Series of Structural and Functional Models for the ES (Enzyme–Substrate) Complex of the Co(II)-Containing Quercetin 2,3-Dioxygenase

Harnessing Nature's Catalysts: Advances in Enzymatic Alkene Cleavage

Double bonds are prevalent in various substrates and renewable feedstocks, and their cleavage typically necessitates harsh reaction conditions involving high temperatures, organic solvents, and hazardous catalysts such as heavy metals or ozone. This review explores the sustainable enzymatic alternatives developed by nature for alkene cleavage. It provides a comprehensive overview of alkene-cleaving enzymes, detailing their mechanisms, substrate specificities, and applications. The enzymes discussed include those acting on aliphatic, cyclic, and activated aromatic systems. Emphasizing the significance of these biocatalysts in green chemistry and biocatalysis, this review highlights their potential to replace traditional chemical oxidants with safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly options. Future research directions include expanding enzyme substrate scopes, enhancing their operational stability and activity, and integrating them into scalable processes for broader application in the pharmaceutical, flavor, and fragrance industries.

Sonoinduced Tumor Therapy and Metastasis Inhibition by a Ruthenium Complex with Dual Action: Superoxide Anion Sensitization and Ligand Fracture

Photoresponsive ruthenium(II) complexes have recently emerged as a promising tool for synergistic photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy in oncology, as well as for antimicrobial applications. However, the limited penetration power of photons prevents the treatment of deep-seated lesions. In this study, we introduce a sonoresponsive ruthenium complex capable of generating superoxide anion (O2•-) via type I process and initiating a ligand fracture process upon ultrasound triggering. Attaching hydroxyflavone (HF) as an "electron reservoir" to the octahedral-polypyridyl-ruthenium complex resulted in decreased highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gaps and triplet-state metal to ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) state energy (0.89 eV). This modification enhanced the generation of O2•- under therapeutic ultrasound irradiation at a frequency of 1 MHz. The produced O2•- rapidly induced an intramolecular cascade reaction and HF ligand fracture. As a proof-of-concept, we engineered the Ru complex into a metallopolymer platform (PolyRuHF), which could be activated by low-power ultrasound (1.5 W cm-2, 1.0 MHz, 50% duty cycle) within a centimeter range of tissue. This activation led to O2•- generation and the release of cytotoxic ruthenium complexes. Consequently, PolyRuHF induced cellular apoptosis and ferroptosis by causing mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive toxic lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, PolyRuHF effectively inhibited subcutaneous and orthotopic breast tumors and prevented lung metastasis by downregulating metastasis-related proteins in mice. This study introduces the first sonoresponsive ruthenium complex for sonodynamic therapy/sonoactivated chemotherapy, offering new avenues for deep tumor treatment.

The case for an oxidopyrylium intermediate in the mechanism of quercetin dioxygenases

The quercetin dioxygenases (QDOs) are unusual metalloenzymes in that they display ring-opening dioxygenase activity with several different first-row transition metal ions which do not undergo redox changes during turnover. The QDOs are also unique in that the substrate binds as an η1-flavonolate rather than the η2 -bidentate mode seen in all reported model complexes. The flavonol substrates were early examples of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) phenomena, in which photoexcitation causes an H-atom exchange between the adjacent hydroxyl and ketone, generating an oxidopyrylium emissive state. These oxidopyryliums undergo ring-opening dioxygenations analogous to the enzymatic reactions. Our hypothesis is that lability of the divalent metal ion may allow access to a reactive oxidopyrylium intermediate via coordination switching from the oxy to ketone position, which allows reaction with O2. In this report, we use a straight-forward methylation strategy to generate a panel of flavonol and thioflavonol derivatives modeling several η1- and η2-coordination modes. Methylation of 3-hydroxythioflavone generates an air stable η1 hydroxopyrylium salt, which undergoes rapid ring-opening dioxygenation by deprotonation or photoexcitation. By comparison, the η1-methoxyflavonol does not react with O2 under any condition. We find that any of the studied flavonol derivatives, η1 or η2, which demonstrates ESIPT-like oxidopyrylium emissions undergo QDO-like ring-opening reactions with dioxygen. The implications of these results concerning the mechanism of QDOs and related dioxygenases is discussed.

Flavonol dioxygenation catalysed by cobalt(II) complexes supported with 3N(COO) and 4N donor ligands: a comparative study to assess the carboxylate effects on quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase-like reactivity

Two new cobalt(II)-acetato complexes, [CoII(L3NCOO)(OAc)]·0.5H2O (1OAc·0.5H2O) and [CoII(L4N)(OAc)](PF6) (2OAc(PF6)), were synthesised using ligands L3NCOO- (Li+L3NCOO- = lithium 2-(benzyl((6'-methyl-[2,2'-bipyridin]-6-yl)methyl)amino)acetate) and L4N (N-benzyl-1-(6'-methyl-[2,2'-bipyridin]-6-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine), respectively, to mimic the functional activity of cobalt(II)-quercetin-2,4-dioxygenase (CoII-2,4-QD). Additionally, Co(II)-flavonolato ternary complexes, [CoII(L3NCOO)(fla)]·H2O (1fla·H2O) and [CoII(L4N)(fla)](PF6) (2fla(PF6)), were synthesised as enzyme-substrate models. All four complexes were thoroughly characterised by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. Structural characterisation was performed for 1OAc·0.5H2O, 2OAc(PF6)·CH2Cl2 and 2fla+ with a perchlorate counter anion, 2fla(ClO4)·1.5H2O. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) and molecular orbital (MO) analysis were performed for the flavonolato adducts 1fla and 2fla+. The catalytic activities of complexes 1OAc·0.5H2O and 2OAc(PF6) in the oxygenative degradation of flavonol (multiple-turnover reactions) were investigated at 70 °C in DMF to determine the effect of the carboxylate substituent over a pyridyl donor residue on reactivity. Complex 1OAc·0.5H2O showed a higher catalytic rate than complex 2OAc(PF6). The same reactivity order was observed for single-turnover dioxygenation reactions with ternary complexes (1fla > 2fla+). The formation constants (Kf) of 1fla and 2fla+ species are comparable, implying that catalyst-substrate adduct formation occurs in similar amounts for both catalytic reactions. Therefore, the Kf values have a similar impact on reactivities. However, the oxidation potential of the bound fla-/fla˙ couple in 1fla is considerably lower than that in 2fla+. DFT calculations predicted that the negatively charged carboxylate group of ligand L3NCOO- determines the higher reactivity of 1fla with dioxygen by decreasing the oxidation potential of the bound fla-/fla˙ couple. During the dioxygenation process, the reactive Co(II)-bound flavonoxy radical was generated via single-electron transfer from the coordinated fla- to dioxygen, simultaneously forming a superoxide ion. The anionic carboxylate group improves the stability of the bound flavonoxy radical by providing substantial electron density to the electron-deficient fla˙ through the Co(II) centre, allowing the reactive fla˙ species to accumulate at an optimal concentration for effective catalysis. EPR spectroscopy successfully detected the cobalt-bound fla˙ species formed through the dioxygenation of 1fla. NBT2+ and EPR spin-trapping experiments confirmed superoxide formation during the dioxygenation process. So, the present work describes CoII-2,4-QD model studies and clarifies the function of carboxylate in quercetinase-like reactivity.

Light-induced O2-dependent aliphatic carbon-carbon (C-C) bond cleavage in bipyridine-ligated Co(II) chlorodiketonate complexes

