Symmetry Breaking in Solution-Phase [Cu(tsc)2(H2O)2]2+: Emergent Asymmetry in Cu-S Distances and in Covalence

J Phys Chem B. 2021 Sep 30;125(38):10779-10795. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c05022. Epub 2021 Sep 21.

Abstract

The structure of aqueous Cu(II)-bis-thiosemicarbazide, [Cu(tsc)2]2+, is reported following EXAFS and MXAN analyses of the copper K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) spectrum. The rising K-edge feature at 8987.1 eV is higher energy than those of crystalline models, implying unique electronic and structural solution states. EXAFS analysis (k = 2-13 Å-1; 2 × Cu-N = 2.02 ± 0.01 Å; 2 × Cu-S = 2.27 ± 0.01 Å; Cu-Oax = 2.41 ± 0.04 Å) could not resolve 5- versus 6-coordinate models. However, MXAN fits converged to an asymmetric broken symmetry 6-coordinate model with cis-disposed TSC ligands (Cu-Oax = 2.07 and 2.54 Å; Cu-N = 1.94 Å, 1.98 Å; Cu-S = 2.20 Å, 2.41 Å). Transition dipole integral evaluation of the sulfur K-edge XAS 1s → 3p valence transition feature at 2470.7 eV yielded a Cu-S covalence of 0.66 e-, indicating Cu1.34+. The high Cu-S covalence and short Cu-S bond in aqueous [Cu(tsc)2(H2O)2]2+ again contradict the need for a protein rack to explain the unique structure of the blue copper active site. MXAN models of dissolved Cu(II) complex ions have invariably featured broken centrosymmetry. The potential energy ground state for dissolved Cu(II) evidently includes the extended solvation field, providing a target for improved physical theory. A revised solvation model for aqueous Cu(II), |[Cu(H2O)5]·14H2O|2+, is presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Copper*
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Sulfur*
  • Water

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Water
  • Sulfur
  • Copper