How N2 Might Be Activated by the FeMo-Cofactor in Nitrogenase

Formation of ammonia in the reactions of a tungsten dinitrogen with ruthenium dihydrogen complexes under mild reaction conditions

Treatment of cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4] (5) with an equilibrium mixture of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppp)2]X (3) with pKa = 4.4 and [RuCl(dppp)2]X (4) [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] containing 10 equiv of the Ru atom based on tungsten in benzene-dichloroethane at 55 degrees C for 24 h under 1 atm of H2 gave NH3 in 45-55% total yields based on tungsten, together with the formation of trans-[RuHCl(dppp)2] (6). Free NH3 in 9-16% yields was observed in the reaction mixture, and further NH3 in 36-45% yields was released after base distillation. Detailed studies on the reaction of 5 with numerous Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes showed that the yield of NH3 produced critically depended upon the pKa value of the employed Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes. When 5 was treated with 10 equiv of trans-[RuCl(eta 2-H2)(dppe)2]X (8) with pKa = 6.0 [X = PF6, BF4, or OTf; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] under 1 atm of H2, NH3 was formed in higher yields (up to 79% total yield) compared with the reaction with an equilibrium mixture of 3 and 4. If the pKa value of a Ru(eta 2-H2) complex was increased up to about 10, the yield of NH3 was remarkably decreased. In these reactions, heterolytic cleavage of H2 seems to occur at the Ru center via nucleophilic attack of the coordinated N2 on the coordinated H2 where a proton (H+) is used for the protonation of the coordinated N2 and a hydride (H-) remains at the Ru atom. Treatment of 5, trans-[W(N2)2(PMePh2)4] (14), or trans-[M(N2)2(dppe)2] [M = Mo (1), W (2)] with Ru(eta 2-H2) complexes at room temperature led to isolation of intermediate hydrazido(2-) complexes such as trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMe2Ph)4]OTf (19), trans-[W(OTf)(NNH2)(PMePh2)4]OTf (20), and trans-[WX(NNH2)(dppe)2]+ [X = OTf (15), F (16)]. The molecular structure of 19 was determined by X-ray analysis. Further ruthenium-assisted protonation of hydrazido(2-) intermediates such as 19 with H2 at 55 degrees C was considered to result in the formation of NH3, concurrent with the generation of W(VI) species. All of the electrons required for the reduction of N2 are provided by the zerovalent tungsten.

In pursuit of the molybdenum(III) tris(thiolate) fragment: unusual structure of a dimolybdenum mu-nitrido complex

The new molybdenum nitrido-thiolate complex N triple bond Mo(SAd)3 (Ad = 1-adamantyl) was prepared by a ligand exchange route involving reaction of Ti(SAd)(OiPr)3 with Chisholm's nitrido-butoxide complex N triple bond Mo(OtBu)3. In an effort to abstract the nitrido nitrogen from N triple bond Mo(SAd)3, the compound was treated with Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3, a three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex. This resulted in formation of the unusual and thermally unstable (mu-nitrido)dimolybdenum complex (AdS)3Mo(mu-N)Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3, which was isolated and characterized. An X-ray study revealed (AdS)3Mo(mu-N)Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3 to possess an unsymmetrical Mo-(mu-N)-Mo linkage, the Mo-thiolate fragment exhibiting a substantially longer bond to the bridging nitrogen atom. The structure of (AdS)3Mo-(mu-N)Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3 is noteworthy, displaying trigonal monopyramidal coordination at the (mu-N)-Mo-thiolate Mo center. Since N triple bond Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3 is a good leaving group, (AdS)3Mo(mu-N)Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3 should be a source of the reactive Mo(SAd)3 fragment. In all the studied reactions of the (mu-nitrido)dimolybdenum complex one of the observed products was N triple bond Mo(N[tBu]Ph)3. Two products containing the Mo(SAd)3 fragment were observed: (AdS)3Mo triple bond Mo(SAd)3 and [(ON)Mo(mu-SAd)(SAd)2]2. Upon treatment with pyridine, the tris(thio-1-adamantyl)-(nitrosyl)molybdenum dimer forms the pyridine adduct (AdS)3Mo(NO)(py), which is a monomer.

