Herein, we describe the redox chemistry of bi- and mononuclear α-diimine-Mn­(CO)3 complexes with an internal proton source in close proximity to the metal centers and their catalytic activity in the electrochemically driven CO2 reduction reactions. In order to address the impact of the two metal sites and of the proton source, we investigate a binuclear complex with phenol moiety, 1, a binuclear Mn complex with methoxyphenol unit instead, 2, and the mononuclear analogue with a phenol unit, 3. Spectroelectrochemical investigation of the complexes in dmf under a nitrogen atmosphere indicates that 1 and 3 undergo a reductive H2 formation forming [Mn2(H–1L1)­(CO)6Br] and [Mn­(H–1L3)­(CO)3], respectively, which is redox neutral for the complex and equivalent to a deprotonation of the phenol unit. The reaction likely proceeds via internal proton transfer from the phenol moiety to the reduced metal center forming a Mn–H species. 2 dimerizes during reduction, forming [Mn2(L2)­(CO)6]2, but 1 and 3 do not. Reduction of 1, 2, and 3 is accompanied by bromide loss, and the final species represent [Mn2(H–1L1)­(CO)6]3–, [Mn2(L2)­(CO)6]2–, and [Mn­(H–1L3)­(CO)3]2–, respectively. 1 and 2 are active catalysts in the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction, whereas 3 decomposes quickly under an applied potential. Thus, the second redox active unit is crucial for enhanced stability. The proton relay in 1 alters the kinetics for the 2H+/2e– reduced products of CO2 in dmf/water mixtures. For 2, CO is the only product, whereas formate and CO are formed in similar amounts, 40% and 50%, respectively, in the presence of 1. Thus, the reaction rate for the internal proton transfer from the phenol moiety to the metal center forming the putative Mn–H species and subsequent CO2 insertion as well as the reaction rate of the reduced metal center with CO2 forming CO are similar. The overpotential with regard to the standard redox potential of CO2 to CO and the observed overall rate constant for catalysis at scan rates of 0.1 V s–1 are higher with 1 than with 2, that is, the OH group is beneficial for catalysis due to the internal proton transfer.

Hydrogenation reactions are fundamental functional group transformations in chemical synthesis. Here, we introduce an electrochemical method for the hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes by in situ formation of a Mn‐H species. We utilise protons and electric current as surrogate for H2 and a base‐metal complex to form selectively the alcohols. The method is chemoselective for the hydrogenation of C=O bonds over C=C bonds. Mechanistic studies revealed initial 3 e− reduction of the catalyst forming the steady state species [Mn2(H−1L)(CO)6]−. Subsequently, we assume protonation, reduction and internal proton shift forming the hydride species. Finally, the transfer of the hydride and a proton to the ketone yields the alcohol and the steady state species is regenerated via reduction. The interplay of two manganese centres and the internal proton relay represent the key features for ketone and aldehyde reduction as the respective mononuclear complex and the complex without the proton relay are barely active.

Chemical conversions are nowadays evaluated not only according to their functionality and originality but also regarding their atom and redox economy. Excess energy consumption, the origin of that energy, and waste production are becoming increasingly important factors in chemical synthesis development. This led to a re-emerging of electroorganic synthesis after decades of dormancy. Inspired by this, we combined organometallic catalysis and electrochemistry to develop a versatile and broadly applicable method for hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes by electrons and trifluoroethanol as proton source under ambient conditions. Aromatic, aliphatic, and further functionalized ketones and aldehydes were converted to the corresponding alcohols in decent to excellent yields, with a catalyst loading of only 1%. The protocol is selective toward ketones and aldehydes over non-conjugated CC bonds, esters, and carboxylic acids. As a base metal catalyst, we utilized a manganese complex with a proton relay, which was previously shown to electrohydrogenate CO2 via an Mn–H species. Mechanistic analysis showed that this hydride is also pivotal for the electrohydrogenation of CO bonds in organic scaffolds and fosters ionic hydrogenations over radical-type PCET reactions, which leads to the observed selectivity toward polar substrates. Further mechanistic analysis shed light on the pK a of the metal hydride species, the kinetic rate of its formation, as well as the all-over catalysis. Chemical formation of the MnH species via H2 splitting under ambient conditions failed, which emphasizes that merging electrochemistry and organometallic catalysis can open different pathways for chemical catalysis under mild conditions.

Herein, we summarize the photo- and electrochemical protocols for dehydrogenation and hydrogenations involving carbonyl and imine functions. The three basic principles that have been explored to interconvert such moieties with transition metal complexes are discussed in detail and the substrate scope is evaluated. Furthermore, we describe some general thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of such electro- and photochemically driven reactions.