Using a monocopper-superoxo complex to prepare multicopper-peroxo species relevant to proposed enzyme intermediates

With the goal of generating a (peroxo)tricopper species analogous to the Peroxy Intermediate proposed for multicopper oxidases, solutions of the copper-superoxide complex [K(Krypt)][LCuO₂] (L = N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide, Krypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) were reacted with the dicopper(I) complex [(TPBN)Cu₂(MeCN)₂][PF₆]₂ at -70 °C (TPBN = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane). A metastable intermediate formed, which on the basis of UV-vis, EPR, and resonance Raman spectroscopy was proposed to derive from reaction of two equivalents of the copper-superoxide with one equivalent of the dicopper(I) complex to yield a complex with two (peroxo)dicopper moieties rather than the desired (peroxo)tricopper PI model. A similar intermediate formed upon reaction of [K(Krypt)][LCuO₂] with [(BPMA)Cu(MeCN)][PF₆] (BPMA = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-methyl-amine), which contained the same donor set as provided by TPBN. Comparison of resonance Raman data and consideration of structural preferences for LCuX species led to hypothesis of a μ-η¹:η²-peroxo structure for both intermediates.

Copper(i) complexes based on ligand systems with two different binding sites: synthesis, structures and reaction with O2

The synthesis of the ligand systems L1 and L2 with two different N₃-binding sites linked through a dibenzofuran spacer and their coordination properties towards a variety of Cu^I precursors are reported. The reaction of L1 with copper halides leads to the formation of a bimetallic species [(L1)(Cu^ICl)₂] (1), and metallodimers [((L1)(Cu^IX)₂)₂(μ-(Cu)(μ-X)₂)] (2: X = Br, 3: X = I) in which two dicopper complexes are bridged by a (μ-(Cu)(μ-X)₂)-moiety whereas L2 reacts with copper chloride to afford {[Cu(L2)Cl₂]}_n (8). Furthermore, starting from L1 in combination with copper(i) salts of weakly coordinating anions the dicopper complexes [(L1)(Cu^I(NCCH₃))₂](BF₄)₂ (4), [(L1)(Cu^I(NCCH₃))(Cu(Y))](Y) (5: Y = OTf, 6: Y = ClO₄) and [(L1)(Cu(dppe))](PF₆)₂ (7) were isolated, and employing L2, the complexes [(L2)(Cu^I(NCCH₃))₂](Z)₂ (9: Z = PF₆, 10: Z = OTf) and [(L2)(Cu(dppe))](PF₆)₂ (11) were obtained. Complexes 4-6 as well as 9 and 10 react rapidly with O₂ to form metastable O₂ adducts in acetone at -90 °C, where O₂ is bound between the two copper centers within one dicopper molecule, as evidenced by UV/Vis spectroscopy, kinetic investigations, Raman spectroscopy and studies with ligands containing the isolated donor sites. The reactivity of the O₂ adducts towards selected substrates was also investigated, showing their ability to act as electrophiles as well as nucleophiles.

Copper-Oxygen Complexes Revisited: Structures, Spectroscopy, and Reactivity

A longstanding research goal has been to understand the nature and role of copper-oxygen intermediates within copper-containing enzymes and abiological catalysts. Synthetic chemistry has played a pivotal role in highlighting the viability of proposed intermediates and expanding the library of known copper-oxygen cores. In addition to the number of new complexes that have been synthesized since the previous reviews on this topic in this journal (Mirica, L. M.; Ottenwaelder, X.; Stack, T. D. P. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 1013-1046 and Lewis, E. A.; Tolman, W. B. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 1047-1076), the field has seen significant expansion in the (1) range of cores synthesized and characterized, (2) amount of mechanistic work performed, particularly in the area of organic substrate oxidation, and (3) use of computational methods for both the corroboration and prediction of proposed intermediates. The scope of this review has been limited to well-characterized examples of copper-oxygen species but seeks to provide a thorough picture of the spectroscopic characteristics and reactivity trends of the copper-oxygen cores discussed.

Insights into water coordination associated with the CuII/CuI electron transfer at a biomimetic Cu centre

The coordination chemistry of an aqua Cu complex was investigated in non-coordinating solvents and in ionic liquids.

Electrophilic arene hydroxylation and phenol O-H oxidations performed by an unsymmetric μ-η(1):η(1)-O2-peroxo dicopper(II) complex

Reactions of the unsymmetric dicopper(II) peroxide complex [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(m-XYL(N3N4))](2+) (1 O(2), where m-XYL is a heptadentate N-based ligand), with phenolates and phenols are described. Complex 1 O(2) reacts with p-X-PhONa (X = MeO, Cl, H, or Me) at -90 °C performing tyrosinase-like ortho-hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to afford the corresponding catechol products. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that reactions occur through initial reversible formation of metastable association complexes [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(p-X-PhO)(m-XYL(N3N4))](+) (1 O(2)⋅X-PhO) that then undergo ortho-hydroxylation of the aromatic ring by the peroxide moiety. Complex 1 O(2) also reacts with 4-X-substituted phenols p-X-PhOH (X = MeO, Me, F, H, or Cl) and with 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol at -90 °C causing rapid decay of 1 O(2) and affording biphenol coupling products, which is indicative that reactions occur through formation of phenoxyl radicals that then undergo radical C-C coupling. Spectroscopic UV/Vis monitoring and kinetic analysis show that reactions take place through reversible formation of ground-state association complexes [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(X-PhOH)(m-XYL(N3N4))](2+) (1 O(2)⋅X-PhOH) that then evolve through an irreversible rate-determining step. Mechanistic studies indicate that 1 O(2) reacts with phenols through initial phenol binding to the Cu(2)O(2) core, followed by a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the rate-determining step. Results disclosed in this work provide experimental evidence that the unsymmetric 1 O(2) complex can mediate electrophilic arene hydroxylation and PCET reactions commonly associated with electrophilic Cu(2)O(2) cores, and strongly suggest that the ability to form substrate⋅Cu(2)O(2) association complexes may provide paths to overcome the inherent reactivity of the O(2)-binding mode. This work provides experimental evidence that the presence of a H(+) completely determines the fate of the association complex [Cu(II)(2)(μ-η(1):η(1)-O(2))(X-PhO(H))(m-XYL(N3N4))](n+) between a PCET and an arene hydroxylation reaction, and may provide clues to help understand enzymatic reactions at dicopper sites.

Metal-dioxygen and metal-dinitrogen complexes: where are the electrons?

Transition-metal complexes of O(2) and N(2) play an important role in the environment, chemical industry, and metalloenzymes. This Perspective compares and contrasts the binding modes, reduction levels, and electronic influences on the nature of the bound O(2) or N(2) group in these complexes. The charge distribution between the metal and the diatomic ligand is variable, and different models for describing the adducts have evolved. In some cases, single resonance structures (e.g. M-superoxide = M-O(2)(-)) are accurate descriptions of the adducts. Recent studies have shown that the magnetic coupling in certain N(2)(2-) complexes differs between resonance forms, and can be used to distinguish experimentally between resonance structures. On the other hand, many O(2) and N(2) complexes cannot be described well with a simple valence-bond model. Defining the situations where ambiguities occur is a fertile area for continued study.