Assembly and properties of heterobimetallic Co(II/III)/Ca(II) complexes with aquo and hydroxo ligands

Hydrogen Peroxide Complex of Zinc

Metal(H2O2) complexes have been implicated in kinetic and computational studies but have never been observed. Accordingly, H2O2 has been described as a very weak ligand. We report the first metal(H2O2) adduct, which is made possible by incorporating intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions with bound H2O2. This Zn(II)(H2O2) complex decays in solution by a second-order process that is slow enough to enable characterization of this species by X-ray crystallography. This report speaks to the intermediacy of metal(H2O2) adducts in chemistry and biology and opens the door to exploration of these species in oxidation catalysis.

Lewis Acid Coupled Electron Transfer of Metal-Oxygen Intermediates

Redox-inactive metal ions and Brønsted acids that function as Lewis acids play pivotal roles in modulating the redox reactivity of metal-oxygen intermediates, such as metal-oxo and metal-peroxo complexes. The mechanisms of the oxidative CH bond cleavage of toluene derivatives, sulfoxidation of thioanisole derivatives, and epoxidation of styrene derivatives by mononuclear nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complexes in the presence of triflic acid (HOTf) and Sc(OTf)3 have been unified as rate-determining electron transfer coupled with binding of Lewis acids (HOTf and Sc(OTf)3 ) by iron(III)-oxo complexes. All logarithms of the observed second-order rate constants of Lewis acid-promoted oxidative CH bond cleavage, sulfoxidation, and epoxidation reactions of iron(IV)-oxo complexes exhibit remarkably unified correlations with the driving forces of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and metal ion-coupled electron transfer (MCET) in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer when the differences in the formation constants of precursor complexes were taken into account. The binding of HOTf and Sc(OTf)3 to the metal-oxo moiety has been confirmed for Mn(IV) -oxo complexes. The enhancement of the electron-transfer reactivity of metal-oxo complexes by binding of Lewis acids increases with increasing the Lewis acidity of redox-inactive metal ions. Metal ions can also bind to mononuclear nonheme iron(III)-peroxo complexes, resulting in acceleration of the electron-transfer reduction but deceleration of the electron-transfer oxidation. Such a control on the reactivity of metal-oxygen intermediates by binding of Lewis acids provides valuable insight into the role of Ca(2+) in the oxidation of water to dioxygen by the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II.

Spectroscopic identification of an Fe(III) center, not Fe(IV), in the crystalline Sc-O-Fe adduct derived from [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)]²⁺

The apparent Sc(3+) adduct of [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)](2+) (1, TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) has been synthesized in amounts sufficient to allow its characterization by various spectroscopic techniques. Contrary to the earlier assignment of a +4 oxidation state for the iron center of 1, we establish that 1 has a high-spin iron(III) center based on its Mössbauer and EPR spectra and its quantitative reduction by 1 equiv of ferrocene to [Fe(II)(TMC)](2+). Thus, 1 is best described as a Sc(III)-O-Fe(III) complex, in agreement with previous DFT calculations (Swart, M. Chem. Commun. 2013, 49, 6650.). These results shed light on the interaction of Lewis acids with high-valent metal-oxo species.

Evidence for an oxygen evolving iron-oxo-cerium intermediate in iron-catalysed water oxidation

The non-haem iron complex α-[Fe(II)(CF3SO3)2(mcp)] (mcp=(N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-cis-diaminocyclohexane) reacts with Ce(IV) to oxidize water to O2, representing an iron-based functional model for the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II. Here we trap an intermediate, characterized by cryospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometry and resonance Raman spectroscopy, and formulated as [(mcp)Fe(IV)(O)(μ-O)Ce(IV)(NO3)3](+), the first example of a well-characterized inner-sphere complex to be formed in cerium(IV)-mediated water oxidation. The identification of this reactive Fe(IV)-O-Ce(IV) adduct may open new pathways to validate mechanistic notions of an analogous Mn(V)-O-Ca(II) unit in the oxygen evolving complex that is responsible for carrying out the key O-O bond forming step.

Sulfonamido tripods: tuning redox potentials via ligand modifications

A series of Fe^II-OH₂ complexes were synthesized with ligands based on the tetradentate sulfonamido tripod N,N',N"-[2,2',2"-nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)]-tris-({R-Ph}-sulfonamido). These complexes differ by the substituent on the aryl rings and were fully characterized, including their molecular structures via X-ray diffraction methods. All the complexes were five-coordinate with trigonal bipyramidal geometry. A linear correlation was observed between the electronic effects of each ligand, given by the Hammett constants of the para-substituents, and the potential of the Fe^II/Fe^III redox couple, which were determined using cyclic voltammetry. It was found that the range of redox potentials for the complexes spanned approximately 160 mV.

