Denis V. Korchagin

A density functional theory study of the zero-field splitting in high-spin nitrenes

This work presents a detailed evaluation of the performance of density functional theory (DFT) for the prediction of zero-field splittings (ZFSs) in high-spin nitrenes. A number of well experimentally characterized triplet mononitrenes, quartet nitrenoradicals, quintet dinitrenes, and septet trinitrenes have been considered. Several DFT-based approaches for the prediction of ZFSs have been compared. It is shown that the unrestricted Kohn-Sham and the Pederson-Khanna approaches are the most successful for the estimation of the direct spin-spin (SS) interaction and the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) parts, respectively, to the final ZFS parameters. The most accurate theoretical predictions (within 10%) are achieved by using the PBE density functional in combination with the DZ, EPR-II, and TZV basis sets. For high-spin nitrenes constituted from light atoms, the contribution of the SOC part to ZFS parameters is quite small (7%-12%). By contrast, for chlorine-substituted septet trinitrenes, the contribution of the SOC part is small only to D value but, in the case of E value, it is as large as the SS part and has opposite sign. Due to this partial cancellation of two different contributions, SS and SOC, the resulting values of E in heavy molecules are almost two times smaller than those predicted by analysis of the widely used semiempirical one-center spin-spin interaction model. The decomposition of D(SS) into n-center (n=1-4) interactions shows that the major contribution to D(SS) results from the one-center spin-spin interactions. This fact indicates that the semiempirical SS interaction model accurately predicts the ZFS parameters for all types of high-spin nitrenes with total spin S=2 and 3, if their molecules are constructed from the first-row atoms.

Synthesis, structure, NO donor activity of iron–sulfur nitrosyl complex with 2-aminophenol-2-yl and its antiproliferative activity against human cancer cells

A new tetranitrosyl binuclear iron complex, [Fe2(SC6H6N)2(NO)4] (1), has been synthesized by two methods. Molecular and crystalline structure of 1 were determined by X-ray analysis; the complex is binuclear of “μ-S” type with ~2.7052(4) Å between the irons. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/n, Z = 2; parameters of the unit cell: a = 6.6257(2) Å, b = 7.9337(2) Å, c = 16.7858(4) Å, β = 96.742(2)°, V = 876.26(4) Å3. Parameters of Mössbauer spectrum for 1 are: isomer shift δFe = 0.096(1) mm/s, quadrupole splitting ΔEQ = 1.122(1) mm/s, line width 0.264(1) mm/s at 293 K. As follows from the electrochemical analysis of aqueous solutions of 1, it generates NO in protonic media without additional activation. NO amount and the rate of its activation are much higher in acidic solutions than in neutral and alkali ones. The constants of hydrolytic decomposition of 1 were calculated. The geometry and electronic structure of isolated 1 were studied using the density functional theory. Differential sensitivity of four lines of human tumor cells of various genesis to 1 has been determined (ovarian carcinoma (SCOV3), large intestine cancer (LS174T), mammary gland carcinoma (MCF7), and non-small cell carcinoma of lung (A549)); dependence of tumor cells amount on the complex concentration has been studied in order to use the complex as a promising antitumor agent for trials in vivo.

Influence of aromatic ligand on the redox activity of neutral binuclear tetranitrosyl iron complexes [Fe2(μ-SR)2(NO)4]: experiments and quantum-chemical modeling

Reduction of neutral binuclear nitrosyl iron complexes of “μ-S” structural type [Fe2(SR)2(NO)4] with R = 3-nitro-phenol-2-yl, 4-nitro-phenol-2-yl, 5-nitropyridine-2-yl and pyridine-2-yl in aprotic solution has been studied by a cyclic voltammetry (CVA) method at a wide range of potential scan rates. A complex with R = 3-nitro-phenol-2-yl was synthesized for the first time; therefore it was studied by X-ray and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The parameters of the Mossbauer spectrum are: isomer shift δFe = 0.115(1) mm s−1, quadrupole splitting ΔEQ = 1.171(1) mm s−1, and line width = 0.241(1) mm s−1 at 85 K. From the current–voltage curve, the transfer of the first electron was found to be reversible, and the redox-potentials of these reactions were determined. The further reduction of the complexes was determined to be irreversible because the product of the second electron addition is instable and decomposes partially during the potential scan. Calculations of geometric and electronic structures of monoanions and dianions of the complexes under study and their theoretical redox-potentials were performed by DFT methods. Introduction of the electron-acceptor NO2 group into the phenyl and pyridine rings of sulfur-containing ligands of the nitrosyl iron complexes was found to affect the geometry of the anions and the distribution of the additional negative charge, as well as to increase the redox-potential and to facilitate reduction of these complexes.

