Activated Mn-MACHO Complexes Form Stable CO2 Adducts.

Manganese(I) carbonyl complexes bearing a MACHO-type ligand (HN(CH2 CH2 PR2 )2 ) readily react in their amido form with CO2 to generate 4-membered {Mn-N-C-O} metallacycles. The stability of the adducts decreases with the steric demand of the R groups at phosphorous (R=isopropyl>adamantyl). The CO2 -adducts display generally a lower reactivity as compared to the parent amido complexes. These adducts can thus be interpretated as masked forms of the active amido catalysts and potentially play important roles as off-loop species or branching points in catalytic transformations of carbon dioxide.

A Cooperative Cobalt-Driven System for One-Carbon Extension in the Synthesis of (Z)-Silyl Enol Ethers from Aldehydes: Unlocking Regio- and Stereoselectivity.

The research presented herein explores a cobalt-based catalytic system, distinctively featuring a cooperative boron-centric element within its intricate ligand architecture. This system is strategically engineered to enable the integration of a singular carbon atom into aldehydes, a process culminating in the production of (Z)-silyl enol ethers. Beyond offering an efficient one-pot synthesis route, this method adeptly overcomes challenges inherent to conventional techniques, such as the need for large amounts of additives, restrictive functional group tolerance, and extreme reaction temperatures. Initial mechanistic studies suggest the potential role of a cobalt-carbene complex as a catalytically significant species and underscore the importance of the borane segment. Collectively, these observations highlight the potential of this system in advancing complex bond activation pursuits.

Hydride-Free Hydrogenation: Unraveling the Mechanism of Electrocatalytic Alkyne Semihydrogenation by Nickel-Bipyridine Complexes.

Hydrogenation reactions of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds are central in synthetic chemistry. Efficient catalysis of these reactions classically recourses to heterogeneous or homogeneous transition-metal species. Whether thermal or electrochemical, C-C multiple bond catalytic hydrogenations commonly involve metal hydrides as key intermediates. Here, we report that the electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation by molecular Ni bipyridine complexes proceeds without the mediation of a hydride intermediate. Through a combined experimental and theoretical investigation, we disclose a mechanism that primarily involves a nickelacyclopropene resting state upon alkyne binding to a low-valent Ni(0) species. A following sequence of protonation and electron transfer steps via Ni(II) and Ni(I) vinyl intermediates then leads to olefin release in an overall ECEC-type pattern as the most favored pathway. Our results also evidence that pathways involving hydride intermediates are strongly disfavored, which in turn promotes high semihydrogenation selectivity by avoiding competing hydrogen evolution. While bypassing catalytically competent hydrides, this type of mechanism still retains inner-metal-sphere characteristics with the formation of organometallic intermediates, often essential to control regio- or stereoselectivity. We think that this approach to electrocatalytic reductions of unsaturated organic groups can open new paradigms for hydrogenation or hydroelementation reactions.

A Cooperative Rhodium/Secondary Phosphine Oxide [Rh/P(O)nBu2 ] Template for Catalytic Hydrodefluorination of Perfluoroarenes.

The selective activation of C-F bonds under mild reaction conditions remains an ongoing challenge of bond activation. Here, we present a cooperative [Rh/P(O)nBu2 ] template for catalytic hydrodefluorination (HDF) of perfluoroarenes. In addition to substrates presenting electron-withdrawing functional groups, the system showed an exceedingly rare tolerance for electron-donating functionalities and heterocycles. The high chemoselectivity of the catalyst and its readiness to be deployed at a preparative scale illustrate its practicality. Empirical mechanistic studies and a density functional theory (DFT) study have identified a rhodium(I) dihydride complex as a catalytically relevant species and the determining role of phosphine oxide as a cooperative fragment. Altogether, we demonstrate that molecular templates based on these design elements can be assembled to create catalysts with increased reactivity for challenging bond activations.

Sulfur-Ligated [2Fe-2C] Clusters as Synthetic Model Systems for Nitrogenase.

