Aminolysis of Bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]iron and -cobalt as a Versatile Route to N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

Application of the Redox-Transmetalation Procedure to Access Divalent Lanthanide and Alkaline-Earth NHC Complexes*

Divalent lanthanide and alkaline-earth complexes supported by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been accessed by redox-transmetalation between air-stable NHC-AgI complexes and the corresponding metals. By using the small ligand 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMe), two series of isostructural complexes were obtained: the tetra-NHC complexes [LnI2 (IMe)4 ] (Ln=Eu and Sm) and the bis-NHC complexes [MI2 (IMe)2 (THF)2 ] (M=Yb, Ca and Sr). In the former, distortions in the NHC coordination were found to originate from intermolecular repulsions in the solid state. Application of the redox-transmetalation strategy with the bulkier 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) ligand yielded [SrI2 (IMes)(THF)3 ], while using a similar procedure with Ca metal led to [CaI2 (THF)4 ] and uncoordinated IMes. DFT calculations were performed to rationalise the selective formation of the bis-NHC adduct in [SrI2 (IMe)2 (THF)2 ] and the tetra-NHC adduct in [SmI2 (IMe)4 ]. Since the results in the gas phase point towards preferential formation of the tetra-NHC complexes for both metal centres, the differences between both arrangements are a result of solid-state effects such as slightly different packing forces.

A Molecular Low-Coordinate [Fe-S-Fe] Unit in Three Oxidation States

A [Fe-S-Fe] subunit with a single sulfide bridging two low-coordinate iron ions is the supposed active site of the iron-molybdenum co-factor (FeMoco) of nitrogenase. Here we report a dinuclear monosulfido bridged diiron(II) complex with a similar complex geometry that can be oxidized stepwise to diiron(II/III) and diiron(III/III) complexes while retaining the [Fe-S-Fe] core. The series of complexes has been characterized crystallographically, and electronic structures have been studied using, inter alia, 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry. Further, cleavage of the [Fe-S-Fe] unit by CS2 is presented.

Aminolysis of bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]-manganese, -iron, and -cobalt for the synthesis of mono- and bis-silylene complexes

We report a method for the synthesis of amidinate stabilized silylene (NHSi) metal-halide complexes from M{N(SiMe3)2}2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co). The reported reactions can be used to make mono-silylene or bis-silylene complexes and the resulting products can be easily controlled by the reaction stoichiometry. Additionally, we apply this new synthetic protocol for the synthesis of a bis-iron complex derived from a bis-amidinate ligand having a terphenyl backbone.

Double donation in trigonal planar iron-carbodiphosphorane complexes - a concise study on their spectroscopic and electronic properties

We present the syntheses of trigonal planar coordinated Fe(ii) carbodiphosphorane (CDPR) complexes, starting from iron(ii)-bis(trimethylsilylamide) [Fe{N(SiMe3)2}2] and hexaphenyl-(CDPPh) and sym-dimethyltetraphenyl-carbodiphosphoranes (CDPMe), respectively. Both complexes [CDPPh-Fe{N(SiMe3)2}2] (1) and [CDPMe-Fe{N(SiMe3)2}2] (2) were examined in solution and in the solid state. 1 shows a dissociation equilibrium in solution which we monitored by variable temperature 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements of 1 and 2 yielded a high spin configuration (S = 2) for both complexes. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to analyze the bonding situation in compound 1.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Copper, Nickel, and Cobalt

The emergence of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ligands across the Periodic Table had an impact on various aspects of the coordination, organometallic, and catalytic chemistry of the 3d metals, including Cu, Ni, and Co, both from the fundamental viewpoint but also in applications, including catalysis, photophysics, bioorganometallic chemistry, materials, etc. In this review, the emergence, development, and state of the art in these three areas are described in detail.

Synthesis, characterization and derivatization of hydroxyl-functionalized iron(ii) bis(NHC) complexes

The syntheses of a novel hydroxyl-functionalized tetradentate NHC/pyridine hybrid ligand and the corresponding Ag(i) and Fe(ii) complexes are presented. Spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques are used for structural investigations and cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal interesting electronic properties. Transmetalation of the trinuclear Ag(i) complex (C1) yields a mononuclear and a dinuclear iron(ii) bis(NHC) complex (C2 and C3), which can be separated by stepwise precipitation. The former is isostructural to iron(ii) bis(NHC) complex A, which is a versatile oxidation catalyst. Furthermore, suitable conditions for esterification reactions of the ligand precursor and iron(ii) bis(NHC) complex (C2) have been established, demonstrating the utility of the hydroxyl functionality for immobilization and derivatization purposes.

