Light-Induced Reactivity Switch at O2-Activating Bioinspired Copper(I) Complexes

Using light to unveil unexplored reactivities of earth-abundant metal-oxygen intermediates is a formidable challenge, given the already remarkable oxidation ability of these species in the ground state. However, the light-induced reactivity of Cu-O2 intermediates still remains unexplored, due to the photoejection of O2 under irradiation. Herein, we describe a photoinduced reactivity switch of bioinspired O2-activating CuI complexes, based on the archetypal tris(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine (TPA) ligand. This report represents a key precedent for light-induced reactivity switch in Cu-O2 chemistry, obtained by positioning C-H substrates in close proximity of the active site. Open and caged CuI complexes displaying an internal aryl ether substrate were evaluated. Under light, a Cu-O2 mediated reaction takes place that induces a selective conversion of the internal aryl ether unit to a phenolate-CH2- moiety with excellent yields. This light-induced transformation displays high selectivity and allows easy postfunctionalization of TPA-based ligands for straightforward preparation of challenging heteroleptic structures. In the absence of light, O2 activation results in the standard oxidative cleavage of the covalently attached substrate. A reaction mechanism that supports a monomeric cupric-superoxide-dependent reactivity promoted by light is proposed on the basis of reactivity studies combined with (TD-) DFT calculations.

Electronic Structure and Reactivity of Mononuclear Nonheme Iron-Peroxo Complexes as a Biomimetic Model of Rieske Oxygenases: Ring Size Effects of Macrocyclic Ligands

We report the macrocyclic ring size-electronic structure-electrophilic reactivity correlation of mononuclear nonheme iron(III)-peroxo complexes bearing N-tetramethylated cyclam analogues (n-TMC), [FeIII(O2)(12-TMC)]+ (1), [FeIII(O2)(13-TMC)]+ (2), and [FeIII(O2)(14-TMC)]+ (3), as a model study of Rieske oxygenases. The Fe(III)-peroxo complexes show the same δ and pseudo-σ bonds between iron and the peroxo ligand. However, the strength of these interactions varies depending on the ring size of the n-TMC ligands; the overall Fe-O bond strength and the strength of the Fe-O2 δ bond increase gradually as the ring size of the n-TMC ligands becomes smaller, such as from 14-TMC to 13-TMC to 12-TMC. MCD spectroscopy plays a key role in assigning the characteristic low-energy δ → δ* LMCT band, which provides direct insight into the strength of the Fe-O2 δ bond and which, in turn, is correlated with the superoxo character of the iron-peroxo group. In oxidation reactions, reactivities of 1-3 toward hydrocarbon C-H bond activation are compared, revealing the reactivity order of 1 > 2 > 3; the [FeIII(O2)(n-TMC)]+ complex with a smaller n-TMC ring size, 12-TMC, is much more reactive than that with a larger n-TMC ring size, 14-TMC. DFT analysis shows that the Fe(III)-peroxo complex is not reactive toward C-H bonds, but it is the end-on Fe(II)-superoxo valence tautomer that is responsible for the observed reactivity. The hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactivity of these intermediates is correlated with the overall donicity of the n-TMC ligand, which modulates the energy of the singly occupied π* superoxo frontier orbital that serves as the electron acceptor in the HAA reaction. The implications of these results for the mechanism of Rieske oxygenases are further discussed.

A sulfur monoxide complex of platinum fluoride with a positively charged ligand

A sulfur monoxide complex of platinum fluoride in the form of PtF₂(η¹-SO) was generated via the isomerization of a molecular complex Pt(SOF₂) in cryogenic matrixes under UV-vis irradiation. The infrared absorptions observed at 1205.4, 619.8 and 594.9 cm^-1 are assigned to the S-O, antisymmetric and symmetric F-Pt-F stretching vibrations of the PtF₂(η¹-SO) complex, which possesses nonplanar C_s symmetry with a singlet ground state according to density functional theory calculations. The experimental vibrational frequency and computed distance (1.449 Å) of the SO ligand indicate that the SO ligand features a positively charged character, which is further confirmed by natural bond orbital analysis and Mayer bond order. Such character is completely different from that for early transition metal-SO complexes and dioxygen complexes of platinum. Formation of the PtF₂(η¹-SO) complex was found to occur via the consecutive transfer of the two fluorine atoms from SOF₂ to Pt in the sulfur bound Pt(SOF₂) complex, which involves a series of intermediates on the basis of the mechanism study at the B3LYP level. Although the whole process is hindered by the large energy barrier encountered during the transfer of the first fluorine atom, UV-vis irradiation can provide sufficient energy to surmount this barrier and facilitates the formation of the nonplanar PtF₂(η¹-SO) complex stabilized in matrix.

Flavonol dioxygenase chemistry mediated by a synthetic nickel superoxide

Nature exploits transition metal centers to enhance and tune the oxidizing power of natural oxidants such as O₂ and H₂O₂. The design and interrogation of synthetic metallocomplexes with similar reactivity to metalloproteins provides one strategy for gaining insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of oxygen-activating enzymes such as oxidases, oxygenases, and dioxygenases like Ni-quercetinase (Ni-QueD). Ni-QueD catalyzes the oxidative ring opening of the polyphenol quercetin, a natural product with antioxidant properties. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of Ni(13-DOB), a Ni(II) species complexed by an N4-macrocycle that has been characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Ni(13-DOB) forms a Ni-superoxide intermediate (Ni(13-DOB)O₂^•-) upon treatment with H₂O₂ and Et₃N, as verified by resonance Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate through UV/vis and LCMS that Ni(13-DOB)O₂^•- is capable of the 1-electron oxidation of flavonols, including both 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF, the simplest flavonol) and quercetin itself. Incorporation of two O-atoms into the flavonol radical via superoxide from Ni(13-DOB)O₂^•- precedes oxidative cleavage of the flavonol scaffold in each case, consistent with quercetinase ring cleavage by Ni-QueD in Streptomyces sp. FLA. Conversion of 3-HF into 2-hydroxybenzoylbenzoic acid was accomplished with catalytic turnover of Ni(13-DOB) at ambient temperature, as confirmed by HPLC timecourses and GCMS analysis of isotopic labeling studies. The Ni(13-DOB)-mediated oxidative cleavage of quercetin to the corresponding biomimetic phenolic ester was also verified through ¹⁸O-isotopic labeling studies. Through the HPLC characterization of both on- and off-pathway products of flavonol dioxygenation by Ni(13-DOB)O₂^•-, the stringent reaction pathway control provided by enzyme active sites is highlighted.

Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by a non-heme iron(II) complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity for olefin oxygenation

Dioxygen activation and catalysis around ambient temperature is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. Inspired by the significant roles of the hydrogen bond network in dioxygen activation and catalysis by redox enzymes, this work presents a Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by an Fe^II(BPMEN)(OTf)₂ complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity for 3-methylindole and common olefinic CC  bond oxygenation and cleavage (enzymatic Brønsted acid vs. chemical Lewis acid). It was found that the presence of a Lewis acid such as Sc³⁺ could substantially improve olefinic CC  bond oxygenation and cleavage activity through Fe^II(BPMEN)(OTf)₂ catalyzed dioxygen activation. Notably, a more negative ρ value in the Hammett plot of para-substituted styrene oxygenations was observed in the presence of a stronger Lewis acid, disclosing the enhanced electrophilic oxygenation capability of the putative iron(III) superoxo species through its electrostatic interaction with a stronger Lewis acid. Thereof, this work has demonstrated a new strategy in catalyst design for dioxygen activation and catalysis for olefin oxygenation, a significant process in the chemical industry.

Isolating Fe-O2 Intermediates in Dioxygen Activation by Iron Porphyrin Complexes

Dioxygen (O₂) is an environmentally benign and abundant oxidant whose utilization is of great interest in the design of bioinspired synthetic catalytic oxidation systems to reduce energy consumption. However, it is unfortunate that utilization of O₂ is a significant challenge because of the thermodynamic stability of O₂ in its triplet ground state. Nevertheless, nature is able to overcome the spin state barrier using enzymes, which contain transition metals with unpaired d-electrons facilitating the activation of O₂ by metal coordination. This inspires bioinorganic chemists to synthesize biomimetic small-molecule iron porphyrin complexes to carry out the O₂ activation, wherein Fe-O₂ species have been implicated as the key reactive intermediates. In recent years, a number of Fe-O₂ intermediates have been synthesized by activating O₂ at iron centers supported on porphyrin ligands. In this review, we focus on a few examples of these advances with emphasis in each case on the particular design of iron porphyrin complexes and particular reaction environments to stabilize and isolate metal-O₂ intermediates in dioxygen activation, which will provide clues to elucidate structures of reactive intermediates and mechanistic insights in biological processes.

