Macrocyclic effect of auxiliary ligand on the gas‐phase dissociation of ternary copper(II)–GGX complexes

Previous studies into the dissociation of [Cu^II(dien)peptide] ^{. 2+} ions (dien = diethylenetriamine) have shown that NH‐containing auxiliary ligands do not favor the formation of [peptide] ^{. +} species; instead, they promote proton‐transfer reactions, especially for peptides containing basic amino residues. Formation of radical cationic tripeptides of the form GGX ^{. +} [GGX = glycylglycyl(residue X)] becomes feasible upon substituting the open‐chain tridentate ligand dien with its analogous cyclic ligand, 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane (9‐aneN₃); i.e., from [Cu^II(9‐aneN₃)GGX] ^{. 2+} ions. Similar enhancements occur when using 1,4,7,10‐tetraoxacyclododecane (12‐crown‐4) in place of its open‐chain analog, 2,5,8,11‐tetraoxadecane (triglyme). We have demonstrated that a sterically encumbered auxiliary macrocyclic ligand within [Cu^II(L)GGX] ^{. 2+} complex ions [where L = 9‐aneN₃ or 12‐crown‐4] facilitates the formation of radical cationic peptides through gas‐phase fragmentation. We verified our experimental observations by examining the reactivities of a series of 19 tripeptides of the type GGX that differ only in the identity of their C‐terminal residue. The energy of the electron‐transfer reaction correlates well with the bond‐dissociation energy of the peptide–Cu(II) interaction; the presence of a constrained macrocyclic ligand weakens metal–peptide chelation through steric repulsion between the ligand and the peptide, and this situation may lead to more favorable radical cationic peptide formation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two new 2-D frameworks based on tetra-copper(II)-substituted sandwich-type polyoxotungstate anions and [Cu2(dien)2(OH)]3+ cations

Two new organic–inorganic polyoxometalates [Cu(dien)(H₂O)]₂{[Cu₂(dien)₂(OH)]₂[Cu₄(B-α-XW₉O₃₃)₂]}·4H₂O (X?=?Sb, 1; X?=?As, 2) (dien?=?diethylenetriamine) were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric (TG) analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds are constructed from one four-coordinate [Cu(dien)(H₂O)]²⁺, one {[Cu₂(dien)₂(OH)]₂[Cu₄(B-α-XW₉O₃₃)₂]} building unit, and four water molecules of crystallization. Structural analysis shows that the sandwich-like polyoxotungstate cluster anions [Cu₄(B-α-XW₉O₃₃)₂]^10? are linked by six adjacent dimeric cations [Cu₂(dien)₂(OH)]³⁺ into a 2-D architecture with a (6,3)-connected topology. Magnetic measurements of 1 and 2 exhibit the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions within the tetranuclear-Cu^II cluster.     

Copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes ofN,N′, N″, N‴-tetra(2-cyanoethyl)-1,4,8, 12-tetra-azacyclopentadecane

Summary Reaction of 1,4,8, 12-tetra-azacyclopentadecance ([15])-aneN₄) with an excess of acrylonitrile gives theN-tetracyanoethylated ligand (L). Several new complexes of this ligand with nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) have been prepared and characterised. The complexes can be formulated [NiL]_n(ClO₄)_2n, [ML](ClO₄)₂ (M=Cu^II and Zn^II), [NiL(NCS)₂], [NiLCl₂], [CuL](NO₃)₂ and [NiL]_n(NO₃)_2n·2H₂O. Spectral, magnetic and conductivity data are reported and possible structures are considered.     

Oxidation of Cu(II) aminopolycarboxylates by carbonate radical: A flash photolysis study

