Iron Center Research Articles

Adjustment of Electronic (OMe and NO2) and Steric (CHPh2) Effects in Bis(imino)pyridinyliron Precatalysts for Producing High Molecular Weight Linear PE

AbstractBased on variations in steric and electronic substituents in the N‐aryl unit, a set of five 2‐[1‐(arylimino)ethyl]‐6‐[1‐(2‐benzhydryl‐4‐nitro‐6‐methoxyphenylimino)ethyl]pyridyliron dichloride complexes (where aryl=2,6‐dimethylphenyl (Fe‐Me2), 2,6‐diethylphenyl (Fe‐Et2), 2,6‐diisopropyl (Fe‐iPr2), 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl (Fe‐Me3), 2,6‐diethyl‐4‐methylphenyl (Fe‐Et2Me)) were synthesized and investigated for ethylene polymerization. Their structures and compositions were confirmed by FTIR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray diffraction analysis (Fe‐Et2 and Fe‐iPr2), revealing a distorted square pyramidal geometry around the iron center. When activated in situ with MAO or MMAO, these iron complexes acted as highly active precatalysts, achieving activity levels up to 29.0×106 gPE molFe−1 h−1 for a 5‐min reaction at 60 °C. A notable characteristic of these precatalysts is their high thermal stability, maintaining significant activity (2.0×106 gPE molFe−1 h−1) at temperatures up to 100 °C. Importantly, the incorporation of strong electron‐withdrawing groups in the ligand structure favored the production of polyethylene with high molecular weights (up to 407.5 kg mol−1) across various reaction conditions, surpassing those of most previously reported iron complexes. Moreover, less hindered iron precatalysts showed higher activity compared to more hindered ones. However, the trend reversed when comparing the molecular weight of obtained polyethylene: more sterically hindered precatalysts yielded higher molecular weight polymers. The molecular weight distributions ranged from monomodal to bimodal with broad dispersity. DSC thermograms and 1H/13C NMR spectra of the polyethylene confirmed its highly linear microstructure, evidenced by sharp endothermic peaks and pronounced singlets for the −(CH2)n− repeating units.

Redox-Neutral, Iron-Mediated Directed C-H Activation: General Principles and Mechanistic Insights.

Experimental and computational studies have been conducted and established the general principles for enabling redox-neutral C-H activation by iron(II) complexes. The idealized octahedral iron(II) dimethyl complex, (depe)2Fe(CH3)2 (depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane) promoted the directed, regioselective ortho C(sp2)-H methylation of pivalophenone. The rate of the iron(II)-mediated C(sp2)-H functionalization depended on the lability of L-type phosphine ligands, the spin state of the iron center, and the size of the X-type ligands (halide, hydrocarbyl) in P4FeIIX2 complexes. The C(sp2)-H alkylation reaction proved general among multiple substrates with directing groups including carbonyl, imines and pyridines. Among these, ketones and aldehydes were identified as optimal and were compatible with various steric environments and presence of acidic α-hydrogens. With stronger nitrogen donors, higher barriers for product-forming reductive elimination were observed. The effect of orbital hybridization on the chemoselectivity of C-H activation through a σ-CAM pathway by dn>0 transition metals was also established by studying the stoichiometric reactivity of the differentially substituted (depe)2Fe(Me)R complexes (R = alkyl, aryl), where the Fe-R bond with greater s-character preferentially promoted selective C-H activation. Deuterium labeling and kinetic studies, coupled with computational analysis, supported a pathway involving phosphine dissociation and rate-determining C-H bond activation, leading to the observed products.

Stereoelectronic Tuning of Bioinspired Nonheme Iron(IV)-Oxo Species by Amide Groups in Primary and Secondary Coordination Spheres for Selective Oxygenation Reactions.

Two mononuclear iron(II) complexes, [(6-amide2-BPMEN)FeII](OTf)2 (1) and [(6-amide-Me-BPMEN)FeII(OTf)](OTf) (2), supported by two BPMEN-derived (BPMEN = N1,N2-dimethyl-N1,N2-bis(pyridine-2-yl-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) ligands bearing one or two amide functionalities have been isolated to study their reactivity in the oxygenation of C-H and C═C bonds using isopropyl 2-iodoxybenzoate (iPr-IBX ester) as the oxidant. Both 1 and 2 contain six-coordinate high-spin iron(II) centers in the solid state and in solution. The 6-amide2-BPMEN ligand stabilizes an S = 1 iron(IV)-oxo intermediate, [(6-amide2-BPMEN)FeIV(O)]2+ (1A). The oxidant (1A) oxygenates the C-H and C═C bonds with a high selectivity. Oxidant 1A, upon treatment with 2,6-lutidine, is transformed into another oxidant [{(6-amide2-BPMEN)-(H)}FeIV(O)]+ (1B) through deprotonation of an amide group, resulting in a stronger equatorial ligand field and subsequent stabilization of the triplet ground state. In contrast, no iron-oxo species could be observed from complex 2 and [(6-Me2-BPMEN)FeII(OTf)2] (3) under similar experimental conditions. The iron(IV)-oxo oxidant 1A shows the highest A/K selectivity in cyclohexane oxidation and 3°/2° selectivity in adamantane oxidation reported for any synthetic nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complexes. Theoretical investigation reveals that the hydrogen bonding interaction between the -NH group of the noncoordinating amide group and Fe═O core smears out the equatorial charge density, reducing the triplet-quintet splitting, and thus helping complex 1A to achieve better reactivity.

Gas Tunnel Engineering of Prolyl Hydroxylase Reprograms Hypoxia Signaling in Cells

AbstractCells have evolved intricate mechanisms for recognizing and responding to changes in oxygen (O2) concentrations. Here, we have reprogrammed cellular hypoxia (low O2) signaling via gas tunnel engineering of prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), a non‐heme iron dependent O2 sensor. Using computational modeling and protein engineering techniques, we identify a gas tunnel and critical residues therein that limit the flow of O2 to PHD2’s catalytic core. We show that systematic modification of these residues can open the constriction topology of PHD2’s gas tunnel. Using kinetic stopped‐flow measurements with NO as a surrogate diatomic gas, we demonstrate up to 3.5‐fold enhancement in its association rate to the iron center of tunnel‐engineered mutants. Our most effectively designed mutant displays 9‐fold enhanced catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM=830±40 M−1 s−1) in hydroxylating a peptide mimic of hypoxia inducible transcription factor HIF‐1α, as compared to WT PHD2 (kcat/KM=90±9 M−1 s−1). Furthermore, transfection of plasmids that express designed PHD2 mutants in HEK‐293T mammalian cells reveal significant reduction of HIF‐1α and downstream hypoxia response transcripts under hypoxic conditions of 1 % O2. Overall, these studies highlight activation of PHD2 as a new pathway to reprogram hypoxia responses and HIF signaling in cells.

Gas Tunnel Engineering of Prolyl Hydroxylase Reprograms Hypoxia Signaling in Cells.

Cells have evolved intricate mechanisms for recognizing and responding to changes in oxygen (O2) concentrations. Here, we have reprogrammed cellular hypoxia (low O2) signaling via gas tunnel engineering of prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), a non-heme iron dependent O2 sensor. Using computational modeling and protein engineering techniques, we identify a gas tunnel and critical residues therein that limit the flow of O2 to PHD2's catalytic core. We show that systematic modification of these residues can open the constriction topology of PHD2's gas tunnel. Using kinetic stopped-flow measurements with NO as a surrogate diatomic gas, we demonstrate up to 3.5-fold enhancement in its association rate to the iron center of tunnel-engineered mutants. Our most effectively designed mutant displays 9-fold enhanced catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM=830±40 M-1 s-1) in hydroxylating a peptide mimic of hypoxia inducible transcription factor HIF-1α, as compared to WT PHD2 (kcat/KM=90±9 M-1 s-1). Furthermore, transfection of plasmids that express designed PHD2 mutants in HEK-293T mammalian cells reveal significant reduction of HIF-1α and downstream hypoxia response transcripts under hypoxic conditions of 1 % O2. Overall, these studies highlight activation of PHD2 as a new pathway to reprogram hypoxia responses and HIF signaling in cells.

Operando Spectroelectrochemistry Unravels the Mechanism of CO2 Electrocatalytic Reduction by an Fe Porphyrin.

Iron porphyrins are molecular catalysts recognized for their ability to electrochemically and photochemically reduce carbon dioxide (CO2). The main reduction product is carbon monoxide (CO). CO holds significant industrial importance as it serves as a precursor for various valuable chemical products containing either a single carbon atom (C1), like methanol or methane, or multiple carbon atoms (Cn), such as ethanol or ethylene. Despite the long-established efficiency of these catalysts, optimizing their catalytic activity and stability and comprehending the intricate reaction mechanisms remain a significant challenge. This article presents a comprehensive investigation of the mechanistic aspects of the selective electroreduction of CO2 to CO using an iron porphyrin substituted with four trimethylammonium groups in the para position [(pTMA)FeIII-Cl]4+. By employing infrared and UV/Visible spectroelectrochemistry, changes in the electronic structure and coordination environment of the iron center can be observed in real-time as the electrochemical potential is adjusted, offering new insights into the reaction mechanisms. Catalytic species were identified, and evidence of a secondary reaction pathway was uncovered, potentially prompting a re-evaluation of the nature of the catalytically active species.

Heteroleptic Triazole-Bisoxazoline Iron Complexes Reveal Lability of the Iron-Carbene Bond Even Within a Chelating Scaffold.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes have proven to be excellent ligands for transition metals, with numerous applications in catalysis and beyond. However, they have also displayed lability with first row transition metals, largely due to the hard-soft mismatch of the metal-carbon bond. Chelation is often considered a suitable methodology for supporting the labile M-C bond through the introduction of a strongly coordinating donor site such as hard phenolates. Herein, we demonstrate that chelating phenolate-carbene ligands are kinetically labile in iron(II) complexes. Specifically, heteroleptic iron complexes [Fe(C^O)(N^N)] were synthesized composed of a phenolate-functionalized triazolylidene (CO) ligand and N,N-bidentate coordinating bisoxazoline ligand (N^N). Stability studies by 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that the heteroleptic complexes preferentially convert to their corresponding homoleptic complexes [Fe(C^O)2] and [Fe(N^N)2], indicating reversible decoordination of the carbene phenolate chelate from the iron center. The rate of this rearrangement is dependent on the substituents on the ligands and increases for triazolylidene wingtip groups mesityl (Mes) < di(isopropyl)aryl (DIPP) < adamantyl (Ad), with significant ligand redistribution for DIPP and Ad systems observed even at room temperature. The most stable heteroleptic complex featured mesityl wingtips on the triazole and phenyl groups as oxazoline substituents and displayed signs of ligand exchange only after 16 h at room temperature. This substitutional lability of carbene ligands even when supported by a phenolate chelating group has direct consequences when designing iron complexes for catalytic applications.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Non‐Heme Iron Hyponitrite Complex

Flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs) are important enzymes in microbial pathogenesis, as they equip microbes with resistance to the human immune defense agent nitric oxide (NO). Despite much efforts, intermediates that would provide insight into how the non‐heme diiron active sites of FNORs reduce NO to N2O could not be identified. Computations predict that iron‐hyponitrite complexes are the key species, leading from NO to N2O. However, the coordination chemistry of non‐heme iron centers with hyponitrite is largely unknown. In this study, we report the reactivity of two non‐heme iron complexes with preformed hyponitrite. In the case of [Fe(TPA)(CH3CN)2](OTf)2, cleavage of hyponitrite and formation of an Fe2(NO)2 diamond core is observed. With less Lewis‐acidic [Fe2(BMPA‐PhO)2(OTf)2] (2), reaction with Na2N2O2 in polar aprotic solvent leads to the formation of a red complex, 3. X‐ray crystallography shows that 3 is a tetranuclear iron‐hyponitrite complex, [{Fe2(BMPA‐PhO)2}2(μ‐N2O2)](OTf)2, with a unique hyponitrite binding mode. This species provided the unique opportunity to us to study the interaction of hyponitrite with non‐heme iron centers and the reactivity of the bound hyponitrite ligand. Here, either protonation or oxidation of 3 is found to induce N2O formation, supporting the hypothesis that hyponitrite is a viable intermediate in NO reduction.

Identity of the Silyl Ligand in an Iron Silyl Complex Influences Olefin Hydrogenation: An Experimental and Computational Study.

In this study, we explore the selective synthesis of iron silyl complexes using the reaction of an iron mesityl complex (MesCCC)FeMes(Py) with various hydrosilanes. These resulting iron silyl complexes, (MesCCC)Fe(SiH2Ph)(Py)(N2), (MesCCC)Fe(SiMe2Ph)(Py)(N2), and (MesCCC)Fe[SiMe(OSiMe3)2](Py)(N2), serve as effective precatalysts for olefin hydrogenation. The key to their efficiency in catalysis lies in the specific nature of the silyl ligand attached to the iron center. Experimental observations, supported by density functional theory (DFT) simulations, reveal that the catalytic performance correlates with the relative stability of dihydrogen and hydride species associated with each iron silyl complex. The stability of these intermediates is crucial for efficient hydrogen transfer during the catalytic cycle. The DFT simulations help to quantify these stability factors, showing a direct relationship between the silyl ligand's electronic and steric properties and the overall catalytic activity. Complexes with certain silyl ligands exhibit better performance due to the optimal balance between the stability and reactivity of the key active catalyst. This work highlights the importance of ligand design in the development of iron-based hydrogenation catalysts.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Non-Heme Iron Hyponitrite Complex.

Flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs) are important enzymes in microbial pathogenesis, as they equip microbes with resistance to the human immune defense agent nitric oxide (NO). Despite much efforts, intermediates that would provide insight into how the non-heme diiron active sites of FNORs reduce NO to N2O could not be identified. Computations predict that iron-hyponitrite complexes are the key species, leading from NO to N2O. However, the coordination chemistry of non-heme iron centers with hyponitrite is largely unknown. In this study, we report the reactivity of two non-heme iron complexes with preformed hyponitrite. In the case of [Fe(TPA)(CH3CN)2](OTf)2, cleavage of hyponitrite and formation of an Fe2(NO)2 diamond core is observed. With less Lewis-acidic [Fe2(BMPA-PhO)2(OTf)2] (2), reaction with Na2N2O2 in polar aprotic solvent leads to the formation of a red complex, 3. X-ray crystallography shows that 3 is a tetranuclear iron-hyponitrite complex, [{Fe2(BMPA-PhO)2}2(μ-N2O2)](OTf)2, with a unique hyponitrite binding mode. This species provided the unique opportunity to us to study the interaction of hyponitrite with non-heme iron centers and the reactivity of the bound hyponitrite ligand. Here, either protonation or oxidation of 3 is found to induce N2O formation, supporting the hypothesis that hyponitrite is a viable intermediate in NO reduction.

Tailoring the oxidizing intermediate in the Fenton reaction, OH• or FeIV=Oaq, by modifying the pKa of the (H2O)5FeII(H2O2) complex, and the case of PDS - a DFT study.

A DFT analysis of the Fenton and Fenton-like reactions points out that the pH effect on the nature of the oxidizing intermediate formed is due to a pKa of the peroxide when hydroperoxides are used. When S2O82- is used, the pH effect is due to the pKa of one of the water ligands of the central iron cation. The results suggest that the choice of the hydroperoxide and the ligands present affects the pH at which the transition from the formation of hydroxyl radicals to the formation of FeIV=Oaq occurs.

Adsorption of cytochrome c on different self-assembled monolayers: The role of surface chemistry and charge density.

In this work, the adsorption behavior of cytochrome c (Cyt-c) on five different self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) (i.e., CH3-SAM, OH-SAM, NH2-SAM, COOH-SAM, and OSO3--SAM) was studied by combined parallel tempering Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that Cyt-c binds to the CH3-SAM through a hydrophobic patch (especially Ile81) and undergoes a slight reorientation, while the adsorption on the OH-SAM is relatively weak. Cyt-c cannot stably bind to the lower surface charge density (SCD, 7% protonation) NH2-SAM even under a relatively high ionic strength condition, while a higher SCD of 25% protonation promotes Cyt-c adsorption on the NH2-SAM. The preferred adsorption orientations of Cyt-c on the negatively-charged surfaces are very similar, regardless of the surface chemistry and the SCD. As the SCD increases, more counterions are attracted to the charged surfaces, forming distinct counterion layers. The secondary structure of Cyt-c is well kept when adsorbed on these SAMs except the OSO3--SAM surface. The deactivation of redox properties for Cyt-c adsorbed on the highly negatively-charged surface is due to the confinement of heme reorientation and the farther position of the central iron to the surfaces, as well as the relatively larger conformation change of Cyt-c adsorbed on the OSO3--SAM surface. This work may provide insightful guidance for the design of Cyt-c-based bioelectronic devices and controlled enzyme immobilization.

Regulating iron center by defective MoS2 for superior Fenton-like catalysis in water purification: The key role of surface interaction and superoxide radical in accelerating metal redox-cycling

Transition metals exhibit high reactivity for Fenton-like catalysis in environmental remediation, but how to save consumption and reduce pollution is of great interest. In this study, rationally designed defect-engineered Fe@MoS2 (Fe@D-MoS2) was prepared by incorporating reactive iron onto structural defects generated from the chemical acid-etching, aiming to improve the energetic consumption of the catalyst in Fenton-like applications. Morphological and structural properties were elucidated in details, the Fenton-like reactivity was evaluated with five phenolic contaminants for oxidant activation, radical generation and environmental remediation. Compared to Fe@MoS2, Fe@D-MoS2 exhibited a 18.9-fold increase in phenol degradation (0.09 versus 1.79 min−1). Quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance tests and electrochemical measurements revealed the dominant sulfate and superoxide radicals. Rendered by strong metal-substrate surface and electronic interactions from regulated chemical environment and coordination structure, the inert ≡ Fe(III) was reduced to the reactive ≡ Fe(II) accompanied by the ≡ Mo(IV) oxidation to ≡ Mo(V) in MoS2 lattice, with adjacent sulfur serving as the key electron transfer bridge. Therefore, this work shows that the incorporation of reactive centers is able to boost two-dimensional sulfide materials for environmental catalysis applications.

From d8 to d1: Iron(0) and Iron(I) Complexes Complete the Series of Eight Fe Oxidation States within the TIMMNMes Ligand Framework.

Reduction of the ferrous precursor [(TIMMNMes)Fe(Cl)]+ (1) (TIMMNMes = tris-[(3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)methyl]amine) to the low-valent iron(0) complex [(TIMMNMes)Fe(CO)3] (2) is presented, where the tris(N-heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) ligand framework remains intact, yet the coordination mode changed from 3-fold to 2-fold coordination of the carbene arms. Further, the corresponding iron(I) complexes [(TIMMNMes)Fe(L)]+ (L = free site, η1-N2, CO, py) (3) are synthesized and fully characterized. Complexes 1-3 demonstrate the notable steric and electronic flexibility of the TIMMNMes ligand framework by variation of the Fe-N anchor and Fe-carbene distances and the variable size of the axial cavity occupation. This is further underpinned by the oxidation of 3-N2 in a reaction with benzophenone to yield the corresponding, charge-separated iron(II) radical complex [(TIMMNMes)Fe(OCPh2)]+ (4). We found rather surprising similarities in the reactivity behavior when going to low- or high-valent oxidation states of the central iron ion. This is demonstrated by the closely related reactivity of 3-N2, where H atom abstraction with TEMPO triggers the formation of the metallacycle [(TIMMNMes*)Fe(py)]+ (5), and the reactivity of the highly unstable Fe(VII) nitride complex [(TIMMNMes)Fe(N)(F)]3+ to give the metallacyclic Fe(V) imido complex [(TIMMNMesN)Fe(NMes)(MeCN)]3+ (6) upon warming. Thus, the employed tris(carbene) chelate is not only capable of stabilizing the superoxidized Fe(VI) and Fe(VII) nitrides but equally supports the iron center in its low oxidation states 0 and +1. Isolation and characterization of these zero- and monovalent iron complexes demonstrate the extraordinary capability of the tris(carbene) chelate TIMMN to support iron in eight different oxidation states within the very same ligand platform.

Iron(III) Complexes with Pyridine Group Coordination and Dissociation Reversible Equilibrium: Cooperative Activation of CO2 and Epoxides into Cyclic Carbonates.

