Synthesis,Redox and Spectroscopic Properties of Pterin of Molybdenum Cofactors

Pterins are bicyclic heterocycles that are found widely across Nature and are involved in a variety of biological functions. Notably, pterins are found at the core of molybdenum cofactor (Moco) containing enzymes in the molybdopterin (MPT) ligand that coordinates molybdenum and facilitates cofactor activity. Pterins are diverse and can be widely functionalized to tune their properties. Herein, the general methods of synthesis, redox and spectroscopic properties of pterin are discussed to provide more insight into pterin chemistry and their importance to biological systems.     

Geometrical control of the active site electronic structure of pyranopterin enzymes by metal-dithiolate folding: aldehyde oxidase

Density functional calculations on geometry-optimized oxidized (Mo(VI)) and reduced (Mo(IV)) analogues of the isolated active site of aldehyde oxidase (MOP), a member of the xanthine oxidase family of pyranopterindithiolate enzymes, show that fold angle changes of the dithiolate ligand modulate the relative metal and dithiolate contributions to the frontier redox orbitals. Proton abstraction from the equatorial aqua ligand of the oxidized Mo(VI) site also flattens the metal dithiolate fold angle. It is proposed that static and/or dynamic changes in the structure of the protein surrounding the active site can induce changes in the dithiolate fold angle and thereby provide a mechanism for electronic buffering of the redox orbital, for fine-tuning the nucleophilicity of the equatorial aqua/hydroxide ligand, and for modulating the electron-transfer regeneration of the active sites of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes via a "dithiolate folding effect".     

Multielectron donors based on TTF-phosphine and ferrocene-phosphine hybrid complexes of a hexarhenium(III) octahedral cluster core

Electroactive molecular materials precursors are obtained through coordination chemistry of the hexarhenium cluster core [Re(6)Se(8)](2+) on the six available apical positions with redox-active phosphines bearing tetrathiafulvalene- or ferrocene-based moieties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and electrospray mass spectrometry ascertain the synthesis of these hexasubstituted electroactive clusters, containing up to 12 redox active sites. Cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrate that these compounds can be reversibly oxidized at rather low potentials, thus allowing an easy access to the corresponding radical species which should provide new conducting and/or magnetic molecular materials.     

Characterization of a Novel Dioxomolybdenum Complex by Cyclic Voltammetry

Metalloenzymes that carry a pterin-based molybdenum cofactor in their center catalyze numerous reactions in the human body and play a crucial role in its metabolism. Specifically, these enzymes promote redox reactions and oxygen transport in the body. Their absence may cause many problems leading to disability or even death in early childhood. Therefore, model compounds need to be synthesized and analyzed to investigate the reactivity, redox potential, and geometry of these cofactors. This study focused on electrode processes and determined the redox potentials of the new bis-(4-mercapto-5-(p-tolyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione)-dioxomolybdenum complex by cyclic voltammetry. The 4-mercapto-5-(p-tolyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione ligand underwent irreversible oxidation and reduction at thiol and thione functional groups. The new dioxomolybdenum complex showed a quasi-reversible two-stage electrode process.     

Synthetic seleno-glutaredoxin 3 analogues are highly reducing oxidoreductases with enhanced catalytic efficiency

Selenoenzymes have a central role in maintaining cellular redox potential. These enzymes have selenenylsulfide bonds in their active sites that catalyze the reduction of peroxides, sulfoxides, and disulfides. The selenol/disufide exchange reaction is common to all of these enzymes, and the active site redox potential reflects the ratio between the forward and reverse rates of this reaction. The preparation of enzymes containing selenocysteine (Sec) is experimentally challenging. As a result, little is known about the kinetic role of selenols in enzyme active sites, and the redox potential of a selenenylsulfide or diselenide bond in a protein has not been experimentally determined. To fully evaluate the effects of Sec on oxidoreductase redox potential and kinetics, glutaredoxin 3 (Grx3) and all three Sec variants of its conserved (11)CXX(14)C active site were chemically synthesized. Grx3, Grx3(C11U), and Grx3(C14U) exhibited redox potentials of -194, -260, and -275 mV, respectively. The position of redox equilibrium between Grx3(C11U-C14U) (-309 mV) and thioredoxin (Trx) (-270 mV) suggests a possible role for diselenide bonds in biological systems. Kinetic analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that the lower redox potentials of the Sec variants result primarily from the greater nucleophilicity of the active site selenium rather than its role as either a leaving group or a "central atom" in the exchange reaction. The 10(2)-10(4)-fold increase in the rate of Trx reduction by the seleno-Grx3 analogues demonstrates that oxidoreductases containing either selenenyl-sulfide or diselenide bonds can have physiologically compatible redox potentials and enhanced reduction kinetics in comparison with their sulfide counterparts.     

