Thiourea derivatives and their nickel(II) and platinum(II) complexes: antifungal activity

We have synthesized two thiourea derivatives of methyl anthranilate (1, 2) and their complexes with nickel (3) and platinum(II) (4). We have also prepared the complexes of nickel(II) with two benzoylthiourea derivatives (5, 6). The obtained compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV-vis, NMR), mass spectrometry and thermal analysis. Compound 1, C(20)H(23)N(3)O(2)S, crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/n, with Z=4, and unit cell parameters, a=8.8042(4) A, b=7.6608(3) A, c=28.834(2) A, alpha=gamma=90 degrees, beta=90.94(1) degrees. Compound 2, C(20)H(21)N(3)O(3)S, crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c, with Z=4, and unit cell parameters, a=7.7345(4) A, b=8.6715(4) A, c=29.113(2) A, alpha=gamma=90 degrees, beta=90.67(1) degrees. Compound 5, C(24)H(30)N(4)NiO(2)S(2), crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/n, with Z=4, and unit cell parameters, a=10.4317(8) A, b=18.517(2) A, c=13.299(1) A, alpha=gamma=90 degrees, beta=104.53(1) degrees. Compound 6, C(25)H(28)Cl(2)N(4)NiO(4)S(2), crystallizes with a molecule of CH(2)Cl(2) in triclinic space group P-1, with Z=2, and unit cell parameters, a=10.362(1) A, b=11.849(2) A, c=12.536(2) A, alpha=90.04(2) degrees, beta=84.73(1) degrees, gamma=113.43(2) degrees. Compounds 1 and 2 show antifungal activity against the major pathogens responsible for important plant diseases (Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum fragariae, Fusarium oxysporum and Phoma betae). The antifungal activity is practically the same for morpholine and ethyl derivatives.     

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure and DNA photocleavage by cis-dichloro bis(diimine) Co(III) complexes

Complexes of the type [Co(LL)2Cl2]Cl, where LL = N,N'-ethylenediamine (en), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structure of [Co(phendione)2Cl2]Cl x 0.5 HCl x 3.5 H2O has been solved and refined to R = 0.0552. The crystal is monoclinic with space group C2/c; a = 25.730(2) A, b = 12.375(1) A, c = 18.979(2) A, beta = 119.925(1) degrees and Z = 8. The DNA binding characteristics of the complexes, investigated by covalent binding assay, viscosity measurements and competitive binding fluorescence measurements show that the complexes interact with DNA covalently except the complex containing the planar dppz ligand which intercalates within the base pairs of DNA. The complexes containing en, phen and phendione cleave plasmid pBR 322 DNA upon irradiation under aerobic conditions while the complex containing the dppz ligand cleaves DNA upon irradiation under inert atmosphere. Molecular modeling studies show that the minimized structure of [Co(phendione)2Cl2]+, maintained the octahedral structure while binding to the N7 of guanines and the ligand fits into the major groove without disrupting the helical structure of the B-DNA.     

Synthesis, spectra, dioxygen affinity and antifungal activity of Ru(III) Schiff base complexes

The reaction of ruthenium(III) complexes, [RuX(3)(EPh(3))(3)] (E=As, X=Cl or Br; E=P, X=Cl) and [RuBr(3)(PPh(3))(2)(CH(3)OH)] with bidendate Schiff base ligands derived by condensing salicylaldehyde with methylamine (Hsalmet), cyclohexylamine (Hsalchx), 2-aminopyridine (Hsalampy) have been carried out. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectral studies (IR, electronic and EPR) and are formulated as [RuX(EPh(3))(LL')(2)] (where LL'=monobasic bidentate Schiff base ligand; E=P or As, X=Cl or Br). An octahedral geometry has been tentatively proposed for the new complexes. Dioxygen affinity of some of the Ru(III) Schiff base complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The representative Schiff bases and their complexes were tested in vitro to evaluate their activity against fungi, namely, Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Fusarium species.     

Three Co(III)-Fe(II) complexes based on hexacyanoferrates: Syntheses, spectroscopic and structural characterizations

Red or orange crystals of [Co(NH₃)₆]₂Cl₂[Fe(CN)₆] · 4H₂O (1), [Co(en)₃]₂Cl₂[Fe(CN)₆] · 2H₂O (2) and [Co(en)₃]₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃ · 21.6H₂O (3) were isolated from the aqueous systems Co³⁺-L_N-[Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ (L_N = NH₃, en = 1,2-diaminoethane). In all isolated samples the combination of Mössbauer (δ values were from the range −0.07 to −0.08 mm/s) and IR spectra (ν(CN) stretching vibrations in the range 2015-2047 cm⁻¹) confirms the presence of low spin Fe(II) in [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anions. X-ray structure analyses corroborate the ionic character of all studied compounds. These contain diamagnetic [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ (1) or [Co(en)₃]³⁺ (2 and 3) complex cations and diamagnetic [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ complex anions. In compounds 1 and 2 chloride anions are present, too. All three compounds contain water of crystallization, in compound 3 as many as 21.6 molecules per formula unit.     

The preparation and characterization of Cr(III) and Co(III) complexes of GDP and GTP and their interactions with avian phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

The exchange inert coordination complexes, Cr(H2O)4GDP, Cr(H2O)4GTP, Cr(NH3)4GDP, Cr(NH3)4GTP, Co(NH3)4GDP, and Co(NH3)4GTP have been synthesized and characterized. The lambda and delta coordination isomers of Cr(H2O)4GDP, Cr(NH3)4GDP, and the four Cr(H2O)4GTP isomers have been separated by reverse phase HPLC and characterized by their CD spectra. While the isomers of Co(NH3)4GTP have not been successfully separated, 31P NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of the lambda and delta forms. The complexes, Cr(H2O)4GDP, Co(NH3)4GDP, Cr(H2O)4GTP, and Co(NH3)4GTP, are linear competitive inhibitors of avian phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. The Ki values of 30 microM, 540 microM, 40 microM, and 12 microM, respectively, were determined for these complexes using Mn-IDP as the nucleotide substrate in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation direction or Mn-ITP as nucleotide substrate for the oxalacetate decarboxylation reaction. The lambda and delta isomers of Cr(H2O)4 GDP show little specificity (a twofold maximum difference in Ki) for the enzyme. The isomeric forms of Cr(H2O)4 GTP demonstrate no observed stereoselectivity of interaction with the enzyme. All of the complexes tested, except for Cr(NH3)4GDP and Co(NH3)4GDP, which have larger Ki values, are good substrate analogs for P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase. When the substrate is Mn-GTP, fixed at 0.2 mM at pH 6.0, enzyme activity is stimulated two- to two and a half-fold by Cr(H2O)4GTP. A Dixon plot reveals that the stimulatory effect is saturated at 0.4 mM Cr(H2O)4GTP. The interaction of the enzyme with Cr(H2O)4GTP appears to produce a "memory" effect which is manifest with guanosine nucleotide substrates, but which is not observed with the alternative substrate Mn-ITP.     

Aquo-pentamine Co(III) complexes as models for carbonic anhydrase

The hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate by metal complexes Co(en)2(imH)H2O3+, Co(en)2(bzmH)H2O3+, and Co(en)2(imCH3)H2O3+ (imH = imidazole, bzmH = benzimodazole, imCH3 = methyl imidazole) has been investigated in the pH range 5.4-8.9. The small difference in nucleophilic reactivity in the pH range 5.4-6.7 is assumed to be due to hydrogen bonding abilities of the imidazole and substituted imidazole ligands and small pKa differences (k2(imH) = 2.2 X 10(-2) M-1 sec-1, k2(bzmH) = 5.68 X 10(-2) M-1 sec-1, k2(imCH3) = 1.35 X 10(-2) M-1 sec-1, 40 degrees C, 1 = 0.3 NaClO4, pKa(imH) = 6.2, pKa(imCH3) = 6.2 and pKa(bzmH) = 5.9). In the pH range 7.8-8.9, the differences in nucleophilic reactivity (k3(imH) = 85.5 X 10(-2) M-1 sec-1, k3(bzmH) = 33.4 X 10(-2) M-1 sec-1, 40 degrees C, I = 0.3 NaClO4) are reconciled with a significant steric factor outweighing the acidity of the benzimidazole complex. In the pH region 6.7-7.7, the deviation from linearity is presumably due to both hydroxo and imido ligands functioning as nucleophiles, the latter being about 40 times stronger than the former.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and properties of substituted-pyridyl functionalized bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene derivatives and their corresponding Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes

Three substituted-pyridyl functionalized bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) derivatives 1-3 and their corresponding Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Their electrochemical properties in CH₂Cl₂ solution have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and two reversible single-electron oxidation waves for the TTF moiety are observed. Crystal structure analyses were carried out for compound 2 as well as for the Co(II) complex of 1 (7).     

Iron(III), chromium(III) and cobalt(II) complexes with squarate: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The preparation and variable temperature-magnetic investigation of three squarate-containing complexes of formula [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (1) [Cr₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (2) and [Co(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₄]_n (3) [H₂C₄O₄ = 3.4-dihydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione (squaric acid)] together with the crystal structures of 1 and 3 are reported. Complex 1 contains discrete centrosymmetric [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] diiron(II) units where the iron pairs are joined by a di-μ-hydroxo bridge and two squarate ligands acting as bridging groups through adjacent oxygen atoms. Two coordinated water molecules in cis position complete the octahedral environment at each iron atom in 1. The iron-iron distance with the dinuclear unit is 3.0722(6) Å and the angle at the hydroxo bridge is 99.99(7)°, values which compare well with the corresponding ones in the isostructural compound 2 (2.998 Å and 99.47°) whose structure was reported previously. The crystal structure of 3 contains neutral chains of squarato-O¹,O³-bridged cobalt(II) ions where four coordinated water molecules complete the six-coordination at each cobalt atom. The cobalt-cobalt separation across the squarate bridge is 8.0595(4) Å. A relatively important intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling occurs in 1 whereas it is very weak in 2, the exchange pathway being the same [J = −14.4 (1) and −0.07 cm⁻¹ (2), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as ]. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction between the high-spin cobalt(II) ions occurs in 3 (J = −0.30 cm⁻¹). The magnitude and nature of these magnetic interactions are discussed in the light of their respective structures and they are compared with those reported for related systems.     

Anticancer,antibacterial and antifungal activity of new ni (ii) and cu (ii) complexes of imidazole-phenanthroline derivatives

Two new nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 2-(Furan-2-yl)-1H-Imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]Phenanthroline (FIP) and 2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (TIP), imidazophen derivatives were synthesized. The structures of the compounds were determined by UV-visible and FT-IR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The biological activities of Ni and Cu complexes, as anticancer agents, were tested against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, at micromolar concentration. The MTT studies showed Cc₅₀ values are 21 and 160 µM for Cu and Ni(II) complexes, respectively; suggesting that Ni (II) complex has Cc₅₀ almost seven times of that obtained for cisplatin. Biological activity of the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were also assayed against selective microorganisms by disc diffusion method. These results showed that the Cu(II) complex is antifungal agent but Ni(II) complex has antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of Co(III) and Co(I) complexes having C5Me5 auxiliary

The synthesis and electrochemistry of half-sandwich type of Co(III) complexes [(C(5)Me(5))Co(bidentate)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) {bidentate=dppe (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane), bpy (2,2'-bipyridine), en (ethylenediamine)) are reported. Cyclic voltammograms of [(C(5)Me(5))Co(bidentate)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) in CH(3)CN s showed two redox couples assignable to Co(II)/Co(III) and Co(I)/Co(II). The Co(I) complex having C(5)Me(5) and dppe was also prepared. Two redox couples of this Co(I) complex, (C(5)Me(5))Co(dppe), in CH(3)CN coincided with those of [(C(5)Me(5))Co(dppe)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(2) in spite of the structural change around the metal center.     

Hydrido iridium(III) complexes of azoaromatic ligands. Isolation, structure and studies of their physicochemical properties

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)pyridine (L^a-c) with [IrCl₃(PPh₃)₂] in two different solvents, viz. ethanol and toluene are reported. In refluxing toluene two new isomeric (mer and fac geometries) iridium complexes, having molecular formula [IrCl₃(PPh₃)(L)] (1 and 2) have been isolated. The reaction in refluxing ethanol yielded two new hydrido complexes of molecular formula [IrHCl₂(PPh₃)(L)] (3) and [IrHCl(PPh₃)₂(L)]Cl (4) along with the compound 2. All the complexes have been thoroughly characterized by NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The ¹H NMR spectra of the hydrido complexes 3 and 4 showed a doublet and a triplet signals at δ −20.43 and −14.82 respectively due to coupling with magnetically equivalent phosphorous nuclei. Strong trans influence of the π-acceptor ligands guided the X-ray structural parameters; bonds trans to the these ligands are unusually long. Similar elongation effect was also noted for the bonds trans to the coordinated hydrido ligand. UV-Vis-NIR spectrum consisted of multiple transitions in the UV and visible regions. Cyclic voltammetry of each of these complexes has exhibited a reductive response between −0.25 and −0.55 V, which has been assigned to azo-ligand reduction. The compound 3, however, showed a quasireversible oxidative wave near 1.45 V, due to Ir^III/Ir^IV couple.     

Iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes of tetradentate thiosemicarbazones: Synthesis,structure, cytotoxicity,and lipophilicity

Eighteen of the iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes with tetradentate thiosemicarbazidato ligands were synthesized and described, by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Two complexes as an example to the iron and nickel centered ones were crystallographically analyzed to confirm the molecular structures. Cytotoxic effects of the complexes on K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. For comparison, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was used as a noncancerous cell line. While four of the iron(III) complexes exhibited the antileukemic effect with 50% inhibition of cell growth (IC₅₀) values in the 3.4 to 6.9 μg/mL range on K562 cell line, the nickel(II) complexes showed no significant effect on both cell lines. The complexes Fe4, Fe5, and Fe6, bearing 4‐methoxy substituent exhibited relatively high antiproliferative activity on both cell lines. Complex Fe3 with 3‐methoxy and S‐allyl groups exhibited a selectivity between K562 and HUVEC cells by IC₅₀ values of 6.9 and >10 μg/mL, respectively. Lipophilicity, a key parameter for bioavailability and oral administration, was found in the range of ?0.3 and +1.3 that desired for drug active ingredients. The results were discussed in the context of a structure‐activity relationship.     

Preparation, structure and decomposition of gold(I) and gold(III) acetylide complexes

1-Alkynyl-dimethyl(triorganophosphine)gold(III) complexes of the type cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)Au-CC-R with R = H, Me, Ph (1-3) have been prepared from the cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)AuX (X = Cl, I) complexes and lithium alkynyls. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined together with those of the reference compounds cis-Me₂(Ph₃P)AuX (X = Cl, I) and cis-Me₂(Me₃P)AuI. The molecules have a standard square planar geometry and are not associated into oligomers. Due to the different hybridization of the carbon orbitals, the Au-C(CR) bonds are found significantly shorter than the Au-CH₃ bonds. Compounds 1-3 are stable colourless, crystalline solids at 20 °C but decompose on heating with selective (cis) reductive elimination of ethane and formation of the gold(I) alkynyls (Ph₃P)Au-CC-R thus retaining the stronger gold-alkynyl bonds. Two complexes of this type have also been prepared by conventional routes from (R₃P)AuX complexes and the crystal structures of (Me₃P)Au-CC-Ph and [(p-Tol)₃P]Au-CC-H have been determined. The former with the small Me₃P ligand is associated into two different trimers via aurophilic bonding and further aggregated into chains via weak inter-trimer contacts, while the latter is a monomer owing to the steric bulk of the (p-Tol)₃P ligand.     

Novel salicyloylhydrazone derivatives and corresponding terbium(III) complexes: Synthesis and properties research

Four novel salicyloylhydrazone derivatives and their terbium(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The thermal analysis results showed that the terbium(III) complexes possessed good thermal stability. The fluorescence research results showed that the terbium(III) complex substituted by phenyl possessed the best fluorescence intensity among them, and its fluorescence quantum yield was also the highest. The exploration of the electrochemical properties indicated that the introduction of electron‐donating groups to the ligand can increase the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels and decrease the oxidation potential of the corresponding terbium(III) complexes. The introduction of electron‐withdrawing groups to the ligand can reduce their HOMO energy levels and increase their oxidation potential. The results showed that the terbium(III) complexes are good candidates for luminescent material.     

An unexpected influence of the nature of the amine on the crystal structure of some Co(III)-Bi(III) heterobimetallic complexes

Two novel cobalt(III)-bismuth(III) heterometallic compounds [Co(NxH)₂(An)₂]₂[Bi(EDTA)(H₂O)]₂ · 7H₂O (1) and [Co(NxH)₂(p-Tol)₂][Bi(EDTA)] · 4H₂O (2) [An-aniline, p-Tol-para-toluidine, NxH-1,2-cyclohexanedionedioximate-ion, EDTA-ethylenediaminetetraacetate-ion] have been synthesized and characterized by NMR, thermogravimetry and single X-ray crystallography. Substitution of the aniline by para-toluidine molecules leads to radical changes in the anionic sub-lattice: from monomeric form to polymeric one. The coordination number of bismuth is 7+1 in 1, and 8 in 2; Bi coordination polyhedron in 1 can be described as a two-capped trigonal prism, while in 2 as a dodecahedron. The Co atoms in 1 and 2 have an octahedral coordination. NMR spectroscopy in DMSO solution confirms the trans-configuration of the complex cations in 1 and 2 by observation of a broad singlet of two symmetric hydrogen bonds. The NCH₂CH₂N component of EDTA ligand is in the domain of the fast exchange and the signal from this group is a singlet, while four acetate methylene protons give rise to an AB quartet system. It was shown that thermolysis of 1 and 2 occurs in three successive stages, via the dehydration, pyrolysis of the ligands and, finally, the formation of a sillenite-type phase Bi_26−xCo_xO_40−δ and small quantities of Co₃O₄.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of novel 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives and their Eu(III) complexes

Six novel 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized using 2‐methyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline and para‐substituted phenol as the main starting materials, and were characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), ultraviolet (UV) light analysis and infra‐red (IR) light analysis. Their complexes with Eu(III) were also prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, UV light analysis, IR light analysis, and thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The results showed that the ligand coordinated well with Eu(III) ions and had excellent thermal stability. The structure of the target complex was EuY^1–6(NO₃)₃.2H₂O. The luminescence properties of the target complexes were investigated, the results indicated that all target complexes had favorable luminescence properties and that the introduction of an electron‐donating group could enhance the luminescence intensity of the corresponding complexes, but the addition of an electron‐withdrawing group had the opposite effect. Among all the target complexes, the methoxy‐substituted complex (–OCH₃) had the highest fluorescence intensity and the nitro‐substituted complex (–NO₂) had the weakest fluorescence intensity. The results showed that 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives had good energy transfer efficiency for the Eu(III) ion. All the target complexes had a relatively high fluorescence quantum yield. The fluorescence quantum yield of the complex EuY³(NO₃)₃.2H₂O was highest among all target complexes and was up to 0.628. Because of excellent luminescence properties and thermal stabilities of the Eu(III) complexes, they could be used as promising candidate luminescent materials.     

N-benzoyl-N'-alkylthioureas and their complexes with Ni(II), Co(III) and Pt(II) - crystal structure of 3-benzoyl-1-butyl-1-methyl-thiourea: activity against fungi and yeast

The thiourea derivatives of N-butylmethylamine (3-benzoyl-1-butyl-1-methyl-thiourea) (1), N-ethylisopropylamine (3-benzoyl-1-ethyl-1-isopropyl-thiourea) (2) and the corresponding complexes of 1 and 2 with Ni(II), Co(III) and Pt(II) have been synthesized. The compounds obtained were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV-Vis and NMR) and mass spectrometry. Compound 1, crystallized in the triclinic space group. The antifungal activities of compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding complexes against the fungus Penicillium digitatum and against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. In general, fungal growth inhibition was higher with compound 1 and its complexes than with compound 2, except for the Co(III) complex of 2.     

Octahedral Co(III) complexes of 2-(phenylimino)pyrrolyl ligands: Synthesis and structural characterisation

The reactions of CoCl₂ with three equivalents of 2-(phenylimino)pyrrolyl sodium salts, performed under a nitrogen atmosphere, lead to the formation of the Co(III) complexes [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(H)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2a), [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(CH₃)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2b) and [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₁₆H₉C(H)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2c), accommodating three chelating iminopyrrolyl ligands. Complexes 2a-c were obtained in moderate yields, and their characterisation by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and X-ray diffraction show they are diamagnetic and have an octahedral geometry about the cobalt centre, respectively. Uncharacterised products were obtained in the same reaction involving ligand precursors such as 2-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)pyrrolyl sodium salts, which is attributed to a greater steric hindrance in the coordination of three of these bulkier ligands. The redox behaviour of complexes 2a-c shows an irreversible reduction wave with a peak potential in the range −3.2 to −3.7 V. Upon reduction, the complexes decompose giving rise, in the case of 2a, to a redox pattern compatible with the formation of [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(H)N-C₆H₅)₂].     

Miniaturized heme proteins: crystal structure of Co(III)-mimochrome IV

Protein design provides an attractive approach to test the essential features required for folding and function. Previously, we described the design and structural characterization in solution of mimochromes, a series of miniaturized metalloproteins, patterned after the F-helix of the hemoglobin beta-chain. Mimochromes consist of two medium-sized helical peptides, covalently linked to the deuteroporphyrin. CD and NMR characterization of the prototype, mimochrome I, revealed that the overall structure conforms well to the design. However, formation of Delta and Lambda diastereomers was observed. To overcome the problem of diastereomer formation, we re-designed mimochrome I, by engineering intramolecular, interchain interactions. The resulting model was mimochrome IV: the solution structural characterization showed the presence of the Lambda isomer as a unique form. To examine the extent to which the stereochemical stability and uniqueness of mimochrome IV was retained in the solid state, the crystal structure of Co(III)-mimochrome IV was solved by X-ray diffraction, and compared to the solution structure of the same derivative. Co(III)-mimochrome IV structures, both in solution and in the solid state, are characterized by the following common features: a bis-His axial coordination, a Lambda configuration around the metal ion, and a predominant helical conformation of the peptide chains. However, in the crystal structure, intrachain Glu1-Arg9 ion pairs are preferred over the designed, and experimentally found in solution, interchain interactions. This ion pairing switch may be related to strong packing interactions.     

Cellular impact and selectivity of half-sandwich organorhodium(III) anticancer complexes and their organoiridium(III) and trichloridorhodium(III) counterparts

Half-sandwich organorhodium(III) complexes and their trichloridorhodium(III) counterparts are potent anticancer agents that enhance the formation of reactive oxygen species and invoke a strong induction of apoptosis in leukemia cells. The antiproliferative activity towards human MCF-7 and HT-29 adenocarcinoma cells of novel nonintercalating complexes containing the 5-substituted phenanthroline ligands 5,6-dimethylphenanthroline, 5-chlorophenanthroline, and 5-nitrophenanthroline (phen*) increases dramatically in the order [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))IrCl(phen*)](CF(3)SO(3)) < [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))RhCl(phen*)](CF(3)SO(3)) < mer-[RhCl(3)(DMSO)(phen*)] (DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide). Improved activity was also achieved by attaching a cell-penetrating peptide to the dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) ligand of an organorhodium(III) complex. Whereas 5-substitution led to significant improvements in the activity of the organoiridium(III) and trichloridorhodium(III) compounds in comparison with the parent phenanthroline complex, the IC(50) values of their organorhodium(III) counterparts remained effectively invariable. The high activities of the trichloridorhodium(III) complexes (IC(50) = 0.06-0.13 μM) were accompanied by pronounced selectivity towards human cancer cells in comparison with immortalized HEK-293 cells. In contrast, [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))RhCl(5,6-Me(2)phen)](CF(3)SO(3)) (phen is phenanthroline) was markedly more active towards BJAB lymphoma cells than ex vivo healthy leukocytes and caused an immediate decrease in cellular adhesion possibly associated with interactions with membrane proteins. Its dppz analogue invoked an initial increase in glycolysis to compensate for reduced respiration before inducing a delayed onset of cell death. Strong antimitochondrial activity with respiration impairment and release of cytochrome c was established for both complexes.