Incorporating peptides in the outer-coordination sphere of bioinspired electrocatalysts for hydrogen production

A modular, energy-based approach to the development of nickel containing molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and oxidation

This review discusses the development of molecular electrocatalysts for H2 production and oxidation based on nickel. A modular approach is used in which the structure of the catalyst is divided into first, second, and outer coordination spheres. The first coordination sphere consists of the ligands bound directly to the metal center, and this coordination sphere can be used to control such factors as the presence or absence of vacant coordination sites, redox potentials, hydride donor abilities and other important thermodynamic parameters. The second coordination sphere includes functional groups such as pendent acids or bases that can interact with bound substrates such as H2 molecules and hydride ligands, but that do not form strong bonds with the metal center. These functional groups can play diverse roles such as assisting the heterolytic cleavage of H2, controlling intra- and intermolecular proton transfer reactions, and providing a physical pathway for coupling proton and electron transfer reactions. By controlling both the hydride donor ability of the catalysts using the first coordination sphere and the proton donor abilities of the functional groups in the second coordination sphere, catalysts can be designed that are biased toward H2 production, oxidation, or bidirectional (catalyzing both H2 oxidation and production). The outer coordination sphere is defined as that portion of the catalytic system that is beyond the second coordination sphere. This coordination sphere can assist in the delivery of protons and electrons to and from the catalytically active site, thereby adding another important avenue for controlling catalytic activity. Many features of these simple catalytic systems are good models for enzymes, and these simple systems provide insights into enzyme function and reactivity that may be difficult to probe in enzymes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.

The role of a dipeptide outer-coordination sphere on H2-production catalysts: influence on catalytic rates and electron transfer

The outer-coordination sphere of enzymes acts to fine-tune the active site reactivity and control catalytic rates, suggesting that incorporation of analogous structural elements into molecular catalysts may be necessary to achieve rates comparable to those observed in enzyme systems at low overpotentials. In this work, we evaluate the effect of an amino acid and dipeptide outer-coordination sphere on [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(Ph-R)(2))(2)](2+) hydrogen production catalysts. A series of 12 new complexes containing non-natural amino acids or dipeptides was prepared to test the effects of positioning, size, polarity and aromaticity on catalytic activity. The non-natural amino acid was either 3-(meta- or para-aminophenyl)propionic acid terminated as an acid, an ester or an amide. Dipeptides consisted of one of the non-natural amino acids coupled to one of four amino acid esters: alanine, serine, phenylalanine or tyrosine. All of the catalysts are active for hydrogen production, with rates averaging ∼1000 s(-1), 40 % faster than the unmodified catalyst. Structure and polarity of the aliphatic or aromatic side chains of the C-terminal peptide do not strongly influence rates. However, the presence of an amide bond increases rates, suggesting a role for the amide in assisting catalysis. Overpotentials were lower with substituents at the N-phenyl meta position. This is consistent with slower electron transfer in the less compact, para-substituted complexes, as shown in digital simulations of catalyst cyclic voltammograms and computational modeling of the complexes. Combining the current results with insights from previous results, we propose a mechanism for the role of the amino acid and dipeptide based outer-coordination sphere in molecular hydrogen production catalysts.

Complexes of earth-abundant metals for catalytic electrochemical hydrogen generation under aqueous conditions

Growing global energy demands and climate change motivate the development of new renewable energy technologies. In this context, water splitting using sustainable energy sources has emerged as an attractive process for carbon-neutral fuel cycles. A key scientific challenge to achieving this overall goal is the invention of new catalysts for the reductive and oxidative conversions of water to hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. This review article will highlight progress in molecular electrochemical approaches for catalytic reduction of protons to hydrogen, focusing on complexes of earth-abundant metals that can function in pure aqueous or mixed aqueous-organic media. The use of water as a reaction medium has dual benefits of maintaining high substrate concentration as well as minimizing the environmental impact from organic additives and by-products.

Construction of heterometallic clusters in a small peptide scaffold as [NiFe]-hydrogenase models: development of a synthetic methodology

[NiFe]-hydrogenases are enzymes that catalyze the reversible interconversion of protons and hydrogen at a heterobimetallic site containing Ni and Fe. This organometallic site has served as an inspiration for the synthesis of a number of biomimetic complexes, but, unfortunately, most close structural mimics have shown little to no reactivity with either of the substrates for hydrogenases. This suggests that interactions between the metallo-active site and the protein scaffold are crucial in tuning reactivity. As a first step toward development of peptide-based models, in this paper we demonstrate a synthetic strategy for construction of peptide coordinated, cysteinyl thiolate bridged Ni-M complexes in which M is a hetero-organometallic fragment. We utilize the seven amino acid peptide ACDLPCG as a scaffold for construction of these peptide-coordinated metallocenters. This peptide binds Ni in an N(2)S(2) environment consisting of the amino terminus, an amide nitrogen, and the two cysteinyl thiolates. We show that these thiolates serve as reactive sites for formation of heterometallic complexes in which they serve as bridging ligands. The method is general, and a number of heterometallic fragments including Ru(η(6)-arene)(2+), M(CO)(4)(piperidine) for M = Mo and W, and Fe(2)(CO)(6) were successfully incorporated, and the resulting metallopeptides characterized via a range of spectroscopic techniques. This methodology serves as the first step to construction of hydrogenase peptidomimetics that incorporate defined outer coordination sphere interactions intended to tune reactivity.

