Copper synthetic model

Tolman W.B. (1995) Synthetic Modeling of the Interactions of Nitrogen Oxides with Copper Proteins Copper Nitrosyl Complexes Relevant to Putative Denitrification Intermediates, Adv. Chem. Ser., 246, 195. 

Chemical Reviews paper. We can only discuss a small number of these here, but some important categories are (1) synthetic Fe(II)-Cu(I) complexes and their reactions with O2, (2) oxidized heme-copper models (Fe(III)-X-Cu(II) complexes, where X equals 0x0- and hydroxo-bridged complexes, cyanide-bridged complexes, or other X-bridged complexes), (3) crosslinked histidine-tyrosine residues at the heme-copper center, and (4) Cua site synthetic models. 

The interest in catechol oxidase, as well as in other copper proteins with the type 3 active site, is to a large extent due to their ability to process dioxygen from air at ambient conditions. While hemocyanin is an oxygen carrier in the hemolymph of some arthropods and mollusks, catechol oxidase and tyrosinase utilize it to perform the selective oxidation of organic substrates, for example, phenols and catechols. Therefore, establishment of structure-activity relationships for these enzymes and a complete elucidation of the mechanisms of enzymatic conversions through the development of synthetic models are expected to contribute greatly to the design of oxidation catalysts for potential industrial applications. 

The structures of type II copper sites have not as yet generated as much interest, but the hetero-dinuclear structures of type IIC copper sites and the unusual protein donor ligands found in type IIB copper sites are noteworthy. The synthetic model approach to gain insight into the structures and functions of these types of copper sites will be also described. The diverse functions of a variety of proteins containing type IIA copper sites inspired many chemists to mimic the functions with synthetic copper complexes, even though the spectroscopic properties of the complexes are not unusual. Results of these studies will be reviewed and different aspects of the reactions relating to enzymatic catalysis will be discussed. 

A considerable number of crystal structures of type I copper sites in proteins are now available, so there may be no particular advantage in the synthetic model approach to prove the coordination structure of type I. Yet, inorganic chemists still have an opportunity to utilize the spectroscopic and structural bases established by model studies to understand the precise electronic structure of type I copper. One should keep in mind that the generally accepted interpretation derived from spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the proteins (47-49) has not been definitely proved experimentally. A systematic comparison of a series of copper(II) thiolate complexes having an unusual distorted coordination structure is required for a conclusive description of the electronic structure of the type I copper. The synthetic approach is ultimately the most adequate way to clarify how the ligand donors and geometry affect the electronic property and function of type I copper as an electron transfer center. 

Type IIA copper is defined as a monomeric copper site with a tetragonal ligand environment, exhibiting the spectroscopic features of conventional synthetic Cu(II) complexes. The coordination structure of the type IIA site is not remarkable from an inorganic point of view. What is noteworthy is the interaction between the copper ion and a prosthetic group or substrate. The electron uptake or activation of a substrate that occurs through this interaction plays an essential role in the catalytic cycle, yet the structural and mechanistic details are not certain. Therefore, the synthetic model approach may provide useful information for understanding the catalytic processes. 

In light of the accepted mechanism for cytochrome P-450 (97-100), a superoxo-Cu(II) intermediate is further reduced, leading to dioxygen activation. Accordingly, a monomeric peroxo or hydroperoxo copper(II) complex serves as a synthetic model for these intermediates of copper-containing monooxygenases. However, no well-characterized complexes of these types are available to date. Formation of a monomeric hydroperoxo or acylperoxo complex was reported to occur when a trans-/u-l,2-peroxo complex, [(Cu(TPA))2(02)]z+, was treated with H+ or RC(O)+, but no details of the structures and properties of the complexes were provided (101). A related complex, a monomeric acylperoxo cop-per(II) complex, was synthesized (102). Low-temperature reaction of a dimeric copper(II) hydroxide complex, [Cu(HB(3,5-iPr2pz)3)]2(OH)2, with 2 equivalents of m-CPBA (3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid) yielded a monomeric acylperoxo complex whose structure was characterized by... 

Synthetic Modeling of the Interactions of Nitrogen Oxides with Copper Proteins... 

Synthetic models for heme-copper oxidases 04CRV1077. 

Since the choice is difficult due to the huge amount of examples, the selection is based either on aesthetic criteria (77) and (78), or on important applications. In a review, Synthetic Models for Binuclear Copper Proteins, Sorrell reports his previous results with pyrazole ligands which mimics histidyl-imidazole <89T3>. 

Although complete strucmral details are rare, considerable progress has been made in understanding the mode of action of copper proteins, synthetic modelling being a major factor in this. " Biologically active copper centres can be divided into three main types ... 

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