Structural and functional characterization of seven spermicidal vanadium(IV) complexes: potentiation of activity by methyl substitution on the cyclopentadienyl rings.

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective vanadocene(IV) complexes as a new class of contraceptive agents, the effect of methyl substitution in the cyclopentadienyl rings of Cpx2VCl2 on their spermicidal activity has been examined. The spermicidal activities of compounds Cpx2VCl2 [Cpx = Me5Cp (Cp*) (1), Cp (3), MeCp (Cp') (5)], as well as two of their corresponding vanadium(V) oxidation products Cp*V(O)Cl2 (2) and CpV(O)Cl2 (4), were examined by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). These analyses have established that penta-substitution of the Cp ring by electron-donating methyl groups augments the spermicidal activity 10-fold. The corresponding V(V) oxo compounds, Cp*V(O)Cl2 (2) and CpV(O)Cl2 (4), tested under identical conditions did not show as effective spermicidal activity even though these complexes have a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry similar to the active vanadocene(IV) dichlorides. Two pseudo-octahedral V(IV) complexes with tris-pyrazolyl borate as ligand, (HBpz3)V(O)Cl.DMF (6) and (HB(3,5-Me2pz)3)V(O)Cl.DMF (7), were also found to exhibit potent spermicidal activity. Although some vanadium(IV) complexes may immobilize sperm due to the generation of .OH radicals, the lack of spermicidal activity of VOSO4 which generates .OH radicals, and the potent spermicidal activity of [Cp2V(acac)][O3SCF3] (8), and [Cp2V(DeDtc)][O3SCF3] (9) which do not generate .OH radicals, indicate that .OH radical mediated reactions may not be essential for the spermicidal activity of vanadium(IV) complexes.     

Synthesis and insulinomimetic activities of novel mono- and tetranuclear oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid

Two chargeless VO(IV) complexes with 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid (H2hpic), [VO(Hhpic-O,O)(Hhpic-O,N)(H2O)].3H2O (1) and the cyclic tetramer [(VO)4(mu-(hpic-O,O',N))4(H2O)4].8H3O (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass, infrared, electronic absorption, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography. Their coordination structures are similar to each other (and 1 is readily transformed into 2), but are quite different from that of bis(pyridine-2-carboxylato)oxovanadium(IV). The magnetic susceptibility of 2 indicates the presence of a weak ferromagnetic intramolecular interaction between the V atoms at low temperature, in addition to a weak antiferromagnetic intermolecular interaction. The ESR signal of 2 was broad, while 1 showed an eight-line hyperfine splitting pattern due to coupling of the unpaired electron with the 51V nucleus (I=7/2). The ESR spectrum and cyclic voltammogram of 2 clearly show that the cyclic tetramer remains intact in solution. The insulinomimetic activity of 1 and 2 was evaluated by means of in vitro measurements of the inhibition of free fatty acid release from epinephrine-treated isolated rat adipocytes. While 1 exerted higher insulinomimetic activity than VOSO4, the activity of 2 was significantly lower than that of VOSO4. Hence 2 appears to retain its cyclic structure during the in vitro test. These results indicate that the rational ligand design for VO complexes might be a promising approach to obtain superior insulinomimetic activity.     

Uptake and metabolic effects of insulin mimetic oxovanadium compounds in human erythrocytes

The uptake of the oxidation products of two oxovanadium(IV) compounds, [N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylaminato)]oxovanadium(IV), V(IV)O(Rpyr(2)en), and bis-[3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridinonato]oxovanadium(IV), V(IV)O(dmpp)(2), by human erythrocytes was studied using (51)V and (1)H NMR and EPR spectroscopy. V(IV)O(Rpyr(2)en) in aerobic aqueous solution is oxidized to its V(V) counterpart and the neutral form slowly enters the cells by passive diffusion. In aerobic conditions, V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) originates V(V) complexes of 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry. The neutral 1:1 species is taken up by erythrocytes through passive diffusion in a temperature-dependent process; its depletion from the extracellular medium promotes the dissociation of the negatively charged 1:2 species, and the protonation of the negatively charged 1:1 species. The identity of these complexes is not maintained inside the cells, and the intracellular EPR spectra suggest N(2)O(2) or NO(3) intracellular coordinating environments. The oxidative stress induced by the oxovanadium compounds in erythrocytes was not significant at 1mM concentration, but was increased by both vanadate and oxidized V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) at 5mM. Only 1mM oxidized V(IV)O(dmpp)(2) significantly stimulated erythrocytes glucose intake (0.75+/-0.13 against 0.37+/-0.17mM/h found for the control, p<0.05).     

Stereospecific formation of alpha-hydroxycarboxylato oxo peroxo complexes of vanadium(V). Crystal structure of (NBu4)2[V2O2(O2)2(L-lact)2] x 2H2O and (NBu4)2[V2O2(O2)2(D-lact)(L-lact)] x 2H2O

An overview of structurally characterized alpha-hydroxycarboxylatodioxo- and alpha-hydroxycarboxylatooxoperoxovanadates(V) is presented and the geometric parameters of the V2O2 bridging core are discussed. The first case of a stereospecific formation of oxoperoxovanadates(V) is reported: The crystal structures of the isomeric compounds (NBu4)2[V2O2(O2)2(L-lact)2] x 2H2O and (NBu4)2[V2O2(O2)2(D-lact)(L-lact)] x 2H2O (lact = C3H4O3(2-), the anion of the lactic acid) differ mainly in the arrangement of the V2O2 core and in mutual orientation of the V=O bonds. The complexes with achiral ligands adopt the same structural type as the complexes formed from a racemic mixture of a chiral ligand, while the structure obtained using an enantiopure L,L-hydroxycarboxylate is different.     

Synthetic analogs for oxovanadium(IV/V)-glutathione interaction: an NMR, EPR, synthetic and structural study of oxovanadium(IV/V) compounds with sulfhydryl-containing pseudopeptides and dipeptides

The reaction of [VO(CH3COO)2(phen)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with the sulfhydryl-containing pseudopeptides (scp), N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (H3mpg), N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)cysteine (H4m2pc), N-(3-mercaptopropionyl)cysteine (H4m3pc) and the dipeptides glycylglycine (H2glygly) and glycyl-L-alanine (H2glyala), in the presence of triethylamine, results in the formation of the compounds Et3NH[VO(mpg)(phen)] (1), (Et3NH)2[VO(m2pc)] (4), [(Et3NH)2[VO(m3pc) (5), [VO(glygly)(phen)] x 2CH3OH (2 x 2CH3OH) and [VO(glyala)(phen)] x CH3OH (3 x CH3OH). Evidence for the molecular connectivity in 2 x CH3OH was established by X-ray crystallography, showing the vanadium(IV) atom ligated to a tridentate glygly2- ligand at the N(amine), N(peptide) and O(carboxylato) atoms. Combination of the correlation plot of the EPR parameters gz versus Az, together with the additivity relationship supported the prediction of the equatorial donor atom sets of the V(IV)O2+ center at various pH values for the V(IV)O2+-glutathione system considered in this study. Model NMR studies (interaction of vanadium(V) with the scp H3mpg) showed that there is a possibility of vanadium(V) ligation to glutathione.     

Synthesis and reactivity of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two N-O donors and potentiation of the antituberculosis activity of one of them on chelation to metal ions: Part IV

A new series of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two aromatic acidhydrazides (BH and AH) have been reported. Of these two donors, AH is known to possess considerable in vitro antitubercular activity. At pH 2-4, oxometal complexes of the type [VO(BH/AH)2SO4].nH2O (n = 1, 0) and [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O (BH = C6H5CONHNH2 and AH = (2-NH2)C6H4.CO.NHNH2) were obtained. Reactions of [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O with a monodentate Lewis base lead to the isolation of metal-ligand complexes [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)L].nH2O (L = NH3, n = 1, L = py, n = 2). Disposition of the bonding sites of donor molecules around the oxometal acceptor center and status of the metal-oxygen multiple bond have been established. A monomeric and distorted octahedral donor environment for the oxovanadium(IV) ion has been proposed on the basis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Antitubercular activities, in vitro, of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of AH have also been evaluated towards tuberculosis mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium flae, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium H37Rv.     

Characterization of synthetic oxomanganese complexes and the inorganic core of the O2-evolving complex in photosystem II: evaluation of the DFT/B3LYP level of theory

The capabilities and limitations of the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) hybrid density functional are investigated as applied to studies of mixed-valent multinuclear oxomanganese complexes. Benchmark calculations involve the analysis of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear Mn complexes, previously characterized both chemically and spectroscopically, including the di-mu-oxo bridged dimers [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(terpy)(2)](3+) (terpy=2,2':6,2'-terpyridine) and [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(phen)(4)](3+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), the Mn trimer [Mn(3)O(4)(bpy)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](4+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), and the tetramer [Mn(4)O(4)L(6)](+) with L=Ph(2)PO(2)(-). Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP level is applied to analyze the hydrated Mn(3)O(4)CaMn cluster completely ligated by water, OH(-), Cl(-), carboxylate and imidazole ligands, analogous to the '3+1 Mn tetramer' of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. It is found that DFT/B3LYP predicts structural and electronic properties of oxomanganese complexes in pre-selected spin-electronic states in very good agreement with X-ray and magnetic experimental data, even when applied in conjunction with rather modest basis sets. However, it is conjectured that the energetics of low-lying spin-states is beyond the capabilities of the DFT/B3LYP level, constituting a limitation to mechanistic studies of multinuclear oxomanganese complexes where until now the performance of DFT/B3LYP has raised little concern.     

Photogeneration of titanium(III) from titanium(IV) citrate in aqueous solution

Current interest in the biochemistry of Ti(IV) arises from its widespread use in white pigments and its potential in therapeutic agents. Citrate is known to form strong complexes with Ti(IV). We show here that Ti(III) citrate is generated in a facile manner and in good yield by the action of UV radiation on Ti(IV) citrate in aqueous solution. The Ti(III)-citrate species formed was isolated and characterised by UV-Visible spectroscopy, showing an absorption at 547 nm (epsilon=100 M(-1)cm(-1)), and by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy giving a resonance at g=1.949 (linewidth=60G) . An X-ray structure of the parent Ti(IV) complex in the form [TiNa(3)(C(6)H(6)O(7))(2)(C(6)H(5)O(7))(H(2)O)(6.8)].2H(2)O is reported along with a study of the reaction of Ti(IV)-citrate with N,N-ethylenebis(o-hydroxytoluene)glycine (EHTG), which was more rapid than those of other related Ti(IV) complexes.     

Chemistry, urease inhibition, and phytotoxic studies of binuclear vanadium(IV) complexes

Vanadium plays an important role in biological systems and exhibits a variety of bioactivities. In an effort to uncover the chemistry and biochemistry of vanadium with nitrogen- and oxygen-containing ligands, we report herein the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of vanadium(IV) complexes with hydrazide ligands. Substituents on these ligands exhibit systematic variations of electronic and steric factors. Elemental and spectral data indicate the presence of a dimeric unit with two vanadium(IV) ions coordinated with two hydrazide ligands along with two H(2)O molecules. The stability studies of these complexes over time in coordinating solvent, DMSO, indicates binding of the solvent molecules to give [V2O2L2(H2O)2(DMSO)2]2+ (L=hydrazide ligand) and then conversion of it to a monomeric intermediate species, [VOL(DMSO)3]1+. Hydrazide ligands are inactive against urease, whereas vanadium(IV) complexes of these ligands show significant inhibitory potential against this enzyme and are found to be non-competitive inhibitors. These complexes also show low phytotoxicity indicating their usefulness for soil ureases. Structure-activity relationship studies indicate that the steric and/or electronic effects that may change the geometry of the complexes play an important role in their inhibitory potential and phytotoxicity.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with the bidentate ligands o-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (P∩O) and o-[(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]analine (P∩N)

A series of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with bidentate P,O donor ligand o-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (P∩O) and its Schiff base P,N donor ligand o-[diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]analine (P∩N) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. All the complexes of the type [ReX(CO)(3)(LL)] (where LL = P∩O, P∩N) reveal a distorted octahedral structure with the three carbonyl ligands arranged in the facial fashion. Crystal data for 1, C(22)H(15)ClO(4)PRe·1/2C(6)H(14): triclinic, P1, a=8.7430(4), b=9.5767(4), c=13.9449(6) ?, α=93.651(1), β=101.265(1), γ=93.048(1); V=1140.20(9) ?(3), Z=2.2, C(22)H(15)BrO(4)Pre: monoclinic, C2/c, a=31.6800(16), b=8.8880(4), c=18.4517(9) ?, β=124.990(1); V=4256.4(4) ?(3), Z=8. 3, C(28)H(20)ClNO(3)Pre: monoclinic, C2/c, a=22.675(4), b=8.803(2), c=28.218(5) ?, β=100.192(3); V=5543.5(16) ?(3), Z=8.4, C(28)H(20)BrNO(3)Pre: monoclinic, C2/c, a=23.035(1), b=8.7561(4), c=28.269(1) ?, β=100.811(1); V=5600.4(5) ?(3), Z=8.     

