Electronic Structures and Photoredox Chemistry of Tungsten(0) Arylisocyanides.

ConspectusThe high energy barriers associated with the reaction chemistry of inert substrates can be overcome by employing redox-active photocatalysts. Research in this area has grown exponentially over the past decade, as transition metal photosensitizers have been shown to mediate challenging organic transformations. Critical for the advancement of photoredox catalysis is the discovery, development, and study of complexes based on earth-abundant metals that can replace and/or complement established noble-metal-based photosensitizers.Recent work has focused on redox-active complexes of 3d metals, as photosensitizers containing these metals most likely would be scalable. Although low lying spin doublet ("spin flip") excited states of chromium(III) and metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states of copper(I) have relatively long lifetimes, the electronic excited states of many other 3d metal complexes fall on dissociative potential energy surfaces, owing to the population of highly energetic σ-antibonding orbitals. Indeed, we and other investigators have shown that low lying spin singlet and triplet excited states of robust closed-shell metal complexes are too short-lived at room temperature to engage in bimolecular reactions in solutions. In principle, this problem could be overcome by designing and constructing 3d metal complexes containing strong field π-acceptor ligands, where thermally equilibrated MLCT or intraligand charge transfer excited states might fall well below the upper surfaces of dissociative 3d-3d states. Notably, such design elements have been exploited by investigators in very recent work on redox-active iron(II) systems. Another approach, one we have actively pursued, is to design and construct closed-shell complexes of earth-abundant 5d metals containing very strong π-acceptor ligands, where vertical excitation of 5d-5d excited states at the ground state geometry would require energies far above minima in the potential surfaces of MLCT excited states. As this requirement is met by tungsten(0) arylisocyanides, these complexes have been the focus of our work aimed at the development of robust redox-active photosensitizers.In the following Account, we review recent work on homoleptic tungsten(0) arylisocyanides. Originally reported by our group 45 years ago, W(CNAr)6 complexes have exceptionally large one- and two-photon absorption cross-sections. One- or two-photon excitation produces relatively long-lived (hundreds of nanoseconds to microsecond) MLCT excited states in high yields. These MLCT excited states, which are very strong reductants with E°(W+/*W0) = -2.2 to -3.0 V vs Fc[+/0], mediate photocatalysis of organic reactions with both visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. Here, we highlight design principles that led to the development of three generations of W(CNAr)6 photosensitizers; and we discuss likely steps in the mechanism of a prototypal W(CNAr)6-catalyzed base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution reaction. Among the many potential applications of these very bright luminophores, two-photon imaging and two-photon-initiated polymerization are ones we plan to pursue.

Two-dimensional liquid chromatography with active solvent modulation for studying monomer incorporation in copolymer dispersants.

A pseudo-comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography approach with size exclusion chromatography in the first dimension and gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatography in the second dimension was successfully developed for the characterization of vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers and vinyl acetate/itaconic acid/acrylic acid terpolymers. Active solvent modulation was exploited to prevent the polymer breakthrough in the second dimension separation caused by the strong solvent used in the first dimension. The conditions of the active solvent modulation valve were optimized to achieve sufficient on-line dilution and to completely prevent polymer breakthrough without adding excessive time to the modulation cycle. Using this approach, copolymers made with different monomer ratios and processes were studied. Heterogeneous composition distribution due to insufficient monomer incorporation was detected in some of the copolymer samples. We demonstrated that with active solvent modulation, the two-dimensional liquid chromatography approach is no longer limited to water-soluble polymers and can be used for a broader range of polymers and copolymers.

Two-photon spectroscopy of tungsten(0) arylisocyanides using nanosecond-pulsed excitation.

The two-photon absorption (TPA) cross sections (δ) for tungsten(0) arylisocyanides (W(CNAr)6) were determined in the 800-1000 nm region using two-photon luminescence (TPL) spectroscopy. The complexes have high TPA cross sections, in the range 1000-2000 GM at 811.8 nm. In comparison, the cross section at 811.8 nm for tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii), [Ru(bpy)3]2+, is 7 GM. All measurements were performed using a nanosecond-pulsed laser system.

Driving Force Dependence of Electron Transfer from Electronically Excited [Ir(COD)(µ-Me2pz)]2 to Photo-Acid Generators.

We report the rates of electron transfer (ET) reactions of electronically excited [Ir(COD)(µ-Me2pz)]2 with onium salt photoacid generators (PAGs). The reduction potentials of the PAGs span a large electrochemical window that allows determination of the driving force dependence of the ET reactions. Rate constants of ET from electronically excited [Ir(COD)(µ-Me2pz)]2 to onium PAGs are determined by the reaction driving force until the diffusion limit in acetonitrile is reached.

Modulation of Zn-C Bond Lengths Induced by Ligand Architecture in Zinc Carbatrane Compounds.

