A density functional study of oxygen atom transfer reactions between biological oxygen atom donors and molybdenum(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes

Density functional calculations have been used to investigate oxygen atom transfer reactions from the biological oxygen atom donors trimethylamine N-oxide (Me(3)NO) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the molybdenum(IV) complexes [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) (mnt = maleonitrile-1,2-dithiolate), which may serve as models for mononuclear molybdenum enzymes of the DMSO reductase family. The reaction between [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and trimethylamine N-oxide was found to have an activation energy of 72 kJ/mol and proceed via a transition state (TS) with distorted octahedral geometry, where the Me(3)NO is bound through the oxygen to the molybdenum atom and the N-O bond is considerably weakened. The computational modeling of the reactions between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) or [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) indicated that the former is energetically unfavorable while the latter was found to be favorable. The addition of a methyl group to [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) to form the corresponding des-oxo complex not only lowers the relative energy of the products but also lowers the activation energy. In addition, the reaction with [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) proceeds via a TS with trigonal prismatic geometry instead of the distorted octahedral TS geometry modeled for the reaction between [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and Me(3)NO.     

Oxo transfer reactions mediated by bis(dithiolene)tungsten analogues of the active sites of molybdoenzymes in the DMSO reductase family: comparative reactivity of tungsten and molybdenum.

The discovery of tungsten enzymes and molybdenum/tungsten isoenzymes, in which the mononuclear catalytic sites contain a metal chelated by one or two pterin-dithiolene cofactor ligands, has lent new significance to tungsten-dithiolene chemistry. Reaction of [W(CO)(2)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)] with RO(-) affords a series of square pyramidal desoxo complexes [W(IV)(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-), including R' = Ph (1) and Pr(i)() (3). Reaction of 1 and 3 with Me(3)NO gives the cis-octahedral complexes [W(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-), including R' = Ph (6) and Pr(i)() (8). These W(IV,VI) complexes are considered unconstrained versions of protein-bound sites of DMSOR and TMAOR (DMSOR = dimethylsulfoxide reductase, TMAOR = trimethylamine N-oxide reductase) members of the title enzyme family. The structure of 6 and the catalytic center of one DMSO reductase isoenzyme have similar overall stereochemistry and comparable bond lengths. The minimal oxo transfer reaction paradigm thought to apply to enzymes, W(IV) + XO --> W(VI)O + X, has been investigated. Direct oxo transfer was demonstrated by isotope transfer from Ph(2)Se(18)O. Complex 1 reacts cleanly and completely with various substrates XO to afford 6 and product X in second-order reactions with associative transition states. The substrate reactivity order with 1 is Me(3)NO > Ph(3)AsO > pyO (pyridine N-oxide) > R(2)SO > Ph(3)PO. For reaction of 3 with Me(3)NO, k(2) = 0.93 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), and for 1 with Me(2)SO, k(2) = 3.9 x 10(-)(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1); other rate constants and activation parameters are reported. These results demonstrate that bis(dithiolene)W(IV) complexes are competent to reduce both N-oxides and S-oxides; DMSORs reduce both substrate types, but TMAORs are reported to reduce only N-oxides. Comparison of k(cat)/K(M) data for isoenzymes and k(2) values for isostructural analogue complexes reveals that catalytic and stoichiometric oxo transfer, respectively, from substrate to metal is faster with tungsten and from metal to substrate is faster with molybdenum. These results constitute a kinetic metal effect in direct oxo transfer reactions for analogue complexes and for isoenzymes provided the catalytic sites are isostructural. The nature of the transition state in oxo transfer reactions of analogues is tentatively considered. This research presents the first kinetics study of substrate reduction via oxo transfer mediated by bis(dithiolene)tungsten complexes.     

Synthesis, structure and redox properties of bis(cyclopentadienyl)dithiolene complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

The compounds [Cp(2)M(S(2)C(2)(H)R)] (M = Mo or W; R = phenyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl or quinoxalin-2-yl) and [Cp(2)Mo(S(2)C(2)(Me)(pyridin-2-yl)] have been prepared by a facile and general route for the synthesis of dithiolene complexes, viz. the reaction of [Cp(2)MCl(2)] (M = Mo or W) with the dithiolene pro-ligand generated by reacting the corresponding 4-(R)-1,3-dithiol-2-one with CsOH. These Mo compounds were reported previously (Hsu et al., Inorg. Chem. 1996, 35, 4743); however, the preparative method employed herein is more versatile and generates the compounds in good yield and all of the W compounds are new. Electrochemical investigations have shown that each compound undergoes a diffusion controlled one-electron oxidation (OX(I)) and a one-electron reduction (RED(I)) process; each redox change occurs at a more positive potential for a Mo compound than for its W counterpart. The mono-cations generated by chemical or electrochemical oxidation are stable and the structures of both components of the [Cp(2)Mo(S(2)C(2)(H)R)](+)/[Cp(2)Mo(S(2)C(2)(H)R)] (R = Ph or pyridin-3-yl) redox couples have been determined by X-ray crystallography. For each redox related pair, the changes in the Mo-S, S-C and C-C bond lengths of the {MoSCCS} moiety are generally consistent with OX(I) involving the loss of an electron from a π-orbital that is Mo-S and C-S antibonding and C-C bonding in character. These results have been interpreted successfully within the framework provided by DFT calculations accomplished for [Cp(2)M(S(2)C(2)(H)Ph)](n) (M = Mo or W; n = +1, 0 or -1). The HOMO of the neutral compounds is derived mainly from the dithiolene π(3) orbital (65%); therefore, OX(I) is essentially a dithiolene-based process. The similarity of the potentials for OX(I) (ca. 30 mV) for analogous Mo and W compounds is consistent with this interpretation and the EPR spectra of each of the Mo cations show that the unpaired electron is coupled to the dithiolene proton but relatively weakly to (95,97)Mo. The DFT calculations indicate that the unpaired electron is more localised on the metal in the mono-anions than in the mono-cations. In agreement with this, the EPR spectrum of each of the Mo-containing mono-anions manifests a larger (95,97)Mo coupling (A(iso)) than observed for the corresponding mono-cation and RED(I) for a W compound is significantly (ca. 300 mV) more negative than that of its Mo counterpart. [Cp(2)W(S(2)C(2)(H)(quinoxalin-2-yl))] is anomalous; RED(I) occurs at a potential ca. 230 mV more positive than expected from that of its Mo counterpart and the EPR spectrum of the mono-anion is typical of an organic radical. DFT calculations indicate that these properties arise because the electron is added to a quinoxalin-2-yl π-orbital.     

Substitution and oxidation reactions of bis(dithiolene)tungsten complexes of potential relevance to enzyme sites

Structurally characterized tungstoenzymes contain mononuclear active sites in which tungsten is coordinated by two pterin-dithiolene ligands and one or two additional ligands that have not been identified. In this and prior investigations (Sung, K.-M.; Holm, R. H. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 1275; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 1931), stable coordination units of bis(dithiolene)tungsten(IV,V,VI) complexes potentially related to enzyme sites have been sought by exploratory synthesis. In this work, additional members of the sets [WL(S2C2Me2)2](2-,-) and [WLL'(S2C2Me2)2](2-,-) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Tungsten(IV) complexes obtained by substitution are carbonyl displacement products of [W(CO)2(S2C2Me2)2] and include those with the groups W(IV)S (4), W(IV)(O2CPh) (5), and W(IV)(2-AdQ)(CO) (Q = S (6), Se (7); Ad = adamantyl). Those obtained by oxidation reactions contain the groups W(V)O (9), W(V)(QPh)2 (Q = S (10), Se (11)), W(VI)S(OPh) (12), and W(VI)O2 (14). The latter two complexes were obtained from W(IV) precursors using sulfur and oxygen atom transfer reactions, respectively. Complexes 4 and 9 are square pyramidal; 6, 7, 10, and 11 are distorted trigonal prismatic with cis ligands LL'; and 12 and 14 are distorted octahedral. Complexes 4, 10, and 11 support three-membered electron transfer series. Attempts to oxidize 4 to the W(V)S complex results in the formation of binuclear [W2(mu2-S)2(S2C2Me2)4](2-) having distorted octahedral coordination. The 21 known functional groups WL and WLL' in mononuclear bis(dithiolene) complexes prepared in this and prior investigations are tabulated. Of those with physiological-type ligands, it remains to be seen which (if any) of these ligation modes are displayed by enzyme sites.     

Bis(dithiolene)molybdenum analogues relevant to the DMSO reductase enzyme family: synthesis, structures, and oxygen atom transfer reactions and kinetics.

A series of dithiolene complexes of the general type [Mo(IV)(QR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) has been prepared and structurally characterized as possible structural and reactivity analogues of reduced sites of the enzymes DMSOR and TMAOR (QR' = PhO(-), 2-AdO(-), Pr(i)()O(-)), dissimilatory nitrate reductase (QR' = 2-AdS(-)), and formate dehydrogenase (QR' = 2-AdSe(-)). The complexes are square pyramidal with the molybdenum atom positioned 0.74-0.80 A above the S(4) mean plane toward axial ligand QR'. In part on the basis of a recent clarification of the active site of oxidized Rhodobacter sphaeroides DMSOR (Li, H.-K.; Temple, C.; Rajagopalan, K. V.; Schindelin, H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7673), we have adopted the minimal reaction paradigm Mo(IV) + XO right arrow over left arrow Mo(VI)O + X involving desoxo Mo(IV), monooxo Mo(VI), and substrate/product XO/X for direct oxygen atom transfer of DMSOR and TMAOR enzymes. The [Mo(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) species carry dithiolene and anionic oxygen ligands intended to simulate cofactor ligand and serinate binding in DMSOR and TMAOR catalytic sites. In systems with N-oxide and S-oxide substrates, the observed overall reaction sequence is [Mo(IV)(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) + XO --> [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) --> [Mo(V)O(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-). Direct oxo transfer in the first step has been proven by isotope labeling. The reactivity of [Mo(OPh)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) (1) has been the most extensively studied. In second-order reactions, 1 reduces DMSO and (CH(2))(4)SO (k(2) approximately 10(-)(6), 10(-)(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -36, -39 eu) and Me(3)NO (k(2) = 200 M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -21 eu) in acetonitrile at 298 K. Activation entropies indicate an associative transition state, which from relative rates and substrate properties is inferred to be concerted with X-O bond weakening and Mo-O bond making. The Mo(VI)O product in the first step, such as [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-), is an intermediate in the overall reaction sequence, inasmuch as it is too unstable to isolate and decays by an internal redox process to a Mo(V)O product, liberating an equimolar quantity of phenol. This research affords the first analogue reaction systems of biological N-oxide and S-oxide substrates that are based on desoxo Mo(IV) complexes with biologically relevant coordination. Oxo-transfer reactions in analogue systems are substantially slower than enzyme systems based on a k(cat)/K(M) criterion. An interpretation of this behavior requires more information on the rate-limiting step(s) in enzyme catalytic cycles. (2-Ad = 2-adamantyl, DMSOR = dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, TMAOR = trimethylamine N-oxide reductase)     

Reaction systems related to dissimilatory nitrate reductase: nitrate reduction mediated by bis(dithiolene)tungsten complexes

Kinetics of the oxygen atom transfer reactions [M(IV)(QC6H2-2,4,6-Pr(i)3)(S2C2Me2)2]1- + XO --> [M(VI)O(QC6H2-2,4,6-Pr(i)3)(S2C2Me2)2]1- + X in acetonitrile with substrates XO = NO3- and (CH2)4SO have been determined. The reactants are bis(dithiolene) complexes with M = Mo, W and sterically encumbered axial ligands with Q = O, S to stabilize mononuclear square pyramidal structures. The complex [MoIV(SC6H2-2,4,6-Pr(i)3)(S2C2Me2)2]1- is an analogue of the active site of dissimilatory nitrate reductase which in the reduced state contains a molybdenum atom bound by two pyranopterindithiolene ligands and a cysteinate residue. Nitrate reduction was studied with tungsten complexes because of unfavorable stability properties of the molybdenum complexes. Product nitrite was detected by a colorimetric method. All reactions with both substrates are second-order with associative transition states (deltaS approximately -20 eu). Variation of atoms M and Q, together with data from prior work, allows certain kinetics comparisons to be made. Among them, k2W/k2Mo = 25 for (CH2)4SO reduction (Q = S), an expression of the kinetic metal effect. Further, k2S/k2O = 28 and approximately 10(4) for nitrate and (CH2)4SO reduction, respectively, effects attributed to relatively more steric congestion in achieving the transition state with hindered phenolate vs thiolate ligands. The effect is more pronounced with the larger substrate. These results demonstrate the feasibility of tungsten-mediated nitrate reduction by direct atom transfer using molecules with both axial thiolate and phenolate ligands. Complexes of the type [M(IV)(OR)(S2C2Me2)2] are capable of reducing biological N-oxide, S-oxide, and nitrate substrates and thus constitute functional analogue reaction systems of enzymic transformations.     

Nonclassical oxygen atom transfer reactions of oxomolybdenum(VI) bis(catecholate)

Mechanistic studies indicate that the oxomolybdenum(vi) bis(3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate) fragment deoxygenates pyridine-N-oxides in a reaction where the oxygen is delivered to molybdenum but the electrons for substrate reduction are drawn from the bound catecholate ligands, forming 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone.     

Generation of bis(dithiolene)dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes from bis(dithiolene)monooxomolybdenum(IV) complexes by proton-coupled electron transfer in aqueous media

Electron transfer oxidation reaction of bis(dithiolene)monooxomolybdenum(iv) (Mo(IV)OL(x)) complexes is studied as a model of oxidative-half reaction of arsenite oxidase molybdenum enzymes. The reactions are revealed to involve proton-coupled electron transfer. Electrochemical oxidation of Mo(IV)OL(x) yields the corresponding bis(dithiolene)dioxomolybdenum(vi) complexes in basic solution, where the conversion of Mo(IV)OL(dmed) supported by a smaller electron donating dithiolene ligand (1,2-dicarbomethoxyethylene-1,2-dithiolate, L(dmed)) to Mo(VI)O(2)L(dmed) is faster than that of Mo(IV)OL(bdt) with a larger electron donating dithiolene ligand (1,2-benzenedithiolate, L(bdt)) under the same conditions. Titration experiments for the electrochemical oxidation reveal that the reaction involves two-electron oxidation and two equivalents of OH(-) consumption per Mo(IV)OL(x). In the conversion process of Mo(IV)OL(x) to Mo(VI)O(2)L(x), the five-coordinate bis(dithiolene)monooxomolybdenum(v) complex (Mo(V)OL(x)) being a one-electron oxidized species of Mo(IV)OL(x) is suggested to react with OH(-). Mo(V)OL(x) reacts with OH(-) in CH(3)CN or C(2)H(5)CN in a 2?:?2 ratio to give one equivalent Mo(IV)OL(x) and one equivalent Mo(VI)O(2)L(x), which is confirmed by the UV-vis and IR spectroscopies. The low temperature stopped-flow analysis allows investigations of the mechanism for the reaction of Mo(V)OL(x) with OH(-). The kinetic study for the reaction of Mo(V)OL(dmed) with OH(-) suggests that Mo(V)OL(dmed) reacts with OH(-) to give a six-coordinate oxo-hydroxo-molybdenum(v) species, Mo(V)O(OH), and, then, the resulting species undergoes successive deprotonation by another OH(-) and oxidation by a remaining Mo(V)OL(dmed) to yield the final products Mo(IV)OL(dmed) and Mo(VI)O(2)L(dmed) complexes in a 1?:?1 ratio. In this case, the Mo(V)O(2) species are involved as an intermediate in the reaction. On the other hand, in the reaction of Mo(V)OL(bdt) with OH(-), coordination of OH(-) to the Mo(V) centre to give a six-coordinate Mo(V)O(OH)L(bdt) species becomes the rate limiting step and other intermediates are not suggested. On the basis of these results, the ligand effects of the dithiolene ligands on the reactivity of the bis(dithiolene)molybdenum complexes are discussed.     

Desoxo molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes: monomer-dimer interconversion involving reversible thiol bridge formation

Two series of thiol-bridged dimeric desoxo molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes, [Et(4)N](2)[M(IV)(2)(SR)(2)(mnt)(4)] [M = Mo, R = (1) -Ph, (2) -CH(2)Ph, (3) -CH(2)CH(3), (4) -CH(2)CH(2)OH; M = W, R = (1a) -Ph, (2a) -CH(2)Ph, (3a) -CH(2)CH(3), (4a) -CH(2)CH(2)OH] and one monomeric desoxo complex, [Et(4)N](2)[WIV(SPh)(2)(mnt)(2)] (5a) are reported. These complexes are diamagnetic, and crystal structures of each of the complex (except 5a) exhibits a dimeric {M(IV)(2)(SR)(2)} core without any metal-metal bond where each metal atom possesses hexa coordination. The M-SR distance ranges from 2.437 to 2.484 Angstrom in molybdenum complexes and from 2.418 to 2.469 Angstrom in tungsten complexes. These complexes display Mo-S(R)-Mo angles ranging from 92.84 degrees to 96.20 degrees in the case of 1-4 and W-S(R)-W angles ranging from 91.20 degrees to 96.25 degrees in the case of 1a-4a. Interestingly, both the series of Mo(IV) and W(IV) dimeric complexes respond to an unprecedented interconversion between the dimer and the corresponding hexacoordinated monomer upon change of pH. This pH-dependent interconversion establishes the fact that even the pentacoordinated Mo(IV) and W(IV) bis(dithiolene) moieties are forced to dimerize; these can easily be reverted back to the corresponding monomeric complex, reflecting the utility of dithiolene ligand in stabilizing the Mo(IV)/W(IV) moiety in synthesized complexes similar to the active sites present in native proteins.     

Monoanionic molybdenum and tungsten tris(dithiolene) complexes: a multifrequency EPR study

Numerous Mo and W tris(dithiolene) complexes in varying redox states have been prepared and representative examples characterized crystallographically: [M(S(2)C(2)R(2))(3)](z) [M = Mo, R = Ph, z = 0 (1) or 1- (2); M = W, R = Ph, z = 0 (4) or 1- (5); R = CN, z = 2-, M = Mo (3) or W (6)]. Changes in dithiolene C-S and C-C bond lengths for 1 versus 2 and 4 versus 5 are indicative of ligand reduction. Trigonal twist angles (Θ) and dithiolene fold angles (α) increase and decrease, respectively, for 2 versus 1, 5 versus 4. Cyclic voltammetry reveals generally two reversible couples corresponding to 0/1- and 1-/2- reductions. The electronic structures of monoanionic molybdenum tris(dithiolene) complexes have been analyzed by multifrequency (S-, X-, Q-band) EPR spectroscopy. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters afforded by spectral simulation for each complex demonstrate the existence of two distinctive electronic structure types. The first is [Mo(IV)((A)L(3)(5-?))](1-) ((A)L = olefinic dithiolene, type A), which has the unpaired electron restricted to the tris(dithiolene) unit and is characterized by isotropic g-values and small molybdenum superhyperfine coupling. The second is formulated as [Mo(V)((B)L(3)(6-))](1-) ((B)L = aromatic dithiolene, type B) with spectra distinguished by a prominent g-anisotropy and hyperfine coupling consistent with the (d(z(2)))(1) paramagnet. The electronic structure disparity is also manifested in their electronic absorption spectra. The compound [W(bdt)(3)](1-) exhibits spin-Hamiltonian parameters similar to those of [Mo(bdt)(3)](1-) and thus is formulated as [W(V)((B)L(3)(6-))](1-). The EPR spectra of [W((A)L(3))](1-) display spin-Hamiltonian parameters that suggest their electronic structure is best represented by two resonance forms {[W(IV)((A)L(3)(5-?))](1-) ? [W(V)((A)L(3)(6-))](1-)}. The contrast with the corresponding [Mo(IV)((A)L(3)(5-?))](1-) complexes highlights tungsten's preference for higher oxidation states.     

Functional analogue reaction systems of the DMSO reductase isoenzyme family: probable mechanism of S-oxide reduction in oxo transfer reactions mediated by bis(dithiolene)-tungsten(IV,VI) complexes

The recent development of structural and functional analogues of the DMSO reductase family of isoenzymes allows mechanistic examination of the minimal oxygen atom transfer paradigm M(IV) + QO M(VI) O + Q with the biological metals M = Mo and W. Systematic variation of the electronic environment at the WIV center of desoxo bis(dithiolene) complexes is enabled by introduction of para-substituted phenyl groups in the equatorial (eq) dithiolene ligand and the axial (ax) phenolate ligand. The compounds [W(CO)2(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2] (54-60%) have been prepared by ligand transfer from [Ni(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2] to [W(CO)3(MeCN)3]. A series of 25 complexes [W(IV)(OC6H4-p-X')(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2]1- ([X4,X'], X = Br, F, H, Me, OMe; X' = CN, Br, H, Me, NH2; 41-53%) has been obtained by ligand substitution of five dicarbonyl complexes with five phenolate ligands. Linear free energy relationships between E1/2 and Hammett constant p for the electron-transfer series [Ni(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2]0,1-,2- and [W(CO)2(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2]0,1-,2- demonstrate a substituent influence on electron density distribution at the metal center. The reactions [WIV(OC6H4-p-X')(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2]1- + (CH2)4SO [W(VI)O(OC6H4-p-X')(S2C2(C6H4-p-X)2)2]1- + (CH2)4S with constant substrate are second order with large negative activation entropies indicative of an associative transition state. Rate constants at 298 K adhere to the Hammett equations log(k([X4,X']/k[X4,H]) = rho(ax)sigma(p) and log(k[X4,X']/k([H4,X']) = 4rho(eq)sigma(p). Electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) and electron-donating groups (EDG) have opposite effects on the rate such that k(EWG) > k(EDG). The effects of X' on reactivity are found to be approximately 5 times greater than that of X (rho(ax) = 2.1, rho(eq) = 0.44) in the Hammett equation. Using these and other findings, a stepwise oxo transfer reaction pathway is proposed in which an early transition state, of primary W(IV)-O(substrate) bond-making character, is rate-limiting. This is followed by a six-coordinate substrate complex and a second transition state proposed to involve atom and electron transfer leading to the development of the W(VI)=O group. This work is the most detailed mechanistic investigation of oxo transfer mediated by a biological metal.     

Synthesis and structures of bis(dithiolene)tungsten(IV,VI) thiolate and selenolate complexes: approaches to the active sites of molybdenum and tungsten formate dehydrogenases

Formate dehydrogenases are molybdenum- or tungsten-containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide. Among the significant characteristics of the mononuclear active sites are coordination of two pyranopterindithiolene ligands and selenocysteinate to the metal in oxidation states IV-VI. The first detailed investigation of the synthesis and structures of bis(dithiolene)tungsten selenolate and analogous thiolate complexes of relevance to formate dehydrogenases has been undertaken. Some 17 complexes of the types [WIV(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]-, [WVIO(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]-, and [WVIS(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]- (Q = S, Se; R = tert-butyl, 1-adamantyl) and the desoxo species [WVI(SR)(OSiR'3)(S2C2Me2)2] (R' = Me, Ph) were prepared. Ten structures of representative members of these types were determined; WIV complexes are square-pyramidal and WVI complexes are six-coordinate, with geometries intermediate between octahedral and trigonal-prismatic. Selenolate complexes are less stable than similar thiolate species; decomposition products were identified as [WV2(mu2-Q)2(S2C2Me2)2]2- and [WIV,V2(mu2-Se)(S2C2Me2)4]-. The several [MoIV(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]- complexes prepared earlier and the tungsten compounds synthesized in this work form a family of molecules whose overall stereochemistry and metric features are those expected in the absence of protein structural constraints.     

The reduction of tris-dithiolene complexes of molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI) by hydroxide ion: kinetics and mechanism

The kinetic study of the spontaneous reduction of some neutral tris-dithiolene complexes [ML3] of molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI), (L = S2C6H4(2-), S2C6H3CH3(2-) and S2C2(CH3)2(2-); M = Mo or W) by tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in tetrahydrofuran-water solutions demonstrates that OH- is an effective reductant. Their reduction is fast, clean and quantitative. Depending upon both the molar ratio in which the reagents are mixed and the amount of water present, one- or two-electron reductions of these tris-dithiolene complexes were observed. If Bu4NOH is present in low concentration or/and at high concentrations of water, the total transformation of the neutral M(VI) complex into the monoanionic M(V) complex is the only observed process. Stopped-flow kinetic data for this reaction are consistent with the rate law: -d[ML3]/dt = d[ML3-]/dt = k[ML3][Bu4NOH]. The proposed mechanism involves nucleophilic attack of OH- to form a mono-anionic seven-coordinate intermediate [ML3OH]-, which interacts with another molecule of [ML3] to generate the monoanionic complex [ML3]- transfering the oxygen from coordinated OH- to water. Hydrogen peroxide was identified as the reaction product. The molybdenum complexes are more difficult to reduce than their corresponding tungsten complexes, and the values of k obtained for the molybdenum and tungsten series of complexes increase as the ene-1,2-dithiolate ligand becomes more electron-withdrawing (S2C6H4(2-) > S2C6H3CH3(2-) > S2C2(CH3)2(2-)). This investigation constitutes the only well-established interaction between hydroxide ion and a tris(dithiolene) complex, and supports a highly covalent bonding interaction between the metal and the hydroxide ion that modulates electron transfer reactions within these complexes.     

A convenient synthetic route to new bis(arenediazo) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Complexes of the type [(C₅H₅)Mo(N₂Ar)(N₂Ar′)(PPh₃)] [PF₆] have been prepared and shown to be useful starting materials for the synthesis of a variety of neutral, cationic or anionic compounds containing [cis-Mo(N₂Ar)(N₂Ar′)]²⁺ units.     

Metathesis polymerization of norbornene and terminal acetylenes catalyzed by bis(acetonitrile) complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene catalyzed by bis(acetonitrile) molybdenum and tungsten complexes, [M(η³-C₃H₅)Cl(CO)₂(NCMe)₂] (1-Mo: M = Mo, 1-W: M = W), which have two labile acetonitrile ligands, has been investigated. These complexes catalyzed the ROMP of norbornene as a single-component initiator. The highly cis-selective polymerization proceeded in a THF solution (95% for 1-Mo and 96% for 1-W), whereas polymerization in CH₂Cl₂ or toluene resulted in lower cis selectivity. The polymerization of terminal acetylenes using these complexes was also examined. The tungsten complex 1-W showed a high catalytic activity for the polymerization of terminal acetylenes, such as phenyl- and tert-butylacetylene. A highly active catalytic system for the ROMP of norbornene was achieved by the activation of the tungsten complex, 1-W, with one equivalent of phenylacetylene, giving poly(norbornene) with a high molecular weight (M_n = 391 × 10⁴) and a high cis selectivity (cis  89%).     

Synthesis and characterization of oxorhenium(v) diamido pyridine complexes that catalyze oxygen atom transfer reactions

The detailed syntheses of complexes 1-4, Re(O)(X)(DAP) (X = Me, 1; Cl, 2; I, 3; OTf (triflate), 4) incorporating the diamido pyridine (DAP) ancillary ligand (2,6-bis((mesitylamino)methyl)pyridine) are described and shown to be effective catalysts for oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions of PyO to PPh(3). The catalytic activities are as follows: 4≈3 > 2 > 1. The observed electronic trend is consistent with the turnover limiting reduction of the proposed Re(VII) dioxo intermediate, Re(O)(2)(X)(DAP), during the catalytic cycle. The catalytic activity of complexes 1-3 was compared to previously published diamido amine (DAAm) oxorhenium complexes of the type Re(O)(X)(DAAm) (X = Me, 5; Cl, 6; I, 7 and DAAm = N,N-bis(2-arylaminoethyl)methylamine) which exhibit hydrolytic degradation during the catalytic reaction. Complexes 1-3 displayed higher turnover frequencies compared to 5-7. This higher catalytic activity was attributed to the more rigid DAP ligand backbone, which makes the complexes less susceptible to decomposition. However, another decomposition pathway was proposed for this catalytic system due to the observation of Re(O)(3)((MesNCH(2))(MesNCH)NC(5)H(3)) 8 in which one arm of the DAP ligand is oxidized.     

Faster oxygen atom transfer catalysis with a tungsten dioxo complex than with its molybdenum analog

The synthesis and characterization of a series of molybdenum ([MoO(2)Cl(L(n))]; L(1) (1), L(2) (3)) and tungsten ([WO(2)Cl(L(n))]; L(1) (2), L(2) (4)) dioxo complexes (L(1) = 1-methyl-4-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4-diazepane and L(2) = 1-methyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)-1,4-diazepane) of tridentate aminomonophenolate ligands HL(1) and HL(2) are reported. The ligands were obtained by reductive amination of 1-methyl-1,4-diazepane with the corresponding aldehyde. Complexes 3 and 4 were obtained by the reaction of [MO(2)Cl(2)(dme)(n)] (M = Mo, n = 0; W, n = 1) with the corresponding ligand in presence of a base, whereas for the preparation of 1 and 2 the ligands were deprotonated by KH prior to the addition to the metal. They were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, by cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Solid-state structures of the molybdenum and tungsten cis-dioxo complexes reveal hexa-coordinate metal centers surrounded by two oxo groups, a chloride ligand and by the tridentate monophenolate ligand which coordinates meridionally through its [ONN] donor set. In the series of compounds 1-4, complexes 3 and 4 have been used as catalysts for the oxygen atom transfer reaction between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and trimethyl phosphine (PMe(3)). Surprisingly, faster oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactivity has been observed for the tungsten complex [WO(2)Cl(L(2))] (4) in comparison to its molybdenum analog [MoO(2)Cl(L(2))] (3) at room temperature. The kinetic results are discussed and compared in terms of their reactivity.     

Synthesis and reactivity of molybdenum and tungsten bis(dinitrogen) complexes supported by diphosphine chelates containing pendant amines

Molybdenum and tungsten bis(dinitrogen) complexes of the formula M(N(2))(2)(PNP)(2) (M = Mo and W) and W(N(2))(2)(dppe)(PNP), supported by diphosphine ligands containing a pendant amine of the formula (CH(2)PR(2))(2)NR' = P(R)N(R')P(R) (R = Et, Ph; R' = Me, Bn), have been prepared by Mg reduction of metal halides under an N(2) atmosphere. The complexes have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cyclic voltammetry. Reactivity of the target Mo and W bis(dinitrogen) compounds with CO results in the formation of dicarbonyl complexes.     

Half-sandwich cyclopentandienyl molybdenum and tungsten nitrosyl complexes containing bidentate sulfur ligands

Half-sandwich nitrosyl complexes Cp*M(NO)I2 (M = Mo, or W) react with dithiocarbamates (NaS2CNMe2 and NaS2CNEt2) in THF to form of complexes: Cp*Mo(NO)I (S2CNMe2) (1), Cp*Mo(NO)I(S2CNEt2) (2), Cp*W(NO)I(S2CNMe2) (3) and Cp*W(NO)I(S2CNEt2) (4) in high yields. Treatments of Cp*M(NO)I2 (M = Mo, W) or [CpMo(NO)I2]2 with phosphinodithioate (NaS2PMe2) and phosphorodithioate [(NH4)S2P(OMe)2] result in complexes: Cp*Mo(NO)I(S2PMe2) (5a), CpMo(NO)I (S2PMe2) (5b), Cp*Mo(NO)(S2PMe2)2 (6a), CpMo (NO) (S2PMe2)2 (6b) and Cp*Mo(NO)I[S2P(OMe)2] (7), Cp*W(NO)I(S2PMe2) (8), Cp*W(NO) I[S2P(OMe)]2 (9). Treatment of (5a) and (5b) with an excess of NaS2PMe2 gives (6a) and (6b). The complexes have been characterized by their elemental analyses, i.r., 1H, 13C-n.m.r. and by EI-MS spectrometry.