Towards an artificial model for Photosystem II: a manganese(II,II) dimer covalently linked to ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridine via a tyrosine derivative

In order to model the individual electron transfer steps from the manganese cluster to the photooxidized sensitizer P680+ in Photosystem II (PS II) in green plants, the supramolecular complex 4 has been synthesized. In this complex, a ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridine type photosensitizer has been linked to a manganese(II) dimer via a substituted L-tyrosine, which bridges the manganese ions. The trinuclear complex 4 was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The excited state lifetime of the ruthenium tris-bipyridine moiety in 4 was found to be about 110 ns in acetonitrile. Using flash photolysis in the presence of an electron acceptor (methylviologen), it was demonstrated that in the supramolecular complex 4 an electron was transferred from the excited state of the ruthenium tris-bipyridine moiety to methylviologen, forming a methylviologen radical and a ruthenium(III) tris-bipyridine moiety. Next, the Ru(III) species retrieved the electron from the manganese(II/II) dimer in an intramolecular electron transfer reaction with a rate constant kET > 1.0 x 10(7) s(-1), generating a manganese(II/III) oxidation state and regenerating the ruthenium(II) photosensitizer. This is the first example of intramolecular electron transfer in a supramolecular complex, in which a manganese dimer is covalently linked to a photosensitizer via a tyrosine unit, in a process which mimics the electron transfer on the donor side of PS II.     

Reduction-induced inhibition and Mn(II) release from the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex by hydroquinone or NH2OH are consistent with a Mn(III)/Mn(III)/Mn(IV)/Mn(IV) oxidation state for the dark-adapted enzyme

Hydroxylamine and hydroquinone were used to probe the oxidation states of Mn in the oxygen-evolving complex of dark-adapted intact (hydroxylamine) and salt-washed (hydroquinone) photosystem II. These preparations were incubated in the dark for 24 h in the presence of increasing reductant/photosystem II ratios, and the loss of oxygen evolution activity and of Mn(II) was determined for each incubation mixture. Monte Carlo simulations of these data yielded models that provide insight into the structure, reactivity, and oxidation states of the manganese in the oxygen-evolving complex. Specifically, the data support oxidation states of Mn(III)(2)/Mn(IV)(2) for the dark stable S(1) state of the O(2)-evolving complex. Activity and Mn(II) loss data were best modeled by assuming an S(1) --> S(-)(1) conversion of intermediate probability, a S(-)(1) --> S(-)(3) reaction of high probability, and subsequent step(s) of low probability. This model predicts that photosystem II Mn clusters that have undergone an initial reduction step become more reactive toward a second reduction, followed by a slower third reduction step. Analysis of the Mn(II) release parameters used to model the data suggests that the photosystem II manganese cluster consists of three Mn atoms that exhibit a facile reactivity with both reductants, and a single Mn that is reducible but sterically trapped at or near its binding site. Activity assays indicate that intact photosystem II centers reduced to S(-)(1) can evolve oxygen upon illumination, but that these centers are inactive in preparations depleted of the extrinsic 23 and 17 kDa polypeptides. Finally, it was found that a substantial population of the tyrosine D radical is reduced by hydroxylamine, but a smaller population reacts with hydroquinone over the course of a 24 h exposure to the reductant.     

Electrochemiluminescence of dipicolinic acid (DPA) and (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine).

The spectroscopic and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties of dipicolinic acid (DPA), (bpy)(2)Ru(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and the species formed when DPA and (bpy)(2)Ru(2+) [abbreviated to (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+)] are allowed to react are reported. The UV-Vis absorption maxima for (bpy)(2)Ru(2+) and (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+) are 493 and 475 nm, respectively, indicating the in situ formation of a complex between DPA and (bpy)(2)Ru(2+). DPA, (bpy)(2)Ru(2+) and (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+) display ECL upon oxidation in the presence of the oxidative-reductive co-reactant tri-n-propylamine (TPrA). The ECL of (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+) is at least two-fold higher than either of the parent species. An ECL spectrum of (bpy)(2)Ru(DPA)(+) displays a peak maximum 40 nm red-shifted from the photoluminescence peak maximum, suggesting that the excited state formed electrochemically is different from that formed spectroscopically.     

Visible light decomposition of ammonia to N2 with Ru(bpy)3(2+) sensitizer.

Visible light decomposition of aqueous NH3 to N2 was investigated using a photocatalyst aqueous solution based on molecular photoelectron relay systems of either sensitizer (tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II), (Ru(bpy)3(2+))/potassium peroxodisulfate(K(2)S(2)O(8)) or Ru(bpy)3(2+)/methylviologen dichloride(MV2+)/O2, capable of using visible light instead of UV-driven semiconductors such as TiO2. It was confirmed by using an in situ visible absorption spectral change under irradiation that the Ru(II) complex is oxidized to the Ru(III) complex by K(2)S(2)O(8), and that the Ru(III) complex formed is stable without NH3, while the added NH3 was oxidized by the Ru(III) complex to produce the Ru(II) complex. In the presence of 1 mM NH3 aqueous solution, the Ru(III) complex was the predominant species under the photostationary state, but in the presence of 100 mM NH3, Ru(II) predominated. Gas-chromatographic analysis of the gaseous phase in the presence of 8.1 M NH3 showed that the photochemical oxidation of ammonia yielded N2. It was also demonstrated by using the in situ visible absorption spectrum under irradiation of the NH3 (1 M)/Ru(bpy)3(2+) (0.1 mM)/MV2+ (10 mM) system under Ar that MV+* is accumulated, showing that NH3 works as an electron donor for MV+* accumulation with simultaneous formation of the oxidized product of ammonia ((NH3)ox) without producing N2. It was suggested that the reduced product (MV+*) and the oxidized product ((NH3)ox) are in a kind of dynamic equilibrium prohibiting further oxidation of (NH3)ox by Ru(bpy)3(3+) to N2. In the O2 atmosphere, the oxidation of MV+* to MV2+ takes place to accumulate Ru(III) complex, so that (NH3)ox was further oxidized to N2. The high activity of IrO2 as a cocatalyst in this system was demonstrated.     

Optically active molecule-based magnets: enantioselective self-assembling, optical, and magnetic properties.

In this short communication we describe the synthesis and the optical and magnetic properties of optically active three dimensional (3D) bimetallic [Cr-Mn] networks [[Delta Cr(III) Delta Mn(II)(ox)(3)][Delta Ru(II)(bpy)(3)]ClO(4)](n)1 - Delta, [[Lambda Cr(III)Lambda Mn(II)(ox)(3)][Lambda Ru(II) (bpy)(3)]ClO(4)](n) 1 - Lambda and [[Delta Cr(III)Delta Mn(II)(ox)(3)][Delta Ru(II)(bpy)(2)p p y]](n) 2 - Delta,[[Lambda Cr(III)Lambda Mn(II)(ox)(3)][Lambda Ru(II)(bpy)(2)ppy]](n) 2 - Lambda (ox = oxalate, bpy = bipyridine, ppy = phenyl-pyridine).     

Photoelectron transfer processes with ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase

The processes that are photoinduced by [Ru(bpz)(3)](2+) (bpz = 2,2'-bipyrazyl) in the presence of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) are investigated by laser flash photolysis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy; they are compared to those of the system [Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-Cu/Zn SOD]. Although the mechanism is complicated, primary and secondary reactions can be evidenced. First, the excited [Ru(bpz)(3)](2+) complex is quenched reductively by Cu/Zn SOD with the production of a reduced complex and an oxidized enzyme. The oxidation site of Cu/Zn SOD is proposed to correspond to amino acids located on the surface of the protein. Afterward and only when this reductive electron transfer to the excited complex has produced enough oxidized protein, another electron-transfer process can be evidenced. In this case, however, the charge-transfer process takes place in the other direction, i.e., from the excited complex to the Cu(II) center of the SOD with the formation of Ru(III) and Cu(I) species. This proposed mechanism is supported by the fact that [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), which is less photo-oxidizing than [Ru(bpz)(3)](2+), exhibits no photoreaction with Cu/Zn SOD. Because Ru(III) species are generated as intermediates with [Ru(bpz)(3)](2+), they are proposed to be responsible for the enhancement of [poly(dG-dC)](2) and [poly(dA-dT)](2) oxidation observed when Cu/Zn SOD is added to the [Ru(bpz)(3)](2+)-DNA system.     

Light-induced multistep oxidation of dinuclear manganese complexes for artificial photosynthesis

Two dinuclear manganese complexes, [Mn(2)BPMP(mu-OAc)(2)].ClO(4) (1, where BPMP is the anion of 2,6-bis([N,N-di(2-pyridinemethyl)amino]methyl)-4-methylphenol) and [Mn(2)L(mu-OAc)(2)].ClO(4) (2, where L is the trianion of 2,6-bis([N-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)-N-(2-pyridinemethyl)amino]methyl)-4-methylphenol), undergo several oxidations by laser flash photolysis, using ruthenium(II)-tris-bipyridine (tris(2,2-bipyridyl)dichloro-ruthenium(II) hexahydrate) as photo-sensitizer and penta-amminechlorocobalt(III) chloride as external electron acceptor. In both complexes stepwise electron transfer was observed. In 1, four Mn-valence states from the initial Mn(2)(II,II) to the Mn(2)(III,IV) state are available. In 2, three oxidation steps are possible from the initial Mn(2)(III,III)state. The last step is accomplished in the Mn(2)(IV,IV) state, which results in a phenolate radical. For the first time we provide firm spectral evidence for formation of the first intermediate state, Mn(2)(II,III), in 1 during the stepwise light-induced oxidation. Observation of Mn(2)(II,III) is dependent on conditions that sustain the mu-acetato bridges in the complex, i.e., by forming Mn(2)(II,III) in dry acetonitrile, or by addition of high concentrations of acetate in aqueous solutions. We maintain that the presence of water is necessary for the transition to higher oxidation states, e.g., Mn(2)(III,III) and Mn(2)(III,IV) in 1, due to a bridging ligand exchange reaction which takes place in the Mn(2)(II,III) state in water solution. Water is also found to be necessary for reaching the Mn(2)(IV,IV) state in 2, which explains why this state was not reached by electrolysis in our earlier work (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem (2002) 2965). In 2, the extra coordinating oxygen atoms facilitate the stabilization of higher Mn valence states than in 1, resulting in formation of a stable Mn(2)(IV,IV) without disintegration of 2. In addition, further oxidation of 2, led to the formation of a phenolate radical (g = 2.0046) due to ligand oxidation. Its spectral width (8 mT) and very fast relaxation at 15 K indicates that this radical is magnetically coupled to the Mn(2)(IV,IV) center.     

Developing red-emissive ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescent probes for cellular imaging

Ruthenium(II) complexes have rich photophysical attributes, which enable novel design of responsive luminescence probes to selectively quantify biochemical analytes. In this work, we developed a systematic series of Ru(II)-bipyrindine complex derivatives, [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(DNP-bpy)(n)](PF(6))(2) (n = 1, 2, 3; bpy, 2,2'-bipyridine; DNP-bpy, 4-(4-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)phenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine), as luminescent probes for highly selective and sensitive detection of thiophenol in aqueous solutions. The specific reaction between the probes and thiophenol triggers the cleavage of the electron acceptor group, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, eliminating the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process, so that the luminescence of on-state complexes, [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(HP-bpy)(n)](2+) (n = 1, 2, 3; HP-bpy, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine), is turned on. We found that the complex [Ru(bpy)(DNP-bpy)(2)](2+) remarkably enhanced the on-to-off contrast ratio compared to the other two (37.8 compared to 21 and 18.7). This reveals a new strategy to obtain the best Ru(II) complex luminescence probe via the most asymmetric structure. Moreover, we demonstrated the practical utility of the complex as a cell-membrane permeable probe for quantitative luminescence imaging of the dynamic intracellular process of thiophenol in living cells. The results suggest that the new probe could be a very useful tool for luminescence imaging analysis of the toxic thiophenol in intact cells.     

Production and characterization of a polyclonal antibody for Os(II) and Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes

The characterization of a polyclonal antibody produced via immunization with an [Os(bpy)(2)dcbpy] hapten is described. Bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and dcbpy is 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid. The cross-reactivity of the antibody for the Ru(II) analogue of the hapten was also investigated. Large increases in the emission and luminescent lifetime of a series of Os and Ru complexes were observed on binding of the antibody. Association equilibrium constants were derived from luminescence titration data and were found to be 5.6 x 10(8) and 5.0 x 10(8)M(-1) for [Os(bpy)(2)dcbpy] and [Ru(bpy)(2)dcbpy], respectively. Spectroscopic changes were likely due to the exclusion of H(2)O from the complex/antibody binding cleft and blocking of vibrational relaxation pathways of the Os/Ru excited state. D(2)O/H(2)O experiments confirmed that the antibody protected approx. 82% of [Os(bpy)(2)dcbpy] and 80% of [Ru(bpy)(2)dcbpy] from excited state deactivation by the aqueous solvent.     

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes as efficient redox mediators in peroxidase catalysis

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(II)(C~N)(N~N)(2)]PF(6) [HC~N=2-phenylpyridine (Hphpy) or 2-(4'-tolyl)pyridine; N~N=2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine], are rapidly oxidized by H(2)O(2) catalyzed by plant peroxidases to the corresponding Ru(III) species. The commercial isoenzyme C of horseradish peroxidase (HRP-C) and two recently purified peroxidases from sweet potato (SPP) and royal palm tree (RPTP) have been used. The most favorable conditions for the oxidation have been evaluated by varying the pH, buffer, and H(2)O(2) concentrations and the apparent second-order rate constants ( k(app)) have been measured. All the complexes studied are oxidized by HRP-C at similar rates and the rate constants k(app) are identical to those known for the best substrates of HRP-C (10(6)-10(7) M(-1) s(-1)). Both cationic (HRP-C) and anionic (SPP and RPTP) peroxidases show similar catalytic efficiency in the oxidation of the Ru(II) complexes. The mediating capacity of the complexes has been evaluated using the SPP-catalyzed co-oxidation of [Ru(II)(phpy)(bpy)(2)]PF(6) and catechol as a poor peroxidase substrate as an example. The rate of enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of catechol increases more than 10000-fold in the presence of the ruthenium complex. A simple routine for calculating the rate constant k(c) for the oxidation of catechol by the Ru(III) complex generated enzymatically from [Ru(II)(phpy)(bpy)(2)](+) is proposed. It is based on the accepted mechanism of peroxidase catalysis and involves spectrophotometric measurements of the limiting Ru(II) concentration at different concentrations of catechol. The calculated k(c) value of 0.75 M(-1) s(-1) shows that the cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes are efficient mediators in peroxidase catalysis.     

Multicopper oxidase involvement in both Mn(II) and Mn(III) oxidation during bacterial formation of MnO2

Global cycling of environmental manganese requires catalysis by bacteria and fungi for MnO₂ formation, since abiotic Mn(II) oxidation is slow under ambient conditions. Genetic evidence from several bacteria indicates that multicopper oxidases (MCOs) are required for MnO₂ formation. However, MCOs catalyze one-electron oxidations, whereas the conversion of Mn(II) to MnO₂ is a two-electron process. Trapping experiments with pyrophosphate (PP), a Mn(III) chelator, have demonstrated that Mn(III) is an intermediate in Mn(II) oxidation when mediated by exosporium from the Mn-oxidizing bacterium Bacillus SG-1. The reaction of Mn(II) depends on O₂ and is inhibited by azide, consistent with MCO catalysis. We show that the subsequent conversion of Mn(III) to MnO₂ also depends on O₂ and is inhibited by azide. Thus, both oxidation steps appear to be MCO-mediated, likely by the same enzyme, which is indicated by genetic evidence to be the MnxG gene product. We propose a model of how the manganese oxidase active site may be organized to couple successive electron transfers to the formation of polynuclear Mn(IV) complexes as precursors to MnO₂ formation.     

The first spectroscopic model for the S1 state multiline signal of the OEC

The parallel-mode electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the S(1) state of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) shows a multiline signal centered around g=12, indicating an integer spin system. The series of [Mn(2)(2-OHsalpn)(2)] complexes were structurally characterized in four oxidation levels (Mn(II)(2), Mn(II)Mn(III), Mn(III)(2), and Mn(III)Mn(IV)). By using bulk electrolysis, the [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(2-OHsalpn)(2)(OH)] is oxidized to a species that contains Mn(IV) oxidation state as detected by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and that can be formulated as Mn(IV)(4) tetramer. The parallel-mode EPR spectrum of this multinuclear Mn(IV)(4) complex shows 18 well-resolved hyperfine lines center around g=11 with an average hyperfine splitting of 36 G. This EPR spectrum is very similar to that found in the S(1) state of the OEC. This is the first synthetic manganese model complex that shows an S(1)-like multiline spectrum in parallel-mode EPR.     

Long-lived photoinduced charge separation in new Ru(bipyridine)(3)(2+)-phenothiazine dyads

Synthesis and photophysical properties of three Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-Ptz (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and Ptz = phenothiazine) dyads, where the number of Ptz groups increased from one to three, are reported. The MLCT absorption bands of these compounds were slightly red shifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). The emission, however, was highly quenched and this is attributed to electron transfer from the Ptz moiety to the excited Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) to generate the charge separated state Ru(bpy)(3)(+)-Ptz (+). Observed electron transfer rates (k(et) > 10(8) s(-1)) were much faster than those previously reported (k(et) < 10(7) s(-1)) for linked Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-Ptz systems. Compared to the previous systems, back electron transfer rates in these systems were about 100 times slower. This has enabled us to observe the charge separated state in nanosecond flash photolysis experiments. Transient absorptions assignable to Ru(bpy)(3)(+) and Ptz (+), having lifetimes in the range of 10-30 ns were observed. In order to explain the fast charge separation and slow charge recombination rates, formation of a folded conformer where the Ptz group attached to one bpy residue comes closer to and associates with another bpy moiety was invoked. A scheme which explains the fast electron transfer and slow recombination in this pre-associated state is proposed.     

Consistent simulation of X- and Q-band EPR spectra of an unsymmetric dinuclear Mn2(II,III) complex

Simulation of X- and Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of an unsymmetric dinuclear [Mn(2)(II,III)L(mu-OAc)(2)]ClO(4) complex (1), (L is the dianion of 2-{[N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}-6-{[N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-methylphenol) was performed using one consistent set of simulation parameters. Rhombic g-tensors and hyperfine tensors were necessary to obtain satisfactory simulation of the EPR spectra. The anisotropy of the effective hyperfine tensors of each individual (55)Mn ion was further analyzed in terms of intrinsic hyperfine tensors. Detailed analysis shows that the hyperfine anisotropy of the Mn(III) ion is a result of the Jahn-Teller effect and thus an inherent character. In contrast, the anomalous hyperfine anisotropy of the Mn(II) ion is attributed as being transferred from the Mn(III) ion through the spin exchange interaction. The anisotropy parameter for the Mn(II) is deduced as D(II)=-1.26+/-0.2cm(-1). This is the first reported D(II) value for a Mn(II) ion in a weakly exchange coupled mixed-valence Mn(2)(II,III) complex with a bis-mu-acetato-bridge. The [see text] electronic configuration of the Mn(III) ion in 1 is revealed by the negative sign of its intrinsic hyperfine tensor anisotropy, Deltaa(III)=a(z)-a(x,y)=-46cm(-1). Lower spectral resolution of the Q-band EPR spectrum as compared to the X-band EPR spectrum is associated to large line width broadening of the x- and y-components in contrast to the z-component. The origins of the unequal distribution of line width between the z- and x-, y-components are discussed.     

Dissimilatory Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction.

