Biomimetic Photoexcited Cobaloxime Catalysis in Organic Synthesis.

Drawing inspiration from nature has long been a cornerstone of chemical innovation, with natural systems offering a wealth of untapped potential for discovery. In this minireview, we delve into the burgeoning field of cobaloxime catalysis in organic synthesis, which mimic the catalytic activity of the natural organometallic alkylcobalamine enzymes. Our focus lies on elucidating the latest advancements in this area, as well as delineating the primary mechanistic pathways at play. By describing, and comparing these mechanisms, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art, while also shedding light on the key unresolved challenges that await further exploration.

Concluding remarks: Sustainable nitrogen activation - are we there yet?

The activation of dinitrogen as a fundamental step in reactions to produce nitrogen compounds, including ammonia and nitrates, has a cornerstone role in chemistry. Bringing together research from disparate fields where this can be achieved sustainably, this Faraday Discussion seeks to build connections between approaches that can stimulate further advances. In this paper we set out to provide an overview of these different approaches and their commonalities. We explore experimental aspects including the positive role of increasing nitrogen pressure in some fields, as well as offering perspectives on when 15N2 experiments might, and might not, be necessary. Deconstructing the nitrogen reduction reaction, we attempt to provide a common framework of energetic scales within which all of the different approaches and their components can be understood. On sustainability, we argue that although green ammonia produced from a green-H2-fed Haber-Bosch process seems to fit the bill, there remain many real-world contexts in which other, sustainable, approaches to this vital reaction are urgently needed.

Photoexcited cobalt catalysed endo-selective alkyl Heck reaction.

Herein, we report an intramolecular endo-selective Heck reaction of iodomethylsilyl ethers of phenols and alkenols. The reaction leads to the formation of seven- and eight-membered siloxycycles in excellent yields, which could be further converted into the corresponding allylic alcohols upon oxidation. Thus, this method could be used for the selective (Z)-hydroxymethylation of o-hydroxystyrenes and alkenols. Rapid scan EPR experiments and DFT calculations suggest a concerted ß-hydrogen elimination event to take place in the triplet state.

Effect of Ligands on the Stability of Gold Nanoclusters.

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are atomic architectures that can be precisely tailored for catalytic applications. In this work, we studied two benchmark AuNCs, Au25(SR)18 and Au144(SR)60, covered by aromatic and aliphatic ligands to envision how the 3D structure of the ligand impacts the stability of the nanomaterial. Surprisingly, we found that increasing the alkanethiol length has a poor or null effect on the stability of the AuNCs, a trend opposite to that on Au(111) surfaces. When considering the aromatic or aliphatic nature, the AuNC stability follows the same trend as on Au(111): the thermodynamical stability is dictated by the ligand density rather than its chemical nature, where the aliphatic ligand imparts more stability than the aromatic one. Our findings provide a tool to predict how an ultrasmall gold core can interact with the environment, substrate, and themselves according to the stability of its protecting ligand shell.

In silico design of novel NRR electrocatalysts: cobalt-molybdenum alloys.

Metals are amongst the most efficient developed electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with iron and ruthenium presenting the best catalytic indicators. However, the potential use of metal alloys as NRR electrocatalysts is still underdeveloped. While Co has demonstrated poor electrocatalytic activity for NRR, alloying Co with Mo exhibits an improvement in both N2 physisorption and the stabilisation of the elusive N2H as the first reduced intermediate species. This stabilisation occurs on surface Mo or Co atoms with a high connectivity with Mo. Herein, we report a complete DFT study analysing the potential application of CoMo alloys as catalysts for N2-into-NH3 conversion given the low theoretical overpotentials that they present.

Conversion of racemic alcohols to optically pure amine precursors enabled by catalyst dynamic kinetic resolution: experiment and computation.

An unprecedented base metal catalysed asymmetric synthesis of α-chiral amine precursors from racemic alcohols is reported. This redox-neutral reaction utilises a bench-stable manganese complex and Ellman's sulfinamide as a versatile ammonia surrogate. DFT calculations explain the unusual finding of the highly stereoselective transformation enabled by a catalyst that undergoes an unusual dynamic kinetic resolution.

Stabilisation of dianion dimers trapped inside cyanostar macrocycles.

Interanionic H-bonds (IAHBs) are unfavourable interactions in the gas phase becoming favoured when anions are in solution. Dianion dimers are also susceptible to being trapped inside the cavities of cyanostar (CS) macrocycles, and thus, the formation of 2 : 2 anion : cyanostar aggregates is mainly supported by three kinds of interactions: IAHBs between the dianions, π-π stacking between the confronted cyanostars, and the presence of an intricate network of multiple C(sp2)HO H-bonds between cyanostar ligands and the anionic moieties. An analysis of the interaction energies supported by NBO reveals a slight cooperative effect of the CSs on the IAHB stabilisation.

Manganese-Catalyzed Regioselective Dehydrogenative C- versus N-Alkylation Enabled by a Solvent Switch: Experiment and Computation.

The first base metal-catalyzed regioselective dehydrogenative alkylation of indolines using readily available alcohols as the alkylating reagent is reported. A single air- and moisture-stable manganese catalyst provides access to either C3- or N-alkylated indoles depending on the solvent used. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction takes place through a combined acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogen autotransfer strategy.

A Conceptual DFT Study of Phosphonate Dimers: Dianions Supported by H-Bonds.

A conceptual DFT study of the dissociation of anionic and neutral phosphonate dimers has been carried out. In addition, the dianion complexes have been studied in the presence of two solvents, water and tetrahydrofuran. The dissociation of the dianion complexes in the gas phase and in solution present a maximum along the reaction coordinate that is not present in the neutral-neutral and anion-neutral complexes. The principal chemical descriptors (chemical potential, reaction electronic flux, hardness, and global electrophilicity index) do not show changes in their trends along the dissociation profiles even when there is an energy maximum in the case of the anion-anion complexes.

Liquefied Sunshine: Transforming Renewables into Fertilizers and Energy Carriers with Electromaterials.

It has become apparent that renewable energy sources are plentiful in many, often remote, parts of the world, such that storing and transporting that energy has become the key challenge. For long-distance transportation by pipeline and bulk tanker, a liquid form of energy carrier is ideal, focusing attention on liquid hydrogen and ammonia. Development of high-activity and selectivity electrocatalyst materials to produce these energy carriers by reductive electrochemistry has therefore become an important area of research. Here, recent developments and challenges in the field of electrocatalytic materials for these processes are discussed, including the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Some of the mis-steps currently plaguing the nitrogen reduction to ammonia field are highlighted. The rapidly growing roles that in situ/operando and quantum chemical studies can play in new electromaterials discovery are also surveyed.

Diastereoselective diazenyl formation: the key for manganese-catalysed alcohol conversion into (E)-alkenes.

The proposed reaction mechanism for the unprecedented direct transformation of primary alcohols into alkenes catalysed by Mn(i)-PNP complexes consists of two cycles. First, the acceptorless dehydrogenation of the alcohol into aldehyde is produced via a concerted mechanism. Secondly, in an excess of hydrazine, hydrazone is formed and reacts with the aldehyde to produce olefins. This process, taking place in base-free conditions, is characterised by the diastereoselective formation of diazenyl intermediates. Based on DFT data, the generation of the (SN,S,S) diastereoisomer is favoured over the rest, leading in its decomposition to the preferential formation of an (E)-alkene and liberating N2 and H2O as the only by-products.

Quantifying electronic similarities between NHC-gold(i) complexes and their isolobal imidazolium precursors.

A series of NHC-gold(i) (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes has been studied by DFT calculations, enabling comparison of electronic and NMR behaviour with related protonated and free NHC molecules. Based on calculations, the NMR resonances of the carbenic C2 carbon atom in [Au(NHC)(Cl)] and [NHC(H)][Cl] exhibit increased shielding when compared to the free N-heterocyclic carbenes by an average of 46.6 ± 2.2 and 73.7 ± 4.3 ppm, respectively. A similar trend is observed when analysing the paramagnetic term of the magnetic shielding tensor. Although gold(i) and proton are considered isolobal fragments, imidazolium compounds lack π-backdonation due to the energetic unavailability of d-orbitals in H+. We propose that NHC-gold(i) complexes exhibit important π-backdonation irrespective of the relative amount of σ-donation between the NHC and gold(i)-X (X = anionic ligand) moieties in Au-NHC complexes. Interestingly, a correlation exists between the calculated shielding for gold (197Au) and the π-donation and π-backdonation contributions. We describe that this correlation also exists when analysing the σ-backdonation term, a property generally ignored yet representing a significant energetic contribution to the stability of the C2-Au bond.

Regression analysis of properties of [Au(IPr)(CHR2)] complexes.

New [Au(IPr)(CHR2)] complexes have been synthesised through protonolysis reactions of [Au(IPr)(OH)] with moderately acidic substrates, CH2R2. An array of spectroscopic (IR and NMR), structural (X-ray), electronic (DFT) and experimental (reactivity) parameters was collected to quantify the variation in stereoelectronic properties of these new and previously reported [Au(IPr)(CHR2)] complexes. Variation of the R substituents on the carbanion ligands (CHR2-) was found to have a crucial impact on parameters characterising the resulting gold complexes. A regression analysis of both experimental and modelled parameters, guided by network analysis techniques, produced linear models that supported trends within the [Au(IPr)(CHR2)] complexes.

Hydrogen Evolution in [NiFe] Hydrogenases: A Case of Heterolytic Approach between Proton and Hydride.

The mechanism for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) in [NiFe] hydrogenase enzymes distinguishes them from inorganic catalysts. The first H+/e- pair injected to the active site of the hydrogenases transforms into hydride, while the second H+/e- pair injection leads to the formation of the H-/H+ pair both binding to the active site. The two opposite charged hydrogens heterolytically approach each other in order to form dihydrogen (H2), which is enhanced by the Coulomb force. Two previously proposed reaction routes for this process have been examined by Conceptual Density Functional Theory (DFT) in this work. One presents better agreement with experimental spectra, while the other is thermodynamically more favorable. Both paths suggest that the approach and the charge transfer between the proton and hydride are motivated by the stabilization of the electronic activity and the electrophilicity of Ni. After the heterolytic approach of the proton and hydride moieties, the two hydrogen atoms attach to the Ni ion and combine homolytically.

Manganese-Catalyzed Multicomponent Synthesis of Pyrroles through Acceptorless Dehydrogenation Hydrogen Autotransfer Catalysis: Experiment and Computation.

A new base metal catalyzed sustainable multicomponent synthesis of pyrroles from readily available substrates is reported. The developed protocol utilizes an air- and moisture-stable catalyst system and enables the replacement of themutagenic α-haloketones with readily abundant 1,2-diols. Moreover, the presented method is catalytic in base and the sole byproducts of this transformation are water and hydrogen gas. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction takes place through a combined acceptorless dehydrogenation hydrogen autotransfer methodology.

Single-Site Molybdenum on Solid Support Materials for Catalytic Hydrogenation of N2 -into-NH3.

Very stable in operando and low-loaded atomic molybdenum on solid-support materials have been prepared and tested to be catalytically active for N2 -into-NH3 hydrogenation. Ammonia synthesis is reported at atmospheric pressure and 400 °C with NH3 rates of approximately 1.3×103  µmol h-1 gMo -1 using a well-defined Mo-hydride grafted on silica (SiO2-700 ). DFT modelling on the reaction mechanism suggests that N2 spontaneously binds on monopodal [(≡Si-O-)MoH3 ]. Based on calculations, the fourth hydrogenation step involving the release of the first NH3 molecule represents the rate-limiting step of the whole reaction. The inclusion of cobalt co-catalyst and an alkali caesium additive impregnated on a mesoporous SBA-15 support increases the formation of NH3 with rates of circa 3.5×103  µmol h-1 gMo -1 under similar operating conditions and maximum yield of 29×103  µmol h-1 gMo -1 when the pressure is increased to 30 atm.

Hydrogenation of CO2 -Derived Carbonates and Polycarbonates to Methanol and Diols by Metal-Ligand Cooperative Manganese Catalysis.

The first base-metal-catalysed hydrogenation of CO2 -derived carbonates to alcohols is presented. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions in the presence of a well-defined manganese complex with a loading as low as 0.25 mol %. The non-precious-metal homogenous catalytic system provides an indirect route for the conversion of CO2 into methanol with the co-production of value-added (vicinal) diols in yields of up to 99 %. Experimental and computational studies indicate a metal-ligand cooperative catalysis mechanism.

Energy-Efficient Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia at Low Overpotential in Aqueous Electrolyte under Ambient Conditions.

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions is a promising alternative to the traditional energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process to produce NH3 . The challenge is to achieve a sufficient energy efficiency, yield rate, and selectivity to make the process practical. Here, we demonstrate that Ru nanoparticles (NPs) enable NRR in 0.01 m HCl aqueous solution at very high energy efficiency, that is, very low overpotentials. Remarkably, the NRR occurs at a potential close to or even above the H+ /H2 reversible potential, significantly enhancing the NRR selectivity versus the production of H2 . NH3 yield rates as high as ≈5.5 mg h-1 m-2 at 20 °C and 21.4 mg h-1 m-2 at 60 °C were achieved at a redox potential (E) of -100 mV versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), whereas a highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of ≈5.4 % is achievable at E=+10 mV vs. RHE. This work demonstrates the potential use of Ru NPs as an efficient catalyst for NRR at ambient conditions. This ability to catalyze NRR at potentials near or above RHE is imperative in improving the NRR selectivity towards a practical process as well as rendering the H2 viable as byproduct. Density functional theory calculations of the mechanism suggest that the efficient NRR process occurring on these predominantly Ru (0 0 1) surfaces is catalyzed by a dissociative mechanism.

Hydrogen bonding effect between active site and protein environment on catalysis performance in H2-producing [NiFe] hydrogenases.

The interaction between the active site and the surrounding protein environment plays a fundamental role in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in [NiFe] hydrogenases. Our density functional theory (DFT) findings demonstrate that the reaction Gibbs free energy required for the rate determining step decreases by 7.1 kcal mol-1 when the surrounding protein environment is taken into account, which is chiefly due to free energy decreases for the two H+/e- addition steps (the so-called Ni-SIa to I1, and Ni-C to Ni-R), being the largest thermodynamic impediments of the whole reaction. The variety of hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) between the amino acids and the active site is hypothesised to be the main reason for such stability: H-bonds not only work as electrostatic attractive forces that influence the charge redistribution, but more importantly, they act as an electron 'pull' taking electrons from the active site towards the amino acids. Moreover, the electron 'pull' effect through H-bonds via the S- in cysteine residues shows a larger influence on the energy profile than that via the CN- ligands on Fe.