Carbon dioxide binding at a Ni/Fe center: synthesis and characterization of Ni(η1-CO2-κC) and Ni-μ-CO2-κC:κ2O,O'-Fe

CO2 cleavage by tantalum/M (M = iridium, osmium) heterobimetallic complexes

A novel Ta/Os heterobimetallic complex, [Ta(CH2tBu)3(μ-H)3OsCp*], 2, is prepared by protonolysis of Ta(CHtBu)(CH2tBu)3 with Cp*OsH5. Treatment of 2 and its iridium analogue [Ta(CH2tBu)3(μ-H)2IrCp*], 1, with CO2 under mild conditions reveal the efficient cleavage of CO2, driven by the formation of a tantalum oxo species in conjunction with CO transfer to the osmium or iridium fragments, to form Cp*Ir(CO)H2 and Cp*Os(CO)H3, respectively. This bimetallic reactivity diverges from more classical CO2 insertion into metal-X (X = metal, hydride, alkyl) bonds.

Opportunities for Insight into the Mechanism of Efficient CO2/CO Interconversion at a Nickel-Iron Cluster in CO Dehydrogenase

The reduction of CO2 with low overpotential and high selectivity is a crucial challenge in catalysis. Fortunately, natural systems have evolved enzymes that achieve this catalytic reaction very efficiently at a complex nickel-iron-sulfur cluster within carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH). Extensive biochemical, crystallographic, and spectroscopic work has been done to understand the structures and mechanism involved in the catalytic cycle, which are summarized here from the perspective of mechanistic organometallic chemistry. We highlight the ambiguities in the data and suggest experiments that could lead to clearer understanding of the mechanism and structures of intermediates at the active-site cluster. These include parallel crystallography and spectroscopy, as well as the preparation of synthetic analogues that help to interpret structural and spectroscopic signatures.

Appropriation of group II metals: synthesis and characterisation of the first alkaline earth metal supported transition metal carbonite complexes

Nickel carbonite complexes supported by alkaline earth metals have been accessed via salt-metathesis of the corresponding alkali metal precursors. The new complexes undergo Schlenk-like exchange reactions in solution which have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Also their reactivity towards epoxides and carbon monoxide was studied.

Bioinspired Binickel Catalyst for Carbon Dioxide Reduction: The Importance of Metal-ligand Cooperation

Catalyst design for the efficient CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) remains a crucial challenge for the conversion of CO2 to fuels. Natural Ni-Fe carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (NiFe-CODH) achieves reversible conversion of CO2 and CO at nearly thermodynamic equilibrium potential, which provides a template for developing CO2RR catalysts. However, compared with the natural enzyme, most biomimetic synthetic Ni-Fe complexes exhibit negligible CO2RR catalytic activities, which emphasizes the significance of effective bimetallic cooperation for CO2 activation. Enlightened by bimetallic synergy, we herein report a dinickel complex, NiIINiII(bphpp)(AcO)2 (where NiNi(bphpp) is derived from H2bphpp = 2,9-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-pyridylphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline) for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO, which exhibits a remarkable reactivity approximately 5 times higher than that of the mononuclear Ni catalyst. Electrochemical and computational studies have revealed that the redox-active phenanthroline moiety effectively modulates the electron injection and transfer akin to the [Fe3S4] cluster in NiFe-CODH, and the secondary Ni site facilitates the C-O bond activation and cleavage through electron mediation and Lewis acid characteristics. Our work underscores the significant role of bimetallic cooperation in CO2 reduction catalysis and provides valuable guidance for the rational design of CO2RR catalysts.

Controlling the Activation at NiII -CO2 2- Moieties through Lewis Acid Interactions in the Second Coordination Sphere

Nickel complexes with a two-electron reduced CO2 ligand (CO2 2- , "carbonite") are investigated with regard to the influence alkali metal (AM) ions have as Lewis acids on the activation of the CO2 entity. For this purpose complexes with NiII (CO2 )AM (AM=Li, Na, K) moieties were accessed via deprotonation of nickel-formate compounds with (AM)N(i Pr)2 . It was found that not only the nature of the AM ions in vicinity to CO2 affect the activation, but also the number and the ligation of a given AM. To this end the effects of added (AM)N(R)2 , THF, open and closed polyethers as well as cryptands were systematically studied. In 14 cases the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and correlations with the situation in solution were made. The more the AM ions get detached from the carbonite ligand, the lower is the degree of aggregation. At the same time the extent of CO2 activation is decreased as indicated by the structural and spectroscopic analysis and reactivity studies. Accompanying DFT studies showed that the coordinating AM Lewis acidic fragment withdraws only a small amount of charge from the carbonite moiety, but it also affects the internal charge equilibration between the LtBu Ni and carbonite moieties.

Redox-Active Ligand Assisted Multielectron Catalysis: A Case of Electrocatalyzed CO2-to-CO Conversion

The selective reduction of carbon dioxide remains a significant challenge due to the complex multielectron/proton transfer process, which results in a high kinetic barrier and the production of diverse products. Inspired by the electrostatic and H-bonding interactions observed in the second sphere of the [NiFe]-CODH enzyme, researchers have extensively explored these interactions to regulate proton transfer, stabilize intermediates, and ultimately improve the performance of catalytic CO2 reduction. In this work, a series of cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrins with varying numbers of redox-active nitro groups were synthesized and evaluated as CO2 reduction electrocatalysts. Analyses of the redox properties of these complexes revealed a consistent relationship between the number of nitro groups and the corresponding accepted electron number of the ligand at -1.59 V vs. Fc+/0. Among the catalysts tested, TNPPCo with four nitro groups exhibited the most efficient catalytic activity with a turnover frequency of 4.9 × 104 s-1 and a catalytic onset potential 820 mV more positive than that of the parent TPPCo. Furthermore, the turnover frequencies of the catalysts increased with a higher number of nitro groups. These results demonstrate the promising design strategy of incorporating multielectron redox-active ligands into CO2 reduction catalysts to enhance catalytic performance.

Donor-Acceptor Activation of Carbon Dioxide

The activation and functionalization of carbon dioxide entails great interest related to its abundance, low toxicity and associated environmental problems. However, the inertness of CO2 has posed a challenge towards its efficient conversion to added-value products. In this review we discuss one of the strategies that have been widely used to capture and activate carbon dioxide, namely the use of donor-acceptor interactions by partnering a Lewis acidic and a Lewis basic fragment. This type of CO2 activation resembles that found in metalloenzymes, whose outstanding performance in catalytically transforming carbon dioxide encourages further bioinspired research. We have divided this review into three general sections based on the nature of the active sites: metal-free examples (mainly formed by frustrated Lewis pairs), main group-transition metal combinations, and transition metal heterobimetallic complexes. Overall, we discuss one hundred compounds that cooperatively activate carbon dioxide by donor-acceptor interactions, revealing a wide range of structural motifs.

Cleavage of Carbon Dioxide C=O Bond Promoted by Nickel-Boron Cooperativity in a PBP-Ni Complex

The synthesis and characterization of (tBu PBP)Ni(OAc) (5) by insertion of carbon dioxide into the Ni-C bond of (tBu PBP)NiMe (1) is presented. An unexpected CO2 cleavage process involving the formation of new B-O and Ni-CO bonds leads to the generation of a butterfly-structured tetra-nickel cluster (tBu PBOP)2 Ni4 (μ-CO)2 (6). Mechanistic investigation of this reaction indicates a reductive scission of CO2 by O-atom transfer to the boron atom via a cooperative nickel-boron mechanism. The CO2 activation reaction produces a three-coordinate (tBu P2 BO)Ni-acyl intermediate (A) that leads to a (tBu P2 BO)-NiI complex (B) via a likely radical pathway. The NiI species is trapped by treatment with the radical trap (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) to give (tBu P2 BO)NiII (η2 -TEMPO) (7). Additionally, 13 C and 1 H NMR spectroscopy analysis using 13 C-enriched CO2 provides information about the species involved in the CO2 activation process.

