Direct cleavage of a DNA fragment by a bleomycin-oligonucleotide derivative

Bicomycin A₁ oligonucleotide derivative was used for direct cleavage of a DNA target. In the presence of Fe²⁺ ions and 2-mercaptoethanol, Blm-R-pd(CCAAACA) (I) damaged the target, pd(TGTTTGGCGAAGGA), with the yield of 80%, without affecting its own oligonucleotide tail. The sites of the cleavage were T^?-T^? and G^?-G^?. Unbound bleomycin A₅, damaged the G⁶-G⁷-G⁸ site. Reagent I formed more stable complementary complexes with the target than parent oligonucleotide (ΔT_m=11°C)     

ADP binding and ATP synthesis by reconstituted H-ATPase from chloroplasts

The H⁺-ATPase from chloroplasts, CF₀F₁, was isolated, purified and reconstituted into asolectin liposomes. The enzyme was brought either into the oxidized state or into the reduced state, and the rate of ATP synthesis was measured after energisation of the proteoliposomes with an acid—base transition ΔpH (pH_in = 5.0, pH_out = 8.5) and a K⁺/valinomycin diffusion potential, Δφ (K⁺_in = 0.6 mM, K⁺_out = 60 mM). A rate of 250 s⁻¹ was observed with the reduced enzyme (85 s⁻¹ in the absence of Δφ). A rate of 50 s⁻¹ was observed with the oxidized enzyme under the same conditions (15 s⁻¹ in the absence of Δφ). The reconstituted enzyme contained 2 ATP_bound per CF₀F₁ and 1 ADP_bound per CF₀F₁. Upon energisation the enzyme was activated and 0.9 ADP per CF₀F₁, was released. Binding of ADP to the active reduced enzyme was observed under different conditions. In the absence of phosphate the rate constant for ADP binding was 10⁵ M⁻¹·s⁻¹ under energized and de-energized conditions. In the presence of phosphate the rate of ADP binding drastically increased under energized conditions, and strongly decreased under de-energized conditions.     

Polynuclear copper(II) complexes with μ2-1,1-azide bridges. Structural and magnetic properties

Two novel, weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, tetranuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu₄(PAP)₂(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(μ₂-CH₃OH)₂(N₃)₄ (1) (PAP = 1,4-bis-(2′-pyridylamino)phthalazine) and [Cu₄(PAP3Me)₂ (μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₂)₂]- (NO₃)₂ (2) (PAP3Me = 1,4-bis-(3′-methyl-2′-pyridyl)aminophthalazine) contain a unique structural with two μ₂-1,1-azide intramolecular bridges, and two μ₂-1,3-azide intermolecular bridges linking pairs of copper(II) centers. Four terminal azide groups complete the five-coordinate structures in 1, while two terminal waters and two nitrates complete the coordination spheres in 2. The dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(CF₃SO₃)]CH₃OH) (3) and [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(H₂O)(ClO₄)] (4) (PPD = 3,6-bis-(1′-pyrazolyl)pyridazine) contain pairs of copper centers with intramolecular μ₂-1,1-azid and pyridazine bridges, and exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling. A one-dimensional chain structure in 3 occurs through intermolecular μ₂-1,1-azide bridging interactions. Intramolecular Cu-N₃-Cu bridge angles in 1 and 2 are small (107.9 and 109.4°, respectively), but very large in 3 and 4 (122.5 and 123.2°, respectively), in keeping with the magnetic properties. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c with a = 26.71(1), b = 13.51(3), c = 16.84(1) Å, β = 117.35(3)° and R = 0.070, R_w = 0.050. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with a = 8.42(1), b = 20.808(9), c = 12.615(4) Å, β = 102.95(5)° and R = 0.045, R_w = 0.039. 4crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 10.253(3), b = 12.338(5), c = 8.072(4) Å, = 100.65(4), β = 101.93(3), γ = 87.82(3)° and R = 0.038, R_w = 0.036 . The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 indicate the presence of weak net antiferromagnetic exchange, as indicated by the presence of a low temperature maximum in χ_m (80 K (1), 65 K (2)), but the data do not fit the Bleaney-Bowers equation unless the exchange integral is treated as a temperature dependent term. A similar situation has been observed for other related compounds, and various approaches to the problem will be discussed. Magnetically 3 and 4 are well described by the Bleaney-Bowers equation, exhibiting very strong antiferromagnetic exchange (− 2J = 768(24) cm⁻¹ (3); − 2J = 829(11) cm⁻¹ (4)).     

Reaction of Escherichia coli and yeast photolyases with homogeneous short-chain oligonucleotide substrates

Similar rates have been observed for dimer repair with Escherichia coli photolyase and the heterogeneous mixtures generated by UV irradiation of oligothymidylates [UV-oligo(dT)n, n greater than or equal to 4] or DNA. Comparable stability was observed for ES complexes formed with UV-oligo(dT)n, (n greater than or equal to 9) or dimer-containing DNA. In this paper, binding studies with E. coli photolyase and a series of homogeneous oligonucleotide substrates (TpT, TpTp, pTpT, TpTpT, TpTpT, TpTpTpT, TpTpTpT, TpTpTpT, TpTpTpT) show that about 80% of the binding energy observed with DNA as substrate (delta G approximately 10 kcal/mol) can be attributed to the interaction of the enzyme with a dimer-containing region that spans only four nucleotides in length. This major binding determinant (TpTpTpT) coincides with the major conformational impact region of the dimer and reflects contributions from the dimer itself (TpT, delta G = 4.6 kcal/mol), adjacent phosphates (5'p, 0.8 kcal/mol; 3'p, 1.1 kcal/mol), and adjacent thymine residues (5'T, 0.8 kcal/mol; 3'T, 1.3 kcal/mol). Similar turnover rates (average kcat = 6.7 min-1) are observed with short-chain oligonucleotide substrates and UV-oligo(dT)18, despite a 25,000-fold variation in binding constants (Kd). In contrast, the ratio Km/Kd decreases as binding affinity decreases and appears to plateau at a value near 1. Turnover with oligonucleotide substrates occurs at a rate similar to that estimated for the photochemical step (5.1 min-1), suggesting that this step is rate determining. Under these conditions, Km will approach Kd when the rate of ES complex dissociation exceeds kcat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Probing fluorescence induction in chloroplasts on a nanosecond time scale utilizing picosecond laser pulse pairs

The fluorescence induction and other fluorescence properties of spinach chloroplasts at room temperature were probed utilizing two 30-ps wide laser pulses (530 nm) spaced Δt (s) apart in time (Δt = 5–110 ns). The energy of the first pulse (P₁) was varied (10¹²–10¹⁶ photons · cm⁻²), while the energy of the second (probe) pulse (P₂) was held constant (5 · 10¹³ photons · cm⁻²). A gated (10 ns) optical multichannel analyzer-spectrograph system allowed for the detection of the fluorescence generated either by P₁ alone, or by P₂ alone (preceded by P₁). The dominant effect observed for the fluorescence yield generated by P₁ alone is the usual singlet-singlet exciton annihilation which gives rise to a decrease in the yield at high energies. However, when the fluorescence yield of dark-adapted chloroplasts is measured utilizing P₂ (preceded by pulse P₁) an increase in this yield is observed. The magnitude of this increase depends on Δt, and is characterized by a time constant of 28 ± 4 ns. This rise in the fluorescence yield is attributed to a reduction of the oxidized (by P₁) reaction center P-680⁺ by a primary donor. At high pulse energies (P₁ = 4 · 10¹⁴ photons · cm⁻²) the magnitude of this fluorescence induction is diminished by another quenching effect which is attributed to triplet excited states generated by intense P₁ pulses. Assuming that the P₁ pulse energy dependence of the fluorescence yield rise reflects the closing of the reaction centers, it is estimated that about 3–4 photon hits per reaction center are required to close completely the reaction centers, and that there are 185–210 chlorophyll molecules per Photosystem II reaction center.     

