Enhanced Understanding of Structure-Function Relationships for Oxomanganese(IV) Complexes

A series of manganese(II) and oxomanganese(IV) complexes supported by neutral, pentadentate ligands with varied equatorial ligand-field strength (N3pyQ, N2py2I, and N4pyMe2) were synthesized and then characterized using structural and spectroscopic methods. On the basis of electronic absorption spectroscopy, the [MnIV(O)(N4pyMe2)]2+ complex has the weakest equatorial ligand field among a set of similar MnIV-oxo species. In contrast, [MnIV(O)(N2py2I)]2+ shows the strongest equatorial ligand-field strength for this same series. We examined the influence of these changes in electronic structure on the reactivity of the oxomanganese(IV) complexes using hydrocarbons and thioanisole as substrates. The [MnIV(O)(N3pyQ)]2+ complex, which contains one quinoline and three pyridine donors in the equatorial plane, ranks among the fastest MnIV-oxo complexes in C-H bond and thioanisole oxidation. While a weak equatorial ligand field has been associated with high reactivity, the [MnIV(O)(N4pyMe2)]2+ complex is only a modest oxidant. Buried volume plots suggest that steric factors dampen the reactivity of this complex. Trends in reactivity were examined using density functional theory (DFT)-computed bond dissociation free energies (BDFEs) of the MnIIIO-H and MnIV ═ O bonds. We observe an excellent correlation between MnIV═O BDFEs and rates of thioanisole oxidation, but more scatter is observed between hydrocarbon oxidation rates and the MnIIIO-H BDFEs.

Coordination Number in High-Spin-Low-Spin Equilibrium in Cluster Models of the S2 State of the Oxygen Evolving Complex

The S2 state of the Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC) of Photosystem II (PSII) shows high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) EPR signals attributed to distinct structures based on computation. Five-coordinate MnIII centers are proposed in these species but are absent in available spectroscopic model complexes. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystal structure, electrochemistry, SQUID magnetometry, and EPR spectroscopy of a MnIIIMnIV3O4 cuboidal complex featuring five-coordinate MnIII. This cluster displays a spin ground state of S = 5/2, while conversion to a six-coordinate Mn upon treatment with water results in a spin state change to S = 1/2. These results demonstrate that coordination number, without dramatic changes within the Mn4O4 core, has a substantial effect on spectroscopy.

MnIV4O4 Model of the S3 Intermediate of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex: Effect of the Dianionic Disiloxide Ligand

Synthetic complexes provide useful models to study the interplay between the structure and spectroscopy of the different S_n-state intermediates of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII). Complexes containing the Mn^IV₄ core corresponding to the S₃ state, the last observable intermediate prior to dioxygen formation, remain very rare. Toward the development of synthetic strategies to stabilize highly oxidized tetranuclear complexes, ligands with increased anion charge were pursued. Herein, we report the synthesis, electrochemistry, SQUID magnetometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of a stable Mn^IV₄O₄ cuboidal complex supported by a disiloxide ligand. The substitution of an anionic acetate or amidate ligand with a dianionic disiloxide ligand shifts the reduction potential of the Mn^IIIMn^IV₃/Mn^IV₄ redox couple by up to ∼760 mV, improving stability. The S = 3 spin ground state of the siloxide-ligated Mn^IV₄O₄ complex matches the acetate and amidate variants, in corroboration with the Mn^IV₄ assignment of the S₃ state of the OEC.

Quinol-containing ligands enable high superoxide dismutase activity by modulating coordination number, charge, oxidation states and stability of manganese complexes throughout redox cycling

