Incorporating distinct metal clusters to construct diversity of 3D pillared-layer lanthanide-transition-metal frameworks

Three novel 3D pillared-layer heterometallic lanthanide-transition-metal (hetero-Ln-TM) compounds, namely, Ln2Cu7I6(ina)7(H2O)6.H2O [ina=isonicotinic acid; Ln=Ce (1), Sm (2)] and Er4(OH)4Cu5I4(ina)6(na)(2,5-pdc).0.3H2O (3; na=nicotinic acid, 2,5-pdc=2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), have been obtained by incorporating different metal clusters as building blocks under hydrothermal conditions. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and consist of two distinct building units of dimeric [Ln2(ina)6] cores and inorganic 2D [Cu8I7]nn+ layers based on the [Cu3I3] and [Cu4I3]+ clusters. Compound 3 is constructed from decanuclear [Cu10I8]2+ clusters and inorganic 1D [Er4(OH)4]n8n+ cluster chain-based layers, which represent the first example of a 3D hetero-Ln-TM constructed by the combination of two distinct types of metal cluster units of a 1D [Er4(OH)4]n8n+ cluster polymer and a transition-metal cluster. It is interesting that decarboxylation occurred in the ortho position and 2,5-pdc2- was partially transformed into na- under hydrothermal conditions. Compounds 1-3 represent good examples of using different metal cluster units to construct fascinating 3D hetero-Ln-TM frameworks.     

Reduced mono-, di-, and tetracubane-type clusters containing the [MoFe3S4]2+ core stabilized by tertiary phosphine ligation

Treatment of oxidized clusters [(Cl4cat)(MeCN)MoFe3S4Cl3]2- (1) and [(Meida)MoFe3S4Cl3]2- (2) with tertiary phosphines in the presence of NaBPh4 in acetonitrile results in chloride substitution at the iron sites and the formation of clusters with the reduced [MoFe3S4]2+ core. Thus, 1 is a precursor to [(Cl4cat)(MeCN)MoFe3S4(PR3)3] (R = But (3), Pri (4)) and [(Cl4cat)2(Et3P)2Mo2Fe6S8(PEt3)4] (5). Cluster 2 affords [[(Meida)MoFe3S4(PCy3)3]4Fe2(mu-Cl)L2]3+ (L = THF (6), MeCN (7)). The structures of 3-7 were established by X-ray analysis. Clusters 3 and 4 are single cubanes, centrosymmetric 5 (previously reported in a different space group: Demadis, K. D.; Campana, C. F.; Coucouvanis, D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 7832) is a double cubane with a rhomboidal Fe2S2 bridge, and 6 and 7 are tetracubanes. In the latter, four Meida oxygen atoms from different cubanes bind each of two central high-spin Fe(II) atoms in trans-Fe(mu-Cl)LO4 coordination. The topology of these clusters is not precedented. Zero-field M?ssbauer parameters for all clusters are reported. Isomer shift considerations suggest the formulation [Mo3+Fe2+2Fe3+S4] for reduced clusters. Voltammetry of 3 and 4 reveals four-member electron transfer series encompassing the oxidation levels [MoFe3S4]4+,3+,2+,+ in the potential interval + 1.0 to -1.3 V vs SCE in dichloromethane. Compared to the clusters with monoanionic ligands at the iron sites, phosphine ligation shifts redox potentials to more positive values. This effect arises from reduction of cluster negative charge and the tendency of phosphines to stabilize lower oxidation states. The synthesis of reduced clusters 4 from 1 and of [Fe4S4(PPri3)4]+ from [Fe4S4Cl4]2- is accompanied by the formation of Pri3PS, detected by 31P NMR, indicating that the phosphine is the reductant. This result implies a similar function of tertiary phosphines in the synthesis of 3 and 5-7. (Cl4cat = tetrachlorocatecholate(2-); Meida = N-methyliminodiacetate(2-).)     

Ligand structural effects on Cu2S2 bonding and reactivity in side-on disulfido-bridged dicopper complexes

To assess supporting ligand effects on S-S bond activation, a series of [Cu2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2)]2+ complexes supported by various beta-diketiminate or anilido-imine ligands (L) were synthesized via the reaction of Cu(I) precursors LCu(CH(3)CN) with S8. For the cases where L = beta-diketiminate, the syntheses were complicated by formation of clusters [Cu(SR)]4, where SR represents the ligand functionalized by sulfur at the central methine position. The [Cu2(mu-eta2:eta2-S2)]2+ products were characterized by X-ray crystallography and electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Correlations among the Cu-S, Cu-Cu, and S-S distances and the nu(S-S) values were observed and interpreted within the framework of a previously described bonding picture (Chen, P.; Fujisawa, K.; Helton, M. E.; Karlin, K. D.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 6394). Comparison of these data to those for other relevant species revealed a remarkable degree of S-S bond activation in the compounds supported by the beta-diketiminate and anilido-imine ligands, which through strong electron donation increase backbonding from the copper ions into the S-S sigma* orbital and cause S-S bond weakening. Reactions of one of the complexes supported by an anilido-imine ligand with PPh(3) and xylyl isocyanide were explored, revealing facile transfer of sulfur to PPh(3) but only displacement of sulfur to yield a LCu(I)-CNAr (Ar = xylyl) complex with the isocyanide.     

Copper chemistry of beta-diketiminate ligands: monomer/dimer equilibria and a new class of bis(mu-oxo)dicopper compounds

A series of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of a variety of beta-diketiminate ligands (L(-)) with a range of substitution patterns were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and, in several cases, X-ray crystallographic methods. Specifically, complexes of the general formula [LCuCl](2) were structurally characterized and their magnetic properties assessed through EPR spectroscopy of solutions and, in one instance, by variable-temperature SQUID magnetization measurements on a powder sample. UV-vis spectra indicated reversible dissociation to 3-coordinate monomers LCuCl in solution at temperatures above -55 degrees C. The Cu(I) complexes LCu(MeCN) exhibited reversible Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couples with E(1/2) values between +300 and +520 mV versus NHE (cyclic voltammetry, MeCN solutions). These complexes were highly reactive with O(2), yielding intermediates that were identified as rare examples of neutral bis(mu-oxo)dicopper complexes on the basis of their EPR silence, diagnostic UV-vis absorption data, and O-isotope-sensitive resonance Raman spectroscopic features. The structural features of the compounds [LCuCl](2) and LCu(MeCN) as well as the proclivity to form bis(mu-oxo)dicopper products upon oxygenation of the Cu(I) complexes are compared to data previously reported for complexes of more sterically hindered beta-diketiminate ligands (Aboelella, N. W.; Lewis, E. A.; Reynolds, A. M.; Brennessel, W. W.; Cramer, C. J.; Tolman, W. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 10600. Spencer, D. J. E.; Aboelella, N. W.; Reynolds, A. M.; Holland, P. L.; Tolman, W. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 2108. Holland, P. L.; Tolman, W. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 7270). The observed structural and reactivity differences are rationalized by considering the steric influences of both the substituents on the flanking aromatic rings and those present on the beta-diketiminate backbone.     

Computational studies on the A cluster of acetyl-coenzyme A synthase: geometric and electronic properties of the NiFeC species and mechanistic implications

DFT computational studies on the A cluster of acetyl-coenzyme A synthase are presented and discussed. They aim at evaluating possible A cluster models to settle the ongoing controversy about the nature of the proximal metal site in the catalytically active form of the cluster, recently proposed to be either Ni or Cu. Two possible models for the NiFeC species are considered, [Fe4S4]2+-Ni+CO-Ni2+ and [Fe4S4]2+-Cu+CO-Ni+. While for the former the computed 57Fe, 61Ni, and 13C hyperfine coupling parameters agree reasonably well with corresponding experimental values, for the latter model this agreement is very poor because the actual charge distribution is [Fe4S4]+-Cu+CO-Ni2+. Together, our results provide compelling evidence that the catalytically active A cluster contains Ni rather than Cu at the proximal metal site. Computations on the Ared2 state proposed to be part of the catalytic cycle (Darnault, C.; Volbeda, A.; Kim, E. J.; Legrand, P.; Vernède, X.; Lindahl, P. A.; Fontecilla-Camps, J. C. Nat. Struct. Biol. 2003, 10, 271-279) yield [Fe4S4]+-Ni+-Ni2+, hinting toward a Ni+/Ni3+ redox couple being involved in the methylation reaction.     

The reaction OH + C2H4: an example of rotational channel switching

The low-temperature data for the reaction between OH and C(2)H(4) is treated canonically as either a two-well or one-well problem using the "Multiwell" suite of codes, in which a "well" refers to a minimum in the potential energy surface. The former is analogous to the two transition state model of Greenwald et al. [Greenwald, E. E.; North, S. W.; Georgievskii, Y.; Klippenstein, S. J. J. Phys. Chem. A2005, 109, 6031], while the latter reflects the dominance of the so-called "inner transition state". External rotations are treated adiabatically, causing changes in the magnitude of effective barriers as a function of temperature. Extant data are well-described with either model using only the average energy transferred in a downward direction, upon collision, ΔE(d)(T), as a fitting parameter. The best value for the parameters describing the rate coefficient as a function of temperature (200 < T/K < 400) (Data at lower temperature is too sparse to yield a recommendation.) and pressure in the form used in the NASA/JPL format [Sander, S. P.; Abbatt, J.; Barker, J. R.; Burkholder, J. B.; Friedl, R. R.; Golden, D. M.; Huie, R. E.; Kolb, C. E.; Kurylo, M. J.; Moortgat, G. K et al., Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for Use in Atmospheric Studies, Evaluation Number 17, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2011] are k(0) = 1.0 × 10(-28)(T/300)(-3.5) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1) and k(∞) to 8.0 × 10(-12)(T/300)(-2.3) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1).     

Synthesis and reactions of cubane-type iron-sulfur-phosphine clusters,including soluble clusters of nuclearities 8 and 16

A family of soluble, reduced iron-sulfur clusters with nuclearities 4, 8, and 16 having tertiary phosphine ligation and based on the Fe(4)S(4) cubane-type structural motif has been synthesized. The results of this investigation substantially extend and improve the results of our original work on iron-sulfur-phosphine clusters (Goh, C.; Segal, B. M.; Huang, J.; Long, J. R.; Holm, R. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 11844). A general property of this cluster family is facile phosphine substitution. The clusters [Fe(4)S(4)(PR(3))(4)](+) are precursors to monosubstituted [Fe(4)S(4)(PR(3))(3)X] (X = Cl-, RS-), homoleptic [Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4)](3-), and all-ferrous monocubanes [Fe(4)S(4)(PR(3))(4)] (R = Pr(i), Cy, Bu(t); generated in solution). In turn, [Fe(4)S(4)(PPr(i)()(3))(3)(SSiPh(3))] and [Fe(4)S(4)(PPr(i)(3))(4)] can be transformed into the dicubanes [Fe(8)S(8)(PPr(i)()(3))(4)(SSiPh(3))(2)] and [Fe(8)S(8)(PPr(i)((3))(6)], respectively. Further, the tetracubanes [Fe(16)S(16)(PR(3))(8)] are also accessible from [Fe(4)S(4)(PR(3))(4)] under different conditions. X-ray structures are described for [Fe(4)S(4)(PCy(3))(3)X] (X = Cl-, PhS-), [Fe(8)S(8)(PPr(i)(3))(4)(SSiPh(3))(2)], [Fe(8)S(8)(PPr(i)()(3))(6)], and [Fe(16)S(16)(PCy(3))(8)]. The monosubstituted clusters show different distortions of the [Fe(4)S(4)](+) cores from idealized cubic symmetry. The dicubanes possess edge-bridged double cubane structures with an Fe(2)(mu(4)-S)(2) bridge rhomb and idealized C(2)(h)() symmetry. The ready cleavage of these clusters into single cubanes is considered a probable consequence of strained bond angles at the mu(4)-S atoms. Tetracubanes contain four individual cubanes, each of which is implicated in two bridge rhombs so as to generate a cyclic structure of idealized D(4) symmetry. Redox properties and M?ssbauer spectroscopic parameters are reported. The species [Fe(4)S(4)(PR(3))(4)] (in solution), [Fe(8)S(8)(PR(3))(6)], and [Fe(16)S(16)(PR(3))(8)] are the only synthetic all-ferrous clusters with tetrahedral iron sites that have been isolated. Their utility as precursors to other highly reduced iron-sulfur clusters is under investigation.     

Products from enzyme-catalyzed oxidations of norcarenes

Recent studies revealed that norcarane (bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane) is oxidized to 2-norcarene (bicyclo[4.1.0]-hept-2-ene) and 3-norcarene (bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene) by iron-containing enzymes and that secondary oxidation products from the norcarenes complicate mechanistic probe studies employing norcarane as the substrate (Newcomb, M.; Chandrasena, R. E. P.; Lansakara-P., D. S. P.; Kim, H.-Y.; Lippard, S. J.; Beauvais, L. G.; Murray, L. J.; Izzo, V.; Hollenberg, P. F.; Coon, M. J. J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 1121-1127). In the present work, the product profiles from the oxidations of 2-norcarene and 3-norcarene by several enzymes were determined. Most of the products were identified by GC and GC-mass spectral comparison to authentic samples produced independently; in some cases, stereochemical assignments were made or confirmed by 2D NMR analysis of the products. The enzymes studied in this work were four cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP2B1, CYPDelta2E1, CYPDelta2E1 T303A, and CYPDelta2B4, and three diiron-containing enzymes, soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), toluene monooxygenase (ToMO) from Pseudomonas stutzeri OX1, and phenol hydroxylase (PH) from Pseudomonas stutzeri OX1. The oxidation products from the norcarenes identified in this work are 2-norcaranone, 3-norcaranone, syn- and anti-2-norcarene oxide, syn- and anti-3-norcarene oxide, syn- and anti-4-hydroxy-2-norcarene, syn- and anti-2-hydroxy-3-norcarene, 2-oxo-3-norcarene, 4-oxo-2-norcarene, and cyclohepta-3,5-dienol. Two additional, unidentified oxidation products were observed in low yields in the oxidations. In matched oxidations, 3-norcarene was a better substrate than 2-norcarene in terms of turnover by factors of 1.5-15 for the enzymes studied here. The oxidation products found in enzyme-catalyzed oxidations of the norcarenes are useful for understanding the complex product mixtures obtained in norcarane oxidations.     

Stabilization of reduced molybdenum-iron-sulfur single- and double-cubane clusters by cyanide ligation

Recent work has shown that cyanide ligation increases the redox potentials of Fe(4)S(4) clusters, enabling the isolation of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4-, the first synthetic Fe(4)S(4) cluster obtained in the all-ferrous oxidation state (Scott, T. A.; Berlinguette, C. P.; Holm, R. H.; Zhou, H.-C. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2005, 102, 9741). The generality of reduced cluster stabilization has been examined with MoFe(3)S(4) clusters. Reaction of single-cubane [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))3]1+ and edge-bridged double-cubane [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PEt(3))4] with cyanide in acetonitrile affords [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]2- (2) and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(CN)4]4- (5), respectively. Reduction of 2 with KC(14)H(10) yields [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]3- (3). Clusters were isolated in approximately 70-90% yields as Et(4)N+ or Bu(4)N+ salts; clusters 3 and 5 contain all-ferrous cores, and 3 is the first [MoFe(3)S(4)]1+ cluster isolated in substance. The structures of 2 and 3 are very similar; the volume of the reduced cluster core is slightly larger (2.5%), a usual effect upon reduction of cubane-type Fe(4)S(4) and MFe(3)S(4) clusters. Redox potentials and 57Fe isomer shifts of [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)L3]2-,3- and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)L(4)]4-,3- clusters with L = CN-, PhS-, halide, and PEt3 are compared. Clusters with pi-donor ligands (L = halide, PhS) exhibit larger isomer shifts and lower (more negative) redox potentials, while pi-acceptor ligands (L = CN, PEt3) induce smaller isomer shifts and higher (less-negative) redox potentials. When the potentials of 3/2 and [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(SPh)3]3-/2- are compared, cyanide stabilizes 3 by 270 mV versus the reduced thiolate cluster, commensurate with the 310 mV stabilization of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4- versus [Fe(4)S(4)(SPh)4]4- where four ligands differ. These results demonstrate the efficacy of cyanide stabilization of lower cluster oxidation states. (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate(1-)).     

Catalytic asymmetric formal [4 + 1] annulation leading to optically active cis-isoxazoline N-oxides

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of densely functionalized cis-isoxazoline N-oxides was realized with novel use of an organocatalyst, (S)-2-(azidodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (4e) (Tan, B.; Zhu, D.; Zhang, L.; Chua, P. J.; Zeng, X.; Zhong, G. Chem.-Eur. J. 2010, 16, 3842; Olivares-Romero, J. L.; Juaristi, E. Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 9992), via an elegant formal [4 + 1] annulation strategy using readily available 2-nitroacrylates and α-iodoaldehydes.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, structures, and properties of [Cu3Cl2CN(pyrazine)] and copper(I) halide pyrazine polymers

Crystals of copper halide and pseudohalide compounds with pyrazine are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The title compound, [Cu3Cl2CNPz] (1) (Pz = pyrazine), is a new copper compound exhibiting an unusual -(Cu3Cl2)- polymeric stair structural motif and three-coordinate cyanide. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/m, with a = 3.6530(7) A, b = 17.160(3) A, c = 6.9800(14) A, beta = 90.58(3) degrees, and Z = 2. In addition, the series of complexes [Cu2X2Pz] for X = Cl (2), Br (3), and I (4) are also crystallized under hydrothermal conditions. The inorganic polymer [Cu2Br2Pz] (3) belongs to the triclinic space group P1, with a = 6.9671(14) A, b = 7.849(2) A, c = 8.099(2) A, alpha = 71.69(3) degrees, beta = 70.71(3) degrees, gamma = 85.43(3) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure of 3, is similar to the recently reported structure for [Cu2Cl2Pz] (2) (Kawata, S.; Kitagawa, S.; Kumagai, H.; Iwabuchi, S.; Katada, M. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1998, 267, 143). The third member of the series, [Cu2I2Pz], is found to be isostructural on the basis of X-ray powder diffraction results. The lattice parameters are refined from indexed reflections to a = 7.115(10) A, b = 8.321(19) A, c = 8.378(17) A, alpha = 71.1(3) degrees, beta = 67.3(1) degrees, and gamma = 83.0(2) degrees. Electronic spectra show that compounds 1-4 have optical band gaps in the range 2.2-2.4 eV. The infrared and Raman spectra as well as the thermal properties of all compounds are presented.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectral studies, and catechol oxidase activity of trigonal bipyramidal Cu(II) complexes derived from a tetradentate diamide bisbenzimidazole ligand

A new benzimidazole-based diamide ligand-N,N'-bis(glycine-2- benzimidazolyl)hexanediamide (GBHA)-has been synthesized and utilized to prepare Cu(II) complexes of general composition [Cu(GBHA)X]X, where X is an exogenous anionic ligand (X = Cl(-), NO(3)(-), SCN(-)). The X-ray structure of one of the complexes, [Cu(GBHA)Cl]Cl.H(2)O.CH(3)OH, has been obtained. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions a = 26.464(3) A, b = 10.2210(8) A, c = 20.444(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 106.554(7) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V= 5300.7(9) A(3), and Z = 8. To the best of our knowledge, the [Cu(GBHA)Cl]Cl.H(2)O.CH(3)OH complex is the first structurally characterized mononuclear trigonal bipyramidal copper(II) bisbenzimidazole diamide complex having coordinated amide carbonyl oxygen. The coordination geometry around the Cu(II) ion is distorted trigonal bipyramidal (tau = 0.59). Two carbonyl oxygen atoms and a chlorine atom form the equatorial plane, while the two benzimidazole imine nitrogen atoms occupy the axial positions. The geometry of the Cu(II) center in the solid state is not preserved in DMSO solution, changing to square pyramidal, as suggested by the low-temperature EPR data g( parallel) > g( perpendicular) > 2.0023. All the complexes display a quasi-reversible redox wave due to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) reduction process. E(1/2) values shift anodically from Cl(-) < NO(3)(-) < SCN(-), indicating that the bound Cl(-) ion stabilizes the Cu(II) ion while the N-bonded SCN(-) ion destabilizes the Cu(II) state in the complex. When calculated against NHE, the redox potentials turn out to be quite positive as compared to other copper(II) benzimidazole bound complexes (Nakao, Y.; Onoda, M.; Sakurai, T.; Nakahara, A.; Kinoshita, L.; Ooi, S. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1988, 151, 55. Addison, A. W.; Hendricks, H. M. J.; Reedijk, J.; Thompson, L. K. Inorg. Chem. 1981, 20 (1), 103. Sivagnanam, U.; Palaniandavar, M. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1994, 2277. Palaniandavar, M.; Pandiyan, T.; Laxminarayan, M.; Manohar, H. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1995, 457. Sakurai, T.; Oi, H.; Nakahara, A. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1984, 92, 131). It is therefore concluded that binding of amide carbonyl oxygen destabilizes the Cu(II) state. The complex [Cu(II)(GBHA)(NO(3))](NO(3)) could be successfully reduced by the addition of dihydroxybenzenes to the corresponding [Cu(I)(GBHA)](NO(3)). (1)H NMR of the reduced complex shows slightly broadened and shifted (1)H signals. The reduction of the Cu(II) complex presumably occurs with the corresponding 2e(-) oxidation of the quinol to quinone. Such a conversion is reminiscent of the functioning of a copper-containing catechol oxidase from sweet potatoes and the met form of the enzyme tyrosinase.     

Complexes of N-thiophosphorylthioureas (HL) with copper(I). Crystal structures of [Cu3L3] and [Cu(PPh3)2L] chelates

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas of common formula RC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)(2) [R = morpholin-N-yl (HL(a)), piperidin-N-yl (HL(b)), NH(2) (HL(c)), PhCH(2)NH (HL(d))] with Cu(PPh(3))(3)I in aqueous EtOH/CH(2)Cl(2) leads to mononuclear [Cu(PPh(3))(2)L-S,S'] complexes. Using copper(i) iodide instead of Cu(PPh(3))(3)I, polynuclear complexes [Cu(n)(L-S,S')(n)] were obtained. The structures of these compounds were investigated by ES-MS, elemental analyses, 1H and 31P NMR in solution, IR and 31P solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of [Cu(3)L(3)(a)] and [Cu(PPh(3))(2)L(b)] were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Metal core bonding motifs of monodisperse icosahedral Au13 and larger Au monolayer-protected clusters as revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy

The atomic metal core structures of the subnanometer clusters Au13[PPh3]4[S(CH2)11CH3]2Cl2 (1) and Au13[PPh3]4[S(CH2)11CH3]4 (2) were characterized using advanced methods of electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The number of gold atoms in the cores of these two clusters was determined quantitatively using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. Multiple-scattering-path analyses of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra suggest that the Au metal cores of each of these complexes adopt an icosahedral structure with a relaxation of the icosahedral strain. Data from microscopy and spectroscopy studies extended to larger thiolate-protected gold clusters showing a broader distribution in nanoparticle core sizes (183 +/- 116 Au atoms) reveal a bulklike fcc structure. These results further support a model for the monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) in which the thiolate ligands bond preferentially at 3-fold atomic sites on the nanoparticle surface, establishing an average composition for the MPC of Au180[S(CH2)11CH3]40. Results from EXAFS measurements of a gold(I) dodecanethiolate polymer are presented that offer an alternative explanation for observations in previous reports that were interpreted as indicating Au MPC structures consisting of a Au core, Au2S shell, and thiolate monolayer.     

VFe3S4 single and double cubane clusters: synthesis, structures, and dependence of redox potentials and electron distribution on ligation and heterometal

Both vanadium and molybdenum cofactor clusters are found in nitrogenase. In biomimetic research, many fewer heterometal MFe3S4 cubane-type clusters have been synthesized with M = V than with M = Mo because of the well-established structural relationship of the latter to the molybdenum coordination unit in the enzyme. In this work, a series of single cubane and edge-bridged double cubane clusters containing the cores [VFe3(mu3-S)4]2+ and [V2Fe6(mu3-S)6(mu4-S)2]2+ have been prepared by ligand substitution of the phosphine clusters [(Tp)VFe3S4(PEt3)3]1+ and [(Tp)2V2Fe6S8(PEt3)4]. The single cubanes [(Tp)VFe3S4L3]2- and double cubanes [(Tp)2V2Fe6S8L4]4- (L= F-, N3-, CN-, PhS-) are shown by X-ray structures to have trigonal symmetry and centrosymmetry, respectively. Single cubanes form the three-member electron transfer series [(Tp)VFe3S4L3]3-,2-,1-. The ligand dependence of redox potentials and electron distribution in cluster cores as sensed by 57Fe isomer shifts (delta) have been determined. Comparison of these results with those previously determined for the analogous molybdenum clusters (Pesavento, Berlinguette, and Holm Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 510) allows detection of the influence of heterometal M on the properties. At constant M and variable L, redox potentials are lowest for pi-donor ligands and largest for cyanide and relate approximately with decreasing ferrous character in clusters with constant charge z = 2-. At constant L and z and variable M, EV > E(Mo) and delta(av)V < delta(av)Mo, demonstrating that M = Mo clusters are more readily oxidized and suggesting a qualitative relation between lower potentials (greater ease of oxidation) and ferrous character.     

