Two-Electron Mixed Valency in a Heterotrimetallic Nickel-Vanadium-Nickel Complex.

Mixed-valence complexes represent an enticing class of coordination compounds to interrogate electron transfer confined within a molecular framework. The diamagnetic heterotrimetallic anion, [V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2]-, was prepared by reducing (dppe)NiCl2 in the presence of the chelating metalloligand [V(SNS)2]- [dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; (SNS)3- = bis(2-thiolato-4-methylphenyl)amide]. Vanadium-nickel bonds span the heterotrimetallic core in the structure of [V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2]-, with V-Ni bond lengths of 2.78 and 2.79 Å. One-electron oxidation of monoanionic [V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2]- yielded neutral, paramagnetic V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2. The solid-state structure of V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2 revealed that the two nickel ions occupy unique coordination environments: one nickel is in a square-planar S2P2 coordination environment (τ4 = 0.19), with a long Ni···V distance of 3.45 Å; the other nickel is in a tetrahedral S2P2 coordination environment (τ4 = 0.84) with a short Ni-V distance of 2.60 Å, consistent with a formal metal-metal bond. Continuous-wave X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, electrochemical investigations, and density functional theory computations indicated that the unpaired electron in the neutral V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2 cluster is localized on the bridging [V(SNS)2] metalloligand, and as a result, V(SNS)2{Ni(dppe)}2 is best described as a two-electron mixed-valence complex. These results demonstrate the important role that metal-metal interactions and flexible coordination geometries play in enabling multiple, reversible electron transfer processes in small cluster complexes.

Exploring Ligand-Centered Hydride and H-Atom Transfer.

The nickel(II) complex [ON(H)O]Ni(PPh3) ([ON(H)O]2- = bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)amine), bearing a protonated redox-active ligand, was examined for its ability to serve as a hydrogen atom (H•) and hydride (H-) donor. Deprotonation of [ON(H)O]Ni(PPh3) afforded the square-planar anion {[ONOcat]Ni(PPh3)}1-, whereas hydrogen atom transfer from [ON(H)O]Ni(PPh3) to TEMPO• in the presence of added PPh3 afforded five-coordinate [ONO]Ni(PPh3)2 that has been structurally characterized. In solution, this five-coordinate complex exists in equilibrium with four-coordinate [ONO]Ni(PPh3), and this ligand exchange equilibrium correlates with a valence tautomerization between the redox-active ligand and the nickel center. Abstraction of a hydride from [ON(H)O]Ni(PPh3) in the presence of PPh3 afforded the octahedral complex, [ONOq]Ni(OTf)(PPh3)2, which was characterized as an S = 1, nickel(II) complex. Bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) and hydricity (ΔG°H-) measurements benchmark the thermodynamic propensity of this complex to participate in ligand-centered H• and H- transfer reactions.

Metal-Ion Influence on Ligand-Centered Hydrogen-Atom Transfer.

The ligand-centered hydrogen-atom-transfer (HAT) reactivity was examined for a family of group 10 metal complexes containing a tridentate pincer ligand derived from bis(2-mercapto-p-tolyl)amine, [SNS]H3. Six new metal complexes of palladium and platinum were synthesized with the [SNS] ligand platform in different redox and protonation states to complete the group 10 series previously reported with nickel. The HAT reactivity was examined for this family of nickel, palladium, and platinum complexes to determine the impact of a metal ion on the ligand-centered reactivity. Thermodynamic measurements revealed that N-H bond dissociation free energies increased by approximately 10 kcal mol-1 along the series Ni < Pd < Pt driven by changes to both the redox potential and pKa of the ligand. Kinetic analyses for all three metal complexes suggest that the barrier to the HAT reactivity is primarily entropic rather than enthalpic for this system.

Hydrogen-Atom Noninnocence of a Tridentate [SNS] Pincer Ligand.

Double deprotonation of bis(2-mercapto-4-methylphenyl)amine ([SNS]H3) followed by addition to NiCl2(PR3)2 in air-free conditions afforded [SN(H)S]Ni(PR3) (1a, R = Cy; 1b, R = Ph) complexes, characterized as diamagnetic, square-planar nickel(II) complexes. When the same reaction was conducted with 3 equiv of KH, the diamagnetic anions K{[SNS]Ni(PR3)} were obtained (K[2a], R = Cy; K[2b], R = Ph). In the presence of air, the reaction proceeds with a concomitant one-electron oxidation. When R = Cy, a square-planar, S = 1/2 complex, [SNS]Ni(PCy3) (3a), was isolated. When R = Ph, the bimetallic complex {[SNS]Ni(PPh3)}2 ({3b}2) was obtained. This bimetallic species is diamagnetic; however, in solution it dissociates to give S = 1/2 monomers analogous to 3a. Complexes 1-3 represent a hydrogen-atom-transfer series. The bond dissociation free energies (BDFEs) for 1a and 1b were calculated to be 63.9 ± 0.1 and 62.4 ± 0.2 kcal mol-1, respectively, using the corresponding p Ka and E°' values. Consistent with these BDFE values, TEMPO• reacted with 1a and 1b, resulting in the abstraction of a hydrogen atom to afford 3a and 3b, respectively.

Heterobimetallic complexes of palladium and platinum containing a redox-active W[SNS]2 metalloligand.

Complexes of the general formula W[SNS]2M(dppe) (M = Pd, Pt; [SNS]H3 = bis(2-mercapto-p-tolyl)amine; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) were prepared by combining the corresponding (dppe)MCl2 synthon with W[SNS]2 under reducing conditions. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of a heterobimetallic complex supported by a single thiolate bridging ligand and a short metal-metal bond between the tungsten and palladium or platinum. Electrochemical and computational results show that the frontier orbitals lie predominantly on the W[SNS]2 fragment suggesting that it behaves as a redox-active metalloligand in these complexes.

A Heterobimetallic W-Ni Complex Containing a Redox-Active W[SNS]2 Metalloligand.

The tungsten complex W[SNS]2 ([SNS]H3 = bis(2-mercapto-4-methylphenyl)amine) was bound to a Ni(dppe) [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] fragment to form the new heterobimetallic complex W[SNS]2Ni(dppe). Characterization of the complex by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of a short W-Ni bond, which renders the complex diamagnetic despite formal tungsten(V) and nickel(I) oxidation states. The W[SNS]2 unit acts as a redox-active metalloligand in the bimetallic complex, which displays four one-electron redox processes by cyclic voltammetry. In the presence of the organic acid 4-cyanoanilinium tetrafluoroborate, W[SNS]2Ni(dppe) catalyzes the electrochemical reduction of protons to hydrogen coincident with the first reduction of the complex.

Near-IR absorbing donor-acceptor ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer complexes of nickel(ii).

A new series of square-planar nickel(ii) donor-acceptor complexes exhibiting ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LL'CT) transitions have been prepared. Whereas the use of a catecholate donor ligand in conjunction with a bipyridyl acceptor ligand affords a complex that absorbs throughout the visible region, the use of a azanidophenolate donor ligands in conjunction with a bipyridyl acceptor ligand affords complexes that absorbs well into the near-IR region of the solar spectrum. Three new complexes, (cat)Ni(bpy t Bu2) (1; (cat)2- = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-catecholate; bpy t Bu2 = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine), (ap)Ni(bpy t Bu2) (2; (ap)2- = 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenylazanido)phenolate), and (apPh)Ni(bpy t Bu2) (3; (apPh)2- = 10-(2,6-diisopropylphenylazanido)-9-phenanthrolate), have been prepared and characterized by structural, electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods. Whereas all three square-planar complexes show multiple reversible one-electron redox-processes and strong LL'CT absorption bands, in azanidophenolate complexes 2 and 3, the LL'CT absorption covers the near-IR region from 700-1200 nm. The electronic absorption spectra and ground state electrochemical data for 2 and 3 provide an estimate of their excited-state reduction potentials, E+/*, of -1.3 V vs. SCE, making them as potent as the singlet excited state of [Ru(bpy)3]2+.

Bimetallic iron-iron and iron-zinc complexes of the redox-active ONO pincer ligand.

A new bimetallic platform comprising a six-coordinate Fe(ONO)2 unit bound to an (ONO)M (M = Fe, Zn) has been discovered ((ONOcat)H3 = bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenol)amine). Reaction of Fe(ONO)2 with either (ONOcat)Fe(py)3 or with (ONOq)FeCl2 under reducing conditions led to the formation of the bimetallic complex Fe2(ONO)3, which includes unique five- and six-coordinate iron centers. Similarly, the reaction of Fe(ONO)2 with the new synthon (ONOsq˙)Zn(py)2 led to the formation of the heterobimetallic complex FeZn(ONO)3, with a six-coordinate iron center and a five-coordinate zinc center. Both bimetallic complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, solid-state magnetic measurements, and multiple spectroscopic techniques. The magnetic data for FeZn(ONO)3 are consistent with a ground state S = 3/2 spin system, generated from a high-spin iron(ii) center that is antiferromagnetically coupled to a single (ONOsq˙)2- radical ligand. In the case of Fe2(ONO)3, the magnetic data revealed a ground state S = 7/2 spin system arising from the interactions of one high-spin iron(ii) center, one high-spin iron(iii) center, and two (ONOsq˙)2- radical ligands.

Synthesis of Catecholate Ligands with Phosphonate Anchoring Groups.

New catecholate ligands containing protected phosphonate anchoring groups in the 4-position of the catecholate ring were synthesized. The catechol 4-diethoxyphosphorylbenzene-1,2-diol, ((Et)phoscat)H2, was prepared in three steps from pyrocatechol; whereas, the catechol 4-(diethoxyphosphorylmethyl)benzene-1,2-diol, ((Et)Bnphoscat)H2, containing a methylene spacer between the catecholate ring and phosphonate anchor, was prepared from protocatechuic acid in six linear steps. Both catechol derivatives were further elaborated to their trimethylsilyl-protected counterparts to facilitate their binding to nanocrystalline metal oxides. Electronic spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to probe the electronic properties of the phosphonate-functionalized catecholates in charge-transfer complexes of the general formula (catecholate)Pd(pdi) (pdi = N,N'-bis(mesityl)phenanthrene-9,10-diimine). These studies show that attachment of the phosphonate anchor directly to the 4-position of the ((Et)phoscat)(2-) ligand significantly perturbs the donor ability of the catecholate ligand; however, incorporation of a single methylene spacer group in ((Et)Bnphoscat)(2-) helps to isolate catecholate from the electron-withdrawing phosphonate group.

Metal effects on ligand non-innocence in Group 5 complexes of the redox-active [ONO] pincer ligand.

Isostructural vanadium, niobium and tantalum complexes of bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenol)amine ([ONO]H3), were prepared and characterized to evaluate the impact of the metal ion on redox-activity of the ligand platform. New vanadium and niobium complexes with the general formula, [ONO]MCl2L (M = V, L = THF, 1-V; M = Nb, L = Et2O, 1-Nb) were prepared and structurally analysed by X-ray crystallography. The solid-state structures indicate that the niobium derivative is electronically analogous to the tantalum analog 1-Ta, containing a reduced (ONO) ligand and a niobium(V) metal ion, [ONO(cat)]Nb(V)Cl2(OEt2); whereas, the vanadium derivative is best described as a vanadium(IV) complex, [ONO(sq)]V(IV)Cl2(THF). One-electron oxidation was carried out on all three metal complexes to afford [ONO]MCl3 derivatives (3-V, 3-Nb, 3-Ta). For all three derivatives, oxidation occurs at the (ONO) ligand. In the cases of niobium and tantalum, electronically similar complexes characterized as [ONO(sq)]M(V)Cl3 were obtained and for vanadium, ligand-based oxidation led to the formation of a complex best described as [ONO(q)]V(IV)Cl3. All complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. DFT and TD-DFT calculations were used to probe the electronic structure of the complexes and help verify the different electronic structures stemming from changes to the coordinated metal ion.

Donor-acceptor ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer coordination complexes of nickel(II).

A family of charge-transfer chromophores comprising square-planar nickel(II) complexes with one catecholate donor ligand and one α-diimine acceptor ligand is reported. The nine new chromophores were prepared using three different catecholate ligands and three different α-diimine ligands. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on all members of the series confirm a catecholate donor-nickel(II)-α-diimine acceptor electronic structure. The coplanar arrangement of donor and acceptor ligands manifests an intense ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LL'CT) absorption band that can be tuned incrementally from 650 nm (1.9 eV) to 1370 nm (0.9 eV). Electrochemical studies of all nine complexes reveal rich redox chemistry with two one-electron reduction processes and two one-electron oxidation processes. For one dye, both the singly reduced anion and the singly oxidized cation were prepared, isolated, and characterized by EPR spectroscopy to confirm ligand-localization of the redox processes. The optical and electrochemical properties of these new complexes identify them as attractive candidates for charge-transfer photochemistry and solar-energy conversion applications.

Tuning the electronic and steric parameters of a redox-active tris(amido) ligand.

A family of tantalum compounds was prepared to probe the electronic effects engendered by the addition of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups to the 4/4' positions of the redox-active ligand derived from bis(2-isopropylamino-4-X-phenyl)amine [(X,iPr)(NNN(cat))H3, X = F, H, Me, (t)Bu]). A general synthetic procedure for the (X,iPr)(NNN(cat))H3 ligand family was developed starting from the 4/4' disubstituted diphenylamine derivative. A second ligand modification, incorporation of aromatic substituents at the flanking nitrogen moieties, was achieved via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling to afford bis(2-3,5-dimethylphenylamino-4-methoxy-phenyl)amine (OMe,DMP)(NNN(cat))H3 (DMP = 3,5-C6H3Me2), allowing a comparative study to the less sterically hindered isopropyl derivative. Treatment of the triamines with 1 equiv of TaMe3Cl2 generated the corresponding dichloro complexes (X,R)(NNN(cat))TaCl2(L) (L = empty or Et2O) in high yields. These neutral dichloride derivatives reacted with [NBnEt3][Cl] to produce the anionic trichloride derivatives [NBnEt3][(X,R)(NNN(cat))TaCl3], whereas the neutral dichloride derivatives reacted with chlorine atom donors to produce the neutral trichloride derivatives (X,R)(NNN(sq))TaCl3, containing the one-electron-oxidized form of the redox-active ligand. Aryl azides reacted with the (X,R)(NNN(cat))TaCl2(L) derivatives, resulting in nitrene transfer to tantalum and two-electron oxidation of the ligand platform to give (X,R)(NNN(q))TaCl2(═NR') (R = iPr; X = OMe, F, H, Me; R' = p-C6H4tBu, p-C6H4CF3; and R = 3,5-C6H3Me2; X = OMe; R' = p-C6H4CH3). Electrochemistry, UV-vis-NIR, IR, and EPR spectroscopies along with X-ray diffraction methods were used to characterize and compare complexes with different redox-active ligand derivatives in each oxidation state. This study demonstrates that while the ligand redox potentials can be adjusted over a 270 mV range through substitutions at the 4/4' ring positions, the coordination chemistry and reactivity patterns at the bound tantalum center remain unchanged, suggesting that such ligand modifications can be used to tune the redox potentials of a complex for a particular substrate of interest.

Synthesis and characterization of a redox-active bis(thiophenolato)amide ligand, [SNS]3-, and the homoleptic tungsten complexes, W[SNS]2 and W[ONO]2.

A new tridentate redox-active ligand platform, derived from bis(2-mercapto-p-tolyl)amine, [SNS(cat)]H(3), has been prepared in high yields by a four-step procedure starting from commericially available bis(p-tolyl)amine. The redox-active pincer-type ligand has been coordinated to tungsten to afford the six-coordinate, homoleptic complex W[SNS](2). To benchmark the redox behavior of the [SNS] ligand, the analogous tungsten complex of the well-known redox-active bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenolato)amide ligand, W[ONO](2), also has been prepared. Both complexes show two reversible reductions and two partially reversible oxidations. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical data all indicate that W[ONO](2) is best described as a tungsten(VI) metal center coordinated to two [ONO(cat)](3-) ligands. In contrast, experimental data suggests a higher degree of S→W π donation, giving the W[SNS](2) complex non-innocent electronic character that can be described as a tungsten(IV) metal center coordinated to two [SNS(sq)](2-) ligands.

Group transfer reactions of d0 transition metal complexes: redox-active ligands provide a mechanism for expanded reactivity.

Group- and atom-transfer is an attractive reaction class for the preparation of value-added organic substrates. Despite a wide variety of known early-transition metal oxo and imido complexes, these species have received limited attention for atom- and group-transfer reactions, owing to the lack of an accessible metal-based two-electron redox couple. Recently it has been shown that redox-active ligands can support the multi-electron changes required to promote group-transfer reactivity, opening up new avenues for group- and atom-transfer catalyst design. This Perspective article provides an overview of group transfer reactivity in early-transition metal complexes supported by traditional ligand platforms, followed by recent advances in the atom- and group-transfer reactivity of d(0) metal complexes containing redox-active ligands.

Synthesis and characterization of a neutral titanium tris(iminosemiquinone) complex featuring redox-active ligands.

The neutral tris(semiquinonate) complex [Ti(dmp-BIAN(isq))(3)] [dmp-BIAN(isq) = N,N'-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylimino)acenaphthenesemiquinonate] was structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically characterized. Solid-state magnetism experiments reveal field-quenchable, enhanced temperature-independent paramagnetism (TIP). Density functional theory calculations employing the experimental geometry predicts a strong antiferromagnetic coupling, leading to an S = 0 ground state, but they also hint at spin frustration and concomitant close-lying, excited states, which cause the observed large TIP by admixture into the ground state. The dmp-BIAN(isq) ligand, which facilitates intramolecular electron transfer, was shown to undergo four quasi-reversible redox processes, demonstrating the ability of the ligand to act as an electron reservoir in complexes of early metals.

Aluminum complexes of the redox-active [ONO] pincer ligand.

A series of aluminum complexes containing the tridentate, redox-active ligand bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenol)amine ([ONO]H(3)) in three different oxidation states were synthesized. The aluminum halide salts AlCl(3) and AlBr(3) were reacted with the doubly deprotonated form of the ligand to afford five-coordinate [ONHO(cat)]AlX(solv) complexes (1a, X = Cl, solv = OEt(2); 1b, X = Br, solv = THF), each having a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry at the aluminum and containing the [ONHO(cat)](2-) ligand with a protonated, sp(3)-hybridized nitrogen donor. The [ONO] ligand platform may also be added to aluminum through the use of the oxidized ligand salt [ONO(q)]K, which was reacted with AlCl(3) in the presence of either diphenylacetylacetonate (acacPh(2)(-)) or 8-oxyquinoline (quinO(-)) to afford [ONO(q)]Al(acacPh(2))Cl (2) or [ONO(q)]Al(quinO)Cl (3), respectively, with well-defined [ONO(q)](-) ligands. Quinonate complexes 2 and 3 were reduced by one electron to afford the corresponding complexes K{[ONO(sq)]Al(acacPh(2))(py)} (4) and K{[ONO(sq)]Al(quinO)(py)} (5), respectively, containing well-defined [ONO(sq)](2-) ligands. The addition of tetrachloro-1,2-quinone to 1a in the presence of pyridine resulted in the expulsion of HCl and the formation of an aluminum complex with two different redox active ligands, [ONO]Al(o-O(2)C(6)Cl(4))(py) (6). Similar results were obtained when 1a was reacted with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone to afford [ONO]Al(o-O(2)C(14)H(8))(py) (7) or with pyrene-4,5-dione to afford [ONO]Al(o-O(2)C(16)H(8))(py) (8). Structural, spectroscopic and preliminary magnetic measurements on 6-8 suggest ligand non-innocent redox behavior in these complexes.

Coordination effects on electron distributions for rhodium complexes of the redox-active bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenolate)amide ligand.

New rhodium complexes of bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenol)amine ([ONO(cat)]H(3)) were synthesized, and their electronic properties were investigated. These compounds were prepared by combining [ONO(q)]K and [(cod)Rh(µ-Cl)](2) in the presence of an auxiliary donor ligand to yield complexes of the type [ONO]RhL(n) (n = 3, L = py (1); n = 2, L = PMe(3) (2a), L = PMe(2)Ph (2b), PMePh(2) (2c), PPh(3) (2d)). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on [ONO]Rh(py)(3) (1) revealed a six-coordinate, octahedral rhodium complex. In the case of [ONO]Rh(PMe(3))(2) (2a), X-ray diffraction showed a five-coordinate, distorted square-pyramidal coordination environment around the rhodium center. While 1 is static on the NMR time scale, complexes 2a-d are fluxional, displaying both rapid isomerization of the square-pyramidal structure and exchange of coordinated and free phosphine ligands. UV-vis spectroscopy shows stark electronic differences between 1 and 2a-d. Whereas 1 displays a strong absorbance at 380 nm with a much weaker band at 585 nm in the absorption spectrum, complexes 2a-d display an intense (ε > 10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)), low-energy absorption band in the region 580-640 nm; however, in the cases of 2a and 2b, the addition of excess phosphine resulted in changes to the UV-vis spectrum indicating the formation of six-coordinate adducts [ONO]Rh(PMe(3))(3) (3a) and [ONO]Rh(PMe(2)Ph)(3) (3b), respectively. The experimental and DFT computational data for the six-coordinate complexes 1, 3a, and 3b are consistent with their formulation as classical, d(6), pseudo-octahedral, coordination complexes. In the five-coordinate complexes 2a-2d, π-bonding between the rhodium center and the [ONO] ligand leads to a high degree of covalency and metal-ligand electron distributions that are not accurately described by formal oxidation state assignments.

Ligand effects on the oxidative addition of halogens to (dpp-nacnac(R))Rh(phdi).

The treatment of (dpp-nacnac(R))Rh(phdi) {(dpp-nacnac(R))(-) = CH[C(R)(N-(i)Pr2C6H3)]2(-); R = CH3, CF3; phdi = 9,10-phenanthrenediimine} with X2 oxidants afforded octahedral rhodium(III) products in the case of X = Cl and Br. The octahedral complexes exhibit well-behaved cyclic voltammograms in which a two-electron reduction is observed to regenerate the initial rhodium(I) complex. When treated with I2, (dpp-nacnac(CH3))Rh(phdi) produced a square pyramidal η(1)-I2 complex, which was characterized by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The more electron poor complex (dpp-nacnac(CF3))Rh(phdi) reacted with I2 to give a mixture of two products that were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy as a square pyramidal η(1)-I2 complex and an octahedral diiodide complex. Reaction of the square pyramidal (dpp-nacnac(CH3))Rh(I2)(phdi) with HBF4 resulted in protonation of the (dpp-nacnac(CH3))(-) backbone to provide an octahedral rhodium(III) diiodide species. These reactions highlight the impact that changes in the electron-withdrawing nature of the supporting ligands can have on the reactivity at the metal center.

Designing catalysts for nitrene transfer using early transition metals and redox-active ligands.

In this Forum Article, we discuss the use of redox-active pincer-type ligands to enable multielectron reactivity, specifically nitrene group transfer, at the electron-poor metals tantalum and zirconium. Two analogous ligand platforms, [ONO] and [NNN], are discussed with a detailed examination of their similarities and differences and the structural and electronic constraints they impose upon coordination to early transition metals. The two-electron redox capabilities of these ligands enable the transfer of organic nitrenes to tantalum(V) and zirconium(IV) metal centers despite formal d(0) electron counts. Under the correct conditions, the resulting metal imido complexes can participate in further multielectron reactions such as imide reduction, nitrene coupling, or formal nitrene transfer to an isocyanide.