Synthesis and characterization of the chromium(III) complexes of ethylene cross-bridged cyclam and cyclen ligands

Dichloro(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane)chromium(III) chloride, Dichloro(4,10-dibenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane) chromium(III) chloride, and Dichloro(4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2] hexadecane)chromium)(III) chloride have been prepared by the reaction of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride with the appropriate cross-bridged tetraazamacrocycle. Aquation of these complexes proved difficult, but Chlorohydroxo(4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane)chromium)(III) chloride was synthesized directly from chromium(II) chloride complexation followed by exposure or the reaction to air in the presence of water. The four complexes were characterized by X-ray crystal structure determination. All contain the chromium(III) ion in a distorted octahedral geometry and the macrocycle in the cis-V configuration, as dictated by the ethylene cross-bridge. Further characterization of the hydroxo complex reveals a magnetic moment of μ_eff = 3.95 B.M. and electronic absorbtions in acetonitrile at λ_max = 583 nm (ε = 65.8 L/cm mol), 431 nm (ε = 34.8 L/cm mol) and 369 nm (ε = 17 L/cm mol).     

Metal-directed synthesis of a chiral acyclic pentaamine and pendant-arm macrocyclic hexaamine derived from an amino acid

l-3-Phenylpropane-1,2-diamine (dapp) was prepared by a three-step synthesis based on l-phenylalanine and characterized, including determination of stability constants with M²⁺ ions (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd). The reaction of L-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diamine as the [Cu(dapp)₂]²⁺ complex ion with formaldehyde and nitroethane in basic solution yields the acyclic (5-methyl-5-nitro-1,9-diphenyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-diamine)copper(II) complex ion, [Cu(1)]²⁺, as the major product. In addition, small amounts of the macrocyclic complex ion (2,10-diphenyl-6,13-dimethyl-6,13-dinitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)copper(II), [Cu(2)]²⁺, form. Reduction of the [Cu(1)]²⁺ ion with zinc in aqueous acid yields the acyclic polyamine 5-methyl-1,9-diphenyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,5,9-triamine (3), an analogue of the previously reported pentaamine 5-methyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,5,9-triamine. Using the bis(l-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diamine)palladium(II) as precursor and an excess of other reagents, the macrocyclization reaction to produce [Pd(2)]²⁺ proved more successful. Reduction and recomplexation to copper(II) allowed isolation of the 2,9-dibenzyl-6,13-diammonio-6,13-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)copper(II) ion, [Cu(4H₂²⁺)]⁴⁺. The acyclic complex [Cu(1)]²⁺ promotes the hydrolytic cleavage of plasmid DNA modestly; a mechanism to support this observation is presented.     

Facile synthesis and reactivity study of mixed phosphane-isocyanide Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes

The reaction between an equimolecular mixture of isocyanide CNR (CNR = di-methylphenyl isocyanide (DIC), tert-butyl isocyanide (TIC), triphenyl phosphane (PPh₃) and a dechlorinated solution of the palladium allyl dimers [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂ (allyl = 2-Meallyl, 1,1-Me₂allyl) in stoichiometric ratio yields the mixed derivative [Pd(η³-allyl)(CNR)(PPh₃)] only. Apparently, the mixed derivative represents the most stable species among all the possible ones that might be formed under those experimental conditions. Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental observation and the energy stabilization of the mixed species with respect to the homoleptic derivatives is traced back to an overall push-pull effect exerted by the isocyanide and the phosphane acting synergically. Similar behavior is observed in the case of the synthesis of the palladacyclopentadienyl complexes [Pd(C₄(COOMe)₄)(CNR)(PPh₃)] and of the palladium(0) olefin complexes whose synthesis invariably yields the mixed [Pd(η²-olefin)(CNR)(PPh₃)] derivatives. The paper includes studies on the reactivity toward allylamination in the case of the palladium(II) allyl complexes. A diffractometric investigation on the solid state structures of four different palladium isocyanide-phosphane complexes is also included.     