Metal clusters featuring carbon and sulfur donors have coordination environments comparable to the active site of nitrogenase enzymes. Here, we report a series of di-iron clusters supported by the dianionic yldiide ligands, in which the Fe sites are bridged by two µ2-C atoms and four pendant S donors.The [L2Fe2] (L = {[Ph2P(S)]2C}2-) cluster is isolable in two oxidation levels, all-ferrous Fe2II and mixed-valence FeIIFeIII. The mixed-valence cluster displays two peaks in the Mössbauer spectra, indicating slow electron transfer between the two sites. The addition of the Lewis base 4-dimethylaminopyridine to the Fe2II cluster results in coordination with only one of the two Fe sites, even in the presence of an excess base. Conversely, the cluster reacts with 8 equiv of isocyanide tBuNC to give a monometallic complex featuring a new C-C bond between the ligand backbone and the isocyanide. The electronic structure descriptions of these complexes are further supported by X-ray absorption and resonant X-ray emission spectroscopies.

Metal complexes of a pro-vitamin K3 analog phthiocol (2-hydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione): synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity.

The hydroxy analog of vitamin K3 (2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione) is known as phthiocol (2-hydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione; pht). Both vitamin K3 and phthiocol possess anticancer and antihemorrhagic properties. Phthiocol is a noninnocent ligand and provides monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate coordination sites to metal ions. A series of transition metal complexes (Mn(II); 1 and 1A, Co(II); 2 and 2A, Ni(II); 3 and 3A, Cu(II); 4 and 4A, and Zn(II); 5 and 5A) are synthesized at 0 °C using sodium metal (1 to 5) and at 26 °C (1A to 5A). The chemical composition of the complexes obtained is of the type [M(phthiocolate)2(H2O)2]. At room temperature (26 °C), trans coordination of the phthiocolate ligand is achieved (1A through 5A), whereas at 0 °C and using sodium metal as a reductant, cis coordination is observed in Mn(II) complexes (1 and its methanol adduct 1B). A Na(I) complex of phthiocol, Na(pht), is isolated as a polymer. The ligand phthiocol and the complexes Na(pht), 1, 1A, and 3 crystallize in a monoclinic crystal system. X-ray structures reveal that the bond distances of coordinated phthiocol ligands are in the reduced naphthosemiquinone form in the complexes synthesized at 0 °C. The metal complexes of phthiocol (pht) were evaluated for their anticancer activity against MCF-7 (breast) and A549 (lung) cancer cell lines. Experiments like apoptosis, mitochondrial potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, effect on the cell cycle, and cell proliferation were performed to compare selected complexes against both cell lines. The metal complexes of phthiocol synthesized at 0 °C showed substantial cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and A549 cell lines. Further, effect of selected phthiocol complexes on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was adventitious to realize their safety. Vitamin K3, phthiocol, and metal complex 4 successfully inhibited the enzymatic activity of human topoisomerase II. The multifunctionality of any anticancer agent influencing apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, the effect on the cell cycle, and cell proliferation is crucial for defining the prognosis and precise treatment of cancer.

An Adaptive Rhodium Catalyst to Control the Hydrogenation Network of Nitroarenes.

An adaptive catalytic system that provides control over the nitroarene hydrogenation network to prepare a wide range of aniline and hydroxylamine derivatives is presented. This system takes advantage of a delicate interplay between a rhodium(III) center and a Lewis acidic borane introduced in the secondary coordination sphere of the metal. The high chemoselectivity of the catalyst in the presence of various potentially vulnerable functional groups and its readiness to be deployed at a preparative scale illustrate its practicality. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to shed light on the mode of functioning of the catalyst and elucidate the origin of adaptivity. The competition for interaction with boron between a solvent molecule and a substrate was found crucial for adaptivity. When operating in THF, the reduction network stops at the hydroxylamine platform, whereas the reaction can be directed to the aniline platform in toluene.

Stabilization of intermediate spin states in mixed-valent diiron dichalcogenide complexes.

The electronic structure and ground spin states, S, observed for mixed-valent iron-sulfur dimers (FeII-FeIII) are typically determined by the Heisenberg exchange interaction, J, that couples the magnetic interaction of the two metal centres either ferromagnetically (J > 0, S = 9/2) or antiferromagnetically (J < 0, S = 1/2). In the case of antiferromagnetically coupled iron centres, stabilization of the high-spin S = 9/2 ground state is also feasible through a Heisenberg double-exchange interaction, B, which lifts the degeneracy of the Heisenberg spin states. This theorem also predicts intermediate spin states for mixed-valent dimers, but those have so far remained elusive. Herein, we describe the structural, electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopic, and magnetic characterization of a series of mixed-valent complexes featuring [Fe2Q2]+ (Q = S2-, Se2-, Te2-), where the Se and Te complexes favour S = 3/2 spin states. The incorporation of heavier chalcogenides in this series reveals a delicate balance of antiferromagnetic coupling, Heisenberg double-exchange and vibronic coupling.

Selective oxidation of silanes into silanols with water using [MnBr(CO)5] as a precatalyst.

The development of earth-abundant catalysts for the selective conversion of silanes to silanols with water as an oxidant generating valuable hydrogen as the only by-product continues to be a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that [MnBr(CO)5] is a highly active precatalyst for this reaction, operating under neutral conditions and avoiding the undesired formation of siloxanes. As a result, a broad substrate scope, including primary and secondary silanes, could be converted to the desired products. The turnover performances of the catalyst were also examined, yielding a maximum TOF of 4088 h-1. New light was shed on the debated mechanism of the interaction between [MnBr(CO)5] and Si-H bonds based on the reaction kinetics (including KIEs of PhMe2SiD and D2O) and spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, GC-TCD, 1H-, 29Si-, and 13C-NMR). The initial activation of [MnBr(CO)5] was found to result from the formation of a manganese(i) hydride species and R3SiBr, and the experimental data are most consistent with a catalytic cycle comprising a cationic tricarbonyl Mn(i) unit as the active framework.

Systematic Variation of 3d Metal Centers in a Redox-Innocent Ligand Environment: Structures, Electrochemical Properties, and Carbon Dioxide Activation.

Coordination compounds of earth-abundant 3d transition metals are among the most effective catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). While the properties of the metal center are crucial for the ability of the complexes to electrochemically activate CO2, systematic variations of the metal within an identical, redox-innocent ligand backbone remain insufficiently investigated. Here, we report on the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and electrochemical investigation of a series of 3d transition-metal complexes [M = Mn(I), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(I), and Zn(II)] coordinated by a new redox-innocent PNP pincer ligand system. Only the Fe, Co, and Ni complexes reveal distinct metal-centered electrochemical reductions from M(II) down to M(0) and show indications for interaction with CO2 in their reduced states. The Ni(0) d10 species associates with CO2 to form a putative Aresta-type Ni-η2-CO2 complex, where electron transfer to CO2 through back-bonding is insufficient to enable electrocatalytic activity. By contrast, the Co(0) d9 intermediate binding CO2 can undergo additional electron uptake into a formal cobalt(I) metallacarboxylate complex able to promote turnover. Our data, together with the few literature precedents, single out that an unsaturated coordination sphere (coordination number = 4 or 5) and a d7-to-d9 configuration in the reduced low oxidation state (+I or 0) are characteristics that foster electrochemical CO2 activation for complexes based on redox-innocent ligands.

Rhodium(i) complexes derived from tris(isopropyl)-azaphosphatrane-controlling the metal-ligand interplay.

Proazaphosphatranes are intriguing ligand architectures comprising a bicyclic cage of flexible nature. They can undergo structural deformations due to transannulation while displaying modular electronic and steric properties. Herein, we report the synthesis and coordination chemistry of rhodium(i) complexes bearing a tris(isopropyl)-azaphosphatrane (TiPrAP) ligand. The molecular structure of the primary complex (1) revealed the insertion of the metal center into a P-N bond of the ligand. The addition of a Lewis acid, i.e., lithium chloride, promoted the dynamic behavior of the complex in the solution, which was studied by state-of-the-art NMR spectroscopy. Substituting the cyclooctadiene ligand at the metal center with triphenylphosphine or 2-pyridyldiphenylphosphine unveiled the adaptive nature of the TiPrAP backbone capable of switching its axial nitrogen from interacting with the phosphorus atom to coordinate the rhodium center. This led the entire ligand edifice to change its binding to rhodium from a bidentate to tridentate coordination. Altogether, our study shows that introducing a TiPrAP ligand allows for unique molecular control of the immediate environment of the metal center, opening perspectives in controlled bond activation and catalysis.

Coordination polymers of Ag(i) and Hg(i) ions with 2,2'-azobispyridine: synthesis, characterization and enhancement of conductivity in the presence of Cu(ii) ions.

The cationic coordination polymers (CPs) of the types [Hg2(abpy)2]n[PF6]2n (1) and [Ag(abpy)]n[PF6]n (2) (abpy = 2,2'-azobispyridine) were synthesized and characterized. Experimentation using the crystals confirmed that 1 and 2 are conductors of electricity. The relative conductivity of 1 is 62 times greater than that of 2. The conductivity of 1 increases 70 fold when it reacts with Cu2+ ions.

Ruthenium 4d-to-2p X-ray Emission Spectroscopy: A Simultaneous Probe of the Metal and the Bound Ligands.

Ruthenium 4d-to-2p X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) was systematically explored for a series of Ru2+ and Ru3+ species. Complementary density functional theory calculations were utilized to allow for a detailed assignment of the experimental spectra. The studied complexes have a range of different coordination spheres, which allows the influence of the ligand donor/acceptor properties on the spectra to be assessed. Similarly, the contributions of the site symmetry and the oxidation state of the metal were analyzed. Because the 4d-to-2p emission lines are dipole-allowed, the spectral features are intense. Furthermore, in contrast with K- or L-edge X-ray absorption of 4d transition metals, which probe the unoccupied levels, the observed 4p-to-2p XES arises from electrons in filled-ligand- and filled-metal-based orbitals, thus providing simultaneous access to the ligand and metal contributions to bonding. As such, 4d-to-2p XES should be a promising tool for the study of a wide range of 4d transition-metal compounds.

Controlling the Product Platform of Carbon Dioxide Reduction: Adaptive Catalytic Hydrosilylation of CO2 Using a Molecular Cobalt(II) Triazine Complex.

The catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is considered a major pillar of future sustainable energy systems and chemical industries based on renewable energy and raw materials. Typically, catalysts and catalytic systems are transforming CO2 preferentially or even exclusively to one of the possible reduction levels and are then optimized for this specific product. Here, we report a cobalt-based catalytic system that enables the adaptive and highly selective transformation of carbon dioxide individually to either the formic acid, the formaldehyde, or the methanol level, demonstrating the possibility of molecular control over the desired product platform.

Hydroamination of Aromatic Alkynes to Imines Catalyzed by Pd(II)-Anthraphos Complexes.

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of cationic Pd(II)-Anthraphos complexes in the intermolecular hydroamination of aromatic alkynes with aromatic amines. The reaction proceeds with 0.18 mol % of catalyst loading, at 90 °C for 4 h under neat conditions. Good to excellent yields could be obtained for a broad range of amines and alkynes.

Metal promoted conversion of aromatic amines to ortho-phenylenediimine derivatives by a radical coupling path.

A radical path for the conversion of o-substituted arylamines to o-phenylenediimine derivatives is reported. In the presence of [RuII(PPh3)3Cl2] (RuP), 2-(phenylthio)aniline (LSNH2) acts as an o-amination agent. Reaction of LSNH2 with RuP in toluene promotes (4e + 4H+) oxidative dimerization affording an o-phenylenediimine complex of ruthenium(ii). Similarly, intermolecular coupling between LSNH2 and other arylamines has been achieved.

From Ylides to Doubly Yldiide-Bridged Iron(II) High Spin Dimers via Self-Protolysis.

A synthetic strategy for the preparation of novel doubly yldiide bridged iron(II) high spin dimers ([(µ2-C)FeL]2, L = N(SiMe3)2, Mesityl) has been developed. This includes the synthesis of ylide-iron(II) monomers [(Ylide)FeL2] via adduct formation. Subsequent self-protolysis at elevated temperatures by in situ deprotonation of the ylide ligands results in a dimerization reaction forming the desired bridging µ2-C yldiide ligands in [(µ2-C)FeL]2. The comprehensive structural and electronic analysis of dimers [(µ2-C)FeL]2, including NMR, Mössbauer, and X-ray spectroscopy, as well as X-ray crystallography, SQUID, and DFT calculations, confirm their high-spin FeII configurations. Interestingly, the Fe2C2 cores display very acute Fe-C-Fe angles (averaged: 78.6(2)°) resulting in short Fe···Fe distances (averaged: 2.588(2) Å). A remarkably strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe centers has been identified. Strongly polarized Fe-C bonds are observed where the negative charge is mostly centered at the µ2-C yldiide ligands.

Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Investigation of Benzene-1,2-dithiolate-Coordinated Diiron Complexes with Relevance to Dinitrogen Activation.

In this work, a benzene-1,2-dithiolate (bdt) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl di-iron complex [Cp*Fe(µ-η2:η4-bdt)FeCp*] and its [Cp*Fe(bdt)(X)FeCp*] analogues (where X = N2H2, N2H3-, H-, NH2-, NHCH3-, or NO+) were investigated through spectroscopic and computational studies. These complexes are of relevance as model systems for dinitrogen activation in nitrogenase and share with its active site the presence of iron, sulfur ligands, and a very flexible electronic structure. On the basis of a combination of X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), X-ray crystallography, Mössbauer, NMR, and EPR spectroscopy, the geometric and electronic structure of the series has been experimentally elucidated. All iron atoms were found to be in a local low-spin configuration. When no additional X ligand is bound, the bdt ligand is tilted and features a stabilizing π-interaction with one of the iron atoms. The number of lone-pair orbitals provided by the nitrogen-containing species is crucial to the overall electronic structure. When only one lone-pair is present and the iron atoms are bridged by one atom, a three-center bond occurs, and a direct Fe-Fe bond is absent. If the bridging atom provides two lone-pairs, then an Fe-Fe bond is formed. A recurring theme for all ligands is σ-donation into the unoccupied eg manifolds of both iron atoms and back-donation from the t2g manifolds into the ligand π* orbitals. The latter results in a weakening of the double bond of the bound ligand, and in the case of NO+, it results in a weakening of all bonds that comprise triple bond. The electron-rich thiolates further amplify this effect and can also serve as bases for proton binding. While the above observations have been made for the studied di-iron complexes, they may be of relevance for the active site in nitrogenase, where a similar N2 binding mode may occur allowing for the simultaneous weakening of the N2 σ bond and π bonds.

Coordination Modes, Oxidation, and Protonation Levels of 2,6-Pyridinediimine and 2,2':6',2'́-Terpyridine Ligands in New Complexes of Cobalt, Zirconium, and Ruthenium. An Experimental and Density Functional Theory Computational Study.

The syntheses and molecular and electronic structures of the following complexes have been established by single crystal X-ray crystallography and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, and verified by density functional theory calculations (DFT B3LYP): [(η5-Cp)2ZrIV(tpy2-)]0 ( S = 0) 1, [(η5-Cp)2ZrIV(OMepdi2-)]0 ( S = 0) 2, [CoII(OMepdi•)(η2-BH4)]0 ( S = 0) 4, [RuII(OMepdi-H)Cl(PPh3)2]0 ( S = 0) 5, cis-[RuII(OMepdi0)Cl2(PPh3)]0 ( S = 0) 6, and [RuII(η2-OMepdi0)(η2-OMepdi-H)2]0 ( S = 0) 7, with (tpy0) being neutral 2,2':6',2'́-terpyridine, (tpy•)1- its π radical anion, (tpy2-)2- its dianion; (OMepdi0) neutral 2,6-bis(4-methoxyphenylmethylimine)pyridine, (OMepdi•)1- its radical anion and (OMepdi2-)2- its dianion; (OMepdi-H)1- represents the deprotonated form of the (OMepdi0) ligand where deprotonation takes place at the meta-position of the pyridine ring. Density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP functional were performed, establishing geometry optimized molecular and electronic structures. The structural parameter Δ = [(average distance Cpy-Cimine) - (av. distance Cpy-Npy + av. distance Cimine-Nimime)] is introduced for the characterization of the oxidation level of pdi (and analogously of tpy) ligands of M(pdi) (or M(tpy)) motifs for first row transition metals. The M(L0) unit in second and third row low-valent transition metal ion complexes may exhibit significant π-backdonation M → L0 structural effects.

Manganese-catalyzed hydroboration of carbon dioxide and other challenging carbonyl groups.

Reductive functionalization of the C=O unit in carboxylic acids, carbonic acid derivatives, and ultimately in carbon dioxide itself is a challenging task of key importance for the synthesis of value-added chemicals. In particular, it can open novel pathways for the valorization of non-fossil feedstocks. Catalysts based on earth-abundant, cheap, and benign metals would greatly contribute to the development of sustainable synthetic processes derived from this concept. Herein, a manganese pincer complex [Mn(Ph2PCH2SiMe2)2NH(CO)2Br] (1) is reported to enable the reduction of a broad range of carboxylic acids, carbonates, and even CO2 using pinacolborane as reducing agent. The complex is shown to operate under mild reaction conditions (80-120 °C), low catalyst loadings (0.1-0.2 mol%) and runs under solvent-less conditions. Mechanistic studies including crystallographic characterisation of a borane adduct of the pincer complex (1) imply that metal-ligand cooperation facilitates substrate activation.