Optimizing conditions for utilization of an H2 oxidation catalyst with outer coordination sphere functionalities.

As a starting point for evaluating a broader range of conditions for H2 oxidation complexes, in this work we investigate an efficient and reversible Ni-based H2 oxidation and production complex with an arginine in the outer coordination sphere, [Ni(P(Cy)2N(Arginine)2)2](7+) (CyArg). We tested this complex under a wide range of pressures and temperatures, in two different solvents (methanol and water), to determine if simultaneous improvements in rate and overpotential could be achieved. We found that the optimal conditions combined both high temperature (72 °C) and pressure (100 atm H2) in acidic aqueous solution (pH = 1), resulting in the fastest H2 oxidation reported for any homogeneous electrocatalyst to date (TOF 1.1 × 10(6) s(-1)) operating at 240 mV overpotential. The activation free energy in water was determined to be 10 kcal mol(-1) at all pressures studied. Surprisingly, in methanol under the same temperature and pressure, CyArg had a TOF for H2 oxidation of only 280 s(-1) at an overpotential of 750 mV. Comparisons to the data in water, and to a control complex, [Ni(P(Cy)2N(Benzyl)2)2](2+) (CyBn; Bn = benzyl), suggest that this substantial difference is likely due to a change in rate limiting step from H2 addition to deprotonation. Importantly, the optimal conditions we identified for CyArg (elevated temperature and acidic aqueous solutions), are amenable to fuel cell technologies and provide an important advancement in implementing homogeneous synthetic catalysts for renewable energy.

Standard Reduction Potentials for Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Couples in Acetonitrile and N,N-Dimethylformamide.

A variety of next-generation energy processes utilize the electrochemical interconversions of dioxygen and water as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Reported here are the first estimates of the standard reduction potential of the O2 + 4e(-) + 4H(+) ⇋ 2H2O couple in organic solvents. The values are +1.21 V in acetonitrile (MeCN) and +0.60 V in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), each versus the ferrocenium/ferrocene couple (Fc(+/0)) in the respective solvent (as are all of the potentials reported here). The potentials have been determined using a thermochemical cycle that combines the free energy for transferring water from aqueous solution to organic solvent, -0.43 kcal mol(-1) for MeCN and -1.47 kcal mol(-1) for DMF, and the potential of the H(+)/H2 couple, - 0.028 V in MeCN and -0.662 V in DMF. The H(+)/H2 couple in DMF has been directly measured electrochemically using the previously reported procedure for the MeCN value. The thermochemical approach used for the O2/H2O couple has been extended to the CO2/CO and CO2/CH4 couples to give values of -0.12 and +0.15 V in MeCN and -0.73 and -0.48 V in DMF, respectively. Extensions to other reduction potentials are discussed. Additionally, the free energy for transfer of protons from water to organic solvent is estimated as +14 kcal mol(-1) for acetonitrile and +0.6 kcal mol(-1) for DMF.

Covalent attachment of diphosphine ligands to glassy carbon electrodes via Cu-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition. Metallation with Ni(II).

Covalent tethering of P(Ph)2N(C6H4C≡CH)2 ligands (P(Ph)2N(C6H4C≡CH)2 = 1,5-di-(4-ethynylphenyl)-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane) to planar, azide-terminated glassy carbon electrode surfaces has been accomplished using a Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) coupling reaction, using a BH3←P protection-deprotection strategy. Deprotected, surface-confined ligands were metallated using [Ni(II)(MeCN)6](BF4)2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurements demonstrate that metallation introduced 1.3 equivalents Ni(II) per diphosphine onto the electrode surface. Exposure of the surface to a second diphosphine ligand, P(Ph)2N(Ph)2, resulted in the removal of Ni from the surface. Protection, coupling, deprotection, and metallation conditions were optimized using solution-phase model systems, with benzyl azide as a model for the azide-terminated carbon surface; these reactions generate a [Ni(II)(diphosphine)2](2+) complex.

Nickel phosphine catalysts with pendant amines for electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols.

Nickel phosphine complexes with pendant amines have been found to be electrocatalysts for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols, with turnover frequencies as high as 3.3 s(-1). These complexes are the first electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation based on non-precious metals, which will be critical for use in fuel cells.