Reactions of carbonate radical (Co₃ ⁻) generated by photolysis or by radiolysis of a carbonate solution, with Cu(II) complexes of aminopolycarboxylic acids viz., Cu(II)ethylenediamine tetraacetate [Cu^IIEDTA]²⁻ and Cu(II)-iminodiacetate [Cu^IIIDA] were studied at pH 10. 5 and ionic strength 0.2 mol·dm⁻³. Time-resolved spectroscopy and kinetics for the transients were studied using flash photolysis and stable products arising from the ligand degradation of the complex were ascertained by steady-state radiolysis experiments. From the kinetic data it is observed that CO₃ ⁻, radical reacts initially with Cu^II-complex to form a transient intermediate having maximum absorption at 335 nm and 430 nm. From the subsequent reactions of this intermediate it was assigned to be Cu^III. species. This Cu(III) species undergoes intermolecular electron transfer with the Cu^II-complex to give a radical intermediate which again slowly reacts with Cu^II-complex to give a long lived species containing Cu−C bond. This long lived species, however, slowly decomposed to give glyoxalic reaction between Cu^III-complex and a suitable donor, the one electron reduction potential for [Cu^IIIEDTA]¹⁻/[Cu^IIEDTA]²⁻ and [Cu^IIIIDA]⁺¹/Cu^IIIDA was determined.     

Hydrolysis of [Pt(dien)H2O]2+ and [Pd(dien)H2O]2+ complexes in water

The hydrolysis of the [Pt(dien)H₂O]²⁺ and [Pd(dien)H₂O]²⁺ complexes has been investigated by potentiometry at 298 K, in 0.1 mol dm^–3 aqueous NaClO₄. Least-squares treatment of the data obtained indicates the formation of mononuclear and -hydroxo-bridged dinuclear complexes with stability constants: log ₁₁ = –6.94 for [Pt(dien)OH]⁺, log ₁₁ = –7.16 for [Pd(dien)OH]⁺, and also log ₂₂ = –9.37 for [Pt₂(dien)₂(OH)₂]²⁺ and log ₂₂ = –10.56 for [Pd₂(dien)₂(OH)₂]²⁺. At pH values > 5.5, formation of the dimer becomes significant for the Pt^II complex, and at pH > 6.5 for the Pd^II complex. These results have been analyzed in relation to the antitumor activity of Pt^II complexes.     

Metallo-guanines and metallo-guanosines

Metallo-guanines of the type [M(G)₂·2H₂O] [M = Ni^II, Fe^II, Cu^II and UO₂ ^II; G = anionic guanine], [M(G)₂(GH)· H₂O] (M = Co^II and Mn^II; GH = neutral guanine), [Pd(G)₂]·2H₂O and [Zn(G)Cl]₂ have been isolated and characterised. Anionic guanine functions as a bidentate ligand and links through N(3) and N(9). E.p.r. data indicate that the Cu^II complex has a highly distorted octahedral structure. The magnetic susceptibility data suggest that the Co^II and Ni^II complexes possess pseudooctahedral geometry. Neutral guanines are probably unidentate and coordinate either through N(3) or N(9). The isolated guanosine complexes are of the types: [M(Gs)₂·H₂O] [M = Ni^II and Cu^II, Gs = anionic guanosine] [Pd(Gs)₂]·2H₂O and [UO₂(Gs)₂]. I.r. data indicate that guanosine also functions as a bidentate ligand, but coordinates through N(1) and C₂ — NH₂. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes indicate that guanine is a stronger ligand than guanosine.     

Dioxygen Activation of a Trinuclear CuICuICuI Cluster Capable of Mediating Facile Oxidation of Organic Substrates: Competition between O‐Atom Transfer and Abortive Intercomplex Reduction

The dioxygen activation of a series of Cu^ICu^ICu^I complexes based on the ligands ( L ) 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐ 1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl](methyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Me ) or 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(diethylamino)ethyl](ethyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Et ) forms an intermediate capable of mediating facile O‐atom transfer to simple organic substrates at room temperature. To elucidate the dioxygen chemistry, we have examined the reactions of 7‐Me , 7‐Et , and 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis[1‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol] ( 7‐N‐Meppz ) with dioxygen at ?80, ?55, and ?35 °C in propionitrile (EtCN) by UV‐visible, 77 K EPR, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and 7‐N‐Meppz and 7‐Me with dioxygen at room temperature in acetonitrile (MeCN) by diode array spectrophotometry. At both ?80 and ?55 °C, the mixing of the starting [Cu^ICu^ICu^I( L )]¹⁺ complex ( 1 ) with O₂‐saturated propionitrile (EtCN) led to a bright green solution consisting of two paramagnetic species: the green dioxygen adduct [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ ( 2 ) and the blue [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ species ( 3 ). These observations are consistent with the initial formation of [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)₂Cu^III( L )]¹⁺ ( 4 ), followed by rapid abortion of this highly reactive species by intercluster electron transfer from a second molecule of complex 1 to give the blue species 3 and subsequent oxygenation of the partially oxidized [Cu^IICu^ICu^I( L )]²⁺ ( 5 ) to form the green dioxygen adduct 2 . Assignment of 2 to [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ is consistent with its reactivity with water to give H₂O₂ and the blue species 3 , as well as its propensity to be photoreduced in the X‐ray beam during X‐ray absorption experiments at room temperature. In light of these observations, the development of an oxidation catalyst based on the tricopper system requires consideration of the following design criteria: 1) rapid dioxygen chemistry; 2) facile O‐atom transfer from the activated cluster to substrate; and 3) a suitable reductant to rapidly regenerate complex 1 to accomplish efficient catalytic turnover.     

Protonation of a Biologically Relevant CuII μ‐Thiolate Complex: Ligand Dissociation or Formation of a Protonated CuI Disulfide Species?

The proton‐induced electron‐transfer reaction of a Cu^II μ‐thiolate complex to a Cu^I‐containing species has been investigated, both experimentally and computationally. The Cu^II μ‐thiolate complex [Cu^II₂( L^MeS )₂]²⁺ is isolated with the new pyridyl‐containing ligand L^MeSSL^Me , which can form both Cu^II thiolate and Cu^I disulfide complexes, depending on the solvent. Both the Cu^II and the Cu^I complexes show reactivity upon addition of protons. The multivalent tetranuclear complex [Cu^I₂Cu^II₂( LS )₂(CH₃CN)₆]⁴⁺ crystallizes after addition of two equivalents of strong acid to a solution containing the μ‐thiolate complex [Cu^II₂( LS )₂]²⁺ and is further analyzed in solution. This study shows that, upon addition of protons to the Cu^II thiolate compound, the ligand dissociates from the copper centers, in contrast to an earlier report describing redox isomerization to a Cu^I disulfide species that is protonated at the pyridyl moieties. Computational studies of the protonated Cu^II μ‐thiolate and Cu^I disulfide species with LSSL show that already upon addition of two equivalents of protons, ligand dissociation forming [Cu^I(CH₃CN)₄]⁺ and protonated ligand is energetically favored over conversion to a protonated Cu^I disulfide complex.     

Synthesis,DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of cobalt(III) complexes [Co(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(dpta)]<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and [Co(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(amtp)]<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Two novel cobalt(III) mixed-polypyridyl complexes [Co(bpy)₂(dpta)]³⁺ and [Co(bpy)₂(amtp)]³⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dpta = dipyrido-[3,2-a;2′,3′-c]-thien-[3,4-c]azine, amtp = 3-amino-1,2,4-triazino[5,6-f]-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. The interaction of Co^III complexes with calf thymus DNA was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results suggest that the two complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode. Moreover, Co^III complexes have been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid DNA pBR322 under irradiation at 365 nm. The mechanism studies reveal that hydroxyl radical (OH^•) is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of plasmid DNA by [Co(bpy)₂(dpta)]³⁺ and superoxide anion radical (O ₂ ^•− ) acts as the key role in the cleavage reaction of plasmid DNA by [Co(bpy)₂(amtp)]³⁺.     

A new family of magnetic 2D coordination polymers based on [MV(CN)8]3− (M=Mo,W) and pre-programmed Cu2+ centres

The self-assembly of [M(CN)₈]³⁻ (M=Mo, W) anion and polyamine complexes of Cu^II[Cu(tetren)]²⁺ and [Cu(dien)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (tetren=tetraethylenepentamine, dien=diethylenetriamine) in acidic aqueous solution gives (tetrenH₅)_0.8{Cu^II ₄[W^V(CN)₈]₄}·7.2H₂O 1, (tetrenH₅)_0.8{Cu^II ₄[Mo^V(CN)₈]₄}·7.2H₂O 2, (dienH₃){Cu^II ₃[W^V(CN)₈]₃}·4H₂O 3 and (dienH₃){Cu^II ₃[Mo^V(CN)₈]₃}·4H₂O 4 2D coordination polymers. All compounds are structure-related: the crystal structures of isomorphous 1–2 and 3–4, respectively, consist of double-layered cyano-bridged {Cu^II[W^V(CN)₈]⁻}_n square grid backbones and non-coordinated fully protonated polyamine countercations as well as H₂O molecules located between the sheets. The magnetic measurements reveal long range ferromagnetic ordering with sharp phase transitions at T_C in range 28–37 K and coercivity in range 30–225 Oe at liquid helium temperature, T=4.3 K.     

Structure and Magnetism of two Polynuclear Complexes Containing both Macrocyclic and Azido Ligands

The two complexes of formula [Cu₂(CuL)₂(μ‐N₃)₄] · 2CH₃OH ( 1 ) and [Cu₂(NiL)₂(μ‐N₃)₄] · 2CH₃OH ( 2 ) (CuL and NiL, H₂L = 2,3‐dioxo‐5,6,14,15‐dibenzo‐1,4,8,12‐tetraazacyclo‐pentadeca‐7,13‐dien), were synthesized and structurally determined. The magnetic susceptibility data of 1 and 2 were analyzed. For complex 1 , magnetic measurements show alternating ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange couplings J₁ = 23.67 cm^–1, J₂ = –189.11 cm^–1, zJ’ = –0.62 cm^–1. For complex 2 , the doubly bridged asymmetric EO promotes a ferromagnetic interaction between Cu^II and Cu^II ions(J = 40.764 cm^–1).     

Combined EXAFS and DFT Structure Calculations Provide Structural Insights into the 1:1 Multi‐Histidine Complexes of CuII,CuI, and ZnII with the Tandem Octarepeats of the Mammalian Prion Protein

The metal‐coordinating properties of the prion protein (PrP) have been the subject of intense focus and debate since the first reports of its interaction with copper just before the turn of the century. The picture of metal coordination to PrP has been improved and refined over the past decade, but structural details of the various metal coordination modes have not been fully elucidated in some cases. In the present study, we have employed X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy as well as extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to structurally characterize the dominant 1:1 coordination modes for Cu^II, Cu^I, and Zn^II with an N‐terminal fragment of PrP. The PrP fragment corresponds to four tandem repeats representative of the mammalian octarepeat domain, designated as OR₄, which is also the most studied PrP fragment for metal interactions, making our findings applicable to a large body of previous work. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have provided additional structural and thermodynamic data, and candidate structures have been used to inform EXAFS data analysis. The optimized geometries from DFT calculations have been used to identify potential coordination complexes for multi‐histidine coordination of Cu^II, Cu^I, and Zn^II in an aqueous medium, modelled using 4‐methylimidazole to represent the histidine side chain. Through a combination of in silico coordination chemistry as well as rigorous EXAFS curve‐fitting, using full multiple scattering on candidate structures derived from DFT calculations, we have characterized the predominant coordination modes for the 1:1 complexes of Cu^II, Cu^I, and Zn^II with the OR₄ peptide at pH 7.4 at atomic resolution, which are best represented as square‐planar [Cu^II(His)₄]²⁺, digonal [Cu^I(His)₂]⁺, and tetrahedral [Zn^II(His)₃(OH₂)]²⁺, respectively.     

Synthesis,electrochemical and e.p.r. spectral studies of binuclear copper(II) complexes with new pentadentate L-proline-based binucleating ligands

The synthesis, reduction, optical and e.p.r. spectral properties of a series of new binuclear copper(II) complexes, containing bridging moieties (OH^–, MeCO₂ ^–, NO₂ ^–, and N₃ ^–), with new proline-based binuclear pentadentate Mannich base ligands is described. The ligands are: 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-bromophenol [H₃L¹], 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-t-butylphenol [H₃L²] and 2,6-bis[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]4-methoxyphenol [H₃L³]. The exogenous bridging complexes thus prepared were hydroxo: [Cu₂L¹(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1a), [Cu₂L²(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1b), [Cu₂L³(OH)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1c), acetato [Cu₂L¹(OAc)] · H₂O (2a), [Cu₂L²(OAc)] · H₂O (2b), [Cu₂L³(OAc)] · H₂O (2c), nitrito [Cu₂L¹(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3a), [Cu₂L²(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3b), [Cu₂L³(NO₂)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (3c) and azido [Cu₂L¹(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4a), [Cu₂L²(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4b) and [Cu₂L³(N₃)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (4c). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and by spectroscopy. They exhibit resolved copper hyperfine e.p.r. spectra at room temperature, indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper atoms. The strength of the antiferromagnetic coupling lies in the order: NO₂ N₃ OH OAc. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of two redox couples Cu^IICu^II Cu^IICu^I Cu^ICu^I. The conproportionality constant K _con for the mixed valent Cu^IICu^I species for all the complexes have been determined electrochemically.     

