Novel iron(III) complexes of sterically hindered 4N ligands: regioselectivity in biomimetic extradiol cleavage of catechols

The iron(III) complexes of the 4N ligands 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L1), 1,4-bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L2), and 1,4-bis(2-quinolylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L3) have been generated in situ in CH 3CN solution, characterized as [Fe(L1)Cl 2] (+) 1, [Fe(L2)Cl 2] (+) 2, and [Fe(L3)Cl 2] (+) 3 by using ESI-MS, absorption and EPR spectral and electrochemical methods and studied as functional models for the extradiol cleaving catechol dioxygenase enzymes. The tetrachlorocatecholate (TCC (2-)) adducts [Fe(L1)(TCC)](ClO 4) 1a, [Fe(L2)(TCC)](ClO 4) 2a, and [Fe(L3)(TCC)](ClO 4) 3a have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, absorption spectral and electrochemical methods. The molecular structure of [Fe(L1)(TCC)](ClO 4) 1a has been successfully determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex 1a possesses a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around iron(III). The two tertiary amine (Fe-N amine, 2.245, 2.145 A) and two pyridyl nitrogen (Fe-N py, 2.104, 2.249 A) atoms of the tetradentate 4N ligand are coordinated to iron(III) in a cis-beta configuration, and the two catecholate oxygen atoms of TCC (2-) occupy the remaining cis positions. The Fe-O cat bond lengths (1.940, 1.967 A) are slightly asymmetric and differ by 0.027 A only. On adding catecholate anion to all the [Fe(L)Cl 2] (+) complexes the linear tetradentate ligand rearranges itself to provide cis-coordination positions for bidentate coordination of the catechol. Upon adding 3,5-di- tert-butylcatechol (H 2DBC) pretreated with 1 equiv of Et 3N to 1- 3, only one catecholate-to-iron(III) LMCT band (648-800 nm) is observed revealing the formation of [Fe(L)(HDBC)] (2+) involving bidentate coordination of the monoanion HDBC (-). On the other hand, when H 2DBC pretreated with 2 equiv of Et 3N or 1 or 2 equiv of piperidine is added to 1- 3, two intense catecholate-to-iron(III) LMCT bands appear suggesting the formation of [Fe(L)(DBC)] (+) with bidentate coordination of DBC (2-). The appearance of the DBSQ/H 2DBC couple for [Fe(L)Cl 2] (+) at positive potentials (-0.079 to 0.165 V) upon treatment with DBC (2-) reveals that chelated DBC (2-) in the former is stabilized toward oxidation more than the uncoordinated H 2DBC. It is remarkable that the [Fe(L)(HDBC)] (2+) complexes elicit fast regioselective extradiol cleavage (34.6-85.5%) in the presence of O 2 unlike the iron(III) complexes of the analogous linear 4N ligands known so far to yield intradiol cleavage products exclusively. Also, the adduct [Fe(L2)(HDBC)] (2+) shows a higher extradiol to intradiol cleavage product selectivity ( E/ I, 181:1) than the other adducts [Fe(L3)(HDBC)] (2+) ( E/ I, 57:1) and [Fe(L1)(HDBC)] (2+) ( E/ I, 9:1). It is proposed that the coordinated pyridyl nitrogen abstracts the proton from chelated HDBC (-) in the substrate-bound complex and then gets displaced to facilitate O 2 attack on the iron(III) center to yield the extradiol cleavage product. In contrast, when the cleavage reaction is performed in the presence of a stronger base like piperidine or 2 equiv of Et 3N a faster intradiol cleavage is favored over extradiol cleavage suggesting the importance of bidentate coordination of DBC (2-) in facilitating intradiol cleavage.     

Mononuclear iron(III) complexes of 3N ligands in organized assemblies: spectral and redox properties and attainment of regioselective extradiol dioxygenase activity

Four octahedral iron(III) complexes of the type [Fe(L)Cl(3)], where L is a tridentate 3N ligand like N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (bpa, L1), N,N-bis(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (bba, L2), 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn, L3) and 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine (terpy, L4), have been isolated and their catechol dioxygenase activity investigated in dichloromethane, water and different aqueous micellar media. The positions of both the catecholato-to-iron(III) LMCT bands observed for the DBC(2-) (H(2)DBC = 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol) adducts reveal that the adducts are present as cationic [Fe(L)(DBC)(H(2)O)](+) species, which interact strongly with anionic SDS micelles and dock themselves on the anionic micellar surface, and that they exist in the aqueous phase in CTAB and TX 100 micelles. The Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potentials of the complexes throw light on the Lewis acidity of the iron(III) center as modified by the ligand donor atoms and hence the interaction of the complexes with different micelles. The DBSQ/DBC(2-) redox potentials in SDS micellar media are more positive than those in aqueous solution confirming the presence of the aqua species [Fe(L)(DBC)(H(2)O)](+). The DBC(2-) adducts of the iron(III) complexes of bpa, bba and tacn ligands, all with facial coordination, elicit extradiol (E) cleavage to different extents while the adduct of the terpy complex with meridional coordination of the ligand shows always intradiol (I) cleavage. It is remarkable that the bpa complex shows the highest yield of extradiol product and high product selectivity in aqueous SDS solution (E, 84.0%; E/I, 61.0?:?1) and in SDS?:?n-hexane reverse micellar medium (E, 93.7%) illustrating that a vacant or solvent coordinated site is essential for observing extradiol cleavage. Interestingly, the rates of dioxygenase reactions in aqueous and aqueous micellar solutions are significantly higher than those in non-aqueous solvents. Also, they diminish in the order, SDS > TX-100 > CTAB, illustrating the facile substitution of coordinated water molecule by molecular oxygen in [Fe(L)(DBC)(H(2)O)](+) bound to anionic SDS micelles.     

