An oxidized active site model for the FeFe hydrogenase: reduction with hydrogen gas.

Models for the oxidized form of the FeFe hydrogenase active site have been prepared. These cationic complexes contain two iron atoms, carbonyl ligands, a propanedithiolate bridge, and one other bridging group. Reduction of these complexes with hydrogen gas is demonstrated.

Manganese alkane complexes: an IR and NMR spectroscopic investigation.

Manganese propane and manganese butane complexes derived from CpMn(CO)(3) were generated photochemically at 130-136 K with the alkane as solvent and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and by (1)H NMR spectroscopy with in situ laser photolysis. Time-resolved IR spectroscopic measurements were performed at room temperature with the same laser wavelength. The ν(CO) bands in the IR spectra of the photoproducts in propane are shifted to low frequency with respect to CpMn(CO)(3), consistent with formation of CpMn(CO)(2)(propane). The (1)H NMR spectra conform to the criteria for alkane complexes: a high-field resonance for the η(2)-CH protons that shifts substantially on partial deuteration of the alkane and exhibits a coupling constant J(C-H) on (13)C-labeling of ca. 120 Hz. The NMR spectrum of each system exhibits two diagnostic product resonances in the high-field region for the η(2)-CH protons, corresponding to CpMn(CO)(2)(η(2)-C1-H-alkane) and CpMn(CO)(2)(η(2)-C2-H-alkane) isomers. Partial deuteration of the alkane at C1 results in characteristic strong isotopic perturbation of equilibrium of the η(2)-CH resonance of CpMn(CO)(2)(η(2)-C1-H-alkane). With propane-(13)C(1), the η(2)-CH resonance of CpMn(CO)(2)(η(2)-C1-H-alkane) isomer exhibits (13)C satellites with J(C-H) = 119 Hz. The corresponding resonance of CpMn(CO)(2)(η(2)-C2-H-alkane) is identified by use of propane-2,2-d(2). The lifetimes of the (η(2)-C1-H-alkane) isomers of the manganese complexes were determined by NMR spectroscopy as 22 ± 2 min at 134 K (propane) and 5.5 min at 136 K (butane). The corresponding spectra and lifetimes of the CpRe(CO)(2)(alkane) complexes were measured for reference (CpRe(CO)(2)(propane) lifetime ca. 60 min at 161 K; CpRe(CO)(2)(butane) 13 min at 171 K). The lifetimes determined by IR spectroscopy were similar to those determined by NMR spectroscopy, thereby supporting the assignments. These measurements extend the range of alkane complexes characterized by NMR spectroscopy from rhenium and rhodium derivatives to include less stable manganese derivatives.

A carbonyl-rich bridging hydride complex relevant to the Fe-Fe hydrogenase active site.

Protonation of Fe(2)(µ-S(2)C(3)H(6))(CO)(6) with an acid derived from [SiEt(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] and HCl affords a hydride-bridged dimer.

A systematic approach to the generation of long-lived metal alkane complexes: combined IR and NMR study of (Tp)Re(CO)2(cyclopentane).

Short wavelength photolysis of (Tp)Re(CO)(3) (Tp = tris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) at low-temperature in cyclopentane yielded (Tp)Re(CO)(2)(cyclopentane), an alkane complex with three nitrogen ligands that was characterised by NMR spectroscopy.

Silane complexes of electrophilic metal centers.

Photolysis of solutions of M(CO)6 (M = Cr, Mo, and W) in the presence of Et3SiH affords the silane complexes Cr(CO)5(eta2-HSiEt3), Mo(CO)5(eta2-HSiEt3), and W(CO)5(eta2-HSiEt3). Observed values of J(SiH) in these complexes are consistent with modest elongation of the Si-H bond. With Ph3SiH, complexes of Cr(CO)5 and W(CO)5 were obtained, but no complex with Mo was observed. When Ph2SiH2 was employed, only one Si-H bond interacts with the metal center. A dynamic exchange process observable on the magnetic resonance time scale exchanges the pendant and coordinated Si-H bonds of the coordinated diphenylsilane. Silanes bound to M(CO)5 are activated with respect to reaction with nucleophiles. With methanol, catalytic methanolysis of HSiEt3 has been observed in the presence of Cr(CO)5(eta2-HSiEt3), affording Et3SiOMe.

Photochemical generation of dihydrogen complexes of chromium and tungsten.

Photolysis of solutions of M(CO)(6) (M = Cr, W) at low temperature in the presence of hydrogen gas affords Cr(CO)(5)(H(2)) (1) and W(CO)(5)(H(2)) (2). Complexes 1 and 2 are characterized as dihydrogen complexes based on short T(1) values for the hydride resonances and the observation of a large HD coupling in the HD derivatives. Irradiation of a phosphine-substituted derivative (PMe(3))Cr(CO)(5) in the presence of hydrogen gas gave similar results. Thus cis-(PMe(3))Cr(CO)(4)(H(2)) (3) and trans-(PMe(3))Cr(CO)(4)(H(2)) (4) were prepared and characterized by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. When the photolysis reactions were carried out in methylene chloride, solvent binding competitive with hydrogen binding was observed. This was not observed in less coordinating solvents such as alkanes. Subsequent displacement of solvent by H(2) leads to the dihydrogen complexes. Complexes 1 and 2 are moderately acidic, with deprotonation effected by mild bases.

Dihydrogen complexes of electrophilic metal centers: observation of Cr(CO)5(H2), W(CO)5(H2) and [Re(CO)5(H2)]+.

Photolysis of dichloromethane solutions of M(CO)6 (M = Cr, W) at low temperature in the presence of hydrogen gas affords W(CO)5(H2) (1) and Cr(CO)5(H2) (2). Complexes 1 and 2 are characterized as dihydrogen complexes based on short T1 values for the hydride resonances and a large HD coupling of 35.3 Hz (W) and 35.8 Hz (Cr) in the HD derivatives. A cationic analogue, [Re(CO)5(H2)]+ (3), was prepared by reaction of Re(CO)5Cl with [Et3Si][B(C6F5)4] in fluorobenzene under hydrogen. Complex 3-d1 exhibits JHD = 33.9 Hz. Complex 3 is strongly acidic, with complete deprotonation by diethyl ether; complexes 1 and 2 are moderately acidic. Deprotonation of 1 is complete in the presence of one equivalent of triethylamine.