Delocalization and Valence Tautomerism in Vanadium Tris(iminosemiquinone) Complexes

摘要

To survey the noninnocence of bis(arylimino) acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands (L) in complexes with early metals, the homoleptic vanadium complex, [V(L) 3] (1), and its monocation, [V(L) 3] PF6 (2), were synthesized. These complexes were found to have a very rich electronic behavior, whereby 1 displays strong electronic delocalization and 2 can be observed in unprecedented valence tautomeric forms. The oxidation states of the metal and ligand components in these complexes were assigned by using spectroscopic, crystallographic, and magnetic analyses. Complex 1 was identified as [V-IV(L-red)(L-center dot)(2)] (Lred = N, N'-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylamido)acenaphthylene; L-C= N, N'-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylimino) acenaphthenesemiquinonate). Complex 2 was determined to be [VV(Lred)(L-center dot)(2)]+ at T< 150K and [VIV(L-center dot)(3)]+ at T> 150 K. Cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal six quasi-reversible processes, thus indicating the potential of this metal-ligand combination in catalysis or materials applications.