Long-range Metal-Metal Cooperative Nitrile Activation in 1,8-Diazaanthracene-supported Dicopper Complexes

Abstract

A 1,8-diazaanthracene based ligand ( tBu PN-NP) is introduced as a platform that can combine metal-ligand cooperativity with long range metal-metal cooperativity. The scaffold enforces a welldefined large Cu•••Cu separation while retaining sites capable of reversible dearomatization. This arrangement enables cooperative small-molecule activation across spatially separated metal centres, exemplified by formation of a nitrile-derived μ-bridged cyanomethyl fragment. Scheme 1: Top: Graphical representatations of a bimetallic complex of a 1,8naphthyridine-based class A type ligand, their 3c-2e bonding, and the R PNNP scaffold. Bottom: Distinction between reported class B ligand designs and the presented 1,8diazaanthracene based tBu PN-NP.