Synthesis of an Oxygen-Carrying Cobalt(II) Complex
1. Synthesis of Inactive [Co(salen)]2
- Charge a 250 mL 3-neck round-bottom flask with 120 mL of 95% EtOH and 2.20 g (0.192 mL, 0.018 mol) of salicylaldehyde.
- Fit the center neck with a condenser connected to N2. Fit the other two necks with a rubber septum and an addition funnel fitted with a rubber septum.
- Stir the reaction in a water bath and heat the solution to reflux (80 °C).
- Add ethylene diamine (0.52 g, 0.58 mL, 0.0087 mol) via syringe through the round-bottom flask septum.
- In a 50 mL round-bottom flask, prepare a solution of Co(OAc)2·4H2O (2.17 g, 0.0087 mol) in 15 mL of distilled water. Heat the solution in the same water bath containing the 3-neck flask to ensure that all of the cobalt acetate dissolves.
- Add the cobalt acetate solution to the addition funnel.
- Degas the cobalt acetate solution by bubbling N2 through the liquid in the addition funnel for 10 min (see "Synthesis of a Ti(III) Metallocene Using Schlenk Line Technique" video for a more detailed procedure on purging liquids). The condenser N2 adapter may need to be closed to allow the N2 to bubble through the cobalt acetate solution.
NOTE: Never heat a closed system! Make sure to vent the system during degassing. - Slowly add the cobalt(II) acetate solution (~ 1 drop/s), while vigorously stirring the ethanol mixture. Without sufficient stirring, a chunky precipitate will form that can jam the stir bar.
- Once all of the cobalt acetate has been added, stir the reaction at reflux for 1 h.
- Turn off the hot plate and remove the 3-neck round-bottom flask from the water bath.
- Remove the condenser and addition funnel from the flask. Submerge the flask in an ice bath to facilitate precipitation of the [Co(salen)]2.
- Filter the solution under vacuum to isolate the solid and wash the resulting red solid with cold ethanol.
- Isolate the solid. Calculate the yield of the reaction and collect an IR of the [Co(salen)]2. Make sure that the [Co(salen)]2 is dry before using it in the O2 uptake reaction.
2. Apparatus Setup for O2 Uptake (Figure 5)1
Note: It is very important that the system does not leak. A leak in the system will lead to a lower than expected Co:O2 ratio.
- Connect a needle to an O2 (ultra-high purity) gas cylinder with Tygon tubing. Gently bubble O2 through 5 mL of DMSO for at least 10 min.
- While the DMSO is being saturated with O2, fit the two ends of a graduated 10 mL glass pipette with Tygon tubing (each 1.5 ft in length).
- Attach a glass funnel to one of the Tygon tubing pieces.
- Clamp the glass pipette and the funnel to a ring stand so that the funnel is facing up and the tubing forms a U shape ( Figure 5).
- Fill the pipette and funnel with mineral oil. Add the oil through the funnel, making sure that the oil also fills the tubing connected to the pipette. Continue to add the oil until the funnel is filled about half way up the funnel. Don't let the oil get too close to the top of the funnel, as the O2 bubbling through the funnel can cause splashing if the funnel is too full.
- To the open end of the tubing, attach a side-arm test tube (test tube A).
- Add 50 mg (0.077 mmol) of the inactive [Co(salen)]2 to the side-arm test tube A connected to the glass pipette.
- Add 2 mL of the DMSO saturated with O2 to a 3 mL test tube (test tube B).
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently lower test tube B into test tube A, being careful not to spill any of the DMSO. It is important to not expose the [Co(salen)]2 to the DMSO at this point.
- Seal test tube A with a rubber septum. Wire the septum to prevent leaks.
- Insert the needle connected to the O2 gas tank into the septum and purge the system with O2 for 10 min.
- Remove the O2 needle and grease the top of the rubber septum to prevent leaks.
- Some of the pressure within the setup may need to be released to get oil into the glass pipette. To do this, insert a free needle into the rubber septum on test tube A. Cover the opening with a finger and slowly release the pressure within the setup. Do not forget to cover the new hole with grease to prevent leaks.
- Move the glass pipette and funnel so that the oil levels line up in both pieces of glassware.
- Record the volume level of oil within the glass pipette.
Figure 5. O2 uptake apparatus setup.
3. O2 Uptake Reaction
- Add the DMSO to the solid [Co(salen)]2 by gently tipping the test tubes, making sure that none of the solution enters the side-arm of test tube A.
- Once all of the DMSO has been added, hold the top of the test tube and gently mix the solution by shaking the test tube back and forth.
NOTE: Do not use an up and down shaking motion. Banging the two test tubes together too violently can lead to the breaking of test tube A. - Continue to gently shake the test tubes by hand until the oil level in the pipette stops rising (about 15-20 min).
- Once O2 consumption ceases, move the pipette and funnel so that the oil levels line up.
- Record the new volume level of the oil in the glass pipette. The volume difference is the volume of O2 consumed during the reaction at atmospheric (1 atm) pressure.
- Record the temperature of the room.
4. O2 Liberation from [Co(salen)]2 - O2 Adduct
- Transfer the resulting DMSO solution from step 3 to a 15 mL centrifuge tube.
- Fill a second test tube with an equivalent amount of water.
- Insert the test tubes across from each other into a centrifuge.
- Centrifuge the sample for at least 15 min. The resulting solid pellet quality improves with increasing centrifuge time.
- Gently remove the test tube with the [Co(salen)]2-O2 adduct sample, so not to disturb the pellet.
- Carefully decant the DMSO solution above the pellet.
- Holding the centrifuge tube at a 45 ° angle with the pellet facing up, slowly add 1 mL of CHCl3 with a pipette, by allowing the solution to drip down the side of the centrifuge tube. Take extreme care to not disturb the solid [Co(salen)]2-O2 adduct.
- Observe any physical changes that occur.
Source: Deepika Das, Tamara M. Powers, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University
Bioinorganic chemistry is the field of study that investigates th…
1. Synthesis of Inactive [Co(salen)]2
- Charge a 250 mL 3-neck round-bottom flask with 120 mL of 95% EtOH and 2.20 g (0.192 mL, 0.018 mol) of salicylaldehyde.
- Fit the center neck with a condenser connected to N2. Fit the other two necks with a rubber septum and an addition funnel fitted with a rubber septum.
- Stir the reaction in a water bath and heat the solution to reflux (80 °C).
- Add ethylene diamine (0.52 g, 0.58 mL, 0.0087 mol) via syringe through the round-bottom flask septum.
- In a 50 mL round-bottom flask, prepare a solution of Co(OAc)2·4H2O (2.17 g, 0.0087 mol) in 15 mL of distilled water. Heat the solution in the same water bath containing the 3-neck flask to ensure that all of the cobalt acetate dissolves.
- Add the cobalt acetate solution to the addition funnel.
- Degas the cobalt acetate solution by bubbling N2 through the liquid in the addition funnel for 10 min (see "Synthesis of a Ti(III) Metallocene Using Schlenk Line Technique" video for a more detailed procedure on purging liquids). The condenser N2 adapter may need to be closed to allow the N2 to bubble through the cobalt acetate solution.
NOTE: Never heat a closed system! Make sure to vent the system during degassing. - Slowly add the cobalt(II) acetate solution (~ 1 drop/s), while vigorously stirring the ethanol mixture. Without sufficient stirring, a chunky precipitate will form that can jam the stir bar.
- Once all of the cobalt acetate has been added, stir the reaction at reflux for 1 h.
- Turn off the hot plate and remove the 3-neck round-bottom flask from the water bath.
- Remove the condenser and addition funnel from the flask. Submerge the flask in an ice bath to facilitate precipitation of the [Co(salen)]2.
- Filter the solution under vacuum to isolate the solid and wash the resulting red solid with cold ethanol.
- Isolate the solid. Calculate the yield of the reaction and collect an IR of the [Co(salen)]2. Make sure that the [Co(salen)]2 is dry before using it in the O2 uptake reaction.
2. Apparatus Setup for O2 Uptake (Figure 5)1
Note: It is very important that the system does not leak. A leak in the system will lead to a lower than expected Co:O2 ratio.
- Connect a needle to an O2 (ultra-high purity) gas cylinder with Tygon tubing. Gently bubble O2 through 5 mL of DMSO for at least 10 min.
- While the DMSO is being saturated with O2, fit the two ends of a graduated 10 mL glass pipette with Tygon tubing (each 1.5 ft in length).
- Attach a glass funnel to one of the Tygon tubing pieces.
- Clamp the glass pipette and the funnel to a ring stand so that the funnel is facing up and the tubing forms a U shape ( Figure 5).
- Fill the pipette and funnel with mineral oil. Add the oil through the funnel, making sure that the oil also fills the tubing connected to the pipette. Continue to add the oil until the funnel is filled about half way up the funnel. Don't let the oil get too close to the top of the funnel, as the O2 bubbling through the funnel can cause splashing if the funnel is too full.
- To the open end of the tubing, attach a side-arm test tube (test tube A).
- Add 50 mg (0.077 mmol) of the inactive [Co(salen)]2 to the side-arm test tube A connected to the glass pipette.
