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We have recently reported the synthesis and application of boron–nitrogen dihydroindeno[1,2-b]fluorene derivatives as acceptors in organic photovoltaic devices. Their modest observed efficiencies may be related to the properties of their reduced congeners. In this work, we report two new members of this family of compounds prepared via the electrophilic borylation of 2,5-di- p-tolylpyrazine followed by an arylation of the boron center with ZnAr2 reagents. Two derivatives, 1 (Ar = 2,4,6-F3C6H2) and 2 (Ar = C6F5) were synthesized, and their radical anions, 1•− and 2•−, were formed via chemical reductions with CoCp*2 and CoCp2, respectively. Through comparison of structural parameters, as well as spectroscopic and computational data, the unpaired electron in the radical anions is localized in the planar core of the molecule, and dimerization is disfavored as a result. However, unlike the neutral starting materials, 1•− and 2•− are reactive toward ambient atmosphere. These observations suggest that the reduced compounds are stable toward intrinsic degradation pathways but subject to extrinsic degradation in device operation.

The use of homogeneous electro- and photo-catalysis involving molecular catalysts offers valuable insight into reaction mechanisms as it relates to the structure–function of these tunable systems.

Seven N-annulated perylene diimide tethered rhenium (2,2′-bipyridine) supramolecular dyads are evaluated as photocatalysts for the reduction for carbon dioxide, highlighting the importance of photoexcitation pathway and electronic driving-force.

Group 7 tris(carbonyl) bipyridine complexes have been well explored as important CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts and now represent an excellent platform for catalyst design.

We report the design, synthesis, and characterization of four N-annulated perylene diimide (NPDI) functionalized rhenium bipyridine [Re(bpy)] supramolecular dyads. The Re(bpy) scaffold was connected to the NPDI chromophore either directly [Re(py-C0-NPDI)] or via an ethyl [Re(bpy-C2-NPDI)], butyl [Re(bpy-C4-NPDI)], or hexyl [Re(bpy-C6-NPDI)] alkyl-chain spacer. Upon electrochemical reduction in the presence of CO2 and a proton source, Re(bpy-C2/4/6-NPDI) all exhibited significant current enhancement effects, while Re(py-C0-NPDI) did not. During controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiments at Eappl = -1.8 V vs Fc+/0, Re(bpy-C2/4/6-NPDI) all achieved comparable activity (TONco ∼ 25) and Faradaic efficiency (FEco ∼ 94%). Under identical CPE conditions, the standard catalyst Re(dmbpy) was inactive for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction; only at Eappl = -2.1 V vs Fc+/0 could Re(dmbpy) achieve the same catalytic performance, representing a 300 mV lowering in overpotential for Re(bpy-C2/4/6-NPDI). At higher overpotentials, Re(bpy-C4/6-NPDI) both outperformed Re(bpy-C2-NPDI), indicating the possibility of coinciding electrocatalytic CO2 reduction mechanisms that are dictated by tether-length and overpotential. Using UV-vis-nearIR spectroelectrochemistry (SEC), FTIR SEC, and chemical reduction experiments, it was shown that the NPDI-moiety served as an electron-reservoir for Re(bpy), thereby allowing catalytic activity at lower overpotentials. Density functional theory studies probing the optimized geometries and frontier molecular orbitals of various catalytic intermediates revealed that the geometric configuration of NPDI relative to the Re(bpy)-moiety plays a critical role in accessing electrons from the electron-reservoir. The improved performance of Re(bpy-C2/4/6-NPDI)dyads at lower overpotentials, relative to Re(dmbpy), highlights the utility of chromophore electron-reservoirs as a method for lowering the overpotential for CO2 conversion.

Ammonia oxidation catalyzed by molecular compounds is of current interest as a carbon-free source of dihydrogen. Activation of N-H bonds through coordination to transition metal centers is a key reaction in this process. We report the substantial activation of ammonia via reaction with low-valent molybdenum complexes of a diborate pentadentate ligand system. Spontaneous loss of dihydrogen from (B

Herein, we report a [Re(bipyridine)]-carbon hybrid material for efficient and selective CO2 to CO conversion in water. The Re catalyst was incorporated into a nanoporous colloid-imprinted carbon (C...

