Toward a Porphyrin-Style NHC: A 16-Atom Ringed Dianionic Tetra-NHC Macrocycle and Its Fe(II) and Fe(III) Complexes

Ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with a macrocyclic tetracarbene indium complex

The first chiral tetracarbene indium(III) complexes have been synthesized by employing a rigid dianionic macrocyclic tetra-NHC ligand. The macrocyclic indium tetra-NHC bromide and ethoxide complexes are structurally similar to analagous salen complexes. The indium ethoxide complex effectively promotes living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone at room temperature.

A bis-Phenolate Carbene-Supported bis-μ-Oxo Iron(IV/IV) Complex with a [FeIV(μ-O)2FeIV] Diamond Core Derived from Dioxygen Activation

The diiron(II) complex, [(OCO)Fe(MeCN)]2 (1, MeCN = acetonitrile), supported by the bis-phenolate carbene pincer ligand, 1,3-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene (OCO), was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared (IR) vibrational, ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared (UV/vis/NIR) electronic absorption, 57Fe Mössbauer, X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and SQUID magnetization measurements. Complex 1 activates dioxygen to yield the diferric, μ-oxo-bridged complex [(OCO)Fe(py)(μ-O)Fe(O(C═O)O)(py)] (2) that was isolated and fully characterized. In 2, one of the iron-carbene bonds was oxidized to give a urea motif, resulting in an O(CNHC═O)O binding site, while the other Fe(OCO) unit remained unchanged. When the reaction is performed at -80 °C, an intensively colored, purple intermediate is observed (INT, λmax = 570 nm; ε = 5600 mol L-1 cm-1). INT acts as a sluggish oxidant, reacting only with easily oxidizable substrates, such as PPh3 or 2-phenylpropionic aldehyde (2-PPA). The identity of INT can be best described as a dinuclear complex containing a closed diamond core motif [(OCO)FeIV(μ-O)2FeIV(OCO)]. This proposal is based on extensive spectroscopic [UV/vis/NIR electronic absorption, 57Fe Mössbauer, X-band EPR, resonance Raman (rRaman), X-ray absorption, and nuclear resonance vibrational (NRVS)] and computational studies. The conversion of the diiron(II) complex 1 to the oxo diiron(IV) intermediate INT is reminiscent of the O2 activation process in soluble methane monooxygenases (sMMO). Most importantly, the low reactivity of INT supports the consensus that the [FeIV(μ-O)2FeIV] diamond core in sMMO is kinetically inert and needs to open up to terminal FeIV═O cores to react with the strong C-H bonds of methane.

Poly(imidazolyliden-yl)borato Complexes of Tungsten: Mapping Steric vs. Electronic Features of Facially Coordinating Ligands

A convenient synthesis of [HB(HImMe)3](PF6)2 (ImMe = N-methylimidazolyl) is decribed. This salt serves in situ as a precursor to the tris(imidazolylidenyl)borate Li[HB(ImMe)3] pro-ligand upon deprotonation with nBuLi. Reaction with [W(≡CC6H4Me-4)(CO)2(pic)2(Br)] (pic = 4-picoline) affords the carbyne complex [W(≡CC6H4Me-4)(CO)2{HB(ImMe)3}]. Interrogation of experimental and computational data for this compound allow a ranking of familiar tripodal and facially coordinating ligands according to steric (percentage buried volume) and electronic (νCO) properties. The reaction of [W(≡CC6H4Me-4)(CO)2{HB(ImMe)3}] with [AuCl(SMe2)] affords the heterobimetallic semi-bridging carbyne complex [WAu(μ-CC6H4Me-4)(CO)2(Cl){HB(ImMe)3}].

Organometallic chemistry confined within a porphyrin-like framework

The world of modified porphyrins changed forever when an N-confused porphyrin (NCP), a porphyrin isomer, was first published in 1994. The replacement of one inner nitrogen with a carbon atom revolutionised the chemistry that one is able to perform within the coordination cavity. One could explore new pathways in the organometallic chemistry of porphyrins by forcing a carbon fragment from the ring or an inner substituent to sit close to an inserted metal ion. Since the NCP discovery, a series of modifications became available to tune the coordination properties of the cavity, introducing a fascinating realm of carbaporphyrins. The review surveys all possible carbatetraphyrins(1.1.1.1) and their spectacular coordination and organometallic chemistry.

Cyclic iron tetra N-heterocyclic carbenes: synthesis, properties, reactivity, and catalysis

Cyclic iron tetracarbenes are an emerging class of macrocyclic iron N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. They can be considered as an organometallic compound class inspired by their heme analogs, however, their electronic properties differ, e.g. due to the very strong σ-donation of the four combined NHCs in equatorial coordination. The ligand framework of iron tetracarbenes can be readily modified, allowing fine-tuning of the structural and electronic properties of the complexes. The properties of iron tetracarbene complexes are discussed quantitatively and correlations are established. The electronic nature of the tetracarbene ligand allows the isolation of uncommon iron(III) and iron(IV) species and reveals a unique reactivity. Iron tetracarbenes are successfully applied in C-H activation, CO₂ reduction, aziridination and epoxidation catalysis and mechanisms as well as decomposition pathways are described. This review will help researchers evaluate the structural and electronic properties of their complexes and target their catalyst properties through ligand design.

Synthesis, Photophysical Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Properties of C7, a Novel Symmetric Tetra-Imidazolium-Bis-Heterocycle

A novel symmetric tetra-imidazolium-bis-heterocycle, called C7, was designed and synthesized in a quick two-step pathway, with the objective to synthesize biologically active supramolecular assembly. The synthesized compound was then analyzed for its photophysical properties, for a potential application in theragnostic (fluorescence) or phototherapy (photodynamic therapy, with the production of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen ¹O₂). C7 was thus screened for its biological activity, in particular against important human pathogens of viral origin (respiratory viruses such as adenovirus type 2 and human coronavirus 229E) and of fungal and bacterial origin. The compound showed limited antiviral activity, combined with very good antiproliferative activity against breast cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models. Interestingly, the selected compound showed excellent antibacterial activity against a large array of Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria, with a possible inhibitory mechanism on the bacterial cell wall synthesis studied with electron microscopy and molecular docking tools. Collectively, the newly synthesized compound C7 could be considered as a potential lead for the development of new antibacterial treatment, endowed with basic photophysical properties, opening the door towards the future development of phototherapy approaches.

Organometallic Chemistry within the Structured Environment Provided by the Macrocyclic Cores of Carbaporphyrins and Related Systems

The unique environment within the core of carbaporphyrinoid systems provides a platform to explore unusual organometallic chemistry. The ability of these structures to form stable organometallic derivatives was first demonstrated for N-confused porphyrins but many other carbaporphyrin-type systems were subsequently shown to exhibit similar or complementary properties. Metalation commonly occurs with catalytically active transition metal cations and the resulting derivatives exhibit widely different physical, chemical and spectroscopic properties and range from strongly aromatic to nonaromatic and antiaromatic species. Metalation may trigger unusual, highly selective, oxidation reactions. Alkyl group migration has been observed within the cavity of metalated carbaporphyrins, and in some cases ring contraction of the carbocyclic subunit takes place. Over the past thirty years, studies in this area have led to multiple synthetic routes to carbaporphyrinoid ligands and remarkable organometallic chemistry has been reported. An overview of this important area is presented.

The first macrocyclic abnormally coordinating tetra-1,2,3-triazole-5-ylidene iron complex: a promising candidate for olefin epoxidation

The first macrocyclic and abnormally coordinating, mesoionic N-heterocyclic carbene iron complex has been synthesised and characterised via ESI-MS, EA, SC-XRD, CV, NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and CV measurements indicate a strong σ-donor ability of the carbene moieties, suggesting an efficient catalytic activity of the iron complex in oxidation reactions. Initial tests in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene as a model substrate confirm this assumption.

Late Lanthanide Macrocyclic Tetra-NHC Complexes

An isostructural set of macrocyclic tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were synthesized on late lanthanides including Lu, Yb, Ho, Dy, and Gd. They were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, electrochemistry, and SQUID magnetometry. Solid-state structures show that all complexes are in a highly distorted square-pyramidal geometry with an axial HMDS ligand. ¹H NMR for Lu, Yb, and Dy demonstrates that these geometries are maintained in solution. Electrochemical measurements on the Yb complex show that the NHCs are very strong σ-donors compared to other organometallic Yb complexes. Magnetic measurements of the Yb and Dy complexes reveal slow relaxation of the magnetization in both complexes. The highly anisotropic Dy complex possesses an energy barrier to spin reversal of 52.42 K/36.43 cm^-1 and waist-restricted hysteresis up to 2.8 K. Finally, an 18-atom macrocycle variant of the Lu complex was synthesized for comparison in reactivity and stability. These complexes are the first lanthanides prepared with macrocyclic NHCs and suggest that NHCs may be a promising ligand for developing single-molecule magnets.

Actinide tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene 'sandwiches'

Highly-symmetrical, thorium and uranium octakis-carbene 'sandwich' complexes have been prepared by 'sandwiching' the An(iv) cations between two anionic macrocyclic tetra-NHC ligands, one with sixteen atoms and the other with eighteen atoms. The complexes were characterized by a range of experimental methods and DFT calculations. X-ray crystallography confirms the geometry at the metal centre can be set by the size of the macrocyclic ring, leading to either square prismatic or square anti-prismatic shapes; the geometry of the latter is retained in solution, which also undergoes reversible, electrochemical one-electron oxidation or reduction for the uranium variant. DFT calculations reveal a frontier orbital picture that is similar to thorocene and uranocene, in which the NHC ligands show almost exclusively σ-donation to the metal without π-backbonding.

Activation of Molecular Oxygen by a Cobalt(II) Tetra-NHC Complex*

The first dicobalt(III) μ2 -peroxo N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex is reported. It can be quantitatively generated from a cobalt(II) compound bearing a 16-membered macrocyclic tetra-NHC ligand via facile activation of dioxygen from air at ambient conditions. The reaction proceeds via an end-on superoxo intermediate as demonstrated by EPR studies and DFT. The peroxo moiety can be cleaved upon addition of acetic acid, yielding the corresponding CoIII acetate complex going along with H2 O2 formation. In contrast, both CoII and CoIII complexes are also studied as catalysts to utilize air for olefin and alkane oxidation reactions; however, not resulting in product formation. The observations are rationalized by DFT-calculations, suggesting a nucleophilic nature of the dicobalt(III) μ2 -peroxo complex. All isolated compounds are characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, elemental analysis, EPR and SC-XRD.

Degradation pathways of a highly active iron(iii) tetra-NHC epoxidation catalyst

Elucidation of different decomposition pathways of a highly active tetradentate iron–NHC epoxidation catalyst reveals direct carbene oxidation to be the decisive cause of catalyst degradation.

Electronic Finetuning of a Bio-inspired Iron(II) tetra-NHC Complex by trans Axial Isocyanide Substitution

The synthesis of trans axially substituted mono- (1 a) and bis(tert-butylisocyanide) (1 b) derivatives of the highly active homogeneous bio-inspired iron(II) olefin epoxidation (pre-)catalyst 1 bearing an equatorial macrocyclic tetra N-heterocyclic carbene and two trans axial labile acetonitrile ligands is reported. NMR spectroscopy and SC-XRD indicate a considerable π-backdonation from the iron(II) centres to the isocyanide ligand(s). The impact of isocyanide substitution on the electronic features of the complexes is studied by cyclic voltammetry revealing a significant increase in half-cell potential assignable to the reversible Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple with an increasing number of isocyanides as a result of their π-accepting properties: E1/2 =0.15 V (1), E1/2 =0.35 V (1 a), E1/2 =0.44 V (1 b).

A Chiral Macrocyclic Tetra-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Yields an "All Carbene" Iron Alkylidene Complex

The first chiral macrocyclic tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand has been synthesized. The macrocycle, prepared in high yield and large scale, was ligated onto palladium and iron to give divalent C2 -symmetric square planar complexes. Multinuclear NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction demonstrated that there are two distinct NHCs on each ligand, due to the bridging chiral cyclohexane. Oxidation of the iron(II) complex with trimethylamine N-oxide yielded a bridging oxo complex. Diazodiphenylmethane reacted with the iron(II) complex at room temperature to give a paramagnetic diazoalkane complex; the same reaction yielded the "all carbene" complex at elevated temperature. Electrochemical measurements support the assignment of the "all carbene" complex being an alkylidene. Notably, the diazoalkane complex can be directly transformed into the alkylidene complex, which had not been previously demonstrated on iron. Finally, a test catalytic reaction with a diazoalkane on the iron(II) complex does not yield the expected cyclopropane, but actually the azine compound.

Iron N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in homogeneous catalysis

This review article summarizes recent development of homogeneous iron N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts.

Pushing the limits of activity and stability: the effects of Lewis acids on non-heme iron–NHC epoxidation catalysts

Tetradentate iron–NHC complexes exhibit unprecedented activity (TOF: 410 000 h⁻¹) in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene by addition of Lewis acids.

One macrocyclic ligand, four oxidation states: A 16-atom ringed dianionic tetra-NHC macrocycle and its Cr(II) through Cr(V) complexes

Despite chromium being among the first transition metals ever reported to bind to an NHC, chromium NHC complexes, especially in mid and high oxidation states, have received scant attention. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a series of Cr(II) to Cr(V) complexes bearing a 16-atom ringed dianionic tetra-NHC macrocycle are reported. The Cr(II) dimer is diamagnetic and displays a very short Cr-Cr quadruple bond, unprecedented for Cr-NHC complexes to date. Oxidative cleavage of the Cr-Cr bond leads to the formation of a highly stable diamagnetic Cr(IV) oxo complex. Similar reactions with organic azides lead to paramagnetic Cr(IV) imide complexes. Notably, the Cr(IV) oxo can be oxidized in a reversible reaction to yield a Cr(V) cationic oxo complex, which is a very rare high oxidation state Cr-NHC-compound. This Cr(V) oxo undergoes stoichiometric oxygen atom transfer. Similar reactions were attempted with molybdenum and tungsten to form macrocyclic NHC complexes, but only a molybdenum dimer could be isolated.

Synthesis and structural characterization of 20-membered macrocyclic rings bearing trans-chelating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands and the catalytic activity of their palladium(ii) complexes

Macrocycles consisting of a 20-membered ring containing two imidazolium salt functionalities and of the formula [PhCH2N(CH2CH2CH2)Im(CH2CH2CH2)2][Br]2 (Im = imidazole = 3a, benzimidazole = 3b) were synthesized in 70-75% yields. These salts serve as precursors to macrocycles containing two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moieties. Reaction of the macrocyclic salts 3a and 3b with silver oxide afforded macrocyclic-bis(NHC)silver(i) complexes 4a and 4b. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of macrocyclic-bis(NHC)silver(i) complex 4a revealed a tetranuclear silver core with a short Ag-Ag distance (2.9328 Å). Complexes 4a and 4b serve as carbene transfer reagents to Pd. The treatment of macrocyclic-bis(NHC)silver(i) complexes 4a and 4b with one equivalent of PdCl2(MeCN)2 in methylene chloride afforded square-planar trans-macrocyclic-bis(NHC)Pd(ii)X2 complexes 5a and 5b. Preliminary screening of these palladium complexes showed they are competent precatalysts for Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions.

Unprecedented Five-Coordinate Iron(IV) Imides Generate Divergent Spin States Based on the Imide R-Groups

Three five-coordinate iron(IV) imide complexes have been synthesized and characterized. These novel structures have disparate spin states on the iron as a function of the R-group attached to the imide, with alkyl groups leading to low-spin diamagnetic (S=0) complexes and an aryl group leading to an intermediate-spin (S=1) complex. The different spin states lead to significant differences in the bonding about the iron center as well as the spectroscopic properties of these complexes. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed that all three imide complexes are in the iron(IV) oxidation state. The combination of diamagnetism and 15 N labeling allowed for the first 15 N NMR resonance recorded on an iron imide. Multi-reference calculations corroborate the experimental structural findings and suggest how the bonding is distinctly different on the imide ligand between the two spin states.