Herein, a series of [ONSN]-type iron(III) complexes were synthesized. A binary catalytic system in combination with iron complexes and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) exhibited high activity for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 (1 atm) and terminal epoxides at room temperature. Additionally, single-component iron complexes without using additional TBAB as nucleophiles also showed high activity for the cycloaddition of CO2 and terminal epoxides under 80 °C and 0.5 MPa of CO2. This study demonstrates that single-component iron catalysts provide a competitive alternative to binary catalytic systems for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides. Mechanistic studies on a single-component iron catalytic system suggest that the temperature serves as a role of responsive switch for controlling the coordination and dissociation of pyridine bearing iron catalysts detected using in situ infrared spectroscopy, and uncoordinated pyridine activates CO2 to form carbamate. Studies of electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry reveal that an iron center was used as a Lewis acidic site, free halogen anions from the iron center were used as a nucleophilic site, and coordinated pyridine was released from iron complexes to activate CO2.

Effect of Substituted Pyridine Co-Ligands and (Diacetoxyiodo)benzene Oxidants on the Fe(III)-OIPh-Mediated Triphenylmethane Hydroxylation Reaction.

Iodosilarene derivatives (PhIO, PhI(OAc)2) constitute an important class of oxygen atom transfer reagents in organic synthesis and are often used together with iron-based catalysts. Since the factors controlling the ability of iron centers to catalyze alkane hydroxylation are not yet fully understood, the aim of this report is to develop bioinspired non-heme iron catalysts in combination with PhI(OAc)2, which are suitable for performing C-H activation. Overall, this study provides insight into the iron-based ([FeII(PBI)3(CF3SO3)2] (1), where PBI = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole) catalytic and stoichiometric hydroxylation of triphenylmethane using PhI(OAc)2, highlighting the importance of reaction conditions including the effect of the co-ligands (para-substituted pyridines) and oxidants (para-substituted iodosylbenzene diacetates) on product yields and reaction kinetics. A number of mechanistic studies have been carried out on the mechanism of triphenylmethane hydroxylation, including C-H activation, supporting the reactive intermediate, and investigating the effects of equatorial co-ligands and coordinated oxidants. Strong evidence for the electrophilic nature of the reaction was observed based on competitive experiments, which included a Hammett correlation between the relative reaction rate (logkrel) and the σp (4R-Py and 4R'-PhI(OAc)2) parameters in both stoichiometric (ρ = +0.87 and +0.92) and catalytic (ρ = +0.97 and +0.77) reactions. The presence of [(PBI)2(4R-Py)FeIIIOIPh-4R']3+ intermediates, as well as the effect of co-ligands and coordinated oxidants, was supported by their spectral (UV-visible) and redox properties. It has been proven that the electrophilic nature of iron(III)-iodozilarene complexes is crucial in the oxidation reaction of triphenylmethane. The hydroxylation rates showed a linear correlation with the FeIII/FeII redox potentials (in the range of -350 mV and -524 mV), which suggests that the Lewis acidity and redox properties of the metal centers greatly influence the reactivity of the reactive intermediates.

New Frontiers in Nonheme Enzymatic Oxyferryl Species.

Non-heme mononuclear iron dependent (NHM-Fe) enzymes exhibit exceedingly diverse catalytic reactivities. Despite their catalytic versatilities, the mononuclear iron centers in these enzymes show a relatively simple architecture, in which an iron atom is ligated with 2-4 amino acid residues, including histidine, aspartic or glutamic acid. In the past two decades, a common high-valent reactive iron intermediate, the S=2 oxyferryl (Fe(IV)-oxo or Fe(IV)=O) species, has been repeatedly discovered in NHM-Fe enzymes containing a 2-His-Fe or 2-His-1-carboxylate-Fe center. However, for 3-His/4-His-Fe enzymes, no common reactive intermediate has been identified. Recently, we have spectroscopically characterized the first S=1 Fe(IV) intermediate in a 3-His-Fe containing enzyme, OvoA, which catalyzes a novel oxidative carbon-sulfur bond formation. In this review, we summarize the broad reactivities demonstrated by S=2 Fe(IV)-oxo intermediates, the discovery of the first S=1 Fe(IV) intermediate in OvoA and the mechanistic implication of such a discovery, and the intrinsic reactivity differences of the S=2 and the S=1 Fe(IV)-oxo species. Finally, we postulate the possible reasons to utilize an S=1 Fe(IV) species in OvoA and their implications to other 3-His/4-His-Fe enzymes.

