Titanium(IV) complexes supported by a dianionic acenaphthenediimine ligand: X-ray and spectroscopic studies of the metal coordination sphere

Ligand-Induced Intramolecular Redox Diversity in Titanium Complexes with Acenaphthene-1,2-diimine

A series of the chlorido and alkoxychlorido titanium complexes of the general formula (dpp-Bian)Ti(OiPr)nCl3-n, where dpp-Bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)imino]acenaphthene n = 0 (2), 1 (3), 2 (4), as well as (dpp-Bian)Ti(OiPr)2 (5) and (dpp-Bian)Ti(OiPr)Cl3 (3-Cl), were isolated and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and spectroscopic studies combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the solid state, compounds 2-4 reveal a square-pyramidal geometry at the metal center supported with monoanionic dpp-Bian, whereas 3-Cl with a neutral diimine ligand and 5 bearing a dianionic enebisamide dpp-Bian show, respectively, an octahedral and tetrahedral coordination surrounding the metal ion. Paramagnetic complexes 2-4 exhibit electron paramagnetic resonance spectra in both toluene solution and solid state, confirming the transfer of spin density from the metal ion to the dpp-Bian ligand as the number of alkoxy groups increases. The increase in polarity of the Ti-N bonds in the row 2 < 3 < 4 contributes to enhanced stability of the metal complexes with respect to O-donor molecules. Thus, in tetrahydrofuran (THF), compounds 2 and 3 undergo reversible solvolysis, whereas complex 4 is stable. The charge and spin density distributions as well as molecular orbital energies in 2-4 were analyzed on the basis of DFT calculations which also provided information on the electronic transition energies, absorption band assignments, and thermodynamic parameters of the reactions between the complexes and THF.

Ti(III) Catalysts for CO2/Epoxide Copolymerization at Unusual Ambient Pressure Conditions

Titanium compounds in low oxidation states are highly reducing species and hence powerful tools for the functionalization of small molecules. However, their potential has not yet been fully realized because harnessing these highly reactive complexes for productive reactivity is generally challenging. Advancing this field, herein we provide a detailed route for the formation of titanium(III) orthophenylendiamido (PDA) species using [LiBHEt3] as a reducing agent. Initially, the corresponding lithium PDA compounds [Li2(ArPDA)(thf)3] (Ar = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (MesPDA), 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (iPrPDA)) are combined with [TiCl4(thf)2] to form the heterobimetallic complexes [{TiCl(ArPDA)}(μ-ArPDA){Li(thf)n}] (n = 1, Ar = iPr 3 and n = 2, Ar = Mes 4). Compound 4 evolves to species [Ti(MesPDA)2] (6) via thermal treatment. In contrast, the transformation of 3 into [Ti(iPrPDA)2] (5) only occurs in the presence of [LiNMe2], through a lithium-assisted process, as revealed by density functional theory (DFT). Finally, the Ti(IV) compounds 3-6 react with [LiBHEt3] to give rise to the Ti(III) species [Li(thf)4][Ti(ArPDA)2] (Ar = iPr 8, Mes 9). These low-valent compounds in combination with [PPN]Cl (PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium) are proved to be highly selective catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene epoxide. Reactions occur at 1 bar pressure with activity/selectivity levels similar to Salen-Cr(III) compounds.

Complexes of Cobalt(II) Iodide with Pyridine and Redox Active 1,2-Bis(arylimino)acenaphthene: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemical, and Single Ion Magnet Properties

Complexes [(dpp-BIAN)⁰Co^III₂]·MeCN (I) and [(Py)₂CoI₂] (II) were synthesized by the reaction between cobalt(II) iodide and 1,2-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN) or pyridine (Py), respectively. The molecular structures of the complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Co(II) ions in both compounds are in a distorted tetrahedral environment (CoN₂I₂). The electrochemical behavior of complex I was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Magnetochemical measurements revealed that when an external magnetic field is applied, both compounds exhibit the properties of field-induced single ion magnets.