Modeling Biological Copper Clusters: Synthesis of a Tricopper Complex, and Its Chloride- and Sulfide-Bridged Congeners

Supramolecular and molecular capsules, cages and containers

Stemming from early seminal notions of molecular recognition and encapsulation, three-dimensional, cavity-containing capsular compounds and assemblies have attracted intense interest due to the ability to modulate chemical and physical properties of species encapsulated within these confined spaces compared to bulk environments. With such a diverse range of covalent motifs and non-covalent (supramolecular) interactions available to assemble building blocks, an incredibly wide-range of capsular-type architectures have been developed. Furthermore, synthetic tunability of the internal environments gives chemists the opportunity to engineer systems for uses in sensing, sequestration, catalysis and transport of molecules, just to name a few. In this tutorial review, an overview is provided into the design principles, synthesis, characterisation, structural facets and properties of coordination cages, porous organic cages, supramolecular capsules, foldamers and mechanically interlocked molecules. Using seminal and recent examples, the advantages and limitations of each system are explored, highlighting their application in various tasks and functions.

Controlling the Size of Molecular Copper Clusters Supported by a Multinucleating Macrocycle

The use of a nonrigid, pyridyldialdimine-derived macrocyclic ligand (3PDAI2) enabled the synthesis of well-defined mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-nuclear Cu(I) complexes in good yields through rational synthetic means. Starting from mono- and diargentous 3PDAI2 complexes, transmetalation to Cu(I) proceeded smoothly with formation of AgX (X = Cl, I) salts to generate mono-, di-, and trinuclear copper complexes. Monodentate supporting ligands (MeCN, xylNC, PMe3, PPh3) were found to either transmetallate with or bind various di- and trinuclear clusters. The solution-phase dynamic behaviors of these species were studied through NMR spectroscopic investigations, and an in-depth study of the trinuclear systems revealed a rate dependence on the identity of the supporting ligand, indicating that ligand dissociation reactions were involved in the dynamic exchange processes. Synthetic investigations further found methods for the purposeful interconversion between the di- and trinuclear systems as well as the synthesis of a pseudotetrahedral tetracopper complex with two μ-Ph supporting ligands.

Ligand Noninnocence in β-Diketiminate and β-Diketimine Copper Complexes

Metal-ligand cooperative systems have a long precedent in catalysis, with the classification depending on the site of substrate bond cleavage and formation and on redox state changes. Recently, our group reported the participation of a β-diketiminate ligand in chemical bonding to heterocumulenes such as CO2 and CS2 by tricopper complexes, leading to cooperative catalysis. Herein, we report the reactivity of these copper clusters, [Cu3EL]- (E = S, Se; L = tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane ligand), toward other electrophiles, viz. alkyl halides and Brønsted acids. We identified a family of ligand-functionalized complexes, Cu3EL (R) (R = primary alkyls), and a series of disubstituted products, Cu3EL (R)2, through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and infrared and UV-visible spectroscopy. As part of mechanistic studies on these alkylation reactions, we evaluated the acid-base reactivity of these complexes and the influence of the backbone substitution on the reduction potential. Implications of these findings for ligand noninnocence and the relevance of the metal core as a cofactor for the ligand's reactivity are discussed.

Metal-Tuned Ligand Reactivity Enables CX2 (X = O, S) Homocoupling with Spectator Cu Centers

Ligand non-innocence is ubiquitous in catalysis with ligands in synthetic complexes contributing as electron reservoirs or co-sites for substrate activation. The latter chemical non-innocence is manifested in H+ storage or relay at sites beyond the metal primary coordination sphere. Reaction of a competent CO2-to-oxalate reduction catalyst, namely, [K(THF)3](Cu3SL), where L3- is a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane, with CS2 affords tetrathiooxalate at long reaction times or at high CS2 concentrations, where otherwise an equilibrium is established between the starting species and a complex-CS2 adduct in which the CS2 is bound to the C atom on the ligand backbone. X-ray diffraction analysis of this adduct reveals no apparent metal participation, suggesting an entirely ligand-based reaction controlled by the charge state of the cluster. Thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the aforementioned Cligand-CS2 bond were experimentally determined, and trends with cation Lewis acidity were studied, where more acidic cations shift the equilibrium toward the adduct. Relevance of such an adduct in the reduction of CO2 to oxalate by this complex is supported by DFT studies, similar effects of countercation Lewis acidity on product formation, and the homocoupled heterocumulene product speciation as determined by isotopic labeling studies. Taken together, this system extends chemical non-innocence beyond H+ to effect catalytic transformations involving C-C bond formation and represents the rarest example of metal-ligand cooperativity, that is, spectator metal ion(s) and the ligand as the reaction center.

