Design, Synthesis, and Structure of Copper Dithione Complexes: Redox‐Dependent Charge Transfer

Redox‐active ligands impart versatility in transition metal complexes, which are attractive for photosensitizers, dye sensitized solar cells, photothermal therapy, etc. Dithiolene (Dt) ligands can transition between fully reduced and fully oxidized states. Herein, we report the syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and electronic properties of four [Cu(R2Dt0)2]+/2+ (R = Me, iPr) complexes, [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][PF6] (1a), [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][PF6]2 (1b), and [Cu(Me2Dt0)2][PF6] (2a), [Cu(Me2Dt0)2][PF6]2 (2b), where iPr2Dt0 = N,N′‐diisopropyl‐1,2‐piperazine dithione and Me2Dt0 = N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,2‐piperazine dithione. In addition, the molecular structure of [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][BF4]2(1c) is also reported. Complexes 1a and 2a crystallized in the triclinic, P1 space group, and 1c crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/c. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the Cu(I) complexes have a distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas the Cu(II) complex exhibits a true square‐planar geometry. Cu(I) complexes exhibit a low energy charge‐transfer band (450–650 nm), which are not observed in Cu(II) complexes. Electrochemical studies of these complexes show both ligand‐ and metal‐based redox couples

Solving Kinetic Equations for the Laser Flash Photolysis Experiment on Nitric Oxide Synthases: Effect of Conformational Dynamics on the Interdomain Electron Transfer

The production of nitric oxide by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme depends on the interdomain electron transfer (IET) between the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and heme domains. Although the rate of this IET has been measured by laser flash photolysis (LFP) for various NOS proteins, no rigorous analysis of the relevant kinetic equations was performed so far. In this work, we provide an analytical solution of the kinetic equations underlying the LFP approach. The derived expressions reveal that the bulk IET rate is significantly affected by the conformational dynamics that determines the formation and dissociation rates of the docking complex between the FMN and heme domains. We show that in order to informatively study the electron transfer across the NOS enzyme, LFP should be used in combination with other spectroscopic methods that could directly probe the docking equilibrium and the conformational change rate constants. The implications of the obtained analytical expressions for the interpretation of the LFP results from various native and modified NOS proteins are discussed. The mathematical formulas derived in this work should also be applicable for interpreting the IET kinetics in other modular redox enzymes

Mn²⁺–Nucleotide Coordination at the Myosin Active Site As Detected by Pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance at the microwave K_a band (∼30 GHz) was used to study the coordination of adenosine nucleotides to Mn²⁺ at the active site of myosin ATPase and in solution. We have found that the electron spin echo (ESE) field sweep, electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) and ESE envelope modulation (ESEEM) techniques are not sufficiently specific for reliable differentiation between the solvated and myosin-bound Mn·nucleotide complexes. Therefore, to directly detect binding of the Mn·nucleotide to myosin, we used nonhydrolizable nucleotide analogs, site-directed spin labeling, and pulsed electron–electron double resonance to detect spin probe–manganese dipolar interaction. We found that under substoichiometric conditions, both Mn·AMPPNP and Mn·ADP·AlF₄ form a complex with myosin, and Mn·ADP does not form such a complex. This correlates well with the biological dissociation of Mg·ADP from myosin after the hydrolysis of ATP. The analysis of ³¹P ENDOR spectra reveals that in Mn·AMPPNP, Mn·ATP, and Mn·ADP at myosin or in solution, the nucleotide is coordinated to Mn²⁺ by two phosphate groups, whereas in Mn·ADP·AlF₄, only one phosphate group is coordinated. The observation of two phosphates and one nitrogen in the coordination sphere of Mn·ADP in solution by ESEEM spectroscopy suggests that a significant population of Mn ions is coordinated by two ADP molecules, one of which is coordinated by phosphates, and the other one, by a nitrogen atom. The developed approach will be generally useful for monitoring the metal–protein binding when such binding does not provide reliable spectroscopic signatures

Stabilization of a Triplet Diradical on a Binuclear palladium(II) Dipyrrindione

Porphyrins and other macrocyclic oligopyrroles form a versatile class of redox-active ligands and electron reservoirs. The stabilization of unpaired electrons within oligopyrrolic π systems adds to the available reactivity pathways and spin states of metal complexes for applications in catalysis and functional materials. In this context, bidentate dipyrrindiones are emerging as compact platforms for one-electron redox chemistry in transition metal complexes. We report the synthesis of a bis(aqua) palladium(II) dipyrrindione complex and its deprotonation-driven dimerization to form a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear complex. Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and computational analyses indicate the accessibility of two reduction processes on the dipyrrindione frameworks of the dinuclear complex. The product of a two-electron reduction by cobaltocene was isolated and characterized. In the solid state, this cobaltoceni- um salt features a folded dianionic complex maintaining the hydroxo bridges between the divalent palladium centers. X- band and Q-band EPR spectroscopic experiments and DFT computational analysis allow assignment of the dianionic species as a triplet diradical supported by the dipyrrindione ligands. These dipyrroles, which are also known as propentdyopents and were initially isolated as urinary pigments and heme metabolites, extend the rich chemistry of bidentate dipyrrin ligands to include the stabilization of ligand-centered radicals