Analysis of the reactivities of protein C-H bonds to H atom abstraction by OH radical

Ab initio and density functional theory calculations are used to monitor the process wherein a OH· radical is allowed to approach the various CH groups of a Leu dipeptide, with its CH(2)CH(CH(3))(2) side chain. After forming an encounter complex, the OH· abstracts the pertinent H atom, and the resulting HOH is then dissociated from the complex. The energy barriers for H· abstraction from the β, γ, and δ CH groups are all less than 8 kcal/mol, but a significantly higher barrier is computed for the C(α)H removal. This higher barrier is the result of the strong H-bonds formed in the encounter complex between the OH· and the NH and C═O groups of the peptide units that surround the C(α) atom. This low-energy complex represents a kinetic trap which raises the energy needed to surmount the ensuing H· transfer barrier.     

Synthesen und Strukturen der Lithiumtitanate(III) und ‐(IV), (py)2Li[(py)2Ti(OPh)4] und (py)2Li[(py)Ti(OPh)5]

Syntheses and Structures of the Lithiumtitanates(III)/(IV) (py)₂Li[(py)₂Ti(OPh)₄] and (py)₂Li[(py)Ti(OPh)₅] The new lithiumtitanates (py)₂Li[(py)₂Ti(OPh)₄] ( 1 ) and (py)₂Li[(py)Ti(OPh)₅] ( 2 ) have been obtained from the reaction of titaniumtrichloride (respectively titaniumtetrachloride 2 ) with LiOPh in the presence of the base pyridine (py). The crystal structures of both compounds show that the titanium atoms are in the centres of distorted octahedral coordination figures. In compound 1 , four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms (in cis orientation) are bonded to titanium, whereas in 2 , five oxygen and one nitrogen atom form the coordination polyeder around titanium. In both compounds, the lithium atoms are attached through phenolate bridges to the octahedra. The titanate (py)₂Li[(py)₂Ti(OPh)₄] ( 1 ) has a single absorption band in the visible region of the UV‐spectrum showing a shoulder shifted to the bathochromic region, due to the Jahn‐Teller‐effect for d¹‐systems.     

Stepwise oxidation of anilines by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+

The net six-electron oxidation of aniline to nitrobenzene or azoxybenzene by cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)(2)(py)(O)](2+) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; py is pyridine) occurs in a series of discrete stages. In the first, initial two-electron oxidation is followed by competition between oxidative coupling with aniline to give 1,2-diphenylhydrazine and capture by H(2)O to give N-phenylhydroxylamine. The kinetics are first order in aniline and first order in Ru(IV) with k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = (2.05 +/- 0.18) x 10(2) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 5.0 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol; DeltaS(++) = -31 +/- 2 eu). On the basis of competition experiments, k(H)2(O)/k(D)2(O) kinetic isotope effects, and the results of an (18)O labeling study, it is concluded that the initial redox step probably involves proton-coupled two-electron transfer from aniline to cis-[Ru(IV)(bpy)(2)(py)(O)](2+) (Ru(IV)=O(2+)). The product is an intermediate nitrene (PhN) or a protonated nitrene (PhNH(+)) which is captured by water to give PhNHOH or aniline to give PhNHNHPh. In the following stages, PhNHOH, once formed, is rapidly oxidized by Ru(IV)=O(2+) to PhNO and PhNHNHPh to PhN=NPh. The rate laws for these reactions are first order in Ru(IV)=O(2+) and first order in reductant with k(14.4 degrees C, H(2)O/(CH(3))(2)CO) = (4.35 +/- 0.24) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for PhNHOH and k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = (1.79 +/- 0.14) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for PhNHNHPh. In the final stages of the six-electron reactions, PhNO is oxidized to PhNO(2) and PhN=NPh to PhN(O)=NPh. The oxidation of PhNO is first order in PhNO and in Ru(IV)=O(2+) with k(25.1 degrees C, CH(3)CN) = 6.32 +/- 0.33 M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 4.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol; DeltaS(++) = -39 +/- 3 eu). The reaction occurs by O-atom transfer, as shown by an (18)O labeling study and by the appearance of a nitrobenzene-bound intermediate at low temperature.     

Dinitrogen formation by oxidative intramolecular N---N coupling in cis,cis-[(bpy)2(NH3)RuORu(NH3)(bpy)2]4+

The (15)N-labeled diammine(mu-oxo)ruthenium complex cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)(H(3)(15)N)Ru(III)ORu(III)((15)NH(3))(bpy)(2)](4+) ((2-(15)N)(4+)) was synthesized from cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)Ru(III)ORu(III)(H(2)O)(bpy)(2)](4+) by using ((15)NH(4))(2)SO(4) and isolated as its perchlorate salt in 17% yield. A 1:1 mixture of (2-(15)N)(4+) and nonlabeled cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)(H(3)(14)N)Ru(III)ORu(III)((14)NH(3))(bpy)(2)](4+) were electrochemically oxidized in aqueous solution. The gaseous products (14)N(2) and (15)N(2) were formed in equimolar amounts with only a small amount of (14)N(15)N detected. This demonstrates that dinitrogen formation by oxidation of the diammine complex proceeds by intramolecular N---N coupling.     

Femtosecond transient absorption anisotropy study on [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(bpy)(py)4]2+. Ultrafast interligand randomization of the MLCT state

It is known that the relaxed excited state of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ is best described as a metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) state having one formally reduced bipyridine and two neutral. Previous reports have suggested [Malone, R. et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1991, 95, 8970] that the electron "hops" from ligand to ligand in the MLCT state with a time constant of about 50 ps in acetonitrile. However, we have done transient absorption anisotropy measurements indicating that already after one picosecond the molecule has no memory of which bipyridine was initially photoselected, which suggests an ultrafast interligand randomization of the MLCT state.     

Integration of [(Co(bpy)3]2+ Electron Mediator with Heterogeneous Photocatalysts for CO2 Conversion

An efficient chemical system for electron generation and transfer is constructed by the integration of an electron mediator ([Co(bpy)₃]²⁺; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with semiconductor photocatalysts. The introduction of [Co(bpy)₃]²⁺ remarkably enhances the photocatalytic activity of pristine semiconductor photocatalysts for heterogeneous CO₂ conversion; this is attributable to the acceleration of charge separation. Of particular interest is that the excellent photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous catalysts can be developed as a universal photocatalytic CO₂ reduction system. The present findings clearly demonstrate that the integration of an electron mediator with semiconductors is a feasible process for the design and development of efficient photochemical systems for CO₂ conversion.     

Diffusion controlled hydrogen atom abstraction from tertiary amines by the benzyloxyl radical. The importance of C-H/N hydrogen bonding

The rate constants for H-atom abstraction (k(H)) from 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD), triethylamine (TEA), triisobutylamine (TIBA), and DABCO by the cumyloxyl (CumO(?)) and benzyloxyl (BnO(?)) radicals were measured. Comparable k(H) values for the two radicals were obtained in their reactions with CHD and TIBA whereas large increases in k(H) for TEA and DABCO were found on going from CumO(?) to BnO(?). These differences are attributed to the rate-determining formation of BnO(?) C-H/amine N lone-pair H-bonded complexes.     

Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis: Viedma Ripening of [Co(bpy)3]2+ and Solvent‐Free Oxidation to [Co(bpy)3]3+

Syntheses of [Co(bpy)₃]²⁺ yield racemic solutions because the Δ‐ and Λ‐enantiomers are stereochemically labile. However, crystallization and attrition‐enhanced deracemization can give homochiral crystal batches of either handedness in quantitative yield. Subsequently, solvent‐free oxidation with bromine vapour fixes the chirality because [Co(bipy)₃]³⁺ does not enantiomerize in solution at ambient temperature. This combination of Viedma ripening and the labile/inert Co^II/Co^III couple constitutes a convenient method of absolute asymmetric synthesis.     

Sodium Salts of the Bipyridine Dianion: Polymer [(bpy)2−{Na+(dme)}2]∞, Cluster [(Na8O)6+Na+6(bpy)62−(tmeda)6], and Monomer [(bpy)2−{Na+(pmdta)}2]

Bipyridine, a workhorse among the ligands of complex chemistry, can be reduced with sodium to its dianion. Depending on the solvent different sodium salts crystallize: from dimethoxyethane/toluene a polymer, from tetramethylethylenediamine/benzene a lipophilically wrapped [Na₁₄O]¹²⁺ cluster, and from pure pentamethyldiethylenetriamine a normal Na₂-bpy salt (see picture) are obtained.     

Photoinitiated DNA Binding by cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NH3)2]2+

The ligand-loss photochemistry of cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(NH(3))(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was investigated in water and in the presence of added ligands such as bipyridine and chloride. Irradiation of the complex results in the covalent binding to 9-methyl- and 9-ethylguanine, as well as to single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. This photoinduced DNA binding is not observed for the control complex [Ru(bpy)(2)(en)](2+) (en = ethylenediamine) under similar irradiation conditions. The results presented here show that octahedral Ru(II) complexes with photolabile ligands may prove useful as photoactivated cisplatin analogs.     

Cumene oxidation by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+, revisited

cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ oxidizes cumene (2-phenylpropane) in acetonitrile solution primarily to cumyl alcohol (2-phenyl-2-propanol), alpha-methylstyrene, and acetophenone. Contrary to a prior report, the rate of the reaction is not accelerated by added nucleophiles. There is thus no evidence for the hydride transfer mechanism originally proposed. Instead, the results are consistent with a mechanism of initial hydrogen atom transfer from cumene to the ruthenium oxo group. This is indicated by the correlation of rate with C-H bond strength and by the various products observed. The formation of acetophenone, with one carbon less than cumene, is suggested to occur via a multistep pathway involving decarbonylation of the acyl radical from 2-phenylpropanal. An alternative mechanism involving beta-scission of cumyloxyl radical is deemed unlikely because of the difficulty of generating alkoxyl radicals under anaerobic conditions and the lack of rearranged products in the oxidation of triphenylmethane by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+.     

Oxidations of NADH analogues by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ occur by hydrogen-atom transfer rather than by hydride transfer

Oxidations of the NADH analogues 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH2) and N-benzyl 1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) by cis-[RuIV(bpy)2(py)(O)]2+ (RuIVO2+) have been studied to probe the preferences for hydrogen-atom transfer vs hydride transfer mechanisms for the C-H bond oxidation. 1H NMR spectra of completed reactions of AcrH2 and RuIVO2+, after more than approximately 20 min, reveal the predominant products to be 10-methylacridone (AcrO) and cis-[RuII(bpy)2(py)(MeCN)]2+. Over the first few seconds of the reaction, however, as monitored by stopped-flow optical spectroscopy, the 10-methylacridinium cation (AcrH+) is observed. AcrH+ is the product of net hydride removal from AcrH2, but hydride transfer cannot be the dominant pathway because AcrH+ is formed in only 40-50% yield and its subsequent oxidation to AcrO is relatively slow. Kinetic studies show that the reaction is first order in both RuIVO2+ and AcrH2, with k = (5.7 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C, DeltaH(double dagger) = 5.3 +/- 0.3 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = -23 +/- 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1). A large kinetic isotope effect is observed, kAcrH2/kAcrD2 = 12 +/- 1. The kinetics of this reaction are significantly affected by O2. The rate constants for the oxidations of AcrH2 and BNAH correlate well with those for a series of hydrocarbon C-H bond oxidations by RuIVO2+. The data indicate a mechanism of initial hydrogen-atom abstraction. The acridinyl radical, AcrH*, then rapidly reacts by electron transfer (to give AcrH+) or by C-O bond formation (leading to AcrO). Thermochemical analyses show that H* and H- transfer from AcrH2 to RuIVO2+ are comparably exoergic: DeltaG degrees = -10 +/- 2 kcal mol(-1) (H*) and -6 +/- 5 kcal mol(-1) (H-). That a hydrogen-atom transfer is preferred kinetically suggests that this mechanism has an equal or lower intrinsic barrier than a hydride transfer pathway.     

Electronic structure of the water-oxidation catalyst [(bpy)2(OHx)RuORu(OHy)(bpy)2]z+: weak coupling between the metal centers is preferred over strong coupling

High-level DFT calculations indicate that the singlet ground state of the water-oxidizing blue Ru dimer [(bpy)2(OH2)RuIIIORuIII(OH2)(bpy)2]4+ is not due to a strong coupling of the excess electrons from each of the low-spin d5 RuIII centers across the Ru-O-Ru moiety, as has been assumed to date. Instead, broken symmetry orbital calculations suggest that a weak antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled singlet state is energetically more favorable by 10-35 kcal/mol. Experimentally observed redox potentials can only be reproduced if antiferromagnetic coupling is invoked.     

Diiron amido-imido complex [(CpFe)2(mu2-NHPh)(mu2-NPh)]: synthesis and a net hydrogen atom abstraction reaction to form a bis(imido) complex

A reaction between [CpFeCl]x and LiNHPh (1 equiv to Fe) produces a new paramagnetic Fe(II)-Fe(III) mu2-amido-mu2-imido complex [(CpFe)2(mu2-NHPh)(mu2-NPh)] (1), which, upon interaction with 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), undergoes a net N-H hydrogen atom abstraction reaction to give a diamagnetic Fe(III)-Fe(III) mu2-imido dimer [CpFe(mu2-NPh)]2 (2). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.