Mononuclear bipyridine (bpy)-ligated Co(II) chlorodiketonate complexes [(bpy)2Co(R-PhC(O)C(Cl)C(O)R-Ph)]ClO4 (R = -H (8), -CH3 (9), and -OCH3 (10)), were prepared, characterized and investigated for O2-dependent aliphatic C-C bond cleavage reactivity. Complexes 8-10 have a distorted psuedo-octahedral geometry. 1H NMR spectra of 8-10 in CD3CN show signals for the coordinated diketonate moiety, and signals suggesting ligand exchange reactivity leading to the formation of a small amount of [(bpy)3Co](ClO4)2 (11) in solution. While 8-10 are air stable at room temperature, illumination at 350 nm results in oxidative cleavage reactivity within the diketonate moiety leading to the formation of 1,3-diphenylpropanetrione, benzoic acid, benzoic anhydride, and benzil. Illumination of 8 under 18O2 results in a high level of 18O incorporation (>80%) in the benzoate anion. The product mixture, high level of 18O incorporation, and additional mechanistic studies suggest a reaction sequence wherein light-induced reactivity leads to the formation of a triketone intermediate that undergoes either oxidative C-C bond cleavage or benzoyl migration promoted by a bipyridine-ligated Co(II) or Co(III) fragment.

Underlying Role of Hydrophobic Environments in Tuning Metal Elements for Efficient Enzyme Catalysis

The catalytic functions of metalloenzymes are often strongly correlated with metal elements in the active sites. However, dioxygen-activating nonheme quercetin dioxygenases (QueD) are found with various first-row transition-metal ions when metal swapping inactivates their innate catalytic activity. To unveil the molecular basis of this seemingly promiscuous yet metal-specific enzyme, we transformed manganese-dependent QueD into a nickel-dependent enzyme by sequence- and structure-based directed evolution. Although the net effect of acquired mutations was primarily to rearrange hydrophobic residues in the active site pocket, biochemical, kinetic, X-ray crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational studies suggest that these modifications in the secondary coordination spheres can adjust the electronic structure of the enzyme-substrate complex to counteract the effects induced by the metal substitution. These results explicitly demonstrate that such noncovalent interactions encrypt metal specificity in a finely modulated manner, revealing the underestimated chemical power of the hydrophobic sequence network in enzyme catalysis.

Oxygenolysis of a series of copper(II)-flavonolate adducts varying the electronic factors on supporting ligands as a mimic of quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase-like activity

Four copper(II)-flavonolate compounds of type [Cu(L^R)(fla)] {where L^R = 2-(p-R-benzyl(dipyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)acetate; R = -OMe (1), -H (2), -Cl (3) and -NO₂ (4)} have been developed as a structural and functional enzyme-substrate (ES) model of the Cu²⁺-containing quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase enzyme. The ES model complexes 1-4 are synthesized by reacting 3-hydroxyflavone in the presence of a base with the respective acetate-bound copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L^R)(OAc)]. In the presence of dioxygen the ES model complexes undergo enzyme-type oxygenolysis of flavonolate (dioxygenase type bond cleavage reaction) at 80 °C in DMF. The reactivity shows a substituent group dependent order as -OMe (1) > -H (2) > -Cl (3) > -NO₂ (4). Experimental and theoretical studies suggest a single-electron transfer (SET) from flavonolate to dioxygen, rather than valence tautomerism {[Cu^II(fla^-)] ↔ [Cu^I(fla˙)]}, to generate the reactive flavonoxy radical (fla˙) that reacts further with the superoxide radical to bring about the oxygenative ring opening reaction. The SET pathway has been further verified by studying the dioxygenation reaction with a redox-inactive Zn²⁺ complex, [Zn(L^OMe)(fla)] (5).

The effects of metal cofactors on the reactivity of quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: synthetic model studies with M(ii)-complexes (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) and assessment of the regulatory factors in catalytic efficacy

This paper demonstrates the metal ion effects on the dioxygenation of flavonol catalysed by M(ii)-complexes (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) as functional models of quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase-like reactivity.

