Simultaneous nitrosylation and N-nitrosation of a Ni-thiolate model complex of Ni-containing SOD.

Nitric oxide (NO) is used as a substrate analogue/spectroscopic probe of metal sites that bind and activate oxygen and its derivatives. To assess the interaction of superoxide with the Ni center in Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD), we studied the reaction of NO+ and NO with the model complex, Et4N[Ni(nmp)(SPh-o-NH2-p-CF3)] (1; nmp2- = dianion of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)picolinamide; -SPh-o-NH2-p-CF3 = 2-amino-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenethiolate) and its oxidized analogue 1ox , respectively. The ultimate products of these reactions are the disulfide of -SPh-o-NH2-p-CF3 and the S,S-bridged tetrameric complex [Ni4(nmp)4], a result of S-based redox activity. However, introduction of NO to 1 affords the green dimeric {NiNO}10 complex (Et4N)2[{Ni(κ2-SPh-o-NNO-p-CF3)(NO)}2] (2) via NO-induced loss of nmp2- as the disulfide and N-nitrosation of the aromatic thiolate. Complex 2 was characterized by X-ray crystallography and several spectroscopies. These measurements are in-line with other tetrahedral complexes in the {NiNO}10 classification. In contrast to the established stability of this metal-nitrosyl class, the Ni-NO bond of 2 is labile and release of NO from this unit was quantified by trapping the NO with a CoII-porphyrin (70-80% yield). In the process, the Ni ends up coordinated by two o-nitrosaminobenzenethiolato ligands to result in the structurally characterized trans-(Et4N)2[Ni(SPh-o-NNO-p-CF3)2] (3), likely by a disproportionation mechanism. The isolation and characterization of 2 and 3 suggest that: (i) the strongly donating thiolates dominate the electronic structure of Ni-nitrosyls that result in less covalent Ni-NO bonds, and (ii) superoxide undergoes disproportionation via an outer-sphere mechanism in NiSOD as complexes in the {NiNO}9/8 state have yet to be isolated.

Steric Enforcement about One Thiolate Donor Leads to New Oxidation Chemistry in a NiSOD Model Complex.

Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) represents an unusual member of the SOD family due to the presence of oxygen-sensitive Ni-SCys bonds at its active site. Reported in this account is the synthesis and properties of the NiII complex of the N3S2 ligand [N3S2Me2]3- ([N3S2Me2]3- = deprotonated form of 2-((2-mercapto-2-methylpropyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)-N-(2-mercaptoethyl)acetamide), namely Na[Ni(N3S2Me2)] (2), as a NiSOD model that features sterically robust gem-(CH3)2 groups on the thiolate α-C positioned trans to the carboxamide. The crystal structure of 2, coupled with spectroscopic measurements from 1H NMR, X-ray absorption, IR, UV-vis, and mass spectrometry (MS), reveal a planar NiII (S = 0) ion coordinated by only the N2S2 basal donors of the N3S2 ligand. While the structure and spectroscopic properties of 2 resemble those of NiSODred and other models, the asymmetric S ligands open up new reaction paths upon chemical oxidation. One unusual oxidation product is the planar NiII-N3S complex [Ni(Lox)] (5; Lox = 2-(5,5-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazolidin-3-yl)-N-(2-mercaptoethyl)acetamide), where two-electron oxidation takes place at the substituted thiolate and py-CH2 carbon to generate a thiazolidine heterocycle. Electrochemical measurements of 2 reveal irreversible events wholly consistent with thiolate redox, which were identified by comparison to the ZnII complex Na[Zn(N3S2Me2)] (3). Although no reaction is observed between 2 and azide, reaction of 2 with superoxide produces multiple products on the basis of UV-vis and MS data, one of which is 5. Density functional theory (DFT) computations suggest that the HOMO in 2 is π* with primary contributions from Ni-dπ/S-pπ orbitals. These contributions can be modulated and biased toward Ni when electron-withdrawing groups are placed on the thiolate α-C. Analysis of the oxidized five-coordinate species 2ox* by DFT reveal a singly occupied spin-up (α) MO that is largely thiolate based, which supports the proposed NiIII-thiolate/NiII-thiyl radical intermediates that ultimately yield 5 and other products.

