EXAFS study of aqueous Zr(IV) and Th(IV) complexes in alkaline CaCl(2) solutions: Ca(3)[Zr(OH)(6)](4+) and Ca(4)[Th(OH)(8)](4+)

A hitherto unknown type of aqueous complex, ternary Ca-MIV-OH complexes (M = Zr and Th), causes unexpectedly high solubilities of zirconium(IV) and thorium(IV) hydrous oxides in alkaline CaCl2 solutions (pHc = 10-12, [CaCl2] > 0.05 mol.L(-1), and pHc = 11-12, [CaCl2] > 0.5 mol.L(-1), respectively). The dominant aqueous species are identified as Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ and characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The number of OH- ligands in the first coordination sphere detected by EXAFS, NO = 6 (6.6 +/- 1.2) for Zr and NO = 8 (8.6 +/- 1.2) for Th, are consistent with the observed slopes of 2 and 4 in the solubility curves log [M]tot vs pHc. The presence of polynuclear hydrolysis species and the formation of chloride complexes can be excluded. EXAFS spectra clearly show a second coordination shell of calcium ions. The [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- complexes with an unusually large number of OH- ligands are stabilized by the formation of associates or ion pairs with Ca2+ ions. The number of neighboring Ca2+ ions around the [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- units is determined to be NCa = 3 (2.7 +/- 0.6) at a distance of RZr-Ca = 3.38 +/- 0.02 A and NCa = 4 (3.8 +/- 0.5) at a distance of RTh-Ca = 3.98 +/- 0.02 A. The Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ complexes have first (M-O) and second (M-Ca) coordination spheres with the Ca2+ ions bound to coordination polyhedra edges.     

Proton-induced cis-trans conversion of a platinum(II) center coordinated by L-cysteinatocobalt(III) metalloligands

Treatment of LambdaL-[Co(L-cys-N,S)(en)2]+ (l-H2cys = L-cysteine) with [PtCl4]2- in water, followed by the addition of acid, gave an S-bridged CoIII2PtII trinuclear complex ([1]4+), which was reversibly converted to its deprotonated complex ([2]2+) in an aqueous solution. While [1]4+ formed only a trans isomer, [2]2+ existed as a mixture of trans and cis isomers. The selective formation of a cis isomer was achieved by treatment of [1]4+ or [2]2+ with phthalic acid in water, which afforded a unique CoIII4PtII2 hexanuclear complex ([3]4+). Complex [3]4+ was reverted back to [1]4+ by treatment with aqueous HCl, accompanied by the complete cis-to-trans conversion.     

Ca2+- and Ba2+-selective receptors based on site-selective transmetalation of multinuclear polyoxime-zinc(II) complexes

Ca2+-selective recognition was achieved by using the site-selective transmetalation of homotrinuclear metallohost [L1Zn3]2+ containing a linear tetraoxime ligand. The selectivity (log(KCa/KMg) > 5.1) is comparable to those of the excellent Ca2+ receptors or sensors such as BAPTA, Quin2, and K23E1. X-ray crystallography revealed that the Ca2+ complex [L1Zn2Ca]2+ has a helical structure. On the other hand, the larger analogue H6L2 gave a mixture of [L2Zn4]2+ isomers, which selectively recognizes Ba2+ to give a single tetranuclear complex, [L2Zn3Ba]2+.     

The Different Fluorescent Response of Quin 2 to the Binding of Ca^2＋ and La^3＋ and its Application

The fluorescence spectra of Quin 2, (2-[(2-bis-[carboxymethyl] amino-5-methylphenoxy)methyl]-6-methoxy-8-bis [carboxymethyl] aminoquiniline), a Ca^2 probe, were investigated upon incubation with Ca^2 or La^3 . The results showed that binding of La^3 to Quin 2 resulted in different fluorescent spectrum from that of Ca^2 . Based on this observation, a fluorescent method was developed for simultaneously determination of the dissociation rates of Ca^2 and La^3 from a Ca-La- calmodulin complex (Ca2La2CaM).     