A functional model for quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: Geometric and electronic structures and reactivity of a nickel(II) flavonolate complex

Quercetin 2,4-dioyxgenase (QueD) has been known to catalyze the oxygenative degradation of flavonoids and quercetin. Recent crystallographic study revealed a nickel ion occupies the active site as a co-factor to support O₂ activation and catalysis. Herein, we report a nickel(II) flavonolate complex bearing a tridentate macrocyclic ligand, [Ni^II(Me₃-TACN)(Fl)(NO₃)](H₂O) (1, Me₃-TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, Fl = 3-hydroxyflavone) as a functional model for QueD. The flavonolatonickel(II) complex was characterized by using spectrometric analysis including UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The single crystal X-ray structure of 1 shows two isomers with respect to the direction of a flavonolate ligand. Two isomers commonly are in the octahedral geometry with a bidentate of flavonolate and a monodentate of nitrate as well as a tridentate binding of Me₃-TACN ligand. The spin state of 1 is determined to be a triplet state based on the Evans' method. Interestingly, electronic configuration of 1 from density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the two singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) lie energetically lower than the highest (doubly) occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), that is so-called the SOMO-HOMO level inversion (SHI). The HOMO shows an electron density localized in the flavonolate ligand, indicating that flavonolate ligand is oxidized first rather than the nickel center. Thermal degradation of 1 resulted in the formation of benzoic acid and salicylic acid, which is attributed to the oxygenation of flavonolate of 1.

Overview of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Selected Plant Compounds and Their Metal Ions Complexes

Numerous plant compounds and their metal-ion complexes exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other beneficial effects. This review highlights the different bioactivities of flavonoids, chromones, and coumarins and their metal-ions complexes due to different structural characteristics. In addition to insight into the most studied antioxidative properties of these compounds, the first part of the review provides a comprehensive overview of exogenous and endogenous sources of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, oxidative stress-mediated damages of lipids and proteins, and on protective roles of antioxidant defense systems, including plant-derived antioxidants. Additionally, the review covers the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of flavonoids, chromones, coumarins and their metal-ion complexes which support its application in medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetology.

Structurally characterized gallium-chrysin complexes with anticancer potential

Chemotherapeutic metal-based compounds are effective anticancer agents; however, their cytotoxic profile and significant side effects limit their wide application. Natural products, especially flavonoids, are a prominent alternative source of anticancer agents that can be used as ligands for the generation of new bioactive complexes with metal ions of known biochemical and pharmacological activities. Herein, we present the synthesis and detailed structural and physicochemical characterizations of three novel complex assemblies of Ga(iii) with the flavonoid chrysin and the ancillary aromatic chelators 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine and imidazole. The complexes constitute the only crystallographically characterized structures having a metal core from the boron group elements and a flavonoid as the ligand. The in vitro biological evaluation of the three complexes in a series of cancer cell lines of different origin established their cytotoxicity and ROS generating potential. In particular, the Ga(iii)-chrysin-imidazole complex displayed the highest anticancer efficacy against all cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low micromolar range (<1.18 μM), a result worth further investigation.

Bismuth(III) Flavonolates: The Impact of Structural Diversity on Antibacterial Activity, Mammalian Cell Viability and Cellular Uptake

A series of homoleptic and heteroleptic bismuth(III) flavonolate complexes derived from six flavonols of varying substitution have been synthesised and structurally characterised. The complexes were evaluated for antibacterial activity towards several problematic Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The cell viability of COS-7 (monkey kidney) cells treated with the bismuth flavonolates was also studied to determine the effect of the complexes on mammalian cells. The heteroleptic complexes [BiPh(L)₂ ] (in which L=flavonolate) showed good antibacterial activity towards all of the bacteria but reduced COS-7 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The homoleptic complexes [Bi(L)₃ ] exhibited activity towards the Gram-positive bacteria and showed low toxicity towards the mammalian cell line. Bismuth uptake studies in VRE and COS-7 cells treated with the bismuth flavonolate complexes indicated that Bi accumulation is influenced by both the substitution of the flavonolate ligands and the degree of substitution at the bismuth centre.

