Crystal structure of a metal ion-bound oxoiron(IV) complex and implications for biological electron transfer

Fukuzumi, Shunichi; Morimoto, Yuma; Kotani, Hiroaki; Naumov, Pance; Lee, Yong-Min; Nam, Wonwoo

doi:10.1038/nchem.731

Crystal structure of a metal ion-bound oxoiron(IV) complex and implications for biological electron transfer

Journal

Nature chemistry

Date Issued

2010-09

Author(s)

Fukuzumi, Shunichi

Morimoto, Yuma

Kotani, Hiroaki

Naumov, Pance

Lee, Yong-Min

Nam, Wonwoo

DOI

10.1038/nchem.731

Abstract

Critical biological electron-transfer processes involving high-valent oxometal chemistry occur widely, for example in haem proteins [oxoiron(IV); Fe(IV)(O)] and in photosystem II. Photosystem II involves Ca(2+) as well as high-valent oxomanganese cluster species. However, there is no example of an interaction between metal ions and oxoiron(IV) complexes. Here, we report new findings concerning the binding of the redox-inactive metal ions Ca(2+) and Sc(3+) to a non-haem oxoiron(IV) complex, [(TMC)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) (TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). As determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, an oxo-Sc(3+) interaction leads to a structural distortion of the oxoiron(IV) moiety. More importantly, this interaction facilitates a two-electron reduction by ferrocene, whereas only a one-electron reduction process occurs without the metal ions. This control of redox behaviour provides valuable mechanistic insights into oxometal redox chemistry, and suggests a possible key role that an auxiliary Lewis acid metal ion could play in nature, as in photosystem II.