Biomedical subjects

Jason Shearer

Publications and source records attributed to Jason Shearer.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The influence of amine/amide versus bisamide coordination in nickel superoxide dismutase.

Nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) is a mononuclear nickel-containing metalloenzyme that catalyzes the disproportionation of superoxide by cycling between NiII and NiIII oxidation states. In the reduced NiII oxidation state, the metal center is ligated by two cysteinate sulfurs, one amide nitrogen, and one amine nitrogen (from the N-terminus), while in the oxidized NiIII state, an imidazole nitrogen coordinates to the metal center. Herein, we expand on a previous report in which we described a functional metallopeptide-based NiSOD model compound [NiII(SODM1)] (SODM1 = H2N-HCDLPCGVYDPA-COOH) by exploring how acylation of the N-terminus (producing [NiII(SODM1-Ac)]) influences the properties of the metallopeptide. Titration results, GPC data, and mass-spectrometry data demonstrate that NiII coordinates to SODM1-Ac in a 1:1 ratio, while variable pH studies show that NiII coordination is strong at a pH of 7.5 and above but not observed below a pH of 6.2. This is higher than [NiII(SODM1)] by approximately 1.0 pH unit consistent with bisamide ligation. Ni K-edge XAS demonstrates that the NiII center is coordinated in a square-planar NiN2S2 coordination environment with Ni-N distances of 1.846(4) A and Ni-S distances of 2.174(3) A. Comparison of the electronic absorption and CD spectrum of [NiII(SODM1)] versus [NiII(SODM1-Ac)] in conjunction with time-dependent DFT calculations suggests a decrease in Ni covalency in the acylated versus unacylated metallopeptide. This decrease in covalency was also supported by DFT calculations and Ni L-edge XAS. [NiII(SODM1-Ac)] has a quasireversible NiII/NiIII redox couple of 0.49(1) V vs Ag/AgCl, which represents a -0.2 V shift compared with [NiII(SODM1)], while the peak separation suggests a change in the coordination environment upon oxidation (i.e., axial imidazole ligation). Using the xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay, we determine that [NiII(SODM1-Ac)] is less active than [NiII(SODM1)] by over 2 orders of magnitude (IC50 = 3(1) x 10-5 vs 2(1) x 10-7 M). Possible reasons for the decrease in activity are discussed.

Amides↗

PubMed2006

[Me4N](Ni(II)(BEAAM)): a synthetic model for nickel superoxide dismutase that contains Ni in a mixed amine/amide coordination environment.

Nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) is a metalloenzyme that converts O2*- into H2O2 and O2 by cycling between Ni(II) and Ni(III) oxidation states. Reduced NiSOD contains Ni(II) in a square-planar N2S2 coordination environment formed by two cysteinate S atoms, an amide N, and an amine N to Ni(II). [Me4N](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) represents the first NiN2S2 complex containing Ni in a mixed amine/amide environment. [Me4](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) contains Ni-S bonds at 2.177(2) and 2.137(2) A and Ni-N bonds at 1.989(7) and 1.858(6) A, which compare well with the metalloenzyme. Orange solutions of [Me(4)N](Ni(II)(BEAAM)) in MeCN are diamagnetic and stable toward O2 for weeks. A quasireversible Ni(II/III) redox couple is observed for [Ni(II)(BEAAM)](NMe4) at 0.12(1) V vs Ag/AgCl. These data suggest that NiSOD utilizes the mixed amine/amide ligands to modulate the Ni(II/III) redox couple to best match the O2*- reduction/oxidation couples while maintaining O2 stability.

Amides↗

PubMed2006

Ni K-edge XAS suggests that coordination of Ni(II) to the unstructured amyloidogenic region of the human prion protein produces a Ni(2) bis-mu-hydroxo dimer.

Prion diseases are thought to be caused by the misfolding of the ubiquitous neuronal membrane prion protein (PrP) through an unknown mechanism that may involve Cu(II) coordination to the PrP. Previous work has utilized Ni(II) as a diamagnetic probe for Cu(II) coordination [C.E. Jones, M. Klewpatinond, S.R. Abdelraheim, D.R. Brown, J.H. Viles, J. Mol. Biol. 346 (2005) 1393-1407]. Herein we investigate Ni(II) coordination to the PrP fragment PrP(93-114) (AcN-GGTHSQWNKPSKPKTNMKHMAG) at pH=10.0 by Ni K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). We find that two equivalents of Ni(II) will coordinate to PrP(93-114) by UV/Vis titrations and mass spectrometry. Ni K-edge XAS data is consistent with Ni(II) ligated by five N/O based ligands (three N/O ligands at 2.01(2) Angstrom and two at 1.855(2) Angstrom). We were also able to locate a Ni-Ni vector at 3.1(1) Angstrom, which suggests the two Ni(II) centers are contained in a bis-mu-hydroxo dimer. We therefore suggest that Ni(II) may not be a suitable diamagnetic mimic for Cu(II) coordination within the PrP since differential coordination modes for the two metals exist.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Manganese complexes of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA): the first nitrogen-bound transition-metal complex of PTA.

The structures of two manganese(II) complexes of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) reveal the first transition-metal complexes of PTA in which the metal preferentially coordinates to a nitrogen and not the phosphorus of PTA. The coordination environment about the manganese was probed using X-ray crystallography (solid state) and EXAFS spectroscopy (solution).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

A nickel superoxide dismutase maquette that reproduces the spectroscopic and functional properties of the metalloenzyme.

Described herein is a nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) maquette ([Ni(SOD(M1))]) based on the first 12 residues from the N-terminal sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor NiSOD. The apopeptide (SOD(M1)) was prepared by standard solid-phase Fmoc peptide synthesis. SOD(M1) will readily coordinate Ni(II) in a 1:1 ratio in slightly basic aqueous sodium phosphate buffer (0.1 M; pH = 7.2) forming a lightly colored beige/pink solution. Unlike NiSOD, which is isolated as a 1:1 mixture of oxidized (Ni(III)) and reduced (Ni(II)) forms, [Ni(SOD(M1))] can only be isolated in the Ni(II) oxidation state. The UV/vis, X-ray absorption, and CD spectra of [Ni(II)(SOD(M1))] correspond well with those reported for the reduced form of NiSOD. Despite the fact that [Ni(III)(SOD(M1))] is not isolable, [Ni(SOD(M1))] has an appropriate redox potential to act as an SOD (E(1/2) = 0.70(2) V vs Ag/AgCl) and in fact will catalytically disproportionate >40 000 equiv of KO(2).

Catalysis↗

PubMed2005

Substrate oxidation by copper-dioxygen adducts: mechanistic considerations.

A series of copper-dioxygen adducts [{Cu(II)(MePY2)(R)}(2)(O(2))](B(C(6)F(5))(4))(2) (1(R)()), systematically varying in their electronic properties via ligand pyridyl donor substituents (R = H, MeO, and Me(2)N), oxidize a variety of substrates with varying C-H or O-H bond dissociation enthalpies. Detailed mechanistic studies have been carried out, including investigation of 1(R)() thermodynamic redox properties, 1(R)() tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N'-dimethylaniline (DMA) oxidation kinetics (including analyses of substrate dicopper binding equilibria), and application of mechanistic probes (N-cyclopropyl-N-methylaniline (CMA) and (p-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanol (MDP)), which can distinguish if proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) processes proceed through concerted electron-transfer proton-transfer (ETPT) or consecutive electron-transfer proton-transfer (ET/PT) pathways. The results are consistent with those of previous complementary studies; at low thermodynamic driving force for substrate oxidation, an ET/PT is operable, but once ET (i.e., substrate one-electron oxidation) becomes prohibitively uphill, the ETPT pathway occurs. Possible differences in coordination structures about 1(Me)()()2(N)()/1(MeO)() compared to those of 1(H)() are also used to rationalize some of the observations.

Aniline Compounds↗

PubMed2004

Steric and electronic control over the reactivity of a thiolate-ligated Fe(II) complex with dioxygen and superoxide: reversible mu-oxo dimer formation.

