Dinuclear Center Research Articles

1H NMR studies on the CuA center of nitrous oxide reductase from Pseudomonas stutzeri.

1H NMR spectra of the CuA center of N2OR from Pseudomonas stutzeri, and a mutant enzyme that contains only CuA, were recorded in both H2O- and D2O-buffered solution at pH 7.5. Several sharp, well-resolved hyperfine-shifted 1H NMR signals were observed in the 60 to -10 ppm chemical shift range. Comparison of the native and mutant N2OR spectra recorded in H2O-buffered solutions indicated that several additional signals are present in the native protein spectrum. These signals are attributed to a dinuclear copperII center. At least two of the observed hyperfine-shifted signals associated with the dinuclear center, those at 23.0 and 13.2 ppm, are lost upon replacement of H2O buffer with D2O buffer. These data indicate that at least two histidine residues are ligands of a dinuclear CuII center. Comparison of the mutant N2OR 1H NMR spectra recorded in H2O and D2O indicates that three signals, c (27.5 ppm), e (23.6 ppm), and i (12.4 ppm), are solvent exchangeable. The two most strongly downfield-shifted signals (c and e) are assigned to the two N epsilon 2H (N-H) protons of the coordinated histidine residues, while the remaining exchangeable signal is assigned to a backbone N-H proton in close proximity to the CuA cluster. Signal e was found to decrease in intensity as the temperature was increased, indicating that proton e resides on a more solvent-exposed histidine residue. One-dimensional nOe studies at pH 7.5 allowed the histidine ring protons to be definitively assigned, while the remaining signals were assigned by comparison to previously reported spectra from CuA centers. The temperature dependence of the observed hyperfine-shifted 1H NMR signals of mutant N2OR were recorded over the temperature range of 276-315 K. Both Curie and anti-Curie temperature dependencies are observed for sets of hyperfine-shifted protons. Signals a and h (cysteine protons) follow anti-Curie behavior (contact shift increases with increasing temperatures), while signals b-g, i, and j (histidine protons) follow Curie behavior (contact shift decreases with increasing temperatures). Fits of the temperature dependence of the observed hyperfine-shifted signals provided the energy separation (Delta EL) between the ground (2B3u) and excited (2B2u) states. The temperature data obtained for all of the observed hyperfine-shifted histidine ligand protons provided a Delta EL value of 62 +/- 35 cm-1. The temperature dependence of the observed cysteine C beta H and C alpha H protons (a and h) were fit in a separate experiment providing a Delta EL value of 585 +/- 125 cm-1. The differences between the Delta EL values determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and those determined by EPR or MCD likely arise from coupling between relatively low-frequency vibrational states and the ground and excited electronic states.

On the prosthetic groups of the NiFe sulfhydrogenase from Pyrococcus furiosus: topology, structure, and temperature-dependent redox chemistry.

The sulfhydrogenase complex of Pyrococcus furiosus is an alpha beta gamma delta heterotetramer with both hydrogenase activity (borne by the alpha delta subunits) and sulfur reductase activity (carried by the beta gamma subunits). The beta-subunit contains at least two [4Fe-4S] cubanes and the gamma-subunit contains one [2Fe-2S] cluster and one FAD molecule. The delta-subunit contains three [4Fe-4S] cubanes and the alpha-subunit carries the NiFe dinuclear center. Only three Fe/S signals are observed in EPR-monitored reduction by dithionite, NADPH, or internal substrate upon heating. All other clusters presumably have reduction potentials well below that of the H+/H2 couple. Heat-induced reduction by internal substrate allows, for the first time, EPR monitoring of the NiFe center in a hyperthermophilic hydrogenase, which passes through a number of states, some of which are similar to states previously defined for mesophilic hydrogenases. The complexity of the observed transitions reflects a combination of temperature-dependent activation and temperature-dependent reduction potentials.