An Aluminum Telluride with a Terminal Al=Te Bond and its Conversion to an Aluminum Tellurocarbonate by CO2 Reduction

Facile access to dimeric heavier aluminum chalcogenides [(NHC)Al(Tipp)-μ-Ch]₂ (NHC=IiPr (1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene, IMe₄ (1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene); Tipp=2,4,6-iPr₃ C₆ H₂ ; Ch=Se, Te) by treatment of NHC-stabilized aluminum dihydrides with elemental Se and Te is reported. The higher affinity of IMe₄ in comparison with IiPr toward the Al center in [(NHC)Al(Tipp)-μ-Ch]₂ can be used for ligand exchange. Additionally, the presence of excess IMe₄ allows for cleavage of the dimers to form a rare example of a neutral multiply bonded heavier aluminum chalcogenide in the form of a tetracoordinate aluminum complex, (IMe₄ )₂ (Tipp)Al=Te. This species reacts with three equivalents of CO₂ across two Al-C^NHC and the Al=Te bond affording a pentacoordinate aluminum complex containing a dianionic tellurocarbonate ligand [CO₂ Te]^2- , which is the first example of tellurium analogue of a carbonate [CO₃ ]^2- .

Divergent CO2 Activation by Tuning the Lewis Acid in Iron-Based Bimetallic Systems

Bimetallic motifs mediate the selective activation and functionalization of CO₂ in metalloenzymes and some recent synthetic systems. In this work, we build on the nascent concept of bimetallic frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) to investigate the activation and reduction of CO₂ . Using the Fe⁰ fragment [(depe)₂ Fe] (depe=1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) as base, we modify the nature of the partner Lewis acid to accomplish a divergent and highly chemoselective reactivity towards CO₂ . [Au(PMe₂ Ar)]⁺ irreversibly dissociates CO₂ , Zn(C₆ F₅ )₂ and B(C₆ F₅ )₃ yield different CO₂ adducts stabilized by push-pull interactions, while Al(C₆ F₅ )₃ leads to a rare heterobimetallic C-O bond cleavage, and thus to contrasting reduced products after exposure to dihydrogen. Computational investigations provide a rationale for the divergent reactivity, while Energy Decomposition Analysis-Natural Orbital for Chemical Valence (EDA-NOCV) method substantiates the heterobimetallic bonding situation.

Recent developments on the transformation of CO2 utilising ligand cooperation and related strategies

A portfolio of value-added chemicals, fuels and building block compounds can be envisioned from CO₂ on an industrial scale. The high kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities of CO₂, however, present a significant barrier to its utilisation as a C1 source. In this context, metal-ligand cooperation methodologies have emerged as one of the most dominant strategies for the transformation of the CO₂ molecule over the last decade or so. This review focuses on the advancements in CO₂ transformation using these cooperative methodologies. Different and well-studied ligand cooperation methodologies, such as dearomatisation-aromatisation type cooperation, bimetallic cooperation (M⋯M'; M' = main group or transition metal) and other related strategies are also discussed. Furthermore, the cooperative bond activations are subdivided based on the number of atoms connecting the reactive centre in the ligand framework (spacer/linker length) and the transition metal. Several similarities across these seemingly distinct cooperative methodologies are emphasised. Finally, this review brings out the challenges ahead in developing catalytic systems from these CO₂ transformations.

Molecular Transition Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts for the Reversible Carbon Dioxide-Carbon Monoxide Transformation

Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) enzymes are active for the reversible CO oxidation-CO₂ reduction reaction and are of interest in the context of CO₂ abatement and carbon-neutral solar fuels. Bioinspired by the active-site composition of the CODHs, polyoxometalates triply substituted with first-row transition metals were modularly synthesized. The polyanions, in short, {SiM₃ W₉ } and {SiM'₂ M''W₉ }, M, M', M''=Cu^II , Ni^II , Fe^III are shown to be electrocatalysts for reversible CO oxidation-CO₂ reduction. A catalytic Tafel plot showed that {SiCu₃ W₉ } was the most reactive for CO₂ reduction, and electrolysis reactions yielded significant amounts of CO with 98 % faradaic efficiency. In contrast, Fe-Ni compounds such as {SiFeNi₂ W₉ } preferably catalyzed the oxidation of CO to CO₂ similar to what is observed for the [NiFe]-CODH enzyme. Compositional control of the heterometal complexes, now and in the future, leads to control of reactivity and selectivity for CO₂ electrocatalytic reduction.

Coinage metal aluminyl complexes: probing regiochemistry and mechanism in the insertion and reduction of carbon dioxide

The synthesis of coinage metal aluminyl complexes, featuring M-Al covalent bonds, is reported via a salt metathesis approach employing an anionic Al(i) ('aluminyl') nucleophile and group 11 electrophiles. This approach allows access to both bimetallic (1 : 1) systems of the type ( t Bu3P)MAl(NON) (M = Cu, Ag, Au; NON = 4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) and a 2 : 1 di(aluminyl)cuprate system, K[Cu{Al(NON)}2]. The bimetallic complexes readily insert heteroallenes (CO2, carbodiimides) into the unsupported M-Al bonds to give systems containing a M(CE2)Al bridging unit (E = O, NR), with the μ-κ1(C):κ2(E,E') mode of heteroallene binding being demonstrated crystallographically for carbodiimide insertion in the cases of all three metals, Cu, Ag and Au. The regiochemistry of these processes, leading to the formation of M-C bonds, is rationalized computationally, and is consistent with addition of CO2 across the M-Al covalent bond with the group 11 metal acting as the nucleophilic partner and Al as the electrophile. While the products of carbodiimide insertion are stable to further reaction, their CO2 analogues have the potential to react further, depending on the identity of the group 11 metal. ( t Bu3P)Au(CO)2Al(NON) is inert to further reaction, but its silver counterpart reacts slowly with CO2 to give the corresponding carbonate complex (and CO), and the copper system proceeds rapidly to the carbonate even at low temperatures. Experimental and quantum chemical investigations of the mechanism of the CO2 to CO/carbonate transformation are consistent with rate-determining extrusion of CO from the initially-formed M(CO)2Al fragment to give a bimetallic oxide that rapidly assimilates a second molecule of CO2. The calculated energetic barriers for the most feasible CO extrusion step (ΔG ‡ = 26.6, 33.1, 44.5 kcal mol-1 for M = Cu, Ag and Au, respectively) are consistent not only with the observed experimental labilities of the respective M(CO)2Al motifs, but also with the opposing trends in M-C (increasing) and M-O bond strengths (decreasing) on transitioning from Cu to Au.

Low-Valent Germanylidene Anions: Efficient Single-Site Nucleophiles for Activation of Small Molecules

Rare mononuclear and helical chain low-valent germanylidene anions supported by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene and hypermetallyl ligands were synthesised by stepwise reduction from corresponding germylene precursors via stable and isolable germanium radicals. The electronic structures of the anions can be described with ylidene and ylidone resonance forms with the Ge-C π-electrons capable of binding even weak electrophiles. The germanylidene anions reacted with CO2 to give μ-CO2 -κC:κO complexes, a rare coordination mode for low-valent germanium and inaccessible for the related neutral germylones. These results implicate low-valent germanylidene anions as efficient single-site nucleophiles for activation of small molecules.

In situ FTIR study of CO2 reduction on inorganic analogues of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase

The CO₂-to-CO reduction by carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) with a [NiFe₄S₄] cluster is considered to be the oldest pathway of biological carbon fixation and therefore may have been involved in the origin of life. Although previous studies have investigated CO₂ reduction by Fe and Ni sulfides to identify the prebiotic origin of the [NiFe₄S₄] cluster, the reaction mechanism remains largely elusive. Herein, we applied in situ electrochemical ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to probe the reaction intermediates of greigite (Fe₃S₄) and violarite (FeNi₂S₄). Intermediate species assignable to surface-bound CO₂ and formyl groups were found to be stabilized in the presence of Ni, lending insight into its role in enhancing the multistep CO₂ reduction process.

Theoretical Study on the Degree of CO2 Activation in CO2-Coordinated Ni(0) Complexes

The geometrical characteristic and the degree of CO₂ activation of the CO₂-coordinated Ni(0) complexes were investigated computationally by quantum chemical means for bidentate and tridentate ligands of PP, PP^MeP, and PNP, and sometimes with co-complexing Fe(II) to differently coordinate CO₂. We show that the coordination geometry of the central metal is determined by the ligand geometry. The charge and the energy decomposition analyses show that the charge transfer energy through orbital mixing has a strong correlation with CO₂ net charge, while the binding energy cannot due to the lack of the coordination number and the deformation energy of the ligand. Among the examined ligands, PNP with negatively charged secondary amine makes Ni(0) an electron-rich atom, which results in an ∼20% higher CO₂ activation than those of PP and PP^MeP. In particular, Fe(II)-PNP in the CO₂-bridged diatomic complex enhances CO₂ activation by another ∼20%, partly through the inductive effect of Fe(II), which pulls electron density from Ni-PNP across the CO₂-bridge and partly by the backward donation from Fe(II)-PNP. Therefore, the present study encourages us to design a strongly electron-donating ligand and a CO₂-bridged diatomic complex to develop more efficient homogeneous catalyst.

Bioinspired Nickel Complexes Supported by an Iron Metalloligand

Nature utilizes multimetallic sites in metalloenzymes to enable multielectron chemical transformations at ambient conditions and low overpotentials. One such example of multimetallic cooperativity can be found in the C-cluster of Ni-carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), which interconverts CO and CO₂. Toward a potential functional model of the C-cluster, a family of Ni-Fe bimetallic complexes was synthesized that contain direct metal-metal bonding interactions. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, various spectroscopies (NMR, EPR, UV-vis, Mössbauer), and theoretical calculations. The Ni-Fe bimetallic system has a reversible Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple at -2.10 V (vs Fc⁺/Fc). The Fe-based "redox switch" can turn on CO₂ reactivity at the Ni(0) center by leveraging the Ni→Fe dative interaction to attenuate the Ni(0) electron density. The reduced Ni(0)Fe(II) species mediated the formal two-electron reduction of CO₂ to CO, providing a Ni-CO adduct and CO₃^2- as products. During the reaction, an intermediate was observed that is proposed to be a Ni-CO₂ species.

Cp2Ti(κ2-tBuNCNtBu): A Complex with an Unusual κ2 Coordination Mode of a Heterocumulene Featuring a Free Carbene

Although there are myriad binding modes of heterocumulenes to metal centers, the monometallic κ2-ECE (E = O, S, NR) coordination mode has not been reported. Herein, the synthesis, isolation, and physical characterization of Cp2Ti(κ2-tBuNCNtBu) (3) (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, tBu = tert-butyl), a strained 4-membered metallacycle bearing a free carbene, is described. Computational (DFT, CASSCF, QT-AIM, ELF) and solid-state CP-MAS 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis indicate that 3 is best described as a free carbene with partial Ti-Cβ bonding that results from Ti-N π-bonding mixing with N-C-N σ-bonding of the bent N-C-N framework. Reactivity studies of 3 corroborate its carbene-like nature: protonation with [LutH]I results in the formation of a Ti-formamidinate (4), while oxidation with S8 yields a Ti-thioureate (5). Additionally, a related bridged dititanamidocarbene, (Cp2Ti)2(μ-η1,η1-CyNCNCy) (10) (Cy = cyclohexyl) is reported. Taken together, this work suggests that the 2-electron reduction of heterocumulene moieties can allow access to unusual free carbene coordination geometries given the proper stabilizing coordination environment from the reducing transition metal fragment.

Biomimetic Approach to CO2 Reduction

The development of artificial photosynthetic technologies able to produce solar-fuels from CO₂ reduction is a fundamental task that requires the employment of specific catalysts being accomplished. Besides, effective catalysts are also demanded to capture atmospheric CO₂, mitigating the effects of its constantly increasing emission. Biomimetic transition metal complexes are considered ideal platforms to develop efficient and selective catalysts to be implemented in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic devices. These catalysts, designed according to the inspiration provided by nature, are simple synthetic molecular systems capable of mimic features of the enzymatic activity. The present review aims to focus the attention on the mechanistic and structural aspects highlighted to be necessary to promote a proper catalytic activity. The determination of these characteristics is of interest both for clarifying aspects of the catalytic cycle of natural enzymes that are still unknown and for developing synthetic molecular catalysts that can readily be applied to artificial photosynthetic devices.

Mechanisms of catalytic reduction of CO2 with heme and nonheme metal complexes

The catalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels has attracted increasing attention, providing a promising route for mitigating the greenhouse effect of CO2 and also meeting the global energy demand. Among many homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 reduction, this mini-review is focused on heme and nonheme metal complexes that act as effective catalysts for the electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reduction of CO2. Because metalloporphyrinoids show strong absorption in the visible region, which is sensitive to the oxidation states of the metals and ligands, they are suited for the detection of reactive intermediates in the catalytic CO2 reduction cycle by electronic absorption spectroscopy. The first part of this review deals with the catalytic mechanism for the one-electron reduction of CO2 to oxalic acid with heme and nonheme metal complexes, with an emphasis on how the formation of highly energetic CO2˙ is avoided. Then, the catalytic mechanism of two-electron reduction of CO2 to produce CO and H2O is compared with that to produce HCOOH. The effect of metals and ligands of the heme and nonheme complexes on the CO or HCOOH product selectivity is also discussed. The catalytic mechanisms of multi-electron reduction of CO2 to methanol (six-electron reduced product) and methane (eight-electron reduced product) are also discussed for both electrocatalytic and photocatalytic systems.

Selective Transformation of CO2 to CO at a Single Nickel Center

Carbon dioxide conversion mediated by transition metal complexes continues to attract much attention because of its future potential utilization as a nontoxic and inexpensive C1 source for the chemical industry. Given the presence of nickel in natural systems that allow for extremely efficient catalysis, albeit in an Fe cluster arrangement, studies that focus on selective CO₂ conversion with synthetic nickel species are currently of considerable interest in our group. In this Account, the selective conversion of CO₂ to carbon monoxide occurring at a single nickel center is discussed. The chemistry is based on a series of related nickel pincer complexes with attention to the uniqueness of the coordination geometry, which is crucial in allowing for particular reactivity toward CO₂. Our research is inspired by the efficient enzymatic CO₂ catalysis occurring at the active site of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. Since the binding and reactivity toward CO₂ are controlled in part by the geometry of a L₃Ni scaffold, we have explored the chemistry of low-valent nickel supported by PP^MeP and PNP ligands, in which a pseudotetrahedral or square-planar geometry is accommodated. Two isolated nickel-CO₂ adducts, (PP^MeP)Ni(η²-CO₂-κ C) (2) and {Na(12-C-4)₂}{(PNP)Ni(η¹-CO₂-κ C)} (7), clearly demonstrate that the geometry of the nickel ion is crucial in the binding of CO₂ and its level of activation. In the case of a square-planar nickel center supported by a PNP ligand, a series of bimetallic metallacarboxylate Ni-μ-CO₂-κ C, O-M species (M = H, Na, Ni, Fe) were synthesized, and their structural features and reactivity were studied. Protonation cleaves the C-O bond, resulting in the formation of a nickel(II) monocarbonyl complex. By sequential reduction, the corresponding mono- and zero-valent Ni-CO species were produced. The reactivities of three nickel carbonyl species toward various iodoalkanes and CO₂ were explored to address whether their corresponding reactivities could be controlled by the number of valence d electrons. In particular, a (PNP)Ni(0)-CO species (13) shows immediate reactivity toward CO₂ but displays multiple product formation. By incorporation of a -CMe₂- bridging unit, a structurally rigidified ^acriPNP ligand was newly designed and produced. This ligand modification was successful in preparing the T-shaped nickel(I) metalloradical species 9 exhibiting open-shell reactivity due to the sterically exposed nickel center possessing a half-filled d _{x²- y²} orbital. More importantly, the selective addition of CO₂ to a nickel(0)-CO species was enabled to afford a nickel(II)-carboxylate species (22) with the expulsion of CO(g). Finally, the (^acriPNP)Ni system provides a synthetic cycle in the study of the selective conversion of CO₂ to CO that involves two-electron reduction of Ni-CO followed by the direct addition of CO₂ to release the coordinated CO ligand.

Metal-Ligand Cooperation as Key in Formation of Dearomatized NiII-H Pincer Complexes and in Their Reactivity toward CO and CO2

The unique synthesis and reactivity of [(^RPNP*)NiH] complexes (1a,b), based on metal–ligand cooperation (MLC), are presented (^RPNP* = deprotonated PNP ligand, R = ⁱPr, ^tBu). Unexpectedly, the dearomatized complexes 1a,b were obtained by reduction of the dicationic complexes [(^RPNP)Ni(MeCN)](BF₄)₂ with sodium amalgam or by reaction of the free ligand with Ni⁰(COD)₂. Complex 1b reacts with CO via MLC, to give a rare case of a distorted-octahedral PNP-based pincer complex, the Ni(0) complex 3b. Complexes 1a,b also react with CO₂ via MLC to form a rare example of η¹ binding of CO₂ to nickel, complexes 4a,b. An unusual CO₂ cleavage process by complex 4b, involving C–O and C–P cleavage and C–C bond formation, led to the Ni–CO complex 3b and to the new complex [(PⁱPr₂NC₂O₂)Ni(P(O)ⁱPr₂)] (5b). All complexes have been fully characterized by NMR and X-ray crystallography.

The elusive abnormal CO2 insertion enabled by metal-ligand cooperative photochemical selectivity inversion

Direct hydrogenation of CO₂ to CO, the reverse water–gas shift reaction, is an attractive route to CO₂ utilization. However, the use of molecular catalysts is impeded by the general reactivity of metal hydrides with CO₂. Insertion into M–H bonds results in formates (MO(O)CH), whereas the abnormal insertion to the hydroxycarbonyl isomer (MC(O)OH), which is the key intermediate for CO-selective catalysis, has never been directly observed. We here report that the selectivity of CO₂ insertion into a Ni–H bond can be inverted from normal to abnormal insertion upon switching from thermal to photochemical conditions. Mechanistic examination for abnormal insertion indicates photochemical N–H reductive elimination as the pivotal step that leads to an umpolung of the hydride ligand. This study conceptually introduces metal-ligand cooperation for selectivity control in photochemical transformations.

The development of molecular catalysts for the reverse water–gas shift reaction is impeded by the general selectivity of CO₂ insertion into M–H bonds to formates. Here, the authors report that the selectivity of CO₂ insertion into a Ni–H bond can be inverted from normal to abnormal insertion upon switching from thermal to photochemical conditions.

Direct CO2 Addition to a Ni(0)-CO Species Allows the Selective Generation of a Nickel(II) Carboxylate with Expulsion of CO

Addition of CO₂ to a low-valent nickel species has been explored with a newly designed ^acriPNP pincer ligand (^acriPNP^- = 4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-2,7,9,9-tetramethyl-9H-acridin-10-ide). This is a crucial step in understanding biological CO₂ conversion to CO found in carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH). A four-coordinate nickel(0) state was reliably accessed in the presence of a CO ligand, which can be prepared from a stepwise reduction of a cationic {(^acriPNP)Ni(II)-CO}⁺ species. All three Ni(II), Ni(I), and Ni(0) monocarbonyl species were cleanly isolated and spectroscopically characterized. Addition of electrons to the nickel(II) species significantly alters its geometry from square planar toward tetrahedral because of the filling of the d_x²-y² orbital. Accordingly, the CO ligand position changes from equatorial to axial, ∠N-Ni-C of 176.2(2)° to 129.1(4)°, allowing opening of a CO₂ binding site. Upon addition of CO₂ to a nickel(0)-CO species, a nickel(II) carboxylate species with a Ni(η¹-CO₂-κC) moiety was formed and isolated (75%). This reaction occurs with the concomitant expulsion of CO(g). This is a unique result markedly different from our previous report involving the flexible analogous PNP ligand, which revealed the formation of multiple products including a tetrameric cluster from the reaction with CO₂. Finally, the carbon dioxide conversion to CO at a single nickel center is modeled by the successful isolation of all relevant intermediates, such as Ni-CO₂, Ni-COOH, and Ni-CO.