Structures of bis(1-methyltetrazole-5-thiolato)(tetranitrosyl)diiron and its intermediates in solutions

Single crystals of an iron complex with 1-methyltetrazole-5-thiol of the formula [Fe2(SC2H3N4)2(NO)4] (I) were obtained and examined by X-ray diffraction. According to electrochemical data, tetranitrosyl binuclear complex I rapidly decomposes in protic solvents with elimination of NO. The maximum amount of NO generated by complex I in 1% aqueous DMSO is ∼900 nmol. This amount is reduced by half 15 min after the beginning of the decomposition under anaerobic conditions. The dinitrosyl mononuclear intermediates [Fe(SC2H3N4)2(NO)]− and [Fe(SC2H3N4)2(NO)2]− were detected in solutions and identified by EPR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The low number of spins per complex in solutions indicates that the mononuclear complexes undergo further decomposition into NO and the species [Fe(SC2H3N4)3]−, [SC2H3N4]−, and [Fe4S3(NO)7]−. Complex I was found to be substantially more stable in DMSO than in methanol and 1% aqueous DMSO.

Nitrosyl iron complexes with enhanced NO donating ability: synthesis, structure and properties of a new type of salt with the DNIC cations [Fe(SC(NH2)2)2(NO)2]+

Novel nitrosyl iron complexes [Fe(SC(NH2)2)2(NO)2]2SO4·H2O(I) and [Fe(SC(NH2)2)2(NO)2]2[Fe2(S2O3)2(NO)4](II) have been synthesized via the reactions of FeSO4 and Na2[Fe2(S2O3)2(NO)4], respectively, with acidic solutions of thiocarbamide in water. The structure and properties of I and II were studied using X-ray analysis, Mossbauer, IR, and EPR spectroscopy and amperometry. Both complexes are characterized by a prolonged NO generation without additional activation in aqueous anaerobic solutions, similar to the organic NO donor diethylene triamine; however, they are more effective: at pH 7 the NO amount is ∼32.6 and ∼31.8 nM mol−1 of the complex for I and II, respectively. The obtained results show feasibility for the synthesis of water-soluble hybrid nitrosyl NO-generating complexes, which contain the NO groups both in the cationic and anionic sublattices and provide the control of the NO release kinetics.

Heavy atom effect on magnetic anisotropy of matrix-isolated monobromine substituted septet trinitrene.

The heavy atom effect on the magnetic anisotropy of septet trinitrenes is reported. Septet 1-bromo-3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trinitrenobenzene (S-1) was generated in a solid argon matrix by ultraviolet irradiation of 1,3,5-triazido-2-bromo-4,6-dichlorobenzene. This trinitrene displays an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum that drastically differs from ESR spectra of all previously studied septet trinitrenes. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters, derived from the experimental spectrum, show the parameter |D| = 0.1237 cm(-1) and the unprecedentedly large ratio of E/D = 0.262 that is close to the rhombic limit E/D = 1/3 for high-spin molecules. The CASCI (based on state-averaged CASSCF) and DFT methods were applied to calculate the ZFS tensor focusing on the heavy (bromine) atom effects on the spin-orbit term. These calculations show that the multiconfigurational ab initio formalism and the CASCI method are the most successful for accurate predictions of the spin-orbit term in the ZFS tensor of high-spin nitrenes containing heavy bromine atoms. Due to the presence of the bromine atom in S-1, the contribution of the spin-orbit term to the total parameter D is dominant and responsible for the unusual orientation of the easy Z-axis lying in the molecular plane perpendicular to the C-Br bond. As a result, the principal values D(XX), D(YY), and D(ZZ) of the total tensor D̂(Tot) have such magnitudes and signs for which the ratio E/D is close to the rhombic limit, and the total parameter D is large in magnitude and positive in sign.

Matrix isolation ESR spectroscopy and magnetic anisotropy of D3h symmetric septet trinitrenes

The fine-structure (FS) parameters D of a series of D3h symmetric septet trinitrenes were analyzed theoretically using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and compared with the experimental D values derived from ESR spectra. ESR studies show that D3h symmetric septet 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrenobenzene with D = -0.0957 cm(-1) and E = 0 cm(-1) is the major paramagnetic product of the photolysis of 1,3,5-triazido-2,4,6-trichlorobenzene in solid argon matrices at 15 K. Trinitrenes of this type display in the powder X-band ESR spectra intense Z1-transition at very low magnetic fields, the position of which allows one to precisely calculate the parameter D of such molecules. Thus, our revision of the FS parameters of well-known 1,3,5-tricyano-2,4,6-trinitrenobenzene [E. Wasserman, K. Schueller, and W. A. Yager, Chem. Phys. Lett. 2, 259 (1968)] shows that this trinitrene has [line]D[line] = 0.092 cm(-1) and E = 0 cm(-1). DFT calculations reveal that, unlike C2v symmetric septet trinitrenes, D3h symmetric trinitrenes have the same orientations of the spin-spin coupling tensor D[^]SS and the spin-orbit coupling tensor D[^]SOC and, as a result, have negative signs for both the DSS and DSOC values. The negative magnetic anisotropy of septet 2,4,6-trinitrenobenzenes is considerably strengthened on introduction of heavy atoms in the molecules, owing to an increase in contributions of various excitation states to the DSOC term.