The binding of eosin-labeled subunit δ to the isolated chloroplast ATPase, CF1, as revealed by rotational diffusion in solution

We investigated the binding of subunit δ to solubilized chloroplast ATPase. Purified δ was covalently labeled with eosin 5-isothiocyanate and its rotational correlation time was determined by a photoselection technique as a function of added CF₁ (containing δ) and of CF₁(−δ) (lacking δ). In aqueous buffer the rotational correlation time of labeled δ was 33 ns. This is compatible with a rather elongated shape with the dimensions 2b = 100 Å/2a = 28 Å. Binding of δ to CF₁ decreased the rotational correlation time about 10-fold. The result was a biphasic decay of the laser flash-induced absorption anisotropy which was analyzed to yield the proportion of δ (bound to CF₁) relative to δ (free). CF₁(−δ), which completely lacked the δ-subunit, bound one δ (mol/mol) with high affinity (K_d ≈ 100 nM) and at least another δ with about 20-fold lower affinity. The δ-containing CF₁, revealed only the low-affinity site(s) for δ. This was compatible with a 1:1 stoichiometry of δ in isolated CF₁.     

Reactions of the haloalcohols HO(CH2)nCl (n = 2, 3) with platinum(II) - alkynyl and -alkyne complexes. X-ray crystal structure of trans-[Pt(Me) {C(OCH2CH2Cl) (CH2Ph)} (PPh3)2] [BF4]

The chloro complexes trans-[Pt(Me)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂], after treatment with AgBF₄, react with 1-alkynes HC---C---R in the presence of NEt₃ to afford the corresponding acetylide derivatives trans-[Pt(Me) (C---C---R) (PPh₃)₂] (R = p-tolyl (1), Ph (2), C(CH₃)₃ (3)). These complexes, with the exception of the t-butylacetylide complex, react with the chloroalcohols HO(CH₂)_nCl (n = 2, 3) in the presence of 1 equiv. of HBF₄ to afford the alkyl(chloroalkoxy)carbene complexes trans-[Pt(Me) {C[O(CH₂)_nCl](CH₂R) } (PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (R = p-tolyl, N = 2 (4), N = 3 (5); R=Ph, N = 2 (6)). A similar reaction of the bis(acetylide) complex trans-[Pt(C---C---Ph)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂] with 2 equiv. HBF₄ and 3-chloro-1-propanol affords trans-[Pt(C---CPh) {C(OCH₂CH₂CH₂Cl)(CH₂Ph) } (PMe₂Ph)₂][BF₄] (7). T alkyl(chloroalkoxy)-carbene complex trans-[Pt(Me) {C(OCH₂CH₂Cl)(CH₂Ph) } (PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (8) is formed by reaction of trans-[Pt(Me)(Cl)(PPh₃)₂], after treatment with AgBF₄ in HOCH₂CH₂Cl, with phenylacetylene in the presence of 1 equiv. of n-BuLi. The reaction of the dimer [Pt(Cl)(μ-Cl)(PMe₂Ph)]₂ with p-tolylacetylene and 3-chloro-1-propanol yields cis-[PtCl₂{C(OCH₂CH₂CH₂Cl)(CH₂C₆H₄-p-Me}(PMe₂Ph)] (9). The X-ray molecular structure of (8) has been determined. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2₁, with a = 11.785(2), B = 29.418(4), C = 15.409(3) Å, V = 4889(1) ų and Z = 4. The carbene ligand is perpendicular to the Pt(II) coordination plane; the PtC(carbene) bond distance is 2.01(1) Å and the short C(carbene)-O bond distance of 1.30(1) Å suggests extensive electronic delocalization within the Pt---C(carbene)---O moietry.     

