The pincer ligand MeN[CH2CH2(P(i)Pr2)]2 ((iPr)PNP) was employed to support a series of cobalt(I) complexes, which were crystallographically characterized. A cobalt monochloride species, ((iPr)PNP)CoCl, served as a precursor for the preparation of several cobalt precatalysts for CO2 hydrogenation, including a cationic dicarbonyl cobalt complex, [((iPr)PNP)Co(CO)2](+). When paired with the Lewis acid lithium triflate, [((iPr)PNP)Co(CO)2](+) affords turnover numbers near 30 000 (at 1000 psi, 45 °C) for CO2-to-formate hydrogenation, which is a notable increase in activity from previously reported homogeneous cobalt catalysts. Though mechanistic information regarding the function of the precatalysts remains limited, multiple experiments suggest the active species is a molecular, homogeneous [((iPr)PNP)Co] complex.
This communication describes the C–C bond activation of acetonitrile and the trapping of the methyl and cyanide fragments by macrocyclic, dicobalt complexes. Both products display unique structural features as a...
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.