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.

Low-oxidation-state Ru sites stabilized in carbon-doped RuO2 with low-temperature CO2 activation to yield methane.

The generation of methane fuel using surplus renewable energy with CO2 as the carbon source enables both the decarbonization and substitution of fossil fuel feedstocks. However, high temperatures are usually required for the efficient activation of CO2. Here we present a solid catalyst synthesized using a mild, green hydrothermal synthesis that involves interstitial carbon doped into ruthenium oxide, which enables the stabilization of Ru cations in a low oxidation state and a ruthenium oxycarbonate phase to form. The catalyst shows an activity and selectivity for the conversion of CO2 into methane at lower temperatures than those of conventional catalysts, with an excellent long-term stability. Furthermore, this catalyst is able to operate under intermittent power supply conditions, which couples very well with electricity production systems based on renewable energies. The structure of the catalyst and the nature of the ruthenium species were acutely characterized by combining advanced imaging and spectroscopic tools at the macro and atomic scales, which highlighted the low-oxidation-state Ru sites (Run+, 0 < n < 4) as responsible for the high catalytic activity. This catalyst suggests alternative perspectives for materials design using interstitial dopants.

Ligand-enabled oxidation of gold(i) complexes with o-quinones.

Chelating P^P and hemilabile P^N ligands were found to trigger the oxidation of Au(i) complexes by o-benzoquinones. The ensuing Au(iii) catecholate complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. They adopt tetracoordinate square-planar structures. Reactivity studies substantiate the reversibility of the transformation. In particular, the addition of competing ligands such as chloride and alkenes gives back Au(i) complexes with concomitant release of the o-quinone. DFT calculations provide insight about the structure and relative stability of the Au(i) o-quinone and Au(iii) catecholate forms, and shed light on the 2-electron transfer from gold to the o-quinone.

Csp2-H Amination Reactions Mediated by Metastable Pseudo-Oh Masked Aryl-CoIII-nitrene Species.

Cobalt-catalyzed C-H amination via M-nitrenoid species is spiking the interest of the research community. Understanding this process at a molecular level is a challenging task, and here we report a well-defined macrocyclic system featuring a pseudo-Oh aryl-CoIII species that reacts with aliphatic azides to effect intramolecular Csp2-N bond formation. Strikingly, a putative aryl-Co═NR nitrenoid intermediate species is formed and is rapidly trapped by a carboxylate ligand to form a carboxylate masked-nitrene, which functions as a shortcut to stabilize and guide the reaction to productive intramolecular Csp2-N bond formation. On one hand, several intermediate species featuring the Csp2-N bond formed have been isolated and structurally characterized, and the essential role of the carboxylate ligand has been proven. Complementarily, a thorough density functional theory study of the Csp2-N bond formation mechanism explains at the molecular level the key role of the carboxylate-masked nitrene species, which is essential to tame the metastability of the putative aryl-CoIII═NR nitrene species to effectively yield the Csp2-N products. The solid molecular mechanistic scheme determined for the Csp2-N bond forming reaction is fully supported by both experimental and computation complementary studies.

Isolation of a Ru(IV) side-on peroxo intermediate in the water oxidation reaction.

The electrons that nature uses to reduce CO2 during photosynthesis come from water oxidation at the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. Molecular catalysts have served as models to understand its mechanism, in particular the O-O bond-forming reaction, which is still not fully understood. Here we report a Ru(IV) side-on peroxo complex that serves as a 'missing link' for the species that form after the rate-determining O-O bond-forming step. The Ru(IV) side-on peroxo complex (η2-1iv-OO) is generated from the isolated Ru(IV) oxo complex (1iv=O) in the presence of an excess of oxidant. The oxidation (IV) and spin state (singlet) of η2-1iv-OO were determined by a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. 18O- and 2H-labelling studies evidence the direct evolution of O2 through the nucleophilic attack of a H2O molecule on the highly electrophilic metal-oxo species via the formation of η2-1iv-OO. These studies demonstrate water nucleophilic attack as a viable mechanism for O-O bond formation, as previously proposed based on indirect evidence.

A Unified Electro- and Photocatalytic CO2 to CO Reduction Mechanism with Aminopyridine Cobalt Complexes.

