Ligand effects on the redox chemistry of (oxo)(phosphine)ruthenium(IV) complexes: oxidation of alcohols

Metal-Involving Synthesis and Reactions of Oximes

This review classifies and summarizes the past 10-15 years of advancements in the field of metal-involving (i.e., metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed) reactions of oximes. These reactions are diverse in nature and have been employed for syntheses of oxime-based metal complexes and cage-compounds, oxime functionalizations, and the preparation of new classes of organic species, in particular, a wide variety of heterocyclic systems spanning small 3-membered ring systems to macroheterocycles. This consideration gives a general outlook of reaction routes, mechanisms, and driving forces and underlines the potential of metal-involving conversions of oxime species for application in various fields of chemistry and draws attention to the emerging putative targets.

Simple and Efficient Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen

Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O2 ) as the stoichiometric oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O2 are scarce in homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems employing O2 as the "primary" oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare. A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an efficient ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary oxidant and without any base or hydrogen- or electron-transfer agents. Most importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including (18) O labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo-ruthenium intermediate as the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two-electron hydride transfer in the rate-limiting step.

Hydrogen atom abstraction reactions independent of C–H bond dissociation energies of organic substrates in water: significance of oxidant–substrate adduct formation

Adduct formation between Ru(iv)–oxo complexes and substrates with hydrogen bonding affords condensed transition states for substrate oxidations in water.

Electrooxidation of alcohols catalyzed by amino alcohol ligated ruthenium complexes

Ruthenium transfer hydrogenation catalysts physisorbed onto edge-plane graphite electrodes are active electrocatalysts for the oxidation of alcohols. Electrooxidation of CH3OH (1.23 M) in a buffered aqueous solution at pH 11.5 with [(η(6)-p-cymene)(η(2)-N,O-(1R,2S)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol)]Ru(II)Cl (2) on edge-plane graphite exhibits an onset current at 560 mV vs NHE. Koutecky-Levich analysis at 750 mV reveals a four-electron oxidation of methanol with a rate of 1.35 M(-1) s(-1). Mechanistic investigations by (1)H NMR, cyclic voltammetry, and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry indicate that the electroxidation of methanol to generate formate is mediated by surface-supported Ru-oxo complexes.

Multiple pathways for benzyl alcohol oxidation by Ru(V)═O3+ and Ru(IV)═O2+

Significant rate enhancements are found for benzyl alcohol oxidation by the Ru(V)═O(3+) form of the water oxidation catalyst [Ru(Mebimpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) [Mebimpy = 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine] compared to Ru(IV)═O(2+) and for the Ru(IV)═O(2+) form with added bases due to a new pathway, concerted hydride proton transfer (HPT).

Slow hydrogen atom transfer reactions of oxo- and hydroxo-vanadium compounds: the importance of intrinsic barriers

Reactions are described that interconvert vanadium(IV) oxo-hydroxo complexes [V(IV)O(OH)(R(2)bpy)(2)]BF(4) (1a-c) and vanadium(V) dioxo complexes [V(V)O(2)(R(2)bpy)(2)]BF(4) (2a-c) [R(2)bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine ((t)Bu(2)bpy), a; 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me(2)bpy), b; 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), c]. These are rare examples of pairs of isolated, sterically unencumbered, first-row metal-oxo/hydroxo complexes that differ by a hydrogen atom (H(+) + e(-)). The V(IV)-(t)Bu(2)bpy derivative 1a has a useful (1)H NMR spectrum, despite being paramagnetic. Complex 2a abstracts H(*) from organic substrates with weak O-H and C-H bonds, converting 2,6-(t)Bu(2)-4-MeO-C(6)H(2)OH (ArOH) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-N-hydroxypiperidine (TEMPOH) to their corresponding radicals ArO(*) and TEMPO, hydroquinone to benzoquinone, and dihydroanthracene to anthracene. The equilibrium constant for 2a + ArOH <==> 1a + ArO(*) is (4 +/- 2) x 10(-3), implying that the VO-H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) is 70.6 +/- 1.2 kcal mol(-1). Consistent with this value, 1a is oxidized by 2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2)O(*). All of these reactions are surprisingly slow, typically occurring over hours at ambient temperatures. The net hydrogen-atom pseudo-self-exchange 1a + 2b <==> 2a + 1b, using the (t)Bu- and Me-bpy substituents as labels, also occurs slowly, with k(se) = 1.3 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K, DeltaH(double dagger) = 15 +/- 2 kcal mol(-1), and DeltaS(double dagger) = 16 +/- 5 cal mol(-1) K. Using this k(se) and the BDFE, the vanadium reactions are shown to follow the Marcus cross relation moderately well, with calculated rate constants within 10(2) of the observed values. The vanadium self-exchange reaction is ca. 10(6) slower than that for the related Ru(IV)O(py)(bpy)(2)(2+)/Ru(III)OH(py)(bpy)(2)(2+) self-exchange. The origin of this dramatic difference has been probed with DFT calculations on the self-exchange reactions of 1c + 2c and on monocationic ruthenium complexes with pyrrolate or fluoride in place of the py ligands. The calculations reproduce the difference in barrier heights and show that transfer of a hydrogen atom involves more structural reorganization for vanadium than the Ru analogues. The vanadium complexes have larger changes in the metal-oxo and metal-hydroxo bond lengths, which is traced to the difference in d-orbital occupancy in the two systems. This study thus highlights the importance of intrinsic barriers in the transfer of a hydrogen atom, in addition to the thermochemical (bond strength) factors that have been previously emphasized.

Photoelectrochemistry on RuII-2,2‘-bipyridine-phosphonate-Derivatized TiO2 with the I3-/I- and Quinone/Hydroquinone Relays. Design of Photoelectrochemical Synthesis Cells

Photocurrent measurements have been made on nanocrystalline TiO2 surfaces derivatized by adsorption of a catalyst precursor, [Ru(tpy)(bpy(PO3H2)2)(OH2)]2+, or chromophore, [Ru(bpy)2 (bpy(PO3H2)2)]2+ (tpy is 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, and bpy(PO3H2)2 is 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-diphosphonic acid), and on surfaces containing both complexes. This is an extension of earlier work on an adsorbed assembly containing both catalyst and chromophore. The experiments were carried out with the I3-/I- or quinone/hydroquinone (Q/H2Q) relays in propylene carbonate, propylene carbonate-water mixtures, and acetonitrile-water mixtures. Electrochemical measurements show that oxidation of surface-bound Ru(III)-OH2(3+) to Ru(IV)=O(2+) is catalyzed by the bpy complex. Addition of aqueous 0.1 M HClO4 greatly decreases photocurrent efficiencies for adsorbed [Ru(tpy)(bpy(PO3H2)2)(OH2)]2+ with the I3-/I- relay, but efficiencies are enhanced for the Q/H2Q relay in both propylene carbonate-HClO4 and acetonitrile-HClO4 mixtures. The dependence of the incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) on added H2Q in 95% propylene carbonate and 5% 0.1 M HClO4 is complex and can be interpreted as changing from rate-limiting diffusion to the film at low H2Q to rate-limiting diffusion within the film at high H2Q. There is no evidence for photoelectrochemical cooperativity on mixed surfaces containing both complexes with the IPCE response reflecting the relative surface compositions of the two complexes. These results provide insight into the possible design of photoelectrochemical synthesis cells for the oxidation of organic substrates.

Stepwise Oxidation of Anilines by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+

The net six-electron oxidation of aniline to nitrobenzene or azoxybenzene by cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)(2)(py)(O)](2+) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; py is pyridine) occurs in a series of discrete stages. In the first, initial two-electron oxidation is followed by competition between oxidative coupling with aniline to give 1,2-diphenylhydrazine and capture by H(2)O to give N-phenylhydroxylamine. The kinetics are first order in aniline and first order in Ru(IV) with k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = (2.05 +/- 0.18) x 10(2) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 5.0 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol; DeltaS(++) = -31 +/- 2 eu). On the basis of competition experiments, k(H)2(O)/k(D)2(O) kinetic isotope effects, and the results of an (18)O labeling study, it is concluded that the initial redox step probably involves proton-coupled two-electron transfer from aniline to cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)(2)(py)(O)](2+) (Ru(IV)=O(2+)). The product is an intermediate nitrene (PhN) or a protonated nitrene (PhNH(+)) which is captured by water to give PhNHOH or aniline to give PhNHNHPh. In the following stages, PhNHOH, once formed, is rapidly oxidized by Ru(IV)=O(2+) to PhNO and PhNHNHPh to PhN=NPh. The rate laws for these reactions are first order in Ru(IV)=O(2+) and first order in reductant with k(14.4 degrees C, H(2)O/(CH(3))(2)CO) = (4.35 +/- 0.24) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for PhNHOH and k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = (1.79 +/- 0.14) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for PhNHNHPh. In the final stages of the six-electron reactions, PhNO is oxidized to PhNO(2) and PhN=NPh to PhN(O)=NPh. The oxidation of PhNO is first order in PhNO and in Ru(IV)=O(2+) with k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = 6.32 +/- 0.33 M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 4.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol; DeltaS(++) = -39 +/- 3 eu). The reaction occurs by O-atom transfer, as shown by an (18)O labeling study and by the appearance of a nitrobenzene-bound intermediate at low temperature.

Acid–base equilibria of various oxidation states of aqua–ruthenium complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione in aqueous media

Syntheses and pH dependent electrochemical properties of aqua-ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(trpy)(PDA-N,N')(OH2)](ClO4)2 ([1](ClO4)2) and [Ru(trpy)(PD-N,N')(OH2)](ClO4)2 ([2](ClO4)2) (trpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, PDA = 6-acetonyl-6-hydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline-5-one, PD = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) are presented. Treatment of [Ru(trpy)(PD-N,N')Cl](PF6) with AgClO4 in a mixed solvent of acetone and H2O selectively produced the acetonyl-PD complex [1](ClO4)2, and the similar treatment in a mixed solvent of 2-methoxyethanol and H2O gave the PD complex [2](ClO4)2. The molecular structures of both complexes were determined by X-ray structural analysis. The proton dissociation constants of various oxidations state of [1]2+ and [2]2+ were evaluated by simulation of E(1/2) values of those redox potentials depending on pH. The simulation revealed that the acetonyl-PD complex [1]2+ underwent successive Ru(II)/Ru(III) and Ru(III)/Ru(IV) redox couples though the two redox reactions were not separated in the cyclic voltammograms. The redox behavior of [2]2+ in H2O is reasonably explained by not only the similar successive metal-centered redox reactions but also simultaneous two-electron quinone/catechol redox couple of the PD ligand including the contribution of hydration on a carbonyl carbon.

Synthesis, Structure, and Acid−Base and Redox Properties of a Family of New Ru(II) Isomeric Complexes Containing the Trpy and the Dinucleating Hbpp Ligands

Three pairs of mononuclear geometrical isomers containing the ligand 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (Hbpp) of general formula in- and out-[RuII(Hbpp)(trpy)X](n+) (trpy=2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine; X=Cl, n=1, 2a,b; X=H2O, n=2, 3a,b; X=py (pyridine), n=2, 4a,b) have been prepared through two different synthetic routes, isolated, and structurally characterized. The solid state structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction analysis of four complexes: 2a-4a and 4b. The structural characterization in solution was performed by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy for complexes 2a,b and 4a,b and coincides with the structures found in the solid state. All complexes were also spectroscopically characterized by UV-vis which also allowed us to carry out spectrophotometric acid-base titrations. Thus, a number of species were spectroscopically characterized with the same oxidation state but with a different degree of protonation. As an example, for 3a three pKa values were obtained: pKa1(RuII)=2.13, pKa2(RuII)=6.88, and pKa3(RuII)=11.09. The redox properties were also studied, giving in all cases a number of electron transfers coupled to proton transfers. The pH dependency of the redox potentials allowed us to calculate the pKa of the complexes in the Ru(III) oxidation state. For complex 3a, these were found to be pKa1(RuIII)=0.01, pKa2(RuIII)=2.78, and pKa3(RuIII)=5.43. The oxidation state Ru(IV) was only reached from the Ru-OH2 type of complexes 3a or 3b. It has also been shown that the RuIV=O species derived from 3a is capable of electrocatalytically oxidizing benzyl alcohol with a second-order rate constant of kcat=17.1 M(-1) s(-1).

Synthesis, structure, and redox and catalytic properties of a new family of ruthenium complexes containing the tridentate bpea ligand

We have prepared a new family of ruthenium complexes containing the bpea ligand (where bpea stands for N,N-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylamine), with general formula [Ru(bpea)(bpy)(X)](n+) (2, X = Cl(-); 3, X = H(2)O; 4, X = OH(-)), and the trisaqua complex [Ru(bpea)(H2O)(3)](2+), 6. The complexes have been characterized through elemental analyses, UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and electrochemical studies. For complex 3, the X-ray diffraction structure has also been solved. The compound belongs to the monoclinic P2(1)/m space group, with Z = 2, a = 7.9298(6) A, b = 18.0226(19) A, c = 10.6911(8) A, and beta = 107.549(8) degrees. The Ru metal center has a distorted octahedral geometry, with the O atom of the aquo ligand placed in a trans position with regard to the aliphatic N atom of the bpea ligand so that the molecule possesses a symmetry plane. NMR spectra show that the complex maintains its structure in aqueous solution, and that the corresponding chloro complex also has a similar structural arrangement. The pH dependence of the redox potential for the complex [Ru(bpea)(bpy)(H2O)](PF(6))(2) is reported, as well as the ability of the corresponding oxo complex to catalyze the oxidation of benzylic alcohol to benzaldehyde in both chemical and electrochemical manners.

Surface control of oxidation by an adsorbed Ru(IV)-oxo complex

When adsorbed to optically transparent, thin films of TiO(2) nanoparticles on glass, the aqua complex [Ru(II)(tpy)(bpy(PO(3)H(2))(2))(OH(2))](2+) (bpy(PO(3)H(2))(2) is 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-diphosphonic acid; tpy is 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) is oxidized by Ce(IV)(NH(4))(2)(NO(3))(6) in 0.1 M HClO(4) to its Ru(IV)=O(2+) form as shown by UV-visible measurements and analysis of oxidative equivalents by oxidation of hydroquinone to quinone. Kinetic studies on the oxidations of cyclohexene, benzyl alcohol, phenol, and trans-stilbene by surface-bound Ru(IV)=O(2+) by UV-visible monitoring reveal direct evidence for initial 2-electron steps to give Ru(II) intermediates in all four cases. These steps are masked in solution where Ru(IV) --> Ru(II) reduction is followed by rapid reactions between Ru(II) intermediates and Ru(IV)=O(2+) to give Ru(III). Reactions between Ru(II) and Ru(IV)=O(2+) on the surface are inhibited by binding to the surface, which restricts translational mobility. Rate constants on the surface and in solution are comparable, pointing to comparable reactivities. The surface experiments give unprecedented insight into oxidation mechanism with important implications for achieving product selectivity in synthesis by limiting oxidation to two electrons.

Separation of positional isomers of oxidation catalyst precursors

A series of polypyridyl ruthenium complexes of the general formula [Ru(tpy)(bpy')Cl]+ where tpy is 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine and bpy' is 4-carboxy-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy), a proline derviative (4-CO-Pra-(Boc)(OMe)-4'-Mebpy), or 4-((diethoxyphosphinyl)methyl)-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4-CH2PO3Et2-4'-Mebpy) are prepared. For each complex, two isomers exist, and these are separated chromatographically. The structure of the hexafluorophosphate salt of cis-[Ru(tpy)(4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy)Cl]+, cis-1, is determined by X-ray crystallography. The salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a = 12.4778(6) A, b = 12.6086(6) A, c = 20.1215(9) A, beta = 107.08200(1) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.058, and Rw = 0.072. The structures of the remaining complexes are assigned by 1H NMR comparisons with cis-1. The complexes are potentially important precursors for the incorporation of RuIV=O2+ oxidants into polymers or peptides or for their adsorption onto oxide surfaces. Preliminary electrochemical results for the isomers of [Ru(tpy)(4-CH2PO3H2-4'-Mebpy)(H2O)]2+, 4, adsorbed on ITO (In2O3:Sn) surfaces add support to a recently proposed electron-transfer mechanism involving cross-surface proton-coupled electron transfer.

Mechanism and molecular-electronic structure correlations in a novel series of osmium(V) hydrazido complexes

Reaction between the Os(VI) nitrido (OsVI identical to N+) complexes [OsVI(L3)(Cl)2(N)]+ (L3 is 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (tpy) or tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane (tpm)) and secondary amines (HN(CH2)4O = morpholine, HN(CH2)4CH2 = piperidine, and HN(C2H5)2 = diethylamine) gives Os(V)-hydrazido complexes, [OsV(L3)(Cl)2(NNR2)]+ (NR2 = morpholide, piperidide, or diethylamide). They can be chemically or electrochemically oxidized to Os(VI) or reduced to Os(IV) and Os(III). The Os-N bond lengths and Os-N-N angles in the structures of these complexes are used to rationalize the bonding between the dianionic hydrazido ligand and Os. The rate law for formation of the Os(V) hydrazido complexes with morpholine as the base is first order in [OsVI(L3)(Cl)2(N)]+ and second order in HN(CH2)4O with ktpy(25 degrees C, CH3CN) = (581 +/- 12) M-2 s-1 and ktpm(25 degrees C, CH3CN) = 2683 +/- 40 M-2 s-1. The proposed mechanism involves initial nucleophilic attack of the secondary amine on the Os(VI) nitrido group to give a protonated Os(IV)-hydrazido intermediate. It is subsequently deprotonated and then oxidized by OsVI identical to N+ to Os(V). The extensive redox chemistry for these complexes can be explained by invoking a generalized bonding model. It can also be used to assign absorption bands that appear in the electronic from the visible-near-infrared spectra including a series of d pi-->d pi interconfigurational bands at low energy.

Oxidation of ammonia in osmium polypyridyl complexes

The oxidations of cis- and trans-[OsIII(tpy)(Cl)2(NH3)](PF6), cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)(NH3)](PF6), and [OsII(typ)(bpy)(NH3)](PF6)2 have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and by controlled-potential electrolysis. In acetonitrile or in acidic, aqueous solution, oxidation is metal-based and reversible, but as the pH is increased, oxidation and proton loss from coordinated ammonia occurs. cis- and trans-[OsIII(tpy)(Cl)2(NH3)](PF6) are oxidized by four electrons to give the corresponding OsVI nitrido complexes, [OSVI(typ)(Cl)2(N)]+. Oxidation of [Os(typ)(bpy)(NH3)](PF6)2 occurs by six electrons to give [Os(tpy)(bpy)(NO)](PF6)3. Oxidation of cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)(NH3)](PF6) at pH 9.0 gives cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)(NO)](PF6)2 and the mixed-valence form of the mu-N2 dimer [cis-[Os(bpy)2(Cl)2[mu-N2)](PF6)3. With NH4+ added to the electrolyte, cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)(N2)](PF6) is a coproduct. The results of pH-dependent cyclic voltammetry measurements suggest OsIV as a common intermediate in the oxidation of coordinated ammonia. For cis- and trans-[OsIII(tpy)(Cl)2(NH3)]+, OsIV is a discernible intermediate. It undergoes further pH-dependent oxidation to [OsVI(tpy)(Cl)2(N)]+. For [OsII(tpy)(bpy)(NH3)]2+, oxidation to OsIV is followed by hydration at the nitrogen atom and further oxidation to nitrosyl. For cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)-(NH3)]+, oxidation to OsIV is followed by N-N coupling and further oxidation to [cis-[Os(bpy)2(Cl)2(mu-N2)]3+. At pH 9, N-N coupling is competitive with capture of OsIV by OH- and further oxidation, yielding cis-[OsII(bpy)2(Cl)(NO)]2+.