Model Complexes for Ureases: A Dinickel(II) Complex with a Novel Asymmetric Ligand and Comparative Kinetic Studies on Catalytically Active Zinc,Cobalt, and Nickel Complexes

The dinuclear nickel(II) complex of the asymmetric ligand 1‐N,N‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amino]‐3‐2‐(3,5dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethoxy]‐2‐hydroxypropane (HL1) was prepared as a model for the active site of urease. The novel complex Ni₂(L1)(MeCOO)(ClO₄)(EtOH)₂](ClO₄) · 0.5 Et₂O ( 1 ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 11.639(2) Å, b = 12.571(3) Å, c = 16.341(3) Å, α = 92.29°, β = 106.54°, and γ = 113.73°. The nickel ions (c.n. 6) are bridged by the alkoxy donor substituent of the ligand and an acetate anion. The dinuclear nickel(II), cobalt(II), and zinc(II) complexes of the ligands 1‐N,N‐bis(2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)amino]‐3‐2‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1 H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethoxy]‐2‐hydroxypropane (HL2), N‐methyl‐N,N',N'‐tris(2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diaminopropane (HL3), and N,N,N',N'‐tetrakis(2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diaminopropane (HL4) were investigated for their activity towards the hydrolysis of the test substrate p‐nitrophenyl acetate (npa) in ethanol‐water (1 : 1). The second‐order rate constants for the cleavage of npa were determined for all complexes. The profile of the pH dependence indicates that a hydroxide initially binds to the metal ion. The bound nucleophile subsequently attacks the test substrate. The results are discussed in terms of a refined model for the structure activity relationships of the dinuclear active site of urease.