Radicalizing CO by Mononuclear Palladium(I)

A mononuclear, T-shaped palladium(I) d9 metalloradical (3), stabilized by a bulky carbazole-based PNP-ligand, was obtained by reduction of palladium chloride or thermal Pd-C bond homolysis of the corresponding neopentyl complex. Pressurizing with CO gave the Pd(I) carbonyl complex, which was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Delocalization of the unpaired electron to the carbonyl carbon was detected by EPR spectroscopy and theoretically modeled by DFT and ab initio methods. The partially reduced and radicalized CO slowly reacts with di(tert-butyl) disulfide under homolytic S-S cleavage and C-S bond formation to give the corresponding metallathioester.

Alkaline earth metal-assisted dinitrogen activation at nickel

Rare examples of trinuclear [Ni-N2-M-N2-Ni] core (M = Ca, Mg) with linear bridged dinitrogen ligands are reported in this work. The reduction of [iPr2NN]Ni(μ-Br)2Li(thf)2 (1) (iPr2NN = 2,4-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimido)pentyl) with elemental Mg or Ca in THF under an atmosphere of dinitrogen yields the complex {iPr2NNNi(μ-N2)}2M (thf)4 (M = Mg, complex 2 and M = Ca, complex 3). The bridging end-on (μ-N2)2M(thf)4 moiety connects the two [iPr2NNNi]- nickelate fragments. A combination of X-ray crystallography, solution and solid-state spectroscopy have been applied to characterize complexes 2 and 3, and DFT studies have been used to help explain the bonding and electronic structure in these unique Ni-N2-Mg and Ni-N2-Ca complexes.

Synthesis and Magnetic Studies of Two Neutral, Bis-Ligand Fe(II) Complexes Containing Carbazole-Bis(tetrazole) Ligands

Previously reported carbazole-bis(tetrazole) (CzT^R) ligands (where R = iPr and CH₂-2,4,6-C₆H₂Me₃) were used to synthesize air-stable, six-coordinate, octahedral bis-ligand Fe(II) complexes (CzT^R)₂Fe. The synthesis and characterization of these complexes using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray crystallography, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are reported. Analysis of the magnetic properties revealed that the isopropyl derivative displays thermally induced spin crossover (SCO) over a temperature range of 150-350 K. This transition appears as an abrupt two-step transition in the solid state but simplifies to a smooth one-step transition in solution. The two-step transition in the solid state has been postulated to be due to lattice and solvation effects. In contrast, the slightly bulkier substituted CH₂-2,4,6-C₆H₂Me₃ (CH₂Mes) Fe complex displays dramatically different magnetic behavior with no SCO and magnetic data suggesting low-spin Fe(II) with a possible TIP contribution. DFT calculations support the postulate that the change in magnetic behavior is primarily due to the nature of the ligand substituents.

Near ambient N2 fixation on solid electrodes versus enzymes and homogeneous catalysts

The Mo/Fe nitrogenase enzyme is unique in its ability to efficiently reduce dinitrogen to ammonia at atmospheric pressures and room temperature. Should an artificial electrolytic device achieve the same feat, it would revolutionize fertilizer production and even provide an energy-dense, truly carbon-free fuel. This Review provides a coherent comparison of recent progress made in dinitrogen fixation on solid electrodes, homogeneous catalysts and nitrogenases. Specific emphasis is placed on systems for which there is unequivocal evidence that dinitrogen reduction has taken place. By establishing the cross-cutting themes and synergies between these systems, we identify viable avenues for future research.

Ammonia from dinitrogen at ambient conditions by organometallic catalysts

Fixation of atmospheric dinitrogen in plants by [Mo-Fe] cofactor of nitrogenase enzyme takes place efficiently under atmospheric pressure and normal temperature. In search for an alternative methodology for the highly energy intensive Haber-Bosch process, design and synthesis of highly efficient inorganic and organometallic complexes by mimicking the structure and function of [Mo-Fe] cofactor system is highly desirable for ammonia synthesis from dinitrogen. An ideal catalyst for ammonia synthesis should effectively catalyse the reduction of dinitrogen in the presence of a proton source under mild to moderate conditions, and thereby, significantly reducing the cost of ammonia production and increasing the energy efficacy of the process. In the light of current research, it is evident that there is a plenty of scope for the development and enhanced performance of the inorganic and organometallic catalysts for ammonia synthesis under ambient temperature and pressure. The review furnishes a comprehensive outlook of numerous organometallic catalysts used in the synthesis of ammonia from dinitrogen in the past few decades.