Peroxo-Bridged Dinuclear Cobalt(III) Complexes Containing N-Glycoside Ligands from Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and d-Glucose or Maltose

Peroxo-bridged dinuclear cobalt(III) complexes, [{Co((d-Glc)2-tren)}2(μ-O2)]X3·5H2O (X = Cl (2·5H2O), Br (3·5H2O)) and [{Co((Mal)2-tren)}2(μ-O2)]Cl3·6H2O (4·6H2O), were prepared from CoX2·6H2O, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, and d-glucose (d-Glc) or maltose (α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose; Mal), and were characterized by elemental analysis, UV−vis absorption, circular dichroism, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray absorption and crystallographic analyses, where (aldose)2-tren is bis(N-aldosyl-2-aminoethyl)(2-aminoethyl)amine (aldose = d-Glc, Mal). The structure of 2 and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography to consist of two Co(III) ions bridged by a peroxo unit: 2·4H2O·CH3OH, orthorhombic, P212121 (No. 19), a = 19.384(8) Å, b = 23.468(5) Å, c = 13.195(5) Å, V = 6002(2) Å3, Z = 4, Dcalcd = 1.440 g cm-3, T = −99 °C, R = 0.078, Rw = 0.085 for 4961 reflections with I > 3σ(I); 4·2.25H2O·3.75CH3OH, monoclinic, P21 (No. 4), a = 12.819(7) Å, b = 49.168(18) Å, c = 14.973(6) Å, β = 104.59(4)°, V = 9130(7) Å3, Z = 4, Dcalcd = 1.459 gcm-3, T = −136 °C, R = 0.101 for 6837 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The hydrogen bondings between the sugar moieties deviates the Co−O−O−Co torsional angle from planarity to 100.4(6)° (2) and av 102(1)° (4). The electronic structures of the twisted Co2(μ-O)2 core were discussed on the basis of extended Hückel MO calculations. The present discrete complexes have a tetravalent sugar domain around the dinuclear center and clearly demonstrated distinct sugar−sugar interactions which could be a minimal model for so-called sugar clusters of glycoproteins on cell surfaces.

Stages in iron storage in the ferritin of Escherichia coli (EcFtnA): analysis of Mössbauer spectra reveals a new intermediate.

Iron uptake into the nonheme ferritin of Escherichia coli (EcFtnA) and its site-directed variants have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy. EcFtnA, like recombinant human H chain ferritin (HuHF), oxidized Fe(II) at a dinuclear ferroxidase center situated at a central position within each subunit. As with HuHF, Mössbauer subspectra observed between 1 min and 24 h after Fe(II) addition were assigned to Fe(III) monomers, "c", mu-oxo-bridged dimers, "b", and clusters, "a", the latter showing magnetically split spectra, "d", at 4.1 K. Like those of HuHF, the mu-oxo-bridged dimers were formed at the ferroxidase centers. However, the analysis also revealed the presence of a new type of dimer, "e" (QS1 = 0.38 mm/s, IS1 = 0.51 mm/s and QS2 = 0.72 mm/s, IS2 = 0.50 mm/s), and this was also assigned to the ferroxidase center. Dimers "b" appeared to be converted to dimers "e" over time. Subspectra "e" became markedly asymmetric at temperatures above 90 K, suggesting that the two Fe(III) atoms of dimers "e" were more weakly coupled than in the mu-oxo-bridged dimers "b", possibly due to OH- bridging. Monomeric Fe(III), giving relaxation spectra "c", was assigned to a unique site C that is near the dinuclear center. In EcFtnA all three iron atoms seemed to be oxidized together. In contrast to HuHF, no Fe(III) clusters were observed 24 h after the aerobic addition of 48 Fe(II) atoms/molecule in wild-type EcFtnA. This implies that iron is more evenly distributed between molecules in the bacterial ferritins, which may account for its greater accessibility.

Pulsed 1H and 55Mn ENDOR studies of dinuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV) model complexes

The high resolution pulsed EPR technique of ESE-ENDOR is applied to bis-μ-oxo dinuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV) model complexes ligated by either 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthro-line (phen). Such complexes, which model a building block of which the Mn4 cluster of the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II is thought to be contracted, are strongly anti-ferromagnetically coupled, class II mixed valence compounds. The 1H hyperfine couplings between ligand protons and the dinuclear spin centre reflect significant couplings to each Mn ion: a situation which requires a more complex analysis than that used in the case of a simple single point-dipole. 55Mn ENDOR spectra of phen recorded at field positions across the EPR envelope reveal its Mn hyperfine and quadrupole coupling constants. These ENDOR spectra are discussed in relation to a general analysis of 55Mn ENDOR spectra, including the importance of angle and m I selection, in addition to obtaining ENDOR spectra across the EPR envelope in cases where 55Mn m I splitting is resolved in the EPR spectra.

