Isolation and characterization of stable iron(I) sulfide complexes

Low-Valent Transition Metalate Anions in Synthesis, Small Molecule Activation, and Catalysis

This review surveys the synthesis and reactivity of low-oxidation state metalate anions of the d-block elements, with an emphasis on contributions reported between 2006 and 2022. Although the field has a long and rich history, the chemistry of transition metalate anions has been greatly enhanced in the last 15 years by the application of advanced concepts in complex synthesis and ligand design. In recent years, the potential of highly reactive metalate complexes in the fields of small molecule activation and homogeneous catalysis has become increasingly evident. Consequently, exciting applications in small molecule activation have been developed, including in catalytic transformations. This article intends to guide the reader through the fascinating world of low-valent transition metalates. The first part of the review describes the synthesis and reactivity of d-block metalates stabilized by an assortment of ligand frameworks, including carbonyls, isocyanides, alkenes and polyarenes, phosphines and phosphorus heterocycles, amides, and redox-active nitrogen-based ligands. Thereby, the reader will be familiarized with the impact of different ligand types on the physical and chemical properties of metalates. In addition, ion-pairing interactions and metal-metal bonding may have a dramatic influence on metalate structures and reactivities. The complex ramifications of these effects are examined in a separate section. The second part of the review is devoted to the reactivity of the metalates toward small inorganic molecules such as H2, N2, CO, CO2, P4 and related species. It is shown that the use of highly electron-rich and reactive metalates in small molecule activation translates into impressive catalytic properties in the hydrogenation of organic molecules and the reduction of N2, CO, and CO2. The results discussed in this review illustrate that the potential of transition metalate anions is increasingly being tapped for challenging catalytic processes with relevance to organic synthesis and energy conversion. Therefore, it is hoped that this review will serve as a useful resource to inspire further developments in this dynamic research field.

Three-Coordinate Nickel and Metal-Metal Interactions in a Heterometallic Iron-Sulfur Cluster

Biological multielectron reactions often are performed by metalloenzymes with heterometallic sites, such as anaerobic carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), which has a nickel-iron-sulfide cubane with a possible three-coordinate nickel site. Here, we isolate the first synthetic iron-sulfur clusters having a nickel atom with only three donors, showing that this structural feature is feasible. These have a core with two tetrahedral irons, one octahedral tungsten, and a three-coordinate nickel connected by sulfide and thiolate bridges. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Mössbauer, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) data are combined with density functional theory (DFT) computations to show how the electronic structure of the cluster arises from strong magnetic coupling between the Ni, Fe, and W sites. X-ray absorption spectroscopy, together with spectroscopically validated DFT analysis, suggests that the electronic structure can be described with a formal Ni1+ atom participating in a nonpolar Ni-W σ-bond. This metal-metal bond, which minimizes spin density at Ni1+, is conserved in two cluster oxidation states. Fe-W bonding is found in all clusters, in one case stabilizing a local non-Hund state at tungsten. Based on these results, we compare different M-M interactions and speculate that other heterometallic clusters, including metalloenzyme active sites, could likewise store redox equivalents and stabilize low-valent metal centers through metal-metal bonding.

Hydrogen atom abstraction by a high spin [FeIII=S] complex

Iron sulfur clusters are critical to a plethora of biological processes; however, little is known about the elementary unit of these clusters, namely the [Fe=S]n+ fragment. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a terminal iron sulfido complex. Despite its high spin (S = 5/2) ground state, structural, spectroscopic, and computational characterization provide evidence for iron sulfur multiple bond character. Intriguingly, the complex reacts with additional sulfur to afford an S = 3/2 iron(III) disulfido (S2 2-) complex. Preliminary studies reveal that the sulfido complex reacts with dihydroanthracene to afford an iron(II) hydrosulfido complex, akin to the reactivity of iron oxo complexes. By contrast, there is no reaction with the disulfido complex. These results provide important insight into the nature of the iron sulfide unit.

