Ions generated from uranyl nitrate solutions by electrospray ionization (ESI) and detected with fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) of uranyl nitrate solutions generates a wide variety of positively and negatively charged ions, including complex adducts of uranyl ions with methoxy, hydroxy, and nitrate ligands. In the positive ion mode, ions detected by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry are sensitive to instrumental tuning parameters such as quadrupole operating frequency and trapping time. Positive ions correspond to oligomeric uranyl nitrate species that can be characterized as having a general formula of [(UO(2))(n)(A)(m)(CH(3)OH)(s)](+) or [(UO(2))(n)(O)(A)(m)(CH(3)OH)(s)](+) with n = 1-4, m = 1-7, s = 0 or 1, and A = OH, NO(3), CH(3)O or a combination of these, although the formation of NO(3)-containing species is preferred. In the negative ion mode, complexes of the form [(UO(2))(NO(3))(m)](-) (m = 1-3) are detected, although the formation of the oxo-containing ions [(UO(2))(O)(n)(NO(3))(m)](-) (n = 1-2, m = 1-2) and the hydroxy-containing ions [(UO(2))(OH)(n)(NO(3))(m)](-) (n = 1-2, m = 0-1) are also observed. The extent of coordinative unsaturation of both positive and negative ions can be determined by ligand association/exchange and H/D exchange experiments using D(2)O and CD(3)OD as neutral reaction partners in the gas-phase. Positive ions are of varying stability and reactivity and may fragment extensively upon collision with D(2)O, CD(3)OD and N(2) in sustained off-resonance irradiation/collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) experiments. Electron-transfer reactions, presumably occurring during electrospray ionization but also in SORI-CID, can result in reduction of U(VI) to U(V) and perhaps even U(IV).     

Gas-phase coordination complexes of dipositive plutonyl, PuO2(2+): chemical diversity across the actinyl series

We report the first transmission of solvent-coordinated dipositive plutonyl ion, Pu(VI)O(2)(2+), from solution to the gas phase by electrospray ionization (ESI) of plutonyl solutions in water/acetone and water/acetonitrile. ESI of plutonyl and uranyl solutions produced the isolable gas-phase complexes, [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(4,5,6)](2+), [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(3)(H(2)O)](2+), and [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)](2+); additional complex compositions were observed for uranyl. In accord with relative actinyl stabilities, U(VI)O(2)(2+) > Pu(VI)O(2)(2+) > Np(VI)O(2)(2+), the yields of plutonyl complexes were about an order of magnitude less than those of uranyl, and dipositive neptunyl complexes were not observed. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the dipositive coordination complexes in a quadrupole ion trap produced doubly- and singly-charged fragment ions; the fragmentation products reveal differences in underlying chemistries of plutonyl and uranyl, including the lower stability of Pu(VI) as compared with U(VI). Particularly notable was the distinctive CID fragment ion, [Pu(IV)(OH)(3)](+) from [Pu(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(6)](2+), where the plutonyl structure has been disrupted and the tetravalent plutonium hydroxide produced; this process was not observed for uranyl.     

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.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of mass-selected [UO2(ligand)n]2+ complexes in the gas phase: comparison with theory

The gas-phase infrared spectra of discrete uranyl ([UO2]2+) complexes ligated with acetone and/or acetonitrile were used to evaluate systematic trends of ligation on the position of the O=U=O stretch and to enable rigorous comparison with the results of computational studies. Ionic uranyl complexes isolated in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer were fragmented via infrared multiphoton dissociation using a free electron laser scanned over the mid-IR wavelengths. The asymmetric O=U=O stretching frequency was measured at 1017 cm(-1) for [UO2(CH3COCH3)2]2+ and was systematically red shifted to 1000 and 988 cm(-1) by the addition of a third and fourth acetone ligand, respectively, which was consistent with increased donation of electron density to the uranium center in complexes with higher coordination number. The values generated computationally using LDA, B3LYP, and ZORA-PW91 were in good agreement with experimental measurements. In contrast to the uranyl frequency shifts, the carbonyl frequencies of the acetone ligands were progressively blue shifted as the number of ligands increased from two to four and approached that of free acetone. This observation was consistent with the formation of weaker noncovalent bonds between uranium and the carbonyl oxygen as the extent of ligation increases. Similar trends were observed for [UO2(CH3CN)n]2+ complexes, although the uranyl asymmetric stretching frequencies were greater than those measured for acetone complexes having equivalent coordination, which is consistent with the fact that acetonitrile is a weaker nucleophile than is acetone. This conclusion was confirmed by the uranyl stretching frequencies measured for mixed acetone/acetonitrile complexes, which showed that substitution of one acetone for one acetonitrile produced a modest red shift of 3-6 cm(-1).     

Extraction and coordination studies of the unexplored bifunctional ligand carbamoyl methyl sulfoxide (CMSO) with uranium(VI) and cerium(III) nitrates. Synthesis and structures of [UO2(NO3)2(PhSOCH2CON(i)Bu2)] and [Ce(NO3)3(PhSOCH2CONBu2)2

The bifunctional carbamoyl methyl sulfoxide ligands, PhCH(2)SOCH(2)CONHPh (L1), PhCH(2)SOCH(2)CONHCH(2)Ph (L2), PhSOCH(2)CON(i)Pr(2)(L3), PhSOCH(2)CONBu(2)(L4), PhSOCH(2)CON(i)Bu(2)(L5) and PhSOCH(2)CON(C(8)H(17))(2)(L6) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The selected coordination chemistry of L1, L3, and L5with [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)] and [Ce(NO(3))(3)] has been evaluated. The structures of the compounds [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)(PhSOCH(2)CON(i)Bu(2))](10) and [Ce(NO(3))(3)(PhSOCH(2)CONBu(2))(2)](12) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Preliminary extraction studies of ligand L6 with U(VI), Pu(IV) and Am(III) in tracer level showed an appreciable extraction for U(VI) and Pu(IV) in up to 10 M HNO(3) but not for Am(III). Thermal studies on compounds 8 and 10 in air revealed that the ligands can be destroyed completely on incineration. The electron spray mass spectra of compounds 8 and 10 in acetone show that extensive ligand distribution reactions occur in solution to give a mixture of products with ligand to metal ratios of 1: 1 and 2 :1. However, 10 retains its solid state structure in CH(2)Cl(2).     

Intrinsic hydration of monopositive uranyl hydroxide,nitrate, and acetate cations

The intrinsic hydration of three monopositive uranyl-anion complexes (UO(2)A)(+) (where A = acetate, nitrate, or hydroxide) was investigated using ion-trap mass spectrometry (IT-MS). The relative rates for the formation of the monohydrates [(UO(2)A)(H(2)O)](+), with respect to the anion, followed the trend: Acetate > or = nitrate > hydroxide. This finding was rationalized in terms of the donation of electron density by the strongly basic OH(-) to the uranyl metal center, thereby reducing the Lewis acidity of U and its propensity to react with incoming nucleophiles, viz., H(2)O. An alternative explanation is that the more complex acetate and nitrate anions provide increased degrees of freedom that could accommodate excess energy from the hydration reaction. The monohydrates also reacted with water, forming dihydrates and then trihydrates. The rates for formation of the nitrate and acetate dihydrates [(UO(2)A)(H(2)O)(2)](+) were very similar to the rates for formation of the monohydrates; the presence of the first H(2)O ligand had no influence on the addition of the second. In contrast, formation of the [(UO(2)OH)(H(2)O)(2)](+) was nearly three times faster than the formation of the monohydrate.     

Chemical equilibria in the binary and ternary uranyl(VI)-hydroxide-peroxide systems

The composition and equilibrium constants of the complexes formed in the binary U(VI)-hydroxide and the ternary U(VI)-hydroxide-peroxide systems have been studied using potentiometric and spectrophotometric data at 25 °C in a 0.100 M tetramethylammonium nitrate medium. The data for the binary U(VI) hydroxide complexes were in good agreement with previous studies. In the ternary system two complexes were identified, [UO(2)(OH)(O(2))](-) and [(UO(2))(2)(OH)(O(2))(2)](-). Under our experimental conditions the former is predominant over a broad p[H(+)] region from 9.5 to 11.5, while the second is found in significant amounts at p[H(+)] < 10.5. The formation of the ternary peroxide complexes results in a strong increase in the molar absorptivity of the test solutions. The absorption spectrum for [(UO(2))(2)(OH)(O(2))(2)](-) was resolved into two components with peaks at 353 and 308 nm with molar absorptivity of 16200 and 20300 M(-1) cm(-1), respectively, suggesting that the electronic transitions are dipole allowed. The molar absorptivity of [(UO(2))(OH)(O(2))](-) at the same wave lengths are significantly lower, but still about one to two orders of magnitude larger than the values for UO(2)(2+)(aq) and the binary uranyl(VI) hydroxide complexes. It is of interest to note that [(UO(2))(OH)(O(2))](-) might be the building block in cluster compounds such as [UO(2)(OH)(O(2))](60)(60-) studied by Burns et al. (P. C. Burns, K. A. Kubatko, G. Sigmon, B. J. Fryer, J. E. Gagnon, M. R. Antonio and L. Soderholm, Angew. Chem. 2005, 117, 2173-2177). Speciation calculations using the known equilibrium constants for the U(vi) hydroxide and peroxide complexes show that the latter are important in alkaline solutions even at very low total concentrations of peroxide, suggesting that they may be involved when the uranium minerals Studtite and meta-Studtite are formed by α-radiolysis of water. Radiolysis will be much larger in repositories for spent nuclear fuel where hydrogen peroxide might contribute both to the corrosion of the fuel and to transport of uranium in a ground water system.     

Comparative EXAFS investigation of uranium(VI) and -(IV) aquo chloro complexes in solution using a newly developed spectroelectrochemical cell

The coordination of the U(IV) and U(VI) ions as a function of the chloride concentration in aqueous solution has been studied by U L(III)-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The oxidation state of uranium was changed in situ using a gastight spectroelectrochemical cell, specifically designed for the safe use with radioactive solutions. For U(VI) we observed the complexes UO2(H2O)5(2+), UO2(H2O)4Cl+, UO2(H2O)3Cl2(0), and UO2(H2O)2Cl3- with [Cl-] increasing from 0 to 9 M, and for U(IV) we observed the complexes U(H2O)9(4+), U(H2O)8Cl3+, U(H2O)(6-7)Cl2(2+), and U(H2O)5Cl3+. The distances in the U(VI) coordination sphere are U-Oax = 1.76+/-0.02 A, Oeq = 2.41 +/- 0.02 A, and U-Cl = 2.71 +/- 0.02 A; the distances in the U(IV) coordination sphere are U-O = 2.41 +/- 0.02 A and U-Cl = 2.71 +/- 0.02 A.     

Infrared spectroscopy of discrete uranyl anion complexes

The Free-Electron Laser for Infrared Experiments (FELIX) was used to study the wavelength-resolved multiple photon photodissociation of discrete, gas-phase uranyl (UO22+) complexes containing a single anionic ligand (A), with or without ligated solvent molecules (S). The uranyl antisymmetric and symmetric stretching frequencies were measured for complexes with general formula [UO2A(S)n]+, where A was hydroxide, methoxide, or acetate; S was water, ammonia, acetone, or acetonitrile; and n = 0-3. The values for the antisymmetric stretching frequency for uranyl ligated with only an anion ([UO2A]+) were as low or lower than measurements for [UO2]2+ ligated with as many as five strong neutral donor ligands and are comparable to solution-phase values. This result was surprising because initial DFT calculations predicted values that were 30-40 cm(-1) higher, consistent with intuition but not with the data. Modification of the basis sets and use of alternative functionals improved computational accuracy for the methoxide and acetate complexes, but calculated values for the hydroxide were greater than the measurement regardless of the computational method used. Attachment of a neutral donor ligand S to [UO2A]+ produced [UO2AS]+, which produced only very modest changes to the uranyl antisymmetric stretch frequency, and did not universally shift the frequency to lower values. DFT calculations for [UO2AS]+ were in accord with trends in the data and showed that attachment of the solvent was accommodated by weakening of the U-anion bond as well as the uranyl. When uranyl frequencies were compared for [UO2AS]+ species having different solvent neutrals, values decreased with increasing neutral nucleophilicity.     

Mononuclear oxovanadium complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine

Mononuclear oxovanadium(IV) and dioxovanadium(V) complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa) have been prepared for the first time. Crystal structure determinations of three oxovanadium(IV) complexes, [VO(SO4)(tpa)], [VOCl(tpa)]PF6, or [VOBr(tpa)]PF6, and a dioxovanadium(v) complex [V(O)2(tpa)]PF6 disclosed that the tertiary nitrogen of the tpa ligand always occupies the trans-to-oxo site. The structures of an oxo-peroxo complex [VO(O2)(tpa)]Cl that was prepared previously and of a mu-oxo vanadium(III) complex [{VCl(tpa)}2(mu-O)](PF6)2 have also been determined. The tertiary nitrogen is located at a trans site to the peroxo and chloride ligands, respectively. The total sums of the four V-N bond lengths from the tpa ligand are remarkably similar among the six complexes, indicating that the vanadium oxidation states become less influential in tpa bonding due primarily to the coordination of electron-donating oxo ligand(s). Absorption spectra of [VOCl(tpa)]+ in acetonitrile showed a significant change upon addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid and HClO4, but not on addition of benzoic acid. Protonation at the oxo ligand by the former two acids is suggested. Cyclic voltammetric studies in acetonitrile verified the proton-coupled redox behavior of the V(III)/V(IV) process involving the oxo ligand for the first time. From the dependence of the added p-toluenesulfonic acid to the CV, redox potentials for the following species have been estimated: [V(IV)OCl(tpa)]+/[V(III)OCl(tpa)](E1/2=-1.59 V vs. Fc+/Fc), [V(IV)(OH)Cl(tpa)]2+/[V(III)(OH)Cl(tpa)]+(Epc=-1.34 V), [V(IV)(OH2)Cl(tpa)]3+/[V(III)(OH2)Cl(tpa)]2+(Epa=-0.49 V), and [V(IV)Cl2(tpa)]2+/[V(III)Cl2(tpa)]+(E1/2=-0.89 V). The reduction of [V(V)(O)2(tpa)]+ in 0.05 M [(n-Bu)4N]PF6 acetonitrile showed a major irreversible reduction wave V(V)/(IV) at -1.48 V. The metal reduction potentials of the oxovanadium(IV) and dioxovanadium(V) species are very close, reinforcing the significant influence of the oxo ligand(s).     

Determination of the equilibrium formation constants of two U(VI)-peroxide complexes at alkaline pH

The formation of uranyl-peroxide complexes was studied at alkaline media by using UV-Visible spectrophotometry and the STAR code. Two different complexes were found at a H(2)O(2)/U(VI) ratio lower than 2. A graphical method was used in order to obtain the formation constants of such complexes and the STAR program was used to refine the formation constants values because of its capacity to treat multiwavelength absorbance data and refining equilibrium constants. The values obtained for the two complexes identified were: UO(2)(2+) + H(2)O(2) + 4OH(-) UO(2)(O(2))(OH)(2)(2-) + 2H(2)O: log β°(1,1,4) = 28.1 ± 0.1 (1). UO(2)(2+) + 2H(2)O(2) + 6OH(-) UO(2)(O(2))(2)(OH)(2)(4-) + 4H(2)O: log β°(1,2,6) = 36.8 ± 0.2 (2). At hydrogen peroxide concentrations higher than 10(-5) mol dm(-3), and in the absence of carbonate, the UO(2)(O(2))(2)(OH)(2)(4-) complex is predominant in solution, indicating the significant peroxide affinity of peroxide ions for uranium and the strong complexes of uranium(VI) with peroxide.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of chromium(V/IV/III)- 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanoato(2-/1-) complexes

Structures of the complexes [Cr(V)O(ehba)(2)](-), [Cr(IV)O(ehbaH)(2)](0), and [Cr(III)(ehbaH)(2)(OH(2))(2)](+) (ehbaH(2) = 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) in frozen aqueous solutions (10 K, [Cr] = 10 mM, 1.0 M ehbaH(2)/ehbaH, pH 3.5) have been determined by single- and multiple-scattering fitting of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data. An optimal set of fitting parameters has been determined from the XAFS calculations for a compound with known crystal structure, Na[Cr(V)O(ehba)(2)] (solid, 10 K). The structure of the Cr(V) complex [Cr(V)O(ehba)(2)](-) does not change in solution in the presence of excess ligand. Contrary to the earlier suggestions made from the kinetic data (Ghosh, M. C.; Gould, E. S. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1992, 195-196), the structure of the Cr(IV) complex (generated by the Cr(VI) + As(III) + ehbaH(2) reaction) is close to that of the Cr(V) complex (five-coordinate, distorted trigonal bipyramidal) and different from that of the Cr(III) complex (six-coordinate, octahedral). For both Cr(V) and Cr(IV) complexes, some disorder in the position of the oxo group is observed, which is consistent with but not definitive for the presence of geometric isomers. The structure of the Cr(IV) complex differs from that of Cr(V) by protonation of alcoholato groups of the ligands, which leads to significant elongation of the corresponding Cr-O bonds (2.0 vs 1.8 A). This is reflected in the different chemical properties reported previously for the Cr(IV) and Cr(V) complexes, including their reactivities toward DNA and other biomolecules in relation to Cr-induced carcinogenicity.     

Distorted equatorial coordination environments and weakening of U=O bonds in uranyl complexes containing NCN and NPN ligands

Treatment of [UO(2)Cl(2)(thf)(3)] in thf with 2 equiv of Na[PhC(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NCN]) or Na[Ph(2)P(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NPN]) gives uranyl complex [UO(2)(NCN)(2)(thf)] (1) or [UO(2)(NPN)(2)] (3), respectively. Each complex is a rare example of out-of-plane equatorial nitrogen ligand coordination; the latter contains a significantly bent O=U=O unit and represents the first example of a uranyl ion within a quadrilateral-faced monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Removal of the thf in 1 gives [UO(2)(NCN)(2)] (2) with in-plane N donor ligands. Addition of 3 equiv of Na[NCN] gives the tris complex [Na(thf)(2)PhCN][[UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (4.PhCN) with elongation and weakening of one U=O bond through coordination to Na(+). Hydrolysis of 4 provides the oxo-bridged dimer [Na(thf)UO(2)(NCN)(2)](2)(micro(2)-O) (6), a complex with the lowest reported O=U=O symmetrical stretching frequency (nu(1) = 757 cm(-)(1)) for a dinuclear uranyl complex. The anion in complex 4 is unstable in solution but can be stabilized by the introduction of 18-crown-6 to give [Na(18-crown-6)][UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (5). The structures of 1-4 and 6 have been determined by crystallography, and all except 2 show significant deviations of the N ligand atoms from the equatorial plane, driven by the steric bulk of the NCN and NPN ligands. Despite the unusual geometries, these distortions in structure do not appear to have any direct effect on the bonding and electronic structure of the uranyl ion. The main influences toward lowering the U=O bond stretching frequency (nu(1)) are the donating ability of the equatorial ligands, overall charge of the complex, and U=O.Na-type interactions. The intense orange/red colors of these compounds are because of low-energy ligand-to-metal charge-transfer electronic transitions.     

Gas-phase uranyl, neptunyl, and plutonyl: hydration and oxidation studied by experiment and theory

The following monopositive actinyl ions were produced by electrospray ionization of aqueous solutions of An(VI)O(2)(ClO(4))(2) (An = U, Np, Pu): U(V)O(2)(+), Np(V)O(2)(+), Pu(V)O(2)(+), U(VI)O(2)(OH)(+), and Pu(VI)O(2)(OH)(+); abundances of the actinyl ions reflect the relative stabilities of the An(VI) and An(V) oxidation states. Gas-phase reactions with water in an ion trap revealed that water addition terminates at AnO(2)(+)·(H(2)O)(4) (An = U, Np, Pu) and AnO(2)(OH)(+)·(H(2)O)(3) (An = U, Pu), each with four equatorial ligands. These terminal hydrates evidently correspond to the maximum inner-sphere water coordination in the gas phase, as substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) computations of the hydrate structures and energetics. Measured hydration rates for the AnO(2)(OH)(+) were substantially faster than for the AnO(2)(+), reflecting additional vibrational degrees of freedom in the hydroxide ions for stabilization of hot adducts. Dioxygen addition resulted in UO(2)(+)(O(2))(H(2)O)(n) (n = 2, 3), whereas O(2) addition was not observed for NpO(2)(+) or PuO(2)(+) hydrates. DFT suggests that two-electron three-centered bonds form between UO(2)(+) and O(2), but not between NpO(2)(+) and O(2). As formation of the UO(2)(+)-O(2) bonds formally corresponds to the oxidation of U(V) to U(VI), the absence of this bonding with NpO(2)(+) can be considered a manifestation of the lower relative stability of Np(VI).     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of IR spectra and electronic structures of the U(OH)2, UO2(OH), and UO2(OH)2 molecules

