Association patterns of platinated purine nucleobases in metal-modified pairs and triples

Blocking of Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen edges in purine nucleobases by a metal entity precludes involvement of these sites in interbase hydrogen bonding, thereby leaving the respective other edge or the sugar edge as potential H bonding sites. In mixed guanine, adenine complexes of trans-a2PtII (a = NH3 or CH3NH2) of composition trans-[(NH3)2Pt(9-EtA-N1)(9-MeGH-N7)](NO3)2 (1a), trans-[(NH3)2Pt(9-EtA-N1)(9-MeGH-N7)](ClO4)2 (1b), and trans,trans-[(CH3NH2)2(9-MeGH-N7)Pt(N1-9-MeA-N7)Pt(9-MeGH-N7)(CH3NH2)2](ClO4)4*2H2O (2) (with 9-EtA = 9-ethyladenine, 9-MeA= 9-methyladenine, 9-MeGH = 9-methylguanine), this aspect is studied. Thus, in 1b pairing of two adenine ligands via Hoogsteen edges and in 2 pairing of two guanine bases via sugar edges is realized. These situations are compared with those found in a series of related complexes.     

G-G base-pairing in nucleobase adducts of the anticancer drug cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(2-picoline)] and its trans isomer

cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(2-picoline)] (AMD473) is a sterically-hindered anticancer complex with a profile of chemical and biological activity that differs significantly from that of cisplatin. Adducts of AMD473 with neutral 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH) and anionic (N1-deprotonated) 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) as perchlorate and nitrate salts, and also a nitrate salt of the trans isomer (AMD443), were prepared and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography: cis-[Pt(NH3)(2-pic)(9-EtGH)2](ClO4)2 (1).2H(2)OMe(2)CO, cis-[Pt(NH3)(2-pic)(9-EtGH)2](NO3)2 (2).2H2O, cis-[Pt(NH3)(2-pic)(9-EtGH)(9-EtG)]NO3 (3),3.5 H2O, trans-[Pt(NH3)(2-pic)(9-EtGH)(9-EtG)]NO3 (4).8H2O. In all cases, platinum coordination is through N7 of neutral (1, 2) and anionic (3, 4) guanine. In each complex, the guanine bases are arranged in the head-to-tail conformation. In complex 1, there is an infinite array of six-molecule cycles, based on both hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking of the 2-picoline and guanine rings. Platinum(II) coordinated at N7 acidifies the N1 proton of neutral 9-ethylguanine (pKa = 9.57) to give pKa1 = 8.40 and pKa2 = 8.75 for complex 2, and pKa1 = 7.77 and pKa2 = 9.00 for complex 4. In complexes 3 and 4, three intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between neutral and deprotonated guanine ligands involving O6, N1 and N2 sites. Unusually, both of the platinated guanine bases of complexes 3 and 4 participate in this triple G triple bond G hydrogen bonding. This is the first report of X-ray crystal structures of nucleobase adducts of the promising anticancer drug AMD473.     

Model of the Second Most Abundant Cisplatin-DNA Cross-Link: X-ray Crystal Structure and Conformational Analysis of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3)).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-Methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-Ethylguanine)

A model compound of the second most abundant DNA adduct of the antitumor agent cisplatin has been synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized and its conformational behavior examined: cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-ethylguanine) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14) with a = 7.931(2), b = 11.035(3), c = 26.757(6) ?, beta = 94.94(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The two purine bases adopt a head-to-head orientation, with NH(2) of 9-MeA and CO of 9-EtGH being at the same side of the Pt coordination plane. A theoretical conformational analysis of the complex cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Ade)(Gua)](2+) (Ade = adenine; Gua = guanine) based on molecular mechanics calculations of the nonbonded energy has revealed four minimum-energy zones similar to those derived previously for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Gua)(2)](2+) (Kozelka; et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 1992, 205, 895). This conformational analysis has allowed, together with the calculation of chemical shifts due to ring effects, the attribution of the two conformers observed for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+) by Dijt et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 1989, 179, 344) to the two head-to-head conformational zones. The orientation of the two nucleobases in the crystal structure of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA)(9-EtGH)](2+) corresponds, according to our analysis, roughly to that preferentially assumed by the minor rotamer of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+).     

N1 and N3 linkage isomers of neutral and deprotonated cytosine with trans-[(CH3NH2)2PtII

A series of complexes obtained from the reaction of trans-[(CH3NH2)2PtII] with unsubstituted cytosine (CH) and its anion (C), respectively, has been prepared and isolated or detected in solution: trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)Cl]Cl.H2O (1), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)2 (1a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N3)2].2H2O (1b), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)(2).2DMSO (1c), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)2] (NO3)(2).3H2O (2a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)2].2H2O (2b), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)(CH-N3)](ClO4)2 (3a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)(C-N3)] (3b), and trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(N1-CN3)(N3-C-N1)Cu(OH)]ClO(4).1.2H2O (4). X-ray crystal structures of all these compounds, except 3a and 3b, are reported. Complex 2a is of particular interest in that it contains the rarer of the two 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer forms of cytosine, namely that with the N3 position protonated. Since the effect of PtII on the geometry of the nucleobase is minimal, bond lengths and angles of CH in 2a reflect, to a first approximation, those of the free rare tautomer. Compared to the preferred 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer (N1 site protonated) of CH, the rare tautomer in 2a differs particularly in internal ring angles (7-11 sigma). Formation of compounds containing the rare CH tautomers on a preparative scale can be achieved by a detour (reaction of PtII with the cytosine anion, followed by cytosine reprotonation) or by linkage isomerization (N3-->N1) under alkaline reaction conditions. Surprisingly, in water and over a wide pH range, N1 linkage isomers (3a, 2a) form in considerably higher amounts than can be expected on the basis of the tautomer equilibrium. This is particularly true for the pH range in which the cytosine is present as a neutral species and implies that complexation of the minor tautomer is considerably promoted. Deprotonation of the rare CH tautomers in 2a occurs with pKa values of 6.07 +/- 0.18 (1 sigma) and 7.09 +/- 0.11 (1 sigma). This value compares with pKa 9.06 +/- 0.09 (1 sigma) (average of both ligands) in 1a.     

Unprecedented head-to-head conformers of d(GpG) bound to the antitumor active compound tetrakis (mu-carboxylato)dirhodium(II,II)

The N7/O6 equatorial binding interactions of the antitumor active complex Rh(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (OAc(-) = CH(3)CO(2)(-)) with the DNA fragment d(GpG) have been unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy. Previous X-ray crystallographic determinations of the head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) adducts of dirhodium tetraacetate with 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH) revealed unprecedented bridging N7/O6 guanine nucleobases that span the Rh-Rh bond. The absence of N7 protonation at low pH and the notable increase in the acidity of N1-H (pK(a) approximately 5.7 as compared to 8.5 for N7 only bound platinum adducts), suggested by the pH dependence titrations of the purine H8 (1)H NMR resonances for Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2-)[d(GpG)],are consistent with bidentate N7/O6 binding of the guanine nucleobases. The pK(a) values estimated for N1-H (de)protonation, from the pH dependence studies of the C6 and C2 (13)C NMR resonances for the Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) isomers, concur with those derived from the H8 (1)H NMR resonance titrations. Comparison of the (13)C NMR resonances of C6 and C2 for the dirhodium adducts Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] with the corresponding resonances of the unbound ligands [at pH 7.0 for 9-EtGH and pH 8.0 for d(GpG)], shows substantial downfield shifts of Deltadelta approximately 11.0 and 6.0 ppm for C6 and C2, respectively; the latter shifts reflect the effect of O6 binding to the dirhodium centers and the ensuing enhancement in the acidity of N1-H. Intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum of Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] indicate head-to-head arrangement of the guanine bases. The Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] adduct exhibits two major right-handed conformers, HH1 R and HH2 R, with HH1 R being three times more abundant than the unusual HH2 R. Complete characterization of both adducts revealed repuckering of the 5'-G sugar rings to C3'-endo (N-type), retention of C2'-endo (S-type) conformation for the 3'-G sugar rings, and anti orientation with respect to the glycosyl bonds. The structural features obtained for Rh(2)(OAc)(2))[d(GpG)] by means of NMR spectroscopy are very similar to those for cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2))[d(GpG)]] and corroborate molecular modeling studies.     

Role of the phosphine ligands on the stabilization of monoadducts of the model nucleobases 1-methylcytosine and 9-methylguanine in platinum(II) complexes

The addition of 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCy) or 9-methylguanine (9-MeGu) to solutions of cis-(PPh3)2P(ONO2)2 (1a), in a molar ratio of 1:1, affords the monoadducts cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(1-MeCy)(ONO2)]NO3 (2a) and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(9-MeGu)(ONO2)]NO3 (3a) and only trace amounts of the bisadducts cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(1-MeCy)2](NO3)2 (4a) and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(9-MeGu)2](NO3)2 (5a), respectively. The X-ray structural determination of 2a and 3a indicates a strong pi-pi stacking interaction between one of the PPh3 phenyl groups and the pyrimydinic N3-platinated cytosine or the imidazole part of the N7-coordinated guanine base. The addition of a further equiv of nucleobase to the monoadducts forms quantitatively the bisadducts that have been isolated as pure compounds 4a and 5a. Under the same experimental conditions, the dinitrato analogue cis-[(PMePh2)2Pt(ONO2)2] (1b) forms the monoadducts 2b and 3b in equilibrium with a relatively high concentration (20-30%) of the bisadducts cis-[(PMePh2)2Pt(1-MeCy)2](NO3)2 (4b) and cis-[(PMePh2)2Pt(9-MeGu)2](NO3)2 (5b), which have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The characterization of the isolated complexes by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy is also described.     

Covalent and noncovalent interactions for [metal(dien)nucleobase](2+) complexes with L-tryptophan derivatives: formation of palladium-tryptophan species by nucleobase substitution under biologically relevant conditions

The interaction of the complexes [Pd(dien)(1-MeCyt)]2+ (2) and [Pd(dien)(9-EtGH)]2+ (3) with the amino acids L-tryptophan (Trp) and N-acetyltryptophan (N-AcTrp) was studied and compared with the previously studied platinum analogues [Pt(dien)(1-MeCyt)]2+ (4) and [Pt(dien)(9-EtGH)]2+ (5). Solid-state structures for 2 and 4 are reported. For the palladium complexes, the interaction is pH sensitive. Below pH 5, the noncovalent interaction with stacking between the aromatic amino acid residue and the metalated nucleobase was observed. Fluorescence quenching experiments indicated similar association constants for platinum and palladium derivatives 2-5. Unusual substitution of the model nucleobases 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCyt) and 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH) by tryptophan was observed in the range of pH 5-11. The resulting species [Pd(dien)(Trp)]+ (6) and [Pd(dien)(N-AcTrp)]+ (7) were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-MS spectroscopy with coordination indicated through the amino and deprotonated amido nitrogens, respectively. Complexes 6 and 7 were also obtained from a solution of [Pd(dien)Cl]+ (1) incubated with either Trp or N-AcTrp, respectively.     

Diplatinum(III) complexes with four bridging 1-methylcytosinato nucleobases derived from a mononuclear trans-(NH3)2PtII complex and CuII

A heteronuclear complex of composition trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(N4-1-MeC(-)-N3)(2)Cu(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1a), with 1-MeC(-) = 1-methylcytosinate, has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1a (Cu,Pt) is a linkage isomer of a previously described compound with the two metals inverted (Pt,Cu). The intermetallic distances are significantly different in the two types of compounds, 2.6109(9) A in 1a, yet 2.49-2.56 A in several forms of the linkage isomer. When heated in water in the presence of air, 1a is converted in low yield into diplatinum(III) compounds [(H(3)N)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt(NH(3))](2+) (2a) and [(H(2)O)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt(NH(3))](2+) (2b), which were crystallized as ClO(4)(-) salts. In a modified procedure a third representative of this group of diplatinum(III) compounds, [(O(2)N)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt](+) (2c) was isolated. All three compounds contain the four bridging 1-MeC ligands in a head,tail,head,tail arrangement with Pt-Pt distances (2.4516(7)-2.4976(9) A) that are the shortest ones among diplatinum(III) compounds containing nucleobases.     

7-Methylguanine: protonation, formation of linkage isomers with trans-(NH3)2Pt(II), and base pairing properties

