Single Metal Site Research Articles

Caught! Crystal trapping of a side-on peroxo bound to Cr(iv).

A Cr(iv)η(2)-peroxo complex crystallizes from 33% aqueous H2O2. The complex is a likely intermediate in catalytic disproportionation of H2O2 proposed to occur through a single metal site mechanism in solution - and solid state.

Redox-active on-surface assembly of metal-organic chains with single-site Pt(II).

The formation and stabilization of well-defined transition-metal single sites at surfaces may open new routes to achieve higher selectivity in heterogeneous catalysts. Organic ligand coordination to produce a well-defined oxidation state in weakly reducing metal sites at surfaces, desirable for selective catalysis, has not been achieved. Here, we address this using metallic platinum interacting with a dipyridyl tetrazine ligand on a single crystal gold surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements demonstrate the metal-ligand redox activity and are paired with molecular-resolution scanning probe microscopy to elucidate the structure of the metal-organic network. Comparison to the redox-inactive diphenyl tetrazine ligand as a control experiment illustrates that the redox activity and molecular-level ordering at the surface rely on two key elements of the metal complexes: (i) bidentate binding sites providing a suitable square-planar coordination geometry when paired around each Pt, and (ii) redox-active functional groups to enable charge transfer to a well-defined Pt(II) oxidation state. Ligand-mediated control over the oxidation state and structure of single-site metal centers that are in contact with a metal surface may enable advances in higher selectivity for next generation heterogeneous catalysts.

Metal-Based Catalysts for Controlled Ring-Opening Polymerization of Macrolactones: High Molecular Weight and Well-Defined Copolymer Architectures

This contribution describes our recent results regarding the metal-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of pentadecalactone and its copolymerization with ε-caprolactone involving single-site metal complexes based on aluminum, zinc, and calcium. Under the right conditions (i.e., monomer concentration, catalyst type, catalyst/initiator ratio, reaction time, etc.), high molecular weight polypentadecalactone with Mn up to 130 000 g mol–1 could be obtained. The copolymerization of a mixture of ε-caprolactone and pentadecalactone yielded random copolymers. Zinc and calcium-catalyzed copolymerization using a sequential feed of pentadecalactone followed by ε-caprolactone afforded perfect block copolymers. The blocky structure was retained even for prolonged times at 100 °C after full conversion of the monomers, indicating that transesterification is negligible. On the other hand, in the presence of the aluminum catalyst, the initially formed block copolymers gradually randomized as a result of intra- and intermolecular transesterification reactions. The formation of homopolymers and copolymers with different architectures has been evidenced by HT-SEC chromatography, NMR, DSC and MALDI-ToF-MS.

Gold Atoms Stabilized on Various Supports Catalyze the Water–Gas Shift Reaction

For important chemical reactions that are catalyzed by single-site metal centers, such as the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction that converts carbon monoxide and water to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, atomically dispersed supported metal catalysts offer maximum atom efficiency. Researchers have found that for platinum metal supported on ceria and doped ceria in the automobile exhaust catalyst, atomic Pt-Ox-Ce species are the active WGS reaction sites. More recently, preparations of gold at the nanoscale have shown that this relatively "new material" is an active and often more selective catalyst than platinum for a variety of reactions, including the WGS reaction. The activity of gold is typically attributed to a size effect, while the interface of gold with the support has also been reported as important for oxidation reactions, but exactly how this comes about has not been probed satisfactorily. Typical supported metal catalysts prepared by traditional techniques have a heterogeneous population of particles, nanoclusters, subnanometer species, and isolated atoms/ions on the support surfaces, making the identification of the active sites difficult. Both we and other researchers have clearly shown that gold nanoparticles are spectator species in the WGS reaction. Evidence has now amassed that the gold active site for the WGS reaction is atomic, that is, Au-Ox species catalyze the reaction, similar to Pt-Ox. In this Account, we review the relevant literature to conclude that the intrinsic activity of the Au-Ox(OH)-S site, where S is a support, is the same for any S. The support effect is indirect, through its carrying (or binding) capacity for the active sites. Destabilization of the gold under reducing conditions through the formation of clusters and nanoparticles is accompanied by a measurable activity loss. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the destabilizing effect of different reaction gas mixtures on the gold atom sites and to consider regeneration methods that effectively redisperse the gold clusters into atoms. For gold catalysts, we can remove weakly bound clusters and nanoparticles from certain supports by leaching techniques. Because of this, we can prepare a uniform dispersion of gold atoms/ions strongly bound to the support surface by this two-step (loading followed by leaching) approach. Presently, one-step preparation methods to maximize the number of the single atom sites on various supports need to be developed, specific to the type of the selected support. Often, it will be beneficial to alter the surface properties of the support to enhance metal ion anchoring, for example, by shape and size control of the support or by the use of light-assisted deposition and anchoring of the metal on photoresponsive supports. Because of their importance for practical catalyst development, synthesis methods are discussed at some length in this Account.