Alkali metal control over N-N cleavage in iron complexes

Though N2 cleavage on K-promoted Fe surfaces is important in the large-scale Haber-Bosch process, there is still ambiguity about the number of Fe atoms involved during the N-N cleaving step and the interactions responsible for the promoting ability of K. This work explores a molecular Fe system for N2 reduction, particularly focusing on the differences in the results obtained using different alkali metals as reductants (Na, K, Rb, Cs). The products of these reactions feature new types of Fe-N2 and Fe-nitride cores. Surprisingly, adding more equivalents of reductant to the system gives a product in which the N-N bond is not cleaved, indicating that the reducing power is not the most important factor that determines the extent of N2 activation. On the other hand, the results suggest that the size of the alkali metal cation can control the number of Fe atoms that can approach N2, which in turn controls the ability to achieve N2 cleavage. The accumulated results indicate that cleaving the triple N-N bond to nitrides is facilitated by simultaneous approach of least three low-valent Fe atoms to a single molecule of N2.

Iron(II) complexes supported by sulfonamido tripodal ligands: endogenous versus exogenous substrate oxidation

High-valent iron species are known to act as powerful oxidants in both natural and synthetic systems. While biological enzymes have evolved to prevent self-oxidation by these highly reactive species, development of organic ligand frameworks that are capable of supporting a high-valent iron center remains a challenge in synthetic chemistry. We describe here the reactivity of an Fe(II) complex that is supported by a tripodal sulfonamide ligand with both dioxygen and an oxygen-atom transfer reagent, 4-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO). An Fe(III)–hydroxide complex is obtained from reaction with dioxygen, while NMO gives an Fe(III)–alkoxide product resulting from activation of a C–H bond of the ligand. Inclusion of Ca²⁺ ions in the reaction with NMO prevented this ligand activation and resulted in isolation of an Fe(III)–hydroxide complex in which the Ca²⁺ ion is coordinated to the tripodal sulfonamide ligand and the hydroxo ligand. Modification of the ligand allowed the Fe(III)–hydroxide complex to be isolated from NMO in the absence of Ca²⁺ ions, and a C–H bond of an external substrate could be activated during the reaction. This study highlights the importance of robust ligand design in the development of synthetic catalysts that utilize a high-valent iron center.

Oxidation of an Fe(II) complex supported by a sulfonamido tripodal ligand was explored with dioxygen and an O-atom transfer reagent. While dioxygen gave an Fe(III)−hydroxido complex, the O-atom transfer reagent resulted in C−H activation of the ligand to form an Fe(III)−alkoxide species. Modification of the ligand prevented this ligand oxidation and allowed for activation of C−H bonds on an external substrate.

Spectroscopic capture and reactivity of a low-spin cobalt(IV)-oxo complex stabilized by binding redox-inactive metal ions

High-valent cobalt-oxo intermediates are proposed as reactive intermediates in a number of cobalt-complex-mediated oxidation reactions. Herein we report the spectroscopic capture of low-spin (S=1/2) Co(IV)-oxo species in the presence of redox-inactive metal ions, such as Sc(3+), Ce(3+), Y(3+), and Zn(2+), and the investigation of their reactivity in C-H bond activation and sulfoxidation reactions. Theoretical calculations predict that the binding of Lewis acidic metal ions to the cobalt-oxo core increases the electrophilicity of the oxygen atom, resulting in the redox tautomerism of a highly unstable [(TAML)Co(III)(O˙)](2-) species to a more stable [(TAML)Co(IV)(O)(M(n+))] core. The present report supports the proposed role of the redox-inactive metal ions in facilitating the formation of high-valent metal-oxo cores as a necessary step for oxygen evolution in chemistry and biology.

Synthetic cluster models of biological and heterogeneous manganese catalysts for O2 evolution

Artificial photosynthesis has emerged as an important strategy toward clean and renewable fuels. Catalytic oxidation of water to O2 remains a significant challenge in this context. A mechanistic understanding of currently known heterogeneous and biological catalysts at a molecular level is highly desirable for fundamental reasons as well as for the rational design of practical catalysts. This Award Article discusses recent efforts in synthesizing structural models of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. These structural motifs are also related to heterogeneous mixed-metal oxide catalysts. A stepwise synthetic methodology was developed toward achieving the structural complexity of the targeted active sites. A geometrically restricted multinucleating ligand, but with labile coordination modes, was employed for the synthesis of low-oxidation-state trimetallic species. These precursors were elaborated to site-differentiated tetrametallic complexes in high oxidation states. This methodology has allowed for structure-reactivity studies that have offered insight into the effects of different components of the clusters. Mechanistic aspects of oxygen-atom transfer and incorporation from water have been interrogated. Significantly, a large and systematic effect of redox-inactive metals on the redox properties of these clusters was discovered. With the pKa value of the redox-inactive metal-aqua complex as a measure of the Lewis acidity, structurally analogous clusters display a linear dependence between the reduction potential and acidity; each pKa unit shifts the potential by ca. 90 mV. Implications for the function of the biological and heterogeneous catalysts are discussed.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of Fe(II/III)-NH3 complexes bearing a tripodal sulfonamido ligand

Complexes [M(n)MST(NH3)](n-3) (M(n) = Fe(II), Fe(III), Ga(III)) were prepared and each contains an intramolecular hydrogen bonding network involving the ammonia ligand. Deprotonation of the Fe(III)-NH3 complex afforded a putative [Fe(III)MST(NH2)](-) species whose reactivity has been explored.

Dicobalt-μ-oxo polyoxometalate compound, [(α(2)-P2W17O61Co)2O](14-): a potent species for water oxidation, C-H bond activation, and oxygen transfer

High-valent oxo compounds of transition metals are often implicated as active species in oxygenation of hydrocarbons through carbon-hydrogen bond activation or oxygen transfer and also in water oxidation. Recently, several examples of cobalt-catalyzed water oxidation have been reported, and cobalt(IV) species have been suggested as active intermediates. A reactive species, formally a dicobalt(IV)-μ-oxo polyoxometalate compound [(α2-P2W17O61Co)2O](14-), [(POMCo)2O], has now been isolated and characterized by the oxidation of a monomeric [α2-P2W17O61Co(II)(H2O)](8-), [POMCo(II)H2O], with ozone in water. The crystal structure shows a nearly linear Co-O-Co moiety with a Co-O bond length of ∼1.77 Å. In aqueous solution [(POMCo)2O] was identified by (31)P NMR, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Reactivity studies showed that [(POMCo)2O]2O] is an active compound for the oxidation of H2O to O2, direct oxygen transfer to water-soluble sulfoxides and phosphines, indirect epoxidation of alkenes via a Mn porphyrin, and the selective oxidation of alcohols by carbon-hydrogen bond activation. The latter appears to occur via a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. Density functional and CASSCF calculations strongly indicate that the electronic structure of [(POMCo)2O]2O] is best defined as a compound having two cobalt(III) atoms with two oxidized oxygen atoms.

Isolation of a 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran complex from copper-promoted hydroxylation of THF

A complex of a binucleating macrocyclic ligand comprising a [Cu(II)(μ-OH)Na](2+) core reacts with CuI in THF/CH3CN to yield a novel species with a deprotonated 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran (THF-2-ol) bridging between Cu(II) and Na(I) ions. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. (18)O-labeling studies support incorporation of the O atom from μ-OH into the coordinated THF-2-ol ligand.

Selective nitrite reduction at heterobimetallic CoMg complexes

Heme-containing nitrite reductases bind and activate nitrite by a mechanism that is proposed to involve interactions with Brønsted acidic residues in the secondary coordination sphere. To model this functionality using synthetic platforms that incorporate a Lewis acidic site, heterobimetallic CoMg complexes supported by diimine-dioxime ligands are described. The neutral (μ-NO2)CoMg species 3 is synthesized from the [(μ-OAc)(Br)CoMg](+) complex 1 by a sequence of one-electron reduction and ligand substitution reactions. Data are presented for a redox series of nitrite adducts, featuring a conserved μ-(η(1)-N:η(1)-O)-NO2 motif, derived from this synthon. Conditions are identified for the proton-induced N-O bond heterolysis of bound NO2(-) in the most reduced member of this series, affording the [(NO)(Cl)CoMg(H2O)](+) complex 6. Reduction of this complex followed by protonation leads to the evolution of free N2O. On the basis of these stoichiometric reactivity studies, the competence of complex 1 as a NO2(-) reduction catalyst is evaluated using electrochemical methods. In bulk electrolysis experiments, conducted at -1.2 V vs SCE using Et3NHCl as a proton source, N2O is produced selectively without the competing formation of NH3, NH2OH, or H2.

Redox-inactive metals modulate the reduction potential in heterometallic manganese-oxido clusters

Redox-inactive metals are found in biological and heterogeneous water oxidation catalysts, but their roles in catalysis are currently not well understood. A series of high oxidation state tetranuclear-dioxido clusters comprised of three manganese centers and a redox-inactive metal (M) of various charge is reported. Crystallographic studies show an unprecedented Mn₃M(μ₄-O)(μ₂-O) core that remains intact upon changing M or the manganese oxidation state. Electrochemical studies reveal that the reduction potentials span a window of 700 mV, dependent upon the Lewis acidity of the second metal. With the pK_a of the redox-inactive metal-aqua complex as a measure of Lewis acidity, these compounds display a linear dependence between reduction potential and acidity with a slope of ca. 100 mV per pK_a unit. The Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ compounds show similar potentials, an observation that correlates with the behavior of the OEC, which is active only in the presence of one of these two metals.