“This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Inorganic Chemistry, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see [insert ACS Articles on Request author- directed link to Published Work, see http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ic501483s Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes Containing the Hpbl Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, Linkage Isomerism and Epoxidation Catalysis Laia Francàs,† ¥ Rosa María González-Gil,¥ Daniel Moyano,¥ Jordi Benet-Buchholz,† Jordi García-Antón,¥ Lluís Escriche,¥* Antoni Llobet,†,¥* and Xavier Sala¥* † Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, E-43007 Tarragona, Spain. ¥ Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain. ABSTRACT: Three dinucleating Ru-Cl complexes containing the hexadentate dinuclateing ligand [1,1'-(4-methyl-1Hpyrazole-3,5-diyl)bis(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol)] (Hpbl), and the meridional 2,2’:6’,2”-terpyridine ligand (trpy) have been prepared and isolated. These complexes include {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-pbl-κ-N3O)}+ (1a+), {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N3O)}2+ (1b2+), and {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N2O2)}2+ (1c2+) and were characterized by analytic and spectroscopic techniques. In addition complexes 1b2+ and 1c2+ were characterized in the solid state by mono-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The coordination versatility of the Hpbl ligand allows the presence of multiple isomers that can be obtained depending on the Ru oxidation state and that were thoroughly characterized by electrochemical techniques namely, cyclic voltammetry and coulometry. Finally, 1a+ and its recently reported mononuclear analogue, in-[RuCl(Hpbl)(trpy)]+, have been tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene. Keywords: Transition metal complexes, linkage isomerization, redox properties, Ru complexes, epoxidation catalysis. Introduction Redox catalysts play a prominent role in the selective preparation of versatile intermediates for organic synthesis, as is the case 1 for instance in the regio- and/or stereoselective transformation of double bonds into epoxides. The epoxides are extremely useful molecules for both the chemical industry (particularly in polymer manufacture)2 and the synthesis of fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, or flavor and fragrances.3 On the other hand, water oxidation redox catalysis is one of the major topics that need to be dominated in order to come up with new energy conversion schemes that allow the transition from fossil to solar fuels.4 Mono- and dinuclear Ru complexes based on RuII-OH2/RuIV=O motifs, achievable via proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes,5 have been thoroughly studied as redox catalysts. A number of oxidative transformations including the ones mentioned above have been described. We have recently contributed to this chemistry6 focusing our attention at the influence of metal cooperation over catalysis.7 For this purpose, several dinucleating ligands (Chart 1) have been used as bridges between two Ru metal centers and the catalytic properties of the resulting complexes have been studied for the reactions of water oxidation and alkene epoxidation8 A key issue for this type of chemistry is the need to cycle among different oxidation states, such as for instance Ru(II) and Ru(V), while keeping a stable coordination environment.9 In order to come up with ligands that can stabilize low and high oxidation states we recently reported a new dinucleating bridging ligand with N/O ambidentate motifs (Hpbl, Chart 1) and its mononuclear Ru complexes. We have shown that when oxidation state III is reached it undergoes N->O linkage isomerization drastically reducing redox potentials of high oxidation states. 