Though N2 cleavage on K-promoted Fe surfaces is important in the large-scale Haber–Bosch process, there is still ambiguity about the number of Fe atoms involved during the N–N cleaving step and the interactions responsible for the promoting ability of K. This work explores a molecular Fe system for N2 reduction, particularly focusing on the differences in the results obtained using different alkali metals as reductants (Na, K, Rb, Cs). The products of these reactions feature new types of Fe–N2 and Fe-nitride cores. Surprisingly, adding more equivalents of reductant to the system gives a product in which the N–N bond is not cleaved, indicating that the reducing power is not the most important factor that determines the extent of N2 activation. On the other hand, the results suggest that the size of the alkali metal cation can control the number of Fe atoms that can approach N2, which in turn controls the ability to achieve N2 cleavage. The accumulated results indicate that cleaving the triple N–N bond to nitrides is facilitated by simultaneous approach of least three low-valent Fe atoms to a single molecule of N2.

This work establishes the ability of valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) to serve as a direct probe of N2 bond activation. A systematic series of iron-N2 complexes has been experimentally investigated and the energy of a valence-to-core XES peak correlated with N-N bond length and stretching frequency. Computations demonstrate that, in a simple one-electron picture, this peak arises from the N2 2s2s σ* orbital, which becomes less antibonding as the N-N bond is weakened and broken. Changes as small as 0.02 Å in the N-N bond length may be distinguished using this approach. The results thus establish valence-to-core XES as an effective probe of small molecule activation, which should have broad applicability in transition metal mediated catalysis.

A series of divalent metal flavonolate complexes of the general formula [(6-Ph(2)TPA)M(3-Hfl)]X (1-5-X; X = OTf(-) or ClO(4)(-); 6-Ph(2)TPA = N,N-bis((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine; M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II); 3-Hfl = 3-hydroxyflavonolate) were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, FTIR, UV-vis, (1)H NMR or EPR, and cyclic voltammetry. All of the complexes have a bidentate coordinated flavonolate ligand. The difference in M-O distances (Delta(M-O)) involving this ligand varies through the series, with the asymmetry of flavonolate coordination increasing in the order Mn(II) approximately Ni(II) < Cu(II) < Zn(II) < Co(II). The hypsochromic shift of the absorption band I (pi-->pi*) of the coordinated flavonolate ligand in 1-5-OTf (relative to that in free anion) increases in the order Ni(II) < Mn(II) < Cu(II) < Zn(II), Co(II). Previously reported 3-Hfl complexes of divalent metals fit well with this ordering. (1)H NMR studies indicate that the 3-Hfl complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) exhibit a pseudo-octahedral geometry in solution. EPR studies suggest that the Mn(II) complex 1-OTf may form binuclear structures in solution. The mononuclear Cu(II) complex 4-OTf has a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The oxidation potential of the flavonolate ligand depends on the metal ion present and/or the solution structure of the complex, with the Mn(II) complex 1-OTf exhibiting the lowest potential, followed by the pseudo-octahedral Ni(II) and Zn(II) 3-Hfl complexes, and the distorted square pyramidal Cu(II) complex 4-OTf. The Mn(II) complex [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Mn(3-Hfl)]OTf (1-OTf) is unique in the series in undergoing ligand exchange reactions in the presence of M(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O (M = Co, Ni, Zn) in CD(3)CN to produce [(6-Ph(2)TPA)M(CD(3)CN)(n)](X)(2), [Mn(3-Hfl)(2).0.5H(2)O], and MnX(2) (X = OTf(-) or ClO(4)(-)). Under similar conditions, the 3-Hfl complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) undergo flavonolate ligand exchange to produce [(6-Ph(2)TPA)M(CD(3)CN)(n)](X)(2) (M = Co, Ni, Cu; n = 1 or 2) and [Zn(3-Hfl)(2).2H(2)O]. An Fe(II) complex of 3-Hfl, [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Fe(3-Hfl)]ClO(4) (8), was isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV-vis, (1)H NMR, cyclic voltammetry, and a magnetic moment measurement. This complex reacts with O(2) to produce the diiron(III) mu-oxo compound [(6-Ph(2)TPAFe(3Hfl))(2)(mu-O)](ClO(4))(2) (6).

Large-scale implementation of carbon neutral energy sources such as solar and wind will require the development of energy storage mechanisms. The hydrogenation of CO into formic acid or methanol could function as a means to store energy in a chemical bond. The catalyst reported here operates under low pressure, at room temperature, and in the presence of a base much milder (7 pK units lower) than the previously reported CO hydrogenation catalyst, Co(dmpe)H. The Co(I) tetraphosphine complex, [Co(L3)(CHCN)]BF, where L3 = 1,5-diphenyl-3,7-bis(diphenylphosphino)propyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane (0.31 mM), catalyzes CO hydrogenation with an initial turnover frequency of 150(20) h at 25 °C, 1.7 atm of a 1:1 mixture of H and CO, and 0.6 M 2-tert-butyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine.

Blue carbon on the rise: challenges and opportunities