Iron species with terminal oxo ligands are implicated as key intermediates in several synthetic and biochemical catalytic cycles. However, there is a dearth of structural information regarding these types of complexes because their instability has precluded isolation under ambient conditions. The isolation and structural characterization of an iron(III) complex with a terminal oxo ligand, derived directly from dioxygen (O2), is reported. A stable structure resulted from placing the oxoiron unit within a synthetic cavity lined with hydrogen-bonding groups. The cavity creates a microenvironment around the iron center that aids in regulating O2 activation and stabilizing the oxoiron unit. These cavities share properties with the active sites of metalloproteins, where function is correlated strongly with site structure.

Non-heme iron and manganese species with terminal oxo ligands are proposed to be key intermediates in a variety of biological and synthetic systems; however, the stabilization of these types of complexes has proven difficult because of the tendency to form oxo-bridged complexes. Described herein are the design, isolation, and properties for a series of mononuclear Fe(III) and Mn(III) complexes with terminal oxo or hydroxo ligands. Isolation of the complexes was facilitated by the tripodal ligand tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethyl]aminato ([H(3)1](3-)), which creates a protective hydrogen bond cavity around the M(III)-O(H) units (M(III) = Fe and Mn). The M(III)-O(H) complexes are prepared by the activation of dioxygen and deprotonation of water. In addition, the M(III)-O(H) complexes can be synthesized using oxygen atom transfer reagents such as N-oxides and hydroxylamines. The [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complex also can be made using sulfoxides. These findings support the proposal of a high valent M(IV)-oxo species as an intermediate during dioxygen cleavage. Isotopic labeling studies show that oxo ligands in the [M(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complexes come directly from the cleavage of dioxygen: for [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) the nu(Fe-(16)O) = 671 cm(-1), which shifts 26 cm(-1) in [Fe(III)H(3)1((18)O)](2-) (nu(Fe-(18)O) = 645 cm(-1)); a nu(Mn-(16)O) = 700 cm(-1) was observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1((16)O)](2-), which shifts to 672 cm(-1) in the Mn-(18)O isotopomer. X-ray diffraction studies show that the Fe-O distance is 1.813(3) A in [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-), while a longer bond is found in [Fe(III)H(3)1(OH)](-) (Fe-O at 1.926(2) A); a similar trend was found for the Mn(III)-O(H) complexes, where a Mn-O distance of 1.771(5) A is observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and 1.873(2) A for [Mn(III)H(3)1(OH)](-). Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the urea NH groups of [H(3)1](3-) and the oxo and oxygen of the hydroxo ligand are observed in all the complexes. These findings, along with density functional theory calculations, indicate that a single sigma-bond exists between the M(III) centers and the oxo ligands, and additional interactions to the oxo ligands arise from intramolecular H-bonds, which illustrates that noncovalent interactions may replace pi-bonds in stabilizing oxometal complexes.

Delivery of NO to specific targets is important in fundamental studies and therapeutic applications. Various methods have been reported for delivery of NO in vivo and in vitro; however, there are few examples of systems that reversibly bind NO. Reported herein is the development of a new polymer (P-1[Co(II)]) that reversibly binds NO. P-1[Co(II)] has a significantly higher affinity for NO compared to O(2), CO(2), and CO. The polymer is synthesized by template copolymerization methods and consists of a porous methacrylate network, containing immobilized four-coordinate Co(II) sites. Binding of NO causes an immediate color change, indicating coordination of NO to the site-isolated Co(II) centers. The formation of P-1[Co(NO)] has been confirmed by EPR, electronic absorbance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Electronic and X-ray absorbance results for P-1[Co(II)] and P-1[Co(NO)] show that the coordination geometry of the immobilized cobalt complexes are similar to those of their monomeric analogues and that NO binds directly to the cobalt centers. EPR spectra show that the binding of NO to P-1[Co(II)] is reversible in the solid state; the axial EPR signal associated with the four-coordinate Co(II) sites in P-1[Co(II)] is quenched upon NO binding. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, 40% conversion of P-1[Co(NO)] to P-1[Co(II)] is achieved in 14 days; under vacuum at 120 degrees C this conversion is complete in approximately 1 h. The binding of NO to P-1[Co(II)] is also observed when the polymer is suspended in liquids, including water.