Isolation of dysprosium and yttrium complexes of a three-electron reduction product in the activation of dinitrogen, the (N2)3- radical

  • William J. Evans
  • , Ming Fang
  • , Gaë L. Zucchi
  • , Filipp Furche
  • , Joseph W. Ziller
  • , Ryan M. Hoekstra
  • , Jeffrey I. Zink

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

DyI2 reacts with 2 equiv of KOAr (OAr = OC6H 3(CMe3)2-2,6) under nitrogen to form not only the (N2)2- complex, [(ArO)2(THF) 2Dy]2(μ-η22-N 2), 1, but also complexes of similar formula with an added potassium ion, [(ArO)2(THF)Dy]2(μ-η2: η2-N2)[K(THF)6], 2, and [(ArO) 2(THF)Dy]232: η22-N2)K(THF), 3. The 1.396(7) and 1.402(7) Å N-N bond distances in 2 and 3, respectively, are consistent with an (N2)3- ligand, but the high magnetic moment of 4f9 Dy3+ precluded definitive identification. The Y[N(SiMe3)2]3/K reduction system was used to synthesize yttrium analogues of 2 and 3, {[(Me3Si)2N]2(THF)Y}2(μ- η22-N2)[K(THF)6] and {[(Me3Si)2N]2(THF)Y}23222-N 2)K, that had similar N-N distances and allowed full characterization. EPR, Raman, and DFT studies are all consistent with the presence of (N2)3- in these complexes. 15N analogues were also prepared to confirm the spectroscopic assignments. The DFT studies suggest that the unpaired electron is localized primarily in a dinitrogen π orbital isolated spatially, energetically, and by symmetry from the metal orbitals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11195-11202
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume131
Issue number31
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Aug 2009
Externally publishedYes

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