Reactivity assays previously suggested that two quinol-containing MRI contrast agent sensors for H₂O₂, [Mn(H2qp1)(MeCN)]²⁺ and [Mn(H4qp2)Br₂], could also catalytically degrade superoxide. Subsequently, [Zn(H2qp1)(OTf)]⁺ was found to use the redox activity of the H2qp1 ligand to catalyze the conversion of O₂˙⁻ to O₂ and H₂O₂, raising the possibility that the organic ligand, rather than the metal, could serve as the redox partner for O₂˙⁻ in the manganese chemistry. Here, we use stopped-flow kinetics and cryospray-ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS) analysis of the direct reactions between the manganese-containing contrast agents and O₂˙⁻ to confirm the activity and elucidate the catalytic mechanism. The obtained data are consistent with the operation of multiple parallel catalytic cycles, with both the quinol groups and manganese cycling through different oxidation states during the reactions with superoxide. The choice of ligand impacts the overall charges of the intermediates and allows us to visualize complementary sets of intermediates within the catalytic cycles using CSI-MS. With the diquinolic H4qp2, we detect Mn(iii)-superoxo intermediates with both reduced and oxidized forms of the ligand, a Mn(iii)-hydroperoxo compound, and what is formally a Mn(iv)-oxo species with the monoquinolate/mono-para-quinone form of H4qp2. With the monoquinolic H2qp1, we observe a Mn(ii)-superoxo ↔ Mn(iii)-peroxo intermediate with the oxidized para-quinone form of the ligand. The observation of these species suggests inner-sphere mechanisms for O₂˙⁻ oxidation and reduction that include both the ligand and manganese as redox partners. The higher positive charges of the complexes with the reduced and oxidized forms of H2qp1 compared to those with related forms of H4qp2 result in higher catalytic activity (k_cat ∼ 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at pH 7.4) that rivals those of the most active superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics. The manganese complex with H2qp1 is markedly more stable in water than other highly active non-porphyrin-based and even some Mn(ii) porphyrin-based SOD mimics.

Manganese complexes with polydentate quinol-containing ligands are found to catalyze the degradation of superoxide through inner-sphere mechanisms. The redox activity of the ligand stabilizes higher-valent manganese species.

Pulse EPR Spectroscopic Characterization of the S3 State of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II Isolated from Synechocystis

The S₃ state is the last semi-stable state in the water splitting reaction that is catalyzed by the Mn₄O₅Ca cluster that makes up the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII). Recent high-field/frequency (95 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of PSII isolated from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus have found broadened signals induced by chemical modification of the S₃ state. These signals are ascribed to an S₃ form that contains a five-coordinate Mn^IV center bridged to a cuboidal Mn^IV₃O₄Ca unit. High-resolution X-ray free-electron laser studies of the S₃ state have observed the OEC with all-octahedrally coordinated Mn^IV in what is described as an open cuboid-like cluster. No five-coordinate Mn^IV centers have been reported in these S₃ state structures. Here, we report high-field/frequency (130 GHz) pulse EPR of the S₃ state in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 PSII as isolated in the presence of glycerol. The S₃ state of PSII from Synechocystis exhibits multiple broadened forms (≈69% of the total signal) similar to those seen in the chemically modified S₃ centers from T. elongatus. Field-dependent ELDOR-detected nuclear magnetic resonance resolves two classes of ⁵⁵Mn nuclear spin transitions: one class with small hyperfine couplings (|A| ≈ 1-7 MHz) and another with larger hyperfine couplings (|A| ≈ 100 MHz). These results are consistent with an all-Mn^IV₄ open cubane structure of the S₃ state and suggest that the broadened S₃ signals arise from a perturbation of Mn4A and/or Mn3B, possibly induced by the presence of glycerol in the as-isolated Synechocystis PSII.

S = 3 Ground State for a Tetranuclear MnIV4O4 Complex Mimicking the S3 State of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex

The S₃ state is currently the last observable intermediate prior to O-O bond formation at the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Photosystem II, and its electronic structure has been assigned to a homovalent Mn^IV₄ core with an S = 3 ground state. While structural interpretations based on the EPR spectroscopic features of the S₃ state provide valuable mechanistic insight, corresponding synthetic and spectroscopic studies on tetranuclear complexes mirroring the Mn oxidation states of the S₃ state remain rare. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization by XAS and multifrequency EPR spectroscopy of a Mn^IV₄O₄ cuboidal complex as a spectroscopic model of the S₃ state. Results show that this Mn^IV₄O₄ complex has an S = 3 ground state with isotropic ⁵⁵Mn hyperfine coupling constants of -75, -88, -91, and 66 MHz. These parameters are consistent with an αααβ spin topology approaching the trimer-monomer magnetic coupling model of pseudo-octahedral Mn^IV centers. Importantly, the spin ground state changes from S = 1/2 to S = 3 as the OEC is oxidized from the S₂ state to the S₃ state. This same spin state change is observed following oxidation of the previously reported Mn^IIIMn^IV₃O₄ cuboidal complex to the Mn^IV₄O₄ complex described here. This sets a synthetic precedent for the observed low-spin to high-spin conversion in the OEC.

