Theory of chemical bonds in metalloenzymes VI: Manganese–oxo bonds in the photosynthesis II system

Electronic and spin structures of high-valent manganese–oxo bonds in the photosynthesis II system (oxygen evolving center, OEC) are investigated by the use of spin polarized hybrid DFT (HDFT) method. Theoretical calculations of a high-valent manganese–oxo porphyrin complex are also performed to elucidate common characteristic of the active MnO bonds in both native OEC and artificial systems. The oxygen site of the high-valent MnO is found to be electrophilic in nature, in accord with our previous work, where the SE2, 1O- and 3O-models have been presented for theoretical understanding of complex behaviors of oxygenation reactions by metal–oxo species. The 1O- and 3O-models are applicable to model complexes examined here, since the manganese–oxo bonds exhibit strong biradical character. Possibility of the SE2-like transition structure model for OEC is also discussed on both the theoretical and experimental grounds. Implications of present computational results are discussed in relation to hydroxylation reaction by MMO and P450.

Graphical abstractElectronic structures of high-valent manganese–oxo bonds in the photosynthesis II system (oxygen evolving center) and manganese–oxo porphyrine artificial system are investigated by the use of spin polarized hybrid DFT method. Possibility of the SE2, 1O- and 3O-models for oxygenation reactions by metaloxo species is discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide