Radical Ligand Research Articles

Ultrafast "end-on"-to-"side-on" binding-mode isomerization of an iron-carbon dioxide complex.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) binding by transition metals is a captivating phenomenon with a tremendous impact in environmental science and technology, most notably, for establishing circular economies based on greenhouse gas emissions. The molecular and electronic structures of coordination compounds containing CO2 can be studied in great detail using photochemical precursors bearing the photolabile oxalato-ligand. Here, we study the photoinduced elementary dynamics of the ferric complex, [FeIII(cyclam)(C2O4)]+, in dimethyl sulfoxide solution using femtosecond mid-infrared spectroscopy following oxalate-to-iron charge transfer excitation with 266 nm pulses. The pump-probe response in the ν3-region of carbon dioxide gives unequivocal evidence that a CO2-molecule is detached from the metal within only 500 fs and with a primary quantum yield of 38%. Simultaneously, a primary ferrous product is formed that carries a carbon dioxide radical anion ligand absorbing at 1649 cm-1, which is linked to the metal in a bent-O-"end-on" fashion. This primary ηO,bent1-product is formed with substantial excess vibrational energy, which relaxes on a time scale of several picoseconds. Prior to full thermalization, however, a fraction of the ferrous primary product can structurally isomerize at a rate of 1/(3.5 ps) to a secondary ηCO2-product absorbing at 1727 cm-1, which features a bent carbon dioxide ligand that is linked to the metal in a "side-on" fashion. The ηO,bent1-to-ηCO2 isomerization requires an intersystem crossing from the sextet to the quartet state, which rationalizes a partial trapping of the system in the metastable bent-O-"end-on" geometry. Finally, a fraction (62%) of the initially photoexcited complexes can return without structural changes to the parent's electronic ground state, but dressed with excess kinetic energy, which relaxes again on a time scale of several picoseconds.

Vanadium, niobium and tantalum complexes with terminal sulfur radical ligands.

Sulfur radicals terminally bound to the metal center can be considered as the one-electron reduction products of complexes with terminal sulfido ligands which serve as the reactive sites in enzymes and precursors. However, there is limited information regarding this kind of metal stabilized sulfur radical, which contrasts the more commonly known metal stabilized thiyl radical. In this work, we report the preparation of vanadium, niobium and tantalum radical complexes in the form of M(O)(S)F2 from the reactions of laser-ablated metal atoms and SOF2 in cryogenic matrixes. Combined with the results from infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, the sulfur ligand in M(O)(S)F2 is characterized to be a terminally bound radical with the unpaired electron located on the sulfur 3p orbital. Besides this radical complex, calculations also predict the existence of MF2(η2-SO) with a side-on SO ligand, but this less stable isomer is not observed as a result of high exothermicity along with its formation from metal atoms and SOF2 that is large enough to overcome the energy barrier towards the occurrence of M(O)(S)F2.

Characterization and reactivity study of non-heme high-valent iron-hydroxo complexes.

A terminal FeIIIOH complex, [FeIII(L)(OH)]2− (1), has been synthesized and structurally characterized (H4L = 1,2-bis(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamido)benzene). The oxidation reaction of 1 with one equiv. of tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl hexachloroantimonate (TBAH) or ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in acetonitrile at −45 °C results in the formation of a FeIIIOH ligand radical complex, [FeIII(L˙)(OH)]− (2), which is hereby characterized by UV-visible, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques. The reaction of 2 with a triphenylcarbon radical further gives triphenylmethanol and mimics the so-called oxygen rebound step of Cpd II of cytochrome P450. Furthermore, the reaction of 2 was explored with different 4-substituted-2,6-di-tert-butylphenols. Based on kinetic analysis, a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism has been established. A pKa value of 19.3 and a BDFE value of 78.2 kcal/mol have been estimated for complex 2.

Rare-Earth Metal Boroxide with Formal Triple Metal–Oxygen Orbital Interaction: Synthesis from B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ·H 2 O and Radical-Anion Ligated Rare-Earth Metal Amides

Rare-earth metal boroxides are not only rare and of great synthetic challenge but also important theoretically due to their unrevealed bonding characteristics. In this paper, we report the synthesi...

Spectroscopic Identification of Transition-Metal M[η2-(O,O)C] Species for Highly-Efficient CO2 Activation.

The CO2 activation by transition metals is important in CO2 utilization but has proven to be challenging for experimental targets. Here we report first synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of transition-metal M[η2-(O,O)C] species with bidentate double oxygen metal-CO2 coordination in the [ZrO(CO2)n≥4]+ complexes. The Zr[η2-(O,O)C] species yields a CO2- radical ligand, showing a high efficiency in CO2 activation. We find that two important prerequisites are demanded for certain metals to form this intriguing M[η2-(O,O)C] species. One is that the metal center has high reduction capability, and the other is that the oxidation state of the metal center is lower than its highest one by 1. This study highlights the pivotal roles played by the M[η2-(O,O)C] species in CO2 activation and also open new avenues toward the development of related single-atom catalysts with isolated transition-metal atoms dispersed on supports.

Spin‐Controlled Binding of Carbon Dioxide by an Iron Center: Insights from Ultrafast Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy

AbstractThe influence of the spin on the mode of binding between carbon dioxide (CO2) and a transition‐metal (TM) center is an entirely open question. Herein, we use an iron(III) oxalato complex with nearly vanishing doublet–sextet gap, and its ultrafast photolysis, to generate TM‐CO2 bonding patterns and determine their structure in situ by femtosecond mid‐infrared spectroscopy. The formation of the nascent TM‐CO2 species according to [L4FeIII(C2O4)]+ + hν → [L4Fe(CO2)]+ + CO2, with L4=cyclam, is evidenced by the coincident appearance of the characteristic asymmetric stretching absorption of the CO2‐ligand between 1600 cm−1 and 1800 cm−1 and that of the free CO2‐co‐fragment near 2337 cm−1. On the high‐spin surface (S=5/2), the product complex features a bent carbon dioxide radical anion ligand that is O‐“end‐on”‐bound to the metal. In contrast, on the intermediate‐spin and low‐spin surfaces, the product exhibits a “side‐on”‐bound, bent carbon dioxide ligand that has either a partial open‐shell (for S=3/2) or fully closed‐shell character (for S=1/2).

Spin-Controlled Binding of Carbon Dioxide by an Iron Center: Insights from Ultrafast Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy.

The influence of the spin on the mode of binding between carbon dioxide (CO2) and a transition‐metal (TM) center is an entirely open question. Herein, we use an iron(III) oxalato complex with nearly vanishing doublet–sextet gap, and its ultrafast photolysis, to generate TM‐CO2 bonding patterns and determine their structure in situ by femtosecond mid‐infrared spectroscopy. The formation of the nascent TM‐CO2 species according to [L4FeIII(C2O4)]+ + hν → [L4Fe(CO2)]+ + CO2, with L4=cyclam, is evidenced by the coincident appearance of the characteristic asymmetric stretching absorption of the CO2‐ligand between 1600 cm−1 and 1800 cm−1 and that of the free CO2‐co‐fragment near 2337 cm−1. On the high‐spin surface (S=5/2), the product complex features a bent carbon dioxide radical anion ligand that is O‐“end‐on”‐bound to the metal. In contrast, on the intermediate‐spin and low‐spin surfaces, the product exhibits a “side‐on”‐bound, bent carbon dioxide ligand that has either a partial open‐shell (for S=3/2) or fully closed‐shell character (for S=1/2).

Probing the Magnetic Anisotropy of Co(II) Complexes Featuring Redox-Active Ligands.

Coordination complexes that possess large magnetic anisotropy (otherwise known as zero-field splitting, ZFS) have possible applications in the field of magnetic materials, including single molecule magnets (SMMs). Previous studies have explored the role of coordination number and geometry in controlling the magnetic anisotropy and SMM behavior of high-spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) complexes. Building upon these efforts, the present work examines the impact of ligand oxidation state and structural distortions on the spin states and ZFS parameters of pentacoordinate Co(II) complexes. The five complexes included in this study (1-5) have the general formula, [Co(TpPh2)(LX,Y)]n+ (X = O, S; Y = N, O; n = 0 or 1), where TpPh2 is the scorpionate ligand hydrotris(3,5-diphenyl-pyrazolyl)borate(1-) and LX,Y are bidentate dioxolene-type ligands that can access multiple oxidation states. The specific LX,Y ligands used herein are 4,6-di-tert-butyl substituted o-aminophenolate and o-aminothiophenolate (1 and 2, respectively), o-iminosemiquinonate and o-semiquinonate radicals (3 and 4, respectively), and o-iminobenzoquinone (5). Each complex exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility experiments confirmed that the complexes with closed-shell ligands (1, 2, and 5) possess S = 3/2 ground states with negative D-values (easy-axis anisotropy) of -41, -78, and -30 cm-1, respectively. For 3 and 4, antiferromagnetic coupling between the Co(II) center and o-(imino)semiquinonate radical ligand results in S = 1 ground states that likewise exhibit very large and negative anisotropy (-100 > D > -140 cm-1). Notably, ZFS was measured directly for each complex using far-infrared magnetic spectroscopy (FIRMS). In combination with high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) studies, these techniques provided precise spin-Hamiltonian parameters for complexes 1, 2, and 5. Multireference ab initio calculations, using the CASSCF/NEVPT2 approach, indicate that the strongly negative anisotropies of these Co(II) complexes arise primarily from distortions in the equatorial plane due to constrictions imposed by the TpPh2 ligand. This effect is further amplified by cobalt(II)-radical exchange interactions in 3 and 4.

Complexes of diamagnetic cations with radical anion ligands

The review summarizes and analyzes the currently know data on the synthesis, molecular and electronic structures and magnetic properties of bi-, tri- and tetraradical complexes containing a diamagnetic metal ion and redox-active ligands in the paramagnetic form.The bibliography includes 193 references.

Formation of Monofluorinated Radical Cofactor in Galactose Oxidase through Copper-Mediated C-F Bond Scission.

Galactose oxidase (GAO) contains a Cu(II)-ligand radical cofactor. The cofactor, which is autocatalytically generated through the oxidation of the copper, consists of a cysteine-tyrosine radical (Cys-Tyr•) as a copper ligand. The formation of the cross-linked thioether bond is accompanied by a C-H bond scission on Tyr272 with few details known thus far. Here, we report the genetic incorporation of 3,5-dichlorotyrosine (Cl2-Tyr) and 3,5-difluorotyrosine (F2-Tyr) to replace Tyr272 in the GAOV previously optimized for expression through directed evolution. The proteins with an unnatural tyrosine residue are catalytically competent. We determined the high-resolution crystal structures of the GAOV, Cl2-Tyr272, and F2-Tyr272 incorporated variants at 1.48, 1.23, and 1.80 Å resolution, respectively. The structural data showed only one halogen remained in the cofactor, indicating that an oxidative carbon-chlorine/fluorine bond scission has occurred during the autocatalytic process of cofactor biogenesis. Using hydroxyurea as a radical scavenger, the spin-coupled hidden Cu(II) was observed by EPR spectroscopy. Thus, the structurally defined catalytic center with genetic unnatural tyrosine substitution is in the radical containing form as in the wild-type, i.e., Cu(II)-(Cl-Tyr•-Cys) or Cu(II)-(F-Tyr•-Cys). These findings illustrate a previously unobserved C-F/C-Cl bond cleavage in biology mediated by a mononuclear copper center.

Photosynthesis of a Dihydroimidazopyridine Chelate Shines Light on the Reactions of a Photoactivated Iron(III) Complex with O2.

The high-spin (S = 5/2) meridional diastereoisomer of [FeIII(tpena)]2+ (tpena = N,N,N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylendiamine-N'-acetate), mer-[Fe(tpena)]2+, undergoes photolytic CO2 release to produce an iron(II) intermediate of a radical dihydroimidazopyridine ligand (L•). The structure of this unprecedented transient iron(II)(L•) complex is supported by UV-vis and Mössbauer spectroscopies, DFT calculations, as well as the X-ray structural characterization of an μ-oxo iron(III) complex of the oxidized derivative of L•, namely, [FeIII2O(Cl)2(L+)2](ClO4)4(MeCN)2 (L+ = 2-(2-(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)ethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-ium). [FeIII2O(Cl)2(L+)2]4+ is obtained only in the absence of O2. Under aerobic conditions, O2 will intercept the iron(II)(L•) complex to form a putative Fe(III)-alkylperoxide complex which cascades to an iron(II) complex of SBPy3 (SBPy3 = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-aldimine). Thus, through different oxidative pathways, the unknown ligand L+ or SBPy3 forms by loss of a one-carbon-atom or a two-carbon-atom unit, respectively, from the glycyl arm of tpena. Acceleration of the photodecarboxylation step is achieved by addition of thiocyanate because of transient formation of a more photoreactive NCS- adduct of [Fe(tpena)]2+. This has allowed for kinetic observation of the reaction of [FeII(L•)]2+ with O2 which is, unexpectedly, promoted also by light. We propose that this corresponds to the energy needed for the conversion of the ring-closed radical ligand L• to a ring-opened tautomer to allow for O2 insertion between the C and Fe atoms of the iron(II) complex.

STRUCTURE OF LANTHANIDE SEMIQUINOLATES WITH NITROGEN-CONTAINING LIGANDS

Molecular and crystal structures are determined for a series of mixed-ligand mononuclear compounds of lanthanides (Ln) with the 3,6-di(tert-butyl)-1,2-benzoquinone (SQ) anion radical and bidentate nitrogen-containing ligands (L) of the composition [Ln(SQ)3(L)], where Ln is Tb or Dy, L is 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy); Ln is Eu, L is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen). It is confirmed that the introduction of bidentate L significantly increases the stability of lanthanide semiquinolates in both liquid and solid phases.

Octahedral Iron Complexes of Pyrazine(diimine) Pincers: Ligand Electronic Effects and Protonation.

Redox noninnocent ligands are known to be involved in altering the overall electronic nature of organometallic complexes by serving as an electron reservoir. Pyrazine(diimine) backbones in these complexes introduce enhanced π acidity over their more well-studied pyridine(diimine) analogues and open up the opportunity for functionalization of the nitrogen at the 4-position of the ring. Herein we report the characterization of bis-chelated pyrazine(diimine) [(PzDI)2Fe]n+ (n = 0, 1, and 2) complexes for electronic and structural comparison to pyridine(diimine) complexes (PDI) with similar architectures. Cyclic voltammetry studies show three reductions, two of which are ligand-based and reversible. Reduction of [(PzDI)2Fe]2+ (1) to [(PzDI)2Fe]+ (2) and (PzDI)2Fe (3) gives rise to characteristic structural changes, such as imine C═N bond lengthening, indicating the formation of a ligand radical, a conclusion which is further supported by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electronic structure calculations. Comparisons between the PzDI and PDI systems are highlighted. Complex 1 can be protonated at the uncoordinated pyrazine nitrogen, resulting in changes to its spectroscopic and redox properties; efforts to further functionalize the ligand are discussed.

Two 2p-3d-4f complexes constructed from functionalized nitronyl nitroxides: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Two 2p-3d-4f complexes of [LnCu(hfac)5NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz]n (Ln = Gd (1), Ho (2); NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz = 2-(4-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methoxy)phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetra- methylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) have been successfully synthesized through Cu(hfac)2 and Ln(hfac)3 reacting with nitronyl nirtroxide radical of NIT-Ph-p-OCH2trz. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis and the results show that both complexes consist of [Ln-NIT-Ln-NIT]n one-dimensional chains and the additional Cu ions are coordinated to the nitrogen atoms from the triazole rings of the radical ligands. The ferromagnetic couplings are observed between the coordinated NO group and Ln (III) ions. Ac magnetic susceptibilities indicate that the Ho derivatives displays frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals.

Ligand-Mediated Spin-State Changes in a Cobalt-Dipyrrin-Bisphenol Complex.

The influence of a redox-active ligand on spin-changing events induced by the coordination of exogenous donors is investigated within the cobalt complex [CoII(DPP·2–)], bearing a redox-active DPP2– ligand (DPP = dipyrrin-bis(o,p-di-tert-butylphenolato) with a pentafluorophenyl moiety on the meso-position. This square-planar complex was subjected to the coordination of tetrahydrofuran (THF), pyridine, tBuNH2, and AdNH2 (Ad = 1-adamantyl), and the resulting complexes were analyzed with a variety of experimental (X-ray diffraction, NMR, UV–visible, high-resolution mass spectrometry, superconducting quantum interference device, Evans’ method) and computational (density functional theory, NEVPT2-CASSCF) techniques to elucidate the respective structures, spin states, and orbital compositions of the corresponding octahedral bis-donor adducts, relative to [CoII(DPP·2–)]. This starting species is best described as an open-shell singlet complex containing a DPP·2– ligand radical that is antiferromagnetically coupled to a low-spin (S = 1/2) cobalt(II) center. The redox-active DPPn– ligand plays a crucial role in stabilizing this complex and in its facile conversion to the triplet THF adduct [CoII(DPP·2–)(THF)2] and closed-shell singlet pyridine and amine adducts [CoIII(DPP3–)(L)2] (L = py, tBuNH2, or AdNH2). Coordination of the weak donor THF to [CoII(DPP·2–)] changes the orbital overlap between the DPP·2– ligand radical π-orbitals and the cobalt(II) metalloradical d-orbitals, which results in a spin-flip to the triplet ground state without changing the oxidation states of the metal or DPP·2– ligand. In contrast, coordination of the stronger donors pyridine, tBuNH2, or AdNH2 induces metal-to-ligand single-electron transfer, resulting in the formation of low-spin (S = 0) cobalt(III) complexes [CoIII(DPP3–)(L)2] containing a fully reduced DPP3– ligand, thus explaining their closed-shell singlet electronic ground states.

N^N Pt(II) Bisacetylide Complexes with Oxoverdazyl Radical Ligands: Preparation, Photophysical Properties, and Magnetic Exchange Interaction between the Two Radical Ligands.

To study the effect of a stable radical on the photophysical properties of a phosphorescent Pt(II) coordination framework and the intramolecular magnetic interaction between radical ligands in the N^N Pt(II) bisacetylide complexes, we prepared a series of N^N Pt(II) bis(acetylide) complexes with oxoverdazyl radical acetylide ligands. The linker between the Pt(II) center and the spin carrier was systematically varied, to probe the effect on the sign and magnitude of the spin exchange interactions between the radical ligands and photophysical properties. The complexes were studied with steady-state and femtosecond/nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) computations. The transient absorption spectral studies show that the doublet excited state of the radicals are short-lived (τD ≈ 2 ps) and nonfluorescent. Moreover, the intrinsic long-lived triplet excited state (τT = 1.2 μs) of the Pt(II) coordination center was efficiently quenched by the radical (τT = 6.9 ps for one representative radical Pt(II) complex). The intramolecular magnetic interaction between the radical ligands through the diamagnetic Pt(II) atom was studied with temperature-dependent EPR spectroscopy; antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (-J S1S2, J = -5.4 ± 0.1 cm-1) for the complex with the shortest radical-radical distance through bridge fragments was observed. DFT computations give similar results for the sign and magnitude of the J values. For complexes with larger inter-radical distance, however, very weak coupling between the radical ligands was observed (|J| < 0.7 cm-1). Our results are useful for the study of the effect of a radical on the photophysical properties of the phosphorescent transition-metal complexes.

A new mononuclear terbium and copper cocrystalline nitronyl nitroxide complex: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

One 2p-3d-4f multispin complex [Cu(hfac)(4-Me-3-NITtrz)2][Tb(hfac)4]·H2O (1) has been obtained based on a functionalized nitronyl nitroxide radical 4-Me-3-Nit-trz (in which, 4-Me-3-Nit-trz = 2-[3-(4-methyl-l,2,4-triazolyl)]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone). Complex 1 crystallizes in tetragonal system, I4¯ space group. The central CuII ion is six-coordinated in tensile octahedron configuration finished by two bidentate radical ligands and one bidentate hfac anion, while TbIII ion exhibited as distorted triangular dodecahedron geometry (D2d) finished by eight oxygen atoms from four bischelate hfac anions. Magnetic studies show that Cu(II) ion and the NO group are antiferromagnetically coupled with coupling constants of JCu–rad = 1.76~1.99 cm−1, and strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the two intramolecular radicals with Jrad–rad = -12.88~-10.42 cm−1 exist in 1. In addition, alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibilities were further measured.

Computational Study of spx (x=1-3)-Hybridized Be-Be Bonds Stabilized by Amidinate Ligands.

Complexes containing odd-electron Be-Be bonds are still rare until now. Hereby, a series of neutral di-beryllium amidinate complexes containing a Be-Be bond were explored theoretically. The complexes with direct chelation with the Be2 dimer by the bidentate amidinate (AMD) ligands are always corresponding to their global minimum structures. The detailed bonding analyses reveal that the localized electrons of the Be-Be fragment can be adjusted by the amount of AMD ligands because each AMD ligand only takes one electron from the Be2 fragment. Meanwhile, the hybridization of the central Be atom also changes as the number of AMD ligands increases. In particular, the sp3 -hybridized single-electron Be-Be bond is firstly identified in the tri-AMD-ligands-chelated neutral D3h -Be2 (AMD)3 complex, which also possesses the higher stability compared to its monoanionic D3h -Be2 (AMD)3 - and monocationic C3 -Be2 (AMD)3 + analogues. Importantly, our study provides a new approach to obtain a neutral odd-electron Be-Be bond, namely by the use of radical ligands through side-on chelation.

Structure changes from radical-3d ring dimer to radical-3d-4f 1D chain with different magnetic properties

An unreported nitronyl nitroxide radical ligand and its corresponding radical-4f (complexes 1–3) and radical-3d-4f complexes (complexes 4–6) were successfully prepared. Structural analyses indicate that the complexes 1–3 are cyclic structures consist of two identical units of Ln(hfac)3(NIT-5-OCH3-3pyridine) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone; Ln = Gd 1, Tb 2, Dy 3), while the complexes 4–6 show 1D zigzag structures with periodic [Rad–Ln–Rad–Cu] (Ln = Gd 4, Tb 5, Dy 6) units. Dc susceptibility measurements reveal that two different magnetic interactions coexist in complex 1: (i) ferromagnetic coupling between Gd3+ and radical through the NO group, (ii) weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Gd3+ and radical through the pyridine ring. While for complex 4, weak ferromagnetic coupling between Cu2+/Ln3+ and radical ligands as well as antiferromagnetic coupling between two adjacent radicals via the Ln3+ are observed at the same time. Furthermore, AC magnetic studies reveal that complexes 2, 3 and 5 display slow magnetization relaxation at low-temperature.

Nickel(II) derivatives based on o-iminobenzoquinone-type ligands: Structural modifications, magnetism and electrochemical peculiarities

New bis-o-iminobenzosemiquinonato derivatives of nickel (imSQC(O)Ph)2Ni (1) and (imSQPh)2Ni (2) that are ligated by functionalized o-aminophenols H2LC(O)Ph and H2LPh, respectively, were synthesized. Complex 1 is distinguished by a square-planar geometry of N2O2 coordination core while the bis-o-iminobenzosemiquinonate 2 demonstrates a slight deviation from planarity. Both complexes 1 and 2 show the strong antiferromagnetic interactions between radical anion ligands as established by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Electrochemical behavior of 1 and 2 is represented by ligand-centered redox transitions: two quasi-reversible one-electron reduction processes and two-electron oxidation one. The salient peculiarity of cyclic voltammogram for 1 is an increase in number of redox waves owing to the quasi-reversible reduction of benzophenone fragments in ligands. Six-coordinated NiII derivative [(imQC(O)Ph)2Ni(H2O)2](OSO2CF3)2 (3) with two o-iminobenzoquinones as well as four-coordinated NiII species [(imSQC(O)Ph)Ni(APC(O)Ph)]CoCp2∙2.1toluene (4∙2.1toluene) including radical-anion and o-amidophenolate forms of redox-active ligand were prepared as products of oxidation and reduction of the initial 1, respectively, in accordance with the CV data. The value of effective magnetic moment (μeff) unambiguously indicates the high-spin state for nodal NiII ion in 3. Low-temperature EPR signal demonstrates rather the ligand-centered nature of unpaired electron in 4 that corresponds to the total doublet ground spin state (S = 1/2) for compound and diamagnetic low-spin (SNi = 0) configuration of the metal center.