Manganese Hydride Research Articles

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by a Manganese(I) Hydride Complex.

Here, we report the chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by a well-defined Mn(I) PCNHCP pincer complex [(PCNHCP)Mn(CO)2H] (1). The reaction is compatible with a wide variety of functional groups that include halides, esters, amides, nitriles, nitro, alkynes, and alkenes, and for most substrates occurs readily at ambient hydrogen pressure (1-2 bar). Mechanistic studies and deuterium labeling experiments reveal a non-cooperative mechanism, which is further discussed in this report.

Structure Activity Relationships for Second‐Coordination Sphere Functional Group Dependent CO2 Reduction by Manganese Bipyridyl Electrocatalysts

AbstractA series of twelve second coordination sphere (SCS) functionalized manganese tricarbonyl bipyridyl complexes are investigated for their electrocatalytic CO2 reduction properties in acetonitrile. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the SCS functional groups is discussed with respect to the catalysts’ thermodynamic and kinetic efficiencies, and their product selectivities. In probing a broad scope of functional groups, it is clear that only the aprotic ortho‐arylester SCS is capable of promoting the highly desired low‐overpotential proton‐transfer electron‐transfer (PT‐ET) pathway for selective CO production. The ortho‐phenolic analogues cause an increase in overpotential with a product selectivity favoring H2 evolution, consistent with a high‐overpotential pathway via the anionic [Mn−H]− intermediate. Alternative aprotic Lewis base functional groups such as trifluoromethyl, morpholine and acetamide are shown to also be capable of intermediate manganese hydride generation. The tertiary amine substituent, 2‐morpholinophenyl, exhibits a desirable product distribution characteristic of syn‐gas (CO : H2=30 : 48) with an impressive turnover frequency, while the secondary amine group, 2‐acetamidophenyl, induces a notable shift in selectivity with a faradaic yield of 55 % for the formate (HCO2−) product. In addition to their catalytic properties, cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroelectrochemistry (IR‐SEC) studies are presented to probe pre‐catalyst electronic properties and the two‐electron reduction activation pathway.

The Dichotomy of Mn-H Bond Cleavage and Kinetic Hydricity of Tricarbonyl Manganese Hydride Complexes.

Acid-base characteristics (acidity, pKa, and hydricity, ΔG°H- or kH-) of metal hydride complexes could be a helpful value for forecasting their activity in various catalytic reactions. Polarity of the M-H bond may change radically at the stage of formation of a non-covalent adduct with an acidic/basic partner. This stage is responsible for subsequent hydrogen ion (hydride or proton) transfer. Here, the reaction of tricarbonyl manganese hydrides mer,trans-[L2Mn(CO)3H] (1; L = P(OPh)3, 2; L = PPh3) and fac-[(L-L')Mn(CO)3H] (3, L-L' = Ph2PCH2PPh2 (dppm); 4, L-L' = Ph2PCH2-NHC) with organic bases and Lewis acid (B(C6F5)3) was explored by spectroscopic (IR, NMR) methods to find the conditions for the Mn-H bond repolarization. Complex 1, bearing phosphite ligands, features acidic properties (pKa 21.3) but can serve also as a hydride donor (ΔG≠298K = 19.8 kcal/mol). Complex 3 with pronounced hydride character can be deprotonated with KHMDS at the CH2-bridge position in THF and at the Mn-H position in MeCN. The kinetic hydricity of manganese complexes 1-4 increases in the order mer,trans-[(P(OPh)3)2Mn(CO)3H] (1) < mer,trans-[(PPh3)2Mn(CO)3H] (2) ≈ fac-[(dppm)Mn(CO)3H] (3) < fac-[(Ph2PCH2NHC)Mn(CO)3H] (4), corresponding to the gain of the phosphorus ligand electron-donor properties.

Selective oxidation of silanes into silanols with water using [MnBr(CO)5] as a precatalyst.

