Oxygen evolution catalysis by a dimanganese complex and its relation to photosynthetic water oxidation

[Mn2(III/IV)(mu-O) 2(terpy)2(OH 2)2](NO3)3 (1, where terpy = 2,2':6'2'-terpyridine) acts as a water-oxidation catalyst with HSO5(-) as the primary oxidant in aqueous solution and, thus, provides a model system for the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (Limburg, J.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 423-430). The majority of the starting [Mn2(III/IV)(mu-O)2](3+) complex is converted to the[Mn2(IV/IV)(mu-O)2](4+) form (2) during this reaction (Chen, H.; et al. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 34-43). Here, we have used stopped-flow UV-visible spectroscopy to monitor UV-visible absorbance changes accompanying the conversion of 1 to 2 by HSO5(-). With excess HSO5(-), the rate of absorbance change was found to be first-order in [1] and nearly zero-order in [HSO5(-)]. At relatively low [HSO5(-)], the change of absorbance with time is distinctly biphasic. The observed concentration dependences are interpreted in terms of a model involving the two-electron oxidation of 1 by HSO5(-), followed by the rapid reaction of the two-electron-oxidized intermediate with another molecule of 1 to give two molecules of 2. In order to rationalize biphasic behavior at low [HSO5(-)], we propose a difference in reactivity of the [Mn2(III/)(IV)(mu-O)2](3+) complex upon binding of HSO5(-) to the Mn(III) site as compared to the reactivity upon binding HSO5(-) to the Mn(IV) site. The kinetic distinctness of the Mn(III) and Mn(IV) sites allows us to estimate upper limits for the rates of intramolecular electron transfer and terminal ligand exchange between these sites. The proposed mechanism leads to insights on the optimization of 1 as a water-oxidation catalyst. The rates of terminal ligand exchange and electron transfer between oxo-bridged Mn atoms in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II are discussed in light of these results.     

Small molecule-dependent genetic selection in stochastic nanodroplets as a means of detecting protein-ligand interactions on a large scale

Background: Understanding the cellular role of a protein often requires a means of altering its function, most commonly by mutating the gene encoding the protein. Alternatively, protein function can be altered directly using a small molecule that binds to the protein, but no general method exists for the systematic discovery of small molecule ligands. Split-pool synthesis provides a means of synthesizing vast numbers of small molecules. Synthetic chemists will soon be able to synthesize natural product-like substances by this method, so compatible screening methods that detect the activity of minute quantities of molecules among many inactive ones will be in demand.Results: We describe two advances towards achieving the above goals. First, a technique is described that uses a simple spray gun to create 5000–8000 droplets randomly, each having a volume of 50–200 nanoliters. The individual ‘nanodroplets’ contain a controlled number of cells and many also contain individual synthesis beads. As small molecules can be photochemically released from the beads in a time-dependent manner, the concentration of ligands that the cells are exposed to can be controlled. The spatial segregation of nanodroplets prevents the mixing of compounds from other beads so the effects of each molecule can be assayed individually. Second, a small molecule-dependent genetic selection involving engineered budding yeast cells was used to detect intracellular protein-ligand interactions in nanodroplets.Conclusions: The technique described here should facilitate the discovery of new cell-permeable ligands, especially when combined with a positive selection assay that detects intracellular binding of small molecules to proteins. Using ‘anchored combinatorial libraries’, it may be possible to screen entire libraries of natural product-like molecules against the entire collection of proteins encoded within cDNA libraries in a single experiment.     

Abnormal ligand binding and reversible ring hydrogenation in the reaction of imidazolium salts with IrH(5)(PPh(3))(2)

We show that imidazolium salts do not always give normal or even aromatic carbenes on metalation, and the chemistry of these ligands can be much more complicated than previously thought. N,N'-disubstituted imidazolium salts of type [(2-py)(CH(2))(n)(C(3)H(3)N(2))R]BF(4) react with IrH(5)(PPh(3))(2) to give N,C-chelated products (n = 0, 1; 2-py = 2-pyridyl; C(3)H(3)N(2) = imidazolium; R = mesityl, n-butyl, i-propyl, methyl). Depending on the circumstances, three types of kinetic products can be formed: in one, the imidazole metalation site is the normal C2 as expected; in another, the metalation occurs at the abnormal C4 site; and in the third, C4 metalation is accompanied by hydrogenation of the imidazolium ring. The bonding mode is confirmed by structural studies, and spectroscopic criteria can also distinguish the cases. Initial hydrogen transfer can take place from the metal to the carbene to give the imidazolium ring hydrogenation product, as shown by isotope labeling; this hydrogen transfer proves reversible on reflux when the abnormal aromatic carbene is obtained as final product. Care may therefore be needed in the future in verifying the structure(s) formed in cases where a catalyst is generated in situ from imidazolium salt and metal precursor.     

η- and η-benzene coordination in [Ag(C6D6)3BF4]

The title complex with one η² and two η¹ deuterobenzene and one monodentate BF₄ ligands was isolated as a by-product in the reaction between [(dppe)RhCl]₂ and EtCl in C₆D₆, in the presence of AgBF₄ and its X-ray crystal structure determined.     

Microchemical detection of isocyanides

Microgram quantities of isocyanides may be easily detected on filter paper or in tubes of silica gel by using benzidine acetate-copper(II) acetate or p,p'-tetramethyldiaminodiphenylmethane-copper(II) sulphate reagents. Interferences include those substances which are known to interfere in the use of the same reagents for the detection of hydrogen cyanide. The lowest amount of n-, s-, or t-butyl isocyanide detectable is approximately 0.1 mug.