photophysical and electrochemical studies were carried out on all the complexes. The photophysical data support the phosphorescence of the complexes. The electrochemical behavior of all the complexes in an Ar atmosphere indicate that the oxidation processes assigned to Ru(II) → Ru(III) occurs at higher potentials in the aquo complexes. The reduction processes under Ar lead to several waves, indicating that the complexes undergo successive electron-transfer reductions that are centered in the bipy ligands. The first electron reduction is reversible. The electrochemical behavior in CO2 media is consistent with CO2 electrocatalyzed reduction, where the values of the catalytic activity [icat(CO2)/ip(Ar)] ranged from 2.9 to 10.8. Controlled potential electrolysis of the chlorido and aquo complexes affords CO and formic acid, with the latter as the major product after 2 h. Photocatalytic experiments in MeCN with [Ru(bipy)3]Cl2 as the photosensitizer and TEOA as the electron donor, which were irradiated with >300 nm light for 24 h, led to CO and HCOOH as the main reduction products, achieving a combined turnover number (TONCO+HCOO-) as high as 107 for 2c after 24 h of irradiation.

Luminescent Rhenium(I)tricarbonyl Complexes Containing Different Pyrazoles and Their Successive Deprotonation Products: CO2 Reduction Electrocatalysts.

Cationic fac-[Re(CO)3(pz*H)(pypzH)]OTf (pz*H = pyrazole, pzH; 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, dmpzH; indazole, indzH; 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole, pypzH) were obtained from fac-[ReBr(CO)3(pypzH)] by halide abstraction with AgOTf and subsequent addition of the corresponding pyrazole. Successive deprotonation with Na2CO3 and NaOH gave neutral fac-[Re(CO)3(pz*H)(pypz)] and anionic Na{fac-[Re(CO)3(pz*)(pypz)]} complexes, respectively. Cationic fac-[Re(CO)3(pz*H)(pypzH)]OTf, neutral complexes fac-[Re(CO)3(pz*H)(pypz)], and fac-[Re(CO)3(pypz)2Na] were subjected to photophysical and electrochemical studies. They exhibit phosphorescent decays from a prevalently 3MLCT excited state with quantum yields (Φ) in the range between 0.03 and 0.58 and long lifetimes (τ from 220 to 869 ns). The electrochemical behavior in Ar atmosphere of cationic and neutral complexes indicates that the oxidation processes assigned to ReI → ReII occurs at lower potentials for the neutral complex compared to cationic complex. The reduction processes occur at the ligands and do not depend on the charge of the complexes. The electrochemical behavior in CO2 saturated media is consistent with CO2 electrocatalyzed reduction, where the values of the catalytic activity [icat(CO2)/icat(Ar)] ranged from 2.7 to 11.5 (compared to 8.1 for fac-[Re(CO)3Cl(bipy)] studied as a reference). Controlled potential electrolysis for the pyrazole cationic (3a) and neutral (4a) complexes after 1 h affords CO in faraday yields of 61 and 89%, respectively. These values are higher for indazole complexes and may be related to the acidity of the coordinated pyrazole.

Versatile Rh- and Ir-Based Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation, Formic Acid Dehydrogenation, and Transfer Hydrogenation of Quinolines.

Considering the interest in processes related to hydrogen storage such as CO2 hydrogenation and formic acid (FA) decomposition, we have synthesized a set of Ir, Rh, or Ru complexes to be tested as versatile precatalysts in these reactions. In relation with the formation of H2 from FA, the possible applicability of these complexes in the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of challenging substrates as quinoline derivatives using FA/formate as hydrogen donor has also been addressed. Bearing in mind the importance of secondary coordination sphere interactions, N,N' ligands containing NH2 groups, coordinated or not to the metal center, were used. The general formula of the new complexes are [( p-cymene)RuCl(N,N')]X, X = Cl-, BF4- and [Cp*MCl(N,N')]Cl, M = Rh, Ir, where the N,N' ligands are 8-aminoquinoline (HL1), 6-pyridyl-2,4-diamine-1,3,5-triazine (L2) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline (L3). Some complexes are not active or catalyze only one process. However, the complexes [Cp*MCl(HL1)]Cl with M = Rh, Ir are versatile catalysts that are active in hydrogenation of quinolines, FA decomposition, and also in CO2 hydrogenation with the iridium derivative being more active and robust. The CO2 hydrogenation takes place in mild conditions using only 5 bar of pressure of each gas (CO2 and H2). The behavior of some precatalysts in D2O and after the addition of 9 equiv of HCO2Na (pseudocatalytic conditions) has been studied in detail and mechanisms for the FA decomposition and the hydrogenation of CO2 have been proposed. For the Ru, Ir, or Rh complexes with ligand HL1, the amido species with the deprotonated ligand are observed. In the case of ruthenium, the formate complex is also detected. For the iridium derivative, both the amido intermediate and the hydrido species have been observed. This hydrido complex undergoes a process of umpolung D+↔ Ir-D. All in all, the results of this work reflect the active role of -NH2 in the transfer of H+.