A mechanistic understanding of electro- and photocatalytic CO2 reduction is crucial to develop strategies to overcome catalytic bottlenecks. In this regard, for a new CO2-to-CO reduction cobalt aminopyridine catalyst, a detailed experimental and theoretical mechanistic study is herein presented toward the identification of bottlenecks and potential strategies to alleviate them. The combination of electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry together with spectroscopic techniques led us to identify elusive key electrocatalytic intermediates derived from complex [LN4Co(OTf)2] (1) (LN4 = 1-[2-pyridylmethyl]-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) such as a highly reactive cobalt(I) (1(I)) and a cobalt(I) carbonyl (1(I)-CO) species. The combination of spectroelectrochemical studies under CO2, 13CO2, and CO with DFT disclosed that 1(I) reacts with CO2 to form the pivotal 1(I)-CO intermediate at the 1(II/I) redox potential. However, at this reduction potential, the formation of 1(I)-CO restricts the electrocatalysis due to the endergonicity of the CO release step. In agreement with the experimentally observed CO2-to-CO electrocatalysis at the CoI/0 redox potential, computational studies suggested that the electrocatalytic cycle involves striking metal carbonyls. In contrast, under photochemical conditions, the catalysis smoothly proceeds at the 1(II/I) redox potential. Under the latter conditions, it is proposed that the electron transfer to form 1(I)-CO from 1(II)-CO is under diffusion control. Then, the CO release from 1(II)-CO is kinetically favored, facilitating the catalysis. Finally, we have found that visible-light irradiation has a positive impact under electrocatalytic conditions. We envision that light irradiation can serve as an effective strategy to circumvent the CO poisoning and improve the performance of CO2 reduction molecular catalysts.

Reductive Cyclization of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with Tethered Alkenes under Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis.

The chemical inertness of abundant and commercially available alkyl chlorides precludes their widespread use as reactants in chemical transformations. Presented in this work is a metallaphotoredox methodology to achieve the catalytic intramolecular reductive cyclization of unactivated alkyl chlorides with tethered alkenes. The cleavage of strong C(sp3 )-Cl bonds is mediated by a highly nucleophilic low-valent cobalt or nickel intermediate generated by visible-light photoredox reduction employing a copper photosensitizer. The high basicity and multidentate nature of the ligands are key to obtaining efficient metal catalysts for the functionalization of unactivated alkyl chlorides.

Cobalt Amide Imidate Imidazolate Frameworks as Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Model Materials.

Two imidazolate-based Co-MOFs, IFP-5 and IFP-8 (imidazolate framework Potsdam), with a different peripheral group -R (-Me and -OMe, respectively) have been synthesized by a solvothermal method and tested toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Remarkably, IFP-8 presents much lower overpotentials (319 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and 490 mV at 500 mA/cm2) than IFP-5 toward OER, as confirmed by online gas chromatography measurements (Faradaic yield of O2 > 99%). Moreover, the system is extraordinarily stable during 120 h, even when used as a catalyst toward the overall water splitting reaction without any sign of fatigue. An integrated ex situ spectroscopic study, based on powder X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and attenuated total reflection, allows the identification of the active species and the factors that determine the catalytic activity. Indeed, it was found that the performances are highly affected by the nature of the -R group, because this small change strongly influences the conversion of the initial metal organic framework to the active species. As a consequence, the remarkable activity of IFP-8 can be ascribed to the formation of Co(O)OH phase with a particle size of a few nanometers (3-10 nm) during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.

Octahedral iron(iv)-tosylimido complexes exhibiting single electron-oxidation reactivity.

