Wojciech I. Dzik

Ligands that store and release electrons during catalysis

First-row transition metals can be given a noble character by redox-active ligands, thus enabling two-electron oxidative addition and reductive elimination steps (see scheme). A recently reported cobalt-mediated Negishi-type cross-coupling reaction provides an illustrative example of this concept and reveals its potential to develop new catalytic reactions with cheap, abundant metals.

Carbon-carbon bond activation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl by a Rh-II metalloradical: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Competitive major carbon-carbon bond activation (CCA) and minor carbon-hydrogen bond activation (CHA) channels are identified in the reaction between rhodium(II) meso-tetramesitylporphyrin [Rh(II)(tmp)] (1) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) (2). The CCA and CHA pathways lead to formation of [Rh(III)(tmp)Me] (3) and [Rh(III)(tmp)H] (5), respectively. In the presence of excess TEMPO, [Rh(II)(tmp)] is regenerated from [Rh(III)(tmp)H] with formation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-ol (TEMPOH) (4) via a subsequent hydrogen atom abstraction pathway. The yield of the CCA product [Rh(III)(tmp)Me] increased with higher temperature at the cost of the CHA product TEMPOH in the temperature range 50-80 degrees C. Both the CCA and CHA pathways follow second-order kinetics. The mechanism of the TEMPO carbon-carbon bond activation was studied by means of kinetic investigations and DFT calculations. Broken symmetry, unrestricted b3-lyp calculations along the open-shell singlet surface reveal a low-energy transition state (TS1) for direct TEMPO methyl radical abstraction by the Rh(II) radical (SH2 type mechanism). An alternative ionic pathway, with a somewhat higher barrier, was identified along the closed-shell singlet surface. This ionic pathway proceeds in two sequential steps: Electron transfer from TEMPO to [Rh(II)(por)] producing the [TEMPO]+ [RhI(por)]- cation-anion pair, followed by net CH3+ transfer from TEMPO+ to Rh(I) with formation of [Rh(III)(por)Me] and (DMPO-like) 2,2,6-trimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-pyridiniumolate. The transition state for this process (TS2) is best described as an SN2-like nucleophilic substitution involving attack of the d(z)2 orbital of [Rh(I)(por)]- at one of the C(Me)-C(ring) sigma* orbitals of [TEMPO]+. Although the calculated barrier of the open-shell radical pathway is somewhat lower than the barrier for the ionic pathway, R-DFT and U-DFT are not likely comparatively accurate enough to reliably distinguish between these possible pathways. Both the radical (SH2) and the ionic (SN2) pathway have barriers which are low enough to explain the experimental kinetic data.

Hydrogen-Atom Transfer in Reactions of Organic Radicals with [CoII(por)]. (por=Porphyrinato) and in Subsequent Addition of [Co(H)(por)] to Olefins

The mechanisms for hydrogen-atom transfer from the cyanoisopropyl radical (*)C(CH(3))(2)CN to [Co(II)(por)](*) (yielding [Co(III)(H)(por)] and CH(2)=C(CH(3))(CN); por = porphyrinato) and the insertion of vinyl acetate (CH(2)=CHOAc) into the Co-H bond of [Co(H)(por)] (giving [Co(III){CH(OAc)CH(3)}(por)]) were investigated by DFT calculations. The results are compared with experimental data. These reactions are relevant to catalytic chain transfer (CCT) in radical polymerization of olefins mediated by [Co(II)(por)](*), the formation and homolysis of organo-cobalt complexes that mediate living radical polymerization of vinyl acetate, and cobalt-mediated hydrogenation of olefins. Hydrogen transfer from (*)C(CH(3))(2)CN to [Co(II)(por)](*) proceeds via a single transition state that has structural features resembling the products [Co(H)(por)] and CH(2)=C(CH(3))CN. The separated radicals approach to form a close-contact radical pair and then pass through the transition state for hydrogen-atom transfer to form [Co(III)(H)(por)] and CH(2)=C(CH(3))CN. This process provides a very low overall barrier for the hydrogen-atom transfer reaction (DeltaG(double dagger) = +3.8 kcal mol(-1)). The reverse reaction corresponding to the addition of [Co(H)(por)] to CH(2)=C(CH(3))CN has a low barrier (DeltaG(double dagger) = +8.9 kcal mol(-1)) as well. Insertion of vinyl acetate into the Co-H bond of [Co(III)(H)(por)] also proceeds over a low barrier (DeltaG(double dagger) = +11.4 kcal mol(-1)) hydrogen-transfer step from [Co(III)(H)(por)] to a carbon atom of the alkene to produce a close-contact radical pair. Dissociation of the radical pair, reorientation, and radical-radical coupling to form an organo-cobalt complex are the culminating steps in the net insertion of an olefin into the Co-H bond. The computed energies obtained for the hydrogen-atom transfer reactions from (*)C(CH(3))(2)CN to [Co(II)(por)](*) and from [Co(H)(por)] to olefins, as well as the organo-cobalt bond homolysis energies correspond well with the experimental observations. The mechanism of alkene insertion into the Co-H bond of [Co(III)(H)(por)] is of general interest, because the species does not contain any cis-vacant sites to the hydride and the usual migratory insertion pathway is not available. The low barrier predicted here for the multistep insertion process suggests that (depending on the bond strengths) even for systems that do have a cis-vacant site, the radical-type insertion might compete with classical migratory insertion.

Selective C--C coupling of ir-ethene and ir-carbenoid radicals

The reactivity of the paramagnetic iridium(II) complex [Ir(II)(ethene)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (1) (Me(3)tpa=N,N,N-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl) amine) towards the diazo compounds ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) and trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSDM) was investigated. The reaction with EDA gave rise to selective C--C bond formation, most likely through radical coupling of the Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH.(COOEt)}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (7) and (the MeCN adduct of) 1, to give the tetracationic dinuclear complex [(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)Ir(III){CH(COOEt)CH(2)CH(2)}Ir(III)(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (4). The analogous reaction with TMSDM leads to the mononuclear dicationic species [Ir(III){CH(2)(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (11). This reaction probably involves a hydrogen-atom abstraction from TMSDM by the intermediate Ir-carbenoid radical species [Ir(III){CH.(SiMe(3))}(MeCN)(Me(3)tpa)](2+) (10). DFT calculations support pathways proceeding via these Ir-carbenoid radicals. The carbenoid-radical species are actually carbon-centered ligand radicals, with an electronic structure best described as one-electron-reduced Fischer-type carbenes. To our knowledge, this paper represents the first reactivity study of a mononuclear Ir(II) species towards diazo compounds.

Open-shell organometallics: reactivity at the ligand

The purpose of this review is to show that (cooperative) ligand radical reactivity can be effectively employed in synthetic organometallic chemistry and catalysis to achieve selectivity in radical-type transformations. The ‘redox non-innocence’ of ligands, and the controlled reactivity of ‘ligand radicals’– giving rise to new, intriguing substrate transformations – allow unusual and selective radical-type substrate coupling reactions, ligand rearrangements and C-Y bond formations. In this review, several examples of fast and selective ligand-centered radical transformations in the open-shell organometallic chemistry of transition metals are described, focussing on radical-type reactions of olefin-, vinylidene-, vinyl-, alkyne-, allyl-, propargyl-, carbonyl-, and carbene ligands. Intriguing and selective substrate-substrate coupling reactions, (covalent) carbon-metal bond formations and hydrogen atom transfer reactions from and to ligand radicals are summarized. To conclude this chapter, an overview of recently disclosed new insights in the catalytic mechanism of CoII(por) catalysed olefin cyclopropanation is presented, showing that enzyme-like cooperative metal-ligand-radical reactivity is no longer reserved to real enzymes, but is a useful new concept to steer and control radical-type transformations in future bio-inspired organometallic catalysis.

Tuning the Porphyrin Building Block in Self-Assembled Cages for Branched-Selective Hydroformylation of Propene

Abstract Unprecedented regioselectivity to the branched aldehyde product in the hydroformylation of propene was attained on embedding a rhodium complex in supramolecular assembly L2, formed by coordination‐driven self‐assembly of tris(meta‐pyridyl)phosphine and zinc(II) porpholactone. The design of cage L2 is based on the ligand‐template approach, in which the ligand acts as a template for cage formation. Previously, first‐generation cage L1, in which zinc(II) porphyrin units were utilized instead of porpholactones, was reported. Binding studies demonstrate that the association constant for the formation of second‐generation cage L2 is nearly an order of magnitude higher than that of L1. This strengthened binding allows cage L2 to remain intact in polar and industrially relevant solvents. As a consequence, the unprecedented regioselectivity for branched aldehyde products can be maintained in polar and coordinating solvents by using the second‐generation assembly.

Reactivity of a Ruthenium–Carbonyl Complex in the Methanol Dehydrogenation Reaction

Finding new catalysts for the release of molecular hydrogen from methanol is of high relevance in the context of the development of sustainable energy carriers. Herein, we report that the ruthenium complex Ru(salbinapht)(CO)(Pi‐Pr3) {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 H2, formate, and carbonate. Dihydrogen is the only gas detected and a turnover frequency up to 55 h−1 at 82 °C is reached. Complex 2 bears a carbonyl ligand that is derived from methanol, as is demonstrated by labeling experiments. The carbonyl ligand can be treated with base to form formate (HCOO−) and hydrogen. 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‐iPr3)2 is occasionally observed, which is also an active methanol dehydrogenation catalyst.

Metalloradical Reactivity of RuI and Ru0 Stabilized by an Indole-Based Tripodal Tetraphosphine Ligand

Abstract The tripodal, tetradentate tris(1‐(diphenylphosphanyl)‐3‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐2‐yl)phosphane PP3‐ligand 1 stabilizes Ru in the RuII, RuI, and Ru0 oxidation states. The octahedral [(PP3)RuII(Cl)2] (2), distorted trigonal bipyramidal [(PP3)RuI(Cl)] (3), and trigonal bipyramidal [(PP3)Ru0(N2)] (4) complexes were isolated and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR, EPR, IR, and ESI‐MS. Both open‐shell metalloradical RuI complex 3 and the closed‐shell Ru0 complex 4 undergo facile (net) abstraction of a Cl atom from dichloromethane, resulting in formation of the corresponding RuII and RuI complexes 2 and 3, respectively.

Coordination of 3-Methylindole-Based Tripodal Tetraphosphine Ligands to Iron(+II), Cobalt(+II), and Nickel(+II) and Investigations of their Subsequent Two-Electron Reduction: Coordination of 3-Methylindole-Based Tripodal Tetraphosphine Ligands to Iron(+II), Cobalt(+II), and Nickel(+II) and Investigations of their Subsequent

We report the coordination chemistry of indole based tripodal tetraphosphine ligands to iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II). These complexes are formed by simple synthetic protocols and were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic techniques and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The molecular structures as determined by X‐ray diffraction show that the geometry of the nickel and cobalt complexes are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. The monocationic iron(II) complexes also have distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries, but the dicationic analogue has an octahedral geometry. Two‐electron reduction of the cobalt(+II) and the nickel(+II) complexes in the presence of N2 did not lead to the coordination of N2. In contrast, two‐electron reduction of the iron(+II) complexes did lead to coordination of dinitrogen to the iron center. The Fe0N2 L1H complex has a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, and the N–N bond length of the coordinated dinitrogen ligand is longer than that of free dinitrogen, indicating that coordination to this iron(0) complex results in activation of the N≡N bond.

CCDC 604832: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: D.G.H.Hetterscheid, C.Hendriksen, W.I.Dzik, J.M.M.Smits, E.R.H.van Eck, A.E.Rowan, V.Busico, M.Vacatello, V.Van A.Castelli, A.Segre, E.Jellema, T.G.Bloemberg, B.de Bruin|2006|J.Am.Chem.Soc.|128|9746|doi:10.1021/ja058722j