Synthesis, structure and biological activities of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) coordination compounds with 2-benzimidazole derivatives

In this work we present the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterisation of a series of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) coordination compounds with benzimidazole (bz) and its 2-benzimidazole derivatives: 2-aminobenzimidazole (2ab), albendazole (abz) and tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (ntb). The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. Their cytotoxic activity was also evaluated using human cancer lines, HeLa, HCT-15 and SKLU-1. The halide tetrahedral compounds [Co(bz)₂Br₂] 3, [Zn(2ab)₂Cl₂] · 0.5H₂O 11, [Co(abz)Cl₂(H₂O)] · 3H₂O 14, [Co(abz)Br₂(H₂O)] 15, [Zn(abz)Cl₂(H₂O)] · 3H₂O 17 and [Zn(abz)Br₂(H₂O)] · H₂O 18 displayed similar minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) values against Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli, comparable to those of amoxicillin and chloramphenicol. Additionally, 11 showed a wide range of activity towards Gram(+) and Gram(−) microorganisms. The tetradentate ntb and its trigonal bipyramidal cobalt(II) and zinc(II) compounds were active, regardless of the anion present in the complex. Compound [Co(abz)Cl₂(H₂O)] · 3H₂O 14 showed promising activity in HeLa cells, while [Co(ntb)Br]Br · H₂O 21 inhibited Hela and HCT-15 cell lines.     

Coordination of different ligands to copper(II) and cobalt(III) metal centers enhances Zika virus and dengue virus loads in both arthropod cells and human keratinocytes

Trace elements such as copper and cobalt have been associated with virus-host interactions. However, studies to show the effect of conjugation of copper(II) or cobalt(III) metal centers to thiosemicarbazone ligand(s) derived from either food additives or mosquito repellent such as 2-acetylethiazole or citral, respectively, on Zika virus (ZIKV) or dengue virus (serotype 2; DENV2) infections have not been explored. In this study, we show that four compounds comprising of thiosemicarbazone ligand derived from 2-acetylethiazole viz., (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide (acetylethTSC) (compound 1), a copper(II) complex with acetylethTSC as a ligand (compound 2), a thiosemicarbazone ligand-derived from citral (compound 3) and a cobalt(III) complex with a citral-thiosemicarbazone ligand (compound 4) increased DENV2 and ZIKV replication in both mosquito C6/36 cells and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Treatment of both cell lines with compounds 2 or 4 showed increased dengue viral titers at all three tested doses. Enhanced dengue viral plaque formation was also noted at the tested dose of 100 μM, suggesting higher production of infectious viral particles. Treatment with the compounds 2 or 4 enhanced ZIKV and DENV2 RNA levels in HeLa cell line and primary cultures of mouse bone marrow derived dendritic cells. Also, pre- or post treatments with conjugated compounds 2 or 4 showed higher loads of ZIKV or DENV2 envelope (E) protein in HaCaT cells. No changes in loads of E-protein were found in ZIKV-infected C6/36 cells, when compounds were treated after infection. In addition, we tested bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) chloride ([Cu(phen)₂]Cl₂, (compound 5) and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)cobalt(III) chloride ([Co(phen)₃]Cl₃, (compound 6) that also showed enhanced DENV2 loads. Also, we found that copper(II) chloride dehydrate (CuCl₂·2H₂O) or cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂·6H₂O) alone had no effects as “free” cations. Taken together, these findings suggest that use of Cu(II) or Co(III) conjugation to organic compounds, in insect repellents and/or food additives could enhance DENV2/ZIKV loads in human cells and perhaps induce pathogenesis in infected individuals or individuals pre-exposed to such conjugated complexes.

Sugar-metal ion interaction. Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural analysis of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) sugar complexes containing l-arabinose

Interaction between l-arabinose and the zinc group metal-ion salts has been studied in aqueous solution and solid complexes of the type M(l-arabinose)X₂·nH₂O, where M = Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) ions, X = Cl⁻ or Br⁻, and n = 0–2 have been isolated and characterized. On comparison with the structurally known Ca(l-arabinose) Cl₂·4H₂O and the corresponding magnesium compounds, it is concluded that the Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions are six-coordinated, binding to two arabinose moieties via 03, 04 of the first and 01, 05 of the second sugar molecule as well as to two H₂O molecules. The Hg(II) ion binds only to two sugar molecules in a similar fashion to zinc and cadmium ions, resulting in a four coordination around the mercury ion. The strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding network of the free arabinose is rearranged to that of the sugar OH...H₂O...halide system upon metalation. The β-anomer sugar conformation is predominant in the free sugar, while the α-anomer conformation is preferred by the alkaline earth and Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) cations.     

