[Ni(NHC)2 ] as a Scaffold for Structurally Characterized trans [H-Ni-PR2 ] and trans [R2 P-Ni-PR2 ] Complexes.

The addition of PPh2 H, PPhMeH, PPhH2 , P(para-Tol)H2 , PMesH2 and PH3 to the two-coordinate Ni0 N-heterocyclic carbene species [Ni(NHC)2 ] (NHC=IiPr2 , IMe4 , IEt2 Me2 ) affords a series of mononuclear, terminal phosphido nickel complexes. Structural characterisation of nine of these compounds shows that they have unusual trans [H-Ni-PR2 ] or novel trans [R2 P-Ni-PR2 ] geometries. The bis-phosphido complexes are more accessible when smaller NHCs (IMe4 >IEt2 Me2 >IiPr2 ) and phosphines are employed. P-P activation of the diphosphines R2 P-PR2 (R2 =Ph2 , PhMe) provides an alternative route to some of the [Ni(NHC)2 (PR2 )2 ] complexes. DFT calculations capture these trends with P-H bond activation proceeding from unconventional phosphine adducts in which the H substituent bridges the Ni-P bond. P-P bond activation from [Ni(NHC)2 (Ph2 P-PPh2 )] adducts proceeds with computed barriers below 10 kcal mol-1 . The ability of the [Ni(NHC)2 ] moiety to afford isolable terminal phosphido products reflects the stability of the Ni-NHC bond that prevents ligand dissociation and onward reaction.

Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation iron pincer catalysts capable of metal-ligand cooperation by aromatization/dearomatization.

The substitution of expensive and potentially toxic noble-metal catalysts by cheap, abundant, environmentally benign, and less toxic metals is highly desirable and in line with green chemistry guidelines. We have recently discovered a new type of metal-ligand cooperation, which is based on the reversible dearomatization/aromatization of different heteroaromatic ligand cores caused by deprotonation/protonation of the ligand. More specifically, we have studied complexes of various transition metals (Ru, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Re) bearing pyridine- and bipyridine-based PNP and PNN pincer ligands, which have slightly acidic methylene protons. In addition, we have discovered long-range metal-ligand cooperation in acridine-based pincer ligands, where the cooperation takes place at the electrophilic C-9 position of the acridine moiety leading to dearomatization of its middle ring. This type of metal-ligand cooperation was used for the activation of chemical bonds, including H-H, C-H (sp(2) and sp(3)), O-H, N-H, and B-H bonds. This unusual reactivity likely takes place in various catalytic hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and related reactions. In this Account, we summarize our studies on novel bifunctional iron PNP and PNN pincer complexes, which were designed on the basis of their ruthenium congeners. Iron PNP pincer complexes serve as efficient (pre)catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions under remarkably mild conditions. Their catalytic applications include atom-efficient and industrially important hydrogenation reactions of ketones, aldehydes, and esters to the corresponding alcohols. Moreover, they catalyze the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to sodium formate in the presence of sodium hydroxide, the selective decomposition of formic acid to carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and the E-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes to give E-alkenes. These catalysts feature, compared to other iron-based catalysts, very high catalytic activities which in some cases can even exceed those of state-of-the-art noble-metal catalysts. For the iron PNP systems, we describe the synthesis of the pyridine- and acridine-based PNP iron complexes and their performances and limitations in catalytic reactions, and we present studies on their reactivity with relevance to their catalytic mechanisms. In the case of the bipyridine-based PNN system, we summarize the synthesis of new complexes and describe studies on the noninnocence of the methylene position, which can be reversibly deprotonated, as well as on the noninnocence of the bipyridine unit. Overall, this Account underlines that the combination of cheap and abundant iron with ligands that are capable of metal-ligand cooperation can result in the development of novel, versatile, and efficient catalysts for atom-efficient catalytic reactions.

Si-H bond activation at {(NHC)2Ni°} leading to hydrido silyl and bis(silyl) complexes: a versatile tool for catalytic Si-H/D exchange, acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of hydrosilanes, and hydrogenation of disilanes to hydrosilanes.

