Photochemical and photophysical properties of ruthenium(II) bis-bipyridine bis-nitrile complexes: Photolability

The electrochemical and photophysical properties of two bis-nitrilo ruthenium(II) complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)₂(L)₂](PF₆)₂, where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine and L is AN = CH₃CN and sn = NC-CH₂CH₂-CN, have been investigated. Electrochemical data are typical of Ru-bpy complexes with two reversible reduction peaks located near −1.3 and −1.6 V assigned to each bipyridine ligand and one Ru^II/Ru^III oxidation wave centered at approximately +1.5 V. The sn derivative is both IR and Raman active with its coordinated CN stretch appearing at 2277 cm⁻¹ and 2273 cm⁻¹, respectively. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of the sn derivative is dominated by an intense (ε_max ∼ 58700 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) absorption band at 287 nm assigned as a LC (π → π∗) transition. The peak observed at 418 nm (ε ∼ 10 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is an MLCT band while the one at 244 nm (ε ∼ 23 600 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is of LMLCT character. The AN derivative behaves similarly. Both complexes show low-temperature emission at around 537 nm with a lifetime near 10.0 μs. ¹H and ¹³C assignments are consistent with the formulation of the complexes. The complexes undergo photosubstitution of solvent with quantum efficiencies near one. Calculated and experimental results support replacement of the nitrile ligands by solvent. Based on DFT calculations, the electron density of the HOMO lies on the metal center, the bipyridine ligands and the nitrile ligands and electron density of the LUMO resides primarily on the bipyridine ligands. The electronic spectra obtained from TDDFT calculations closely match the experimental ones.     

Determination of the structural changes by FT-IR, Raman, and CP/MAS C NMR spectroscopy on retrograded starch of maize tortillas

The nixtamalization, production and storage of tortillas in refrigeration cause several changes on the starch structure, resulting in an increased crystallinity and therefore a higher content of resistant starch. The IR analysis for resistant starch (RS) showed a band at 1047 cm⁻¹ associated to the retrogradation process; this band was due to the weakening of the intermolecular H-bonds. These associated together to form ordered regions. The Raman analysis shows a characteristic band at 856 cm⁻¹ corresponding to C-C skeletal modes of glucose of α-1,4 glycosidic linkage starches, and a band at 480 cm⁻¹ attributed to skeletal vibrations of the pyranose ring in the glucose unit of starches. These changes may be related to the polymerization degree of the starch molecules, as well as to the retrogradation of amylose and amylopectin. The spectrum of ¹³C CP-MAS/NMR for RS3 supports the results obtained by IR and Raman. Lipidic and proteic groups were observed which may be in the form of complexes with amylose. One can proclaim that the existence of the salt form is induced and stabilized by the interactions dominating the V amylose structure in the solid state.     

[Ni(L)(MeCN)]complex cation as a template for the assembly of extended I3 · I5 and I5 · I7 polyiodide networks {L=2,5,8-trithia[9](2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane}. Synthesis and structures of [Ni(L)(MeCN)]I8 and [Ni(L)(MeCN)]I12

The compounds [Ni(L)(MeCN)]I₈ (1) and [Ni(L)(MeCN)]I₁₂ (2) have been obtained from the reactions of the complexes [Ni(L)(L^′)][BF₄]_(2 + n) {L=2,5,8-trithia[9](2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane; L^′=MeCN, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; n=charge of L^′} with an excess of I₂ (molar ratios of 6, 10 and 20 have been used), in the presence of the stoichiometric amount of I⁻ (as Bu₄ⁿNI) necessary to balance the charge of the complex cation [Ni(L)(L^′)]^(2 + n)+. An X-ray diffraction analysis shows that, independently of the nature of L^′, both 1 and 2 contain the complex cation [Ni(L)(MeCN)]²⁺, which is therefore capable of templating two different polyiodide networks based on interacting I₃⁻/I₅⁻ and I₅⁻/I₇ units, respectively. The solid state FT-Raman spectra of 1 and 2 are discussed based on their structural features.     

