E. Stephen Davies

Synthesis of a Uranium(VI)-Carbene: Reductive Formation of Uranyl(V)-Methanides, Oxidative Preparation of a [R2C═U═O]2+ Analogue of the [O═U═O]2+ Uranyl Ion (R = Ph2PNSiMe3), and Comparison of the Nature of UIV═C, UV═C, and UVI═C Double Bonds

We report attempts to prepare uranyl(VI)- and uranium(VI) carbenes utilizing deprotonation and oxidation strategies. Treatment of the uranyl(VI)-methanide complex [(BIPMH)UO(2)Cl(THF)] [1, BIPMH = HC(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)] with benzyl-sodium did not afford a uranyl(VI)-carbene via deprotonation. Instead, one-electron reduction and isolation of di- and trinuclear [UO(2)(BIPMH)(μ-Cl)UO(μ-O){BIPMH}] (2) and [UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)(μ(3)-Cl){UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)}(2)] (3), respectively, with concomitant elimination of dibenzyl, was observed. Complexes 2 and 3 represent the first examples of organometallic uranyl(V), and 3 is notable for exhibiting rare cation-cation interactions between uranyl(VI) and uranyl(V) groups. In contrast, two-electron oxidation of the uranium(IV)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(3)Li(THF)(2)] (4) by 4-morpholine N-oxide afforded the first uranium(VI)-carbene [(BIPM)UOCl(2)] (6). Complex 6 exhibits a trans-CUO linkage that represents a [R(2)C═U═O](2+) analogue of the uranyl ion. Notably, treatment of 4 with other oxidants such as Me(3)NO, C(5)H(5)NO, and TEMPO afforded 1 as the only isolable product. Computational studies of 4, the uranium(V)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(2)I] (5), and 6 reveal polarized covalent U═C double bonds in each case whose nature is significantly affected by the oxidation state of uranium. Natural Bond Order analyses indicate that upon oxidation from uranium(IV) to (V) to (VI) the uranium contribution to the U═C σ-bond can increase from ca. 18 to 32% and within this component the orbital composition is dominated by 5f character. For the corresponding U═C π-components, the uranium contribution increases from ca. 18 to 26% but then decreases to ca. 24% and is again dominated by 5f contributions. The calculations suggest that as a function of increasing oxidation state of uranium the radial contraction of the valence 5f and 6d orbitals of uranium may outweigh the increased polarizing power of uranium in 6 compared to 5.

Probing the Magnetic Properties of Three Interconvertible Redox States of a Single-Molecule Magnet with Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

The hysteresis of magnetization of the anionic, neutral, and cationic forms of a bis(phthalocyaninato)terbium-based complex ([Pc(2)Tb](-/0/+)) have been determined using magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy in frozen dilute solutions at low temperatures (1.5 K) showing that the three oxidation states of the complex exhibit single-molecule magnetic behaviors.

A phenol–imidazole pro-ligand that can exist as a phenoxyl radical, alone and when complexed to copper(II) and zinc(II)

A new N,O-bidentate, phenol–imidazole pro-ligand 2′-(4′,6′-di-tert-butylhydroxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenyl imidazole (LH) has been designed, synthesised, and characterised. LH possesses no readily oxidisable position (other than the phenol) and involves o- and p-substituents on the phenol ring that prevent radical coupling reactions. LH undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation to generate the corresponding [LH]˙+ radical cation that possesses phenoxyl radical character. The unusual reversibility of the [LH]/[LH]˙+ redox couple is attributed, at least in part, to a stabilisation of [LH]˙+ by intramolecular O–H⋯N hydrogen bonding. The compounds [CuL2] (1) and [ZnL2] (2) have been synthesised and characterised structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically. The crystal structures of 1·4DMF, 1·3MeOH, and 2·2.5MeCN·0.3CH2Cl2 have been determined and each shown to possess an N2O2-coordination sphere, the geometry of which varies with the nature of the metal and the nature of the co-crystallised solvent. 1 and 2 each undergo two, reversible, ligand-based, one-electron oxidations, to form, firstly, [M(L)(L˙)]+ and secondly [M(L˙)2]2+. The [M(L)(L˙)]+ (M = Cu, Zn) cations have been generated by both electrochemical and chemical oxidation and their [ML2][BF4] salts isolated as air-stable, dark green, crystalline solids. The UV/vis, EPR, and magnetic characteristics of these compounds are consistent with each cation involving an MII (M = Cu or Zn) centre bound to a phenoxide (L−) and a phenoxyl radical (L˙). The structural information obtained by a determination of the crystal structures of [CuL2][BF4]·2CH2Cl2 and [ZnL2][BF4]·2CH2Cl2·0.75pentane fully supports this interpretation. For each of these salts, there is a clear indication that the coordinated phenoxyl radical is involved in intramolecular π–π stacking interactions that parallel those in galactose oxidase.

Phenoxyl radicals: H-bonded and coordinated to Cu( ii ) and Zn( ii )

Two pro-ligands ((R)LH) comprised of an o,p-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenol covalently bonded to a benzimidazole ((Bz)LH) or a 4,5-di-p-methoxyphenyl substituted imidazole ((PhOMe)LH), have been structurally characterised. Each possesses an intramolecular O-H[dot dot dot]N hydrogen bond between the phenolic O-H group and an imidazole nitrogen atom and (1)H NMR studies show that this bond is retained in solution. Each (R)LH undergoes an electrochemically reversible, one-electron, oxidation to form the [(R)LH] (+) radical cation that is considered to be stabilised by an intramolecular O...H-N hydrogen bond. The (R)LH pro-ligands react with M(BF(4))(2).H(2)O (M = Cu or Zn) in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [M((R)L)(2)] compound. [Cu((Bz)L)(2)] (), [Cu((PhOMe)L)(2)] (), [Zn((Bz)L)(2)] and [Zn((PhOMe)L)(2)] have been isolated and the structures of .4MeCN, .2MeOH, .2MeCN and .2MeCN determined by X-ray crystallography. In each compound the metal possesses an N(2)O(2)-coordination sphere: in .4MeCN and .2MeOH the {CuN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted square planar geometry; in .2MeCN and .2MeCN the {ZnN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The X-band EPR spectra of both and , in CH(2)Cl(2)-DMF (9 : 1) solution at 77 K, are consistent with the presence of a Cu(ii) complex having the structure identified by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have shown that each undergo two, one-electron, oxidations; the potentials of these processes and the UV/vis and EPR properties of the products indicate that each oxidation is ligand-based. The first oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+), comprising a M(ii) centre bound to a phenoxide ((R)L) and a phenoxyl radical ((R)L ) ligand; these cations have been generated electrochemically and, for R = PhOMe, chemically by oxidation with Ag[BF(4)]. The second oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L )(2)](2+). The information obtained from these investigations shows that a suitable pro-ligand design allows a relatively inert phenoxyl radical to be generated, stabilised by either a hydrogen bond, as in [(R)LH] (+) (R = Bz or PhOMe), or by coordination to a metal, as in [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+) (M = Cu or Zn; R = Bz or PhOMe). Coordination to a metal is more effective than hydrogen bonding in stabilising a phenoxyl radical and Cu(ii) is slightly more effective than Zn(II) in this respect.

Highly Reduced Double-Decker Single-Molecule Magnets Exhibiting Slow Magnetic Relaxation

F64Pc2Ln (1Ln, Ln = Tb or Lu) represent the first halogenated phthalocyanine double-decker lanthanide complexes, and 1Tb exhibits single-molecule magnet properties as revealed by solid-state magnetometry. The fluorine substituents of the phthalocyanine rings have a dramatic effect on the redox properties of the F64Pc2Ln complexes, namely, a stabilization of their reduced states. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements demonstrate that the 1Tb(-/2-) and 1Tb(2-/3-) couples exhibit redox reversibility and that the 1Tb(-), 1Tb(2-) and 1Tb(3-) species may be prepared by bulk electrolysis in acetone. Low-temperature MCD studies reveal for the first time magnetization hystereses for the super-reduced dianionic and trianionic states of Pc2Ln.

Multi‐Electron‐Acceptor Dyad and Triad Systems Based on Perylene Bisimides and Fullerenes

Fullerene (C(60)) and 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTDCI) were used as building blocks for an electron acceptor dyad (C(60)-PTCDI) and triad (C(60)-PTCDI-C(60)). As the first reduction potentials for C(60) and PTCDI are very close, simultaneous introduction of two or three electrons is possible into the dyad and triad, respectively. Further stepwise electrochemical reduction leads to formation of a series of well-defined anionic species in which electrons associated with the fullerene or the PTDCI components of the molecule can be clearly distinguished. In total, up to four electrons can be reversibly injected into the dyad C(60)-PTCDI and up to six into the triad C(60)-PTCDI-C(60) system. The optical absorption properties in the UV/Vis range are also crucially defined by the distribution of electrons between the acceptor parts, as the injection/removal of electrons causes drastic colour changes in the dyad and the triad systems.

The structural characterisation and elucidation of the electronic structure of the mononuclear Pt(III) complex [Pt([9]aneS3)2]3+ ([9]aneS3 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane)

The mononuclear Pt(III) complex, [Pt([9]aneS(3))(2)](3+), has been isolated and characterised by X-ray crystallography; its electronic structure determined by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Five Coordinate M(II)-Diphenolate [M = Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)] Schiff Base Complexes Exhibiting Metal- and Ligand-Based Redox Chemistry

Five-coordinate Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes containing pentadentate N(3)O(2) Schiff base ligands [1A](2-) and [1B](2-) have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal five coordinate structures in which each metal ion is bound by two imine N-donors, two phenolate O-donors, and a single amine N-donor. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies suggest that the N(3)O(2) coordination spheres of [Cu(1A)] and [Cu(1B)] are retained in CH(2)Cl(2) solution and solid-state superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometric studies confirm that [Ni(1A)] and [Ni(1B)] adopt high spin (S = 1) configurations. Each complex exhibits two reversible oxidation processes between +0.05 and +0.64 V vs [Fc](+)/[Fc]. The products of one- and two-electron oxidations have been studied by UV/vis spectroelectrochemistry and by EPR spectroscopy which confirm that each oxidation process for the Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes is ligand-based with sequential formation of mono- and bis-phenoxyl radical species. In contrast, the one-electron oxidation of the Ni(II) complexes generates Ni(III) products. This assignment is supported by spectroelectrochemical and EPR spectroscopic studies, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and the single crystal X-ray structure of [Ni(1A)][BF(4)] which contains Ni in a five-coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of dimethylsulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus

Abstract Mo K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to probe the environment of Mo in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus in concert with protein crystallographic studies. The oxidised (MoVI) protein has been investigated in solution at 77 K; the Mo K-edge position (20006.4 eV) is consistent with the presence of MoVI and, in agreement with the protein crystallographic results, the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is also consistent with a seven-coordinate site. The site is composed of one oxo-group (Mo=O 1.71 Å), four S atoms (considered to arise from the dithiolene groups of the two molybdopterins, two at 2.32 Å and two at 2.47 Å, and two O atoms, one at 1.92 Å (considered to be H-bonded to Trp 116) and one at 2.27 Å (considered to arise from Ser 147). The Mo K-edge XAS recorded for single crystals of oxidised (MoVI) DMSO reductase at 77 K showed a close correspondence to the data for the frozen solution but had an inferior signal:noise ratio. The dithionite-reduced form of the enzyme and a unique form of the enzyme produced by the addition of dimethylsulfide (DMS) to the oxidised (MoVI) enzyme have essentially identical energies for the Mo K-edge, at 20004.4 eV and 20004.5 eV, respectively; these values, together with the lack of a significant presence of MoV in the samples as monitored by EPR spectroscopy, are taken to indicate the presence of MoIV. For the dithionite-reduced sample, the Mo K-edge EXAFS indicates a coordination environment for Mo of two O atoms, one at 2.05 Å and one at 2.51 Å, and four S atoms at 2.36 Å. The coordination environment of the Mo in the DMS-reduced form of the enzyme involves three O atoms, one at 1.69 Å, one at 1.91 Å and one at 2.11 Å, plus four S atoms, two at 2.28 Å and two at 2.37 Å. The EXAFS and the protein crystallographic results for the DMS-reduced form of the enzyme are consistent with the formation of the substrate, DMSO, bound to MoIV with an Mo-O bond of length 1.92 Å.

A Perylene Diimide Rotaxane: Synthesis, Structure and Electrochemically Driven De‐Threading

The first example of a [2]-rotaxane in which a perylene diimide acts as a recognition site has been synthesised and characterised. The interlocked nature of the compound has been verified by both NMR studies and an X-ray structure determination. Electrochemical investigations confirm that the nature of the redox processes associated with the perylene diimide are modified by the complexation process and that it is possible to mono-reduce the [2]-rotaxane to give a radical anion based rotaxane. Further reduction of the compound leads to de-threading of the macrocycle from the reduced PTCDI recognition site. Our synthetic strategies confirm the potential of PTCDI-based rotaxanes as viable targets for the preparation of complex interlocked species.