Chiral tetradentate amine and tridentate aminocarbene ligands: Synthesis, reactivity and X-ray structural characterizations

(1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane (1) and (1R,2R)-diaminodiphenylethylenediamine (2) were used as building blocks for the synthesis of chiral tetradentate diquinolyl-diamine and related diquinolyl-dihydroimidazolium salts. A neutral chiral palladium(II) complex was synthesized by reaction of palladium acetate with the tetradentate diquinolyl diamine derived from 2 and used as a homogeneous catalyst for the Heck reaction between styrene and haloarenes. A chiral tridentate aminocarbene was generated in situ by deprotonation of the dihydroimidazolium salt derived from 1 and allowed to react with CuI to give a new chiral quinolyl-carbene copper(I) complex.     

Palladium(II) complexes of the chiral pinBPI ligand

The chiral bis(pyridylimino)isoindoline derivative 5 (pinBPI) was prepared from the chiral pool reagent α-pinene 1 in three steps and an overall yield of 12%. Upon treatment with palladium(II) acetate and palladium(II) chloride, pinBPI 5 forms the nonracemic chiral complexes [(pinBPI)Pd(OAc)] 6 and [(pinBPI)PdCl] 7, respectively, as the only isolated species in good yield. The synthesis of a related thiazole-based ligand failed for the incompatibility of the four-membered carbocycle of the pinene subunit with the conditions of the thiazole-forming reaction. Both pinBPI chelates crystallize in chiral space groups but with different molecular conformations and intermolecular interactions. A triclinic system with space group P1 is found for the acetato derivative 6 which organizes pseudosymmetrically as a chloroform solvate with one helical and one (almost) planar molecule in the asymmetric unit. The chloro derivate 7 on the other hand crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with Z = 8 and four independent molecules in the unit cell. Here, all molecules are in a pseudoplanar configuration with convex ligand conformations, but differ significantly in bond lengths and angles. The structures unravel two different possible scenarios for intermolecular association of such chiral BAI ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel and palladium complexes containing hetero-multidentate PNO ligands

Formation of mono- and dinuclear complexes containing ligands stemmed from the condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol derivatives with 2-(diphenylphosphino)aniline (P∼N) was investigated. Condensation of P∼N with 2,6-diformyl-4-methylanisole yielded the desired bis(imine-phosphine) L₃, but provided the cyclized benzoazaphospholium compound with 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol. Complexation of L₃ with (COD)PdCl₂ gave the dinuclear complex 4. On the other hand, L₃ underwent the intramolecular cyclization in the presence of (DME)NiCl₂ via the formation of benzoazaphospholium rings. Template condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol with P∼N in the presence of metal ions yielded the mononuclear nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes, respectively.     

Cytotoxic palladium(II) complexes of 8-aminoquinoline derivatives and the interaction with human serum albumin

Palladium(II) complexes are potential antitumor metallodrugs for their chemical resemblance to platinum(II) complexes. Two palladium(II) complexes (1 and 2) in the formula of [PdLⁿCl] [L¹ = N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-l-methionine-N′-8-quinolylamide, L² = L-alanine-N′-8-quinolylamide] have been synthesized accordingly. The structures of the complexes were fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. The palladium(II) center in 1 is coordinated by two N atoms and an S atom from L¹ with one chloride anion as the leaving group; while that in 2 is coordinated by three N atoms from L² with one chloride anion as the leaving group. The interaction between complex 1 and human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated using fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies. The complex seems to react with HSA chiefly through hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, and it does not alter the α-helical nature of HSA. The cytotoxicity of these complexes has been tested against the human cervical cancer (HeLa), human mammary cancer (MCF-7), and human lung cancer (A-549) cell lines. Complex 1 displays a cytotoxic activity comparable to that of cisplatin, but complex 2 is less active than cisplatin.     

Studies of rheniumtricarbonyl complexes of tripodal pyridyl-based ligands

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

Enhancement of pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of curcumin by radiolytic transformation

The naturally occurring yellow dietary diarylheptanoid curcumin (1) was converted by γ-ray to two new γ-lactones, curculactones A (2) and B (3), as well as four known transformates, erythro-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propan-1,2-diol (4), threo-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propan-1,2-diol (5), vanillic acid (6), and vanillin (7). The structures of the two new γ-lactone derivatives were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The steroisomeric phenylpropanoids 4 and 5 exhibited significantly enhanced inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase when compared to parent curcumin.     

