Single crystal EPR studies of the reduced active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of Ni site models of [NiFeSe] hydrogenases

A series of structural models of the Ni centre in [NiFeSe] hydrogenases display reactivity relevant to the enzyme.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of the [NiFeSe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F: reversible redox behavior and interactions between electron transfer centers

Characterizing a new hydrogenase: The newly isolated [NiFeSe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F displays catalytic properties distinct from other hydrogenase proteins. Here we apply site-specific spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques to characterize these unique features at the molecular level.

[NiFe] hydrogenases: a common active site for hydrogen metabolism under diverse conditions

Hydrogenase proteins catalyze the reversible conversion of molecular hydrogen to protons and electrons. The most abundant hydrogenases contain a [NiFe] active site; these proteins are generally biased towards hydrogen oxidation activity and are reversibly inhibited by oxygen. However, there are [NiFe] hydrogenase that exhibit unique properties, including aerobic hydrogen oxidation and preferential hydrogen production activity; these proteins are highly relevant in the context of biotechnological devices. This review describes four classes of these "nonstandard" [NiFe] hydrogenases and discusses the electrochemical, spectroscopic, and structural studies that have been used to understand the mechanisms behind this exceptional behavior. A revised classification protocol is suggested in the conclusions, particularly with respect to the term "oxygen-tolerance". This article is part of a special issue entitled: metals in bioenergetics and biomimetics systems.

Studies on hydrogenase

Hydrogenases are microbial enzymes which catalyze uptake and production of H(2). Hydrogenases are classified into 10 classes based on the electron carrier specificity, or into 3 families, [NiFe]-family (including [NiFeSe]-subfamily), [FeFe]-family and [Fe]-family, based on the metal composition of the active site. H(2) is heterolytically cleaved on the enzyme (E) to produce EH(a)H(b), where H(a) and H(b) have different rate constants for exchange with the medium hydron. X-ray crystallography unveiled the three-dimensional structures of hydrogenases. The simplest [NiFe]-hydrogenase is a heterodimer, in which the large subunit bears the Ni-Fe center buried deep in the protein, and the small subunit bears iron-sulfur clusters, which mediate electron transfer between the Ni-Fe center and the protein surface. Some hydrogenases have additional subunit(s) for interaction with their electron carriers. Various redox states of the enzyme were characterized by EPR, FTIR, etc. Based on the kinetic, structural and spectroscopic studies, the catalytic mechanism of [NiFe]-hydrogenase was proposed to explain H(2)-uptake, H(2)-production and isotopic exchange reactions.(Communicated by Shigekazu NAGATA, M.J.A.).

Connecting [NiFe]- and [FeFe]-hydrogenases: mixed-valence nickel-iron dithiolates with rotated structures

New mixed-valence iron-nickel dithiolates are described that exhibit structures similar to those of mixed-valence diiron dithiolates. The interaction of tricarbonyl salt [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)]BF(4) ([1]BF(4), where dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) and pdt(2-) = -SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S-) with P-donor ligands (L) afforded the substituted derivatives [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)L]BF(4) incorporating L = PHCy(2) ([1a]BF(4)), PPh(NEt(2))(2) ([1b]BF(4)), P(NMe(2))(3) ([1c]BF(4)), P(i-Pr)(3) ([1d]BF(4)), and PCy(3) ([1e]BF(4)). The related precursor [(dcpe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)]BF(4) ([2]BF(4), where dcpe = Cy(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PCy(2)) gave the more electron-rich family of compounds [(dcpe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)L]BF(4) for L = PPh(2)(2-pyridyl) ([2a]BF(4)), PPh(3) ([2b]BF(4)), and PCy(3) ([2c]BF(4)). For bulky and strongly basic monophosphorus ligands, the salts feature distorted coordination geometries at iron: crystallographic analyses of [1e]BF(4) and [2c]BF(4) showed that they adopt "rotated" Fe(I) centers, in which PCy(3) occupies a basal site and one CO ligand partially bridges the Ni and Fe centers. Like the undistorted mixed-valence derivatives, members of the new class of complexes are described as Ni(II)Fe(I) (S = ½) systems according to electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, although with attenuated (31)P hyperfine interactions. Density functional theory calculations using the BP86, B3LYP, and PBE0 exchange-correlation functionals agree with the structural and spectroscopic data, suggesting that the spin for [1e](+) is mostly localized in a Fe(I)-centered d(z(2)) orbital, orthogonal to the Fe-P bond. The PCy(3) complexes, rare examples of species featuring "rotated" Fe centers, both structurally and spectroscopically incorporate features from homobimetallic mixed-valence diiron dithiolates. Also, when the NiS(2)Fe core of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site is reproduced, the "hybrid models" incorporate key features of the two major classes of hydrogenase. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry experiments suggest that the highly basic phosphine ligands enable a second oxidation corresponding to the couple [(dxpe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)L](+/2+). The resulting unsaturated 32e(-) dications represent the closest approach to modeling the highly electrophilic Ni-SI(a) state. In the case of L = PPh(2) (2-pyridyl), chelation of this ligand accompanies the second oxidation.

Mixed-valence nickel-iron dithiolate models of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site

A series of mixed-valence nickel-iron dithiolates is described. Oxidation of (diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)Fe(CO)(3) complexes 1, 2, and 3 with ferrocenium salts affords the corresponding tricarbonyl cations [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([1](+)), [(dppe)Ni(edt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([2](+)) and [(dcpe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([3](+)), respectively, where dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2), dcpe = Cy(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PCy(2), (Cy = cyclohexyl), pdtH(2) = HSCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SH, and edtH(2) = HSCH(2)CH(2)SH. The cation [2](+) proved unstable, but the propanedithiolates are robust. IR and EPR spectroscopic measurements indicate that these species exist as C(s)-symmetric species. Crystallographic characterization of [3]BF(4) shows that Ni is square planar. Interaction of [1]BF(4) with P-donor ligands (L) afforded a series of substituted derivatives of type [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)L]BF(4) for L = P(OPh)(3) ([4a]BF(4)), P(p-C(6)H(4)Cl)(3) ([4b]BF(4)), PPh(2)(2-py) ([4c]BF(4)), PPh(2)(OEt) ([4d]BF(4)), PPh(3) ([4e]BF(4)), PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4)OMe) ([4f]BF(4)), PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4)OCH(2)OMe) ([4g]BF(4)), P(p-tol)(3) ([4h]BF(4)), P(p-C(6)H(4)OMe)(3) ([4i]BF(4)), and PMePh(2) ([4j]BF(4)). EPR analysis indicates that ethanedithiolate [2](+) exists as a single species at 110 K, whereas the propanedithiolate cations exist as a mixture of two conformers, which are proposed to be related through a flip of the chelate ring. Mössbauer spectra of 1 and oxidized S = 1/2 [4e]BF(4) are both consistent with a low-spin Fe(I) state. The hyperfine coupling tensor of [4e]BF(4) has a small isotropic component and significant anisotropy. DFT calculations using the BP86, B3LYP, and PBE0 exchange-correlation functionals agree with the structural and spectroscopic data, suggesting that the SOMOs in complexes of the present type are localized in an Fe(I)-centered d(z(2)) orbital. The DFT calculations allow an assignment of oxidation states of the metals and rationalization of the conformers detected by EPR spectroscopy. Treatment of [1](+) with CN(-) and compact basic phosphines results in complex reactions. With dppe, [1](+) undergoes quasi-disproportionation to give 1 and the diamagnetic complex [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)(dppe)](2+) ([5](2+)), which features square-planar Ni linked to an octahedral Fe center.

A tunable general purpose Q-band resonator for CW and pulse EPR/ENDOR experiments with large sample access and optical excitation