Synthesis and Speciation-Dependent Properties of a Multimetallic Model Complex of NiSOD That Exhibits Unique Hydrogen-Bonding.

The complex Na3[{NiII(nmp)}3S3BTAalk)] (1) (nmp2- = deprotonated form of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)picolinamide; H3S3BTAalk = N1,N3,N5-tris(2-mercaptoethyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide, where H = dissociable protons), supported by the thiolate-benzenetricarboxamide scaffold (S3BTAalk), has been synthesized as a trimetallic model of nickel-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and 1H NMR measurements on 1 indicate that the NiII centers are square-planar with N2S2 coordination, and Ni-N and Ni-S distances of 1.95 and 2.16 Å, respectively. Additional evidence from IR indicates the presence of H-bonds in 1 from the approximately -200 cm-1 shift in νNH from free ligand. The presence of H-bonds allows for speciation that is temperature-, concentration-, and solvent-dependent. In unbuffered water and at low temperature, a dimeric complex (1A; λ = 410 nm) that aggregates through intermolecular NH···O═C bonds of BTA units is observed. Dissolution of 1 in pH 7.4 buffer or in unbuffered water at temperatures above 50 °C results in monomeric complex (1M; λ = 367 nm) linked through intramolecular NH···S bonds. DFT computations indicate a low energy barrier between 1A and 1M with nearly identical frontier MOs and Ni-ligand metrics. Notably, 1A and 1M exhibit remarkable stability in protic solvents such as MeOH and H2O, in stark contrast to monometallic [NiII(nmp)(SR)]- complexes. The reactivity of 1 with excess O2, H2O2, and O2•- is species-dependent. IR and UV-vis reveal that 1A in MeOH reacts with excess O2 to yield an S-bound sulfinate, but does not react with O2•-. In contrast, 1M is stable to O2 in pH 7.4 buffer, but reacts with O2•- to yield a putative [NiII(nmp)(O2)]- complex from release of the BTA-thiolate based on EPR.

Synthesis of Co(II)-NO(-) Complexes and Their Reactivity as a Source of Nitroxyl.

Metal-nitroxyl (M-HNO/M-NO(-)) coordination units are found in denitrification enzymes of the global nitrogen cycle, and free HNO exhibits pharmacological properties related to cardiovascular physiology that are distinct from nitric oxide (NO). To elucidate the properties that control the binding and release of coordinated nitroxyl or its anion at these biological metal sites, we synthesized {CoNO}(8) (1, 2) and {CoNO}(9) (3, 4) complexes that contain diimine-dipyrrolide supporting ligands. Experimental (NMR, IR, MS, EPR, XAS, XRD) and computational data (DFT) support an oxidation state assignment for 3 and 4 of high spin Co(II) (SCo = 3/2) coordinated to (3)NO(-) (SNO = 1) for Stot = 1/2. As suggested by DFT, upon protonation, a spin transition occurs to generate a putative low spin Co(II)-(1)HNO (SCo = Stot = 1/2); the Co-NO bond is ∼0.2 Šlonger, more labile, and facilitates the release of HNO. This property was confirmed experimentally through the detection and quantification of N2O (∼70% yield), a byproduct of the established HNO self-reaction (2HNO → N2O + H2O). Additionally, 3 and 4 function as HNO donors in aqueous media at pH 7.4 and react with known HNO targets, such as a water-soluble Mn(III)-porphyrin ([Mn(III)(TPPS)](3-); TPPS = meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinate) and ferric myoglobin (metMb) to quantitatively yield [Mn(TPPS)(NO)](4-) and MbNO, respectively.

