Where plants make oxygen: a structural model for the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving manganese cluster

Structure Function Studies of Photosystem II Using X-Ray Free Electron Lasers

The structure and mechanism of the water-oxidation chemistry that occurs in photosystem II have been subjects of great interest. The advent of X-ray free electron lasers allowed the determination of structures of the stable intermediate states and of steps in the transitions between these intermediate states, bringing a new perspective to this field. The room-temperature structures collected as the photosynthetic water oxidation reaction proceeds in real time have provided important novel insights into the structural changes and the mechanism of the water oxidation reaction. The time-resolved measurements have also given us a view of how this reaction-which involves multielectron, multiproton processes-is facilitated by the interaction of the ligands and the protein residues in the oxygen-evolving complex. These structures have also provided a picture of the dynamics occurring in the channels within photosystem II that are involved in the transport of the substrate water to the catalytic center and protons to the bulk.

Theoretical elucidation of the structure, bonding, and reactivity of the CaMn4Ox clusters in the whole Kok cycle for water oxidation embedded in the oxygen evolving center of photosystem II. New molecular and quantum insights into the mechanism of the O-O bond formation

This paper reviews our historical developments of broken-symmetry (BS) and beyond BS methods that are applicable for theoretical investigations of metalloenzymes such as OEC in PSII. The BS hybrid DFT (HDFT) calculations starting from high-resolution (HR) XRD structure in the most stable S1 state have been performed to elucidate structure and bonding of whole possible intermediates of the CaMn4Ox cluster (1) in the Si (i = 0 ~ 4) states of the Kok cycle. The large-scale HDFT/MM computations starting from HR XRD have been performed to elucidate biomolecular system structures which are crucial for examination of possible water inlet and proton release pathways for water oxidation in OEC of PSII. DLPNO CCSD(T0) computations have been performed for elucidation of scope and reliability of relative energies among the intermediates by HDFT. These computations combined with EXAFS, XRD, XFEL, and EPR experimental results have elucidated the structure, bonding, and reactivity of the key intermediates, which are indispensable for understanding and explanation of the mechanism of water oxidation in OEC of PSII. Interplay between theory and experiments have elucidated important roles of four degrees of freedom, spin, charge, orbital, and nuclear motion for understanding and explanation of the chemical reactivity of 1 embedded in protein matrix, indicating the participations of the Ca(H2O)n ion and tyrosine(Yz)-O radical as a one-electron acceptor for the O-O bond formation. The Ca-assisted Yz-coupled O-O bond formation mechanisms for water oxidation are consistent with recent XES and very recent time-resolved SFX XFEL and FTIR results.

Metallo-Supramolecular Hexagonal Wreath with Four Switchable States Based on a pH-Responsive Tridentate Ligand

In biological systems, many biomacromolecules (e.g., heme proteins) are capable of switching their states reversibly in response to external stimuli, endowing these natural architectures with a high level of diversity and functionality. Although tremendous efforts have been made to advance the complexity of artificial supramolecules, it remains a challenge to construct metallo-supramolecular systems that can carry out reversible interconversion among multiple states. Here, a pH-responsive tridentate ligand, 2,6-di(1H-imidazole-2-yl)pyridine (H₂DAP), is incorporated into the multitopic building block for precise construction of giant metallo-supramolecular hexagonal wreaths with three metal ions, i.e., Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II), through coordination-driven self-assembly. In particular, a Co-linked wreath enables in situ reversible interconversion among four states in response to pH and oxidant/reductant with highly efficient conversion without losing structural integrity. During the state interconversion cycles, the physical properties of the assembled constructs are finely tuned, including the charge states of the backbone, valency of metal ions, and paramagnetic/diamagnetic features of complexes. Such discrete wreath structures with a charge-switchable backbone further facilitate layer-by-layer assembly of metallo-supramolecules on the substrate.

Water oxidation in oxygenic photosynthesis studied by magnetic resonance techniques

The understanding of light-induced biological water oxidation in oxygenic photosynthesis is of great importance both for biology and (bio)technological applications. The chemically difficult multistep reaction takes place at a unique protein-bound tetra-manganese/calcium cluster in photosystem II whose structure has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography (Umena et al. Nature 2011, 473, 55). The cluster moves through several intermediate states in the catalytic cycle. A detailed understanding of these intermediates requires information about the spatial and electronic structure of the Mn₄ Ca complex; the latter is only available from spectroscopic techniques. Here, the important role of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and related double resonance techniques (ENDOR, EDNMR), complemented by quantum chemical calculations, is described. This has led to the elucidation of the cluster's redox and protonation states, the valence and spin states of the manganese ions and the interactions between them, and contributed substantially to the understanding of the role of the protein surrounding, as well as the binding and processing of the substrate water molecules, the O-O bond formation and dioxygen release. Based on these data, models for the water oxidation cycle are developed.

Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Bioinspired Tetranuclear Manganese Complex: Mechanistic Study and Prediction

Density functional theory calculations were utilized to elucidate the water oxidation mechanism catalyzed by polyanionic tetramanganese complex a [Mn^III ₃ Mn^IV O₃ (CH₃ COO)₃ (A-α-SiW₉ O₃₄ )]^6- . Theoretical results indicated that catalytic active species 1 (Mn₄ ^{III,III,IV,IV} ) was formed after O₂ formation in the first turnover. From 1, three sequential proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) oxidations led to the Mn^IV -oxyl radical 4 (Mn₄ ^IV,IV,IV,IV -O⋅). Importantly, 4 had an unusual butterfly-shaped Mn₂ O₂ core for the two substrate-coordinated Mn sites, which facilitated O-O bond formation via direct coupling of the oxyl radical and the adjacent Mn^IV -coordinated hydroxide to produce the hydroperoxide intermediate Int1 (Mn₄ ^III,IV,IV,IV -OOH). This step had an overall energy barrier of 24.9 kcal mol^-1 . Subsequent PCET oxidation of Int1 to Int2 (Mn₄ ^III,IV,IV,IV -O₂ ⋅) enabled the O₂ release in a facile process. Furthermore, apart from the Si-centered complex, computational study suggested that tetramanganese polyoxometalates with Ge, P, and S could also catalyze the water oxidation process, where those bearing P and S likely present higher activities.

Manganese (III/IV) μ-Oxo Dimers and Manganese (III) Monomers with Tetraaza Macrocyclic Ligands and Historically Relevant Open-Chain Ligands

The oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) located in photosystem II (PSII) of green plants is one of the best-known examples of a manganese-containing enzyme in nature, but it is also used in a range of other biological processes. OEC models incorporate two multi-dentate nitrogen-containing ligands coordinated to a bis-μ-oxo Mn(III,IV) core. Open-chain ligands were the initial scaffold used for biomimetic studies, but their macrocyclic counterparts have proven to be particularly appropriate due to their enhanced stability. Dimer and monomer complexes with such ligands have shown to be useful for a wide range of applications, which will be reviewed herein. The purpose of this review is to state with some clarity the different spectroscopic and structural characteristics of the Mn complexes formed with tetraaza macrocyclic ligands both in solution and solid-state that allow the reader to successfully identified the species involved when dealing with similar complexes of Mn.

A dual enzyme-mimicking radical generator for enhanced photodynamic therapy via series-parallel catalysis

Tumor hypoxia hampers the therapeutic efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) by hardly supplying sufficient oxygen to produce cytotoxic compounds. Herein a dual enzyme-mimicking radical generator has been developed for the in situ generation of oxygen and abundant radical oxygen species to enhance PDT efficacy under photoacoustic imaging guidance. A manganese-incorporating and photosensitizer-loaded metal organic framework exhibited both catalase-like and peroxidase-like catalytic activities specifically at the tumor microenvironment, leading to simultaneous series catalysis and parallel catalysis pathways. As a result, the MOF-based radical generator nanoparticles can not only supply oxygen for PDT to produce singlet oxygen, but also generate hydroxyl radicals, thus further enhancing the anti-cancer effect of PDT. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the radical generator nanoparticles demonstrated the relieved tumor hypoxia microenvironment, remarkably increased level of reactive oxygen species, and significantly improved anti-cancer effect with desirable PA imaging capacity. This work presents a "series-parallel catalysis" strategy enabled by a MOF nanozyme to enhance PDT efficiency and provides new insights into a highly efficient and low-toxic anti-cancer approach.

Oxygenic photosynthesis: history, status and perspective

Cyanobacteria and plants carry out oxygenic photosynthesis. They use water to generate the atmospheric oxygen we breathe and carbon dioxide to produce the biomass serving as food, feed, fibre and fuel. This paper scans the emergence of structural and mechanistic understanding of oxygen evolution over the past 50 years. It reviews speculative concepts and the stepped insight provided by novel experimental and theoretical techniques. Driven by sunlight photosystem II oxidizes the catalyst of water oxidation, a hetero-metallic Mn4CaO5(H2O)4 cluster. Mn3Ca are arranged in cubanoid and one Mn dangles out. By accumulation of four oxidizing equivalents before initiating dioxygen formation it matches the four-electron chemistry from water to dioxygen to the one-electron chemistry of the photo-sensitizer. Potentially harmful intermediates are thereby occluded in space and time. Kinetic signatures of the catalytic cluster and its partners in the photo-reaction centre have been resolved, in the frequency domain ranging from acoustic waves via infra-red to X-ray radiation, and in the time domain from nano- to milli-seconds. X-ray structures to a resolution of 1.9 Å are available. Even time resolved X-ray structures have been obtained by clocking the reaction cycle by flashes of light and diffraction with femtosecond X-ray pulses. The terminal reaction cascade from two molecules of water to dioxygen involves the transfer of four electrons, two protons, one dioxygen and one water. A rigorous mechanistic analysis is challenging because of the kinetic enslaving at millisecond duration of six partial reactions (4e−, 1H+, 1O2). For the time being a peroxide-intermediate in the reaction cascade to dioxygen has been in focus, both experimentally and by quantum chemistry. Homo sapiens has relied on burning the products of oxygenic photosynthesis, recent and fossil. Mankind's total energy consumption amounts to almost one-fourth of the global photosynthetic productivity. If the average power consumption equalled one of those nations with the highest consumption per capita it was four times greater and matched the total productivity. It is obvious that biomass should be harvested for food, feed, fibre and platform chemicals rather than for fuel.

Synthetic Fe/Cu Complexes: Toward Understanding Heme-Copper Oxidase Structure and Function

Heme-copper oxidases (HCOs) are terminal enzymes on the mitochondrial or bacterial respiratory electron transport chain, which utilize a unique heterobinuclear active site to catalyze the 4H+/4e- reduction of dioxygen to water. This process involves a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) from a tyrosine (phenolic) residue and additional redox events coupled to transmembrane proton pumping and ATP synthesis. Given that HCOs are large, complex, membrane-bound enzymes, bioinspired synthetic model chemistry is a promising approach to better understand heme-Cu-mediated dioxygen reduction, including the details of proton and electron movements. This review encompasses important aspects of heme-O2 and copper-O2 (bio)chemistries as they relate to the design and interpretation of small molecule model systems and provides perspectives from fundamental coordination chemistry, which can be applied to the understanding of HCO activity. We focus on recent advancements from studies of heme-Cu models, evaluating experimental and computational results, which highlight important fundamental structure-function relationships. Finally, we provide an outlook for future potential contributions from synthetic inorganic chemistry and discuss their implications with relevance to biological O2-reduction.

Electrodeposited-film electrodes derived from a precursor dinitrosyl iron complex for electrocatalytic water splitting

In artificial photosynthesis, water splitting plays an important role for the conversion and storage of renewable energy sources.

Quantum Chemical Modeling of Homogeneous Water Oxidation Catalysis

The design of efficient and robust water oxidation catalysts has proven challenging in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems for solar energy harnessing and storage. Tremendous progress has been made in the development of homogeneous transition-metal complexes capable of mediating water oxidation. To improve the efficiency of the catalyst and to design new catalysts, a detailed mechanistic understanding is necessary. Quantum chemical modeling calculations have been successfully used to complement the experimental techniques to suggest a catalytic mechanism and identify all stationary points, including transition states for both O-O bond formation and O₂ release. In this review, recent progress in the applications of quantum chemical methods for the modeling of homogeneous water oxidation catalysis, covering various transition metals, including manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, and iridium, is discussed.

Geometric and electronic structures of the synthetic Mn₄CaO₄ model compound mimicking the photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex

Water oxidation by photosystem II (PSII) converts light energy into chemical energy with the concomitant production of molecular oxygen, both of which are indispensable for sustaining life on Earth. This reaction is catalyzed by an oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) embedded in the huge PSII complex, and its mechanism remains elusive in spite of the extensive studies of the geometric and electronic structures. In order to elucidate the water-splitting mechanism, synthetic approaches have been extensively employed to mimic the native OEC. Very recently, a synthetic complex [Mn4CaO4(Bu(t)COO)8(py)(Bu(t)COOH)2] (1) closely mimicking the structure of the native OEC was obtained. In this study, we extensively examined the geometric, electronic and spin structures of 1 using the density functional theory method. Our results showed that the geometric structure of 1 can be accurately reproduced by theoretical calculations, and revealed many similarities in the ground valence and spin states between 1 and the native OEC. We also revealed two different valence states in the one-electron oxidized state of 1 (corresponding to the S2 state), which lie in the lower and higher ground spin states (S = 1/2 and S = 5/2), respectively. One remarkable difference between 1 and the native OEC is the presence of a non-negligible antiferromagnetic interaction between the Mn1 and Mn4 sites, which slightly influenced their ground spin structures (spin alignments). The major reason causing the difference can be attributed to the short Mn1-O5 and Mn1-Mn4 distances in 1. The introduction of the missing O4 atom and the reorientation of the Ca coordinating ligands improved the Mn1-O5 and Mn1-Mn4 distances comparable to the native OEC. These modifications will therefore be important for the synthesis of further advanced model complexes more closely mimicking the native OEC beyond 1.

Nanolayered manganese oxides: insights from inorganic electrochemistry

The electrochemistry of nanolayered Mn oxides in the presence of LiClO₄ at pH = 6.3 under different conditions was studied.

Arylamino radical complexes of ruthenium and osmium: dual radical counter in a molecule

Radical and non-radical ruthenium and osmium complexes of 1-amino-9,10-anthraquinone (AqNH₂), which is defined as a molecule of dual radical counter, are disclosed. 1-Amido-9,10-anthraquinone (AqNH^-) complexes of the types trans-[Ru^II(AqNH^-)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl] (1), trans-[Os^II(AqNH^-)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Br] (2) and trans-[Ru^III(AqNH^-)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] (3) were isolated. AqNH^- of 1-3 is redox active and undergoes oxidation reversibly at +(0.05-0.35) V to the 1-amino-9,10-anthraquinone radical (AqNH˙) and reduction at -(0.86-1.60) V to the 1-amido-9,10-anthrasemiquinonate anion radical (Aq^NHSQ˙^2-). The reaction of 2 with I₂ in CH₂Cl₂ afforded a crystalline AqNH˙ complex of the type trans-[Os^II(AqNH˙)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Br]⁺I₅^-·½I₂ (2⁺I₅^-·½I₂). AqNH˙ and Aq^NHSQ˙^2- complexes of the types trans-[Ru^II(AqNH˙)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl]⁺ (1⁺), trans-[Ru^III(AqNH˙)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂]⁺ (3⁺), trans-[Ru^II(Aq^NHSQ˙^2-)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Cl]^- (1^-) and trans-[Os^II(Aq^NHSQ˙^2-)(PPh₃)₂(CO)Br]^- (2^-) were generated chemically/electrochemically in solution. The electronic states of the complexes were authenticated by single crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2·5/4 toluene, 3 and 2⁺I₅^-·½I₂, EPR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. AqNH˙ instigates a 2c-3e p_π-d_π interaction and the length in 2⁺I₅^-·½I₂, 1.978(5) Å, is relatively shorter than the Os^II-NH_Aq^- length, 2.037(2) Å, while the Aq-NH˙ bond, 1.365(8) Å, is longer than the Aq-NH^- bond, 1.328(3) Å. DFT calculations predicted that the atomic spin is delocalized over the ligand backbone (1⁺, 56%) particularly in one of the p-orbitals of the nitrogen and the metal atoms of the 1⁺ and 2⁺ ions, while the spin is dominantly localized on the anthraquinone fragment of the 1^- and 2^- ions. TD DFT calculations were employed to elucidate the origins of the lower energy absorption bands of the neutral complexes. Hypsochromic shifts of the UV-vis-NIR absorption maximum during 1→1⁺, 2→2⁺ and 3→3⁺ conversions were recorded by spectroelectrochemical measurements.

Gernot Renger (1937-2013): his life, Max-Volmer Laboratory, and photosynthesis research

Gernot Renger (October 23, 1937-January 12, 2013), one of the leading biophysicists in the field of photosynthesis research, studied and worked at the Max-Volmer-Institute (MVI) of the Technische Universität Berlin, Germany, for more than 50 years, and thus witnessed the rise and decline of photosynthesis research at this institute, which at its prime was one of the leading centers in this field. We present a tribute to Gernot Renger's work and life in the context of the history of photosynthesis research of that period, with special focus on the MVI. Gernot will be remembered for his thought-provoking questions and his boundless enthusiasm for science.

QM/MM Models of the O2-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II

This paper introduces structural models of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (PSII) in the dark-stable S1 state, as well as in the reduced S0 and oxidized S2 states, with complete ligation of the metal-oxo cluster by amino acid residues, water, hydroxide, and chloride. The models are developed according to state-of-the-art quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) hybrid methods, applied in conjunction with the X-ray crystal structure of PSII from the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus, recently reported at 3.5 Å resolution. Manganese and calcium ions are ligated consistently with standard coordination chemistry assumptions, supported by biochemical and spectroscopic data. Furthermore, the calcium-bound chloride ligand is found to be bound in a position consistent with pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance data obtained from acetate-substituted PSII. The ligation of protein ligands includes monodentate coordination of D1-D342, CP43-E354, and D1-D170 to Mn(1), Mn(3), and Mn(4), respectively; η(2) coordination of D1-E333 to both Mn(3) and Mn(2); and ligation of D1-E189 and D1-H332 to Mn(2). The resulting QM/MM structural models are consistent with available mechanistic data and also are compatible with X-ray diffraction models and extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements of PSII. It is, therefore, conjectured that the proposed QM/MM models are particularly relevant to the development and validation of catalytic water-oxidation intermediates.

Carbon for engineering of a water-oxidizing catalyst

Herein we report that the reaction of KMnO4 with cobalt nanoparticles coated with multiple graphene layers forms a promising catalyst toward water oxidation. The compound was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electronic spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition to the Mn oxide-based characteristics of the catalyst, it is a conductive, self-healing, recycling, highly dispersible, magnetically separable, environmentally friendly, and nano-sized catalyst for water oxidation. The turnover frequency for the catalyst toward water oxidation is 0.1 and 0.05 (mmol O2 per mol Mn s) in the presence of cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate and photo-produced Ru(bpy)3(3+).

An intimate link: two-component signal transduction systems and metal transport systems in bacteria

Bacteria have evolved various strategies to contend with high concentrations of environmental heavy metal ions for rapid, adaptive responses to maintain cell viability. Evidence gathered in the past two decades suggests that bacterial two-component signal transduction systems (TCSTSs) are intimately involved in monitoring cation accumulation, and can regulate the expression of related metabolic and virulence genes to elicit adaptive responses to changes in the concentration of these ions. Using examples garnered from recent studies, we summarize the cross-regulatory relationships between metal ions and TCSTSs. We present evidence of how bacterial TCSTSs modulate metal ion homeostasis and also how metal ions, in turn, function to control the activities of these signaling systems linked with bacterial survival and virulence.