- Add 2 mL of the DMSO saturated with O2 to a 3 mL test tube (test tube B).
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently lower test tube B into test tube A, being careful not to spill any of the DMSO. It is important to not expose the [Co(salen)]2 to the DMSO at this point.
- Seal test tube A with a rubber septum. Wire the septum to prevent leaks.
- Insert the needle connected to the O2 gas tank into the septum and purge the system with O2 for 10 min.
- Remove the O2 needle and grease the top of the rubber septum to prevent leaks.
- Some of the pressure within the setup may need to be released to get oil into the glass pipette. To do this, insert a free needle into the rubber septum on test tube A. Cover the opening with a finger and slowly release the pressure within the setup. Do not forget to cover the new hole with grease to prevent leaks.
- Move the glass pipette and funnel so that the oil levels line up in both pieces of glassware.
- Record the volume level of oil within the glass pipette.
Figure 5. O2 uptake apparatus setup.
3. O2 Uptake Reaction
- Add the DMSO to the solid [Co(salen)]2 by gently tipping the test tubes, making sure that none of the solution enters the side-arm of test tube A.
- Once all of the DMSO has been added, hold the top of the test tube and gently mix the solution by shaking the test tube back and forth.
NOTE: Do not use an up and down shaking motion. Banging the two test tubes together too violently can lead to the breaking of test tube A. - Continue to gently shake the test tubes by hand until the oil level in the pipette stops rising (about 15-20 min).
- Once O2 consumption ceases, move the pipette and funnel so that the oil levels line up.
- Record the new volume level of the oil in the glass pipette. The volume difference is the volume of O2 consumed during the reaction at atmospheric (1 atm) pressure.
- Record the temperature of the room.
4. O2 Liberation from [Co(salen)]2 - O2 Adduct
- Transfer the resulting DMSO solution from step 3 to a 15 mL centrifuge tube.
- Fill a second test tube with an equivalent amount of water.
- Insert the test tubes across from each other into a centrifuge.
- Centrifuge the sample for at least 15 min. The resulting solid pellet quality improves with increasing centrifuge time.
- Gently remove the test tube with the [Co(salen)]2-O2 adduct sample, so not to disturb the pellet.
- Carefully decant the DMSO solution above the pellet.
- Holding the centrifuge tube at a 45 ° angle with the pellet facing up, slowly add 1 mL of CHCl3 with a pipette, by allowing the solution to drip down the side of the centrifuge tube. Take extreme care to not disturb the solid [Co(salen)]2-O2 adduct.
- Observe any physical changes that occur.
[N,N'-Bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediimino]cobalt(II), abbreviated [Co(salen)]2, is an organometallic complex, which is used to investigate oxygen-transporting metalloproteins.
Metalloproteins such as hemoglobin can reversibly bind O2 and to understand this mechanism, complexes such as [Co(salen)]2 are studied.
[Co(salen)]2 exists in two forms: active and inactive. The active form consists of a heterodimer, in which two cobalt centers form a very weak van-der-Waals interaction, providing enough space for insertion of molecular O2 in the solid state.
In the inactive form of [Co(salen)]2 the cobalt centers of each molecule form a dative bond with an oxygen atom on another molecule. This decreases the space between the units and molecular O2 cannot fit in anymore, unless a coordinating solvent, such as DMSO, is used, which facilitates the adduct's stability.
This video will illustrate the principles of [Co(salen)]2, the synthesis of its inactive form, and the analysis of reversible binding to molecular O2.
Molecular O2 can coordinate to transition metal complexes in several ways: side-on, side-on bridging, end-on, and end-on bridging. In the inactive [Co(salen)]2, O2 coordinates to the two cobalt centers in an end-on bridging fashion and the coordinating DMSO completes the octahedral coordination sphere of each cobalt center generating a 2:1 complex, which can be explained by examining the molecular orbital diagram of O2 and the d-orbital splitting diagram of [Co(salen)]2.
Oxygen has two unpaired electrons in the ?* molecular orbital, signifying a triplet ground state, while [Co(salen)]2 has one unpaired electron in its ?* molecular orbital.
The binding of O2 to [Co(salen)]2 is a redox reaction, in which two cobalt centers lose an electron each, and the O2 molecule gains two electrons, forming a peroxide (O22-).
The ratio of Co:O2 in a reaction can be determined by measuring the volume of O2 consumed in a closed system. Using the ideal gas law, the moles of consumed O2 can be calculated.
Furthermore, the reversibility of O2 binding can be studied by addition of CHCl3?to the product. CHCl3 is a non-coordinating solvent, which cannot stabilize the O2 adduct. Therefore, addition of CHCl3 to the [Co(salen)]2-O2?adduct leads to a decrease in concentration of DMSO and pushes the reaction in the reverse direction, resulting in liberation of O2.
Now that we have discussed the principles of [Co(salen)]2, let's look at a procedure for the synthesis of its inactive form, and its use in consuming molecular O2.
In a fume hood, charge a clamped 250-mL three-necked flask with a stir bar, 95% ethanol and salicylaldehyde. Attach a condenser to the center neck and an addition funnel fitted with a septum on of the outer necks.
Fit the third neck of the 3-neck flask with a septum and attach a N2 line to the condenser. Under a N2 atmosphere, stir the reaction in a water bath at 80 ?C, and add ethylene diamine by syringe.
In a separate 50-mL round bottom flask containing a stir bar, add Co(OAc)2?4H2O, and dissolve in 15 mL distilled water.
Once completely dissolved, transfer the cobalt acetate solution to the addition funnel, and degas by bubbling N2 through it for 10 minutes.
When degassing is complete, slowly add the cobalt acetate solution to the vigorously stirred salicylaldehyde mixture. Then stir at reflux for 1 hour.
When finished, remove the flask from the heating bath, and remove the condenser and addition funnel. Then submerge the flask in an ice-water bath to facilitate precipitation of [Co(salen)]2.
Vacuum filter the precipitate onto a Buchner funnel with filter paper, and wash the red solid with cold ethanol. Dry the solid completely, weigh it, and calculate the percent yield.
Connect a needle to an O2-gas cylinder with Tygon tubing. Then gently bubble O2 through 5 mL DMSO for 10 minutes.
Attach two 18-inch sections of Tygon tubing to either end of a graduated 10-mL glass pipette. Clamp the pipette to a ring stand with the lowest graduation facing up. Next, attach a long-stemmed glass funnel to the lower tubing piece, and clamp the funnel to the ring stand with the funnel facing up.
Make sure that the tubing connecting the pipette and the funnel form a U-shape. Add mineral oil to the funnel and tubing, until the funnel is about half-filled.
Attach a side-arm test tube to the tubing on the top of the pipette and add [Co(salen)]2 to it.
Transfer 2 mL of O2-saturated DMSO into a 3-mL test tube and, using a pair of tweezers, lower test tube B into test tube A without spilling.
Seal test tube A with a rubber septum tightened with copper wire. Insert a needle attached to the O2 tank into the septum and purge for 10 minutes. Then remove the needle and grease the top of the septum to prevent leaks.
Insert a free needle into the septum of test tube A to allow the mineral oil to reach the glass pipette, while covering the opening with a finger and slowly releasing pressure. Then remove the needle and re-cover the top of the septum with grease.
Adjust the heights of the funnel and pipette so that the oil levels line up in both pieces of glassware, and record the level of oil within the pipette.
Release the DMSO from test tube B by angling the side-arm of test tube A towards the ceiling. Once all of the DMSO has been added, hold the test tube upright and swirl it gently.
Continue to shake the test tubes until the oil level in the pipette stops rising, which means O2 is no longer being consumed. Then, adjust the height of the funnel so that the oil level in it is lined up with the oil level in the pipette. Record the new level of oil in the pipette and the temperature of the room.
Remove the septum from test tube A and transfer the contents to a 15-mL centrifuge tube. Place the tube in a centrifuge?at a position opposite a tube carrying an equivalent amount of water.
Centrifuge the samples for at least 15 min, then gently remove the tube containing the [Co(salen)]2 pellet. Carefully decant the liquid without disturbing the pellet.
Hold the centrifuge tube containing the pellet at a 45? angle, and using a syringe slowly drip 1 mL of CHCl3?down the side of the tube. Observe any physical changes that occur.
Now let's evaluate the results. The yield of the synthesized inactive [Co(salen)]2 is 2.4 g, which is 85%. The IR spectrum shows a peak at 1528 cm-1, which is indicative of the CN stretch. Furthermore, the absence of an O-H stretch indicates that no free ligand is present.
59.2 mg of [Co(salen)]2, which is equal to 0.090?mmol, consumed 2 mL of O2. Using the ideal gas law, standard pressure, and temperature recorded, the number of moles of 2 mL O2 was determined to be 0.082 mmol. Lastly, the number of mmol of Co in [Co(salen)]2 was determined, and divided by the number of mmol of O2 to obtain the ratio of Co:O2, which is 2:0.91.
Reversibility of O2 binding was demonstrated using CHCl3, where upon addition of the solvent?the DMSO concentration decreased, and the reaction equilibrium shifted to the reactants, resulting in O2 release, as was observed in bubbling of the reaction and the color change to red.
Coordination complexes can be used in the field of chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry to study various metalloproteins.
For example, the metalloprotein?hemoglobin is comprised of four globular protein sub units with the heme group embedded in each, making it difficult to study the protein?s active site.?Synthetic inorganic chemists usemolecular species, such as [Co(salen)]2, to model active sites in metalloproteins,?however, replication of structure and reactivity is often difficult, due to distinct differences in electronic structures between simple coordination compounds and metal surrounded protein superstructures.?
Epichlorohydrin is a chemical reagent consisting of an epoxide and an alkyl chloride. It is used in the production of epoxy resins and other elastomers. However, despite its versatility, it is difficult to produce enantiopure epichlorohydrin.
To separate racemic mixtures of epichlorohydrin, chiral salen complexes can be used. For example, in a hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides, the racemic epichlorohydrin is treated with a polystyrene-supported chiral salen ligand in the presence of water, which leads to the hydrolysis of one of the enantiomers. The enantiomer can be separated and the polymer-supported catalyst can be filtered off from the reaction mixture, and reused.
You've just watched JoVE's introduction to [Co(salen)]2. You should now understand its principles, the procedure, and some of its applications. Thanks for watching!
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Q1: What is [Co(salen)]2 and why is it used in bioinorganic chemistry?
[N,N'-Bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediimino]cobalt(II), or [Co(salen)]2, is an organometallic complex that models oxygen-transporting metalloproteins like hemoglobin. Synthetic inorganic chemists use molecular species such as [Co(salen)]2 to study how metal complexes reversibly bind O2, helping researchers understand metalloprotein active sites and oxygen transport mechanisms in living organisms.
Q2: How do the active and inactive forms of [Co(salen)]2 differ structurally?
The active form contains a heterodimer where two cobalt centers interact via weak van der Waals forces, creating space for O2 insertion. In the inactive form, cobalt centers form dative bonds with oxygen atoms on adjacent molecules, decreasing spacing. DMSO, a coordinating solvent, can stabilize the O2 adduct in the inactive form by completing the octahedral coordination sphere around each cobalt center.
Q3: What is the role of DMSO in [Co(salen)]2 oxygen binding?
DMSO is a coordinating solvent that stabilizes the O2 adduct by completing the octahedral coordination sphere of each cobalt center in the inactive [Co(salen)]2 form. When O2 coordinates end-on to the two cobalt centers, DMSO facilitates formation of a 2:1 complex. Without DMSO, molecular O2 cannot fit between the cobalt units due to decreased spacing.
Q4: How is oxygen binding to [Co(salen)]2 a redox reaction?
Oxygen binding involves electron transfer: two cobalt centers each lose one electron, while the O2 molecule gains two electrons, forming a peroxide ion (O22-). Oxygen has two unpaired electrons in its π* molecular orbital with a triplet ground state, while [Co(salen)]2 has one unpaired electron. This orbital overlap enables the redox interaction between the complex and molecular oxygen.
Q5: How can you determine the Co:O2 ratio in the [Co(salen)]2-O2 reaction?
The Co:O2 ratio is determined by measuring the volume of O2 consumed in a closed system. Using the ideal gas law with recorded temperature and pressure, the moles of consumed O2 are calculated. Dividing the moles of cobalt in [Co(salen)]2 by the moles of O2 yields the stoichiometric ratio, which typically approaches 2:1 in experimental conditions.
Q6: Why does adding CHCl3 reverse oxygen binding in [Co(salen)]2?
CHCl3 is a non-coordinating solvent that cannot stabilize the O2 adduct. When added to the [Co(salen)]2-O2 complex, CHCl3 decreases DMSO concentration and shifts the reaction equilibrium toward reactants, causing O2 release. This reversibility demonstrates that oxygen binding is equilibrium-dependent on the presence of coordinating solvents like DMSO.
Q7: What applications do chiral salen complexes have beyond oxygen transport studies?
Chiral salen complexes are used in hydrolytic kinetic resolution to separate racemic mixtures, such as epichlorohydrin, which is difficult to produce in enantiopure form. A polystyrene-supported chiral salen ligand selectively hydrolyzes one enantiomer in the presence of water. The polymer-supported catalyst can be filtered and reused, making this approach efficient for producing enantiopure compounds.
Chapters in this video
0:04
Overview
1:31
Principles of [Co(salen)]2
3:42
Synthesis of Inactive [Co(salen)]2 and Measurement of O2 Uptake
8:32
Representative Results
10:01
Applications
11:27
Summary
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