Biomimetic iron(III) complexes of N3O and N3O2 donor ligands: protonation of coordinated ethanolate donor enhances dioxygenase activity

A series of iron(III) complexes 1-4 of the tripodal tetradentate ligands N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine H(L1), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxy- propyl)amine H(L2), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N-ethoxyethanolamine H(L3), and N-((pyrid-2-ylmethyl)(1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl))-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine H(L4), have been isolated, characterized and studied as functional models for intradiol-cleaving catechol dioxygenases. In the X-ray crystal structure of [Fe(L1)Cl(2)] 1, the tertiary amine nitrogen and two pyridine nitrogen atoms of H(L1) are coordinated meridionally to iron(III) and the deprotonated ethanolate oxygen is coordinated axially. In contrast, [Fe(HL3)Cl(3)] 3 contains the tertiary amine nitrogen and two pyridine nitrogen atoms coordinated facially to iron(III) with the ligand ethoxyethanol moiety remaining uncoordinated. The X-ray structure of the bis(μ-alkoxo) dimer [{Fe(L5)Cl}(2)](ClO(4))(2)5, where HL is the tetradentate N(3)O donor ligand N,N-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine H(L5), contains the ethanolate oxygen donors coordinated to iron(III). Interestingly, the [Fe(HL)(DBC)](+) and [Fe(HL3)(HDBC)X] adducts, generated by adding ～1 equivalent of piperidine to solutions containing equimolar quantities of iron(III) complexes 1-5 and H(2)DBC (3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol), display two DBC(2-)→ iron(III) LMCT bands (λ(max): 1, 577, 905; 2, 575,915; 3, 586, 920; 4, 563, 870; 5, 557, 856 nm; Δλ(max), 299-340 nm); however, the bands are blue-shifted (λ(max): 1, 443, 700; 2, 425, 702; 3, 424, 684; 4, 431, 687; 5, 434, 685 nm; Δλ(max), 251-277 nm) on adding 1 more equivalent of piperidine to form the adducts [Fe(L)(DBC)] and [Fe(HL3)(HDBC)X]. Electronic spectral and pH-metric titration studies in methanol disclose that the ligand in [Fe(HL)(DBC)](+) is protonated. The [Fe(L)(DBC)] adducts of iron(III) complexes of bis(pyridyl)-based ligands (1,2) afford higher amounts of intradiol-cleavage products, whereas those of mono/bis(imidazole)-based ligands (4,5) yield mainly the auto-oxidation product benzoquinone. It is remarkable that the adducts [Fe(HL)(DBC)](+)/[Fe(HL3)(DBC)X] exhibit higher rates of oxygenation affording larger amounts of intradiol-cleavage products and lower amounts of benzoquinone.     

Iron(III) complexes of tridentate 3N ligands as functional models for catechol dioxygenases: the role of ligand N-alkyl substitution and solvent on reaction rate and product selectivity

A series of iron(III) complexes of the type [Fe(L)Cl3], where L is the variously N-alkyl-substituted bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine ligand such as bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (L1), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)methylamine (L2), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-n-propylamine (L3), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-iso-butylamine (L4), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-iso-propylamine (L5), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)cyclohexylamine (L6), and N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-tert-butylamine (L7), have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis and spectral and electrochemical methods. The crystal structures of the complexes [Fe(L2)Cl3] 2, [Fe(L3)Cl3] 3, and the complex-substrate adduct [Fe(L5)(TCC)(NO3)] 5a, where TCC2- is the tetrachlorocatecholate dianion, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes [Fe(L2)Cl3] 2 and [Fe(L3)Cl3] 3 possess a distorted octahedral geometry, in which the linear tridentate 3N ligands are cis-facially coordinated to the iron(III) center, and three chloride ions occupy the remaining coordination sites. The replacement of the N-methyl group in 2 by N-n-propyl group as in 3 leads to the formation of the Fe-Npy bonds and also the Fe-Cl bonds located trans to them of different lengths. The catecholate adduct 5a also possesses a distorted octahedral geometry, in which the ligand is cis-facially coordinated to iron(III) center, TCC2- is asymmetrically chelated trans to the two pyridyl moieties of the ligand, and one of the oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion occupies the sixth coordination site. All of the present complexes have been interacted with simple and substituted catechols. The catecholate adducts [Fe(L)(DBC)Cl] and [Fe(L)(DBC)(Sol)]+, where H2DBC is 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol and Sol=H2O/CH3CN, have been generated in situ, and their spectral and redox properties and dioxygenase activities have been studied in dimethylformamide and dichloromethane solutions. All of the complexes catalyze the cleavage of H2DBC using molecular oxygen to afford both intra- and extradiol cleavage products. The formation of extradiol cleavage products is facilitated by cis-facial coordination of the 3N ligands and availability of vacant coordination site on iron(III) center for dioxygen binding. It is remarkable that the nature of the N-alkyl substituent in 3N ligands controls the regioselectivity of cleavage, with the n-propyl, iso-butyl, iso-propyl, and cyclohexyl groups enhancing the yield of extradiol products (46-68%) in dichloromethane. The rate of oxygenation depends upon the solvent and the Lewis acidity of iron(III) center as modified by the sterically demanding N-alkyl groups-length and degree of substitution. The plot of log (kO2) versus energy of the low-energy DBC2--to-iron(III) LMCT band is linear, demonstrating the importance of the Lewis acidity of the iron(III) center in dictating the rate of the dioxygenase reaction.     

Dioxygen Reactivity of Biomimetic Iron-Catecholate and Iron-o-Aminophenolate Complexes of a Tris(2-pyridylthio)methanido Ligand: Aromatic CC Bond Cleavage of Catecholate versus o-Iminobenzosemiquinonate Radical Formation

An iron(III)-catecholate complex [L(1) Fe(III) (DBC)] (2) and an iron(II)-o-aminophenolate complex [L(1) Fe(II) (HAP)] (3; where L(1) =tris(2-pyridylthio)methanido anion, DBC=dianionic 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate, and HAP=monoanionic 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-aminophenolate) have been synthesised from an iron(II)-acetonitrile complex [L(1) Fe(II) (CH(3) CN)(2) ](ClO(4) ) (1). Complex 2 reacts with dioxygen to oxidatively cleave the aromatic C?C bond of DBC giving rise to selective extradiol cleavage products. Controlled chemical or electrochemical oxidation of 2, on the other hand, forms an iron(III)-semiquinone radical complex [L(1) Fe(III) (SQ)](PF(6) ) (2(ox) -PF(6) ; SQ=3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonate). The iron(II)-o-aminophenolate complex (3) reacts with dioxygen to afford an iron(III)-o-iminosemiquinonato radical complex [L(1) Fe(III) (ISQ)](ClO(4) ) (3(ox) -ClO(4) ; ISQ=4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-iminobenzosemiquinonato radical) via an iron(III)-o-amidophenolate intermediate species. Structural characterisations of 1, 2, 2(ox) and 3(ox) reveal the presence of a strong iron?carbon bonding interaction in all the complexes. The bond parameters of 2(ox) and 3(ox) clearly establish the radical nature of catecholate- and o-aminophenolate-derived ligand, respectively. The effect of iron?carbon bonding interaction on the dioxygen reactivity of biomimetic iron-catecholate and iron-o-aminophenolate complexes is discussed.     

Novel iron(III) complexes of tripodal and linear tetradentate bis(phenolate) ligands: close relevance to intradiol-cleaving catechol dioxygenases

Four new iron(III) complexes of the bis(phenolate) ligands N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine [H2(L1)], N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine [H2(L2)], N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine [H2(L3)], and N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine [H2(L4)] have been isolated and studied as structural and functional models for the intradiol-cleaving catechol 1,2-dioxygenases (CTD). The complexes [Fe(L1)Cl] (1), [Fe(L2)(H2O)Cl] (2), [Fe(L3)Cl] (3), and [Fe(L4)(H2O)Cl] (4) have been characterized using absorption spectral and electrochemical techniques. The single-crystal X-ray structures of the ligand H2(L1) and the complexes 1 and 2 have been successfully determined. The tripodal ligand H2(L1) containing a N2O2 donor set represents the metal-binding region of the iron proteins. Complex 1 contains an FeN2O2Cl chromophore with a novel trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. While two phenolate oxygens and an amine nitrogen constitute the trigonal plane, the other amine nitrogen and chloride ion are located in the axial positions. In contrast, 2 exhibits a rhombically distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the FeN2O3Cl chromophore. Two phenolate oxygen atoms, an amine nitrogen atom, and a water molecule are located on the corners of a square plane with the axial positions being occupied by the other nitrogen atom and chloride ion. The interaction of the complexes with a few monodentate bases and phenolates and differently substituted catechols have been investigated using absorption spectral and electrochemical methods. The effect of substituents on the phenolate rings on the electronic spectral features and FeIII/FeII redox potentials of the complexes are discussed. The interaction of the complexes with catecholate anions reveals changes in the phenolate to iron(III) charge-transfer band and also the appearance of a low-energy catecholate to iron(III) charge-transfer band similar to catechol dioxygenase-substrate complexes. The redox behavior of the 1:1 adducts of the complexes with 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (H2DBC) has been also studied. The reactivities of the present complexes with H2DBC have been studied and illustrated. Interestingly, only 2 and 4 catalyze the intradiol-cleavage of H2DBC, the rate of oxygenation being much faster for 4. Also 2, but not 4, yields an extradiol cleavage product. The reactivity of the complexes could be illustrated not on the basis of the Lewis acidity of the complexes alone but by assuming that the product release is the rate-determining phase of the catalytic reaction.     

Modeling the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad: iron-catecholato complexes as structural and functional models of the extradiol cleaving dioxygenases

Mononuclear iron(II)- and iron(III)-catecholato complexes with three members of a new 3,3-bis(1-alkylimidazol-2-yl)propionate ligand family have been synthesized as models of the active sites of the extradiol cleaving catechol dioxygenases. These enzymes are part of the superfamily of dioxygen-activating mononuclear non-heme iron enzymes that feature the so-called 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad. The tridentate, tripodal, and monoanionic ligands used in this study include the biologically relevant carboxylate and imidazole donor groups. The structure of the mononuclear iron(III)-tetrachlorocatecholato complex [Fe(L3)(tcc)(H2O)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which shows a facial N,N,O capping mode of the ligand. For the first time, a mononuclear iron complex has been synthesized, which is facially capped by a ligand offering a tridentate Nim,Nim,Ocarb donor set, identical to the endogenous ligands of the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad. The iron complexes are five-coordinate in noncoordinating media, and the vacant coordination site is accessible for Lewis bases, e.g., pyridine, or small molecules such as dioxygen. The iron(II)-catecholato complexes react with dioxygen in two steps. In the first reaction the iron(II)-catecholato complexes rapidly convert to the corresponding iron(III) complexes, which then, in a second slow reaction, exhibit both oxidative cleavage and auto-oxidation of the substrate. Extradiol and intradiol cleavage are observed in noncoordinating solvents. The addition of a proton donor results in an increase in extradiol cleavage. The complexes add a new example to the small group of synthetic iron complexes capable of eliciting extradiol-type cleavage and provide more insight into the factors determining the regioselectivity of the enzymes.     

Synthesis, structure, and dynamics of six-membered metallacoronands and metallodendrimers of iron and indium

In the reaction of the N-substituted diethanolamines (H(2)L(1-3)) (1-3) with calcium hydride followed by addition of iron(III) or indium(III) chloride, the iron wheels [Fe(6)Cl(6)(L(1))(6)] (4) and [Fe(6)Cl(6)(L(2))(6)] (6) or indium wheels [In(6)Cl(6)(L(1))(6)] (5), [In(6)Cl(6)(L(2))(6)] (8) and [In(6)Cl(6)(L(3))(6)] (9) were formed in excellent yields. Exchange of the chloride ions of 6 by thiocyanate ions afforded [Fe(6)(SCN)(6)(L(2))(6)] (7). Whereas the structures of 4, 5 and 7 were determined unequivocally by single-crystal X-ray analyses, complexes 8 and 9 were characterised by NMR spectroscopy. Contrary to what is normally presumed, the scaffolds of six-membered metallic wheels are not generally rigid, but rather undergo nondissociative topomerisation processes. This was shown by variable temperature (VT) (1)H NMR spectroscopy for the indium wheel [In(6)Cl(6)(L(1))(6)] (5) and is highlighted for the enantiotopomerisation of one indium centre [ 1/6[S(6)-5]<==>[1/6[S(6)-5']]. The self-assembly of metallic wheels, starting from diethanolamine dendrons, is an efficient strategy for the convergent synthesis of metallodendrimers.     

Iron(III) complexes of sterically hindered tetradentate monophenolate ligands as functional models for catechol 1,2-dioxygenases: the role of ligand stereoelectronic properties

The iron(III) complexes of the monophenolate ligands 2-(bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4-nitrophenol [H(L1)], N,N-dimethyl-N'-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine [H(L2)], N,N-dimethyl-N'-(6-methyl-pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine [H(L3)], and N,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-methylimidazole-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine [H(L4)] have been obtained and studied as structural and functional models for the intradiol-cleaving catechol dioxygenase enzymes. The complexes [Fe(L1)Cl(2)].CH(3)CN (1), [Fe(L2)Cl(2)] (2), [Fe(L3)Cl(2)] (3), and [Fe(L4)Cl(2)] (4) have been characterized using absorption spectral and electrochemical methods. The single crystal X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been successfully determined. Both the complexes possess a rhombically distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the FeN(3)OCl(2) chromophore. In 2, the phenolate oxygen, the pyridine nitrogen, an amine nitrogen, and a chloride ion are located on the corners of a square plane with the nitrogen atom of a -NMe(2) group and the other chloride ion occupying the axial positions. In 1, also the equatorial plane is constituted by the phenolate oxygen, the pyridine nitrogen, an amine nitrogen atom, and a chloride ion; however, the axial positions are occupied by the second pyridine nitrogen and the second chloride ion. Interestingly, the Fe-O-C angle of 136.1 degrees observed for 2 is higher than that (128.5 degrees ) in 1; however, the Fe-O(phenolate) bond distances in both the complexes are the same (1.929 A). This illustrates the importance of the nearby sterically demanding coordinated -NMe(2) group and implies similar stereochemical constraints from the other ligated amino acid moieties in the 3,4-PCD enzymes, the enzyme activity of which is traced to the difference in the equatorial and axial Fe-O(tyrosinate) bonds (Fe-O-C, 133 degrees, 148 degrees ). The nature of heterocyclic rings of the ligands and the methyl substituents on them regulates the electronic spectral features, Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potentials, and catechol cleavage activity of the complexes. Upon interacting the complexes with catecholate anions, two catecholate to iron(III) charge transfer bands appear, and the low energy band is similar to that of catechol dioxygenase-substrate complex. Complexes 1 and 3 fail to catalyze the oxidative intradiol cleavage of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (H(2)DBC). However, interestingly, the replacement of pyridine pendant in 1 by the -NMe(2) group to obtain 2 restores the dioxygenase activity, which is consistent with its higher Fe-O-C bond angle. Remarkably, the more basic N-methylimidazole ring in 4 facilitates the rate-determining product releasing phase of the catalytic reaction, leading to enhancement in reaction rate and efficient conversion (77.1%) of the substrate to intradiol cleavage products as well. All these observations provide support to the novel substrate activation mechanism proposed for the intradiol-cleavage pathway.     