Characterization of tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazine metal complexes by magnetic circular dichroism and magnetic circularly polarized luminescence

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of metal complexes of tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazines ([TTDPzM] with M = 2H^I, Zn^II, Mg^II(H₂O), and Cd^II) have been recorded in dimethyl formamide solution. Together with the UV–Vis spectra, the MCD spectra provide useful information about the structure and electronic properties of the complexes. The experimental UV–Vis and MCD spectra compare pretty well with DFT calculations of two sorts, based either on the sum-over-states (SOS) approach or on the complex polarization propagator approach. They further corroborate the findings and interpretation of MCD spectra of porphyrazines based on the model of Michl for peripheral molecular orbitals. Magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) spectra, quite uncommon in the literature, have been recorded for [TTDPzM] (M = 2H^I, Zn^II, Mg^II(H₂O)).     

Origin of electronic absorption spectra of MLCT-excited and one-electron reduced 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline complexes

UV-Vis absorption spectra of one-electron reduction products and ³MLCT excited states of [Re^ICl(CO)₃(N,N)] (N,N = 2,2′-bipyridine, bpy; 1,10-phenanthroline, phen) have been measured by low-temperature spectroelectrochemistry and UV-Vis transient absorption spectroscopy, respectively, and assigned by open-shell TD-DFT calculations. The characters of the electronic transitions are visualized and analyzed using electron density redistribution maps. It follows that reduced and excited states can be approximately formulated as [Re^ICl(CO)₃(N,N⁻)]⁻ and ^∗[Re^IICl(CO)₃(N,N⁻)], respectively. UV-Vis spectra of the reduced complexes are dominated by IL transitions, plus weaker MLCT contributions. Excited-state spectra show an intense band in the UV region of ∼50% IL origin mixed with LMCT (bpy, 373 nm) or MLCT (phen, 307 nm) excitations. Because of the significant IL contribution, this spectral feature is akin to the principal IL band of the anions. In contrast, the excited-state visible spectral pattern arises from predominantly LMCT transitions, any resemblance with the reduced-state visible spectra being coincidental. The Re complexes studied herein are representatives of a broad class of metal α-diimines, for which similar spectroscopic behavior can be expected.     

Non-invasive label-free monitoring the cardiac differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in-vitro by Raman spectroscopy

Background

Online label-free monitoring of in-vitro differentiation of stem cells remains a major challenge in stem cell research. In this paper we report the use of Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS) to measure time- and spatially-resolved molecular changes in intact embryoid bodies (EBs) during in-vitro cardiogenic differentiation.

Methods

EBs formed by aggregation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were cultured in defined medium to induce differentiation towards cardiac phenotype and maintained in purpose-built micro-bioreactors on the Raman microscope for 5 days (between days 5 and 9 of differentiation) and spatially-resolved spectra were recorded at 24 h intervals.

Results

The Raman spectra showed that the onset of spontaneous beating of EBs at day 7 coincided with an increase in the intensity of the Raman bands at 1340 cm^− 1, 1083 cm^− 1, 937 cm^− 1, 858 cm^− 1, 577 cm^− 1 and 482 cm^− 1. The spectral maps corresponding to these bands had a high positive correlation with the expression of the cardiac-specific α-actinin obtained by immuno-fluorescence imaging of the same EBs. The spectral markers obtained here are also in agreement with previous studies performed on individual live hESC-derived CMs.

Conclusions

The intensity profile of these Raman bands can be used for label-free in-situ monitoring of EBs to estimate the efficacy of cardiogenic differentiation.

General significance

As the acquisition of the time-course Raman spectra did not affect the viability or the differentiation potential of the hESCs, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using RMS for on-line non-invasive continuous monitoring of such processes inside bioreactor culture systems.     

