Structure and bonding of gold(I) and gold(III) nucleosides studied by 197Au Mössbauer spectroscopy

¹⁹⁷Au Mössbauer spectra of the series of complexes of gold(I), Au(nucl)₂Cl and gold(III), Au(nucl)Cl₃, Au(nucl - H⁺)Cl₂ and Au(nucl)₂Cl₃ were measured at 4.2 K, (nucl = nucleoside, e.g. guanosine(guo), inosine(ino), triacetylguanosine-(trguo) and triacetylinosine(trino)). It is concluded from the spectra that the gold(I) nucleosides have linear ClAuN coordination, with one coordinated nucleoside molecule per gold(I) ion, bound via the N(7) atom. The σ-donor strength of the guo ligand is somewhat higher than that of the ino ligand. The complexes Au(ino)Cl₃ and Au(guo)Cl₃, in the series Au(nucl)Cl₃, have significantly higher IS and QS values than the corresponding complexes with the triacetylnucleosides, Au(trino)Cl₃ and Au(trguo)Cl₃. This may be explained by a weak O(6)-interaction with gold(III), in a nearly trigonal bipyramidal configuration in the former case and by the presence of the strongly electron withdrawing acetyl groups in the latter, which reduces the donor strength of their N(7) atoms. The complexes of the Au(nucl - H⁺)Cl₂ series all appear to have a polymeric structure. The gold(III) ion is bound to the N(7) atom and the O(6) or the N(1) atom of the nucleosides. Finally, the Mössbauer spectra of the series Au(nucl)₂)Cl₃ can only be explained by assuming approximately octahedral AuN₂Cl₄ structures, with bridging chlorine atoms.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of gold(III) dioximates with anions [AuCl4] and [AuCl2]

Two complexes of Au(III) with dimethylglyoxime of compositions [Au^III(HDMG)₂][Au^IIICl₄] (1) and [Au^III(HDMG)₂][Au^ICl₂] (2) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray structural analysis. It was shown that in [Au^III(HDMG)₂]⁺ cation Au(III) has a square-planar environment, and the oxygen atoms of oxime groups are joined by intramolecular H-bond. The secondary Au?Au and Au?Cl interactions in the crystal are discussed.     

Complexes of d(+)-biotin with Pd(II) and Pt(II)

The reactions of d(+)-biotin with K₂MX₄, where M = Pd(II) or Pt(II) and X = Cl or Br have been studied in acidic, neutral or alkaline aqueous solutions. Complexes of the type trans-M(Bio)₂X₂ have been isolated for both metals and characterized with elemental analyses, conductivity measurments, ir spectra, ¹Hnmr and ¹³Cnmr spectra. The complex of the type [Pd(Bio)Cl₂]₂ has also been isolated from DMF solutions. The results indicate that d(+)-biotin coordinates exclusively through its sulfur atom with these metals in all the complexes in the present study, in the solid state or in solution.     

Tris(pentachlorophenyl) gold(III) complexes

By reaction of Tl(C₆Cl₅)₂Cl with Au(C₆Cl₅)(tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophen) or [N(PPh₃)₂] [Au(C₆- Cl₅)Cl] the gold(III) complexes [Au(C₆Cl₅)₃(tht)] or [N(PPh₃)₂][Au(C₆Cl₅)₃Cl] respectively, can be prepared. They are the first tris(pentachlorophenyl)- gold(III) complexes to be reported. The ready displacement of tht by other neutral or anionic ligands leads to the synthesis of Au(C₆Cl₅)₃(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) or Q[Au(C₆Cl₅)₃X] (Q=N(PPh₃)₂, PPh₃Me or PPh₂Me₂; X=C₆F₅, SCN, Br or I).     

