Functional mimic of dioxygen-activating centers in non-heme diiron enzymes: mechanistic implications of paramagnetic intermediates in the reactions between diiron(II) complexes and dioxygen

Two tetracarboxylate diiron(II) complexes, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(C(5)H(5)N)(2)] (1a) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (2a), where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate, react with O(2) in CH(2)Cl(2) at -78 degrees C to afford dark green intermediates 1b (lambda(max) congruent with 660 nm; epsilon = 1600 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 2b (lambda(max) congruent with 670 nm; epsilon = 1700 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. Upon warming to room temperature, the solutions turn yellow, ultimately converting to isolable diiron(III) compounds [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)L(2)] (L = C(5)H(5)N (1c), 4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N (2c)). EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of equimolar amounts of valence-delocalized Fe(II)Fe(III) and valence-trapped Fe(III)Fe(IV) species as major components of solution 2b. The spectroscopic and reactivity properties of the Fe(III)Fe(IV) species are similar to those of the intermediate X in the RNR-R2 catalytic cycle. EPR kinetic studies revealed that the processes leading to the formation of these two distinctive paramagnetic components are coupled to one another. A mechanism for this reaction is proposed and compared with those of other synthetic and biological systems, in which electron transfer occurs from a low-valent starting material to putative high-valent dioxygen adduct(s).     

Synthesis and characterization of carboxylate-rich complexes having the [Fe2(mu-OH)2(mu-O2CR)]3+ and [Fe2(mu-O)(mu-O2CR)]3+ cores of O2-dependent diiron enzymes

The {Fe2(mu-OH)2(mu-O2CR)}3+ and {Fe2(mu-O)(mu-O2CR)}3+ cores of the carboxylate-bridged diiron(III) centers in the enzyme active sites were reproduced by small molecule model complexes that were prepared through direct oxygenation of the mononuclear iron(II) complexes. Upon oxygenation of [Fe(O2CArTol)2(Hdmpz)2], where -O2CArTol is 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate and Hdmpz is 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, [Fe2(mu-OH)2(mu-O2CArTol)(O2CArTol)3(OH2)(Hdmpz)2] was generated and characterized to share close physical properties with sMMOHox, including delta = 0.45 (2) mm/s, DeltaEQ = 1.21 (2) mm/s, and J = -7.2 (2) cm-1. The compound [Fe2(mu-O)(mu-O2CAr4-FPh)(O2CAr4-FPh)3(Hdmpz)3], where -O2CAr4-FPh is 2,6-di(4-fluorophenyl)benzoate, with delta = 0.51 (2) mm/s, DeltaEQ = 1.26 (2) mm/s, and J = -117.4 (1) cm-1, was isolated as the oxygenation product of [Fe(O2CAr4-FPh)2(Hdmpz)2].     

A mechanistic study of the reaction between a diiron(II) complex [FeII(2)(mu-OH)2(6-Me3-TPA)2](2+) and O2 to form a diiron(III) peroxo complex

A kinetic study of the reaction between a diiron(II) complex [Fe(II)(2)(mu-OH)(2)(6-Me(3)-TPA)(2)](2+) 1, where 6-Me(3)-TPA = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and dioxygen is presented. A diiron(III) peroxo complex [Fe(III)(2)(mu-O)(mu-O(2))(6-Me(3)-TPA)(2)](2+) 2 forms quantitatively in dichloromethane at temperatures from -80 to -40 degrees C. The reaction is first order in [Fe(II)(2)] and [O(2)], with the activation parameters DeltaH(double dagger) = 17 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = -175 +/- 20 J mol(-1) K(-1). The reaction rate is not significantly influenced by the addition of H(2)O or D(2)O. The reaction proceeds faster in more polar solvents (acetone and acetonitrile), but the yield of 2 is not quantitative in these solvents. Complex 1 reacts with NO at a rate about 10(3) faster than with O(2). The mechanistic analysis suggests an associative rate-limiting step for the oxygenation of 1, similar to that for stearoyl-ACP Delta(9)-desaturase, but distinct from the probable dissociative pathway of methane monoxygenase. An eta(1)-superoxo Fe(II)Fe(III) species is a likely steady-state intermediate during the oxygenation of complex 1.     

