Crystal structure, catecholase activity and ESI-MS of a mixed valence cobalt(III)–cobalt(II) complex derived from a macrocyclic ligand: Identification/proposition of hydrogen bonded metal complex⋯solvent aggregates in ESI-MS

•One mixed-valence CoIIICoII complex derived from a Robson type macrocyclic ligand.•Rare example of an active cobalt catalyst for catechol oxidase activity.•Single crystal X-ray structure and ESI-MS spectra.•Unique examples of hydrogen bonded metal complex⋯solvent aggregates in gas phase (ESI-MS).•Drastic change of properties as a result of slight change in ligand periphery.

This paper presents the synthesis, crystal structure, catechol oxidase activity and electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS positive) of a mixed-valence CoIIICoII compound [CoIIICoIIL(N3)3]· 0.5CH3CN·0.27H2O (1) derived from the Robson type tetraiminodiphenolate macrocyclic ligand H2L, which is the [2 + 2] condensation product of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/n space group. The structure consists of two independent units of diphenoxo-bridged CoIIICoII moieties where the CoIII center is hexacoordinated (distorted octahedral) having O(phenoxo)2N(imine)2N(azide)2 environment, while CoII center is pentacoordinated (distorted square pyramidal) having O(phenoxo)2N(imine)2N(azide) environment. Catechol oxidase activity of 1 has been investigated using 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBCH2) as the substrate, revealing that it is an active catalyst with Kcat value 114.24 h–1. Electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS positive) of 1 and 1 + 3,5-DTBCH2 in acetonitrile have been recorded. No complex⋯substrate aggregate in the spectrum of 1 + 3,5-DTBCH2 has been identified. However, interestingly, two hydrogen bonded metal complex⋯solvent aggregates [{CoII(LH2)(N3)}⋯(CH3CN)]+ and [{CoIII(LH2)(N3)2}⋯(CH3CN)]+ have been identified in the spectrum of 1. Catecholase activity has also been studied with pyrocatechol and tetrachlorocatechol (TCCH2) as substrates. While no activity has been found with TCCH2, weak activity has been observed with pyrocatechol.

Graphical abstractSynthesis, single crystal X-ray structure, catechol oxidase activity and ESI-MS (positive) of one mixed-valence diphenoxo-bridged dinuclear CoIIICoII complex derived from a Robson type tetraiminodiphenolate macrocyclic ligand are described. This work presents rare example of cobalt system showing catechol oxidase activity and unique examples of hydrogen-bonded metal complex⋯solvent aggregates in gas phase (predominant species in ESI-MS).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide