Dioxygen Activation and Mandelate Decarboxylation by Iron(II) Complexes of N4 Ligands: Evidence for Dioxygen-Derived Intermediates from Cobalt Analogues.

The isolation, characterization, and dioxygen reactivity of monomeric [(TPA)MII(mandelate)]+ (M = Fe, 1; Co, 3) and dimeric [(BPMEN)2MII2(µ-mandelate)2]2+ (M = Fe, 2; Co, 4) (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and BPMEN = N1,N2-dimethyl-N1,N2-bis(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) complexes are reported. The iron(II)- and cobalt(II)-mandelate complexes react with dioxygen to afford benzaldehyde and benzoic acid in a 1:1 ratio. In the reactions, one oxygen atom from dioxygen is incorporated into benzoic acid, but benzaldehyde does not derive any oxygen atom from dioxygen. While no O2-derived intermediate is observed with the iron(II)-mandelate complexes, the analogous cobalt(II) complexes react with dioxygen at a low temperature (-80 °C) to generate the corresponding cobalt(III)-superoxo species (S), a key intermediate implicated in the initiation of mandelate decarboxylation. At -20 °C, the cobalt(II)-mandelate complexes bind dioxygen reversibly leading to the formation of µ-1,2-peroxo-dicobalt(III)-mandelate species (P). The geometric and electronic structures of the O2-derived intermediates (S and P) have been established by computational studies. The intermediates S and P upon treatment with a protic acid undergo decarboxylation to afford benzaldehyde (50%) with a concomitant formation of the corresponding µ-1,2-peroxo-µ-mandelate-dicobalt(III) (P1) species. The crystal structure of a peroxide species isolated from the cobalt(II)-carboxylate complex [(TPA)CoII(MPA)]+ (5) (MPA = 2-methoxyphenylacetate) supports the composition of P1. The observations of the dioxygen-derived intermediates from cobalt complexes and their electronic structure analyses not only provide information about the nature of active species involved in the decarboxylation of mandelate but also shed light on the mechanistic pathway of two-electron versus four-electron reduction of dioxygen.

The Conversion of Superoxide to Hydroperoxide on Cobalt(III) Depends on the Structural and Electronic Properties of Azole-Based Chelating Ligands.

Conversion from superoxide (O2-) to hydroperoxide (OOH-) on the metal center of oxygenases and oxidases is recognized to be a key step to generating an active species for substrate oxidation. In this study, reactivity of cobalt(III)-superoxido complexes supported by facially-capping tridentate tris(3,5-dimethyl-4-X-pyrazolyl)hydroborate ([HB(pzMe2,X)3]-; TpMe2,X) and bidentate bis(1-methyl-imidazolyl)methylborate ([B(ImN-Me)2Me(Y)]-; LY) ligands toward H-atom donating reagent (2-hydroxy-2-azaadamantane; AZADOL) has been explored. The oxygenation of the cobalt(II) precursors give the corresponding cobalt(III)-superoxido complexes, and the following reaction with AZADOL yield the hydroperoxido species as has been characterized by spectroscopy (UV-vis, resonance Raman, EPR). The reaction of the cobalt(III)-superoxido species and a reducing reagent ([CoII(C5H5)2]; cobaltocene) with proton (trifluoroacetic acid; TFA) also yields the corresponding cobalt(III)-hydroperoxido species. Kinetic analyses of the formation rates of the cobalt(III)-hydroperoxido complexes reveal that second-order rate constants depend on the structural and electronic properties of the cobalt-supporting chelating ligands. An electron-withdrawing ligand opposite to the superoxide accelerates the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction from AZADOL due to an increase in the electrophilicity of the superoxide ligand. Shielding the cobalt center by the alkyl group on the boron center of bis(imidazolyl)borate ligands hinders the approaching of AZADOL to the superoxide, although the steric effect is insignificant.

Controlled Regulation of the Nitrile Activation of a Peroxocobalt(III) Complex with Redox-Inactive Lewis Acidic Metals.

Redox-inactive metal ions play vital roles in biological O2 activation and oxidation reactions of various substrates. Recently, we showed a distinct reactivity of a peroxocobalt(III) complex bearing a tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, [CoIII(TBDAP)(O2)]+ (1) (TBDAP = N,N'-di-tert-butyl-2,11-diaza[3.3](2,6)pyridinophane), toward nitriles that afforded a series of hydroximatocobalt(III) complexes, [CoIII(TBDAP)(R-C(═NO)O)]+ (R = Me (3), Et, and Ph). In this study, we report the effects of redox-inactive metal ions on nitrile activation of 1. In the presence of redox-inactive metal ions such as Zn2+, La3+, Lu3+, and Y3+, the reaction does not form the hydroximatocobalt(III) complex but instead gives peroxyimidatocobalt(III) complexes, [CoIII(TBDAP)(R-C(═NH)O2)]2+ (R = Me (2) and Ph (2Ph)). These new intermediates were characterized by various physicochemical methods including X-ray diffraction analysis. The rates of the formation of 2 are found to correlate with the Lewis acidity of the additive metal ions. Moreover, complex 2 was readily converted to 3 by the addition of a base. In the presence of Al3+, Sc3+, or H+, 1 is converted to [CoIII(TBDAP)(O2H)(MeCN)]2+ (4), and further reaction with nitriles did not occur. These results reveal that the reactivity of the peroxocobalt(III) complex 1 in nitrile activation can be regulated by the redox-inactive metal ions and their Lewis acidity. DFT calculations show that the redox-inactive metal ions stabilize the peroxo character of end-on Co-η1-O2 intermediate through the charge reorganization from a CoII-superoxo to a CoIII-peroxo intermediate. A complete mechanistic model explaining the role of the Lewis acid is presented.

Effect of the Electron Density of the Heme Fe Atom on the Nature of Fe-O2 Bonding in Oxy Myoglobin.

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to characterize oxygenated myoglobins (oxy Mbs) reconstituted with native and chemically modified 57Fe-enriched heme cofactors with different electron densities of the heme Fe atom (ρFe) and to elucidate the effect of a change in the ρFe on the nature of the bond between heme Fe and oxygen (O2), i.e., the Fe-O2 bond, in the protein. Quadrupole splitting (ΔEQ) was found to decrease with decreasing ρFe, and the observed ρFe-dependent ΔEQ confirmed an increase in the contribution of the ferric-superoxide (Fe3+-O2-) form to the resonance hybrid of the Fe-O2 fragment with decreasing ρFe. These observations explicitly accounted for the lowering of O2 affinity of the protein due to an increase in the O2 dissociation rate and a decrease in the autoxidation reaction rate of oxy Mb through decreasing H+ affinity of the bound ligand with decreasing ρFe. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the mechanism underlying the electronic control of O2 affinity and the autoxidation of the protein through the heme electronic structure. Carbon monoxide (CO) adducts of reconstituted Mbs (CO-Mbs) were similarly characterized, and we found that the resonance between the two canonical forms of the Fe-CO fragment was also affected by a change in ρFe. Thus, the nature of the Fe-ligand bond in the protein was found to be affected by the ρFe.

Redox-Inactive Metal Ions That Enhance the Nucleophilic Reactivity of an Alkylperoxocopper(II) Complex.

The importance of redox-inactive metal ions in modulating the reactivity of redox-active biological systems is a subject of great current interest. In this work, the effect of redox-inactive metal ions (M3+ = Sc3+, Y3+, Yb3+, La3+) on the nucleophilic reactivity of a mononuclear ligand-based alkylperoxocopper(II) complex, [Cu(iPr2-tren-C(CH3)2O2)]+ (1), was examined. 1 was prepared by the addition of hydrogen peroxide and triethylamine to the solution of [Cu(iPr3-tren)(CH3CN)]+ (iPr3-tren = tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine) via the formation of [Cu(iPr3-tren)(O2H)]+ (2) in methanol (CH3OH) at 30 °C. 1 was characterized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and spectroscopic methods such as UV-vis, resonance Raman (rR), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). DFT calculations support the electronic structure of 1 with an intermediate geometry between the trigonal-bipyramidal and square-pyramidal geometries, which is consistent with the observed EPR signal exhibiting a signal with g⊥ = 2.03 (A⊥ = 16 G) and g|| = 2.19 (A|| = 158 G). The Cu-O bond stretching frequency of 1 was observed at 507 cm-1 for 16O2 species (486 cm-1 for 18O2 species), and its O-O vibrational energy was determined to be 799 cm-1 for 16O2 species (759 cm-1 for 18O2 species) by rR spectroscopy. The reactivity of 1 was investigated in oxidative nucleophilic reactions. The positive slope of the Hammett plot (ρ = 2.3(1)) with para-substituted benzaldehydes and the reactivity order with 1°-, 2°-, and 3°-CHO demonstrate well the nucleophilic character of this copper(II) ligand-based alkylperoxo complex. The Lewis acidity of M3+ improves the oxidizing ability of 1. The modulated reactivity of 1 with M3+ was revealed to be an opposite trend of the Lewis acidity of M3+ in aldehyde deformylation.

Characterization and Reactivity of a Tetrahedral Copper(II) Alkylperoxido Complex.

A tetrahedral CuII alkylperoxido complex [CuII (TMG3 tach)(OOCm)]+ (1OOCm ) (TMG3 tach={2,2',2''-[(1s,3s,5s)-cyclohexane-1,3,5-triyl]tris-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine)}, OOCm=cumyl peroxide) is prepared and characterized by UV/Vis, cold-spray ionization mass spectroscopy (CSI-MS), resonance Raman, and EPR spectroscopic methods. Product analysis of the self-decomposition reaction of 1OOCm in acetonitrile (MeCN) indicates that the reaction involves O-O bond homolytic cleavage of the peroxide moiety with concomitant C-H bond activation of the solvent molecule. When an external substrate such as 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD) is added, the O-O bond homolysis leads to C-H activation of the substrate. Furthermore, the reaction of 1OOCm with 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol derivatives produces the corresponding phenoxyl radical species (ArO. ) together with a CuI complex through a concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) mechanism. Details of the reaction mechanisms are explored by DFT calculations.

Dinitrogen-Molybdenum Complex Induces Dinitrogen Cleavage by One-Electron Oxidation.

Reported here is the N2 cleavage of a one-electron oxidation reaction using trans-[Mo(depe)2 (N2 )2 ] (1) (depe=Et2 PCH2 CH2 PEt2 ), which is a classical molybdenum(0)-dinitrogen complex supported by two bidentate phosphine ligands. The molybdenum(IV) terminal nitride complex [Mo(depe)2 N][BArf4 ] (2) (BArf4 =B(3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 )4 ) is synthesized by the one-electron oxidation of 1 upon addition of a mild oxidant, [Cp2 Fe][BArf4 ] (Cp=C5 H5 ), and proceeds by N2 cleavage from a MoII -N=N-MoII structure. In addition, the electrochemical oxidation reaction for 1 also cleaved the N2 ligand to give 2. The dimeric Mo complex with a bridging N2 is detected by in situ resonance Raman and in situ UV-vis spectroscopies during the electrochemical oxidation reaction for 1. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the unstable monomeric oxidized MoI species is converted into 2 via the dimeric structure involving a zigzag transition state.

A Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopic Study of Oxy Myoglobins Reconstituted with Chemically Modified Heme Cofactors: Insights into the Fe-O2 Bonding and Internal Dynamics of the Protein.

The molecular mechanism of O2 binding to hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) is a long-standing issue in the field of bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry. The nature of Fe-O2 bond in oxy Hb and Mb had been extensively investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy, which assigned the Fe-O2 stretching bands at ∼570 cm-1. However, resonance Raman assignment of the vibrational mode had been elusive due to the spectroscopic selection rule and to the limited information available about the ground-state molecular structure. Thus, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy was applied to oxy Mbs reconstituted with 57Fe-labeled native heme cofactor and two chemically modified ones. This advanced spectroscopy in conjunction with DFT analyses gave new insights into the nature of the Fe-O2 bond of oxy heme by revealing the effect of heme peripheral substitutions on the vibrational dynamics of heme Fe atom, where the main Fe-O2 stretching band of the native protein was characterized at ∼420 cm-1.

Structure and Reactivity of a Mononuclear Nonheme Manganese(III)-Iodosylarene Complex.

