Dioxygen activation at non-heme iron: insights from rapid kinetic studies

Substrate-triggered activation of a synthetic [Fe2(μ-O)2] diamond core for C-H bond cleavage

An [Fe(IV)(2)(μ-O)(2)] diamond core structure has been postulated for intermediate Q of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO-Q), the oxidant responsible for cleaving the strong C-H bond of methane and its hydroxylation. By extension, analogous species may be involved in the mechanisms of related diiron hydroxylases and desaturases. Because of the paucity of well-defined synthetic examples, there are few, if any, mechanistic studies on the oxidation of hydrocarbon substrates by complexes with high-valent [Fe(2)(μ-O)(2)] cores. We report here that water or alcohol substrates can activate synthetic [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] complexes supported by tetradentate tris(pyridyl-2-methyl)amine ligands (1 and 2) by several orders of magnitude for C-H bond oxidation. On the basis of detailed kinetic studies, it is postulated that the activation results from Lewis base attack on the [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] core, resulting in the formation of a more reactive species with a [X-Fe(III)-O-Fe(IV)═O] ring-opened structure (1-X, 2-X, X = OH(-) or OR(-)). Treatment of 2 with methoxide at -80 °C forms the 2-methoxide adduct in high yield, which is characterized by an S = 1/2 EPR signal indicative of an antiferromagnetically coupled [S = 5/2 Fe(III)/S = 2 Fe(IV)] pair. Even at this low temperature, the complex undergoes facile intramolecular C-H bond cleavage to generate formaldehyde, showing that the terminal high-spin Fe(IV)═O unit is capable of oxidizing a C-H bond as strong as 96 kcal mol(-1). This intramolecular oxidation of the methoxide ligand can in fact be competitive with intermolecular oxidation of triphenylmethane, which has a much weaker C-H bond (D(C-H) 81 kcal mol(-1)). The activation of the [Fe(III)Fe(IV)(μ-O)(2)] core is dramatically illustrated by the oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene by 2-methoxide, which has a second-order rate constant that is 3.6 × 10(7)-fold larger than that for the parent diamond core complex 2. These observations provide strong support for the DFT-based notion that an S = 2 Fe(IV)═O unit is much more reactive at H-atom abstraction than its S = 1 counterpart and suggest that core isomerization could be a viable strategy for the [Fe(IV)(2)(μ-O)(2)] diamond core of sMMO-Q to selectively attack the strong C-H bond of methane in the presence of weaker C-H bonds of amino acid residues that define the diiron active site pocket.

New spectroscopic and electrochemical insights on a class I superoxide reductase: evidence for an intramolecular electron-transfer pathway

SORs (superoxide reductases) are enzymes involved in bacterial resistance to reactive oxygen species, catalysing the reduction of superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide. So far three structural classes have been identified. Class I enzymes have two iron-centre-containing domains. Most studies have focused on the catalytic iron site (centre II), yet the role of centre I is poorly understood. The possible roles of this iron site were approached by an integrated study using both classical and fast kinetic measurements, as well as direct electrochemistry. A new heterometallic form of the protein with a zinc-substituted centre I, maintaining the iron active-site centre II, was obtained, resulting in a stable derivative useful for comparison with the native all-iron from. Second-order rate constants for the electron transfer between reduced rubredoxin and the different SOR forms were determined to be 2.8×107 M−1·s−1 and 1.3×106 M−1·s−1 for SORFe(IIII)-Fe(II) and for SORFe(IIII)-Fe(III) forms respectively, and 3.2×106 M−1·s−1 for the SORZn(II)-Fe(III) form. The results obtained seem to indicate that centre I transfers electrons from the putative physiological donor rubredoxin to the catalytic active iron site (intramolecular process). In addition, electrochemical results show that conformational changes are associated with the redox state of centre I, which may enable a faster catalytic response towards superoxide anion. The apparent rate constants calculated for the SOR-mediated electron transfer also support this observation.

Aromatic hydroxylation at a non-heme iron center: observed intermediates and insights into the nature of the active species

Mechanism of substrate oxidations with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a highly reactive, biomimetic, iron aminopyridine complex, [Fe(II)(bpmen)(CH(3)CN)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (1; bpmen=N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine), is elucidated. Complex 1 has been shown to be an excellent catalyst for epoxidation and functional-group-directed aromatic hydroxylation using H(2)O(2), although its mechanism of action remains largely unknown. Efficient intermolecular hydroxylation of unfunctionalized benzene and substituted benzenes with H(2)O(2) in the presence of 1 is found in the present work. Detailed mechanistic studies of the formation of iron(III)-phenolate products are reported. We have identified, generated in high yield, and experimentally characterized the key Fe(III)(OOH) intermediate (λ(max)=560 nm, rhombic EPR signal with g=2.21, 2.14, 1.96) formed by 1 and H(2)O(2). Stopped-flow kinetic studies showed that Fe(III)(OOH) does not directly hydroxylate the aromatic rings, but undergoes rate-limiting self-decomposition producing transient reactive oxidant. The formation of the reactive species is facilitated by acid-assisted cleavage of the O-O bond in the iron-hydroperoxide intermediate. Acid-assisted benzene hydroxylation with 1 and a mechanistic probe, 2-Methyl-1-phenyl-2-propyl hydroperoxide (MPPH), correlates with O-O bond heterolysis. Independently generated Fe(IV)=O species, which may originate from O-O bond homolysis in Fe(III)(OOH), proved to be inactive toward aromatic substrates. The reactive oxidant derived from 1 exchanges its oxygen atom with water and electrophilically attacks the aromatic ring (giving rise to an inverse H/D kinetic isotope effect of 0.8). These results have revealed a detailed experimental mechanistic picture of the oxidation reactions catalyzed by 1, based on direct characterization of the intermediates and products, and kinetic analysis of the individual reaction steps. Our detailed understanding of the mechanism of this reaction revealed both similarities and differences between synthetic and enzymatic aromatic hydroxylation reactions.

O2 activation by bis(imino)pyridine iron(II)-thiolate complexes

The new iron(II)-thiolate complexes [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(Cl)] (1) and [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(OTf)] (2) [BIP = bis(imino)pyridine] were prepared as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), which converts Cys to Cys-SO(2)H at a (His)(3)Fe(II) center. Reaction of 1 and 2 with O(2) leads to Fe-oxygenation and S-oxygenation, respectively. For 1 + O(2), the spectroscopic and reactivity data, including (18)O isotope studies, are consistent with an assignment of an iron(IV)-oxo complex, [((iPr)BIP)Fe(IV)(O)(Cl)](+) (3), as the product of oxygenation. In contrast, 2 + O(2) results in direct S-oxygenation to give a sulfonato product, PhSO(3)(-). The positioning of the thiolate ligand in 1 versus 2 appears to play a critical role in determining the outcome of O(2) activation. The thiolate ligands in 1 and 2 are essential for O(2) reactivity and exhibit an important influence over the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potential.

Oxygen activation with transition-metal complexes in aqueous solution

Coordination to transition-metal complexes changes both the thermodynamics and kinetics of oxygen reduction. Some of the intermediates (superoxo, hydroperoxo, and oxo species) are close analogues of organic oxygen-centered radicals and peroxides (ROO(*), ROOH, and RO(*)). Metal-based intermediates are typically less reactive, but more persistent, than organic radicals, which makes the two types of intermediates similarly effective in their reactions with various substrates. The self-exchange rate constant for hydrogen-atom transfer for the couples Cr(aq)OO(2+)/Cr(aq)OOH(2+) and L(1)(H(2)O)RhOO(2+)/L(1)(H(2)O)RhOOH(2+) was estimated to be 10(1+/-1) M(-1) s(-1). The use of this value in the simplified Marcus equation for the Cr(aq)O(2+)/Cr(aq)OOH(2+) cross reaction provided an upper limit k(CrO,CrOH) <or= 10((-2+/-1)) M(-1) s(-1) for Cr(aq)O(2+)/Cr(aq)OH(2+) self-exchange. Even though superoxo complexes react very slowly in bimolecular self-reactions, extremely fast cross reactions with organic counterparts, i.e., acylperoxyl radicals, have been observed. Many of the intermediates generated by the interaction of O(2) with reduced metal complexes can also be accessed by alternative routes, both thermal and photochemical.

Iron-promoted ortho- and/or ipso-hydroxylation of benzoic acids with H(2)O(2)

Regioselective hydroxylation of aromatic acids with hydrogen peroxide proceeds readily in the presence of iron(II) complexes with tetradentate aminopyridine ligands [Fe(II)(BPMEN)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Fe(II)(TPA)(CH(3)CN)(2)](OTf)(2) (2), where BPMEN=N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine, TPA=tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine. Two cis-sites, which are occupied by labile acetonitrile molecules in 1 and 2, are available for coordination of H(2)O(2) and substituted benzoic acids. The hydroxylation of the aromatic ring occurs exclusively in the vicinity of the anchoring carboxylate functional group: ortho-hydroxylation affords salicylates, whereas ipso-hydroxylation with concomitant decarboxylation yields phenolates. The outcome of the substituent-directed hydroxylation depends on the electronic properties and the position of substituents in the molecules of substrates: 3-substituted benzoic acids are preferentially ortho-hydroxylated, whereas 2- and, to a lesser extent, 4-substituted substrates tend to undergo ipso-hydroxylation/decarboxylation. These two pathways are not mutually exclusive and likely proceed via a common intermediate. Electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring of the carboxylic acids disfavor hydroxylation, indicating an electrophilic nature for the active oxidant. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit similar reactivity patterns, but 1 generates a more powerful oxidant than 2. Spectroscopic and labeling studies exclude acylperoxoiron(III) and Fe(IV)=O species as potential reaction intermediates, but strongly indicate the involvement of an Fe(III)--OOH intermediate that undergoes intramolecular acid-promoted heterolytic O-O bond cleavage, producing a transient iron(V) oxidant.

Dioxygen activation by mononuclear nonheme iron(II) complexes generates iron-oxygen intermediates in the presence of an NADH analogue and proton

One primary goal in biomimetic research is to understand mechanisms of dioxygen activation, structures of reactive intermediates, and reactivities of the intermediates involved in catalytic oxidation reactions by metalloenzymes, such as heme and nonheme iron oxygenases. In this communication, we have reported the first example of generating nonheme iron(III)-hydroperoxo and iron(IV)-oxo complexes by activating O(2) with a biologically important electron donor, an NADH analogue, and an acid. The formation of iron(III)-hydroperoxo and iron(IV)-oxo complexes was found to depend on the supporting ligands. We have also demonstrated that high-spin nonheme iron(II) complexes with a low oxidation potential are able to bind and activate O(2) to generate the iron-oxygen intermediates.

Thermodynamics of oxygen activation by macrocyclic complexes of rhodium

The oxidation of ABTS2- [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)] with a superoxorhodium(III) complex, L2(H2O)RhOO2+ (L2 = meso-hexamethylcyclam) is characterized by an acid-dependent equilibrium constant, log(Ke/[H+]) = 4.91 +/- 0.10 in the pH range of 4.89-6.49. This equilibrium constant was used to calculate the reduction potential for the L2(H2O)RhOO2+/L2(H2O)RhOOH2+ couple, E0 = 0.97 V vs NHE. The pH dependence of the kinetics of the L2(H2O)RhOOH2+/I- reaction yielded the acid dissociation constant for the coordinated water in L2(H2O)RhOOH2+, pKa = 6.9. Spectrophotometric pH titrations provided pKa = 6.6 for the superoxo complex, L2(H2O)RhOO2+. The combination of the two pKa values with the reduction potential measured in acidic solutions yielded the reduction potential E0 = 0.95 V for the L2(HO)RhOO+/L2(HO)RhOOH+ couple. Thermochemical calculations yielded the bond-dissociation free energy of the L2(H2O)RhOO-H2+ bond as 315 kJ/mol at 298 K.