Metal- and ligand-centered monoelectronic oxidation of mu-nitrido[((tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese)phthalocyaninatoiron)], [(TPP)Mn-N-FePc]. X-ray crystal structure of the Fe(IV)-containing species [(THF)(TPP)Mn-N-FePc(H(2)O)](I(5))02THF

The reaction of mu-nitrido[((tetraphenylporphyrinato)manganese)(phthalocyaninatoiron)], [(TPP)Mn-N-FePc], with I(2) in THF develops with the formation of two different species, i.e., [(THF)(TPP)Mn-N-FePc(H(2)O)](I(5)).2THF (I) and [(TPP)Mn(IV)-N-Fe(III)Pc](I(3)) (II). On the basis of single-crystal X-ray work and M?ssbauer, EPR, Raman, and magnetic susceptibility data, I, found to be isostructural with the corresponding Fe-Fe complex, is shown to contain a low-spin triatomic Mn(IV)=N=Fe(IV) system (metal-centered oxidation). Data at hand for II (M?ssbauer, EPR, Raman) show, instead, that oxidation takes place at one of the two macrocycles, very likely TPP (ligand-centered oxidation). The same cationic fragment present in I, and containing the Mn(IV)=N=Fe(IV) bond system, is also obtained when (TPP)Mn-N-FePc is allowed to react in THF with (phen)SbCl(6) (molar ratio 1:1). There are indications that the use of (phen)SbCl(6) in excess (2:1 molar ratio), in benzene, probably determines further oxidation with the formation of a species showing the combined presence of the Mn(IV)-Fe(IV) couple and of a pi-cation radical.     

Modeling dioxygen-activating centers in non-heme diiron enzymes: carboxylate shifts in diiron(II) complexes supported by sterically hindered carboxylate ligands

General synthetic routes are described for a series of diiron(II) complexes supported by sterically demanding carboxylate ligands 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate (Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-)) and 2,6-di(4-fluorophenyl)benzoate (Ar(4-FPh)CO(2)(-)). The interlocking nature of the m-terphenyl units in self-assembled [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)L(2)] (L = C(5)H(5)N (4); 1-MeIm (5)) promotes the formation of coordination geometries analogous to those of the non-heme diiron cores in the enzymes RNR-R2 and Delta 9D. Magnetic susceptibility and M?ssbauer studies of 4 and 5 revealed properties consistent with weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the high-spin iron(II) centers. Structural studies of several derivatives obtained by ligand substitution reactions demonstrated that the [Fe(2)(O(2)CAr')(4)L(2)] (Ar' = Ar(Tol); Ar(4-FPh)) module is geometrically flexible. Details of ligand migration within the tetracarboxylate diiron core, facilitated by carboxylate shifts, were probed by solution variable-temperature (19)F NMR spectroscopic studies of [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4-FPh))(2)-(O(2)CAr(4-FPh))(2)(THF)(2)] (8) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4-FPh))(4)(4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (12). Dynamic motion in the primary coordination sphere controls the positioning of open sites and regulates the access of exogenous ligands, processes that also occur in non-heme diiron enzymes during catalysis.     

Synthetic analogue of the [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)](3+) core of soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase via synthesis and dioxygen reactivity of carboxylate-bridged diiron(II) complexes

We describe the synthesis and dioxygen reactivity of diiron(II) tetracarboxylate complexes [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(N,N-Me(2)en)(2)] (2) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(N,N-Bn(2)en)(2)] (6), where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate. These complexes were prepared as models for the diiron(II) center in the hydroxylase component of soluble methane monooxygenase (MMOH). Compound 6 reacts with dioxygen to afford PhCHO in approximately 60(5)% yield, following oxidative N-dealkylation of the pendant benzyl group on the diamine ligand. The diiron(III) complex [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(N-Bnen)(N,N-Bn(2)en)] (8) was isolated from the reaction mixture. The 4.2 K M?ssbauer spectrum of 8 displays a single quadrupole doublet with parameters delta = 0.48(2) mm s(-1) and Delta E(Q) = 0.61(2) mm s(-1). The [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)](3+) core structure in 8 matches that of the fully oxidized form of MMOH. The conversion of 6 to 8 closely parallels the chemistry of MMOH in which an O(2)-derived oxygen atom is inserted into the C-H bond of methane. Several reaction pathways are considered to account for this novel chemical transformation, and these are compared with mechanistic frameworks previously developed for related cytochrome P450 and copper(I) dioxygen chemistry.     

