Metal-centered Oxidation Research Articles

Imidazolate-Stabilized Cu(III): Dioxygen to Oxides at Type 3 Copper Sites.

Imidazole ligation of metals through histidine is extensive among metalloproteins and enzymes, yet the role of the imidazolate conjugate base is often neglected, despite its potential accessibility when bonded to a highly oxidized metal center. Using synthetic models of oxygenated tyrosinase enzymes with exclusive monodentate imidazole ligation, we find that deprotonation of the μ2-η2:η2-peroxidodicopper(II) species triggers redox isomerization to an imidazolate-ligated bis(μ2-oxido)dicopper(III) species. Formal two-electron oxidation to Cu(III) remains unprecedented in biological systems, yet is effected readily by addition of base in these model systems. Spectrophotometric titrations by UV/visible/near-IR and copper K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopies are interpreted most simply as two cooperative, 2H+ transformations in which the peroxide O-O is cleaved in the first step. Elaboration from simple imidazoles to a protected histidine extends this isomerization into an amino acid environment. The role of phenolate as a base suggests this four-electron reduction of O2 is energetically viable in a biological context and requires only two copper centers, which act as two-electron shuttles when imidazole deprotonation assists. This existential precedent of viable imidazolate intermediates invites speculation into an alternative mechanism for phenol hydroxylation not previously considered at Type 3 copper sites such a tyrosinases.

Imidazolate‐Stabilized Cu(III): Dioxygen to Oxides at Type 3 Copper Sites

Imidazole ligation of metals through histidine is extensive among metalloproteins and enzymes, yet the role of the imidazolate conjugate base is often neglected, despite its potential accessibility when bonded to a highly oxidized metal center. Using synthetic models of oxygenated tyrosinase enzymes with exclusive monodentate imidazole ligation, we find that deprotonation of the μ2‐η2:η2‐peroxidodicopper(II) species triggers redox isomerization to an imidazolate‐ligated bis(μ2‐oxido)dicopper(III) species. Formal two‐electron oxidation to Cu(III) remains unprecedented in biological systems, yet is effected readily by addition of base in these model systems. Spectrophotometric titrations by UV/visible/near‐IR and copper K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopies are interpreted most simply as two cooperative, 2H+ transformations in which the peroxide O‐O is cleaved in the first step. Elaboration from simple imidazoles to a protected histidine extends this isomerization into an amino acid environment. The role of phenolate as a base suggests this four‐electron reduction of O2 is energetically viable in a biological context and requires only two copper centers, which act as two‐electron shuttles when imidazole deprotonation assists. This existential precedent of viable imidazolate intermediates invites speculation into an alternative mechanism for phenol hydroxylation not previously considered at Type 3 copper sites such a tyrosinases.

Bridge vs Terminal Cyano-coordination in Binuclear Cobalt Porphyrin Dimers: Interplay of Electrons between Metal and Ligand and Spin-Coupling via Bridge.

Three cyano-coordinated cobalt porphyrin dimers were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The X-ray structure of the complexes reveals that cyanide binds in a terminal fashion in both the anti and trans isomers of ethane- and ethylene-bridged cobalt porphyrin dimers, while in the cis ethylene-bridged dimer, cyanides bind in both terminal and bridging modes. The nonconjugated ethane-bridged complex stabilizes exclusively a diamagnetic metal-centered oxidation of type CoIII(por)(CN)2 both in the solid and in solution. In contrast, the complexes with the conjugated ethylene-bridge contain signatures of both paramagnetic ligand-centered oxidation of the type CoII(por•+)(CN)2 and diamagnetic metal-centered oxidation of type CoIII(por)(CN)2 with the metal-centered oxidized species being the major component in the solid state as observed in XPS, while the ligand-centered oxidized species are present in a significant amount in solution. 1H NMR spectrum in solution displays two set of signals corresponding to the simultaneous presence of both the diamagnetic and paramagnetic species. EPR and magnetic investigation reveal that there is a moderate ferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the low-spin CoII center and the porphyrin π-cation radical in CoII(por•+)(CN)2 species as well as an antiferromagnetic coupling between the two CoII(por•+) units through the ethylene and CN bridges.

Assessing the Character of the C6F5 Ligand from the Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties of [Ni(C6F5)2(N∧N)] Complexes.

Organonickel complexes containing α-diimine ligands [Ni(C6F5)2(N∧N)] (N∧N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmphen), dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz), 1,4-bis(isopropyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene (iPr-DAB), and 1,4-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene (Xyl-DAB) were prepared and studied structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically. Their molecular structures from single-crystal X-ray diffraction show near-perfect square planar Ni(II) coordination except in the case of dmphen. Primary reversible electrochemical reductions in the range from -1 to -2 V vs ferrocene/ferrocenium couple lead to mainly diimine-localized radical anion complexes, while secondary reductions in the range from -2 to -2.5 V lead to dianion complexes, as shown through spectroelectrochemistry. Irreversible metal-centered oxidations at around 0.7 V result in rapid aryl-aryl reductive elimination and formation of decafluorobiphenyl. No photoluminescence was detected for the complexes containing chromophoric α-diimine ligands at room temperature. At 77 K in frozen glassy 2-Me-THF matrices, weak photoluminescence was detected for the dmphen and tmphen derivatives, with broad emission bands peaking around 570 nm. All results are rationalized with the support of (TD-)DFT calculations, highlighting the role of the C6F5 ligand in different systems.

Ru(II)-Ru(II) and Ru(II)-Os(II) Homo-/Heterodinuclear Complexes and Ru3(II)-Ru(II) Homotetranuclear Complexes Based on Heteroditopic Bridging Ligands: Synthesis, Photophysics, and Effective Energy Transfer.

In this paper, the synthesis, photophysics, electrochemistry, and intramolecular energy transfer of two series of dinuclear and tetranuclear metallic complexes [(bpy)2M1LxM2(bpy)2]4+ (x = 1, 2; M1 = Ru, M2 = Ru/Os; M1 = Os, M2 = Ru) and {[Ru(bpy)2(Lx)]3Ru}8+ based on new heteroditopic bridging ligands (L1 = 6-phenyl-4-Hpip-2-2'-bipyridine, L2 = 6-Hpip-2-2'-bipyridine, Hpip = 2-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) are reported. The dimetallic and tetrametallic complexes exhibit rich redox properties with successive reversible metal-centered oxidation and ligand-centered reduction couples. All complexes display intense absorption in the entire ultraviolet-visible spectral regions. The mononuclear [LxRu(bpy)2]2+ and homodinuclear [(bpy)2RuLxRu(bpy)2]4+ complexes display strong Ru-based characteristic emission at room temperature. Interestingly, the optical studies of heterodinuclear complexes reveal almost complete quenching of the RuII-based emission and efficient photoinduced energy transfer, resulting in an OsII-based emission in the near-infrared region. As a result of the intramolecular energy transfer from the center to the periphery and steric hindrance quenching of the peripheral RuII-centered emissive triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer states, the tetranuclear complexes exhibit weak RuII-based emission with a short lifetime. Since the light absorbed by several chromophores is efficiently directed to the subunit with the lowest-energy excited state, the present multinuclear complexes can be used as well-visible-light-absorption antennas.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bipyridyl-(Imidazole)n Mn(II) Compounds and Their Evaluation as Potential Precatalysts for Water Oxidation.

Metalloenzymes make extensive use of manganese centers for oxidative catalysis, including water oxidation; the need to develop improved synthetic catalysts for these processes has long motivated the development of bioinspired manganese complexes. Herein, we report a series of bpy-(imidazole)n (n = 1 or 2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl) ligands and their Mn2+ complexes. Four Mn2+ complexes are structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing different tridentate and tetradentate ligand coordination modes. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes is consistent with ligand-centered reductions and metal-centered oxidations, and UV-vis spectroscopy complemented by TD-DFT calculations shows primarily ligand-centered transitions with minor contributions from charge-transfer type transitions at higher energies. In solution, ESI-MS studies provide evidence for ligand reorganization, suggesting complex speciation behavior. The oxidation of the complexes in the presence of water is probed using cyclic voltammetry, but the low stability of the complexes in aqueous solution leads to decomposition and precludes their ultimate application as aqueous electrocatalysts. Possible reasons for the low stability and suggestions for improvement are discussed.

