Sulfonamido-Pincer Complexes of Cu(II) and the Electrocatalysis of O2 Reduction

Heteroleptic copper complexes of an asymmetrical pincer ligand containing a central anionic sulfonamide donor (pyridine-2-yl-sulfonyl)(quinolin-8-yl)-amide (psq), which contains a central anionic sulfonamido donor have been prepared. Meridional κ3-N,N″,N‴ binding with the co-ligands acetate, chloride, or acetonitrile (MeCN), trans to the central sulfonamido N-donor, is revealed by the X-ray crystal structures of [Cu(OAc)(psq)(H2O)], [CuCl(psq)]2, and [Cu(psq)(MeCN)](PF6). Either overall distorted square pyramidal or octahedral geometries of the copper atom are satisfied by coordinated water in the case of the acetate complex or interactions with periphery sulfonamido oxygen atoms on adjacent molecules in the dimeric chloride and 1D polymeric acetonitrile complexes. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of [Cu(OAc)(psq)(H2O)] shows a quasi-reversible CuII/CuI reduction at -0.930 V (vs Fc+/Fc0, MeCN), and an irreversible CuII/CuI reduction for [Cu(psq)(MeCN)](PF6) is seen at -0.838 V. This signal is split into two quasi-reversible redox processes on the addition of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). This suggests that TFE pushes a solution equilibrium toward a dimeric acetate complex analogous to [CuCl(psq)]2, which shows two quasi-reversible waves at -0.666 V and -0.904 V vs Fc+/Fc0 consistent with its dimeric solid-state structure. A comparison of the CVs of [Cu(OAc)(psq)(H2O)] under either a N2 or an O2 atmosphere revealed that this complex catalyzes turnover electro-reduction of O2 to H2O2 and H2O. The rate of reaction increases on addition of a weak organic acid, and a coulombic efficiency of 48% for H2O2 was determined by iodometric titration. We propose that a CuI complex formed on electroreduction binds O2 to yield an intermediate superoxide complex. On electron and proton transfer to this species, a bifurcated route back to the O2-activating CuI complex is feasible with either release of H2O2 or O-O cleavage resulting in the liberation of H2O. The CuI complex is regenerated by subsequent reduction and protonation to close the cycle.

Photo-induced metal-free dehydrogenative N-N homo-coupling

We report a photo-induced dehydrogenative N-N coupling of diarylimines, diarylamines, carbazoles, and anilines. These homo-coupling reactions require only the combination of readily available di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) and light irradition. The operationally simple protocol works under catalyst- and metal-free conditions and exhibits a good substrate scope. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via photo-induced homolytic cleavage of the peroxide followed by hydrogen atom transfer leading to the formation of N-centered radicals.

Magnetic Archimedean Tessellations in Metal-Organic Frameworks

The self-assembly of lanthanide ions with ditopic organic spacers results in the formation of complex tiling patterns that mimic the structural motifs of quasi-periodic 2D materials. The linking of trans-{LnI₂}⁺ nodes (Ln = Gd, Dy) by both closed-shell and anion radicals of 4,4'-bipyridine affords rare examples of Archimedean tessellations in a metal-organic framework. We furthermore demonstrate the occurrence of sizable magnetic exchange interactions and slow relaxation of magnetization behavior in a complex tessellation pattern. The implementation of Archimedean tessellations in lanthanide(III) coordination solids couriers a strategy to design elusive quasi-periodic metal-organic frameworks with inimitable magnetic properties.

LED-driven controlled deposition of Ni onto TiO2 for visible-light expanded conversion of carbon dioxide into C1-C2 alkanes

Photocatalytic gas-phase hydrogenation of CO₂ into alkanes was achieved over TiO₂-supported Ni nanoparticles under LED irradiation at 365 nm, 460 nm and white light. The photocatalysts were prepared using photo-assisted deposition of Ni salts under LED irradiation at 365 nm onto TiO₂ P25 nanoparticles in methanol as a hole scavenger. This procedure yielded 2 nm Ni particles decorating the surface of TiO₂ with a nickel mass content of about 2%. Before the photocatalytic runs, Ni/TiO₂ was submitted to thermal reduction at 400 °C in a 10% H₂ atmosphere which induced O-defective TiO_2-x substrates. The formation of oxygen vacancies, Ti³⁺ centers and metallic Ni sites upon photocatalytic CO₂ hydrogenation was confirmed by operando EPR analysis. In situ XPS under reaction conditions suggested a strong metal-support interaction and the co-existence of zero and divalent Ni states. These photoactive species enhanced the photo-assisted reduction of CO₂ below 300 °C to yield CO, CH₄ and C₂H₆ as final products.

Electrochemically Induced Phase Transition in V3 O7 · H2 O Nanobelts/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

V₃ O₇ ·H₂ O nanobelts/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites (weight ratio: 86%/14%) are synthesized by a microwave approach with a high yield (85%) through controlling pH with acids. The growth mechanisms of the highly crystalline nanobelts (average diameter: 25 nm; length: ≈20 µm; oriented along the [101] direction) have been thoroughly investigated, with the governing role of the acid upon the morphology and oxidation state of vanadium disclosed. When used as the ZIB cathode, the composite can deliver a high specific capacity of 410.7 and 385.7 mAh g^-1 at the current density of 0.5 and 4 A g^-1 , respectively, with a high retention of the capacity of 93%. The capacity of the composite is greater than those of V₃ O₇  · H₂ O, V₂ O₅ nanobelts, and V₅ O₁₂  · 6H₂ O film. Zinc ion storage in V₃ O₇ ·H₂ O/rGO is mainly a pseudocapacitive behavior rather than ion diffusion. The presence of rGO enables outstanding cycling stability of up to 1000 cycles with a capacity retention of 99.6%. Extended cycling shows a gradual phase transition, that is, from the original orthorhombic V₃ O₇  · H₂ O to a stable hexagonal Zn₃ (VO₄ )₂ (H₂ O)_2.93 phase, which is a new electrochemical route found in V₃ O₇ materials. This phase transition process provides new insight into the reactions of aqueous ZIBs.

Biochemical evidence of both copper chelation and oxygenase activity at the histidine brace

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) and copper binding protein CopC share a similar mononuclear copper site. This site is defined by an N-terminal histidine and a second internal histidine side chain in a configuration called the histidine brace. To understand better the determinants of reactivity, the biochemical and structural properties of a well-described cellulose-specific LPMO from Thermoascus aurantiacus (TaAA9A) is compared with that of CopC from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfCopC) and with the LPMO-like protein Bim1 from Cryptococcus neoformans. PfCopC is not reduced by ascorbate but is a very strong Cu(II) chelator due to residues that interacts with the N-terminus. This first biochemical characterization of Bim1 shows that it is not redox active, but very sensitive to H₂O₂, which accelerates the release of Cu ions from the protein. TaAA9A oxidizes ascorbate at a rate similar to free copper but through a mechanism that produce fewer reactive oxygen species. These three biologically relevant examples emphasize the diversity in how the proteinaceous environment control reactivity of Cu with O₂.

Modulating Charge-Carrier Dynamics in Mn-Doped All-Inorganic Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots through the Doping-Induced Deep Trap States

Transition-metal ion doping has been demonstrated to be effective for tuning the photoluminescence properties of perovskite quantum dots (QDs). However, it would inevitably introduce defects in the lattice. As the Mn concentration increases, the Mn dopant photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) first increases and then decreases. Herein the influence of the dopant and the defect states on the photophysics in Mn-doped CsPbCl₃ QDs was studied by time-resolved spectroscopies, whereas the energy levels of the possible defect states were analyzed by density functional theory calculations. We reveal the formation of deep interstitials defects (Cl_i) by Mn²⁺ doping. The depopulation of initial QD exciton states is a competition between exciton-dopant energy transfer and defect trapping on an early time scale (<100 ps), which determines the final PLQY of the QDs. The present work establishes a robust material optimization guideline for all of the emerging applications where a high PLQY is essential.

Promotional effects of nitrogen doping on catalytic performance over manganese-containing semi-coke catalysts for the NH3-SCR at low temperatures

A series of nitrogen-doped MnO_x/semi-coke catalysts were studied for low-temperature (LT) de-NO_x performance in the NH₃-SCR reaction. Changes in morphology, structure, and surface chemistry of the semi-coke catalysts were systematically investigated to analyze the promotional effects of nitrogen doping on catalytic performance. The catalytic activity of ASC-10U10 Mn was found to be enhanced significantly in a broad temperature range of 100-300 °C, improving 44.2 % at 150 °C-the largest jump in this temperature range-and reaching 94.5 % at 275 °C. Nitrogen doping results in aromatic pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, and quaternary-N; the unpaired electrons on these groups play a critical role in enhancing the adsorption and oxidation of NO. NH₃ adsorption is enhanced due to numerous diverse Lewis acid sites on ASC-10U10 Mn. The electron distribution of MnO_x/semi-coke catalysts and the electron mobility between manganese and oxygen species are improved by nitrogen doping. The resulting nitrate intermediates, especially bridging nitrates, can be reduced by NH₃ species at low temperatures. The increase in the number of oxygen vacancies improves oxidation of coordinated NH₃. In addition, DRIFTS results suggest that coordinated NH₃ and intermediate -NH₂ are much more active and make a considerable positive contribution to the LT SCR reaction.

A Redox-Innocent Uranium(IV)-Quinoid Metal-Organic Framework

Quinoid-based ligands constitute the most common class of redox-active ligands used to construct electrically conductive and magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Whereas this chemistry is intensively explored for transition-metal and lanthanide ions, any related actinide compound has not received attention. In particular, the MOF chemistry of actinide ions in the lower oxidation states is underexplored. We herein report the synthesis, and structural and physical property characterization of a uranium(IV) quinoid-based MOF, [U(Cl₂dhbq)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (1, Cl₂dhbq^2- = deprotonated 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxybenzoquinone). 1 is a rare example of a U(IV)-based coordination solid and the first material to incorporate bona fide reducible bridging ligands. Despite the anticipated thermodynamic driving force, no indications of valence tautomerism are evident from magnetometry, near-IR spectroscopy, and X-band electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. These initial results suggest that reduction potentials alone are insufficient as guidelines for the prediction of the occurrence of electron transfer in uranium-quinoid-based materials.

NH3-SCR of NO with novel active, supported vanadium-containing Keggin-type heteropolyacid catalysts

Supported vanadium-substituted Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs) were applied as catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NO using NH₃ as reductant (NH₃-SCR).

Methanol-Promoted Oxidation of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) by Encapsulated Ionic Liquids

The removal of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) has been extensively studied due to their harmful effects to health and environment. In this work, encapsulated ionic liquids (ENILs) are used as catalysts for the NO oxidation at humid conditions and low temperatures. Hollow carbon capsules (C_Cap) were first synthesized to contain different amounts of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate IL ([bmim][NO₃]), responsible for the catalytic oxidation. Then, the materials were characterized using different techniques, by analyzing microstructure, porosity, elemental composition, and thermal stability. The catalytic performance of ENIL materials was tested for NO conversion at different conditions. Thus, NO concentration was fixed at 2000 ppm at dry and humid conditions. Then, the methanol promotion of the reaction was demonstrated, increasing the NO conversion values in all cases, and the alcohol/water ratio was optimized. The temperature effect was studied as well, using the optimal conditions based on the previous measurements. The results reflect that humid conditions do not have a negative effect in terms of NO conversion when using ENILs, opposite behavior as observed for C_Cap and traditional catalysts studied before. The low amount of IL inside the material (40% in mass) was found to be the optimum for the task, reaching conversions of almost 45% in near industrial conditions of temperature and O₂ and H₂O concentrations in the flue gas with a GHSV of 10,000 h^-1.

Reversible and Vapochromic Chemisorption of Ammonia by a Copper(II) Coordination Polymer

The single crystal X-ray structure determination of {[Cu(tpt)(o-phthalate)]·31/3(C2H2Cl4)}n (tpt=2,4,6-tri-4-pyridyl-1,3,5-triazine, C2H2Cl4=1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane=TCE) shows a 3D network in which CuII centres are linked by 3-connecting tpt ligands with the topology of a 12,3 net. CuII centres are further linked by o-phthalate dianions. The copper coordination geometry is square pyramidal, with o-phthalate oxygen donors trans to each other in the basal plane and the remaining positions taken by the pyridines of three linking tpt units. The solvent accessible void space is ~65%. The pale blue-green crystalline desolvate, obtained by heating to 200°C or washing the TCE solvate with acetone is formulated as [Cu(tpt)(o-phthalate)]n. Powder X-ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy show that the crystal structure and the CuII geometry changes upon desolvation. The crystalline desolvated phase sorbs two equivalents of ammonia per copper ion. The adduct, mauve [Cu(tpt)(o-phthalate)(NH3)2]n, shows reasonable crystallinity and is stable up to ~150°C under ambient conditions before the reversible desorption (minimum 10 cycles) of the guest ammonia. The colour change and high desorption temperature, along with changes in g values, is suggestive of chemisorption in two steps with Cu–ammine bonding in the loaded phase.

Site selective adsorption and relocation of SOx in deactivation of Cu–CHA catalysts for NH3-SCR

SO₂ selectively interacts with Z-CuOH in Cu–CHA catalysts for NH₃-SCR and relocates to Z₂-Cu during heating at 550 °C.

Graphene inclusion controlling conductivity and gas sorption of metal-organic framework

A general approach to prepare composite films of metal-organic frameworks and graphene has been developed. Films of copper(ii)-based HKUST-1 and HKUST-1/graphene composites were grown solvothermally on glassy carbon electrodes. The films were chemically tethered to the substrate by diazonium electrografting resulting in a large electrode coverage and good stability in solution for electrochemical studies. HKUST-1 has poor electrical conductivity, but we demonstrate that the addition of graphene to HKUST-1 partially restores the electrochemical activity of the electrodes. The enhanced activity, however, does not result in copper(ii) to copper(i) reduction in HKUST-1 at negative potentials. The materials were characterised in-depth: microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction demonstrate uniform films of crystalline HKUST-1, and Raman spectroscopy reveals that graphene is homogeneously distributed in the films. Gas sorption studies show that both HKUST-1 and HKUST-1/graphene have a large CO2/N2 selectivity, but the composite has a lower surface area and CO2 adsorption capacity in comparison with HKUST-1, while CO2 binds stronger to the composite at low pressures. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that both monomeric and dimeric copper units are present in the materials, and that the two materials behave differently upon hydration, i.e. HKUST-1/graphene reacts slower by interaction with water. The changed gas/vapour sorption properties and the improved electrochemical activity are two independent consequences of combining graphene with HKUST-1.

The Pathogenic A2V Mutant Exhibits Distinct Aggregation Kinetics, Metal Site Structure, and Metal Exchange of the Cu2+ -Aβ Complex

A prominent current hypothesis is that impaired metal ion homeostasis may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We elucidate the interaction of Cu²⁺ with wild-type (WT) Aβ_1-40 and the genetic variants A2T and A2V which display increasing pathogenicity as A2T<WT<A2V. Cu²⁺ significantly extends the lag phase in aggregation kinetics, in particular for the pathogenic A2V variant. Additionally, a rapid, initial, low intensity ThT response is observed, possibly reflecting formation of Cu²⁺ induced amorphous aggregates, as supported by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, again most notably for the A2V variant. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy gives pK_a values for transition between two Cu²⁺ coordination geometries (component I and II) of 7.4 (A2T), 7.9 (WT), and 8.4 (A2V), that is, component I is stabilized at physiological pH in the order A2T<WT<A2V. ¹ H NMR relaxation exhibits the same trend for the non-coordinating aromatic residues (A2T<WT<A2V), and implies markedly faster inter-peptide Cu²⁺ exchange for the A2V variant than for WT and A2T. We therefore hypothesize that component I of the Cu-Aβ complex is related to pathogenicity, accounting for both the pathogenic nature of the A2V variant and the protective nature of the A2T variant.

Towards accurate structural characterization of metal centres in protein crystals: the structures of Ni and Cu T(6) bovine insulin derivatives

Using synchrotron radiation (SR), the crystal structures of T6 bovine insulin complexed with Ni(2+) and Cu(2+) were solved to 1.50 and 1.45 Å resolution, respectively. The level of detail around the metal centres in these structures was highly limited, and the coordination of water in Cu site II of the copper insulin derivative was deteriorated as a consequence of radiation damage. To provide more detail, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to improve the information level about metal coordination in each derivative. The nickel derivative contains hexacoordinated Ni(2+) with trigonal symmetry, whereas the copper derivative contains tetragonally distorted hexacoordinated Cu(2+) as a result of the Jahn-Teller effect, with a significantly longer coordination distance for one of the three water molecules in the coordination sphere. That the copper centre is of type II was further confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The coordination distances were refined from EXAFS with standard deviations within 0.01 Å. The insulin derivative containing Cu(2+) is sensitive towards photoreduction when exposed to SR. During the reduction of Cu(2+) to Cu(+), the coordination geometry of copper changes towards lower coordination numbers. Primary damage, i.e. photoreduction, was followed directly by XANES as a function of radiation dose, while secondary damage in the form of structural changes around the Cu atoms after exposure to different radiation doses was studied by crystallography using a laboratory diffractometer. Protection against photoreduction and subsequent radiation damage was carried out by solid embedment of Cu insulin in a saccharose matrix. At 100 K the photoreduction was suppressed by ∼15%, and it was suppressed by a further ∼30% on cooling the samples to 20 K.

A mononuclear Fe(III) single molecule magnet with a 3/2↔5/2 spin crossover

The air stable complex [(PNP)FeCl(2)] (1) (PNP = N[2-P(CHMe(2))(2)-4-methylphenyl](2)(-)), prepared from one-electron oxidation of [(PNP)FeCl] with ClCPh(3), displays an unexpected S = 3/2 to S = 5/2 transition above 80 K as inferred by the dc SQUID magnetic susceptibility measurement. The ac SQUID magnetization data, at zero field and between frequencies 10 and 1042 Hz, clearly reveal complex 1 to have frequency dependence on the out-of-phase signal and thus being a single molecular magnet with a thermally activated barrier of U(eff) = 32-36 cm(-1) (47-52 K). Variable-temperature Mössbauer data also corroborate a significant temperature dependence in δ and ΔE(Q) values for 1, which is in agreement with the system undergoing a change in spin state. Likewise, variable-temperature X-band EPR spectra of 1 reveals the S = 3/2 to be likely the ground state with the S = 5/2 being close in energy. Multiedge XAS absorption spectra suggest the electronic structure of 1 to be highly covalent with an effective iron oxidation state that is more reduced than the typical ferric complexes due to the significant interaction of the phosphine groups in PNP and Cl ligands with iron. A variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 collected between 30 and 300 K also reveals elongation of the Fe-P bond lengths and increment in the Cl-Fe-Cl angle as the S = 5/2 state is populated. Theoretical studies show overall similar orbital pictures except for the d(z(2)) orbital, which has the most sensitivity to change in the geometry and bonding, where the quartet ((4)B) and the sextet ((6)A) states are close in energy.

Control of protein oligomerization symmetry by metal coordination: C2 and C3 symmetrical assemblies through Cu(II) and Ni(II) coordination

We describe the metal-dependent self-assembly of symmetrical protein homooligomers from protein building blocks that feature appropriately engineered metal-chelating motifs on their surfaces. Crystallographic studies indicate that the same four-helix-bundle protein construct, MBPC-1, can self-assemble into C(2) and C(3) symmetrical assemblies dictated by Cu(II) and Ni(II) coordination, respectively. The symmetry inherent in metal coordination can thus be directly applied to biological self-assembly.

Structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical elucidation of a redox-active pincer-type ancillary applied in catalysis

Pincer-type ligands are believed to be very robust scaffolds that can support multifarious functionalities as well as highly reactive metal motifs applied in organometallic chemistry, especially in the realm of catalysis. In this paper, we describe the redox and, therefore, noninnocent behavior of a PNP (PNP- = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2) pincer ancillary bound to nickel. A combination of structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical techniques suggests that this type of framework can house an electron hole when coordinated to Ni(II).

Structure refinement of a twinned pseudo-symmetric crystal of [Mn(C10H24N4)(NCO)2]+*ClO4-

The crystal studied is a 0.545 (1):0.455 twin, space group C\bar 1, Z = 16, and is a commensurate occupational and displacive modulation of a Z = 4 idealized parent structure with the space group A2/a and a(p) = a/2, b(p) = b/2, c(p) = c. A hierarchical approach to solution and refinement led sequentially to structures in the space groups A2/a, P2(1)/n, P\bar 1 and finally C\bar 1. The major and minor components of the reflection intensities could be identified using irreducible representations of A2/a and P2(1)/n, which in turn suggested suitable constraints and restraints for optimizing the refinement pathway. Comparative refinement was used to show the correctness of the final structure solution and how appropriately chosen constrained refinement allowed an escape from a false minima.

Rationalisation of weak ferromagnetism in manganese(iii) chains: the relation between structure and ordering phenomena

The synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the one-dimensional chain compounds [Mn(cyclam)(SO4)]ClO4.H2O (1) and [Mn(cyclam)(HCOO)](CF3SO3)(ClO4) (2) are reported. Cyclam is the cyclic tetradentate ligand 1,4,7,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane. Both chain compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions within the chains. A magnetic ordering phase transition at 5.5 K in (1) is investigated by magnetisation measurements along the three principal crystallographic axes of a single crystal and the results show unambiguously that the ferromagnetic ordering is only taking place along one crystallographic axis. The spin structure of the magnetic ordered phase and the magnitude of the ferromagnetic moment are correlated with the crystal structure and symmetry of the compound.

Is the axial zero-field splitting parameter of tetragonally elongated high-spin manganese(III) complexes always negative?

The positive axial zero-field splitting parameter D relevant for the S = 2 ground state of [Mn(cyclam)I2]I (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) is interpreted using the valence bond configuration interaction model which explicitly considers the covalency of the manganese-iodide bond.

trans-Bis(cyano-kappaC)(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-kappa4N)manganese(III) perchlorate, a low-spin manganese(III) complex

The crystal structure of the low-spin (S = 1) MnIII complex [Mn(CN)(2)(C(10)H(24)N(4))]ClO(4), or trans-[Mn(CN)(2)(cyclam)](ClO(4)) (cyclam is the tetradentate amine ligand 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), is reported. The structural parameters in the Mn(cyclam) moiety are found to be insensitive to both the spin and the oxidation state of the Mn ion. The difference between high- and low-spin Mn(III) complexes is that a pronounced tetragonal elongation of the coordination octahedron occurs in high-spin complexes and a slight tetragonal compression is seen in low-spin complexes, as in the title complex.