Amino acid modified Ni catalyst exhibits reversible H2 oxidation/production over a broad pH range at elevated temperatures.

Hydrogenases interconvert H2 and protons at high rates and with high energy efficiencies, providing inspiration for the development of molecular catalysts. Studies designed to determine how the protein scaffold can influence a catalytically active site have led to the synthesis of amino acid derivatives of [Ni(P2(R)N2(R'))2](2+) complexes, [Ni(P2(Cy)N2(Amino acid))2](2+) (CyAA). It is shown that these CyAA derivatives can catalyze fully reversible H2 production/oxidation at rates approaching those of hydrogenase enzymes. The reversibility is achieved in acidic aqueous solutions (pH = 0-6), 1 atm 25% H2/Ar, and elevated temperatures (tested from 298 to 348 K) for the glycine (CyGly), arginine (CyArg), and arginine methyl ester (CyArgOMe) derivatives. As expected for a reversible process, the catalytic activity is dependent upon H2 and proton concentrations. CyArg is significantly faster in both directions (∼300 s(-1) H2 production and 20 s(-1) H2 oxidation; pH = 1, 348 K, 1 atm 25% H2/Ar) than the other two derivatives. The slower turnover frequencies for CyArgOMe (35 s(-1) production and 7 s(-1) oxidation under the same conditions) compared with CyArg suggests an important role for the COOH group during catalysis. That CyArg is faster than CyGly (3 s(-1) production and 4 s(-1) oxidation) suggests that the additional structural features imparted by the guanidinium groups facilitate fast and reversible H2 addition/release. These observations demonstrate that outer coordination sphere amino acids work in synergy with the active site and can play an important role for synthetic molecular electrocatalysts, as has been observed for the protein scaffold of redox active enzymes.

A hydrogen-evolving Ni(P2N2)2 electrocatalyst covalently attached to a glassy carbon electrode: preparation, characterization, and catalysis. comparisons with the homogeneous analogue.

A hydrogen-evolving homogeneous Ni(P2N2)2 electrocatalyst with peripheral ester groups has been covalently attached to a 1,2,3-triazolyllithium-terminated planar glassy carbon electrode surface. Coupling proceeds with both the Ni(0) and the Ni(II) complexes. X-ray photoemission spectra show excellent agreement between the Ni(0) coupling product and its parent complex, and voltammetry of the surface-confined system shows that a single species predominates with a surface density of 1.3 × 10(-10) mol cm(-2), approaching the value estimated for a densely packed monolayer. With the Ni(II) system, both photoemission and voltammetric data show speciation to unidentified products on coupling, and the surface density is 6.7 × 10(-11) mol cm(-2). The surface-confined Ni(0) complex is an electroctalyst for hydrogen evolution, showing the onset of catalytic current at the same potential as the soluble parent complex. Decomposition of the surface-confined species is observed in acidic acetonitrile. This is interpreted to reflect the lability of the Ni(II)-phosphine interaction and the basicity of the free phosphine and bears on concurrent efforts to implement surface-confined Ni(P2N2)2 complexes in electrochemical or photoelectrochemical devices.

Arginine-containing ligands enhance H2 oxidation catalyst performance.

Hydrogenase enzymes use Ni and Fe to oxidize H2 at high turnover frequencies (TOF) (up to 10,000 s(-1)) and low overpotentials (<100 mV). In comparison, the fastest reported synthetic electrocatalyst, [Ni(II)(P(Cy)2N(tBu)2)2](2+), oxidizes H2 at 60 s(-1) in MeCN under 1 atm H2 with an unoptimized overpotential of ca. 500 mV using triethylamine as a base. Here we show that a structured outer coordination sphere in a Ni electrocatalyst enhances H2 oxidation activity: [Ni(II)(P(Cy)2N(Arg)2)2](8+) (Arg=arginine) has a TOF of 210 s(-1) in water with high energy efficiency (180 mV overpotential) under 1 atm H2 , and 144,000 s(-1) (460 mV overpotential) under 133 atm H2. The complex is active from pH 0-14 and is faster at low pH, the most relevant condition for fuel cells. The arginine substituents increase TOF and may engage in an intramolecular guanidinium interaction that assists in H2 activation, while the COOH groups facilitate rapid proton movement. These results emphasize the critical role of features beyond the active site in achieving fast, efficient catalysis.

