Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [W(3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate)3]n- (n = 1, 2) and [Mo(3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate)3]2-: Dependence of the Coordination Geometry on the Oxidation Number and Counter-Cation in Trigonal-Prismatic and Octahedral Structures

X-ray absorption spectroscopy systematics at the tungsten L-edge

A series of mononuclear six-coordinate tungsten compounds spanning formal oxidation states from 0 to +VI, largely in a ligand environment of inert chloride and/or phosphine, was interrogated by tungsten L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The L-edge spectra of this compound set, comprised of [W(0)(PMe3)6], [W(II)Cl2(PMePh2)4], [W(III)Cl2(dppe)2][PF6] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [W(IV)Cl4(PMePh2)2], [W(V)(NPh)Cl3(PMe3)2], and [W(VI)Cl6], correlate with formal oxidation state and have usefulness as references for the interpretation of the L-edge spectra of tungsten compounds with redox-active ligands and ambiguous electronic structure descriptions. The utility of these spectra arises from the combined correlation of the estimated branching ratio of the L3,2-edges and the L1 rising-edge energy with metal Zeff, thereby permitting an assessment of effective metal oxidation state. An application of these reference spectra is illustrated by their use as backdrop for the L-edge X-ray absorption spectra of [W(IV)(mdt)2(CO)2] and [W(IV)(mdt)2(CN)2](2-) (mdt(2-) = 1,2-dimethylethene-1,2-dithiolate), which shows that both compounds are effectively W(IV) species even though the mdt ligands exist at different redox levels in the two compounds. Use of metal L-edge XAS to assess a compound of uncertain formulation requires: (1) Placement of that data within the context of spectra offered by unambiguous calibrant compounds, preferably with the same coordination number and similar metal ligand distances. Such spectra assist in defining upper and/or lower limits for metal Zeff in the species of interest. (2) Evaluation of that data in conjunction with information from other physical methods, especially ligand K-edge XAS. (3) Increased care in interpretation if strong π-acceptor ligands, particularly CO, or π-donor ligands are present. The electron-withdrawing/donating nature of these ligand types, combined with relatively short metal-ligand distances, exaggerate the difference between formal oxidation state and metal Zeff or, as in the case of [W(IV)(mdt)2(CO)2], exert the subtle effect of modulating the redox level of other ligands in the coordination sphere.

Six-membered electron transfer series [V(dithiolene)(3)](z) (z = 1+, 0, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-). An X-ray absorption spectroscopic and density functional theoretical study

The electronic structures of vanadium centers coordinated by three dithiolene ligands have been elucidated by using a host of physical methods: X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, augmented by density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations. The consensus electronic structure derived from this approach is a V(IV) central ion for the neutral, monoanionic, and dianionic members of this electron transfer series, where the tris(dithiolene) ligand units are (L(3))(4-), (L(3))(5-*), and (L(3))(6-), respectively. The trigonal prismatic monoanions, [V(IV)(L(3)(5-*))](1-) (S = 0), are defined as singlet diradicals where the crystallographically observed dithiolene fold results from strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal- and ligand-based magnetic orbitals. These results are contrasted with the corresponding tris(dioxolene)vanadium electron transfer series toward establishing the factors that govern the molecular trigonal prismatic or octahedral geometries in systems with three redox noninnocent ligands.

Electronic control of the "Bailar twist" in formally d0-d2 molybdenum tris(dithiolene) complexes: a sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory study

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to determine the electronic structures of a series of Mo tris(dithiolene) complexes, [Mo(mdt)3](z) (where mdt = 1,2-dimethylethene-1,2-dithiolate(2-) and z = 2-, 1-, 0), with near trigonal-prismatic geometries (D3h symmetry). These results show that the formally Mo(IV), Mo(V), and Mo(VI) complexes actually have a (dz(2))(2) configuration, that is, remain effectively Mo(IV) despite oxidation. Comparisons with the XAS data of another set of Mo tris(dithiolene) complexes, [Mo(tbbdt)3](z) (where tbbdt = 3,5-ditert-butylbenzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-) and z = 1-, 0), show that both neutral complexes, [Mo(mdt)3] and [Mo(tbbdt)3], have similar electronic structures while the monoanions do not. Calculations reveal that the "Bailar twist" present in the crystal structure of [Mo(tbbdt)3](1-) (D3 symmetry) but not [Mo(mdt)3](1-) (D3h symmetry) is controlled by electronic factors which arise from bonding differences between the mdt and tbbdt ligands. In the former, configuration interaction between the Mo d(z(2)) and a deeper energy, occupied ligand orbital, which occurs in D3 symmetry, destabilizes the Mo d(z(2)) to above another ligand orbital which is half-occupied in the D3h [Mo(mdt)3](1-) complex. This leads to a metal d(1) configuration with no ligand holes (i.e., d(1)[L3](0h)) for [Mo(tbbdt)3](1-) rather than the metal d(2) configuration with one ligand hole (i.e., d(2)[L3](1h)) for [Mo(mdt)3](1-). Thus, the Bailar twist observed in some metal tris(dithiolene) complexes is the result of configuration interaction between metal and ligand orbitals and can be probed experimentally by S K-edge XAS.

In Situ Generation of Oxo−sulfidobis(dithiolene)tungsten(VI) Complexes: Active-Site Models for the Aldehyde Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase Family of Tungsten Enzymes

Oxo-sulfidobis(dithiolene)tungsten(VI) complexes were prepared in situ by the reaction of oxobis(dithiolene)tungsten(V) precursors with hydrosulfide (SH-). The complexes, characterized by UV-vis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, IR, and resonance Raman spectroscopies, model the proposed coordination environment and observed hydrolytic reactions of members of the aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase family of tungsten enzymes.

Benzene-o-dithiolate ligands as versatile building blocks in supramolecular chemistry

Polydentate ligands with benzene-o-dithiolato donor groups are useful building blocks in supramolecular coordination chemistry. The coordination chemistry of bis- and tris(benzene-o-dithiolato) ligands and mixed benzene-o-dithiolato/catecholato ligands is reviewed. These ligands exhibit a versatile coordination chemistry both in solution and in the solid state.