Structurally Modelling the 2‐His‐1‐Carboxylate Facial Triad with a Bulky N,N,O Phenolate Ligand

We present the synthesis and coordination chemistry of a bulky, tripodal N,N,O ligand, ImPh2NNO tBu (L), designed to model the 2‐His‐1‐carboxylate facial triad (2H1C) by means of two imidazole groups and an anionic 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐subtituted phenolate. Reacting K‐L with MCl2 (M = Fe, Zn) affords the isostructural, tetrahedral non‐heme complexes [Fe(L)(Cl)] (1) and [Zn(L)(Cl)] (2) in high yield. The tridentate N,N,O ligand coordination observed in their X‐ray crystal structures remains intact and well‐defined in MeCN and CH2Cl2 solution. Reacting 2 with NaSPh affords a tetrahedral zinc thiolate complex, [Zn(L)(SPh)] (4), that is relevant to isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) biomimicry. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate the ligand's redox non‐innocence, where phenolate oxidation is the first electrochemical response observed in K‐L, 2 and 4. However, the first electrochemical oxidation in 1 is iron‐centred, the assignment of which is supported by DFT calculations. Overall, ImPh2NNO tBu provides access to well‐defined mononuclear, monoligated, N,N,O‐bound metal complexes, enabling more accurate structural modelling of the 2H1C to be achieved.
How N,N,O can you go? A new bulky, tripodal N,N,O phenolate ligand provides access to well‐defined mononuclear, monoligated non‐heme iron and zinc complexes that accurately model the 2‐His‐1‐carboxylate facial triad. These complexes are ideal synthons from which to create a range of biomimetic N,N,O‐bound complexes featuring biorelevant cofactors.