Mononuclear nickel and copper complexes with indolecarboxamide ligands: Synthesis, properties and electrochemistry

Few nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes have been prepared with three new indolecarboxamide ligands (H₄L³, H₄L⁴ and H₄L⁵) offering two N_amide and two N_indole donor sites to the metal center. The ligands carry electron-donating (-CH₃); -H; and electron-withdrawing (-Cl) substituents on the phenylene backbone to evaluate their effect on the structure and redox properties of the metal complexes. One of the representative nickel complexes has been structurally characterized and reveals that the ligand create a distorted square-planar geometry around the metal center. The electrochemical results suggest that the Ni^3+/2+ and Cu^3+/2+ redox couple primarily depends on the tetra-anionic N₄ donors; however, the electronic substituents shift the redox potentials by 285 mV. The observed M^3+/2+ redox potentials (0.007-0.30 V versus SCE) for these complexes are considerably on lower side due to strong σ-donation from the tetra-deprotonated form of the indolecarboxamide ligands. Based on the redox investigations, the transient M³⁺ species were generated electrochemically and characterized by the absorption spectroscopy.     

Study of complex formation with 2-hydroxyiminocarboxylates: specific metal binding ability of 2-(4-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2-(hydroxyimino)acetic acid

Complex formation properties of a novel water soluble thiazolyloxime 2-(4-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2-(hydroxyimino)acetic acid (H₃L¹) with Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were investigated in solution by potentiometrical and spectral (UV-Vis, EPR, NMR) methods. All Cu²⁺ and most of Ni²⁺ complex species detected in solution were found to have square-planar MN₄ core with oxime and heterocyclic nitrogen atoms which was rationalized in terms of destabilizing effect of repulsive interaction between oxygen atom of carboxylic group and nitrogen atom of thiazole ring in N,O-coordinated ligand conformation. It has been found that stability of metal complexes in a series of oxime ligands is dependent upon basicity of nitrogen atom of oxime group. The thiazolyloxime forms less stable complexes with Cu²⁺ but stronger ones with Ni²⁺ ions when compared to parent 2-(hydroxyimino)propanoic acid. The lower stability obtained for Cu²⁺ complexes was elucidated in terms of negative inductive effect of the thiazole and nitrile substituents as well as an effect of intramolecular attractive interaction between thiazolyl sulfur and oxime oxygen atoms in thiazolyloxime. In the case of Ni²⁺ the complexes formed are square-planar and it is why thiazolyl ligand is more effective in metal ion binding than simple 2-(hydroxyimino)propanoic acid forming only octahedral species. The solid state structure of the Co³⁺ complex K₃[Co(HL¹)₃]·5.5H₂O (1) was studied by X-ray analysis. The thiazolyloxime ligand is coordinated to Co³⁺ via oxime nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms forming five-membered chelate rings.     

A comparison of the gas, solution, and solid state coordination environments for the Ni(II) complexes of a series of linear penta- and hexadentate aminopyridine ligands with accessible Ni(III) oxidation states

The synthesis and characterization of the nickel(II) complexes of a series of pentadentate and hexadentate aminopyridine ligands that contain ethylenediamine and/or propylenediamine groups are described. The ligands include: 1,12-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,5,8,11-tetraazadodecane, TRIEN-pyr; 1,13-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,5,9,12-tetraazatridecane, DIEN-PN-pyr; 1,14-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,6,9,13-tetraazatetradecane, DIPN-EN-pyr; 1,15-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,6,10,14-tetraazapentadecane, TRIPN-pyr; 1,9-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,5,8-triazanonane, DIEN-pyr; and 1,11-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,6,10-triazaundecane, DIPN-pyr. The following methods were used to determine the binding geometries of the nickel(II) complexes in the solid, solution, and gas phases: magnetic susceptibility measurements, absorption spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. All of the ligands form 6-coordinate compounds in the solid, liquid, and gas states, with the exception of the TRIEN-pyr, DIEN-PN-pyr(partially), DIPN-pyr, and DIEN-pyr ligands which form 5-coordinate species in the gas state. All of the complexes could be oxidized to Ni(III) species electrochemically, although the Ni(III) complexes of TRIPN-pyr and DIPN-pyr were much less stable than the other four ligands. EPR spectra of the frozen solutions showed the low spin d⁷ Ni(III) complexes of TRIEN-pyr and DIPN-EN-pyr to be similar to those that have been found for poly-aza macrocyclic compounds.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of copper(II) complexes derived from thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Structure and biological activity of [Cu(C6H6N3S2)2].

The synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties on complexes with the formula [Cu(Lm)2] (1) and Cu(NO3)2(HLm)2 (2), where HLm = thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, have been developed. The molecular structure of compound 1 consists of monomeric entities. The copper(II) ions exhibit distorted square-planar geometry with both bidentate thiosemicarbazone ligands placed in a centrosymmetric way. Metal to ligand pi-backdonation is proposed to explain several structural and spectroscopic features in these complexes. The EPR spectra of compound 1 show an orthorhombic g tensor indicating the presence of weak magnetic exchange interactions. The reaction of compound 1 with glutathione causes the reduction of the metal ion and the substitution of the thiosemicarbazone ligand by the thiol ligand. This mechanism seems to be related to the cytotoxicity of this complex against Friend Erithroleukemia cells (FLC) and melanome B16F10 cells.     

Dinuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with indolecarboxamide ligand: Synthesis, structure and properties

A potential tetradentate indolecarboxamide ligand, H₄L³ is synthesized and investigated for its coordination abilities towards Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. Two H₄L³ ligands in their tetra-deprotonated form [L³]⁴⁻, were found to coordinate two metal centers resulting in the formation of [Ni₂(L³)₂]⁴⁻ (5) and [Cu₂(L³)₂]⁴⁻ (6) complexes. The crystal structure of 6 displays the formation of a dinuclear structure where two fully deprotonated ligands, [L³]⁴⁻ hold two copper(II) ions together. Even more interesting is the fact that both deprotonated ligands, [L³]⁴⁻ coordinate the copper ions in an identical and symmetrical fashion. The Na⁺ cations present in the complex 6 stitch together the dinuclear units resulting in the formation of a coordination chain polymer. Four sodium ions connect two dinuclear units via interacting with the O_amide groups. Further, Na⁺ cations were found to coordinate several DMF molecules; some of them are terminal and a few are bridging in nature. The solution state structure (determined by the NMR spectral analysis) of the diamagnetic complex 5 also supported the fact that two deprotonated ligands, coordinate two nickel ions in an identical and symmetrical fashion. Absorption spectral studies reveal that the solid-state square-planar geometry is retained in solution and both complexes do not show any tendency to coordinate potential axial ligands. The variable-temperature magnetic measurements and EPR spectra indicate spin-spin exchange between two copper centers in complex 6. The electrochemical results for both complexes show three irreversible oxidative responses that correspond to the oxidation of first and second metal ion followed by the ligand oxidation, respectively.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and biological activity on newly synthesized copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes incorporating bidentate oxygen-nitrogen hydrazone ligands