Terminal N2 Dissociation in [(PNN)Fe(N2 )]2 (μ-N2 ) Leads to Local Spin-State Changes and Augmented Bridging N2 Activation

Nitrogen fixation at iron centres is a fundamental catalytic step for N₂ utilisation, relevant to biological (nitrogenase) and industrial (Haber-Bosch) processes. This step is coupled with important electronic structure changes which are currently poorly understood. We show here for the first time that terminal dinitrogen dissociation from iron complexes that coordinate N₂ in a terminal and bridging fashion leaves the Fe-N₂ -Fe unit intact but significantly enhances the degree of N₂ activation (Δν≈180 cm^-1 , Raman spectroscopy) through charge redistribution. The transformation proceeds with local spin state change at the iron centre (S= 1 / 2 ${{ 1/2 }}$ →S=³ /₂ ). Further dissociation of the bridging N₂ can be induced under thermolytic conditions, triggering a disproportionation reaction, from which the tetrahedral (PNN)₂ Fe could be isolated. This work shows that dinitrogen activation can be induced in the absence of external chemical stimuli such as reducing agents or Lewis acids.

Dual electronic effects achieving a high-performance Ni(II) pincer catalyst for CO2 photoreduction in a noble-metal-free system

A carbazolide-bis(NHC) Ni^II catalyst (1; NHC, N-heterocyclic carbene) for selective CO₂ photoreduction was designed herein by a one-stone-two-birds strategy. The extended π-conjugation and the strong σ/π electron-donation characteristics (two birds) of the carbazolide fragment (one stone) lead to significantly enhanced activity for photoreduction of CO₂ to CO. The turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) of 1 were ninefold and eightfold higher than those of the reported pyridinol-bis(NHC) Ni^II complex at the same catalyst concentration using an identical Ir photosensitizer, respectively, with a selectivity of ∼100%. More importantly, an organic dye was applied to displace the Ir photosensitizer to develop a noble-metal-free photocatalytic system, which maintained excellent performance and obtained an outstanding quantum yield of 11.2%. Detailed investigations combining experimental and computational studies revealed the catalytic mechanism, which highlights the potential of the one-stone-two-birds effect.

Four-Coordinate Fe N2 and Imido Complexes Supported by a Hemilabile NNC Heteroscorpionate Ligand

Inspired by mechanistic proposals for N2 reduction at the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor, we report herein a new, strongly σ-donating heteroscorpionate ligand featuring two weak-field pyrazoles and an alkyl donor. This ligand supports four-coordinate Fe(I)-N2, Fe(II)-Cl, and Fe(III)-imido complexes, which we have characterized using a variety of spectroscopic and computational methods. Structural and quantum mechanical analysis reveal the nature of the Fe-C bonds to be essentially invariant between the complexes, with conversion between the (formally) low-valent Fe-N2 and high-valent Fe-imido complexes mediated by pyrazole hemilability. This presents a useful strategy for substrate reduction at such low-coordinate centers and suggests a mechanism by which FeMoco might accommodate the binding of both π-acidic and π-basic nitrogenous substrates.

Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen into Ammonia and Hydrazine by Using Chromium Complexes Bearing PCP-Type Pincer Ligands

A series of chromium-halide, -nitride, and -dinitrogen complexes bearing carbene- and phosphine-based PCP-type pincer ligands has been newly prepared, and some of them are found to work as effective catalysts to reduce dinitrogen under atmospheric pressure, whereby up to 11.60 equiv. of ammonia and 2.52 equiv. of hydrazine (16.6 equiv. of fixed N atom) are produced based on the chromium atom. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first successful example of chromium-catalyzed conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia and hydrazine under mild reaction conditions.

3d Metal Complexes in T-shaped Geometry as a Gateway to Metalloradical Reactivity

ConspectusLow-valent, low-coordinate 3d metal complexes represent a class of extraordinarily reactive compounds that can act as reagents and catalysts for challenging bond-activation reactions. The pursuit of these electron-deficient metal complexes in low oxidation states demands ancillary ligands capable of providing not only energetic stabilization but also sufficiently high steric bulk at the metal center. From this perspective, pincer ligands are particularly advantageous, as their prearranged, meridional coordination mode scaffolds the active center while the substituents of the peripheral donor atoms provide effective steric shielding for the coordination sphere. In a T-shaped geometry, the transition metal complexes possess a precisely defined vacant coordination site, which, combined with the often observed high-spin electron configuration, exhibits unusually high selectivity of these compounds with respect to one-electron redox chemistry. In light of the intractable reaction pathways typically observed with related electronically unsaturated 3d transition metal complexes, the pincer coordination mode enables the isolation of low-valent compounds with more controlled and unique reactivity. We have thus investigated a series of T-shaped metal(I) complexes using three different types of pincer ligands, which may be regarded as "metalloradicals" due to their selectively exposed unpaired electrons.These compounds display remarkably high thermal stability and represent rarely observed "naked" monovalent metal species featuring both monomeric and dimeric structures. Extensive reactivity studies using various organic substrates highlight a strong tendency of these paramagnetic compounds to undergo one-electron oxidation, leading to the isolation of a plethora of metal(II) species with reduced organic ligands as unusual structural elements. The exploration of C₂ symmetric T-shaped Ni(I) complexes as asymmetric catalysts also shows success in enantioselective hydrodehalogenation of geminal dihalogenides. In addition, this specific class of low-valent, low-coordinate complexes can be further diversified by introducing redox-active pincer ligands or building homobimetallic systems with two T-shaped units.This Account focuses on the discussion of selected examples of iron, cobalt, and nickel pincer complexes bearing a [P,N,P] or [N,N,N] donor set; however, their electronic structure and radical-type reactivity can be broadly extended to other pincer systems. The availability of various types of pincer ligands should allow fine-tuning of the reactivity of the T-shaped complexes. Given the unprecedented reactivity observed with these compounds, we expect the studies of T-shaped 3d metal complexes to be a fertile field for advancing base metal catalysis.

Theoretical mechanistic insights into dinitrogen cleavage by a dititanium hydride complex bearing PNP-pincer ligands

The mechanism of dinitrogen cleavage by a PNP-coordinated dititanium polyhydride complex has been computationally investigated. A "multi-state reactivity" scenario has been disclosed for the whole process of N₂ coordination and activation. Remarkably, the H₂ elimination prior to the N-N cleavage is accomplished by the coupling of two terminal hydrides, and planar PNP-pincer ligand could stabilize the corresponding transition state. Besides, the tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent could also promote the H₂ elimination due to the similar polarity of the corresponding intermediates or transition states to THF molecule.

Coupling of CO2 and epoxides catalysed by novel N-fused mesoionic carbene complexes of nickel(II)

We report the syntheses of two rigid mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligands with a carbazole backbone via an intramolecular Finkelstein-cyclisation cascade and investigate their coordination behavior towards nickel(II) acetate. Despite the nickel(II) carbene complexes 4a,b showing only minor differences in their chemical composition, they display curious differences in their chemical properties, e.g. solubility. Furthermore, the potential of these novel MIC complexes in the coupling of carbon dioxide and epoxides as well as the differences in reactivity compared to classical NHC-derived complexes are evaluated.

Conversion of Dinitrogen into Nitrile: Cross-Metathesis of N2 -Derived Molybdenum Nitride with Alkynes

The direct synthesis of nitrile from N₂ under mild conditions is of great importance and has attracted much interest. Herein, we report a direct conversion of N₂ into nitrile via a nitrile-alkyne cross-metathesis (NACM) process involving a N₂ -derived Mo nitride. Treatment of the Mo nitride with alkyne in the presence of KOTf afforded an alkyne-coordinated nitride, which was then transformed into Mo^V carbyne and the corresponding nitrile upon 1 e^- oxidation. Both aryl- and alkyl-substituted alkynes underwent this process smoothly. Experiments and DFT calculations have proved that the oxidation state of the Mo center plays a crucial role. This method does not rely on the nucleophilicity of the N₂ -derived metal nitride, offering a novel strategy for N₂ fixation chemistry.

Comprehensive insights into synthetic nitrogen fixation assisted by molecular catalysts under ambient or mild conditions

N2 is fixed as NH3 industrially by the Haber-Bosch process under harsh conditions, whereas biological nitrogen fixation is achieved under ambient conditions, which has prompted development of alternative methods to fix N2 catalyzed by transition metal molecular complexes. Since the early 21st century, catalytic conversion of N2 into NH3 under ambient conditions has been achieved by using molecular catalysts, and now H2O has been utilized as a proton source with turnover frequencies reaching the values found for biological nitrogen fixation. In this review, recent advances in the development of molecular catalysts for synthetic N2 fixation under ambient or mild conditions are summarized, and potential directions for future research are also discussed.

Catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using molybdenum complexes under ambient reaction conditions

Nitrogen fixation using homogeneous transition metal complexes under mild reaction conditions is a challenging topic in the field of chemistry. Several successful examples of the catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using various transition metal complexes in the presence of reductants and proton sources have been reported so far, together with detailed investigations on the reaction mechanism. Among these, only molybdenum complexes have been shown to serve as effective catalysts under ambient reaction conditions, in stark contrast with other transition metal-catalysed reactions that proceed at low reaction temperature such as -78 °C. In this feature article, we classify the molybdenum-catalysed reactions into four types: reactions via the Schrock cycle, reactions via dinuclear reaction systems, reactions via direct cleavage of the nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond of dinitrogen, and reactions via the Chatt-type cycle. We describe these catalytic systems focusing on the catalytic activity and mechanistic investigations. We hope that the present feature article provides useful information to develop more efficient nitrogen fixation systems under mild reaction conditions.

Single or Paired? Structure and Reactivity of PNP-Chromium(II) Hydrides

The preparation and reactivity of a range of novel paramagnetic chromium(II) complexes supported by a carbazole-based PNP pincer ligand is reported. Deprotonation of the ligand precursors ^R(PNP)H (1^R) and subsequent reaction with chromium(II) chloride led to the formation of square-planar chlorido complexes ^R(PNP)CrCl (2^R). Further reaction with various alkylating agents resulted in the isolation of chromium alkyl complexes ^R(PNP)CrR' (3^R-R') which were then hydrogenated to yield two rare examples of paramagnetic chromium(II) hydrides 4^iPr and 4^tBu. Both compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy supported by a comprehensive DFT-supported assignment of the resonances. While the di(tert-butyl)phosphino PNP substituted complex 4^tBu was found to exhibit a monomeric square-planar molecular structure, its isopropyl-substituted analog 4^iPr forms a dimer, also indicated by a strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the chromium centers. The pronounced reactivity of these compounds toward C═X double bonds was demonstrated by reaction with benzophenone, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and carbon dioxide, which gave the corresponding insertion products. The alkoxido complex 5^iPr, the amidinato complex 6^iPr, and the formato compound 7^tBu were also characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Recent Progress with Pincer Transition Metal Catalysts for Sustainability

Our planet urgently needs sustainable solutions to alleviate the anthropogenic global warming and climate change. Homogeneous catalysis has the potential to play a fundamental role in this process, providing novel, efficient, and at the same time eco-friendly routes for both chemicals and energy production. In particular, pincer-type ligation shows promising properties in terms of long-term stability and selectivity, as well as allowing for mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loading. Indeed, pincer complexes have been applied to a plethora of sustainable chemical processes, such as hydrogen release, CO2 capture and conversion, N2 fixation, and biomass valorization for the synthesis of high-value chemicals and fuels. In this work, we show the main advances of the last five years in the use of pincer transition metal complexes in key catalytic processes aiming for a more sustainable chemical and energy production.

Activation of Dinitrogen by Polynuclear Metal Complexes

Activation of dinitrogen plays an important role in daily anthropogenic life, and the processes by which this fixation occurs have been a longstanding and significant research focus within the community. One of the major fields of dinitrogen activation research is the use of multimetallic compounds to reduce and/or activate N2 into a more useful nitrogen-atom source, such as ammonia. Here we report a comprehensive review of multimetallic-dinitrogen complexes and their utility toward N2 activation, beginning with the d-block metals from Group 4 to Group 11, then extending to Group 13 (which is exclusively populated by B complexes), and finally the rare-earth and actinide species. The review considers all polynuclear metal aggregates containing two or more metal centers in which dinitrogen is coordinated or activated (i.e., partial or complete cleavage of the N2 triple bond in the observed product). Our survey includes complexes in which mononuclear N2 complexes are used as building blocks to generate homo- or heteromultimetallic dinitrogen species, which allow one to evaluate the potential of heterometallic species for dinitrogen activation. We highlight some of the common trends throughout the periodic table, such as the differences between coordination modes as it relates to N2 activation and potential functionalization and the effect of polarizing the bridging N2 ligand by employing different metal ions of differing Lewis acidities. By providing this comprehensive treatment of polynuclear metal dinitrogen species, this Review aims to outline the past and provide potential future directions for continued research in this area.

