Heme/non-heme diiron(II) complexes and O2, CO, and NO adducts as reduced and substrate-bound models for the active site of bacterial nitric oxide reductase

As a first generation model for the reactive reduced active-site form of bacterial nitric oxide reductase, a heme/non-heme diiron(II) complex [(6L)Fe(II)...Fe(II)-(Cl)]+ (2) {where 6L = partially fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin with a tethered tetradentate TMPA chelate; TMPA = tris(2-pyridyl)amine} was generated by reduction of the corresponding mu-oxo diferric compound [(6L)Fe(III)-O-Fe(III)-Cl]+ (1). Coordination chemistry models for reactions of reduced NOR with O2, CO, and NO were also developed. With O2 and CO, adducts are formed, [(6L)Fe(III)(O2-))(thf)...Fe(II)-Cl]B(C6F5)4 (2a x O2) {lambda(max) 418 (Soret), 536 nm; nu(O-O) = 1176 cm(-1), nu(Fe-O) = 574 cm(-1) and [(6L)Fe(II)(CO)(thf)Fe(II)-Cl]B(C6F5)4 (2a x CO) {nu(CO) 1969 cm(-1)}, respectively. Reaction of purified nitric oxide with 2 leads to the dinitrosyl complex [(6L)Fe(NO)Fe(NO)-Cl]B(C6F5)4 (2a x (NO)2) with nu(NO) absorptions at 1798 cm(-1) (non-heme Fe-NO) and 1689 cm(-1) (heme-NO).     

Iron silylamide-grafted periodic mesoporous silica

The surface chemistry of a series of well-defined metalorganic ferrous and ferric iron complexes on periodic mesoporous silica (PMS) was investigated. In addition to literature known Fe(II)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF), Fe(II)[N(SiPh(2)Me(2))(2)](2), and Fe(III)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)Cl(THF), the new complexes [Fe(II){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2) and Fe(III)[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](3)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) were employed as grafting precursors. Selection criteria for the molecular precursors were the molecular size (monoiron versus diiron species), the oxidation state of the iron center (II versus III), and the functionality of the silylamido ligand (e.g., built-in spectroscopic probes). Hexagonal channel-like MCM-41 and cubic cage-like SBA-1 were chosen as two distinct PMS materials. The highest iron load (12.8 wt %) was obtained for hybrid material [Fe(II){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2)@MCM-41 upon stirring the reaction mixture iron silylamide/PMS/n-hexane for 18 h at ambient temperature. Size-selective grafting and concomitantly extensive surface silylation were found to be prominent for cage-like SBA-1. Here, the surface metalation is governed by the type of iron precursor, the pore size, the reaction time, and the solvent. The formation of surface-attached iron-ligand species is discussed on the basis of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption, and elemental analysis.     

Catalytic oxidative ring opening of THF promoted by a carboxylate-bridged diiron complex, triarylphosphines, and dioxygen

The catalytic oxidation of triphenylphosphine in the presence of dioxygen by the diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(Me(3)TACN)(2)(MeCN)(2)](OTf)(2) (1), where (-)O(2)CAr(Tol) = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate and Me(3)TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, has been investigated. The corresponding diiron(III) complex, [Fe(2)(micro-O)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(Me(3)TACN)(2)](OTf)(2) (2), the only detectable iron-containing species during the course of the reaction, can itself promote the reaction. Phosphine oxidation is coupled to the catalytic oxidation of THF solvent to afford, selectively, the C-C bond-cleavage product 3-hydroxypropylformate, an unprecedented transformation. After consumption of the phosphine, solvent oxidation continues but results in the products 2-hydroperoxytetrahydrofuran, butyrolactone, and butyrolactol. The similarities of the reaction pathways observed in the presence and absence of catalyst, as well as (18)O labeling, solvent dependence, and radical probe experiments, provide evidence that the oxidation is initiated by a metal-centered H-atom abstraction from THF. A mechanism for catalysis is proposed that accounts for the coupled oxidation of the phosphine and the THF ring-opening reaction.     

