Solution structure and thermolysis of Cobeta-5'-deoxyadenosylimidazolylcobamide, a coenzyme B12 analogue with an imidazole axial nucleoside

The solution structure of Cobeta-5'-deoxyadenosylimidazolylcobamide, Ado(Im)Cbl, the coenzyme B(12) analogue in which the axial 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (Bzm) ligand is replaced by imidazole, has been determined by NMR-restrained molecular modeling. A two-state model, in which a conformation with the adenosyl moiety over the southern quadrant of the corrin and a conformation with the adenosyl ligand over the eastern quadrant of the corrin are both populated at room temperature, was required by the nOe data. A rotation profile and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the eastern conformation is the more stable, in contrast to AdoCbl itself in which the southern conformation is preferred. Consensus structures of the two conformers show that the axial Co-N bond is slightly shorter and the corrin ring is less folded in Ado(Im)Cbl than in AdoCbl. A study of the thermolysis of Ado(Im)Cbl in aqueous solution (50-125 degrees C) revealed competing homolytic and heterolytic pathways as for AdoCbl but with heterolysis being 9-fold faster and homolysis being 3-fold slower at 100 degrees C than for AdoCbl. Determination of the pK(a)'s for the Ado(Im)Cbl base-on/base-off reaction and for the detached imidazole ribonucleoside as a function of temperature permitted correction of the homolysis and heterolysis rate constants for the temperature-dependent presence of the base-off species of Ado(Im)Cbl. Activation analysis of the resulting rate constants for the base-on species show that the entropy of activation for Ado(Im)Cbl homolysis (13.7 +/- 0.9 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) is identical with that of AdoCbl (13.5 +/- 0.7 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) but that the enthalpy of activation (34.8 kcal mol(-1)) is 1.0 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1) larger. The opposite effect is seen for heterolysis, where the enthalpies of activation are identical but the entropy of activation is 5 +/- 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1) less negative for Ado(Im)Cbl. Extrapolation to 37 degrees C provides a rate constant for Ado(Im)Cbl homolysis of 2.1 x 10(-9) s(-1), 4.3-fold smaller than for AdoCbl. Combined with earlier results for the enzyme-induced homolysis of Ado(Im)Cbl by the ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii, the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme for homolysis of Ado(Im)Cbl at 37 degrees C can be calculated to be 4.0 x 10(8), 3.8-fold, or 0.8 kcal mol(-1), smaller than for AdoCbl. Thus, the bulky Bzm ligand makes at best a <1 kcal mol(-1) contribution to the enzymatic activation of coenzyme B(12).     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies on the reactions of alkylcobalamins with cyanide

Ligand substitution equilibria of different alkylcobalamins (RCbl, R = Me, CH(2)Br, CH(2)CF(3), CHF(2), CF(3)) with cyanide have been studied. It was found that CN(-) first substitutes the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (Bzm) moiety in the alpha-position, followed by substitution of the alkyl group in the beta-position trans to Bzm. The formation constants K(CN) for the 1:1 cyanide adducts (R(CN)Cbl) were found to be 0.38 +/- 0.03, 0.43 +/- 0.03, and 123 +/- 9 M(-1) for R = Me, CH(2)Br, and CF(3), respectively. In the case of R = CH(2)CF(3), the 1:1 adduct decomposes in the dark with CN(-) to give (CN)(2)Cbl. The unfavorable formation constants for R = Me and CH(2)Br indicate the requirement of very high cyanide concentrations to produce the 1:1 complex, which cause the kinetics of the displacement of Bzm to be too fast to follow kinetically. The kinetics of the displacement of Bzm by CN(-) could be followed for R = CH(2)CF(3) and CF(3) to form CF(3)CH(2)(CN)Cbl and CF(3)(CN)Cbl, respectively, in the rate-determining step. Both reactions show saturation kinetics at high cyanide concentration, and the limiting rate constants are characterized by the activation parameters: R = CH(2)CF(3), DeltaH = 71 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = -25 +/- 4 J K(-1) mol(-1), and DeltaV = +8.9 +/- 1.0 cm(3) mol(-1); R = CF(3), DeltaH = 77 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = +44 +/- 11 J K(-1) mol(-1), and DeltaV = +14.8 +/- 0.8 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. These parameters are interpreted in terms of an I(d) and D mechanism for R = CH(2)CF(3) and CF(3), respectively. The results of the study enable the formulation of a general mechanism that can account for the substitution behavior of all investigated alkylcobalamins including coenzyme B(12).     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies on the reaction between the vitamin B12 derivative beta-(N-methylimidazolyl)cobalamin and N-methylimidazole: ligand displacement at the alpha axial site of cobalamins

The equilibria and kinetics of substitution of the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole at the alpha site of beta-(N-methylimidazolyl)cobalamin by N-methylimidazole have been investigated, and the product, bis(N-methylimidazolyl)cobalamin, has been characterized by visible and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The equilibrium constant for (N-MeIm)Cbl+ + N-MeIm right harpoon over left harpoon (N-MeIm)2Cbl+ was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy (9.6 +/- 0.1 M(-1), 25.0 degrees C, I = 1.5 M (NaClO4)). The observed rate constant for this reaction exhibits an unusual inverse dependence on N-methylimidazole concentration, and it is proposed that substitution occurs via a base-off solvent-bound intermediate. Activation parameters typical for a dissociative ligand substitution mechanism are reported at two different N-MeImT concentrations, 5.00 x 10(-3) M (DeltaH++ = 99 +/- 2 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS++ = 39 +/- 5 J x mol(-1) x K(-1), DeltaV++ = 15.0 +/- 0.7 cm3 x mol(-1), and 1.00 M (DeltaH++ = 109.4 +/- 0.8 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS++ = 70 +/- 3 J x mol(-1) x K(-1), DeltaV++ = 16.8 +/- 1.1 cm3 x mol(-1)). According to the proposed mechanism, these parameters correspond to the equation of (N-MeIm)2Cbl+ and the ring-opening reaction of the alpha-DMBI of (N-MeIm)Cbl+ to give the solvent-bound intermediate in both cases, respectively.     

The profound influence of a single metal-carbon bond on the reactivity of bio-relevant cobalt(III) complexes

This Perspective reports the development of mechanistic insight over the past 6 years, on the substitution behaviour of cobalamins that contain a single Co-C bond. The effect of the alkyl group, located in the trans position, on the thermodynamic, kinetic and ground state trans effect, was studied in detail. The substitution reactions of different alkylcobalamins with CN- were investigated, the apparent mechanistic discrepancy reported for the co-enzyme B12 was resolved and a logical explanation could be offered. In addition, a complete picture of the effect of pressure on the UV-Vis spectra of different base-on and base-off cobalamins is presented, which clearly shows the role of the alkyl group in controlling the equilibrium between five- and six-coordinate species, and the possible participation of such species in the studied ligand substitution reactions. The kinetics of the base-on/base-off equilibration was studied for the first time using a pH-jump technique. All in all the novel mechanistic information adds to the understanding of the profound effect that a single metal-carbon bond can have on the reactivity of such Co(III) complexes.     

Investigating CN- cleavage by three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

Three-coordinate Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 binds cyanide to form the intermediate [Ar((t)Bu)N]3Mo-CN-Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 but, unlike its N2 analogue which spontaneously cleaves dinitrogen, the C-N bond remains intact. DFT calculations on the model [NH2]3Mo/CN- system show that while the overall reaction is significantly exothermic, the final cleavage step is endothermic by at least 90 kJ mol(-1), accounting for why C-N bond cleavage is not observed experimentally. The situation is improved for the [H2N]3W/CN- system where the intermediate and products are closer in energy but not enough for CN- cleavage to be facile at room temperature. Additional calculations were undertaken on the mixed-metal [H2N]3Re+/CN- /W[NH2]3 and [H2N]3Re+/CN-/Ta[NH2]3 systems in which the metals ions were chosen to maximise the stability of the products on the basis of an earlier bond energy study. Although the reaction energetics for the [H2N]3Re+/CN /W[NH2]3 system are more favourable than those for the [H2N]3W/CN- system, the final C-N cleavage step is still endothermic by 32 kJ mol(-1) when symmetry constraints are relaxed. The resistance of these systems to C-N cleavage was examined by a bond decomposition analysis of [H2N]M-L1[triple bond]L2-M[NH2]3 intermediates for L1[triple bond]L2 = N2, CO and CN which showed that backbonding from the metal into the L1[triple bond]L2 pi* orbitals is significantly less for CN than for N2 or CO due to the negative charge on CN- which results in a large energy gap between the metal d(pi), and the pi* orbitals of CN-. This, combined with the very strong M-CN- interaction which stabilises the CN intermediate, makes C-N bond cleavage in these systems unfavourable even though the C[triple bond]N triple bond is not as strong as the bond in N2 or CO.     

Mechanistic studies on the interaction of reduced cobalamin (vitamin B12r) with nitroprusside

The electron-transfer reaction between reduced cobalamin (Cbl(II)) and sodium pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) (sodium nitroprusside, NP), as well as the subsequent processes following the electron-transfer step, were investigated by spectroscopic (UV-vis, (1)H NMR, EPR), electrochemical (CV, DPV) and kinetic (stopped-flow) techniques. In an effort to clarify the complex reaction pattern observed at physiological pH, systematic spectroscopic and kinetic studies were undertaken as a function of pH (1.8-9) and NP concentration (0.0001 - 0.09 M). The kinetics of the electron-transfer reaction was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions with respect to NP. The reaction occurs in two parallel paths of different order, viz. pseudo-first and pseudo-second order with respect to the NP concentration, respectively. The contribution of each path depends on pH and the [NP]/[Cbl(II)] ratio. At low pH and total NP concentration (pH < 3, [NP]/[Cbl(II)] approximately 1), the cyano-bridged successor complex [Cbl(III)-(mu-NC)-Fe(I)(CN)(3)(NO(+))](-) (1(s)()) is the final reaction product formed in an inner-sphere electron transfer reaction that is coupled to the release of cyanide from coordinated nitroprusside. At higher pH, subsequent reactions were observed which involve the attack of cyanide released in the electron transfer step on the initially formed cyano-bridged species, and lead to the formation of Cbl(III)CN and [Fe(I)(CN)(4)(NO(+))](2)(-). The strong dependence of the rate and mechanism of the subsequent reactions on pH is attributed to the large variation in the effective nucleophilicity of the cyanide ligand in the studied pH range. An alternative electron-transfer pathway observed in the presence of excess NP involves the reaction of the precursor complex [Cbl(II)-(mu-NC)-Fe(II)(CN)(4)(NO(+))](2)(-) (1(p)()) with NP to give [Cbl(III)-(mu-NC)-Fe(II)(CN)(4)(NO(+))](-) (2) and reduced nitroprusside, [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-), as the initial reaction products. Analysis of the kinetic data allowed elucidation of the rate constants for the inner- and outer-sphere electron-transfer pathways. The main factors which influence the kinetics and thermodynamics of the observed electron-transfer steps are discussed on the basis of the spectroscopic, kinetic and electrochemical results. A general picture of the reaction pathways that occur on a short (s) and long (min to h) time scale as a function of pH and relative reactant concentrations is derived from the experimental data. In addition, the release of NO resulting from the one-electron reduction of NP by Cbl(II) was monitored with the use of a sensitive NO electrode. The results obtained in the present study are discussed in reference to the possible influence of cobalamin on the pharmacological action of nitroprusside.     

Mechanistic diversity covering 15 orders of magnitude in rates: cyanide exchange on [M(CN)(4)](2-) (M = Ni, Pd, and Pt)

Kinetic studies of cyanide exchange on [M(CN)(4)](2-) square-planar complexes (M = Pt, Pd, and Ni) were performed as a function of pH by (13)C NMR. The [Pt(CN)(4)](2-) complex has a purely second-order rate law, with CN(-) as acting as the nucleophile, with the following kinetic parameters: (k(2)(Pt,CN))(298) = 11 +/- 1 s(-1) mol(-1) kg, DeltaH(2) (Pt,CN) = 25.1 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Pt,CN) = -142 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Pt,CN) = -27 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). The Pd(II) metal center has the same behavior down to pH 6. The kinetic parameters are as follows: (k(2)(Pd,CN))(298) = 82 +/- 2 s(-1) mol(-1) kg, DeltaH(2) (Pd,CN) = 23.5 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Pd,CN) = -129 +/- 5 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Pd,CN) = -22 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). At low pH, the tetracyanopalladate is protonated (pK(a)(Pd(4,H)) = 3.0 +/- 0.3) to form [Pd(CN)(3)HCN](-). The rate law of the cyanide exchange on the protonated complex is also purely second order, with (k(2)(PdH,CN))(298) = (4.5 +/- 1.3) x 10(3) s(-1) mol(-1) kg. [Ni(CN)(4)](2-) is involved in various equilibrium reactions, such as the formation of [Ni(CN)(5)](3-), [Ni(CN)(3)HCN](-), and [Ni(CN)(2)(HCN)(2)] complexes. Our (13)C NMR measurements have allowed us to determine that the rate constant leading to the formation of [Ni(CN)(5)](3-) is k(2)(Ni(4),CN) = (2.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(6) s(-1) mol(-1) kg when the following activation parameters are used: DeltaH(2)() (Ni,CN) = 21.6 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Ni,CN) = -51 +/- 7 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Ni,CN) = -19 +/- 2 cm(3) mol(-1). The rate constant of the back reaction is k(-2)(Ni(4),CN) = 14 x 10(6) s(-1). The rate law pertaining to [Ni(CN)(2)(HCN)(2)] was found to be second order at pH 3.8, and the value of the rate constant is (k(2)(Ni(4,2H),CN))(298) = (63 +/- 15) x10(6) s(-1) mol(-1) kg when DeltaH(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = 47.3 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = 63 +/- 3 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(2) (Ni(4,2H),CN) = - 6 +/- 1 cm(3) mol(-1). The cyanide-exchange rate constant on [M(CN)(4)](2-) for Pt, Pd, and Ni increases in a 1:7:200 000 ratio. This trend is modified at low pH, and the palladium becomes 400 times more reactive than the platinum because of the formation of [Pd(CN)(3)HCN](-). For all cyanide exchanges on tetracyano complexes (A mechanism) and on their protonated forms (I/I(a) mechanisms), we have always observed a pure second-order rate law: first order for the complex and first order for CN(-). The nucleophilic attack by HCN or solvation by H(2)O is at least nine or six orders of magnitude slower, respectively than is nucleophilic attack by CN(-) for Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II), respectively.     

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics in vitamin B12 and related cob(III)alamins

Femtosecond transient IR and visible absorption spectroscopies have been employed to investigate the excited-state photophysics of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin, CNCbl) and the related cob(III)alamins, azidocobalamin (N3Cbl), and aquocobalamin (H2OCbl). Excitation of CNCbl, H2OCbl, or N3Cbl results in rapid formation of a short-lived excited state followed by ground-state recovery on time scales ranging from a few picoseconds to a few tens of picoseconds. The lifetime of the intermediate state is influenced by the sigma-donating ability of the axial ligand, decreasing in the order CNCbl > N3Cbl > H2OCbl, and by the polarity of the solvent, decreasing with increasing solvent polarity. The peak of the excited-state visible absorption spectrum is shifted to ca. 490 nm, and the shape of the spectrum is characteristic of weak axial ligands, similar to those observed for cob(II)alamin, base-off cobalamins, or cobinamides. Transient IR spectra of the upper CN and N3 ligands are red-shifted 20-30 cm(-1) from the ground-state frequencies, consistent with a weakened Co-upper ligand bond. These results suggest that the transient intermediate state can be attributed to a corrin ring pi to Co 3d(z2) ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) state. In this state bonds between the cobalt and the axial ligands are weakened and lengthened with respect to the corresponding ground states.     

Efficient nickel mediated carbon-carbon bond cleavage of organonitriles

The reactions of the nickel complex [Ni(2)(iPr(2)Im)4(COD)] 1 with organonitriles smoothly and irreversibly proceed via intermediates with eta(2)-coordinated organonitrile ligands such as [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(eta(2)-(CN)-PhCN)] 2 and [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(eta(2)-(CN)-pTolCN)] 4 to yield aryl cyanide complexes of the type trans-[Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(CN)(Ar)] (Ar = Ph 3, pTol 5, 4-CF(3)C(6)H(4) 6, 2,4-(OMe)2C(6)H(3) 7, 2-C(4)H(3)O 8, 2-C(5)H(4)N 9). The compounds 3, 7, 9 and have been structurally characterized. For the conversion of 2 to 3 a free activation enthalpy DeltaG++(328 K) of 103.47 +/- 0.79 kJ mol(-1) was calculated from time dependent NMR spectroscopy. The analogous reaction of arylnitriles with electron releasing substituents or heteroaromatic organonitriles is significantly faster compared to the reaction with benzonitrile or toluonitrile. The reactions of 1 with acetonitrile or trimethylsilyl cyanide afforded [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(CN)(Me)] 10 and structurally characterized [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(CN)(SiMe(3))] 11. The usage of an organonitrile with a longer alkyl chain, adiponitrile, yielded [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(eta(2)-(CN)-NCC(4)H(8)CN)] 12 as well as the C-CN activation product [Ni(iPr(2)Im)2(CN)(C(4)H(8)CN)]13 in thermal and photochemical reactions, although this pathway seems to be significantly interfered with by decomposition pathways under the formation of the dicyanide complex [Ni(iPr(2)Im)(2)(CN)(2)] 14.     

Structure and photochemistry of dicyanocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin. Photochromic reaction caused by photodissociation of axial ligand

Chlorocobalt(III) tetraphenylporphyrin, (Cl)CoIIITPP, reacts with potassium cyanide in dichloromethane or benzene containing 18-crown-6 to give a green solution of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The molecular structure of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is identified by X-ray crystallography. In methanol, (Cl)CoIIITPP plus KCN also gives a green solution of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The green methanol solution containing 1.4 x 10(-4) M KCN turns orange by continuous photolysis with a 250-W mercury lamp for 5 min. The orange solution returns to green when it is kept in the dark for 5 min. The kinetic study suggests that [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] dissociates CN- by continuous photolysis, giving rise to the formation of the orange species, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. The photoproduct, (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, regenerates the green species, [(CN)2CoIIITPP-], by reaction with CN-. The laser photolysis study of [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol demonstrates that photodissociation of CN- takes place within 20 ns after the 355-nm laser pulse, resulting in the formation of two transients, I (short-lived) and II (long-lived). The absorption spectra of both transients are similar to that of (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP. These transients eventually return to [(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The decay of species I follows first-order kinetics with a rate constant k. = 2 x 10(6) s-1, independent of the concentration of KCN. Species II is identified as (CH3OH)(CN)CoIIITPP, which is observed with the continuous photolysis of the solution. The laser photolysis of [crown-K+][(CN)2COIIITPP-] in dichloromethane gives the transient species, which goes back to the original complex according to first-order kinetics with a rate constant k = 5 x 10(6) s-1. [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] is concluded to photodissociate the axial CN- to form [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] in which an oxygen atom of the crown moiety in [crown-K+CN-] is coordinated to the cobalt(III) atom of [(CN)CoIIITPP] at the axial position. The intracomplex reverse reaction of [crown-K+CN-][(CN)CoIIITPP] leads to the regeneration of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-]. The structure and the reaction of the transient species I observed for [(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in methanol are discussed on the basis of the laser photolysis studies of [crown-K+][(CN)2CoIIITPP-] in dichloromethane.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the interaction of nitric oxide with pentacyanoferrate(II). Formation and dissociation of [Fe(CN)5NO]3 -

The interaction of NO with [Fe(CN)(5)H(2)O](3)(-) (generated by aquation of the corresponding ammine complex) to produce [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-) was studied by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The reaction product is the well characterized nitrosyl complex, described as a low-spin Fe(II) bound to the NO radical. The experiments were performed in the pH range 4-10, at different concentrations of NO, temperatures and pressures. The rate law was first-order in each of the reactants, with the specific complex-formation rate constant, k(f)( )()= 250 +/- 10 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) (25.4 degrees C, I = 0.1 M, pH 7.0), DeltaH(f)() = 70 +/- 1 kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS(f)() = +34 +/- 4 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1), and DeltaV(f)() = +17.4 +/- 0.3 cm(3) mol(-)(1). These values support a dissociative mechanism, with rate-controlling dissociation of coordinated water, and subsequent fast coordination of NO. The complex-formation process depends on pH, indicating that the initial product [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-) is unstable, with a faster decomposition rate at lower pH. The decomposition process is associated with release of cyanide, further reaction of NO with [Fe(CN)(4)NO](2)(-), and formation of nitroprusside and other unknown products. The decomposition can be prevented by addition of free cyanide to the solutions, enabling a study of the dissociation process of NO from [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-). Cyanide also acts as a scavenger for the [Fe(CN)(5)](3)(-) intermediate, giving [Fe(CN)(6)](4)(-) as a final product. From the first-order behavior, the dissociation rate constant was obtained as k(d) = (1.58 +/- 0.06) x 10(-)(5) s(-)(1) at 25.0 degrees C, I = 0.1 M, and pH 10.2. Activation parameters were found to be DeltaH(d)() = 106.4 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS(d)() = +20 +/- 2 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1), and DeltaV(d)() = +7.1 +/- 0.2 cm(3) mol(-)(1), which are all in line with a dissociative mechanism. The low value of k(d) as compared to values for the release of other ligands L from [Fe(II)(CN)(5)L](n)()(-) suggests a moderate to strong sigma-pi interaction of NO with the iron(II) center. It is concluded that the release of NO from nitroprusside in biological media does not originate from [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-) produced on reduction of nitroprusside but probably proceeds through the release of cyanide and further reactions of the [Fe(CN)(4)NO](2)(-) ion.     

Kinetics and mechanism of formation of the platinum-thallium bond: the [(CN)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(3)](3)(-) complex

Formation kinetics of the metal-metal bonded [(CN)(5)PtTl(CN)(3)](3)(-) complex from Pt(CN)(4)(2)(-) and Tl(CN)(4)(-) has been studied in the pH range of 5-10, using standard mix-and-measure spectrophotometric technique at pH 5-8 and stopped-flow method at pH > 8. The overall order of the reaction, Pt(CN)(4)(2)(-) + Tl(CN)(4)(-) right harpoon over left harpoon [(CN)(5)PtTl(CN)(3)](3)(-), is 2 in the slightly acidic region and 3 in the alkaline region, which means first order for the two reactants in both cases and also for CN(-) at high pH. The two-term rate law corresponds to two different pathways via the Tl(CN)(3) and Tl(CN)(4)(-) complexes in acidic and alkaline solution, respectively. The two complexes are in fast equilibrium, and their actual concentration ratio is controlled by the concentration of free cyanide ion. The following expression was derived for the pseudo-first-order rate constant of the overall reaction: k(obs) = (k(1)(a)[Tl(CN)(4)(-) + (k(1)(a)/K(f)))(1/(1 + K(p)[H(+)]))[CN(-)](free) + k(1)(b)[Tl(CN)(4)(-)] + (k(1)(b)/K(f)), where k(1)(a) and k(1)(b) are the forward rate constants for the alkaline and slightly acidic paths, K(f) is the stability constant of [(CN)(5)PtTl(CN)(3)](3)(-), and K(p) is the protonation constant of cyanide ion. k(1)(a) = 143 +/- 13 M(-)(2) s(-)(1), k(1)(b) = 0.056 +/- 0.004 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), K(f) = 250 +/- 54 M(-)(1), and log K(p) = 9.15 +/- 0.05 (I = 1 M NaClO(4), T = 298 K). Two possible mechanisms were postulated for the overall reaction in both pH regions, which include a metal-metal bond formation step and the coordination of the axial cyanide ion to the platinum center. The alternative mechanisms are different in the sequence of these steps.     

Electrochemistry of vitamin B12: Part VII. Role of the base-off/base-on reaction in the oxido-reduction in the B12r-B12s couple in non-aqueous solvents

The cyclic voltammetric study of vitamin B_12r in DMSO shows the importance of the base-on/base-off reaction in the electrochemical reduction mechanism. Depending upon the flux of electrons flowing through the system. part of the base-on complex is reduced through prior opening of the nucleotide side-chain which gives rise to the more easily reduced DMSO-Co(II) complex. The quantitative analysis of the variations of the peak heights with the sweep rate allows the thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of the base-on/base-off reactions to be determined. DMSO thus appears as a stronger ligand toward Co(II) than water, leading to an increased participation of the base-off complex in the reduction process. The greater stability of the DMSO complex is also related to the observation that electron transfer is significantly slower than in the case of the water complex. The importance of the ligand exchange reactions in the reduction of B_12r is confirmed by the effect of pyridine additions. Three complexes then participate in the reduction process, their reduction potentials lying in the order DMSO >Py >Bzm. The reduction mechanism involving the interconversion of the three complexes is described as a function of the electrode potential, the flux of electrons and the pyridine concentration. An estimation of the equilibrium and rate constants of the three ligand exchange reactions is made, based on the variations of the cyclic voltammograms with the sweep rate and the pyridine concentration.     

Mechanisms of catalyst poisoning in palladium-catalyzed cyanation of haloarenes. remarkably facile C-N bond activation in the [(Ph3P)4Pd]/[Bu4N]+ CN- system

Reaction paths leading to palladium catalyst deactivation during cyanation of haloarenes (eq 1) have been identified and studied. Each key step of the catalytic loop (Scheme 1) can be disrupted by excess cyanide, including ArX oxidative addition, X/CN exchange, and ArCN reductive elimination. The catalytic reaction is terminated via the facile formation of inactive [(CN)4Pd]2-, [(CN)3PdH]2-, and [(CN)3PdAr]2-. Moisture is particularly harmful to the catalysis because of facile CN- hydrolysis to HCN that is highly reactive toward Pd(0). Depending on conditions, the reaction of [(Ph3P)4Pd] with HCN in the presence of extra CN- can give rise to [(CN)4Pd]2- and/or the remarkably stable new hydride [(CN)3PdH]2- (NMR, X-ray). The X/CN exchange and reductive elimination steps are vulnerable to excess CN- because of facile phosphine displacement leading to stable [(CN)3PdAr]2- that can undergo ArCN reductive elimination only in the absence of extra CN-. When a quaternary ammonium cation such as [Bu4N]+ is used as a phase-transfer agent for the cyanation reaction, C-N bond cleavage in the cation can occur via two different processes. In the presence of trace water, CN- hydrolysis yields HCN that reacts with Pd(0) to give [(CN)3PdH]2-. This also releases highly active OH- that causes Hofmann elimination of [Bu4N]+ to give Bu3N, 1-butene, and water. This decomposition mode is therefore catalytic in H2O. Under anhydrous conditions, the formation of a new species, [(CN)3PdBu]2-, is observed, and experimental studies suggest that electron-rich mixed cyano phosphine Pd(0) species are responsible for this unusual reaction. A combination of experimental (kinetics, labeling) and computational studies demonstrate that in this case C-N activation occurs via an S(N)2-type displacement of amine and rule out alternative 3-center C-N oxidative addition or Hofmann elimination processes.     

Kinetics and mechanism of platinum-thallium bond formation: the binuclear [(CN)5Pt-Tl(CN)](-) and the trinuclear [(CN)5Pt-Tl-Pt(CN)5](3-) complex

Formation kinetics of the metal-metal bonded binuclear [(CN)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)](-) (1) and the trinuclear [(CN)(5)Pt-Tl-Pt(CN)(5)](3-) (2) complexes is studied, using the standard mix-and-measure spectrophotometric method. The overall reactions are Pt(CN)(4)(2-) + Tl(CN)(2)(+) <==> 1 and Pt(CN)(4)(2-) + [(CN)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)](-) <==> 2. The corresponding expressions for the pseudo-first-order rate constants are k(obs) = (k(1)[Tl(CN)(2)(+)] + k(-1))[Tl(CN)(2)(+)] (at Tl(CN)(2)(+) excess) and k(obs) = (k(2b)[Pt(CN)(4)(2-)] + k(-2b))[HCN] (at Pt(CN)(4)(2-) excess), and the computed parameters are k(1) = 1.04 +/- 0.02 M(-2) s(-1), k(-1) = k(1)/K(1) = 7 x 10(-5) M(-1) s(-1) and k(2b) = 0.45 +/- 0.04 M(-2) s(-1), K(2b) = 26 +/- 6 M(-1), k(-2b) = k(2b)/K(2b) = 0.017 M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Detailed kinetic models are proposed to rationalize the rate laws. Two important steps need to occur during the complex formation in both cases: (i) metal-metal bond formation and (ii) the coordination of the fifth cyanide to the platinum site in a nucleophilic addition. The main difference in the formation kinetics of the complexes is the nature of the cyanide donor in step ii. In the formation of [(CN)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)](-), Tl(CN)(2)(+) is the source of the cyanide ligand, while HCN is the cyanide donating agent in the formation of the trinuclear species. The combination of the results with previous data predict the following reactivity order for the nucleophilic agents: CN(-) > Tl(CN)(2)(+) > HCN.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reversible binding of nitric oxide to reduced cobalamin B(12r) (Cob(II)alamin)

The reduced form of aquacobalamin binds nitric oxide very effectively to yield a nitrosyl adduct, Cbl(II)-NO. UV-vis, (1)H-, (31)P-, and (15)N NMR data suggest that the reaction product under physiological conditions is a six-coordinate, "base-on" form of the vitamin with a weakly bound alpha-dimethylbenzimidazole base and a bent nitrosyl coordinated to cobalt at the beta-site of the corrin ring. The nitrosyl adduct can formally be described as Cbl(III)-NO-. The kinetics of the binding and dissociation reactions was investigated by laser flash photolysis and stopped-flow techniques, respectively. The activation parameters, DeltaH, DeltaS, and DeltaV, for the forward and reverse reactions were estimated from the effect of temperature and pressure on the kinetics of these reactions. For the "on" reaction of Cbl(II) with NO, the small positive DeltaS and DeltaV values suggest the operation of a dissociative interchange (I(d)) substitution mechanism at the Co(II) center. Detailed laser flash photolysis and (17)O NMR studies provide evidence for the formation of water-bound intermediates in the laser flash experiments and strongly support the proposed I(d) mechanism. The kinetics of the "off" reaction was studied using an NO-trapping technique. The respective activation parameters are also consistent with a dissociative interchange mechanism.     

ECE reaction pathways in the electrochemical reduction of dicyanocobalamin: Kinetics of ligand substitution in vitamin B12r cyanocob(II)alamin

The reduction of dicyanocob(III)alamin leads in a first stage to monocyanocob(II)alamin which can be partially converted into the base-off and base-on Co(II) complexes (B12r). The latter species are easier to reduce than the starting Co(III) complex leading to a single two-electron wave at low cyanide concentrations and/or low diffusion rates. Upon raising one of these two parameters two successive one-electron waves tend to be obtained corresponding to the Co(III)/Co(II) and Co(II)/Co(I) conversion respectively. The kinetics of the reduction process is investigated using potential-dependent potentiostatic chronoamperometry which allows a simpler analysis than cyclic voltammetry for systems involving a slow initial charge-transfer step. It is seen that the second electron, at the level of the first wave, comes from the electrode and not from the cyano-Co(II) complex in the solution. The reduction thus follows an ECE rather than a DISP-type mechanism in conditions where they can be distinguished by the usual electrochemical kinetic techniques. This contrasts with that which occurs in organic electrochemistry where the electron transfers are generally fast, while in the present case they are slow. The analysis of the reduction kinetics as a function of cyanide concentration gives some insight into the mechanism of the ligand substitution reaction at the Co(II). The kinetic data are discussed in terms of SN1-, SN2- and SNAr-like mechanisms.     

Internal Spin Trapping of Thiyl Radical during the Complexation and Reduction of Cobalamin with Glutathione and Dithiothrietol

The activation of cobalamin requires the reduction of Cbl(III) to Cbl(II). The reduction by glutathione and dithiothreitol was followed using visible spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. In addition the oxidation of glutathione was monitored. Glutathione first reacts with oxidized Cbl(III). The binding of a second glutathione required for the reduction to Cbl(II) is presumably located in the dimethyl benzimidazole ribonucleotide ligand cavity. The reduction of Cbl(III) by dithiothreitol, which contains two thiols, is much faster even though no stable Cbl(III) complex is formed. The reduction, by both thiol reagents, results in the formation of thiyl radicals, some of which are released to form oxidized thiol products and some of which remain associated with the reduced cobalamin. In the reduced state the intrinsic lower affinity for the benzimidazole base, coupled with a trans effect from the initial GSH bound to the β-axial site and a possible lowering of the pH results in an equilibrium between base-on and base-off complexes. The dissociation of the base facilitates a closer approach of the thiyl radical to the Co(II) α-axial site resulting in a complex with ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the metal ion and the thiyl radical. This is a unique example of 'internal spin trapping' of a thiyl radical formed during reduction. The finding that the reduction involves a peripheral site and that thiyl radicals produced during the reduction remain associated with the reduced cobalamin provide important new insights into our understanding of the formation and function of cobalamin enzymes.     

Kinetics of the reactions between [S(2)MoS(2)Cu(SC(6)H(4)R-4)](2-)(R = MeO, H, Cl or NO(2)) and CN(-): substitution mechanism at a 3-coordinate Cu(I) site

The kinetics of the reaction between [S(2)MoS(2)Cu(SC(6)H(4)R-4)](2-)(R = MeO, H, Cl or NO(2)) and CN(-) to form [S(2)MoS(2)CuCN](2-) have been studied in MeCN using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. In all cases, the rate law is of the form, Rate ={k+k(2)(R)[CN(-)]}[S(2)MoS(2)Cu(SC(6)H(4)R-4)(2-)]. It is proposed that both k and k correspond to associative substitution mechanisms. The k pathway involves attack by CN(-) at the copper site followed by dissociation of the thiolate. The k pathway involves attack of the solvent (MeCN) at the copper site, followed by dissociation of the thiolate to form [S(2)MoS(2)Cu(NCMe)](-). Subsequent rapid substitution of the coordinated solvent by cyanide produces [S(2)MoS(2)CuCN](2-). The evidence that both the k and k pathways involve associative mechanisms are: (i) the 4-R-substituent on the thiolate ligand has a similar effect on both k and k, with electron-withdrawing 4-R-substituents facilitating substitution; (ii) both the k and k pathways are associated with similar activation parameters (for k(1)(H): DeltaH++ = 5.5 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1), DeltaS++ = -23.9 +/- 2.0 cal deg(-1) mol(-1); for k(2)(H): DeltaH++ = 2.3 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1), DeltaS++ = - 23.9 +/- 2.0 cal deg(-1) mol(-1)) and (iii) addition of C(6)H(5)S(-) results in a similar increase in both k and k.     

Adsorption behavior of copper and cyanide ions at TiO2-solution interface

Adsorption of both copper and cyanide ions in the absence and in the presence of their complexes at TiO2-solution interfaces was investigated. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of removing heavy metal ions, exemplified by Cu(II), from aqueous solution in the presence of a ligand, e.g., CN-. Several parameters such as pH and Cu(II) and CH- ion concentration that may affect the magnitude of copper and cyanide adsorption were studied. The equilibrium of Cu-CN speciation distribution in solution and stability constant calculations have been investigated to determine the adsorption behavior of Cu(II). Results revealed that free Cu(II) ions (in the absence of CN-) were completely separated at pH8, while the adsorption of free cyanide ions, in the absence of Cu(II), reached a maximum value of 48% at pH 7. For Cu-CN complexes, the presence of CN- in excessive amount with respect to Cu(II) retarded the adsorption of Cu(II). This is attributed to the formation of multivalent anionic cyano-copper complexes such as Cu(CN)2-(3) and Cu(CN)(3-)4.