Mercury(II) penicillamine complex formation in alkaline aqueous solution

The complex formation between mercury(II) and penicillamine (H(2)Pen = 3,3'-dimethyl cysteine) in alkaline aqueous solutions (pH approximately 2) has been investigated with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and 199Hg NMR spectroscopy. By varying the penicillamine concentration (C(H(2)Pen) = 0.2-1.25 M) in approximately 0.1 M Hg(II) solutions, two coexisting major species [Hg(Pen)2](2-) and [Hg(Pen)3](4-) were characterized with mean Hg-S bond distances 2.34(2) and 2.44(2) A, respectively. The [Hg(Pen)2](2-) complex with two deprotonated penicillamine ligands forms an almost linear S-Hg-S entity with two weak chelating Hg-N interactions at the mean Hg-N distance 2.52(2) A. The same type of coordination is also found for the corresponding [Hg(Cys)2](2-) complex in alkaline aqueous solution with the mean bond distances Hg-S 2.34(2) A and Hg-N 2.56(2) A. The relative amounts of the [Hg(Pen)2](2-) and [Hg(Pen)3](4-) complexes were estimated by fitting linear combinations of the EXAFS oscillations to the experimental spectra. Also their (199)Hg NMR chemical shifts were used to evaluate the complex formation, showing that the [Hg(Pen)3](4-) complex dominates already at moderate excess of the free ligand ([Pen(2-)] > approximately 0.1 M).     

The application of (199)Hg NMR and (199m)Hg perturbed angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy to define the biological chemistry of Hg(II): a case study with designed two- and three-stranded coiled coils

The use of de novo designed peptides is a powerful strategy to elucidate Hg(II)-protein interactions and to gain insight into the chemistry of Hg(II) in biological systems. Cysteine derivatives of the designed alpha-helical peptides of the TRI family [Ac-G-(L(a)K(b)A(c)L(d)E(e)E(f)K(g))(4)-G-NH(2)] bind Hg(II) at high pH values and at peptide/Hg(II) ratios of 3:1 with an unusual trigonal thiolate coordination mode. The resulting Hg(II) complexes are good water-soluble models for Hg(II) binding to the protein MerR. We have carried out a parallel study using (199)Hg NMR and (199m)Hg perturbed angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy to characterize the distinct species that are generated under different pH conditions and peptide TRI L9C/Hg(II) ratios. These studies prove for the first time the formation of [Hg{(TRI L9C)(2)-(TRI L9C-H)}], a dithiolate-Hg(II) complex in the hydrophobic interior of the three-stranded coiled coil (TRI L9C)(3). (199)Hg NMR and (199m)Hg PAC data demonstrate that this dithiolate-Hg(II) complex is different from the dithiolate [Hg(TRI L9C)(2)], and that the presence of third alpha-helix, containing a protonated cysteine, breaks the symmetry of the coordination environment present in the complex [Hg(TRI L9C)(2)]. As the pH is raised, the deprotonation of this third cysteine generates the trigonal thiolate-Hg(II) complex Hg(TRI L9C)(3)(-) on a timescale that is slower than the NMR timescale (0.01-10 ms). The formation of the species [Hg{(TRI L9C)(2)(TRI L9C-H)}] is the result of a compromise between the high affinity of Hg(II) to form dithiolate complexes and the preference of the peptide to form a three-stranded coiled coil.     

Coordination chemistry of mercury(II) in liquid and aqueous ammonia solution and the crystal structure of tetraamminemercury(II) perchlorate

The ammonia solvated mercury(II) ion has been structurally characterized in solution by means of EXAFS, (199)Hg NMR, and Raman spectroscopy and in solid solvates by combining results from X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, EXAFS, and Raman spectroscopy. Crystalline tetraamminemercury(II) perchlorate, [Hg(NH3)4](ClO4)2, precipitates from both liquid ammonia and aqueous ammonia solution, containing tetraamminemercury(II) complexes. The orthorhombic space group ( Pnma) imposes C s symmetry on the tetraamminemercury(II) complexes, which is lost at a phase transition at about 220 K. The Hg-N bond distances are 2.175(14), 2.255(16), and 2 x 2.277(9) A, with a wide N-Hg-N angle between the two shortest Hg-N bonds, 122.1(7) degrees , at ambient temperature. A similar distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry is maintained in liquid ammonia and aqueous ammonia solutions with the mean Hg-N bond distances 2.225(12) and 2.226(6) A, respectively. When heated to 400 K the solid tetraamminemercury(II) perchlorate decomposes to diamminemercury(II) perchlorate, [Hg(NH3)2](ClO4)2, with the mean Hg-N bond distance 2.055(6) A in a linear N-Hg-N unit. The mercury atoms in the latter compound form a tetrahedral network, connected by perchlorate oxygen atoms, with the closest Hg...Hg distance being 3.420(3) A. The preferential solvation and coordination changes of the mercury(II) ion in aqueous ammonia, by varying the total NH 3:Hg(II) mole ratio from 0 to 130, were followed by (199)Hg NMR. Solid [Hg(NH 3)4](ClO4)2 precipitates while [Hg(H2O)6](2+) ions remain in solution at mole ratios below 3-4, while at high mole ratios, [Hg(NH3)4](2+) complexes dominate in solution. The principal bands in the vibrational spectrum of the [Hg(NH3)4](2+) complex have been assigned.     

