Characterization of a High-Spin Non-Heme {FeNO}8Complex: Implications for the Reactivity of Iron Nitroxyl Species in Biology

Reactivity of Thiolate and Hydrosulfide with a Mononuclear {FeNO}7 Complex Featuring a Very High N-O Stretching Frequency

Synthesis, characterization, electronic structure, and redox reactions of a mononuclear {FeNO}7 complex with a very high N-O stretching frequency in solution are presented. Nitrosylation of [(LKP)Fe(DMF)]2+ (1) (LKP = tris((1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)amine) produced a five-coordinate {FeNO}7 complex, [(LKP)Fe(NO)]2+ (2). While complex 2 could accommodate an additional water molecule to generate a six-coordinate {FeNO}7 complex, [(LKP)Fe(NO)(H2O)]2+ (3), the coordinated H2O in 3 dissociates to generate 2 in solution. The molecular structure of 2 features a nearly linear Fe-N-O unit with an Fe-N distance of 1.744(4) Å, N-O distance of 1.162(5) Å, and Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

Soumik Karmakar School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
Suman Patra School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
Koushik Pramanik School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
Amit Adhikary Department of Chemistry, Technology Campus, University of Calcutta, JD Block, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700098, India
Abhishek Dey School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
Amit Majumdar School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India

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The Elusive Mononitrosylated [Fe4 S4 ] Cluster in Three Redox States

Iron-sulfur clusters are well-established targets in biological nitric oxide (NO) chemistry, but the key intermediate in these processes-a mononitrosylated [Fe4 S4 ] cluster-has not been fully characterized in a protein or a synthetic model thereof. Here, we report the synthesis of a three-member redox series of isostructural mononitrosylated [Fe4 S4 ] clusters. Mononitrosylation was achieved by binding NO to a 3 : 1 site-differentiated [Fe4 S4 ]+ cluster; subsequent oxidation and reduction afforded the other members of the series. All three clusters feature a local high-spin Fe3+ center antiferromagnetically coupled to 3 [NO]- . The observation of an anionic NO ligand suggests that NO binding is accompanied by formal electron transfer from the cluster to NO. Preliminary reactivity studies with the monocationic cluster demonstrate that exposure to excess NO degrades the cluster, supporting the intermediacy of mononitrosylated intermediates in NO sensing/signaling.

Distortion of the [FeNO]2 Core in Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductase Models Inhibits N-N Bond Formation and Promotes Formation of Unusual Dinitrosyl Iron Complexes: Implications for Catalysis and Reactivity

Flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs) carry out the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N₂O), allowing infectious pathogens to mitigate toxic levels of NO generated in the human immune response. We previously reported the model complex [Fe₂(BPMP)(OPr)(NO)₂](OTf)₂ (1, OPr^- = propionate) that contains two coplanar NO ligands and that is capable of quantitative NO reduction to N₂O [White et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 2562-2574]. Here we investigate, for the first time, how a distortion of the active site affects the ability of the diiron core to mediate N₂O formation. For this purpose, we prepared several analogues of 1 that contain two monodentate ligands in place of the bridging carboxylate, [Fe₂(BPMP)(X)₂(NO)₂]^3+/1+ (2-X; X = triflate, 1-methylimidazole, or methanol). Structural data of 2-X show that without the bridging carboxylate, the diiron core expands, leading to elongated (O)N-N(O) distances (from 2.80 Å in 1 to 3.00-3.96 Å in 2-X) and distorted (O)N-Fe-Fe-N(O) dihedral angles (from coplanarity (5.9°) in 1 to 52.9-85.1° in 2-X). Whereas 1 produces quantitative amounts of N₂O upon one-electron reduction, N₂O production is substantially impeded in 2-X, to an initial 5-10% N₂O yield. The main products after reduction are unprecedented hs-Fe^II/{Fe(NO)₂}^9/10 dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs). Even though mononuclear DNICs are stable and do not show N-N coupling (since it is a spin-forbidden process), the hs-Fe^II/{Fe(NO)₂}^9/10 DNICs obtained from 2-X show unexpected reactivity and produce up to quantitative N₂O yields after 2 h. The implications of these results for the active site structure of FNORs are discussed.

The Biologically Relevant Coordination Chemistry of Iron and Nitric Oxide: Electronic Structure and Reactivity

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological events in biology. Metal coordination chemistry, especially with iron, is at the heart of many biological transformations involving NO. A series of heme proteins, nitric oxide synthases (NOS), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and nitrophorins, are responsible for the biosynthesis, sensing, and transport of NO. Alternatively, NO can be generated from nitrite by heme- and copper-containing nitrite reductases (NIRs). The NO-bearing small molecules such as nitrosothiols and dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) can serve as an alternative vehicle for NO storage and transport. Once NO is formed, the rich reaction chemistry of NO leads to a wide variety of biological activities including reduction of NO by heme or non-heme iron-containing NO reductases and protein post-translational modifications by DNICs. Much of our understanding of the reactivity of metal sites in biology with NO and the mechanisms of these transformations has come from the elucidation of the geometric and electronic structures and chemical reactivity of synthetic model systems, in synergy with biochemical and biophysical studies on the relevant proteins themselves. This review focuses on recent advancements from studies on proteins and model complexes that not only have improved our understanding of the biological roles of NO but also have provided foundations for biomedical research and for bio-inspired catalyst design in energy science.

Reduction of NO by diiron complexes in relation to flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases

Reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N₂O) is associated with immense biological and health implications. Flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs) are diiron containing enzymes that catalyze the two electron reduction of NO to N₂O and help certain pathogenic bacteria to survive under "nitrosative stress" in anaerobic growth conditions. Consequently, invading bacteria can proliferate inside the body of mammals by bypassing the immune defense mechanism involving NO and may thus lead to harmful infections. Various mechanisms, namely the direct reduction, semireduction, superreduction and hyponitrite mechanisms, have been proposed over time for catalytic NO reduction by FNORs. Model studies in relation to the diiron active site of FNORs have immensely helped to replicate the minimal structure-reactivity relationship and to understand the mechanism of NO reduction. A brief overview of the FNOR activity and the proposed reaction mechanisms followed by a systematic description and detailed analysis of the model studies is presented, which describes the development in the area of NO reduction by diiron complexes and its implications. A great deal of successful modeling chemistry as well as the shortcomings related to the synthesis and reactivity studies is discussed in detail. Finally, future prospects in this particular area of research are proposed, which in due course may bring more clarity in the understanding of this important redox reaction.

A Series of Iron Nitrosyl Complexes {Fe-NO}6-9 and a Fleeting {Fe-NO}10 Intermediate en Route to a Metalacyclic Iron Nitrosoalkane

Iron-nitrosyls have fascinated chemists for a long time due to the noninnocent nature of the NO ligand that can exist in up to five different oxidation and spin states. Coordination to an open-shell iron center leads to complex electronic structures, which is the reason Enemark-Feltham introduced the {Fe-NO}ⁿ notation. In this work, we succeeded in characterizing a series of {Fe-NO}^6-9 complexes, including a reactive {Fe-NO}¹⁰ intermediate. All complexes were synthesized with the tris-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand tris[2-(3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)ethyl]amine (TIMEN^Mes), which is known to support iron in high and low oxidation states. Reaction of NOBF₄ with [(TIMEN^Mes)Fe]²⁺ resulted in formation of the {Fe-NO}⁶ compound [(TIMEN^Mes)Fe(NO)(CH₃CN)](BF₄)₃ (1). Stepwise chemical reduction with Zn, Mg, and Na/Hg leads to the isostructural series of high-spin iron nitrosyl complexes {Fe-NO}^7,8,9 (2-4). Reduction of {Fe-NO}⁹ with Cs electride finally yields the highly reduced {Fe-NO}¹⁰ intermediate, key to formation of [Cs(crypt-222)][(TIMEN^Mes)Fe(NO)], (5) featuring a metalacyclic [Fe-(NO-NHC)^3-] nitrosoalkane unit. All complexes were characterized by single-crystal XRD analyses, temperature and field-dependent SQUID magnetization methods, as well as ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, IR, UV/vis, multinuclear NMR, and dual-mode EPR spectroscopy. Spectroscopy-based DFT analyses provide insight into the electronic structures of all compounds and allowed assignments of oxidation states to iron and NO ligands. An alternative synthesis to the {Fe-NO}⁸ complex was found via oxygenation of the nitride complex [(TIMEN^Mes)Fe(N)](BF₄). Surprisingly, the resulting {Fe-NO}⁸ species is electronically and structural similar to the [(TIMEN^Mes)Fe(N)]⁺ precursor. Based on the structural and electronic similarities between this nitrosyl/nitride complex couple, we adopted the strategy, developed by Wieghardt et al., of extending the Enemark-Feltham nomenclature to nitrido complexes, rendering [(TIMEN^Mes)Fe(N)]⁺ as a {Fe-N}⁸ species.

Mononuclear, Nonheme, High-Spin {FeNO}7/8 Complexes Supported by a Sterically Encumbered N4S-Thioether Ligand

The synthesis of a new nonheme iron NO binding complex, [Fe^II(CH₃CN)(N3Py^2PhSEtCN)](BF₄)₂ (1), is reported. Complex 1, which contains two sterically encumbering phenyl substituents, exhibits a high-spin (hs) Fe^II (S = 2) ground state in contrast to the S = 0 ground state for unsubstituted [Fe^II(CH₃CN)(N3PySEtCN)(BF₄)₂. Reaction of 1 with NO_(g) in CH₃CN yields an {FeNO}⁷ (S = ³/₂) complex 2, which slowly decays at 25 °C with loss of NO^• to regenerate 1. One-electron reduction of 2 with Cr(C₆H₆)₂ at -40 °C yields the metastable, S = 1 {FeNO}⁸ complex 3. The nitrosyl moieties in thioether-ligated 2 and 3 are significantly less activated than in thiolate-ligated [Fe(NO)(N3PyS)]^+/0, a structurally analogous pair of hs {FeNO}^7/8 complexes. Calculations reveal that reduction of 2 is iron-centered, which may be a general property of hs {FeNO}^7/8 complexes.

Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Theoretical Studies of Iron Bimetallic Complexes Showing Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Mössbauer spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are reported for the mononuclear Fe-nitrosyl complex [Fe( N, N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane)NO] {[Fe(bme-dach)(NO)] (1)} and the series of dithiolate-bridged dinuclear complexes M-Fe(CO)Cp [M = Fe(bme-dach)(NO) (1-A), Ni(bme-dach) (2-A), and Co(bme-dach)(NO) (3-A)], in which M is a metallo-ligand to Fe(CO)Cp⁺ (Fe'_Cp). The latter is an organometallic fragment in which Fe is coordinated by one CO and one cyclopentadienyl ligand. Complexes 1-A and 2-A were previously shown to have electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. Mononuclear {Fe-NO}⁷ complex 1, with overall spin of ¹/₂, has an isomer shift of 0.23(2) mm/s [Δ E_Q = 1.37(2) mm/s] and magnetic hyperfine couplings of {-38 T, -26.8 T, 8.6 T}. In complexes 2-A and 3-A, Fe'(CO)Cp⁺ has a diamagnetic ground state and δ = 0.33(2) mm/s (Δ E_Q ≈ 1.78 mm/s), consistent with a low-spin Fe^II site. In contrast, in complex 1-A, M = Fe(bme-dach)(NO) (i.e., complex 1) the magnetic hyperfine interactions of both metallo-ligand, M, and low-spin Fe'_Cp are perturbed and Fe'_Cp exhibits small magnetic hyperfine interactions, although its isomer shift and quadrupole splittings are largely unaltered. The DFT calculations for 1-A are in agreement with the paramagnetism observed for the Fe'(CO)Cp⁺ iron site.

Five-Coordinate Low-Spin {FeNO}7 PNP Pincer Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of air-stable cationic mono nitrosonium Fe(I) PNP pincer complexes of the type [Fe(PNP)(NO)Cl]⁺ are described. These complexes are obtained via direct nitroslyation of [Fe(PNP)Cl₂] with nitric oxide at ambient pressure. On the basis of magnetic and EPR measurements as well as DFT calculations, these compounds were found to adopt a low-spin d⁷ configuration and feature a nearly linear bound NO ligand suggesting Fe^INO⁺ rather than Fe^IINO^• character. X-ray structures of all nitrosonium Fe(I) PNP complexes are presented. Preliminary investigations reveal that [Fe(PNP^NH- iPr)(NO)(Cl)]⁺ efficiently catalyzes the conversion of primary alcohols and aromatic and benzylic amines to yield mono N-alkylated amines in good isolated yields.

Simultaneous nitrosylation and N-nitrosation of a Ni-thiolate model complex of Ni-containing SOD

Nitric oxide (NO) is used as a substrate analogue/spectroscopic probe of metal sites that bind and activate oxygen and its derivatives. To assess the interaction of superoxide with the Ni center in Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD), we studied the reaction of NO⁺ and NO with the model complex, Et₄N[Ni(nmp)(SPh-o-NH₂-p-CF₃)] (1; nmp^2- = dianion of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)picolinamide; ^-SPh-o-NH₂-p-CF₃ = 2-amino-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenethiolate) and its oxidized analogue 1^ox , respectively. The ultimate products of these reactions are the disulfide of ^-SPh-o-NH₂-p-CF₃ and the S,S-bridged tetrameric complex [Ni₄(nmp)₄], a result of S-based redox activity. However, introduction of NO to 1 affords the green dimeric {NiNO}¹⁰ complex (Et₄N)₂[{Ni(κ²-SPh-o-NNO-p-CF₃)(NO)}₂] (2) via NO-induced loss of nmp^2- as the disulfide and N-nitrosation of the aromatic thiolate. Complex 2 was characterized by X-ray crystallography and several spectroscopies. These measurements are in-line with other tetrahedral complexes in the {NiNO}¹⁰ classification. In contrast to the established stability of this metal-nitrosyl class, the Ni-NO bond of 2 is labile and release of NO from this unit was quantified by trapping the NO with a Co^II-porphyrin (70-80% yield). In the process, the Ni ends up coordinated by two o-nitrosaminobenzenethiolato ligands to result in the structurally characterized trans-(Et₄N)₂[Ni(SPh-o-NNO-p-CF₃)₂] (3), likely by a disproportionation mechanism. The isolation and characterization of 2 and 3 suggest that: (i) the strongly donating thiolates dominate the electronic structure of Ni-nitrosyls that result in less covalent Ni-NO bonds, and (ii) superoxide undergoes disproportionation via an outer-sphere mechanism in NiSOD as complexes in the {NiNO}^9/8 state have yet to be isolated.

A Structural Model for the Iron-Nitrosyl Adduct of Gentisate Dioxygenase

We present the synthesis, properties, and characterization of [Fe(T1Et4iPrIP)(NO)(H₂O)₂](OTf)₂ (1) (T1Et4iPrIP = Tris(1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-imidazolyl)phosphine) as a model for the nitrosyl adduct of gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (GDO). The further characterization of [Fe(T1Et4iPrIP)(THF)(NO)(OTf)](OTf) (2) which was previously communicated (Inorg. Chem. 2014, 53, 5414) is also presented. The weighted average Fe-N-O angle of 162° for 1 is very close to linear (≥ 165°) for these types of complexes. The coordinated water ligands participate in hydrogen bonding interactions. The spectral properties (EPR, UV-vis, FTIR) for 1 are compared with 2 and found to be quite comparable. Complex 1 closely follows the relationship between the Fe-N-O angle and NO vibrational frequency which was previously identified for 6-coordinate {FeNO}⁷ complexes. Liquid FTIR studies on 2 indicate that the ν(NO) vibration position is sensitive to solvent shifting to lower energy (relative to the solid) in donor solvent THF and shifting to higher energy in dichloromethane. The basis for this behavior is discussed. The K _eq for NO binding in 2 was calculated in THF and found to be 470 M^-1. Density functional theory (DFT) studies on 1 indicate donation of electron density to the iron center from the π* orbitals of formally NO^-. Such a donation accounts for the near linearity of the Fe-N-O bond and the large ν(NO) value of 1791 cm^-1.

Structural and Electronic Responses to the Three Redox Levels of Fe(NO)N2 S2 -Fe(NO)2

The nitrosylated diiron complexes, Fe₂ (NO)₃ , of this study are interpreted as a mono-nitrosyl Fe(NO) unit, MNIU, within an N₂ S₂ ligand field that serves as a metallodithiolate ligand to a dinitrosyl iron unit, DNIU. The cationic Fe(NO)N₂ S₂ ⋅Fe(NO)₂ ⁺ complex, 1⁺ , of Enemark-Feltham electronic notation {Fe(NO)}⁷ -{Fe(NO)₂ }⁹ , is readily obtained via myriad synthetic routes, and shown to be spin coupled and diamagnetic. Its singly and doubly reduced forms, {Fe(NO)}⁷ -{Fe(NO)₂ }¹⁰ , 1⁰ , and {Fe(NO)}⁸ -{Fe(NO)₂ }¹⁰ , 1^- , were isolated and characterized. While structural parameters of the DNIU are largely unaffected by redox levels, the MNIU readily responds; the neutral, S= 1 / 2 , complex, 1⁰ , finds the extra electron density added into the DNIU affects the adjacent MNIU as seen by the decrease its Fe-N-O angle (from 171° to 149°). In contrast, addition of the second electron, now into the MNIU, returns the Fe-N-O angle to 171° in 1^- . Compensating shifts in Fe_MNIU distances from the N₂ S₂ plane (from 0.518 to 0.551 to 0.851 Å) contribute to the stability of the bimetallic complex. These features are addressed by computational studies which indicate that the MNIU in 1^- is a triplet-state {Fe(NO)}⁸ with strong spin polarization in the more linear FeNO unit. Magnetic susceptibility and parallel mode EPR results are consistent with the triplet state assignment.

A Nonheme Sulfur-Ligated {FeNO}6 Complex and Comparison with Redox-Interconvertible {FeNO}7 and {FeNO}8 Analogues

A nonheme {FeNO}⁶ complex, [Fe(NO)(N3PyS)]²⁺ , was synthesized by reversible, one-electron oxidation of an {FeNO}⁷ analogue. This complex completes the first known series of sulfur-ligated {FeNO}^6-8 complexes. All three {FeNO}^6-8 complexes are readily interconverted by one-electron oxidation/reduction. A comparison of spectroscopic data (UV/Vis, NMR, IR, Mössbauer, X-ray absorption) provides a complete picture of the electronic and structural changes that occur upon {FeNO}⁶ -{FeNO}⁸ interconversion. Dissociation of NO from the new {FeNO}⁶ complex is shown to be controlled by solvent, temperature, and photolysis, which is rare for a sulfur-ligated {FeNO}⁶ species.

Non-heme High-Spin {FeNO}6-8 Complexes: One Ligand Platform Can Do It All

Heme and non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes are important intermediates in biology. While there are numerous examples of low-spin heme iron-nitrosyl complexes in different oxidation states, much less is known about high-spin (hs) non-heme iron-nitrosyls in oxidation states other than the formally ferrous NO adducts ({FeNO}⁷ in the Enemark-Feltham notation). In this study, we present a complete series of hs-{FeNO}^6-8 complexes using the TMG₃tren coligand. Redox transformations from the hs-{FeNO}⁷ complex [Fe(TMG₃tren)(NO)]²⁺ to its {FeNO}⁶ and {FeNO}⁸ analogs do not alter the coordination environment of the iron center, allowing for detailed comparisons between these species. Here, we present new MCD, NRVS, XANES/EXAFS, and Mössbauer data, demonstrating that these redox transformations are metal based, which allows us to access hs-Fe(II)-NO^-, Fe(III)-NO^-, and Fe(IV)-NO^- complexes. Vibrational data, analyzed by NCA, directly quantify changes in Fe-NO bonding along this series. Optical data allow for the identification of a "spectator" charge-transfer transition that, together with Mössbauer and XAS data, directly monitors the electronic changes of the Fe center. Using EXAFS, we are also able to provide structural data for all complexes. The magnetic properties of the complexes are further analyzed (from magnetic Mössbauer). The properties of our hs-{FeNO}^6-8 complexes are then contrasted to corresponding, low-spin iron-nitrosyl complexes where redox transformations are generally NO centered. The hs-{FeNO}⁸ complex can further be protonated by weak acids, and the product of this reaction is characterized. Taken together, these results provide unprecedented insight into the properties of biologically relevant non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes in three relevant oxidation states.

Nitric oxide activation facilitated by cooperative multimetallic electron transfer within an iron-functionalized polyoxovanadate-alkoxide cluster

Cooperative multimetallic electron transfer to accommodate substrate binding.

A series of NO-bound, iron-functionalized polyoxovanadate–alkoxide (FePOV–alkoxide) clusters have been synthesized, providing insight into the role of multimetallic constructs in the coordination and activation of a substrate. Upon exposure of the heterometallic cluster to NO, the vanadium-oxide metalloligand is oxidized by a single electron, shuttling the reducing equivalent to the {FeNO} subunit to form a {FeNO}⁷ species. Four NO-bound clusters with electronic distributions ranging from [VV3VIV2]{FeNO}⁷ to [VIV5]{FeNO}⁷ have been synthesized, and characterized via¹H NMR, infrared, and electronic absorption spectroscopies. The ability of the FePOV–alkoxide cluster to store reducing equivalents in the metalloligand for substrate coordination and activation highlights the ultility of the metal-oxide scaffold as a redox reservoir.

A mononuclear nonheme {FeNO}6 complex: synthesis and structural and spectroscopic characterization

While the synthesis and characterization of {FeNO}^7,8,9 complexes have been well documented in heme and nonheme iron models, {FeNO}⁶ complexes have been less clearly understood. Herein, we report the synthesis and structural and spectroscopic characterization of mononuclear nonheme {FeNO}⁶ and iron(iii)-nitrito complexes bearing a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), such as [(TAML)Fe^III(NO)]^- and [(TAML)Fe^III(NO₂)]^2-, respectively. First, direct addition of NO_(g) to [Fe^III(TAML)]^- results in the formation of [(TAML)Fe^III(NO)]^-, which is sensitive to moisture and air. The spectroscopic data of [(TAML)Fe^III(NO)]^-, such as ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, combined with computational study suggest the neutral nature of nitric oxide with a diamagnetic Fe center (S = 0). We also provide alternative pathways for the generation of [(TAML)Fe^III(NO)]^-, such as the iron-nitrite reduction triggered by protonation in the presence of ferrocene, which acts as an electron donor, and the photochemical iron-nitrite reduction. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports the first photochemical nitrite reduction in nonheme iron models.

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.

A Nonheme, High-Spin {FeNO}8 Complex that Spontaneously Generates N2O

One-electron reduction of [Fe(NO)-(N3PyS)]BF₄ (1) leads to the production of the metastable nonheme {FeNO}⁸ complex, [Fe(NO)(N3PyS)] (3). Complex 3 is a rare example of a high-spin (S = 1) {FeNO}⁸ and is the first example, to our knowledge, of a mononuclear nonheme {FeNO}⁸ species that generates N₂O. A second, novel route to 3 involves addition of Piloty's acid, an HNO donor, to an Fe^II precursor. This work provides possible new insights regarding the mechanism of nitric oxide reductases.

A cobalt–nitrosyl complex with a hindered hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate coligand: detailed electronic structure, and reactivity towards dioxygen

The cobalt–nitrosyl complex [Co(NO)(L3)] is supported by a highly hindered tridentate nitrogen ligand, hydrotris(3-tertiary butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (denoted as L3⁻), and shows a linear Co–N–O unit.

A Triad of Highly Reduced, Linear Iron Nitrosyl Complexes: {FeNO}(8-10)

Given the importance of Fe-NO complexes in both human biology and the global nitrogen cycle, there has been interest in understanding their diverse electronic structures. Herein a redox series of isolable iron nitrosyl complexes stabilized by a tris(phosphine)borane (TPB) ligand is described. These structurally characterized iron nitrosyl complexes reside in the following highly reduced Enemark-Feltham numbers: {FeNO}(8) , {FeNO}(9) , and {FeNO}(10) . These {FeNO}(8-10) compounds are each low-spin, and feature linear yet strongly activated nitric oxide ligands. Use of Mössbauer, EPR, NMR, UV/Vis, and IR spectroscopy, in conjunction with DFT calculations, provides insight into the electronic structures of this uncommon redox series of iron nitrosyl complexes. In particular, the data collectively suggest that {TPBFeNO}(8-10) are all remarkably covalent. This covalency is likely responsible for the stability of this system across three highly reduced redox states that correlate with unusually high Enemark-Feltham numbers.

Complete Series of {FeNO}(8), {FeNO}(7), and {FeNO}(6) Complexes Stabilized by a Tetracarbene Macrocycle

Use of a macrocyclic tetracarbene ligand, which is topologically reminiscent of tetrapyrrole macrocycles though electronically distinct, has allowed for the isolation, X-ray crystallographic characterization and comprehensive spectroscopic investigation of a complete set of {FeNO}(x) complexes (x = 6, 7, 8). Electrochemical reduction, or chemical reduction with CoCp2, of the {FeNO}(7) complex 1 leads to the organometallic {FeNO}(8) species 2. Its crystallographic structure determination is the first for a nonheme iron nitroxyl {FeNO}(8) and has allowed to identify structural trends among the series of {FeNO}(x) complexes. Combined experimental data including (57)Fe Mössbauer, IR, UV-vis-NIR, NMR and Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopies in concert with DFT calculations suggest a largely metal centered reduction of 1 to form the low spin (S = 0) {FeNO}(8) species 2. The very strong σ-donor character of the tetracarbene ligand imparts unusual properties and spectroscopic signatures such as low (57)Fe Mössbauer isomer shifts and linear Fe-N-O units with high IR stretching frequencies for the NO ligand. The observed metal-centered reduction leads to distinct reactivity patterns of the {FeNO}(8) species. In contrast to literature reported {FeNO}(8) complexes, 2 does not undergo NO protonation under strictly anaerobic conditions. Only in the presence of both dioxygen and protons is rapid and clean oxidation to the {FeNO}(7) complex 1 observed. While 1 is stable toward dioxygen, its reaction with dioxygen under NO atmosphere forms the {FeNO}(6)(ONO) complex 3 that features an unusual O-nitrito ligand trans to the NO. 3 is a rare example of a nonheme octahedral {FeNO}(6) complex. Its electrochemical or chemical reduction triggers dissociation of the O-nitrito ligand and sequential formation of the {FeNO}(7) and {FeNO}(8) compounds 1 and 2. A consistent electronic structure picture has been derived for these unique organometallic variants of the key bioinorganic {FeNO}(x) functional units.

Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of a High-Spin {FeNO}(6) Complex with an Iron(IV)-NO(-) Electronic Structure

Although the interaction of low-spin ferric complexes with nitric oxide has been well studied, examples of stable high-spin ferric nitrosyls (such as those that could be expected to form at typical non-heme iron sites in biology) are extremely rare. Using the TMG3 tren co-ligand, we have prepared a high-spin ferric NO adduct ({FeNO}(6) complex) via electrochemical or chemical oxidation of the corresponding high-spin ferrous NO {FeNO}(7) complex. The {FeNO}(6) compound is characterized by UV/Visible and IR spectroelectrochemistry, Mössbauer and NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. The data show that its electronic structure is best described as a high-spin iron(IV) center bound to a triplet NO(-) ligand with a very covalent iron-NO bond. This finding demonstrates that this high-spin iron nitrosyl compound undergoes iron-centered redox chemistry, leading to fundamentally different properties than corresponding low-spin compounds, which undergo NO-centered redox transformations.

A trans-Hyponitrite Intermediate in the Reductive Coupling and Deoxygenation of Nitric Oxide by a Tricopper-Lewis Acid Complex

The reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O) is a process relevant to biological chemistry as well as to the abatement of certain environmental pollutants. One of the proposed key intermediates in NO reduction is hyponitrite (N2O2(2-)), the product of reductive coupling of two NO molecules. We report the reductive coupling of NO by an yttrium-tricopper complex generating a trans-hyponitrite moiety supported by two μ-O-bimetallic (Y,Cu) cores, a previously unreported coordination mode. Reaction of the hyponitrite species with Brønsted acids leads to the generation of N2O, demonstrating the viability of the hyponitrite complex as an intermediate in NO reduction to N2O. The additional reducing equivalents stored in each tricopper unit are employed in a subsequent step for N2O reduction to N2, for an overall (partial) conversion of NO to N2. The combination of Lewis acid and multiple redox active metals facilitates this four electron conversion via an isolable hyponitrite intermediate.

The fluorescence regulation mechanism of the paramagnetic metal in a biological HNO sensor

Paramagnetic metals are frequently used to regulate fluorescence emissions in chemical and biological probes. Accurate quantum calculations offer the first regulation theory that quenching is through the competitive nonradiative decay of the mixed fluorophore/metal (3)ππ*/dd state isoenergetic to the fluorophore-localized (1)ππ* state.

Nitric oxide activation by distal redox modulation in tetranuclear iron nitrosyl complexes

A series of tetranuclear iron complexes displaying a site-differentiated metal center was synthesized. Three of the metal centers are coordinated to our previously reported ligand, based on a 1,3,5-triarylbenzene motif with nitrogen and oxygen donors. The fourth (apical) iron center is coordinatively unsaturated and appended to the trinuclear core through three bridging pyrazolates and an interstitial μ4-oxide moiety. Electrochemical studies of complex [LFe3(PhPz)3OFe][OTf]2 revealed three reversible redox events assigned to the Fe(II)4/Fe(II)3Fe(III) (-1.733 V), Fe(II)3Fe(III)/Fe(II)2Fe(III)2 (-0.727 V), and Fe(II)2Fe(III)2/Fe(II)Fe(III)3 (0.018 V) redox couples. Combined Mössbauer and crystallographic studies indicate that the change in oxidation state is exclusively localized at the triiron core, without changing the oxidation state of the apical metal center. This phenomenon is assigned to differences in the coordination environment of the two metal sites and provides a strategy for storing electron and hole equivalents without affecting the oxidation state of the coordinatively unsaturated metal. The presence of a ligand-binding site allowed the effect of redox modulation on nitric oxide activation by an Fe(II) metal center to be studied. Treatment of the clusters with nitric oxide resulted in binding of NO to the apical iron center, generating a {FeNO}(7) moiety. As with the NO-free precursors, the three reversible redox events are localized at the iron centers distal from the NO ligand. Altering the redox state of the triiron core resulted in significant change in the NO stretching frequency, by as much as 100 cm(-1). The increased activation of NO is attributed to structural changes within the clusters, in particular, those related to the interaction of the metal centers with the interstitial atom. The differences in NO activation were further shown to lead to differential reactivity, with NO disproportionation and N2O formation performed by the more electron-rich cluster.

Reactions of HNO with metal porphyrins: underscoring the biological relevance of HNO

Azanone ((1)HNO, nitroxyl) shows interesting yet poorly understood chemical and biological effects. HNO has some overlapping properties with nitric oxide (NO), sharing its biological reactivity toward heme proteins, thiols, and oxygen. Despite this similarity, HNO and NO show significantly different pharmacological effects. The high reactivity of HNO means that studies must rely on the use of donor molecules such as trioxodinitrate (Angeli's salt). It has been suggested that azanone could be an intermediate in several reactions and that it may be an enzymatically produced signaling molecule. The inherent difficulty in detecting its presence unequivocally prevents evidence from yielding definite answers. On the other hand, metalloporphyrins are widely used as chemical models of heme proteins, providing us with invaluable tools for the study of the coordination chemistry of small molecules, like NO, CO, and O2. Studies with transition metal porphyrins have shown diverse mechanistic, kinetic, structural, and reactive aspects related to the formation of nitrosyl complexes. Porphyrins are also widely used in technical applications, especially when coupled to a surface, where they can be used as electrochemical gas sensors. Given their versatility, they have not escaped their role as key players in chemical studies involving HNO. This Account presents the research performed during the last 10 years in our group concerning azanone reactions with iron, manganese, and cobalt porphyrins. We begin by describing their HNO trapping capabilities, which result in formation of the corresponding nitrosyl complexes. Kinetic and mechanistic studies of these reactions show two alternative operating mechanisms: reaction of the metal center with HNO or with the donor. Moreover, we have also shown that azanone can be stabilized by coordination to iron porphyrins using electron-attracting substituents attached to the porphyrin ring, which balance the negatively charged NO¯. Second, we describe an electrochemical HNO sensing device based on the covalent attachment of a cobalt porphyrin to gold. A surface effect affects the redox potentials and allows discrimination between HNO and NO. The reaction with the former is fast, efficient, and selective, lacking spurious signals due to the presence of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. The sensor is both biologically compatible and highly sensitive (nanomolar). This time-resolved detection allows kinetic analysis of reactions producing HNO. The sensor thus offers excellent opportunities to be used in experiments looking for HNO. As examples, we present studies concerning (a) HNO donation capabilities of new HNO donors as assessed by the sensor, (b) HNO detection as an intermediate in O atom abstraction to nitrite by phosphines, and (c) NO to HNO interconversion mediated by alcohols and thiols. Finally, we briefly discuss the key experiments required to demonstrate endogenous HNO formation to be done in the near future, involving the in vivo use of the HNO sensing device.

Heme versus non-heme iron-nitroxyl {FeN(H)O}⁸ complexes: electronic structure and biologically relevant reactivity

Researchers have completed extensive studies on heme and non-heme iron-nitrosyl complexes, which are labeled {FeNO}(7) in the Enemark-Feltham notation, but they have had very limited success in producing corresponding, one-electron reduced, {FeNO}(8) complexes where a nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) is formally bound to an iron(II) center. These complexes, and their protonated iron(II)-NHO analogues, are proposed key intermediates in nitrite (NO2(-)) and nitric oxide (NO) reducing enzymes in bacteria and fungi. In addition, HNO is known to have a variety of physiological effects, most notably in the cardiovascular system. HNO may also serve as a signaling molecule in mammals. For these functions, iron-containing proteins may mediate the production of HNO and serve as receptors for HNO in vivo. In this Account, we highlight recent key advances in the preparation, spectroscopic characterization, and reactivity of ferrous heme and non-heme nitroxyl (NO(-)/HNO) complexes that have greatly enhanced our understanding of the potential biological roles of these species. Low-spin (ls) heme {FeNO}(7) complexes (S = 1/2) can be reversibly reduced to the corresponding {FeNO}(8) species, which are stable, diamagnetic compounds. Because the reduction is ligand (NO) centered in these cases, it occurs at extremely negative redox potentials that are at the edge of the biologically feasible range. Interestingly, the electronic structures of ls-{FeNO}(7) and ls-{FeNO}(8) species are strongly correlated with very similar frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and thermodynamically strong Fe-NO bonds. In contrast, high-spin (hs) non-heme {FeNO}(7) complexes (S = 3/2) can be reduced at relatively mild redox potentials. Here, the reduction is metal-centered and leads to a paramagnetic (S = 1) {FeNO}(8) complex. The increased electron density at the iron center in these species significantly decreases the covalency of the Fe-NO bond, making the reduced complexes highly reactive. In the absence of steric bulk, monomeric high-spin {FeNO}(8) complexes decompose rapidly. Notably, in a recently prepared, dimeric [{FeNO}(7)]2 species, we observed that reduction leads to rapid N-N bond formation and N2O generation, which directly models the reactivity of flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs). We have also made key progress in the preparation and stabilization of corresponding HNO complexes, {FeNHO}(8), using both heme and non-heme ligand sets. In both cases, we have taken advantage of sterically bulky coligands to stabilize these species. ls-{FeNO}(8) complexes are basic and easily form corresponding ls-{FeNHO}(8) species, which, however, decompose rapidly via disproportionation and H2 release. Importantly, we recently showed that we can suppress this reaction via steric protection of the bound HNO ligand. As a result, we have demonstrated that ls-{FeNHO}(8) model complexes are stable and amenable to spectroscopic characterization. Neither ls-{FeNO}(8) nor ls-{FeNHO}(8) model complexes are active for N-N coupling, and hence, seem unsuitable as reactive intermediates in nitric oxide reductases (NORs). Hs-{FeNO}(8) complexes are more basic than their hs-{FeNO}(7) precursors, but their electronic structure and reactivity is not as well characterized.