Nanolayered manganese oxide/C(60) composite: a good water-oxidizing catalyst for artificial photosynthetic systems

For the first time, we considered Mn oxide/C60 composites as water-oxidizing catalysts. The composites were synthesized by easy and simple procedures, and characterized by some methods. The water-oxidizing activities of these composites were also measured in the presence of cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate. We found that the nanolayered Mn oxide/C60 composites show promising activity toward water oxidation.

Distribution of manganese species in an oxidative dimerization reaction of a bis-terpyridine mononuclear manganese (II) complex and their heterogeneous water oxidation activities

Heterogeneous water oxidation catalyses were studied as a synthetic model of oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in photosynthesis using mica adsorbing various manganese species. Distribution of manganese species formed in the oxidative dimerization reaction of [Mn(II)(terpy)2](2+) (terpy=2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) (1') with various oxidants in water was revealed. 1' was stoichiometrically oxidized to form di-μ-oxo dinuclear manganese complex, [(OH2)(terpy)Mn(III)(μ-O)2Mn(IV)(terpy)(OH2)](3+) (1) by KMnO4 as an oxidant. When Oxone and Ce(IV) oxidants were used, the further oxidation of 1 to [(OH2)(terpy)Mn(IV)(μ-O)2Mn(IV)(terpy)(OH2)](4+) (2) was observed after the oxidative dimerization reaction of 1'. The mica adsorbates with various composition of 1', 1 and 2 were prepared by adding mica suspension to the various oxidant-treated solutions followed by filtration. The heterogeneous water oxidation catalysis by the mica adsorbates was examined using a Ce(IV) oxidant. The observed catalytic activity of the mica adsorbates corresponded to a content of 1 (1ads) adsorbed on mica for KMnO4- and Oxone-treated systems, indicating that 1' (1'ads) and 2 (2ads) adsorbed on mica do not work for the catalysis. The kinetic analysis suggested that 1ads works for the catalysis through cooperation with adjacent 1ads or 2ads, meaning that 2ads assists the cooperative catalysis by 1ads though 2ads is not able to work for the catalysis alone. For the Ce(IV)-treated system, O2 evolution was hardly observed although the sufficient amount of 1ads was contained in the mica adsorbates. This was explained by the impeded penetration of Ce(IV) ions (as an oxidant for water oxidation) into mica by Ce(3+) cations (generated in oxidative dimerization of 1') co-adsorbed with 1ads.

Remarkable effect of Pt nanoparticles on visible light-induced oxygen generation from water catalysed by perovskite oxides

Oxidation of water is a challenging process with a positive free energy change and it is purposeful to find good catalysts to facilitate the process. While the perovskite oxides, LaCoO3 and LaMnO3, are good electron transfer catalysts in artificial photosynthesis to produce oxygen by the oxidation of water, the electron transfer is further favoured by the presence of platinum nanoparticles, causing a substantial increase in oxygen evolution.

Metal oxidation states in biological water splitting

A central question in biological water splitting concerns the oxidation states of the manganese ions that comprise the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II.

A central question in biological water splitting concerns the oxidation states of the manganese ions that comprise the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. Understanding the nature and order of oxidation events that occur during the catalytic cycle of five S_i states (i = 0–4) is of fundamental importance both for the natural system and for artificial water oxidation catalysts. Despite the widespread adoption of the so-called “high-valent scheme”—where, for example, the Mn oxidation states in the S₂ state are assigned as III, IV, IV, IV—the competing “low-valent scheme” that differs by a total of two metal unpaired electrons (i.e. III, III, III, IV in the S₂ state) is favored by several recent studies for the biological catalyst. The question of the correct oxidation state assignment is addressed here by a detailed computational comparison of the two schemes using a common structural platform and theoretical approach. Models based on crystallographic constraints were constructed for all conceivable oxidation state assignments in the four (semi)stable S states of the oxygen evolving complex, sampling various protonation levels and patterns to ensure comprehensive coverage. The models are evaluated with respect to their geometric, energetic, electronic, and spectroscopic properties against available experimental EXAFS, XFEL-XRD, EPR, ENDOR and Mn K pre-edge XANES data. New 2.5 K ⁵⁵Mn ENDOR data of the S₂ state are also reported. Our results conclusively show that the entire S state phenomenology can only be accommodated within the high-valent scheme by adopting a single motif and protonation pattern that progresses smoothly from S₀ (III, III, III, IV) to S₃ (IV, IV, IV, IV), satisfying all experimental constraints and reproducing all observables. By contrast, it was impossible to construct a consistent cycle based on the low-valent scheme for all S states. Instead, the low-valent models developed here may provide new insight into the over-reduced S states and the states involved in the assembly of the catalytically active water oxidizing cluster.

Gold nanorods or nanoparticles deposited on layered manganese oxide: new findings

Our results show that nano-sized gold has no significant effect on the water-oxidation activity of the Mn oxide phase in the presence of Ce(iv).

Principles of Natural Photosynthesis

Nature relies on a unique and intricate biochemical setup to achieve sunlight-driven water splitting. Combined experimental and computational efforts have produced significant insights into the structural and functional principles governing the operation of the water-oxidizing enzyme Photosystem II in general, and of the oxygen-evolving manganese-calcium cluster at its active site in particular. Here we review the most important aspects of biological water oxidation, emphasizing current knowledge on the organization of the enzyme, the geometric and electronic structure of the catalyst, and the role of calcium and chloride cofactors. The combination of recent experimental work on the identification of possible substrate sites with computational modeling have considerably limited the possible mechanistic pathways for the critical O-O bond formation step. Taken together, the key features and principles of natural photosynthesis may serve as inspiration for the design, development, and implementation of artificial systems.

Nano-sized Mn oxides on halloysite or high surface area montmorillonite as efficient catalysts for water oxidation with cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate: support from natural sources

We used halloysite, a nano-sized natural mineral and high surface area montmorillonite as supports for nano-sized Mn oxides to synthesize efficient water-oxidising catalysts.

Photosystem II like water oxidation mechanism in a bioinspired tetranuclear manganese complex

The synthesis of Mn-based catalysts to mimic the structural and catalytic properties of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II is a long-standing goal for researchers. An interesting result in this field came with the synthesis of a Mn complex that enables water oxidation driven by the mild single-electron oxidant [Ru(bpy)3](3+). On the basis of hybrid density functional calculations, we herein propose a water oxidation mechanism for this bioinspired Mn catalyst, where the crucial O-O bond formation proceeds from the formal Mn4(IV,IV,IV,V) state by direct coupling of a Mn(IV)-bound terminal oxyl radical and a di-Mn bridging oxo group, a mechanism quite similar to the presently leading suggestion for the natural system. Of importance here is that the designed ligand is shown to be redox-active and can therefore store redox equivalents during the catalytic transitions, thereby alleviating the redox processes at the Mn centers.

Synthesis and characterization of monomeric Mn (IV) and pseudo-tetrameric Mn (III) complexes: magnetic properties of Mn (III) complex

Two novel monomer Mn (IV) [Mn(3,5-ClL1)2]⋅(CH3OH), (1), [3,5-ClL1H2=N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,5-dichlorosalicylaldimine] (1) and hydrogen-bonded pseudo-tetramer Mn (III) [Mn(5-BrL2)(H2O)2]2⋅[Mn(5-BrL2)(H2O)]2⋅2⋅(ClO4), (2), [5-BrL2H2=N,N'-bis(5-bromosalicylidenato)-1,2-diamino-2-methylpropane)] (2) Schiff base complexes have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement study has been performed for complex (2) and the result indicates there is a very weak antiferromagnetic interaction (J=-0.40±0.016cm(-1)) between the two manganese (III) centers.

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.

Mn oxide/nanodiamond composite: a new water-oxidizing catalyst for water oxidation

Herein, we reported nanosized Mn oxide/nanodiamond composites as water-oxidizing compounds.