Solid-state and solution-state coordination chemistry of the zinc triad with the mixed N,S donor ligand bis(2-methylpyridyl) sulfide

The binding of group 12 metal ions to bis(2-methylpyridyl) sulfide (1) was investigated by X-ray crystallography and NMR. Seven structures of the chloride and perchlorate salts of Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) with 1 are reported. Hg(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2), Cd(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2), and Zn(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2).CH(3)CN form mononuclear, six-coordinate species in the solid state with 1 binding in a tridentate coordination mode. Hg(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2) has a distorted trigonal prismatic coordination geometry while Cd(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2) and Zn(1)(2)(ClO(4))(2).CH(3)CN have distorted octahedral geometries. With chloride anions, the 1:1 metal to ligand complexes Hg(1)Cl(2), [Cd(1)Cl(2)](2), and Zn(1)Cl(2) are formed. A bidentate binding mode that lacks thioether coordination is observed for 1 in the four-coordinate, distorted tetrahedral complexes Zn(1)Cl(2) and Hg(1)Cl(2). [Cd(1)Cl(2)](2) is dimeric with a distorted octahedral coordination geometry and a tridentate 1. Hg(1)Cl(2) is comprised of pairs of loosely associated monomers and Zn(1)Cl(2) is monomeric. In addition, Hg(2)(1)Cl(4) is formed with alternating chloride and thioether bridges. The distorted square pyramidal Hg(II) centers result in a supramolecular zigzagging chain in the solid state. The solution (1)H NMR spectra of [Hg(1)(2)](2+) and [Hg(1)(NCCH(3))(x)()](2+) reveal (3)(-)(5)J((199)Hg(1)H) due to slow ligand exchange found in these thioether complexes. Implications for use of Hg(II) as a metallobioprobe are discussed.     

Structural characterization of metallopeptides designed as scaffolds for the stabilization of nickel(II)-Fe(4)S(4) bridged assemblies by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In earlier work, de novo designed peptides with a helix-loop-helix motif and 63 residues have been synthesized as potential scaffolds for stabilization of the [Ni(II)-X-Fe(4)S(4)] bridged assembly that is the spectroscopically deduced structure of the A-Cluster in clostridial carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. The 63mers contain a consensus tricysteinyl ferredoxin domain in the loop for binding an Fe(4)S(4) cluster and Cys and His residues proximate to the loop for binding Ni(II), with one Cys residue designed as the bridge X. The metallopeptides HC(4)H(2)-[Fe(4)S(4)]-Ni and HC(5)H-[Fe(4)S(4)]-M, containing three His and one Cys residue for Ni(II) coordination and two His and two Cys residues for binding M = Ni(II) and Co(II), have been examined by Fe-, Ni-, and Co-K edge spectroscopy and EXAFS. All peptides bind an [Fe(4)S(4)](2+) cubane-type cluster. Interpretation of the Ni and Co data is complicated by the presence of a minority population of six-coordinate species with low Z ligands, designated for simplicity as [M(OH(2))(6)](2+). Best fits of the data were obtained with ca. 20% [M(OH(2))(6)](2+) and ca. 80% M(II) with mixed N/S coordination. The collective XAS results for HC(4)H(2)-[Fe(4)S(4)]-Ni and HC(5)H-[Fe(4)S(4)]-M demonstrate the presence of an Fe(4)S(4) cluster and support the existence of the distorted square-planar coordination units [Ni(II)(S.Cys)(N.His)(3)] and [Ni(II)(S.Cys)(2)(N.His)(2)] in the HC(4)H(2) and HC(5)H metallopeptides, respectively. In the HC(5)H metallopeptide, tetrahedral [Co(II)(S.Cys)(2)(N.His)(2)] is present. We conclude that the designed scaffolded binding sites, including Ni-(mu(2)-S.Cys)-Fe bridges, have been achieved. This is the first XAS study of a de novo designed metallopeptide intended to stabilize a bridged biological assembly, and one of a few XAS analyses of metal derivatives of designed peptides. The scaffolding concept should be extendable to other bridged metal assemblies.     

