Alternatives to pyridinediimine ligands: syntheses and structures of metal complexes supported by donor-modified α-diimine ligands

Chemically robust and readily available quinoline-based PNN iron complexes: application in C-H borylation of arenes

Iron catalysts have been used for over a century to produce ammonia industrially. However, the use of iron catalysts generally remained quite limited until relatively recently, when the abundance and low toxicity of iron spurred the development of a variety of iron catalysts. Despite the fact that iron catalysts are being developed as alternatives to precious metal catalysts, their reactivities and stabilities are quite different because of their unique electronic structures. In this context, our group previously developed a new family of quinoline-based PNN pincer-type ligands for low- to mid-valent iron catalysts. These chemically robust PNN ligands provide air- and moisture-tolerant iron complexes, which exhibit excellent catalytic performances in the C-H borylation of arenes. This feature article summarises our recent work on PNN iron complexes, including their conception and design, as well as related reports on iron pincer complexes and iron-catalysed C-H borylation reactions.

Catalyst Design Principles Enabling Intermolecular Alkene-Diene [2+2] Cycloaddition and Depolymerization Reactions

Aryl-substituted pyridine(diimine) iron complexes promote the catalytic [2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkenes and dienes to form vinylcyclobutanes as well as the oligomerization of butadiene to generate divinyl(oligocyclobutane), a microstructure of poly(butadiene) that is chemically recyclable. A systematic study on a series of iron butadiene complexes as well as their ruthenium congeners has provided insights into the essential features of the catalyst that promotes these cycloaddition reactions. Structural and computational studies on iron butadiene complexes identified that the structural rigidity of the tridentate pincer enables rare s-trans diene coordination. This geometry, in turn, promotes dissociation of one of the alkene arms of the diene, opening a coordination site for the incoming substrate to engage in oxidative cyclization. Studies on ruthenium congeners established that this step occurs without redox involvement of the pyridine(diimine) chelate. Cyclobutane formation occurs from a metallacyclic intermediate by reversible C(sp³)-C(sp³) reductive coupling. A series of labeling experiments with pyridine(diimine) iron and ruthenium complexes support the favorability of accessing the +3 oxidation state to trigger C(sp³)-C(sp³) reductive elimination, involving spin crossover from S = 0 to S = 1. The high density of states of iron and the redox-active pyridine(diimine) ligand facilitate this reactivity under thermal conditions. For the ruthenium congener, the pyridine(diimine) remains redox innocent and irradiation with blue light was required to promote the analogous reactivity. These structure-activity relationships highlight important design principles for the development of next generation catalysts for these cycloaddition reactions as well as the promotion of chemical recycling of cycloaddition polymers.

Novel Oxidovanadium Complexes with Redox-Active R-Mian and R-Bian Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, Redox and Catalytic Properties

A new monoiminoacenaphthenone 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-mian (complex 2) was synthesized and further exploited, along with the already known monoiminoacenaphthenone dpp-mian, to obtain oxidovanadium(IV) complexes [VOCl₂(dpp-mian)(CH₃CN)] (3) and [VOCl(3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-bian)(H₂O)][VOCl₃(3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-bian)]·2.85DME (4) from [VOCl₂(CH₃CN)₂(H₂O)] (1) or [VCl₃(THF)₃]. The structure of all compounds was determined using X-ray structural analysis. The vanadium atom in these structures has an octahedral coordination environment. Complex 4 has an unexpected structure. Firstly, it contains 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-bian instead of 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-mian. Secondly, it has a binuclear structure, in contrast to 3, in which two oxovanadium parts are linked to each other through V=O···V interaction. This interaction is non-covalent in origin, according to DFT calculations. In structures 2 and 3, non-covalent π-π staking interactions between acenaphthene moieties of the neighboring molecules (distances are 3.36–3.40 Å) with an estimated energy of 3 kcal/mol were also found. The redox properties of the obtained compounds were studied using cyclic voltammetry in solution. In all cases, the reduction processes initiated by the redox-active nature of the mian or bian ligand were identified. The paramagnetic nature of complexes 3 and 4 has been proven by EPR spectroscopy. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibited high catalytic activity in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides. The yields of products of cyclohexane oxidation were 43% (complex 3) and 27% (complex 4). Based on the data regarding the study of regio- and bond-selectivity, it was concluded that hydroxyl radicals play the most crucial role in the reaction. The initial products in the reactions with alkanes are alkyl hydroperoxides, which are easily reduced to their corresponding alcohols by the action of triphenylphosphine (PPh₃). According to the DFT calculations, the difference in the catalytic activity of 3 and 4 is most likely associated with a different mechanism for the generation of ^●OH radicals. For complex 4 with electron-withdrawing CF₃ substituents at the diimine ligand, an alternative mechanism, different from Fenton’s and involving a redox-active ligand, is assumed.

Synthesis, properties, and catalysis of p-block complexes supported by bis(arylimino)acenaphthene ligands

Bis(arylimino)acenaphthene (Ar-BIAN) ligands have been recognized as robust scaffolds for metal complexes since the 1990 s and most of their coordination chemistry was developed with transition metals. Notably, there have been relatively few reports on complexes comprising main group elements, especially those capitalizing on the redox non-innocence of Ar-BIAN ligands supporting p-block elements. Here we present an overview of synthetic approaches to Ar-BIAN ligands and their p-block complexes using conventional solution-based methodologies and environmentally-benign mechanochemical routes. This is followed by a discussion on their catalytic properties, including comparisons to transition metal counterparts, as well as key structural and electronic properties of p-block Ar-BIAN complexes.

Crystal structure of 3-[(2-acetamido-phen-yl)imino]-butan-2-one

In the title compound, 3-[(2-acetamido-phen-yl)imino]-butan-2-one, C12H14N2O2, the imine C=N bond is essentially coplanar with the ketone C=O bond in an s-trans conformation. The benzene ring is twisted away from the plane of the C=N bond by 53.03 (14)°. The acetamido unit is essentially coplanar with the benzene ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into chains along the c axis through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, with two adjacent chains being hinged by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Ferrous complexes supported by sterically encumbered asymmetric bis(arylimino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands: synthesis, characterization and screening for catalytic hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds

Structurally characterized Fe complexes bearing asymmetric bidentate BIAN ligands were synthesized and their use as room-temperature hydrosilylation precatalyst was reported.

Synthesis and structural characterization of iron complexes bearing N-aryl-phenanthren-o-iminoquinone ligands

Treatments of N-aryl-phenanthren-o-iminoquinone (aryl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (^MeL); 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃ (^iPrL)) with iron powder in THF at 75 °C generate complexes [η²L]₂Fe[η¹LH] (1a, L = ^MeL; 1b, L = ^iPrL) in moderate yields. The X-ray crystallography analysis reveals that the molecule of 1b consists of a Fe(iii) center coordinated by three phenanthren-o-iminosemiquinone ligands, two of which are in an η² fashion while the remaining one is in an η¹ fashion. The analysis of the bond parameters of ligands indicates that the η²-fashioned ligands are radical anions and the η¹-fashioned one is in an aminephenolato form. Reactions of ^MeL and ^iPrL with FeCl₂ in THF produce Fe(iii) complexes [L]₂FeCl (2a, L = ^MeL; 2b, L = ^iPrL) with the two ligands in the radical anionic form. However, similar reactions of PIQ ligands with FeCl₂ in CH₂Cl₂ yield ion-pair complexes {[L]₂FeCl}⁺[FeCl₄]^- (3a, L = ^MeL; 3b, L = ^iPrL), in which the iron center chelated by two neutral ligands can be formulated as Fe(ii). Reduction of 2b with sodium provides a salt-type complex [^iPrL^2-]₂Fe(ii)Na₂ (4), in which a high spin Fe(ii) atom is ligated by two amidophenolate ligands, and the sodium atoms attached to the oxygen atoms of ligands are η³-coordinated by the aryl ring in amido moieties.

