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Several metalloenzymes, including [FeFe]-hydrogenase, employ cofactors wherein multiple metal atoms work together with surrounding ligands that mediate heterolytic and concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) bond activation steps. Herein, we report a new dinucleating PNNP expanded pincer ligand, which can bind two low-valent iron atoms in close proximity to enable metal-metal cooperativity (MMC). In addition, reversible partial dearomatization of the ligand's naphthyridine core enables both heterolytic metal-ligand cooperativity (MLC) and chemical non-innocence through CPET steps. Thermochemical and computational studies show how a change in ligand binding mode can lower the bond dissociation free energy of ligand C(sp3)-H bonds by ∼25 kcal mol−1. H-atom abstraction enabled trapping of an unstable intermediate, which undergoes facile loss of two carbonyl ligands to form an unusual paramagnetic (S = ) complex containing a mixed-valent iron(0)-iron(i) core bound within a partially dearomatized PNNP ligand. Finally, cyclic voltammetry experiments showed that these diiron complexes show catalytic activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. This work presents the first example of a ligand system that enables MMC, heterolytic MLC and chemical non-innocence, thereby providing important insights and opportunities for the development of bimetallic systems that exploit these features to enable new (catalytic) reactivity.

The cobalt species PPh4[CoIII(TAMLred)] is a competent and stable catalyst for the sulfimidation of (aryl)(alkyl)‐substituted sulfides with iminoiodinanes, reaching turnover numbers up to 900 and turnover frequencies of 640 min−1 under mild and aerobic conditions. The sulfimidation proceeds in a highly chemoselective manner, even in the presence of alkenes or weak C−H bonds, as supported by inter‐ and intramolecular competition experiments. Functionalization of the sulfide substituent with various electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing arenes and several alkyl, benzyl and vinyl fragments is tolerated, with up to quantitative product yields. Sulfimidation of phenyl allyl sulfide led to [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of the initially formed sulfimide species to afford the corresponding N‐allyl‐S‐phenyl‐thiohydroxylamines as attractive products. Mechanistic studies suggest that the actual nitrene transfer to the sulfide proceeds via (previously characterized) electrophilic nitrene radical intermediates that afford the sulfimide products via electronically asynchronous transition states, in which SET from the sulfide to the nitrene radical complex precedes N−S bond formation in a single concerted process., Cobalt‐catalyzed sulfimidation of (aryl)(alkyl)‐substituted sulfides with iminoiodinanes proceeds under mild conditions and with high chemoselectivity in presence of alkenes and weak C−H bonds. PPh4[CoIII(TAMLred)] mediates the nitrene transfer reactions with a high turnover number and frequency, while the electrophilicity of the nitrene radical intermediate determines the chemoselectivity.

The metalloradical activation of o‐aryl aldehydes with tosylhydrazide and a cobalt(II) porphyrin catalyst produces cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates, providing a new and powerful strategy for the synthesis of medium‐sized ring structures. Herein we make use of the intrinsic radical‐type reactivity of cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates in the [CoII(TPP)]‐catalyzed (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) synthesis of two types of 8‐membered ring compounds; novel dibenzocyclooctenes and unprecedented monobenzocyclooctadienes. The method was successfully applied to afford a variety of 8‐membered ring compounds in good yields and with excellent substituent tolerance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed via hydrogen atom transfer from the bis‐allylic/benzallylic C−H bond to the carbene radical, followed by two divergent processes for ring‐closure to the two different types of 8‐membered ring products. While the dibenzocyclooctenes are most likely formed by dissociation of o‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) which undergo a non‐catalyzed 8π‐cyclization, DFT calculations suggest that ring‐closure to the monobenzocyclooctadienes involves a radical‐rebound step in the coordination sphere of cobalt. The latter mechanism implies that unprecedented enantioselective ring‐closure reactions to chiral monobenzocyclooctadienes should be possible, as was confirmed for reactions mediated by a chiral cobalt‐porphyrin catalyst., Back in the ring! An efficient strategy based on metalloradical catalysis leads to 8‐membered ring compounds. Both dibenzocyclooctenes and monobenzocyclooctadienes can be obtained in high yields under mild reaction conditions. DFT calculations indicate different ring‐closure pathways for the formation of these two structures.

Inspired by the commercially available azoimidazolium dyes (e.g., Basic Red 51) that can be obtained from aryldiazonium salts and N‐heterocyclic carbenes, we developed the synthesis of a unique set of arylazophosphonium salts. A range of colours were obtained by applying readily tuneable phosphine donor ligands and para‐substituted aryldiazonium salts as nitrogen‐based Lewis acids. With cyclic voltammetry, a general procedure was designed to establish whether the reaction between a Lewis acid and a Lewis base occurs by single‐electron transfer or electron‐pair transfer.

Catalytic synthesis of substituted 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes via metalloradical activation of o-styryl N-tosyl hydrazones is presented. Substrates with an alkyl substituent on the allylic position reacted to form E-aryl-dienes rather than the expected 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes., Catalytic synthesis of substituted 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes via metalloradical activation of o-styryl N-tosyl hydrazones ((E)-2-(prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene-N-tosyl hydrazones) is presented, taking advantage of the intrinsic reactivity of a cobalt(iii)–carbene radical intermediate. The method has been successfully applied to a broad range of substrates with various R1 substituents at the aromatic ring, producing the desired ring products in good to excellent isolated yields for substrates with an R2 = COOEt substituent at the vinylic position (∼70–90%). Changing the R2 moiety from an ester to other substituents has a surprisingly large influence on the (isolated) yields. This behaviour is unexpected for a radical rebound ring-closure mechanism, and points to a mechanism proceeding via ortho-quinodimethane (o-QDM) intermediates. Furthermore, substrates with an alkyl substituent on the allylic position reacted to form E-aryl-dienes in excellent yields, rather than the expected 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes. This result, combined with the outcome of supporting DFT calculations, strongly points to the release of reactive o-QDM intermediates from the metal centre in all cases, which either undergo a 6π-cyclisation step to form the 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes, or a [1,7]-hydride shift to produce the E-aryl-dienes. Trapping experiments using TEMPO confirm the involvement of cobalt(iii)–carbene radical intermediates. EPR spectroscopic spin-trapping experiments using phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) confirm the radical nature of the catalytic reaction.

The azide moiety is a desirable functionality in organic molecules, useful in a variety of transformations such as olefin aziridination, C-H bond amination, isocyanate synthesis, the Staudinger reaction and the formation of azo compounds. To harness the versatility of the azide functionality fully it is important that these compounds be easy to prepare, in a clean and cost-effective manner. Conventional (non-catalysed) methods to synthesise azides generally require quite harsh reaction conditions that are often not tolerant of functional groups. In the last decade, several metal-catalysed azidations have been developed in attempts to circumvent this problem. These methods are generally faster, cleaner and more functional-group-tolerant than conventional methods to prepare azides, and can sometimes even be conveniently combined with one-pot follow-up transformations of the installed azide moiety. This review highlights metal-catalysed approaches to azide synthesis, with a focus on the substrate scopes and mechanisms, as well as on advantages and disadvantages of the methods. Overall, metal-catalysed azidation reactions provide shorter routes to a variety of potentially useful organic molecules containing the azide moiety.

A bidentate ligand with an integrated anion receptor forms dimeric rhodium complexes that become monomeric upon binding acetate guest, which is the basis for effector responsive hydroformylation catalysis., Herein, we report a supramolecular rhodium complex that can form dimeric or monomeric Rh-species catalytically active in hydroformylation, depending on the binding of effectors within the integrated DIM-receptor. X-ray crystal structures, in situ (high-pressure (HP)) spectroscopy studies, and molecular modelling studies show that in the absence of effectors, the preferred Rh-species formed is the dimer, of which two ligands coordinate to two rhodium metals. Importantly, upon binding guest molecules, -effectors-, to the DIM-receptor under hydroformylation conditions, the monomeric Rh-active species is formed, as evidenced by a combination of in situ HP NMR and IR spectroscopy studies and molecular modelling. As the monomeric complex has different catalytic properties from the dimeric complex, we effectively generate a catalytic system of which the properties respond to the presence of effectors, reminiscent of how the properties of proteins are regulated in nature. Indeed, catalytic and kinetic experiments show that both the selectivity and activity of this supramolecular catalytic system can be influenced in the hydroformylation of 1-octene using acetate as an effector that shift the equilibrium from the dimeric to monomeric species.

The reaction mechanism of the asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized alkenes catalyzed by a supramolecular rhodium complex has been investigated. In-depth NMR analysis combined with X-ray crystal structure determination show that hydrogen bonds are formed between the catalyst and the substrate in the early stages of the mechanism. Detailed kinetic data obtained from UV–vis stopped-flow experiments and gas-uptake experiments confirm that the hydrogen bonds are playing a crucial role in the mechanism. A complete DFT study of the various competitive paths of the reaction mechanism allowed us to identify how these hydrogen bonds are involved in the determining steps of the reaction.

Public response to the National Open Research Forum (NORF) Draft National Statement on the Transition to an Open Research Environment, signed by Lynn Kamerlin (Uppsala University), J. Britt Holbrook (New Jersey Institute of Technology) and Bas de Bruin (University of Amsterdam)

The synthesis of Ir-complexes with three bisMETAMORPhos ligands is reported. The activity of these systems towards HCOOH dehydrogenation and the dual role of the ligand during catalysis is discussed, using spectroscopic and computational methods., The synthesis and tautomeric nature of three xanthene-based bisMETAMORPhos ligands (La–Lc) is reported. Coordination of these bis(sulfonamidophosphines) to Ir(acac)(cod) initially leads to the formation of IrI(L H) species (1a), which convert via formal oxidative addition of the ligand to IrIII(L) monohydride complexes 2a–c. The rate for this step strongly depends on the ligand employed. IrIII complexes 2a–c were applied in the base-free dehydrogenation of formic acid, reaching turnover frequencies of 3090, 877 and 1791 h–1, respectively. The dual role of the ligand in the mechanism of the dehydrogenation reaction was studied by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Besides functioning as an internal base, bisMETAMORPhos also assists in the pre-assembly of formic acid within the Ir-coordination sphere and aids in stabilizing the rate-determining transition state through hydrogen-bonding.

Coordination of the redox-active tridentate NNO ligand L(H2) to Pd(II) yields the paramagnetic iminobenzosemiquinonato complex 3. Single-electron reduction of 3 yields diamagnetic amidophenolato complex 4, capable of activating aliphatic azide 5. Experimental and computational studies suggest a redox-noninnocent pathway wherein the redox-active ligand facilitates intramolecular ligand-to-substrate single-electron transfer to generate an open-shell singlet "nitrene-substrate radical, ligand radical", enabling subsequent radical-type C-H amination reactivity with Pd(II).

The formation of a bisMETAMORPhos PN-​bridged dimeric PdI complex (3) from ligand 1 and Pd(dba)​2 is described. The addn. of 1 to Pd(dba)​2 initially leads to the formation of Pd0 complex 2, which has a highly distorted tetrahedral environment and binds two neutral ligands 1. Complex 2 converts to {PdI}​2 complex 3 upon heating. Complex 3 consists of a completely flat Pd-​Pd core, with a Pd-​Pd bond length of 2.6199(4) Å, and the Pd centers display a highly distorted square planar coordination environment. The formation of complex 3 from 2 is suggested to proceed via an in situ comproportionation pathway. Initial decoordination of one ligand from 2 followed by oxidative addn. of one neutral coordinated ligand arm leads to a 1-​PdIIH complex. Insertion of free dba into the Pd-​H bond generates a 1-​PdIIdba complex that releases 1,​5-​diphenylpent-​1-​en-​3-​one via intra- or intermol. protonolysis. Concomitantly, comproportionation with 1-​Pd0 yields 3. Complex 3 was found to function as a precatalyst in the Suzuki-​Miyaura cross-​coupling of p-​chloroacetophenone with good conversions.

Finding new catalysts for the release of molecular hydrogen from methanol is of high relevance in the context of the devel- opment of sustainable energy carriers. Herein, we report that the ruthenium complex Ru(salbinapht)(CO)(P i-Pr 3 ) {salbinapht = 2-[({2’-[(2-hydroxybenzyl)amino]-[1,1 ’ -binaphthalen]-2-yl}imino)- methyl]phenolato} (2) catalyzes the methanol dehydrogenation reaction in the presence of base and water to yield H 2 , for- mate, and carbonate. Dihydrogen is the only gas detected and a turnover frequency up to 55 h 1 at 82 8C is reached. Complex 2 bears a carbonyl ligand that is derived from methanol, as is demonstrated by labeling experiments. The carbony l ligand can be treated with base to form formate (HCOO  ) and hydro- gen. The nature of the active species is further shown not to contain a CO ligand but likely still possesses a salen-derived ligand. During catalysis, formation of Ru(CO) 2 (H) 2 (P-iPr 3 ) 2 is oc- casionally observed, which is also an active methanol dehydro- genation catalyst

The 17 valence electron (VE) open-shell nickel gallanediyl complex [(CpNi)-Ni-Ar{Ga(nacnac)}] (3, Ar = C-5(C6H4-4-Et)(5), nacnac = HC[C(Me)-N(C6H3-2,6-iPr(2))](2)), having an unsupported Ni-Ga bond, was synthesized from [(CpNi)-Ni-Ar(mu-Br)](2) (1) by reducing the adduct [(CpNi)-Ni-Ar(mu-Br){Ga(nacnac)}] (2) or, alternatively, trapping the "(CpNiI)-Ni-Ar" synthon with Ga(nacnac); spectroscopic and DFT studies showed that the single unpaired electron in 3 resides mainly at the Ni center.

A protocol was developed to distinguish between well-defined molecular and nanoparticle-based catalysts for the Pd-catalyzed semihydrogenation reaction of alkynes to Z-alkenes. The protocol applies quantitative partial poisoning and dynamic light scattering methods, which allow the institution of additional validation experiments. For the quantitative partial poisoning method, tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) was developed as an alternative for the standard poison ligand CS2, and was found to be superior in its applicability. The protocol and the TMTU poison ligand were validated using the well-described [Pd-II(phenanthroline)]-catalyzed copolymerization of styrene and CO, confirming that this system is clearly operating as a well-defined molecular catalyst. The protocol was subsequently applied to three catalyst systems used for the semihydrogenation of alkynes. The first was proposed to be a molecular [Pd-0(IMes)] catalyst that uses molecular hydrogen, but the data gathered for this system, following the new protocol, clearly showed that nanoparticles (NPs) are catalytically active. The second catalyst system studied was an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd system for transfer semihydrogenation using formic acid as the hydrogen source, which was proposed to operate through an insitu generated molecular [Pd-0(IMes)] catalyst in earlier studies. The investigations showed that only a small fraction of the Pd added becomes active in the catalytic reaction and that NPs are formed. However, despite these findings, a clear distinction between catalytic activity of NPs versus a molecular catalyst could not be made. The third investigated system is based on a [Pd-II(IMes)((3)-allyl)Cl] precatalyst with additive ligands. The combined data gathered for this system are multi-interpretable, but suggest that a partially deactivated molecular catalyst dominates in this reaction.