Chemical analogues relevant to molybdenum and tungsten enzyme reaction centres toward structural dynamics and reaction diversity

Reactions of a Dioxidomolybdenum(VI) Complex with Thionation Reagents—Formation of Mo(IV) Species with Sulfur Donors

Molecular molybdenum complexes with sulfur donor ligands are generally studied as soluble model compounds for molybdenum enzymes essential for life. The dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complex with tetradentate aminobisphenolate ligand undergoes a reaction with thionation reagent P₂S₅ or its organic derivative, Lawesson’s reagent, to yield stable Mo(IV) aminobisphenolate complexes, where pristine oxido ligands have been replaced by bidentate sulfur donors tetrasulfide, S₄²⁻ or (4-methoxyphenyl)phosphonotrithioate residue derived from Lawesson’s reagent. This is in contrast to the behaviour of analogous dioxidotungsten(VI) complex, which, under similar conditions, yields W(VI) S₂ systems. The overall cis,trans,cis geometry of the parent dioxidomolybdenum(VI) aminobisphenolate is retained, namely, the neutral nitrogen donors are in cis positions, phenolate oxygens are trans to each other and sulfur donors are cis. Although formally Mo(IV), thus d² system, the studied complexes have diamagnetic singlet electron configurations as a result of the axially compressed octahedral structures.

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.

Metal-ligand cooperative approaches in homogeneous catalysis using transition metal complex catalysts of redox noninnocent ligands

Catalysis offers a straightforward route to prepare various value-added molecules starting from readily available raw materials. The catalytic reactions mostly involve multi-electron transformations. Hence, compared to the inexpensive and readily available 3d-metals, the 4d and 5d-transition metals get an extra advantage for performing multi-electron catalytic reactions as the heavier transition metals prefer two-electron redox events. However, for sustainable development, these expensive and scarce heavy metal-based catalysts need to be replaced by inexpensive, environmentally benign, and economically affordable 3d-metal catalysts. In this regard, a metal-ligand cooperative approach involving transition metal complexes of redox noninnocent ligands offers an attractive alternative. The synergistic participation of redox-active ligands during electron transfer events allows multi-electron transformations using 3d-metal catalysts and allows interesting chemical transformations using 4d and 5d-metals as well. Herein we summarize an up-to-date literature report on the metal-ligand cooperative approaches using transition metal complexes of redox noninnocent ligands as catalysts for a few selected types of catalytic reactions.

Oxo-sulfido molybdenum and tungsten fluorides with M-O and M-S multiple bonds

Oxo-sulfido molybdenum/tungsten difluorides in the form of Mo(O)(S)F₂ and W(O)(S)F₂ were prepared in cryogenic matrices via the reactions of laser-ablated metal atoms and SOF₂. Both complexes were characterized to possess one oxo, one sulfido and two fluoro ligands terminally bound to the metal center according to the results of infrared spectroscopy combined with isotopic substitution, and non-planar C_s symmetries with closed shell singlet ground states were established on the basis of density functional calculations. The SMoO and SWO bond angles of Mo(O)(S)F₂ and W(O)(S)F₂ are around 107°, which are close to those of bent MoO₂²⁺ and WO₂²⁺ (∼101°). Natural bond orbital calculations indicate the presence of a Mo/W-O double bond in Mo(O)(S)F₂ and W(O)(S)F₂ while the Mo/W-S bond is better described as a triple bond upon F^- coordination to SMoO²⁺ and SWO²⁺. UV-Vis irradiation is required in order to form the oxo-sulfido molybdenum/tungsten difluorides when metal atoms react with SOF₂ in cryogenic matrices.

Oxo versus Sulfido Coordination at Tungsten: A Spectroscopic and Correlated Ab Initio Electronic Structure Study

The tungsten ion that resides at the active site of a unique class of enzymes only found in esoteric hyperthermophilic archaea bacteria is known to possess at least one terminal chalcogenide ligand. The identity of this as either an oxo or sulfido (or both) is difficult to ascertain from structural studies; therefore, small-molecule analogues are developed to calibrate and substantiate spectroscopic signatures obtained from native proteins. The electronic structures of Tp*WECl₂ (E = O, S; Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) have been scrutinized using electronic, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to assess the impact of terminal chalcogen on the adjacent cis chloride ligands. Examination at the Cl K-edge provides a direct probe of the bonding and therein lability of these chloride ligands, and in conjunction with density functional theoretical and multireference calculations reveals greater bond covalency in Tp*WOCl₂ compared to Tp*WSCl₂. The computational model and electronic structure assignment are corroborated by the reproduction of spin-Hamiltonian parameters, whose magnitude is dominated by the sizeable spin-orbit coupling of tungsten.

Activation and Photoinduced Release of Alkynes on a Biomimetic Tungsten Center: The Photochemical Behavior of the W-S-Phoz System

The synthesis and structural determination of four tungsten alkyne complexes coordinated by the bio-inspired S,N-donor ligand 2-(4',4'-dimethyloxazoline-2'-yl)thiophenolate (S-Phoz) is presented. A previously established protocol that involved the reaction of the respective alkyne with the bis-carbonyl precursor [W(CO)2 (S-Phoz)2 ] was used for the complexes [W(CO)(C2 R2 )(S-Phoz)2 ] (R=H, 1 a; Me, 1 b; Ph, 1 c). Oxidation with pyridine-N-oxide gave the corresponding W-oxo species [WO(C2 R2 )(S-Phoz)2 ] (R=H, 2 a; Me, 2 b; Ph, 2 c). All W-oxo-alkyne complexes (2 a, b, c) were found to be capable of alkyne release upon light irradiation to afford five-coordinate [WO(S-Phoz)2 ] (3). The photoinduced release of the alkyne ligand was studied in detail by in situ 1 H NMR measurements, which revealed correlation of the photodissociation rate constant (2 b>2 a>2 c) with the elongation of the alkyne C≡C bond in the molecular structures. Oxidation of [WO(S-Phoz)2 ] (3) with pyridine-N-oxide yielded [WO2 (S-Phoz)2 ] (4), which shows highly fluxional behavior in solution. Variable-temperature 1 H NMR spectroscopy revealed three isomeric forms with respect to the ligand arrangement versus each other. Furthermore, compound 4 rearranges to tetranuclear oxo compound [W4 O4 (μ-O)6 (S-Phoz)4 ] (5) and dinuclear [{WO(μ-O)(S-Phoz)}2 ] (6) over time. The latter two were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Comparison of molybdenum and rhenium oxo bis-pyrazine-dithiolene complexes - in search of an alternative metal centre for molybdenum cofactor models

A pair of structurally precise analogues of molybdenum and rhenium complexes, [Et4N]/K2[MoO(prdt)2] and K[ReO(prdt)2] (prdt = pyrazine-2,3-dithiolene), were synthesized. These complexes serve as structural models for the active sites of bacterial molybdenum cofactor containing enzymes. They were comprehensively characterized and investigated by NMR, computationally supported IR and resonance Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compiled data are discussed in the context of comparing chemical and electronic structures and consequences thereof. This study constitutes the first investigation of a potential alternative Moco model system bearing rhenium as the central metal in an identical coordination environment to its molybdenum analogue. Structural evaluation revealed a slightly stronger M[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond in the rhenium complex in accordance with spectroscopic results, i.e. observed bond strengths. Thermodynamic parameters for the redox processes MoIV ↔ MoV and ReIV ↔ ReV were obtained by temperature dependent cyclic voltammetry. In contrast to molybdenum, rhenium loses entropy upon reduction and its redox potential is more temperature sensitive, indicating more significant differences than the respective diagonal relationship between the two metals in the periodic table might suggest and questioning rhenium's suitability as a functional artificial active site metal.

