Eclipsed M2X6 Compounds Exhibiting Very Short Metal−Metal Triple Bonds

"MoCl3(dme)" Revisited: Improved Synthesis, Characterization, and X-ray and Electronic Structures

"MoCl₃(dme)" (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) is an important precursor for midvalent molybdenum chemistry, particularly for triply Mo-Mo bonded compounds of the type Mo₂X₆ (X = bulky anionic ligand). However, its exact structural identity has been obscure for more than 50 years. In search of a convenient, large-scale synthesis, we have found that trans-MoCl₄(Et₂O)₂ dissolved in dme can be cleanly reduced with dimethylphenylsilane, Me₂PhSiH, to provide khaki Mo₂Cl₆(dme)₂ in ∼90% yield. If the reduction is performed on a small scale, single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography can be obtained. Two different crystal morphologies were identified, each belonging to the P2₁/n space group, but with slightly different unit cell constants. The refined structure of each form is an edge-shared bioctahedron with overall C_i symmetry and metal-metal separations on the order of 2.8 Å. The bulk material is diamagnetic as determined by both the Gouy method and SQUID magnetometry. Density functional theory calculations suggest a σ²π²δ*² ground state for the dimer with the diamagnetism arising from a singlet diradical "broken symmetry" electronic configuration. In addition to a definitive structural assignment for "MoCl₃(dme)", this work highlights the utility of organosilanes as easy to handle, alternative reductants for inorganic synthesis.

Electronic tuning of Mo2(thioamidate)4 complexes through π-system substituents and cis/trans isomerism

We report an exploration of the coordination chemistry of a systematic series of cyclic thioamidate ligands with the quadruply-bonded Mo2(4+) core. In addition to the S and N donor atoms that bind to Mo, the ligands utilized in this study have an additional O or S atom in conjugation with the thioamidate π system. The preparation of four new Mo2 complexes is described, and these compounds are characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and DFT calculations. These complexes provide a means to interrogate the electronics of Mo2(thioamidate)4 systems. Notably, we describe the first two examples of Mo2(thioamidate)4 complexes in their cis-2,2-regioisomer. By varying the π-system substituent and regioisomerism of these compounds, the electronics of the dimolybdenum core is shown to be altered with varying degrees of effect. Cyclic voltammetry results show that changing the π-system substituent from O to S results in an increase in the Mo2(4+/5+) oxidation potential by 170 mV. Changing the arrangement of ligands around the dimolybdenum core from trans-2,2 to cis-2,2 slightly weakens the metal-ligand bonds, raising the oxidation potential by a more modest 30-100 mV. MO diagrams of each compound derived from DFT calculations support these conclusions as well; the identity of the π-system substituent alters the δ-δ* (HOMO-LUMO) gap by up to 0.4 eV, whereas regioisomerism yields smaller changes in the electronic structure.

Reactions of ((i)PrO)3M≡M(O(i)Pr)3 (M = Mo, W) with low-coordinate phosphorus compounds. Formation of the first four-membered planar metallacycles, containing an M≡M triple bond

The low-coordinate phosphorus compounds (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P=NSiMe(3), (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P(=S)=N(t)Bu and (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P(=NSiMe(3))(2) react with ((i)PrO)(3)M≡M(O(i)Pr)(3) (M = Mo, W) to form four- and five-membered metallacycles with intact endocyclic or exocyclic M≡M triple bonds. The first four-membered planar metallacycles, containing an M≡M triple bond were obtained in reaction with (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P=NSiMe(3).

Chemistry of personalized solar energy

Personalized energy (PE) is a transformative idea that provides a new modality for the planet's energy future. By providing solar energy to the individual, an energy supply becomes secure and available to people of both legacy and nonlegacy worlds and minimally contributes to an increase in the anthropogenic level of carbon dioxide. Because PE will be possible only if solar energy is available 24 h a day, 7 days a week, the key enabler for solar PE is an inexpensive storage mechanism. HY (Y = halide or OH(-)) splitting is a fuel-forming reaction of sufficient energy density for large-scale solar storage, but the reaction relies on chemical transformations that are not understood at the most basic science level. Critical among these are multielectron transfers that are proton-coupled and involve the activation of bonds in energy-poor substrates. The chemistry of these three italicized areas is developed, and from this platform, discovery paths leading to new hydrohalic acid- and water-splitting catalysts are delineated. The latter water-splitting catalyst captures many of the functional elements of photosynthesis. In doing so, a highly manufacturable and inexpensive method for solar PE storage has been discovered.

Syntheses, X-ray structures, and redox behaviour of the group 14 bis-boraamidinates M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (M = Ge, Sn) and Li2M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (M = Sn, Pb)

The solid-state structures of the complexes M[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (1a, M= Ge; 1b, M = Sn) were determined to be spirocyclic with two orthogonal boraamidinate (bam) ligands N,N′-chelated to the group 14 centre. Oxidation of 1b with SO2Cl2 afforded the thermally unstable, blue radical cation {Sn[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2}•+, identified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, whereas the germanium analogue 1a was inert towards SO2Cl2. The reaction between Li2[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 and SnCl2 or PbI2 in 2:1 molar ratio in diethyl ether produced the novel heterotrimetallic complexes Li2Sn[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (2b) and (Et2O·Li)LiPb[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 (2c·OEt2), respectively. By contrast, treatment of Li2[PhB(μ-N-t-Bu)2]2 with C4H8O2·GeCl2 yielded the germanium(IV) complex 1a via a redox process. The X-ray structures of 2b and 2c·THF revealed polycyclic arrangements in which one bam ligand is N,N′-chelated to the Sn(II) or Pb(II) atom and one of the Li+ cations, while the second bam ligand exhibits a unique bonding mode, bridging all three metal centres. The fluctional behaviour of 2b was investigated by variable temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.

New Bonding Modes for Boraamidinate Ligands in Heavy Group 15 Complexes: Fluxional Behavior of the 1:2 Complexes, LiM[PhB(NtBu)2]2 (M = As, Sb, Bi)

The reactions of MCl3 with Li2[PhB(NtBu)2] in 1:1, 1:1.5, and 1:2 molar ratios in diethyl ether produced the monoboraamidinates ClM[PhB(NtBu)2] (1a, M = As; 1b, M = Sb; 1c, M = Bi), the novel 2:3 boraamidinate complexes [PhB(NtBu)2]M-micro-N(tBu)B(Ph)N(tBu)M[PhB(NtBu)2] (2b, M = Sb; 2c, M = Bi), and the bisboraamidinates LiM[PhB(NtBu)2]2 (3a, 3a.OEt2, M = As; 3b, M = Sb; 3c.OEt2, M = Bi), respectively. The 2:3 complexes 2b and 2c were also observed in the reactions carried out in a 1:2 molar ratio at room temperature. All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 7Li, 11B, and 13C) and by single-crystal X-ray structural determinations. The molecular units of the mono-boraamidinates 1a-c are isostructural, but their crystal packing is distinct as a result of stronger intermolecular close contacts going from 1a to 1c. In the novel 2:3 bam complexes 2b and 2c, each metal center is N,N'-chelated by a bam ligand and these two [M(bam)]+ units are bridged by the third [bam]2- ligand. The structures of the unsolvated bis-boraaminidate complexes 3a and 3b consist of [Li(bam)]- and [M(bam)]+ monomeric units linked by Li-N and M-N bonds to give a tricyclic structure. Solvation of the Li+ ion by diethyl ether results in a bicyclic structure composed of four-membered BN2As and six-membered BN3AsLi rings in 3a.OEt2. In contrast, the analogous bismuth complex 3c.OEt2 exhibits a tetracyclic structure. Variable-temperature NMR studies reveal that the nature of the fluxional behavior of 3a-c in solution is dependent on the group 15 center.

A Three-Coordinate and Quadruply Bonded Mo−Mo Complex

Reaction of MoCl3(THF)3 with [Me2Si{NLi(Dipp)}2]2 (Dipp = 2,6-i-PrC6H3) afforded a triply bonded dimolybdenum complex 1,2-Mo2Cl2[Me2Si(NDipp)2]2 1, spanned by two Me2Si[N(Dipp)]2 ligands, thus resulting in a syn conformation. The air- and moisture-sensitive compound 1 was characterized by NMR spectroscopic, elemental, and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Reduction of 1 by Na/Hg yielded the quadruply bonded dimeric complex Mo2[Me2Si(NDipp)2]2 2, which was also characterized by the aforementioned analytical methods. The Mo-Mo bond was determined to be 2.1784(12) A, which is considered a long quadruple bond. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) computations on compound 2 provided insight into the intriguing Mo-Mo quadruple bond.

Syntheses and Structures of Magnesium and Zinc Boraamidinates: EPR and DFT Investigations of Li, Mg, Zn, B, and In Complexes of the [PhB(NtBu)2]•- Anion Radical

The first magnesium and zinc boraamidinate (bam) complexes have been synthesized via metathetical reactions between dilithio bams and Grignard reagents or MCl2 (M = Mg, Zn). The following new classes of bam complexes have been structurally characterized: heterobimetallic spirocycles {(L)mu-Li[PhB(mu-NtBu)2]}2M (6a,b, M = Mg, L = Et2O, THF; 6c, M = Zn, L = Et(2)O); bis(organomagnesium) complexes {[PhB(mu3-NtBu)2](MgtBu)2(mu3-Cl)Li(OEt2)3} (8) and {[PhB(mu3-NtBu)2](MgR)2(THF)2} (9a, R = iPr; 9b, R = Ph); mononuclear complex {[PhB(mu-NDipp)2]Mg(OEt2)2} (10). Oxidation of 6a or 6c with iodine produces persistent pink (16a, M = Mg) or purple (16b, M = Zn) neutral radicals {Lx-mu-Li[PhB(mu-NtBu)2]2M}. (L = solvent molecule), which are shown by EPR spectra supported by DFT calculations to be Cs-symmetric species with spin density localized on one of the bam ligands. In contrast, characterization of the intensely colored neutral radicals {[PhB(mu-NtBu)2]2M}. (5c, M = In, dark green; 5d, M = B, dark purple) reveals that the spin density is equally delocalized over all four nitrogen atoms in these D2d-symmetric spirocyclic systems. Oxidation of the dimeric dilithio complex {Li2[PhB(mu4-NtBu)2]}2 with iodine produces the monomeric neutral radical {[PhB(mu-NtBu)2]Li(OEt2)x}. (17), characterized by EPR spectra and DFT calculations. These findings establish that the bam anionic radical [PhB(NtBu)2].- can be stabilized by coordination to a variety of early main-group metal centers to give neutral radicals whose relative stabilities are compared and discussed.

Molecular Chemistry of Consequence to Renewable Energy

Energy conversion cycles are aimed at driving unfavorable, small-molecule activation reactions with a photon harnessed directly by a transition-metal catalyst or indirectly by a transition-metal catalyst at the surface of a photovoltaic cell. The construction of such cycles confronts daunting challenges because they rely on chemical transformations not understood at the most basic levels. These transformations include multielectron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, and bond-breaking and -making reactions of energy-poor substrates. We have begun to explore these poorly understood areas of molecular science with transition-metal complexes that promote hydrogen production and oxygen bond-breaking and -making chemistry of consequence to water splitting.

Multielectron Redox Chemistry of Iron Porphyrinogens

Iron octamethylporphyrinogens were prepared and structurally characterized in three different oxidation states in the absence of axial ligands and with sodium or tetrafluoroborate as the only counterions. Under these conditions, the iron- and ligand-based redox chemistry of iron porphyrinogens can be defined. The iron center is easily oxidized by a single electron (E(1/2) = -0.57 V vs NHE in CH(3)CN) when confined within the fully reduced macrocycle. The porphyrinogen ligand also undergoes oxidation but in a single four-electron step (E(p) = +0.77 V vs NHE in CH(3)CN); one of the ligand-based electrons is intercepted for the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) to result in an overall three-electron oxidation process. The oxidation equivalents in the macrocycle are stored in C(alpha)-C(alpha) bonds of spirocyclopropane rings, formed between adjacent pyrroles. EPR, magnetic and Mossbauer measurements, and DFT computations of the redox states of the iron porphyrinogens reveal that the reduced ligand gives rise to iron in intermediate spin states, whereas the fully oxidized ligand possesses a weaker sigma-donor framework, giving rise to high-spin iron. Taken together, the results reported herein establish a metal-macrocycle cooperativity that engenders a multielectron chemistry for iron porphyrinogens that is unavailable to heme cofactors.

Stable spirocyclic neutral radicals: aluminium and gallium boraamidinates

Stable dark red (M = Al) or dark green (M = Ga) neutral radicals {[PhB(mu-NtBu)2]2M} are obtained by the oxidation of their corresponding anions with iodine, and EPR spectra supported by DFT calculations show that the spin density is equally delocalized over all four nitrogen atoms in these spiroconjugated systems.