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Jason A Halfen

Publications and source records attributed to Jason A Halfen.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Large gas-solid structural differences in complexes of haloacetonitriles with boron trifluoride.

The structural properties of the singly halogenated derivatives of CH(3)CN-BF(3) (X-CH(2)CN-BF(3): X = F, Cl, Br, I) have been investigated via single-crystal X-ray crystallography, solid-state infrared spectroscopy, and correlated electronic-structure theory. Taken together, these data illustrate large differences between the gas-phase and solid-state structures of these systems. Calculated gas-phase structures (B3PW91/aug-cc-pVTZ) of FCH(2)CN-BF(3), ClCH(2)CN-BF(3), and BrCH(2)CN-BF(3) indicate that the B-N dative bonds in these systems are quite weak, with distances of 2.422, 2.374, and 2.341 A, respectively. However, these distances, as well as other calculated structural parameters and normal-mode vibrational frequencies, indicate that the dative interactions do become slightly stronger in proceeding from F- to Br-CH(2)CN-BF(3). In contrast, solid-state structures for FCH(2)CN-BF(3), ClCH(2)CN-BF(3), and ICH(2)CN-BF(3) from X-ray crystallography all have B-N distances that are quite short, about 1.65 A. Thus, the B-N distances of the F- and Cl-containing derivatives contract by over 0.7 A upon crystallization. Large shifts in the vibrational modes involving motions of the BF(3) subunit parallel these structural changes. An X-ray crystal structure could not be determined for BrCH(2)CN-BF(3)(s), but the solid-state IR spectrum is consistent with those obtained previously for related complexes and suggests that the solid-state structure resembles those of the others, and in turn, implicates a large gas-solid structural difference for this species as well.

Journal Article↗

A thiolate-ligated nonheme oxoiron(IV) complex relevant to cytochrome P450.

Thiolate-ligated oxoiron(IV) centers are postulated to be the key oxidants in the catalytic cycles of oxygen-activating cytochrome P450 and related enzymes. Despite considerable synthetic efforts, chemists have not succeeded in preparing an appropriate model complex. Here we report the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of [FeIV(O)(TMCS)]+ where TMCS is a pentadentate ligand that provides a square pyramidal N4(SR)apical, where SR is thiolate, ligand environment about the iron center, which is similar to that of cytochrome P450. The rigidity of the ligand framework stabilizes the thiolate in an oxidizing environment. Reactivity studies suggest that thiolate coordination favors hydrogen-atom abstraction chemistry over oxygen-atom transfer pathways in the presence of reducing substrates.

Catalysis↗

Synthesis, structure determination, and spectroscopic/computational characterization of a series of Fe(II)-thiolate model complexes: implications for Fe-S bonding in superoxide reductases.

A combined synthetic/spectroscopic/computational approach has been employed to prepare and characterize a series of Fe(II)-thiolate complexes that model the square-pyramidal [Fe(II)(N(His))(4)(S(Cys))] structure of the reduced active site of superoxide reductases (SORs), a class of enzymes that detoxify superoxide in air-sensitive organisms. The high-spin (S = 2) Fe(II) complexes [(Me(4)cyclam)Fe(SC(6)H(4)-p-OMe)]OTf (2) and [FeL]PF(6) (3) (where Me(4)cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetramethylcyclam and L is the pentadentate monoanion of 1-thioethyl-4,8,11-trimethylcyclam) were synthesized and subjected to structural, magnetic, and electrochemical characterization. X-ray crystallographic studies confirm that 2 and 3 possess an N(4)S donor set similar to that found for the SOR active site and reveal molecular geometries intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal for both complexes. Electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and variable-temperature variable-field MCD (VTVH-MCD) spectroscopies were utilized, in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) and semiemperical INDO/S-CI calculations, to probe the ground and excited states of complexes 2 and 3, as well as the previously reported Fe(II) SOR model [(L(8)py(2))Fe(SC(6)H(4)-p-Me)]BF(4) (1) (where L(8)py(2) is a tetradentate pyridyl-appended diazacyclooctane macrocycle). These studies allow for a detailed interpretation of the S-->Fe(II) charge transfer transitions observed in the absorption and MCD spectra of complexes 1-3 and provide significant insights into the nature of Fe(II)-S bonding in complexes with axial thiolate ligation. Of the three models investigated, complex 3 exhibits an absorption spectrum that is particularly similar to the one reported for the reduced SOR enzyme (SOR(red)), suggesting that this model accurately mimics key elements of the electronic structure of the enzyme active site; namely, highly covalent Fe-S pi- and sigma-interactions. These spectral similarities are shown to arise from the fact that 3 contains an alkyl thiolate tethered to the equatorial cyclam ring, resulting in a thiolate orientation that is very similar to the one adopted by the Cys residue in the SOR(red) active site. Possible implications of our results with respect to the electronic structure and reactivity of SOR(red) are discussed.

Binding Sites↗

Mononuclear nitrogen/sulfur-ligated cobalt(II) methoxide complexes: structural, EPR, paramagnetic 1H NMR, and electrochemical investigations.

The first examples of mononuclear nitrogen/sulfur-ligated Co(II) alkoxide complexes, species of relevance to a reactive intermediate observed for Co(II)-substituted liver alcohol dehydrogenase, have been isolated and characterized by multiple methods including X-ray crystallography, EPR, paramagnetic (1)H NMR, and cyclic voltammetry.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Mössbauer characterization of an unusual high-spin side-on peroxo-Fe3+ species in the active site of superoxide reductase from Desulfoarculus Baarsii. Density functional calculations on related models.

Superoxide reductase (SOR) is an Fe protein that catalyzes the reduction of superoxide to give H(2)O(2). Recently, the mutation of the Glu47 residue into alanine (E47A) in the active site of SOR from Desulfoarculus baarsii has allowed the stabilization of an iron-peroxo species when quickly reacted with H(2)O(2) [Mathé et al. (2002) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124, 4966-4967]. To further investigate this non-heme peroxo-iron species, we have carried out a Mössbauer study of the (57)Fe-enriched E47A SOR from D. baarsii reacted quickly with H(2)O(2). Considering the Mössbauer data, we conclude, in conjunction with the other spectroscopic data available and with the results of density functional calculations on related models, that this species corresponds to a high-spin side-on peroxo-Fe(3+) complex. This is one of the first examples of such a species in a biological system for which Mössbauer parameters are now available: delta(/Fe) = 0.54 (1) mm/s, DeltaE(Q) = -0.80 (5) mm/s, and the asymmetry parameter eta = 0.60 (5) mm/s. The Mössbauer and spin Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated on a model from the side-on peroxo complex (model 2) issued from the oxidized iron center in SOR from Pyrococcus furiosus, for which structural data are available in the literature [Yeh et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 2499-2508]. For comparison, similar calculations have been carried out on a model derived from 2 (model 3), where the [CH(3)-S](1)(-) group has been replaced by the neutral [NH(3)](0) group [Neese and Solomon (1998) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 12829-12848]. Both models 2 and 3 contain a formally high-spin Fe(3+) ion (i.e., with empty minority spin orbitals). We found, however, a significant fraction ( approximately 0.6 for 2, approximately 0.8 for 3) of spin (equivalently charge) spread over two occupied (minority spin) orbitals. The quadrupole splitting value for 2 is found to be negative and matches quite well the experimental value. The computed quadrupole tensors are rhombic in the case of 2 and axial in the case of 3. This difference originates directly from the presence of the thiolate ligand in 2. A correlation between experimental isomer shifts for Fe(3+) mononuclear complexes with computed electron densities at the iron nucleus has been built and used to evaluate the isomer shift values for 2 and 3 (0.56 and 0.63 mm/s, respectively). A significant increase of isomer shift value is found upon going from a methylthiolate to a nitrogen ligand for the Fe(3+) ion, consistent with covalency effects due to the presence of the axial thiolate ligand. Considering that the isomer shift value for 3 is likely to be in the 0.61-0.65 mm/s range [Horner et al. (2002) Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 3278-3283], the isomer shift value for a high-spin eta(2)-O(2) Fe(3+) complex with an axial thiolate group can be estimated to be in the 0.54-0.58 mm/s range. The occurrence of a side-on peroxo intermediate in SOR is discussed in relation to the recent data published for a side-on peroxo-Fe(3+) species in another biological system [Karlsson et al. (2003) Science 299, 1039-1042].

Binding Sites↗

Electronic structure control of the nucleophilicity of transition metal-thiolate complexes: an experimental and theoretical study.

