Catalytic C-H Trifluoromethylation of Arenes and Heteroarenes via Visible Light Photoexcitation of a Co(III)-CF3 Complex.

A cobalt photocatalyst for direct trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arene C(sp2)-H bonds is described and shown to operate via visible light activation of a Co-CF3 intermediate, which functions as a combined chromophore and organometallic reaction center. Chemical oxidations of previously reported (OCO)Co complexes containing a redox-active [OCO] pincer ligand afford a Co-CF3 complex two oxidation states above Co(II). Computational and spectroscopic studies are consistent with formulation of the product as [(OCO•)CoIII(CF3)(THF)(OTf)] (II) containing an open-shell [OCO•]1- radical ligand bound to a S = 0 Co(III) center. II is thermodynamically stable, but exposure to blue (440 nm) light induces Co-CF3 bond homolysis and release of •CF3, which is trapped by radical acceptors including TEMPO•, (hetero)arenes, or the radical [OCO•] ligand in II. The latter comprises a competitive degradation pathway, which is overcome under catalytic conditions by using excess substrate. Accordingly, generation of II from the reaction of [(OCO)CoIIL] (III) (L = THF, MeCN) with Umemoto's dibenzothiophenium trifluoromethylating reagent (1) followed by photolytic Co-CF3 bond activation completes a photoredox catalytic cycle for C-H (hetero)arene trifluoromethylation utilizing visible light. Electronic structure and photophysical studies, including time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations, suggest that Co-CF3 bond homolysis at II occurs via an ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) (OCO0)CoII(CF3) state, revealing ligand redox activity as a critical design feature and establishing design principles for the use of base metal chromophores for selectivity in photoredox bond activations occurring via free radical intermediates.

Photoinduced Cobalt(III)-Trifluoromethyl Bond Activation Enables Arene C-H Trifluoromethylation.

Visible-light capture activates a thermodynamically inert CoIII -CF3 bond for direct C-H trifluoromethylation of arenes and heteroarenes. New trifluoromethylcobalt(III) complexes supported by a redox-active [OCO] pincer ligand were prepared. Coordinating solvents, such as MeCN, afford green, quasi-octahedral [(S OCO)CoIII (CF3 )(MeCN)2 ] (2), but in non-coordinating solvents the complex is red, square pyramidal [(S OCO)CoIII (CF3 )(MeCN)] (3). Both are thermally stable, and 2 is stable in light. But exposure of 3 to low-energy light results in facile homolysis of the CoIII -CF3 bond, releasing . CF3 radical, which is efficiently trapped by TEMPO. or (hetero)arenes. The homolytic aromatic substitution reactions do not require a sacrificial or substrate-derived oxidant because the CoII by-product of CoIII -CF3 homolysis produces H2 . The photophysical properties of 2 and 3 provide a rationale for the disparate light stability.

Redox-Active Bis(phenolate) N-Heterocyclic Carbene [OCO] Pincer Ligands Support Cobalt Electron Transfer Series Spanning Four Oxidation States.

A new family of low-coordinate Co complexes supported by three redox-noninnocent tridentate [OCO] pincer-type bis(phenolate) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are described. Combined experimental and computational data suggest that the charge-neutral four-coordinate complexes are best formulated as Co(II) centers bound to closed-shell [OCO]2- dianions, of the general formula [(OCO)CoIIL] (where L is a solvent-derived MeCN or THF). Cyclic voltammograms of the [(OCO)CoIIL] complexes reveal three oxidations accessible at potentials below 1.2 V vs Fc+/Fc, corresponding to generation of formally Co(V) species, but the true physical/spectroscopic oxidation states are much lower. Chemical oxidations afford the mono- and dications of the imidazoline NHC-derived complex, which were examined by computational and magnetic and spectroscopic methods, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The metal and ligand oxidation states of the monocationic complex are ambiguous; data are consistent with formulation as either [(SOCO)CoIII(THF)2]+ containing a closed-shell [SOCO]2- diphenolate ligand bound to a S = 1 Co(III) center, or [(SOCO•)CoII(THF)2]+ with a low-spin Co(II) ion ferromagnetically coupled to monoanionic [SOCO•]- containing a single unpaired electron distributed across the [OCO] framework. The dication is best described as [(SOCO0)CoII(THF)3]2+, with a single unpaired electron localized on the d7 Co(II) center and a doubly oxidized, charge-neutral, closed-shell SOCO0 ligand. The combined data provide for the first time unequivocal and structural evidence for [OCO] ligand redox activity. Notably, varying the degree of unsaturation in the NHC backbone shifts the ligand-based oxidation potentials by up to 400 mV. The possible chemical origins of this unexpected shift, along with the potential utility of the [OCO] pincer ligands for base-metal-mediated organometallic coupling catalysis, are discussed.

Harnessing redox-active ligands for low-barrier radical addition at oxorhenium complexes.

The addition of an [X](+) electrophile to the five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) anion [Re(V)(O)(ap(Ph))(2)](-) {[ap(Ph)](2-) = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(phenylamido)phenolate} gives new products containing Re-X bonds. The Re-X bond-forming reaction is analogous to oxo transfer to [Re(V)(O)(ap(Ph))(2)](-) in that both are 2e(-) redox processes, but the electronic structures of the products are different. Whereas oxo addition to [Re(V)(O)(ap(Ph))(2)](-) yields a closed-shell [Re(VII)(O)(2)(ap(Ph))(2)](-) product of 2e(-) metal oxidation, [Cl](+) addition gives a diradical Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))Cl product ([isq(Ph)](•-) = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(phenylimino)semiquinonate) with 1e(-) in a Re d orbital and 1e(-) on a redox-active ligand. The differences in electronic structure are ascribed to differences in the π basicity of [O](2-) and Cl(-) ligands. The observation of ligand radicals in Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))X provides experimental support for the capacity of redox-active ligands to deliver electrons in other bond-forming reactions at [Re(V)(O)(ap(Ph))(2)](-), including radical additions of O(2) or TEMPO(•) to make Re-O bonds. Attempts to prepare the electron-transfer series monomers between Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))X and [Re(V)(O)(ap(Ph))(2)](-) yielded a symmetric bis(µ-oxo)dirhenium complex. Formation of this dimer suggested that Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))Cl may be a source of an oxyl metal fragment. The ability of Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))Cl to undergo radical coupling at oxo was revealed in its reaction with Ph(3)C(•), which affords Ph(3)COH and deoxygenated metal products. This reactivity is surprising because Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))Cl is not a strong outer-sphere oxidant or oxo-transfer reagent. We postulate that the unique ability of Re(VI)(O)(ap(Ph))(isq(Ph))Cl to effect oxo transfer to Ph(3)C(•) arises from symmetry-allowed mixing of a populated Re≡O π bond with a ligand-centered [isq(Ph)](•-) ligand radical, which gives oxyl radical character to the oxo ligand. This allows the closed-shell oxo ligand to undergo a net 2e(-) oxo-transfer reaction to Ph(3)C(•) via kinetically facile redox-active ligand-mediated radical steps. Harnessing intraligand charge transfer for radical reactions at closed-shell oxo ligands is a new strategy to exploit redox-active ligands for small-molecule activation and functionalization. The implications for the design of new oxidants that utilize low-barrier radical steps for selective multielectron transformations are discussed.

Redox-active ligand-mediated oxidative addition and reductive elimination at square planar cobalt(III): multielectron reactions for cross-coupling.

Square planar cobalt(III) complexes with redox-active amidophenolate ligands are strong nucleophiles that react with alkyl halides, including CH(2)Cl(2), under gentle conditions to generate stable square pyramidal alkylcobalt(III) complexes. The net electrophilic addition reactions formally require 2e(-) oxidation of the metal fragment, but there is no change in metal oxidation state because the reaction proceeds with 1e(-) oxidation of each amidophenolate ligand. Although the four-coordinate complexes are very strong nucleophiles, they are mild outer-sphere reductants. Accordingly, addition of alkyl- or phenylzinc halides to the five-coordinate organometallic complexes regenerates the square planar starting materials and extrudes C-C coupling products. The net 2e(-) reductive elimination reaction also occurs without a oxidation state change at the cobalt(III) center. Together these reactions comprise a complete, well-defined cycle for cobalt Negishi-like cross-coupling of alkyl halides with organozinc reagents.

Redox-active ligands facilitate bimetallic O2 homolysis at five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) centers.

Five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) anions with redox-active catecholate and amidophenolate ligands are shown to effect clean bimetallic cleavage of O(2) to give dioxorhenium(VII) products. A structural homologue with redox-inert oxalate ligands does not react with O(2). Redox-active ligands lower the kinetic barrier to bimetallic O(2) homolysis at five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) by facilitating formation and stabilization of intermediate O(2) adducts. O(2) activation occurs by two sequential Re-O bond forming reactions, which generate mononuclear eta(1)-superoxo species, and then binuclear trans-mu-1,2-peroxo-bridged complexes. Formation of both Re-O bonds requires trapping of a triplet radical dioxygen species by a cis-[Re(V)(O)(cat)(2)](-) anion. In each reaction the dioxygen fragment is reduced by 1e(-), so generation of each new Re-O bond requires that an oxometal fragment is oxidized by 1e(-). Complexes containing a redox-active ligand access a lower energy reaction pathway for the 1e(-) Re-O bond forming reaction because the metal fragment can be oxidized without a change in formal rhenium oxidation state. It is also likely that redox-active ligands facilitate O(2) homolysis by lowering the barrier to the formally spin-forbidden reactions of triplet dioxygen with the closed shell oxorhenium(V) anions. By orthogonalizing 1e(-) and 2e(-) redox at oxorhenium(V), the redox-active ligand allows high-valent rhenium to utilize a mechanism for O(2) activation that is atypical of oxorhenium(V) but more typical for oxygenase enzymes and models based on 3d transition metal ions: O(2) cleavage occurs by a net 2e(-) process through a series of 1e(-) steps. The implications for design of new multielectron catalysts for oxygenase-type O(2) activation, as well as the microscopic reverse reaction, O-O bond formation from coupling of two M=O fragments for catalytic water oxidation, are discussed.

Deoxygenation of nitroxyl radicals by oxorhenium(V) complexes with redox-active ligands.

Five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) anions with redox-active catecholate ligands deoxygenate stable nitroxyl radicals, including TEMPO(*), to afford dioxorhenium(VII) complexes and aminyl radical-derived products. A structural homologue with redox-inert oxalate ligands does not react with TEMPO(*). Redox-active ligands are proposed to lower the kinetic barrier to TEMPO(*) deoxygenation by giving access to 1e(-) redox steps that are crucial for the formation and stabilization of intermediate species.

Reactions of tetrabromocatecholatomanganese(III) complexes with dioxygen.

New five- and six-coordinate complexes containing the [Mn(III)(Br4cat)2](-) core (Br4cat(2-) = tetrabromo-1,2-catecholate) have been prepared. Homoleptic [Mn(III)(Br4cat)3](3-) reacts rapidly with O2 to produce tetrabromo-1,2-benzoquinone (Br4bq). The [Mn(III)(Br4cat)2](-) fragment is a robust catalytic platform for the aerobic conversion of catechols to quinones. The oxidase activity apparently derives from the coupling of metal- and ligand-centered redox events.

Proton-directed redox control of O-O bond activation by heme hydroperoxidase models.

Hangman metalloporphyrin complexes poise an acid-base group over a redox-active metal center and in doing so allow the "pull" effect of the secondary coordination environment of the heme cofactor of hydroperoxidase enzymes to be modeled. Stopped-flow investigations have been performed to decipher the influence of a proton-donor group on O-O bond activation. Low-temperature reactions of tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP) and Hangman iron complexes containing acid (HPX-CO2H) and methyl ester (HPX-CO2Me) functional groups with peroxyacids generate high-valent Fe=O active sites. Reactions of peroxyacids with (TMP)FeIII(OH) and methyl ester Hangman (HPX-CO2Me)FeIII(OH) give both O-O heterolysis and homolysis products, Compound I (Cpd I) and Compound II (Cpd II), respectively. However, only the former is observed when the hanging group is the acid, (HPX-CO2H)FeIII(OH), because odd-electron homolytic O-O bond cleavage is inhibited. This proton-controlled, 2e- (heterolysis) vs 1e- (homolysis) redox specificity sheds light on the exceptional catalytic performance of the Hangman metalloporphyrin complexes and provides tangible benchmarks for using proton-coupled multielectron reactions to catalyze O-O bond-breaking and bond-making reactions.

Mechanistic studies of Hangman salophen-mediated activation of O-O bonds.

Stopped-flow kinetic studies of a HSX-Mn-SalophOMe (1) catalyst provide spectroscopic evidence for the direct generation of a manganese(V) oxo salophen from a manganese(III) perbenzoate. The O-O bond heterolysis reaction that produces the oxo is not facilitated by intramolecular proton transfer from the acid hanging group of the HSX platform. Instead, the hanging group stabilizes the catalyst against oxidative degradation and, consistent with recent predictions of theory, is geometrically matched to promote the end-on coordination of a H2O2 substrate prior to its oxidation at the manganese(V) oxo center.

Molecular chemistry of consequence to renewable energy.

Energy conversion cycles are aimed at driving unfavorable, small-molecule activation reactions with a photon harnessed directly by a transition-metal catalyst or indirectly by a transition-metal catalyst at the surface of a photovoltaic cell. The construction of such cycles confronts daunting challenges because they rely on chemical transformations not understood at the most basic levels. These transformations include multielectron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, and bond-breaking and -making reactions of energy-poor substrates. We have begun to explore these poorly understood areas of molecular science with transition-metal complexes that promote hydrogen production and oxygen bond-breaking and -making chemistry of consequence to water splitting.

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution on aryl-amido ligands promoted by oxidizing osmium(IV) centers.

Addition of amine nucleophiles to acetonitrile solutions of the OsIV anilido complex TpOs(NHPh)Cl2 (1) [Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate] gives products with derivatized anilido ligands, i.e., TpOs[NH-p-C6H4(N(CH2)5)]Cl2 (2) from piperidine and TpOs[NH-p-C6H4N(CH2)4]Cl2 (3) from pyrrolidine. These materials are formed in approximately 30% yield under anaerobic conditions, together with approximately 60% yields of the OsIII aniline complex TpOs(NH2Ph)Cl2 (5). Formation of the para-substituted materials 2 or 3 from 1 involves oxidative removal of two hydrogen atoms (two H+ and two e-). The oxidation can be accomplished by 1, forming 5, or by O2. Related reactions have been observed with other amines and with the 2-naphthylamido derivative, which gives an ortho-substituted product. Kinetic studies indicate an addition-elimination mechanism involving initial attack of the amine nucleophile on the anilido ligand. These are unusual examples of nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen. Ab initio calculations on 1 show that the LUMO has significant density at the ortho and para positions of the anilido ligand, resembling the LUMO of nitrobenzene. By analogy with nucleophilic aromatic substitution, 2 is quantitatively formed from piperidine and the p-chloroanilide TpOs(NH-p-C6H4Cl)Cl2 (7). Binding the anilide ligands to an oxidizing OsIV center thus causes a remarkable umpolung or inversion of chemical character from a typically electron-rich anilido to an electron-deficient aromatic functionality. This occurs because of the coupling of redox changes at the TpOsIV center with bond formation at the coordinated ligand.

Slow hydrogen atom self-exchange between Os(IV) anilide and Os(III) aniline complexes: relationships with electron and proton transfer self-exchange.

Hydrogen atom, proton and electron transfer self-exchange and cross-reaction rates have been determined for reactions of Os(IV) and Os(III) aniline and anilide complexes. Addition of an H-atom to the Os(IV) anilide TpOs(NHPh)Cl(2) (Os(IV)NHPh) gives the Os(III) aniline complex TpOs(NH(2)Ph)Cl(2) (Os(III)NH(2)Ph) with a new 66 kcal mol(-1) N-H bond. Concerted transfer of H* between Os(IV)NHPh and Os(III)NH(2)Ph is remarkably slow in MeCN-d(3), with k(ex)(H*) = (3 +/- 2) x 10(-3) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K. This hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction could also be termed proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Related to this HAT process are two proton transfer (PT) and two electron transfer (ET) self-exchange reactions, for instance, the ET reactions Os(IV)NHPh + Os(III)NHPh(-) and Os(IV)NH(2)Ph(+) + Os(III)NH(2)Ph. All four of these PT and ET reactions are much faster (k = 10(3)-10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) than HAT self-exchange. This is the first system where all five relevant self-exchange rates related to an HAT or PCET reaction have been measured. The slowness of concerted transfer of H* between Os(IV)NHPh and Os(III)NH(2)Ph is suggested to result not from a large intrinsic barrier but rather from a large work term for formation of the precursor complex to H* transfer and/or from significantly nonadiabatic reaction dynamics. The energetics for precursor complex formation is related to the strength of the hydrogen bond between reactants. To probe this effect further, HAT cross-reactions have been performed with sterically hindered aniline/anilide complexes and nitroxyl radical species. Positioning steric bulk near the active site retards both H* and H(+) transfer. Net H* transfer is catalyzed by trace acids and bases in both self-exchange and cross reactions, by stepwise mechanisms utilizing the fast ET and PT reactions.