Direct Synthesis of Silylamine from N2and a Silane: Mediated by a Tridentate Phosphine Molybdenum Fragment

Catalytic Nitrogen Fixation Using Well-Defined Molecular Catalysts under Ambient or Mild Reaction Conditions

Ammonia (NH3) is industrially produced from dinitrogen (N2) and dihydrogen (H2) by the Haber-Bosch process, although H2 is prepared from fossil fuels, and the reaction requires harsh conditions. On the other hand, microorganisms have fixed nitrogen under ambient reaction conditions. Recently, well-defined molecular transition metal complexes have been found to work as catalyst to convert N2 into NH3 by reactions with chemical reductants and proton sources under ambient reaction conditions. Among them, involvement of both N2-splitting pathway and proton-coupled electron transfer is found to be very effective for high catalytic activity. Furthermore, direct electrocatalytic and photocatalytic conversions of N2 into NH3 have been recently achieved. In addition to catalytic formation of NH3, selective catalytic conversion of N2 into hydrazine (NH2NH2) and catalytic silylation of N2 into silylamines have been reported. Catalytic C-N bond formation has been more recently established to afford cyanate anion (NCO-) under ambient reaction conditions. Further development of direct conversion of N2 into nitrogen-containing compounds as well as green ammonia synthesis leading to the use of ammonia as an energy carrier is expected.

(Electro)chemical N2 Splitting by a Molybdenum Complex with an Anionic PNP Pincer-Type Ligand

Molybdenum(III) complexes bearing pincer-type ligands are well-known catalysts for N2-to-NH3 reduction. We investigated herein the impact of an anionic PNP pincer-type ligand in a Mo(III) complex on the (electro)chemical N2 splitting ([LMoCl3]-, 1 -, LH = 2,6-bis((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)-pyridin-4-one). The increased electron-donating properties of the anionic ligand should lead to a stronger degree of N2 activation. The catalyst is indeed active in N2-to-NH3 conversion utilizing the proton-coupled electron transfer reagent SmI2/ethylene glycol. The corresponding Mo(V) nitrido complex 2H exhibits similar catalytic activity as 1H and thus could represent a viable intermediate. The Mo(IV) nitrido complex 3 - is also accessible by electrochemical reduction of 1 - under a N2 atmosphere. IR- and UV/vis-SEC measurements suggest that N2 splitting occurs via formation of an "overreduced" but more stable [(L(N2)2Mo0)2μ-N2]2- dimer. In line with this, the yield in the nitrido complex increases with lower applied potentials.

Bypassing Ammonia: From N2 to Nitrogen Heterocycles without N1 Intermediates or Transition Metals

Diboradiazene compounds, derived in one step from the boron-mediated reduction of dinitrogen (N2), were treated separately with sulfur and acetic anhydride, providing heterocyclic compounds that are BN isosteres of thiophene and 1,3-oxazole, respectively. These simple reactions represent the final steps in two-step routes to complex heterocycles from N2 that both circumvent the need for transition metal reagents and completely bypass the traditional intermediate ammonia.

Unusual Electronic Structures of an Electron Transfer Series of [Cr(μ-η1 : η1 -N2 )Cr]0/1+/2

In dinitrogen (N2 ) fixation chemistry, bimetallic end-on bridging N2 complexes M(μ-η1  : η1 -N2 )M can split N2 into terminal nitrides and hence attract great attention. To date, only 4d and 5d transition complexes, but none of 3d counterparts, could realize such a transformation. Likewise, complexes {[Cp*Cr(dmpe)]2 (μ-N2 )}0/1+/2+ (1-3) are incapable to cleave N2 , in contrast to their Mo congeners. Remarkably, cross this series the N-N bond length of the N2 ligand and the N-N stretching frequency exhibit unprecedented nonmonotonic variations, and complexes 1 and 2 in both solid and solution states display rare thermally activated ligand-mediated two-center spin transitions, distinct from discrete dinuclear spin crossovers. In-depth analyses using wave function based ab initio calculations reveal that the Cr-N2 -Cr bonding in complexes 1-3 is distinguished by strong multireference character and cannot be described by solely one electron configuration or Lewis structure, and that all intriguing spectroscopic observations originate in their sophisticate multireference electronic structures. More critical is that such multireference bonding of complexes 1-3 is at least a key factor that contributes to their kinetic inertness toward N2 splitting. The mechanistic understanding is then used to rationalize the disparate reactivity of related 3d M(μ-η1  : η1 -N2 )M complexes compared to their 4d and 5d analogs.

To Split or Not to Split: [AsCCAs]-Coordinated Mo, W, and Re Complexes and Their Reactivity toward Molecular Dinitrogen

Molybdenum, tungsten, and rhenium halides bearing a 2,2'-(iPr2As)2-substituted diphenylacetylene ([AsCCAs], 1-As) were prepared and reduced under an atmosphere of dinitrogen in order to activate the latter substrate. In the case of molybdenum, a diiodo (2-As) and a triiodo molybdenum precursor (5) were equally suited for reductive N2 splitting, which led to the isolation of [AsCCAs]Mo≡N(I) (3-As) in each case. For tungsten, [AsCCAs]WCl3 (6) was reduced under N2 to afford {[AsCCAs]WCl2}2(N2) (7), which is best described as a dinuclear π8δ4-configured μ-(η1: η1)-N2-bridged dimer. Attempts to reductively cleave the N2 unit in 7 did not lead to the expected tungsten nitride (8), which had to be prepared independently via the treatment of 7 with sodium azide. To arrive at a π10δ4-configured N2-bridged dimer in a tetragonally distorted ligand environment, [AsCCAs]ReCl3 (9) was reduced in the presence of N2. As expected, a μ-(η1: η1)-N2-bridged dirhenium species, namely, {[AsCCAs]ReCl2}2(N2) (10), was formed, but found to very quickly decompose (presumably via loss of N2), not only under reduced pressure, but also upon irradiation or heating. Hence, an alternative synthetic route to the originally envisioned nitride, [AsCCAs]Re≡N(Cl)2 (11), was developed. While all the aforementioned nitrides (3-As, 8, and 11) were found to be fairly robust, significantly different stabilities were noticed for {[AsCCAs]MCl2}2(N2) (7 for M = W, 10 for M = Re), which is ascribed to the electronically different MN2M cores (π8δ4 for 7 vs π10δ4 for 10) in these μ-(η1: η1)-N2-bridged dimers.

Dinitrogen Activation and Functionalization Affording Chromium Diazenido and Hydrazido Complexes

ConspectusThe activation and functionalization of N2 to form nitrogen-element bonds have long posed challenges to industrial, biological, and synthetic chemists. The first transition-metal dinitrogen complex prepared by Allen and Senoff in 1965 provoked researchers to explore homogeneous N2 fixation. Despite intensive research in the last six decades, efficient and quantitative conversion of N2 to diazenido and hydrazido species remains problematic. Relative to a plethora of reactions to generate N2 complexes, their functionalization reactions are rather rare, and the yields are often unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for systematic investigations of the reaction mechanisms.In this Account, we summarize our recent work on the synthesis, spectroscopic features, electronic structures, and reactivities of several Cr-N2 complexes. Initially, a series of dinuclear and trinuclear Cr(I)-N2 complexes bearing cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands were accessed. However, they cannot achieve N2 functionalization but undergo oxidative addition reactions with phenylsilane, azobenzene, and other unsaturated organic compounds at the low-valent Cr(I) centers rather than at the N2 unit. Further reduction of these Cr(I) complexes leads to the formation of more activated mononuclear Cr(0) bis-dinitrogen complexes. Remarkably, silylation of the cyclopentadienyl-phosphine Cr(0)-N2 complex with Me3SiCl afforded the first Cr hydrazido complex. This process follows the distal pathway to functionalize the Nβ atom twice, yielding an end-on η1-hydrazido complex, Cr(III)═N-N(SiMe3)2. In contrast, upon substitution of the phosphine ligand in the Cr(0)-N2 complex with a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, the corresponding reaction with Me3SiCl proceeds via the alternating pathway; the silylation occurs at both Nα and Nβ atoms and generates a side-on η2-hydrazido complex, Cr(III)(η2-Me3SiN-NSiMe3). Both silylation reactions are inevitably accompanied by the formation of Cr(III) hydrazido complexes and Cr(II) chlorides with a 2:1 ratio. These processes exhibit a peculiar '3-4-2-1' stoichiometry (i.e., treating 3 equiv of Cr(0)-N2 complexes with 4 equiv of Me3SiCl yields 2 equiv of Cr(III) disilyl-hydrazido complexes and 1 equiv of Cr(II) chloride). Upon replacing the monodentate phosphine and/or NHC ligand with a bisphosphine ligand, a monodinitrogen Cr(0) complex, instead of the bis-dinitrogen Cr(0) complexes, is obtained; consequently, the silylation reactions progress via the normal two-electron route, which passes through Cr(II)-N═N-R diazenido species as an intermediate and furnishes [Cr(IV)═N-NR2]+ hydrazido as the final products. More importantly, this type of Cr(0)-N2 complex can be not only silylated but also protonated and alkylated proficiently. All of the second-order reaction rates of the first and second transformations are determined along with the lifetimes of the intervening diazenido species. Based on these findings, we have successfully carried out nearly quantitative preparations of the Cr(IV) hydrazido species with unmixed or hybrid substituents.The studies of Cr-N2 systems provide effective approaches for the activation and functionalization of N2, deepening the understanding of N2 electrophilic attack. We hope that this Account will inspire more discoveries related to the transformation of gaseous N2 to high-value-added nitrogen-containing organic compounds.

Snapshots of Early-Stage Quantitative N2 Electrophilic Functionalization

Electrophilic functionalization of N₂ moieties in metal dinitrogen complexes typically initiates the catalytic synthesis of N-containing molecules directly from N₂. Despite intensive research in the last six decades, how to efficiently and even quantitatively convert N₂ into diazenido and hydrazido species still poses a great challenge. In this regard, systematic and comprehensive investigations to elucidate the reaction intricacies are of profound significance. Herein, we report a kinetic dissection on the first and second electrophilic functionalization steps of a new Cr⁰-N₂ system with HOTf, MeOTf, and Me₃SiOTf. All reactions pass through fleeting diazenido intermediates and furnish long-lived final hydrazido products, and both steps are quantitative conversions at low temperatures. All of the second-order reaction rates of the first and second transformations were determined as well as the lifetimes of the intervening diazenido species. Based on these findings, we succeeded in large-scale and near-quantitative preparation of all hydrazido species.

Selective Si-C(sp3) bond cleavage of a silyl-bridged amido alkyl ligand in an yttrium complex

Compared with Si-C(sp² and sp) bonds bearing neighboring π-bond hyperconjugative interactions, the activation of robust Si-C(sp³) bonds has proved to be a challenge. Herein, two distinct Si-C(sp³) bond cleavages have been realized by rare-earth-mediated and nucleophilic addition of unsaturated substrates. The reactions of Tp^Me2Y[κ²-(C,N)-CH(SiH₂Ph)SiMe₂NSiMe₃](THF) (1) with CO or CS₂ gave two endocyclic Si-C bond cleavage products, Tp^Me2Y[κ²-(O,N)-OCCH(SiH₂Ph)SiMe₂NSiMe₃](THF) (2) and Tp^Me2Y[κ²-(S,N)-SSiMe₂NSiMe₃](THF) (3), respectively. However, 1 reacted with nitriles such as PhCN and p-R'C₆H₄CH₂CN in a 1 : 1 molar ratio to yield the exocyclic Si-C bond products Tp^Me2Y[κ²-(N,N)-N(SiH₂Ph)C(R)CHSiMe₂NSiMe₃](THF) (R = Ph (4); R = C₆H₅CH₂ (6H); R = p-F-C₆H₄CH₂ (6F); and R = p-MeO-C₆H₄CH₂ (6MeO)), respectively. Moreover, complex 4 can continuously react with an excess of PhCN to form a Tp^Me2-supported yttrium complex with a novel pendant silylamido-substituted β-diketiminato ligand, Tp^Me2Y[κ³-(N,N,N)-N(SiH₂Ph)C(Ph)CHC(Ph)N-SiMe₂NSiMe₃](PhCN) (5).

