Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of palladium(II) salicylaldiminato thiosemicarbazone complexes against Trichomonas vaginalis

Eight mononuclear Pd(II) complexes containing salicylaldiminato thiosemicarbazones (saltsc-R; where R = H (1), 3-OMe (2), 3-^tBu (3) and 5-Cl (4)) as dinegative tridentate ligands were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding thiosemicarbazone with the precursor Pd(L)₂Cl₂ (L = phosphatriazaadamantane or 4-picoline) in the presence of a weak base. These complexes (9-16) were characterised by a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques including NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These complexes along with four other Pd(II) analogues (5-8) were screened for activity in vitro against the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. Preliminary results show that the type of ancillary ligand as well as the substituents on the aromatic ring of the salicylaldiminato thiosemicarbazone ligand influences the antiparasitic activity of these complexes.     

Iridium assisted S-H and C-H activation of benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones. Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of the resulting complexes

Reaction of five 4-R-benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones (R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) with [Ir(PPh₃)₃Cl] in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords complexes of three different types, viz. 1-R, 2-R and 3-R. In the 1-R complexes the thiosemicarbazone is coordinated to iridium as a monoanionic bidentate N,S-donor forming a four-membered chelate ring. Two triphenylphosphines, a hydride and a chloride are also coordinated to the metal center. The 2-R complexes are very similar in composition and stereochemistry to the corresponding 1-R complexes, except that a second hydride is bound to iridium instead of the chloride. In the 3-R complexes, the thiosemicarbazones are coordinated to iridium as dianionic tridentate C,N,S-donors forming two adjacent five-membered chelate rings. Two triphenylphosphines and a hydride are also coordinated to the metal center. Structures of the 1-NO₂, 2-NO₂ and 3-NO₂ complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Reaction of the same 4-R-benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones with [Ir(PPh₃)₃Cl] in refluxing toluene in the presence of NEt₃ affords complexes of two types, viz. 3-R and 4-R. The 4-R complexes are very similar in composition and stereochemistry to the corresponding 3-R complexes, except that a chloride is bound to iridium instead of the hydride. Structure of the 4-CH₃ complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. In all the complexes the two PPh₃ ligands are trans. All the complexes show intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the complexes shows an Ir(III)-Ir(IV) oxidation on the positive side of SCE followed by an oxidation of the coordinated thiosemicarbazone. A reduction of the coordinated thiosemicarbazone is also observed on the negative side of SCE.     

DNA binding and nuclease activity of copper(II) complexes of tridentate ligands

Two copper(II) complexes, 1 and 2 with L₁ and L₂ [L₁ = 2-hydroxybenzyl(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylamine); L₂ = 2-hydroxybenzyl(2-(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine)] ligands, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. The interaction of both the complexes with DNA has been studied to explore their potential biological activity. The DNA binding properties of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA were studied by spectroscopic titration. The complexes show binding affinity to CT DNA with binding constant (K_b) values in the order of 10⁵ M⁻¹. Thermal denaturation and circular dichroism studies suggest groove binding of the complexes to CT DNA. Complexes also exhibit strong DNA cleavage activity in presence of reducing agents like 3-mercaptopropionic acid and β-mercaptoethanol. Mechanistic studies reveal the involvement of reactive hydroxyl radicals for their DNA cleavage activity.     

Mixed-ligand thiosemicarbazone complexes of nickel: Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