Enzyme design from the bottom up: an active nickel electrocatalyst with a structured peptide outer coordination sphere.

Catalytic, peptide-containing metal complexes with a well-defined peptide structure have the potential to enhance molecular catalysts through an enzyme-like outer coordination sphere. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of an active, peptide-based metal complex built upon the well-characterized hydrogen production catalyst [Ni(P(Ph)2N(Ph))2](2+) (P(Ph)2N(Ph)=1,3,6-triphenyl-1-aza-3,6-diphosphacycloheptane). The incorporated peptide maintains its ß-hairpin structure when appended to the metal core, and the electrocatalytic activity of the peptide-based metal complex (≈100,000 s(-1)) is enhanced compared to the parent complex ([Ni(P(Ph)2N(APPA))2](2+); ≈50,500 s(-1)). The combination of an active molecular catalyst with a structured peptide provides a scaffold that permits the incorporation of features of an enzyme-like outer-coordination sphere necessary to create molecular electrocatalysts with enhanced functionality.

A proton channel allows a hydrogen oxidation catalyst to operate at a moderate overpotential with water acting as a base.

We report the incorporation of a simple enzyme-inspired proton channel onto a hydrogen oxidation catalyst. This modification facilitates proton transfer and lowers the overpotential for oxidation of H2 by 300 mV when using water as a base.

Minimal proton channel enables H2 oxidation and production with a water-soluble nickel-based catalyst.

Hydrogenase enzymes use first-row transition metals to interconvert H2 with protons and electrons, reactions that are important for the storage and recovery of energy from intermittent sources such as solar, hydroelectric, and wind. Here we present Ni(P(Cy)2N(Gly)2)2, a water-soluble molecular electrocatalyst with the amino acid glycine built into the diphosphine ligand framework. Proton transfer between the outer coordination sphere carboxylates and the second coordination sphere pendant amines is rapid, as observed by cyclic voltammetry and FTIR spectroscopy, indicating that the carboxylate groups may participate in proton transfer during catalysis. This complex oxidizes H2 (1-33 s(-1)) at low overpotentials (150-365 mV) over a range of pH values (0.1-9.0) and produces H2 under identical solution conditions (>2400 s(-1) at pH 0.5). Enzymes employ proton channels for the controlled movement of protons over long distances-the results presented here demonstrate the effects of a simple two-component proton channel in a synthetic molecular electrocatalyst.

The electrode as organolithium reagent: catalyst-free covalent attachment of electrochemically active species to an azide-terminated glassy carbon electrode surface.

The reaction of a lithium acetylide-ethylenediamine complex with azide-terminated glassy carbon surfaces affords 1,2,3-triazolyllithium surface groups that are active toward covalent C-C coupling reactions, including salt metathesis with an aliphatic halide and nucleophilic addition at an aldehyde. Surface ferrocenyl groups were introduced by reaction with (6-iodohexyl)ferrocene; the voltammetry of electrode samples shows narrow, symmetric peaks indicating uniform attachment. X-ray photoelectron and reflectance infrared spectroscopic data provide further support for the surface-attached products. Formation of the 1,2,3-triazolyllithium linkage requires neither a catalyst nor a strained alkyne. Coverages obtained by this route are similar to those obtained by the more common Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide coupling (CuAAC) of ethynylferrocene with surface azides. Preconditioning of the glassy carbon disk electrodes at ambient temperature under nitrogen affords coverages comparable to those reported with preconditioning at 1000 °C under hydrogen/nitrogen.

Synthesis and electrochemical studies of cobalt(III) monohydride complexes containing pendant amines.

Two new tetraphosphine ligands, P(nC-PPh2)2N(Ph)2 (1,5-diphenyl-3,7-bis((diphenylphosphino)alkyl)-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane; alkyl = (CH2)2, n = 2 (L2); (CH2)3, n = 3 (L3)), have been synthesized. Coordination of these ligands to cobalt affords the complexes [Co(II)(L2)(CH3CN)](2+) and [Co(II)(L3)(CH3CN)](2+), which are reduced by KC8 to afford [Co(I)(L2)(CH3CN)](+) and [Co(I)(L3)(CH3CN)](+). Protonation of the Co(I) complexes affords [HCo(III)(L2)(CH3CN)](2+) and [HCo(III)(L3)(CH3CN)](2+). The cyclic voltammetry of [HCo(III)(L2)(CH3CN)](2+), analyzed using digital simulation, is consistent with an ErCrEr reduction mechanism involving reversible acetonitrile dissociation from [HCo(II)(L2)(CH3CN)](+) and resulting in formation of HCo(I)(L2). Reduction of HCo(III) also results in cleavage of the H-Co bond from HCo(II) or HCo(I), leading to formation of the Co(I) complex [Co(I)(L2)(CH3CN)](+). Under voltammetric conditions, the reduced cobalt hydride reacts with a protic solvent impurity to generate H2 in a monometallic process involving two electrons per cobalt. In contrast, under bulk electrolysis conditions, H2 formation requires only one reducing equivalent per [HCo(III)(L2)(CH3CN)](2+), indicating a bimetallic route wherein two cobalt hydride complexes react to form 2 equiv of [Co(I)(L2)(CH3CN)](+) and 1 equiv of H2. These results indicate that both HCo(II) and HCo(I) can be formed under electrocatalytic conditions and should be considered as potential catalytic intermediates.

Production of H2 at fast rates using a nickel electrocatalyst in water-acetonitrile solutions.

We report a synthetic nickel complex containing proton relays, [Ni(P(Ph)2N(C6H4OH)2)2](BF4)2 (P(Ph)2N(C6H4OH)2 = 1,5-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclo-octane), that catalyzes the production of H2 in aqueous acetonitrile with turnover frequencies of 750-170,000 s(-1) at experimentally determined overpotentials of 310-470 mV.

Direct determination of equilibrium potentials for hydrogen oxidation/production by open circuit potential measurements in acetonitrile.

Open circuit potentials were measured for acetonitrile solutions of a variety of acids and their conjugate bases under 1 atm H2. Acids examined were triethylammonium, dimethylformamidium, 2,6-dichloroanilinium, 4-cyanoanilinium, 4-bromoanilinium, and 4-anisidinium salts. These potentials, along with the pKa values of the acids, establish the value of the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) potential in acetonitrile as -0.028(4) V vs the ferrocenium/ferrocene couple. Dimethylformamidium forms homoconjugates and other aggregates with dimethylformamide; open circuit potentials (OCPs) were used to quantify the extent of these reactions. Overpotentials for electrocatalytic hydrogen production and oxidation were determined from open circuit potentials and voltammograms of acidic or basic catalyst solutions under H2. For these solutions, agreement between OCP values and potentials calculated using the Nernst equation is within 12 mV. Use of the measured equilibrium potential allows direct comparison of catalytic systems in different media; it requires neither pKa values, homoconjugation constants, nor the SHE potential.

The role of a dipeptide outer-coordination sphere on H2-production catalysts: influence on catalytic rates and electron transfer.

The outer-coordination sphere of enzymes acts to fine-tune the active site reactivity and control catalytic rates, suggesting that incorporation of analogous structural elements into molecular catalysts may be necessary to achieve rates comparable to those observed in enzyme systems at low overpotentials. In this work, we evaluate the effect of an amino acid and dipeptide outer-coordination sphere on [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(Ph-R)(2))(2)](2+) hydrogen production catalysts. A series of 12 new complexes containing non-natural amino acids or dipeptides was prepared to test the effects of positioning, size, polarity and aromaticity on catalytic activity. The non-natural amino acid was either 3-(meta- or para-aminophenyl)propionic acid terminated as an acid, an ester or an amide. Dipeptides consisted of one of the non-natural amino acids coupled to one of four amino acid esters: alanine, serine, phenylalanine or tyrosine. All of the catalysts are active for hydrogen production, with rates averaging ∼1000 s(-1), 40 % faster than the unmodified catalyst. Structure and polarity of the aliphatic or aromatic side chains of the C-terminal peptide do not strongly influence rates. However, the presence of an amide bond increases rates, suggesting a role for the amide in assisting catalysis. Overpotentials were lower with substituents at the N-phenyl meta position. This is consistent with slower electron transfer in the less compact, para-substituted complexes, as shown in digital simulations of catalyst cyclic voltammograms and computational modeling of the complexes. Combining the current results with insights from previous results, we propose a mechanism for the role of the amino acid and dipeptide based outer-coordination sphere in molecular hydrogen production catalysts.

Acidic ionic liquid/water solution as both medium and proton source for electrocatalytic H2 evolution by [Ni(P2N2)2]2+ complexes.

The electrocatalytic reduction of protons to H(2) by [Ni((P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4-hex))(2)(2)]((BF(4))(2) (where P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4-hex)(2) = 1,5-di(4-n-hexylphenyl)-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane) in the highly acidic ionic liquid dibutylformamidium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide shows a strong dependence on added water. A turnover frequency of 43,000-53,000 s(-1) has been measured for hydrogen production at 25 °C when the mole fraction of water (χ(H(2)O)) is 0.72. The same catalyst in acetonitrile with added dimethylformamidium trifluoromethanesulfonate and water has a turnover frequency of 720 s(-1). Thus, the use of an ionic liquid/aqueous solution enhances the observed catalytic rate by more than a factor of 50, compared to a similar acid in a traditional organic solvent. Complexes [Ni((P(Ph)(2)N(C6H4X))(2)(2)]((BF(4))(2) (X = H, OMe,CH(2)P(O)(OEt)(2), Br) are also catalysts in the ionic liquid/water mixture, and the observed catalytic rates correlate with the hydrophobicity of X.

Is it homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysis derived from [RhCp*Cl2]2? In operando XAFS, kinetic, and crucial kinetic poisoning evidence for subnanometer Rh4 cluster-based benzene hydrogenation catalysis.

Determining the true, kinetically dominant catalytically active species, in the classic benzene hydrogenation system pioneered by Maitlis and co-workers 34 years ago starting with [RhCp*Cl(2)](2) (Cp* = [η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)]), has proven to be one of the most challenging case studies in the quest to distinguish single-metal-based "homogeneous" from polymetallic, "heterogeneous" catalysis. The reason, this study will show, is the previous failure to use the proper combination of: (i) in operando spectroscopy to determine the dominant form(s) of the precatalyst's mass under catalysis (i.e., operating) conditions, and then crucially also (ii) the previous lack of the necessary kinetic studies, catalysis being a "wholly kinetic phenomenon" as J. Halpern long ago noted. An important contribution from this study will be to reveal the power of quantitiative kinetic poisoning experiments for distinguishing single-metal, or in the present case subnanometer Rh(4) cluster-based catalysis, from larger, polymetallic Rh(0)(n) nanoparticle catalysis, at least under favorable conditions. The combined in operando X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and kinetic evidence provide a compelling case for Rh(4)-based, with average stoichiometry "Rh(4)Cp*(2.4)Cl(4)H(c)", benzene hydrogenation catalysis in 2-propanol with added Et(3)N and at 100 °C and 50 atm initial H(2) pressure. The results also reveal, however, that if even ca. 1.4% of the total soluble Rh(0)(n) had formed nanoparticles, then those Rh(0)(n) nanoparticles would have been able to account for all the observed benzene hydrogenation catalytic rate (using commercial, ca. 2 nm, polyethyleneglycol-dodecylether hydrosol stabilized Rh(0)(n) nanoparticles as a model system). The results--especially the poisoning methodology developed and employed--are of significant, broader interest since determining the nature of the true catalyst continues to be a central, often vexing issue in any and all catalytic reactions. The results are also of fundamental interest in that they add to a growing body of evidence indicating that certain, appropriately ligated, coordinatively unsaturated, subnanometer M(4) transition-metal clusters can be relatively robust catalysts. Also demonstrated herein is that Rh(4) clusters are poisoned by Hg(0), demonstrating for the first time that the classic Hg(0) poisoning test of "homogeneous" vs "heterogeneous" catalysts cannot distinguish Rh(4)-based subnanometer catalysts from Rh(0)(n) nanoparticle catalysts, at least for the present examples of these two specific, Rh-based catalysts.

Comprehensive thermochemistry of W-H bonding in the metal hydrides CpW(CO)2(IMes)H, [CpW(CO)2(IMes)H](•+), and [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(H)2]+. Influence of an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand on metal hydride bond energies.

The free energies interconnecting nine tungsten complexes have been determined from chemical equilibria and electrochemical data in MeCN solution (T = 22 °C). Homolytic W-H bond dissociation free energies are 59.3(3) kcal mol(-1) for CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H and 59(1) kcal mol(-1) for the dihydride [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+) (where IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), indicating that the bonds are the same within experimental uncertainty for the neutral hydride and the cationic dihydride. For the radical cation, [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](•+), W-H bond homolysis to generate the 16-electron cation [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](+) is followed by MeCN uptake, with free energies for these steps being 51(1) and -16.9(5) kcal mol(-1), respectively. Based on these two steps, the free energy change for the net conversion of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](•+) to [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+) in MeCN is 34(1) kcal mol(-1), indicating a much lower bond strength for the 17-electron radical cation of the metal hydride compared to the 18-electron hydride or dihydride. The pK(a) of CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H in MeCN was determined to be 31.9(1), significantly higher than the 26.6 reported for the related phosphine complex, CpW(CO)(2)(PMe(3))H. This difference is attributed to the electron donor strength of IMes greatly exceeding that of PMe(3). The pK(a) values for [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](•+) and [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+) were determined to be 6.3(5) and 6.3(8), much closer to the pK(a) values reported for the PMe(3) analogues. The free energy of hydride abstraction from CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H is 74(1) kcal mol(-1), and the resultant [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](+) cation is significantly stabilized by binding MeCN to form [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+), giving an effective hydride donor ability of 57(1) kcal mol(-1) in MeCN. Electrochemical oxidation of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-) is fully reversible at all observed scan rates in cyclic voltammetry experiments (E° = -1.65 V vs Cp(2)Fe(+/0) in MeCN), whereas CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H is reversibly oxidized (E° = -0.13(3) V) only at high scan rates (800 V s(-1)). For [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+), high-pressure NMR experiments provide an estimate of ΔG° = 10.3(4) kcal mol(-1) for the displacement of MeCN by H(2) to give [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+).

Comproportionation of cationic and anionic tungsten complexes having an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand to give the isolable 17-electron tungsten radical CpW(CO)2(IMes)(•).

A series consisting of a tungsten anion, radical, and cation, supported by the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) and spanning formal oxidation states W(0), W(I), and W(II), has been synthesized, isolated, and characterized. Reaction of the hydride CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H with KH and 18-crown-6 gives the tungsten anion [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-)[K(18-crown-6)](+). Electrochemical oxidation of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-) in MeCN (0.2 M (n)Bu(4)N(+)PF(6)(-)) is fully reversible (E(1/2) = -1.65 V vs Cp(2)Fe(+•/0)) at all scan rates, indicating that CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(•) is a persistent radical. Hydride transfer from CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H to Ph(3)C(+)PF(6)(-) in MeCN affords [cis-CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+)PF(6)(-). Comproportionation of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-) with [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+) gives the 17-electron tungsten radical CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(•). This complex shows paramagnetically shifted resonances in the (1)H NMR spectrum and has been characterized by IR spectroscopy, low-temperature EPR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(•) is stable with respect to disproportionation and dimerization. NMR studies of degenerate electron transfer between CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(•) and [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-) are reported. DFT calculations were carried out on CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H, as well as on related complexes bearing NHC ligands with N,N' substituents Me (CpW(CO)(2)(IMe)H) or H (CpW(CO)(2)(IH)H) to compare to the experimentally studied IMes complexes with mesityl substituents. These calculations reveal that W-H homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDEs) decrease with increasing steric bulk of the NHC ligand, from 67 to 64 to 63 kcal mol(-1) for CpW(CO)(2)(IH)H, CpW(CO)(2)(IMe)H, and CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H, respectively. The calculated spin density at W for CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(•) is 0.63. The W radicals CpW(CO)(2)(IMe)(•) and CpW(CO)(2)(IH)(•) are calculated to form weak W-W bonds. The weakly bonded complexes [CpW(CO)(2)(IMe)](2) and [CpW(CO)(2)(IH)](2) are predicted to have W-W BDEs of 6 and 18 kcal mol(-1), respectively, and to dissociate readily to the W-centered radicals CpW(CO)(2)(IMe)(•) and CpW(CO)(2)(IH)(•).