Toward the assignment of the manganese oxidation pattern in the water-oxidizing complex of photosystem II: a time-dependent DFT study of XANES energies

Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations are reported on three sets of isomeric models of the {Mn₄/Ca} water‐oxidizing complex of photosystem II (PS II), which share the general formula [CaMn₄O₄(N₂C₃H₄)(RCOO)₆]^q?(H₂O)_n (R=H, CH₃; q=?1, 0, +1, +2; n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Comparison with the full range of available data on Mn K‐edge X‐ray absorption energy values determined for the photosystem allows us to validate the structures that correspond to the particular S states and to determine their Mn oxidation patterns. By using a new TDDFT procedure, it is shown that variations in the absolute K‐edge energy values for a particular S state, reported by different research groups, can be quantitatively explained by different geometries adopted by the Mn cluster, which demonstrates flexibility in the position of the fourth ‘dangling’ Mn atom in relation to a cubane structure created by the Ca atom and the three other Mn atoms. Computational results show that each step of the S cycle occurs by removal of one electron directly from the Mn cluster. This Mn‐centered oxidation still agrees with the small difference observed experimentally between the K‐edge energy values of the S₂ and S₃ states of the photosystem, thus resolving a controversy as to whether this represents ligand‐centered or metal‐centered oxidation. The overall oxidation state of Mn atoms in the tetramanganese cluster during functional turnover changes from 2.75 for S₀, 3.00 for S₁, and 3.25 for S₂ up to 3.50 for the S₃ state, which is systematically 0.50 lower than the previously proposed oxidation states of the cluster. The calculations give insight into why these earlier, purely empirical, assignments of the Mn oxidation levels in PS II could be in error.     

Photocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Mixed‐Valent MnIII3MnIVO3 Manganese Oxo Core that Mimics the Natural Oxygen‐Evolving Center

The functional core of oxygenic photosynthesis is in charge of catalytic water oxidation by a multi‐redox Mn^III/Mn^IV manifold that evolves through five electronic states (S_i , where i=0–4). The synthetic model system of this catalytic cycle and of its S₀→S₄ intermediates is the expected turning point for artificial photosynthesis. The tetramanganese‐substituted tungstosilicate [Mn^III₃Mn^IVO₃(CH₃COO)₃(A‐α‐SiW₉O₃₄)]^6? (Mn₄POM) offers an unprecedented mimicry of the natural system in its reduced S₀ state; it features a hybrid organic–inorganic coordination sphere and is anchored on a polyoxotungstate. Evidence for its photosynthetic properties when combined with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and S₂O₈^2? is obtained by nanosecond laser flash photolysis; its S₀→S₁ transition within milliseconds and multiple‐hole‐accumulating properties were studied. Photocatalytic oxygen evolution is achieved in a buffered medium (pH 5) with a quantum efficiency of 1.7 %.     

In‐situ XAFS Studies of Mn12 Molecular‐Cluster Batteries: Super‐Reduced Mn12 Clusters in Solid‐State Electrochemistry

In situ X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses were performed on rechargeable molecular cluster batteries (MCBs), which were formed by a lithium anode and cathode‐active material, [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] with tert‐pentyl carboxylate ligand (abbreviated as Mn12tPe), and with eight Mn³⁺ and four Mn⁴⁺ centers. This mixed valence cluster compound is used in an effort to develop a reusable in situ battery cell that is suitable for such long‐term performance tests. The Mn12tPe MCBs exhibit a large capacity of approximately 210 Ah kg⁻¹ in the voltage range V=4.0–2.0 V. The X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra exhibit a systematic change during the charging/discharging with an isosbestic point at 6555 eV, which strongly suggests that only either the Mn³⁺ or Mn⁴⁺ ions in the Mn12 skeleton are involved in this battery reaction. The averaged manganese valence, determined from the absorption‐edge energy, decreased monotonically from 3.3 to 2.5 in the first half of the discharging (4.0>V>2.8 V), but changed little in the second half (2.8>V>2.0 V). The former valence change indicates a reduction of the initial [Mn12]⁰ state by approximately ten electrons, which corresponds well with the half value of the observed capacity. Therefore, the large capacity of the Mn12 MCBs can be understood as being due to a combination of the redox change of the manganese ions and presumably a capacitance effect. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) indicates a gradual increase of the Mn²⁺ sites in the first half of the discharging, which is consistent with the XANES spectra. It can be concluded that the Mn12tPe MCBs would include a solid‐state electrochemical reaction, mainly between the neutral state [Mn12]⁰ and the super‐reduced state [Mn12]⁸⁻ that is obtained by a local reduction of the eight Mn³⁺ ions in Mn12 toward Mn²⁺ ions.     

Density Functional Calculations of 55Mn, 14N and 13C Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Parameters Support an Energetically Feasible Model System for the S2 State of the Oxygen‐Evolving Complex of Photosystem II

Metal and ligand hyperfine couplings of a previously suggested, energetically feasible Mn₄Ca model cluster ( SG2009^?1 ) for the S₂ state of the oxygen‐evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) have been studied by broken‐symmetry density functional methods and compared with other suggested structural and spectroscopic models. This was carried out explicitly for different spin‐coupling patterns of the S=1/2 ground state of the Mn^III(Mn^IV)₃ cluster. By applying spin‐projection techniques and a scaling of the manganese hyperfine couplings, computation of the hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole coupling parameters allows a direct evaluation of the proposed models in comparison with data obtained from the simulation of EPR, ENDOR, and ESEEM spectra. The computation of ⁵⁵Mn hyperfine couplings (HFCs) for SG2009^?1 gives excellent agreement with experiment. However, at the current level of spin projection, the ⁵⁵Mn HFCs do not appear sufficiently accurate to distinguish between different structural models. Yet, of all the models studied, SG2009^?1 is the only one with the Mn^III site at the Mn_C center, which is coordinated by histidine (D1‐His332). The computed histidine ¹⁴N HFC anisotropy for SG2009^?1 gives much better agreement with ESEEM data than the other models, in which Mn_C is an Mn^IV site, thus supporting the validity of the model. The ¹³C HFCs of various carboxylates have been compared with ¹³C ENDOR data for PSII preparations with ¹³C‐labelled alanine.     

Efficient Olefin Epoxidation by Robust Re4 Cluster‐Supported MnIII Complexes with Peracids: Evidence of Simultaneous Operation of Multiple Active Oxidant Species,MnVO,MnIVO,and MnIII?OOC(O)R

Two new tetranuclear chalcocyanide cluster complexes, [{Mn(saloph)H₂O}₄Re₄Q₄(CN)₁₂]?4 CH₃OH? 8 H₂O (saloph=N,N′‐o‐phenylenebis(salicylidenaminato), Q=Se ( 1 ‐Se), Te ( 2 ‐Te)), have been synthesized by the diffusion of a methanolic solution of [PPh₄]₄[Re₄Q₄(CN)₁₂] into a methanolic solution of [Mn(saloph)]⁺. The structure of 2 ‐Te has been determined by X‐ray crystallography. These rhenium cluster‐supported [Mn^III(saloph)] complexes have been found to efficiently catalyze a wide range of olefin epoxidations under mild experimental conditions in the presence of meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). Olefin epoxidation by these catalysts is proposed to involve the multiple active oxidants Mn^V?O, Mn^IV?O, and Mn^III? OOC(O)R. Evidence in support of this interpretation has been derived from reactivity and Hammett studies, H₂¹⁸O‐exchange experiments, and the use of peroxyphenylacetic acid as a mechanistic probe. Moreover, it has been observed that the participation of Mn^V?O, Mn^IV?O, and Mn^III? OOC(O)R can be controlled by changing the substrate concentration. This mechanism provides the greatest congruity with related oxidation reactions that employ certain Mn complexes as catalysts.     

What Controls the Magnetic Exchange Interaction in Mixed‐ and Homo‐Valent Mn7 Disc‐Like Clusters? A Theoretical Perspective

Density functional theory (DFT) studies have been undertaken to compute the magnetic exchange and to probe the origin of the magnetic interactions in two hetero‐ and two homo‐valent heptanuclear manganese disc‐like clusters, of formula [Mn^II₄Mn^IV₃(tea)(teaH₂)₃(peolH)₄] ( 1 ), [Mn^II₄Mn^III₃F₃(tea)(teaH)(teaH₂)₂(piv)₄(Hpiv)(chp)₃] ( 2 ), [Mn^II₇(pppd)₆(tea)(OH)₃] ( 3 ) and [Mn^II₇ (paa)₆(OMe)₆] ( 4 ) (teaH₃=triethanolamine, peolH₄=pentaerythritol, Hpiv=pivalic acid, Hchp=6‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypyridine, pppd=1‐phenyl‐3‐(2‐pyridyl) propane‐1,3‐dione; paaH=N‐(2‐pyridinyl)acetoacetamide). DFT calculations yield J values, which reproduce the magnetic susceptibility data very well for all four complexes; these studies are also highlighting the likely ageing/stability problems in two of the complexes. It is found that the spin ground states, S, for complexes 1 – 4 are drastically different, varying from S=29/2 to S=1/2. These values are found to be controlled by the nature of the oxidation state of the metal ions and minor differences present in the structures. Extensive magneto–structural correlations are developed for the seven building unit dimers present in the complexes, with the correlations unlocking the reasons behind the differences in the magnetic properties observed. Independent of the oxidation state of the metal ions, the Mn‐O‐Mn/Mn‐F‐Mn angles are found to be the key parameters, which significantly influence the sign as well as the magnitude of the J values. The magneto–structural correlations developed here, have broad applicability and can be utilised to understand the magnetic properties of other Mn clusters.     

Syntheses,Structures and Magnetic Properties of Two Mixed‐Valent Disc‐like Hepta‐nuclear Compounds of [FeIIFeIII6(tea)6](ClO4)2 and [MnII3MnIII4(nmdea)6(N3)6]·CH3OH (tea = N(CH2CH2O)33−, nmdea = CH3N(CH2CH2O)22−)

Two mixed‐valent disc‐like hepta‐nuclear compounds of [Fe^IIFe^III₆(tea)₆](ClO₄)₂ ( 1Fe , tea = N(CH₂CH₂O)₃^3?) and [Mn^II₃Mn^III₄(nmdea)₆(N₃)₆]·CH₃OH ( 2Mn , nmdea = CH₃N(CH₂CH₂O)₂^2?) have been synthesized by the reaction of Fe(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with triethanolamine (H₃tea) for the former and reaction of Mn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with diethanolamine (H₂nmdea) and NaN₃ for the later, respectively. 1Fe has the cationic cluster with a planar [Fe^IIFe^III₆] core consisting of one central Fe^II and six rim Fe^III atoms in hexagonal arrangement. The Fe ions are linked by the oxo‐bridges from the alcohol arms in the manner of edge‐sharing of their coordination octahedra. 2Mn is a neutral cluster with a [Mn^II₃Mn^III₄] core possessing one central Mn^II atom surrounded by six rim Mn ions, two Mn^II and four Mn^III. The structure is similar to 1Fe but involves six terminal azido ligands, each coordinate one rim Mn ion. 1Fe showed dominant antiferromagnetic interaction within the cluster and long‐range ordering at 2.7 K. The cluster probably has a ground state of low spin of S = 5/2 or 4/2. The long‐range ordering is weak ferromagnetic, showing small hysteresis with a remnant magnetization of 0.3 Nβ and a coercive field of 40 Oe. Moreover, the isofield of lines 1Fe are far from superposition, indicating the presence of significant zero–field splitting. Ferromagnetic interactions are dominant in 2Mn . An intermediate spin ground state 25/2 is observed at low field. In high field of 50 kOe, the energetically lowest state is given by the m_s = 31/2 component of the S = 31/2 multiplet due to the Zeeman effect. Despite of the large ground state, no single‐molecule magnet behavior was found above 2 K.     

Atomic bonding of neutral and cationic Mn clusters

By using the spin-polarized DV-X-LCAO method, electronic states of neutral and cationic Mn _N clusters (N=25) are calculated to study atomic bonding of Mn clusters. For the neutral Mn₂ cluster, the equilibrium interatomic distance is much larger than that of the bulk crystal. The 3d-derived states are nearly half-filled, and the 4s-derived states are almost fully occupied,i.e. the electronic configuration is close to that of the isolated atom. These indicate that the Mn₂ cluster is bound by the van der Waals force. The same situation is true for the larger neutral clusters while the equilibrium interatomic distance becomes smaller and thes-d mixing becomes larger. For the cationic clusters, the behaviors tend to become metallic. The equilibrium interatomic distances are smaller and thes-d mixings are larger than those of the corresponding neutral clusters. However, the Mn ₂ ⁺ and Mn ₄ ⁺ clusters still remain the van der Waals characters. Contrary to these clusters, the Mn ₅ ⁺ cluster, whose interatomic distance is smaller than that of the bulk crystal, shows strong metallic bonding. These results seem to correspond to the magic number observed on the mass spectroscopy of cationic Mn clusters.     

