Spectroscopic and computational insights into second-sphere amino-acid tuning of substrate analogue/active-site interactions in iron(III) superoxide dismutase

In this study, the mechanism by which second-sphere residues modulate the structural and electronic properties of substrate-analogue complexes of the Fe-dependent superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) has been explored. Both spectroscopic and computational methods were used to investigate the azide (N3(-)) adducts of Fe(3+)SOD (N3-Fe(3+)SOD) and its Q69E mutant, as well as Fe(3+)-substituted MnSOD (N3-Fe(3+)(Mn)SOD) and its Y34F mutant. Electronic absorption, circular dichroism, and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopic data reveal that the energy of the dominant N3(-)-->Fe(3+) ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transition decreases in the order N3-Fe(3+)(Mn)SOD>N3-Fe(3+)SOD>Q69E N3-Fe(3+)SOD. Intriguingly, the LMCT transition energies correlate almost linearly with the Fe(3+/2+) reduction potentials of the corresponding Fe(3+)-bound SOD species in the absence of azide, which span a range of approximately 1 V (see the preceding paper). To explore the origin of this correlation, combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) geometry optimizations were performed on complete enzyme models. The INDO/S-CI computed electronic transition energies satisfactorily reproduce the experimental trend in LMCT transition energies, indicating that the QM/MM optimized active-site models are reasonable. Density functional theory calculations on these experimentally validated active-site models reveal that the differences in spectral and electronic properties among the four N 3(-) adducts arise primarily from differences in the hydrogen-bond network involving the conserved second-sphere Gln (mutated to Glu in Q69E FeSOD) and the solvent ligand. The implications of our findings with respect to the mechanism by which the second-coordination sphere modulates substrate-analogue binding as well as the catalytic properties of FeSOD are discussed.     

Second-sphere contributions to substrate-analogue binding in iron(III) superoxide dismutase

A combination of spectroscopic and computational methods has been employed to explore the nature of the yellow and pink low-temperature azide adducts of iron(III) superoxide dismutase (N(3)-FeSOD), which have been known for more than two decades. Variable-temperature variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) data suggest that both species possess similar ferric centers with a single azide ligand bound, contradicting previous proposals invoking two azide ligands in the pink form. Complementary data obtained on the azide complex of the Q69E FeSOD mutant reveal that relatively minor perturbations in the metal-center environment are sufficient to produce significant spectral changes; the Q69E N(3)-FeSOD species is red in color at all temperatures. Resonance Raman (RR) spectra of the wild-type and Q69E mutant N(3)-FeSOD complexes are consistent with similar Fe-N(3) units in all three species; however, variations in energies and relative intensities of the RR features associated with this unit reveal subtle differences in (N(3)(-))-Fe(3+) bonding. To understand these differences on a quantitative level, density functional theory and semiempirical INDO/S-CI calculations have been performed on N(3)-FeSOD models. These computations support our model that a single azide ligand is present in all three N(3)-FeSOD adducts and suggest that their different appearances reflect differences in the Fe-N-N bond angle. A 10 degrees increase in the Fe-N-N bond angle is sufficient to account for the spectral differences between the yellow and pink wild-type N(3)-FeSOD species. We show that this bond angle is strongly affected by the second coordination sphere, which therefore might also play an important role in orienting incoming substrate for reaction with the FeSOD active site.     

The photochemistry of [Fe(III)N3(cyclam-ac)]PF6 at 266 nm

The photochemistry of iron azido complexes is quite challenging and poorly understood. For example, the photochemical decomposition of [Fe(III)N(3)(cyclam-ac)]PF(6) ([1]PF(6)), where cyclam-ac represents the 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1-acetate ligand, has been shown to be wavelength-dependent, leading either to the rare high-valent iron(V) nitrido complex [Fe(V)N(cyclam-ac)]PF(6) ([3]PF(6)) after cleavage of the azide N(α)-N(β) bond, or to a photoreduced Fe(II) species after Fe-N(azide) bond homolysis. The mechanistic details of this intriguing reactivity have never been studied in detail. Here, the photochemistry of 1 in acetonitrile solution at room temperature has been investigated using step-scan and rapid-scan time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy following a 266 nm, 10 ns pulsed laser excitation. Using carbon monoxide as a quencher for the primary iron-containing photochemical product, it is shown that 266 nm excitation of 1 results exclusively in the cleavage of the Fe-N(azide) bond, as was suspected from earlier steady-state irradiation studies. In argon-purged solutions of [1]PF(6), the solvent-stabilized complex cation [Fe(II)(CH(3)CN)(cyclam-ac)](+) (2red) together with the azide radical (N(3)(.)) is formed with a relative yield of 80%, as evidenced by the appearance of their characteristic vibrational resonances. Strikingly, step-scan experiments with a higher time resolution reveal the formation of azide anions (N(3)(-)) during the first 500 ns after photolysis, with a yield of 20%. These azide ions can subsequently react thermally with 2red to form [Fe(II)N(3)(cyclam-ac)] (1red) as a secondary product of the photochemical decomposition of 1. Molecular oxygen was further used to quench 1red and 2red to form what seems to be the elusive complex [Fe(O(2))(cyclam-ac)](+) (6).     

Homodinuclear iron thiolate nitrosyl compounds [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H4)2 Fe(NO)2]- and [(ON)Fe(SO2,S-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)Fe(NO)2]- with {Fe(NO)}7-{Fe(NO)2}9 electronic coupling: new members of a class of dinitrosyl iron complexes

Reaction of Fe(CO)2(NO)2 and [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]- (R = H (1), CH3 (1-Me))/[(ON)Fe(SO2,S-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)]- (4) in THF afforded the diiron thiolate/sulfinate nitrosyl complexes [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2 Fe(NO)2]- (R = H (2), CH3 (2-Me)) and [(ON)Fe(S,SO2-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)Fe(NO)2]- (3), respectively. The average N-O bond lengths ([Fe(NO)2] unit) of 1.167(3) and 1.162(4) A in complexes 2 and 3 are consistent with the average N-O bond length of 1.165 A observed in the other structurally characterized dinitrosyl iron complexes with an {Fe(NO)2}9 core. The lower nu(15NO) value (1682 cm(-1) (KBr)) of the [(15NO)FeS4] fragment of [(15NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3CH3)2 Fe(NO)2]- (2-Me-15N), compared to that of [(15NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3CH3)2]- (1-Me-15N) (1727 cm(-1) (KBr)), implicates the electron transfer from {Fe(NO)2}10 Fe(CO)2(NO)2 to complex 1-Me/1 may occur in the process of formation of complex 2-Me/2. Then, the electronic structures of the [(NO)FeS4] and [S2Fe(NO)2] cores of complexes 2, 2-Me, and 3 were best assigned according to the Feltham-Enemark notation as the {Fe(NO)}7-{Fe(NO)2}9 coupling (antiferromagnetic interaction with a J value of -182 cm(-1) for complex 2) to account for the absence of paramagnetism (SQUID) and the EPR signal. On the basis of Fe-N(O) and N-O bond distances, the dinitrosyliron {L2Fe(NO)2} derivatives having an Fe-N(O) distance of approximately 1.670 A and a N-O distance of approximately 1.165 A are best assigned as {Fe(NO)2}9 electronic structures, whereas the Fe-N(O) distance of approximately 1.650 A and N-O distance of approximately 1.190 A probably imply an {Fe(NO)2}10 electronic structure.     

Novel iron(III) complexes of sterically hindered 4N ligands: regioselectivity in biomimetic extradiol cleavage of catechols

The iron(III) complexes of the 4N ligands 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L1), 1,4-bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L2), and 1,4-bis(2-quinolylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L3) have been generated in situ in CH 3CN solution, characterized as [Fe(L1)Cl 2] (+) 1, [Fe(L2)Cl 2] (+) 2, and [Fe(L3)Cl 2] (+) 3 by using ESI-MS, absorption and EPR spectral and electrochemical methods and studied as functional models for the extradiol cleaving catechol dioxygenase enzymes. The tetrachlorocatecholate (TCC (2-)) adducts [Fe(L1)(TCC)](ClO 4) 1a, [Fe(L2)(TCC)](ClO 4) 2a, and [Fe(L3)(TCC)](ClO 4) 3a have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, absorption spectral and electrochemical methods. The molecular structure of [Fe(L1)(TCC)](ClO 4) 1a has been successfully determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex 1a possesses a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around iron(III). The two tertiary amine (Fe-N amine, 2.245, 2.145 A) and two pyridyl nitrogen (Fe-N py, 2.104, 2.249 A) atoms of the tetradentate 4N ligand are coordinated to iron(III) in a cis-beta configuration, and the two catecholate oxygen atoms of TCC (2-) occupy the remaining cis positions. The Fe-O cat bond lengths (1.940, 1.967 A) are slightly asymmetric and differ by 0.027 A only. On adding catecholate anion to all the [Fe(L)Cl 2] (+) complexes the linear tetradentate ligand rearranges itself to provide cis-coordination positions for bidentate coordination of the catechol. Upon adding 3,5-di- tert-butylcatechol (H 2DBC) pretreated with 1 equiv of Et 3N to 1- 3, only one catecholate-to-iron(III) LMCT band (648-800 nm) is observed revealing the formation of [Fe(L)(HDBC)] (2+) involving bidentate coordination of the monoanion HDBC (-). On the other hand, when H 2DBC pretreated with 2 equiv of Et 3N or 1 or 2 equiv of piperidine is added to 1- 3, two intense catecholate-to-iron(III) LMCT bands appear suggesting the formation of [Fe(L)(DBC)] (+) with bidentate coordination of DBC (2-). The appearance of the DBSQ/H 2DBC couple for [Fe(L)Cl 2] (+) at positive potentials (-0.079 to 0.165 V) upon treatment with DBC (2-) reveals that chelated DBC (2-) in the former is stabilized toward oxidation more than the uncoordinated H 2DBC. It is remarkable that the [Fe(L)(HDBC)] (2+) complexes elicit fast regioselective extradiol cleavage (34.6-85.5%) in the presence of O 2 unlike the iron(III) complexes of the analogous linear 4N ligands known so far to yield intradiol cleavage products exclusively. Also, the adduct [Fe(L2)(HDBC)] (2+) shows a higher extradiol to intradiol cleavage product selectivity ( E/ I, 181:1) than the other adducts [Fe(L3)(HDBC)] (2+) ( E/ I, 57:1) and [Fe(L1)(HDBC)] (2+) ( E/ I, 9:1). It is proposed that the coordinated pyridyl nitrogen abstracts the proton from chelated HDBC (-) in the substrate-bound complex and then gets displaced to facilitate O 2 attack on the iron(III) center to yield the extradiol cleavage product. In contrast, when the cleavage reaction is performed in the presence of a stronger base like piperidine or 2 equiv of Et 3N a faster intradiol cleavage is favored over extradiol cleavage suggesting the importance of bidentate coordination of DBC (2-) in facilitating intradiol cleavage.     

Binding of pi-acceptor ligands to (triamine)iron(II) complexes

A series of (Me3TACN)FeII derivatives with soft coligands have been investigated, where Me3TACN is N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane. Treatment of Me3TACN with FeCl2 afforded a compound with the empirical formula (Me3TACN)FeCl2 (1). Compound 1, which is a versatile precursor reagent, was shown by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be the salt [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3][(Me3TACN)FeCl3], containing isolated [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3]+ and [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]- subunits. Treatment of 1 with NaBPh4 gave the known [(Me3TACN)2Fe2Cl3]BPh4, while the addition of Me3TACN to FeCl4(2-) gave [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-. Oxygenation of 1 afforded [(Me3TACN)FeCl2]2(mu-O), which was shown crystallographically to be centrosymmetric with a pair of distorted octahedral Fe centers. The Fe-N bond trans to the Fe-O bond is elongated by 02 A relative to the other Fe-N distances. Solutions of 1 and thiolates absorb CO to give [(Me3TACN)Fe(SPh)(CO)2]BPh4 and (Me3TACN)Fe(S2C2H4)(CO) (nu CO = 1896 cm-1). Treatment of 1 with excess CN- afforded [(Me3TACN)Fe(CN)3]-, isolated as its PPh4+ salt 5. Crystallographic and spectroscopic studies show that 5 is low spin with a C3v structure; its Fe-N distances contracted by 023 A relative to those in [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-. Aqueous solutions of 1 bind CO upon the addition of CN- to produce (Me3TACN)Fe(CN)2(CO) (6) Analogous to 6 is (Me3TACN)Fe(CN)2(CNMe), prepared by methylation of 5. The metastable dicarbonyl [(Me3TACN)FeI(CO)2]I was prepared by treatment of FeI2(CO)4 with Me3TACN and was crystallographically characterized as its BPh4- salt. Values of E1/2 for [(Me3TACN)FeCl3]-, 5, and 6 are -0409, -0640, and 0533 V vs Fc/Fc+, respectively.     

Ultrafast primary processes of an iron-(III) azido complex in solution induced with 266 nm light

The ultrafast photo-induced primary processes of the iron-(III) azido complex, [Fe(III)N(3)(cyclam-acetato)] PF(6) (1), in acetonitrile solution at room temperature were studied using femtosecond spectroscopy with ultraviolet (UV) excitation and mid-infrared (MIR) detection. Following the absorption of a 266 nm photon, the complex undergoes an internal conversion back to the electronic doublet ground state at a time scale below 2 ps. Subsequently, the electronic ground state vibrationally cools with a characteristic time constant of 13 ps. A homolytic bond cleavage was also observed by the appearance of ground state azide radicals, which were identified by their asymmetric stretching vibration at 1659 cm(-1). The azide radical recombines in a geminate fashion with the iron containing fragment within 20 ps. The cage escape leading to well separated fragments after homolytic Fe-N bond breakage was found to occur with a quantum yield of 35%. Finally, non-geminate recombination at nanosecond time scales was seen to further reduce the photolytic quantum yield to below 20% at a wavelength of 266 nm.     

Characterization of a genuine iron(V)-nitrido species by nuclear resonant vibrational spectroscopy coupled to density functional calculations

The characterization of high-valent iron species is of interest due to their relevance to biological reaction mechanisms. Recently, we have synthesized and characterized an [Fe(V)-nitrido-cyclam-acetato]+ complex, which has been characterized by M?ssbauer, magnetic susceptibility data, and XAS spectroscopies combined with DFT calculations (Aliaga-Alcade, N.; DeBeer George, S.; Bill, E.; Wieghardt, K.; Neese, F. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 2908-2912). The results of this study indicated that the [Fe(V)-nitrido-cyclam-acetato]+ complex is an unusual d3 system with a nearly orbitally degenerate S=1/2 ground state. Although the calculations predicted fairly different Fe-N stretching frequencies for the S=1/2 and the competing S=3/2 ground states, a direct experimental determination of this important fingerprint quantity was missing. Here we apply synchrotron-based nuclear resonance vibrational scattering (NRVS) to characterize the Fe-N stretching frequency of an Fe(V)-nitrido complex and its Fe(III)-azide precursor. The NRVS data show a new isolated band at 864 cm(-1) in the Fe(V)-nitrido complex that is absent in the precursor. The NRVS spectra are fit and simulated using a DFT approach, and the new feature is unambiguously assigned to a Fe(V)-N stretch. The calculated Fe-N stretching frequency is too high by approximately 75 cm(-1). Anharmonic contributions to the Fe-N stretching frequency have been evaluated and have been found to be small (-5.5 cm(-1)). The NRVS data provided a unique opportunity to obtain this vibrational information, which had eluded characterization by more traditional vibrational spectroscopies.     

Tris(5-methylpyrazolyl)methane: synthesis and properties of its iron(II) complex

The new ligand, tris(5-methylpyrazolyl)methane (1), has been prepared by the reaction of n-butyl lithium with tris(pyrazolyl)methane followed by trimethylation of the tetralithiated species with methyl iodide. The BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-), and BPh(3)CN(-) salts of the Fe(II) complex of this ligand were also synthesized. The X-ray crystal structure of the BF(4)(-) complex (2) at 100 K had Fe-N bond lengths of 1.976 ?, indicative of a low spin Fe(II) complex, while at room temperature, the structure of this complex had a Fe-N bond distance close to 2.07 ?, indicative of an admixture of approximately 50% low-spin and 50% high-spin. The solid-state structure of the complex with a ClO(4)(-) counterion was determined at 5 different temperatures between 173 and 293 K, which allowed the thermodynamic parameters for the spin-crossover to be estimated. M?ssbauer spectra of the BF(4)(-) complex further support spin-state crossover in the solid state with a transition temperature near 300 K. UV-visible spectroscopy and (1)H NMR studies of 2 show that the transition temperature in solution is closer to 400 K. No spin-crossover was observed for [Fe(1)(2)](2+)·2BPh(3)CN(-). The results allow the separation of effects of groups in the 3-position from those in the 5-position on tpm ligands, and also point toward a small cooperative effect in the spin-crossover for the Fe(II) complex.     

A phenolate-induced trans influence: crystallographic evidence for unusual asymmetric coordination of an alpha-diimine in ternary complexes of iron(III) possessing biologically relevant hetero-donor N-centered tripodal ligands

Three mononuclear ternary complexes of iron(III) with an alpha-diimine (bipy or phen) and a derivative of N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycinate (L3-) have been synthesized and characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of the pseudo-octahedral complexes [Fe(bipy)L] x MeCN [L = (3,5-Br2)-L3- or (5,3-Cl,Me)-L3-] revealed a considerable and consistent distortion in the coordination of bipy to iron(III) attributable largely to electronic effects. In both crystal structures, the Fe-N(pyridyl) bond trans to the phenolate oxygen is 0.133 A longer than the other one positioned trans to the tertiary amine nitrogen, a relatively weaker donor. This coordination behavior of bipy is of structural interest and has not been observed previously for iron(III). The electronic and EPR spectra of the compounds [Fe(L'-L')L] x MeCN (L'-L' = bipy or phen) are consistent with the spin state of the central metal atom (S = 5/2). The charge-transfer transitions arising from the strong interactions of the phenolate moieties with the ferric ion have been identified as phenolate (p(pi)) --> iron(III) (d(pi*)) (lambda(max) approximately 500 nm, epsilon approximately 3000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and phenolate (p(pi)) --> iron(III) (d(sigma*) (lambda(max) approximately 320 nm, epsilon approximately 5200 M(-1) cm(-1)). The presence of the phenolate moieties in the quadridentate hetero-donor tripodal ligands, H3L, lends these iron(III) ternary complexes the potential to model the specific metal-coordination, metal-substrate interactions, and physicochemical behaviors of several iron-tyrosinate proteins.     

Synthesis,X-ray crystal structure,and redox and electronic properties of iron(III)-polyimidazole complexes relevant to the metal sites of iron proteins

A new tripod N(3) ligand (L), containing three imidazole rings, was synthesized in good yield. At variance with usual aromatic ligands with N(2) or N(3) donor sets such as pyridine or pyrazole derivatives, L stabilizes the Fe(III) oxidation state. The corresponding iron(III) complexes [Fe(L)Cl(3)] (1) and [Fe(L)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (2) were prepared and characterized by X-ray structural analysis and spectroscopic methods. The coordination environment around all the Fe(III) centers has a distorted octahedral geometry. [Fe(L)Cl(3)] (1) belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, a = 9.7406(5) A, b = 17.207(2) A, c = 14.615(2) A, beta = 104.448(9)(o) Z = 4, V = 2372.1(4) A(3); R = 0.044, R(w) = 0.055. [Fe(L)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (2) belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 16.1057(15) A, b = 11.1079(12) A, c = 26.283(2) A, beta = 102.062(10)(o), Z = 4, V = 4598.2(8) A(3); R = 0.0465, R(w) = 0.0902. The Fe-N((i)PrIm) bond lengths are systematically longer than the Fe-N(MeIm) ones. Compound 2 is a highly anisotropic low-spin Fe(III) complex displaying a rather unusual EPR spectrum with a sharp signal at g = 3.5 and a broad one at g approximately 1.6. The fitting of this EPR spectrum is discussed.     

New Fe4, Fe6, and Fe8 clusters of iron(III) from the use of 2-pyridyl alcohols: structural, magnetic, and computational characterization

The syntheses, crystal structures, magnetochemical characterization, and theoretical calculations are reported for three new iron clusters [Fe 6O 2(NO3) 4(hmp) 8(H 2O) 2](NO3)2 (1), [Fe4(N3)6(hmp)6] (2), and [Fe8O3(OMe)(pdm)4(pdmH) 4(MeOH)2](ClO4)5 (3) (hmpH=2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine; pdmH2=2,6-pyridinedimethanol). The reaction of hmpH with iron(III) sources such as Fe(NO3) 3.9H2O in the presence of NEt 3 gave 1, whereas 2 was obtained from a similar reaction by adding an excess of NaN3. Complex 3 was obtained in good yield from the reaction of pdmH 2 with Fe(ClO4)3.6H2O in MeOH in the presence of an organic base. The complexes all possess extremely rare or novel core topologies. The core of 1 comprises two oxide-centered [Fe3(mu3-O)](7+) triangular units linked together at two of their apexes by two sets of alkoxide arms of hmp(-) ligands. Complex 2 contains a zigzag array of four Fe (III) atoms within an [Fe4(mu-OR) 6](6+) core, with the azide groups all bound terminally. Finally, complex 3 contains a central [Fe 4(mu4-O)](10+) tetrahedron linked to two oxide-centered [Fe3(mu3-O)](7+) triangular units. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetization studies were carried out on complexes 1-3 in the 5.0-300 K range. Fitting of the obtained magnetization versus field (H) and temperature (T) data by matrix diagonalization and including only axial anisotropy (zero-field splitting, ZFS) established that 1 possesses an S=3 ground-state spin, with g=2.08, and D=-0.44 cm(-1). The magnetic susceptibility data for 2 up to 300 K were fit by matrix diagonalization and gave J1=-9.2 cm(-1), J2=-12.5 cm(-1), and g=2.079, where J 1 and J 2 are the outer and middle nearest-neighbor exchange interactions, respectively. Thus, the interactions between the Fe(III) centers are all antiferromagnetic, giving an S=0 ground state for 2. Similarly, complex 3 was found to have an S=0 ground state. Theoretically computed values of the exchange constants in 2 were obtained with DFT calculations and the ZILSH method and were in good agreement with the values obtained from the experimental data. Exchange constants obtained with ZILSH for 3 successfully rationalized the experimental S = 0 ground state. The combined work demonstrates the ligating flexibility of pyridyl-alcohol chelates and their usefulness in the synthesis of new polynuclear Fex clusters without requiring the copresence of carboxylate ligands.     

Copper(I) complex O(2)-reactivity with a N(3)S thioether ligand: a copper-dioxygen adduct including sulfur ligation, ligand oxygenation, and comparisons with all nitrogen ligand analogues

In order to contribute to an understanding of the effects of thioether sulfur ligation in copper-O(2) reactivity, the tetradentate ligands L(N3S) (2-ethylthio-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-yl)methylethanamine) and L(N3S')(2-ethylthio-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-yl)ethylethanamine) have been synthesized. Corresponding copper(I) complexes, [CuI(L(N3S))]ClO(4) (1-ClO(4)), [CuI(L(N3S))]B(C(6)F(5))(4) (1-B(C(6)F(5))(4)), and [CuI(L(N3S'))]ClO(4) (2), were generated, and their redox properties, CO binding, and O(2)-reactivity were compared to the situation with analogous compounds having all nitrogen donor ligands, [CuI(TMPA)(MeCN)](+) and [Cu(I)(PMAP)](+) (TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; PMAP = bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-(2-pyridyl)methylamine). X-ray structures of 1-B(C(6)F(5))(4), a dimer, and copper(II) complex [Cu(II)(L(N3S))(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (3) were obtained; the latter possesses axial thioether coordination. At low temperature in CH(2)Cl(2), acetone, or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), 1 reacts with O(2) and generates an adduct formulated as an end-on peroxodicopper(II) complex [{Cu(II)(L(N3S))}(2)(mu-1,2-O(2)(2-))](2+) (4)){lambda(max) = 530 (epsilon approximately 9200 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 605 nm (epsilon approximately 11,800 M(-1) cm(-1))}; the number and relative intensity of LMCT UV-vis bands vary from those for [{Cu(II)(TMPA)}(2)(O(2)(2-))](2+) {lambda(max) = 524 nm (epsilon = 11,300 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 615 nm (epsilon = 5800 M(-1) cm(-1))} and are ascribed to electronic structure variation due to coordination geometry changes with the L(N3S) ligand. Resonance Raman spectroscopy confirms the end-on peroxo-formulation {nu(O-O) = 817 cm(-1) (16-18O(2) Delta = 46 cm(-1)) and nu(Cu-O) = 545 cm(-1) (16-18O(2) Delta = 26 cm(-1)); these values are lower in energy than those for [{Cu(II)(TMPA)}(2)(O(2)(2-))](2+) {nu(Cu-O) = 561 cm(-1) and nu(O-O) = 827 cm(-1)} and can be attributed to less electron density donation from the peroxide pi* orbitals to the Cu(II) ion. Complex 4 is the first copper-dioxygen adduct with thioether ligation; direct evidence comes from EXAFS spectroscopy {Cu K-edge; Cu-S = 2.4 Angstrom}. Following a [Cu(I)(L(N3S))](+)/O(2) reaction and warming, the L(N3S) thioether ligand is oxidized to the sulfoxide in a reaction modeling copper monooxygenase activity. By contrast, 2 is unreactive toward dioxygen probably due to its significantly increased Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential, an effect of ligand chelate ring size (in comparison to 1). Discussion of the relevance of the chemistry to copper enzyme O(2)-activation, and situations of biological stress involving methionine oxidation, is provided.     

Synthetic models for the cysteinate-ligated non-heme iron enzyme superoxide reductase: observation and structural characterization by XAS of an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate

Superoxide reductases (SORs) belong to a new class of metalloenzymes that degrade superoxide by reducing it to hydrogen peroxide. These enzymes contain a catalytic iron site that cycles between the Fe(II) and Fe(III) states during catalysis. A key step in the reduction of superoxide has been suggested to involve HO(2) binding to Fe(II), followed by innersphere electron transfer to afford an Fe(III)-OO(H) intermediate. In this paper, the mechanism of the superoxide-induced oxidation of a synthetic ferrous SOR model ([Fe(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](+) (1)) to afford [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren)(solv))](2+) (2-solv) is reported. The XANES spectrum shows that 1 remains five-coordinate in methanolic solution. Upon reaction of 1 with KO(2) in MeOH at -90 degrees C, an intermediate (3) is formed, which is characterized by a LMCT band centered at 452(2780) nm, and a low-spin state (S = 1/2), based on its axial EPR spectrum (g(perpendicular) = 2.14; g(parallel) = 1.97). Hydrogen peroxide is detected in this reaction, using both (1)H NMR spectroscopy and a catalase assay. Intermediate 3 is photolabile, so, in lieu of a Raman spectrum, IR was used to obtain vibrational data for 3. At low temperatures, a nu(O-O) Fermi doublet is observed in the IR at 788(2) and 781(2) cm(-)(1), which collapses into a single peak at 784 cm(-1) upon the addition of D(2)O. This vibrational peak diminishes in intensity over time and essentially disappears after 140 s. When 3 is generated using an (18)O-labeled isotopic mixture of K(18)O(2)/K(16)O(2) (23.28%), the vibration centered at 784 cm(-1) shifts to 753 cm(-1). This new vibrational peak is close to that predicted (740 cm(-1)) for a diatomic (18)O-(18)O stretch. In addition, a nu(O-O) vibrational peak assigned to free hydrogen peroxide is also observed (nu(O-O) = 854 cm(-1)) throughout the course of the reaction between Fe(II)-1 and superoxide and is strongest after 100 s. XAS studies indicate that 3 possesses one sulfur scatterer at 2.33(2) A and four nitrogen scatterers at 2.01(1) A. Addition of two Fe-O shells, each containing one oxygen, one at 1.86(3) A and one at 2.78(3) A, improved the EXAFS fits, suggesting that 3 is an end-on peroxo or hydroperoxo complex, [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OO(H))](+). Upon warming above -50 degrees C, 3 is converted to 2-MeOH. In methanol and methanol:THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) solvent mixtures, 2-MeOH is characterized by a LMCT band at lambda(max) = 511(1765) nm, an intermediate spin-state (S = 3/2), and, on the basis of EXAFS, a relatively short Fe-O bond (assigned to a coordinated methanol or methoxide) at 1.94(10) A. Kinetic measurements in 9:1 THF:MeOH at 25 degrees C indicate that 3 is formed near the diffusion limit upon addition of HO(2) to 1 and converts to 2-MeOH at a rate of 65(1) s(-1), which is consistent with kinetic studies involving superoxide oxidation of the SOR iron site.     

Light- and thermal-induced spin crossover in [Fe(abpt)2(N(CN)2)2]. Synthesis, structure, magnetic properties, and high-spin<-->low spin relaxation studies

[Fe(abpt)2(N(CN)2)2] (abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) represents the first example of an iron(II) spin-crossover compound containing dicyanamide ligand, [N(CN)(2)](-), as a counterion. It shows an incomplete two-step spin transition with around 37% of HS molecules trapped in the low-temperature region when standard cooling or warming modes, i.e., 1-2 K min(-)(1), were used. The temperature, T(1/2) approximately 86 K, at which 50% of the conversion takes place, is one of the lowest temperatures observed for an iron(II) spin-crossover compound. Quenching experiments at low temperatures have shown that the incomplete character of the conversion is a consequence of slow kinetics. The quenched HS state relaxes back to the LS state displaying noticeable deviation from a single-exponential law. The rate of relaxation was evaluated in the range of temperatures 10-60 K. In the upper limit of temperatures, where thermal activation predominates, the activation energy and the pre-exponential parameter were estimated as E(a) approximately 280 cm(-)(1) and A(HL) approximately 10 s(-)(1), respectively. The lowest value of k(HL) around 1.2 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1) (T = 10 K) was obtained in the region of temperatures where tunneling predominates. A quantitative light induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect was observed, and the HS --> LS relaxation in the range of temperatures 5-52.5 K was studied. From the Arrhenius plot the two above-mentioned characteristic regimes, thermal-activated (E(a) approximately 431 cm(-)(1) and A(HL) approximately 144 s(-)(1)) and tunneling (k(HL) approximately 1.7 x 10(-)(6) s(-)(1) at 5 K), were characterized. The crystal structure was solved at room temperature. It crystallizes in the triclinic P_1 space group, and the unit cell contains a centrosymmetric mononuclear unit. Each iron atom is in a distorted octahedral environment with bond distances Fe-N(1) = 2.216(2) A, Fe-N(2) = 2.121(2) A, and Fe-N(3) = 2.160(2) A for the pyridine, triazole, and dicyanamide ligands, respectively.     

Thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of the stepwise dissociation and formation of Tris(L-lysinehydroxamato)iron(III) in aqueous acid

pK(a) values for the hydroxamic acid, alpha-NH(3)(+), and epsilon-NH(3)(+) groups of L-lysinehydroxamic acid (LyHA, H(3)L(2+)) were found to be 6.87, 8.89, and 10.76, respectively, in aqueous solution (I = 0.1 M, NaClO(4)) at 25 degrees C. O,O coordination to Fe(III) by LyHA is supported by H(+) stoichiometry, UV-vis spectral shifts, and a shift in nu(CO) from 1648 to 1592 cm(-1) upon formation of mono(L-lysinehydroxamato)tetra(aquo)iron(III) (Fe(H(2)L)(H(2)O)(4)(4+)). The stepwise formation of tris(L-lysinehydroxamato)iron(III) from Fe(H(2)O)(6)(3+) and H(3)L(2+) was characterized by spectrophotometric titration, and the values for log beta(1), log beta(2), and log beta(3) are 6.80(9), 12.4(2), and 16.1(2), respectively, at 25 degrees C and I = 2.0 M (NaClO(4)). Stopped-flow spectrophotometry was used to study the proton-driven stepwise ligand dissociation kinetics of tris(L-lysinehydroxamato)iron(III) at 25 degrees C and I = 2.0 M (HClO(4)/NaClO(4)). Defining k(n) and k(-n) as the stepwise ligand dissociation and association rate constants and n as the number of bound LyHA ligands, k(3), k(-3), k(2), k(-2), k(1), and k(-1) are 3.0 x 10(4), 2.4 x 10(1), 3.9 x 10(2), 1.9 x 10(1), 1.4 x 10(-1), and 1.2 x 10(-1) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. These rate and equilibrium constants are compared with corresponding constants for Fe(III) complexes of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and N-methylacetohydroxamic acid (NMAHA) in the form of a linear free energy relationship. The role of electrostatics in these complexation reactions to form the highly charged Fe(LyHA)(3)(6+) species is discussed, and an interchange mechanism mediated by charge repulsion is presented. The reduction potential for tris(L-lysinehydroxamato)iron(III) is -214 mV (vs. NHE), and a comparison to other hydroxamic acid complexes of Fe(III) is made through a correlation between E(1/2) and pFe.     

Photoluminescent layered Y(III) and Tb(III) silicates doped with Ce(III)

The synthesis and structural characterization of new layered rare-earth silicates K(3)[M(1-a)Ce(a)Si(3)O(8)(OH)(2)], M = Y(3+), Tb(3+), a < 1 (AV-22 materials), have been reported. These materials combine the properties of layered silicates, such as intercalation chemistry, and photoluminescence and may find applications in new types of sensor devices. For mixed Tb/Ce-AV-22, evidence has been found for the energy transfer from the large Ce(3+) 4f( 1) --> 5d(1) broad band to the sharp Tb(3+) 4f (8) lines. This energy transfer allows the fine-tuning of the color emission in the blue-green region of the chromaticity diagram. Upon Ce(3+) excitation (342 nm), the radiance of Tb/Ce-AV-22 is approximately 2 times higher than that measured under direct Tb(3+) excitation, which reinforces the existence of effective room-temperature Ce(3+)-to-Tb(3+) energy transfer.     

Structural, electronic, and vibrational characterization of Fe-HNO porphyrinates by density functional theory

A recent report of the structural and vibrational properties of heme-bound HNO in myoglobin, MbHNO, revealed a long Fe-N(HNO) bond with the hydrogen atom bonded to the coordinated N atom. The Fe-N(H)-O moiety was reported to exhibit an unusually high Fe-N(HNO) stretching frequency relative to those of the corresponding [FeNO]6 and [FeNO]7 porphyrinates, despite the Fe-N(HNO) bond being longer than either of its Fe-N(NO) counterparts. Herein, we present results from density functional theory calculations of an active site model of MbHNO that support the previous assignment and clarify this seemingly contradictory result. The results are consistent with the experimental evidence for a ground-state Fe-N(H)-O structure having a long Fe-N(HNO) bond and a uniquely high nu(Fe)(-)(N(HNO)) frequency. This high frequency is the result of the correspondingly low reduced mass of the normal mode, which is largely attributable to significant motion of the N-bound hydrogen atom. Additionally, the calculations show the Fe-N(H)O bonding in this complex to be remarkably insensitive to whether the HNO and ImH ligand planes are parallel or perpendicular. This is attributed to insensitivities of the Fe-L(axial) characters of molecular orbitals to the relative HNO and ImH orientation in both the parallel and perpendicular conformers.