Electronic structure aspects of the complete O2 transfer reaction between Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes with cyclam ligands

Superoxide to Peroxide Interconversion in Ni-TMC Complexes: The Significance of Structure and Spin States

A deeper comprehension of the characteristics of metal-superoxide and metal-peroxide chemical species is imperative, considering their pivotal functions in oxygen transport, enzymatic activation, and catalytic oxygenations. O2 activation is mediated by the interconversion of superoxide and peroxide species. Even though there are multiple studies on metal-superoxide and -peroxide intermediates, robust examples of their interconversion processes are scarce synthetically. For example, Ni-superoxide/peroxide complexes have been characterized with N-Tetramethylated Cyclam (TMC) ligands with different ring sizes, i.e., Nickel(II)-superoxide complex is characterized with 14-TMC while Nickel(III)-peroxide complex with 12-TMC. Later, both complexes were obtained with 13-TMC ligand by employing different bases; interestingly, no evidence of interconversion between them was identified. What are the factors influencing these processes and why is this preference? We attempt a computational analysis of this issue and provide arguments based on our conclusions. 2-dimensional potential energy scan is performed on the 12-TMC, 13-TMC, and 14-TMC systems to identify the reaction path connecting superoxide and peroxide species. Analyses indicate that structure and spin states play a significant role in determining the probability of interconversion. The superoxide-peroxide interconversion process appears to be bound by their propensity for distinct structural features and spin states.

Dinitrogen Activation Mediated by the (P2PPh)Fe Complex: Electronic Structure, Dimerization Mechanism, and Magnetic Coupling

Herein, we report the estimation of the extent of dinitrogen activation by different charged and structural forms of (P2PPh)Fe biomimetic catalysts, which, in the presence of light, exhibit significant yield in the N2-to-NH3 conversion. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations have been used to determine the electronic structure of different reduced forms of the mononuclear complexes: the neutral (P2PPh)Fe(N2)2 adduct and the anionic [(P2PPh)Fe(N2)]- and [(P2PPh)Fe(N2)]2- complexes. These calculations also revealed that the extent of reduction of a dinitrogen molecule reaches up to one electron (N21-) due to the back-bonding from the Fe center, in agreement with the changes observed in the vibration frequency of the N-N bond in these complexes. In addition, the energy profile of the dimerization of the mononuclear (P2PPh)Fe(N2)2 complex to the dinuclear mono-N2-bridged [(P2PPh)Fe]2(μ-N2) complex has been determined by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A three-step mechanism has been proposed for the dimerization, favored by both kinetics and thermodynamics criteria. Finally, the magnetic coupling constant in the diiron (μ-N2) complex is estimated from CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations. Such a dinuclear complex presents a strong antiferromagnetic coupling resulting from the interaction between two S = 1 d6 Fe2+ ions, bridged by a highly activated dinitrogen molecule (N22-) with two electrons on the π* orbitals.

Theoretical view on a linear end-on manganese–dioxygen complex bearing a calix[4]arene ligand

The Mn–O–O angle of mononuclear manganese(iii)-superoxo complexes supported by zwitterionic calix[4]arene ligands can be modulated via solvent polarity perturbations and/or ligand size adjustment as indicated by DFT calculations.