Formation of cationic peptide radicals by gas-phase redox reactions with trivalent chromium, manganese, iron, and cobalt complexes

The collision-induced dissociation (CID) of a series of gas-phase complexes [M(III)(salen)(P)](+) [where M = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co; P = hexapeptides YGGFLR, WGGFLR, and GGGFLR; and salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato)] has been examined with respect to the ability of the complexes to form the corresponding cationic peptide radical ions, P(+)(*), by homolytic cleavage of the metal peptide bond. This is the first example of the use of gas-phase ternary metal peptide complexes to produce the corresponding cationic peptide radical for a metal other than copper(II). The fragmentation reactions competing with radical formation are highly dependent on the metal ion used. In addition, examination of modified complexes in which the periphery of the salen was substituted allowed evaluation of electronic effects on the CID process, presumably without significant change in the geometry surrounding the metal. This substitution demonstrates that the ligand can be used to tune the dissociation chemistry to favor radical formation and suppress unwanted further fragmentation of the peptide radical that is typically observed immediately following its dissociation from the complex.     

Dissociations of copper(II)-containing complexes of aromatic amino acids: radical cations of tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine

The dissociations of two types of copper(II)-containing complexes of tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), or phenylalanine (Phe) are described. The first type is the bis-amino acid complex, [Cu(II)(M)(2)].(2+), where M = Trp, Tyr, or Phe; the second [Cu(II)(4Cl-tpy)(M)].(2+), where 4Cl-tpy is the tridendate ligand 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine. Dissociations of the Cu(ii) bis-amino acid complexes produce abundant radical cation of the amino acid, M.(+), and/or its secondary products. By contrast, dissociations of the 4Cl-tpy-bearing ternary complexes give abundant M.(+) only for Trp. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that for Tyr and Phe, amino-acid displacement reactions by H(2)O and CH(3)OH (giving [Cu(II)(4Cl-tpy)(H(2)O)].(2+) and [Cu(II)(4Cl-tpy)(CH(3)OH)].(2+)) are energetically more favorable than dissociative electron transfer (giving M.(+) and [Cu(I)(4Cl-tpy)](+)). The fragmentation pathway common to all these [Cu(II)(4Cl-tpy)(M)].(2+) ions is the loss of NH(3). DFT calculations show that the loss of NH(3) proceeds via a "phenonium-type" intermediate. Dissociative electron transfer in [Cu(II)(4Cl-tpy)(M-NH(3))].(2+) results in [M-NH(3)].(+). The [Phe-NH(3)] (+) ion dissociates facilely by eliminating CO(2) and giving a metastable phenonium-type ion that rearranges readily into the styrene radical cation.     

The phenoxy/phenol/copper cation: a minimalistic model of bonding relations in active centers of mononuclear copper enzymes

The "bare" complex [Cu(PhOH)(PhO)](+) with a phenol (PhOH) and a phenoxy (PhO) ligand bound to copper is studied both experimentally and computationally. The binding energies and structure of this complex are probed by mass spectrometry, infrared multi-photon dissociation, and DFT calculations. Further, the monoligated complexes [Cu(PhO)](+) and [Cu(PhOH)](+) are investigated for comparison. DFT calculations on the [Cu(PhOH)(PhO)](+) complex predict that a phenolate anion interacts with copper(II) preferentially through the oxygen atom, and the bonding is associated with electron transfer to the metal center resulting in location of the unpaired electron at the aromatic moiety. Neutral phenol, on the other hand, interacts with copper preferentially through the aromatic ring. The same arrangements are also found in the monoligated complexes [Cu(PhO)](+) and [Cu(PhOH)](+). The calculations further indicate that the bond strength between the copper atom and the oxygen atom of the phenoxy radical is weakened by the presence of neutral phenol from 2.6 eV in bare [Cu(PhO)](+) to 2.1 eV in [Cu(PhOH)(PhO)](+).     