New insights into structure-function relationships in nitrogenase: A 1.6 A resolution X-ray crystallographic study of Klebsiella pneumoniae MoFe-protein

The X-ray crystal structure of Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase component 1 (Kp1) has been determined and refined to a resolution of 1.6 A, the highest resolution reported for any nitrogenase structure. Models derived from three 1.6 A resolution X-ray data sets are described; two represent distinct oxidation states, whilst the third appears to be a mixture of both oxidized and reduced states (or perhaps an intermediate state). The structures of the protein and the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) appear to be largely unaffected by the redox status, although the movement of Ser beta90 and a surface helix in the beta subunit may be of functional significance. By contrast, the 8Fe-7S P-cluster undergoes discrete conformational changes involving the movement of two iron atoms. Comparisons with known component 1 structures reveal subtle differences in the FeMoco environment, which could account for the lower midpoint potential of this cluster in Kp1. Furthermore, a non-proline- cis peptide bond has been identified in the alpha subunit that may have a functional role. It is within 10 A of the FeMoco and may have been overlooked in other component 1 models. Finally, metal-metal and metal-sulphur distances within the metal clusters agree well with values derived from EXAFS studies, although they are generally longer than the values reported for the closely related protein from Azotobacter vinelandii. A number of bonds between the clusters and their ligands are distinctly longer than the EXAFS values, in particular, those involving the molybdenum atom of the FeMoco.

Redox-Induced Formation and Cleavage of O-O sigma and pi Bonds in a Peroxo-Bridged Manganese Dimer: A Density Functional Study

The structural and electronic consequences of reduction and oxidation of a peroxo-bridged Mn(2)(IV/IV) dimer, Mn(2)(&mgr;-O)(2)(&mgr;-O(2))(NH(3))(6)(2+), are examined using approximate density functional theory. In both cases, the initial electron-transfer step is localized on the metal centers, but subsequent structural rearrangement results in transfer of the excess charge to the &mgr;-O(2) unit, with concomitant regeneration of the Mn(2)(IV/IV) core. Two-electron reduction results in population of the O-O sigma orbital and complete cleavage of the O-O bond, whereas two-electron oxidation depopulates the O-O pi orbital, forming molecular oxygen. The coupling between the metal centers (antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic) affects the stability of the intermediate species, in which the redox process is metal based, and hence influences the kinetic barrier to bond formation or cleavage. Reductive cleavage of the O-O sigma bond is favored when the metal centers are antiferromagnetically coupled, whereas oxidative formation of the pi component of the O-O bond is favored by ferromagnetic coupling. The possible implications for the relationship between structure and function in the oxygen-evolving complex found in photosynthetic organisms are discussed.

Novel Square Arrangements in Tetranuclear and Octanuclear Iron(III) Complexes with Asymmetric Iron Environments Created by the Unsymmetric Bridging Ligand N,N,N'-Tris((N-methyl)-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-N'-methyl-1,3-diamino-2-propanol

The synthesis and characterization of novel tetranuclear and octanuclear iron(III) complexes with structures based on a nearly square arrangement of four iron ions are reported. Reaction of ferric nitrate, sodium acetate, and the unsymmetrical binucleating ligand HBMDP, where HBMDP is N,N,N'-tris((N-methyl)-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-N'-methyl-1,3-diamino-2-propanol, in acetone/water yields the tetranuclear iron complex [Fe(4)(&mgr;-O)(2)(&mgr;-BMDP)(2)(&mgr;-OAc)(2)](4+), which exhibits coordination number asymmetry. The structure of [Fe(4)(&mgr;-O)(2)(&mgr;-BMDP)(2)(&mgr;-OAc)(2)](NO(3))(3)(OH).12H(2)O has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each (&mgr;-BMDP) ligand spans two iron(III) ions and causes these ions to become structurally distinct. Within this binuclear unit one iron atom is five-coordinate with distorted square pyramidal geometry and an N(2)O(3) donor set, while the other iron is six-coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry and an N(3)O(3) donor set. Two of these binuclear units are linked through a pair of oxo and acetato bridges to form the centrosymmetric tetranuclear complex. The coordinatively nonequivalent iron atoms exhibit distinct Mössbauer spectroscopic parameters and produce a pair of doublets at 80 K. The iron(III) centers are coupled antiferromagnetically with a room-temperature moment of 1.9 &mgr;(B) per iron with J = -103.3 cm(-)(1), zJ' = -105.9 cm(-)(1). The properties of the unsymmetric cation [Fe(4)(&mgr;-O)(2)(&mgr;-BMDP)(2)(&mgr;-OAc)(2)](4+) are similar to those observed for binuclear iron proteins with comparable coordinative inequivalence. Efforts to increase the solubility of [Fe(4)(&mgr;-O)(2)(&mgr;-BMDP)(2)(&mgr;-OAc)(2)](4+) by metathesis with sodium tetrafluoroborate resulted in the isolation of crystals of a new octanuclear iron species, [Fe(8)(&mgr;-O)(4)(&mgr;-BMDP)(4)(OH)(4)(&mgr;-OAc)(4)](BF(4))(3)(OH).2CH(3)CN.8H(2)O( )()(2), which has also been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit consists of an Fe(2)(&mgr;-O)(&mgr;-BMDP)(&mgr;-OAc)(OH) group which is externally bridged via the oxo ions to form a molecular square with four of the eight iron ions at the corners. Both iron sites are six-coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry. One has an N(2)O(4) donor set; the other has an N(3)O(3) donor set.