Discovery and Development of Pyridine-bis(imine) and Related Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization and Oligomerization

For over 40 years following the polyolefin catalyst discoveries of Hogan and Banks (Phillips) and Ziegler (Max Planck Institute), chemists traversed the periodic table searching for new transition metal and lanthanide-based olefin polymerization systems. Remarkably, none of these "hits" employed iron, that is, until three groups independently reported iron catalysts for olefin polymerization in the late 1990's. The history surrounding the discovery of these catalysts was only the beginning of their uniqueness, as the ensuing years have proven these systems remarkable in several regards. Of primary importance are the pyridine-bis(imine) ligands (herein referred to as PDI), which produced iron catalysts that are among the world's most active for ethylene polymerization, demonstrated "staying power" despite over 15 years of ligand improvement efforts, and generated highly active polymerization systems with cobalt, chromium, and vanadium. Although many ligands have been employed in iron-catalyzed polymerization, the PDI family has thus far provided the most information about iron's capabilities and tendencies. For example, iron systems tend to be highly selective for ethylene over higher olefins, making them strong candidates for producing highly crystalline polyethylene, or highly linear α-olefins. Iron PDI polymerizes propylene with 2,1-regiochemistry via a predominantly isotactic, chain end control mechanism. Because the first insertion proceeds via 1,2-regiochemistry, iron (and cobalt) PDI systems can be tailored to make highly linear dimers of α-olefins by "head-to-head" coupling, resulting from a switch in regiochemistry after the first insertion. Finally, PDI ligands, while not being surpassed in activity, have inspired the development of related ligand families and complexes, such as pendant donor diimines (PDD), which are also highly efficient at producing linear α-olefins. This Account will detail a variety of oligomerization and polymerization results achieved with PDI and PDD catalysts. Our studies on ligand modification are discussed, but numerous ligands have been synthesized by others. Computational approaches, identification of catalyst active sites, noninnocent ligand studies, commercialization efforts, and other outstanding research are only briefly mentioned, at most. The reader is directed to review articles where appropriate, in order to address the cursory treatment of these areas.

Phosphine-iminopyridines as platforms for catalytic hydrofunctionalization of alkenes

A series of phosphine-diimine ligands were synthesized by the condensation of 2-(diphenylphosphino)aniline (PNH2) with a variety of formyl and ketopyridines. Condensation of PNH2 with acetyl- and benzoylpyridine yielded the Ph2P(C6H4)N═C(R)(C5H4N), respectively abbreviated PN(Me)py and PN(Ph)py. With ferrous halides, PN(Ph)py gave the complexes FeX2(PN(Ph)py) (X = Cl, Br). Condensation of pyridine carboxaldehyde and its 6-methyl derivatives with PNH2 was achieved using a ferrous template, affording low-spin complexes [Fe(PN(H)py(R))2](2+) (R = H, Me). Dicarbonyls Fe(PN(R)py)(CO)2 were produced by treating PN(Me)py with Fe(benzylideneacetone)(CO)3 and reduction of FeX2(PN(Ph)py) with NaBEt3H under a CO atmosphere. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the [FeL3(CO)2](0/-) and [FeL3(CO)2](+/0) couples are similar for a range of tridentate ligands, but the PN(Ph)py system uniquely sustains two one-electron reductions. Treatment of Fe(PN(Ph)py)X2 with NaBEt3H gave active catalysts for the hydroboration of 1-octene with pinacolborane. Similarly, these catalysts proved active for the addition of diphenylsilane, but not HSiMe(OSiMe3)2, to 1-octene and vinylsilanes. Evidence is presented that catalysis occurs via iron hydride complexes of intact PN(Ph)py.

(Phenoxyimidazolyl-salicylaldimine)iron complexes: synthesis, properties and iron catalysed ethylene reactions

(Salicyladimine)iron(iii) pre-catalysts, from iron(ii) precursors, form catalysts for ethylene oligomerisation, polymerisation and alkylation of aromatic solvents by the ethylene oligomers.

Dichlorido{2-morpholino-N-[1-(2-pyrid-yl)ethyl-idene]ethanamine-κN,N',N''}manganese(II)

In the title compound, [MnCl₂(C₁₃H₁₉N₃O)], the Mn^II ion is penta­coordinated in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The coordination environment is defined by the N,N′,N′′-tridentate Schiff base ligand and one Cl atom in the basal positions and one Cl atom in the apical position. In the crystal, inter­molecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network. An intra­molecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bond is also observed.