Bond lengths between pairs of atoms in covalent molecules are generally predicted well by the sum of their respective covalent radii, such that there are usually only small variations in related compounds. It is, therefore, significant that we have demonstrated that the incorporation of appropriately sized linkers between carbon and a metal center provides a means to modulate the length and nature of a metal-carbon interaction. Specifically, X-ray diffraction studies on a series of tris(1-methylimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl zinc complexes, [TitmMe]ZnX, demonstrate how the Zn-C bond lengths are highly variable (2.17-2.68 Å) and are up to 0.67 Å longer than the average value listed in the Cambridge Structural Database (2.01 Å). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations on [TitmMe]ZnCl demonstrate that the interaction is very flexible, such that either increasing or decreasing the Zn-C length from that in the equilibrium structure is associated with little energy change in comparison to that for other compounds with Zn-C bonds.

Electronic Excited States of Tungsten(0) Arylisocyanides.

W(CNAryl)6 complexes containing 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isocyanide (CNdipp) are powerful photoreductants with strongly emissive long-lived excited states. These properties are enhanced upon appending another aryl ring, e.g., W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6; CNdippPh(OMe2) = 4-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-diisopropylphenylisocyanide (Sattler et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 1198-1205). Electronic transitions and low-lying excited states of these complexes were investigated by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT); the lowest triplet state was characterized by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (TRIR) supported by density functional theory (DFT). The intense absorption band of W(CNdipp)6 at 460 nm and that of W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 at 500 nm originate from transitions of mixed ππ*(C≡N-C)/MLCT(W → Aryl) character, whereby W is depopulated by ca. 0.4 e(-) and the electron-density changes are predominantly localized along two equatorial molecular axes. The red shift and intensity rise on going from W(CNdipp)6 to W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 are attributable to more extensive delocalization of the MLCT component. The complexes also exhibit absorptions in the 300-320 nm region, owing to W → C≡N MLCT transitions. Electronic absorptions in the spectrum of W(CNXy)6 (Xy = 2,6-dimethylphenyl), a complex with orthogonal aryl orientation, have similar characteristics, although shifted to higher energies. The relaxed lowest W(CNAryl)6 triplet state combines ππ* excitation of a trans pair of C≡N-C moieties with MLCT (0.21 e(-)) and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT, 0.24-0.27 e(-)) from the other four CNAryl ligands to the axial aryl and, less, to C≡N groups; the spin density is localized along a single Aryl-N≡C-W-C≡N-Aryl axis. Delocalization of excited electron density on outer aryl rings in W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 likely promotes photoinduced electron-transfer reactions to acceptor molecules. TRIR spectra show an intense broad bleach due to ν(C≡N), a prominent transient upshifted by 60-65 cm(-1), and a weak down-shifted feature due to antisymmetric C≡N stretch along the axis of high spin density. The TRIR spectral pattern remains unchanged on the femtosecond-nanosecond time scale, indicating that intersystem crossing and electron-density localization are ultrafast (<100 fs).

Bespoke photoreductants: tungsten arylisocyanides.

Modular syntheses of oligoarylisocyanide ligands that are derivatives of 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isocyanide (CNdipp) have been developed; tungsten complexes incorporating these oligoarylisocyanide ligands exhibit intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer visible absorptions that are red-shifted and more intense than those of the parent W(CNdipp)6 complex. Additionally, these W(CNAr)6 complexes have enhanced excited-state properties, including longer lifetimes and very high quantum yields. The decay kinetics of electronically excited W(CNAr)6 complexes (*W(CNAr)6) show solvent dependences; faster decay is observed in higher dielectric solvents. *W(CNAr)6 lifetimes are temperature dependent, suggestive of a strong coupling nonradiative decay mechanism that promotes repopulation of the ground state. Notably, *W(CNAr)6 complexes are exceptionally strong reductants: [W(CNAr)6](+)/*W(CNAr)6 potentials are more negative than -2.7 V vs [Cp2Fe](+)/Cp2Fe.

Dihydrogen activation by cobaloximes with various axial ligands.

We have investigated the effect of axial ligands on the ability of cobaloximes to catalyze the generation of transferable hydrogen atoms from hydrogen gas and have learned that the active catalyst contains one and only one axial ligand. We have, for example, shown that Co(dmgBF2)2 coordinates only one Ph3P and that the addition of additional Ph3P (beyond 1 equiv) to solvated Co(dmgBF2)2 does not affect its catalytic turnover for H• transfer from H2.

Assembly, characterization, and electrochemical properties of immobilized metal bipyridyl complexes on silicon(111) surfaces.