Alkane CH Activation by Single-Site Metal Catalysis.Catalysis by Metal Complexesseries, Vol. 38. Edited by Pedro J. Pérez.

Alkane CH Activation by Single-Site Metal Catalysis.<i>Catalysis by Metal Complexes</i>series, Vol. 38. Edited by Pedro J. Pérez.

Homogeneous water oxidation catalysts containing a single metal site

The recent recognition that a single metal site is capable of mediating the multiple electron and proton transfer events associated with water oxidation represents a pivotal discovery for the field. This finding has led to a remarkable expansion of known synthetic water oxidation catalysts, and has provided the means to gain unprecedented insight into the reaction steps involved with O-O bond formation. This perspective reflects on the key studies that have advanced our understanding of water oxidation catalysis while summarizing molecular features that are integral to negotiating this complicated reaction pathway with the goal of helping identify new frontiers of discovery for the field.

Catalytic water oxidation at single metal sites

Nature utilizes solar energy to extract electrons and release protons from water, a process called photosynthetic water oxidation or oxygen evolution. This sunlight-driven reaction is vital to the planet because it directly produces dioxygen and couples with photosystem I to generate the reducing equivalents for the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates (also known as CO2 fixation). Inspired by this natural process, people are intensely interested in water splitting using sunlight to convert and store solar energy into chemical energy, which is believed to be able to ultimately solve the energy problem that we are facing. Water splitting can be separated into two half reactions, namely water oxidation and water reduction, and they can be studied individually. Catalysts are very helpful in both reactions. Recent progress in finding new highly efficient water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) has shed light on this complicated four-electron/four-proton reaction and made it possible to catalyze water oxidation using mononuclear metal complexes. This article focuses on molecular catalysts that are able to perform catalytic water oxidation at single metal sites. Different series of catalysts (or precatalysts) made of ruthenium, iridium and earth abundant elements (iron, cobalt, and manganese) that can be applied in chemical, electrochemical and photochemical (light-driven) water oxidation are summarized, and their catalytic mechanisms are discussed in detail. Finally, the future outlook and perspective to design and develop catalysts that are efficient, cheap and stable are presented.

Fluorescent Zn-based hetero-MOFs design via single metal site substitution

Two pairs of novel Zn-based MOFs with the same structures are synthesized. The exchange mechanism between the primary MOFs and the substituted MOFs is discussed. The utilization of the single metal site substitution in pre-formed Zn-based MOFs appears suited to the design of isostructural Zn-based hetero-MOFs with different photoluminescence properties.

High-valent iron and manganese complexes of corrole and porphyrin in atom transfer and dioxygen evolving catalysis

Manganese(V) imido complexes of 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole (H(3)tpfc) can be prepared by the reaction of Mn(III)(tpfc) and organic nitrene generated from either photolytic or thermal activation of organic azides. The terminal imido complexes of manganese(V) were among the first structurally characterized examples of Mn(V) terminal imido complexes in the literature. They feature a short Mn≡N triple bond and a nearly linear M[triple bond, length as m-dash]N-C angle. The ground state of (tpfc)Mn(V)(NAr) is singlet. Contrary to expectations, arylimido complexes of manganese(V) were stable to moisture and did not undergo [NR] group transfer to olefins. Manganese(V) imido corrole with an activated tosyl imido ligand was prepared from iodoimine (ArINTs) and manganese(III) corrole. The resulting complex (tpfc)Mn(NTs) is paramagnetic (S = 1), hydrolyzes to (tpfc)Mn(O) in the presence of water, abstracts hydrogen atoms from benzylic C-H bonds, and catalyzes aziridination of alkenes. Mechanistic studies on the aziridination and hydrogen atom transfer reactions are reviewed. This perspective also describes the reaction chemistry of the heme enzyme chlorite dismutase, the mechanism by which dioxygen is formed on a single-metal site, and recent advances in functional modelling of this enzyme. We also compare the reactivity of water-soluble iron versus manganese porphyrins towards the chlorite anion.

Disordered lithium niobate rock-salt materials prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

An investigation of the one-step hydrothermal crystallisation of lithium niobates reveals that reaction between Nb(2)O(5) and aqueous LiOH at 240 degrees C yields materials with a disordered rock-salt structure where the metals are statistically distributed over the cation sites. This contrasts with the well-studied reaction between Nb(2)O(5) and NaOH or KOH that produces ANbO(3) (A = Na, K) perovskites. Powder neutron diffraction shows that materials prepared at short reaction times and lower LiOH concentration (2.5 M) are lithium deficient and have a slight excess of niobium, but that at longer periods of reaction in 5 M LiOH, close to the ideal, stoichiometric Li(0.75)Nb(0.25)O composition is produced. Upon annealing this phase cleanly transforms into the known ordered rock-salt material Li(3)NbO(4), a process we have followed using thermodiffractometry, which indicates that transformation begins at approximately 700 degrees C. Solid-state (93)Nb and (7)Li NMR of the disordered and ordered rock-salt phases shows that both contain single metal sites but there is clear evidence for local disorder in the disordered samples. For the ordered material, NMR parameters derived from experiment are also compared to those calculated using density functional theory and are shown to be in good agreement.

Coordination Polymerization of Polar Vinyl Monomers by Single-Site Metal Catalysts

Coordination Polymerization of Polar Vinyl Monomers by Single-Site Metal Catalysts

Copolymerization of Epoxides and Carbon Dioxide. Evidence Supporting the Lack of Dual Catalysis at a Single Metal Site

The chromium tetramethyltetraazaannulene catalyst system, Cr(tmtaa)Cl in the presence of a quaternary organic salt, has been employed to further investigate the mechanism of polycarbonate formation between cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide. Although the features of the proposed mechanism are generally well-accepted, the question of whether polymer chain propagation occurs from one side of the catalyst in a mono catalytic single-site fashion or from both sides of the N(4)-ligand plane in a dual catalytic manner. To probe this behavior, the ligand architecture was altered by the addition of a sterically encumbering strap (Cr(stmtaa)Cl), which effectively blocks one side of the complex and limits polymer chain growth to a single side of the catalyst. For direct comparison, an electronically similar catalyst, Cr(s(m)tmtaa)Cl, was prepared to mimic the strap complex while not possessing the site-blocking steric restraints of the full strap. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated an uptake of 2 equiv of PPNN(3) cocatalyst by the strap mimic catalyst, while only 1 equiv of azide was able to bind to the catalyst containing the full strap, supporting the design function of both complexes. Monitoring the formation of poly(cyclohexylene carbonate) from the reaction of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide via in situ infrared spectroscopy for both Cr(stmtaa)Cl and Cr(s(m)tmtaa)Cl, under identical conditions, revealed copolymer formation at essentially equivalent rates. Analysis of the polycarbonate products found that Cr(stmtaa)Cl and Cr(s(m)tmtaa)Cl produced copolymers with turnover frequencies of 806.6 and 797.3 h(-1), molecular weights of 11,431 and 12,003 Da, and polydispersities of 1.108 and 1.048, respectively. These results strongly support the idea that this and other catalysts systems presumed to operate by a similar process, such as Cr(salen)X, catalyze the copolymerization of epoxides with carbon dioxide through a mono catalytic single-site mechanism.

The Use of the Free Metal – Temperature ‘Phase Diagrams’ for Studies of Single Site Metal Binding Proteins

Typical physico-chemical studies of metal binding proteins are usually aimed at determination of the metal binding constant K for a native protein (Kn), while the significance of the K value for the thermally denatured protein (Ku) is usually underestimated. Meanwhile, metal binding induced shift of thermal denaturation transition of a single site metal binding protein is defined by Kn to Ku ratio, implying that knowledge of both K values is required for full characterization of the system. In the present work, the most universal approach to the studies of single site metal binding proteins, namely construction of a protein "phase diagram" in coordinates of free metal ion concentration - temperature, is considered in detail. The detailed algorithm of construction of the phase diagrams along with underlying mathematic procedures developed here may be of use for studies of other simple protein-target type systems, where target represents low molecular weight ligand. Analysis of the simplest protein-ligand system reveals that thermodynamic properties of apo-protein dictate the maximal possible increase of its affinity to any simple ligand upon thermal denaturation of the protein. Experimental and general problems coupled with the use of the phase diagrams are discussed.

Calcium‐binding and temperature induced transitions in equine lysozyme: New insights from the pCa–temperature “phase diagrams”

The most universal approach to the studies of metal binding properties of single-site metal binding proteins, i.e., construction of a "phase diagram" in coordinates of free metal ion concentration-temperature, has been applied to equine lysozyme (EQL). EQL has one relatively strong calcium binding site and shows two thermal transitions, but only one of them is Ca(2+)-dependent. It has been found that the Ca(2+)-dependent behavior of the low temperature thermal transition (I) of EQL can be adequately described based upon the simplest four-states scheme of metal- and temperature-induced structural changes in a protein. All thermodynamic parameters of this scheme were determined experimentally and used for construction of the EQL phase diagram in the pCa-temperature space. Comparison of the phase diagram with that for alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA), a close homologue of lysozyme, allows visualization of the differences in thermodynamic behavior of the two proteins. The thermal stability of apo-EQL (transition I) closely resembles that for apo-alpha-LA (mid-temperature 25 degrees C), while the thermal stabilities of their Ca(2+)-bound forms are almost indistinguishable. The native state of EQL has three orders of magnitude lower affinity for Ca(2+) in comparison with alpha-LA while its thermally unfolded state (after the I transition) has about one order lower (K = 15M(-1)) affinity for calcium. Circular dichroism studies of the apo-lysozyme state after the first thermal transition show that it shares common features with the molten globule state of alpha-LA.

Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen to Ammonia at Well‐Defined Single Metal Sites

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Structural Insights into Homo- and Heterotropic Allosteric Coupling in the Zinc Sensor S. aureus CzrA from Covalently Fused Dimers

The Zn(II)/Co(II)-sensing transcriptional repressor, Staphylococcus aureus CzrA, is a homodimer containing a symmetry-related pair of subunit-bridging tetrahedral N(3)O metal sensor coordination sites. A metal-induced quaternary structural change within the homodimer is thought to govern the biological activity of this and other metal sensor proteins. Here, we exploit covalent (Gly(4)Ser)(n)() linkers of variable length in "fused" CzrAs, where n = 1 (designated 5L-fCzrA), 2 (10L-fCzrA), or 3 (15L-fCzrA), as molecular rulers designed to restrict any quaternary structural changes that are associated with metal binding and metal-mediated allosteric regulation of DNA binding to varying degrees. While 15L-fCzrA exhibits properties most like homodimeric CzrA, shortening the linker in 10L-fCzrA abolishes negative homotropic cooperativity of Zn(II) binding and reduces DNA binding affinity of the apoprotein significantly. Decreasing the linker length further in 5L-fCzrA effectively destroys one metal site altogether and further reduces DNA binding affinity. However, Zn(II) negatively regulates DNA binding of all fCzrAs, with allosteric coupling free energies (DeltaG(1)(c)) of 4.6, 3.1, and 2.7 kcal mol(-1) for 15L-, 10L-, and 5L-fCzrAs, respectively. Introduction of a single nonliganding H97N substitution into either the N-terminal or C-terminal protomer domain in 10L-fCzrA results in DeltaG(1)(c) = 2.6 kcal mol(-1) or approximately 83% that of 10L-fCzrA; in contrast, homodimeric H97N CzrA gives DeltaG(1)(c) = 0. (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectra acquired for wt-, 10L-fCzrA and H97N 10L-fCzrA in various Zn(II) ligation states reveal that the allosteric change of the protomer domains within the fused dimer is independent and not concerted. Thus, occupancy of a single metal site by Zn(II) introduces asymmetry into the CzrA homodimer that leads to significant allosteric regulation of DNA binding.

Calix[6]tren and copper(II): A third generation of funnel complexes on the way to redox calix-zymes

Mono-copper enzymes play an important role in biology and their functionality is based on Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox processes. Modeling a mono-nuclear site remains a challenge for a better understanding of its intrinsic reactivity. The first member of a third generation of calixarene-based mono-copper "funnel" complexes is described. The ligand is a calix[6]arene capped by a tren unit, hence presenting a N(4) coordination site confined in a cavity. Its Cu(II) complexes were characterized by electronic and EPR spectroscopies. The x-ray structure of one of them shows a five-coordinated metal ion in a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry thanks to its coordination to a guest ligand L (ethanol). The latter sits in the heart of the hydrophobic calixarene cone that mimics the active site chamber and the hydrophobic access channel of enzymes. Competitive binding experiments showed a preference order dimethylformamide > ethanol > MeCN for L binding at the single exchangeable metal site. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed irreversible redox processes in CH(2)Cl(2) when L is an oxygen donor caused by the redox-driven ejection of the guest at the Cu(I) level. In the presence of MeCN, a pseudoreversible process was obtained, owing to a fast equilibrium between a four and a five-coordinate Cu(I) species. Finally, a redox-driven ligand interchange of dimethylformamide for MeCN at the Cu(I) state allowed the trapping of the thermodynamically less stable Cu(II)-MeCN adduct. Hence, this work represents an important step toward the elaboration of a functional supramolecular model for redox mono-copper enzymes, named redox calix-zymes.

Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at well-defined single metal sites

Dinitrogen (N2) is reduced to ammonia at room temperature and 1atm with molybdenum catalysts that contain tetradentate [HIPTN3N]3- triamidoamine ligands {[HIPTN3N]3-=[{3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3NCH2CH2}3N]3-, an example being [HIPTN3N]Mo(N2)} in heptane. Slow addition of the proton source ({2,6-lutidinium}{BAr'4}; Ar'=3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) and reductant (decamethyl chromocene) assure a high yield of ammonia (63-65% in four turnovers) versus dihydrogen formation. Numerous X-ray studies, along with isolation and characterization of seven intermediates in the proposed catalytic reaction (under noncatalytic conditions), suggest that N2 is being reduced at a sterically protected, single Mo centre that cycles between states Mo(III), Mo(IV), Mo(V) and Mo(VI).

Role of single-site catalysts in the hydrogenation of thiophenes: from models systems to effective HDS catalysts

The hydrogenation of thiophenes, leading to cyclic thioethers, thiols or hydrocarbons and H 2S, can be achieved by single-site metal catalysts in both homogeneous and heterogeneous phase. An overview of the processes that have provided useful mechanistic information on hydrodesulfurization catalysis, is presented and commented.

Multisite catalysis: a mechanistic study of beta-lactone synthesis from epoxides and CO--insights into a difficult case of homogeneous catalysis.

Carbonylation of epoxides with a combination of Lewis acids and cobalt carbonyls was studied by both theoretical and experimental methods. Only multisite catalysis opens a low-energy pathway for trans opening of oxirane rings. This ring-opening reaction is not easily achieved with a single-site metal catalyst due to structural and thermodynamic constraints. The overall reaction pathway includes epoxide ring opening, which requires both a Lewis acid and a tetracarbonylcobaltate nucleophile, yielding a cobalt alkyl-alkoxy-Lewis acid moiety. After CO insertion into the Co-C(alkyl) bond, lactone formation results from a nucleophilic attack of the alkoxy Lewis acid entity on the acylium carbon atom. A theoretical study indicates a marked influence of the Lewis acid on both ring-opening and lactone-formation steps, but not on carbonylation. Strong Lewis acids induce fast ring opening, but slow lactone formation, and visa versa: a good balance of Lewis acidity would give the fastest catalytic cycle as all steps have low barriers. Experimentally, carbonylation of propylene oxide to beta-butyrolactone was monitored by online ATR-IR techniques with a mixture of tetracarbonylcobaltate and Lewis acids, namely BF(3), Me(3)Al, Et(2)Al(+).diglyme, and a combination of Me(3)Al/dicobaltoctacarbonyl. We found that the last two mixtures are extremely active in lactone formation.