Catalytic oxidation by a carboxylate-bridged non-heme diiron complex

The synthesis of a sterically hindered di(mu-carboxylato)diiron(II) complex bearing terminal N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me(3)TACN) ligands and its reaction with dioxygen to afford a (mu-oxo)di(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) complex are described. Both compounds initiate catalytic oxo transfer with O(2) as the terminal oxidant, converting phosphines to phosphine oxides, dimethyl sulfide to dimethyl sulfoxide, and dibenzylamine to benzaldehyde. Triphenylphosphine is oxidized to triphenylphosphine oxide with a turnover number of >2000 mol.P/mol.cat.     

Demonstration by 2H ENDOR spectroscopy that myo-inositol binds via an alkoxide bridge to the mixed-valent diiron center of myo-inositol oxygenase

myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is a non-heme diiron oxygenase that cleaves cyclohexane-(1,2,3,5/4,6-hexa)-ol (myo-inositol, MI) to d-glucuronate. Here, we use 2H ENDOR spectroscopy to demonstrate that MI binds to the diiron(II/III) cofactor of MIOX via an alkoxide bridge, most likely involving O1. Analysis shows that MI adopts a symmetrical geometry in which the O-C-2H plane of the bridge is approximately orthogonal to the Fe-O-Fe plane.     

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.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of (mu-hydroxo or mu-oxo)(mu-peroxo)diiron(III) complexes: models for peroxo intermediates of non-heme diiron proteins

(mu-Hydroxo or oxo)(mu-1,2-peroxo)diiron(III) complexes having a tetradentate tripodal ligand (L) containing a carboxylate sidearm [Fe2(mu-OH or mu-O)(mu-O2)(L)2]n+ were synthesized as models for peroxo-intermediates of non-heme diiron proteins and characterized by various physicochemical measurements including X-ray analysis, which provide fundamental structural and spectroscopic insights into the peroxodiiron(III) complexes.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of reduced heme and heme/copper carbonmonoxy species

Carbon monoxide readily binds to heme and copper proteins, acting as a competitive inhibitor of dioxygen. As such, CO serves as a probe of protein metal active sites. In our ongoing efforts to mimic the active site of cytochrome c oxidase, reactivity toward carbon monoxide offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the binding and spectroscopic characteristics of synthetic model compounds. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of CO-adducts of ((5/6)L)Fe(II), [((5/6)L)Fe(II)...Cu(I)](B(C(6)F(5))(4)), and [(TMPA)Cu(I)(CH(3)CN)](B(C(6)F(5))(4)), where TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and (5/6)L = a tetraarylporphyrinate tethered in either the 5-position ((5)L) or 6-position ((6)L) to a TMPA copper binding moiety. Reaction of ((5/6)L)Fe(II) [in THF (293 K): UV-vis 424 (Soret), 543-544 nm; (1)H NMR delta(pyrrole) 52-59 ppm (4 peaks); (2)H NMR (from ((5)L-d(8))Fe(II)) delta(pyrrole) 53.3, 54.5, 55.8, 56.4 ppm] with CO in solution at RT yielded ((5/6)L)Fe(II)-CO [in THF (293 K): UV-vis 413-414 (Soret), 532-533 nm; IR nu(CO)(Fe) 1976-1978 cm(-1); (1)H NMR delta(pyrrole) 8.8 ppm; (2)H NMR (from ((5)L-d(8))Fe(II)-CO) delta(pyrrole) 8.9 ppm; (13)C NMR delta((CO)Fe) 206.8-207.1 ppm (2 peaks)]. Experiments repeated in acetonitrile, acetone, toluene, and dichloromethane showed similar spectroscopic data. Binding of CO resulted in a change from five-coordinate, high-spin Fe(II) to six-coordinate, low-spin Fe(II), as evidenced by the upfield shift of the pyrrole resonances to the diamagnetic region ((1)H and (2)H NMR spectra). Addition of CO to [((5/6)L)Fe(II)...Cu(I)](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) [in THF (293 K): UV-vis ((6)L only) 424 (Soret), 546 nm; (1)H NMR delta(pyrrole) 54-59 ppm (multiple peaks); (2)H NMR (from [((5)L-d(8))Fe(II).Cu(I)](B(C(6)F(5))(4))) delta(pyrrole) 53.4 ppm (br)] gave the bis-carbonyl adduct [((5/6)L)Fe(II)-CO...Cu(I)-CO](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) [in THF (293 K): UV-vis ((6)L only) 413 (Soret), 532 nm; IR nu(CO)(Fe) 1971-1973 cm(-1), nu(CO)(Cu) 2091-2093 cm(-1), approximately 2070(sh) cm(-1); (1)H NMR delta(pyrrole) 8.7-8.9 ppm; (2)H NMR (from [((5)L-d(8))Fe(II)-CO...Cu(I)-CO](B(C(6)F(5))(4))) delta(pyrrole) 8.9 ppm; (13)C NMR delta((CO)Fe) 206.8-208.1 ppm (2 peaks), delta((CO)Cu) 172.4 ((5)L), 178.2 ((6)L) ppm]. Experiments in acetonitrile, acetone, and toluene exhibited spectral features similar to those reported. The [((5/6)L)Fe(II)-CO.Cu(I)-CO](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) compounds yielded (CO)(Fe) spectra analogous to those seen for ((5/6)L)Fe(II)-CO and (CO)(Cu) spectra similar to those seen for [(TMPA)Cu(I)-CO](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) [in THF (293 K): IR nu(CO)(Cu) 2091 cm(-1), approximately 2070(sh) cm(-1); (13)C NMR delta((CO)Cu) 180.3 ppm]. Additional IR studies were performed in which the [((5)L)Fe(II)-CO...Cu(I)-CO](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) in solution was bubbled with argon in an attempt to generate the iron-only mono-carbonyl [((5)L)Fe(II)-CO.Cu(I)](B(C(6)F(5))(4)) species; in coordinating solvent or with axial base present, decreases in characteristic IR-band intensities revealed complete loss of CO from copper and variable loss of CO from the heme.     