Catalytic Reduction of Hydrazine to Ammonia with MoFe(3)S(4)-Polycarboxylate Clusters. Possible Relevance Regarding the Function of the Molybdenum-Coordinated Homocitrate in Nitrogenase

The catalytic function of the previously synthesized and characterized [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](2)(-)(,3)(-) clusters (L = tetrachlorocatecholate, citrate, citramalate, methyliminodiacetate, nitrilotriacetate, thiodiglycolate) and of the [MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)(thiolactate)](2)(4)(-) and [(MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(4))(2)(&mgr;-oxalate)](4)(-) clusters in the reduction of N(2)H(4) to NH(3) is reported. In the catalytic reduction, which is carried out at ambient temperature and pressure, cobaltocene and 2,6-lutidinium chloride are supplied externally as electron and proton sources, respectively. In experiments where the N(2)H(4) to the [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](n)()(-) catalyst ratio is 100:1, and over a period of 30 min, the reduction proceeds to 92% completion for L = citrate, 66% completion for L = citramalate, and 34% completion for L = tetrachlorocatecholate. The [Fe(4)S(4)Cl(4)](2)(-) cluster is totally inactive and gives only background ammonia measurements. Inhibition studies with PEt(3) and CO as inhibitors show a dramatic decrease in the catalytic efficiency. These results are consistent with results obtained previously in our laboratory and strongly suggest that N(2)H(4) activation and reduction occur at the Mo site of the [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](2)(-)(, 3)(-) clusters. A possible pathway for the N(2)H(4) reduction on a single metal site (Mo) and a possible role for the carboxylate ligand are proposed. The possibility that the Mo-bound polycarboxylate ligand acts as a proton delivery "shuttle" during hydrazine reduction is considered.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor of Clostridium pasteurianum Nitrogenase

We report a computer simulation study of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral line shape of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase. The unusually broad and asymmetric line shape of the EPR spectrum can be interpreted in terms of a distribution of zero-field splitting parameters called D-strain. The best fit simulations were computed using D = 2.5 cm(-1) and E = 0.317 cm(-1) and distributions in D and E approximated by Gaussians of half-widths 0.446 cm(-1) and 0.108 cm(-1), respectively. The value of D estimated in the present work is smaller than previous estimates by others but consistent with the temperature dependence of the EPR spectrum. The large D-strain is most likely caused by an ensemble of nearly isoenergetic conformational states and should not be considered as being indicative of chemical inhomogeneity.

Dinitrogen Cleavage by a Three-Coordinate Molybdenum(III) Complex

Cleavage of the relatively inert dinitrogen (N(2)) molecule, with its extremely strong N identical withN triple bond, has represented a major challenge to the development of N(2) chemistry. This report describes the reductive cleavage of N(2) to two nitrido (N(3-)) ligands in its reaction with Mo(NRAr)(3), where R is C(CD(3))(2)CH(3) and Ar is 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CH(3))(2'), a synthetic three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex of known structure. The formation of an intermediate complex was observed spectroscopically, and its conversion (with N identical withN bond cleavage) to the nitrido molybdenum(VI) product N identical withMo(NRAr)(3) followed first-order kinetics at 30 degrees C. It is proposed that the cleavage reaction proceeds by way of an intermediate complex in which N(2) bridges two molybdenum centers.

Nitrogenase and biological nitrogen fixation

Biological nitrogen fixation is catalyzed by the nitrogenase enzyme system which consists of two metalloproteins, the iron (Fe-) protein and the molybdenum-iron (MoFe-) protein. Together, these proteins mediate the ATP-dependent reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. Recent crystallographic analyses of Fe-protein and MoFe-protein have revealed the polypeptide fold and the structure and organization of the unusual metal centers in nitrogenase. These structure provide a molecular framework for addressing the mechanism of the nitrogenase-catalyzed reaction. General features of the nitrogenase system, including conformational coupling of nucleotide hydrolysis, aspects of the cluster structures, and the general spatial organization of redox centers within the protein subunits, are relevant to a wide range of biochemical systems.