Design of rhenium(I) polypyridine biotin complexes as a new class of luminescent probes for avidin

This paper describes the design of a series of luminescent rhenium(I) polypyridine biotin complexes containing different spacer-arms, [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-4-CH2-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-4-CH2-NH-biotin = 4-(biotinamidomethyl)pyridine; N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline, phen (1a), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, Me4-phen (2a), 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, Me2-Ph2-phen (3a), dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline, dpq (4a)), [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-3-CO-NH-en-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-3-CO-NH-en-NH-biotin = 3-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)amido)pyridine; N-N = phen (1b), Me4-phen (2b), Me2-Ph2-phen (3b), dpq (4b)), and [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-4-CH2-NH-cap-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-4-CH2-NH-cap-NH-biotin = 4-(N-((6-biotinamido)hexanoyl)aminomethyl)pyridine; N-N = phen (1c), Me4-phen (2c), Me2-Ph(2)-phen (3c), dpq (4c)). Upon irradiation, all of the rhenium(I)-biotin complexes exhibited intense and long-lived triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) (d pi(Re) --> pi* (diimine)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K. The interactions of these biotin-containing complexes with avidin have been studied by 4'-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assays, emission titrations, and competitive association and dissociation assays. On the basis of the results of these experiments, homogeneous assays for biotin and avidin have been designed.     

DNA binding and biological activity of some platinum(II) intercalating compounds containing methyl-substituted 1,10-phenanthrolines

This study documents the first detailed investigation into the relationship between molecular structure and biological activity of platinum(II) complexes containing methylated derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). A series of square planar platinum(II) compounds incorporating methylated derivatives of phen, 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4-Mephen), 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5-Mephen), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me2phen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-Me2phen) and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3,4,7,8-Me4phen) were synthesised and the relationship between their structure and biological activity investigated. The biological activity of these compounds was quantified using the in vitro cytotoxicity assay against the L1210 Murine leukaemia cell line. Large variation in cytotoxicities with different methylation was observed. The 5- and 5,6-methylated derivatives of phen displayed a greater biological activity, with IC50 values of 2.8 +/- 0.8 microM and 1.5 +/- 0.3 microM respectively, compared with the phen compound, with an IC50 value of 9.7 +/- 0.3 microM, while all the others were inactive with IC50 values over 50 microM. Binding constants were determined using circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD) and induced circular dichroism (ICD). ICD was used to highlight any differences in the spectra. Viscometry studies and linear dichroism (LD) experiments indicate that the platinum(II) complexes intercalate although for [Pt(en)(4-Mephen)]Cl2 and [Pt(en)(4,7-Me2phen)]Cl2 this mode of binding appears to be concentration dependent. The binding of the platinum(II) complexes to the oligonucleotide d(GTCGAC)2 was studied using two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. The addition of each metal complex to the hexamer d(GTCGAC)2 produced upfield shifts of the metal complex resonances, characteristic of intercalation. Through the observation of NOE cross-peaks, two-dimensional NMR studies provided insight into the site and groove preferences of these compounds when binding to DNA.     

Platinum(II) diimine complexes with halide/pseudohalide ligands and dangling trialkylamine or ammonium groups

A series of platinum(II) complexes with the formulas Pt(diimine)(pip(2)NCNH(2))(L)(2+) [pip(2)NCNH(2)(+) = 2,6-bis(piperidiniummethyl)phenyl cation; L = Cl, Br, I, NCS, OCN, and NO(2); diimine = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO(2)phen), and 5,5'-ditrifluoromethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dtfmbpy)] were prepared by the treatment of Pt(pip(2)NCN)Cl with a silver(I) salt followed by the addition of the diimine and halide/pseudohalide under acidic conditions. Crystallographic data as well as (1)H NMR spectra establish that the metal center is bonded to a bidentate phenanthroline and a monodentate halide/pseudohalide. The pip(2)NCNH(2)(+) ligand with protonated piperidyl groups is monodentate and bonded to the platinum through the phenyl ring. Structural and spectroscopic data indicate that the halide/pseudohalide group (L(-)) and the metal center in Pt(phen)(pip(2)NCNH(2))(L)(2+) behave as Br?nsted bases, forming intramolecular NH···L/NH···Pt interactions involving the piperidinium groups. A close examination of the 10 structures reported here reveals linear correlations between N-H···Pt/L angles and H···Pt/L distances. In most cases, the N-H bond is directed toward the Pt-L bond, thereby giving the appearance that the proton bridges the Pt and L groups. In contrast to observations for Pt(tpy)(pip(2)NCN)(+) (tpy = 2,2';6',2"-terpyridine), the electrochemical oxidation of deprotonated adducts, Pt(diimine)(L)(pip(2)NCN), is chemically and electrochemically irreversible.     

