Nonheme Mn Research Articles

Aliphatic C[sbnd]H azidation by Mn based mimics of α-ketoglutarate dependent enzymes

α-Ketoglutarate dependent nonheme halogenases catalyze regioselective functionalization of aliphatic CH bonds via H abstraction by the ferryl site of the [X−FeIV=O] intermediate, followed by radical rebound to an adjacent halogen ligand X at the same Fe center. Herein we report biomimetic nonheme Mn complexes, possessing two labile cis-α coordination sites and capable of catalyzing the enantioselective azidation of C(sp3)−H groups. Proper ligand environment of the active sites imposes steric constraints on HO−Mn rebound, thus accounting for preferential C-radical rebound to the adjacent N3−Mn ligand. Such mechanism of selectivity control is analogous to that operating in the prototypical α-ketoglutarate-dependent nonheme iron halogenases.

Bioinspired Non-Heme Mn Catalysts for Regio- and Stereoselective Oxyfunctionalizations with H2 O2.

In recent years, metalloenzymes-mediated highly selective oxidations of organic substrates under mild conditions have been inspiration for developing synthetic bioinspired catalyst systems, capable of conducting such processes in the laboratory (and, in the future, in industry), relying on easy-to-handle and environmentally benign oxidants such as H2 O2 . To date, non-heme manganese complexes with chiral bis-amino-bis-pyridylmethyl and structurally related ligands are considered as possessing the highest synthetic potential, having demonstrated the ability to mediate a variety of chemo- and stereoselective oxidative transformations, such as epoxidations, C(sp3 )-H hydroxylations and ketonizations, oxidative desymmetrizations, kinetic resolutions, etc. Furthermore, in the past few years non-heme Mn based catalysts have become the major platform for studies focused on getting insight into the molecular mechanisms of oxidant activation and (stereo)selective oxygen transfer, testing non-traditional hydroperoxide oxidants, engineering catalytic sites with enzyme-like substrate recognition-based selectivity, exploration of catalytic regioselectivity trends in the oxidation of biologically active substrates of natural origin. This contribution summarizes the progress in manganese catalyzed C-H oxygenative transformations of organic substrates, achieved essentially in the past 5 years (late 2018-2023).

Why non-heme Mn complexes of amino 2-quinolylmethyl ligands are inactive in oxidation catalysis? An insight from X-ray data

In the last decade, manganese complexes with bis-amino-bis-pyridylmethyl and structurally related N4 donor ligands have emerged as efficient catalysts of selective epoxidations and C–H oxidations of organic substrates with H2O2. Although a plethora of various ligand structures have been designed, (quinolin-2-yl)methyl moieties have not been involved in constructing such catalysts. Herewith we report crystal structures of several Mn complexes with (quinolin-2-yl)methyl and discuss possible reasons of their inactivity in oxidation catalysis.

Direct regio- and stereoselective mono- and polyoxyfunctionalization of estrone derivatives at C(sp3)-H bonds

Late-stage catalytic selective oxidative C-H functionalization at B and C rings of estrone 3-acetate, 17α- and 17β-estradiol 3-acetates with H2O2 in the presence of bioinspired nonheme Mn complexes with N4-donor ligands has been developed. Depending on the ligand architecture and absolute chirality, products of α-hydroxylation or ketonization at C6, or α-hydroxylation at C9, or 9,11-desaturation/C12α-hydroxylation can be obtained in synthetically useful yields; the resulting monooxygenated derivatives can be involved in further selective oxidative transformations to yield polyoxygenated metabolites. The aromatic A ring remains intact under the conditions, and ketonization of the hydroxo groups at C17 is effectively prevented by using hexafluoroisopropanol as strong hydrogen bond donor reaction solvent.

Chemoselective Oxyfunctionalization of Functionalized Benzylic Compounds with a Manganese Catalyst.

Whilst allowing for easy access to synthetically versatile motifs and for modification of bioactive molecules, the chemoselective benzylic oxidation reactions of functionalized alkyl arenes remain challenging. Reported in this study is a new non‐heme Mn catalyst stabilized by a bipiperidine‐based tetradentate ligand, which enables methylene oxidation of benzylic compounds by H2O2, showing high activity and excellent chemoselectivity under mild conditions. The protocol tolerates an unprecedentedly wide range of functional groups, including carboxylic acid and derivatives, ketone, cyano, azide, acetate, sulfonate, alkyne, amino acid, and amine units, thus providing a low‐cost, more sustainable and robust pathway for the facile synthesis of ketones, increase of complexity of organic molecules, and late‐stage modification of drugs.