Syntheses, structure and properties of chiral copper(II) complexes with end-on azide bridge and chiral-bipyridine ligand

A novel one-dimensional chiral copper(II) complex with single end-on (EO) azide bridge and chiral 2,2-bipyridine ligand, [Cu(N₃)₂(L)]_n (1), and a mononuclear chiral copper(II) complex, [Cu(N₃)₂(L)] (2) (L = (1R)-6,6-dimethyl-5,7-methano-2-(2-pyridinyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroquinoline), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure determination shows that complex 1 is a one-dimensional chiral coordination polymer with non-equivalent Cu-N(azide) bonds, in which the central Cu(II) ion is penta-coordinated in the form of a slightly distorted square-based pyramid. Compound 2 is a four-coordinated mononuclear complex where the Cu(II) ion has a highly distorted tetrahedronal environment. Both complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the chiral space group: P2₁2₁2₁ and P₁, respectively. The magnetic studies show that there exists antiferromagnetic interaction between the copper(II) ions in complex 1.     

The first pincer-aryl [M-(NCN)] complexes {M = Pd(II); Pt(II)} with chiral pyridine donors: Synthesis and catalytic activity in C-C bond formation

The first chiral bis(pyridine) N-C(H)-N pincer ligand, (5S,7S)-1,3-bis(6,6-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,7-methanquinolin-2-yl)benzene (HL) has been synthesized and characterized by a thorough ¹H NMR analysis. Reaction of HL with K₂[PtCl₄] in acetic acid gives [Pt(L)Cl] (1), where L acts as a tridentate N-C-N pincer ligand. The analogous palladium(II) derivatives [Pd(L)Cl] (2), and [Pd(L)(OAc)] (3), were first prepared through a transmetalation reaction between Pd(OAc)₂ and the organomercury compound [Hg(L)Cl] (4). The structures of compounds 1 (Pt) and 2 (Pd), as determined by X-ray diffraction, are reported and compared. Compound 2 can also be obtained from Na₂[PdCl₄] and HL in refluxing acetic acid, i.e., under the same conditions used for compound 1. Apparently, this is the first palladium pincer derivative of a 1,3-bis(pyridyl)benzene ligand synthesized by direct C-H activation.The neutral complexes 1-3 are catalysts of modest activity, but devoid of enantioselectivity in the Heck reaction between iodobenzene and methyl acrylate and in the aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with methyl isocyanoacetate.     

Palladium(II) complexes of imidazolin-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with redox-active dimethoxyphenyl or (hydro)quinonyl substituents

Four novel imidazolium salts, precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, with 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl or 2,5-dihydroxybenzyl (i.e., p-hydroquinone) substituents have been prepared. The crystal structure of the hydroquinone-substituted imidazolium salt H₃L³Br reveals Br⁻?H-O bridged chiral chains of alternating [H₃L³]⁺ cations and Br⁻ counter-ions parallel to the x-axis. Palladium(II) complexes were accessible from reactions of the dimethoxyphenyl-substituted imidazolium precursors with palladium(II) acetate, but not from reactions of imidazolium cations with hydroquinonyl substituents. The crystal structure of the bis(dimethoxybenzyl)-substituted bis(NHC)Pd complex, cis-[PdBr₂(L²)] (2), is described. Puckering of the bis(NHC) ligand leads to a cleft in which an included molecule of dimethylformamide is situated. The cleft is closed by one of the dimethoxybenzyl groups which π-stacks with the dimethylformamide; the other dimethoxybenzyl group points away from the cleft and Pd(II) centre. Reaction of complex 2 with BBr₃ afforded the targeted bis(hydroquinone)-substituted bis(NHC)Pd(II) complex 3 (97% yield) which, in turn, was oxidised by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-benzoquinone to the corresponding p-benzoquinone-substituted bis(NHC)Pd(II) complex 4 (98% yield). The cyclic voltammograms of the Pd(II) complexes 2-4 reveal waves that are attributed to an admix of the anticipated ligand-centred and [Pd(C-NHC)₂Br₂]-centred processes.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of chiral silver(I) and copper(II) complexes with biaryl-based nitrogen-containing ligands

A series of chiral Ag(I) and Cu(II) complexes have been prepared from the reaction between AgX (X = NO₃, PF₆, OTf) or CuX₂ (X = Cl, ClO₄) and chiral biaryl-based N-ligands. The rigidity of the ligand plays an important role in the Ag(I) complex formation. For example, treatment of chiral N₃-ligands 1-3 with half equiv of AgX (X = NO₃, PF₆, OTf) gives the chiral bis-ligated four-coordinated Ag(I) complexes, while ligand 4 affords the two-coordinated Ag(I) complexes. Reaction of AgX with 1 equiv of chiral N₄-ligands 5, 7, 8 and 10 gives the chiral, binuclear double helicate Ag(I) complexes, while chiral mono-nuclear single helicate Ag(I) complexes are obtained with N₄-ligands 6 and 9. Treatment of either N₃-ligand 1 or N₄-ligand 9 or 10 with 1 equiv of CuX₂ (X = Cl, ClO₄) gives the mono-ligated Cu(II) complexes. All the complexes have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. Seventeen of them have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The Cu(II) complexes do not show catalytic activity for allylation reaction, in contrast to Ag(I) complexes, but they do exhibit catalytic activity for Henry reaction (nitroaldol reaction) that Ag(I) complexes do not.     

Syntheses, structures, and mesomorphism of a series of Ni(II) salen complexes with 4-substituted long alkoxy chains

A series of nickel(II) salen complexes containing 4-substituted alkoxy chains of aromatic rings, [Ni((4-C_nH_2n + 1O)₂salen)] (n = 3 (1), 4 (2), 6 (3), 8 (4), 10 (5), 12 (6), 14 (7), 16 (8), 18 (9), and 20 (10)), and their parent complex, [Ni((4-HO)₂salen)] (11) (salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)), have been prepared and mesomorphic properties have been investigated. An X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that complex 11 · 2DMF has one-dimensional stacking structure supported by the π-π interaction between the six-membered chelate and aromatic rings with the NiNi distances of alternatively 3.3957 and 3.7224 Å and that complex 3 is formed by one-dimensional stacking by weak CH?O type hydrogen bonded interaction between the five-membered chelate ring and phenoxo atoms of the dramatically distorted salen moieties with the NiNi distance of 5.994 Å. Complexes 1-6 did not exhibit any mesophases. On the other hand, complexes 7-10 with longer alkoxy chains of n = 14-20 showed an unusual metallomesogen of a lamello-columnar mesophase within the smectic layers with an interlamellar distance of 31.1 Å (7), 33.6 Å (8), 37.1 Å (9), and 39.5 Å (10) and nearly constant stacking distance of 6.19-6.24 Å between the inter-dimers, irrespective of the variation of the alkoxy chain lengths by the X-ray diffraction measurements of the liquid crystal. The relationship between molecular assemblies and mesomorphic properties is discussed.     

Selective head-to-tail coupling of methyl phenylpropynoate providing palladacycles with bidentate N-ligands

The complexes (1,3-dicarbomethoxy-2,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-dien-1,4-diyl)(N,N)palladium(II), where N,N = 2,2′-bipyridyl (1), tetramethylethelenediamine (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (3) have been obtained by reaction of Pd(dba)₂ with the respective bidentate N-ligand and two equivalents of methyl phenylpropynoate via a completely regioselective head-to-tail coupling of the asymmetric acetylenes. Such regioselectivity, especially in conjunction with the high yield, is very unusual in the formation of palladacycles and has so far only been observed for head-to-head or tail to tail coupling. The compounds 1-3 have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 2 and 3. The X-ray crystal structures reveal pseudo square planar metal centers, the palladacycles and chelate rings are essentially planar.     

Binuclear palladium complexes bridged by dicarbene with different lengths and their application in Mizoroki-Heck reaction

A series of di-NHC ligands with alkyl bridges of different chain lengths (n = 2-4) and their bi-palladium complexes (4, 5 and 6) have been prepared. The molecular structure of 4 and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The structures of complex 4 consist of two pseudo-square-planar subunits in a trans configuration, however 6 consist of two subunits in a cis configuration with π-π stacking between two pyridines. The influence of the different bridges on the structure and reactivity of the complexes has been studied. The catalytic activity of the new binuclear palladium complexes was successfully tested in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction of styrene with bromobenzene. The complex with 2 and 4 carbon linker gave higher yield, while the one with 3 carbon linker gave better regioselectivity.     

Antiproliferative effect and genotoxicity of novel synthesized palladium complexes with organoarsenic ligands

Three new palladium complexes with general formula [PdCl₂L₂], where L = heterofunctional organoarsenic ligand: (2-isopropoxyphenyl)diphenylarsine (1), (2-methoxyphenyl)-diphenylarsine (2) and (2-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylarsine (3) have been synthesized and fully characterized, including X-ray crystallographic data. Their potential antitumor effect and genotoxicity have been studied as well. The viability test performed on human tumor (MLS) and normal (Hfl-1) cell lines indicates significant cytotoxicity of complexes, which is higher in tumor cells than in normal cells. The lethal doses are comparable with those of standard metal-based chemotherapeutical drugs (carboplatin and oxaliplatin). These palladium complexes exhibit a higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells as against normal cells in vitro. A new static cytometric method was developed and simultaneously the classic AnnexinV test was performed. Complex 2 has an important capacity to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. The apoptotic process is triggered due to the interaction of these complexes with secondary structure of DNA in treated cells. The alkaline single-cell gel assay shows that the level of DNA damages induced by compounds 2 and 3 are significantly higher in tumor cells as in normal cells. These studies shown that complexes 1, 2 and 3 have biologic activity, the effect of complex 2 being superior to its platinum analogues, attributable to its structure.     

Structure, dynamics and catalytic activity of palladium(II) complexes with imidazole ligands

Several palladium complexes of the type [Pd(im)₂Cl₂], [Pd(im)₃Cl]Cl, and [Pd(im)₄]Cl₂ (im = imidazole 1, 1-methylimidazole 2, 1,2-dimethylimidazole 3, 1-butylimidazole 4, 4a, 1-phenylimidazole 6, 1-phenylimidazoline 7, and 1-methylimidazoline 8) were prepared and structurally characterized. The square planar structure of two new complexes with the composition [Pd(im)₄]Cl₂ (2b, 4b) was confirmed by X-ray analysis. In solution, exchange of imidazole ligands leading to heteroleptic products was evidenced by ESI-MS studies. Two bis-ligated complexes, bearing 1-methylimidazole (2a) and 1-propoxymethylimidazole (5) ligands, were obtained in the reaction of palladium with imidazoles formed by deprotection of one nitrogen atom in the respective imidazolium halides. Catalytic Suzuki-Miyaura reactions were carried out using the obtained palladium complexes in isopropanol-water solution. High yields of the cross-coupling products were obtained at 40 and 60 °C when 2-bromotoluene, 4-bromotoluene, and 4-bromoanizole were used as substrates.     

Palladium(II) complexes bearing a salicylaldiminato ligand with a hydroxyl group: Synthesis, structures, deprotonation, and catalysis

Palladium complexes with a salicylaldiminato ligand bearing a hydroxyl group (1a and 1b) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of these complexes were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. A reversible deprotonation/protonation of the hydroxyl moiety on 1b was observed, while such behaviour was impossible with a related palladium complex (1c) bearing a methoxyl group in place of the hydroxyl group. The deprotonation affected its catalytic behaviour: the activity for polymerization of methyl acrylate catalyzed by 1b considerably decreased in the presence of 1 equiv. of ^tBuOK.     

Palladium(II) complexes obtained from 3,4-bis(cyanamido)cyclobutane-1,2-dione dianion

Three palladium(II) complexes have been synthesized, using 3,4-bis(cyanamido) cyclobutane-1,2-dione dianion (3,4-bis(cyanamido)squarate or 3,4-NCNsq²⁻): [Pd(en)(3,4-NCNsq)] · 1.5H₂O (1) (en=1,2-diaminoethane), [Pd(en)(3,4-(NC(O)NH₂)sq)] · 0.5H₂O (2) and K₃Na[Pd₂(3,4-(NCN)₂sq)₄] · 5H₂O (3). Complex 1 has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex 2, the unusual hydration of the cyanamido ligand was observed, it proceeds in the coordination sphere of the palladium and leads to a chelating urea squarate ligand. Complex 3 is an anionic dinuclear complex containing four bridging cyanamido squarate ligands. In complexes 2 and 3, the 3,4-NCNsq²⁻ ligand (hydrated or not) is, for the first time, coordinated to the metal atom by the two amido nitrogen atoms, either in a chelating mode (complex 2) or in a bridging mode giving a short Pd ? Pd distance of 2.8866(15) Å (complex 3). Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile and dmf solutions have been performed on complexes 1 and 3.     

Restriction of apical coordination in the square-planar nickel(II) complexes of meso-1,5,8,12-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane with axially oriented C-methyl groups

Crystal structures of nickel(II) complexes coordinated with cyclam-type macrocyclic tetraamine, meso-1,5,8,12-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L) in two complex salts 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Complexes in both salts adopted trans-III structure, but the C-methyl groups of L adopted equatorial configuration in 1, while axial in 2. Complex 2 is the first example of complex of cyclam-type tetraamine with only axially oriented C-methyl groups. Complex in 1 adopted six-coordinated octahedral geometry with two water molecules occupying two apical sites, while in 2, apical sites were vacant resulting in four-coordinated square-planar geometry. UV-Vis spectra in various solutions also revealed the formation of octahedral six-coordinated complex for 1 but not for 2. Network of hydrogen bonds involving chloride ion, water, and N-H of L was present in crystals of both 1 and 2. Convenient synthetic paths for 1 and 2 are also presented.     

2-(1-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)phenylpalladium(II) complexes 5-functionalized with fluorous silyl tails

New fluorous-organometallics based on the chiral ligand α-methyl-N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (TMBA) were prepared by treatment of fluorous silyl bromide reagents with in situ 4-lithiated TMBA to give fluorous N,N-dimethyl(α-methyl-4-trialkylsilylbenzyl)amine ligands 1a-1c that vary in the number of fluorous tails attached to the Si atom. Ligands 1a-1c were successfully cyclo-palladated by treatment with Pd(OAc)₂/LiCl in methanol to furnish the corresponding chloride-bridged dimeric arylpalladium(II) complexes 2a-2c in good yields. The latter derivatives could be converted into monomeric Lewis-base adducts by complexation with pyridine (3a-3c), or triphenylphosphine (4a-4c). The crystal structure of triphenylphosphine complex 4a has been elucidated. To probe their fluorophilicity, the partition coefficient of each of the derivatives in the fluorous biphasic solvent (FBS) system perfluoromethylcyclohexane/n-octane has been determined.     

Spectroscopic, cytotoxic and DFT studies of a luminescent palladium(II) complex of a hydrazone ligand that induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

A luminescent palladium(II) complex [Pd(L)Cl], 1a was synthesized with the acyclic tridentate quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone ligand, HL, 1. The ligand, 1 showed a selective chromogenic behavior towards Pd²⁺ by changing the color of the solution from yellow to blue-violet, which can easily be detected by the naked-eye. DFT and TDDFT calculations were performed to determine the geometry optimized structures of the ligand 1 and the complex 1a as well as to correlate the electronic transitions. The complex 1a exhibits strong interaction towards DNA as revealed from K_b (intrinsic binding constant) and K_sq (Stern Volmer quenching constant) values, which are 1.47 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and 5.67, respectively. The cytotoxicity of 1a has been examined with human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) and the sub-lethal dose (8 μM) determined by dose-dependence studies. The relative degree of apoptotic and necrotic cell death using a sub-lethal dose were measured by flow cytometry. The cell cycle analysis shows that the complex 1a exhibits effective cell growth inhibition by triggering G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, its treatment triggers the mitochondrial pathway resulting in cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation.