Intramolecular C-H Functionalization Followed by a [2σ + 2π] Addition via an Intermediate Nickel-Nitridyl Complex

Complexes of a Noncyclic Carbazole-based N5-donor Schiff base: Structures, Redox, EPR and Poor Activity as Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysts

A new noncyclic pentadentate N5-donor Schiff-base ligand, HL2Etpyr (1,1'-(3,6-ditert-butyl-9H-carbazole-1,8-diyl)bis(N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)methanimine)), prepared from 1,8-diformyl-3,6-ditertbutyl-carbazole (HUtBu) and two equivalents of 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine, along with four tetrafluoroborate complexes, [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4), where M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, and two [CoIIL2EtPyr]·1/2[CoIIX4] complexes where X = NCS or Cl, isolated as solvates, are reported. All six complexes were structurally characterized, revealing the cations to be isostructural, with M(II) in a trigonal bipyramidal N5-donor environment. Only the Zn(II) complex is fluorescent. Cyclic voltammograms of [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4) in MeCN reveal reversible redox processes at positive potentials: 0.61 (Zn), 0.62 (Cu), 0.57 (Ni), and 0.25 V (Co), and for the cobalt complex a second quasi-reversible process occurs at 0.92 V vs Fc+/Fc. EPR data for the first oxidation product clearly demonstrate that the Zn complex undergoes a ligand centered oxidation, and support this being the case for the Ni and Cu complexes, although this is not definitively shown. After both oxidations the EPR data shows that the Co complex is best described as a low spin Co(III)-ligand radical. In the presence of 80 mM acetic acid, controlled potential electrolysis carried out on [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4) at -1.68 V in MeCN shows some electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in the order Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) - but the control, Ni(II) tetrafluoroborate, is more active than all three of the complexes.

Ligand-Dominated Activation of CO2 and CS2 by the Putative Nickel Phosphiniminato Intermediates

Room-temperature photoactivation of the first- and second-generation PN3P-pincer nickel azido complexes 1a and 1b in the presence of CO2 or CS2 afforded N-bound carbamates, dithiocarbamates, and isothiocyanates, providing insights into CO2 and CS2 activation and demonstrating how a seemingly small difference in the ligand structure significantly influences the reactivity. Theoretical calculations disclosed that the charge of the phosphorus atom plays a critical role in determining the nitrogen atom transfer to form a plausible nickel phosphiniminato intermediate.

A mesoionic carbene stabilized nickel(II) hydroxide complex: a facile precursor for C-H activation chemistry

We report the synthesis of a new nickel(II) hydroxide complex 2 supported by a rigid, tridentate triazolylidene-carbazolid ligand. The complex can be accessed in high yields following a simple and stepwise extraction protocol using dichloromethane and aqueous ammonium chloride followed by aqeous sodium hydroxide solution. We found that complex 2 is highly basic, undergoing various deprotonation/desilylation reactions with E-H and C-H acidic and silylated compounds. In this context we synthesized a variety of novel, functionalized nickel(II) complexes with trimethylsilylolate (3), trityl sulfide (4), tosyl amide (5), azido (6), pyridine (7), acetylide (8, 9), fluoroarene (10 & 11) and enolate (12) ligands. We furthermore found that 2 reacts with malonic acid dimethyl ester in a knoevennagel-type condensation reaction, giving access to a new enolate ligand in complex 13, consisting of two malonic acid units. Furthermore, complex 2 reacts with acetonitrile to form the cyanido complex 14. The formation of complexes 13 and 14 is particularly interesting, as they underline the potential of complex 2 in both C-C bond formation and cleavage reactions.

Photoinduced Metallonitrene Formation by N2 Elimination from Azide Diradical Ligands

Transition-metal nitrides/nitrenes are highly promising reagents for catalytic nitrogen-atom-transfer reactivity. They are typically prepared in situ upon optically induced N2 elimination from azido precursors. A full exploitation of their catalytic potential, however, requires in-depth knowledge of the primary photo-induced processes and the structural/electronic factors mediating the N2 loss with birth of the terminal metal-nitrogen core. Using femtosecond infrared spectroscopy, we elucidate here the primary molecular-level mechanisms responsible for the formation of a unique platinum(II) nitrene with a triplet ground state from a closed-shell platinum(II) azide precursor. The spectroscopic data in combination with quantum-chemical calculations provide compelling evidence that product formation requires the initial occupation of a singlet excited state with an anionic azide diradical ligand that is bound to a low-spin d8 -configured PtII ion. Subsequent intersystem crossing generates the Pt-bound triplet azide diradical, which smoothly evolves into the triplet nitrene via N2 loss in a near barrierless adiabatic dissociation. Our data highlight the importance of the productive, N2 -releasing state possessing azide ππ* character as a design principle for accessing efficient N-atom-transfer catalysts.

Synthesis and Magnetic Studies of Two Neutral, Bis-Ligand Fe(II) Complexes Containing Carbazole-Bis(tetrazole) Ligands

Previously reported carbazole-bis(tetrazole) (CzT^R) ligands (where R = iPr and CH₂-2,4,6-C₆H₂Me₃) were used to synthesize air-stable, six-coordinate, octahedral bis-ligand Fe(II) complexes (CzT^R)₂Fe. The synthesis and characterization of these complexes using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray crystallography, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are reported. Analysis of the magnetic properties revealed that the isopropyl derivative displays thermally induced spin crossover (SCO) over a temperature range of 150-350 K. This transition appears as an abrupt two-step transition in the solid state but simplifies to a smooth one-step transition in solution. The two-step transition in the solid state has been postulated to be due to lattice and solvation effects. In contrast, the slightly bulkier substituted CH₂-2,4,6-C₆H₂Me₃ (CH₂Mes) Fe complex displays dramatically different magnetic behavior with no SCO and magnetic data suggesting low-spin Fe(II) with a possible TIP contribution. DFT calculations support the postulate that the change in magnetic behavior is primarily due to the nature of the ligand substituents.

Switching the Photoreactions of Ir(III) Diamine Complexes between C-N Coupling and Dehydrogenation under Visible Light Irradiation

The selective photoreactions under mild conditions play an important role in synthetic chemistry. Herein, efficient and mild protocols for switching the photoreactions of Ir(III)-diamine complexes between the interligand C-N coupling and dehydrogenation are developed in the presence of O₂ in EtOH solution. The photoreactions of achiral diamine complexes rac-[Ir(L)₂(dm)](PF₆) (L is 2-phenylquinoline or 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)quinoline, dm is 1,2-ethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminopropane, 2-methyl-1,2-diamino-propane, or N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-ethylenediamine) are competitive in the oxidative C-N coupling and dehydrogenation at room temperature, which can be switched into the interligand C-N coupling reaction at 60 °C, affording hexadentate complexes in good to excellent yields, or the dehydrogenative reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of TEMPO as an additive, affording imine complexes. Mechanism studies reveal that ¹O₂ is the major reactive oxygen species, and metal aminyl is the key intermediate in the formation of the oxidative C-N coupling and imine products in the photoreaction processes. These will provide a new and practical protocol for the synthesis of multidentate and imine ligands in situ via the postcoordinated strategy under mild conditions.

Nitrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis by Metallonitrene C-H Insertion: Photocatalytic Amidation of Aldehydes

C-H amination and amidation by catalytic nitrene transfer are well-established and typically proceed via electrophilic attack of nitrenoid intermediates. In contrast, the insertion of (formal) terminal nitride ligands into C-H bonds is much less developed and catalytic nitrogen atom transfer remains unknown. We here report the synthesis of a formal terminal nitride complex of palladium. Photocrystallographic, magnetic, and computational characterization support the assignment as an authentic metallonitrene (Pd-N) with a diradical nitrogen ligand that is singly bonded to PdII . Despite the subvalent nitrene character, selective C-H insertion with aldehydes follows nucleophilic selectivity. Transamidation of the benzamide product is enabled by reaction with N3 SiMe3 . Based on these results, a photocatalytic protocol for aldehyde C-H trimethylsilylamidation was developed that exhibits inverted, nucleophilic selectivity as compared to typical nitrene transfer catalysis. This first example of catalytic C-H nitrogen atom transfer offers facile access to primary amides after deprotection.

Synthesis and characterization of trigonal bipyramidal FeIII complexes and their solution behavior

A series of air-stable trigonal bipyramidal Fe^III complexes supported by a redox non-innocent NNN pincer ligand, Cz ^tBu(Pyr^R)₂ ^- (R = iPr, Me, or H), were synthesized, fully characterized, and utilized for the investigation of the interaction between acetone and the Fe^III center. The magnetic moments determined from the paramagnetic ¹H NMR spectra in conjunction with EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy indicate the presence of a high-spin ferric center. Cyclic voltammetry studies feature two quasi-reversible events corresponding to a metal-centered Fe^III/II reduction around -0.40 V (vs. Fc) and a ligand-centered Cz ^tBu(Pyr^R)₂/Cz ^tBu(Pyr^R)₂ ^•+ oxidation at potentials near +0.70 V (vs. Fc). UV-Visible spectroscopy in CH₂Cl₂ showcases ligand-metal charge transfer (LMCT) bands, as well as coordination of acetone to Cz ^tBu(Pyr^H)₂FeCl₂. In situ IR spectroscopy and solution conductivity (κ) measurements of Cz ^tBu(Pyr^R)₂FeCl₂ with varied equivalents of acetone reveal that acetone is weakly associated with the iron center.

DFT and TDDFT Study of the Reaction Pathway for Double Intramolecular C-H Activation and Functionalization by Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel-Nitridyl Complexes

Previous work was successful in synthesizing a nickel amine, [Cz^tBu(Pyr^iPr)(NH₂-Pyr^iPr)], by double C-H activation and functionalization via irradiating a disphenoidal Ni(II) azido complex, [Cz^tBu(Pyr^iPr)₂NiN₃]. The present work seeks to expand upon the earlier research and to substitute the metal with iron or cobalt. Density functional theory (DFT)-B3LYP/6-31+G(d') and APFD/Def2TZVP-was used to simulate the generation of an intermediate with significant nitridyl radical character after the loss of N₂ from the starting azido complex. DFT and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) were also used to propose a detailed pathway comprised of intermediates of low, intermediate, or high spin multiplicity and photogenerated excited states for the reaction of the azido complex, [Cz^tBu(Pyr^iPr)₂MN₃], to form the amine complex [Cz^tBu(Pyr^iPr)M(NH₂-Pyr^iPr)], M = Co, Ni, or Fe.

Mapping the Reactivity of Dicobalt Bridging Nitrides in Constrained Geometries

Low-nuclearity nitrides of the late transition metals are rare and reactive molecular species, with little experimental precedent. The first putative examples of dicobalt bridging nitrides, [(nPDI2)Co2(μ-N)(PMe3)2][OTf]3 (n[Co2N]3+; PDI = pyridyldiimine; n = 2 or 3, representing the length of the aliphatic chain linking PDI imino groups), were reported recently and shown to undergo a range of intramolecular reaction pathways, including N-H bond formation, C-H bond insertion, and P═N bond formation at the bridging nitride. The specific mode of reactivity changed with the phase of the reaction and the size of the macrocycle used to support the transient species. The present contribution offers a computational investigation into both the geometric and electronic structures of these nitrides as well as the factors governing their reaction selectivity. The compounds n[Co2N]3+ exhibit μ-N-based lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) that are consistent with subvalent, electrophilic nitrides. The specific orientations of the LUMOs induce ring-size-dependent stereoelectronic effects, thereby causing the product selectivity observed experimentally. Notably, the nitrides also exhibit a degree of nucleophilicity at μ-N by way of a high-energy, μ-N-based lone pair. This ambiphilic character appears to be a direct result of the constrained environment imposed by the folded-ligand geometries of n[Co2N]3+. When combined with the experimental findings, these data led to the conclusion that the folded-ligand isomers are the reactive species and that the constrained geometry imposed by the macrocyclic ligand plays an important role in controlling the reaction outcome.

Discrepancy between Proline and Homoproline in Chiral Recognition and Diastereomeric Photoreactivity with Iridium(III) Complexes

The chiral-recognition processes of homoproline (hpro) and [Ir(pq)₂(MeCN)₂](PF₆) (pq is 2-phenylquinoline; MeCN is acetonitrile) are investigated, in favor of formation of the thermodynamically stable diastereomers Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)]. Moreover, the diastereoselective photoreactions of Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] are reported in the presence of O₂ at room temperature. Diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] is dehydrogenatively oxidized into imino acid complex Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)] (hpro-2H² is 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropicalinate), while diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] occurs by interligand C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions, affording three products: Δ-[Ir(pq)(d-pqh)] [pqh is N-(2-phenylquinolin-8-yl)homoproline], Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)], and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro-2H⁶)] [hpro-2H⁶ is 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropicalinate]. The C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are competitive, and the dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are regioselective. By optimization of the photoreaction parameters such as the diastereomeric substrate, solvent, and temperature as well as base, each possible competitive product is selectively controlled. In addition, density functional theory calculations are performed to elucidate the distinctly chiral recognition between proline and hpro with an iridium(III) complex.