Advanced Paramagnetic Resonance Studies on Manganese and Iron Corroles with a Formal d4 Electron Count

Metallocorroles wherein the metal ion is Mn^III and formally Fe^IV are studied here using field- and frequency-domain electron paramagnetic resonance techniques. The Mn^III corrole, Mn(tpfc) (tpfc = 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole trianion), exhibits the following S = 2 zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters: D = -2.67(1) cm^-1, |E| = 0.023(5) cm^-1. This result and those for other Mn^III tetrapyrroles indicate that when D ≈ - 2.5 ± 0.5 cm^-1 for 4- or 5-coordinate and D ≈ - 3.5 ± 0.5 cm^-1 for 6-coordinate complexes, the ground state description is [Mn^III(Cor^3-)]⁰ or [Mn^III(P^2-)]⁺ (Cor = corrole, P = porphyrin). The situation for formally Fe^IV corroles is more complicated, and it has been shown that for Fe(Cor)X, when X = Ph (phenyl), the ground state is a spin triplet best described by [Fe^IV(Cor^3-)]⁺, but when X = halide, the ground state corresponds to [Fe^III(Cor^•2-)]⁺, wherein an intermediate spin (S = ³/₂) Fe^III is antiferromagnetically coupled to a corrole radical dianion (S = ¹/₂) to also give an S = 1 ground state. These two valence isomers can be distinguished by their zfs parameters, as determined here for Fe(tpc)X, X = Ph, Cl (tpc = 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole trianion). The complex with axial phenyl gives D = 21.1(2) cm^-1, while that with axial chloride gives D = 14.6(1) cm^-1. The D value for Fe(tpc)Ph is in rough agreement with the range of values reported for other Fe^IV complexes. In contrast, the D value for Fe(tpc)Cl is inconsistent with an Fe^IV description and represents a different type of iron center. Computational studies corroborate the zfs for the two types of iron corrole complexes. Thus, the zfs of metallocorroles can be diagnostic as to the electronic structure of a formally high oxidation state metallocorrole, and by extension to metalloporphyrins, although such studies have yet to be performed.

Near-infrared 2Eg → 4A2g and visible LMCT luminescence from a molecular bis-(tris(carbene)borate) manganese(IV) complex

The molecular bis-(tris(carbene)borate) manganese(IV) complex [{PhB(MeIm)3}2Mn](OTf)2 shows 2Eg → 4A2g luminescence at 828 nm in the solid state at 85 K; this wavelength is longer by approximately 100 nm than the wavelengths typically observed for manganese(IV) and chromium(III) doped solids and for molecular chromium(III) complexes. Weak luminescence is also observed from a LMCT excited state with an absorption maximum at 500 nm. This represents the first molecular manganese(IV) compound for which luminescence has been reported.

X-Band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Comparison of Mononuclear Mn(IV)-oxo and Mn(IV)-hydroxo Complexes and Quantum Chemical Investigation of Mn(IV) Zero-Field Splitting

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to probe the ground-state electronic structures of mononuclear Mn(IV) complexes [Mn(IV)(OH)2(Me2EBC)](2+) and [Mn(IV)(O)(OH)(Me2EBC)](+). These compounds are known to effect C-H bond oxidation reactions by a hydrogen-atom transfer mechanism. They provide an ideal system for comparing Mn(IV)-hydroxo versus Mn(IV)-oxo motifs, as they differ by only a proton. Simulations of 5 K EPR data, along with analysis of variable-temperature EPR signal intensities, allowed for the estimation of ground-state zero-field splitting (ZFS) and (55)Mn hyperfine parameters for both complexes. From this analysis, it was concluded that the Mn(IV)-oxo complex [Mn(IV)(O)(OH)(Me2EBC)](+) has an axial ZFS parameter D (D = +1.2(0.4) cm(-1)) and rhombicity (E/D = 0.22(1)) perturbed relative to the Mn(IV)-hydroxo analogue [Mn(IV)(OH)2(Me2EBC)](2+) (|D| = 0.75(0.25) cm(-1); E/D = 0.15(2)), although the complexes have similar (55)Mn values (a = 7.7 and 7.5 mT, respectively). The ZFS parameters for [Mn(IV)(OH)2(Me2EBC)](2+) were compared with values obtained previously through variable-temperature, variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (VTVH MCD) experiments. While the VTVH MCD analysis can provide a reasonable estimate of the magnitude of D, the E/D values were poorly defined. Using the ZFS parameters reported for these complexes and five other mononuclear Mn(IV) complexes, we employed coupled-perturbed density functional theory (CP-DFT) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations with second-order n-electron valence-state perturbation theory (NEVPT2) correction, to compare the ability of these two quantum chemical methods for reproducing experimental ZFS parameters for Mn(IV) centers. The CP-DFT approach was found to provide reasonably acceptable values for D, whereas the CASSCF/NEVPT2 method fared worse, considerably overestimating the magnitude of D in several cases. Both methods were poor in reproducing experimental E/D values. Overall, this work adds to the limited investigations of Mn(IV) ground-state properties and provides an initial assessment for calculating Mn(IV) ZFS parameters with quantum chemical methods.

Origin of the Zero-Field Splitting in Mononuclear Octahedral Mn(IV) Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The aim of this work was to determine and understand the origin of the electronic properties of Mn(IV) complexes, especially the zero-field splitting (ZFS), through a combined experimental and theoretical investigation on five well-characterized mononuclear octahedral Mn(IV) compounds, with various coordination spheres (N6, N3O3, N2O4 in both trans (trans-N2O4) and cis configurations (cis-N2O4) and O4S2). High-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) spectroscopy has been applied to determine the ZFS parameters of two of these compounds, MnL(trans-N2O4) and MnL(O4S2). While at X-band EPR, the axial-component of the ZFS tensor, D, was estimated to be +0.47 cm(-1) for MnL(O4S2), and a D-value of +2.289(5) cm(-1) was determined by HFEPR, which is the largest D-magnitude ever measured for a Mn(IV) complex. A moderate D value of -0.997(6) cm(-1) has been found for MnL(trans-N2O4). Quantum chemical calculations based on two theoretical frameworks (the Density Functional Theory based on a coupled perturbed approach (CP-DFT) and the hybrid Ligand-Field DFT (LF-DFT)) have been performed to define appropriate methodologies to calculate the ZFS tensor for Mn(IV) centers, to predict the orientation of the magnetic axes with respect to the molecular ones, and to define and quantify the physical origin of the different contributions to the ZFS. Except in the case of MnL(trans-N2O4), the experimental and calculated D values are in good agreement, and the sign of D is well predicted, LF-DFT being more satisfactory than CP-DFT. The calculations performed on MnL(cis-N2O4) are consistent with the orientation of the principal anisotropic axis determined by single-crystal EPR, validating the calculated ZFS tensor orientation. The different contributions to D were analyzed demonstrating that the d-d transitions mainly govern D in Mn(IV) ion. However, a deep analysis evidences that many factors enter into the game, explaining why no obvious magnetostructural correlations can be drawn in this series of Mn(IV) complexes.

Determination and prediction of the magnetic anisotropy of Mn ions

EPR spectroscopy combined with quantum chemistry for the investigation of the magnetic anisotropy of Mn^II, Mn^III and Mn^IV.

