Dopamine release and molecular modeling study of some coumarin derivatives

4-aryl-2-amino-6-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-pyridin-3-carbonitrile (1), 4-aryl-2-oxo-6-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-pyridin-3-carbonitriles (2a-2c), 3-(6-aryl-1,2,5,6- tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidin-4-yl)-4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (3a, 3b) and pyrazol-3-yl-4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives (4a-4c, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, and 8a-8c) were prepared in order to measure their % change dopamine release in comparison to amphetamine as reference, using PC-12 cells in different concentrations. In addition, the molecular modeling study of the compounds into 3BHH receptor was also demonstrated. The calculated inhibition constant (k_i) implemented in the AutoDock program revealed identical correlation with the experimental results to that obtained binding free energy (ΔG_b) as both parameters revealed reasonable correlation coefficients (R²) being 0.51 involving 10 compounds; (1, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 6a, and 8c).     

Ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes containing pyridine-functionalised bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis, structures, and impact of the carbene ligands on catalytic activities

A series of new ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes with pyridine-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbenes [Ru(Py-NHC)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Py-NHC = 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 1 (1a and 1b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 2 (2a and 2b); 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 3 (3b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 4 (4a and 4b); 1-methyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-5-ylidene, 5 (5a and 5b)] have been prepared by transmetallation from the corresponding silver carbene complexes and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In these complexes with bidentate Py-NHC ligands, one CO ligand is trans to the Py ligand. In 1a, 2a, 4a, and 5a, the NHC ligand is trans to the other CO ligand, thus leaving the two Cl⁻ ligands trans to each other. In 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b, the NHC ligands are trans to one Cl⁻ ligand, and the two Cl⁻ ligands are cis to each other. The structures for 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These complexes are efficient catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and their catalytic activities are found to be influenced by electronic effect of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.     

Naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-dione-3-carboxylates: Potent, non-cytotoxic, antiapoptotic agents

Compounds containing a quinone moiety represent an important class of biologically active molecules that are widespread in nature, displaying anticancer, antibacterial, antimalarial, and fungicidal activities. In the course of designing 2,3-disubstituted-1,4-naphthoquinones derivatives as potential cysteine protease inhibitors, two naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-dione-3-carboxylates, 1a and 1b, were obtained. The antiapoptotic potential of 1a and 1b was then evaluated and compared to that of naphthoquinone 4. Primary rat hepatocytes were incubated with synthesized naphthoquinone derivatives and then exposed to the apoptotic stimulus camptothecin. Our results indicate that naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-dione-3-carboxylates 1a and 1b exerted a potent protective role in camptothecin-induced apoptosis in primary rat hepatocytes. Both 1a and 1b significantly increased cell viability, while reducing nuclear fragmentation, caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation, and cytochrome c release induced by camptothecin. In addition, 1a and 1b were shown to up-regulate Bcl-X_L, a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, which modulates the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Similar protective effects of quinone derivatives were seen in HuH-7 and PC12 cells incubated with distinct apoptotic stimuli, such as camptothecin, TGF-β1, or rotenone. Our results suggest that naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-dione-3-carboxylates 1a and 1b may act as potent, cytoprotective agents, through modulation of apoptotic pathways.     

Synthesis and electrochemical aspects of group 14 iron complexes of the type (η-C5H5)Fe(L)2ER3, L2 = (CO)2, (Ph2P)2CH2; E = C, Si, Ge, Sn

The dicarbonyl and diphosphine complexes of the type (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(L)₂ER₃ (L₂ = (CO)₂ (a), (Ph₂P)₂CH₂ (b); ER₃ = CH₃ (1a/b); SiMe₃ (2a/b), GeMe₃ (3a/b), SnMe₃ (4a/b)) were synthesized and studied electrochemically. Cyclic voltammetric studies on the dicarbonyl complexes 1a-4a revealed one electron irreversible oxidation processes whereas the same processes for the chelating phosphine series 1b-4b were reversible. The E_ox values found for the series 1a-4a were in the narrow range 1.3-1.5 V and in the order Si > Sn ≈ Ge > C; those for 1b-4b (involving replacement of the excellent retrodative π-accepting CO ligands by the superior σ-donor and poorer π-accepting phosphines) have much lower oxidation potentials in the sequence Sn > Si ≈ Ge > C. This latter oxidation potential pattern relates directly to the solution ³¹P NMR chemical shift data illustrating that stronger donation lowers the E_ox for the complexes; however, simple understanding of the trend must await the results of a current DFT analysis of the systems.     

