Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction and Formic Acid Oxidation by Formal Nickel(I) Complexes of Di-isopropylphenyl Bis-iminoacenaphthene.

Processing CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels stands as one of the most crucial tasks in addressing the global challenge of the greenhouse effect. In this study, we focused on the complex (dpp-bian)NiBr2 (where dpp-bian is di-isopropylphenyl bis-iminoacenaphthene) as a precatalyst for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 into CH4 as the sole product. Cyclic voltammetry results indicate that the realization of a catalytically effective pattern requires the three-electron reduction of (dpp-bian)NiBr2. The chemically reduced complexes [K(THF)6]+[(dpp-bian)Ni(COD)]- and [K(THF)6]+[(dpp-bian)2Ni]- were synthesized and structurally characterized. Analyzing the data from the electron paramagnetic resonance study of the complexes in solutions, along with quantum-chemical calculations, reveals that the spin density is predominantly localized at their metal centers. The superposition of trajectory maps of the electron density gradient vector field ∇ ρ r ${\nabla \rho \left({\bf r}\right)}$ and the electrostatic force density field F e s r ${{{\bf F}}_{{\rm e}{\rm s}}\left({\bf r}\right)}$ per electron, as well as the atomic charges, discloses that, within the first coordination sphere, the interatomic charge transfer occurs from the metal atom to the ligand atoms and that the complex anions can thus be formally described by the general formulae (dpp-bian)2-Ni+(COD) and (dpp-bian)2 -Ni+. It was also shown that the reduced nickel complexes can be oxidized by formic acid; resulting from this reaction, the two-electron and two-proton addition product dpp-bian-2H is formed.

Chemical and Electrochemical Reductions of Monoiminoacenaphthenes.

Redox properties of monoiminoacenaphthenes (MIANs) were studied using various electrochemical techniques. The potential values obtained were used for calculating the electrochemical gap value and corresponding frontier orbital difference energy. The first-peak-potential reduction of the MIANs was performed. As a result of controlled potential electrolysis, two-electron one-proton addition products were obtained. Additionally, the MIANs were exposed to one-electron chemical reduction by sodium and NaBH4. Structures of three new sodium complexes, three products of electrochemical reduction, and one product of the reduction by NaBH4 were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The MIANs reduced electrochemically by NaBH4 represent salts, in which the protonated MIAN skeleton acts as an anion and Bu4N+ or Na+ as a cation. In the case of sodium complexes, the anion radicals of MIANs are coordinated with sodium cations into tetranuclear complexes. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of all reduced MIAN products, as well as neutral forms, were studied both experimentally and quantum-chemically.

Cobalt(II) coordination to an N4-acenaphthene-based ligand and its sodium complex.

A new bifunctional N4-ligand was obtained via the condensation reaction of acenaphthenequinone and 2-picolylamine. A peculiarity of this synthesis is the formation of a new intramolecular C-C bond during the reaction. The structure and redox properties of the ligand were studied. The anion-radical form of the ligand was prepared via the chemical reduction of the latter with metallic sodium as well as in situ via its electrochemical reduction in a solution. The sodium salt prepared was structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). New cobalt complexes with the ligand in neutral and anion-radical forms were synthesized and further studied. As a result, three new homo- and heteroleptic cobalt(II) complexes were obtained, in which the cobalt atom demonstrates different modes of coordination with the ligand. Cobalt(II) complex CoL2 with two monoanionic ligands was prepared by the electrochemical reduction of a related L2CoBr2 complex or by treating cobalt(II) bromide with the sodium salt. XRD was used to study the structures of all cobalt complexes prepared. Magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance studies were performed: CoII ion states with S = 3/2 and S = 1/2 were found for the complexes. A quantum-chemical study confirmed that the spin density is mainly located at the cobalt center.

Synthesis and Structure of Iron (II) Complexes of Functionalized 1,5-Diaza-3,7-Diphosphacyclooctanes.

In order to synthesize new iron (II) complexes of 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes with a wider variety of the substituents on ligands heteroatoms (including functionalized ones, namely, pyridyl groups) and co-ligands, it was found that these ligands with relatively small phenyl, benzyl, and pyridin-2-yl substituents on phosphorus atoms in acetonitrile formed bis-P,P-chelate cis-complexes [L2Fe(CH3CN)2]2+ (BF4)2-, whereas P-mesityl-substituted ligand formed only monoligand P,P-complex [LFe(CH3CN)4]2+ (BF4)2-. 3,7-dibenzyl-1,5-di(1'-(R)-phenylethyl)-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane reacted with hexahydrate of iron (II) tetrafluoroborate in acetone to give an unusual bis-ligand cationic complex of the composition [L2Fe(BF4)]+ BF4-, where two fluorine atoms of the tetrafluoroborate unit occupied two pseudo-equatorial positions at roughly octahedral iron ion, according to X-ray diffraction data. 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes replaced tetrahydrofurane and one of the carbonyl ligands of cyclopentadienyldicarbonyl(tetrahydrofuran)iron (II) tetrafluoroborate to form heteroligand complexes [CpFeL(CO)]+BF4-. The structural studies in the solid phase and in solutions showed that diazadiphosphacyclooctane ligands of all complexes adopted chair-boat conformations so that their nitrogen atoms were in close proximity to the central iron ion. The redox properties of the obtained complexes were performed by the cyclic voltammetry method.

3D Ni and Co redox-active metal-organic frameworks based on ferrocenyl diphosphinate and 4,4'-bipyridine ligands as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

New 3D Ni and Co redox-active metal-organic frameworks based on ferrocenyl diphosphinate and 4,4'-bipyridine ligands have been synthesized, characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques and explored as stable electrocatalysts capable of meeting two important parameters: the overpotential and Tafel slope (TS) in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrochemical studies suggest that the reaction kinetics of a Ni-MOF (1) catalyst is more favorable than that of a Co-MOF (2) catalyst. Particularly, Ni-MOF exhibits better HER performance with an overpotential of 350 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, a small TS of 60 mV dec-1 and superior long-term durability (of up to 10 000 cycles), ranking it among the most active non-noble metal-based molecular electrocatalysts. The introduction of a 4,4'-bpy linker in 2 significantly changes the catalytic properties in an organic or aqueous environment compared to 1D cobalt polymers based on ferrocenyl diphosphinate. For Co-MOF 2, there is a significant decrease in the overvoltage by ∼440 mV in comparison with the 1D Co polymer in an organic medium and by 50 mV in an aqueous medium. The TS changes from 120 to 65 mV dec-1 when moving from 1D CofcdHp to a 3D structure of 2. Thus, a 4,4'-bpy linker reduces the overvoltage and gives more favorable HER kinetics (lower TS). These results provide important guidelines for the rational design of non-precious metal electrocatalysts.

One-Electron Reduction of Acenaphthene-1,2-Diimine Nickel(II) Complexes.

New nickel-based complexes of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-bian) with BF4 - counterion or halide co-ligands were synthesized in THF and MeCN. The nickel(I) complexes were obtained by using two approaches: 1) electrochemical reduction of the corresponding nickel(II) precursors; and 2) a chemical comproportionation reaction. The structural features and redox properties of these complexes were investigated by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The influence of temperature and solvent on the structure of the nickel(I) complexes was studied in detail, and an uncommon reversible solvent-induced monomer/dimer transformation was observed. In the case of the fluoride complex, the unpaired electron was found to be localized on the dpp-bian ligand, whereas all of the other nickel complexes contained neutral dpp-bian moieties.

Zn and Co redox active coordination polymers as efficient electrocatalysts.

New redox active 1D helical coordination polymers M(fcdHp) (M(ii) = Zn(1), Co(2)) have been obtained by utilizing the 1,1'-ferrocenylenbis(H-phosphinic) acid (H2fcdHp) ligand and Zn or Co nitrate salts. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphic, crystallizing in the chiral space groups P4122 and P4322, respectively. Their redox, electrocatalytic and other properties are described. These compounds incorporated into carbon paste electrodes and exhibited reversible redox reactions, arising from the ferrocenyl moiety. These coordination polymers are efficient as electrocatalysts for the reduction of protons to hydrogen. Using N,N-dimethylformamidium ([DMF(H)+]) as the acid in the acetonitrile solution, Co CP (2) displays a turnover frequency of 300 s-1, which is among the fastest rates reported for any CP electrocatalyst in CH3CN. This high rate of catalytic reaction comes at the cost of the 820-840 mV overpotential at the potential of catalysis. As the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, the CPs exhibited in 0.5 M H2SO4 the overpotential η10 of 340 or 450 mV, onset overpotential of 220 or 300 mV (vs. RHE), Tafel slope of 110 or 120 mV dec-1, correspondingly for 1 and 2, and considerable long-term stability for the HER.

Nano-architecture of silica nanoparticles as a tool to tune both electrochemical and catalytic behavior of NiII@SiO2.

The present work introduces a facile synthetic route for efficient doping of [NiII(bpy) x ] into silica nanoparticles with various sizes and architectures. Variation of the latter results in different concentrations of the NiII complexes at the interface of the composite nanoparticles. The UV-Vis analysis of the nanoparticles reveals changes in the inner-sphere environment of the NiII complexes when embedded into the nanoparticles, while the inner-sphere of NiII is invariant for the nanoparticles with different architecture. Comparative analysis of the electrochemically generated redox transformations of the NiII complexes embedded in the nanoparticles of various architectures reveals the latter as the main factor controlling the accessibility of NiII complexes to the redox transitions which, in turn, controls the electrochemical behavior of the nanoparticles. The work also highlights an impact of the nanoparticulate architecture in catalytic activity of the NiII complexes within the different nanoparticles in oxidative C-H fluoroalkylation of caffeine. Both low leakage and high concentration of the NiII complexes at the interface of the composite nanoparticles enables fluoroalkylated caffeine to be obtained in high yields under recycling of the nanocatalyst five times at least.

One-Electron Reduction of 2-Mono(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)acenaphthene-1-one (dpp-mian).

The electrochemical characteristics of 2-mono(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)acenaphthene-1-one (dpp-mian) have been investigated. One-electron reduction of dpp-mian involves the iminoketone fragment, which is revealed by the EPR spectrum obtained after the electrolysis of the dpp-mian solution in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The reduction of dpp-mian with one equivalent of metallic potassium leads to a similar EPR spectrum. The sodium complex [(dpp-mian)Na(dme)]2 (1) produces an EPR signal with hyperfine coupling on the nitrogen atom of the iminoketone fragment of the dpp-mian ligand. Dpp-mian can also be reduced in a one-electron process by SnCl2 ×(dioxane). In this case, complex (dpp-mian)2 SnCl2 (2) is formed, with the tin atom displaying an oxidation state of +4. Tin(II) chloride dihydrate, SnCl2 ×2(H2 O), also reduces dpp-mian, but the two ligands bound to tin in the product form a new carbon-carbon bond between the ketone moieties of the dpp-mian monoanions to form complex (bis-dpp-mian)HSnCl3 (3). Metallic tin reduces dpp-mian to form the (bis-dpp-mian)2 Sn (4) species. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction.

A Ni(iii) complex stabilized by silica nanoparticles as an efficient nanoheterogeneous catalyst for oxidative C-H fluoroalkylation.

We have developed Ni(III)-doped silica nanoparticles ([(bpy)xNi(III)]@SiO2) as a recyclable, low-leaching, and efficient oxidative functionalization nanocatalyst for aromatic C-H bonds. The catalyst is obtained by doping the complex [(bpy)3Ni(II)] on silica nanoparticles along with its subsequent electrooxidation to [(bpy)xNi(III)] without an additional oxidant. The coupling reaction of arenes with perfluoroheptanoic acid occurs with 100% conversion of reactants in a single step at room temperature under nanoheterogeneous conditions. The catalyst content is only 1% with respect to the substrates under electrochemical regeneration conditions. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused a minimum of five times. The results emphasize immobilization on the silica support and the electrochemical regeneration of Ni(III) complexes as a facile route for developing an efficient nanocatalyst for oxidative functionalization.

Iron-catalyzed electrochemical C-H perfluoroalkylation of arenes.

A new iron-catalyzed reaction for the coupling of perfluoroalkyl iodides (RFI) with aromatic substrates is described. The perfluoroalkylated arene products are obtained in good to excellent yields in the presence of a [(bpy)Fe(ii)] catalyst (10%) electrochemically regenerated or generated from [(bpy)Fe(iii)] at room temperature. The development, scope, and preliminary mechanistic studies of these transformations are reported.

New functional cyclic aminomethylphosphine ligands for the construction of catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen transformations.

Eight-membered cyclic functional bisphosphines, namely 1,5-di-aryl-3,7-di(2-pyridyl)-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes (aryl=2-pyridyl, m-tolyl, p-tolyl, diphenylmethyl, benzyl, (R)-(+)-(α-methyl)benzyl), with 2-pyridyl substituents on the phosphorus atoms have been synthesized by condensation of 2-pyridylphosphine, formaldehyde, and the corresponding primary amine. The structures of some of these bisphosphines have been investigated by X-ray crystallography. The bisphosphines readily form neutral P,P-chelate complexes [(κ(2)-P,P-L)MCl2], cationic bis-P,P-chelate complexes [(κ(2)-P,P-L)2 M](2+), or a five-coordinate complex [(κ(2)-P,P-L)2 NiBr]Br. The electrochemical behavior of two of the nickel complexes, and their catalytic activities in electrochemical hydrogen evolution and hydrogen oxidation, including the fuel-cell test, have been studied.