To Rebound or...Rebound? Evidence for the “Alternative Rebound” Mechanism in C–H Oxidations by the Systems Nonheme Mn Complex/H2O2/Carboxylic Acid

In this work, it has been shown that aliphatic C–H oxidations by bioinspired catalyst systems Mn aminopyridine complex/H2O2/carboxylic acid in acetonitrile afford predominantly a mixture of the cor...

A Mononuclear Non-Heme Manganese(III)–Aqua Complex in Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactions via Electron Transfer

Metal-oxygen complexes, such as metal-oxo [M(O2-)], -hydroxo [M(OH-)], -peroxo [M(O22-)], -hydroperoxo [M(OOH-)], and -superoxo [M(O2•-)] species, are capable of conducting oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions with organic substrates, such as thioanisole (PhSMe) and triphenylphosphine (Ph3P). However, OAT of metal-aqua complexes, [M(OH2)]n+, has yet to be reported. We report herein OAT of a mononuclear non-heme Mn(III)-aqua complex, [(dpaq)MnIII(OH2)]2+ (1, dpaq = 2-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)]amino-N-quinolin-8-yl-acetamidate), to PhSMe and Ph3P derivatives for the first time; it is noted that no OAT occurs from the corresponding Mn(III)-hydroxo complex, [(dpaq)MnIII(OH)]+ (2), to the substrates. Mechanistic studies reveal that OAT reaction of 1 occurs via electron transfer from 4-methoxythioanisole to 1 to produce the 4-methoxythioanisole radical cation and [(dpaq)MnII(OH2)]+, followed by nucleophilic attack of H2O in [(dpaq)MnII(OH2)]+ to the 4-methoxythioanisole radical cation to produce an OH adduct radical, 2,4-(MeO)2C6H3S•(OH)Me, which disproportionates or undergoes electron transfer to 1 to yield methyl 4-methoxyphenyl sulfoxide. Formation of the thioanisole radical cation derivatives is detected by the stopped-flow transient absorption measurements in OAT from 1 to 2,4-dimethoxythioanisole and 3,4-dimethoxythioanisole, being compared with that in the photoinduced electron transfer oxidation of PhSMe derivatives, which are detected by laser-induced transient absorption measurements. Similarly, OAT from 1 to Ph3P occurs via electron transfer from Ph3P to 1, and the proton effect on the reaction rate has been discussed. The rate constants of electron transfer from electron donors, including PhSMe and Ph3P derivatives, to 1 are fitted well by the electron transfer driving force dependence of the rate constants predicted by the Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer.

Deciphering the mechanism of oxygen atom transfer by non-heme MnIV-oxo species: an ab initio and DFT exploration.

Oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions employing transition metal-oxo species have tremendous significance in homogeneous catalysis for industrial use. Understanding the structural and mechanistic aspects of OAT reactions using high-valent metal-oxo species is of great importance to fine-tune their reactivity. Herein we examine the reactivity of a non-heme high-valent oxo-manganese(iv) complex, [MnIVH3buea(O)]- towards a variety of substrates such as PPh2Me, PPhMe2, PCy3, PPh3, and PMe3 using density functional theory as well as ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 methods. We have initially explored the structure and bonding of [MnIVH3buea(O)]- and its congener [MnIVH3buea(S)]-. Our calculations affirm an S = 3/2 ground state of the catalyst with the S = 5/2 and S = 1/2 excited states predicted to be too high lying in energy to participate in the reaction mechanism. Our ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations, however, reveal a strong multi-reference character for the ground S = 3/2 state with many low-lying quartets mixing significantly with the ground state. This opens up various reaction channels, and the admixed wave-function evolves during the reaction with the excited triplet dominating the ground state wave-function at the reactant complex. Our calculations predict the following pattern of reactivity, PCy3 < PMe3 < PPh3 < PPhMe2 < PPh2Me for the OAT reaction with the MnIV[double bond, length as m-dash]O species which correlates well with the experimental observations. Detailed electronic structure analysis of the transitions states reveal that these substrates react via an unusual low-energy δ-type pathway where a spin-up electron from the substrate is transferred to the δ*x2-y2 orbital of the MnIV[double bond, length as m-dash]O facilitated by its multi-reference character. The unusual reactivity observed here has implications in understanding the reactivity of [Mn4Ca] species in photosystem II.

High-Spin Mn(V)-Oxo Intermediate in Nonheme Manganese Complex-Catalyzed Alkane Hydroxylation Reaction: Experimental and Theoretical Approach.

Mononuclear nonheme manganese complexes are highly efficient catalysts in the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of carboxylic acids. Although high-valent Mn(V)-oxo complexes have been proposed as the active oxidants that afford high regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivities in the catalytic oxidation reactions, the importance of the spin state (e.g., S = 0 or 1) of the proposed Mn(V)-oxo species is an area that requires further study. In the present study, we have theoretically demonstrated that a mononuclear nonheme Mn(V)-oxo species with an S = 1 ground spin state is the active oxidant that effects the stereo- and enantioselective alkane hydroxylation reaction; it is noted that synthetic octahedral Mn(V)-oxo complexes, characterized spectroscopically and/or structurally, possess an S = 0 spin state and are sluggish oxidants. In an experimental approach, we have investigated the catalytic hydroxylation of alkanes by a mononuclear nonheme Mn(II) complex, [(S-PMB)MnII]2+, and H2O2 in the presence of carboxylic acids; alcohol is the major product with high stereo- and enantioselectivities. A synthetic Mn(IV)-oxo complex, [(S-PMB)MnIV(O)]2+, is inactive in C-H bond activation reactions, ruling out the Mn(IV)-oxo species as an active oxidant. DFT calculations have shown that a Mn(V)-oxo species with an S = 1 spin state, [(S-PMB)MnV(O)(OAc)]2+, is highly reactive and capable of oxygenating the C-H bond via oxygen rebound mechanism; we propose that the triplet spin state of the Mn(V)-oxo species results from the consequence of breaking the equatorial symmetry due to the binding of an equatorial oxygen from an acetate ligand. Thus, the present study reports that, different from the previously reported S = 0 Mn(V)-oxo species, Mn(V)-oxo species with a triplet ground spin state are highly reactive oxidants that are responsible for the regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivities in the catalytic hydroxylation of alkanes by mononuclear nonheme manganese complexes and terminal oxidants.

Regioselective Oxybromination of Benzene and Its Derivatives by Bromide Anion with a Mononuclear Nonheme Mn(IV)-Oxo Complex.

Oxybromination of aromatic compounds by high-valent metal-oxo intermediates has yet to be explored despite extensive studies on the oxybromination of aliphatic C-H bonds of hydrocarbons. Herein, we report the regioselective oxybromination of methoxy-substituted benzenes by a nonheme MnIV-oxo complex binding scandium ions, [(Bn-TPEN)MnIV(O)]2+-(Sc(OTf)3)2 (1), in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide. The regioselective oxybromination occurs at the carbon atom with the highest positive charge via electron transfer (ET) from the methoxy-substituted benzenes to 1. ET driving force dependence of the rate constants of ET from methoxy-substituted benzenes to 1 is well fitted in light of the Marcus theory of ET. Under photoirradiation, the oxybromination of benzene by 1 can be achieved via ET from benzene to the photoexcited state of 1, although no reaction occurs between benzene and the ground state of 1 in the dark. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of reporting the stoichiometric regioselective oxybromination of the benzene ring by a synthetic high-valent Mn(IV)-oxo complex and the catalytic regioselective oxybromination reaction with a Mn(II) complex and a terminal oxidant.

Unified Mechanism of Oxygen Atom Transfer and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactions with a Triflic Acid-Bound Nonheme Manganese(IV)–Oxo Complex via Outer-Sphere Electron Transfer

Outer-sphere electron transfer from styrene, thioanisole, and toluene derivatives to a triflic acid (HOTf)-bound nonheme Mn(IV)-oxo complex, [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2 (N4Py = N, N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)- N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), has been shown to be the rate-determining step of different types of redox reactions such as epoxidation, sulfoxidation, and hydroxylation of styrene, thioanisole, and toluene derivatives, respectively, by [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2. The rate constants of HOTf-promoted epoxidation of all styrene derivatives with [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+ and electron transfer from electron donors to [(N4Py)MnV(O)]2+ exhibit a remarkably unified correlation with the driving force of outer-sphere electron transfer in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. The same electron-transfer driving force dependence is observed in the oxygen atom transfer from [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2 to thioanisole derivatives as well as in the hydrogen atom transfer from toluene derivatives to [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2. Thus, mechanisms of oxygen atom transfer (epoxidation and sulfoxidation) reactions of styrene and thioanisole derivatives and hydrogen atom transfer (hydroxylation) reactions of toluene derivatives by [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2 have been unified for the first time as the same reaction pathway via outer-sphere electron transfer, followed by the fast bond-forming step, which exhibits the singly unified electron-transfer driving force dependence of the rate constants as outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions. In the case of the epoxidation of cis-stilbene by [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2, the isomerization of cis-stilbene radical cation to trans-stilbene radical cation occurs after outer-sphere electron transfer from cis-stilbene to [(N4Py)MnIV(O)]2+-(HOTf)2 to yield trans-stilbene oxide selectively, which is also taken as evidence for the occurrence of electron transfer in the acid-catalyzed epoxidation.

A Mononuclear Non-heme Manganese(III)–Aqua Complex as a New Active Oxidant in Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactions

A mononuclear non-heme Mn(III)-aqua complex, [(dpaq)MnIII(OH2)]2+ (1, dpaq = 2-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)]amino- N-quinolin-8-yl-acetamidate), is capable of conducting hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions much more efficiently than the corresponding Mn(III)-hydroxo complex, [(dpaq)MnIII(OH)]+ (2); the high reactivity of 1 results from the positive one-electron reduction potential of 1 ( Ered vs SCE = 1.03 V), compared to that of 2 ( Ered vs SCE = -0.1 V). The HAT mechanism of 1 varies between electron transfer followed by proton transfer and one-step concerted proton-coupled electron transfer, depending on the one-electron oxidation potentials of substrates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example showing that metal(III)-aqua complex can be an effective H-atom abstraction reagent.

Direct oxygen atom transfer versus electron transfer mechanisms in the phosphine oxidation by nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complexes.

Direct oxygen atom transfer from a nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complex, [(Bn-TPEN)MnIV(O)]2+, to triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) derivatives occurs with a significant steric effect resulting from the ortho-substituents on the phenyl group of the Ph3P derivatives, whereas the phosphine oxygenation by a Mn(iv)-oxo complex in the presence of HOTf occurs via an electron transfer mechanism without the substrate-steric effect.

Activated vs. pyrolytic carbon as support matrix for chemical functionalization: Efficient heterogeneous non-heme Mn(II) catalysts for alkene oxidation with H2O2

Two types of heterogeneous catalytic materials, MnII-L3imid@Cox and MnII-L3imid@PCox, have been synthesized and compared by covalent grafting of a catalytically active [MnII-L3imid] complex on the surface of an oxidized activated carbon (Cox) and an oxidized pyrolytic carbon from recycled-tire char (PCox). Both hybrids are non-porous bearing graphitic layers intermixed with disordered sp2/sp3 carbon units. Raman spectra show that (ID/IG)activatedcarbon>(ID/IG)pyrolyticcarbon revealing that oxidized activated carbon(Cox) is less graphitized than oxidized pyrolytic carbon (PCox). The MnII-L3imid@Cox and MnII-L3imid@PCox catalysts were evaluated for alkene oxidation with H2O2 in the presence of CH3COONH4. Both showed high selectivity towards epoxides and comparing the achieved yields and TONs, they appear equivalent. However, MnII-L3imid@PCox catalyst is kinetically faster than the MnII-L3imid@Cox (accomplishing the catalytic runs in 1.5h vs. 5h). Thus, despite the similarity in TONs MnII-L3imid@PCox achieved extremely higher TOFs vs. MnII-L3imid@Cox. Intriguingly, in terms of recyclability, MnII-L3imid@Cox could be reused for a 2th run showing a ∼20% loss of its catalytic activity, while MnII-L3imid@PCox practically no recyclable. This phenomenon is discussed in a mechanistic context; interlinking oxidative destruction of the Mn-complex with high TOFs for MnII-L3imid@PCox, while the low-TOFs of MnII-L3imid@Cox are preventive for the oxidative destruction of the Mn-complex.

Comparative study of the catalytic thermodynamic barriers for two homologous Mn- and Fe-non-heme oxidation catalysts

Two sets of homologous Mn- and Fe-catalysts, [MnIILCl2], [FeIILCl2] and [MnIIL(OAc)2], [FeIIL(OAc)2] have been synthesized. A detailed comparative study of their catalytic oxidative performance with H2O2, in tandem with EPR and Low-Temperature UV–vis spectroscopies has been carried out. The [Metal-L(OAc)2] and [Metal-LCl2] catalysts did not show any difference in their catalytic behavior i.e. there is no effect of the labile ligands on the studied catalysis. It is found that the Mn-catalysts consistently outcompeted the homologous Fe-catalysts i.e. TOFs (Mn)=162 vs. TOFs (Fe)=16. We found that the Fe-catalyst faces a significantly higher activation barrier than the Mn-catalyst i.e. Ea(FeIIL(OAC)2)=91KJ/mol≫Ea(MnIIL(OAC)2)=55kJ/mole, while the free-energy difference, ΔG(FeIIL(OAC)2)∼ΔG(MnIIL(OAC)2)∼−145kJ/mole, did not make difference. Taken altogether the present data clarify that the main thermodynamic barrier, ultimately determining the overall catalytic performance, of these homologous Mn- and Fe-catalysts is the activation energy for the transient intermediates i.e. MnII to MnIVO for the Mn-catalysts and FeII to FeIIIOOH for the Fe-catalysts. A unified/consistent catalytic thermodymanic concept is discussed, that bears relevance to the catalytic behavior of many non-heme Mn- vs. Fe-oxidation catalysts.

Influence of ligand architecture on oxidation reactions by high-valent nonheme manganese oxo complexes using water as a source of oxygen.

Mononuclear nonheme Mn(IV)=O complexes with two isomers of a bispidine ligand have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT). The Mn(IV)=O complexes show reactivity in oxidation reactions (hydrogen-atom abstraction and sulfoxidation). Interestingly, one of the isomers (L(1) ) is significantly more reactive than the other (L(2) ), while in the corresponding Fe(IV)=O based oxidation reactions the L(2) -based system was previously found to be more reactive than the L(1) -based catalyst. This inversion of reactivities is discussed on the basis of DFT and molecular mechanics (MM) model calculations, which indicate that the order of reactivities are primarily due to a switch of reaction channels (σ versus π) and concomitant steric effects.

Spectroscopic characterization and reactivity studies of a mononuclear nonheme Mn(III)-hydroperoxo complex.

We report the first example of a mononuclear nonheme manganese(III)–hydroperoxo complex derived from protonation of an isolated manganese(III)–peroxo complex bearing an N-tetramethylated cyclam (TMC) ligand, [MnIII(TMC)(OOH)]2+. The MnIII-hydroperoxo intermediate is characterized with various spectroscopic methods as well as with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, showing the binding of a hydroperoxide ligand in an end-on fashion. The MnIII–hydroperoxo species is a competent oxidant in oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions, such as the oxidation of sulfides. The electrophilic character of the MnIII–hydroperoxo complex is demonstrated unambiguously in the sulfoxidation of para-substituted thioanisoles.

Hydride transfer from NADH analogues to a nonheme manganese(IV)-oxo complex via rate-determining electron transfer.

Hydride transfer from NADH analogues to a nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complex, [(Bn-TPEN)Mn(IV)(O)](2+), proceeds via a rate-determining electron transfer step with no deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE = 1.0 ± 0.1); a charge-transfer complex formed between the Mn(IV)(O) complex and NADH analogues is involved in the hydride transfer reaction.

A Mononuclear Non-Heme Manganese(IV)–Oxo Complex Binding Redox-Inactive Metal Ions

Redox-inactive metal ions play pivotal roles in regulating the reactivities of high-valent metal-oxo species in a variety of enzymatic and chemical reactions. A mononuclear non-heme Mn(IV)-oxo complex bearing a pentadentate N5 ligand has been synthesized and used in the synthesis of a Mn(IV)-oxo complex binding scandium ions. The Mn(IV)-oxo complexes were characterized with various spectroscopic methods. The reactivities of the Mn(IV)-oxo complex are markedly influenced by binding of Sc(3+) ions in oxidation reactions, such as a ~2200-fold increase in the rate of oxidation of thioanisole (i.e., oxygen atom transfer) but a ~180-fold decrease in the rate of C-H bond activation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene (i.e., hydrogen atom transfer). The present results provide the first example of a non-heme Mn(IV)-oxo complex binding redox-inactive metal ions that shows a contrasting effect of the redox-inactive metal ions on the reactivities of metal-oxo species in the oxygen atom transfer and hydrogen atom transfer reactions.

Theoretical Investigations into C–H Bond Activation Reaction by Nonheme MnIVO Complexes: Multistate Reactivity with No Oxygen Rebound

Recently published experimental results on a nonheme synthetic [(Bn-TPEN)MnIVO]2+ complex reveal that it is capable of activating strong C–H bonds. However, the final products are shown to contain MnIII instead of the expected MnII, which should be formed if a rebound mechanism similar to what is assumed for heme FeIVO was to occur. It was proposed that the substrate radical generated during H-abstraction dissociates from the MnIIIOH complex and undergoes an additional reaction to a second molecule of MnIVO, leading to MnIII. Density functional calculations reveal the root cause of why a follow-up rebound to form MnII and alcohol is not preferred in this system. It is further shown that nonheme MnIVO has a more complex spin-state manifold during C–H activation reactions compared with FeIVO, and that spin-state matters in oxidative chemistry of metal-oxo reagents.