A series of metal complexes with the non-innocent N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamido ligand: twisted geometry for tuning the electronic structure

One-Electron (2c/1e) Tin···Tin Bond Stabilized by ortho-Phenylenediamido Ligands

Odd-electron bonds, i.e., the two-center, three-electron (2c/3e), or one-electron (2c/1e) bonds, have attracted tremendous interest owing to their novel bonding nature and radical properties. Herein, complex [K(THF)6][LSn:···Sn:L] (1), featuring the first and unsupported 2c/1e Sn···Sn σ-bond with a long distance (3.2155(9) Å), was synthesized by reduction of stannylene [LSn:] (L = N,N-dpp-o-phenylene diamide) with KC8. The one-electron Sn-Sn bond in 1 was confirmed by the crystal structure, DFT calculations, EPR spectroscopy, and reactivity studies. This compound can be viewed as a stabilized radical by delocalizing to two metal centers and can readily mediate radical reactions such as C-C coupling of benzaldehyde.

Ni(II) complexes of a new tetradentate NN'N''O picolinoyl-1,2-phenylenediamide-phenolate redox-active ligand at different redox levels

Three square planar nickel(II) complexes of a new asymmetric tetradentate redox-active ligand H₃L² in its deprotonated form, at three redox levels, open-shell semiquinonate(1-) π radical, quinone(0) and closed-shell dianion of its 2-aminophenolate part, have been synthesized. The coordinated ligand provides N (pyridine) and N' and N'' (carboxamide and 1,2-phenylenediamide, respectively) and O (phenolate) donor sites. Cyclic voltammetry on the parent complex [Ni(L²)] 1 in CH₂Cl₂ established a three-membered electron-transfer series (oxidative response at E_1/2 = 0.57 V and reductive response at -0.32 V vs. SCE) consisting of neutral, monocationic and monoanionic [Ni(L²)]^z (z = 0, 1+ and 1-). Oxidation of 1 with AgSbF₆ affords [Ni(L²)](SbF₆) (2) and reduction of 1 with cobaltocene yields [Co(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂][Ni(L²)] (3). The molecular structures of 1·CH₃CN, 2·0.5CH₂Cl₂ and 3·C₆H₆ have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 100 K. Characterization by ¹H NMR, X-band EPR (g_av = 2.006 (solid); 2.008 (CH₂Cl₂-C₆H₅CH₃ glass); 80 K) and UV-VIS-NIR spectral properties established that 1, 2 and 3 have [Ni^II{(L²)˙^2-}], [Ni^II{(L²)^-}]⁺/1⁺ and [Ni^II{(L²)^3-}]^-/1^- electronic states, respectively. Thus, the redox processes are ligand-centred. While 1 possesses paramagnetic S_t (total spin) = 1/2, 2 and 3 possess diamagnetic ground-state S_t = 0. Interestingly, the variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic measurement reveals that 1 with the S_t = 1/2 ground state attains the antiferromagnetic S_t = 0 state at a very low temperature, due to weak noncovalent interactions via π-π stacking. Density functional theory (DFT) electronic structural calculations at the B3LYP level of theory rationalized the experimental results. In the UV-VIS-NIR spectra, broad absorptions are recorded for 1 and 2 in the range of 800-1600 nm; however, such an absorption is absent for 3. Time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations provide a very good fit with the experimental spectra and allow us to identify the observed electronic transitions.

Where is the unpaired electron density? A combined experimental and theoretical finding on the geometric and electronic structures of the Co(iii) and Mn(iv) complexes of the unsymmetrical non-innocent pincer ONS ligand

The geometry and electronic structures of the Co and Mn complexes of the pincer H3LONS ligand composed of both hard and soft donor atoms at the coordinating sites are reported.

Iron(II), Cobalt(II), and Nickel(II) Complexes of Bis(sulfonamido)benzenes: Redox Properties, Large Zero-Field Splittings, and Single-Ion Magnets

Metal complexes of 1,2-diamidobenzenes have been long studied because of their intriguing redox properties and electronic structures. We present here a series of such complexes with 1,2-bis(sulfonamido)benzene ligands to probe the utility of these ligands for generating a large zero-field splitting (ZFS, D) in metal complexes that possibly act as single-ion magnets. To this end, we have synthesized a series of homoleptic ate complexes of the form (X)_n[M{bis(sulfonamido)benzene}₂] (n equals 4 minus the oxidation state of the metal), where M (Fe/Co/Ni), X [K⁺/(K-18-c-6)⁺/(HNEt₃)⁺, with 18-c-6 = 18-crown ether 6], and the substituents (methyl and tolyl) on the ligand [bmsab = 1,2-bis(methanesulfonamido)benzene; btsab = 1,2-bis(toluenesulfonamido)benzene] were varied to analyze their effect on the ZFS, possible single-ion-magnet properties, and redox behavior of these metal complexes. A combination of X-ray crystallography, (spectro)electrochemistry, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to investigate the electronic/geometric structures of these complexes and the aforementioned properties. These investigations show that the cobalt(II) complexes display very high negative D values in the range of -100 to -130 cm^-1, and the nickel(II) complexes display very high positive D values of 76 and 58 cm^-1. In addition, the cobalt(II) complexes shows barriers of 200-260 cm^-1 and slow relaxation of the magnetization in the absence of an external magnetic field, underscoring the robustness of this class of complexes. The iron(II) complex exhibits a D value of -3.29 cm^-1 and can be chemically oxidized to an iron(III) complex that has D = -1.96 cm^-1. These findings clearly show that bis(sulfonamido)benzenes are ideally suited to stabilize ate complexes, to generate very high ZFSs at the metal centers with single-ion-magnet properties, and to induce exclusive oxidation at the metal center (for iron) despite the presence of ligands that are potentially noninnocent. Our results therefore substantially enhance the scope for this class of redox-active ligands.

Low-Valence Anionic α-Diimine Iron Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Hydroboration Studies

The synthesis of rare anionic heteroleptic and homoleptic α-diimine iron complexes is described. Heteroleptic BIAN (bis(aryl)iminoacenaphthene) complexes 1-[K([18]c-6)(thf)_0.5] and 2-[K([18]c-6)(thf)₂] were synthesized by reduction of the [(BIAN)FeBr₂] precursor complex using stoichiometric amounts of potassium graphite in the presence of the corresponding olefin. The electronic structure of these paramagnetic species was investigated by numerous spectroscopic analyses (NMR, EPR, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, UV-vis), magnetic measurements (Evans NMR method, SQUID), and theoretical techniques (DFT, CASSCF). Whereas anion 1 is a low-spin complex, anion 2 consists of an intermediate-spin Fe(III) center. Both complexes are efficient precatalysts for the hydroboration of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. The reaction of bis(anthracene) ferrate(1-) gave the homoleptic BIAN complex 3-[K([18]c-6)(thf)], which is less catalytically active. The electronic structure was elucidated with the same techniques as described for complexes 1-[K([18]c-6)(thf)_0.5] and 2-[K([18]c-6)(thf)₂] and revealed an Fe(II) species in a quartet ground state.

Assigning Ligand Redox Levels in Complexes of 2-Aminophenolates: Structural Signatures

The purpose of this Viewpoint is to provide a broad-ranging update of advances in the coordination chemistry of redox-active (noninnocent) 2-aminophenolates, with emphasis on two ligand backbone structural parameters, the average of C-O and C-N (C-O/N) bond distances and Δa values, signifying the degree of bond-length alternation in the six-membered ring, in order to identify the redox level of the coordinated ligands. In the absence of magnetic, spectroscopic, and redox results, it has been established that it is possible to assign the electronic ground state of a coordination complex of 2-aminophenolates with consideration of charge, metal-ligand bond distances, and two very promising ligand backbone structural parameters. From a closer look at the sensitive ligand backbone metrical parameters of a diversified group of about 120 transition-metal complexes, a few very useful generalizations have been made.

Tuning PtII -Based Donor-Acceptor Systems through Ligand Design: Effects on Frontier Orbitals, Redox Potentials, UV/Vis/NIR Absorptions, Electrochromism, and Photocatalysis

Asymmetric platinum donor-acceptor complexes [(pimp)Pt(Q2- )] are presented in this work, in which pimp=[(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino)methyl]pyridine and Q2- =catecholate-type donor ligands. The properties of the complexes are evaluated as a function of the donor ligands, and correlations are drawn among electrochemical, optical, and theoretical data. Special focus has been put on the spectroelectrochemical investigation of the complexes featuring sulfonyl-substituted phenylendiamide ligands, which show redox-induced linkage isomerism upon oxidation. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) as well as electron flux density analysis have been employed to rationalize the optical spectra of the complexes and their reactivity. Compound 1 ([(pimp)Pt(Q2- )] with Q2- =3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate) was shown to be an efficient photosensitizer for molecular oxygen and was subsequently employed in photochemical cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reactions. The results thus display new avenues for donor-acceptor systems, including their role as photocatalysts for organic transformations, and the possibility to introduce redox-induced linkage isomerism in these compounds through the use of sulfonamide substituents on the donor ligands.

