Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of a High‐Spin {FeNO}6 Complex with an Iron(IV)−NO− Electronic Structure

Although the interaction of low‐spin ferric complexes with nitric oxide has been well studied, examples of stable high‐spin ferric nitrosyls (such as those that could be expected to form at typical non‐heme iron sites in biology) are extremely rare. Using the TMG₃tren co‐ligand, we have prepared a high‐spin ferric NO adduct ({FeNO}⁶ complex) via electrochemical or chemical oxidation of the corresponding high‐spin ferrous NO {FeNO}⁷ complex. The {FeNO}⁶ compound is characterized by UV/Visible and IR spectroelectrochemistry, Mössbauer and NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. The data show that its electronic structure is best described as a high‐spin iron(IV) center bound to a triplet NO^? ligand with a very covalent iron?NO bond. This finding demonstrates that this high‐spin iron nitrosyl compound undergoes iron‐centered redox chemistry, leading to fundamentally different properties than corresponding low‐spin compounds, which undergo NO‐centered redox transformations.     

Shape‐Selective Interception by Hydrocarbons of the O2‐Derived Oxidant of a Biomimetic Nonheme Iron Complex

Picky ferryl : The complex [Fe(Tp)(BF)] (Tp=hydrotris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazolyl)borate; BF=benzoylformate) reacts with O₂ to generate an oxidant (see picture; O red, pink; Fe yellow; N blue; C gray; H white) that oxidizes added hydrocarbons shape‐selectively. Discrimination derives from a cleft formed by two phenyl groups of the Tp ligand, favoring oblate spheroidal substrates.

     

Modeling the cis-oxo-labile binding site motif of non-heme iron oxygenases: water exchange and oxidation reactivity of a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo compound bearing a tripodal tetradentate ligand

The spectroscopic and chemical characterization of a new synthetic non-heme iron(IV)-oxo species [Fe(IV)(O)((Me,H) Pytacn)(S)](2+) (2, (Me,H)Pytacn=1-(2'-pyridylmethyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, S=CH(3)CN or H(2)O) is described. Complex 2 was prepared by reaction of [Fe(II)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)((Me,H) Pytacn)] (1) with peracetic acid. Complex 2 bears a tetradentate N(4) ligand that leaves two cis sites available for binding an oxo group and a second external ligand but, unlike the related iron(IV)-oxo species with tetradentate ligands, it is remarkably stable at room temperature (t(1/2)>2 h at 288 K). Its ability to exchange the oxygen atom of the oxo ligand with water has been analyzed in detail by means of kinetic studies, and a mechanism is proposed on the basis of DFT calculations. Hydrogen-atom abstraction from C-H bonds and oxygen-atom transfer to sulfides by 2 have also been studied. Despite its thermal stability, 2 proves to be a very powerful oxidant that is capable of breaking the strong C-H bond of cyclohexane (bond dissociation energy=99.3 kcal mol(-1)).     

A Synthetic High‐Spin Oxoiron(IV) Complex: Generation,Spectroscopic Characterization,and Reactivity

High versus low : The high‐yield generation of a synthetic high‐spin oxoiron(IV) complex, [Fe^IV(O)(TMG₃tren)]²⁺ (see picture, TMG₃tren = 1,1,1‐tris{2‐[N2‐(1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidino)]ethyl}amine), has been achieved by using the very bulky tetradentate TMG₃tren ligand, in order to both sterically protect the oxoiron(IV) moiety and enforce a trigonal bipyramidal geometry at the iron center, for which an S=2 ground state is favored.

     

Mononuclear Nonheme High‐Spin (S=2) versus Intermediate‐Spin (S=1) Iron(IV)–Oxo Complexes in Oxidation Reactions

Mononuclear nonheme high‐spin (S=2) iron(IV)–oxo species have been identified as the key intermediates responsible for the C?H bond activation of organic substrates in nonheme iron enzymatic reactions. Herein we report that the C?H bond activation of hydrocarbons by a synthetic mononuclear nonheme high‐spin (S=2) iron(IV)–oxo complex occurs through an oxygen non‐rebound mechanism, as previously demonstrated in the C?H bond activation by nonheme intermediate (S=1) iron(IV)–oxo complexes. We also report that C?H bond activation is preferred over C=C epoxidation in the oxidation of cyclohexene by the nonheme high‐spin (HS) and intermediate‐spin (IS) iron(IV)–oxo complexes, whereas the C=C double bond epoxidation becomes a preferred pathway in the oxidation of deuterated cyclohexene by the nonheme HS and IS iron(IV)–oxo complexes. In the epoxidation of styrene derivatives, the HS and IS iron(IV) oxo complexes are found to have similar electrophilic characters.     