The development of earth-abundant catalysts for the selective conversion of silanes to silanols with water as an oxidant generating valuable hydrogen as the only by-product continues to be a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that [MnBr(CO)5] is a highly active precatalyst for this reaction, operating under neutral conditions and avoiding the undesired formation of siloxanes. As a result, a broad substrate scope, including primary and secondary silanes, could be converted to the desired products. The turnover performances of the catalyst were also examined, yielding a maximum TOF of 4088 h-1. New light was shed on the debated mechanism of the interaction between [MnBr(CO)5] and Si-H bonds based on the reaction kinetics (including KIEs of PhMe2SiD and D2O) and spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, GC-TCD, 1H-, 29Si-, and 13C-NMR). The initial activation of [MnBr(CO)5] was found to result from the formation of a manganese(i) hydride species and R3SiBr, and the experimental data are most consistent with a catalytic cycle comprising a cationic tricarbonyl Mn(i) unit as the active framework.

α-Methylation of Ketones and Indoles Catalyzed by a Manganese(I) PCNHCP Pincer Complex with Methanol as a C1 Source

Acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation is a powerful reaction in sustainable synthesis. When combined in a tandem reaction with dehydrogenative coupling or hydrogen borrowing, acceptorless dehydrogenation can be used for the environmentally benign construction of C–C, C–N, and C–O bonds. While many of these reactions rely on using precious metals, in the past decade the use of earth-abundant metals has become more prevalent. If a green and renewable feedstock could be introduced as well, the sustainability of the acceptorless dehydrogenation could further be increased. Methanol would be such a substrate and could serve as a renewable C1 source when used for the methylation of a wide variety of substrates. Herein, we report the efficient manganese-catalyzed α-methylation of ketones and indoles. The manganese catalyst is based on a PCNHCP pincer platform containing a rare central carbene donor. The reaction supports a diverse set of functional groups, occurs at moderate temperatures (110 °C), and provides the corresponding methylated ketones and indoles in excellent yields. In contrast to previously reported mechanisms, the herein reported mechanism does not depend on metal–ligand cooperativity but rather proceeds via (i) a metal-based mechanism featuring a manganese hydride or (ii) via a ligand-centered mechanism where a manganese-carbonyl acts as catalytic center, depending on the used additive.

Bench-Stable Dinuclear Mn(I) Catalysts in E-Selective Alkyne Semihydrogenation: A Mechanistic Investigation.

Dinuclear manganese hydride complexes of the form [Mn2 (CO)8 (μ-H)(μ-PR2 )] (R=Ph, 1; R=iPr, 2) were used in E-selective alkyne semi-hydrogenation (E-SASH) catalysis. Catalyst speciation studies revealed rich coordination chemistry and the complexes thus formed were isolated and in turn tested as catalysts; the results underscore the importance of dinuclearity in engendering the observed E-selectivity and provide insights into the nature of the active catalyst. The insertion product obtained from treating 2 with (cyclopropylethynyl)benzene contains a cis-alkenyl bridging ligand with the cyclopropyl ring being intact. Treatment of this complex with H2 affords exclusively trans-(2-cyclopropylvinyl)benzene. These results, in addition to other control experiments, indicate a non-radical mechanism for E-SASH, which is highly unusual for Mn-H catalysts. The catalytically active species are virtually inactive towards cis to trans alkene isomerization indicating that the E-selective process is intrinsic and dinuclear complexes play a critical role. A reaction mechanism is proposed accounting for the observed reactivity which is fully consistent with a kinetic analysis of the rate limiting step and is further supported by DFT computations.

Electrocatalytic metal hydride generation using CPET mediators.

Transition metal hydrides (M-H) are ubiquitous intermediates in a wide range of enzymatic processes and catalytic reactions, playing a central role in H+/H2 interconversion1, the reduction of CO2 to formic acid (HCOOH)2 and in hydrogenation reactions. The facile formation of M-H is a critical challenge to address to further improve the energy efficiency of these reactions. Specifically, the easy electrochemical generation of M-H using mild proton sources is key to enable high selectivity versus competitive CO and H2 formation in the CO2 electroreduction to HCOOH, the highest value-added CO2 reduction product3. Here we introduce a strategy for electrocatalytic M-H generation using concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) mediators. As a proof of principle, the combination of a series of CPET mediators with the CO2 electroreduction catalyst [MnI(bpy)(CO)3Br] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was investigated, probing the reversal of the product selectivity from CO to HCOOH to evaluate the efficiency of the manganese hydride (Mn-H) generation step. We demonstrate the formation of the Mn-H species by in situ spectroscopic techniques and determine the thermodynamic boundary conditions for this mechanism to occur. A synthetic iron-sulfur cluster is identified as the best CPET mediator for the system, enabling the preparation of a benchmark catalytic system for HCOOH generation.

CO2 activation by ligand-free manganese hydrides in a parahydrogen matrix.

Manganese formate complexes, HMn(η2-O2CH) and Mn(η2-O2CH), are formed through MnH2 and MnH reactions with CO2 in solid parahydrogen and identified by matrix infrared spectroscopy with the basis of isotopic substitutions and theoretical frequency calculations. The reaction mechanism has been proposed that the reaction proceeds by concerted hydride ion transfer.

Formation of Mn hydrides from bis(trimethylsilylmethyl) Mn(II): A DFT study

We recently reported the synthesis and characterization of KMH-1 (Kubas Manganese Hydride – 1 [L. Morris et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 1580–1591]), a manganese hydride molecular sieve which, if incorporated into a hydrogen storage system, projects sufficient performance to realise the DOE system targets for H2 storage and delivery. KMH-1 is amorphous and paramagnetic, making its characterization challenging, and how it is formed from its simple Mn(II) organometallic precursors is not fully understood. In this contribution, we explore computationally several series of reactions that could occur in the production of KMH 1 from bis(trimethylsilylmethyl) manganese (II) (Mn(TMSM)2), including the formation of hydrides, ways to generate the extended structure and reactions to produce species with Mn(I) centres (KMH-1 is believed to contain a substantial proportion of Mn(I)). We show that the most likely route to the formation of Mn hydrides is via elimination of tetramethylsilane (TMS) by reaction of Mn(TMSM)2 with H2. These hydrides could then react to grow the extended KMH-1 structure via Mn hydride condensation reactions. Alternatively, multimetallic TMS-containing products could be formed via condensation reactions involving Mn(TMSM)2 and/or MnTMSM, after which the TMS ligand could be removed via elimination reactions with H2. The formation of Mn(I) centres from Mn(II) hydrides is most likely via H2 elimination from Mn(II) hydrides.

Reactions of [(dmpe)2MnH(C2H4)]: synthesis and characterization of manganese(i) borohydride and hydride complexes.

Reactions of trans-[(dmpe)2MnH(C2H4)] (1) with BH3(NMe3), 9-BBN, and HBMes2 yielded the manganese(i) borohydride complexes [(dmpe)2Mn(μ-H)2BR2] (3: R = H, 4: R2 = C8H14, 5: R = Mes). The reaction of 1 with BH3(NMe3) proceeds via ethylene substitution. By contrast, a detuerium labelling study indicates that the reaction of 1 with HBMes2 involves initial isomerization of 1 to an unobserved 5-coordinate ethyl intermediate, [(dmpe)2MnEt], which reacts with the hydroborane to afford EtBR2 and [(dmpe)2MnH], followed by reaction with a second equivalent of hydroborane to generate 5 (an analogous pathway is likely followed for other base-free hydroboranes such as 9-BBN). Identification of 3-5 as κ2-borohydride complexes, as opposed to boryl dihydride or hydroborane hydride isomers, is supported by 11B NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Atoms in Molecules calculations. Two byproducts were observed in the syntheses of 3-5: [{(dmpe)2MnH}2(μ-dmpe)] (6) and [(dmpe)2MnH(κ1-dmpe)] (7). These complexes were independently prepared by exposure of 1 to free dmpe under an atmosphere of Ar or H2, and the generality of this synthetic route was demonstrated by the reaction of 1 with PMe3 (under H2) to form [(dmpe)2MnH(PMe3)] (8). Complexes 6-8 can exist as isomers with either a trans or a cis relationship between the hydride and κ1-coordinated phosphine ligands on manganese. trans to cis isomerization of 6-8 is photochemically induced, whereas the reverse reaction occurs under thermal conditions. X-ray crystal structures were obtained for 3-5, trans,trans-6, cis,cis-6, trans-7, and trans-8.

The electronic structure of a β-diketiminate manganese hydride dimer.

The electronic structure of a dimeric manganese hydride catalyst supported by β-diketiminate ligands, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2, was investigated with density functional theory. A triple bond between the manganese centres was anticipated from simple electron-counting rules; however, calculations revealed Mn-Mn Mayer bond orders of 0.21 and 0.27 for the ferromagnetically-coupled and antiferromagnetically-coupled extremes, respectively. In accordance with experimentally determined Heisenberg exchange coupling constants of -15 ± 0.1 cm-1 (SQUID) and -10.2 ± 0.7 cm-1 (EPR), the calculated J0 value of -10.9 cm-1 confirmed that the ground state involves antiferromagnetic coupling between high spin Mn(ii)-d5 centres. The effect of steric bulk on the bond order was examined via a model study with the least sterically-demanding version of the β-diketiminate ligand and was found to be negligible. Mixing between metal- and β-diketiminate-based orbitals was found to be responsible for the absence of a metal-metal multiple bond. The bridging hydrides give rise to a relatively close positioning of the metal centres, while bridging atoms possessing 2p orbitals result in longer Mn-Mn distances and more stable dimers. The synthesis and characterization of the bridging hydroxide variant, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-OH)]2, provides experimental support for these assessments.

Scope and mechanism of nitrile dihydroboration mediated by a β-diketiminate manganese hydride catalyst.

The manganese hydride dimer, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2, was found to mediate nitrile dihydroboration, rendering it the first manganese catalyst for this transformation. Stoichiometric experiments revealed that benzonitrile insertion affords [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-NCHC6H5)]2 en route to N,N-diborylamine formation. Density functional theory calculations reveal the precise mechanism and demonstrate that catalysis is promoted by monomeric species.

Manganese hydrides and superhydrides at high pressure

Manganese hydrides and superhydrides have been studied from ambient up to high pressures by the ab initio random structure searching algorithm. At ambient pressure conditions and room temperature, the subhydride ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{2}\mathrm{H}$ (space group $P\overline{3}m1$) is the only compound found stable among those studied, since $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$-MnH (hcp structure, space group $P{6}_{3}/mmc$), although stable at 0 K, is destabilized by thermal effects. With increasing pressure, MnH is stabilized, and then hydrogen-rich hydrides appear: first ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{2}$ around 30 GPa, then ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{7}$ around 40 GPa, and finally ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{3}$ around 90 GPa. ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{8}$ is likely to become stable around 150 GPa. The body-centered tetragonal structure of ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{2}$ (space group $I4/mmm$) is identical to that of ${\mathrm{FeH}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{CoH}}_{2}$. ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{3}$ has an original body-centered tetragonal structure, with space group $I4/m$ and 4 formula units per primitive cell. It contains a structural unit ${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$ with rather short H-H distances. ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{7}$ is extremely stable at high pressure. ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{7}$ and ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{8}$ exhibit a mixed structure, with one hydrogen being under the molecular form (1/2 ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$) and the other ones under an atomic (hydrided) form. Atomic charges computed by the Bader method confirm the electron transfer from Mn to H, with Mn oxidation increasing from MnH to ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{3}$, and then saturating beyond. At high pressure, nuclear quantum effects tend to stabilize ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{4}$ and increase the stability of ${\mathrm{MnH}}_{8}$.

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Ketones and Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols.

Catalytic cross-coupling of ketones and secondary alcohols with primary alcohols is reported. An abundant manganese-based pincer catalyst catalyzes the reactions. Low loading of catalyst (2 mol %) and catalytic use of a mild base (5–10 mol %) are sufficient for efficient cross-coupling. Various aryl and heteroaryl ketones are catalytically cross-coupled with primary alcohols to provide the selective α-alkylated products. Challenging α-ethylation of ketones is also attained using ethanol as an alkylating reagent. Further, direct use of secondary alcohols in the reaction results in in situ oxidation to provide the ketone intermediates, which undergo selective α-alkylation. The reaction proceeds via the borrowing hydrogen pathway. The catalyst oxidizes the primary alcohols to aldehydes, which undergo subsequent aldol condensation with ketones, promoted by catalytic amount of Cs2CO3, to provide the α,β-unsaturated ketone intermediates. The hydrogen liberated from oxidation of alcohols is used for hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketone intermediates. Notably either water or water and dihydrogen are the only byproducts in these environmentally benign catalytic processes. Mechanistic studies allowed inferring all of the intermediates involved. Dearomatization–aromatization metal–ligand cooperation in the catalyst facilitates the facile O–H bond activation of both primary and secondary alcohols, and the resultant manganese alkoxide complexes produce corresponding carbonyl compounds, perhaps via β-hydride elimination. The manganese(I) hydride intermediate plays dual role as it hydrogenates α,β-unsaturated ketones and liberates molecular hydrogen to regenerate the catalytically active dearomatized intermediate. Metal–ligand cooperation allows all of the manganese intermediates to exist in same oxidation state (+1) and plays an important role in these catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

Manganese(III) Porphyrin-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of Alcohols to form Imines, Tertiary Amines and Quinolines.

Manganese(III) porphyrin chloride complexes have been developed for the first time as catalysts for the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and amines. The reaction has been applied to the direct synthesis of imines, tertiary amines and quinolines where only hydrogen gas and/or water are formed as the by-product(s). The mechanism is believed to involve the formation of a manganese(III) alkoxide complex which degrades into the aldehyde and a manganese(III) hydride species. The latter reacts with the alcohol to form hydrogen gas and thereby regenerates the alkoxide complex.

A manganese hydride molecular sieve for practical hydrogen storage under ambient conditions

An amorphous manganese hydride molecular sieve that reversibly absorbs 10.5 wt% and 197 kgH2m−3hydrogen at room temperature using the Kubas interaction.

Manganese-Catalyzed and Base-Switchable Synthesis of Amines or Imines via Borrowing Hydrogen or Dehydrogenative Condensation

The use of earth-abundant transition metals as a noble metal replacement in catalysis is especially interesting if different catalytic reactivity is observed. We report, here, on the selective manganese-catalyzed base-switchable synthesis of N-alkylated amines or imines. In both reactions, borrowing hydrogen/hydrogen autotransfer (N-alkyl amine formation) or dehydrogenative condensation (imine formation), we start from the same amines and alcohols and use the same Mn precatalyst. The key is the presence of a potassium base to prefer N-alkylation and a sodium base to permit imine formation. Both bases react with the manganese hydride via deprotonation. The potassium manganate hydride reacts about 40 times faster with an imine to give the corresponding amine than the sodium manganate hydride. The selectivity seems unique for manganese complexes. We observe a broad scope with a complete product overlap, all amine alcohol combinations can be converted into an N-alkyl amine or an imine, and a good functional g...

One-Pot Sequential Kinetic Profiling of a Highly Reactive Manganese Catalyst for Ketone Hydroboration: Leveraging σ-Bond Metathesis via Alkoxide Exchange Steps.

A comprehensive experimental and computational mechanistic study of the highly enantioselective hydroboration of ketones catalyzed by a manganese(II) alkyl boxmi pincer complex is reported. The catalyst operates at low catalyst loadings (down to 0.01 mol %) under very mild conditions (typically -40 °C) and facilitates the reduction of both aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones with excellent selectivity (up to >95%ee). Catalyst activation pathways were investigated, demonstrating that a manganese(II) hydride and a manganese(II) alkoxide species are part of the catalytic cycle and can be generated via σ-bond metathesis of the alkyl precursor with the borane or by alcoholysis. Extensive kinetic experiments based on a "one-pot sequential kinetic profiling" approach under various conditions in combination with kinetic simulations reveal that two catalytic cycles are effective with this earth-abundant base metal catalyst: (i) a minor MnH/borane-mediated insertion cycle, in which the subsequent, product-releasing metathesis step is rate determining ( k m = 0.076 s-1), giving a background reaction, which is zeroth order in substrate concentrations, and (ii) a major MnOR/borane-based alkoxide exchange process, leveraging the high-barrier metathesis via the affiliation to an insertion step. The latter features non-integer reaction orders in both reagents due to a combination of an adduct formation step ( k a = 2.12 M-1 s-1, k -a = 0.49 s-1) and a substrate insertion step of comparable rates ( k ai = 3.74 M-1 s-1). The kinetic findings are underpinned by high-level density functional theory calculations of the mechanism, control experiments, and kinetic isotope effect/Hammett/Eyring analysis in different concentration regimes. The study highlights the role of a rigorous mechanistic understanding of homogeneous catalytic processes in 3d metals for rational catalyst discovery and optimization.

Highly Chemo- and Stereoselective Transfer Semihydrogenation of Alkynes Catalyzed by a Stable, Well-Defined Manganese(II) Complex

Herein we report unprecedented manganese-catalyzed semihydrogenation of internal alkynes to (Z)-alkenes using ammonia borane as a hydrogen donor. The reaction is catalyzed by a pincer complex of the earth-abundant manganese(II) salt in the absence of any additives, base, or superhydride. The ammonia borane smoothly reduces the manganese precatalyst [Mn(II)–PNP][Cl]2 to the catalytically active species [Mn(I)–PNP]–hydride in the triplet spin state. This manganese hydride is highly stabilized by complexation with the alkyne substrate. Computational density functional theory (DFT) analysis studies of the reaction mechanism rationalize the origin of stereoselectivity toward formation of (Z)-alkenes.

A β-diketiminate manganese catalyst for alkene hydrosilylation: substrate scope, silicone preparation, and mechanistic insight.

The dimeric β-diketiminate manganese hydride compound, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2, was prepared by treating [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-Cl)]2 with NaEt3BH. This compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and found to feature high-spin Mn centres that exhibit strong magnetic coupling by EPR spectroscopy. Once characterized, [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 was found to mediate the hydrosilylation of a broad scope of alkenes at elevated temperature. Aliphatic alkenes were found to undergo anti-Markovnikov hydrosilylation, while the hydrosilylation of styrenes using [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 afforded Markovnikov's product. Importantly, this catalyst has also been employed for the cross-linking of industrially-relevant silicones derived from vinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) and 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane with catalyst loadings as low as 0.05 mol%. To gain a mechanistic understanding of [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2-catalyzed olefin hydrosilylation, 4-tert-butylstyrene was added to [(2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(μ-H)]2 and conversion to the monomeric Mn alkyl complex, (2,6-iPr2PhBDI)Mn(CH(CH3)(4- t BuPh)), was observed. Isolation of this secondary alkyl intermediate confirms that olefin insertion into the Mn-H bond dictates the observed regioselectivities. The importance of our mechanistic findings as they relate to recent advances in Mn hydrosilylation catalysis is described herein.