The oxidation of organic matter coupled to the reduction of Fe(III) or Mn(IV) is one of the most important biogeochemical reactions in aquatic sediments, soils, and groundwater. This process, which may have been the first globally significant mechanism for the oxidation of organic matter to carbon dioxide, plays an important role in the oxidation of natural and contaminant organic compounds in a variety of environments and contributes to other phenomena of widespread significance such as the release of metals and nutrients into water supplies, the magnetization of sediments, and the corrosion of metal. Until recently, much of the Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction in sedimentary environments was considered to be the result of nonenzymatic processes. However, microorganisms which can effectively couple the oxidation of organic compounds to the reduction of Fe(III) or Mn(IV) have recently been discovered. With Fe(III) or Mn(IV) as the sole electron acceptor, these organisms can completely oxidize fatty acids, hydrogen, or a variety of monoaromatic compounds. This metabolism provides energy to support growth. Sugars and amino acids can be completely oxidized by the cooperative activity of fermentative microorganisms and hydrogen- and fatty-acid-oxidizing Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reducers. This provides a microbial mechanism for the oxidation of the complex assemblage of sedimentary organic matter in Fe(III)- or Mn(IV)-reducing environments. The available evidence indicates that this enzymatic reduction of Fe(III) or Mn(IV) accounts for most of the oxidation of organic matter coupled to reduction of Fe(III) and Mn(IV) in sedimentary environments. Little is known about the diversity and ecology of the microorganisms responsible for Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reduction, and only preliminary studies have been conducted on the physiology and biochemistry of this process.     

One-step electrochemically co-assembled redox-active [Ru(bpy)(2)(tatp)](2+)-BSA-SWCNTs hybrid film for non-redox protein biosensors

A redox-active [Ru(bpy)(2)(tatp)](2+)-BSA-SWCNTs (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, tatp=1,4,8,9-tetra-aza-triphenylene, BSA=bovine serum albumin, SWCNTs=single-walled carbon nanotubes) hybrid film is fabricated on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode via one-step electrochemical co-assembly approach. BSA is inherently dispersive and therefore served as the linking mediator of SWCNTs, which facilitate the redox reactions of [Ru(bpy)(2)(tatp)](2+) employed as a reporter of BSA. The evidences from differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscope, emission spectroscopy and fluorescence microscope reveal that the [Ru(bpy)(2)(tatp)](2+)-BSA-SWCNTs hybrid can be electrochemically co-assembled on the ITO electrode, showing two pairs of well-defined Ru(II)-based redox waves. Furthermore, the electrochemical co-assembly of the [Ru(bpy)(2)(tatp)](2+)-BSA-SWCNTs hybrid is found to be strongly dependent on the simultaneous presence of BSA and SWCNTs, indicating a good linear response to BSA in the range from 6 to 50mgL(-1). The results from this study provide an electrochemical co-assembly method for the development of non-redox protein biosensors.     

Evaluating hydrogen bond interactions in enzymes containing Mn(III)-histidine complexation using manganese-imidazole complexes

It is often difficult to control hydrogen bond interactions in small molecule compounds that model metalloenzyme active sites. The imidazole-containing ligands 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(3)DCBI) and 4,5-dicarboxy- N-methylimidazole (H(2)MeDCBI) allow examination of the effects of internal hydrogen bonding between carboxylate and imidazole nitrogen atoms. A new series of mononuclear manganese imidazole complexes have been prepared using these ligands: Mn(III)(salpn)(H(2)DCBI)(DMF) (1), Mn(III)(salpn)(HMeDCBI) (2), Mn(III)(dtsalpn)(HMeDCBI) (3), [Mn(IV)(dtsalpn)(HMeDCBI)]PF(6) (4), Mn(III)(salpn)(H(2)DCBI) (5), Mn(III)(dtsalpn)(H(2)DCBI) (6), and Mn(IV)(dtsalpn)(H(2)DCBI)PF(6) (8). Complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 have been prepared by direct reaction of salpn [salpn=(salicylideneaminato)-1,3-diaminopropane)] or dtsalpn [dtsalpn=(3,5-di- t-butylsalicylideneaminato)-1,3-diaminopropane)] and H(3)DCBI and H(2)MeDCBI with Mn(III) acetate, while complexes 4 and 8 were made by bulk electrolysis of complex 3 or 6 in dichloromethane. Complexes 1, 2, and 6 were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The impact of hydrogen bonding interactions of the complexes has been demonstrated by X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and EPR spectroscopy. In all complexes the central metal ion is present in a six-coordinate geometry. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm the spin and oxidation states of the complexes. The cyclic voltammograms of 3 and 6 in dichloromethane reveal single, reversible redox waves with E(1/2)=600 mV and 690 mV, respectively. The X-band EPR spectrum of 4 shows a broad signal around g=4.4, and the corresponding complex 8 possesses a broad signal at slightly lower field ( g=5.5) than 4. These studies demonstrate that even small changes in the effective charge of the imidazole ligand can have a profound impact on the structure, spectroscopy, and magnetism of manganese(IV) complexes. We use these observations to present a model that may explain the origin of the g=4.1 signal in the S(2) state of photosystem II.     

Bridging-type changes facilitate successive oxidation steps at about 1 V in two binuclear manganese complexes--implications for photosynthetic water-oxidation

The redox behavior of two synthetic manganese complexes illustrates a mechanistic aspect of importance for light-driven water oxidation in Photosystem II (PSII) and design of biomimetic systems (artificial photosynthesis). The coupling between changes in oxidation state and structural changes was investigated for two binuclear manganese complexes (1 and 2), which differ in the set of first sphere ligands to Mn (N(3)O(3) in 1, N(2)O(4) in 2). Both complexes were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in three oxidation states which had been previously prepared either electro- or photochemically. The following bridging-type changes are suggested. In 1: Mn(II)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(2)-Mn(II)<-->Mn(II)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(2)-Mn(III)-->Mn(III)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(mu-O)-Mn(III). In 2: Mn(II)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(2)-Mn(III)<-->Mn(III)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(2)-Mn(III)-->Mn(III)-(mu-OR)(mu-OCO)(mu-O)-Mn(IV). In both complexes, the first one-electron oxidation proceeds without bridging-type change, but involves a redox-potential increase by 0.5-1V. The second one-electron oxidation likely is coupled to mu-oxo-bridge (or mu-OH) formation which seems to counteract a further potential increase. In both complexes, mu-O(H) bridge formation is associated with a redox transition proceeding at approximately 1V, but the mu-O(H) bridge is observed at the Mn(2)(III,III) level in 1 and at the Mn(III,IV) level in 2, demonstrating modulation of the redox behavior by the terminal ligands. It is proposed that also in PSII bridging-type changes facilitate successive oxidation steps at approximately the same potential.     

Picosecond Kerr-gated time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy of the [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) interaction with DNA

To investigate the basis of the 'light-switch' effect, the solvent dependence of the Kerr-gated picosecond-time resolved resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectra of [Ru(bpy)(2)dppz](2+), [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+), and the modified complex [Ru(phen)(2)cpdppzOMe](2+) and a dimer [mu-C4(cpdppz)(2)-(phen)(4)Ru(2)](4+) were studied. The investigation focussed on comparing the behaviour of [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) in acetonitrile, ethanol, H(2)O, D(2)O, and DNA. The data are consistent with a model wherein excitation induces metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) to any of the ligands (termed the 'precursor' state) which, by interligand electron transfer (ILET), produces an excited state localised on the dppz ligand, MLCT(1). In water this state relaxes with a characteristic time of approximately 6 ps to a non-emissive state (MLCT(2)). The TR(3) spectra in water, acetonitrile and DNA are all distinctly different. However, the early (4 ps) water spectrum resembles the spectrum in DNA. This interesting observation suggests that the DNA-bound excited state of the complex can be thought of as a model for the initial, poorly solvated state in water.     

Synthesis, characterization and redox reactivity of l-tartrato bridged dinuclear manganese complex with 2,2′-bipyridine

A new l-tartrato manganese(III) complex was synthesized and characterized as the dinuclear dimanganese(III) structure with a stereospefically formed [Λ-Λ] absolute configuration around Mn(III) ions. The thermal and photo decomposition gave the first example of dihydrogen gas evolution besides CO and CO₂ gas associated with cis-[Mn^II(ox)(bpy)(H₂O)₂]. A proposed redox reaction proceeds from Mn(III) to Mn(II) via intermediate Mn(IV) and Mn(II) with CO anion radical species followed by oxidation of tartrate ligands.