Structural Characterization of a Series of N5-Ligated Mn^IV-Oxo Species

Analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data for the Mn^IV-oxo complexes [Mn^IV(O)(^DMMN4py)]²⁺, [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2B)]²⁺, and [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2Q)]²⁺ (^DMMN4py=N,N-bis(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine; 2pyN2B=(N-bis(1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl)methyl-N-(bis-2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and 2pyN2Q=N,N-bis(2-pyridyl)-N,N-bis(2-quinolylmethyl)methanamine) afforded Mn=O and Mn−N bond lengths. The Mn=O distances for [Mn^IV(O)(^DMMN4py)]²⁺ and [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2B)]²⁺ are 1.72 and 1.70 Å, respectively. In contrast, the Mn=O distance for [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2Q)]²⁺ was significantly longer (1.76 Å). We attribute this long distance to sample heterogeneity, which is reasonable given the reduced stability of [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2Q)]²⁺. The Mn=O distances for [Mn^IV(O)(^DMMN4py)]²⁺ and [Mn^IV(O)(2pyN2B)]²⁺ could only be well-reproduced using DFT-derived models that included strong hydrogen-bonds between second-sphere solvent 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol molecules and the oxo ligand. These results suggest an important role for the 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol solvent in stabilizing Mn^IV-oxo adducts. The DFT methods were extended to investigate the structure of the putative [Mn^IV(O)(N4py)]²⁺⋅(HOTf)₂ adduct. These computations suggest that a Mn^IV-hydroxo species is most consistent with the available experimental data.