Binuclear Copper Research Articles

Integrated Design of Homogeneous/Heterogeneous Copper Complex Catalysts to Enable Synergistic Effects on Sulfur and Lithium Evolution Reactions.

Fatal polysulfide shuttling, sluggish sulfur redox kinetics and detrimental lithium dendrites have curtailed the real discharge capacity, working lifespan and safety of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Organic small molecule promotors as one type of emerging active catalysts can fulfil the management of the electrochemical species evolution behaviors. Herein, an integrated engineering is organized by synthesizing dual chlorine-bridge enabled binuclear copper complex (Cu2(phen)2Cl2) and its derivative generated in electrolyte (Cu-ETL) as the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalyst, respectively. The well-designed Cu-ETL with a optimized concentration of 0.25 wt% as a homogeneous enabler offers highly utilized Cu centers and the sufficient interface contact for guiding the Li2S nucleation/decomposition reactions. The Cu2(phen)2Cl2 loaded on carbon spheres as an interlayer (Cu-INT) can break through the catalytic limitation resulting from the saturated concentration of Cu-ETL and thus offers an extended manipulation effect. Benefiting from the synergistic effect, the Li-S battery shows stable cycling at 3 C upon 500 cycles with a capacity degradation rate as low as 0.029 % per cycle. Of specific note, an actual cell energy density of 372.1 Wh kg-1 is harvested by a 1.2 Ah-level soft-packaged pouch cell, implying a chance for requiring the demand of high-energy batteries.

Integrated Design of Homogeneous/Heterogeneous Copper Complex Catalysts to Enable Synergistic Effects on Sulfur and Lithium Evolution Reactions

AbstractFatal polysulfide shuttling, sluggish sulfur redox kinetics and detrimental lithium dendrites have curtailed the real discharge capacity, working lifespan and safety of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Organic small molecule promotors as one type of emerging active catalysts can fulfil the management of the electrochemical species evolution behaviors. Herein, an integrated engineering is organized by synthesizing dual chlorine‐bridge enabled binuclear copper complex (Cu2(phen)2Cl2) and its derivative generated in electrolyte (Cu‐ETL) as the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalyst, respectively. The well‐designed Cu‐ETL with a optimized concentration of 0.25 wt% as a homogeneous enabler offers highly utilized Cu centers and the sufficient interface contact for guiding the Li2S nucleation/decomposition reactions. The Cu2(phen)2Cl2 loaded on carbon spheres as an interlayer (Cu‐INT) can break through the catalytic limitation resulting from the saturated concentration of Cu‐ETL and thus offers an extended manipulation effect. Benefiting from the synergistic effect, the Li−S battery shows stable cycling at 3 C upon 500 cycles with a capacity degradation rate as low as 0.029 % per cycle. Of specific note, an actual cell energy density of 372.1 Wh kg−1 is harvested by a 1.2 Ah‐level soft‐packaged pouch cell, implying a chance for requiring the demand of high‐energy batteries.

Isothermal conversion of methane to methanol over Cu-CHA using different oxidants

Methane oxidation to methanol in cyclic processes using CuO-zeolites has traditionally employed O2 and N2O as oxidants. This study explores the use of Cu-CHA zeolite, demonstrating that CO2 can substitute O2 in an isothermal reaction at 400 °C, analogous to previous findings using Cu-MAZ. The use of in situ UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations identified the formation of a binuclear copper hydroxide complex, Z-[CuOH-HOCu]2+-Z, on the Cu-CHA. Initial treatment using CO2 led to marginally superior catalytic activity, compared to the use of O2 alone, indicating the stability of the Z-[CuOH-HOCu]2+-Z complex against self-reduction at 400 °C. In subsequent cycles, activation with O2 facilitated the oxidation of adsorbed methanol, yielding water and reconstituting the active sites. Conversely, activation with CO2 led to the partial desorption of methanol, precluding water production and subsequent catalyst regeneration. The findings suggested that both O2 and CO2 activations necessitated a post-reaction water extraction step, followed by thermal treatment to replenish the active sites. Importantly, the results indicated that CO2 could be used as a viable alternative oxidant to O2 in this catalytic process, potentially enhancing the sustainability of industrial methanol production.

