Oxidation-state and metal-ion dependent stereoisomerization in oxo molybdenum and tungsten complexes of a bulky alkoxy heteroscorpionate ligand

Characterization of a Ferryl Flip in Electronically Tuned Nonheme Complexes. Consequences in Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactivity

Two oxoiron(IV) isomers (^R 2a and ^R 2b) of general formula [Fe^IV (O)(^R PyNMe₃ )(CH₃ CN)]²⁺ are obtained by reaction of their iron(II) precursor with NBu₄ IO₄ . The two isomers differ in the position of the oxo ligand, cis and trans to the pyridine donor. The mechanism of isomerization between ^R 2a and ^R 2b has been determined by kinetic and computational analyses uncovering an unprecedented path for interconversion of geometrical oxoiron(IV) isomers. The activity of the two oxoiron(IV) isomers in hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions shows that ^R 2a reacts one order of magnitude faster than ^R 2b, which is explained by a repulsive noncovalent interaction between the ligand and the substrate in ^R 2b. Interestingly, the electronic properties of the R substituent in the ligand pyridine ring do not have a significant effect on reaction rates. Overall, the intrinsic structural aspects of each isomer define their relative HAT reactivity, overcoming changes in electronic properties of the ligand.

The heteroscorpionate ligand 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethanol and an easy preparation of its tungsten complex

The heteroscorpionate ligand 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,1-diphenylethanol, C24H26N4O, features in the solid state an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond. A heteroscorpionate tungsten complex, cis-[2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-1,1-diphenylethanolato]chloridodioxidotungsten(VI) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [W(C24H25N4O)ClO2]·C4H8O, was prepared by the simple mixing of solutions of the ligand and WOCl4 in tetrahydrofuran. The tungsten complex was isolated after standing for several weeks. The complex exhibits a κ3 N,N′,O-coordination of the ligand. This simple synthetic procedure allows access to the cis isomer in high yield without additional purification steps. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows a change of the intermolecular contacts due to the coordination of the WO2Cl unit with the ligand molecule.