Osamu Yamauchi

π–π Stacking assisted binding of aromatic amino acids by copper(II)–aromatic diimine complexes. Effects of ring substituents on ternary complex stability

Ternary Cu(ii) complexes containing an aromatic diimine (DA = di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (dpa), 4,4-disubstituted 2,2-bipyridine (Y(2)bpy; Y = H (bpy), Me, Cl, N(Et)(2), CONH(2) or COOEt) or 2,2-bipyrimidine) and an aromatic amino acid (AA = l-phenylalanine (Phe), p-substituted phenylalanine (XPhe; X = NH(2), NO(2), F, Cl or Br), l-tyrosine (Tyr), l-tryptophan (Trp) or l-alanine (Ala)) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and potentiometric measurements. The structures of [Cu(dpa)(Trp)]ClO(4).2H(2)O and [Cu((CONH(2))(2)bpy)(Phe)]ClO(4).H(2)O in the solid state were revealed to have intramolecular pi-pi interactions between the Cu(ii)-coordinated aromatic ring moiety, Cu(DA) (Mpi), and the side chain aromatic ring of the AA (Lpi). The intensities of Mpi-Lpi interactions were evaluated by the stability constants of the ternary Cu(ii) complexes determined at 25 degrees C and I = 0.1 M (KNO(3)), which revealed that the stability enhancement of the Cu(DA)(AA) systems due to the interactions is in the order (CONH(2))(2)bpy < bpy < Me(2)bpy < (Et(2)N)(2)bpy with respect to DA. The results indicate that the electron density of coordinated aromatic diimines influences the intensities of the stacking interactions in the Cu(DA)(AA) systems. The Mpi-Lpi interactions are also influenced by the substituents, X, of Lpi and are in linear relationship with their Hammett sigma(p) values with the exception of X = Cl and Br.

CH⋯Metal(II) axial interaction in planar complexes (metal = Cu, Pd) and implications for possible environmental effects of alkyl groups at biological copper sites

Intramolecular M(II)...H-C interactions (M(II)=Cu(II), Pd(II)) involving a side chain alkyl group of planar d8 and d9 metal complexes of the N-alkyl (R) derivatives of N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine with an N3Cl donor set were established by structural and spectroscopic methods. The methyl group from the branched alkyl group (R=2,2-dimethylpropyl and 2-methylbutyl) axially interacts with the metal ion with the M...C and M...H distances of 3.056(3)-3.352(9) and 2.317(1)-2.606(1) A, respectively, and the M-H-C angles of 122.4-162.3 degrees . The Cu(II) complexes showing the interaction have a higher redox potential as compared with those without it, and the (1)H NMR signals of the interacting methyl group in Pd(II) complexes shifted downfield relative to the ligand signals. Dependence of the downshift values on the dielectric constants of the solvents used indicated that the M(II)...H-C interaction is mainly electrostatic in nature and may be regarded as a weak hydrogen bond. Implications for possible environmental effects of the leucine alkyl group at the type 1 Cu site of fungal laccase are also discussed.

Effects of a Side Chain Aromatic Ring on the Reactivity of Copper(I) Complexes with Dioxygen

Stabilization of the bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) intermediate is achieved by using a bidentate N-donor ligand with pendent indole rings: N,N-bis[(3-indolyl)methyl]-N-[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine (BIP). The intermediate decomposes to give products arising from N-dealkylation and a product with a spiro ring composed of two indole rings. This latter product probably results from a radical-coupling reaction.

Group-10 Metal Complexes of Biological Molecules and Related Ligands: Structural and Functional Properties

The complexes of group‐10 metals, Ni, Pd, and Pt, with biological molecules and related ligands have been attracting increasing attention in recent years due to their reactivities and functions, such as catalysts and drugs, and their biological relevance. The well‐defined structures and kinetic inertness especially of Pt complexes have been used as the sites for weak interactions with other molecules. The Ni complexes have been reported as models not only for Ni enzymes but also for other metalloenzyme active sites for deeper understanding of the reactivities such as oxygen activations and detailed electronic structures. Pd Complexes are widely known for their catalytic activities in conversions of various organic molecules including useful biological molecules, such as Suzukiuf8ffMiyaura cross‐coupling, while Pt complexes have been intensively studied for their antitumor activities. We focus in this review on our recent results on weak interactions and reactivities of the group‐10 metal complexes with biological molecules and related compounds, and discuss their structural features and some new properties pointing to functional possibilities.