Transition metal-iodosylarene complexes have been proposed to be key intermediates in the catalytic cycles of metal catalysts with iodosylarene. We report the first X-ray crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of a mononuclear nonheme manganese(III)-iodosylarene complex with a tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, [MnIII(TBDAP)(OIPh)(OH)]2+ (2). The manganese(III)-iodosylarene complex is capable of conducting various oxidation reactions with organic substrates, such as C-H bond activation, sulfoxidation and epoxidation. Kinetic studies including isotope labeling experiments and Hammett correlation demonstrate the electrophilic character on the Mn-iodosylarene adduct. This novel intermediate would be prominently valuable for expanding the chemistry of transition metal catalysts.

A Manganese(V)-Oxo Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligand (TAML) Cation Radical Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity Studies.

A mononuclear manganese(V)-oxo complex with tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [MnV (O)(TAML)]- (1), is a sluggish oxidant in oxidation reactions. Herein, a mononuclear manganese(V)-oxo TAML cation radical complex, [MnV (O)(TAML+. )] (2), is reported. It was synthesized by reacting [MnIII (TAML)]- with 3.0 equivalents of [RuIII (bpy)3 ]3+ or upon addition of one-electron oxidant to 1 and then characterized thoroughly with various spectroscopic techniques along with DFT calculations. Although 1 is a sluggish oxidant, 2 is a strong oxidant capable of activating C-H bonds of hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrogen atom transfer reaction) and transferring its oxygen atom to thioanisoles and olefins (i.e., oxygen atom transfer reaction).

Dinitrogen Fixation by Vanadium Complexes with a Triamidoamine Ligand.

Dinitrogen-divanadium complexes with triamidoamine ligands, 1-3, were synthesized and characterized by resonance Raman, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy and elemental and X-ray structure analyses. X-ray structure analyses reveal that all three of the complexes have a dimeric structure with a µ-N2 ligand (N-N bond length 1.200-1.221 Å). Resonance Raman and NMR spectra of 1-3 in solution show that these complexes maintain a dimeric structure in benzene and toluene solutions. 15N NMR spectra of 1 and 3 have peaks assignable to µ-N2 ligands at 33.4 and 27.6 ppm, respectively, but 2 does not have a similar peak under the same conditions. In 51V NMR spectra, the peaks of vanadium ions were observed at -173.3, -143.8, and -240.2 ppm, respectively, which are in a higher magnetic field region in comparison to those of dinitrogen-divanadium complexes reported previously. The structure and electronic properties of 1 are supported by DFT calculations. Additionally, all complexes react with excess amounts of M[C10H8] (M = Na, K) and the proton sources HOTf, HCl, and [LutH]OTf (Lut = 2,6-dimethylpyridine) to produce ammonia without hydrazine. The ammonia produced was evaluated as an ammonium salt by 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopy. The yield of NH3 produced in the reaction of 1 with Na[C10H8] and HOTf under N2 was 151% (per V atom).

Mn(III)-Iodosylarene Porphyrins as an Active Oxidant in Oxidation Reactions: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity Studies.

Mn(III)-iodosylarene porphyrin adducts, [Mn(III)(ArIO)(Porp)]+, were synthesized by reacting electron-deficient Mn(III) porphyrin complexes with iodosylarene (ArIO) at -60 °C and characterized using various spectroscopic methods. The [Mn(III)(ArIO)(Porp)]+ species were then investigated in the epoxidation of olefins under stoichiometric conditions. In the epoxidation of olefins by the Mn(III)-iodosylarene porphyrin species, epoxide was formed as the sole product with high chemoselectivities and stereoselectivities. For example, cyclohexene oxide was formed exclusively with trace amounts of allylic oxidation products; cis- and trans-stilbenes were oxidized to the corresponding cis- and trans-stilbene oxides, respectively. In the catalytic epoxidation of cyclohexene by an electron-deficient Mn(III) porphyrin complex and sPhIO at low temperature (e.g., -60 °C), the Mn(III)-iodosylarene porphyrin species was evidenced as the active oxidant that effects the olefin epoxidation to give epoxide as the product. However, at high temperature (e.g., 0 °C) or in the case of using an electron-rich manganese(III) porphyrin catalyst, allylic oxidation products, along with cyclohexene oxide, were yielded, indicating that the active oxidant(s) was not the Mn(III)-iodosylarene adduct but probably high-valent Mn-oxo species in the catalytic reactions. We also report the conversion of the Mn(III)-iodosylarene porphyrins to high-valent Mn-oxo porphyrins under various conditions, such as at high temperature, with electron-rich porphyrin ligand, and in the presence of base (OH-). The present study reports the first example of spectroscopically well-characterized Mn(III)-iodosylarene porphyrin species being an active oxidant in the stoichiometric and catalytic oxidation reactions. Other aspects, such as one oxidant versus multiple oxidants debate, also were discussed.

Feasibility study of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in patients with biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant chemotherapy has not yet been established for patients with resected biliary tract cancer. S-1 has been shown to exert activity against advanced biliary tract cancer. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in patients with resected biliary tract cancer. METHODS: Patients with complete macroscopic resection of intrahepatic/extrahepatic bile duct, gall bladder, or ampullary cancer were eligible. S-1 was administered orally twice daily for 4 weeks every 6 weeks, up to 4 cycles. The treatment was continued up to 24 weeks or until recurrence/appearance of unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was the treatment completion rate, which was defined as the percentage of patients who received a relative dose intensity of ≥ 75%. This trial was registered as UMIN000004051. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were enrolled between June 2010 and March 2011. The relative dose intensity was ≥ 75% in 27 patients representing a treatment completion rate of 81.8%. The most common grade 3/4 adverse event was neutropenia (18%). Grade 2 nausea or diarrhea was observed in 12%. The 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 39.4%. The 3-year survival rate was 54.5%. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is feasible treatment in patients with resected biliary tract cancer. It is necessary to conduct a phase III study to confirm the efficacy of adjuvant therapy of S-1 in patients with resected BTC.

A Bis(µ-oxido)dinickel(III) Complex with a Triplet Ground State.

A bis(µ-oxido)dinickel(III) complex was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, resonance Raman, and ESI-mass measurements. Magnetic susceptibility measurements by SQUID and EPR spectroscopy reveal that the complex has a triplet ground state, which is unprecedented for high-valent metal (M) complexes with [M2 (µ-O)2 ] diamond core. DFT studies indicate ferromagnetic coupling of the nickel(III) centers. The complex exhibits hydrogen abstraction reactivity and oxygenation reactivity toward external substrates.

Distinct Reactivity of a Mononuclear Peroxocobalt(III) Species toward Activation of Nitriles.

A mononuclear side-on peroxocobalt(III) complex with a tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, [CoIII(TBDAP)(O2)]+ (1), shows a novel and facile mode of dioxygenase-like reactivity with nitriles (R-C≡N; R = Me, Et, and Ph) to produce the corresponding mononuclear hydroximatocobalt(III) complexes, [CoIII(TBDAP)(R-C(═NO)O)]+, in which the nitrile moiety is oxidized by two oxygen atoms of the peroxo group. The overall reaction proceeds in one-pot under ambient conditions (ca. 1 h, 40 °C). 18O-Labeling experiments confirm that both oxygen atoms are derived from the peroxo ligand. The structures of all products, hydroximatocobalt(III) complexes, were confirmed by X-ray crystallography and various spectroscopic techniques. Kinetic studies including the Hammett analysis and isotope labeling experiments suggest that the mechanistic mode of 1 for activation of nitriles occurs via a concerted mechanism. This novel reaction would be significantly valuable for expanding the chemistry for nitrile activation and utilization.

Achieving One-Electron Oxidation of a Mononuclear Nonheme Iron(V)-Imido Complex.

A mononuclear nonheme iron(V)-imido complex bearing a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [FeV(NTs)(TAML)]- (1), was oxidized by one-electron oxidants, affording formation of an iron(V)-imido TAML cation radical species, [FeV(NTs)(TAML+•)] (2); 2 is a diamagnetic (S = 0) complex, resulting from the antiferromagnetic coupling of the low-spin iron(V) ion (S = 1/2) with the one-electron oxidized ligand (TAML+•). 2 is a competent oxidant in C-H bond functionalization and nitrene transfer reaction, showing that the reactivity of 2 is greater than that of 1.

Dioxygen Activation and O-O Bond Formation Reactions by Manganese Corroles.

Activation of dioxygen (O2) in enzymatic and biomimetic reactions has been intensively investigated over the past several decades. More recently, O-O bond formation, which is the reverse of the O2-activation reaction, has been the focus of current research. Herein, we report the O2-activation and O-O bond formation reactions by manganese corrole complexes. In the O2-activation reaction, Mn(V)-oxo and Mn(IV)-peroxo intermediates were formed when Mn(III) corroles were exposed to O2 in the presence of base (e.g., OH-) and hydrogen atom (H atom) donor (e.g., THF or cyclic olefins); the O2-activation reaction did not occur in the absence of base and H atom donor. Moreover, formation of the Mn(V)-oxo and Mn(IV)-peroxo species was dependent on the amounts of base present in the reaction solution. The role of the base was proposed to lower the oxidation potential of the Mn(III) corroles, thereby facilitating the binding of O2 and forming a Mn(IV)-superoxo species. The putative Mn(IV)-superoxo species was then converted to the corresponding Mn(IV)-hydroperoxo species by abstracting a H atom from H atom donor, followed by the O-O bond cleavage of the putative Mn(IV)-hydroperoxo species to form a Mn(V)-oxo species. We have also shown that addition of hydroxide ion to the Mn(V)-oxo species afforded the Mn(IV)-peroxo species via O-O bond formation and the resulting Mn(IV)-peroxo species reverted to the Mn(V)-oxo species upon addition of proton, indicating that the O-O bond formation and cleavage reactions between the Mn(V)-oxo and Mn(IV)-peroxo complexes are reversible. The present study reports the first example of using the same manganese complex in both O2-activation and O-O bond formation reactions.

A Mononuclear Nonheme Iron(V)-Imido Complex.

Mononuclear nonheme iron(V)-oxo complexes have been reported previously. Herein, we report the first example of a mononuclear nonheme iron(V)-imido complex bearing a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), [(TAML)FeV(NTs)]- (1). The spectroscopic characterization of 1 revealed an S = 1/2 Fe(V) oxidation state, an Fe-N bond length of 1.65(4) Å, and an Fe-N vibration at 817 cm-1. The reactivity of 1 was demonstrated in C-H bond functionalization and nitrene transfer reactions.

Structure and properties of the catalytic site of nitric oxide reductase at ambient temperature.

Nitric oxide reductase (Nor) is the third of the four enzymes of bacterial denitrification responsible for the catalytic formation of laughing gas (N2O). Here we report the detection of the hyponitrite (HO-N=N-O(-)) species (νN-N=1332cm(-1)) in the heme b3 Fe-FeB dinuclear center of Nor from Paracoccus denitrificans. We have also applied density functional theory (DFT) to characterize the bimetallic-bridging hyponitrite species in the reduction of NO to N2O by Nor and compare the present results with those recently reported for the N-N bond formation in the ba3 and caa3 oxidoreductases from Thermus thermophilus.

The secondary coordination sphere and axial ligand effects on oxygen reduction reaction by iron porphyrins: a DFT computational study.

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by a bio-inspired iron porphyrin bearing a hanging carboxylic acid group over the porphyrin ring, and a tethered axial imidazole ligand was studied by DFT calculations. BP86 free energy calculations of the redox potentials and pK a's of reaction components involved in the proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions of the ferric-hydroxo and -superoxo complexes were performed based on Born-Haber thermodynamic cycle in conjunction with a continuum solvation model. The comparison was made with iron porphyrins that lack either in the hanging acid group or axial ligand, suggesting that H-bond interaction between the carboxylic acid and iron-bound hydroxo, aquo, superoxo, and peroxo ligands (de)stabilizes the Fe-O bonding, resulting in the increase in the reduction potential of the ferric complexes. The axial ligand interaction with the imidazole raises the affinity of the iron-bound superoxo and peroxo ligands for proton. In addition, a low-spin end-on ferric-hydroperoxo intermediate, a key precursor for O-O cleavage, can be stabilized in the presence of axial ligation. Thus, selective and efficient ORR of iron porphyrin can be achieved with the aid of the secondary coordination sphere and axial ligand interactions.