Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of mixed ligand tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen)2L]

A series of new heteroleptic, tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen)₂L]³⁺ (L = substituted phenanthrolines or bipyridines), has been prepared and characterized, and their photophyical properties in a number of solvents have been investigated. X-ray crystallography measurements confirmed that the cationic (3+) units contain only one ligand L plus two phenanthroline ligands. Electrochemical and photophysical data showed that both ground state potentials and lifetime decays are sensitive to ligand structure and the nature of the solvent with the exception of compounds containing L = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline (aphen) and 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm). Addition of electron-donating groups in the ligand structure shifts redox potentials to more negative values than those observed for the parent compound, [Cr(phen)₃]³⁺. Emission decays show a complex dependence with the solvent. The longest lifetime was observed for [Cr(phen)₂(dip)]³⁺ (dip = 4,7-diphenylphenanthroline) in air-free aqueous solutions, τ = 273 μs. Solvent effects are explained in terms of the affinity of hydrophobic complexes for non-polar solvent molecules and the solvent microstructure surrounding chromium units.     

Synthesis and structure of heteroleptic ytterbium (II) tetrahydroborate complexes

The synthesis and characterization of (Tp^tBu,Me)Yb(BH₄)(THF)_n (n = 0, 3; n = 1, 4) complexes are reported. The compounds represent rare examples of lanthanide (II) tetrahydroborate complexes. The X-ray crystal structure of complex 4 has been determined and it shows a monomeric, formally seven coordinate ytterbium center, bearing one κ³ bonded Tp^tBu,Me ligand, a tetrahydroborate ligand and a coordinated THF molecule. The tetrahydroborate ligand binds in a κ³ fashion, via three bridging hydrogen atoms. IR spectroscopy data are consistent with the solid-state structure and the corresponding BD₄ analog of 4 shows the expected IR isotope shifts. The ¹H NMR spectra of 3 and 4 shows one set of resonances each for the BH₄ and the pyrazolylborate ligands indicating dynamic solution behavior. For complex 3, although X-ray quality crystals could not be obtained, the IR and NMR data are consistent with its formulation as the solvent-free analog of complex 4 with κ³-bonded BH₄ ligand.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures and properties of complex salts and sterically crowded heteroleptic complexes of group 10 metal ions with aromatic sulfonyl dithiocarbimates and triphenylphosphine ligand

Two new complex salts of the form (Bu₄N)₂[Ni(L)₂] (1) and (Ph₄P)₂[Ni(L)₂] (2) and four heteroleptic complexes cis-M(PPh₃)₂(L) [M = Ni(II) (3), Pd(II) (4), L = 4-CH₃OC₆H₄SO₂NCS₂] and cis-M(PPh₃)₂(L′) [ M = Pd(II) (5), Pt(II) (6), L′ = C₆H₅SO₂NCS₂] were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR and UV-Vis spectra, solution and solid phase conductivity measurements and X-ray crystallography. A minor product trans-Pd(PPh₃)₂(SH)₂, 4a was also obtained with the synthesis of 4. The NiS₄ and MP₂S₂ core in the complex salts and heteroleptic complexes are in the distorted square-plane whereas in the trans complex, 4a the centrosymmetric PdS₂P₂ core is perforce square planar. X-ray crystallography revealed the proximity of the ortho phenyl proton of the PPh₃ ligand to Pd(II) showing rare intramolecular C-H?Pd anagostic binding interactions in the palladium cis-5 and trans-4a complexes. The complex salts with σ_rt values ∼10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ show semi-conductor behaviors. The palladium and platinum complexes show photoluminescence properties in solution at room temperature.     

In vitro anti-proliferative,and in silico ribonucleotide reductase and pharmacokinetics studies of heteroleptic silver(I), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazones and ibuprofen

ObjectivesThe present research focuses on the in vitro anti-proliferative, and in silico ribonucleotide reductase and pharmacokinetics studies of twelve heteroleptic metal complexes of the general formulae [Ag(L¹⁻⁴)(ibu)] (1–4) and [M(L¹⁻⁴)(ibu)₂] (5–12), where L¹⁻⁴ = 2-(1-(4-substitutedphenyl)ethylidene)-N-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide, ibu = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen), and M = Cu(II) and Ni(II).MethodsVarious spectroscopic techniques were used to authenticate the structure of the synthesized complexes. UV-Vis and cyclic voltammetry techniques were used to analyse the stability and the reducing ability of the complexes. In vitro anti-proliferative studies by MTT assay, apoptotic behaviour and cellular uptake studies were investigated followed by the in silico interaction with ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) enzyme.ResultsThe spectral studies predicted distorted tetrahedral geometry around silver(I) ion and distorted octahedral geometry around nickel(II) and copper(II) ions. The reducing ability of the copper(II) complexes was analysed using ascorbic acid by UV-Vis and cyclic voltammetry techniques, which authenticate the reducing ability of the complexes and the possible interactions within the cells. The in vitro anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized complexes against three cancerous (estrogen positive (MCF-7), estrogen negative (MDA-MB-231) and pancreatic (PANC-1)) and one normal (MCF-10a) cell lines by MTT assay showed enhanced activity for copper(II) complexes 11 and 12 containing the hydrophobic substituents. The apoptotic and cellular uptake studies showed that the complex 12 is readily taken up by PANC-1 cell lines and induces ROS-mediated mitochondrial and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The in silico studies indicated hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and π-pair (π–π, π–σ and π–cation) interactions between the complexes and the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) enzyme. The in silico pharmacokinetics studies of the complexes predicted the drug-likeness characteristics of the complexes.ConclusionThe synthesized complexes are found to be less toxic to normal cells and inhibit the growth of cancerous cells by inducing mitochondrial-mediated and caspase dependent apoptotic pathway in PANC-1 cells.     

Spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of heteroleptic cationic copper complexes bis-(diphenylphosphino)alkane-(2,2′-biquinoline)copper(I). Crystal structure of bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane-(2,2′-biquinoline)copper(I) perchlorate

A series of [Cu^(I)(2,2′-biquinoline)(L)](ClO₄) complexes (L = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (bppm), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (bppe), 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (bppb)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, ESI-mass, NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction ([Cu^(I)(2,2′-biquinoline)(bppe)](ClO₄)) and DFT calculations. These compounds are monometallic species in a distorted tetrahedral arrangement, in contrast with related compounds found as dinuclear according to diffraction studies. The spectroscopic properties are not directly correlated with the length of alkyl chain bridge between the bis-diphenylphosphine groups. In this way, the chemical shift of some 2,2′-biquinoline protons and the metal to ligand charge transfer (Cu to 2,2′-biquinoline) follows the order [Cu(2,2′-biquinoline)(bppm)](ClO₄), [Cu(2,2′-biquinoline)(bppb)](ClO₄), [Cu(2,2′-biquinoline)(bppe)](ClO₄). The same dependence is followed by the potentials to Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. These results are discussed in terms of inter-phosphorus alkane chain length and tetrahedral distortions on copper.     

Synthesis and structure of dichloropalladium(II) complexes of heteroleptic N,S- and N,Se-donor ligands based on the 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine motif, and Mizoroki-Heck catalysis mediated by complexes of N,S-donor ligands

Ligands containing the 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine motif with substituents in the 4- or 6-position of the pyridyl ring, R⁴,R⁶-pyCH₂ER¹ [R⁴ = R⁶ = H, ER¹ = SMe (1), SeMe (2), SPh (6), SePh (7); R⁴ = Me, R⁶ = H, ER¹ = SMe (3), SPh (8), SePh (9); R⁴ = H, R⁶ = Me, ER¹ = SMe (4), SPh (10), SePh (11); R⁴ = H, R⁶ = Ph, ER¹ = SMe (5), SPh (12), SePh (13)] are obtained on the reaction of R⁴,R⁶-pyMe with LiBuⁿ followed by R¹EER¹. On reaction with PdCl₂(NCMe)₂, the ligands with a 6-phenyl substituent form cyclopalladated species PdCl{6-(o-C₆H₄)pyCH₂ER¹-C,N,E} (5a, 12a, 13a) with the structure of 13a (ER¹ = SePh) confirmed by X-ray crystallography; other ligands form complexes of stoichiometry PdCl₂(R⁴,R⁶-pyCH₂ER¹). Complexes with R⁶ = H are monomeric with N,E-bidentate configurations, confirmed by structural analysis for 3a (R⁴ = Me, ER¹ = SMe), 7a (R⁴ = H, ER¹ = SePh) and 9a (R⁴ = Me, ER¹ = SePh). Two of the 6-methyl substituted complexes examined by X-ray crystallography are oligomeric with trans-PdCl₂(N,E) motifs and bridging ligands, trimeric [PdCl₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SPh-N,S)]₃ (10a) and dimeric [PdCl₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SePh-N,Se)]₂ (11a). This behaviour is attributed to avoidance of the Me···Cl interaction that would occur in the cis-bidentate configuration if the pyridyl plane had the same orientation with respect to the coordination plane as observed for 3a, 7a and 9a [dihedral angles 8.0(2)-16.8(2)°]. When examined as precatalysts for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction of n-butyl acrylate with aryl halides in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 120 °C, the complexes exhibit the anticipated trends in yield (ArI > ArBr > ArCl, higher yield for electron withdrawing substituents in 4-RC₆H₄Br and 4-RC₆H₄Cl). The most active precatalysts are PdCl₂(R⁴-pyCH₂SMe-N,S) (R = H (1a), Me (3a)); complexes of the selenium containing ligands exhibit very low activity. For closely related ligands, the changes SMe to SPh, 6-H to 6-Me, and 6-H to 6-Ph lead to lower activity, consistent with involvement of both the pyridyl and chalcogen donors in reactions involving aryl bromides. The precatalyst PdCl₂(pyCH₂SMe-N,S) (1a) exhibits higher activity for the reaction of aryl chlorides in Buⁿ₄NCl at 120 °C as a solvent under non-aqueous ionic liquid (NAIL) conditions.     

Heteroleptic phthalocyaninato-[tetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninato] lanthanides(III) double-deckers: Synthesis and cation-induced supramolecular dimerisation

A series of heteroleptic bisphthalocyaninates [(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc) ((15C5)₄Pc = 2,3,9,10,16,17,24,25-tetrakis(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninate; Pc = unsubstituted phthalocyaninate; M = La, Sm, Dy, Tm) was synthesized. The raise-by-one-story method was applied in the cases of Sm, Dy and Tm complexes, whereas for the La complex we have developed a new synthetic approach. The complex [(15C5)₄Pc]La(Pc) is the first representative of heteroleptic lanthanum diphthalocyaninates. Homoleptic counterparts M[(15C5)₄Pc]₂ and M(Pc)₂, M = La, Sm, Dy, Tm have also been prepared for comparative studies. The UV-Vis spectral properties of all synthesized heteroleptic compounds were investigated and compared to those of the homoleptic unsubstituted and crown-substituted diphthalocyaninates. Cation-induced dimerisation of heteroleptic complexes was studied. The observed spectral effects were explained in terms of excitonic coupling between chromophoric molecules. The unsymmetrical distribution of electronic density over macrocyclic ligands is established.     

Synthesis, spectral properties and supramolecular dimerisation of heteroleptic triple-decker phthalocyaninato complexes with one outer crown-substituted ligand

Four complexes - [(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc), (Pc²⁻ - phthalocyaninato-dianion, [(15C5)₄Pc]²⁻ - 2,3,9,10,16,17,24,25-tetrakis(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninato-dianion, M = Sm, Dy, Tm, Y) were obtained via the reaction of M(Pc)₂, H₂[(15C5)₄Pc] and M(acac)₃. The influence of the stability of starting M(Pc)₂ on the yields of target compounds was investigated. Increasing the stability of M(Pc)₂ leads to higher yields of [(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc) and lower yields of scrambling products. All complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy as well as MALDI TOF mass-spectrometry. The analysis of ¹H NMR spectra was performed in terms of lanthanide-induced shifts. Cation-induced dimerisation was studied by means of spectrophotometric titration. Supramolecular dimers {2[(15C5)₄Pc]M(Pc)M(Pc) · 4K⁺} are the largest discrete cofacial supramolecular assemblies built of phthalocyanine building blocks reported up-to-date. The observed increase of the intermolecular excitonic interaction between building blocks with the increase of REE(III) size is tentatively explained in terms of metal-size dependent deformation of phthalocyanine ligands in sandwich complexes.     

Structural chemistry of dihalogenopalladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of heteroleptic N,S- and N,Se-donor ligands based on the 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine motif

The structural chemistry of dihalogenopalladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of 2-organochalcogenomethylpyridine ligands is described. Complexes with a methyl group in the 6-position of the pyridyl ring, 6-MepyCH₂ER, form dimeric complexes [trans-PdX₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SePh-N,Se)]₂ (X = Br (1), I (2)) or mononuclear complexes trans-PdI₂(6-MepyCH₂SR-N)₂ (R = Me (5), Ph (6)). Absence of a 6-methyl substituent results in the bidentate configuration observed for PdI₂(pyCH₂SePh-N,Se) (3) and PdI₂(4-MepyCH₂SMe-N,S) (4). Related platinum(II) complexes are mononuclear including PtCl₂(6-MepyCH₂SPh-N,S) (8) as an analogue of trimeric [trans-PdCl₂(μ-6-MepyCH₂SPh-N,S)]₃. Differences between palladium and platinum appear to result from a combination of steric and electronic factors.