Cytochrome c Oxidase Models. A Novel Dinuclear Iron/Copper Complex Derived from a Covalently Modified Deuteroporphyrin-L-Histidine-Bis(benzimidazole) Ligand

The iron(m)-copper(Ir) complex derived from a covalently
modified deuteroporphyrin at both carboxylate ends of the
two propionic acid side chains is described as a model for
the dioxygen reduction site of cytochrome c oxidase; it
exhibits a weak coupling between the metal centres, and
its fully reduced FeIICuI form reacts smoothly and
nondestructively with dioxygen at room temperature to
produce the FeIIICuII species