Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of Bis(<i>μ</i>-oxo)nickel(III) and Bis(<i>μ</i>-superoxo)nickel(II) Complexes: An Unusual Conversion of a Ni^III₂(<i>μ</i>-O)₂ Core into a Ni^II₂(<i>μ</i>-OO)₂ Core by H₂O₂ and Oxygenation of Ligand

Abstract

A six-coordinate bis(μ-oxo)nickel(III) complex, [Ni2(μ-O)2(Me3-tpa)2]2+ (1), was synthesized by the reaction of [Ni2(μ-OH)2(Me3-tpa)2]2+ (2) with 1 equiv of hydrogen peroxide in methanol at −90 °C, where Me3-tpa = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine. The 6-methyl groups of Me3-tpa have a significant influence on the formation and stabilization of the high-valent bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) species. The reaction of 2 with a large excess of hydrogen peroxide (>10 equiv) afforded a novel bis(μ-superoxo)dinickel(II) complex, [Ni2(μ-O2)2(Me3-tpa)2]2+ (3), thus, the reaction demonstrates a unique conversion of a NiIII(μ-O)2NiIII core into a NiII(μ-OO)2NiII core upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and various physicochemical techniques. Complex 1 has a Ni(μ-O)2Ni core and the average Ni−O and Ni−N bond distances (1.871 and 2.143 Å, respectively) are significantly shorter than those of 2 (2.018 and 2.185 Å, respectively), suggesting that 1 is a bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) complex. Complex 3 consists of a Ni(μ-OO)2Ni core with two μ-1,2-O−O bridges to form a six-membered ring with chair conformation and the O−O bond distance is 1.345(6) Å. The resonance Raman spectrum of a powdered sample of 3 measured at ∼110 K showed an isotope-sensitive band at 1096 cm-1 (1044 cm-1 for an 18O-labeled sample), indicating that 3 is a bis(μ-superoxo)dinickel(II) complex. Thermal decomposition of both 1 and 3 in acetone at −20 °C under N2 atmosphere resulted in partial hydroxylation of a methyl group of Me3-tpa in yields of 21−27% for both complexes. For complex 3, a carboxylate complex, [Ni(Me2-tpaCOO)(OH2)]+ (4), where one of the three methyl groups of Me3-tpa is oxidized to carboxylate, was also isolated as a decomposed product under N2 atmosphere. During the decomposition process of 3, dioxygen evolution was simultaneously observed. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of 3 revealed the formation of 1 during the decomposition process. These results suggest that one possible decomposition pathway of 3 is a disproportionation of two coordinated superoxides to dioxygen and peroxide followed by the O−O bond scission of peroxide to regenerate 1, which is responsible for the hydroxylation and the oxidation of the 6-methyl group of Me3-tpa.