Di- and tetra-bridged diiron(II) complexes with four terphenyl-derived carboxylates and two water molecules

X-ray absorption spectroscopic characterization of the diferric-peroxo intermediate of human deoxyhypusine hydroxylase in the presence of its substrate eIF5a

Human deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (hDOHH) is an enzyme that is involved in the critical post-translational modification of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Following the conversion of a lysine residue on eIF5A to deoxyhypusine (Dhp) by deoxyhypusine synthase, hDOHH hydroxylates Dhp to yield the unusual amino acid residue hypusine (Hpu), a modification that is essential for eIF5A to promote peptide synthesis at the ribosome, among other functions. Purification of hDOHH overexpressed in E. coli affords enzyme that is blue in color, a feature that has been associated with the presence of a peroxo-bridged diiron(III) active site. To gain further insight into the nature of the diiron site and how it may change as hDOHH goes through the catalytic cycle, we have conducted X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of hDOHH on five samples that represent different species along its reaction pathway. Structural analysis of each species has been carried out, starting with the reduced diferrous state, proceeding through its O2 adduct, and ending with a diferric decay product. Our results show that the Fe⋯Fe distances found for the five samples fall within a narrow range of 3.4-3.5 Å, suggesting that hDOHH has a fairly constrained active site. This pattern differs significantly from what has been associated with canonical dioxygen activating nonheme diiron enzymes, such as soluble methane monooxygenase and Class 1A ribonucleotide reductases, for which the Fe⋯Fe distance can change by as much as 1 Å during the redox cycle. These results suggest that the O2 activation mechanism for hDOHH deviates somewhat from that associated with the canonical nonheme diiron enzymes, opening the door to new mechanistic possibilities for this intriguing family of enzymes.

Reactions of acids with naphthyridine-functionalized ferrocenes: protonation and metal extrusion

Reaction of 1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl-ferrocene (FcNP) with a variety of acids affords protonated salts at first, whereas longer reaction time leads to partial demetalation of FcNP resulting in a series of Fe complexes. The corresponding salts [FcNP·H][X] (X = BF(4) or CF(3)SO(3) (1)) are isolated for HBF(4) and CF(3)SO(3)H. Reaction of FcNP with equimolar amount of CF(3)CO(2)H for 12 h affords a neutral complex [Fe(FcNP)(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)] (2). Use of excess acid gave a trinuclear Fe(II) complex [Fe(3)(H(2)O)(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(8)(FcNP·H)(2)] (3). Three linear iron atoms are held together by four bridging trifluoroacetates and two aqua ligands in a symmetric fashion. Reaction with ethereal solution of HCl afforded [(FcNP·H)(3)(Cl)][FeCl(4)](2) (4) irrespective of the amount of the acid used. Even the picric acid (HPic) led to metal extrusion giving rise to [Fe(2)(Cl)(2)(FcNP)(2)(Pic)(2)] (5) when crystallized from dichloromethane. Metal extrusion was also observed for CF(3)SO(3)H, but an analytically pure compound could not be isolated. The demetalation reaction proceeds with an initial proton attack to the distal nitrogen of the NP unit. Subsequently, coordination of the conjugate base to the electrophilic Fe facilitates the release of Cp rings from metal. The conjugate base plays an important role in the demetalation process and favors the isolation of the Fe complex as well. The 1,1'-bis(1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl)ferrocene (FcNP(2)) does not undergo demetalation under identical conditions. Two NP units share one positive charge causing the Fe-Cp bonds weakened to an extent that is not sufficient for demetalation. X-ray structure of the monoprotonated FcNP(2) reveals a discrete dimer [(FcNP(2)·H)](2)[OTf](2) (6) supported by two N-H···N hydrogen bonds. Crystal packing and dispersive forces associated with intra- and intermolecular π-π stacking interactions (NP···NP and Cp···NP) allow the formation of the dimer in the solid-state. The protonation and demetalation reactions of FcNP and FcNP(2) with a variety of acids are reported.

The triclinic form of di-μ-aqua-bis-[diaqua-bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)iron(II)]-1,4-bis-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1/3)

In the title compound, [Fe(2)(NCS)(4)(H(2)O)(6)]·3C(10)H(8)N(6), the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex contains two Fe(II) ions bridged by two aqua ligand O atoms, forming a four-membered ring. The slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination environment of the two Fe(II) ions is completed by two monodentate aqua ligands and two thio-cyanate ligands. One of the 1,4-bis-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene mol-ecules lies across an inversion center. In the crystal, O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect the components, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (011). In addition, π-π stacking inter-actions involving the benzene and triazole rings, with centroid-centroid distances in the range 3.502 (5)-3.787 (6) Å, connect the two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network into a three-dimensional network.

The monoclinic form of di-μ-aqua-bis-[diaqua-bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)iron(II)]-1,4-bis-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1/3)

The title complex, [Fe(2)(NCS)(4)(H(2)O)(6)]·3C(10)H(8)N(6), comprises two Fe(II) atoms octahedrally coordinated and bridged by two aqua O atoms that straddle a crystallographic inversion center, forming a quadrilateral core. The water ligands of the core are involved in hydrogen bonds with the triazole N atoms of the organic mol-ecules, which generates a layer motif in the ab plane. There are π-π stacking inter-actions between benzene rings of 3.490 (6) Å, and between triazole rings of 3.543 (8) and 3.734 (7) Å in neighboring layers, forming a three-dimensional network.

Evolution of strategies to prepare synthetic mimics of carboxylate-bridged diiron protein active sites

We present a comprehensive review of research conducted in our laboratory in pursuit of the long-term goal of reproducing the structures and reactivity of carboxylate-bridged diiron centers used in biology to activate dioxygen for the conversion of hydrocarbons to alcohols and related products. This article describes the evolution of strategies devised to achieve these goals and illustrates the challenges in getting there. Particular emphasis is placed on controlling the geometry and coordination environment of the diiron core, preventing formation of polynuclear iron clusters, maintaining the structural integrity of model complexes during reactions with dioxygen, and tuning the ligand framework to stabilize desired oxygenated diiron species. Studies of the various model systems have improved our understanding of the electronic and physical characteristics of carboxylate-bridged diiron units and their reactivity toward molecular oxygen and organic moieties. The principles and lessons that have emerged from these investigations will guide future efforts to develop more sophisticated diiron protein model complexes.

9-Triptycenecarboxylate-Bridged Diiron(II) Complexes: Capture of the Paddlewheel Geometric Isomer

The synthesis and characterization of diiron(II) complexes supported by 9-triptycenecarboxylate ligands ((-)O(2)CTrp) is described. The interlocking nature of the triptycenecarboxylates facilitates formation of quadruply bridged diiron(II) complexes of the type [Fe(2)(μ-O(2)CTrp)(4)(L)(2)] (L = THF, pyridine or imidazole derivative) with a paddlewheel geometry. A systematic lengthening of the Fe-Fe distance occurs with the increase in steric bulk of the neutral donor L, resulting in values of up to 3 Å without disassembly of the paddlewheel structure. Reactions with an excess of water do not lead to decomposition of the diiron(II) core, indicating that these quadruply bridged complexes are of exceptional stability. The red-colored complexes [Fe(2)(μ-O(2)CTrp)(4)(4-AcPy)(2)] (10) and [Fe(2)(μ-O(2)CTrp)(4)(4-CNPy)(2)] (11) exhibit solvent-dependent thermochromism in coordinating solvents that was studied by variable temperature UV-vis spectroscopy. Reaction of [Fe(2)(μ-O(2)CTrp)(4)(THF)(2)] with N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), tetra-n-butyl ammonium thiocyanate, or excess 2-methylimidazole resulted in the formation of mononuclear complexes [Fe(O(2)CTrp)(2)(TMEDA)] (13), (n-Bu(4)N)(2)[Fe(O(2)CTrp)(2)(SCN)(2)] (14), and [Fe(O(2)CTrp)(2)(2-MeIm)(2)] (15) having an O(4)/N(2) coordination sphere composition.