Interactions of bis-[μ-chloro-chlorotricarbonylruthenium(II)] and poly-[μ-dichloro-dicarbonylruthenium(II)] with nucleosides

The interactions of dimeric complex bis-[μ-chloro-chlorotricarbonylruthenium(II)], [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂, and the polymeric complex poly-[μ-dichlorodicarbonylruthenium(II)], [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_x, with nucleosides (Nucl) in a 1:1 Ru:Nucl molar ratio for the dimer and 1:2 Ru:Nucl for the polymer, resulted in formation of the monomeric mononucleoside [Ru(CO)₃(Nucl)Cl₂] and bis-nucleoside [Ru(CO)₂(Nucl)₂Cl₂] complexes, respectively. The dimer [Ru(CO)₃Cl₂]₂ also gave the ionic bis-nucleoside complexes [Ru(CO)₃(Nucl)₂Cl]Cl in the molar ratio 1:2 Ru:Nucl. The mononucleoside complexes are stable in solution while the bis-nucleoside complexes tend to lose one nucleoside in strong complexing solvents, probably by solvent substitution. The complexes [Ru(CO)₃(Nucl)Cl₂] and [Ru(CO)₂(Nucl)₂Cl₂] with one N(1)H ionizable imino proton undergo ionization in alkaline solution and the complexes [Ru(CO)₃(NuclH⁺)Cl] and [Ru(CO)₂(NuclH⁺)₂], respectively, were isolated. In these deprotonated complexes the nucleosides behave as bidentate ligands, while in the protonated ones they act as monodentate. All Complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and various spectroscopic methods.     

Interactions of dichloro-bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) with nucleosides

The interactions of dichloro-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) (titanocene dichloride, Cp₂TiCl₂) with nucleosides have been studied in methanolic solutions. Complexes of the general formula [Cp₂Ti(Nucl)MeOH]Cl₂ were isolated. The nucleoside complexes with one N(1)H ionizable imino proton (i.e. inosine and guanosine) undergo ionization in alkaline solution and complexes of the formula [Cp₂Ti(NuclH⁺)] Cl were isolated. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and various spectroscopic techniques. In the first series of complexes, [Cp₂Ti(Nucl)MeOH]Cl₂, the nucleosides act as monodentate ligands with an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the coordinated methanol and the C6O group, while in the second, [Cp₂Ti(NuclH⁺)] Cl, they coordinate through both their N7 and O6 atoms.     

Apoptotic effects of dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine (dppz) Au(III) complex against diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital induced experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

We evaluated the effects of dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine (dppz) Au(III) complex ([Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl) on apoptosis during chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma. 48 male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into six groups; group I (control), group II [Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], group III ([Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl), group IV [diethylnitrosamine + Phenobabital (DEN + PB)], group V (DEN + PB + [Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl (2nd week)), and group VI (DEN + PB + [Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl (7th week). The rats in groups IV through VI were administrated with DEN in a single dose of intraperitoneal 175 mg/kg. After 2 weeks of DEN administration, these groups of rats were given daily PB in a dose of 500 ppm. In group V, after two weeks of DEN administration, [Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl complex (2 mg/kg) was given once a week by intraperitoneal injection. In the group VI, the rats were given a dose of 2 mg/kg [Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl complex once a week, 7 weeks after DEN administration. At the end of the study, blood and tissue samples were collected from the rats to determine levels of serum AST, ALT, and LDH, and caspase 3, p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and DNA fragmentation in liver. AST, ALT, LDH, and Bcl-2 levels were higher in group IV, compared to group I, but caspase 3 and p53 levels were lower. In group V, caspase 3, p53, Bax, and DNA fragmentation levels were higher than those of group IV. Caspase 3 and p53 levels increased in group VI compared with group IV. In conclusion, [Au(dppz)Cl₂]Cl complex induced apoptosis by elevating levels of caspase 3, p53, Bax, and DNA fragmentation.     

Overcoming cisplatin resistance using gold(III) mimics: anticancer activity of novel gold(III) polypyridyl complexes

Gold(III) compounds have been recognized as anticancer agents due to their structural and electronic similarities with currently employed platinum(II) species. An added benefit to gold(III) agents is the ability to overcome cisplatin resistance. This work identified four gold(III) compounds, [Au(Phen)Cl₂]PF₆, [Au(DPQ)Cl₂]PF₆, [Au(DPPZ)Cl₂]PF₆, and [Au(DPQC)Cl₂]PF₆, (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, DPQ = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline, DPPZ = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine, DPQC = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f] cyclohexyl quinoxaline) that exhibited anticancer activity in both cisplatin sensitive and cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. Two of these compounds, [Au(DPQ)Cl₂]PF₆ (AQ) and [Au(DPPZ)Cl₂]PF₆ (AZ), displayed exceptional anticancer activity and were the focus of more intensive mechanistic study. At the molecular level, AQ and AZ formed DNA adducts, generated free radicals, and upregulated pro-apoptotic signaling molecules (p53, caspases, PARP, death effectors). Taken together, these two novel gold(III) polypyridyl complexes exhibit potent antitumor activity in cisplatin resistant cancer cells. These activities may be mediated, in part, by the activation of apoptotic signaling.     

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

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

Preparation, characterization and pH-metric measurements of 4-hydroxysalicylidenechitosan Schiff-base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II) and Au(III)

The 4-hydroxysalicylidenechitosan Schiff-base (2CS-Hdhba) was prepared by the condensation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with chitosan, and its metal complexes, [M(2CS-dhba)Cl₂(H₂O)₂] (M(III) = Fe, Ru, Rh), [M′(2CS-dhba)(AcO)(H₂O)₂] (M′(II) = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), [Pd(2CS-dhba)Cl(H₂O)] and [Au(2CS-dhba)Cl₂], are reported. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, by spectral data (FTIR, solid-phase ¹³C NMR, UV–vis and ESR spectroscopy), by morphological observations (SEM and XRD), and by magnetic and thermal measurements. The Schiff base (2CS-Hdhba) behaves as a bidentate chelate with a single negative charge. The azomethine nitrogen and the deprotonated 2-hydroxy centres with the pendant glucosamine hydroxy functionality play no role in coordination. The dissociation constants of 2CS-Hdhba and the stability constants of some of its metal complexes have been determined pH-metrically.     

Synthesis, characterization, and aqueous chemistry of cytotoxic Au(III) polypyridyl complexes

This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and aqueous chemistry of a series of cytotoxic [Au(polypyridyl)Cl₂]PF₆ complexes {(where polypyridyl = dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h] quinoxaline (DPQ), dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine (DPPZ) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c](6,7,8,9-tetrahydro) phenazine (DPQC))}. The crystal structure of [Au(DPQ)Cl₂]PF₆ was determined as example of the series and exhibits the anticipated square planar geometry common for d⁸ coordination complexes. The crystals of the complex belong to the space group P2₁/n with a = 7.624(2) Å, b = 18.274(5) Å, c = 14.411(14) Å, β = 98.03(3)°, and Z = 4. In ¹H NMR studies of these compounds in the presence of aqueous buffer, all four complexes rapidly converted to the dihydroxy species [Au(polypyridyl)(OH)₂] in a stepwise fashion. However, the [Au(polypyridyl)]³⁺ fragment believed to impart cytotoxicity in human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780) remained intact and appeared stable for days. It was also noted that these Au(III) complexes were readily reduced in the presence of the common biological reducing agents, reduced glutathione and sodium ascorbate. How solution and redox stability may affect the biological activity of these novel Au(III) complexes is discussed.     