Molecular Electrochemical Reductive Splitting of Dinitrogen with a Molybdenum Complex

Nitrogen reduction under mild conditions (room T and atmospheric P), using a non-fossil source of hydrogen remains a challenge. Molecular metal complexes, notably Mo based, have recently been shown to be active for such nitrogen fixation. We report electrochemical N2 splitting with a MoIII triphosphino complex [(PPP)MoI3 ], at room temperature and a moderately negative potential. A MoIV nitride species was generated, which is confirmed by electrochemistry and NMR studies. The reaction goes through two successive one electron reductions of the starting Mo species, coordination of a N2 molecule, and further splitting to a MoIV nitride complex. Preliminary DFT studies support the formation of a bridging MoI N2 MoI dinitrogen dimer evolving to the Mo nitride via a low energy transition state. This example joins a short list of molecular complexes for N2 electrochemical reductive cleavage. It opens a door to electrochemical proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) conversion studies of N2 to NH3 .

(n-Bu)4NBr-Promoted N2 Splitting to Molybdenum Nitride

Splitting of N₂ via six-electron reduction and further functionalization to value-added products is one of the most important and challenging chemical transformations in N₂ fixation. However, most N₂ splitting approaches rely on strong chemical or electrochemical reduction to generate highly reactive metal species to bind and activate N₂, which is often incompatible with functionalizing agents. Catalytic and sustainable N₂ splitting to produce metal nitrides under mild conditions may create efficient and straightforward methods for N-containing organic compounds. Herein, we present that a readily available and nonredox (n-Bu)₄NBr can promote N₂-splitting with a Mo(III) platform. Both experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies suggest that simple X^- (X = Br, Cl, etc.) anions could induce the disproportionation of Mo^III[N(TMS)Ar]₃ at the early stage of the catalysis to generate a catalytically active {Mo^II[N(TMS)Ar]₃}^- species. The quintet Mo^II species prove to be more favorable for N₂ fixation kinetically and thermodynamically, compared with the quartet Mo^III counterpart. Especially, computational studies reveal a distinct heterovalent {Mo^II-N₂-Mo^III} dimeric intermediate for the N≡N triple bond cleavage.

Halide Effects in Reductive Splitting of Dinitrogen with Rhenium Pincer Complexes

Transition metal halide complexes are used as precursors for reductive N₂ activation up to full splitting into nitride complexes. Distinct halide effects on the redox properties and yields are frequently observed yet not well understood. Here, an electrochemical and computational examination of reductive N₂ splitting with the rhenium(III) complexes [ReX₂(PNP)] (PNP = N(CH₂CH₂PtBu₂)₂ and X = Cl, Br, I) is presented. As previously reported for the chloride precursor ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 7922), the heavier halides give rhenium(V) nitrides upon (electro-)chemical reduction in good yields yet with significantly anodically shifted electrolysis potentials along the halide series. Dinuclear, end-on N₂-bridged complexes, [{ReX(PNP)}₂(μ-N₂)], were identified as key intermediates in all cases. However, while the chloride complex is exclusively formed via 2-electron reduction and Re^III/Re^I comproportionation, the iodide system also reacts via an alternative Re^II/Re^II-dimerization mechanism at less negative potentials. This alternative pathway relies on the absence of the potential inversion after reduction and N₂ activation that was observed for the chloride precursor. Computational analysis of the relevant Re^III/II and Re^II/I redox couples by energy decomposition analysis attributes the halide-induced trends of the potentials to the dominating electrostatic Re-X bonding interactions over contributions from charge transfer.

N2 Cleavage on d4/d4 Molybdenum Centers and Its Further Conversion into Iminophosphorane under Mild Conditions

The synthesis of N-containing organophosphine compounds using N₂ as the nitrogen source under mild conditions has attracted much attention. Herein, the conversion of N₂ into iminophosphorane was reported. By visible light irradiation, N₂ was split on a Mo^II complex bearing a PNCNP ligand, directly forming the Mo^V nitride. After the N-P bond formation on the terminal nitride, the N atom from N₂ was ultimately transferred into iminophosphorane. Key intermediates were characterized.