New tailored substituted benzothiazole Schiff base Cu(II)/Zn(II) antitumor drug entities: effect of substituents on DNA binding profile,antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity

New tailored Cu(II) & Zn(II) metal-based antitumor drug entities were synthesized from substituted benzothiazole o?vanillin Schiff base ligands. The complexes were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies {IR, ¹H & ¹³C NMR, ESI?MS, EPR} and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The structure activity relationship (SAR) studies of benzothiazole Cu(II) & Zn(II) complexes having molecular formulas [C₃₀H₂₂CuN₅O₇S₂], [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂CuN₅O₇S₂], [C₃₀H₂₀CuF₂N₅O₇S₂], [C₃₀H₂₂N₄O₄S₂Zn], [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂N₄O₄S₂Zn], and [C₃₀H₂₀F₂N₅O₇S₂Zn], with CT?DNA were performed by employing absorption, emission titrations, and hydrodynamic measurements. The DNA binding affinity was quantified by K _b and K _sv values which gave higher binding propensity for chloro-substituted Cu(II) [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂CuN₅O₇S₂] complex, suggestive of groove binding mode with subtle partial intercalation. Molecular properties and drug likeness profile were assessed for the ligands and all the Lipinski’s rules were found to be obeyed. The antimicrobial potential of ligands and their Cu(II) & Zn(II) complexes were screened against some notably important pathogens viz., E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and C. albicans. The cytotoxicity of the complexes [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂CuN₅O₇S₂], [C₃₀H₂₀CuF₂N₅O₇S₂], [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂N₄O₄S₂Zn], and [C₃₀H₂₀F₂N₅O₇S₂Zn] were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines viz., MCF?7 (breast), MIA?PA?CA?2 (pancreatic), HeLa (cervix) and Hep?G2 (Hepatoma) and A498 (Kidney) by SRB assay which revealed that chloro-substituted [C₃₀H₂₀Cl₂CuN₅O₇S₂] complex, exhibited pronounced specific cytotoxicity with GI₅₀ value of 4.8 μg/ml against HeLa cell line. Molecular docking studies were also performed to explore the binding modes and orientation of the complexes in the DNA helix.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with an open-chain pentadentate nitrogen ligand

The open-chain, potentially, pentadentate, ligan 1,11-bis(dimethylamino)-3,6,9-trimethyl-3,6,9,-triazaundecane (Me₇tetren) forms a series of metal complexes having the general formula [M(Me₇tetren)]Y₂ (Y = 1, M = Co, Ni; Y = ClO₄, M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). On the basis of their physical properties, it is suggested that all these compounds contains isostructural five-coordinate [M(Me₇tetren)]²⁺ cations, the ligand acting as pentadentate. These complexes react in solution with thiocyanate ion to give mono- and, with exception of copper(II), di-thiocyanato five- and six-co-ordinate derivatives. Mono-thiocyanato derivatives of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) have been isolated as tetraphenylborate salts. Cobalt(II) and nickel (II) di-thiocyanato derivatives have been also isolated. Results are discussed in terms of the steric requirements of the ligand and electronic properties of the metal ions.     

Synthesis,characterization, cytotoxicity,and DNA binding of some new platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with benzimidazole ligands

In this study, two Pt(II) and three Pt(IV) complexes with the structures of [PtL₂Cl₂] (1), [PtL₂I₂] (2), [PtL₂Cl₂(OH)₂] (3), [PtL₂Cl₂(OCOCH₃)₂] (4), and [PtL₂Cl₄] (5) (L = benzimidazole as carrier ligand) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against the human MCF-7, HeLa, and HEp-2 cancer cell lines. The influence of compounds 1–5 on the tertiary structure of DNA was determined by their ability to modify the electrophoretic mobility of the form I and II bands of pBR322 plasmid DNA. The inhibition of BamH1 restriction enzyme activity of compounds 1–5 was also determined. In general, it was found that compounds 1–5 were less active than cisplatin and carboplatin against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines (except for 1, which was found to be more active than carboplatin against the MCF-7 cell line). Compounds 1 and 3 were found to be significantly more active than cisplatin and carboplatin against the HEp-2 cell line.     