10 Here on, we report the coordination chemistry and linkage isomerization processes of dinuclear Ru-Hpbl complexes of general formula {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-pbl)}n+, together with their catalytic properties with regard to the epoxidation of cis-βmethylstyrene. In addition the epoxidation capacity of their mononuclear Ru-Hpbl counterparts are also reported and compared to related complexes previously reported in the literature (Chart 1). Chart 1. Drawing of the ligands used in this work (right) and dinucleating bridging ligands previously employed to induce metal cooperation (left). N N N NH HO HO Hbpp N NH N N N N N N N N Hpbl N N phtztrz O O H O O H N N N H2pdz-dc H O HN N H3pyr-dc N N O O O H trpy = T Experimental Section. Materials. All reagents used in the present work were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co. and were used without further purification. Reagent grade organic solvents were obtained from SDS. RuCl3·3H2O was supplied by Alfa Aesar and was used as received. Instrumentation and Measurements. UV-Vis spectroscopy was performed by a HP8453 spectrometer using 1 cm quartz cells. NMR spectroscopy was performed on a Bruker DPX 250 MHz, DPX 360 MHz or a DPX 400 MHz spectrometer. Gas Chromatography (GC) was performed in an Agilent 6890N with a mass selective detector with ionization by electronic impact or in an Agilent 6890 GC with a flame ionization detector (FID) detector, using a HP5 column. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) experiments were carried out on a micrOTOF-Q system from Bruker Daltonics at the Servei d’Anàlisi Química of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (SAQ-UAB). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments were performed on PAR283 potentiostat, IJ-Cambria HI-660 potentiostat or BioLogic potensiostat/galvanostat and EC-Lab software using a three-electrode cell. A glassy carbon electrode (2 mm diameter) was used as working electrode, platinum wire as auxiliary electrode and SSCE as a reference electrode. Working electrodes were polished with 0.05 micron Alumina paste washed with distillated water and acetone before each measurement. E1/2 values reported in this work were estimated from CV experiments as the average of the oxidative and reductive peak potentials (Ep,a + Ep,c)/2. All the electrochemical measurements are performed in MeOH with 0.1 M n-Bu4N+PF6- (TBAH) as supporting electrolyte. Epoxidation catalytic experiments were performed as follows. A solution of 1.25·10-3 mmol of dinuclear catalyst (or 2.50·103 mmol of mononuclear), 1.60 g (5.0 mmol) of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PhI(OAc)2), 1 mmol of biphenyl and 90 µL (5.0 mmol) of water were dissolved in 1 mL of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and allowed to stir for 2 hours. Then 2.5 mmols of substrate were added reaching a final volume of approx. 1.4 mL. Aliquots were taken every 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 min or until the reaction was completed. Each aliquot was filtered through a Pasteur pipette filled with Celite, and rinsed with diethyl ether. The filtrate was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Preparations. The starting complex [RuCl3(trpy)]11 and the Hpbl ligand [1,1'-(4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diyl)bis(1(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol)]10 were prepared as is described in the literature. All synthetic manipulations were routinely performed under nitrogen atmosphere using Schlenck tubes and vacuum line techniques. {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-pbl-κ-N3O)}(PF6), 1a(PF6). A sample of 200 mg (0.454 mmol) of [RuCl3(trpy)] and 61 mg (1.439 mmol) κ of LiCl were dissolved in 20 mL of dry MeOH containing 250 µL (1.816 mmol) of NEt3. The mixture was stirred at room temperature (RT) for 20 min, and then 74 mg (0.228 mmol) of Hpbl in 2.4 mL of a 0.29 M MeONa solution (0.685 mmol) were added. The mixture was refluxed under stirring for 24 h. Alternatively the reaction can also be performed in a microwave reactor by carrying out five 10 minutes heating cycles (75 oC/300 W) with 5 minutes of equilibration time between them. The mixture was filtered and 2 mL of a saturated NH4PF6 aqueous solution and 5 mL of water were added to the filtrate. Then, the volume was reduced on a rotary evaporator until a precipitate appeared which was filtered off and dried. The obtained solid was partially dissolved in hot CH2Cl2, and the solution was cooled down. The remaining solid was filtered off, washed with water and diethyl ether and vacuum dried. Yield: 75 mg (27%) for the reflux reaction; 100 mg (36%) for the microwave reaction. ESI-HRMS (MeOH): m/z = 1205.0500 ([M]+). CV (MeOH/TBAH) E1/2 = 0.07 V; E1/2 = 0.77 V, OCP: 0.1 V. Elemental analysis calcd. (%) for (C48H40Cl2F6N10O2PRu2): C, 47.77; H, 3.34; N, 11.61; found: C, 47.52; H, 3.45; N, 11.37. UV-vis (MeOH) [λmax, nm (ε, M-1 cm-1)]: 276 (26822), 283 (25083), 320 (28868), 379 (8637), 516 (5148), 585 (5956). {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-pbl-κ-N3O)}+, 1aH+. This complex was obtained in situ by adding ascorbic acid to a MeOD solution of κ 1a+. 1H NMR (500 MHz, MeOD + ascorbic acid) δ=10.01 (d, 1H1, 3J1-2=5.62 Hz), 8.6-8.4 (m, 8Htrpy), 8.26 (d, 1Htrpy), 8.165 (t, 1Htrpy), 8.076 (t, 2Htrpy), 8.000-7.875 (m, 7Htrpy,2,8), 7.80 (t, 1H), 7.74 (d, 1H4, 3J4-3=5.50 Hz), 7.66 (d, 1Htrpy), 7.56 (t, 1Htrpy), 7.50 (ddd, 1H9, 3J9-8=8.50 Hz, 4J9-10=7.30 Hz, 5J9-11=1.44 Hz), 7.40 (t, 1Htrpy), 7.27 (ddd, 1H3, 3J3-2=7.70 Hz, 4J3-4=5.50 Hz, 5J3-1=1.10 Hz), 7.25 (d, 1H11, 3J11-10=5.80 Hz), 6.61 (ddd, 1H10, 3J10-9=7.30 Hz, 4J10-11=5.80 Hz, 5J10-8=1.50 Hz), 2.14 (s, 3H6), 1.67 (s, 3H5), 1.44 (s, 3H7). UV-vis (MeOH) [λmax, nm (ε, M-1 cm-1)]: 280 (26692), 282 (27401), 320 (33910), 379 (9798), 489 (6321), 527 (6166). {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N3O)}(PF6)2, 1b(PF6)2. A sample of 50 mg (0.04 mmol) of 1a(PF6) was dissolved in 50 mL of κ MeOH. The mixture was left stirring at room temperature for 1 week. Then, saturated aqueous NH4PF6 (0.2 mL) and water (0.5 mL) were added to the solution and the volume was reduced on a rotary evaporator. The solution was cooled at -33 ˚C overnight. A brown precipitate appeared, which was filtered off and washed with cold methanol and dried with diethyl ether. Yield: 35 mg (65 %). ESI-MS (MeOH): m/z= 531.5 ([M-2PF6]2+). CV (MeOH/TBAH) E1/2 = 0.3 V; E1/2 = 0.77 V, OCP: 0.465 V. Elemental analysis calcd. (%) for (C48H41Cl2F12N10O2P2Ru2): C, 42.61; H, 3.05; N, 10.35; found: C, 42.47; H, 3.04; N, 10.23. UV-vis (MeOH) [λmax, nm (ε, M-1 cm-1)]: 275 (34171), 281 (32372), 318 (30894), 377 (7216), 475 (5088), 513 (4062). {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N2O2)}(PF6)2·MeOH, 1c(PF6)2·MeOH. A sample of 50 mg (0.040 mmol) of 1a(PF6) and 24.02 κ mg (0.044 mmol) of Ce(NO3)6(NH4)2 were dissolved in 50 mL of methanol. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days under nitrogen atmosphere. Then, the mixture was filtered and the solvent was evaporated and replaced by CH2Cl2. The insoluble portion was filtered off and the filtered solution was washed with 20 mL of water plus 20 mL of a saturated NaCl solution. The organic fraction was then dried with anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was re-dissolved in methanol and 0.2 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NH4PF6 were added together with 0.5 mL of water. The volume was then reduced on a rotary evaporator until a precipitate appeared and the remaining solution cooled at -33˚ C overnight. The brown solid formed was filtered off, washed with cold methanol and dried with diethyl ether and under vacuum. Yield: 11 mg (20 %). CV (MeOH/TBAH) E1/2 = 0.30 V, OCP: 0.468 V. Elemental analysis calcd. (%) for (C49H44Cl2F12N10O3P2Ru2): C, 42.53; H, 3.20; N, 10.12; found: C, 42.47; H, 3.04; N, 10.23. UV-vis (MeOH) [λmax, nm (ε, M1 cm-1)]: 317 (24000), 328 (21284), 411 (5028), 444 (4616). ESI-MS (MeOH): m/z= 531.0 ([M-2PF6]2+). X-ray Crystal Structure Determinations. Crystals of both complexes 1b(PF6)2 and 1c(PF6)2 were obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether into an acetone solution containing complex 1a(PF6) at room temperature and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The measured crystals were prepared under inert conditions immersed in perfluoropolyether as protecting oil for manipulation. Data collection: Crystal structure determinations for 1b(PF6)2 and 1c(PF6)2 were carried out using a Bruker-Nonius diffractometer equipped with an APEX II 4K CCD area detector, a FR591 rotating anode with MoKα radiation, Montel mirrors as monochromator, a Kappa 4-axis goniometer and an Oxford Cryosystems low temperature device Cryostream 700 plus (T = 173 °C). Full-sphere data collection was used with ω and ϕ scans. Programs used: Data collection with APEX-2, 12 data reduction with Bruker Saint 13 and absorption correction with SADABS14 Structure Solution and Refinement: Crystal structure solution was achieved using direct methods as implemented in SHELXTL 15 and visualized using the program XP. Missing atoms were subsequently located from difference Fourier syn- thesis and added to the atom list. Least-squares refinement on F2 using all measured intensities was carried out using the program SHELXTL. All non-hydrogen atoms were refined including anisotropic displacement parameters. Comments to the structures: Compound 1b(PF6)2 crystallizes with one molecule of the metal complex, two PF6 anions, two acetone molecules and a half molecule of water in the asymmetric unit. One of the acetone molecules is disordered in two positions with a ratio of 53:47. The water molecule is also disordered (50:50) and shared with the neighboring unit cell. Compound 1c(PF6)2 crystallizes with one molecule of the metal complex, two PF6 anions and two and half molecules of water in the asymmetric unit. One of the PF6 anions is disordered in two positions (ratio 60:40). The water molecules are highly disordered with an occupancy of 1.00:0.75:0.50:0.125:0.125. As a consequence of this, the hydrogen atoms of the water molecules could not be precisely localized (B alert in the CheckCIF report). Results and Discussion 1. Synthesis and Structure. The dinuclear complex 1a(PF6) is prepared using [RuCl3(trpy)] as metal precursor in combination with the Hpbl ligand (Scheme 1) under inert conditions in a 2:1 MeONa:[RuCl3(trpy)]:Hpbl molar ratio with excess of MeONa as a base. Either reflux or microwave heating in MeOH can be used giving similar results with moderate yields (27 % for conventional reflux and 36 % for microwave). Complex 1a(PF6) is then washed with hot CH2Cl2. Scheme 1. Synthetic strategy for the preparation of the complexes described in this work. The terpyridine ligand is represented with three N atoms linked by arcs. Color code for Ru: orange for oxidation state II and fuchsia for oxidation state III. This color code is used from now on in all the schemes. There are a number of potential Ru-Cl dinuclear complexes that can be obtained given the chelating, dinucleating hexadentate nature of the Hpbl ligand and assuming that the trpy ligands remain always bonded to the Ru metal center. Scheme 2, presents a drawing of all these potential isomers at oxidation state II, classified as a function of the N/O pbl- chelating atoms, where pbl- ligand can have different degrees of protonation. Scheme 2. Structure of all the possible isomeric species for dinuclear RuII-Cl complexes bearing the Hpbl and trpy ligands. From a geometrical perspective it is interesting to realize that species C, D and F (Scheme 2) contain a C2 rotation axis that bisects the pyrazolyl moiety of the pbl- ligand, whereas species A, B and E have no symmetry elements except for the identity, “E”. This is important since analytic techniques such as NMR allow us to discern between symmetric and non-symmetric species. The 1H NMR spectrum of the dinuclear complex 1a+ presents broad resonances (see Figure S1 in the Supporting Information) suggesting the paramagnetic nature of the Ru(II)-Ru(III) complex. This is further confirmed by the open circuit potential situated above the first oxidation wave (see below). The addition of a reducing agent such as ascorbic acid to a NMR tube containing this paramagnetic complex generates the diamagnetic 1aH+ complex, whose 1H NMR spectrum is presented in Figure 1 and Figure S2 in the supporting information. Based on the number of resonances and their integration, this NMR is consistent with a non-symmetric complex containing two terpyridines and one Hpbl ligand. Accordingly, the symmetric species (C, D and F, Scheme 2) are discarded. 2 3 9 7 8 6 4 5 1 8 2 10 11 9 11 10 4 1 3 Figure 1. 1H NMR spectra for the complex 1aH+ in MeOD generated from the addition of ascorbic acid to 1a+ and numbering scheme. For Ru-Hbpp complexes we have a substantial number of both mononuclear and dinuclear complexes7a,9a,b,10,16 that have been thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. For these complexes the trans-influence of the Ru-Cl group induces the presence of a pseudo-triplet at 6-7 ppm due to the pyridyl group of the Hbpp ligand. The fact that in the present case we only find one triplet in this region suggests that one pyridyl of pbl- is coordinated whereas the other one is not. The noncoordinated Hpbl pyridyl group at low pH is protonated and this produces the appearance of a doublet above 10.0 ppm due to the CH alpha to the pyridyl N-atom. Furthermore, this is also in agreement with the experimental potentials found in the CV which indicate a N5 type of coordination environment for one of the Ru metal centers, and a ON4(Pz) for the second one, as will be detailed later on. This discards species B and E as potential candidates. Finally and in addition to the previous arguments, electrochemistry allows discriminating between species “A” and “E”. A wave at 0.78 V associated with a Ru first coordination sphere environment of 5 N-pyridyl and Cl appears at the cyclic voltammetry which allows to assign this complex to species “A” since species “E” would have a much lower redox potential given the alkoxo coordination of its Ru centers (vide infra) (Table 1). 10 Furthermore the complex has been characterized by UV-Vis and MS techniques (See figures S7, S8 and S10 in the supporting information) Table 1. Electrochemical Data for Mononuclear10 and Dinuclear Hpbl Complexes. E1/2 vs. SSCE in V Ru(III/II) Entry Complexa 1a [Ru-N5-H2O]2+ 10 0.72 2a [Ru-ON4(Pz)-H2O]2+ 10 0.24 3a 4b [Ru-ON4(Py)-H2O]2+ 10 0.38 [Cl-(Pz)N4O-Ru--Ru-N5-Cl]+, 1a+ 0.78 5b [Cl-(Pz)N4O-Ru--Ru-N5-Cl]+, 1a+ 0.07 b 6 [Cl-(Py)N4O-Ru--Ru-N5-Cl]2+, 1b2+ 0.78 7b [Cl-(Py)N4O-Ru--Ru-N5-Cl]2+, 1b2+ 0.3 8b [Cl-(Py)N4O-Ru--Ru-ON4(Py)-Cl]2+, 1c2+ 0.3 a in 0.1 M of triflic acid aqueous solution. b in 0.1 M of TBAH in MeOH c in bold are indicated the metal center undergoing the redox process. d the complexes are labelled indicating the atoms at the first Ru coordination sphere. The trpy ligands are thus represented by N3 and the pbl- ligand either by N2 or by one NO (N(Py) when coordinated by the pyridyl group or N(Pz) by the pyrazolyl). Finally the H2O or Cl ligands are explicitly written. Complex 1a+ slowly isomerizes into 1b2+ in MeOH at room temperature (one week) substituting the initial coordinated pyrazolyl moiety from pbl- by the free pyridyl on the alkoxo side and generating a RuIII-ON4(Py) moiety (Scheme 1). An X-ray structure of this new complex is presented in Figure 2 that will be discussed below. The UV-Vis spectrum, the CV and the MS spectrum are shown in the supporting information figures S4, S8 and S11, respectively. Addition of 1 equivalent of Ce(IV) to a methanolic solution of the mixed valence RuIII-RuII complex 1a+ at room temperature generates the dinuclear complex 1c2+ where both Ru centers are now at oxidation state III,III. The first coordination sphere of the latter is RuIII-ON4(Py), that is with alkoxo coordination, with the two pyridyls from the pbl- ligands also coordinated. In addition the N-atoms of the pyrazolate moiety are not involved in the metal coordination as can be seen in the crystal structure in Figure 2 and also in a drawing in Scheme 1. (See figures S5, S9 and S12 in the supporting information for further characterization) Figure 2. ORTEP plots (thermal ellipsoids at 50 % probability) for the X-ray crystal structures of the cationic part of the complexes: 1b2+ (left) and 1c2+ (right). Hydrogen atoms have been omitted for clarity. Color codes: C, black; Cl, green; N, dark blue; O, red; Ru, light blue. Table 2. Crystallographic Data for Complexes [1b(PF6)2]·(C3H6O)2·(H2O)0.5 and [1c(PF6)2]·(H2O)2.5. Compound [1b](PF6)2·(C3H6O)2·(H2O)0.5 [1c](PF6)2·(H2O)2.5 Formula C54H54Cl2F12N10O4.5P2Ru2 C48H44Cl2F12N10O4.5P2Ru2 Solvent detected ½ H2O + 2 Acetone 2.5 H2O Formula weight 1478.05 1395.91 Crystal size (mm3) 0.50 x 0.20 x 0.05 0.20 x 0.10 x 0.05 Crystal color brown red Temp (K) 100 100 Crystal system triclinic triclinic Space group Pī Pī A (Å) 12.5295(6) 13.2322(9) B (Å) 14.6459(7) 15.2695(10) C (Å) 18.2104(9) 15.8750(10) α (deg) 107.284(2) 70.027(2) β (deg) 109.045(2) 68.822(2) γ (deg) 96.360(2) 89.430(2) V (Å3) 2935.2(2) 2787.4(3) 2 2 Z 3 ρ (g/cm ) 1.672 1.663 µ (mm-1) 0.754 0.789 θmax (°) 36.60 26.38 Reflec. measured 101293 24599 Unique reflections obv. 20024 [Rint=0.0696] 8054 [Rint=0.0853] Absorpt. correct. SADABS SADABS Trans. min/max 0.871/1.000 0.703/0.962 Parameters 834 845 0.0568/0.1537 R1/wR2 [I>2σ(I)] 0.0415/0.0980 R1/wR2 [all data] 0.0758/0.1186 0.0873/0.1796 Goodness-of-fit (F2) 1.037 1.036 Peak/hole (e/Å3) 1.235/-0.977 1.373/-1.002 The solid state structure for the cationic parts of 1b2+ and 1c2+ are very similar to related low spin d6 Ru(II) and low spin d5 Ru(III) complexes previously published in the literature showing pseudo-octahedral geometry.6,7,8,9 For complex 1b2+ it is interesting to realize that the pyrazolyl coordinating side generates a 6 member ring metallacycle with the Ru metal center whereas the other metal center with no pyrazolyl coordination generates a 5 member ring. This can be an important factor in the isomerization driving force.17 In addition this new coordination environment produces a large separation between the two Cl ligands that are now situated at 6.8 Å. This is important from a reactivity perspective because it will preclude an intramolecular interaction between potential active sites derived from their substitution. The latter is even more strongly manifested in the crystal structure of 1c2+, where now the two Ru-Cl bonds are situated trans to one another with a Cl---Cl distance of 12.7 Å. 2. Redox chemistry and linkage isomerism. The electrochemical behavior of the dinuclear complex 1a+ has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry in MeOH and the potential complexes generated and their generation routes are mapped in Scheme 3. Scheme 3. Schematic representation of the different linkage isomerization processes taking place for 1a+ and its 1e- oxidized and reduced species. Here the terpyridine ligand is represented by “T” and its axial coordination positions are not shown for clarity purposes. In order to facilitate the tracking of the different species generated electrochemically we are using a nomenclature that only shows the first coordination sphere. In this nomenclature the Cl ligands are not shown since they are always coordinated as are the trpy ligands that are displayed with three “N”. The other two positions for the octahedral coordination of the Ru metal center are occupied by the pbl- ligand. They can be either the alkoxo moiety labeled “O” or the pyridyl labeled as N(Py) or the pyrazolyl labeled as N(Pz). In the case where both pyridyl and pyrazolyl groups are coordinated, they are labeled with two “N”. For instance 1a+ is labeled as “N5-RuII--RuIII-ON4(Pz)” as indicated in Scheme 3. (a) (b) (c) Figure 3. Cyclic voltammograms of complex 1a+ in 0.1 M TBAH in MeOH, at different scan rates and scanning directions (red arrows). The black arrows indicate the intensity increase or decrease: (a) scanning anodically at a scan rate of 400 mV/s with a previous equilibration time of 20 min at -0.30 V. (b) scanning cathodically at a scan rate of 200 mV/s and with an equilibration time of 45 min at 0.60 V; (c) 50 mV/s scanning cathodically after holding the potential at 1.10 V for 3 minutes. Figure 3a shows the cyclic voltammograms obtained for 1a+ scanning anodically at 400 mV/s. The first scan shows the presence of two quasireversible waves at E1/2 = 0.07 V (Ep,a = 0.12 V, Ep,c = -0.03 V, ∆E = 150 mV) and at E1/2 = 0.78 V (Ep,a = 0.84 V, Ep,c = 0.73 V, ∆E = 110 mV), that are assigned to the following redox couples, N5-RuII--RuIII-ON4(Pz) + 1e- -> 1a + N5-RuIII--RuIII-ON4(Pz) + 1e- -> 2+ 1a N5-RuII--RuII-ON4(Pz) E1/2 = 0.07 V (1) 1a N5-RuII--RuIII-ON4(Pz) 1a E1/2 = 0.78 V (2) + The equation numbering is in accordance with Scheme 3. And the Ru metal undergoing a change in oxidation state is marked in bold. This assignment is based on related mononuclear complexes that contain exactly the same first coordination envi- ronment for the Ru center (Table 1). In addition the one electron nature of the process at E1/2 = 0.07 V was corroborated by bulk electrolysis (see Supporting Information Figure S3). As repetitive cycles are carried out the presence of a new wave at E1/2 = 0.30 V (Ep,a = 0.38 V, Ep,b = 0.17 V, ∆E = 210 mV) appears, that is associated with the linkage isomerization that occurs when the N-pyrazolyl is replaced by the N-pyridyl group once the Ru(III,III) species are reached, that is, k1 III III N5-Ru --Ru -ON4(Pz) <=> N5-RuIII--RuIII-ON4(Py) 1a2+ (3) 1b3+ This newly generate species has one wave at 0.30 V as indicated previously, N5-RuII--RuIII-ON4(Py) + 1e- -> N5-RuII--RuII-ON4(Py) 2+ 1b 1b E1/2 = 0.30 V (4) + and the second one that appears at the same potential as the parent complex, N5-RuIII--RuIII-ON4(Py) + 1e- -> 3+ N5-RuII--RuIII-ON4(Py) E1/2 = 0.78 V (5) 2+ 1b 1b An authentic sample of 1b2+ prepared independently gives exactly the same CV (see figure S8 in the supporting information). The 230 mV difference in redox potentials from the N-Py to N-Pz (entries 5 and 7 in Table 1), is a phenomenon that we have observed earlier for related mononuclear complexes as displayed in Table 1 (compare entries 2 and 3), and is due to the stronger σ-donation and less π-accepting character of the pyrazolyl vs. the pyridyl group. After 10 scans complex 1a2+ is totally transformed into 1b3+, as can be observed in Figure 3a where the wave at 0.07 V has totally disappeared. The reverse isomerization process occurs upon scanning in the 0.60 to -0.30 V region as shown in Figure 3b. That is by avoiding the generation of oxidation state III for the RuN5 moiety that as mentioned earlier, is responsible for the opposite process. k2 II II N5-Ru --Ru -ON4(Py) <=> N5-RuII--RuII-ON4(Pz) (6) 1b2+ 1a+ Thus at oxidation state III,III the isomerization from N-Pz to N-Py is favored whereas at oxidation state II,II the opposite from N-Py to N-Pz is favored which is a bit counterintuitive. Another interesting feature of this system is observed when a CV of 1a+ is performed after holding the potential at 1.10 V for 3 minutes as shown in Figure 3c. As it can be observed in the cathodic scan the wave at 0.78 V has completely disappeared and only one wave at 0.30 V is observed. This is consistent with the generation of species 1c2+, as has been corroborated with a CV prepared from an authentic sample. Thus the wave observed now is due to, (Py)N4O-RuIII--RuIII-ON4(Py) + 2e- -> (Py)N4O-RuII--RuII-ON4(Py) 2+ 1c E1/2 = 0.30 V (7) 1c Since the starting material is 1a+, and we have indicated earlier that after one electron removal to form, 1a2+, this species quickly isomerizes to 1b3+, it seem reasonable that 1b3+ in turn also isomerizes to 1c2+ but at a slower rate than the former, k3 III III N5-Ru --Ru -ON4(Py) <=> (Py)N4O-RuIII--RuIII-ON4(Py) (8) 1b3+ 1c2+ 3. Catalytic activity. Complex 1a+ has been tested with regard to its ability to oxidize cis-β-methylstyrene, together with related mononuclear complexes of formula [RuIICl(Hpbl)(trpy)]+,10 and the results are reported in Table 3. The Table also contains the performance of related complexes such as in-[RuII(trpy)(Hbpp)(H2O)]+,REF {[RuII(trpy)]2(µ-CH3COO)(µ-bpp)}2+,REF {[RuII(trpy)(H2O)]2(µ-pdz-dc)}2+,8a and {[RuII(trpy)(H2O)]2(µ-pyr-dc)}+,8c for comparison purposes. Table 3. Catalytic epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene with PhIO by means of 1a+ and related monoand dinuclear complexes for purposes of comparison.a Catalyst TNc TOFid Reference 0.71 (94) 401 39 twe 100 0.80 (93) 452 36 8c? tw Conv. (%) 100 1a+ {[Ru(trpy)]2(µ-OOCH3)(µ-bpp)}2+ + [Epox], M b Cis/Trans Selec. (%) in-[RuCl(Hpbl)(trpy)] 100 0.74 (92) 499 22 in-[Ru(trpy)(Hbpp)(H2O)]+ 100 0.81 (56) 458 20 tw? {[Ru(trpy)(H2O)]2(µ-pdz-dc)}2+ 92 1.32 (100) 1320 660 8a {[RuII(trpy)(H2O)]2(µ-pyr-dc)}+ 100 0.98 (100) 980 9180 8c a Reaction conditions, Cat. 1.0 mM for mononuclear and 0.5 mM for dinuclear complexes/alkene 1.0 M/PhI(OAc)2 2.0 M/H2O 2.0. M/biphenyl 0.4 M/1,2-dichloroethane up to a final volume of 1.4 mL. b Cis/Trans epoxide selectivity c TN is the turnover number with regard to epoxide formation. d TOFi is the initial turnover frequency expressed in epoxide cycles per hour e this work As general methodology, the catalytic reactions have been carried out using a Cat:Subs:Ox ratio of 1:1000:2000 (mononuclear catalysts) or 1:2000:4000 (dinuclear catalysts) using PhIO as oxidant. The latter as well as the formation of the corresponding Ru-OH2 and its active higher oxidation state Ru=O species, from Ru-Cl, is favored by allowing to stir at room temperature for 120 minutes, before adding the corresponding substrate. Product distribution of the catalytic reaction was monitored by GC and GC-MS. In all cases the catalysts activity observed is very high leading to substrate transformations of 100%. The product distribution observed is basically the epoxide and the products derived from C-C bond scission such as benzaldehyde. Complex 1a+ generates a 0.71 M concentration of cis-β-methylstyrene oxide after 16 h. Similarly, its mononuclear Ru-Hpbl counterpart, in-[RuCl(Hpbl)(trpy)]+, produce a final epoxide concentration of 0.74 M after 20 h. The catalytic activity observed here for the binuclear 1a+ is comparable to that of several mononuclear complexes earlier described in the literature6a-b,8b. This is due to the fact that once the high oxidation states are accessed the linkage isomerization isomerization process can occur very fast, generating 1c2+ type of species. This hampers both the electronic communication between the two Ru centres (due to pyrazolyl decoordination) and the potential through-space interaction of the active Ru-oxo groups (see the X-ray structure of 1c2+) that would otherwise confer a cooperative effect of the two Ru centers incomplex 1a+. A second run was carried out isolating the catalyst upon addition of diethylether and repeating the same protocol. The results obtained were basically the same based on stereoselectivity but the TNs were about 10-15% lower. This decrease is due to partial loss of catalyst during the operations for the recovery process and to a certain extend to potentially deactivation pathways. These results together with the 100% substrate conversion indicate that the catalyst stability is relatively high. A very interesting feature of these complexes is their capacity to reach very high cis-/trans-epoxide stereoselectivity giving in all cases more than 90% of the corresponding cis-epoxide (see Table 3). Finally as can be deduced from Table 3, the velocity at which the epoxidation reaction occurs is directly related to the multianionic nature of the backbone dinucleating ligand. In this respect the complex containing the µ-pyr-dc3- ligand has by far the largest TOF. Conclusions Three dinuclear Ru-Cl complexes containing the Hpbl and trpy ligands, {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-pbl-κ-N3O)}+ (1a+), {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N3O)}2+ (1b2+), and {[RuCl(trpy)]2(µ-Hpbl-κ-N2O2)}2+ (1c2+) have been prepared, isolated and characterized by analytic and spectroscopic techniques. The coordination versatility of the Hpbl ligand allows the presence of multiple isomers that can be obtained depending on the Ru oxidation state and confers the system and extremely rich chemistry with regard to the potential isomers that can be obtained. In particular fast N(Pz)->N(Py) (Hpbl acting from κ-N3O) linkage isomerization is observed for the Hpbl ligand for 1a2+ upon reaching oxidation state III,III. In sharp contrast the opposite reaction occurs when oxidation state II,II is obtained. Finally, 1a+ and its recently reported mononuclear analogue, in[RuCl(Hpbl)(trpy)]+, have been tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene ASSOCIATED CONTENT Supporting Information. Further spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and spectroelectrochemical measurements for the reported complexes. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.” AUTHOR INFORMATION Corresponding Author *E-mail: lluis.escriche@uab.cat (L.E.), allobet@iciq.es (A.L.), xavier.sala@uab.cat (X.S.) ACKNOWLEDGMENT Support from MINECO (CTQ-2013-49075-R, CTQ2011-26440, and CTQ2011-23156-C02-02) is gratefully acknowledged. L.F. and R.M. G.-G. are grateful for the award of the FI-UAB and PIF doctoral grants from UAB, respectively. REFERENCES [1] Hauser, S. A.; Cokoja, M.; Kühn, F. E. Catal. Sci. Technol. 2013, 3, 552-561. [2] Cavani, F.; Teles, J. H. ChemSusChem, 2009, 2, 508. [3] Roberts, S.M.; Whittall, J. Eds., Catalysts for fine chemical synthesis: Regio- and stereo-controlled oxidations and reductions, Vol. 5; John Wiley Sons, Ltd: England, 2007. [4] (a) Sala, X.; Escriche, L.; Llobet, A. in Molecular Solar Fuels, 1st ed., Chapter 10 (Eds.: T. J. Wydrzynski and W. Hillier), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2012, pp. 273-288. 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For Table Of Contents Only New dinuclear ruthenium complexes with the hemilabile ligand Hpbl have been prepared and characterized. A number of linkage isomerization processes have been studied and monitored by cyclic voltammetry and their catalytic properties with regard to the epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene have been evaluated and compared with related mono- and dinuclear Ruaqua type of complexes.