Three protonated forms of 7-methylguanine (7-MeGH, 1) with different counter ions, [7-MeGH(2)]X (X = NO(3), 1a; ClO(4), 1b; BF(4), 1c) and two Pt(II) complexes, trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(7-MeGH-N9)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (4) and trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(7-MeGH-N9)(7-MeGH-N3)](ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (5) are described and their X-ray crystal structures are reported. 1a-1c form infinite ribbons via pairs of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between N1H···O6 and N3···N2H(2) sites, with anions connecting individual ribbons, thereby generating extended sheets. 4 and 5 do not display unusual features, except that 5 represents a rare case of a bis(nucleobase) complex of Pt(II) in which linkage isomers occur. Unlike in a previously reported compound, [Pt(dien)(7-MeGH-N9)](NO(3))(ClO(4)), the Pt coordination planes and the 7-MeGH planes are not coplanar in 4 and 5. The hydrogen bonding behaviour of 7-MeGH, free and when platinated at N9 (complex 4), was studied in Me(2)SO-d(6). It revealed the following: (i) there is no detectable self-association of 1 in Me(2)SO solution. (ii) 1 and 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC) form Watson-Crick pairs. (iii) 4 does not self-associate. (iv) 4 associates with 1-MeC in the Watson-Crick fashion. (v) 4 and 1 interact in solution, but no model can be proposed at present. (vi) Remarkable interaction shifts between 4 and 1 occur when NH(3) is liberated from trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) to give NH(4)(+) in Me(2)SO-d(6). Feasible models, which imply the presence of deprotonated 7-MeG(-) species are proposed. Finally, DFT calculations were carried out to qualitatively estimate the effect of 7-MeGH acidity in [Pt(dien)(7-MeGH-N9)](2+) in dependence of the dihedral angle between the Pt coordination plane and the nucleobase.     

Effects of Pt...Pt bonding, anions, solvate molecules, and hydrogen bonding on the self-association of Chugaev's cation, a platinum complex with a chelating carbene ligand

Five salts, [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)](BPh(4)).CH(3)OH, [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)](PF(6)).CH(2)Cl(2), [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Cl.4H(2)O, [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Br.3.5H(2)O, and [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Cl.0.1H(2)O, have been crystallized and examined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. While the internal structure of the cation is similar in all salts, the interactions between cations vary in the different salts. Yellow [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)](BPh(4)).CH(3)OH and red [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)](PF(6)) form face-to-face dimers with Pt...Pt separations of 3.6617(6) and 3.340(2) A, respectively. In the latter, hydrogen bonding of the chelating ligand to adjacent anions facilitates the close approach of pairs of cations. The salts [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Cl.4H(2)O, [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Br.3.5H(2)O, and [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Cl.0.1H(2)O form columnar structures with Pt...Pt separations that range from 3.2514(5) to 3.5643(6) A. The water molecules and anions surround these columns and form bridges between neighboring columns. The electronic spectra of aqueous solutions of [(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CNCH(3))(2)]Cl.4H(2)O show spectral changes upon increasing concentrations of the platinum complex that are indicative of the formation of a dimer in solution with an equilibrium constant for dimerization of 23(1).     

The Uracil C(5) Position as a Metal Binding Site: Solution and X-ray Crystal Structure Studies of Pt(II) and Hg(II) Compounds

1,3-Dimethyluracil (1,3-DimeU) reacts with trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(H(2)O)(2)](+) to give trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)(H(2)O)]X (X = NO(3)(-), 1a, ClO(4)(-), 1b) and subsequently with NaCl to give trans-(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)Cl (2) or with NH(3) to yield trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)(NH(3))]ClO(4) (3). In a similar way, (dien)Pt(II) forms [dienPt(1,3-DimeU-C5)](+) (4). Reactions leading to formation of 1 and 4 are slow, taking days. In contrast, Hg(CH(3)COO)(2) reacts fast with 1,3-DimeU to give (1,3-DimeU-C5)Hg(CH(3)COO) (5). Both 1-methyluracil (1-MeUH) and uridine (urdH) react with (dien)Pt(II) initially at N(3) and subsequently with either (dien)Pt(II) or Hg(CH(3)COO)(2) also at C(5) to give the diplatinated species 7 and 9 or the mixed PtHg complex 8. C(5) binding of either Pt(II) or Hg(II) is evident from coupling of uracil-H(6) with either (195)Pt or (199)Hg nuclei and (3)J values of 47-74 Hz (for Pt compounds) and 185-197 Hz (for Hg compounds). J values of Pt compounds are influenced both by the ligands trans to the uracil C(5) position and by the number of metal entities bound to a uracil ring. Both 2 and 5 were X-ray structurally characterized. 2: monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 15.736(6) ?, b = 11.481(6) ?, c = 25.655 (10) ?, beta = 145.55(3) degrees, V = 2621.9(28) ?(3), Z = 4. 5: monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 4.905(2) ?, b = 18.451(6) ?, c = 11.801(5) ?, beta = 94.47(3) degrees, V = 1064.77(72) ?(3), Z = 4.     

