Molecular and Electronic Structures and Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior of Tris(thioether)-Iron Complexes Containing Redox-Active α-Diimine Ligands

Incorporating radical ligands into metal complexes is one of the emerging trends in the design of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). While significant effort has been expended to generate multinuclear transition metal-based SMMs with bridging radical ligands, less attention has been paid to mononuclear transition metal-radical SMMs. Herein, we describe the first α-diiminato radical-containing mononuclear transition metal SMM, namely, [κ²-PhTt^tBu]Fe(AdNCHCHNAd) (1), and its analogue [κ²-PhTt^tBu]Fe(CyNCHCHNCy) (2) (PhTt^tBu = phenyltris(tert-butylthiomethyl)borate, Ad = adamantyl, and Cy = cyclohexyl). 1 and 2 feature nearly identical geometric and electronic structures, as shown by X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption spectroscopy. A more detailed description of the electronic structure of 1 was obtained through EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, and DFT, TD-DFT, and CAS calculations. 1 and 2 are best described as high-spin iron(II) complexes with antiferromagnetically coupled α-diiminato radical ligands. A strong magnetic exchange coupling between the iron(II) ion and the ligand radical was confirmed in 1, with an estimated coupling constant J < -250 cm^-1 (J = -657 cm^-1, DFT). Calibrated CAS calculations revealed that the ground-state Fe(II)-α-diiminato radical configuration has significant ionic contributions, which are weighted specifically toward the Fe(I)-neutral α-diimine species. Experimental data and theoretical calculations also suggest that 1 possesses an easy-axis anisotropy, with an axial zero-field splitting parameter D in the range from -4 to-1 cm^-1. Finally, dynamic magnetic studies show that 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior with an energy barrier close to the theoretical maximum, 2|D|. These results demonstrate that incorporating strongly coupled α-diiminato radicals into mononuclear transition metal complexes can be an effective strategy to prepare SMMs.

Hydrogen Peroxide Coordination to Cobalt(II) Facilitated by Second-Sphere Hydrogen Bonding

M(H2 O2 ) adducts have been postulated as intermediates in biological and industrial processes; however, only one observable M(H2 O2 ) adduct has been reported, where M is redox-inactive zinc. Herein, direct solution-phase detection of an M(H2 O2 ) adduct with a redox-active metal, cobalt(II), is described. This Co(II) (H2 O2 ) compound is made observable by incorporating second-sphere hydrogen-bonding interactions between bound H2 O2 and the supporting ligand, a trianionic trisulfonamido ligand. Thermodynamics of H2 O2 binding and decay kinetics of the Co(II) (H2 O2 ) species are described, as well as the reaction of this Co(II) (H2 O2 ) species with Group 2 cations.

Heterotrimetallic sandwich complexes supported by sulfonamido ligands

Co^II complexes bearing sulfonamido ligands derived from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (H₆tren) assemble into complex architectures in the presence of Group II ions through interactions between the Group II ion and the sulfonyl oxygens.

Hydrogen Peroxide Complex of Zinc

Metal(H2O2) complexes have been implicated in kinetic and computational studies but have never been observed. Accordingly, H2O2 has been described as a very weak ligand. We report the first metal(H2O2) adduct, which is made possible by incorporating intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions with bound H2O2. This Zn(II)(H2O2) complex decays in solution by a second-order process that is slow enough to enable characterization of this species by X-ray crystallography. This report speaks to the intermediacy of metal(H2O2) adducts in chemistry and biology and opens the door to exploration of these species in oxidation catalysis.

Electronic structure of 2,2'-bipyridine organotransition-metal complexes. Establishing the ligand oxidation level by density functional theoretical calculations

A density functional theoretical (DFT) study (B3LYP) has been carried out on 20 organometallic complexes containing η(5)- and/or η(3)-coordinated cyclopentadienyl anions (Cp(-)) and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) ligand(s) at varying oxidation levels, i.e., as the neutral ligand (bpy(0)), as the π-radical monoanion (bpy(•-))(-), or as the diamagnetic dianion (bpy(2-))(2-). The molecular and electronic structures of these species in their ground states and, in some cases, their first excited states have been calculated using broken-symmetry methodology. The results are compared with experimental structural and spectroscopic data (where available) in order to validate the DFT computational approach. The following electron-transfer series and complexes have been studied: [(Cp)(2)V(bpy)](0,+,2+) (1-3), [(Cp)(2)Ti(bpy)](-,0,+,2+) (4-7), [(Cp)(2)Ti(biquinoline)](0,+) (8 and 9), [(Cp*)(2)Ti(bpy)](0) (10) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl anion), [Cp*Co(bpy)](0,+) (11 and 12), [Cp*Co(bpy)Cl](+,0) (13 and 14), [Fe(toluene)(bpy)](0) (15), [Cp*Ru(bpy)](-) (16), [(Cp)(2)Zr(bpy)](0) (17), and [Mn(CO)(3)(bpy)](-) (18). In order to test the predictive power of our computations, we have also calculated the molecular and electronic structures of two complexes, A and B, namely, the diamagnetic dimer [Cp*Sc(bpy)(μ-Cl)](2) (A) and the paramagnetic (at 25 °C) mononuclear species [(η(5)-C(5)H(4)(CH(2))(2)N(CH(3))(2))Sc((m)bpy)(2)] (B). The crystallographically observed intramolecular π-π interaction of two N,N'-coordinated π-radical anions in A leading to an S = 0 ground state is reliably reproduced. Similarly, the small singlet-triplet gap of ~600 cm(-1) between two antiferromagnetically coupled (bpy(•-))(-) ligands in B, two ferromagnetically coupled radical anions in the triplet excited state of B, and the structures of A and B is reproduced. Therefore, we are confident that we can present computationally obtained, detailed electronic structures for complexes 1-18. We show that N,N'-coordinated neutral bpy(0) ligands behave as very weak π acceptors (if at all), whereas the (bpy(2-))(2-) dianions are strong π-donor ligands.

Synthesis of Pd Complexes Bearing an Enantiomerically-Resolved Seven-Membered N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Initial Studies of their Use in Asymmetric Wacker-Type Oxidative Cyclization Reactions

The development of enantiomerically-resolved, axially-chiral seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene ((7)NHC) ligands for palladium is described. These (7)NHC ligands are derived from enatiomerically pure 2,2'-diamino-6,6'-dimethylbiphenyl, which is transformed via a synthetic sequence consisting of ortho-arylation, N-alkylation, and cyclization to afford seven-membered-ring amidinium salts. Synthesis of the 7-membered amidinium salts benefits from microwave irradiation, and in-situ metalation of the amidinium salts yields (7)NHC-Pd(II) complexes. The chiral (7)NHC-Pd complexes were examined as chiral catalysts under aerobic conditions in two intramolecular oxidative amination reactions of alkenes. In one case, enantioselectivities up to 63% e.e. were obtained, while the other substrate underwent cyclization to afford essentially racemic products. The catalytic data compare favorably to results obtained with a Pd(II) catalyst bearing a chiral five-membered-ring NHC ligand and, thereby, highlight the potential significance of this new class of chiral NHC ligands.

Steric modulation of chiral biaryl diamines via Pd-catalyzed directed C-H arylation

Palladium-catalyzed directed arylation of 2,2'-diacetamidobiaryls with aryl iodides provides efficient access to chiral ortho-substituted biaryl diamines. Aryl iodides with para- and meta-substituents are tolerated. Deprotection of the acetyl groups under basic conditions furnishes the free diamines, which should find broad utility in asymmetric catalysis.

Synthesis and isolation of a stable, axially-chiral seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene

A chiral seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been synthesized from its phenol adduct (NHC-HOPh) by a novel base-induced alpha-elimination method, and its donor strength has been determined from the IR stretching frequencies of the NHC-Rh(CO)(2)Cl complex.

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amination of alkenes: development of intra- and intermolecular aza-Wacker reactions

Palladium-catalyzed methods for the aerobic oxidative coupling of alkenes and oxygen nucleophiles (e.g., water and carboxylic acids) have been known for nearly 50 years. The present account summarizes our development of analogous aerobic oxidative amination reactions, including the first intermolecular aza-Wacker reactions compatible with the use of unactivated alkenes. The reactions are initiated by intra- or intermolecular aminopalladation of the alkene. The resulting alkylpalladium(II) intermediate generally undergoes beta-hydride elimination to produce enamides or allylic amide products, but in certain cases, the Pd-C bond can be trapped to achieve 1,2-difunctionalization of the alkene, including carboamination and aminoacetoxylation. Mechanistic studies have provided a variety of fundamental insights into the reactions, including the effect of ancillary ligands on palladium catalysts, the origin of the Brønsted-base-induced switch in regioselectivity in the oxidative amination of styrene, and evidence that both cis- and trans-aminopalladations of alkenes are possible. Overall, these reactions highlight the potential utility of an "organometallic oxidase" strategy for the selective aerobic oxidation of organic molecules.

Synthesis of Pyrrolidines via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Carboamination of Butyl Vinyl Ether and Styrenes with Allyl Tosylamides

[Structure: see text] Palladium(II) catalyzes the oxidative coupling of allyl tosylamides with butyl vinyl ether and various styrene derivatives to produce 2,4-substituted pyrrolidine products at room temperature. Molecular oxygen together with a copper(II) cocatalyst mediates reoxidation of the palladium catalyst. The reactions with styrene substrates can be performed in an open flask with ambient air as the source of O2. Several nontraditional cocatalysts, including catechol, cyclooctadiene, and methyl acrylate, have a beneficial effect on the reactions.