Tuning the reactivity of an osmium–peroxo unit by modulating metallacycle aromaticity

Abstract

The reactivity of an osmium–peroxo unit supported by a metallacycle is enhanced upon diminishing metallacycle aromaticity. The less aromatically stabilized osmium–peroxo complex is readily protonated and converts selectively to an osmium–hydroxo complex. This work provides a strategy for tuning the reactivity of metal–oxygen species.