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Rossi E, Sorbelli D, Belanzoni P, Belpassi L, Ciancaleoni G. Monomeric gold hydrides for carbon dioxide reduction: ligand effect on the reactivity. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303512. [PMID: 38189856 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
We analyzed the ligand electronic effect in the reaction between a [LAu(I)H]0/- hydride species and CO2, leading to a coordinated formate [LAu(HCOO)]0/-. We explored 20 different ligands, such as carbenes, phosphines and others, carefully selected to cover a wide range of electron-donor and -acceptor properties. We included in the study the only ligand, an NHC-coordinated diphosphene, that, thus far, experimentally demonstrated facile and reversible reaction between the monomeric gold(I) hydride and carbon dioxide. We elucidated the previously unknown reaction mechanism, which resulted to be concerted and common to all the ligands: the gold-hydrogen bond attacks the carbon atom of CO2 with one oxygen atom coordinating to the gold center. A correlation between the ligand σ donor ability, which affects the electron density at the reactive site, and the kinetic activation barriers of the reaction has been found. This systematic study offers useful guidelines for the rational design of new ligands for this reaction, while suggesting a few promising and experimentally accessible potential candidates for the stoichiometric or catalytic CO2 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rossi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, I-56124, Italy
| | - Diego Sorbelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, I-06123, Italy
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, US
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, I-06123, Italy
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, I-06123, Italy
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, I-06123, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ciancaleoni
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, I-56124, Italy
- CIRCC, Bari, Italy
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2
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Sorbelli D, Belpassi L, Belanzoni P. Cooperative small molecule activation by apolar and weakly polar bonds through the lens of a suitable computational protocol. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:1222-1238. [PMID: 38126734 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05614g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule activation processes are central in chemical research and cooperativity is a valuable tool for the fine-tuning of the efficiency of these reactions. In this contribution, we discuss recent and remarkable examples in which activation processes are mediated by bimetallic compounds featuring apolar or weakly polar metal-metal bonds. Relevant experimental breakthroughs are thoroughly analyzed from a computational perspective. We highlight how the rational and non-trivial application of selected computational approaches not only allows rationalization of the observed reactivities but also inferring of general principles applicable to activation processes, such as the breakdown of the structure-reactivity relationship in carbon dioxide activation in a cooperative framework. We finally provide a simple yet unbiased computational protocol to study these reactions, which can support experimental advances aimed at expanding the range of applications of apolar and weakly polar bonds as catalysts for small molecule activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sorbelli
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8 - 06123, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8 - 06123, Perugia, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8 - 06123, Perugia, Italy.
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3
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Charman RSC, Hobson JA, Jackson RA, Mahon MF, Neale SE, Liptrot DJ. Acyclic Boryl Complexes of Copper(I). Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302704. [PMID: 37818674 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Reaction of (6-Dipp)CuOtBu (6-Dipp=C{NDippCH2 }2 CH2 , Dipp=2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 ) with B2 (OMe)4 provided access to (6-Dipp)CuB(OMe)2 via σ-bond metathesis. (6-Dipp)CuB(OMe)2 was characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography and shown to be a monomeric acyclic boryl of copper. (6-Dipp)CuB(OMe)2 reacted with ethylene and diphenylacetylene to provide insertion compounds into the Cu-B bond which were characterised by NMR spectroscopy in both cases and X-ray crystallography in the latter. It was also competent in the rapid catalytic deoxygenation of CO2 in the presence of excess B2 (OMe)4 . Alongside π-insertion, (6-Dipp)CuB(OMe)2 reacted with LiNMe2 to provide a salt metathesis reaction at boron, giving (6-Dipp)CuB(OMe)NMe2 , a second monomeric acyclic boryl, which also cuproborated diphenylacetylene. Computational interrogation validated these acyclic boryl species to be electronically similar to (6-Dipp)CuBpin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex S C Charman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Josie A Hobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Ross A Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Mary F Mahon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Samuel E Neale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - David J Liptrot
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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Sorbelli D, Belpassi L, Belanzoni P. Radical-like reactivity for dihydrogen activation by coinage metal-aluminyl complexes: computational evidence inspired by experimental main group chemistry. Chem Sci 2023; 14:889-896. [PMID: 36755722 PMCID: PMC9890964 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05815d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The computational study of an unprecedented reactivity of coinage metal-aluminyl complexes with dihydrogen is reported. In close resemblance to group 14 dimetallenes and dimetallynes, the complexes are predicted to activate H2 under mild conditions. Two different reaction pathways are found disclosing a common driving force, i.e., the nucleophilic behavior of the electron-sharing M-Al (M = Cu, Ag, Au) bond, which enables a cooperative and diradical-like mechanism. This mode of chemical reactivity emerges as a new paradigm for dihydrogen activation and calls for experimental feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sorbelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia Via Elce di Sotto 8 - 06123 Perugia Italy .,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC) Via Elce di Sotto 8 - 06123 Perugia Italy
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC) Via Elce di Sotto 8 - 06123 Perugia Italy
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia Via Elce di Sotto 8 - 06123 Perugia Italy .,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC) Via Elce di Sotto 8 - 06123 Perugia Italy
