Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion

The oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion in 0.005 ? [HClO₄] ? 0.5 mol dm⁻³ is first order in and a fractional order in [oxalic acid], the reactive entities being AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions. The pseudo first-order rate, k_obs, with respect to [Au(III)], is retarded by increasing [H⁺] and [Cl⁻]. The retardation by H⁺ ion is caused by the dissociation equilibrium . A mechanism in which a substitution complex, is formed from AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions prior to its rate limiting disproportionation into products is suggested. The rate limiting constant, k, has been evaluated and its activation parameters are reported. The equilibrium constant K₁ for the formation of the substitution complex and its thermodynamic parameters are also reported.     

Kinetic studies of the reduction of hexaaquacobalt(III) perchlorate by a cobaloxime, [Co(dmgBF2)2(H2O)2]

The reaction of with Co(dmgBF₂)₂(H₂O)₂ in 1.0 M HClO₄/LiClO₄ was found to be first-order in both reactants and the [H⁺] dependence of the second-order rate constant is given by k_2obs = b/[H⁺], b at 25 °C is 9.23 ± 0.14 × 10² s⁻¹. The [H⁺] dependence at lower temperatures shows some saturation effect that allowed an estimate of the hydrolysis constant for as K_a = 9.5 × 10⁻³ M at 10 and 15 °C. Marcus theory and the known self-exchange rate constant for Co(OH₂)₅OH^2+/+ were used to estimate an electron self-exchange rate constant of k₂₂ = 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for .     

Synthesis and characterization of four novel mixed (porphyrinato)(phthalocyaninato) sandwich-type europium(III) complexes with [tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato] and diversely substituted phthalocyaninato ligands

Four novel mixed (porphyrinato)(phthalocyaninato) rare earth double-deckers Eu^III(TClPP)[Pc(t-BuPhO₂)₄] {H₂TClPP = tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrin, H₂[Pc(t-BuPhO₂)₄] = 1,3,10,12(11,13),19,21(20,22),28,30(29,31)-octa-tert-butyl-tetrakis[1,4]benzodioxino[2,3-b:2′,3′-k:2″,3″-t:2?,3?-e₁]phthalocyanine}, HEu^III(TClPP)[Pc(α-OC₄H₉)₈] {H₂[Pc(α-OC₄H₉)₈] = 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octa-butoxy-phthalocyanine}, Eu^III(TClPP)[Pc(MeOPhO)₈]{H₂[Pc(MeOPhO)₈] = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(4-methoxyphenoxy)phthalocyanine} and Eu^III(TClPP)[Pc(PhS)₈] {H₂[Pc(PhS)₈] = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(benzenesulfenyl)phthalocyanine} have been prepared for the first time by treating Eu(acac)(TClPP) with corresponding metal-free phthalocyanine in refluxing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB). Typical IR marker bands of the monoanion radical , and show strong bands at 1310, 1319, and 1318 cm⁻¹, and are attributed to pyrrole CC stretchings. The TClPP⁻ IR marker band at ca. 1270-1300 cm⁻¹ was not observed for these compounds. These facts indicate that the hole in these double-deckers is mainly localized at the phthalocyanine ring. The marker IR band for phthalocyanine monoanionradical, , appearing at ca. 1312 cm⁻¹ as a medium absorption band was not observed for HEu^III(TClPP)[Pc(α-C₄H₉)₈]. Instead, a significant peak appearing at ca. 1321 cm⁻¹ with weak intensity is assigned to the pyrrole stretching of the phthalocyanine dianion, . This suggests that both the phthalocyanine and porphyrin rings exist as dianions in mixed (porphyrinato)(phthalocyaninato) complex, . The four complexes were characterized by MS, EA, UV-Vis and IR spectra.     

Anation kinetics of pentacyanoaquachromate(III) by thiocyanate and azide

The kinetics of the reaction of Cr(CN)₅(H₂O)²⁻ with NCS⁻ and were studied at pH 5.0 and at pH 6.3-7.0, respectively, as a function of the temperature between 25.0 and 55.0 °C, and at various ionic strengths. Anation occurs in competition with aquation of CN⁻, with rate constants that exhibit less-than-first-order dependence on the concentration of the entering anions. The results are interpreted in terms of ligand interchange in a context of association of the two reacting anions mediated by the Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ counterions. The degree of aggregation depends mainly on the total cationic charge rather than on the ionic strength, and is ca. 2-fold larger for than for NCS⁻. Within the associated species, is a better entering ligand than NCS⁻ by a factor of 4.5. The Cr(CN)₅(NCS)³⁻ and Cr(CN)₅(N₃)³⁻ complexes were also synthesized, and the rates of aquation of NCS⁻ and were measured at pH 5.0 and between 55.0 and 80.0 °C, over the same range of ionic strengths. The ionic strength enhances the anation rates but has little effect on the aquation rates. The average activation enthalpies of the interchange step are 80 ± 3 and 76 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹ for entry of NCS⁻ and , respectively. Those of the corresponding aquation reactions are 94 ± 4 and 107 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹. Within error limits, all ΔH^‡ values are independent of the ionic strength. The results are consistent with an I_d mechanism for substitution in Cr(CN)₅X^z− complexes.     

Identification of the first steps in charge separation in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides by ultrafast mid-infrared spectroscopy: electron transfer and protein dynamics

Time-resolved visible pump/mid-infrared (mid-IR) probe spectroscopy in the region between 1600 and 1800 cm⁻¹ was used to investigate electron transfer, radical pair relaxation, and protein relaxation at room temperature in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center (RC). Wild-type RCs both with and without the quinone electron acceptor Q_A, were excited at 600 nm (nonselective excitation), 800 nm (direct excitation of the monomeric bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) cofactors), and 860 nm (direct excitation of the dimer of primary donor (P) BChls (P_L/P_M)). The region between 1600 and 1800 cm⁻¹ encompasses absorption changes associated with carbonyl (CO) stretch vibrational modes of the cofactors and protein. After photoexcitation of the RC the primary electron donor P excited singlet state (P*) decayed on a timescale of 3.7 ps to the state (where B_L is the accessory BChl electron acceptor). This is the first report of the mid-IR absorption spectrum of ; the difference spectrum indicates that the 9-keto CO stretch of B_L is located around 1670-1680 cm⁻¹. After subsequent electron transfer to the bacteriopheophytin H_L in ∼1 ps, the state was formed. A sequential analysis and simultaneous target analysis of the data showed a relaxation of the radical pair on the ∼20 ps timescale, accompanied by a change in the relative ratio of the and bands and by a minor change in the band amplitude at 1640 cm⁻¹ that may be tentatively ascribed to the response of an amide CO to the radical pair formation. We conclude that the drop in free energy associated with the relaxation of , is due to an increased localization of the electron hole on the P_L half of the dimer and a further consequence is a reduction in the electrical field causing the Stark shift of one or more amide CO oscillators.     

Polynuclear complex formation of trivalent lanthanides by 5-sulfosalicylate in an aqueous system—potentiometric, H NMR, and TRLIFS studies

The complex formation between several trivalent lanthanides (Ln) and 5-sulfosalicylate, (SSA)³⁻, was investigated by potentiometry, ¹H NMR, and time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLIFS). The potentiometric data were used to deduce the stoichiometry and equilibrium constants for the reactions pLn³⁺ + rL ? Ln_pH_−qL_r + qH⁺ at 298 K in an ionic medium with a constant concentration of Na⁺ equal to 1.00 M. Note that “L” denotes the SSA ligand where all protons are dissociated. Two mononuclear chelating complexes, LnL(aq) and , were identified. Their stability constants obtained by least-squares refinement of the potentiometric data agree well with previously published information. In addition, two additional dinuclear complexes, and , which have very different ¹H NMR and fluorescence characteristics, were identified by least-squares refinement in the −log[H⁺] range of 6.0-10.0. ¹H NMR spectra from the ligand in the complex showed separate peaks having two different rates of exchange with free ligand in the bulk solution besides a signal from the free and carboxylate-coordinated ligands. This indicates that the dinuclear complex, , consists of two different types of chelating ligands: μ-{OR}-type chelating ligands between metals to form the {Ln₂L₂}-type core structure and the bidentate ligands outside the {Ln₂L₂}-type core. This core structure is different from the An(IV)-SSA case (An(IV): tetravalent actinide), in which hydroxides play the role of forming the {An₂(OH)₂}-type core structure. TRLIFS measurement gave further information about the dynamics and molecular structures of the complexes.     

Kinetic studies of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(III) perchlorate with cobaloxime, [Co(dmgBF2)2(H2O)2]

The kinetics of the reduction of by Co(dmgBF₂)₂(H₂O)₂ in 0.041 M HNO₃/NaNO₃ was found to be first-order in both the oxidizing and reducing agents and the second-order rate constant is given by k_obs = k₁ + k₂K[Cl⁻], with k₁=1.59 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹and k₂K = 1.83 × 10⁸ M⁻² s⁻¹, at 25 °C. The term that is first-order in [Cl⁻] is attributed to the formation of an ion-pair between and Cl⁻. For k₁, the activation parameters ΔH* and ΔS* are 2.22 ± 0.02 kcal mol⁻¹ and −22.7 ± 0.8 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The self-exchange rate constant of k₂₂ ≈ 8.7 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for was estimated using Marcus theory and the known self-exchange rate constant for .     

Applicability of new spin trap agent, 2-diphenylphosphinoyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole N-oxide, in biological system

Electron spin resonance using spin-trapping is a useful technique for detecting direct reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide (). However, the widely used spin trap 2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole N-oxide (DMPO) has several fundamental limitations in terms of half-life and stability. Recently, the new spin trap 2-diphenylphosphinoyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole N-oxide (DPhPMPO) was developed by us. We evaluated the biological applicability of DPhPMPO to analyze in both cell-free and cellular systems. DPhPMPO had a larger rate constant for and formed more stable spin adducts for than DMPO in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system. In the phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophil system, the detection potential of DPhPMPO for was significantly higher than that of DMPO (k_DMPO = 13.95 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k_DPhPMPO = 42.4 M⁻¹ s⁻¹). These results indicated that DPhPMPO is a potentially good candidate for trapping in a biological system.     

Time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy in combination with specific isotope labeling for the study of A1, the secondary electron acceptor in photosystem 1

A phylloquinone molecule (2-methyl, 3-phytyl, 1, 4-naphthoquinone) occupies the A₁ binding site in photosystem 1 particles from Synechocystis sp. 6803. In menB mutant photosystem 1 particles from the same species, plastoquinone-9 occupies the A₁ binding site. By incubation of menB mutant photosystem 1 particles in the presence of phylloquinone, it was shown in another study that phylloquinone will displace plastoquinone-9 in the A₁ binding site. We describe the reconstitution of unlabeled (¹⁶O) and ¹⁸O-labeled phylloquinone back into the A₁ binding site in menB photosystem 1 particles. We then produce time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectra for these menB photosystem 1 particles that contain unlabeled and ¹⁸O-labeled phylloquinone. By specifically labeling only the phylloquinone oxygen atoms we are able to identify bands in FTIR difference spectra that are due to the carbonyl (CO) modes of neutral and reduced phylloquinone. A positive band at 1494 cm⁻¹ in the FTIR difference spectrum is found to downshift 14 cm⁻¹ and decreases in intensity on ¹⁸O labeling. Vibrational mode frequency calculations predict that an antisymmetric vibration of both CO groups of the phylloquinone anion should display exactly this behavior. In addition, phylloquinone that has asymmetrically hydrogen bonded carbonyl groups is also predicted to display this behavior. The positive band at 1494 cm⁻¹ in the FTIR difference spectrum is therefore due to the antisymmetric vibration of both CO groups of one electron reduced phylloquinone. Part of a negative band at 1654 cm⁻¹ in the FTIR difference spectrum downshifts 28 cm⁻¹ on ¹⁸O labeling. Again, vibrational mode frequency calculations predict this behavior for a CO mode of neutral phylloquinone. The negative band at 1654 cm⁻¹ in the FTIR difference spectrum is therefore due to a CO mode of neutral phylloquinone. More specifically, calculations on a phylloquinone model molecule with the C₄O group hydrogen bonded predict that the 1654 cm⁻¹ band is due to the non hydrogen bonded C₁O mode of neutral phylloquinone.     

Reaction of hydrogen peroxide with hexaaquacobalt(III) perchlorate

The reaction of with H₂O₂ in 1.0 M HClO₄/LiClO₄ was found to be first-order in both reactants and the [H⁺] dependence of the second-order rate constant is given by k_2obs = b/[H⁺], b at 25 °C is 26.4 ± 0.5 s⁻¹. The rate law shows a simple inverse dependence on [H⁺] that is consistent with a rapidly maintained equilibrium between and its hydrolyzed form Co(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺, followed by the rate controlling step, i.e. oxidation of H₂O₂ by Co(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺.     

A glycyl free radical as the precursor in the synthesis of carbon monoxide and cyanide by the [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturase HydG

HydG uses tyrosine to synthesize the CN⁻/CO ligands of [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site. We have mutated two of the [4Fe-4S]-cluster cysteine ligands of the HydG C-terminal domain (CTD) to serine. The double mutant can still synthesize CN⁻ but not CO. In a mutant lacking the CTD both CN⁻ and CO synthesis are abolished. Like in ThiH, the initial steps of CN⁻ synthesis are carried out in the TIM-barrel domain of HydG but some component(s) of the CTD are later needed. The mutants indicate that CO synthesis is metal-based and occurs in the CTD. We postulate that CN⁻/CO synthesis is initiated by H₂N-CH-. Fragmentation of this radical into H₂N-CH₂ and CO₂ or H₂CNH and provides plausible precursors for CN⁻/CO synthesis.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of Ni-bisdithiolene complexes with decamethylmetallocenium cations

Three new compounds of formula (1), (2), and (3) have been synthesised, and structurally and magnetically characterised (dmit²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato; dmid²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-one-4,5-dithiolato). Their structural features and magnetic behaviours are compared with those of and . The result of this is that the interactions between the Ni(dmit)₂ units in 1 are of ferromagnetic-type, as suggested previously for . The change from acetonitrile to acetone when going from to 2 results in stronger ferromagnetic intermolecular interactions. This better cooperativity is due to a significant increase of the number of contacts between the various moieties within the . On the contrary, the inclusion of larger solvents such as benzonitrile in this type of complexes results in a totally different structural arrangement, which leads to an antiferromagnetic behaviour for 3.     

Interaction of gold(I) with thiosulfate-sulfite mixed ligand systems

The system was studied at 25 °C and at I = 0.1 M NaClO₄ using hydrodynamic voltammetry, gold potentiometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of two mixed-ligand species, Au(S₂O₃)(SO₃)³⁻ and , was detected from the Raman experiments and supported by the gold potentiometric experiments. The stepwise formation constant, log K_11r, for the reaction was found to be 1.1 (r = 1) and 4.8 (r = 2) from the hydrodynamic voltammetric experiments.     

Anions induced structural variety of macrocycles containing imidazolium cations

Six compounds including macrocyclic imidazolium cations ([H₂L^I]²⁺, [H₂L^II]²⁺ or [H₂L^III]²⁺) and anions such as Cl⁻, SCN⁻ and have been synthesized and characterized, in which different anions were introduced to the macrocyclic skeleton and the interactions of anions with the macrocycle have been investigated. Single-crystal X-ray analyses indicated that the macrocyclic configuration changed from a boat-like configuration to a chair-like configuration with the geometric variety of anions from spherical (Cl⁻) to linear (SCN⁻) or trigonal planner . Meanwhile, hydrogen bonding interactions between the macrocycle and anions were also studied.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between the di-μ-cyanobis[tetracyanoferrate(III)] complex ion and sulfite in aqueous solution

The kinetics of the stepwise reduction of the title complex [Fe₂(CN)₁₀]⁴⁻ by sulfite have been studied in the presence of air as a function of pH, sulfite concentration, temperature and ionic strength using stopped-flow and conventional spectrophotometric techniques. The k_obs versus pH profile shows a marked increase in rate with increase of pH over the range 3.7 ? pH ? 6.1 due to the increase in concentration of the more reactive sulfite species . The reaction proceeds in several stages, the first of which involves a one electron transfer process with the formation of the radical anion This then adds on in a rapid stage to form a species . The second and third stages also involve one electron transfer. In the third, or possibly a fourth stage cleavage occurs, the final product being [Fe^II(CN)₅(SO₃)]⁵⁻. The reaction rate is sensitive to the nature of the cation present with a reactivity sequence .