Trapping of a Highly Reactive Oxoiron(IV) Complex in the Catalytic Epoxidation of Olefins by Hydrogen Peroxide

Unmasking Steps in Intramolecular Aromatic Hydroxylation by a Synthetic Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Complex

In this study, a methyl group on the classic tetramethylcyclam (TMC) ligand framework is replaced with a benzylic group to form the metastable [FeIV (Osyn )(Bn3MC)]2+ (2-syn; Bn3MC=1-benzyl-4,8,11-trimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) species at -40 °C. The decay of 2-syn with time at 25 °C allows the unprecedented monitoring of the steps involved in the intramolecular hydroxylation of the ligand phenyl ring to form the major FeIII -OAr product 3. At the same time, the FeII (Bn3MC)2+ (1) precursor to 2-syn is re-generated in a 1:2 molar ratio relative to 3, accounting for the first time for all the electrons involved and all the Fe species derived from 2-syn as shown in the following balanced equation: 3 [FeIV (O)(LPh )]2+ (2-syn)→2 [FeIII (LOAr )]2+ (3)+[FeII (LPh )]2+ (1)+H2 O. This system thus serves as a paradigm for aryl hydroxylation by FeIV =O oxidants described thus far. It is also observed that 2-syn can be intercepted by certain hydrocarbon substrates, thereby providing a means to assess the relative energetics of aliphatic and aromatic C-H hydroxylation in this system.

Effect of the Ligand Backbone on the Reactivity and Mechanistic Paradigm of Non-Heme Iron(IV)-Oxo during Olefin Epoxidation

The oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactivity of the non-heme [Fe^IV (2PyN2Q)(O)]²⁺ (2) containing the sterically bulky quinoline-pyridine pentadentate ligand (2PyN2Q) has been thoroughly studied with different olefins. The ferryl-oxo complex 2 shows excellent OAT reactivity during epoxidations. The steric encumbrance and electronic effect of the ligand influence the mechanistic shuttle between OAT pathway I and isomerization pathway II (during the reaction stereo pure olefins), resulting in a mixture of cis-trans epoxide products. In contrast, the sterically less hindered and electronically different [Fe^IV (N4Py)(O)]²⁺ (1) provides only cis-stilbene epoxide. A Hammett study suggests the role of dominant inductive electronic along with minor resonance effect during electron transfer from olefin to 2 in the rate-limiting step. Additionally, a computational study supports the involvement of stepwise pathways during olefin epoxidation. The ferryl bend due to the bulkier ligand incorporation leads to destabilization of both d z 2 and d x 2 - y 2 orbitals, leading to a very small quintet-triplet gap and enhanced reactivity for 2 compared to 1. Thus, the present study unveils the role of steric and electronic effects of the ligand towards mechanistic modification during olefin epoxidation.

Spin State Tunes Oxygen Atom Transfer towards FeIV O Formation in FeII Complexes

Oxoiron(IV) complexes bearing tetradentate ligands have been extensively studied as models for the active oxidants in non-heme iron-dependent enzymes. These species are commonly generated by oxidation of their ferrous precursors. The mechanisms of these reactions have seldom been investigated. In this work, the reaction kinetics of complexes [Fe^II (CH₃ CN)₂ L](SbF₆ )₂ ([1](SbF₆ )₂ and [2](SbF₆ )₂ ) and [Fe^II (CF₃ SO₃ )₂ L] ([1](OTf)₂ and [2](OTf)₂ (1, L=^Me,H Pytacn; 2, L=^nP,H Pytacn; ^R,R' Pytacn=1-[(6-R'-2-pyridyl)methyl]-4,7- di-R-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) with Bu₄ NIO₄ to form the corresponding [Fe^IV (O)(CH₃ CN)L]²⁺ (3, L=^Me,H Pytacn; 4, L=^nP,H Pytacn) species was studied in acetonitrile/acetone at low temperatures. The reactions occur in a single kinetic step with activation parameters independent of the nature of the anion and similar to those obtained for the substitution reaction with Cl^- as entering ligand, which indicates that formation of [Fe^IV (O)(CH₃ CN)L]²⁺ is kinetically controlled by substitution in the starting complex to form [Fe^II (IO₄ )(CH₃ CN)L]⁺ intermediates that are converted rapidly to oxo complexes 3 and 4. The kinetics of the reaction is strongly dependent on the spin state of the starting complex. A detailed analysis of the magnetic susceptibility and kinetic data for the triflate complexes reveals that the experimental values of the activation parameters for both complexes are the result of partial compensation of the contributions from the thermodynamic parameters for the spin-crossover equilibrium and the activation parameters for substitution. The observation of these opposite and compensating effects by modifying the steric hindrance at the ligand illustrates so far unconsidered factors governing the mechanism of oxygen atom transfer leading to high-valent iron oxo species.

Engineering the Oxidative Potency of Non-Heme Iron(IV) Oxo Complexes in Water for C-H Oxidation by a cis Donor and Variation of the Second Coordination Sphere

A series of iron(IV) oxo complexes, which differ in the donor (CH₂py or CH₂COO^-) cis to the oxo group, three with hemilabile pendant donor/second coordination sphere base/acid arms (pyH/py or ROH), have been prepared in water at pH 2 and 7. The ν_Fe═O values of 832 ± 2 cm^-1 indicate similar Fe^IV═O bond strengths; however, different reactivities toward C-H substrates in water are observed. HAT occurs at rates that differ by 1 order of magnitude with nonclassical KIEs (k_H/k_D = 30-66) consistent with hydrogen atom tunneling. Higher KIEs correlate with faster reaction rates as well as a greater thermodynamic stability of the iron(III) resting states. A doubling in rate from pH 7 to pH 2 for substrate C-H oxidation by the most potent complex, that with a cis-carboxylate donor, [Fe^IVO(Htpena)]²⁺, is observed. Supramolecular assistance by the first and second coordination spheres in activating the substrate is proposed. The lifetime of this complex in the absence of a C-H substrate is the shortest (at pH 2, 3 h vs up to 1.3 days for the most stable complex), implying that slow water oxidation is a competing background reaction. The iron(IV)═O complex bearing an alcohol moiety in the second coordination sphere displays significantly shorter lifetimes due to a competing selective intramolecular oxidation of the ligand.