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Thomas Weyhermüller

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Weyhermüller.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Molecular and electronic structure of five-coordinate complexes of iron(II/III) containing o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical ligands.

The reaction of the ligand N-phenyl-1,2-benzenediamine (N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine), H2[L(PDI)], in dry acetonitrile with [FeIII(dmf)6](ClO4)3 (dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide) affords the dimer (mu-NH,NH)[FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))]2 (1), where (L(ISQ))*- represents the pi radical monoanion N-phenyl-o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate and (L(PDI))2- is its one-electron-reduced, closed-shell form. Complex 1 possesses a diamagnetic ground-state St = 0. Addition reactions of tri-n-butylphosphane, tert-butyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, 4,5-diphenylimidazole, and 4-(1-phenylpentyl)pyridine with 1 in acetonitrile or toluene yields [FeII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)] (2), [Fe(II)(L(ISQ))2(CN-tBu)] (4), [FeII(L(ISQ))2(CNCy)] (5), [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(Ph2Im)] (6), and [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))(BuPhCH-py)].BuPhCH-py (7). Oxidation of 1 with iodine affords [FeIII(L(ISQ))2I] (3), and oxidation of 2 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate yields [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)](PF6) (2ox). The structures of complexes 2, 2ox, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 100(2) K. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR, UV-vis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy have established that mononuclear complexes containing the [FeII(L(ISQ))2X] chromophore (2, 4, 5) are diamagnetic (St = 0) whereas those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))2X]n chromophore (3, 2(ox), 6) are paramagnetic (St = 1/2) and those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))X] chromophore (7) possess an St = 1 ground state. It is established that all ferric species have an intrinsic intermediate spin (SFe = 3/2) which is intramolecularly antiferromagnetically coupled to one or two (L(ISQ))*- ligand radicals yielding an St = 1 (7) or St = 1/2 (2ox, 3, 6) ground state, respectively. In the ferrous complexes 2, 4, and 5 the intrinsic spin at the iron ion is either low spin (SFe = 0) or intermediate spin (SFe = 1). Antiferromagnetic coupling between two radicals (L(ISQ))*- or, alternatively, between the intermediate spin ferrous ion and two radicals yields then the observed diamagnetic ground state. In 1 two [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))] halves with S = 1 couple antiferromagnetically affording an St = 0 ground state.

Journal Article↗

Tuning of spin transition in radical-containing iron(III) complexes by remote ligand substituents.

Two new iron(III) complexes, Fe(III)(LF*)3 (1) and FeIII(L(t-Bu*))3 (2), of remote substituted o-aminophenol-based ligands are reported; complexes 1 and 2 contain three O,N-coordinated o-iminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) radical anions with ferric centers in high-spin and low-spin configurations. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction at 100 and 293 K, and the electronic structures were established by various physical methods including Mössbauer (4-290 K) and variable-temperature (2-290 K) susceptibility measurements. Electrochemical measurements (cyclic and square-wave voltammetry) indicate primarily ligand-centered redox processes. Complex 1, with the more electron-withdrawing fluoro substituents, retains the high-spin character of the ferric ion throughout the temperature range studied (2-290 K) and exhibits, as expected, strong antiferromagnetic coupling operating between three radicals (SR = 1/2) and the high-spin Fe(III) center (SFe = 5/2) yielding an St = 1 as the ground state. In contrast, the occurrence of a thermally induced spin crossover process (SFe = 5/2 <--> SFe = 1/2) is observed for complex 2 FeIII(L(t-Bu*))3, in which more electron donating tert-butyl substituents in the ligand are present. A rationale for the control of the electronic state of ferric ions in 2 together with spin-coupling schemes for 1 and 2 are provided.

Journal Article↗

Octahedral non-heme non-oxo Fe(IV) species stabilized by a redox-innocent N-methylated cyclam-acetate ligand.

The ligand 1,4,8-tri-N-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-11-acetic acid (Me3cyclam-acetic acid) has been synthesized by Eschweiler-Clarke methylation of cyclam-acetic acid, and the iron(III) complex [(Me3cyclam-acetate)FeN3]PF6, 1, has been synthesized, which has been found to have significantly different properties than its unmethylated analogue, [(cyclam-acetate)FeN3]PF6, 2. Whereas the iron ion in 2 is low spin with S = 1/2, 1 is found to be high spin at temperatures above 100 K, though low-spin species are observed at lower temperatures, indicating a spin crossover phenomenon. The iron(II) species 1red is electrochemically more accessible than 2red since the Fe2+/3+ redox wave in 1 appears approximately 350 mV more positive than the corresponding wave in 2. Also, 1 displays a reversible Fe3+/4+ redox wave, which is irreversible in 2, denoting that the Fe(IV) species 1ox is kinetically stable. 1red and 1ox have been generated electrochemically in solution and studied spectroscopically. Mössbauer spectroscopy has confirmed that, in both reduction and oxidation, iron is the redox center, that 1red is high spin (S = 2), and that 1ox is low spin (S = 1), in contrast to 2red which is low spin and 2ox which could not be isolated.

Crystallization↗

Amino acid and peptide bioconjugates of copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with a modified N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amine ligand.

Four chelating nitrogen ligands 2-5 derived from N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amine (bpa, 1) were synthesized, namely, (PyCH(2))(2)N-CH(2)-p-C(6)H(4)-CO(2)R (R = Me, 2, and R = H, 3) and (PyCH(2))(2)N-(CH(2))(n)-CO(2)H (n = 2, 4, and n = 5, 5). Amino acid conjugates 6 and 7 were formed by condensation of 3 with H-Phe-OMe and H-betaAla-OMe, respectively. Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of 1-7 were prepared and fully characterized. The X-ray structures of 1(Zn), 2(Zn), 4(Cu), and 7(Cu) were determined. The Zn complexes 1(Zn) and 2(Zn) as well as 7(Cu) show a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment in the solid state. An octahedral complex is observed for 4(Cu) which forms chains along the crystallographic b axis by intermolecular coordination of the carboxylic acid to the metal ion of a neighboring complex. Ligand 3 was used to prepare the peptide bioconjugate 8 (3-Ahx-Pro-Lys-Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-Phe-NH(2)) with a nuclear localization signal (nls) heptapeptide by solid phase synthesis. Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of 8 were synthesized in situ and studied by FAB-MS, ESI-MS, UV/vis, and EPR (for 8(Cu)), and FAB-MS, ESI-MS, and NMR (for 8(Zn)). All spectroscopic results clearly support metal coordination to the bpa ligand in the bioconjugates 8(M), even in the presence of other potential ligands from amino acid side chains of the peptide. We suggest metal-peptide conjugates like 8(M) as artificial metallochaperones because they have the potential to deliver metal ions to specific compartments in the cell as determined by the peptide moieties.

Amines↗

Electronic structure of square planar bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)metal complexes [M(L)(2)](z) (z = 2-, 1-, 0; M = Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Au): an experimental, density functional, and correlated ab initio study.

The three diamagnetic square planar complexes of nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II) containing two S,S-coordinated 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-dithiolate ligands, (L(Bu))(2-), namely [M(II)(L(Bu))(2)](2-), have been synthesized. The corresponding paramagnetic monoanions [M(II)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))](-) (S = (1)/(2)) and the neutral diamagnetic species [M(II)(L(Bu)(*))(2)] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) have also been generated in solution or in the solid state as [N(n-Bu)(4)][M(II)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))] salts. The corresponding complex [Cu(III)(L(Bu))(2)](-) has also been investigated. The complexes have been studied by UV-vis, IR, and EPR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography; their electro- and magnetochemistry is reported. The electron-transfer series [M(L(Bu))(2)](2-,-,0) is shown to be ligand based involving formally one (L(Bu)(*))(-) pi radical in the monoanion or two in the neutral species [M(II)(L(Bu)(*))(2)] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). Geometry optimizations using all-electron density functional theory with scalar relativistic corrections at the second-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH2) and zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) levels result in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined structures and electronic spectra. For the three neutral species a detailed analysis of the orbital structures reveals that the species may best be described as containing two strongly antiferromagnetically interacting ligand radicals. Furthermore, multiconfigurational ab initio calculations using the spectroscopy oriented configuration interaction (SORCI) approach including the ZORA correction were carried out. The calculations predict the position of the intervalence charge-transfer band well. Chemical trends in the diradical characters deduced from the multiconfigurational singlet ground-state wave function along a series of metals and ligands were discussed.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Molecular and electronic structure of chromium(V) nitrido complexes with azide and isothiocyanate ligands.

The first use of [Cr(N)Cl4]2- as a starting material in chromium(v) nitrido chemistry is demonstrated in simple, high yield, metathesis reactions with the pseudohalogens SCN- and N3- yielding five-coordinate, labile complexes: [Cr(N)(NCS)4]2- and [Cr(N)(N3)4]2-, which have been crystallized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of [Cr(N)(NCS)4]2- with 1,10-phenanthroline furnishes six-coordinate [Cr(N)(NCS)3(phen)]- wherein phenanthroline coordinates to the position trans to the nitrido ligand. The trans influence of the nitrido ligand leads to a bond length difference of 0.223 A between the axial and equatorial ligators from the phenanthroline ligand. The absorption band with lowest energy in these pseudo-linear complexes is assigned as the electric dipole forbidden transition d(xy) --> d(x-y) based on intensities and its variation with the nature of the equatorial ligators. This absorption provides the spectrochemical series for the equatorial ligands, which is found to be numerically almost identical to that determined for chromium(III). DFT calculations reproduce the observed structures and corroborate the ligand field picture of the electronic structure of these complexes.

Journal Article↗

A magnetostructural study of linear NiII MnIII NiII, NiII CrIII NiII and triangular Ni(II)3 species containing (pyridine-2-aldoximato)nickel(II) unit as a building block.

Three trinuclear complexes, NiII MnIII NiII, NiII CrIII NiII and Ni(II)3 based on (pyridine-2-aldoximato)nickel(II) units are described. Two of them, and , contain metal-centers in linear arrangement, as is revealed by X-ray diffraction. Complex is a homonuclear complex in which the three nickel(II) centers are disposed in a triangular fashion. The compounds were characterized by various physical methods including cyclic voltammetric and variable-temperature (2-290 K) susceptibility measurements. Complexes and display antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of the neighbouring metal centers, while weak ferromagnetic spin exchange between the adjacent Ni II and Cr III ions in is observed. The experimental magnetic data were simulated by using appropriate models.

Chromium↗

Square planar vs tetrahedral coordination in diamagnetic complexes of nickel(II) containing two bidentate pi-radical monoanions.

The reaction of three different 1-phenyl and 1,4-diphenyl substituted S-methylisothiosemicarbazides, H(2)[L(1-6)], with Ni(OAc)(2).4H(2)O in ethanol in the presence of air yields six four-coordinate species [Ni(L(1-6)(*))(2)] (1-6) where (L(1-6)(*))(1-) represent the monoanionic pi-radical forms. The crystal structures of the nickel complexes with 1-phenyl derivatives as in 1 reveal a square planar structure trans-[Ni(L(1)(-3)(*))(2)], whereas the corresponding 1,4-diphenyl derivatives are distorted tetrahedral as is demonstrated by X-ray crystallography of [Ni(L(5)(*))(2)] (5) and [Ni(L(6)(*))(2)] (6). Both series of mononuclear complexes possess a diamagnetic ground state. The electronic structures of both series have been elucidated experimentally (electronic spectra magnetization data). The square planar complexes 1-3 consist of a diamagnetic central Ni(II) ion and two strongly antiferromagnetically coupled ligand pi-radicals as has been deduced from correlated ab initio calculations; they are singlet diradicals. The tetrahedral complexes 4-6 consist of a paramagnetic high-spin Ni(II) ion (S(Ni) = 1), which is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to two ligand pi-radicals. This is clearly revealed by DFT and correlated ab initio calculations. Electrochemically, complexes 1-6 can be reduced to form stable, paramagnetic monoanions [1-6](-) (S = (1)/(2)). The anions [1-3](-) are square planar Ni(II) (d,(8) S(Ni) = 0) species where the excess electron is delocalized over both ligands (class III, ligand mixed valency). In contrast, one-electron reduction of 4, 5, and 6 yields paramagnetic tetrahedral monoanions (S = (1)/(2)). X-band EPR spectroscopy shows that there are two different isomers A and B of each monoanion present in solution. In these anions, the excess electron is localized on one ligand [Ni(II)(L(4-6)(*))(L(4-6))](-) where (L(4-6))(2-) is the closed shell dianion of the ligands H(2)[L(4-6)] as was deduced from their electronic spectra and broken symmetry DFT calculations. Oxidation of 1 and 5 with excess iodine yields octahedral complexes [Ni(II)(L(1,ox))(2)I(2)] (7), [Ni(II)(L(1,ox))(3)](I(3))(2) (8), and trans-[Ni(II)(L(5,ox))(2)(I(3))(2)] (9), which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography; (L(1-)(6,ox)) represent the neutral, two-electron oxidized forms of the corresponding dianions (L(1-6))(2-). The room-temperature structures of complexes 1, 5, and 7 have been described previously in refs 1-5.

Journal Article↗

Structural characterization of four members of the electron-transfer series [PdII(L)2)2]n (L = o-Iminophenolate derivative; n = 2-, 1-, 0, 1+, 2+). ligand mixed valency in the monocation and monoanion with S = (1)/(2) ground states.

The reaction of the ligand 2-(2-trifluoromethyl)anilino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol, H(2)((1)L(IP)), and PdCl(2) (2:1) in the presence of air and excess NEt(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) produced blue-green crystals of diamagnetic [Pd(II)((1)L(ISQ))(2)] (1), where ((1)L(ISQ))(*)(-) represents the o-iminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical anion of the aromatic ((1)L(IP))(2-) dianion. The diamagnetic complex 1 was chemically oxidized with 1 equiv of Ag(BF(4)), affording red-brown crystals of paramagnetic (S = (1)/(2)) [Pd(II)((1)L(ISQ))((1)L(IBQ))](BF(4)) (2), and one-electron reduction with cobaltocene yielded paramagnetic (S = (1)/(2)) green crystals of [Cp(2)Co][Pd(II)((1)L(ISQ))((1)L(IP))] (3); ((1)L(IBQ))(0) represents the neutral, diamagnetic quinone form. Complex 1 was oxidized with 2 equiv of [NO]BF(4), affording green crystals of diamagnetic [Pd(II)((1)L(IBQ))(2)](3)(BF(4))(4){(BF(4))(2)H}(2).4CH(2)Cl(2) (5). Oxidation of [Ni(II)((1)L(ISQ))(2)] (S = 0) in CH(2)Cl(2) solution with 2 equiv of Ag(ClO(4)) generated crystals of [Ni(II)((1)L(IBQ))(2)(ClO(4))(2)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (6) with an S = 1 ground state. Complexes 1-5 constitute a five-membered complete electron-transfer series, [Pd((1)L)(2)](n) (n = 2-, 1-, 0, 1+, 2+), where only species 4, namely, diamagnetic [Pd(II)((1)L(IP))(2)](2-), has not been isolated; they are interrelated by four reversible one-electron-transfer waves in the cyclic voltammogram. Complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography at 100 K, which establishes that the redox processes are ligand centered. Species 2 and 3 exhibit ligand mixed valency: [Pd(II)((1)L(ISQ))((1)L(IBQ))](+) has localized ((1)L(IBQ))(0) and ((1)L(ISQ))(*)(-) ligands in the solid state, whereas in [Pd(II)((1)L(ISQ))((1)L(IP))](-) the excess electron is delocalized over both ligands in the solid-state structure of 3. Electronic and electron spin resonance spectra are reported, and the electronic structures of all members of this electron-transfer series are established.

Journal Article↗

Magnetic interactions in dinuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV) complexes covalently tethered to organic radicals: spectroscopic models for the S(2)Y(z)(*) state of photosystem II.

A series of isostructural dimeric manganese complexes of the type [(Me(4)dtne)Mn(2)(mu-O)(2)(mu-R)](2+)(X(-))(2) have been prepared and characterized. The dimanganese cores of these complexes are rigidly held together by the hexadentate ligand Me(4)dtne (Me(4)dtne = 1,2-bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)ethane). Molecular structures for the entire series have been obtained by X-ray diffraction measurements, of which complexes 2 (R = (-)O(2)BPh), 3 (R = (-)O(2)C-PROXYL), 4 (R = (-)O(2)C-TEMPO), and 5 (R = (-)O(2)BPhNIT) are reported here (HO(2)C-PROXYL = 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-1-yloxy; HO(2)C-TEMPO = 4-carboxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy; and HO(2)BPhNIT = 2-(4-(dihydroxyboranyl)-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-3-oxyimidazolidin-1-oxide). The structures of 1 (R = (-)OAc) and 6 (R = (-)O(2)CPhNIT) have been reported previously (HO(2)CPhNIT = 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-3-oxyimidazolidin-1-oxide). All complexes exhibit several redox states, which have been investigated by electrochemistry. Complexes 1, 3, 4, and 6 contain a mixed-valent Mn(III)Mn(IV) core with an isolated magnetic ground state of S = 1/2. The exchange coupling between the manganese ions is strong throughout the series (J approximately -130 +/- 10 cm(-)(1), H = -2JS(1)S(2)). The radical complexes 3, 4, and 6 exhibit, in addition, long-range exchange interaction (6.9, 7.7, and 8.8 A, respectively) between the organic radical and the dimanganese core. The intramolecular anisotropic coupling was determined from cw-EPR line shape analyses at S-, X-, and Q-band frequencies and from the intensity of half-field signals detected in normal- and parallel-mode (J(d,)(z)() = -120 x 10(-)(4), -105 x 10(-)(4), and -140 x 10(-)(4) cm(-)(1), for 3, 4, and 6 respectively). Distance information was obtained for the dimanganese core and the organic radicals from these values by using a three-spin dipole model and local spin contributions for the manganese ions.

Anisotropy↗

Redox-noninnocence of the S,S'-coordinated ligands in bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)iron complexes.

The electronic structures of complexes of iron containing two S,S'-coordinated benzene-1,2-dithiolate, (L)(2)(-), or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzenedithiolate, (L(Bu))(2)(-), ligands have been elucidated in depth by electronic absorption, infrared, X-band EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopies. It is conclusively shown that, in contrast to earlier reports, high-valent iron(IV) (d(4), S = 1) is not accessible in this chemistry. Instead, the S,S'-coordinated radical monoanions (L(*))(1)(-) and/or (L(Bu)(*))(1)(-) prevail. Thus, five-coordinate [Fe(L)(2)(PMe(3))] has an electronic structure which is best described as [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))] where the observed triplet ground state of the molecule is attained via intramolecular, strong antiferromagnetic spin coupling between an intermediate spin ferric ion (S(Fe) = (3)/(2)) and a ligand radical (L(*))(1)(-) (S(rad) = (1)/(2)). The following complexes containing only benzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-) ligands have been synthesized, and their electronic structures have been studied in detail: [NH(C(2)H(5))(3)](2)[Fe(II)(L)(2)] (1), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L)(4)] (2), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(4)] (3); [P(CH(3))Ph(3)][Fe(III)(L)(2)(t-Bu-py)] (4) where t-Bu-py is 4-tert-butylpyridine. Complexes containing an Fe(III)(L(*))(L)- or Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))- moiety are [N(n-Bu)(4)][Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(3)(L(Bu)(*))] (3(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(t-Bu-py)] (4(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))] (7), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (8), and [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PPr(3))] (9), where Pr represents the n-propyl substituent. Complexes 2, 3(ox)(), 4, [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (6), and 9 have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.

Journal Article↗

The electronic structure of the isoelectronic, square-planar complexes [FeII(L)2]2- and [CoIII(L Bu)2]- (L2- and (L Bu)2-=benzene-1,2-dithiolates): an experimental and density functional theoretical study.

The electronic structures of two formally isoelectronic transition-metal dithiolato complexes [Fe(L)2]2- (1) and [Co(L Bu)2]1- (2) both possessing a spin triplet ground state (St=1) have been investigated by various spectroscopic and density functional methods; H2L Bu represents the pro-ligand 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-dithiol and H2L is the corresponding unsubstituted benzene-1,2-dithiol. An axial zero-field splitting (D) of +32 cm(-1) for 2 has been measured independently by SQUID magnetometry, far-infrared absorption, and variable-temperature and variable-field (VTVH) magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopies. A similar D value of +28 cm(-1) is obtained for 1 on the basis of VTVH SQUID measurements. The absorption spectra of 1 and 2 are found, however, to be very different. Complex 1 is light yellow in color with no intense transition in the visible region, whereas 2 is deep blue. DFT calculations establish that the electronic structures of the [Fe(L)2](2-) and [Co(L)2]1- anions are very different and explain the observed differences in their absorption spectra. On the basis of these spectroscopic and theoretical analyses, 1 is best described as containing an intermediate spin FeII ion, whereas for the corresponding cobalt complex, oxidation states describing a d6 (CoIII) or d7 (CoII) electron configuration cannot be unambiguously assigned. The physical origin of the large zero-field splitting in both 1 and 2 is found to be due to the presence of low-energy spin-conserved d-d excitations which lead to a large Dzz through efficient spin-orbit coupling. Differential covalency effects appear to be of limited importance for this property.

Journal Article↗

Biomimetic metal-radical reactivity: aerial oxidation of alcohols, amines, aminophenols and catechols catalyzed by transition metal complexes.

The contributions of the authors to the research program 'Radicals in Enzymatic Catalysis' over the last ca. 5 years are summarized. Significant efforts were directed towards the design and testing of phenol-containing ligands for synthesizing radical-containing transition metal complexes as potential candidates for catalysis of organic substrates like alcohols, amines, aminophenols and catechols. Functional models for different copper oxidases, such as galactose oxidase, amine oxidases, phenoxazinone synthase and catechol oxidase, are reported. The copper complexes synthesized can mimic the function of the metalloenzymes galactose oxidase and amine oxidases by catalyzing the aerial oxidation of alcohols and amines. Even methanol could be oxidized, albeit with a low conversion, by a biradical-copper(II) compound. The presence of a primary kinetic isotope effect, similar to that for galactose oxidase, provides compelling evidence that H-atom abstraction from the alpha-C-atom of the substrates is the rate-limiting step. Although catechol oxidase and phenoxazinone synthase contain copper, manganese(IV) complexes containing radicals have been found to be useful to study synthetic systems and to understand the naturally occurring processes. An 'on-off' mechanism of the radicals without redox participation from the metal centers seems to be operative in the catalysis involving such metal-radical complexes.

Alcohols↗

Molecular and electronic structure of four- and five-coordinate cobalt complexes containing two o-phenylenediamine- or two o-aminophenol-type ligands at various oxidation levels: an experimental, density functional, and correlated ab initio study.

The bidentate ligands N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine, H(2)((2)L(N)IP), or its analogue 2-(2-trifluoromethyl)anilino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol, ((4)L(N)IP), react with [Co(II)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)]4H(2)O and triethylamine in acetonitrile in the presence of air yielding the square-planar, four-coordinate species [Co((2)L(N))(2)] (1) and [Co((4)L(O))(2)] (4) with an S=1/2 ground state. The corresponding nickel complexes [Ni((4)L(O))(2)] (8) and its cobaltocene reduced form [Co(III)(Cp)(2)][Ni((4)L(O))(2)] (9) have also been synthesized. The five-coordinate species [Co((2)L(N))(2)(tBu-py)] (2) (S=1/2) and its one-electron oxidized forms [Co((2)L(N))(2)(tBu-py)](O(2)CCH(3)) (2 a) or [Co((2)L(N))(2)I] (3) with diamagnetic ground states (S=0) have been prepared, as has the species [Co((4)L(O))(2)(CH(2)CN)] (7). The one-electron reduced form of 4, namely [Co(Cp)(2)][Co((4)L(O))(2)] (5) has been generated through the reduction of 4 with [Co(Cp)(2)]. Complexes 1, 2, 2 a, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography (100 K). The ligands are non-innocent and may exist as catecholate-like dianions ((2)L(N)IP)(2-), ((4)L(N)IP)(2-) or pi-radical semiquinonate monoanions ((2)L(N)ISQ)(*) (-), ((4)L(N)ISQ)(*) (-) or as neutral benzoquinones ((2) L(N)IBQ)(0), ((4) L(N)IBQ)(0); the spectroscopic oxidation states of the central metal ions vary accordingly. Electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism, and EPR spectroscopy, as well as variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements have been used to experimentally determine the electronic structures of these complexes. Density functional theoretical (DFT) and correlated ab initio calculation have been performed on the neutral and monoanionic species [Co((1)L(N))(2)](0,-) in order to understand the structural and spectroscopic properties of complexes. It is shown that the corresponding nickel complexes 8 and 9 contain a low-spin nickel(II) ion regardless of the oxidation level of the ligand, whereas for the corresponding cobalt complexes the situation is more complicated. Spectroscopic oxidation states describing a d(6) (Co(III)) or d(7) (Co(II)) electron configuration cannot be unambiguously assigned.

Journal Article↗

Nonoxovanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(V) complexes with mixed O, X, O-donor ligands (X = S, Se, P, or PO).

Ligating properties of four potentially tridentate bisphenol ligands containing [O, X, O] donor atoms (X = S 1, Se 2, P 3, or P=O 4) toward the vanadium ions in +IV or +V oxidation states have been studied. Each ligand with different heterodonor atoms yields as expected nonoxovanadium(IV) complexes, V(IV)L(2), whose structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods as having six-coordinate V(IV), VO(4)X(2), core. Compounds 1-4 have also been studied with electrochemical methods, variable-temperature (2-295 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements, X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) (2-60 K) spectroscopy, and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) (5 K) measurements. Electrochemical results suggest metal-centered oxidations to V(V) (i.e., no formation of phenoxyl radicals from the coordinated phenolates). A combination of density functional theory calculations and experimental EPR investigations indicates a dramatic effect of the heteroatoms on the electronic structure of 1-4 with consequent reordering of the energy levels; 1 and 3 possess a trigonal ground state (d(z)()(2))(1), but 4 with the phosphoryl oxygen as the heterodonor atom in contrast exhibits a tetragonal ground state, (d(xy)())(1). On the basis of the intense electronic transitions in absorption spectra, all electronic transitions observed for 4 have been assigned to ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transitions, which have been confirmed by preliminary resonance Raman measurements and C/D ratios obtained from low-temperature MCD spectroscopy. Moreover, diamagnetic complexes 5 and 6 containing mononuclear and dinuclear oxovanadium(V) units have also been synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically ((51)V NMR) characterized.

Journal Article↗

Dinuclear and mononuclear manganese(IV)-radical complexes and their catalytic catecholase activity.

Seven o-aminophenol ligands based on aniline and m-phenylenediamine, which act as mono- and di-nucleating non-innocent ligands, respectively, together with their seven Mn(IV)-complexes, 1-7 are described. One of them, 1, is dinuclear and 2-7 are mononuclear, in which the ligands are coordinated in their oxidized o-iminobenzosemiquinone radical forms. The crystal structures of 1 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction and the electronic structures were established by various physical methods including EPR and variable-temperature (2-290 K) susceptibility measurements. Electrochemical measurements (CV and SQW) indicate primarily ligand-centered redox processes. The Mn(IV)-radical complexes, 1-7, catalyze the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol with molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant to afford 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone quantitatively under mild conditions to mimic the function of the copper-containing enzyme catechol oxidase. An "on-off" mechanism of the radicals without redox participation of the metal center is proposed for the catalytic oxidation process. Complex 1 is found to be a good catalyst for oxidative C-C coupling of hindered phenols to diphenoquinones.

Aminophenols↗

Fine tuning of the electronic coupling between metal centers in cyano-bridged mixed-valent trinuclear complexes.

We report the synthesis, characterization, and spectroscopic properties of a family of trinuclear cyano-bridged mixed-valent compounds, trans-[Ru(II)L(4)[NCFe(III)(CN)(5)](2)](4-), trans-[Ru(II)L(4)[CNFe(III)(CN)(5)](2)](4-), and cis-[Ru(II)(bpy)(2)[NCFe(III)(CN)(5)](2)](4-) (L = pyridine, 4-tert-butylpyridine, and 4-methoxypyridine). Tetraphenylphosphonium salts of complexes trans-[Ru(II)L(4)[NCFe(III)(CN)(5)](2)](4-) (L = pyridine and 4-tert-butylpyridine) crystallize in the space groups C2 and P2(1)/c, respectively, and show a linear arrangement of the metal units and an almost completely eclipsed configuration of the equatorial ligands. An intense band (epsilon approximately 2000-9000 M(-1) cm(-1)) is observed for all of the compounds in the NIR region of the spectrum, not present in the separated building blocks, and strongly solvent dependent. We assign it as a metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) from the Ru(II) to the terminal Fe(III) moieties in the context of a simplified three-center model. The electrochemistry measurements reveal a splitting of the redox waves for the reduction of the iron centers for some of the complexes with a trans configuration between the metal units, ranging from 100 to 260 mV, depending on the substituting pyridine ligand and the solvent, suggesting long-range metal-metal interactions. These interactions are rationalized in terms of the energy matching between the pi-symmetry orbitals of the metals and the cyanide bridge. The one- and two-electron reduced species derived from compounds trans-[Ru(II)L(4)[NCFe(III)(CN)(5)](2)](4-,5-,6-) were characterized in methanolic solution. The mixed-valent Fe(II)-Ru(II)-Fe(III) system exhibits an intense red shifted band in the NIR region of the spectrum, arising from the superposition of MMCT bands from the central Ru(II) to the terminal Fe(III) fragments and from the 1 nm distant Fe(II) to Fe(III) centers.

Journal Article↗

Aerial oxidation of primary alcohols and amines catalyzed by Cu(II) complexes of 2,2'-selenobis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) providing [O,Se,O]-donor atoms.

Seven copper(II)-complexes 1-7 with the ligand 2,2'-selenobis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) providing [O,Se,O]-donor atoms have been isolated and characterized. Three of them 1, 2 and 3 are mononuclear, two 4 and 7 dinuclear and 5, 6 are trinuclear. The crystal structures of the complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction and the electronic structures were established by various physical methods including EPR and variable temperature (2-290 K) susceptibility measurements. The magnetic behaviour of the compounds 4-6 exhibits antiferromagnetic exchange coupling resulting in well-isolated S(t)= 1/2 ground state for 5 and 6 and a diamagnetic spin state for 4. Complexes 5 and 6 belong to the class of asymmetric trinuclear copper(II) complexes modelling the trinuclear copper site in multicopper oxidases. Complex 1 is a catalyst in the presence of a strong base for the aerial oxidation of primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes. A dinuclear complex, seemed to be 4, prepared in situ has been found to be a catalyst for the aerial oxidation of primary amines containing alpha-C-H atoms. Primary kinetic isotope effects show that H-abstraction from the alpha-carbon atom of a coordinated substrate (alcoholato or amine) is the rate-determining step in both cases. Two functional models for the metalloenzymes galactose oxidase and amine oxidases are thus described.

Alcohols↗