High-valent Pd complexes are potent agents for the oxidative functionalization of inert C-H bonds, and it was previously shown that rapid electrocatalytic methane monofunctionalization could be achieved by electro-oxidation of PdII to a critical dinuclear PdIII intermediate in concentrated or fuming sulfuric acid. However, the structure of this highly reactive, unisolable intermediate, as well as the structural basis for its mechanism of electrochemical formation, remained elusive. Herein, we use X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopies to assemble a structural model of the potent methane-activating intermediate as a PdIII dimer with a Pd-Pd bond and a 5-fold O atom coordination by HxSO4(x-2) ligands at each Pd center. We further use EPR spectroscopy to identify a mixed-valent M-M bonded Pd2II,III species as a key intermediate during the PdII-to-PdIII2 oxidation. Combining EPR and electrochemical data, we quantify the free energy of Pd dimerization as <-4.5 kcal/mol for Pd2II,III and <-9.1 kcal/mol for PdIII2. The structural and thermochemical data suggest that the aggregate effect of metal-metal and axial metal-ligand bond formation drives the critical Pd dimerization reaction in between electrochemical oxidation steps. This work establishes a structural basis for the facile electrochemical oxidation of PdII to a M-M bonded PdIII dimer and provides a foundation for understanding its rapid methane functionalization reactivity.

Electrophilic high-valent metal ions are potent intermediates for the catalytic functionalization of methane, but in many cases, their high redox potentials make these intermediates difficult or impossible to access using mild stoichiometric oxidants derived from O2. Herein, we establish electrochemical oxidation as a versatile new strategy for accessing high-valent methane monofunctionalization catalysts. We provide evidence for the electrochemical oxidation of simple PdSO4 in concentrated sulfuric acid electrolytes to generate a putative Pd2III,III species in an all-oxidic ligand field. This electrogenerated high-valent Pd complex rapidly activates methane with a low barrier of 25.9 (±2.6) kcal/mol, generating methanol precursors methyl bisulfate (CH3OSO3H) and methanesulfonic acid (CH3SO3H) via concurrent faradaic and nonfaradaic reaction pathways. This work enables new electrochemical approaches for promoting rapid methane monofunctionalization.

Low-temperature direct methane fuel cells (DMEFCs) offer the opportunity to substantially improve the efficiency of energy production from natural gas. This study focuses on the development of well-defined platinum organometallic complexes covalently anchored to ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) for electrochemical oxidation of methane in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell at 80 °C. A maximum normalized power of 403 μW/mg Pt was obtained, which was 5 times higher than the power obtained from a modern commercial catalyst and 2 orders of magnitude greater than that from a Pt black catalyst. The observed differences in catalytic activities for oxidation of methane are linked to the chemistry of the tethered catalysts, determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The chemistry/activity relationships demonstrate a tangible path for the design of electrocatalytic systems for C-H bond activation that afford superior performance in DMEFC for potential commercial applications.

Transition-metal-mediated nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions prefer that a suitably strong nucleophile be in an aprotic medium. Usually, using protic nucleophile/medium requires high reaction temperatures (>180 °C) to overcome the attenuated nucleophilicity for attack on the arene π system. Surprisingly, we demonstrate herein a RhIII-mediated SNAr reaction of a fluoroarene moiety with RCO2H (R = CH3, CF3) in acid media that proceeds at moderate temperatures (<100 °C). We show both by experimental and with DFT calculations that the mechanism proceeds through an internal nucleophilic aromatic substitution (I-SNAr), where the nucleophile coordinates to the metal ion prior to substitution, thereby mitigating the acid influence.

This review describes organometallic compounds and materials that are capable of mediating a rarely encountered but fundamentally important reaction: β-alkyl elimination at the metal-Cα-Cβ-R moiety, in which an alkyl group attached to the Cβ atom is transferred to the metal or to a coordinated substrate. The objectives of this review are to provide a cohesive fundamental understanding of β-alkyl-elimination reactions and to highlight its applications in olefin polymerization, alkane hydrogenolysis, depolymerization of branched polymers, ring-opening polymerization of cycloalkanes, and other useful organic reactions. To provide a coherent understanding of the β-alkyl elimination reaction, special attention is given to conditions and strategies used to facilitate β-alkyl-elimination/transfer events in metal-catalyzed olefin polymerization, which provide the well-studied examples.

A chemically non-innocent pyrrole-based trianionic (ONO)(3-) pincer ligand within [(pyr-ONO)TiCl(thf)2 ] (2) can access the dianionic [(3H-pyr-ONO)TiCl2 (thf)] (1-THF) and monoanionic [(3H,4H-pyr-ONO)TiCl2 (OEt2 )][B{3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 }4 ] (3-Et2 O) states through remote protonation of the pyrrole γ-C π-bonds. The homoleptic [(3H-pyr-ONO)2 Zr] (4) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy in solution. The protonation of 4 by [H(OEt2 )2 ][B{C6 H3 (CF3 )2 }4 ] yields [(3H,4H-pyr-ONO)(3H-pyr-ONO)Zr][B{3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 }4 ] (5), thus demonstrating the storage of three protons.

A series of rhodium(III) bis(quinolinyl)benzene (bisq(x)) complexes was studied as candidates for the homogeneous partial oxidation of methane. Density functional theory (DFT) (M06 with Poisson continuum solvation) was used to investigate a variety of (bisq(x)) ligand candidates involving different functional groups to determine the impact on Rh(III)(bisq(x))-catalyzed methane functionalization. The free energy activation barriers for methane C-H activation and Rh-methyl functionalization at 298 K and 498 K were determined. DFT studies predict that the best candidate for catalytic methane functionalization is Rh(III) coordinated to unsubstituted bis(quinolinyl)benzene (bisq). Support is also found for the prediction that the η(2)-benzene coordination mode of (bisq(x)) ligands on Rh encourages methyl group functionalization by serving as an effective leaving group for SN2 and SR2 attack.

Synthetic protocols for a pyrrolide-centered ONO3- trianionic pincer-type ligand are presented. Treating ((BuO)-Bu-t)(3)W equivalent to(CBu)-Bu-t with the proligand [pyr-ONO]H-3 (2) results in the formation of the trianionic pincer alkylidene complex [pyr-ONO]W=(CHBu)-Bu-t((OBu)-Bu-t) (3). Addition of a mild base to complex 3 provides the trianionic pincer alkylidyne complex {MePPh3}{[pyr-ONO]W equivalent to(CBu)-Bu-t((OBu)-Bu-t)} (4). All new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, combustion analysis, and, in the case of complex 4, single-crystal X-ray crystallography. D FT calculations performed on 4 provide insight into its electronic structure and indicate that the HOMO is ligand-based and localized on the pyrrolide pi orbitals.

AbstractReview: synthesis, characterization, properties, and catalytic applications of trianionic pincer metal complexes;171 refs.

The reductive functionalization of RhIII–Me bonds in acids is a key step for RhI/III-based catalysts for methane functionalization. Heating electronic-rich [tBu3terpy]Rh(Me)(Cl)I (1; tBu3terpy = 4,4′,4″-tri-tert-butylterpyridine) in H2O, AcOD, or trifluoroacetic acid (HTFA) released a stoichiometric amount of methane. With use of a less donating ligand, [(NO2)3terpy]Rh(Me)(Cl)I (2; (NO2)3terpy = 4,4′,4″-trinitroterpyridine), a mixture of CH4 and CH3X (X = Cl, TFA, OAc, OH) was obtained. The selectivity between MeX and CH4 was found to be dependent on the halide present (I– or Cl–). In a key experiment with the removal of one halide from 2, {[(NO2)3terpy]Rh(Me)Cl}{BF4} (3) was completely protonated in acidic solvent. DFT calculations were employed to investigate the mechanism of reductive functionalization and protonation.

Net reductive elimination (RE) of MeX (X = halide or pseudo-halide: Cl(-), CF3CO2(-), HSO4(-), OH(-)) is an important step during Pt-catalyzed hydrocarbon functionalization. Developing Rh(I/III)-based catalysts for alkane functionalization is an attractive alternative to Pt-based systems, but very few examples of RE of alkyl halides and/or pseudo-halides from Rh(III) complexes have been reported. Here, we compare the influence of the ligand donor strength on the thermodynamic potentials for oxidative addition and reductive functionalization using [(t)Bu3terpy]RhCl (1) {(t)Bu3terpy = 4,4',4''-tri-tert-butylpyridine} and [(NO2)3terpy]RhCl (2) {(NO2)3terpy = 4,4',4''-trinitroterpyridine}. Complex 1 oxidatively adds MeX {X = I(-), Cl(-), CF3CO2(-) (TFA(-))} to afford [(t)Bu3terpy]RhMe(Cl)(X) {X = I(-) (3), Cl(-) (4), TFA(-) (5)}. By having three electron-withdrawing NO2 groups, complex 2 does not react with MeCl or MeTFA, but reacts with MeI to yield [(NO2)3terpy]RhMe(Cl)(I) (6). Heating 6 expels MeCl along with a small quantity of MeI. Repeating this experiment but with excess [Bu4N]Cl exclusively yields MeCl, while adding [Bu4N]TFA yields a mixture of MeTFA and MeCl. In contrast, 3 does not reductively eliminate MeX under similar conditions. DFT calculations successfully predict the reaction outcome by complexes 1 and 2. Calorimetric measurements of [(t)Bu3terpy]RhI (7) and [(t)Bu3terpy]RhMe(I)2 (8) were used to corroborate computational models. Finally, the mechanism of MeCl RE from 6 was investigated via DFT calculations, which supports a nucleophilic attack by either I(-) or Cl(-) on the Rh-CH3 bond of a five-coordinate Rh complex.

Trianionic pincer and pincer-type ligands are the focus of this review. Metal ions from across the periodic table, from main group elements, transition metals, and the rare earths, are combined with trianionic pincer ligands to produce some of the most interesting complexes to appear in the literature over the past decade. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the synthesis, characterization, properties, and catalytic applications of trianionic pincer metal complexes. Some of the interesting applications employing trianionic pincer and pincer-type complexes include: (1) catalyzed aerobic oxidation, (2) alkene isomerization, (3) alkene and alkyne polymerization, (4) nitrene and carbene group transfer, (5) fundamental transformations such as oxygen-atom transfer, (6) nitrogen-atom transfer, (7) O2 activation, (8) C-H bond activation, (9) disulfide reduction, and (10) ligand centered storage of redox equivalents (i.e. redox active ligands). Expansion of the architecture, type of donor atoms, chelate ring size, and steric and electronic properties of trianionic pincer ligands has occurred rapidly over the past ten years. This review is structured according to the type of pincer donor atoms that bind to the metal ion. The type of donor atoms within trianionic pincer and pincer-type ligands to be discussed include: NCN(3-), OCO(3-), CCC(3-), redox active NNN(3-), NNN(3-), redox active ONO(3-), ONO(3-), and SNS(3-). Since this is the first review of trianionic pincer and pincer-type ligands, an emphasis is placed on providing the reader with in-depth discussion of synthetic methods, characterization data, and highlights of these complexes as catalysts.

Traditional C-H bond activation by a concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) mechanism involves precoordination of the C-H bond followed by deprotonation from an internal base. Reported herein is a "through-arene" activation of an uncoordinated benzylic C-H bond that is 6 bonds away from a Rh(III) ion. The mechanism, which was investigated by experimental and DFT studies, proceeds through a dearomatized xylene intermediate. This intermediate was observed spectroscopically upon addition of a pyridine base to provide a thermodynamic trap.

Complex [(BuOCO)-Bu-t]W C(Bu-t)(THF)(2) (1) {where (BuOCO)-Bu-t = [2,6-((BuC6H3O)-Bu-t)(2)C6H3](3-), THF = tetrahydrofuran} polymerizes acetylenes (R-phenylacetylene (R H, p-OMe, p-F, 3,5-diCF(3)), 1-decyne, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyne, and trimethylsilylacetylene) to form pi-conjugating polymers. Upon treating 1 with 2 equiv. of phenylacetylene in toluene-d(8) at -35 degrees C, two isolable products form. These two products are [O2C((BuC)-Bu-t=)W(eta(2)-HC CPh)] (2-Bu-t) and [O2C(PhC=])W(eta(2)-HC (CBu)-Bu-t)] (2-Ph) {where OC((BuC)-Bu-t=) O = [2,6-((BuC6H3O)-Bu-t)(2)C6H3((BuC)-Bu-t=)](4-), OC(PhC=) O = [2,6-((BuC6H3O)-Bu-t)(2)C6H3(PhC=)](4-)} and derived from an apparent reductive alkylidyne migratory insertion into a metal-arene bond. Complexes 2-tBu and 2-Ph polymerize acetylene and a wide variety of monosubstituted acetylenes including phenylacetylene derivatives, 1-decyne, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyne and trimethylsilylacetylene. With a substrate to catalyst loading ratio of 25 000 : 1, complex 2-tBu polymerizes phenylacetylene with a turnover number (TON) of 17 233. Additionally, 2-tBu polymerizes phenylacetylene and 1-decyne with catalytic activities up to 5.64 x 10(6) g(PPA) mol(-1) h(-1) and 7.98 x 10(6) gPA mol(-1) h(-1), respectively. 2-Bu-t also polymerizes the disubstituted acetylene, 1-phenyl-1-propyne. NMR spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray structural studies provide compelling evidence for polymer chain growth via an insertion ring-expansion mechanism.

This report presents the synthesis of the first neutral trianionic ONO pincer-type tungsten alkylidyne complex, [CF(3)-ONO]W≡C((t)Bu)(OEt(2)) (5) {where CF(3)-ONO = (MeC(6)H(3)[C(CF(3))(2)O])(2)N(3-)}. Treating 5 with 1-phenylpropyne, 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentyne, and cyclooctyne yields the corresponding tungstenacyclobutadiene complexes [CF(3)-ONO]W[κ(2)-C((t)Bu)C(Me)C(Ph)] (6), [CF(3)-ONO]W[κ(2)-C((t)Bu)C(Me)C((t)Bu)] (7), and [CF(3)-ONO]W[κ(2)-C((t)Bu)C(CH(2))(6)C] (8). Complexes 6, 7, and 8 do not undergo retro-[2 + 2]-cycloaddition even at 200 °C or in the presence of PMe(3). DFT methods to elucidate the electronic structure of complexes 5 and 6 reveal important electronic factors that contribute to the lack of reactivity for the tungstenacyclobutadienes. An important bonding combination between the pincer N-atom lone pair and the W[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond within 5, termed an inorganic enamine, provides an explanation for the lack of retro-[2 + 2]-cycloaddition from 6, 7, and 8. (15)N NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the computational finding of an inorganic enamine bonding combination. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 5, 6, 7, and 8 provides insight into possible steric inadequacies within the CF(3)-ONO(3-) ligand to promote catalytic metathesis.