Coordinating ability of phenylenediamines

Understanding the Exchange Interaction between Paramagnetic Metal Ions and Radical Ligands: DFT and Ab Initio Study on Semiquinonato Cu(II) Complexes

The exchange coupling, represented by the J parameter, is of tremendous importance in understanding the reactivity and magnetic behavior of open-shell molecular systems. In the past, it was the subject of theoretical investigations, but these studies are mostly limited to the interaction between metallic centers. The exchange coupling between paramagnetic metal ions and radical ligands has hitherto received scant attention in theoretical studies, and thus the understanding of the factors governing this interaction is lacking. In this paper, we use DFT, CASSCF, CASSCF/NEVPT2, and DDCI3 methods to provide insight into exchange interaction in semiquinonato copper(II) complexes. Our primary objective is to identify structural features that affect this magnetic interaction. We demonstrate that the magnetic character of Cu(II)-semiquinone complexes are mainly determined by the relative position of the semiquinone ligand to the Cu(II) ion. The results can support the experimental interpretation of magnetic data for similar systems and can be used for the in-silico design of magnetic complexes with radical ligands.

Aerobic Oxidation Reactivity of Well-Defined Cobalt(II) and Cobalt(III) Aminophenol Complexes

This paper describes the synthesis and reactivity studies of three cobalt complexes bearing aminophenol-derived ligands without nitrogen substitution: Co^II(^tBu2APH)₂(^tBu2AP)₂ (1), Co^III₂(^tBu2APH)₂(^tBu2AP)₂(μ-^tBu2BAP)₂ (2), and Co^III(^tBu2AP)₃ (3), where ^tBu2APH = 2-amino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol, ^tBu2AP = 2-amino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate, and μ-^tBu2BAP = bridging 2-amido-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate. Stoichiometric reactivity studies of these well-defined complexes demonstrate the catalytic competency of both cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes in the aerobic oxidative cyclization of ^tBu2APH with tert-butylisonitrile. Reactions with O₂ reveal the aerobic oxidation of the cobalt(II) complex 1 to generate the cobalt(III) species 2 and 3. UV-visible time-course studies and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy indicate that this oxidation proceeds through a ligand-based radical intermediate. These studies represent the first example of well-defined cobalt aminophenol complexes that participate in catalytic aerobic oxidation reactions and highlight a key role for a ligand radical in the oxidation sequence.

Copper(I)-alkylamine mediated synthesis of copper nanowires

Formation of a Cu(i)-alkylamine complex is found to be the key step for Cu(ii) ions to reduce to Cu(0) in the presence of glucose. Also, alkylamines in Cu nanowire synthesis serve triple roles as a reducing, complexation and capping agent. Alkylamines reduce Cu(ii) to Cu(i) at above 100 °C and protect the Cu(i) by forming a Cu ion-alkylamine coordination complex with a 1 : 2 ratio in an aqueous solution. With respect to the 1 : 2 complex ratio, the additional free alkylamines ensure a stable Cu(i)-alkylamine complex. After completion of Cu(i)-Cu(0) reduction by glucose, alkylamines remain on Cu(0) seeds to regulate the anisotropic growth of Cu nanocrystals. Long-chain (≥C16) alkylamines are found to help produce high-quality Cu nanowires, while short-chain (≤C12) alkylamines only produce CuO products. Furthermore, Cu nanowire synthesis is found to be sensitive to additional chemicals as they may destabilize Cu ion-alkylamine complexes. By comparing the Cu(i)-alkylamine and Maillard reaction mediated mechanism, the complete Cu nanowire synthesis process using glucose is revealed.

Polyfunctional Sterically Hindered Catechols with Additional Phenolic Group and Their Triphenylantimony(V) Catecholates: Synthesis, Structure, and Redox Properties

New polyfunctional sterically hindered 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechols with an additional phenolic group in the sixth position connected by a bridging sulfur atom—(6-(CH₂-S-tBu₂Phenol)-3,5-DBCat)H₂ (L₁), (6-(S-tBu₂Phenol)-3,5-DBCat)H₂ (L₂), and (6-(S-Phenol)-3,5-DBCat)H₂ (L₃) (3,5-DBCat is dianion 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecolate)—were synthesized and characterized in detail. The exchange reaction between catechols L₁ and L₃ with triphenylantimony(V) dibromide in the presence of triethylamine leads to the corresponding triphenylantimony(V) catecholates (6-(CH₂-S-tBu₂Phenol)-3,5-DBCat)SbPh₃ (1) and (6-(S-Phenol)-3,5-DBCat)SbPh₃ (2). The electrochemical properties of catechols L₁–L₃ and catecholates 1 and 2 were investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical oxidation of L₁–L₃ at the first stage proceeds with the formation of the corresponding o-benzoquinones. The second process is the oxidation of the phenolic moiety. Complexes 1 and 2 significantly expand their redox capabilities, owing to the fact that they can act as the electron donors due to the catecholate metallocycle capable of sequential oxidations, and as donors of the hydrogen atoms, thus forming a stable phenoxyl radical. The molecular structures of the free ligand L₁ and complex 1 in the crystal state were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Europium and ytterbium complexes with o-iminoquinonato ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior

Complexes of divalent ytterbium (1) and europium (2) with a dianionic o-amidophenolate ligand were prepared by both the direct reduction of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (dpp-IQ) and the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-amidophenolate with LnI2 (Ln = Yb, Eu). Oxidation of o-amidophenolates 1, 2 with one equivalent of dpp-IQ as well as the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-iminosemiquinolate with LnI2 afforded ligand mixed-valent o-iminosemiquinonato-amidophenolato complexes of trivalent ytterbium (3) and europium (4). All novel complexes 1-4 were fully characterized, including the solid state structures of 1 and 2 determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of paramagnetic 2-4 were examined.

Radical-Type Reactivity and Catalysis by Single-Electron Transfer to or from Redox-Active Ligands

Controlled ligand-based redox-activity and chemical non-innocence are rapidly gaining importance for selective (catalytic) processes. This Concept aims to provide an overview of the progress regarding ligand-to-substrate single-electron transfer as a relatively new mode of operation to exploit ligand-centered reactivity and catalysis based thereon.

A low-valent dinuclear ruthenium diazadiene complex catalyzes the oxidation of dihydrogen and reversible hydrogenation of quinones

The dinuclear ruthenium complex [Ru₂H(μ-H)(Me₂dad)(dbcot)₂] contains a 1,4-dimethyl-diazabuta-1,3-diene (Me₂dad) as a non-innocent bridging ligand between the metal centers to give a [Ru₂(Me₂dad)] core. In addition, each ruthenium is bound to one dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (dbcot) ligand. This Ru dimer converts H₂ to protons and electrons. It also catalyzes reversibly under mild conditions the selective hydrogenation of vitamins K₂ and K₃ to their corresponding hydroquinone equivalents without affecting the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bonds. Mechanistic studies suggest that the [Ru₂(Me₂dad)] moiety, like hydrogenases, reacts with H₂ and releases electrons and protons stepwise.

MOF-templated self-polymerization of p-phenylenediamine to a polymer with a hollow box-assembled spherical structure

Cu–pPD acts as both a structural template and reactant to realize direct conversion from MOFs to polymers in one step.

Stabilization of different redox levels of a tridentate benzoxazole amidophenoxide ligand when bound to Co(iii) or V(v)

The electronic structure of Co and V complexes of a tridentate benzoxazole-containing aminophenol ligand NNOH2 were characterized by both experimental and theoretical methods.

Geometric and Electronic Structures of Nickel(II) Complexes of Redox Noninnocent Tetradentate Phenylenediamine Ligands

Five tetradentate ligands based on the N,N'-bis(2-amino-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-o-phenylenediamine backbone were prepared, with different substituents at positions 4 and 5 (CH3 (3a), p-CH3O-C6H4 (3b), H (3c), Cl (3d), F (3e)). Their reaction with a nickel(II) salt in air affords the neutral species 4(a-e), which were isolated as single crystals. 4(a-e) feature two antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled diiminosemiquinonate moieties, both located on peripheral rings, and a diamidobenzene bridging unit. Oxidation of 4(a-e) with 1 equiv of AgSbF6 yields the cations 4(a-e)(+), which harbor a single diiminosemiquinonate radical. Significant structural differences were observed within the series. 4b(+) is mononuclear and contains a localized diiminosemiquinonate moiety. In contrast, 4c(+) is a dimer wherein the diiminosemiquinonate radical is rather delocalized over both peripheral rings. 4d(+) represents an intermediate case where the complex is mononuclear, but the radical is fully delocalized. Oxidation of 4(a-e) with 2 equiv of AgSbF6 produces the corresponding mononuclear dications. X-ray diffraction data on 4(b-d)(2+) reveals that the bridging ring retains its diamidobenzene character, whereas both peripheral rings have been oxidized into diiminobenzoquinone moieties. All the complexes were characterized by electrochemistry, EPR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. Remarkably, the electronic structures of the complexes differ from those reported by Wieghardt et al. for copper and zinc complexes of a related ligand involving a mixed N2O2 donor set (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 9599). The easier oxidation of phenylenediamine moieties in comparison to aminophenols is proposed to account for the difference.

New avenues for ligand-mediated processes--expanding metal reactivity by the use of redox-active catechol, o-aminophenol and o-phenylenediamine ligands

Redox-active ligands have evolved from being considered spectroscopic curiosities - creating ambiguity about formal oxidation states in metal complexes - to versatile and useful tools to expand on the reactivity of (transition) metals or to even go beyond what is generally perceived possible. This review focusses on metal complexes containing either catechol, o-aminophenol or o-phenylenediamine type ligands. These ligands have opened up a new area of chemistry for metals across the periodic table. The portfolio of ligand-based reactivity invoked by these redox-active entities will be discussed. This ranges from facilitating oxidative additions upon d(0) metals or cross coupling reactions with cobalt(iii) without metal oxidation state changes - by functioning as an electron reservoir - to intramolecular ligand-to-substrate single-electron transfer to create a reactive substrate-centered radical on a Pd(ii) platform. Although the current state-of-art research primarily consists of stoichiometric and exploratory reactions, several notable reports of catalysis facilitated by the redox-activity of the ligand will also be discussed. In conclusion, redox-active ligands containing catechol, o-aminophenol or o-phenylenediamine moieties show great potential to be exploited as reversible electron reservoirs, donating or accepting electrons to activate substrates and metal centers and to enable new reactivity with both early and late transition as well as main group metals.

Multiple deprotonation of primary aromatic diamines by LiAlH4

Reaction of LiAlH₄with 1,2-phenylenediamine (1H₄) in THF gives [{Al(1H₂)}₂{Al(1H)₂}₂][Li(THF)₂]₄, containing the largest aluminate of its type so far reported.

Rectangular coordination polymer nanoplates: large-scale, rapid synthesis and their application as a fluorescent sensing platform for DNA detection

In this paper, we report on the large-scale, rapid synthesis of uniform rectangular coordination polymer nanoplates (RCPNs) assembled from Cu(II) and 4,4′-bipyridine for the first time. We further demonstrate that such RCPNs can be used as a very effective fluorescent sensing platform for multiple DNA detection with a detection limit as low as 30 pM and a high selectivity down to single-base mismatch. The DNA detection is accomplished by the following two steps: (1) RCPN binds dye-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe, which brings dye and RCPN into close proximity, leading to fluorescence quenching; (2) Specific hybridization of the probe with its target generates a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) which detaches from RCPN, leading to fluorescence recovery. It suggests that this sensing system can well discriminate complementary and mismatched DNA sequences. The exact mechanism of fluorescence quenching involved is elucidated experimentally and its use in a human blood serum system is also demonstrated successfully.

Coordination polymer nanobelts for nucleic acid detection

Herein, coordination polymer nanobelts (CPNBs) were prepared rapidly and on a large scale, by directly mixing aqueous AgNO(3) solution and an ethanol solution of 4, 4'-bipyridine at room temperature. The application of such CPNBs as a fluorescent sensing platform for nucleic acid detection was further explored. CPNB is a π-rich structure, the strong π-π stacking interactions between unpaired DNA bases and CPNB leads to adsorption of fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accompanied by 66% fluorescence quenching. However, the presence of target ssDNA will hybridize with the probe. The resultant helix cannot be adsorbed by CPNB due to its rigid conformation and the absence of unpaired DNA bases. Thus, a significant fluorescence enhancement, 73% fluorescence recovery, was observed in DNA detection as long as the target exists. The present system has excellent sensitivity; a substantial fluorescence enhancement was observed when the concentration of the target was as low as 5 nM. It also exhibits outstanding discrimination ability down to a single-base mismatch.

Electrochemical estimation of diffusion anisotropy of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamine within the normal hexagonal lyotropic mesophase of Triton X 100/light water: when can the effects of cross-pseudophase electron transfer be neglected for partitioned reagents?

The H(1) lyotropic liquid crystalline phase of Triton X 100 with aqueous 0.1 M potassium chloride is examined as a medium in which to determine the axiosymmetric anisotropy in the diffusion flux of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamine using electrochemical methods (voltammetry and potential step chronoamperometry) at both planar electrodes and two-dimensional flux microdisk electrodes. Comparison of experiment with theory suggests the ratio of anisotropic diffusion coefficients in the directions tangential and perpendicular to the electrode surface varies over two orders of magnitude (from 0.04 to 3.3) with increasing concentration of the redox analyte. This is understood through the occurrence of a long-range charge transfer across the pseudophase | pseudophase boundary interface, occurring as a result of differential diffusivities of the redox probe within the surfactant and aqueous subphases. These data and their dependence on the analyte concentration empower, in a proof-of-concept, the estimation of the partition equilibrium constant (K(P)); the value estimated for the small electroactive-drug mimetic considered is log K(P) = 2.01 ± 0.05 (at 294 ± 2 K) and is in agreement with that envisaged for its partition between n-octanol and water. It is suggested that only measurements at low analyte loadings allow for interphase electron transfers to be neglected, since then percolation effects appear to dominate the Faradaic current.

Tuning the oxidation level, the spin state, and the degree of electron delocalization in homo- and heteroleptic bis(alpha-diimine)iron complexes

The four-coordinate heteroleptic complex [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)dad*-)] (1) and its homoleptic analogue [Fe(II)((F)dad*-)2] (2), where (F)pda(2-) is the closed-shell ligand N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamide(2-) and (F)dad*- is the singly reduced N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene pi-radical anion, have been synthesized. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal a twisted tetrahedral geometry of the FeN4 coordination polyhedron in both 1 and 2. The electronic structures of 1 and 2 were probed by magnetic susceptibility measurements, 57Fe Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In spite of their similar geometries and a common triplet ground state (S(t) = 1), the electronic structures of 1, 2, and the previously reported homoleptic analogue [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)pda*-)] (3), where (F)pda*- is a one-electron-oxidized form of (F)pda(2-), differ. The electronic structure of 2 consists of two (F)dad*- radicals coupled antiferromagnetically to a high-spin Fe(II) center, whereas in 3, only one (F)pda*- radical is coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion. This ligand mixed-valent species exhibits class-III behavior. Heteroleptic 1 contains a single (F)dad*- radical coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) center but behaves as a class-II ligand mixed-valent species. The observed diversity in the electronic structures of 1-3 is ascribed to the difference in the redox potentials of the ligands. Analysis of reduced orbital charges and spin densities obtained from DFT calculations also suggests that the electronic structures of 1-3 are best described as either a high-spin Fe(II) ion coordinated to two radical monoanions (2) or as an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion coordinated to one radical monoanion and one closed-shell dianion (1, 3).

Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational aspects of the charge distribution in Ru(acac)2(R-o-benzoquinonediimine) complexes

The syntheses and properties are reported for five Ru(acac)2(R-bqdi) species where acac is acetylacetonate, and R-bqdi is the non-innocent ligand ortho-benzoquinonediimine substituted with R = H (1), 4,5-dimethyl (2), 4-Cl (3), or 4-NO2 (4), and N,N''-dimethylsulfonyl (5). Their identities and purities were confirmed by NMR, mass spectra, IR and analytical data. The large degree of metal-to-ligand pi-back-donation was analyzed by spectroscopic (UV/visible, IR, Raman) and electrochemical data, supported by molecular orbital composition computations using density functional theory (DFT), with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) to mimic the presence of solvent, and prediction of electronic spectra using time-dependent DFT methods. Extended charge decomposition analysis (ECDA) and natural population analysis (NPA) both produced a detailed picture of the bonding between the non-innocent bqdi ligand and the metal center, allowing correlations to be drawn between the nature of the R substituents and the quantitative extent of pi-back-donation and sigma-forward donation. In conclusion, the issue of whether these species are best regarded as Ru(II)(quinonediimine) or coupled Ru(III)(semiquinonediiminate) species is discussed.

A series of metal complexes with the non-innocent N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamido ligand: twisted geometry for tuning the electronic structure

A series of homoleptic complexes with non-innocent ligands derived from N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamine (H(2)(F)pda) are reported. [Ni(II)((F)sbqdi)(2)] (1), [Pd(II)((F)sbqdi)(2)] (2), [Co(II)((F)sbqdi)(2)] (3), and [Cu(II)((F)sbqdi)(2)] (4) were synthesized, where ((F)sbqdi)(1-) represents a radical anion formed by one-electron oxidation of the doubly deprotonated H2(F)pda. The oxidation states of ligands and metals in complexes 1-4 were assigned by single crystal X-ray crystallography performed at low temperatures. Complex 4 is the first Cu(II) complex where both o-phenylenediamine derived ligands are monoanionic radicals. The bulky N-C6F5 substituents force the complexes 1, 3, and 4 to adopt a twisted geometry (intermediate between square-planar and tetrahedral). The electronic structures of the neutral compounds 1-4 and of some of their cationic and/or anionic neighboring redox states were probed using EPR and UV-VIS-NIR spectroelectrochemistry. The twisted geometry of the complexes results in considerable changes in their electronic structures compared to the well known square-planar complexes while the strongly electron withdrawing N-C6F5 groups have a great influence on redox properties.

