ABSTRACT AXIAL LIGAND SUBSTITUTION REACTION KINETICS OF PYRIMIDINE-2-THIONATO BRIDGED BINUCLEAR PLATINUM(III) COMPLEXES G&ouml / y, Aytun&ccedil / M. S. Department of Chemistry Supervisor: Prof. Dr. H&uuml / seyin iS&ccedil / i Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof.Dr. Seniz &Ouml / zalp Yaman September 2007, 89 pages The kinetics of the ligand substitution reactions, which is represented by the equation, [Pt2(C4H3N2S)4X2] + 2Y- Pt2(C4H3N2S)4Y2 + 2X- where X- = Cl-, Br-, I- and Y- = Cl-, Br-, I- are studied in acetonitrile in the presence of excess Y- ion concentrations, under constant ionic strength. All reactions are reversible. The rate of the above reaction is dependent on binuclear complex and entering ligand concentrations. Thus general rate equation can be written as Rate = k [Y-]a[Pt2(C4H3N2S)4X2]b The reaction rates are first order with respect to the substrate complex (b=1). The experimentally determined values of the order of the reaction with repect to entering ligand, &ldquo / a&rdquo / , are 0.96&plusmn / 0.057 (X=I-, Y=Cl-), -0.49&plusmn / 0.037 (X=Cl-, Y=I-), 0.28&plusmn / 0.023 (X=I-, Y=Br-), 0.48&plusmn / 0.044 (X=Br-, Y=I-), 0.53&plusmn / 0.042 (X=Br-, Y=Cl-), and -0.21&plusmn / 0.014 (X=Cl-, Y=Br-). The rate constants are 12.1&plusmn / 2.05 M-1s-1 (X=I-, Y=Cl-), (5.7&plusmn / 1.6)x10-3 M1/2s-1 (X=Cl-, Y=I-), 0.3&plusmn / 0.27 M-0.3s-1 (X=I-, Y=Br-), 0.53&plusmn / 0.11 M-1/2s-1 (X=Br-, Y=I-), 1.74&plusmn / 0.16 M-1/2s-1 (X=Br-, Y=Cl-), and 1.71&plusmn / 0.37x10-2 M0.2s-1 (X=Cl-, Y=Br-). To obtain information about the energetics of the reactions, the temperature dependence of the rate constants is determined and the activation parameters &amp / #916 / H* and &amp / #916 / S* are calculated. The values &amp / #916 / S* are negative and, in the range of -81 and -236 J K-1 mol-1. These results support an associative-interchange, Ia, mechanism. All data obtained in this work are used to propose a mechanism which will be consistent with the experimentally determined rate law.

This thesis is focussed on structural and functional studies of a novel glycerophosphodiesterase (GpdQ) from Enterobacter aerogenes. GpdQ is highly promiscuous and is the first known phosphatase which is capable of degrading all three classes of phosphate esters (mono-, di- and triesters). Remarkably, GpdQ is also able to hydrolyse stable aliphatic phosphate esters and has been shown to degrade the hydrolysis product of the nerve agent VX. For these reasons, GpdQ has been realised to have potential as a powerful bioremediator for the removal of organophosphate pesticides and nerve agents. GpdQ is a binuclear metallohydrolase in which one of the metal ions is very weakly bound. Chapter 1 introduces the catalytic mechanisms of binuclear metallohydrolases by examining two related phosphate ester-degrading enzymes. Since one of the main features of catalysis addressed in this thesis are the differential metal binding affinities of GpdQ, Chapter 1 also canvasses a range of other binuclear metallohydrolases with similar behaviour. Chapter 2 examines the structural and evolutionary relationship between GpdQ and a number of other related enzymes. Using genome database searches, the two most closely related enzymes are identified. In performing these searches, a novel, putative binuclear metallohydrolase from Homo sapiens is also discovered. This enzyme, Hsa_aTRACP, is most closely related to PAPs, however construction of a homology model indicates that the active site tyrosine residue of PAP is replaced by histidine. In this respect, it may represent an evolutionary link to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases and GpdQ. The biology and chemistry of this putative enzyme is discussed. PAPs are the only binuclear enzymes with an established heterovalent active site of the type Fe(III)-M(II) (where M=Fe, Zn or Mn) whereas the majority of enzymes in this family have homovalent metal centres, including GpdQ and Ser/Thr protein. This is brought about due to the nature of the coordination sphere imposed by the enzyme. The activity of GpdQ can be reconstituted in the presence of Co(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cd(II). Chapter 3 examines the kinetic properties of a binuclear homovalent system by studying the kinetic properties of Cd(II)-substituted GpdQ and a corresponding model complex. This comparative study leads to the identification of a terminal hydroxide molecule as the likely reaction-initiating nucleophile in Cd(II)-GpdQ with a pKa of 9.4. In Chapter 4, a detailed study of the structural, kinetic and spectroscopic behaviour of Co(II)-substituted GpdQ is presented. This chapter specifically probes the formation of the binuclear active site, the role of the metal ions in catalysis, the identity of the nucleophile and the potential role of any first or second coordination sphere residues in the regulation of enzyme activity, proton donation and metal ion coordination. Based on these findings, a detailed reaction mechanism is proposed in which the substrate itself promotes the formation of the catalytically competent binuclear centre and phosphorolysis occurs following nucleophilic attack by a terminal hydroxide molecule. A potential role of Asn80 (a ligand of one of the metal ions) in regulating both substrate and metal binding, and the role of the bridging hydroxide molecule in the activation of the terminal nucleophile is proposed. Chapter 5 employs a combination of kinetic and spectroscopic techniques to probe the proposed catalytic mechanism of GpdQ in depth. The formation of the catalytically competent binuclear centre is observed in pre-steady state studies, an integral first step in the catalytic mechanism. The dissociation and rate constants associated with formation of the binuclear centre are quantified. The rate of substrate turnover in GpdQ is relatively modest but is enhanced by a structural rearrangement involving the flexible Asn80 ligand. This structural change fine-tunes the reaction mechanism, leading to optimal reactivity. The steady-state kinetic properties of a series of metal ion derivatives (Co(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II)) of GpdQ and their reactivity towards a number of substrates are also compared. These findings lead to the conclusion that the reaction mechanism of GpdQ is modulated by both substrate and metal ion. In this respect, GpdQ is adaptive to the environmental conditions to which it is exposed by employing a flexible mechanistic strategy to achieve catalysis. Chapter 6 correlates the electronic and geometric structure of the binuclear centre in GpdQ as a means to probe specific aspects of the mechanism. This study uses the wild type enzyme and a site-directed mutant (Asn80Asp) to examine the structure of the metal ions at two stages of catalysis. The role of the bridging hydroxide molecule in nucleophilic activation is specifically addressed by monitoring changes in the electronic exchange interaction and other structural parameters as a result of phosphate binding. Also, the coordination environment of the metal ions in both the free enzyme and the phosphate-bound enzyme of wild type and Asn80Asp GpdQ were assessed against the currently proposed structures. The findings in this chapter corroborate the proposed catalytic mechanism of GpdQ. In summary, this project led to a detailed understanding of the mechanism of GpdQ, and provided insight into how both the metal ion composition and the identity of the substrate may modulate this mechanism. The knowledge gained may lead to the design of catalytically more efficient derivatives (mutants) of GpdQ for application in bioremediation.

This thesis is focussed on structural and functional studies of a novel glycerophosphodiesterase (GpdQ) from Enterobacter aerogenes. GpdQ is highly promiscuous and is the first known phosphatase which is capable of degrading all three classes of phosphate esters (mono-, di- and triesters). Remarkably, GpdQ is also able to hydrolyse stable aliphatic phosphate esters and has been shown to degrade the hydrolysis product of the nerve agent VX. For these reasons, GpdQ has been realised to have potential as a powerful bioremediator for the removal of organophosphate pesticides and nerve agents. GpdQ is a binuclear metallohydrolase in which one of the metal ions is very weakly bound. Chapter 1 introduces the catalytic mechanisms of binuclear metallohydrolases by examining two related phosphate ester-degrading enzymes. Since one of the main features of catalysis addressed in this thesis are the differential metal binding affinities of GpdQ, Chapter 1 also canvasses a range of other binuclear metallohydrolases with similar behaviour. Chapter 2 examines the structural and evolutionary relationship between GpdQ and a number of other related enzymes. Using genome database searches, the two most closely related enzymes are identified. In performing these searches, a novel, putative binuclear metallohydrolase from Homo sapiens is also discovered. This enzyme, Hsa_aTRACP, is most closely related to PAPs, however construction of a homology model indicates that the active site tyrosine residue of PAP is replaced by histidine. In this respect, it may represent an evolutionary link to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases and GpdQ. The biology and chemistry of this putative enzyme is discussed. PAPs are the only binuclear enzymes with an established heterovalent active site of the type Fe(III)-M(II) (where M=Fe, Zn or Mn) whereas the majority of enzymes in this family have homovalent metal centres, including GpdQ and Ser/Thr protein. This is brought about due to the nature of the coordination sphere imposed by the enzyme. The activity of GpdQ can be reconstituted in the presence of Co(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cd(II). Chapter 3 examines the kinetic properties of a binuclear homovalent system by studying the kinetic properties of Cd(II)-substituted GpdQ and a corresponding model complex. This comparative study leads to the identification of a terminal hydroxide molecule as the likely reaction-initiating nucleophile in Cd(II)-GpdQ with a pKa of 9.4. In Chapter 4, a detailed study of the structural, kinetic and spectroscopic behaviour of Co(II)-substituted GpdQ is presented. This chapter specifically probes the formation of the binuclear active site, the role of the metal ions in catalysis, the identity of the nucleophile and the potential role of any first or second coordination sphere residues in the regulation of enzyme activity, proton donation and metal ion coordination. Based on these findings, a detailed reaction mechanism is proposed in which the substrate itself promotes the formation of the catalytically competent binuclear centre and phosphorolysis occurs following nucleophilic attack by a terminal hydroxide molecule. A potential role of Asn80 (a ligand of one of the metal ions) in regulating both substrate and metal binding, and the role of the bridging hydroxide molecule in the activation of the terminal nucleophile is proposed. Chapter 5 employs a combination of kinetic and spectroscopic techniques to probe the proposed catalytic mechanism of GpdQ in depth. The formation of the catalytically competent binuclear centre is observed in pre-steady state studies, an integral first step in the catalytic mechanism. The dissociation and rate constants associated with formation of the binuclear centre are quantified. The rate of substrate turnover in GpdQ is relatively modest but is enhanced by a structural rearrangement involving the flexible Asn80 ligand. This structural change fine-tunes the reaction mechanism, leading to optimal reactivity. The steady-state kinetic properties of a series of metal ion derivatives (Co(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II)) of GpdQ and their reactivity towards a number of substrates are also compared. These findings lead to the conclusion that the reaction mechanism of GpdQ is modulated by both substrate and metal ion. In this respect, GpdQ is adaptive to the environmental conditions to which it is exposed by employing a flexible mechanistic strategy to achieve catalysis. Chapter 6 correlates the electronic and geometric structure of the binuclear centre in GpdQ as a means to probe specific aspects of the mechanism. This study uses the wild type enzyme and a site-directed mutant (Asn80Asp) to examine the structure of the metal ions at two stages of catalysis. The role of the bridging hydroxide molecule in nucleophilic activation is specifically addressed by monitoring changes in the electronic exchange interaction and other structural parameters as a result of phosphate binding. Also, the coordination environment of the metal ions in both the free enzyme and the phosphate-bound enzyme of wild type and Asn80Asp GpdQ were assessed against the currently proposed structures. The findings in this chapter corroborate the proposed catalytic mechanism of GpdQ. In summary, this project led to a detailed understanding of the mechanism of GpdQ, and provided insight into how both the metal ion composition and the identity of the substrate may modulate this mechanism. The knowledge gained may lead to the design of catalytically more efficient derivatives (mutants) of GpdQ for application in bioremediation.

Cyano-bridged mixed valence compounds have been known since 1704, but a lot of interest in the bi- and tri-nuclear species has emerged only more recently. The growing interest in these complexes reflects their promise as useful applications in electrochromism, molecular magnetism, and molecular electronics. These properties are activated by the excitation of their metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition. We have studied aqueous solutions of the FeHEDTA/Fe(CN)64- system that form intensely colored solutions that absorb strongly in the Vis/NIR region. Typically 1:1 dimeric and 2:1 trimeric complexes are formed. We have used optical spectroscopy and electrochemistry to provide information on reorganizational parameters, electronic coupling between metal centers, molar absorptivities, equilibrium constants, and delocalization factors and have compared results obtained for the binuclear and trinuclear species to results of similar systems either previously studied in our lab or found in the literature.

No description available.

No description available.

Metalloproteins account for at least half of all known proteins. Metal ions often facilitate chemical that are energetically and/or kinetically challenging. Metal ion-dependent proteins are responsible for a myriad of essential biological functions, including respiration, biosynthesis of essential amino acids, nitrogen fixation, oxygen transport, photosynthesis and metabolisms (e.g. glycolysis and citric acid cycle). Not surprisingly, a growing number of disorders (e.g. various cancers, phenylketonuria, Wilson’s disease) are associated with mutations in metalloenzymes. A general introduction of the importance of metals in biology is presented in chapter 1. This thesis is aimed at obtaining a greater understanding of the structure and function of three metalloenzymes, ketol acid reductoisomerase (KARI), purple acid phosphatase (PAP) and metallo β lactamase (MβL). Chapter 2 examines the structure and dynamics of plant KARI. KARI is an enzyme in the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway. KARI is a binuclear Mg2+ enzyme that catalyses the conversion of 2-acetolactate (AL) into (2R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-isovalerate or 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate into (2R, 3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate in the presence of NADPH. To date, the only reported structures for a plant KARI are those of the spinach enzyme-Mn2+-(phospho) ADP ribose-(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate complex and the spinach KARI-Mg2+-NADPH-N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate complex, where N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is a predicted transition-state analog. These studies demonstrate that the enzyme is consisted of two domains, N- domain and C- domain, with the active site at the interface of these domains. In this chapter, the structures of the rice KARI-Mg2+ and rice KARI-Mg2+-NADPH complexes were determined to 1.55 and 2.8 Å resolutions, respectively. Comparisons of all the available plant KARI structures have revealed several major differences. Firstly, the N-domain is rotated up to 15o relative to the C-domain, expanding the active site by up to 4 Å. Secondly, an α-helix in the C-domain that includes residues V510-T519 and forms part of the active site moves by ~ 3.9 Å upon binding of NADPH. Thirdly, the 15 C-terminal amino acid residues in the rice KARI-Mg2+ complex are disordered. In the rice KARI-Mg2+-NADPH complex and spinach KARI structures, many of the 15 residues bind to NADPH and the N-domain and cover the active site. Fourthly, the location of the metal ions within the active site can vary by up to 2.7 Å. The new structures have thus, led to the proposal of an induced-fit mechanism. In this proposed induced-fit mechanism, (i) substrate enters the active site, (ii) active site is closed during catalysis, and (iii) the opening of active site facilitates product release. PAP is also a binuclear metalloenzyme and is capable of utilizing a heterovalent active site to hydrolyse a broad range of phosphomonoester substrates. Chapter 3 examines the catalytic mechanism of PAP based on several new crystal structures. The red kidney bean PAP structure in complex in sulphate was determined to 2.4 Å. This sulphate-bound structure provides insight into the pre-catalytic phase of its reaction cycle. This stucture demonstrates the significance of an extensive hydrogen-bonding network in the second coordination in initial substrate binding and orientation prior to hydrolysis. Most importantly, the two metal ions, Fe3+ and Zn2+, are five-coordinate in this structure, with only one nucleophilic μ-hydroxide present in the metal-bridging position. In combination with kinetic, crystallographic and spectroscopic data, all PAP structures form the proposal of a comprehensive eight-step model for the catalytic mechanism of purple acid phosphatases in general. To date, no reliable method for producing recombinant PAP at levels suitable for structural biology have been reported. Natural sources are the only way so far to obtaining PAP in a large quantity. Attempts to produce active and recombinant PAP from Mycobacterium marinum using bacterial are found in chapter 4. In brief, in combination with Nus fusion tag, Rosetta (DE3) strain and lower temperature (e.g. 25oC), expression of soluble and mycobacterial PAP becomes possible. However, this soluble protein is non-functional and thus, switching into other expression system (e.g.algal sytem) is the only approach to obtain soluble and functional protein. In algal expression system, human PAP was