A comparative study of complex formation in the reactions of gold(III) with Gly-Gly, Gly-l-Ala and Gly-l-His dipeptides

Proton NMR spectroscopy was applied to study the reactions of the dipeptides glycyl-glycine (Gly-Gly) and glycyl-l-alanine (Gly-l-Ala) with hydrogen tetrachloridoaurate(III) (H[AuCl₄]). All reactions were performed at pH 2.0 and 3.0 and at 40 °C. The final products in these reactions were [Au(Gly-Gly-κ³N_G1,N_G2,O_G2)Cl] and [Au(Gly-l-Ala-κ³N_G,N_A,O_A)Cl] complexes. Tridentate coordination of the corresponding dipeptides and square-planar geometry of these Au(III) complexes was confirmed by NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. This study showed that at pH < 3.0 the Au(III) ion was able to deprotonate the amide nitrogen atom. However this displacement reaction was very slow and the total concentration of the corresponding Au(III)-peptide complex formed after 5 days was less than 60% for the Gly-l-Ala or 70% for the Gly-Gly dipeptide. The kinetic data of the reactions between the Gly-Gly and Gly-l-Ala dipeptides and [AuCl₄]⁻ were compared with those for the histidine-containing Gly-l-His dipeptide. The differences in the reactivity of these three dipeptides with the Au(III) ion are discussed.     

Monotheophylline and monotheophyllinato complexes of palladium(II) and their interactions with nucleosides

The interaction of potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) with theophylline in a 1:1 molar ratio resulted in the formation of the monotheophylline (K[Pd(ThH)Cl₃]) or monotheophyllinato ([Pd(Th)Cl]₂) complexes, depending on the solvent and the acidity conditions. In the first complex, theophylline coordinates to Pd(II) as a neutral molecule through its N9 atom, while in the second as a monoanion through both its N7 and O6 atoms. Both complexes react with nucleosides, giving the complexes [Pd(Nucl)(ThH)Cl₂] and [Pd(Nucl)(Th)Cl], respectively. Those complexes with one N(1)H ionizable imino-proton undergo deprotonation and two new series of mixed ligand complexes, [Pd(Nucl − H⁺)(ThH)Cl] and [Pd(Nucl − H⁺(Th)] are formed. In the mixed ligand complexes, theophylline maintains its coordination modes. The nucleosides, on the other hand, exhibit their usual coordination sites; i.e. in the nondeprotonated complexes they coordinate only through their N7 atoms, while in the deprotonated they act as bidentate through both their N7 and O6 atoms. All complexes were characterized with elemental analyses, conductivity measurements and various spectroscopic techniques.     

A mass spectrometric investigation of the binding of gold antiarthritic agents and the metabolite [Au(CN)2]− to human serum albumin

Electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry was used to examine the reactions of the clinically used antiarthritic agent [Au(S₂O₃)₂]³⁻, and AuPEt₃Cl, a derivative of another clinically used agent auranofin, with human serum albumin (HSA) obtained from a human volunteer. Both compounds reacted readily with HSA to form complexes containing one or more covalently attached gold fragments. In the case of AuPEt₃Cl, binding was accompanied by the loss of the chloride ligand, while for [Au(S₂O₃)₂]³⁻ the mass spectral data indicated binding of Au(S₂O₃) groups. Experiments performed using HSA with Cys34 blocked by reaction with iodoacetamide were consistent with reaction of both gold compounds with this amino acid. Separate blocking experiments using diethylpyrocarbonate and AuPEt₃Cl also provided evidence for histidine residues acting as lower-affinity binding sites for this gold compound. ESI mass spectra of solutions containing [Au(S₂O₃)₂]³⁻ or [Au(CN)₂]⁻, and HSA, provided evidence for the formation of protein complexes in which intact gold molecules were non-covalently bound. In the case of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]³⁻, these non-covalent complexes proved to be transitory in nature. However, for [Au(CN)₂]⁻ a non-covalent complex containing a single gold molecule bound to HSA was found to be stable, and constituted the main adduct formed in solutions containing low-to-medium Au-to-HSA ratios. Evidence was also obtained for the formation of a covalent adduct in which a single Au(CN) moiety was bonded to Cys34 of the protein. AuPEt₃Cl reacted to a much lower extent with HSA that had Cys34 modified by formation of a disulfide bond to added cysteine, than with unmodified HSA. This suggests that the extent of modification of the protein in vivo may have an important influence on the transport and bioavailability of gold antiarthritic drugs.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Electron transfer between plastocyanin and benzimidazolic coordination compounds in DMSO-H2O

The electron transfer reactions between several chromium(III), iron(III) and cobalt(III) coordination compounds and spinach plastocyanin (PC) were studied. The ligands coordinated to the metal ions are derivatives of benzimidazole. Kinetic studies were carried out in dimethyl sulphoxide-H₂O (25:75%) and the reaction mechanism is discussed. For comparison with previous studies, the reaction of [Co(phen)₃]³⁺ with PC was studied both in aqueous buffer solution and in dimethyl sulphoxide-H₂O (25:75%); the results indicated that the electron transfer is accelerated in reactions carried out in the latter medium. [Fe(2gb)₃](NO₃)₃, 2gb=2-guanidinobenzimidazole, and [Fe(ntb)Cl₂]Cl, ntb=tris(benzimidazolyl)methylamine oxidised PC following a simple second order outer sphere mechanism. The rate constants for electron transfer are 1.4×10⁴±1.1×10² and 706.2±12.7 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Cobalt(III) and chromium(III) benzimidazolic compounds behaved as inhibitors to the electron transfer process. NMR studies indicated that the conformation of the protein does not change in DMSO-H₂O (25:75% v/v) when compared with that in aqueous buffer.     

Tellurium tetrahalides in rubber chemistry: Some new tellurium(IV) complexes with an S2X4 (X = halogen) ligand environment

The reaction of tellurium tetrahalides with natural rubber parallels closely reactions with model compounds such as cyclohexene and 2-methyl- pent-2-ene carried out under similar conditions. In both cases an α-elimination reaction of an ‘organic halide’ with deposition of elemental tellurium is a dominant process, but some evidence for cross- linking of natural rubber is obtained. If methyl cyanide is the solvent for cyclohexene, or if a nitrile rubber is used, elimination of tellurium is inhibited.Tellurium tetrachloride enhances the rate and density of cross-link formation when added to tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD) based natural rubber vulcanisates, but this effect is negated in the presence of triphenylphosphine. TeCl₄ reacts with TMTD to eliminate an atom of sulphur and to form a complex of tetramethylthiuram monosulphide (TMTM) viz. [Te(TMTM)Cl₄]. Corresponding bromo- and iodo-complexes have been prepared, the iodo- complex is a 1:1 electrolyte. ¹²⁵Te Mössbauer data for the complexes are briefly discussed.Further reactions of the complexes are described which lead to the formation of: [Te(TMTM)Cl₂(O)(pyridine)], [Te(TMTM)X₂(O)] (X=Br, I), and [Cu(TMTM)₂] [TeCl₅]₂. Organyltellurium(IV) trihalides also react with TMTD to release sulphur and give complexes of TMTM, i.e. [(p-EtO·C₆H₄)Te- X₃]₂(TMTM) (X=Cl, Br, I).     

Investigation of the interaction of gold(III)-alkyldiamine complexes with l-histidine and imidazole ligands by H and C NMR, and UV spectrophotometry

Reactions of Au(III)-alkyldiamine complex with l-histidine and imidazole were carried out and monitored time-dependant by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Kinetics for the [Au(en)Cl₂]⁺ reaction with l-histidine was determined by initial rate method at constant pH and 25 °C using UV-Vis absorption technique, and found to be first order with respect to each component, with a pseudo second order rate constant of 39 ± 3 M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Reaction rates of l-histidine and imidazole reactions with the [Au(en)Cl₂]⁺ complex was found to be strongly dependant on pD. The pD also has profound effect on the stability of the complex. It was observed that concurrent redox reactions also take place in solution in which Au(III) is reduced to metallic Au(0), while l-histidine and imidazole are oxidized to oxy and hydroxyl products. The optimization of the structure of [(His)Au(en)]³⁺ complex was carried out by gaussian03 at the RB3LYP level that showed a distorted square pyramid with the histidine carboxyl group at the pyramid top.     

Novel [Ru(polypyridine)(CO)2Cl2] and [Ru(polypyridine)2(CO)Cl]-type complexes: Characterizing the effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands by electrochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic measurements

The reaction of ruthenium carbonyl polymer ([Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n) with azopyridyl compounds (2,2′-azobispyridine; apy or 2-phenylazopyridine; pap) generated new complexes, [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] (azo = apy, pap). [Ru(apy)(CO)₂Cl₂] underwent photodecarbonylation to give a chloro-bridged dimer complex, whereas the corresponding pap complex ([Ru(pap)(CO)₂Cl₂]) was not converted to a dimer. The reactions of the chloro-bridged dimer containing the bpy ligand (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with either apy or pap resulted in the formation of mixed polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. The novel complexes containing azo ligands were characterized by various spectroscopic measurements including the determination of X-ray crystallographic structures. Both [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] complexes have two CO groups in a cis position to each other and two chlorides in a trans position. The azo groups are situated cis to the CO ligand in [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. All complexes have azo N-N bond lengths of 1.26-1.29 Å. The complexes exhibited azo-based two-electron reduction processes in electrochemical measurements. The effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands to the ruthenium carbonyl complexes were examined by ligand-based redox potentials, stretching frequencies and force constants of CO groups and bond parameters around Ru-CO moieties.     

Synthesis and reactivity of binuclear halo-bridge palladium(II) isocyanide complexes

An equimolecular mixture of [Pd(RNC)₂Cl₂] (R = Ph, p-Me C₆H₄) and [Pd(MeCN)₂Cl₂] reacts in boiling, 1,2-dichloroethane to give the binuclear complexes [Pd(RNC)Cl₂]₂.These compounds undergo a variety of bridge-splitting reactions with neutral or anionic ligands yielding complexes of the type cis and trans [Pd(RNC)LX₂] or [Pd(RNC)X₃]⁻ (L = PPh₃, pyridine, C₆H₁₁NC; X = CL, Br).By reaction of [Pd(PhNC)Cl₃]⁻ with MeOH the anionic carbene complex [Pd{C(NHPh)OMe}Cl₃]⁻ is obtained.[Pd(PhNC)Cl₂]₂ reacts with p-toluidine (excess) or o-aminopyridine to give the corresponding mononuclear carbene derivatives.In the case of the mixed derivative [Pd(p-MeC₆H₄NC)(C₆H₁₁NC)Cl₂], only the more activated p-tolylisocyanide was found to react with p-toluidine.The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, i.r. and ¹H n.m.r. spectra where possible.     

N(4)-Tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones and their platinum(II,IV) and gold(III) complexes: cytotoxicity against human glioma cells and studies on the mode of action

Complexes [Au(2Ac4oT)Cl][AuCl₂] (1), [Au(H_py2Ac4mT)Cl₂]Cl·H₂O (2), [Au(H_py2Ac4pT)Cl₂]Cl (3), [Pt(H2Ac4oT)Cl]Cl (4), [Pt(2Ac4mT)Cl]·H₂O (5), [Pt(2Ac4pT)Cl] (6) and [Pt(L)Cl₂OH], L = 2Ac4mT (7), 2Ac4oT (8), 2Ac4pT (9) were prepared with N(4)-ortho- (H2Ac4oT), N(4)-meta- (H2Ac4mT) and N(4)-para- (H2Ac4pT) tolyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone. The cytotoxic activities of all compounds were assayed against U-87 and T-98 human malignant glioma cell lines. Upon coordination cytotoxicity improved in 2, 5 and 8. In general, the gold(III) complexes were more cytotoxic than those with platinum(II,IV). Several of these compounds proved to be more active than cisplatin and auranofin used as controls. The gold(III) complexes probably act by inhibiting the activity of thioredoxin reductase enzyme whereas the mode of action of the platinum(II,IV) complexes involves binding to DNA. Cells treated with the studied compounds presented morphological changes such as cell shrinkage and blebs formation, which indicate cell death by apoptosis induction.