Synthesis and characterization of glucosyl-curcuminoids as Fe3+ suppliers in the treatment of iron deficiency

The Fe³⁺ chelating ability of some curcumin glucosyl derivatives (Glc-H; Glc-OH; Glc-OCH₃) is tested by means of UV and NMR study. The pK _a values of the ligands and the overall stability constants of Fe³⁺ and Ga³⁺ complexes are evaluated from UV spectra. The only metal binding site of the ligand is the β-diketo moiety in the keto-enolic form; the glucosyl moiety does not interact with metal ion but it contributes to the stability of metal/ligand 1:2 complexes by means of hydrophilic interactions. These glucosyl derivatives are able to bind Fe³⁺ in a wide pH rage, forming complex species thermodynamically more stable than those of other ligands commonly used in the treatment of iron deficiency. In addition they demonstrate to have a poor affinity for competitive biological metal ions such as Ca²⁺. All ligands and their iron complexes have a good lypophilicity (log P > −0.7) suggesting an efficient gastrointestinal absorption in view of their possible use as iron supplements in oral therapy. The ligand molecules are also tested for their antioxidant properties in “ex vivo” biological system.     

Exchange of isonitrile ligands in the complex [Mo(O)Cl(CNMe)4] by the tetraphos ligand prP4: Stereochemical influences on the reaction course

Reaction of [Mo(O)Cl(CNMe)₄]⁺ with the linear tetraphos ligand meso and rac prP₄ leads to a mixture of [Mo(O)Cl(κ⁴-meso-prP₄)]⁺ and [Mo(O)Cl(CNMe)(κ³-rac-prP₄)]⁺ which are identified by X-ray structural analysis and/or ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. In the meso κ⁴-product both of the phenyl groups of the central phosphorus atoms are oriented towards the oxo ligand whereas in the rac κ³-product one of these phenyl groups is oriented to the oxo and the other to the chloro ligand. The origin of the different coordination modes lies in the different steric demands of the oxo and chloro ligands. The influences of the steric interactions are enhanced by the fact that exchange of the fourth isonitrile is difficult. This hypothesis is supported by the preparation of the complex [Mo(O)Cl(CNMe)(dpepp)]PF₆ whose isonitrile ligand is inert towards exchange by monophosphines, even under drastic conditions.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of the phenyl/scorpionate hybrid ligand [Ph(pz)BC5H10]

The new phenyl/scorpionate hybrid ligand [Ph(pz)BC₅H₁₀]⁻ has been synthesised and structurally characterised as K⁺ and Tl⁺ salt. The ligand is specifically designed to create half-sandwich complexes in which the metal ion is chelated by the π-electron system of the phenyl ring and by the electron lone pair of the pyrazolyl nitrogen atom. This structural motif is established both by K[Ph(pz)BC₅H₁₀] and by Tl[Ph(pz)BC₅H₁₀].     

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a polymeric copper(II) complex containing the novel ligand 4,4-(1,4-phenylene)bis[3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole]

The synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the complex {[Cu^II(Ph₂PBPT)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ · 2DMF}_∞ where Ph₂PBPT=4,4^′-(1,4-phenylene)bis[3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole], bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine and DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide are reported. In this one-dimensional coordination polymer the Cu²⁺ ions are in a distorted octahedral N₆ coordination environment made up of two Ph₂PBPT molecules, each chelating via one pyridine and one triazole nitrogen, and one bpy co-ligand. Within the zig-zag chain thus formed the shortest distance between two metal centres across the Ph₂PBPT ligand is 13.305(3) Å while it is 10.009(3) Å between two chains. This complex represents the first structurally characterised example of a coordination compound incorporating a chelating 4,4^′-bis(4H-1,2,4-triazole) as a ligand.     

A non-symmetrical compartmental ligand derived from acetazolamide and its mononuclear cobalt(III) complex with an empty outer compartment

The Schiff base, non-symmetrical, compartmental ligand N-[5-(2-{[2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl-methylidene]-amino}-phenyl-sulfamoyl)-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-acetamide (H₃L) has been prepared by condensation of the acetazolamide derivative N-[5-(2-amino-phenylsulfamoyl)-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-acetamide (3) with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde. The complexation of H₃L with cobalt(II) chloride in pyridine under aerobic conditions yielded [Co^III(HL)(py)₂][Co^II(py)Cl₃] · CH₃CH₂OH (4). The single crystal X-ray structures of H₃L and 4 are reported. In the mononuclear cation [Co^III(HL)(py)₂]⁺ of 4 the octahedral cobalt(III) ion is bound at the inner, metal ion binding site, and the larger, empty, outer metal binding site is partly occupied by the hydrogen-bonded ethanol molecule of crystallisation.     

Monoporphyrinate neodymium (III) complexes stabilized by tripodal ligand: synthesis, characterization and luminescence

A series of monoporphyrinate neodymium (III) complexes stabilized by anionic tripodal ligand (cyclopentadienyl)tris(dimethylphosphito)cobaltate(I) were prepared and characterized by IR, ESI-HRMS, UV-Vis and X-ray diffraction studies. Structural analyses revealed that the Nd³⁺ ion was seven-coordinate, surrounded by four nitrogen atoms from the porphyrinate dianion and three oxygen atoms from the anionic tripodal ligand. Photoluminescence studies showed that the porphyrinate dianion acting as a sensitizer absorbed the light and transferred the energy to the Nd³⁺ center, which then allowed the metal ion to emit efficiently at 885 and 1071 nm. The luminescent intensity of the complexes increases when there are strong electronic donating groups on the porphyrin rings but decreases with increasing polarity of the solvents.     

Chelating and bridging bis(diphenylphosphino)aniline complexes of copper(I)

The ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)aniline (dppan) has been shown to be a versatile ligand sporting different coordination modes and geometries as dictated by copper(I) and the counter ion. The molecular structures of its Cu(I) complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The ligand was found in a chelating mode and monomeric complexes were formed when the ligand to copper ratio was 2:1 and the anion was non-coordinating. However, with thiocyanate as the counter anion, the ligand was found to adopt two different modes, with one ligand chelating and the other acting as a monodentate ligand. With CuX (X = Cl, Br), dppan formed a tetrameric complex when the ligand and metal were reacted in the ratio of 1:1. But reactions containing ligand and metal in the ratios of 1:2 or 2:1, resulted in the formation of a mixture of species in solution. Crystallization however, led to the isolation of the tetrameric complex. Variable temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra of the isolated tetramers did not show the presence of chelated structures in solution. Tetra-alkylammonium salts were added to solutions of various complexes of dppan and studied by ³¹P{¹H} NMR to probe the effect of anions on the stability of complexes in solution. The Cu-dppan complexes were robust and did not interconvert with other structures in solution unlike the bis(diphenylphosphino)isopropylamine complexes.     

Studies on the structure and properties of nickel complexes in a set of amide-based 13-membered macrocyclic ligands

This work reports a systematic investigation to understand the structural, spectroscopic and redox properties of Ni(II) ion in a set of 13-membered amide-based macrocyclic ligands. Four macrocyclic ligands containing e⁻-donating/withdrawing substituents and their Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Structural analysis shows that the macrocyclic ligands create a square-planar environment and nicely accommodate the Ni(II) ion. Electrochemical results suggest that the complexes are capable of undergoing metal-centered oxidation. The electron-donating substituents on ligand lowers the redox potentials and better stabilizes the +3 oxidation state of metal. The electrochemically generated Ni^III species are shown to have rich spectroscopic features. For majority of complexes, the oxidized species are concluded to be Ni^III by their anisotropic EPR spectra typical for Ni^III ion in square-planar geometry. The absorption and EPR spectra for nickel complex bearing an -OMe group on the ligand; however, suggest a Ni(II) complex with a ligand-based radical.     

Preparation and structural characterization of group 1 metal complexes containing a chelating biphenolato phosphine ligand

The coordination chemistry of a potentially tridentate, dianionic biphenolato phosphine ligand with respect to group 1 metals is described. Deprotonation of bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)phenylphosphine (H₂[OPO]) with two equivalents of n-BuLi, NaH, or KH in dimethoxyethane (DME) solutions produces the corresponding dinuclear alkali metal complexes [OPO]M₂(DME)₂ (M = Li, Na, K). The X-ray structure of [OPO]Li₂(DME)₂ reveals that the two lithium atoms are bridged by both phenolato oxygen donors with only one lithium being coordinated to the phosphorus donor. Consistently, variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} and ⁷Li{¹H} NMR spectroscopic studies elucidate the coordination of the phosphorus donor in [OPO]Li₂(DME)₂ to one of the lithium atoms in solution. Interestingly, an X-ray diffraction study of the potassium complex indicates a dimeric structure with S₂ symmetry for this species in which the four potassium atoms are bridged by both phosphorus and oxygen donors of the biphenolato phosphine ligands. These alkali metal complexes are active initiators for catalytic ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.     

Synthesis and structure of copper(II) complexes of two new poly(2-pyridylalkyl)diamine ligands

The new pentapyridyldiamine ligand, L¹, which incorporates two bis(2-pyridylethyl)amine donor domains held together by a 2,6-dimethylenepyridine linker, is readily prepared. In the presence of metal salts, L¹ is unstable due to facile elimination of vinyl pyridine. Complexes of L¹ are therefore difficult to isolate. Nonetheless, a novel copper dimer [Cu₂(L¹)(μ-OH)(CH₃CN)](ClO₄)₃ has been isolated in small quantities along with the interesting monomer [Cu(L²)](ClO₄)₂, in which L² is the tetrapyridyldiamine ligand derived from the decomposition of L¹ by loss of one pyridylethyl `arm'. The crystal structures of the two complexes are reported: the [Cu<sub>2</sub>(L<sup>1</sup>)(μ-OH)(CH<sub>3</sub>CN)]<sup>2+</sup> cation exhibits a μ-hydroxo-bridged dicopper(II) core and a coordinated acetonitrile molecule, akin to a putative intermediate in nitrile hydrolysis, and the chiral [Cu(L<sup>2</sup>)]<sup>2+</sup> cation is revealed to have a five-coordinate copper(II) centre that is stabilised by an intramolecular hydrogen-bond between the 2° amine group and a pendant pyridylethyl `arm'.     

Mononuclear nickel and copper complexes with indolecarboxamide ligands: Synthesis, properties and electrochemistry

Few nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes have been prepared with three new indolecarboxamide ligands (H₄L³, H₄L⁴ and H₄L⁵) offering two N_amide and two N_indole donor sites to the metal center. The ligands carry electron-donating (-CH₃); -H; and electron-withdrawing (-Cl) substituents on the phenylene backbone to evaluate their effect on the structure and redox properties of the metal complexes. One of the representative nickel complexes has been structurally characterized and reveals that the ligand create a distorted square-planar geometry around the metal center. The electrochemical results suggest that the Ni^3+/2+ and Cu^3+/2+ redox couple primarily depends on the tetra-anionic N₄ donors; however, the electronic substituents shift the redox potentials by 285 mV. The observed M^3+/2+ redox potentials (0.007-0.30 V versus SCE) for these complexes are considerably on lower side due to strong σ-donation from the tetra-deprotonated form of the indolecarboxamide ligands. Based on the redox investigations, the transient M³⁺ species were generated electrochemically and characterized by the absorption spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic investigations of four-coordinate nickel complexes supported by a strongly donating scorpionate ligand

Two four-coordinate nickel complexes, HB(^tBuIm)₃NiBr and HB(^tBuIm)₃NiNO, were prepared by reaction of a bulky tris(carbene)borate ligand with NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂ and NiBr(NO)(PPh₃)₂, respectively, and structurally and spectroscopically characterized. In addition to standard techniques, high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) was employed to understand the spin triplet (S = 1) ground state of the bromo complex. HFEPR, combined with electronic absorption spectroscopy allows comparison of this novel complex with other paramagnetic four-coordinate Ni(II) species. The tris(carbene)borate ligand is a stronger σ-donor than corresponding tris(pyrazolyl)borates (traditional “scorpionate” ligands). The tris(carbene)borate ligand may also act as a π-acceptor, in contrast to tris(pyrazolyl)borates, which show relatively little π-bonding interactions. The influence of tris(carbene)borate substituents on the donor strength of the ligand have been elucidated from IR spectroscopic investigations of {NiNO}¹⁰ derivatives. HFEPR spectra of HB(^tBuIm)₃NiBr exhibit hyperfine coupling from Br, which indicates the strong electronic interaction between Ni(II) and this halide ligand, consistent with studies on tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ni(II) complexes.     

Template-directed synthesis of oligoguanylates in the presence of metal ions

We have studied the condensation reaction of ImpG² on a poly(C) template, in the presence of various metal ions. With Mg²⁺ as co-catalyst we confirmed that Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ are effective catalysts. A catalytic effect was also observed for Bi³⁺, Sb³⁺ and Mn²⁺. Bi³⁺ and Sn²⁺, like Pb²⁺, favored the formation of 2′-5′ linkages. With Mn²⁺ a rather complex mixture of oligomers is formed, some of which contain pyrophosphate linkages. None of the metal ions investigated behaved like Zn²⁺ in favoring the formation of the naturally occurring 3′-5′ linkages.     

Carbonylmolybdenum complexes with di(imino)pyridine and related ligands: Reduction of a di(imino)pyridine to an aminoiminopyridine system under mild conditions

The reactions of [Mo(CO)₆] towards a 2,6-di(imino)pyridine L¹ and related ligands were studied. The reaction with L¹ afforded two new complexes, [Mo(CO)₄L¹] (1) and [Mo(CO)₄L²] (2), where L² is the 2-amino-6-iminopyridine ligand arising from the hydrogenation of one imine function of L¹; similar reaction with a 2-acetyl-6-iminopyridine ligand L³ afforded [Mo(CO)₄L³] (3). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 have been fully characterised by IR, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography; they present a metal ion in a pseudo-octahedral environment, the three organic ligands acting with bidentate N₂ coordination modes. One of the imine functions in 1, the amine function in 2, and the ketone function in 3 are uncoordinated.     

Cyclic and acyclic compartmental Schiff bases, their reduced analogues and related mononuclear and heterodinuclear complexes

[1+1] macrocyclic and [1+2] macroacyclic compartmental ligands (H₂L), containing one N₂O₂, N₃O₂, N₂O₃, N₄O₂ or O₂N₂O₂ Schiff base site and one O₂O_n (n=3, 4) crown-ether like site, have been prepared by self-condensation of the appropriate formyl- and amine precursors. The template procedure in the presence of sodium ion afforded Na₂(L) or Na(HL) · nH₂O. When reacted with the appropriate transition metal acetate hydrate, H₂L form M(L) · nH₂O, M(HL)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O, M(H₂L)(X)₂ · nH₂O (M=Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺; X=CH₃COO⁻, Cl⁻) or Mn(L)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O according to the experimental conditions used. The same complexes have been prepared by condensation of the appropriate precursors in the presence of the desired metal ion. The Schiff bases H₂L have been reduced by NaBH₄ to the related polyamine derivatives H₂R, which form, when reacted with the appropriate metal ions, M(H₂R)(X)₂ (M= Co²⁺, Ni²⁺; X=CH₃COO⁻, Cl⁻), Cu(R) · nH₂O and Mn(R)(CH₃COO) · nH₂O. The prepared ligands and related complexes have been characterized by IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. The [1+1] cyclic nature of the macrocyclic polyamine systems and the site occupancy of sodium ion have been ascertained, at least for the sodium (I) complex with the macrocyclic ligand containing one N₃O₂ Schiff base and one O₂O₃ crown-ether like coordination chamber, by an X-ray structural determination. In this complex the asymmetric unit consists of one cyclic molecule of the ligand coordinated to a sodium ion by the five oxygen atoms of the ligand. The coordination geometry of the sodium ion can be described as a pentagonal pyramid with the metal ion occupying the vertex. In the mononuclear complexes with H₂L or H₂R the transition metal ion invariantly occupies the Schiff base site; the sodium ion, on the contrary, prefers the crown-ether like site. Accordingly, the heterodinuclear complexes [MNa(L)(CH₃COO)_x] (M=Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni², x=1; M=Mn³⁺, x=2) have been synthesised by reacting the appropriate formyl and amine precursors in the presence of M(CH₃COO)_n · nH₂O and NaOH in a 1:1:1:2 molar ratio. The reaction of the mononuclear transition metal complexes with Na(CH₃COO) · nH₂O gives rise to the same heterodinuclear complexes. Similarly [MNa(R)(CH₃COO)_x] have been prepared by reaction of the appropriate polyamine ligand H₂R with the desired metal acetate hydrate and NaOH in 1:1:2 molar ratio.     

Synthesis, structures and properties of alkaline earth metal benzene-1,4-dioxylacetates with three-dimensional hybrid networks

Three novel alkaline earth metal benzene-1,4-dioxylacetates M(L)H₂O (M = Ca, Sr or Ba, L = benzene-1,4-dioxylacetate) with three-dimensional (3D) hybrid frameworks were reported. Both Ca(L)H₂O (1) and Sr(L)H₂O (2) crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c while Ba(L)H₂O (3) in the monoclinic space group P2₁. As determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis, in these compounds each metal ion is coordinated by eight O atoms: four from different carboxylate groups, two from one carboxylate group, one from the ether oxygen and one from one water molecule. Each L²⁻ ligand coordinates to five alkaline earth metal centers through one of its ether oxygen atoms and two carboxylate groups adopting novel μ₃-η²:η²-bridging and μ₂-η¹:η¹-bridging coordination modes to give rise to a 3D network. The luminescence analysis shows that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Luminescent complexes of the zinc triad with N-substituted 8-amino-quinoline ligands: Synthesis and comparative study on the stability constants and related photophysical properties

The potentially fluorescent terdentate ligand bis-quinolin-8-yl-amine (BQAH) yields the bis-chelate complexes [M(BQAH)₂](ClO₄)₂ (M = Zn, Cd, Hg) and the mono-chelate [M(BQAH)Cl₂] (M = Zn, Cd). The aminic proton of the coordinated BQAH displays a remarkable acidity. Thus, in polar solvents (CH₃CN and methanol) the formation of the deprotonated derivatives [M(BQA)₂] and [M(BQA)Cl] is observed whose absorption and fluorescent spectra are identical with those of independently synthesized complexes (M = Zn). The affinity of the ligand BQAH with the metals of the zinc triad was studied in CH₃CN; the stability constants related to the complex [M(BQAH)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ (β₁) and [M(BQAH)₂]²⁺ (β₂) were determined and compared with those calculated in the case of the ligand 8-[(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-quinoline (NNN(Qui)) in the same solvent. Owing to the enhanced rigidity of the ligand BQAH, a marked selectivity in coordinating the Zn²⁺ cation with respect to the larger Cd²⁺ was apparent. In the case of mercury, the equilibrium constant value was also confirmed by means of ¹H NMR technique. The low lying excited state of the BQAH and NNN(Qui) systems is ligand centered and fluo-solvato-chromism analysis reveals that in protic solvents an inter-molecular hydrogen bond between the aminic proton in the excited state and the solvent itself efficiently quenches the fluorescent signal. Coordination with metals induces a hypsochromic displacement of the absorbance maxima measured in CH₂Cl₂ with respect to those of the free ligands. On the contrary in CH₃OH the complete deprotonation of the coordinated BQAH induces a bathochromic displacement of the absorption maxima at 480 nm. In CH₃OH the fluorescent emissions of the mono- and bis-chelate deprotonated BQA⁻ complexes at ≈600 nm display a very low quantum yield and a reduced Stokes shift as compared with that of the protonated species. Such an increase can be related to the enhanced rigidity of the deprotonated ligand inducing a tight coplanarity of the aromatic rings in the first excited state. Eventually the metal coordination, while reducing the energy of the fluorescent emission of both ligands in CH₂Cl₂, does not inhibit the non radiative relaxation pathways in the BQAH system.     

Syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties of silver(I) complexes with in situ generated hexahydropyrimidine derivatives

Two new linear and V-shaped tetradentate ligands, namely 1,4-bis(2-hexahydropyrimidyl)benzene (L) and 1,3-bis(2-hexahydropyrimidyl)benzene (L^′), and their silver(I) complexes, [Ag₂L(μ-ONO₂)](NO₃) · 2H₂O (1), [Ag₂L(μ-pn)](NO₃)₂ (2), [Ag₂L(μ-pn)](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Ag₄L^′₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₄ · 5H₂O (4) (pn=1,3-diaminopropane) have been synthesized in situ and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 were obtained from the same reaction solution but different crystallization conditions. 1 is an one-dimensional chain featuring cuboid tetranuclear silver(I) units interconnected through monoatomic nitrate bridges. Both 2 and 3 are ribbon-like helical compounds in which each L ligand acts in a tetradentate bridging mode to interconnect four metal atoms, and each pn ligand functions in a bidentate bridging mode to link a pair of metal atoms. 4 shows a truncated square-pyramidal tetranuclear motif arose by the V-shaped L^′ ligand. Close Ag?Ag separations (2.901-2.939 Å) assisted by bis(hexahydropyrimidine) bridges were observed in 1 and 4, indicating metal-metal interactions. Photoluminescence of 1-4 has also been observed in the solid state and solution at room temperature and low temperature, respectively.     

Synthesis and structures of dimeric iron(III)-Oxo and -imido complexes containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonding networks proximal to metal centers are emerging as a viable means for controlling secondary coordination spheres. This has led to the regulation of reactivity and isolation of complexes with new structural motifs. We have used the tridenate ligand bis[(N′-tert-butylureido)-N-ethyl]-N-methylaminato ([H₂1]²⁻) that contains two hydrogen bond donors to examine the oxidation of the Fe^II-acetate complex, [Fe^IIH₂1(η²-OAc)]⁻ with dioxygen, amine N-oxides, and xylyl azide. A complex with Fe^III-O-Fe^III core results from the oxidation with dioxygen and amine N-oxides, in which the oxo ligand is involved in hydrogen bonding to the [H₂1]²⁻ ligand. A distinctly different hydrogen bonding network was found in Fe^III dimer isolated from the reaction with the xylyl azide: a rare Fe^III-N(R)-Fe^III core was observed that does not have hydrogen bonds to the bridging nitrogen atom. The intramolecular H-bond networks within these dimers appear to adjust to the presence of the bridging species and rearrange to its size and electron density.     

New homoleptic tris(diphosphanylamido) complexes of the lanthanides - synthesis and structure

New homoleptic diphosphanylamido compounds of the lanthanides, [Ln{N(PPh₂)₂}₃] (Ln = Sm, Gd, Dy), were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state and partly by NMR in solution. In the solid state the complexes solely show a η²-coordination of the {(Ph₂P)₂N}⁻ ligand. The dependence of the Ln-N and the Ln-P bond distance on the ion radius of the center metal was investigated.