The influence of reversible trianionic pincer OCO3−μ-oxo Crivdimer formation ([Criv]2(μ-O)) and donor ligands in oxygen-atom-transfer (OAT)

Abstract

The oxygen-atom-transfer (OAT) from [(t)BuOCO]Cr(V)(O)(THF) (2) (where (t)BuOCO = [2,6-C(6)H(3)(6-(t)BuC(6)H(3)O)(2)](3-), THF = tetrahydrofuran) to triphenylphosphine (PPh(3)) in THF produces [(t)BuOCO]Cr(III)(THF)(3) (1) and triphenylphosphine oxide (OPPh(3)) at a rate of 69.5(±1.9) M(-1) s(-1) (22 °C). Identical rate constants were attained when acetonitrile (MeCN) and dichloromethane/THF (CH(2)Cl(2)/THF) were used as solvents. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data shows that the six-coordinate complex, [(t)BuOCO]Cr(V)(O)(THF)(2) (2a) forms upon addition of THF to 2, suggesting 2a as the active OAT species in THF. Similarly, addition of OPPh(3) has no influence on the rate of OAT, but the addition of triphenylphosphorus ylide (CH(2)PPh(3)) to form [(t)BuOCO]Cr(V)(O)(CH(2)PPh(3)) (4) prevents OAT to PPh(3). In CH(2)Cl(2), a [Cr(IV)](2)(μ-O) intermediate forms during the OAT from 2 to PPh(3). The OAT from {[(t)BuOCO]Cr(IV)(THF)}(2)(μ-O) (3) to PPh(3) reveals a zero-order dependence in PPh(3) indicating the dimer must first dissociate prior to OAT. The decay of 3versus time does not follow first-order kinetics due to the formation of a [(t)BuOCO]Cr(III)(THF) species (5) that inhibits the dissociation of 3. The change in concentration of 3versus time during OAT was simulated to obtain approximate rate constants.