Characterization of Mononuclear Non‐heme Iron(III)‐Superoxo Complex with a Five‐Azole Ligand Set

Reaction of O₂ with a high‐spin mononuclear iron(II) complex supported by a five‐azole donor set yields the corresponding mononuclear non‐heme iron(III)–superoxo species, which was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy and resonance Raman spectroscopy. ¹H NMR analysis reveals diamagnetic nature of the superoxo complex arising from antiferromagnetic coupling between the spins on the low‐spin iron(III) and superoxide. This superoxo species reacts with H‐atom donating reagents to give a low‐spin iron(III)–hydroperoxo species showing characteristic UV/Vis, resonance Raman, and EPR spectra.     

Transformation of the {Fe(NO)2}9 dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) into S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) triggered by acid-base pairs

S‐Nitrosation of the coordinated thiolate of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) to generate S‐nitrosothiols (RSNOs) was demonstrated. Transformation of [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐StBu)}₂] ( 1‐tBuS ) into the {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(StBu)(MeIm)] ( 2‐MeIm ) occurs under addition of 20 equiv of 1‐methylimidazole (MeIm) into a solution of 1‐tBuS in THF. The dynamic interconversion between {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ [(NO)₂Fe(S‐NAP)(dmso)] ( 2‐dmso ) (NAP=N‐acetyl‐D ‐penicillamine) and [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐S‐NAP)}₂] ( 1‐NAP ) was also observed in a solution of complex 1‐NAP in DMSO. In contrast to the reaction of complex 2‐MeIm and bis(dimethylthiocarbamoyl) disulfide ((DTC)₂) to yield {Fe(NO)}⁷ [(NO)Fe(DTC)₂] ( 3 ) (DTC=S₂CNMe₂) accompanied by (tBuS)₂ and NO_(g), transformation of {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ 2‐MeIm ( 2‐dmso ) into RSNOs (RS=tBuS, NAP‐S) along with complex 3 induced by the Brønsted acid solution of (DTC)₂ demonstrated that Brønsted acid may play a critical role in triggering S‐nitrosation of the coordinated thiolate of DNICs 2‐MeIm (or 2‐dmso ) to produce RSNOs. That is, DNIC‐mediated S‐nitrosation requires a Brønsted acid–Lewis base pair to produce RSNO. Transformation of DNICs into RSNOs may only occur on the one‐thiolate‐containing {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNICs, in contrast to protonation of the two‐thiolate‐containing DNICs [(NO)₂Fe(SR)₂]^? by Brønsted acid to yield [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐SR)}₂]. These results might rationalize that the known protein‐Cys‐SNO sites derived from DNICs were located adjacent to acid and base motifs, and no protein‐bound SNO characterized to date has been directly derived from [protein–(cysteine)₂Fe(NO)₂] in biology.     

An Artificial Enzyme Made by Covalent Grafting of an FeII Complex into β‐Lactoglobulin: Molecular Chemistry,Oxidation Catalysis,and Reaction‐Intermediate Monitoring in a Protein

An artificial metalloenzyme based on the covalent grafting of a nonheme Fe^II polyazadentate complex into bovine β‐lactoglobulin has been prepared and characterized by using various spectroscopic techniques. Attachment of the Fe^II catalyst to the protein scaffold is shown to occur specifically at Cys121. In addition, spectrophotometric titration with cyanide ions based on the spin‐state conversion of the initial high spin (S=2) Fe^II complex into a low spin (S=0) one allows qualitative and quantitative characterization of the metal center’s first coordination sphere. This biohybrid catalyst activates hydrogen peroxide to oxidize thioanisole into phenylmethylsulfoxide as the sole product with an enantiomeric excess of up to 20 %. Investigation of the reaction between the biohybrid system and H₂O₂ reveals the generation of a high spin (S=5/2) Fe^III(η²‐O₂) intermediate, which is proposed to be responsible for the catalytic sulfoxidation of the substrate.     

Nucleophilic Reactivity of a Copper(II)–Superoxide Complex

Metal‐bound superoxide intermediates are often implicated as electrophilic oxidants in dioxygen‐activating metalloenzymes. In the nonheme iron α‐ketoglutarate dependent oxygenases and pterin‐dependent hydroxylases, however, Fe^III–superoxide intermediates are postulated to react by nucleophilic attack on electrophilic carbon atoms. By reacting a Cu^II–superoxide complex ( 1 ) with acyl chloride substrates, we have found that a metal–superoxide complex can be a very reactive nucleophile. Furthermore, 1 was found to be an efficient nucleophilic deformylating reagent, capable of Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of a number of aldehyde substrates. The observed nucleophilic chemistry represents a new domain for metal–superoxide reactivity. Our observations provide support for the postulated role of metal–superoxide intermediates in nonheme iron α‐ketoglutarate dependent and pterin‐dependent enzymes.     

A Nonheme Sulfur‐Ligated {FeNO}6 Complex and Comparison with Redox‐Interconvertible {FeNO}7 and {FeNO}8 Analogues

A nonheme {FeNO}⁶ complex, [Fe(NO)(N3PyS)]²⁺, was synthesized by reversible, one‐electron oxidation of an {FeNO}⁷ analogue. This complex completes the first known series of sulfur‐ligated {FeNO}^6–8 complexes. All three {FeNO}^6–8 complexes are readily interconverted by one‐electron oxidation/reduction. A comparison of spectroscopic data (UV/Vis, NMR, IR, Mössbauer, X‐ray absorption) provides a complete picture of the electronic and structural changes that occur upon {FeNO}⁶–{FeNO}⁸ interconversion. Dissociation of NO from the new {FeNO}⁶ complex is shown to be controlled by solvent, temperature, and photolysis, which is rare for a sulfur‐ligated {FeNO}⁶ species.     

The First 3‐Connected SrSi2‐Type 3D Chiral Framework Constructed from {Ni6PW9} Building Units

A novel 3‐connected SrSi₂‐type 3D chiral framework constructed from hexa‐Ni^II‐cluster‐substituted polyoxometalate (POM) units [Ni(enMe)₂]₃[WO₄]₃[Ni₆(enMe)₃(OH)₃PW₉O₃₄]₂?9H₂O ( 1 ) (enMe=1,2‐diaminopropane) has been made from a hydrothermal synthetic method. This POM represents the first 3D framework based on {Ni₆PW₉} units and {WO₄} connectors.     

Dissecting the intimate mechanism of cyanation of {2Fe3S} complexes related to the active site of all-iron hydrogenases by DFT analysis of energetics, transition states, intermediates and products in the carbonyl substitution pathway

A bridging carbonyl intermediate with key structural elements of the diiron sub-site of all-iron hydrogenase has been experimentally observed in the CN/CO substitution pathway of the {2Fe3S} carbonyl precursor, [Fe(2)(CO)(5){MeSCH(2)C(Me)(CH(2)S)(2)}]. Herein we have used density functional theory (DFT) to dissect the overall substitution pathway in terms of the energetics and the structures of transition states, intermediates and products. We show that the formation of bridging CO transitions states is explicitly involved in the intimate mechanism of dicyanation. The enhanced rate of monocyanation of {2Fe3S} over the {2Fe2S} species [Fe(2)(CO)(6){CH(2)(CH(2)S)(2)}] is found to rest with the ability of the thioether ligand to both stabilise a mu-CO transition state and act as a good leaving group. In contrast, the second cyanation step of the {2Fe3S} species is kinetically slower than for the {2Fe2S} monocyanide because the Fe2 atom is deactivated by coordination of the electron-donating thioether group. In addition, hindered rotation and the reaction coordinate of the approaching CN(-) group, are other factors which explain reactivity differences in {2Fe2S} and {2Fe3S} systems. The intermediate species formed in the second cyanation step of {2Fe3S} species is a mu-CO species, confirming the structural assignment made on the basis of FT-IR data (S. J. George, Z. Cui, M. Razavet, C. J. Pickett, Chem. Eur. J. 2002, 8, 4037-4046). In support of this we find that computed and experimental IR frequencies of structurally characterised {2Fe3S} species and those of the bridging carbonyl intermediate are in excellent agreement. In a wider context, the study may provide some insight into the reactivity of dinuclear systems in which neighbouring group on-off coordination plays a role in substitution pathways.     

Chelate‐Thiolate‐Coordinate Ligands Modulating the Configuration and Electrochemical Property of Dinitrosyliron Complexes (DNICs)

As opposed to the reversible redox reaction ({Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ reduced‐form DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^2? ( 1 )?{Fe(NO)₂}⁹ oxidized‐form [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^?), the chemical oxidation of the {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₂S)]^2? ( 2 ) generates the dinuclear {Fe(NO)₂}⁹–{Fe(NO)₂}⁹ complex [(NO)₂Fe(μ‐SC₂H₄S)₂Fe(NO)₂]^2? ( 3 ) bridged by two terminal [SC₂H₄S]^2? ligands. On the basis of the Fe K‐edge pre‐edge energy and S K‐edge XAS, the oxidation of complex 1 yielding [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^? is predominantly a metal‐based oxidation. The smaller S1‐Fe1‐S2 bond angle of 94.1(1)° observed in complex 1 (S1‐Fe1‐S2 88.6(1)° in complex 2 ), compared to the bigger bond angle of 100.9(1)° in the {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(S(CH₂)₃S)]^?, may be ascribed to the electron‐rich {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNIC preferring a restricted bite angle to alleviate the electronic donation of the chelating thiolate to the electron‐rich {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ core. The extended transition state and natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS‐NOCV) analysis on the edt‐/pdt‐chelated {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ and {Fe(NO)₂}¹⁰ DNICs demonstrates how two key bonding interactions, that is, a Fe?S covalent σ bond and thiolate to the Fe d charge donation, between the chelating thiolate ligand and the {Fe(NO)₂}^9/10 core could be modulated by the backbone lengths of the chelating thiolate ligands to tune the electrochemical redox potential (E_1/2=?1.64 V for complex 1 and E_1/2=?1.33 V for complex 2 ) and to dictate structural rearrangement/chemical transformations (S‐Fe‐S bite angle and monomeric vs. dimeric DNICs).