1
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Yu Y, Hao Y, Xiao B, Langer E, Novikov SA, Ramanantoanina H, Pidchenko I, Schild D, Albrecht-Schoenzart TE, Eichel RA, Vitova T, Alekseev EV. U(V) Stabilization via Aliovalent Incorporation of Ln(III) into Oxo-salt Framework. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202401033. [PMID: 38775406 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Pentavalent uranium compounds are key components of uranium's redox chemistry and play important roles in environmental transport. Despite this, well-characterized U(V) compounds are scarce primarily because of their instability with respect to disproportionation to U(IV) and U(VI). In this work, we provide an alternate route to incorporation of U(V) into a crystalline lattice where different oxidation states of uranium can be stabilized through the incorporation of secondary cations with different sizes and charges. We show that iriginite-based crystalline layers allow for systematically replacing U(VI) with U(V) through aliovalent substitution of 2+ alkaline-earth or 3+ rare-earth cations as dopant ions under high-temperature conditions, specifically Ca(UVIO2)W4O14 and Ln(UVO2)W4O14 (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Yb). Evidence for the existence of U(V) and U(VI) is supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, high energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and optical absorption spectroscopy. In contrast with other reported U(V) materials, the U(V) single crystals obtained using this route are relatively large (several centimeters) and easily reproducible, and thus provide a substantial improvement in the facile synthesis and stabilization of U(V).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yu
- School of Physics and Electronics information, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, PR China
| | - Yucheng Hao
- School of Energy Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei, 230000, PR China
| | - Bin Xiao
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Eike Langer
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sergei A Novikov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, 302 East Campus Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Harry Ramanantoanina
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, D-76125, Karlsruhe, Germany g
| | - Ivan Pidchenko
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, D-76125, Karlsruhe, Germany g
| | - Dieter Schild
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, D-76125, Karlsruhe, Germany g
| | - Thomas E Albrecht-Schoenzart
- Department of Chemistry and Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 80401, USA
| | - Rüdiger-A Eichel
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tonya Vitova
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, D-76125, Karlsruhe, Germany g
| | - Evgeny V Alekseev
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52428, Jülich, Germany
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2
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Jori N, Moreno JJ, Shivaraam RAK, Rajeshkumar T, Scopelliti R, Maron L, Campos J, Mazzanti M. Iron promoted end-on dinitrogen-bridging in heterobimetallic complexes of uranium and lanthanides. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6842-6852. [PMID: 38725514 PMCID: PMC11077558 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01050g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
End-on binding of dinitrogen to low valent metal centres is common in transition metal chemistry but remains extremely rare in f-elements chemistry. In particular, heterobimetallic end-on N2 bridged complexes of lanthanides are unprecedented despite their potential relevance in catalytic reduction of dinitrogen. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of N2 bridged heterobimetallic complexes of U(iii), Ln(iii) and Ln(ii) which were prepared by reacting the Fe dinitrogen complex [Fe(depe)2(N2)] (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)-ethane), complex A with [MIII{N(SiMe3)2}3] (M = U, Ce, Sm, Dy, Tm) and [LnII{N(SiMe3)2}2], (Ln = Sm, Yb). Despite the lack of reactivity of the U(iii), Ln(iii) and Ln(ii) amide complexes with dinitrogen, the end-on dinitrogen bridged heterobimetallic complexes [{Fe(depe)2}(μ-η1:η1-N2)(M{N(SiMe3)2}3)], 1-M (M = U(iii), Ce(iii), Sm(iii), Dy(iii) and Tm(iii)), [{Fe(depe)2}(μ-η1:η1-N2)(Ln{N(SiMe3)2}2)], 1*-Ln (Ln = Sm(ii), Yb(ii)) and [{Fe(depe)2(μ-η1:η1-N2)}2{SmII{N(SiMe3)2}2}], 3 could be prepared. The synthetic method used here allowed to isolate unprecedented end-on bridging N2 complexes of divalent lanthanides which provide relevant structural models for the species involved in the catalytic reduction of dinitrogen by Fe/Sm(ii) systems. Computational studies showed an essentially electrostatic interaction of the end-on bridging N2 with both Ln(iii) and Ln(ii) complexes with the degree of N2 activation correlating with their Lewis acidity. In contrast, a back-bonding covalent contribution to the U(iii)-N2Fe bond was identified by computational studies. Computational studies also suggest that end-on binding of N2 to U(iii) and Ln(ii) complexes is favoured for the iron-bound N2 compared to free N2 due to the higher N2 polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadir Jori
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Juan J Moreno
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA), Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universidad de Sevilla 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - R A Keerthi Shivaraam
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées 31077 Cedex 4 Toulouse France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées 31077 Cedex 4 Toulouse France
| | - Jesús Campos
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA), Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universidad de Sevilla 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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3
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Zhuo Q, Yang J, Zhou X, Shima T, Luo Y, Hou Z. Dinitrogen Cleavage and Multicoupling with Isocyanides in a Dititanium Dihydride Framework. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10984-10992. [PMID: 38578866 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Dinitrogen (N2) activation and functionalization through N-N bond cleavage and N-C bond formation are of great interest and importance but remain highly challenging. We report here for the first time N2 cleavage and selective multicoupling with isocyanides in a dititanium dihydride framework. The reaction of a dinitrogen dititanium dihydride complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2(μ-η1:η2-N2)(μ-H)2] (1) with an excess (four or more equivalents) of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide at room temperature gave a novel amidoamidinatoguanidinate complex [(acriPNP)Ti{NC(═NR)NC(═NR)CH2NR}Ti(acriPNP)(CNR)] (2, acriPNP = 4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-2,7,9,9-tetramethyl-9H-acridin-10-ide; R = p-MeOC6H4) through N2 splitting and coupling with three isocyanide molecules. When 1 equiv of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide was used to react with 1 at -30 °C, the hydrogenation of the isocyanide unit by the two hydride ligands in 1 took place, affording an amidomethylene-bridged dititanium dinitrogen complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2(μ-η1:η2-N2){μ-η1:η2-CH2N(p-MeOC6H4)}] (3), which upon reaction with another equivalent of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide at room temperature gave an amidomethylene/nitrido/carbodiimido complex [(acriPNP)Ti(N═C═NR)(μ-N)(μ-η1:η2-CH2NR)Ti(acriPNP)] (4) through N2 cleavage and N═C bond formation. Further reaction of 4 with 1 equiv of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide led to an unprecedented four-component (carbodiimido, nitrido, isocyanide, and amidomethylene) coupling, yielding an amidoamidinatoguanidinate complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2{NC(═NR)NC(═NR)CH2NR}] (5), which on reaction with another equivalent of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide afforded the isocyanide-coordinated analogue 2. The reaction of 1 with 2-naphthyl isocyanide also took place in a similar multicoupling fashion. Moreover, the cross-coupling reactions of the p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide-derived amidomethylene/nitrido/carbodiimido complex 4 with 2-naphthyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, and tert-butyl isocyanide were also achieved, which afforded the corresponding amidoamidinatoguanidinate products consisting of two different isocyanides. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further elucidated the mechanistic details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingde Zhuo
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jimin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takanori Shima
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Advanced Catalysis Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaomin Hou
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Advanced Catalysis Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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4
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Tricoire M, Jori N, Fadaei Tirani F, Scopelliti R, Z Ivković I, Natrajan LS, Mazzanti M. A trinuclear metallasilsesquioxane of uranium(III). Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 60:55-58. [PMID: 38015470 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05390c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The silsesquioxane ligand (iBu)7Si7O9(OH)3 (iBuPOSSH3) is revealed as an attractive system for the assembly of robust polynuclear complexes of uranium(III) and allowed the isolation of the first example of a trinuclear U(III) complex ([U3(iBuPOSS)3]) that exhibits magnetic communication and promotes dinitrogen reduction in the presence of reducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Tricoire
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | - Nadir Jori
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | - Farzaneh Fadaei Tirani
- X-ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- X-ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Ivica Z Ivković
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism, Institute of Physics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Louise S Natrajan
- Centre for Radiochemistry Resesarch, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences and Photon Science Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
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5
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Batov MS, Del Rosal I, Scopelliti R, Fadaei-Tirani F, Zivkovic I, Maron L, Mazzanti M. Multimetallic Uranium Nitride Cubane Clusters from Dinitrogen Cleavage. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26435-26443. [PMID: 37991736 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Dinitrogen cleavage provides an attractive but poorly studied route to the assembly of multimetallic nitride clusters. Here, we show that the monoelectron reduction of the dinitrogen complex [{U(OC6H2-But3-2,4,6)3}2(μ-η2:η2-N2)], 1, allows us to generate, for the first time, a uranium complex presenting a rare triply reduced N2 moiety ((μ-η2:η2-N2)•3-). Importantly, the bound dinitrogen can be further reduced, affording the U4N4 cubane cluster, 3, and the U6N6 edge-shared cubane cluster, 4, thus showing that (N2)•3- can be an intermediate in nitride formation. The tetranitride cluster showed high reactivity with electrophiles, yielding ammonia quantitatively upon acid addition and promoting CO cleavage to yield quantitative conversion of nitride into cyanide. These results show that dinitrogen reduction provides a versatile route for the assembly of large highly reactive nitride clusters, with U6N6 providing the first example of a molecular nitride of any metal formed from a complete cleavage of three N2 molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail S Batov
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Iker Del Rosal
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Farzaneh Fadaei-Tirani
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ivica Zivkovic
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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6
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Jori N, Keener M, Rajeshkumar T, Scopelliti R, Maron L, Mazzanti M. Dinitrogen cleavage by a dinuclear uranium(iii) complex. Chem Sci 2023; 14:13485-13494. [PMID: 38033909 PMCID: PMC10686047 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05253b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of multimetallic cooperativity and of alkali ion-binding in the second coordination sphere is important for the design of complexes that can promote dinitrogen (N2) cleavage and functionalization. Herein, we compare the reaction products and mechanism of N2 reduction of the previously reported K2-bound dinuclear uranium(iii) complex, [K2{[UIII(OSi(OtBu)3)3]2(μ-O)}], B, with those of the analogous dinuclear uranium(iii) complexes, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][K{UIII(OSi(OtBu)3)3}2(μ-O)], 1, and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]2[{UIII(OSi(OtBu)3)3}2(μ-O)], 2, where one or two K+ ions have been removed from the second coordination sphere by addition of 2.2.2-cryptand. In this study, we found that the complete removal of the K+ ions from the inner coordination sphere leads to an enhanced reducing ability, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry studies, of the resulting complex 2, and yields two new species upon N2 addition, namely the U(iii)/U(iv) complex, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][{UIII(OSi(OtBu)3)3}(μ-O){UIV(OSi(OtBu)3)3}], 3, and the N2 cleavage product, the bis-nitride, terminal-oxo complex, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]2[{UV(OSi(OtBu)3)3}(μ-N)2{UVI(OSi(OtBu)3)2(κ-O)}], 4. We propose that the formation of these two products involves a tetranuclear uranium-N2 intermediate that can only form in the absence of coordinated alkali ions, resulting in a six-electron transfer and cleavage of N2, demonstrating the possibility of a three-electron transfer from U(iii) to N2. These results give an insight into the relationship between alkali ion binding modes, multimetallic cooperativity and reactivity, and demonstrate how these parameters can be tuned to cleave and functionalize N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadir Jori
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Megan Keener
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4 France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- X-Ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4 France
