Organocobalt B12 models: axial ligand effects on the structural and coordination chemistry of cobaloximes

The inorganic chemistry of the cobalt corrinoids - an update

The inorganic chemistry of the cobalt corrinoids, derivatives of vitamin B₁₂, is reviewed, with particular emphasis on equilibrium constants for, and kinetics of, their axial ligand substitution reactions. The role the corrin ligand plays in controlling and modifying the properties of the metal ion is emphasised. Other aspects of the chemistry of these compounds, including their structure, corrinoid complexes with metals other than cobalt, the redox chemistry of the cobalt corrinoids and their chemical redox reactions, and their photochemistry are discussed. Their role as catalysts in non-biological reactions and aspects of their organometallic chemistry are briefly mentioned. Particular mention is made of the role that computational methods - and especially DFT calculations - have played in developing our understanding of the inorganic chemistry of these compounds. A brief overview of the biological chemistry of the B₁₂-dependent enzymes is also given for the reader's convenience.

Cobaloxime Complex Salts: Synthesis, Patterning on Carbon Nanomembranes and Heterogeneous Hydrogen Evolution Studies

Cobaloximes are promising, earth‐abundant catalysts for the light‐driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Typically, these cobalt(III) complexes are prepared in situ or employed in their neutral form, for example, [Co(dmgH)₂(py)Cl], even though related complex salts have been reported previously and could, in principle, offer improved catalytic activity as well as more efficient immobilization on solid support. Herein, we report an interdisciplinary investigation into complex salts [Co(dmgH)₂(py)₂]⁺[Co(dmgBPh₂)₂Cl₂]⁻, TBA+[Co(dmgBPh2)2Cl2]- and [Co(dmgH)₂(py)₂]⁺BArF⁻. We describe their strategic syntheses from the commercially available complex [Co(dmgH)₂(py)Cl] and demonstrate that these double and single complex salts are potent catalysts for the light‐driven HER. We also show that scanning electrochemical cell microscopy can be used to deposit arrays of catalysts [Co(dmgH)₂(py)₂]⁺[Co(dmgBPh₂)₂Cl₂]⁻, TBA+[Co(dmgBPh2)2Cl2]- and [Co(dmgH)₂(py)Cl] on supported and free‐standing amino‐terminated ∼1‐nm‐thick carbon nanomembranes (CNMs). Photocatalytic H₂ evolution at such arrays was quantified with Pd microsensors by scanning electrochemical microscopy, thus providing a new approach for catalytic evaluation and opening up novel routes for the creation and analysis of “designer catalyst arrays”, nanoprinted in a desired pattern on a solid support.

Cobaloximes as Building Blocks in Halogen-Bonded Cocrystals

In this work, we explore the halogen-bonded cocrystallization potential of cobaloxime complexes in the synthesis of cocrystals with perhalogenated benzenes. We demonstrate a strategy for synthesizing halogen-bonded metal–organic cocrystals by utilizing cobaloximes whose pendant bromide group and oxime oxygen enable halogen bonding. By combining three well-known halogen bond donor molecules differing in binding geometry and composition with three cobaloxime units, we obtained a total of four previously unreported cocrystals. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments showed that the majority of obtained cocrystals exhibited the formation of the targeted I···O and I···Br motives. These results illustrate the potential of cobaloximes as halogen bond acceptors and indicate that this type of halogen bond acceptors may offer a novel route to metal–organic halogen-bonded cocrystals.

Synthesis and Characterization of Pt(II) Complexes with Pyridyl Ligands: Elongated Octahedral Ion Pairs and Other Factors Influencing 1H NMR Spectra

Our goal is to develop convenient methods for obtaining trans-[Pt^II(4-Xpy)₂Cl₂] complexes applicable to 4-substituted pyridines (4-Xpy) with limited volatility and water solubility, properties typical of 4-Xpy, with X being a moiety targeting drug delivery. Treatment of cis-[Pt^II(DMSO)₂Cl₂] (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) with 4-Xpy in acetonitrile allowed isolation of a new series of simple trans-[Pt^II(4-Xpy)₂Cl₂] complexes. A side product with very downfield H2/6 signals led to our synthesis of a series of new [Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]Cl₂ salts. For both series in CDCl₃, the size of the H2/6 Δδ [coordinated minus "free" 4-Xpy H2/6 shift] decreased as 4-Xpy donor ability increased from 4-CNpy to 4-Me₂Npy. This finding can be attributed to the greater synergistic reduction in the inductive effect of the Pt(II) center with increased 4-Xpy donor ability. The high solubility of [Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]Cl₂ salts in CDCl₃ (a solvent with low polarity) and the very downfield shift of the [Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]Cl₂ H2/6 signals for the solutions provide evidence for the presence of strong {[Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]²⁺,2Cl^-} ion pairs that are stabilized by multiple CH···Cl contacts. This conclusion gains considerable support from [Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]Cl₂ crystal structures revealing that a chloride anion occupies a pseudoaxial position with nonbonding (py)C-H···Cl contacts (2.4-3.0 Å). Evidence for (py)C-H···Y contacts was obtained in NMR studies of [Pt^II(4-Xpy)₄]Y₂ salts with Y counterions less capable of forming H-bonds than chloride ion. Our synthetic approaches and spectroscopic analysis are clearly applicable to other nonvolatile ligands.

Organometallic sulfur complexes: reactivity of the hydrogen sulfide anion with cobaloximes

The hydrogen sulfide anion selectively and reversibly displaces pyridine in cobaloxime. A rare trisulfido-bridged dinuclear complex was isolated and characterized.

Models for B12-conjugated radiopharmaceuticals. Cobaloxime binding to new fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipyridine)(amidine)]BF4 complexes having an exposed pyridyl nitrogen

New mononuclear amidine complexes, fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipy)(HNC(CH3)(pyppz))]BF4 [(4,4'-Me2bipy (1), 5,5'-Me2bipy (2), and 6,6'-Me2bipy (3)] (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), were synthesized by treating the parent fac-[Re(I)(CO)3(Me2bipy)(CH3CN)]BF4 complex with the C2-symmetrical amine 1-(4-pyridyl)piperazine (pyppzH). The axial amidine ligand has an exposed, highly basic pyridyl nitrogen. The reaction of complexes 1-3 with a B12 model, (py)Co(DH)2Cl (DH = monoanion of dimethylglyoxime), in CH2Cl2 yielded the respective dinuclear complexes, namely, fac-[Re(CO)3(Me2bipy)(μ-(HNC(CH3)(pyppz)))Co(DH)2Cl]BF4 [(4,4'-Me2bipy (4), 5,5'-Me2bipy (5), and 6,6'-Me2bipy (6)]. (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of all compounds and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic data for 2, 3, 5, and 6 established that the amidine had only the E configuration in both the solid and solution states and that the pyridyl group is bound to Co in 4-6. Comparison of the NMR spectra of 1-3 with spectra of 4-6 reveals an unusually large "wrong-way" upfield shift for the pyridyl H2/6 signal for 4-6. The wrong-way H2/6 shift of (4-Xpy)Co(DH)2Cl (4-Xpy = 4-substituted pyridine) complexes increased with increasing basicity of the 4-Xpy derivative, a finding attributed to the influence of the magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt center on the shifts of the (1)H NMR signals of the pyridyl protons closest to Co. Our method of employing a coordinate bond for conjugating the fac-[Re(I)(CO)3] core to a vitamin B12 model could be extended to natural B12 derivatives. Because B12 compounds are known to accumulate in cancer cells, such an approach is a very attractive method for the development of (99m)Tc and (186/188)Re radiopharmaceuticals for targeted tumor imaging and therapy.

Phenylvinylcobalamin: an alkenylcobalamin featuring a ligand with a large trans influence

Cob(I)alamin reacts with phenylacetylene to produce two diastereomers in which the organic ligand is coordinated to the upper (β) and lower (α) face of the corrin ring, respectively. The isomers were separated chromatographically and characterised by ESI-MS and, in the case of the β isomer, by (1)H and (13)C NMR. Only the β isomer crystallised and its molecular structure, determined by X-ray diffraction, shows that the organic ligand coordinates Co(III) through the β carbon of the phenylvinyl ligand. The Co-C bond length is 2.004(8) Å while the Co-N bond length to the trans 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (dmbzm) base is 2.217(8) Å, one of the longest Co-Ndmbzm bond lengths known in an organocobalamin. Unlike benzylcobalamin (BzCbl), phenylvinylcobalamin (PhVnCbl) is stable towards homolysis. DFT calculations (BP86/TZVP) on model compounds of BzCbl and PhVnCbl show that the Co-C bond dissociation energy for homolysis to Co(II) and an organic radical in the former is 8 kcal mol(-1) lower than in the latter. An analysis of the electron density at the Co-C bond critical point using Bader's QTAIM approach shows that the Co-C bond in PhVnCbl is shorter, stronger and somewhat more covalent than that in BzCbl, and has some multiple bond character. Together with calculations that show that the benzyl radical is more stable than the phenylvinyl radical, this rationalises the stability of PhVnCbl compared to BzCbl. The phenylvinyl ligand has a large trans influence. The pKa for deprotonation of dmbzm and its coordination by the metal in β-PhVnCbl is 4.60 ± 0.01, one of the highest values reported to date in cobalamin chemistry. The displacement of dmbzm ligand by CN(-) in β-PhVnCbl occurs with log K = 0.7 ± 0.1; the trans influence order of C-donor ligands is therefore CN(-) < CCH < CHCH2 = PhVn < Me < Et.

Thermal Degradation Behaviour of Ni(II) Complex of 3,4-Methylenedioxaphenylaminoglyoxime

Thermal degradation behaviour of the Ni(II) complex of 3,4-methylenedioxaphenylaminoglyoxime was investigated by TG, DTA, and DTG at a heating rate of 10°C min−1under dinitrogen. The acquired experimental data shows that the complex is thermally stable up to 541 K. The pyrolytic decomposition process occurs by melting metal complex and metal oxide remains as final product. The energies of the reactions involved and the mechanism of decomposition at each stage have been examined. The values of kinetic parameters such as activation energy (E), preexponential factor (A) and thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) are also evaluated.

Synthesis, spectral, photolysis and electrochemical studies of mononuclear copper(II) complex with a new asymmetric tetradentate ligand: application as copper nanoparticle precursor

A copper(II) complex with asymmetric tetradentate Schiff base ligand, obtained by the single condensation of 1,2-diaminopropane with 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy benzaldehyde was prepared. The ligand and complex were characterized by their IR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, NMR spectra and CV. Crystal structures of the mononuclear copper complex have been obtained by X-ray diffraction studies which revealed to be distorted square planner coordination geometry. The spectral data confirm coordination of ligand to copper ion center. The redox properties of complex at different scan rates exhibit grossly similar features consisting of an electrochemically pseudo-reversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) reduction at ca. -0.97 V and pseudo-reversible Cu(I)/Cu(II) oxidation at ca. -0.81 V. The copper nanoparticles with average size of 73 nm were formed by thermal reduction of copper complex in the presence of triphenylphosphine.

Corrin ring-induced redox tuning

The density functional calculations suggest that the expansion of the corrin macrocycle's N(4) core by 0.06-0.10 Å leads to an appreciable lowering of 100-150 mV vs. saturated calomel electrode in the reduction potentials of two biologically important B(12) cofactors namely methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin respectively. This redox tuning of B(12) cofactors may encourage the electron transfer-based activation mechanism for B(12)-dependent enzymes.

4-[(4′-Chloromethyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)methyl]bis(dimethylglyoximato-κ2N,N′)(pyridine-κN)cobalt(III)

The title compound, [Co(C₁₄H₁₄Cl)(C₄H₆N₂O₂)₂(C₅H₅N)], is a model compound for the more complex cobalamines like vitamins B₁₂. The Co^III atom is coordinated by a (4′-chloro­methyl-[1,1′-biphen­yl]-4-yl)methyl group, an N-bonded pyridine and two N,N′-bidentate dimethyl­glyoximate ligands in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The glyoximate ligands exhibit intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which is very common in cobaloxime derivatives.