Disulfur complexes

Nonheme binuclear transition metal complexes with hydrosulfide and polychalcogenides

The intriguing chemistry of chalcogen (S, Se)-containing ligands and their capability to bridge multiple metal centres have resulted in a plethora of reports on transition metal complexes featuring hydrosulfide (HS-) and polychalcogenides (En2-, E = S, Se). While a large number of such molecules are strictly organometallic complexes, examples of non-organometallic complexes featuring HS- and En2- with N-/O-donor ligands are relatively rare. The general synthetic procedure for the transition metal-hydrosulfido complexes involves the reaction of the corresponding metal salts with HS-/H2S and this is prone to generate sulfido bridged oligomers in the absence of sterically demanding ligands. On the other hand, the synthetic methods for the preparation of transition metal-polychalcogenido complexes include the reaction of the corresponding metal salts with En2- or the two electron oxidation of low-valent metals with elemental chalcogen, often at an elevated temperature and/or for a long time. Recently, we have developed new synthetic methods for the preparation of two new classes of binuclear transition metal complexes featuring either HS-, or Sn2- and Sen2- ligands. The new method for the synthesis of transition metal-hydrosulfido complexes involved transition metal-mediated hydrolysis of thiolates at room temperature (RT), while the method for the synthesis of transition metal-polychalcogenido complexes involved redox reaction of coordinated thiolates and exogenous elemental chalcogens at RT. An overview of the synthetic aspects, structural properties and intriguing reactivity of these two new classes of transition metal complexes is presented.

Generation and Reactivity of Polychalcogenide Chains in Binuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes

A series of six binuclear Co(II)-thiolate complexes, [Co2(BPMP)(S-C6H4-o-X)2]1+ (X = OMe, 2; NH2, 3), [Co2(BPMP)(μ-S-C6H4-o-O)]1+ (4), and [Co2(BPMP)(μ-Y)]1+ (Y = bdt, 5; tdt, 6; mnt, 7), has been synthesized from [Co2(BPMP)(MeOH)2(Cl)2]1+ (1a) and [Co2(BPMP)(Cl)2]1+ (1b), where BPMP1- is the anion of 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol. While 2 and 3 could allow the two-electron redox reaction of the two coordinated thiolates with elemental sulfur (S8) to generate [Co2(BPMP)(μ-S5)]1+ (8), the complexes, 4-7, could not undergo a similar reaction. An analogous redox reaction of 2 with elemental selenium ([Se]) produced [{Co2(BPMP)(μ-Se4)}{Co2(BPMP)(μ-Se3)}]2+ (9a) and [Co2(BPMP)(μ-Se4)]1+ (9b). Further reaction of these polychalcogenido complexes, 8 and 9a/9b, with PPh3 allowed the isolation of [Co2(BPMP)(μ-S)]1+ (10) and [Co2(BPMP)(μ-Se2)]1+ (11), which, in turn, could be converted back to 8 and 9a upon treatment with S8 and [Se], respectively. Interestingly, while the redox reaction of the polyselenide chains in 9a and 11 with S8 produced 8 and [Se], the treatment of 8 with [Se] gave back only the starting material (8), thus demonstrating the different redox behavior of sulfur and selenium. Furthermore, the reaction of 8 and 9a/9b with activated alkynes and cyanide (CN-) allowed the isolation of the complexes, [Co2(BPMP)(μ-E2C2(CO2R)2)]1+ (E = S: 12a, R = Me; 12b, R = Et; E = Se: 13a, R = Me; 13b, R = Et) and [Co2(BPMP)(μ-SH)(NCS)2] (14), respectively. The present work, thus, provides an interesting synthetic strategy, interconversions, and detailed comparative reactivity of binuclear Co(II)-polychalcogenido complexes.