Triphenyllead Hydroperoxide: A 1D Coordination Peroxo Polymer, Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Disproportionation to a Superoxo/Hydroxo Complex, and Application in Catalysis

The synthesis, transformation, and application in catalysis of triphenyllead hydroperoxide, the first dioxygen lead complex, are described. Triphenyllead hydroperoxide is characterized by ²⁰⁷Pb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing the first one-dimensional (1D) coordination peroxo polymer. Photolytic isomorphous transformation of Ph₃PbOOH yields a mixed hydroxo/superoxo crystalline structure, the first nonalkali superoxo crystalline metal salt, which is stable up to 100 °C. Upon further photolysis, another isomorphous transformation of the superoxide to hydroxide is observed. These are the first single-crystal-to-single-crystal hydroperoxide-to-superoxide and then to hydroxide transformations reported to date. Photolysis of triphenyllead hydroperoxide yields two forms of superoxide-doped crystalline structures that are distinguished by widely different characteristic relaxation times. The use of Ph₃PbOOH as an easy-to-handle solid two-electron oxidant for the highly enantioselective epoxidation of olefins is described.

Atomic Chromium Coordinated Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Bioinspired Antibiofouling in Seawater

Artificial nanozymes exerting enzyme functionality are recognized as promising alternatives of natural enzymes in biomimetic chemistry. Natural haloperoxidases that utilize hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) to catalytically convert halide into strong biocidal hypohalous acid hold great promise for thwarting biofouling, while their practical application remains highly questionable as instability of natural enzymes and inadequate H₂ O₂ . Herein a semiconducting nanozyme consisting of chromium single atoms coordinated on carbon nitride (Cr-SA-CN) that performs bifunctional roles of nonsacrificial H₂ O₂ photosynthesis and haloperoxidase-mimicking activity for antibiofouling is constructed. Such nanozyme is capable of generating H₂ O₂ from water and O₂ upon visible-light illumination, and then sustainably self-supplying H₂ O₂ for haloperoxidase-mimicking reaction in a sequential manner. This dual-activity Cr-SA-CN overcomes H₂ O₂ dilemma and yields hypobromous acid continuously, inducing remarkable bactericidal capability. When used as an eco-friendly coating additive, it is successfully demonstrated that Cr-SA-CN enables an inert surface against marine biofouling. Thereby, this study not only illustrates an attractive strategy for antibiofouling but also opens an avenue to construct valuable nanoplatform with multifunctionality for future applications.

A functional model for quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: Geometric and electronic structures and reactivity of a nickel(II) flavonolate complex

Quercetin 2,4-dioyxgenase (QueD) has been known to catalyze the oxygenative degradation of flavonoids and quercetin. Recent crystallographic study revealed a nickel ion occupies the active site as a co-factor to support O₂ activation and catalysis. Herein, we report a nickel(II) flavonolate complex bearing a tridentate macrocyclic ligand, [Ni^II(Me₃-TACN)(Fl)(NO₃)](H₂O) (1, Me₃-TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, Fl = 3-hydroxyflavone) as a functional model for QueD. The flavonolatonickel(II) complex was characterized by using spectrometric analysis including UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The single crystal X-ray structure of 1 shows two isomers with respect to the direction of a flavonolate ligand. Two isomers commonly are in the octahedral geometry with a bidentate of flavonolate and a monodentate of nitrate as well as a tridentate binding of Me₃-TACN ligand. The spin state of 1 is determined to be a triplet state based on the Evans' method. Interestingly, electronic configuration of 1 from density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the two singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) lie energetically lower than the highest (doubly) occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), that is so-called the SOMO-HOMO level inversion (SHI). The HOMO shows an electron density localized in the flavonolate ligand, indicating that flavonolate ligand is oxidized first rather than the nickel center. Thermal degradation of 1 resulted in the formation of benzoic acid and salicylic acid, which is attributed to the oxygenation of flavonolate of 1.