We describe a frequency tunable Q-band cavity (34 GHz) designed for CW and pulse Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) as well as Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) and Electron Electron Double Resonance (ELDOR) experiments. The TE(011) cylindrical resonator is machined either from brass or from graphite (which is subsequently gold plated), to improve the penetration of the 100 kHz field modulation signal. The (self-supporting) ENDOR coil consists of four 0.8mm silver posts at 2.67 mm distance from the cavity center axis, penetrating through the plunger heads. It is very robust and immune to mechanical vibrations. The coil is electrically shielded to enable CW ENDOR experiments with high RF power (500 W). The top plunger of the cavity is movable and allows a frequency tuning of ±2 GHz. In our setup the standard operation frequency is 34.0 GHz. The microwaves are coupled into the resonator through an iris in the cylinder wall and matching is accomplished by a sliding short in the coupling waveguide. Optical excitation of the sample is enabled through slits in the cavity wall (transmission ∼60%). The resonator accepts 3mm o.d. sample tubes. This leads to a favorable sensitivity especially for pulse EPR experiments of low concentration biological samples. The probehead dimensions are compatible with that of Bruker flexline Q-band resonators and it fits perfectly into an Oxford CF935 Helium flow cryostat (4-300 K). It is demonstrated that, due to the relatively large active sample volume (20-30 μl), the described resonator has superior concentration sensitivity as compared to commercial pulse Q-band resonators. The quality factor (Q(L)) of the resonator can be varied between 2600 (critical coupling) and 1300 (over-coupling). The shortest achieved π/2-pulse durations are 20 ns using a 3 W microwave amplifier. ENDOR (RF) π-pulses of 20 μs ((1)H @ 51 MHz) were obtained for a 300 W amplifier and 7 μs using a 2500 W amplifier. Selected applications of the resonator are presented.

A reduced β-diketiminato-ligated Ni3H4 unit catalyzing H/D exchange

An investigation concerning the stepwise reduction of the β-diketiminato nickel(II) hydride dimer [LNi(μ-H)(2)NiL], 1 (L = [HC(CMeNC(6)H(3)(iPr)(2))(2)](-)), has been carried out. While the reaction with one equivalent of potassium graphite, KC(8), led to the mixed valent Ni(I)/Ni(II) complex K[LNi(μ-H)(2)NiL], 3, treatment of 1 with two equivalents of KC(8) surprisingly yielded in the trinuclear complex K(2)[LNi(μ-H)(2)Ni(μ-H)(2)NiL], 4, in good yields. The Ni(3)H(4) core contains one Ni(II) and two Ni(I) centers, which are antiferromagnetically coupled so that a singlet ground state results. 4 represents the first structurally characterized molecular compound with three nickel atoms bridged by hydride ligands, and it shows a very interesting chemical behavior: Single-electron oxidation yields in the Ni(II)(2)Ni(I) compound K[LNi(μ-H)(2)Ni(μ-H)(2)NiL], 5, and treatment with CO leads to the elimination of H(2) with formation of the carbonyl complex K(2)[LNi(CO)](2), 6. Beyond that, it could be shown that 4 undergoes H/D exchange with deuterated solvents and the deuteride-compound 4-D(4) reacts with H(2) to give back 4. The crystal structures of the novel compounds 3-6 have been determined, and their electronic structures have been investigated by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and DFT calculations.

The oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase I from Aquifex aeolicus weakly interacts with carbon monoxide: an electrochemical and time-resolved FTIR study

The [NiFe] hydrogenase (Hase I) involved in the aerobic respiration of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus shows increased oxygen tolerance and thermostability and can form very stable films on pyrolytic graphite electrodes. Oxygen-tolerant enzymes, like the ones from A. aeolicus and Ralstonia eutropha, are reported to be insensitive to CO inhibition. This is in contrast to known and well-characterized (oxygen-sensitive) hydrogenases, for which carbon monoxide is a competitive inhibitor. In this study, the interaction of Hase I from A. aeolicus with CO is examined using in situ infrared electrochemistry and time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy. We could observe the formation of a CO adduct state, a finding that set the grounds to investigate the affinity of an O(2)-tolerant enzyme for binding CO as well as the reversibility of this process. In the case of A. aeolicus, this extrinsic CO is shown to be weakly attached and the adduct state is light-sensitive at low temperatures. The energetic parameters for the rebinding of CO at the active site were estimated from the rate constants of this process after photolysis and the results compared to those obtained for standard hydrogenases. Formation of a weak Ni-CO bond in the active site of Hase I most likely results from the different interaction of this enzyme with inhibitors and/or different active site electronic properties to which non standard amino acid residues in the vicinity of the active site might contribute.