Long-lived palladium catalysts for CO/vinyl arene polyketones synthesis: a solution to deactivation problems

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(Me)(MeCN)(N-N)][PF(6)] (N-N = (phen) 1 a, 4,7-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Cl(2)-phen) 2 a, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Ph(2)-phen) 3 a, 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4-Me-phen) 4 a, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me(2)-phen) 5 a, 5,5,6,6-tetrafluoro-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline (F(4)-phen) 6 a, containing different substituted phenanthroline ligands, have been prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(Me)(Cl)(N-N)], (1 b-6 b). The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(Cl)(2)(4,7-Cl(2)-phen)] (2 b') was determined. DFT calculations show that the electron density on the metal is tuned by the substituents on the ligands. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1 a-6 a in the CO/styrene and CO/p-Me-styrene copolymerizations was studied in detail, showing that the generated catalysts are active for at least 90 h, yielding copolymers of high molecular weight. A firm correlation between the electron density on palladium on the one hand and the catalytic activity of the complexes and the molecular weight and the stereochemistry of the polyketones synthesized on the other hand has been established: the catalyst containing the F(4)-phen is thus far the most active among those tested, yielding the syndiotactic CO/styrene copolymer with a stereoregularity of 96 % (uu triad) and with an M(w) value of 1 000 000.     

Exceptionally long-lived luminescence from [Cu(I)(isocyanide)2(phen)]+ complexes in nanoporous crystals enables remarkable oxygen gas sensing

We report crystalline mixed-ligand copper complexes with phenanthroline and isocyanides with almost millesecond emission lifetimes that are efficient dioxygen sensors. The oxygen sensitivity of the prototype ([Cu(CN-xylyl)(2)(dmp)]tfpb, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; CN-xylyl = 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide; tfpb = tetrakis(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenylborate) is 38 times better than that of [Ru(phen)(3)]tfpb(2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline).     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemical studies of mixed heteroleptic chelate complexes of ruthenium(II) with 1,8-bis(2-pyridyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (pdto) and substituted 1,10-phenanthrolines

Reaction of dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium(II) [RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(3)] with 1,8-bis(2-pyridyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (pdto), a (N(2)S(2)) tetradentate donor, yields a new compound [Ru(pdto)(PPh(3))Cl]Cl (1), which has been fully characterized. (1)H and (31)P NMR studies of 1 in acetonitrile at several temperatures show the substitution of both coordinated chloride and triphenylphosphine with two molecules of acetonitrile, as confirmed by the isolation of the complex [Ru(pdto)(CH(3)CN)(2)]Cl(2) (2). Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical techniques allowed us to determine the electrochemical behavior of compound 1. The substitution of the chloride and triphenylphosphine by acetonitrile molecules in the Ru(II) coordination sphere of compound 1 was also established by electrochemical studies. The easy substitution of this complex led us to use it as starting material to synthesize the substituted phenanthroline coordination compounds with (pdto) and ruthenium(II), [Ru(pdto)(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl(2).4H(2)O (3), [Ru(pdto)(1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl(2).5H(2)O (4), [Ru(pdto)(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl(2).5H(2)O (5), [Ru(pdto)(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl(2).3H(2)O (6), and [Ru(pdto)(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl(2).4H(2)O (7). These compounds were fully characterized, and the crystal structure of 4 was obtained. Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical techniques allowed us to determine their electrochemical behavior. The electrochemical oxidation processes in these compounds are related to the oxidation of ionic chlorides, and to the reversible transformation from Ru(II) to Ru(III). On the other hand, a single reduction process is associated to the reduction of the substituted phenanthroline in the coordination compound. The E(1/2) (phen/phen(-)) and E(1/2) (Ru(II)/Ru(III)) for the compounds (3-7) were evaluated, and, as expected, the modification of the substituted 1,10-phenanthrolines in the complexes also modifies the redox potentials. Correlations of both electrochemical potentials with pK(a) of the free 1,10-phenathrolines, lambda(max) MLCT transition band, and chemical shifts of phenanthrolines in these complexes were found, possibly as a consequence of the change in the electron density of the Ru(II) and the coordinated phenanthroline.     

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) organometallic complexes with the model nucleobase anions of thymine, uracil, and cytosine: antitumor activity and interactions with DNA of the platinum compounds

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with the anions of the model nucleobases 1-methylthymine (1-MethyH), 1-methyluracil (1-MeuraH), and 1-methylcytosine (1-MecytH) of the types [Pd(dmba)(mu-L)]2 [dmba = N,C-chelating 2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl; L = 1-Methy, 1-Meura or 1-Mecyt] and [M(dmba)(L)(L')] [L = 1-Methy or 1-Meura; L' = PPh(3) (M = Pd or Pt), DMSO (M = Pt)] have been obtained. Palladium complexes of the types [Pd(C6F5)(N-N)(L)] [L = 1-Methy or 1-Meura; N-N = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bpy)] and [NBu4][Pd(C6F5)(1-Methy)2(H2O)] have also been prepared. The crystal structures of [Pd(dmba)(mu-1-Methy)]2, [Pd(dmba)(mu-1-Mecyt)]2.2CHCl3, [Pd(dmba)(1-Methy)(PPh3)].3CHCl3, [Pt(dmba)(1-Methy)(PPh3)], [Pd(tmeda)(C6F5)(1-Methy)], and [NBu4][Pd(C6F5)(1-Methy)2(H2O)].H2O have been established by X-ray diffraction. The DNA adduct formation of the new platinum complexes synthesized was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the platinum complexes on plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the new platinum complexes against the tumor cell line HL-60. All the new platinum complexes were more active than cisplatin (up to 20-fold in some cases).     

Unusual sandwich platinum(II) complex: [Pt(phen)2]2+ cation between two Pt(phen)(OOCMe)2 molecules

New carboxylate platinum(II) complexes: syn and anti isomers of Pt(phen)(OOCMe)₂ molecular complex, [Pt(phen)(NCMe)₂](O₃SCF₃)₂, as well as unusual sandwich complex [Pt(phen)₂]²⁺ · 2syn-[Pt(phen)(OOCMe)₂] where [Pt(phen)₂]²⁺ cation is inserted between two syn-Pt(phen)(OOCMe)₂ molecules were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. As distinct from syn- and anti-Pt(phen)(OOCMe)₂ and [Pt(phen)(NCMe)₂](O₃SCF₃)₂ complexes with flat phenanthroline ligand, the phen ligands in [Pt(phen)₂]²⁺ cation have a curved configuration. Comparative DFT analysis of geometry of model structures phen, phen⁺, phenH⁺, and [Ptphen₂] ⁿ⁺ (n = 1, 2) showed that electron removal from phen molecule had no effect on its geometry in both free state and platinum(II) complexes.     

X-ray structure characterization of palladium(II) ternary complexes of pyridinedicarboxylic and phthalic acid with phenanthroline and bipyridine

The crystal structures of the series of four ternary complexes, [Pd(phen)(2,6-PDCA)].4H(2)O (1) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline; 2,6-PDCA=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), [Pd(bpy)(2,3-PDCA)].3H(2)O (2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridineand; 2,3-PDCA=2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) and [Pd(phen)(PHT)].2.5H(2)O (3) (PHT=o-phthalic acid ) and [Pd(bpy)(PHT)].1.5H(2)O (4), are determined and the coordination modes of palladium(II) ternary complexes are characterized. All complexes take the mononuclear Pd(II) complexes, in which central Pd(II) atom of each complex has a similar distorted square-planar four coordination geometry. In all complexes, the aromatic heterocyclic compounds, phen and bpy, behave as a bidentate N, N' ligand. In the complex 1 and 2, 2,6-PDCA and 2,3-PDCA behave as a bidentate N, O ligand, and in complex 3 and 4, PHT behaves as a bidentate O, O' ligand.     