Mixed-valence dimolybdenum complexes containing hard oxo and soft carbonyl ligands: synthesis, structure, and electrochemistry of Mo2(O)(CO)2(μ-κ2-S(CH2)nS)2(κ2-diphosphine)

Mixed-valence dimolybdenum complexes Mo2(O)(CO)2{μ-κ2-S(CH2)nS}2(κ2-Ph2P(CH2)mPPh2) (n = 2, 3; m = 1, 2) (1-4) have been synthesized from one-pot reactions of fac-Mo(CO)3(NCMe)3 and dithiols, HS(CH2)nSH, in the presence of diphosphines. The dimolybdenum framework is supported by two thiolate bridges, with one molybdenum carrying a terminal oxo ligand and the second two carbonyls. The dppm (m = 1) products exist as a pair of diastereomers differing in the relative orientation of the two carbonyls (cis and trans) at the Mo(CO)2(dppm) center, while dppe (m = 2) complexes are found solely as the trans isomers. Small amounts of Mo(CO){κ3-S(CH2CH2S)2}(κ2-dppe) (5) also result from the reaction using HS(CH2)2SH and dppe. The bonding in isomers of 1-4 has been computationally explored by DFT calculations, trans diastereomers being computed to be more stable than the corresponding pair of cis diastereomers for all. The calculations confirm the existence of Mo[triple bond, length as m-dash]O and Mo-Mo bond orders and suggest that the new dimeric compounds are best viewed as Mo(v)-Mo(i) mixed-valence systems. The electrochemical properties of 1 have been investigated by CV and show a reversible one-electron reduction associated with the Mo(v) centre, while two closely spaced irreversible oxidation waves are tentatively assigned to oxidation of the Mo(i) centre of the two isomers as supported by DFT calculations.

Comparative studies on the contribution of NHS hydrogen bonds in tungsten and molybdenum benzenedithiolate complexes

A series of monooxotungsten(iv) and dioxotungsten(vi) benzenedithiolates, (NEt₄)₂[W^IVO(1,2-S₂-3-RCONHC₆H₃)₂] (1-W; R = CH₃ (a), t-Bu (b), or CF₃ (c)) and (NEt₄)₂[W^VIO₂(1,2-S₂-3-RCONHC₆H₃)₂] (2-W), were synthesized and compared with the corresponding molybdenum analogues. Single crystals of trans-1b-W were successfully obtained, and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray analysis although 1b-Mo could not be crystallized. The NHS hydrogen bonds shifted the potential of the W(iv/v) redox couple to more positive values, and the strength of the hydrogen bond and the positive shift value were strongly correlated. The hydrogen bonds in both 1-W and 2-W were weaker than those in the corresponding molybdenum analogues; however, the effect of the hydrogen bonds on the redox potential was greater in 1-W.

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.

Synthesis, characterization and oxygen atom transfer reactivity of a pair of Mo(iv)O- and Mo(vi)O2-enedithiolate complexes – a look at both ends of the catalytic transformation

A novel pair of mono-oxo and di-oxo bis-dithiolene molybdenum complexes were synthesized, characterized and catalytically investigated as models for a molybdenum dependent oxidoreductase.

Light-Induced Activation of a Molybdenum Oxotransferase Model within a Ru(II)-Mo(VI) Dyad

Nature uses molybdenum-containing enzymes to catalyze oxygen atom transfer (OAT) from water to organic substrates. In these enzymes, the two electrons that are released during the reaction are rapidly removed, one at a time, by spatially separated electron transfer units. Inspired by this design, a Ru(II)-Mo(VI) dyad was synthesized and characterized, with the aim of accelerating the rate-determining step in the cis-dioxo molybdenum-catalyzed OAT cycle, the transfer of an oxo ligand to triphenyl phosphine, via a photo-oxidation process. The dyad consists of a photoactive bis(bipyridyl)-phenanthroline ruthenium moiety that is covalently linked to a bioinspired cis-dioxo molybdenum thiosemicarbazone complex. The quantum yield and luminescence lifetimes of the dyad [Ru(bpy)₂(L²)MoO₂(solv)]²⁺ were determined. The major component of the luminescence decay in MeCN solution (τ = 1149 ± 2 ns, 67%) corresponds closely to the lifetime of excited [Ru(bpy)₂(phen-NH₂)]²⁺, while the minor component (τ = 320 ± 1 ns, 31%) matches that of [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂-L²)]²⁺. In addition, the (spectro)electrochemical properties of the system were investigated. Catalytic tests showed that the dyad-catalyzed OAT from dimethyl sulfoxide to triphenyl phosphine proceeds significantly faster upon irradiation with visible light than in the dark. Methylviologen acts as a mediator in the photoredox cycle, but it is regenerated and hence only required in stoichiometric amounts with respect to the catalyst rather than sacrificial amounts. It is proposed that oxidative quenching of the photoexcited Ru unit, followed by intramolecular electron transfer, leads to the production of a reactive one-electron oxidized catalyst, which is not accessible by electrochemical methods. A significant, but less pronounced, rate enhancement was observed when an analogous bimolecular system was tested, indicating that intramolecular electron transfer between the photosensitizer and the catalytic center is more efficient than intermolecular electron transfer between the separate components.

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.

Synthesis and Reactivity of a Bio-inspired Dithiolene Ligand and its Mo Oxo Complex

An original synthesis of the fused pyranoquinoxaline dithiolene ligand qpdt(2-) is discussed in detail. The most intriguing step is the introduction of the dithiolene moiety by Pd-catalyzed carbon-sulfur coupling. The corresponding Mo(IV)O complex (Bu4N)2 [MoO(qpdt)2] (2) underwent reversible protonation in a strongly acidic medium and remained stable under anaerobic conditions. Besides, 2 was found to be very sensitive towards oxygen, as upon oxidation it formed a planar dithiin derivative. Moreover, the qpdt(2-) ligand in the presence of [MoCl4 (tBuNC)2] formed a tetracyclic structure. The products resulting from the unique reactivity of qpdt(2-) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Plausible mechanisms for the formation of these products are also proposed.

A Model for the Active-Site Formation Process in DMSO Reductase Family Molybdenum Enzymes Involving Oxido-Alcoholato and Oxido-Thiolato Molybdenum(VI) Core Structures

New bis(ene-1,2-dithiolato)-oxido-alcoholato molybdenum(VI) and -oxido-thiolato molybdenum(VI) anionic complexes, denoted as [Mo(VI)O(ER)L2](-) (E = O, S; L = dimethoxycarboxylate-1,2-ethylenedithiolate), were obtained from the reaction of the corresponding dioxido-molybdenum(VI) precursor complex with either an alcohol or a thiol in the presence of an organic acid (e.g., 10-camphorsulfonic acid) at low temperature. The [Mo(VI)O(ER)L2](-) complexes were isolated and characterized, and the structure of [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The Mo(VI) center in [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry with the two ene-1,2-dithiolate ligands being symmetry inequivalent. The computed structure of [Mo(VI)O(SR)L2](-) is essentially identical to that of [Mo(VI)O(OR)L2](-). The electronic structures of the resulting molybdenum(VI) complexes were evaluated using electronic absorption spectroscopy and bonding calculations. The nature of the distorted O(h) geometry in these [Mo(VI)O(EEt)L2](-) complexes results in a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital wave function that possesses strong π* interactions between the Mo(d(xy)) orbital and the cis S(p(z)) orbital localized on one sulfur donor from a single ene-1,2-dithiolate ligand. The presence of a covalent Mo-S(dithiolene) bonding interaction in these monooxido Mo(VI) compounds contributes to their low-energy ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions. A second important d-p π bonding interaction derives from the ∼180° O(oxo)-Mo-E-C dihedral angle involving the alcoholate and thiolate donors, and this contributes to ancillary ligand contributions to the electronic structure of these species. The formation of [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) and [Mo(VI)O(SEt)L2](-) from the dioxidomolybdenum(VI) precursor may be regarded as a model for the active-site formation process that occurs in the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase family of pyranopterin molybdenum enzymes.

Aminobisphenolate supported tungsten disulphido and dithiolene complexes

Dioxotungsten(vi) complexes with tetradentate amino bisphenolates were converted into the corresponding Cs-symmetric amino bisphenolate disulphido complexes by a reaction with either Lawesson's reagent or P2S5. Further reaction with diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate leads to the formation of diamagnetic tungsten(iv) dithiolene compounds. The syntheses, crystal structures, spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of such disulphido and dithiolene complexes are presented.

Acetylene hydratase: a non-redox enzyme with tungsten and iron-sulfur centers at the active site

In living systems, tungsten is exclusively found in microbial enzymes coordinated by the pyranopterin cofactor, with additional metal coordination provided by oxygen and/or sulfur, and/or selenium atoms in diverse arrangements. Prominent examples are formate dehydrogenase, formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase, and aldehyde oxidoreductase all of which catalyze redox reactions. The bacterial enzyme acetylene hydratase (AH) stands out of its class as it catalyzes the conversion of acetylene to acetaldehyde, clearly a non-redox reaction and a reaction distinct from the reduction of acetylene to ethylene by nitrogenase. AH harbors two pyranopterins bound to W, and a [4Fe-4S] cluster. W is coordinated by four dithiolene sulfur atoms, one cysteine sulfur, and one oxygen ligand. AH activity requires a strong reductant suggesting W(IV) as the active oxidation state. Two different types of reaction pathways have been proposed. The 1.26 Å structure reveals a water molecule coordinated to W which could gain a partially positive net charge by the adjacent protonated Asp-13, enabling a direct attack of C2H2. To access the W-Asp site, a substrate channel was evolved distant from where it is found in other members of the DMSOR family. Computational studies of this second shell mechanism led to unrealistically high energy barriers, and alternative pathways were proposed where C2H2 binds directly to W. The architecture of the catalytic cavity, the specificity for C2H2 and the results from site-directed mutagenesis do not support this first shell mechanism. More investigations including structural information on the binding of C2H2 are needed to present a conclusive answer.

Activation of molecular oxygen by a molybdenum complex for catalytic oxidation

A sterically demanding molybdenum(VI) dioxo complex was found to catalytically activate molecular oxygen and to transfer its oxygen atoms to phosphines. Intermediate peroxo as well as reduced mono-oxo complexes were isolated and fully characterized. Monomeric Mo(IV) monooxo species proved to be of an unusual nature with the coordinated phosphine trans to the oxo group. The reduced molybdenum centers can activate O2 to form a stable Mo(VI) oxo-peroxo complex unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. NMR experiments demonstrate that both oxygen atoms of the peroxo unit are transferred to an accepting substrate, generating the Mo(IV) intermediate and restarting the catalytic cycle.

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.

A Bioinspired Molybdenum Complex as a Catalyst for the Photo- and Electroreduction of Protons

A molybdenum-dithiolene-oxo complex was prepared as a model of some active sites of Mo/W-dependent enzymes. The ligand, a quinoxaline-pyran-fused dithiolene, mimics molybdopterin present in these active sites. For the first time, this type of complex was shown to be active as a catalyst for the photoreduction of protons with excellent turnover numbers (500) and good stability in aqueous/organic media and for the electroreduction of protons in acetonitrile with remarkable rate constants (1030 s(-1) at -1.3 V versus Ag/AgCl). DFT calculations provided insight into the catalytic cycle of the reaction, suggesting that the oxo ligand plays a key role in proton exchange. These results provide a basis to optimize this new class of H2 -evolving catalysts.

Comparison of Redox Activity between 2-Aminothioether and 2-Aminothiophenol: Redox-Induced Dimerization of 2-Aminothioether via C-C Coupling

Three chemical reactions of two 2-aminothioethers and 2-aminothiophenol with CpRu(II)Cl(PPh3)2 (Cp(-) = cyclopentadienyl anion), under identical reaction conditions, are reported. While 2-(methylthio)aniline, H2L(1) and an analogous substrate, 2-(phenylthio)aniline yielded dicationic dinuclear complexes [(PPh3)CpRu(II)(L(3/)L(4))Ru(II)Cp(PPh3)]Cl2 (where L(3) = (4E)-4-(4-imino-3-(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)-2-(methylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-dienimine ([1a]Cl2) and L(4) = (4E)-4-(4-imino-3-(phenylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)-2-(phenylthio)cyclohexa-2,5-dienimine ([1b]Cl2)), the reaction with 2-aminothiophenol (H2L(2)) produced a mononuclear complex [(PPh3)CpRu(II)(L(2))]Cl (where L(2) = 6-iminocyclohexa-2,4-dienethione) ([2]Cl). All these complexes are obtained in high yields (65%-75%). Formations of the products from the above reactions involve a similar level of oxidation of the respective substrate, although their courses are completely different. A comparison between the above two chemical transformations are scrutinized thoroughly. Characterizations of these complexes were made using a host of physical methods: X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cyclic voltammetry, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT). The complexes [1a]Cl2 and [1b]Cl2 showed intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition in the long wavelength region of the spectrum, at 860 and 895 nm, respectively, and displayed two reversible electron transfer (ET) processes at [1a](2+): -0.28 and -0.52 V; [1b](2+): -0.13 and -0.47 V, along with an irreversible ET process at 0.76 and 0.54 V, respectively. The ET processes at negative potentials are due to successive reductions of the bridging ligand, which are characterized by EPR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The one-electron reduced compound, [1a](+), showed a intraligand charge transfer transition (ILCT) at 1530 nm. The complex [2](+) showed a reversible ET process at -0.36 V and two irreversible ET processes at -1.04 and 1.18 V, respectively. DFT calculations were used to support the spectral and redox properties of the complexes and also to throw light on the difference of redox behavior between thioether and thiophenol substrates.

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.

Recent developments in the study of molybdoenzyme models

Over the past two decades, a plethora of crystal structures of molybdenum enzymes has appeared in the literature providing a clearer picture of the enzymatic active sites and increasing the challenge to chemists to develop accurate models for those sites. In this minireview we discuss the most recent model studies aimed to reproduce detailed features of the pterin-dithiolene ligand, both as the uncoordinated form and as a chelate coordinated to molybdenum.

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.

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of a gas-phase oxo-molybdenum complex with 1,2-dithiolene ligands

Electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative ion mode was used to create anionic, gas-phase oxo-molybdenum complexes with dithiolene ligands. By varying ESI and ion transfer conditions, both doubly and singly charged forms of the complex, with identical formulas, could be observed. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the dianion generated exclusively the monoanion, while fragmentation of the monoanion involved decomposition of the dithiolene ligands. The intrinsic structure of the monoanion and the dianion were determined by using wavelength-selective infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The IRMPD spectrum for the dianion exhibits absorptions that can be assigned to (ligand) C=C, C–S, C—C≡N, and Mo=O stretches. Comparison of the IRMPD spectrum to spectra predicted for various possible conformations allows assignment of a pseudo square pyramidal structure with C_2v symmetry, equatorial coordination of MoO²⁺ by the S atoms of the dithiolene ligands, and a singlet spin state. A single absorption was observed for the oxidized complex. When the same scaling factor employed for the dianion is used for the oxidized version, theoretical spectra suggest that the absorption is the Mo=O stretch for a distorted square pyramidal structure and doublet spin state. A predicted change in conformation upon oxidation of the dianion is consistent with a proposed bonding scheme for the bent-metallocene dithiolene compounds [Lauher, J. W.; Hoffmann, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc.1976, 98, 1729−1742], where a large folding of the dithiolene moiety along the S···S vector is dependent on the occupancy of the in-plane metal d-orbital.