The promoterless AAD (acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation) reaction mediated by an iridium catalyst Cp*Ir(bpyO) 1–Ir (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, bpyO = α,α′-bipyridonate) has been theoretically investigated with the density functional theory. The reaction occurs through three steps, including alcohol dehydrogenation, formation of dihydrogen complex, and H2 elimination from the iridium center. In the first two steps, the metal center and the bpyO ligand work cooperatively via the aromatization/dearomatization process of the bpyO ligand. The second step is rate-determining, where the ΔG 0≠ and ΔG 0 values are 23.9 and 13.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Our calculations demonstrate that the aromatization of the bpyO ligand as well as the charge transfer (CT) from the Cp* ligand to the iridium center plays important roles in stabilizing the transition state of the rate-determining step. We have theoretically and experimentally examined the 4d rhodium analogue Cp*Rh(bpyO) 1–Rh and found that it exhibits similar activity to that of 1–Ir. On the basis of those results, a new catalyst (HMB)Ru(bpyO) 1–Ru (HMB = hexamethylbenzene) is designed both theoretically and experimentally, where a cheaper and more abundant 4d ruthenium element is employed with the HMB and bpyO ligands. Theoretical calculations certainly show that 1–Ru is active for the promoterless AAD reaction via the same reaction mechanism as that of the reaction by 1–Ir. The experiments also demonstrate that 1–Ru is as efficient as 1–Ir for the AAD reaction.
Main-group-element catalysts are a desirable alternative to transition-metal catalysts because of natural abundance and cost. However, the examples are very limited. Catalytic cycles involving a redox process and E-ligand cooperation (E=main-group element), which are often found in catalytic cycles of transition-metal catalysts, have not been reported. Herein theoretical investigations of a catalytic hydrogenation of azobenzene with ammonia-borane using a trivalent phosphorus compound, which was experimentally proposed to occur through P(III) /P(V) redox processes via an unusual pentavalent dihydridophosphorane, were performed. DFT and ONIOM(CCSD(T):MP2) calculations disclosed that this catalytic reaction occurs through a P-O cooperation mechanism, which resembles the metal-ligand cooperation mechanism of transition-metal catalysts.
H-H σ-bond activation promoted by Ni[MesB(o-Ph2PC6H4)2] (1(Mes)) was theoretically investigated with the density functional theory method. In 1(Mes), the nickel 3d, 4s, and 4p orbital populations are similar to those of the typical nickel(II) complex. First, one H2 molecule coordinates with the nickel center to form a dihydrogen complex, 2, which induces an increase in the nickel 3d and 4p orbital populations and thus a decrease in the nickel oxidation state. Then, the H-H σ-bond is cleaved under the unusual cooperation of the electron-rich nickel center and the electron-deficient borane ligand in a polarized manner, leading to an unprecedented trans-nickel(II) hydridoborohydrido complex, 3. In the transition state, charge transfer (CT) occuring from the H2 moiety to the 1(Mes) moiety (0.683 e) is much larger than the reverse CT (0.284 e). As a result, cleavage of the H-H σ-bond affords two positively charged hydrogen atoms. In this process, the boron atomic population and the nickel 4p orbital population increase, but the nickel 3d orbital population decreases. After cleavage of the H-H σ-bond, CT from the nickel 4p orbital to these positively charged hydrogen atoms occurs to afford 3, where the oxidation state of the nickel center increases to +2. These electronic processes are different from those of the usual homolytic and heterolytic H-H σ-bond activations. Regeneration of 1(Mes) and the role of the borane ligand in these reactions are also discussed in detail.
σ-Bond activations of R1-R2 and R1-X1 (R1, R2 = H, alkyl, aromatics, etc.; X1 = electronegative group) by transition-metal complexes are classified into two main categories: σ-bond activation by a metal (M) center and that by a metal-ligand bond. The former is classified into two subcategories: concerted oxidative addition to M and stepwise oxidative addition via nucleophilic attack of M. The latter is also classified into two subcategories: heterolytic activaton by M-X2 (X2 = anion ligand) and oxidative addition to M-L (L = neutral ligand). In the concerted oxidative addition, charge transfer (CT) occurs from the M d orbital to the σ* antibonding orbital of R1-R2, the clear evidence of which is presented here. The concerted oxidative additions of Ph-CN, Me-CN, and Ph-Cl to a nickel(0) complex are discussed as examples. The stepwise oxidative addition occurs through nucleophilic attack of M to R1-X1 to form an ion-pair intermediate. In the nucleophilic attack, CT occurs from the M dσ to either the σ* orbital or empty pπ orbital of R1-X1. Solvation plays a crucial role in stabilizing the transition state and ion-pair intermediate. The oxidative addition reactions of Ph-I, CH3-Br, and Br2B(OSiH3) to platinum(0), platinum(II), and palladium(0) complexes are discussed. In the heterolytic activation of R1-R2 by an M-X2 bond, R1 and R2 are bound with M and X2, respectively, indicating that R1 becomes anion-like and R2 becomes cation-like. CT mainly occurs from the X2 ligand to the σ* antibonding orbital of R1-R2 and also from R1 to the M empty d orbital. In the oxidative addition to an M-L moiety, R1 is bound with M, R2 is bound with L, and thus-formed L-R2 is bound with M. The oxidative addition reaction of the Si-H bond of silane to Cp2Zr(C2H4) and that of the H-H bond of H2 to Ni[MesB(o-Ph2PC6H4)2] are discussed as examples. The importance of the σ-bond activation in such catalytic reactions as nickel(0)-catalyzed phenylcyanation of alkyne, nickel(0)-catalyzed carboxylation of phenyl chloride, ruthenium(II)-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide, and the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction is discussed based on theoretical studies.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly toxic synthetic chemicals, which are considered the most persistent organic contaminants in the environment. Previous studies have demonstrated that hydrated electron based techniques could completely destruct these compounds. However, in the reactions, alkaline and anaerobic conditions are generally required or surfactants are involved. Herein, we developed a simple binary composite, only including PFAS and hydrated electron source chemical. The system exhibited high efficiency for the utilization of hydrated electrons to decompose PFASs. By comparing the degradation processes of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the presence of seven indole derivatives with different chemical properties, we could conclude that the reaction efficiency was dependent on not only the yield of hydrated electrons but also the interaction between PFOA and indole derivative. Among these derivatives, indole showed the highest degradation performance due to its relatively high ability to generate hydrated electrons, and more importantly, indole could form a hydrogen bonding with PFOA to accelerate the electron transfer. Moreover, the novel composite demonstrated high reaction efficiency even with coexisting humic substance and in a wide pH range (4–10). This study would deepen our understanding of the design of hydrated electron based techniques to treat PFAS-containing wastewater.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.