Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Cobalt(III)-Oxygen Complexes Bearing a Macrocyclic N-Tetramethylated Cyclam Ligand

Abstract

Mononuclear metal–dioxygen species are key intermediates that are frequently observed in the catalytic cycles of dioxygen activation by metalloenzymes and their biomimetic compounds. In this work, a side‐on cobalt(III)–peroxo complex bearing a macrocyclic N‐tetramethylated cyclam (TMC) ligand, [CoIII(15‐TMC)(O2)]+, was synthesized and characterized with various spectroscopic methods. Upon protonation, this cobalt(III)–peroxo complex was cleanly converted into an end‐on cobalt(III)–hydroperoxo complex, [CoIII(15‐TMC)(OOH)]2+. The cobalt(III)–hydroperoxo complex was further converted to [CoIII(15‐TMC‐CH2‐O)]2+ by hydroxylation of a methyl group of the 15‐TMC ligand. Kinetic studies and 18O‐labeling experiments proposed that the aliphatic hydroxylation occurred via a CoIV–oxo (or CoIII–oxyl) species, which was formed by OO bond homolysis of the cobalt(III)–hydroperoxo complex. In conclusion, we have shown the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and reactivities of mononuclear cobalt complexes with peroxo, hydroperoxo, and oxo ligands.