Synthesis and Characterization of Manganese Dithiocarbamate Complexes: New Evidence of Dioxygen Activation

(1) Background: Metal dithiocarbamate compounds have long been the subject of research due to their ease of formation, excellent properties and potential applications. However, manganese complexes with dithiocarbamates, to our knowledge, have never been used for medical imaging applications. With the aim of developing a new class of mononuclear manganese(II)-based agents for molecular imaging applications, we performed a specific investigation into the synthesis of mononuclear bis-substituted Mn(II) complexes with dithiocarbamate ligands. (2) Methods: Synthesis in either open or inert atmosphere at different Mn(II) to diethyldithiocarbamate molar ratios were performed and the products characterized by IR, EA, ESI-MS and XRD analysis. (3) Results: We found that only under oxygen-free atmospheric conditions the Mn(II) complex MnL₂, where L = diethyldithiocarbamate ligand, is obtained, which was further observed to react with dioxygen in the solid state to form the intermediate superoxo Mn(III) complex [MnL₂(η²-O₂)]. The existence of the superoxo complex was revealed by mass spectroscopy, and this species was interpreted as an intermediate step in the reaction that led the bis-substituted Mn(II) complex, MnL₂, to transform into the tris-substituted Mn(III) complex, MnL₃. A similar result was found with the ligand L’ (= bis(N-ethoxyethyl)dithiocarbamate). (4) Conclusions: We found that in open atmosphere and in aqueous solution, only manganese(III) diethyldithiocarbamate complexes can be prepared. We report here a new example of a small-molecule Mn(II) complex that efficiently activates dioxygen in the solid state through the formation of an intermediate superoxide adduct.

A Mononuclear Non-heme Iron(III)-Peroxo Complex with an Unprecedented High O-O Stretch and Electrophilic Reactivity

A mononuclear non-heme iron(III)-peroxo complex, [Fe(III)(O₂)(13-TMC)]⁺ (1), was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically; the characterization with electron paramagnetic resonance, Mössbauer, X-ray absorption, and resonance Raman spectroscopies and mass spectrometry supported a high-spin S = ⁵/₂ Fe(III) species binding an O₂ unit. A notable observation was an unusually high ν_O-O at ∼1000 cm^-1 for the peroxo ligand. With regard to reactivity, 1 showed electrophilic reactivity in H atom abstraction (HAA) and O atom transfer (OAT) reactions. In the HAT reaction, a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 5.8 was obtained in the oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene. In the OAT reaction, a negative ρ value of -0.61 in the Hammett plot was determined in the oxidation of p-X-substituted thioanisoles. Another interesting observation was the electrophilic reactivity of 1 in the oxidation of benzaldehyde derivatives, such as a negative ρ value of -0.77 in the Hammett plot and a KIE value of 2.2. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports the first example of a mononuclear non-heme iron(III)-peroxo complex with an unusually high ν_O-O value and unprecedented electrophilic reactivity in oxidation reactions.

Do multinuclear 3d metal catalysts achieve O-O bond formation via radical coupling or via water nucleophilic attack? WNA leads the way in [Co4O4]n

Catalytic water oxidation is a required process for clean energy production based on the concept of artificial photosynthesis. Here, we provide in situ spectroscopic and computational analysis for the closest known photosystem II analog, [Co₄O₄]ⁿ⁺ ([Co₄O₄Py₄Ac₄]⁰, Py = pyridine and Ac = CH₃COO^-), which catalyzes electrochemical water oxidation. In situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure detects an ultrashort, Co^IV=O (~1.67 Å) moiety, a crucial intermediate for O-O bond formation. Density function theory analyses show that the intermediate has two Co^IV centers and a Co^IV=O unit of strong radicaloid character sufficient to support a Co^IV=O + H₂O = Co-OOH + H⁺ transition, where the carboxyl ligand accepts the proton and the bridging oxygen stabilizes the peroxide via hydrogen bonding. The proposed water nucleophilic attack mechanism accounts for all prior spectroscopic evidence on the Co₄O₄⁴⁺ core. Our results are important for the design and development of efficient water oxidation catalysts, which contribute to the ultimate goal of clean energy from artificial photosynthesis.

Structurally Characterized μ-1,2-Peroxo/Superoxo Dicopper(II) Pair

Superoxo complexes of copper are primary adducts in several O₂-activating Cu-containing metalloenzymes as well as in other Cu-mediated oxidation and oxygenation reactions. Because of their intrinsically high reactivity, however, isolation of Cu_x(O₂^•-) species is challenging. Recent work (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 9831; 2019, 141, 12682) established fundamental thermochemical data for the H atom abstraction reactivity of dicopper(II) superoxo complexes, but structural characterization of these important intermediates was so far lacking. Here we report the first crystallographic structure determination of a superoxo dicopper(II) species (3) together with the structure of its 1e^- reduced peroxo congener (2; a rare cis-μ-1,2-peroxo dicopper(II) complex). Interconversion of 2 and 3 occurs at low potential (-0.58 V vs Fc/Fc⁺) and is reversible both chemically and electrochemically. Comparison of metric parameters (d(O-O) = 1.441(2) Å for 2 vs 1.329(7) Å for 3) and of spectroscopic signatures (ν̃(¹⁶O-¹⁶O) = 793 cm^-1 for 2 vs 1073 cm^-1 for 3) reflects that the redox process occurs at the bridging O₂-derived unit. The Cu^II-O₂^•--Cu^II complex has an S = 1/2 spin ground state according to magnetic and EPR data, in agreement with density functional theory calculations. Computations further show that the potential associated with changes of the Cu-O-O-Cu dihedral angle is shallow for both 2 and 3. These findings provide a structural basis for the low reorganization energy of the kinetically facile 1e^- interconversion of μ-1,2-superoxo/peroxo dicopper(II) couples, and they open the door for comprehensive studies of these key intermediates in Cu_x/O₂ chemistry.

A Thioether-Ligated Cupric Superoxide Model with Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Reactivity

The central role of cupric superoxide intermediates proposed in hormone and neurotransmitter biosynthesis by noncoupled binuclear copper monooxygenases like dopamine-β-monooxygenase has drawn significant attention to the unusual methionine ligation of the Cu_M ("Cu_B") active site characteristic of this class of enzymes. The copper-sulfur interaction has proven critical for turnover, raising still-unresolved questions concerning Nature's selection of an oxidizable Met residue to facilitate C-H oxygenation. We describe herein a model for Cu_M, [(^TMGN₃S)Cu^I]⁺ ([1]⁺), and its O₂-bound analog [(^TMGN₃S)Cu^II(O₂^•-)]⁺ ([1·O₂]⁺). The latter is the first reported cupric superoxide with an experimentally proven Cu-S bond which also possesses demonstrated hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactivity. Introduction of O₂ to a precooled solution of the cuprous precursor [1]B(C₆F₅)₄ (-135 °C, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF)) reversibly forms [1·O₂]B(C₆F₅)₄ (UV/vis spectroscopy: λ_max 442, 642, 742 nm). Resonance Raman studies (413 nm) using ¹⁶O₂ [¹⁸O₂] corroborated the identity of [1·O₂]⁺ by revealing Cu-O (446 [425] cm^-1) and O-O (1105 [1042] cm^-1) stretches, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy showed a Cu-S interatomic distance of 2.55 Å. HAA reactivity between [1·O₂]⁺ and TEMPO-H proceeds rapidly (1.28 × 10^-1 M^-1 s^-1, -135 °C, 2-MeTHF) with a primary kinetic isotope effect of k_H/k_D = 5.4. Comparisons of the O₂-binding behavior and redox activity of [1]⁺ vs [2]⁺, the latter a close analog of [1]⁺ but with all N atom ligation (i.e., N₃S vs N₄), are presented.

A Mononuclear Non-Heme Manganese(III)-Aqua Complex in Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactions via Electron Transfer

Metal-oxygen complexes, such as metal-oxo [M(O^2-)], -hydroxo [M(OH^-)], -peroxo [M(O₂^2-)], -hydroperoxo [M(OOH^-)], and -superoxo [M(O₂^•-)] species, are capable of conducting oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions with organic substrates, such as thioanisole (PhSMe) and triphenylphosphine (Ph₃P). However, OAT of metal-aqua complexes, [M(OH₂)]ⁿ⁺, has yet to be reported. We report herein OAT of a mononuclear non-heme Mn(III)-aqua complex, [(dpaq)Mn^III(OH₂)]²⁺ (1, dpaq = 2-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)]amino-N-quinolin-8-yl-acetamidate), to PhSMe and Ph₃P derivatives for the first time; it is noted that no OAT occurs from the corresponding Mn(III)-hydroxo complex, [(dpaq)Mn^III(OH)]⁺ (2), to the substrates. Mechanistic studies reveal that OAT reaction of 1 occurs via electron transfer from 4-methoxythioanisole to 1 to produce the 4-methoxythioanisole radical cation and [(dpaq)Mn^II(OH₂)]⁺, followed by nucleophilic attack of H₂O in [(dpaq)Mn^II(OH₂)]⁺ to the 4-methoxythioanisole radical cation to produce an OH adduct radical, 2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃S^•(OH)Me, which disproportionates or undergoes electron transfer to 1 to yield methyl 4-methoxyphenyl sulfoxide. Formation of the thioanisole radical cation derivatives is detected by the stopped-flow transient absorption measurements in OAT from 1 to 2,4-dimethoxythioanisole and 3,4-dimethoxythioanisole, being compared with that in the photoinduced electron transfer oxidation of PhSMe derivatives, which are detected by laser-induced transient absorption measurements. Similarly, OAT from 1 to Ph₃P occurs via electron transfer from Ph₃P to 1, and the proton effect on the reaction rate has been discussed. The rate constants of electron transfer from electron donors, including PhSMe and Ph₃P derivatives, to 1 are fitted well by the electron transfer driving force dependence of the rate constants predicted by the Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer.

Generation and Reactivity of a NiIII2(μ-1,2-peroxo) Complex

High-valent transition metal-oxo, -peroxo, and -superoxo complexes are crucial intermediates in both biological and synthetic oxidation of organic substrates, water oxidation, and oxygen reduction. While high-valent oxygenated complexes of Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu are increasingly well-known, high-valent oxygenated Ni complexes are comparatively rarer. Herein we report the isolation of such an unusual high-valent species in a thermally unstable Ni^III₂(μ-1,2-peroxo) complex, which has been characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption, NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopies. Reactivity studies show that this complex is stable toward dissociation of oxygen but reacts with simple nucleophiles and electrophiles.

Ambiphilicity of a mononuclear cobalt(III) superoxo complex

Addition of HOTf to a mixture of CoIII(BDPP)(O2˙) (1, H2BDPP = 2,6-bis((2-(S)-diphenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)pyridine) and Cp*2Fe produced H2O2 in high yield implying formation of CoIII(BDPP)(OOH) (3), and reaction of Sc(OTf)3 with the same mixture gave a peroxo-bridged CoIII/ScIII5. These findings demonstrate the ambiphilic property of CoIII-superoxo 1.

A Modular Programmable Inorganic Cluster Discovery Robot for the Discovery and Synthesis of Polyoxometalates

The exploration of complex multicomponent chemical reactions leading to new clusters, where discovery requires both molecular self-assembly and crystallization, is a major challenge. This is because the systematic approach required for an experimental search is limited when the number of parameters in a chemical space becomes too large, restricting both exploration and reproducibility. Herein, we present a synthetic strategy to systematically search a very large set of potential reactions, using an inexpensive, high-throughput platform that is modular in terms of both hardware and software and is capable of running multiple reactions with in-line analysis, for the automation of inorganic and materials chemistry. The platform has been used to explore several inorganic chemical spaces to discover new and reproduce known tungsten-based, mixed transition-metal polyoxometalate clusters, giving a digital code that allows the easy repeat synthesis of the clusters. Among the many species identified in this work, the most significant is the discovery of a novel, purely inorganic W₂₄Fe^III-superoxide cluster formed under ambient conditions. The modular wheel platform was employed to undertake two chemical space explorations, producing compounds 1-4: (C₂H₈N)₁₀Na₂[H₆Fe(O₂)W₂₄O₈₂] (1, {W₂₄Fe}), (C₂H₈N)₇₂Na₁₆[H₁₆Co₈W₂₀₀O₆₆₀(H₂O)₄₀] (2, {W₂₀₀Co₈}), (C₂H₈N)₇₂Na₁₆[H₁₆Ni₈W₂₀₀O₆₆₀(H₂O)₄₀] (3, {W₂₀₀Ni₈}), and (C₂H₈N)₁₄[H₂₆W₃₄V₄O₁₃₀] (4, {W₃₄V₄}), along with many other known species, such as simple Keggin clusters and 1D {W₁₁M²⁺} chains.

