# Redox enzymes - tuning and design

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $18,424

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Enzymes exhibit superb catalytic efficiencies and reaction selectivity. Local electric field (electrostatic) effects
have been proposed as critical factors, providing stability and regulation of enzyme function and redox behavior.
Within a protein, these effects are difficult to detect and control. However, molecular transition metal complexes
with incorporated electrostatic interactions offer spectroscopic signatures, making these effects easier to study.
In contrast to other noncovalent interactions, such as H-bonding, experimental examples of local electric field
effects have been minimally explored despite theoretical studies supporting their potential to improve reaction
rate, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity at molecular systems. Of the existing state-of-the-art experimental
examples of designed electric fields, several practical challenges currently limit the scalability and generality of
these techniques. Therefore, the broad objective of this proposal is to develop transition metal complexes with
local electric field effects and to study how modulation of the electrostatic interaction can be used to control
reactivity.
 This research is based on the central hypothesis that incorporating cationic or anionic moieties proximal to
a transition metal center will result in defined and measurable electric field effects, which can then be harnessed
to tune the proton- and electron-transfer reactivity of the transition metal complex. The following specific aims
will be explored: 1) Develop correlations between electric field effects at Mn, Cr and V Schiff base complexes to
proton, electron, and hydrogen atom transfer reactions; and 2) Demonstrate stoichiometric O- and N-atom
transfer reactions. We will use the straightforward synthesis and broad reactivity of Schiff base complexes to our
advantage to study these electrostatic effects. Cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, and vibrational spectroscopy
will be used to quantify the magnitude of the electric field present at the transition metal complex. Further,
reactivity studies will employ electron paramagnetic resonance and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies. The
product of this research will be a fundamental understanding of how electric fields play key roles in modulating
reactivity of transition metals. This model will build our understanding of how enzymes exploit similar effects to
achieve reaction selectivity and rate-enhancement for biosynthetic processes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10339949
- **Project number:** 3R01GM134047-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** ANASTASSIA N ALEXANDROVA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $18,424
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10339949

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10339949, Redox enzymes - tuning and design (3R01GM134047-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10339949. Licensed CC0.

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