新型多吡啶配体的设计及其对配合物与DNA作用机制的影响

近年来 ,以钌 ( )多吡啶配合物为探针研究 DNA的结构已成为生物无机化学领域中的一个热点[1,2 ] .这些配合物由于热力学稳定性好 ,光化学和光物理信息丰富 ,在研究 DNA内部的电子转移和Fig.1　 Structures of the ligandsDNA的结构识别等方面均有重要的作用[3～ 7] .在配合物与 DNA的相互作用中 ,配合物的形状、大小以及中心离子电荷等都有一定的影响[8] ,其中 ,配合物的形状起着至关重要的作用 ,与 DNA的形状匹配的配合物与DNA的结合较强 .这些配合物中通常含有平面性较大的芳香环配体 ,可插入到 DNA的碱基对之间 ,并与 DNA具有…     

Encapsulation of drugs by lyophilized empty dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes: effect of calcium ion

The effects of divalent cation (Ca2+) on the characteristics of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes regenerated from lyophilized empty liposomes by rehydration and warming were investigated. The results showed that the volume (ml) of internal aqueous compartment per g lipid (captured volume; Vcap) has a maximum at a certain concentration range of calcium chloride and the maximal value is more than ten times the minimal value. This phenomenon can be explained by considering that binding of Ca2+ to phosphate groups in DPPC molecules induces an increase in the distance (r) between adjacent bilayer membranes in multilamellar liposomes through electrostatic force and causes an increase in Vcap. The dynamic properties of lyophilized liposomes in the rehydration process were examined using a multilamellar vesicle model. The results of simulation suggested that a repulsive force induced between the adjacent bilayer membranes causes rearrangement of the constituent lipid molecules in a liposome followed by an increase in the distance r, a decrease in the internal lamellar number, a smaller increase in liposome size and finally a significant increase in Vcap.     

2-rhodaoxetanes: their formation of oxidation of [RhI(ethene)]+ and their reactivity upon protonation

New cationic, pentacoordinate complexes [(TPA)Rh1(ethene)]+, [1a]+, and [(MeTPA)Rh1(ethene)]+, [1b]+, have been prepared (TPA = N,N,N-tri(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, MeTPA = N-[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-methyl]-N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). Complex [1a]+ is selectively converted by aqueous HCl to [(TPA)RhIII-(ethyl)Cl]+, [2a]+. The same reaction with [1b]+ results in the [(MeTPA)RhIII-(ethyl)Cl]+ isomers [2b]+ and [2c]+. Treatment of [1a]+ and [1b]+ with aqueous H2O2 results in a selective oxygenation to the unsubstituted 2-rho-da(III)oxetanes (1-oxa-2-rhoda(III)cyclo-butanes) [(TPA)RhIII(kappa2-C,O-2-oxyethyl)]+, [3a]+, and [(MeTPA)RhIII(kappa2-C,O-2-oxyethyl)]+, [3b]+. The reactivity of 2-rhodaoxetanes [3a]+ and [3b]+ is dominated by the nucleophilic character of their 2-oxyethyl oxygen. Reaction of [3a]+ and [3b]+ with the non-coordinating acid HBAr(f)4 results in the dicationic protonated 2-rhodaoxetanes [(TPA)RhIII(kappa2-2-hydroxyethyl)]2+, [4a]2+, and [(MeTPA)RhIII(kappa2-2-hydroxyethyl)]2+, [4b]2+. These eliminate acetaldehyde at room temperature, probably via a coordinatively unsaturated kappa1-2-hydroxyethyl complex. In acetonitrile, complex [4a]2+ is stabilised as [(TPA)-RhIII(kappa1-2-hydroxyethyl)(MeCN)]2+, [5a]2+, whereas the MeTPA analogue [4b]2+ continues to eliminate acetaldehyde. Reaction of [3a]+ with NH4Cl and Mel results in the coordinatively saturated complexes [(TPA)RhIII(kappa1-2-hydroxyethyl)(Cl)]+, [6a]+, and [(TPA)-RhIII(kappa1-2-methoxyethyl)(I)+, [7a]+, respectively. Reaction of [3a]+ with NH4+ in MeCN results in formation of the dicationic metallacyclic amide [(TPA)-RhIII [kappa2-O,C-2-(acetylamino)ethyl]]2+, [9]2+, via the intermediates [4a]2+, [5a]2+ and the metallacyclic iminoester [(TPA)RhIII[kappa2-N,C-2-(acetimidoyloxy)ethyl]]2+, [8]2+. The observed overall conversion of the [Rh(I)(ethene)] complex [1a]+ to the metallacyclic amide [9]2+ via 2-rhodaoxetane [3a]+, provides a new route for the amidation of a [RhI(ethene)] fragment.     