Luminescence Thermochromism of a Noncluster Copper Iodide Complex.

Hybrid copper(I) halide materials are currently attracting significant attention due to their exceptional luminescence properties, offering great potential for the development of multifunctional emissive materials with, in addition, eco-friendly features. A binuclear copper iodide complex, based on the [Cu2I2L4] motif with phosphite derivatives as ligands, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Photophysical investigations indicate that this complex displays luminescence thermochromic properties, which are characterized by a temperature-dependent change in the relative intensity of two emission bands. The high-contrast luminescence thermochromism, with an important color variation from purple to cyan, is ascribed to the thermal equilibrium of two different excited states. While thermochromism is relatively known for multimetallic complexes, the perfectly controlled thermochromism of the studied compound is unprecedented for a binuclear complex. From theoretical investigations, this original feature is due to the coordination of phosphite ligands, which induces a specific energy layout of the complex, presenting vacant orbitals of varying nature. This single-component, dual-emissive binuclear complex, displaying relevant sensitivity temperature response, presents great potential for luminescence ratiometric thermometry applications. This study underlines the relevance of the ligand engineering strategy in developing original, emissive, and sustainable copper-based materials.

The first type of binuclear copper complex with terminal sulfide: synthesis, structural characterization, and cytotoxicity evaluation

A novel copper complex of [CuII (μ2–S)(terminal-S)(2-acetylpyrdine oxime)2 (1) is synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The free ligand of 2-acetylpyrdine oxime is an unexpected product obtained from a condensation reaction of p-aminobenzene sulfonamide and 2-acetylpyridine and is characterized by IR, 1HNMR, and 13CNMR spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallography showed strictly planar bridged μ2- Cu2(S)2 core, and each copper(II) center exhibits distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry. The cytotoxicity of the complex was tested in vitro against esophageal cancer (SKGT-4) cell lines by metabolic tests, using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide as a reagent. Complex 1 showed a remarkable inhibition response in SKGT-4 cell lines.

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, anticancer and the theoretical calculation of a novel N, O-multidentate chelating ligand and its Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes

A new group of Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes has been produced utilizing the ligand (Z)-N′-(1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethylidene)-2-(p-tolylamino)acetohydrazide (H2L). The chemical structure of new compounds has been established using FT-IR, 1H NMR, electronic spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermal behavior. The Gaussian 09 program used the Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach to optimize the geometry of all synthesized compounds to acquire the best possible structures and significant parameters. The examination of biological aspects included the study of microbial and breast cancer cell lines. It was found that both the ligand and the complexes exhibited strong antibacterial activity against the studied bacterial species. The complexes worked as strong antifungal agents filamentous fungi like Candida albicans. The H2L ligand and its Cu(II) complexes (M1 and M2) were more effective against Candida albicans than Fe(III) complex, which showed no activity against Aspergillus niger. Both mononuclear and binuclear copper (II) complexes expanded their antifungal capabilities to target Aspergillus niger, surpassing the effectiveness of the standard drug. Amphotericin was used as a reference. Following testing against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, the reactivity of all compounds was investigated. All complexes showed an intriguingly powerful antiproliferative potential. The compounds’ activities were organized like this: Cu(II) Complexes (M2, M1) > Fe(III) Complex (M3) > H2L Ligand. Molecular docking simulation identified the active amino acids relevant to microbial and breast cancer studies.

High pressure-derived nonsymmetrical [Cu2O]2+ core for room-temperature methane hydroxylation.

Nonsymmetrical oxygen-bridged binuclear copper centers have been proposed and modeled as intermediates and transition states in several C─H oxidation pathways, leading to the postulation that structural dissymmetry enhances the reactivity of the bridging oxygen. However, experimentally characterizing the structure and reactivity of these transient species is remarkably challenging. Here, we report the high-pressure synthesis of a metastable nonsymmetrical dicopper-μ-oxo compound with exceptional reactivity toward the mono-oxygenation of aliphatic C─H bonds. The nonequivalent coordination environment of copper stabilizes localized mixed valency and greatly enhances the hydrogen atom abstraction activity of the bridging oxygen, enabling room-temperature hydroxylation of methane under pressure. These findings highlight the role of dissymmetry in the reactivity of binuclear copper centers and demonstrate precise control of molecular structures by mechanical means.

Hydroxylation of Phenol by an Azomethine Quinoxaline Schiff Base Copper (II) Complex

Introduction: A binuclear azomethine quinoxaline Schiff base copper (II) complex, [Cu2LCl2], having square-planar environment around each copper (II), has been synthesized. Method: The coordination of the azomethine quinoxaline Schiff base with copper (II) and its structure was studied by various physicochemical and spectroscopic measurements. Results: Catalytic activity of this complex in phenol hydroxylation reaction has been examined using H2O2 as a green oxidant. Conclusion: Catalytic reaction conditions were optimized and under these conditions, 18.32 % conversion of phenol has been obtained for this catalyst

In Vitro Interaction of Binuclear Copper Complexes with Liver Drug-Metabolizing Cytochromes P450.

Two copper(II) mixed ligand complexes with dicarboxylate bridges were prepared and studied, namely [Cu2(μ-fu)(pmdien)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (complex No. 5) and [Cu2(μ-dtdp)(pmdien)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (complex No. 6), where H2fu = fumaric acid, pmdien = N,N,N',N″,N″ pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and H2dtdp = 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid. The copper atoms are coordinated in the same mode by the tridentate pmdien ligand and oxygen of water molecules, and they only differ in the dicarboxylate bridge. This work is focused on the study of the inhibitory effect of these potential antimicrobial drugs on the activity of the most important human liver drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochromes P450 (CYP), especially their forms CYP2C8, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4. The obtained results allow us to estimate the probability of potential drug interactions with simultaneously administrated drugs that are metabolized by these CYP enzymes. In conclusion, the presence of adverse effects due to drug-drug interactions with concomitantly used drugs cannot be excluded, and hence, topical application may be recommended as a relatively safe approach.

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic behaviour and thermal stability of a paddle-wheel copper(II) complex bearing equatorial 3,4-diethoxybenzoate ligands.

The binuclear paddle-wheel copper(II) complex tetrakis(μ-3,4-diethoxybenzoato-κ2O:O')bis[(ethanol-κO)copper(II)], [Cu2(C11H13O4)4(C2H6O)2], has been synthesized and characterized. In each molecule, two CuII centres are bridged in a syn-syn fashion by four equatorial 3,4-diethoxybenzoate ligands, the two axial positions being occupied by ethanol molecules. The thermal stability has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The magnetic behaviour, studied by SQUID magnetometry, shows a CuII-CuII antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with 2J= -288 cm-1, a value that fits with a magnetic structure correlation established for compounds of this kind.

Structural, spectroscopic, fluorescent, and computational studies of binuclear copper (II) and zinc (II) complexes with an asymmetric salamo‐type ligand

Salamo‐type ligand H2L was designed and synthesized and reacted with Cu (II) and Zn (II) acetate, respectively, to obtain two binuclear Cu (II) and Zn (II) complexes: [Cu2(L)2]·2CH3OH (1) and [Zn2(L)2] (2) having the same coordination number but distinct geometries. Complex 1 is a Cu (II) complex containing two crystalline ethanol molecules, where two Cu (II) atoms are surrounded by two utterly deprotonated (L)2− parts, forming slightly twisted tetragonal pyramidal configurations of pentacoordinate. In complex 2, two utterly deprotonated (L)2− parts surround two Zn (II) atoms, forming pentadentate twisted triangular bipyramidal configurations. The complexes were elucidated via IR analyses and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Using DFT theoretical calculation, MEPs, IRI, and Hirshfeld surface analysis to investigate further the molecular interactions and reaction sites. Ultimately, the fluorescence characteristics of H2L and its complexes 1 and 2 were discussed.

