Electron density in bis(dicarbonyl-.pi.-cyclopentadienyliron) at liquid nitrogen temperature by x-ray and neutron diffraction

Decarbonylation Products of Binuclear Methylphosphinidene Complexes of Cyclopentadienyliron Carbonyls: Triplet and Quintet Structures Are Favored Energetically over Singlet Structures with Iron-Iron Multiple Bonding

The structures, energetics, and energetically preferred spin states of methylphosphinidene-bridged binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyl complexes MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3, 2, and 1) related to the experimentally known (μ-RP)Fe2(μ-CO)(CO)2Cp2 (R = cyclohexyl, phenyl, mesityl, and 2,4,6-tBu3C6H2) complexes have been investigated by density functional theory. Singlet structures having a pyramidal pseudotetrahedral phosphorus environment with 18-electron iron configurations are energetically preferred in the tricarbonyl and tetracarbonyl systems MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4 and 3) with the lowest energy structures of the tricarbonyl very closely resembling the experimentally determined structures. For the more unsaturated dicarbonyl and monocarbonyl systems MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 2 and 1), higher spin state triplet and quintet structures are energetically preferred over singlet structures. These more highly unsaturated structures can be derived from the lowest energy singlet MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3) by the removal of carbonyl groups. The iron atoms giving up carbonyl groups in their 16- and 14-electron configurations bear the spin density of the unpaired electrons in the higher spin states. The lowest energy singlet structure of the monocarbonyl MePFe2(CO)Cp2, although a relatively high energy isomer, is unusual among the collection of MePFe2(CO)nCp2 (n = 4, 3, 2, and 1) structures by having both the formal Fe=Fe double bond and the four-electron donor MeP unit with the planar phosphorus coordination required to allow each of its iron atoms to attain the favored 18-electron configuration.

cis-[(η5-C5H5)Fe(η1-CO)(μ-CO)]2, the poor relative between cis and trans tautomers. A theoretical study of the gas-phase Fe L3-edge and C and O K-edge XAS of trans-/cis-[(η5-C5H5)Fe(η1-CO)(μ-CO)]2

The relative stability of trans-[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η¹-CO)(μ-CO)]₂ (trans-I) and cis-I tautomers in a vacuum and in solvents with different dielectric constants (ε) has been investigated by exploiting density functional theory (DFT). Theoretical results indicate that, in agreement with experimental evidence, trans-I is more stable than cis-I in a vacuum (∼1.5 kcal mol^-1; ε = 1), while the opposite is true in media with ε > 7. Differently from solution, DFT outcomes pertaining to the vapor-phase cis-I ⇆ trans-I equilibrium at T = 368 K, the temperature at which the Fe L_2,3-edges and the C and O K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data of I have been recorded, ultimately indicate the trans-I predominance (∼93%). Compositions, oscillator strengths (f) and excitation energy (EE) values of cis-I transitions substantially mirror those of trans-I; nevertheless, the weighted cis-If(EE) distributions negligibly contribute to the diverse simulated XA spectra of I.

How Can the η1-Type Fullerene-Metal Bond Survive? A Systematic Survey of Reactions between Mono-EMFs and (M'Ln)2 Dimers