Characterization of imidazolate-bridged dinuclear and mononuclear hydroperoxo complexes

Dinucleating ligands having two metal-binding sites bridged by an imidazolate moiety, Hbdpi, HMe(2)bdpi, and HMe(4)bdpi (Hbdpi = 4,5-bis(di(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole, HMe(2)bdpi = 4,5-bis((6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole, HMe(4)bdpi = 4,5-bis(di(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole), have been designed and synthesized as model ligands for copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). The corresponding mononucleating ligands, MeIm(Py)(2), MeIm(Me)(1), and MeIm(Me)(2) (MeIm(Py)(2) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolylmethyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, MeIm(Me)(1) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolylmethyl)(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, MeIm(Me)(2) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolyl-methyl)bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine), have also been synthesized for comparison. The imidazolate-bridged Cu(II)-Cu(II) homodinuclear complexes represented as [Cu(2)(bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3).CH(3)CN.3H(2)O (1), [Cu(2)(Me(2)bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (2), [Cu(2)(Me(4)bdpi)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(3).4H(2)O (3), a Cu(II)-Zn(II) heterodinuclear complex of the type of [CuZn(bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3).2CH(3)CN (4), Cu(II) mononuclear complexes of [Cu(MeIm(Py)(2))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2).CH(3)CN (5), [Cu(MeIm(Me)(1))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2)( )()(6), and [Cu(MeIm(Me)(2))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2)( )()(7) have been synthesized and the structures of complexes 5-7 determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1-7 have a pentacoordinate structure at each metal ion with the imidazolate or 1-methylimidazole nitrogen, two pyridine nitrogens, the tertiary amine nitrogen, and a solvent (CH(3)CN or H(2)O) which can be readily replaced by a substrate. The reactions between complexes 1-7 and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the presence of a base at -80 degrees C yield green solutions which exhibit intense bands at 360-380 nm, consistent with the generation of hydroperoxo Cu(II) species in all cases. The resonance Raman spectra of all hydroperoxo intermediates at -80 degrees C exhibit a strong resonance-enhanced Raman band at 834-851 cm(-1), which shifts to 788-803 cm(-1) (Deltanu = 46 cm(-1)) when (18)O-labeled H(2)O(2) was used, which are assigned to the O-O stretching frequency of a hydroperoxo ion. The resonance Raman spectra of hydroperoxo adducts of complexes 2 and 6 show two Raman bands at 848 (802) and 834 (788), 851 (805), and 835 (789) cm(-1) (in the case of H(2)(18)O(2), Deltanu = 46 cm(-1)), respectively. The ESR spectra of all hydroperoxo complexes are quite close to those of the parent Cu(II) complexes except 6. The spectrum of 6 exhibits a mixture signal of trigonal-bipyramid and square-pyramid which is consistent with the results of resonance Raman spectrum.     

Structures and fragmentations of cobalt(II)-cysteine complexes in the gas phase

The electronebulization of a cobalt(II)/cysteine(Cys) mixture in water/methanol (50/50) produced mainly cobalt-cationized species. Three main groups of the Co-cationized species can be distinguished in the ESI-MS spectrum: (1) the cobalt complexes including the cysteine amino acid only (they can be singly charged, for example, [Co(Cys)n- H]+ with n = 1-3 or doubly charged such as [Co + (Cys)2]2+); (2) the cobalt complexes with methanol: [Co(CH3OH)n- H]+ with n = 1-3, [Co(CH3OH)4]2+; and (3) the complexes with the two different types of ligands: [Co(Cys)(CH3OH) - H]+. Only the singly charged complexes were observed. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) products of the [Co(Cys)2]2+, [Co(Cys)2 - H]+ and [Co(Cys) - H]+ complexes were studied as a function of the collision energy, and mechanisms for the dissociation reactions are proposed. These were supported by the results of deuterium labelling experiments and by density functional theory calculations. Since [Co(Cys) - H]+ was one of the main product ions obtained upon the CID of [Co(Cys)2]2+ and of [Co(Cys)2 - H]+ under low-energy conditions, the fragmentation pathways of [Co(Cys) - H]+ and the resulting product ion structures were studied in detail. The resulting product ion structures confirmed the high affinity of cobalt(II) for the sulfur atom of cysteine.     

