Winfried Plass

Phosphate and Vanadate in Biological Systems: Chemical Relatives or More?

Structural and functional analogies between acid phosphatases and vanadium haloperoxidases are reflected in the conservation of the amino acid residues contributing to the active sites of these enzymes. This has interesting consequences for the research on both enzyme systems. A first example is the newly proposed structure for the active site of human glucose-6-phosphatase: The picture shows parts of six of the nine transmembrane helices as well as the amino acids (black ovals) that presumably participate in the formation of the active site.

Chiral Tetranuclear μ3-Alkoxo-Bridged Copper(II) Complex with 2 + 4 Cubane-Like Cu4O4 Core Framework and Ferromagnetic Ground State

The sugar-modified Schiff base ligand benzyl 2-deoxy-2-salicylideneamino-alpha-D-glucopyranoside H 2L, prepared by condensation of salicylaldehyde and the monomeric chitosan analogue benzyl 2-deoxy-2-amino-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, reacts with copper(II) acetate to form a self-assembled, alkoxo-bridged tetranuclear homoleptic copper(II) complex [{Cu(L)}4] (4) with Cu4O4 heterocubane core. The chiral complex 4 crystallizes in the space group P2 12 12 1. The tetranuclear complex 4 is composed of two dinuclear {Cu(L)}2 entities linked by the four mu 3-bridging C-3 alkoxide oxygen atoms of the sugar backbone. The preorganization of the dimeric {Cu(L)}2 entities is enforced by strong hydrogen bonds between the phenolate oxygen atom and the C-4 hydroxy group of the two constituting chiral monomeric building blocks. Therefore the Cu4O4 core can be classified as a type I or 2 + 4 cubane. The chirality of the structure is confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) spectra, which reveal a significant dichroism associated with the copper centered transitions at around 600 nm. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate ferromagnetic exchange interactions in complex 4. Fitting of the experimental data with a two J model based on the 2 + 4 topology ( H = - J1(S1S3 + S2S4) - J2(S1 + S3)(S2 + S4)) leads to exchange coupling constants of J1 = 64 and J2 = 4 cm(-1). The observed ferromagnetic coupling can be attributed to the very small Cu-O-Cu bridging angles within the Cu2O2 core of the constituting dimeric entities, which are a result of the conformational requirements introduced by the sugar backbone. 4 is not only the first example of an alkoxo-bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complex with Cu4O4 core representing the 2 + 4 cubane class with ferromagnetic ground state but also a rare example for the class of molecules combining a ferromagnetic ground state with optical activity. The ferromagnetic S = 2 ground state of 4 is confirmed by magnetization measurements and ESR spectroscopy.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and biological activity of the metal complexes of the Schiff base derived from phenylaminoacetohydrazide and dibenzoylmethane.

A new series of mono and binuclear Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), La(III), Ru(III), Hf(IV), ZrO(II) and UO2(II) complexes of phenylaminodibenzoylhydrazone have been synthesized and characterized by elementals analyses, IR UV-vis spectra, magnetic moments, conductances, thermal analyses (DTA and TGA) and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The IR spectral data show that, the ligand behaves as a neutral bidentate type (15 and 16), monobasic bidentate type (6), or monobasic tridentate type (5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17-21) or dibasic tridentate type 2-4, 9 and 12 towards the metal ion. Molar conductances in DMF solution indicate that, the complexes are non-electrolytes. The ESR spectra of solid complexes (9 and 10) show axial and non-axial types indicating a d(x2-y2) ground state with significant covalent bond character. However, complexes (11 and 12), show isotropic type, indicating manganese(II) octahedral geometry. Antibacterial and antifungal tests of the ligand and its metal complexes are also carried out and it has been observed that the complexes are more potent bactericides and fungicides than the ligand.

Cobalt(II)-Based Single-Ion Magnets with Distorted Pseudotetrahedral [N2O2] Coordination: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations.

The synthesis and magnetic properties of cobalt(II) complexes with sterically demanding Schiff-base ligands are reported. The compounds [Co(L(Br))2] (1) and [Co(L(Ph))2]·CH2Cl2 (2·CH2Cl2) are obtained by the reaction of cobalt(II) acetate with the ligands HL(Br) and HL(Ph) in a dichloromethane/methanol mixture. 1 and 2 crystallize in the space groups P21212 and P1̅, respectively. X-ray diffraction studies revealed mononuclear constitution of both complexes. For 1, relatively short intermolecular Co-Co distances of 569 pm are observed. In compound 2, a hydrogen-bonded dichloromethane molecule is present, leading to a solvent aggregate with remarkable thermal stability for which desolvation is taking place between 150 and 210 °C. Magnetic measurements were performed to determine the zero-field-splitting (ZFS) parameter D for both complexes. Frequency-dependent susceptibility measurements revealed slow magnetic relaxation behavior with spin-reversal barriers of 36 cm(-1) for 1 and 43 cm(-1) for 2 at an applied external field of 400 Oe. This observation is related to an increasing distortion of the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry for complex 2. These distortions can be decomposed in two major contributions. One is the elongation effect described by the parameter ϵT, which is the ratio of the averaged obtuse and acute bond angles. The other effect is related to a twisting distortion of the chelate coordination planes at the cobalt center. A comparison with literature examples reveals that the elongation effect seems to govern the overall magnetic behavior in pseudotetrahedral complexes with two bidentate chelate ligands. Ab initio calculations for complexes 1 and 2 using the CASPT2 method show strong splitting of the excited (4)T2 term, which explains the observed strong ZFS. Spin-orbit calculations with the RASSI-SO method confirm the single-molecule-magnet behavior because only small transversal elements are found for the lowest Kramers doublet for both complexes.

Hydrogen Bonds as Structural Directive towards Unusual Polynuclear Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with a 2-Aminoglucose Ligand

The reaction of benzyl 2-amino-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (HL) with the metal salts Cu(ClO(4))(2)6 H(2)O and Ni(NO(3))(2)6 H(2)O affords via self-assembly a tetranuclear mu(4)-hydroxido bridged copper(II) complex [(mu(4)-OH)Cu(4)(L)(4)(MeOH)(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(3) (1) and a trinuclear alcoholate bridged nickel(II) complex [Ni(3)(L)(5)(HL)]NO(3) (2), respectively. Both complexes crystallize in the acentric space group P2(1). The X-ray crystal structure reveals the rare (mu(4)-OH)Cu(4)O(4) core for complex 1 which is mu(2)-alcoholate bridged. The copper(II) ions possess a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with an [NO(4)] donor set. The core is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the coordinating amino group of the glucose backbone and the benzylidene protected oxygen atom O4 of a neighboring {Cu(L)} fragment as hydrogen-bond acceptor. For complex 2 an [N(4)O(2)] donor set is observed at the nickel(II) ions with a distorted octahedral geometry. The trinuclear isosceles Ni(3) core is bridged by mu(3)-alcoholate O3 oxygen atoms of two glucose ligands. The two short edges are capped by mu(2)-alcoholate O3 oxygen atoms of the two ligands coordinated at the nickel(II) ion at the vertex of these two edges. Along the elongated edge of the triangle a strong hydrogen bond (244 pm) between the O3 oxygen atoms of ligands coordinating at the two relevant nickel(II) ions is observed. The coordinating amino groups of the these two glucose ligands are involved in additional hydrogen bonds with O4 oxygen atoms of adjacent ligands further stabilizing the trinuclear core. The carbohydrate backbones in all cases adopt the stable (4)C(1) chair conformation and exhibit the rare chitosan-like trans-2,3-chelation. Temperature dependent magnetic measurements indicate an overall antiferromagnetic behavior for complex 1 with J(1)=-260 and J(2)=-205 cm(-1) (g=2.122). Compound 2 is the first ferromagnetically coupled trinuclear nickel(II) complex with J(A)=16.4 and J(B)=11.0 cm(-1) (g(1,2)=2.183, g(3)=2.247). For the high-spin nickel(II) centers a zero-field splitting of D(1,2)=3.7 cm(-1) and D(3)=1.8 cm(-1) is observed. The S=3 ground state of complex 2 is consistent with magnetization measurements at low temperatures.

Electronic/substituents influence on imidazole ring donor–acceptor capacities using 1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline frameworks

Eight imidazole-based compounds 4-methyl-2,6-bis(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenol ( A-dp), 2-(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol ( B-2H), 5-methoxy-2-(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol ( B-2H4M), 3-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenol ( C-3H), 2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)-4-methoxyphenol ( C-2H5M), 4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenol ( C-4H3M), 2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline ( C-2M) and 2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline ( C-2,4M) were synthesized and characterized by elemental, spectroscopic and X-ray single crystal analyses. Two different crystals of A-dp were grown from ethanol and THF, which revealed that A-dp crystallizes in a monoclinic (P2(1)/c) space group while A-dp·2THF crystallizes in a triclinic (P) space group. A-dp·2THF was devoid of any kind of networks whereas the absence of solvent adducts in the ethanol sample produces 1-dimensional single-stranded helices. Contrary to the reported literature conclusion that 1H-imidazole alkylation should increase the donor strength of the imidazole N-base, protonation–deprotonation equilibrium studies on the compounds suggest that push/pull of electron density on the 2-carbon of the imidazole ring by electron-rich/electron-withdrawing substituents is necessary to influence donor capacity of the N-base electrons. Furthermore, the notable increase in pKa,N: values due to ortho/para-directing methoxy substituents supports the conclusion that electron density push towards the 2-position of the imidazole ring is important for improving N-base donor strengths. DFT calculation results using the B3LYP/6-311+G level of theory were conducted to explore possible theoretical explanations.

Cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of vanadium complexes : Structural characterization and catalytic sulfoxidation

Reaction of potassium vanadate with the hydrazone ligand derived from Schiff-base condensation of salicylaldehyde and biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide (H(2)salhybiph) in the presence of two equivalents alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) in water yields the 1:2 inclusion compound K[VO(2)(salhybiph)@(alpha-CD)(2)]. Characterization in solution confirmed the integrity of the inclusion compound in the polar solvent water. The inclusion compound crystallizes together with additional water molecules as K[VO(2)(salhybiph)@(alpha-CD)(2)].18H(2)O in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Two alpha-CD rings forming a hydrogen bonded head to head dimer are hosting the hydrophobic biphenyl side chain of the complex K[VO(2)(salhybiph)]. The supramolecular aggregation of the inclusion compound in the solid state is established through hydrogen bonding interactions among adjacent alpha-CD hosts and with vanadate moieties of the guest complexes as well as ionic interactions with the potassium counterions. In contrast the supramolecular structure of the guest complex K[VO(2)(salhybiph)] without the presence of CD host molecules is governed by pi-pi-stacking interactions and additional CH/pi interactions. The new inclusion complex K[VO(2)(salhybiph)@(alpha-CD)(2)] and the analogous 1:1 inclusion compound with beta-CD were tested as catalyst in the oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide (thioanisol) using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant in a water/ethanol mixture, under neutral as well as acidic conditions.

Electronic structure of the iron-molybdenum and alternative cofactors of nitrogenases: a comparison and its consequences

Abstract The electronic structure of idealized structural models [H3MFe3S3{μ2−S}3Fe4S3H]n− with 3m (C3) symmetry for the FeMo-, FeV-, and FeFe-cofactors of the three nitrogenase systems known (2M = Mo and n = 1, 3M = V and n = 2, 4M = Fe and n = 2) has been investigated using the EHMO and SCCC-EHMO methods, respectively. On the basis of MO analysis the similarities and differences between these model clusters will be discussed. Special attention will be focused on the possible function of the heterometal center of these model clusters (Mo, V, and Fe) as well as the binding of dinitrogen to the cofactor models.

51V solid-state NMR investigations and DFT studies of model compounds for vanadium haloperoxidases

Three cis-dioxovanadium(V) complexes with similar N-salicylidenehydrazide ligands modeling hydrogen bonding interactions of vanadate relevant for vanadium haloperoxidases are studied by (51)V solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Their parameters describing the quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy interactions (quadrupolar coupling constant C(Q), asymmetry of the quadrupolar tensor eta(Q), isotropic chemical shift delta(iso), chemical shift anisotropy delta(sigma), asymmetry of the chemical shift tensor eta(sigma) and the Euler angles alpha, beta and gamma) are determined both experimentally and theoretically using DFT methods. A comparative study of different methods to determine the NMR parameters by numerical simulation of the spectra is presented. Detailed theoretical investigations on the DFT level using various basis sets and structural models show that by useful choice of the methodology, the calculated parameters agree to the experimental ones in a very good manner.

Heme impairs the ball-and-chain inactivation of potassium channels.

Significance Heme, traditionally viewed as a stable protein cofactor such as in hemoglobin, also serves as an acute signaling molecule and is cytotoxic at high concentrations. Here, we show that free intracellular heme potently enhances A-type potassium channel function. Such channels determine action potential frequency in excitable cells, and their dysfunction often contributes to pathological hyperexcitability, such as in pain and epilepsy. Binding of free heme at nanomolar concentrations to the “ball-and-chain” N terminus of A-type potassium channels, which typically closes the channels, introduces a stable structure in the otherwise disordered region and allows for a greater efflux of potassium ions, thus reducing cellular excitability. Heme therefore could be a powerful negative-feedback regulator in brain and muscle function. Fine-tuned regulation of K+ channel inactivation enables excitable cells to adjust action potential firing. Fast inactivation present in some K+ channels is mediated by the distal N-terminal structure (ball) occluding the ion permeation pathway. Here we show that Kv1.4 K+ channels are potently regulated by intracellular free heme; heme binds to the N-terminal inactivation domain and thereby impairs the inactivation process, thus enhancing the K+ current with an apparent EC50 value of ∼20 nM. Functional studies on channel mutants and structural investigations on recombinant inactivation ball domain peptides encompassing the first 61 residues of Kv1.4 revealed a heme-responsive binding motif involving Cys13:His16 and a secondary histidine at position 35. Heme binding to the N-terminal inactivation domain induces a conformational constraint that prevents it from reaching its receptor site at the vestibule of the channel pore.