We report the synthesis of the hydrazone ligands, 1-(phenyl-hydrazono)-propan-2-one (PHP), 1-(p-tolyl-hydrazono)-propan-2-one (THP), 1-[(4-chloro-hydrazono)]-propan-2-one (CHP), and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes. The structure of the ligands and their complexes were investigated using elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance and spectral (IR, UV, and EPR) measurements. IR spectra indicate that the free ligands exist in the hydrazo-ketone rather than azo-enol form in the solid state. Also, the hydrazo-NH exists as hydrogen bonded to the keto-oxygen either as intra or as intermolecular hydrogen bonding. In all the studied complexes, all ligands behave as a neutral bidentate ligands with coordination involving the hydrazone-nitrogen and the keto-oxygen atoms. The magnetic and spectral data indicate a square planar geometry for Cu²⁺ complexes and an octahedral geometry for Ni²⁺ complexes. The ligands and their metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities using the disc diffusion method against the selected bacteria and fungi. They were found to be more active against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. It may be concluded that the antimicrobial activity of the compounds is related to cell wall structure of bacteria.Protonation constant of (PHP) ligand and stability constants of its Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ complexes were determined by potentiometric titration method in aqueous solution at ionic strength of 0.1 M sodium nitrate. It has been observed that the hydrazone ligand (PHP) titrated here has one protonation constant. The divalent metal ions Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ form with (PHP) 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. The insolubility of (THP) and (CHP) ligands in aqueous medium does not permit the determination of their protonation constants and formation constants of the corresponding complexes in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis, X-ray structures and properties of the first tris-dioximate cobalt clathrochelates with nonequivalent chelate ribbed fragments

One-pot macrocyclization and reduction of the kinetically inert nonmacrocyclic cobalt(III) bis-α-benzyldioximate and dimethylglyoximate with BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ and metallic silver followed by cycloaddition of the corresponding α-dioxime to the generated insitu macrocyclic cobalt(II) bis-dioximates afforded the cobalt(II) clathrochelates with nonequivalent α-dioximate fragments. The complexes obtained were characterized using elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopies, magnetochemistry, EPR, and X-ray crystallography. The coordination polyhedra of an encapsulated in a three-dimensional macrobicyclic ligand cavity cobalt(II) ion have a distorted trigonal prismatic geometry. The displacement of a caged metal ion from the centers of these polyhedra is caused mainly by the Jahn-Teller effect. Magnetochemical data for cobalt(II) clathrochelates obtained characterize them as the low-spin complexes in the temperature range of 2-400 K. The cyclic voltammograms of the synthesized clathrochelates contain the one-electron oxidation and reduction waves. The increase of the electron-donating properties of the ribbed substituents causes the negative shift of these waves. A comparative analysis of the reduction and oxidation potentials allowed to assign these processes to the cobalt-centered reduction and oxidation. The “electrochemical gap” values for clathrochelates studied are very small and characteristic of the complexes with the redox processes localized on the molecular orbitals which are close in energy.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel unsymmetrical macrobicyclic tricompartmental mono and binuclear nickel(II) complexes: Electrochemical and kinetic studies of phosphate hydrolysis

A series of macrobicyclic mono and binuclear nickel(II) complexes of type [NiL](ClO₄) and [Ni₂L](ClO₄)₂, where L is macroyclic ligand derived from the precursor compound 3,4:10,11-dibenzo-1,13[N,N′-bis{(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl}diaza]-5,9-dioxocyclopentadecane, have been synthesized in order to examine electrochemical and catalytic studies on the basis of macrocyclic ring size. The macrocycle consists of three dissimilar compartments arising from ether oxygen, tertiary nitrogen and imine nitrogen atoms. Electrochemical studies have shown that the mononuclear nickel(II) complexes undergo quasireversible single step one electron reduction and oxidation and binuclear nickel(II) complexes undergo two quasireversible one electron reduction and oxidation. The EPR silent nature is ascribed to Ni(II) state and all the nickel(II) complexes have square planar geometry and are diamagnetic in nature. The complexes were subjected to hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate and the catalytic activities of the complexes are found to increase with macrocyclic ring size of the complexes. As the macrocyclic ring size of the complexes increases, the spectral, electrochemical and catalytic studies of the complexes show remarkable variation due to distortion in the geometry around the nickel(II) centre.     

