Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxic and DNA binding studies of diimine Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) complexes of short hydrocarbon chain ethyldithiocarbamate ligand

Two novel Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) complexes of 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) with ethyldithiocarbamate (Et-dtc) were synthesized. These complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods such as ultraviolet-visible, infrared and ¹H NMR as well as conductivity measurements and chemical analysis. In these complexes, the dithiocarbamate ligand coordinates with Pt(II) or Pd(II) center as bidentate with two sulfur atoms. These water soluble complexes were tested for their in vitro anti-tumor activity against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562. They show Cc₅₀ values lower than those of cisplatin. The mode of binding of the complexes to calf thymus DNA, were investigated by circular dichroism, ultraviolet difference and fluorescence spectroscopy. These complexes can denature DNA at very low concentrations (~100 μM). Both complexes exhibit cooperative binding and presumably intercalate into DNA. Remarkably, most of the experimental results indicate that the tendency of the Pd(II) complex to interact with DNA and its anti-tumor activity against K562 is more than that of its Pt(II) analog.     

Iron(III) and nickel(II) template complexes derived from benzophenone thiosemicarbazones

New iron(III) and nickel(II) chelates were synthesized by template reaction of 2,4-dihydroxy- and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone S-methylthiosemicarbazones with 2-hydroxy- and 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-benzaldehydes. The template complexes were isolated as stable solids and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity and magnetic measurements, IR, ¹H NMR, UV–Visible, and mass spectra. The crystal structure of N ¹-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene-N ⁴-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)methylene-S-methyl-thiosemicarbazidato-Fe(III) was determined by X-ray diffraction. A five-coordinate, distorted square-pyramidal geometry was established crystallographically for the iron(III) complex. Cytotoxicity and proliferation properties were determined using human erythromyeloblastoid leukemia and HL-60 mouse promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. For K 562 and HL-60 cells, compounds 1a and 2b were found to be cytotoxic at concentrations of 10 and 20 µg mL^?1.     

Synthesis,characterization, and cytotoxicity of platinum(II)/palladium(II) complexes with 4-toluenesulfonyl-L-amino acid dianion and diimine/diamine

Eight new platinum(II)/palladium(II) complexes with 4-toluenesulfonyl-L-amino acid dianion and diimine/diamine ligands, [Pd(en)(Tsile)]·H₂O (1), [Pd(bipy)(Tsile)] (2), [Pd(bipy)(Tsthr)]·0.5H₂O (3), [Pd(phen)(Tsile)]·0.5H₂O (4), [Pd(phen)(Tsthr)]·H₂O (5), [Pd(bqu)(Tsthr)]·1.5H₂O (6), [Pt(en)(Tsser)] (7), and [Pt(en)(Tsphe)]·H₂O (8), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR and mass spectrometry. The crystal structure of 7 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Cytotoxicities were tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and sulforhodamine B assays. The complexes exert cytotoxicity against HL-60, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and KB cell lines with 4 having the best cytotoxicity against HL-60, Bel-7402, and BGC-823 cell lines; the compounds are less cytotoxic than cisplatin.     

Cytotoxicity,antioxidant and glutathione S-transferase inhibitory activity of palladium(II) chloride complexes bearing nucleobase ligands

Palladium(II) chloride complexes bearing the nucleobases, adenine, cytosine and guanine, have been synthesized and characterized by UV–vis spectrophotometric methods, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹H-NMR. The complexes were found to have the general composition PdCl₂(NH₃L) (where L = adenine, cytosine or guanine). Square-planar geometry is proposed for these Pd(II) complexes based on magnetic evidence and electronic spectra. The complexes as well as the free nucleobase ligands show varying degrees of cytotoxicity on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60) and human histiocytic leukemia (U937) cell lines, with cis-[PdCl₂(NH₃)(Gua)] showing IC₅₀ values of 48.03 ± 9.67 and 11.12 ± 3.42 µM against HL60 and U937, respectively. The complexes as well as the ligands did not show anti-proliferative activity against a normal human cell line (NB1RGB). The complexes also show significant antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical as well as glutathione S-transferase inhibitory activity.     

Polymeric seven-coordinated organotin(IV) complexes derived from 5-amino-2-chlorobenzoic acid and in vitro anti-cancer studies

Cancer cases are alarmingly increasing worldwide, and newer chemotherapeutic agents are needed. Recent analogs of cisplatin (carboplatin, lobaplatin, nedaplatin and oxaliplatin) and their marketing as advanced chemotherapeutic drugs have furthered the interest in metal-based anti-cancer drugs. In the current study, two new polymeric organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes (1 and 2) have been synthesized and characterized. Spectroscopic studies showed that coordination took place via carboxylates. Furthermore, X-ray crystallographic study on 1 indicated that it possesses a monomeric structure and exists in polymeric formation due to additional Sn–N coordination, assigning seven coordinations to each metal ion. Both the complexes were tested against three cancerous (human colon cancer, HCT 116; breast cancer, MCF-7; and leukemia, K562) and one non-cancerous (3T3-L1) cell lines. Complex 1 showed exceptional cytotoxicity against cancerous cell lines (IC₅₀ = 1.0 μM for HCT 116; 258.7 nM for MCF-7; and 46.7 nM K562) and remained comparatively non-toxic against normal cells (IC₅₀ = 37.0?μM). This shows that both complexes have selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells.     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic activity of organoruthenium(II)-halido complexes with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid

Three new ruthenium(II)-arene halido complexes, [(η⁶-p-cymene) RuX(L)] (1–3), were synthesized in a reaction of [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuX₂]₂ with 5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid (HL) in ethanol (X^– = Cl^– (1), Br^– (2), I^– (3)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of the ligand precursor and its ruthenium complexes was tested by MTT assay in human cancer cell lines: lung adenocarcinoma (A549), myelogenous leukemia (K562) as well as in one normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). The results show that ruthenium(II)-arene complexes possess enhanced cytotoxicity when compared to HL in the range of concentrations up to 300 µM. In terms of halido ligand substitution, cytotoxic activity toward A549 and K562 cell lines in 1–3 serie significantly increased (e.g., IC₅₀ values for K562: 1: 205.76 µM; 2: 174.77 µM; 3: 83.97 µM). All studied compounds were found to be ineffective toward MRC-5. Hydrolysis of 1–3 was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy at 25?°C, revealing ligand-substitution reactions at the Ru(II) center. Compounds 2 and 3 underwent rapid hydrolysis ranging from a few minutes for the aquation to ca. 20?min, confirming typical Ru-arene behavior in aqueous solutions.     

Mitochondrial mode of action of a thymidine-based cisplatin analogue breaks resistance in cancer cells

Cisplatin analogue complexes with platinum(II) and palladium(II) starting from 3',5'-diamino-3',5'-dideoxy-thymidines were synthesized, both with the D-erythro- and D-threo configurations. Complexes of the general formula [MCl(2)L] were obtained and characterized. NMR spectroscopic measurements and single crystal X-ray structure analysis showed that the metal centers are coordinated to the ligands by the amino groups in 3'- and 5'-positions and not through the thymine moiety. All ligands and complexes showed no significant in vitro activities except thymiplatin (cis-dichloro(3',5'-diamino-3',5'-dideoxy-D-threo-thymidine)platinum(II)). Detailed in vitro studies on the apoptosis pathway in lymphoma (BJAB), leukemia (NALM-6), and melanoma cells (Mel-HO) as well as on transfected or resistant cell lines were carried out. Thymiplatin significantly induced an apoptotic response, which was found to be associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and with caspase activation. The activity was shown to be independent of Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), but dependent on Bcl-2 expression. As a consequence, for thymiplatin a mitochondrial mode of action could be assigned. Moreover, the compound showed activity in cells resistant to common drugs, such as daunorubicin and vincristin, and showed synergistic effects with doxorubicin, vincristin, cytarabin, and daunorubicin.     

New cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes as cytotoxic agents

The cerium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes of 5‐aminoorotic acid were synthesized and characterized by means of spectral data (IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis. Significant differences in the IR spectra of the complexes were observed as compared with the spectrum of the ligand. A comparative analysis of the Raman spectra of the complexes with that of the free 5‐aminoorotic acid allowed a straightforward assignment of the vibrations of the ligand groups involved in coordination. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra confirmed the formation of the complexes. The ligand and the complexes were tested for the cytotoxic activities on the chronic myeloid leukemia‐derived K‐562, overexpressing the BCR‐ABL fusion protein, and the non‐Hodgkin lymphoma‐derived DOHH‐2, characterized by a rexpression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl‐2 cell lines. The results obtained indicate that the tested compounds exerted a considerable cytotoxic activity upon the evaluated cell lines in a concentration‐dependent manner, which enabled the construction of dose–response curves and the calculation of the corresponding IC₅₀ values. Cytotoxicity towards tumor cells was determined for a broad concentration range. The inorganic salts exerted a very weak cytotoxic effect on these cells that is in contrast to the lanthanide complexes, which exhibited potent cytotoxic activity towards K‐562 and DOHH‐2 cell lines. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DNA Binding Studies and Cytotoxicity of Ethylenediamine 8‐Hydroxyquinolinato Palladium(II) Chloride

Interaction between ethylenediamine 8‐hydroxyquinolinato palladium(II) chloride and calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) in aqueous solution were studied by UV‐Visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopic techniques and gel chromatography at temperatures of 300 K and 310 K. The complex bound strongly and intercalatively to the CT‐DNA. The results of the cytotoxicity assay of the Pd(II) complex on the leukemia cell line, K562 indicated lower cytotoxicity than cisplatin. The Pd(II) complex is considered an agent with potential antitumor activity. The calculation of several binding and thermodynamic parameters of the inclusion Pd(II) complex with CT‐DNA may provide deeper insights into the mechanism of action of these types of complexes with nucleic acids.     

Up-regulation of Bax and endonuclease G, and down-modulation of Bcl-XL involved in cardiotoxin III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide with 60 amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, has been reported to have anticancer activity. CTX III-induced K562 cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder, sub-G1 formation) and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization with an IC(50) value of 1.7 microg/ml at 48 h. A mechanistic analysis demonstrated that CTX III-induced apoptotic cell death was accompanied by up-regulation of both Bax and endonuclease G (Endo G), and downregulation of Bcl-X(L). CTX III had no effect on the levels of Bcl-2, Bid, XIAP survivin, and AIF proteins. CTX III treatment caused loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to the cytosol, and activation of both caspase-9 and -3. CTX III-induced apoptosis was significantly blocked by the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. However, CTX III did not generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, including N-acetylcysteine and catalase, did not block CTX III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. Modulation of Bax, Bcl-XL, and the Endo G proteins, release of mitochondrial cytochome c, and activation of caspase-3 and -9 all are involved in the CTX III-triggered apoptotic process in human leukemia K562 cells.     

Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of farnesylthiosalicylic acid derivatives as anti-tumor carcinoma agents

Novel farnesylthiosahcylic acid(FTA) derivatives 5a-m with different substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazoles were synthesized. Compounds 5b,5c,5e and 5f displayed anti-tumor activities superior to FTA in most cancer cells tested.Furthermore,5e induced tumor cell apoptosis,which was accompanied by lower Bcl-2 expression,but with higher Bax and caspase 3 expression activities in cancer cells.     

Synthesis, characterization, interaction with DNA, and cytotoxic effect in vitro of new mono- and dinuclear Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine as the primary ligand

A series of novel Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes, [PdL(2)Cl(2)]·DMF (1), [Pd(2)(L-H)(2)(bpy)Cl(2)]·(H(2)O)(2)·DMF (2), [Pd(2)(L-H)(2)(phen)Cl(2)]·2H(2)O (3), [PtL(2)Cl(2)]·H(2)O (4), [Pt(2)(L-H)(2)(bpy)Cl(2)]·2H(2)O (5), and [Pt(2)(L-H)(2)(phen)Cl(2)]·H(2)O (6), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and L = 1,3-benzothiazol-2-amine, have been synthesized and characterized. The competitive binding of the complexes to DNA has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The values of the apparent DNA binding constant, calculated from fluorescence spectral studies, were 3.8 × 10(6) (K(app)(4)), 2.9 × 10(6) (K(app)(1)), 2.4 × 10(6) (K(app)(6)), 2.0 × 10(6) (K(app)(5)), 1.2 × 10(6) (K(app)(3)), and 6.9 × 10(5) (K(app)(2)). The binding parameters for the fluorescence Scatchard plot were also determined. On the basis of the data obtained, it indicates that the six complexes bind to DNA with different binding affinities in the relative order 4 > 1 > 6 > 5 > 3 > 2. Viscosity studies carried out on the interaction of complexes with Fish Sperm DNA (FS-DNA) suggested that all complexes bind by intercalation. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrates that all the complexes can cleave the pBR 322 plasmid DNA and bind to DNA in a similar mode. The cytotoxic activity of the complexes has been also tested against four different cancer cell lines. The results show that all complexes have activity against KB, AGZY-83a, Hep-G2, and HeLa cells. In general, the Pt(II) complexes were found to be more effective than the isostructural Pd(II) complexes. The mononuclear complexes exhibited excellent activity in comparison with the dinuclear complexes in these four cell lines. Moreover, on the KB cell line (the human oral epithelial carcinoma), the observed result seems quite encouraging for the six complexes with IC(50) values ranging from 1.5 to 8.6 μM. Furthermore, apoptosis assay with hematoxylin-eosin staining shows treatment with the six complexes results in morphological changes of KB cells. The results induce apoptosis in KB cells.     

Design,Synthesis, and Antipoliferative Activities of Novel Substituted Imidazole-Thione Linked Benzotriazole Derivatives

A new series of benzotriazole moiety bearing substituted imidazol-2-thiones at N1 has been designed, synthesized and evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity against the different cancer cell lines MCF-7(breast cancer), HL-60 (Human promyelocytic leukemia), and HCT-116 (colon cancer). Most of the benzotriazole analogues exhibited promising antiproliferative activity against tested cancer cell lines. Among all the synthesized compounds, BI9 showed potent activity against the cancer cell lines such as MCF-7, HL-60 and HCT-116 with IC₅₀ 3.57, 0.40 and 2.63 µM, respectively. Compound BI9 was taken up for elaborate biological studies and the HL-60 cells in the cell cycle were arrested in G₂/M phase. Compound BI9 showed remarkable inhibition of tubulin polymerization with the colchicine binding site of tubulin. In addition, compound BI9 promoted apoptosis by regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAX and anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2. These results provide guidance for further rational development of potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.     

DNA as a Target for Anticancer Phen-Imidazole Pd(II) Complexes

Imidazole ring is a known structure in many natural or synthetic drug molecules and its metal complexes can interact with DNA and do the cleavage. Hence, to study the influence of the structure and size of the ligand on biological behavior of metal complexes, two water-soluble Pd(II) complexes of phen and FIP ligands (where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and FIP is 2-(Furan-2-yl)-1H–Imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline) with the formula of [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO₃)₂ and [Pd(FIP)₂]Cl₂, that were activated against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, were selected. Also, the interaction of these anticancer Pd(II) complexes with highly polymerized calf thymus DNA was extensively studied by means of electronic absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism in Tris-buffer. The results showed that the binding was positive cooperation and [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO₃)₂ (K _f = 127 M^-1 G = 1.2) exhibited higher binding constant and number of binding sites than [Pd(FIP)₂]Cl₂ (K _f = 13 M^-1 G = 1.03) upon binding to DNA. The fluorescence data indicates that quenching effect for [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO₃)₂ (K _SV = 58 mM^?1) was higher than [Pd(FIP)₂]Cl₂ (K _SV = 12 mM^?1). Also, [Pd(FIP)₂]Cl₂ interacts with ethidium bromide-DNA, as non-competitive inhibition, and can bind to DNA via groove binding and [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO₃)₂ can intercalate in DNA. These results were confirmed by circular dichroism spectra. Docking data revealed that longer complexes have higher interaction energy and bind to DNA via groove binding.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract Two anticancer Pd(II) complexes of imidazole derivative have been synthesized and interacted with calf thymus DNA. Modes of binding have been studied by electronic absorption, fluorescence, and CD measurements. [Pd(FIP)₂]Cl₂ can bind to DNA via groove binding while intercalation mode of binding is observed for [Pd(phen)(FIP)](NO₃)₂.

     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and cytotoxicity of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexylthiosemicarbazone and its zinc(II) and diorganotin(IV) complexes

[Zn(L)₂] (1) and [(Ph)₂Sn(L)(CH₃COO)] (2), where HL = 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexylthiosemicarbazone, have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes show different coordination depending on their coordinating preferences. Biological studies carried out in vitro against human leukemia K562 cells show that the diorgantin(IV) complex, 2, has significant cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ = 3.3 ± 0.5 μM.     

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).     

Synthesis, cytotoxic effect, and structure-activity relationship of Pd(II) complexes with coumarin derivatives

We report the influence of the substituent at the N atom of the ligands on the synthesis, biological activity, and stability of Pd(II) complexes of the general formula PdL(2). The compounds adopt a cis or trans configuration with respect to the substituent at the nitrogen atom. Sterically hindered substituents promote the formation of trans isomers, whereas when the nitrogen atom is unsubstituted, cis isomers are formed. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopies, and electrospray mass spectrometry. The complexes were also studied using X-ray diffraction and computational DFT methods. Both complexes cis-3a and trans-3c exhibit square-planar geometries around the Pd(II) atom. The cytotoxic effects of these complexes were examined on two human leukemia cell lines, HL-60 and NALM-6. Pd complex cis-3a showed significant cytotoxic activity. The effects exhibited by this complex were comparable to those reported for carboplatin. Loigand 2a was not cytotoxic. Computational analysis carried out at the PB/B3LYP/LACVP**//mPW1PW91/LanL2DZ level showed excellent correlation between the energy difference of the cis and trans isomers and the cytotoxic activity, rendering computations a useful predictive tool for the design of new drugs.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of five new mixed-ligand palladium(II) complexes with ethylenediamine and 4-toluenesulfonyl-L-amino acid dianion

Five new palladium(II) complexes with 4-toluenesulfonyl-L-amino acid dianion and en, [Pd(en)(TsserNO)] (1), [Pd(en)(TsglyNO)] (2), [Pd(en)(TsalaNO)]?·?1.5H₂O (3), [Pd(en)(TsleuNO)]?·?H₂O (4), and [Pd(en)(TspheNO)]?·?2H₂O (5), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, ¹H NMR, and mass spectrometry. Crystal structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxicity was tested by MTT and SRB assays. The results indicate 1–5 exert cytotoxic effects against HL-60, Bel-7402, BGC-823, and KB cell lines and 5 displays the best cytotoxicity. The structure–activity relationships suggest that both amino acid and N-containing ligands have important effects on cytotoxicity.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the substitution reactions of some monofunctional Pd(II) complexes with different nitrogen-donor heterocycles

Substitution reactions of five monofunctional Pd(II) complexes, [Pd(terpy)Cl]⁺ (terpy = 2,2′;6′,2″-terpyridine), [Pd(bpma)Cl]⁺ (bpma = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), [Pd(dien)Cl]⁺ (dien = diethylenetriamine or 1,5-diamino-3-azapentane), [Pd(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Me₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetramethyldiethylenetriamine), and [Pd(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Et₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetraethyldiethylenetriamine), with unsaturated N-heterocycles such as 3-amino-4-iodo-pyrazole (pzI), 5-amino-4-bromo-3-methyl-pyrazole (pzBr), 1,2,4-triazole, pyrazole, pyrazine, and imidazole were investigated in aqueous 0.10 M NaClO₄ in the presence of 10 mM NaCl using variable-temperature stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The second-order rate constants k₂ indicate that the reactivity of the Pd(II) complexes decrease in the order [Pd(terpy)Cl]⁺ > [Pd(bpma)Cl]⁺ > [Pd(dien)Cl]⁺ > [Pd(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ > [Pd(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺. The most reactive nucleophile of the heterocycles is pyrazine, while the slowest reactivity is with pyrazole. Activation parameters were determined for all reactions and negative entropies of activation, ΔS^≠, supporting an associative mode of substitution. The reactions between [Pd(bpma)Cl]⁺ and 1,2,4-triazole, pzI, and pzBr were also investigated by ¹H NMR to define the manner of coordination. These results could be useful for better explanation of structure-reactivity relationships of Pd(II) complexes as well as for the prediction of potential targets of Pd(II) complexes toward common N-heterocycles, constituents of biomolecules and different N-bonding pharmaceutical agents.