Electrochemical properties of composite materials based on platinum modified with molybdenum compounds

The composite coating Pt-MoOx is produced by an electrochemical technique under potentiodynamic conditions on the surface of a preliminarily prepared electrode of glassy carbon. The inclusion of molybdenum into the composition of the obtained electrode deposit is confirmed by the data of cyclic voltammetry and the secondary-electron emission spectra. In the cyclic voltammograms that are obtained in a 2 M solution of sulfuric acid one can distinguish a pair of peaks at potentials equal to 0.46 V (anodic run) and 0.3 V (cathodic run), which are connected with the redox transitions experienced by molybdenum compounds. It is discovered that the obtained deposit possesses catalytic properties with respect to the oxygen reduction reaction. The number of electrons that are corresponding to the redox transitions experienced by molybdenum compounds is calculated. It amounts to 0.27 electrons per molybdenum atom.     

Function of Molybdenum Insertases

For most organisms molybdenum is essential for life as it is found in the active site of various vitally important molybdenum dependent enzymes (Mo-enzymes). Here, molybdenum is bound to a pterin derivative called molybdopterin (MPT), thus forming the molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Synthesis of Moco involves the consecutive action of numerous enzymatic reaction steps, whereby molybdenum insertases (Mo-insertases) catalyze the final maturation step, i.e., the metal insertion reaction yielding Moco. This final maturation step is subdivided into two partial reactions, each catalyzed by a distinctive Mo-insertase domain. Initially, MPT is adenylylated by the Mo-insertase G-domain, yielding MPT-AMP which is used as substrate by the E-domain. This domain catalyzes the insertion of molybdate into the MPT dithiolene moiety, leading to the formation of Moco-AMP. Finally, the Moco-AMP phosphoanhydride bond is cleaved by the E-domain to liberate Moco from its synthesizing enzyme. Thus formed, Moco is physiologically active and may be incorporated into the different Mo-enzymes or bind to carrier proteins instead.     

FORMATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLYION COMPLEXES FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DISPLAY MATERIAL

Formation of intermacromolecular complexes containing viologen and electron-transfer reaction occurred on the electrode modified by the complex films were studied. Compositions and morphology of the complexes depend on the properties of polyanion and chemical environment of complexation. The analytical results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk voltammetry(RDV) indicated: (1) active sites of viologen in network of complexes transferred single electron reversibly; (2) the redox peak currents showed excellent symmetry and stability; (3) redox potentials were related to properties of polyanions, varying from —0.4 to-0.6V (vs. SCE). Electrochromic materials with different displaying colors could be obtained by changing the structure of polyviologen.     

Spectroscopic studies of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes

Molybdenum and tungsten are the only second and third-row transition elements with a known function in living systems. Molybdenum fulfills functional roles in enzyme systems in almost all living creatures, from bacteria through plants to invertebrates and mammals, while tungsten takes the place of molybdenum in some prokaryotes, especially the hyperthermophilic archaea. The enzymes contain the metal bound by an unusual sulfur-containing cofactor. Despite possessing common structural elements, the enzymes are remarkable in the range of different chemical reactions that are catalyzed, although almost all are two-electron oxidation–reduction reactions in which an oxygen atom is transferred to or from the molybdenum. The functional roles filled by molybdenum enzymes are equally diverse; for example, they play essential roles in microbial respiration, in the uptake of nitrogen in green plants, in controlling insect eye color, and in human health. Spectroscopic studies, in particular electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, have played an essential role in our understanding of the active site structures and catalytic mechanisms of the molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. This review summarizes the role spectroscopy has played in the state of our knowledge of the molybdenum and tungsten enzymes, with particular regard to structural information on the molybdenum sites.     

A Bioinspired Molybdenum Complex as a Catalyst for the Photo‐ and Electroreduction of Protons

A molybdenum–dithiolene–oxo complex was prepared as a model of some active sites of Mo/W‐dependent enzymes. The ligand, a quinoxaline–pyran‐fused dithiolene, mimics molybdopterin present in these active sites. For the first time, this type of complex was shown to be active as a catalyst for the photoreduction of protons with excellent turnover numbers (500) and good stability in aqueous/organic media and for the electroreduction of protons in acetonitrile with remarkable rate constants (1030 s^?1 at ?1.3 V versus Ag/AgCl). DFT calculations provided insight into the catalytic cycle of the reaction, suggesting that the oxo ligand plays a key role in proton exchange. These results provide a basis to optimize this new class of H₂‐evolving catalysts.     

