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[Cp*Rh] complexes (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) supported by bidentate chelating ligands are a useful class of compounds for studies of redox chemistry and catalysis. Here, we show that the bis(2-pyridyl)methane ligand, also known as dipyridylmethane or dpma, can support [Cp*Rh] complexes in the formally + iii and + ii rhodium oxidation states. Specifically, two new rhodium complexes ([Cp*Rh(dpma)(L)] n+ , L = Cl − , CH 3 CN) have been isolated and structurally characterized, and the properties of the complexes have been compared with those of [Cp*Rh] complexes bearing the related dimethyldipyridylmethane (Me 2 dpma) ligand. Complex [Cp*Rh(dpma)(NCCH 3 )] 2+ displays a quasireversible rhodium( iii / ii ) reduction by cyclic voltammetry; related electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies confirm access to the unusual rhodium( ii ) oxidation state. Further reduction to the formally rhodium( i ) oxidation state, however, is followed by deprotonation of dpma, as observed in electrochemical studies and chemical reduction experiments. This reactivity can be understood to occur as a consequence of the presence of doubly benzylic protons in the dpma ligand, since use of the analogous Me 2 dpma enables reduction to rhodium( i ) without involvement of ligand deprotonation. These findings highlight the important role of the ligand backbone substitution pattern in influencing the stability of highly-reduced complexes, a key class of metal species for study of electron and proton management in catalysis. 

[Cp*Rh] complexes (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) are attracting renewed interest in coordination chemistry and catalysis, but these useful compounds often undergo net two-electron redox cycling that precludes observation of individual one-electron reduction events. Here, we show that a [Cp*Rh] complex bearing the 4,4′-dinitro-2,2′-bipyridyl ligand (dnbpy) (3) can access a distinctive manifold of five oxidation states in organic electrolytes, contrasting with prior work that found no accessible reductions in aqueous electrolyte. These states are readily generated from a newly isolated and fully characterized rhodium(III) precursor complex 3, formulated as [Cp*Rh(dnbpy)Cl]PF6. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, previously unavailable for the dnbpy ligand bound to the [Cp*Rh] platform, confirm the presence of both [η5-Cp*] and [κ2-dnbpy]. Four individual one-electron reductions of 3 are observed, contrasting sharply with the single two-electron reductions of other [Cp*Rh] complexes. Chemical preparation and the study of the singly reduced species with electronic absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies indicate that the first reduction is predominantly centered on the dnbpy ligand. Comparative cyclic voltammetry studies with [NBu4][PF6] and [NBu4][Cl] as supporting electrolytes indicate that the chloride ligand can be lost from 3 by ligand exchange upon reduction. Spectroelectrochemical studies with ultraviolet (UV)-visible detection reveal isosbestic behavior, confirming the clean interconversion of the reduced forms of 3 inferred from the voltammetry with [NBu4][PF6] as supporting electrolyte. Electrochemical reduction in the presence of triethylammonium results in an irreversible response, but does not give rise to catalytic H2 evolution, contrasting with the reactivity patterns observed in [Cp*Rh] complexes bearing bipyridyl ligands with less electron-withdrawing substituents. 

Half‐sandwich rhodium monohydrides are often proposed as intermediates in catalysis, but little is known regarding the redox‐induced reactivity accessible to these species. Herein, the bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) ligand has been used to explore the reactivity that can be induced when a [Cp*Rh] monohydride undergoes remote (dppf‐centered) oxidation by 1e⁻. Chemical and electrochemical studies show that one‐electron redox chemistry is accessible to Cp*Rh(dppf), including a unique quasi‐reversible Rh^II/Iprocess at −0.96 V vs. ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc^+/0). This redox manifold was confirmed by isolation of an uncommon Rh^IIspecies, [Cp*Rh(dppf)]⁺, that was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Protonation of Cp*Rh(dppf) with anilinium triflate yielded an isolable and inert monohydride, [Cp*Rh(dppf)H]⁺, and this species was found to undergo a quasireversible electrochemical oxidation at +0.41 V vs. Fc^+/0that corresponds to iron‐centered oxidation in the dppf backbone. Thermochemical analysis predicts that this dppf‐centered oxidation drives a dramatic increase in acidity of the Rh−H moiety by 23 pK_aunits, a reactivity pattern confirmed by in situ¹H NMR studies. Taken together, these results show that remote oxidation can effectively induce M−H activation and suggest that ligand‐centered redox activity could be an attractive feature for the design of new systems relying on hydride intermediates.