Characterization of functional VIP/PACAP receptors in the human erythroleukemic HEL cell line

R. LEMA-KISOKA, N. HAYEZ, I. LANGER, P. ROBBERECHT, E. SARIBAN AND C. DELPORTE. Characterization of functional VIP/PACAP receptors in the human erythroleukemic HEL cell line. PEPTIDES. The presence of VIP/PACAP receptors was investigated on the human erythroleukemic cell line HEL. Specific binding of [¹²⁵I]-PACAP or [¹²⁵I]-VIP on HEL cells or membranes was very low and did not allow to perform competition curves. At 37°C PACAP transiently increased cAMP levels in the presence of the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX, suggesting rapid desensitization. Kinetic studies revealed that optimal conditions to measure the EC₅₀ of PACAP(1–27) were 10 min at 20°C. Under those conditions, PACAP-related peptides increased cAMP levels with EC₅₀ in agreement with the pharmacological profile of the VPAC₁ receptor subtype: PACAP = VIP > [K¹⁵, R^16, L²⁷]VIP(1–7)/GRF(8–27) = [R¹⁶]ChSn (two VPAC₁ agonists) HELODERMIN = secretin. RO 25–1553, a selective activator of VPAC₂ receptor was inactive at 1 μM. Dose-response curves of VPAC₁ agonist molecules (PACAP, VIP, [K¹⁵, R¹⁶, L²⁷]VIP(1–7)/GRF(8–27), [R¹⁶]ChSn) were shifted to the right by the VPAC₁ receptor antagonist [AcHis¹, D-Phe², Lys¹⁵, Leu¹⁷]VIP(3–7)/GRF(8–27), with a K_i of 3 ± 1 nM (n = 3). The presence of VPAC₁ receptor mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR. Preincubation with PACAP or PMA showed that VPAC₁ receptors underwent homologous and heterologous desensitization.

This study provides the first evidence for the expression of functional VPAC₁ receptors undergoing rapid desensitization in HEL cells.     

Syntheses and structural characterization of rhenium-bis-hydrazinopyrimidine core complexes with thiolate and Schiff base coligands

The reaction of perrhenate with 2-hydrazinopyrimidine in MeOH–HCl yields [ReCl₃(η¹-NNC₄H₃N₂H)(η²-HNNC₄H₃N₂)] (1). The analogous reaction with Na₂MoO₄ yields [MoCl₃(η¹-NNC₄H₃N₂H)(η²-HNNHC₄H₃N₂)] (1a). The reaction of 1 with pyrimidine-2-thiol and triethylamine produces [Re(η¹-C₄H₃N₂S)(η²-C₄H₃N₂S)(η¹-NNC₄H₃N₂)(η²-HNNC₄H₃N₂)] (2), while reaction of 1 with the Schiff base HSC₆H₄N=C(H)C₆H₄OH provides [Re(η³-SC₆H₄N=C(H)C₆H₄O)(η¹-NNC₄H₃N₂)(η²-HNNC₄H₃N₂)]·0.6CH₂Cl₂ (3·0.6CH₂Cl₂). The analogous hydrazinopyridine complex of the Schiff base, [Re(η³-SC₆H₄N=C(H)C₆H₄O)(η¹-NNC₅H₄N)(η²-HNNC₅H₄N)] (4), was also synthesized by reacting [ReCl₃(η¹-NNC₅H₄NH)(η²-HNNC₅H₄N)] with HSC₆H₄N=C(H)C₆H₄OH. The crystal structures of 1–4 have been determined.     

Structures and magnetism of rubidium and cesium salts of dimeric oxovanadium(IV) tartrate(4−) complexes

Complexes of type A₄[VO(tart)]₂·nH₂O, where A = Rb or Cs and tart =d,l-tartrate(4−) (n = 2) or d,d-tartrate(4−) (n = 2 for Rb and n = 3 for Cs), were prepared from an aqueous mixture of V₂O₅, AOH and H₄tart. These complexes were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods: Rb₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P1 with a = 8.156(1),b = 8.246(1),c = 8.719(1)Å, = 66.09(1)°, β = 65.07(1)°, γ = 82.40(1)°,Z = 2, 1917 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.035; Cs₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P₂₁/c with a = 9.350(1),b = 13.728(2),c = 8.479(1)Å, β = 106.77(1)°,Z = 4, 2235 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.054; Rb₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·2H₂O, space group P₄₁₂₂ with a = 8.072(1),c = 32.006(3)Å,Z = 8, 1014 observed reflections and final R_w = 0.038; Cs₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·3H₂O, space group P₁₂₂ with a = 8.184(1),c = 33.680(5)Å,Z = 8, 1310 observed reflections, and final R_w = 0.063. Bulk magnetic susceptibility data (1.5–300 K) for these compounds and A₄[VOl,l-tart)]₂·nH₂O (A = Rb, Cs) were obtained on polycrystalline samples. These data were analyzed in terms of a Van Vleck exchange coupled S = 1/2 model which was modified to include an interdimer exchange parameters Θ. Analysis of the low-temperature (1.5–20 K) susceptibility data gave 2J = +1.30 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −1.86 K for Rb₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.16 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −1.69 K for Cs₄[VO(d,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.90 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.82 K for Rb₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +2.04 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.80 K for Rb₄[VO(l,l-tart)]₂·2H₂O, 2J = +1.52 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.25 K for Cs₄[VO(d,d-tart)]₂·3H₂O, and 2J = +1.64 cm⁻¹ and Θ = −0.31 K for Cs₄[VO(l,l-tart)]₂·3H₂O. These results suggest the magnitudes of intradimer (ferromagnetic and interdimer (antiferromagnetic) exchange interactions are similar in these complexes, as observed for the analogous Na salts.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of mixed benzene-triazolehemiporphyrazines

The kinetics of substitution reactions of [η-CpFe(CO)₃]PF₆ with PPh₃ in the presence of R-PyOs have been studied. For all the R-PyOs (R = 4-OMe, 4-Me, 3,4-(CH)₄, 4-Ph, 3-Me, 2,3-(CH)₄, 2,6-Me₂, 2-Me), the reactions yeild the same product [η⁵-CpFe(CO)₂PPh₃]PF₆, according to a second-order rate law that is first order in concentrations of [η⁵-CpFe(CO)₃]PF₆ and of R-PyO but zero order in PPh₃ concentration. These results, along with the dependence of the reaction rate on the nature of R-PyO, are consistent with an associative mechanism. Activation parameters further support the bimmolecular nature of the reactions: ΔH^≠ = 13.4 ± 0.4 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔS^≠ = −19.1 ± 1.3 cal k⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for 4-PhPyO; ΔH^≠ = 12.3 ± 0.3 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔS^≠ = 24.7 ±1.0 cal K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for 2-MePyO. For the various substituted pyridine N-oxides studied in this paper, the rates of reaction increase with the increasing electron-donating abilities of the substituents on the pyridine ring or N-oxide basicities, but decrease with increasing ¹⁷O chemical shifts of the N-oxides. Electronic and steric factors contributing to the reactivity of pyridine N-oxides have been quantitatively assessed.     

The synthesis and structural characterization of carborane oligomers connected by carbon-carbon and carbon-boron bonds between icosahedra

The reaction of dilithiated o-carborane (closo-1,2-Li₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀) with CuCl₂ gives 1,1′-bis(o-carborane) (1), 1,3′-bis(o-carborane) (2) and 1,4′-bis(o-carborane) (3). Compound 2 (C₄B₂₀H₂₂) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with A = 6.9275(6), B = 9.7655(8), C = 12.356(1) Å, β = 90.028(2)° and Z = 2. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.048 and R_w = 0.074. Compound 3 (C₄B₂₀H₂₂) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with A = 6.8854(5), B = 12.523(1), C = 19.847(1) Å and Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.078 and R_w = 0.091. The coupling reaction of dilithiated m-carborane (closo-1,7-Li₂-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀) with CuCl₂ results in the formation of 1,1′-bis(m-carborane) (4) and tetra(m-carborane) (5).     

