Preparation, structures and properties of dinuclear and trinuclear copper(II) complexes bridged by one oximato and one hydroxo ligands

The dinuclear and trinuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu₂(L)(OH)(ClO₄)(phen)(H₂O)]ClO₄ · [Cu₂(L)(OH)(ClO₄)₂(phen)(CH₃OH)] (1) and [Cu₃(L)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (2) (HL=2-[2-(α-pyridyl)ethyl]imino-3-butanone oxime and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were prepared and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is composed of [Cu₂(L)(OH)(ClO₄)(phen)(H₂O)]ClO₄ (1a) and [Cu₂(L)(OH)(ClO₄)₂(phen)(CH₃OH)] (1b). In 1a and 1b, one oximato of L and one hydroxo group bridge two copper(II) ions. The linear trinuclear cation [Cu₃(L)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ in 2 is centrosymmetric, and one oximato and one hydroxo group bridge the central and terminal copper(II) ions. The strong antiferromagnetic interactions within the dinuclear and trinuclear complexes 1 and 2 have been observed (2J=∼−900 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively, H=−2JS₁·S₂).     

Dinuclear terephthalato-bridged copper(II) complexes: Syntheses, spectral and structural characterization, and magnetic properties

Herein, we report the syntheses, spectral and structural characterization, and magnetic behavior of four new dinuclear terephthalato-bridged copper(II) complexes with formulae [Cu₂(trpn)₂(μ-tp)](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (1), [Cu₂(aepn)₂(μ-tp)(ClO₄)₂] (2), [Cu₂(Medpt)₂(μ-tp)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Cu₂(Et₂dien)₂(μ-tp)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (4) where tp = terephthalate dianion, trpn = tris(3-aminopropyl)-amin, aepn = N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, Medpt = 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylmine and Et₂dien = N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine. The structures of these complexes consist of two μ-tp bridging Cu(II) centers in a bis(monodentate) bonding fashion. The coordination geometry of the Cu(II) ions in these compounds may be described as close to square-based pyramid (SP) with severe significant distortion towards trigonal bipyramid (TBP) stereochemistry in 1. The visible spectra of the complexes in aqueous solutions are in complete agreement with the assigned X-ray geometry around the Cu(II) centers. Also, the solid infrared spectral data for the stretching frequencies of the tp-carboxalato groups, the ν(COO⁻) reveals the existence of bis(monodentate) coordination mode for the bridged terephthalate ligand. The susceptibility measurements at variable temperature over the range 2-300 K are reported. Despite the same bonding mode of the tp bridging ligand, there has been observed slight antiferromagnetic coupling for the compounds 1 and 4 with J values of −0.5 and −2.9 cm³ K mol⁻¹, respectively, and very weak ferromagnetic coupling for 2 and 3 with J values of 0.8 and 10.1 cm³ K mol⁻¹, respectively. The magnetic results are discussed in relation to other related μ-terephthalato dinuclear Cu(II) published compounds.     

Oxime-functionalized diazamesocyclic derivates and their metal complexes: Effect of the ligand backbones and anions on the generation of novel monomeric and mono-μ-Cl dimeric Cu complexes

Two oxime-functionalized diazamesocyclic derivates, namely, N,N′-bis(acetophenoneoxime)-1,4-diazacycloheptane (H₂L¹) and N,N′-bis(acetophenonoxime)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (H₂L²), have been prepared and characterized. Both ligands (obtained in the hydrochloride form) can form stable metal complexes with Cu^II and Ni^II salts, the crystal structures of which were determined by X-ray diffraction technique. The reactions of H₂L¹ with Cu(ClO₄)₂ and Ni(ClO₄)₂ afford a penta-coordinated mononuclear complex [Cu(H₂L¹)Cl] · ClO₄ (1) and a four-coordinated monomeric [Ni(HL¹)] · ClO₄ (2), in which the ligand is monodeprotonated. The ligand H₂L² also forms a quite similar mononuclear [Ni(HL²)] · ClO₄ complex with Ni(ClO₄)₂, according to our previous work. However, reactions of different Cu^II salts [Cu(ClO₄)₂, CuCl₂ and Cu(NO₃)₂ for 3, and CuSO₄ for 4] with H₂L² in the presence of NaClO₄ yield two unusual mono-μ-Cl dinuclear Cu^II complexes [Cu₂(HL²)₂Cl] · (ClO₄) (3), and [Cu₂(H₂L²)(HL²)Cl] · (ClO₄)₂ · (H₂O)(4). These results indicate that the resultant Cu^II complexes (1, 3 and 4) are sensitive to the backbones of diazamesocycles and even auxiliary anions.     

Bioinspired FeIIICdII and FeIIIHgII complexes: synthesis, characterization and promiscuous catalytic activity evaluation

In this work we report on the synthesis, crystal structure, and physicochemical characterization of the novel dinuclear [Fe^IIICd^II(L)(μ-OAc)₂]ClO₄·0.5H₂O (1) complex containing the unsymmetrical ligand H₂L = 2-bis[{(2-pyridyl-methyl)-aminomethyl}-6-{(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-(2-pyridyl-methyl)}-aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol. Also, with this ligand, the tetranuclear [Fe₂^IIIHg₂^II(L)₂(OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH (2) and [Fe^IIIHg^II(L)(μ-CO₃)Fe^IIIHg^II(L)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (3) complexes were synthesized and fully characterized. It is demonstrated that the precursor [Fe^III₂Hg^II₂(L)₂(OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH (2) can be converted to (3) by the fixation of atmospheric CO₂ since the crystal structure of the tetranuclear organometallic complex [Fe^IIIHg^II(L)(μ-CO₃)Fe^IIIHg^II(L)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (3) with an unprecedented {Fe^III(μ-O_phenoxo)₂(μ-CO₃)Fe^III} core was obtained through X-ray crystallography. In the reaction 2 → 3 a nucleophilic attack of a Fe^III-bound hydroxo group on the CO₂ molecule is proposed. In addition, it is also demonstrated that complex (3) can regenerate complex (2) in aqueous/MeOH/NaOH solution. Magnetochemical studies reveal that the Fe^III centers in 3 are antiferromagnetically coupled (J = − 7.2 cm^− 1) and that the Fe^III-OR-Fe^III angle has no noticeable influence in the exchange coupling. Phosphatase-like activity studies in the hydrolysis of the model substrate bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate (2,4-bdnpp) by 1 and 2 show Michaelis-Menten behavior with 1 being ~ 2.5 times more active than 2. In combination with k_H/k_D isotope effects, the kinetic studies suggest a mechanism in which a terminal Fe^III-bound hydroxide is the hydrolysis-initiating nucleophilic catalyst for 1 and 2. Based on the crystal structures of 1 and 3, it is assumed that the relatively long Fe^III…Hg^II distance could be responsible for the lower catalytic effectiveness of 2.     

Diverse coordination of polynuclear copper(II) complexes constructed from benzene tetracarboxylates

The reaction of aqueous solutions of the preformed 1:1 Cu(ClO₄)₂-polydentate amine with tetrasodium 1,2,4,5-benzene tetracarboxylate (Na₄bta) afforded three different types of polynuclear compounds. These include the tetranuclear complexes: [Cu₄(Medpt)₄(μ₄-bta)(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O (1), [Cu₄(pmdien)₄(μ₄-bta)(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₄ (2), [Cu₄(Mepea)₄(μ₄-bta)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄(3), [Cu₄(TPA)₄(μ₄-bta)](ClO₄)₄·10H₂O (4) and [Cu₄(tepa)₄(μ₄-bta)](ClO₄)₄·2H₂O (5), the di-nuclear: [Cu₂(DPA)₂(μ₂-bta)(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (6), [Cu₂(dppa)₂(μ₂-bta)(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (7) and [Cu₂(pmea)₂(μ₂-bta)]·14H₂O (8) and the trinuclear complex [Cu₃(dppa)₃(μ₃-bta)(H₂O)_2.25](ClO₄)₂·6.5H₂O (9) where Medpt = 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, pmedien = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, Mepea = [2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-(2-pyridylmethyl)methylamine, TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, tepa = tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)]amine, DPA = di(2-pyridymethyl)amine, dppa = N-propanamide-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and pmea = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-[2-(2-pyridylethyl)]amine. The complexes were structurally characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic techniques, and by X-ray crystallography for complexes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9. X-ray structure of the complexes reveal that bta⁴⁻ is acting as a bridging ligand via its four deprotonated caboxylate groups in 1, 2 and 4, three carboxylate groups in 9 and via two trans-carboxylates in 6 and 7. The complexes exhibit extended supramolecular networks with different dimensionality: 1-D in 2 and 4 due to hydrogen bonds of the type O-H···O, 2-D in 1 and 7, and 3-D network in 6 as a result of hydrogen bonds of the types N-H···O and O-H···O. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed very weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu^II ions in 1-5, 7-9 (|J| = 0.02-0.87 cm⁻¹) and weak ferromagnetic coupling for 6 (J = 0.08 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes with a new bis(macrocycle), 7,7-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]- heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene}

A new bis(macrocycle) ligand, 7,7^′-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)-bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene} (HL), and its dicopper(II) ([Cu₂(HL)Cl₂](NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O (4a), [Cu₂(HL)I₂]I₂ · H₂O (4b)) and dinickel(II) ([Ni₂(L)(OH₂)](ClO₄)₃ (5a), [Ni₂(L)(OH₂)]I₃ · 2H₂O (5b), [Ni₂(L)N₃](N₃)₂ · 7H₂O (5c)) complexes have been synthesized. The alkoxide bridged face-to-face structure of the dinickel(II) complex 5c has been revealed by X-ray crystallography, as well as the “half-opened clamshell” form of the bis(macrocyclic) dicopper(II) complex 4b. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies have indicated that there exists intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling (J=−33.8 cm⁻¹ (5a), −32.5 cm⁻¹ (5b), and −29.7 cm⁻¹ (5c)) between the two nickel(II) ions in the nickel(II) complexes.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of trinuclear and [3 × 1 + 1 × 2] pentanuclear complexes derived from a compartmental ligand: Role of solvent on nuclearity and number of components

Reaction of [Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)] (H₂L = N,N′-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine)) with nickel(II) perchlorate in 1:1 ratio in acetone produces the trinuclear compound [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1). On the other hand, on changing the solvent from acetone to methanol, reaction of the same reactants in same ratio produces the pentametallic compound [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2[Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)]·2MeOH (2A), which loses solvated methanol molecules immediately after its isolation to form [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2[Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)] (2B). Clearly, formation of 1 versus 2A and 2B is solvent dependent. Crystal structures of 1 and 2A have been determined. Interestingly, compound 2A is a [3 × 1 + 1 × 2] cocrystal. The cryomagnetic profiles of 1 and 2B indicate that the two pairs of copper(II)···nickel(II) ions in the trinuclear cores in both the complexes are coupled by almost identical moderate antiferromagnetic interaction (J = −22.8 cm⁻¹ for 1 and −26.0 cm⁻¹ for 2B).     

Synthesis, characterisation and crystal structures of a few coordination complexes of nickel(II), cobalt(III) and zinc(II) with N′-[(2-pyridyl)methylene]salicyloylhydrazone Schiff base

Four new coordination complexes, Ni^II(L)₂ (1), [Co^III(L)₂]ClO₄ (2), [Zn(HL)(L)]ClO₄ · H₂O (3) and [Zn(L)₂][Zn(L)(HL)]ClO₄ · 7H₂O (4) (where L is a monoanion of a Schiff base ligand, N′-[(2-pyridyl)methylene]salicyloylhydrazone (HL) with NNO tridentate donor set), have been synthesised and systematically characterised by elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 is a neutral complex, while 2-4 are cationic complexes. Among them, 4 is a rare type of cationic complex with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The ligand chelates the metal centre with two nitrogen atoms from the pyridine and imino moieties and one oxygen atom coming from its enolic counterpart. All the reported complexes show distorted octahedral geometry around the metal centres, with the two metal-N (imino) bonds being significantly shorter than the two metal-N (Py) bonds.     

An oxamato bridged trinuclear copper(II) complex: Synthesis, crystal structure, reactivity, DNA binding study and magnetic properties

A linear tri-nuclear oxamato bridged copper(II) complex [Cu₃(pba)(dpa)₂(H₂O)(ClO₄)](ClO₄)·H₂O (1) (pbaH₄ = 1,3-propanediylbis(oxamic acid), dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine) was isolated from the reaction mixture of Na₂[Cu(pba)]·3H₂O, copper perchlorate hexahydrate and dipyridylamine in methanol. On reaction with dpa or DMF in basic medium (KOH) at ambient temperature complex 1 changed to dinuclear oxalate bridged copper(II) derivatives, [Cu₂(μ-C₂O₄)(dpa)₄](ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Cu₂(μ-C₂O₄)(dpa)₂(DMF)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), respectively. The complexes 1, 2 and 3 have been characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic tools, and also by the X-ray single crystal analysis. The hydrolysis of 1 in basic medium and thermo-gravimetric analysis has been studied. Absorption and emission spectral studies showed that complex 1 interacts with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) with a binding constant (K_b) of 4.01 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and linear Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_sv) of 6.9 × 10⁴. A strong anti-ferromagnetic interaction with a coupling constant J_CuCu of 320.0 ± 0.3 cm⁻¹ was observed from the study of magnetic behavior of complex 1 in the temperature range of 2-300 K. Electrochemical equivalency of three copper(II) ions in 1 was identified by getting only one quasi reversible cyclic voltammogram.     

Synthesis and characterization of imidazolate-bridged polynuclear copper complexes

Copper(II) complexes of N4-donor ligands containing imidazole moieties, 4-[bis(1-methylimidazole-2-yl-methyl)aminomethyl]imidazole (Him-im₂) and 4-[bis(1-methylimidazole-2-yl-methyl)aminoethyl]imidazole (Hhis-im₂), were prepared, and [Cu(Him-im₂)Cl]ClO₄ (1) and [Cu(Hhis-im₂)Cl]ClO₄ (2) were structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. Complexes 1 and 2 have a mononuclear structure with a coordinated chloride ion. The geometry of the Cu(II) center in 1 was found to be 5-coordinate trigonal-bipyramidal, whereas that of 2 was square-pyramidal. Complexes 1 and 2 showed different absorption and EPR spectra in MeOH, indicating that these compounds in solution maintain the structures revealed in the solid state. On the other hand, the reaction of Him-im₂ with Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O under basic conditions gave a tetranuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu₄(im-im₂)₄](ClO₄)₄ (3), whereas using the ligand Hhis-im₂ gave two kinds of polynuclear complexes [Cu₄(his-im₂)₄](ClO₄)₄ (4) and [Cu₆(his-im₂)₆](ClO₄)₆ (5) exhibiting discretely different structures. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the polynuclear complexes revealed their cyclic structures bridged by the imidazolate moiety. The geometry difference of the Cu(II) centers between 1 and 2 is thus concluded to determine the structures of tetranuclear complexes 3 and 4, respectively. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of complexes 3, 4, and 5 have shown an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with a coupling constant of J = −32.5, −27.1 and −22.8 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Two forms of a copper(II) complex of 3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole: a six-coordinate monomer versus a five-coordinate polymer

The reaction of the new bidirectional ligand 3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (pyppt) with Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O in a 2:1 molar ratio in EtOH affords the complex [Cu^II(pyppt)₂(ClO₄)₂] · H₂O (1) as a microcrystalline turquoise solid. Recrystallisation of complex 1 from MeCN by vapour diffusion of Et₂O gives blue crystals of the monomeric octahedral complex [Cu^II(pyppt)₂(ClO₄)₂] · MeCN (2). In contrast, addition of EtOH to a solution of complex 1 in MeCN followed by slow evaporation yields blue crystals of the five-coordinate polymeric complex {[Cu^II(pyppt)₂](ClO₄)₂ · EtOH}_∞ (3). The structures of both complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Copper(II) complexes derived from tripodal tris[(2-ethyl-(1-pyrazolyl)]amine

Three mono-nuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(tepza)X]ClO₄ (X = Cl, 1; X = NCS, 2; X = dca, 3) and two dinuclear bridging complexes [Cu₂(tepza)₂(μ-C₄O₄)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O(4) and [Cu₂(tepza)₂(μ-C₅O₅)](ClO₄)₂(5) where tepza = tris[2-ethyl(1-pyrazolyl)]amine, dca = dicyanamide, C₄O₄²⁻ = 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dionate (squarate dianion) and C₅O₅²⁻ = 4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-4-ene-1,2,3-trionate (croconate dianion) were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy as well as by single X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, the geometry of copper(II) centers in these complexes are as follows: close to SP in 2, distorted TBP in 3, predominant SP in 4, and distorted octahedral in 5, whereas in solution distorted SP geometry was generally found. The squarato and the croconato dianions in complexes 4 and 5 are bridging the two copper(II) centers in cis-bis-monodentate and bis-bidentate bonding modes, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at variable temperatures (2-300 K) reveal the weak antiferromagnetic coupling in the two bridging dinuclear complexes 4 (J = −24.9 cm⁻¹) and 5 (J = −3.1 cm⁻¹).     

Cyanide and imidazolate bridged macrocyclic dinuclear CuII complexes: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Reaction of [Cu₂L](ClO₄)₄ with CH₃CN in acetonitrile, and Him in DMF gave cyanide and imidazolate bridged macrocyclic dinuclear copper (II) complexes with the formula [Cu₂L(CN)](ClO₄)₃ (1) and [Cu₂L(im)](ClO₄)₂ · 0.7Br · 0.3Cl, (2), respectively (L = N[(CH₂)₂NHCH₂(C₆H₄-p)CH₂NH(CH₂)₂]₃N). In 2, each Cu(II) atom is coordinated with four macrocyclic nitrogen atoms and one imidazolate N atom, forming a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 show that the two Cu(II) atoms of the binuclear unit are antiferromagnetically coupled with g = 2.148, J = −86.09 cm⁻¹ for 1, and g = 2.047, J = −38.20 cm⁻¹ for 2. The correlation between the structures and the J values is discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, DNA-binding properties, cytotoxic and antioxidation activities of several new ternary copper(II) complexes of N,N′-(p-xylylene)di-alanine acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Three novel ternary copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(phen)₂(l-PDIAla)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2.5H₂O (1), [Cu₄(phen)₆(d,l-PDIAla)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₆·3H₂O (2) and [Cu₂(phen)₂(d,l-PDIAla)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂·0.5H₂O (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, H₂PDIAla = N,N’-(p-xylylene)di-alanine acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and other structural analysis. Spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, CD (circular dichroism) spectral analysis and viscosity measurements indicate that the three compounds, especially the complex 3, strongly bind to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The intrinsic binding constants of the ternary copper(II) complexes with CT-DNA are 0.89 × 10⁵, 1.14 × 10⁵ and 1.72 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, for 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Comparative cytotoxic activities of the copper(II) complexes are also determined by acid phosphatase assay. The results show that the ternary copper(II) complexes have significant cytotoxic activity against the HeLa (Cervical cancer), HepG2 (hepatocarcinoma), HL-60 cells (myeloid leukemia), A-549 cells (pulmonary carcinoma) and L02 (liver cells). Investigations of antioxidation properties show that all the copper(II) complexes have strong scavenging effects for hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals.     

Imidazole derivatives of binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes incorporating bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl) ligands

A series of new binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes of the macrocyclic ligands bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)butane (L^but) and bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)-m-xylene (L^mx) have been synthesized: [Cu₂L^butBr₄] (1), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₂Br₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂L^mx(μ-OH)(imidazole)₂](ClO₄)₃ (3), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ · H₂O (4), [Cu₂L^mx(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ (5), [Ni₂ L^but(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (6), [Ni₂L^but(imidazole)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (7) and [Ni₂L^mx (imidazole)₄(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ · 3H₂O (8). Complexes 1, 2, 7 and 8 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. In each of the complexes, the two tridentate 1,4,7-triazacyclononane rings of the ligand facially coordinate to separate metal centres. The distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere of the copper (II) centres is completed by bromide anions in the case of 1 and/or monodentate imidazole ligands in complexes 2, 4 and 5. Complex 3 has been formulated as a monohydroxo-bridged complex featuring two terminal imidazole ligands. Complexes 6-8 feature distorted octahedral nickel (II) centres with water and/or monodentate imidazole ligands occupying the remaining coordination sites. Within the crystal structures, the ligands adopt trans conformations, with the two metal binding compartments widely separated, perhaps as a consequence of electrostatic repulsion between the cationic metal centres. The imidazole-bearing complexes may be viewed as simple models for the coordinative interaction of the binuclear complexes of bis (tacn) ligands with protein molecules bearing multiple surface-exposed histidine residues.     

Transition metal complexes based on pyridine ligand containing both bis(2-pyridyl) and 1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene units: Syntheses, structures, and magnetic studies

Two new mononuclear spin-crossover iron(II) complexes, [FeL₂(NCS)₂] · H₂O (1) and [FeL₂(NCSe)₂] (2), have been synthesized from the reaction of the versatile ligand 4,5-bis(2-cyanoethylthio)-2-bis(2-pyridyl)methylene-1,3-dithiole (L), Fe(ClO₄)₂, and KNCX (X = S/Se). Reactions of L with Cu^II or Co^II salts afford one mononuclear complex [CuL(hfac)₂] · CH₃OH (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (3), one dinuclear complex [(CuLCl)₂(μ-Cl)₂] · CH₃OH (4), and two 1D chain species, [CuL₂]_n(BF₄)_2n (5) and [CoL₂]_n(ClO₄)_2n · 2nCH₂Cl₂ (6). The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 3-6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Short intermolecular S?S contacts between neighboring 1D arrays are observed in 5 and 6, which lead to the formation of the 2D structure. The magnetic properties are studied, and antiferromagnetic couplings between the Cu^II centers across the chloride bridges have been found in 4 (J = 2.04 cm^-1). Spin-crossover behaviors between high and low spin states are observed at T_1/2 = 80 K for 1 and T_1/2 = 300 K for 2, respectively.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and biological evaluation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine Schiff bases derived from S-methyl- and S-phenyldithiocarbazates

Two NNS tridentate Schiff base ligands of 2-benzoylpyridine S-methyldithiocarbazate (HL¹) and 2-benzoylpyridine S-phenyldithiocarbazate (HL²) and their transition metal complexes [Cu₂(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)](ClO₄) (1), [Zn₂(L¹)₂(ClO₄)₂] (2), [Zn(L²)₂](3) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In the solid state, each of two Schiff bases remains in its thione tautomeric form with the thione sulfur atom trans to the azomethine nitrogen atom. Under similar prepared conditions, three new complexes showed distinctly different coordination modes depending on their coordinating preferences. Each copper atom in S-bridged dinuclear complex [Cu₂(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)](ClO₄) (1) is surrounded by five donor atoms in a square-pyramidal fashion (4 + 1). [Zn₂(L¹)₂(ClO₄)₂] (2) is a dimer in which each zinc atom adopts a seven-coordinate distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, while mononuclear [Zn(L²)₂] (3) has octahedral coordination geometry. Biological studies, carried out in vitro against selected bacteria, fungi, and K562 leukaemia cell line, respectively, have shown that different substituted groups attached at the dithiocarbazate moieties and metals showed distinctive differences in the biological property. Zinc(II) complexes 2 and 3 could distinguish K562 leukaemia cell line from normal hepatocyte QSG7701 cell line. Effect of the title compounds on Mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and PI-associated fluorescence intensity in K562 leukaemia cell line are also studied. The title compounds may exert their cytotoxicity activity via induced loss of MMP.     

Four new copper(II) complexes with 1,3-tpbd ligand: Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetism, oxidative and hydrolytic cleavage of pBR322 DNA

Four copper(II) complexes [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)Cl₄]·EtOH (1), {[Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(μ-Cl)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)_4.5 (NaClO₄)}_∞ (2), [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(1,10-phen)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ (3) and [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ (4) (1,3-tpbd = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzene-1,3-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies (2-300 K) indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) ions in complexes 2 and 3. The interactions of the four complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescent spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, viscosity and cyclic voltammetry, and the modes of CT-DNA binding to the complexes have been proposed. Furthermore, DNA cleavage activities by the four complexes were performed in the presence and absence of external agents, the results indicate that their cleavage activities have been promoted in the presence of external agents. Mechanism investigation shows that the four complexes could cleave DNA through both oxidative and hydrolytic processes. In the four copper(II) complexes, complex 2 showed highest cleavage activity with the pseudo-Michaelis-Menten kinetic paraments k_cat = 5.16 h⁻¹ and K_m = 3.6 × 10⁻⁵ M.     

Chemistry at the apical position of square-pyramidal copper(II) complexes: Synthesis, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of homopolynuclear complexes with azido bridges containing [Cu(AA)(BB)] moieties (AA = acetylacetonate; BB = 1,10-phenanthroline, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine)

Three new homopolynuclear complexes with azido bridges have been obtained by using [Cu(AA)(BB)]⁺ building-blocks (AA = acetylacetonate; BB = 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2′-bipyridine). The reaction between [Cu(acac)(phen)(H₂O)](ClO₄) and NaN₃ leads to a mixture of two compounds: a binuclear complex, [{Cu(acac)(phen)}₂(μ_1,3-N₃)](ClO₄) · 2H₂O (1), and a linear tetranuclear one, [{Cu(acac)(phen)(ClO₄)}₂{Cu(phen)(μ_1,1-N₃)₂}₂] (2). The reaction between [Cu(acac)(bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄) and NaN₃ affords also a mixture of two compounds: [{Cu(acac)(bipy)}₂(μ_1,3-N₃)]₃(ClO₄)₃ · 3.75H₂O (3) and [Cu(acac)(bipy)(N₃)][Cu(acac)(bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄) (4). The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1-4 have been solved (for compound 4 the crystal structure was previously reported). In compounds 1 and 3, two {Cu(AA)(BB)} fragments are bridged by the azido anion in an end-to-end fashion. Two isomers, cis and trans with respect to azido bridge, were found in crystal 3. The structure of compound 2 consists of two Cu(II) central cations bridged by two μ_1,1-azido ligands, each of them being also connected to a {Cu(acac)(phen)} fragment through another μ_1,1-azido ligand. The cryomagnetic properties of the compounds 1 and 2 have been investigated and discussed. The magnetic behaviour of compound 1 shows the absence of any interactions between the metallic ions. In the tetranuclear complex 2, the magnetic interactions between the external and central copper(II) ions(J₁), and between the central metallic ions (J₂) were found ferromagnetic (J₁ = 0.36 cm⁻¹, J₂ = 7.20 cm⁻¹).     

Dinuclear triply bridged copper(II)-carboxylato compounds with different bischelating ligands: Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

Three new triply bridged dinuclear copper(II) compounds containing carboxylato bridges, [Cu₂(μ-CH₃COO-κ-O¹,O²)₂(μ-CH₃COO-κ-O¹)(dpyam)₂](BF₄) (1), [Cu₂(μ-CH₂CH₃COO-κ-O¹,O²)(μ-OH)(μ-OH₂)(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Cu₂(μ-CH₃COO-κ-O¹,O²)(μ-OH)(μ-OH₂)(phen)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) (in which dpyam = di-2-pyridylamine, bpy = 2,2-bipyridine, phen = phenanthroline), have been synthesized in order to investigate the magnetic super-exchange pathway between coupled copper(II) centres. All three compounds display a distorted square-pyramidal arrangement around each copper(II) ion with a CuN₂O₃ chromophore. Compound 1 has three acetato bridges, two of which connect each square pyramid at two equatorial sites in a triatomic bridging mode and the third acetato bridge acts at the apical site in the monoatomic bridging mode. The structures of compounds 2 and 3 are mutually similar. In each dinuclear unit, both copper(II) ions are linked at two equatorial positions through a hydroxo bridge and a triatomic carboxylato bridge and at the axial position through a water molecule.The magnetic susceptibility measurements, measured from 5 to 300 K, revealed an antiferromagnetic interaction between the Cu(II) ions in compound 1 and a ferromagnetic interaction for compounds 2 and 3 with singlet-triplet energy gaps (J) of −56, 149 and 120 cm⁻¹, for compounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively.