Comparing the reaction profiles of single iron catalytic sites in enzymes and in reticular frameworks for methane-to-methanol oxidation

The design of synthetic inorganic catalysts mimicking the first coordination spheres of enzymatic cofactors often results in lower yields and selectivity than their biological counterparts. In this study, we exploit Kohn-Sham density functional methods to compare the reaction profiles of four single iron-based catalysts for the direct oxidation of methane to methanol: two biomimetic models based on two enzymes (cytochrome P450 and taurine dioxygenase [TauD]) and two synthetic reticular frameworks (iron-BEA zeolite and tri-iron oxo-center-based metal-organic framework). Both the biomimetic and inorganic catalysts show almost zero selectivity toward methanol for methane conversions >1% at ambient temperature. This study highlights that iron's first coordination shell can influence selectivity toward methanol but to a limited extent. In the absence of methanol protection strategies, high selectivity can be reached only by mimicking the reaction microenvironment of enzymes beyond the first coordination shell of iron

Mechanism of Benzene Hydroxylation on Tri-Iron Oxo-Centered Cluster-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

High-valent Fe(IV)-oxo species derived upon reactions of N2O with Fe(II) centers─embedded in the framework of tri-iron oxo-centered-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)─ selectively affect the conversion of benzene-to-phenol via electrophilic addition to arene C–H bonds akin to oxygen transfer mechanisms in the P450 enzyme. The Fe(II) species identified by Mössbauer spectroscopy can be titrated in situ by the addition of NO to completely suppress benzene oxidation, verifying the relevance of Fe(II) centers. Observed inverse kinetic isotope effects in benzene hydroxylation preclude the involvement of H atom transfer steps from benzene to the Fe(IV)-oxo species and instead suggest that the electrophilic iron-oxo group adds to an sp2 carbon of benzene, resulting in a change in the hybridization from sp2-to-sp3. These mechanistic postulates are affirmed in Kohn–Sham density functional calculations, which predict lower barriers for additive mechanisms for arene oxidation than H atom abstraction steps. The calculations show that the reaction proceeds on the pentadectet spin surface and that a non-innocent ligand participates in the transfer of the H atom. Following precedent literature which demonstrates that these Fe(IV)-oxo species react with C–H bonds in alkanes via hydrogen atom abstraction to form alcohols, it appears that iron(IV)-oxo species in MOFs exhibit duality in their reactions with inert hydrocarbon substrates akin to enzymes─if the C–H bonds are in saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, then activation occurs via hydrogen abstraction, while if the C–H bonds are aromatic, then activation occurs by addition rearrangement

Mechanism of Benzene Hydroxylation on Tri-Iron Oxo-Centered Cluster-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

High-valent Fe(IV)-oxo species derived upon reactions of N2O with Fe(II) centers & horbar;embedded in the framework of tri-iron oxo-centered-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)& horbar; selectively affect the conversion of benzene-to-phenol via electrophilic addition to arene C-H bonds akin to oxygen transfer mechanisms in the P450 enzyme. The Fe(II) species identified by M & ouml;ssbauer spectroscopy can be titrated in situ by the addition of NO to completely suppress benzene oxidation, verifying the relevance of Fe(II) centers. Observed inverse kinetic isotope effects in benzene hydroxylation preclude the involvement of H atom transfer steps from benzene to the Fe(IV)-oxo species and instead suggest that the electrophilic iron-oxo group adds to an sp(2) carbon of benzene, resulting in a change in the hybridization from sp(2)-to-sp(3). These mechanistic postulates are affirmed in Kohn-Sham density functional calculations, which predict lower barriers for additive mechanisms for arene oxidation than H atom abstraction steps. The calculations show that the reaction proceeds on the pentadectet spin surface and that a non-innocent ligand participates in the transfer of the H atom. Following precedent literature which demonstrates that these Fe(IV)-oxo species react with C-H bonds in alkanes via hydrogen atom abstraction to form alcohols, it appears that iron(IV)-oxo species in MOFs exhibit duality in their reactions with inert hydrocarbon substrates akin to enzymes & horbar;if the C-H bonds are in saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, then activation occurs via hydrogen abstraction, while if the C-H bonds are aromatic, then activation occurs by addition rearrangement

Influence of First and Second Coordination Environment on Structural Fe(II) Sites in MIL-101 for C–H Bond Activation in Methane

Divalent iron sites in tri-iron oxo-centered metal nodes in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) catalyze light alkane oxidation. The first two steps of the reaction sequence, which are also the most energetically demanding ones, are the formation of the active species, Fe(IV)═O, by N2O decomposition and subsequent C–H bond cleavage. We have employed Kohn–Sham density functional methods to explore how modification of the microenvironment around the Fe(II) center can modulate its catalytic activity, akin to what noted in metalloenzymes. We have varied the substituents on the organic linker of the MIL-101(Fe) MOF, as a way to modulate the energy barriers associated with the first two steps of the methane to methanol reaction. The calculations show that varying substituents has a minimal electronic effect on the iron center and its first coordination shell. However, their proximity to the active site can modify the barriers by 20%. Hydrogen bond donors can lower both barriers, such that the resulting Fe(IV)═O species are simultaneously more stable and more reactive than those of the parent MOF. The screening of a large set of systems allowed us to establish rules for the selection of second coordination shell elements to improve the reactivity of oxoferryl-based catalysts: (i) functionality with a low pKa or large positive electrostatic potential, (ii) a distance around 1.5 Å between the oxoferryl and any atom of the ring substituent, and (iii) low conformational flexibility of the added substituent

Influence of First and Second Coordination Environment on Structural Fe(II) Sites in MIL-101 for C–H Bond Activation in Methane

Divalent iron sites in tri-iron oxo-centered metal nodes in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) catalyze light alkane oxidation. The first two steps of the reaction sequence, which are also the most en..

Grand Challenges in Global Health: The Ethical, Social and Cultural Program

The Grand Challenges initiative has 44 projects worldwide aimed at addressing diseases of the poor. What are the ethical, social, and cultural issues that the initiative faces

Grand Challenges in Global Health: Ethical, Social, and Cultural Issues Based on Key Informant Perspectives

The authors interviewed key informants from the developing world and the Grand Challenges investigators to explore their ethical, social, and cultural concerns about the program

Tono-Pen XL tonometry during application of a suction ring in rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Tono-Pen XL in measuring IOP during the application of a suction ring in rabbit eyes with manometrically controlled IOP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Tono-Pen XL was calibrated against direct manometry in 10 rabbit eyes. A suction ring was then applied in 4 rabbit eyes and the IOP was determined manometrically during suction ring application at 350 mmHg vacuum pressure. Finally, in 6 catheterized rabbit eyes the IOP was measured with Tono-Pen XL during suction ring application at suction vacuum from 350 to 650 mmHg, while keeping actual IOP stable at 30 mmHg and 60 mmHg.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Linear regression analysis revealed that the Tono-pen XL was reliable for IOPs between 10 and 70 mmHg (R²= 0.9855). Direct manometry during suction ring application showed no statistically significant variation of Tono-Pen XL readings when the incanulation manometry intraocular pressure changed from 30 mmHg to 60 mmHg and no statistically significant correlation between suction vacuum and IOP measurements.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Tono-Pen XL measurements are unreliable during the application of a suction ring on living rabbit eyes even when the actual IOP is forced to be within the validated range of Tono-Pen XL measurements. This inaccuracy is probably related to altered corneal and scleral geometry and stress.</p