High-spin and low-spin iron(II) complexes with facially-coordinated borohydride ligands

Rare examples of monometallic high-spin and low-spin L_3Fe(H_3BH) complexes have been characterized, where the two L_3 ligands are [Tp^(Ph2)] and [PhBP3] ([Tp^(Ph2)] = [HB(3,5-Ph_2pz)_3]− and [PhBP_3] = [PhB(CH_2PPh_2)_3]−). The structures are reported wherein the borohydride ligand is facially coordinated to the iron center in each complex. Density functional methods have been employed to explain the bonding in these unusual iron(II) centers. Despite the differences in spin states, short Fe–B distances are observed in both complexes and there is significant theoretical evidence to support a substantial bonding interaction between the iron and boron nuclei. In light of this interaction, we suggest that these complexes can be described as (L_3)Fe(η^4-H_3BH) complexes

Vibrational Spectroscopy and Analysis of Pseudo-tetrahedral Complexes with Metal Imido Bonds

A number of assignments have been previously posited for the metal−nitrogen stretch (ν(M-NR)), the N−R stretch (ν(MN−R)), and possible ligand deformation modes associated with terminally bound imides. Here we examine mononuclear iron(III) and cobalt(III) imido complexes of the monoanionic tridentate ligand [PhBP_(3)] ([PhBP_(3)] = [PhB(CH_(2)PPh_(2))_(3)]^(-)) to clarify the vibrational features for these trivalent metal imides. We report the structures of [PhBP_(3)]Fe≡N^(t)Bu and [PhBP_(3)]Co≡N^(t)Bu. Pseudo-tetrahedral metal imides of these types exhibit short bond lengths (ca. 1.65 Å) and nearly linear angles about the M−N−C linkages, indicative of multiple bond character. Furthermore, these compounds give rise to intense, low-energy visible absorptions. Both the position and the intensity of the optical bands in the [PhBP_(3)]M≡NR complexes depend on whether the substituent is an alkyl or aryl group. Excitation into the low-energy bands of [PhBP_(3)]Fe≡N^(t)Bu gives rise to two Raman features at 1104 and 1233 cm^(-1), both of which are sensitive to ^(15)N and ^(2)H labeling. The isotope labeling suggests the 1104 cm^(-1) mode has the greatest Fe−N stretching character, while the 1233 cm^(-1) mode is affected to a lesser extent by ^(15)N substitution. The spectra of the deuterium-labeled imides further support this assertion. The data demonstrate that the observed peaks are not simple diatomic stretching modes but are extensively coupled to the vibrations of the ancillary organic group. Therefore, describing these complexes as simple diatomic or even triatomic oscillators is an oversimplification. Analogous studies of the corresponding cobalt(III) complex lead to a similar set of isotopically sensitive resonances at 1103 and 1238 cm^(-1), corroborating the assignments made in the iron imides. Very minimal changes in the vibrational frequencies are observed upon replacement of cobalt(III) for iron(III), suggesting similar force constants for the two compounds. This is consistent with the previously proposed electronic structure model in which the added electron resides in a relatively nonbonding orbital. Replacement of the tBu group with a phenyl ring leads to a significantly more complicated resonance Raman spectrum, presumably due to coupling with the vibrations of the phenyl ring. Polarization studies demonstrate that the observed modes have A1 symmetry. In this case, a clearer resonance enhancement of the signals is observed, supporting a charge transfer designation for the electronic transitions. A series of isotope-labeling experiments has been carried out, and the modes with the greatest metal−nitrogen stretching character have been assigned to peaks at 960 and 1300 cm^(-1) in both the iron and cobalt [PhBP_(3)]M≡NPh complexes. These results are consistent with a multiple M−N bond for these metal imides

XAS Characterization of a Nitridoiron(IV) Complex with a Very Short Fe-N Bond

X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to characterize the novel nitridoiron(IV) units in two [PhBP^R_3]Fe(N) complexes (R = iPr and CyCH_2) and obtain direct spectroscopic evidence for a very short Fe−N distance. The distance of 1.51−1.55 Å reflects the presence of an FeN triple bond in accord with the observed Fe_≡N vibration observed for one of these species (ν_(FeN) = 1034 cm^(-1)). This highly covalent bonding interaction results in the appearance of an unusually intense pre-edge peak, whose estimated area of 100(20) units is much larger than those of the related tetrahedral complexes with Fe^I−N_2−Fe^I, Fe^(II)−NPh_2, and Fe^(III)_≡NAd motifs, and those of recently described six-coordinate Fe^V≡N and Fe^V≡IN complexes. The observation that the Fe^(IV)−N distances of two [PhBPR_3]Fe(N) complexes are shorter than the Fe^(IV)−O bond lengths of oxoiron(IV) complexes may be rationalized on the basis of the greater π basicity of the nitrido ligand than the oxo ligand and a lower metal coordination number for the Fe(N) complex

Trapping a Highly Reactive Nonheme Iron Intermediate That Oxygenates Strong CH Bonds with Stereoretention

An unprecedentedly reactive iron species (2) has been generated by reaction of excess peracetic acid with a mononuclear iron complex [FeII(CF3SO3)2(PyNMe3)] (1) at cryogenic temperatures, and characterized spectroscopically. Compound 2 is kinetically competent for breaking strong C―H bonds of alkanes (BDE ≈ 100 kcal·mol−1) through a hydrogen-atom transfer mechanism, and the transformations proceed with stereoretention and regioselectively, responding to bond strength, as well as to steric and polar effects. Bimolecular reaction rates are at least an order of magnitude faster than those of the most reactive synthetic high-valent nonheme oxoiron species described to date. EPR studies in tandem with kinetic analysis show that the 490 nm chromophore of 2 is associated with two S = 1/2 species in rapid equilibrium. The minor component 2a (∼5% iron) has g-values at 2.20, 2.19, and 1.99 characteristic of a low-spin iron(III) center, and it is assigned as [FeIII(OOAc)(PyNMe3)]2+, also by comparison with the EPR parameters of the structurally characterized hydroxamate analogue [FeIII(tBuCON(H)O)(PyNMe3)]2+ (4). The major component 2b (∼40% iron, g-values = 2.07, 2.01, 1.95) has unusual EPR parameters, and it is proposed to be [FeV(O)(OAc)(PyNMe3)]2+, where the O―O bond in 2a has been broken. Consistent with this assignment, 2b undergoes exchange of its acetate ligand with CD3CO2D and very rapidly reacts with olefins to produce the corresponding cis-1,2-hydroxoacetate product. Therefore, this work constitutes the first example where a synthetic nonheme iron species responsible for stereospecific and site selective C―H hydroxylation is spectroscopically trapped, and its catalytic reactivity against C―H bonds can be directly interrogated by kinetic methods. The accumulated evidence indicates that 2 consists mainly of an extraordinarily reactive [FeV(O)(OAc)(PyNMe3)]2+ (2b) species capable of hydroxylating unactivated alkyl C―H bonds with stereoretention in a rapid and site-selective manner, and that exists in fast equilibrium with its [FeIII(OOAc)(PyNMe3)]2+ precursor

Molecular characterization and clinical relevance of metabolic expression subtypes in human cancers.

Metabolic reprogramming provides critical information for clinical oncology. Using molecular data of 9,125 patient samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we identified tumor subtypes in 33 cancer types based on mRNA expression patterns of seven major metabolic processes and assessed their clinical relevance. Our metabolic expression subtypes correlated extensively with clinical outcome: subtypes with upregulated carbohydrate, nucleotide, and vitamin/cofactor metabolism most consistently correlated with worse prognosis, whereas subtypes with upregulated lipid metabolism showed the opposite. Metabolic subtypes correlated with diverse somatic drivers but exhibited effects convergent on cancer hallmark pathways and were modulated by highly recurrent master regulators across cancer types. As a proof-of-concept example, we demonstrated that knockdown of SNAI1 or RUNX1—master regulators of carbohydrate metabolic subtypes-modulates metabolic activity and drug sensitivity. Our study provides a system-level view of metabolic heterogeneity within and across cancer types and identifies pathway cross-talk, suggesting related prognostic, therapeutic, and predictive utility

IRON COMPLEXES AS FUNCTIONAL MODELS FOR THE SOLUBLE METHANE MONOOXYGENASE ENZYME

Oxygen activation by nonheme diiron enzymes occurs in numerous metabolically important transformations, including those by soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO), ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), fatty acid desaturases, human deoxyhypusine hydroxylase, etc. During the activation of O2 the diiron(II) center is transformed to a peroxodiiron(III) intermediate that in turn converts to the oxidizing species. This intermediate typically exhibit visible features between 600-750 nm and resonance Raman (rRaman) features associated with a (mu-1,2-peroxo)diiron(III) unit. Studies of synthetic complexes that mimic O2 activation can complement and augment the information available from enzyme studies. Complexes for which intermediates along the O2-activation pathway can be traced are particularly useful. We report here the spectroscopic characterization of peroxo-intermediates derived from the reaction of H2O2 with Fe(II) complexes of rigid N-donor ligands. Investigations into their catalytic reactivity with H2O2 were performed on the oxidation of sulfides, alcohols and C-H compounds