The use of zinc(II) to probe iron binding and oxidation by the ferritin (EcFtnA) of Escherichia coli

The ferritin of Escherichia coli (EcFtnA) is similar to human H-chain ferritin (HuHF) in having 24 subunits, each containing a dinuclear site at which two iron atoms can be oxidised (the diiron centre). In EcFtnA, unlike HuHF, fluorescence quenching of Trp122, located near site A of the dinuclear centre, can be used to monitor metal binding (this tryptophan is absent from HuHF). Metal binding also perturbs the UV absorbance spectrum of Trp122 and that of Tyr24 (a conserved residue near site B of the dinuclear centre). Using UV-difference spectroscopy and fluorescence quenching it is shown that Fe(II) and Zn(II) bind at the same sites, A and B. Sequential stopped-flow studies of Fe(II) binding and oxidation also show that Zn(II) is an effective competitor of Fe(II) binding and an inhibitor of its oxidation.

CuA and CuZ are variants of the electron transfer center in nitrous oxide reductase.

Nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR) is a dimeric copper-dependent bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of N2O to N2 as part of the denitrification pathway. In the absence of an x-ray crystal structure, the current model of the nature of the copper sites within the enzyme is based on four copper atoms per monomer and assigns two copper atoms to an electron transfer center, CuA, a bis-thiolate-bridged dinuclear copper center found to date only in N2OR and cytochrome c oxidase, and two copper atoms to a second dinuclear center, CuZ, presumed to be the site of catalysis. Based on detailed analysis of the low temperature magnetic CD spectra of N2OR, this paper revises the current model and proposes that both CuA and CuZ are variants of an electron transfer center and hence that all of the observed optical features are due to this electron transfer center. It is proposed further that the presence of these different forms provides a mechanism for the delivery of two electrons to an active site comprising copper ions lacking thiolate coordination.

Structural Characterization of the Catalytic High-Spin Heme b of Nitric Oxide Reductase: A Resonance Raman Study

Nitric oxide reductase (NOR) from Paracoccus denitrificans is a transmembrane heterodimer containing a low-spin heme c, a low-spin heme b, a high-spin heme b, and a non-heme iron. Protein sequence similarities between NOR and the cytochrome oxidase superfamily suggest the catalytic center of NO reduction to be the dinuclear high-spin heme b/non-heme iron site and the two low-spin hemes to facilitate electron transfer. The EPR-silent character of the non-heme iron and the ferric high-spin heme b is believed to be due to an antiferromagnetic coupling between these two metal centers via a bridging ligand. Soret or red excitations on the fully reduced, reduced CO-bound, and fully oxidized states of NOR allow enhancement of the resonance Raman (RR) contributions of the catalytic heme b of the enzyme. Resonance Raman spectra of the fully reduced enzyme are consistent with the presence of two six-coordinate low-spin hemes and one five-coordinate heme b ligated to a histidine. In the low-frequency region of the RR spectrum, a band at 218 cm-1 is assigned to the Fe−N(His) stretching mode of the high-spin heme. Addition of CO induces spectral changes in the high-frequency region of the RR spectra that confirm the binding of CO to the high-spin species. Isotopically labeled CO is used to assign the vibrational modes of the Fe−CO unit: the νFe-CO (476 cm-1) and νC-O (1970 cm-1) as well as the bending mode δFe-C-O (569 cm-1). These frequencies show that the catalytic heme is present in an unusual environment, possibly negatively charged, in which CO adopts a geometry quite different from that in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). The RR study of the oxidized enzyme demonstrates that the high-spin heme b conserves a pentacoordinate structure in the ferric state. To reconcile the EPR data, which indicate the presence of a bridging ligand in the ferric state of the dinuclear center, with the characteristic five-coordinate RR signature of the high-spin heme b in both oxidized and reduced NOR, we propose a mechanism in which the bond between the proximal histidine and the heme iron is broken upon binding of NO, leaving the diiron center bridged after its catalytic turnover.

The dinuclear center of cytochrome bo3 from Escherichia coli.