Electronic effects of redox-active ligands on ruthenium-catalyzed water oxidation

The process of water oxidation presents a significant challenge in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems. This complexity arises from the necessity of charge accumulation, involving four electrons and four protons, and O–O bond formation. The strategy of using redox-active ligands in conjunction with metals is recognized as an effective approach for managing this charge accumulation process, attracting considerable attention. However, the detailed mechanisms by which the electronic effect of the redox-active ligands affect the reactivity of the catalytic centers remain ambiguous. In this study, the electronic effect of a series of mononuclear Ru complexes furnished with redox-active ligands ([(LRN5–)RuIII-OH]+, R = OMe, 3a; Me, 3b; H, 3c; F, 3d; CF3, 3e) was examined on water oxidation. A correlation was observed between redox potentials and substituent constants (σpara), indicating that different successive redox pairs are influenced by electron effects of varying intensities. Particularly, the ligand-centered oxidation (E {[(LN5–)+•RuIV=O]2+/[(LN5–)RuIV=O]+}) shows a greater dependence than the metal-centered PCET oxidations, E(RuIII-OH/RuII-OH2) and E(RuIV=O/RuIII-OH). The critical intermediate, [(LN5–)+•RuIV=O]2+, formed through ligand-centered oxidation, triggers O–O bond formation via its reaction with water. The rate constants of this crucial step can be effectively modulated by the substituents of the ligand. This study provides intricate insights into the role of the redox-active ligand in regulating the water oxidation process and further substantiates the effectiveness of the synergistic interaction of redox ligands and metals in controlling the multi-electron catalytic process.

Homoleptic Fe(III) and Fe(IV) Complexes of a Dianionic C3-Symmetric Scorpionate.

High-valent iron species have been implicated as key intermediates in catalytic oxidation reactions, both in biological and synthetic systems. Many heteroleptic Fe(IV) complexes have now been prepared and characterized, especially using strongly π-donating oxo, imido, or nitrido ligands. On the other hand, homoleptic examples are scarce. Herein, we investigate the redox chemistry of iron complexes of the dianonic tris-skatylmethylphosphonium (TSMP2-) scorpionate ligand. One-electron oxidation of the tetrahedral, bis-ligated [(TSMP)2FeII]2- leads to the octahedral [(TSMP)2FeIII]-. The latter undergoes thermal spin-cross-over both in the solid state and solution, which we characterize using superconducting quantum inference device (SQUID), Evans method, and paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, [(TSMP)2FeIII]- can be reversibly oxidized to the stable high-valent [(TSMP)2FeIV]0 complex. We use a variety of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational techniques as well as SQUID magnetometry to establish a triplet (S = 1) ground state with a metal-centered oxidation and little spin delocalization on the ligand. The complex also has a fairly isotropic g-tensor (giso = 1.97) combined with a positive zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D (+19.1 cm-1) and very low rhombicity, in agreement with quantum chemical calculations. This thorough spectroscopic characterization contributes to a general understanding of octahedral Fe(IV) complexes.

Synthesis, Structural Elucidation and Pharmacological Applications of Cu(II) Heteroleptic Carboxylates.

Six heteroleptic Cu(II) carboxylates (1-6) were prepared by reacting 2-chlorophenyl acetic acid (L1), 3-chlorophenyl acetic acid (L2), and substituted pyridine (2-cyanopyridine and 2-chlorocyanopyridine). The solid-state behavior of the complexes was described via vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR), which revealed that the carboxylate moieties adopted different coordination modes around the Cu(II) center. A paddlewheel dinuclear structure with distorted square pyramidal geometry was elucidated from the crystal data for complexes 2 and 5 with substituted pyridine moieties at the axial positions. The presence of irreversible metal-centered oxidation reduction peaks confirms the electroactive nature of the complexes. A relatively higher binding affinity was observed for the interaction of SS-DNA with complexes 2-6 compared to L1 and L2. The findings of the DNA interaction study indicate an intercalative mode of interaction. The maximum inhibition against acetylcholinesterase enzyme was caused for complex 2 (IC50 = 2 µg/mL) compared to the standard drug Glutamine (IC50 = 2.10 µg/mL) while the maximum inhibition was found for butyrylcholinesterase enzyme by complex 4 (IC50 = 3 µg/mL) compared to the standard drug Glutamine (IC50 = 3.40 µg/mL). The findings of the enzymatic activity suggest that the under study compounds have potential for curing of Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, complexes 2 and 4 possess the maximum inhibition as revealed from the free radical scavenging activity performed against DPPH and H2O2.

Impact of Bidentate Pyridyl-Mesoionic Carbene Ligands: Structural, (Spectro)Electrochemical, Photophysical, and Theoretical Investigations on Ruthenium(II) Complexes.

We present here new synthetic strategies for the isolation of a series of Ru(II) complexes with pyridyl-mesoionic carbene ligands (MIC) of the 1,2,3-triazole-5-ylidene type, in which the bpy ligands (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) of the archetypical [Ru(bpy)3]2+ have been successively replaced by one, two, or three pyridyl-MIC ligands. Three new complexes have been isolated and investigated via NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The incorporation of one MIC unit shifts the potential of the metal-centered oxidation about 160 mV to more cathodic potential in cyclic voltammetry, demonstrating the extraordinary σ-donor ability of the pyridyl-MIC ligand, while the π-acceptor capacities are dominated by the bpy ligand, as indicated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroelectrochemistry (EPR-SEC). The replacement of all bpy ligands by the pyridyl-MIC ligand results in an anoidic shift of the ligand-centered reduction by 390 mV compared to the well-established [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complex. In addition, UV/vis/NIR-SEC in combination with theoretical calculations provided detailed insights into the electronic structures of the respective redox states, taking into account the total number of pyridyl-MIC ligands incorporated in the Ru(II) complexes. The luminescence quantum yield and lifetimes were determined by time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy. An estimation of the excited state redox potentials conclusively showed that the pyridyl-MIC ligand can tune the photoredox activity of the isolated complexes to stronger photoreductants. These observations can provide new strategies for the design of photocatalysts and photosensitizers based on MICs.

C–H Metalation of Terpyridine Stereoisomers with Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II)

Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II) complexes [M(Y-terpy)X] (X = Cl or Br) containing the tridentate N^C^N-cyclometalating 2,3′:5′,2″and 2,2′:4′,2″ stereoisomers of the well-known tridentate N^N^N ligand 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy) were synthesised in moderate to good yields through C–H activation. For the Pt complexes, the phenyl ethynide derivatives [Pt(Y-terpy)(C≡CPh)] were also obtained under Sonogashira conditions. In contrast to this, C^N^N cyclometalated complexes using the 2,2′:6′,3″- and 2,2′:6′4″-terpy isomers were not obtained. Comparison of the N^C^N complexes of the cyclometalated 2,3′:5′,2″- and 2,2′:4′,2″-terpy ligands with complexes [M(dpb)Cl] of the prototypical N^C^N cyclometalating ligand dpb− (Hdpb = 2,6-diphenyl-pyridine) showed higher potentials for the terpy complexes for the ligand-centred reductions in line with the superior π-accepting properties of the terpy ligands compared with dpb. Metal-centred oxidations were facilitated by the dpb ligand carrying a central σ-donating phenyl group instead of a metalated pyridine moiety. The same trends were found for the long-wavelength absorptions and the derived electrochemical and optical band gaps. The lower σ-donating capacities of the cyclometalated terpy derivatives is also confirmed by a reduced trans influence in the structure of [Ni(2,3′:5′,2″-terpy)Br0.14/OAc0.86]. Attempts to re-crystallise some poorly soluble Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of this series under solvothermal conditions (HOAc) gave two structures with N-protonated cyclometalated pyridine moieties, [Pt(2,3′:5′,2″-terpyH)Cl].Cl and [Pd(2,3′:5′,2″-terpyH)Cl2].

Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of Copper(III) Complexes and Subsequent One-Electron Oxidation Reaction and Reactivity Studies.

The formation of Cu(III) species are often invoked as the key intermediate in Cu-catalyzed organic transformation reactions. In this study, we synthesized Cu(II) (1) and Cu(III) (3) complexes supported by a bisamidate-bisalkoxide ligand consisting of an ortho-phenylenediamine (o-PDA) scaffold and characterized them through an array of spectroscopic techniques, including UV-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Cu-N/O bond distances in 3 are ∼0.1 Å reduced compared to 1, implying a significant increase in 3's overall effective nuclear charge. Further, a Cu(III) complex (4) of a bisamidate-bisalkoxide ligand containing a trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine moiety exhibits nearly identical Cu-N/O bond distances to that of 3, inferring that the redox-active o-PDA backbone is not oxidized upon one-electron oxidation of the Cu(II) complex (1). In addition, a considerable difference in the 1s → 4p and 1s → 3d transition energy was observed in the X-ray absorption near-edge structure data of 3 vs 1, which is typical for the metal-centered oxidation process. Electrochemical measurements of the Cu(II) complex (1) in acetonitrile exhibited two consecutive redox couples at -0.9 and 0.4 V vs the Fc+/Fc reference electrode. One-electron oxidation reaction of 3 further resulted in the formation of a ligand-oxidized Cu complex (3a), which was characterized in depth. Reactivity studies of species 3 and 3a were explored toward the activation of the C-H/O-H bonds. A bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) value of ∼69 kcal/mol was estimated for the O-H bond of the Cu(II) complex formed upon transfer of hydrogen atom to 3. The study represents a thorough spectroscopic characterization of high-valent Cu complexes and sheds light on the PCET reactivity studies of Cu(III) complexes.

Reactivity of Ir(I)-aminophosphane platforms towards oxidants.

The iridium(I)-aminophosphane complex [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] has been prepared by reaction of [IrCl(cod)(SiNP)] with KCH3COO. DFT calculations show that this reaction takes place through an unexpected outer sphere mechanism (SiNP = SiMe2{N(4-C6H4Me)PPh2}2; SiNP-H = CH2SiMe{N(4-C6H4Me)PPh2}2). The reaction of [IrCl(cod)(SiNP)] or [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] with diverse oxidants has been explored, yielding a range of iridium(III) derivatives. On one hand, [IrCl(cod)(SiNP)] reacts with allyl chloride rendering the octahedral iridium(III) derivative [IrCl2(η3-C3H5)(SiNP)], which, in turn, reacts with tert-butyl isocyanide yielding the substitution product [IrCl(η3-C3H5)(CNtBu)(SiNP)]Cl via the observed intermediate [IrCl2(η1-C3H5)(CNtBu)(SiNP)]. On the other hand, the reaction of [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] with [FeCp2]X (X = PF6, CF3SO3), I2 or CF3SO3CH3 results in the metal-centered two-electron oxidation rendering a varied assortment of iridium(III) compounds. [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] reacts with [FeCp2]+ (1 : 2) in acetonitrile affording [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(CH3CN)3]2+ isolated as both the triflato and the hexafluorophosphato derivatives. Also, the reaction of [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] with I2 (1 : 1) yields a mixture of iridium(III) derivatives, namely the mononuclear compound [IrI(κ2P,P'-SiNP)(η2,η3-C8H11)]I, containing the η2,η3-cycloocta-2,6-dien-1-yl ligand, and two isomers of the dinuclear derivative [Ir2{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}2(μ-I)3]I, the first species being isolated in low yield. DFT calculations indicate that [IrI(κ2P,P'-SiNP)(η2,η3-C8H11)]I forms as the result of a bielectronic oxidation of iridium(I) followed by the deprotonation of the cod ligand by iodide and the protonation of the methylene moiety of the [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}] platform by the newly formed HI. Finally, the oxidation of [Ir{κ3C,P,P'-(SiNP-H)}(cod)] by methyl triflate proceeds via a hydride abstraction from the cod ligand, with the elimination of methane and the formation of the η2,η3-cycloocta-2,6-dien-1-yl ligand with the concomitant two-electron oxidation of the iridium centre. The crystal structures of selected compounds have been determined.

Ambipolar, multichromic metallopolymers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

In this study, two novel bipyridine-based Ru(II) complexes (E1-Ru and E2-Ru) which contain different number of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) groups were synthesized and subjected to electrochemical polymerization both in absence and presence comonomer (EDOT). The resultant metallopolymers were examined in terms of their electrochemical and electrochromic properties. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry studies revealed the ambipolar and multichromic nature of all the polymers where the reversible redox activity in the cathodic region was found to be mainly due to ligand centered reduction of the complex (Ru2+/1+ and Ru1+/0) and metal centered oxidation (Ru2+/3+) was found to be available along with redox activity of the conjugated backbone of the polymers in the anodic region. Contrary to pristine PEDOT all polymers displayed vibrantly multichromic behavior thanks to superimposed but independently functioning electrochromic/redox nature of the conjugated polymer backbone and the Ru complex. In general, increasing the number of polymerizable units in the monomer structure increased the quality of the films and brought color diversity to these metallopolymers. Copolymerization, on the other hand, not only contributed positively to the band gap and switching time but also widened the color pallet of these polymers which became even more remarkable upon changing the comonomer feed ratio.

Surface pourbaix plots of M@N4-graphene single-atom electrocatalysts from density functional theory thermodynamic modeling

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are rapidly developing in various application areas, including electrocatalysis of different reactions, usually taking place under harsh pH/electrode potential conditions. Thus, a full atomic-level understanding of the nature of the active sites under realistic electrochemical conditions is needed, having in mind that the state of SACs active centers could be altered by the adsorption of spectating species. In this contribution, Density Functional Theory is employed to conduct thermodynamic analysis of SACs with metal atoms (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, or Au) embedded into N4 moiety in graphene. Various surface electrochemical processes on such SACs are considered, their Pourbaix plots are constructed, and their activity, selectivity, and stability under operating conditions are discussed. It is demonstrated how adsorption of H, O and OH can cause blockage and restructuring of the active sites and alter the electronic structure. Furthermore, when one deals with metals with lower d-band filling, it is shown that metal center oxidation is preferred over the oxidation of carbon lattice. The effect of the state of the metal center on the reactivity of the carbon lattice is discussed in the case of Fe@N4-graphene. Finally, a possible strategy for confirming the changes in the architecture of the SACs’ active site by analyzing their vibration spectra is suggested.

Metallophilicity versus π-π Interactions: Argentophilicity in Porphyrin Dimer

The interaction between two unsupported Ag(III)porphyrins, which exist as a metalloporphyrin dimer has been studied. The UV-visible spectrum shows only slight change in Soret band position indicative of Ag(III) formation. Optimized structure of the complexes has clearly revealed that only metal-centered oxidation results in short Ag-N (porphyrin) distance with large distortion in the porphyrin macrocycle. The dispersion effect brings two rings more closer to form an unprecedented Ag(III)···Ag(III) interaction and cancel out the π-π repulsion. The interaction energy was found to be 55.34 Kcal/mol and was further supported by electron localization function, AIM analysis. The Ag(III) dimer also gives pink emission at low temperature. This type of interaction can be exploited to design several light responsive materials and molecular semiconductors.

Ligand Radical Mediated Water Oxidation by a Family of Copper o-Phenylene Bis-oxamidate Complexes.

Understanding the reactivity landscape for the activation of water until the formation of the O-O bond and O2 release in molecular chemistry is a decisive step in guiding the elaboration of cost-effective catalysts for the oxygen-evolving reaction (OER). Copper(II) complexes have recently caught the attention of chemists as catalysts for the 4e-/4H+ water oxidation process. While a copper(IV) intermediate has been proposed as the reactive intermediate species, no spectroscopic signature has been reported so far. Copper(III) ligand radical species have also been formulated and supported by theoretical studies. We found, herein, that the reactivity sequence for the water oxidation with a family of Copper(II) o-phenylene bis-oxamidate complexes is a function of the substitution pattern on the periphery of the aromatic ring. In-situ EPR, FTIR, and rR spectroelectrochemical studies helped to sequence the elementary electrochemical and chemical events leading toward the O2 formation selectively at the copper center. EPR and FTIR spectroelectrochemistry suggests that ligand-centered oxidations are preferred over metal-centered oxidations. rR spectroelectrochemical study revealed the accumulation of a bis-imine bound copper(II) superoxide species, as the reactive intermediate, under catalytic turnover, which provides the evidence for the O-O bond formation during OER.

Ligand Tailoring Toward an Air-Stable Iron(V) Nitrido Complex.

A new supporting ligand, tris-[2-(3-mesityl-imidazol-2-ylidene)methyl]amine (TIMMNMes), was developed and utilized to isolate an air-stable iron(V) complex bearing a terminal nitrido ligand, which was synthesized by one-electron oxidation from the iron(IV) precursor. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of both complexes reveal that the metal-centered oxidation is escorted by iron nitride (Fe≡N) bond elongation, which in turn is accompanied by the accommodation of the high-valence iron center closer to the equatorial plane of a trigonal bipyramid. This contrasts with the previous observation of the only other literature-known Fe(IV)≡N/Fe(V)≡N redox pair, namely, [PhB(tBuIm)3FeN]0/+. On the basis of 57Fe Mössbauer, EPR, and UV/vis electronic absorption spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations, we identified the lesser degree of pyramidalization around the iron atom, the Jahn-Teller distortion, and the resulting nature of the SOMO to be the decisive factors at play.

Electrochemistry of fullerene/transition metal complexes: Three decades of progress

This review is focused on the electrochemical properties of fullerene complexes of transition metals. In the first part of the review, the coordination properties of fullerenes are briefly overviewed. Metal complexes (polypyridyl complexes of transition metals, metallocenes, metalloporphyrins) that are covalently attached to the fullerene cage through the linkers are also briefly described. The η2-C60 complexes of transition metals exhibit electrochemical activity related to the fullerene cage reduction and metal center oxidation. Upon reduction and oxidation, η2-C60 complexes of transition metals are usually unstable and the metal-fullerene bond is cleaved. More stable electrochemical behavior was reported for η2-C60 complexes of transition metal clusters. Fullerene moieties bonded into dimers through metal clusters can communicate electronically between themselves. The η2-C60 coordination is also responsible for the formation of electrochemically active fullerene coordination polymers. These macromolecular systems show electrochemical activity at negative potentials and a n-doped properties. The metal-fullerene bond in polymers is much more stable under electroreduction conditions in comparison to the η2-C60 complexes. The η5-C60 complexes with a half-sandwich or sandwich structure also exhibit electrochemical activity in negative potential range related to the ferrocene cage reduction and in positive potentials due to the metal center oxidation. In contrast to η2-fullerene complexes, the η5-fullerene complexes of transition metals are much more robust under electrochemical conditions. The electrochemical properties of transition metal complexes in which the metal center is coordinated to the chelating ligand covalently linked to the fullerene moiety are important for understanding the photochemical performance of these systems. The electrochemical behavior of these complexes are usually combination of electrochemical properties of formed dyads and triads. The electronic communication between redox sites in the ground state depends on the complex geometry, distance between electrochemically active centers, and the nature of the linker.

Platinum and palladium complexes of tridentate −C^N^N (phen-ide)-pyridine-thiazol ligands – A case study involving spectroelectrochemistry, photoluminescence spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations

Four Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [M(C^N^N)Cl] (HC^N^N = 2-(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)thiazoles) were synthesised, analysed and characterised using 1H NMR and MS in solution, as well as single crystal XRD in the solid. Cyclic voltammetry of the square planar complexes showed reversible or partially reversible reductions and irreversible oxidations. DFT calculations allowed assigning them to essentially metal-centred oxidations and ligand-centred reductions. Absorption spectra of the complexes show intense absorption bands into π-π* states in the UV to visible spectral range and long-wavelength bands which were assigned to transitions into mixed metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT)/π-π* states, based on TD-DFT calculations. Comparison of Pt and Pd derivatives showed that the energy of the (MLCT)/π-π* bands are increased for Pd over Pt. This was also observed for the phosphorescence at 77 K and is attributed to the higher oxidation potential for Pd and supported by spectroelectrochemical measurements. The photoluminescence quantum yield (ΦL) drops drastically from Pt to Pd at room temperature, where only the two Pt(II) complexes are luminescent showing a broad unstructured phosphorescence from a 3MLCT state. At 77 K, the phosphorescence is blue-shifted and shows a clear vibrational progression, which is related to an enhanced ligand-centred character due to the lack of solvent stabilisation in the frozen matrix that otherwise increases the MLCT contribution. The Pd(II) complexes are not emissive at 298 K, but luminesce at 77 K. This is due to metal-centred dissociative d-d* states that facilitate radiationless deactivation, which cannot be thermally populated at low temperatures. Thus, similar ΦL are observed in frozen glassy matrices for both metals. TD-DFT calculations provided insight into the excited states and showed that the substitution pattern does not affect the emission, due to the lack of participation of the phenyl unit in the orbitals that are relevant for the description of the emissive state.