Structure of solvated mercury(II) halides in liquid ammonia, triethyl phosphite and tri-n-butylphosphine solution

Liquid ammonia, trialkyl phosphites, and especially trialkylphosphines, are very powerful electron-pair donor solvents with soft bonding character. The solvent molecules act as strongly coordinating ligands towards mercury(ii), interacting strongly enough to displace halide ligands. In liquid ammonia mercury(ii) chloride solutions separate into two liquid phases; the upper contains tetraamminemercury(ii) complexes, [Hg(NH(3))(4)](2+), and chloride ions in low concentration, while the lower is a dense highly concentrated solution of [Hg(NH(3))(4)](2+) entities, ca. 1.4 mol dm(-3), probably ion-paired by hydrogen bonds to the chloride ions. Mercury(ii) bromide also dissociates to ionic complexes in liquid ammonia and forms a homogeneous solution for which (199)Hg NMR indicates weak bromide association with mercury(ii). When dissolving mercury(ii) iodide in liquid ammonia and triethyl phosphite solvated molecular complexes form in the solutions. The Raman nu(I-Hg-I) symmetric stretching frequency is 132 cm(-1) for the pseudo-tetrahedral [HgI(2)(NH(3))(2)] complex formed in liquid ammonia, corresponding to D(S) = 56 on the donor strength scale. For the Hg(ClO(4))(2)/NH(4)I system in liquid ammonia a (199)Hg NMR study showed [HgI(4)](2-) to be the dominating mercury(ii) complex for mole ratios n(I(-)) : n(Hg(2+)) > or = 6. A large angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) study of mercury(ii) iodide in triethyl phosphite solution showed a [HgI(2)(P(OC(4)H(9))(3))(2)] complex with the Hg-I and Hg-P bond distances 2.750(3) and 2.457(4) A, respectively, in near tetrahedral configuration. Trialkylphosphines generally form very strong bonds to mercury(ii), dissociating all mercury(ii) halides. Mercury(ii) chloride and bromide form solid solvated mercury(ii) halide salts when treated with tri-n-butylphosphine, because of the low permittivity of the solvent. A LAXS study of a melt of mercury(ii) iodide in tri-n-butylphosphine at 330 K resulted in the Hg-I and Hg-P distances 2.851(3) and 2.468(4) A, respectively. The absence of a distinct I-I distance indicates flexible coordination geometry with weak and non-directional mercury(ii) iodide association within the tri-n-butylphosphine solvated complex.     

Reactions of [Ru(H(2)O)(6)](2+) with water-soluble tertiary phosphines

In aqueous solutions under mild conditions, [Ru(H(2)O)(6)](2+) was reacted with various water-soluble tertiary phosphines. As determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, reactions with the sulfonated arylphosphines L =mtppms, ptppms and mtppts yielded only the mono- and bisphosphine complexes, [Ru(H(2)O)(5)L](2+), cis-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)L(2)](2+), and trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)L(2)](2+) even in a high ligand excess. With the small aliphatic phosphine L = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo-[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decane (pta) at [L]:[Ru]= 12:1, the tris- and tetrakisphosphino species, [Ru(H(2)O)(3)(pta)(3)](2+), [Ru(H(2)O)(2)(pta)(4)](2+), [Ru(H(2)O)(OH)(pta)(4)](+), and [Ru(OH)(2)(pta)(4)] were also detected, albeit in minor quantities. These results have significance for the in situ preparation of Ru(II)-tertiary phosphine catalysts. The structures of the complexes trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)(ptaMe)(2)](tos)(4)x2H(2)O, trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)(ptaH)(2)](tos)(4)[middle dot]2H(2)O, and trans-mer-[RuI(2)(H(2)O)(ptaMe)(3)]I(3)x2H(2)O, containing protonated or methylated pta ligands (ptaH and ptaMe, respectively) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

New class of oligonuclear platinum-thallium compounds with a direct metal-metal bond. 5. Structure determination of heterodimetallic cyano complexes in aqueous solution by EXAFS and vibrational spectroscopy

The structures of three closely related heterodimetallic cyano complexes, [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)()](n)()(-) (n = 1-3), formed in reactions between [Pt(II)(CN)(4)](2)(-) and Tl(III) cyano complexes, have been studied in aqueous solution. Multinuclear NMR data ((205)Tl, (195)Pt, and (13)C) were used for identification and quantitative analysis. X-ray absorption spectra were recorded at the Pt and Tl L(III) edges. The EXAFS data show, after developing a model describing the extensive multiple scattering within the linearly coordinated cyano ligands, short Pt-Tl bond distances in the [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)()](n)()(-) complexes: 2.60(1), 2.62(1), and 2.64(1) A for n = 1-3, respectively. Thus, the Pt-Tl bond distance increases with increasing number of cyano ligands on the thallium atom. In all three complexes the thallium atom and five cyano ligands, with a mean Pt-C distance of 2.00-2.01 A, octahedrally coordinate the platinum atom. In the hydrated [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(H(2)O)(4)](-) species the thallium atom coordinates one cyano ligand, probably as a linear Pt-Tl-CN entity with a Tl-C bond distance of 2.13(1) A, and possibly four loosely bound water molecules with a mean Tl-O bond distance of about 2.51 A. In the [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(2)](2)(-) species, the thallium atom probably coordinates the cyano ligands trigonally with two Tl-C bond distances at 2.20(2) A, and in [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(3)](3)(-) Tl coordinates tetrahedrally with three Tl-C distances at 2.22(2) A. EXAFS data were reevaluated for previously studied mononuclear thallium(III)-cyano complexes in aqueous solution, [Tl(CN)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+), [Tl(CN)(3)(H(2)O)], and [Tl(CN)(4)](-), and also for the solid K[Tl(CN)(4)] compound. A comparison shows that the Tl-C bond distances are longer in the dinuclear complexes [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)()](n)()(-) (n = 1-3) for the same coordination number. Relative oxidation states of the metal atoms were estimated from their (195)Pt and (205)Tl chemical shifts, confirming that the [(NC)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)()](n)()(-) complexes can be considered as metastable intermediates in a two-electron-transfer redox reaction from platinum(II) to thallium(III). Vibrational spectra were recorded and force constants from normal-coordinate analyses are used for discussing the delocalized bonding in these species.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of a structural analogue of the oxidized active sites in the sulfite oxidase enzyme family and related molybdenum(V) complexes

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) (edge and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS)) has been applied to the characterization of three molybdenum(V,VI) monodithiolene complexes with unidentate coligands, [MoO(SC(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)()(3))(2)(bdt)](-) (1), [MoOCl(SC(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(bdt)](-) (2), and [MoO(2)(SC(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))(bdt)](-) (3) (bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate). These complexes are related to the active site in the xanthine oxidase and sulfite oxidase families and, as in the enzyme sites, bind monodentate thiolate. By comparison to the data of crystalline oxidized chicken sulfite oxidase, it is shown that complex 3, whose thiolate simulates binding by the highly conserved cysteine, is an accurate structural analogue of the oxidized site of this enzyme. Normalized edge spectra, EXAFS data, Fourier transforms, and GNXAS-based fit results are presented. As in earlier studies, this provides characterization of new analogue complexes by XAS to facilitate identification of related sites in proteins.     

Pyridine substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as supports for Au(I)-Ag(I) interactions: formation of a chiral coordination polymer

Reaction of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1H-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [H(pyCH(2))(2)im]BF(4), with silver oxide in dichloromethane readily yields [Ag((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 1.BF(4)(). 1.BF(4) is converted to the analogous Au(I)-containing species, [Au((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 3, by a simple carbene transfer reaction in dichloromethane. Further treatment with two equivalents of AgBF(4) produces the trimetallic species [AuAg(2)((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)(NCCH(3))(2)](BF(4))(3), 4, which contains two silver ions each coordinated to the pyridine moieties on one carbene ligand and to an acetonitrile molecule in a T-shaped fashion. Monometallic [Ag((py)(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 5, and [Au((py)(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 6, are made analogously to 1.BF(4) and 3 starting from 1,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene tetrafluoroborate, [H(py)(2)im]BF(4). Addition of excess AgBF(4) to 6 yields the helical mixed-metal polymer, ([AuAg((py)(2)im)(2)(NCCH(3))](BF(4))(2))(n), 7 which contains an extended Au(I)-Ag(I) chain with short metal-metal separations of 2.8359(4) and 2.9042(4) A. Colorless, monometallic [Hg((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)](BF(4))(2), 8, is easily produced by refluxing [H(pyCH(2))(2)im)]BF(4) with Hg(OAc)(2) in acetonitrile. The related quinolyl-substituted imidazole, [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6), is produced analogously to [H(pyCH(2))(2)im]BF(4). [Hg((quinCH(2))(2)im)(2)](PF(6))(2), 9, is isolated in good yield as a white solid from the reaction of Hg(OAc)(2) and [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6). The reaction of [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6) with excess Ag(2)O produces the triangulo-cluster [Ag(3)((quinCH(2))(2)im)(3)](PF(6))(3), 11. All of these complexes were studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and complexes 3-9 were additionally characterized by X-ray crystallography. These complexes are photoluminescent in the solid state and in solution with spectra that closely resemble those of the ligand precursor.     

