Three complexes based on ligands 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid: Synthesis, structures and luminescence properties

Three new complexes, [Mn(OBt)₂(H₂O)₄]·3H₂O (1) (OBt = 1-hydroxybenzotriazole ion), [Zn₂(OBt)₂(BDC)(H₂O)·H₂O]_n (2) (H₂BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), and [Cu₃(OBt)₂(BDC)(μ₃-OH)₂(H₂O)₂·2H₂O]_n (3) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRPD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results from single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicate that 1, 2 and 3 are zero-dimensional (0D), two-dimensional (2D) and two-dimensional (2D) frameworks, respectively. In particular, there are all two crystallographically unique metal ions in the structures of complexes 2 and 3. Complex 2 possesses two helical chains in its structure. In the structure of 3, the chains that are built from tri-copper clusters and μ₃-O atoms are connected with BDC²⁻ to construct 2D grid structure. The luminescence properties of the three complexes were investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe(III)(3-CH3O-qsal)2PF6 · nH2O (n = 0, 2)

Compounds Fe^III(3-CH₃O-qsal)₂PF₆ · nH₂O (n = 0, 2) (1, 1 · 2H₂O) were synthesized and characterized: the structure of 1 and the magnetic properties of both compounds were determined. Compound 1 · 2H₂O presents properties characteristic of high-spin Fe(III), while 1 presents properties of low-spin Fe(III) with an onset of a gradual spin crossover at ca. 300 K.     

A series of d transition metal coordination complexes: Structures and comparative study of surface electron behaviors (n = 9, 8, 7, 6, 5)

Ten transition metal coordination complexes [Cu₂(phen)(p-tpha)(μ-O)]_n1, [Cu(m-tpha)(imH)₂]_n2, [Ni(5-Haipa)₂(H₂O)₂]_n3, [Ni(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]·btc·[Ni(H₂O)₆]_0.5·9H₂O 4, [Co(2,5-pdc)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O 5, [Co₂(2,5-pdc)₂(H₂O)₆]_n·2nH₂O 6, [Fe(2,5-Hpdc)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O 7, [Co(C₆H₄NO₂)₃]·H₂O 8, [Fe₂(μ₂-btec)(μ₂-H₂btec)(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n9, [Mn(phen)(2,5-pdc)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O 10 (H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,5-H₂pdc = 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylic acid, p-tpha = p-phthalic acid, m-tpha = m-phthalic acid, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 5-H₂aipa = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, imH = imidazole, H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) were synthesized through hydrothermal method. They were characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and surface photovoltage spectra (SPS). Structural analysis indicated that the complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 were linked into infinite structures bridged by organic acid ligands. The other four complexes were molecular complexes and further connected to 2D or 3D structures by the hydrogen bonds. The SPS of complexes 1-10 indicate that there are positive response bands in the range of 300-800 nm showing different levels of photo-electric conversion properties. The intensity, position, shape and the number of the response bands in SPS are obviously different since the structure, species, valence, dⁿ electrons configuration and coordinated environment of the center metals are different. There are good relationships between SPS and UV-Vis spectra.     

Aromatic N-oxide bridged copper(II) coordination polymers: Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties

The complexes [Cu₂(o-NO₂-C₆H₄COO)₄(PNO)₂] (1), [Cu₂(C₆H₅COO)₄(2,2′-BPNO)]_n (2), [Cu₂(C₆H₅COO)₄(4,4′-BPNO)]_n (3), [Cu(p-OH-C₆H₄COO)₂(4,4′-BPNO)₂·H₂O]_n (4), (where PNO = pyridine N-oxide, 2,2′-BPNO = 2,2′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide, 4,4′-BPNO = 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide) are prepared and characterized and their magnetic properties are studied as a function of temperature. Complex 1 is a discrete dinuclear complex while complexes 2-4 are polymeric of which 2 and 3 have paddle wheel repeating units. Magnetic susceptibility measurements from polycrystalline samples of 1-4 revealed strong antiferromagnetic interactions within the {Cu₂}⁴⁺ paddle wheel units and no discernible interactions between the units. The complex 5, [Cu(NicoNO)₂·2H₂O]_n·4nH₂O, in which the bridging ligand to the adjacent copper(II) ions is nicotinate N-oxide (NicoNO) the transmitted interaction is very weakly antiferromagnetic.     

Syntheses and 1D structures of organic-inorganic hydrid polymers combining M(ClO4)2 (M = Cd, Zn) junctions and the semi-flexible bis-pyridyl ligand 3-pmpmd (N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide)

Two 1D organic-inorganic coordination polymers, [Cd(3-pmpmd)(CH₃CN)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2n(ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Zn(3-pmpmd)_1.5(H₂O)₂]_n · 2n(ClO₄)₂ · nCH₃CN (2), were obtained from M(ClO₄)₂ (M = Cd, Zn) and the semi-flexible 3,3′-N-donor bis-pyridyl ligand 3-pmpmd: 1 has an 1D zigzag framework with 3-pmpmd in the Z_T-mode (anti, trans-) conformation, while 2 has an 1D rod and loop network with 3-pmpmd in both Z_T- and Z_C-mode (anti, cis-) conformations. Results showed that the metal ions could influence the coordination mode of a semi-flexible bis-pyridyl ligand.     

Synthesis, structures and DNA binding of ternary transition metal complexes M(II)L with the 2,2-bipyridylamine (L = p-HB, M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn)

New ternary transition metal complexes of formulations [Co(bpa)(p-HB)₂](bpa = 2,2′-bipyridylamine, p-HB = p-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid) (1), [Ni(bpa)(p-HB)(H₂O)₂]⁺(NO₃)⁻ · H₂O (2), , [Cu(bpa)(p-HB)Cl] (4) and [Zn(bpa)(p-HB)₂]₂ · 0.5H₂O (5) are prepared, their structural features are characterized by crystal structural studies, and their DNA binding propensity has been evaluated by fluorescence method. The molecular structure of complex 1 shows the six coordinate octahedral geometry with one bpa and two p-HB ligands, complex 2 is the cationic complex and has the six coordinate octahedral structure with one bpa, one p-HB and two aqua ligands, complex 3 is also the cationic complex of octahedral coordination with two bpa and one p-HB ligands, complex 4 is five coordinate distorted square pyramidal with one bpa, one p-HB and chloride ligands and complex 5 has the distorted octahedral coordination with two p-HB and one bpa ligands. In all of the complexes, both bpa and p-HB act as the bidentate N and O-donor ligands, respectively. The intermolecular H-bond networks, together with π-π interaction in their solid state are also described. The complexes show the competitive inhibition of ethidium binding to DNA, and the DNA binding propensity can be reflected as the relative order: 3 > 2 > 1 > 5 > 4, in which the cationic charged Ni(II) complexes 2 and 3 show the most effective inhibition ability.     

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of the first palladium(II) oxalato complexes involving adenine-based ligands

The first [Pd(Lⁿ)₂(ox)] xH₂O oxalato(ox) complexes involving 2-chloro-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L¹; complex 1), 2-chloro-N6-(4-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L²; 2), 2-chloro-N6-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L³; 3), 2-chloro-N6-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L⁴; 4), and 2-chloro-N6-(4-methylbenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L⁵; 5) have been synthesized by the reactions of potassium bis(oxalato)palladate(II) dihydrate, [K₂Pd(ox)₂]·2H₂O, with the mentioned organic compounds (H₂ox = oxalic acid; x = 0 for 1-3 and 5 or 2 for 4). Elemental analyses (C, H, N), FTIR, Raman and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N) spectroscopies, conductivity measurements and thermal studies (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, TG/DTA) have been used to characterize the prepared complexes. The molecular structures of [Pd(L²)₂(ox)] (2) and [Pd(L⁵)₂(ox)]·L⁵·Me₂CO (5·L⁵·Me₂CO) have been determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis. The geometry of these complexes is slightly distorted square-planar with two appropriate Lⁿ (n = 2 or 5) molecules mutually arranged in the head-to-head (2) or head-to-tail (5) orientation. The Lⁿ ligands are coordinated to the central Pd(II) ion via the N7 atoms. The same conclusions regarding the binding properties of L¹-L⁵ ligands can be made based on multinuclear NMR spectra. In vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes 1-5 has been evaluated against human chronic myelogenous leukaemia (K562) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cancer cell lines. Significant cytotoxicity has been determined for the complexes 3 (IC₅₀ = 6.2 μM) and 5 (IC₅₀ = 6.8 μM) on the MCF7 cell line, which is even better than that found for the well-known and widely-used platinum-bearing antineoplastic drugs, i.e. oxaliplatin and cisplatin.     

Three novel coordination networks dependent upon H2btze ligand [H2btze = 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl) ethane]

Three novel metal-organic frameworks, [Zn(btze)]_n (1), [Zn(btze)(H₂O)]_n (2) and [Mn(btze)(H₂O)₄]_n·(H₂O)₂ (3) [btze = 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl) ethane anion], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures study reveal that 1 displays a 3D framework, 2 displays a 2D layer structure and 3 displays a 1D polymeric chain. The luminescence properties of 1-3 were investigated at room temperature in solid state.     

Synthesis, structures and DNA binding of ternary transition metal complexes M(II)L with the 2,2′-bipyridylamine (L = p-aminobenzenecarboxylic acid, M = Ni, Cu and Zn)

New ternary transition metal complexes of formulations [Ni(bpa)(p-AB)Cl]_n · 3nH₂O (bpa = 2,2′-bipyridylamine, p-AB = aminobenzenecarboxylic acid) (1), [Cu(bpa)(p-AB)Cl] · H₂O (2), [Zn(bpa)(p-AB)₂] · H₂O (3) are prepared, their structural features are characterized by crystal structural studies, and their DNA binding propensity has been evaluated by fluorescence and viscosity method. In complex 2 and 3, both bpa and p-AB act as the bidentate N and O-donor ligand, respectively. While in complex 1, p-AB acts as a rare tridentate ligand. In the packing pattern of each complex, π-π interaction in their solid state is also described. The complexes show the competitive inhibition of ethidium binding to DNA, and the DNA binding propensity can be reflected as the relative order: 1 > 2 > 3.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent behaviour of coordination complexes of copper with bi- and tridentate amines and phosphonic acids

The synthesis and crystal structure of four new copper(I) and copper(II) supramolecular amine, and amine phosphonate, complexes is reported. Reaction of copper(I) with 2-,9-dimethyl-1-10-phenanthroline (dmp) produced a stable 4-coordinate Cu(I) species, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂]Cl · MeOH · 5H₂O (2), i.e., the increased steric hindrance in the ‘bite’ area of dmp did not prevent interaction with the metal and provided protection against oxidation which was not possible for the phen analogue [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36]. Subsequent addition of phenylphosphonic acid to (2) produced two structures from alternative synthetic routes. An ‘in situ’ process yielded red block Cu(I) crystals, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₃H₂ · C₆H₅PO₃H] (4), whilst recrystallisation of (2) prior to addition of the acid (‘stepwise’ process) produced a green, needle-like Cu(II) complex, [Cu^(II)(dmp) · (H₂O)₂ · C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] (3). However, addition of excess dmp during the ‘stepwise’ process forced the equilibrium towards product (4) and resulted in an optimum yield (99%). The structure of (4) was similar to the phen analogue, [Cu^(II)Cl(phen)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH) · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (1) [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36], but the presence of dmp exerted some influence on global packing, whilst (3) exists as a polymeric layered material. In contrast, reaction of copper(I) with di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk), followed by phenylphosphonic acid produced purple/blue Cu(II) species, [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] Cl₂ · 4H₂O (5), and [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)₂ · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (6), respectively, i.e., in both cases oxidation of copper occurred. Solid-state luminescence was observed in (2) and (4). The latter showing a 5-fold enhancement in intensity.     

In situ hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of two novel zinc(II) coordination polymers based on tetrapyridyl ligand

Two novel Zn(II) coordination polymers, [Zn(2-pytpy)(fum)]_n·nH₂O (1) and [Zn₆(4-pytpy)₃(mal)₄]_n·5n(H₂O) (2), (2-pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 4-pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-4,2′:6′,4″-terpyridine, H₂fum = fumaric acid and H₂mal = malic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Notably, in situ ligand reactions occur in the formation of complexes 1 and 2, in which maleic acid is converted into fumaric acid and malic acid, respectively. Complex 1 is a 1D infinite chain structure, which is extended into a supramolecular layer by intermolecular π…π stacking interactions. Complex 2 is a 3D network structure, in which the bidentate-bridging 4-pytpy ligands link the layers based on the tetranuclear Zn(II) subunits to form the (4,10)-connected network. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated with emission spectra and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra in the solid state. Additionally, these two complexes possess great thermal stabilities.     

Syntheses and characterization of triorganotin(IV) complexes of Schiff base derive from 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol with p-phthalaldehyde

Eight triorganotin complexes of the types [(R₃Sn)₂(C₂₄H₁₆N₈S₂)].Y (R = Ph, Y = 0 (1); R = PhCH_2, Y = 2CH₃OH (2); R = n-Bu, Y = 0 (3)), [(R₃Sn)₂(C₂₄H₁₆N₈S₂)]_n (R = Me (4)), [(R₃Sn)₂(C₁₂H₆N₆S₄)] · Y (R = Ph, Y = CH₂Cl₂ (5); R = PhCH_2, Y = 0 (6)) and [(R₃Sn)₂(C₁₂H₆N₆S₄)] (R = Bu (7), R = Me (8)) have been obtained by H₂L₁ (H₂L₁ derived from 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol) and H₂L₂ (H₂L₂ derived from 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol) with triorganotin chloride in the presence of sodium ethoxide. All the complexes were characterized by elemental, IR and NMR spectra analyses, except for complexes 1, 3, 6 and 8, other complexes were also characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, which reveal that complexes 2 and 5 are dinuclear structures, complex 4 has a 2D network structure and complex 7 forms a macrocyclic structure linked by intermolecular N → Sn interactions.     

Mononuclear iron(III) complexes supported by tripodal N3O ligands: Synthesis, structure and reactivity towards DNA cleavage

A new synthetic route to the known tripodal tetradentate N₃O ligand L¹ (HL¹ = [N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-di-(2-pyridylmethyl)]amine) is reported. The related compounds HLⁿ (n = 2, 3) were prepared by a similar procedure. Treatment of HLⁿ (n = 1-3) with FeCl₃·6H₂O in hot methanol led to the mononuclear iron(III) complexes [Fe(Lⁿ)Cl₂] (1: n = 1, 2: n = 2, 3: n = 3). The solid-state structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography. [Fe(L¹)Cl₂] (1) showed effective nuclease activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, converting supercoiled plasmid DNA to its linear form.     

New aryl phosphinite ligands avoiding ortho-metallation: Synthesis and molecular structures of trans-[PdCl2(PPh2OR)2] and trans-[Rh(CO)Cl(PPh2OR)2] (R = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; 2,6-Ph2C6H3)

The new aryl phosphinites PPh₂OR (R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, 1; R = 2,6-Ph₂C₆H₃, 2) have been prepared from chlorodiphenylphosphine and the corresponding phenols. In these ligands, the ortho-positions of the aromatic phosphite function are blocked by methyl and phenyl substituents, which allows coordination to metal centres without ortho-metallation. Thus, reaction with [PdCl₂(cod)] leads to the complexes trans-[PdCl₂(PPh₂OR)₂] (R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, 3; R = 2,6-Ph₂C₆H₃, 4), while the reaction with [Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂] gives trans-[Rh(CO)Cl(PPh₂OR)₂] (R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, 5; R = 2,6-Ph₂C₆H₃, 6). The single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of 3 and 5 confirm the trans-coordination of the new ligands in these square-planar complexes.     

Syntheses and structure of heterobimetallic helical polymeric Mo-M(II) (M = Mn, Co, Zn, Cd or Ni) complexes using a flexidentate metalloligand

A series of heterobimetallic polymeric complexes of manganese, cobalt, zinc, cadmium and nickel, [M(Mo₂O₅L₂)(MeOH)₂(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O {M = Mn (2), n = 1, Co (3), n = 0, Zn (4), n = 1 and Cd (5), n = 1} and [Ni(Mo₂O₅L₂)(MeOH)(H₂O)₃]_n·2H₂O·MeOH (6) have been synthesized form the reaction of [{Na₄(H₂O)₄(μ-H₂O)₂} ⊂ (Mo₂O₅L₂)₂] (1) {LH₂ = 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylamino)acetic acid} with the corresponding metal salts. The complexes have been structurally characterized. The Complexes, 3 and 6 undergo thermal decomposition to afford mixed oxides of the type, MMoO₄·MoO₃ {M = Co or Ni}.     

Different coordination modes of 5,5-diethylbarbiturate in the copper(II) complexes with some aliphatic amines: Synthesis, spectroscopic, thermal and structural studies

Three new copper(II) complexes of 5,5-diethlybarbiturate (barb), [Cu(barb)₂(dmen)]·0.5H₂O (dmen = N,N-dimethylethylenediamine) 1, [Cu(barb)₂(bapa)] (bapa = bis(3-aminopropyl)amine) 2, and [Cu(barb)(apen)](barb)·2H₂O (apen = N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine) 3, have been synthesized and characterized by chemical, spectroscopic and thermal methods. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that all complexes are mononuclear. The copper(II) ion exhibits a square-pyramidal coordination geometry in 1 and 3, but a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry in 2. The barb ligand shows different coordination modes. 1 presents the unequal coordination of the barb ligands: one is monodentate (N) and the other one is bidentate (N, O). In 2, both barb ligands are N-coordinated, whereas in 3, one barb ligand is N-coordinated, while the second barb ligand behaves as a counter-ion. The dmen, bapa and apen ligands act as bi-, tri- and tetradentate ligands, respectively. All complexes display a hydrogen-bonded network structure. The IR spectroscopic analysis shows that the ν(CO) stretching frequencies do not correlate predictably with the coordination mode of the barb ligand in 1. Thermal analysis data for 1-3 are in agreement with the crystal structures.     

Effect of anions on cadmium(II) complexes with ligand 2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole

Three new supramolecular complexes based on a 2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole (Hpbi) and a series of Cd(II) salts have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Reaction of CdCl₂·2.5H₂O with Hpbi afforded a one-dimensional chain [Cd(Hpbi)Cl₂] (1), which exhibits a three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular architecture through intermolecular X-H···Cl (X = N and C) hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. When using CdBr₂·4H₂O instead of CdCl₂·2.5H₂O under similar reaction conditions, a bisnuclear complex [Cd(Hpbi)₂Br₂] (2) is obtained, which obviously exhibits intermolecular X-H···Br (X = N and C) hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. When CdI₂ take place of CdCl₂·2.5H₂O, a mononuclear complex, [Cd(Hpbi)₂I₂] (3), is isolated, which shows a 3D supramolecule framework formed by intermolecule hydrogen bonds and π-π packing interactions. Interestingly, the Hpbi ligand exhibits the same coordination modes in complexes 1-3. It is noteworthy that the radius of anions plays an important role in affecting the structures and luminescent intensity of the final products. The TGA for 1-3 have been investigated and discussed in detail.     

Transition metal halide salts of 8-methylquinolinium: Synthesis and structures of (8-methylquinolinium)2 MX4·nH2O (M = Cu, Co, Zn; X = Cl, Br; n = 0, 1)

The reactions of metal(II) chlorides and bromides with 8-methylquinoline (8-mequin) in neutral and acidic solutions were investigated. The reaction with ZnCl₂, ZnBr₂, CoCl₂, CoBr₂, CuCl₂ or CuBr₂ with the appropriate HX in water or aqueous ethanol gave complexes of the formula (8-mequin)₂MX₄ (1, M = Cu, X = Cl; 2, M = Cu, X = Br; 3, M = Co, X = Cl; 4, M = Co, X = Br) or (8-mequin)₂ZnX₄·nH₂O (5, X = Cl, n = 0; 6, X = Br, n = 0; 7, X = Cl, n = 1; 8, X = Br, n = 1). Crystals of 1, 2 and 4-8 suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction were obtained and the structures reported. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c, while 4-8 crystallize in the triclinic space group, . Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data indicate very weak interactions for the copper compounds 1 and 2, while the magnetic behavior of 3 and 4 is dominated by single ion anisotropy, with weaker antiferromagnetic interactions.     

The effect of organic acid on self-assembly process: Syntheses and characterizations of six novel cadmium(II)/zinc(II) complexes derived from mixed ligands

Using the principle of crystal engineering, six metal-organic coordination polymers, [Cd(bdc)(3-pytpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (1), [Cd(bdc)_0.5(3-pytpy)]_n · n(ClO₄) (2), Cd(ndc)_0.5(3-pytpy)]_n · n(ClO₄) (3), [Zn(ndc)(3-pytpy)]_n (4), [Cd(bqdc)(3-pytpy)]_n (5), and [Zn(pam)(3-pytpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (6) (H₂bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, H₂ndc = naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H₂bqdc = 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, H₂pam = pamoic acid), were synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1-6 crystallize in the presence of organic-acid linkers as well as multi-functional N-donor ligand 4′-(3-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (3-pytpy). In complexes 1, 4, 5, and 6, the dicarboxylate as bridging ligand connects metal atoms to form the main body of 1D zigzag chains for 1 and 4, nearly linear chain for 5 and helical chain for 6, while 3-pytpy as tridentate chelating ligand is just like lateral arm grafting on both sides of these chains. In complexes 2 and 3, both the dicarboxylate and 3-pytpy as bridging ligands connect metal atoms into 2D polymeric structure for 2 and 1D chain of alternating loops and rods for 3. The weak interactions such as hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking were investigated on the formation of superamolecular structures and the influence of organic acid on the formation of the final structures was discussed. In addition, the photoluminescent properties of 1-6 were also determined.     

Synthesis, structure, cytotoxic activities and DNA-binding properties of tetracopper(II) complexes with dissymmetrical N,N′-bis(substituted)oxamides as ligands

To compare the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties in tetranuclear complexes with different bridging ligands, two tetracopper(II) complexes with formulae of [Cu₄(oxbe)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·4H₂O (1) and [Cu₄(oxbm)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·2H₂O (2) were synthesized, where H₃oxbe and H₃oxbm stand for N-benzoato-N′-(2-aminoethyl)oxamide and N-benzoato-N′-(1,2-propanediamine)oxamide, respectively, and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals the presence of the circular tetranuclear copper(II) cations which are assembled by a pair of cis-oxamido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) units through carboxyl bridges. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been reported in our previous paper. However, the bioactivities were not studied. Cytotoxicities experiments reveal that both the two complexes exhibit cytotoxic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC-7721 and human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549, and complex 1 has the better activities than those of complex 2. The results of the interactions between the two complexes and herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) suggest that the two complexes interact with HS-DNA in the mode of intercalation with the intrinsic binding constants of 3.93 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (1) and 2.48 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (2). These results indicated that the bridging ligands may play an important role in the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties of tetranuclear complexes.