An Electrolyte Engineered Homonuclear Copper Complex as Homogeneous Catalyst for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries suffer from severe polysulfide shuttle, retarded sulfur conversion kinetics and notorious lithium dendrites, which has curtailed the discharge capacity, cycling lifespan and safety. Engineered catalysts act as a feasible strategy to synchronously manipulate the evolution behaviors of sulfur and lithium species. Herein, a chlorine bridge-enabled binuclear copper complex (Cu-2-T) is in situ synthesized in electrolyte as homogeneous catalyst for rationalizing the Li-S redox reactions. The well-designed Cu-2-T provides completely active sites and sufficient contact for homogeneously guiding the Li2S nucleation/decomposition reactions, and stabilizing the lithium working interface according to the synchrotron radiation X-ray 3D nano-computed tomography, small angle neutron scattering and COMSOL results. Moreover, Cu-2-T with the content of 0.25wt% approaching saturated concentration in electrolyte further boosts the homogeneous optimization function in really operated Li-S batteries. Accordingly, the capacity retention of the Li-S battery is elevated from 51.4% to 86.3% at 0.2 C, and reaches 77.0% at 1.0 C over 400 cycles. Furthermore, the sulfur cathode with the assistance of Cu-2-T realizes the stable cycling under the practical scenarios of soft-packaged pouch cell and high sulfur loading (6.5mg cm-2 with the electrolyte usage of 4.5µL mgS -1).

Micelle-modulated ribonuclease-like activities of oxo-bridged binuclear copper(ii) complexes with novel imidazole derivatives

Three bis-tridentate imidazole derivatives as ligands and their alkoxo-bridged binuclear copper(II) complexes (1, 2 and 3) were synthesized and characterized. Single crystals show that furan or thiophene moiety of 2 or 3 is free without a coordination with the central copper. Five-coordinated structure of 1 is constructed via two Cu-N and three Cu-O coordination bonds involving the participation of phenolic oxygen, alkoxo-bridged oxygen and the one carboxylate oxygen. Furthermore, catalytic reactivity of the as-synthesized binuclear complexes was evaluated for the transesterification of classic RNA model HPNP (2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate). Overall, three complexes displayed the almost similar activity in both non-micellar and micellar solutions. HPNP transesterification achieved more obvious acceleration in micellar solutions of three kinds of cationic surfactants. All of three complexes obtained relatively good reactivity in CTAB micellar solution, respectively achieving approximately 804-fold (for 1), 762-fold (for 2) and 785-fold (for 3) rate enhancement compared to background rate of HPNP spontaneous cleavage. The as-synthesized binuclear complexes displayed approximately two times dominative activity in CTAB micellar solution over that in the non-micellar system. However, to some extent the introduction of amphoteric n-lauroylsarcosine sodium (LSS) and non-ionic polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35) inhibited the catalytic transesterification of HPNP. This study is beneficial to the design and application of novel mimic esterolases.

Binding and Stabilization of a Semiquinone Radical by an Artificial Metalloenzyme Containing a Binuclear Copper (II) Cofactor.

A binuclear Cu(II) cofactor was covalently bound to a lauric acid anchor. The resulting conjugate was characterized then combined with beta-lactoglobulin (βLG) to generate a new biohybrid following the so-called "Trojan horse" strategy. This biohybrid was examined for its effectiveness in the oxidation of a catechol derivative to the corresponding quinone. The resulting biohybrid did not exhibit the sought after catecholase activity, likely due to its ability to bind and stabilize the semiquinone radical intermediate DTB-SQ. This semi-quinone radical was stabilized only in the presence of the protein and was characterized using optical and magnetic spectroscopic techniques, demonstrating stability for over 16 hours. Molecular docking studies revealed that this stabilization could occur owing to interactions of the semi-quinone with hydrophobic amino acid residues of βLG.

Interactions of Phenylalanine Derivatives with Human Tyrosinase: Lessons from Experimental and Theoretical tudies.

The pigmentation of the skin, modulated by different actors in melanogenesis, is mainly due to the melanins (protective pigments). In humans, these pigments' precursors are synthetized by an enzyme known as tyrosinase (TyH). The regulation of the enzyme activity by specific modulators (inhibitors or activators) can offer a means to fight hypo- and hyper-pigmentations responsible for medical, psychological and societal handicaps. Herein, we report the investigation of phenylalanine derivatives as TyH modulators. Interacting with the binuclear copper active site of the enzyme, phenylalanine derivatives combine effects induced by combination with known resorcinol inhibitors and natural substrate/intermediate (amino acid part). Computational studies including docking, molecular dynamics and free energy calculations combined with biological activity assays on isolated TyH and in human melanoma MNT-1 cells, and X-ray crystallography analyses with the TyH analogue Tyrp1, provide conclusive evidence of the interactions of phenylalanine derivatives with human tyrosinase. In particular, our findings indicate that an analogue of L-DOPA, namely (S)-3-amino-tyrosine, stands out as an amino phenol derivative with inhibitory properties against TyH.

Novel binuclear copper(II) complexes with sulfanylpyrazole ligands: synthesis, crystal structure, fungicidal, cytostatic, and cytotoxic activity.

New binuclear copper(II) [Cu(II)] tetraligand complexes (six examples) with sulfanylpyrazole ligands were synthesized. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies have shown that in solution the complexes are transformed to the mononuclear one. Fungicidal properties against Candida albicans were found for the Cu complexes with benzyl and phenyl substituents. An in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic properties of Cu chelates against HEK293, Jurkat, MCF-7, and THP-1 cells identified the Cu complex with the cyclohexylsulfanyl substituent in the pyrazole core as the lead compound, whereas the Cu complex without a sulfur atom in the pyrazole ligand had virtually no cytotoxic or fungicidal activity. The lead Cu(II) complex was more active than cisplatin. Effect of the S-containing Cu complex on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution has been investigated as well.

Synthesis, structural characterization and biological applications of mono- and binuclear Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes with N2O2 Schiff bases

The present work aims to synthesize and characterize new Schiff base metal complexes (Cu(II) and Ni(II)) derived from 4,5-Dichloro-o-phenylenediamine and 3,5-Dichloro-2-hydroxyacetophenone. The synthesized Schiff base and their complexes have been characterized with the support of more than a few standard physicochemical techniques such as elemental analysis, spectroscopic, thermal, and cyclic voltammetry studies. Further the molecular structures are ascertained by computational methods like density functional theory (DFT) methods. The newly synthesized Schiff base ligand acts as ONNO donor tetradentate chelate and coordinated through an azomethine nitrogen and phenoxo oxygen atom to the Cu(II) and Ni(II). Moreover, all the newly prepared compounds exhibit moderate biological activity such as antibacterial. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial by the disc agar diffusion method. Spectral analysis exhibits square planar geometry for Cu(II) & Ni(II) mono and binuclear complexes. The antimicrobial results indicate that the homo binuclear copper (II) complex was more active than the other mono and binuclear complexes. The theoretical DFT calculations were applied to verify the molecular geometry of chelators and their complexes. The DFT optimized geometries of the complexes are in agreement with experimental observations.

A novel L-Cysteine voltammetric sensor based on a dual-nucleation copper (II) complex

A novel platform of simple and cost-effective carbon paste electrode (CPE)-modified with a binuclear copper (II)-8-hydroxyquinoline complex was used for catalytic electroxidation of L-Cysteine. The modified electrode described was observed to significantly reduce the electrooxidation potential of L-Cysteine. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed a significant decrease in the charge transfer resistance at the electrode surface by introducing the binuclear copper complex in the CPE. It was proposed that the two molecules of cysteine, adsorbed to the modified electrode surface, are oxidized to a cystine molecule via copper (II) centers of the complex which are consequently reduced to copper (I) species, responsible for the voltammetric peak observed when the potential was scanned toward the positive direction. To improve the electrode signal for cysteine, the electrode composition was also optimized. Two electrochemical techniques of cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were applied for the establishment of the calibration curve for cysteine determination by this electrode. The linear ranges of the calibration curves are obtained utilizing two electrochemical techniques of cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were 286–5000 μM and 11.6–500 μM, respectively. Also, the detection limits of cysteine assay by the above-cited techniques were calculated and equal to 86.7 μM and 3.5 μM, respectively. The electrode described was applied for cysteine determination in some vegetable samples which showed satisfactory results. Also, the selectivity of the sensor was checked against some biomolecules and amino acids such as Glycine, Alanine, Arginine, Methionine, Glucose, Urea, BrO3- and Citric acid. The introduced sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for cysteine determination in food samples.

Coordination Variations within Binuclear Copper Dioxygen-Derived (Hydro)Peroxo and Superoxo Species; Influences upon Thermodynamic and Electronic Properties.

Copper ion is a versatile and ubiquitous facilitator of redox chemical and biochemical processes. These include the binding of molecular oxygen to copper(I) complexes where it undergoes stepwise reduction-protonation. A detailed understanding of thermodynamic relationships between such reduced/protonated states is key to elucidate the fundamentals of the chemical/biochemical processes involved. The dicopper(I) complex [CuI2(BPMPO-)]1+ {BPMPOH = 2,6-bis{[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-methylphenol)} undergoes cryogenic dioxygen addition; further manipulations in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran generate dicopper(II) peroxo [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O22-)]1+, hydroperoxo [CuII2(BPMPO-)(-OOH)]2+, and superoxo [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O2•-)]2+ species, characterized by UV-vis, resonance Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, and cold spray ionization mass spectrometry. An unexpected EPR spectrum for [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O2•-)]2+ is explained by the analysis of its exchange-coupled three-spin frustrated system and DFT calculations. A redox equilibrium, [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O22-)]1+ ⇄ [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O2•-)]2+, is established utilizing Me8Fc+/Cr(η6-C6H6)2, allowing for [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O2•-)]2+/[CuII2(BPMPO-)(O22-)]1+ reduction potential calculation, E°' = -0.44 ± 0.01 V vs Fc+/0, also confirmed by cryoelectrochemical measurements (E°' = -0.40 ± 0.01 V). 2,6-Lutidinium triflate addition to [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O22-)]1+ produces [CuII2(BPMPO-)(-OOH)]2+; using a phosphazene base, an acid-base equilibrium was achieved, pKa = 22.3 ± 0.7 for [CuII2(BPMPO-)(-OOH)]2+. The BDFEOO-H = 80.3 ± 1.2 kcal/mol, as calculated for [CuII2(BPMPO-)(-OOH)]2+; this is further substantiated by H atom abstraction from O-H substrates by [CuII2(BPMPO-)(O2•-)]2+ forming [CuII2(BPMPO-)(-OOH)]2+. In comparison to known analogues, the thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of [CuII2(BPMPO-)] O2-derived adducts can be accounted for based on chelate ring size variations built into the BPMPO- framework and the resulting enhanced CuII-ion Lewis acidity.

Inactivation of polyphenol oxidase by low intensity DC field: Experiment and mechanism analysis via molecular dynamics simulation and molecular docking

In this study, inactivation of mushroom polyphenol oxidase (PPO) by low intensity direct current (DC) electric field and its molecular mechanism were investigated. In the experiments under 3 V/cm, 5 V/cm, 7 V/cm and 9 V/cm electric fields, PPOs were all completely inactivated after different exposure times. Under 1 V/cm, a residual activity of 11.88 % remained. The inactivation kinetics confirms to Weibull model. Under 1–7 V/cm, n value closes to a constant about 1.3. The structural analysis of PPO under 3 V/cm and 5 V/cm by fluorescence emission spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation showed that the tertiary structure was slightly changed with increased radius of gyration, higher potential energy and rate of C-alpha fluctuation. After exposure to the electric field, most of the hydrophobic tryptophan (TRP) residues turned to the hydrophilic surface, resulting the fluorescence red-shifted and quenched. Molecular docking indicated that the receptor binding domain of catechol in PPO was changed. PPO under electric field was MD simulated the first time, revealing the changing mechanism of the electric field itself on PPO, a binuclear copper enzyme, which has a metallic center. All these suggest that the low intensity DC electric field would be a promising option for enzymatic browning inhibition or even enzyme activity inactivation.