Paramagnetic and High Oxidation-State Complexes

Of the Ru(IV) complexes recorded here most are mono-oxo species which, despite the strong axial distortion brought about by the terminal oxo ligand, are probably all paramagnetic. Semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations (INDO/1) for epoxidations effected by oxo-Ru(IV) complexes have been reported (a non-concerted [1 h- 2] pathway was preferred) [642], [643] and for alcohol oxidations by octahedral species containing an Ru" (0) unit [644]. The reactivity of high oxidation-state polypyridyl complexes of osmium and Ru, with particular emphasis on Ru(IV) and Os(IV) oxo species, has been reviewed [43]. 

The paramagnetism of all oxidation states except Cr(VI) and the highly reactive nature of Cr(VI) esters with biomolecules, make NMR spectroscopy of limited use for the characterization of Cr complexes however, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy has been used to characterize Cr(VI) thioester complexes (98, 99) and NMR spectroscopy has enabled Cr(VI)-esters with the oxalate ligand to be characterized (100). While these are challenging experiments and often require the use of labeled ligands and low temperatures to enable spectra to be recorded before the intermediates decompose, it is a valuable technique for some applications. 

PARAMAGNETIC, HIGH-OXIDATION-STATE, AND HIGH-COORDINATION-NUMBER COMPLEXES... 

It can be seen also that the 18-electron rule will tend to break down when the first-row transition metals are in a high oxidation state. There may also be steric limitations to the formation of 18-electron complexes in high oxidation states - consider for example the hypothetical cation [Cr(CO)9] . Steric limitations may also explain why vanadium forms the monomeric, paramagnetic and 17-electron hexacarbonyl, V(CO)6, rather than the dimeric complex [V(CO)6]2 which would be diamagnetic and would obey the 18-electron rule. 

Most biochemically relevant high-spin systems have such short 7j-relaxation times that their EPR is broadened beyond detection at ambient temperatures. An exception is the class of S = 5/2 Mn" systems with D hx. Also, S = 7/2 Gd"1-based MRI shift reagents exhibit readily detectable room-temperature EPR spectra. Otherwise, aqueous-solution transition ion bioEPR is limited to complexes of S = 1/2 metals, in particular Cu", and to a lesser extent VIV02+, NiIn, Ni1, Mov, and Wv. Cupric is the stable oxidation state of biological copper under aerobic conditions, however, the other metals are stable as Vv, Ni", MoVI, and WVI, and, therefore, the other oxidation states associated with S = 1/2 paramagnetism may exhibit oxidative or reductive reactivity and may thus require specific experimental precautions such as strict anaerobicity over the course of the EPR experiment. 

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