Main-group metal complexes of α-diimine ligands: structure, bonding and reactivity

Rong Zhang, Yanchao Wang, Yanxia Zhao, Carl Redshaw, Igor L. Fedushkin, Biao Wu, Xiao Juan Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

α-Diimine ligands, in particular 1,4-diazabutadiene (dad) and bis(iminoacenaphthene) (bian) derivatives, have been widely used for coordination with various metals, including main-group, transition, and lanthanide and actinide metals. In addition to their tunable steric and electronic properties, thedadandbianligands are redox-active and can readily accept one or two electrons, converting into the radical-anionic (L˙) or dianionic (enediamido, L2−) form, respectively. This non-innocence brings about rich electronic structures and properties of the ligands and complexes thereof. For example, thedadligands in their three redox levels can effectively stabilize a series of metal centers in different oxidation states, including low-valent metals. Moreover, these ligands can serve as electron reservoirs and can participate in reactions toward other molecules with or without metals. Therefore, such ligands are extremely useful in the areas of low-valent complexes and small molecule activation. Herein, we will discuss the use ofdad(andbian) ligands in the stabilization of metal-metal-bonded compounds, in particular those of main-group metals, as well as small molecule activation by these (low-valent) metal coordination species where the non-innocence of the ligands plays a key role.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13634-13650
Number of pages17
JournalDalton Transactions
Volume50
Issue number39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2021

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