High Catalytic Activity of Heterometallic (Fe6Na7 and Fe6Na6) Cage Silsesquioxanes in Oxidations with Peroxides

Two types of heterometallic (Fe(III),Na) silsesquioxanes—[Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph10Si10O21]Fe6(O)2Na7 (H3O)(MeOH)2(MeCN)4.5.1.25(MeCN), I, and [Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph4Si4O8]2Fe6Na6(O)3(MeCN)8.5(H2O)8.44, II—were obtained and characterized. X-ray studies established distinctive structures of both products, with pair of Fe(III)-O-based triangles surrounded by siloxanolate ligands, giving fascinating cage architectures. Complex II proved to be catalytically active in the formation of amides from alcohols and amines, and thus becoming a rare example of metallasilsesquioxanes performing homogeneous catalysis. Benzene, cyclohexane, and other alkanes, as well as alcohols, can be oxidized in acetonitrile solution to phenol—the corresponding alkyl hydroperoxides and ketones, respectively—by hydrogen peroxide in air in the presence of catalytic amounts of complex II and trifluoroacetic acid. Thus, the cyclohexane oxidation at 20 ◦C gave oxygenates in very high yield of alkanes (48% based on alkane). The kinetic behaviour of the system indicates that the mechanism includes the formation of hydroxyl radicals generated from hydrogen peroxide in its interaction with di-iron species. The latter are formed via monomerization of starting hexairon complex with further dimerization of the monomers.


Introduction
Heterometallic complexes and clusters are among the most popular objects of contemporary chemistry, due to several remarkable features.First of all, the use of different metal ions is known as a key to controlled design of high-nuclearity complexes of picturesque molecular architecture [1][2][3][4][5].Also, acting together, different metal ions provide catalytic activity in a wide range of processes [6][7][8], as well as intriguing magnetic properties [9].The most popular synthetic approaches to such complexes involve use of organic ligands as well as application of "complex-as-ligand" tactics [10][11][12][13].
In turn, high reactivity and flexibility of siloxane ligands allow us to evaluate them as promising potential components of heterometallic complexes.Indeed, several heterometallic metallasiloxanes of attractive cage-like molecular geometry were described [14][15][16][17].Importantly, Fe-containing siloxanes may be regarded as the most attractive representatives of metallasiloxanes, being artificial models of catalytically prospective silicates, zeolites, and iron oxides.Surprisingly, such complexes are still scarce in literature [18].In this context, we were interested in the synthesis of new types of (Fe, M) siloxane geometries.As a pair of metal ions, a Fe/Na combination has been chosen because of the following reasons.It is known that sodium containing heterometallic cage siloxanes provide exceptional varieties of architecture [14][15][16][17], as well as catalytic activities [16,17,19,20] and magnetic (spin glass) properties [21][22][23][24].It is explained by the participation of specific siloxanolate [RSi(O)ONa] ligand in cage construction, giving rise to multiple metallasiloxane architectures [17].It is also noteworthy that several reports have discussed in detail the influence of reactants ratio and/or choice of solvent system on structural features of cage-like metallasilsesquioxanes [14][15][16][17][25][26][27].This tactic has been rarely used for Fe, Na-silsesquioxane design.Furthermore, a unique example of such architecture, namely Fe 6 Na 8 compound featuring a Lantern shape, was synthesized as its butanol/toluene complex by some of us very recently [23].The first results regarding the application of the approach "ratio/solvent choice" towards the synthesis of Fe, Na-silsesquioxanes are reported herein, along with catalytic studies of the obtained complex under oxidation and amidation conditions.

Introduction
Heterometallic complexes and clusters are among the most popular objects of contemporary chemistry, due to several remarkable features.First of all, the use of different metal ions is known as a key to controlled design of high-nuclearity complexes of picturesque molecular architecture [1][2][3][4][5].Also, acting together, different metal ions provide catalytic activity in a wide range of processes [6][7][8], as well as intriguing magnetic properties [9].The most popular synthetic approaches to such complexes involve use of organic ligands as well as application of "complex-as-ligand" tactics [10][11][12][13].
In turn, high reactivity and flexibility of siloxane ligands allow us to evaluate them as promising potential components of heterometallic complexes.Indeed, several heterometallic metallasiloxanes of attractive cage-like molecular geometry were described [14][15][16][17].Importantly, Fe-containing siloxanes may be regarded as the most attractive representatives of metallasiloxanes, being artificial models of catalytically prospective silicates, zeolites, and iron oxides.Surprisingly, such complexes are still scarce in literature [18].In this context, we were interested in the synthesis of new types of (Fe, M) siloxane geometries.As a pair of metal ions, a Fe/Na combination has been chosen because of the following reasons.It is known that sodium containing heterometallic cage siloxanes provide exceptional varieties of architecture [14][15][16][17], as well as catalytic activities [16,17,19,20] and magnetic (spin glass) properties [21][22][23][24].It is explained by the participation of specific siloxanolate [RSi(O)ONa] ligand in cage construction, giving rise to multiple metallasiloxane architectures [17].It is also noteworthy that several reports have discussed in detail the influence of reactants ratio and/or choice of solvent system on structural features of cage-like metallasilsesquioxanes [14][15][16][17][25][26][27].This tactic has been rarely used for Fe, Na-silsesquioxane design.Furthermore, a unique example of such architecture, namely Fe6Na8 compound featuring a Lantern shape, was synthesized as its butanol/toluene complex by some of us very recently [23].The first results regarding the application of the approach "ratio/solvent choice" towards the synthesis of Fe, Na-silsesquioxanes are reported herein, along with catalytic studies of the obtained complex under oxidation and amidation conditions.

Syntheses and Structures of Catalysts
The synthesis of target Fe,Na-silsesquioxanes was performed by transformation of PhSi(OEt)3 into intermediate siloxanolate [(PhSi(O)ONa)n] species.Reactions of sodium siloxanolate with iron(III) chloride were carried out in various media (DMF, THF, DMSO, or 1,4-dioxane).All of these solvents already proved to be proper solvating ligands for metallasilsesquioxane design [14][15][16][17][25][26][27][28].Despite our expectations, isolation of a crystalline product in these reactions failed.However, the use of acetonitrile as a medium for synthesis/crystallization led to the isolation of unusual Fe,Naphenylsilsesquioxane {[Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph10Si10O21]Fe6(O 2− )2Na7(H3O + )(MeOH)2(MeCN)4.5}.1.25(MeCN)I in 16% yield (Figure 1).Taking this observation in mind, we focused on acetonitrile-containing media.Varying the ratio between reactants was found to be effective for changing the product framework.Formation of complex II (26% yield, Figure 2) was observed when a ~1/1.4/0.33 ratio between interacting silane/NaOH/FeCl 3 was used; while in the synthesis of I, ratio between reactants was ~1/1/0.25.The composition of product II differs from complex I and could be described  Taking this observation in mind, we focused on acetonitrile-containing media.Varying the ratio between reactants was found to be effective for changing the product framework.Formation of complex II (26% yield, Figure 2) was observed when a ~1/1.4/0.33 ratio between interacting silane/NaOH/FeCl3 was used; while in the synthesis of I, ratio between reactants was ~1/1/0.25.The composition of product II differs from complex I and could be described as [Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph4Si4O8]2Fe6Na6(O 2− )3(MeCN)8.5(H2O)8.44.Single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed fascinating cage-like structures for both products (Figures 3 and 4).Taking this observation in mind, we focused on acetonitrile-containing media. Varying the ratio between reactants was found to be effective for changing the product framework.Formation of complex II (26% yield, Figure 2) was observed when a ~1/1.4/0.33 ratio between interacting silane/NaOH/FeCl3 was used; while in the synthesis of I, ratio between reactants was ~1/1/0.25.The composition of product II differs from complex I and could be described as [Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph4Si4O8]2Fe6Na6(O 2− )3(MeCN)8.5(H2O)8.44.Single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed fascinating cage-like structures for both products (Figures 3 and 4).Taking this observation in mind, we focused on acetonitrile-containing media.Varying the ratio between reactants was found to be effective for changing the product framework.Formation of complex II (26% yield, Figure 2) was observed when a ~1/1.4/0.33 ratio between interacting silane/NaOH/FeCl3 was used; while in the synthesis of I, ratio between reactants was ~1/1/0.25.The composition of product II differs from complex I and could be described as [Ph5Si5O10]2[Ph4Si4O8]2Fe6Na6(O 2− )3(MeCN)8.5(H2O)8.44.Single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed fascinating cage-like structures for both products (Figures 3 and 4).The presence of four-membered cyclic ligand is an extremely rare feature for cage metallasilsesquioxanes.To the best of our knowledge, we could cite only di-and tetranuclear Ti(IV)-containing compounds, obtained from cyclotetrasiloxanetetraols [29].
Compound II is thus the first instance of the simultaneous presence of four-and five-membered cyclic ligands in a metallasilsesquioxane structure.
A common feature of complexes I and II is the presence of six iron(III) centers.These are combined into two trinuclear metal oxo clusters [Fe 3 O 12 ] 15− , including two penta-and one hexacoordinated Fe(III) ions (Figure 5).The first observation of such clusters in metallasilsesquioxane structure was reported by some of us [23].It is noteworthy that the locations of trinuclear units in cages of I and II are quite different.In the case of compound I, these clusters are "independent", connected through siloxane bonds (Figure 5), with the shortest contact between iron ions from different trinuclear units equal to 5.66 Å.On the other hand, trinuclear fragments of II are connected straight through bridging oxygen atoms (Figure 5), with the shortest Fe-Fe contact equal to 3.13 Å.In the case of compounds I and II, such rearrangement results in the formation of [Fe 3 O 12 ] 15− units; this is most probably explained by the high stability of such trinuclear geometry.To some extent, that statement could be confirmed by the observation of the same clusters in the composition of some other complexes [30][31][32][33][34].
Catalysts 2017, 7, 101 4 of 18 The most attractive feature of compounds I and II is the nature of their silsesquioxane ligands.Compound I includes two five-membered cyclic ligands of composition [Ph5Si5O10] and an acyclic ten-membered belt of composition [Ph10Si10O21] (Figure 3B).Symptomatically, the same combination of ligands was observed in a previously reported Fe6Na8 compound [23].In turn, compound II includes only cyclic ligands, two four-and two five-membered ones, with compositions [Ph4Si4O8] and [Ph5Si5O10], respectively (Figure 4B).The presence of four-membered cyclic ligand is an extremely rare feature for cage metallasilsesquioxanes.To the best of our knowledge, we could cite only di-and tetranuclear Ti(IV)-containing compounds, obtained from cyclotetrasiloxanetetraols [29].Compound II is thus the first instance of the simultaneous presence of four-and five-membered cyclic ligands in a metallasilsesquioxane structure.
A common feature of complexes I and II is the presence of six iron(III) centers.These are combined into two trinuclear metal oxo clusters [Fe3O12] 15− , including two penta-and one hexacoordinated Fe(III) ions (Figure 5).The first observation of such clusters in metallasilsesquioxane structure was reported by some of us [23].It is noteworthy that the locations of trinuclear units in cages of I and II are quite different.In the case of compound I, these clusters are "independent", connected through siloxane bonds (Figure 5), with the shortest contact between iron ions from different trinuclear units equal to 5.66 Å.On the other hand, trinuclear fragments of II are connected straight through bridging oxygen atoms (Figure 5), with the shortest Fe-Fe contact equal to 3.13 Å.In the case of compounds I and II, such rearrangement results in the formation of [Fe3O12] 15− units; this is most probably explained by the high stability of such trinuclear geometry.To some extent, that statement could be confirmed by the observation of the same clusters in the composition of some other complexes [30][31][32][33][34].In our opinion, the appearance of such trinuclear [Fe3O12] 15− clusters in the structures of I and II deserves additional discussion.Formal logic of metallasilsesquioxane synthesis implies formation of Si-O-M units by the reaction of silanolate Si-O-Na with metal chloride M-Cl functional groups.Thus, formation of iron oxo M-O-M fragments could not be explained just by a reactants interaction.We suggest that such (M-O-M) structural units arise as a consequence of metallasilsesquioxane skeleton rearrangement in solution.Several examples of such processes for individual and oligomeric metallasilsesquioxanes have been summarized by some of us [35][36][37].
On the other hand, the [FexOy]n species could be formed in solution from FeCl3 and the base that is always present in such media (OH -in equilibrium with OEt -).These ironoxo units might then be We suggest that such (M-O-M) structural units arise as a consequence of metallasilsesquioxane skeleton rearrangement in solution.Several examples of such processes for individual and oligomeric metallasilsesquioxanes have been summarized by some of us [35][36][37].
On the other hand, the [Fe x O y ] n species could be formed in solution from FeCl 3 and the base that is always present in such media (OH − in equilibrium with OEt − ).These ironoxo units might then be trapped by the siloxane species.It is clear that the mechanism of metallasilsesquioxane cage formation is still a questionable subject, and many factors-including the newest results on siloxanolate and silanols reactivity [38][39][40], as well as DFT estimated influence of solvents on CLMS' formation [41]-should be taken in consideration.

Catalytic Transformation of Alcohols and Amines into Amides
Only isolated examples of copper and iron catalysis involving silsesquioxane complexes were already reported by ourselves [23,42] and others [43] in the literature.Complex II featuring an innovative structure was thus evaluated in the direct formation of amides from alcohols and amines.Thanks to the good solubility of II in organic solvent, stock solution could be prepared and allowed us to work at low iron loading.Reactions of benzyl alcohol with various ammonium chlorides were performed using as low as 500 ppm of iron in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant and calcium carbonate, in refluxing acetonitrile (Scheme 1).To our delight, primary and secondary amines reacted accordingly and corresponding amides could be obtained in yields up to 77% (compound 3e).Steric hindrance had a strong influence on the amidation reaction, since N-tert-butyl benzamide 3d was isolated in only 42% yield.Importantly, the turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) values obtained herein-up to 1540 and 86 h −1 , respectively-outmatched the values reported in the literature, with FeCl 2 •4H 2 O in refluxing acetonitrile (TON ≤ 9 and TOF ≤ 2.2 h −1 ) [44], or under microwave irradiation (TON ≤ 16.8 and TOF ≤ 33.6 h −1 ) [45].
Optimization of the reaction conditions was performed in a previous publication dealing with a different iron complex [23].The conditions were thus directly adapted to this new complex, in order to allow comparison between the results obtained with two different complexes.The minimum amount of TBHP to obtain satisfactory results in terms of reaction time and yield is 4 equivalents.Since 2 equivalents are required for oxidation, the other 2 equivalents might decompose during the course of the reaction at 80 • C. In addition, since only 500 ppm of iron are used, recyclability was not envisioned on this scale (0.5 mmol of ammonium salt).Scaling-up of the reaction, in order to study the potential changes in structure of complex II during the catalytic cycle, as well as its recyclability, are currently ongoing in the laboratory.
Catalysts 2017, 7, 101 5 of 18 trapped by the siloxane species.It is clear that the mechanism of metallasilsesquioxane cage formation is still a questionable subject, and many factors-including the newest results on siloxanolate and silanols reactivity [38][39][40], as well as DFT estimated influence of solvents on CLMS' formation [41]-should be taken in consideration.

Catalytic Transformation of Alcohols and Amines into Amides
Only isolated examples of copper and iron catalysis involving silsesquioxane complexes were already reported by ourselves [23,42] and others [43] in the literature.Complex II featuring an innovative structure was thus evaluated in the direct formation of amides from alcohols and amines.Thanks to the good solubility of II in organic solvent, stock solution could be prepared and allowed us to work at low iron loading.Reactions of benzyl alcohol with various ammonium chlorides were performed using as low as 500 ppm of iron in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant and calcium carbonate, in refluxing acetonitrile (Scheme 1).To our delight, primary and secondary amines reacted accordingly and corresponding amides could be obtained in yields up to 77% (compound 3e).Steric hindrance had a strong influence on the amidation reaction, since N-tertbutyl benzamide 3d was isolated in only 42% yield.Importantly, the turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) values obtained herein-up to 1540 and 86 h −1 , respectively-outmatched the values reported in the literature, with FeCl2•4H2O in refluxing acetonitrile (TON ≤ 9 and TOF ≤ 2.2 h −1 ) [44], or under microwave irradiation (TON ≤ 16.8 and TOF ≤ 33.6 h −1 ) [45].
Optimization of the reaction conditions was performed in a previous publication dealing with a different iron complex [23].The conditions were thus directly adapted to this new complex, in order to allow comparison between the results obtained with two different complexes.The minimum amount of TBHP to obtain satisfactory results in terms of reaction time and yield is 4 equivalents.Since 2 equivalents are required for oxidation, the other 2 equivalents might decompose during the course of the reaction at 80 °C.In addition, since only 500 ppm of iron are used, recyclability was not envisioned on this scale (0.5 mmol of ammonium salt).Scaling-up of the reaction, in order to study the potential changes in structure of complex II during the catalytic cycle, as well as its recyclability, are currently ongoing in the laboratory.
Even though several groups studied the iron-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols into amides, the precise mechanism is not yet completely elucidated.After oxidation of the alcohol into corresponding aldehyde, addition of the amine-generated in situ by reaction of the ammonium salt with poorly soluble calcium carbonate-onto the aldehyde and further oxidation of the hemiaminal would yield the desired amide.Due to the presence of iron and peroxide, it seems rather rational that radical species might be involved during the oxidation steps.Scheme 1. Evaluation of complex II in amide bond formation.Turnover number (TON) = (mmol of product)/(mmol of Fe).Turnover frequency (TOF) = TON/(reaction time), given in h -1 .

Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohols and Hydrocarbons
Even though several groups studied the iron-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols into amides, the precise mechanism is not yet completely elucidated.After oxidation of the alcohol into corresponding aldehyde, addition of the amine-generated in situ by reaction of the ammonium salt with poorly soluble calcium carbonate-onto the aldehyde and further oxidation of the hemiaminal would yield the desired amide.Due to the presence of iron and peroxide, it seems rather rational that radical species might be involved during the oxidation steps.
In turn, many mono or polynuclear iron-based compounds are known to be good catalysts for the oxidation of benzene, alcohols [46], and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] with peroxides.Oxygen-activating proteins, and especially enzymes containing polynuclear iron sites, attract a great deal of interest.Synthesized iron complexes are models of some enzymes with di-iron sites [54][55][56].Methane monooxygenase (MMO) from methane-utilizing bacteria converts alkanes into the corresponding alcohols.Such enzymes oxidize regioselectively n-alkanes to afford predominately (in the case of n-heptane, even exclusively) 2-alcohols [57].Compound II containing a polynuclear iron complex with chelating oxo-ligands exhibits some features similar to that of binuclear alkane oxygenases, and thus can be considered as an "inorganic alkane oxygenase".In this context, behavior of compound II might be compared to our newest results concerning catalytic activity of Fe(III)-based silsesquioxane [23] and germaniumsesquioxane [58].
Complex II was found to be a very good catalyst in oxidations of alcohols, benzene, and alkanes with TBHP and H 2 O 2 .It is important to note that the reaction does not occur in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid.Gratifyingly, 1-phenylethanol and cyclooctanol could be converted into corresponding ketones in yields up to 92% and 85%, respectively, with only 0.08 mol% of catalyst II (Table 1).In turn, many mono or polynuclear iron-based compounds are known to be good catalysts for the oxidation of benzene, alcohols [46], and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] with peroxides.Oxygen-activating proteins, and especially enzymes containing polynuclear iron sites, attract a great deal of interest.Synthesized iron complexes are models of some enzymes with di-iron sites [54][55][56].Methane monooxygenase (MMO) from methane-utilizing bacteria converts alkanes into the corresponding alcohols.Such enzymes oxidize regioselectively n-alkanes to afford predominately (in the case of n-heptane, even exclusively) 2-alcohols [57].Compound II containing a polynuclear iron complex with chelating oxo-ligands exhibits some features similar to that of binuclear alkane oxygenases, and thus can be considered as an "inorganic alkane oxygenase".In this context, behavior of compound II might be compared to our newest results concerning catalytic activity of Fe(III)-based silsesquioxane [23] and germaniumsesquioxane [58].
Complex II was found to be a very good catalyst in oxidations of alcohols, benzene, and alkanes with TBHP and H2O2.It is important to note that the reaction does not occur in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid.Gratifyingly, 1-phenylethanol and cyclooctanol could be converted into corresponding ketones in yields up to 92% and 85%, respectively, with only 0.08 mol% of catalyst II (Table 1).The oxidation of benzene into phenol, utilizing H2O2 (50%) in the presence of compound II in catalytic amounts, was also highly efficient.A rapid optimization regarding catalyst loading and temperature showed that the best conditions required 0.11 mol % of II in acetonitrile at 50 °C (Figure 6).Interestingly, under these conditions, maximum TON of 385 could be obtained in 6 h.The inset B of Figure 7 shows a saturation profile for the initial rate of phenol production vs. catalyst concentration.This behavior is typical of an enzyme-like mechanism involving a rapid binding of the substrate.
The oxidation of cyclohexane, which is especially attractive and challenging, was studied in more detail and followed by the GC.Moreover, cyclohexane gives a minimum number of oxidation products which are easily identified by the GC method.As demonstrated previously in other oxidations [19,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68], if the direct injection of a reaction sample into the chromatograph gave comparable amounts of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, the reduction of the sample with PPh3 (or In turn, many mono or polynuclear iron-based compounds are known to be good catalysts for the oxidation of benzene, alcohols [46], and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] with peroxides.Oxygen-activating proteins, and especially enzymes containing polynuclear iron sites, attract a great deal of interest.Synthesized iron complexes are models of some enzymes with di-iron sites [54][55][56].Methane monooxygenase (MMO) from methane-utilizing bacteria converts alkanes into the corresponding alcohols.Such enzymes oxidize regioselectively n-alkanes to afford predominately (in the case of n-heptane, even exclusively) 2-alcohols [57].Compound II containing a polynuclear iron complex with chelating oxo-ligands exhibits some features similar to that of binuclear alkane oxygenases, and thus can be considered as an "inorganic alkane oxygenase".In this context, behavior of compound II might be compared to our newest results concerning catalytic activity of Fe(III)-based silsesquioxane [23] and germaniumsesquioxane [58].
Complex II was found to be a very good catalyst in oxidations of alcohols, benzene, and alkanes with TBHP and H2O2.It is important to note that the reaction does not occur in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid.Gratifyingly, 1-phenylethanol and cyclooctanol could be converted into corresponding ketones in yields up to 92% and 85%, respectively, with only 0.08 mol% of catalyst II (Table 1).The oxidation of benzene into phenol, utilizing H2O2 (50%) in the presence of compound II in catalytic amounts, was also highly efficient.A rapid optimization regarding catalyst loading and temperature showed that the best conditions required 0.11 mol % of II in acetonitrile at 50 °C (Figure 6).Interestingly, under these conditions, maximum TON of 385 could be obtained in 6 h.The inset B of Figure 7 shows a saturation profile for the initial rate of phenol production vs. catalyst concentration.This behavior is typical of an enzyme-like mechanism involving a rapid binding of the substrate.
The oxidation of cyclohexane, which is especially attractive and challenging, was studied in more detail and followed by the GC.Moreover, cyclohexane gives a minimum number of oxidation products which are easily identified by the GC method.As demonstrated previously in other oxidations [19,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68], if the direct injection of a reaction sample into the chromatograph gave comparable amounts of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, the reduction of the sample with PPh3 (or certain sulfides) prior to GC analysis led to the noticeable predominance of the alcohol in many cases (Figure 8).The comparison of the results obtained before and after the reduction clearly indicated that cyclohexyl hydroperoxide was formed as the main primary product.The oxidation by the II/H2O2/CF3COOH system was very efficient because it gave alkane oxidation products in a high GC yield of 48% (TON = 440) after 3 h at 20 °C.In turn, many mono or polynuclear iron-based compounds are known to be good catalysts for the oxidation of benzene, alcohols [46], and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] with peroxides.Oxygen-activating proteins, and especially enzymes containing polynuclear iron sites, attract a great deal of interest.Synthesized iron complexes are models of some enzymes with di-iron sites [54][55][56].Methane monooxygenase (MMO) from methane-utilizing bacteria converts alkanes into the corresponding alcohols.Such enzymes oxidize regioselectively n-alkanes to afford predominately (in the case of n-heptane, even exclusively) 2-alcohols [57].Compound II containing a polynuclear iron complex with chelating oxo-ligands exhibits some features similar to that of binuclear alkane oxygenases, and thus can be considered as an "inorganic alkane oxygenase".In this context, behavior of compound II might be compared to our newest results concerning catalytic activity of Fe(III)-based silsesquioxane [23] and germaniumsesquioxane [58].
Complex II was found to be a very good catalyst in oxidations of alcohols, benzene, and alkanes with TBHP and H2O2.It is important to note that the reaction does not occur in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid.Gratifyingly, 1-phenylethanol and cyclooctanol could be converted into corresponding ketones in yields up to 92% and 85%, respectively, with only 0.08 mol% of catalyst II (Table 1).The oxidation of benzene into phenol, utilizing H2O2 (50%) in the presence of compound II in catalytic amounts, was also highly efficient.A rapid optimization regarding catalyst loading and temperature showed that the best conditions required 0.11 mol % of II in acetonitrile at 50 °C (Figure 6).Interestingly, under these conditions, maximum TON of 385 could be obtained in 6 h.The inset B of Figure 7 shows a saturation profile for the initial rate of phenol production vs. catalyst concentration.This behavior is typical of an enzyme-like mechanism involving a rapid binding of the substrate.
The oxidation of cyclohexane, which is especially attractive and challenging, was studied in more detail and followed by the GC.Moreover, cyclohexane gives a minimum number of oxidation products which are easily identified by the GC method.As demonstrated previously in other oxidations [19,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68], if the direct injection of a reaction sample into the chromatograph gave comparable amounts of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, the reduction of the sample with PPh3 (or certain sulfides) prior to GC analysis led to the noticeable predominance of the alcohol in many cases (Figure 8).The comparison of the results obtained before and after the reduction clearly indicated that cyclohexyl hydroperoxide was formed as the main primary product.The oxidation by the II/H2O2/CF3COOH system was very efficient because it gave alkane oxidation products in a high GC yield of 48% (TON = 440) after 3 h at 20 °C.The oxidation of benzene into phenol, utilizing H 2 O 2 (50%) in the presence of compound II in catalytic amounts, was also highly efficient.A rapid optimization regarding catalyst loading and temperature showed that the best conditions required 0.11 mol % of II in acetonitrile at 50 • C (Figure 6).Interestingly, under these conditions, maximum TON of 385 could be obtained in 6 h.The inset B of Figure 7 shows a saturation profile for the initial rate of phenol production vs. catalyst concentration.This behavior is typical of an enzyme-like mechanism involving a rapid binding of the substrate.
The oxidation of cyclohexane, which is especially attractive and challenging, was studied in more detail and followed by the GC.Moreover, cyclohexane gives a minimum number of oxidation products which are easily identified by the GC method.As demonstrated previously in other oxidations [19,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68], if the direct injection of a reaction sample into the chromatograph gave comparable amounts of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, the reduction of the sample with PPh 3 (or certain sulfides) prior to GC analysis led to the noticeable predominance of the alcohol in many cases (Figure 8).The comparison of the results obtained before and after the reduction clearly indicated that cyclohexyl hydroperoxide was formed as the main primary product.The oxidation by the II/H 2 O 2 /CF 3 COOH system was very efficient because it gave alkane oxidation products in a high GC yield of 48% (TON = 440) after 3 h at 20 • C.       The mode of dependence of the initial cyclohexane oxidation rate W0 on concentration of catalyst II (Figure 9, Graph A) in the oxidation with hydrogen peroxide indicates that the rate of dependency The mode of dependence of the initial cyclohexane oxidation rate W 0 on concentration of catalyst II (Figure 9, Graph A) in the oxidation with hydrogen peroxide indicates that the rate of dependency is second order with respect to the initial concentration of II.Indeed, the proportional dependence of parameter W 0 1 2 on [II] 0 is presented by the straight line (Figure 9, Graph B).On the one hand, it is not probable that the quadratic dependence of W 0 on [II] 0 is due to the dimerization of starting complexes containing six iron ions.It is important to note that dependence of W 0 on [II] 0 for the oxygenation of benzene to phenol (see Figure 7, Graph B) is also a quadratic one.
The role of added TFA in oxidations of alkanes and alcohols apparently was to split some bonds in the precatalyst cage, resulting in the formation of coordinatively unsaturated species active in H 2 O 2 decomposition.In order to get additional insight into the mechanism of the alkane oxidation with the system under consideration, we carried out two experiments with cyclohexane.In the first experiment, we studied absorption spectra in the UV-visible region (30 × 10 3 -13 × 10 3 cm −1 ) under conditions that were similar to conditions of the kinetic oxidation experiments.Figure 10, Graph A demonstrates the absorption of complex II (in CH 3 CN; [II] = 2.7 × 10 −4 M; curve 1).This absorption grows significantly when CF 3 COOH is added to the solution ( ) is added to this acidified solution, the absorption decreases (curve 3).Addition of cyclohexane (0.46 M) remains virtually the same spectrum (curve 4). Figure 10, Graph B corresponds to the spectrum obtained for higher concentration of initial complex II (5.3 × 10 −4 M, curve 1).In the presence of TFA (0.05 M), the absorption is stronger (curve 2).Addition of water ([H 2 O] added = 4.9 M) shifts curve 2 to the field of lower wavelength (curve 3).Thus, obtained data indicate that addition of an acid strongly affects the absorption of the starting complex which can be due to certain changes of its structure, particularly the monomerization of initial hexameric complexes.The effect of the addition of H 2 O 2 is similar to the influence of the additive of H 2 O (compare Figure 9, Graph A, curve 3, and Figure 9, Graph B, curve 3).It may be concluded that the changes in the presence of H 2 O 2 are mainly due to the water which is introduced into the reaction solution simultaneously with hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous).As expected, addition of cyclohexane does not affect the catalyst (compare curves 3 and 4 in Figure 9, Graph A).Absorption of the catalyst is not practically changed in the course of the oxidation reaction; at least, in the first 90 min (compare curves 1 and 2 in Figure 9, Graph C).A small difference can be detected only after 180 min when H 2 O 2 is practically deceased (see below, Figure 10).
We carried out the second experiment in order to determine stability and activity of the complex II during the course of cyclohexane oxidation.At the moment corresponding to the maximum concentration of formed oxygenates, when the oxidant concentration is low (denoted by an arrow in Figure 10), an additional portion of hydrogen peroxide was added.We see that the oxidation of cyclohexane restarts with the rate equal to the rate noticed in the beginning of the reaction.It can be concluded that, in accordance with the kinetic scheme given above, the dimeric iron complexes generated in the system from monomers take part in the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Finally, it is necessary to note that complex II containing siloxane ligands is a much more efficient catalyst in the cyclohexane oxidation, in comparison with simple iron salts.Thus, if the GC yield of 48% (TON = 440) was attained after 3 h at 20 • C in the II-catalyzed reaction, the oxygenate GC yield in the presence of Fe(NO 3 ) 3 under the same conditions was not higher than 1%-3%.Complex II catalyzes the oxidation of normal heptane and methylcyclohexane (Figures S1 and S2).concentration of formed oxygenates, when the oxidant concentration is low (denoted by an arrow in Figure 10), an additional portion of hydrogen peroxide was added.We see that the oxidation of cyclohexane restarts with the rate equal to the rate noticed in the beginning of the reaction.It can be concluded that, in accordance with the kinetic scheme given above, the dimeric iron complexes generated in the system from monomers take part in the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.Finally, it is necessary to note that complex II containing siloxane ligands is a much more efficient catalyst in the cyclohexane oxidation, in comparison with simple iron salts.Thus, if the GC yield of 48% (TON = 440) was attained after 3 h at 20 °C in the II-catalyzed reaction, the oxygenate GC yield in the presence of Fe(NO3)3 under the same conditions was not higher than 1%-3%.Complex II catalyzes the oxidation of normal heptane and methylcyclohexane (Figures S1, S2).

Materials and Methods
Starting compound PhSi(OEt)3 and all solvents were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and were used as received.IR spectra were recorded on FTIR Shimadzu IR Prestige-21.IR spectrum in Nujol for solids and liquid solution in thin film were obtained using KBr discs.

Synthesis of Compound I
Compound PhSi(OEt)3 (2 g, 8.32 mmol) and sodium hydroxide (0.333 g, 8.32 mmol) were dissolved in 45 mL of MeOH.After complete dissolution of sodium hydroxide, the mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 h, and then iron(III) chloride (0.338 g, 2.08 mmol) in 60 mL of acetonitrile was added.The resulting brick-colored solution was additionally heated at reflux for 1 h and then cooled down to room temperature.Formation of a crystalline product with single crystals, useful for X-ray diffraction analysis (see below), was observed in solution after approximately three weeks.After ceasing of the crystal fraction growth, the solution was decanted and the solid fraction was dried in a vacuum without heating.Product I (0.22 g; 16% yield) was obtained.

Materials and Methods
Starting compound PhSi(OEt) 3 and all solvents were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and were used as received.IR spectra were recorded on FTIR Shimadzu IR Prestige-21.IR spectrum in Nujol for solids and liquid solution in thin film were obtained using KBr discs.

Synthesis of Compound I
Compound PhSi(OEt) 3 (2 g, 8.32 mmol) and sodium hydroxide (0.333 g, 8.32 mmol) were dissolved in 45 mL of MeOH.After complete dissolution of sodium hydroxide, the mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 h, and then iron(III) chloride (0.338 g, 2.08 mmol) in 60 mL of acetonitrile was added.The resulting brick-colored solution was additionally heated at reflux for 1 h and then cooled down to room temperature.Formation of a crystalline product with single crystals, useful for X-ray diffraction analysis (see below), was observed in solution after approximately three weeks.After ceasing of the crystal fraction growth, the solution was decanted and the solid fraction was dried in a vacuum without heating.Product I (0.22 g; 16% yield) was obtained.

Synthesis of Compound II
Compound PhSi(OEt) 3 (4 g, 16.64 mmol) and sodium hydroxide (0.96 g, 24 mmol) were dissolved in 30 mL of MeOH.After complete dissolution of sodium hydroxide, the mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 h, and then iron(III) chloride (0.90 g, 5.55 mmol) in 100 mL of acetonitrile was added.The resulting brick-colored solution was heated at reflux for 2 h, then cooled down and filtered.Formation of a crystalline brick-colored product was observed in approximately two weeks.Several single crystals were used for X-ray diffraction analysis (see details below).After ceasing of the crystal fraction growth, the solution was decanted and the solid fraction was dried in a vacuum without heating.Product II (0.73 g, 26% yield) was obtained.

X-ray Studies
The X-ray diffraction intensities of single crystals of compound I were measured at the Kurchatov Centre for Synchrotron radiation, while the dataset for II was collected with Bruker APEX DUO diffractometer.The structures were solved by direct method and refined in anisotropic approximation.Hydrogen atoms were calculated from a geometrical point of view, and were then refined with restraints applied for their displacement parameters and C-H (O-H) bond length.The crystal data for compounds I and II are summarized in Table 2 (see also the ESI).
Crystallographic data for I and II were submitted to CSD (CCDC 1481141 and CCDC 1481142) and can be obtained free of charge using web request from http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/request.The main difficulty in the refinement of compounds I and II was to reveal the exact chemical composition of these structures.At first sight, positive and negative charges in these structures are imbalanced.This could be due to localization of counterions and hydrogen atoms attached to oxygen or nitrogen atoms due to disorder.In the case of I, we decided to treat the water molecule coordinated to Na as an oxonium cation H 3 O + .

Oxidation of Alcohols and Hydrocarbons with Peroxides
The reactions of alcohols and hydrocarbons were usually carried out in air in thermostated Pyrex cylindrical vessels with vigorous stirring, using MeCN as solvent.Typically, catalyst II and the co-catalyst (acid) were introduced into the reaction mixture in the form of stock solutions in acetonitrile.The substrate (alcohol or hydrocarbon) was then added and the reaction started when hydrogen peroxide or TBHP was introduced in one portion.(CAUTION: The combination of air or molecular oxygen and H 2 O 2 with organic compounds at elevated temperatures may be explosive).The reactions with benzene and 1-phenyethanol were analyzed by 1 H NMR method (solutions in acetone-d 6 ; "Bruker AMX-400" instrument, 400 MHz).For the determination of concentrations of phenol and quinone, signals in the aromatic region were integrated using added 1,4-dinitrobenzene as a standard.Areas of methyl group signals were measured to quantify oxygenates formed in oxidations of 1-phenylethnaol.In order to determine concentrations of all cyclohexane oxidation products, the samples of reaction solutions after addition of nitromethane as a standard compound were in some cases analyzed twice (before and after their treatment with PPh 3 ) by GC (LKhM-80-6 instrument, columns 2 m with 5% Carbowax 1500 on 0.25-0.315mm Inerton AW-HMDS; carrier gas, argon) to measure concentrations of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone.This method (an excess of solid triphenylphosphine was added to the samples 10-15 min before the GC analysis) was proposed by one of us earlier [19,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68].Attribution of peaks was made by comparison with chromatograms of authentic samples.Blank experiments with cyclohexane showed that, in the absence of catalyst II, no products were formed.

Selectivity in the Alkane Oxidations
In order to get an insight into the nature of oxidizing species, we measured the selectivity parameters in oxidations of certain linear, branched, and cyclic saturated hydrocarbons with H 2 O 2 .The regioselectivity parameter [relative normalized reactivities of H atoms at carbon atoms C(1), C(2), C(3), and C(4) of n-octane chain] determined for the oxidation of n-octane is relatively low, i.e., C(1):C(2):C(3):C(4) = 1.0:6.7:6.6:6.1.It can be seen that hydrogen atoms in position 4 posess lower activity, aparently due to some sterical hindrance [50,57,60].The bond-selectivity parameter (1 • :2 • :3 • ; the relative normalized reactivities of hydrogen atoms at the primary, secondary, and tertiary carbons) in the oxidation of methylcyclohexane (1.0:6.7:17.5) is close to the corresponding values found for the systems oxidizing alkanes with hydroxyl radicals (see, for example, References [69][70][71][72][73][74][75]).The oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane proceeds non-stereoselectively, because the trans/cis ratio [the ratio of isomers of tert-alcohols with mutual transand cis-orientation of two methyl groups] of isomeric alcohols (after reduction with PPh 3 ) was 0.8.The oxygenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH) with H 2 O 2 proceeds mainly at the tertiary carbon atom with formation of 1-methylcyclohexanol after reduction with PPh 3 (product P5; see Supplementary Materials Figures S1 and S2).The GC profile of the products obtained in the II-catalyzed oxidation is very similar to the profiles reported previously for some other systems which oxidize with the participation of hydroxyl radicals (see Figure S2).All these data testify that an oxidizing species generated by the system exhibits a low selectivity typical for hydroxyl radicals.

General Procedure for Catalytic Amide Formation
In a sealed tube were added successively amine hydrochloride (0.5 mmol), CaCO 3 (25.0mg, 0.25 mmol), CH 3 CN (1 mL), II (50 µL of a solution of 2.8 mg of II in 1 mL of CH 3 CN), benzylic alcohol (104 µL, 1.0 mmol), and TBHP (70% in H 2 O, 140 µL, 1.0 mmol).The mixture was stirred at 80 • C for 2 h, and TBHP (70% in H 2 O, 140 µL, 1.0 mmol) was again added to the mixture.After 16 h at 80 • C, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, and 1N HCl and AcOEt were added.The mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt, and the combined organic phase was washed with a saturated solution of NaHCO 3 , brine, and concentrated under reduced pressure.To remove the excess of benzylic alcohol, 80 mL of H 2 O was added and evaporated under reduced pressure.Crude product was then purified using silica gel chromatography using gradients of cyclohexane/AcOEt to yield the pure compounds.The spectra of prepared amides are presented in the supplementary file ESI.44 , II-were prepared using acetonitrile as a key reaction media.X-ray studies established the presence of Fe-O-Fe units in the composition of both products, which could be explained by additional rearrangement of metallasilsesquioxane skeletons before crystallization.A scheme of rearrangement is proposed.Compound II was found to be a highly active precatalyst in the oxidative amidation of

Figure 1 .Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Scheme of solvent variation during synthesis of Fe,Na-phenylsilsesquioxanes.Use of MeCN provided I.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. General scheme for the synthesis of II.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. General scheme for the synthesis of II.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. General scheme for the synthesis of II.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. General scheme for the synthesis of II.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Pairs of trinuclear clusters in the frameworks of I (A) and II (C); General view of trinuclear iron oxo cluster in I (B) and II (D)

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Pairs of trinuclear clusters in the frameworks of I (A) and II (C); General view of trinuclear iron oxo cluster in I (B) and II (D).

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Dependence of the initial rate of formation cyclohexane oxidation products (the sum cyclohexanol + cyclohexanone) W0 on initial concentration of catalyst II in the oxidation of cyclohexane (0.46 M) with hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous, 1.5 M), catalyzed by compound II in the presence of CF3COOH (0.05 M) in MeCN at 40 °C (Graph A).Graph B: this dependence in coordinates "W0 ½ vs. initial concentration of catalyst II".Concentrations of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were determined by the GC method after reduction of the aliquots with solid PPh3.The mode of dependence of the initial cyclohexane oxidation rate W0 on concentration of catalyst II (Figure 9, Graph A) in the oxidation with hydrogen peroxide indicates that the rate of dependency

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Dependence of the initial rate of formation cyclohexane oxidation products (the sum cyclohexanol + cyclohexanone) W0 on initial concentration of catalyst II in the oxidation of cyclohexane (0.46 M) with hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous, 1.5 M), catalyzed by compound II in the presence of CF3COOH (0.05 M) in MeCN at 40 °C (Graph A).Graph B: this dependence in coordinates "W0 ½ vs. initial concentration of catalyst II".Concentrations of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were determined by the GC method after reduction of the aliquots with solid PPh3.

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Dependence of the initial rate of formation cyclohexane oxidation products (the sum cyclohexanol + cyclohexanone) W 0 on initial concentration of catalyst II in the oxidation of cyclohexane (0.46 M) with hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous, 1.5 M), catalyzed by compound II in the presence of CF 3 COOH (0.05 M) in MeCN at 40 • C (Graph A).Graph B: this dependence in coordinates "W 0

Figure 9 .
Figure 9. Electronic spectra of the pre-catalyst II solution in acetonitrile at 25 °C in the presence of various additives.(Graph A) Curve 1: a solution of II (2.7 × 10 -4 M), H2O2, and cyclohexane in MeCN (2.5 mL).Curve 2: the same solution after addition of TFA in MeCN (concentration of TFA 0.05 M).Curve 3: water ([H2O]added = 4.9 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 2. Curve 4: cyclohexane (0.46 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 3; (Graph B) Curve 1: a solution of II (5.3 × 10 -4 M) in MeCN (2.5 mL).Curve 2: the same solution after addition of TFA in MeCN (concentration in the final solution was 0.05 M).Curve 3: hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous, 1.3 M containing [H2O] = 2.4 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 2; (Graph C) Curve 1: a solution of II (4.7 × 10 -4 M), H2O2 and cyclohexane under conditions depicted by Figure 10, (Graph A) curve 4 in MeCN at the moment 5 min after preparation.Curve 2: The same solution after 90 (curve 2) and 180 min (curve 3) of incubation under conditions of cyclohexane oxidation experiments.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9. Electronic spectra of the pre-catalyst II solution in acetonitrile at 25 • C in the presence of various additives.(Graph A) Curve 1: a solution of II (2.7 × 10 −4 M), H 2 O 2 , and cyclohexane in MeCN (2.5 mL).Curve 2: the same solution after addition of TFA in MeCN (concentration of TFA 0.05 M).Curve 3: water ([H 2 O] added = 4.9 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 2. Curve 4: cyclohexane (0.46 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 3; (Graph B) Curve 1: a solution of II (5.3 × 10 −4 M) in MeCN (2.5 mL).Curve 2: the same solution after addition of TFA in MeCN (concentration in the final solution was 0.05 M).Curve 3: hydrogen peroxide (50% aqueous, 1.3 M containing [H 2 O] = 2.4 M) was added to the solution corresponding to curve 2; (Graph C) Curve 1: a solution of II (4.7 × 10 −4 M), H 2 O 2 and cyclohexane under conditions depicted by Figure 10, (Graph A) curve 4 in MeCN at the moment 5 min after preparation.Curve 2: The same solution after 90 (curve 2) and 180 min (curve 3) of incubation under conditions of cyclohexane oxidation experiments.

Figure 10 .
Figure 10.Accumulation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with time.Conditions: Cyclohexane (0.46 M), H2O2 (50%, aqueous, 1.5 M), catalyst II (2.5 × 10 -4 M), CF3COOH (0.05 M), CH3CN (total volume of the reaction solution was 5 mL), 40 °C.At the moment denoted by an arrow, an additional portion of hydrogen peroxide (the same amount as in the beginning of the reaction) was added.Concentrations were measured after reduction of the samples with PPh3.

Figure 10 .
Figure 10.Accumulation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with time.Conditions: Cyclohexane (0.46 M), H 2 O 2 (50%, aqueous, 1.5 M), catalyst II (2.5 × 10 −4 M), CF 3 COOH (0.05 M), CH 3 CN (total volume of the reaction solution was 5 mL), 40 • C. At the moment denoted by an arrow, an additional portion of hydrogen peroxide (the same amount as in the beginning of the reaction) was added.Concentrations were measured after reduction of the samples with PPh 3 .

Table 1 .
Oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by compound II.

Table 1 .
Oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by compound II.

Table 1 .
Oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by compound II.

Table 1 .
Oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by compound II.

Table 2 .
Results of X-ray experiments for complexes I and II.H 128 .25 Fe 6 N 5 .75 Na 7 O 46 Si 20 C 125 H 117.96 Fe 6 N 8.5 Na 6 O 44.36 Si 18 50