Versatile Methodology Toward NiN2S2 Complexes as Nickel Superoxide Dismutase Models: Structure and Proton Affinity

Structural features of the reduced form of the nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) active site have been modeled with asymmetric NiN(2)S(2) complexes (Et(4)N)[Ni(nmp)(SR)] (R = C(6)H(4)-p-Cl (2) and (S(t)Bu) (3)) obtained via S,S-bridge splitting of the dimeric metallosynthon, [Ni(2)(nmp)(2)] (1). Complexes 2 and 3 are irreversibly oxidized at potentials within the window needed for SOD activity, 236 and 75 mV versus Ag/AgCl, respectively. The exogenous thiolato-S in 2 and 3 serves as a proton acceptor, suggesting potential involvement of Cys6 in Ni-SOD for H(+) storage between SOD half reactions.