A MnI Model for the Photoinhibited Species of Oxygen-evolving Complex

We report the reactivity of a new MnI(cyclam) complex (cyclam: 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) toward O2 and H2O as a model for the photoinhibited species of oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). The reactivity varies according to the number of CO ligands. A MnI dicarbonyl complex, [MnI(cyclam)(CO)2]+ reacts with O2, but not with H2O, to form a bis(μ-oxo)Mn2III,IV complex, though a MnI tricarbonyl complex, [MnI(cyclam)(CO)3]+ does not react with either O2 or H2O. Newly synthesized MnI(cyclam) dicarbonyl complex was characterized by ESI mass spectrometry, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray analysis.