The unique reactivity of the nickel(0) complex [Ni2(iPr2Im)4(COD)] (1) (iPr2Im = 1,3-di-isopropyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene) towards hydrosilanes in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions is reported. A series of nickel hydrido silyl complexes cis-[Ni(iPr2Im)2(H)(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))] (n = 1, 2) and nickel bis(silyl) complexes cis-[Ni(iPr2Im)2(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))2] (n = 1, 2, 3) were synthesized by stoichiometric reactions of 1 with hydrosilanes H(n)SiR(4-n), and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. These hydrido silyl complexes are examples where the full oxidative addition step is hindered. They have, as a result of the remaining Si-H interactions, remarkably short Si-H distances and feature a unique dynamic behavior in solution. Cis-[Ni(iPr2Im)2(H)(SiMePh2)] (cis-5) shows in solution at room temperature a dynamic site exchange of the NHC ligands, H-D exchange with C6D6 to give the deuteride complex cis-[Ni(iPr2Im)2(D)(SiMePh2)] (cis-5-D), and at elevated temperatures an irreversible isomerization to trans-[Ni(iPr2Im)2(D)(SiMePh2)] (trans-5-D). Reactions with sterically less demanding silanes give cis-configured bis(silyl) complexes accompanied by the release of dihydrogen. These complexes display, similarly to the hydrido silyl complexes, interestingly short Si-Si distances. Complex 1 reacts with 4 eq. HSi(OEt)3, in contrast to all the other silanes used in this study, to give the trans-configured bis(silyl) complex trans-[Ni(iPr2Im)2Ni(Si(OEt)3)2] (trans-12). The addition of two equivalents of Ph2SiH2 to 1 results, at elevated temperatures, in the formation of the dinuclear complex [{(iPr2Im)Ni-µ(2)-(HSiPh2)}2] (6). This diamagnetic, formal Ni(I) complex exhibits a long Ni-Ni bond in the solid state, as established by X-ray diffraction. The capability of the electron rich {Ni(iPr2Im)2} complex fragment to activate Si-H bonds was applied catalytically in the deuteration of Et3Si-H to Et3Si-D employing C6D6 as a convenient deuterium source. Furthermore, we show that 1 serves as a catalyst for the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of Ph2SiH2 to the corresponding disilane Ph2HSi-SiHPh2 and trisilane Ph2HSi-Si(Ph)2-SiHPh2, and the coupling of PhSiH3 to give a mixture of cyclic and linear polysilanes with high polydispersity (M(w) = 1119; M(n) = 924; M(w)/M(n) = 1.2). The capability of 1 to catalyze the formal reverse reaction as well is demonstrated by the hydrogenation of disilanes. The hydrogenation of the disilanes Ph2MeSi-SiMePh2 and PhMe2Si-SiMe2Ph to the corresponding hydrosilanes Ph2MeSi-H and PhMe2Si-H, respectively, proceeds effectively in the presence of 1 under very mild conditions (room temperature, 1.8 bar H2 pressure).

Unprecedented iron-catalyzed ester hydrogenation. Mild, selective, and efficient hydrogenation of trifluoroacetic esters to alcohols catalyzed by an iron pincer complex.

The synthetically important, environmentally benign hydrogenation of esters to alcohols has been accomplished in recent years only with precious-metal-based catalysts. Here we present the first iron-catalyzed hydrogenation of esters to the corresponding alcohols, proceeding selectively and efficiently in the presence of an iron pincer catalyst under remarkably mild conditions.

Iron dicarbonyl complexes featuring bipyridine-based PNN pincer ligands with short interpyridine C-C bond lengths: innocent or non-innocent ligand?

A series of iron dicarbonyl complexes with bipyridine-based PNN pincer ligands were synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1) H, (13) C, (15) N, (31) P), IR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, (57) Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes with the general formula [(R-PNN)Fe(CO)2 ] (5: R-PNN=tBu-PNN=6-[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]-2,2'-bipyridine, 6: R-PNN=iPr-PNN=6-[(diisopropylphosphino)methyl]-2,2'-bipyridine, and 7: R-PNN=Ph-PNN=6-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]-2,2'-bipyridine) feature differently P-substituted PNN pincer ligands. Complexes 5 and 6 were obtained by reduction of the corresponding dihalide complexes [(R-PNN)Fe(X)2 ] (1: R=tBu, X=Cl; 2: R=tBu, X=Br; 3: R=iPr, X=Cl; 4: R=iPr, X=Br) in the presence of CO. The analogous Ph-substituted complex 7 was synthesized by a reaction of the free ligand with iron pentacarbonyl. The low-spin complexes 5-7 (S=0) are diamagnetic and have distorted trigonal bipyramidal structures in solution, whereas in the solid state the geometries around the iron are best described as distorted square pyramidal. Compared to other structurally characterized complexes with these PNN ligands, shortened interpyridine CC bonds of about 1.43 Šwere measured. A comparison with known examples, theoretically described as metal complexes bearing bipyridine π-radical anions (bpy(.) (-) ), suggests that the complexes can be described as Fe(I) complexes with one electron antiferromagnetically coupled to the ligand-based radical anions. However, computational studies, at the NEVPT2/CASSCF level of theory, reveal that the shortening of the CC bond is a result of extensive π-backbonding of the iron center into the antibonding orbital of the bpy unit. Hence, the description of the complexes as Fe(0) complexes with neutral bipyridine units is the favorable one.

Synthesis, structures, and dearomatization by deprotonation of iron complexes featuring bipyridine-based PNN pincer ligands.

The synthesis and characterization of new iron pincer complexes bearing bipyridine-based PNN ligands is reported. Three phosphine-substituted pincer ligands, namely, the known (t)Bu-PNN (6-((di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) and the two new (i)Pr-PNN (6-((di-iso-propylphosphino)methyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) and Ph-PNN (6-((diphenylphosphino)methyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) ligands were synthesized and studied in ligation reactions with iron(II) chloride and bromide. These reactions lead to the formation of two types of complexes: mono-chelated neutral complexes of the type [(R-PNN)Fe(X)2] and bis-chelated dicationic complexes of the type [(R-PNN)2Fe](2+). The complexes [(R-PNN)Fe(X)2] (1: R = (t)Bu, X = Cl, 2: R = (t)Bu, X = Br, 3: R = (i)Pr, X = Cl, and 4: R = (i)Pr, X = Br) are readily prepared from reactions of FeX2 with the free R-PNN ligand in a 1:1 ratio. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that these complexes have a high-spin ground state (S = 2) at room temperature. Employing a 2-fold or higher excess of (i)Pr-PNN, diamagnetic hexacoordinated dicationic complexes of the type [((i)Pr-PNN)2Fe](X)2 (5: X = Cl, and 6: X = Br) are formed. The reactions of Ph-PNN with FeX2 in a 1:1 ratio lead to similar complexes of the type [(Ph-PNN)2Fe](FeX4) (7: X = Cl, and 8: X = Br). Single crystal X-ray studies of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 do not indicate electron transfer from the Fe(II) centers to the neutral bipyridine unit based on the determined bond lengths. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to compare the relative energies of the mono- and bis-chelated complexes. The doubly deprotonated complexes [(R-PNN*)2Fe] (9: R = (i)Pr, and 10: R = Ph) were synthesized by reactions of the dicationic complexes 6 and 8 with KO(t)Bu. The dearomatized nature of the central pyridine of the pincer ligand was established by X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals of 10. Reactivity studies show that 9 and 10 have a slightly different behavior in protonation reactions.

Efficient hydrogen liberation from formic acid catalyzed by a well-defined iron pincer complex under mild conditions.

Hydrogen liberation: An attractive approach to reversible hydrogen storage applications is based on the decomposition of formic acid. The efficient and selective hydrogen liberation from formic acid is catalyzed by an iron pincer complex in the presence of trialkylamine. Turnover frequencies up to 836 h⁻¹ and turnover numbers up to 100,000 were achieved at 40 °C. A mechanism including well-defined intermediates is suggested on the basis of experimental and computational data.

Si-H activation of hydrosilanes leading to hydrido silyl and bis(silyl) nickel complexes.

A general route for the synthesis of novel NHC stabilized nickel bis(silyl) and nickel hydrido silyl complexes is presented. The reaction of [Ni(2)((i)Pr(2)Im)(4)(COD)] 1 ((i)Pr(2)Im = 1,3-di-isopropyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene) with hydrosilanes H(n)SiR(4-n) leads to complexes of the type [Ni((i)Pr(2)Im)(2)(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))(H)] or [Ni((i)Pr(2)Im)(2)(SiH(n-1)R(4-n))(2)].

Distance dependence of entanglement generation via a bosonic heat bath.

Within a generalized Caldeira-Leggett model, we analyze the conditions under which a bosonic heat bath can entangle two microscopic quantum systems at a distance r. We find that the attainable entanglement is extremely distance-sensitive. Significant entanglement can only be achieved if the systems are within a microscopic distance that is of order of the cutoff wavelength lambda of the system-bath interaction. At larger distances, the maximal entanglement is exponentially suppressed with a decay length of order lambda. We conclude that entanglement generation via a heat bath is not suitable for entangling remote objects.

Reactivity of a heterocyclic As-Se compound with metal salts: syntheses and structures of the first copper complexes and of new alkali metal salts containing As-Se anions.

The structures of the new compounds [Cu8(Ph2As2Se2)2(PhAsSe2)2(dppm)4] (1) (dppm = bis-diphenylphosphinomethane), [Cu4(Ph2As2Se2)2(PPh3)4] (2), [{K(18-crown-6)}2(PhAsSe3)] (3), [Na12(PhAsSe3)6(15-crown-5)6] (4) and 1/x[Na2(PhAsSe3)(thf)(H2O)3]x (5) are reported. 2-5 were prepared by reactions of metal thiolates with [(PhAs)2(mu-Se)(mu-Se2)].