High-spin intermediates of the photolysis of 2,4,6-triazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridine.

Summary In contrast to theoretical expectations, the photolysis of 2,4,6-triazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridine in argon at 5 K gives rise to EPR peaks of just two triplet mononitrenes, two quintet dinitrenes, and a septet trinitrene. EPR spectral simulations in combination with DFT calculations show that observable nitrenes can be assigned to triplet 2,4-diazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-6-nitrene (D T = 1.026 cm−1, E T = 0), triplet 2,6-diazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-4-nitrene (D T = 1.122 cm−1, E T = 0.0018 cm−1), quintet 4-azido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-2,6-dinitrene (D Q = 0.215 cm−1, E Q = 0.0545 cm−1), quintet 2-azido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-4,6-dinitrene (D Q = 0.209 cm−1, E Q = 0.039 cm−1) and septet 3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-2,4,6-trinitrene (D S = −0.1021 cm−1, E S = −0.0034 cm−1). Preferential photodissociation of the azido groups located in ortho-positions to the fluorine atom of pyridines is associated with strong π-conjugation of these groups with the pyridine ring. On photoexcitation, such azido groups are more efficiently involved in reorganization of the molecular electronic system and more easily adopt geometries of the locally excited predissociation states.

The first photochromic bimetallic assemblies based on Mn(III) and Mn(II) Schiff-base (salpn, dapsc) complexes and pentacyanonitrosylferrate

Four cyano-bridged bimetallic complexes, {[Mn(salpn)]2[Fe(CN)5NO]}n (1), {[Mn(salpn)(CH3OH)]4[Mn(CN)5NO]}[C(CN)3]·3H2O (2), {[Mn(dapsc)][Fe(CN)5NO]·0.5CH3OH·0.25H2O}n (3) and {[Mn(salpn)(CH3OH)]4[Fe(CN)5NO]}(ClO4)2·4H2O (4), where salpn2− = N,N′-1,3-propylene-bis(salicylideneiminato) dianion and dapsc = 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(semicarbazone), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, the nitroprusside anion [Fe(CN)5NO]2− coordinates with four [Mn(salpn)]+via four co-planar CN− groups, whereas each [Mn(salpn)]+ links two [Fe(CN)5NO]2− ions, which results in a two-dimensional network. The structure of 3 contains two independent neutral infinite chains {[Mn(dapsc)][Fe(CN)5(NO)]}∞ consisting of alternating cationic [MnII(dapsc)]2+ and anionic [FeII(CN)5(NO)]2− units connected through cyanide bridges. The cation complexes 2 and 4 have a pentanuclear molecular structure in which four [Mn(salpn)(MeOH)]+ fragments are linked by the [Mn(CN)5NO]3− or [Fe(CN)5(NO)]2− moieties, respectively. The magnetic and photochromic properties of 1 and 3 have been studied. The thermal magnetic behaviour of the complexes indicates the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn3+ or Mn2+ mediated by diamagnetic [Fe(CN)5NO]2− bridges. Irradiation of 1 and 3 with light gives birth to the long-lived metastable states of nitroprusside.

Synthesis, structure, and NO-donor activity of bis(5-nitropyridine-2-thiolato)tetranitrosyliron

A new method is developed for the synthesis of the binuclear iron tetranitrosyl complex with 5-nitropyridine-2-thiolate, [Fe2(SC5H3N2O2)2(NO)4] (I), from 2,2’-dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) and hydrazine hydrate in an aqueous-alcohol solution followed by the replacement of the thiosulfate ligands in an aqueous solution of salt Na2[Fe2(S2O3)2(NO)4] · 4H2O by functional 5-nitropyridine-2-thiolates. It is established by the X-ray diffraction method that the complex has the structure of the μ-SR type and crystallizes as two polymorphs. The Moessbauer spectral parameters at 293 K (quadrupole splitting ΔEQ = 1.243(1) mm/s, isomeric shift δFe = 0.095(1) mm/s, and absorption line width Γ = 0.263(1) mm/s) for studied compound I are similar to the isoelectronic complexes with thiophenoxide, pyridyl-2-thiolate, and pyrimidyl-2-thiolate. According to the electrochemical analysis data, complex I is a more efficient donor of NO in hydrolytic decomposition in protic media with NO formation than its isostructural analog with the unsubstituted pyridylthiolate ligand. The maximum amount of NO generated by complex I in a 1% aqueous solution of dimethyl sulfoxide at T = 25°C and pH 7.0 is 7.4 nmoles and increases twofold with an increase in the acidity of the medium (to pH 6.5) or temperature (37°C).