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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7
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Zhuo Q, Yang J, Zhou X, Shima T, Luo Y, Hou Z. Aza-Michael Addition of Dinitrogen to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds in a Dititanium Framework. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:22803-22813. [PMID: 37797654 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The direct use of dinitrogen (N2) as a building block for the synthesis of NN-containing organic compounds is of fundamental interest and practical importance but has remained a formidable challenge to date. Here, we report an unprecedented 1,4-conjugate (aza-Michael) addition of N2 to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in a dititanium framework. The resulting hydrazinopropenolate products could be easily converted to diverse NN-containing organic compounds such as β-hydrazine-functionalized esters and amides, pyrazolidinones, and pyrazolines depending on the types of Michael acceptors through protonation with MeOH. Further transformations of a hydrazinopropenolate titanium complex through C-C and N-C bond formations with electrophiles such as CO2 and benzaldehyde have also been achieved. The mechanistic details of the N2 addition reaction have been elucidated by computational studies, revealing the importance of redox-active metal centers in this event. This work showcases the potential of using N2 as a building block for the synthesis of NN-containing organic compounds through activation and functionalization in a molecular metal framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingde Zhuo
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
| | - Jimin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takanori Shima
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
- Advanced Catalysis Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaomin Hou
- Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
- Advanced Catalysis Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako 351-0198, Saitama, Japan
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8
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Mondal A, Price CG, Tang J, Layfield RA. Targeted Synthesis of End-On Dinitrogen-Bridged Lanthanide Metallocenes and Their Reactivity as Divalent Synthons. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20121-20131. [PMID: 37656516 PMCID: PMC10510326 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
High-yield syntheses of the lanthanide dinitrogen complexes [(Cp2tttM)2(μ-1,2-N2)] (1M, M = Gd, Tb, Dy; Cpttt = 1,2,4-C5tBu3H2), in which the [N2]2- ligands solely adopt the rare end-on or 1,2-bridging mode, are reported. The bulk of the tert-butyl substituents and the smaller radii of gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium preclude formation of the side-on dinitrogen bonding mode on steric grounds. Elongation of the nitrogen-nitrogen bond relative to N2 is observed in 1M, and their Raman spectra show a major absorption consistent with N═N double bonds. Computational analysis of 1Gd identifies that the local symmetry of the metallocene units lifts the degeneracy of two 5dπ orbitals, leading to differing overlap with the π* orbitals of [N2]2-, a consequence of which is that the dinitrogen ligand occupies a singlet ground state. Magnetic measurements reveal antiferromagnetic exchange in 1M and single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior in 1Dy. Ab initio calculations show that the magnetic easy axis in the ground doublets of 1Tb and 1Dy align with the {M-N═N-M} connectivity, in contrast to the usual scenario in dysprosium metallocene SMMs, where the axis passes through the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The [N2]2- ligands in 1M allow these compounds to be regarded as two-electron reducing agents, serving as synthons for divalent gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium. Proof of principle for this concept is obtained in the reactions of 1M with 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) to give [Cp2tttM(κ2-bipy)] (2M, M = Gd, Tb, Dy), in which the lanthanide is ligated by a bipy radical anion, with strong metal-ligand direct exchange coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpan Mondal
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, University
of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K.
| | - Christopher G.
T. Price
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, University
of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K.
| | - Jinkui Tang
- State
Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute
of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Changchun 130022, P.R. China
| | - Richard A. Layfield
- Department
of Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, University
of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K.
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9
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Keener M, Maria L, Mazzanti M. Progress in the chemistry of molecular actinide-nitride compounds. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6493-6521. [PMID: 37350843 PMCID: PMC10283502 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01435e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemistry of actinide-nitrides has witnessed significant advances in the last ten years with a large focus on uranium and a few breakthroughs with thorium. Following the early discovery of the first terminal and bridging nitride complexes, various synthetic routes to uranium nitrides have since been identified, although the range of ligands capable of stabilizing uranium nitrides still remains scarce. In particular, both terminal- and bridging-nitrides possess attractive advantages for potential reactivity, especially in light of the recent development of uranium complexes for dinitrogen reduction and functionalization. The first molecular thorium bridged-nitride complexes have also been recently identified, anticipating the possibility of expanding nitride chemistry not only to low-valent thorium, but also to the transuranic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Keener
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering - ISIC, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Leonor Maria
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa 2695-066 Bobadela Portugal
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering - ISIC, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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10
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Xin X, Douair I, Zhao Y, Wang S, Maron L, Zhu C. Dinitrogen cleavage and hydrogenation to ammonia with a uranium complex. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwac144. [PMID: 36950222 PMCID: PMC10026940 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Haber-Bosch process produces ammonia (NH3) from dinitrogen (N2) and dihydrogen (H2), but requires high temperature and pressure. Before iron-based catalysts were exploited in the current industrial Haber-Bosch process, uranium-based materials served as effective catalysts for production of NH3 from N2. Although some molecular uranium complexes are known to be capable of combining with N2, further hydrogenation with H2 forming NH3 has not been reported to date. Here, we describe the first example of N2 cleavage and hydrogenation with H2 to NH3 with a molecular uranium complex. The N2 cleavage product contains three uranium centers that are bridged by three imido μ 2-NH ligands and one nitrido μ 3-N ligand. Labeling experiments with 15N demonstrate that the nitrido ligand in the product originates from N2. Reaction of the N2-cleaved complex with H2 or H+ forms NH3 under mild conditions. A synthetic cycle has been established by the reaction of the N2-cleaved complex with trimethylsilyl chloride. The isolation of this trinuclear imido-nitrido product implies that a multi-metallic uranium assembly plays an important role in the activation of N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Iskander Douair
- LPCNO, CNRS and INSA, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31077, France
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shuao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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11
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Wang G, Batista ER, Yang P. N 2-to-NH 3 conversion by excess electrons trapped in point vacancies on 5 f-element dioxide surfaces. Front Chem 2023; 10:1051496. [PMID: 36688046 PMCID: PMC9849761 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1051496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonia (NH3) is one of the basic chemicals in artificial fertilizers and a promising carbon-free energy storage carrier. Its industrial synthesis is typically realized via the Haber-Bosch process using traditional iron-based catalysts. Developing advanced catalysts that can reduce the N2 activation barrier and make NH3 synthesis more efficient is a long-term goal in the field. Most heterogeneous catalysts for N2-to-NH3 conversion are multicomponent systems with singly dispersed metal clusters on supporting materials to activate N2 and H2 molecules. Herein, we report single-component heterogeneous catalysts based on 5f actinide dioxide surfaces (ThO2 and UO2) with oxygen vacancies for N2-to-NH3 conversion. The reaction cycle we propose is enabled by a dual-site mechanism, where N2 and H2 can be activated at different vacancy sites on the same surface; NH3 is subsequently formed by H- migration on the surface via associative pathways. Oxygen vacancies recover to their initial states after the release of two molecules of NH3, making it possible for the catalytic cycle to continue. Our work demonstrates the catalytic activities of oxygen vacancies on 5f actinide dioxide surfaces for N2 activation, which may inspire the search for highly efficient, single-component catalysts that are easy to synthesize and control for NH3 conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxue Wang
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Enrique R. Batista
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Ping Yang
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
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12
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Wang P, Zhao Y, Zhu C. Photolysis, Thermolysis, and Reduction of a Uranium Azide Complex Supported by a Double-Layer N–P Ligand. Organometallics 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.organomet.2c00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Penglong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Congqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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13
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Keener M, Fadaei-Tirani F, Scopelliti R, Zivkovic I, Mazzanti M. Nitrogen activation and cleavage by a multimetallic uranium complex. Chem Sci 2022; 13:8025-8035. [PMID: 35919442 PMCID: PMC9278153 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02997a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multimetallic-multielectron cooperativity plays a key role in the metal-mediated cleavage of N2 to nitrides (N3-). In particular, low-valent uranium complexes coupled with strong alkali metal reducing agents can lead to N2 cleavage, but often, it is ambiguous how many electrons are transferred from the uranium centers to cleave N2. Herein, we designed new dinuclear uranium nitride complexes presenting a combination of electronically diverse ancillary ligands to promote the multielectron transformation of N2. Two heteroleptic diuranium nitride complexes, [K{UIV(OSi(O t Bu)3)(N(SiMe3)2)2}2(μ-N)] (1) and [Cs{UIV(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(N(SiMe3)2)}2(μ-N)] (3-Cs), containing different combinations of OSi(O t Bu)3 and N(SiMe3)2 ancillary ligands, were synthesized. We found that both complexes could be reduced to their U(iii)/U(iv) analogues, and the complex, [K2{UIV/III(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(N(SiMe3)2)}2(μ-N)] (6-K), could be further reduced to a putative U(iii)/U(iii) species that is capable of promoting the 4e- reduction of N2, yielding the N2 4-complex [K3{UV(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(N(SiMe3)2)}2(μ-N)(μ-η2:η2-N2)], 7. Parallel N2 reduction pathways were also identified, leading to the isolation of N2 cleavage products, [K3{UVI(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(N(SiMe3)2)([triple bond, length as m-dash]N)}(μ-N)2{UV(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(N(SiMe3)2)}]2, 8, and [K4{(OSi(O t Bu)3)2UV)([triple bond, length as m-dash]N)}(μ-NH)(μ-κ2:C,N-CH2SiMe2NSiMe3)-{UV(OSi(O t Bu)3)2][K(N(SiMe3)2]2, 9. These complexes provide the first example of N2 cleavage to nitride by a uranium complex in the absence of reducing alkali metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Keener
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Farzaneh Fadaei-Tirani
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Ivica Zivkovic
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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14
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King DM, Atkinson BE, Chatelain L, Gregson M, Seed JA, Wooles AJ, Kaltsoyannis N, Liddle ST. Uranium-nitride chemistry: uranium-uranium electronic communication mediated by nitride bridges. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:8855-8864. [PMID: 35622422 PMCID: PMC9171730 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt00998f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of [UIV(N3)(TrenTIPS)] (1, TrenTIPS = {N(CH2CH2NSiPri3)3}3-) with excess Li resulted in the isolation of [{UIV(μ-NLi2)(TrenTIPS)}2] (2), which exhibits a diuranium(IV) 'diamond-core' dinitride motif. Over-reduction of 1 produces [UIII(TrenTIPS)] (3), and together with known [{UV(μ-NLi)(TrenTIPS)}2] (4) an overall reduction sequence 1 → 4 → 2 → 3 is proposed. Attempts to produce an odd-electron nitride from 2 resulted in the formation of [{UIV(TrenTIPS)}2(μ-NH)(μ-NLi2)Li] (5). Use of heavier alkali metals did not result in the formation of analogues of 2, emphasising the role of the high charge-to-radius-ratio of lithium stabilising the charge build up at the nitride. Variable-temperature magnetic data for 2 and 5 reveal large low-temperature magnetic moments, suggesting doubly degenerate ground states, where the effective symmetry of the strong crystal field of the nitride dominates over the spin-orbit coupled nature of the ground multiplet of uranium(IV). Spin Hamiltonian modelling of the magnetic data for 2 and 5 suggest U⋯U anti-ferromagnetic coupling of -4.1 and -3.4 cm-1, respectively. The nature of the U⋯U electronic communication was probed computationally, revealing a borderline case where the prospect of direct uranium-uranium bonding was raised, but in-depth computational analysis reveals that if any uranium-uranium bonding is present it is weak, and instead the nitride centres dominate the mediation of U⋯U electronic communication. This highlights the importance of obtaining high-level ab initio insight when probing potential actinide-actinide electronic communication and bonding in weakly coupled systems. The computational analysis highlights analogies between the 'diamond-core' dinitride of 2 and matrix-isolated binary U2N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M King
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Benjamin E Atkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Lucile Chatelain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Matthew Gregson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - John A Seed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Ashley J Wooles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Nikolas Kaltsoyannis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Stephen T Liddle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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15
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Zhu Q, Fang W, Maron L, Zhu C. Heterometallic Clusters with Uranium-Metal Bonds Supported by Double-Layer Nitrogen-Phosphorus Ligands. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:1718-1730. [PMID: 35617335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusHeterometallic clusters with M-M bonds have significantly interested chemists because of their attractive structures and synergistic effects in small-molecule activation and catalysis. However, reports of the isolation of heterometallic clusters with uranium-transition metal (U-TM) bonds remain very limited. In this Account, we describe our research in the construction of heterometallic molecular clusters with multiple U-TM single or multiple bonds supported by novel double-layer N-P ligands. Multimetallic synergistic catalysis and small-molecule activation with these species are also summarized.First, according to the hard-soft acid-base theory, we employed a three-armed N-P ligand, which can be used to construct heterometallic clusters with four or six U-Ni bonds. This strategy was also effective in the construction of complexes with direct rare earth metal-TM bonding. The similar two-armed N-P ligands also are effective platforms for the synthesis of heterometallic complexes with U-Ni, U-Pd, and U-Pt bonds.Second, a set of heterometallic clusters featuring U≡Rh, U≡Co, and U≡Fe triple bonds were constructed under routine experimental conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis of these clusters exhibits the shortest U-TM bond distance (1.9693(4) Å for the U≡Fe triple bond) in these complexes. Theoretical studies reveal that the nature of the triple bond is one covalent σ bond and two TM → U dative π bonds. A large Wiberg bond index (WBI) of 2.93 and a significant degree of covalency for the U≡TM triple bonds were also found in these complexes.Third, these uranium complexes supported by the double-layer N-P ligands exhibit great potential in small-molecule activation. For instance, N2 cleavage without an external reducing agent was achieved by a U(III)-P(III) synergistic six-electron reduction. The synergism between U(III) and P(III) enables the activation of other small molecules, such as O2, P4, and As0(nano), and highlights the importance of the P atom in the double-layer N-P ligand for the activation of small molecules. A heterometallic cluster with U-Rh bonds can break the strong N≡N triple bond in N2 in the presence of potassium graphite, suggesting a synergistic effect between U and Rh. This multimetallic synergistic effect was also observed in catalytic processes. A heterometallic cluster with U≡Co triple bonds shows excellent selectivity and activity in the hydroboration of a series of alkynes under mild conditions. These results lead to effective methods for the construction of heterometallic molecular clusters with U-TM single or multiple bonds and could promote the application of heterometallic clusters with U-TM bonds in catalysis and the activation of small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Laurent Maron
- LPCNO, CNRS & INSA, Université Paul Sabatier, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Congqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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16
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Barluzzi L, Jori N, He T, Rajeshkumar T, Scopelliti R, Maron L, Oyala P, Agapie T, Mazzanti M. Heterometallic uranium/molybdenum nitride synthesis via partial N-atom transfer. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:4655-4658. [PMID: 35319046 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc00473a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The reaction of a terminal Mo(II) nitride with a U(III) complex yields a heterodimetallic U-Mo nitride which is the first example of a transition metal-capped uranium nitride. The nitride is triply bonded to U(V) and singly bonded to Mo(0) and supports a U-Mo interaction. This compound shows reactivity toward CO oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Barluzzi
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Nadir Jori
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Tianyi He
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Toulouse, Cedex 4, France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Toulouse, Cedex 4, France
| | - Paul Oyala
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Theodor Agapie
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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17
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Hsueh FC, Barluzzi L, Keener M, Rajeshkumar T, Maron L, Scopelliti R, Mazzanti M. Reactivity of Multimetallic Thorium Nitrides Generated by Reduction of Thorium Azides. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:3222-3232. [PMID: 35138846 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thorium nitrides are likely intermediates in the reported cleavage and functionalization of dinitrogen by molecular thorium complexes and are attractive compounds for the study of multiple bond formation in f-element chemistry, but only one example of thorium nitride isolable from solution was reported. Here, we show that stable multimetallic azide/nitride thorium complexes can be generated by reduction of thorium azide precursors─a route that has failed so far to produce Th nitrides. Once isolated, the thorium azide/nitride clusters, M3Th═N═Th (M = K or Cs), are stable in solutions probably due to the presence of alkali ions capping the nitride, but their synthesis requires a careful control of the reaction conditions (solvent, temperature, nature of precursor, and alkali ion). The nature of the cation plays an important role in generating a nitride product and results in large structural differences with a bent Th═N═Th moiety found in the K-bound nitride as a result of a strong K-nitride interaction and a linear arrangement in the Cs-bound nitride. Reactivity studies demonstrated the ability of Th nitrides to cleave CO in ambient conditions yielding CN-.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Che Hsueh
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Barluzzi
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Megan Keener
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Cedex 4 Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077 Cedex 4 Toulouse, France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Jori N, Rajeshkumar T, Scopelliti R, Z̆ivković I, Sienkiewicz A, Maron L, Mazzanti M. Cation assisted binding and cleavage of dinitrogen by uranium complexes. Chem Sci 2022; 13:9232-9242. [PMID: 36093011 PMCID: PMC9384805 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02530b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
N2 binding affinity decreases markedly in a series of isostructural U(iii)–alkali ions complexes with increasing cation size. N2 binding is undetectable in the Cs analogue, but the first example of cesium-assisted N2 cleavage to bis-nitride was observed at ambient condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadir Jori
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, Cedex 4, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ivica Z̆ivković
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Andrzej Sienkiewicz
- Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism, Institute of Physics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- ADSresonances Sàrl, Route de Genève 60B, 1028 Préverenges, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, Cedex 4, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Insititut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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19
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Keener M, Scopelliti R, Mazzanti M. Nitride protonation and NH 3 binding versus N-H bond cleavage in uranium nitrides. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12610-12618. [PMID: 34703546 PMCID: PMC8494049 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03957a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of metal nitrides to NH3 is an essential step in dinitrogen fixation, but there is limited knowledge of the reactivity of nitrides with protons (H+). Herein, we report comparative studies for the reactions of H+ and NH3 with uranium nitrides, containing different types of ancillary ligands. We show that the differences in ancillary ligands, leads to dramatically different reactivity. The nitride group, in nitride-bridged cationic and anionic diuranium(iv) complexes supported by –N(SiMe3)2 ligands, is resistant toward protonation by weak acids, while stronger acids result in ligand loss by protonolysis. Moreover, the basic –N(SiMe3)2 ligands promote the N–H heterolytic bond cleavage of NH3, yielding a “naked” diuranium complex containing three bridging ligands, a nitride (N3−) and two NH2 ligands. Conversely, in the nitride-bridged diuranium(iv) complex supported by –OSi(OtBu)3 ligands, the nitride group is easily protonated to afford NH3, which binds the U(iv) ion strongly, resulting in a mononuclear U–NH3 complex, where NH3 can be displaced by addition of strong acids. Furthermore, the U–OSi(OtBu)3 bonds were found to be stable, even in the presence of stronger acids, such as NH4BPh4, therefore indicating that –OSi(OtBu)3 supporting ligands are well suited to be used when acidic conditions are required, such as in the H+/e− mediated catalytic conversion of N2 to NH3. Ancillary ligands alter the reactivity of U-nitrides with H+, relevant to N2 conversion to NH3. The amides lead to complete ligand loss and NH3 activation, while for siloxides, the nitride is protonated to NH3 leaving the ancillary ligands intact.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Keener
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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