Mechanistic studies on monodentate-ligand substitution of five-coordinate trigonal-bipyramidal platinum (II) complexes with tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine

Reaction of the five-coordinate trigonal-bipyramidal platinum(II) complex, [Pt(pt)(pp₃)](BF₄) (pt = 1-propanethiolate, pp₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine), with I⁻ in chloroform gave the five-coordinate square-pyramidal complex with a dissociated terminal phosphino group and an apically coordinated iodide ion in equilibrium. The thermodynamic parameters for the equilibrium between the trigonal-bipyramidal and square-pyramidal geometries, [Pt(pt)(pp₃)]⁺ + I⁻ ? [PtI(pt) (pp₃)], and the kinetic parameters for the chemical exchange were obtained as follows: , ΔH⁰ = − 10 ± 2.4 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS⁰ = − 36 ± 10 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, , ΔH^‡ = 34 ± 4.7 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^‡ = − 50 ± 21 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The square-planar trinuclear platinum(II) complex was formed by bridging reaction of one of the terminal phosphino groups of trigonal-bipyramidal [PtCl(pp₃)]Cl with trans-[PtCl₂(NCC₆H₅)₂] in chloroform. From these facts, ligand substitution reactions of [PtX(pp₃)]⁺ (X = monodentate anion) are expected to proceed via an intermediate with a dissociated phosphino group. The rate constants for the chloro-ligand substitution reactions of [PtCl(pp₃)]⁺ with Br⁻ and I⁻ in chloroform approached the respective limiting values as concentrations of the entering halide ions are increased. These kinetic results confirmed the preassociation mechanism in which the square pyramidal intermediate with a dissociated phosphino group and an apically coordinated halide ion is present in the rapid pre-equilibrium.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterisation of the holmium double-decker partially oxidised and bi-radical phthalocyanine complexes with iodine

Two crystals of holmium(III) double-decker iodine doped phthalocyanines, HoPc₂I_5/3 (I) and HoPc₂I (II), were grown directly in the reaction of holmium chips with 1,2-dicyanobenzene under versatile quantity of iodine at 180-160 °C. The complex I crystallises in the P4/mcc space group of tetragonal system, while the complex II crystallises in the P2/c space group of monoclinic system. The space group of P4/mcc and z = 1 requires that the Ho(III) atom is statistically disordered in the HoPc₂I_5/3 structure. The iodine atoms form linear symmetrical triiodide ions in I, while the I⁻ ions in II. Assignment of iodine species as in the HoPc₂I_5/3 and I⁻ in HoPc₂I complexes point to the +5/9 and +1 oxidation state of the HoPc₂ unit in these complexes. Thus one Pc macrocycle of the double-decker HoPc₂ units has a non-integer oxidation state of −1.222 in I, while both Pc-rings are one-electron oxidised radical Pc⁻ in II. Magnetic susceptibilities of HoPc₂I_5/3 and HoPcI at room temperature are 4.56 × 10⁻² and 5.12 × 10⁻² emu/mol and the calculated magnetic moments are 10.46 and 11.08 μ_B, respectively. UV-Vis spectroscopic measurement of I and II in benzene solution were carried out and discussed.     

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.     

P NMR and Raman spectroscopic and voltammetric studies on the formation and conversion processes of Keggin-type molybdotungstophosphate(V) and -arsenate(V) complexes in aqueous-organic solvents

The formation conditions of Keggin-type molybdotungstophosphate(V) (PW_xMo_12 − xO₄₀ ³⁻ (PW_xMo_12 − x), x=0-12) and -arsenate(V) (AsW_xMo_12 − xO₄₀ ³⁻ (AsW_xMo_12 − x)) complexes in aqueous-organic solvents were investigated with ³¹P NMR, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The conversion processes of the PMo₁₂ and the PW₁₂ anions into the PW_xMo_12 − x anions were also examined and compared with those of the AsMo₁₂ and AsW₁₂ anions into the AsW_xMo_12 − x anions. The mean vibration frequencies of the PW_xMo_12 − x and AsW_xMo_12 − x (x=1-11) complexes were calculated in IR and Raman spectra from those of the PMo₁₂ and PW₁₂, and AsMo₁₂ and AsW₁₂ complexes, respectively.     

Electrochemical analysis of the alanine phenylthiohydantoin derivative by cathodic stripping voltammetry

A square-wave cathodic stripping voltammetry method for alanine determination as its phenylthiohydantoin (PTH-alanine) derivative is developed. To this end, all the chemical and instrumental variables affecting the determination of PTH-alanine are optimized. From studies of the mechanisms governing the electrochemical response of PTH-alanine, it was concluded that it is an electrochemically irreversible system with a diffusive-adsorptive reduction phenomenon. Under optimal conditions, the variation of analytical signal (I_p) with PTH-alanine concentration is linear in the 2.4 × 10⁻⁸ − 4.8 × 10⁻⁷ M range, with a LOD of 1.2 × 10⁻⁸ M and a LOQ of 4.2 × 10⁻⁸ M, a RSD (%) less than 11%, and a E_r (%) less than 10%. The optimized method was applied to the determination of PTH-alanine obtained from a synthetic protein after Edman reaction and the results were corroborated by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.     

Novel porphyrin-thallium-platinum complex with “naked” metal-metal bond: multinuclear NMR characterization of [(tpp)Tl-Pt(CN)5] and [(thpp)Tl-Pt(CN)5] in solution

The novel porphyrin-thallium-platinum complexes with “naked” metal-metal bond, with the composition [(tpp)Tl-Pt(CN)₅]²⁻ (1) and [(thpp)Tl-Pt(CN)₅]²⁻ (2) (tpp = tetraphenylporphrin and thpp = tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphine), were synthesized and characterised by multinuclear NMR (²⁰⁵Tl, ¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹³C and ¹H) and Raman spectroscopies in solution. The presence of a direct Pt-Tl metal-metal bond in the complexes is convincingly confirmed by a very strong one-bond ¹⁹⁵Pt-²⁰⁵Tl spin-spin coupling (47.8 and 48.3 kHz for 1 and 2, respectively) detected in both Pt and Tl NMR spectra. The corresponding force constant in molecule 1, 1.92 N cm⁻¹, was calculated using Raman stretching frequency of the Pt-Tl vibration and is characteristic for a single metal-metal bond.     

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanide orthothiophosphates: LaPS4

The single crystal structure of LaPS₄, (1), is reported. The space group is tetragonal, I4(1)/acd. Unit cell dimensions are a = 10.9641(3) Å and c = 19.4828(9) Å. The far infrared absorption and Raman spectra (100-600 cm⁻¹) are consistent with the groups being in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The room temperature emission spectrum of LaPS₄ doped with Er³⁺ is also presented. Emission peaks at 529, 534, 549, and 554 nm were observed when the sample was excited at 492 nm. The compound reported here is isomorphous and isostructural to several other lanthanide orthothiophosphates.     

Synthesis, characterisation of a complex of Cu(II) with a multidentate macrocyclic ligand and its interactions with anions

A macrocyclic ligand possessing a donor set of {N₃S₂} synthesised via Cs⁺-templation, 4-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,7-dithia-4,10-diazacyclododecane (L) and its Cu(II) complex, [CuL(NCMe)]²⁺ (6), are described. This Cu(II) complex interacts with a range of anions, F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, HCOO⁻, AcO⁻, CO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻, C₂O₄²⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, SCN⁻, CN⁻, BF₄⁻. Of the investigated anions, I⁻, SCN⁻, and CN⁻, show strong interaction with the Cu(II) centre as indicated by their spectral variations. The iodide particularly demonstrates distinct change in colour. This change originates from a newly appeared band at 471 nm upon iodide binding, which arises from the ligand (I⁻) to Cu(II) charge transfer (LMCT) in the iodide-substituted Cu(II) complex, [CuLI]⁺ (7). All organic compounds are characterised by NMR spectroscopy and/or microanalysis. The identities of the two Cu(II) complexes are confirmed by using microanalysis and the complex 6 is crystallographically analysed.     

Pb-207 NMR spectroscopy reveals that Pb(II) coordinates with glutathione (GSH) and tris cysteine zinc finger proteins in a PbS3 coordination environment

²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectroscopy can be used to monitor the binding of Pb(II) to thiol rich biological small molecules such as glutathione and to zinc finger proteins. The UV/visible (UV/Vis) absorption band centered at 334 nM and the observed ²⁰⁷Pb signal in ²⁰⁷Pb NMR (δ ~ 5750 ppm) indicate that glutathione binds Pb(II) in a trigonal pyramidal geometry (PbS₃) at pH 7.5 or higher with a 1:3 molar ratio of Pb(II) to GSH. While previous studies using UV/Vis and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy were interpreted to show that the zinc binding domain from HIV nucleocapsid protein (HIV-CCHC) binds Pb(II) in a single PbS₃ environment, the more sensitive ²⁰⁷Pb NMR spectra (at pH 7.0, 1:1 molar ratio) provide compelling evidence for the presence of two PbS₃ structures (δ - 5790 and 5744 ppm), one of which is more stable at high temperatures. It has previously been proposed that the HIV-CCHH peptide does not fold properly to afford a PbS₂N motif, because histidine does not bind to Pb(II). These predictions are confirmed by the present studies. These results demonstrate the applicability of ²⁰⁷Pb NMR to biomolecular structure determination in proteins with cysteine binding sites for the first time.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and interaction with DNA and HSA of (N,N'-dibenzylethane-1,2-diamine) transition metal complexes

A new ligand, N,N′-dibenzylethane-1,2-diamine (L) and its four transition metal(II) complexes, ML₂(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O (M = Cu, Ni, Zn, Co), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, molar conductivity, NMR and IR. Moreover, the crystals structure of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the complexes have a similar molecular structure. Ni(II) has an regular octahedral coordination environment complexes, but typical Jahn Teller effect influenced Cu(II) in an elongated octahedral environment. The interaction between complexes and calf thymus DNA were studied by UV and fluorescence spectra measure, which showed that the binding mode of complexes with DNA is intercalation. Under physiological pH condition, the effects of Cu(OAc)₂L₂ · 2H₂O and Ni(OAc)₂L₂ · 2H₂O on human serum albumin were examined by fluorescence. The results of spectroscopic measurements suggested that the hydrophobic interaction is the predominant intermolecular force. The enthalpy change ΔH⁰ and the entropy change ΔS⁰ of Cu(OAc)₂L₂ · 2H₂O and Ni(OAc)₂L₂ · 2H₂O were calculated to be −11.533 kJ mol⁻¹ and 46.339 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, −11.026 kJ mol⁻¹ and 46.396 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, according to the Scatchard’s equation. The quenching mechanism and the number of binding site (n ≈ 1) were also obtained from fluorescence titration data.     

Tl benzene multicarboxylic acid coordination polymers: Structural, thermal and fluorescence studies

[Tl₃(μ-1,2,3-btc)]_n (1,2,3-H₃btc = 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid) (1), [Tl₂(μ-1,3,5-Hbtc)(H₂O)]_n (1,3,5-H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) (2) and [Tl₄(μ-1,2,4,5-btc)]_n (1,2,4,5-H₄btc = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) (3), three new Tl^I coordination polymers have been synthesized, characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal stability of compounds 1-3 were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The single-crystal X-ray analysis of compounds 1-3 shows that the compounds are structurally diverse showing three-dimensional coordination polymers. The carboxylic groups of the ligands 1,2,3-btc³⁻, 1,3,5-Hbtc²⁻ and 1,2,4,5-btc⁴⁻ in the new Tl^I coordination polymers are not chelated and only act as bridging groups. In compounds 1-3, the lone pair of Tl(I) atoms is ‘active’ in the solid state and the coordination spheres are hemisphere type. Solution state luminescent spectra of compound 2 indicate intense fluorescent emissions at ca. 400 nm.     

Laser Raman light-scattering observations of conformational changes in myosin induced by inorganic salts

The Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of myosin and mixtures of myosin in solutions of the salts CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and LiBr have been taken. The spectrum of the solvent background has been subtracted by means of a computer, leaving only the Raman peaks of the protein. From an analysis of the Raman bands in the regions at 900, 940, 1,240-1,300, and 1,650-1,670 cm^-1, it seems likely that CaCl₂ effects an α-to β-transition in myosin, probably owing to the interaction of the Ca²⁺ ion, LiBr appears to denature the protein leading to increased random coil structure, and MgCl₂ appears to have an effect intermediate between the two other salts. These results are reported for concentrations as low as 10^-5 M of CaCl₂ and MgCl₂.

This investigation indicates the usefulness of the Raman light-scattering technique for the study of protein conformational changes.