Polyphosphates strongly inhibit the tRNA dependent synthesis of poly(A) catalyzed by poly(A) polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Polyphosphates of different chain lengths (P₃, P₄, P₁₅, P₃₅), (1 μM) inhibited 10, 60, 90 and 100%, respectively, the primer (tRNA) dependent synthesis of poly(A) catalyzed poly(A) polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The relative inhibition evoked by p₄A and P₄ (1 μM) was 40 and 60%, respectively, whereas 1 μM Ap₄A was not inhibitory. P₄ and P₁₅ were assayed as inhibitors of the enzyme in the presence of (a) saturating tRNA and variable concentrations of ATP and (b) saturating ATP and variable concentrations of tRNA. In (a), P₄ and P₁₅ behaved as competitive inhibitors, with K_i values of 0.5 μM and 0.2 μM, respectively. In addition, P₄ (at 1 μM) and P₁₅ (at 0.3 μM) changed the Hill coefficient (n_H) from 1 (control) to about 1.3 and 1.6, respectively. In (b), the inhibition by P₄ and P₁₅ decreased V and modified only slightly the K_m values of the enzyme towards tRNA.     

A medium optimization strategy for improvement of growth and methane production by Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, strain Hveragerdi, has been cultivated in a completely defined mineral salts medium, under strictly anaerobic conditions with CO₂ and H₂ as sole carbon and energy source, respectively. During optimization of the medium an iron limitation was identified that could not be overcome by the simple addition of iron—or iron complexed with nitrilotriacetate (NTA)—to the medium, due to the formation of insoluble FeS complexes. In order to define a medium optimization strategy, and to avoid laborious empirical optimization procedures, a theoretical model has been developed in order to describe the solubility of iron and other mineral species in the medium as a function of the concentration of sulfur and NTA. This model may be applied for the optimization of any medium component. With this information sulfide has been replaced by a combination of cysteine and thiosulphate in conjunction with a non-toxic reducing agent (titanium (III) citrate). Using this defined medium precipitation was avoided and an iron limitation was overcome resulting in a 5-fold improvement of the final biomass concentration from 2–3 g l⁻¹ to 11.2 g l⁻¹ together with a 2-fold increase (from 45 to almost 100%) in the conversion of CO₂ and H₂ to CH₄, even at gas flow rates as high as 6 l min⁻¹.     

Electrical skin resistance and rectal temperature changes in resting human subjects exposed to heat

1. 1.|Fourteen male volunteers were examined under passive heating.

2. 2.|Electrical skin resistance (ESR) and rectal temperature (T_re) were measured during the whole period of exposure.

3. 3.|It was found that:

• —|ESR decreases rapidly with increasing air temperature. Assuming an exponential curve yields a mean time constant of 14 min.

• —|There is a correlation between the individual ESR time constants and T_re increases (r = 0.695, P < 0.005).

• —|Additional changes of ESR were noted in 8 subjects at a constant air temperature of 42°C.

4. 4.|It is concluded that ESR may be a useful indicator of the sweating response of the human thermoregulatory system during exogenous heat load.

Heterobimetallic aggregates of copper(I) with thiotungstates and thiomolybdates. Synthesis and characterization of polymeric (NEt4)3[Cu4(NCS)5WS4], (NEt4)2[(CuNCS)3WS4] and (NEt4)2[(CuNCS)4WS4], M = Mo, W

Reaction of (NEt₄)₂MS₄ (M = Mo, W) with CuCl and KSCN (or NH₄SCN) in acetone or acetonitrile affords a new set of mixed metal–sulfur compounds: infinite anionic chains Cu₄(NCS)₅MS_4³⁻ (1,2), (CuNCS)₃WS_4²⁻ (3) and two dimensional polymeric dianions (CuNCS)₄MS_4²⁻ (4,5). Crystal of 1 (M = W) and 3 are triclinic, space group P1(1:a = 10.356(2),b = 15.039(1),c = 17.356(2)Å, = 78.27(1)°, β = 88.89(2)° and γ = 88.60(1)°,Z = 2,R = 0.04 for 3915 independent data;3:a = 8.449(2),b = 14.622(4),c = 15.809(8)Å, = 61.84(3)°, β = 73.67(3)° and γ = 78.23(2)°,Z = 2,R = 0.029 for 6585 independent data). Crystals of 4 (M = W) and 5 (M = Mo) are monoclinic, space group P2₁/m,Z = 2 (4:a = 12.296(4),b = 14.794(4),c = 10.260(3)Åand β = 101.88(3)°,R = 0.034 for 4450 independent data;5:a = 12.306(2),b = 14.809(3),c = 10.257(2)Åand β = 101.99(3)°,R = 0.043 for 3078 independent data). The crystal structure determinations of 4 and 5 show that four edges of the tetrahedral MS_4²⁻ core are coordinated by copper atoms forming WS₄Cu₄ aggregates linked by eight-membered Cu(NCS)₂Cu rings. A two-dimensional network is thus formed in the diagonal (101) plane. The space between the anionic two-dimensional networks is filled with the NEt_4⁺ cations. Additional NCS groups lead to the [Cu₄(NCS)₅WS₄]³⁻ (1) trianion connected by NCS bridges forming pseudo-dimers. These latter are held together by weak CuS(NCS) interactions giving rise to infinite chains along a direction parallel to [100]. In contrast complex3 develops infinite chains from WS₄Cu₃ aggregates with the same Cu(NCS)₂Cu bridges as in 4 and 5. These chains are running along a direction parallel to [010]. The structural data of the different types of polymeric compounds containing MS_4²⁻ and CuNCS have been used to interpret vibrational spectroscopic data of the thiocyanate groups.     

Ruthenium complexes containing tertiary phosphines and imidazole or 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Complexes RuCl₃(PPh₃)L₂ (L = MeIm (1a, Im (1b)) and [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂(bipy)]Cl·4H₂O (2) have been synthesized via the ruthenium(III) precursor RuCl₃(PPh₃)₂ (DMA), and characterized, including an X-ray structural analysis for 1a (MeIm = N-methylimidazole, Im = imidazole, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl, and DMA = N, N′-dimethylacetamide). Crystals of 1a are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, A = 10.5491(5), B = 20.4934(9), C = 12.8285(4) Å, β = 90.166(4)°, Z = 4. The structure, which reveals a mer configuration for the chlorides, and cis-methylimidazoles, was solved by conventional heavy atom methods and was refined by full-matrix least-square procedures to R = 0.041 and R_w = 0.042 for 3328 reflections with I 3σ(I). From the RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ precursor, the ruthenium(II) complexes RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂L₂ and [RuCl(PPh₃)L₄]Cl have been made (L = Im or MeIm), while [RuCl(dppb)Im₃]Cl has been made from [RuCl₂(dppb)]₂(μ-dppb) (dppb = Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂).     

The synthesis and reactions of A-ring aromatic steroid complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

Treatment of the A-ring aromatic steroids estrone 3-methyl ether and β-estradiol 3, 17-dimethyl ether with Mn(CO)₅⁺BF₄⁻ in CH₂Cl₂ yields the corresponding [(steroid)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ salts 1 and 2 as mixtures of and β isomers. The X-ray structure of [(estrone 3-methyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ · CH₂Cl₂ (1) having the Mn(CO)₃ moiety on the side of the steroid is reported: space group P2₁ with a=10.3958(9), b=10.9020(6), c=12.6848(9) Å, β=111.857(6)°, Z=2, V=1334.3(2) ų, _calc=.481 cm⁻³, R=0.0508, and wR=0.0635. The molecule has the traditional ‘piano stool’ structure with a planar arene ring and linear Mn---C---O linkages. The nucleophiles NaBH₄ and LiCH₂C(O)CMe₃ add to [(β-estradiol 3,17-dimethyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ (2) in high yield to give the corresponding - and β-cyclohexadienyl manganese tricarbonyl complexes (3). The nucleophiles add meta to the arene -OMe substituent and exo to the metal. The and β isomers of 3 were separated by fractional crystallization and the X-ray structure of the β isomer with an exo-CH₂C(O)CMe₃ substituent is reported (complex 4): space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=7.5154(8), b=15.160(2), c=25.230(3) Å, Z=4, V=2874.4(5) ų, _calc=1.244 g cm⁻³, R=0.0529 and wR2=0.1176. The molecule 4 has a planar set of dienyl carbon atoms with the saturated C(1) carbon being 0.592 Å out of the plane away from the metal. The results suggest that the manganese-mediated functionalization of aromatic steroids is a viable synthetic procedure with a range of nucleophiles of varying strengths.     

Hetero-polynuclear complexes containing bridging diphenylphosphino-alkenes and -alkynes. The crystal structure of an Rh2{μ−ν:ν−P(Ph2) (CH2)3C≡CR}Co2 complex

The phosphinoalkenes Ph₂P(CH₂)_nCH=CH₂ (n= 1, 2, 3) and phosphinoalkynes Ph₂P(CH₂)_n C≡CR (R = H, N = 2, 3; R = CH₃, N = 1) have been prepared and reacted with the dirhodium complex (η−C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(μ−CO) (μ−η²−CF₃C₂CF₃). Six new complexes of the type (ν−C₅H₅)₂(Rh₂(CO) (μ−η¹:η¹−CF₃C₂CF₃)L, where L is a P-coordinated phosphinoalkene, or phosphinoalkyne have been isolated and fully characterized; the carbonyl and phosphine ligands are predominantly trans on the Rh---Rh bond, but there is spectroscopic evidence that a small amount of the cis-isomer is formed also. Treatment of the dirhodium-phosphinoalkene complexes with (η−CH₃C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₂thf resulted in coordination of the manganese to the alkene function. The Rh₂---Mn complex [(η−C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO) (μ−η¹:η¹−CF₃C₂CF₃) {Ph₂P(CH₂)₃CH=CH₂} (η−CH₃C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₂] was fully characterized. Simi treatment of the dirhodium-phosphinoalkyne complexes with Co₂(CO)₈ resulted in the coordination of Co₂(CO)₆ to the alkyne function. The Rh₂---Co₂ complex [(η−C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO) (μ−η¹:η¹−CF₃C₂CF₃) {Ph₂PCH₂C≡CCH₃}Co₂(CO)₂], C₃₇H₂₅Co₂F₆O₇PRh₂, was fully characteriz spectroscopically, and the molecular structure of this complex was determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. It is triclinic, space group (C_i¹, No. 2) with a = 18.454(6), B = 11.418(3), C = 10.124(3) Å, = 112.16(2), β = 102.34(3), γ = 91.62(3)°, Z = 2. Conventional R on |F| was 0.052 fo observed (I > 3σ(I)) reflections. The Rh₂ and Co₂ parts of the molecule are distinct, the carbonyl and phosphine are mutually trans on the Rh---Rh bond, and the orientations of the alkynes are parallel for Rh₂ and perpendicular for Co₂. Attempts to induce Rh₂Co₂ cluster formation were unsuccessful.     

Reactivity of {(Ph3P)Pt[μ-η-H---SiH(Ar)]}2 (Ar=2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl) with phosphines. X-ray crystal structure of trans-{(dppe)Pt[μ-SiH(Ar)]}2

The dinuclear Pt---Si complex {(Ph₃P)Pt{μ-η²-H---SiH(IMP)]}₂ (trans-1a–cis-1b=3:1; IMP=2-isopropyl-6-methylphenyl) reacted with basic phosphines such as 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and dimethylphenylphosphine (PMe₂Ph) to afford different dinuclear Pt---Si complexes with loss of H₂, {(P)₂Pt[μ-SiH(IMP)]}₂ [P=dppe, trans-2a (major), cis-2b (trace); PMe₂Ph, 3 (trans only)]. Complexes 2 and 3 were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography (2a). In contrast, the reaction of 1a,b with the sterically demanding tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy₃) afforded {(Cy₃P)Pt{μ-η²-H---SiH(IMP)]}₂ (trans-4a–cis-4b 2:1) analogous to 1a,b where the central Pt₂Si₂(μ-H)₂ core remains intact but the PPh₃ ligands have been replaced by PCy₃. Complexes 4a and 4b was characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies.