Assisted self-association of dicyanoaurate, [Au(CN)2], and dicyanoargentate, [Ag(CN)2], through hydrogen bonding to metal ammonia complexes

The salts - yellow [Cr(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O, red [Co(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O, red [Co(NH₃)₆][Au(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O, pale yellow [Ru(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O, yellow K[Cr(NH₃)₆]₂[Au(CN)₂]₇ · 4H₂O, and colorless [(μ²-NH₂)₂Pt₂(NH₃)₁₀][Au(CN)₂]₆ · 5.5{OS(CH₃)₂} · 0.5H₂O - have been prepared by evaporation of aqueous solutions of potassium dicyanoargenate or potassium dicyanoaurate and salts of the appropriate cations. Hydrogen bonding between the cations and the cyano groups of the anions facilitates the formation of structures with strong metallophilic interactions between the anions. Thus, the [Au(CN)₂]⁻ or [Ag(CN)₂]⁻ ions self-associate into linear trimers in the isostructural set of crystals, [Cr(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O (Ag?Ag distance; 3.1610(4) Å), [Co(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O (Ag?Ag distance; 3.1557(2) Å), [Co(NH₃)₆][Au(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O (Au?Au distance; 3.0939(4) Å), and [Ru(NH₃)₆][Ag(CN)₂]₃ · 2H₂O (Ag?Ag distance; 3.1584(5) Å). Crystalline [(μ²-NH₂)₂Pt₂(NH₃)₁₀][Au(CN)₂]₆ · 5.5{OS(CH₃)₂} · 0.5H₂O also contains nearly linear trimers of the dicyanoaurate ion. Yellow crystals of K[Cr(NH₃)₆]₂[Au(CN)₂]₇ · 4H₂O contain a centrosymmetric, bent chain of seven dicyanoaurate ions with Au?Au separations of 3.1806(3), 3.2584(4), and 3.1294(4) Å.     

The synthesis of triethylphosphine gold(I) 4-nitrobenzenethiolate and solvent dependent visible absorption spectra of 4-nitrobenzenethiolate

The synthesis of triethylphosphine gold(I) 4-nitrobenzenethiolate, Et₃PAu(SC₆H₄NO₂-4), is reported. Et₃PAu(SC₆H₄NO₂-4) displays a low energy visible electronic absorption band which is solvent dependent: EtOH (λ_max = 385 nm), acetonitrile (λ_max = 391 nm), THF (λ_max = 395 nm), and DMSO (λ_max = 402 nm). The corresponding low energy visible electronic absorption band of 4-nitrobenzenethiolate, 4-NO₂C₆H₄S⁻ also shows solvent dependency: acetonitrile, (λ_max = 484 nm), DMSO (λ_max = 502 nm), dimethylformamide (λ_max = 505 nm). The positive solvatochromic shifts for Et₃PAu(SC₆H₄NO₂-4) and 4-NO₂C₆H₄S⁻ are consistent with an intraligand (IL) charge transfer transition, i.e. π(S) → ∗π (C₆H₄NO₂-4) or n(S) → ∗π (C₆H₄NO₂-4). Assignment of 4-NO₂C₆H₄S⁻ was aided by a DFT calculation.     

Luminescent dinuclear gold complexes of bis(diphenylphosphano)acetylene

We have synthesized a series of dinuclear gold(I) derivatives with the diphosphane bis(diphenylphosphano)acetylene, namely [(AuX)₂(μ-dppa)] (X=Cl, C₆F₅, SC₆F₅, S₂CN(CH₂Ph)₂). X-ray structure determinations for the first three derivatives reveal a linear geometry for the gold centres. There are no intramolecular gold-gold interactions, although for X=Cl intermolecular gold(I)-gold(I) interactions of 3.0694(4) Å lead to an infinite twisted chain; the further presence of C-H?Cl contacts leads to a more complex three-dimensional structure. All the derivatives are luminescent in the solid state at low temperature in the range 455-593 nm; most of them are emissive at room temperature in the range 470-598 nm. We have also prepared the dinuclear gold(III) derivative [(Au(C₆F₅)₃)₂(μ-dppa)]. Finally, we have prepared the derivative [(AuCl)₂(μ-dppa)₃], which forms a cage with two tetrahedrically coordinated gold(I) centres at the apical positions bridged by three rigid diphosphane ligands, with a helical twist of 26.2°, and a gold-gold distance of 5.769 Å. The gold(III) and the four-coordinate gold(I) derivatives are not luminescent.     

Synthesis, characterisation, supramolecular aggregation and biological activity of phosphine gold(I) complexes with monoanionic thiourea ligands

A series of phosphine gold(I) complexes containing monoanionic thiourea ligands has been synthesised by reaction of the appropriate precursor chloro complex, Ph₃PAuCl, Cy₃PAuCl, dppf(AuCl)₂ [dppf = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)₂] or dppe(AuCl)₂ (dppe = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with the thiourea and Me₃N base in methanol solution. The complexes have been fully characterised by elemental analysis, NMR spectrometry, electrospray mass spectrometry, and in several cases, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystallographic studies show that the ligands coordinate as a thiolate in each case with systematic variations in geometric parameters being readily ascribed to the influence of the N-bound substituents. In four of the structures, discernable supramolecular aggregation patterns are evident, leading to loosely associated dimers or chain motifs, the latter mediated by either Au?S, N-H?N or C-H?O interactions. Cytotoxicity data, against the P388 leukemia cell line, and anti-microbial data are also reported.     

Difference in reactivity of triel halides EX3 towards ferrocene

A facile route to the Fe²⁺-arene complex [(C₆H₆)FeCp][AlBr₄] is the reaction of ferrocene with AlBr₃ in benzene. The structure of the Fe²⁺-arene complex [(C₆H₆)FeCp][AlBr₄] · C₆H₆ was found to be isomorphous with those of [FeCp₂][ECl₄] · C₆H₆ (E = Al, Ga). The crystal structures of the [FeCp₂][AlCl₄] · C₆H₆ (E = Al, Ga) presented here show structural features which are different from those of solvent-free ferrocenium salts [FeCp₂][ECl₄] (E = Al, Ga, Fe). However, the cell parameters of solvent-free ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate [FeCp₂][BF₄] are also quite different from those of solvent-free [FeCp₂][ECl₄] (E = Al, Ga, Fe). In contrast to the eclipsed conformation in solvent-free [FeCp₂][ECl₄] (E = Al, Ga, Fe) the cyclopentadiene rings in [FeCp₂][BF₄] and [FeCp₂][ECl₄] · C₆H₆ (E = Al, Ga) are in a staggered conformation.     

Synthesis and structure of products of interaction of H[AuCl4] with H2DMG and pyridine

Two complexes of gold of the compositions [Au(DMG)ClPy] (1) and [AuCl₂Py₂][AuCl₄] · 2[AuCl₃Py] (2), where H₂DMG was dimethylglyoxime, were synthesized as the products of interaction of H[AuCl₄] · 4H₂O with H₂DMG in the presence of pyridine and characterized by X-ray structural analysis. It was shown that depending on the synthetic conditions, the final product represents a molecular complex 1 or an ionic complex 2, in the latter one the charged and neutral species being combined via Au?Cl or Au?Au interactions.     

Structures of sulfur-rich dithiolate-gold(I) complexes and their oxidation

[NMe₄][Au(PEt₃)(C₃S₅)], [NMe₄][Au(PPh₃)(C₃S₅)], [NMe₄][Au(PEt₃)(C₈H₄S₈)], [N-methylpyridinium][Au(PPh₃)(C₈H₄S₈)], [(PEt₃)Au-C₃S₅-Au(PEt₃)], and [(PEt₃)Au-C₈H₄S₈-Au(PEt₃)] [C₃S₅²⁻=4,5-disulfanyl-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate(2−); C₈H₄S₈²⁻=2-{(4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithionate(2−)] were prepared. They exhibited first oxidation potentials due to the dithiolate ligand-centered oxidation at −0.30 to +0.21 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) in dichloromethane. They were reacted with iodine or 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) to afford one-electron-oxidized species [Au(PEt₃)(C₈H₄S₈)] and [(L)Au-C₈H₄S₈-Au(L)](TCNQ)_1.0-1.1, (L=PEt₃ and PPh₃) and further-electron-oxidized species [Au(PEt₃)(S-S)]I_3.3-5.7, [Au(PPh₃)(S-S)]I_12-13, [(PEt₃)Au-(S-S)-Au(PEt₃)]I_3.3-5.5 (S-S=C₃S₅²⁻ and C₈H₄S₈²⁻) and [(PPh₃)Au-C₈H₄S₈-Au(PPh₃)]I₁₂. ESR spectra of the oxidized species suggest the C₃S₅ and C₈H₄S₈ ligand-centered oxidation. The oxidized C₈H₄S₈-complexes showed electrical conductivities of 10⁻⁴-10⁻² S cm⁻¹ measured for compacted pellets at room temperature. X-ray crystal structures of [NMe₄][Au(PPh₃)(C₃S₅)]CH₂Cl₂, [(PEt₃)Au-C₃S₅-Au(PEt₃)] and [(PEt₃)Au-C₈H₄S₈-Au(PEt₃)] were revealed.     

Bifunctional chelates with mixed aromatic and aliphatic amine donors for labeling of biomolecules with the {Tc(CO)3} and {Re(CO)3} cores

A series of tridentate ligands consisting of mixed aromatic and aliphatic amine derivatives of single amino acid chelates and phenylpiperazine have been developed, and their reactions with [NEt₄]₂[ReBr₃(CO)₃] have been investigated. The compounds [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NCH₃(C₂H₄)NHCH₃}]Br (4), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NCH₃(C₂H₄)NCH₃(CH₂)_xCOOC₂H₅}]Br (x = 1, 5; x = 4, 6) [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)NH(C₂H₄)N(CH₃)₂}]Br (7), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)N(CH ₂COOC₂H₅)(C₂H₄)N(CH₃)₂}]Br (8) and [Re(CO)₃(NC₅H₄CH₂)(C₂H₄NH₂)N(CH₂)₃-CH₃Ophenpip]Br (9) (phenpip: phenylpiperazine, -C₆H₄-(CH₂CH₂)₂N-) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, IR, HSMS and X-ray crystallography. All complexes exhibit fac-{Re(CO)₃N₃} coordination geometry in the cationic molecular unit. Crystal data for C₁₃H₁₇BrN₃O₃Re (4): orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 13.4510(8) Å, b = 10.5728(6) Å, c = 22.5378(13) Å, V = 3205.2(3) ų, Z = 8; C₁₇H₂₃BrN₃O₅Re (5): orthorhombic, Pcca, a = 16.5907(7) Å,b = 14.8387(6) Å, c = 16.7075(7) Å, V = 4113.1(3) ų, Z = 8; C₁₃H₂₅BrN₃O₇Re (7 · 4H₂O): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 14.0698(17) Å, b = 9.6760(12) Å, c = 15.6099 (19) Å, β = 114.930(2)°, V = 1927.1(4) ų, Z = 4; C₁₇H₂₃BrN₃O₅Re (8): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 7.5312(5) Å, b = 16.0366(10) Å, c = 16.8741(10) Å, β = 98.9990(10)°, V = 2012.9(2) ų, Z = 4.     

Complexes of the fac-{Re(CO)3} core with tridentate ligands derived from arylpiperazines

Arylpiperazines, XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂NH, are readily alkylated to give the N-alkylpiperazines of the type XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nNH₂. The amine functions of these derivatives are in turn easily subjected to mono- or dialkylation to provide potentially tridentate ligands of the types XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nN(H)(CH₂Y) and XC₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nN(CH₂Y)(CH₂Z), respectively. The latter class of dialkylated derivatives may be symmetrically (Y=Z) or unsymmetrically (Y ≠ Z) substituted. The donor groups Y and Z of this study include pyridine, imidazole, methyl-imidazole, thiazole, carboxylate and thiolate.The reactions of these ligands with [NEt₄]₂[Re(CO)₃Br₃] yield complexes of the type [Re(CO)₃{(YCH₂)N(H)(CH₂)_n(H)_xN(CH₂CH₂)₂N(H)_yC₆H₄X}]ⁿ and [Re(CO)₃{(ZCH₂)(YCH₂)N(CH₂)_n(H)_xN(CH₂CH₂)₂N(H)_yC₆H₄X}]ⁿ where the molecular charge n (0, +1, or +2) depends on the nature of the donor groups Y and Z (whether neutral or anionic or a combination of neutral and anionic) and on the degree of protonation of the piperazine unit (x=0 or 1; y=0 or 1). This variety of tridentate chelators provides complexes with fac-{Re(CO)₃N₃}, {Re(CO)₃N₂O}, {Re(CO)₃NO₂}, {Re(CO)₃N₂S} and {Re(CO)₃NS₂} coordination geometries. The structures of the model compound [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-piperidine}]Br · H₂O, [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-Fphenpip}]Br, [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)N(H)CH₂CH₂-Fphenpip}]Br, [Re(CO)₃{(O₂CCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH}] · xCH₃OH (x≈0.875), [Re(CO)₃{(NC₅H₄CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH}]Br₂ · 2CH₂Cl₂ · H₂O and [Re(CO)₃{(CH₃N₂C₃H₂CH₂)(O₂CCH₂)NCH₂CH₂CH₂-CH₃OphenpipH₂}]BrCl · 1.5CH₃OH · H₂O are discussed (phenpip: phenylpiperazine, -C₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂)₂N-).     

Analysis of the main structural trends for biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium compounds of general formula Rh2(O2CR)2(PC)2 · 2H2O

A new series of biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium (II) compounds with the general formula Rh₂(O₂CR)₂(PC)₂ · 2H₂O, being PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = CH₃ (1 · 2H₂O), PC = [(p-CH₃ OC₆H₃)P(p-CH₃ OC₆H₄)₂], R = CF₃ (2 · 2H₂O), PC = (C₆H₄)P[CH(CH₃)₂]₂, R = CH₃ (3 · 2H₂O) and PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = C₆F₅ (4 · 2H₂O) has been obtained. The crystal structures for these compounds have been determined by X-ray diffraction and the main structural trends, bond lengths, bond angles and torsion angles have been analyzed, and have also been compared with the structural parameters for different analogous complexes described previously in the literature.     

Asymmetric binuclear titanocenes linked by alkyl benzyl ethers: Synthesis, characterization and use as catalysts for ethylene polymerization

A series of novel asymmetric binuclear titanocenes linked with alkyl benzyl ethers p-[(C₅H₅TiCl₂)C₅H₄CH₂]C₆H₄O(CH₂)_n[C₅H₄(TiCl₂C₅H₅)] (n = 2-5) (13-16) have been synthesized by treating p-(LiC₅H₄CH₂)C₆H₄O(CH₂)_n(C₅H₄Li) (n = 2-5) (9-12) with C₅H₅TiCl₃. The new complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectra. Their catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization was investigated in the presence of aluminoxane (MAO). The results show that 13-16 are efficient catalysts for producing polyethylene (PE) with a broad molecular weight distribution (MWD). Their catalytic activity is highly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain and the polymerization conditions. A longer alkyl chain increases the catalytic activity, whereas the molecular weight of the produced polyethylene decreases.     

Binuclear cyclopalladated pincer compounds bridged by ditopic nitrogenated ligands

The binuclear cyclopalladated compounds [(SCS)Pd-pz-Pd(SCS)][BF₄]₂ (pz = pyrazine) 2a, [(SCS)Pd-bipy-Pd(SCS)][BF₄]₂ (bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) 2b, [(SCS)Pd-dcb-Pd(SCS)][BF₄]₂ (dcb = 1,4-dicyanobenzene) 2c and [(SCS)Pd-tmeda-Pd(SCS)][BF₄]₂ (tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) 2d (SCS = {C₆H₃-2,6-(CH₂SC₆H₄F-4)₂}) were synthesized by a substitution reaction between the pincer unit [Pd(C₆H₃-2,6-(CH₂SC₆H₄F-4)₂)Cl] 1 and the corresponding bidentate nitrogenated ligands. The topology of the bridging ligand between both pincer units induces the aggregation of the organometallic cations in the solid state. The X-ray diffraction molecular structures of complexes 2a and 2d are also reported.     

Functional nickel thiosalen complexes: structure and solid-state packing of a transition metal-based surfactant

The complex NiBr₂(2-C₁₂H₂₅SC₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NCHC₆H₄SC₁₂H₂₅-2) (1) was prepared from the ligand 2-C₁₂H₂₅SC₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NCHC₆H₄SC₁₂H₂₅-2 (3) and NiBr₂. Paramagnetic 1 was characterized by combustion analyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, Vis–NIR spectroscopy, measurement of its magnetic susceptibility, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 features octahedral coordination of Ni(II) with axial bromides and fully extended interdigitated alkyl chains. There are significant differences between the solid state structures of 1 and NiBr₂(2-C₆H₁₂SC₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NCHC₆H₄SC₆H₁₂-2) (2), a previously reported homologue.     

Solvent and electrolyte effects in enhancing the identification of intramolecular electronic communication in a multi redox-active diruthenium tetraferrocenoate complex, a triple-sandwiched dicadmium phthalocyanine and a ruthenocene-containing β-diketone

Enhanced electrochemical resolution of anodic processes is possible in the presence of [N(ⁿBu)₄][B(C₆F₅)₄], 1, as supporting electrolyte over that obtained in the presence of [N(ⁿBu)₄][PF₆]. By changing the anion of the supporting electrolyte to a salt having [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, anions, electrochemical processes of especially cationic analytes can benefit. Thus, the redox chemistry of 0.5 mmol dm⁻³ solutions of [Ru₂(μ-FcCOO)₄·(CH₃CH₂OH)₂][PF₆], 2, Fc = ferrocenyl, in CH₂Cl₂/[N(ⁿBu)₄][B(C₆F₅)₄] were found to involve four well-resolved ferrocenyl-based electrochemical reversible redox processes as well as reduction of Ru^III-Ru^II. At 1.0 mmol dm⁻³ concentrations of 2, or in the presence of [N(ⁿBu)₄][PF₆], the four ferrocenyl processes coalesced into only two waves as a result of (Fc⁺)?() ion paring. Seventeen of the possible 18 one-electron transfer processes of the biscadmium trisphthalocyaninato complex [Cd₂{Pc(C₆H₁₃)₈}₃], 3, could be observed in THF/[N(ⁿBu)₄][B(C₆F₅)₄], but the electrochemical window of CH₂Cl₂/[N(ⁿBu)₄][B(C₆F₅)₄] only allowed detection of 15 of these processes. Although reduction processes were unaffected, THF solvation leading to species such as (3ⁿ⁺)(THF)_x with 1 ? n ? 4 and x ? 1 as well as ion pair formation of the type (3ⁿ⁺)?() prevented good resolution of oxidation processes. The CH₂Cl₂/[N(ⁿBu)₄][B(C₆F₅)₄] system also allowed detection of reversible one-electron transfer ferrocenyl (Fc/Fc⁺) and ruthenocenyl-based (Rc/Rc⁺) processes for both enol and keto isomers of the β-diketone FcCOCH₂CORc, 4, Rc = ruthenocenyl. In CH₃CN/[N(ⁿBu)₄][PF₆], the ruthenocenyl moiety was oxidised to a Ru^IV species.     

Synthesis and characterization of silver(I) derivatives containing acylpyrazolonate and phosphino ligands: X-ray crystal structures of monomeric [Ag(Q)(PPh3)2] and of dimeric [{Ag(Q)(PiBu3)}2] (Q = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-tert-butylacetylpyrazolon-5-ato)

New silver(I) acylpyrazolonate derivatives [Ag(Q)], [Ag(Q)(PR₃)]₂ and [Ag(Q)(PR₃)₂] (HQ = 1-R¹-3-methyl-4-R²(CO)pyrazol-5-one, HQ^Bn = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH₂C₆H₅; HQ^CHPh2 = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH(C₆H₅)₂; HQ^nPe = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; HQ^tBu = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = C(CH₃)₃; HQ^fMe = R¹ = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R² = CF₃; HQ^fEt = R¹ = C₆H₅, R² = CF₂CF₃; R = Ph or iBu) have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and solution. The crystal structure of 1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone, the precursor of proligand HQ^fMe and of derivatives [Ag(Q^nPe)(PPh₃)₂] and [Ag(Q^nPe)(PiBu₃)]₂ have been investigated. [Ag(Q^nPe)(PPh₃)₂] is a mononuclear compound with a silver atom in a tetrahedrally distorted AgO₂P₂ environment, whereas [Ag(Q^nPe)(PiBu₃)]₂ is a dinuclear compound with two O₂N-exotridentate bridging acylpyrazolonate ligands connecting both silver atoms, their coordination environment being completed by a phosphine ligand.     

Solvatothermal chemistry of organically-templated vanadium fluorides and oxyfluorides

The solvatothermal reactions of V₂O₅, the appropriate organoamine and HF in the temperature range 100-180 °C yielded a series of vanadium fluorides and oxyfluorides. The compounds [NH₄][H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][VF₆] (1) and [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][VF₅(H₂O)] (2) contain mononuclear V(III) anions, while [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₃]₂ [VF₅(H₂O)]₂[VOF₄(H₂O)] (3) exhibits both V(IV) and V(III) mononuclear anions. Both compound 4, [H₃NCH₂(C₆H₄)CH₂NH₃][VOF₄]·H₂O (4·H₂O) and compound 5, [HN(C₂H₄)₃NH][V₂O₂F₆ (H₂O)₂] (5) contain binuclear anions constructed from edge-sharing V(IV) octahedra. In contrast, [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₃]₂[V₄O₄F₁₄(H₂O)₂], (6) exhibits a tetranuclear unit of edge- and corner-sharing V(IV) octahedra. Compound 7, [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂][VF₅], contains chains of corner-sharing {V^IVF₆} octahedra, while [H₂N(C₂H₄)₂NH₂]₃[V₄F₁₇O]·1.5H₂O (8·1.5H₂O) is two-dimensional with a layer of V(III) and V(IV) octahedra in an edge- and corner-sharing arrangement. In the case of [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][V₂O₆] (9), there was no fluoride incorporation, and the anion is a one-dimensional chain of corner-sharing V(V) tetrahedra.     

Interaction of metal nanoparticles with recombinant arginine kinase from Trypanosoma brucei: Thermodynamic and spectrofluorimetric evaluation

Background

Trypanosoma brucei, responsible for African sleeping sickness, is a lethal parasite against which there is need for new drug protocols. It is therefore relevant to attack possible biomedical targets with specific preparations and since arginine kinase does not occur in humans but is present in the parasite it becomes a suitable target.

Methods

Fluorescence quenching, thermodynamic analysis and FRET have shown that arginine kinase from T. brucei interacted with silver or gold nanoparticles.

Results

The enzyme only had one binding site. At 25 °C the dissociation (K_d) and Stern–Volmer constants (K_SV) were 15.2 nM, 0.058 nM^− 1 [Ag]; and 43.5 nM, 0.052 nM^− 1 [Au] and these decreased to 11.2 nM, 0.041 nM^− 1 [Ag]; and 24.2 nM, 0.039 nM^− 1 [Au] at 30 °C illustrating static quenching and the formation of a non-fluorescent fluorophore–nanoparticle complex. Silver nanoparticles bound to arginine kinase with greater affinity, enhanced fluorescence quenching and easier access to tryptophan molecules than gold. Negative ΔH and ΔG values implied that the interaction of both Ag and Au nanoparticles with arginine kinase was spontaneous with electrostatic forces. FRET confirmed that the nanoparticles were bound 2.11 nm [Ag] and 2.26 nm [Au] from a single surface tryptophan residue.

Conclusions

The nanoparticles bind close to the arginine substrate through a cysteine residue that controls the electrophilic and nucleophilic characters of the substrate arginine–guanidinium group crucial for enzymatic phosphoryl transfer between ADP and ATP.

General significance

The nanoparticles of silver and gold interact with arginine kinase from T. brucei and may prove to have far reaching consequences in clinical trials.     

Part II. Chiral dirhodium (II) catalysts with ortho-metalated arylphosphane ligands in the enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of a racemic α-diazo ketone

In this report, chiral dirhodium (II) with ortho-metalated phosphane ligands, namely (M)-Rh₂(O₂CR) ₂(PC)₂ [PC = ortho-metalated aryl phosphane, O₂CR = carboxylate bridging ligands) (1a-g), have been used for the intramolecular cyclopropanation of racemic1-diazo-6-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)-5-hepten-2-one (2), containing both a tri- and monosubstituted carbon-carbon double bond, in pentane. The highest level of regiocontrol has been obtained with chiral catalyst Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₂[(p-MeC₆H₃)P(p-MeC₆H₄)₂]₂ (M)-1c, affording favorably trisubstituted cyclopropane 3 versus monosubstituted cyclopropane 4 in 74:26 ratio. An exceptional diastereoselectivity was obtained with the entire catalyst series, leading to the unique formation of the syn products. Excellent enantiocontrol values (80-90% ee) have been achieved with catalysts 1a [(PC = (C₆H₃)P(C₆H₄)₂, R = C(CH₃)₃)], 1c [PC = p-MeC₆H₃)P(p-MeC₆H₄)₂, R = CH₃], 1f [PC = m-CH₃C₆H₃)P(m-CH₃C₆H₄)₂, R = CF₃] and 1g [PC = 3,5-(CH₃)₂C₆H₃)P(3,5-(CH₃)₂C₆H₄)₂, R = CF₃] at room temperature. Pentane is found to be a convenient solvent for high enantiocontrol in the cyclopropanation of α-diazo ketone 2.     

Structural and solution chemistry, protein binding and antiproliferative profiles of gold(I)/(III) complexes bearing the saccharinato ligand

A series of new gold(I) and gold(III) complexes based on the saccharinate (sac) ligand, namely M[Au(sac)₂] (with M being Na⁺, K⁺ or NH₄⁺), [(PTA)Au(sac)], K[Au(sac)₃Cl] and Na[Au(sac)₄], were synthesized and characterized, and some aspects of their biological profile investigated. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that these gold compounds, upon dissolution in aqueous media, at physiological pH, manifest a rather favourable balance between stability and reactivity. Their reactions with the model proteins cytochrome c and lysozyme were monitored by mass spectrometry to predict their likely interactions with protein targets. In the case of disaccharinato gold(I) complexes, cytochrome c adducts bearing four coordinated gold(I) ions were preferentially formed in high yield. In contrast, [(PTA)Au(sac)] (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) turned out to be poorly effective, only producing a mono-metalated adduct in very low amount. In turn, the gold(III) saccharinate derivatives were less reactive than their gold(I) analogues: K[Au(sac)₃Cl] and Na[Au(sac)₄] caused moderate protein metalation, again with evidence of formation of tetragold adducts. Finally, the above mentioned gold compounds were challenged against the reference human tumor cell line A2780S and its cisplatin resistant subline A2780R and their respective cytotoxic profiles determined. [(PTA)Au(sac)] turned out to be highly cytotoxic whereas moderate cytotoxicities were observed for the gold(III) complexes and only modest activities for disaccharinato gold(I) complexes. The implications of these results are thoroughly discussed in the light of current knowledge on gold based drugs.