Biomimetic Oxidations by Dinuclear and Trinuclear Copper Complexes

Bioinspired Copper Single-Atom Catalysts for Tumor Parallel Catalytic Therapy

The oxidation of intracellular biomolecules by reactive oxygen species (ROS) forms the basis for ROS-based tumor therapy. However, the current therapeutic modalities cannot catalyze H₂ O₂ and O₂ concurrently for ROS generation, thereby leading to unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy. Herein, it is reported a bioinspired hollow N-doped carbon sphere doped with a single-atom copper species (Cu-HNCS) that can directly catalyze the decomposition of both oxygen and hydrogen peroxide to ROS, namely superoxide ion (O₂ •^- ) and the hydroxyl radical (•OH), respectively, in an acidic tumor microenvironment for the oxidation of intracellular biomolecules without external energy input, thus resulting in an enhanced tumor growth inhibitory effect. Notably, the Fenton reaction turnover frequency of Cu species in Cu-HNCS is ≈5000 times higher than that of Fe in commercial Fe₃ O₄ nanoparticles. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations reveal that the high catalytic activity of Cu-HNCS originates from the single-atom copper, and the calculation predicts a next-generation Fenton catalyst. This work provides an effective paradigm of tumor parallel catalytic therapy for considerably enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Synthesis and dye adsorption studies of the {dibromo(1,1′-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione)dicopper(i)}n polymer and its conversion to CuO nanospheres for photocatalytic and antibacterial applications

A new copper polymer was used as a dye adsorbent and CuO precursor. The CuO nanospheres showed good performances for photocatalytic and antibacterial applications.

A Stereoselective Tyrosinase Model Compound Derived from an m-Xylyl-l-histidine Ligand

The aim of mimicking enzyme activity represents an important motivation for the development of new catalysts. A challenging objective is the development of chiral complexes for bioinspired enantioselective oxidation reactions. Herein, we report a new chiral dinuclear copper(II) complex based on a m-xylyl-bis(histidine) ligand (mXHI) as a biomimetic catalyst for tyrosinase and catechol oxidase. The new ligand improves a previous system also containing two tridentate N3 units derived from l-histidine that were connected by a short, rigid ethanediamine bridge. In mXHI the bridge is provided by the more extended m-xylyl moiety. The dicopper(II) complex [Cu₂(mXHI)]⁴⁺ was studied as a catalyst for stereoselective oxidations of enantiomeric couples of chiral catechols of biological interest (L/D-dopa, L/D-dopa methyl ester, and ( R/ S)-norepinephrine), showing excellent discrimination capability, particularly for the methyl esters of dopa enantiomers. The catechol oxidation was studied in acetate buffer as slightly acidic medium, and a role of acetate as bridging ligand between the two coppers, preorganizing the dinuclear center in a more catalytic efficient structure, could be established. The oxidation of β-naphthol and 3,5-ditertbutylphenol was studied as a model monophenolase reaction. The oxidation proceeds stoichiometrically, and the partial incorporation of ¹⁸O into β-naphthol when the reaction was performed using ¹⁸O₂ suggests the existence of two competitive reaction pathways, a genuine monooxygenase mechanism and a radical pathway. However, the more challenging reaction on derivatives of l-/d-tyrosine did not lead to the desired monooxygenase product but only to products of radical oxidation. Complex [Cu₂(mXHI)]⁴⁺ was also used for the catalytic sulfoxidation of thioanisole in the presence of hydroxylamine as cosubstrate, in a preliminary attempt to model the reaction of external monooxygenases. The reaction proceeds with 25 turnovers, but the enantiomeric excess of sulfoxide was modest.

Design, synthesis and characterization of copper-based coordination compounds with bidentate (N,N and N,O) ligands: reversible uptake of iodine, dye adsorption and assessment of their antibacterial properties

This work presents the synthesis of close-packed copper complexes with an uncommon ability for dye and iodine adsorption and antibacterial activities.

Alkane Oxidation: Methane Monooxygenases, Related Enzymes, and Their Biomimetics

Methane monooxygenases (MMOs) mediate the facile conversion of methane into methanol in methanotrophic bacteria with high efficiency under ambient conditions. Because the selective oxidation of methane is extremely challenging, there is considerable interest in understanding how these enzymes carry out this difficult chemistry. The impetus of these efforts is to learn from the microbes to develop a biomimetic catalyst to accomplish the same chemical transformation. Here, we review the progress made over the past two to three decades toward delineating the structures and functions of the catalytic sites in two MMOs: soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO). sMMO is a water-soluble three-component protein complex consisting of a hydroxylase with a nonheme diiron catalytic site; pMMO is a membrane-bound metalloenzyme with a unique tricopper cluster as the site of hydroxylation. The metal cluster in each of these MMOs harnesses O₂ to functionalize the C-H bond using different chemistry. We highlight some of the common basic principles that they share. Finally, the development of functional models of the catalytic sites of MMOs is described. These efforts have culminated in the first successful biomimetic catalyst capable of efficient methane oxidation without overoxidation at room temperature.

A dinuclear biomimetic Cu complex derived from l-histidine: synthesis and stereoselective oxidations

A new dicopper(ii) complex with a histidine-derived N₆ ligand performs a biomimetic stereoselective oxidation of catechols.

The synthesis of three new Cu5, Cu8 and Cu12 clusters via the use of a semi-flexible aminotriazine-based bis-methylpyridine ligand

The use of a semi-flexible aminotriazine-based bis-methylpyridine ligand afforded three new Cu₅, Cu₈ and Cu₁₂ complexes.

Direct Selective Oxidative Functionalization of C-H Bonds with H₂O₂: Mn-Aminopyridine Complexes Challenge the Dominance of Non-Heme Fe Catalysts

Non-heme iron(II) complexes are widespread synthetic enzyme models, capable of conducting selective C–H oxidation with H₂O₂ in the presence of carboxylic acid additives. In the last years, structurally similar manganese(II) complexes have been shown to catalyze C–H oxidation with similarly high selectivity, and with much higher efficiency. In this mini-review, recent catalytic and mechanistic data on the selective C–H oxygenations with H₂O₂ in the presence of manganese complexes are overviewed. A distinctive feature of catalyst systems of the type Mn complex/H₂O₂/carboxylic is the existence of two alternative reaction pathways (as found for the oxidation of cumenes), one leading to the formation of alcohol, and the other to ester. The mechanisms of formation of the alcohol and the ester are briefly discussed.

Copper-Aβ Peptides and Oxidation of Catecholic Substrates: Reactivity and Endogenous Peptide Damage

The oxidative reactivity of copper complexes with Aβ peptides 1-16 and 1-28 (Aβ16 and Aβ28) against dopamine and related catechols under physiological conditions has been investigated in parallel with the competitive oxidative modification undergone by the peptides. It was found that both Aβ16 and Aβ28 markedly increase the oxidative reactivity of copper(II) towards the catechol compounds, up to a molar ratio of about 4:1 of peptide/copper(II). Copper redox cycling during the catalytic activity induces the competitive modification of the peptide at selected amino acid residues. The main modifications consist of oxidation of His13/14 to 2-oxohistidine and Phe19/20 to ortho-tyrosine, and the formation of a covalent His6-catechol adduct. Competition by the endogenous peptide is rather efficient, as approximately one peptide molecule is oxidized every 10 molecules of 4-methylcatechol.

Reactivity of copper-α-synuclein peptide complexes relevant to Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal α-synuclein (αSyn) deposits in the brain. Alterations in metal homeostasis and metal-induced oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the aggregation of αSyn and, consequently, in the pathogenesis of PD. We have therefore investigated the capability of copper-αSyn6 and copper-αSyn15 peptide complexes, with the 1-6 and 1-15 terminal fragments of the protein, to promote redox reactions that can be harmful to other cellular components. The pseudo-tyrosinase activity of copper-αSyn complexes against catecholic (di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBCH2), 4-methylcatechol (4-MC)) and phenolic (phenol) substrates is lower compared to that of free copper(II). In particular, the rates (kcat) of DTBCH2 catalytic oxidation are 0.030 s(-1) and 0.009 s(-1) for the reaction promoted by free copper(II) and [Cu(2+)-αSyn15], respectively. On the other hand, HPLC/ESI-MS analysis of solutions of αSyn15 incubated with copper(II) and 4-MC showed that αSyn is competitively oxidized with remarkable formation of sulfoxide at Met1 and Met5 residues. Moreover, the sulfoxidation of methionine residues, which is related to the aggregation of αSyn, also occurs on peptides not directly bound to copper, indicating that external αSyn can also be oxidized by copper. Therefore, this study strengthens the hypothesis that copper plays an important role in oxidative damage of αSyn which is proposed to be strongly related to the etiology of PD.

Methylresorcinarene: a reaction vessel to control the coordination geometry of copper(II) in pyridine N-oxide copper(II) complexes

Pyridine and 2-picolinic acid N-oxides form 2 : 2 and 2 : 1 ligand : metal (L : M) discrete L2M2 and polymeric complexes with CuCl2 and Cu(NO3)2, respectively, with copper(ii) salts. The N-oxides also form 1 : 1 host-guest complexes with methylresorcinarene. In combination, the three components form a unique 2 : 2 : 1 host-ligand-metal complex. The methylresorcinarene acts as a reaction vessel/protecting group to control the coordination of copper(ii) from cis-see-saw to trans-square planar, and from octahedral to square planar coordination geometry. These processes were studied in solution and in the solid state via(1)H NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Lewis acid-induced change from four- to two-electron reduction of dioxygen catalyzed by copper complexes using scandium triflate

Mononuclear copper complexes, [(tmpa)Cu(II)(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 (1, tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) and [(BzQ)Cu(II)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (2, BzQ = bis(2-quinolinylmethyl)benzylamine)], act as efficient catalysts for the selective two-electron reduction of O2 by ferrocene derivatives in the presence of scandium triflate (Sc(OTf)3) in acetone, whereas 1 catalyzes the four-electron reduction of O2 by the same reductant in the presence of Brønsted acids such as triflic acid. Following formation of the peroxo-bridged dicopper(II) complex [(tmpa)Cu(II)(O2)Cu(II)(tmpa)](2+), the two-electron reduced product of O2 with Sc(3+) is observed to be scandium peroxide ([Sc(III)(O2(2-))](+)). In the presence of 3 equiv of hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA), [Sc(III)(O2(2-))](+) was oxidized by [Fe(bpy)3](3+) (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine) to the known superoxide species [(HMPA)3Sc(III)(O2(•-))](2+) as detected by EPR spectroscopy. A kinetic study revealed that the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle for the two-electron reduction of O2 with 1 is electron transfer from Fc* to 1 to give a cuprous complex which is highly reactive toward O2, whereas the rate-determining step with 2 is changed to the reaction of the cuprous complex with O2 following electron transfer from ferrocene derivatives to 2. The explanation for the change in catalytic O2-reaction stoichiometry from four-electron with Brønsted acids to two-electron reduction in the presence of Sc(3+) and also for the change in the rate-determining step is clarified based on a kinetics interrogation of the overall catalytic cycle as well as each step of the catalytic cycle with study of the observed effects of Sc(3+) on copper-oxygen intermediates.

Electrophilic arene hydroxylation and phenol O-H oxidations performed by an unsymmetric μ-η(1):η(1)-O2-peroxo dicopper(II) complex

Reactions of the unsymmetric dicopper(II) peroxide complex [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(m-XYL(N3N4))](2+) (1 O(2), where m-XYL is a heptadentate N-based ligand), with phenolates and phenols are described. Complex 1 O(2) reacts with p-X-PhONa (X = MeO, Cl, H, or Me) at -90 °C performing tyrosinase-like ortho-hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to afford the corresponding catechol products. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that reactions occur through initial reversible formation of metastable association complexes [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(p-X-PhO)(m-XYL(N3N4))](+) (1 O(2)⋅X-PhO) that then undergo ortho-hydroxylation of the aromatic ring by the peroxide moiety. Complex 1 O(2) also reacts with 4-X-substituted phenols p-X-PhOH (X = MeO, Me, F, H, or Cl) and with 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol at -90 °C causing rapid decay of 1 O(2) and affording biphenol coupling products, which is indicative that reactions occur through formation of phenoxyl radicals that then undergo radical C-C coupling. Spectroscopic UV/Vis monitoring and kinetic analysis show that reactions take place through reversible formation of ground-state association complexes [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(X-PhOH)(m-XYL(N3N4))](2+) (1 O(2)⋅X-PhOH) that then evolve through an irreversible rate-determining step. Mechanistic studies indicate that 1 O(2) reacts with phenols through initial phenol binding to the Cu(2)O(2) core, followed by a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the rate-determining step. Results disclosed in this work provide experimental evidence that the unsymmetric 1 O(2) complex can mediate electrophilic arene hydroxylation and PCET reactions commonly associated with electrophilic Cu(2)O(2) cores, and strongly suggest that the ability to form substrate⋅Cu(2)O(2) association complexes may provide paths to overcome the inherent reactivity of the O(2)-binding mode. This work provides experimental evidence that the presence of a H(+) completely determines the fate of the association complex [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(X-PhO(H))(m-XYL(N3N4))](n+) between a PCET and an arene hydroxylation reaction, and may provide clues to help understand enzymatic reactions at dicopper sites.

Endogenous arene hydroxylation promoted by copper(I) cluster helicates

A novel neutral triple-stranded hexanuclear copper(I) cluster helicate [Cu(I)(6)L(3)]·2CH(3)CN derived from a thiosemicarbazone ligand could be synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The MALDI mass spectrum of this complex suggests that the tetranuclear copper(I) cluster helicate [Cu(I)(4)L(2)] is also present in solution. These copper(I) cluster helicates are capable, in the presence of O(2), of hydroxylating the arene linker of their supporting ligand strands. The resulting dinuclear complex [Cu(II)(2)L'(OH)] is formed by two copper(II) centers, a new ligand arising from the hydroxylation reaction, and one hydroxide group. The magnetic investigation of this compound shows a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Cu(II) centers. The kinetic studies for the hydroxylation process show values of ΔH(≠)=-70 kJ mol(-1), similar to those mediated by the tyrosinase enzymes.

Intermediates in reactions of copper(I) complexes with N-oxides: from the formation of stable adducts to oxo transfer

Reactions of copper(I) complexes of bidentate N-donor supporting ligands with pyridine- and trimethylamine-N-oxides or PhIO were explored. Key results include the identification of novel copper(I) N-oxide adducts, aryl substituent hydroxylation, and bis(mu-oxo)dicopper complex formation via a route involving oxo transfer.

Low temperature 65Cu NMR spectroscopy of the Cu+ site in azurin

(65)Cu central-transition NMR spectroscopy of the blue copper protein azurin in the reduced Cu(I) state, conducted at 18.8 T and 10 K, gave a strongly second order quadrupole perturbed spectrum, which yielded a (65)Cu quadrupole coupling constant of +/-71.2 +/- 1 MHz, corresponding to an electric field gradient of +/-1.49 atomic units at the copper site, and an asymmetry parameter of approximately 0.2. Quantum chemical calculations employing second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and large basis sets successfully reproduced these experimental results. Sensitivity and relaxation times were quite favorable, suggesting that NMR may be a useful probe of the electronic state of copper sites in proteins.

Effects of electron-deficient beta-diketiminate and formazan supporting ligands on copper(I)-mediated dioxygen activation

Copper(I) complexes of a diketiminate featuring CF(3) groups on the backbone and dimethylphenyl substituents (4) and a nitroformazan (5) were synthesized and shown by spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, and theory to contain copper(I) sites electron-deficient relative to those supported by previously studied diketiminate complexes comprising alkyl or aryl backbone substituents. Despite their electron-poor nature, oxygenation of LCu(CH(3)CN) (L = 4 or 5) at room temperature yielded bis(hydroxo)dicopper(II) compounds and at -80 degrees C yielded bis(mu-oxo)dicopper complexes that were identified on the basis of UV-vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy, spectrophotometric titration results (2:1 Cu/O(2) ratio), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (silent), and density functional theory calculations. The bis(mu-oxo)dicopper complex supported by 5 exhibited unusual spectroscopic properties and decayed via a novel intermediate proposed to be a metallaverdazyl radical complex, findings that highlight the potential for the formazan ligand to exhibit "noninnocent" behavior.

Density functional theory studies of oxygen and carbonate binding to a dicopper patellamide complex

In this work we present results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations on dicopper patellamides and their affinity for molecular oxygen and carbonate. Patellamides are cyclic octapeptides that are produced by a cyanobacterium, and may show promise as therapeutics. Thus, carbonate binding to a dicopper patellamide center gives a stable cyclic octapeptide with a twist of almost 90 degrees . The system exists in close-lying open-shell singlet and triplet spin states with two unpaired electrons in orthogonal sigma* orbitals on each metal center. Subsequently, we replaced carbonate with dioxygen and found a stable Cu2(mu-O)2 diamond shaped patellamide core. In this structure the original dioxygen bond is significantly weakened to essentially a single bond, which should enable the system to transfer these oxygen atoms to substrates. We predicted the IR and Raman spectra of the Cu2(mu-O)2 diamond shaped patellamide structure using density functional theory and found a considerable isotope effect on the O-O stretch vibration for 16O2 versus 18O2 bound structures. Our studies reveal that carbonate forms an extremely stable complex with dicopper patellamide, but that additional molecular oxygen to this system does not give a potential oxidant. Therefore, it is more likely that carbonate prepares the system for dioxygen binding by folding it into the correct configuration followed in the proposed catalytic cycle by a protonation event preceding dioxygen binding to enable the system to reorganize to form a stable Cu2(mu-O)2-patellamide cluster. Alternatively, carbonate may act as an inhibitor that blocks the catalytic activity of the system. It is anticipated that the Cu2(mu-O)2-patellamide structure is a potential active oxidant of the dicopper patellamide complex.