Synthesis and Reactivity Aspects of the Bis(dithiolene) Chalcogenide Series [WIVQ(S2C2R2)2]2- (Q = O, S, Se)

Synthetic Challenges toward Modeling Formate Dehydrogenases Using [WVI≡S] Complexes Supported by a Tetradentate [N2S2]4- Ligand

This report documents our attempts at synthesizing a terminal [WVI≡S] complex supported by a tetradentate, diamido/dithiolate ligand ([N2S2]4-). The target compound was selected because it would serve as a synthetic model for the active sites of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes. Although the desired [N2S2]WVI≡S species was observed as an NEt3 adduct by mass spectrometry in one case, generally unwanted side reactions prevented isolation and definitive characterization of the target compound. Instead, isolated products characterized by X-ray crystallography included {[N2S2]H}WVI(S2)Cl from redox chemistry of the terminal sulfide, ([N2S2]WVI)2(μ-[N2S2]) from dissociation of the terminal sulfide, ({[N2S2]H}WV)2(μ-S)2 from metal reduction and μ-sulfide bridge formation, and {[N2S2]H}2 from disulfide bond formation via thiolate redox chemistry. A product formed from adventitious exposure to air/moisture, {[N2S2]H2}WVI(O)2, was also characterized. The diverse range of products formed simply from attempted metalation of the [N2S2]4- ligand with Cl4WVI≡S highlights the synthetic challenges toward building active sites that are structurally faithful to FDH.

Tethered Alkylidenes for REMP from Carbon Disulfide Cleavage

Reactions between tungsten alkylidyne [tBuOCO]W≡CtBu(THF)2 1 and sulfur containing small molecules are reported. Complex 1 reacts with CS2 to produce intermediate η2 bound CS2 complex [O2C(tBuC═)W(η2-(S,C)-CS2)(THF)] 8. Heating complex 8 provides a mixture of a monomeric tungsten sulfido complex 9 and a dimeric complex 10 in a 4:1 ratio, respectively. Heating the mixture does not perturb the ratio. Addition of excess THF in a solution of 9 and 10 (4:1) converts 10 to 9 (>96%) with concomitant loss of (CS)x. Both 9 and 10 can be selectively crystallized from the mixture. An alternative synthesis of exclusively monomeric 9 involves the reaction between 1 and PhNCS. Demonstrating ring expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP), tethered tungsten alkylidene 8 polymerizes norbornene to produce cis-selective syndiotactic cyclic polynorbornene (c-poly(NBE)).

Formate Dehydrogenase Mimics as Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Formate dehydrogenases (FDH) reversibly catalyze the interconversion of CO₂ to formate. They belong to the family of molybdenum and tungsten-dependent oxidoreductases. For several decades, scientists have been synthesizing structural and functional model complexes inspired by these enzymes. These studies not only allow for finding certain efficient catalysts but also in some cases to better understand the functioning of the enzymes. However, FDH models for catalytic CO₂ reduction are less studied compared to the oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction. Herein, we present recent results of structural and functional models of FDH.

Tungsten Ligand-Based Sulfur-Atom-Transfer Catalysts: Synthesis, Characterization, Sustained Anaerobic Catalysis, and Mode of Aerial Deactivation

The synthesis, properties, X-ray structures, and catalytic sulfur-atom-transfer (SAT) reactions of W₂(μ-S)(μ-S₂)(dtc)₂(dped)₂ [1; dtc = S₂CNR₂^-, where R = Me, Et, iBu, and Bn; dped = S₂C₂Ph₂^2-] and W₂(μ-S)₂(dtc)₂(dped)₂ (2) are reported. These complexes represent the oxidized (1) and reduced (2) forms of anaerobic SAT catalysts operating through the bidirectional, ligand-based half-reaction (μ-S)(μ-S₂) ↔ (μ-S)₂ + S⁰. The catalysts are deactivated in air through the formation of catalytically inactive oxo complexes, (dtc)WO(μ-S)(μ-dped)W(dtc)(dped) (3), prompting us to recommend that group 6 SAT activity be assessed under strictly anaerobic conditions.

