Structure and electronic properties of an asymmetric thiolate-bridged binuclear complex: a model for the active site of acetyl CoA synthase

Mixed Valence {Ni2+Ni1+} Clusters as Models of Acetyl Coenzyme A Synthase Intermediates

Acetyl coenzyme A synthase (ACS) catalyzes the formation and deconstruction of the key biological metabolite, acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). The active site of ACS features a {NiNi} cluster bridged to a [Fe4S4]n+ cubane known as the A-cluster. The mechanism by which the A-cluster functions is debated, with few model complexes able to replicate the oxidation states, coordination features, or reactivity proposed in the catalytic cycle. In this work, we isolate the first bimetallic models of two hypothesized intermediates on the paramagnetic pathway of the ACS function. The heteroligated {Ni2+Ni1+} cluster, [K(12-crown-4)2][1], effectively replicates the coordination number and oxidation state of the proposed "Ared" state of the A-cluster. Addition of carbon monoxide to [1]- allows for isolation of a dinuclear {Ni2+Ni1+(CO)} complex, [K(12-crown-2)n][2] (n = 1-2), which bears similarity to the "ANiFeC" enzyme intermediate. Structural and electronic properties of each cluster are elucidated by X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/vis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, which are supplemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Calculations indicate that the pseudo-T-shaped geometry of the three-coordinate nickel in [1]- is more stable than the Y-conformation by 22 kcal mol-1, and that binding of CO to Ni1+ is barrierless and exergonic by 6 kcal mol-1. UV/vis absorption spectroscopy on [2]- in conjunction with time-dependent DFT calculations indicates that the square-planar nickel site is involved in electron transfer to the CO π*-orbital. Further, we demonstrate that [2]- promotes thioester synthesis in a reaction analogous to the production of acetyl coenzyme A by ACS.

Modulating Effect of Ligand Charge on the Electronic Properties of 2Ni-2S Structures and Implications for Biological 2M-2S Sites

Sulfur-bridged bimetallic 2M-2S type structures are essential cofactors that participate in biological long-range electron transport and metabolism. Metal-sulfur bond covalency is a decisive property for inner sphere (through-bond) type electron transfer that dominates in buried or hydrophobic protein environments. This work reports on a combined experimental and computational study of the effect of ligand charge on the electronic structure of a 2Ni-2S model site that adopts the biologically relevant S = ¹/₂ redox state. Starting out from an isostructural dinickel(1.5+)-dithiophenolate platform with sulfur-bridged tetrahedral Ni sites, η²:η²-μ-coordination of the S = ¹/₂ [2Ni-2S]⁺ core to either a neutral π-system or strongly σ-donating cyclohexadienido renders its electronic structure substantially different. Density functional theory analysis corroborates pulse and continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance data that associate co-ligand charge with the significant change in the mechanism and size of electron-³¹P nuclear spin hyperfine coupling to a phosphine reporter ligand at each nickel center. An increasing level of charge donation attenuates direct and through-bridge electronic coupling of the metal sites, resulting in a stronger electronic coupling of the 2Ni-2S core to its terminal phosphine donors. Drawing a connection to biological 2M-2S sites, our 2Ni-2S system indicates that a fine balance of intracore and core-protein electronic coupling is key to biological function for which the degree of charge donation by peripheral donors appears to be a significant parameter.

A bioinspired thiolate-bridged dinickel complex with a pendant amine: synthesis, structure and electrocatalytic properties

By employing X(CH₂CH₂S^-)₂ (X = S, tpdt; X = O, opdt; X = NPh, npdt) as bridging ligands, four thiolate-bridged dinickel complexes supported by phosphine ligands, [(dppe)Ni(μ-1SSS':2SS-tpdt)Ni(dppe)][PF₆]₂ (1[PF₆]₂, dppe = Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂), [(dppe)Ni(μ-1SSN:2SS-npdt)Ni(dppe)][PF₆]₂ (2[PF₆]₂) and [(dppe)Ni(t-Cl)(μ-1SSX:2SS-C₄H₈S₂X)Ni(dppe)][PF₆] (3[PF₆], X = S; 4[PF₆], X = O) were facilely obtained by the salt metathesis reaction. These four thiolate-bridged dinickel complexes have all been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. In 2[PF₆]₂, elongation of the Ni-N bond distance, possibly caused by steric hindrance, indicates that the pendant nitrogen group shuttles between the two nickel centers in solution, which is evidenced by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic results. Furthermore, these thiolate-bridged dinickel complexes have all been proved to be electrocatalysts for proton reduction to hydrogen. Notably, complex 2[PF₆]₂ featuring a pendant amine group in the secondary coordination sphere exhibits the best catalytic activity at a relatively low overpotential.

Tridentate N(2)S ligand from 2,2'-dithiodibenzaldehyde and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine: Synthesis, structure, and characterization of a Ni(II) complex with relevance to Ni Superoxide Dismutase

Nickel Superoxide Dismutase (NiSOD) and the A-cluster of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase/Acetyl Coenzyme A Synthase (CODH/ACS) both feature active sites with Ni coordinated by thiolate and amide donors. It is likely that the particular set of donors is important in tuning the redox potential of the Ni center(s). We report herein an expansion of our efforts involving the use of 2,2'-dithiodibenzaldehyde (DTDB) as a synthon for metal-thiolate complexes to reactions with Ni complexes of N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen). In the presence of coordinating counterions, these reactions result in monomeric square-planar complexes of the tridentate N(2)S donor ligand derived from the Schiff-base condensation of dmen and DTDB. In the absence of a coordinating counterion, we have isolated a Ni(II) complex with an asymmetric N(2)S(2) donor set involving one amine and one imine N donor in addition to two thiolate donors. This latter complex is discussed with respect to its relevance to the active site of NiSOD.

Bisamidate and mixed amine/amidate NiN2S2 complexes as models for nickel-containing acetyl coenzyme A synthase and superoxide dismutase: an experimental and computational study

The distal nickel site of acetyl-CoA synthase (Ni(d)-ACS) and reduced nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) display similar square-planar Ni(II)N(2)S(2) coordination environments. One difference between these two sites, however, is that the nickel ion in Ni-SOD contains a mixed amine/amidate coordination motif while the Ni(d) site in Ni-ACS contains a bisamidate coordination motif. To provide insight into the consequences of the different coordination environments on the properties of the Ni ions, we systematically examined two square-planar Ni(II)N(2)S(2) complexes, one with bisthiolate-bisamidate ligation (Et(4)N)(2)(Ni(L1)).2H(2)O (2) [H(4)L1 = N-(2-mercaptoacetyl)-N'-(2-mercaptoethyl)glycinamide] and another with bisthiolate-amine/amidate ligation K(Ni(HL2)) (3) [H(4)L2 = N-(2''-mercaptoethyl)-2-((2'-mercaptoethyl)amino)acetamide]. Although these two complexes differ only by a single amine versus amidate ligand, their chemical properties are quite different. The stronger in-plane ligand field in the bisamidate complex (Ni(II)(L1))(2-) (2) results in an increase in the energies of the d --> d transitions and a considerably more negative oxidation potential. Furthermore, while the bisamidate complex (Ni(II)(L1))(2-) (2) readily forms a trinuclear species (Et(4)N)(2)({Ni(L1)}(2)Ni).H(2)O (1) and reacts rapidly with O(2), presumably via sulfoxidation, the mixed amine/amidate complex (Ni(II)(HL2))(-) (3) remains monomeric and is stable for days in air. Interestingly, the Ni(III) species of the bisamidate complex formed by chemical oxidation with I(2) can be detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy while the mixed amine/amidate complex immediately decomposes upon oxidation. To explain these experimentally observed properties, we performed S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and low-temperature (77 K) electronic absorption measurements as well as both hybrid density functional theory (hybrid-DFT) and spectroscopy oriented configuration interaction (SORCI) calculations. These studies demonstrate that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the bisamidate complex (Ni(II)(L1))(2-) (2) has more Ni character and is significantly destabilized relative to the mixed amine/amidate complex (Ni(II)(HL2))(-) (3) by approximately 6.2 kcal mol(-1). The consequence of this destabilization is manifested in the nucleophilic activation of the doubly filled HOMO, which makes (Ni(II)(L1))(2-) (2) significantly more reactive toward electrophiles such as O(2).

Imidazole-containing (N3S)-Ni(II) complexes relating to nickel containing biomolecules

Dimeric (N(2)S)Ni complexes and the monomeric N(2)S(2) bismercaptodiazacycloheptane nickel complex, (bme-dach)Ni, serve as precursors to two N(2)-, N'-/ S- complexes where N(2) = diazacycloheptane, N' = imidazole and S = thiolate. As rare examples of nickel complexes containing a mixed thiolate/imidazole ligand set, these complexes are characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV/vis, and variable temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopies, and electrochemistry. Density functional theory computations relate the orientation of the imidazole with respect to the N(2)N'SNi square plane to the VT NMR observed fluxionality and activation parameters. The superoxide dismutase activity of the imidazole complexes was investigated by the nitroblue tetrazolium assay.

Dinuclear nickel complexes modeling the structure and function of the acetyl CoA synthase active site

A dinuclear nickel complex with methyl and thiolate ligands, Ni(dadt(Et))Ni(Me)(SDmp) (2), has been synthesized as a dinuclear Ni(d)-Ni(p)-site model of acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) (dadt(Et) is N,N'-diethyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-dithiolate; Dmp is 2,6-dimesitylphenyl). Complex 2 was prepared via 2 methods: (i) ligand substitution of a dinuclear Ni(II)-Ni(II) cation complex [Ni(dadt(Et)) Ni(tmtu)2] (OTf)2 (1) with MeMgBr and KSDmp (tmtu is tetramethylthiourea), (ii) methyl transfer from methylcobaloxime Co(dmgBF2)2(Me)(Py) (5) to a Ni(II)-Ni(0) complex such as [Ni(dadt(Et))Ni(cod)] (3), generated in situ from Ni(dadt(Et)) and Ni(cod)(2), followed by addition of KSDmp (cod is 1,5-cyclooctadiene; dmgBF2 is difluoroboryl-dimethylglyoximate). Method ii models the formation of Nip-Me species proposed as a plausible intermediate in ACS catalysis. The reaction of 2 with excess CO affords the acetylthioester CH3C(O)SDmp (8) with concomitant formation of Ni(dadt(Et))Ni(CO)2 (9) and Ni(CO)4 plus Ni(dadt(Et)). When complex 2 is treated with 1 equiv of CO in the presence of excess 1,5-cyclooctadiene, the formation of 9 and Ni(CO)4 is considerably suppressed, and instead the dinuclear Ni(II)-Ni(0) complex is generated in situ, which further affords 2 upon successive treatment with Co(dmgBF2)2(Me)(Py) (5) and KSDmp. These results suggest that (i) ACS catalysis could include the Nid(II)-Nip(0) state as the active species, (ii) The Nid(II)-Nip(0) species could first react with methylcobalamin to afford Nid(II)-Nip(II)-Me, and (iii) CO insertion into the Nip-Me bond and the successive reductive elimination of acetyl-CoA occurs immediately when CoA is coordinated to the Nip site to form the active Nid(II)-Nip(0) species.

Synthetic analogs for evaluating the influence of N-H...S hydrogen bonds on the formation of thioester in acetyl coenzyme A synthase

A series of square planar methylnickel(II) complexes, (dppe)Ni(Me)(SAr) (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane); 2. Ar = phenyl; 3. Ar = pentafluorophenyl; 4. Ar = o-pivaloylaminophenyl; 5. Ar = p-pivaloylaminophenyl; (depe)Ni(Me)(SAr), (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane); 7. Ar = phenyl; 8. Ar = pentafluorophenyl; 9. Ar = o-pivaloylaminophenyl; 10. Ar = p-pivaloylaminophenyl), were synthesized via the reaction of (dppe)NiMe(2) (1) and (depe)NiMe(2) (6) with either the corresponding thiol or disulfide. These complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic methods including (31)P NMR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and infrared spectroscopies and in most cases by X-ray diffraction analyses. Solid state and solution measurements establish that 4 and 9 contain intramolecular N-H...S bonds. Carbonylation of the complexes 2-4, 7-10 leads to (dRpe)Ni(CO)(2) and MeC(O)SAr via the intermediacy of the acylnickel adducts, (dRpe)Ni(C(O)Me)(SAr), detected at low temperature by (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Consistent with experimental observations, density functional theory results reveal that the intramolecular hydrogen bond in 9 stabilizes the acylnickel adduct compared with its non-hydrogen-bonded adduct, 10. Oxidative addition of MeC(O)SC(6)F(5) to (dRpe)Ni(COD) followed by spontaneous decarbonylation proceeds in variable yields generating 3 and 8.

Structural models for the active site of acetyl-CoA synthase: synthesis of dinuclear nickel complexes having thiolate, isocyanide, and thiourea on the Ni(p) site

The trinuclear nickel complex [{Ni(dadt(Et))}(2)Ni](NiBr(4)) (dadt(Et) = N,N'-diethyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-dithiolate) (1a), prepared by the reaction of Ni(dadt(Et)) and Ni(EtOH)(4)Br(2), was found to serve as a useful synthetic precursor of various dinuclear nickel complexes modeling the active site of acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS). The reactions of 1a with 4 equiv of the potassium salts of arenethiolates in ethanol produced a series of dinuclear nickel thiolate complexes Ni(dadt(Et))Ni(SAr)(2) (Ar = Ph (2a), p-Tol (2b), 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl (Tip) (2c)) in good yields. The analogous reactions of 1a with Ag(OTf) in the presence of (t)BuNC and (NMe(2))(2)CS (tmtu) generated the dicationic dinuclear nickel complexes [Ni(dadt(Et))Ni((t)BuNC)(2)](OTf)(2) (3) and [Ni(dadt(Et))Ni(tmtu)(2)](OTf)(2) (4), respectively. The molecular structures of 1a, 2a-c, 3, and 4 determined by X-ray analysis compare well with that of A-cluster in ACS.

Binuclear complexes containing a methylnickel moiety: relevance to organonickel intermediates in acetyl coenzyme A synthase catalysis

A series of binuclear NiNi complexes supported by a single thiolate bridge and containing a methylnickel moiety have been prepared and fully characterized. The complexes represent structural analogues for the proposed organonickel intermediate in the acetyl coenzyme A synthase catalytic cycle. Variable temperature 31P NMR spectroscopy was used to examine dynamic behavior of the thiolate bridging interaction in two of the derivatives. Kinetic analyses, independent exchange and crossover experiments support an intermolecular exchange mechanism. Carbonylation results in thioester formation via a reductive elimination pathway.

Studies of Structural Effects on the Half-Wave Potentials of Mononuclear and Dinuclear Nickel(II) Diphosphine/Dithiolate Complexes

Two series of mononuclear Ni(II) complexes of the formula (PNP)Ni(dithiolate) where PNP = R2PCH2N(CH3)CH2PR2, R = Et and Ph, have been synthesized containing dithiolate ligands that vary from five- to seven-membered chelate rings. Two series of dinuclear Ni(II) complexes of the formula {[(diphosphine)Ni]2(dithiolate)}(X)2 (X = BF4 or PF6) have been synthesized in which the chelate ring size of the dithiolate and diphosphine ligands have been systematically varied. The structures of the alkylated mononuclear complex, [(PNPEt)Ni(SC2H4SMe)]OTf, and the dinuclear complex, [(dppeNi)2(SC3H6S)](BF4)2, have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry to determine how the half-wave potentials of the Ni(II/I) couples vary with chelate ring size of the ligands. For the mononuclear complexes, this potential becomes more positive as the natural bite angle of the dithiolate ligand increases. However, the potentials of the Ni(II/I) couples of the dinuclear complexes do not show a dependence on the chelate ring size of the ligands. Other aspects of the reduction chemistry of these complexes have been explored.

Acetyl-coenzyme A synthase: the case for a Nip0-based mechanism of catalysis

Acetyl-CoA synthase (also known as carbon monoxide dehydrogenase) is a bifunctional Ni-Fe-S-containing enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reduction of CO(2) to CO and the synthesis of acetyl-coenzyme A from CO, CoA, and a methyl group donated by a corrinoid iron-sulfur protein. The active site for the latter reaction, called the A-cluster, consists of an Fe(4)S(4) cubane bridged to the proximal Ni site (Ni(p)), which is bridged in turn to the so-called distal Ni site. In this review, evidence is presented that Ni(p) achieves a zero-valent state at low potentials and during catalysis. Ni(p) appears to be the metal to which CO and methyl groups bind and then react to form an acetyl-Ni(p) intermediate. Methyl group binding requires reductive activation, where two electrons reduce some site on the A-cluster. The coordination environment of the distal Ni suggests that it could not be stabilized in redox states lower than 2+. The rate at which the [Fe(4)S(4)](2+) cubane is reduced is far slower than that at which reductive activation occurs, suggesting that the cubane is not the site of reduction. An intriguing possibility is that Ni(p)(2+) might be reduced to the zero-valent state. Reinforcing this idea are Ni-organometallic complexes in which the Ni exhibits analogous reactivity properties when reduced to the zero-valent state. A zero-valent Ni stabilized exclusively with biological ligands would be remarkable and unprecedented in biology.

Synthetic chemistry and chemical precedents for understanding the structure and function of acetyl coenzyme A synthase

Acetyl coenzyme A synthase (ACS), found in acetogenic and methanogenic organisms, is responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of acetate. The mechanism by which methylcob(III)alamin, CO and coenzyme A are assembled/disassembled at the active-site A-cluster involves a number of biologically unprecedented intermediates. In the past two years, two protein crystal structures have significantly enhanced the understanding of the structure of the active-site A-cluster, responsible for catalysis. The structure reports spawned a number of important questions regarding the metal ion constitution of the active enzyme, the structure(s) of the spectroscopically identified states and the details of the catalytic mechanism. This Commentary addresses these issues in the framework of existing synthetic and chemical precedent studies aimed at developing rational structure-function correlations and presents structural and reactivity targets for future studies.