Synthetic Active Site Model of the [NiFeSe] Hydrogenase

A dinuclear synthetic model of the [NiFeSe] hydrogenase active site and a structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis of this complex is reported. [NiFe(‘S₂Se₂’)(CO)₃] (H₂‘S₂Se₂’=1,2‐bis(2‐thiabutyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐4‐selenol)benzene) has been synthesized by reacting the nickel selenolate complex [Ni(‘S₂Se₂’)] with [Fe(CO)₃bda] (bda=benzylideneacetone). X‐ray crystal structure analysis confirms that [NiFe(‘S₂Se₂’)(CO)₃] mimics the key structural features of the enzyme active site, including a doubly bridged heterobimetallic nickel and iron center with a selenolate terminally coordinated to the nickel center. Comparison of [NiFe(‘S₂Se₂’)(CO)₃] with the previously reported thiolate analogue [NiFe(‘S₄’)(CO)₃] (H₂‘S₄’=H₂xbsms=1,2‐bis(4‐mercapto‐3,3‐dimethyl‐2‐thiabutyl)benzene) showed that the selenolate groups in [NiFe(‘S₂Se₂’)(CO)₃] give lower carbonyl stretching frequencies in the IR spectrum. Electrochemical studies of [NiFe(‘S₂Se₂’)(CO)₃] and [NiFe(‘S₄’)(CO)₃] demonstrated that both complexes do not operate as homogenous H₂ evolution catalysts, but are precursors to a solid deposit on an electrode surface for H₂ evolution catalysis in organic and aqueous solution.     

X‐ray Crystallography and Vibrational Spectroscopy Reveal the Key Determinants of Biocatalytic Dihydrogen Cycling by [NiFe] Hydrogenases

[NiFe] hydrogenases are complex model enzymes for the reversible cleavage of dihydrogen (H₂). However, structural determinants of efficient H₂ binding to their [NiFe] active site are not properly understood. Here, we present crystallographic and vibrational‐spectroscopic insights into the unexplored structure of the H₂‐binding [NiFe] intermediate. Using an F₄₂₀‐reducing [NiFe]‐hydrogenase from Methanosarcina barkeri as a model enzyme, we show that the protein backbone provides a strained chelating scaffold that tunes the [NiFe] active site for efficient H₂ binding and conversion. The protein matrix also directs H₂ diffusion to the [NiFe] site via two gas channels and allows the distribution of electrons between functional protomers through a subunit‐bridging FeS cluster. Our findings emphasize the relevance of an atypical Ni coordination, thereby providing a blueprint for the design of bio‐inspired H₂‐conversion catalysts.     

Control of the Transition between Ni‐C and Ni‐SIa States by the Redox State of the Proximal FeS Cluster in the Catalytic Cycle of [NiFe] Hydrogenase

[NiFe] hydrogenase catalyzes the reversible cleavage of H₂. The electrons produced by the H₂ cleavage pass through three Fe–S clusters in [NiFe] hydrogenase to its redox partner. It has been reported that the Ni‐SI_a, Ni‐C, and Ni‐R states of [NiFe] hydrogenase are involved in the catalytic cycle, although the mechanism and regulation of the transition between the Ni‐C and Ni‐SI_a states remain unrevealed. In this study, the FT‐IR spectra under light irradiation at 138–198 K show that the Ni‐L state of [NiFe] hydrogenase is an intermediate between the transition of the Ni‐C and Ni‐SI_a states. The transition of the Ni‐C state to the Ni‐SI_a state occurred when the proximal [Fe₄S₄]_p^2+/+ cluster was oxidized, but not when it was reduced. These results show that the catalytic cycle of [NiFe] hydrogenase is controlled by the redox state of its [Fe₄S₄]_p^2+/+ cluster, which may function as a gate for the electron flow from the NiFe active site to the redox partner.     

Control of the Transition between Ni‐C and Ni‐SIa States by the Redox State of the Proximal Fe?S Cluster in the Catalytic Cycle of [NiFe] Hydrogenase

[NiFe] hydrogenase catalyzes the reversible cleavage of H₂. The electrons produced by the H₂ cleavage pass through three Fe–S clusters in [NiFe] hydrogenase to its redox partner. It has been reported that the Ni‐SI_a, Ni‐C, and Ni‐R states of [NiFe] hydrogenase are involved in the catalytic cycle, although the mechanism and regulation of the transition between the Ni‐C and Ni‐SI_a states remain unrevealed. In this study, the FT‐IR spectra under light irradiation at 138–198 K show that the Ni‐L state of [NiFe] hydrogenase is an intermediate between the transition of the Ni‐C and Ni‐SI_a states. The transition of the Ni‐C state to the Ni‐SI_a state occurred when the proximal [Fe₄S₄]_p^2+/+ cluster was oxidized, but not when it was reduced. These results show that the catalytic cycle of [NiFe] hydrogenase is controlled by the redox state of its [Fe₄S₄]_p^2+/+ cluster, which may function as a gate for the electron flow from the NiFe active site to the redox partner.     

Nickel(II) tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolates with N-heterocyclic bases as additional ligands: Synthesis, molecular structure and spectral studies

Three heteroleptic, neutral nickel(II) tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolates with monodentate heterocyclic bases (pyridine, 2-methylpyridine and 3,5-dimethylpyridine) serving as additional ligands have been prepared following the same synthetic procedure. The complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray structure determination and elemental analysis. For complexes 1 and 2, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy have been additionally recorded.Three different coordination motifs have been observed in these complexes. Molecules building tetragonal crystals of [Ni{SSi(O^tBu)₃}₂(C₅H₅N)] (1) feature Ni(II) coordinated by two S,O-chelating tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato residues and one N atom of pyridine in a strongly distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment. The complex [Ni{SSi(O^tBu)₃}₂(C₆H₇N)₂] (2) forms triclinic crystals and its core atoms adopt a planar geometry with Ni(II) in the middle of the N₂S₂ plane. Molecules of complex [Ni{SSi(O^tBu)₃}₂(C₇H₉N)₂(H₂O)] (3) form orthorhombic crystals with penta-coordinated Ni(II) in a distorted tetragonal pyramidal NiN₂OS₂ environment. Complex 2 roughly mimics one of the two metal centers in the active site of the ACS/CODH enzyme.     

Nickel-catalyzed cooperative B-H bond activation for hydroboration of N‑heteroarenes,ketones and imines

We report two air-stable nickel(II) half-sandwich complexes, Cp*Ni(1,2-Cy₂PC₆H₄O) (1) and Cp*Ni(1,2-Ph₂PC₆H₄NH) (2), for cooperative B-H bond activation and their applications in catalytic hydroboration of unsaturated organic compounds. Both 1 and 2 react with HBpin by adding the B-H bond across the Ni−X bond (X = O or N), giving rise to the 18-electron Ni(II)−H active species, [H1(Bpin)] and [H2(Bpin)]. Subtle tuning of the Ni−X pair and the supporting ancillary phosphine have a significant effect on the reactivity and catalytic performance of Cp*Ni(1,2-R₂PC₆H₄X). Unlike [H2(Bpin)], the activation of HBpin in [H1(Bpin)] is reversible, which enables the Ni−O complex to be an effective cooperative catalyst in the hydroboration of N-heteroarenes, and as well as ketones and imines.     

Six new tin–sulfur containing compounds obtained under solvothermal conditions

During explorative solvothermal syntheses six new compounds containing either the [Sn₂S₆]⁴⁻ or the [SnS₄]⁴⁻ anion were obtained and structurally characterized: [Ni(1,2-dach)₃]₂Sn₂S₆·4H₂O (1) (1,2-dach = trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), o-{[Ni(tepa)]₂Sn₂S₆} (2) (tepa = tetraethylenepentamine), [Ni(peha)]₂Sn₂S₆·H₂O (3) (peha = pentaethylenehexamine), [Ni(aepa)]₂Sn₂S₆ (4) (aepa = N-2-aminoethyl-1,3-propandiamine), [Co(dien)]₂Sn₂S₆ (5) (dien = diethylenetriamine), and {[Mn(trien)]₂SnS₄} (trien = triethylenetetramine). In all compounds in-situ formed transition metal amine complexes act as charge compensating ligands or are bound to the thiostannate anions. Compound 2 is an orthorhombic polymorph of a recently published monoclinic compound. In compound 6 the very rare [Mn₂N₈S₂] bi-octahedron is observed as main structural motif. This compound contains a one-dimensional chain which was also observed in a pseudo-polymorphic compound. The structures of all compounds are characterized by an extended hydrogen bonding network between S atoms of the anions and the H atoms of the amine ligands and/or water molecules.     

Synthesis, spectral and X-ray structural studies of Ni(II) complexes of N′-acylhydrazine carbodithioic acid esters containing ethylenediamine or o-phenanthroline as coligands

The new complexes [Ni(Hbstbh)₂(en)] (1) and [Ni(Hpchce)(o-phen)₂]Cl·CH₃OH·H₂O (2) with N′-benzoyl hydrazine carbodithioic acid benzyl ester (H₂bstbh) and [N′-(pyridine-4-carbonyl)-hydrazine]-carbodithioic acid ethyl ester (H₂pchce) have been synthesized, containing ethylenediamine (en) or o-phenanthroline (o-phen) as coligands. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility and single crystal X-ray data. [Ni(Hbstbh)₂(en)] (1) and [Ni(Hpchce)(o-phen)₂]Cl·CH₃OH·H₂O (2) crystallized in the monoclinic and triclinic systems, space group C2/c and P-1, respectively. The (N, O) donor sites of the bidentate ligands chelate the Ni(II) center and form a five-membered CN₂ONi ring. The resulting complexes are paramagnetic and have a distorted octahedral geometry.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of complexes based on [Ni(L-L)3]2+ complex cations with dimethylderivatives of 2,2′-bipyridine and TCNQ

From the aqueous-methanolic systems Ni(NO₃)₂ – LiTCNQ – 5,5′-dmbpy and Ni(NO₃)₂ – LiTCNQ – 4,4′-dmbpy three novel complexes [Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)₃](TCNQ)₂ (1), [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)₃](TCNQ)₂ (2) and [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)₃]₂(TCNQ-TCNQ)(TCNQ)₂∙0.60H₂O (3), were isolated in single crystal form. The new compounds were identified using chemical analyses and IR spectroscopy. Single crystal studies of all samples corroborated their compositions and have shown that their ionic structures contain the complex cations [Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)]²⁺ (1) or [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)]²⁺ (2 and 3). The anionic parts of the respective crystal structures 1–3 are formed by TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals and in 3 also by a σ-dimerized dianion (TCNQ-TCNQ)^2- with a C-C distance of 1.663(5) Å. The supramolecular structures are governed by weak hydrogen bonding interactions. The variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic studies of 1 and 3 confirmed the presence of magnetically active Ni(II) atoms with S = 1 and TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals with S = 1/2 while the (TCNQ-TCNQ)^2- dianion is magnetically silent. The magnetic behavior was described by a complex magnetic model assuming strong antiferromagnetic interactions between some TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and electrochemical properties of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with two unsymmetrical N2O2 Schiff base ligands

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of two unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands [Ni(Me-salabza)] (1), [Cu(Me-salabza)] (2) and [Ni(salabza)] (3), {H₂salabza = N,N′-bis[(salicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine] and H₂Me-salabza = N,N′-bis[(methylsalicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine]}, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both copper(II) and nickel(II) ions adopt a distorted square planar geometry in [Cu(Me-salabza)] and [Ni(salabza)] complexes. The cyclic voltammetric studies of these complexes in dichloromethane indicate the electronic effects of the methyl groups on redox potential.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of hydrazone phenolate ligands - syntheses and activities in catalytic oxidation reactions

The new cis-dioxomolybdenum (VI) complexes [MoO₂(L²)(H₂O)] (2) and [MoO₂(L³)(H₂O)] (3) containing the tridentate hydrazone-based ligands (H₂L² = N'-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide and H₂L³ = N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-(hydroxyimino)propanehydrazide) have been synthesized and characterized via IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activities of complexes 2 and 3, and the analogous known complex [MoO₂(L¹)(H₂O)] (1) (H₂L¹ = N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide) have been evaluated for various oxidation reactions, viz. oxygen atom transfer from dimethyl sulfoxide to triphenylphosphine, sulfoxidation of methyl-p-tolylsulfide or epoxidation of different alkenes using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as terminal oxidant. The catalytic activities were found to be comparable for all three complexes, but complexes 1 and 3 showed better catalytic performances than complex 2, which contains a more sterically demanding ligand than the other two complexes.     

Organotin complexes of pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis,crystal structures and antiproliferative activity of neutral and cationic diorganotin complexes

The synthesis and spectral characterization of novel neutral and cationic organotin complexes with pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone, H₂pt (1), [SnPh₂(pt)] (2), [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) and [SnPh₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (4) are reported. The crystal structure of the complexes [SnPh₂(pt)] (2) and [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of complex 2 showed that the ligand is doubly deprotonated at the oxygen and amide nitrogen atoms and is coordinated to the SnPh₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The monomers of 2 are linked through intermolecular hydrogen bonds of C−H–O type and through π−π intermolecular interactions. The crystal structure of [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) showed that the ligand is mono-deprotonated at the oxygen atom and is coordinated to the SnMe₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The counter ion chloride is participated in intermolecular hydrogen bonds. An extended network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds leads to aggregation and a supramolecular assembly. The IR and NMR spectroscopic data of the complexes are reported. The in vitro cytotoxic activity has been evaluated against the cells of three human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), T-24 (bladder cancer cell line), A-549(non-small cell lung carcinoma) and a mouse L-929 (a fibroblast-like cell line cloned from strain L). The most active of all was found the diorganotin complex 2. The cytotoxic activity shown by these compounds against all these cancer cell lines indicates that coupling of 1 with R₂Sn(IV) metal center result in metallic complexes with important biological properties and remarkable cytotoxic activity, since they are display IC₅₀ values in a μM range the same or better to that of the antitumor drug cisplatin. Compound 2 is considered as agent with potential antitumor activity, and can therefore be candidate for further stages of screening in vitro and/or in vivo.     

Scorpionate nickel complexes with dicarboxylic acid ligands: influence of different spanning dicarboxylato co-ligands on the structures

Three new scorpionate nickel complexes [Tp*Ni(Hglu)(H₂O)]·EtOH (1), Tp*Ni(Haze)(MeOH) (2), and Tp*Ni(HTA)(H₂O) (3) (Tp*?=?hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with different spanning dicarboxylo co-ligands (H₂glu?=?glutaric acid, H₂aze?=?azelaic acid, H₂TA?=?tetradecane diacid) were synthesized by solution methods at room temperature. X-ray crystallographic analyses of complexes 1?C3 demonstrate that these three octahedral Ni scorpionate complexes each contain an anionic chelating dicarboxylic acid, O₂C(CH₂) _n COOH, n?=?3, 7, and 12, respectively. The sixth coordination site is occupied by an ethanol, methanol, or water that is hydrogen bonded to the terminal carboxylic acid end of the anionic dicarboxylic acid ligand from a different Tp*Ni complex in the crystal lattice. Through these abundant hydrogen bond interactions, complexes 1 and 2 form 2D hydrogen bonding network structures, respectively, while complex 3 has a 1D infinite double-chain structure. The results of quantum mechanical calculations and thermogravimetric analyses on these complexes are presented and discussed.     

An octahedral nickel(II) complex of a hexadentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript> thioether ligand: synthesis,characterization, X-ray and electronic structure

A hexadentate dibasic thioether N₂O₂S₂ donor ligand (H ₂ L) and its octahedral nickel(II) complex, [Ni(L)] have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The structures of both H ₂ L and its nickel complex were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cyclic voltammogram of the complex shows a quasi-reversible Ni(II)/Ni(III) oxidation couple (E _1/2 = 0.88 V) along with a ligand-based reduction (E _1/2 = ?0.83 V). The electronic structures and electrochemical properties have been interpreted with the help of DFT calculations. The electronic transitions as calculated by TDDFT/CPCM method are used to assign the UV–Vis absorption bands.     

Metal Trimethylsilylthiolates for the Synthesis of Trinuclear MnPd2 Complexes

The manganese(II)‐palladium(II)‐sulfide complex [MnCl₂(μ₃‐S)₂Pd₂(dppp)₂] ( 2 ) was prepared from the reaction of [PdCl₂(dppp)] with [Li(N,N'‐tmeda)]₂[Mn(SSiMe₃)₄] ( 2 ) in a 2:1 ratio under mild conditions. The new trimethylsilylthiolate complex [Pd(dppp)(SSiMe₃)₂] ( 3 ) was synthesized from the reaction of [Pd(dppp)(OAc)₂] with two equivalents of Li[SSiMe₃]; this was then used in a reaction with [Mn(CH₃CN)₂(OTf)₂] to form the manganese(II)‐palladium(II)‐sulfide cluster [Mn(OTf)(thf)₂(μ₃‐S)₂Pd₂(dppp)₂]OTf ( 4 ).     

Synthesis,structural characterization and catalytic activity study of Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of quinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol: Crystal structure of the nickel(II) complex

Five new transition metal complexes [MnL(OAc)]·H₂O (1), [FeLCl₂] (2), [NiL₂]·H₂O (3), [CuLCl] (4) and [ZnL₂]·2H₂O (5) have been synthesized using a tridentate Schiff base ligand, HL (quinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol) and the complexes have been characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The spectral analyses reveal an octahedral geometry for 3, square pyramidal structure for 2 and square planar structure for 4. Analytical and physicochemical data indicate tetrahedral structure for 1 and octahedral structure for 5. The crystallographic study reveals that [NiL₂]·H₂O shows distorted octahedral geometry with a cis arrangement of N₄O₂ donor set of the bis Schiff base and exhibits a two-dimensional polymeric structure parallel to [0 1 0] plane. The complexes were screened for catalytic phenol hydroxylation reaction. Coordinatively unsaturated manganese(II), iron(III) and copper(II) complexes were found to be active catalysts. The poor catalytic activity of the nickel(II) complex is due to coordinatively saturated octahedral nature of the complex. Maximum conversion of phenol was observed for the copper(II) complex and the major product was catechol.     

The interaction of antitumor active vanadocene dichloride with sulfur-containing amino acids

Vanadocene dichloride (1) reacts with sulfur-containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine, giving new complexes with five- or six-membered chelate ring, but the structure of isolated compounds is affected by the pH value of the reaction mixture. Methionine reacts with aqueous 1 in the pH range of 3-8 affording chelate structure [Cp₂V(N,O-met)]Cl (4). Similar reaction with cysteine gives two different products depending on pH. In the acidic solution, the complex [Cp₂V(O,S-cys)]Cl (2) is present, whereas in neutral media the compound [Cp₂V(N,S-cys)] (3) could be identified. On inspection of spectroscopic measurements, particularly EPR and vibrational spectroscopy, it is evident that sulfur atom of amino acid is bonded directly to the vanadium atom of [Cp₂V]²⁺ moiety. For the purpose of comparison the complexes [Cp₂V(O,S-mpa)] (5) and [Cp₂V(N,S-csam)]⁺ (6a) with related chelating ligands, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (mpa) and cysteamine (csam), respectively, were prepared and spectroscopically characterized. The structure of the complex [Cp₂V(N,S-csam)]BPh₄ (6b) was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and reactivity toward reducing agents of the ethoxycarbonyl complex [(np3)Ni(CO2Et)]BPh4(np3=tris(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)amine)

The ethoxycarbonyl complex [(np₃)Ni(CO₂Et)]BPh₄ (2) [np₃ = tris(2- diphenylphosphinoethyl)amine] has been synthesized by ethoxide ion attack on (np₃)Ni(CO) (3) or [(np₃)Ni(CO)]BPh₄ (4). Compound 2 reacts with LiHBEt₃, NaBH₄, MeMgI, NaC₁₀H₈, or MeLi to give the carbonyl 3, whereas with BH₃·THF it gives the complexes [(Hnp₃)Ni(CO)]BPh₄ (6) and [(np3)NiH]BPh₄ (7). The mechanism of the reactions leading to the formation of the last two compounds is briefly discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclometallated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with amide-thiolate ligands

The redox reaction of bis(2-benzamidophenyl) disulfide (H₂L-LH₂) with [Pd(PPh₃)₄] in a 1:1 ratio gave mononuclear and dinuclear palladium(II) complexes with 2-benzamidobenzenethiolate (H₂L⁻), [Pd(H₂L-S)₂(PPh₃)₂] (1) and [Pd₂(H₂L-S)₂ (μ-H₂L-S)₂(PPh₃)₂] (2). A similar reaction with [Pt(PPh₃)₄] produced only the corresponding mononuclear platinum(II) complex, [Pt(H₂L-S)₂(PPh₃)₂] (3). Treatment of these complexes with KOH led to the formation of cyclometallated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes, [Pd(L-C,N,S)(PPh₃)]⁻ ([4]⁻) and [Pt(L-C,N,S) (PPh₃)]⁻ ([5]⁻). The molecular structures of 2, 3 and [4]⁻ were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of inorganic-organic hybrid complexes constructed from copper(II) macrocyclic fragment

Reaction of a macrocyclic copper(II) complex [Cu(L)](ClO₄)₂ · 3H₂O (I) (L = 1,3,10,12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclotetracosane) with a hexapod carboxylate ligand H₆TTHA (H₆TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid) and a tripod carboxylate ligand H₃TATB (H₃TATB = 4,4′,4″-S-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoic acid) yielded two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)][H₄TTHA] · 4H₂O (II) and [Cu(L)][HTATB] · 4H₂O (III). The complexes I–III have been structurally characterized. The crystal structures of complexes II and III show the copper(II) ion has a distorted pentacoordinate square-pyramidal geometry with two secondary and two tertiary amines from the macrocyclic complex [Cu(L)]²⁺ and one oxygen atom from the carboxylate ligand group at the axial position. The UV-Vis spectra are utilized to discuss the hydrolysis of the complex II.