Polysulfido Chain in Binuclear Zinc(II) Complexes

The synthesis and a detailed reactivity study of a binuclear zinc(II) bis(benzenethiolate) complex, [Zn₂(BPMP)(SPh)₂]⁺ (4), and an unprecedented binuclear zinc(II) pentasulfido complex, [Zn₂(BPMP)(μ₂-S₅)]⁺ (6), are presented. While one-electron oxidation of the coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 by Cp₂Fe⁺ produces diphenyl disulfide and [Zn₂(BPMP)(μ₂-OH)]²⁺ (5), a two-electron redox reaction between coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 and elemental S (S₈) generated diphenyl disulfide and the binuclear zinc(II) pentasulfido complex 6. Complex 6 features a chelating, dianionic, pentasulfido (S₅^2-) chain and can consume up to a maximum of 3 equiv of PPh₃ to generate Ph₃PS and 5, while the reaction of 6 with 1 equiv of diphenylphosphinoethane allowed the isolation of [Zn₂(BPMP)(μ₂-S₄)]⁺ (7). A proteolysis reaction of the coordinated S₅^2- chain in 6 with fluoroboric acid (HBF₄), benzoic acid (PhCOOH), and thioacetic acid (MeCOSH) generates the complexes [Zn₂(BPMP)(MeCN)₂]³⁺ (1), [Zn₂(BPMP)(μ₂-PhCOO)₂]⁺ (8), and [Zn₂(BPMP)(μ₂-SCOMe)₂]⁺ (9), respectively, while the protonated S₅^2- chain liberates S₈ and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Finally, the transfer of the coordinated benzenethiolate ligands in 4 and the S₅^2- chain in 6 to selected organic compounds, namely, PhCH₂Br and PhC(O)Cl, for the generation of various organosulfur compounds is demonstrated.

Amorphous MoSxOy/h-BNxOy Nanohybrids: Synthesis and Dye Photodegradation

Molybdenum sulfide is a very promising catalyst for the photodegradation of organic pollutants in water. Its photocatalytic activity arises from unsaturated sulfur bonds, and it increases with the introduction of structural defects and/or oxygen substitutions. Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (a-MoSxOy) with oxygen substitutions has many active sites, which create favorable conditions for enhanced catalytic activity. Here we present a new approach to the synthesis of a-MoSxOy and demonstrate its high activity in the photodegradation of the dye methylene blue (MB). The MoSxOy was deposited on hexagonal boron oxynitride (h-BNO) nanoflakes by reacting h-BNO, MoCl5, and H2S in dimethylformamide (DMF) at 250 °C. Both X-ray diffraction analysis and high-resolution TEM show the absence of crystalline order in a-MoSxOy. Based on the results of Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as analysis by the density functional theory (DFT) method, a chain structure of a-MoSxOy was proposed, consisting of MoS3 clusters with partial substitution of sulfur by oxygen. When a third of the sulfur atoms are replaced with oxygen, the band gap of a-MoSxOy is approximately 1.36 eV, and the valence and conduction bands are 0.74 eV and -0.62 eV, respectively (relative to a standard hydrogen electrode), which satisfies the conditions of photoinduced splitting of water. When illuminated with a mercury lamp, a-MoSxOy/h-BNxOy nanohybrids have a specific mass activity in MB photodegradation of approximately 5.51 mmol g-1 h-1, which is at least four times higher than so far reported values for nonmetal catalysts. The photocatalyst has been shown to be very stable and can be reused.

A Boradiselenirane and a Boraditellurirane: Isolable Heavy Analogs of Dioxiranes and Dithiiranes

The isolation of BE₂ heterocycles (E = Te, Se, S) from the reaction of a manganese borylene complex with elemental chalcogens is reported. The BTe₂ and BSe₂ cycles-a boraditellurirane and a boradiselenirane, respectively-are the first analogs of dioxiranes based on heavy chalcogens. While the BTe₂ unit is still found datively bound to manganese, the Se and S analogs were isolated in their free forms. All heterocycles have been shown to transfer a chalcogen atom, allowing for the isolation of novel borachalcones and their dimerization products.

Metal-catalyzed "on-demand" production of carbonyl sulfide from carbon monoxide and elemental sulfur

The group 6 molybdenum(II) cyclopentadienyl amidinate (CPAM) bis(carbonyl) complex [Cp*Mo{N(iPr)C(Ph)N(iPr)}(CO)2] (Cp*=η(5)-C5Me5) serves as a precatalyst for the high-yielding photocatalytic production of COS from CO and S8 under near-ambient conditions (e.g., 10 psi, 25 °C). Further documented is the isolation and structural characterization of several key transition-metal intermediates which collectively support a novel molybdenum(IV)-based catalytic cycle as being operative. Finally, in the presence of an excess amount of a primary amine, it is demonstrated that this catalytic system can be successfully used for the "on-demand" generation and utilization of COS as a chemical reagent for the synthesis of ureas.

Influence of decomposition time and H2 pressure on properties of unsupported ammonium tetrathiomolybdate-derived MoS2 catalysts

Background

Molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) catalysts to be used for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) processes were prepared via the reductive thermal decomposition of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate at fixed temperature (653 K) by varying decomposition times and H2 pressures. Both parameters were found to strongly influence textural and catalytic properties of the resulting MoS2 catalysts.

Methods

Nitrogen sorption, FT-IR, and XRD analyses revealed the effect of varying decomposition times (3 to 7 h) and H2 pressure (20 to 1,000 psig) on the morphology and structure of the catalysts. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) was used to assess catalytic efficiency for HDS reactions.

Results

The influence of time on specific surface was minimal at low pressures but increased at higher decomposition pressures. Vibrational energies of Mo-S bonds in FT-IR indicate that MoS2 catalysts prepared at higher pressures exhibit weaker Mo-S bonds. Analysis of XRD patterns point towards an increase in stacking and crystallite size with increasing pressure; interlayer rotation about both the a- and c-axes of the stacks was also observed. Catalytic testing results show that conversion increases at higher values of decomposition time and pressure. Partially hydrogenated products were also observed at higher pressures, and the ratio of partially to fully hydrogenated DBT was calculated as an additional measure of catalytic efficiency.

Conclusions

Decomposition time and H2 pressure during ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATM) thermal decomposition have a significant impact on the morphological and catalytic properties of the derived MoS2 catalysts. Samples prepared for 5 h at 1,000 psig exhibited the highest conversion of DBT and the lowest ratio of partially to fully hydrogenated products.

Controlled assembly of ruthenium complexes through ortho-carborane dithiolate and polysulfide ligands

Treatment of ortho-carborane, n-butyl lithium, sulfur, and [(p-cymene)RuCl(2)](2) in varying ratio led to four new compounds (p-cymene)Ru[S(3)(C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)] (3), [(p-cymene)Ru(2)(μ(2)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(9))(μ(3)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))](2) (4), [(p-cymene)Ru](2)Ru(μ(2)-η(2):η(2)-S(2)) (μ(2)-η(2):η(1)-S(2)Cl)(μ(2)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))(2) (5), and [(p-cymene)Ru](2)Ru(μ(2)-η(1):η(1)-S(2))(μ(3)-η(2):η(2)-S(4)) (μ(2)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))(2) (6), respectively. In 3, the ruthenium atom is coordinated by three S atoms from a in situ generated tridentate [S(3)(C(2)B(10)H(10))(2)](2-) ligand. 4 consists of two identical dinuclear (p-cymene)Ru(2)(μ(2)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(9))(μ(3)-S(2)C(2)B(10)H(10)) subunits which connect to each other via the Ru-Ru bond and two bridging o-carborane-1,2-dithiolate ligands. In 4, a Ru-B bond is present. 5 contains a Ru(3)(μ(2)-S)(2)(μ(2)-S(2))(μ(2)-S(2)Cl) core, and the central ruthenium atom is coordinated by seven S atoms in a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In 5, a S-Cl bond is generated. 6 has a novel Ru(3)(μ(2)-S)(2)(μ(2)-S(2))(μ(3)-S(4)) core, and the three ruthenium atoms are connected through the two terminal sulfur atoms of the S-S-S-S chain in a μ(3) binding fashion. All the four complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass, NMR, and X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis and characterization of well-defined aluminum-containing heterobimetallic selenides

A series of novel aluminum heterobimetallic selenides were reported. The reaction of LAl(SeH)2 (1) with LiN(SiMe3)2 resulted in the formation of [LAl(SeLi)2(THF)2] (2) (L = HC(CMeNAr)2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). Compound 2 reacted with Me2GeCl2, Ph2GeCl2, Cp2TiCl2, and Cp2ZrCl2, respectively, to produce LAl(mu-Se)2GeMe2 (3), LAl(mu-Se)2GePh2 (4), LAl(mu-Se)2TiCp2 (5), and LAl(mu-Se)2ZrCp2 (6) in moderate yields. Compounds 2-6 were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and electron impact-MS. The X-ray single-crystal structure of 3 is reported and confirms the spirocyclic arrangement of the aluminum atom within the six-membered AlN2C3 and four-membered AlSe2Ge rings.

Raman, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopic data and antimicrobial activity of bis[μ2-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-ethanethiolato-N,S,S-chloro-palladium(II)] dimer, [(μ2-CH2CH2NHNCC6H4)PdCl]2·C2H5OH complex

The 1,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-3,4-dithiahexane (1) ligand and its palladium(II) chloride complex [(micro(2)-SCH(2)CH(2)NHNCC(6)H(4))PdCl](2)xC(2)H(5)OH (2) have been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopical methods. The crystal structure of the triclinic title compound (P-1 (no. 2), a=879.6(1) pm, b=984.4(1) pm, c=1471.8(2) pm; alpha=94.330(6) degrees , beta=98.546(6) degrees , gamma=99.258(7) degrees , Z=2) was solved from X-ray single crystal diffraction data. In the binuclear complex, each palladium atom is coordinated in a slightly distorted square-planar arrangement by one nitrogen, two bridging sulphurs and one terminal chlorine atom. Molar conductivity, FT-Raman, FT-IR (mid-i.r., far-i.r.), (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the complex (2) have been recorded and show a good accordance with the square-planar geometry. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of palladium(II) chloride, free ligand, its hydrochloride salt and the complex were evaluated using the disk diffusion method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) the dilution method, against 10 bacteria and five yeast cultures. The results for the antibacterial from the disk diffusion method were assessed in side-by-side comparison with those for penicillin-g, ampicillin, cefotaxime, vancomycin, ofloxacin and tetracycline. Antifungal activities were referenced with nystatin, ketaconazole, and clotrimazole, commercial antifungal agents. The data from the dilution procedure were compared with gentamycin as antibacterial and nystatin as antifungal agent, respectively. In most cases, the compounds tested showed broad-spectrum (Gram positive and Gram negative) activities that were comparatively more active, or as potent as referenced pharmaceutical agents. The palladium complex has the potential to generate new kind of metabolites by displaying high affinities for most of the receptors compared with palladium chloride, free ligand and its hydrochloride salt.

Copper(I)/S8 Reversible Reactions Leading to an End-On Bound Dicopper(II) Disulfide Complex: Nucleophilic Reactivity and Analogies to Copper−Dioxygen Chemistry

Elemental sulfur (S8) reacts reversibly with the copper(I) complex [(TMPA')CuI](+) (1), where TMPA' is a TMPA (tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) analogue with a 6-CH2OCH3 substituent on one pyridyl ligand arm, affording a spectroscopically pure end-on bound disulfido-dicopper(II) complex [{(TMPA')Cu(II)}2(mu-1,2-S2(2-))](2+) (2) {nu(S-S) = 492 cm(-1); nu(Cu-S)sym = 309 cm(-1)}; by contrast, [(TMPA)Cu(I)(CH3CN)](+) (3)/S8 chemistry produces an equilibrium mixture of at least three complexes. The reaction of excess PPh3 with 2 leads to formal "release" of zerovalent sulfur and reduction of copper ion to give the corresponding complex [(TMPA')Cu(I)(PPh3)](+) (11) along with S=PPh3 as products. Dioxygen displaces the disulfur moiety from 2 to produce the end-on Cu2O2 complex, [{(TMPA')Cu(II)}2(mu-1,2-O2(2-)](2+) (9). Addition of the tetradentate ligand TMPA to 2 generates the apparently more thermodynamically stable [{(TMPA)Cu(II)}2(mu-1,2-S2(2-))](2+) (4) and expected mixture of other species. Bubbling 2 with CO leads to the formation of the carbonyl adduct [(TMPA')CuI(CO)](+) (8). Carbonylation/sulfur-release/CO-removal cycles can be repeated several times. Sulfur atom transfer from 2 also occurs in a near quantitative manner when it is treated with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (ArNC), leading to the corresponding isothiocyanate (ArNCS) and [(TMPA')Cu(I)(CNAr)](+) (12). Complex 2 readily reacts with PhCH2Br: [{(TMPA')Cu(II)}2(mu-1,2-S(2)(2-)](2+) (2) + 2 PhCH2Br --> [{(TMPA')Cu(II)(Br)}2](2+) (6) + PhCH2SSCH2Ph. The unprecedented substrate reactivity studies reveal that end-on bound mu-1,2-disulfide-dicopper(II) complex 2 provides a nucleophilic S2(2-) moiety, in striking contrast to the electrophilic behavior of a recently described side-on bound mu-eta(2):eta(2)-disulfido-dicopper(II) complex, [{(N3)Cu(II)}(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-S2(2-))](2+) (5) with tridentate N3 ligand. The investigation thus reveals striking analogies of copper/sulfur and copper/dioxygen chemistries, with regard to structure type formation and specific substrate reactivity patterns.