Opening up the Valence Shell: A T-Shaped Iron(I) Metalloradical and Its Potential for Atom Abstraction

A thermally stable, T-shaped, d7 high-spin iron(I) complex was obtained by reduction of a PNP-supported ferrous chloride. Paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy combined with DFT modeling was used to analyze the electronic structure of the coordinatively highly unsaturated complex. The metalloradical character of the compound was demonstrated by the formation of a benzophenone ketyl radical complex upon addition of benzophenone. Furthermore, the compound displays a rich chemistry as an oxygen-atom abstractor from epoxides, yielding a dinuclear, diferrous [Fe2 O] complex.

Catalytic N2-to-NH3 (or -N2H4) Conversion by Well-Defined Molecular Coordination Complexes

Nitrogen fixation, the six-electron/six-proton reduction of N₂, to give NH₃, is one of the most challenging and important chemical transformations. Notwithstanding the barriers associated with this reaction, significant progress has been made in developing molecular complexes that reduce N₂ into its bioavailable form, NH₃. This progress is driven by the dual aims of better understanding biological nitrogenases and improving upon industrial nitrogen fixation. In this review, we highlight both mechanistic understanding of nitrogen fixation that has been developed, as well as advances in yields, efficiencies, and rates that make molecular alternatives to nitrogen fixation increasingly appealing. We begin with a historical discussion of N₂ functionalization chemistry that traverses a timeline of events leading up to the discovery of the first bona fide molecular catalyst system and follow with a comprehensive overview of d-block compounds that have been targeted as catalysts up to and including 2019. We end with a summary of lessons learned from this significant research effort and last offer a discussion of key remaining challenges in the field.

Bimetallic iron–tin catalyst for N2 to NH3 and a silyldiazenido model intermediate

A new tin-supported iron complex catalyzes N₂ fixation. The role of this heavy main group element in the catalysis is evaluated.

Synthesis and Electronic Structure of Neutral Square-Planar High-Spin Iron(II) Complexes Supported by a Dianionic Pincer Ligand

Two square-planar high-spin Fe^II complexes bearing a dianionic pyridine dipyrrolate pincer ligand and a diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran ligand were synthesized and structurally characterized, and their electronic structures were elucidated by a combined spectroscopic and computational approach. In contrast to previous examples, the S = 2 ground states of these square-planar Fe^II complexes do not require an overall anionic charge of the compounds or incorporation of alkali metal cations. The tetrahydrofuran complex exhibits an equilibrium between four- and five-coordinate species in solution, which was supported by ¹H NMR and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and comparison to a structurally characterized five-coordinate pyridine dipyrrolate iron bis-pyridine adduct. A detailed computational analysis of the electronic structures of the four- and five-coordinate species via density functional theory provides insight into the origins of the unusual ground state configurations for Fe^II in a square-planar ligand field and explains the associated characteristic spectroscopic parameters.

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetric Cr(i) dinitrogen complexes supported by cyclopentadienyl–phosphine ligands

Trinuclear and dinuclear Cr(i) dinitrogen complexes and mixed-valence dinuclear Cr–N₂ complex, with novel asymmetric N₂ coordination modes, are realized.

Taking Solution Proton NMR to Its Extreme: Prediction and Detection of a Hydride Resonance in an Intermediate-Spin Iron Complex

Guided by DFT based modeling the chemical shift range of a hydride resonance in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the intermediate-spin, square planar iron complex ^tBu(PNP)Fe-H was predicted and detected as a broad resonance at -3560 ppm (295 K) with a temperature dependent shift of approximately 2000 ppm between 223 and 383 K. The first detection of a metal-bonded hydrogen atom by solution NMR in a complex with a paramagnetic ground state illustrates the interplay of theory and experiment for the characterization of key components in paramagnetic base metal catalysis.

Development of catalytic nitrogen fixation using transition metal-dinitrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions

This paper describes our recent progress in catalytic nitrogen fixation using transition metal-dinitrogen complexes as catalysts. Our research group has recently developed novel reaction systems for the catalytic transformation of molecular dinitrogen into ammonia and hydrazine using molybdenum-, iron-, cobalt- and vanadium-dinitrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions. The new findings presented in this paper may provide a new approach to the development of economical nitrogen fixation to replace the energy-consuming Haber-Bosch process.

Computational screening of a single transition metal atom supported on the C2N monolayer for electrochemical ammonia synthesis

The single Mo atom supported by C₂N layer is an effective electrocatalyst for NH₃ synthesis from N₂.