Synthesis and characterization of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with triazolopyrimidine derivatives: The crystal structure of [Pd2L2Cl4] where L = 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with triazolopyrimidine C-nucleosides L¹ (5,7-dimethyl-3-(2′,3′,5′-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl-s-triazolo)[4,3-a]pyrimidine), L² (5,7-dimethyl-3-β-d-ribofuranosyl-s-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine) and L³ (5,7-dimethyl[1,5-a]-s-triazolopyrimidine), [Pd(en)(L¹)](NO₃)₂, [Pd(bpy)(L¹)](NO₃)₂, cis-Pd(L³)₂Cl₂, [Pd₂(L³)₂Cl₄] · H₂O, cis-Pd(L²)₂Cl₂ and [Pt₃(L¹)₂Cl₆] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the [Pd₂(L³)₂Cl₄] · H₂O complex was established by X-ray crystallography. The two L³ ligands are found in a head to tail orientation, with a Pd?Pd distance of 3.1254(17) Å. L¹ coordinates to Pd(II) through N8 and N1 forming polymeric structures. L² coordinates to Pd(II) through N8 in acidic solutions (0.1 M HCl) forming complexes of cis-geometry. The Pd(II) coordination to L² does not affect the sugar conformation probably due to the high stability of the C-C glycoside bond.     

Synthesis and characterisation of palladium(II) iodo complexes containing water soluble phosphine ligands. Crystal structures of [PdI2(PTA-H)2][PtI3(PTA)]2 · 2H2O and trans-[PdI2(PTA)2]

The aqueous solution behaviour of the equilibrium related cis-[PdCl₂(PTA)₂] and [PdCl(PTA)₃]Cl complexes has been investigated in the presence of acid and iodide ions. Several of the resulting species were identified and a reaction scheme accounting for identified complexes is proposed. The crystal structures of trans-[PdI₂(PTA-H)₂][PdI₃(PTA)]₂ · 2H₂O (1) (PTA-H⁺ = protonated form of PTA) and trans-[PdI₂(PTA)₂] (2) are reported. The geometry around the Pd(II) metal centre in 1 (for both the cation and anion) and 2 is distorted square planar. The PTA ligands occupy a trans orientation in the cation of 1 and in complex 2. Compound 1 represents a rare example of a Pd(II) system wherein the cation:anion pair, in a 1:2 ratio, are both coordination complexes. It is the first d⁸ Ni-triad square planar complex containing only one PTA ligand and only the second platinum group metal complex. For the cation in 1, the bond distances and angles are Pd(1)-P(1) = 2.2864(16) Å, Pd(1)-I(1) = 2.6216(7) Å, P(1)-Pd(1)-P(1)′ = 180.00(7)° and P(1)-Pd(1)-I(1) = 87.62(4)°, while in the anion the bond distances are Pd(2)-P(2) = 2.2377(15) Å, Pd(2)-I(4) = 2.5961(13) Å, Pd(2)-I(2) = 2.6328(13) Å, Pd(2)-I(3) = 2.6513(8) Å, while the angles are P(2)-Pd(2)-I(4) = 90.00(5)°, P(2)-Pd(2)-I(2) = 89.69(5)°, I(4)-Pd(2)-I(2) = 179.57(2)°, P(2)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 175.19(4)°, I(4)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 90.29(4)° and I(2)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 90.05(4)°. Bond distances and angles of the coordination polyhedron in 2 are Pd-P = 2.327(3) Å, Pd-I = 2.5916(10) Å, P-Pd-I = 89.13(7)° and P-Pd-P = 180.00(13)°. The average effective- and Tolman cone angles for the two ligands, calculated from the crystallographic data, are 115° and 117° for PTA and PTA-H, respectively.     

Synthesis, characterization and liquid-phase hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide over host (nanopores of zeolite-Y)/guest (oxovanadium(IV) complexes of tetraaza macrocyclic ligands) nanocatalyst

Oxovanadium(IV) tetraaza complexes of [14]aneN₄: 1,5,8,12-tetraaza-2,9-dioxo-4,11-diphenylcyclotetradecane; [16]aneN₄: 1,5,9,13-tetraaza-2,10-dioxo-4,12-diphenylcyclohexadecane; Bzo₂[14]aneN₄: dibenzo-1,5,8,12-tetraaza-2,9-dioxo-4,11-diphenylcyclotetradecane and Bzo₂[16]aneN₄: dibenzo-1,5,9,13-tetraaza-2,10-dioxo-4,12-diphenylcyclohexadecane have been encapsulated in the nanopores of zeolite-Y by a two-step process in the liquid phase: (i) adsorption of [bis(diamine)VO(IV)] (diamine = 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,2-diaminobenzene, 1,3-diaminobenzene); [VO(N-N)₂]²⁺-NaY; in the nanopores of the zeolite-Y and (ii) in situ condensation of the oxovanadium(IV) precursor complex with ethylcinnamate. The new host-guest nanocatalysts were characterized by several techniques: chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods (FT-infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS)) technique. The analytical data indicated a composition corresponding to the mononuclear complex of tetraaza ligand. The characterization data showed the absence of extraneous complexes, retention of zeolite crystalline structure and encapsulation in the nanopores. Liquid-phase selective hydroxylation of phenol with H₂O₂ to a mixture of catechol and hydroquinone in CH₃CN have been reported using oxovanadium(IV) tetraaza complexes encapsulated in zeolite-Y as catalysts. All these catalysts are more selective toward catechol formation.     

Bis(O2S2 macrocycle) complexes of palladium(II)

Two isomeric dibenzo-O₂S₂ macrocycles L¹ and L² have been synthesised and their coordination chemistry towards palladium(II) has been investigated. Two-step approaches via reactions of 1:1-type complexes, [cis-Cl₂LPd] (1a: L = L¹, 1b: L = L²), with different O₂S₂ macrocycle systems (L¹ and L²) have led to the isolation of the following bis(O₂S₂ macrocycle) palladium(II) complexes in the solid state: [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) and a mixture of [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) + [Pd(L²)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2b).     

Synthesis and characterization of Mg(II), Mn(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with a new heptaaza Schiff base pendant-armed macrocycle: X-ray crystal structure, NMR and computational study

New 2-aminoethyl pendant-armed Schiff base macrocyclic complexes, [ML⁷]²⁺ (M = Mn(II), Mg(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)), have been prepared via M(II) templated [1 + 1] cyclocondensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with a new branched hexamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-aminoethyl)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine. The ligand is a 16-membered pentaaza macrocycle having two 2-aminoethyl pendant arms [L⁷ is 2,14-dimethyl-6,10-bis(2-aminoethyl)-3,6,10,13,19-pentaazabicyclo[13.3.1]8,8-dimethylnonadeca-1(19),2,13,15,17-pentaene]. The crystal structures of [MnL⁷]²⁺ and [MgL⁷]²⁺ were determined from X-ray diffraction data. The geometry of the coordination sphere of complexes is a slightly distorted pentagonal bipyramid with the metal ion located within a pentaaza macrocycle and two pendant amines coordinating on opposite sides. All complexes were characterized by IR, microanalysis and except of [MnL⁷]²⁺ by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT135, COSY(H, H) and HMQC spectroscopy. The data indicate that the structure is pentagonal bipyramidal in each case. The structure of all complexes has also been theoretically studied by ab initio Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods.     

Tuning of electronic properties of one-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Ni, Cu-Pd, and Cu-Pt bimetallic assemblies by stereochemistry of ligands

Preparations, XPS and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetism of seven new one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, chiral [Cu(RR-chxn)₂][Pd(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (1), [Cu(trans-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (2, 4, and 6 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt), and [Cu(cis-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (3, 5, and 7 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt) (RR-chxn = cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine, trans-chxn = racemic trans-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine, and cis-chxn = racemic cis-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine) have been reported in view of tuning of their electronic properties by stereochemistry of chxn ligands and metal-substitution. Comparison of Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS and broad d-d bands around 18 000 cm⁻¹ of electronic spectra are described systematically for 1-7. Variable-temperature magnetic measurement shows that complexes 1-7 indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions via cyano-bridges. Because of semi-coordination coupled with pseudo Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction for 1, the axial Cu-N coordination bond distances of 2.330(7) and 3.092(8) Å are considerably longer than those of equatorial ones in the range from 2.016(6) to 2.030(6) Å. The former bond distances of 1 are intermediate values among the related Ni (2.324(6) and 3.120(8) Å) and Pt (2.34(1) and 3.09(1) Å) complexes.     

Synthesis, structures and spectroscopic properties of palladium(II) complexes with tridentate piperidyl-containing pincer ligands

A new series of square planar palladium(II) complexes with pincer ligands, pip₂NCN⁻ (pip₂NCNH = 1,3-bis(piperidylmethyl)benzene) and pip₂NNN (2,6-bis(piperidylmethyl)pyridine), has been prepared: Pd(pip₂NCN)X (X = Cl, Br, I), [Pd(pip₂NCN)(L)](BF₄) (L = pyridine, 4-phenylpyridine), and [Pd(pip₂NNN)Cl]Cl. The X-ray crystal structures of Pd(pip₂NCN)Br, [Pd(pip₂NCN)(L)]BF₄, and [Pd(pip₂NNN)Cl]Cl confirm the tridentate coordination geometries of the pincer ligands. For the pip₂NCN⁻ complexes, each piperidyl ring adopts a chair conformation with the metal center at an equatorial position on the N(piperidyl) atom. However, one of the piperidyl groups of Pd(pip₂NNN)Cl⁺ adopts a previously unobserved coordination geometry, effectively placing the metal center at an axial position on the N(piperidyl) atom. ¹H NMR and UV-Vis absorption measurements provide additional insight into the electronic structures of these complexes. The ¹H NMR spectra of Pd(pip₂NCN)X (X = Cl, Br, I) are consistent with deshielding of the pip₂NCN⁻ ligand resonances along the Cl < Br < I series, in opposition to the relative halogen electronegativities. It is suggested that this trend is consistent with decreasing filled/filled repulsions between the dπ orbitals of the metal center and the lone pair orbitals of the halide ligands along this series. Electronic absorption spectra support the notion that ligand-to-metal charge-transfer states are stabilized in these palladium(II) complexes relative to their platinum(II) analogues.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties and electrochemical behaviour of the mixed valence compound [Cu(CN)3Cu(C3H10N2)2]

The binuclear mixed valence copper(I/II) compound [Cu^I(CN)₃Cu^II(tn)₂] (1) (tn = propane-1,3-diamine) and its acetonitrile adduct [Cu^I(CN)₃Cu^II(tn)₂] · 2MeCN (2) have been synthesized. Complex 1 crystallizes triclinic, space group , a = 8.117(2) Å, b = 8.389(2) Å, c = 11.920(2) Å, α = 108.728(3)°, β = 100.024(3)°, γ = 104.888(4)°, Z = 2, and compound 2 monoclinic, space group P2₁/m, a = 8.752(2) Å, b = 13.243(3) Å, c = 9.549(2) Å, β = 114.678(4)°, Z = 2. In both crystal structures, the binuclear [Cu^I(CN)₃Cu^II(tn)₂] complex with slightly different bonding geometries is formed. One of the three nitrogen atoms of a Cu^I(CN)₃ moiety is coordinated to Cu(II) at the apex of a square-pyramid with two chelating ligands tn on its base. The shortest intramolecular Cu^II?Cu^II distance in 1 is 5.640(7) Å. The EPR behaviour of 1 has been investigated at room temperature and at 77 K. The magnetic properties were measured in the temperature range 1.8-300 K.     

Structural, molecular mechanics, and DFT study of cadmium(II) in its crown ether complexes with axially coordinated ligands, and of the binding of thiocyanate to cadmium(II)

The role of relativistic effects (RE) in the structures of Cd(II) complexes with crown ethers, and the reason the ‘soft’ Cd(II) strongly prefers to bind to SCN⁻ through N, are considered. The synthesis and structures of [Cd(18-crown-6)(thiourea)₂] (ClO₄)₂.18-crown-6 (1) and [Cd(Cy₂-18-crown-6)(NCS)₂] (2) are reported. (18-crown-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane; Cy₂-18-crown-6 = cis-anti-cis-2,5,8,15,18,21-hexaoxatricylo[20.4.0.0(9,14)]hexacosane). In 1 Cd is coordinated in the plane of the crown which has close to D_3d symmetry, with long Cd-O bonds averaging 2.688 Å. The two thiourea molecules form relatively short Cd-S bonds that average 2.468 Å, with an S-Cd-S angle of 164.30°. This structure conforms with the idea that Cd(II) can adopt a near-linear structure involving two covalently-bound donor atoms (the S-donors) with short Cd-S bonds, which resembles gas-phase structures for species such as CdCl₂. The structure of 2 is similar, with the two SCN⁻ ligands N-bonded to Cd, with short Cd-N bonds of 2.106 Å, and N-Cd-N angle of 180°. The crown in 2 forms long Cd-O bonds that average 2.698 Å. Molecular mechanics calculations suggest that a main reason Cd(II) prefers to bind to SCN⁻ through N is that when bound through S, the small Cd-S-C angle, which is typically close to 100°, brings the ligand into close contact with other ligands present, and causes steric destabilization. In contrast, the Cd-N-C angles for SCN⁻ coordinated through N are much larger, being 171.4° in 2, which keeps the SCN⁻ groups well clear of the crown ether. DFT (density functional theory) calculations are used to generate the structures of [Cd(18-crown-6)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (3) and [Cd(18-crown-6)Cl₂] (4). In 3, the Cd(II) is bound to only three O-donors of the macrocycle, with Cd-O bonds averaging 2.465 Å. The coordinated waters form an O-Cd-O angle of 139.47°, with Cd-O bonds of 2.295 Å. In contrast, for 4, the Cd is placed centrally in the cavity of the D_3d symmetry crown, with long Cd-O bonds averaging 2.906 Å. The Cl groups form a Cl-Cd-Cl angle of 180°, with short Cd-Cl bonds of 2.412 Å. With ionically bound groups on the axial sites of[Cd(18-crown-6)X₂] complexes, such as with X = H₂O in 3, the Cd(II) does not adopt linear geometry involving the two X groups, with long Cd-O bonds to the O-donors of the macrocycle. With covalently-bound X = Cl in 4, short Cd-Cl bonds and a linear [Cl-Cd-Cl] unit results, with long Cd-O bonds to the crown ether.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and ab initio studies of some heptaaza manganese(II) macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes with two 2-aminoethyl pendant arms

Two new heptaaza Mn(II) macrocyclic bis(pendant donor) Schiff-base complexes, [MnL⁶]²⁺ and [MnL⁷]²⁺, have been prepared via Mn(II) templated [1 + 1] cyclocondensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with an appropriate branched hexaamine, and characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. The ligands are 16- and 17-membered pentaaza macrocycles with two 2-aminoethyl pendant arms [L⁶ = 2,14-dimethyl-6,10-bis(2-aminoethyl)-3,6,10,13,19-pentaazabicyclo[13.3.1]nonadeca-1(19),2,13,15,17-pentaene and L⁷ = 2,15-dimethyl-6,11-bis(2-aminoethyl)-3,6,11,14,20-pentaazabicyclo[14.3.1]eicosa-1(20),2,14,16,18-pentaene]. The crystal structures of [MnL⁷]²⁺ and another related complex, [MnL⁵]²⁺ [L⁵ = 2,13-dimethyl-6,9-bis(2-aminoethyl)-3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentaene] were determined from X-ray diffraction data and the structure of each complex indicates that the geometry of the coordination sphere is that of a slightly distorted pentagonal bipyramid with the Mn(II) ion located within a pentaaza macrocycle and two pendant amines coordinating on opposite sides. The increased macrocycle ring size in [MnL⁷]²⁺ introduces an unusual seven-membered chelate ring and leads to long Mn-N bond lengths within the macrocycle, but to shorter pendant amine-Mn(II) bond lengths. Ab initio HF-MO calculations produce structures for the two complexes which are in close agreement with experimental findings and predict a similar structure for [MnL⁶]²⁺, but with the longest pendant amine-Mn(II) bond lengths of the three structures.     

Nickel(II) complexes of terdentate or symmetrical tetradentate Schiff bases: Evidence of the influence of the counter anions in the hydrolysis of the imine bond in Schiff base complexes

Two sets of ligands, set-1 and set-2, have been prepared by mixing 1,3-diaminopentane and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively, and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate, Ni(II) thiocyanate and Ni(II) chloride. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂(L = L¹ [N³-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1 or L²[N³-pyridin-2-ylmethylene-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 2) in which the Schiff bases are monocondensed terdentate, whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL(SCN)₂] (L = L³[N,N′-bis-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidine)-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 3 or L⁴ [N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyline)-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 4) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Complexes 5 {[NiL³(N₃)₂]} and 6 {[NiL⁴(N₃)₂]} are prepared by adding sodium azide to the methanol solution of complexes 1 and 2. Addition of Ni(II) chloride to the set-1 or set-2 ligands produces [Ni(pn)₂]Cl₂, 7, as the major product, where pn = 1,3-diaminopentane. Formation of the complexes has been explained by the activation of the imine bond by the counter anion and thereby favouring the hydrolysis of the Schiff base. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectral data. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of three representative members, 1, 4 and 7; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complex of terdentate ligands, 1, is the mer isomer, and complexes 4 and 7 possess trans geometry.     

Palladium(II) complexes obtained from 3,4-bis(cyanamido)cyclobutane-1,2-dione dianion

Three palladium(II) complexes have been synthesized, using 3,4-bis(cyanamido) cyclobutane-1,2-dione dianion (3,4-bis(cyanamido)squarate or 3,4-NCNsq²⁻): [Pd(en)(3,4-NCNsq)] · 1.5H₂O (1) (en=1,2-diaminoethane), [Pd(en)(3,4-(NC(O)NH₂)sq)] · 0.5H₂O (2) and K₃Na[Pd₂(3,4-(NCN)₂sq)₄] · 5H₂O (3). Complex 1 has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex 2, the unusual hydration of the cyanamido ligand was observed, it proceeds in the coordination sphere of the palladium and leads to a chelating urea squarate ligand. Complex 3 is an anionic dinuclear complex containing four bridging cyanamido squarate ligands. In complexes 2 and 3, the 3,4-NCNsq²⁻ ligand (hydrated or not) is, for the first time, coordinated to the metal atom by the two amido nitrogen atoms, either in a chelating mode (complex 2) or in a bridging mode giving a short Pd ? Pd distance of 2.8866(15) Å (complex 3). Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile and dmf solutions have been performed on complexes 1 and 3.     

Palladium(II) binding to N(7) of acyclovir: DNA interaction and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) inhibitory activity

Cytotoxicity and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) inhibitory activity of acyclovir (ACV), 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine, and the palladium(II) coordination complex cis-[PdCl₂(H₂O)(N7-ACV)] · ACV · xH₂O have been tested in African green monkey kidney (Vero line) epithelial cell cultures. The N(7) position of ACV represents the preferred binding site to afford a pseudo-chelate N7/O6 Pd(II) complex involving H-bonds with the cis H₂O molecule. The Pd(II)-ACV complex has been structurally characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy techniques, chemical composition was measured by elemental analysis, and the thermoanalytical study was performed by TG/DTA. The recognition of secondary ACV molecules by the Pd(II) derivative promotes cooperatively potent HSV-1 inhibitory activity which, in turn, strongly depends on concentration conditions. At the optimal concentration of 10 μM, this complex exhibits antiviral efficiency in vitro, approximately hundred-fold (ca. 1.87 log₁₀) more effective in herpes-infected cells when compared with that of the parent ACV molecules. The molecular-level observation of noticeable modifications caused by the complex on the morphology of the plasmid pBR322 DNA was monitored by AFM, whose mutual interaction evolves to eventually afford DNA condensates upon increasing the period of incubation.     

Appended 1,2-naphthoquinones as anticancer agents 1: synthesis, structural, spectral and antitumor activities of ortho-naphthaquinone thiosemicarbazone and its transition metal complexes

Copper(II), nickel(II), palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of ortho-naphthaquinone thiosemicarbazone were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies. In both solution (NMR) and solid state (IR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction determination) the free ligand NQTS exists as the thione form. The Pd complex (X-ray) crystallizes as the H-bonded dimer, [Pd(NQTS)Cl]₂ · 2DMSO, where palladium(II) coordinates in a square planar configuration to the monodeprotonated, tridentate thiosemicarbazone ligand. The nickel(II) complex shows 1:2 metal to ligand stoichiometry while the other complexes exhibit 1:1 metal-ligand compositions. In vitro anticancer studies on MCF7 human breast cancer cells reveal that adding a thiosemicarbazone pharmacophore to the parent quinone carbonyl considerably enhances its antiproliferative activity. Among the metal complexes, the nickel compound exhibits the lowest IC₅₀ value (2.25 μM) suggesting a different mechanism of action involving inhibition of topoisomerase II activity.     

Ruthenium(II) thiacrown complexes: Synthetic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, DFT, and single crystal X-ray structural studies of [Ru([15]aneS5)Cl](PF6)

We wish to report the synthesis of the Ru(II) crown thioether complex, (1,4,7,10,13-pentathiacyclopentadecane)chlororuthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate, [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl](PF₆), and a study of its properties utilizing single crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure shows a single [15]aneS₅ macrocycle and a chloro ligand coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion around the ruthenium(II) center. A significant shortening (0.15 Å) of the trans Ru-S bond length occurs in this complex compared to the related PPh₃ complex (2.4458(10) to 2.283(1) Å) due to the differences in the trans influence of the two ligands. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the structure of [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl]⁺ is retained in solution. As expected for a Ru(II) complex, the electronic absorption spectrum shows two d-d transitions at 402 and 331 nm. These are red-shifted compared to hexakis(thioether)ruthenium(II) complexes and consistent with the weaker ligand field effect of the chloro ligand. The electrochemical behavior of the complex in acetonitrile shows a single one-electron reversible oxidation-reduction at +0.722 V versus Fc/Fc⁺ which is assigned as the Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple. DFT calculations for [Ru([15]aneS₅)Cl]⁺ show a HOMO with orbital contributions from a t_2g type orbital of the Ru ion, a π component from a p orbital of the axial S atom of [15]aneS₅, and a p orbital of the chloro ligand while the LUMO consists of orbital contributions of d_x²-y² orbital of the Ru center and p orbitals of the four equatorial S donors.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, antibacterial assay and DNA binding activity of new binuclear Cu(II) complexes with bridging oxamidate

Two new binuclear copper complexes, [Cu₂(oxpn)(bpy)(pic)(H₂O)](pic) (1) and [Cu₂(oxpn)(Me₂bpy)(pic)](pic) (2) [H₂oxpn = N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)oxamide; Hpic = 2,4,6-trinitrophenol; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; Me₂bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR, UV-visible spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analyses. Both complexes have similar molecular structures. In complex 1, the central two Cu(II) atoms are bridged by cis-oxpn²⁻ with the Cu1-Cu2 separation of 5.221 Å and the polyhedron of each copper atom is a square-pyramid. Similarly, complex 2 is a cis-oxpn²⁻-bridged binuclear complex with the Cu1-Cu2 separation of 5.196 Å. Cu1(II) central atom situated in a tetrahedral geometry is four-coordinated and Cu(II) atom situated in a square-pyramidal geometry is five-coordinated. Hydrogen bonding interactions and π-π stacking interactions link the binuclear copper complex 1 or 2 into a 2D infinite network. The antibacterial assays indicate that the two complexes showed better activities than their ligands. The interactions of the two binuclear complexes with herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) have been studied by UV absorption titration, fluorescence titration and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the two binuclear complexes bind to HS-DNA via an intercalative mode.     

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.