3-Hydroxyflavones and 3-Hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines as Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecules

Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) that enable the delivery of controlled amounts of CO are of strong current interest for applications in biological systems. In this review, we examine the various conditions under which CO is released from 3-hydroxyflavones and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines to advance the understanding of how these molecules, or derivatives thereof, may be developed as CORMs. Enzymatic pathways from quercetin dioxygenases and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinoline dioxygenases leading to CO release are examined, along with model systems for these enzymes. Base-catalyzed and non-redox-metal promoted CO release, as well as UV and visible light-driven CO release from 3-hydroxyflavones and 3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinolines, are summarized. The visible light-induced CO release reactivity of recently developed extended 3-hydroxyflavones and a 3-hydroxybenzo[g]quinolone, and their uses as intracellular CORMs, are discussed. Overall, this review provides insight into the chemical factors that affect the thermal and photochemical dioxygenase-type CO release reactions of these heterocyclic compounds.

Effect of ligand substituents on nickel and copper [N4] complexes: electronic and redox behavior, and reactivity towards protons

The ligand substituents have a major effect on the redox potentials, catalytic efficiency and robustness of the complexes in HER.

Mechanistic Investigations of Photoinduced Oxygenation of Ru(II) Bis-bipyridyl Flavonolate Complexes

We previously reported that a Ru-bound flavonolate model of flavonol dioxygenases, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(3-hydroxyfla)][PF₆], photochemically reacts with dioxygen in two different manners. Broad-band excitation generates mixtures of products characteristic of 1,3-addition of dioxygen across the central pyrone ring, as is observed in enzymatic reactions. However, low temperature excitation at wavelengths longer than 400 nm generates a unique Ru-bound 2-benzoatophenylglyoxylate product resulting from a 1,2-dioxetane intermediate. Herein, we investigate this reactivity in a series of Ru(II)bis-bipyridyl flavonolate complexes [Ru^II(bpy)₂(3-hydroxyfla^R)][PF₆] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; fla = flavonolate; R = p-OMe (1), p-Me (2), p-H (3), p-Cl (4)), and [Ru^II(bpy)₂(5-hydroxyfla)][PF₆] (5). The complexes' structures, photophysical and electrochemical properties, and photochemical reactivity with oxygen were investigated in detail. Two different reaction product mixtures, from 1,2- and 1,3-additions of dioxygen, are observed by illumination into distinct excitation/emission manifolds. By analogy to previous reports of excited state intramolecular proton transfer, the two manifolds are attributed to tautomeric diradicals that predict the observed reactivity patterns.

Solution or solid - it doesn't matter: visible light-induced CO release reactivity of zinc flavonolato complexes

Two types of zinc flavonolato complexes ([(6-Ph₂TPA)Zn(flavonolato)]ClO₄ and Zn(flavonolato)₂) of four extended flavonols have been prepared, characterized, and evaluated for visible light-induced CO release reactivity. Zinc coordination of each flavonolato anion results in a red-shift of the lowest energy absorption feature and in some cases enhanced molar absorptivity relative to the free flavonol. The zinc-coordinated flavonolato ligands undergo visible light-induced CO release with enhanced reaction quantum yields relative to the neutral flavonols. Most notable is the discovery that both types of zinc flavonolato derivatives undergo similar visible light-induced CO release reactivity in solution and in the solid state. A solid film of a Zn(flavonolato)₂ derivative was evaluated as an in situ CO release agent for aerobic oxidative palladium-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation to produce esters in ethanol. The CO release product was found to undergo ester alcolysis under the conditions of the carbonylation reaction.

Defect Engineering into Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Rapid and Sequential Installation of Functionalities

Postsynthetic treatments are well-known and important functionalization tools of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, we have developed a practical and rapid postsynthetic ligand exchange (PSE) strategy using a defect-controlled MOF. An increase in the number of defects amounts to MOFs with enhanced rates of ligand exchange in a shorter time frame. An almost quantitative exchange was achieved by using the most defective MOFs. This PSE strategy is a straightforward method to introduce a functionality into MOFs including bulky or catalytically relevant moieties. Furthermore, some mechanistic insights into PSE were revealed, allowing for a sequential ligand exchange and the development of multifunctional MOFs with controlled ligand ratios.

Visible Light-Induced CO-Release Reactivity of a Series of ZnII–Flavonolate Complexes

A series of zinc–flavonolate complexes of the general formula [(L)Zn(R)]ClO4 (L = TPA (tris-2-(pyridylmethyl)amine)), 6-MeTPA (N,N-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine)), 6-Me2TPA (N,N-bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)(2-pyridylmethyl) amine), BPQA (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)(2-quinolinemethyl)amine), and BQPA (bis(2-quinolinemethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), R = FLH (flavonol), 4-MeOFLH (4-methoxyflavonol), and 4-MeOFLTH (4-methoxyflavothione)) have been prepared and characterised by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. All the complexes can be induced to release CO by visible light (λmax ranges from 414 to 503 nm). The maximum absorption wavelength of the complexes followed the order 4-MeOFLTH > 4-MeOFLH > FLH. Exposure of the complexes to visible light under aerobic conditions results in oxidative C–C bond cleavage and almost quantitative CO release. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the complexes had a low toxicity to HeLa cells in the concentration range of 1 to 50 μM. These advantages indicate that the series of complexes are likely to be applied to biological systems.

Set of Fe(II)-3-Hydroxyflavonolate Enzyme-Substrate Model Complexes of Atypically Coordinated Mononuclear Non-Heme Fe(II)-Dependent Quercetin 2,4-Dioxygenase

With the aim of revealing the catalytic role of atypically coordinated (3His-1Glu) active site mononuclear non-heme Fe(II)-dependent quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase (Fe-2,4-QD) and the electronic effects of the model ligands on the reactivity toward dioxygen, a set of p/m-R-substituted carboxylate-containing ligand-supported Fe(II)-3-hydroxyflavonolate complexes, [Fe^IIL^R(fla)] (L^RH: 2-{[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-p/m-R-benzoic acid; R: p-OMe (1), p-Me (2), m-Br (4), and m-NO₂ (5); fla: 3-hydroxyflavonolate), were synthesized and characterized as structural and functional models for the ES (enzyme-substrate) complexes of Fe-2,4-QD. [Fe^IIL^R(fla)] show relatively high enzyme-type reactivity (dioxygenative ring opening of the coordinated substrate fla, single-turnover reaction) at low temperatures (30-65 °C). The reaction shows a linear Hammett plot (ρ = -1.21), and electron donating groups enhance the reaction rates. The notable difference on the reactivity can be rationalized from the electronic nature of the substituent in the ligands, which could tune the reactivity via tuning Lewis acidity of the Fe(II) ion, electron density, and the redox potential of fla. The properties and the reactivity show approximately linear correlations between λ_max or E _1/2 of fla and the reaction rate constant k. This work sheds light not only on understanding of electronic effects of the ligands and the property-reactivity relationship but also on the role of the catalytic reaction by Fe-2,4-QD.

A bipyridine-ligated zinc(II) complex with bridging flavonolate ligation: synthesis, characterization, and visible-light-induced CO release reactivity

Metal-flavonolate compounds are of significant current interest as synthetic models for quercetinase enzymes and as bioactive compounds of importance to human health. Zinc-3-hydroxyflavonolate compounds, including those of quercetin, kampferol, and morin, generally exhibit bidentate coordination to a single Zn^II center. The bipyridine-ligated zinc-flavonolate compound reported herein, namely bis(μ-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-3-olato)-κ³O³:O³,O⁴;κ³O³,O⁴:O³-bis[(2,2'-bipyridine-κ²N,N')zinc(II)] bis(perchlorate), {[Zn₂(C₁₅H₉O₃)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n, (1), provides an unusual example of bridging 3-hydroxyflavonolate ligation in a dinuclear metal complex. The symmetry-related Zn^II centers of (1) exhibit a distorted octahedral geometry, with weak coordination of a perchlorate anion trans to the bridging deprotonated O atom of the flavonolate ligand. Variable-concentration conductivity measurements provide evidence that, when (1) is dissolved in CH₃CN, the complex dissociates into monomers. ¹H NMR resonances for (1) dissolved in d₆-DMSO were assigned via HMQC to the H atoms of the flavonolate and bipyridine ligands. In CH₃CN, (1) undergoes quantitative visible-light-induced CO release with a quantum yield [0.004 (1)] similar to that exhibited by other mononuclear zinc-3-hydroxyflavonolate complexes. Mass spectroscopic identification of the [(bpy)₂Zn(O-benzoylsalicylate)]⁺ ion provides evidence of CO release from the flavonol and of ligand exchange at the Zn^II center.

Oxygen activation by mononuclear Mn, Co, and Ni centers in biology and synthetic complexes

The active sites of metalloenzymes that catalyze O₂-dependent reactions generally contain iron or copper ions. However, several enzymes are capable of activating O₂ at manganese or nickel centers instead, and a handful of dioxygenases exhibit activity when substituted with cobalt. This minireview summarizes the catalytic properties of oxygenases and oxidases with mononuclear Mn, Co, or Ni active sites, including oxalate-degrading oxidases, catechol dioxygenases, and quercetin dioxygenase. In addition, recent developments in the O₂ reactivity of synthetic Mn, Co, or Ni complexes are described, with an emphasis on the nature of reactive intermediates featuring superoxo-, peroxo-, or oxo-ligands. Collectively, the biochemical and synthetic studies discussed herein reveal the possibilities and limitations of O₂ activation at these three "overlooked" metals.

Characterization of the Initial Intermediate Formed during Photoinduced Oxygenation of the Ruthenium(II) Bis(bipyridyl)flavonolate Complex

A ruthenium(II) flavonolate complex, [Ru(II)(bpy)2fla][BF4], was synthesized to model the reactivity of the flavonol dioxygenases. The treatment of dry CH3CN solutions of [Ru(II)(bpy)2fla][BF4] with dioxygen under light leads to the oxidative O-heterocyclic ring opening of the coordinated substrate flavonolate, resulting in the formation of [Ru(II)(bpy)2(carboxylate)][BF4] (carboxylate = O-benzoylsalicylate or benzoate) species, as determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Moderation of the excitation and temperature allowed isolation and characterization of an intermediate, [Ru(II)(bpy)2bpg][BF4] (bpg = 2-benzoyloxyphenylglyoxylate), generated by the 1,2-addition of dioxygen to the central flavonolate ring.

Catalytic dioxygenation of flavonol by M(II)-complexes (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) - mimicking the M(II)-substituted quercetin 2,3-dioxygenase

In order to get insights into the metal ion effects and the carboxylate effects on enzymatic activity, a series of the carboxylate ligand supported transition metal complexes [M(II)L(OAc)] (M = Mn (), Fe (), Co (), Ni (), Cu () and Zn (); LH = 2-{[bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-methoxy benzoic acid) were synthesized and characterized as structural and functional models for the active sites of various M(II)-substituted resting quercetin 2,3-dioxygenases (2,3-QD). Their structures, spectroscopic features, redox properties, as well as the catalytic reactivity toward the substrate flavonol and O2 have been investigated in detail. The model complexes show higher enzymatic reactivities in the catalytic dioxygenation (oxidative ring opening) of the substrate flavonol at lower temperatures (55-100 °C), presumably caused by the carboxylate group in the supporting model ligand, which could lower the redox potential of the bound substrate flavonolate by electron donation. The catalytic reactivity of [M(II)L(OAc)] exhibits notable differences and it is in a metal ion dependent order of Co () > Ni () > Zn () > Fe () > Mn () > Cu (). The differences in the reactivities among them could be ascribed to the redox potential of the bound substrate flavonolate, which was drastically influenced by the metal ions via tuning the electron density of flavonolate, providing important insights into the metal ion effects and the carboxylate effects on the enzymatic activity of various M(II)-substituted 2,3-QD. Our model complexes [M(II)L(OAc)] are the first examples of a series of structural and functional models of various M(II)-substituted resting 2,3-QD.

Properties and applications of flavonoid metal complexes

Flavonoid metal complexes have a wide spectrum of activities as well as potential and actual applications.