Reactions of cadmium(II) nitrate with 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate in the presence of N-donor ligands

Reactions of Cd(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O with TabHPF(6) (TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol) and Et(3)N in the presence of NH(4)SCN and five other N-donor ligands such as 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmphen), 2,6-bis(pyrazd-3-yl)pyridine (bppy) and 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bdmppy) gave rise to a family of Cd(II)/thiolate complexes of N-donor ligands, {[Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(4)(NCS)(2)](NO(3))(2)·MeOH}(n) (1), [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(L)(4)](PF(6))(4) (2: L = 2,2'-bipy; 3: L = phen), [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](PF(6))(2) (4: L = 2,9-dmphen; 5: L = bppy), and [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(Tab)(2)(bdmppy)](2)(PF(6))(8)·H(2)O (6·H(2)O). These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra, (1)H NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For 1, each [Cd(NCS)](+) fragment is connected to its equivalents via a pair of Tab bridges to a one-dimensional chain. For 2 and 3, two [Cd(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2+) or [Cd(phen)(2)](2+) units are linked by a pair of Tab bridges to form a cationic dimeric structure. The Cd atom in [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](2+) dication of 4 or 5 is coordinated by two Tab ligands and chelated by two N atoms from 2,9-dmphen (4) or three N atoms from bppy (5), forming a distorted tetrahedral (4) or trigonal bipyramidal (5) coordination geometry. For 6, each of two [Cd(Tab)(bdmppy)] fragments is linked to one [(Tab)Cd(μ-Tab)(2)Cd(Tab)] fragment via two Tab bridges to generate a unique cationic zigzag tetrameric structure where the Cd centers take a tetrahedral or a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. The results may provide an interesting insight into mimicking the coordination spheres of the Cd(II) sites of metallothioneins and their interactions with various N-donor ligands encountered in nature.     

Synthesis of heteroleptic bis(diimine)carbonylchlororuthenium(II) complexes from photodecarbonylated precursors

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with binuclear [Ru(L1)(CO)Cl2]2 complexes [L1 not equal to L2 = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (4,4'-Me2bpy), 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me2bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me2phen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-Me2phen), di(2-pyridyl)ketone (dpk), di(2-pyridyl)amine (dpa)] result in cleavage of the dichloride bridge and the formation of cationic [Ru(L1)(L2)(CO)Cl]+ complexes. In addition to spectroscopic characterization, the structures of the [Ru(bpy)(phen)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2phen)(CO)Cl]+ (as two polymorphs), [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(4,7-Me2phen)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(bpy)(dpa)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(5,5'-Me2bpy)(dpa)(CO)Cl]+, [Ru(bpy)(dpk)(CO)Cl]+, and [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(dpk)(CO)Cl]+ cations were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In each case, the structurally characterized complex had the carbonyl ligand trans to a nitrogen from the incoming diimine ligand, these complexes corresponding to the main isomers isolated from the reaction mixtures. The synthesis of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2bpy)(CO)(NO3)]+ from [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)(5,6-Me2bpy)(CO)Cl]+ and AgNO3 demonstrates that exchange of the chloro ligand can be achieved.     

Polynuclear and mixed-ligand mononuclear Cu(I) complexes with N-thiophosphorylated thioureas and 1,10-phenanthroline or PPh3

Deprotonation of the N-thiophosphorylated thioureas RC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)(2) (R = Me(2)N, HL(I); iPrNH, HL(II); 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NH, HL(III), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)NH, HL(IV), aza-15-crown-5, HL(V)) and reaction with CuI or Cu(NO(3))(2) in aqueous EtOH leads to the polynuclear complexes [Cu(4)(L(I)-S,S')(4)], [Cu(8)(L(II)-S,S')(8)], and [Cu(3)(L(III-V)-S,S')(3)]. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, (1)H, (31)P{(1)H} NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of [Cu(4)L(I)(4)], [Cu(8)L(II)(8)], [Cu(3)L(III,IV)(3)] were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of the deprotonated ligands (L(I-V))(-) with a mixture of CuI and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or PPh(3) leads to the mixed-ligand mononuclear complexes [Cu(phen)L(I-V)], [Cu(PPh(3))L(I-V)] or [Cu(PPh(3))(2)L(I-V)]. The same mixed-ligand complexes were obtained from the reaction of [Cu(4)L(I)(4)], [Cu(8)L(II)(8)], [Cu(3)L(III-V)(3)] with phen or PPh(3).     

Speciation of ternary cobalt(II) phenanthroline-silica surface complexes as a function of pH and ligand steric bulk

Co(II) solution species containing 1 equiv of phenanthroline (phen), 2-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (MMP), or 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DMP) ligand formed inner-sphere surface complexes when grafted on silica. The speciation on the silica surface depended on both the pH of the grafting solution and the steric bulk of the ligand. [Co(DMP)](2+) formed tetrahedral surface adducts exclusively, with a 1:1 ligand-Co ratio. These surface adducts were first detectable at pH values above 5.1. [Co(MMP)](2+) and [Co(phen)](2+) formed exclusively octahedral adducts on the surface with a 1:1 ligand-Co ratio at pH values below 5. The [Co(MMP)](2+) complex formed a tetrahedral adduct initially at pH 6 and increasingly as the pH was raised. The [Co(phen)](2+) complex did not produce a comparable tetrahedral surface species under any conditions. Instead, mixtures of octahedral surface species with both 1:1 and 2:1 ligand-Co ratios began to form at pH values above 6. Taken together, the results indicated that the development of tetrahedral stereochemistry was strongly influenced by steric factors in the presence of a nitrogen-donating ligand. All three phenanthroline derivatives promoted surface binding of the Co(II) ion adducts, so that maximal binding occurred at lower pH values than for binding of [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+), which formed exclusively tetrahedral adducts.     

Rhenium(I) Polypyridine Diamine Complexes as Intracellular Phosphorogenic Sensors: Synthesis,Characterization, Emissive Behavior,Biological Properties,and Nitric Oxide Sensing

We report the development of a series of rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes appended with an electron‐rich diaminoaromatic moiety as phosphorogenic sensors for nitric oxide (NO). The diamine complexes [Re(N^N)(CO)₃(py‐DA)][PF₆] (py‐DA=3‐(N‐(2‐amino‐5‐methoxyphenyl)aminomethyl)pyridine; N^N=1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ( 1 a ), 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Me₄‐phen) ( 2 a ), 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Ph₂‐phen) ( 3 a )) have been synthesized and characterized. In contrast to common rhenium(I) diimines, these diamine complexes were very weakly emissive due to quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) emission by the diaminoaromatic moiety through photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Upon treatment with NO, the complexes were converted into the triazole derivatives [Re(N^N)(CO)₃(py‐triazole)][PF₆] (py‐triazole=3‐((6‐methoxybenzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl)pyridine; N^N=phen ( 1 b ), Me₄‐phen ( 2 b ), Ph₂‐phen ( 3 b )), resulting in significant emission enhancement (I/I₀≈60). The diamine complexes exhibited high reaction selectivity to NO, and their emission intensity was found to be independent on pH. Also, these complexes were effectively internalized by HeLa cells and RAW264.7 macrophages with negligible cytotoxicity. Additionally, the use of complex 3 a as an intracellular phosphorogenic sensor for NO has been demonstrated.     

The role of substituents on functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline in controlling the emission properties of cationic iridium(III) complexes of interest for electroluminescent devices

The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the novel complexes [Ir(ppy)(2)(5-X-1,10-phen)][PF(6)] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, phen = phenanthroline, X = NMe(2), NO(2)), [Ir(pq)(2)(5-X-1,10-phen)][PF(6)] (pq = 2-phenylquinoline, X = H, Me, NMe(2), NO(2)), [Ir(ppy)2(4-Me,7-Me-1,10-phen)][PF(6)], [Ir(ppy)2(5-Me,6-Me-1,10-phen)][PF(6)], [Ir(ppy)(2)(2-Me,9-Me-1,10-phen)][PF(6)], and [Ir(pq)2(4-Ph,7-Ph-1,10-phen)][PF(6)] have been investigated and compared with those of the known reference complexes [Ir(ppy)(2)(4-Me or 5-H or 5-Me-1,10-phen)][PF(6)] and [Ir(ppy)(2)(4-Ph,7-Ph-1,10-phen)][PF(6)], showing how the nature and number of the phenanthroline substituents tune the color of the emission, its quantum yield, and the emission lifetime. It turns out that the quantum yield is strongly dependent on the nonradiative decay. The geometry, ground state, electronic structure, and excited electronic states of the investigated complexes have been calculated on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT approaches, thus substantiating the electrochemical measurements and providing insight into the electronic origin of the absorption spectra and of the lowest excited states involved in the light emission process. These results provide useful guidelines for further tailoring of the photophysical properties of ionic Ir(III) complexes.     

Effects of the intramolecular NH...S hydrogen bond in mononuclear platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes with 2,2'-bipyridine and benzenethiol derivatives

A series of complexes, [M(bpy)(SAr)2] (M = platinum(II) or palladium(II), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, SAr = 2- or 4-(acylamino)benzenethiolate, or 2-(alkylcarbamoyl)benzenethiolate), were synthesized and characterized on the basis of 1H NMR, IR, and electrochemical properties. The structures of [Pt(bpy)(S-2-Ph3CCONHC6H4)2] (1) and [Pt(bpy)(S-2-t-BuNHCOC6H4)2] (3) were determined by X-ray analysis. The complexes have intramolecular NH...S hydrogen bonds between the amide NH group and the sulfur atom. A weak NH...S hydrogen bond in these complexes and [Pd(bpy)(S-2-Ph3CCONHC6H4)2] (4) is detected from the 1H NMR spectra and the IR spectra in chloroform and in the solid state. [Pt(bpy)(S-2-Ph3CCONHC6H4)2] (1) exhibits a remarkably high-energy-shifted lowest-energy band in UV-visible spectra and has a positively shifted oxidation potential. The blue-shift of 42 nm and the positive shift of +0.24 V, as compared to those of [Pt(bpy)(SC6H5)2), are due to the effect of the NH...S hydrogen bond.     

pi Molecular Orbital Crossing a(2)(chi)/b(1)(psi) in 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivatives. Ab Initio Calculations and EPR/ENDOR Studies of the 4,7-Diaza-1,10-phenanthroline Radical Anion and Its M(CO)(4) Complexes (M = Cr, Mo, W)

Ab initio, semiempirical, and HMO perturbation calculations were employed to assess the relative positioning of the closely situated low-lying unoccupied pi MOs a(2)(chi) and b(1)(psi) in 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and its 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl (tmphen) and four symmetrical diaza derivatives (n,m-dap). Compared to a(2)(chi), the b(1)(psi) pi MO is distinguished by markedly higher MO coefficients at the chelating nitrogen pi centers in 1,10-positions; eventually, a higher Coulomb integral value at those positions will thus always favor the lowering of b(1) beyond a(2). Using the Coulomb integral parameter at the chelating 1,10-nitrogen pi centers as the HMO perturbation variable, the crossing of both energy levels in terms of decreasing preference for the a(2)(chi) over the b(1)(psi) orbital as the lowest unoccupied MO follows the sequence 5,6-dap > 2,9-dap > 4,7-dap > phen > 3,8-dap. The calculations reveal a(2)(chi) as the LUMO in 5,6-dap for all reasonable perturbation parameters, in agreement with previous observations for ruthenium(II) complexes which reveal a discrepancy between the lowest-lying "redox pi orbital" (a(2)) and the "optical pi MO" (b(1)) to which the most intense low-energy MLCT transition occurs. According to the HMO calculations, the situation is more ambiguous for the 4,7-dap analogue, yet EPR/ENDOR studies clearly show that the one-electron-reduced ligand and its tetracarbonylmetal(0) complexes (Cr, Mo, W) have the b(1)(psi) orbital singly occupied. Only ab initio calculations with double-zeta basis and inclusion of d polarization functions reproduced correctly the experimentally observed orbital ordering for tmphen (a(2) < b(1)) and for phen and 4,7-dap (b(1) < a(2)).     

Theoretical insights into the ferromagnetic coupling in oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear complexes with aromatic diimine ligands

Two novel heterobimetallic complexes of formula [Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)Co(Me(2)phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) and [Cr(phen)(ox)(2)Mn(phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(phen)(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and Me(2)phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been obtained through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy by using Ph(4)P[CrL(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (L = bpy and phen) and [ML'(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Co and Mn; L' = phen and Me(2)phen) as precursors. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 consist of bis(oxalato)chromate(III) mononuclear anions, [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-), and oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear cations, [Cr(III)L(ox)(μ-ox)M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](+)[M = Co, L = bpy, and L' = Me(2)phen (1); M = Mn and L = L' = phen (2)]. These oxalato-bridged Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities of 1 and 2 result from the coordination of a [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-) unit through one of its two oxalato groups toward a [M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](2+) moiety with either a trans- (M = Co) or a cis-diaqua (M = Mn) configuration. The two distinct Cr(III) ions in 1 and 2 adopt a similar trigonally compressed octahedral geometry, while the high-spin M(II) ions exhibit an axially (M = Co) or trigonally compressed (M = Mn) octahedral geometry in 1 and 2, respectively. Variable temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0-5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 and 2 reveal the presence of weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions between the Cr(III) (S(Cr) = 3/2) ion and the high-spin Co(II) (S(Co) = 3/2) or Mn(II) (S(Mn) = 5/2) ions across the oxalato bridge within the Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities (M = Co and Mn) [J = +2.2 (1) and +1.2 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS(Cr)·S(M)]. Density functional electronic structure calculations for 1 and 2 support the occurrence of S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) and S = 4 Cr(III)Mn(II) ground spin states, respectively. A simple molecular orbital analysis of the electron exchange mechanism suggests a subtle competition between individual ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions through the σ- and/or π-type pathways of the oxalato bridge, mainly involving the d(yz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(yz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(xz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of orthogonal magnetic orbitals and the d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(x(2)-y(2))(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(yz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of nonorthogonal magnetic orbitals, which would be ultimately responsible for the relative magnitude of the overall ferromagnetic coupling in 1 and 2.     

Identification of [PtCl2(phen)] binding modes in amyloid-β peptide and the mechanism of aggregation inhibition

Platinum phenanthroline complexes inhibit amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and reduce Aβ-caused neurotoxicity [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2008, 105, 6813-6818]. In this study, we investigated the interactions of Aβ(1-16) with [PtCl(2)(phen)] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) using HPLC, ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopy , and characterized the identity of products using tandem mass spectrometry. Results indicated that the phenanthroline ligand could induce noncovalent interactions between Aβ peptide and platinum complexes, leading to rapid Aβ platination. Multiple products were generated in the reaction, in which His6/His14 chelation was preferentially formed. Coordination of Asp7, His13, and Lys16 was also detected in other products. The majority of products were monoplatinated adducts with binding of the {Pt(phen)} scaffold, which impeded intermolecular interactions between Aβ peptides. Moreover, noncovalent interactions were confirmed by the interaction between Aβ peptide and [Pt(phen)(2)]Cl(2). The synergistic roles of the phen ligand and platinum(II) atom in the inhibition of Aβ aggregation are discussed.     

Novel phenanthroline ligands and their kinetically locked copper(I) complexes with unexpected photophysical properties

The new, sterically encumbered phenanthroline ligands 1a,b, both characterized by the presence of bulky aryl substituents (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) in the 2,9-position, were prepared along with their homoleptic [Cu(1a,b)2]+ and heteroleptic complexes [Cu(1a,b)(phen)]+ (phen = parent 1,10-phenanthroline). Due to the pronounced steric shielding, particularly effective in ligand 1a, the formation of the homoleptic complex [Cu(1a)2]+ becomes very slow (5 days). Once formed, the homoleptic complexes [Cu(1a,b)2]+ do not exchange ligands even with phen added in excess because they are kinetically locked due to the large tert-butylphenyl substituents at the phenanthroline unit. The electronic absorption spectra of the homoleptic complexes [Cu(1a)2]+ and [Cu(1b)2]+ evidence a strongly different ground state geometry of the two compounds, the former being substantially more distorted. This trend is also observed in the excited-state geometry, as derived by emission spectra and lifetimes in CH2Cl2 solution. The less distorted [Cu(1b)2]+, compared to [Cu(1a)2]+, is characterized by a 15- and over 100-fold stronger emission at 298 and 77 K, respectively. Noticeably, the excited-state lifetime of [Cu(1a)2]+ in solution is unaffected by the presence of molecular oxygen and only slightly shortened in nucleophilic solvents. This unusual behavior supports the idea of a complex characterized by a "locked" coordination environment.