Tetrahedral nickel(ii) and cobalt(ii) bis-o-iminobenzosemiquinonates

The first examples of tetrahedral nickel(ii) and cobalt(ii) bis-o-iminobenzosemiquinonates.

A coordinatively unsaturated iridium complex with an unsymmetrical redox-active ligand: (spectro)electrochemical and reactivity studies

Metal–ligand cooperativity can be used in iridium complexes with an unsymmetrically substituted redox-active diamidobenzene ligand for bond activation reactions.

Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols by Copper Complexes Bearing Redox-Active Ligands with Tunable H-Bonding Groups

In this research article, we describe the structure, spectroscopy, and reactivity of a family of copper complexes bearing bidentate redox-active ligands that contain H-bonding donor groups. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography shows that these tetracoordinate complexes are stabilized by intramolecular H-bonding interactions between the two ligand scaffolds. Interestingly, the Cu complexes undergo multiple reversible oxidation-reduction processes associated with the metal ion (Cu^I, Cu^II, Cu^III) and/or the o-phenyldiamido ligand (L^2-, L^•-, L). Moreover, some of the Cu^II complexes catalyze the aerobic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes (or ketones) at room temperature. Our extensive mechanistic analysis suggests that the dehydrogenation of alcohols occurs via an unusual reaction pathway for galactose oxidase model systems, in which O₂ reduction occurs concurrently with substrate oxidation.

Ni(II) Complexes of the Redox-Active Bis(2-aminophenyl)dipyrrin: Structural, Spectroscopic, and Theoretical Characterization of Three Members of an Electron Transfer Series

The sterically hindered bis(2-aminophenyl)dipyrrin ligand H₃^NL was prepared. X-ray diffraction discloses a bifurcated hydrogen bonding network involving the dipyrrin and one aniline ring. The reaction of H₃^NL with one equivalent of nickel(II) in the air produces a paramagnetic neutral complex, which absorbs intensively in the Vis-NIR region. Its electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum displays resonances at g₁ = 2.033, g₂ = 2.008, and g₃ = 1.962 that are reminiscent of an (S = 1/2) system having a predominant organic radical character. Both the structural investigation (X-ray diffraction) and density functional theory calculations on [Ni^II(^NL^•)] points to an unprecedented mixed "pyrrolyl-anilinyl" radical character. The neutral complex [Ni^II(^NL^•)] exhibits both a reversible oxidation wave at -0.28 V vs Fc⁺/Fc and a reversible reduction wave at -0.91 V. The anion was found to be highly air-sensitive, but could be prepared by reduction with cobaltocene and structurally characterized. It comprises a Ni(II) ion coordinated to a closed-shell trianionic ligand and hence can be formulated as [Ni^II(^NL)]^-. The cation was generated by reacting [Ni^II(^NL^•)] with one equivalent of silver hexafluoroantimonate. By X-ray diffraction we established that it contains an oxidized, closed-shell ligand coordinated to a nickel(II) ion. We found that a reliable hallmark for both the oxidation state of the ligand and the extent of delocalization within the series is the bond connecting the dipyrrin and the aniline, which ranges between 1.391 Å (cation) and 1.449 Å (anion). The cation and anion exhibit a rich Vis-NIR spectrum, despite their nonradical nature. The low energy bands correspond to ligand-based electronic excitations. Hence, the HOMO-LUMO gap is small, and the redox processes in the electron transfer series are exclusively ligand-centered.

Effective, transition metal free and selective C–F activation under mild conditions

A simple and effective aromatic nucleophilic monosubstitution reaction for the synthesis of aromatic amines via selective C–F bond cleavage of various fluoroarenes with primary and secondary aromatic amines is demonstrated.

Neutral, cationic, and anionic low-spin iron(III) complexes stabilized by amidophenolate and iminobenzosemiquinonate radical in N,N,O ligands

A brownish-black complex [Fe(III)(L)2] (1) (S = 0), supported by two tridentate redox-active azo-appended o-amidophenolates [H2L = 2-(2-phenylazo)-anilino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In CH2Cl2 1 displays two oxidative and two reductive 1e(-) redox processes at E1/2 values of 0.48 and 1.06 V and -0.42 and -1.48 V vs SCE, respectively. The one-electron oxidized form [1](+) isolated as a green solid [Fe(III)(L)2][BF4] (2) (S = 1/2) has been structurally characterized. Isolation of a dark ink-blue one-electron reduced form [1](-) has also been achieved [Co(III)(η(5)-C10H15)2][Fe(III)(L)2] (3) (S = 1/2). Mössbauer spectral parameters unequivocally establish that 1 is a low-spin (LS) Fe(III) complex. Careful analysis of Mössbauer spectral data of 2 and 3 at 200 and 80 K reveal that each complex has a major LS Fe(III) and a minor LS Fe(II) component (redox isomers): [Fe(III){(L(ISQ))(-•)}2](+) and [Fe(II){(L(IBQ))(0)}{(L(ISQ))(-•)}](+) (2) and [Fe(III){(L(AP))(2-)}2](-) and [Fe(II){(L(ISQ))(-•)}{(L(AP))(2-)}](-) (3). Notably, for both at 8 K mainly the major component exists. Broken-Symmetry (BS) Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level reveals that in 1 the unpaired electron of LS Fe(III) is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with a π-radical of o-iminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) (L(ISQ))(-•) form of the ligand, delocalized over two ligands providing 3- charge (X-ray structure). DFT calculations reveal that the unpaired electron in 2 is due to (L(ISQ))(-•) [LS Fe(III) (SFe = 1/2) is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to one of the (L(ISQ))(-•) radicals (Srad = 1/2)] and 3 is primarily a LS Fe(III) complex, supported by two o-amidophenolate(2-) ligands. Time-Dependent-DFT calculations shed light on the origin of UV-vis-NIR spectral absorptions for 1-3. The collective consideration of Mössbauer, variable-temperature (77-298 K) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and absorption spectral behavior at 298 K, and DFT results reveals that in 2 and 3 the valence-tautomerism is operative in the temperature range 80-300 K.

Efficient spin filter based on FeN4 complexes between carbon nanotube electrodes

We present a theoretical study to explore the spin transport properties of FeN(4) complexes sandwiched between two armchair (5, 5) carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes. The ab initio modeling is performed by combining the spin-dependent density functional theory with nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. The calculated results clearly demonstrate that the transport properties of FeN(4) complexes are sensitive to the contact configuration. Near the Fermi level the conductance through three examined junctions is mainly governed by the spin-up electrons. The FeN(4) complex coupled to CNT electrodes with the π-type contact conjugation can act as a nearly perfect spin filter, and its spin filter efficiency is up to 98.0%. Our theoretical results demonstrate that FeN(4) complexes are promising for future molecular spintronics devices.

A new tripodal ligand system with steric and electronic modularity for uranium coordination chemistry

The synthesis of a potentially redox active tripodal ligand containing a tris(aryloxide) functionalized mesitylene anchor, (((tBu)ArOH)(3)mes) (1), and its metalation with low-valent uranium to form [(((tBu)ArO)(3)mes)U] (1-U) is reported. The results from characterization by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic studies, and computational analysis, as well as initial reactivity studies, support a +3 uranium oxidation state. Comparison to the previously synthesized complex, [(((tBu)ArO)(3)tacn)U] (2-U), featuring the redox-innocent triazacyclononane anchor reveals that changing the anchor from the flexible triazacyclononane to a rigid mesityl fragment increases the structural flexibility of the aryloxide substituents in complexes of 1. The synthesis and crystal structures of uranium(IV) amide complexes of 1-U and 2-U are discussed.

Tuning the oxidation level, the spin state, and the degree of electron delocalization in homo- and heteroleptic bis(alpha-diimine)iron complexes

The four-coordinate heteroleptic complex [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)dad*-)] (1) and its homoleptic analogue [Fe(II)((F)dad*-)2] (2), where (F)pda(2-) is the closed-shell ligand N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamide(2-) and (F)dad*- is the singly reduced N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene pi-radical anion, have been synthesized. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal a twisted tetrahedral geometry of the FeN4 coordination polyhedron in both 1 and 2. The electronic structures of 1 and 2 were probed by magnetic susceptibility measurements, 57Fe Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In spite of their similar geometries and a common triplet ground state (S(t) = 1), the electronic structures of 1, 2, and the previously reported homoleptic analogue [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)pda*-)] (3), where (F)pda*- is a one-electron-oxidized form of (F)pda(2-), differ. The electronic structure of 2 consists of two (F)dad*- radicals coupled antiferromagnetically to a high-spin Fe(II) center, whereas in 3, only one (F)pda*- radical is coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion. This ligand mixed-valent species exhibits class-III behavior. Heteroleptic 1 contains a single (F)dad*- radical coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) center but behaves as a class-II ligand mixed-valent species. The observed diversity in the electronic structures of 1-3 is ascribed to the difference in the redox potentials of the ligands. Analysis of reduced orbital charges and spin densities obtained from DFT calculations also suggests that the electronic structures of 1-3 are best described as either a high-spin Fe(II) ion coordinated to two radical monoanions (2) or as an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion coordinated to one radical monoanion and one closed-shell dianion (1, 3).