Water-oxidation catalysis is a critical bottleneck in the direct generation of solar fuels by artificial photosynthesis. Catalytic oxidation of difficult substrates such as water requires harsh conditions, so the ligand must be designed both to stabilize high oxidation states of the metal center and to strenuously resist ligand degradation. Typical ligand choices either lack sufficient electron donor power or fail to stand up to the oxidizing conditions. Our research on Ir-based water-oxidation catalysts (WOCs) has led us to identify a ligand, 2-(2'-pyridyl)-2-propanoate or "pyalk", that fulfills these requirements. Work with a family of Cp*Ir(chelate)Cl complexes had indicated that the pyalk-containing precursor gave the most robust WOC, which was still molecular in nature but lost the Cp* fragment by oxidative degradation. In trying to characterize the resulting active "blue solution" WOC, we were able to identify a diiridium(IV)-mono-μ-oxo core but were stymied by the extensive geometrical isomerism and coordinative variability. By moving to a family of monomeric complexes [Ir(pyalk)] and [Ir(pyalk)Cl], we were able to better understand the original WOC and identify the special properties of the ligand. In this Account, we cover some results using the pyalk ligand and indicate the main features that make it particularly suitable as a ligand for oxidation catalysis. The alkoxide group of pyalk allows for proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and its strong σ- and π-donor power strongly favors attainment of exceptionally high oxidation states. The aromatic pyridine ring with its methyl-protected benzylic position provides strong binding and degradation resistance during catalytic turnover. Furthermore, the ligand has two additional benefits: broad solubility in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents and an anisotropic ligand field that enhances the geometry-dependent redox properties of its complexes. After discussion of the general properties, we highlight the specific complexes studied in more detail. In the iridium work, the isolated mononuclear complexes showed easily accessible Ir(III/IV) redox couples, in some cases with the Ir(IV) state being indefinitely stable in water. We were able to rationalize the unusual geometry-dependent redox properties of the various isomers on the basis of ligand-field effects. Even more striking was the isolation and full characterization of a stable Rh(IV) state, for which prior examples were very reactive and poorly characterized. Importantly, we were able to convert monomeric Ir complexes to [Cl(pyalk)Ir-O-IrCl(pyalk)] derivatives that help model the "blue solution" properties and provide groundwork for rational synthesis of active, well-defined WOCs. More recent work has moved toward the study of first-row transition metal complexes. Manganese-based studies have highlighted the importance of the chelate effect for labile metals, leading to the synthesis of pincer-type pyalk derivatives. Beyond water oxidation, we believe the pyalk ligand and its derivatives will also prove use...

Pt II complexes supported by dipyridyl ligands have been demonstrated to catalyze olefin hydroarylation. Herein, studies on the influence of dipyridyl motif variation are reported. Increasing the chelate ring size of dipyridyl-ligated Pt II complexes from fiveto six-membered rings by replacing 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine with 2,2′-dipyridylmethane has been shown to increase catalytic activity and longevity for catalytic ethylene hydrophenylation. For 2,2′-dipyridyl ligands, the presence of methyl groups in the 6/6′-positions of the pyridyl rings reduces the extent of dialkylation to produce diethylbenzenes but also increases the rate of catalyst decomposition. Substituting the methylene spacer between the pyridyl rings of 2,2′dipyridylmethane with more electron-withdrawing groups also reduces catalytic efficiency. The steric profile of Pt II complexes with increased chelate ring size or substituents in the 6/6′-positions of the pyridyl rings provides a marked change in regioselectivity for ethylene hydroarylation using ethylbenzene as well as the linear to branched selectivity for the hydrophenylation of propylene.

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There is great interest in developing Mn water‐splitting catalysts due to their low cost, abundance, and relevance to the oxygen‐evolving complex (OEC). Three ligands with highly donating pyridine alkoxide moieties, including 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)propan‐2‐ol (pyalkH), 2,2′‐(pyridine‐2,6‐diyl)bis(propan‐2‐ol) (py‐dialkH2), and 2‐[(2,2′‐bipyridin)‐6‐yl]propan‐2‐ol (bipy‐alkH), have been screened with Mn for oxygen‐evolution catalysis. Complexes with the ligand bipy‐alkH were shown to evolve O2 when driven by Oxone (potassium peroxymonosulfate). The catalytic mixture generated from the precursor complex [Mn(bipy‐alkH)Cl2] retained activity in unbuffered solution beyond 160 h.