Molecular and electronic structure of five-coordinate complexes of iron(II/III) containing o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical ligands

The reaction of the ligand N-phenyl-1,2-benzenediamine (N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine), H2[L(PDI)], in dry acetonitrile with [FeIII(dmf)6](ClO4)3 (dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide) affords the dimer (mu-NH,NH)[FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))]2 (1), where (L(ISQ))*- represents the pi radical monoanion N-phenyl-o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate and (L(PDI))2- is its one-electron-reduced, closed-shell form. Complex 1 possesses a diamagnetic ground-state St = 0. Addition reactions of tri-n-butylphosphane, tert-butyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, 4,5-diphenylimidazole, and 4-(1-phenylpentyl)pyridine with 1 in acetonitrile or toluene yields [FeII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)] (2), [Fe(II)(L(ISQ))2(CN-tBu)] (4), [FeII(L(ISQ))2(CNCy)] (5), [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(Ph2Im)] (6), and [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))(BuPhCH-py)].BuPhCH-py (7). Oxidation of 1 with iodine affords [FeIII(L(ISQ))2I] (3), and oxidation of 2 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate yields [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)](PF6) (2ox). The structures of complexes 2, 2ox, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 100(2) K. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR, UV-vis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy have established that mononuclear complexes containing the [FeII(L(ISQ))2X] chromophore (2, 4, 5) are diamagnetic (St = 0) whereas those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))2X]n chromophore (3, 2(ox), 6) are paramagnetic (St = 1/2) and those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))X] chromophore (7) possess an St = 1 ground state. It is established that all ferric species have an intrinsic intermediate spin (SFe = 3/2) which is intramolecularly antiferromagnetically coupled to one or two (L(ISQ))*- ligand radicals yielding an St = 1 (7) or St = 1/2 (2ox, 3, 6) ground state, respectively. In the ferrous complexes 2, 4, and 5 the intrinsic spin at the iron ion is either low spin (SFe = 0) or intermediate spin (SFe = 1). Antiferromagnetic coupling between two radicals (L(ISQ))*- or, alternatively, between the intermediate spin ferrous ion and two radicals yields then the observed diamagnetic ground state. In 1 two [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))] halves with S = 1 couple antiferromagnetically affording an St = 0 ground state.

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy in Combination with Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Impedance Analysis for Studying the Growth and Electrochemistry as Well as Microetching of Poly(o-phenylenediamine) Thin Films

The combination of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with piezoelectric quartz crystal impedance (PQCI) analysis was proposed as a novel multiparameter method for investigating the cyclic voltammetric growth of poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) thin films at Au electrodes in aqueous solutions of various pH values and the potentiostatic microetching (localized degradation) of these films in 0.10 mol/L aqueous H2SO4 for comparative examinations on polymer porosity and stability. Two potential-sweep ranges, -0.4 to 0.9 (I) and 0 to 0.9 (II) V versus SCE, and four solutions, acidic (A, 0.20 mol/L H2SO4 + 0.10 mol/L Na2SO4; B, 0.10 mol/L H2SO4 + 0.20 mol/L Na2SO4), neutral (C, 0.10 mol/L PBS + 0.20 mol/L Na2SO4, pH 7.2), and alkaline (D, 0.20 mol/L NaOH + 0.20 mol/L Na2SO4) aqueous solutions, were selected for PoPD growth. The pH increase for the polymerization solution increased the molar percentage of polyaniline-like chains in PoPD, as quantified from the current peaks at approximately 0.6 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for the oxidation of -NH2 groups in as-prepared PoPD (grown from solutions C and D) during their redox switching in 0.10 mol/L aqueous H2SO4 for the first time. The unusual PQCI responses observed at negative potentials (potential range I) in the first several potential cycles during the cyclic voltammetric growth of PoPD in acidic and neutral solutions have been reasonably explained as being due to the precipitation/dissolution of the poorly soluble phenazinehydrine charge-transfer complexes developed during redox switching of oligomers for the first time, which brought about much less compact PoPD films and their higher degradability than those grown in the same solution but over potential range II. SECM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) frequency were used to estimate the sizes of etched microscale spots. In addition, the x-, y-, or z-axis movement of a Pt microelectrode of 25-mum diameter near the PQC electrode was found to influence negligibly the PQCI responses in 1.0 mol/L aqueous Na2SO4 containing K4Fe(CN)6 up to 0.10 mol/L, and a new protocol of dynamically electrodepositing silver microwires via the chemical-lens method was proposed for examining the local mass-sensitivity distribution on the PQC surface.