A Mixed-Valence Tetra-Nuclear Nickel Dithiolene Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and the Lability of Its Nickel Sulfur Bonds

In this study, by employing a common synthetic protocol, an unusual and unexpected tetra-nuclear nickel dithiolene complex was obtained. The synthesis of the [Ni4(ecpdt)6]2− dianion (ecpdt = (Z)-3-ethoxy-3-oxo-1-phenylprop-1-ene-1,2-bis-thiolate) with two K+ as counter ions was then intentionally reproduced. The formation of this specific complex is attributed to the distinct dithiolene precursor used and the combination with the then coordinated counter ion in the molecular solid-state structure, as determined by X-ray diffraction. K2[Ni4(ecpdt)6] was further characterized by ESI-MS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and cyclic voltammetry. The tetra-nuclear complex was found to have an uncommon geometry arising from the combination of four nickel centers and six dithiolene ligands. In the center of the arrangement, suspiciously long Ni–S distances were found, suggesting that the tetrameric structure can be easily split into two identical dimeric fragments or two distinct groups of monomeric fragments, for instance, upon dissolving. A proposed variable magnetism in the solid-state and in solution due to the postulated dissociation was confirmed. The Ni–S bonds of the “inner” and “outer” nickel centers differed concurrently with their coordination geometries. This observation also correlates with the fact that the complex bears two anionic charges requiring the four nickel centers to be present in two distinct oxidation states (2 × +2 and 2 × +3), i.e., to be hetero-valent. The different coordination geometries observed, together with the magnetic investigation, allowed the square planar “outer” geometry to be assigned to d8 centers, i.e., Ni2+, while the Ni3+ centers (d7) were in a square pyramidal geometry with longer Ni–S distances due to the increased number of donor atoms and interactions.

Reactivity of a biomimetic W(iv) bis-dithiolene complex with CO2 leading to formate production and structural rearrangement

A mononuclear W(iv) bis-dithiolene complex reduces CO₂ to formate while generating a dinuclear W(v) complex.

Formation of Mono Oxo Molybdenum(IV) PNP Pincer Complexes: Interplay between Water and Molecular Oxygen

The synthesis of cationic mono oxo MoIV PNP pincer complexes of the type [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(O)X]+ (X = I, Br) from [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(CO)X2] is described. These compounds are coordinatively unsaturated and feature a strong Mo≡O triple bond. The formation of these complexes proceeds via cationic 14e intermediates [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(CO)X]+ and requires both molecular oxygen and water. ESI MS measurements with 18O labeled water (H2 18O) and molecular oxygen (18O2) indicates that water plays a crucial role in the formation of the Mo≡O bond. A plausible mechanism based on DFT calculations is provided. The X-ray structure of [Mo(PNPMe-iPr)(O)I]SbF6 is presented.

Synthesis and characterization of cyano and isocyano complexes of bis(dithiolato) molybdenum using Me3SiCN: a route to a cyanide-bridged multimer to a monomer

The Mo(iv) bis (dithiolate) complex showed diverse reactions with Me₃SiCN in the presence and absence of a coligand and under protic and aprotic media.

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by tris-dithiolene tungsten complexes

Herein, we report on the homogeneous photocatalytic evolution of hydrogen by using as reductive catalysts the prismatic symmetric tris – dithiolene complexes of the tungsten, namely [W{S2C2(Ph)2}3] (1) and its monoanion [W{S2C2(Ph)2}3](TBA) (2). Complex 2 is fully characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry as well as cyclic voltammetry. The photocatalytic system consists of [ReBr(CO)3(bpy)] as a photosensitizer, triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor and acetic acid as the proton source. Although the activity of the photocatalytic system is rather small (TON=18), it indicates that the homoleptic tris dithiolene complexes can act as proton reductive catalysts with their monoanion form to be more active in accordance with the findings for the bis - dithiolene complexes.

Towards Structural-Functional Mimics of Acetylene Hydratase: Reversible Activation of Acetylene using a Biomimetic Tungsten Complex

The synthesis and characterization of a biomimetic system that can reversibly bind acetylene (ethyne) is reported. The system has been designed to mimic catalytic intermediates of the tungstoenzyme acetylene hydratase. The thiophenyloxazoline ligand S-Phoz (2-(4',4'-dimethyloxazolin-2'-yl)thiophenolate) is used to generate a bioinspired donor environment around the W center, facilitating the stabilization of W-acetylene adducts. The featured complexes [W(C2 H2 )(CO)(S-Phoz)2 ] (2) and [WO(C2 H2 )(S-Phoz)2 ] (3) are extremely rare from a synthetic and structural point of view as very little is known about W-C2 H2 adducts. Upon exposure to visible light, 3 can release C2 H2 from its coordination sphere to yield the 14-electron species [WO(S-Phoz)2 ] (4). Under light-exclusion 4 re-activates C2 H2 making this the first fully characterized system for the reversible activation of acetylene.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy systematics at the tungsten L-edge

A series of mononuclear six-coordinate tungsten compounds spanning formal oxidation states from 0 to +VI, largely in a ligand environment of inert chloride and/or phosphine, was interrogated by tungsten L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The L-edge spectra of this compound set, comprised of [W(0)(PMe3)6], [W(II)Cl2(PMePh2)4], [W(III)Cl2(dppe)2][PF6] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [W(IV)Cl4(PMePh2)2], [W(V)(NPh)Cl3(PMe3)2], and [W(VI)Cl6], correlate with formal oxidation state and have usefulness as references for the interpretation of the L-edge spectra of tungsten compounds with redox-active ligands and ambiguous electronic structure descriptions. The utility of these spectra arises from the combined correlation of the estimated branching ratio of the L3,2-edges and the L1 rising-edge energy with metal Zeff, thereby permitting an assessment of effective metal oxidation state. An application of these reference spectra is illustrated by their use as backdrop for the L-edge X-ray absorption spectra of [W(IV)(mdt)2(CO)2] and [W(IV)(mdt)2(CN)2](2-) (mdt(2-) = 1,2-dimethylethene-1,2-dithiolate), which shows that both compounds are effectively W(IV) species even though the mdt ligands exist at different redox levels in the two compounds. Use of metal L-edge XAS to assess a compound of uncertain formulation requires: (1) Placement of that data within the context of spectra offered by unambiguous calibrant compounds, preferably with the same coordination number and similar metal ligand distances. Such spectra assist in defining upper and/or lower limits for metal Zeff in the species of interest. (2) Evaluation of that data in conjunction with information from other physical methods, especially ligand K-edge XAS. (3) Increased care in interpretation if strong π-acceptor ligands, particularly CO, or π-donor ligands are present. The electron-withdrawing/donating nature of these ligand types, combined with relatively short metal-ligand distances, exaggerate the difference between formal oxidation state and metal Zeff or, as in the case of [W(IV)(mdt)2(CO)2], exert the subtle effect of modulating the redox level of other ligands in the coordination sphere.

A DFT analyses for molecular structure, electronic state and spectroscopic property of a dithiolene tungsten carbonyl complex

Bis(dithiolene) tungsten carbonyl complex, W(S2C2Ph2)2(CO)2 was successfully synthesized and the structure, frontier molecular orbital and optical properties of the complex were investigated theoretically using density functional theory calculations. The investigation started with a molecular structure construction, followed by an optimization of the structural geometry using generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) in a double numeric plus polarization (DNP) basis set at three different functional calculation approaches. Vibrational frequency analysis was used to confirm the optimized geometry of two possible conformations of [W(S2C2Ph2)2(CO)2], which showed distorted octahedral geometry. Electronic structure and optical characterization were done on the ground states. Metal to ligand and ligand to metal charge transfer were dominant in this system.

Deoxygenation of mono-oxo bis(dithiolene) Mo and W complexes by protonation

Protonation-assisted deoxygenation of a mono-oxo molybdenum center has been observed in many oxotransferases when the enzyme removes an oxo group to regenerate a substrate binding site. Such a reaction is reported here with discrete synthetic mono-oxo bis(dithiolene) molybdenum and tungsten complexes, the chemistry of which had been rarely studied because of the instability of the resulting deoxygenated products. An addition of tosylic acid to an acetonitrile solution of [Mo(IV)O(S2C2Ph2)2](2-) (1) and [W(IV)O(S2C2Ph2)2](2-) (2) results in the loss of oxide with a concomitant formation of novel deoxygenated complexes, [M(MeCN)2(S2C2Ph2)2] (M = Mo (3), W (4)), that have been isolated and characterized. Whereas protonation of 1 exclusively produces 3, two different reaction products can be generated from 2; an oxidized product, [WO(S2C2Ph2)2](-), is produced with 1 equiv of acid while a deoxygenated product, [W(MeCN)2(S2C2Ph2)2] (4), is generated with an excess amount of proton. Alternatively, complexes 3 and 4 can be obtained from photolysis of [Mo(CO)2(S2C2Ph2)2] (5) and [W(CO)2(S2C2Ph2)2] (6) in acetonitrile. A di- and a monosubstituted adducts of 3, [Mo(CO)2(S2C2Ph2)2] (5) and [Mo(PPh3)(MeCN)(S2C2Ph2)2] (7) are also reported.

Ancillary ligand effects upon dithiolene redox noninnocence in tungsten bis(dithiolene) complexes

An expanded set of compounds of the type [W(S2C2Me2)2L1L2](n) (n = 0: L1 = L2 = CO, 1; L1 = L2 = CN(t)Bu, 2; L1 = CO, L2 = carbene, 3; L1 = CO, L2 = phosphine, 4; L1 = L2 = phosphine, 5. n = 2-: L1 = L2 = CN(-), [6](2-)) has been synthesized and characterized. Despite isoelectronic formulations, the compound set reveals gradations in the dithiolene ligand redox level as revealed by intraligand bond lengths, υ(CCchelate), and rising edge energies in the sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectra (XAS). Differences among the terminal series members, 1 and [6](2-), are comparable to differences seen in homoleptic dithiolene complexes related by full electron transfer to/from a dithiolene-based MO. The key feature governing these differences is the favorable energy of the CO π* orbitals, which are suitably positioned to overlap with tungsten d orbitals and exert an oxidizing effect on both metal and dithiolene ligand via π-backbonding. The CN(-) π* orbitals are too high in energy to mix effectively with tungsten and thus leave the filled dithiolene π* orbitals unperturbed. This work shows how, and the degree to which, the redox level of a noninnocent ligand can be modulated by the choice of ancillary ligands(s).

Structural distortions upon oxidation in heteroleptic [Cp(2)W(dmit)] tungsten dithiolene complex: combined structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic studies

Four different cation radical salts are obtained upon electrocrystallization of [Cp(2)W(dmit)] (dmit = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato) in the presence of the BF(4)(-), PF(6)(-), Br(-), and [Au(CN)(2)](-) anions. In these formally d(1) cations, the WS(2)C(2) metallacycle is folded along the S···S hinge to different extents in the four salts, an illustration of the noninnocent character of the dithiolate ligand. Structural characteristics and the charge distribution on atoms, for neutral and ionized complexes with various folding angles, were calculated using DFT methods, together with the normal vibrational modes and theoretical Raman spectra. Raman spectra of neutral complex [Cp(2)W(dmit)] and its salts formed with BF(4)(-), AsF(6)(-), PF(6)(-), Br(-), and [Au(CN)(2)](-) anions were measured using the red excitation (λ = 632.8 nm). A correlation between the folding angle of the metallacycle and the Raman spectroscopic properties is analyzed. The bands attributed to the C═C and C-S stretching modes shift toward higher and lower frequencies by about 0.3-0.4 cm(-1) deg(-1), respectively. The solid state structural and magnetic properties of the three salts are analyzed and compared with those of the corresponding molybdenum complexes. Temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility shows the presence of one-dimensional antiferromagnetic interactions in the BF(4)(-), PF(6)(-), and [Au(CN)(2)](-) salts, while an antiferromagnetic ground state is identified in the Br(-) salt below T(Néel) = 7 K. Interactions are systematically weaker in the tungsten salts than in the isostructural molybdenum analogs, a consequence of the decreased spin density on the dithiolene ligand in the tungsten complexes.

Which functional groups of the molybdopterin ligand should be considered when modeling the active sites of the molybdenum and tungsten cofactors? A density functional theory study

A density functional theory study of the influence of the various functional groups of the molybdopterin ligand on electronic and geometric properties of active-site models for the molybdenum and tungsten cofactors has been undertaken. We used analogous molybdenum and tungsten complexes with increasingly accurate representation of the molybdopterin ligands and compared bond lengths, angles, charge distribution, composition of the binding orbitals, as well as the redox potentials in relation to each other. On the basis of our findings, we suggest using ligand systems including the pyrane and the pyrazine rings, besides the dithiolene function, to obtain sufficiently reliable computational, but also synthetic, models for the molybdenum and tungsten cofactors, whereas the second ring of the pterin might be neglected for efficiency reasons.

Spectroscopic and electronic structure studies of symmetrized models for reduced members of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase enzyme family

Enzymes belonging to the dimethylsulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) family of pyranopterin Mo enzymes have a unique active-site geometry in the reduced form that lacks a terminal oxo ligand, unlike the reduced active sites of other pyranopterin Mo enzymes. Furthermore, the DMSOR family is characterized by the coordination of two pyranopterin-ene-1,2-dithiolate ligands in their active sites, which is distinctive among the other pyranopterin Mo enzymes but analogous to all of the currently known tungsten-containing enzymes. Electronic absorption, resonance Raman, and ground- and excited-state density functional calculations of symmetrized analogues of the reduced DMSOR active site ([NEt4][Mo(IV)(QAd)(S2C2Me2)2] where Ad = 2-adamantyl; Q = O, S, Se) have allowed for a detailed description of Mo-bisdithiolene electronic structure in the absence of a strong-field oxo ligand. The electronic absorption spectra are dominated by dithiolene S --> Mo charge-transfer transitions, and the totally symmetric Mo-S Raman stretch is observed at approximately 400 cm(-1) for all three complexes. These data indicate that the Mo-bisdithiolene bonding scheme in high-symmetry [Mo(QAd)(S2C2Me2)2]- complexes is not strongly perturbed by the apical QAd- ligands, but instead, the dithiolene ligands define the t(2g) ligand field splitting. The effects of conserved geometric distortions observed in DMSOR, relative to these high-symmetry models, were explored by spectroscopically calibrated bonding calculations, and the results are discussed within the context of electronic structure contributions to ground-state destabilization and transition-state stabilization. The specific electronic structure tuning of the endogenous amino acid ligation on the mechanism of DMSOR is also discussed.

In Situ Generation of Oxo−sulfidobis(dithiolene)tungsten(VI) Complexes: Active-Site Models for the Aldehyde Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase Family of Tungsten Enzymes

Oxo-sulfidobis(dithiolene)tungsten(VI) complexes were prepared in situ by the reaction of oxobis(dithiolene)tungsten(V) precursors with hydrosulfide (SH-). The complexes, characterized by UV-vis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, IR, and resonance Raman spectroscopies, model the proposed coordination environment and observed hydrolytic reactions of members of the aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase family of tungsten enzymes.

Desoxo molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes: monomer-dimer interconversion involving reversible thiol bridge formation

Two series of thiol-bridged dimeric desoxo molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes, [Et(4)N](2)[M(IV)(2)(SR)(2)(mnt)(4)] [M = Mo, R = (1) -Ph, (2) -CH(2)Ph, (3) -CH(2)CH(3), (4) -CH(2)CH(2)OH; M = W, R = (1a) -Ph, (2a) -CH(2)Ph, (3a) -CH(2)CH(3), (4a) -CH(2)CH(2)OH] and one monomeric desoxo complex, [Et(4)N](2)[WIV(SPh)(2)(mnt)(2)] (5a) are reported. These complexes are diamagnetic, and crystal structures of each of the complex (except 5a) exhibits a dimeric {M(IV)(2)(SR)(2)} core without any metal-metal bond where each metal atom possesses hexa coordination. The M-SR distance ranges from 2.437 to 2.484 Angstrom in molybdenum complexes and from 2.418 to 2.469 Angstrom in tungsten complexes. These complexes display Mo-S(R)-Mo angles ranging from 92.84 degrees to 96.20 degrees in the case of 1-4 and W-S(R)-W angles ranging from 91.20 degrees to 96.25 degrees in the case of 1a-4a. Interestingly, both the series of Mo(IV) and W(IV) dimeric complexes respond to an unprecedented interconversion between the dimer and the corresponding hexacoordinated monomer upon change of pH. This pH-dependent interconversion establishes the fact that even the pentacoordinated Mo(IV) and W(IV) bis(dithiolene) moieties are forced to dimerize; these can easily be reverted back to the corresponding monomeric complex, reflecting the utility of dithiolene ligand in stabilizing the Mo(IV)/W(IV) moiety in synthesized complexes similar to the active sites present in native proteins.