Rb3Ti3(P4S13)(PS4)3 and Cs2Ti2(P2S8)(PS4)2: Two Polar Titanium Thiophosphates with Complex One-Dimensional Tunnels

The reactions of Ti with in situ formed polythiophosphate fluxes of A(2)S(3) (A = Rb, Cs), P(2)S(5), and S at 500 degrees C result in the formation of two new quaternary titanium thiophosphates with compositions Rb(3)Ti(3)(P(4)S(13))(PS(4))(3) (1) and Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2). Rb(3)Ti(3)(P(4)S(13))(PS(4))(3) (1) crystallizes in the chiral hexagonal space group P6(3) (No. 173) with lattice parameters a = 18.2475(9) Angstrom, c = 6.8687(3) Angstrom, V = 1980.7(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2) crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric monoclinic space group Cc (No. 9) with a = 21.9709(14) Angstrom, b = 6.9093(3) Angstrom, c = 17.1489(10) Angstrom, beta = 98.79(1) degrees, V = 2572.7(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 4. In the structure of 1 TiS(6) octahedra, three [PS(4)] tetrahedra, and the hitherto unknown [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion are joined to form two different types of helical chains. These chains are connected yielding two different helical tunnels being directed along [001]. The tunnels are occupied by the Rb+ ions. The [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion is generated by three [PS(4)] tetrahedra sharing corners with one [PS(4)] group in the center of the starlike anion. The P atoms of the three [PS(4)] tetrahedra attached to the central [PS(4)] group define an equilateral triangle. The [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion may be regarded as a new member of the [P(n)S(3n+1)]((n+2)-) series. The structure of Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2) consists of the one-dimensional polar tunnels containing the Cs(+) cations. The rare [P(2)S(8)](4-) anion which is composed of two [PS(4)] tetrahedra joined by a S(2)(2-) anion is a fundamental building unit in the structure of 2. One-dimensional undulated chains being directed along [100] are joined by [PS(4)] tetrahedra to form the three-dimensional network with polar tunnels running along [010]. The compounds are characterized with IR, Raman spectroscopy, and UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

Ligand structural effects on Cu2S2 bonding and reactivity in side-on disulfido-bridged dicopper complexes

To assess supporting ligand effects on S-S bond activation, a series of [Cu2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2)]2+ complexes supported by various beta-diketiminate or anilido-imine ligands (L) were synthesized via the reaction of Cu(I) precursors LCu(CH(3)CN) with S8. For the cases where L = beta-diketiminate, the syntheses were complicated by formation of clusters [Cu(SR)]4, where SR represents the ligand functionalized by sulfur at the central methine position. The [Cu2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2)]2+ products were characterized by X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Correlations among the Cu-S, Cu-Cu, and S-S distances and the nu(S-S) values were observed and interpreted within the framework of a previously described bonding picture (Chen, P.; Fujisawa, K.; Helton, M. E.; Karlin, K. D.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 6394). Comparison of these data to those for other relevant species revealed a remarkable degree of S-S bond activation in the compounds supported by the beta-diketiminate and anilido-imine ligands, which through strong electron donation increase backbonding from the copper ions into the S-S sigma* orbital and cause S-S bond weakening. Reactions of one of the complexes supported by an anilido-imine ligand with PPh(3) and xylyl isocyanide were explored, revealing facile transfer of sulfur to PPh(3) but only displacement of sulfur to yield a LCu(I)-CNAr (Ar = xylyl) complex with the isocyanide.

Synthesis and Characterization of Aluminum-Containing Tin(IV) Heterobimetallic Sulfides

Three novel aluminum-containing tin(IV) heterobimetallic sulfides are reported. The reaction of [LAl(SLi)2(THF)2]2 (1) [L = HC(CMeNAr)2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3] with Ph2SnCl2, Me2SnCl2, and SnCl4 in THF respectively afforded LAl(mu-S)2SnPh2 (2), LAl(mu-S)2SnMe2 (3), and LAl(mu-S)2Sn(mu-S)2AlL (4) in moderate yields. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, electron-impact mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.