An “End-On” Chromium(III)-Superoxo Complex: Crystallographic and Spectroscopic Characterization and Reactivity in C−H Bond Activation of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Metal-superoxo intermediates have been invoked as reactive species in C-H bond cleavage of substrates by oxygenase enzymes. In this work, we have shown the first structurally characterized end-on chromium(III)-superoxo complex, [Cr(III)(14-TMC)(O(2))(Cl)](+), which was synthesized by reacting [Cr(II)(14-TMC)(Cl)](+) with O(2). The Cr(III)-superoxo intermediate has shown reactivities in C-H cleavage of alkylaromatics via a H-atom abstraction mechanism.