Copper(I) alkynyl clusters, [Cu(x+y)(hfac)(x)(C[triple chemical bond]CR)(y)], with Cu(10)-Cu(12) cores

The facile syntheses and the structures of five new Cu(I) alkynyl clusters, [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CnPr)(4)(thf)(6)]xTHF (1), [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)] (2), [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CSiMe(3))(4)] (3), [Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)(diethyl ether)]/[Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(3)(C[triple chemical bond]CnPr)(diethyl ether)] (4) and [Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)(diethyl ether)] (5) are reported, in which hfacH=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentan-2,4-dione. The first independent molecule found in the crystals of 4 (4 a) proved to be chemically identical to 5. The Cu(10) and Cu(12) cores in these clusters are based on a central "square" Cu(4)C(4) unit. Whilst the connectivities of the Cu(10) or Cu(12) units remain identical the geometries vary considerably and depend on the bulk of the alkynyl group, weak coordination of ether molecules to copper atoms in the core and CuO intramolecular contacts formed between Cu-hfac units on the periphery of the cluster. Similar intermolecular contacts and interlocking of Cu-hfac units are formed in the simple model complex [Cu(2)(hfac)(2)(HC[triple chemical bond]CtBu)] (6). When linear alkynes, C(n)H(2n+1)C[triple chemical bond]CH, are used in the synthesis and non-coordinating solvents are used in the workup, further association of the Cu(4)C(4) cores occurs and clusters with more than eighteen copper atoms are isolated.     

Mo(W)/Cu/S cluster-based supramolecular arrays assembled from preformed clusters [Et4N]4[WS4Cu4I6] and [(n-Bu)4N]2[MoOS3Cu3X3] (X = I, SCN) with flexible ditopic ligands

In our working toward the rational design and synthesis of cluster-based supramolecular architectures, a set of new [WS4Cu4]- or [MoOS3Cu3]-based supramolecular assemblies have been prepared from reactions of preformed cluster compounds [Et4N]4[WS4Cu4I6] (1) and [(n-Bu)4N]2[MoOS3Cu3X3] (2, X = I; 3, X = SCN) with flexible ditopic ligands such as dipyridylsulfide (dps), dipyridyl disulfide (dpds), and their combinations with dicyanamide (dca) anion and 4,4'-bipy. The cluster precursor 1 reacted with dps or dpds and sodium dicyanamide (dca) in MeCN to produce [WS4Cu4I2(dps)3].2MeCN (4.2MeCN) and [WS4Cu4(dca)2(dpds)2].Et2O.2MeCN (5.Et2O.2MeCN), respectively. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with dpds in DMF/MeCN afforded [MoOS3Cu3I(dpds)2].0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5 (6.0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5) while reaction of 3 with sodium dicyanamide (dca) and 4,4'-bipy in DMF/MeCN gave rise to [MoOS3Cu3(dca)(4,4'-bipy)1.5].DMF.MeCN (7.DMF.MeCN). Compounds 4.2MeCN, 5.Et2O.2MeCN, 6.0.5DMF.2(MeCN)0.5, and 7.DMF.MeCN have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 4 contains a 2D layer array made of the saddle-shaped [WS4Cu4] cores interlinked by three pairs of Cu-dps-Cu bridges. Compound 5 has another 2D layer structure in which the [WS4Cu4] cores are held together by four pairs of Cu-dca-Cu and Cu-dpds-Cu bridges. Compound 6 displays a 1D spiral chain structure built of the nido-like [MoOS3Cu3] cores via two pairs of Cu-dpds-Cu bridges. Compound 7 consists of a 2D staircase network in which each [MoOS3Cu3(4,4'-bipy]2 dimeric unit interconnects with four other equivalent units by a pair of 4,4'-bipy ligands and two pairs of dca anions. The [WS4Cu4] core in 4 or 5 and the [MoS3Cu3] core in 7 show a planar 4-connecting node and a seesaw-shaped 4-connecting node, respectively, which are unprecedented in cluster-based supramolecular compounds. The successful assembly of 4-7 from the three cluster precursors 1-3 through flexible ditopic ligands provides new routes to the rational design and construction of complicated cluster-based supramolecular arrays.     

Stereoselective synthesis of chiral pinene[5,6]bipyridine ligands and their coordination chemistry

The C(2)-symmetric chiral pinene[5,6]bipyridine V (Chart 1) was synthesized according to a procedure published by our group recently (Kolp, B.; Abeln, D.; Stoeckli-Evans, H.; Zelewsky, A. v. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2001, 1207). A series of stereoselectively alkylated derivatives (Va-Vo) (Table 1) was prepared. The solid-state structures of the compounds Vc and Vk were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, where both compounds show a transoid conformation of the bipyridine unit and proved to be alkylated stereoselectively from the sterically less hindered side of the pinene moiety. The X-ray structure of the cobalt complex 4 shows the metal ion to be tetrahedrally coordinated by one chiral bipyridine V and two chloride ligands. If 2 equiv of ligand V was used, 2:1 complexes were obtained with Cu(I), Ag(I), and Co(II) ions.     

Interprotein electron transfer in a confined space: uncoupling protein dynamics from electron transfer by sol-gel encapsulation

In this paper, we describe the first observations of photoinitiated interprotein electron transfer (ET) within sol-gels. We have encapsulated three protein-protein complexes, specifically selected because they represent a full range of affinities, are sensitive to different types of dynamic processes, and thus are expected to respond differently to sol-gel encapsulation. The three systems are (i) the [Zn, Fe(3+)L] mixed-metal hemoglobin hybrids, where the alpha(1)-Zn and beta(2)-Fe subunits correspond to a "predocked" protein-protein complex with a crystallographically defined interface (Natan, M. J.; Baxter, W. W.; Kuila, D.; Gingrich, D. J.; Martin, G. S.; Hoffman, B. M. Adv. Chem. Ser. 1991, 228 (Electron-Transfer Inorg., Org., Biol. Syst.), 201-213), (ii) the Zn-cytochrome c peroxidase complex with cytochrome c, [ZnCcP, Fe(3+)Cc], having an intermediate affinity between its partners (Nocek, J. M.; Zhou, J. S.; De Forest, S.; Priyadarshy, S.; Beratan, D. N.; Onuchic, J. N.; Hoffman, B. M. Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 2459-2489), and (iii) the [Zn-deuteromyoglobin, ferricytochrome b(5)] complex, [ZnDMb, Fe(3+)b(5)], which is loosely bound and highly dynamic (Liang, Z.-X.; Nocek, J.; Huang, K.; Hayes, R. T.; Kurnikov, I. V.; Beratan, D. N.; Hoffman, B. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 6849-6859. Intersubunit ET within the hybrid does not involve second-order processes or subunit rearrangements, and thus is influenced only by perturbations of high-frequency motions coupled to ET. For the latter two complexes, sol-gel encapsulation eliminates second-order processes: protein partners encapsulated as a complex must stay together throughout a photoinitiated ET cycle, while proteins encapsulated alone cannot acquire a partner. It further modulates intracomplex motions of the two partners.     

PAs3S3 cage as a new building block in copper halide coordination polymers

First examples of the coordination chemistry of the PAs(3)S(3) cage were obtained from solutions of PAs(3)S(3)·W(CO)(5) (1) in CH(2)Cl(2) or CH(2)Cl(2)/toluene and CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in MeCN through interdiffusion techniques. Crystals of [Cu(PAs(3)S(3))(4)]X (2, X = Cl; 3, X = Br) and [(Cu(2)I)(PAs(3)S(3))(3)]I (4) were obtained and characterized by Raman spectroscopy (2) and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The solid-state structures reveal an unexpected coordination versatility of the PAs(3)S(3) ligand: apical phosphorus and bridging sulfur atoms interact with copper, while As···X interactions determine the dimensionality of the frameworks. The structures of 2 and 3 contain tetrahedral [(PAs(3)S(3))(4)Cu](+) cations as secondary building units (SBUs), which are arranged by interactions with Cl(-) or Br(-) anions into two- and three-dimensional substructures. These interpenetrate into a (2D + 3D) polycatenane. Compound 4 is built up by a one-dimensional [(Cu(2)I)(PAs(3)S(3))(3)](n)(n+) ribbon with PAs(3)S(3) cages as P,S-linkers. The As atoms of the exo PAs(3)S(4) linkers interact with iodide counterions (3.35 < d(As-I) < 3.59 ?). The resulting two-dimensional layer is organized by weak As···I interactions (d(As-I = 3.87 ?) into a 3D network.