Activity of some platinum(II/IV) complexes with O,O-n-butyl-and O,O-n-pentyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate and halogeno ligands against HeLa and K562 cell lines and human PBMC

This paper reports on syntheses and characterization of chlorotribromo(O,O-n-butyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate)platinum(IV) [II], dichlorodiiodo(O,O-n-butyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate)platinum(IV) [III], and dichloro(O,O-n-butyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate)platinum(II) [V] complexes, with the formulae [Pt(dbeddp)Br(3)Cl], [Pt(dbeddp)Cl(2)I(2)] and [Pt(dbeddp)Cl(2)], respectively. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. In the aim to assess the selectivity in the antitumor action of these complexes, as well, as tetrachloro(O,O-n-butyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate)platinum(IV) [I] and tetrachloro(O,O-n-pentyl-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propanoate)platinum(IV) [IV], the antiproliferative action of these compounds was determined to human adenocarcinoma HeLa cells, to human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells and to normal immunocompetent cells, i.e., on human peripheral blood mononuclear PBMC cells.     

Systematic studies on pH-dependent transformations of dinuclear vanadium(V)-citrate complexes in aqueous solutions. A perspective relevance to aqueous vanadium(V)-citrate speciation

Vanadium(V) involvement in interactions with physiological ligands in biological media prompted us to delve into the systematic pH-dependent synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and perusal of chemical properties of arising aqueous vanadium(V)-citrate species in the requisite system. To this end, facile reactions led to dinuclear complexes (NH(4))(4)[V(2)O(4)(C(6)H(5)O(7))(2)].4H(2)O (1) and (NH(4))(6)[V(2)O(4)(C(6)H(4)O(7))(2)].6H(2)O (2). Complex 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=16.998(5) A, b=16.768(5) A, c=9.546(3) A, beta=105.22(1) degrees, V=2625(1) A(3), and Z=4. Complex 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1;, with a=9.795(4) A, b=9.942(4) A, c=9.126(3) A, alpha=90.32(1) degrees, beta=111.69(1) degrees, gamma=108.67(1) degrees, V=774.5(5) A(3), and Z=1. The structures of 1 and 2 were consistent with the presence of a V(V)(2)O(2) core, to which citrate ligands of differing protonation state were bound in a coordination mode consistent with past observations. Ultimately, the aqueous pH dependent transformations of a series of three dinuclear complexes, 1, 2 and (NH(4))(2)[V(2)O(4)(C(6)H(6)O(7))(2)].2H(2)O (3), all isolated at pH values from 3 to 7.5, were explored and revealed an important interconnection among all species. Collectively, pH emerged as a determining factor of structural attributes in all three complexes, with the adjoining acid-base chemistry unfolding around the stable V(V)(2)O(2) core. The results point to the participation of all three species in aqueous vanadium(V)-citrate speciation, and may relate the site-specific protonations-deprotonations on the dinuclear complexes to potential biological processes involving vanadium(V) and physiological ligand targets.     

Ligational behavior of two biologically active N-S donors toward oxovanadium(IV) ion and potentiation of their antibacterial activities by chelation to metal ions. Part III