Organometallic Ni pincer complexes for the electrocatalytic production of hydrogen

Nonplatinum metals are needed to perform cost-effective water reduction electrocatalysis to enable technological implementation of a proposed hydrogen economy. We describe electrocatalytic proton reduction and H(2) production by two organometallic nickel complexes with tridentate pincer ligands. The kinetics of H(2) production from voltammetry is consistent with an overall third order rate law: the reaction is second order in acid and first order in catalyst. Hydrogen production with 90-95% Faradaic yields was confirmed by gas analysis, and UV-vis spectroscopy suggests that the ligand remains bound to the catalyst over the course of the reaction. A computational study provides mechanistic insights into the proposed catalytic cycle. Furthermore, two proposed intermediates in the proton reduction cycle were isolated in a representative system and show a catalytic response akin to the parent compound.

Investigating the role of the outer-coordination sphere in [Ni(P(Ph)2N(Ph‑R)2)2]2+ hydrogenase mimics

A series of dipeptide substituted nickel complexes with the general formula, [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(NNA-amino acid/ester)(2))(2)](BF(4))(2), have been synthesized and characterized (P(2)N(2) = 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane, and the dipeptide consists of the non-natural amino acid, 3-(4-aminophenyl)propionic acid (NNA), coupled to amino acid/esters = glutamic acid, alanine, lysine, and aspartic acid). Each of these complexes is an active electrocatalyst for H(2) production. The effects of the outer-coordination sphere on the catalytic activity for the production of H(2) were investigated; specifically, the impact of sterics, the ability of the side chain or backbone to protonate and the pK(a) values of the amino acid side chains were studied by varying the amino acids in the dipeptide. The catalytic rates of the different dipeptide substituted nickel complexes varied by over an order of magnitude. The amino acid derivatives display the fastest rates, while esterification of the terminal carboxylic acids and side chains resulted in a decrease in the catalytic rate by 50-70%, implicating a significant role of protonated sites in the outer-coordination sphere on catalytic activity. For both the amino acid and ester derivatives, the complexes with the largest substituents display the fastest rates, indicating that catalytic activity is not hindered by steric bulk. These studies demonstrate the significant contribution that the outer-coordination sphere can have in tuning the catalytic activity of small molecule hydrogenase mimics.

Bioactive properties and clinical safety of a novel milk protein peptide

Background

Milk protein fractions and peptides have been shown to have bioactive properties. This preliminary study examined the potential mechanisms of action and clinical safety of novel milk protein peptide (MP).

Findings

A novel MP mixture inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and insulin receptor (IR) with IC₅₀ of 9.85 μM, 7.7 μM, and 6.18 μM respectively. In vitro, this multi-kinase inhibitor causes apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cells, and in a C. elegans worm study, showed a weak but significant increase in lifespan. A six week double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 73 healthy volunteers demonstrated that the MP mixture is safe to consume orally. All clinical blood markers remained within normal levels and no clinically significant side effects were reported. There was some evidence of improved insulin sensitivity, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and quality of life assessment of role of physical function.

Conclusions

These data in combination with the observed in vitro anti-cancer properties warrant further clinical studies to investigate this MP mixture as a potential clinical nutrition intervention for improving the quality of life and clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Trial Registration

NCT01412658

Polyoxometalate-based metal organic frameworks (POMOFs): structural trends, energetics, and high electrocatalytic efficiency for hydrogen evolution reaction

The grafting of the triangular 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate linkers (denoted trim) on tetrahedral ε-Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs) capped by Zn(II) ions, formed in situ under hydrothermal conditions, has generated three novel POM-based metal organic frameworks (POMOFs). (TBA)(3)[PMo(V)(8)Mo(VI)(4)O(36)(OH)(4)Zn(4)][C(6)H(3)(COO)(3)](4/3)·6H(2)O (ε(trim)(4/3)) is a 3D open-framework built of molecular Keggin units connected by trim linkers, with channels occupied by tetrabutylammonium (TBA) counterions. ε(trim)(4/3) is a novel (3,4)-connected net, named ofp for open-framework polyoxometalate, and computer simulations have been used to evaluate its relative stability in comparison with ctn- and bor-like polymorphs, showing the stability of this novel phase directly related to its greatest density. A computational study was also undertaken with the aim of locating TBA molecules, the positions of which could not be deduced from single crystal X-ray diffraction, and further rationalizes their structure directing role. In (TBA)(3)[PMo(V)(8)Mo(VI)(4)O(37)(OH)(3)Zn(4)][C(6)H(3)(COO)(3)] (ε(2)(trim)(2)), the building unit is not the molecular Keggin but a dimerized form of this POM. Their connection via trim linkers generates a 3D framework with channels filled by TBA cations. In (TBA)(3)[PMo(V)(8)Mo(VI)(4)O(37)(OH)(3)Zn(4)][C(6)H(3)(COO)(3)]·8H(2)O ([ε(trim)](∞)), zigzag chains are connected via the organic linkers, forming 2D grids. Modified electrodes were fabricated by direct adsorption of the POMOFs on glassy carbon or entrapment in carbon paste (CPE). A remarkable electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was detected with a yield greater than 95%, and a turnover number as high as 1.2 × 10(5) was obtained after 5 h. The reported POMOF-based electrodes are more active than platinum, with a roughly 260 mV anodic shift. Finally, the electrocatalytic activities of ε(trim)(4/3)/CPE electrodes in various XCl (X = Li, Na, K, Cs) media have been studied. This allowed us to detect a cation effect and propose an electrocatalytic mechanistic pathway for the HER.