Elucidation of the key role of Pt···Pt interactions in the directional self-assembly of platinum(II) complexes.

Here, we report the use of an amphiphilic Pt(II) complex, K[Pt{(O3SCH2CH2CH2)2bzimpy}Cl] (PtB), as a model to elucidate the key role of Pt···Pt interactions in directing self-assembly by combining temperature-dependent ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, stopped-flow kinetic experiments, quantum mechanics (QM) calculations, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Interestingly, we found that the self-assembly mechanism of PtB in aqueous solution follows a nucleation-free isodesmic model, as revealed by the temperature-dependent UV-Vis experiments. In contrast, a cooperative growth is found for the self-assembly of PtB in acetone–water (7:1, vol/vol) solution, which is further verified by the stopped-flow experiments, which clearly indicates the existence of a nucleation phase in the acetone–water (7:1, vol/vol) solution.

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production.

A method for facile synthesis of nanostructured catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes with atomically dispersed cobalt and nitrogen dopant is presented herein. The novel strategy is based on a facile one-pot pyrolysis treatment of cobalt (II) acetylacetonate and nitrogen-rich organic precursors under Ar atmosphere at 800 °C, resulting in the formation of Co- and N- co-doped carbon nanotube with earthworm-like morphology. The obtained catalyst was found to have a high density of defect sites, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.

Structure and Reactivity of a Manganese(VI) Nitrido Complex Bearing a Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand.

Manganese complexes in +6 oxidation state are rare. Although a number of Mn(VI) nitrido complexes have been generated in solution via one-electron oxidation of the corresponding Mn(V) nitrido species, they are too unstable to isolate. Herein we report the isolation and the X-ray structure of a Mn(VI) nitrido complex, [Mn(N)(TAML)] (), which was obtained by one-electron oxidation of [Mn(N)(TAML)] ().

Generation and Reactivity of a One-Electron-Oxidized Manganese(V) Imido Complex with a Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand.

The synthesis and X-ray structure of a new manganese(V) mesitylimido complex with a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [Mn (TAML)(N-Mes)] (1), are reported. Compound 1 is oxidized by [(p-BrC H ) N] [SbCl ] and the resulting Mn species readily undergoes H-atom transfer and nitrene transfer reactions.

Mechanism of Water Oxidation by Ferrate(VI) at pH 7-9.

The kinetics of water oxidation by K FeO has been reinvestigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry from pH 7-9 in 0.2 m phosphate buffer. The rate of reaction was found to be second-order in both [FeO ] and [H ].

Reduction of Ru≡N to Ru-NH by Cysteine in Aqueous Solution.

The reduction of metal nitride to ammonia is a key step in biological and chemical nitrogen fixation. We report herein the facile reduction of a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex [(L)Ru(N)(OH)] (1, L = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)- o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion) to [(L)Ru(NH)(OH)] by l-cysteine (Cys), an ubiquitous biological reductant, in aqueous solution. At pH 1.

Proton-Coupled O-Atom Transfer in the Oxidation of HSO by the Ruthenium Oxo Complex trans-[Ru(TMC)(O)] (TMC = 1,4,8,11-Tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane).

We have previously reported that the oxidation of SO to SO by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex, [Ru(TMC)(O))] (Ru; TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazcyclotetradecane) in aqueous solutions occurs via an O-atom transfer mechanism. In this work, we have reinvestigated the effects of the pH on the oxidation of S by Ru in more detail in order to obtain kinetic data for the HSO pathway. The HSO pathway exhibits a deuterium isotope effect of 17.

Oxidation of hydroquinones by a (salen)ruthenium(vi) nitrido complex.

Hydroquinone is readily oxidized by a (salen)ruthenium(vi) nitrido complex in the presence of pyridine to give benzoquinone. Experimental and computational studies suggest that the reaction occurs via a novel mechanism that involves an initial electrophilic attack at the aromatic ring of the hydroquinone by the nitrido ligand.

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction of a Ruthenium(VI) Nitrido Complex with HSO3 (-) and SO3 (2-) in Aqueous Solution.

The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of S(IV) (SO3 (2-) +HSO3 (-) ) with a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex, [(L)Ru(VI) (N)(OH2 )](+) (Ru(VI) N, L=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion), in aqueous acidic solutions are reported. The kinetic results are consistent with parallel pathways involving oxidation of HSO3 (-) and SO3 (2-) by Ru(VI) N. A deuterium isotope effect of 4.

Ca(2+) -Induced Oxygen Generation by FeO4(2-) at pH 9-10.

Although FeO4(2-) (ferrate(IV)) is a very strong oxidant that readily oxidizes water in acidic medium, at pH 9-10 it is relatively stable (<2 % decomposition after 1 h at 298 K). However, FeO4(2-) is readily activated by Ca(2+) at pH 9-10 to generate O2. The reaction has the following rate law: d[O2]/dt=kCa [Ca(2+) ][FeO4(2-)](2).

Hydrogen atom transfer reactions of ferrate(VI) with phenols and hydroquinone. Correlation of rate constants with bond strengths and application of the Marcus cross relation.

The oxidation of phenols by HFeO4(-) proceeds via a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism, as evidenced by a large deuterium isotope effect and a linear correlation between the log(rate constant) and bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of phenols. The Marcus cross relation has been applied to predict the rate constant of HAT from hydroquinone to HFeO4(-).

A Highly Reactive Seven-Coordinate Osmium(V) Oxo Complex: [Os(V)(O)(qpy)(pic)Cl](2+).

Seven-coordinate ruthenium oxo species have been proposed as active intermediates in catalytic water oxidation by a number of highly active ruthenium catalysts, however such species have yet to be isolated. Reported herein is the first example of a seven-coordinate group 8 metal-oxo species, [Os(V)(O)(qpy)(pic)Cl](2+) (qpy = 2,2':6',2'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine, pic = 4-picoline). The X-ray crystal structure of this complex shows that it has a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with an Os=O distance of 1.

Oxidation of ascorbic acid by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex in aqueous solution.

The oxidation of ascorbic acid (H2A) by [Ru(VI)(N)(L)(MeOH)](+) in aqueous acidic solutions has the following stoichiometry: 2[Ru(VI)(N)] + 3H2A → 2[Ru(III)(NH2-HA)](+) + A. Mechanisms involving HAT/N-rebound at low pH (≤2) and nucleophilic attack at the nitride at high pH (≥5) are proposed.

Catalytic water oxidation by ruthenium(II) quaterpyridine (qpy) complexes: evidence for ruthenium(III) qpy-N,N'''-dioxide as the real catalysts.

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation-resistant and can stabilize high-oxidation-state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)2 ](2+) (qpy=2,2':6',2'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce(IV) -driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100.

Functionalization of alkynes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.

Exploring new reactivity of metal nitrides is of great interest because it can give insights to N2 fixation chemistry and provide new methods for nitrogenation of organic substrates. In this work, reaction of a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex with various alkynes results in the formation of novel (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes. Kinetic and computational studies suggest that the reactions go through an initial ruthenium(IV) aziro intermediate, followed by addition of nucleophiles to give the (salen)ruthenium(III) imine complexes.

Highly efficient alkane oxidation catalyzed by [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4](2-). Evidence for [Mn(VII)(N)(O)(CN)4](2-) as an active intermediate.

The oxidation of various alkanes catalyzed by [Mn(V)(N)(CN)4](2-) using various terminal oxidants at room temperature has been investigated. Excellent yields of alcohols and ketones (>95%) are obtained using H2O2 as oxidant and CF3CH2OH as solvent. Good yields (>80%) are also obtained using (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6] in CF3CH2OH/H2O.

Reactivity of nitrido complexes of ruthenium(VI), osmium(VI), and manganese(V) bearing Schiff base and simple anionic ligands.

Nitrido complexes (M≡N) may be key intermediates in chemical and biological nitrogen fixation and serve as useful reagents for nitrogenation of organic compounds. Osmium(VI) nitrido complexes bearing 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (terpy), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), or hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate anion (Tp) ligands are highly electrophilic: they can react with a variety of nucleophiles to generate novel osmium(IV)/(V) complexes. This Account describes our recent results studying the reactivity of nitridocomplexes of ruthenium(VI), osmium(VI), and manganese(V) that bear Schiff bases and other simple anionic ligands.