The exchange of the fast substrate water in the S2 state of photosystem II is limited by diffusion of bulk water through channels – implications for the water oxidation mechanism

The molecular oxygen we breathe is produced from water-derived oxygen species bound to the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster in photosystem II (PSII). Present research points to the central oxo-bridge O5 as the ‘slow exchanging substrate water (W_s)’, while, in the S₂ state, the terminal water ligands W2 and W3 are both discussed as the ‘fast exchanging substrate water (W_f)’. A critical point for the assignment of W_f is whether or not its exchange with bulk water is limited by barriers in the channels leading to the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster. In this study, we measured the rates of H₂¹⁶O/H₂¹⁸O substrate water exchange in the S₂ and S₃ states of PSII core complexes from wild-type (WT) Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, and from two mutants, D1-D61A and D1-E189Q, that are expected to alter water access via the Cl1/O4 channels and the O1 channel, respectively. We found that the exchange rates of W_f and W_s were unaffected by the E189Q mutation (O1 channel), but strongly perturbed by the D61A mutation (Cl1/O4 channel). It is concluded that all channels have restrictions limiting the isotopic equilibration of the inner water pool near the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, and that D61 participates in one such barrier. In the D61A mutant this barrier is lowered so that W_f exchange occurs more rapidly. This finding removes the main argument against Ca-bound W3 as fast substrate water in the S₂ state, namely the indifference of the rate of W_f exchange towards Ca/Sr substitution.

Access to the oxygen-evolving complex in photosynthesis is restricted by specific barriers in the channels connecting the Mn₄CaO₅ catalyst with bulk water. Together with other recent data, this finding allows assigning the two substrate waters.     

The molecular structure of high‐spin (S = ) manganese(II) phthalocyanine in tetrabutylammonium bromido(phthalocyaninato)manganese(II)

The title complex salt, (C₁₆H₃₆N)[MnBr(C₃₂H₁₆N₈)] or (TBA)[Mn^IIBr(Pc)] (TBA is tetrabutylammonium and Pc is phthalocyaninate), has been obtained as single crystals by the diffusion technique and its crystal structure was determined using X‐ray diffraction. The high‐spin (S = ) [Mn^IIBr(Pc)]⁻ macrocycle has a concave conformation, with an average equatorial Mn—N(Pc) bond length of 2.1187 (19) Å, an axial Mn—Br bond length of 2.5493 (7) Å and with the Mn^II cation displaced out of the 24‐atom Pc plane by 0.894 (2) Å. The geometry of the Mn^IIN₄ fragment in [Mn^IIBr(Pc)]⁻ is similar to that of the high‐spin (S = ) manganese(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) in [Mn^II(1‐MeIm)(TPP)] (1‐MeIm is 1‐methylimidazole).     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Mn4 Cluster derived from Benzimidazole‐Alcohol Ligands

The synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a [Mn^III₃Mn^II(μ₃‐O)(mbp)₃(OAc)₃] · 4H₂O ( 1 ) [H₂mbp = 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐ methylpropane‐1,3‐diol] cluster are reported herein. Mn ions in compound 1 have a tetrahedron topology. Solid‐state direct current and alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements on compound 1 reveal a ground state with S_T = 7/2 as well as the probable single‐molecule magnetic behavior.     

Artificial Mn4Ca Clusters with Exchangeable Solvent Molecules Mimicking the Oxygen‐Evolving Center in Photosynthesis

The natural Mn₄Ca cluster in photosystem II serves as a blueprint to develop artificial water‐splitting catalysts for the generation of solar fuel in artificial photosynthesis. Although significant advances have recently been achieved, it remains a great challenge to prepare robust artificial Mn₄Ca clusters that precisely mimic the structure and function of the biological catalyst. Herein, we report the isolation and structural characterization of two Mn₄CaO₄ complexes with polar solvent molecules, acetonitrile or N,N‐dimethylformamide, which closely mimics the two water molecules on the calcium ion, as well as the oxidation states of the four manganese ions and the main geometric structure of the natural Mn₄Ca cluster. These new artificial Mn₄Ca complexes provide important chemical clues to understand the structure and mechanism of the biological system.     

Dramatic Influence of an Anionic Donor on the Oxygen‐Atom Transfer Reactivity of a MnV–Oxo Complex

Addition of an anionic donor to an Mn^V(O) porphyrinoid complex causes a dramatic increase in 2‐electron oxygen‐atom‐transfer (OAT) chemistry. The 6‐coordinate [Mn^V(O)(TBP₈Cz)(CN)]^? was generated from addition of Bu₄N⁺CN^? to the 5‐coordinate Mn^V(O) precursor. The cyanide‐ligated complex was characterized for the first time by Mn K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and gives Mn?O=1.53 Å, Mn?CN=2.21 Å. In combination with computational studies these distances were shown to correlate with a singlet ground state. Reaction of the CN^? complex with thioethers results in OAT to give the corresponding sulfoxide and a 2e^?‐reduced Mn^III(CN)^? complex. Kinetic measurements reveal a dramatic rate enhancement for OAT of approximately 24 000‐fold versus the same reaction for the parent 5‐coordinate complex. An Eyring analysis gives ΔH^≠=14 kcal mol^?1, ΔS^≠=?10 cal mol^?1 K^?1. Computational studies fully support the structures, spin states, and relative reactivity of the 5‐ and 6‐coordinate Mn^V(O) complexes.     

Magnetic “Molecular Oligomers” Based on Decametallic Supertetrahedra: A Giant Mn49 Cuboctahedron and its Mn25Na4 Fragment

Two nanosized Mn₄₉ and Mn₂₅Na₄ clusters based on analogues of the high‐spin (S=22) [Mn^III₆Mn^II₄(μ₄‐O)₄]¹⁸⁺ supertetrahedral core are reported. Mn₄₉ and Mn₂₅Na₄ complexes consist of eight and four decametallic supertetrahedral subunits, respectively, display high virtual symmetry (O_h), and are unique examples of clusters based on a large number of tightly linked high nuclearity magnetic units. The complexes also have large spin ground‐state values (Mn₄₉: S=61/2; Mn₂₅Na₄: S=51/2) with the Mn₄₉ cluster displaying single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior and being the second largest reported homometallic SMM.     

Surface and Structural Investigation of a MnOx Birnessite‐Type Water Oxidation Catalyst Formed under Photocatalytic Conditions

Catalytically active MnO_x species have been reported to form in situ from various Mn‐complexes during electrocatalytic and solution‐based water oxidation when employing cerium(IV) ammonium ammonium nitrate (CAN) oxidant as a sacrificial reagent. The full structural characterization of these oxides may be complicated by the presence of support material and lack of a pure bulk phase. For the first time, we show that highly active MnO_x catalysts form without supports in situ under photocatalytic conditions. Our most active ⁴MnO_x catalyst (～0.84 mmol O₂ mol Mn^?1 s^?1) forms from a Mn₄O₄ bearing a metal–organic framework. ⁴MnO_x is characterized by pair distribution function analysis (PDF), Raman spectroscopy, and HR‐TEM as a disordered, layered Mn‐oxide with high surface area (216 m²g^?1) and small regions of crystallinity and layer flexibility. In contrast, the ^SMnO_x formed from Mn²⁺ salt gives an amorphous species of lower surface area (80 m²g^?1) and lower activity (～0.15 mmol O₂ mol Mn^?1 s^?1). We compare these catalysts to crystalline hexagonal birnessite, which activates under the same conditions. Full deconvolution of the XPS Mn2p_3/2 core levels detects enriched Mn³⁺ and Mn²⁺ content on the surfaces, which indicates possible disproportionation/comproportionation surface equilibria.     

Mn−O Covalency Governs the Intrinsic Activity of Co‐Mn Spinel Oxides for Boosted Peroxymonosulfate Activation

Transition metal (TM)‐based bimetallic spinel oxides can efficiently activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) presumably attributed to enhanced electron transfer between TMs, but the existing model cannot fully explain the efficient TM redox cycling. Here, we discover a critical role of TM?O covalency in governing the intrinsic catalytic activity of Co_3?xMn_xO₄ spinel oxides. Experimental and theoretical analysis reveals that the Co sites significantly raises the Mn valence and enlarges Mn?O covalency in octahedral configuration, thereby lowering the charge transfer energy to favor Mn_Oh–PMS interaction. With appropriate Mn^IV/Mn^III ratio to balance PMS adsorption and Mn^IV reduction, the Co_1.1Mn_1.9O₄ exhibits remarkable catalytic activities for PMS activation and pollutant degradation, outperforming all the reported TM spinel oxides. The improved understandings on the origins of spinel oxides activity for PMS activation may inspire the development of more active and robust metal oxide catalysts.     

Copper(II) manganese(II) orthophosphate,Cu0.5Mn2.5(PO4)2

The title compound, Cu_0.5Mn_2.5(PO₄)₂, is a copper–manganese phosphate solid solution with the graftonite‐type structure, viz. (Mn,Fe,Ca,Mg)₃(PO₄)₂. The structure has three distinct metal cation sites, two of which are occupied by Mn^II and one of which accommodates Cu^II. Incorporation of Cu^II into the structure distorts the coordination geometry of the metal cation site from five‐coordinate square‐pyramidal towards four‐coordinate flattened tetrahedral, and serves to contract the structure principally along the c axis.     

trans‐Bis(cyano‐κC)(1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐κ4N)manganese(III) perchlorate,a low‐spin manganese(III) complex

The crystal structure of the low‐spin (S = 1) Mn^III complex [Mn(CN)₂(C₁₀H₂₄N₄)]ClO₄, or trans‐[Mn(CN)₂(cyclam)](ClO₄) (cyclam is the tetradentate amine ligand 1,4,8,11‐tetra­aza­cyclo­tetra­decane), is reported. The structural parameters in the Mn(cyclam) moiety are found to be insensitive to both the spin and the oxidation state of the Mn ion. The difference between high‐ and low‐spin Mn^III complexes is that a pronounced tetragonal elongation of the coordination octahedron occurs in high‐spin complexes and a slight tetragonal compression is seen in low‐spin complexes, as in the title complex.     

Robust and efficient amide-based nonheme manganese(III) hydrocarbon oxidation catalysts: substrate and solvent effects on involvement and partition of multiple active oxidants

Two new mononuclear nonheme manganese(III) complexes of tetradentate ligands containing two deprotonated amide moieties, [Mn(bpc)Cl(H₂O)] ( 1 ) and [Mn(Me₂bpb)Cl(H₂O)] ? CH₃OH ( 2 ), were prepared and characterized. Complex 2 has also been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Magnetic measurements revealed that the complexes are high spin (S=5/2) Mn^III species with typical magnetic moments of 4.76 and 4.95 μ_B, respectively. These nonheme Mn^III complexes efficiently catalyzed olefin epoxidation and alcohol oxidation upon treatment with MCPBA under mild experimental conditions. Olefin epoxidation by these catalysts is proposed to involve the multiple active oxidants Mn^V?O, Mn^IV?O, and Mn^III? OO(O)CR. Evidence for this approach was derived from reactivity and Hammett studies, KIE (k_H/k_D) values, H₂¹⁸O‐exchange experiments, and the use of peroxyphenylacetic acid as a mechanistic probe. In addition, it has been proposed that the participation of Mn^V?O, Mn^IV?O, and Mn^III? OOR could be controlled by changing the substrate concentration, and that partitioning between heterolysis and homolysis of the O? O bond of a Mn‐acylperoxo intermediate (Mn? OOC(O)R) might be significantly affected by the nature of solvent, and that the O? O bond of the Mn? OOC(O)R might proceed predominantly by heterolytic cleavage in protic solvent. Therefore, a discrete Mn^V?O intermediate appeared to be the dominant reactive species in protic solvents. Furthermore, we have observed close similarities between these nonheme Mn^III complex systems and Mn(saloph) catalysts previously reported, suggesting that this simultaneous operation of the three active oxidants might prevail in all the manganese‐catalyzed olefin epoxidations, including Mn(salen), Mn(nonheme), and even Mn(porphyrin) complexes. This mechanism provides the greatest congruity with related oxidation reactions by using certain Mn complexes as catalysts.     

A one‐dimensional chain structure based on unusual tetranuclear manganese(II) clusters

The title coordination polymer, poly[bis(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylato)(dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)manganese(II)], [Mn₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)₂(C₁₈H₁₀N₄)]_n, was obtained through the reaction of MnCl₂·4H₂O, biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂dpdc) and dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (L) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically unique Mn^II ions, one unique L ligand and two unique dpdc ligands. One Mn ion is six‐coordinated by four O atoms from three different dpdc ligands and two N atoms from one L ligand, adopting a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The distortions from ideal octahedral geometry are largely due to the presence of chelating ligands and the resulting acute N—Mn—N and O—Mn—O angles. The second Mn ion is coordinated in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal fashion by five O atoms from four distinct dpdc ligands. Four Mn^II ions are bridged by the carboxylate groups of the dpdc ligands to form an unusual tetranuclear Mn^II cluster. Clusters are further connected by the aromatic backbone of the dicarboxylate ligands, forming a one‐dimensional chain structure along the b axis. The title compound is the first example of a chain structure based on a tetranuclear Mn^II cluster.