Mono- and polynuclear complexes of the model nucleobase 1-methylcytosine. Synthesis and characterization of cis-[(PMe2Ph)2Pt{(1-MeCy(-H)}]3(NO3)3 and cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)]NO3

The hydroxo complex cis-[L2Pt(mu-OH)]2(NO3)2 (L = PMe2Ph), in various solvents, reacts with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCy) to give as the final product the cyclic species cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H),N 3N 4}]3(NO3)3 (1) in high or quantitative yield. X-ray analysis of 1 evidences a trinuclear species with the NH(2)-deprotonated nucleobases bridging symmetrically the metal centers through the N3 and N4 donors. A multinuclear NMR study of the reaction in DMSO-d6 reveals the initial formation of the dinuclear species cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H),N 3N 4}]2(2+) (2), which quantitatively converts into 1 following a first-order kinetic law (at 50 degrees C, t(1/2) = 5 h). In chlorinated solvents, the deprotonation of the nucleobase affords as the major product (60-70%) the linkage isomer of 1, cis-[L2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}]3(3+) (3), in which three cytosinate ligands bridge unsymmetrically three cis-L2Pt(2+) units. In solution, 3 slowly converts quantitatively into the thermodynamically more stable isomer 1. No polynuclear adducts were obtained with the hydroxo complex stabilized by PPh3. cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(mu-OH)]2(NO3)2 reacts with 1-MeCy, in DMSO or CH2Cl2, to give the mononuclear species cis-[(PPh3)2Pt{1-MeCy(-H)}(1-MeCy)](NO3) (4) containing one neutral and one NH2-deprotonated 1-MeCy molecule, coordinated to the same metal center at the N3 and N4 sites, respectively. X-ray analysis and NMR studies show an intramolecular H bond between the N4 amino group and the uncoordinated N3 atom of the two nucleobases.     

Multiple metal binding to 6-oxopurine nucleobases as a source of deprotonation. The role of metal ions at N7 and N3

Simultaneous metal coordination to N7 (Pt(II)) and N3 (Pd(II)) of N9-blocked guanine leads to a 10(4) fold acidification of the guanine-N(1)H position and hence to a virtual complete deprotonation of the N(1)H position at neutral pH. The chelate-tethered nucleobase ethylenediamine-N9-ethylguanine was employed and relevant acid-base equilibria were studied by pD dependent 1H NMR spectroscopy. CH2 resonances of the tether were assigned on the basis of NOESY and COSY experiments. Our findings suggest a plausible method of formation of a previously reported trinuclear Pt(II) complex of 9-ethylguanine with metals coordinated to N1, N3 and N7. According to this, a sequence with the first metal binding to N7, the second one binding to N3, and only the third one binding to N1 with deprotonation of this site is proposed.     

Feasibility of a two-metal, four-purine nucleobase quartet motif

A mixed-purine nucleobase complex of composition trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-EtA-N1)(9-MeHx-N7)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (1) (9-EtA = 9-ethyladenine; 9-MeHx = 9-methylhypoxanthine) has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Cations of 1 are self-complementary as far as hydrogen bonding properties are concerned and form H bonded dimers, containing four intermolecular hydrogen bonds in addition to two intramolecular ones. The resulting mixed-purine square is considered a model compound for a putative mixed-purine tetrad consisting of two adenines and two guanines. In this model, the one-metal, four-nucleobase quartet motif, as seen in guanine or uracil quartets of nucleic acids, with the metal located in the center of the base tetrad, has been altered to a two-metal, four-nucleobase motif, with the two metal ions localized at the periphery.     

Metal coordination and imine-amine hydrogen bonding as the source of strongly shifted adenine pKa values

The X-ray crystal structure of a Pt(II) complex of composition trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(1,9-DimeA) (1,9-DimeAH)](ClO(4))(3) (2) with 1,9-DimeA = 1,9-dimethyladenine and 1,9-DimeAH(+) = 1,9-dimethyladeninium) is presented. Complex 2 forms upon deprotonation of one of the exocyclic amino groups of the adeninium ligands in trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(1,9-DimeAH)(2)](ClO(4))(4) (1), where the two nucleobases are in a head-tail arrangement. The low pK(a1) of 1 (4.1 +/- 0.2) is a consequence of a combination of the effects of metal coordination to N7 of the purine base and efficient stabilization of the deprotonated species. This feature is supported by the results of the structure determination of 2, which displays a head-head orientation of the two bases and intramolecular H-bonding between the imine group of 1,9-DimeA and the amino group of 1,9-DimeAH. In the fully deprotonated species trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(1,9-DimeA)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (3), the two nucleobases are again in a head-tail arrangement. The findings are of relevance with regard to the concept of "shifted pK(a) values" of nucleobases. This concept is applied to rationalize acid-base catalysis reactions involving nucleobases of DNA and RNA which occur in the near-physiological pH range.     

