Polarography of Molybdenum (VI)—Gallic Acid Complexes in Perchlorate Media

Polarographic and spectrophotometric studies were carried out on Mo (VI)—gallic acid (G) complexes in aqueous solution of perchlorate media. It was found that the number of waves of Mo (VI) depends on gallic acid concentration as well as on the pH of solution. Only a single well-defined irreversible wave is obtained at pH 8.0 for the reduction of Mo (VI) to Mo (III), proportional to Mo (VI) concentration in presence of 20 mM gallic acid with E_1/2=?1.22 V vs SCE. The composition of the formed complexes depends on the pH of solution as revealed from spectrophotometric studies, a 1:1 Mo/G complex is formed at pH 3.0 and 1:2 complex at higher pH′s-NMR study of the isolated 1:2 complex proves that the complexation occurs through—OH groups of gallic acid.     

Oxidation-state and metal-ion dependent stereoisomerization in oxo molybdenum and tungsten complexes of a bulky alkoxy heteroscorpionate ligand

Monooxo Mo(V) complexes of a N2O heteroscorpionate ligand designated (L10O) are found to exist as isolable cis and trans isomers. We have been able to trap the kinetically labile cis isomer and follow its isomerization to the thermodynamically more stable trans form. We have also followed the kinetics of isomerization between the cis and trans isomers of the corresponding dioxo Mo(VI) and W(VI) species. Here the trans is the labile isomer that spontaneously converts to the thermodynamically more stable cis. It is observed that at 60 degrees C in DMSO the Mo(VI) complex isomerizes approximately 6.5 times faster than the Mo(V) and nearly 5 times faster than the corresponding W(VI) analogs. The temperature dependence to the kinetics of the Mo(V) and Mo(VI) isomerizations give activation parameters that are similar for both oxidation states and consistent with those previously observed in [(L1O)MoOCl2] suggesting a similar twist mechanism is operating in all cases. Thus there are oxidation state, metal ion and donor atom dependent differences in isomeric stability that could have significant implications for understanding the mechanisms of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxo atom transfer reactions catalyzed by complexes of Mo, W and Re.     

Applications analytiques des oxocarbones-II: composition des complexes tungstiques des ions bromanilate et chloranilate: dosage spectrophotometrique du tungstene(VI)

The complexes formed from tungsten(VI) and chloranilate (C(2-)) and bromanilate (B(2-)) have been studied in aqueous solution and as solids, by ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopy. At pH 3-4, the complexes have the composition ligand:tungsten = 2. At pH < 2, only the 1:1 complexes are found. The two reagents allow the spectrophotometric determination of W(VI) (lambda, = 335 nm for H(2)C and 340 nm for H(2)B) in 1.4M HClO(4), at concentrations of about 1 mg/l. The conditional stability constants of the two 1:1 complexes in this medium have been calculated. The tungsten complexes are more stable than the corresponding molybdenum complexes, and the complexes of B(2-) are more stable than the complexes of C(2-) [with W(VI) and Mo(VI)]. It is shown that this result is due to the difference between the pK(1), values of the acids H(2)B and H(2)C. The infrared spectra of the complexes of B(2-) and C(2-) with Mo(VI) and W(VI) are discussed in order to define the interaction between the metal ions and the ligands.     

Isomerization and oxygen atom transfer reactivity in oxo-Mo complexes of relevance to molybdoenzymes

Both dioxo Mo(VI) and mono-oxo Mo(V) complexes of a sterically restrictive N2O heteroscorpionate ligand are found to exist as cis and trans isomers. The thermodynamically stable isomer differs for the two oxidation states, but in each case, we have isolated the kinetically labile isomer and followed its isomerization to the thermodynamically stable form. The Mo(VI) complex is more stable in the cis geometry and isomerizes more than 6 times faster than the Mo(V) complex, which prefers the trans geometry. In OAT reactions with PPh3, the trans isomer of the dioxo-Mo(VI) reacts approximately 20 times faster than the cis isomer. Thus, there are both oxidation state and donor atom dependent differences in isomeric stability and reactivity that could have significant functional implications for molybdoenzymes such as DMSO reductase.     