Intermediates in the catalytic cycle of [NiFe] hydrogenase: functional spectroscopy of the active site

The [NiFe] hydrogenase from the anaerobic sulphate reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F is an excellent model for constructing a mechanism for the function of the so-called 'oxygen-sensitive' hydrogenases. The present review focuses on spectroscopic investigations of the active site intermediates playing a role in the activation/deactivation and catalytic cycle of this enzyme as well as in the inhibition by carbon monoxide or molecular oxygen and the light-sensitivity of the hydrogenase. The methods employed include magnetic resonance and vibrational (FTIR) techniques combined with electrochemistry that deliver information about details of the geometrical and electronic structure of the intermediates and their redox behaviour. Based on these data a mechanistic scheme is developed.

Protein-protein complex formation affects the Ni-Fe and Fe-S centers in the H2-sensing regulatory hydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha H16

The regulatory Ni-Fe hydrogenase (RH) from the H(2)-oxidizing bacterium Ralstonia eutropha functions as an oxygen-resistant hydrogen sensor, which is composed of the large, active-site-containing HoxC subunit and the small subunit HoxB carrying Fe-S clusters. In vivo, the HoxBC subunits form a dimer designated as RH(wt). The RH(wt) protein transmits its signals to the histidine protein kinase HoxJ, which itself forms a homotetramer and a stable complex with RH(wt) (RH(wt)-HoxJ(wt)), located in the cytoplasm. In this study, we used X-ray absorption (XAS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate the impact of various complexes between RH and HoxJ on the structural and electronic properties of the Ni-Fe active site and the Fe-S clusters. Aside from the RH(wt) protein and the RH(wt)-HoxJ(wt) complex, we investigated the RH(stop) protein, which consists of only one HoxB and HoxC unit due to the missing C-terminus of HoxB, as well as RH(wt)-HoxJ(Deltakinase), in which the histidine protein kinase lacks the transmitter domain. All constructs reacted with H(2), leading to the formation of the EPR-detectable Ni(III)-C state of the active site and to the reduction of Fe-S clusters detectable by XAS, thus corroborating that H(2) cleavage is independent of the presence of the HoxJ protein. In RH(stop), presumably one Fe-S cluster was lost during the preparation procedure. The coordination of the active site Ni in RH(stop) differed from that in RH(wt) and the RH(wt)-HoxJ complexes, in which additional Ni--O bonds were detected by XAS. The Ni--O bonds caused only very minor changes of the EPR g-values of the Ni-C and Ni-L states and of the IR vibrational frequencies of the diatomic CN(-) and CO ligands at the active-site Fe ion. Both one Fe-S cluster in HoxB and an oxygen-rich Ni coordination seem to be stabilized by RH dimerization involving the C-terminus of HoxB and by complex formation with HoxJ.

Spectroscopic insights into the oxygen-tolerant membrane-associated [NiFe] hydrogenase of Ralstonia eutropha H16

This study provides the first spectroscopic characterization of the membrane-bound oxygen-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) from Ralstonia eutropha H16 in its natural environment, the cytoplasmic membrane. The H2-converting MBH is composed of a large subunit, harboring the [NiFe] active site, and a small subunit, capable in coordinating one [3Fe4S] and two [4Fe4S] clusters. The hydrogenase dimer is electronically connected to a membrane-integral cytochrome b. EPR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a strong similarity of the MBH active site with known [NiFe] centers from strictly anaerobic hydrogenases. Most redox states characteristic for anaerobic [NiFe] hydrogenases were identified except for one remarkable difference. The formation of the oxygen-inhibited Niu-A state was never observed. Furthermore, EPR data showed the presence of an additional paramagnetic center at high redox potential (+290 mV), which couples magnetically to the [3Fe4S] center and indicates a structural and/or redox modification at or near the proximal [4Fe4S] cluster. Additionally, significant differences regarding the magnetic coupling between the Nia-C state and [4Fe4S] clusters were observed in the reduced form of the MBH. The spectroscopic properties are discussed with regard to the unusual oxygen tolerance of this hydrogenase and in comparison with those of the solubilized, dimeric form of the MBH.

Structure and Function of [NiFe]-Hydrogenases

[NiFe(Se)]-hydrogenases are hetero-dimeric enzymes present in many microorganisms where they catalyze the oxidation of molecular hydrogen or the reduction of protons. Like the other two types of hydrogen-metabolizing enzymes, the [FeFe]- and [Fe]-hydrogenases, [NiFe]-hydrogenases have a Fe(CO)x unit in their active sites that is most likely involved in hydride binding. Because of their complexity, hydrogenases require a maturation machinery that involves several gene products. They include nickel and iron transport, synthesis of CN− (and maybe CO), formation and insertion of a FeCO(CN−)2 unit in the apo form, insertion of nickel and proteolytic cleavage of a C-terminal stretch, a step that ends the maturation process. Because the active site is buried in the structure, electron and proton transfer are required between this site and the molecular surface. The former is mediated by either three or one Fe/S cluster(s) depending on the enzyme. When exposed to oxidizing conditions, such as the presence of O2, [NiFe]-hydrogenases are inactivated. Depending on the redox state of the enzyme, exposure to oxygen results in either a partially reduced oxo species probably a (hydro)peroxo ligand between nickel and iron or a more reduced OH– ligand instead. Under some conditions the thiolates that coordinate the NiFe center can be modified to sulfenates. Understanding this process is of biotechnological interest for H2 production by photosynthetic organisms.

Mononuclear nickel(III) complexes [Ni(III)(OR)(P(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)3)](-) (R = Me, Ph) containing the terminal alkoxide ligand: relevance to the nickel site of oxidized-form [NiFe] hydrogenases

The unprecedented nickel(III) thiolate [Ni (III)(OR)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) [R = Ph ( 1), Me ( 3)] containing the terminal Ni (III)-OR bond, characterized by UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, were isolated from the reaction of [Ni (III)(Cl)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) with 3 equiv of [Na][OPh] in tetrahydrofuran (THF)-CH 3CN and the reaction of complex 1 with 1 equiv of [Bu 4N][OMe] in THF-CH 3OH, respectively. Interestingly, the addition of complex 1 into the THF-CH 3OH solution of [Me 4N][OH] also yielded complex 3. In contrast to the inertness of complex [Ni (III)(Cl)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) toward 1 equiv of [Na][OPh], the addition of 1 equiv of [Na][OMe] into a THF-CH 3CN solution of [Ni (III)(Cl)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) yielded the known [Ni (III)(CH 2CN)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) ( 4). At 77 K, complexes 1 and 3 exhibit a rhombic signal with g values of 2.31, 2.09, and 2.00 and of 2.28, 2.04, and 2.00, respectively, the characteristic g values of the known trigonal-bipyramidal Ni (III) [Ni (III)(L)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) (L = SePh, SEt, Cl) complexes. Compared to complexes [Ni (III)(EPh)(P(C 6H 3-3-SiMe 3-2-S) 3)] (-) [E = S ( 2), Se] dominated by one intense absorption band at 592 and 590 nm, respectively, the electronic spectrum of complex 1 coordinated by the less electron-donating phenoxide ligand displays a red shift to 603 nm. In a comparison of the Ni (III)-OMe bond length of 1.885(2) A found in complex 3, the longer Ni (III)-OPh bond distance of 1.910(3) A found in complex 1 may be attributed to the absence of sigma and pi donation from the [OPh]-coordinated ligand to the Ni (III) center.

Thiolate-bridged dinuclear iron(tris-carbonyl)-nickel complexes relevant to the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase

The reaction of NiBr(2)(EtOH)(4) with a 1:2-3 mixture of FeBr(2)(CO)(4) and Na(SPh) generated a linear trinuclear Fe-Ni-Fe cluster (CO)(3)Fe(mu-SPh)(3)Ni(mu-SPh)(3)Fe(CO)(3), 1, whereas the analogous reaction system FeBr(2)(CO)(4)/Na(S(t)Bu)/NiBr(2)(EtOH)(4) (1:2-3:1) gave rise to a linear tetranuclear Fe-Ni-Ni-Fe cluster [(CO)(3)Fe(mu-S(t)Bu)(3)Ni(mu-Br)](2), 2. By using this tetranuclear cluster 2 as the precursor, we have developed a new synthetic route to a series of thiolate-bridged dinuclear Fe(CO)(3)-Ni complexes, the structures of which mimic [NiFe] hydrogenase active sites. The reactions of 2 with SC(NMe(2))(2) (tmtu), Na{S(CH(2))(2)SMe} and ortho-NaS(C(6)H(4))SR (R = Me, (t)Bu) led to isolation of (CO)(3)Fe(mu-S(t)Bu)(3)NiBr(tmtu), 3, (CO)(3)Fe(S(t)Bu)(mu-S(t)Bu)(2)Ni{S(CH(2))(2)SMe}, 4, and (CO)(3)Fe(S(t)Bu)(mu-S(t)Bu)(2)Ni{S(C(6)H(4))SR}, 5a (R = Me) and 5b (R = (t)Bu), respectively. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 2-methylthio-phenolate (ortho-O(C(6)H(4))SMe) in methanol resulted in (CO)(3)Fe(mu-S(t)Bu)(3)Ni(MeOH){O(C(6)H(4))SMe}, 6a. The methanol molecule bound to Ni is labile and is readily released under reduced pressure to afford (CO)(3)Fe(S(t)Bu)(mu-S(t)Bu)(2)Ni{O(C(6)H(4))SMe}, 6b, and the coordination geometry of nickel changes from octahedral to square planar. Likewise, the reaction of 2 with NaOAc in methanol followed by crystallization from THF gave (CO)(3)Fe(mu-S(t)Bu)(3)Ni(THF)(OAc), 7. The dinuclear complexes, 3-7, are thermally unstable, and a key to their successful isolation is to carry out the reactions and manipulations at -40 degrees C.

Direct electrochemical study of the multiple redox centers of hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio gigas

Direct electrochemical response was first time observed for the redox centers of Desulfovibrio gigas [NiFe]-Hase, in non-turnover conditions, by cyclic voltammetry, in solution at glassy carbon electrode. The activation of the enzyme was achieved by reduction with H(2) and by electrochemical control and electrocatalytic activity was observed. The inactivation of the [NiFe]-Hase was also attained through potential control. All electrochemical data was obtained in the absence of enzyme inhibitors. The results are discussed in the context of the proposed mechanism currently accepted for activation/inactivation of [NiFe]-Hases.

Mononuclear Ni(II)-Thiolate Complexes with Pendant Thiol and Dinuclear Ni(III/II)-Thiolate Complexes with Ni···Ni Interaction Regulated by the Oxidation Levels of Nickels and the Coordinated Ligands

Compared to [Ni(II)(SePh)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SH))]- (1a) and [Ni(II)(Cl)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SH))]- (3a) with a combination of the intramolecular [Ni...H-S] and [Ni-S...H-S] interactions, complexes [NiII(SePh)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SH))]- (1b) and [Ni(II)(Cl)(P (o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SH))]- (3b) with intramolecular [Ni...H-S] interaction exhibit lower nu(S-H) stretching frequencies (2137 and 2235 cm(-1) for 1b and 3b vs 2250 and 2287 cm(-1) for 1a and 3a, respectively) and smaller torsion angles (27.2 degrees for 3b vs 58.9 and 59.1 degrees for 1a and 3a, respectively). The pendant thiol interaction modes of 1a, 3a, and 3b in the solid state are controlled by the solvent pairs of crystallization. Oxygen oxidation of dinuclear [Ni(II)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SH))](2) (4) yielded thermally stable dinuclear [Ni(III)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-mu-S))](2) (5). The two paramagnetic d(7) Ni(III) cores (S = 1/2) with antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -3.13 cm(-1)) rationalize the diamagnetic property of 5. The fully delocalized mixed-valence [Ni(II)-Ni(III)] complexes [Ni2(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(3))(2)]- (6) and [Ni(2)(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(3))(P(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-S)(2)(o-C(6)H(3)-3-SiMe(3)-2-SCH(3)))] (7) were isolated upon the reduction of 5 and the methylation of 6, respectively. The electronic perturbation from the sulfur methylation of 6 triggers the stronger Ni...Ni interaction and the geometrical rearrangement from the diamond shape of the [NiS(2)Ni] core to the butterfly structure of [Ni(mu-S)(2)Ni] to yield 7 with Ni...Ni distances of 2.6088(1) A. The distinctly different Ni...Ni distances (2.6026(7) for 5 and 2.8289(15) A for 6) and the coordination number of the nickels indicate a balance of geometrical requirements for different oxidation levels of [PS(3)Ni-NiPS(3)] cores of 5 and 6.