1:1 Co-crystal of 3-ethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one and 3-ethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrroline-2,5-dione

Crystallization from a 20-year-old commercial source of 3-ethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one afforded 1:1 co-crystals of this compound (C7H11NO) with its oxidized derivative, 3-ethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrroline-2,5-dione (C7H9NO2). The compound crystallizes in the space group P\overline{1}, with two molecules of each species in the asymmetric unit. These four molecules form a hydrogen-bonded tetramer with a dimer of 3-ethyl-4-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one as the core flanked by one molecule of the dione on each side.

Synthesis and Characterization of Neutral Ligand α-Diimine Complexes of Aluminum with Tunable Redox Energetics

The synthesis and full characterization of a series of neutral ligand α-diimine complexes of aluminum are reported. The compounds [Al(L_Ar)₂Cl₂)][AlCl₄] [L_Ar = N, N'-bis(4-R-C₆H₄)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene] are structurally analogous, as determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and solid-state X-ray diffraction, across a range of electron-donating [R = Me (2), ^tBu (3), OMe (4), and NMe₂ (5)] and electron-withdrawing [R = Cl (6), CF₃ (7), and NO₂ (8)] substituents in the aryl side arm of the ligand. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry were used to access the optical and electrochemical properties, respectively, of the complexes. Both sets of properties are shown to be dependent on the R substituent. Density functional theory calculations performed on the [Al(L_Ph)₂Cl₂)][AlCl₄] complex (1) indicate primarily ligand-based frontier orbitals and were used to help support our discussion of both the spectral and electrochemical data. We also report the reaction of the L_Ph ligand with both AlBr₃ and AlI₃ and demonstrate a different reactivity profile for the heavier halide relative to the lighter members of the group.

Spectroelectrochemical studies of a ruthenium complex containing the pH sensitive 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine ligand

Attaining high oxidation states at the metal center of transition metal complexes is a key design principle for many catalytic processes. One way to support high oxidation state chemistry is to utilize ligands that are electron-donating in nature. Understanding the structural and electronic changes of metal complexes as higher oxidation states are reached is critical towards designing more robust catalysts that are able to turn over at high rates without decomposing. To this end, we report herein the changes in structural and electronic properties as [Ru(bpy)₂(44'bpy(OH)₂)]²⁺ is oxidized to [Ru(bpy)₂(44'bpy(OH)₂)]³⁺ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 44'bpy(OH)₂ = 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine). The 44'bpy(OH)₂ ligand is a pH-dependent ligand where deprotonation of the hydroxyl groups leads to significant electronic donation to the metal center. A Pourbaix Diagram of the complex reveals a pH independent reduction potential below pH = 2.0 for the Ru^3+/2+ process at 0.91 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Above pH = 2.0, pH dependence is observed with a decrease in reduction potential until pH = 6.8 where the complex is completely deprotonated, resulting in a reduction potential of 0.62 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Spectroelectrochemical studies as a function of pH reveal the disappearance of the Metal to Ligand Charge Transfer (MLCT) or Mixed Metal-Ligand to Charge Transfer bands upon oxidation and the appearance of a new low energy band. DFT calculations for this low energy band were carried out using both B3LYP and M06-L functionals for all protonation states and suggest that numerous new transition types occur upon oxidation to Ru³⁺.

Allyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-D-glucopyranoside

The protected glycoside of 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose (glucosamine), namely allyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-D-glucopyranoside, C23H25NO10, was synthesized from the glycosyl bromide. Crystallographic analysis confirmed the β-anomeric configuration and showed an approximately orthogonal orientation of the phthalimido group with respect to the pyranose ring. The absolute configuration of the molecule was known from the synthetic route and assigned accordingly.

Crystal structures of fac-tri-carbonyl-chlorido-(6,6'-dihy-droxy-2,2'-bi-pyridine)-rhenium(I) tetra-hydro-furan monosolvate and fac-bromido-tricarbon-yl(6,6'-dihy-droxy-2,2'-bi-pyridine)-manganese(I) tetra-hydro-furan monosolvate

The structures of two facially coordinated Group VII metal complexes, fac-[ReCl(6,6′-dihy­droxy-2,2′-bi­pyridine)(CO)₃]·C₄H₈O and fac-[MnBr(6,6′-dihy­droxy-2,2′-bi­pyridine)(CO)₃]·C₄H₈O, are reported. These complexes are relevant to catalysis for CO₂ reduction.

The structures of two facially coordinated Group VII metal complexes, fac-[ReCl(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)(CO)₃]·C₄H₈O (I·THF) and fac-[MnBr(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)(CO)₃]·C₄H₈O (II·THF), are reported. In both complexes, the metal ion is coordinated by three carbonyl ligands, a halide ligand, and a 6,6′-dihy­droxy-2,2′-bi­pyridine ligand in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. Both complexes co-crystallize with a non-coordinating tetra­hydro­furan (THF) solvent mol­ecule and exhibit inter­molecular but not intra­molecular hydrogen bonding. In both crystal structures, chains of complexes are formed due to inter­molecular hydrogen bonding between a hy­droxy group from the 6,6′-dihy­droxy-2,2′-bi­pyridine ligand and the halide ligand from a neighboring complex. The THF mol­ecule is hydrogen bonded to the remaining hy­droxy group.

Spectroscopic, structural and computational analysis of [Re(CO)3(dippM)Br]n+ (dippM = 1,1′-bis(diiso-propylphosphino)metallocene, M = Fe, n = 0 or 1; M = Co, n = 1)

[Re(CO)₃(dippf)Br]⁺: the first structurally characterized complex of a coordinated bis(phosphino)ferrocenium ligand.

Putting chromium on the map for N2 reduction: production of hydrazine and ammonia. A study of cis-M(N2)2 (M = Cr, Mo, W) bis(diphosphine) complexes

Protonolysis experiments show of the Group 6 N₂ complexes, only Cr affords N₂H₅⁺ and NH₄⁺ from reduction of the N₂ ligands.

Synthesis of lemonose derivatives: methyl 4-amino-3-O,4-N-carbonyl-2,4,6-trideoxy-3-C-methyl-α-l-lyxo-pyranoside and its phenyl thioglycoside

Lemonose is a component of the antibiotic lemonomycin and other antibiotics and natural products. Three routes to the synthesis of the title compound, a protected, desmethyl derivative of lemonose, from l-rhamnose or its glycal, were investigated based on electrophilic cyclization, epoxidation-ring opening, and deoxygenation of an intermediate that was used in the synthesis of the amino sugar callipeltose. The deoxygenation route was successful and it provided the title compound, which was then converted to a phenyl thioglycoside.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of a Series of Aluminium–Amidate Complexes

The aluminium complexes {[κ2-N,O-(t-BuNCOPh)]AlMe2}2 (2), [κ2-N,O-(t-BuNCOPh)]2AlMe (3), and [κ2-N,O-(t-BuNCOPh)]3Al (4) were prepared through the protonolysis reaction between trimethylaluminium and one, two, or three equivalents, respectively, of N-tert-butylbenzamide. Complex 2 was also prepared via a salt metathesis reaction between K(t-BuNCOPh) and dimethylaluminium chloride. Complexes 2–4 were characterized using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complexes corroborated ligand : metal stoichiometries and revealed that all the amidate ligands coordinate to the aluminium ion in a κ2 fashion. The Al–amidate complexes 2–4 were viable catalyst precursors for the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley–Oppenauer reduction–oxidation manifold, successfully interconverting several classes of carbonyl and alcohol substrates.

Synthesis, electrochemistry, and reactivity of cerium(III/IV) methylene-bis-phenolate complexes

A series of cerium complexes containing a 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (MBP(2-)) ligand framework is described. Electrochemical studies of the compound [Li(THF)2Ce(MBP)2(THF)2] (1) reveal that the metal based oxidation wave occurs at -0.93 V vs Fc/Fc(+). This potential demonstrates significant stabilization of the cerium(IV) ion in the MBP(2-) framework with a shift of ∼2.25 V from the typically reported value for the cerium(III/IV) couple of E°' = +1.30 V vs Fc/Fc(+) for Ce(ClO4)3 in HClO4 solutions. Compound 1 undergoes oxidation to form stable cerium(IV) species in the presence of a variety of common oxidants. The coordination of the redox-active ligands 2,2'-bipyridine and benzophenone to 1 result in complexes in which no apparent metal-to-ligand charge transfer occurs and the cerium ion remains in the +3 oxidation state.

Molecular cobalt pentapyridine catalysts for generating hydrogen from water

A set of robust molecular cobalt catalysts for the generation of hydrogen from water is reported. The cobalt complex supported by the parent pentadentate polypyridyl ligand PY5Me(2) features high stability and activity and 100% Faradaic efficiency for the electrocatalytic production of hydrogen from neutral water, with a turnover number reaching 5.5 × 10(4) mol of H(2) per mole of catalyst with no loss in activity over 60 h. Control experiments establish that simple Co(II) salts, the free PY5Me(2) ligand, and an isostructural PY5Me(2) complex containing redox-inactive Zn(II) are all ineffective for this reaction. Further experiments demonstrate that the overpotential for H(2) evolution can be tuned by systematic substitutions on the ancillary PY5Me(2) scaffold, presaging opportunities to further optimize this first-generation platform by molecular design.

A structurally characterized nitrous oxide complex of vanadium

Nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a widespread greenhouse gas, is a thermodynamically potent and environmentally green oxidant that is an attractive target for activation by metal centers. However, N(2)O remains underutilized owing to its high kinetic stability, and the poor ligand properties of this molecule have made well-characterized metal-N(2)O complexes a rarity. We now report a vanadium-pyrrolide system that reversibly binds N(2)O at room temperature and provide the first single-crystal X-ray structure of such a complex. Further characterization by vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations strongly favor assignment as a linear, N-bound metal-N(2)O complex.

A terminal molybdenum arsenide complex synthesized from yellow arsenic

A terminal molybdenum arsenide complex is synthesized in one step from the reactive As(4) molecule. The properties of this complex with its arsenic atom ligand are discussed in relation to the analogous nitride and phosphide complexes.

Triple-bond reactivity of an AsP complex intermediate: synthesis stemming from molecular arsenic, As(4)

While P(4) is the stable molecular form of phosphorus, a recent study illustrated the possibility of P(2) generation for reactions in organic media under mild conditions. The heavier group 15 element arsenic can exist as As(4) molecules, but As(4) cannot be stored as a pure substance because it is both light-sensitive and reverts thermally to its stable, metallic gray form. Herein we report As(4) activation giving rise to a mu-As(2) diniobium complex, serving in turn as precursor to a terminal arsenide anion complex of niobium. Functionalization of the latter provides the new AsPNMes* ligand, which when complexed with tungsten pentacarbonyl elicits extrusion of the (AsP)W(CO)(5) molecule as a reactive intermediate. Trapping reactions of the latter with organic dienes are found to furnish double Diels-Alder adducts in which the AsP unit is embedded in a polycyclic organic framework. Thermal generation of (AsP)W(CO)(5) in the presence of the neutral terminal phosphide complex P identical withMo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)(3) leads to the cyclo-AsP(2) complex (OC)(5)W(cyclo-AsP(2))Mo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)(3). The (AsP)W(CO)(5) trapping products were crystallized and characterized by X-ray diffraction methods, and computational methods were applied for analysis of the As-As and As-P bonds in the complexes.

An unusual P-P double bond formed via phospha-Wittig transformation of a terminal PO complex

The terminal phosphorus monoxide complex (OP)Mo(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3), 1 (Ar = 3,5-Me(2)C(6)H(3)), undergoes an O-for-PSiR(3) metathesis reaction with the niobium phosphinidene complex (i)Pr(3)SiPNb(N[CH(2)(t)Bu]Ar)(3), 2, to generate the oxoniobium complex ONb(N[CH(2)(t)Bu]Ar)(3), 3, and the diphosphenido complex (i)Pr(3)SiPPMo(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3), 4. The structure of 4, as determined by X-ray crystallography, contains a "singly bent" diphosphenido moiety, suggesting that the diphosphenido ligand serves as a 3e(-) donor to a formally d(2) metal center. This bonding characterization was supported by DFT calculations and is unique among known diphosphenido complexes. Diphosphenido 4 was found to react over time to produce products consistent with a bimolecular degradation pathway where the terminal phosphide complex PMo(N[(t)Bu]Ar)(3), 5, serves as a stable leaving group. Mixtures of 4 and PPh(3) were observed to set up an equilibrium (K(eq) = 0.7) between 4, PPh(3), and the products of phosphinidene transfer, 5 and (i)Pr(3)SiP=PPh(3).

Ethylenebis(triphenylphosphine)platinum as a Probe for Niobium-Mediated Diphosphorus Chemistry

Ethylenebis(triphenylphosphine)platinum is used as a trap for the P2-containing molecule W(CO)5(P2), which is eliminated at room temperature from a niobium-complexed diphosphaazide ligand. The rate of W(CO)5(P2) elimination is unaffected by the presence of the platinum species. Attempts to generate and trap free P2 with the platinum ethylene complex were hindered by the direct reaction between the platinum starting material and the P2 generator, (Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3. In this case, reductive cleavage of the P-P bond in the diphosphaazide ligand is induced by platinum coordination, resulting in the formation of a trimetallic system with two bridging, three-coordinate phosphorus atoms.

Triple-Bond Reactivity of Diphosphorus Molecules

We report a mild method for generating the diphosphorus molecule or its synthetic equivalent in homogeneous solution; the P2 allotrope of the element phosphorus is normally obtained only under extreme conditions (for example, from P4 at 1100 kelvin). Diphosphorus is extruded from a niobium complex designed for this purpose and can be trapped efficiently by two equivalents of an organic diene to produce an organodiphosphorus compound. Diphosphorus stabilized by coordination to tungsten pentacarbonyl can be generated similarly at 25 degrees C, and in this stabilized form it still efficiently consumes two organic diene molecules for every diphosphorus unit.

A Nitridoniobium(V) Reagent That Effects Acid Chloride to Organic Nitrile Conversion: Synthesis via Heterodinuclear (Nb/Mo) Dinitrogen Cleavage, Mechanistic Insights, and Recycling

The transformation of acid chlorides (RC(O)Cl) to organic nitriles (RC[triple bond]N) by the terminal niobium nitride anion [N[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([1a-N]-, where Np = neopentyl and Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3) via isovalent N for O(Cl) metathetical exchange is presented. Nitrido anion [1a-N]- is obtained in a heterodinuclear N2 scission reaction employing the molybdenum trisamide system, Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a; R = Np, 2b), as a reaction partner. Reductive scission of the heterodinuclear bridging N2 complexes, (Ar[R]N)3Mo-(mu-N2)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 3b; R = Np, 3c) with sodium amalgam provides 1 equiv each of the salt Na[1a-N] and neutral N[triple bond]Mo(N[R]Ar)3 (R = t-Bu, 2a-N; R = Np, 2b-N). Separation of 2-N from Na[1a-N] is readily achieved. Treatment of salt Na[1a-N] with acid chloride substrates in tetrahydrofuran (THF) furnishes the corresponding organic nitriles concomitant with the formation of NaCl and the oxo niobium complex O[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-O). Utilization of 15N-labeled 15N2 gas in this chemistry affords a series of 15N-labeled organic nitriles establishing the utility of anion [1a-N]- as a reagent for the 15N-labeling of organic molecules. Synthetic and computational studies on model niobium systems provide evidence for the intermediacy of both a linear acylimido and niobacyclobutene species along the pathway to organic nitrile formation. High-yield recycling of oxo 1a-O to a niobium triflate complex appropriate for heterodinuclear N2 scission has been developed. Specifically, addition of triflic anhydride (Tf2O, where Tf = SO2CF3) to an Et2O solution of 1a-O provides the bistriflate complex, Nb(OTf)2(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)2), in near quantitative yield. One-electron reduction of 1a-(OTf)2 with either cobaltocene (Cp2Co) or Mg(THF)3(anthracene) provided the monotriflato complex, Nb(OTf)(N[Np]Ar)3 (1a-(OTf)), which efficiently regenerates complexes 3b and 3c when treated with the molybdenum dinitrogen anions [N2Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3]- ([2a-N2]-) or [N2Mo(N[Np]Ar)3]- ([2b-N2]-), respectively.