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.     

Biologically relevant O,S-donor compounds. Synthesis, molybdenum complexation and xanthine oxidase inhibition

Two O,S-donor ligands, hydroxythiopyrone and hydroxythiopyridinone derivatives, were developed and studied, as well as the corresponding O,O-derivatives, with a view to their potential pharmacological applications as xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors. The biological assays revealed that the O,S-ligands present high inhibitory activity towards XO (nanomolar order, close to that of the pharmaceutical drug allopurinol), in contrast to the corresponding O,O-analogues. Due to the biomedical relevance of this molybdenum-containing enzyme, the corresponding Mo(VI) complexes were studied both in solution and in the solid state, aimed at identifying the source of the biological properties. The solution studies showed that, in comparison with the O,O-analogues, the Mo(VI) complexes with the O,S-ligands present some stabilization, which is even more pronounced for the reduced Mo(IV) species. The crystal structures of the Mo(VI) complexes with the hydroxythiopyrone revealed good flexibility of the coordination modes, with two structural isomers and two polymorphic forms for a mononuclear and a binuclear species, respectively. These results give some support to mechanistic proposals for the XO inhibition involving the interaction of the thione group with the molybdenum cofactor, thus indicating a role of the sulfur atom in the XO inhibition.     

Steric control of coordination number: A series of Mo(VI) dioxo diaryloxide complexes bearing 4-, 5-, and 6-coordinate environments

The design, synthesis, and structure determination of a series of Mo(VI) dioxo diaryloxide complexes have been reported. By varying the steric bulk of the aryloxide ligand, control of the coordination number around the Mo(VI) center was achieved. All the complexes are characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Preliminary reactivity tests indicate that the 4-coordinate compound is the most stable and the 6-coordinate compound is the least stable.     

Complexation of molybdenum(V) with glycolic acid: an unusual orientation of glycolato ligand in {Mo2O4}2+ complexes

(PyH)5[Mo(V)OCl4(H2O)]3Cl2 and (PyH)n[Mo(V)OBr4]n reacted with glycolic acid (H2glyc) or its half-neutralized ion (Hglyc(-)) to afford a series of novel glycolato complexes based on the {Mo(V)2O4}2+ structural core: (PyH)3[Mo2O4Cl4(Hglyc)]. (1)/ 2CH 3CN (1), (PyH) 3[Mo 2O 4Br 4(Hglyc)].Pr(i)OH(2), (PyH)2[Mo2O4(glyc) 2Py 2] (3), (PyH) 4[Mo 4O 8Cl 4(glyc) 2].2EtOH (4), and [Mo 4O 8(glyc) 2Py 4] (5) (Py = pyridine, C 5H 5N; PyH(+) = pyridinium cation, C 5H 5NH (+) and glyc (2-) = a doubly ionized glycolate, (-)OCH 2COO (-)). The compounds were fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy. The Hglyc (-) ion binds to the {Mo 2O 4} (2+) core through a carboxylate end in a bidentate bridging manner, whereas the glyc (2-) ion adopts a chelating bidentate coordination through a deprotonated hydroxyl group and a monodentate carboxylate. The orientations of glyc (2-) ions in 3- 5 are such that the alkoxyl oxygen atoms occupy the sites opposite the multiply bonded oxides. {(C6H5) 4P}[Mo(VI)O 2(glyc)(Hglyc)] ( 6), an oxidized complex, features a reversed orientation of the glyc(2-) ion. The theoretical DFT calculations on the [Mo(V)2O4(glyc) 2Py 2](2-) and [Mo(VI)O2(glyc)2](2-) ions confirm that binding of glycolate with the alkoxyl oxygen to the site opposite the MoO bond is energetically more favorable in {Mo(V)2O4}(2+) species, whereas a reversed orientation of the ligand is preferred in Mo(VI) complexes. An explanation based on the orbital analysis is put forward.     

Models for the molybdenum hydroxylases: synthesis, characterization and reactivity of cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes

Atom transfer reactions have been employed to convert Tp(i)(Pr)MoO(2)(OAr) into monomeric cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) and dimeric mu-disulfido-Mo(V) species, [Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr)](n)() (Tp(i)(Pr) = hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; OAr = phenolate or naphtholate derivative; n = 1 and 2, respectively). Dark red, monomeric Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr) complexes contain distorted octahedral cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) centers, with d(Mo=O) = 1.692(5) A, d(Mo=S) = 2.132(2) A, and angle(O=Mo=S) = 103.68(16) degrees for the 2-sec-butylphenolate derivative. Dark red-purple, dimeric [Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr)](2) complexes undergo S-S bond cleavage forming monomeric oxosulfido-Mo(VI) species in solution. In the solid state, the 3,5-di-tert-butylphenolate derivative exhibits a centrosymmetric structure, with distorted octahedral anti oxo-Mo(V) centers bridged by a disulfido-kappaS,kappaS' ligand. Hydrolysis of the oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes results in the formation of [Tp(i)(Pr)MoO](2)(mu-S(2))(mu-O). In anaerobic solutions, certain oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes convert to molybdenyl complexes bearing bidentate 2-mercaptophenolate or related naphtholate ligands formed via intramolecular attack of the sulfido ligand on a coligand C-H group. The oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes serve as precursors to biologically relevant Mo(V) and heterobimetallic MoO(mu-S)Cu species and undergo a range of biomimetic reactions.     

Structural Effects of Group VI Metal Tricarbonyl Binding to Benzenoid Rings: Interruption of Conjugation or Enhanced Aromaticity?

The effect of tricarbonyl (group VI metal) complexation on the geometric aromatic character of benzenoid rings is studied as a function of bond‐length alternation (localization) in the parent arene. Good agreement between theory and experiment is established for (η⁶‐benzene) tricarbonylchromium, ‐molybdenum, and ‐tungsten. It is found that, whereas the electrons of benzene become slightly more localized upon tricarbonyl metal complexation, those of ‘cyclohexatriene' mimics, like in‐starphenylene, become more delocalized. A combination of ab initio quantum‐mechanical and high‐accuracy X‐ray methods leads to a linear structure? structure correlation between the free and metal‐bound arene bond‐alternation geometry. In all cases, the average bond length in the arene increases upon complexation. The computational observation that the average bond length increases more in benzene complexes than in in‐starphenylene implies stronger back bonding in the benzene complexes and coincides with the experimental observation that more‐delocalized arenes form thermodynamically favored complexes. The rotational barriers about the tricarbonylmetal‐to‐arene axis were computed for 1‐Cr, 1‐Mo , and 1‐W as well as for 5‐Cr, 5‐Mo , and 5‐W . Barriers for the former group are characteristically low, almost negligible (0.05 kcal/mol for 1‐Cr ; 0.01 kcal/mol for 1‐Mo ; 0.27 kcal/mol for 1‐W ), whereas for the latter group they are substantial (11.2 kcal/mol for 5‐Cr ; 15.2 kcal/mol for 5‐Mo ; 13.6 kcal/mol for 5‐W ). The higher barriers found in 5‐M compounds are consistent with previous findings.     

Reactions of molybdenum(VI) with metal ion reductants

The reactions of aqueous H2MoO4 at low pH with titanium(II), titanium(III), europium(II), vanadium(II), and germanium(II), as monitored at 430 nm, give biphasic profiles featuring a sharp rise in absorbance followed by a marked decrease (Fig. 1). The final product is the dimeric Mo(V) cation, [Mo2O4]2+, and the strongly absorbing intermediate is taken as a monomeric Mo(V) species. The molar absorbances of the transients from different reductants are not the same, nor are the rate laws governing the fadings. None of the decay curves exhibits evidence of a second order dependence on the transient. The kinetic behaviors of these systems are consistent with the intervention of successor complexes of the type [Chemical structure: see text], (formed by inner sphere reductions of Mo(VI)), which decompose, via first-order processes, to a monomeric Mo(V) species. The latter then experiences rapid dimerization, which is kinetically silent. The possibility that Ge(II) bypasses the unstable tripositive state by reducing Mo(VI) to Mo(IV) (which then undergoes rapid Mo(VI)-Mo(IV) comproportionation) is considered.     

Molybdocalixarene structure control via rim deprotonation. synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of calix[4]arene Mo(VI) monooxo complexes and calix[4]arene alkali metal/Mo(VI) dioxo complexes

We report a series of calix[4]arene Mo(VI) dioxo complexes M2RC4MoO2 (M = alkali metal, R = H or Bu(t)) that were fully characterized by NMR, X-ray, IR, UV/vis, and elemental analysis. Molybdocalix[4]arene structures can be controlled via lower rim deprotonation, groups at para positions of calix[4]arene, and alkali metal counterions. Mono deprotonation at the lower rim leads to calix[4]arene Mo(VI) monooxo complexes RC4MoO (R = H, Bu(t), or allyl), and full deprotonation gives rise to calix[4]arene Mo(VI) dioxo complexes. Structural studies indicate that HC4 Mo(VI) dioxo complexes easily form polymeric structures via cation-pi interaction and coordination between different calixarene units. However, Bu(t)C4 Mo(VI) dioxo complexes tend to form dimers or tetramers due to steric hindrance of the tert-butyl groups at para positions in calixarene. The structures of the reduced side products A and C were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The mechanism of RC4MoO formation from the reaction of calixarene monoanions with MoO2Cl2 appears to include the addition of a calixarene -OH group across a Mo=O bond.     

Catalytic epoxidations with peroxides: molybdenum trioxide species as the origin of allylic byproducts

Molybdenum(VI)peroxide species, formed in the reaction of Mo(VI) complexes with peroxides, are able to epoxidize >C=C< double bonds heterolytically. In this study, theoretical and experimental evidence is provided for a kinetically competing reaction reaction of such molybdenum(VI)peroxide species with additional peroxide reagent, leading to molybdenum(VI)trioxide species, which easily decompose into radicals. Under epoxidation conditions, those radicals will reduce the selectivity, due to the formation of allylic byproducts. The involved reaction pathways are characterized by DFT calculations, providing kinetic parameters that are in good agreement with the experimental observations.     

Preparation of iron molybdate catalysts for methanol to formaldehyde oxidation based on ammonium molybdoferrate(II) precursor

It was demonstrated that iron molybdate catalysts for methanol oxidation can be prepared using Fe(II) as a precursor instead of Fe(III). This would allow for reduction of acidity of preparation solutions as well as elimination of Fe(III) oxide impurities which are detrimental for the process selectivity. The system containing Fe(II) and Mo(VI) species in aqueous solution was investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that three types of chemical reactions occur in the Fe(II)–Mo(VI) system: (i) formation of complexes between Fe(II) and molybdate(VI) ions, (ii) inner sphere oxidation of coordinated Fe(II) by Mo(VI) and (iii) decomposition of the Fe–Mo complexes to form scarcely soluble Fe(III) molybdate, Mo(VI) hydrous trioxide and molybdenum blue. Solid molybdoferrate(II) prepared by interaction of Fe(II) and Mo(VI) in solution was characterized by EDXA, TGA, DTA and XRD and a scheme of its thermal evolution proposed. The iron molybdate catalyst prepared from Fe(II) precursor was tested in methanol-to-formaldehyde oxidation in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor to show similar activity and selectivity to the conventional catalyst prepared with the use of Fe(III).     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, UV-vis and EPR Studies of（ NH3CH2CH2NH2 ） 2.5 [ Mo0.5^（V）W0.5^（VI）O2 （ OC6H4O ） 2]

Cis-dioxo-metal complex ( NH3CH2CH2NH2 ) 2.5 [ Mo0.5^(V)W0.5^(VI)O2 ( OC6H4O ) 2] 1 was obtained by the reaction of tetra-butyl ammonium hexamolybdotungstate with 1, 2-dihydroxybenzene in the mixed solvent of CH3OH, CH3CN and ethylenediamine,and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis and EPR analysis. Compared with its analogous complexes (NH3CH2CH2NH2)3[Mo^(V)O2(OC6H40)2] 2 and (NH3CH2CH2NH2)2[W^(VI)O2(OC6H4O)2] 3, the results show that tungsten(VI) is less active in redox than molybdenum (VI) and that the change of the valence induced by substitution of W(VI) for Mo(V) in EMO2(OC6H40)2]n- does not influence the coordination geometry of the complex anion in which the metal center exhibits distorted octahedral coordination with cis-dioxo catechol. The responses to EPR of complexes 1 and 2 are active but complex 3 is silent,and the UV-vis spectra exhibited by the three complexes are obvious different because of the different electronic configuration between the central Mo(V) and W(VI) ions in the complexes.It is noteworthy that complexes 1 and 2 have the similar EPR signal to flavoenzyme, suggesting that the three complexes have the same coordination geometry feature with the co-factor of flavoenzyme.     

Comparative study of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous solution

Electrochemical, complexation, and electronic properties of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous Na2CO3 solution have been investigated to define the appropriate conditions for preparing pure uranyl(V) samples and to understand the difference in coordination character between UO22+ and UO2+. Cyclic voltammetry using three different working electrodes of platinum, gold, and glassy carbon has suggested that the electrochemical reaction of uranyl(VI) carbonate species proceeds quasi-reversibly. Electrolysis of UO22+ has been performed in Na2CO3 solutions of more than 0.8 M with a limited pH range of 11.7 < pH < 12.0 using a platinum mesh electrode. It produces a high purity of the uranyl(V) carbonate solution, which has been confirmed to be stable for at least 2 weeks in a sealed glass cuvette. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements revealed the structural arrangement of uranyl(VI) and -(V) tricarbonato complexes, [UO2(CO3)3]n- [n = 4 for uranyl(VI), 5 for uranyl(V)]. The bond distances of U-Oax, U-Oeq, U-C, and U-Odist are determined to be 1.81, 2.44, 2.92, and 4.17 A for the uranyl(VI) complex and 1.91, 2.50, 2.93, and 4.23 A for the uranyl(V) complex, respectively. The validity of the structural parameters obtained from EXAFS has been supported by quantum chemical calculations for the uranyl(VI) complex. The uranium LI- and LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra have been interpreted in terms of electron transitions and multiple-scattering features.     

Complexation of uranium(VI) and samarium(III) with oxydiacetic acid: temperature effect and coordination modes

The complexation of uranium(VI) and samarium(III) with oxydiacetate (ODA) in 1.05 mol kg(-1) NaClO(4) is studied at variable temperatures (25-70 degrees C). Three U(VI)/ODA complexes (UO(2)L, UO(2)L(2)(2-), and UO(2)HL(2)(-)) and three Sm(III)/ODA complexes (SmL(j)((3-2)(j)+) with j = 1, 2, 3) are identified in this temperature range. The formation constants and the molar enthalpies of complexation are determined by potentiometry and calorimetry. The complexation of uranium(VI) and samarium(III) with oxydiacetate becomes more endothermic at higher temperatures. However, the complexes become stronger due to increasingly more positive entropy of complexation at higher temperatures that exceeds the increase in the enthalpy of complexation. The values of the heat capacity of complexation (Delta C(p) degrees in J K(-1) mol(-1)) are 95 +/- 6, 297 +/- 14, and 162 +/- 19 for UO(2)L, UO(2)L(2)(2-), and UO(2)HL(2)(-), and 142 +/- 6, 198 +/- 14, and 157 +/- 19 for SmL(+), SmL(2)(-), and SmL(3)(3-), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, in conjunction with the structural information from spectroscopy, help to identify the coordination modes in the uranium oxydiacetate complexes. The effect of temperature on the thermodynamics of the complexation is discussed in terms of the electrostatic model and the change in the solvent structure.     