Electrochemical and chemical formation of [Mn4(IV)O5(terpy)4(H2O)2]6+, in relation with the photosystem II oxygen-evolving center model [Mn2(III,IV)O2(terpy)2(H2O)2]3+

To examine the real ability of the binuclear di-mu-oxo complex [Mn2(III,IV)O2(terpy)2(H2O)2]3+ (2) to act as a catalyst for water oxidation, we have investigated in detail its redox properties and that of its mononuclear precursor complex [Mn(II)(terpy)2]2+ (1) in aqueous solution. It appears that electrochemical oxidation of 1 allows the quantitative formation of 2 and, most importantly, that electrochemical oxidation of 2 quantitatively yields the stable tetranuclear Mn(IV) complex, [Mn4(IV)O5(terpy)4(H2O)2]6+ (4), having a linear mono-mu-oxo{Mn2(mu-oxo)2}2 core. Therefore, these results show that the electrochemical oxidation of 2 in aqueous solution is only a one-electron process leading to 4 via the formation of a mono-mu-oxo bridge between two oxidized [Mn2(IV,IV)O2(terpy)2(H2O)2]4+ species. 4 is also quantitatively formed by dissolution of the binuclear complex [Mn2(IV,IV)O2(terpy)2(SO4)2] (3) in aqueous solutions. Evidence of this work is that 4 is stable in aqueous solutions, and even if it is a good synthetic analogue of the "dimers-of-dimers" model compound of the OEC in PSII, this complex is not able to oxidize water. As a consequence, since 4 results from an one-electron oxidation of 2, 2 cannot act as an efficient homogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation. This work demonstrates that a simple oxidation of 2 cannot produce molecular oxygen without the help of an oxygen donor.     

On the effect of Ca2+ and La3+ on the colloidal stability of liposomes

This work deals with the effect of Ca2+ and La3+ on the colloidal stability of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes in aqueous media. As physical techniques, nephelometry, photon correlation spectroscopy, electrophoretic mobility, and surface tension were used. The theoretical predictions of the colloidal stability of liposomes were followed using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory. Changes in the size of liposomes and high polydispersity values were observed as La3+ concentration increases, suggesting that this cation induces the aggregation of liposomes. However, changes in polydispersity were not observed with Ca2+, suggesting a coalescence mechanism or fusion of liposomes. The stability factor (W), calculated from the nephelometry measurements indicated that aggregation/fusion occurs at a critical concentration (c.c.) of 0.3 and 0.7 M for La3+ and Ca2+, respectively. To gain a better insight into the interaction mechanism between the liposomes and the studied ions, the interaction between PC monolayers and Ca2+ and La3+ was studied. Changes in the surface area per lipid molecule (A0) in the monolayer at the c.c. values were found for both ions, with a more pronounced effect in the case of Ca2+. This corresponds with a larger reduction of the steric repulsive interaction between the headgroups at the phospholipid membrane (pi(head)). The experimental result validates the hypothesis made on the liposome fusion in the presence of Ca2+ and liposome aggregation in the presence of La3+. These aggregation mechanisms have also been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.     

Membrane dynamics of the amphiphilic siderophore, acinetoferrin

Acinetobacter haemolyticus is an antibiotic resistant, pathogenic bacterium responsible for an increasing number of hospital infections. Acinetoferrin (Af), the amphiphilic siderophore isolated from this organism, contains two unusual trans-2-octenoyl hydrocarbon chains reminiscent of a phospholipid structural motif. Here, we have investigated the membrane affinity of Af and its iron complex, Fe-Af, using small and large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (SUV and LUV) as model membranes. Af shows a high membrane affinity with a partition coefficient, K(x)= 6.8 x 10(5). Membrane partitioning and trans-membrane flip-flop of Fe-Af have also been studied via fluorescence quenching of specifically labeled vesicle leaflets and (1)H NMR line-broadening techniques. Fe-Af is found to rapidly redistribute between lipid and aqueous phases with dissociation/partitioning rates of k(off) = 29 s(-1) and k(on) = 2.4 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Upon binding iron, the membrane affinity of Af is reduced 30-fold to K'(x) = 2.2 x 10(4) for Fe-Af. In addition, trans-membrane flip-flop of Fe-Af occurs with a rate constant, k(p) = 1.2 x 10(-3) s(-1), with egg-PC LUV and a half-life time around 10 min with DMPC SUV. These properties are due to the phospholipid-like conformation of Af and the more extended conformation of Fe-Af that is enforced by iron binding. Remarkable similarities and differences between Af and another amphiphilic siderophore, marinobactin E, are discussed. The potential biological implications of Af and Fe-Af are also addressed. Our approaches using inner- and outer-leaflet-labeled fluorescent vesicles and (1)H NMR line-broadening techniques to discern Af-mediated membrane partitioning and trans-membrane diffusion are amenable to similar studies for other paramagnetic amphiphiles.     

Liposomes prepared from synthetic amphiphiles. II. Their interaction with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and tissue distribution in Ehrlich solid tumor-bearing mice

The interaction of 99mTc-labeled liposomes prepared from synthetic amphiphiles containing amino acid residues with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro and their tissue distributions in Ehrlich solid tumor-bearing mice were investigated. The amphiphiles used were N,N-didodecyl-N alpha-[6-(trimethylammonio)hexanoyl]-L-alaninamide bromide N+C5Ala2C12), N,N-didodecyl-N alpha-(6-[dimethyl(2-carboxyethyl)ammonio]hexanoyl)-L- alaninamide bromide (CAC2N+C5Ala2C12) and S-[1-carboxy-2- ([2,3-bis(hexadecyloxy)propoxy]carbonyl)ethyl]homocysteine (HcyM-G2C1 6). Most of the radioactivity of N+C5Ala2C12 and CAC2N+C5Ala2C12 liposomes was firmly bound to Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro. On the other hand, the accumulation of three 99mTc-labeled liposomes in the tumor of Ehrlich solid tumor-bearing mice was low (about 1% dose per gram of tissue), and most of the liposomes were taken up highly in the liver and spleen of the tumor-bearing mice. However, the radioactivity of the liposomes in the tumor, especially that of N+C5Ala2C12 and CAC2N+C5Ala2C12 liposomes, decreased more slowly with time than in the liver in up to 24 h after injection, suggesting that these liposomes were hard to separate from the tumor cells.     

A novel amphiphilic chiral ligand derived from D-glucosamine. Application to palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reaction in an aqueous or an organic medium, allowing for catalyst recycling

A novel amphiphilic phosphinite-oxazoline chiral compound, 2-methyl-4,5-[4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-bis[4-((diethylamino)methyl)phenyl]phosphino-1,2-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl]-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline (1), has been prepared from natural D-glucosamine hydrochloride. The newly prepared complex, [Pd(2-methyl-4,5-[4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-bis[(4-((diethylmethylammonium)methyl)phenyl)]phosphino-1,2-dideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl]-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline)(eta3-C3H5)]3+ x 3BF4- (3), is soluble in water and an efficient catalyst for asymmetric allylic substitution reaction in water or an aqueous/organic biphasic medium (up to 85% ee). This catalytic system offers an easy separation of the aqueous catalyst phase from the product phase and allows recycling of the catalyst phase. In addition, compound 1 also works as an effective ligand for the palladium-catalyzed reaction under conventional homogeneous conditions in an organic medium, in which the catalyst (Pd-1 complex) can be recovered by simple acid/base extraction and reused in the second reaction.     

Controlled hydrogel formation in the internal compartment of giant unilamellar vesicles

The introduction of poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) polyelectrolyte into giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (GUVs) and cross-linking with Ca2+ ions to generate a hydrogel within the internal compartment are reported. The aqueous colloidal suspension of PEDOT with excess PSS was microinjected into the internal compartment of liposomes as well as networks of GUVs and lipid nanotubes. The subsequent introduction of calcium ions as cross-linking agent in order to induce hydrogel formation was achieved by three different methods: vesicle fusion, electroporation, and direct microinjection. Gel formation was probed by coinjection of fluorescent nanoparticles and tracking of Brownian motion. Particle mobility was shown to be distinctly reduced in the gel-filled vesicles. Diffusion constants for the particles were calculated from the projected movement of the particles and compared to particles in reference gels and solutions.     

Synthesis of a di(2-picolyl)amino-β-diketone dual-functional ligand that can coordinate to europium(III) for responding to copper(II) and sulfide ions

Lanthanide complex-based luminescent probes/chemosensors have shown great utilities in various biological and environmental assays with time-resolved detection mode to eliminate background noises. In this work, by conjugating di(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) with a tetradentate β-diketone 1,2-bis[4'- (1",1",1",2",2"-pentafluoro-3",5"-pentanedion-5"-yl)benzyl]-4-chlorosulfo-benzene (BPPBCB), a novel dual-functional ligand that can coordinate to Eu³⁺ for responding to Cu²⁺ and S^2- ions in aqueous media, DPA-BPPBCB, has been designed and synthesized. The β-diketone moiety of DPA-BPPBCB can form a strongly luminescent complex with Eu³⁺. Upon reaction with Cu²⁺, accompanied by the formation of heterobimetallic complex Cu²⁺-DPA-BPPBCB-Eu³⁺, the Eu³⁺ luminescence was quenched. While in the presence of S^2-, owing to the high affinity of S^2- to Cu²⁺, stable CuS was formed, which resulted in the release of Cu²⁺ from Cu²⁺-DPA-BPPBCB-Eu³⁺, to restore the luminescence of the Eu³⁺ complex. This unique “on-off-on” luminescence response of the Eu³⁺ complex enabled Cu²⁺ and S^2- ions in aqueous media to be detected with time-resolved luminescence detection mode.     

4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸构筑的过渡金属配位聚合物: 合成、 晶体结构、 荧光传感与光催化

采用水热法合成了4个配位聚合物[Zn(Hcpoia)(2,2'-bpy)·H₂O]_n(1)和[M(Hcpoia)(phen)]_n·nH₂O[M=Zn(2), Mn(3), Co(4); H₃cpoia=4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸; 2,2'-bpy=2,2'-联吡啶; phen=1,10-邻菲罗啉], 利用X射线单晶衍射分析确定了配合物的晶体结构. 配合物1为一维链状结构, 中心Zn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[ZnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻的Zn ²⁺离子. 配合物2和4的结构与配合物1类似, 是由配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式联接[MO₄N₂]结构单元而形成的一维链状结构. 配合物1, 2和4中均存在分子间氢键(O—H…O), 氢键的存在使一维链连接形成二维超分子结构. 配合物3为二维网状结构, Mn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[MnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₂∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻Mn ²⁺离子形成[Mn₂COO₂]结构单元, 该结构单元被Hcpoia ^2-连接形成二维结构. 在4个配合物中, 2,2'-bpy和phen配体均以端基的形式与金属离子螯合配位. 研究了水溶液中抗生素分子和Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1与荧光强度的影响, 实验结果表明, 甲硝唑、 Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1有荧光猝灭作用, 并进一步考察了甲硝唑浓度和Fe ³⁺离子浓度对配合物1荧光强度的影响. 基于荧光猝灭机理, 配合物1可以用作荧光传感器检测水溶液中的甲硝唑和Fe ³⁺离子. 研究了配合物4对罗丹明B(RhB)的催化降解性能, 发现在氙灯照射和H₂O₂存在条件下, 配合物4对RhB具有较好的光催化降解作用.     

Rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

[reactions: see text] A rhodium complex of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been developed for intra- and intermolecular [4 + 2] and intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. This is the first use of a transition-metal NHC complex in a Diels-Alder-type reaction. For the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the dienynes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-99% yields within 10 min. Moreover, up to 1900 turnovers have been obtained for the intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition at 15-20 degrees C. For the intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloadditions, high yields (71-99%) of the corresponding cycloaddition products were obtained. The reaction time and yield were highly dependent upon the diene and the dienophile. For the intramolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, all the alkyne vinylcyclopropanes studied were converted to their corresponding cycloadducts in 91-98% yields within 10 min. However, the catalytic system was not effective for an intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Molecular dynamics study on the interaction of a mithramycin dimer with a decanucleotide duplex

The complex of a minor groove binding drug mithramycin (MTR) and the self-complementary d(TAGCTAGCTA) 10-mer duplex was investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the AMBER 7.0 suite of programs. There is one disaccharide and trisaccharide segment projecting from opposite ends of an aglycone chromophore of MTR. A MTR dimer complex (MTR)2Mg2+ is formed in the presence of a coordinated ion Mg2+. A NMR solution structure of two (MTR)2Mg2+ complexes bound with one DNA duplex, namely, the 2:1 duplex complex, was taken as the starting structure for the MD simulation. The partial charge on each atom was calculated using the multiple-RESP fitting procedure, and all of the missing parameters in the Parm99 force field used were adapted comparably from the literature. The length of the MD simulation was 5 ns, and the binding free energy for the formation of a 1:1 or 2:1 duplex complex was determined from the last 4 ns of the simulation. The binding free energies were decomposed to components of the contributions from different energy types, and the changes in the helical parameters of the bound DNA duplex plus the glycosidic linkages between sugar residues of the bound MTR dimer were determined. It was found that binding of the first (MTR)2Mg2+ complex with the DNA duplex to form a 1:1 duplex complex does not cause stiffening of the duplex especially in the unoccupied site of the duplex. However, the overall flexibility of the DNA duplex is reduced substantially once the second (MTR)2Mg2+ complex is bound with the unoccupied site to form the 2:1 duplex complex. The van der Waals interactions were found to be dominant in the central part of the DNA duplex where sugar residues from each bound (MTR)2Mg2+ complex were inwardly pointing and the corresponding minor groove was widened.     

Synthesis, characterization, and chiral properties of CoIII2AgI3 pentanuclear, CoIII4ZnII4 octanuclear, and CoIII mononuclear complexes with aza-capped hexadentate-N3S3 thiolate ligands: crystal structures of

The reaction of an S-bridged Co2(III)Ag3(I) pentanuclear complex, [Ag3[Co(aet)3]2][BF4]3 (aet = NH2CH2CH2S-), with paraformaldehyde in basic acetonitrile, followed by adding aqueous ammonia, produced an aza-capped Co2(III)-Ag3(I) complex, [Ag3[Co(L)]2]3+ ([1]3+) (L = N(CH2NHCH2CH2S-)3). The crystal structure of [1]3+ was determined by X-ray crystallography. [1][PF6]3 x H2O, empirical formula C18H44Ag3Co2F18N8OP3S6, crystallizes in the tetragonal space group 142m with a = 13.012(1) A, c = 24.707(2) A, and Z = 4. In [1]3+ the two aza-capped [Co(L)] units are linked by three Ag(I) atoms, such that the two Co(III) atoms are encapsulated in a macrobicyclic metallocage, [Ag3(I)(L)2]3-. [1]3+ was converted to an aza-capped Co4(III)Zn4(II) octanuclear complex, [Zn4O[Co(L)]4]6+ ([2]6+), by reaction with I- in the presence of Zn2+ and ZnO in water. The crystal structure of [2]6+ was also determined by X-ray crystallography. [2][PF6]6 x 8H2O, empirical formula C36H100Co4F36N16O9P6S12Zn4, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1/n) with a = 14.33(7) A, b = 25.67(10) A, c = 24.83(6) A, beta = 101.3(3) degrees , and Z = 4. In [2]6+ each of four [Co(L)] units is bound to each trigonal Zn3(II) face of the tetrahedral [Zn4(II)O]6+ core, such that each Co(III) atom is encapsulated in a macrobicyclic [Zn4(II)O(L)] fragment. Treatment of [2]6+ with a basic aqueous solution resulted in a cleavage of the Zn-S bonds to produce an aza-capped Co(III) mononuclear complex, [Co(L)] ([3]), from which [1]3+ is readily reproduced by the reaction with Ag+ in water. All the reactions were found to proceed with retention of the absolute configuration (delta or lambda) of the Co(III) chiral centers; deltadelta-[1]3+, deltadeltadeltadelta-[2]6+, and A-[3] were derived from deltadelta-[Ag3[Co(aet)3]2]3+. The contributions to circular dichroism (CD) from the triple helicity in [1]3+, besides from the asymmetric N and S donor atoms and the Co(III) chiral centers in [1]3+ and [2]6+, were estimated by comparing the CD spectra of deltadelta-[1]3+, deltadeltadeltadelta-[2]6+, and delta-[3].     

Dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes as potential probes for RNA bulge sites

1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling have been used to investigate the binding of the DeltaDelta-and LambdaLambda-enantiomers of the dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex [[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+ [Me2bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine; bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine] to an RNA tridecanucleotide duplex containing a single-base bulge [r(CCGAGAAUUCCGG)2]], and the corresponding control dodecanucleotide [r(CCGGAAUUCCGG)2]. Both enantiomers bound the control RNA sequence weakly. From upfield shifts of the metal complex H3 and H3' protons throughout the titration of the control dodecanucleotide with DeltaDelta-[[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+, a binding constant of 1 x 10(3) M(-1) was determined. In NOESY spectra of the control sequence with added DeltaDelta-[[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+, NOEs were only observed to protons from the terminal base-pair residues. No significant changes in chemical shift were observed for either the metal complex or RNA protons upon addition of the LambdaLambda-enantiomer to the control dodecanucleotide. The DeltaDelta-[[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+ complex bound the bulge-containing RNA with a significantly greater affinity (6 x 10(4) M(-1)) than the non-bulge control RNA duplex. Competition binding experiments indicated that the LambdaLambda-isomer bound the tridecanucleotide with similar affinity to the DeltaDelta-enantiomer. Addition of DeltaDelta-[[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+ to the bulge-containing tridecanucleotide induced selective changes in chemical shift for the base H8 and sugar H1' resonances from the adenine bulge residue, and resonances from nucleotide residues adjacent to the bulge site. Intermolecular NOEs observed in NOESY spectra of the tridecanucleotide with added DeltaDelta-[[Ru(Me2bpy)2]2(mu-bpm)]4+ confirmed the selective binding of the ruthenium complex at the bulge site. Preliminary binding models, consistent with the NMR data, showed that the ruthenium complex could effectively associate in the RNA minor groove at the bulge site.