Combined Mössbauer Spectral and Density Functional Study of an Eight-Coordinate Iron(II) Complex.

The iron-57 Mössbauer spectra of the eight-coordinate complex, [Fe(L(N4))2](BF4)2, where L(N4) is the tetradentate N(1)(E),N(2)(E)-bis[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methylene]-1,2-benzenediimine ligand, have been measured between 4.2 and 295 K and fit with a quadrupole doublet. The fit at 4.2 K yields an isomer shift, δ(Fe), of 1.260(1) mm/s and a quadrupole splitting, ΔE(Q), of 3.854(2) mm/s, values that are typical of a high-spin iron(II) complex. The temperature dependence of the isomer shift yields a Mössbauer temperature, Θ(M), of 319(27) K and the temperature dependence of the logarithm of the Mössbauer spectral absorption area yields a Debye temperature, Θ(D), of 131(6) K, values that are indicative of high-spin iron(II). Nonrelativistic single point density functional calculations with the B3LYP functional, the full 6-311++G(d,p) basis set, and the known X-ray structures for [Mn(L(N4))2](2+), [Mn(L(N4))2](ClO4)2, 1, [Fe(L(N4))2](2+), and [Fe(L(N4))2](BF4)2, 2, yield small electric field gradients for the manganese(II) complexes and electric field gradients and s-electron densities at the iron-57 nuclide that are in good to excellent agreement with the Mössbauer spectral parameters. The structure of 2 with a distorted square-antiprism C1 iron(II) coordination symmetry exhibits four different Fe-N(imid) bonds to the imidazole nitrogens with an average bond distance of 2.253(2) Å and four different Fe-N(imine) bonds to the benzenediimine nitrogens, with an average bond distance of 2.432(2) Å; this large difference yields the large observed ΔE(Q). An optimization of the [Fe(L(N4))2](2+) structure leads to a highly symmetric eight-coordination environment with S4 symmetry and four equivalent Fe-N(imid) bond distances of 2.301(2) Å and four equivalent Fe-N(imine) bond distances of 2.487(2) Å. In contrast, an optimization of the [Mn(LN4)2](2+) structure leads to an eight-coordination manganese(II) environment with D(2d) symmetry and four equivalent Mn-N(imid) bond distances of 2.350(3) Å and four equivalent Mn-N(imine) bond distances of 2.565(3) Å.

Overview and new insights into the thiol reactivity of coordinated NO in {MNO}(6/7/8) (M = Fe, Co) complexes.

The reactivity of free NO (NO(+), NO(•), and NO(-)) with thiols (RSH) is relatively well understood, and the oxidation state of the NO moiety generally determines the outcome of the reaction. However, NO/RSH interactions are often mediated at metal centers, and the fate of these species when bound to a first-row transition metal (e.g., Fe, Co) deserves further investigation. Some metal-bound NO moieties (particularly NO(+), yielding S-nitrosothiols) have been more thoroughly studied, yet the fate of these species remains highly condition-dependent and, for M-NO(-), an unexplored field. Herein, we present an overview of thiol reactions with metal nitrosyls that result in N-O bond activation, ligand substitution on {MNO} fragments, and/or redox chemistry. We also present our results pertaining to the thiol reactivity of nonheme {FeNO}(7/8) complexes [Fe(LN4(pr))(NO)](-/0) (1 and 2) and the noncorrin {CoNO}(8) complex [Co(LN4(pr))(NO)] (3), an isoelectronic analogue of the {FeNO}(8) complex 1. Among other products, the reaction of 1 with p-ClPhSH affords [Fe2(µ-SPh-p-Cl)2(NO)4](-) (anion of 6), a reduced Roussin's red ester (rRRE), which was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X-ray diffraction. Similarly, the reaction of 1 with glutathione in buffer affords the corresponding rRRE, which has also been spectroscopically characterized by EPR and UV-vis. The oxidation states of the metals and nitrosyls both contribute to the complex nature of these interactions, and as such, we discuss the varying product distribution accordingly. These studies shed insight into the products that may form through MNO/RSH interactions that lead to NOx activation and {MNO} redox.

