The Chemistry of Nitrogen Fixation and Models for The Reactions of Nitrogenase. Elsevier; 1983. pp. 197-292. [DOI: 10.1016/s0898-8838(08)60108-7]

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.

EPR detection and characterisation of a paramagnetic Mo(iii) dihydride intermediate involved in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

EPR spectroscopy and theoretical data show that the slow heterogeneous electron-transfer kinetics associated with the reduction of an 18-electron Mo(IV) acetato dihydride are a consequence of an η(2)-η(1) rearrangement of the carboxylate ligand which gives a unique paramagnetic 17-electron Mo(III) dihydride.

The siliconyl, boronyl, and iminoboryl ligands as analogues of the well-known carbonyl ligand: predicted reactivity towards dipolar cyclooligomerization in iron/cobalt carbonyl complexes

The Fe(CO)₄(SiO), Co(CO)₄(BO), and Co(CO)₄(BNSiMe₃), complexes akin to the well-known Fe(CO)₅ are predicted by density functional theory to undergo exothermic oligomerization to give the oligomers containing Si_nO_n/B_nO_n/B₂N₂ rings with single bonds.

Versatile behavior of the fluorophosphinidene ligand in iron carbonyl chemistry

Fluorophosphinidene (PF) is a versatile ligand found experimentally in the transient species M(CO)(5)(PF) (M = Cr, Mo) as well as the stable cluster Ru(5)(CO)(15)(μ(4)-PF). The PF ligand can function as either a bent two-electron donor or a linear four-electron donor with the former being more common. The mononuclear tetracarbonyl Fe(PF)(CO)(4) is predicted to have a trigonal bipyramidal structure analogous to Fe(CO)(5) but with a bent PF ligand replacing one of the equatorial CO groups. The tricarbonyl Fe(PF)(CO)(3) is predicted to have two low-energy singlet structures, namely, one with a bent PF ligand and a 16-electron iron configuration and the other with a linear PF ligand and the favored 18-electron iron configuration. Low-energy structures of the dicarbonyl Fe(PF)(CO)(2) have bent PF ligands and triplet spin multiplicities. The lowest energy structures of the binuclear Fe(2)(PF)(CO)(8) and Fe(2)(PF)(2)(CO)(7) derivatives are triply bridged structures analogous to the experimental structure of the analogous Fe(2)(CO)(9). The three bridges in each Fe(2)(PF)(CO)(8) and Fe(2)(PF)(2)(CO)(7) structure include all of the PF ligands. Other types of low-energy Fe(2)(PF)(2)(CO)(7) structures include the phosphorus-bridging carbonyl structure (FP)(2)COFe(2)(CO)(6), lying only ~2 kcal/mol above the global minimum, as well as an Fe(2)(CO)(7)(μ-P(2)F(2)) structure in which the two PF groups have coupled to form a difluorodiphosphene ligand unsymmetrically bridging the central Fe(2) unit.

(Acetylacetonato)dibromido[2,2-diphenylhydrazin-1-ido(1−)][2,2-diphenylhydrazin-1-ido(2−)]molybdenum(VI)

In the title compound, [MoBr₂(C₁₂H₁₁N₂)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(C₅H₇O₂)], the Mo^VI atom is six-coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by two N atoms from the diphenyl­hydrazide(1−) and diphenyl­hydrazide(2−) ligands, two O atoms from a bidentate acetyl­acetonate ligand and two Br⁻ ions. The mol­ecules form an inversion dimer via a pair of weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a π–π stacking inter­action with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.7401 (12) Å. Weak intra­molecular C—H⋯Br inter­actions and an intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.8118 (15) Å are also observed.

One-step synthesis of Mo(0) and W(0) bis(dinitrogen) complexes with the linear tetraphosphine ligand prP4: stereoselective formation of cis-[M(N2)2(rac-prP4)] and trans-[M(N2)2(meso-prP4)]; M = Mo, W

A new synthetic pathway to Chatt-type Mo(0) and W(0) bis(dinitrogen) complexes with the ligand prP(4) is presented (prP(4) is a linear tetraphos ligand with two ethylene bridges and a central propylene bridge). The synthesis starts from MoCl(5) and WCl(6), respectively, employing Mg as reductant. Whereas the electrochemical reduction of the oxido-iodido-molybdenum(IV) complex [Mo(O)I(meso-prP(4)](+) (1) only gave trans-[Mo(N(2))(2)(meso-prP(4))] (2a; Römer et al., Eur. J. Inorg. Chem.2008, 3258), the direct synthesis under normal conditions affords both trans and cis complexes 2a and 2b. The reaction products are characterised by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, a single-crystal X-ray structure determination of cis-α-[Mo(N(2))(2)(rac-prP(4))] (2b) is performed. In contrast to the trans bis(dinitrogen)molybdenum(0) complex 2a supported by the meso prP(4) ligand the corresponding cis-complex is exclusively coordinated by the rac isomer of prP(4). The reactivity of 2 with acids is investigated as well, leading to the NNH(2) complex [MoF(NNH(2))(meso-prP(4))]BF(4) (15). Analogous results are obtained with the tungsten complexes.

Stabilization of Unusual Substrate Coordination Modes in Dinuclear Macrocyclic Complexes

The steric protection offered by the macrobinucleating hexaazaditiophenolateligand (L) allows for the preparation of the first stable dinuclear nickel(II) borohydride bridged complex, which reacts rapidly with elemental sulphur producing a tetranuclear nickel(II) complex [{(L)Ni2}2(μ-S6)]2+ bearing a helical μ4-hexa- sulfide ligand. The [(L)CoII 2]2+ fragment have been able to trap a monomethyl orthomolybdate in the binding pocket. Unusual coordination modes of substrate in dinuclear macrocyclic compounds was demonstrated.

Alkylation of dinitrogen in [(HIPTNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]Mo complexes (HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3))

In this paper we explore the ethylation of dinitrogen (employing [Et(3)O][BAr(f)(4)]; Ar(f) = 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)) in [HIPTN(3)N]Mo (Mo) complexes ([HIPTN(3)N](3-) = [N(CH(2)CH(2)NHIPT)(3)](3-); HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)) with the objective of developing a catalytic cycle for the conversion of dinitrogen into triethylamine. A number of possible intermediates in a hypothetical catalytic cycle have been isolated and characterized: MoN=NEt, [Mo=NNEt(2)][BAr(f)(4)], Mo=NNEt(2), [Mo=NEt][BAr(f)(4)], Mo=NEt, MoNEt(2), and [Mo(NEt(3))][BAr(f)(4)]. Except for MoNEt(2), all compounds were synthesized from other proposed intermediates in a hypothetical catalytic reaction. All alkylated species are significantly more stable than their protonated counterparts, especially the Mo(V) species, Mo horizontal lineNNEt(2) and Mo=NEt. The tendency for both Mo=NNEt(2) and Mo=NEt to be readily oxidized by [Et(3)O][BAr(f)(4)] (as well as by [H(Et(2)O)(2)][BAr(f)(4)], [Mo =NNH(2)][BAr(f)(4)], and [Mo=NH][BAr(f)(4)]) suggests that their alkylation is unlikely to be part of a catalytic cycle. All efforts to generate NEt(3) in several stoichiometric or catalytic runs employing MoN(2) and Mo[triple bond]N as starting materials were unsuccessful, in part because of the slow speed of most alkylations relative to protonations. In related chemistry that employs a ligand containing 3,5-(4-t-BuC(6)H(4))(2)C(6)H(3) amido substituents alkylations were much faster, but a preliminary exploration revealed no evidence of catalytic formation of triethylamine.

The diversity of difluoroacetylene coordination modes obtained by coupling fluorocarbyne ligands on binuclear manganese carbonyl sites

Recent work has shown that the fluorocarbyne ligand CF, isoelectronic with the NO ligand, can be generated by the defluorination of CF(3) metal complexes, as illustrated by the 2006 synthesis by Hughes et al. of [C(5)H(5)Mo(CF)(CO)(2)] in good yield by the defluorination of [C(5)H(5)Mo(CF(3))(CO)(3)]. The fluorocarbyne ligand has now been investigated as a ligand in the manganese carbonyl complexes [Mn(CF)(CO)(n)] (n = 3, 4) and [Mn(2)(CF)(2)(CO)(n)] (n = 4-7) by using density functional theory. In mononuclear complexes, such as [Mn(CF)(CO)(4)], the CF ligand behaves very much like the NO ligand in terms of pi-acceptor strength. However, in the binuclear complexes the two CF ligands couple in many of the low-energy structures to form a bridging C(2)F(2) ligand derived, at least formally, from difluoroacetylene, FC[triple bond]CF. The geometries of such [Mn(2)(C(2)F(2))(CO)(n)] complexes suggest several different bonding modes of the bridging C(2)F(2) unit. These include bonding through the orthogonal pi bonds of FC[triple bond]CF, similar to the well-known [R(2)C(2)Co(2)(CO)(6)] complexes, or bonding of the C(2)F(2) unit as a symmetrical or unsymmetrical biscarbene. This research suggests that fluorocarbyne metal chemistry can serve as a means for obtaining a variety of difluoroacetylene metal complexes, thereby avoiding the need for synthesizing and handling the very unstable difluoroacetylene.

Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia by molybdenum: theory versus experiment

Molybdenum complexes that contain the triamidoamine ligand [(RNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N](3-) (R = 3,5-(2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)) catalyze the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at 22 degrees C and 1 atm with protons from 2,6-dimethylpyridinium and electrons from decamethylchromocene. Several theoretical studies have been published that bear on the proposed intermediates in the catalytic dinitrogen reduction reaction and their reaction characteristics, including DFT calculations on [(HIPTNCH(2)CH(2))(3)N]Mo species (HIPT =hexaisopropylterphenyl = 3,5-(2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)), which contain the actual triamidoamine ligand that is present in catalytic intermediates. Recent theoretical findings are compared with experimental findings for each proposed step in the catalytic reaction.

Spectroscopic characterization of molybdenum dinitrogen complexes containing a combination of di- and triphosphine coligands: 31P NMR analysis of five-spin systems

The three molybdenum-N2 complexes [Mo(N2)(dpepp)(depe)] (1), [Mo(N2)(dpepp)(dppe)] (2), and [Mo(N2)(dpepp)(1,2-dppp)] (3), all of which contain a combination of a bi- and a tridentate phosphine ligand, were prepared and investigated by vibrational and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. As a tridentate ligand bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine (dpepp) has been employed. The three different bidentate ligands are 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane (depe), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), and R-(+)-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (1,2-dppp). N-N as well as metal-N vibrations of 1-3 are identified and interpreted in terms of the geometric and electronic structures of the complexes. (31)P NMR spectra are recorded and fully analyzed. Moreover, correlation spectroscopy (COSY)-45 measurements are performed to determine the relative signs of coupling constants. Special attention is directed to a detection of different isomers and their (31)P NMR, as well as vibrational spectroscopic properties. The implications of the results for the area of synthetic nitrogen fixation with phosphine complexes are discussed.

Theoretical, spectroscopic, and mechanistic studies on transition-metal dinitrogen complexes: implications to reactivity and relevance to the nitrogenase problem

Dinitrogen complexes of transition metals exhibit different binding geometries of N2 (end-on terminal, end-on bridging, side-on bridging, side-on end-on bridging), which are investigated by spectroscopy and DFT calculations, analyzing their electronic structure and reactivity. For comparison, a bis(mu-nitrido) complex, where the N--N bond has been split, has been studied as well. Most of these systems are highly covalent, and have strong metal-nitrogen bonds. In the present review, particular emphasis is put on a consideration of the activation of the coordinated dinitrogen ligand, making it susceptible to protonation, reactions with electrophiles or cleavage. In this context, theoretical, structural, and spectroscopic data giving informations on the amount of charge on the N2 unit are presented. The orbital interactions leading to a charge transfer from the metals to the dinitrogen ligand and the charge distribution within the coordinated N2 group are analyzed. Correlations between the binding mode and the observed reactivity of N2 are discussed.

Electronic Structure, Spectroscopic Properties, and Reactivity of Molybdenum and Tungsten Nitrido and Imido Complexes with Diphosphine Coligands: Influence of the trans Ligand

A series of molybdenum and tungsten nitrido, [M(N)(X)(diphos)2], and imido complexes, [M(NH)(X)(diphos)2)]Y, (M = Mo, W) with diphosphine coligands (diphos = dppe/depe), various trans ligands (X = N3-, Cl-, NCCH3) and different counterions (Y-= Cl-, BPh4-) is investigated. These compounds are studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopies; they are also studied with isotope-substitution and optical-absorption, as well as emission, spectroscopies. In the nitrido complexes with trans-azido and -chloro coligands, the metal-N stretch is found at about 980 cm(-1); upon protonation, it is lowered to about 920 cm(-1). The 1A1 --> 1E (n --> pi) electronic transition is observed for [Mo(N)(N3)(depe)2] at 398 nm and shows a progression in the metal-N stretch of 810 cm(-1). The corresponding 3E --> 1A (pi --> n) emission band is observed at 542 nm, exhibiting a progression in the metal-N stretch of 980 cm(-1). In the imido system [Mo(NH)(N3)(depe)2]BPh4, the n --> pi transition is shifted to lower energy (518 nm) and markedly decreases in intensity. In the trans-nitrile complex [Mo(N)(NCCH3)(dppe)2]BPh4, the metal-N(nitrido) stretching frequency increases to 1016 cm(-1). The n --> pi transition now is found at 450 nm, shifting to 525 nm upon protonation. Most importantly, the reduction of this nitrido trans-nitrile complex is drastically facilitated compared to its counterparts with anionic trans-ligands (Epred = -1.5 V vs Fc+/Fc). On the other hand, the basicity of the nitrido group is decreased (pKa{[Mo(NH)(NCCH3)(dppe)2](BPh4)2} = 5). The implications of these findings with respect to the Chatt cycle are discussed.

Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at well-defined single metal sites

Dinitrogen (N2) is reduced to ammonia at room temperature and 1atm with molybdenum catalysts that contain tetradentate [HIPTN3N]3- triamidoamine ligands {[HIPTN3N]3-=[{3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3NCH2CH2}3N]3-, an example being [HIPTN3N]Mo(N2)} in heptane. Slow addition of the proton source ({2,6-lutidinium}{BAr'4}; Ar'=3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) and reductant (decamethyl chromocene) assure a high yield of ammonia (63-65% in four turnovers) versus dihydrogen formation. Numerous X-ray studies, along with isolation and characterization of seven intermediates in the proposed catalytic reaction (under noncatalytic conditions), suggest that N2 is being reduced at a sterically protected, single Mo centre that cycles between states Mo(III), Mo(IV), Mo(V) and Mo(VI).