The Versatile Binding Mode of Transition-State Analogue Inhibitors of Tyrosinase towards Dicopper(II) Model Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations

We describe 2‐mercaptopyridine‐N‐oxide (HSPNO) as a new and efficient competitive inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase (KIC=3.7 μM). Binding studies of HSPNO and 2‐hydroxypyridine‐N‐oxide (HOPNO) on dinuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu2(BPMP)(μ‐OH)](ClO4)2 (1; HBPMP=2,6‐bis[bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐4‐methylphenol) and [Cu2(BPEP)(μ‐OH)](ClO4)2) (2; HBPEP=2,6‐bis{bis[2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethyl]aminomethyl}‐4‐methylphenol), known to be functional models for the tyrosinase diphenolase activity, have been performed. A combination of structural data, spectroscopic studies, and DFT calculations evidenced the adaptable binding mode (bridging versus chelating) of HOPNO in relation to the geometry and chelate size of the dicopper center. For comparison, binding studies of HSPNO and kojic acid (5‐hydroxy‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐pyrone) on dinuclear complexes were performed. A theoretical approach has been developed and validated on HOPNO adducts to compare the binding mode on the model complexes. It has been applied for HSPNO and kojic acid. Although results for HSPNO were in line with those obtained with HOPNO, thus reflecting their chemical similarity, we showed that the bridging mode was the most preferential binding mode for kojic acid on both complexes. Bridging or not? We examined binding modes of tyrosinase inhibitors towards model complexes. Structural data evidenced that the 2‐hydroxypyridine‐N‐oxide (HOPNO) binding mode (chelating or bridging) adapts according to the Cu2O2 core and leads to different physicochemical and spectroscopic properties (see figure). Reliable DFT calculations support these experimental data.