Selective Photooxidation of Sulfides Catalyzed by Bis-cyclometalated IrIII Photosensitizers Bearing 2,2'-Dipyridylamine-Based Ligands.

A new family of heteroleptic bis-cyclometalated IrIII complexes with formula [Ir(CN^ )2 (NN^ )]Cl (CN^ =2-phenylpyridinate and NN^ =2,2'-dipyridylamine or N-benzylated 2,2'-dipyridylamines, were synthesized, characterized, and successfully used as photosensitizers in the catalytic photooxidation of an array of dialkyl, dibenzyl, alkyl aryl, and diaryl sulfides, as well as sulfur-containing amino acids. Furthermore, the reactions proceeded with optimal chemoselectivity, and atom economy under mild conditions. Experimental observations support a dual mechanism in which singlet oxygen and superoxide are the actual oxidants.

Choosing the best molecular precursor to prepare Li4Ti5O12 by the sol-gel method using (1)H NMR: evidence of [Ti3(OEt)13](-) in solution.

(1)H NMR spectroscopy at 400 MHz in toluene-d8 of evaporated mixtures of lithium ethoxide and titanium(iv) isopropoxide in ethanol, used to prepare the spinel Li4Ti5O12 by the sol-gel method, may help clarify why the atomic ratio 5Li : 5Ti and not 4Li : 5Ti is the right choice to obtain the pure phase when performing hydrolysis at room temperature. The mixtures xLiOEt/yTi(OPr(i))4 in ethanol undergo alcohol exchange at room temperature, and the evaporated residues contain double lithium-titanium ethoxide [LiTi3(OEt)13] rather than simple mixtures of single metal alkoxides; this is of great relevance to truly understanding the chemistry and structural changes in the sol-gel process. Detailed inspection of the (1)H and (13)C VT NMR spectra of mixtures with different Li/Ti atomic ratios unequivocally shows the formation of [LiTi3(OEt)13] in a solution at low temperature. The methylene signals of free lithium ethoxide and Li[Ti3(OEt)13] coalesce at 20 °C when the atomic ratio is 5 : 5; however, the same coalescence is only observed above 60 °C when the atomic ratio is 4 : 5. We suggest that the highest chemical equivalence observed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy achieved through chemical exchange of ethoxide groups involves the highest microscopic structural homogeneity of the sol precursor and will lead to the best gel after hydrolysis. Variable temperature (1)H NMR spectra at 400 MHz of variable molar ratios of LiOEt/Ti(OPr(i))4 are discussed to understand the structural features of the sol precursor. While the precursor with the atomic ratio 5Li : 5Ti shows no signal of free LiOEt at 20 °C, both 4Li : 5Ti and 7Li : 5Ti show free LiOEt at 20 °C in their (1)H NMR spectra, indicating that the molar ratio 5Li : 5Ti gives the maximum rate of chemical exchange. DFT calculations have been performed to support the structure of the anion [Ti3(OEt)13](-) at room temperature.

Chemical speciation of MeHg+ and Hg2+ in aqueous solution and HEK cells nuclei by means of DNA interacting fluorogenic probes.

Selected new fluorogenic probes that interact in different ways with Hg2+ and MeHg+ have been prepared and used for the chemical speciation of both cations in aqueous solution as well as in HEK293 cells. The best selective speciation of Hg2+ and MeHg+ has been achieved by in vitro approaches based on fluorogenic probes supported in cultured cells, due to the particular sensitivity of the HEK293 cells to permeation by Hg2+, MeHg+ and the fluorogenic probes. In particular, MeHg+ was selectively detected in cell nuclei by probe JG45.

Structural Conformers of (1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidene)ethanethioamides: The Balance between Thioamide Rotation and Preservation of Classical Sulfur-Sulfur Hypervalent Bonds.