The reactivity between a thiolate-ligated five-coordinate complex [FeII(SMe2N4(tren))]+ (1) and dioxygen is examined in order to determine if O2 activation, resembling that of the metalloenzyme cytochrome P450, can be promoted even when O2 binds cis, as opposed to trans, to a thiolate. Previous work in our group showed that [FeII(SMe2N4(tren))]+ (1) reacts readily with superoxide (O2-) in the presence of a proton source to afford H2O2 via an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate, thus providing a biomimetic model for the metalloenzyme superoxide reductase (SOR). Addition of O2 to 1 affords binuclear mu-oxo-bridged [FeIII(SMe2N4(tren))]2(mu2-O)(PF6)2.3MeCN (3). At low temperatures, in protic solvents, an intermediate is detected, the details of which will be the subject of a separate paper. Although the thiolate ligand does not appear to perturb the metrical parameters of the unsupported mu-oxo bridge (Fe-O= 1.807(8) A, and Fe-O-Fe= 155.3(5) degrees fall in the usual range), it decreases the magnetic coupling between the irons (J=-28 cm(-1)) and creates a rather basic oxo site. Protonation of this oxo using strong (HBF4, HCl) or weak (HOAc, NH4PF6, LutNHCl) acids results in bridge cleavage to cleanly afford the corresponding monomeric anion-ligated (OAc- (6), or Cl- (7)) or solvent-ligated (MeCN (4)) derivatives. Addition of OH- converts [FeIII(SMe2N4(tren))(MeCN2+ (4) back to mu-oxo 3. Thus, mu-oxo bridge cleavage is reversible. The protonated mu-hydroxo-bridged intermediate is not observed. In an attempt to prevent mu-oxo dimer formation, and facilitate the observation of O2-bound intermediates, a bulkier tertiary amine ligand, tren-Et4= N-(2-amino-ethyl)-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-N',N'-diethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine, and the corresponding [FeII(SMe2N4(tren-Et4))]+ (5) complex was synthesized and structurally characterized. Steric repulsive interactions create unusually long FeII-N(3,4) amine bonds in 5 (mean distance=2.219(1) A). The [(tren-Et4)N4SMe2]1- ligand is unable to accommodate iron in the +3 oxidation state, and consequently, in contrast to most thiolate-ligated Fe(II) complexes, [FeII(SMe2N4(tren-Et4))]+ (5) does not readily react with O2. Oxidation of 5 is irreversible, and the potential (Epa=+410 mV (vs SCE)) is anodically shifted relative to 1 (E1/2=-100 mV (vs SCE)).

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2004

Heme/Cu/O2 reactivity: change in FeIII-(O2 2-)-CuII unit peroxo binding geometry effected by tridentate copper chelation.

A new heme-peroxo-copper complex structural type with mu-eta2:eta2 peroxo ligation has been generated utilizing a heterobinucleating ligand with bis(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)amine tridentate chelate for copper. Oxygenation of [(2L)FeIICuI]+ (1) at -80 degrees C in CH2Cl2/6%EtCN, 1 (lambdamax, 426, 530 nm) produces [(2L)FeIII-(O22-)-CuII)]+ (3) (lambdamax, 419, 488, 544, 575 nm). Stopped-flow kinetic/spectroscopic probing reveals that a superoxo complex, [(2L)FeIII-(O2-)...CuI(NCEt)]+ (2) (lambdamax = 544 nm), initially forms, k1 = 5.23 +/- 0.09 x 104 M-1 s-1 (-105 degrees C). Subsequent intramolecular reaction of the copper(I) ion in 2 occurs with k2 = 2.74 +/- 0.04 x 101 s-1 (-105 degrees C), producing 3. Resonance Raman spectroscopy (rR) confirms the peroxo assignment for 3; nu(O-O) = 747 cm-1 (Delta(18O2) = -40 cm-1). In an 16O-18O mixed isotope experiment a single band is observed at 730 cm-1. The low nu(O-O) value and the absence of a splitting of the 730 cm-1 band are indicative of a symmetrical binding of the peroxide group in a side-on mu-eta2:eta2 geometry. This conclusion is supported by X-ray absorption spectroscopy on 3. Copper K-edge EXAFS indicates a five-coordinate metal center: 2 N, 2.028(7) A; 2 O, 1.898(7) A; 1 N, 2.171(12) A. An outer-sphere Fe scatterer is found at 3.62(1) A. The iron center K-edge EXAFS fits to either a five- or six-coordinate metal center: 4 N(pyrrole), approximately 2.1 A; 1,2 O, approximately 1.9 A. A preedge feature (Fe(1s) --> Fe(3d) transition) at 7113.2(2) eV resembles that obtained for a eta2-peroxo ferric heme complex, being weaker and at approximately 1.5 eV lower energy than those found in five-coordinate (P)FeIII-X (in C4v symmetry) complexes. Arguments based on rR properties of relevant peroxo compounds also effectively point to the copper(II) ion in 3 as being side-on bound, leading to the very low O-O stretching frequency observed in comparison to those of heme-peroxo species or heme-peroxo-copper complexes with a tetradentate copper chelate. These investigations derive from interest in establishing relevant and/or fundamental O2 chemistry at heme-copper centers, in relation to heme-copper oxidase active-site chemistry.

Chelating Agents↗

PubMed2003

Distinguishing rate-limiting electron versus H-atom transfers in Cu2O2-mediated oxidative N-dealkylations: application of inter- versus intramolecular kinetic isotope effects.

Copper-dioxygen adducts are important biological oxidants. To gain a better understanding of the underlying chemistries of such species, we report on a series of Cu2II-O2 complexes, [{CuII(MePY2)R'}2(O2)](B(C6F5)4)2 (1R') (where (MePY2)R' is a 4-pyridyl substituted bis[2-(2-(4-R'-pyridyl)ethyl]methylamine; R' = H, MeO, Me2N; Zhang, C. X.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 634-635), which readily oxidize exogenous substrates. In this study, we explore the mechanism by which 1R' facilitates the oxidative N-dealkylation of para-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines (R-DMA; R = MeO, Me, H, CN). In the case of 1H, the linear free-energy correlation plot (rho = -2.1) and intramolecular deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIEintra, using p-R-(C6H4)-N(CH3)(CD3)) profile suggest that R-DMA oxidation occurs through rate-limiting electron transfer (ET). This mechanism was further enforced by comparison of KIEintra versus the intermolecular KIE (KIEinter, using p-R-(C6H4)-N(CH3)2 versus p-R-(C6H4)-N(CD3)2). It was found that KIEinter < KIEintra, suggesting an ET process. In the case of both 1MeO and 1Me2N, the KIEintra profile and linear free-energy correlation plots (rho = -0.49 and -0.99 for 1Me2N and 1MeO with especially poor fitting for the latter) are inconclusive in distinguishing between a rate-limiting ET or hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) pathway. Comparisons of KIEinter versus KIEintra demonstrate a switch in mechanism from ET to HAT for 1Me2N and 1MeO oxidation of R-DMA as R-DMA is made less reducing. In the case of 1Me2N, MeO-DMA and Me-DMA are oxidized via a rate-limiting ET (KIEinter < KIEintra), while H-DMA and CN-DMA are oxidized through a HAT pathway (KIEinter approximately KIEintra). For 1MeO, oxidation occurs through an ET pathway for MeO-, Me-, and H-DMA (KIEinter < KIEintra), while CN-DMA is oxidized though a HAT process (KIEinter approximately KIEintra). Copper complex attributes, which may contribute to the mechanistic observations, are suggested.

Alkylation↗

PubMed2003

A chloride ion contained in a cobalt 'claw': [Co3(DADIT)3]Cl(PF6)2.

A trimeric compound containing Co(II) is described, namely tris[mu-2-[3-(dimethylamino)propylimino]propane-1-thiolato]tricobalt(II) chloride bis(hexafluorophosphate), [Co(3)(C(10)H(21)N(2)S)(3)]Cl(PF(6))(2). Each Co atom is ligated by one 2-[3-(dimethylamino)propylimino]propane-1-thiolate ligand, an amine group and an imine group. The thiolate groups bridge the Co atoms, forming a six-membered ring that encloses the chloride ion in a well defined binding pocket.

