Dioxygenases. In: Funabiki T, editor. Oxygenases and Model Systems. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands; 1997. pp. 19-104. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-011-5442-0_2]

Green chemistry for chemical synthesis

Green chemistry for chemical synthesis addresses our future challenges in working with chemical processes and products by inventing novel reactions that can maximize the desired products and minimize by-products, designing new synthetic schemes and apparati that can simplify operations in chemical productions, and seeking greener solvents that are inherently environmentally and ecologically benign.

New route to the mixed valence semiquinone-catecholate based mononuclear FeIII and catecholate based dinuclear MnIII complexes: first experimental evidence of valence tautomerism in an iron complex

The semiquinone-catecholate based mixed valence complex, [FeIII(bispicen)(Cl4Cat)(Cl4SQ)] x DMF (1), and catecholate based (H2bispictn)[Mn2III(Cl4Cat)4(DMF)2] (2) (bispicen = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, bispictn = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, Cl4Cat = tetrachlorocatecholate dianion, and Cl4SQ = tetrachlorosemiquinone radical anion) were synthesized directly utilizing a facile route. Both the complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The electronic structures have been elucidated by UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, EPR, and magnetic properties. The structural as well as spectroscopic features support the mixed valence tetrachlorosemiquinone-tetrachlorocatecholate charge distribution in 1. The ligand based mixed valence state was further confirmed by the presence of an intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band in the 1900 nm region both in solution and in the solid. The intramolecular electron transfer, a phenomenon known as valence tautomerism (VT), has been followed by electronic absorption spectroscopy. For 1, the isomeric form [FeIII(bispicen)(Cl4Cat)(Cl4SQ)] is favored at low temperature, while at an elevated temperature, the [FeII(bispicen)(Cl4SQ)2] redox isomer dominates. Infrared as well as UV-vis-NIR spectral characterization for 2 suggest that the MnIII(Cat)2- moiety is admixed with its mixed valence semiquinone-catecholate isomer MnII(SQ)(Cat)-, and the electronic absorption spectrum is dominated by the mixed charged species. The origin of the intervalence charge transfer band in the 1900 nm range is associated with the mixed valence form, MnII(Cl4Cat)(Cl4SQ)-. The observation of VT in complex 1 is the first example where a mixed valence semiquinone-catecholate iron(III) complex undergoes intramolecular electron transfer similar to manganese and cobalt complexes.

Kinetics and mechanism of the base-catalyzed oxygenation of flavonol in DMSO-H(2)O solution

The kinetics of the base-catalyzed oxygenation of flavonol have been investigated in 50% DMSO-H(2)O solution in the pH range 6.4-10.8 and an ionic strength of 0.1 mol L(-1) using spectrophotometric techniques at temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees C. The rate law -d[flaH]/dt = k(obs) [OH(-)][flaH][O(2)] (k(obs) = kK(1)/[H(2)O]) describes the kinetic data. The rate constant, activation enthalpy, and entropy at 353.16 K are as follows: k/mol(-1) L s(-1) = (4.53 +/- 0.07) x 10(-2), DeltaH/kJ mol(-1)= 59 +/- 4, DeltaS/J mol(-1) K(-1) = -110 +/- 11. The reaction showed specific base catalysis. It fits a Hammett linear free energy relationship for 4'-substituted flavonols and electron-releasing substituents enhanced the reaction rate. The linear correlation between the oxidation potential of the flavonols and the rate constants supports that a higher electron density on the flavonolate ion makes them more nucleophilic and the electrophilic attack of O(2) easier.