Elucidation of the Solution Structure and Water-Exchange Mechanism of Paramagnetic [FeII(edta)(H2O)]2-

Design and synthesis of chiral DOTA-based MRI contrast agents with remarkable relaxivities

Due to the adverse effects of de-metallation in past concerning FDA-approved gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), researchers have been focusing on developing safer and more efficient alternatives that could avoid toxicity caused by free gadolinium ions. Herein, two chiral GBCAs, Gd-LS with sulfonate groups and Gd-T with hydroxyl groups, are reported as potential candidates for magnetic reasonance imaging (MRI). The r1 relaxivities of TSAP, SAP isomers of Gd-LS and SAP isomer of Gd-T at 1.4 T, 37 °C in water are 7.4 mM-1s-1, 14.5 mM-1s-1 and 5.2 mM-1s-1, respectively. Results show that the hydrophilic functional groups introduced to the chiral macrocyclic scaffold of Gd-T and Gd-LS both give constructive influences on the second-sphere relaxivity and enhance the overall r1 value. Both cases indicate that the design of GBCAs should also focus on the optimal window in Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan (SBM) theory and the effects caused by the second-sphere and outer-sphere relaxivity.

High-Pressure Mechanistic Insight into Bioinorganic NO Chemistry

Pressure is one of the most important parameters controlling the kinetics of chemical reactions. The ability to combine high-pressure techniques with time-resolved spectroscopy has provided a powerful tool in the study of reaction mechanisms. This review is focused on the supporting role of high-pressure kinetic and spectroscopic methods in the exploration of nitric oxide bioinorganic chemistry. Nitric oxide and other reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are important biological mediators involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Understanding molecular mechanisms of their interactions with redox-active metal/non-metal centers in biological targets, such as cofactors, prosthetic groups, and proteins, is crucial for the improved therapy of various diseases. The present review is an attempt to demonstrate how the application of high-pressure kinetic and spectroscopic methods can add additional information, thus enabling the mechanistic interpretation of various NO bioinorganic reactions.

Inorganic reaction mechanisms. A personal journey

This review covers highlights of the work performed in the van Eldik group on inorganic reaction mechanisms over the past two decades in the form of a personal journey. Topics that are covered include, from NO to HNO chemistry, peroxide activation in model porphyrin and enzymatic systems, the wonder-world of Ru^III(edta) chemistry, redox chemistry of Ru(iii) complexes, Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes and their application, relevant physicochemical properties and reaction mechanisms in ionic liquids, and mechanistic insight from computational chemistry. In each of these sections, typical examples of mechanistic studies are presented in reference to related work reported in the literature.

Exploring Inner-Sphere Water Interactions of Fe(II) and Co(II) Complexes of 12-Membered Macrocycles To Develop CEST MRI Probes

Several paramagnetic Co(II) and Fe(II) macrocyclic complexes were prepared with the goal of introducing a bound water ligand to produce paramagnetically shifted water ¹H resonances and for paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) applications. Three 12-membered macrocycles with amide pendent groups including 1,7-bis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodocane (DCMC), 4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-,4,7,10-triaza-12-crown-ether (N3OA), and 4,10-bis(carbamoylmethyl)-4,10-diaza-12-crown-ether (NODA) were prepared and their Co(II) complexes were characterized in the solid state and in solution. The crystal structure of [Co(DCMC)]Br₂ featured a six-coordinated Co(II) center with distorted octahedral geometry, while [Co(NODA)(OH₂)]Cl₂ and [Co(N3OA)](NO₃)₂ were seven-coordinated. The analogous Fe(II) complexes of NODA and NO3A were successfully prepared, but the complex of DCMC oxidized rapidly to the Fe(III) form. Similarly, [Fe(NODA)]²⁺ oxidized over several days, forming crystals of the Fe(III) complex isolated as the μ-O bridged dimer. Magnetic susceptibility values and paramagnetic NMR spectra of the Fe(II) complexes of NODA and N3OA, as well as Co(II) complexes of DCMC, NODA, and N3OA, were consistent with high spin complexes. CEST peaks ranging from 60 ppm to 70 ppm, attributed to NH groups of the amide pendents, were identified. Variable-temperature ¹⁷O NMR spectra of Co(II) and Fe(II) NODA complexes were consistent with rapid exchange of the water ligand with bulk water. Notably, the Co(II) and Fe(II) complexes presented here produced substantial paramagnetic shifts of bulk water ¹H resonances, independent of having an inner-sphere water.

Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Redox-Active Iron Complex

We introduce a redox-active iron complex, Fe-PyC3A, as a biochemically responsive MRI contrast agent. Switching between Fe³⁺-PyC3A and Fe²⁺-PyC3A yields a full order of magnitude relaxivity change that is field-independent between 1.4 and 11.7 T. The oxidation of Fe²⁺-PyC3A to Fe³⁺-PyC3A by hydrogen peroxide is very rapid, and we capitalized on this behavior for the molecular imaging of acute inflammation, which is characterized by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species.  Injection of Fe²⁺-PyC3A generates strong, selective contrast enhancement of inflamed pancreatic tissue in a mouse model (caerulein/LPS model). No significant signal enhancement is observed in normal pancreatic tissue (saline-treated mice). Importantly, signal enhancement of the inflamed pancreas correlates strongly and significantly with ex vivo quantitation of the pro-inflammatory biomarker myeloperoxidase. This is the first example of using metal ion redox for the MR imaging of pathologic change in vivo. Redox-active Fe^3+/2+ complexes represent a new design paradigm for biochemically responsive MRI contrast agents.

Boosting Vis/NIR Charge-Transfer Absorptions of Iron(II) Complexes by N-Alkylation and N-Deprotonation in the Ligand Backbone

Reversing the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³ MLCT)/metal-centered (³ MC) excited state order in iron(II) complexes is a challenging objective, yet would finally result in long-sought luminescent transition-metal complexes with an earth-abundant central ion. One approach to achieve this goal is based on low-energy charge-transfer absorptions in combination with a strong ligand field. Coordinating electron-rich and electron-poor tridentate oligopyridine ligands with large bite angles at iron(II) enables both low-energy MLCT absorption bands around 590 nm and a strong ligand field. Variations of the electron-rich ligand by introducing longer alkyl substituents destabilizes the iron(II) complex towards ligand substitution reactions while hardly affecting the optical properties. On the other hand, N-deprotonation of the ligand backbone is feasible and reversible, yielding deep-green complexes with charge-transfer bands extending into the near-IR region. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations assign these absorption bands to transitions with dipole-allowed ligand-to-ligand charge transfer character. This unique geometric and electronic situation establishes a further regulating screw to increase the energy gap between potentially emitting charge-transfer states and the non-radiative ligand field states of iron(II) dyes.

Thermodynamics of the hydration equilibrium derived from the luminescence spectra of the solid state for the case of the Eu–EDTA system

Spectroscopic evidence of the hydration equilibrium for the case of the Eu–EDTA system.

Lower denticity leading to higher stability: structural and solution studies of Ln(III)-OBETA complexes

The heptadentate ligand OBETA (2,2'-oxybis(ethylamine)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) was reported to form complexes with Ln(3+) ions more stable than those formed by the octadentate and more popular congener EGTA (ethylene glycol O,O'-bis(ethylamine)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid). The structural features leading to this puzzling coordination paradox were investigated by X-ray diffraction, solution state NMR, molecular modeling, and relaxometric studies. The stability constant of Gd(OBETA) (log KGdL = 19.37, 0.1 M KCl) is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of the higher denticity analogue Gd(EGTA) (log KGdL = 17.66, 0.1 M KCl). The half-lives (t1/2) for the dissociation reactions of Gd(OBETA) and Gd(EGTA) ([Cu(2+)]tot = 0.2 mM, [Cit(3-)]tot = 0.5 mM, [PO4(3-)]tot = 1.0 mM, and [CO3(2-)]tot = 25 mM at pH = 7.4 and 25 °C in 0.1 M KCl solution) are 6.8 and 0.63 h, respectively, reflecting the much higher inertness of Gd(OBETA) near physiological conditions. NMR studies and DFT calculations using the B3LYP functional and a large-core ECP indicate that the [Gd(OBETA)(H2O)2](-) complex most likely exists in solution as the Δ(λλ)(δδδδ)A/Λ(δδ)(λλλλ)A enantiomeric pair, with an activation free energy for the enantiomerization process of ∼40 kJ·mol(-1). The metal ion is nine-coordinate by seven donor atoms of the ligand and two inner-sphere water molecules. The X-ray crystal structure of [C(NH2)3]3[Lu(OBETA)(CO3)]·2H2O is in agreement with the predictions of DFT calculations, the two coordinated water molecules being replaced by a bidentate carbonate anion. The (1)H NMRD and (17)O NMR study revealed that the two inner-sphere water molecules in Gd(OBETA) are endowed with a relatively fast water exchange rate (kex(298) = 13 × 10(6) s(-1)). The higher thermodynamic stability and inertness of Ln(OBETA) complexes, peaking in the center of the 4f series, combined with the presence of two coordinated water molecules suggests that Gd(OBETA) is a promising paramagnetic probe for MRI applications.

Current advances of integrated processes combining chemical absorption and biological reduction for NO x removal from flue gas

Anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emitted from the fossil-fuel-fired power plants cause adverse environmental issues such as acid rain, urban ozone smoke, and photochemical smog. A novel chemical absorption-biological reduction (CABR) integrated process under development is regarded as a promising alternative to the conventional selective catalytic reduction processes for NO x removal from the flue gas because it is economic and environmentally friendly. CABR process employs ferrous ethylenediaminetetraacetate [Fe(II)EDTA] as a solvent to absorb the NO x following microbial denitrification of NO x to harmless nitrogen gas. Meanwhile, the absorbent Fe(II)EDTA is biologically regenerated to sustain the adequate NO x removal. Compared with conventional denitrification process, CABR not only enhances the mass transfer of NO from gas to liquid phase but also minimize the impact of oxygen on the microorganisms. This review provides the current advances of the development of the CABR process for NO x removal from the flue gas.

Quantum chemical investigations of the water exchange mechanism on [Al(III)(H₂O)₅(L)]²⁺ as a function of the donor strength of the anionic L

Water exchange reactions of the complexes Al(H₂O)₅(L)]²⁺·H₂O for L = →OCN⁻, F⁻, CF₃⁻, →NC⁻, →CN⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, H⁻, SH⁻, OH⁻, →NCO⁻, →NCS⁻, →SCN⁻, CF₃CH₂⁻, CH₃⁻, Et⁻, i-Pr⁻ and t-but⁻, were studied by DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-311+G**). The reactions follow a dissociative (D) pathway for Al(H₂O)₅(L)]²⁺·H₂O to form the five-coordinate intermediate [Al(H₂O)₄L]²⁺·2H₂O for the weaker donor ligands of the series. On increasing the donor strength of L, the five-coordinate intermediate becomes significantly more stable than the reactant state. At this point there is a mechanistic changeover to an associative (A) pathway for [Al(H₂O)₄L]²⁺·2H₂O as reactant to form a six-coordinate intermediate Al(H₂O)₅(L)]²⁺·H₂O. For some of the anionic ligands L = → NC⁻, →CN⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻ and →SCN⁻) the energy gap between the reactant and intermediate states is small, such that the water exchange mechanism lies in the boarder of dissociative and associative pathways. The water exchange process involves cis- and trans-orientated transition states to form the product state that is similar to the reactant state.

Solution behavior of iron(III) and iron(II) porphyrins in DMSO and reaction with superoxide. Effect of neighboring positive charge on thermodynamics, kinetics and nature of iron-(su)peroxo product

The solution behavior of iron(III) and iron(II) complexes of 5(4),10(4),15(4),20(4)-tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (H(2)tBuTPP) and the reaction with superoxide (KO(2)) in DMSO have been studied in detail. Applying temperature and pressure dependent NMR studies, the thermodynamics of the low-spin/high-spin equilibrium between bis- and mono-DMSO Fe(II) forms have been quantified (K(DMSO) = 0.082 ± 0.002 at 298.2 K, ΔH° = +36 ± 1 kJ mol(-1), ΔS° = +101 ± 4 J K(-1) mol(-1), ΔV° = +16 ± 2 cm(3) mol(-1)). This is a key activation step for substitution and inner-sphere electron transfer. The superoxide binding constant to the iron(II) form of the studied porphyrin complex was found to be (9 ± 0.5) × 10(3) M(-1), and does not change significantly in the presence of the externally added crown ether in DMSO (11 ± 4) × 10(3) M(-1). The rate constants for the superoxide binding (k(on) = (1.30 ± 0.01) × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) and release (k(off) = 11.6 ± 0.7 s(-1)) are not affected by the presence of the external crown ether in solution. The resulting iron(II)-superoxide adduct has been characterized (mass spectrometry, EPR, high-pressure UV/Vis spectroscopy) and upon controlled addition of a proton source it regenerates the starting iron(II) complex. Based on DFT calculations, the reaction product without neighboring positive charge has iron(II)-superoxo character in both high-spin side-on and low-spin end-on forms. The results are compared to those obtained for the analogous complex with covalently attached crown ether, and more general conclusions regarding the spin-state equilibrium of iron(II) porphyrins, their reaction with superoxide and the electronic structure of the product species are drawn.

The impact of tripodal chelates on water exchange kinetics and mechanisms: a variable temperature and pressure 17O NMR study to clarify the structure-reactivity relationship in [Fe(II)(L)(H2O2](-) complexes

The effect of temperature and pressure on the water exchange reaction of [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) and [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-) (NTA = nitrilotriacetate; BADA = beta-alanindiacetate) was studied by 17O NMR spectroscopy. The [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex showed a water exchange rate constant, k(ex), of (3.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the observed reaction are 43.4 +/- 2.6 kJ mol(-1), + 25 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.2 +/- 0.6 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. For [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-), the water exchange reaction is faster than for the [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex with k(ex) = (7.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the water exchange reaction are 40.3 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1), + 22 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.3 +/- 0.8 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. The effect of pressure on the exchange rate constant is large and very similar for both systems, and the numerical values for DeltaV( not equal) suggest in both cases a limiting dissociative (D) mechanism for the water exchange process.