High valent iron species are very reactive molecules involved in oxidation reactions of relevance to biology and chemical synthesis. Herein we describe iron(iv)-tosylimido complexes [FeIV(NTs)(MePy2tacn)](OTf)2 (1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs) and [FeIV(NTs)(Me2(CHPy2)tacn)](OTf)2 (2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs), (MePy2tacn = N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-picolyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, and Me2(CHPy2)tacn = 1-(di(2-pyridyl)methyl)-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, Ts = Tosyl). 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs are rare examples of octahedral iron(iv)-imido complexes and are isoelectronic analogues of the recently described iron(iv)-oxo complexes [FeIV(O)(L)]2+ (L = MePy2tacn and Me2(CHPy2)tacn, respectively). 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs are metastable and have been spectroscopically characterized by HR-MS, UV-vis, 1H-NMR, resonance Raman, Mössbauer, and X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy as well as by DFT computational methods. Ferric complexes [FeIII(HNTs)(L)]2+, 1(III)-NHTs (L = MePy2tacn) and 2(III)-NHTs (L = Me2(CHPy2)tacn) have been isolated after the decay of 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs in solution, spectroscopically characterized, and the molecular structure of [FeIII(HNTs)(MePy2tacn)](SbF6)2 determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs with different p-substituted thioanisoles results in the transfer of the tosylimido moiety to the sulphur atom producing sulfilimine products. In these reactions, 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs behave as single electron oxidants and Hammett analyses of reaction rates evidence that tosylimido transfer is more sensitive than oxo transfer to charge effects. In addition, reaction of 1(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs and 2(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]NTs with hydrocarbons containing weak C-H bonds results in the formation of 1(III)-NHTs and 2(III)-NHTs respectively, along with the oxidized substrate. Kinetic analyses indicate that reactions proceed via a mechanistically unusual HAT reaction, where an association complex precedes hydrogen abstraction.

Spectroscopic and DFT Characterization of a Highly Reactive Nonheme FeV-Oxo Intermediate.

The reaction of [(PyNMe3)FeII(CF3SO3)2], 1, with excess peracetic acid at -40 °C generates a highly reactive intermediate, 2b(PAA), that has the fastest rate to date for oxidizing cyclohexane by a nonheme iron species. It exhibits an intense 490 nm chromophore associated with an S = 1/2 EPR signal having g-values at 2.07, 2.01, and 1.94. This species was shown to be in a fast equilibrium with a second S = 1/2 species, 2a(PAA), assigned to a low-spin acylperoxoiron(III) center. Unfortunately, contaminants accompanying the 2(PAA) samples prevented determination of the iron oxidation state by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Use of MeO-PyNMe3 (an electron-enriched version of PyNMe3) and cyclohexyl peroxycarboxylic acid as oxidant affords intermediate 3b(CPCA) with a Mössbauer isomer shift δ = -0.08 mm/s that indicates an iron(V) oxidation state. Analysis of the Mössbauer and EPR spectra, combined with DFT studies, demonstrates that the electronic ground state of 3b(CPCA) is best described as a quantum mechanical mixture of [(MeO-PyNMe3)FeV(O)(OC(O)R)]2+ (∼75%) with some FeIV(O)(•OC(O)R) and FeIII(OOC(O)R) character. DFT studies of 3b(CPCA) reveal that the unbound oxygen of the carboxylate ligand, O2, is only 2.04 Å away from the oxo group, O1, corresponding to a Wiberg bond order for the O1-O2 bond of 0.35. This unusual geometry facilitates reversible O1-O2 bond formation and cleavage and accounts for the high reactivity of the intermediate when compared to the rates of hydrogen atom transfer and oxygen atom transfer reactions of FeIII(OC(O)R) ferric acyl peroxides and FeIV(O) complexes. The interaction of O2 with O1 leads to a significant downshift of the Fe-O1 Raman frequency (815 cm-1) relative to the 903 cm-1 value predicted for the hypothetical [(MeO-PyNMe3)FeV(O)(NCMe)]3+ complex.

Design of Zn-, Cu-, and Fe-Coordination Complexes Confined in a Self-Assembled Nanocage.

The encapsulation of coordination complexes in a tetragonal prismatic nanocage (1·(BArF)8) built from Zn-porphyrin and macrocyclic Pd-clip-based synthons is described. The functional duality of the guest ligand L1 allows for its encapsulation inside the cage 1·(BArF)8, along with the simultaneous coordination of ZnII, CuII, or FeIII metal ions. Remarkably, the coordination chemistry inside the host-guest adduct L1⊂1·(BArF)8 occurs in both solution solution and solid state. The resulting confined metallocomplexes have been characterized by means of UV-vis, ESI-HRMS, NMR, and EPR techniques. Furthermore, the emission of the Zn-porphyrin fluorophores of 1·(BArF)8 is strongly quenched by the encapsulation of paramagnetic complexes, representing a remarkable example of guest-dependent tuning of the host fluorescence.

Acid-Triggered O-O Bond Heterolysis of a Nonheme FeIII (OOH) Species for the Stereospecific Hydroxylation of Strong C-H Bonds.

A novel hydroperoxoiron(III) species [FeIII (OOH)(MeCN)(PyNMe3 )]2+ (3) has been generated by reaction of its ferrous precursor [FeII (CF3 SO3 )2 (PyNMe3 )] (1) with hydrogen peroxide at low temperatures. This species has been characterized by several spectroscopic techniques and cryospray mass spectrometry. Similar to most of the previously described low-spin hydroperoxoiron(III) compounds, 3 behaves as a sluggish oxidant and it is not kinetically competent for breaking weak C-H bonds. However, triflic acid addition to 3 causes its transformation into a much more reactive compound towards organic substrates that is capable of oxidizing unactivated C-H bonds with high stereospecificity. Stopped-flow kinetic analyses and theoretical studies provide a rationale for the observed chemistry, a triflic-acid-assisted heterolytic cleavage of the O-O bond to form a putative strongly oxidizing oxoiron(V) species. This mechanism is reminiscent to that observed in heme systems, where protonation of the hydroperoxo intermediate leads to the formation of the high-valent [(Porph. )FeIV (O)] (Compound I).

Carboxylate-Assisted Formation of Aryl-Co(III) Masked-Carbenes in Cobalt-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization with Diazo Esters.

Herein we describe the synthesis of a family of aryl-Co(III)-carboxylate complexes and their reactivity with ethyl diazoacetate. Crystallographic, full spectroscopic characterization, and theoretical evidence of unique C-metalated aryl-Co(III) enolate intermediates is provided, unraveling a carboxylate-assisted formation of aryl-Co(III) masked-carbenes. Moreover, additional evidence for an unprecedented Co(III)-mediated intramolecular SN2-type C-C bond formation in which the carboxylate moiety acts as a relay is disclosed. This novel strategy is key to tame the hot reactivity of a metastable Co(III)-carbene and elicit C-C coupling products in a productive manner.

Trifluoromethylation of a Well-Defined Square-Planar Aryl-NiII Complex involving NiIII /CF3. and NiIV -CF3 Intermediate Species.

Ni-mediated trifluoromethylation of an aryl-Br bond in model macrocyclic ligands (Ln -Br) has been thoroughly studied, starting with an oxidative addition at Ni0 to obtain well-defined aryl-NiII -Br complexes ([Ln -NiII ]Br). Abstraction of the halide with AgX (X=OTf- or ClO4- ) thereafter provides [Ln -NiII ](OTf). The nitrate analogue has been obtained through a direct C-H activation of an aryl-H bond using NiII salts, and this route has been studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Crystallographic XRD and XAS characterization has shown a tight macrocyclic coordination in the aryl-NiII complex, which may hamper direct reaction with nucleophiles. On the contrary, enhanced reactivity is observed with oxidants, and the reaction of [Ln -NiII ](OTf) with CF3+ sources afforded Ln -CF3 products in quantitative yield. A combined experimental and theoretical mechanistic study provides new insights into the operative mechanism for this transformation. Computational analysis indicates the occurrence of an initial single electron transfer (SET) to 5-(trifluoromethyl)dibenzothiophenium triflate (TDTT), producing a transient L1 -NiIII /CF3. adduct, which rapidly recombines to form a [L1 -NiIV -CF3 ](X)2 intermediate species. A final facile reductive elimination affords L1 -CF3 . The well-defined square-planar model system studied here permits to gain fundamental knowledge on the rich redox chemistry of nickel, which is sought to facilitate the development of new Ni-based trifluoromethylation methodologies.

Generation, Spectroscopic, and Chemical Characterization of an Octahedral Iron(V)-Nitrido Species with a Neutral Ligand Platform.