A Manganese(IV)-Hydroperoxo Intermediate Generated by Protonation of the Corresponding Manganese(III)-Superoxo Complex

Earlier work revealed that metal-superoxo species primarily function as radicals and/or electrophiles. Herein, we present ambiphilicity of a Mn^III-superoxo complex revealed by its proton- and metal-coupled electron-transfer processes. Specifically, a Mn^IV-hydroperoxo intermediate, [Mn(BDP^BrP)(OOH)]⁺ (1, H₂BDP^BrP = 2,6-bis((2-(S)-di(4-bromo)phenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)pyridine) was generated by treatment of a Mn^III-superoxo complex, Mn(BDP^BrP)(O₂^•) (2) with trifluoroacetic acid at -120 °C. Detailed insights into the electronic structure of 1 are obtained using resonance Raman and multi-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies coupled with density functional theory calculations. Similarly, the reaction of 2 with scandium(III) triflate was shown to give a Mn(IV)/Sc(III) bridging peroxo species, [Mn(BDP^BrP)(OO)Sc(OTf)_n]^(3-n)+ (4). Furthermore, it is found that deprotonation of 1 quantitatively regenerates 2, and that one-electron oxidation of the corresponding Mn^III-hydroperoxo species, Mn(BDP^BrP)(OOH) (3), also yields 1.

Ligand-Based Reactivity of Oxygenation and Alkylation in Cobalt Complexes Binding with (Thiolato)phosphine Derivatives

In our efforts to understand the nature of metal thiolates, we have explored the chemistry of cobalt ion supported by (thiolato)phosphine ligand derivatives. Herein, we synthesized and characterized a square-planar Co^II complex binding with a bidentate (thiolato)phosphine ligand, Co(PS1″)₂ (1) ([PS1″]^- = [P(Ph)₂(C₆H₃-3-SiMe₃-2-S)]^-). The complex activates O₂ to form a ligand-based oxygenation product, Co(OPS1″)₂ (2) ([OPS1″]^- = [PO(Ph)₂(C₆H₃-3-SiMe₃-2-S)]^-). In addition, an octahedral Co^III complex with a tridentate bis(thiolato)phosphine ligand, [NEt₄][Co(PS2*)₂] (3) ([PS2*]^2- = [P(Ph)(C₆H₃-3-Ph-2-S)₂]^2-), was obtained. Compound 3 cleaves the C-Cl bond in dichloromethane via an S-based nucleophilic attack to generate a chloromethyl thioether group. Two isomeric products, [Co(PS2*)(PSS^CH₂Cl*)] (4 and 4') ([PSS^CH₂Cl*]^- = [P(Ph)(C₆H₃-3-Ph-2-S)(C₆H₃-3-Ph-2-SCH₂Cl)]^-), were isolated and fully characterized. Both transformations, oxygenation of a Co^II-bound phosphine donor in 1 and alkylation of a Co^III-bound thiolate in 3, were monitored by spectroscopic methods. These reaction products were isolated and fully characterized. Density functional theory (DFT, the B3LYP functional) calculations were performed to understand the electronic structure of 1 as well as the pathway of its transformation to 2.

Fluorescein-Containing Superoxide Probes with a Modular Copper-Based Trigger

Fluorescein-derived superoxide probes featuring a copper(II) complex that can be activated by superoxide to initiate ether bond cleavage and uncage a fluorescein reporter for imaging in live cells are described. Compared to other superoxide sensing moieties, this bond cleavage strategy can be modularly adapted to fluorescent reporters with different properties without compromising the superoxide reactivity and selectivity. A green-emitting probe and its lysosome-targeting analogue have been successfully developed. Both probes are sensitive with more than 30-fold fluorescence enhancement towards superoxide and are highly selective with no significant response towards other reactive oxygen species. A structure-activity relationship study of the copper-based superoxide trigger showed that the secondary coordination environment of the copper(II) center is important for the superoxide reactivity and selectivity. The probes have been applied in imaging changes in intracellular superoxide level in live HeLa and HEK293T cells upon menadione stimulation and also in a cellular inflammation model in RAW 264.7 cells.

