Atsushi Kunishita

Mononuclear Copper(II)−Superoxo Complexes that Mimic the Structure and Reactivity of the Active Centers of PHM and DβM

Mononuclear copper(II)-superoxo complexes 2(X)-OO(*) having triplet (S = 1) ground states were obtained via reaction of O(2) with the copper(I) starting materials 1(X) supported by tridentate ligands L(X) [1-(2-p-X-phenethyl)-5-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane; X = CH(3), H, NO(2)] in various solvents. The superoxo complexes 2(X)-OO(*) mimic the structure [tetrahedral geometry with an end-on (eta(1))-bound O(2)(*-)] and the aliphatic C-H bond activation chemistry of peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase and dopamine beta-monooxygenase.

Reactivity of mononuclear alkylperoxo copper(II) complex. O-O bond cleavage and C-H bond activation.

A detailed reactivity study has been carried out for the first time on a new mononuclear alkylperoxo copper(II) complex, which is generated by the reaction of copper(II) complex supported by the bis(pyridylmethyl)amine tridentate ligand containing a phenyl group at the 6-position of the pyridine donor groups and cumene hydroperoxide (CmOOH) in CH3CN. The cumylperoxo copper(II) complex thus obtained has been found to undergo homolytic cleavage of the O-O bond and induce C-H bond activation of exogenous substrates, providing important insights into the catalytic mechanism of copper monooxygenases.

Active Site Models for the CuA Site of Peptidylglycine α-Hydroxylating Monooxygenase and Dopamine β-Monooxygenase

A mononuclear copper(II) superoxo species has been invoked as the key reactive intermediate in aliphatic substrate hydroxylation by copper monooxygenases such as peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM), dopamine β-monooxygenase (DβM), and tyramine β-monooxygenase (TβM). We have recently developed a mononuclear copper(II) end-on superoxo complex using a N-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,5-diazacyclooctane tridentate ligand, the structure of which is similar to the four-coordinate distorted tetrahedral geometry of the copper-dioxygen adduct found in the oxy-form of PHM (Prigge, S. T.; Eipper, B. A.; Mains, R. E.; Amzel, L. M. Science2004, 304, 864-867). In this study, structures and physicochemical properties as well as reactivity of the copper(I) and copper(II) complexes supported by a series of tridentate ligands having the same N-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,5-diazacyclooctane framework have been examined in detail to shed light on the chemistry dictated in the active sites of mononuclear copper monooxygenases. The ligand exhibits unique feature to stabilize the copper(I) complexes in a T-shape geometry and the copper(II) complexes in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Low temperature oxygenation of the copper(I) complexes generated the mononuclear copper(II) end-on superoxo complexes, the structure and spin state of which have been further characterized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Detailed kinetic analysis on the O(2)-adduct formation reaction gave the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters providing mechanistic insights into the association and dissociation processes of O(2) to the copper complexes. The copper(II) end-on superoxo complex thus generated gradually decomposed to induce aliphatic ligand hydroxylation. Kinetic and DFT studies on the decomposition reaction have suggested that C-H bond abstraction occurs unimolecularly from the superoxo complex with subsequent rebound of the copper hydroperoxo species to generate the oxygenated product. The present results have indicated that a superoxo species having a four-coordinate distorted tetrahedral geometry could be reactive enough to induce the direct C-H bond activation of aliphatic substrates in the enzymatic systems.

Reactivity of copper(II)-alkylperoxo complexes

Copper(II) complexes 1a and 1b, supported by tridentate ligand bpa [bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] and tetradentate ligand tpa [tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine], respectively, react with cumene hydroperoxide (CmOOH) in the presence of triethylamine in CH(3)CN to provide the corresponding copper(II) cumylperoxo complexes 2a and 2b, the formation of which has been confirmed by resonance Raman and ESI-MS analyses using (18)O-labeled CmOOH. UV-vis and ESR spectra as well as DFT calculations indicate that 2a has a 5-coordinate square-pyramidal structure involving CmOO(-) at an equatorial position and one solvent molecule at an axial position at low temperature (-90 °C), whereas a 4-coordinate square-planar structure that has lost the axial solvent ligand is predominant at higher temperatures (above 0 °C). Complex 2b, on the other hand, has a typical trigonal bipyramidal structure with the tripodal tetradentate tpa ligand, where the cumylperoxo ligand occupies an axial position. Both cumylperoxo copper(II) complexes 2a and 2b are fairly stable at ambient temperature, but decompose at a higher temperature (60 °C) in CH(3)CN. Detailed product analyses and DFT studies indicate that the self-decomposition involves O-O bond homolytic cleavage of the peroxo moiety; concomitant hydrogen-atom abstraction from the solvent is partially involved. In the presence of 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD), the cumylperoxo complexes react smoothly at 30 °C to give benzene as one product. Detailed product analyses and DFT studies indicate that reaction with CHD involves concerted O-O bond homolytic cleavage and hydrogen-atom abstraction from the substrate, with the oxygen atom directly bonded to the copper(II) ion (proximal oxygen) involved in the C-H bond activation step.

Redox Properties of a Mononuclear Copper(II)-Superoxide Complex

Redox properties of a mononuclear copper(II) superoxide complex, (L)Cu(II)-OO(•), supported by a tridentate ligand (L = 1-(2-phenethyl)-5-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,5-diazacyclooctane) have been examined as a model compound of the putative reactive intermediate of peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and dopamine β-monooxygenase (DβM) (Kunishita et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 2788-2789; Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 9465-9480). On the basis of the reactivity toward a series of one-electron reductants, the reduction potential of (L)Cu(II)-OO(•) was estimated to be 0.19 ± 0.07 V vs SCE in acetone at 298 K (cf. Tahsini et al. Chem.-Eur. J. 2012, 18, 1084-1093). In the reaction of TEMPO-H (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-hydroxide), a simple HAT (hydrogen atom transfer) reaction took place to give the corresponding hydroperoxide complex LCu(II)-OOH, whereas the reaction with phenol derivatives ((X)ArOH) gave the corresponding phenolate adducts, LCu(II)-O(X)Ar, presumably via an acid-base reaction between the superoxide ligand and the phenols. The reaction of (L)Cu(II)-OO(•) with a series of triphenylphosphine derivatives gave the corresponding triphenylphosphine oxides via an electrophilic ionic substitution mechanism with a Hammett ρ value as -4.3, whereas the reaction with thioanisole (sulfide) only gave a copper(I) complex. These reactivities of (L)Cu(II)-OO(•) are different from those of a similar end-on superoxide copper(II) complex supported by a tetradentate TMG3tren ligand (1,1,1-Tris{2-[N(2)-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidino)]ethyl}amine (Maiti et al. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 82-85).

H2O2-Reactivity of Copper(II) Complexes Supported by Tris[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine Ligands with 6-Phenyl Substituents

The structure and H(2)O(2)-reactivity of a series of copper(II) complexes supported by tris[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine (TPA) derivatives having a phenyl group at the 6-position of pyridine donor group(s) [(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine (Ph(1)TPA), bis[(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methyl][(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine (Ph(2)TPA), and tris[(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine (Ph(3)TPA) have systematically been examined to get insights into the aromatic substituent (6-Ph) effects on the coordination chemistry of TPA ligand system. The X-ray crystallographic analyses have revealed that [Cu(II)(TPA)(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (CuTPA) and [Cu(II)(Ph(3)TPA)(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (3) exhibit a trigonal bipyramidal structure, whereas [Cu(II)(Ph(1)TPA)(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (1) shows a slightly distorted square pyramidal structure and [Cu(II)(Ph(2)TPA)(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2) (2) has an intermediate structure between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. On the other hand, the UV-vis and ESR data have suggested that all the copper(II) complexes have a similar trigonal bipyramidal structure in solution. The redox potentials of CuTPA, 1, 2, and 3 have been determined as E(1/2) = -0.34, -0.28, -0.16, and -0.04 mV vs Ag/AgNO(3), respectively, demonstrating that introduction of each 6-Ph group causes positive shift of E(1/2) about 0.1 V. Notable difference in H(2)O(2)-reactivity has been found among the copper(II) complexes. Namely, CuTPA and 1 afforded mononuclear copper(II)-hydroperoxo complexes CuTPA-OOH and 1-OOH, respectively, whereas complex 2 provided bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complex 2-oxo. On the other hand, copper(II) complex 3 was reduced to the corresponding copper(I) complex 3(red). On the basis of the H(2)O(2)-reactivity together with the X-ray structures and the redox potentials of the copper(II) complexes, the substituent effects of 6-Ph are discussed in detail.