Aminopyridine iron catecholate complexes as models for intradiol catechol dioxygenases. Synthesis, structure, reactivity, and spectroscopic studies

Four new Fe(III) catecholate complexes, [(bispicMe2en)FeIII(DBC)]+, [(bispicCl2Me2en)FeIII(DBC)]+, [(trispicMeen)FeIII(DBC)]+, and [(BQPA)FeIII(DBC)]+, which all contain aminopyridine ligands, were synthesized. The structure of [(bispicMe2en)FeIII(DBC)]+ was determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 10.666(3) A, b = 13.467(5) A, c = 17.685(2) A, alpha = 93.46(2) degrees, beta = 93.68(2) degrees, gamma = 109.0(3) degrees, V = 2387.4 A3, and Z = 2. All of these complexes were found to be active toward oxidation of catechol by O2 in DMF at 20 degrees C to afford intradiol cleavage products. The catechol was quantitatively oxidized, mainly (90%) into 3,5-di-tert-butyl-5-(carboxymethyl)-2-furanone. Reaction rates were measured, and for the first three (topologically similar) complexes, a correlation of the second-order kinetic constants k with the optical parameters of the two LMCT O(DBC)-->Fe(III) bands was found. In particular, k increases with the epsilon max of the charge-transfer bands. The k value of the complex [(BQPA)FeIII(DBC)]+, containing a tripodal ligand, is smaller than expected on the basis of these correlations. This discrepancy could be related to steric hindrance induced by the BQPA ligand. However, the much lower activity of the bispicen-Fe(III)-type complexes compared to that of the [(TPA)FeIII(DBC)]+ complex synthesized by Jang et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 9200-9204), despite similar epsilon max values, shows that a knowledge of optical and NMR parameters values is not sufficient to explain the dioxygenase activity rate. In their study of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase, Orville et al. (Biochemistry 1997, 36, 10052-10066) suggested that asymmetric chelation of the catecholate to Fe(III) is of great importance in the efficiency of the intradiol dioxygenase reaction. Indeed, a comparison of the X-ray structures of [(TPA)FeIII(DBC)]+ and [(bispicMe2en)FeIII(DBC)]+ shows that the Fe(III)-O bonds differ by 0.019 A in the former and are identical in the latter. Asymmetry could also play a role in the model complexes. An alternative explanation is the possible existence of a low-spin state for [(TPA)FeIII(DBC)]+, as recently identified in [(TPA)FeIII(cat)]+ by Simaan et al.     

High-valent nonheme iron. Two distinct iron(IV) species derived from a common iron(II) precursor

The reaction of [Fe(II)(beta-BPMCN)(OTf)2] (1, BPMCN = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) with tBuOOH at low-temperature yields alkylperoxoiron(III) intermediates 2 in CH2Cl2 and 2-NCMe in CH3CN. At -45 degrees C and above, 2-NCMe converts to a pale green species 3 (lambda(max) = 753 nm, epsilon = 280 M(-1) cm(-1)) in 90% yield, identified as [Fe(IV)(O)(BPMCN)(NCCH3)]2+ by comparison to other nonheme [Fe(IV)(O)(L)]2+ complexes. Below -55 degrees C in CH2Cl2, 2 decays instead to form deep turquoise 4 (lambda(max) = 656, 845 nm; epsilon = 4000, 3600 M(-1) cm(-1)), formulated to be an unprecedented alkylperoxoiron(IV) complex [Fe(IV)(BPMCN)(OH)(OOtBu)]2+ on the basis of M?ssbauer, EXAFS, resonance Raman, NMR, and mass spectral evidence. The reactivity of 1 with tBuOOH in the two solvents reveals an unexpectedly rich iron(IV) chemistry that can be supported by the BPMCN ligand.     

Models for extradiol cleaving catechol dioxygenases: syntheses, structures, and reactivities of iron(II)-monoanionic catecholate complexes

Crystallographic and spectroscopic studies of extradiol cleaving catechol dioxygenases indicate that the enzyme-substrate complexes have both an iron(II) center and a monoanionic catecholate. Herein we report a series of iron(II)-monoanionic catecholate complexes, [(L)Fe(II)(catH)](X) (1a, L = 6-Me(3)-TPA (tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine), catH = CatH (1,2-catecholate monoanion); 1b, L = 6-Me(3)-TPA, catH = DBCH (3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-catecholate monoanion); 1c, L = 6-Me(2)-bpmcn (N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), catH = CatH; 1d, L = 6-Me(2)-bpmcn, catH = DBCH), that model such enzyme complexes. The crystal structure of [(6-Me(2)-bpmcn)Fe(II)(DBCH)](+) (1d) shows that the DBCH ligand binds to the iron asymmetrically as previously reported for 1b, with two distinct Fe-O bonds of 1.943(1) and 2.344(1) A. Complexes 1 react with O(2) or NO to afford blue-purple iron(III)-catecholate dianion complexes, [(L)Fe(III)(cat)](+) (2). Interestingly, crystallographically characterized 2d, isolated from either reaction, has the N-methyl groups in a syn configuration, in contrast to the anti configuration of the precursor complex, so epimerization of the bound ligand must occur in the course of isolating 2d. This notion is supported by the fact that the UV-vis and EPR properties of in situ generated 2d(anti) differ from those of isolated 2d(syn). While the conversion of 1 to 2 in the presence of O(2) occurs without an obvious intermediate, that in the presence of NO proceeds via a metastable S = (3)/(2) [(L)Fe(catH)(NO)](+) adduct 3, which can only be observed spectroscopically but not isolated. Intermediates 3a and 3b subsequently disproportionate to afford two distinct complexes, [(6-Me(3)-TPA)Fe(III)(cat)](+) (2a and 2b) and [(6-Me(3)-TPA)Fe(NO)(2)](+) (4) in comparable yield, while 3d converts to 2d in 90% yield. Complexes 2b and anti-2d react further with O(2) over a 24 h period and afford a high yield of cleavage products. Product analysis shows that the products mainly derive from intradiol cleavage but with a small extent of extradiol cleavage (89:3% for 2b and 78:12% for anti-2d). The small amounts of the extradiol cleavage products observed may be due to the dissociation of an alpha-methyl substituted pyridyl arm, generating a complex with a tridentate ligand. Surprisingly, syn-2d does not react with O(2) over the course of 4 days. These results suggest that there are a number of factors that influence the mode and rate of cleavage of catechols coordinated to iron centers.     

Axial ligand and spin-state influence on the formation and reactivity of hydroperoxo-iron(III) porphyrin complexes

The present study focuses on the formation and reactivity of hydroperoxo-iron(III) porphyrin complexes formed in the [Fe(III)(tpfpp)X]/H(2)O(2)/HOO(-) system (TPFPP=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-21H,23H-porphyrin; X=Cl(-) or CF(3) SO(3)(-)) in acetonitrile under basic conditions at -15 °C. Depending on the selected reaction conditions and the active form of the catalyst, the formation of high-spin [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low-spin [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] could be observed with the application of a low-temperature rapid-scan UV/Vis spectroscopic technique. Axial ligation and the spin state of the iron(III) center control the mode of O-O bond cleavage in the corresponding hydroperoxo porphyrin species. A mechanistic changeover from homo- to heterolytic O-O bond cleavage is observed for high- [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low-spin [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] complexes, respectively. In contrast to other iron(III) hydroperoxo complexes with electron-rich porphyrin ligands, electron-deficient [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] was stable under relatively mild conditions and could therefore be investigated directly in the oxygenation reactions of selected organic substrates. The very low reactivity of [Fe(III)(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] towards organic substrates implied that the ferric hydroperoxo intermediate must be a very sluggish oxidant compared with the iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin π-cation radical intermediate in the catalytic oxygenation reactions of cytochrome P450.     

Conversion of extradiol aromatic ring-cleaving homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase into an intradiol cleaving enzyme

The intra- and extradiol subfamilies of catechol-adduct ring-cleaving dioxygenases each exhibit nearly absolute fidelity for the ring cleavage position. This is often attributed to the fact that the oxygen activation mechanism of intradiol dioxygenases utilizes Fe3+ while that of the extradiol enzymes employs Fe2+, but the subfamilies also differ in primary sequence, structural fold, iron ligands, and second sphere active site amino acid residues. Here, we examine the effects of the second sphere residue H200 in the active site of homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase (2,3-HPCD), an extradiol-cleaving enzyme. It is shown that the H200F mutant enzyme catalyzes extradiol cleavage of the normal substrate, homoprotocatechuate (HPCA), but intradiol cleavage of the alternative substrate 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (2,3-DHB) while in the Fe2+ oxidation state. Wild-type 2,3-HPCD catalyzes extradiol cleavage of both substrates. This is the first report of intradiol cleavage by an extradiol dioxygenase. It suggests that intradiol cleavage can occur with the iron in the Fe2+ state, with the iron ligand set characteristic of extradiol dioxygenases, and through a mechanism in which oxygen is activated by binding to the iron rather than directly attacking the substrate as in true intradiol dioxygenases. This indicates that substrate binding geometry and acid/base chemistry of second sphere residues play important roles in determining the course of the dioxygenase reaction.     

Redox-noninnocence of the S,S'-coordinated ligands in bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)iron complexes

The electronic structures of complexes of iron containing two S,S'-coordinated benzene-1,2-dithiolate, (L)(2)(-), or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzenedithiolate, (L(Bu))(2)(-), ligands have been elucidated in depth by electronic absorption, infrared, X-band EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopies. It is conclusively shown that, in contrast to earlier reports, high-valent iron(IV) (d(4), S = 1) is not accessible in this chemistry. Instead, the S,S'-coordinated radical monoanions (L(*))(1)(-) and/or (L(Bu)(*))(1)(-) prevail. Thus, five-coordinate [Fe(L)(2)(PMe(3))] has an electronic structure which is best described as [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))] where the observed triplet ground state of the molecule is attained via intramolecular, strong antiferromagnetic spin coupling between an intermediate spin ferric ion (S(Fe) = (3)/(2)) and a ligand radical (L(*))(1)(-) (S(rad) = (1)/(2)). The following complexes containing only benzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-) ligands have been synthesized, and their electronic structures have been studied in detail: [NH(C(2)H(5))(3)](2)[Fe(II)(L)(2)] (1), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L)(4)] (2), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(4)] (3); [P(CH(3))Ph(3)][Fe(III)(L)(2)(t-Bu-py)] (4) where t-Bu-py is 4-tert-butylpyridine. Complexes containing an Fe(III)(L(*))(L)- or Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))- moiety are [N(n-Bu)(4)][Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(3)(L(Bu)(*))] (3(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(t-Bu-py)] (4(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))] (7), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (8), and [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PPr(3))] (9), where Pr represents the n-propyl substituent. Complexes 2, 3(ox)(), 4, [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (6), and 9 have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Iron complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-oxaporphyrin

The iron complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-oxaporphyrin (OTPP)H have been investigated. Insertion of iron(II) followed by one-electron oxidation yielded a high-spin, six-coordinate (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) complex. The reduction of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) has been accomplished by means of moderate reducing reagents producing high-spin five-coordinate (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl. The molecular structure of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The iron(III) 21-oxaporphyrin skeleton is essentially planar. The furan ring coordinates in the eta(1) fashion through the oxygen atom, which acquires trigonal geometry. The iron(III) apically coordinates two chloride ligands. Addition of potassium cyanide to a solution of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) in methanol-d(4) results in its conversion to a six-coordinate, low-spin complex [OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2)] which is spontaneously reduced to [OTPP)Fe(II)(CN)(2)](-) by excess cyanide. The spectroscopic features of [OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2)] correspond to the common low-spin iron(III) porphyrin (d(xy))(2)(d(xz)d(yz))(3) electronic configuration. Titration of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) or (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl with n-BuLi (toluene-d(8), 205 K) resulted in the formation of (OTPP)Fe(II)(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3)). (OTPP)Fe(II)(n-Bu) decomposes via homolytic cleavage of the iron-carbon bond to produce (OTPP)Fe(I). The EPR spectrum (toluene-d(8), 77 K) is consistent with a (d(xy))(2)(d(xz))(2)(d(yz))(2)(d(z)(2)(1)(d[(x)(2)-(y)(2)])(0) ground electronic state of iron(I) oxaporphyrin (g(1) = 2.234, g(2) = 2.032, g(3) = 1.990). The (1)H NMR spectra of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2), (OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2), ([(OTPP)Fe(III))](2)O)(2+), and (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl have been analyzed. There are considerable similarities in (1)H NMR properties within each iron(n) oxaporphyrin-iron(n) regular porphyrin or N-methylporphyrin pair (n = 2, 3). Contrary to this observation, the pattern of downfield positions of pyrrole resonances at 156.2, 126.5, 76.3 ppm and furan resonance at 161.4 ppm (273 K) detected for the two-electron reduction product of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) is unprecedented in the group of iron(I) porphyrins.     

Iron(III) complexes with a tripodal N3O ligand containing an internal base as a model for catechol intradiol-cleaving dioxygenases

A bis(mu-alkoxo)-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complex [Fe(L)(NO3)]2(NO3)2 [1; HL = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine] of the tripodal N3O ligand was prepared as a biomimetic model for the intradiol-cleaving dioxygenase enzymes. The reaction of 1 and catechol in the presence of excess triethylamine gave the catecholate (CAT) chelate bis(mu-alkoxo)-bridged dinuclear iron(III) complex [Fe(L)(CAT)]2 (2). The molecular structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Diiron complexes 1 and 2 contain the same bis(mu-alkoxo)diiron diamond core. All heteroatoms (N3O) of the ligand are coordinated to the iron center in complex 1 with two pyridine nitrogen atoms on the axial bonds, while one of the pyridyl arms of the ligand is left uncoordinated in complex 2. The interaction of the diiron complex 1 and 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (H2DBC) was investigated by electronic and mass spectroscopy. Complex 1 displays the intradiol-cleaving dioxygenase activity, and the coordinate ethoxyl arm of the ligand is capable of accepting the proton from catechol, which mimics the function of Tyr447 in the protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase as an internal base. The spectrophotometric titration experiment indicates the relatively low demand of the external base (0.8 equiv based on Fe(3+)) for attaining the highest dioxygenase activity of complex 1. The reaction rate of the reactive intermediate [Fe(HL)(DBC)]+ with dioxygen is 0.38 M(-1) s(-1) determined by kinetic studies.     

Tuning the electronic structure of octahedral iron complexes [FeL(X)] (L = 1-alkyl-4,7-bis(4-tert-butyl-2-mercaptobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane,X = Cl,CH(3)O,CN, NO). The S = 1/2 <==>3/2 Spin equilibrium of [FeL(Pr)(NO)

Two new pentadentate, pendent arm macrocyclic ligands of the type 1-alkyl-4,7-bis(4-tert-butyl-2-mercaptobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane where alkyl represents an isopropyl, (L(Pr))(2-), or an ethyl group, (L(Et))(2-), have been synthesized. It is shown that they bind strongly to ferric ions generating six-coordinate species of the type [Fe(L(alk))X]. The ground state of these complexes is governed by the nature of the sixth ligand, X: [Fe(III)(L(Et))Cl] (2) possesses an S = 5/2 ground state as do [Fe(III)(L(Et))(OCH(3))] (3) and [Fe(III)(L(Pr))(OCH(3))] (4). In contrast, the cyano complexes [Fe(III)(L(Et))(CN)] (5) and [Fe(III)(L(Pr))(CN)] (6) are low spin ferric species (S = 1/2). The octahedral [FeNO](7) nitrosyl complex [Fe(L(Pr))(NO)] (7) displays spin equilibrium behavior S = 1/2<==>S = (3)/(2) in the solid state. Complexes [Zn(L(Pr))] (1), 4.CH(3)OH, 5.0.5toluene.CH(2)Cl(2), and 7.2.5CH(2)Cl(2) have been structurally characterized by low-temperature (100 K) X-ray crystallography. All iron complexes have been carefully studied by zero- and applied-field M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In addition, Sellmann's complexes [Fe(pyS(4))(NO)](0/1+) and [Fe(pyS(4))X] (X = PR(3), CO, SR(2)) have been studied by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopies and DFT calculations (pyS(4) = 2,6-bis(2-mercaptophenylthiomethyl)pyridine(2-)). It is concluded that the electronic structure of 7 with an S = 1/2 ground state is low spin ferrous (S(Fe) = 0) with a coordinated neutral NO radical (Fe(II)-NO) whereas the S = 3/2 state corresponds to a high spin ferric (S(Fe) = 5/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to an NO(-) anion (S = 1). The S = 1/2<==>S = 3/2 equilibrium is then that of valence tautomers rather than that of a simple high spin<==>low spin crossover.     

Unusual iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes derived from monodentate arylamido ligands

The coordination chemistry of the N-substituted arylamido ligands [N(R)(C6H3R'2-2,6)] [R = SiMe3, R' = Me (L1); R = CH2But, R' = Pri (L2)] toward FeII and CoII ions was studied. The monoamido complexes [M(L1)(Cl)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (1), Co (2)] react readily with MeLi, affording the mononuclear, paramagnetic iron(II) and cobalt(II) methyl-arylamido complexes [M(L1)(Me)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (3), Co (4)]. Treatment of 2:1 [Li(L2)(THF)2]/FeCl2 affords the unusual two-coordinate iron(II) bis(arylamide) [Fe(L2)2] (5).     

Phenylthiyl radical complexes of gallium(III), iron(III), and cobalt(III) and comparison with their phenoxyl analogues.

Three hexadentate, asymmetric pendent arm macrocycles containing a 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetate backbone and a third, N-bound phenolate or thiophenolate arm have been synthesized. In [L(1)](3)(-) the third arm is 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl, in [L(2)](3)(-) it is 2-mercaptobenzyl, and in [L(3)](3)(-) it is 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-mercaptobenzyl. With trivalent metal ions these ligands form very stable neutral mononuclear complexes [M(III)L(1)] (M = Ga, Fe, Co), [M(III)L(2)] (M = Ga, Fe, Co), and [M(III)L(3)] (M = Ga, Co) where the gallium and cobalt complexes possess an S = 0 and the iron complexes an S = (5)/(2) ground state. Complexes [CoL(1)].CH(3)OH.1.5H(2)O, [CoL(3)].1.17H(2)O, [FeL(1)].H(2)O, and [FeL(2)] have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry shows that all three [M(III)L(1)] complexes undergo a reversible, ligand-based, one-electron oxidation generating the monocations [M(III)L(1)(*)](+) which contain a coordinated phenoxyl radical as was unambiguously established by their electronic absorption, EPR, and M?ssbauer spectra. In contrast, [M(III)L(2)] complexes in CH(3)CN solution undergo an irreversible one-electron oxidation where the putative thiyl radical monocationic intermediates dimerize with S-S bond formation yielding dinuclear disulfide species [M(III)L(2)-L(2)M(III)](2+). [GaL(3)] behaves similarly despite the steric bulk of two tertiary butyl groups at the 3,5-positions of the thiophenolate, but [Co(III)L(3)] in CH(2)Cl(2) at -20 to -61 degrees C displays a reversible one-electron oxidation yielding a relatively stable monocation [Co(III)L(3)(*)](+). Its electronic spectrum displays intense transitions in the visible at 509 nm (epsilon = 2.6 x 10(3) M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) and 670sh, 784 (1.03 x 10(3)) typical of a phenylthiyl radical. The EPR spectrum of this species at 90 K proves the thiyl radical to be coordinated to a diamagnetic cobalt(III) ion (g(iso) = 2.0226; A(iso)((59)Co) = 10.7 G).