Solid state and solution NMR, X-ray and antimicrobial studies of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of silver(I) cyanide with alkanediamine ligands

Several complexes of AgCN with alkanediamine ligands (where the ligands are ethylenediamine, propane-1,3-diamine, butane-1,4-diamine, N,N′-dimethyl-ethylenediamine, N,N′-di-iso-propyl-ethylenediamine, etc.) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In these species, alkanediamine ligands act as chelating ligands. The X-ray structure of the complex cyano-(N,N′-di-iso-propyl-ethylenediamine)-silver(I) was determined. These complexes have been also characterized by IR, solution as well as solid-state NMR studies. There are two types of IR absorptions observed for mono and dinuclear complexes. For the mono nuclear complexes, a sharp CN band is observed between 2111 and 2131 cm⁻¹ range, whereas for binuclear complexes the bands are in the range 2136-2140 cm⁻¹. The effect of the size of the ligands as well as their substituents is discussed. The antimicrobial activity studies of AgCN and its complexes show that the former exhibits substantial antibacterial activities compared to its complexes.     

Ternary copper(II) complexes with hippurate derivatives and 1,10-phenanthroline: Synthesis and biological activity

Several new Cu-hippurate derivative-phenanthroline ternary complexes have been prepared. The X-ray structure of one of them, [Cu(hip)(phen)₂]⁺·(hip⁻) (2) (where hip is hippurate and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) has been solved. The structure of this new compound shows important differences (3D-pattern) to other similar related complexes (2D-pattern). A study of the biological activity of [Cu(hip)(phen)₂]⁺·(hip⁻)·2H₂O (2), [Cu(BGG)(phen)₂]⁺·(BGG⁻)·6H₂O (3), [Cu(B^IGG)₂(phen)](H₂O) (4) and [Cu(I-hip)(bpy)₂]⁺·(I-hip⁻)·3.5H₂O (5) (where I-hip is ortho-iodohippurate, BGG corresponds to benzoylglycilglycine, and B^IGG is ortho-iodobenzoylglycilglycine) is included and compared with the anti-proliferative activity of [Cu(I-hip)(phen)₂]⁺·(I-hip⁻)·7H₂O (1) previously described, resulting in a greater cytotoxic activity of the compounds with 1,10-phenanthroline instead of those with 2,2′-bipyridyl, in the same way that removing iodine substitution or lengthening the peptidic chain diminishes the activity of compounds compared with 1. The presence of an ortho-iodine group and the direct bond between Ar-CO and glycine moieties yield to the best results.     

Hydrophilic ligands derived from glucose: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity on cancer cells of Pt(II) complexes

Aiming to contribute to the design of new antitumoral drugs, we synthesized new hydrophilic Pt(II) complexes of general formula [PtCl₂(N,N′)] containing nitrogen bidentate amine-imine and di-imine ligands derived from glucose. Some chemical properties were discussed. The X-ray molecular structure of [PtCl₂(α-d-glucopyranoside-methyl-6-deoxy-6(2-(methylimino)methyl)pyridine) (D) was reported. [PtCl₂(β-d-glucopyranosylimine-N-(2-pyridinylmethyl))] (A), which is well-soluble both in organic solvents and in water, was tested for cytotoxicity.     

Syntheses of some new methylcyclopentadienylmolybdenum complexes: Characterizations, crystal structures and comparisons with related complexes

As part of a long-term study of the substitution reactions of piano-stool type cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyl complexes, several new methylcyclopentadienylmolybdenum compounds have been prepared and characterized by methods including IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The complexes reported here include [{Cp′Mo(CO)₃}₂I]BPh₄, cis-Cp′Mo(CO)₂(PPh₃)I and [Cp′Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)]BF₄ (Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃). In addition to their syntheses, comparisons are made between their IR spectroscopic and X-ray crystal structure data and those of similar complexes.     

Curcumin,a component of golden spice: From bedside to bench and back

Although the history of the golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) goes back thousands of years, it is only within the past century that we learned about the chemistry of its active component, curcumin. More than 6000 articles published within the past two decades have discussed the molecular basis for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer activities assigned to this nutraceutical. Over sixty five clinical trials conducted on this molecules, have shed light on the role of curcumin in various chronic conditions, including autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological diseases, as well as diabetes and cancer. The current review provides an overview of the history, chemistry, analogs, and mechanism of action of curcumin.     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of a series of tetrachloridoplatinum(IV) complexes

Two platinum(IV) complexes, [Pt(4bt)Cl₄] (4) and [Pt(dpyam)Cl₄]·DMF (5) (where 4bt is 4,4′-bithiazole and dpyam is 2,2′-dipyridylamine) were prepared from the reaction of H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O with 4,4′-bithiazole and 2,2′-dipyridylamine, respectively, in methanol. Both complexes were fully characterized and their structures were determined by the X-ray diffraction method. These complexes have a bidentate nitrogenous ligand with four chloride anions attached to a Pt(IV) metal in a distorted octahedral environment. These complexes along with three previously reported analogous complexes were used for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation against four cultures, NIH-3T3, Caco-2, HT-29 and T47D by MTT assay. The methyl group position in the ligand plays an important role in the cytotoxicity of relevant compounds in different cultures. Interestingly, in some cases, the IC₅₀ values of the new complexes were higher for normal cells but lower against cancer cells in comparison with cisplatin, especially in T47D (breast ductal carcinoma).     

Curcumin: A potential therapeutic natural product for adenocarcinomas

Adenocarcinomas comprise a significant class of cancers that occur in several organs (e.g., lung, pancreas, breast, colon, and endometrium). These highly lethal tumor types are predominantly invasive with metastatic tendency. As a pharmacological option for the treatment of adenocarcinomas, curcumin has been widely used in combination with various therapeutic modalities. However, poor stability and low bioavailability of the curcumin has restricted its application in clinic. Therefore, nanoparticle-based curcumin was produced to fortify the pharmacokinetics of curcumin. Enhanced cytotoxicity and bioavailability of curcumin have been obtained by synthesizing new curcumin analogs via chemical modification. This review article aimed to survey recent findings on the role of curcumin in the treatment of adenocarcinomas in several organs and described key players of underlying molecular pathways such as the anti-proliferative, anti-apoptosis, anti-metastasis, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory mechanisms. We also described new approaches to producing curcumin-loaded nanoparticles and combinatorial regimens. A comprehensive literature search has been carried out on PubMed for obtaining the information related to the therapeutic activities of curcumin for adenocarcinomas therapy. The literature search resulted in many in vitro and some in vivo studies that evidenced the effectiveness of curcumin in modulating antitumor signaling pathways to treat adenocarcinomas. In addition, curcumin-loaded nanoplatforms can improve the efficacy against tumor cells. The present review provides a comprehensive view of the therapeutic aspects of curcumin as a treatment for multiple human adenocarcinomas, which warrants further investigation in clinical settings.     

Unusual coordinating behavior by three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from the oxicam family towards copper(II). Synthesis, X-ray structure for copper(II)-isoxicam, -meloxicam and -cinnoxicam-derivative complexes, and cytotoxic activity for a copper(II)-piroxicam complex

Cytotoxic tests recently performed at National Cancer Institute, NCI (USA), on [Cu(HPIR)(2)(DMF)(2)], 1, (H(2)PIR=piroxicam, 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-pyridin-2-yl-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide) a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID [see R. Cini, G. Giorgi, A. Cinquantini, C. Rossi, M. Sabat, Inorg. Chem. 29 (1990) 5197-5200, for synthesis and structural characterization, DMF=dimethylformamide] (NSC #624662) by using a panel of ca. 50 human cancer cells, showed growth inhibition factor GI(50) values as low as 20microM against several cancer lines, with an average value 54.4microM. The activity of 1 is larger against ovarian cancer cells, non-small lung cancer cells, melanoma cancer cells, and central nervous system cancer cells. The widely used anticancer drug carboplatin (cis-diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)platinum(II)) (NSC #241240) has average GI(50) value of 102microM. The reactions of copper(II)-acetate with other NSAIDs from the oxicam family were tested and crystalline complexes were obtained and characterized. Isoxicam (H(2)ISO=4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide) produced [Cu(HISO)(2)].0.5DMF, 2.0.5DMF (DMF=dimethylfomamide). The coordination arrangement is square-planar and the HISO(-) anions behave as ambi-dentate chelators via O(amide),N(isoxazole) and O(enolate),O(amide) donors. Meloxicam (H(2)MEL=4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide) produced [Cu(HMEL)(2)(DMF)].0.25H(2)O, 3.0.25H(2)O. The coordination arrangement is square-pyramidal, the equatorial donors being O(amide),N(thiazole) from two HMEL(-) anions and the apical donor being O(DMF). Unexpectedly, cinnoxicam (HCIN=2-methyl-1,1-dioxido-3-[(pyridin-2-ylamino)carbonyl]-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4-yl-(3-phenylacrylate)) produced [Cu(MBT)(2)(PPA)(2)] (MBT=3-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazin-4-olate 1,1-dioxide, PPA=3-phenyl-N-pyridin-2-ylacrylamide).     

New mononuclear mercury(II) complexes of a bifunctionalized ylide containing five-membered chelate ring: Spectral and structural characterization

The reaction of a new bifunctionalized ylide, Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂C(H)C(O)(C₆H₄Cl) (2) with mercury(II) halides in equimolar ratios using dry methanol as solvent yielded the P, C-chelated complexes, {HgX₂[Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂C(H)C(O)(C₆H₄Cl)]} where X = Cl (3), Br (4), I (5). The structures of complexes 4 and 5 have been characterized crystallographically. Single crystal X-ray analyses reveal the presence of mononuclear complexes containing Hg atom in a distorted tetrahedral environment. Characterization of the obtained compounds was also performed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR. A theoretical study at DFT (B3LYP) level using standard CEP-31G basis set showed that the experimentally determined structure of the complex 5 is about 0.6-15.75 kcal mol⁻¹ more stable than its other bonding modes.     

Curcumin decreases toll-like receptor-2 gene expression and function in human monocytes and neutrophils

Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor that senses many types of bacterial components and activates signaling pathways that induce inflammatory cytokines. A hyperresponsiveness to pathogens caused by increased expression of TLR2 triggers exaggeration of some inflammatory diseases. Here, we showed that curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory agent derived from the curry spice turmeric, inhibits TLR2 expression in various TLR2-expressing innate immune cell lines such as monocytic THP-1 cells, neutrophilic-differentiated HL-60 cells. Strong suppression of TLR2 gene expression was specifically observed at concentrations of curcumin in the range 40-100 μM. Consistent with decreased expression of TLR2 mRNA, protein expression and ligand-responsiveness of TLR2 were markedly reduced by curcumin treatment. Moreover, curcumin-dependent down-regulation of TLR2 expression and function was also observed in primary peripheral blood monocytes (MC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Finally, we determined the importance of curcumin-dependent radical generation for the suppressive effect of curcumin on TLR2 expression. Thus, our data demonstrate that curcumin inhibits TLR2 gene expression and function possibly via an oxidative process.     

Crystal complexes of a predicted S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase reveal a typical AdoMet binding domain and a substrate recognition domain

S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases (MTs) are abundant, and highly conserved across phylogeny. These enzymes use the cofactor AdoMet to methylate a wide variety of molecular targets, thereby modulating important cellular and metabolic activities. Thermotoga maritima protein 0872 (TM0872) belongs to a large sequence family of predicted MTs, ranging phylogenetically from relatively simple bacteria to humans. The genes for many of the bacterial homologs are located within operons involved in cell wall synthesis and cell division. Despite preliminary biochemical studies in E. coli and B. subtilis, the substrate specificity of this group of more than 150 proteins is unknown. As part of the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics initiative (www.mcsg.anl.gov), we have determined the structure of TM0872 in complexes with AdoMet and with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy). As predicted, TM0872 has a typical MT domain, and binds endogenous AdoMet, or co-crystallized AdoHcy, in a manner consistent with other known MT structures. In addition, TM0872 has a second domain that is novel among MTs in both its location in the sequence and its structure. The second domain likely acts in substrate recognition and binding, and there is a potential substrate-binding cleft spanning the two domains. This long and narrow cleft is lined with positively charged residues which are located opposite the S(+)-CH(3) bond, suggesting that a negatively charged molecule might be targeted for catalysis. However, AdoMet and AdoHcy are both buried, and access to the methyl group would presumably require structural rearrangement. These TM0872 crystal structures offer the first structural glimpses at this phylogenetically conserved sequence family.     

Osmadisiloxane and osmastannasiloxane complexes derived from silanolate complexes of osmium(II)

Treatment of the five-coordinate chlorodimethylsilyl complex, Os(SiMe₂Cl)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with hydroxide readily produces Os(SiMe₂OH)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1). Complex 1 is deprotonated by ^tBuLi giving the silanolate complex, Os(SiMe₂OLi)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2), which reacts further with Me₃SiCl or Me₃SnCl to give Os(SiMe₂OSiMe₃)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3) or Os(SiMe₂OSnMe₃)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4), respectively. The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Reaction between OsH(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ and HSiMe₂Cl gives Os(SiMe₂Cl)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (5). This six-coordinate chlorodimethylsilyl complex, is unreactive towards hydroxide at room temperature and at 60 °C forms Os[Si(OH)₃](κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (7). Complex 5 is, however, smoothly converted to the hydroxy derivative, Os(SiMe₂OH)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (6) upon chromatography on silica gel. Complex 6 is deprotonated by ^tBuLi giving the intermediate silanolate complex, Os(SiMe₂OLi)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂, which reacts further with Me₃SiCl to give Os(SiMe₂OSiMe₃)(κ²-S₂CNMe₂) (CO)(PPh₃)₂ (8). Crystal structure determinations for 5, 6, 7, and 8 have been obtained and structural comparisons of these related compounds are made.     

Early transition metal complexes of dinucleating Pacman ligands: X-ray crystal structures of mixed-valence V/V complexes

The use of a Schiff-base calixpyrrole (L) as a dinucleating ligand for early transition metals is described. Salt elimination reactions between the crystallographically-characterised [K₄(THF)₃(PhMe)(L)] and titanium(III) and vanadium(III) halides form the new dinuclear complexes [(MCl)₂(L)] (M = Ti, V). Adventitious, and partial, oxidation of [(VCl)₂(L)] resulted in the formation of the unusual mixed-valence vanadyl complexes [(VO)(S)(VCl)(L)] (S = THF or pyridine), which both adopt desired Pacman geometries in the solid state in which the oxo ligand is accommodated within the dinuclear molecular cleft.     

Structure diversity of silver(I) [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)cobaltocenium] complexes: Effect of counteranions

Single crystal X-ray structural characterizations are recorded for an array of adducts of the form {AgX:[dppc][PF₆]}_n (n = 1 or 2), [dppc][PF₆] = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate, X = Cl, Br, NO₃, NO₂, C₆H₅CO₂, CF₃CO₂. Synthetic procedures for all adducts are reported. All compounds have been fully characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The structures in the solid state were found to depend on the nature of the counterion, for X = NO₃, NO₂, the complex being monomeric {[dppc-P,P′]Ag(NO₃)₂} or {[dppc-P,P′]Ag(NO₂)}, for X = Cl, Br, C₆H₅CO₂, CF₃CO₂, the complex is a dimer.     

Curcumin Suppressed Anti-apoptotic Signals and Activated Cysteine Proteases for Apoptosis in Human Malignant Glioblastoma U87MG Cells

Glioblastoma is the most malignant human brain tumor that shows poor response to existing therapeutic agents. Search continues for an effective therapy for controlling this deadliest brain tumor. Curcumin (CCM), a polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa, possesses anti-cancer properties in both in vitro and in vivo. In the present investigation, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of CCM against human malignant glioblastoma U87MG cells. Trypan blue dye exclusion test showed decreased viability of U87MG cells with increasing dose of CCM. Wright staining and ApopTag assay, respectively, showed the morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis in U87MG cells treated with 25 μM and 50 μM of CCM for 24 h. Western blotting showed activation of caspase-8, cleavage of Bid to tBid, increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria followed by activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 for apoptosis. Also, CCM treatments increased cytosolic level of Smac/Diablo to suppress the inhibitor-of-apoptosis proteins and down regulated anti-apoptotic nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), favoring the apoptosis. Increased activities of calpain and caspase-3 cleaved 270 kDa α-spectrin at specific sites generating 145 kDa spectrin break down product (SBDP) and 120 kDa SBDP, respectively, leading to apoptosis in U87MG cells. Results show that CCM is an effective therapeutic agent for suppression of anti-apoptotic factors and activation of calpain and caspase proteolytic cascades for apoptosis in human malignant glioblastoma cells. Special issue in honor of Naren Banik.     

Self-assembly and cytotoxicity study of waterwheel-like dinuclear metal complexes: the first metal complexes appended with multiple free hydroxamic acid groups

Two waterwheel-like dinuclear complexes [M(2)(PHA)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] (M = Cu(II) (1), Zn(II) (2); HPHA = phthal-hydroxamic acid) appended with four free hydroxamic acid groups, namely, free hydroxamic acid metal complexes (FHAMCs) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of complex 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which adopts the paddlewheel motif with four bidentate carboxylate ligands joining two Cu(II) ions. The relative cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 2 against SMMC-7721 and HO-8910 cell lines are similar and more predominant than HPHA (IC(50): Cu(II)>Zn(II)>HPHA). The synergic effect of the bound water molecules, multiple free hydroxamic acid groups and dimetal active sites with bridging carboxylate may have significant impacts on their pharmacological activity. As the prototype for a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives, the self-assembly of FHAMCs presents a promising new strategy in designing multiple hydroxamic acids with remarkable bioactivities.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of novel mononuclear peroxotungsten(VI) complexes. Insulinomimetic activity of W(VI) and Nb(V) peroxo complexes

Two new mononuclear peroxo complexes of tungsten of the formula (gu)₂[WO₂(O₂)₂] (1) and (gu)[WO(O₂)₂(quin-2-c)] (2a) (where gu⁺ = guanidinium ion, and quin-2-c = quinoline-2-carboxylate ion) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, Raman, UV-visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of (gu)[WO(O₂)₂(quin-2-c)] · H₂O (2b) determined by X-ray diffraction indicates that the side-on peroxo groups and the bidentate quinaldate ligand bind the W(VI) centre leading to an hepta coordination mode. The guanidinium ion occurring as a counterion and the hydrogen-bound interactions stabilize the complexes. The in vitro insulin-mimetic effect of the complexes has been evaluated by the inhibitory effect on free fatty acid release in isolated fat adipocytes treated with epinephrine. Moreover the niobate analogues, synthesized and characterized previously, (gu)₃[Nb(O₂)₄] and (gu)₂[Nb(O₂)₃(quin-2-c)] · H₂O have been tested for the insulin-like activity.     

Bismuth(III) complexes with 2-acetylpyridine- and 2-benzoylpyridine-derived hydrazones: Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities and effects on the clonogenic survival of human solid tumor cells

Complexes [Bi(2AcPh)Cl₂]·0.5H₂O (1), [Bi(2AcpClPh)Cl₂] (2), [Bi(2AcpNO₂Ph)Cl₂] (3), [Bi(2AcpOHPh)Cl₂]·2H₂O (4), [Bi(H2BzPh)Cl₃]·2H₂O (5), [Bi(H2BzpClPh)Cl₃] (6), [Bi(2BzpNO₂Ph)Cl₂]·2H₂O (7) and [Bi(H2BzpOHPh)Cl₃]·2H₂O (8) were obtained with 2-acetylpyridine phenylhydrazone (H2AcPh), its -para-chloro-phenyl- (H2AcpClPh), -para-nitro-phenyl (H2AcpNO₂Ph) and -para-hydroxy-phenyl (H2AcpOHPh) derivatives, as well as with the 2-benzoylpyridine phenylhydrazone analogues (H2BzPh, H2BzpClPh, H2BzpNO₂Ph, H2BzpOHPh).Upon coordination to bismuth(III) antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains significantly improved except for complex (4).The cytotoxic effects of the compounds under study were evaluated on HL-60, Jurkat and THP-1 leukemia, and on MCF-7 and HCT-116 solid tumor cells, as well as on non-malignant Vero cells. In general, 2-acetylpyridine-derived hydrazones proved to be more potent and more selective as cytotoxic agents than the corresponding 2-benzoylpyridine-derived counterparts.Exposure of HCT-116 cells to H2AcpClPh, H2AcpNO₂Ph and complex (3) led to 99% decrease of the clonogenic survival. The IC₅₀ values of these compounds were three-fold smaller when cells were cultured in soft-agar (3D) than when cells were cultured in monolayer (2D), suggesting that they constitute interesting scaffolds, which should be considered in further studies aiming to develop new drug candidates for the treatment of colon cancer.     

Curcumin inspired 2-chloro/phenoxy quinoline analogues: Synthesis and biological evaluation as potential anticancer agents

Synthesis of twenty new curcumin inspired 2-chloro/phenoxy quinoline derivatives is outlined in this study. The obtained new chemical entities were screened in vitro for their cytotoxic activity towards various tumor cell lines. Of the compounds screened, 6c and 9d exhibited significant activity and the most active analogue 6c displayed promising cytotoxicity against PC-3 (IC₅₀ of 3.12?±?0.11?μM), DU-145, NCI-H460 and 4?T1 cell lines. Further, 6c and 9d have 2.1 and 1.4 times more aqueous solubility, respectively, than curcumin. Additionally, the promising candidate 6c could induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC-3 cells, as determined by AO-EB staining, DAPI staining, analysis of ROS levels as well as annexin binding assay.     

Blue phosphorescent iridium complexes based on 2-(fluoro substituted phenyl)-4-methylpyridines: Synthesis, crystal structure, and photophysics

A series blue phosphorescent emitting materials based on 2-(fluoro substituted phenyl)-4-methylpyridine as the cyclometalated ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes have the general structure (C^{^}N)₂Ir(pic), where C^{^}N is a monoanionic cyclometalating ligand (e.g., 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (24f₂pmpyH), 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (34f₂pmpyH), 2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (35f₂pmpyH), and 2-(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-4-methyl-pyridine (345f₃pmpyH)), pic is 2-picolinic acid. The absorption, emission, cyclic voltammetry and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. The (46f₂pmpy)₂Ir(pic) has been characterized using X-ray crystallography and the electronic ground state calculated using B3LYP density functional theory. HOMO levels are a mixture of Ir and 2-(fluoro phenyl)-4-methylpyridine ligand orbitals, while the LUMO is predominantly pic ligand based. Introduction of fluorine atoms and methyl group into ppy ligand and changing in position of F substituents in phenyl ring can finely tune emission of the complexes, showing bright blue-to-green luminescence at a wavelength of 463-501 nm at room temperature in CH₂Cl₂.