Synthesis and Structures of Bis(dithiolene)tungsten(IV,VI) Thiolate and Selenolate Complexes: Approaches to the Active Sites of Molybdenum and Tungsten Formate Dehydrogenases

Formate dehydrogenases are molybdenum- or tungsten-containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide. Among the significant characteristics of the mononuclear active sites are coordination of two pyranopterindithiolene ligands and selenocysteinate to the metal in oxidation states IV-VI. The first detailed investigation of the synthesis and structures of bis(dithiolene)tungsten selenolate and analogous thiolate complexes of relevance to formate dehydrogenases has been undertaken. Some 17 complexes of the types [WIV(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]-, [WVIO(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]-, and [WVIS(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]- (Q = S, Se; R = tert-butyl, 1-adamantyl) and the desoxo species [WVI(SR)(OSiR'3)(S2C2Me2)2] (R' = Me, Ph) were prepared. Ten structures of representative members of these types were determined; WIV complexes are square-pyramidal and WVI complexes are six-coordinate, with geometries intermediate between octahedral and trigonal-prismatic. Selenolate complexes are less stable than similar thiolate species; decomposition products were identified as [WV2(mu2-Q)2(S2C2Me2)2]2- and [WIV,V2(mu2-Se)(S2C2Me2)4]-. The several [MoIV(QR)(S2C2Me2)2]- complexes prepared earlier and the tungsten compounds synthesized in this work form a family of molecules whose overall stereochemistry and metric features are those expected in the absence of protein structural constraints.

Analogue reaction systems of selenate reductase

Analogue reaction systems of selenate reductase, which reduces substrate in the overall enzymatic reaction SeO4(2-) + 2H+ + 2e- --> SeO3(2-) + H2O, have been developed using bis(dithiolene) complexes of Mo(IV) and W(IV). On the basis of the results of EXAFS analysis of the oxidized and reduced enzyme, the minimal reaction Mo(IV)OH + SeO4(2-) --> Mo(VI)O(OH) + SeO3(2-) is probable. The square pyramidal complexes [M(OMe)(S2C2Me2)2](1-) (M = Mo, W) were prepared as structural analogues of the reduced enzyme site. The systems, [ML(S2C2Me2)2](1-)/SeO4(2-) (L = OMe, OPh, SC6H2-2,4,6-Pr(i)3) in acetonitrile, cleanly reduce selenate to selenite in second-order reactions whose negative entropies of activation implicate associative transition states. Rate constants at 298 K are in the 10(-2)-10(-4) M(-1) s(-1) range with DeltaS++ = -12 to -34 eu. When rate constants are compared with previous data for the reduction of (CH2)4SO, Ph3AsO, and nitrate by oxygen atom transfer, reactivity trends dependent on the metal, axial ligand L, and substrate are identified. As in all other cases of substrate reduction by oxo transfer, the kinetic metal effect k(2)W > k(2)Mo holds. A proposal from primary sequence alignments suggesting that a conserved Asp residue is a likely ligand in the type II enzymes in the DMSO reductase family has been pursued by synthesis of the [Mo(IV)(O2CR)(S2C2Me2)2](1-) (R = Ph, Bu(t)) complexes. The species display symmetrical eta2-carboxylate binding and distorted trigonal prismatic stereochemistry. They serve as possible structural analogues of the reduced sites of nitrate, selenate, and perchlorate reductases under the proposed aspartate coordination. Carboxylate binding has been crystallographically demonstrated for one nitrate reductase, but not for the other two enzymes.

Synthesis of heterometal cluster complexes by the reaction of cobaltadichalcogenolato complexes with groups 6 and 8 metal carbonyls

Metalladichalcogenolate cluster complexes [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) (3), [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2W(CO)2] (4), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Fe(CO)3] (5), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Ru(CO)2(P(t)Bu3)] (6), [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (7), and [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}(Se2C6H4)W(CO)2] (8) were synthesized by the reaction of [CpCo(E2C6H4)] (E = S, Se) with [M(CO)3(py)3] (M = Mo, W), [Fe(CO)5], or [Ru(CO)3(P(t)Bu3)2], and their crystal structures and physical properties were investigated. In the series of trinuclear group 6 metal-Co complexes, 3, 4, and 7 have similar structures, but the W-Se complex, 8, eliminates one cobalt atom and one cyclopentadienyl group from the sulfur analogue, 4, and does not satisfy the 18-electron rule. 1H NMR observation suggested that the CoW dinuclear complex 8 was generated via a trinuclear Co2W complex, with a structure comparable to 7. The trinuclear cluster complexes, 3, 4, and 7, undergo quasi-reversible two-step one-electron reduction, indicating the formation of mixed-valence complexes Co(III)M(0)Co(II) (M = Mo, W). The thermodynamic stability of the mixed-valence state increases in the order 4 < 3 < 7. In the dinuclear group 8 metal-Co complexes, 5 and 6, the CpCo(S2C6H4) moiety and the metal carbonyl moiety act as a Lewis acid character and a base character, respectively, as determined by their spectrochemical and redox properties. Complex 5 undergoes reversible two-step one-electron reduction, and an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study indicates the stepwise reduction process from Co(III)Fe(0) to form Co(III)Fe(-I) and Co(II)Fe(-I).

Heterometallic Dithiolene Complexes Formed by Stepwise Displacement of Cyclopentadienyl Ligands from Nickelocene with CpMo(S2C2Ph2)2

The dithiolene ligand transfer reaction between Ni(S2C2Ph2)2 (1) and CpMo(CO)3Cl (2; Cp = eta-C5H5) affords the neutral paramagnetic molybdenum bis(dithiolene) complex CpM(S2C2Ph2)2 (3), which has been structurally characterized. As found in other d1 complexes of this type, one dithiolene ligand is planar while the other is significantly folded toward the Cp ligand. An unexpected second product of the reaction is the unusual trinuclear species Ni[Mo(S2C2Ph2)2Cp]2 (4), which in the solid state contains three different dithiolene bonding modes (terminal, bridging, and semi-bridging) in the same molecule. Complex 4 can also be synthesized by displacement of the diene ligands in Ni(cod)2 with 2 equiv of 3. In contrast, the reaction of nickelocene with 3 proceeds by displacement of the Cp ligands in a stepwise manner to give initially the dinuclear species NiMo(mu-S2C2Ph2)2Cp2 5, which then reacts further with 3 to produce 4.

Dioxotungsten 1,2-Benzenedithiolate Complex Stabilized by NH···S Hydrogen Bonds

Novel dioxo-tungsten(VI) bis(1,2-benzenedithiolate) complexes with neighboring amide groups, as models for tungsten enzymes, (NEt4)2[W(VI)O2{1,2-S(2)-3,6-(RCONH)2C6H2}2] (R = CH3, t-Bu), were designed and synthesized. The presence of the NH...S hydrogen bond was confirmed through IR spectrometry and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In the W(VI)O2 complexes, the NH...S hydrogen bond trans to the oxo ligand is stronger than that cis to oxo. On the basis of comparisons with [W(VI)O2(1,2-S2C6H4)2](2-), the NH...S hydrogen bond positively shifted the W(VI)/W(V) redox potentials and depressed the reduction by benzoin or triphenylphosphine. These results suggest that the NH...S hydrogen bond stabilizes the oxo ligand through trans influence and regulates O-atom transfer in tungsten and molybdenum enzymes.