Diheteroarylmethyl substituted titanocenes: A novel class of possible anti-cancer drugs

From the reaction of tert-butyl lithium or n-butyl lithium with N-methylpyrrole (1a), furan (1b) or 2-bromo-thiophen (1c), 2-N-methylpyrrolyl lithium (2a), 2-furyl lithium (2b) or 2-thiophenyl lithium (2c), respectively, was obtained. When reacted with 6-(2-N-methylpyrrolyl) fulvene (3a), 6-(2-furyl) fulvene (3b) or 6-(2-thiophenyl) fulvene (3c), the corresponding lithiated intermediates were formed (4a-c). Titanocenes (5a-c) were obtained through transmetallation with titanium tetrachloride. When these titanocenes were tested against pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK) cells, inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 32 μM, 140 μM, and 240 μM, respectively, were observed. These values represent improved cytotoxicity against LLC-PK, compared to their ansa-analogues.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpma) in refluxing ethanol followed by anion exchange yields two products: cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1a, 71%) and trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1b, 29%). Reaction of 1a with AgBF₄ in acetone, followed by acetonitrile and then anion exchange gave cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2a). In the same way, 1b afforded trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2b). Reaction of depolymerized [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bpma in ethanol at room temperature afforded cis,cis-[Ru(η²-bpma)(CO)₂Cl₂] (3). In refluxing ethanol, 3 was converted to cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]Cl (1a-Cl). Heating 3 in chlorobenzene afforded 1b-Cl, exclusively; heating 3 in ethylene glycol gave mainly 1a-Cl. Heating 1a-Cl in ethanol resulted in no isomerization, but heating in chlorobenzene gave a mixture of 3 and 1b-Cl. Anion exchange for PF₆ with 1a-Cl and 1b-Cl afforded 1a and 1b, respectively, whereas anion exchange for BPh₄ afforded 1a-BPh₄. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a and 3 have been structurally characterized.     

Synthesis, X-ray structures, electrochemical properties and cytotoxic effects of Co(II) complexes

1-Benzothiazol-2-yl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (1a) and 1-benzothiazol-2-yl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1b) were reacted with the hexahydrates of cobalt(II) chloride, cobalt(II) nitrate and cobalt(II) perchlorate to give the corresponding complexes 2a-4a and 2b-5b, respectively. Obtained compounds differ in coordination spheres of central atoms. The complex 2a includes a fivefold coordinated cobalt(II) ion, whereas 3a shows a distorted octahedral configuration around the cobalt(II) ion. All complexes were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, MS and elemental analysis. The X-ray structures of 2a, 3a and 5b complexes were also solved. The cytotoxic properties of the ligand 1a and both series of Co(II) complexes were examined on human leukemia NALM-6 and HL-60 cells and melanoma WM-115 cells. The ligands, were found to have very low cytotoxicity. Complex 3b exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values in the range of 6.9-17.1 μM for three examined cell lines.     

Synthesis and complexation of tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)calix[4]arene adopting the 1,3-alternate conformation

Novel upper-rim modified tetraphosphinocalix[4]arenes (5a-b) adopting 1,3-alternate conformation have been synthesized. Reaction of 5,11,17,23-tetrachloromethyl-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1) with Ph₂POEt gave 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (2). Tetra-O-substitution of 2 with n-propyl iodide or benzyl bromide in the presence of K₂CO₃ carried out to afford 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxy-(3a) or -benzyloxycalix[4]arene (3b), whereas di-O-substituted calix[4]arene, 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,27-dipropoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (4), was obtained exclusively when Na₂CO₃ was used as base. Reduction of 3a-b with PhSiHCl₂ afforded 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphosphinomethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxy-(5a) and -tetrabenzyloxycalix[4]arene (5b). ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis reveals that the phosphines (5a-b) and the tetra-O-substituted phosphine oxides (3a-b) adopt 1,3-alternate conformation, while the parent tetrahydroxy-(2) and the di-O-propylated phosphine oxide (4) adopt cone-conformation. The X-ray structure indicates that the calix[4]arene moieties in 4 a pinched-cone conformation in solid state. Complexation of the phosphine ligand (5a) with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ affords the tetranuclear complexes, [{RuCl₂(p-cymene)}₂ · 5a] (6), as 1,3-alternate conformer.     

Synthesis of 2-(nitromethyl)ornithine from ornithine mediated by cobalt(III)

Rac.-p-(tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-2-(nitromethyl)ornithine)cobalt(III) trichloride (2d) was obtained by a simple three-step procedure from ornithine using cobalt template chemistry. p-(Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-ornithine)cobalt(III) trichloride (2a) was obtained from tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) and (S)-ornithine in the presence of cobalt(II), which was oxidised to cobalt(III) during the reaction. Complex 2a was selectively oxidised with thionyl chloride-dimethyl formamide to p-(tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-dehydro-ornithine)cobalt(III) trichloride 2b. Complex 2c, in which reaction of thionyl chloride-dimethyl formamide has also occurred at the δ-amine of ornithine, was obtained at longer reaction times. Complex 2b reacted with nitromethane anion to give rac.-p-(tris(2-aminoethyl)amino-2-(nitromethyl)ornithine)cobalt(III) trichloride (2d). The amino acid rac.-2-(nitromethyl)ornithine (1b) was released by reducing complex 2d with aqueous ammonium sulfide. Complex 2d was expected to release 2-(nitromethyl)ornithine (1b) in hypoxic cells, where the amino acid could act as an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Preliminary data indicated that complex 2d was weakly cytotoxic in one cell type studied.     

Synthesis of 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl analogues of 5-fluorouracil, N-benzoyl adenine, uracil, thymine, N-benzoyl cytosine and evaluation of their antitumor activities

The synthesis of the unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl nucleosides of 5-fluorouracil (6a), N⁶-benzoyl adenine (6b), uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N⁴-benzoyl cytosine (6e), is described. Monoiodination of compounds 1a,b, followed by acetylation, catalytic hydrogenation and finally regioselective 2′-O-deacylation afforded the partially acetylated dideoxynucleoside analogues of 5-fluorouracil (5a) and N⁶-benzoyl adenine (5b), respectively. Direct oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2′-position of 5a,b, with simultaneous elimination reaction of the β-acetoxyl group, afforded the desired unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl derivatives 6a,b. Compounds 1c-e were used as starting materials for the synthesis of the dideoxy unsaturated carbonyl nucleosides of uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N⁴-benzoyl cytosine (6e). Similarly a protection-selective deprotection sequence followed by oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2′-position of the dideoxy benzoylated analogues 9c-e with simultaneous elimination reaction of the β-benzoyl group, gave the desired nucleosides 6c-e. None of the compounds was inhibitory to a broad spectrum of DNA and RNA viruses at subtoxic concentrations. The 5-fluorouracil derivative 6a was more cytostatic (50% inhibitory concentration ranging between 0.2 and 12 μM) than the other compounds.     

Five-coordinate zinc(II) complexes with optically active Schiff bases derived from (1R,2R)-(−)cyclohexanediamine: X-ray structure and CP MAS NMR characterization of [cyclohexylenebis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato)zinc(II)pyridine] and [cyclohexylenebis(5-bromosalicylideneiminato)zinc(II)pyridine]

Schiff bases obtained from (1R,2R)-(−)-cyclohexanediamine and 5-chloro- (1) or 5-bromosalicylaldehyde (2) are used as ligands for Zn(II) resulting in [(1R,2R)-cyclohexylenebis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato)]zinc(II) (1a) and (1R,2R)-[cyclohexylenebis-(5-bromosalicylideneiminato)]zinc(II) (2a). In the presence of pyridine, 1a and 2a turned out into (1R,2R)-[cyclohexylenebis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato)pyridine]zinc(II) (1b) and (1R,2R)-[cyclohexylenebis(5-bromosalicylideneiminato)pyridine]zinc(II) (2b). Coordination sphere of Zn(II) atoms in both pyridine adducts is a slightly distorted square pyramid, with N₂O₂ chromophore units and axially bonded pyridine as it is evident from single crystal X-ray analyzes of 1b and 2b. The asymmetric unit of 1b and 2b contains two molecules of complexes. The observed distances of Zn-O in both molecules indicate the rigidity of the tetradentate ligand as a main factor influencing the geometry of coordination sphere. Obtained complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR in solution and ¹³C CP MAS NMR. NOE differential experiments revealed significant steric interactions between C(6)-H in the phenyl ring, cyclohexyl C(1)-H and imine hydrogen. Significant coordination shifts of carbons in the closest proximity to the coordination center were noted as well.     

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].     

Studies of rheniumtricarbonyl complexes of tripodal pyridyl-based ligands

The reaction of N-benzoyl and N-acetyl tris(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 1b and 1c (LH = tpmbaH and tpmaaH) with [Re(CO)₅Br] has been investigated and shown to proceed via the initial formation of a cationic rheniumtricarbonyl complex [(LH)Re(CO)₃]Br in which coordination of the ligand occurs via the three pyridine rings. For tpmbaH 1b, but not tpmaaH 1c, this initial complex 2b readily undergoes the loss of HBr to give a neutral octahedral complex 4b [(L)Re(CO)₃] where coordination occurs via two of the pyridine rings and the deprotonated amide nitrogen. The ¹H NMR spectrum of the latter complex 4b is very unusual in that at room temperature the signals for the 3-H protons on the coordinated pyridine rings are not visible due to extreme broadening of these resonances. Comparison with the analogous complex 7 from N-benzoyl bis(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 6b (bpmbaH) confirms that this is due to rotation of the uncoordinated pyridine ring. The structure of the cationic complex 3d [(LH)Re(CO)₃]Br formed from N-benzyl tris(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 1d (bz-tpmaH) is also discussed. The crystal structures of complexes [(tpmba)Re(CO)₃] 4b, [(bz-tpmaH)Re(CO)₃]Br 3d and [(bpmba)Re(CO)₃] 7 have been determined. In all complexes the coordination geometry around Re is distorted octahedral with a fac-{Re(CO)₃}⁺ core.     

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.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some new N-glycosides of 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives

5-Arylidene-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinones 3a-f react with each of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl and α-d-galactopyranosyl bromides 4a,b in acetone in the presence of aqueous potassium hydroxide at room temperature to afford N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) or N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl) 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives 5a-f. Similarly, the reaction of 5-cycloalkylidene-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinones 7a,b with 4a gave the corresponding N-glucosides 8a,b. Also, 5-pyrazolidene rhodanines 10a-e react with 4a to afford the new N-glucosides 11a-e. Treatment of compounds 15 and 16 with 4a in the presence of few drops of triethylamine or in KOH solution accomplished the mono- and bis-nucleosides 17 and 18, respectively. Some selected products were tested for their antimicrobial activities.     

Hydrogen-halide versus alkyl-halide oxidative addition in dimethyl platinum(II) complexes: Crystal structure of [PtBr2(bpy)]

Dimethyl platinum(II) complexes [PtMe₂(NN)] {NN = bu₂bpy (4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) (1a), bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) (1b), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (1c)} reacted with commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol in the presence of 1,3-propylene oxide to afford cis, trans- [PtBrMe₂{(CH₂)₃OH}(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (2a), bpy (2b), phen (2c)). On the other hand, [PtMe₂(NN)] (1a)-(1b) reacted with the trace of HBr in commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol to give [PtBr₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (3a), bpy (3b)). The reaction pathways were monitored by ¹H NMR at various temperatures. Treatment of 1a-1b with a large excess of 3-bromo-1-propanol at −80 °C gave the corresponding methyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (4a), bpy (4b)) via the oxidative addition of dimethyl platinum(II) complexes with HBr. The complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] decomposed by reductive elimination of methane above −20 °C for bu₂bpy and from −20 to 0 °C for bpy analogue to give methane and platinum(II) complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) and then decomposed at about 0 °C to yield [PtBr₂(NN)] and methane. When the reactions were performed at a molar ratio of Pt:RX/1:10, the corresponding complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) were also obtained. The crystal structure of the complex 3b shows that platinum adopts square planar geometry with a twofold axis through the platinum atom. The Pt…Pt distance (5.164 Å) is considerably larger than the interplanar spacing (3.400 Å) and there is no platinum-platinum interaction.     

8-Quinolinolato complexes of ruthenium(II) and (III)

Reduction of RuQ₃ (1a, Q = 8-quinolinolato) with Zn/Hg in the presence of various π-acceptor ligands in ethanol affords RuQ₂L₂ (L₂ = (dimethylsulfoxide)₂ (2); (4-picoline)₂ (3); N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene, dab (4); cyclooctadiene, COD (5); norborna-2,5-diene, nbd (6)). Compound 6 is isolated as an equimolar mixture of cis,trans (6a) and trans,cis (6b) isomers, which can be separated by column chromatography. DFT calculations have been performed on 6a and 6b. Oxidation of 3 and 6b affords the corresponding ruthenium(III) species 7 and 8, respectively. The structures of 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses and structures of cobalt(III) alcoholate complexes formed by addition of a water molecule across 2-pyridyl substituted imine function

Schiff bases L1-L5 {N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L1), 3-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylmethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L2), 3-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L3), 4-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylmethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L4), 4-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L5)} were synthesized and on reaction with Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, complexes having the molecular formulae [Co(L1O)₂]NO₃ (1), [Co(L2O)₂]NO₃·xH₂O (2a, x = 2; 2b, x = 3), [Co(L3O)₂]NO₃ (3), [Co(L4O)₂]NO₃·4H₂O (4), [Co(L5O)₂]NO₃ (5) were isolated from the respective imines. The salt [Co(L2O)₂]PF₆ (2c) was obtained by treating 2 with KPF₆. Complexes 1-5 were formed as a result of addition of a water molecule across the imine function and the resultant alcohol binds in its deprotonated form. The alcoholate ion remained bound in a facial tridentate fashion to the low-spin cobalt(III). X-ray crystal structure determination confirmed the presence of trans-trans-trans-N_AN_PO (A = aminopyridyl and P = pyridyl) disposition in 2a and cis-cis-trans-N_AN_PO in 2b, 2c and 4. Water dimers in 2a, 2b, 4 and water-nitrate ion network in 2a were other notable features.     

Novel benzyl-substituted molybdocene anticancer drugs

From the reaction of 6-(p-methoxyphenyl) fulvene (1a), 6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) fulvene (1b) and 6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) fulvene (1c) with LiBEt₃H, lithiated cyclopentadienide intermediates (2a-c) were synthesised. These intermediates were then transmetallated to molybdocene using MoCl₄ (synthesized in situ) to yield the benzyl-substituted molybdocenes bis-[(p-methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3a), bis-[(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3b), and bis-[(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3c). The molybdocene 3a was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All three molybdocenes had their cytotoxicity investigated through MTT based preliminary in vitro testing on the human renal cell line Caki-1 in order to determine their IC50 values and compare them with the corresponding titanocene and vanadocene dichloride derivatives. Molybdocenes 3b-c were found to have the same IC50 values of 290 μM, while 3a yielded a value of 84 μM, respectively     

The interplay of hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds in the structure of NH-pyrazoles bearing C-aryl and C-halogen substituents

The behavior in solution and in the solid state of 3(5)-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (7), 3(5)-phenyl-4-chloro-1H-pyrazole (6), 3(5)-phenyl-4-bromo-1H-pyrazole (1), and 3(5)-p-chlorophenyl-4-bromo-1H-pyrazole (8) is discussed in relation to their 3-phenyl (a)/5-phenyl (b) annular tautomerism. Two new X-ray structures are reported: a new polymorph of 1 and the structure of 6. The new polymorph is a 3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole 1a′ trimer while the new structure is a 5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole 6b trimer. The combined use of NMR at low temperature and DFT calculations allows to discuss the tautomerism of the first three pyrazoles and to predict that the fourth one should be a tetramer formed by both tautomers, 8a and 8b.