Ring‐to‐Cage Structural Conversion via Template Effect in a Gold(I) Metallosupramolecular System

A unique example of a ring‐to‐cage structural conversion in a multinuclear gold(I) coordination system with d ‐penicillamine (d ‐H₂pen) is reported. The reaction of [Au₂Cl₂(dppe)] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with d ‐H₂pen in a 1:1 ratio gave [Au₄(dppe)₂(d ‐pen)₂] ([ 1 ]), in which two [Au₂(dppe)]²⁺ units are linked by two d ‐pen S atoms in a cyclic form so as to have two bidentate‐N,O coordination arms. The subsequent reaction of [ 1 ] with Cu(OTf)₂ afforded [Au₄Cu(dppe)₂(d ‐pen)₂]²⁺ ([ 2 ]²⁺), in which a Cu^II ion is chelated by the two coordination arms in [ 1 ] to form an Au^I₄Cu^II bicyclic metallocage. A similar reaction using Cu(NO₃)₂ was accompanied by the ring expansion of [ 1 ] to [Au₈(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄], leading to the production of [Au₈Cu₂(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄]⁴⁺ ([ 3 ]⁴⁺). In [ 3 ]⁴⁺, two Cu^II ions are each chelated by the two coordination arms to form an Au^I₈Cu^II₂ tricyclic metallocage, accommodating a nitrate ion. The use of Ni(NO₃)₂ or Ni(OAc)₂ instead of Cu(NO₃)₂ commonly gave a tricyclic metallocage of [Au₈Ni₂(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄]⁴⁺ ([ 4 ]⁴⁺), but a water molecule was accommodated inside the Au^I₈Ni^II₂ metallocage.     

Simulation of donor-acceptor electron-transport systems in the example case of the oxidation of copper in media of organic solvents

The interaction of the onium salts [Me₂ Et=O]BF₄ ^–, [Me₂ =CH-OEt]BF₄ ^–, and [Me₃ =O]I^– with metallic copper in DMSO, DMF, and acetonitrile (AN) has been investigated. It has been shown that the reaction takes place with an intermediate step involving the formation of Cu(I) compounds. The complexes [Cu^I(AN)₄]BF₄, [Cu^II(DMSO)₅](BF₄)₂, [Cu^II(DMSO)₄(AN)₂](BF₄)₂, [Cu^II(DMSO)₂(DMF)(AN)](BF₄)₂, and [ME₃ ]₃Cu^II₄ · [Me₃ =O]I^– have been isolated and characterized. It has been established that dipolar onium compounds which simulate the intermediate products of the interaction of the components of donor-acceptor electron-transport systems are responsible for the oxidation of metals in organic complex-forming media.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1325–1330, June, 1991.     

The dangers of using KBr,KI and CaI2 as mulling agents during the preparation of infrared discs of complexes

Tribochemical reactions of KBr, KI and CaI₂ with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O (L = formylhydrazine) give novel Cu^I and Cu^II complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r.) and magnetic measurements. The i.r. spectra indicate that (L) behaves in a monodentate manner, coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen (C-N) group in the Cu^II complexes, but behaving as a bidentate ligand, via the carbonyl oxygen and NH₂ groups in the Cu^I complexes. KI and CaI₂ react with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]-1/2H₂O in the solid state, accompanied by a colour change, substitution of the chloride by iodide ions, and reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I to give complexes with formulae [Cu(L)I(EtOH)_1/2] and [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2]. On the other hand, the tribochemical reaction of KBr with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O is accompanied by a colour change; substitution of the chloride by bromide ions, but without reduction of Cu^II and yields a complex of formula [Cu(L)₂Br₂(EtOH)(H₂O)]1/2EtOH. The spectral and magnetic results suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu^II complexes while a tetrahedral geometry around the Cu^I ion. The non-stoichiometric structure of [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2] is discussed.     