Structural, EPR, and Mössbauer characterization of (μ-alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,III) model complexes for the active sites of mixed-valent diiron enzymes

To obtain structural and spectroscopic models for the diiron(II,III) centers in the active sites of diiron enzymes, the (μ-alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,III) complexes [Fe(II)Fe(III)(N-Et-HPTB)(O(2)CPh)(NCCH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(3) (1) and [Fe(II)Fe(III)(N-Et-HPTB)(O(2)CPh)(Cl)(HOCH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (2) (N-Et-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-(1-ethyl-benzimidazolylmethyl))-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-visible absorption, EPR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. Fe1-Fe2 separations are 3.60 and 3.63 ?, and Fe1-O1-Fe2 bond angles are 128.0° and 129.4° for 1 and 2, respectively. M?ssbauer and EPR studies of 1 show that the Fe(III) (S(A) = 5/2) and Fe(II) (S(B) = 2) sites are antiferromagnetically coupled to yield a ground state with S = 1/2 (g= 1.75, 1.88, 1.96); M?ssbauer analysis of solid 1 yields J = 22.5 ± 2 cm(-1) for the exchange coupling constant (H = JS(A)·S(B) convention). In addition to the S = 1/2 ground-state spectrum of 1, the EPR signal for the S = 3/2 excited state of the spin ladder can also be observed, the first time such a signal has been detected for an antiferromagnetically coupled diiron(II,III) complex. The anisotropy of the (57)Fe magnetic hyperfine interactions at the Fe(III) site is larger than normally observed in mononuclear complexes and arises from admixing S > 1/2 excited states into the S = 1/2 ground state by zero-field splittings at the two Fe sites. Analysis of the "D/J" mixing has allowed us to extract the zero-field splitting parameters, local g values, and magnetic hyperfine structural parameters for the individual Fe sites. The methodology developed and followed in this analysis is presented in detail. The spin Hamiltonian parameters of 1 are related to the molecular structure with the help of DFT calculations. Contrary to what was assumed in previous studies, our analysis demonstrates that the deviations of the g values from the free electron value (g = 2) for the antiferromagnetically coupled diiron(II,III) core in complex 1 are predominantly determined by the anisotropy of the effective g values of the ferrous ion and only to a lesser extent by the admixture of excited states into ground-state ZFS terms (D/J mixing). The results for 1 are discussed in the context of the data available for diiron(II,III) clusters in proteins and synthetic diiron(II,III) complexes.     

Mechanistic studies on the formation and reactivity of dioxygen adducts of diiron complexes supported by sterically hindered carboxylates

Dioxygen activation by enzymes such as methane monooxygenase, ribonucleotide reductase, and fatty acid desaturases occurs at a nonheme diiron active site supported by two histidines and four carboxylates, typically involving a (peroxo)diiron(III,III) intermediate in an early step of the catalytic cycle. Biomimetic tetracarboxylatodiiron(II,II) complexes with the familiar "paddlewheel" topology comprising sterically bulky o-dixylylbenzoate ligands with pyridine, 1-methylimidazole, or THF at apical sites readily react with O(2) to afford thermally labile peroxo intermediates that can be trapped and characterized spectroscopically at low temperatures (193 K). Cryogenic stopped-flow kinetic analysis of O(2) adduct formation carried out for the three complexes reveals that dioxygen binds to the diiron(II,II) center with concentration dependences and activation parameters indicative of a direct associative pathway. The pyridine and 1-methylimidazole intermediates decay by self-decomposition. However, the THF intermediate decays much faster by oxygen transfer to added PPh(3), the kinetics of which has been studied with double mixing experiments in a cryogenic stopped-flow apparatus. The results show that the decay of the THF intermediate is kinetically controlled by the dissociation of a THF ligand, a conclusion supported by the observation of saturation kinetic behavior with respect to PPh(3), inhibition by added THF, and invariant saturation rate constants for the oxidation of various phosphines. It is proposed that the proximity of the reducing substrate to the peroxide ligand on the diiron coordination sphere facilitates the oxygen-atom transfer. This unique investigation of the reaction of an O(2) adduct of a biomimetic tetracarboxylatodiiron(II,II) complex provides a synthetic precedent for understanding the electrophilic reactivity of like adducts in the active sties of nonheme diiron enzymes.     

Low-temperature UV-visible and NMR spectroscopic investigations of O(2) binding to ((6)L)Fe(II), a ferrous heme bearing covalently tethered axial pyridine ligands

In this report, we describe the reversible dioxygen reactivity of ((6)L)Fe(II) (1) [(6)L = partially fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrin with covalently appended TMPA moiety; TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] using a combination of low-temperature UV-vis and multinuclear ((1)H and (2)H) NMR spectroscopies. Complex 1, or its pyrrole-deuterated analogue ((6)L-d(8))Fe(II) (1-d(8)), exhibits downfield shifted pyrrole resonances (delta 28-60 ppm) in all solvents utilized [CH(2)Cl(2), (CH(3))(2)C(O), CH(3)CN, THF], indicative of a five-coordinate high-spin ferrous heme, even when there is no exogenous axial solvent ligand present (i.e., in methylene chloride). Furthermore, ((6)L)Fe(II) (1) exhibits non-pyrrolic upfield and downfield shifted peaks in CH(2)Cl(2), (CH(3))(2)C(O), and CH(3)CN solvents, which we ascribed to resonances arising from the intra- or intermolecular binding of a TMPA-pyridyl arm to the ferrous heme. Upon exposure to dioxygen at 193 K in methylene chloride, ((6)L)Fe(II) (1) [UV-vis: lambda(max) = 433 (Soret), 529 (sh), 559 nm] reversibly forms a dioxygen adduct [UV-vis: lambda(max) = 422 (Soret), 542 nm], formulated as the six-coordinate low-spin [delta(pyrrole) 9.3 ppm, 193 K] heme-superoxo complex ((6)L)Fe(III)-(O(2)(-)) (2). The coordination of the tethered pyridyl arm to the heme-superoxo complex as axial base ligand is suggested. In coordinating solvents such as THF, reversible oxygenation (193 K) of ((6)L)Fe(II) (1) [UV-vis: lambda(max) = 424 (Soret), 542 nm] also occurs to give a similar adduct ((6)L)Fe(III)-(O(2)(-)) (2) [UV-vis: lambda(max) = 418 (Soret), 537 nm. (2)H NMR: delta(pyrrole) 8.9 ppm, 193 K]. Here, we are unable to distinguish between a bound solvent ligand or tethered pyridyl arm as axial base ligand. In all solvents, the dioxygen adducts decompose (thermally) to the ferric-hydroxy complex ((6)L)Fe(III)-OH (3) [UV-vis: lambda(max) = 412-414 (Soret), 566-575 nm; approximately delta(pyrrole) 120 ppm at 193 K]. This study on the O(2)-binding chemistry of the heme-only homonuclear ((6)L)Fe(II) (1) system lays the foundation for a more complete understanding of the dioxygen reactivity of heterobinuclear heme-Cu complexes, such as [((6)L)Fe(II)Cu(I)](+), which are models for cytochrome c oxidase.     

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).     

Modeling features of the non-heme diiron cores in O2-activating enzymes through the synthesis, characterization, and oxidation of 1,8-naphthyridine-based complexes

Multidentate naphthyridine-based ligands were used to prepare a series of diiron(II) complexes. The compound [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-O(2)CPh)(2)](OTf)(2) (1), where BPMAN = 2,7-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-1,8-naphthyridine, exhibits two reversible oxidation waves with E(1/2) values at +310 and +733 mV vs Cp(2)Fe(+)/Cp(2)Fe, as revealed by cyclic voltammetry. Reaction with O(2) or H(2)O(2) affords a product with optical and M?ssbauer properties that are characteristic of a (mu-oxo)diiron(III) species. The complexes [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-OH)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))](OTf)(2) (2) and [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-OMe)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))](OTf)(2) (3) were synthesized, where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) is the sterically hindered ligand 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate. Compound 2 has a reversible redox wave at +11 mV, and both 2 and 3 react with O(2), via a mixed-valent Fe(II)Fe(III) intermediate, to give final products that are also consistent with (mu-oxo)diiron(III) species. The paddle-wheel compound [Fe(2)(BBAN)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)](OTf) (4), where BBAN = 2,7-bis(N,N-dibenzylaminomethyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, reacts with dioxygen to yield benzaldehyde via oxidative N-dealkylation of a benzyl group on BBAN, an internal substrate. In the presence of bis(4-methylbenzyl)amine, the reaction also produces p-tolualdehyde, revealing oxidation of an external substrate. A structurally related compound, [Fe(2)(BEAN)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)](OTf) (5), where BEAN = 2,7-bis(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, does not undergo N-dealkylation, nor does it facilitate the oxidation of bis(4-methylbenzyl)amine. The contrast in reactivity of 4 and 5 is attributed to a difference in accessibility of the substrate to the diiron centers of the two compounds. The M?ssbauer spectroscopic properties of the diiron(II) complexes were also investigated.     

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.     

Modeling the syn disposition of nitrogen donors at the active sites of carboxylate-bridged diiron enzymes. Enforcing dinuclearity and kinetic stability with a 1,2-diethynylbenzene-based ligand

The syn coordination of histidine residues at the active sites of several carboxylate-rich non-heme diiron enzymes has been difficult to reproduce with small molecule model compounds. In this study, ligands derived from 1,8-naphthyridine, phthalazine, and 1,2-diethynylbenzene were employed to mimic this geometric feature. The preassembled diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(THF)(2)] (1), where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) is the sterically hindered carboxylate 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate, served as a convenient starting material for the preparation of iron(II) complexes, all of which were crystallographically characterized. Use of the ligand 2,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine (Me(2)-napy) afforded the mononuclear complex [Fe(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(Me(2)-napy)] (2), whereas dinuclear [Fe(2)(micro-DMP)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(THF)] (3) resulted when 1,4-dimethylphthalazine (DMP) was employed. The dinuclear core of compound 3 is kinetically labile, as evidenced by the formation of [Fe(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(vpy)(2)] (4) upon addition of 2-vinylpyridine (vpy). The diiron analogue of 4, [Fe(2)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(vpy)(2)] (5), was prepared directly from 1. When the sterically more demanding ligand 2,6-di(4-tert-butylphenyl)benzoate (Ar(4-tBuPh)CO(2)(-)) was used, mononuclear [Fe(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(tBuPh))(2)(THF)(2)] (6) and [Fe(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(tBuPh))(2)(DMP)(2)] (7) formed. The difficulty in stabilizing a dinuclear core with these simple (N)(2)-donor ligands was circumvented by preparing a family of 1,2-diethynylbenzene-based ligands, from which were readily assembled the complexes [Fe(2)(Et(2)BCQEB(Et))(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)](OTf) (15) and [Cu(2)(Et(2)BCQEB(Et))(micro-I)(2)] (16), where Et(2)BCQEB(Et) is 1,2-bis(3-ethynyl-8-carboxylatequinoline)benzene ethyl ester. The Et(2)BCQEB(Et) framework provides both structural flexibility and the desired syn nitrogen donor geometry, thus serving as a good first-generation ligand in this class.     

Role of the azadithiolate cofactor in models for [FeFe]-hydrogenase: novel structures and catalytic implications

This paper summarizes studies on the redox behavior of synthetic models for the [FeFe]-hydrogenases, consisting of diiron dithiolato carbonyl complexes bearing the amine cofactor and its N-benzyl derivative. Of specific interest are the causes of the low reactivity of oxidized models toward H(2), which contrasts with the high activity of these enzymes for H(2) oxidation. The redox and acid-base properties of the model complexes [Fe(2)[(SCH(2))(2)NR](CO)(3)(dppv)(PMe(3))](+) ([2](+) for R = H and [2'](+) for R = CH(2)C(6)H(5), dppv = cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene)) indicate that addition of H(2) followed by deprotonation are (i) endothermic for the mixed valence (Fe(II)Fe(I)) state and (ii) exothermic for the diferrous (Fe(II)Fe(II)) state. The diferrous state is shown to be unstable with respect to coordination of the amine to Fe, a derivative of which was characterized crystallographically. The redox and acid-base properties for the mixed valence models differ strongly for those containing the amine cofactor versus those derived from propanedithiolate. Protonation of [2'](+) induces disproportionation to a 1:1 mixture of the ammonium [H2'](+) (Fe(I)Fe(I)) and the dication [2'](2+) (Fe(II)Fe(II)). This effect is consistent with substantial enhancement of the basicity of the amine in the Fe(I)Fe(I) state vs the Fe(II)Fe(I) state. The Fe(I)Fe(I) ammonium compounds are rapid and efficient H-atom donors toward the nitroxyl compound TEMPO. The atom transfer is proposed to proceed via the hydride. Collectively, the results suggest that proton-coupled electron-transfer pathways should be considered for H(2) activation by the [FeFe]-hydrogenases.     

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.     

O2 activation by bis(imino)pyridine iron(II)-thiolate complexes

The new iron(II)-thiolate complexes [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(Cl)] (1) and [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(OTf)] (2) [BIP = bis(imino)pyridine] were prepared as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), which converts Cys to Cys-SO(2)H at a (His)(3)Fe(II) center. Reaction of 1 and 2 with O(2) leads to Fe-oxygenation and S-oxygenation, respectively. For 1 + O(2), the spectroscopic and reactivity data, including (18)O isotope studies, are consistent with an assignment of an iron(IV)-oxo complex, [((iPr)BIP)Fe(IV)(O)(Cl)](+) (3), as the product of oxygenation. In contrast, 2 + O(2) results in direct S-oxygenation to give a sulfonato product, PhSO(3)(-). The positioning of the thiolate ligand in 1 versus 2 appears to play a critical role in determining the outcome of O(2) activation. The thiolate ligands in 1 and 2 are essential for O(2) reactivity and exhibit an important influence over the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potential.