Selectivity of Thiolate Ligand and Preference of Substrate in Model Reactions of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reductase

Structurally characterized one oxo–desoxo bridged Mo2–bis(dithiolene) complex and its interconversion to a discrete oxo or desoxo DMSOR model

The dissymmetric binuclear complex1acts as a precursor of the molybdoenzyme models of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) class.

Mononuclear bis(dithiolene) Mo(iv) and W(iv) complexes with P,P; S,S; O,S and O,O donor ligands: a comparative reactivity study

Comparative redox reactions of eight Mo^IV/W^IVcomplexes with P,P; S,S; S,O and O,O donor ligands are presented.

Converting between the oxides of nitrogen using metal-ligand coordination complexes

The oxides of nitrogen (chiefly NO, NO3(-), NO2(-) and N2O) are key components of the natural nitrogen cycle and are intermediates in a range of processes of enormous biological, environmental and industrial importance. Nature has evolved numerous enzymes which handle the conversion of these oxides to/from other small nitrogen-containing species and there also exist a number of heterogeneous catalysts that can mediate similar reactions. In the chemical space between these two extremes exist metal-ligand coordination complexes that are easier to interrogate than heterogeneous systems and simpler in structure than enzymes. In this Tutorial Review, we will examine catalysts for the inter-conversions of the various nitrogen oxides that are based on such complexes, looking in particular at more recent examples that take inspiration from the natural systems.

Significant differences of monooxotungsten(IV) and dioxotungsten(VI) benzenedithiolates containing two intramolecular NHS hydrogen bonds from molybdenum analogues

A monooxotungsten(iv) benzenedithiolate complex containing two intramolecular NHS hydrogen bonds, (NEt4)2[W(IV)O(1,2-S2-3-t-BuNHCOC6H3)2] (1-W), was synthesized via a ligand-exchange reaction between a new starting complex, (NEt4)2[W(IV)O(SC6F5)4], and a partially deprotonated dithiol. When dithiol was used in solution, the oxo ligand was protonated and removed to afford (NEt4)2[W(IV)(1,2-S2-3-t-BuNHCOC6H3)3]. The trans isomer, trans-1-W, was crystallized, and the molecular structure was determined via X-ray analysis. Trans-1-W was gradually isomerized by heating it in solution and it eventually achieved an approximately 1 : 1 mixture of trans/cis isomers after 48 days. However, a slightly excess amount of trans isomer remained, so the isomerization rate was considerably slower than that of the molybdenum analogue. In the presence of NEt4BH4, deuteration of the NH protons was observed in acetonitrile-d3. The oxidation of both trans- and cis-1-W by Me3NO afforded the corresponding dioxotungsten(vi) complex, (NEt4)2[W(VI)O2(1,2-S2-3-t-BuNHCOC6H3)2] (2-W), as a single isomer. The contributions of the NHS hydrogen bonds to the bond distances, vibrational data, and electrochemical properties are described via comparisons with their molybdenum analogues. The results of this comparative study yielded insights into both tungsten and molybdenum enzymes.

Structural and functional models in molybdenum and tungsten bioinorganic chemistry: description of selected model complexes, present scenario and possible future scopes

A brief description about some selected model complexes in molybdenum and tungsten bioinorganic chemistry is provided. The synthetic strategies involved and their limitations are discussed. Current status of molybdenum and tungsten bioinorganic modeling chemistry is presented briefly and synthetic problems associated therein are analyzed. Possible future directions which may expand the scope of modeling chemistry are suggested.

Nitrate and periplasmic nitrate reductases

The nitrate anion is a simple, abundant and relatively stable species, yet plays a significant role in global cycling of nitrogen, global climate change, and human health. Although it has been known for quite some time that nitrate is an important species environmentally, recent studies have identified potential medical applications. In this respect the nitrate anion remains an enigmatic species that promises to offer exciting science in years to come. Many bacteria readily reduce nitrate to nitrite via nitrate reductases. Classified into three distinct types--periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), respiratory nitrate reductase (Nar) and assimilatory nitrate reductase (Nas), they are defined by their cellular location, operon organization and active site structure. Of these, Nap proteins are the focus of this review. Despite similarities in the catalytic and spectroscopic properties Nap from different Proteobacteria are phylogenetically distinct. This review has two major sections: in the first section, nitrate in the nitrogen cycle and human health, taxonomy of nitrate reductases, assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, cellular locations of nitrate reductases, structural and redox chemistry are discussed. The second section focuses on the features of periplasmic nitrate reductase where the catalytic subunit of the Nap and its kinetic properties, auxiliary Nap proteins, operon structure and phylogenetic relationships are discussed.

Pterin chemistry and its relationship to the molybdenum cofactor

The molybdenum cofactor is composed of a molybdenum coordinated by one or two rather complicated ligands known as either molybdopterin or pyranopterin. Pterin is one of a large family of bicyclic N-heterocycles called pteridines. Such molecules are widely found in Nature, having various forms to perform a variety of biological functions. This article describes the basic nomenclature of pterin, their biological roles, structure, chemical synthesis and redox reactivity. In addition, the biosynthesis of pterins and current models of the molybdenum cofactor are discussed.

Influence of the oxygen atom acceptor on the reaction coordinate and mechanism of oxygen atom transfer from the dioxo-Mo(VI) complex, Tp(iPr)MoO(2)(OPh), to tertiary phosphines

The oxygen atom transfer reactivity of the dioxo-Mo(VI) complex, Tp(iPr)MoO(2)(OPh) (Tp(iPr) = hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl)borate), with a range of tertiary phosphines (PMe(3), PMe(2)Ph, PEt(3), PBu(n)(3), PEt(2)Ph, PEtPh(2), and PMePh(2)) has been investigated. The first step in all the reactions follows a second-order rate law indicative of an associative transition state, consistent with nucleophilic attack by the phosphine on an oxo ligand, namely, Tp(iPr)MoO(2)(OPh) + PR(3) --> Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPR(3)). The calculated free energy of activation for the formation of the OPMe(3) intermediate (Chem. Eur. J. 2006, 12, 7501) is in excellent agreement with the experimental DeltaG() value reported here. The second step of the reaction, that is, the exchange of the coordinated phosphine oxide by acetonitrile, Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPR(3)) + MeCN --> Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(MeCN) + OPR(3), is first-order in starting complex in acetonitrile. The reaction occurs via a dissociative interchange (I(d)) or associative interchange (I(a)) mechanism, depending on the nature of the phosphine oxide. The activation parameters for the solvolysis of Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPMe(3)) (DeltaH(++) = 56.3 kJ mol(-1); DeltaS(++) = -125.9 J mol(-1) K(-1); DeltaG(++) = 93.8 kJ mol(-1)) and Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPEtPh(2)) (DeltaH(++) = 66.5 kJ mol(-1); DeltaS(++) = -67.6 J mol(-1) K(-1); DeltaG(++) = 86.7 kJ mol(-1)) by acetonitrile are indicative of I(a) mechanisms. In contrast, the corresponding parameters for the solvolysis reaction of Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPEt(3)) (DeltaH(++) = 95.8 kJ mol(-1); DeltaS(++) = 26.0 J mol(-1) K(-1); DeltaG(++) = 88.1 kJ mol(-1)) and the remaining complexes by the same solvent are indicative of an I(d) mechanism. The equilibrium constant for the solvolysis of the oxo-Mo(V) phosphoryl complex, [Tp(iPr)MoO(OPh)(OPMe(3))](+), by acetonitrile was calculated to be 1.9 x 10(-6). The oxo-Mo(V) phosphoryl complex is more stable than the acetonitrile analogue, whereas the oxo-Mo(IV) acetonitrile complex is more stable than the phosphoryl analogue. The higher stability of the Mo(V) phosphoryl complex may explain the phosphate inhibition of sulfite oxidase.

Biomimetic chemistry of iron, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten in sulfur-ligated protein sites

Biomimetic inorganic chemistry has as its primary goal the synthesis of molecules that approach or achieve the structures, oxidation states, and electronic and reactivity features of native metal-containing sites of variant nuclearity. Comparison of properties of accurate analogues and these sites ideally provides insight into the influence of protein structure and environment on intrinsic properties as represented by the analogue. For polynuclear sites in particular, the goal provides a formidable challenge for, with the exception of iron-sulfur clusters, all such site structures have never been achieved and few have even been closely approximated by chemical synthesis. This account describes the current status of the synthetic analogue approach as applied to the mononuclear sites in certain molybdoenzymes and the polynuclear sites in hydrogenases, nitrogenase, and carbon monoxide dehydrogenases.