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Sorbelli D, Belpassi L, Belanzoni P. Widening the Landscape of Small Molecule Activation with Gold-Aluminyl Complexes: A Systematic Study of E-H (E=O, N) Bonds, SO 2 and N 2 O Activation. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203584. [PMID: 36660925 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The electronic features of gold-aluminyl complexes have been thoroughly explored. Their similarity with Group 14 dimetallenes and other metal-aluminyl complexes suggests that their reactivity with small molecules beyond carbon dioxide could be accessed. In this work, the reactivity of the [t Bu3 PAuAl(NON)] (NON=4,5-bis(2,6 diisopropylanilido)-2,7-ditert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) complex towards water, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide is computationally explored. The reaction mechanisms computed for each substrate strongly suggest that all activation processes are in principle experimentally feasible. Electronic structure analysis highlights that, in all cases, the reactivity is driven by the presence of the poorly polarized electron-sharing gold-aluminyl bond, which induces a radical-like reactivity of the complex towards all the substrates. A flat topology of the potential energy surface (PES) has been found for the reaction with N2 O, where two almost isoenergetic transition states can be located along the same reaction coordinate with different geometries, suggesting that the N2 O binding mode may not be a good indicator of the nature of N2 O activation in a cooperative bimetallic reactivity. In addition, the catalytic potentialities of these complexes have been explored in the framework of nitrous oxide reduction. The study reveals that the [t Bu3 PAuAl(NON)] complex might be an efficient catalyst towards oxidation of phosphines (and boranes) via N2 O reduction. These findings underline recurring trends in the novel chemistry of gold-aluminyl complexes and call for experimental feedbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sorbelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy.,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy.,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies "Giulio Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
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Sorbelli D, Belpassi L, Belanzoni P. Mechanistic Study of Alkyne Insertion into Cu-Al and Au-Al Bonds: A Paradigm Shift for Coinage Metal Chemistry. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:21095-21106. [PMID: 36493466 PMCID: PMC9795551 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the mechanism of the insertion reaction of 3-hexyne into Cu-Al and Au-Al bonds in M-aluminyl (M = Cu, Au) complexes is computationally elucidated. The mechanism is found to be radical-like, with the Cu-Al and Au-Al bonds acting as nucleophiles toward the alkyne, and predicts a less efficient reactivity for the gold-aluminyl complex. The proposed mechanism well rationalizes the kinetic (or thermodynamic) control on the formation of the syn (or anti) insertion product into the Cu-Al bond (i.e., dimetallated alkene) which has been recently reported. A comparative analysis of the electronic structure reveals that the reduced reactivity at the gold site─usually showing higher efficiency than copper as a "standard" electrophile in alkyne activation─arises from a common feature, i.e., the highly stable 6s Au orbital. The relativistic lowering of the 6s orbital, making it more suitable for accepting electron density and thus enhancing the electrophilicity of gold complexes, in the gold-aluminyl system is responsible for a less nucleophilic Au-Al bond and, consequently, a less efficient alkyne insertion. These findings demonstrate that the unconventional electronic structure and the electron-sharing nature of the M-Al bond induce a paradigm shift in the properties of coinage metal complexes. In particular, the peculiar radical-like reactivity, previously shown also with carbon dioxide, suggests that these complexes might efficiently insert/activate other small molecules, opening new and unexplored paths for their reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sorbelli
- Department
of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8-06123 Perugia, Italy,CNR
Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies ″Giulio Natta″
(CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8-06123 Perugia, Italy,
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR
Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies ″Giulio Natta″
(CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8-06123 Perugia, Italy,
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- Department
of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto, 8-06123 Perugia, Italy,CNR
Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies ″Giulio Natta″
(CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto, 8-06123 Perugia, Italy,
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Leach IF, Sorbelli D, Belpassi L, Belanzoni P, Havenith RWA, Klein JEMN. How reduced are nucleophilic gold complexes? Dalton Trans 2022; 52:11-15. [PMID: 35877065 PMCID: PMC9764324 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt01694j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleophilic formal gold(-I) and gold(I) complexes are investigated via Intrinsic Bond Orbital analysis and Energy Decomposition Analysis, based on density functional theory calculations. The results indicate gold(0) centres engaging in electron-sharing bonding with Al- and B- based ligands. Multiconfigurational (CASSCF) calculations corroborate the findings, highlighting the gap between the electonic structures and the oxidation state formalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac F. Leach
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AG GroningenThe Netherlands,Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AG GroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Diego Sorbelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of PerugiaVia Elce di Sotto806123 PerugiaItaly,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC)Via Elce di Sotto806123 PerugiaItaly
| | - Leonardo Belpassi
- CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC)Via Elce di Sotto806123 PerugiaItaly
| | - Paola Belanzoni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of PerugiaVia Elce di Sotto806123 PerugiaItaly,CNR Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC)Via Elce di Sotto806123 PerugiaItaly
| | - Remco W. A. Havenith
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AG GroningenThe Netherlands,Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AG GroningenThe Netherlands,Ghent Quantum Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University9000 GentBelgium
| | - Johannes E. M. N. Klein
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AG GroningenThe Netherlands
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