Syntheses, Structures, and Reactivity of Low Spin Iron(III) Complexes Containing a Single Carboxamido Nitrogen in a [FeN5L] Chromophore

Structural and electrochemical properties of mononuclear copper(II) complexes with pentadentate ethylenediamine-based ligands with pyridine/quinoline/isoquinoline/quinoxaline binding sites

N-Monosubstituted ethylenediamine derivatives with three methylene-tethered aromatic groups ((ArCH2)2NCH2CH2N(R)CH2Ar (R-ArArAr), where Ar = 2-pyridyl, 2-quinolyl, 1- and 3-isoquinolyl and 2-quinoxalyl; R = methyl, benzyl and phenyl) were utilized as pentadentate ligands for copper(II) complexation. Fifteen mononuclear copper(II) complexes were synthesized and exhibit differences in cyclic voltammetry, absorption spectroscopy and solid state geometries, depending on the aromatic group (Ar) and the substituent on the aliphatic nitrogen atom (R) of the ligand. Compared with the pyridine and isoquinoline complexes, the quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives exhibit distinct Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials and d-d transition absorption wavelengths. Similarly, the phenyl derivatives are different from their methyl and benzyl counterparts. These characteristic trends are discussed in relation to the square-pyramidal/trigonal-bipyramidal structure of the complexes which is perturbed by the location of quinoline moieties in the penta- or hexacoordinate complexes with Jahn-Teller distortion. In addition, the results are compared to the copper(II) complexes with pyridine/quinoline mixed ligands, Ph-Ar1Ar2Ar3 ((Ar1CH2)(Ar2CH2)NCH2CH2N(Ph)CH2Ar3).

Characterization of the active site in the thiocyanate-forming protein from Thlaspi arvense (TaTFP) using EPR spectroscopy

Glucosinolates are plant thioglucosides, which act as chemical defenses. Upon tissue damage, their myrosinase-catalyzed hydrolysis yields aglucones that rearrange to toxic isothiocyanates. Specifier proteins such as thiocyanate-forming protein from Thlaspi arvense (TaTFP) are non-heme iron proteins, which capture the aglucone to form alternative products, e.g. nitriles or thiocyanates. To resolve the electronic state of the bound iron cofactor in TaTFP, we applied continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW EPR) spectroscopy at X-and Q-band frequencies (∼9.4 and ∼34 GHz). We found characteristic features of high spin and low spin states of a d 5 electronic configuration and local rhombic symmetry during catalysis. We monitored the oxidation states of bound iron during conversion of allylglucosinolate by myrosinase and TaTFP in presence and absence of supplemented Fe2+. Without added Fe2+, most high spin features of bound Fe3+ were preserved, while different g'-values of the low spin part indicated slight rearrangements in the coordination sphere and/or structural geometry. We also examined involvement of the redox pair Fe3+/Fe2 in samples with supplemented Fe2+. The absence of any EPR signal related to Fe3+ or Fe2+ using an iron-binding deficient TaTFP variant allowed us to conclude that recorded EPR signals originated from the bound iron cofactor.

Evaluation of oxygen-containing pentadentate ligands with pyridine/quinoline/isoquinoline binding sites via the structural and electrochemical properties of mononuclear copper(II) complexes

Eighteen mononuclear copper(II) complexes with oxygen-containing N4O1 pentadentate ligands were prepared. The ligand library consists of 2-aminoethanol derivatives ((Ar1CH2)(Ar2CH2)NCH2CH2OCH2Ar3) bearing three nitrogen-containing heteroaromatics (Ars) including pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline via a methylene linker. Systematic replacements of pyridine binding sites with quinolines and isoquinolines reveal the general trends in the perturbation of bond distances and angles, the redox potential and the absorption maximum wavelength of the copper(II) complexes, depending on the position and number of (iso)quinoline heteroaromatics. The small effect on the redox potentials resulting from quinoline substitution at the Ar3 position (near oxygen) of the ligand comes from the steric hindrance of the peri hydrogen atom in the quinoline moiety at this position, which removes the counter anion to enhance the coordination of quinoline nitrogen and ether oxygen atoms to the metal centre. In the absorption spectra of copper(II) complexes in the d-d transition region, the quinoline substitution at this site (Ar3) exhibits an opposite effect to those at the Ar1 and Ar2 sites. The electronic and steric contributions of the heteroaromatic binding sites to the ligand properties are comprehensively discussed.

Iron(III) Complexes with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Structure, Antioxidant and Anticholinergic Activity, and Interaction with Biomolecules

One the main research goals of bioinorganic chemists is the synthesis of novel coordination compounds possessing biological potency. Within this context, three novel iron(III) complexes with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diflunisal and diclofenac in the presence or absence of the nitrogen donors 1,10-phenanthroline or pyridine were isolated and characterized by diverse techniques. The complexes were evaluated for their ability to scavenge in vitro free radicals such as hydroxyl, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals, revealing their selective potency towards hydroxyl radicals. The in vitro inhibitory activity of the complexes towards the enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase was evaluated, and their potential to achieve neuroprotection appeared promising. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA was examined in vitro, revealing their ability to intercalate in-between DNA nucleobases. The affinity of the complexes for serum albumins was evaluated in vitro and revealed their tight and reversible binding.

A Contrasting Effect of Acid in Electron Transfer, Oxygen Atom Transfer, and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactions of a Nickel(III) Complex

There have been many examples of the accelerating effects of acids in electron transfer (ET), oxygen atom transfer (OAT), and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions. Herein, we report a contrasting effect of acids in the ET, OAT, and HAT reactions of a nickel(III) complex, [Ni^III(PaPy₃*)]²⁺ (1) in acetone/CH₃CN (v/v 19:1). 1 was synthesized by reacting [Ni^II(PaPy₃*)]⁺ (2) with magic blue or iodosylbenzene in the absence or presence of triflic acid (HOTf), respectively. Sulfoxidation of thioanisole by 1 and H₂O occurred in the presence of HOTf, and the reaction rate increased proportionally with increasing concentration of HOTf ([HOTf]). The rate of ET from diacetylferrocene to 1 also increased linearly with increasing [HOTf]. In contrast, HAT from 9,10-dihydroanthracene (DHA) to 1 slowed down with increasing [HOTf], exhibiting an inversely proportional relation to [HOTf]. The accelerating effect of HOTf in the ET and OAT reactions was ascribed to the binding of H⁺ to the PaPy₃* ligand of 2; the one-electron reduction potential (E_red) of 1 was positively shifted with increasing [HOTf]. Such a positive shift in the E_red value resulted in accelerating the ET and OAT reactions that proceeded via the rate-determining ET step. On the other hand, the decelerating effect of HOTf on HAT from DHA to 1 resulted from the inhibition of proton transfer from DHA^•+ to 2 due to the binding of H⁺ to the PaPy₃* ligand of 2. The ET reactions of 1 in the absence and presence of HOTf were well analyzed in light of the Marcus theory of ET in comparison with the HAT reactions.

Trinuclear and tetranuclear iron(III) complexes with fenamates: Structure and biological profile

The interaction of FeCl₃ with the fenamate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has led to the formation and isolation of trinuclear iron(III) complexes, while in the presence of the nitrogen-donors 2,2'-bipyridine or pyridine tetranuclear iron(III) complexes were derived. The five resultant complexes were characterized by diverse techniques (including infrared, electronic and Mössbauer spectroscopy) and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. These complexes are the first structurally characterized Fe(III)-fenamato complexes. The complexes were evaluated for their ability to scavenge in vitro free radicals such as hydroxyl, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2΄-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The in vitro binding affinity of the complexes to calf-thymus (CT) DNA was examined and their interaction with serum albumins was also investigated. In total, the complexes present promising activity against the radicals tested, and they may bind tightly to CT DNA possibly via intercalation and reversibly to serum albumins.

Ligand Taxonomy for Bioinorganic Modeling of Dioxygen-Activating Non-Heme Iron Enzymes

Novel functions emerge from novel structures. To develop efficient catalytic systems for challenging chemical transformations, chemists often seek inspirations from enzymatic catalysis. A large number of iron complexes supported by nitrogen-rich multidentate ligands have thus been developed to mimic oxo-transfer reactivity of dioxygen-activating metalloenzymes. Such efforts have significantly advanced our understanding of the reaction mechanisms by trapping key intermediates and elucidating their geometric and electronic properties. Critical to the success of this biomimetic approach is the design and synthesis of elaborate ligand systems to balance the thermodynamic stability, structural adaptability, and chemical reactivity. In this Concept article, representative design strategies for biomimetic atom-transfer chemistry are discussed from the perspectives of "ligand builders". Emphasis is placed on how the primary coordination sphere is constructed, and how it can be elaborated further by rational design for desired functions.

Low-spin [MII(L)2] and [MIII(L)2]+ (M = Fe and Co) complexes of tridentate azo-containing pyridine/pyrazine amide ligands: structures, properties and redox potential correlations

Using deprotonated forms of tridentate azo-containing pyridine-2-/pyrazine-2-carboxamide 2-[N-(2-phenylazo)carbamoyl]-pyridine/pyrazine, seven bis-ligand complexes of Fe^II/Co^II and Fe^III/Co^III have been synthesized. Molecular structures of six of them reveal that these six-coordinate complexes utilize all available donor sites of the ligands and assume M^II/IIIN₂(pyridine/pyrazine)N'₂(amide)N''₂(azo) coordination. Complexes of Fe^II and Co^III are diamagnetic and those of Fe^III and Co^II are paramagnetic (S = 1/2; room-temperature magnetic data and EPR spectra). Cyclic voltammetry experiments in CH₂Cl₂ reveal facile metal-centred Fe^III/Fe^II and Co^III/Co^II redox responses, and all complexes display quasireversible-to-irreversible ligand(azo)-centred redox processes. The E_1/2 values of M^III/M^II redox processes for Fe, Co and Ni (reported earlier) complexes of the pyridine amide ligand linearly correlate with those for six-coordinate [M^III(bpy)₃]³⁺/[M^II(bpy)₃]²⁺, [M^III(terpy)₂]³⁺/[M^II(terpy)₂]²⁺, [M^III(L)]⁺/[M^II(L)]⁰ or [M^III(L')₂]⁺/[M^II(L')₂]⁰ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, hexadentate L(2-) = 1,4-bis[o-(pyridine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane and tridentate L'(-) = {2-[2-(arylimino)phenylazo]-pyridine}) couples. Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations rationalize the electronic structure of the present complexes and throw light on the origin of observed electronic transitions.

Water oxidation using earth-abundant transition metal catalysts: opportunities and challenges

Catalysts for the oxidation of water are a vital component of solar energy to fuel conversion technologies. This Perspective summarizes recent advances in the field of designing homogeneous water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) based on Mn, Fe, Co and Cu.

Co-crystallization of pyridine-2-carboxamide with a series of alkyl dicarboxylic acids with different carbon chain: crystal structure, spectroscopy and Hirshfeld analysis

Three new co-crystals: pyridine-2-carboxamide-succinic acid (1), pyridine-2-carboxamide-glutaric acid (2) and pyridine-2-carboxamide-adipic acid (3) have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, TGA/DSC measurements, solid-state vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman) in this work. The investigation revealed that the carbon chain length of these alkyl acids changed the connecting motif of co-crystals 1-3 from trimer to 1D chain, and the formation of hydrogen bond interaction of pyridine-2-carboxamide with these alkyl acids lead to red shift of stretching vibration of NH2 and OH groups in IR and Raman spectra. We also studied Hirshfeld surface and UV properties of co-crystals 1-3, and we found that the carbon chain length lead to decrease of close intermolecular interactions, and the formation of hydrogen bond interaction lead to red shift of UV spectra.

An anionic N-donor ligand promotes manganese-catalyzed water oxidation

Four manganese complexes of pentadentate ligands have been studied for their ability to act as oxygen evolution catalysts in the presence of Oxone or hydrogen peroxide. The complexes [Mn(PaPy3)(NO3)](ClO4) (1) (PaPy3H = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide) and [Mn(PaPy3)(μ-O)(PaPy3)Mn](ClO4)2 (2) feature an anionic carboxamido ligand trans to the labile sixth coordination site, while [Mn(N4Py)OTf](OTf) (3) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) and [Mn(PY5)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (4) (PY5 = 2,6-bis(bis(2-pyridyl)methoxymethane)-pyridine) have neutral ligands of varying flexibility. 1 and 2 are shown to evolve oxygen in the presence of either Oxone or hydrogen peroxide, but 3 evolves oxygen only in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. 4 is inactive. The activity of 1 and 2 with Oxone suggests that the presence of an anionic N-donor ligand plays a role in stabilizing putative high-valent intermediates. Anionic N-donor ligands may be viewed as alternatives to μ-oxo ligands that are prone to protonation in low-valent Mn species formed during a catalytic cycle, resulting in loss of catalyst structure.

Oxygen atom transfer mediated by an iron(IV)/iron(II) macrocyclic complex containing pyridine and tertiary amine donors

A new non-heme iron model complex containing a high-spin iron(II) complexed with N-methylated pyridine-containing macrocycle was synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The complex generates peroxo- and high-valent iron-oxo intermediates in reactions with tert-butylhydroperoxide and isopropyl 2-iodoxybenzoate, respectively, allowing to gain insight into the formation and reactivity of enzyme-like intermediates related to biological oxygen activation. The formation and reactivity of these intermediate species were investigated by the stopped-flow methodology. The mechanism of oxygen transfer to organic substrates involving reaction of oxoiron(IV) intermediate was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and kinetic data. Incorporation of a pyridine ring into the macrocycle increased the reactivity of the Fe(IV)=O intermediates in comparison with polyamine tetraaza macrocyclic complexes: ferryl (Fe(IV)=O) species derived from 3 demonstrated electrophilic reactivity in transferring an oxygen atom to substituted triarylphosphines and to olefins (such as cyclooctene). However, iron(III) alkylperoxo intermediate was unreactive with cyclooctene.

trans-Diaqua-bis-[5-(pyridine-3-carboxamido)-tetra-zolido-κ(2)O,N(1)]zinc dihydrate

The title compound, [Zn(C₇H₅N₆O)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, consists of one Zn^II ion located on the crystallographic inversion centre, two 5-(pyridine-3-carboxamido)­tetra­zolide ligands, two coordinated water mol­ecules and two free water mol­ecules. The Zn^II ion adopts a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry formed by the N,O-chelating ligands and two O water atoms. The pyridine N atoms are not coordinated. In the crystal, complex mol­ecules are connected by N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

A highly divergent approach for synthesis of metal-binding peptide libraries

A highly divergent approach for the synthesis of metal-binding peptides is described. This approach builds pyridine-based chelators in a stepwise fashion on resin and provides rapid access to a diverse array of metal-binding peptides in minimal synthetic steps.

The Catalytic Function of Nonheme Iron (III) Complex for Hydrocarbon Oxidation

A detailed catalytic study of LFe(III)Cl (where L = 3-{2-[2-(3-hydroxy-1,3-diphenyl-allylideneamino)-ethylamino]-ethylimino}-1,3-diphenyl-propen-1-ol) for hydrocarbon oxidation was carried out, focusing on the role of solvent, atmospheric dioxygen, and oxidant on catalytic efficiency. The data showed that LFe(III)Cl catalyst was efficient in homogeneous hydrocarbon oxidations providing significant yields. Moreover, tert-BuOOH provided comparable oxidation yields with H(2)O(2), slightly favoring the formation of alcohols and ketones versus epoxides. Dioxygen intervened in the catalytic reaction, influencing the nature of oxidation products. The polarity of solvent strongly influenced the reaction rates and the nature of oxidation products. A mechanistic model is postulated assuming that LFe(III)Cl functions via the formation of iron-hydroperoxo-species, followed by a radical-based mechanistic path.

Syntheses, structures, and photochemistry of manganese nitrosyls derived from designed Schiff base ligands: potential NO donors that can be activated by near-infrared light

Two manganese nitrosyls, namely, [Mn(SBPy(3))(NO)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Mn(SBPy(2)Q)(NO)](ClO(4))(2) (2), have been synthesized by using designed pentadentate Schiff base ligands N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-aldimine (SBPy(3)) and N,N-bis(2-pyridyl methyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-quinoline-2-aldimine (SBPy(2)Q). Reaction of NO(g) with [Mn(SBPy(3))(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) and [Mn(SBPy(2)Q)(EtOH)](ClO(4))(2) in MeCN affords 1 and 2, respectively, in good yields. Narrow-width peaks in the (1)H NMR spectra and strong nu(NO) at 1773 cm(-1) (of 1) and 1759 cm(-1) (of 2) confirm a strongly coupled {low-spin Mn(II)-NO*}formulation for both these {Mn-NO}(6) nitrosyls. In MeCN, 1 exhibits two strong absorption bands with lambda(max) at 500 and 720 nm. These bands red shift to 550 and 785 nm in case of 2 because of substitution of the pyridyl-imine moiety of SBPy(3) with quinolyl-imine moiety in the SBPy(2)Q ligand frame. Exposure of solutions 1 and 2 to near-infrared (NIR) light (780 nm, 5 mW) results in rapid bleaching of the orange and fuchsia solutions, and free NO is detected in the solutions by an NO-sensitive electrode. The high quantum yield values (Phi) of 1 (0.580 +/- 0.010, lambda(irr) = 550 nm, MeCN) and 2 (0.434 +/- 0.010, lambda(irr) = 550 nm, MeCN) and in particular their sensitivity to NIR light of 800-950 nm range strongly suggest that these designed manganese nitrosyls could be used as NIR light-triggered NO donors.

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies on iron(III) complexes of 1-benzotriazol-1-yl-1-[(p-X-phenyl)hydrazono]propan-2-one

A new series of iron(III) complexes are synthesized from the reaction of the polyfunctional ligands 1-benzotriazol-1-yl-1-[p-X-phenyl]hydrazono]propan-2-one (X=H, Cl, NO(2), CH(3) or OCH(3) corresponding to HL(1),HL(2), HL(3), HL(4) or HL(5), respectively, with iron(III) chloride in the presence of LiOH by the conventional and microwave induced energy methods. The conventional method led to the formation of [FeL(3)].nH(2)O but the microwave induced energy gave [FeLCl(2)], n=1-3 and L is the anion of HL(1)-HL(5). The complexes are characterized by the elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic and spectral (FT-IR, UV-vis and ESR) studies. The magnetic and spectral studies showed that [FeLCl(2)] are polymeric octahedral, [Fe(L(1))(3)].H(2)O is a low spin octahedral and (d(xz),d(yz))(4) (d(xy))(1) ground state, [FeL(3)].nH(2)O, L=anion of HL(4) or HL(5) and are octahedral with intermediate spin (S=32) with ground state (d(xy))(2)(d(xz),d(yz))(3) electronic configuration while for the anions of HL(2) and HL(3), they have (t(2g))(3)(e(g))(5) admixed with (d(xy))(2)(d(xz),d(yz))(3) configurations. From the ESR data, the contribution of the high spin (S=52) and low spin (S=32) to the quantum mechanical spin intermediate (QMS), and the crystal field parameters Delta and V are calculated and related to the electronic and steric effects of the ligands. The electronic spectral data confirm that obtained from the ESR, and the different ligand field parameters as well as the pi-->t(2g), t(2g)-->e(g), e(g)-->pi*, pi-->pi* transitions are estimated and compared with that experimentally obtained.

Metal complexes with the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin: Synthesis, structure and bioactivity

Nine new metal complexes of the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin, pr-norfloxacin, with VO(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), MoO(2)(2+), Cd(2+) and UO(2)(2+) have been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques while molecular mechanics calculations for Fe(3+), VO(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) complexes have been performed. In all complexes, pr-norfloxacin acts as a bidentate deprotonated ligand bound to the metal through the pyridone and one carboxylate oxygen atoms. All complexes are six-coordinate with slightly distorted octahedral geometry. For the complex VO(N-propyl-norfloxacinato)(2)(H(2)O) the axial position, trans to the vanadyl oxygen, is occupied by one pyridone oxygen atom. The investigation of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that the complexes can be bound to calf-thymus DNA resulting to a B-->A DNA transition. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. The complexes show equal or decreased biological activity in comparison to the free pr-norfloxacin except UO(2)(pr-norf)(2) which shows better inhibition against S. aureus.