A five-coordinate Mn(iv) intermediate in biological water oxidation: spectroscopic signature and a pivot mechanism for water binding

Among the four photo-driven transitions of the water-oxidizing tetramanganese-calcium cofactor of biological photosynthesis, the second-last step of the catalytic cycle, that is the S₂ to S₃ state transition, is the crucial step that poises the catalyst for the final O-O bond formation. This transition, whose intermediates are not yet fully understood, is a multi-step process that involves the redox-active tyrosine residue and includes oxidation and deprotonation of the catalytic cluster, as well as the binding of a water molecule. Spectroscopic data has the potential to shed light on the sequence of events that comprise this catalytic step, which still lacks a structural interpretation. In this work the S₂-S₃ state transition is studied and a key intermediate species is characterized: it contains a Mn₃O₄Ca cubane subunit linked to a five-coordinate Mn(iv) ion that adopts an approximately trigonal bipyramidal ligand field. It is shown using high-level density functional and multireference wave function calculations that this species accounts for the near-infrared absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance observations on metastable S₂-S₃ intermediates. The results confirm that deprotonation and Mn oxidation of the cofactor must precede the coordination of a water molecule, and lead to identification of a novel low-energy water binding mode that has important implications for the identity of the substrates in the mechanism of biological water oxidation.

Simulation of multi-frequency EPR spectra for a distribution of the zero-field splitting

We present a numerical procedure called 'grid-of-errors' to extract the distribution of magnetic interactions from continuous-wave electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) spectra at multiple microwave frequencies. The approach is based on the analysis of the lineshape of the spectra and explicitly worked out for high-spin systems for which the lineshape is determined by a distribution of the zero-field splitting. Initial principal values of the zero-field splitting tensor are obtained from the EPR spectrum at a microwave frequency in the high-field limit, and the initial distribution is taken Gaussian. Subsequently, the grid-of-errors procedure optimizes this distribution, without any restriction to its shape, taking into account spectra at various microwave frequencies. The numerical procedure is illustrated for the Fe(III)-EDTA complex. An optimized distribution of the zero-field splitting is obtained, which provides a proper description of the EPR spectra at 9.5, 34, 94, and 275 GHz. The proposed approach can be used as well for distributions of magnetic interactions other than the zero-field splitting.

A first-principles approach to the calculation of the on-site zero-field splitting in polynuclear transition metal complexes

The interpretation of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of polynuclear transition metal complexes in terms of individual contributions from each paramagnetic center can be greatly facilitated by the availability of theoretical methods that enable the reliable prediction of local spectroscopic parameters. In this work we report an approach that enables the application of multireference ab initio methods for the calculation of local zero field splitting tensors, one of the leading terms in the spin Hamiltonian for exchange-coupled systems of high nuclearity. The method referred to as local complete active space configuration interaction (L-CASCI) represents a multireference calculation with an active space composed of local orbitals of the center of interest. By successive permutation of the active space to include the localized orbitals corresponding to a particular center of the complex, all on-site parameters can be easily obtained at a high-level of theory with a corresponding low computational cost. Benchmark calculations on synthetic complexes confirm the validity of the approach. As an example of the applicability of the L-CASCI method to large systems, we determine the local anisotropy of the Mn(III) ion of the tetranuclear manganese cluster of photosystem II in both structural forms of its S2 state.

Water-stable manganese(IV) complex of a N2O4-donor non-Schiff-base ligand: synthesis, structure, and multifrequency high-field electron paramagnetic resonance studies

A novel water-stable (t1/2 ∼ 6.8 days) mononuclear manganese(IV) complex of a hexacoordinating non-Schiff-base ligand (H4L) with N2O4-donor atoms has been synthesized and characterized crystallographically. High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance experiments performed on a single crystal reveal a manganese(IV) ion with an S = 3/2 ground spin state that displays a large single-ion anisotropy, setting the record of mononuclear manganese(IV) complexes reported so far. In addition, spin-echo experiments reveal a spin-spin relaxation time T2 ∼ 500 ns.

Manganese Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy as a probe of metal-ligand interactions

A systematic series of high-spin mononuclear Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV) complexes has been investigated by manganese Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). The factors contributing to the Kβ main line and the valence to core region are discussed. The Kβ main lines are dominated by 3p-3d exchange correlation (spin state) effects, shifting to lower energy upon oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III) due to the decrease in spin state from S = 5/2 to S = 2, whereas the valence to core region shows greater sensitivity to the chemical environment surrounding the Mn center. A density functional theory (DFT) approach has been used to calculate the valence to core spectra and assess the contributions to the energies and intensities. The valence spectra are dominated by manganese np to 1s electric dipole-allowed transitions and are particularly sensitive to spin state and ligand identity (reflected primarily in the transition energies) as well as oxidation state and metal-ligand bond lengths (reflected primarily in the transition intensities). The ability to use these methods to distinguish different ligand contributions within a heteroleptic coordination sphere is highlighted. The similarities and differences between the current Mn XES study and previous studies of Fe XES investigations are discussed. These findings serve as an important calibration for future applications to manganese active sites in biological and chemical catalysis.

Electron- and hydride-transfer reactivity of an isolable manganese(V)-oxo complex

The electron-transfer and hydride-transfer properties of an isolated manganese(V)−oxo complex, (TBP8Cz)Mn(V)(O) (1) (TBP8Cz = octa-tert-butylphenylcorrolazinato) were determined by spectroscopic and kinetic methods. The manganese(V)−oxo complex 1 reacts rapidly with a series of ferrocene derivatives ([Fe(C5H4Me)2], [Fe(C5HMe4)2], and ([Fe(C5Me5)2] = Fc*) to give the direct formation of [(TBP8Cz)Mn(III)(OH)]− ([2-OH]−), a two-electron-reduced product. The stoichiometry of these electron-transfer reactions was found to be (Fc derivative)/1 = 2:1 by spectral titration. The rate constants of electron transfer from ferrocene derivatives to 1 at room temperature in benzonitrile were obtained, and the successful application of Marcus theory allowed for the determination of the reorganization energies (λ) of electron transfer. The λ values of electron transfer from the ferrocene derivatives to 1 are lower than those reported for a manganese(IV)−oxo porphyrin. The presumed one-electron-reduced intermediate, a Mn(IV) complex, was not observed during the reduction of 1. However, a Mn(IV) complex was successfully generated via one-electron oxidation of the Mn(III) precursor complex 2 to give [(TBP8Cz)Mn(IV)]+ (3). Complex 3 exhibits a characteristic absorption band at λ(max) = 722 nm and an EPR spectrum at 15 K with g(max)′ = 4.68, g(mid)′ = 3.28, and g(min)′ = 1.94, with well-resolved 55Mn hyperfine coupling, indicative of a d3 Mn(IV)S = 3/2 ground state. Although electron transfer from [Fe(C5H4Me)2] to 1 is endergonic (uphill), two-electron reduction of 1 is made possible in the presence of proton donors (e.g., CH3CO2H, CF3CH2OH, and CH3OH). In the case of CH3CO2H, saturation behavior for the rate constants of electron transfer (k(et)) versus acid concentration was observed, providing insight into the critical involvement of H+ in the mechanism of electron transfer. Complex 1 was also shown to be competent to oxidize a series of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) analogues via formal hydride transfer to produce the corresponding NAD+ analogues and [2-OH]−. The logarithms of the observed second-order rate constants of hydride transfer (k(H)) from NADH analogues to 1 are linearly correlated with those of hydride transfer from the same series of NADH analogues to p-chloranil.

Oxo- and hydroxomanganese(IV) adducts: a comparative spectroscopic and computational study

The electronic structures of the bis(hydroxo)manganese(IV) and oxohydroxomanganese(IV) complexes [Mn(IV)(OH)(2)(Me(2)EBC)](2+) and [Mn(IV)(O)(OH)(Me(2)EBC)](+) were probed using electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and variable-temperature, variable-field MCD spectroscopies. The d-d transitions of [Mn(IV)(OH)(2)(Me(2)EBC)](2+) were assigned using a group theory analysis coupled with the results of time-dependent density functional theory computations. These assignments permit the development of an experimentally validated description for the pi and sigma interactions in this complex. A similar analysis performed for [Mn(IV)(O)(OH)(Me(2)EBC)](+) reveals that there is a significant increase in the ligand character in the Mn pi* orbitals for the Mn(IV)=O complex relative to the bis(hydroxo)manganese(IV) complex, whereas the compositions of the Mn sigma* orbitals are less affected. Because of the steric features of the Me(2)EBC ligand, we propose that H-atom transfer by these reagents proceeds via the sigma* orbitals, which, because of their similar compositions among these two compounds, leads to modest rate enhancements for the Mn(IV)=O versus Mn(IV)OH species.