Iron complex [FeIII(N3)(MePy2tacn)](PF6)2 (1), containing a neutral triazacyclononane-based pentadentate ligand, and a terminally bound azide ligand has been prepared and spectroscopically and structurally characterized. Structural details, magnetic susceptibility data, and Mössbauer spectra demonstrate that 1 has a low-spin (S = 1/2) ferric center. X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 reveals remarkably short Fe-N (1.859 Å) and long FeN-N2 (1.246 Å) distances, while the FT-IR spectra show an unusually low N-N stretching frequency (2019 cm-1), suggesting that the FeN-N2 bond is particularly weak. Photolysis of 1 at 470 or 530 nm caused N2 elimination and generation of a nitrido species that on the basis of Mössbauer, magnetic susceptibility, EPR, and X-ray absorption in conjunction with density functional theory computational analyses is formulated as [FeV(N)(MePy2tacn)]2+ (2). Results indicate that 2 is a low-spin (S = 1/2) iron(V) species, which exhibits a short Fe-N distance (1.64 Å), as deduced from extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. Compound 2 is only stable at cryogenic (liquid N2) temperatures, and frozen solutions as well as solid samples decompose rapidly upon warming, producing N2. However, the high-valent compound could be generated in the gas phase, and its reactivity against olefins, sulfides, and substrates with weak C-H bonds studied. Compound 2 proved to be a powerful two-electron oxidant that can add the nitrido ligand to olefin and sulfide sites as well as oxidize cyclohexadiene substrates to benzene in a formal H2-transfer process. In summary, compound 2 constitutes the first case of an octahedral FeV(N) species prepared within a neutral ligand framework and adds to the few examples of FeV species that could be spectroscopically and chemically characterized.

Non-thiolate ligation of nickel by nucleotide-free UreG of Klebsiella aerogenes.

Nickel-dependent ureases are activated by a multiprotein complex that includes the GTPase UreG. Prior studies showed that nucleotide-free UreG from Klebsiella aerogenes is monomeric and binds one nickel or zinc ion with near-equivalent affinity using an undefined binding site, whereas nucleotide-free UreG from Helicobacter pylori selectively binds one zinc ion per dimer via a universally conserved Cys-Pro-His motif in each protomer. Iodoacetamide-treated K. aerogenes UreG was nearly unaffected in nickel binding compared to non-treated sample, suggesting the absence of thiolate ligands to the metal. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of nickel-bound UreG showed the metal possessed four-coordinate geometry with all O/N donor ligands including one imidazole, thus confirming the absence of thiolate ligation. The nickel site in Strep-tag II-modified protein possessed six-coordinate geometry, again with all O/N donor ligands, but now including two or three imidazoles. An identical site was noted for the Strep-tag II-modified H74A variant, substituted in the Cys-Pro-His motif, ruling out coordination by this His residue. These results are consistent with metal binding to both His6 and a His residue of the fusion peptide in Strep-tagged K. aerogenes UreG. We conclude that the nickel- and zinc-binding site in nucleotide-free K. aerogenes UreG is distinct from that of nucleotide-free H. pylori UreG and does not involve the Cys-Pro-His motif. Further, we show the Strep-tag II can perturb metal coordination of this protein.

Isolation of Key Organometallic Aryl-Co(III) Intermediates in Cobalt-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Functionalizations and New Insights into Alkyne Annulation Reaction Mechanisms.

The selective annulation reaction of alkynes with substrates containing inert C-H bonds using cobalt as catalyst is currently a topic attracting significant interest. Unfortunately, the mechanism of this transformation is still relatively poorly understood, with little experimental evidence for intermediates, although an organometallic Co(III) species is generally implicated. Herein, we describe a rare example of the preparation and characterization of benchtop-stable organometallic aryl-Co(III) compounds (NMR, HRMS, XAS, and XRD) prepared through a C(sp2)-H activation, using a model macrocyclic arene substrate. Furthermore, we provide crystallographic evidence of an organometallic aryl-Co(III) intermediate proposed in 8-aminoquinoline-directed Co-catalyzed C-H activation processes. Subsequent insights obtained from the application of our new organometallic aryl-Co(III) compounds in alkyne annulation reactions are also disclosed. Evidence obtained from the resulting regioselectivity of the annulation reactions and DFT studies indicates that a mechanism involving an organometallic aryl-Co(III)-alkynyl intermediate species is preferred for terminal alkynes, in contrast to the generally accepted migratory insertion pathway.

Rapid Hydrogen and Oxygen Atom Transfer by a High-Valent Nickel-Oxygen Species.

