[Mo(Tm^Me)(O)₂Cl]: An Alternative Functional Model of Sulfite Oxidase

Abstract

The hydrotris(methimazolyl)borate anion (TmMe) has been used to synthesize an alternative functional model ([Mo(TmMe)(O)2Cl]) of the metalloenzyme sulfite oxidase. It has been shown that the complex undergoes oxygen atom transfer chemistry and that it performs the primary function of the enzyme, sulfite oxidation. A method using ion chromatography has been developed to definitively prove that sulfite is oxidized to sulfate. Employment of a soft tripodal ligand has allowed us to tune the redox potentials of our complex so that they are significantly closer to those reported for sulfite oxidase.