Synthesis and spectroscopy of micro-oxo (O(2)(-))-bridged heme/non-heme diiron complexes: models for the active site of nitric oxide reductase

In this paper, we describe the synthesis and study of a series of heme/non-heme Fe-O-Fe' complexes supported by a porphyrin and the tripodal nitrogen ligand TMPA [TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine]. The complete synthesis of [((6)L)Fe-O-Fe(X)](+) (1) (X = OMe(-) or Cl(-), 69:31 ratio), where (6)L is the dianion of 5-(o-O-[(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-(6-methoxyl)pyridinemethanamine)phenyl]-10,15,20-tris(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphine, is reported. The crystal structure for 1.PF(6) reveals an intramolecular heme/non-heme diferric complex bridged by an Fe-O-Fe' moiety; 90 degree angle (Fe-O-Fe') = 166.7(3) degrees, and d(Fe.Fe') = 3.556 A. Crystal data for C(70)H(57)ClF(12)Fe(2)N(8)O(3)P (1.PF(6)): triclinic, Ponemacr;, a = 13.185(3) A, b = 14.590 (3) A, c = 16.885(4) A, alpha = 104.219(4) degrees, beta = 91.572(4) degrees, gamma = 107.907(4) degrees, V = 2977.3(11) A(3), Z = 2, T = 150(2) K. Complex 1 (where X = Cl(-)) is further characterized by UV-vis (lambda(max) = 328, 416 (Soret), 569 nm), (1)H NMR (delta 27-24 [TMPA -CH(2)-], 16.1 [pyrrole-H], 15.2-10.5 [PY-3H, PY-5H], 7.9-7.2 [m- and p-phenyl-H], 6.9-5.8 [PY-4H] ppm), resonance Raman (nu(as)(Fe-O-Fe') 844 cm(-)(1)), and M?ssbauer (delta(Fe) = 0.47, 0.41 mm/s; deltaE(A) = 1.59, 0.55 mm/s; 80 K) spectroscopies, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (m/z 1202), and SQUID susceptometry (J = - 114.82 cm(-)(1), S = 0). We have also synthesized a series of 3-, 4-, and 5-methyl-substituted as well as selectively deuterated TMPA(Fe') complexes and condensed these with the hydroxo complex (F(8))FeOH or (F(8)-d(8))FeOH to yield "untethered" Fe-O-Fe' analogues. Along with selective deuteration of the methylene hydrogens in TMPA, complete (1)H NMR spectroscopic assignments for 1 have been accomplished. The magnetic properties of several of the untethered complexes and a comparison to those of 1 are also presented. Complex 1 and related species represent good structural and spectroscopic models for the heme/non-heme diiron active site in the enzyme nitric oxide reductase.     

Structural and electronic characterization of non-heme Fe(II)-nitrosyls as biomimetic models of the Fe(B) center of bacterial nitric oxide reductase

The detoxification of nitric oxide (NO) by bacterial NO reductase (NorBC) has gained much attention as this reaction provides a paradigm as to how NO can be detoxified anaerobically in cells. However, a clear mechanistic picture of how the heme/non-heme active site of NorBC activates NO is lacking, mostly as a result of insufficient knowledge about the properties of the non-heme iron(II)-NO adduct. Here we report the first biomimetic model complexes for this species that closely resemble the coordination environment found in the protein, using the ligands BMPA-Pr and TPA. The systematic investigation of these compounds allowed us to gain key insight into the electronic structure and geometric properties of high-spin non-heme iron(II)-NO adducts. In particular, we show how small changes in the ligand environment of iron could be used by NorBC to greatly modulate the properties, and hence, the reactivity of this species.     

Variable coordination geometries at the diiron(II) active site of ribonucleotide reductase R2

The R2 subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase contains a dinuclear iron center that generates a catalytically essential stable tyrosyl radical by one electron oxidation of a nearby tyrosine residue. After acquisition of Fe(II) ions by the apo protein, the resulting diiron(II) center reacts with O(2) to initiate formation of the radical. Knowledge of the structure of the reactant diiron(II) form of R2 is a prerequisite for a detailed understanding of the O(2) activation mechanism. Whereas kinetic and spectroscopic studies of the reaction have generally been conducted at pH 7.6 with reactant produced by the addition of Fe(II) ions to the apo protein, the available crystal structures of diferrous R2 have been obtained by chemical or photoreduction of the oxidized diiron(III) protein at pH 5-6. To address this discrepancy, we have generated the diiron(II) states of wildtype R2 (R2-wt), R2-D84E, and R2-D84E/W48F by infusion of Fe(II) ions into crystals of the apo proteins at neutral pH. The structures of diferrous R2-wt and R2-D48E determined from these crystals reveal diiron(II) centers with active site geometries that differ significantly from those observed in either chemically or photoreduced crystals. Structures of R2-wt and R2-D48E/W48F determined at both neutral and low pH are very similar, suggesting that the differences are not due solely to pH effects. The structures of these "ferrous soaked" forms are more consistent with circular dichroism (CD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopic data and provide alternate starting points for consideration of possible O(2) activation mechanisms.     

NO and O2 reactivities of synthetic functional models of nitric oxide reductase and cytochrome c oxidase

Though nitric oxide reductase (NOR) and cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) have similar active sites, they exhibit quite different functions. While NOR reduces NO to N(2)O, CcO reduces O(2) to H(2)O. Further, CcO is reversibly inhibited by NO, the substrate for NOR, and NOR is reversibly inhibited by O(2), which is the substrate for CcO. Over the past decade several structural and functional models of these enzymes have been reported. The mimics have been used to understand the reaction mechanism of these enzymes and develop structure function correlations for these active sites. This article summarizes these recent developments with particular stress on the reactivities of functional mimics of CcO with NO and functional mimics of NOR with O(2).     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of (mu-hydroxo or mu-oxo)(mu-peroxo)diiron(III) complexes: models for peroxo intermediates of non-heme diiron proteins

(mu-Hydroxo or oxo)(mu-1,2-peroxo)diiron(III) complexes having a tetradentate tripodal ligand (L) containing a carboxylate sidearm [Fe2(mu-OH or mu-O)(mu-O2)(L)2]n+ were synthesized as models for peroxo-intermediates of non-heme diiron proteins and characterized by various physicochemical measurements including X-ray analysis, which provide fundamental structural and spectroscopic insights into the peroxodiiron(III) complexes.     

Water affects the stereochemistry and dioxygen reactivity of carboxylate-rich diiron(II) models for the diiron centers in dioxygen-dependent non-heme enzymes

Carboxylate-bridged high-spin diiron(II) complexes with distinctive electronic transitions were prepared by using 4-cyanopyridine (4-NCC(5)H(4)N) ligands to shift the charge-transfer bands to the visible region of the absorption spectrum. This property facilitated quantitation of water-dependent equilibria in the carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (1), where (-)O(2)CAr(Tol) is 2,6-di-(p-tolyl)benzoate. Addition of water to 1 reversibly shifts two of the bridging carboxylate ligands to chelating terminal coordination positions, converting the structure from a paddlewheel to a windmill geometry and generating [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (3). This process is temperature dependent in solution, rendering the system thermochromic. Quantitative treatment of the temperature-dependent spectroscopic changes over the temperature range from 188 to 298 K in CH(2)Cl(2) afforded thermodynamic parameters for the interconversion of 1 and 3. Stopped flow kinetic studies revealed that water reacts with the diiron(II) center ca. 1000 time faster than dioxygen and that the water-containing diiron(II) complex reacts with dioxygen ca. 10 times faster than anhydrous analogue 1. Addition of {H(OEt(2))(2)}{B}, where B(-) is tetrakis(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, to 1 converts it to [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)](B) (5), which was also structurally characterized. Mossbauer spectroscopic investigations of solid samples of 1, 3, and 5, in conjunction with several literature values for high-spin iron(II) complexes in an oxygen-rich coordination environment, establish a correlation between isomer shift, coordination number, and N/O composition. The products of oxygenating 1 in CH(2)Cl(2) were identified crystallographically to be [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)].2(HO(2)CAr(Tol)) (6) and [Fe(6)(mu-O)(2)(mu-OH)(4)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(6)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(4)Cl(2)] (7).     

Nitric oxide reactivity of fluorophore coordinated carboxylate-bridged diiron(II) and dicobalt(II) complexes

The synthesis, structural characterization, and NO reactivity of carboxylate-bridged dimetallic complexes were investigated. The diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(Ds-pip)(2)] (1), where O(2)CAr(Tol) = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate and Ds-pip = dansyl-piperazine, was prepared and determined by X-ray crystallography to have a paddlewheel geometry. This complex reacts with NO within 1 min with a concomitant 4-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity ascribed to displacement of Ds-pip. Although the diiron complex reacts with NO, as revealed by infrared spectroscopic studies, its sensitivity to dioxygen renders it unsuitable as an atmospheric NO sensor. The air-stable dicobalt(II) analogue was also synthesized and its reactivity investigated. In solution, the dicobalt(II) complex exists as an equilibrium between paddlewheel [Co(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(Ds-pip)(2)] (2) and windmill [Co(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(Ds-pip)(2)] (3) geometric isomers. Conditions for crystallizing pure samples of each of these isomers are described. Reaction of 2 with excess NO proceeds by reductive nitrosylation giving [Co(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(NO)(4)] (5), which is accompanied by release of the Ds-pip fluorophore that is N-nitrosated in the process. This reaction affords an overall 9.6-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity, further demonstrating the potential utility of ligand dissociation as a strategy for designing fluorescence-based sensors to detect nitric oxide in a variety of contexts.     

Synthesis of nitric oxide reductase active site models bearing key components at both distal and proximal sites

Porphyrins 1ab and 2ab were successfully synthesized from cis-alpha2-bisimidazole-beta-imidazole-tail porphyrins and two newly synthesized imidazole pickets containing an aliphatic ester chain following a [2+1] approach. The four compounds possess a distal trisimidazole set, a distal carboxylic acid, and a proximal imidazole, which constitute all the key features of the coordination environment of the active site in Bacterial Nitric Oxide Reductase (NOR) and make them the closest synthetic NOR model ligands to date.     

Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of N-substituted diiron azadithiolates as active site models of Fe-only hydrogenases

As biomimetic models for the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases,six new N-substituted diiron azadithiolates (ADT) were prepared.Treatment of CH₂Cl₂ solutions of primary amines RNH₂ with paraformaldehyde followed by an excess of SOCl₂ gave N,N-bis(chloromethyl)amines RN(CH₂Cl)₂ (1,R = CH₂CO₂Et;2,C₆H₄C(O)Me-p;3,C₆H₄CO₂Me-p;4,C₆H₄SCN-p) in 30-90% yields.Further treatment of the chloromethylated amines 1-4 with (μ-LiS)₂Fe₂(CO)₆ in THF resulted in formation of the corresponding N-substituted ADT-type models [(μ-SCH₂)₂NR]Fe₂(CO)₆ (5,R = CH₂CO₂Et;6,C₆H₄C(O)Me-p;7,C₆H₄CO₂Me-p;8,C₆H₄SCN-p) in 24-75% yields.Also prepared were the N-substituted models [(μ-SCH₂)₂NC(O)CH₂C₁₀H₇-α]Fe₂(CO)₆ (9) and 1,4-[Fe₂(CO)₆(μ- SCH₂)₂NC(O)]₂C₆H₄ (10) by reaction of CH₂Cl₂ solutions of [(μ-SCH₂)₂NH]Fe₂(CO)₆ with α-C₁₀H₇CH₂COCl and 1,4-C₆H₄(COCl)₂ in 81% and 28% yields, respectively. All the new compounds 1-10 were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy, as well as for 5-7 and 9 by X-ray crystallography. The crystallographic studies indicated that the functionality of 5 attached to the bridged N atom lies in an equatorial position, whereas those of functionalities of 6, 7, and 9 are located in an axial position. This is presumably due to different electronic and steric effects between the N-substituted aliphatic and aromatic functionalities. More interestingly, model 7 has been found to be a catalyst for proton reduction in the presence of either strong acid CF₃CO₂H or weak acid HOAc under electrochemical conditions. In addition, two mechanisms ECCE and EECC are preliminarily suggested for such two electrocatalytic H₂ production processes, respectively.     

Functional mimic of dioxygen-activating centers in non-heme diiron enzymes: mechanistic implications of paramagnetic intermediates in the reactions between diiron(II) complexes and dioxygen

Two tetracarboxylate diiron(II) complexes, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(C(5)H(5)N)(2)] (1a) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (2a), where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate, react with O(2) in CH(2)Cl(2) at -78 degrees C to afford dark green intermediates 1b (lambda(max) congruent with 660 nm; epsilon = 1600 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 2b (lambda(max) congruent with 670 nm; epsilon = 1700 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. Upon warming to room temperature, the solutions turn yellow, ultimately converting to isolable diiron(III) compounds [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)L(2)] (L = C(5)H(5)N (1c), 4-(t)BuC(5)H(4)N (2c)). EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of equimolar amounts of valence-delocalized Fe(II)Fe(III) and valence-trapped Fe(III)Fe(IV) species as major components of solution 2b. The spectroscopic and reactivity properties of the Fe(III)Fe(IV) species are similar to those of the intermediate X in the RNR-R2 catalytic cycle. EPR kinetic studies revealed that the processes leading to the formation of these two distinctive paramagnetic components are coupled to one another. A mechanism for this reaction is proposed and compared with those of other synthetic and biological systems, in which electron transfer occurs from a low-valent starting material to putative high-valent dioxygen adduct(s).     

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

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

Thermal Decomposition of CF3C(O)O2NO2, CClF2C(O)O2NO2, CCl2FC(O)O2NO2, and CCl3C(O)O2NO2

Haloacetyl, peroxynitrates are intermediates in the atmospheric degradation of a number of haloethanes. In this work, thermal decomposition rate constants of CF₃C(O)O₂NO₂, CClF₂C(O)O₂NO₂, CCl₂FC(O)O₂NO₂, and CCl₃C(O)O₂NO₂ have been determined in a temperature controlled 420 l reaction chamber. Peroxynitrates (RO₂NO₂) were prepared in situ by photolysis of RH/Cl₂/O₂/NO₂/N₂ mixtures (R = CF₃CO, CClF₂CO, CCl₂FCO, and CCl₃CO). Thermal decomposition was initiated by addition of NO, and relative RO₂NO₂ concentrations were measured as a function of time by long-path IR absorption using an FTIR spectrometer. First-order decomposition rate constants were determined at atmospheric pressure (M = N₂) as a function of temperature and, in the case of CF₃C(O)O₂NO₂ and CCl₃C(O)O₂NO₂, also as a function of total pressure. Extrapolation of the measured rate constants to the temperatures and pressures of the upper troposphere yields thermal lifetimes of several thousands of years for all of these peroxynitrates. Thus, the chloro(fluoro)acetyl peroxynitrates may play a role as temporary reservoirs of Cl, their lifetimes in the upper troposphere being limited by their (unknown) photolysis rates. Results on the thermal decomposition of CClF₂CH₂O₂NO₂ and CCl₂FCH₂O₂NO₂ are also reported, showing that the atmospheric lifetimes of these peroxynitrates are very short in the lower troposphere and increase to a maximum of several days close to the tropopause. The ratio of the rate constants for the reactions of CF₃C(O)O₂ radicals with NO₂ and NO was determined to be 0.64 ± 0.13 (2σ) at 315 K and a total pressure of 1000 mbar (M = N₂). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis, structures and electrochemical properties of nitro- and amino-functionalized diiron azadithiolates as active site models of Fe-only hydrogenases

Complex [[(mu-SCH2)2N(4-NO2C6H4)]Fe2(CO)6] (4) was prepared by the reaction of the dianionic intermediate [(mu-S)2Fe2(CO)6](2-) and N,N-bis(chloromethyl)-4-nitroaniline as a biomimetic model of the active site of Fe-only hydrogenase. The reduction of 4 by Pd-C/H2 under a neutral condition afforded complex [[(mu-SCH2)2N(4-NH2C6H4)]Fe2(CO)6] (5) in 67 % yield. Both complexes were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry. The molecular structure of 4, as determined by X-ray analysis, has a butterfly 2Fe2S core and the aryl group on the bridged-N atom slants to the Fe(2) site. Cyclic voltammograms of 4 and 5 were studied to evaluate their redox properties. It was found that complex 4 catalyzed electrochemical proton reduction in the presence of acetic acid. A plausible mechanism of the electrocatalytic proton reduction is discussed.     

Modeling features of the non-heme diiron cores in O2-activating enzymes through the synthesis, characterization, and oxidation of 1,8-naphthyridine-based complexes

Multidentate naphthyridine-based ligands were used to prepare a series of diiron(II) complexes. The compound [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-O(2)CPh)(2)](OTf)(2) (1), where BPMAN = 2,7-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-1,8-naphthyridine, exhibits two reversible oxidation waves with E(1/2) values at +310 and +733 mV vs Cp(2)Fe(+)/Cp(2)Fe, as revealed by cyclic voltammetry. Reaction with O(2) or H(2)O(2) affords a product with optical and M?ssbauer properties that are characteristic of a (mu-oxo)diiron(III) species. The complexes [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-OH)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))](OTf)(2) (2) and [Fe(2)(BPMAN)(mu-OMe)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))](OTf)(2) (3) were synthesized, where Ar(Tol)CO(2)(-) is the sterically hindered ligand 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate. Compound 2 has a reversible redox wave at +11 mV, and both 2 and 3 react with O(2), via a mixed-valent Fe(II)Fe(III) intermediate, to give final products that are also consistent with (mu-oxo)diiron(III) species. The paddle-wheel compound [Fe(2)(BBAN)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)](OTf) (4), where BBAN = 2,7-bis(N,N-dibenzylaminomethyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, reacts with dioxygen to yield benzaldehyde via oxidative N-dealkylation of a benzyl group on BBAN, an internal substrate. In the presence of bis(4-methylbenzyl)amine, the reaction also produces p-tolualdehyde, revealing oxidation of an external substrate. A structurally related compound, [Fe(2)(BEAN)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)](OTf) (5), where BEAN = 2,7-bis(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, does not undergo N-dealkylation, nor does it facilitate the oxidation of bis(4-methylbenzyl)amine. The contrast in reactivity of 4 and 5 is attributed to a difference in accessibility of the substrate to the diiron centers of the two compounds. The M?ssbauer spectroscopic properties of the diiron(II) complexes were also investigated.     

Reaction of (mu-oxo)diiron(III) core with CO2 in N-methylimidazole: formation of mono(mu-carboxylato)(mu-oxo)diiron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole as ligands

Several iron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) as the ligand have been synthesized by using N-MeIm as the solvent. Under anaerobic conditions, [Fe(N-MeIm)(6)](ClO(4))(3) (1) reacts with stoichiometric amounts of water in N-MeIm to afford the (mu-oxo)diiron(III) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O)(N-MeIm)(10)](ClO(4))(4) (3). Exposure of a solution of 3 in N-MeIm to stoichiometric and excess CO(2) gives rise to the (mu-oxo)(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-HCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (4) and the methyl carbonate complex [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-CH(3)OCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (5), respectively. Formation of the formato-bridged complex 4 upon fixation of CO(2) by 3 in N-MeIm is unprecedentated. Methyl transfer from N-MeIm to a bicarbonato-bridged (mu-oxo)diiron(III) intermediate appears to give rise to 5. Complex 3 is a good starting material for the synthesis of (mu-oxo)mono(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (where R = H (4), CH(3) (6), or C(6)H(5) (7)); addition of the respective carboxylate ligand in stoichiometric amount to a solution of 3 in N-MeIm affords these complexes in high yields. Attempts to add a third bridge to complexes 4, 6, and 7 to form the (mu-oxo)bis(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species result in the isolation of the previously known triiron(III) mu-eta(3)-oxo clusters [[Fe(mu-RCO(2))(2)(N-MeIm)](3)O](ClO(4)) (8). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 allow one, for the first time, to inspect the various features of the [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))](3+) moiety with no strain from the ligand framework.     

A synthetic quest for tris(imidazolyl) carboxylates and their metal complexes: active site models for quercetin 2,3-dioxygenases and other non-heme redox metalloenzymes

Synthetic routes to tris(imidazolyl)carboxylate ligands and representative metal complexes are reported, which provide more accurate active site models for several classes of redox metalloenzymes. In the first route a hydroxypivalate ester is converted in four regioselective steps to an imidazole diester 4; this is then converted to tris(imidazolyl)carboxylic acid ligand 9, featuring regiospecific double addition of an N-protected lithio-imidazole to an imidazole diester 8. Ligand 9 forms a Co(III) complex, (9)(9-H)Co (10), characterized by X-ray diffraction, coordinated via two imidazole units and the carboxylate. A second route was developed, which provides more soluble ligands that are less prone to form oligomeric complexes. It utilizes addition of the Grignard reagent from 4-iodo-2-isopropylimidazole 12 to an imidazole diester 13, producing atropisomeric tris(imidazolyl)carbinol esters 15M. Treatment of 15M with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ gives a trinuclear complex 16 having alkoxide bridges between neighboring Cu atoms. A third route avoids the bridging alkoxo groups by reduction of tris(imidazolyl)carbinol 15M to the tris(imidazolyl)methane ester 17, which is hydrolyzed to the tris(imidazolyl)methane carboxylic acid 11a. This ligand reacts with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ to produce dinuclear complex [(11a-H)₂Cu₂](PF₆)₂ (18), whose X-ray crystal structure shows each copper in a distorted square pyramidal geometry with coordination to the three imidazoles and two bridging carboxylate oxygens. Complex 18 is geometrically similar to the active site copper in quercetin 2,3-dioxygenase.     

Binding Properties of CO,NO, and O2 to P450 Heme: a Density Functional Study

The structural and binding properties of diatomic molecules CO, NO and O2 to P450 heme were investigatedin two different models (labeled as M1 and M2) using density functional method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)level. The e?ects of the serine residue near diatomic molecules XO were considered in the model M2. Theresults show that the serine residue near the heme enforced the binding of XO to heme. Frequency analysisindicates that the stretching vibrational frequency decreased as CO, NO, and O2 complex with heme.