Evidence for Low-Valent Electronic Configurations in Iron-Sulfur Clusters

Although biological iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters perform some of the most difficult redox reactions in nature, they are thought to be composed exclusively of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, as well as mixed-valent pairs with average oxidation states of Fe^2.5+. We herein show that Fe-S clusters formally composed of these valences can access a wider range of electronic configurations─in particular, those featuring low-valent Fe¹⁺ centers. We demonstrate that CO binding to a synthetic [Fe₄S₄]⁰ cluster supported by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands induces the generation of Fe¹⁺ centers via intracluster electron transfer, wherein a neighboring pair of Fe²⁺ sites reduces the CO-bound site to a low-valent Fe¹⁺ state. Similarly, CO binding to an [Fe₄S₄]⁺ cluster induces electron delocalization with a neighboring Fe site to form a mixed-valent Fe^1.5+Fe^2.5+ pair in which the CO-bound site adopts partial low-valent character. These low-valent configurations engender remarkable C-O bond activation without having to traverse highly negative and physiologically inaccessible [Fe₄S₄]⁰/[Fe₄S₄]^- redox couples.

Synthesis and characterisation of a very low-coordinate diferrous [2Fe-2S]0 unit

Here we present the synthesis of a unique diferrous [2Fe-2S]⁰ complex with only three-coordinate iron ions via reduction of a four-coordinate diferric [2Fe-2S]²⁺ complex with concomitant ligand loss. The obtained compounds were thoroughly examined for their properties (e.g. by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements). Facile cleavage of the [2Fe-2S] rhombus, commonly seen as rather stable, by CS₂ is also shown.

Structure, reactivity, and spectroscopy of nitrogenase-related synthetic and biological clusters

The reduction of dinitrogen (N2) is essential for its incorporation into nucleic acids and amino acids, which are vital to life on earth. Nitrogenases convert atmospheric dinitrogen to two ammonia molecules (NH3) under ambient conditions. The catalytic active sites of these enzymes (known as FeM-cofactor clusters, where M = Mo, V, Fe) are the sites of N2 binding and activation and have been a source of great interest for chemists for decades. In this review, recent studies on nitrogenase-related synthetic molecular complexes and biological clusters are discussed, with a focus on their reactivity and spectroscopic characterization. The molecular models that are discussed span from simple mononuclear iron complexes to multinuclear iron complexes and heterometallic iron complexes. In addition, recent work on the extracted biological cofactors is discussed. An emphasis is placed on how these studies have contributed towards our understanding of the electronic structure and mechanism of nitrogenases.

A Molecular Low-Coordinate [Fe-S-Fe] Unit in Three Oxidation States

A [Fe-S-Fe] subunit with a single sulfide bridging two low-coordinate iron ions is the supposed active site of the iron-molybdenum co-factor (FeMoco) of nitrogenase. Here we report a dinuclear monosulfido bridged diiron(II) complex with a similar complex geometry that can be oxidized stepwise to diiron(II/III) and diiron(III/III) complexes while retaining the [Fe-S-Fe] core. The series of complexes has been characterized crystallographically, and electronic structures have been studied using, inter alia, 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry. Further, cleavage of the [Fe-S-Fe] unit by CS2 is presented.

Planar three-coordinate iron sulfide in a synthetic [4Fe-3S] cluster with biomimetic reactivity

Iron-sulfur clusters are emerging as reactive sites for the reduction of small-molecule substrates. However, the four-coordinate iron sites of typical iron-sulfur clusters rarely react with substrates, implicating three-coordinate iron. This idea is untested because fully sulfide-coordinated three-coordinate iron is unprecedented. Here we report a new type of [4Fe-3S] cluster featuring an iron center with three bonds to sulfides. Although a high-spin electronic configuration is characteristic of other iron-sulfur clusters, the planar geometry and short Fe–S bonds lead to a surprising low-spin electronic configuration at the three-coordinate Fe center as determined by spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. In a demonstration of biomimetic reactivity, the [4Fe-3S] cluster reduces hydrazine, a natural substrate of nitrogenase. The product is the first example of NH₂ bound to an iron-sulfur cluster. Our results demonstrate that three-coordinate iron supported by sulfide donors is a plausible precursor to reactivity in iron-sulfur clusters like the FeMoco of nitrogenase.

