Fluorescence lifetime spectra of in vivo bacteriochlorophyll at room temperature

Fluorescence lifetime spectra of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides chromatophores have been measured at room temperature by phase fluorimetry at 82 MHz in order to investigate the heterogeneity of the emission. The total fluorescence was decomposed into two main components. A constant component, F_c, centered at 865 nm, represents about 50% of the total emission from dark-adapted chromatophores (F_o) and has a lifetime of 0.55 ns. A variable component is centered at 890 nm. Upon closing the reaction centers, 5-fold increases take place in both emission yield and lifetime of this component. In the dark-adapted state, its lifetime is about 50 ps and its contribution to the total fluorescence is 70% at 890 nm. In the presence of sodium dithionite, a long-lifetime component ($\text{τ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{? 4}\text{ns}$) is observed. This probably arises from radical pair recombination between P⁺ and I^? (P, the primary electron donor, is a dimer of bacteriochlorophyll; I, the primary electron acceptor, is a molecule of bacteriopheophytin). Its spectrum is nearly identical to that of the variable component. This emission seems to be present also under nonreducing conditions, although with a much weaker intensity than when the electron acceptor quinone is prereduced.     

Toxic effects of mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) porphyrins on Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth

The effects of free mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) ions and their metalloporphyrin-derivatives on Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth in culture were studied. All experiments were conducted in the dark. IC(50) values on growth obtained in 24-h time-course experiments were 1.5 x 10(-7), 2.4 x 10(-6), 4.4 x 10(-6) and 2.6 x 10(-5) M for mercury(II) porphyrin, cadmium(II) porphyrin, lead(II) porphyrin and free base porphyrin, respectively. While the IC50 values for Hg2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ were 3.6 x 10(-6), 1.5 x 10(-5) and 1.6 x 10(-5) M, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the toxicity of the metalloporphyrin complexes of mercury(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) to T. b. brucei parasites was much higher compared to their free metal ions and free base porphyrin at low concentrations. It was also observed after 8 h incubation that the metalloporphyrins were effective in inhibiting the division of the parasites at concentrations >1.25 x 10(-7) M for mercury(II) porphyrin, concentrations >1.2 x 10(-6) M for cadmium(II) and lead(II) porphyrins and at concentrations >3.6 x 10(-6) M for Hg2+ ion. These observations were not detected in samples treated with the free metal ions and the free base porphyrin at the same concentrations. Interestingly, trypanosomes treated with metalloporphyrin complexes displayed different morphological features from those cells treated with free base porphyrin or metal ions. The chemotherapeutic potential of the metalloporphyrins of H2TMPyP for treatment of African trypanosomiasis is discussed.     

Preparation, characterization and pH-metric measurements of 4-hydroxysalicylidenechitosan Schiff-base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II) and Au(III)

The 4-hydroxysalicylidenechitosan Schiff-base (2CS-Hdhba) was prepared by the condensation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with chitosan, and its metal complexes, [M(2CS-dhba)Cl₂(H₂O)₂] (M(III) = Fe, Ru, Rh), [M′(2CS-dhba)(AcO)(H₂O)₂] (M′(II) = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), [Pd(2CS-dhba)Cl(H₂O)] and [Au(2CS-dhba)Cl₂], are reported. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, by spectral data (FTIR, solid-phase ¹³C NMR, UV–vis and ESR spectroscopy), by morphological observations (SEM and XRD), and by magnetic and thermal measurements. The Schiff base (2CS-Hdhba) behaves as a bidentate chelate with a single negative charge. The azomethine nitrogen and the deprotonated 2-hydroxy centres with the pendant glucosamine hydroxy functionality play no role in coordination. The dissociation constants of 2CS-Hdhba and the stability constants of some of its metal complexes have been determined pH-metrically.     

Interaction of water-soluble Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(III) porphyrins with polynucleotides

The interaction of the Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes of the following six water-soluble cationic porphyrins with calf thymus DNA, poly(dG-dC)2 and poly(dA-dT)2 was studied by UV-visible and resonance Raman spectroscopy: tetrakis(2-N-) and (3-N-methylpyridyl) porphyrin (1, 2); monophenyl-tris(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (4); cis- and trans-diphenyl-bis (4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (5, 6). The binding to nucleic acids was compared with that of tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (3). If the N(+)-CH3 group is moved from the para (3) to the meta position (2), binding of the free porphyrin as well as that of the metal complexes is only gradually modified; thus, the square-planar Cu- and Ni-2 are intercalated at the G-C site whereas Co-2 is groove-bound at A-T. Additionally, Ni-2 is probably also intercalated at the A-T site. When the N(+)-CH3 group is located at ortho position (1), the high rotation barrier of the 2-N-methylpyridyl group prevents intercalation of Cu- and Ni-1, resulting in weak outside binding. At ionic strength mu = 0.2, there is no evidence of significant interaction of Co-1 with any of the polynucleotides. When the charged N-methylpyridyl groups in 3 are subsequently replaced by phenyl groups (4, 5/6), the tendency of the Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes to bind to the outside of the helix or to intercalate only partially increases at the expense of full intercalation. The coulombic attraction remains strong, no significant differences can be detected between 3, 4, 5, and 6. Ni-4 binds to poly(dA-dT)2 in the same complicated manner as Ni-3. The outside-binding in Co-4, -5 and -6 differs slightly from that in Co-2 and Co-3.     

Complex compounds of Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(I) and Hg(II) with tertiary thioamides

Synthesis and chemical and physical characterization of four new complex compounds of thiobenzpyrolidide [1-(pyrolidine)-thiobenzoyl] with Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(I) and Hg(II) are presented. The purposed chemical structure for these complexes is suggested by the elemental chemical analysis, molecular mass measurements, electric conductivities as well as by UV-VIS and IR spectra. The obtained compounds may in principle be used as enzyme inhibitors having a pronounced insecticidal action.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity evaluation of Pt(II), Pd(II), Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes with N-heteroaromatic selenosemicarbazones

Five new complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), Co(III) and Ni(II) with 2-pyridine(quinoline)carboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazones were synthesized and characterized. Crystal structures of Pt(II) complex with the pyridine derivative and Co(III) complex with the quinoline derivative were determined. In all complexes the ligands were coordinated through N₂Se donor atom set forming either square-planar (Pt, Pd) or octahedral (Co, Ni) geometry. All complexes showed biological activity.     

Complex compounds of Pd(II), Pt(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) and Cu(I) with 1-benzylidene-2-phenazinoylhydrazine

Synthesis and physical-chemistry characterization of five new genuine complex compounds of 1-Benzylidine-2-phenazinoylhydrazine with Pd(II), Pt(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) and Cu(I) are presented. The chemical structure for these complexes is suggested by the elemental chemical analysis, molecular mass measurements, electric conductivities as well as by IR and UV-VIS spectra. The metal:ligand molar ratio is found 1:1, the obtained complexes belonging to the square planar geometry D4h.     

Intensity of cooperative vibronic transitions in the Eu(III), Gd(III) and Tb(III) formates spectra

The luminescence and absorption spectra of the lanthanide ions in solids and coordination compounds are characterized by sharp pure electronic lines, which are accompanied by much weaker lines of vibronic transitions. The vibronic spectroscopy is a good probing tool for investigations of the properties of surrounding ion ligands. The lanthanides formates are efficient luminescent crystals and can be viewed as the elementary type in the whole class of the oxygen-containing lanthanide coordination compounds. The intensity of vibronic transitions in spectra of luminescence and excitation europium (⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ⁷F₀→⁵D₂), terbium (⁷F₆→⁵D₄), gadolinium (⁶P_7/2→⁸S_7/2) in anhydrous formates of the type Ln(HCOO)₃ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd) and Y(HCOO)₃.2H₂O doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ (C ~1 mol%) are reported. Also, the infrared and Raman spectra were obtained for the same compounds. Related integral intensity vibronic sidebands depend on the type of electronic transition of the same ion and varies for the same electronic transitions in different crystals. The obtained experimental data referring to the rate constants of vibronic transitions and intensity distribution in vibronic spectra on normal vibrations of the formate groups are in agreement with the predictions based on the Stavola–Dexter theory of cooperative vibronic transitions.     

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with aromatic diamines: study of their interaction with DNA

Pd(II) and Pt(II) new complexes with simple aromatic diamines were synthesised and characterised with the aim of studying their possible antitumour activity. The aromatic diamines chosen were 2,3-diaminotoluene (2,3 dat), 3,4-diaminotoluene (3,4 dat), 4,5-diaminoxylene (4,5 dax) and 2,3-diaminophenol (2,3 dap). The complexes, of formulae cis-[MCl(2)(diamine)], were characterised by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, 1H, 13C(1H) and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure was also resolved for the palladium complexes with 2,3-diaminotoluene and 4,5-diaminoxylene. The DNA adduct formation of the eight new complexes synthesised was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the complexes on plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the four platinum complexes against the cisplatin resistant tumour cell line A2780cisR.     

Synchrotron excitation of DNA fluorescence. Decay time evidence for excimer emission at room temperature

The first lifetime measurements of DNA fluorescence are reported. Natural and synthetic DNA have been excited by 1.76 ns pulses of synchrotron ultraviolet radiation (270 nm) and the time profile of the fluorescence has been measured by synchronous single-photon counting. A post-pulse exponentially decaying emission has been observed with a lifetime of 2.9 +/- 0.4 ns for calf thymus DNA and 3.0 +/- 0.3 ns for poly(dA-T); this is most likely an excimer fluorescence.     

Rich spectroscopic and molecular dynamic studies on the interaction of cytotoxic Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of glycine derivatives with calf thymus DNA

Some amino acid derivatives, such as R-glycine, have been synthesized together with their full spectroscopic characterization. The sodium salts of these bidentate amino acid ligands have been interacted with [M(bpy)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ giving the corresponding some new complexes with formula [M(bpy)(R-gly)]NO₃ (where M is Pt(II) or Pd(II), bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine and R-gly is butyl-, hexyl- and octyl-glycine). Due to less solubility of octyl derivatives, the biological activities of butyl and hexyl derivatives have been tested against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562. The interaction of these complexes with highly polymerized calf thymus DNA has been extensively studied by means of electronic absorption, fluorescence and other measurements. The experimental results suggest that these complexes positive cooperatively bind to DNA presumably via groove binding. Molecular dynamic results show that the DNA structure is largely maintained its native structure in hexylglycine derivative–water mixtures and at lower temperatures. The simulation data indicates that the more destabilizing effect of butylglycine is induced by preferential accumulation of these molecules around the DNA and due to their more negative free energy of binding via groove binding.     

Complexes of d(+)-biotin with Pd(II) and Pt(II)

The reactions of d(+)-biotin with K₂MX₄, where M = Pd(II) or Pt(II) and X = Cl or Br have been studied in acidic, neutral or alkaline aqueous solutions. Complexes of the type trans-M(Bio)₂X₂ have been isolated for both metals and characterized with elemental analyses, conductivity measurments, ir spectra, ¹Hnmr and ¹³Cnmr spectra. The complex of the type [Pd(Bio)Cl₂]₂ has also been isolated from DMF solutions. The results indicate that d(+)-biotin coordinates exclusively through its sulfur atom with these metals in all the complexes in the present study, in the solid state or in solution.     

Potential new inorganic antitumour agents from combining the anticancer traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) matrine with Ga(III), Au(III), Sn(IV) ions, and DNA binding studies

Three new compounds of Ga(III), Au(III), Sn(IV) with matrine (MT), [H-MT][GaCl₄] (), [H-MT][AuCl₄] () and [Sn(H-MT)Cl₅] (), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal structural analyses indicate that 1 and 2 are ionic compounds, whereas 3 is a tin(IV) complex formed by the monodentate MT via its carbonyl oxygen atom of MT coordinating to Sn(IV). Their in vitro cytotoxicity towards eight selected tumour cell lines has been evaluated by MTT (3-[4,5-Dimentylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenpyltetra-zolium bromide) method, and compounds 1 and 2 exhibit enhanced activity, such as 1 to SW480, 2 to HeLa, HepG2 and MCF-7, which exceeds matrine and cisplatin, and display synergistic contribution of their components. The cell cycle analyses show that compounds 1, 3 and MT exhibit cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M phase. Interactions of these compounds with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) have been investigated by spectroscopic analyses. The planar extension of the intercalative metal-matrine compounds increases the interaction of the metal-matrine with DNA, indicating that the cationic metal ions and configuration of the intercalated metal-matrine will affect the extent of interaction. Compound 2, [H-MT][AuCl₄], exhibits more intensive binding ability to DNA, which may correlate with intercalation and other action mode. The circular dichroism spectra of the ct-DNA bound with metal-MT compounds also suggest that ct-DNA interacted with 1, 2, 3 does not influence its secondary structure. Furthermore, both compounds 1 and 2 exhibit effective inhibition ability to topoisomerase (TOPO I) at concentration of 50 μM, while matrine and compound 3 do not.     

Computational molecular characterization of the flavonoid Morin and its Pt(II), Pd(II) and Zn(II) complexes

In this work, we make use of a model chemistry within density functional theory (DFT) recently presented, which is called M05-2X, to calculate the molecular structure of the flavonoid Morin and its Pt(II), Pd(II) and Zn(II) complexes, as well to predict their IR and UV-Vis spectra, the dipole moment and polarizability, the free energy of solvation in different solvents as an indication of solubility, the HOMO and LUMO orbitals, and the chemical reactivity parameters that arise from Conceptual DFT. The calculated values are compared with the available experimental data for these molecules.     