Tetrathiafulvalene hydrazone an efficient precursor of various chelating electroactive ligands

Novel bidentate electroactive ligands containing one or two tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) cores as redox active unit have been synthesized thanks to the condensation of various carbonyl derivatives with TTF hydrazone. The electron donating ability of these redox active ligands determined by cyclic voltammetry is described together with the investigations of their molecular structures by X-ray diffraction studies. The chelating ability of these ligands has been exemplified through the coordination to molybdenum carbonyl fragment or the complexation to difluoroboron moiety.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic characterization of the molybdenum site of Escherichia coli dimethyl sulfoxide reductase

Structural studies of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductases were hampered by modification of the active site during purification. We report an X-ray absorption spectroscopic analysis of the molybdenum active site of Escherichia coli DMSO reductase contained within its native membranes. The enzyme in these preparations is expected to be very close to the form found in vivo. The oxidized active site was found to have four Mo-S ligands at 2.43 A, one Mo=O at 1.71 A, and a longer Mo-O at 1.90 A. We conclude that the oxidized enzyme is a monooxomolybdenum(VI) species coordinated by two molybdopterin dithiolenes and a serine. The bond lengths determined for E. coli DMSO reductase are very similar to those determined for the well-characterized Rhodobacter sphaeroides DMSO reductase, suggesting similar active site structures for the two enzymes. Furthermore, our results suggest that the form found in vivo is the monooxobis(molybdopterin) species.     

Models for the Active Center of Pterin-Containing Molybdenum Enzymes: Crystal structure of a molybdenum complex with sulfur and pterin ligands

The first crystal structure of a molybdenum complex 9 with a hydrogenated pterin and a sulfur ligand contributes to the discussion about the active center of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes containing a molybdopterin cofactor. Complex 9 was synthesized through a redox reaction of [Mo^VIO₂ (LN-S₂)] ( 8 ; LN-S₂ = pyridine-2, 6-bis(methanethiolato)) with 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydropterin ( 7 ). 2 HCl (H₄Ptr.2 HCl). The complex crystallizes, with a non-coordinating Cl-atom acting as a counterion, in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with cell dimensions a = 22.900(5), b = 10.716(2), c = 17.551(4) Å, β = 120.36(3)°, and Z = 8. We interpret 9 as [Mo^IVO(LN-S₂)(H⁺-q-H₂Ptr)]Cl (q = quinonoid; H₂Ptr = dihydropterin), i.e., a Mo^IV monooxo center coordinated by a pyridine-2, 6-bis(methanethiolato) ligand and a protonated dihydropterin. The spectroscopic properties of this new complex are comparable to those of other crystalline molybdenum complexes of hydrogenated pterins without additional S-coordination. The slightly H₂O-soluble complex 9 reacts with the natural enzyme substrate DMSO very slowly, possibly due to the lack of easily dissociable ligands at the metal center.     

Inspired by Nature—Functional Analogues of Molybdenum and Tungsten-Dependent Oxidoreductases

Throughout the previous ten years many scientists took inspiration from natural molybdenum and tungsten-dependent oxidoreductases to build functional active site analogues. These studies not only led to an ever more detailed mechanistic understanding of the biological template, but also paved the way to atypical selectivity and activity, such as catalytic hydrogen evolution. This review is aimed at representing the last decade’s progress in the research of and with molybdenum and tungsten functional model compounds. The portrayed systems, organized according to their ability to facilitate typical and artificial enzyme reactions, comprise complexes with non-innocent dithiolene ligands, resembling molybdopterin, as well as entirely non-natural nitrogen, oxygen, and/or sulfur bearing chelating donor ligands. All model compounds receive individual attention, highlighting the specific novelty that each provides for our understanding of the enzymatic mechanisms, such as oxygen atom transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer, or that each presents for exploiting new and useful catalytic capability. Overall, a shift in the application of these model compounds towards uncommon reactions is noted, the latter are comprehensively discussed.     

Dioxotungsten 1,2-benzenedithiolate complex stabilized by NH...S hydrogen bonds

Novel dioxo-tungsten(VI) bis(1,2-benzenedithiolate) complexes with neighboring amide groups, as models for tungsten enzymes, (NEt4)2[W(VI)O2{1,2-S(2)-3,6-(RCONH)2C6H2}2] (R = CH3, t-Bu), were designed and synthesized. The presence of the NH...S hydrogen bond was confirmed through IR spectrometry and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the W(VI)O2 complexes, the NH...S hydrogen bond trans to the oxo ligand is stronger than that cis to oxo. On the basis of comparisons with [W(VI)O2(1,2-S2C6H4)2](2-), the NH...S hydrogen bond positively shifted the W(VI)/W(V) redox potentials and depressed the reduction by benzoin or triphenylphosphine. These results suggest that the NH...S hydrogen bond stabilizes the oxo ligand through trans influence and regulates O-atom transfer in tungsten and molybdenum enzymes.     

Electrodeposition of tungsten and molybdenum metals and their carbides from low-temperature halide-oxide melts

The electrodeposition of tungsten and molybdenum metals and their carbides from the halide-oxide melts at a temperature of 550°C is studied using cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrolyses. The conditions of concurrent electroreduction of fluoroxide complexes of tungsten and molybdenum with carbon dioxide and also with nickel and cobalt ions in the halide-oxide melts at 550°C are found. The optimal conditions for the production of tungsten and molybdenum metals, tungsten (molybdenum) carbides, and binary carbides of tungsten with nickel (cobalt) from the oxide-halide melts are determined.     

四核钼簇合物Mo_4S_4（μ－OAc）_2（dtp）_4在一些非水溶剂中的电化

利用循环伏安法测定了四核钼簇合物Ｍｏ_４Ｓ_４（μ－ＯＡｃ）_２（ｄｔｐ）_４在ＣＨ_３ＣＮ，ＤＭＦ，ＤＭＳＯ等溶剂中的氧化还原半波电位（Ｅ_（１／２）），对其氧化还原峰进行了归属，结果表明在ＣＨ_３ＣＮ中存在一个单电子的氧化过程和二个单电子的还原过程，而在ＤＭＦ和ＤＭＳＯ中只存在二个单电子的还原过程。同时还探讨了溶剂的ＤＮ数对该簇合物电化学性质的影响。     

Bioinorganic chemistry of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes: A structural–functional modeling approach

Chemical approaches toward the bioinorganic chemistry of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes had been either biomimetic (structural modeling) or bioinspired (functional modeling). Among the dithiolene type of ligands, bdt (1,2-benzene dithiolate) and related aromatic molecules as model ene–dithiolene ligands were used to react with pre-designed molybdenum complexes in organic solvents. Whereas in the alternative approach mnt (maleonitrile dithiolate) is used to mimic the ligand backbone of the central atom in the active sites of these enzymes using molybdate or tungstate as the metal source in water. Structural–functional models are known for some selected enzymes, namely, sulfite oxidase, aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase, tungsten formate dehydrogenase, acetylene hydratase, polysulfide reductase and dissimilatory nitrate reductase. The protocols and methodologies adopted to achieve these model systems compared with various other model systems described in this review give testimony to chemist's ability, through chemical manipulations, to achieve the model systems which may potentially serve as structural–functional mimics of natural enzyme systems.     

Cyanide-melt synthesis of reduced molybdenum selenide clusters

The tightly cross-linked Mo(3n)Se(3n+2) (n = 2, 3,... infinity) cluster compounds react with alkali metal cyanide or cyanide salt mixtures at temperatures of 450-675 degrees C to yield cyanide-terminated molybdenum chalcogenide clusters, [Mo6Se8(CN)6]n- (1n-) (n = 6, 7) and [Mo4Se4(CN)12](8-) (2(8-)). The process by which discrete 1(n-) clusters are excised from a CN-linked intermediate chain compound, K6Mo6Se8(CN)5 (3), was investigated, and the cubane cluster 2(7-) plays an essential role. An efficient one-step synthesis for Na8[2(8-)] is presented. These clusters are stable in basic aqueous solutions. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements in basic aqueous media show multiple reversible redox waves corresponding to 1(6-/7-), 1(7-/8-), and 1(8-/9-) redox couples with half-wave potentials of E(1/2) = -0.442, -0.876, and -1.369 V, respectively, versus SHE. Half-wave potentials (E(1/2)) for the [Mo4Se4)(CN)12](6-/7-) and [Mo4Se4(CN)12](7-/8-) couples are 0.233 and -0.422 V, respectively, versus SHE. The 2(8-) compounds are K7Na[2(8-)].5H2O.MeOH, Cs7Na4[2(8-)]Cl3, Na8[2(8-)], and K4Na4[2(8-)].12H2O. The products were characterized by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Reduction potentials measured by voltammetry are consistent with conditions needed for isolating reduced species on a preparative scale but are much more negative than previously reported values. Na8[1(8-)].20H(2)O was isolated by reduction of 1(7-) with Zn in aqueous NaCN solution. Reduction potentials measured in basic NaCN solutions of 2(8-) also differ widely from previous reported values.     

Electrochemical studies of verdazyl radicals

The redox properties of verdazyl radicals are presented using cyclic voltammetry techniques. These radicals can be reversibly reduced as well as oxidized. Electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents have significant effects on the oxidation and reduction potentials as well as the cell potential (E(cell) = | E(ox) degrees - E(red) degrees |) for these radicals; a correlation between the electron spin distribution and redox properties is developed.