Reactions of laser-ablated U atoms and H2O2 molecules produce UO2, H2UO2, and UO2(OH)2 as major products and U(OH)2 and HU(O)OH as minor products. Complementary information is obtained from similar reactions of U atoms with D2O2, with H2 + O2 mixtures, and with H2O in excess Ar. Through extensive relativistic density functional theory calculations, we have determined the geometry structures and ground states of these U species with a variety of oxidation states U(II), U(IV), U(V), and U(VI). The calculated vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and isotopic frequency ratios are in good agreement with the experimental values, thus supporting assignments of the observed matrix IR spectra. We propose that the reactions proceed by forming an energized [U(OH)4] intermediate from reactions of the excited U atom with two H2O2 molecules. Because of the special stability of the U(VI) oxidation state, this intermediate decomposes to the UO2(OH)2 molecule, which reveals a distinctive difference between the chemistries of U and Th, where the major product in analogous Th reactions is the tetrahedral Th(OH)4 molecule owing to the stable Th(IV) oxidation state.     

Probing the local coordination environment and nuclearity of uranyl(VI) complexes in non-aqueous media by emission spectroscopy

We describe the synthesis, solid state and solution properties of two families of uranyl(VI) complexes that are ligated by neutral monodentate and anionic bidentate P=O, P=NH and As=O ligands bearing pendent phenyl chromophores. The uranyl(VI) ions in these complexes possess long-lived photoluminescent LMCT (3)Π(u) excited states, which can be exploited as a sensitive probe of electronic structure, bonding and aggregation behaviour in non-aqueous media. For a family of well defined complexes of given symmetry in trans-[UO(2)Cl(2)(L(2))] (L = Ph(3)PO (1), Ph(3)AsO (2) and Ph(3)PNH (3)), the emission spectral profiles in CH(2)Cl(2) are indicative of the strength of the donor atoms bound in the equatorial plane and the uranyl bond strength; the uranyl LMCT emission maxima are shifted to lower energy as the donor strength of L increases. The luminescence lifetimes in fluid solution mirror these observations (0.87-3.46 μs) and are particularly sensitive to vibrational and bimolecular deactivation. In a family of structurally well defined complexes of the related anion, tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate (TPIP), monometallic complexes, [UO(2)(TPIP)(thf)] (4), [UO(2)(TPIP)(Cy(3)PO)] 5), a bimetallic complex [UO(2)(TPIP)(2)](2) (6) and a previously known trimetallic complex, [UO(2)(TPIP)(2)](3) (7) can be isolated by variation of the synthetic procedure. Complex 7 differs from 6 as the central uranyl ion in 7 is orthogonally connected to the two peripheral ones via uranyl → uranium dative bonds. Each of these oligomers exhibits a characteristic optical fingerprint, where the emission maxima, the spectral shape and temporal decay profiles are unique for each structural form. Notably, excited state intermetallic quenching in the trimetallic complex 7 considerably reduces the luminescence lifetime with respect to the monometallic counterpart 5 (from 2.00 μs to 1.04 μs). This study demonstrates that time resolved and multi-parametric luminescence can be of value in ascertaining solution and structural forms of discrete uranyl(VI) complexes in non-aqueous solution.     

Effect of terminal N-substitution in 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones on the mode of coordination, structure, interaction with protein, radical scavenging and cytotoxic activity of copper(II) complexes

Four 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde N-substituted thiosemicarbazone ligands (H(2)-OQtsc-R, where R = H, Me, Et or Ph) and their corresponding new copper(II) complexes [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-H)]·2H(2)O (1), [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Me)]·2H(2)O (2), [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Et)(CH(3)OH)]Cl (3) and [CuCl(H-OQtsc-Ph)]·CH(3)OH (4) have been synthesized in order to correlate the effect of terminal N-substitution on coordination behaviour, structure and biological activity. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the complexes 1, 2 and 3 have square pyramidal geometry around the central metal ion. In the complexes 1 and 2, the copper ion is coordinated by the ligand with ONS donor atoms, one chloride ion in apical position and the other chloride in the basal plane. Complex 3 consists of [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Et)(CH(3)OH)](+) cation and a chloride as counter ion. The copper ion is coordinated by the ligand with ONS donor atoms and by one chloride ion in the basal plane. One methanol molecule is bonded through its neutral oxygen in the apical position. Complex 4 is square planar with the ligand coordinating through uni-negative tridentate ONS(-) and by one chloride ion in the basal plane. The binding of complexes with lysozyme protein was carried out by fluorescence spectroscopy. Investigations of antioxidation properties showed that all the copper(II) complexes have strong radical scavenging properties. The cytotoxicity of the complexes 3 and 4 against NIH 3T3 and HeLa cell lines showed that synergy between the metal and ligands results in a significant enhancement in the cell death with IC(50) of ~10-40 μM. A size dependence of substitution at terminal N in the thiosemicarbazones on the biological activities of the complexes has been observed.     

Studies of iron(II) and iron(III) complexes with fac-N2O, cis-N2O2 and N2O3 donor ligands: models for the 2-His 1-carboxylate motif of non-heme iron monooxygenases

Enzymes in the oxygen-activating class of mononuclear non-heme iron oxygenases (MNOs) contain a highly conserved iron center facially ligated by two histidine nitrogen atoms and one carboxylate oxygen atom that leave one face of the metal center (three binding sites) open for coordination to cofactor, substrate, and/or dioxygen. A comparative family of [Fe(II/III)(N(2)O(n))(L)(4-n))](±x), n = 1-3, L = solvent or Cl(-), model complexes, based on a ligand series that supports a facially ligated N,N,O core that is then modified to contain either one or two additional carboxylate chelate arms, has been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. EPR studies demonstrate that the high-spin d(5) Fe(III)g = 4.3 signal becomes more symmetrical as the number of carboxylate ligands decreases across the series Fe(N(2)O(3)), Fe(N(2)O(2)), and Fe(N(2)O(1)), reflecting an increase in the E/D strain of these complexes as the number of exchangeable/solvent coordination sites increases, paralleling the enhanced distribution of electronic structures that contribute to the spectral line shape. The observed systematic variations in the Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxidation-reduction potentials illustrate the fundamental influence of differential carboxylate ligation. The trend towards lower reduction potential for the iron center across the [Fe(III)(N(2)O(1))Cl(3)](-), [Fe(III)(N(2)O(2))Cl(2)](-) and [Fe(III)(N(2)O(3))Cl](-) series is consistent with replacement of the chloride anions with the more strongly donating anionic O-donor carboxylate ligands that are expected to stabilize the oxidized ferric state. This electrochemical trend parallels the observed dioxygen sensitivity of the three ferrous complexes (Fe(II)(N(2)O(1)) < Fe(II)(N(2)O(2)) < Fe(II)(N(2)O(3))), which form μ-oxo bridged ferric species upon exposure to air or oxygen atom donor (OAD) molecules. The observed oxygen sensitivity is particularly interesting and discussed in the context of α-ketoglutarate-dependent MNO enzyme mechanisms.     

Synthesis, molecular modeling, thermal and spectral studies of metal complexes of hydrazone derived from 5-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,3-thiazine-2,6(3H)-dione and thiosemicarbazide

Metal complexes with the general formula [ML(H2O)(CH3OH)x]·nH2O·(CH3OH)y(NO3)z [M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), VO(IV), Cr(III), Cd(II), Zn(II) or UO2(VI); x=0-2; y=0,1; z=0,1; n=0-2, 6 and L=hydrazone (H2L) derived from condensation of thiosemicarbazide with 5-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,3-thiazine-2,6(3H)-dione. The synthesized ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, spectral and magnetic studies as well as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The deprotonated ligand acts as a dibasic tridentate (ONS) via phenolate oxygen, azomethine (CN), and thiolate (C-S) groups. Copper(II) complex exhibits square planar geometry. Nickel(II), chromium(III) and dioxouranium(VI) complexes exhibit octahedral geometry. Cobalt(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) complexes showed tetrahedral geometry, whereas oxovanadium(IV) reveals square pyramidal geometry. Thermal analysis are investigated and showed either three or four thermal decomposition steps. Kinetic parameters (Ea, A, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) of the thermal decomposition stages have been evaluated using Coats-Redfern equations. The molecular parameters of the ligand and its metal complexes have been calculated and correlated with the experimental data such as IR and TGA results.     

Binuclear manganese compounds of potential biological significance. Part 2. Mechanistic study of hydrogen peroxide disproportionation by dimanganese complexes: the two oxygen atoms of the peroxide end up in a dioxo intermediate

The dimanganese(II,II) complexes 1a [Mn(2)(L)(OAc)(2)(CH(3)OH)](ClO(4)) and 1b [Mn(2)(L)(OBz)(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4)), where HL is the unsymmetrical phenol ligand 2-(bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-6-((2-pyridylmethyl)(benzyl)aminomethyl)-4-methylphenol, react with hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile solution. The disproportionation reaction was monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and EPR and UV-visible spectroscopies. Extensive EPR studies have shown that a species (2) exhibiting a 16-line spectrum at g approximately 2 persists during catalysis. ESI-MS experiments conducted similarly during catalysis associate 2a with a peak at 729 (791 for 2b) corresponding to the formula [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(L)(O)(2)(OAc)](+) ([Mn(III)Mn(IV)(L)(O)(2)(OBz)](+) for 2b). At the end of the reaction, it is partly replaced by a species (3) possessing a broad unfeatured signal at g approximately 2. ESI-MS associates 3a with a peak at 713 (775 for 3b) corresponding to the formula [Mn(II)Mn(III)(L)(O)(OAc)](+) ([Mn(II)Mn(III)(L)(O)(OBz)](+) for 3b). In the presence of H(2)(18)O, these two peaks move to 733 and to 715 indicating the presence of two and one oxo ligands, respectively. When H(2)(18)O(2) is used, 2a and 3a are labeled showing that the oxo ligands come from H(2)O(2). Interestingly, when an equimolar mixture of H(2)O(2) and H(2)(18)O(2) is used, only unlabeled and doubly labeled 2a/b are formed, showing that its two oxo ligands come from the same H(2)O(2) molecule. All these experiments lead to attribute the formula [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(L)(O)(2)(OAc)](+) to 2a and to 3a the formula [Mn(II)Mn(III)(L)(O)(OAc)](+). Freeze-quench/EPR experiments revealed that 2a appears at 500 ms and that another species with a 6-line spectrum is formed transiently at ca. 100 ms. 2a was prepared by reaction of 1a with tert-butyl hydroperoxide as shown by EPR and UV-visible spectroscopies and ESI-MS experiments. Its structure was studied by X-ray absorption experiments which revealed the presence of two or three O atoms at 1.87 A and three or two N/O atoms at 2.14 A. In addition one N atom was found at a longer distance (2.3 A) and one Mn at 2.63 A. 2a can be one-electron oxidized at E(1/2) = 0.91 V(NHE) (DeltaE(1/2) = 0.08 V) leading to its Mn(IV)Mn(IV) analogue. The formation of 2a from 1a was monitored by UV-visible and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Both concur to show that an intermediate Mn(II)Mn(III) species, resembling 4a [Mn(2)(L)(OAc)(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2), the one-electron-oxidized form of 1a, is formed initially and transforms into 2a. The structures of the active intermediates 2 and 3 are discussed in light of their spectroscopic properties, and potential mechanisms are considered and discussed in the context of the biological reaction.