A Structural and Functional Model for the Tris-Histidine Motif in Cysteine Dioxygenase

The iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)(MeCN)₃ ](SO₃ CF₃ )₂ (L are two derivatives of tris(2-pyridyl)-based ligands) have been synthesized as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). The molecular structure of one of the complexes exhibits octahedral coordination geometry and the Fe-N_py bond lengths [1.953(4)-1.972(4) Å] are similar to those in the Cys-bound Fe^II -CDO; Fe-N_His : 1.893-2.199 Å. The iron(II) centers of the model complexes exhibit relatively high Fe^III/II redox potentials (E_1/2 =0.988-1.380 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium electrode, Fc/Fc⁺ ), within the range for O₂ activation and typical for the corresponding nonheme iron enzymes. The reaction of in situ generated [Fe(L)(MeCN)(SPh)]⁺ with excess O₂ in acetonitrile (MeCN) yields selectively the doubly oxygenated phenylsulfinic acid product. Isotopic labeling studies using ¹⁸ O₂ confirm the incorporation of both oxygen atoms of O₂ into the product. Kinetic and preliminary DFT studies reveal the involvement of an Fe^III peroxido intermediate with a rhombic S= 1 / 2 Fe^III center (687-696 nm; g≈2.46-2.48, 2.13-2.15, 1.92-1.94), similar to the spectroscopic signature of the low-spin Cys-bound Fe^III CDO (650 nm, g≈2.47, 2.29, 1.90). The proposed Fe^III peroxido intermediates have been trapped, and the O-O stretching frequencies are in the expected range (approximately 920 and 820 cm^-1 for the alkyl- and hydroperoxido species, respectively). The model complexes have a structure similar to that of the enzyme and structural aspects as well as the reactivity are discussed.

Mechanism of Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Mononuclear Manganese Complex

The design and synthesis of biomimetic Mn complexes to catalyze oxygen evolution is a very appealing goal because water oxidation in nature employs a Mn complex. Recently, the mononuclear Mn complex [LMn^II (H₂ O)₂ ]²⁺ [1, L=Py₂ N(tBu)₂ , Py=pyridyl] was reported to catalyze water oxidation electrochemically at an applied potential of 1.23 V at pH 12.2 in aqueous solution. Density functional calculations were performed to elucidate the mechanism of water oxidation promoted by this catalyst. The calculations showed that 1 can lose two protons and one electron readily to produce [LMn^III (OH)₂ ]⁺ (2), which then undergoes two sequential proton-coupled electron-transfer processes to afford [LMn^V OO]⁺ (4). The O-O bond formation can occur through direct coupling of the two oxido ligands or through nucleophilic attack of water. These two mechanisms have similar barriers of approximately 17 kcal mol^-1 . The further oxidation of 4 to generate [LMn^VI OO]²⁺ (5), which enables O-O bond formation, has a much higher barrier. In addition, ligand degradation by C-H activation has a similar barrier to that for the O-O bond formation, and this explains the relatively low turnover number of this catalyst.

Water oxidation using earth-abundant transition metal catalysts: opportunities and challenges

Catalysts for the oxidation of water are a vital component of solar energy to fuel conversion technologies. This Perspective summarizes recent advances in the field of designing homogeneous water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) based on Mn, Fe, Co and Cu.

Synthesis, structure, magnetic properties and EPR spectroscopy of a copper(ii) coordination polymer with a ditopic hydrazone ligand and acetate bridges

The synthesis, structure, EPR spectroscopy and magnetic properties of a 1D coordination polymer of Cu(ii) containing two kinds of acetate bridged dimers is reported.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of 1,1,1-tris-(pyrid-2-yl)ethane

The complexes [ML₂]ⁿ⁺(Mⁿ⁺= Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Co³⁺, Cu²⁺and Ag⁺), [PdCl₂L] and [CuI(L)] are described. [AgL₂]⁺is an unusual square planar silver(i) centre (left). Exposure of [CuI(L)] to air affords mono- or dinuclear copper(ii)/carbonato products. Two of the copper complexes form crystalline hydrates with complicated hydrogen bond networks (right).

Mechanism for O-O bond formation in a biomimetic tetranuclear manganese cluster--A density functional theory study

Density functional theory calculations have been used to study the reaction mechanism of water oxidation catalyzed by a tetranuclear Mn-oxo cluster Mn4O4L6 (L=(C6H4)2PO4(-)). It is proposed that the O-O bond formation mechanism is different in the gas phase and in a water solution. In the gas phase, upon phosphate ligand dissociation triggered by light absorption, the O-O bond formation starting with both the Mn4(III,III,IV,IV) and Mn4(III,IV,IV,IV) oxidation states has to take place via direct coupling of two bridging oxo groups. The calculated barriers are 42.3 and 37.1 kcal/mol, respectively, and there is an endergonicity of more than 10 kcal/mol. Additional photons are needed to overcome these large barriers. In water solution, water binding to the two vacant sites of the Mn ions, again after phosphate dissociation triggered by light absorption, is thermodynamically and kinetically very favorable. The catalytic cycle is suggested to start from the Mn4(III,III,III,IV) oxidation state. The removal of three electrons and three protons leads to the formation of a Mn4(III,IV,IV,IV)-oxyl radical complex. The O-O bond formation then proceeds via a nucleophilic attack of water on the Mn(IV)-oxyl radical assisted by a Mn-bound hydroxide that abstracts a proton during the attack. This step was calculated to be rate-limiting with a total barrier of 29.2 kcal/mol. This is followed by proton-coupled electron transfer, O2 release, and water binding to start the next catalytic cycle.

Crystal structure of bis(1,3-bis{[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylidene]amino-κN}propan-2-olato-κO)manganese(III) nitrate methanol monosolvate

The Mn^III ion in the title compound shows a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry with two O and four N atoms of the pyrrolyl derivative ligand. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the pyrrole group of the ligand and the uncoordinated nitrate ion give a chain structure along [10].

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Mn(C₁₃H₁₅N₄O)₂]NO₃·CH₃OH, contains two independent complex cations, in each of which the Mn^III ion is located on an inversion centre. The Mn^III ion is coordinated by four N and two O atoms from two 1,3-bis­{[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyl­idene]amino}­propan-2-olate ligands, resulting in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The average Mn—ligand bond lengths in the two complex mol­ecules are 2.074 and 2.079 Å. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the pyrrole group of the ligand and the non-coordinating nitrate ion give rise to a chain structure along [10-1]. The methanol solvent mol­ecule and the nitrate ion are connected by an O—H⋯O hydrogen bond.