Reactivity of a dearomatised pincer CoIIBr complex with PNCNHC donors: alkylation and Si–H bond activation via metal–ligand cooperation

Whereas [Co(^CyP*N_aC^NHC)Br] (1) with dearomatised pincer ^CyP*N_aC^NHC affords the Co^II–alkyl complex 3, uncommon silane reduction yields the Co^I complex 4.

Heteroleptic, two-coordinate [M(NHC){N(SiMe3)2}] (M = Co, Fe) complexes: synthesis, reactivity and magnetism rationalized by an unexpected metal oxidation state

The linear, two-coordinate and isostructural heteroleptic [M(IPr){N(SiMe₃)₂}] (IPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene), formally M^I complexes (M = Co, 3; Fe, 4) were obtained by the reduction of [M(IPr)Cl{N(SiMe₃)₂}] with KC₈, or [Co(IPr){N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] with mes*PH₂, mes* = 2,4,6-tBu₃C₆H₂. The magnetism of 3 and 4 implies Co^II and Fe^II centres coupled to one ligand-delocalized electron, in line with XPS and XANES data; the ac susceptibility of 4 detected a pronounced frequency dependence due to slow magnetization relaxation. Reduction of [Fe(IPr)Cl{N(SiMe₃)₂}] with excess KC₈ in toluene gave the heteronuclear 'inverse-sandwich' Fe-K complex 7, featuring η⁶-toluene sandwiched between one Fe⁰ and one K⁺ centre.

Oxidant-free synthesis of benzimidazoles from alcohols and aromatic diamines catalysed by new Ru(ii)-PNS(O) pincer complexes

A greener method for synthesizing 2-substituted benzimidazole through the acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation of alcohols and ortho-arylenediamine is developed.

Three and four coordinate Fe carbodiphosphorane complexes

Carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs) are a family of divalent carbon ligands that are known for their exceptional electron donor properties. Herein, the preparation and reactivity of a family of three and four co-ordinate Fe carbodiphosphorane complexes is described. Hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane (HCDP) [1] is shown to react with FeCl₂(PPh₃)₂ to form the three coordinate adduct Fe(HCDP)Cl₂ [2], which is equilibrium with its four coordinate dimer. Reaction of [2] with two equivalents of benzyl Grignard yields the corresponding dialkyl complex (HCDP)FeBn₂ [3]. Combination of [2] with LiHMDS results in salt metathesis and the formation of the monosilylated derivative Fe(HCDP)Cl(N(SiMe₃)₂) [4]. Subsequent anion exchange leads to the three coordinate Fe(HCDP)(OTf)(N(SiMe₃)₂) [5] which was characterized crystallographically and in solution.

Iron complexes of a bidentate picolyl-NHC ligand: synthesis, structure and reactivity

Reversible deprotonation–reprotonation of a bidentate picolyl-NHC ligand on Fe(ii).

N-Heterocyclic carbene adducts to [Cp′FeI]2: synthesis and molecular and electronic structure

Adducts [Cp′FeI(NHC)] exhibit a highly anisotropic magnetic M_s = ±2 ground state resulting in unusual large spin–lattice (Orbach) relaxation barriers observed by zero-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Cobalt PNCNHC ‘pincers’: ligand dearomatisation, formation of dinuclear and N2 complexes and promotion of C–H activation

Ligand dearomatisation in Co^II phosphino-picoline NHC-type pincers and dicobalt complexes result from side-arm metalation or C–H activation at the NHC backbone; in the latter case, an ‘anionic dicarbene’ originates from a dearomatised Co^I–N₂ complex.

Linear and T-Shaped Iron(I) Complexes Supported by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Synthesis and Structure Characterization

The use of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-4,5-(CH2)4-imidazol-2-ylidene (cyIDep), 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene (sIDep), and its N-mesityl analogue sIMes enables the preparation of the two-coordinate homoleptic iron(I)-NHC complexes [(cyIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (3, Ar(F) denoted for 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and [(sIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (4) and the T-shaped iron(I)-NHC complex [(sIMes)2Fe(THF)][BPh4] (5, THF = tetrahydrofuran). Complexes 3-5 were prepared via the sequential protocol of control reduction of iron(II) dihalides by KC8 in the presence of the corresponding NHC ligands followed by halide-abstraction with NaBAr4. Spectroscopic characterization, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory calculations, suggest their high-spin nature. Solution property study (absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) indicates that 3 and 5 keep their corresponding two- and three-coordinate nature in THF solution, and 4 might reversibly coordinate a THF molecule to form, presumably, the T-shaped species [(sIDep)2Fe(THF)][BAr(F)4]. The isolation of 3 and 4 demonstrates the accessibility of homoleptic two-coordinate iron(I)-NHC complexes.

Four-Coordinate Iron(II) Diaryl Compounds with Monodentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Their Tetrahedral-Square Planar Isomerization in Solution

The salt elimination reactions of (IPr2Me2)2FeCl2 (IPr2Me2 = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) with the corresponding aryl Grignard reagents afford [(IPr2Me2)2FeAr2] (Ar = Ph, 3; C6H4-p-Me, 4; C6H4-p-(t)Bu, 5; C6H3-3,5-(CF3)2, 6) in good yields. X-ray crystallographic studies revealed the presence of both tetrahedral and trans square planar isomers for 3 and 6 and the tetrahedral structures for 4 and 5. Magnetic susceptibility and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectrum measurements on the solid samples indicated the high-spin (S = 2) and intermediate-spin (S = 1) nature of the tetrahedral and square planar structures, respectively. Solution property studies, including solution magnetic susceptibility measurement, variable-temperature (1)H and (19)F NMR, and absorption spectroscopy, on 3-6, as well as an (57)Fe Mössbauer spectrum study on a frozen tetrahydrofuran solution of tetrahedral [(IPr2Me2)2(57)FePh2] suggest the coexistence of tetrahedral and trans square planar structures in solution phase. Density functional theory calculations on (IPr2Me2)2FePh2 disclosed that the tetrahedral and trans square planar isomers are close in energy and that the geometry isomerization can occur by spin-change-coupled geometric transformation on four-coordinate iron(II) center.

A combined magnetic circular dichroism and density functional theory approach for the elucidation of electronic structure and bonding in three- and four-coordinate iron(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

The combination of iron salts and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands is a highly effective combination in catalysis, with observed catalytic activities being highly dependent on the nature of the NHC ligand. Detailed spectroscopic and electronic structure studies have been performed on both three- and four-coordinate iron(II)-NHC complexes using a combined magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and density functional theory (DFT) approach that provide detailed insight into the relative ligation properties of NHCs compared to traditional phosphine and amine ligands as well as the effects of NHC backbone structural variations on iron(II)-NHC bonding. Near-infrared MCD studies indicate that 10Dq(Td) for (NHC)2FeCl2 complexes is intermediate between those for comparable amine and phosphine complexes, demonstrating that such iron(II)-NHC and iron(II)-phosphine complexes are not simply analogues of one another. Theoretical studies including charge decomposition analysis indicate that the NHC ligands are slightly stronger donor ligands than phosphines but also result in significant weakening of the Fe-Cl bonds compared to phosphine and amine ligands. The net result is significant differences in the d orbital energies in four-coordinate (NHC)2FeCl2 complexes relative to the comparable phosphine complexes, where such electronic structure differences are likely a significant contributing factor to the differing catalytic performances observed with these ligands. Furthermore, Mössbauer, MCD and DFT studies of the effects of NHC backbone structure variations (i.e. saturated, unsaturated, chlorinated) on iron-NHC bonding and electronic structure in both three- and four-coordinate iron(II)-NHC complexes indicate only small differences as a function of backbone structure, that are likely amplified at lower oxidation states of iron due to the resulting decrease in the energy separation between the occupied iron d orbitals and the unoccupied NHC π* orbitals.

Nitrosyl and carbene iron complexes bearing a κ3-SNS thioamide pincer type ligand

The monochelate iron complex with κ³-SNS thioamide pincer ligand, [Fe(THF)₂(κ3-LDPM)], gave novel complexes, [Fe(NHC)(κ3-LDPM)] and [Fe(NO)₂(κ3-LDPM)], by substitution reactions with N heterocyclic carbene and NO molecules, respectively.

Carbon Dioxide Cleavage by a Ni2 Complex Supported by a Binucleating Bis(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Framework

A binucleating bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand was designed as a means to coordinate and proximally constrain two transition metal centers. Using an imidazopyridine-based NHC afforded a framework structurally related to previously reported para-terphenyl diphosphines. Bimetallic copper, cobalt, and nickel complexes supported by this framework were synthesized and structurally characterized. Strong interactions between the metal centers and the central arene were observed in all nickel complexes. Dinickel(0) complexes of this ligand framework were found to react with CO₂ to form a dicarbonyl-bridged dinickel(0) product, demonstrating facile CO₂ reduction.

Two- and three-coordinate formal iron(i) compounds featuring monodentate aminocarbene ligands

Monodentate aminocarbene ligands, both NHC and cAAC, are capable of stabilizing low-coordinate iron(i) compounds.