Structure-directing role of CH⋯X (X = C, N, S, Cl) interactions in three ionic cobalt complexes: X-ray investigation and DFT study using QTAIM Vr predictor to eliminate the effect of pure Coulombic forces

Three cobalt complexes, namely [CoIII(HL1)2(N3)2]ClO4 (1), [CoIII(L2)(HL2)(N3)]ClO4·1.5H2O (2), and [CoIII(L3)(HL3)(NCS)]2 [CoIICl2(NCS)2] (3), where HL1 = 2-(3-(dimethylamino)propyliminomethyl)-6-methoxyphenol, HL2 = 2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyliminomethyl)-4,6-dichlorophenol, and HL3 = 2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyliminomethyl)-6-methoxyphenol, as potential tridentate N2O-donor Schiff base ligands, were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All three were found to be monomeric ionic complexes. Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, whereas both complexes 2 and 3 crystallize in triclinic space groups, P1̄. Further, 1 and 2 are cationic complexes of octahedral cobalt(iii) with perchlorate anions, whereas complex 3 contains a cationic part of octahedral cobalt(iii) and an anionic part of tetrahedral cobalt(ii). Hydrogen-bonding interactions involving aromatic and aliphatic CH bonds as H-bond donors and the pseudo-halide co-ligands as H-bond acceptors were established, which are important aspects governing the X-ray packing. These interactions were analyzed theoretically using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and non-covalent interaction plot (NCI plot) analyses. Moreover, energy decomposition analysis (EDA) was performed to analyze the stabilization of the complexes in terms of the electrostatic, dispersion, and correlation forces.

Metal Site-Specific Electrostatic Field Effects on a Tricopper(I) Cluster Probed by Resonant Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure (DAFS)

Studies of multinuclear metal complexes are greatly enhanced by resonant diffraction measurements, which probe X-ray absorption profiles of crystallographically independent metal sites within a cluster. In particular, X-ray diffraction anomalous fine structure (DAFS) analysis provides data that can be interpreted akin to site-specific XANES, allowing for differences in metal K-edge resonances to be deconvoluted even for different metal sites within a homometallic system. Despite the prevalence of Cu-containing clusters in biology and energy science, DAFS has yet to be used to analyze multicopper complexes of any type until now. Here, we report an evaluation of trends using a series of strategically chosen Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes to determine how energy dependencies of anomalous scattering factors are impacted by coordination geometry, ligand shell, cluster nuclearity, and oxidation state. This calibration data is used to analyze a formally tricopper(I) complex that was found by DAFS to be site-differentiated due to the unsymmetrical influence on different Cu sites of the electrostatic field from a proximal K+ cation.

Cu4S Cluster in "0-Hole" and "1-Hole" States: Geometric and Electronic Structure Variations for the Active CuZ* Site of N2O Reductase

The active site of nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR), a key enzyme in denitrification, features a unique μ4-sulfido-bridged tetranuclear Cu cluster (the so-called CuZ or CuZ* site). Details of the catalytic mechanism have remained under debate and, to date, synthetic model complexes of the CuZ*/CuZ sites are extremely rare due to the difficulty in building the unique {Cu4(μ4-S)} core structure. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of [Cu4(μ4-S)]n+ (n = 2, 2; n = 3, 3) clusters, supported by a macrocyclic {py2NHC4} ligand (py = pyridine, NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene), in both their 0-hole (2) and 1-hole (3) states, thus mimicking the two active states of the CuZ* site during enzymatic N2O reduction. Structural and electronic properties of these {Cu4(μ4-S)} clusters are elucidated by employing multiple methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV/vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Cu/S K-edge X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in combination with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. A significant geometry change of the {Cu4(μ4-S)} core occurs upon oxidation from 2 (τ4(S) = 0.46, seesaw) to 3 (τ4(S) = 0.03, square planar), which has not been observed so far for the biological CuZ(*) site and is unprecedented for known model complexes. The single electron of the 1-hole species 3 is predominantly delocalized over two opposite Cu ions via the central S atom, mediated by a π/π superexchange pathway. Cu K-edge XAS and Cu/S K-edge XES corroborate a mixed Cu/S-based oxidation event in which the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) has a significant S-character. Furthermore, preliminary reactivity studies evidence a nucleophilic character of the central μ4-S in the fully reduced 0-hole state.

Sulfur-Containing Analogues of the Reactive [CuOH]2+ Core

With the aim of drawing comparisons to the highly reactive complex LCuOH (L = bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylcarboxamido)pyridine), the complexes [Bu₄N][LCuSR] (R = H or Ph) were prepared, characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and oxidized at low temperature to generate the species assigned as LCuSR on the basis of spectroscopy and theory. Consistent with the smaller electronegativity of S versus O, redox potentials for the LCuSR^-/0 couples were ∼50 mV lower than for LCuOH^-/0, and the rates of the proton-coupled electron transfer reactions of LCuSR with anhydrous 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine at -80 °C were significantly slower (by more than 100 times) than the same reaction of LCuOH. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations on LCuZ (Z = OH, SH, SPh) revealed subtle differences in structural and UV-visible parameters. Further comparison to complexes with Z = F, Cl, and Br using complete active space (CAS) self-consistent field and localized orbital CAS configuration interaction calculations along with a valence-bond-like interpretation of the wave functions showed differences with previously reported results ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 8514), and argue for a consistent electronic structure across the entire series of complexes, rather than a change in the nature of the ligand field arrangement for Z = F.

Tuning metal-metal interactions for cooperative small molecule activation

Cluster complexes have attracted interest for decades due to their promise of drawing analogies to metallic surfaces and metalloenzyme active sites, but only recently have chemists started to develop ligand scaffolds that are specifically designed to support multinuclear transition metal cores. Such ligands not only hold multiple metal centers in close proximity but also allow for fine-tuning of their electronic structures and surrounding steric environments. This Feature Article highlights ligand designs that allow for cooperative small molecule activation at cluster complexes, with a particular focus on complexes that contain metal-metal bonds. Two useful ligand-design elements have emerged from this work: a degree of geometric flexibility, which allows for novel small molecule activation modes, and the use of redox-active ligands to provide electronic flexibility to the cluster core. The authors have incorporated these factors into a unique class of dinucleating macrocycles (nPDI2). Redox-active fragments in nPDI2 mimic the weak-overlap covalent bonding that is characteristic of M-M interactions, and aliphatic linkers in the ligand backbone provide geometric flexibility, allowing for interconversion between a range of geometries as the dinuclear core responds to the requirements of various small molecule substrates. The union of these design elements appears to be a powerful combination for analogizing critical aspects of heterogeneous and metalloenzyme catalysts.

Coordination chemistry of the CuZ site in nitrous oxide reductase and its synthetic mimics

Atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) has garnered significant attention recently due to its dual roles as an ozone depletion agent and a potent greenhouse gas. Anthropogenic N2O emissions occur primarily through agricultural disruption of nitrogen homeostasis causing N2O to build up in the atmosphere. The enzyme responsible for N2O fixation within the geochemical nitrogen cycle is nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR), which catalyzes 2H+/2e- reduction of N2O to N2 and H2O at a tetranuclear active site, CuZ. In this review, the coordination chemistry of CuZ is reviewed. Recent advances in the understanding of biological CuZ coordination chemistry is discussed, as are significant breakthroughs in synthetic modeling of CuZ that have emerged in recent years. The latter topic includes both structurally faithful, synthetic [Cu4(µ4-S)] clusters that are able to reduce N2O, as well as dicopper motifs that shed light on reaction pathways available to the critical CuI-CuIV cluster edge of CuZ. Collectively, these advances in metalloenzyme studies and synthetic model systems provide meaningful knowledge about the physiologically relevant coordination chemistry of CuZ but also open new questions that will pose challenges in the near future.

Low-Symmetry β-Diketimine Aryloxide Rare-Earth Complexes: Flexible, Reactive, and Selective

We report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a new low-symmetry β-diketimine featuring a pendant amino(methyl)phenol donor and its corresponding heteroleptic rare-earth (RE) complexes. This includes the first structurally characterized examples of alcoholysis and insertion from an isolated RE^III amide in a β-diketimine framework. The flexible methylene linkage leads to RE^III complexes with tunable dynamic solution behavior that defines their stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity. The addition of a strong neutral donor ligand, tricyclohexylphosphine oxide, suppresses a prevalent catalyst degradation pathway (base-promoted elimination) and dramatically enhances the catalyst performance in the stereospecific ring-opening polymerization of rac-β-butyrolactone. Our results further demonstrate the importance of ligand reorganization in the stoichiometric and catalytic activity of RE^III ions.

Impact of Electronic and Steric Changes of Ligands on the Assembly, Stability, and Redox Activity of Cu4(μ4-S) Model Compounds of the CuZ Active Site of Nitrous Oxide Reductase (N2OR)

Model compounds have been widely utilized in understanding the structure and function of the unusual Cu₄(μ₄-S) active site (Cu_Z) of nitrous oxide reductase (N₂OR). However, only a limited number of model compounds that mimic both structural and functional features of Cu_Z are available, limiting insights about Cu_Z that can be gained from model studies. Our aim has been to construct Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters with tailored redox activity and chemical reactivity via modulating the ligand environment. Our synthetic approach uses dicopper(I) precursor complexes (Cu₂L₂) that assemble into a Cu₄(μ₄-S)L₄ cluster with the addition of an appropriate sulfur source. Here, we summarize the features of the ligands L that stabilize precursor and Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters, along with the alternative products that form with inappropriate ligands. The precursors are more likely to rearrange to Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters when the Cu(I) ions are supported by bidentate ligands with 3-atom bridges, but steric and electronic features of the ligand also play crucial roles. Neutral phosphine donors have been found to stabilize Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters in the 4Cu(I) oxidation state, while neutral nitrogen donors could not stabilize Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters. Anionic formamidinate ligands have been found to stabilize Cu₄(μ₄-S) clusters in the 2Cu(I):2Cu(II) and 3Cu(I):1Cu(II) states, with both the formation of the dicopper(I) precursors and subsequent assembly of clusters being governed by the steric factor at the ortho positions of the N-aryl substituents. Phosphaamidinates, which combine a neutral phosphine donor and an anionic nitrogen donor in the same ligand, form multinuclear Cu(I) clusters unless the negative charge is valence-trapped on nitrogen, in which case the resulting dicopper precursor is unable to rearrange to a multinuclear cluster. Taken together, the results presented in this study provide design criteria for successful assembly of synthetic model clusters for the Cu_Z active site of N₂OR, which should enable future insights into the chemical behavior of Cu_Z.

The usefulness of energy decomposition schemes to rationalize host–guest interactions

The findings reported here reveal the robustness and practical application of EDA-NOCV in rationalizing molecular recognition situations in host–guest systems.

Cyclophanes as Platforms for Reactive Multimetallic Complexes

Multimetallic cofactors supported by weak-field donors frequently function as reaction centers in metalloproteins, and many of these cofactors catalyze small molecule activation (e.g., N₂, O₂, CO₂) with prominent roles in geochemical element cycles or detoxification. Notable examples include the iron-molybdenum cofactor of the molybdenum-dependent nitrogenases, which catalyze N₂ fixation, and the NiFe₄S₄ cluster and the Mo(O)SCu site in various carbon monoxide dehydrogenases. The prevailing proposed reaction mechanisms for these multimetallic cofactors relies on a cooperative pathway, in which the oxidation state changes are distributed over the aggregate coupled with orbital overlap between the substrate and more than one metal ion within the cluster. Such cooperativity has also been proposed for chemical transformations at the surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts. However, the design details that afford cooperative effects and allow such reactivity to be harnessed effectively in homogeneous synthetic systems remain unclear. Relatedly, hydride donors ligated to these metal cluster cofactors are suggested as precursors to the state that reacts with substrates; here too, however, the reactivity of hydride-decorated clusters supported by weak-field ligands is underexplored. Inspired by the reactivity potential of multimetallic assemblies evidenced in biological systems, approaches to design, synthesize, and evaluate reactivity of polynuclear metal compounds have been actively explored. In a similar vein to the templating function afforded by enzyme active sites, a carefully engineered organic ligand can be employed to control metal nuclearity of the complex and the local coordination environment of each metal center. This Account presents our efforts within this field, beginning with ligand design considerations followed by a survey of observed small molecule activation by trimetallic cyclophanates. We highlight the distinct reactivity outcomes accessed by multimetallic compounds as compared to aggregates that assemble in reaction mixtures from monometallic precursors. Contributing to the opportunity for programmed cooperativity in these designed multimetallic compounds, the cyclophane also dictates the orientation of substrate binding and metal-substrate interactions, which has a prominent influence on reactivity. For example, the dinitrogen-tricopper(I) cyclophanate reacts with dioxygen with markedly different results as compared to monocopper compounds. As an unexpected outcome, one series of tricopper compounds were discovered to be competent catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to oxalate-a formally one-electron process-hinting at an inherently broader reaction scope for weak-field clusters at lowering the barrier for one-electron pathways as well as multielectron redox transformations. Further reflecting the role of the ligand in tuning reactivity, the trimetallic trihydride cluster compounds, [M₃(μ-H)₃]³⁺ (M = Fe^II, Co^II, Zn^II), demonstrate substrate specificity for CO₂ over various other unsaturated molecules and surprising stability toward water. This series reflects the role of the local environment of a shallow ligand pocket to control substrate access. Summed together, the systems described here evidence the anticipated cooperative reactivity accessed in designed multimetallic species vs self-assembled monometallic systems (e.g., O₂ activation and O atom transfer) as well as control of substrate access by seemingly subtle structural effects. Indeed, future efforts aim to interrogate the limits of cooperativity in these systems as well as the role of ligand dynamics and sterics on reactivity.

A bio-inspired imidazole-functionalised copper cage complex

An endo-functionalized cage is presented that upon copper(i) complexation assembles to a well-defined structural and catalytically active biomimetic model compound.

Formation of a tetranuclear supramolecule via non-covalent Pb⋯Cl tetrel bonding interaction in a hemidirected lead(ii) complex with a nickel(ii) containing metaloligand

A hetero-nuclear nickel(ii)/lead(ii) complex has been synthesized and characterized. The tetrel bonding interactions established between the σ-hole at the hemi-coordinated lead(ii) and the electron rich chlorido ligand has been analyzed by DFT study.

Thermally Persistent High-Spin Ground States in Octahedral Iron Clusters

Chemical oxidation and reduction of the all-ferrous (^HL)₂Fe₆ in THF affords isostructural, coordinatively unsaturated clusters of the type [(^HL)₂Fe₆] ⁿ: [(^HL)₂Fe₆][BArF₂₄] (1, n = +1; where [BArF₂₄]^- = tetrakis[(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate), [Bu₄N][(^HL)₂Fe₆] (2a, n = -1), [P][(^HL)₂Fe₆] (2b, n = -1; where [P]⁺ = tributyl(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)phosphonium), and [Bu₄N]₂[(^HL)₂Fe₆] (3, n = -2). Each member of the redox-transfer series was characterized by zero-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and magnetometry. Redox-directed trends are observed when comparing the structural metrics within the [Fe₆] core. The metal octahedron [Fe₆] decreases marginally in volume as the molecular reduction state increases as gauged by the Fe-Fe_avg distance varying from 2.608(11) Å ( n = +1) to 2.573(3) ( n = -2). In contrast, the mean Fe-N distances and ∠Fe-N-Fe angles correlate linearly with the [Fe₆] oxidation level, or alternatively, the changes observed within the local Fe-N₄ coordination planes vary linearly with the aggregate spin ground state. In general, as the spin ground state ( S) increases, the Fe-N(H)_avg distances also increase. The structural metric perturbations within the [Fe₆] core and measured spin ground states were rationalized extending the previously proposed molecular orbital diagram derived for (^HL)₂Fe₆. Chemical reduction of the (^HL)₂Fe₆ cluster results in an abrupt increase in spin ground state from S = 6 for the all-ferrous cluster, to S = ¹⁹/₂ in the monoanionic 2b and S = 11 for the dianionic 3. The observation of asymmetric intervalence charge transfer bands in 3 provides further evidence of the fully delocalized ground state observed by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy for all species examined (1-3). For each of the clusters examined within the electron-transfer series, the observed spin ground states thermally persist to 300 K. In particular, the S = 11 in dianionic 3 and S = ¹⁹/₂ in the monoanionic 2b represent the highest spin ground states isolated up to room temperature known to date. The increase in spin ground state results from population of the antibonding orbital band comprised of the Fe-N σ* interactions. As such, the thermally persistent ground states arise from population of the resultant single spin manifolds in accordance with Hund's rules. The large spin ground states, indicative of strong ferromagnetic electronic alignment of the valence electrons, result from strong direct exchange electronic coupling mediated by Fe-Fe orbital overlap within the [Fe₆] cores, equivalent to a strong double exchange magnetic coupling B for 3 that was calculated to be 309 cm^-1.

Chalcogen Impact on Covalency within Molecular [Cu3(μ3-E)]3+ Clusters (E = O, S, Se): A Synthetic, Spectroscopic, and Computational Study

Reaction of the tricopper(I)-dinitrogen tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane, Cu3(N2)L, with O-atom-transfer reagents or elemental Se affords the oxido-bridged tricopper complex Cu3(μ3-O)L (2) or the corresponding Cu3(μ3-Se)L (4), respectively. For 2 and 4, incorporation of the bridging chalcogen donor was supported by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data. Cu L2,3-edge X-ray absorption data quantify 49.5% Cu 3d character in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of 2, with Cu 3d participation decreasing to 33.0% in 4 and 40.8% in the related sulfide cluster Cu3(μ3-S)L (3). Multiedge XAS and UV/visible/near-IR spectra are employed to benchmark density functional theory calculations, which describe the copper-chalcogen interactions as highly covalent across the series of [Cu3(μ-E)]3+ clusters. This result highlights that the metal-ligand covalency is not reserved for more formally oxidized metal centers (i.e., CuIII + O2- vs CuII + O-) but rather is a significant contributor even at more typical ligand-field cases (i.e., Cu3II/II/I + E2-). This bonding is reminiscent of that observed in p-block elements rather than in early-transition-metal complexes.

Catalytic Silylation of Dinitrogen by a Family of Triiron Complexes

A series of triiron complexes supported by a tris(β-diketiminate)cyclophane (L ^3- ) catalyze the reduction of dinitrogen to tris(trimethylsilyl)amine using KC₈ and Me₃SiCl. Employing Fe₃Br₃ L affords 83 ± 7 equiv. NH₄ ⁺/complex after protonolysis, which is a 50% yield based on reducing equivalents. The series of triiron compounds tested evidences the subtle effects of ancillary donors, including halides, hydrides, sulfides, and carbonyl ligands, and metal oxidation state on N(SiMe₃)₃ yield, and highlight Fe₃(μ₃-N)L as a common species in product mixtures. These results suggest that ancillary ligands can be abstracted with Lewis acids under reducing conditions.

Countercations and Solvent Influence CO2 Reduction to Oxalate by Chalcogen-Bridged Tricopper Cyclophanates

One-electron reduction of Cu₃EL (L^3- = tris(β-diketiminate)cyclophane, and E = S, Se) affords [Cu₃EL]^-, which reacts with CO₂ to yield exclusively C₂O₄^2- (95% yield, TON = 24) and regenerate Cu₃EL. Stopped-flow UV/visible data support an A→B mechanism under pseudo-first-order conditions ( k_{obs, 298K} = 115(2) s^-1), which is 10⁶ larger than those for reported copper complexes. The k_obs values are dependent on the countercation and solvent (e.g., k_obs is greater for [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ vs (Ph₃P)₂N⁺, and there is a 20-fold decrease in k_obs in THF vs DMF). Our results suggest a mechanism in which cations and solvent influence the stability of the transition state.

Mixed valence copper-sulfur clusters of highest nuclearity: a Cu8 wheel and a Cu16 nanoball

Fully spin delocalized mixed valence copper-sulfur clusters, 1 and 2, supported by μ₄-sulfido and NS^thiol donor ligands are synthesized and characterized. Wheel shaped 1 consists of Cu₂S₂ units. The unprecedented nanoball 2 can be described as S@Cu₄(tetrahedron)@O₆(octahedron)@Cu₁₂S₁₂(cage) consisting of both Cu₂S₂ and (μ₄-S)Cu₄ units. The Cu₂S₂ and (μ₄-S)Cu₄ units resemble biological Cu_A and Cu_Z sites respectively.

Tetranuclear Fe Clusters with a Varied Interstitial Ligand: Effects on the Structure, Redox Properties, and Nitric Oxide Activation

A new series of tetranuclear Fe clusters displaying an interstitial μ₄-F ligand was prepared for a comparison to previously reported μ₄-O analogues. With a single nitric oxide (NO) coordinated as a reporter of small-molecule activation, the μ₄-F clusters were characterized in five redox states, from Fe^II₃{FeNO}⁸ to Fe^III₃{FeNO}⁷, with NO stretching frequencies ranging from 1680 to 1855 cm^-1, respectively. Despite accessing more reduced states with an F^- bridge, a two-electron reduction of the distal Fe centers is necessary for the μ₄-F clusters to activate NO to the same degree as the μ₄-O system; consequently, NO reactivity is observed at more positive potentials with μ₄-O than μ₄-F. Moreover, the μ₄-O ligand better translates redox changes of remote metal centers to diatomic ligand activation. The implication for biological active sites is that the higher-charge bridging ligand is more effective in tuning cluster properties, including the involvement of remote metal centers, for small-molecule activation.

Estimation of conventional C-Hπ (arene), unconventional C-Hπ (chelate) and C-Hπ (thiocyanate) interactions in hetero-nuclear nickel(ii)-cadmium(ii) complexes with a compartmental Schiff base

Three new heteronuclear nickel(ii)/cadmium(ii) complexes, [(SCN)(Cl)Cd(L)Ni(DMF)₂] (1), [(SCN)(CH₃CO₂)Cd(L)Ni(CH₃OH)₂] (2) and [(SCN)(Cl)Cd(L)Ni(NH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂)]_n (3) {where H₂L = N,N'-bis(3-ethoxy-salicylidene)propane-1,3-diamine is a N₂O₄ compartmental Schiff base}, have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of the complexes have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In each complex, nickel(ii) is placed in the inner N₂O₂ environment and cadmium(ii) is placed in the outer O₄ compartment of the compartmental Schiff base. Furthermore, the importance of unconventional C-Hπ (chelate) interactions in the solid state of both complexes and C-Hπ (thiocyanate) interaction in complex 2 has been described by means of DFT and MEP calculations and characterized using NCI plots. All complexes show photoluminescence at room temperature upon irradiation by ultraviolet light. The lifetimes of excited states are in the range of 2-6 ns.

Static and dynamic coordination behaviours of copper(i) ions in hexa(2-pyridyl)benzene ligand systems

Two hexaarylbenzenes having six pyridine substituents (LH and LM) were prepared and six corresponding coordination complexes with copper(i) chloride were synthesized.

Correlating Bridging Ligand with Properties of Ligand-Templated [MnII3X3]3+ Clusters (X = Br-, Cl-, H-, MeO-)

Polynuclear manganese compounds have garnered interest as mimics and models of the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in photosystem II and as single molecule magnets. Molecular systems in which composition can be correlated to physical phenomena, such as magnetic exchange interactions, remain few primarily because of synthetic limitations. Here, we report the synthesis of a family of trimanganese(II) complexes of the type Mn₃X₃L (X = Cl^-, H^-, and MeO^-) where L^3- is a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane. The tri(chloride) complex (2) is structurally similar to the reported tri(bromide) complex (1) with the Mn₃X₃ core having a ladder-like arrangement of alternating M-X rungs, whereas the tri(μ-hydride) (3) and tri(μ-methoxide) (4) complexes contain planar hexagonal cores. The hydride and methoxide complexes are synthesized in good yield (48% and 56%) starting with the bromide complex employing a metathesis-like strategy. Compounds 2-4 were characterized by combustion analysis, X-ray crystallography, X-band EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry, and infrared and UV-visible spectroscopy. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the Mn₃ clusters in 2-4 are antiferromagnetically coupled, and the spin ground state of the compounds (S = 3/2 (1, 2) or S = 1/2 (3, 4)) is correlated to the identity of the bridging ligand and structural arrangement of the Mn₃X₃ core (X = Br, Cl, H, OCH₃). Electrochemical experiments on isobutyronitrile solutions of 3 and 4 display broad irreversible oxidations centered at 0.30 V.

Activation of dioxygen by copper metalloproteins and insights from model complexes

Nature uses dioxygen as a key oxidant in the transformation of biomolecules. Among the enzymes that are utilized for these reactions are copper-containing metalloenzymes, which are responsible for important biological functions such as the regulation of neurotransmitters, dioxygen transport, and cellular respiration. Enzymatic and model system studies work in tandem in order to gain an understanding of the fundamental reductive activation of dioxygen by copper complexes. This review covers the most recent advancements in the structures, spectroscopy, and reaction mechanisms for dioxygen-activating copper proteins and relevant synthetic models thereof. An emphasis has also been placed on cofactor biogenesis, a fundamentally important process whereby biomolecules are post-translationally modified by the pro-enzyme active site to generate cofactors which are essential for the catalytic enzymatic reaction. Significant questions remaining in copper-ion-mediated O2-activation in copper proteins are addressed.

A One-Hole Cu4S Cluster with N2O Reductase Activity: A Structural and Functional Model for CuZ

During bacterial denitrification, two-electron reduction of N₂O occurs at a [Cu₄(μ₄-S)] catalytic site (Cu_Z*) embedded within the nitrous oxide reductase (N₂OR) enzyme. In this Communication, an amidinate-supported [Cu₄(μ₄-S)] model cluster in its one-hole (S = ¹/₂) redox state is thoroughly characterized. Along with its two-hole redox partner and fully reduced clusters reported previously, the new species completes the two-electron redox series of [Cu₄(μ₄-S)] model complexes with catalytically relevant oxidation states for the first time. More importantly, N₂O is reduced by the one-hole cluster to produce N₂ and the two-hole cluster, thereby completing a closed cycle for N₂O reduction. Not only is the title complex thus the best structural model for Cu_Z* to date, but it also serves as a functional Cu_Z* mimic.

A three-coordinate Fe(ii) center within a [3Fe-(μ3-S)] cluster that provides an accessible coordination site

A μ3-sulfide bridged triiron cluster(ii,ii,iii) supported by a cyclophane ligand undergoes metal-based reduction to yield an all-ferrous species. The latter complex incorporates a three-coordinate iron center that provides an accessible coordination site to a solvent molecule.

A Cu4S model for the nitrous oxide reductase active sites supported only by nitrogen ligands

To model the (His)7Cu4Sn (n = 1 or 2) active sites of nitrous oxide reductase, the first Cu4(μ4-S) cluster supported only by nitrogen donors has been prepared using amidinate supporting ligands. Structural, magnetic, spectroscopic, and computational characterization is reported. Electrochemical data indicates that the 2-hole model complex can be reduced reversibly to the 1-hole state and irreversibly to the fully reduced state.

Synthesis, structure, and reactions of a copper-sulfido cluster comprised of the parent Cu2S unit: {(NHC)Cu}2(μ-S)

The first CuI2(μ-S) complex, {(IPr*)Cu}₂(μ-S) (IPr* = 1,3-bis(2,6-(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), has been synthesized, and its structure has been characterized crystallographically.

The synthesis of the first CuI2(μ-S) complex, {(IPr*)Cu}₂(μ-S) (IPr* = 1,3-bis(2,6-(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; 1), has been accomplished via three synthetic routes: (1) salt metathesis between (IPr*)CuCl and Na₂S; (2) silyl-deprotection reaction between (IPr*)Cu(SSiMe₃) and (IPr*)CuF; and (3) acid–base reaction between (IPr*)Cu(SH) and (IPr*)Cu(O^tBu). The X-ray crystal structure of 1 exhibits two two-coordinate copper centers connected by a bent Cu–S–Cu linkage. Application of these synthetic routes to analogous precursors containing the sterically smaller ligand IPr (1,3-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), in place of IPr*, resulted in the formation of a transient product proposed as {(IPr)Cu}₂(μ-S) (2), which decomposes quickly in solution. The instability of 2 probably results from the insufficient steric protection provided by IPr ligands to the unsaturated Cu₂(μ-S) core; in contrast, 1 is stable both in solution and solid state for weeks. The nucleophilic sulfido ligand in 1 reacts with haloalkyl electrophiles (benzyl halides and dibromoalkanes) with formation of C–S bonds, affording (IPr*)Cu(SCH₂Ph) and cyclic thioethers, respectively.