Reactivity of molybdenum-nitride complex bearing pyridine-based PNP-type pincer ligand toward carbon-centered electrophiles

A molybdenum-nitride complex bearing a pyridine-based PNP-type pincer ligand derived from dinitrogen is reacted with various kinds of carbon-centered electrophiles to functionalize the nitride ligand in the molybdenum complex. Methylation with MeOTf and acylation with diphenylacetyl chloride of the nitride complex afford the corresponding imide complexes via a carbon-nitrogen bond formation. In the case of reactions with phenylisocyanate and diphenylketene, the PNP ligand works as a non-innocent ligand to form the corresponding ureate and acylimide complexes, respectively. These newly synthesized complexes are characterized by X-ray analysis. As a further transformation of the prepared imide complexes, hydrolysis of the molybdenum-acylimide complex proceeds to give the corresponding amide as an organonitrogen compound together with the corresponding molybdenum-oxo complex. This result indicates that the nitrogen molecule is converted into organic amide mediated by the molybdenum-nitride complex.

Molybdenum-Mediated N2 -Splitting and Functionalization in the Presence of a Coordinated Alkyne

A new [PCCP]-coordinated molybdenum platform comprising a coordinated alkyne was employed for the cleavage of molecular dinitrogen. The coordinated η2 -alkyne was left unaffected during this reduction. DFT calculations suggest that the reaction proceeds via an initially generated terminal N2 -complex, which is converted to a dinuclear μ-(η1 :η1 )-N2 -bridged intermediate prior to N-N bond cleavage. Protonation, alkylation and acylation of the resulting molybdenum nitrido complex led to the corresponding N-functionalized imido complexes. Upon oxidation of the N-acylated imido derivative in MeCN, a fumaronitrile fragment was built up via C-C coupling of MeCN to afford a dinuclear molybdenum complex. The key finding that the strong N≡N bond may be cleaved in the presence of a weaker, but spatially constrained C≡C bond contradicts the widespread paradigm that coordinated alkynes are in general more reactive than gaseous N2 .

Catalytic Reduction of N2 to Borylamine at a Molybdenum Complex

Catalytic formation of borylamines from atmospheric N₂ is achieved for the first time using a series of homogenous (triphosphine)Mo complexes. Stepwise functionalization of the (triphosphine)Mo-nitrido complex with chloroborane led to the synthesis of the imido complex. Electrochemical characterization of the (PPP)Mo-nitrido and (PPP)Mo-borylimido complexes showed that the latter is much more easily reduced.

Cyanate Formation via Photolytic Splitting of Dinitrogen

Light-driven N2 cleavage into molecular nitrides is an attractive strategy for synthetic nitrogen fixation. However, suitable platforms are rare. Furthermore, the development of catalytic protocols via this elementary step suffers from poor understanding of N-N photosplitting within dinitrogen complexes, as well as of the thermochemical and kinetic framework for coupled follow-up chemistry. We here present a tungsten pincer platform, which undergoes fully reversible, thermal N2 splitting and reverse nitride coupling, allowing for experimental derivation of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the N-N cleavage step. Selective N-N splitting was also obtained photolytically. DFT computations allocate the productive excitations within the {WNNW} core. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows ultrafast repopulation of the electronic ground state. Comparison with ground-state kinetics and resonance Raman data support a pathway for N-N photosplitting via a nonstatistically vibrationally excited ground state that benefits from vibronically coupled structural distortion of the core. Nitride carbonylation and release are demonstrated within a full synthetic cycle for trimethylsilylcyanate formation directly from N2 and CO.

Conversion of Dinitrogen into Nitrile: Cross-Metathesis of N2 -Derived Molybdenum Nitride with Alkynes

The direct synthesis of nitrile from N₂ under mild conditions is of great importance and has attracted much interest. Herein, we report a direct conversion of N₂ into nitrile via a nitrile-alkyne cross-metathesis (NACM) process involving a N₂ -derived Mo nitride. Treatment of the Mo nitride with alkyne in the presence of KOTf afforded an alkyne-coordinated nitride, which was then transformed into Mo^V carbyne and the corresponding nitrile upon 1 e^- oxidation. Both aryl- and alkyl-substituted alkynes underwent this process smoothly. Experiments and DFT calculations have proved that the oxidation state of the Mo center plays a crucial role. This method does not rely on the nucleophilicity of the N₂ -derived metal nitride, offering a novel strategy for N₂ fixation chemistry.

Electronic and Spin-State Effects on Dinitrogen Splitting to Nitrides in a Rhenium Pincer System

Bimetallic nitrogen (N₂) splitting to form metal nitrides is an attractive method for N₂ fixation. Although a growing number of pincer-supported systems can bind and split N₂, the precise relationship between the ligand properties and N₂ binding/splitting remains elusive. Here we report the first example of an N₂-bridged rhenium(III) complex, [(trans-P₂^tBuPyrr)ReCl₂]₂(μ-η¹:η¹-N₂) (P₂^tBuPyrr = [2,5-(CH₂P^tBu₂)₂C₄H₂N]^-). In this case, N₂ binding occurs at a higher oxidation level than that in other reported pincer analogues. Analysis of the electronic structure through computational studies shows that the weakly π-donor pincer ligand stabilizes an open-shell electronic configuration that leads to enhanced binding of N₂ in the bridged complex. Utilizing SQUID magnetometry, we demonstrate a singlet ground state for this Re-N-N-Re complex, and we offer tentative explanations for antiferromagnetic coupling of the two local S = 1 sites. Reduction and subsequent heating of the rhenium(III)-dinitrogen complex leads to chloride loss and cleavage of the N-N bond with isolation of the terminal rhenium(V) nitride complex (P₂^tBuPyrr)ReNCl.

Comprehensive insights into synthetic nitrogen fixation assisted by molecular catalysts under ambient or mild conditions

N2 is fixed as NH3 industrially by the Haber-Bosch process under harsh conditions, whereas biological nitrogen fixation is achieved under ambient conditions, which has prompted development of alternative methods to fix N2 catalyzed by transition metal molecular complexes. Since the early 21st century, catalytic conversion of N2 into NH3 under ambient conditions has been achieved by using molecular catalysts, and now H2O has been utilized as a proton source with turnover frequencies reaching the values found for biological nitrogen fixation. In this review, recent advances in the development of molecular catalysts for synthetic N2 fixation under ambient or mild conditions are summarized, and potential directions for future research are also discussed.

Dinitrogen Fixation: Rationalizing Strategies Utilizing Molecular Complexes

Dinitrogen (N2 ) is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, but its inertness hinders its use as a nitrogen source in the biosphere and in industry. Efficient catalysts are hence required to ov. ercome the high kinetic barriers associated to N2 transformation. In that respect, molecular complexes have demonstrated strong potential to mediate N2 functionalization reactions under mild conditions while providing a straightforward understanding of the reaction mechanisms. This Review emphasizes the strategies for N2 reduction and functionalization using molecular transition metal and actinide complexes according to their proposed reaction mechanisms, distinguishing complexes inducing cleavage of the N≡N bond before (dissociative mechanism) or concomitantly with functionalization (associative mechanism). We present here the main examples of stoichiometric and catalytic N2 functionalization reactions following these strategies.

Catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using molybdenum complexes under ambient reaction conditions

Nitrogen fixation using homogeneous transition metal complexes under mild reaction conditions is a challenging topic in the field of chemistry. Several successful examples of the catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using various transition metal complexes in the presence of reductants and proton sources have been reported so far, together with detailed investigations on the reaction mechanism. Among these, only molybdenum complexes have been shown to serve as effective catalysts under ambient reaction conditions, in stark contrast with other transition metal-catalysed reactions that proceed at low reaction temperature such as -78 °C. In this feature article, we classify the molybdenum-catalysed reactions into four types: reactions via the Schrock cycle, reactions via dinuclear reaction systems, reactions via direct cleavage of the nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond of dinitrogen, and reactions via the Chatt-type cycle. We describe these catalytic systems focusing on the catalytic activity and mechanistic investigations. We hope that the present feature article provides useful information to develop more efficient nitrogen fixation systems under mild reaction conditions.

Cationic tetra- and pentacoordinate complexes of nickel based on POCN- and POCOP-type pincer ligands: synthesis, characterization, and ligand exchange studies

The closely related pincer ligands POCN and POCOP display different electron donating properties and different degrees of resistance to ligand exchange reactions proceeding via cationic reaction intermediates.

Transition metal-mediated dinitrogen functionalisation with boron

An overview of the available methods to functionalize dinitrogen with boron reagents using transition metal complexes is given.

Functionalization of N2 via Formal 1,3-Haloboration of a Tungsten(0) σ-Dinitrogen Complex

Boron tribromide and aryldihaloboranes were found to undergo 1,3-haloboration across one W-N≡N moiety of a group 6 end-on dinitrogen complex (i.e. trans-[W(N2 )2 (dppe)2 ]). The N-borylated products consist of a reduced diazenido unit sandwiched between a WII center and a trivalent boron substituent (W-N=N-BXAr), and have all been fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the terminal N atom and boron center in the W-N=N-BXAr unit can be further derivatized using electrophiles and nucleophiles/Lewis bases, respectively. This mild reduction and functionalization of a weakly activated N2 ligand with boron halides is unprecedented, and hints at the possibility of generating value-added nitrogen compounds directly from molecular dinitrogen.

A Chatt-Type Catalyst with One Coordination Site for Dinitrogen Reduction to Ammonia

With [Mo(N₂)(P₂^MePP₂^Ph)] the first Chatt‐type complex with one coordination site catalytically converting N₂ to ammonia is presented. Employing SmI₂ as reductant and H₂O as proton source 26 equivalents of ammonia are generated. Analogous Mo⁰‐N₂ complexes supported by a combination of bi‐ and tridentate phosphine ligands are catalytically inactive under the same conditions. These findings are interpreted by analyzing structural and spectroscopic features of the employed systems, leading to the conclusion that the catalytic activity of the title complex is due to the strong activation of N₂ and the unique topology of the pentadentate tetrapodal (pentaPod) ligand P₂^MePP₂^Ph. The analogous hydrazido(2‐) complex [Mo(NNH₂)(P₂^MePP₂^Ph)](BAr^F)₂ is generated by protonation with HBAr^F in ether and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. Importantly, it is shown to be catalytically active as well. Along with the fact that the structure of the title complex precludes dimerization this demonstrates that the corresponding catalytic cycle follows a mononuclear pathway. The implications of a PCET mechanism on this reactive scheme are considered.

Coupling dinitrogen and hydrocarbons through aryl migration

A persistent challenge in chemistry is to activate abundant, yet inert molecules such as hydrocarbons and atmospheric N₂. In particular, forming C–N bonds from N₂ typically requires a reactive organic precursor¹, which limits the ability to design catalytic cycles. Here, we report an diketiminate-supported iron system that is able to sequentially activate benzene and N₂ to form aniline derivatives. The key to this new coupling reaction is the partial silylation of a reduced iron-N₂ complex, which is followed by migratory insertion of a benzene-derived phenyl group to the nitrogen. Further reduction releases the nitrogen products, and the resulting iron species can re-enter the cyclic pathway. Using a mixture of sodium powder, crown ether, and trimethylsilyl bromide, an easily prepared diketiminate iron bromide complex² can mediate the one-pot conversion of several petroleum-derived compounds into the corresponding silylated aniline derivatives using N₂ as the nitrogen source. Numerous compounds along the cyclic pathway have been isolated and crystallographically characterized; their reactivity outlines the mechanism including the hydrocarbon activation step and the N₂ functionalization step. This strategy incorporates nitrogen atoms from N₂ directly into abundant hydrocarbons.