The reaction of N-(2-phthalimidoethyl)-N-alkylisopropylamines and S2Cl2 gave 4-N-(2-phthalimidoethyl)-N-alkylamino-5-chloro-1,2-dithiol-3-thiones that quantitatively cycloadded to dimethyl or diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to give stable thioacid chlorides, which in turn reacted with one equivalent of aniline or a thiole to give thioanilides or a dithioester. Several compounds of this series showed atropisomers that were studied by a combination of dynamic NMR, simulation of the signals, conformational analysis by DFT methods, and single crystal X-ray diffraction, showing a good correlation between the theoretical calculations, the experimental values of energies, and the preferred conformations in the solid state. The steric hindering of the crowded substitution at the central amine group was found to be the reason for the presence of permanent atropisomers in this series of compounds and the cause of a unique disposition of the thioxo group at close-to-right angles with respect to the plane defined by the 1,3-dithiole ring in the dithiafulvene derivatives, thus breaking the sulfur-sulfur hypervalent bond that is always found in this kind of compounds.

A fluorescent molecular ruler as a selective probe for ω-aminoacids.

A fluorescent probe for ω-aminoacids behaves as a molecular ruler, changing the yellow fluorescent emission into blue as a function of the distance between the terminal ammonium and the carboxylate groups, permitting the quantitative detection of ω-aminoacids, their metabolites and related drugs, such as pregabalin or gabapentin, from pharmaceutical formulations.

1H NMR direct observation of enantiomeric exchange in palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes containing N,N' bidentate aryl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amine ligands.

The complexes [MCl(2)(kappa2-N approximately N')] (N approximately N' = 2-C(5)H(4)N-CH2-NHAr; Ar = 4-MeC(6)H(4), a; 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3), b; 4-MeOC(6)H(4), c; 4-CF(3)C(6)H(4), d; M = Pd, 1a-d; Pt, 2a-d) have been prepared and fully stereochemically characterized both in the solid state and in solution. Their behavior in DMSO-d6 solution is dependent on the substituents of the aryl group and on the metal. Complexes of palladium with substituents at the para position (1a, 1c, 1d) display a dynamic 1H NMR pattern when the solutions are heated. An enantiomeric exchange Slambda/Rdelta is suggested to explain such behavior. On the basis of the calculated negative DeltaS values, an associative mechanism involving the solvent is proposed. Under the same conditions, analogous complexes of platinum (2a, 2c, 2d) proved to be unstable, and release of the N approximately N' ligand was observed. Complexes 1b and 2b show temperature-variable 1H NMR spectra without any evidence accounting for enantiomeric exchange or decoordination. DFT calculations on models of 1a and 1b show that diastereomeric exchange Sdelta/Slambda is a process where the complex with the higher sterical hindrance, 1b, has a lower energy barrier.

Diastereospecific and diastereoselective syntheses of Ruthenium(II) complexes using N,N' bidentate ligands aryl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amine ArNH-CH2-2-C5H4N and their oxidation to imine ligands.

Coordination of N,N' bidentate ligands aryl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amine ArNH-CH2-2-C5H4N 1 (Ar = 4-CH3-C6H4, 1a; 4-CH3O-C6H4, 1b; 2,6-(CH3)2-C6H3, 1c; 4-CF3-C6H4, 1d) to the moieties [Ru(bipy)2]2+, [Ru(eta5-C5H5)L]+ (L = CH3CN, CO), or [Ru(eta6-arene)Cl]2+ (arene = benzene, p-cymene) occurs under diastereoselective or diastereospecific conditions. Detailed stereochemical analysis of the new complexes is included. The coordination of these secondary amine ligands activates their oxidation to imines by molecular oxygen in a base-catalyzed reaction and hydrogen peroxide was detected as byproduct. The amine-to-imine oxidation was also observed under the experimental conditions of cyclic voltammetry measurements. Deprotonation of the coordinated amine ligands afforded isolatable amido complexes only for the ligand (1-methyl-1-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-p-tolyl-amine, 1e, which doesn't contain hydrogen atoms in a beta position relative to the N-H bond. The structures of [Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)2(1b)](PF6)2, 2b; [Ru(2,2'-bipyridine)(2)(1c)](PF6)2, 2c; trans-[RuCl2(COD)(1a)], 3; and [RuCl2(eta6-C6H6)(1a)]PF6, 4a, have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.