Reaction of thiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxyacetophenone and 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde with Ni(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, using 2,2′-bipyridine as coligand, afforded three dinuclear complexes (1a, 1b and 1c). Similar reactions using 2,2′:6′2″-terpyridine as coligand yielded three mononuclear complexes (2a, 2b and 2c). Crystal structures of 1b and 2a have been determined. In the dinuclear complexes, one nickel center is surrounded octahedrally by a dianionic O,N,S-donor thiosemicarbazone, a bipyridine and the bridging phenolate oxygen of the other thiosemicarbazone. The second nickel center adopts a square-planar geometry created by the second O,N,S-coordinated thiosemicarbazone and the bridging sulfur of the first thiosemicarbazone. In the mononuclear complexes nickel is complexed by a monoanionic O,N,S-coordinated thiosemicarbazone and a terpyridine, and the cationic species are isolated as perchlorate salts. All these six complexes are paramagnetic (μ_eff = 2.63-2.92 B.M.) and in dimethylsulfoxide solution they show intense absorptions in the visible and ultraviolet region, origin of which has been probed through DFT calculations. Cyclic voltammetry on the complexes shows one irreversible oxidation of coordinated thiosemicarbazone on the positive side of SCE, and one irreversible reduction of the coordinated polypyridine ligand on the negative side. These nickel complexes are found to be efficient catalysts for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.     

Chiral 2-pyridyl alcoholate copper complexes: crystal structures of [bis(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(II)] and the use of [(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(II)]and [(2-pyridyl alcoholate)copper(I)] in asymmetric cyclopropanation of styene and allylic oxidation of cyclohexene

Chiral N,O pyridine alcohols HL¹-HL⁶ were used to form complexes with copper(II) ions. Ligands HL¹ and HL² formed complexes with copper(II) ions when Cu(OAc)₂ and HL were refluxed in methanol/ethanol mixture. Ligand HL³ formed a complex with copper(II) when deprotonated with NaH and stirred in a Cu(II) acetate THF solution. Ligands HL⁴-HL⁶ did not form complexes with copper(II) under similar conditions. Two complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] and [Cu(L²)₂], were isolated as single crystals and characterized by X-ray crystallography. These complexes showed low catalytic activities in asymmetric reactions. However, they became active when reacted with triflic acid. Copper complexes, [Cu(L)] or [Cu(L)]⁺, formed in situ by reacting ligands HL with copper(I) or (II) ions, respectively, were also found to be active copper catalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate and allylic oxidation of cyclohexene with t-butylperoxybenzoate. Enantioselectivities up to 56% and 38% were obtained in asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene and asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclohexene, respectively.     

Anticancer and antifungal activity of copper(II) complexes of quinolin-2(1H)-one-derived Schiff bases

The condensation of substituted aromatic aldehydes with 7-amino-4-methyl-quinolin-2(1H)-one (1) has lead to the isolation of quinolin-2(1H)-one derived Schiff bases (2-14). The copper(II) complexes (2a-14a) of the ligands were also prepared, and together with their corresponding free ligands were fully characterised by elemental analyses, spectral methods (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, AAS, UV-Vis), magnetic and conductance measurements. The bidentate ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion through the deprotonated phenolic oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen of the ligands in almost all cases. X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes, 5a and 8a, confirmed the bidentate coordination mode. All of the compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against the fungus, Candida albicans, and against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were found to have excellent anti-Candida activity but were inactive against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Selected compounds (2-8 and 2a-8a) were also screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using the human hepatic carcinoma cell line, Hep-G₂. Several derivatives were shown to be active comparable to that of cisplatin.     

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.     

Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of two novel trinuclear Cu(II)/Ni(II) complexes with pentadentate ligand N-2-methyl-acryloyl-salicylhydrazide

Two new trinuclear complexes, Cu₃L₂(py)₂ (1) and Ni₃L₂(py)₄ (2), have been synthesized and characterized, where L³⁻ is N-2-methyl-acryloyl-salicylhydrazidate. Central metal ion and two terminal metal ions in the two complexes are combined by two bridging deprotonated L³⁻ ligands, forming a bent trinuclear structure unit with an M-N-N-M-N-N-M core. The bent angles in complexes 1 and 2 are 167.6(1)° and 75.4(1)°, respectively. Three nickel ions in compound 2 exhibit alternating square-planar and octahedral geometries, while three copper ions in compound 1 follow square-planar mode. The studies in solution integrity and stability of compounds 1 and 2 show they are soluble and stable in DMF. UV-Vis titrations demonstrate compound 1 is stable in DMF even in the presence of excess metal ions. Antibacterial screening data indicate the two compounds all have stronger antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms than ligand. The trinuclear copper compound 1 is more active than monocopper compounds in the previous study, and the trinuclear nickel compound 2 is less active than tetranuclear nickel compound in the previous study.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary copper(II)-thiosemicarbazone complexes having heterocyclic bases

New ternary copper(II) complexes of formulations [Cu(Ph-tsc)B] (B=1,10-phenanthroline, phen (1); dipyridoquinoxaline, dpq (2); dipyridophenazine, dppz (3); Ph-H₂tsc, salicylaldehyde-N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone) and [Cu(Me-tsc)(phen)] (4, Me-H₂tsc, salicylaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) are prepared, and their DNA binding and cleavage properties studied. Complex 1 has been characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure shows a distorted square pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry of the complex with the dianionic NSO-donor N(4)-phenyl-substituted thiosemicarbazone binding at the basal plane and the NN-donor planar heterocyclic base (phen) displaying axial-equatorial coordination. The one-electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit axial EPR spectra and show a d-d band near 580 nm for the phen and near 720 nm for the dpq, dppz complexes in their electronic spectra in DMF. The complexes show quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response near 0.08 V vs. SCE in DMF-0.1 M TBAP assignable to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The Ph-tsc complexes display good binding propensity to calf thymus (CT) DNA. They also show oxidative cleavage of supercoiled (SC) pUC19 DNA in dark under aerobic condition in the presence of mercaptopropionic acid. The complexes exhibit light-induced DNA cleavage activity at 312 and 532 nm. Mechanistic investigations reveal DNA minor groove binding for the phen and dpq complexes, and major groove binding for the dppz species. The complexes are cleavage inactive under argon atmosphere. In the ternary structure, the thiosemicarbazones, dpq and dppz act as photosensitizers, while the planar heterocyclic bases are binder to DNA. The mechanistic pathways involved and the role of metal in the DNA cleavage reactions are discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures and photophysical properties of copper(I) complexes containing 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (B-dppf) in doubly-bridged mode

Five copper(I) complexes having general formula [Cu₂(μ-X)₂(κ²-P,P-B-dppf)₂] (X = Cl(1), Br(2), I(3), CN(4), and SCN(5)) were prepared starting with CuX and B-dppf in 1:1 molar ratio in DCM-MeOH (50:50 V/V) at room temperature. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and electronic spectral studies. Molecular structures for 1, 2 and 4 were determined crystallographically. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 exist as centrosymmetric dimers in which the two copper atoms are bonded to two bridging B-dppf ligands and two bridging (pseudo-)halide groups in a μ-η¹ bonding mode to generate nearly planar Cu₂(μ-η¹-X)₂ framework. Both bridging B-dppf ligands are arranged in antiperiplanar staggered conformation in 1 and 2 (mean value 56.40-56.76°), and twisted from the eclipsed conformation (mean value 78.19°) in 4. The Φ angle value in 4 is relatively larger as compared to 1 and 2. This seems to indicate that the molecular core [Cu₂(μ-η¹-X)₂] in 4 is a sterically demanding system that forces the B-dppf ligand to adopt a relatively strained conformation in comparison to less strained system in 1 and 2. All the complexes exhibit moderately strong luminescence properties in the solution state at ambient temperature.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, cytotoxic activities and DNA-binding properties of new binuclear copper(II) complexes bridged by N,N′-bis(N-hydroxyethylaminoethyl)oxamide

