An "End-On" chromium(III)-superoxo complex: Crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization and reactivity in C-H bond activation of hydrocarbons

Abstract

Metal-superoxo intermediates have been invoked as reactive species in C-H bond cleavage of substrates by oxygenase enzymes. In this work, we have shown the first structurally characterized end-on chromium(III)-superoxo complex, [CrIII(14-TMC)(O2)(Cl)]+, which was synthesized by reacting [CrII(14-TMC)(Cl)]+ with O2. The Cr(III)-superoxo intermediate has shown reactivities in C-H cleavage of alkylaromatics via a H-atom abstraction mechanism. © 2010 American Chemical Society.