Phosphate ester hydrolysis by hydroxo complexes of trivalent lanthanides stabilized by 4-imidazolecarboxylate

The anion of 4-imidazolecarboxylic acid (HL) stabilizes hydroxo complexes of trivalent lanthanides of the type ML(OH)+ (M = La, Pr) and M2L(n)(OH)(6-n) (M = La, n = 2; M = Pr, n = 2, 3; M = Nd, Eu, Dy, n = 1-3). Compositions and stability constants of the complexes have been determined by potentiometric titrations. Spectrophotometric and (1)H NMR titrations with Nd(III) support the reaction model for the formation of hydroxo complexes proposed on the basis of potentiometric results. Kinetics of the hydrolysis of two phosphate diesters, bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) and 2-hydroxypropyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP), and a triester, 4-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate (NPDPP), in the presence of hydroxo complexes of five lanthanides were studied as a function of pH and metal and ligand concentrations. With all lanthanides and all substrates, complexes with the smallest n, that is M2L2(OH)4 for La and Pr and M2L(OH)5 for Nd, Eu, and Dy, exhibited the highest catalytic activity. Strong inhibitory effects by simple anions (Cl-, NO3-, (EtO)2PO2-, AcO-) were observed indicating high affinity of neutral hydroxo complexes toward anionic species. The catalytic activity decreased in the order La > Pr > Nd > Eu > Dy for both diester substrates and was practically independent of the nature of cation for a triester substrate. The efficiency of catalysis, expressed as the ratio of the second-order rate constant for the ester cleavage by the hydroxo complex to the second-order rate constant for the alkaline hydrolysis of the respective substrate, varied from ca. 1 for NPDPP to 10(2) for HPNPP and to 10(5) for BNPP. The proposed mechanism of catalytic hydrolysis involves reversible bridging complexation of a phosphodiester to the binuclear active species followed by attack on the phosphoryl group by bridging hydroxide (BNPP) or by the alkoxide group of the deprotonated substrate (HPNPP).     

Rapid hydrolysis of phosphate ester promoted by Ce(IV) conjugating with a β-cyclodextrin monomer and dimer

Two N-donor ligands (L(1) and L(2)) derived from a β-cyclodextrin (βCD) monomer and dimer were employed to mediate the hydrolytic activity and stability of the Ce(IV) ion in aqueous solution. Complexes Ce(IV)-L(1) and Ce(IV)-L(2) were prepared in situ and characterized by means of UV-vis and NMR measurements. Ce(IV)-L(1) catalyzed the hydrolysis of a DNA model, bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) with k(cat) = 5.2 × 10(-3) s(-1) (half-life t(1/2) ≈ 2 minutes) under mild conditions, which represented an approximate 130 million-fold acceleration with respect to the spontaneous hydrolysis of BNPP. The dinuclear species, [Ce(2)L(1)(2)(OH)(5)](3+), contributed splendidly to the catalytic efficiency which echoed the active species postulation of [Ce(2)(OH)(7)](+) in the literature. Ce(IV)-L(2) exhibited efficient binding with BNPP giving 1/K(M) = 2.1 × 10(5) M(-1) which exceeded other Ce(IV) species, e.g. [Ce(4)(OH)(15)](+), by 2 orders of magnitude, which highlighted the hydrophobicity effect of βCDs. Such a highly binding affinity leads to the second-order rate constant, k(cat)/K(M) = 2.3 × 10(2) M(-1) s(-1), which probably ranks as the highest in the non-enzymatic cleavage of BNPP under similar conditions. Additionally, Ce(IV)-L(2) showed favorable tolerance to basic aqua owing to the bulky protection of double βCD pendants.     

Highly efficient phosphodiester hydrolysis promoted by a dinuclear copper(II) complex

The interaction of Cu(II) with the ligand tdci (1,3,5-trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(dimethylamino)-cis-inositol) was studied both in the solid state and in solution. The complexes that were formed were also tested for phosphoesterase activity. The pentanuclear complex [Cu(5)(tdciH(-2))(tdci)(2)(OH)(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(4).6H(2)O consists of two dinuclear units and one trinuclear unit, having two shared copper(II) ions. The metal centers within the pentanuclear structure have three distinct coordination environments. All five copper(II) ions are linked by hydroxo/alkoxo bridges forming a Cu(5)O(6) cage. The Cu-Cu separations of the bridged centers are between 2.916 and 3.782 A, while those of the nonbridged metal ions are 5.455-5.712 A. The solution equilibria in the Cu(II)-tdci system proved to be extremely complicated. Depending on the pH and metal-to-ligand ratio, several differently deprotonated mono-, di-, and trinuclear complexes are formed. Their presence in solution was supported by mass, CW, and pulse EPR spectroscopic study, too. In these complexes, the metal ions are presumed to occupy tridentate [O(ax),N(eq),O(ax)] coordination sites and the O-donors of tdci may serve as bridging units between two metal ions. Additionally, deprotonation of the metal-bound water molecules may occur. The dinuclear Cu(2)LH(-3) species, formed around pH 8.5, provides outstanding rate acceleration for the hydrolysis of the activated phosphodiester bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP). The second-order rate constant of BNPP hydrolysis promoted by the dinuclear complex (T = 298 K) is 0.95 M(-1) s(-1), which is ca. 47600-fold higher than that of the hydroxide ion catalyzed hydrolysis (k(OH)). Its activity is selective for the phosphodiester, and the hydrolysis was proved to be catalytic. The proposed bifunctional mechanism of the hydrolysis includes double Lewis acid activation and intramolecular nucleophilic catalysis.     

The chemistry of the fac-[Re(CO)2(NO)]2+ fragment in aqueous solution

The anions [ReX3(CO)2(NO)]- (with X = Cl, 1; X = Br, 2) have been prepared with different counterions. Complex 1 was found to lose its chloride ligands in water within 24 h. The [Re(H2O)3(CO)2(NO)]2+ cation obtained after hydrolysis is a strong acid, which consequently undergoes a slow condensation reaction in water to form the very stable [Re(mu3-O)(CO)2(NO)]4 cluster 4 at pH > 2, that precipitates from the aqueous solution and is insoluble also in organic solvents. Fast deprotonation of [Re(H2O)3(CO)2(NO)]2+ did not lead to 4 but rather to the mononuclear species [Re(OH)(H2O)2(CO)2(NO)]+. Subsequent attack of OH- at a CO group resulted in the formation of a rhenacarboxylic acid and its carboxylate anion. For solutions of even higher pH, IR spectroscopy provided evidence for the formation of a Re(C(O)ON(O)) species. These processes were found to be reversible on lowering the pH. Starting from cluster 4 it was possible to obtain complexes of the types [ReX(CO)2(NO)L2] or [Re(CO)2(NO)L3](L2 = 2-picolinate, 2,2'-bipyridine, L-phenylalanate; L3 = tris(pyrazolyl)methane, 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane) in the presence of an acid in protic solvents, but only in low yields. In further synthetic studies, complexes 1 and 2 were found to be superior starting materials for substitution reactions to form [ReX(CO)2(NO)L2] or [Re(CO)2(NO)L3] complexes.     

1H, 15N] heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR study of the mechanism of aquation of platinum(IV) ammine complexes

The aquation and hydrolysis of a series of platinum(IV) complexes of the general form cis, trans, cis-[PtCl 2(X) 2( (15)NH 3) 2] (X = Cl (-), O 2CCH 3 (-), OH (-)) have been followed by [ (1)H, (15)N] Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence NMR spectroscopy. Negligible aquation (<5%) is observed for the complexes where X = O 2CCH 3 (-) or OH (-) over 3-4 weeks. Aquation of cis-[PtCl 4( (15)NH 3) 2] ( 1) is observed, and the rate of aquation increases with increasing pH and upon the addition of 0.01 mol equiv of the platinum(II) complex cis-[PtCl 2( (15)NH 3) 2] (cisplatin). The first aquated species formed from cis-[PtCl 4(NH 3) 2] has one of the axial chloro groups (relative to the equatorial NH 3 ligands) replaced by an aqua/hydroxo ligand. The second observed substitution occurs in an equatorial position. Peaks that are consistent with five of the eight possible aquation species were observed in the NMR spectra.     

Zn(II) coordination to polyamine macrocycles containing dipyridine units. New insights into the activity of dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in phosphate ester hydrolysis

Zn(II) binding by the dipyridine-containing macrocycles L1-L3 has been analyzed by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solutions. These ligands contain one (L1, L2) or two (L3) 2,2'-dipyridine units as an integral part of a polyamine macrocyclic framework having different dimensions and numbers of nitrogen donors. Depending on the number of donors, L1-L3 can form stable mono- and/or dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in a wide pH range. Facile deprotonation of Zn(II)-coordinated water molecules gives mono- and dihydroxo-complexes from neutral to alkaline pH values. The ability of these complexes as nucleophilic agents in hydrolytic processes has been tested by using bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) as a substrate. In the dinuclear complexes the two metals play a cooperative role in BNPP cleavage. In the case of the L2 dinuclear complex [Zn(2)L2(OH)(2)](2+), the two metals act cooperatively through a hydrolytic process involving a bridging interaction of the substrate with the two Zn(II) ions and a simultaneous nucleophilic attack of a Zn-OH function at phosphorus; in the case of the dizinc complex with the largest macrocycle L3, only the monohydroxo complex [Zn(2)L3(OH)](3+) promotes BNPP hydrolysis. BNPP interacts with a single metal, while the hydroxide anion may operate a nucleophilic attack. Both complexes display high rate enhancements in BNPP cleavage with respect to previously reported dizinc complexes, due to hydrophobic and pi-stacking interactions between the nitrophenyl groups of BNPP and the dipyridine units of the complexes.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the iron(III)-catalyzed autoxidation of sulfur(IV) oxides in aqueous solution. The influence of pH,medium and aging

The influence of pH on the oxygen-dependent step observed during the iron(III)-catalyzed autoxidation of sulfur(IV)-oxides was studied over the pH range 1.5 pH 4. A maximum decomposition rate of the iron(III)-sulfito complexes is observed around pH 2.3. The pH- time profile for the iron(III)-catalyzed autoxidation of sulfur(IV)- oxides exhibited no dependence on the initial [O2] when the reaction is initiated at pH 6.1, but shows an oxygen dependence when the reaction is initiated at pH 2.5. pH-shift experiments clearly demonstrate the reduced catalytic activity of dimeric and polymeric iron(III) hydroxo species. A decrease in the catalytic activity of the iron(III) solutions with time was observed, which depended on the initial pH. This decrease was ascribed to the formation of dimeric and polymeric iron(III) hydroxo species as a result of slow hydrolysis processes during aging. The employed iron(III) salt had no effect on the decrease in the catalytic activity due to aging.     

含氮不饱和大环铈配合物催化磷酸二酯降解的研究

本文利用含氮不饱和大环铈配合物催化BNPP水解。通过改变温度、pH等方法测定含氮大环铈配合物催化对硝基苯酚磷酸二酯的反应速率。整个实验过程保持含氮大环铈配合物浓度高于底物浓度10倍以上,以使反应为一级反应。结果表明:其水解反应的最佳温度在45℃左右,最佳pH在8.0左右。     

铈(Ⅲ)-巴比妥钠配合物催化双(对硝基苯基)磷酸酯水解性能

研究了Ce(Ⅲ)离子与巴比妥钠形成的配合物对双(对硝基苯基)磷酸酯(BNPP)的催化水解作用。 结果表明, Ce(Ⅲ)与巴比妥钠形成的配合物对BNPP的水解具有很高的催化活性,可使BNPP水解速率提高至自发水解时的1.52×10⁸倍。 体系的pH值和温度对催化水解反应的影响,发现在温度为25 ℃和pH值为8.50的条件下,催化效果最佳。     

Metallomicellar catalysis: hydrolysis of phosphate monoester and phosphodiester by Cu(II), Zn(II) complexes of pyridyl ligands in CTAB micellar solution

The catalytic hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) by metallomicelles composed of Cu(II) or Zn(II) complexes of bispyridine-containing alkanol ligands in CTAB micellar solution was investigated at 30 degrees C. The experimental results indicate that the complexes with a 1:1 ratio of ligands to metal ions for ligands 1 (1,7-bis(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2,6-dioxaheptane) and 3 (1,4-bis[(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-oxapropyl]benzene) and a 1:2 ratio of ligands to metal ions for ligand 2 (1,14-bis(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2,13-dioxatetradecane) in CATB micellar solution are the active species for the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP and NPP, respectively. The ternary complex kinetic model for metallomicellar catalysis was employed to obtain the relative kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, which demonstrated the catalytic mechanism for the hydrolysis of BNPP and NPP by metallomicelles.     

Half-sandwich iridium complexes for homogeneous water-oxidation catalysis

Iridium half-sandwich complexes of the types Cp*Ir(N-C)X, [Cp*Ir(N-N)X]X, and [CpIr(N-N)X]X are catalyst precursors for the homogeneous oxidation of water to dioxygen. Kinetic studies with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate as primary oxidant show that oxygen evolution is rapid and continues over many hours. In addition, [Cp*Ir(H(2)O)(3)]SO(4) and [(Cp*Ir)(2)(μ-OH)(3)]OH can show even higher turnover frequencies (up to 20 min(-1) at pH 0.89). Aqueous electrochemical studies on the cationic complexes having chelate ligands show catalytic oxidation at pH > 7; conversely, at low pH, there are no oxidation waves up to 1.5 V vs NHE for the complexes. H(2)(18)O isotope incorporation studies demonstrate that water is the source of oxygen atoms during cerium(IV)-driven catalysis. DFT calculations and kinetic experiments, including kinetic-isotope-effect studies, suggest a mechanism for homogeneous iridium-catalyzed water oxidation and contribute to the determination of the rate-determining step. The kinetic experiments also help distinguish the active homogeneous catalyst from heterogeneous nanoparticulate iridium dioxide.     

Hydrolysis of phosphodiesters by diiron complexes: design of nonequivalent iron sites in purple acid phosphatase models

New mu-oxo-diferric complexes have been designed for hydrolysis of phosphodiesters. To mimic the diiron active site of purple acid phosphatase, a combinatorial method has been used to select complexes containing two distinct iron coordination spheres. The introduction of a bidentate ligand, a substituted phenanthroline (L) into complex 1, [Fe2O(bipy)4(OH2)2](NO3)4, generates in solution the complex [Fe2O(bipy)3(L)(OH2)2](NO3)4 as shown by ESI/MS and 1H NMR studies. The latter complex was found to be 20-fold more active than complex 1. On the basis of kinetic studies, we demonstrated that the complex [Fe2O(bipy)3(L)(OH)(OH2)](NO3)3 was the active species and the reaction proceeded through the formation of a ternary complex in which one iron binds a hydroxide and the second, the substrate. At nonsaturating concentrations of the substrate, the increased activity with increased methyl substituents in L was due to an increased affinity of the complex for the substrate. The activity of [Fe2O(bipy)3(33'44'Me2-Phen)(OH2)2](NO3)4 [33'44'Me2Phen = 3,3',4,4'-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline] was found to be comparable to that reported for Co(III) or Ce(IV) complexes.     

Preparation of a new metallomicelle catalyst for the hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate

A new metallomicellar system containing cerium(III), a macrocylic polyamine ligand, and the nonionic surfactant Brij35(polyoxyethylene(23) lauryl ether) was prepared and used as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP). Catalytic rate of the BNPP hydrolysis was measured kinetically using the UV-VIS spectrophotometric method. The results indicate that the metallomicellar system has relatively high stability and excellent catalytic function in the BNPP hydrolysis; also, the reaction rate of the BNPP catalytic hydrolysis increased by a factor of ca. 1 × 10¹⁰ compared to the BNPP spontaneous hydrolysis due to the catalytic effect of the active species and the local concentration effect of the micelles in the metallomicellar system. Experimental results also showed that the mono-hydroxy complex containing the macrocyclic polyamine ligand and cerium(III) is the real active species in the BNPP catalytic hydrolysis, and that the micelles provide a useful catalytic environment for the reaction. On basis of the research results, the reaction mechanism of BNPP catalytic hydrolysis has been proposed.     

Kinetic Study of the Hydrolysis of BNPP by the Cerium(III) Complex

5,5,7,12,12,14-Hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L) was synthesized and characterized. The kinetics of hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) in the catalytic system containing macrocyclic ligand and cerium(III) was investigated. This catalytic system show high catalytic activity and better reproducibility and stability than other similar systems in the range of pH of around 5.6–7.2. The stoichiometry and spectral analysis showed that the real active species is the macrocyclic complex of cerium(III). Based on the analytical results of the specific absorption spectra, an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution mechanism for the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP is proposed, a correlative kinetic mathematical model is established, and the corresponding thermodynamic and kinetic constants are calculated.     

High turnover catalysis of water oxidation by Mn(II) complexes of monoanionic pentadentate ligands

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectra of aqueous solutions of manganese(II) complexes of the monoanions of the pentadentate ligands N-methyl-N'-carboxymethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (mcbpen(-)) and N-benzyl-N'-carboxymethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (bcbpen(-)), show the presence of a mixture of closely related Mn(II) species, assigned to the mono, di-, tri- and poly-cationic complexes [Mn(II)(L)(H(2)O)](n)(n+), L = mcbpen(-) or bcbpen(-) with n = 1, 2, 3, etc. In solution, these complexes are reversibly oxidized by tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP), (NH(4))(2)[Ce(NO(3))(6)], Ce(ClO(4))(4), oxone and [Ru(bipy)(3)](3+) to form metastable (t(?) = min to h) higher valent (hydr)oxide species, showing a collective maximum absorbance at 430 nm. The same species can be produced by [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+)-mediated photooxidization in the presence of an electron acceptor. TBHP oxidation of the complexes, in large excesses of the TBHP, is concurrent with an O(2) evolution with turnovers of up to 1.5 × 10(4) mol of O(2) per mol of [Mn] and calculated rate constants from two series of experiments of 0.039 and 0.026 mol[O(2)] s(-1) M(-2). A 1:1 reaction of TBHP with [Mn] is rate determining and the resultant species is proposed to be the mononuclear, catalytically competent, [Mn(IV)(O)(mcbpen)](+). At very close m/z values [Mn(III)(OH)(mcbpen)](+), [Mn(2)(III/IV)(O)(2)(mcbpen)(2)](+) and [Mn(IV)(2)(O)(2)(mcbpen)(2)](2+) are detected by ESI MS and CE when the concentration of TBHP is comparable to or lower than that of [Mn]. These are conditions that occur post catalysis and these species are derived from [Mn(IV)(O)(mcbpen)](+) through condensation reactions.     

Function of the Metallomicelle from an Aza-Crown Ether Complex with an Acetamide Branch as a Highly Potent Promoter of Phosphate Diester Hydrolytic Cleavage

This study reports the synthesis method of a new aza-crown ether with an acetamide branch ligand, 2-(1,10-dioxa-4,7,13,16-tetraaza-cyclooctadec-4-yl)-acetamide (L), and determines the chemical composition of the cerium complex containing the aza-crown ether ligand by a new fluorescence spectrophotometric method. In the report, the cerium complex and its metallomicellar systems were used as catalysts in the hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate ester (BNPP), and their catalytic activity was studied by the comparative method. The interaction between the metallomicelle and BNPP was proved by the fluorescence spectrum. The catalytic rate of BNPP hydrolysis was measured kinetically using the UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. The results indicated that the metallomicellar system of the anionic surfactant exhibited excellent catalytic function and relatively higher catalytic activity than that of the complex solution, the metallomicelle of nonionic and cationic surfactants, and the micelle provided an effective catalytic environment for the catalytic reaction. The experimental results also showed that the best acidity for the metallomicelle catalysis is pH 8.0, and the mono-hydroxy complex may be the real active species uaed as a catalyst in BNPP catalytic hydrolysis. The reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of the research results.     

A study on the hydrolysis of bis(nitrophenyl)phosphate catalyzed by N‐methyldiethanolamine‐Ce(III) complex

The hydrolysis of bis(p‐nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) catalyzed by N‐methyldiethanolamine‐Ce(III) complex in the presence and absence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Brij35 surfactants at pH 7.20 and 303 K has been studied. The experimental results indicate that N‐methyldiethanolamine‐Ce(III) complex remarkably accelerates the hydrolysis of BNPP. The observed first‐order rate constant of the hydrolysis of BNPP catalyzed by N‐methyldiethanolamine‐Ce(III) complex at pH 7.20 and 303 K is 1.22 × 10^?2 s^?1, which is 1.09 × 10⁹ times of that of spontaneous hydrolysis of BNPP at pH 7. It is close to the activity of natural enzyme. A general quantitative treatment of the catalytic reaction involved a ternary complex as M_mL_lS has also been proposed in this paper. Applying this method to the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP, we have obtained its thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. CTAB and Brij35 surfactant micelles obviously influence the rate constants of the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP. Brij35 micelles promote the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP, while CTAB micelles inhibit it. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 687–692, 2004     

Controlled ligand deprotonation in lanthanide chelates with asymmetric semicarbazone/benzoylhydrazone or semicarbazone/thiosemicarbazone coordination spheres

Asymmetric, potentially pentadentate ligands (H(2)L(3)) are formed by subsequent condensation of a semicarbazide and benzoylhydrazine on 2,6-diacetylpyridine. Two equivalents of H(2)L(3) reacts with CeCl(3).7H(2)O, Ce(SO(4))(2).4H(2)O, or EuCl(3).6H(2)O under formation of [Ln(III)(HL(3))(2)](+) cations (Ln = Ce, Eu) with exclusive deprotonation of the benzoylhydrazone ligand arms. The Ce(4+) ion of the sulfate salt is reduced during the reaction and forms 10-coordinate singly charged complex cations, the structure of which is identical to the product of the reaction of cerium(III) chloride. The exact position of deprotonation in the ligands is resolved by infrared spectroscopy, bond lengths considerations, and the hydrogen bonding in the solid-state structures of the products. A similar approach allows the synthesis of mixed semicarbazone/thiosemicarbazone ligands (H(2)L(4)). The reaction of H(2)L(4) with Sm(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O leads to the first structurally characterized lanthanide complex with thiosemicarbazone coordination. The solid-state structure of the 10-coordinate complex [Sm(HL(4))(2)]NO(3).H(2)O shows exclusive deprotonation of the thiosemicarbazone arms of the ligands. All isolated complexes are air stable and do not undergo ligand exchange reactions or hydrolysis in the presence of water.     

Utilization of hydrogen bonds to stabilize M-O(H) units: synthesis and properties of monomeric iron and manganese complexes with terminal oxo and hydroxo ligands

Non-heme iron and manganese species with terminal oxo ligands are proposed to be key intermediates in a variety of biological and synthetic systems; however, the stabilization of these types of complexes has proven difficult because of the tendency to form oxo-bridged complexes. Described herein are the design, isolation, and properties for a series of mononuclear Fe(III) and Mn(III) complexes with terminal oxo or hydroxo ligands. Isolation of the complexes was facilitated by the tripodal ligand tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethyl]aminato ([H(3)1](3-)), which creates a protective hydrogen bond cavity around the M(III)-O(H) units (M(III) = Fe and Mn). The M(III)-O(H) complexes are prepared by the activation of dioxygen and deprotonation of water. In addition, the M(III)-O(H) complexes can be synthesized using oxygen atom transfer reagents such as N-oxides and hydroxylamines. The [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complex also can be made using sulfoxides. These findings support the proposal of a high valent M(IV)-oxo species as an intermediate during dioxygen cleavage. Isotopic labeling studies show that oxo ligands in the [M(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complexes come directly from the cleavage of dioxygen: for [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) the nu(Fe-(16)O) = 671 cm(-1), which shifts 26 cm(-1) in [Fe(III)H(3)1((18)O)](2-) (nu(Fe-(18)O) = 645 cm(-1)); a nu(Mn-(16)O) = 700 cm(-1) was observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1((16)O)](2-), which shifts to 672 cm(-1) in the Mn-(18)O isotopomer. X-ray diffraction studies show that the Fe-O distance is 1.813(3) A in [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-), while a longer bond is found in [Fe(III)H(3)1(OH)](-) (Fe-O at 1.926(2) A); a similar trend was found for the Mn(III)-O(H) complexes, where a Mn-O distance of 1.771(5) A is observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and 1.873(2) A for [Mn(III)H(3)1(OH)](-). Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the urea NH groups of [H(3)1](3-) and the oxo and oxygen of the hydroxo ligand are observed in all the complexes. These findings, along with density functional theory calculations, indicate that a single sigma-bond exists between the M(III) centers and the oxo ligands, and additional interactions to the oxo ligands arise from intramolecular H-bonds, which illustrates that noncovalent interactions may replace pi-bonds in stabilizing oxometal complexes.     

Phosphate Diester Cleavage Promoted by the Metallomicelles of Ce(III) Complexes of Aza-Crown Ether with Different Numbers of Nitrogen Atoms

The design of artificial hydrolase has attracted extensive attention due to their scientific significance and potential application in the field of gene medicine and molecular biology. This work reports the catalytic activation of two aza-crown ether Ce(III) complexes and their metallomicelles as artificial hydrolase in bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate ester (BNPP) hydrolysis. The chemical composition of two complexes was determined by the fluorescence spectra and the mole ratio method for electronic absorption spectra. The bonding effect of BNPP and solubilizing effect of the complexes were proved by a method of fluorescence spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of different catalytic systems in BNPP hydrolysis was measured with UV-vis spectrophotometric method. These catalytic systems showed high catalytic activity for promoting BNPP hydrolysis at the almost physiological conditions. BNPP hydrolysis rate in these catalytic system is about 10⁷- to 10⁹-fold faster than that of the BNPP spontaneous hydrolysis in aqueous solution at the same conditions. The metallomicelle systems exhibited higher catalytic activity compared with the complex solution systems in BNPP hydrolysis, and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide micelle provides a useful catalytic environment for reaction. The acid effect of the catalytic system is ascribed to the formation of metal-bound hydroxide serving as a better kind of nucleophile.