Accessing Ni(III)-thiolate versus Ni(II)-thiyl bonding in a family of Ni-N2S2 synthetic models of NiSOD.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes the disproportionation of superoxide (O2(• -)) into H2O2 and O2(g) by toggling through different oxidation states of a first-row transition metal ion at its active site. Ni-containing SODs (NiSODs) are a distinct class of this family of metalloenzymes due to the unusual coordination sphere that is comprised of mixed N/S-ligands from peptide-N and cysteine-S donor atoms. A central goal of our research is to understand the factors that govern reactive oxygen species (ROS) stability of the Ni-S(Cys) bond in NiSOD utilizing a synthetic model approach. In light of the reactivity of metal-coordinated thiolates to ROS, several hypotheses have been proffered and include the coordination of His1-Nδ to the Ni(II) and Ni(III) forms of NiSOD, as well as hydrogen bonding or full protonation of a coordinated S(Cys). In this work, we present NiSOD analogues of the general formula [Ni(N2S)(SR')](-), providing a variable location (SR' = aryl thiolate) in the N2S2 basal plane coordination sphere where we have introduced o-amino and/or electron-withdrawing groups to intercept an oxidized Ni species. The synthesis, structure, and properties of the NiSOD model complexes (Et4N)[Ni(nmp)(SPh-o-NH2)] (2), (Et4N)[Ni(nmp)(SPh-o-NH2-p-CF3)] (3), (Et4N)[Ni(nmp)(SPh-p-NH2)] (4), and (Et4N)[Ni(nmp)(SPh-p-CF3)] (5) (nmp(2-) = dianion of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)picolinamide) are reported. NiSOD model complexes with amino groups positioned ortho to the aryl-S in SR' (2 and 3) afford oxidized species (2(ox) and 3(ox)) that are best described as a resonance hybrid between Ni(III)-SR and Ni(II)-(•)SR based on ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results presented here, demonstrating the high percentage of S(3p) character in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the four-coordinate reduced form of NiSOD (NiSODred), suggest that the transition from NiSODred to the five-coordinate oxidized form of NiSOD (NiSODox) may go through a four-coordinate Ni-(•)S(Cys) (NiSODox-Hisoff) that is stabilized by coordination to Ni(II).

Square-antiprismatic eight-coordinate complexes of divalent first-row transition metal cations: a density functional theory exploration of the electronic-structural landscape.

Density functional theory (in the form of the PW91, BP86, OLYP, and B3LYP exchange-correlation functionals) has been used to map out the low-energy states of a series of eight-coordinate square-antiprismatic (D2d) first-row transition metal complexes, involving Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), along with a pair of tetradentate N4 ligands. Of the five complexes, the Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized structurally and spectroscopically, whereas the other three are as yet unknown. Each N4 ligand consists of a pair of terminal imidazole units linked by an o-phenylenediimine unit. The imidazole units are the strongest ligands in these complexes and dictate the spatial disposition of the metal three-dimensional orbitals. Thus, the dx(2)-y(2) orbital, whose lobes point directly at the coordinating imidazole nitrogens, has the highest orbital energy among the five d orbitals, whereas the dxy orbital has the lowest orbital energy. In general, the following orbital ordering (in order of increasing orbital energy) was found to be operative: dxy < dxz = dyz ≤ dz(2) < dx(2)-y(2). The square-antiprism geometry does not lead to large energy gaps between the d orbitals, which leads to an S = 2 ground state for the Fe(II) complex. Nevertheless, the dxy orbital has significantly lower energy relative to that of the dxz and dyz orbitals. Accordingly, the ground state of the Fe(II) complex corresponds unambiguously to a dxy(2)dxz(1)dyz(1)dz(2)(1)dx(2)-y(2)(1) electronic configuration. Unsurprisingly, the Mn(II) complex has an S = 5/2 ground state and no low-energy d-d excited states within 1.0 eV of the ground state. The Co(II) complex, on the other hand, has both a low-lying S = 1/2 state and multiple low-energy S = 3/2 states. Very long metal-nitrogen bonds are predicted for the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes; these bonds may be too fragile to survive in solution or in the solid state, and the complexes may therefore not be isolable. Overall, the different exchange-correlation functionals provided a qualitatively consistent and plausible picture of the low-energy d-d excited states of the complexes.

NO2(-) activation and reduction to NO by a nonheme Fe(NO2)2 complex.

The selective reduction of nitrite (NO2(-)) to nitric oxide (NO) is a fundamentally important chemical transformation related to environmental remediation of NOx and mammalian blood flow. We report the synthesis and characterization of two nonheme Fe complexes, [Fe(LN4(Im))(MeCN)2](BF4)2 (1(MeCN)) and [Fe(LN4(Im))(NO2)2] (2), geared toward understanding the NO2(-) to NO conversion. Complex 2 represents the first structurally characterized Fe(II) complex with two axial NO2(-) ligands that functions as a nitrite reduction catalyst.

Proton-induced reactivity of NO⁻ from a {CoNO}8 complex.

Research on the one-electron reduced analogue of NO, namely nitroxyl (HNO/NO(-)), has revealed distinguishing properties regarding its utility as a therapeutic. However, the fleeting nature of HNO requires the design of donor molecules. Metal nitrosyl (MNO) complexes could serve as potential HNO donors. The synthesis, spectroscopic/structural characterization, and HNO donor properties of a {CoNO}(8) complex in a pyrrole/imine ligand frame are reported. The {CoNO}(8) complex [Co(LN4(PhCl))(NO)] (1) does not react with established HNO targets such as Fe(III) hemes or Ph3P. However, in the presence of stoichiometric H(+) 1 behaves as an HNO donor. Complex 1 readily reacts with [Fe(TPP)Cl] or Ph3P to afford the {FeNO}(7) porphyrin or Ph3P═O/Ph3P═NH, respectively. In the absence of an HNO target, the {Co(NO)2}(10) dinitrosyl (3) is the end product. Complex 1 also reacts with O2 to yield the corresponding Co(III)-η(1)-ONO2 (2) nitrato analogue. This report is the first to suggest an HNO donor role for {CoNO}(8) with biotargets such as Fe(III)-porphyrins.

Synthesis and properties of arsenic(III)-reactive coumarin-appended benzothiazolines: a new approach for inorganic arsenic detection.

The EPA has established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 ppb for arsenic (As) in drinking water requiring sensitive and selective detection methodologies. To tackle this challenge, we have been active in constructing small molecules that react specifically with As(3+) to furnish a new fluorescent species (termed a chemodosimeter). We report in this contribution, the synthesis and spectroscopy of two small-molecule fluorescent probes that we term ArsenoFluors (or AFs) as As-specific chemodosimeters. The AFs (AF1 and AF2) incorporate a coumarin fluorescent reporter coupled with an As-reactive benzothiazoline functional group. AFs react with As(3+) to yield the highly fluorescent coumarin-6 dye (C6) resulting in a 20-25-fold fluorescence enhancement at λem ∼ 500 nm with detection limits of 0.14-0.23 ppb in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 298 K. The AFs also react with common environmental As(3+) sources such as sodium arsenite in a THF/CHES (N-cyclohexyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) (1:1, pH 9, 298 K) mixture resulting in a modest fluorescence turn-ON (1.5- to 3-fold) due to the quenched nature of coumarin-6 derivatives in high polarity solvents. Bulk analysis of the reaction of the AFs with As(3+) revealed that the C6 derivatives and the Schiff-base disulfide of the AFs (SB1 and SB2) are the ultimate end-products of this chemistry with the formation of C6 being the principle photoproduct responsible for the As(3+)-specific turn-ON. It appears that a likely species that is traversed in the reaction path is an As-hydride-ligand complex that is a putative intermediate in the proposed reaction path.

Synthesis, properties, and reactivity of a series of non-heme {FeNO}(7/8) complexes: implications for Fe-nitroxyl coordination.

The biochemical properties of nitroxyl (HNO/NO(-)) are distinct from nitric oxide (NO). Metal centers, particularly Fe, appear as suitable sites of HNO activity, both for generation and targeting. Furthermore, reduced Fe-NO(-)/Fe-HNO or {FeNO}(8) (Enemark-Feltham notation) species offer unique bonding profiles that are of fundamental importance. Given the unique chemical properties of {FeNO}(8) systems, we describe herein the synthesis and properties of {FeNO}(7) and {FeNO}(8) non-heme complexes containing pyrrole donors that display heme-like properties, namely [Fe(LN(4)(R))(NO)] (R = C(6)H(4) or Ph for 3; and R = 4,5-Cl(2)C(6)H(2) or PhCl for 4) and K[Fe(LN(4)(R))(NO)] (R = Ph for 5; R = PhCl for 6). X-ray crystallography establishes that the Fe-N-O angle is ~155° for 3, which is atypical for low-spin square-pyramidal {FeNO}(7) species. Both 3 and 4 display ν(NO) at ~1700 cm(-1) in the IR and reversible diffusion-controlled cyclic voltammograms (CVs) (E(1/2)=~-1.20 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) (ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple) in MeCN) suggesting that the {FeNO}(8) compounds 5 and 6 are stable on the CV timescale. Reduction of 3 and 4 with stoichiometric KC(8) provided the {FeNO}(8) compounds 5 and 6 in near quantitative yield, which were characterized by the shift in ν(NO) to 1667 and ~1580 cm(-1), respectively. While the ν(NO) for 6 is consistent with FeNO reduction, the ν(NO) for 5 appears more indicative of ligand-based reduction. Additionally, 5 and 6 engage in HNO-like chemistry in their reactions with ferric porphyrins [Fe(III)(TPP)X] (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin; X = Cl(-), OTf(-) (trifluoromethanesulfonate anion or CF(3)SO(3)(-))) to form [Fe(TPP)NO] in stoichiometric yield via reductive nitrosylation.

Synthetic analogues of nickel superoxide dismutase: a new role for nickel in biology.

Nickel-containing superoxide dismutases (NiSODs) represent a novel approach to the detoxification of superoxide in biology and thus contribute to the biodiversity of mechanisms for the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While Ni ions play critical roles in anaerobic microbial redox (hydrogenases and CO dehydrogenase/acetyl coenzyme A synthase), they have never been associated with oxygen metabolism. Several SODs have been characterized from numerous sources and are classified by their catalytic metal as Cu/ZnSOD, MnSOD, or FeSOD. Whereas aqueous solutions of Cu(II), Mn(II), and Fe(II) ions are capable of catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide, solutions of Ni(II) are not. Nonetheless, NiSOD catalyzes the reaction at the diffusion-controlled limit (~10(9) M(-1) s(-1)). To do this, nature has created a Ni coordination unit with the appropriate Ni(III/II) redox potential (~0.090 V vs Ag/AgCl). This potential is achieved by a unique ligand set comprised of residues from the N-terminus of the protein: Cys2 and Cys6 thiolates, the amino terminus and imidazole side chain of His1, and a peptide N-donor from Cys2. Over the past several years, synthetic modeling efforts by several groups have provided insight into understanding the intrinsic properties of this unusual Ni coordination site. Such analogues have revealed information regarding the (i) electrochemical properties that support Ni-based redox, (ii) oxidative protection and/or stability of the coordinated CysS ligands, (iii) probable H(+) sources for H(2)O(2) formation, and (iv) nature of the Ni coordination geometry throughout catalysis. This review includes the results and implications of such biomimetic work as it pertains to the structure and function of NiSOD.

Exploring the intermediates of photochemical CO2 reduction: reaction of Re(dmb)(CO)3 COOH with CO2.

We have investigated the reaction of Re(dmb)(CO)(3)COOH with CO(2) using density functional theory, and propose a mechanism for the production of CO. This mechanism supports the role of Re(dmb)(CO)(3)COOH as a key intermediate in the formation of CO. Our new experimental work supports the proposed scheme.

A sensitive and selective fluorescence sensor for the detection of arsenic(III) in organic media.

Arsenic contamination is a leading environmental problem. As such, levels of this toxic metalloid must be constantly monitored by reliable and low-cost methodologies. Because the currently accepted upper limit for arsenic in water is 10 ppb, very sensitive and selective detection strategies must be developed. Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of a fluorescent chemical probe, namely, ArsenoFluor1, which is the first example of a chemosensor for As(3+) detection in organic solvents at 298 K. AF1 exhibits a 25-fold fluorescence increase in the presence of As(3+) at λ(em) = 496 nm in THF, which is selective for As(3+) over other biologically relevant ions (such as Na(+), Mg(2+), Fe(2+), and Zn(2+)) and displays a sub-ppb detection limit.

Dipeptide-based models of nickel superoxide dismutase: solvent effects highlight a critical role to Ni-S bonding and active site stabilization.

Nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) catalyzes the disproportionation of the superoxide radical to O(2) and H(2)O(2) utilizing the Ni(III/II) redox couple. The Ni center in Ni-SOD resides in an unusual coordination environment that is distinct from other SODs. In the reduced state (Ni-SOD(red)), Ni(II) is ligated to a primary amine-N from His1, anionic carboxamido-N/thiolato-S from Cys2, and a second thiolato-S from Cys6 to complete a NiN(2)S(2) square-planar coordination motif. Utilizing the dipeptide N(2)S(2-) ligand, H(2)N-Gly-l-Cys-OMe (GC-OMeH(2)), an accurate model of the structural and electronic contributions provided by His1 and Cys2 in Ni-SOD(red), we constructed the dinuclear sulfur-bridged metallosynthon, [Ni(2)(GC-OMe)(2)] (1). From 1 we prepared the following monomeric Ni(II)-N(2)S(2) complexes: K[Ni(GC-OMe)(SC(6)H(4)-p-Cl)] (2), K[Ni(GC-OMe)(S(t)Bu)] (3), K[Ni(GC-OMe)(SC(6)H(4)-p-OMe)] (4), and K[Ni(GC-OMe)(SNAc)] (5). The design strategy in utilizing GC-OMe(2-) is analogous to one which we reported before (see Inorg. Chem. 2009, 48, 5620 and Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 7080) where Ni-SOD(red) active site mimics can be assembled at will with electronically variant RS(-) ligands. Discussed herein is our initial account pertaining to the aqueous behavior of isolable, small-molecule Ni-SOD model complexes (non-maquette based). Spectroscopic (FTIR, UV-vis, ESI-MS, XAS) and electrochemical (CV) measurements suggest that 2-5 successfully simulate many of the electronic features of Ni-SOD(red). Furthermore, the aqueous studies reveal a dynamic behavior with regard to RS(-) lability and bridging interactions, suggesting a stabilizing role brought about by the protein architecture.

Toward functional Ni-SOD biomimetics: achieving a structural/electronic correlation with redox dynamics.

We have prepared and characterized a Ni complex with an N(3)S(2) ligand set (1) that represents the first isolable synthetic model of the reduced form of the Ni-SOD (SOD = superoxide dismutase) active site featuring all relevant donor functionality in the proper spatial distribution. As revealed by X-ray crystallography, the axial py-N donor of 1 does not bind Ni(II) in the solid state or in solution like SOD. Oxidation of 1 provides a disulfide-linked dinuclear species, [{Ni(N(3)S(2))}(2)] (2), which we have isolated and characterized. Moreover, the 1 → 2 conversion is reversible, much like redox cycling in the enzyme.

Structure and properties of an eight-coordinate Mn(II) complex that demonstrates a high water relaxivity.

An air-stable eight-coordinate (8C) Mn(II)N(8) complex has been synthesized utilizing an N(4) imidazole/imine ligand. The 8C dodecahedral geometry is structurally robust as the Mn complex is stable to air, NO(g), and potential coordinating anions. The structural, spectroscopic and water relaxivity properties of this complex are reported.

Exploring the effects of H-bonding in synthetic analogues of nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD): experimental and theoretical implications for protection of the Ni-SCys bond.

Nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) is a recently discovered SOD obtained from soil microbes and cyanobacteria that shares no structural or spectroscopic similarities with other isoforms of SOD. The enzyme is found in both the Ni(II) (Ni-SOD(red)) and Ni(III) (Ni-SOD(ox)) oxidation states in "as isolated" preparations of the enzyme from two separate and independently crystallized Streptomyces strains. Ni-SOD contains an unusual and unprecedented biological coordination sphere comprised of Cys-S and peptido-N donors. To understand the role of these donors, we have previously synthesized the monomeric Ni(II)N(2)S(2) complexes, (Et(4)N)[Ni(nmp)(SC(6)H(4)-p-Cl)] (2) and (Et(4)N)[Ni(nmp)(S(t)Bu)] (3) as Ni-SOD(red) models arising from the S,S-bridged precursor molecule, [Ni(2)(nmp)(2)] (1) (where nmp(2-) = doubly deprotonated form of N-2-(mercaptoethyl)picolinamide). In addition to 2 and 3, we report here three new complexes, (Et(4)N)[Ni(nmp)(S-o-babt)] (4), (Et(4)N)[Ni(nmp)(S-meb)] (5), and K[Ni(nmp)(S-NAc)] (6) (where (-)S-o-babt = thiolate of o-benzoylaminobenzene thiol; (-)S-meb = thiolate of N-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzamide; and (-)S-NAc = thiolate of N-acetyl-L-cysteine methyl ester), that provide a unique comparison as to the structural and reactivity effects imparted by H-bonding in square planar asymmetrically coordinated Ni(II)N(2)S(2) complexes. X-ray structural analysis in combination with cyclic voltammetry (CV), spectroscopic measurements, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and reactivity studies with O(2) and various ROS were employed to gain insight into the role that H-bonding plays in NiN(2)S(2) complexes related to Ni-SOD. The experimental results coupled with theoretical analysis demonstrate that H-bonding to coordinated thiolates stabilizes S-based molecular orbitals relative to those arising from Ni(II), allowing for enhanced Ni contribution to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), which is predominantly of S-Ni pi* character. These studies provide a unique perspective on the role played by electronically different thiolates regarding the intimately coupled interplay and delicate balance of Ni- versus S-based reactivity in Ni-SOD model complexes. The reported results have offered new insight into the chemistry that H-bonding/thiolate protonation imparts upon the Ni-SOD active site during catalysis, in particular, as a protective mechanism against oxidative modification/degradation.

Four-coordinate As(III)-N,S complexes: synthesis, structure, properties, and biological relevance.

Air-stable four-coordinate As(III) complexes, [As(L4)Cl] (1) and [As(L4)I] (2), were prepared using a rearranged form of the deprotonated benzothiazoline ligand, 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole. Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, UV-vis, and elemental microanalysis. The solid-state structure of 2 was also solved. The unusual and rare four-coordinate geometry of 2 elucidates possible binding modes and properties of N,S-ligated As(III) that may be encountered in biology.