Synthesis, structure and redox properties of asymmetric (cyclopentadienyl)(ene-1,2-dithiolate)cobalt(III) complexes containing phenyl, pyridyl and pyrazinyl units

The compounds [(η5-C5H5)Co{SC(H)CRS}] [R = phenyl (1), pyridin-3-yl (2) or pyrazin-2-yl (3)] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The variation in the UV/Vis and redox properties of these compounds alone and upon acidification has been investigated. In CH2Cl2 solution each compound undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction, and the EPR spectrum of each monoanion has been recorded. In the presence of a 5:1 excess of trifluoroacetic acid the one-electron reduction of both 2 and 3 occurs at a less negative potential. The information obtained has been interpreted with the aid of DFT calculations for [1]y, [2]y and [3]y (y = 0 or –1) and the monoprotonated forms [2H]z and [3H]z (z = +1 or 0), and this has provided insight into the nature of the redox-active orbitals in these complexes. The HOMOs and LUMOs of these species are delocalized and each involves contributions from cobalt, ene-1,2-dithiolate and R orbitals. The information from the experimental and theoretical investigations is used to suggest that, for the pyran ring-opened form of the molybdenum cofactor of oxygen-atom-transfer enzymes, the pterin may participate in the redox reactions involved in the catalytic cycle