Synthesis and Characterization of a Bridging Cerium(IV) Nitride Complex.

Complexes featuring lanthanide-ligand multiple bonds are rare and highly reactive. They are important synthetic targets to understand 4f/5d-bonding in comparison to d-block and actinide congeners. Herein, the isolation and characterization of a bridging cerium(IV)-nitride complex: [(TriNOx)Ce(Li2µ-N)Ce(TriNOx)][BArF4] is reported, the first example of a molecular cerium-nitride. The compound was isolated by deprotonating a monometallic cerium(IV)-ammonia complex: [CeIV(NH3)(TriNOx)][BArF4]. The average Ce═N bond length of [(TriNOx)Ce(Li2µ-N)Ce(TriNOx)][BArF4] was 2.117(3) Å. Vibrational studies of the 15N-isotopomer exhibited a shift of the Ce═N═Ce asymmetric stretch from ν = 644 cm-1 to 640 cm-1, and X-ray spectroscopic studies confirm the +4 oxidation state of cerium. Computational analyses showed strong involvement of the cerium 4f shell in bonding with overall 16% and 11% cerium weight in the σ- and π-bonds of the Ce═N═Ce fragment, respectively.

Electronic Structure Studies and Photophysics of Luminescent Th(IV) Anilido and Imido Complexes.

A series of thorium anilide compounds [ThNHArR(TriNOx)] (R = para-OCH3 (1-ArOMe), para-H (1-ArH), para-Cl (1-ArCl), para-CF3 (1-Ar4-CF3), TriNOx3- = tris(2-tert-butylhydroxylaminato)benzylamine), and their corresponding imido compounds [Li(DME)][Th═NArR(TriNOx)] (2-ArR) as well as the alkyl congeners [ThNHAd(TriNOx)] (1-Ad) and [Li(DME)][Th═NAd(TriNOx)] (2-Ad), have been prepared. The para-substituents on the arylimido moiety were introduced for systematic variation of their electron-donating and withdrawing abilities, changes that were evident in measurements of the 13C{1H} NMR chemical shifts of the ipso-C atom of the ArR moiety. Room temperature, solution-state luminescence of the four new thorium imido compounds, along with the previously reported [Li(THF)2][Th═NAr3,5-CF3(TriNOx)] (2-Ar3,5-CF3) and [Li(THF)(Et2O)][Ce═NAr3,5-CF3(TriNOx)] (3-Ar3,5-CF3) have been described. Among these complexes, 2-Ar3,5-CF3 demonstrated the most intense luminescence feature with excitation at 398 nm and emission at 453 nm. The luminescence measurements, together with a time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) study, helped uncover an intra-ligand n → π* transition that was assigned as the origin of the bright blue luminescence; 3-Ar3,5-CF3 has an 1.2 eV redshift in excitation energy compared with its proligand. The weak luminescence of other derivatives (2-ArR and 3-Ar3,5-CF3) was attributed to non-radiative decay from low-lying excited states originating from inter-ligand transitions (2-ArR) or ligand-to-metal charge transfer bands (3-Ar3,5-CF3). Overall, the results expand the range of the thorium imido organometallic compounds and demonstrate that thorium(IV) complexes can support strong ligand luminescence. The results also demonstrate the utility of applying a Th(IV) center for tuning the n → π* luminescence energy and intensity of an associated imido moiety.

Redox-Driven Chelation and Kinetic Separation of Select Rare Earths Using a Tripodal Nitroxide Proligand.

Separation of the rare-earth (RE) elements (Sc, Y, La-Lu) is challenging because of their similar chemical properties, but is necessary for their applications in renewable energy and electronic device technologies. The development of separation processes driven by kinetic factors represents a new area for this field. Herein, we disclose a novel method of separating select rare earths by reacting RE cyclopentadienides with the triradical species tris(2-tert-butylnitroxyl)benzylamine (1). The key proligand 1 was characterized using a variety of techniques including X-ray crystallography, magnetometry, and EPR spectroscopy. When applied to an equimolar mixture of La:Y cyclopentadienide complexes, different rates of chelation of these organometallic precursors by 1 were observed, affording a separation factor of 26 under the reported conditions.

Proton affinities of pertechnetate (TcO4-) and perrhenate (ReO4-).

The anions pertechnetate, TcO4-, and perrhenate, ReO4-, exhibit very similar chemical and physical properties. Revealing and understanding disparities between them enhances fundamental understanding of both. Electrospray ionization generated the gas-phase proton bound dimer (TcO4-)(H+)(ReO4-). Collision induced dissociation of the dimer yielded predominantly HTcO4 and ReO4-, which according to Cooks' kinetic method indicates that the proton affinity (PA) of TcO4- is greater than that of ReO4-. Density functional theory computations agree with the experimental observation, providing PA[TcO4-] = 300.1 kcal mol-1 and PA[ReO4-] = 297.2 kcal mol-1. Attempts to rationalize these relative PAs based on elementary molecular parameters such as atomic charges indicate that the entirety of bond formation and concomitant bond disruption needs to be considered to understand the energies associated with such protonation processes. Although in both the gas and solution phases, TcO4- is a stronger base than ReO4-, it is noted that the significance of even such qualitative accordance is tempered by the very different natures of the underlying phenomena.

Magnetic Field Directed Rare-Earth Separations.

The separation of rare-earth ions from one another is challenging due to their chemical and physical similarities. Nearly all rare-earth separations rely upon small changes in ionic radii to direct speciation or reactivity. Herein, we show that the intrinsic magnetic properties of the rare-earth ions impact the separations of light/heavy and selected heavy/heavy binary mixtures. Using TriNOx3- ([{(2-t BuNO)C6 H4 CH2 }3 N]3- ) rare-earth complexes, we efficiently and selectively crystallized heavy rare earths (Tb-Yb) from a mixture with light rare earths (La and Nd) in the presence of an external Fe14 Nd2 B magnet, concomitant with the introduction of a concentration gradient (decrease in temperature). The optimal separation was observed for an equimolar mixture of La:Dy, which gave an enrichment factor of EFLa:Dy =297±31 for the solid fraction, compared to EFLa:Dy =159±22 in the absence of the field, and achieving a 99.7 % pure Dy sample in one step. These results indicate that the application of a magnetic field can improve performance in a molecular separation system for paramagnetic rare-earth cations.

Multiple Bonding in Lanthanides and Actinides: Direct Comparison of Covalency in Thorium(IV)- and Cerium(IV)-Imido Complexes.

A series of thorium(IV)-imido complexes was synthesized and characterized. Extensive experimental and computational comparisons with the isostructural cerium(IV)-imido complexes revealed a notably more covalent bonding arrangement for the Ce═N bond compared with the more ionic Th═N bond. The thorium-imido moieties were observed to be 3 orders of magnitude more basic than their cerium congeners. More generally, these results provide unique experimental evidence for the larger covalent character of 4f05d0 Ce(IV) multiple bonds compared to its 5f06d0 Th(IV) actinide congener.

13C NMR Shifts as an Indicator of U-C Bond Covalency in Uranium(VI) Acetylide Complexes: An Experimental and Computational Study.

A series of uranium(VI)-acetylide complexes of the general formula UVI(O)(C≡C-C6H4-R)[N(SiMe3)2]3, with variation of the para substituent (R = NMe2, OMe, Me, Ph, H, Cl) on the aryl(acetylide) ring, was prepared. These compounds were analyzed by 13C NMR spectroscopy, which showed that the acetylide carbon bound to the uranium(VI) center, U- C≡C-Ar, was shifted strongly downfield, with δ(13C) values ranging from 392.1 to 409.7 ppm for Cl and NMe2 substituted complexes, respectively. These extreme high-frequency 13C resonances are attributed to large negative paramagnetic (σpara) and relativistic spin-orbit (σSO) shielding contributions, associated with extensive U(5f) and C(2s) orbital contributions to the U-C bonding in title complexes. The trend in the 13C chemical shift of the terminal acetylide carbon is opposite that observed in the series of parent (aryl)acetylenes, due to shielding effects of the para substituent. The 13C chemical shifts of the acetylide carbon instead correlate with DFT computed U-C bond lengths and corresponding QTAIM delocalization indices or Wiberg bond orders. SQUID magnetic susceptibility measurements were indicative of the Van Vleck temperature independent paramagnetism (TIP) of the uranium(VI) complexes, suggesting a magnetic field-induced mixing of the singlet ground-state (f0) of the U(VI) ion with low-lying (thermally inaccessible) paramagnetic excited states (involved also in the perturbation-theoretical treatment of the unusually large paramagnetic and SO contributions to the 13C shifts). Thus, together with reported data, we demonstrate that the sensitive 13C NMR shifts serve as a direct, simple, and accessible measure of uranium(VI)-carbon bond covalency.

Halide anion discrimination by a tripodal hydroxylamine ligand in gas and condensed phases.

Electrospray ionization of solutions containing a tripodal hydroxylamine ligand, H3TriNOx ([((2-tBuNOH)C6H4CH2)3N]) denoted as L, and a hydrogen halide HX: HCl, HBr and/or HI, yielded gas-phase anion complexes [L(X)]- and [L(HX2)]-. Collision induced dissociation (CID) of mixed-halide complexes, [L(HXaXb)]-, indicated highest affinity for I- and lowest for Cl-. Structures and energetics computed by density functional theory are in accord with the CID results, and indicate that the gas-phase binding preference is a manifestation of differing stabilities of the HX molecules. A high halide affinity of [L(H)]+ in solution was also demonstrated, though with a highest preference for Cl- and lowest for I-, the opposite observation of, but not in conflict with, what is observed in gas phase. The results suggest a connection between gas- and condensed-phase chemistry and computational approaches, and shed light on the aggregation and anion recognition properties of hydroxylamine receptors.

Functional Synthetic Model for the Lanthanide-Dependent Quinoid Alcohol Dehydrogenase Active Site.

The oxidation of methanol by dehydrogenase enzymes is an essential part of the bacterial methane metabolism cycle. The recent discovery of a lanthanide (Ln) cation in the active site of the XoxF dehydrogenase represents the only example of a rare-earth element in a physiological role. Herein, we report the first synthetic, functional model of Ln-dependent dehydrogenase and its stoichiometric and catalytic dehydrogenation of a benzyl alcohol. Density functional theory calculations implicate a hydride transfer mechanism for these reactions.

Understanding and Controlling the Emission Brightness and Color of Molecular Cerium Luminophores.

Molecular cerium complexes are a new class of tunable and energy-efficient visible- and UV-luminophores. Understanding and controlling the emission brightness and color are important for tailoring them for new and specialized applications. Herein, we describe the experimental and computational analyses for series of tris(guanidinate) (1-8, Ce{(R2N)C(N iPr)2}3, R = alkyl, silyl, or phenyl groups), guanidinate-amide [GA, A = N(SiMe3)2, G = (Me3Si)2NC(N iPr)2], and guanidinate-aryloxide (GOAr, OAr = 2,6-di- tert-butylphenoxide) cerium(III) complexes to understand and develop predictive capabilities for their optical properties. Structural studies performed on complexes 1-8 revealed marked differences in the steric encumbrance around the cerium center induced by various guanidinate ligand backbone substituents, a property that was correlated to photoluminescent quantum yield. Computational studies revealed that consecutive replacements of the amide and aryloxide ligands by guanidinate ligand led to less nonradiative relaxation of bright excited states and smaller Stokes shifts. The results establish a comprehensive structure-luminescence model for molecular cerium(III) luminophores in terms of both quantum yields and colors. The results provide a clear basis for the design of tunable, molecular, cerium-based, luminescent materials.

C-H Bond Addition across a Transient Uranium-Nitrido Moiety and Formation of a Parent Uranium Imido Complex.

Uranium complexes in the +3 and +4 oxidation states were prepared using the anionic PN- (PN- = ( N-(2-(diisopropylphosphino)-4-methylphenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylanilide) ligand framework. New complexes include the halide starting materials, (PN)2UIIII (1) and (PN)2UIVCl2 (2), which both yield (PN)2UIV(N3)2 (3) by reaction with NaN3. Compound 3 was reduced with potassium graphite to produce a putative, transient uranium-nitrido moiety that underwent an intramolecular C-H activation to form a rare example of a parent imido complex, [K(THF)3][(PN)UIV(═NH)[ iPr2P(C6H3Me)N(C6H2Me2CH2)]] (4). Calculated reaction energy profiles strongly suggest that a C-H insertion becomes unfavorable when a reductant is present, offering a distinctively different reaction pathway than previously observed for other uranium nitride complexes.

Reduction of Carbonyl Groups by Uranium(III) and Formation of a Stable Amide Radical Anion.

Methyl benzoate, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, and benzophenone were reduced by UIII [N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 resulting in uranium(IV) products. Reduction of benzophenone lead to UIV [OC⋅Ph2 )][N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 , (1.1) which forms the dinuclear complex, [N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 UIV (OCPhPh-CPh2 O)UIV [N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 (1.2), through coupling of the ketyl radical species upon crystallization. Reaction of N,N-dimethylbenzamide with UIII [N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 resulted in UIV [OC⋅(Ph)(NMe2 )][N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 (2), a uranium(IV) compound and the first example of a charge-separated amide radical. In the case of methyl benzoate, the reduction resulted in UIV (OMe)[N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 (3) and benzaldehyde as the reduced organic fragment. Compound 2 showed the ability to act as a uranium(III) synthon in its reactivity with trimethylsilyl azide, a reaction that yielded UV (=NSiMe3 )[N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 . Additionally, 2 was reduced with potassium graphite resulting in [U(µ-O)[O=C(NMe2 )(Ph)][N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 ]2 (4), a dinuclear uranium compound bridged by oxo ligands. Reduction of 2 in the presence of 15-crown-5 afforded isolation of the mono-oxo compound, [(15-crown-5)2 K][UO[N(SiMe3 )2 ]3 ] (5). The results expand the reduction capabilities of UIII complexes and demonstrate a strategy for isolating novel metal-stabilized radicals.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Low-Valent f-Element Iodide Complexes with Neutral Iminophosphorane Ligands.

The coordination and reactivity of simple iodide salts of low-valent f elements [YbI2, SmI2, TmI2, and UI3(THF)4, where THF = tetrahydrofuran] with iminophosphorane (R3P═NR') ligands are reported. The studied chelates were observed to adapt their geometry and effectively bind divalent ytterbium and samarium centers, as well as the trivalent uranium cation. The reactivity of the ytterbium adducts with benzophenone was found to be dependent on the steric demand of the supporting iminophosphorane ligand. In particular, a rare example of a stable charge-separated ketyl radical species is reported with ytterbium. Additionally, divalent thulium was observed to induce a reductive coupling at the ligand's central pyridine ring.

Exploration of the Solid- and Solution-State Structures and Electrochemical Properties of CeIV(atrane) Complexes.

Chemical oxidation of cerium complexes can be unpredictable because of labile metal-ligand bonds leading to ligand redistribution. The use of tripodal frameworks such as silyl-substituted tren ligands (NN'3 = [N(CH2CH2N(SiMe2tBu))3]3-) and a tris(hydroxylaminato) ligand, [((2- tBuNO)C6H4CH2)3N]3- (TriNOx3-), has been shown to mitigate ligand redistribution effects to allow access to tetravalent cerium complexes with different apical ligands. In the current work, the coordination chemistry of CeIV with the related tripodal atrane3- (H3atrane = [N(CH2C(CH3)2OH)3]) ligand framework was examined. A series of CeIV(atrane) complexes with supporting chloride, silylamide, and aryloxide ligands were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The solution-state behaviors of these complexes were studied using 1H and diffusion-ordered (DOSY) NMR spectroscopies. The electrochemical stabilization of the CeIV cation within the atrane3- framework was examined. Our results showed that a combination of suitable apical ligands and the atrane framework provided excellent stabilization for the CeIV cation.

Coordination Chemistry of a Strongly-Donating Hydroxylamine with Early Actinides: An Investigation of Redox Properties and Electronic Structure.

Separations of f-block elements are a critical aspect of nuclear waste processing. Redox-based separations offer promise, but challenges remain in stabilizing and differentiating actinides in high oxidation states. The investigation of new ligand types that provide thermodynamic stabilization to high-valent actinides is essential for expanding their fundamental chemistry and to elaborate new separation techniques and storage methods. We report herein the preparation and characterization of Th and U complexes of the pyridyl-hydroxylamine ligand, N- tert-butyl- N-(pyridin-2-yl)hydroxylamine (pyNO-). Electrochemical studies performed on the homoleptic complexes [M(pyNO)4] (M = Th, U) revealed significant stabilization of the U complex upon one-electron oxidation. The salt [U(pyNO)4]+ was isolated by chemical oxidation of [U(pyNO)4]; spectroscopic and computational data support assignment as a UV cation.

Electronic Structures of Mono-Oxidized Copper and Nickel Phosphasalen Complexes.

Non-innocent ligands render the determination of the electronic structure in metal complexes difficult. As such, a combination of experimental techniques and quantum chemistry are required to correctly elucidate them. This paper deals with the one-electron oxidation of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes featuring a phosphasalen ligand (Psalen), which differs from salen analogues by the presence of iminophosphorane groups (P=N) instead of imines. Various experimental techniques (X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, NMR, EPR, and UV/Vis spectroscopies, and magnetic measurements) as well as quantum chemical calculations were used to define the electronic structure of the oxidized complexes. These can be modified by a small change in the ligand structure, that is, the replacement of a tert-butyl group by a methoxy on the phenoxide ring. The different techniques have allowed quantifying the amount of spin density located on the metal center and on the Psalen ligands. All complexes were found to possess a multi-configurational ground state, in which the ratio of the +II versus +III oxidation state of the metal center, and therefore the phenolate versus phenoxyl radical ligand character, varies upon the substituents. The tert-butyl group favors a strong localization on the metal center whereas with the methoxy group the metallic configurations decrease and the ligand configurations increase. The importance of the geometrical considerations compared with the electronic substituent effect is highlighted by the differences observed between the solid-state (EPR, magnetic measurements) and solution characterizations (EPR and NMR data).

Structure, Electronics and Reactivity of Ce(PNP) Complexes.

Synthetic methods for the coordination of the monoanionic bis[2-(diisopropylphosphino)-4-methylphenyl]amido (PNP) ligand framework to the cerium(III) cation have been developed and applied for the isolation of a series of {(PNP)Ce} and {(PNP)2 Ce} type complexes. The structures of the complexes were studied by X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. We found that the cerium(III) ion can induce the elimination of one of the iPr groups at phosphorus to yield a new dianionic PNP tridentate framework (PNP-iPr ) featuring a phosphido-donor functionality, which is bound to the cerium ion with the shortest known Ce-P bond of 2.7884(14) Šfor molecular compounds. The reaction of the complex [(PNP)Ce{N(SiMe3 )2 }2 ] (1) with Ph2 CO gave the Ce-bound product of C-C coupling, - N(SiMe3 )SiMe2 CH2 -CPh2 O- , through the C-H bond activation of a SiMe3 group. 31 P NMR spectroscopy was used to estimate the presence of a vacant coordination position at the cerium ion in the CeIII -PNP complexes by the examination of the δ(31 P) shift recorded both in non-polar (C6 D6 ) and polar ([D8 ]THF) solvents. Moreover, 31 P NMR spectroscopy was also found to be a useful tool for the estimation of the Ce-P bond distances in {(PNP)CeIII } and {(PNP)2 CeIII } systems. Electrochemical and computational studies for 1 and its lanthanum analogue containing a redox-innocent metal center revealed the stabilization of the CeIII oxidation state by the PNP ligand.

Electro-kinetic Separation of Rare Earth Elements Using a Redox-Active Ligand.

Purification of rare earth elements is challenging due to their chemical similarities. All of the deployed separation methods rely on thermodynamic properties, such as distribution equilibria in solvent extraction. Rare-earth-metal separations based on kinetic differences have not been examined. Herein, we demonstrate a new approach for rare-earth-element separations by exploiting differences in the oxidation rates within a series of rare earth compounds containing the redox-active ligand [{2-(tBuN(O))C6 H4 CH2 }3 N]3- . Using this method, a single-step separation factor up to 261 was obtained for the separation of a 50:50 yttrium-lutetium mixture.

FeII complexes supported by an iminophosphorane ligand: synthesis and reactivity.

The synthesis of iron complexes supported by a mixed phosphine-lutidine-iminophosphorane (PPyNP) ligand was carried out. While bidentate κ2-N,N coordination was observed for FeCl2, pincer coordination modes were adopted at cationic iron centers, either through dechlorination of [LFe(PPyNP)Cl2] (1) or direct coordination of PPyNP to Fe(OTf)2. Reaction with tert-butylisocyanide gave access to the diamagnetic octahedral complex [Fe(PPyNP)(CNtBu)3]X2 (X = OTf (4), Cl (4')). Both 1 and 4 were shown to undergo deprotonation of the phosphinomethyl group, but the resulting complexes were not active for the dehydrogenative coupling of hexan-1-ol. The hydrosilylation of acetophenones was catalyzed at room temperature with 1 mol% of a catalyst generated in situ from cationic PPyNP-supported iron triflate complexes and KHBEt3.

Tantalum, easy as Pi: understanding differences in metal-imido bonding towards improving Ta/Nb separations.

The separation and purification of niobium and tantalum, which co-occur in natural sources, is difficult due to their similar physical and chemical properties. The current industrial method for separating Ta/Nb mixtures uses an energy-intensive process with caustic and toxic conditions. It is of interest to develop alternative, fundamental methodologies for the purification of these technologically important metals that improve upon their environmental impact. Herein, we introduce new Ta/Nb imido compounds: M( t BuN)(TriNOx) (1-M) bound by the TriNOx3- ligand and demonstrate a fundamental, proof-of-concept Ta/Nb separation based on differences in the imido reactivities. Despite the nearly identical structures of 1-M, density functional theory (DFT)-computed electronic structures of 1-M indicate enhanced basic character of the imido group in 1-Ta as compared to 1-Nb. Accordingly, the rate of CO2 insertion into the M[double bond, length as m-dash]Nimido bond of 1-Ta to form a carbamate complex (2-Ta) was selective compared to the analogous, unobserved reaction with 1-Nb. Differences in solubility between the imido and carbamate complexes allowed for separation of the carbamate complex, and led to an efficient Ta/Nb separation (S Ta/Nb = 404 ± 150) dependent on the kinetic differences in nucleophilicities between the imido moieties in 1-Ta and 1-Nb.