Activation of Dinitrogen by Polynuclear Metal Complexes

Activation of dinitrogen plays an important role in daily anthropogenic life, and the processes by which this fixation occurs have been a longstanding and significant research focus within the community. One of the major fields of dinitrogen activation research is the use of multimetallic compounds to reduce and/or activate N2 into a more useful nitrogen-atom source, such as ammonia. Here we report a comprehensive review of multimetallic-dinitrogen complexes and their utility toward N2 activation, beginning with the d-block metals from Group 4 to Group 11, then extending to Group 13 (which is exclusively populated by B complexes), and finally the rare-earth and actinide species. The review considers all polynuclear metal aggregates containing two or more metal centers in which dinitrogen is coordinated or activated (i.e., partial or complete cleavage of the N2 triple bond in the observed product). Our survey includes complexes in which mononuclear N2 complexes are used as building blocks to generate homo- or heteromultimetallic dinitrogen species, which allow one to evaluate the potential of heterometallic species for dinitrogen activation. We highlight some of the common trends throughout the periodic table, such as the differences between coordination modes as it relates to N2 activation and potential functionalization and the effect of polarizing the bridging N2 ligand by employing different metal ions of differing Lewis acidities. By providing this comprehensive treatment of polynuclear metal dinitrogen species, this Review aims to outline the past and provide potential future directions for continued research in this area.

(Electro-)chemical Splitting of Dinitrogen with a Rhenium Pincer Complex

The splitting of N₂ into well‐defined terminal nitride complexes is a key reaction for nitrogen fixation at ambient conditions. In continuation of our previous work on rhenium pincer mediated N₂ splitting, nitrogen activation and cleavage upon (electro)chemical reduction of [ReCl₂(L2)] {L2 = N(CHCHPtBu₂)₂^–} is reported. The electrochemical characterization of [ReCl₂(L2)] and comparison with our previously reported platform [ReCl₂(L1)] {L1 = N(CH₂CH₂PtBu₂)₂^–} provides mechanistic insight to rationalize the dependence of nitride yield on the reductant. Furthermore, the reactivity of N₂ derived nitride complex [Re(N)Cl(L2)] with electrophiles is presented.

Hydrosilylation of an Iron(IV) Nitride Complex

The nitride ligand in iron(IV) complex PhB(MesIm)₃Fe≡N reacts with excess H₃SiPh to afford PhB(MesIm)₃Fe(μ-H)₃(SiHPh) as the major product, which has been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. Bulkier silane H_aSiPh₂ provides iron(II) amido complex PhB(MesIm)₃FeN(H)(SiHPh₂) as the initial product of the reaction, with excess H₂SiPh₂ affording diamagnetic PhB(MesIm)₃Fe(μ-H)₃(SiPh₂) as the major product. Unobserved iron(II) hydride PhB(MesIm)₃Fe-H is implicated as an intermediate in this reaction, as suggested by the results of the reaction between iron(II) amido PhB(MesIm)₃FeN(H)^tBu and H₃SiPh, which provides PhB(MesIm)₃Fe(H)(μ-H)₂(Si(NH^tBu)Ph) as the sole product.

Preparation and reactivity of molybdenum complexes bearing pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligand

Molybdenum complexes bearing an anionic pyrrole-based PNP-type pincer ligand have been prepared and have been found to work as catalysts for the conversion of N₂ into NH₃ under ambient conditions.

Controlling dinitrogen functionalization at rhenium through alkali metal ion pairing

The rhenium(i) salt Na[Re(η⁵-Cp)(BDI)] can be cooled in solution under a dinitrogen atmosphere to selectively access complexes containing rhenium(iii) centers bound to direduced, doubly-bonded N₂ (i.e. diazenide) fragments. We demonstrate this reactivity is critically dependent on ion pairing involving the Na⁺ ion in the starting material, as N₂ binding by Na[Re(η⁵-Cp)(BDI)] proved to be much less favorable when the Na⁺ was sequestered by benzo-12-crown-4. The analogous chemistry of Na[Re(η⁵-Cp)(BDI)] with carbon monoxide (CO) and 2,6-xylylisocyanide (XylNC) was also investigated, which provided structural and spectroscopic bases for determining the impact of ion pairing on π-acid activation in this system.