A [2Fe-1S] Complex That Affords Access to Bimetallic and Higher-Nuclearity Iron-Sulfur Clusters

Small, coordinatively unsaturated iron-sulfur clusters are conceived as building blocks for the diverse set of shapes of iron-sulfur clusters in biological and synthetic chemistry. Here we describe a synthetic method for preparing [2Fe-1S] clusters containing two iron(II) ions, which are supported by a relatively unhindered β-diketiminate supporting ligand. The [2Fe-1S] cluster can be isolated in the presence of trimethylphosphine, and the compound with one PMe₃ on each iron(II) ion has been crystallographically characterized. The PMe₃ ligands may be removed with B(C₆F₅)₃ to give a spectroscopically characterized species with solvent ligands. This species is a versatile synthon for [2Fe-2S], [4Fe-3S], and [10Fe-8S] clusters. Crystallographic characterization of the 10Fe cluster shows that it has all iron(II) ions, and the core has two [4Fe-4S] cubes that share a face in a novel arrangement. This cluster also has two iron sites that are coordinated to solvent donors, suggesting the potential for using this type of cluster for reactivity in the future.

Multiple magnetic relaxation pathways in T-shaped N-heterocyclic carbene-supported Fe(i) single-ion magnets

The magnetic properties of T-shaped N-heterocyclic carbene-supported Fe(i) complexes were studied. Both of them exhibited multi-pathway magnetic relaxation behaviors.

A semiconducting metal-chalcogenide–organic framework with square-planar tetra-coordinated sulfur

A semiconducting metal-chalcogenide–organic framework with square-planar tetra-coordinated sulfur is reported.

Potent Bis-Cyclometalated Iridium Photoreductants with β-Diketiminate Ancillary Ligands

In this work, we outline a strategy to prepare a class of improved visible-light photosensitizers. Bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes with electron-rich β-diketiminate (NacNac) ancillary ligands are demonstrated to be potent excited-state electron donors. Evaluation of the photophysical and electrochemical properties establishes the excited-state redox potentials of the complexes, and Stern-Volmer quenching experiments inform on the kinetics of photoinduced electron transfer to the model substrates methyl viologen (MV²⁺) and benzophenone (BP). Compared to fac-Ir(ppy)₃ (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine), widely regarded as a state-of-the-art photoreductant, the complexes we describe have excited-state redox potentials that are more potent by 300-400 mV and rates for photoinduced electron transfer that are accelerated by as much as a factor of 3. These complexes emerge as promising targets for application in photocatalytic reactions and other photochemical processes.

A Straightforward Access to Stable, 16 Valence-electron Phosphine-Stabilized Fe0 Olefin Complexes and their Reactivity

The use of the dialkene divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (dvtms) allows easy access to the reactive 16 valence-electron complexes [Fe⁰(L-L)(dvtms)], (L-L) = dppe (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), (1), dppp (1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)propane), (2), pyNMeP(ⁱPr)₂ (N-(diisopropylphosphino)-N-methylpyridin-2-amine), (4), dipe (1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane), (5), and [Fe⁰(L)₂(dvtms)], L = PMe₃, (3), by a mild reductive route using AlEt₂(OEt) as reducing agent. In contrast, by the same methodology, the 18 valence-electron complexes [Fe⁰(L-L)₂(ethylene)], (L-L) = dppm (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane), 6, (L-L) = dppa (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)amine) 7 or (L-L)=dppe, 8, were obtained, which do not contain dvtms. In addition, a combined DFT and solid-state paramagnetic NMR methodology is introduced for the structure determination of 5. A comparative study of the reactivity of 1,2,4-6 and 8 with 3-hexyne highlights emerging mechanistic implications for C-C coupling reactions using these complexes as catalysts.

Alkali Metal Variation and Twisting of the FeNNFe Core in Bridging Diiron Dinitrogen Complexes

Alkali metal cations can interact with Fe-N2 complexes, potentially enhancing back-bonding or influencing the geometry of the iron atom. These influences are relevant to large-scale N2 reduction by iron, such as in the FeMoco of nitrogenase and the alkali-promoted Haber-Bosch process. However, to our knowledge there have been no systematic studies of a large range of alkali metals regarding their influence on transition metal-dinitrogen complexes. In this work, we varied the alkali metal in [alkali cation]2[LFeNNFeL] complexes (L = bulky β-diketiminate ligand) through the size range from Na(+) to K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+). The FeNNFe cores have similar Fe-N and N-N distances and N-N stretching frequencies despite the drastic change in alkali metal cation size. The two diketiminates twist relative to one another, with larger dihedral angles accommodating the larger cations. In order to explain why the twisting has so little influence on the core, we performed density functional theory calculations on a simplified LFeNNFeL model, which show that the two metals surprisingly do not compete for back-bonding to the same π* orbital of N2, even when the ligand planes are parallel. This diiron system can tolerate distortion of the ligand planes through compensating orbital energy changes, and thus, a range of ligand orientations can give very similar energies.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Nitrogenase-Relevant Reactions of an Iron Sulfide Complex with a Bridging Hydride

The FeMoco of nitrogenase is an iron–sulfur cluster with exceptional bond-reducing abilities. ENDOR studies have suggested that E₄, the state that binds and reduces N₂, contains bridging hydrides as part of the active-site iron-sulfide cluster. However, there are no examples of any isolable iron-sulfide cluster with a hydride, which would test the feasibility of such a species. Here, we describe a diiron sulfide hydride complex that is prepared using a mild method involving C–S cleavage of added thiolate. Its reactions with nitrogenase substrates show that the hydride can act as a base or nucleophile and that reduction can cause the iron atoms to bind N₂. These results add experimental support to hydride-based pathways for nitrogenase.

Linear and T-Shaped Iron(I) Complexes Supported by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Synthesis and Structure Characterization

The use of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-4,5-(CH2)4-imidazol-2-ylidene (cyIDep), 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene (sIDep), and its N-mesityl analogue sIMes enables the preparation of the two-coordinate homoleptic iron(I)-NHC complexes [(cyIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (3, Ar(F) denoted for 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and [(sIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (4) and the T-shaped iron(I)-NHC complex [(sIMes)2Fe(THF)][BPh4] (5, THF = tetrahydrofuran). Complexes 3-5 were prepared via the sequential protocol of control reduction of iron(II) dihalides by KC8 in the presence of the corresponding NHC ligands followed by halide-abstraction with NaBAr4. Spectroscopic characterization, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory calculations, suggest their high-spin nature. Solution property study (absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) indicates that 3 and 5 keep their corresponding two- and three-coordinate nature in THF solution, and 4 might reversibly coordinate a THF molecule to form, presumably, the T-shaped species [(sIDep)2Fe(THF)][BAr(F)4]. The isolation of 3 and 4 demonstrates the accessibility of homoleptic two-coordinate iron(I)-NHC complexes.

Dinitrogen binding and cleavage by multinuclear iron complexes

The iron–molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase has unprecedented coordination chemistry, including a high-spin iron cluster called the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco). Thus, understanding the mechanism of nitrogenase challenges coordination chemists to understand the fundamental N₂ chemistry of high-spin iron sites. This Account summarizes a series of studies in which we have synthesized a number of new compounds with multiple iron atoms, characterized them using crystallography and spectroscopy, and studied their reactions in detail. These studies show that formally iron(I) and iron(0) complexes with three- and four-coordinate metal atoms have the ability to weaken and break the triple bond of N₂. These reactions occur at or below room temperature, indicating that they are kinetically facile. This in turn implies that iron sites in the FeMoco are chemically reasonable locations for N₂ binding and reduction.

The careful evaluation of these compounds and their reaction pathways has taught important lessons about what characteristics make iron more effective for N₂ activation. Cooperation of two iron atoms can lengthen and weaken the N–N bond, while three working together enables iron atoms to completely cleave the N–N bond to nitrides. Alkali metals (typically introduced into the reaction as part of the reducing agent) are thermodynamically useful because the alkali metal cations stabilize highly reduced complexes, pull electron density into the N₂ unit, and make reduced nitride products more stable. Alkali metals can also play a kinetic role, because cation−π interactions with the supporting ligands can hold iron atoms near enough to one another to facilitate the cooperation of multiple iron atoms. Many of these principles may also be relevant to the iron-catalyzed Haber–Bosch process, at which collections of iron atoms (often promoted by the addition of alkali metals) break the N–N bond of N₂.

The results of these studies teach more general lessons as well. They have demonstrated that N₂ can be a redox-active ligand, accepting spin and electron density in complexes of N₂^2–. They have shown the power of cooperation between multiple transition metals, and also between alkali metals and transition metals. Finally, alkali metal based cation−π interactions have the potential to be broadly useful for bringing metals close together with sufficient flexibility to allow multistep, multielectron reactions. At the same time, the positive charge on the alkali metal cation stabilizes charge buildup in intermediates.

Diiron bridged-thiolate complexes that bind N2 at the Fe(II)Fe(II), Fe(II)Fe(I), and Fe(I)Fe(I) redox states

All known nitrogenase cofactors are rich in both sulfur and iron and are presumed capable of binding and reducing N2. Nonetheless, synthetic examples of transition metal model complexes that bind N2 and also feature sulfur donor ligands remain scarce. We report herein an unusual series of low-valent diiron complexes featuring thiolate and dinitrogen ligands. A new binucleating ligand scaffold is introduced that supports an Fe(μ-SAr)Fe diiron subunit that coordinates dinitrogen (N2-Fe(μ-SAr)Fe-N2) across at least three oxidation states (Fe(II)Fe(II), Fe(II)Fe(I), and Fe(I)Fe(I)). The (N2-Fe(μ-SAr)Fe-N2) system undergoes reduction of the bound N2 to produce NH3 (∼50% yield) and can efficiently catalyze the disproportionation of N2H4 to NH3 and N2. The present scaffold also supports dinitrogen binding concomitant with hydride as a co-ligand. Synthetic model complexes of these types are desirable to ultimately constrain hypotheses regarding Fe-mediated nitrogen fixation in synthetic and biological systems.

Oxidized and reduced [2Fe-2S] clusters from an iron(I) synthon

Synthetic [2Fe-2S] clusters are often used to elucidate ligand effects on the reduction potentials and spectroscopy of natural electron-transfer sites, which can have anionic Cys ligands or neutral His ligands. Current synthetic routes to [2Fe-2S] clusters are limited in their feasibility with a range of supporting ligands. Here, we report a new synthetic route to synthetic [2Fe-2S] clusters, through oxidation of an iron(I) source with elemental sulfur. This method yields a neutral diketiminate-supported [2Fe-2S] cluster in the diiron(III)-oxidized form. The oxidized [2Fe-2S] cluster can be reduced to a mixed valent iron(II)-iron(III) compound. Both the diferric and reduced mixed valent clusters are characterized using X-ray crystallography, Mössbauer spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The reduced compound is particularly interesting because its X-ray crystal structure shows a difference in Fe-S bond lengths to one of the iron atoms, consistent with valence localization. The valence localization is also evident from Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Low-spin pseudotetrahedral iron(I) sites in Fe₂(μ-S) complexes

Fe(I) centers in iron-sulfide complexes have little precedent in synthetic chemistry despite a growing interest in the possible role of unusually low valent iron in metalloenzymes that feature iron-sulfur clusters. A series of three diiron [(L3Fe)2(μ-S)] complexes that were isolated and characterized in the low-valent oxidation states Fe(II)-S-Fe(II), Fe(II)-S-Fe(I), and Fe(I)-S-Fe(I) is described. This family of iron sulfides constitutes a unique redox series comprising three nearly isostructural but electronically distinct Fe2(μ-S) species. Combined structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic studies provided strong evidence that the pseudotetrahedral iron centers undergo a transition to low-spin S=1/2 states upon reduction from Fe(II) to Fe(I). The possibility of accessing low-spin, pseudotetrahedral Fe(I) sites compatible with S(2-) as a ligand was previously unknown.

The activation of sulfur hexafluoride at highly reduced low-coordinate nickel dinitrogen complexes

The greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride is the common standard example in the literature of a very inert inorganic small molecule that is even stable against O2 in an electric discharge. However, a reduced β-diketiminate nickel species proved to be capable of converting SF6 into sulfide and fluoride compounds at ambient standard conditions. The fluoride product complex features an unprecedented [NiF](+) unit, where the Ni atom is only three-coordinate, while the sulfide product exhibits a rare almost linear [Ni(μ-S)Ni](2+) moiety. The reaction was monitored applying (1)H NMR, IR and EPR spectroscopic techniques resulting in the identification of an intermediate nickel complex that gave insight into the mechanism of the eight-electron reduction of SF6.

Multimetallic Cooperativity in Activation of Dinitrogen at Iron-Potassium Sites

The reaction of soluble iron-oxygen-potassium assemblies with N₂ gives insight into the mechanisms of multimetallic N₂ coordination. We report a series of very electron-rich three-coordinate, β-diketiminate-supported iron(I) phenoxide complexes, which are metastable but have been characterized under Ar by both crystallography and solution methods. Both monomeric and dimeric Fe-OPh-K compounds have been characterized, and their iron environments are very similar in the solid and solution states. In the dimer, potassium ions hold together the phenoxide oxygens and aryl rings of the two halves, to give a flexible diiron core. The reactions of the monomeric and dimeric iron(I) compounds with N₂ are surprisingly different: the mononuclear iron(I) complexes give no reaction with N₂, but the dimeric Fe₂K₂ complex reacts rapidly to give a diiron-N₂ product. Computational studies show that the key to the rapid N₂ reaction of the dimer is the preorganization of the two iron atoms. Thus, cooperation between Fe (which weakens the N-N bond) and K (which orients the Fe atoms) can be used to create a low-energy pathway for N₂ reactions.

Two- and three-coordinate formal iron(i) compounds featuring monodentate aminocarbene ligands

Monodentate aminocarbene ligands, both NHC and cAAC, are capable of stabilizing low-coordinate iron(i) compounds.

A Sulfide-Bridged Diiron(II) Complex with a cis-N2H4Ligand

A sulfide-bridged diiron(II) complex bearing a cis-N2H4 (hydrazine) ligand has been prepared by reaction of LFeII(μ-S)FeIIL (1; L = sterically encumbered βdiketiminate ligand) with 2 molar equivalents of N2H4. The metastable diiron(II) hydrazine complex LFeII(μ-S)(μH N-NH2)FeII (3) is formed, as shown by crystallography, and NMR, vibrational, and electronic absorption spectroscopies. Compound 3 has been crystallographically characterized as its DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7$ene) adduct, which exhibits weak N-H···DBU hydrogen bonding. The synthetic process evolves roughly 2 equivalents of NH3. The cis-N2H4 bridge in 3 may be relevant to the structure and function of intermediates on the FeMoco of nitrogenase.

Generation of high-spin iron(I) in a protein environment using cryoreduction

High-spin Fe(1+) sites are potentially important in iron-sulfur proteins but are rare in synthetic compounds and unknown in metalloproteins. Here, we demonstrate a spectroscopically characterized example of high-spin non-heme Fe(1+) in a protein environment. Cryoreduction of Fe(2+)-substituted azurin at 77 K with (60)Co γ radiation generates a new species with a S = (3)/2 (high-spin) Fe(1+) center having D > 0 and E/D ~ 0.25. This transient species is stable in a glycerol-water glass only up to ~170 K. A combination of electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopies provides a powerful means of identifying a transient high-spin Fe(1+) site in a protein scaffold.