Galactose oxidase models: solution chemistry, and phenoxyl radical generation mediated by the copper status

Galactose oxidase (GO) is an enzyme that catalyzes two-electron oxidations. Its active site contains a copper atom coordinated to a tyrosyl radical, the biogenesis of which requires copper and dioxygen. We have recently studied the properties of electrochemically generated mononuclear Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical systems as model compounds of GO. We present here the solution chemistry of these ligands under various copper and dioxygen statuses: N(3)O ligands first chelate Cu(II), leading, in the presence of base, to [Cu(II)(ligand)(CH(3)CN)](+) complexes (ortho-tert-butylated ligands) or [(Cu(II))(2)(ligand)(2)](2+) complexes (ortho-methoxylated ligands). Excess copper(II) then oxidizes the complex to the corresponding mononuclear Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical species. N(2)O(2) tripodal ligands, in the presence of copper(II), afford directly a copper(II)-phenoxyl radical species. Addition of more than two molar equivalents of copper(II) affords a Cu(II)-bis(phenoxyl) diradical species. The donor set of the ligand directs the reaction towards comproportionation for ligands possessing an N(3)O donor set, while disproportionation is observed for ligands possessing an N(2)O(2) donor set. These results are discussed in the light of recent results concerning the self-processing of GO. A path involving copper(II) disproportionation is proposed for oxidation of the cross-linked tyrosinate of GO, supporting the fact that both copper(I) and copper(II) activate the enzyme.     

Can radical cations of the constituents of nucleic acids be formed in the gas phase using ternary transition metal complexes?

Electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of ternary transition metal complexes of [M(L(3))(N)](2+) (where M = copper(II) or platinum(II); L(3) = diethylenetriamine (dien) or 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (tpy); N = the nucleobases: adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine; the nucleosides: 2'deoxyadenosine, 2'deoxyguanosine, 2'deoxythymine, 2'deoxycytidine; the nucleotides: 2'deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxythymine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxycytidine 5'-monophosphate) was examined as a means of forming radical cations of the constituents of nucleic acids in the gas phase. In general, sufficient quantities of the ternary complexes [M(L(3))(N)](2+) could be formed for MS/MS studies by subjecting methanolic solutions of mixtures of a metal salt [M(L(3))X(2)] (where M = Cu(II) or Pt(II); L(3) = dien or tpy; X = Cl or NO(3)) and N to ESI. The only exceptions were thymine and its derivatives, which failed to form sufficient abundances of [M(L(3))(N)](2+) ions when: (a) M = Pt(II) and L(3) = dien or tpy; (b) M = Cu(II) and L(3) = dien. In some instances higher oligomeric complexes were formed; e.g., [Pt(tpy)(dG)(n)](2+) (n = 1-13). Each of the ternary complexes [M(L(3))(N)](2+) was mass-selected and then subjected to collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole ion trap. The types of fragmentation reactions observed for these complexes depend on the nature of all three components (metal, auxiliary ligand and nucleic acid constituent) and can be classified into: (i) a redox reaction which results in the formation of the radical cation of the nucleic acid constituent, N(+.); (ii) loss of the nucleic acid constituent in its protonated form; and (iii) fragmentation of the nucleic acid constituent. Only the copper complexes yielded radical cations of the nucleic acid constituent, with [Cu(tpy)(N)](2+) being the preferred complex due to suppression, in this case, of the loss of the nucleobase in its protonated form. The yields of the radical cations of the nucleobases from the copper complexes follow the order of their ionization potentials (IPs): G (lowest IP) > A > C > T (highest IP). Sufficient yields of the radical cations of each of the nucleobases allowed their CID reactions (in MS(3) experiments) to be compared to their even-electron counterparts.     

Can metal ions be used as gas‐phase disulfide bond cleavage reagents? A survey of coinage metal complexes of model peptides containing an intermolecular disulfide bond

The role that a metal ion can have in promoting disulfide bond cleavage has been assessed by surveying the tandem mass spectra of the following metal complexes of model peptides containing an intermolecular disulfide bond: [M--H+Cu(II)](+); [M--H+Cu(II)(bipy)](+); [M+Ag(I)](+); and [M+Au(I)(PMe(3))](+). In comparison to previously studied protonated peptides, these binary and ternary metal complexes generally yield more abundant S--S and/or C--S bond cleavage. In general, [M--H+Cu(II)](+) ions cleave the adjacent C--S bond more readily, while the [M+Au(I)(PMe(3))](+) ion cleaves the S--S bond more readily. The ternary metal complex [M--H+Cu(II)(bipy)](+), on the other hand, fragments by exclusive loss of the bipyridyl ligand for the larger model peptides studied. Of all coinage metal systems studied, Me(3)PAu(+) is superior in promoting disulfide bond cleavage.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and physical properties of dinuclear copper(I) and tetranuclear mixed-valence copper(I,II) complexes with hydroxylated bipyridyl-like ligands

Four copper complexes with hydroxylated bipyridyl-like ligands, namely [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)] (1), [Cu(4)(ophen)(4)(tp)] (2), [Cu(4)(obpy)(4)(tp)] (3), and [Cu(4)(obpy)(4)(dpdc)].2H(2)O (4), (Hophen=2-hydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, Hobpy=6-hydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine, tp=terephthalate, dpdc=diphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate) have been synthesized hydrothermally. X-ray single-crystal structural analyses of these complexes reveal that 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) ligands are hydroxylated into ophen or obpy during the reaction, which provides structural evidence for the long-time argued Gillard mechanism. The dinuclear copper(I) complex 1 has three supramolecular isomers in the solid state, in which short copper-copper distances (2.66-2.68 A) indicate weak metal-metal bonding interactions. Each of the mixed-valence copper(i,ii) complexes 2-4 consists of a pair of [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)](+) or [Cu(2)(obpy)(2)](+) fragments bridged by a dicarboxylate ligand into a neutral tetranuclear dumbbell structure. Dinuclear 1 is an intermediate in the formation of 2 and can be converted into 2 in the presence of additional copper(II) salt and tp ligands under hydrothermal conditions. In addition to the ophen-centered pi-->pi* excited-state emission, 1 shows strong emissions at ambient temperature, which may be tentatively assigned as an admixture of copper-centered d-->s,p and MLCT excited states.     

Peptide derivatization as a strategy to form fixed-charge peptide radicals

As a means of generating fixed-charge peptide radicals in the gas phase we have examined the collision-induced dissociation (CID) chemistry of ternary [Cu(II)(terpy)(TMPP-M)]2+ complexes, where terpy = 2,2':6'2'-terpyridine and TMPP-M represents a peptide (M) modified by conversion of the N-terminal amine to a [tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphonium]acetamide (TMPP-) fixed-charge derivative. The following modified peptides were examined: oligoglycines, (Gly)n (n = 1-5), alanylglycine, glycylalanine, dialanine, trialanine and leucine-enkephaline (YGGFL). The [Cu(II)(terpy)(TMPP-M)]2+ complexes are readily formed upon electrospray ionization (ESI) of a mixture of derivatized peptide and [Cu(II)(terpy)(NO3)2] and generally fragment to form transient peptide radical cations, TMPP-M+*, which undergo rapid decarboxylation for the simple aliphatic peptides. This is contrasted with the complexes containing the unmodified peptides, which predominantly undergo fragmentation of the coordinated peptide. These differences demonstrate the importance of proton mobility in directing fragmentation of ternary copper(II) peptide complexes. In the case of leucine-enkephaline, a sufficient yield of the radical cation was obtained to allow further CID. The TMPP-YGGFL+* ion showed a rich fragmentation chemistry, including CO2 loss, side-chain losses of an isopropyl radical, 2-methylpropene and p-quinomethide, and *a1 and *a4 sequence ion formation. In contrast, the even-electron TMPP-YGGFL+ ion fragments to form *a(n) and *b(n) sequence ions as well as the [*b4 + H2O]+ rearrangement ion.     