X-ray and solution structures of Cu(II) GHK and Cu(II) DAHK complexes: influence on their redox properties

The Gly‐His‐Lys (GHK) peptide and the Asp‐Ala‐His‐Lys (DAHK) sequences are naturally occurring high‐affinity copper(II) chelators found in the blood plasma and are hence of biological interest. A structural study of the copper complexes of these peptides was conducted in the solid state and in solution by determining their X‐ray structures, and by using a large range of spectroscopies, including EPR and HYSCORE (hyperfine sub‐level correlation), X‐ray absorption and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the structures of [Cu^II(DAHK)] in the solid state and in solution are similar and confirm the equatorial coordination sphere of NH₂, two amidyl N and one imidazole N. Additionally, a water molecule is bound apically to Cu^II as revealed by the X‐ray structure. As reported previously in the literature, [Cu^II(GHK)], which exhibits a dimeric structure in the solid state, forms a monomeric complex in solution with three nitrogen ligands: NH₂, amidyl and imidazole. The fourth equatorial site is occupied by a labile oxygen atom from a carboxylate ligand in the solid state. We probe that fourth position and study ternary complexes of [Cu^II(GHK)] with glycine or histidine. The Cu^II exchange reaction between different DAHK peptides is very slow, in contrast to [Cu^II(GHK)], in which the fast exchange was attributed to the presence of a [Cu^II(GHK)₂] complex. The redox properties of [Cu^II(GHK)] and [Cu^II(DAHK)] were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and by measuring the ascorbate oxidation in the presence of molecular oxygen. The measurements indicate that both Cu^II complexes are inert under moderate redox potentials. In contrast to [Cu^II(DAHK)], [Cu^II(GHK)] could be reduced to Cu^I around ?0.62 V (versus AgCl/Ag) with subsequent release of the Cu ion. These complete analyses of structure and redox activity of those complexes gave new insights with biological impact and can serve as models for other more complicated Cu^II–peptide interactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-dioxime and its mono- and polynuclear metal complexes containing azacrown moieties

The novel (E,E)-dioxime,7,8-bis(hydroxyimino)-1,14-bis(monoaza[8]crown-6)-benzo[f]-4,11-dioxa-1,14-diazadecane[7,8-g]quinoxaline (H₂L), has been synthesized by the reaction of 6,7-diamino-1,12-bis(monoaza[18]crown-6)benzo[f]-4,9-dioxa-1,12-diazadecane (4) which has been prepared by the reduction of 6,7-dinitro-1,12-bis(mono-aza[18]crown-6)benzo[f]-4,9-dioxa-1,12-diazdecane (3) and cyanogendi-N-oxide. Mononuclear Ni^II and Cu^II complexes of H₂L have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2 and the ligand coordinates through two hydroxyimino nitrogen atoms, as do most of the (E,E)-dioximes. The hydrogen-bridged Ni^II complex was converted into its BF ₂ ⁺ capped anologue by the reaction with BF₃ · Et₂O. The reaction of the Cu^II complex with 2,2′-dipyridyl as an end-cap ligand gave the homotrinuclear complex. Structures for the ligand and its complexes are proposed in accordance with elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ¹H, ¹³C-n.m.r, IR and MS spectral data.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of a 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole derivative and its copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

The hydrothermal synthesis of a heterocyclic quaternary nitrogen compound, namely, 6,7-dihydro-pyrido[2′,1′:3,4]pyrazino[1,2-a]imidazol-5-ium-bromide monohydrate (LBr · H₂O) is reported. Various spectroscopic analyses were performed on the cationic heterocycle. Cu^II and Zn^II halide complexes of this novel ligand were prepared. The heterocycle and its complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both complexes contain neutral [M^IILX₃] molecules, where the cyclic ligand (L⁺) is coordinated to the metal as a monodentate ligand. The Cu²⁺ complex has a distorted tetrahedral geometry, indicating an obvious steric effect from L⁺ on the chloride co-ligand. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.