For the study of the dinuclear center of heme-copper oxidases cytochrome bo3 from Escherichia coli offers several advantages over the extensively characterized bovine cytochrome c oxidase. The availability of strains with enhanced levels of expression allows purification of the significant amounts of enzyme required for detailed spectroscopic studies. Cytochrome bo3 is readily prepared as the fast form, with a homogeneous dinuclear center which gives rise to characteristic broad EPR signals not seen in CcO. The absence of CuA and the incorporation of protohemes allows for a detailed interpretation of the MCD spectra arising from the dinuclear center heme o3. Careful analysis allows us to distinguish between small molecules that bind to heme o3, those which are ligands of CuB, and those which react to yield higher oxidation states of heme o3. Here we review results from our studies of the reactions of fast cytochrome bo3 with formate, fluoride, chloride, azide, cyanide, NO, and H2O2.

Dinuclear (d(3)-d(3)) Diolate Complexes of Molybdenum and Tungsten. 3.(1) Bridging and Chelating Isomers of M(2)(NMe(2))(2)(O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O)(2), Where O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O Is the Dianion of 2,2'-Ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol). Kinetic versus Thermodynamic Considerations.

Hydrocarbon solutions of Mo(2)(NMe(2))(6) and 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), HO approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately OH (2 equiv), react to give a mixture of two isomers, A and B, of formula Mo(2)(NMe(2))(2)(O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O)(2). Both A and B are shown to contain the bridging &mgr;-O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O ligands. They are diastereomers differing with respect to the positioning of the CHMe moiety as a result of ring closure with elimination of HNMe(2). Compounds A and B are thermally persistent at 100 degrees C in the solid state and in toluene, but compound A isomerizes in the presence of pyridine to the thermodynamically favored chelate isomer Mo(2)(NMe(2))(2)(eta(2)-O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O)(2), C. Compound C is related to the previously characterized isomer Mo(2)(NMe(2))(2)(eta(2)-O approximately approximately CH(2) approximately approximately O)(2), where the methylene proton that is distal to the Mo-Mo triple bond is replaced by a Me group. Compound B cannot rearrange to this isomer without Mo-O bond dissociation. W(2)(NMe(2))(6) and HO approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately OH (2 equiv) react to give W(2)(NMe(2))(2)(eta(2)-O approximately approximately CHMe approximately approximately O)(2), D, which is an analogue of C. The three molybdenum isomers A-C and tungsten complex D have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. The results of this work are discussed in terms of the earlier work involving the related 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxides) and reveal that the initial ring closure reaction determines the stereochemistry of the subsequent substitution by the biphenoxide at the dinuclear center. Crystal data: for A.PhMe at -168 degrees C, a = 16.585(5) Å, b = 19.480(6) Å, c = 10.960(3) Å, alpha = 98.39(2) degrees, beta = 103.19(1) degrees, gamma = 91.44(2) degrees, space group P&onemacr;; for B.2PhH at -168 degrees C, a = 15.167(3) Å, b = 18.210(3) Å, c = 13.964(3) Å, alpha = 92.81(1) degrees, beta = 100.40(1) degrees, gamma = 71.16(1) degrees, space group P&onemacr;; for C.1.5Et(2)O at -168 degrees C, a = 16.483(3) Å, b = 16.817(3) Å, c = 14.305(2) Å, alpha = 106.13(1) degrees, beta = 108.80(1) degrees, gamma = 71.70(1) degrees, space group P&onemacr;; and for D at -168 degrees C, a = 14.638(2) Å, b = 21.188(4) Å, c = 10.273(2) Å, alpha = 94.80(1) degrees, beta = 95.05(1) degrees, gamma = 100.85(1) degrees, space group P&onemacr;.

Interaction of nitric oxide with non-haem iron sites of Escherichia coli bacterioferritin: reduction of nitric oxide to nitrous oxide and oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III).

The bacterioferritin (BFR) of Escherichia coli consists of 24 identical subunits, each containing a dinuclear metal-binding site consisting of two histidines and four carboxylic acid residues. Earlier studies showed that the characterization of iron binding to BFR could be aided by EPR analysis of iron-nitrosyl species resulting from the addition of NO to the protein [Le Brun, Cheesman, Andrews, Harrison, Guest, Moore and Thomson (1993) FEBS Lett. 323, 261-266]. We now report data from gas chromatographic head space analysis combined with EPR spectroscopy to show that NO is not an inert probe: iron(II)-BFR catalyses the reduction of NO to N2O, resulting in oxidation of iron(II) at the dinuclear centre and the subsequent detection of mononuclear iron(III). In the presence of excess reductant (sodium ascorbate), iron(II)-BFR also catalyses the reduction of NO to N2O, giving rise to three mononuclear iron-nitrosyl species which are detectable by EPR. One of these, a dinitrosyl-iron complex of S = 1/2, present at a maximum of one per subunit, is shown by EPR studies of site-directed variants of BFR not to be located at the dinuclear centre. This is consistent with a proposal that the diferric form of the centre is unstable and breaks down to form mononuclear iron species.

Nature and electronic structure of the Ni-X dinuclear center of Desulfovibrio gigas hydrogenase. Implications for the enzymatic mechanism.

The recent determination of the X-ray crystal structure of Desulfovibrio gigas hydrogenase has revealed that the active site is a Ni-X dinuclear center [Volbeda, A., Charon, M. H., Piras, C., Hatchikian, E. C., Frey, M., & Fontecilla-Camps, J. C. (1995) Nature 373, 580-587]. This unexpected result calls for a re-examination of the magnetic and redox properties that have been attributed previously to a mononuclear Ni center. We have used a combination of dosimetric and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques to investigate the nature and the electronic structure of the Ni-X center in the redox forms of D. gigas hydrogenase giving EPR signals. The metal atom X was first shown to be Fe by accurate metal content analyses. Next, by determining the EPR characteristics of a polycrystal powder, it was shown that the redox form of the enzyme studied in the X-ray crystal experiments was essentially Ni-A. The temperature dependence of the Ni-A, Ni-B, Ni-C, and Ni-L EPR signals was studied over a large temperature range. No deviation from Curie's law could be detected, which places strong constraints upon the magnitude of the possible magnetic interactions between the Ni and Fe centers. When these results and the other available magnetic data are analyzed in the light of the crystal structure, it is concluded that the Fe center is diamagnetic in all the redox states of the enzyme. On the basis of these results, a mechanistic scheme consistent with a large body of experimental data can be proposed for Ni-containing hydrogenases.

Reactions of W 2(H)(OR) 7, W 2(OR) 6(py) 2 and W 4(OCH 2cC 4H 7) 12 compounds (R = Pr i, CH 2Bu t, cC 5H 9) with azobenzene, 1,2-diphenylhydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine

The reaction of W 2(H)(OR) 7, W 2(OR) 6(py) 2 and W 4(OCH 2 cC 4H 7) 12 compounds ( R = Pr i , CH 2Bu t, cC 5H 9) in hydrocarbon solvents with azobenzene, 1,2-diphenylhydrazine and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine have been studied. The tetranuclear cluster proved to be inert while W 2(H)(OR) 7 was the most kinetically labile. In all cases where a reaction was observed the dinuclear center was ultimately oxidized with the formation of imido (NR 2−) or hydrazido (NNR 2 2−) ligands being formed. These were isolated as compounds of W(6+) supported by four OR ligands. These products require alkoxide group scrambling and no compound from which OR groups were lost was detected. Studies of the reactions between W 2(H)(OR) 7 compounds and hydrazines by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy indicate the initial formation of 1:1 adducts followed by elimination of H 2 and ROH as the hydrazine is activated. The following compounds were isolated and crystallographically characterized by single crystal studies: [W(OPr i) 4NPh] 2, [W 3(μ 3-H)(OPr i) 9(NPh (py)], [W(Opr i) 4(NpH)(pyl)] and [W(OPr i) 4(NNMe 2)((py)]. The trinuclear tungsten compound is noteworthy in being a rare, if not the only, example of a 12-electron triangular metal cluster capped by a hydrido ligand. In the other structures the W(6+) center is in a distorted octahedral coordination and the imido or hydrazido(2−) ligand is terminal with significant contribution from the resonance form having a W-N triple bond.

Dinuclear center of ferritin: studies of iron binding and oxidation show differences in the two iron sites.

The ferroxidase activity of human ferritin has previously been associated with a diiron site situated centrally within the four-helix bundle of H-type chains (HuHF). However, direct information about the site of Fe(II) binding has been lacking, and events between Fe(II) binding and its oxidation have not previously been studied. A sequential stopped-flow assay has now been developed to enable the dissection of binding and oxidation. It depends on the ability of 1,10-phenanthroline to complex protein-bound Fe(II) and to distinguish it from the more immediately available free Fe(II). This approach, aided by the use of site-directed variants, indicates that in HuHF and the non-heme ferritin of Escherichia coli the first 48 Fe(II) atoms/molecule added are bound and oxidized at the dinuclear centers. At a constant iron concentration, the rate of Fe(II) oxidation was maximal for additions of 2 Fe(II) atoms/subunit, consistent with a two-electron oxidation of the Fe(II) pair. Although, at low Fe(II)/protein ratios, no cooperativity in Fe(II) binding was observed; a preferred order of binding was deduced [Fe(II) binding first at site A and then at site B]. Binding of Fe(II) at both sites was essential for fast oxidation. Modification of site A ligands resulted in slow iron binding and slow oxidation. Modification of site B did not prevent Fe(II) binding at site A but greatly reduced its oxidation rate. These differences may mean that dioxygen is initially bound to Fe(II) at site B.

Charge compensated binding of divalent metals to bacterioferritin: H + release associated with cobalt(II) and zinc(II) binding at dinuclear metal sites

Divalent metal ion binding to the bacterial iron-storage protein, bacterioferritin (BFR), which contains a dinuclear metal binding site within each of its 24 subunits, was investigated by potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) were found to bind at both high- and low-affinity sites. Cobalt(II) binding at the high-affinity site was observed at a level of two per subunit with the release of ∼ 1.6 protons per metal ion, thus confirming the dinuclear metal centre as the high-affinity site. Zinc(II) binding at the dinuclear centre (high-affinity site) resulted in the release of ∼ 2 protons per metal ion, but exhibited a binding stoichiometry which indicated that not all dinuclear centres were capable of binding two zinc(II) ions. Competition data showed that binding affinities for the dinuclear centre were in the order zinc(II) > cobalt(II), and also confirmed the unexpected stoichiometry of zinc(II) binding. This work emphasises the importance ∼ of charge neutrality at the dinuclear centre.

Lability of iron at the dinuclear centres of ferritin studied by competition with four chelators

Ferritin molecules contain 24 polypeptide chains folded as four-helix bundles and arranged as a hollow shell capable of storing up to 4500 Fe(III) atoms. H chains contain ferroxidase centres which lie within the bundle, about 12 A (1.2 nm) from the outside surface and 8 A from the inner surface of the protein shell. Catalysis of Fe(II) oxidation precedes storage of Fe(III) as ferrihydrite, with the formation of μ-oxo-bridged Fe(III) dimers as intermediates. Factors influencing the movement of μ-oxo-bridged Fe(III) from the ferroxidase centre to the ferritin cavity are uncertain. Assistance by small chelators is one possibility. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether iron at the dinuclear centres of three ferritins (human H chain homopolymer, HuHF, the non-haem ferritin of Escherichia coli, EcFTN, and horse spleen ferritin, HoSF) is accessible to chelators. Forty-eight Fe(II) atoms/molecule were added to the apoferritins followed, 2 min later, by the addition of chelator (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2-bipyridine, desferrioxamine or 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde). Iron species were analysed by Mossbauer spectroscopy or visible absorbance. Competition between chelators and apoferritin for Fe(II) was also investigated. The main conclusions of the study are that: (1) dinuclear iron and iron in small iron-cores in HuHF and EcFTN is mobilisable by all four chelators; (2) the chelators penetrate the shell; (3) 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde is the most efficient in mobilising Fe(III) but the least successful in competing for Fe(II); (4) Fe(III) is more readily released from EcFTN than from HuHF; (5) 2,2′-bipyridine aids the movement of Fe(III) from ferroxidase centre to core.

Magnetostructural Correlations in Bis(&mgr;(2)-phenoxide)-Bridged Macrocyclic Dinuclear Copper(II) Complexes. Influence of Electron-Withdrawing Substituents on Exchange Coupling.

Macrocyclic dicopper(II) complexes derived from 2,6-di(R)formylphenols and various linking diamines are surveyed and their magnetic and structural properties assessed. For those systems with "flat" dinuclear centers and no electronic perturbations associated with electron-withdrawing ligands or ligand groups, the complexes exhibit a "straight-line" relationship between exchange integral and phenoxide bridge angle. Within the angle range 98.8-104.7 degrees, 11 complexes are included with -2J in the range 689-902 cm(-)(1). When electron-withdrawing species are present, either as ligands or as groups bound to the macrocycle itself, considerable suppression of the antiferromagnetic exchange component is observed. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies are reported for three complexes. [Cu(2)(L1)(H(2)O)(2)]F(2)(CH(3)OH)(2) (1) crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 8.1878(5) Å, b = 9.0346(7) Å, c = 10.4048(7) Å, alpha = 103.672(6) degrees, beta = 101.163(5) degrees, gamma = 104.017(5) degrees, and Z = 1. [Cu(2)(L2)Cl(2)] [Cu(2)(L2) (H(2)O)(2)]Cl(ClO(4)).5.5H(2)O (2) crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 14.4305(5) Å, b = 24.3149(8) Å, c = 18.6584(8) Å, beta = 111.282(3) degrees, and Z = 4. [Cu(2)(L3)(H(2)O)(2)](BF(4))(2) (3) crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 8.6127(4) Å, b = 8.6321(7) Å, c = 10.8430(10) Å, a = 74.390(10) degrees, beta = 86.050(10) degrees, gamma = 76.350(10) degrees, and Z = 2. Square pyramidal copper ion stereochemistries are observed in all cases, with axially coordinated halogens or water molecules. Strong antiferromagnetic exchange is observed for all complexes (-2J = 784(8) cm(-)(1), Cu-O-Cu 103.65(10) degrees (1); -2J = 801(11) cm(-)(1), Cu-O-Cu 102.4(3), 107.5(3), 102.9(3), 106.1(3) degrees (2); -2J = 689(3) cm(-)(1), Cu-O-Cu 98.8(4) degrees (3)). The presence of electron-withdrawing CN groups on the periphery of the macrocyclic ligand leads to substantially reduced antiferromagnetic exchange.

Catalytic Cycle of a Divanadium Complex with Salen Ligands in O2Reduction: Two-Electron Redox Process of the Dinuclear Center (salen =N,N‘-Ethylenebis(salicylideneamine))

In an attempt to provide confirmation for the postulated mechanism of O2 reduction in vanadium-mediated oxidative polymerization of diphenyl disulfide, a series of divanadium complexes containing salen ligand (salen = N,N‘-ethylenebis(salicylideneamine)) were prepared, characterized, and subjected to reactivity studies toward dioxygen. A divanadium(III, IV) complex, [(salen)VOV(salen)][I3] (II), was yielded both by treatments of solutions of [(salen)VOV(salen)][BF4]2 (I) in acetonitrile with excess tetrabutylammonium iodide and by electroreduction of I followed by anion exchange with tetrabutylammonium triiodide. The complex II was characterized by a near-infrared absorption at 7.2 × 103 cm-1 (ε = 60.1 M-1 cm-1 in acetonitrile) assigned to an intervalence transfer band. A crystallographically determined V(III)−V(IV) distance of 3.569(4) Å is consonant with the classification of II as a weakly coupled Type II mixed-valence vanadium (α = 3.0 × 10-2). Oxidation of the cation [(salen)VOV(salen)]+ with O2 in dichloromethane yielded spontaneously the deep blue, mixed valent, divanadium(IV, V) species [(salen)VOVO(salen)]+ which was structurally characterized both as its triiodide (III) and perchlorate (IV) salts. Crystal data for III: triclinic space group P1̄ (no. 2), a = 14.973(2) Å, b = 19.481(2) Å, c = 14.168(2) Å, α = 107.00 (1)°, β = 115.56(1)°, γ = 80.35(1)°, V = 3561.3(9) Å3, Z = 4, Dcalc = 1.953 g/cm3, μ (MoKα) = 31.74 cm-1, final R = 0.057 and Rw = 0.065. Crystal data for IV: triclinic space group P1̄ (no. 2), a = 11.923(3) Å, b = 14.25(1) Å, c = 11.368(7) Å, α = 112.92(5)°, β = 92.76(4)°, γ = 99.13(4)°, V = 1743(1) Å3, Z = 2, Dcalc = 1.537 g/cm3, μ (CuKα) = 57.69 cm-1, final R = 0.042 and Rw = 0.061. The complexes III and IV were deoxygenated in strongly acidic nonaqueous media to produce [(salen)VOV(salen)]3+ as a high-valent complex whose reversible two-electron redox couple (VOV3+/VOV+) at 0.44V vs Ag/AgCl has been confirmed. Its ability to serve as a two-electron oxidant provided a unique model of a multielectron redox cycle in oxidative polymerization.