Terminal high-valent metal-oxygen species are key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle of both enzymes (e.g., oxygenases) and synthetic oxidation catalysts. While tremendous efforts have been directed toward the characterization of the biologically relevant terminal manganese-oxygen and iron-oxygen species, the corresponding analogues based on late-transition metals such as cobalt, nickel or copper are relatively scarce. This scarcity is in part related to the "Oxo Wall" concept, which predicts that late transition metals cannot support a terminal oxido ligand in a tetragonal environment. Here, the nickel(II) complex (1) of the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand bearing a 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamidate unit is shown to be an effective catalyst in the chlorination and oxidation of C-H bonds with sodium hypochlorite as terminal oxidant in the presence of acetic acid (AcOH). Insight into the active species responsible for the observed reactivity was gained through the study of the reaction of 1 with ClO- at low temperature by UV-vis absorption, resonance Raman, EPR, ESI-MS, and XAS analyses. DFT calculations aided the assignment of the trapped chromophoric species (3) as a nickel-hypochlorite species. Despite the fact that the formal oxidation state of the nickel in 3 is +4, experimental and computational analysis indicate that 3 is best formulated as a NiIII complex with one unpaired electron delocalized in the ligands surrounding the metal center. Most remarkably, 3 reacts rapidly with a range of substrates including those with strong aliphatic C-H bonds, indicating the direct involvement of 3 in the oxidation/chlorination reactions observed in the 1/ClO-/AcOH catalytic system.

Kß Valence to Core X-ray Emission Studies of Cu(I) Binding Proteins with Mixed Methionine - Histidine Coordination. Relevance to the Reactivity of the M- and H-sites of Peptidylglycine Monooxygenase.

Biological systems use copper as a redox center in many metalloproteins, where the role of the metal is to cycle between its +1 and +2 oxidation states. This chemistry requires the redox potential to be in a range that can stabilize both Cu(I) and Cu(II) states and often involves protein-derived ligand sets involving mixed histidine-methionine coordination that balance the preferences of both oxidation states. Transport proteins, on the other hand, utilize copper in the Cu(I) state and often contain sites comprised predominately of the cuprophilic residue methionine. The electronic factors that allow enzymes and transporters to balance their redox requirements are complex and are often elusive due to the dearth of spectroscopic probes of the Cu(I) state. Here we present the novel application of X-ray emission spectroscopy to copper proteins via a study of a series of mixed His-Met copper sites where the ligand set varies in a systematic way between the His3 and Met3 limits. The sites are derived from the wild-type peptidylglycine monooxygenase (PHM), two single-site variants which replicate each of its two copper sites (CuM-site and CuH-site), and the transporters CusF and CusB. Clear differences are observed in the Kß2,5 region at the Met3 and His3 limits. CusB (Met3) has a distinct peak at 8978.4 eV with a broad shoulder at 8975.6 eV, whereas CuH (His3) has two well-resolved features: a more intense feature at 8974.8 eV and a second at 8977.2 eV. The mixed coordination sphere CusF (Met2His) and the PHM CuM variant (Met1His2) have very similar spectra consisting of two features at 8975.2 and 8977.8 eV. An analysis of DFT calculated spectra indicate that the intensity of the higher energy peak near 8978 eV is mediated by mixing of ligand-based orbitals into the Cu d(10) manifold, with S from Met providing more intensity by facilitating increased Cu p-d mixing. Furthermore, reaction of WT PHM with CO (an oxygen analogue) produced the M site CO complex, which showed a unique XES spectrum that could be computationally reproduced by including interactions between Cu(I) and the CO ligand. The study suggests that the valence-to-core (VtC) region can not only serve as a probe of ligand speciation but also offer insight into the coordination geometry, in a fashion similar to XAS pre-edges, and may be sufficiently sensitive to the coordination of exogenous ligands to be useful in the study of reaction mechanisms.

Reactivity of a Nickel(II) Bis(amidate) Complex with meta-Chloroperbenzoic Acid: Formation of a Potent Oxidizing Species.

Herein, we report the formation of a highly reactive nickel-oxygen species that has been trapped following reaction of a Ni(II) precursor bearing a macrocyclic bis(amidate) ligand with meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (HmCPBA). This compound is only detectable at temperatures below 250 K and is much more reactive toward organic substrates (i.e., C-H bonds, C=C bonds, and sulfides) than previously reported well-defined nickel-oxygen species. Remarkably, this species is formed by heterolytic O-O bond cleavage of a Ni-HmCPBA precursor, which is concluded from experimental and computational data. On the basis of spectroscopy and DFT calculations, this reactive species is proposed to be a Ni(III) -oxyl compound.