Reaction of (mu-oxo)diiron(III) core with CO2 in N-methylimidazole: formation of mono(mu-carboxylato)(mu-oxo)diiron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole as ligands

Several iron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) as the ligand have been synthesized by using N-MeIm as the solvent. Under anaerobic conditions, [Fe(N-MeIm)(6)](ClO(4))(3) (1) reacts with stoichiometric amounts of water in N-MeIm to afford the (mu-oxo)diiron(III) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O)(N-MeIm)(10)](ClO(4))(4) (3). Exposure of a solution of 3 in N-MeIm to stoichiometric and excess CO(2) gives rise to the (mu-oxo)(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-HCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (4) and the methyl carbonate complex [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-CH(3)OCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (5), respectively. Formation of the formato-bridged complex 4 upon fixation of CO(2) by 3 in N-MeIm is unprecedentated. Methyl transfer from N-MeIm to a bicarbonato-bridged (mu-oxo)diiron(III) intermediate appears to give rise to 5. Complex 3 is a good starting material for the synthesis of (mu-oxo)mono(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (where R = H (4), CH(3) (6), or C(6)H(5) (7)); addition of the respective carboxylate ligand in stoichiometric amount to a solution of 3 in N-MeIm affords these complexes in high yields. Attempts to add a third bridge to complexes 4, 6, and 7 to form the (mu-oxo)bis(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species result in the isolation of the previously known triiron(III) mu-eta(3)-oxo clusters [[Fe(mu-RCO(2))(2)(N-MeIm)](3)O](ClO(4)) (8). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 allow one, for the first time, to inspect the various features of the [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))](3+) moiety with no strain from the ligand framework.     

Nonheme oxoiron(IV) complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine with cis-monoanionic ligands

Treatment of [Fe(IV)(O)(TPA)(NCMe)](CF3SO3)2 [TPA, N,N,N-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] with 3 equiv of NR4X (X = CF3CO2, Cl, or Br) in MeCN at -40 degrees C affords a series of metastable [Fe(IV)(O)(TPA)(X)]+ complexes. Some characteristic features of the S = 1 oxoiron(IV) unit are quite insensitive to the ligand substitution in the equatorial plane, namely, the Fe-O distances (1.65-1.66 A), the energy ( approximately 7114.5 eV) and intensity [25(2) units] of the 1s-to-3d transition in the X-ray absorption spectra, and the M?ssbauer isomer shifts (0.01-0.06 mm.s(-1)) and quadrupole splittings (0.92-0.95 mm.s(-1)). The coordination of the anionic X ligand, however, is evidenced by red shifts of the characteristic near-IR ligand-field bands (720-800 nm) and spectroscopic observation of the bound anion by (19)F NMR for X = CF3CO2 and by EXAFS analysis for X = Cl (r(Fe-Cl) = 2.29 A) and Br (r(Fe-Br) = 2.43 A). Density functional theory calculations yield M?ssbauer parameters and bond lengths in good agreement with the experimental data and produce excited-state energies that follow the trend observed in the ligand-field bands. Despite mitigating the high effective charge of the iron(IV) center, the substitution of the MeCN ligand with monoanionic ligands X- decreases the thermal stability of [Fe(IV)(O)(TPA)]2+ complexes. These anion-substituted complexes model the cis-X-Fe(IV)=O units proposed in the mechanisms of oxygen-activating nonheme iron enzymes.     

Mechanistic studies on oxidation of hydrazine by a mu-oxo diiron(III,III) complex in aqueous acidic media-proton coupled electron transfer

[Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ (1), one of the simplest mu-oxo diiron(III) complexes, quantitatively oxidises hydrazine to dinitrogen and itself is reduced to two moles of ferroin, [Fe(phen)3]2+ in presence of excess phenanthroline. The weak dibasic acid, 1 (pKa1= 3.71 +/- 0.05 and pKa2= 5.28 +/- 0.10 at 25.0 degrees C, I= 1.0 mol dm(-3)(NaNO3)) and its conjugate bases, [Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(H2O)(OH)]3+ (2) and [Fe2(mu-O)(phen)4(OH)2]2+ (3) are involved in the redox process with the reactivity order 1 > 2 > 3 whereas N2H4 and not N2H5+ was found to be reactive in the pH interval studied 3.45-5.60. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicate poor oxidizing capacity of the title substitution-labile diiron complex, yet it oxidizes N2H4 with a moderate rate--a proton coupled electron transfer (1e, 1H+) drags the energetically unfavourable reaction to completion. The rate retardation in D2O media is substantially higher at higher pH due to the increasing basicity of the oxo-ligand in the order 3 > 2 > 1. Marcus calculations result an unacceptably high one-electron self-exchange rate for the iron center indicating an inner-sphere nature of the electron-transfer.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of non-heme diiron(III) species with a terminal hydroperoxide ligand: models for hemerythrin