Silicon(111) surfaces have been functionalized with mixed monolayers consisting of submonolayer coverages of immobilized 4-vinyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (1, vbpy) moieties, with the remaining atop sites of the silicon surface passivated by methyl groups. As the immobilized bipyridyl ligands bind transition metal ions, metal complexes can be assembled on the silicon surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrates that bipyridyl complexes of [Cp*Rh], [Cp*Ir], and [Ru(acac)2] were formed on the surface (Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, acac is acetylacetonate). For the surface prepared with Ir, X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ir LIII edge showed an edge energy as well as post-edge features that were essentially identical with those observed on a powder sample of [Cp*Ir(bpy)Cl]Cl (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl). Charge-carrier lifetime measurements confirmed that the silicon surfaces retain their highly favorable photoelectronic properties upon assembly of the metal complexes. Electrochemical data for surfaces prepared on highly doped, n-type Si(111) electrodes showed that the assembled molecular complexes were redox active. However the stability of the molecular complexes on the surfaces was limited to several cycles of voltammetry.

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a terminal organozinc fluoride compound: hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, and donor-acceptor interactions.

[Tris(2-pyridylthio)methyl]zinc fluoride, [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnF, the first example of an organozinc compound that features a terminal fluoride ligand, may be obtained by the reactions of either [Tptm]ZnX (X = H, OSiMe3) with Me3SnF or [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnI with [Bu(n)4N]F. Not only is the fluoride ligand of [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnF susceptible to coordination by B(C6F5)3 to give the adduct [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnFB(C6F5)3, but it is also an effective hydrogen bond and halogen bond acceptor. For example, X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnF forms an adduct with water in which hydrogen bonding between the fluoride ligands and water molecules serves to link pairs of [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnF molecules with a [F···(H-O-H)2···F] motif. Furthermore, (1)H and (19)F NMR spectroscopic studies provide evidence for hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding interactions with indole and C6F5I, respectively.

Structural characterization of 1,3-propanedithiols that feature carboxylic acids: Homologues of mercury chelating agents.

The molecular structures of a series of 1,3-propanedithiols that contain carboxylic acid groups, namely rac- and meso-2,4-dimercaptoglutaric acid (H4DMGA) and 2-carboxy-1,3-propanedithiol (H3DMCP), have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Each compound exhibits two centrosymmetric intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between pairs of carboxylic acid groups, which result in a dimeric structure for H3DMCP and a polymeric tape-like structure for rac- and meso-H4DMGA. Significantly, the hydrogen bonding motifs observed for rac- and meso-H4DMGA are very different to those observed for the 1,2-dithiol, rac-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (rac-H4DMSA), in which the two oxygen atoms of each carboxylic acid group hydrogen bond to two different carboxylic acid groups, thereby resulting in a hydrogen bonded sheet-like structure rather than a tape. Density functional theory calculations indicate that 1,3-dithiolate coordination to mercury results in larger S-Hg-S bond angles than does 1,2-dithiolate coordination, but these angles are far from linear. As such, κ2-S2 coordination of these dithiolate ligands is expected to be associated with mercury coordination numbers of greater than two. In vivo studies demonstrate that both rac-H 4 DMGA and H3DMCP reduce the renal burden of mercury in rats, although the compounds are not as effective as either 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (H3DMPS) or meso-H4DMSA.

Electron transfer from hexameric copper hydrides.

The octahedral core of 84-electron LCuH hexamers does not dissociate appreciably in solution, although their hydride ligands undergo rapid intramolecular rearrangement. The single-electron transfer proposed as an initial step in the reaction of these hexamers with certain substrates has been observed by stopped-flow techniques when [(Ph3P)CuH]6 is treated with a pyridinium cation. The same radical cation has been prepared by the oxidation of [(Ph3P)CuH]6 with Cp*2Fe(+) and its reversible formation observed by cyclic voltammetry; its UV-vis spectrum has been confirmed by spectroelectrochemistry. The 48-electron trimer [(dppbz)CuH]3 has been prepared by use of the chelating ligand 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppbz).

Generation of powerful tungsten reductants by visible light excitation.

The homoleptic arylisocyanide tungsten complexes, W(CNXy)6 and W(CNIph)6 (Xy = 2,6-dimethylphenyl, Iph = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), display intense metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions in the visible region (400-550 nm). MLCT emission (λ(max) ≈ 580 nm) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution at rt is observed for W(CNXy)6 and W(CNIph)6 with lifetimes of 17 and 73 ns, respectively. Diffusion-controlled energy transfer from electronically excited W(CNIph)6 (*W) to the lowest energy triplet excited state of anthracene (anth) is the dominant quenching pathway in THF solution. Introduction of tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, [Bu(n)4N][PF6], to the THF solution promotes formation of electron transfer (ET) quenching products, [W(CNIph)6](+) and [anth](•-). ET from *W to benzophenone and cobalticenium also is observed in [Bu(n)4N][PF6]/THF solutions. The estimated reduction potential for the [W(CNIph)6](+)/*W couple is -2.8 V vs Cp2Fe(+/0), establishing W(CNIph)6 as one of the most powerful photoreductants that has been generated with visible light.

