Unlocking the ConPeT Mechanism: Correspondence on "Catalytic Asymmetric Redox-Neutral [3 + 2] Photocycloadditions of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Vinylazaarenes Enabled by Consecutive Photoinduced Electron Transfer"

Recently, in a communication to this journal, Qiao, Jang, and coworkers described an asymmetric photoredox reaction promoted by TADF cyanoarene photocatalysts (specifically 4DPAPN (3,4,5,6-tetrakis(diphenylamino)phthalonitrile)). The authors claimed that the high reduction potential required for the reaction in acetonitrile was achieved by the radical anion of the photocatalyst in its excited state, which initiated the reaction. This mechanism is usually named consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (ConPeT), in which two photons are involved: the first one to excite the photocatalyst and generate the radical anion 4DPAPN•- and the second photon to promote 4DPAPN•- to its excited state *4DPAPN•-. Employing ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, here we report that, although two photons are indeed involved in this transformation, the excited state *4DPAPN•- is short-lived, not emissive, and not quenched by the organic substrate employed in the reaction, opposite to what was claimed by the authors. The photocatalyst in the excited state *4DPAPN•- can generate a solvated electron that is able to reduce the substrate involved in this chemistry. It is worth noting that a different photochemical mechanism is likely to be operative in CH2Cl2, where solvated electrons are much less stabilized and reduction of the solvent might occur.

Selective binding of oxalate by a tris-ureido calix[6]tube in a protic environment

Due to their significant role in industry and biological systems, the interest in selectively recognizing and detecting small dicarboxylates has grown in recent years. In this study, we report on the binding properties of a family of tubular-shaped heterotritopic receptors based on bis-calix[6]arenes, which contain three (thio)urea bridges (C3U and C3TU) or six urea bridges (C6U), toward dicarboxylates. While poor binding properties were observed by NMR for the newly synthesized C6U, receptors C3U and C3TU exhibited a unique ability to cooperatively complex a dicarboxylate anion sandwiched between two ammonium ions. The three ions are complexed in contact and aligned within the tubular shape of the receptor, forming cascade complexes that are stable even in a competitive environment. The different binding properties between the receptors were rationalized in terms of size, flexibility, H-bond donor ability, and intramolecular H-bonding within the anion binding pocket between the calixarene cavities. With C3U, a rare selectivity for oxalate over other small dicarboxylates and various bicharged anions was observed. Molecular modeling of the cascade complex indicated that the oxalate anion is stabilized by an array of hydrogen bonds with the urea bridges of the receptor and both propylammonium cations nested within the calixarene cavities.

Macrocycle-Induced Modulation of Internuclear Interactions in Homobimetallic Complexes

A synthetic route has been developed for a series of 3d homobimetallic complexes of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu using three different pyridyldiimine and pyridyldialdimine macrocyclic ligands with ring sizes of 18, 20, and 22 atoms. Crystallographic analyses indicate that while the distances between the metals can be modulated by the size of the macrocycle pocket, the flexibility in the alkyl linkers used to construct the macrocycles enables the ligand to adjust the orientation of the PD(A)I fragments in response to the geometry of the [M₂(μ-Cl)₂]²⁺ core, particularly with respect to Jahn-Teller distortions. Analyses by UV-vis spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry revealed deviations in the properties [M₂(μ-Cl)₂]²⁺-containing complexes bound by standard mononucleating ligands, highlighting the ability of macrocycles to use ring size to control the magnetic interactions of pseudo-octahedral, high-spin metal centers.

Molecular recognition and sensing of dicarboxylates and dicarboxylic acids

The recognition and detection of dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates is of significance for a wide variety of applications, including medical diagnosis, monitoring of health and of environmental contaminants, and in industry. Hence small molecule receptors and sensors for dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates have great potential for applications in these fields. This review outlines the challenges faced in the recognition and detection of these species, strategies that have been used to obtain effective and observable interactions with dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates, and progress made in this field in the period from 2014 to 2020.

Divergent reactivity of a new dinuclear xanthene-bridged bis(iminopyridine) di-nickel complex with alkynes

A new di-nickel complex supported by a relatively flexible xanthene-bridged bis(iminopyridine) ligand is reported and its reactivity in alkyne cycloaddition is investigated.

Zinc bimetallics supported by a xanthene-bridged dinucleating ligand: synthesis, characterization, and lactide polymerization studies

Di-zinc complexes of a new dinucleating xanthene-based bis(iminophenolate) ligand have been synthesized, and their coordination chemistry and lactide polymerization activity have been investigated.

Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Ni(2+) Complexes of C2-Symmetric Pseudopeptides with an Aromatic Central Spacer

Two new tetradentate C2-symmetric pseudopeptidic ligands derived from Val and Phe containing two amino and two amido groups and a central o-substituted aromatic spacer have been prepared. Their complexes with Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Ni(2+) have been studied by potentiometry, UV-vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR, and ESI-MS. The presence of the aromatic spacer provides Cu(2+) complexes with stability constants several orders of magnitude higher than those observed for related ligands containing aliphatic central spacers. Besides, the formation of [MH-2L] complex species is favored. Crystal structures for the corresponding Cu(2+) and Ni(2+) have been obtained, revealing the metal atom in an essentially square-planar geometry, although, in several instances, the oxygen atom of an amide carbonyl of a second complex species can act as a fifth coordination site. In the case of Zn(2+), the only crystal structure obtained displays a square-pyramidal arrangement of the metal center. Finally, preliminary experiments show the catalytic activity of some of these complexes, in particular, Zn(2+) complexes, for epoxide ring-opening with using aniline as the nucleophile in a ligand accelerated process.

Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Group 6 M(CO)6 Species without "Non-Innocent" Ligands

To understand the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction of metal carbonyl complexes without "non-innocent" ligands, the electrochemical responses of group 6 M(CO)6 (M = Cr, Mo, or W) and group 7 M2(CO)10 (M = Mn or Re) complexes were examined under Ar and CO2 at a glassy carbon electrode. All of the complexes showed changes in their cyclic voltammograms under CO2. The group 6 hexacarbonyl species show a significant increase in current under CO2 during metal-based reduction, corresponding to catalytic reduction of CO2. Bulk electrolysis experiments with Mo(CO)6 showed that CO was the primary product. The group 7 dimers showed very little change during metal-based reduction, but return oxidation responses disappeared, indicative of a chemical reaction after exposure to CO2 without catalysis. Addition of H2O, a proton source, to the solutions under CO2 decreased the catalytic current of the group 6 carbonyls and had no effect on the responses of the group 7 carbonyls. The group 6 M(CO)6 species are notable in that that they are effective catalysts without the need for an added "non-innocent" ligand such as 2,2'-bipyridine.