We report the use of electron rich iron complexes supported by a dianionic diborate pentadentate ligand system, B2Pz4Py, for the coordination and activation of ammonia (NH3) and hydrazine (NH2NH2). For ammonia, coordination to neutral (B2Pz4Py)Fe(ii) or cationic [(B2Pz4Py)Fe(iii)]+ platforms leads to well characterized ammine complexes from which hydrogen atoms or protons can be removed to generate, fleetingly, a proposed (B2Pz4Py)Fe(iii)–NH2 complex (3Ar-NH2). DFT computations suggest a high degree of spin density on the amido ligand, giving it significant aminyl radical character. It rapidly traps the H atom abstracting agent 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy radical (ArO˙) to form a C–N bond in a fully characterized product (2Ar), or scavenges hydrogen atoms to return to the ammonia complex (B2Pz4Py)Fe(ii)–NH3 (1Ar-NH3). Interestingly, when (B2Pz4Py)Fe(ii) is reacted with NH2NH2, a hydrazine bridged dimer, (B2Pz4Py)Fe(ii)–NH2NH2–Fe(ii)(B2Pz4Py) ((1Ar)2-NH2NH2), is observed at −78 °C and converts to a fully characterized bridging diazene complex, 4Ar, along with ammonia adduct 1Ar-NH3 as it is allowed to warm to room temperature. Experimental and computational evidence is presented to suggest that (B2Pz4Py)Fe(ii) induces reductive cleavage of the N–N bond in hydrazine to produce the Fe(iii)–NH2 complex 3Ar-NH2, which abstracts H˙ atoms from (1Ar)2-NH2NH2 to generate the observed products. All of these transformations are relevant to proposed steps in the ammonia oxidation reaction, an important process for the use of nitrogen-based fuels enabled by abundant first row transition metals., Synopsis: a highly reactive Fe(iii)–NH2 complex is generated via activation of ammonia or hydrazine in reactions of relevance to fundamental steps in ammonia oxidation processes mediated by an abundant, first row transition metal.

Cobalt(I) complexes supported by a series of PCcarbeneP pincer ligands of varying donicity, differing in the aryl group linking the phosphine arms with the anchoring carbon donor, are described. Addition of the proligands to cobalt bromide results in the formation of a series of cobalt(II) tetrahedral complexes, Ln-1, which serve as excellent precur-sors to the corresponding PCalkylP and PCcarbeneP complexes. Square planar cobalt PCcarbeneP complexes, L2R-3-X (X = Cl, Br), are readily synthesized by addition of a bulky aryloxide radical to the corresponding PCalkylP complex, L1-2-Br or via addition of L2R to ClCo(PPh3)3 in the presence of trityl radical or by addition of NaHBEt3 and trityl radical to iso-lated L2R-1. For the L2NMe2 PCcarbeneP complexes, salt metathesis reactions with either CsOH·H2O, LiCH2TMS, or LiNH2 result in the corresponding hydroxo, alkyl, and amine complexes, L2NMe2-3-R (R = OH, CH2TMS, NH2). Reaction of L2NMe2-3-OH with benzoic acid affords the 2-O2CPh derivative The nature of the carbene bond in either ligand plat-form as well as the effects of the X-type capping ligand on the Co=C bond are explored computationally and show that triplet structures are relatively more stable in for the less electron donating ligand L1 while singlet Co(I) carbenes dominate for the more electron rich L2 derivatives. For L2NMe2 complexes, the effect of the trans ligand X was also probed. Pi donors imbue the carbene with singlet character while the strongly  donating alkyl derivative exhibits significant triplet character.

The development of CO

We report the design, synthesis, and characterization of four N-annulated perylene diimide (NPDI) functionalized rhenium bipyridine [Re(bpy)] supramolecular dyads. The Re(bpy) scaffold was connected to the NPDI chromophore either directly [

A scandium hydridoborate complex supported by the dianionic pentadentate ligand B2Pz4Py is prepared via hydride abstraction from the previously reported scandium hydride complex with tris-pentafluorophenyl borane. Exposure of [(B2Pz4Py)Sc][HB(C6F5)3] to CO2 immediately forms [(B2Pz4Py)Sc][HCOOB(C6F5)3] at room temperature. The formatoborate complex can also be synthesized directly from the starting material (B2Pz4Py)ScCl with Et3SiH and B(C6F5)3 while in the presence of an atmosphere of CO2 in 81% yield. This compound was evaluated as the transition metal component of a tandem deoxgenative CO2 hydrosilation catalyst. At 5% loadings, complete consumption of Et3SiH was observed along with CO2 reduction products, but conversion to an inactive scandium complex identified as (B2Pz4Py)ScOSiEt3 was observed.

The synthesis and characterization of an iridium polyhydride complex (Ir-H4) supported by an electron-rich PCP framework is described. This complex readily loses molecular hydrogen allowing for rapid room temperature hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) at the hydridic positions and the α-C–H site of the ligand with deuterated solvents such as benzene-d6, toluene-d8 and THF-d8. The removal of 1–2 equivalents of molecular H2 forms unsaturated iridium carbene trihydride (Ir-H3) or monohydride (Ir-H) compounds that are able to create further unsaturation by reversibly transferring a hydride to the ligand carbene carbon. These species are highly active hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) catalysts using C6D6 or D2O as deuterium sources for the deuteration of a variety of substrates. By modifying conditions to influence the Ir-Hn speciation, deuteration levels can range from near exhaustive to selective only for sterically accessible sites. Preparative level deuterations of select substrates were performed allowing for procurement of >95% deuterated compounds in excellent isolated yields; the catalyst can be regenerated by treatment of residues with H2 and is still active for further reactions.

The optical and electrochemical properties, as well as the CO2 reduction capability, of two different iron(III) thienyl-porphyrins, namely, iron(III) tetra(meso-thien-2-yl)porphyrin (FeTThP) and ir...

An aminophenethyl-substituted [Re(2,2′-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl] catalyst ([Re(NH2-bpy)]) was tethered to nanoporous colloid-imprinted carbon (CIC) electrode surfaces via an electrochemical oxidative gra...

Isolable cationic PtII and PtIV alkylidenes, proposed intermediates in catalytic organic transformations, are reported. The bonding in these species was probed by experimental, structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical and computational methods, providing direct evidence for π-bonding, the often-theorized relativistic stabilization of these species, and the influence of oxidation state.

The synthesis and characterization of an iridium polyhydride complex (Ir-H4) supported by an electron-rich PCP framework is described. This complex readily loses molecular hydrogen allowing for rapid room temperature hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) at the hydridic positions and the α-C–H site of the ligand with deuterated solvents such as benzene-d6, toluene-d8 and THF-d8. The removal of 1–2 equivalents of molecular H2 forms unsaturated iridium carbene trihydride (Ir-H3) or monohydride (Ir-H) compounds that are able to create further unsaturation by reversibly transferring a hydride to the ligand carbene carbon. These species are highly active hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) catalysts using C6D6 or D2O as deuterium sources for the deuteration of a variety of substrates. By modifying conditions to influence the Ir-Hn speciation, deuteration levels can range from near exhaustive to selective only for sterically accessible sites. Preparative level deuterations of select substrates were performed allowing for procurement of >95% deuterated compounds in excellent isolated yields; the catalyst can be regenerated by treatment of residues with H2 and is still active for further reactions., The synthesis and characterization of an iridium polyhydride complex (Ir-H4) supported by an electron-rich PCP framework and capable of mild hydrogen/deuterium exchange catalysis is described.

International audience; A new monoanionic pentadentate ligand is designed to accommodate Sc = E bonds (E = N, P). The imido complex is stable enough to isolate and characterize, and reacts rapidly with CO2. The phosphinidene, on the other hand, is highly reactive and induces C-C bond cleavage to yield a phosphido-pyridyl complex which also undergoes rapid reacton with CO2.

