trans-[Na(thf)][V(N2)2(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2]: structural characterization of a dinitrogenvanadium complex, a functional model for vanadiumnitrogenase

Abstract

Reduction of VCl₃(thf)₃(thf = tetrahydrofuran) by Na in the presence of bis(phosphines) and N₂ yields the complexes trans-[V(N₂)₂L₂]^–, which have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography for L = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂, and in solution by ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy for L = Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂; 25% of the coordinated N₂ is reductively protonated to NH₃ and a small amount of N₂H₄ by HBr.