attempted. Preliminary results indicate that some PAP activity was observed when expressed in algal system. Chapter 5 focuses on the investigation of metallo β lactamase (MβL) from Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp-MβL). This enzyme requires one or two Zn2+ ions for catalysis. Kinetic properties of Kp-MβL for the hydrolysis of various β-lactam substrates (e.g. benzyl-penicillin, cefoxitin, imipenem and meropenem) were investigated and the role of the metal ions in catalysis was also examined. Kinetic data demonstrate that Klebsiella pneumoniae MβL can degrade a broad spectrum of β-lactam antibiotics, with a high preference for cephems and carbapenems. Kinetic data from pH dependence studies has revealed that catalysis of benzyl-penicillin and meropenem is preferred at acidic pH. The kcat vs pH profile demonstrates that catalysis is enhanced by protonation, thus it is likely that the relevant group is responsible for the donation of a proton to the product or leaving group. In this case, a doubly Lewis activated, bridging hydroxide molecule has been speculated. A single protonation event (pKa ~7) is also observed in kcat/Km vs pH profile. Since benzyl-penicillin does not have an acidic moiety in this pH range, this event is likely to be associated with the free enzyme. His 79 and 139 have been speculated to enhance substrate binding. In contrast, catalysis of both cefoxitin and imipenem is favoured at alkaline pH, leading to the proposal that a terminally bound water is likely to form a nucleophile. A bell-shaped pH profile for kcat/Km is observed for cefoxitin and imipenem substrates. pKa of ~ 9-9.5 is likely to be associated with Lys161, which enhances substrate binding. In Chapter 6, a novel MβL from Serratia proteamaculans (Spr-MβL) is investigated. This chapter includes expression, purification and preliminary characterization of this MβL using steady-state kinetics. Expression of this enzyme in Rosetta (DE3) plysS E. coli strain yields only a small amount of soluble enzyme (1 mg/ 6 L culture). To improve the amount of soluble protein, Spr-MβL was subjected to several rounds of in vitro evolution. About two-fold gain in solubility was achieved by this method along with a five-fold increase in β-lactamase activity. Further rounds of directed evolution are now planned. The kinetic behaviour for Spr-MβL-catalysed the hydrolysis of three β-lactam substrates, penicillin, cefoxitin and imipenem were also studied. Kinetic data suggest that a water molecule bridging the two Zn2+ ions is the likely nucleophile in the reaction with penicillin while the reaction-initiating nucleophile is likely to be a terminally bound hydroxide in the reaction with cephalothin and imipenem (Chapter 6). In summary, this project has led to a better understanding of the structures of KARI and PAP prior to catalysis. This project has also aided in the understanding of catalytic mechanism of MβLs and the role the metal ions play. The knowledge gained will facilitate the development of new chemotherapeutics and herbicides.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-07-12T17:47:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lucasfagundesesteves.pdf: 3341806 bytes, checksum: 01a9ea92db8351da3b0d30ea2a019200 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-13T16:53:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lucasfagundesesteves.pdf: 3341806 bytes, checksum: 01a9ea92db8351da3b0d30ea2a019200 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-13T16:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lucasfagundesesteves.pdf: 3341806 bytes, checksum: 01a9ea92db8351da3b0d30ea2a019200 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Neste trabalho foram utilizadas metodologias teóricas para a descrição do mecanismo de ação de complexos binucleares de platina(II) do tipo 1,1/c,c e 1,1/t,t. Inicialmente foi elucidada a influência do arranjo conformacional da cadeia espaçadora na estabilidade de complexos binucleares, através da construção de um parâmetro topológico chamado grau de distorção (λ). Para a construção do parâmetro λ, foi realizada uma busca conformacional no nível PM3 utilizando o método de Monte Carlo (MC) para o ligante desses complexos binucleares, a molécula de 1,6-hexanodiamina. O parâmetro λ, correlaciona-se linearmente com a energia PM3 dos confôrmeros obtidos, aumentando o seu valor à medida que a energia total diminui. O parâmetro λ correlaciona-se fortemente com as energias relativas em fase gás ( ) e em fase aquosa ( ) após a inclusão das esferas de coordenação metálica dos complexos 1,1/c,c e 1,1/t,t em determinadas conformações e posterior otimização no nível DFT com o funcional B3LYP e o conjunto de funções de base 6-31+G(d,p) para todos os átomos, exceto para a platina, a qual foi tratada com o pseudopotencial LANL2DZ. As reações de hidrólise dos complexos 1,1/c,c e 1,1/t,t foram estudadas em fase gás no nível B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)/LANL2DZ e em fase aquosa com os modelos PCM/UAHF e PCM/Bondi. As constantes de velocidade calculadas para a reação direta em fase aquosa resultaram em valores muito próximos daqueles determinados experimentalmente, os quais são da ordem de 10-5s-1, para os complexos 1,1/c,c e 1,1/t,t. Durante esta dissertação também foi avaliada a influência da conformação na primeira barreira de hidrólise de complexos 1,1/c,c, mostrando que algumas conformações, que em um primeiro momento são instáveis, podem gerar barreiras de reação menores do que as conformações mais estáveis. Foram estudados os mecanismos de coordenação de complexos 1,1/c,c com a guanina em fase gás e fase aquosa no mesmo nível de teoria utilizado durante a etapa de hidrólise. / In this work, theoretical methods were used to describe the action mechanism of binuclear platinum(II) complexes named 1,1/c,c and 1,1/t,t. Initially, the influence of the conformational arrangement of the diamine chain on the stability of binuclear complex was elucidated, through the construction of a new topological parameter called distortion degree λ. In order to create the λ parameter, were performed a conformational search at PM3 level of theory using Monte Carlo (MC) method only for the ligand of these binuclear complexes, the 1,6-hexanediamine molecule. The λ parameter linearly correlates with the PM3 energy of the conformers, increasing its value, as the total energy decreases. The λ parameter has a strong correlation with the relative energies in gas phase ( ) and aqueous phase ( ) after the inclusion of the metallic coordination sphere of the 1,1/c,c and 1,1/t,t complexes in some specific conformations. Subsequent optimization has been carried out at DFT approach with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31+G(d,p) Pople’s basis set for all atoms, except for platinum, which was treated with LANL2DZ pseudopotential. The hydrolysis reaction of 1,1/c,c and 1,1/t,t complexes were studied in gas phase at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)/LANL2DZ level and in aqueous phase with the PCM/UAHF and PCM/Bondi model. The calculated rate constants for the forward reaction in aqueous phase lead to values very close to those experimentally resolute, which are about 10-5s-1 for the 1,1/c,c and 1,1/t,t complexes. During this study the influence of conformation on the first hydrolysis barrier of 1,1/c,c complex were also evaluated, showing that some conformations, which at the first moment were considerable unstable, can generate lower reaction barriers than the most stable conformations. The coordination mechanism of 1,1/c,c complex with guanine in gas and aqueous phase at the same level of theory used during the hydrolysis step were also studied and compared with literature.

<p>Cu-zeolites have received renewed attention as catalytic materials that facilitate partial methane oxidation (PMO) to methanol, with a variety of mononuclear, binuclear, and multinuclear Cu active site motifs that have been proposed in prior literature. Our approach to more precisely identify and probe the Cu structures that activate O₂ and reduce in CH₄relies on the synthesis of model supports with varying composition and well-defined Cu speciation, which also facilitates connections between experimental data and theoretical models. Chabazite (CHA) zeolites are high-symmetry frameworks that contain a single lattice tetrahedral site (T-site), in which Cu²⁺ ions exchange at paired Al sites in a six-membered ring (6-MR) while CuOH⁺ species exchange at isolated 6-MR Al sites, the latter of which can react to form binuclear O/O₂-bridged Cu structures. In this work, Cu-CHA zeolites were synthesized to contain predominantly Cu²⁺ (Z₂Cu) or CuOH⁺ (ZCuOH) species of varying density, or a mixture of Z₂Cu and ZCuOH sites. Z₂Cu and ZCuOH sites were quantified by titration of residual Brønsted acid sites with NH₃, which respectively exchange with 2:1 or 1:1 H⁺:Cu²⁺ stoichiometry. Stoichiometric PMO reaction cycles on Cu-zeolites involved high-temperature (723 K) activation in O₂, and then moderate-temperature (473 K) reduction in CH₄ and treatment in H₂O (473 K) to extract CH₃OH. <i>I</i><i>n-situ</i> UV-Visible spectroscopy under oxidizing (O₂, 723 K) and reducing (CO, 523 K; CH₄, 473 K; He, 723 K) conditions detected the presence of mononuclear and binuclear Cu site types, while <i>in-situ</i> Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy after such treatments was used to quantify Cu(I) and Cu(II) contents and <i>in situ</i> Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the Cu structures formed. ZCuOH, but not Z₂Cu sites, are precursors to binuclear O/O₂-bridged Cu sites that form upon O₂ activation and subsequently produce methanol after stoichiometric PMO cycles, at yields (per total Cu) that increased systematically with ZCuOH site density. The fraction of Cu(II) sites that undergo auto-reduction in inert at high temperatures (He, 723 K) is identical, within experimental error, to the fraction that reduces in CH₄ at temperatures relevant for PMO (473 K), providing a quantitative link between the binuclear Cu site motifs involved in both reaction pathways and motivating refinement of currently postulated PMO reaction mechanisms. These Cu-CHA zeolites were also studied for other redox chemistries including the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃. <i>In situ </i>UV-Visible and X-ray absorption spectroscopies were used to monitor and quantify the transient partial reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) during exposure to NH₃ (473 K), in concert with titration methods that use NO and NH₃ co-reductants to fully reduce all Cu(II) ions that remain after treatment in NH₃ alone to the Cu(I) state, providing quantitative evidence that both Z₂Cu and ZCuOH sites are able to reduce in NH₃ alone to similar extents as a function of time. These findings provide new insight into the reaction pathways and mechanisms in which NH₃ behaves as a reductant of mononuclear Cu(II) sites in zeolites, which are undesired side-reactions that occur during steady-state NO_x SCR and that often unintendedly result in Cu(II) reduction prior to spectroscopic or titrimetric characterization. Overall, the strategy in this dissertation employs synthetic methods to control framework Al density and arrangement in zeolite supports to emphasize extra-framework Cu site motifs of different structure and at different spatial densities, and to interrogate these model materials using a combination of <i>in situ</i> spectroscopic techniques together with theory, in order to elucidate active site structure and proximity requirements in redox catalysis. This work demonstrates how quantitative reactivity and site titration data, brought together with an arsenal of tools available in contemporary catalysis research, can provide detailed mechanistic insights into transition metal-catalyzed redox cycles on heterogeneous catalysts.</p>

A síntese e caracterização de sistemas hetero-híbridos gerados a partir da 3,6-bi-2-piridil-1,2,4,5-tetrazina (bptz) e interações com ouro nanoparticulado são abordados nesta tese. O bptz foi estudado por meio de métodos espectroscópicos e teóricos, focalizando principalmente o efeito SERS associado à adsorção em nanopartículas de ouro. O mecanismo de transferência de carga para metais macroscópicos foi transposto para a condição nanoparticulada, envolvendo ligações químicas entre bptz e as nanopartículas. Os complexos estudados possuem fórmula geral [LmRu(&#181;-bptz)RuLm]Xn, com &#8220;L&#8221; indicando os ligantes periféricos 5-cloro-1,10-fenantrolina (Clphen) ou 4&#8217;-(fenil)-2,2&#8217:6&#8217,2&#8221-terpirdina (ptpy) e &#8220;X&#8221; os contra-íons. Foram investigadas suas espectroeletroquímicas eletrônica e SERS, e as mudanças de perfil vibracional foram modeladas, incorporando o mecanismo de transferências de carga entre complexo e o ouro, além dos mecanismos ressonantes e eletromagnéticos / The synthesis and investigation of heterohybrid systems encompassing 3,6-bi-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) and its ruthenium complexes associated with gold nanoparticles are dealt with in this thesis. Bptz was characterized by spectroscopic and theoretical techniques, focusing on its SERS spectra after the adsorption onto nanoparticles. The charge transfer mechanism in the SERS spectra of macroscopic metals was transposed to the nanoparticle condition, assuming the formation of chemical bonds between bptz and the nanoparticles. Complexes of general formula [LmRu(&#181;--bptz)RuLm]Xn, &#8220;L&#8221; the peripheric ligants 5-chlorine-1,10-phenantroline or 4&#8217;-(phenyl)-2,2&#8217:6&#8217,2&#8221-terpyrdine (ptpy), and &#8220;X&#8221; counter-ions were also investigated, with special emphasis on their electronic and SERS spectroelectrochemistry. The changes in the vibrational profiles were successfully explained by the occurrence of charge transfer between the adsorbed complex and gold, in addition to the electromagnetic and resonance mechanisms.