Here we report on a molecular catalyst with a built-in electron-reservoir for enhanced CO2 conversion. The synthesis and characterization of this N-annulated perylene diimide (PDI) photosensitized Re(bpy) supramolecular dyad [Re(bpy-TAz-PDI)], as well as successful electro- and photocatalytic CO2-to-CO conversion, are detailed herein. Upon electrochemical reduction in the presence of CO2 and a proton source, Re(bpy-TAz-PDI) exhibited significant current enhancement, where the onset of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction for Re(bpy-TAz-PDI) occurred at a much less negative potential than standard Re(bpy) complexes. At an applied potential of -1.8 V vs. Fc+/0, 400 mV lower than the benchmark Re(dmbpy) catalyst, Re(bpy-TAz-PDI) was able to achieve the same catalytic activity (TONco = 24) and Faradaic efficiency (FE = 92 %) during controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiments. Through a combination of UV-visible-nearIR spectroelectrochemistry (SEC), FTIR SEC, and chemical reduction experiments, it was shown that the PDI-moiety served as an electron-reservoir for Re(bpy), thereby allowing catalytic activity at lower overpotentials. Density functional theory (DFT) studies probing the optimized geometries, frontier molecular orbitals, and spin-densities of various catalytic intermediates revealed that the geometric configuration of PDI, relative to the Re(bpy)-moiety, plays a critical role in accessing electrons from the electron-reservoir. The near identical performance of Re(bpy-TAz-PDI) at lower overpotentials relative to the benchmark Re(dmbpy) catalyst highlights the utility of organic chromophore electron-reservoirs as a method for lowering the required overpotential for CO2 conversion.

A rhenium-based CO2 reduction catalyst is impregnated in a polymer film deposited on colloidal imprinted carbon. The film's thickness is variable. The catalyst selectively reduces CO2 to CO with good activity and remains stable for up to 24 hours.

The electrophilic borylation of 2,5-diarylpyrazines results in the formation of boron–nitrogen doped dihydroindeno[1,2-b]fluorene which can be synthesized using standard Schlenk techniques and worked up and handled readily under atmospheric conditions. Through transmetallation via diarylzinc reagents a series of derivatives were synthesized which show broad visible to near-IR light absorption profiles that highlight the versatility of this BN substituted core for use in optoelectronic devices. The synthesis is efficient, scalable and allows for tuning through changes in substituents on the planar heterocyclic core and at boron. Exploratory evaluation in organic solar cell devices as non-fullerene acceptors gave power conversion efficiencies of 2%. peerReviewed

We report the synthesis of Ni(TAPPy)2 (TAPPy = 1,3,5-triazapentadienyl-2,4-bis(2-pyridyl)) and its reactivity with CO2 under reducing conditions. Electrochemical reduction of Ni(TAPPy)2 under inert gas reveals that the complex accommodates up to two additional electrons, with DFT calculations indicating that electron density is delocalized almost exclusively onto the TAPPy ligand framework. The singly reduced product [K(crypt)][Ni(TAPPy)2] (crypt = 2.2.2-cryptand) has been synthesized, and its EPR data is consistent with having ligand-based radical anion character. Controlled potential electrolysis experiments reveal that reduced Ni(TAPPy)2 converts CO2 to form CO; however, spectroscopic and computational data indicate that deactivation readily occurs to form Ni(L)(CO)n compounds, CO32−, and carboxylated (RCOO−) ligand decomposition products. This study highlights that redox activity at the ligand can play an important role during the reduction of CO2 using transition metal complexes.

A variety of neutral alkyl-cobalt(III) complexes bearing a dianionic tetrapodal pendadentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. Compounds 2-R (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, CH2SiMe2Ph, i Bu, CH2(c-C5H9) and (CH2)4CH=CH2) are synthesized in 58-90% yield. These diamagnetic, octahedral complexes are thermally stable up to 110˚C and are also remarkably stable to ambient atmosphere. They were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and in three cases, X-ray crystallography. Evidence for reversible homolytic cleavage of the Co-C bonds was found in their reactions with the hydrogen atom donor 1,4-cyclohexadiene and the radical trap TEMPO, as well as the observed cyclization of the 5-hexenyl group to the methylcyclopentyl derivative over the course of several hours. Despite these observations, it can be concluded that the diborate B2Pz4Py ligand provides a very stable platform for these Co(III) alkyls. Reduction by one electron to a Co(II) alkyl can accelerate bond homolysis, but in this instance, using cobaltocene as the reducing agent, leads to ejection of an alkide anion through bond heterolysis, an unusual reaction for Co(III) alkyls. Finally, protonation of compound 2-Me with the strong acid HNTf2 leads to divergent reactivity in which the major protonation site is the pyridyl nitrogen of the ligand as opposed to protonation of the methyl group. The produce of protonation at nitrogen is the dimeric species 4 which was prepared via separate synthesis and characterized by Xray crystallography.

Two electron-rich PCP ligands were synthesized featuring –C(CH3)2− and –Si(CH3)2– functional groups linking the framework backbone. PCcarbeneP–Ir–Cl complexes were prepared via double C–H activation protocols and the donor strengths of the new ligands were evaluated using CO stretching frequencies of monocarbonyl cations prepared from the corresponding carbene chlorides. The new tethered systems were found to be superior donors with respect to PCcarbeneP pincer complexes previously reported in our group. These carbene chloride complexes reacted readily with nitrous oxide (N2O) to form “iridaepoxides” immune to unwanted Caryl–Canchor cleavage. Rates of oxygen atom transfer from N2O to a series of PCcarbeneP–Ir–Cl compounds were also measured using 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Results suggested a direct positive correlation between ligand donicity and O-atom transfer rate for all ortho-phenylene derived systems. The sterically distinct 2,3-benzo[b]thiophene scaffold was found to be an outlier of this trend with a relatively high reactivity rate and νCO.

The addition of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and isoelectronic isocyanide and isocyanates to the nickel carbene bond in PCcarbeneP pincer complexes is reported. For CO and CNR, irreversible group transfer reactions are observed, while for CO2, a reversible 2 + 2 addition to the carbene moiety occurs. The course of the CO and CO2 reactions are strongly affected by the nature of the PCcarbeneP pincer ligand framework, and a new more rigid ligand based on a 10,10-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene core was designed in order to study these reactions, illustrating the profound effect of small changes in ligand structure on reaction outcomes.

A rigidified PCalkylP ligand allowed for the synthesis and characterization of cationic and radical PCCarbeneP nickel complexes in which the carbene anchor of the pincer framework is electrophilic rather than nucleophilic. Alpha-hydride abstraction from a (PCalkylP)nickel halide complex readily leads to the cationic carbene complex, which furnishes the radical carbene complex by one electron reduction. The reactivity of these reverse polarity carbene complexes towards small molecules (H2, CO, CO2, R3SiH, NH3) reveals different modes of activation when compared to previously reported nucleophilic nickel carbene complexes, and a clear dependence on the redox state of the complex. For H2, CO and CO2, no reaction is observed, but silanes react via hydride transfer and formation of solvated silylium ions. Ammonia is activated in a novel way, wherein it coordinates the carbene carbon and is deprotonated to form a robust C-N bond. This is not only a rare example of ammonia activation by a first row transition metal but also evidence of the intermediacy of group 10 carbenes in direct C-N bond forming reactions.

B,B-Dimesityl-substituted dithieno-1,2-dihydro-1,2-diborin was synthesized and its properties and reactivity were studied. Owing to the noticeably electron-deficient and antiaromatic character of the 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diborin ring, this compound was found to homolytically cleave diatomic hydrogen (H2) gas at ambient temperature under 1 atm to afford a hydrogen-bridged bis(borane). This reaction was accompanied by a dramatic color change from dark green to yellow in addition to a turn-on fluorescence response.

Uncontrolled reaction of water with scandium alkyls (compounds 1-R) supported by a dianionic, pentadentate ligand leads to rapid formation of an oxo-bridged dimer (2). Solid state samples can be exposed to ambient atmosphere to generate samples enriched in the bridging dihydroxo dimer 3, which slowly converts to the m-oxo species with elimination of water. DFT computations show that 3 is actually more thermodynamically stable than 2, but the reactivity of 3 with the water eliminated leads to its decomposition to 2 and several hydrolysis products. Some of these products were characterized by X-ray crystallography, specifically a hexameric scandium dihydroxo cluster (4) in which the pentadentate ligand has partially demetallated. Attempts to synthesize hydroxo complex 3 by protonation of 2 also lead to hydrolysis products.

In 1995, the synthesis, properties and remarkable hydroboration activity of bis-pentafluorophenyl borane was first reported. Its reactivity stems from the ready accessibility of the monomeric borane and its high Lewis acidity. In the intervening twenty five years, this reagent has been widely exploited as a means of incorporating Lewis acidic –B(C6F5)2 groups into complex structures for a range of applications. In this “25th Anniversary” Feature article, we highlight the synthetic methods to the borane, its fundamental properties and chemistry as well as the diverse array of uses of this borane. These include self-activating olefin polymerization catalysts, frustrated Lewis pair generation, small molecule activation, bond cleavage reactions, Lewis acid catalysis and modification of organic materials.

A scandium hydridoborate complex supported by the dianionic pentadentate ligand B

A scandium hydridoborate complex supported by the dianionic pentadentate ligand B2Pz4Py is prepared via hydride abstraction from the previously reported scandium hydride complex with tris-pentafluorophenyl borane. Exposure of [(B2Pz4Py)Sc][HB(C6F5)3] to CO2 immediately forms [(B2Pz4Py)Sc][HCOOB(C6F5)3] at room temperature. The formatoborate complex can also be synthesized directly from the starting material (B2Pz4Py)ScCl with Et3SiH and B(C6F5)3 while in the presence of an atmosphere of CO2 in 81% yield. This compound was evaluated as the transition metal component of a tandem deoxgenative CO2 hydrosilation catalyst. At 5% loadings, complete consumption of Et3SiH was observed along with CO2 reduction products, but conversion to an inactive scandium complex identified as (B2Pz4Py)ScOSiEt3 was observed

The optical and electrochemical properties, as well as the CO2 reduction capability of two different iron(III) thienyl-porphyrins, iron(III) tetra(meso-thien-2-yl)porphyrin (FeTThP) and iron(III) tetra(meso-5-methylthien-2-yl)porphyrin (FeTThMeP), are directly compared to those of iron(III) tetra(meso-phenyl)porphyrin (FeTPP). Through exploitation of mesomeric stabilization effects, FeTThP and FeTThMeP both reduced CO2 to CO with comparable faradaic efficiencies and TONCO relative to FeTPP, with an overpotential 150 mV lower than the benchmark catalyst.

The attachment of electron-rich PCP pincer ligands bis(2-(dialkylphosphino)phenyl)methane (alkyl = isopropyl, tert-butyl) to rhodium via reactions with [(COE)2Rh(μ-X)]2 (X = Cl, OSO2CF3) through C–H bond activations is reported. The first C–H activation to produce PCsp3P derivatives is facile and favors products wherein the remaining benzylic C–H and the Rh–H hydrogens are trans-disposed across the new Rh–C bond. For the less bulky isopropyl-substituted ligand, chlorido- or triflato-bridged dinuclear products are favored, while for the tert-butyl-adorned ligand, monomers are formed. The favoring of both trans C–H/Rh–H and dinuclear systems hampers the second C–H activation, necessary to form the (more desirable) PCcarbeneP derivatives. Through spectroscopic and structural investigations, the factors that influence the ligand attachment chemistry through successive C–H activations in these ligands are discussed.

An electron-rich PCsp2P ligand, incorporating N,N-dimethylamino groups para to the anchoring carbene donor of the ligand, was prepared and coordinated to iridium, producing the iridium carbene chloride 2. This species undergoes facile reaction with N2O to afford an iridaepoxide complex, 3, in which an oxygen atom has been transferred to the Ir=C bond. The rate of this reaction is significantly faster than that observed for the less electron rich, unsubstituted ligand. However, further reaction of 3 involving cleavage of one of the ligand C–C bonds was observed, producing the bis-phosphine chorido complex 4. This process was accelerated by the presence of H2. Heating 4 under H2 resulted in hydrogenolysis of the ortho-metalated phosphine ligand to give a hydrido complex (5) and decarbonylation of the acyl phosphine ligand to give, finally, Vaska’s complex analog 6. All compounds were fully characterized, and the sequence represents the dismantling of the PCsp2P ligand framework.

Iron(III) tetra(5,10,15,20-thienyl)porphyrin chloride (FeTThP) is introduced as a new CO2 reduction catalyst. The optical and electrochemical properties, as well as the CO2 reduction capabilities of FeTThP are directly compared to those of iron(III) tetra(5,10,15,20-phenyl)porphyrin chloride (FeTPP). Relative to FeTPP, the newly developed FeTThP achieves a higher TONCO, with comparable faradaic efficiency, using a much lower overpotential.

Isolable cationic Pt

A rigidified PC

In reactions of significance to alternative energy schemes, metal catalysts are needed to overcome kinetically and thermodynamically difficult processes. Often, high-oxidation-state, high-energy metal oxo intermediates are proposed as mediators in elementary steps involving O-O bond cleavage and formation, but the mechanisms of these steps are difficult to study because of the fleeting nature of these species. Here we utilized a novel dianionic pentadentate ligand system that enabled a detailed mechanistic investigation of the protonation of a cobalt(III)-cobalt(III) peroxo dimer, a known intermediate in oxygen reduction catalysis to hydrogen peroxide. It was shown that double protonation occurs rapidly and leads to a low-energy O-O bond cleavage step that generates a Co(III) aquo complex and a highly reactive Co(IV) oxyl cation. The latter was probed computationally and experimentally implicated through chemical interception and isotope labeling experiments. In the absence of competing chemical reagents, it dimerizes and eliminates dioxygen in a step highly relevant to O-O bond formation in the oxygen evolution step in water oxidation. Thus, the study demonstrates both facile O-O bond cleavage and formation in the stoichiometric reduction of O

Alkyl and hydrido scandium complexes of the dianionic pentadentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. The key starting material (B2Pz4Py)ScCl is readily prepared and alkylated with organolithium reagents RLi (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, CH2SiMe2Ph, CH2CH2CH3 and CH2CHMe2) to form alkyl derivatives in 61-93% yields. These compounds are very thermally stable and do not undergo sigma bond metathesis reactions with dihydrogen. The hydrido complex was prepared from (B2Pz4Py)ScCl and NaHBEt3 in 80% yield and was found to be more stable by 28 kcal mol-1 as a dimer, rather than a monomeric hydrido complex. However, the monomer is accessible through dissociation of the dimer at 80 °C. All of the compounds (B2Pz4Py)ScR react with water to form the bridging oxo dimer (B2Pz4Py)ScOSc(B2Pz4Py). The reactivity of the hydrido and methyl complexes towards carbon dioxide was explored; heating to 80 °C results in the formation of κ2 formato and acetate complexes, respectively. The mechanisms were studied via density functional theory and distinct transition states for insertion of CO2 into the Sc-R (R = H, CH3) were found, with the insertion into Sc-CH3 being more enthalpically difficult (by 18 kcal mol-1) than insertion into Sc-H. The slow rate of reaction between [(B2Pz4Py)ScH]2 and CO2 is attributed to the barrier associated with dimer dissociation. In both insertion reactions, the kinetic products are κ1 formato or acetate complexes that are only slightly less stable than the observed κ2 derivatives. The κ1 compounds can therefore be trapped by treating the κ2 isomers with tris-pentafluorophenyl borane.

Alkyl and hydrido scandium complexes of the dianionic pentatdentate ligand B2Pz4Py are reported. The key starting material (B2Pz4Py)ScCl is readily prepared and alkylated with organolithium reagents RLi (R = CH3, CH2SiMe3, CH2SiMe2Ph, CH2CH2CH3 and CH2CHMe2) to form alkyl derivatives in 61-93% yields. These compounds are very thermally stable and do not undergo sigma bond metathesis reactions with dihydrogen. The hydrido complex was prepared from (B2Pz4Py)ScCl and NaHBEt3 in 80% yield and was found to be more stable by 28 kcal mol-1 as a dimer, rather than a monomeric hydrido complex. However, the monomer is accessible through dissociation of the dimer at 80˚C. All of the compounds (B2Pz4Py)ScR react with water to form the bridging oxo dimer (B2Pz4Py)ScOSc(B2Pz4Py). The reactivity of the hydrido and methyl complexes towards carbon dioxide was explored; heating to 80˚C results in the formation of k2 formato and acetate complexes, respectively. The mechanisms were studied via density function theory and distinct transition states for insertion of CO2 into the Sc-R (R = H, CH3) were found, with the insertion into the Sc-CH3 being more enthalpically difficult (by 18 kcal mol-1) than insertion into Sc-H. The slow rate of reaction between [(B2Pz4Py)ScH]2 and CO2 is attributed to the barrier associated with dimer dissociation. In both insertion reactions, the kinetic products are k1 formato or acetate complexes that are only slightly less stable than the observed k2 derivatives. The k1 compounds can therefore be trapped by treating the k2 isomers with tris-pentafluorophenyl borane.

The donor properties of five different PCcarbeneP ligands are assessed by evaluation of the CO stretching frequencies in iridium(i) and rhodium(i) carbonyl cations. The ligands feature dialkyl phosphine units (R = (i)Pr or (t)Bu) linked to the central benzylic carbon by either an ortho-phenylene bridge, or a 2,3-benzo[b]thiophene linker; in the former, substituent patterns on the phenyl linker are varied. The carbonyl complexes are synthesized from the (PCcarbeneP)M-Cl starting materials via abstraction of the chlorides in the presence of CO gas. In addition to the expected mono carbonyl cations, products with two carbonyl ligands are produced, and for the rhodium example, a novel product in which the second carbonyl ligand adds reversibly across the Rh[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond to give an η(2) ketene moiety was characterized. The IR data for the complexes shows the 2,3-benzo[b]thiophene linked system to be the poorest overall donor, while the phenyl bridged ligands incorporating electron donating dialkyl amino groups para to the anchoring carbene are very strongly donating pincer arrays.

Iridium complexes of the PCsp2P ligand in which the donors are linked by 2,3-benzo[b]thiophene groups engage in the cooperative activation of N2O and the resulting iridaepoxides can be treated with dihydrogen to effect elimination of water and regeneration of the starting iridium complex., Iridium complexes of the PCsp2P ligand in which the donors are linked by 2,3-benzo[b]thiophene groups engage in the cooperative activation of N2O and the resulting iridaepoxides can be treated with dihydrogen to effect elimination of water and regeneration of the starting iridium complex. The mechanism of the steps in this reaction have been investigated using low temperature NMR investigations that reveal H/D exchange processes that point to a highly reactive kinetic product of hydrogen addition to the iridaepoxide. This intermediate is also involved in the water elimination pathway, and model compounds have been synthesized to provide further evidence for the mechanistic proposals for water elimination. The adaptable donor properties of the PCsp2P ligand framework, particularly the anchoring carbene donor, plays a significant role in the ability of these compounds to mediate the transformation of N2O in this way.

International audience; A dianionic tetrapodal pentadentate diborate ligand is introduced. This ligand forms a high spin neutral iron(II) complex that reacts with a variety of organoazides to yield transient Fe(III) imido radicals that are extremely potent hydrogen atom abstractors. The nature of these species is supported by full characterization of the Fe(III) amido products, kinetic studies, density functional computations and Mössbauer spectroscopy on the –C6H4-p-tBu substituted derivative.

Silicon-hydrogen bonds are shown to add to a nickel carbon double bond to yield nickel α-silylalkyl hydrido complexes. Kinetic and isotope labeling studies suggest that a concerted 4-centred addition across the Ni=C bond is operative rather than a mechanism involving Si-H oxidative addition. This constitutes an example of Si-H bond activation via ligand cooperativity.