Two new μ-oxamido-bridged binuclear copper(II) complexes with formulae of [Cu₂(heae)(pic)₂] (1) and [Cu₂(heae)(Me₂phen)₂](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (2), where heae and pic stand for the anion of N,N′-bis(N-hydroxyethylaminoethyl)oxamide and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, respectively, and Me₂phen represents 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity measurements, IR and electronic spectra studies. The crystal structures of the two binuclear copper(II) complexes have been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In both the two binuclear complexes the central two copper(II) atoms are bridged by trans-heae. In complex 1 the coordination environment around each copper(II) atom can be described as a distorted octahedral geometry, while in complex 2 each copper(II) atom displays a square-pyramid stereochemistry. Hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions link the binuclear copper(II) complex 1 or 2 into a 3D infinite network. The cytotoxicities of the two binuclear copper(II) complexes were tested by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC-7721 and human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549. Both of the two binuclear copper(II) complexes exhibit potent cytotoxic effects against SMMC-7721 and A549 cell lines. The interactions of the two binuclear complexes with herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) are investigated by using absorption and emission spectra and electrochemical techniques and viscometry. The results suggest that both the two binuclear copper(II) complexes interact with HS-DNA in the mode of intercalation with the intrinsic binding constants of 1.73 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (1) and 1.92 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ (2). The influence of structural variation of the terminal ligands in the binuclear complexes on DNA-binding properties is preliminarily discussed.     

Functional mimics of catechol oxidase by mononuclear copper complexes of sterically demanding [NNO] ligands

Several mononuclear copper complexes 1(a-b) and 2(a-b) supported over sterically demanding [NNO] ligands namely, N-(aryl)-2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]acetamide [aryl = 2,6-diethylphenyl (1) and mesityl (2)], exhibit catecholase-like activity in performing the aerial oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylcatehol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di-t-butyl-catequinone (3,5-DTBQ) under ambient conditions. The 1(a-b) and 2(a-b) complexes were directly synthesized from the reaction of the respective ligands 1-2 with CuX₂·nH₂O (X = Cl, NO₃, n = 2, 3) in 55-85% yield. Mechanistic insights on the catalytic cycle as obtained by density functional theory studies for a representative complex 1a suggest that an intramolecular hydrogen transfer, from a catechol-OH moiety to a copper bound superoxo moiety, form the rate-determining step of the oxidation process, displaying an activation barrier of 18.3 kcal/mol (ΔG^‡) [6.9 kcal/mol in Δ(PE + ZPE)^‡ scale].     

Gold(I) complexes with thiosemicarbazones: cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines and inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity

Complexes [Au(H2Ac4DH)Cl]?MeOH (1) [Au(H₂2Ac4Me)Cl]Cl (2) [Au(H₂2Ac4Ph)Cl]Cl?2H₂O (3) and [Au(H₂2Bz4Ph)Cl]Cl (4) were obtained with 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Ac4DH), its N(4)-methyl (H2Ac4Me) and N(4)-phenyl (H2Ac4Ph) derivatives, as well as with N(4)-phenyl 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Bz4Ph). The compounds were cytotoxic to Jurkat (immortalized line of T lymphocyte), HL-60 (acute myeloid leukemia), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and HCT-116 (colorectal carcinoma) tumor cell lines. Jurkat and HL-60 cells were more sensitive than MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells. Upon coordinating to the gold(I) metal centers in complexes (2) and (4), the cytotoxic activity of the H2Ac4Me and H2Bz4Ph ligands increased against the HL-60 and Jurkat tumor cell lines. 2 was more active than auranofin against both leukemia cells. Most of the studied compounds were less toxic than auranofin to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). All compounds induced DNA fragmentation in HL-60 and Jurkat cells indicating their pro-apoptotic potential. Complex (2) strongly inhibited the activity of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), which suggests inhibition of TrxR to be part of its mechanism of action.     

Dinuclear metal phosphonates and -phosphates

The reaction of Cu(II) or Cd(II) salts with 2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂PO₃H₂, 2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂CH₂PO₃H₂ or 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃OPO₃H₂ in the presence of strong chelating nitrogen ligands such as 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2-pyridylpyrazole (pypz) or 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole (dmpz) as the ancillary ligands afforded dinuclear copper or cadmium complexes [Cu₂(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂PO₃H)₄(bpy)₂] (4), [Cu₂(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃OPO₃H)₂(bpy)₂(OAc)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·(CH₃OH) (5), [Cd₂(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃OPO₃H)₄ (bpy)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2(CH₃OH) (6), [Cd₂(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃OPO₃H)₄(phen)₂] (7), [Cu₂(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃OPO₃H)₂(PyPz)₂(CH₃OH)₂] (8) and [Cu₂(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂CH₂PO₃H)₂(DMPz)₂Cl₂]·(CH₃OH) (9) The molecular structures of 4-7 are grossly similar. The common structural features in these complexes are that the two metal centers are bridged by two bidentate [RPO₂(OH)]⁻ ligands generating a central eight-membered ring. Each of the metal centers also contains a chelating nitrogen ligand and a monodentate phosphonate or a phosphate ligand. In 5 and 6 other terminal ancillary ligands are also present. In compound 8, each of the two copper centers contains a monodentate [RPO₂(OH)]⁻ ligand along with a molecule of methanol. The two coppers are bridged by two monoanionic pyridylpyrazole ligands. The molecular structure of 9 is similar to that of 4-7. However, in 9 each of the two copper centers contain only terminal monodentate ligands in the form of two chlorides and a pyrazole. Magnetic studies on all of these copper complexes reveal an anti-ferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures. In addition, these complexes were found to be artificial nucleases and can convert supercoiled pBR322 DNA form I into nick form II in 1 min in the presence of an external oxidant through a hydrolytic and/or an oxidative pathway.     

An investigation of Cu(II) and Ni(II)-catalysed hydrolysis of (di)imines

The reactions of six diimine ligands with Cu(II) and Ni(II) halide salts have been investigated. The diimine ligands were Ph₂CN(CH₂)_nNCPh₂ (n = 2 (Bz₂en, 1a), 3 (Bz₂pn, 1b), 4 (Bz₂bn, 1c)), N,N′-bis-(2-tert-butylthio-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-2,2′diamino-biphenyl (2), N,N′-bis-(2-chloro-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-1,3-diaminobenzene (3) and N,N′-bis-(2-chloro-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-1,2-ethanediamine (4). Reactions of 1a-c, 2-4 with CuCl₂·2H₂O in dry ethanol at ambient temperature led to complete or partial hydrolysis of the diimine ligands to ultimately form copper diamine complexes. The non-hydrolyzed complexes of 1b and 1c, [Cu(L)Cl₂] (L = 1b, 1c), could be isolated when the reactions were carried out at low temperatures, and the half-hydrolyzed complex [Cu(Bzpn)Cl₂] could also be identified via X-ray crystallography. Similarly, reactions of 1a or 1b with NiCl₂·6H₂O or [NiBr₂(dme)] led to rapid hydrolysis of the imines and Ni complexes containing half-hydrolyzed 1a (Bzen; [trans-[Ni(Bzen)₂Br₂]) and 1b (Bzpn; [Ni(Bzpn)Br₂] could be isolated and identified via single crystal X-ray analysis. Kinetic studies were made of the hydrolyses of 1a, 1b in THF and 2 in acetone, in the presence of Cu(II), and of 1a in acetonitrile, in the presence of Ni(II). Activation parameters were determined for the latter reaction and for the copper-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2; the relatively large negative activation entropies clearly indicate rate-determining steps of an associative nature.     

Mononuclear diastereopure non-heme Fe(II) complexes of pentadentate ligands with pyrrolidinyl moieties: Structural studies, and alkene and sulfide oxidation

Mononuclear iron(II) complexes of enantiopure Py(ProOH)₂ (2) and Py(ProPh₂OH)₂ (3) ligands have been prepared with FeCl₂ and Fe(OTf)₂ · 2MeCN. Both ligands coordinate to the metal in a pentadentate fashion. Next to the meridional N,N′,N-coordination of the ligand, additional coordination of the oxygen atoms of both hydroxyl groups to the metal is found in complexes 4-7. Complex [FeCl(2)](Cl) (4) shows an octahedral geometry as determined by X-ray diffraction and is formed as a single diastereoisomer. The solution structures of complexes 4-7 were characterized by means of UV-Vis, IR, ESI-MS, conductivity and CD measurements. The catalytic potential of these complexes in the oxidation of alkenes and sulfides in the presence of H₂O₂ is presented.     

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.     

Mono- and dinuclear (o-thioetherphenolato)-copper(II) complexes. Structural models for galactose oxidase

Three new o-thioetherphenol ligands have been synthesized: 1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenylsulfanyl)ethane (H₂bse), 1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenylsulfanyl)benzene (H₂bsb), and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-phenylsulfanylphenol (Hpsp). Their complexes with copper(II) were prepared and investigated by UV-Vis-, EPR-spectroscopy; their electro- and magnetochemistry have also been studied: [Cu^II(psp)₂] (1), [Cu^II₂(bse)₂] (2), [Cu^II₂(bsb)₂] (3), [Cu^II(bsb)(py)₂] (4). The crystal structures of the ligands H₂bse, H₂bsb, Hpsp and of the complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Copper complexes with new oxaaza-pendant-armed macrocyclic ligands: X-ray crystal structure of a macrocyclic copper(II) complex

The synthesis of new oxaaza macrocyclic ligands (2-4) derived from O¹,O⁷-bis(2-formylphenyl)-1,4,7-trioxaheptane and functionalized tris(2-aminoethyl)amine are described. Mononuclear copper(II) complexes were isolated in the reaction of the corresponding macrocyclic ligand and copper(II) perchlorate. The structure of the [Cu(2)](ClO₄)₂ complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The copper(II) ion is five-coordinated by all N₅ donor atoms, efficiently encapsulated by the amine terminal pendant-arm, with a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The complexes are further characterized by UV-Vis, IR and EPR studies. The electronic reflectance spectra evidence that the coordination geometry for the Cu(II) complexes is trigonal-bipyramidal with the ligands 1 and 2 or distorted square-pyramidal with the ligands 3 and 4. The electronic spectra in MeCN solutions are different from those in the solid state, which suggest that some structural modification may occur in solution. The EPR spectrum of powder samples of the copper complex with 2 presents axial symmetry with hyperfine split at g_// with the copper nuclei (I = 3/2), which is characteristic of weakly exchange coupled extended systems. The EPR parameters (g_// = 2.230, A_// = 156 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ and g_⊥ = 2.085) indicate a d_x²-y² ground state. The EPR spectra of the complexes with ligands 3 and 4 show EPR spectra with a poorly resolved hyperfine structure at g_//. In contrast, the complex with ligand 2 shows no hyperfine split and a line shape which was simulated assuming rhombic g-tensor (g₁ = 2.030, g₂ = 2.115 and g₃ = 2.190).     

Iron(III) Schiff base complexes of arginine and lysine as netropsin mimics showing AT-selective DNA binding and photonuclease activity

Iron(III) complexes [Fe(L)₂]Cl (1-3), where L is monoanionic N-salicylidene-arginine (sal-argH for 1), hydroxynaphthylidene-arginine (nap-argH for 2) and N-salicylidene-lysine (sal-lysH for 3), were prepared and their DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity studied. Complex 3 as its hexafluorophosphate salt [Fe(sal-lysH)₂](PF₆)·6H₂O (3a) was structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystals belonged to the triclinic space group P-1. The complex has two tridentate ligands in FeN₂O₄ coordination geometry with two pendant cationic amine moieties. Complexes 1 and 2 with two pendant cationic guanidinium moieties are the structural models for the antitumor antibiotics netropsin. The complexes are stable and soluble in water. They showed quasi-reversible Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple near 0.6 V in H₂O-0.1 M KCl. The high-spin 3d⁵-iron(III) complexes with μ_eff value of ∼5.9 μ_B displayed ligand-to-metal charge transfer electronic band near 500 nm in Tris-HCl buffer. The complexes show binding to Calf Thymus (CT) DNA. Complex 2 showed better binding propensity to the synthetic oligomer poly(dA)·poly(dT) than to CT-DNA or poly(dG)·poly(dC). All the complexes displayed chemical nuclease activity in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid as a reducing agent and cleaved supercoiled pUC19 DNA to its nicked circular form. They exhibited photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light and visible light via a mechanistic pathway that involves the formation of reactive hydroxyl radical species.