Two compounds, [Fe2(mu-OH)(mu-Ph4DBA)(TMEDA)2(OTf)] (4) and [Fe2(mu-OH)(mu-Ph4DBA)(DPE)2(OTf)] (7), where Ph4DBA(2-) is the dinucleating bis(carboxylate) ligand dibenzofuran-4,6-bis(diphenylacetate), have been prepared as synthetic models for the dioxygen-binding non-heme diiron protein hemerythrin (Hr). X-ray crystallography reveals that, in the solid state, these compounds contain the asymmetric coordination environment found at the diiron center in the reduced form of the protein, deoxyHr. M?ssbauer spectra of the models (4, delta = 1.21(2), DeltaE(Q) = 2.87(2) mm s(-1); 7, delta(av) = 1.23(1), DeltaE(Qav) = 2.79(1) mm s(-1)) and deoxyHr (delta = 1.19, DeltaE(Q) = 2.81 mm s(-1)) are also in good agreement. Oxygenation of the diiron(II) complexes dissolved in CH2Cl2 containing 3 equiv of N-MeIm (4) or neat EtCN (7) at -78 degrees C affords a red-orange solution with optical bands at 336 nm (7300 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 470 nm (2600 M(-1) cm(-1)) for 4 and at 334 nm (6400 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 484 nm (2350 M(-1) cm(-1)) for 7. These spectra are remarkably similar to that of oxyHr, 330 nm (6800 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 500 nm (2200 M(-1) cm(-1)). The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the cryoreduced, mixed-valence dioxygen adduct of 7 displays properties consistent with a (mu-oxo)diiron(II,III) core. An investigation of 7 and its dioxygen-bound adduct by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy indicates that the oxidized species contains a (mu-oxo)diiron(III) core with iron-ligand distances in agreement with those expected for oxide, carboxylate, and amine/hydroperoxide donor atoms. The analogous cobalt complex [Co2(mu-OH)(mu-Ph4DBA)(TMEDA)2(OTf)] (6) was synthesized and structurally characterized, but it was unreactive toward dioxygen.     

Synthesis, characterization, and preliminary oxygenation studies of benzyl- and ethyl-substituted pyridine ligands of carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complexes

In this study benzyl and ethyl groups were appended to pyridine and aniline ancillary ligands in diiron(II) complexes of the type [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(R))(2)(O(2)CAr(R))(2)(L)(2)], where (-)O(2)CAr(R) is a sterically hindered terphenyl carboxylate, 2,6-di(p-tolyl)- or 2,6-di(p-fluorophenyl)benzoate (R = Tol or 4-FPh, respectively). These crystallographically characterized compounds were prepared as analogues of the diiron(II) center in the hydroxylase component of soluble methane monooxygenase (MMOH). The use of 2-benzylpyridine (2-Bnpy) yielded doubly bridged [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-Bnpy)(2)] (1) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(2)(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(2)(2-Bnpy)(2)] (4), whereas tetra-bridged [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-Bnpy)(2)] (3) resulted when 4-benzylpyridine (4-Bnpy) was employed. Similarly, 2-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine (2-(4-ClBn)py) and 2-benzylaniline (2-Bnan) were employed as N-donor ligands to prepare [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-(4-ClBn)py)(2)] (2) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-Bnan)(2)] (5). The placement of the substituent on the pyridine ring had no effect on the geometry of the diiron(II) compounds isolated when 2-, 3-, or 4-ethylpyridine (2-, 3-, or 4-Etpy) was introduced as the ancillary nitrogen ligand. The isolated [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-Etpy)] (6), [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(3-Etpy)] (7), [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-Etpy)] (8), and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-FPh))(2)(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(2)(2-Etpy)(2)] (9) complexes all contain doubly bridged metal centers. The oxygenation of compounds 1-9 was studied by GC-MS and NMR analysis of the organic fragments following decomposition of the product complexes. Hydrocarbon fragment oxidation occurred for compounds in which the substrate moiety was in close proximity to the diiron center. The extent of oxidation depended upon the exact makeup of the ligand set.     

Dioxygen-initiated oxidation of heteroatomic substrates incorporated into ancillary pyridine ligands of carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complexes

Progress toward the development of functional models of the carboxylate-bridged diiron active site in soluble methane monooxygenase is described in which potential substrates are introduced as substituents on bound pyridine ligands. Pyridine ligands incorporating a thiol, sulfide, sulfoxide, or phosphine moiety were allowed to react with the preassembled diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(R))(2)(O(2)CAr(R))(2)(THF)(2)], where (-)O(2)CAr(R) is a sterically hindered 2,6-di(p-tolyl)- or 2,6-di(p-fluorophenyl)benzoate (R = Tol or 4-FPh). The resulting diiron(II) complexes were characterized crystallographically. Triply and doubly bridged compounds [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-MeSpy)] (4) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-MeS(O)py)(2)] (5) resulted when 2-methylthiopyridine (2-MeSpy) and 2-pyridylmethylsulfoxide (2-MeS(O)py), respectively, were employed. Another triply bridged diiron(II) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(3)-(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(2-Ph(2)Ppy)] (3), was obtained containing 2-diphenylphosphinopyridine (2-Ph(2)Ppy). The use of 2-mercaptopyridine (2-HSpy) produced the mononuclear complex [Fe(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-HSpy)(2)] (6a). Together with that of previously reported [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-PhSpy)] (2) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-Ph(2)Ppy)] (1), the dioxygen reactivity of these iron(II) complexes was investigated. A dioxygen-dependent intermediate (6b) formed upon exposure of 6a to O(2), the electronic structure of which was probed by various spectroscopic methods. Exposure of 4 and 5 to dioxygen revealed both sulfide and sulfoxide oxidation. Oxidation of 3 in CH(2)Cl(2) yields [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(O(2)CAr(4)(-FPh))(3)(OH(2))(2-Ph(2)P(O)py)] (8), which contains the biologically relevant {Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)}(3+) core. This reaction is sensitive to the choice of carboxylate ligands, however, since the p-tolyl analogue 1 yielded a hexanuclear species, 7, upon oxidation.     

Water affects the stereochemistry and dioxygen reactivity of carboxylate-rich diiron(II) models for the diiron centers in dioxygen-dependent non-heme enzymes

Carboxylate-bridged high-spin diiron(II) complexes with distinctive electronic transitions were prepared by using 4-cyanopyridine (4-NCC(5)H(4)N) ligands to shift the charge-transfer bands to the visible region of the absorption spectrum. This property facilitated quantitation of water-dependent equilibria in the carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (1), where (-)O(2)CAr(Tol) is 2,6-di-(p-tolyl)benzoate. Addition of water to 1 reversibly shifts two of the bridging carboxylate ligands to chelating terminal coordination positions, converting the structure from a paddlewheel to a windmill geometry and generating [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (3). This process is temperature dependent in solution, rendering the system thermochromic. Quantitative treatment of the temperature-dependent spectroscopic changes over the temperature range from 188 to 298 K in CH(2)Cl(2) afforded thermodynamic parameters for the interconversion of 1 and 3. Stopped flow kinetic studies revealed that water reacts with the diiron(II) center ca. 1000 time faster than dioxygen and that the water-containing diiron(II) complex reacts with dioxygen ca. 10 times faster than anhydrous analogue 1. Addition of {H(OEt(2))(2)}{B}, where B(-) is tetrakis(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, to 1 converts it to [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)](B) (5), which was also structurally characterized. Mossbauer spectroscopic investigations of solid samples of 1, 3, and 5, in conjunction with several literature values for high-spin iron(II) complexes in an oxygen-rich coordination environment, establish a correlation between isomer shift, coordination number, and N/O composition. The products of oxygenating 1 in CH(2)Cl(2) were identified crystallographically to be [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)].2(HO(2)CAr(Tol)) (6) and [Fe(6)(mu-O)(2)(mu-OH)(4)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(6)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(4)Cl(2)] (7).     