Chlorides↗

PubMed2003

How does cyanide inhibit superoxide reductase? Insight from synthetic FeIIIN4S model complexes.

Superoxide reductases (SORs) are nonheme iron-containing enzymes that reduce HO(2) to H(2)O(2). Exogenous substrates such as N(3)(-) and CN(-) have been shown to bind to the catalytic iron site of SOR, and cyanide acts as an inhibitor. To understand how these exogenous ligands alter the physical and reactivity properties of the SOR iron site, acetate-, azide-, and cyanide-ligated synthetic models of SOR have been prepared. The x-ray crystal structures of azide-ligated [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(N(3))](+) (3), dimeric cyanide-bridged ([Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](2)-mu-CN)(3+) (5), and acetate-ligated [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OAc)](+) (6) are described, in addition to x-ray absorption spectrum-derived and preliminary crystallographic structures of cyanide-ligated [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(CN)](+) (4). Cyanide coordination to our model (4) causes the redox potential to shift anodically by 470 mV relative to acetate-ligated 6 and 395 mV relative to azide-ligated 3. If cyanide coordination were to cause a similar shift in redox potential with SOR, then the reduction potential of the catalytically active Fe(3+) center would fall well below that of its biological reductants. These results suggest therefore that cyanide inhibits SOR activity by making the Fe(2+) state inaccessible and thus preventing the enzyme from turning over. Cyanide inhibits activity in the metalloenzyme superoxide dismutase via a similar mechanism. The reduced five-coordinate precursor to 3, 4, and 6 [Fe(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](+) (1) was previously shown by us to react with superoxide to afford H(2)O(2) via an [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OOH)](+) intermediate. Cyanide and azide do not bind to 1 and do not prevent 1 from reducing superoxide.

Azides↗

PubMed2003

Tuning copper-dioxygen reactivity and exogenous substrate oxidations via alterations in ligand electronics.

Copper(I)-dioxygen adducts are important in biological and industrial processes. For the first time we explore the relationship between ligand electronics, CuI-O2 adduct formation and exogenous substrate reactivity. The copper(I) complexes [CuI(R-MePY2)]+ (1R, where R = Cl, H, MeO, Me2N) were prepared; where R-MePY2 are 4-pyridyl substituted bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]methylamine chelates. Both the redox potential of 1R (ranging from E1/2 = -270 mV for 1Cl to -440 mV for 1MeN vs FeCp2/FeCp2+) and nuCO of the CO adducts of 1R (ranging from 2093 cm-1 for 1Cl-CO to 2075 cm-1 for 1Me2N-CO) display modest but expected systematic shifts. Dioxygen readily reacts with 1H, 1MeO, and 1Me2N, forming the side-on peroxo-CuII2 complexes [{CuII(R-MePY2)}2(O2)]2+ (2R, also containing some bis-mu-oxo-CuIII2 isomer), but there is no reaction with 1Cl. Stopped-flow studies in dichloromethane show that the formation of 2Me2N from dioxygen and 1Me2N proceeds with a k = 8.2(6) x 104 M-2 s-1 (183 K, DeltaH = -20.3(6) kJ mol-1, DeltaS = -219(3) J mol-1 K-1). Solutions of 2R readily oxidize exogenous substrates (9,10-dihydroanthracene --> anthracene, tetrahydrofuran (THF) --> 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran (THF-OH), N,N-dimethylaniline --> N-methylaniline and formaldehyde, benzyl alcohol --> benzaldehyde, benzhydrol --> benzophenone, and methanol --> formaldehyde), forming the bis-mu-hydroxo-CuII2 complexes [{CuII(R-MePY2)(OH)}2]2+ (3R). Product yields increase as the R-group is made more electron-donating, and in some cases are quantitative with 2Me2N. Pseudo-first-order rate constants for THF and methanol oxidation reactions demonstrate a remarkable R-group dependence, again favoring the strongest ligand donor (i.e., R = Me2N). For THF oxidation to THF-OH a nearly 1500-fold increase in reaction rate is observed (kobs = 2(1) x 10-5 s-1 for 2H to 3(1) x 10-2 s-1 for 2Me2N), while methanol oxidation to formaldehyde exhibits an approximately 2000-fold increase (kobs = 5(1) x 10-5 s-1 for 2H to 1(1) x 10-1 s-1 for 2Me2N).

Copper↗

PubMed2002

Synthetic models for the cysteinate-ligated non-heme iron enzyme superoxide reductase: observation and structural characterization by XAS of an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate.

Superoxide reductases (SORs) belong to a new class of metalloenzymes that degrade superoxide by reducing it to hydrogen peroxide. These enzymes contain a catalytic iron site that cycles between the Fe(II) and Fe(III) states during catalysis. A key step in the reduction of superoxide has been suggested to involve HO(2) binding to Fe(II), followed by innersphere electron transfer to afford an Fe(III)-OO(H) intermediate. In this paper, the mechanism of the superoxide-induced oxidation of a synthetic ferrous SOR model ([Fe(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](+) (1)) to afford [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren)(solv))](2+) (2-solv) is reported. The XANES spectrum shows that 1 remains five-coordinate in methanolic solution. Upon reaction of 1 with KO(2) in MeOH at -90 degrees C, an intermediate (3) is formed, which is characterized by a LMCT band centered at 452(2780) nm, and a low-spin state (S = 1/2), based on its axial EPR spectrum (g(perpendicular) = 2.14; g(parallel) = 1.97). Hydrogen peroxide is detected in this reaction, using both (1)H NMR spectroscopy and a catalase assay. Intermediate 3 is photolabile, so, in lieu of a Raman spectrum, IR was used to obtain vibrational data for 3. At low temperatures, a nu(O-O) Fermi doublet is observed in the IR at 788(2) and 781(2) cm(-)(1), which collapses into a single peak at 784 cm(-1) upon the addition of D(2)O. This vibrational peak diminishes in intensity over time and essentially disappears after 140 s. When 3 is generated using an (18)O-labeled isotopic mixture of K(18)O(2)/K(16)O(2) (23.28%), the vibration centered at 784 cm(-1) shifts to 753 cm(-1). This new vibrational peak is close to that predicted (740 cm(-1)) for a diatomic (18)O-(18)O stretch. In addition, a nu(O-O) vibrational peak assigned to free hydrogen peroxide is also observed (nu(O-O) = 854 cm(-1)) throughout the course of the reaction between Fe(II)-1 and superoxide and is strongest after 100 s. XAS studies indicate that 3 possesses one sulfur scatterer at 2.33(2) A and four nitrogen scatterers at 2.01(1) A. Addition of two Fe-O shells, each containing one oxygen, one at 1.86(3) A and one at 2.78(3) A, improved the EXAFS fits, suggesting that 3 is an end-on peroxo or hydroperoxo complex, [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OO(H))](+). Upon warming above -50 degrees C, 3 is converted to 2-MeOH. In methanol and methanol:THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) solvent mixtures, 2-MeOH is characterized by a LMCT band at lambda(max) = 511(1765) nm, an intermediate spin-state (S = 3/2), and, on the basis of EXAFS, a relatively short Fe-O bond (assigned to a coordinated methanol or methoxide) at 1.94(10) A. Kinetic measurements in 9:1 THF:MeOH at 25 degrees C indicate that 3 is formed near the diffusion limit upon addition of HO(2) to 1 and converts to 2-MeOH at a rate of 65(1) s(-1), which is consistent with kinetic studies involving superoxide oxidation of the SOR iron site.

Ferric Compounds↗

PubMed2002

The first example of a nitrile hydratase model complex that reversibly binds nitriles.

Nitrile hydratase (NHase) is an iron-containing metalloenzyme that converts nitriles to amides. The mechanism by which this biochemical reaction occurs is unknown. One mechanism that has been proposed involves nucleophilic attack of an Fe-bound nitrile by water (or hydroxide). Reported herein is a five-coordinate model compound ([Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+)) containing Fe(III) in an environment resembling that of NHase, which reversibly binds a variety of nitriles, alcohols, amines, and thiocyanate. XAS shows that five-coordinate [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) reacts with both methanol and acetonitrile to afford a six-coordinate solvent-bound complex. Competitive binding studies demonstrate that MeCN preferentially binds over ROH, suggesting that nitriles would be capable of displacing the H(2)O coordinated to the iron site of NHase. Thermodynamic parameters were determined for acetonitrile (DeltaH = -6.2(+/-0.2) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -29.4(+/-0.8) eu), benzonitrile (-4.2(+/-0.6) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -18(+/-3) eu), and pyridine (DeltaH = -8(+/-1) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -41(+/-6) eu) binding to [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) using variable-temperature electronic absorption spectroscopy. Ligand exchange kinetics were examined for acetonitrile, iso-propylnitrile, benzonitrile, and 4-tert-butylpyridine using (13)C NMR line-broadening analysis, at a variety of temperatures. Activation parameters for ligand exchange were determined to be DeltaH(+ +) = 7.1(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -10(+/-1) eu (acetonitrile), DeltaH(+ +) = 5.4(+/-0.6) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -17(+/-2) eu (iso-propionitrile), DeltaH(+ +) = 4.9(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -20(+/-3) eu (benzonitrile), and DeltaH(+ +) = 4.7(+/-1.4) kcal/mol DeltaS(+ +) = -18(+/-2) eu (4-tert-butylpyridine). The thermodynamic parameters for pyridine binding to a related complex, [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Pr,Pr))](+) (DeltaH = -5.9(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -24(+/-3) eu), are also reported, as well as kinetic parameters for 4-tert-butylpyridine exchange (DeltaH(+ +) = 3.1(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -25(+/-3) eu). These data show for the first time that, when it is contained in a ligand environment similar to that of NHase, Fe(III) is capable of forming a stable complex with nitriles. Also, the rates of ligand exchange demonstrate that low-spin Fe(III) in this ligand environment is more labile than expected. Furthermore, comparison of [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) and [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Pr,Pr))](+) demonstrates how minor distortions induced by ligand constraints can dramatically alter the reactivity of a metal complex.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2002

Enhancing reactivity via structural distortion.

To examine how small structural changes influence the reactivity and magnetic properties of biologically relevant metal complexes, the reactivity and magnetic properties of two structurally related five-coordinate Fe(III) thiolate compounds are compared. (Et,Pr)-ligated [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))]PF(6) (3) is synthesized via the abstraction of a sulfur from alkyl persulfide ligated [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))-S(pers)]PF(6) (2) using PEt(3). (Et,Pr)-3 is structurally related to (Pr,Pr)-ligated [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Pr,Pr))]PF(6) (1), a nitrile hydratase model compound previously reported by our group, except it contains one fewer methylene unit in its ligand backbone. Removal of this methylene distorts the geometry, opens a S-Fe-N angle by approximately 10 degrees, alters the magnetic properties by stabilizing the S = 1/2 state relative to the S = 3/2 state, and increases reactivity. Reactivity differences between 3 and 1 were assessed by comparing the thermodynamics and kinetics of azide binding. Azide binds reversibly to both (Et,Pr)-3 and (Pr,Pr)-1 in MeOH solutions. The ambient temperature K(eq) describing the equilibrium between five-coordinate 1 or 3 and azide-bound 1-N(3) or 3-N(3) in MeOH is approximately 10 times larger for the (Et,Pr) system. In CH(2)Cl(2), azide binds approximately 3 times faster to 3 relative to 1, and in MeOH, azide dissociates 1 order of magnitude slower from 3-N(3) relative to 1-N(3). The increased on rates are most likely a consequence of the decreased structural rearrangement required to convert 3 to an approximately octahedral structure, or they reflect differences in the LUMO (vs SOMO) orbital population (i.e., spin-state differences). Dissociation rates from both 3-N(3) and 1-N(3) are much faster than one would expect for low-spin Fe(III). Most likely this is due to the labilizing effect of the thiolate sulfur that is trans to azide in these structures.

Algorithms↗