Structural and Oxidation State Alternatives in Platinum and Palladium Complexes of a Redox-Active Amidinato Ligand

Reaction of [Pt(DMSO)₂ Cl₂ ] or [Pd(MeCN)₂ Cl₂ ] with the electron-rich LH=N,N'-bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)ethanimidamide yielded mononuclear [PtL₂ ] (1) but dinuclear [Pd₂ L₄ ] (2), a paddle-wheel complex. The neutral compounds were characterized through experiments (crystal structures, electrochemistry, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, magnetic resonance) and TD-DFT calculations as metal(II) species with noninnocent ligands L^- . The reversibly accessible cations [PtL₂ ]⁺ and [Pd₂ L₄ ]⁺ were also studied, the latter as [Pd₂ L₄ ][B{3,5-(CF₃ )₂ C₆ H₃ }₄ ] single crystals. Experimental and computational investigations were directed at the elucidation of the electronic structures, establishing the correct oxidation states within the alternatives [Pt^II (L^- )₂ ] or [Pt^. (L )₂ ], [Pt^II (L^0.5- )₂ ]⁺ or [Pt^III (L^- )₂ ]⁺ , [(Pd^II )₂ (μ-L^- )₄ ] or [(Pd^1.5 )₂ (μ-L^0.75- )₄ ], and [(Pd^2.5 )₂ (μ-L^- )₄ ]⁺ or [(Pd^II )₂ (μ-L^0.75- )₄ ]⁺ . In each case, the first alternative was shown to be most appropriate. Remarkable results include the preference of platinum for mononuclear planar [PtL₂ ] with an N-Pt-N bite angle of 62.8(2)° in contrast to [Pd₂ L₄ ], and the dimetal (Pd₂ ⁴⁺ →Pd₂ ⁵⁺ ) instead of ligand (L^- →L ) oxidation of the dinuclear palladium compound.

Rollover Cyclometalation as a Valuable Tool for Regioselective C-H Bond Activation and Functionalization

Rollover cyclometalation constitutes a particular case of cyclometallation reaction. This reaction occurs when a chelated heterocyclic ligand loses its bidentate coordination mode and undergoes an internal rotation, after which a remote C-H bond is regioselectively activated, affording an uncommon cyclometalated complex, called "rollover cyclometalated complex". The key of the process is the internal rotation of the ligand, which occurs before the C-H bond activation and releases from coordination a donor atom. The new "rollover" ligand has peculiar properties, being a ligand with multiple personalities, no more a spectator in the reactivity of the complex. The main reason of this peculiarity is the presence of an uncoordinated donor atom (the one initially involved in the chelation), able to promote a series of reactions not available for classic cyclometalated complexes. The rollover reaction is highly regioselective, because the activated C-H bond is usually in a symmetric position with respect to the donor atom which detaches from the metal stating the rollover process. Due to this novel behavior, a series of potential applications have appeared in the literature, in fields such as catalysis, organic synthesis, and advanced materials.

Visible-Light-Induced Amination of Quinoline at the C8 Position via a Postcoordinated Interligand-Coupling Strategy under Mild Conditions

The postcoordinated interligand-coupling strategy provides a useful and complementary protocol for synthesizing polydentate ligands. Herein, diastereoselective photoreactions of Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-AA)] (Λ-d) and Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-AA)] (Λ-l, where pq is 2-phenylquinoline and AA is an amino acid) are reported in the presence of O₂ under mild conditions. Diastereomer Λ-d is dehydrogenatively oxidized into an imino acid complex, while diastereomer Λ-l mainly occurs via interligand C-N cross-dehydrogenative coupling between quinoline at the C8 position and AA ligands at room temperature, affording Λ-[Ir(pq)(l-pq-AA)]. Furthermore, the photoreaction of diastereomer Λ-l is temperature-dependent. Mechanistic experiments reveal the ligand-radical intermediates may be involved in the reaction. Density functional theory calculations were used to eluciate the origin of diastereoselectivity and temperature dependence. This will provide a new protocol for the amination of quinoline at the C8 position via the postcoordinated interligand C-N cross-coupling strategy under mild conditions.

N-H Bond Formation at a Diiron Bridging Nitride

Despite their connection to ammonia synthesis, little is known about the ability of iron-bound, bridging nitrides to form N-H bonds. Herein we report a linear diiron bridging nitride complex supported by a redox-active macrocycle. The unique ability of the ligand scaffold to adapt to the geometric preference of the bridging species was found to facilitate the formation of N-H bonds via proton-coupled electron transfer to generate a μ-amide product. The structurally analogous μ-silyl- and μ-borylamide complexes were shown to form from the net insertion of the nitride into the E-H bonds (E=B, Si). Protonation of the parent bridging amide produced ammonia in high yield, and treatment of the nitride with PhSH was found to liberate NH3 in high yield through a reaction that engages the redox-activity of the ligand during PCET.