The
synthesis, transformation, and application in catalysis of
triphenyllead hydroperoxide, the first dioxygen lead complex, are
described. Triphenyllead hydroperoxide is characterized by 207Pb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction,
revealing the first one-dimensional (1D) coordination peroxo polymer.
Photolytic isomorphous transformation of Ph3PbOOH yields
a mixed hydroxo/superoxo crystalline structure, the first nonalkali
superoxo crystalline metal salt, which is stable up to 100 °C.
Upon further photolysis, another isomorphous transformation of the
superoxide to hydroxide is observed. These are the first single-crystal-to-single-crystal
hydroperoxide-to-superoxide and then to hydroxide transformations
reported to date. Photolysis of triphenyllead hydroperoxide yields
two forms of superoxide-doped crystalline structures that are distinguished
by widely different characteristic relaxation times. The use of Ph3PbOOH as an easy-to-handle solid two-electron oxidant for
the highly enantioselective epoxidation of olefins is described.