Substrate-triggered activation of a synthetic [Fe2(μ-O)2] diamond core for C-H bond cleavage

An [Fe(IV)(2)(μ-O)(2)] diamond core structure has been postulated for intermediate Q of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO-Q), the oxidant responsible for cleaving the strong C-H bond of methane and its hydroxylation. By extension, analogous species may be involved in the mechanisms of related diiron hydroxylases and desaturases. Because of the paucity of well-defined synthetic examples, there are few, if any, mechanistic studies on the oxidation of hydrocarbon substrates by complexes with high-valent [Fe(2)(μ-O)(2)] cores. We report here that water or alcohol substrates can activate synthetic [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] complexes supported by tetradentate tris(pyridyl-2-methyl)amine ligands (1 and 2) by several orders of magnitude for C-H bond oxidation. On the basis of detailed kinetic studies, it is postulated that the activation results from Lewis base attack on the [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] core, resulting in the formation of a more reactive species with a [X-Fe(III)-O-Fe(IV)═O] ring-opened structure (1-X, 2-X, X = OH(-) or OR(-)). Treatment of 2 with methoxide at -80 °C forms the 2-methoxide adduct in high yield, which is characterized by an S = 1/2 EPR signal indicative of an antiferromagnetically coupled [S = 5/2 Fe(III)/S = 2 Fe(IV)] pair. Even at this low temperature, the complex undergoes facile intramolecular C-H bond cleavage to generate formaldehyde, showing that the terminal high-spin Fe(IV)═O unit is capable of oxidizing a C-H bond as strong as 96 kcal mol(-1). This intramolecular oxidation of the methoxide ligand can in fact be competitive with intermolecular oxidation of triphenylmethane, which has a much weaker C-H bond (D(C-H) 81 kcal mol(-1)). The activation of the [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] core is dramatically illustrated by the oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene by 2-methoxide, which has a second-order rate constant that is 3.6 × 10(7)-fold larger than that for the parent diamond core complex 2. These observations provide strong support for the DFT-based notion that an S = 2 Fe(IV)═O unit is much more reactive at H-atom abstraction than its S = 1 counterpart and suggest that core isomerization could be a viable strategy for the [Fe(IV)(2)(μ-O)(2)] diamond core of sMMO-Q to selectively attack the strong C-H bond of methane in the presence of weaker C-H bonds of amino acid residues that define the diiron active site pocket.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of a (&mgr;-Oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) Complex with a Dinucleating Hexapyridine Ligand, 1,2-Bis[2-(bis(2-pyridyl)methyl)-6-pyridyl]ethane. The First Example of a Discrete (&mgr;-Oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) Complex with a Dinucleating Ligand

A mononucleating tripyridine ligand, 2-(bis(2-pyridyl)methyl)-6-methylpyridine (L(1)), and a dinucleating hexapyridine ligand, 1,2-bis[2-(bis(2-pyridyl)methyl)-6-pyridyl]ethane (L(2)), have been prepared. The reaction of a carbanion of 2,6-lutidine with 2-bromopyridine affords L(1) which is converted to L(2) quantitatively by treating with tert-butyllithium and 1,2-dibromoethane. (&mgr;-Oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) complexes [Fe(2)(O)(OAc)(2)(L(1))(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Fe(2)(O)(OAc)(2)L(2)](ClO(4))(2) (2) have been synthesized and characterized by means of infrared, UV/vis, mass, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies and by measuring magnetic susceptibility and cyclic voltammograms. All the spectral data are consistent with the (&mgr;-oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) core structure in both 1 and 2. A relatively strong molecular ion peak at m/z 865 corresponding to [{Fe(2)O(OAc)(2)L(2)}(ClO(4))](+) in a FAB mass spectrum of 2 suggests the stabilization of the (&mgr;-oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) core structure by L(2) in a solution state. The compound 2.DMF.2-PrOH.H(2)O, chemical formula C(44)Cl(2)Fe(2)H(51)N(7)O(16), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 22.034(6) ?, b = 12.595(5) ?, c = 20.651(7) ?, beta = 121.49(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The cation has 2-fold symmetry with the bridging oxygen atom on the 2-fold axis: Fe-(&mgr;-O) = 1.782(5) ?, Fe-O-Fe = 123.6(6) degrees, and Fe.Fe = 3.142(3) ?. The diiron(III) core structure of 2 seems to be stabilized by encapsulation of the ligand. Compound 2 is the first example of a discrete (&mgr;-oxo)bis(&mgr;-acetato)diiron(III) complex with a dinucleating ligand.     

Structural and spectroscopic studies of valence-delocalized diiron(II,III) complexes dupported by carboxylate-only bridging ligands

The synthesis, molecular structures, and spectroscopic properties of a series of valence-delocalized diiron(II,III) complexes are described. One-electron oxidation of diiron(II) tetracarboxylate complexes afforded the compounds [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)L(2)]X, where L = 4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N (1b), C(5)H(5)N (2b), and THF (3b); X = PF(6)(-) (1b and 3b) and OTf(-) (2b). In 1b-3b, four mu-1,3 carboxylate ligands span relatively short Fe...Fe distances of 2.6633(11)-2.713(3) A. Intense (epsilon = 2700-3200 M(-1) cm(-1)) intervalence charge transfer bands were observed at 620-670 nm. EPR spectroscopy confirmed the S = (9)/(2) ground spin state of 1b-3b, the valence-delocalized nature of which was probed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The electron delocalization between paramagnetic metal centers is described by double exchange, which, for the first time, is observed in diiron clusters having no single-atom bridging ligand(s).     

Mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-carboxylato)2FeIII]3+ core

The symmetrically ligated complexes 1, 2, and 3 with a (mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)diferric core can be one-electron oxidized electrochemically or chemically with aminyl radical cations [*NR3][SbCl6] in acetonitrile yielding complexes which contain the mixed-valent [(mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)iron(IV)iron(III)]3+ core: [([9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](ClO4)2 (1(ClO4)2), [(Me3[9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](PF6)2 (2(PF6)(2)), and [(tpb)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2] (3) where ([9]aneN3) is the neutral triamine 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and (Me3[9]aneN3) is its tris-N-methylated derivative, and (tpb)(-) is the monoanion trispyrazolylborate. The asymmetrically ligated complex [(Me3[9]aneN3)FeIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII(tpb)](PF6) (4(PF6)) and its one-electron oxidized form [4ox]2+ have also been prepared. Finally, the known heterodinuclear species [(Me3[9]aneN3)CrIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2Fe([9]aneN3)](PF6)2 (5(PF6)(2)) can also be one-electron oxidized yielding [5ox]3+ containing an iron(IV) ion. The structure of 4(PF6).0.5CH3CN.0.25(C2H5)2O has been determined by X-ray crystallography and that of [5ox]2+ by Fe K-edge EXAFS-spectroscopy (Fe(IV)-O(oxo): 1.69(1) A; Fe(IV)-O(carboxylato) 1.93(3) A, Fe(IV)-N 2.00(2) A) contrasting the data for 5 (Fe(III)-O(oxo) 1.80 A; Fe(III)-O(carboxylato) 2.05 A, Fe-N 2.20 A). [5ox]2+ has an St = 1/2 ground state whereas all complexes containing the mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII]3+ core have an St = 3/2 ground state. M?ssbauer spectra of the oxidized forms of complexes clearly show the presence of low spin FeIV ions (isomer shift approximately 0.02 mm s(-1), quadrupole splitting approximately 1.4 mm s(-1) at 80 K), whereas the high spin FeIII ion exhibits delta approximately 0.46 mm s(-1) and DeltaE(Q) approximately 0.5 mm s(-1). M?ssbauer, EPR spectral and structural parameters have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods at the BP86 and B3LYP levels. The exchange coupling constant, J, for diiron complexes with the mixed-valent FeIV-FeIII core (H = -2J S1.S2; S(1) = 5/2; S2 = 1) has been calculated to be -88 cm(-1) (intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling) and for the reduced diferric form of -75 cm(-1) in reasonable agreement with experiment (J = -120 cm(-1)).     

Catalytically active mu-Oxodiiron(IV) oxidants from Iron(III) and dioxygen

The reaction between an Fe(III) complex and O(2) to afford a stable catalytically active diiron(IV)-mu-oxo compound is described. Phosphonium salts of orange five-coordinated Fe(III)-TAML complexes with an axial aqua ligand ([PPh(4)]1-H(2)O, tetraamidato macrocyclic Fe(III) species derived from 3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-3,4,8,9-tetrahydro-1H-1,4,8,11-benzotetraazacyclotridecine-2,5,7,10(6H,11H)-tetraone) react rapidly with O(2) in CH(2)Cl(2) or other weakly coordinating solvents to produce black mu-oxo-bridged diiron(IV) complexes, 2, in high yields. Complexes 2 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography (2 cases), microanalytical data, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis, Mossbauer, and (1)H NMR spectroscopies. Mossbauer data show that the diamagnetic Fe-O-Fe unit contains antiferromagnetically coupled S = 1 Fe(IV) sites; diamagnetic (1)H NMR spectra are observed. The oxidation of PPh(3) to OPPh(3) by 2 was confirmed by UV/Vis and GC-MS. Labeling experiments with (18)O(2) and H(2)(18)O established that the bridging oxygen atom of 2 derives from O(2). Complexes 2 catalyze the selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes and bleach rapidly organic dyes, such as Orange II in MeCN-H(2)O mixtures; reactivity evidence suggests that free radical autoxidation is not involved. This work highlights a promising development for the advancement of green oxidation technology, as O(2) is an abundant, clean, and inexpensive oxidizing agent.     

Influence of steric hindrance on the core geometry and sulfoxidation chemistry of carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complexes

The asymmetric terphenyl-2'-carboxylate ligand 3,5-dimethyl-1,1':3',1' '-terphenyl-2'-carboxylate, -O2CArPh,Xyl, was prepared in high yield. This ligand facilitates the assembly of the diiron(II) complexes [Fe2(micro-O2CArTol)2(O2CArPh,Xyl)2(THF)2] [2, -O2CArTol=2,6-di-p-tolylbenzoate], [Fe2(micro-O2CArTol)2(O2CArPh,Xyl)2(pyridine)2] (5), [Fe2(micro-O2CArPh,Xyl)2-(O2CArPh,Xyl)2(THF)2] (3), and [Fe2(micro-O2CArPh,Xyl)2(O2CArPh,Xyl)2(pyridine)2] (6), all of which have a windmill geometry. The iron-iron distance of 3.355[10] A in 6 is approximately 1 A shorter than that in the analogue [Fe2(micro-O2CArTol)2(O2CArTol)2(pyridine)2] (4) and similar to the approximately 3.3 A metal-metal separation at the active site of the reduced diiron(II) form of the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase enzyme (MMOHred). A series of ortho-substituted picolyl-based ligands, 2-picSMe, 2-picSEt, 2-picStBu, 2-picSPh, 2-picSPh(Me3) (Ph(Me3)=mesityl), and 2-picSPh(iPr3) (Ph(iPr3)=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl), were prepared and allowed to react with [Fe2(micro-O2CAr)2(O2CAr)2(THF)2] to produce [Fe2(micro-O2CAr)3(O2CAr)(picSR)] (7-13, Ar=ArTol or ArPh,Xyl) complexes in 45-87% yields. The substrates tethered to the pyridine N-donor ligands picSR, where R=Me, Et, tBu, or Ph, coordinate to one iron atom of the diiron(II) center by the nitrogen and sulfur atoms to form a five-membered chelate ring. The Fe-S distance be-comes elongated with increasing steric hindrance imparted by the R group. The most sterically hindered ligands, 2-picSPh(Me3) and 2-picSPh(iPr3), bind to the metal only through the pyridine nitrogen atom. The reactions of several of these complexes with dioxygen were investigated, and the oxygenated products were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS measurements following decomposition on a Chelex resin. The amount of sulfoxidation product is correlated with the Fe...S distance. The ratio of oxidized to unoxidized thioether substrate varies from 3.5, obtained upon oxygenation of the weakly coordinated 2-picSPh ligand in 10, to 1.0, obtained for the bulky 2-picSPh(iPr3) ligand in 12, for which the iron-sulfur distance is >4 A. External thioether substrates were not oxidized when present in oxygenated solutions of paddlewheel and windmill diiron(II) complexes containing 1-methylimidazole or pyridine ligands, respectively.     

Water-dependent reactions of diiron(II) carboxylate complexes

Carboxylate-rich diiron(II) compounds with varying numbers of water ligands have been characterized, including the first complex with a {Fe2(mu-OH2)2(mu-O2CArTol)}3+ unit. The isolation of these complexes reveals how water can alter the structural properties of carboxylate-bridged diiron(II) core similar to those that occur in a variety of dioxygen-activating metalloenzyme cores. M?ssbauer and variable temperature, variable field magnetic susceptibility experiments indicate that the compound [Fe2(mu-OH2)2(mu-O2CAr4F-Ph)(O2CAr4F-Ph)3(THF)2(OH2)] has a high-spin diiron(II) core with little significant magnetic exchange coupling.