Ni(II)/H2O2 Reactivity in Bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine Tridentate Ligand System. Aromatic Hydroxylation Reaction by Bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) Complex

The nickel(II) complexes 1(X) supported by bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]benzylamine tridentate ligands carrying m-substituted phenyl groups (X = OMe, Me, H, Cl, NO(2)) at the 6-position of pyridine donor groups (L(X), N,N-bis[(6-m-substituted-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]benzylamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystallographic analyses have revealed that [Ni(II)(L(H))(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (1(H)), [Ni(II)(L(OMe))(CH(3)CN)(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (1(OMe)), [Ni(II)(L(Me))(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (1(Me)), and [Ni(II)(L(Cl))(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (1(Cl)) have a five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry, whereas [Ni(II)(L(NO(2)))(CH(3)CN)(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (1(NO(2))) exhibits a six-coordinate octahedral geometry having an additional CH(3)CN co-ligand. (1)H NMR spectra of the nickel(II) complexes 1(X) in CD(3)CN have indicated that all the complexes have a high spin ground state. The nickel(II) complexes 1(X) react with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in acetone to give bis(mu-oxo)dinickel(III) complexes 2(X) exhibiting a characteristic UV-vis absorption band at approximately 420 nm. In the case of 2(H), a resonance Raman band ascribable to a Ni(2)O(2) core vibration was observed at 611 cm(-1) that shifted to 586 cm(-1) upon H(2)(18)O(2). The bis(mu-oxo)dinickel(III) intermediates 2(X) undergo an efficient aromatic ligand hydroxylation reaction, producing a mononuclear nickel(II)-phenolate complexes 4(X) via a putative intermediate (mu-phenoxo)(mu-hydroxo)dinickel(II) (3(X)). The kinetic studies on the aromatic ligand hydroxylation process including m-substituent effects (Hammett analysis) and kinetic deuterium isotope effects (KIE) have indicated that the reaction of 2(X) to 3(X) involves an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism, where C-O bond formation and C-H bond cleavage occur in a concerted manner. Intermediate 3(H) was detected by ESI-MS during the course of the reaction, and the final product 4(H) was characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Reactions of Copper(II)-Phenol Systems with O2: Models for TPQ Biosynthesis in Copper Amine Oxidases

Copper(II) complexes supported by a series of phenol-containing bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine N(3) ligands (denoted as L(o)H, L(m)H, and L(p)H) have been synthesized, and their O(2) reactivity has been examined in detail to gain mechanistic insights into the biosynthesis of the TPQ cofactor (2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalaninequinone, TOPA quinone) in copper-containing amine oxidases. The copper(II) complex of L(o)H (ortho-phenol derivative) involves a direct phenolate to copper(II) coordination and exhibits almost no reactivity toward O(2) at 60 °C in CH(3)OH. On the other hand, the copper(II) complex of L(m)H (meta-phenol derivative), which does not involve direct coordinative interaction between the phenol moiety and the copper(II) ion, reacts with O(2) in the presence of triethylamine as a base to give a methoxy-substituted para-quinone derivative under the same conditions. The product structure has been established by detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) (including (18)O-labeling experiment) analyses. Density functional theory predicts that the reaction involves (i) intramolecular electron transfer from the deprotonated phenol (phenolate) to copper(II) to generate a copper(I)-phenoxyl radical; (ii) the addition of O(2) to this intermediate, resulting in an end-on copper(II) superoxide; (iii) electrophilic substitution of the phenolic radical to give a copper(II)-alkylperoxo intermediate; (iv) O-O bond cleavage concomitant with a proton migration, giving a para-quinone derivative; and (v) Michael addition of methoxide from copper(II) to the para-quinone ring and subsequent O(2) oxidation. This reaction sequence is similar to that proposed for the biosynthetic pathway leading to the TPQ cofactor in the enzymatic system. The generated para-quinone derivative can act as a turnover catalyst for aerobic oxidation of benzylamine to N-benzylidene benzylamine. Another type of copper(II)-phenol complex with an L(p)H ligand (para-phenol derivative) also reacts with O(2) under the same experimental conditions. However, the product of this reaction is a keto-alcohol derivative, the structure of which is qualitatively different from that of the cofactor. These results unambiguously demonstrate that the steric relationship between the phenol moiety and the supported copper(II) ion is decisive in the conversion of active-site tyrosine residues to the TPQ cofactor.

Oxygenation Chemistry at a Mononuclear Copper(II) Hydroquinone System with O2

Aerobic treatment of a copper(II) complex supported by a bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine ligand containing a p-hydroquinone moiety on one of the pyridine donor groups in CH(3)OH induces oxygenation reaction of the ligand to give a hydroxylated p-quinone derivative.