Dioxo-molybdenum(VI) and mono-oxo-molybdenum(IV) complexes supported by new aliphatic dithiolene ligands: new models with weakened Mo=O bond characters for the arsenite oxidase active site

The cis-dioxo-molybdenum(VI) complexes, [MoO2(L(H))2]2- (1b), [MoO2(L(S))(2)]2- (2b), and [MoO2(L(O))2]2- (3b) (L(H) = cyclohexene-1,2-dithiolate, L(S) = 2,3-dihydro-2H-thiopyran-4,5-dithiolate, and L(O) = 2,3-dihydro-2H-pyran-4,5-dithiolate), with new aliphatic dithiolene ligands were prepared and investigated by infrared (IR) and UV-vis spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The mono-oxo-molybdenum(IV) complexes, [MoO(L(H))2]2- (1a), [MoO(L(S))2]2- (2a), and [MoO(L(O))2]2- (3a), were further characterized by X-ray crystal structural determinations. The IR and resonance Raman spectroscopic studies suggested that these cis-dioxo molybdenum(VI) complexes (1b-3b) had weaker Mo=O bonds than the common Mo(VI)O2 complexes. Complexes 1b-3b also exhibited strong absorption bands in the visible regions assigned as charge-transfer bands from the dithiolene ligands to the cis-MoO2 cores. Because the oxygen atoms of the cis-Mo(VI)O2 cores are relatively nucleophilic, these complexes were unstable in protic solvents and protonation might occur to produce Mo(VI)O(OH), as observed with the oxidized state of arsenite oxidase.     

Chromium(VI) Forms Thiolate Complexes with gamma-Glutamylcysteine, N-Acetylcysteine, Cysteine, and the Methyl Ester of N-Acetylcysteine

Reaction of potassium dichromate with gamma-glutamylcysteine, N-acetylcysteine, and cysteine in aqueous solution resulted in the formation of 1:1 complexes of Cr(VI) with the cysteinyl thiolate ligand. The brownish red Cr(VI)-amino acid/peptide complexes exhibited differential stability in aqueous solutions at 4 degrees C and ionic strength = 1.5 M, decreasing in stability in the order: gamma-glutamylcysteine > N-acetylcysteine > cysteine. (1)H, (13)C, and (17)O NMR studies showed that the amino acids act as monodentate ligands and bind to Cr(VI) through the cysteinyl thiolate group, forming RS-Cr(VI)O(3)(-) complexes. No evidence was obtained for involvement of any other possible ligating groups, e.g., amine or carboxylate, of the amino acid/peptide in binding to Cr(VI). EPR studies showed that chromium(V) species at g = 1.973-4 were formed upon reaction of potassium dichromate with gamma-glutamylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine. Reaction of potassium dichromate or sodium dichromate with N-acetylcysteine and the methyl ester of N-acetylcysteine in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) also led to the formation of RS-Cr(VI)O(3)(-) complexes as determined by UV/vis, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Thus, an early step in the reaction of Cr(VI) with cysteine and cysteine derviatives in aqueous and DMF solutions involves the formation of RS-CrO(3)(-) complexes. The Cr(VI)-thiolate complexes are more stable in DMF than in aqueous solution, and their stability towards reduction in aqueous solution follows the order cysteine < N-acetylcysteine < gamma-glutamylcysteine < glutathione.