Chelating behavior of two biologically active ligands, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (PT) and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-(4-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone (PPT), toward oxovanadium(IV) ion has been studied. The ligands are found to react in the thioketo form (pH 2-4), yielding the complexes [VO(PT)X2](X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-), [VO(PT)(SO4)H2O], [VO(PPT)2X]X (X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-) and [VO(PPT)2SO4]. Reactions of [VO(PT)(SO4)H2O] and [VO(PPT)2X]X (X = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-) with a monodenate Lewis base (B) like pyridine lead to the formation of [VO(PT)(SO4)Py]H2O and [VO(PPT)2py]X2 respectively. Bonding sites of the donor molecules around the oxometal cation have been located. Nature of the EPR spectra and magnetic moment values point to the monomeric character of the complexes and suggest a distorted octahedral donor environment for the oxovanadium(IV) ion. Status of the metal-oxygen multiple bond in all the complexes has been computed in terms of the V-O(1) stretching force constant. The ligands themselves and most of their oxovanadium(IV) complexes are found to exert powerful in vitro antibacterial activities towards E. coli.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and biological study of new organotin(IV), silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes with thioamides

An overview of our work on the synthesis and biological activity of a series of tin(IV), silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes with thioamides is reported. Organotin(IV) complexes of formulae (n-Bu)2Sn(MBZT)2 (1), Me2Sn(CMBZT)(2) (2), {(Ph3Sn)2(MNA) (Me2CO)} (3), Ph3Sn(MBZT) (4), Ph3Sn(MBZO) (5), Ph3Sn(CMBZT) (6), Ph2Sn(CMBZT)2 (7) and (n-Bu)2Sn(CMBZT)2 (8), Me2Sn(PMT)2 (9), (n-Bu)2Sn(PMT)2 (10), Ph2Sn(PMT)2 (11), Ph3Sn(PMT) (12) {where MBZT=2-mercapto-benzothiazole, CMBZT=5-chloro-2-mercapto-benzothiazole, H2MNA=2-mercapto-nicotinic acid, MBZO=2-mercapto-benzoxazole and PMTH=2-mercapto-pyrimidine} were characterized by spectroscopic (NMR, IR, Mossbauer, etc.) and X-ray diffraction techniques and their influence on the peroxidation of oleic acid was studied. They were found to inhibit strongly the peroxidation of linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase. In addition, organotin(IV) complexes were found to exhibit stronger cytotoxic activity in vitro, against leiomyosarcoma cells, than cisplatin. The antiproliferative activity of the organotin complexes studied, against leiomyosarcoma cells follow the same order of LOX activity inhibition. This is, 3>12>7>6 approximately 8 approximately 10>5 approximately 4>2>9. Thus, among organotin(IV)-CMBZT complexes, 7 exhibits higher activity than the others and this is explained by a free radical mechanism, as it is revealed by an EPR study. The results are compared with the corresponding ones found for the silver(I) complexes of formulae complexes {[Ag6(mu3-HMNA)4(mu3-MNA)2](2-).[(Et(3)NH)+]2.(DMSO)2.(H2O)} (13), {[Ag4Cl4(mu3-STHPMH2)4]n} (14), {[Ag6(mu2-Br)6(mu2-STHPMH2)4(mu3-STHPMH2)2]n} (15), {[Ag4(mu2STHPMH2)6](NO3)4}(n) (16), {[AgCl(TPTP)]4} (17), [AgX(TPTP)3] with X=Cl (18), Br (19), I (20) (where STHPMH2=2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidine, TPTP=tri(p-toly)phosphine) and those of antimony(III) complexes {[SbCl2(MBZIM)4](+).Cl(-).2H2O.(CH3OH)} (21), {[SbCl2(MBZIM)4]+.Cl(-).3H2O.(CH3CN)} (22), [SbCl3(MBZIM)2] (23), [SbCl3(EMBZIM)2] (24), [SbCl3(MTZD)2] (25), {[SbCl3(THPMT)2]} (26) and {[Sb(PMT)3].0.5(CH3OH)} (27) (where MBZIM is 2-mercapto-benzimidazole, EMBZIM=5-ethoxy-2-mercapto-benzimidazole and MTZD is 2-mercapto-thiazolidine), which they have characterized with similar techniques as in case of organotin(IV) complexes. Silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes were found to be cytotoxic against various cancer cell lines.     

The systems V<Superscript>IV</Superscript>O<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-glutathione and related ligands: a potentiometric and spectroscopic study

The equilibria in the system V(IV)O(2+)-glutathione in aqueous solution were studied in the pH range 2-11 by a combination of pH-potentiometry and spectroscopy (EPR, visible absorption and circular dichroism). The results of the various methods are consistent and the equilibrium model includes the species MLH(3), MLH(2), MLH, ML(2)H(2), MLH(-1), and MLH(-2) and several hydrolysis products (where H(4)L denotes totally protonated glutathione); individual formation constants and spectra are given. ML(2)H(2) is the predominant species at physiological pH. Plausible structures for each stoichiometry are discussed. The related V(IV)O(2+) systems of S-methylglutathione and gamma- L-glutamyl- L-cysteinyl ethyl ester were studied by means of the same spectroscopic techniques in order to support the established binding modes for the glutathione complexes. The importance of glutathione and oxidized glutathione in binding V(IV)O(2+) in cells is assessed.     

Role of molecular oxygen in lignin peroxidase reactions

Homogeneous lignin peroxidase (diarylpropane oxygenase) oxidized veratryl alcohol to veratryl aldehyde under anaerobic conditions in the presence of either H2O2, m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA), or p-nitroperoxybenzoic acid (pNPBA). Lignin peroxidase also oxidized the 1-(3',4'-diethoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydroxy-(4"-methoxyphenyl)-propane I under anaerobic conditions in the presence of mCPBA to yield 3,4-diethoxybenzaldehyde III and 1-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydroxyethane IV. In contrast to what occurs under aerobic conditions, under anaerobic conditions no 2-hydroxy-1-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-1-oxoethane V was obtained. During the diarylpropane I cleavage under anaerobic conditions, 18O from H2(18)O was incorporated into the alpha-position of the phenylglycol IV. Lignin peroxidase also hydroxylated 1-(4'-ethoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)propane II at the alpha-position to yield 1-(4'-ethoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-1-hydroxypropane VI under anaerobic conditions in the presence of mCPBA. During the phenylpropane II hydroxylation under anaerobic conditions, 18O from H2(18)O was incorporated into the alpha-position of VI. These results are rationalized according to a mechanism involving an initial one-electron oxidation of the diarylpropane I by the lignin peroxidase compound I to form a benzene pi cation radical which undergoes alpha, beta cleavage to produce a benzaldehyde and a C6C2 benzylic radical. The latter is then attacked by O2 to form a hydroperoxy radical which may decompose through a tetroxide to form the phenylglycol IV and phenylketol V. Under anaerobic conditions the C6C2 benzylic radical is probably oxidized to a carbonium ion which would be subsequently attacked by H2O to yield the phenylglycol V.     

Organometallic complexes with biological molecules. XVII. Triorganotin(IV) complexes with amoxicillin and ampicillin

Novel triorganotin(IV) complexes of two beta-lactamic antibiotics, 6-[D-(-)-beta-amino-p-hydroxyphenyl-acetamido]penicillin (=amoxicillin) and 6-[D-(-)-alpha-aminobenzyl]penicillin (=ampicillin), have been synthesized and investigated both in solid and solution states. The complexes corresponded to the general formula R(3)Sn(IV)antib*H(2)O (R=Me, n-Bu, Ph; antib=amox=amoxicillinate or amp=ampicillinate). Structural investigations about configuration in the solid state have been carried out by interpreting experimental IR and 119Sn M?ssbauer data. In particular, IR results suggested polymeric structures both for R(3)Sn(IV)amox.H(2)O and R(3)Sn(IV)amp*H(2)O. Moreover, both antibiotics appear to behave as monoanionic bidentate ligands coordinating the tin(IV) atom through ester-type carboxylate, as well as through the beta-lactamic carbonyl. Evidence that in none of these compounds water molecules were involved in coordination, was provided by thermogravimetric investigations. On the basis of 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopy it can be inferred that tin(IV) was pentacoordinate in all of the complexes in the solid state, showing an equatorial R(3)Sn(IV) trigonal bipyramidal (tbp) configuration. The nature of the complexes in solution state was investigated by using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while an 119Sn spectrum was obtained for n-Bu(3)Sn(IV)amp*H(2)O. Although 1H- and 13C-NMR measurements suggested that in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-d(6) solution the polymeric structure collapsed, due to a solvolysis process of the beta-lactamic carbonyl bonding to the organometallic moiety, the complexes have been shown to maintain the same trigonal bipyramidal configuration at tin(IV) atom by the coordination of a DMSO molecule. Cytotoxic activity of these novel semisynthetic antibiotic derivatives has been tested towards spermatocyte chromosomes of the mussel Brachidontes pharaonis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) using two different chromosome-staining techniques such as Giemsa and CMA(3). The occurrence of typical colchicinized-like (c-like) mitoses on slides obtained from animals exposed to organotin compounds, directly confirmed the high mitotic spindle-inhibiting potency of these chemicals. In addition, by comparative analysis of spermatocyte chromosomes from untreated specimens (negative controls) and specimens treated with the triorganotin(IV) complexes, structural damages such as 'achromatic lesions' and 'chromosome breakages' have been identified.     

Reactions of sulfur-nitrosyl iron complexes of "g=2.03" family with hemoglobin (Hb): kinetics of Hb-NO formation in aqueous solutions.

NO-donating ability of nitrosyl [Fe-S] complexes, namely, mononuclear dinitrosyl complexes of anionic type [Fe(S2O3)2(NO)2]-(I) and neutral [Fe2(SL1)2(NO)2] with L1=1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl (II); tetranitrosyl binuclear neutral complexes [Fe2(SL2)2(NO)4] with L2=5-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl (III); 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5-yl (IV); imidazole-2-yl (V) and 1-methyl-imidazole-2-yl (VI) has been studied. In addition, Roussin's "red salt" Na2[Fe2S2(NO)4] x 8H2O (VII) and Na2[Fe(CN)5NO] x H2O (VIII) have been investigated. The method for research has been based on the formation of Hb-NO adduct upon the interaction of hemoglobin with NO generated by complexes I-VIII in aqueous solutions. Kinetics of NO formation was studied by registration of absorption spectra of the reaction systems containing Hb and the complex under study. For determination of HbNO concentration, the experimental absorption spectra were processed during the reaction using standard program MATHCAD to determine the contribution of individual Hb and HbNO spectra in each spectrum. The reaction rate constants were obtained by analyzing kinetic dependence of Hb interaction with NO donors under study. All kinetic dependences for complexes I-VI were shown to be described well in the frame of formalism of pseudo first-order reactions. The effective first-order rate constants for the studied reactions have been determined. As follows from the values of rate constants, the rate of interaction of sulfur-nitrosyl iron complexes (I-VI) with Hb is limited by the stage of NO release in the solution.     

Model investigations for vanadium-protein interactions: vanadium(III) compounds with dipeptides and their oxovanadium(IV) analogues

The reaction of VCl(3) with 1,10-phenanthroline and a series of dipeptides (H(2)dip), having aliphatic as well as aromatic side chains, in methyl alcohol and in the presence of triethylamine affords vanadium(III) compounds of the general formula [V(III)(dip)(MeOH)(phen)]Cl. Aerial oxidation/hydrolysis of the vanadium(III) species gives their oxovanadium(IV) analogues of the general formula [V(IV)O(dip)(phen)]. X-ray crystallographic characterization of the [V(IV)O(dip)(phen)] compounds (where dip(2-)=Gly- L-Ala, Gly- L-Val and Gly- L-Phe) revealed that the vanadium atom possesses a severely distorted octahedral coordination and is ligated to a tridentate dip(2-) ligand at the N(amine) atom, the deprotonated N(peptide) atom and one of the O(carboxylate) atoms, as well as an oxo group and two phenanthroline nitrogen atoms. Circular dichroism characterization of the V(III)/V(IV)O(2+)-dipeptide compounds revealed a strong signal for the V(IV)O(2+) species in the visible range of the spectrum, with a characteristic pattern which may be exploited to identify the N(am), N(pep) and O(car) ligation of a peptide or a protein to V(IV)O(2+) center, and a weak Cotton effect of opposite sign to their vanadium(III) analogues. The visible spectra of the V(III)-dipeptide compounds revealed two d-d bands with high intensity, thus indicating that the covalency of the metal-donor atoms is significant, i.e. the vanadium d orbitals are significantly mixed with the ligand orbitals, and this is confirmed by the low values of their Racah B parameters. The high-intensity band of the V(IV)O(2+)-dipeptide compounds at approximately 460 nm implies also a strong covalency of the metal with the equatorial donor atoms and this was supported by the EPR spectra of these compounds. Moreover, the V(III)/V(IV)O(2+)-dipeptide complexes were characterized by EPR and IR spectroscopies as well as conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements.