From Solid State to Solution: Advancing Chemistry of Bi–Bi and Bi–Rh Paddlewheel Carboxylates

Elucidating the Electronic Nature of Rh-based Paddlewheel Catalysts from 103 Rh NMR Chemical Shifts: Insights from Quantum Mechanical Calculations

The tremendous importance of dirhodium paddlewheel complexes for asymmetric catalysis is largely the result of an empirical optimization of the chiral ligand sphere about the bimetallic core. It was only recently that a H(C)Rh triple resonance 103 Rh NMR experiment provided the long-awaited opportunity to examine - with previously inconceivable accuracy - how variation of the ligands impacts on the electronic structure of such catalysts. The recorded effects are dramatic: formal replacement of only one out of eight O-atoms surrounding the metal centers in a dirhodium tetracarboxylate by an N-atom results in a shielding of the corresponding Rh-site of no less than 1000 ppm. The current paper provides the theoretical framework that allows this and related experimental observations made with a set of 19 representative rhodium complexes to be interpreted. In line with symmetry considerations, it is shown that the shielding tensor responds only to the donor ability of the equatorial ligands along the perpendicular principal axis. Axial ligands, in contrast, have no direct effect on shielding but may come into play via the electronicc i s ${cis}$ -effect that they exert onto the neighboring equatorial sites. On top of these fundamental interactions, charge redistribution within the core as well as the electronict r a n s ${trans}$ -effect of ligands of different donor strengths is reflected in the recorded 103 Rh NMR shifts.

Chiral Bismuth-Rhodium Paddlewheel Complexes Empowered by London Dispersion: The C-H Functionalization Nexus

Heterobimetallic [BiRh] tetracarboxylate catalysts endowed with 1,3-disilylated phenylglycine paddlewheels benefit from interligand London dispersion. They were originally designed for asymmetric cyclopropanation but are now shown to perform very well in asymmetric C-H functionalization reactions too. Because of the confined ligand sphere about the derived donor/acceptor carbenes, insertions into unhindered methyl groups are kinetically favored, although methylene units also react with excellent levels of asymmetric induction; even gaseous ethane is a suitable substrate. Moreover, many functional groups in both partners are tolerated. The resulting products are synthetically equivalent to the outcome of traditional asymmetric ester alkylation, allylation, benzylation, propargylation and aldol reactions and therefore constitute a valuable nexus to more conventional chemical logic.

In situ investigation of the formation mechanism of α-Bi2Rh nanoparticles in polyol reductions

The study of Bi2Rh formation in a polyol process revealed a two-step mechanism. BiRh is formed by co-reduction of bismuth and rhodium cations and converted into Bi2Rh by Bi diffusion. Various starting materials and reaction parameters are examined.

Coordination and Electrochemical Switching on Paddle-Wheel Complexes Containing an As-Ru or a Sb-Ru Axis

Inspired by the known complex [PhP(μ-PyO)₄Ru(CO)] (PyO = 2-pyridyloxy), the family of group 15 paddle-wheel complexes has been expanded to [PhPn(μ-PyO)₄Ru(L)] (Pn = P, As, Sb; L = NCMe, CO). Solvent-dependent reversible switching between [PhAs(μ-PyO)₄Ru(NCMe)] and [PhAs(μ-PyO)₃Ru(κ²-PyO)] was detected. Electrochemical investigations of the [PhPn(μ-PyO)₄Ru(L)] complexes showed reversible oxidation of the complexes with L = NCMe and back-formation of the complexes with L = NCMe upon oxidation of the complexes with L = CO in NCMe. In the series of [PhPn(μ-PyO)₄Ru(L)] complexes, the Pn→Ru bonding mode is shifted from L-type Pn to X-type upon going from Pn = P and As to Pn = Sb, resulting in a pronounced electron-rich Ru site in the latter case. The easily accessible complex [PhSb(μ-PyO)₄RuCl] exhibits reversible electrochemical and coordinative exchange with its reduced analogue [PhSb(μ-PyO)₄Ru(NCMe)] under retention of the paddle-wheel motif and Sb-Ru bond properties.