Azo-containing pyridine amide ligand. A six-coordinate nickel(II) complex and its one-electron oxidized species: Structure and properties

A new potentially tridentate ligand HL¹¹ consisting of 2-pyridinecarboxamide unit and azo functionality has been used, in its deprotonated form, to prepare a nickel(II) complex which has been structurally characterized. The ligand L¹¹(−) affords a bis-complex [Ni^II(L¹¹)₂] (1). In 1, the two L¹¹(−) ligands bind to the Ni^II center in a mer configuration. The relative orientations within the pairs of pyridyl-N, deprotonated amido-N, and azo-N atoms are cis, trans, and cis, respectively. The Ni^IIN₂(pyridyl)N′₂(amide)N″₂(azo) coordination environment is severely distorted from ideal octahedral geometry. The Ni-N_am (am = amide) bond lengths are the shortest and the Ni-N_azo bond lengths are the longest. Complex 1 exhibits a quasireversible Ni^III/Ni^II redox process. Moreover, the complex displays two ligand-centered (azo group) quasireversible redox processes. Spectroscopic (absorption and EPR) properties have been studied on coulometrically-generated nickel(III) species. To understand the nature of metal-ligand bonding interactions Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on 1 at the B3LYP level of theory. Calculations have also been done for closely related nickel(II) complexes of deprotonated pyridine amide ligands and comparative discussion has been made using observed results.     

Electron transfer studies on Cu(II) complexes bearing phenoxy-pincer ligands

Oxido-pincer ligands with phenolate-groups [2,6-bis(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridine (LOMe₂), 2,6-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine (LOH₂), 2,6-bis-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-pyridine (LOMe₄)] coordinate to Cu^II forming binuclear complexes which can be easily and reliably converted into mononuclear species. Their physical properties were analysed using EPR, optical spectroscopy and (spectro-)electrochemical methods. The results were compared to those of related Ni^II complexes and discussed in view of Cu-containing metalloenzymes. Due to the ligands flexibility the Cu^II/Cu^I redox couple exhibits high reversibility, while the ligand-centred oxidation leads to highly reactive phenoxy radicals. Reduction of the LOH₂ complex leads to sequential deprotonation. The ligand LOMe₄ and the derived complexes show blue luminescence, which can be rationalised from its molecular structure (analysed by XRD).     

Synthesis and characterization of a new binucleating schiff base macrocycle and its nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A new binucleating ligand, m-xyl-bis(3-bae)) and its copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by various physical techniques. Data for the complexes indicate that they both have square-planar geometries. High resolution ¹H and ¹³C NMR confirm the square-planar geometry of the binuclear nickel(II) complex is maintained in non-coordinating solvents. The magnetic moment of the copper(II) complex is typical of square-planar complexes and the EPR spectrum in solution indicates the absence of any magnetic coupling between metal centers. In addition, both metal complexes display irreversible electrochemical behavior on various electrode surfaces.     

Two macrocyclic pentaaza compounds containing pyridine evaluated as novel chelating agents in copper(II) and nickel(II) overload

Two pentaaza macrocycles containing pyridine in the backbone, namely 3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),14,16-triene ([15]pyN₅), and 3,6,10,13,19-pentaazabicyclo[13.3.1]nonadeca-1(19),15,17-triene ([16]pyN₅), were synthesized in good yields. The acid-base behaviour of these compounds was studied by potentiometry at 298.2 K in aqueous solution and ionic strength 0.10 M in KNO₃. The protonation sequence of [15]pyN₅ was investigated by ¹H NMR titration that also allowed the determination of protonation constants in D₂O. Binding studies of the two ligands with Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions were performed under the same experimental conditions. The results showed that all the complexes formed with the 15-membered ligand, particularly those of Cu²⁺ and especially Ni²⁺, are thermodynamically more stable than with the larger macrocycle. Cyclic voltammetric data showed that the copper(II) complexes of the two macrocycles exhibited analogous behaviour, with a single quasi-reversible one-electron transfer reduction process assigned to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The UV-visible-near IR spectroscopic and magnetic moment data of the nickel(II) complexes in solution indicated a tetragonal distorted coordination geometry for the metal centre. X-band EPR spectra of the copper(II) complexes are consistent with distorted square pyramidal geometries. The crystal structure of [Cu([15]pyN₅)]²⁺ determined by X-ray diffraction showed the copper(II) centre coordinated to all five macrocyclic nitrogen donors in a distorted square pyramidal environment.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic investigations of four-coordinate nickel complexes supported by a strongly donating scorpionate ligand

Two four-coordinate nickel complexes, HB(^tBuIm)₃NiBr and HB(^tBuIm)₃NiNO, were prepared by reaction of a bulky tris(carbene)borate ligand with NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂ and NiBr(NO)(PPh₃)₂, respectively, and structurally and spectroscopically characterized. In addition to standard techniques, high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) was employed to understand the spin triplet (S = 1) ground state of the bromo complex. HFEPR, combined with electronic absorption spectroscopy allows comparison of this novel complex with other paramagnetic four-coordinate Ni(II) species. The tris(carbene)borate ligand is a stronger σ-donor than corresponding tris(pyrazolyl)borates (traditional “scorpionate” ligands). The tris(carbene)borate ligand may also act as a π-acceptor, in contrast to tris(pyrazolyl)borates, which show relatively little π-bonding interactions. The influence of tris(carbene)borate substituents on the donor strength of the ligand have been elucidated from IR spectroscopic investigations of {NiNO}¹⁰ derivatives. HFEPR spectra of HB(^tBuIm)₃NiBr exhibit hyperfine coupling from Br, which indicates the strong electronic interaction between Ni(II) and this halide ligand, consistent with studies on tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ni(II) complexes.     

Metal based drugs: design,synthesis and in-vitro antimicrobial screening of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with some new carboxamide derived compounds: crystal structures of N-[ethyl(propan-2-yl)carbamothioyl]thiophene-2-carboxamide and its copper(II) complex

A new series of compounds derived from thiophene-2-carboxamide were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. These compounds were further used to prepare their Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes. All metal(II) complexes were air and moisture stable. Physical, spectral and analytical data have shown the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes to exhibit distorted square-planar and Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes tetrahedral geometries. The ligand (L¹) and its Cu(II) complex were characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. All the ligands and their metal(II) complexes were screened for their in-vitro antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial and antifungal bioactivity data showed that the metal(II) complexes were found to be more potent than the parent ligands against one or more bacterial and fungal strains.     

New nickel complexes with an S4 coordination sphere; synthesis, characterization and reactivity towards nickel and iron compounds

Three new nickel complexes have been synthesized with the ligands Hbss (4-mercapto-2-thia-1-butylbenzene) and Hbsms (2-(benzylsulfanyl)-2-methyl-1-propanethiol). [Ni(bss)₂] is a mononuclear complex with an S₄ coordination environment. [Ni₃(bss)₄](BF₄)₂ and [Ni₃(bsms)₄](BF₄)₂ are linear trinuclear complexes that can be synthesized either directly from the ligands Hbss and Hbsms in a reaction with Ni(BF₄)₂, or via the mononuclear complexes [Ni(bss)₂] and [Ni(bsms)₂] in a reaction with Ni(BF₄)₂. These reactions have been monitored with ligand field spectroscopy. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained for [Ni₃(bss)₄](BF₄)₂. The complex crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c. The nickel centers are in a square-planar environment; two peripheral nickel centers with an S₂S₂^′ (S=thiolato; S^′=thioether) coordination environment and the central nickel ion with an S₄ coordination environment.The mononuclear nickel complexes [Ni(bss)₂] and [Ni(bsms)₂] were reacted with FeCl₂, resulting in the hetero-tetranuclear nickel-iron complexes [Ni(bss)₂FeCl₂]₂ and [Ni(bsms)₂FeCl₂]₂. All complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods.     

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).     

Interaction of polyamine macrocycles with Zn(II) and ATP in aqueous solution. Binary and ternary systems. A potentiometric,NMR and fluorescence emission study

ATP binding to ligands L1 and L3 and to their Zn(II) complexes has been examined by means of potentiometric and ¹H and ³¹P NMR measurements in aqueous solution. Their coordination features have been compared to those of ligand L2 and its Zn(II) complex. In all the three cases, the Zn(II) complexes proved to be better receptors than free ligands, due to the synergetic action of metal ion and ammonium functions in ATP binding. Among the three complexes, Zn(II) complex with L1 shows the highest equilibrium constant, which can be ascribed to the fact that, being coordinated by the dipyridine nitrogens outside the macrocyclic cavity, it is less saturated by ligand donors. The ³¹P NMR investigation showed that the nucleotide interacts via the P_γ and P_β phosphate groups with both free ligands and complexes, while the ¹H spectra revealed that the binding is reinforced by the presence of π–π interactions. Photophysical studies showed that the fluorescence emission intensity of the Zn(II) complexes is enhanced upon interaction with ATP.     

Copper(II) complexes of a new N-picolylated bis benzimidazolyl diamide ligand: Synthesis, crystal structure and catechol oxidase studies

Copper(II) complexes of a new bis benzimidazole diamide ligand N-picolyl-N,N′-bis(2-methylbenzimidazolyl)hexanediamide [Pic-GBHA = L₂] have been synthesized and characterized. One of the compound [Cu(L₂)(NO₃)₂] has been structurally characterized. The copper atom is bound to two benzimidazolyl nitrogen atoms, two amide carbonyl oxygen atoms and a bidentate nitrate ion, resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry. EPR spectra obtained at low temperature indicate a tetragonal geometry in the solution state. Complexes display a quasi-reversible redox wave due to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) reduction process having fairly cathodic E_1/2. These Cu(II) complexes were utilized to carry out oxidation of ditertbutylcatechol (DTBC) in methanol using molecular oxygen as the oxidant in. Low temperature EPR study of the oxidation reaction implicates the formation of an active copper species with fairly low A_‖ value. The presence of picolyl groups on the ligand also serve as a proton sponge giving 2-3 times higher rates of reaction in comparison to the non-picolylated ligand, implying a role of free basic groups in the pH control of enzymatic oxidation of catechols by catechol oxidase and tyrosinase.     

Complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) with the shiff base: 1H-indole-3-ethylensalicylaldimine as ligand

Complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) with the Schiff base 1H-indole-3-ethylensalicylaldimine as ligand are studied. The isolated complexes correspond to the general formulae ML₂ (where L= ligand).The complexes were characterized by mass spectra, IR, ¹H NMR, UVVis spectra and magnetic measurements.The results indicated that the ligands coordinate through N and O with the metal ions in different stereochemistries.     

Model complexes of the active site of galactose oxidase. Effects of the metal ion binding sites

Model compounds of the active site of galactose oxidase have been developed by using new cofactor model ligands, L1H (2-methylthio-4-tert-butyl-6-[{bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino}methyl]phenol) and L2H (2-methylthio-4-tert-butyl-6-[{bis(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino}methyl]phenol). Treatment of the ligands with copper(II) and zinc(II) perchlorate in the presence of triethylamine followed by anion exchange reaction with NaPF₆ or NaBPh₄ provided the corresponding copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes, the crystal structures of which have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All the copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been isolated as a dimeric form in which the phenolate oxygen of each ligand acts as the bridging ligand to form a rhombic M₂(OAr)₂ core (M=Cu or Zn). The dimeric complexes can be converted into the corresponding monomer complexes by the treatment with exogenous ligand such as acetate ion. The redox potential and the spectroscopic features of the monomer complexes have also been examined. Furthermore, the copper(II)- and zinc(II)-complexes of the phenoxyl radical species of the ligands have been generated in situ by the oxidation of the phenolate complexes with (NH₄)₂[Ce^IV(NO₃)₆] (CAN) in CH₃CN, and their spectroscopic features have been explored. The structures and physicochemical properties of the phenolate and phenoxyl radical complexes of L1 and L2 have been compared to those of the previously reported copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of L3 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butyl-6-[{bis(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino}methyl]phenol) in order to get insights into the interaction between the metal ions and the organic cofactor moiety.