Recently, one η¹-coordinated complex of endohedral metallofullerene (EMF) Y@C_2v(9)-C₈₂[Re(CO)₅] has been synthesized and characterized with a highly efficient radical-coupling methodology by performing a photochemical reaction between Y@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ and [Re(CO)₅]₂ complexes. Theoretical investigations with the density functional theory reveal that this complex is stabilized by an ionic C-Re bond. The reactions of M@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ (M = Sc, Y, La) with [Re(CO)₅]₂ suggest that the reaction energies differ little because of similar single occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) of M@C_2v(9)-C₈₂. In the reactions of Y@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ with various transition-metal complexes [M'L_n]₂ (M' = Mn, Tc, Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir), the C-M' bonds with Mn, Tc, Re, Fe, Ru, and Os can stably exist, whereas those with Co, Rh, and Ir are unstable. Further analyses disclose that, in each element group, the stability of the C-M' bond is mainly determined by the bond energy of the M'-M' bond, which is related to the d_σ orbital of the M'L_n species. Moreover, the very-low-energy d_σ orbitals and large geometrical distortions of M'(CO)₄ (M' = Co, Rh, Ir) lead to poor stabilities of the C-M' (M' = Co, Rh, Ir) bonds. As comparison, the reactions of Y@C_s(6)-C₈₂ and La@C₇₂ have been investigated. The Y@C_s(6)-C₈₂ structure is more reactive toward the [M'L_n]₂ complexes than Y@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ thanks to a lower SOMO of Y@C_s(6)-C₈₂ than that of Y@C_2v(9)-C₈₂, which derives from position change of the Y atom in C_s(6)-C₈₂ during the reactions. However, the formation of [Y@C_s(6)-C₈₂]₂ suppresses the formation of several C-M' bonds. The reactivity of La@C₇₂ is weak due to a high LUMO+1 of C₇₂, which leads to a high SOMO of La@C₇₂. We believe that this theoretical study provides primary principles of radical-coupling reactions of EMFs and will be valuable for future research of organometallic complexes of fullerene.

Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Fe L2,3-Edges X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Three Highly Popular, Low-Spin Organoiron Complexes: [Fe(CO)5], [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]2, and [(η5-C5H5)2Fe]

The occupied and unoccupied electronic structures of three highly popular, closed shell organoiron complexes ([Fe(CO)₅], [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]₂, and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Fe]) have been theoretically investigated by taking advantage of density functional theory (DFT) calculations coupled to the isolobal analogy ( Elian et al. Inorg. Chem. 1976 , 15 , 1148 ). The adopted approach allowed us to look into the relative role played by the ligand → Fe donation and the Fe → ligand back-donation in title molecules, as well as to investigate how CO- (terminal or bridging) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)]^--based π* orbitals compete when these two ligands are simultaneously present as in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]₂. Insights into the nature and the strength of the bonding between Fe and the C donor atoms have been gained by exploiting the Nalewajski-Mrozek bond multiplicity index ( Nalewajski et al. Int. J. Quantum Chem. 1994 , 51 , 187 ), which have been found especially sensitive even to tiny bond distance variations. The bonding picture emerging from ground state DFT results proved fruitful to guide the assignment of original, high-resolution, gas-phase L_2,3-edges X-ray absorption spectra of the title molecules, which have been modeled by the two-component relativistic time-dependent DFT including spin orbit coupling and correlation effects and taking advantage of the full use of symmetry. Assignments alternative to those reported in the literature for both [Fe(CO)₅] and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Fe] are herein proposed. Despite the high popularity of the investigated molecules, the complementary use of symmetry, orbital, and spectroscopy allowed us to further look into the metal-ligand symmetry-restricted-covalency and the differential-orbital covalency, which characterize them.

Metal-Metal (MM) Bond Distances and Bond Orders in Binuclear Metal Complexes of the First Row Transition Metals Titanium Through Zinc

This survey of metal-metal (MM) bond distances in binuclear complexes of the first row 3d-block elements reviews experimental and computational research on a wide range of such systems. The metals surveyed are titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc, representing the only comprehensive presentation of such results to date. Factors impacting MM bond lengths that are discussed here include (a) the formal MM bond order, (b) size of the metal ion present in the bimetallic core (M₂) ⁿ⁺, (c) the metal oxidation state, (d) effects of ligand basicity, coordination mode and number, and (e) steric effects of bulky ligands. Correlations between experimental and computational findings are examined wherever possible, often yielding good agreement for MM bond lengths. The formal bond order provides a key basis for assessing experimental and computationally derived MM bond lengths. The effects of change in the metal upon MM bond length ranges in binuclear complexes suggest trends for single, double, triple, and quadruple MM bonds which are related to the available information on metal atomic radii. It emerges that while specific factors for a limited range of complexes are found to have their expected impact in many cases, the assessment of the net effect of these factors is challenging. The combination of experimental and computational results leads us to propose for the first time the ranges and "best" estimates for MM bond distances of all types (Ti-Ti through Zn-Zn, single through quintuple).

{CpFeII(CO)2SnII(Macrocycle•3-)} Radicals with Intrinsic Charge Transfer from CpFe(CO)2 to Macrocycles (Cp: Cp or Cp*); Effective Magnetic Coupling between Radical Trianionic Macrocycles•3

Neutral {CpFe^II(CO)₂[Sn^II(Pc^•3-)]} {Cp is cyclopentadienyl (1, 2) or Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (3); Pc: phthalocyanine}, {Cp*Fe^II(CO)₂[Sn^II(Nc^•3-)]} (4, Nc: naphthalocyanine), and {CpFe^II(CO)₂[Sn^II(TPP^•3-)]} (5, TPP: tetraphenylporphyrin) complexes in which CpFe^II(CO)₂ fragments (Cp: Cp or Cp*) are coordinated to Sn^II(macrocycle^•3-) have been obtained. The product complexes were obtained at the reaction of charge transfer from CpFe^I(CO)₂ (Cp: Cp or Cp*) to [Sn^II(macrocycle^2-)] to form the diamagnetic Fe^II and paramagnetic radical trianionic macrocycles. As a result, these formally neutral complexes contain S = 1/2 spins delocalized over the macrocycles. This provides alternation of the C-N_imine or C-C_meso bonds in the macrocycles, the appearance of new bands in the near-infrared spectra of the complexes, and blue shift of both Soret and Q-bands. The {CpFe^II(CO)₂Sn^II(macrocycle^•3-)} units (Cp: Cp or Cp*, macrocycle: Pc or Nc) form closely packed π-stacking dimers in 1 and 3 or one-dimensional chains in 2 and 4 with effective π-π interaction between the macrocycles. Such packing allows strong antiferromagnetic coupling between S = 1/2 spins. Magnetic interaction can be described well by the Heisenberg model for the isolated dimers in 1 and 3 with exchange interaction J/k _B = -78 and -85 K, respectively. Magnetic behavior of 2 and 4 is described well by the model that includes contributions from an antiferromagnetically coupled S = 1/2 dimer (J _intra) and a Heisenberg S = 1/2 chain with alternating antiferromagnetic spin exchange between the neighbors (J _inter). Compound 2 demonstrates large intradimer interaction of J _intra/k _B = -54 K and essentially weaker interdimer exchange interactions of J _inter/k _B = -6 K, whereas compound 4 shows strong magnetic coupling of spins within the dimers (J _intra/k _B = -170 K) as well as between the dimers (J _inter/k _B = -40 K). Compound {CpFe^II(CO)₂[Sn^II(TPP^•3-)]} (5) shows no π-π interactions between the porphyrin macrocycles, and magnetic coupling is weak in this case (Weiss temperature is -5 K). Preparation of a similar complex with indium(III) chloride phthalocyanine yields {CpFe(CO)₂[In(Pc^2-)]} (6). In this complex, indium(III) atoms are reduced instead of the phthalocyanine macrocycles that explains electron paramagnetic resonance silence of 6 in the 4-295 K range.

Electronic and molecular structure relations in diiron compounds mimicking the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site studied by X-ray spectroscopy and quantum chemistry

Synthetic diiron compounds of the general formula Fe₂(μ-S₂R)(CO)_n(L)_6-n (R = alkyl or aromatic groups; L = CN^- or phosphines) are versatile models for the active-site cofactor of hydrogen turnover in [FeFe]-hydrogenases. A series of 18 diiron compounds, containing mostly a dithiolate bridge and terminal ligands of increasing complexity, was characterized by X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory. Fe K-edge absorption and Kβ main-line emission spectra revealed the varying geometry and the low-spin state of the Fe(i) centers. Good agreement between experimental and calculated core-to-valence-excitation absorption and radiative valence-to-core-decay emission spectra revealed correlations between spectroscopic and structural features and provided access to the electronic configuration. Four main effects on the diiron core were identified, which were preferentially related to variation either of the dithiolate or of the terminal ligands. Alteration of the dithiolate bridge affected mainly the Fe-Fe bond strength, while more potent donor substitution and ligand field asymmetrization changed the metal charge and valence level localization. In contrast, cyanide ligation altered all relevant properties and, in particular, the frontier molecular orbital energies of the diiron core. Mutual benchmarking of experimental and theoretical parameters provides guidelines to verify the electronic properties of related diiron compounds.

Unsaturation in binuclear heterometallic carbonyls: the cyclopentadienyliron manganese carbonyl CpFeMn(CO)n system as a hybrid of the Cp2Fe2(CO)n and Mn2(CO)n systems

The structures and energetics of the CpFeMn(CO)_n (n = 7, 6, 5) have been examined by density functional theory.

Major differences between trifluorophosphine and carbonyl ligands in binuclear cyclopentadienyliron complexes

No low-energy Cp₂Fe₂(PF₃)_nstructures have bridging PF₃ligands. Bridging μ-PF₂groups are found combined with terminal F or PF₄ligands.

High-spin binuclear cyclopentadienyliron chlorides: a density functional theory study

Theoretical studies on the cyclopentadienyliron chlorides Cp2Fe2Cl(n) (n = 6 - 1) with iron in the formal oxidation states from +1 to +4 indicate that all the high-spin species are predicted to be the lowest energy structures and they are paramagnetic complexes with magnetic moments between 2.8μ(B) and 5.9μ(B). The mixed oxidation state derivatives with odd number of chloride atoms have larger magnetic moments than other species. In addition to Cp2Fe2Cl, which has the largest magnetic moment, these high-spin species have terminal Cp rings and bridging Cl atoms up to a maximum of two bridges. The Cp2Fe2Cl4, Cp2Fe2Cl3 and Cp2Fe2Cl2 derivatives are predicted to be thermodynamically stable molecules with respect to exothermic reactions for the loss of one Cl atom from Cp2Fe2Cl n . Moreover, the lowest energy Cp2Fe2Cl(n) (n = 3, 4) derivatives can be derived by the oxidative addition reactions of Cp2Fe2Cl(n-2) + Cl2 → Cp2Fe2Cl(n).

Metal-metal and metal-ligand bonding at a QTAIM catastrophe: a combined experimental and theoretical charge density study on the alkylidyne cluster Fe3(μ-H)(μ-COMe)(CO)10

The charge density in the tri-iron methoxymethylidyne cluster Fe(3)(μ-H)(μ-COMe)(CO)(10) (1) has been studied experimentally at 100 K and by DFT calculations on the isolated molecule using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). The COMe ligand acts as a nearly symmetric bridge toward two of the Fe atoms (Fe-C = 1.8554(4), 1.8608(4) Å) but with a much longer interaction to the third Fe atom, Fe-C = 2.6762(4) Å. Complex 1 provides a classic example where topological QTAIM catastrophes render an exact structure description ambiguous. While all experimental and theoretical studies agree in finding no direct metal-metal interaction for the doubly bridged Fe-Fe vector, the chemical bonding between the Fe(CO)(4) unit and the Fe(2)(μ-H)(μ-COMe)(CO)(6) moiety in terms of conventional QTAIM descriptors is much less clear. Bond paths implying direct Fe-Fe interactions and a weak interaction between the COMe ligand and the Fe(CO)(4) center are observed, depending on the experimental or theoretical density model examined. Theoretical studies using the Electron Localizability Indicator (ELI-D) suggest the metal-metal bonding is more significant, while the delocalization indices imply that both Fe-Fe bonding and Fe···C(alkylidyne) bonding are equally important. The source functions at various interfragment reference points are similar and highly delocalized. The potential-energy surface (PES) for the migration of the alkylidyne group from a μ(2) to a semi-μ(3) coordination mode has been explored by DFT calculations on 1 and the model complexes M(3)(μ-H)(μ-CH)(CO)(10) (M = Fe, 2; Ru, 3; and Os, 4). These calculations confirm a semi-μ(3) bridging mode for the alkylidyne ligand as the minimum-energy geometry for compounds 2-4 and demonstrate that, for 1, both Fe-Fe and Fe···C(alkylidyne) interactions are important in the cluster bonding. The PES between μ(2) and semi-μ(3) alkylidyne coordination for 1 is extremely soft, and the interconversion between several topological isomers is predicted to occur with almost no energy cost. Analysis of the density ρ(r) and the Laplacian of the density ▽(2)ρ(r(b)) in the methoxymethylidyne ligand is consistent with a partial π-bond character of the C-O bond, associated with an sp(2) hybridization for these atoms.

Molecular crystals under high pressure: theoretical and experimental investigations of the solid-solid phase transitions in [Co2(CO)6(XPh3)2] (X = P, As)

An accurate analysis of the solid-state structural transformations occurring in species of the general formula [Co(2)(CO)(6)(XPh(3))(2)] (X = P, As) by experimental X-ray diffraction under non-ambient conditions (on variation of pressure or temperature) and by ab initio theoretical modelling is presented. After a crystal-to-crystal phase transition, the conformation of carbonyl ligands about the Co-Co bond changes from staggered to (almost) eclipsed. The analysis of high-pressure and low-temperature structures sheds light on the peculiar behaviour of the metal-metal bond, the most flexible in the molecule, which is initially compressed, then elongated due to increased intra-carbonyl repulsion and eventually compressed again. Theoretical calculations in the solid state allow the thermodynamic quantities of the transformation to be computed and prediction of the distortions produced by the external stress. The change in molecular symmetry is induced by the increase in the high internal energy associated with the staggered carbonyl conformation, which does not allow efficient packing if the crystalline volume is reduced. The eclipsed conformer, though much less stable in isolation, guarantees better entanglement between molecules.

Unsaturation in Binuclear Cyclopentadienyliron Carbonyls

The binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyls Cp2Fe2(CO)n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1; Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP and BP86 methods. The trans- and cis-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 isomers of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 known experimentally are predicted by DFT methods to be genuine minima with no significant imaginary vibrational frequencies. The energies of these two Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 structures are very similar, consistent with the experimental observation of an equilibrium between these isomers in solution. An intermediate between the interconversion of the trans- and cis-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2 dibridged isomers of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 can be the trans unbridged isomer of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 calculated to be 2.3 kcal/mol (B3LYP) or 9.1 kcal/mol (BP86) above the global minimum trans-Cp2Fe2(CO)2(mu-CO)2. For the unsaturated Cp2Fe2(CO)3, the known triplet isomer Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)3 with an Fe=Fe double bond similar to the O=O double bond in O2 is found to be the global minimum. The lowest-energy structure for the even more unsaturated Cp2Fe2(CO)2 is a dibridged structure Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)2, with a short Fe-Fe distance suggestive of the Fe[triple bond]Fe triple bond required to give both Fe atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. Singlet and triplet unbridged structures for Cp2Fe2(CO)2 were also found but at energies considerably higher (20-50 kcal/mol) than that of the global minimum Cp2Fe2(mu-CO)2. The lowest-energy structure for Cp2Fe2(CO) is the triplet unsymmetrically bridged structure Cp2Fe2(mu-CO), with a short Fe-Fe distance (approximately 2.1 A) suggestive of the sigma + 2pi + (2/2)delta Fe[quadruple bond]Fe quadruple bond required to give both Fe atoms the favored 18-electron rare gas configuration.

The pentanuclear Feiicluster [(C5H4)6Fe5]2−: bringing together ferrocene sandwiches and homoleptic Feii-cyclopentadienyl σ-complexes

Reaction of [(fc)3(Li)6.(TMEDA)2] with FeCl2 gives the pentanuclear iron complex [(fc)3(Fe)2(Li)2.(TMEDA)2] featuring two ferra[1]ferrocenophane moieties bridged by a 1,1'-ferrocenediyl unit; the non-ferrocene Fe(II) ions are tetra-coordinate and adopt a high-spin state.