Di-μ-aqua-bis-[diaqua-bis(thio-cyanato-κN)iron(II)] 4-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1,2,4-triazole hexa-solvate

The title complex, [Fe₂(NCS)₄(H₂O)₆]·6C₈H₆ClN₃, comprises two distorted octa­hedral iron(II) centers straddling a crystallographic inversion center and bridged by two aqua O atoms to form a quadrilateral core. The aqua O atom of the core is involved in hydrogen bonds with the triazole N atoms of the solvent mol­ecules, generating one-dimensional ladder motifs, and three inter­molecular C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network.

Carboxylate Coordination Chemistry of a Mononuclear Ni(II) Center in a Hydrophobic or Hydrogen Bond Donor Secondary Environment: Relevance to Acireductone Dioxygenase

A series of Ni(II) carboxylate complexes, supported by a chelate ligand having either secondary hydrophobic phenyl groups (6-Ph2TPA, N,N-bis((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine) or hydrogen bond donors (bnpapa, N,N-bis((6-neopentylamino-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), have been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic studies of [(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(O2C(CH2)2SCH3)]ClO4.CH2Cl2 (4.CH2Cl2) and [(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(O2CCH2SCH3)]ClO(4).1.5CH2Cl2 (5.1.5CH2Cl2) revealed that each complex contains a distorted octahedral Ni(II) center and a bidentate carboxylate ligand. A previously described benzoate complex ([(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(O2CPh)]ClO4 (3)) has similar structural characteristics. Recrystallization of dry powdered samples of 3, 4.0.5CH2Cl2, and 5 from wet organic solvents yielded a second series of crystalline Ni(II) carboxylate complexes having a coordinated monodentate carboxylate ligand ([(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(H2O)(O2CPh)]ClO4 (6), [(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(H2O)(O2C(CH2)2SCH3)]ClO4.0.2CH2Cl2 (7.0.2CH2Cl2), [(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(H2O)(O2CCH2SCH3)]ClO4 (8)) which is stabilized by a hydrogen-bonding interaction with a Ni(II)-bound water molecule. In the cationic portions of 7.0.2CH2Cl2 and 8, weak CH/pi interactions are also present between the methylene units of the carboxylate ligands and the phenyl appendages of the 6-Ph2TPA ligands. A formate complex of the formulation [(6-Ph2TPA)Ni(H2O)(O2CH)]ClO4 (9) was isolated and characterized. The mononuclear Ni(II) carboxylate complexes [(bnpapa)Ni(O2CPh)]ClO4 (10), [(bnpapa)Ni(O2C(CH2)2SCH3)]ClO4 (11), [(bnpapa)Ni(O2CCH2SCH3)]ClO4 (12), and [(bnpapa)Ni(O2CH)]ClO4 (13) were isolated and characterized. Two crystalline solvate forms of 10 (10.CH3CN and 10.CH2Cl2) were examined by X-ray crystallography. In both, the distorted octahedral Ni(II) center is ligated by a bidentate benzoate ligand, one Ni(II)-bound oxygen atom of which accepts two hydrogen bonds from the supporting bnpapa chelate ligand. Spectroscopic studies of 10(-13) suggest that all contain a bidentate carboxylate ligand, even after exposure to water. The combined results of this work enable the formulation of a proposed pathway for carboxylate product release from the active site Ni(II) center in acireductone dioxygenase.

Water Induces a Structural Conversion and Accelerates the Oxygenation of Carboxylate-Bridged Non-Heme Diiron Enzyme Synthetic Analogues

Recently, we reported the synthesis of a carboxylate-rich non-heme diiron enzyme model compound [Fe2(mu-O2CAr(Tol))4(4-CNPy)2] (1), where (-)O(2)CAr(Tol) is 2,6-di-p-tolylbenzoate and 4-CNPy is 4-cyanopyridine (Yoon, S.; Lippard, S. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 8386-8397). A metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band in the visible region of the optical absorption spectrum involving the nitrogen-donor ligand endowed this complex with a distinctive red color that facilitated analysis of its chemistry. Following this strategy, we prepared and characterized two related isomeric complexes, windmill (3) and paddlewheel (4) species having the formula [Fe2(O2CAr(Tol))4(4-AcPy)2], where 4-AcPy is 4-acetylpyridine. In anhydrous solvents, 1 and 4 adopt paddlewheel structures, but upon the addition of water, they convert to aquated forms, windmill structures having the composition [Fe2(mu-O2CAr(Tol))2(O2CAr(Tol))2(4-RPy)2(H2O)2]. This conversion is favored at low temperature and was studied by NMR spectroscopy. A kinetic analysis of the aquation reaction was undertaken by stopped-flow measurements between 198 and 223 K for both 1 and 4, which revealed a first-order dependence on both the diiron compound and water. The oxygenation rates for the water-containing complexes are much faster than those for the corresponding anhydrous complexes, being 20-fold faster for 4 and 10-fold more rapid for 1. The presence or absence of water had little effect on the activation enthalpies, suggesting that the loss of water may not be necessary prior to dioxygen binding in the transition state.

Diiron(II) μ-Aqua-μ-hydroxo Model for Non-Heme Iron Sites in Proteins

We have synthesized a diiron(II) complex with a novel aqua-hydroxo bridging motif, [Fe2(mu-H2O)(mu-OH)(TPA)2](OTf)3 (1). This is a new member of the diiron diamond core family. The complex is stable in solution in nonpolar solvents as well as in the solid state. Two high-spin iron(II) sites are antiferromagnetically coupled (J = -9.6 cm(-1)). The drastic difference of ca. 1 V in the redox potential between complex 1 and its bis(hydroxo)-bridged analogue Fe2(OH)2(TPA)3+ is accompanied by only a moderate difference in the dioxygen reactivity. This observation is consistent with the inner-sphere mechanism of iron(II)-dioxygen association rather than the outer-sphere electron transfer.

Water Affects the Stereochemistry and Dioxygen Reactivity of Carboxylate-Rich Diiron(II) Models for the Diiron Centers in Dioxygen-Dependent Non-Heme Enzymes

Carboxylate-bridged high-spin diiron(II) complexes with distinctive electronic transitions were prepared by using 4-cyanopyridine (4-NCC(5)H(4)N) ligands to shift the charge-transfer bands to the visible region of the absorption spectrum. This property facilitated quantitation of water-dependent equilibria in the carboxylate-rich diiron(II) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)] (1), where (-)O(2)CAr(Tol) is 2,6-di-(p-tolyl)benzoate. Addition of water to 1 reversibly shifts two of the bridging carboxylate ligands to chelating terminal coordination positions, converting the structure from a paddlewheel to a windmill geometry and generating [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (3). This process is temperature dependent in solution, rendering the system thermochromic. Quantitative treatment of the temperature-dependent spectroscopic changes over the temperature range from 188 to 298 K in CH(2)Cl(2) afforded thermodynamic parameters for the interconversion of 1 and 3. Stopped flow kinetic studies revealed that water reacts with the diiron(II) center ca. 1000 time faster than dioxygen and that the water-containing diiron(II) complex reacts with dioxygen ca. 10 times faster than anhydrous analogue 1. Addition of {H(OEt(2))(2)}{B}, where B(-) is tetrakis(3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, to 1 converts it to [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)](B) (5), which was also structurally characterized. Mossbauer spectroscopic investigations of solid samples of 1, 3, and 5, in conjunction with several literature values for high-spin iron(II) complexes in an oxygen-rich coordination environment, establish a correlation between isomer shift, coordination number, and N/O composition. The products of oxygenating 1 in CH(2)Cl(2) were identified crystallographically to be [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(2)].2(HO(2)CAr(Tol)) (6) and [Fe(6)(mu-O)(2)(mu-OH)(4)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(6)(4-NCC(5)H(4)N)(4)Cl(2)] (7).

Water-dependent reactions of diiron(II) carboxylate complexes

Carboxylate-rich diiron(II) compounds with varying numbers of water ligands have been characterized, including the first complex with a {Fe2(mu-OH2)2(mu-O2CArTol)}3+ unit. The isolation of these complexes reveals how water can alter the structural properties of carboxylate-bridged diiron(II) core similar to those that occur in a variety of dioxygen-activating metalloenzyme cores. Mössbauer and variable temperature, variable field magnetic susceptibility experiments indicate that the compound [Fe2(mu-OH2)2(mu-O2CAr4F-Ph)(O2CAr4F-Ph)3(THF)2(OH2)] has a high-spin diiron(II) core with little significant magnetic exchange coupling.