MS2(Me2PC2H4PMe2)2 (M = Mo, W): acid-base properties, proton transfer, and reversible protonolysis of sulfido ligands

Hydrosulfide complexes of the transition elements: diverse roles in bioinorganic, cluster, coordination, and organometallic chemistry

Molecules containing transition metal hydrosulfide linkages are diverse, spanning a variety of elements, coordination environments, and redox states, and carrying out multiple roles across several fields of chemistry.

Oxidation-State-Dependent Binding Properties of the Active Site in a Mo-Containing Formate Dehydrogenase

Molybdenum-containing formate dehydrogenase H from Escherichia coli (EcFDH-H) is a powerful model system for studies of the reversible reduction of CO₂ to formate. However, the mechanism of FDH catalysis is currently under debate, and whether the primary Mo coordination sphere remains saturated or one of the ligands dissociates to allow direct substrate binding during turnover is disputed. Herein, we describe how oxidation-state-dependent changes at the active site alter its inhibitor binding properties. Using protein film electrochemistry, we show that formate oxidation by EcFDH-H is inhibited strongly and competitively by N₃^-, OCN^-, SCN^-, NO₂^-, and NO₃^-, whereas CO₂ reduction is inhibited only weakly and not competitively. During catalysis, the Mo center cycles between the formal Mo(VI)═S and Mo(IV)-SH states, and by modeling chronoamperometry data recorded at different potentials and substrate and inhibitor concentrations, we demonstrate that both formate oxidation and CO₂ reduction are inhibited by selective inhibitor binding to the Mo(VI)═S state. The strong dependence of inhibitor-binding affinity on both Mo oxidation state and inhibitor electron-donor strength indicates that inhibitors (and substrates) bind directly to the Mo center. We propose that inhibitors bind to the Mo following dissociation of a selenocysteine ligand to create a vacant coordination site for catalysis and close by considering the implications of our data for the mechanisms of formate oxidation and CO₂ reduction.

N-Heterocyclic carbene stabilized parent sulfenyl, selenenyl, and tellurenyl cations (XH+, X = S, Se, Te)

NHC-stabilized parent sulfenyl (H–S⁺), selenenyl (H–Se⁺) and tellurenyl (H–Te⁺) cations have been achieved by treatment of NHC chalcogen adducts with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.

Synthesis and reactivity of a terminal uranium(iv) sulfide supported by siloxide ligands

The S-transfer reaction from Ph₃PS to the tetrasiloxide U(iii) complex [U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄K] affords a stable U(iv) triply bonded terminal sulfide that can be protonated to yield a U(iv) doubly bonded terminal hydrosulfide.

The reactions of the tetrasiloxide U(iii) complexes [U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄K] and [U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄][K18c6] with 0.5 equiv. of triphenylphosphine sulfide led to reductive S-transfer reactions, affording the U(iv) sulfide complexes [SU(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄K₂]₂, 1, and [{SU(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄K₂}₂(μ-18c6)], 2, with concomitant formation of the U(iv) complex [U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄]. Addition of 1 equiv. of 2.2.2-cryptand to complex 1 resulted in the isolation of a terminal sulfide complex, [SU(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄K][Kcryptand], 3. The crucial role of the K⁺ Lewis acid in these reductive sulfur transfer reactions was confirmed, since the formation of complex 3 from the reaction of the U(iii) complex [U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄][Kcryptand] and 0.5 equiv. of PPh₃S was not possible. Reactivity studies of the U(iv) sulfide complexes showed that the sulfide is easily transferred to CO₂ and CS₂ to afford S-functionalized products. Moreover, we have found that the sulfide provides a convenient precursor for the synthesis of the corresponding U(iv) hydrosulfide, {[(SH)U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₄][K18c6]}, 5, after protonation with PyHCl. Finally, DFT calculations were performed to investigate the nature of the U–S bond in complexes 1, 3 and 5. Based on various analyses, triple-bond character was suggested for the U–S bond in complexes 1 and 3, while double-bond character was determined for the U–SH bond in complex 5.

Reactivity of uranium(iii) with H2E (E = S, Se, Te): synthesis of a series of mononuclear and dinuclear uranium(iv) hydrochalcogenido complexes

We report the syntheses, electronic properties, and molecular structures of a series of mono- and dinuclear uranium(iv) hydrochalcogenido complexes supported by the sterically demanding but very flexible, single N-anchored tris(aryloxide) ligand (^AdArO)₃N)^3-. The mononuclear complexes [((^AdArO)₃N)U(DME)(EH)] (E = S, Se, Te) can be obtained from the reaction of the uranium(iii) starting material [((^AdArO)₃N)U^III(DME)] in DME via reduction of H₂E and the elimination of 0.5 equivalents of H₂. The dinuclear complexes [{((^AdArO)₃N)U}₂(μ-EH)₂] can be obtained by dissolving their mononuclear counterparts in non-coordinating solvents such as benzene. In order to facilitate the work with the highly toxic gases, we created concentrated THF solutions that can be handled using simple glovebox techniques and can be stored at -35 °C for several weeks.

Trithio-chloro molybdate [MoClS3]-: a versatile precursor for molybdenum trisulfido complexes

The reaction of trithiomolybdate [PPh 4] 2[MoOS 3] ( 1) with 2 equiv of trimethylchlorosilane generated trithio-chloro molybdate [PPh 4][MoClS 3] ( 2) in high yield, by way of a siloxy complex [PPh 4][Mo(OSiMe 3)S 3] ( 3). This intriguing reaction provided us with a convenient entry into a series of mononuclear molybdenum trisulfido complexes, [PPh 4][MoS 3X] ( 4, X = Cp*; 6a, X = S (t) Bu; 6b, X = SPh; 6c, X = SMes (Mes = mesityl); 6d, X = STip (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl); 6e, X = SDmp (Dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl); 7, X = NPh 2; 8a, X = O (t) Bu; 8b, X = OPh; 8c, X = OC(CH 2) (t) Bu; 8d, X = OC(CH 2)Ph), which were obtained by the reactions of 2 with the corresponding potassium salts. In a similar manner, a citrate complex [PPh 4][MoS 3(Me 3cit)] ( 9, Me 3cit = OC(CH 2CO 2Me) 2(CO 2Me)) was synthesized, which may model the molybdenum site of the nitrogenase FeMo-cofactor. The molecular structures of 2, 6c, 7, 8a, 8b, 8c, and 9 were determined by X-ray crystallography.