Single-Atom Fe-Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling to Quinolines.

A single-atom iron catalyst was found to exhibit exceptional reactivity in acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling for quinoline synthesis, outperforming known homogeneous and nanocatalyst systems. Detailed characterizations, including aberration-corrected HAADF-STEM, XANES, and EXAFS, jointly confirmed the presence of atomically dispersed iron centers. Various functionalized quinolines were efficiently synthesized from different amino alcohols and a range of ketones or alcohols. The iron single-atom catalyst achieved a turnover number (TON) of up to 105, far exceeding the results of current homogeneous and nanocatalyst systems. Detailed mechanistic studies verified the significance of single-atom Fe sites in the dehydrogenation process.

Molecular Engineering of Porous Fe-N-C Catalyst with Sulfur Incorporation for Boosting CO2 Reduction and Zn-CO2 Battery.

Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts have emerged as promising candidates for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) due to their uniform active sites and high atomic utilization rate. However, poor efficiency at low overpotentials and unclear reaction mechanisms limit the application of M-N-C catalysts. In this study, Fe-N-C catalysts are developed by incorporating S atoms onto ordered hierarchical porous carbon substrates with a molecular iron thiophenoporphyrin. The well-prepared FeSNC catalyst exhibits superior CO2RR activity and stability, attributes to an optimized electronic environment, and enhances the adsorption of reaction intermediates. It displays the highest CO selectivity of 94.0% at -0.58V (versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and achieves the highest partial current density of 13.64mA cm-2 at -0.88V. Furthermore, when employed as the cathode in a Zn-CO2 battery, FeSNC achieves a high-power density of 1.19mW cm-2 and stable charge-discharge cycles. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the incorporation of S atoms into the hierarchical porous carbon substrate led to the iron center becoming more electron-rich, consequently improving the adsorption of the crucial reaction intermediate *COOH. This study underscores the significance of hierarchical porous structures and heteroatom doping for advancing electrocatalytic CO2RR and energy storage technologies.

Exploration of iron(III) complexes with bidentate N, O-donor Schiff base ligands through synthesis, characterization, DFT, and antibacterial studies

Iron(III) complexes [Fe(SBn)2(H2O)2]NO3 (1, 2) (n=1 or 2) were synthesized via a reaction of Fe(NO3)3.9H2O with N, O-donor Schiff-base ligands (HSBn) in a ratio of 1:2 in terms of moles. Schiff-base ligands (HSBn) were synthesized when a solution of salicylaldehyde in methanol underwent reflux with aniline (HSB1) or 4-chloroaniline (HSB2) in methanol respectively. These aquated iron(III) complexes, 1 & 2 were further reacted with nitrogen-containing molecules as neutral donors (L) (such as pyridine, imidazole, and benzimidazole) in a ratio of 1 part to 2 parts by moles, yielding mixed-ligand complexes [Fe(SBn)2(L)2]NO3(3-8). The synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic studies (electronic, infrared & NMR spectra), as well as measurements of magnetic susceptibility and conductance. Infrared spectra revealed that Schiff bases coordinated with iron(III) centers in bidentate and chelating mode, primarily through phenolic –O and azomethine–N groups. Electronic spectra confirmed the existence of octahedral iron(III) in a high-spin state within these complexes, consistent with assessments of magnetic susceptibility. DFT-based parameters were determined for ligands HSB1, & HSB2, and complexes 1, 2, & 8 using Gaussian 09 at the B3LYP level. Structural analysis showed slightly distorted octahedral geometry with high spin (d5) and sextet multiplicity in all complexes. The global hardness exhibited an increasing trend: HSB2 < 8 < 2 < 1 < HSB1, while chemical reactivity showed the opposite trend: HSB2 > 8 > 2 > 1 > HSB1. The antibacterial activity of ligands, HSB1 and HSB2, along with complexes 1 and 2, was evaluated against various bacterial strains. Schiff bases, HSB1 and HSB2 inhibited several strains, with complexes 1 and 2 demonstrating improved efficacy, possibly due to altered chemical properties from the complex formation. Despite lower potency than Ciprofloxacin, they offer therapeutic alternatives.