Comparison of the binding of cadmium(II), mercury(II), and arsenic(III) to the de novo designed peptides TRI L12C and TRI L16C

Designed alpha-helical peptides of the TRI family with a general sequence Ac-G(LKALEEK)(4)G-CONH(2) were used as model systems for the study of metal-protein interactions. Variants containing cysteine residues in positions 12 (TRI L12C) and 16 (TRI L16C) were used for the metal binding studies. Cd(II) binding was investigated, and the results were compared with previous and current work on Hg(II) and As(III) binding. The metal peptide assemblies were studied with the use of UV, CD, EXAFS, (113)Cd NMR, and (111m)Cd perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy. The metalated peptide aggregates exhibited pH-dependent behavior. At high pH values, Cd(II) was bound to the three sulfurs of the three-stranded alpha-helical coiled coils. A mixture of two species was observed, including Cd(II) in a trigonal planar geometry. The complexes have UV bands at 231 nm (20 600 M(-1) cm(-1)) for TRI L12C and 232 nm (22 600 M(-1) cm(-1)) for TRI L16C, an average Cd-S bond length of 2.49 A for both cases, and a (113)Cd NMR chemical shift at 619 ppm (Cd(II)(TRI L12C)(3)(-)) or 625 ppm (Cd(II)(TRI-L16C)(3)(-)). Nuclear quadrupole interactions show that two different Cd species are present for both peptides. One species with omega(0) = 0.45 rad/ns and low eta is attributed to a trigonal planar Cd-(Cys)(3) site. The other, with a smaller omega(0), is attributed to a four-coordinate Cd(Cys)(3)(H(2)O) species. At low pH, no metal binding was observed. Hg(II) binding to TRI L12C was also found to be pH dependent, and a 3:1 sulfur-to-mercury(II) species was observed at pH 9.4. These metal peptide complexes provide insight into heavy metal binding and metalloregulatory proteins such as MerR or CadC.     

An investigation of the lead(II)-hydroxide system

A detailed investigation of the Pb(II)/OH(-) system has been made in NaClO(4) media at 25 degrees C. Combined UV-vis spectrophotometric-potentiometric titrations at [Pb(II)](T) < or = 10 microM using a long path length cell detected only four mononuclear hydroxide complexes. The values of log beta(1)(q)(), for the equilibria Pb(2+)(aq) + qH(2)O <--> Pb(OH)(q)()((2)(-)(q)()()+)(aq) + qH(+)(aq), were -7.2, -16.1, -26.5, and -38.0 for q = 1-4, respectively, at ionic strength I = 1 M (NaClO(4)). Similar results were obtained at I = 5 M (NaClO(4)). No evidence was found for higher order complexes (q > 4) even at very high [OH(-)]/[Pb(II)] ratios, nor for polynuclear species at [Pb(II)](T) < or = 10 microM. Measurements using (207)Pb-NMR and Raman spectroscopies and differential pulse polarography (DPP) provided only semiquantitative confirmation. The mononuclear Pb(OH)(q)()((2)(-)(q)()()+)(aq) complexes are the only hydrolyzed species likely to be significant under typical environmental and biological conditions.     

Investigations into the metal species of the homogeneous iron(III) catalyzed Michael addition reactions

An investigation into the species formed in the first step of the solvent free homogeneous Michael reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (1) is presented. This reaction is catalyzed by FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) and Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3). EXAFS, XANES, Raman and UV-Vis studies were carried out to explain the experimentally found higher catalytic activity of Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3) compared to FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2). A very intense pre-edge peak is found for a 1.6 mol% solution of FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) in 1, suggesting a tetrachloroferrate(III) compound to be present in this solution. This is proved by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The counterion of this anionic complex is an octahedral [Fe(III)(1-H)(2)(H2O2)](+) complex with two deprotonated 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (1) as the chelating ligand, (1-H)(-), as suggested by the examination of the XANES region, the obtained coordination numbers from the EXAFS analysis and by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopies. In summary, the anion-cation species [Fe(III)Cl(4)](-)[Fe(III)(-H)(2)(H2O2)](+) is formed with FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2), whereas in the case of Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3) XAFS, Raman and UV-Vis investigations suggest the presence of a complex of the form [Fe(III)(1-H)(2)(H2O2)](+)[ClO(4)](-). The obtained results are discussed to explain the reduced catalytic activity of FeCl(3).6H(2)O (2) in comparison to Fe(ClO(4))(3).9H(2)O (3).     

Nickel(II) and iron(II) triple helicates assembled from expanded quaterpyridines incorporating flexible linkages

In the present study the interaction of Fe(II) and Ni(II) with the related expanded quaterpyridines, 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-bis-(5'-methyl-[2,2']bipyridinyl-5-ylmethoxy)benzene ligands (4-6 respectively), incorporating flexible, bis-aryl/methylene ether linkages in the bridges between the dipyridyl domains, was shown to predominantly result in the assembly of [M(2)L(3)](4+) complexes; although with 4 and 6 there was also evidence for the (minor) formation of the corresponding [M(4)L(6)](8+) species. Overall, this result contrasts with the behaviour of the essentially rigid 'parent' quaterpyridine 1 for which only tetrahedral [M(4)L(6)](8+) cage species were observed when reacted with various Fe(II) salts. It also contrasts with that observed for 2 and 3 incorporating essentially rigid substituted phenylene and biphenylene bridges between the dipyridyl domains where reaction with Fe(II) and Ni(II) yielded both [M(2)L(3)](4+) and [M(4)L(6)](8+) complex types, but in this case it was the latter species that was assigned as the thermodynamically favoured product type. The X-ray structures of the triple helicate complexes [H(2)O?Ni(2)(4)(3)](PF(6))(4)·THF·2.2H(2)O, [Ni(2)(6)(3)](PF(6))(4)·1.95MeCN·1.2THF·1.8H(2)O, and the very unusual triple helicate PF(6)(-) inclusion complex, [(PF(6))?Ni(2)(5)(3)](PF(6))(3)·1.75MeCN·5.25THF·0.25H(2)O are reported.     

Six-coordinate and five-coordinate Fe(II)(CN)(2)(CO)(x) thiolate complexes (x = 1, 2): synthetic advances for iron sites of [NiFe] hydrogenases

The dicyanodicarbonyliron(II) thiolate complexes trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) (R = OEt (2), N(Et)(2) (3)) were prepared by the reaction of [Na][S-C(S)-R] and [Fe(CN)(2)(CO)(3)(Br)](-) (1). Complex 1 was obtained from oxidative addition of cyanogen bromide to [Fe(CN)(CO)(4)](-). In a similar fashion, reaction of complex 1 with [Na][S,O-C(5)H(4)N], and [Na][S,N-C(5)H(4)] produced the six-coordinate trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,O-C(5)H(4)N)](-) (6) and trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,N-C(5)H(4))](-) (7) individually. Photolysis of tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of complexes 2, 3, and 7 under CO led to formation of the coordinatively unsaturated iron(II) dicyanocarbonyl thiolate compounds [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) (R = OEt (4), N(Et)(2) (5)) and [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,N-C(5)H(4))](-) (8), respectively. The IR v(CN) stretching frequencies and patterns of complexes 4, 5, and 8 have unambiguously identified two CN(-) ligands occupying cis positions. In addition, density functional theory calculations suggest that the architecture of five-coordinate complexes 4, 5, and 8 with a vacant site trans to the CO ligand and two CN(-) ligands occupying cis positions serves as a conformational preference. Complexes 2, 3, and 7 were reobtained when the THF solution of complexes 4, 5, and 8 were exposed to CO atmosphere at 25 degrees C individually. Obviously, CO ligand can be reversibly bound to the Fe(II) site in these model compounds. Isotopic shift experiments demonstrated the lability of carbonyl ligands of complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Complexes [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) and NiA/NiC states [NiFe] hydrogenases from D. gigas exhibit a similar one-band pattern in the v(CO) region and two-band pattern in the v(CN) region individually, but in different positions, which may be accounted for by the distinct electronic effects between [S,S-C-R](-) and cysteine ligands. Also, the facile formations of five-coordinate complexes 4, 5, and 8 imply that the strong sigma-donor, weak pi-acceptor CN(-) ligands play a key role in creating/stabilizing five-coordinate iron(II) [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) complexes with a vacant coordination site trans to the CO ligand.     

Investigation of group 12 metal complexes with a tridentate SNS ligand by X-ray crystallography and 1H NMR spectroscopy

Two series of zinc triad complexes containing the ligand 2,6-bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine (L1) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and solution-state 1H NMR spectroscopy. The distorted meridional octahedral M(L1)2(ClO4)2 series includes the first structurally characterized Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with N2(SR2)4 coordination spheres. Coordination of HgCl2 and ZnCl2 with 1 equiv of ligand afforded mononuclear, five-coordinate species Hg(L1)Cl2 and Zn(L1)Cl2, respectively, with distorted square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal geometries. With CdCl2, the dimeric [Cd(L1)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 complex was obtained. The distorted octahedral coordination geometry of each Cd(II) center in this complex is formed by one tridentate ligand, two bridging chloride ions, and one terminal chloride ion. NMR spectra indicate that the intermolecular ligand-exchange rate of [M(L1)2](2+) decreased in the order Cd(II) > Zn(II) > Hg(II). Slow intermolecular ligand-exchange conditions on the chemical-shift time scale were found for 1:2 metal-to-ligand complexes of L(1) with Hg(II) and Zn(II) but not Cd(II). Slow intermolecular ligand-exchange conditions in acetonitrile-d(3) solutions permitting detection of (3-5)J(199Hg1H) were found for 1:1 and 1:2 Hg(ClO4)2/L1 complexes, but not for the related Cd(ClO4)2) complexes. The magnitudes of J(199Hg1H) for equivalent protons were smaller in [Hg(L1)2](2+) than in [Hg(L1)(NCCH3)x](2+). The relative intermolecular ligand-exchange rates of the zinc triad complexes investigated here suggest that the toxicity of Hg(II) is accentuated by the relative difficulty of displacing it from the coordination sites encountered.     

Factors affecting the solid-state structure and dimensionality of mercury cyanide/chloride double salts, and NMR characterization of coordination geometries

In the reaction of organic monocationic chlorides or coordinatively saturated metal-ligand complex chlorides with linear, neutral Hg(CN)(2) building blocks, the Lewis-acidic Hg(CN)(2) moieties accept the chloride ligands to form mercury cyanide/chloride double salt anions that in several cases form infinite 1-D and 2-D arrays. Thus, [PPN][Hg(CN)(2)Cl].H(2)O (1), [(n)Bu(4)N][Hg(CN)(2)Cl].0.5 H(2)O (2), and [Ni(terpy)(2)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2) (4) contain [Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2)(2-) anionic dimers ([PPN]Cl = bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium chloride, [(n)Bu(4)N]Cl = tetrabutylammonium chloride, terpy = 2,2':6',6' '-terpyridine). [Cu(en)(2)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2) (5) is composed of alternating 1-D chloride-bridged [Hg(CN)(2)Cl](n)(n-) ladders and cationic columns of [Cu(en)(2)](2+) (en = ethylenediamine). When [Co(en)(3)]Cl(3) is reacted with 3 equiv of Hg(CN)(2), 1-D [[Hg(CN)(2)](2)Cl](n)(n-) ribbons and [Hg(CN)(2)Cl(2)](2-) moieties are formed; both form hydrogen bonds to [Co(en)(3)](3+) cations, yielding [Co(en)(3)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl(2)][[Hg(CN)(2)](2)Cl] (6). In [Co(NH(3))(6)](2)[Hg(CN)(2)](5)Cl(6).2H(2)O (7), [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+) cations and water molecules are sandwiched between chloride-bridged 2-D anionic [[Hg(CN)(2)](5)Cl(6)](n)(6n-) layers, which contain square cavities. The presence (or absence), number, and profile of hydrogen bond donor sites of the transition metal amine ligands were observed to strongly influence the structural motif and dimensionality adopted by the anionic double salt complex anions, while cation shape and cation charge had little effect. (199)Hg chemical shift tensors and (1)J((13)C,(199)Hg) values measured in selected compounds reveal that the NMR properties are dominated by the Hg(CN)(2) moiety, with little influence from the chloride bonding characteristics. delta(iso)((13)CN) values in the isolated dimers are remarkably sensitive to the local geometry.     

Interaction of 2- and 4-mercaptopyridine with pentacyanoferrates and gold nanoparticles

2-Mercapto- and 4-mercaptopyridine (2- and 4MPy) react with the [Fe(CN)(5)(H(2)O)](3-) complex, forming the S-coordinated [Fe(CN)(5)(2MPy)](3-) and the N-coordinated [Fe(CN)(5)(4MPy)](3-) complexes. The rates of formation and dissociation of the [Fe(II)(CN)(5)(2MPy)](3-) complex were determined as k(f) = 294 dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and k(d) = 0.019 s(-1) by means of stopped-flow technique. The equilibrium constants for the iron(II) and -(III) species were calculated as K(f)(II) = 1.5 x 10(4) mol(-1) dm(3) and K(f)(III) = 1.3 x 10(6) mol(-1) dm(3), in comparison with 2.6 x 10(5) and 3.4 x 10(4) mol(-1) dm(3), respectively, for the 4MPy isomer. In the presence of gold nanoparticles, both 2- and 4MPy can displace the stabilizing citrate species, leading to substantial aggregation in aqueous solution, as deduced from the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy effect and from the decay of the 520-nm plasmon band accompanied by the rise of the characteristic exciton band at 650 nm. The [Fe(CN)(5)(4MPy)](3-) complex promotes strong stabilization of the gold nanoparticles by interacting through the S atom. On the other hand, the labile [Fe(CN)(5)(2MPy)](3-) complex induces aggregation, delivering the 2MPy ligand to the gold nanoparticles.