C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex.

We report experimental and computational studies of the facile oxidative C-N bond cleavage of anilines by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex. We provide evidence that the initial step involves nucleophilic attack of aniline at the nitrido ligand of the ruthenium complex, which is followed by proton and electron transfer to afford a (salen)ruthenium(II) diazonium intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes unimolecular decomposition to generate benzene and N2.

Ligand-accelerated activation of strong C-H bonds of alkanes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI)-nitrido complex.

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the intermolecular activation of strong C-H bonds of alkanes by a (salen)ruthenium(VI) nitride were performed. The initial, rate-limiting step, the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the alkane to Ru(VI)≡N, generates Ru(V)=NH and RC·HCH(2)R. The following steps involve N-rebound and desaturation.

Oxygen atom transfer from a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex to nitric oxide.

In aqueous acidic solutions trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) (L=1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane) is rapidly reduced by excess NO to give trans-[Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+). When ≤1 mol equiv NO is used, the intermediate Ru(IV) species, trans-[Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+), can be detected. The reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO is first order with respect to [Ru(VI)] and [NO], k(2)=(4.

Lewis acid-activated oxidation of alcohols by permanganate.

The oxidation of alcohols by KMnO(4) is greatly accelerated by various Lewis acids. Notably the rate is increased by 4 orders of magnitude in the presence of Ca(2+). The mechanisms of the oxidation of CH(3)OH and PhCH(OH)CH(3) by MnO(4)(-) and BF(3)·MnO(4)(-) have also been studied computationally by the DFT method.

Oxygen evolution from BF3/MnO4-.

MnO(4)(-) is activated by BF(3) to undergo intramolecular coupling of two oxo ligands to generate O(2). DFT calculations suggest that there should be a spin intercrossing between the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces on going from the active intermediate [MnO(2)(OBF(3))(2)](-) to the O···O coupling transition state.

Reaction of a (Salen)ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex with thiols. C-H bond activation by (Salen)ruthenium(IV) sulfilamido species.

The reaction of [Ru(VI)(N)(L)(MeOH)](PF(6)) [1; L = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-o-cyclohexyldiamine dianion] with a stoichiometric amount of RSH in CH(3)CN gives the corresponding (salen)ruthenium(IV) sulfilamido species [Ru(IV){N(H)SR}(L)(NCCH(3))](PF(6)) (2a, R = (t)Bu; 2b, R = Ph). Metathesis of 2a with NaN(3) in methanol affords [Ru(IV){N(H)S(t)Bu}(L)(N(3))] (2c). 2a undergoes further reaction with 1 equiv of RSH to afford a (salen)ruthenium(III) sulfilamine species, [Ru(III){N(H)(2)S(t)Bu}(L)(NCCH(3))](PF(6)) (3).

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex.

The oxidation of ascorbic acid (H(2)A) by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) species, trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) (tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), has been studied in aqueous solutions under argon. The reaction occurs in two phases: trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) + H(2)A --> trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(OH(2))](2+) + A, trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(OH(2))](2+) + H(2)A --> trans-[Ru(II)(tmc)(OH(2))(2)](2+) + A. Further reaction involving anation by H(2)A occurs, and the species [Ru(III)(tmc)(A(2-))(MeOH)](+) can be isolated upon aerial oxidation of the solution at the end of phase two.

Kinetics and mechanisms of the oxidation of iodide and bromide in aqueous solutions by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex.

The kinetics and mechanisms of the oxidation of I (-) and Br (-) by trans-[Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) have been investigated in aqueous solutions. The reactions have the following stoichiometry: trans-[Ru (VI)(N 2O 2)(O) 2] (2+) + 3X (-) + 2H (+) --> trans-[Ru (IV)(N 2O 2)(O)(OH 2)] (2+) + X 3 (-) (X = Br, I). In the oxidation of I (-) the I 3 (-)is produced in two distinct phases.