Heme-FeIII Superoxide, Peroxide and Hydroperoxide Thermodynamic Relationships: FeIII-O2•- Complex H-Atom Abstraction Reactivity

Establishing redox and thermodynamic relationships between metal-ion-bound O₂ and its reduced (and protonated) derivatives is critically important for a full understanding of (bio)chemical processes involving dioxygen processing. Here, a ferric heme peroxide complex, [(F₈)Fe^III-(O₂^2-)]^- (P) (F₈ = tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphyrinate), and a superoxide complex, [(F₈)Fe^III-(O₂^•-)] (S), are shown to be redox interconvertible. Using Cr(η-C₆H₆)₂, an equilibrium state where S and P are present is established in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at -80 °C, allowing determination of the reduction potential of S as -1.17 V vs Fc^+/0. P could be protonated with 2,6-lutidinium triflate, yielding the low-spin ferric hydroperoxide species, [(F₈)Fe^III-(OOH)] (HP). Partial conversion of HP back to P using a derivatized phosphazene base gave a P/HP equilibrium mixture, leading to the determination of pK_a = 28.8 for HP (THF, -80 °C). With the measured reduction potential and pK_a, the O-H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of hydroperoxide species HP was calculated to be 73.5 kcal/mol, employing the thermodynamic square scheme and Bordwell relationship. This calculated O-H BDFE of HP, in fact, lines up with an experimental demonstration of the oxidizing ability of S via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from TEMPO-H (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdine-N-hydroxide, BDFE = 66.5 kcal/mol in THF), forming the hydroperoxide species HP and TEMPO radical. Kinetic studies carried out with TEMPO-H(D) reveal second-order behavior, k_H = 0.5, k_D = 0.08 M^-1 s^-1 (THF, -80 °C); thus, the hydrogen/deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE) = 6, consistent with H-atom abstraction by S being the rate-determining step. This appears to be the first case where experimentally derived thermodynamics lead to a ferric heme hydroperoxide OO-H BDFE determination, that Fe^III-OOH species being formed via HAT reactivity of the partner ferric heme superoxide complex.

Modeling Tryptophan/Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase with Heme Superoxide Mimics: Is Ferryl the Key Intermediate?

Tryptophan oxidation in biology has been recently implicated in a vast array of paramount pathogenic conditions in humans, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type-I diabetes, and cancer. This 2,3-dioxygenative cleavage of the indole ring of tryptophan with dioxygen is mediated by two heme enzymes, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), during its conversion to N-formylkynurenine in the first and rate-limiting step of kynurenine pathway. Despite the pivotal significance of this enzymatic transformation, a vivid viewpoint of the precise mechanistic events is far from complete. A heme superoxide adduct is thought to be the active oxidant in both TDO and IDO, which, following O-O bond cleavage, presumably generates a key ferryl (Fe^IV=O) reaction intermediate. This study, for the first time in model chemistry, demonstrates the potential of synthetic heme superoxide adducts to mimic the bioinorganic chemistry of indole dioxygenation by TDO and IDO, challenging the widely accepted categorization of these metal adducts as weak oxidants. Herein, an electronically divergent series of ferric heme superoxo oxidants mediates the facile conversion of an array of indole substrates into their corresponding 2,3-dioxygenated products, while shedding light on an unequivocally occurring, putative ferryl intermediate. The oxygenated indole products have been isolated in ∼31% yield, and characterized by LC-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and FT-IR methodologies, as well as by ¹⁸O_2(g) labeling experiments. Distinctly, the most electron-deficient superoxo adduct is observed to react the fastest, specifically with the most electron-rich indole substrate, underscoring the cruciality of electrophilicity of the heme superoxide moiety in facilitating the initial indole activation step. Comprehensive understanding of such mechanistic subtleties will benefit future attempts in the rational design of salient therapeutic agents, including next generation anticancer drug targets with amplified effectivity.

Mechanistic dichotomies in redox reactions of mononuclear metal–oxygen intermediates

This review article focuses on various mechanistic dichotomies in redox reactions of metal–oxygen intermediates with the emphasis on understanding and controlling their redox reactivity from experimental and theoretical points of view.

Switching from a Chromium(IV) Peroxide to a Chromium(III) Superoxide upon Coordination of a Donor in the trans Position

O₂ activation at a chromium(II) siloxide complex in propionitrile leads to a chromium(III) complex with an end-on bound superoxide ligand, while the reaction in tetrahydrofuran leads to a side-on peroxo chromium(IV) compound. The superoxide reacts faster with (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl hydroxylamine while the peroxide, unlike the superoxide, proved capable of deformylating aldehydes. The system was found to represent a unique case, where even a switching between the two structures can be achieved via the solvent; its ability to coordinate at the position trans to the O₂ ligand is decisive, as supported by density functional theory studies. Altogether, the results show that subtle changes can determine for an initially formed metal-dioxygen adduct, whether it exists as a superoxide or a peroxide, which thus merits consideration in discussions on mechanisms and possible reaction routes.