Zinc catalysts for on-demand hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide functionalization.

[Tris(2-pyridylthio)methyl]zinc hydride, [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH, is a multifunctional catalyst that is capable of achieving (i) rapid release of hydrogen by protolytic cleavage of silanes with either water or methanol and (ii) hydrosilylation of aldehydes, ketones, and carbon dioxide. For example, [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH catalyzes the release of 3 equivalents of H(2) by methanolysis of phenylsilane, with a turnover number of 10(5) and a turnover frequency surpassing 10(6) h(-1) for the first 2 equivalents. Furthermore, [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH also catalyzes the formation of triethoxysilyl formate by hydrosilylation of carbon dioxide with triethoxysilane. Triethoxysilyl formate may be converted into ethyl formate and N,N-dimethylformamide, thereby providing a means for utilizing carbon dioxide as a C(1) feedstock for the synthesis of useful chemicals.

Mechanisms by which alkynes react with CpCr(CO)3H. Application to radical cyclization.

The reaction of CpCr(CO)(3)H with activated alkynes in benzene has been examined. The kinetics of these reactions have been studied with various alkynes, along with the stereochemistry with which the alkynes are hydrogenated. The hydrogenation of phenyl acetylene and diphenyl acetylene with CpCr(CO)(3)H has been shown to occur by a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. The reaction of CpCr(CO)(3)H with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) produced hydrogenated products as well as phenyl substitution from reaction with solvent. On the basis of kinetic data, it is thought that the reaction of DMAD may proceed via a single electron transfer (SET) as the rate-determining step. The radical anion of dimethylfumarate was observed by EPR spectroscopy during the course of the reaction, supporting this claim. The aromatic 1,6 eneyne (8) gave cyclized products in 78% yield under catalytic conditions (35 psi H(2)), presumably by the 5-exo-trig cyclization of the vinyl radical arising from H• transfer. Using a cobaloxime catalyst (12) hydrogenation was completely eliminated to yield 100% cyclized products.

A general strategy for the stereocontrolled preparation of diverse 8- and 9-membered Laurencia-type bromoethers.

A unique procedure to effect a ring-expanding bromoetherification process is described, wherein tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans are smoothly transformed into 8- and 9-membered bromoethers in a regio- and stereocontrolled manner through the use of BDSB (bromodiethylsulfonium bromopentachloroantimonate). These products resemble the cores of the Laurencia C15 acetogenins. In light of the generality and effectiveness of the approach, this work provides a unique strategy for their laboratory preparation and may implicate a possible biosynthesis pathway.

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a mononuclear organozinc hydride complex: facile insertion of CO2 into a Zn-H Bond and CO2-promoted displacement of siloxide ligands.

Tris(2-pyridylthio)methane, [Tptm]H, has been employed to synthesize the mononuclear alkyl zinc hydride complex, [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH, which has been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH provides access to a variety of other [Tptm]ZnX derivatives. For example, [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnH reacts with (i) R(3)SiOH (R = Me, Ph) to give [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnOSiR(3), (ii) Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, Br, I) to give [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnX, and (iii) CO(2) to give the formate complex, [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnO(2)CH. The bis(trimethylsilyl)amide complex [κ(3)-Tptm]ZnN(SiMe(3))(2) also reacts with CO(2), but the product obtained is the isocyanate complex, [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnNCO. The formation of [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnNCO is proposed to involve initial insertion of CO(2) into the Zn-N(SiMe(3))(2) bond, followed by migration of a trimethylsilyl group from nitrogen to oxygen to generate [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnOSiMe(3) and Me(3)SiNCO, which subsequently undergo CO(2)-promoted metathesis to give [κ(4)-Tptm]ZnNCO and (Me(3)SiO)(2)CO.

Synthesis and structural characterization of tris(2-oxo-1-tert-butylimidazolyl) and tris(2-oxo-1-methylbenzimidazolyl)hydroborato complexes: a new class of tripodal oxygen donor ligand.

A new class of tripodal L(2)X ligands that feature three oxygen donors, namely the tris(2-oxo-1-tert-butylimidazolyl) and tris(2-oxo-1-methylbenzimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, [To(Bu(t))] and [To(MeBenz)], has been synthesized via the reactions of NaBH(4) with the respective imidazolone. Structural and spectroscopic studies indicate that both [To(Bu(t))] and [To(MeBenz)] are significantly more sterically demanding but less electron donating than the related [O(3)] donor ligand, [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)].

Synthesis of polynitroxides based on nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

The scope and limitations of the synthesis of polynitroxides by nucleophilic substitution of electron-deficient fluorinated aromatic compounds are described. The method provides a facile route to the formation of polynitroxides exhibiting strong electron exchange between nitroxide groups.