Chiral and achiral macrocyclic copper(II) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and comparative binding studies with calf-thymus DNA

The new chiral macrocyclic complexes [1,2-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-1-(1,8-dihydro-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane)-2-hydroxyethanolate] copper(II) and -nickel(II) perchlorate, 3 and 4, respectively, were synthesized by the reaction of 1,2-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diol (L) and (1,8-dihydro-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane)copper(II) and -nickel(II) diperchlorate complexes, 1 and 2, respectively. All complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Molar-conductance measurements showed that all of the complexes are ionic in nature. In complexes 3 and 4, the metal center is encapsulated by the ligand L in a pentacoordinated environment. The optical-rotation values ([alpha](D)) of 3 and 4 at 25 degrees indicate that the complexes are chiral. Absorption- and fluorescence-spectral studies, cyclic voltammetry, and viscosity measurements have been carried out to assess the comparative binding of complexes 1 and 3 with calf thymus (CT)-DNA. Analysis of the results suggests that the new chiral complex 3 binds to CT-DNA through a partial intercalation mode that is different from the binding mode of parent achiral complex 1. The complexes 1 and 3 bind to CT-DNA with binding constants K(b) of 2.7 x 10(4) and 6.6 x 10(4) M(-1), respectively. Circular-dichroism (CD) studies have been further employed to ascertain the binding mode of complex 3, which is consistent with the other spectral studies.     

Biomimetic zinc(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolate and imidazole ligands - Structural and spectroscopic studies

New, heteroleptic zinc and cobalt complexes with tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolate and imidazole co-ligands are characterized by crystal structure studies. The ligands exhibit different coordination modes to Co(II) ions: NOS₂ (with methanol as O-donor ligand) in 2′, NO₂S₂ in 2′′, N₂S₂ in 1, and to Zn(II) ions: N₂S₂ in 3 and N₃S in 4. Complex 2′ is a structural analog of cobalt-substituted active site of alcohol dehydrogenase. All four-coordinate Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have tetrahedral geometry. Solution and solid state electronic spectra of cobalt(II) complexes are discussed and compared to literature data available for the cobalt-substituted liver alcohol dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase. The EPR spectra of all cobalt complexes exhibit at 77 K a characteristic broad signal with g ∼3.6 and 5.6, strongly indicating a high-spin state, S = 3/2, of Co(II) complexes.     

Platinum(II) and copper(I) 1-(2-diphenylphosphino-1-naphthyl) isoquinoline complexes: Synthesis and phosphorescence at ambient conditions

The compounds Pt(quinap)(CN)₂, and [Cu(quinap)I]₂ with quinap = 1-(2-diphenylphosphino-1-naphthyl)isoquinoline were synthesized. Quinap is a bidentate ligand which contains a isoquinoline and an arylphosphine group with CT acceptor properties. Accordingly, the Pt(II) and Cu(I) quinap complexes are characterized by a phosphorescence originating from the lowest-energy MLCT triplets with some IL admixture.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA interaction,and cytotoxicity of novel Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes

Four complexes [Pd(L)(bipy)Cl]·4H₂O (1), [Pd(L)(phen)Cl]·4H₂O (2), [Pt(L)(bipy)Cl]·4H₂O (3), and [Pt(L)(phen)Cl]·4H₂O (4), where L = quinolinic acid, bipy = 2,2’-bipyridyl, and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, have been synthesized and characterized using IR, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The binding of the complexes to FS-DNA was investigated by electronic absorption titration and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that the complexes bind to FS-DNA in an intercalative mode and the intrinsic binding constants K of the title complexes with FS-DNA are about 3.5?×?10⁴ M^?1, 3.9?×?10⁴ M^?1, 6.1?×?10⁴ M^?1, and 1.4?×?10⁵ M^?1, respectively. Also, the four complexes bind to DNA with different binding affinities, in descending order: complex 4, complex 3, complex 2, complex 1. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the Pt(II) complexes to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA.     

Spectral and thermodynamic properties of Ag(I), Au(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), U(IV), and Zn(II) binding by methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methanobactin (mb) is a novel chromopeptide that appears to function as the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system in methanotrophic bacteria. To examine this potential physiological role, and to distinguish it from iron binding siderophores, the spectral (UV–visible absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron) and thermodynamic properties of metal binding by mb were examined. In the absence of Cu(II) or Cu(I), mb will bind Ag(I), Au(III), Co(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), U(VI), or Zn(II), but not Ba(II), Ca(II), La(II), Mg(II), and Sr(II). The results suggest metals such as Ag(I), Au(III), Hg(II), Pb(II) and possibly U(VI) are bound by a mechanism similar to Cu, whereas the coordination of Co(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) by mb differs from Cu(II). Consistent with its role as a copper-binding compound or chalkophore, the binding constants of all the metals examined were less than those observed with Cu(II) and copper displaced other metals except Ag(I) and Au(III) bound to mb. However, the binding of different metals by mb suggests that methanotrophic activity also may play a role in either the solubilization or immobilization of many metals in situ.