Synthesis, X-ray structures, electrochemical properties and cytotoxic effects of Co(II) complexes

1-Benzothiazol-2-yl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (1a) and 1-benzothiazol-2-yl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1b) were reacted with the hexahydrates of cobalt(II) chloride, cobalt(II) nitrate and cobalt(II) perchlorate to give the corresponding complexes 2a-4a and 2b-5b, respectively. Obtained compounds differ in coordination spheres of central atoms. The complex 2a includes a fivefold coordinated cobalt(II) ion, whereas 3a shows a distorted octahedral configuration around the cobalt(II) ion. All complexes were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, MS and elemental analysis. The X-ray structures of 2a, 3a and 5b complexes were also solved. The cytotoxic properties of the ligand 1a and both series of Co(II) complexes were examined on human leukemia NALM-6 and HL-60 cells and melanoma WM-115 cells. The ligands, were found to have very low cytotoxicity. Complex 3b exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values in the range of 6.9-17.1 μM for three examined cell lines.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition to the FeSC fragment 20. Preparation and properties of carbonyliron complexes of di-thiooxamide. Reactivity of the mononuclear (di-thiooxamide)Fe(CO)3 towards dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

Reaction of Fe₂(CO)₉ at room temperature in THF with the di-thiooxamides (L), SC{N(R,R′)}C{(R,R′)N}S [R=Me, R′-R′=(CH₂)₂ (a); R=H, R′=ⁱPr (b); R=H, R′=iPr (c), R=H, R′=benzyl (d); R=H, R′=H (e)], results for ligands a-d initially in the formation of the mononuclear σ-S, σ-S′ chelate complexes Fe(CO)₃(L) (7a-d), which could be isolated in case of 7a and 7d. Under the reaction conditions, complexes 7a-d react further with [Fe(CO)₄] fragments to give three types of Fe₂(CO)₆(L) complexes (8a-d) in high yields, depending on the di-thiooxamide ligand used together with traces of the known complex S₂Fe₃(CO)₉ (14). The molecular structures of these complexes have been established by the single crystal X-ray diffraction determinations of 8a, 8b and 8d. In the reaction with ligand e the corresponding complex 7e was not detected and the well-known complexes 14 and S₂Fe₃(CO)₉ (15) were isolated in low yield. In situ prepared 7a reacts in a slow reaction with 1 equiv. of dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to give the stable initial ferra [2.2.1] bicyclic complex 10a in 60% yield. In complex 10a an additional Fe(CO)₄ fragment is coordinated to the sulfido sulfur atom of the cycloadded FeSC fragment. When a toluene solution of 10a is heated to 50 °C it loses two terminal CO ligands to give the binuclear FeFe bonded complex 11a in almost quantitative yield. The molecular structures of 10a and 11a have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of 7d at room temperature with 2 equiv. of dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate results in the mononuclear complex 12d in 5% yield. The molecular structure of 12b has been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction and comprises a tetra dentate ligand with two ferra-sulpha cyclobutene, and a ferra-disulpha cyclopentene moiety. When the reaction is performed at 60 °C a low yield of 2,3,4,5-thiophene tetramethyl tertracarboxylate is obtained besides complex 12d.     

Structure-dependent spectroscopic and redox properties of copper(I) complexes with bidentate iminopyridine ligands

A series of iminopyridine ligands; cyclopropylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (A), cyclopentylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (B), cyclohexylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (C), and cycloheptylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine, (D) and their copper(I) complexes, [Cu(L)₂]⁺ (1a-1d) and [Cu(L)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ (2a-2d) have been synthesized and characterized by CHN analyses, ¹H NMR and IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Structures of 1a, 1b, 1c and 2a were determined by X-ray crystallography. The coordination polyhedron about the Cu^I center in the complexes is best described as a distorted tetrahedron. The dihedral angles between the least-squares planes of the chelate ligands show considerable variation from 86.1° in 1a to 68.3° in 1b, indicating the importance of packing forces in the crystalline environment. The UV-Vis spectra of the complexes are characterized by first metal to ligand charge transfer bands increasing in wavelength with increasing size of the ring substituents in the ligands, except for the cyclopropyl compounds (1a and 2a), in good agreement with the variation of the dihedral angles between the ligand planes. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes indicates a quasireversible redox behavior for the complexes. The bulkier ligands (PPh₃) inhibit the geometric distortion within the oxidized form and the redox potentials of complexes 2a-2d are shifted to more positive values, therefore.     

Ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes containing pyridine-functionalised bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis, structures, and impact of the carbene ligands on catalytic activities

A series of new ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes with pyridine-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbenes [Ru(Py-NHC)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Py-NHC = 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 1 (1a and 1b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 2 (2a and 2b); 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 3 (3b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 4 (4a and 4b); 1-methyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-5-ylidene, 5 (5a and 5b)] have been prepared by transmetallation from the corresponding silver carbene complexes and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In these complexes with bidentate Py-NHC ligands, one CO ligand is trans to the Py ligand. In 1a, 2a, 4a, and 5a, the NHC ligand is trans to the other CO ligand, thus leaving the two Cl⁻ ligands trans to each other. In 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b, the NHC ligands are trans to one Cl⁻ ligand, and the two Cl⁻ ligands are cis to each other. The structures for 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These complexes are efficient catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and their catalytic activities are found to be influenced by electronic effect of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mercury(II) complexes with a novel ferrocenyliminophosphine

Synthesis of the novel ligand ferrocenyliminophosphine [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)CHN(C₆H₄-2-PPh₂)}] (1, L) and studies on its complexation properties with mercury (II) are reported. Halogen-bridged binuclear mercury (II) complexes [HgX(μ-X)L]₂ (X = Cl (2a), Br (2b)) and a mononuclear mercury (II) complex HgCl₂L₂ (4a) have been obtained under different reaction conditions. In both cases, the ferrocenyliminophosphine acts as a P-monodentate ligand and the imino nitrogen does not participate in coordination to mercury (II). All the new compounds 1, 2a, 2b and 4a were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectra. In addition, structures of 2a and 4a have been determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis.     

Solid-gas carbonylation of aryloxide rhodium(I) complexes: stepwise reaction forming Vaska-type complexes

Aryloxide rhodium(I) complexes Rh(OAr)(PPh₃)₃ (1a: Ar=C₆Cl₅, 1b: Ar=C₆F₅, 1c: Ar=C₆H₄-NO₂-4) react with CO in toluene solutions to produce Vaska-type complexes trans-Rh(OAr)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a: Ar=C₆Cl₅, 2b: Ar=C₆F₅, 2c: Ar=C₆H₄-NO₂-4). Carbonylation of a similar complex with PMe₃ ligands, Rh(OC₆H₄-NO₂-4)(PMe₃)₃ (3c), also forms trans-Rh(OC₆H₄-NO₂-4)(CO)(PMe₃)₂ (4c). Molecular structures of the complexes are determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Complex 1a reacts with CO in the absence of solvent to produce a mixture of 2a and complex A, the latter of which shows the IR and ¹³C{¹H} signals due to the carbonyl ligand at different positions from those of 2a. Addition of Et₂O to the above mixture turns it into analytically pure 2a. Carbonylation of 1b and 1c under the solvent-free conditions produces complexes B and C as the respective products of the solid-gas reaction. Recrystallization of B and C turns them into 2b and 2c, respectively. Complex 3c also reacts with CO in the solid state to form a mixture of 4c and complex D, although the latter complex is converted slowly into 4c even in the solid state.     

Synthesis and electrochemical aspects of group 14 iron complexes of the type (η-C5H5)Fe(L)2ER3, L2 = (CO)2, (Ph2P)2CH2; E = C, Si, Ge, Sn

The dicarbonyl and diphosphine complexes of the type (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(L)₂ER₃ (L₂ = (CO)₂ (a), (Ph₂P)₂CH₂ (b); ER₃ = CH₃ (1a/b); SiMe₃ (2a/b), GeMe₃ (3a/b), SnMe₃ (4a/b)) were synthesized and studied electrochemically. Cyclic voltammetric studies on the dicarbonyl complexes 1a-4a revealed one electron irreversible oxidation processes whereas the same processes for the chelating phosphine series 1b-4b were reversible. The E_ox values found for the series 1a-4a were in the narrow range 1.3-1.5 V and in the order Si > Sn ≈ Ge > C; those for 1b-4b (involving replacement of the excellent retrodative π-accepting CO ligands by the superior σ-donor and poorer π-accepting phosphines) have much lower oxidation potentials in the sequence Sn > Si ≈ Ge > C. This latter oxidation potential pattern relates directly to the solution ³¹P NMR chemical shift data illustrating that stronger donation lowers the E_ox for the complexes; however, simple understanding of the trend must await the results of a current DFT analysis of the systems.     

Neighbouring metal induced oxidative addition at the iron centre amongst the iron-arylpyridylphosphine complexes

Complexes of the type (η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(P) (P = PPh₂Py 3, PPhPy₂4, PPy₃5; Py = 2-pyridyl) were satisfactorily prepared. Upon treatment of 3 with M(CO)₃(EtCN)₃ (M = Mo, 6a; W, 6b), the pyridyl N-atom could be coordinated to the metal M, which then eliminates a CO ligand from the Fe-centre and induced an oxidative addition of the endo-C-H of (η⁴-BuC₅H₅). This results in a bridged hydrido heterodimetallic complex [(η⁵-BuC₅H₄)Fe(CO)(μ-P,N-PPh₂Py)(μ-H)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 7a, 81%; W, 7b, 76%). The reaction of 4 or 5 with 6a,b did not give the induced oxidative addition, although these complexes contain more than one pyridyl N-atom. The reaction of 4 with M(CO)₄(EtCN)₂ (M = Mo, 9a; W, 9b) produced heterodimetallic complexes [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′-PPhPy₂)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 10a, 81%; W, 10b, 83%). Treatment of 5 with 6a,b gave [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′,N″-PPy₃)M(CO)₃] (M = Mo, 12a, 96%; W, 12b, 78%).     

Coordination polymers derived from a bis-pyridyl-bis-amide ligand: Supramolecular structural diversities and anion binding properties

Six new coordination polymers namely [{Cu(μ-L1)(CH₃COO)₂}]_∝1a, [{Cu(μ-L1)₂(CH₃COO)₂]_∝1b, [{Cu(μ-L1)₂(H₂O)₂}(NO₃)₂]_∝2, [{Cu(μ-L1)₂(H₂O)₂}(ClO₄)₂]_∝3, [{Cu(μ-L1)(H₂O)₂(μ-SO₄)}·3H₂O]_∝4a and [{Cu(μ-L1)₂SO₄}·X]_∝4b (L1 = N,N′-bis-(3-pyridyl)terephthalamide) have been synthesized. Single crystal structures of five coordination polymers namely 1a, 2-4b and the free ligand L1 are discussed in the context of the effect of conformation dependent ligating topology of the ligands, hydrogen bonding backbone, counter anions on the resultant supramolecular structures observed in these coordination polymers. It was revealed from the single crystal X-ray structure analysis that conformation dependent ligating topology of the bis-amide ligand L1, counter anion’s ligating strength dependent metal: ligand ratio, hydrogen bonding ability of the ligand as well as counter anions are responsible for the formation of 1D zigzag, 1D looped chain, 2D corrugated sheet in 1a, 2-3, 4a−4b, respectively. By following in situ coordination polymer crystallization technique, anion binding and separation studies have also been performed; nitrate anion has been separated as neat coordination polymer crystals from a complex mixture of anions.     

Functional mimics of catechol oxidase by mononuclear copper complexes of sterically demanding [NNO] ligands

Several mononuclear copper complexes 1(a-b) and 2(a-b) supported over sterically demanding [NNO] ligands namely, N-(aryl)-2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]acetamide [aryl = 2,6-diethylphenyl (1) and mesityl (2)], exhibit catecholase-like activity in performing the aerial oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylcatehol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di-t-butyl-catequinone (3,5-DTBQ) under ambient conditions. The 1(a-b) and 2(a-b) complexes were directly synthesized from the reaction of the respective ligands 1-2 with CuX₂·nH₂O (X = Cl, NO₃, n = 2, 3) in 55-85% yield. Mechanistic insights on the catalytic cycle as obtained by density functional theory studies for a representative complex 1a suggest that an intramolecular hydrogen transfer, from a catechol-OH moiety to a copper bound superoxo moiety, form the rate-determining step of the oxidation process, displaying an activation barrier of 18.3 kcal/mol (ΔG^‡) [6.9 kcal/mol in Δ(PE + ZPE)^‡ scale].     

Unsymmetric diruthenium complexes

The new diruthenium complexes trans-[(NH₃)₅Ru(L-L)Ru(NH₃)₄(bpy-Me)](PF₆)₅ (L-L are the bridging ligands pyrazine, 2a; 4,4′dipyridyl, 2b; and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethylene, 2c; bpy-Me is N-methyl-pyridyl-pyridinium) are generated from the new complexes (L-L)Ru(NH₃)₄(bpy-Me)](PF₆)₃ (1a-c) and [(NH₃)₅Ru(H₂O)](PF₆)₂. Cyclic voltammetry on the new compounds in acetonitrile electrolyte reveals two quasi-reversible oxidation steps corresponding to the two Ru^II/III couples in 2b and 2c and a single oxidations for 1a-c. In addition, two reduction waves are observed for the bpy-Me ligands of 1a-c and 2a-c. All of the new compounds exhibit multiple metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands in the visible region of the spectrum. For compounds 1a-c the most intense absorption in the visible region decreases in energy as the length of the aromatic bridging ligands increases. By contrast the strongest absorption band of 2a is lower in energy than the most intense bands of both 2b and 2c. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 2a reveals that the bridging pyridine is coplanar with the pyridyl ring of the bpy-Me ligand that is attached to the Ru center. DFT calculations on 2a indicate that the HOMO is localized predominately on the {(NH₃)₅Ru-pyz-Ru(NH₃)₄} portion of the complex and the LUMO has slightly more contribution from the bpy-Me ligand.     

Mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes of Mo(IV) and W(IV): A comparative study

Two hitherto unknown mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes containing 2-aminothiophenolate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(NH-(C₆H₄)-S)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1a; W, 2a) and two mixed-ligand tris chelate complex containing N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(Et₂NS₂)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1b; W, 2b) have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Although these complexes are supposed to be quite similar to the well-known symmetric tris chelate complexes of maleonitriledithiolate (mnt), [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(mnt)₃] (M = Mo, 1c; W, 2c), but display both trigonal prismatic and distorted trigonal prismatic geometry in their crystal structure indicating the possibility of an equilibrium between these two structural possibilities in solution. Unlike extreme stability of 1b, 2b, 1c and 2c, both 1a and 2a are highly unstable in solution. In contrast to one reversible reduction in case of 1b and 2b, 1a and 2a exhibited no possible reduction up to −1.2 V and two sequential oxidation steps which have been further investigated with EPR study. Differences in stability and electrochemical behavior of 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b have been correlated with theoretical calculations at DFT level in comparison with long known 1c and 2c.     

Macrocyclic dinuclear gold(I) and silver(I) NHCs complexes

The ligands bis-(imidazolium) hexafluorophosphate (Himy = -C₃N₂H₃-, imidazolium; R = 1-naphthylmethylene, 1a; 9-anthracenylmethylene, 1b) with an oxoether chain were easily prepared by the reaction of substituted imidazole with the diglycol diiodide, followed by exchange of anions with . 1a and 1b reacted with Ag₂O in DMSO or CH₃CN to yield [2 + 2] dinuclear Ag(I) NHCs macrocyclic complexes 2a and 2b, which showed much different conformation in solid corresponding to the R- substituent. Carbene transmetalation reactions of 2a-b with Au(SMe₂)Cl give dinuclear Au(I) analogs 3a and 3b. The new NHCs complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and the structures of 2a-b and 3a were confirmed by X-ray diffraction determination.     

Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl chlorides catalyzed by palladium precatalysts of N/O-functionalized pyrazolyl ligands

A series of palladium complexes, trans-[1-(R)-pz^3,5-Me₂]₂PdCl₂ {R = CH₂CONH(2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃) (1b) and 2-(OH)-C₆H₁₀ (2b)}, supported over N/O-functionalized pyrazole derived ligands effectively catalyzed the more challenging Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of a variety of activated aryl chlorides with phenyl boronic acid in air in a mixed-aqueous medium (DMF:H₂O, v/v = 9:1) in moderate to excellent yields. Besides the commonly encountered C_sp2-C_sp2 coupling, the 1b and 2b precatalysts also catalyzed the relatively difficult C_sp2-C_sp3 coupling of benzyl chloride with phenyl boronic acid. The 1b and 2b complexes were synthesized by the direct reaction of the respective N/O-functionalized pyrazolyl ligands, 1a and 2a, with (COD)PdCl₂ in 62-66% yields. The stability of the pyrazole-palladium interaction in the 1b and 2b complexes has been attributed to the deeply buried N_pyrazole-Pd interaction as evidenced from the density functional theory (DFT) studies.     

An investigation of Cu(II) and Ni(II)-catalysed hydrolysis of (di)imines

The reactions of six diimine ligands with Cu(II) and Ni(II) halide salts have been investigated. The diimine ligands were Ph₂CN(CH₂)_nNCPh₂ (n = 2 (Bz₂en, 1a), 3 (Bz₂pn, 1b), 4 (Bz₂bn, 1c)), N,N′-bis-(2-tert-butylthio-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-2,2′diamino-biphenyl (2), N,N′-bis-(2-chloro-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-1,3-diaminobenzene (3) and N,N′-bis-(2-chloro-1-ylmethylenebenzene)-1,2-ethanediamine (4). Reactions of 1a-c, 2-4 with CuCl₂·2H₂O in dry ethanol at ambient temperature led to complete or partial hydrolysis of the diimine ligands to ultimately form copper diamine complexes. The non-hydrolyzed complexes of 1b and 1c, [Cu(L)Cl₂] (L = 1b, 1c), could be isolated when the reactions were carried out at low temperatures, and the half-hydrolyzed complex [Cu(Bzpn)Cl₂] could also be identified via X-ray crystallography. Similarly, reactions of 1a or 1b with NiCl₂·6H₂O or [NiBr₂(dme)] led to rapid hydrolysis of the imines and Ni complexes containing half-hydrolyzed 1a (Bzen; [trans-[Ni(Bzen)₂Br₂]) and 1b (Bzpn; [Ni(Bzpn)Br₂] could be isolated and identified via single crystal X-ray analysis. Kinetic studies were made of the hydrolyses of 1a, 1b in THF and 2 in acetone, in the presence of Cu(II), and of 1a in acetonitrile, in the presence of Ni(II). Activation parameters were determined for the latter reaction and for the copper-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2; the relatively large negative activation entropies clearly indicate rate-determining steps of an associative nature.     

Exploring the effect of chain length of bridging ligands in coordination complexes and polymers derived from mixed ligand systems of pyridylnicotinamides and dicarboxylates

The supramolecular structural diversities in mixed ligand systems derived from a series of dicarboxylate anions with varying chain lengths and N-donor exo-bidentate ligand equipped with hydrogen bonding capable amide backbone with Co(II)/Zn(II) metal centers are analyzed. In this context, two complexes namely (Co(L1)₂(malonate)(H₂O)₂} (1a), {Zn(L1)₂(malonate)(H₂O)₂} (1b) and one coordination polymer namely {[Co(μ-L1)(μ-glutarate)(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n (4) (where L1 = N-(4-pyridyl)nicotinamide) have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The main aim of this work is to explore the effects of chain lengths of the anionic carboxylate ligands such as malonate, succinate, maleate, and glutarate, in determining the final architecture of coordination compounds based on the mixed ligands. Analyses of the structures revealed that the length of the bridging ligands have prominent effect in the formation of hierarchical structures.     

Dithiocarbazate complexes with the [M(PPh3)] (M═Pd or Pt) moiety: Synthesis, characterization and anti-Tripanosoma cruzi activity

New neutral Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of the type [M(L)(PPh₃)] (M═Pd or Pt) were prepared in crystalline form in high-yield synthesis with the S-benzyldithiocarbazates and S-4-nitrobenzyldithiocarbazates derivatives from 2-hydroxyacetophenone, H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b, and benzoylacetone, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b. The new complexes [Pt(L^1a)(PPh₃)] (1), [Pd(L^1a)(PPh₃)] (2), [Pt(L^1b)(PPh₃)] (3), [Pd(L^1b)(PPh₃)] (4), [Pt(L^2a)(PPh₃)] (5), [Pd(L^2a)(PPh₃)] (6), [Pt(L^2b)(PPh₃)] (7) and [Pd(L^2b)(PPh₃)] (8) were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, UV-visible, IR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), NMR (¹H and ³¹P) and by X-ray diffraction studies. The studies showed that differently from what was observed for the H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b ligands, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b assume cyclic forms as 5-hydroxypyrazolinic. Upon coordination, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b suffer ring-opening reaction, coordinating in the same manner as H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b, deprotonated and in O,N,S-tridentate mode to the (MPPh₃)²⁺ moiety. All complexes show a quite similar planar fourfold environment around the M(II) center. Furthermore, these complexes exhibited biological activity on extra and intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.8 to 18.7 μM, while the ligand H₂L^2a presented a trypanocidal activity on trypomastigote form better than the standard drug benznidazole.     

Phthalocyaninato complexes with peripheral alkylthio chains: disk-like adsorbate species for the vertical anchoring of ligands on gold surfaces

Thin metalorganic films were prepared on gold by self-assembly of thioether-functionalised phthalocyaninato complexes from solution. The phthalocyaninato ligands used contain eight peripheral, β-positioned, alkylthio substituents SR (1a: R = n-C₈H₁₇, 1b: R = n-C₁₂H₂₅), which serve as headgroups for surface binding and promote lateral assembly, while the disk-like phthalocyaninato core offers the scope for the attachment of axial ligands to the adsorbed molecules. This process was mimicked by coordination of pyridine (Py) to [Zn(1a)] and [Zn(1b)], respectively. The crystal structures of the products [Zn(1a)(Py)] and [Zn(1b)(Py)] were determined. The crystal structures of 4,5-bis(octylthio)phthalodinitrile and 4,5-bis(dodecylthio)phthalodinitrile were also determined. The films fabricated from [Mn(1a)Cl] and [Mn(1b)Cl] on gold were characterised by XPS, ToF-SIMS and NEXAFS spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of well-defined and homogeneous self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), whose constituents are bound to the substrate by thioether-gold linkages. The orientation of the macrocycles is predominantly parallel to the surface. Strong electronic interaction of the manganese(III) centre with the substrate leads to Cl loss upon adsorption and its reduction to Mn^II.     

Anticancer and antifungal activity of copper(II) complexes of quinolin-2(1H)-one-derived Schiff bases

The condensation of substituted aromatic aldehydes with 7-amino-4-methyl-quinolin-2(1H)-one (1) has lead to the isolation of quinolin-2(1H)-one derived Schiff bases (2-14). The copper(II) complexes (2a-14a) of the ligands were also prepared, and together with their corresponding free ligands were fully characterised by elemental analyses, spectral methods (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, AAS, UV-Vis), magnetic and conductance measurements. The bidentate ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion through the deprotonated phenolic oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen of the ligands in almost all cases. X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes, 5a and 8a, confirmed the bidentate coordination mode. All of the compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against the fungus, Candida albicans, and against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were found to have excellent anti-Candida activity but were inactive against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Selected compounds (2-8 and 2a-8a) were also screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using the human hepatic carcinoma cell line, Hep-G₂. Several derivatives were shown to be active comparable to that of cisplatin.     

Mononuclear diastereopure non-heme Fe(II) complexes of pentadentate ligands with pyrrolidinyl moieties: Structural studies, and alkene and sulfide oxidation

Mononuclear iron(II) complexes of enantiopure Py(ProOH)₂ (2) and Py(ProPh₂OH)₂ (3) ligands have been prepared with FeCl₂ and Fe(OTf)₂ · 2MeCN. Both ligands coordinate to the metal in a pentadentate fashion. Next to the meridional N,N′,N-coordination of the ligand, additional coordination of the oxygen atoms of both hydroxyl groups to the metal is found in complexes 4-7. Complex [FeCl(2)](Cl) (4) shows an octahedral geometry as determined by X-ray diffraction and is formed as a single diastereoisomer. The solution structures of complexes 4-7 were characterized by means of UV-Vis, IR, ESI-MS, conductivity and CD measurements. The catalytic potential of these complexes in the oxidation of alkenes and sulfides in the presence of H₂O₂ is presented.