Sabine Becker

Aromaticity as Stabilizing Element in the Bidentate Activation for the Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

A new transition-metal-free mode for the catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide via bidentate interaction has been developed. In the presence of Li2[1,2-C6H4(BH3)2], CO2 can be selectively transformed to either methane or methanol, depending on the reducing agent. The bidentate nature of binding is supported by X-ray analysis of an intermediate analogue, which experiences special stabilization due to aromatic character in the bidentate interaction. Kinetic studies revealed a first-order reaction rate. The transformation can be conducted without any solvent.

CF2H, a Hydrogen Bond Donor

The CF2H group, a potential surrogate for the OH group, can act as an unusual hydrogen bond donor, as confirmed by crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational methods. Here, we demonstrate the bioisosterism of the OH and CF2H groups and the important roles of CF2-H···O hydrogen bonds in influencing intermolecular interactions and conformational preferences. Experimental evidence, corroborated by theory, reveals the distinctive nature of CF2H hydrogen bonding interactions relative to their normal OH hydrogen bonding counterparts.

Achieving Reversible Sensing of Nitroxyl by Tuning the Ligand Environment of Azamacrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes

To elucidate the factors that impart selectivity for nitroxyl (HNO) over nitric oxide (NO), thiols, and H2S in metal-based fluorescent probes, we investigated five Cu(II)-cyclam (14-N4) derivatives. Upon exposure to NO gas at pH 7, no changes occur in the UV-vis spectra of any of the complexes. Addition of Angelis salt to generate HNO promotes reduction of Cu(II) only in the case of [Cu(II)(14-N4-Ts)(OTf)2], which has the most positive reduction potential of the series. To gain insight into the observed reactivity, we prepared the Cu(II) complex of the mixed thia/aza 14-N2S2 ligand. [Cu(II)(14-N2S2)(OTf)2] reacts reversibly with HNO at pH 7, although nonselectively over thiols and H2S. The recurrent sensing of HNO uncovered with the study of Cu(II) azamacrocyclic complexes is a remarkable feature that opens the door for the design of a new generation of metal-based probes.

Copper Chloride Catalysis: Do μ4-Oxido Copper Clusters Play a Significant Role?

Copper chloride catalysis is a well-established field in organic and inorganic chemistry. However, in most cases a detailed mechanistic understanding of the individual reaction steps and identification of reactive intermediates are still missing. The present study reports the results of spectroscopic and spectrometric measurements that support formation of copper agglomerates during catalytic processes. The composition of CuCl2·2H2O in several coordinating solvents and the influence of basic coreagents such as NaO(t)Bu and K2CO3 on the structure in the solid state as well as in solution were investigated. Several experiments involving crystal structure determination, IR spectroscopy, and ultra-high-resolution cryospray-ionization mass spectrometry were performed. The crystal structures of [CuCl2(H2O)]·0.5(CH3)2CO (1), [Cu2(CH3CN)2Cl4] (2), [Cu3(CH3CN)3Cl6] (3), [Cu3Cl6(THF)4] (4), [Cu(DMSO)2Cl2] (5), (H2N(CH3)2)2[CuCl3] (6), and [Cu4OCl6(THF)(urea)3]·3THF·urea (8) are reported herein. It can be clearly demonstrated that μ4-oxido copper clusters of the formula [Cu4OCl6(solvent)4] are the main product from the reactions of CuCl2·2H2O and basic coreagents. As a final result of these experiments, it can be stated that μ4-oxido copper clusters most likely play an important role in the mechanism of copper chloride-catalyzed reactions.

Tuning the Diiron Core Geometry in Carboxylate-Bridged Macrocyclic Model Complexes Affects Their Redox Properties and Supports Oxidation Chemistry

We introduce a novel platform to mimic the coordination environment of carboxylate-bridged diiron proteins by tethering a small, dangling internal carboxylate, (CH2)nCOOH, to phenol-imine macrocyclic ligands (H3PIMICn). In the presence of an external bulky carboxylic acid (RCO2H), the ligands react with [Fe2(Mes)4] (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) to afford dinuclear [Fe2(PIMICn)(RCO2)(MeCN)] (n = 4-6) complexes. X-ray diffraction studies revealed structural similarities between these complexes and the reduced diiron active sites of proteins such as Class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) R2 and soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase. The number of CH2 units of the internal carboxylate arm controls the diiron core geometry, affecting in turn the anodic peak potential of the complexes. As functional synthetic models, these complexes facilitate the oxidation of C-H bonds in the presence of peroxides and oxo transfer from O2 to an internal phosphine moiety.

From mononuclear to polynuclear: Copper and zinc complexes obtained from polypyridylamine ligands related to tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-amine (tmpa)

Abstract Copper(I)/(II) complexes and a zinc compound with polypyridylamine ligands (related to the tripodal ligand tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, tmpa) were synthesized. Crystallographic characterization was possible for most of the complexes obtained. The different structures of the complexes allowed some insight into the basic understanding of the design of coordination polymers. Depending on ligand, solvent or anion, either mononuclear, dinuclear or polynuclear complexes were obtained. Graphical Abstract

Transition metal complexes with cage-opened diamondoid tetracyclo[7.3.1.14,12.02,7]tetradeca-6.11-diene

Cage-opened diamondoid tetracyclo[7.3.1.14,12.02,7]tetradeca-6,11-diene forms complexes with AgNO3 and CuCl. The latter crystallized from acetonitrile in polymeric form [Cu2Cl2(CH3CN)(diene)]n; in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine, a double-charged monomeric Cu(I)-complex [Cu2(bipy)2(diene)]2+ formed. Both complexes were structurally characterized through X-ray crystal diffraction analysis. Graphical abstract Copper(I) complexes with the diamantane diene tetracyclo[7.3.1.14,12.02,7]tetradeca-6.11-diene (6) have been prepared and an interesting crystal structure, [Cu2(bipy)2(6)]2+ (hydrogen atoms, anions, and solvent molecules are omitted for clarity), was obtained.