Mononuclear Molybdenum Research Articles

Construction and Function of Thiolate-Bridged Diiron NxHy Nitrogenase Model Complexes.

ConspectusBiological nitrogen fixation mediated by nitrogenases has garnered significant research interest due to its critical importance to the development of efficient catalysts for mild ammonia synthesis. Although the active center of the most studied FeMo-nitrogenases has been determined to be a complicated [Fe7S9MoC] hetero-multinuclear metal-sulfur cluster known as the FeMo-cofactor, the exact binding site and reduction pathway of N2 remain a subject of debate. Over the past decades, the majority of studies have focused on mononuclear molybdenum or iron centers as potential reaction sites. In stark contrast, cooperative activation of N2 through bi- or multimetallic centers has been largely overlooked and underexplored, despite the renewed interest sparked by recent biochemical and computational studies. Consequently, constructing bioinspired bi- or multinuclear metallic model complexes presents an intriguing yet challenging prospect. In this Account, we detail our long-standing research on the design and synthesis of novel thiolate-bridged diiron complexes as nitrogenase models and their application to chemical simulations of potential biological N2 reduction pathways.Inspired by the structural and electronic features of the potential diiron active center in the belt region of the FeMo-cofactor, we have designed and synthesized a series of new thiolate-bridged diiron nitrogenase model complexes, wherein iron centers with +2 or +3 oxidation states are coordinated by Cp* as carbon-based donors and thiolate ligands as sulfur donors. Through the synergistic interaction between the two iron centers, unstable diazene (NH═NH) species can be trapped to generate the first example of a [Fe2S2]-type complex bearing a cis-μ-η1:η1-NH═NH subunit. Significantly, this species can not only catalyze the reductive N-N bond cleavage of hydrazine to ammonia but also trigger a stepwise reduction sequence NH═NH → [NH2-NH]- → [NH]2-(+NH3) → [NH2]- → NH3. Furthermore, an unprecedented thiolate-bridged diiron μ-nitride featuring a bent Fe-N-Fe moiety was successfully isolated and structurally characterized. Importantly, this diiron μ-nitride can undergo successive proton-coupled electron transfer processes to efficiently release ammonia in the presence of separate protons and electrons and can even be directly hydrogenated using H2 as a combination of protons and electrons for high-yield ammonia formation. Based on combined experimental and computational studies, we proposed two distinct reductive transformation sequences on the diiron centers, which involve a series of crucial NxHy intermediates. Moreover, we also achieved catalytic N2 reduction to silylamines with [Fe2S2]-type complexes by ligand modulation.Our bioinspired diiron cooperative scaffold may provide a suitable model for probing the potential N2 stepwise reduction pathways from the molecular level. Different from the traditional alternating and distal pathways dominated by mononuclear iron or molybdenum complexes, our proposed alternating transformation route based on the diiron centers may not involve the N2H4 intermediate, and the convergence point of the alternating and terminal pathways is imide, not amide. Our research strategy could inform the design and development of new types of bioinspired catalysts for mild and efficient nitrogen reduction in the future.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Molybdenum- and Tungsten-Indane Complexes with Tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ligand.

The reaction of molybdenum complexes with a tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand (Et4N[TpMo(CO)3] and Et4N[Tp*Mo(CO)3] (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate, Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate)) and InBr3 at a 1:1 molar ratio afforded molybdenum-indane complexes (Et4N[TpMo(CO)3(InBr3)] 1 and Et4N[Tp*Mo(CO)3(InBr3)] 2). In addition, tungsten-indane complexes, Et4N[TpW(CO)3(InBr3)] 3 and Et4N[Tp*W(CO)3(InBr3)] 4, were obtained by the reaction of corresponding tungsten complexes. Complex 4 reacted with H2O to form the hydrido complex Tp*W(CO)3H, in which the W-In bond was cleaved. On the other hand, 4 reacted with three equiv. of AgNO3 to form Et4N[Tp*W(CO)3{In(ONO2)}] 5, in which three substituents on the In were exchanged while retaining the W-In dative bond. Complexes 1-5 were fully characterized using NMR measurements and elemental analyses, and the structures of 1-5 and Et4N[Tp*W(CO)3] were determined via X-ray crystallography. These are the first examples of mononuclear molybdenum- and tungsten-indane complexes with Mo-In and W-In dative bonds.

Advancing Our Understanding of Pyranopterin-Dithiolene Contributions to Moco Enzyme Catalysis.

The pyranopterin dithiolene ligand is remarkable in terms of its geometric and electronic structure and is uniquely found in mononuclear molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. The pyranopterin dithiolene is found coordinated to the metal ion, deeply buried within the protein, and non-covalently attached to the protein via an extensive hydrogen bonding network that is enzyme-specific. However, the function of pyranopterin dithiolene in enzymatic catalysis has been difficult to determine. This focused account aims to provide an overview of what has been learned from the study of pyranopterin dithiolene model complexes of molybdenum and how these results relate to the enzyme systems. This work begins with a summary of what is known about the pyranopterin dithiolene ligand in the enzymes. We then introduce the development of inorganic small molecule complexes that model aspects of a coordinated pyranopterin dithiolene and discuss the results of detailed physical studies of the models by electronic absorption, resonance Raman, X-ray absorption and NMR spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography, and chemical reactivity.

Metal-Containing Formate Dehydrogenases, a Personal View.

Mo/W-containing formate dehydrogenases (FDH) catalyzes the reversible oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide at their molybdenum or tungsten active sites. The metal-containing FDHs are members of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase family of mononuclear molybdenum cofactor (Moco)- or tungsten cofactor (Wco)-containing enzymes. In these enzymes, the active site in the oxidized state comprises a Mo or W atom present in the bis-Moco, which is coordinated by the two dithiolene groups from the two MGD moieties, a protein-derived SeCys or Cys, and a sixth ligand that is now accepted as being a sulfido group. SeCys-containing enzymes have a generally higher turnover number than Cys-containing enzymes. The analogous chemical properties of W and Mo, the similar active sites of W- and Mo-containing enzymes, and the fact that W can replace Mo in some enzymes have led to the conclusion that Mo- and W-containing FDHs have the same reaction mechanism. Details of the catalytic mechanism of metal-containing formate dehydrogenases are still not completely understood and have been discussed here.

Spectroscopic Studies of Mononuclear Molybdenum Enzyme Centers.

A concise review is provided of the contributions that various spectroscopic methods have made to our understanding of the physical and electronic structures of mononuclear molybdenum enzymes. Contributions to our understanding of the structure and function of each of the major families of these enzymes is considered, providing a perspective on how spectroscopy has impacted the field.

Gating of Substrate Access and Long-Range Proton Transfer in Escherichia coli Nitrate Reductase A: The Essential Role of a Remote Glutamate Residue

The Mo/W-bisPGD enzyme superfamily comprises a vast number of mononuclear molybdenum and tungsten enzymes that catalyze a great diversity of vital reactions in prokaryotes. In the past decades, much attention has been devoted to the immediate surroundings of the metal atom highlighting the importance of the inner coordination sphere but has failed to identify molecular determinants of the reactivity. Here, we report the mechanistic importance of a set of conserved residues that line the substrate entry tunnel in Escherichia coli nitrate reductase A (Nar), a paradigmatic enzyme of the Mo/W-bisPGD superfamily. Using mutagenesis, enzyme kinetics, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics, we unveil the pivotal role of Glu-581 motion and a number of polar residues in its close proximity in substrate affinity and proton transfer to the Mo active site. Motion of the side chain of Glu-581 exhibiting a strong acid–base cooperativity with Asp-801 and surrounded by several polar interactions controls the hydration inside the protein core, proton transfer, and substrate selectivity toward the active site. Overall, we identify an additional determinant that fine-tunes the reactivity and selectivity in Nar and propose that a gating mechanism is at play in several other members of the superfamily.

Implication of oxidant activation on olefin epoxidation catalysed by Molybdenum catalysts with aroylhydrazonato ligands: Experimental and theoretical studies

• Dinuclear and mononuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes with aroylhydrazonato ligands were tested as catalysts for cyclooctene and oct-1-ene epoxidation. • TBHP in decane provided outstanding results in terms of cyclooctene epoxidation: TOF 2.5 min >9000 with 0.25 mol % [Mo] loading. • DFT calculations confirmed the relationship between the ligand nature and reactivity with TBHP and H 2 O 2 as oxidant agents. Dinuclear and mononuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes with aroylhydrazonato ligands were studied as catalysts for cyclooctene and oct-1-ene epoxidation. Different isomers of the OH and NH 2 functionalised aroylhydrazones led to four specific [MoO 2 L] units showing different catalytic activity. Three oxidants have been investigated: tert -butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) in water or in decane, and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Catalytic processes with TBHP in decane provided outstanding results in the case of cyclooctene epoxidation: TOF 2.5 min > 9000 with 0.25 mol % [Mo] loading. DFT calculations confirmed the relationship between the ligand nature and reactivity with TBHP and H 2 O 2 as oxidant agents. In the case of TBHP as oxidant, calculations considered the solvent in which the oxidant is delivered to the olefin. A plausible mechanism with H 2 O 2 has been proposed after considering various pathways.

Experimental and Ab Initio Characterization of Mononuclear Molybdenum Dithiocarbamates in Lubricant Mixtures.

Molybdenum dithiocarbamates (MoDTCs) are a class of lubricant additives widely employed in automotives. Most of the studies concerning MoDTC take into account the dimeric structures because of their industrial relevance, with the mononuclear compounds usually neglected, because isolating and characterizing subgroups of MoDTC molecules are generally difficult. However, the byproducts of the synthesis of MoDTC can impact the friction reduction performance at metallic interfaces, and the effect of mononuclear MoDTC (mMoDTC) compounds in the lubrication has not been considered yet in the literature. In this study, we consider for the first time the impurities of MoDTC consisting of mononuclear compounds and combine experimental and computational techniques to elucidate the interaction of these impurities with binuclear MoDTC in commercial formulations. We present a preliminary strategy to separate a commercial MoDTC product in chemically different fractions. These fractions present different tribological behaviors depending on the relative amount of mononuclear and binuclear complexes. The calculations indicate that the dissociation mechanism of mMoDTC is similar to the one observed for the dimeric structures. However, the different chemical properties of mMoDTC impact the kinetics for the formation of the beneficial molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) layers, as shown by the tribological experiments. These results help to understand the functionality of MoDTC lubricant additives, providing new insights into the complex synergy between the different chemical structures.

Functional mononuclear molybdenum enzymes: challenges and triumphs in molecular cloning, expression, and isolation.

Mononuclear molybdenum enzymes catalyze a variety of reactions that are essential in the cycling of nitrogen, carbon, arsenic, and sulfur. For decades, the structure and function of these crucial enzymes have been investigated to develop a fundamental knowledge for this vast family of enzymes and the chemistries they carry out. Therefore, obtaining abundant quantities of active enzyme is necessary for exploring this family's biochemical capability. This mini-review summarizes the methods for overexpressing mononuclear molybdenum enzymes in the context of the challenges encountered in the process. Effective methods for molybdenum cofactor synthesis and incorporation, optimization of expression conditions, improving isolation of active vs. inactive enzyme, incorporation of additional prosthetic groups, and inclusion of redox enzyme maturation protein chaperones are discussed in relation to the current molybdenum enzyme literature. This article summarizes the heterologous and homologous expression studies providing underlying patterns and potential future directions.

A biradical oxo-molybdenum complex containing semiquinone and o-aminophenol benzoxazole-based ligands.

We report a new mononuclear molybdenum(iv) complex, MoOLBISLSQ, in which LSQ (2,4-di-tert-butyl o-semibenzoquinone ligand) has been prepared from the reaction of the o-iminosemibenzoquinone form of a tridentate non-innocent benzoxazole ligand, LBIS, and MoO2(acac)2. The complex was characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The crystal structure of MoOLBISLSQ revealed a distorted octahedral geometry around the metal centre, surrounded by one O and two N atoms of LBIS and two O atoms of LSQ. The effective magnetic moment (μeff) of MoOLBISLSQ decreased from 2.36 to 0.2 μB in the temperature range of 290 to 2 K, indicating a singlet ground state caused by antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal and ligand centred unpaired electrons. Also, the latter led to the EPR silence of the complex. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies indicate both ligand and metal-centered redox processes. MoOLBISLSQ was applied as a catalyst for the oxidative cleavage of cyclohexene to adipic acid and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfones with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.

DFT/TDDFT Investigation on the Electronic Structure and Spectroscopic Properties of Cis-Dioxomolybdenum (VI) Complexes

In this contribution, two mononuclear molybdenum complexes with H2L tridentate (ONO) Schiff base ligand are characterized using computational techniques. Density functional theory (DFT) and its time extension (TD-DFT) calculations are performed to study the electronic structure in ground and excited state and to interpret the electronic absorption spectra in gas and aqueous phases. TDDFT calculations affirm that the LMCT charge transfer dominates for both complexes and a hypochromic effect on absorption properties is observed according to solvent substitution. All theoretical results compare nicely with available experimental data.

Molybdenum complexes with citrate revisited. A mononuclear [MoVOCl4(H2O)]− ion as a new synthetic entry

Products of the reaction of a mononuclear molybdenum(V) compound, (PyH)5[MoVOCl4(H2O)]3Cl2, with citric acid (IUPAC name: 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, abbreviated as H4cit) were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray structure analysis. When the supply of oxygen was limited, molybdenum retained the initial oxidation state and a tetranuclear Mo(V) compound formed, (MeNC5H5)4[MoV4O8(cit)2]·2H2O (1) (MeNC5H5+ = N-methylpyridinium cation). Otherwise, oxidation of metal to +6 state took place resulting in {(C6H5)4P}[MoVIO2Cl(H2cit)] (3), (PyH)2[MoVIO2(H2cit)2]·Py (4), (PyH)4[{MoVIO2(Hcit)}2(µ2-O)]·2Py (5), (PyH)4[MoVI4O11(Hcit)2]·2H2O·1/2CH3OH (6) and (PyH)6[MoVI4O11(Hcit)2]Cl2·H2O·3/2CH3OH (7) (Py = pyridine, C5H5N; PyH+ = pyridinium cation, C5H5NH+). In one instance, (PyH)2[MoVOCl2(Hcit)]0.39[MoVIO2Cl(Hcit)]0.61·CH3CN (2), a compound that is a solid mixture of Mo(V) and Mo(VI) species was obtained. In all complexes, the citrate coordinated to molybdenum in a chelating manner with at least two oxygen atoms that belonged to deprotonated OH and α-carboxyl groups. In {MoVIO2}2+ species, the two trans positions of the Mo=O moieties were occupied with carboxylate oxygens. In order to assess stabilities of different orientations of citrate ligands with respect to Mo=O, the isomeric forms of [MoVIO2Cl(H2cit)]− and [MoVIO2(H2cit)2]2−, the anions of 3 and 4, were subjected to DFT calculations. Results reveal that the relative energies of isomers are close to one another. A particular orientation of citrate does not seem to have a determining impact. As the case of the [MoVIO2(H2cit)2]2− isomers, which gain stability by intramolecular hydrogen bonds, shows, other factors are at work. For the metal–metal bonded {MoV2O4}2+ compounds, comparison with the known complexes suggests that a concept of a preferential orientation of citrate, i.e., with the alkoxide oxygen situated at the site trans to Mo=O, is not valid.

Implications of Pyran Cyclization and Pterin Conformation on Oxidized Forms of the Molybdenum Cofactor.

The large family of mononuclear molybdenum and tungsten enzymes all possess the special ligand molybdopterin (MPT), which consists of a metal-binding dithiolene chelate covalently bound to a pyranopterin group. MPT pyran cyclization/scission processes have been proposed to modulate the reactivity of the metal center during catalysis. We have designed several small-molecule models for the Mo-MPT cofactor that allow detailed investigation into how pyran cyclization modulates electronic communication between the dithiolene and pterin moieties and how this cyclization alters the electronic environment of the molybdenum catalytic site. Using a combination of cyclic voltammetry, vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and rR), electronic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, distinct changes in the Mo≡O stretching frequency, Mo(V/IV) reduction potential, and electronic structure across the pterin-dithiolene ligand are observed as a function of pyran ring closure. The results are significant, for they reveal that a dihydropyranopterin is electronically coupled into the Mo-dithiolene group due to a coplanar conformation of the pterin and dithiolene units, providing a mechanism for the electron-deficient pterin to modulate the Mo environment. A spectroscopic signature identified for the dihydropyranopterin-dithiolene ligand on Mo is a strong dithiolene → pterin charge transfer transition. In the absence of a pyran group bridge between pterin and dithiolene, the pterin rotates out of plane, largely decoupling the system. The results support a hypothesis that pyran cyclization/scission processes in MPT may function as a molecular switch to electronically couple and decouple the pterin and dithiolene to adjust the redox properties in certain pyranopterin molybdenum enzymes.

Synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, crystal structures and in vitro cytotoxicity of mononuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes incorporating tridentate ONO donor aroylhydrazone with auxiliary coordination site

Four new mononuclear cis-dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complexes with the general formula [MoO2LD], where H2L = tridentate aroylhydrazone and D = MeOH, pyridine (py), imidazole (im) and 3-picoline (β-pic) have been synthesized by the reaction of bis(acetylacetonato)dioxomolybdenum(VI) with hydrazone derived from 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 3-methoxybenzhydrazide in presence of nitrogen containing bases. The synthesized aroylhydrazone and the complexes were analysed by CHN analysis, electronic and FT-IR spectral studies, molar conductivity measurements, 1H NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular and crystal structures of all the four complexes were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the complexes adopt a distorted octahedral environment around the molybdenum centre with a cis oxo configuration coordinated by the enolized dianionic form of the hydrazone ligand, L2− in a tridentate manner through two deprotonated hydroxyl groups and one azomethine nitrogen atom. The structural analysis also revealed that the molybdenum coordination preferences in conjunction with the ligand donor capabilities offers a supplementary sixth coordination site for all the complexes which could be easily coordinated by competitive ligands such as solvents or N-bases by simply modifying the reaction conditions such as solvent, reaction time etc. Furthermore the in vitro cytotoxicity of the synthesized aroylhydrazone and all the complexes were assayed against lymphoma ascites cell line.

DFT analysis of the active site in catalytic metabolic redox reactions of mononuclear molybdenum enzymes

Model complexes [MoVIO2(S2C2Me2)SMe]− (A, derived from the X-ray crystal structure of native sulfite oxidase (SO)) and [MoVIO2(mnt)2]2− (B, coordination mode similar to the active site of selenate reductase (SeR)) were computed at the COSMO-B3LYP/SDDp//B3LYP/Lanl2DZ(p) energy level of Density Functional Theory in order to study their behavior in oxidation of selenite (SeIV) and sulfite (SIV) to selenate (SeVI) and sulfate (SVI), respectively. For the oxidation of sulfite, computational model A, which resembles the SO active site, is clearly the best choice (lowest barrier, minor exothermicity). For the reduction of selenate, a smaller activation is computed for model A; however, the reaction is less exothermic with model B, which resembles the SeR active site.

Effects of Hydrogen Bond Donors on Reactivity of Sulfite Oxidase

Sulfite oxidase (SO) catalyzes the conversion of sulfite to sulfate as the last step in the degradation of cysteine and methionine [1]. Severe neonatal neurological problems are caused by SO deficiency in humans [2]. The overall mechanism of SO suggested that the reductive half reaction of SO is the rate limiting step for enzyme activity [3]. Using a computational approach, first I will study the elementary steps for the half reaction to determine the rate limiting step, then by introducing mutations in the active site of SO I will determine the effects of the hydrogen donors present in the active site.SO is part of the Molybdenum cofactor family of enzymes as it contains a mononuclear Molybdenum (Mo) that is penta‐coordinated [4]. At the Mo active site, the reductive half reaction of sulfite to sulfate takes place in two steps. The first step is a nucleophilic attack by the sulfite ion to the equatorial oxygen group. The second step is the release of sulfate facilitated by the spectator oxygen group [4]. By determining the energy profiles for both steps in this reaction I will determine which step is rate limiting and determine the route, associative or dissociative interchange, of the reaction.Model enzyme complexes have suggested that hydrogen donors in the active site play a key role in mediating this reaction. In previous studies performed we determined that the product release step is facilitated by pyridinium a hydrogen donor for the reaction. Pyridinium lowers the activation energy for the product release step (ΔH~ 30 kJ/mol) and promotes a dissociative interchange reaction route. In this study I will determine if hydrogen donors in the Mo active site behave as pyridinium does in the model enzyme complexes.Using Gaussian ONIOM to perform QM/MM calculations for the reaction of sulfite to sulfate catalyzed by SO, I will determine the energy profile of the reaction to identify the rate limiting step and the role of possible hydrogen donors in the active site of SO by comparing the reaction mechanism of two variants of SO with wild type SO. The variants will demonstrate the role as possible hydrogen bond donors of Tyrosine and water that are located in the active site of MO.The role of sulfite oxidase is crucial to the degradation of sulfite in the body and prevention of the accumulation of toxic sulfite in the body. Understanding how SO functions at a molecular level is crucial for the design and implementation of treatment for SO deficiency. The elementary steps of the enzyme activity can help determine specific roles of key residues in the enzyme. These steps cannot be seen in large scale enzyme kinetics studies, but computational studies allow the study of small movements and allow the study of these small‐scale reaction mechanics.Support or Funding InformationLouis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) HRD # 1305011This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

An Air‐Stable Molybdenum‐Based Precatalyst in Oxygen‐Atom Transfer Reactions

We report on the preparation and characterization of two new air‐stable mononuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes, termed MoVIO2(OPNO)2 (1) and MoVIO2(SPNO)2 (2). The potential of these complexes to act as functional mimics of molybdoenzymes from the DMSO reductase family was investigated. Initial catalytic studies suggest that 2 (but not 1) catalyzes the reduction of a sulfoxide into the thioether derivative. Studying the catalytic intermediates by UV/Vis spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT indicates that the active species (SPNO)2OMoV–O–MoVO(SPNO)2 (4), a dinuclear molybdenum(V) dimer with one µ‐oxo bridge, is formed upon successive reduction of the (SPNO)– ligands and the molybdenum(VI) ion.

QM/MM study of the reaction mechanism of sulfite oxidase

Sulfite oxidase is a mononuclear molybdenum enzyme that oxidises sulfite to sulfate in many organisms, including man. Three different reaction mechanisms have been suggested, based on experimental and computational studies. Here, we study all three with combined quantum mechanical (QM) and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) methods, including calculations with large basis sets, very large QM regions (803 atoms) and QM/MM free-energy perturbations. Our results show that the enzyme is set up to follow a mechanism in which the sulfur atom of the sulfite substrate reacts directly with the equatorial oxo ligand of the Mo ion, forming a Mo-bound sulfate product, which dissociates in the second step. The first step is rate limiting, with a barrier of 39–49 kJ/mol. The low barrier is obtained by an intricate hydrogen-bond network around the substrate, which is preserved during the reaction. This network favours the deprotonated substrate and disfavours the other two reaction mechanisms. We have studied the reaction with both an oxidised and a reduced form of the molybdopterin ligand and quantum-refinement calculations indicate that it is in the normal reduced tetrahydro form in this protein.

Syntheses, structures and catalytic activities of molybdenum carbonyl complexes based on pyridine-imine ligands

Thermal treatment of pyridine imines [C5H4N-2-C(H)=N-C6H4-R] [R = H (1), CH3 (2), OMe (3), CF3 (4), Cl (5), Br (6)] with Mo(CO)6 in refluxing toluene provided six novel mononuclear molybdenum carbonyl complexes of the type [(η2-2-C5H4N)CH=N(C6H4-4-R)]Mo(CO)4 [R = H (7); CH3 (8); OMe (9); CF3 (10); Cl (11); Br (12)]. All of these complexes were separated by chromatography and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of complexes 7, 8 and 10 were determined by X-ray crystal diffraction analysis. In addition, the catalytic performance of these complexes was also tested, and it was found that these complexes had obvious catalytic activity on Friedel–Crafts reactions of aromatic compounds with a variety of acylation reagents.

Mechanistic Consequences of Chelate Ligand Stabilization on Nitrogen Fixation by Yandulov–Schrock-Type Complexes

The Yandulov–Schrock catalyst, a mononuclear molybdenum complex with a tetra-coordinate triamidoamine chelate ligand with hexa-iso-propyl-terphenyl groups at the amide nitrogen atoms, catalyzes the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. Its turnover number is very low, which may be attributed to the (partial) loss of the chelate ligand. Protonation of an amide nitrogen atom of the ligand and subsequent reduction leads to the formation of a labile amine ligand. We find that this equatorial amine group can detach from the molybdenum center of the Yandulov–Schrock complex with a comparatively small barrier. This decomposition reaction is in direct competition with reactions producing intermediates of the Chatt–Schrock cycle. Clamping the substituents on the amide nitrogen atoms by a calix[6]arene unit (replacing the hexa-iso-propyl-terphenyl groups) successfully suppresses the detachment of a generated equatorial amine group from the molybdenum center. We discuss dinitrogen reduction according to the Chatt–Schr...