Low oxidation

Metal derivatives of terminal alkynes, RC2H. Transition metals form complex acetylides (e.g. (M(C = CR) ]- ) often containing the metal in low oxidation states. 

Direct reaction of oxygen with most organic materials to produce radicals (eq. 13) is very slow at moderate temperatures. Hydrogen-donating antioxidants (AH), particularly those with low oxidation—reduction potentials, can react with oxygen (eq. 14), especially at elevated temperatures (6). 

Most metal carbonyls are synthesized in nonaqueous media. Reactive metals, such as sodium (85), magnesium (105), zinc (106), and aluminum (107,108), are usually used as reducing agents. Solvents that stabilize low oxidation states of metals and act as electron-transfer agents are commonly employed. These include diethyl ether, tetrahydrofiiran, and 2-methoxyethyl ether (diglyme). 

Low Oxidation State Chromium Compounds. Cr(0) compounds are TT-bonded complexes that require electron-rich donor species such as CO and C H to stabilize the low oxidation state. A direct synthesis of Cr(CO)g, from the metal and CO, is not possible. Normally, the preparation requires an anhydrous Cr(III) salt, a reducing agent, an arene compound, carbon monoxide that may or may not be under high pressure, and an inert atmosphere (see Carbonyls). 

Acute and Chronic Toxicity. Although chromium displays nine oxidation states, the low oxidation state compounds, -II to I, all require Special conditions for existence and have very short lifetimes in a normal environment. This is also tme for most organ ochromium compounds, ie, compounds containing Cr—C bonds. Chromium compounds that exhibit stabiUty under the usual ambient conditions are limited to oxidation states II, III, IV, V, and VI. Only Cr(III) and Cr(VI) compounds are produced in large quantities and are accessible to most of the population. Therefore, the toxicology of chromium compounds has been historically limited to these two states, and virtually all of the available information is about compounds of Cr(III) and/or Cr(VI) (59,104). However, there is some indication that Cr(V) may play a role in chromium toxicity (59,105—107). Reference 104 provides an overview and summary of the environmental, biological, and medical effects of chromium and chromium compounds as of the late 1980s. 

Oxidation—Reduction. Redox or oxidation—reduction reactions are often governed by the hard—soft base rule. For example, a metal in a low oxidation state (relatively soft) can be oxidized more easily if surrounded by hard ligands or a hard solvent. Metals tend toward hard-acid behavior on oxidation. Redox rates are often limited by substitution rates of the reactant so that direct electron transfer can occur (16). If substitution is very slow, an outer sphere or tunneling reaction may occur. One-electron transfers are normally favored over multielectron processes, especially when three or more species must aggregate prior to reaction. However, oxidative addition... 

Processes have been commerciahzed for the direct reduction of ematite to high-iron, low-oxide produces. Foundry sand is also calcined to remove organic binders and release fines. 

Transition metal complexes can be reduced to unusually low oxidation states either with or without bond cleavage, e.g. ... 

The use of liquid NH3 to prepare compounds of elements in unusual (low) oxidation states is exemplified by the successive reduction of K2[Ni(CN)4] with Na/Hg in the presence of an excess of CN the dark-red dimeric Ni complex K4[Ni2(CN)6] is first formed and this can be further reduced to the yellow Ni° complex K4[Ni(CN)4]. The corresponding complexes [Pd(CN)4]" and [Pt(CN)4]" can be prepared similarly, though there is no evidence in these latter systems for the formation of the M dimer. A ditertiaiyphosphine complex of Pd° has also been prepared ... 

In all the cluster compounds discussed above there are sufficient electrons to form 2-centre 2-electron bonds between each pair of adjacent atoms. Such is not the case, however, for the cationic bismuth species now to be discussed and these must be considered as electron deficient . The unparalleled ability of Bi/BiCb to form numerous low oxidation-state compounds in the presence of suitable complex anions has already been mentioned (p. 564) and the cationic species shown in Table 13.12 have been unequivocally identified. 

The versatility of cyanide and bipyridyl ligands has been used to stabilize low oxidation states. By using potassium in liquid ammonia, K3Ti (CN)6 is reduced to K2Ti (CN)4 and TiBt3 - - KCN to K4Ti°(CN)4. With ZrBt3 and M CN (M = K, Rb) in liquid ammonia, ammonolysis occurs and zerovalent Zr is produced ... 

The chemistry of technetium(II) and rhenium(II) is meagre and mainly confined to arsine and phosphine complexes. The best known of these are [MCl2(diars)2], obtained by reduction with hypophosphite and Sn respectively from the corresponding Tc and Re complexes, and in which the low oxidation state is presumably stabilized by n donation to the ligands. This oxidation state, however, is really best typified by manganese for which it is the most thoroughly studied and, in aqueous solution, by far the most... 

Another lechmquc fnr obtoiniag low oxidation stales is b) efecirolylk reduction uiing cyclic voltametry Some ipeciaciilar senes cnn be achieved of which, perhaps, the mewt notable is bised on lT (b no me.ms all b/ e been isolated ns solid products from solution Many other... 

These anions are remarkable not only for the low coordination number but also for the low oxidation state of the metals in combination with oxygen which is more commonly to be found stabilizing high oxidation states. 

The mechanism by which this low oxidation state is stabilized for this triad has been the subject of some debate. That it is not straightforward is clear from the fact that, in contrast to nickel, palladium and platinum require the presence of phosphines for the formation of stable carbonyls. For most transition metals the TT-acceptor properties of the ligand are thought to be of considerable importance and there is... 

Aetinide ehaleogenides ean be obtained for instanee by reaetion of the elements, and thermal stability deereases S > Se > Te. Those of a given aetinide differ from those of another in mueh the same way as do the oxides. Nonstoiehiometry is again prevalent and, where the aetinide appears to have an uneharaeteristieally low oxidation state, semimetallie behaviour is usually observed. 

Another means of in situ metal-carbene complex formation in an ionic liquid is the direct oxidative addition of the imidazolium cation to a metal center in a low oxidation state (see Scheme 5.2-2, route b)). Cavell and co-workers have observed oxidative addition on heating 1,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate with Pt(PPli3)4 in refluxing THF [32]. The Pt-carbene complex formed can decompose by reductive elimination. Winterton et al. have also described the formation of a Pt-car-bene complex by oxidative addition of the [EMIM] cation to PtCl2 in a basic [EMIM]C1/A1C13 system (free CP ions present) under ethylene pressure [33]. The formation of a Pt-carbene complex by oxidative addition of the imidazolium cation is displayed in Scheme 5.2-4. 

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