Mass spectrometric studies on pyridine-piperazine-containing ligands and their complexes with transition metals formed in solution

Electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) methods were used to study open-chain piperazine-containing ligands (L) and their complexes formed with transition-metal salts. ESI and MALDI measurements were performed with a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, respectively. Only singly charged complexes, between one ligand and one or several metal ions, were formed in the ESI measurements. Because the net charge was always one, one or several counterions were attached to the complex. Under ESI conditions, the complexes formed between the ligands and metal (Co, Ni, Cu, and Cd) salts were [L + M + X](+), [L + H + M + X(2)](+) and [L + M(2) + X(3)](+) (M = metal ion, X = counterion). In collision induced dissociation reactions the [L + H + M + X(2)](+) complexes easily eliminated one proton and one counterion. Fragmentation pathways were more dependent on the metal ion than the ligand, and elimination of the second counterion occurred with one proton from copper and nickel complexes and with one proton and one hydrogen from cobalt complexes. Differences in the fragmentation of the complexes could be due to electronic configuration of the metal ion. In the MALDI measurements the ratio between the [L + H](+) and [L - H](+) ions varied with the matrix. Fragmentation of the ligands through elimination of 2-methylpyridine end groups occurred with the aromatic matrices containing carboxylic acid and hydroxyl substituents. Ionization of the complexes was not successful with MALDI as the matrix molecules were also attached to the complexes.     

Bistable copper complexes of bis-thia-bis-quinoline ligands

The new ligands R,R-trans-S,S'-bis[methyl(2'-quinolyl)]-1,2-dithiacyclohexane, cis-S,S'-bis[methyl(2'-quinolyl)]-1,2-dithiacyclohexane, and 1,6-bis(2'-quinolyl)-2,5-dithiahexane have been synthesized and their complexes with Cu(I) and Cu(II) prepared. The ligand/metal systems are bistable, as the complexes with copper in both its oxidation states are stable under the same conditions as solids and in solution. The crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(I)(1,6-bis(2'-quinolyl)-2,5-dithiahexane)]ClO(4) has been determined by X-ray diffraction and reveals that the complex is monomeric, with the ligand folding around the Cu(+) cation, imparting to it a tetrahedral coordination. UV-vis, MS-ESI, and NMR data indicate that the same is found for the Cu(I) complexes of all three ligands. Also, the Cu(II) complexes are monomeric, but with a square arrangement of the ligands around Cu(2+). On changing the oxidation state, the change in the geometrical arrangement is fast and complete in less than 80 ms, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry experiments. In the CV profiles, the oxidation and reduction events take place at separated E(ox) and E(red) values, with no return wave even at the fastest scan rates. In the E(ox)-E(red) interval (which ranges from 450 to 650 mV, depending on the ligand), the ligand/copper system can thus exist in one of its two states, depending on its history, and thus display electrochemical hysteretical behavior. The electrochemical cycle leading from the tetrahedral [Cu(I)(ligand)](+) to the square [Cu(II)(ligand)](2+) complex (and vice versa) is reversible and repeatable without degradation, as checked by coupled UV-vis-controlled potential coulometry experiments.     

Tunability of the M(II)M(III)/M(II)(2) and M(III)(2)/M(II)M(III) (M=Mn, Co) couples in bis-μ-O,O'-carboxylato-μ-OR bridged complexes

A comparison of the electrochemical properties of a series of dinuclear complexes [M(2)(L)(RCO(2))(2)](+) with M = Mn or Co, L = 2,6-bis(N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-sulfonamido)-4-methylphenolato (bpsmp(-)) or 2,6-bis(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4-tert-butylphenolato (bpbp(-)) and R = H, CH(3), CF(3) or 3,4-dimethoxybenzoate demonstrates: (i) The electron-withdrawing sulfonyl groups in the backbone of bpsmp(-) stabilize the [M(2)(bpsmp)(RCO(2))(2)](+) complexes in their M(II)(2) oxidation state compared to their [M(2)(bpbp)(RCO(2))(2)](+) analogues. Manganese complexes are stabilised by approximately 550 mV and cobalt complexes by 650 mV. (ii) The auxiliary bridging carboxylato ligands further attenuate the metal-based redox chemistry. Substitution of two acetato for two trifluoroacetato ligands shifts redox couples by 300-400 mV. Within the working potential window, reversible or quasi-reversible M(II)M(III)? M(II)(2) processes range from 0.31 to 1.41 V for the [Co(2)(L)(RCO(2))(2)](+/2+) complexes and from 0.54 to 1.41 V for the [Mn(2)(L)(RCO(2))(2)](+/2+) complexes versus Ag/AgCl for E(M(II)M(III)/M(II)(2)). The extreme limits are defined by the complexes [M(2)(bpbp)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)](+) and [M(2)(bpsmp)(CF(3)CO(2))(2)](+) for both metal ions. Thus, tuning the ligand field in these dinuclear complexes makes possible a range of around 0.9 V and 1.49 V for the one-electron E(M(II)M(III)/M(II)(2)) couple of the Mn and Co complexes, respectively. The second one-electron process, M(II)M(III)? M(III)(2) was also observed in some cases. The lowest potential recorded for the E°(M(III)(2)/M(II)M(III)) couple was 0.63 V for [Co(2)(bpbp)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)](2+) and the highest measurable potential was 2.23 V versus Ag/AgCl for [Co(2)(bpsmp)(CF(3)CO(2))(2)](2+).     

Syntheses, electronic structures, and EPR/UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry of nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes with a tetradentate ligand based on S-methylisothiosemicarbazide

Template condensation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde S-methylisothiosemicarbazone with pentane-2,4-dione and triethyl orthoformate at elevated temperatures resulted in metal complexes of the type M(II)L, where M = Ni and Cu and H(2)L = a novel tetradentate ligand. These complexes are relevant to the active site of the copper enzymes galactose oxidase and glyoxal oxidase. Demetalation of Ni(II)L with gaseous hydrogen chloride in chloroform afforded the metal-free ligand H(2)L. Then by the reaction of H(2)L with Zn(CH(3)COO)(2)·2H(2)O in a 1:1 molar ratio in 1:2 chloroform/methanol, the complex Zn(II)L(CH(3)OH) was prepared. The three metal complexes and the prepared ligand were characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy), X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. Electrochemically generated one-electron oxidized metal complexes [NiL](+), [CuL](+), and [ZnL(CH(3)OH)](+) and the metal-free ligand cation radical [H(2)L](+?) were studied by EPR/UV-vis-NIR and DFT calculations. These studies demonstrated the interaction between the metal ion and the phenoxyl radical.     

Coordination chemistry of chromium-Salen complexes studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The gas-phase coordination behavior of the [Cr(III)(Salen)]PF(6) complex at the free axial positions has been studied in the presence of amines as ligands (propylamine and a series of diamines) under electrospray ionization conditions. The [Cr(III)(Salen)](+) complex formed stable five- and six-coordinated complex ions, [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)](+) and [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)(2)](+), respectively, where L = solvent molecule or amine. When diamines were used as ligands, abundant [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)](+) ions were observed in which two axial positions of the [Cr(III)(Salen)](+) species are occupied by the two amino groups of the diamine ligand. The relative abundances of ligated complex ions, fragment ions, and solvent adducts of fragment ions in the ESI mass spectra, were found to depend on the cone voltage used to record the spectrum. The ESI mass spectra of [Cr(III)(Salen)](+) in the presence of diamines as ligands, and experiments on ligand-pickup in the collision cell, clearly demonstrated that the [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)](+) complex ion is stable for 1,2-diaminoethane and 1,3-diaminopropane. The stability of [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)](+) ions gradually decreased from 1,4-diaminobutane to 1,6-diaminohexane, and then showed a slight increase for 1,7-diaminoheptane and 1,8-diaminooctane. The collision-induced dissociation spectra of [Cr(III)(Salen)(L)](+) ions support the above observations.     

Tale of a twist: magnetic and optical switching in copper(II) semiquinone complexes

An intermediate (C) that is observed in both phenol hydroxylation and catechol oxidation with the side-on peroxide species [Cu(2)O(2)(DBED)(2)](2+) (DBED = N(1),N(2)-di-tert-butylethane-1,2-diamine) is identified as a copper(II) semiquinone species ([1](+)) through independent synthesis and characterization. The reaction of the redox-active 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone ligand with [(DBED)Cu(I)(MeCN)](+) yields a copper(II) semiquinone [1](+) complex with a singlet ground state and an intense purple chromophore (ε(580) ~ 3500 M(-1) cm(-1)). All other copper(II) semiquinone complexes characterized to date are paramagnetic and weakly colored (ε(800) ~ 500 M(-1) cm(-1)). Antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) center and the semiquinone radical in [1](+) is characterized by paramagnetic (1)H NMR and SQUID magnetometry. Comparative X-ray crystal structures along with density functional theory calculations correlate the geometric structures of copper(II) semiquinone complexes with their magnetic and optical properties. The unique observable properties of [1](+) originate from an increase in the overlap of the Cu 3d and semiquinone π orbitals resulting from a large rhombic distortion in the structure with a twist of 51°, attributable to the large isotropic demands of the tert-butyl substituents of the DBED ligand. Independent characterization of [1](+) allows the spectroscopic yields of intermediate C to be quantified in this intriguing hydroxylation reaction.     

Comparative study of mono- and dinuclear complexes of late 3d-metal chlorides with N,N-dimethylformamide in the gas phase

Mono- and binuclear complexes of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with chlorides of the divalent, late 3d metals M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn are investigated by means of electrospray ionization (ESI). Specifically, ESI leads to monocations of the type [(DMF)(n)MCl](+) and [(DMF)(n)M(2)Cl(3)](+), of which the species with n = 2 and 3 were selected for in-depth studies. The latter include collision-induced dissociation experiments, gas-phase infrared spectroscopy, and calculations using density functional theory. The mononuclear complexes [(DMF)(n)MCl](+) almost exclusively lose neutral DMF upon collisional activation with the notable exception of the copper complex, for which also a reduction from Cu(II) to Cu(I) concomitant with the release of atomic chlorine is observed. For the dinuclear clusters, there exists a competition between loss of a DMF ligand and cluster degradation via loss of neutral MCl(2) with decreasing cluster stability from cobalt to zinc. For the specific case of [(DMF)(n)ZnCl](+) and [(DMF)(n)Zn(2)Cl(3)](+), ion-mobility mass spectrometry indicates the existence of two isomeric cluster ions in the case of [(DMF)(2)Zn(2)Cl(3)](+) which corroborates parallel theoretical predictions.     

Relative binding energies of gas-phase pyridyl ligand/metal complexes by energy-variable collisionally activated dissociation in a quadrupole ion trap

The relative binding energies of a series of pyridyl ligand/metal complexes of the type [M(I)L(2)](+) and [M(II)L(3)](2+) are investigated by using energy-variable collisionally activated dissociation in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The pyridyl ligands include 1,10-phenanthroline and various alkylated analogues, 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, and 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, and the metal ions include cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, calcium, magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium. The effect of the ionic size and electronic nature of the metal ion and the polarizability and degree of preorganization of the pyridyl ligands on the threshold activation voltages, and thus the relative binding energies of the complexes, are evaluated. Correlations are found between the binding constants of [M(II)L(3)](2+) complexes in aqueous solution and the threshold activation voltages of the analogous gas-phase complexes determined by collisionally activated dissociation.     

Structure and properties of bivalent nickel and copper complexes with pyrazine-amide-thioether coordination: stabilization of trivalent nickel

Acyclic pyrazine-2-carboxamide and thioether containing hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpzctb), in its deprotonated form, has afforded light brown [Ni(II)(bpzctb)](1)(S=1) and green [Cu(II)(bpzctb)](2)(S=1/2) complexes. The crystal structures of 1.CH(3)OH and 2.CH(2)Cl(2) revealed that in these complexes the ligand coordinates in a hexadentate mode, affording examples of distorted octahedral M(II)N(2)(pyrazine)N'(2)(amide)S(2)(thioether) coordination. Each complex exhibits in CH(2)Cl(2) a reversible to quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response, corresponding to the Ni(III)/Ni(II)(1) and Cu(II)/Cu(I)(2) redox process. The E(1/2) values reveal that the complexes of bpzctb(2-) are uniformly more anodic by approximately 0.2 V than those of the corresponding complexes with the analogous pyridine ligand, 1,4-bis[o-(pyridine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpctb), attesting that compared to pyridine, pyrazine is a better stabilizer of the Ni(ii) or Cu(i) state. Coulometric oxidation of the previously reported complex [Ni(II)(bpctb)] and 1 generates [Ni(III)(bpctb)](+) and [Ni(III)(bpzctb)](+) species, which exhibit a LMCT transition in the 470--480 nm region and axial EPR spectra corresponding to a tetragonally elongated octahedral geometry. Complex 2 exhibits EPR spectra characteristic of the d(z(2)) ground state.     

Dissociation of gas-phase dimeric complexes of lactic acid and transition-metal ions formed under electrospray ionization conditions; the role of reduction of the metal ion

Dimeric complex ions of the type [M(A-H)A]+, where M=metal ion (Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and A=ligand (lactic acid, methyl lactate or ethyl lactate), were generated in the gas phase under electrospray ionization conditions. The collision-induced dissociation spectra of [M(A-H)A]+ ions were recorded to study the behaviour of ligand and metal ions in decomposition of these dimeric complex ions. Based on the fragmentation pathways observed for complex ions of lactic acid, it is found that both the carboxylic and hydroxyl groups of lactic acid are involved in the complex formation following displacement of a proton by the metal ion. The dimeric complex ions of Co, Ni, and Zn dissociated to yield similar types of ions, whereas that of Cu behaved differently. The dissociations of Co-, Ni-, and Zn-bound dimeric complexes involved losses of neutral molecules while keeping the oxidation state of the metal ion unchanged. However, elimination of radicals is found in the dissociation of dimeric complex ions of Cu, and the oxidation state of copper is reduced from Cu(II) to Cu(I) in the resulting fragment ions. The deprotonated ligand is involved in the fragmentation pathway of Cu complexes, whereas it is intact in other complexes. The oxidation state of the metal ion, nature of the ligand, and site of attachment to the metal ion are found to control the dissociation of these dimeric complex ions.     

Reporting a unique example of electronic bistability observed in the form of valence tautomerism with a copper(II) helicate of a redox-active nitrogenous heterocyclic ligand

Valence tautomeric compounds involving nondixolene-type ligands are rare. The triple-helicate copper(II) complex [Cu(II)(2)(L)(3)](ClO(4))(4)·3CH(3)CN (1) containing a redox-active N-heterocyclic ligand (L) has been prepared and displays VT equilibrium in solution, as established by electronic spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry carried out at variable temperatures. The process involves intramolecular transfer of an electron from one of the L ligands to a copper(II) center, leading to the oxidation of L to an L(?+) radical with concomitant reduction of the Cu(II) center to Cu(I), as shown by the equilibrium [Cu(II)Cu(I)L(?+)L(2)](4+) ? [Cu(II)(2)L(3)](4+).     

Photoinduced carbon monoxide migration in a synthetic heme-copper complex

Time-resolved infrared (TRIR) flash photolytic techniques have been employed to initiate and observe the efficient dissociation of CO from a synthetic heme-CO/copper complex, [((6)L)Fe(II)(CO)..Cu(I)](+) (2), in CH(3)CN and acetone at room temperature. In CH(3)CN, a significant fraction of the photodissociated CO molecules transiently bind to copper (nu(CO)(Cu) = 2091 cm(-)(1)) giving [((6)L)Fe(II)..Cu(I)(CO)](+) (4), with an observed rate constant, k(1) = 1.5 x 10(5) s(-)(1). That is followed by a slower direct transfer of CO from the copper moiety back to the heme (nu(CO)(Fe) = 1975 cm(-)(1)) with k(2) = 1600 s(-)(1). Additional transient absorption (TA) UV-vis spectroscopic experiments have been performed monitoring the CO-transfer reaction by following the Soret band. Eyring analysis of the temperature-dependent data yields DeltaH(double dagger) = 43.9 kJ mol(-)(1) for the 4-to-2 transformation, similar to that for CO dissociation from [Cu(I)(tmpa)(CO)](+) in CH(3)CN (DeltaH(double dagger) = 43.6 kJ mol(-)(1)), suggesting CO dissociation from copper regulates the binding of small molecules to the heme within [((6)L)Fe(II)..Cu(I)](+)(3). Our observations are analagous to those observed for the heme(a3)/Cu(B) active site of cytochrome c oxidase, where photodissociated CO from the heme(a3) site immediately (ps) transfers to Cu(B) followed by millisecond transfer back to the heme.