Preparation, Characterization, and Electrochemical Activation of a Model [Cp*Rh] Hydride

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Inorganic Chemistry, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b02160.Monomeric half-sandwich rhodium hydride complexes are often proposed as intermediates in catalytic cycles, but relatively few such compounds have been isolated and studied, limiting understanding of their properties. Here, we report preparation and isolation of a monomeric rhodium(III) hydride complex bearing the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) and bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppb) ligands. The hydride complex is formed rapidly upon addition of weak acid to a reduced precursor complex, Cp*Rh(dppb). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the [Cp*Rh] hydride, which were previously unavailable for this class of compounds, provide evidence of the direct Rh–H interaction. Complementary infrared spectra show the Rh–H stretching frequency at 1986 cm−1. In contrast to results with other [Cp*Rh] complexes bearing diimine ligands, treatment of the isolated hydride with strong acid does not result in H2 evolution. Electrochemical studies reveal that the hydride complex can be reduced only at very negative potentials (ca. −2.5 V vs. ferrocenium/ferrocene), resulting in Rh–H bond cleavage and H2 generation. These results are discussed in the context of catalytic H2 generation, and development of design rules for improved catalysts bearing the [Cp*] ligand.University of Kansas Undergraduate Research AwardS10OD016360S10RR024664NSF MRI Grant CHE-162592

4,5-Diazafluorene and 9,9’-Dimethyl-4,5-Diazafluorene as Ligands Supporting Redox-Active Mn and Ru Complexes

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.4,5-diazafluorene (daf) and 9,9’-dimethyl-4,5-diazafluorene (Me2daf) are structurally similar to the important ligand 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy), but significantly less is known about the redox and spectroscopic properties of metal complexes containing Me2daf as a ligand than those containing bpy. New complexes Mn(CO)3Br(daf) (2), Mn(CO)3Br(Me2daf) (3), and [Ru(Me2daf)3](PF6)2 (5) have been prepared and fully characterized to understand the influence of the Me2daf framework on their chemical and electrochemical properties. Structural data for 2, 3, and 5 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveal a distinctive widening of the daf and Me2daf chelate angles in comparison to the analogous Mn(CO)3(bpy)Br (1) and [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (4) complexes. Electronic absorption data for these complexes confirm the electronic similarity of daf, Me2daf, and bpy, as spectra are dominated in each case by metal-to-ligand charge transfer bands in the visible region. However, the electrochemical properties of 2, 3, and 5 reveal that the redox-active Me2daf framework in 3 and 5 undergoes reduction at a slightly more negative potential than that of bpy in 1 and 4. Taken together, the results indicate that Me2daf could be useful for preparation of a variety of new redox-active compounds, as it retains the useful redox-active nature of bpy but lacks the acidic, benzylic C–H bonds that can induce secondary reactivity in complexes bearing daf.US National Science Foundation (OIA-1833087)NSF REU Program in Chemistry at the University of Kansas (CHE-1560279)NIH T32 GM008545-25NIH S10OD016360NIH S10RR024664CHE-162592

Design of robust 2,2′-bipyridine ligand linkers for the stable immobilization of molecular catalysts on silicon(111) surfaces

The attachment of the 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) moieties to the surface of planar silicon(111) (photo)electrodes was investigated using ab initio simulations performed on a new cluster model for methyl-terminated silicon. Density functional theory (B3LYP) with implicit solvation techniques indicated that adventitious chlorine atoms, when present in the organic linker backbone, led to instability at very negative potentials of the surface-modified electrode. In prior experimental work, chlorine atoms were present as a trace surface impurity due to required surface processing chemistry, and thus could plausibly result in the observed surface instability of the linker. Free energy calculations for the Cl-atom release process with model silyl-linker constructs revealed a modest barrier (14.9 kcal mol⁻¹) that decreased as the electrode potential became more negative. A small library of new bpy-derived structures has additionally been explored computationally to identify strategies that could minimize chlorine-induced linker instability. Structures with fluorine substituents are predicted to be more stable than their chlorine analogues, whereas fully non-halogenated structures are predicted to exhibit the highest stability. The behavior of a hydrogen-evolving molecular catalyst Cp*Rh(bpy) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) immobilized on a silicon(111) cluster was explored theoretically to evaluate differences between the homogeneous and surface-attached behavior of this species in a tautomerization reaction observed under reductive conditions for catalytic H₂ evolution. The calculated free energy difference between the tautomers is small, hence the results suggest that use of reductively stable linkers can enable robust attachment of catalysts while maintaining chemical behavior on the electrode similar to that exhibited in homogeneous solution

Role of Ligand Protonation in Dihydrogen Evolution from a Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Rhodium Catalyst

Recent work has shown that Cp*Rh(bpy) [Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, bpy = 2,2′- bipyridine] undergoes endo protonation at the [Cp*] ligand in the presence of weak acid (Et_3NH^+; pK_a = 18.8 in MeCN). Upon exposure to stronger acid (e.g., DMFH+; pK_a = 6.1), hydrogen is evolved with unity yield. Here, we study the mechanisms by which this catalyst evolves dihydrogen using density functional theory (M06) with polarizable continuum solvation. The calculations show that the complex can be protonated by weak acid first at the metal center with a barrier of 3.2 kcal/mol; this proton then migrates to the ring to form the detected intermediate, a rhodium(I) compound bearing endo η^4-Cp*H. Stronger acid is required to evolve hydrogen, which calculations show happens via a concerted mechanism. The acid approaches and protonates the metal, while the second proton simultaneously migrates from the ring with a barrier of ∼12 kcal/mol. Under strongly acidic conditions, we find that hydrogen evolution can proceed through a traditional metal–hydride species; protonation of the initial hydride to form an H–H bond occurs before migration of the hydride (in the form of a proton) to the [Cp*] ring (i.e., H–H bond formation is faster than hydride–proton tautomerization). This work demonstrates the role of acid strength in accessing different mechanisms of hydrogen evolution. Calculations also predict that modification of the bpy ligand by a variety of functional groups does not affect the preference for [Cp*] protonation, although the driving force for protonation changes. However, we predict that exchange of bpy for a bidentate phosphine ligand will stabilize a rhodium(III) hydride, reversing the preference for bound [Cp*H] found in all computed bpy derivatives and offering an appealing alternative ligand platform for future experimental and computational mechanistic studies of H_2 evolution

Synthesis, structural studies, and redox chemistry of bimetallic [Mn(CO)₃] and [Re(CO)₃] complexes

Manganese ([Mn(CO)₃]) and rhenium tricarbonyl ([Re(CO)₃]) complexes represent a workhorse family of compounds with applications in a variety of fields. Here, the coordination, structural, and electrochemical properties of a family of mono- and bimetallic [Mn(CO)₃] and [Re(CO)₃] complexes are explored. In particular, a novel heterobimetallic complex featuring both [Mn(CO)₃] and [Re(CO)₃] units supported by 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm) has been synthesized, structurally characterized, and compared to the analogous monomeric and homobimetallic complexes. To enable a comprehensive structural analysis for the series of complexes, we have carried out new single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of seven compounds: Re(CO)₃Cl(bpm), anti-[{Re(CO₃)Cl}₂(bpm)], Mn(CO)₃Br(bpz) (bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine), Mn(CO)₃Br(bpm), syn- and anti-[{Mn(CO3)Br}₂(bpm)], and syn-[Mn(CO₃)Br(bpm)Re(CO)₃Br]. Electrochemical studies reveal that the bimetallic complexes are reduced at much more positive potentials (ΔE ≥ 380 mV) compared to their monometallic analogues. This redox behavior is consistent with introduction of the second tricarbonyl unit which inductively withdraws electron density from the bridging, redox-active bpm ligand, resulting in more positive reduction potentials. [Re(CO₃)Cl]₂(bpm) was reduced with cobaltocene; the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the product exhibits an isotropic signal (near g = 2) characteristic of a ligand-centered bpm radical. Our findings highlight the facile synthesis as well as the structural characteristics and unique electrochemical behavior of this family of complexes

Proton–hydride tautomerism in hydrogen evolution catalysis

Efficient generation of hydrogen from renewable resources requires development of catalysts that avoid deep wells and high barriers. Information about the energy landscape for H_2 production can be obtained by chemical characterization of catalytic intermediates, but few have been observed to date. We have isolated and characterized a key intermediate in 2e^– + 2H^+ → H_2 catalysis. This intermediate, obtained by treatment of Cp*Rh(bpy) (Cp*, η^5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; bpy, κ^2-2,2′-bipyridyl) with acid, is not a hydride species but rather, bears [η^4-Cp*H] as a ligand. Delivery of a second proton to this species leads to evolution of H_2 and reformation of η^5-Cp* bound to rhodium(III). With suitable choices of acids and bases, the Cp*Rh(bpy) complex catalyzes facile and reversible interconversion of H^+ and H_2

Motor contagion: the contribution of trajectory and end-points

Increased involuntary arm movement deviation when observing an incongruent human arm movement has been interpreted as a strong indicator of motor contagion. Here, we examined the contribution of trajectory and end-point information on motor contagion by altering congruence between the stimulus and arm movement. Participants performed cyclical horizontal arm movements whilst simultaneously observing a stimulus representing human arm movement. The stimuli comprised congruent horizontal movements or vertical movements featuring incongruent trajectory and end-points. A novel, third, stimulus comprised curvilinear movements featuring congruent end-points, but an incongruent trajectory. In Experiment 1, our dependent variables indicated increased motor contagion when observing the vertical compared to horizontal movement stimulus. There was even greater motor contagion in the curvilinear stimulus condition indicating an additive effect of an incongruent trajectory comprising congruent end-points. In Experiment 2, this additive effect was also present when facing perpendicular to the display, and thus with end-points represented as a product of the movement rather than an external spatial reference. Together, these findings support the theory of event coding (Hommel et al., Behav Brain Sci 24:849–878, 2001), and the prediction that increased motor contagion takes place when observed and executed actions share common features (i.e., movement end-points)

Anxiety disorders in children and young people: assessment and treatment

Despite significant advancements in our knowledge of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, they continue to be under-recognised and under-treated. It is critical that these disorders are taken seriously in children and young people as they are highly prevalent, have a negative impact on educational, social and health functioning, create a risk of ongoing anxiety and other mental health disorders across the lifespan and are associated with substantial economic burden. Yet very few children with anxiety disorders access evidence-based treatments and there is an urgent need for widespread implementation of effective interventions. This review aims to provide an overview of recent research developments that will be relevant to clinicians and policymakers, particularly focusing on the development and maintenance of child anxiety disorders and considerations for assessment and treatment. Given the critical need to increase access to effective support we hope this review will contribute to driving forward a step change in treatment delivery for children and young people with anxiety disorders and their families