Contrasting reactivity and cancer cell cytotoxicity of isoelectronic organometallic iridium(III) complexes

Replacing the N,N-chelating ligand 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) in the Ir(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) complex [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(bpy)Cl](+) (1) with the C,N-chelating ligand 2-phenylpyridine (phpy) to give [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(phpy)Cl] (2) switches on cytotoxicity toward A2780 human ovarian cancer cells (IC(50) values of >100 μM for 1 and 10.8 μM for 2). Ir-Cl hydrolysis is rapid for both complexes (hydrolysis equilibrium reached in <5 min at 278 K). Complex 2 forms adducts with both 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) and 9-methyladenine (9-MeA), but preferentially with 9-EtG when in competition (ca. 85% of total Ir after 24 h). The X-ray crystal structure of [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(phpy)(9-EtG-N7)]NO(3)·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) confirms N7 binding to guanine. Two-dimensional NMR spectra show that complex 2 binds to adenine mainly through N1, consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT calculations indicate an interaction between the nitrogen of the NH(2) group (9-MeA) and carbons from phpy in the adenine adduct of complex 2. Calculations show that the most stable geometry of the adduct [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(phpy)(9-EtG-N7)](+) (3b) has the C6O of 9-EtG orientated toward the pyridine ring of phpy, and for [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(phpy)(9-MeA-N1)](+) (4(N1)a), the NH(2) group of 9-EtA is adjacent to the phenyl ring side of phpy. Complex 2 is more hydrophobic than complex 1, with log P values of 1.57 and -0.95, respectively. The strong nucleobase binding and high hydrophobicity of complex 2 probably contribute to its promising anticancer activity.     

Molecular Architecture with Nucleobases,Metal Ions and Water Molecules: Mixed Adenine,Hypoxanthine Quartet Containing trans -(NH 3 ) 2 Pt II and Ag + and Harboring a Water Hexamer in Its Chair Conformation

The formation and X-ray crystal structure of a molecular rectangle of 14.25(2) Å ‐ 10.36(2) Å, comprised of two neutral 9-methyladenine (9-MeA) and two anionic 9-methylhypoxanthinate (9-MeHx) model nucleobases as well as two trans -(NH 3 ) 2 Pt II and two Ag + entities, and further cross-linked intermolecularly by Ag + ions, is described: trans -[{(NH 3 ) 2 Pt(9-MeA)(9-MeHx)Ag(NO 3 ) (H 2 O)} 2 Ag](NO 3 ) 3 6H 2 O ( 4 ). The water molecules are located between adjacent purine quartets and adopt a cyclic water hexamer structure in a chair conformation. In addition, the X-ray crystal structure of the precursor of 4 , trans -[(NH 3 ) 2 Pt(9-MeA)(9-MeHxH)](NO 3 ) 2 H 2 O ( 2 ), is reported. 4 is discussed in terms of its relationship to proposals in the literature concerning possible structures of metalated forms of purine quartets.     

(1,3-Dimethyluracil-5-yl)mercury(II): Preparative, Structural, and NMR Spectroscopic Studies of an Analog of CH(3)Hg(II)

The solution behavior of (1,3-DimeU-C5)Hg(CH(3)COO) (1a) (1,3-DimeU = 1,3-dimethyluracil) with regard to acetate replacement by anions X (Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), NO(3)(-), SCN(-), CN(-)) and by other model nucleobases (1-methylcytosine, 1-MeC, 1-methyluracil, 1-MeUH, 1-methylthymine, 1-MeTH, 9-ethylguanine, 9-EtGH, and 2-thiouracil, 2-ThioUH) has been studied, primarily by means of (1)H and (199)Hg NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the bis(1,3-DimeU-C5) complex of Hg has been crystallized and studied by X-ray crystallography. 7a: orthorhombic system, space group Fdd2, a = 14.185(4) ?, b = 25.275(7) ?, c = 7.924(2) ?, V = 2840(2) ?(3), Z = 8. The acetato ligand of 1a is readily displaced by anions X, frequently followed by disproportionation reactions leading to HgX(2) and 7a. The donor atom X trans to C(5) has an effect on (3)J coupling between (199)Hg and H(6) of the 1,3-DimeU ligand according to NO(3)(-) > OAc(-) > Cl(-) approximately Br(-) > I(-) > SCN(-) > CN(-) > 1,3-DimeU-C5 with extremes being 222 (X = NO(3)(-)) and 107 Hz (7a). In the presence of excess metal ions (Ag(+), Hg(2+)), 1a forms hetero- and homonuclear derivatives with the second metal ion probably sitting at O(4). The mixed nucleobase complexes have the second base bound to Hg via N(3) (1-MeU (2a), 1-MeT (3a)), N(4) (1-MeC(-) (4a), 1-MeC (4b)), N(1) (9-EtG (5a)), N(7) (9-EtGH (5b)), and N(1), N(7) (9-EtG (5c)), as well as S(2) (2-ThioU (6a)). With the exception of the 9-ethylguanine complexes 5b and 5c, all the other complexes are inert on the (1)H time scale. In several cases, e.g. 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a, formation of dinuclear Hg or heteronuclear Ag and Pt derivatives has been established by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of ketonylplatinum(III) dinuclear complexes: observation of the competitive radical vs electrophilic displacement in Pt(III)-promoted C-H bond activation of ketones.

New ketonylplatinum(III) dinuclear complexes [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(2)COPh)](NO(3))(3) (4), [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(CH(3))COC(2)H(5))](NO(3))(3) (5), and [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(2)COCH(2)COCH(3))](NO(3))(3) (6) were prepared by treatment of platinum blue complex [Pt(4)(NH(3))(8)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(4)](NO(3))(5) (2) with acetophenone, 3-pentanone, and acetylacetone, respectively, in the presence of concentrated HNO(3). The structures of complexes 4 and 6 have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, which revealed that the C-H bonds of the methyl groups in acetophenone and acetylacetone have been cleaved and Pt(III)-C bonds are formed. Formation of diketonylplatinum(III) complex 6 provides a novel example of the C-H bond activation not at the central alpha-C-H but at the terminal methyl of acetylacetone. Reaction with butanone having unsymmetrical alpha-H atoms led to two types of ketonylplatinum(III) complexes [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(CH(3))COCH(3))](NO(3))(3) (7a) and [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(2)COCH(2)CH(3))](NO(3))(3) (7b) at a molar ratio of 1.7 to 1 corresponding to the C-H bond activation of methylene and methyl groups, respectively. Use of 3-methyl-2-butanone instead of butanone gave complex [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(2)COCH(CH(3))(2))](NO(3))(3) (8) as a sole product via C-H bond activation in the alpha-methyl group. The reactivity of the ketonylplatinum(III) dinuclear complexes toward nucleophiles, such as H(2)O and HNEt(2), was examined. The alpha-hydroxyl- and alpha-amino-substituted ketones were generated in the reactions of [Pt(2)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NH(3))(4)(CH(2)COCH(3))](NO(3))(3) (1), 5, and a mixture of 7a and 7b with water and amine, which indicates that the carbon atom in the ketonyl group bound to the Pt(III) atom can receive a nucleophilic attack. The high electrophilicity of the ketonylplatinum(III) complexes can be accounted for by the high electron-withdrawing ability of the platinum(III) atom. A competition between the radical and electrophilic displacement pathways was observed directly in the C-H bond activation reaction with butanone giving complexes 7a and 7b. Addition of a radical trapping agent suppressed the radical pathway and gave complex 7b as the predominant product. On the contrary, 7a was formed as the main product when the reaction solution was irradiated by mercury lamp light. These results together with other mechanistic studies demonstrate that complex 7a was produced via a radical process, whereas complex 7b is produced via electrophilic displacement of a proton by the Pt(III) atom. The competitive processes were further observed in the reactions of platinum blue complex 2 with a mixture of acetone and 3-pentanone in the presence of HNO(3). The relative molar ratio of acetonyl complex 1 to pentanoyl complex 5 was 3 to 1 under room light, whereas formation of complex 5 was almost suppressed when the reaction was carried out in the dark with the addition of a radical trapping agent.