One-dimensional silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes with 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH)

The crystal structures of four Ag(I) and Hg(II) complexes of the ligand 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH) have been described, that is, [Hg₂(N-BBzBimCH)Cl₄] (1), [Hg(N-BBzBimCH)Br₂] (2), [Ag(N-BBzBimCH)](NO₃)(H₂O) (3) and [Ag₂(N-BBzBimCH)(CF₃OCO)₂] (4). All these compounds show 1D polymeric structures in the solid state. In complexes 1 and 4, the chloride ions and the trifluoroacetate groups bridge the [Hg₂(N-BBzBimCH)Cl₂] and [Ag₂(N-BBzBimCH)] fragments, respectively, to generate 1D polymers. While the bromide ions in complex 2 and nitrate groups in complex 3 are only serving as terminal ligands to suffice the coordination geometry of the metal centers. In all cases, weak intermolecular interactions such as C-H?X (X = Cl, Br) contacts, hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions and C-H?π stacking play important roles to extend the 1D chain structures to 2D network. Solid state fluorescence of these compounds was also studied.     

Imidazolate-bridged dicopper(II) and copper(II)–zinc(II) complexes of macrocyclic ligand with methylimidazol pendants: Model study of copper(II)–zinc(II) superoxide dismutase

Two new homo- and hetero-dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂L(im)](ClO₄)₃4H₂O (1) and [CuZnL(im)](ClO₄)₃4H₂O (2) (where Im=1H-1midazole and L = 3, 6, 9, 16, 19, 22-hexaaza-6, 19-bis(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)tricycle[22, 2, 2, 2^11,14]triaconta-1, 11, 13, 24, 27, 29-hexaene) were synthesized and characterized as model compounds for the active site of copper(II)–zinc(II) superoxide dismutase (Cu₂Zn₂–SOD). X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed that the metal centers in both complexes exhibit distorted trigonal-bipyramid coordination geometry and the CuCu and CuZn distances are both 6.02 Å. Magnetic and ESR spectral measurements of 1 showed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the imidazolate-bridged Cu(II) ions. The ESR spectrum of 2 displays typical signals of mononuclear Cu(II) complex, demonstrating the formation of heterodinuclear complex 2 rather than a mixture of homodinuclear Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes. pH-dependent ESR and UV–visible spectral measurements manifest that the imidazolate exists as a bridging ligand from pH 6 to 11 for both complexes. The IC₅₀ values of 1.96 and 1.57 μM [per Cu(II) ion] for 1 and 2 suggest that they are good models for the Cu₂Zn₂–SOD.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and characterizations of iron(III) and copper(II) complexes with the hydrazone ligand obtained from 2-formyl-pyridine and Girard’s T reagent

The condensation of 2-formyl-pyridine with Girard’s T reagent yields a new hydrazone in the form of an ammonium quaternary salt: [H(2-PyGT)]Cl. This tridentate ligand is readily soluble in water and reacts with iron(III) or copper(II) chlorides to give [Fe(2-PyGT)Cl₃] (1) or [Cu(2-PyGT)Cl₂]·(H₂O) (2) complexes, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray studies in 1 and 2 reveal that the coordination reaction gives rise to the deprotonation of the organic ligand that is coordinated using its NNO donor atoms in the form of a zwitterion species. The coordination spheres around the transition metal ions in complexes 1 and 2 are quite different. In 1, the iron site adopts a distorted octahedral coordination sphere, while the Cu(II) ions in 2 show a distorted tetragonal-pyramid geometry. As expected, the magnetic properties of these compounds reveal only weak antiferromagnetic interaction between spin carriers.     

Structural studies on zinc(II) complexes with 2-benzoylpyridine-derived hydrazones

2-Benzoylpyridine-phenylhydrazone (H2BzPh), 2-benzoylpyridine-para-chloro-phenylhydrazone (H2BzpClPh), and 2-benzoylpyridine-para-nitro-phenyl (H2BzpNO₂Ph) hydrazone were obtained and fully characterized, as well as their zinc(II) complexes [Zn(H2BzPh)Cl₂] (1), [Zn(H2BzClPh)Cl₂] (2) and [Zn(H2BzpNO₂Ph)Cl₂] (3). During the syntheses of complex 1 a second product crystallized, which was characterized as [Zn(2BzPh)₂] (1a). Upon re-crystallization in 1:9 DMSO:acetone conversion of 2 into [Zn(H2BzpClPh)Cl₂] · H₂O (2a) and of 3 into [Zn(2BzpNO₂Ph)Cl(DMSO)] (3a) occurred. The crystal structures of 1a, 2a and 3a were determined. In 1a the two nearly perpendicular H2BzPh ligands give rise to a distorted octahedral environment around the metal. The 5-fold coordination around the metal is completed with two chloride ions in 2a and with one chloride and one oxygen atom from DMSO in 3a.     

Synthesis and properties of guanidine-pyridine hybridligands and structural characterisation of their mono- and bis(chelated) cobalt complexes

The synthesis of four guanidine-pyridine hybridligands and their spectroscopic features in MeCN are described. In order to demonstrate their coordinating properties, the corresponding cobalt(II)chloride complexes have been prepared and completely characterised by means of X-ray structure analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The neutral complexes {1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-(quinolin-8-yl)guanidine}cobalt(II)-dichloride [Co(TMGqu)Cl₂] and {N-(1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-yliden)pyridin-8-amine}cobalt(II)-dichloride [Co(DMEGpy)Cl₂] exhibit a tetrahedral coordination of the cobalt atom, whereas in bis[chlorobis{N-(1,3-dimethylimidazolidin-2-yliden)quinolin-8-amine}cobalt(II)]tetrachlorocobaltate [Co(DMEGqu)₂Cl]₂[CoCl₄] and chlorobis{1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)guanidine}cobalt(II)chloride [Co(TMGpy)₂Cl]Cl, the cobalt atom is coordinated in a trigonal pyramidal environment. These trigonal pyramidal complex cations represent the first bis(chelated) guanidine cobalt complexes in which the pyridine donor resides on the apical position and the guanidine donor forms with the chlorine atom the base of the pyramid. Besides the structural characterisation, the quenching effect of the cobalt(II) ion (d⁷) on the ligand fluorescence has been studied.     

Novel Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione. Synthesis, physicochemical, chemometric and pharmacological investigation

Platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with 3-amino-5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione (L) with general formulaе cis-[PtL₂X₂]·nH₂O and [PtL₂Cl₄], where X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ and n = 2-4) were synthesized. The novel compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra, thermal analysis and molar conductivity. The geometry of Pt(II) complexes and of the organic ligand in the gas phase were optimized using the hybrid DFT method B3LYP with LANL2DZ and 6-31G** basis sets. Some physicochemical parameters as dipole moment, HOMO, LUMO energies and ESP charges were calculated. The comparison of the bond length and angles, obtained from the X-ray analysis and DFT calculations is realized. The cytotoxic effects of these complexes in human T-cell leukemia KE-37 (SKW-3) are reported.     

Copper(II) complexes of N-heteroaromatic hydrazones: Synthesis, X-ray structure, magnetic behavior, and antibacterial activity

Three novel copper(II) complexes as condensation derivatives of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, 2-acetylpyridine or 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde with ethyl hydrazinoacetate hydrochloride were synthesized. X-ray crystal structures of all three complexes were determined. Crystallographic data indicate a common basis of the structures with some major differences. Both pyridine derivatives form complexes of the type [CuCl₂L] with distorted square-planar geometry around copper(II), but show a decisive difference in the side chain orientation. The quinoline derivative forms a dimeric complex of type [Cu₂Cl₄L₂] with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around copper(II), but a rather short Cu···Cu contact, which is reflected in its magnetic properties. All three complexes showed antibacterial activity.     

Electrochemical synthesis and crystal structure of iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of dianionic tetradentate N4 Schiff base ligand

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metal (iron, cobalt, nickel and copper) in an acetonitrile solution of the potentially chelating Schiff base N,N(dithiodiethylenebis-(aminylydenemethylydene)-bis(1,2-phenylene)ditosylamide (H₂L) afforded stable complexes of empirical formula [ML]. The compounds obtained have been characterized by microanalysis, IR spectroscopy and ES-MS mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of [FeL]·CH₃CN (1) [CoL]·CH₃CN (2), [NiL]·CH₃CN (3) and [CuL]·CH₃CN (4) have been determined by X-ray diffraction in all complexes, the metal atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment with the Schiff base acting as a tetradentate N4 donor.     

Zinc(II) complexes of 2-acetyl pyridine 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, spectroscopic study and crystal structures - Potential anticancer drugs

2-Acetyl pyridine thiosemicarbazone containing an 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl ring incorporated at N(4)-position, HAcPipPheF (1) and the zinc(II) complexes [Zn(AcPipPheF)₂] (2) and [Zn(OAc)(AcPipPheF)]₂ (3) have been prepared and structurally characterized by means of vibrational and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the compounds 1-3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The metal coordination geometry of [Zn(AcPipPheF)₂] is described as distorted octahedral configuration in a trans-N-cis-N-cis-S configuration. In [Zn(OAc)(AcPipPheF)]₂ one of the acetato group exhibits monoatomic bridge and the other bridges in a bidentate manner. The zinc(1) metal ion is coordinated in a distorted octahedral configuration while the metal coordination of Zn(2) is described as distorted square pyramidal. Biomedical studies revealed that, compounds 1-3 displayed potent anticancer activity. The antiproliferative activity of 1-3 was found to be considerably stronger than that of cis-platin. The IC₅₀ values range from 26 to 90 nM, against all cell lines tested, while for cis-platin the IC₅₀ values range from 2 to 17 μM and for the zinc salt, ZnCl₂, the IC₅₀ values range from 81 to 93 μM. The complex 3 shows the highest activity against all four cancer cell lines and the highest selectivity against K562 and MDA-MB-453 cancer cell lines. The compounds inhibited tumor cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle progression at the S phase.     

Synthesis and evaluation of copper(II) complexes with isoniazid-derived hydrazones as anticancer and antitubercular agents

In this study, the N,N,O metal chelator 2-pyridinecarboxaldehydeisonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPCIH, 1) and its derivatives 2-acetylpyridine-(HAPIH 2), 2-pyridineformamide-(HPAmIH, 3) and pyrazineformamide-(HPzAmIH, 4) were employed in the synthesis of four copper(II) complexes, [Cu(HPCIH)Cl₂]·0.4H₂O (5), [Cu(HAPIH)Cl₂]·1.25H₂O (6), [Cu(HPAmIH)Cl₂]·H₂O (7) and [Cu(HPzAmIH)Cl₂]·1.25H₂O (8). The compounds were assayed for their action toward Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 strain and the human tumor cell lines OVCAR-8 (ovarian cancer), SF-295 (glioblastoma multiforme) and HCT-116 (colon adenocarcinoma). All copper(II) complexes were more effective in reducing growth of HCT-116 and SF-295 cells than the respective free hydrazones at 5 µg/mL, whereas only complex 7 was more cytotoxic toward OVCAR-8 lines than its ligand HPAmIH. 6 proved to be cytotoxic at submicromolar doses, whose IC₅₀ values (0.39–0.86 µM) are similar to those ones found for doxorubicin (0.23–0.43 µM). Complexes 5 and 6 displayed high activity against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 0.85 and 1.58 µM, respectively), as compared with isoniazid (MIC = 2.27 µM), which suggests the compounds are attractive candidates as antitubercular drugs.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of copper(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers with 1,5-dinitronaphthalene-3,7-dicarboxylate

Two new metal-organic coordination polymers with 1,5-dinitronaphthalene-3,7-dicarboxylate (NNDC), [Cu₂(NNDC)₂(DMF)_1.8(DMSO)_2.2(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (1) and [Mn₃(NNDC)₃(DMSO)₄]·2DMSO (2) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The structure of compound 1 consists of one-dimensional chains with copper ions being linked by the dicarboxylate ligands. The coordination chains are associated into ladder-like double chains through O-H?O hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions, and the ladders are packed in a cross fashion through further π-π interactions to give the three-dimensional structure. The Mn(II) compound exhibits a 3D framework with the pcu topology, in which [Mn₃(COO)₆] clusters as octahedral secondary building blocks are linked by the naphthalene spacers. Magnetic analyses were carried out based on both temperature- and field-dependent data, consistently suggesting relatively weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the carboxylate bridged [Mn₃(COO)₆] cluster.     

Coordinative versatility of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L) to different metal ions: syntheses, crystal structures and properties of [Cu(I)L]2 and [ML] (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II))

The complexes of Cu(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) with a new polypyridyl ligand, 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of these complexes have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analyses and three types of coordination modes for L were found to exist in them. In the dinuclear complex [Cu(I)L(CH₃CN)]₂·(ClO₄)₂ (1), L acts as a tridentate ligand with two Cu(I) centers bridged by two L ligands to form a box-like dimeric structure, in which each Cu(I) ion is penta-coordinated with three nitrogen atoms and a methoxyl oxygen atom of two L ligands, and an acetonitrile. In [Cu(II)L(NO₃)₂]·CH₃CN 2, the Cu(II) center is coordinated to the two nitrogen atoms of the two pyridine rings of L which acts as a bidentate ligand. The structures of [Ni(II)L(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]·2CH₃CN·NO₃ (3), [Zn(II)L(NO₃)₂ (H₂O)]·2CH₃CN (4) and [Co(II)LCl₂(H₂O)] (5) are similar to each other in which L acts as a tridentate ligand by using its half side, and the metal centers are coordinated to a methoxyl oxygen atom and two bipyridine nitrogen atoms of L in the same side. The formation of infinite quasi-one-dimensional chains (1, 4 and 5) or a quasi-two-dimensional sheet (2) assisted by the intra- or intermolecular face-to-face aryl stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds may have stabilized the crystals of these complexes. Luminescence studies showed that 1 exhibits broad, structureless emissions at 420 nm in the solid state and at 450 nm in frozen alcohol frozen glasses at 77 K. Cyclic voltammetric studies of 1 show the presence of an irreversible metal-centered reduction wave at approximately −0.973 V versus Fc^+/0 and a quasi-reversible ligand-centered reduction couple at approximately −1.996 V versus Fc^+/0. The solution behaviors of these complexes have been further studied by UV-Vis and ESR techniques.     

Computer simulation of Zn(II) speciation and effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma

The speciation and distribution of Zn(II) and the effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma were studied by computer simulation. The results show that, in normal blood plasma, the most predominant species of Zn(II) are [Zn(HSA)] (58.2%), [Zn(IgG)](20.1%), [Zn(Tf)] (10.4%), ternary complexes of [Zn(Cit)(Cys)] (6.6%) and of [Zn(Cys)(His)H] (1.6%), and the binary complex of [Zn(Cys)₂H] (1.2%). When zinc is deficient, the distribution of Zn(II) species is similar to that in normal blood plasma. Then, the distribution changes with increasing zinc(II) total concentration. Overloading Zn(II) is initially mainly bound to human serum albumin (HSA). As the available amount of HSA is exceeded, phosphate metal and carbonate metal species are established. Gd(III) entering human blood plasma predominantly competes for phosphate and carbonate to form precipitate species. However, Zn(II) complexes with phosphate and carbonate are negligible in normal blood plasma, so Gd(III) only have a little effect on zinc(II) species in human blood plasma at a concentration above 1.0×10⁻⁴ M.     

Copper(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of lapachol: synthesis,DNA interaction,and cytotoxicity

Three novel copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) complexes of lapachol (Lap) containing 110-phenanthroline (phen) ligand, [M(Lap)₂(phen)] (M=Cu(II), 1, Co(II), 2, and Ni(II), 3), have been synthesized and characterized using, elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies. Their interactions with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were investigated using viscosity, thermal denaturation, circular dichorism, fluorescence quenching, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The DNA cleavage abilities of 1–3 have been studied, where cleavage activity of copper complex 1 is more than the complexes 2 and 3. The in vitro cytotoxic potential of the complexes 1–3 against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells indicated their promising antitumor activity with quite low IC₅₀ values in the range of .15–2.41 μM, which are lower than those of cisplatin.