Triple Resonance Experiments for the Rapid Detection of 103Rh NMR Shifts: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study into Dirhodium and Bismuth-Rhodium Paddlewheel Complexes

A H(C)Rh triple resonance NMR experiment makes the rapid detection of ¹⁰³Rh chemical shifts possible, which were previously beyond reach. It served to analyze a series of dirhodium and bismuth–rhodium paddlewheel complexes of the utmost importance for metal–carbene chemistry. The excellent match between the experimental and computed ¹⁰³Rh shifts in combination with a detailed analysis of the pertinent shielding tensors forms a sound basis for a qualitative and quantitative interpretation of these otherwise (basically) inaccessible data. The observed trends clearly reflect the influence exerted by the equatorial ligands (carboxylate versus carboxamidate), the axial ligands (solvents), and the internal “metalloligand” (Rh versus Bi) on the electronic estate of the reactive Rh(II) center.

A New Ligand Design Based on London Dispersion Empowers Chiral Bismuth-Rhodium Paddlewheel Catalysts

Heterobimetallic bismuth-rhodium paddlewheel complexes with phenylglycine ligands carrying TIPS-groups at the meta-positions of the aromatic ring exhibit outstanding levels of selectivity in reactions of donor/acceptor and donor/donor carbenes; at the same time, the reaction rates are much faster and the substrate scope is considerably wider than those of previous generations of chiral [BiRh] catalysts. As shown by a combined experimental, crystallographic, and computational study, the new catalysts draw their excellent application profile largely from the stabilization of the chiral ligand sphere by London dispersion (LD) interactions of the peripheral silyl substituents.

Ionic-caged heterometallic bismuth-platinum complex exhibiting electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

An air-stable heterometallic Bi-Pt complex with the formula [BiPt(SAc)5]n (1; SAc = thioacetate) was synthesized. The crystal structure, natural bond orbital (NBO) and local orbital locator (LOL) analyses, localized orbital bonding analysis (LOBA), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements were used to confirm the existence of Bi-Pt bonding and an ionic cage of O atoms surrounding the Bi ion. From the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiments, 1 in tetrahydrofuran reduced CO2 to CO, with a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 92% and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 8 s-1 after 30 min of CPE at -0.79 V vs. NHE. The proposed mechanism includes an energetically favored pathway via the ionic cage, which is supported by the results of DFT calculations and reflectance infrared spectroelectrochemistry data.

Paramagnetic Metal-Metal Bonded Heterometallic Complexes

Significant progress has been made in the past 10-15 years on the design, synthesis, and properties of multimetallic coordination complexes with heterometallic metal-metal bonds that are paramagnetic. Several general classes have been explored including heterobimetallic compounds, heterotrimetallic compounds of either linear or triangular geometry, discrete molecular compounds containing a linear array of more than three metal atoms, and coordination polymers with a heterometallic metal-metal bonded backbone. We focus in this Review on the synthetic methods employed to access these compounds, their structural features, magnetic properties, and electronic structure. Regarding the metal-metal bond distances, we make use of the formal shortness ratio (FSR) for comparison of bond distances between a broad range of metal atoms of different sizes. The magnetic properties of these compounds can be described using an extension of the Goodenough-Kanamori rules to cases where two magnetic ions interact via a third metal atom. In describing the electronic structure, we focus on the ability (or not) of electrons to be delocalized across heterometallic bonds, allowing for rationalizations and predictions of single-molecule conductance measurements in paramagnetic heterometallic molecular wires.

1,2,4-Triazolato paddlewheel dibismuth complexes with very short Bi(ii)–Bi(ii) bonds: bismuth(iii) oxidation of 1,2,4-triazolato anions into neutral N-1,2,4-triazolyl radicals

Bismuth(iii) oxidation of 1,2,4-triazolato anions allowed paddlewheel 1,2,4-triazolato dibismuth complexes to be isolated and the reaction involved the neutral N-1,2,4-triazolyl radicals that were evidenced by EPR analysis.

From a volatile molecular precursor to twin-free single crystals of bismuth

A highly volatile molecular precursor, dibismuth(ii) (tetra)trifluoroacetate, was successfully utilized for the gas phase growth of twin-free single crystals of bismuth. This allowed high-quality single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to be collected, providing accurate structural parameters for elemental bismuth under ambient conditions.

Synthesis and Oxidation of a Paddlewheel-Shaped Rhodium/Antimony Complex Featuring Pyridine-2-Thiolate Ligands

The paddlewheel-shaped complex [Sb(μ-pyS)₄ Rh]₂ (1) (pyS^- = 2-S-C₅ H₄ N^- ) was synthesized from [Rh(pyS)(cod)]₂ (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) and Sb(pyS)₃ . Upon oxidation with ONMe₃ , the complex [(μ-O)Sb(μ-pyS)₃ Rh(κ² -pyS)]₂ (2) is formed. Both 1 and 2 form dimers and feature short Rh-Sb bonds and bridging pyS ligands. ¹²¹ Sb Mössbauer spectro- scopy and computational studies were employed to elucidate the Rh-Sb bonding in 1 and 2. Both covalent (Rh-Sb, X-type Sb ligand) and dative (Rh→Sb, Z-type; Rh←Sb L-type Sb ligand) interactions have to be considered for the description of their bonding situations.

Paddlewheel 1,2,4-diazaphospholide distibines with the shortest antimony-antimony single bonds

One-electron reduction of SbCl3 with the non-innocent 1,2,4-diazaphospholide anion [3,5-R2dp](-) produced straightforwardly three unprecedented paddlewheel distibines [L2(Sb-Sb)L2] (L = η(1),η(1)-3,5-R2dp, R = tBu (4), iPr (5α, 5β), or Cy (6)) with very short Sb-Sb bond lengths (2.6691(8)-2.7451(8) Å). The novel structures were rationalized by DFT calculations.

Expanding the family of heterobimetallic Bi-Rh paddlewheel carboxylate complexes via equatorial carboxylate exchange

Five novel homoleptic heterobimetallic bismuth(II)-rhodium(II) carboxylate complexes--BiRh(TPA)4 (1), BiRh(but)4 (2), BiRh(piv)4 (3), BiRh(esp)2 (4), and BiRh(OAc)4 (5)--were synthesized in good yields by equatorial ligand substitution starting from BiRh(TFA)4 (TPA = triphenylacetate, but = butyrate, piv = pivalate, esp = α,α,α',α'-tetramethyl-1,3-benzenedipropionate, OAc = acetate, and TFA = trifluoroacetate). We report here (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectra and cyclic voltammograms for complexes , and IR spectra for all complexes. Irreversible redox waves appear between -1.4 to -1.5 V for [BiRh](3+/4+) couples and 1.3 to 1.5 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) for [BiRh](4+/5+) couples for complexes indicating a wide range of stability for the compounds. The X-ray crystal structure of reveals a Bi-Rh distance of 2.53 Å.

Paddlewheel 1,2,4-diazaphospholide dibismuthanes with very short bismuth-bismuth single bonds

One-electron oxidation of the 1,2,4-diazaphospholide anion [3,5-R2dp](-) by BiCl3 generated several remarkable paddlewheel dibismuthanes [L2(Bi-Bi)L2] (L = η(1),η(1)-3,5-R2dp, R = tBu, iPr, or Ph) with very short Bi-Bi single bond lengths (2.7964(4)-2.8873(3) Å).

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.

Lewis acid enhanced axial ligation of [Mo2]4+ complexes

We report here the syntheses, X-ray crystal structures, electrochemistry, and density functional theory (DFT) single-point calculations of three new complexes: tetrakis(monothiosuccinimidato)dimolybdenum(II) [Mo2(SNO5)4, 1a], tetrakis(6-thioxo-2-piperidinonato)dimolybdenum(II) [Mo2(SNO6)4, 1b], and chlorotetrakis(monothiosuccinimidato)pyridinelithiumdimolybdenum(II) [pyLiMo2(SNO5)4Cl, 2-py]. X-ray crystallography shows unusually short axial Mo2-Cl bond lengths in 2-py, 2.6533(6) Å, and dimeric 2-dim, 2.644(1) Å, which we propose result from an increased Lewis acidity of the Mo2 unit in the presence of the proximal Li(+) ion. When 2-py is dissolved in MeCN, the lithium reversibly dissociates, forming an equilibrium mixture of (MeCNLiMo2(SNO5)4Cl) (2-MeCN) and [Li(MeCN)4](+)[Mo2(SNO5)4Cl](-) (3). Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the equilibrium lithium binding constant (room temperature, K(eq) = 95 ± 1). From analysis of the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant, thermodynamic parameters for the formation of 2-MeCN from 3 (ΔH° = -6.96 ± 0.93 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS° = 13.9 ± 3.5 J mol(-1) K(-1)) were extracted. DFT calculations indicate that Li(+) affects the Mo-Cl bond length through polarization of metal-metal bonding/antibonding molecular orbitals when lithium and chloride are added to the dimolybdenum core.