X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of the FeZn derivative of uteroferrin.

The FeZn derivative of purple acid phosphatase from porcine uterus (FeZnUf) and its phosphate complex (FeZnUf.PO4) have been characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at both the iron and zinc K-edges, to gain insight into the nature of the FeZn active site as well as the phosphate binding mode. Pre-edge data show that both FeZnUf and FeZnUf.PO4 have a 6-coordinate iron site. The iron site has an average Fe-O/N bond length of 2.01-2.02 A, which can be resolved into subshells of 1.92 and 2.11 A for FeZnUf.PO4. On the other hand, the zinc site has a shell of scatterers at 2.02-2.03 A plus one scatterer at ca. 2.4 A. These metal-ligand bond lengths are consistent with the nature of the ligands deduced from spectroscopic studies or identified in the crystal structure of the related kidney bean purple acid phosphatase (KBPAP). The outer-sphere analysis indicates an Fe-Zn separation of approximately 3.3 A in both FeZnUf and FeZnUf.PO4, consistent with the presence of an M2(mu-OR)2 diamond core as found in the crystal structures of KBPAP, calcineurin, and protein phosphatase 1. The Fe-P and Zn-P bond distances in FeZnUf.PO4 are determined to be 3.23 and 3.18 A, respectively, indicating that phosphate binds to the dinuclear center in a bidentate mode; such a mode has been observed in oxoanion complexes of KBPAP, calcineurin, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as in a number of synthetic FeFe and FeZn complexes. The implications of these structural results on the mechanism of phosphatase action are discussed.

Dinuclear Nickel(II) Complexes as Models for the Active Site of Urease.

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of the ligands 2,6-bis[bis((2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amino)methyl]-p-cresol (bbapOH), N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane (tbpOH), N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane (m-tbpOH) and 1-[N,N-bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amino]-3-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy]-2-hydroxypropane (bpepOH) were prepared in order to model the active site of urease. The novel asymmetric structures of the dinuclear complexes were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The complex [Ni(2)(bbapO)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2).Et(2)O, 1, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 10.258(2) Å, b = 19.876(3) Å, c = 25.592(4) Å, and beta = 97.12(2) degrees. The nickel ions in 1 are bridged by the phenoxy donor of the ligand and a perchlorate anion. The complexes [Ni(2)(tbpO)(MeCOO)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O.Et(2)O, 2, [Ni(2)(m-tbpO)(PhCOO)(EtOH)(2)](ClO(4))(2).EtOH, 3, and [Ni(2)(bpepO)(MeCOO)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O.Et(2)O.2EtOH, 4, also crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system with the following unit cell parameters: 2, C2/c, a = 35.360(13) Å, b = 10.958(3) Å, c = 24.821(10) Å, beta = 103.55(3) degrees; 3, Cc, a = 14.663(5) Å, b = 32.630(13) Å, c = 9.839(3) Å, beta = 92.49(2) degrees; 4, C2/c, a = 27.689(13) Å, b = 12.187(5) Å, c = 31.513(14) Å, beta = 115.01(3) degrees. The dinuclear centers of all these complexes are bridged by the alkoxy donor of the ligand and a carboxylate function. Compounds 2 and 3 have one of the nickel ions in a five-coordinated, trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment and thus show a high structural similarity to the dinuclear active site of urease from Klebsiella aerogenes. Furthermore, their magnetic and spectroscopic properties were determined and related to those of the urease enzymes. Activity toward hydrolysis of test substrates (4-nitrophenyl)urea, 4-nitroacetanilide, 4-nitrophenyl phosphate or bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate by the dinuclear complexes were examined by UV spectroscopic measurements.