New metal(II)-thiolate complexes supported by the tetradentate ligand 1,5-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (L(8)py(2)) have been synthesized and subjected to physical, spectroscopic, structural, and computational characterization. The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes, [L(8)py(2)M(S-C(6)H(4)-p-CH(3))]BPh(4) (M = Co, Ni, Zn), reveal distorted square-pyramidal divalent metal ions with four equatorial nitrogen donors from L(8)py(2) and axial p-toluenethiolate ligands. The reactions of the complexes with benzyl bromide produce isolable metal(II)-bromide complexes (in the cases of Co and Ni) and the thioether benzyl-p-tolylsulfide. This reaction is characterized by a second-order rate law (nu = k(2)[L(8)py(2)M(SAr)(+)][PhCH(2)Br]) for all complexes (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn). Of particular significance is the disparity between k(2) for M = Fe and Co versus k(2) for M = Ni and Zn, in that k(2) for M = Ni and Zn is ca. 10 times larger (faster) than k(2) for M = Fe and Co. An Eyring analysis of k(2) for [L(8)py(2)Co(SAr)](+) and [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) reveals that the reaction rate differences are not rooted in a change in mechanism, as the reactions of these complexes with benzyl bromide exhibit comparable activation parameters (M = Co: DeltaH() = 45(2) kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -144(6) J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1); M = Ni: DeltaH() = 43(3) kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -134(8) J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)). Electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT) reveal that the enhanced reaction rate for [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) is rooted in a four-electron repulsion (or a "filled/filled interaction") between a completely filled nickel(II) d(pi) orbital and one of the two thiolate frontier orbitals, a condition that is absent in the Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes. The comparable reactivity of [L(8)py(2)Zn(SAr)](+) relative to that of [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) arises from a highly ionic zinc(II)-thiolate bond that enhances the negative charge density on the thiolate sulfur. DFT calculations on putative thioether-coordinated intermediates reveal that the Co(II)- and Zn(II)-thioethers exhibit weaker M-S bonding than Ni(II). These combined results suggest that while Ni(II) may serve as a competent replacement for Zn(II) in alkyl group transfer enzymes, turnover may be limited by slow product release from the Ni(II) center.

Computer Simulation↗

A neutral organometallic fluoro complex can be a good ligand.

The reaction of the complex [Mo(OTf)(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)] (1) (OTf = trifluoromethylsulfonate; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate afforded the fluoride complex [MoF(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)] (2). The IR spectrum and the oxidation potential of 2 reflect the fact that its metal center is more electron-rich than that of the chloro analogue [MoCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)]. Compound 2 reacted with 1 affording the homobinuclear complex [[Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)](2)(mu-F)][OTf] (3), with a fluoride bridge. Compound 2 also reacts with the species generated in situ by triflate abstraction from [M(OTf)(CO)(3)('N-N')] (M = Mn, Re; 'N-N' = 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), phen) using NaBAr'(4) (Ar' = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), affording the heterobinuclear complexes [[Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)](mu-F)[M(CO)(3)('N--N')]][BAr'(4)] (M = Mn, 'N-N' = bipy (4); M = Re, 'N-N' = phen (5)). All new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR and NMR) and, in the case of 1, 2, 3, and 4, also by means of X-ray diffraction analysis.

Journal Article↗

First row divalent transition metal complexes of aryl-appended tris((pyridyl)methyl)amine ligands: syntheses, structures, electrochemistry, and hydroxamate binding properties.

Divalent manganese, cobalt, nickel, and zinc complexes of 6-Ph(2)TPA (N,N-bis((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine; [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Mn(CH(3)OH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Co(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (2), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(CH(3)OH)](ClO(4))(2) (3), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Zn(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (4)) and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA (N,N-bis((6-(3,5-dimethyl)phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine; [(6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (5) and [(6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA)Zn(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (6)) have been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic characterization of 1A.CH(3)()OH and 1B.2CH(3)()OH (differing solvates of 1), 2.2CH(3)()CN, 3.CH(3)()OH, 4.2CH(3)()CN, and 6.2.5CH(3)()CN revealed mononuclear cations with one to three coordinated solvent molecules. In 1A.CH(3)()OH and 1B.2CH(3)()OH, one phenyl-substituted pyridyl arm is not coordinated and forms a secondary hydrogen-bonding interaction with a manganese bound methanol molecule. In 2.2CH(3)()CN, 3.CH(3)()OH, 4.2CH(3)()CN, and 6.2.5CH(3)()CN, all pyridyl donors of the 6-Ph(2)TPA and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA ligands are coordinated to the divalent metal center. In the cobalt, nickel, and zinc derivatives, CH/pi interactions are found between a bound acetonitrile molecule and the aryl appendages of the 6-Ph(2)TPA and 6-(Me(2)Ph)(2)TPA ligands. (1)H NMR spectra of 4 and 6 in CD(3)NO(2) solution indicate the presence of CH/pi interactions, as an upfield-shifted methyl resonance for a bound acetonitrile molecule is present. Examination of the cyclic voltammetry of 1-3 and 5 revealed no oxidative (M(II)/M(III)) couples. Admixture of equimolar amounts of 6-Ph(2)TPA, M(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O, and Me(4)NOH.5H(2)O, followed by the addition of an equimolar amount of acetohydroxamic acid, yielded the acetohydroxamate complexes [((6-Ph(2)TPA)Mn)(2)(micro-ONHC(O)CH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2) (8), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Co(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (9), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (10), and [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Zn(ONHC(O)CH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (11), all of which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Mn(II) complex 8.0.75CH(3)()CN.0.75Et(2)()O exhibits a dinuclear structure with bridging hydroxamate ligands, whereas the Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) derivatives all exhibit mononuclear six-coordinate structures with a chelating hydroxamate ligand.

Journal Article↗

Chromium(II) and chromium(III) complexes supported by tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine: synthesis, structures, and reactivity.

This report describes the synthesis, structural characterization, and polymerization behavior of a series of chromium(II) and chromium(III) complexes ligated by tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), including chromium(III) organometallic derivatives. For instance, the combination of TPA with CrCl(2) yields monomeric (TPA)CrCl(2) (1). A similar reaction of CrCl(2) with TPA, followed by chloride abstraction with NaBPh(4) or NaBAr(F)(4) (Ar(F) = 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)), provides the weakly associated cationic dimers [(TPA)CrCl](2)[BPh(4)](2) (2A) and [(TPA)CrCl](2)[BAr(F)(4)](2) (2B), respectively. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that each chromium(II) center in 1, 2A, and 2B is a tetragonally elongated octahedron; such Jahn-Teller distortions are consistent with the observed high spin (S = 2) electronic configurations for these chromium(II) complexes. Likewise, reaction of CrCl(3)(THF)(3) with TPA, followed by anion metathesis with NaBPh(4) or NaBAr(F)(4), yields the monomeric, cationic chromium(III) complexes [(TPA)CrCl(2)][BPh(4)] (4A) and [(TPA)CrCl(2)][BAr(F)(4)] (4B), respectively. Treatment of 4A with methyl and phenyl Grignard reagents produces the cationic chromium(III) organometallic derivatives [(TPA)Cr(CH(3))(2)][BPh(4)] (5) and [(TPA)CrPh(2)][BPh(4)] (6), respectively. Similar reactions of 4A with organolithium reagents leads to intractable solids, presumably due to overreduction of the chromium(III) center. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 4A, 5, and 6 confirms that each possesses a largely undistorted octahedral chromium center, consistent with the observed S = (3)/(2) electronic ground states. Compounds 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 5, and 6 are all active polymerization catalysts in the presence of methylalumoxane, producing low to moderate molecular weight high-density polyethylene.

Journal Article↗

Synthetic models of the reduced active site of superoxide reductase.

We report the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and magnetic and electrochemical studies of a series of iron(II) complexes of the pyridyl-appended diazacyclooctane ligand L(8)py(2), including several that model the square-pyramidal [Fe(II)(N(his))(4)(S(cys))] structure of the reduced active site of the non-heme iron enzyme superoxide reductase. Combination of L(8)py(2) with FeCl(2) provides [L(8)py(2)FeCl(2)] (1), which contains a trigonal-prismatic hexacoordinate iron(II) center, whereas a parallel reaction using [Fe(H(2)O)(6)](BF(4))(2) provides [L(8)py(2)Fe(FBF(3))]BF(4) (2), a novel BF(4)(-)-ligated square-pyramidal iron(II) complex. Substitution of the BF(4)(-) ligand in 2 with formate or acetate ions affords distorted pentacoordinate [L(8)py(2)Fe(O(2)CH)]BF(4) (3) and [L(8)py(2)Fe(O(2)CCH(3))]BF(4) (4), respectively. Models of the superoxide reductase active site are prepared upon reaction of 2 with sodium salts of aromatic and aliphatic thiolates. These model complexes include [L(8)py(2)Fe(SC(6)H(4)-p-CH(3))]BF(4) (5), [L(8)py(2)Fe(SC(6)H(4)-m-CH(3))]BF(4) (6), and [L(8)py(2)Fe(SC(6)H(11))]BF(4) (7). X-ray crystallographic studies confirm that the iron(II)-thiolate complexes model the square-pyramidal geometry and N(4)S donor set of the reduced active site of superoxide reductase. The iron(II)-thiolate complexes are high spin (S = 2), and their solutions are yellow in color because of multiple charge-transfer transitions that occur between 300 and 425 nm. The ambient temperature cyclic voltammograms of the iron(II)-thiolate complexes contain irreversible oxidation waves with anodic peak potentials that correlate with the relative electron donating abilities of the thiolate ligands. This electrochemical irreversibility is attributed to the bimolecular generation of disulfides from the electrochemically generated iron(III)-thiolate species.

Binding Sites↗