Tuning the activity of Zn(II) complexes in DNA cleavage: clues for design of new efficient metallo-hydrolases

The hydrolytic ability toward plasmid DNA of a mononuclear and a binuclear Zn(II) complex with two macrocyclic ligands, containing respectively a phenanthroline (L1) and a dipyridine moiety (L2), was analyzed at different pH values and compared with their activity in bis( p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) cleavage. Only the most nucleophilic species [ZnL1(OH)]+ and [Zn2L2(OH)2]2+, present in solution at alkaline pH values, are active in BNPP cleavage, and the dinuclear L2 complex is remarkably more active than the mononuclear L1 one. Circular dichroism and unwinding experiments show that both complexes interact with DNA in a nonintercalative mode. Experiments with supercoiled plasmid DNA show that both complexes can cleave DNA at neutral pH, where the L1 and L2 complexes display a similar reactivity. Conversely, the pH-dependence of their cleavage ability is remarkably different. The reactivity of the mononuclear complex, in fact, decreases with pH while that of the dinuclear one is enhanced at alkaline pH values. The efficiency of the two complexes in DNA cleavage at different pH values was elucidated by means of a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) study on the adducts between DNA and the different complexed species present in solution.     

Zn(II) coordination to polyamine macrocycles containing dipyridine units. New insights into the activity of dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in phosphate ester hydrolysis

Zn(II) binding by the dipyridine-containing macrocycles L1-L3 has been analyzed by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solutions. These ligands contain one (L1, L2) or two (L3) 2,2'-dipyridine units as an integral part of a polyamine macrocyclic framework having different dimensions and numbers of nitrogen donors. Depending on the number of donors, L1-L3 can form stable mono- and/or dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in a wide pH range. Facile deprotonation of Zn(II)-coordinated water molecules gives mono- and dihydroxo-complexes from neutral to alkaline pH values. The ability of these complexes as nucleophilic agents in hydrolytic processes has been tested by using bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) as a substrate. In the dinuclear complexes the two metals play a cooperative role in BNPP cleavage. In the case of the L2 dinuclear complex [Zn(2)L2(OH)(2)](2+), the two metals act cooperatively through a hydrolytic process involving a bridging interaction of the substrate with the two Zn(II) ions and a simultaneous nucleophilic attack of a Zn-OH function at phosphorus; in the case of the dizinc complex with the largest macrocycle L3, only the monohydroxo complex [Zn(2)L3(OH)](3+) promotes BNPP hydrolysis. BNPP interacts with a single metal, while the hydroxide anion may operate a nucleophilic attack. Both complexes display high rate enhancements in BNPP cleavage with respect to previously reported dizinc complexes, due to hydrophobic and pi-stacking interactions between the nitrophenyl groups of BNPP and the dipyridine units of the complexes.     

Topological and Steric Constraints to Stabilize Heteroleptic Copper(I) Complexes Combining Phenanthroline Ligands and Phosphines

Heteroleptic copper(I) complexes combining phenanthroline derivatives (NN) and chelating bisphosphine ligands (PP) are an important class of luminescent materials for various applications. Although thermodynamically stable, [Cu(NN)(PP)]⁺ derivatives are also kinetically unstable. As a result, a dynamic ligand-exchange reaction is often observed in solution, leading to a dynamic mixture of heteroleptic and homoleptic complexes. To prevent the formation of the homoleptic species, macrocyclic phenanthroline ligands have been used for the preparation of [Cu(NN)(PP)]⁺ pseudorotaxanes. The topological constraint resulting from the macrocyclic structure of the NN ligand drives the thermodynamic equilibrium towards the exclusive formation of the heteroleptic complex as long as the macrocycle is large and flexible enough to allow for the threading of the PP ligand. Conversely, when the threading is prevented by steric constraints, unprecedented copper(I) complexes with a trigonal coordination geometry are obtained. These results are summarized in the present concept article.     

A new pyridine-based 12-membered macrocycle functionalised with different fluorescent subunits; coordination chemistry towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II)

The coordination chemistry of the new pyridine-based, N2S2-donating 12-membered macrocycle 2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L1) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) has been investigated both in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The protonation constants for L1 and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions have been determined potentiometrically and compared with those of ligand L2, which contains a N-aminopropyl side arm. The measured values show that Hg(II) in water has the highest affinity for both ligands followed by Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II). For each metal ion considered, 1:1 complexes with L1 have also been isolated in the solid state, those of Cu(II) and Zn(II) having also been characterised by X-ray crystallography. In both complexes L1 adopts a folded conformation and the coordination environments around the two metal centres are very similar: four positions of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere are occupied by the donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, and the two mutually cis-positions unoccupied by L1 accommodate monodentate NO3- ligands. The macrocycle L1 has then been functionalised with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular, the N-dansylamidopropyl (L3), N-(9-anthracenyl)methyl (L4), and N-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinyl)methyl (L5) pendant arm derivatives of L1 have been synthesised and their optical response to the above mentioned metal ions investigated in MeCN/H2O (4:1 v/v) solutions.     

Coordination properties of new bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands: a highly active dizinc complex in phosphate diester hydrolysis

The synthesis and characterization of three new bis([9]aneN(3)) ligands, containing respectively 2,2'-bipyridine (L(1)), 1,10-phenanthroline (L(2)), and quinoxaline (L(3)) moieties linking the two macrocyclic units, are reported. Proton binding and Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) coordination with L(1)-L(3) have been studied by potentiometric titrations and, for L(1) and L(2), by spectrophotometric UV-vis measurements in aqueous solutions. All ligands can give stable mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the case of L(1), trinuclear Cu(II) complexes are also formed. The stability constants and structural features of the formed complexes are strongly affected by the different architecture and binding properties of the spacers bridging the two [9]aneN(3) units. In the case of the L(1) and L(2) mononuclear complexes, the metal is coordinated by the three donors of one [9]aneN(3) moiety; in the [ML(2)](2+) complexes, however, the phenanthroline nitrogens are also involved in metal binding. Finally, in the [ML(3)](2+) complexes both macrocyclic units, at a short distance from each other, can be involved in metal coordination, giving rise to sandwich complexes. In the binuclear complexes each metal ion is generally coordinated by one [9]aneN(3) unit. In L(1), however, the dipyridine nitrogens can also act as a potential binding site for metals. The dinuclear complexes show a marked tendency to form mono-, di-, and, in some cases, trihydroxo species in aqueous solutions. The resulting M-OH functions may behave as nucleophiles in hydrolytic reactions. The hydrolysis rate of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) was measured in aqueous solution at 308.1 K in the presence of the L(2) and L(3) dinuclear Zn(II) complexes. Both the L(2) complexes [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(2)](2+) and [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(3)](+) and the L(3) complex [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) promote BNPP hydrolysis. The [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) complex is ca. 2 orders of magnitude more active than the L(2) complexes, due both to the short distance between the metal centers in [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+), which could allow a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester, and to the simultaneous presence of single-metal bound nucleophilic Zn-OH functions. These structural features are substantially corroborated by semiempirical PM3 calculations carried out on the mono-, di-, and trihydroxo species of the L(3) dizinc complex.     

Basicity and coordination properties of a new phenanthroline-based bis-macrocyclic receptor

The synthesis and characterisation of the new macrocyclic ligand 6-methyl-2,6,10-triaza-[11]-12,25-phenathrolinophane (L1), which contains a triamine aliphatic chain linking the 2,9 positions of 1,10-phenanthroline and of its derivative L2, composed by two L1 moieties connected by an ethylenic bridge, are reported. Their basicity and coordination properties toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) have been studied by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV-Vis, fluorescence emission) measurements in aqueous solutions. L1 forms 1:1 metal complexes in aqueous solutions, while L2 can give both mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the mononuclear L2 complexes the metal is sandwiched between the two cyclic moieties. The metal complexes with L1 and L2 do not display fluorescence emission, due to the presence of amine groups not involved in metal coordination. These amine groups can quench the excited fluorophore through an electron transfer process. The ability of the Zn(II) complexes with L1 and L2 to cleave the phosphate ester bond in the presence has been investigated by using bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) as substrate. The dinuclear complex with L2 shows a remarkable hydrolytic activity, due to the simultaneous presence within this complex of two metals and two hydrophobic units. In fact, the two Zn(II) act cooperatively in substrate binding, probably through a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester; the interaction is further reinforced by pi-stacking pairing and hydrophobic interactions between the phenanthroline unit(s) and the p-nitrophenyl groups of BNPP.     

Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of binucleating macrocyclic bis(disulfide)tetramine ligands

Novel macrocyclic bis(disulfide)tetramine ligands and several Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of them with additional ligands have been synthesized by the oxidative coupling of linear tetradentate N2S2 tetramines with iodine. Facile demetalation of the Ni(II) oxidation products affords the free 20-membered macrocycles meso-9 and rac-9 and the 22-membered macrocycle 16, all of which are potentially octadentate N4S4 ligands. X-ray structure analyses reveal distinctly different conformations for the two isomers of 9; meso-9 shows a stepped conformation in profile with the disulfide groups corresponding to the rise of the step, whereas rac-9 exhibits a V conformation with the disulfide groups near the vertex of the V. No metal complexes of rac-9 have been isolated. Crystallographic studies of three Cu(II) complexes reveal that depending upon the size of the macrocyclic ligand and the nature of the additional ligands (I-, NCO-, and CH3CN), the Cu(II) coordination geometry shows considerable variation (plasticity), with substantial changes in the Cu(II)-disulfide bonding. Thus, a diiodide salt contains six-coordinate Cu(II) to which all four bridging disulfide sulfur atoms form strong equatorial bonds. In contrast, isocyanato complexes of the 20- and 22-membered macrocycles exhibit trigonal-bipyramidal Cu(II) and distorted cis-octahedral Cu(II) geometries, respectively, having only one and no short equatorially bound sulfur atoms. The coordination geometry of the latter complex can also be described as four-coordinate seesaw with two semicoordinated S(disulfide) ligands. Disulfide-->Cu(II) ligand-to-metal charge transfer absorptions of both isocyanato-containing Cu(II) species appear too weak to observe, probably because of poor overlap of the sulfur orbitals with the Cu(II) d-vacancy. The dual disulfide-bridged Ni(II) units of the crystallographically characterized octahedral Ni(II) complex of meso-9 with axial iodide and acetonitrile ligands promote substantial antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -13.0(2) cm-1).     

Interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating both symmetrically and unsymmetrically arranged N, O and S donors

The synthesis and characterisation of four 17-membered, dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating unsymmetrical arrangements of their N(3)S(2), N(3)O(2) and N(3)OS (two ligands) donor atoms are described; these rings complete the matrix of related macrocyclic systems incorporating both symmetric and unsymmetric donor sets reported previously. The X-ray structures of three of the new macrocycles are reported. In two of the Cu(II) structures only three of the possible five donor atoms present in the corresponding macrocyclic ligand bind to the Cu(II) site, whereas all five donors are coordinated in each of the remaining complexes. The interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with the unsymmetric macrocycle series has been investigated by potentiometric (pH) titration in 95% methanol; X-ray structures of two nickel and three copper complexes of these ligands, each exhibiting 1:1 (M:L) ratios, have been obtained. The results are discussed in the context of previous results for these metals with the analogous 17-membered ring systems incorporating symmetrical arrangements of their donor atoms, with emphasis being given to both the influence of the donor atom set, as well as the donor atom sequence, on the nature of the resulting complexes.     

Bis- and tris-(3-aminopropyl) derivatives of 14-membered tetraazamacrocycles containing pyridine: synthesis, protonation and complexation studies

New N-(3-aminopropyl) (L1, L2) and (2-cyanoethyl) (L3, L4) derivatives of a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle containing pyridine have been synthesized. The protonation constants of L1 and L2 and the stability constants of their complexes with Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ metal ions were determined in aqueous solutions by potentiometry, at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in KNO3. Both compounds have high overall basicity due to the presence of the aminopropyl arms. Their copper(II) complexes exhibit very high stability constants, which sharply decrease for the complexes of the other studied metal ions, as usually happens with polyamine ligands. Mono- and dinuclear complexes are formed with L2 as well as with L1, but the latter exhibits mononuclear complexes with slightly higher K(ML) values while the dinuclear complexes of L2 are thermodynamically more stable. The presence of these species in solution was supported by UV-VIS-NIR and EPR spectroscopic data. The single crystal structures of [Cu(H2L2)(ClO4)]3+ and [CoL3Cl]+ revealed that the metal centres are surrounded by the four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and one monodentate ligand, adopting distorted square pyramidal geometries. In the [CoL3Cl]+ complex, the macrocycle adopts a folded arrangement with the nitrogen atom opposite to the pyridine at the axial position while in the [Cu(H2L2)(ClO4)]3+ complex, the macrocycle adopts a planar conformation with the three aminopropyl arms located at the same side of the macrocyclic plane.     

Efficient plasmid DNA cleavage by copper(II) complexes of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands featuring xylyl-linked guanidinium groups

Three new metal-coordinating ligands, L(1), L(2), and L(3), have been prepared by appending o-, m-, and p-xylylguanidine pendants, respectively, to one of the nitrogen atoms of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn). The copper(II) complexes of these ligands are able to accelerate cleavage of the P-O bonds within the model phosphodiesters bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and [2-(hydroxypropyl)-p-nitrophenyl]phosphate (HPNPP), as well as supercoiled pBR 322 plasmid DNA. Their reactivity toward BNPP and HPNPP is not significantly different from that of the nonguanidinylated analogues, [Cu(tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+) and [Cu(1-benzyl-tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+), but they cleave plasmid DNA at considerably faster rates than either of these two complexes. The complex of L(1), [Cu(L(1)H(+))(OH(2))(2)](3+), is the most active of the series, cleaving the supercoiled plasmid DNA (form I) to the relaxed circular form (form II) with a k(obs) value of (2.7 ± 0.3) × 10(-4) s(-1), which corresponds to a rate enhancement of 22- and 12-fold compared to those of [Cu(tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+) and [Cu(1-benzyl-tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+), respectively. Because of the relatively fast rate of plasmid DNA cleavage, an observed rate constant of (1.2 ± 0.5) × 10(-5) s(-1) for cleavage of form II DNA to form III was also able to be determined. The X-ray crystal structures of the copper(II) complexes of L(1) and L(3) show that the distorted square-pyramidal copper(II) coordination sphere is occupied by three nitrogen atoms from the tacn ring and two chloride ions. In both complexes, the protonated guanidinium pendants extend away from the metal and form hydrogen bonds with solvent molecules and counterions present in the crystal lattice. In the complex of L(1), the distance between the guanidinium group and the copper(II) center is similar to that separating the adjacent phosphodiester groups in DNA (ca. 6 ?). The overall geometry of the complex is also such that if the guanidinium group were to form charge-assisted hydrogen-bonding interactions with a phosphodiester group, a metal-bound hydroxide would be well-positioned to affect the nucleophilic attack on the neighboring phosphodiester linkage. The enhanced reactivity of the complex of L(1) at neutral pH appears to also be, in part, due to the relatively low pK(a) of 6.4 for one of the coordinated water molecules.     

Catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate diester （BNPP） and plasmid DNA by mononuclear macrocyclic polyamine metal complexes

The activities of the catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate diester(BNPP)[bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate diester]and plasmid DNA (pUC18)by mononuclear macrocyclic polyamine metal complexes have been investigated in this paper.The results showed that the highest activity in hydrolysis of BNPP was obtained with 1e-Zn(Ⅱ)complex(composed of lipophilic group)as catalyst.The hydrolysis rate enhancement is up to 3.64×10~4 fold.These metal complexes could effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA(pUC18)at physiol...     

Synthesis, structure, and complexation of a large 28-mer macrocycle containing two binding sites for either anions or metal ions

The "one-pot" synthesis and characterization of a large 28-mer macrocycle (H(4)L(2)) with oxamido units capable of complexing guest ions through oxygen or nitrogen donor atoms is reported. Single-crystal structure determination of H(8)L(2)(NO(3))(4) and (Cu(2)[H(2)L(2)](H(2)O)(2))(NO(3))(2) demonstrated that the macrocycle contains two sites capable of complexing two nitrate anions or two copper(II) ions, involving a large structural reorganization in the conformation of the macrocyclic framework on coordination of the copper(II) ions when compared to the nitrate. Electrochemical and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the dinuclear Cu(II) complex and the related mononuclear and trinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from the related 14-mer macrocycle were carried out and illustrate the role of the oxamido groups in mediating metal-metal interaction and delocalization.     

1,10-Phenanthroline: A versatile building block for the construction of ligands for various purposes

This review will cover the developments in the chemistry of phenanthroline-based ligands in the last 10–15 years. 1,10-Phenanthroline (phen) is a classic ligand in coordination chemistry, which couples versatility in metal ion binding with peculiar properties of its complexes. For instance, metal complexes with phenanthroline can be featured by an intense luminescence or can interact with DNA in an intercalative fashion inducing, in some cases, DNA cleavage. For this reason a number of phenanthroline-containing ligands has been recently synthesized by inserting phenanthroline within open-chain or macrocyclic backbone, in order to develop new molecular chemosensors for metal cations and anions, ionophores as well as new intercalating agents for polynucleotides. Furthermore, phenanthroline is rigid and its insertion within cyclic or acyclic structures can impart to the resulting ligand a high degree of pre-organization, affording selective complexing agents. This review will discuss on the coordination, luminescence and intercalating and/or DNA cleaving properties as well as on analytical applications of metal complexes with phenanthroline-based ligands. Particular attention will be devoted to macrocyclic receptors or open-chain ligands that, beside the phenanthroline nitrogen atoms, contain other donor atoms able to interact with the metal cations or anions.     

Metallomicellar catalysis: hydrolysis of phosphate monoester and phosphodiester by Cu(II), Zn(II) complexes of pyridyl ligands in CTAB micellar solution

The catalytic hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) by metallomicelles composed of Cu(II) or Zn(II) complexes of bispyridine-containing alkanol ligands in CTAB micellar solution was investigated at 30 degrees C. The experimental results indicate that the complexes with a 1:1 ratio of ligands to metal ions for ligands 1 (1,7-bis(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2,6-dioxaheptane) and 3 (1,4-bis[(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-oxapropyl]benzene) and a 1:2 ratio of ligands to metal ions for ligand 2 (1,14-bis(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl)-2,13-dioxatetradecane) in CATB micellar solution are the active species for the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP and NPP, respectively. The ternary complex kinetic model for metallomicellar catalysis was employed to obtain the relative kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, which demonstrated the catalytic mechanism for the hydrolysis of BNPP and NPP by metallomicelles.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, magnetism, and phosphate ester cleavage properties of copper(II) complexes of N-substituted derivatives of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane

Two new N-substituted derivatives of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) macrocycle, 1-benzyl-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L2) and 1,4,7-tris(3-cyanobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L3), have been prepared and, together with 1,4-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L1), have been used to synthesize the corresponding hydroxo-bridged binuclear copper (II) complexes, [Cu2(mu-OH)2L2](ClO4)2.xH2O (1 L = L1, x = 0; 2 L = L2, x = 1; 3 L = L3, x = 2). The X-ray crystal structures of all three complexes reveal the presence of [Cu2(mu-OH)2]2+ cores capped by pairs of facially coordinating tacn ligands so that the Cu(II) centers reside in distorted square pyramidal coordination environments. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -36.4 cm(-1)) between the Cu(II) centers in 1, while the centers in 2 and 3 have been shown to interact ferromagnetically (J = 11.2 and 49.3 cm(-1), respectively). The variation in the strength and sign of these interactions has been rationalized in terms of the differing geometries of the [Cu2(mu-OH)2]2+ cores. The ability of the Cu(II) complexes to cleave phosphate ester bonds has been probed using the model phosphate ester bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) at pH 7.4 and a temperature of 50 degrees C. The measured rate constant for 3 (3 x 10(-4) s(-1)) is significantly greater than those previously reported for the Cu(II) complexes of the fully alkylated tacn ligands, Me3tacn and iPr3tacn, which until now have been rated as the most effective tacn-based phosphate ester cleavage agents.     

Study of the Intramolecular Reaction of an Activated Phosphate Ester in the Micelle System Containing Macrocyclic Complex

The intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of an activated phosphate diester, bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) as the nucleic acids substitute, was investigated. A macro-cyclic ligand and the corresponding Cu (II) and Ni (II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The metallomicelles made up of macrocyclic divalent metal complex and micelle, as mimic hydrolytic metalloenzyme, was used in BNPP catalytic hydrolysis. The metallomicelles displayed higher catalytic activity although they do not attain the catalytic efficiency of enzymes. The analysis of specific absorption spectra showed that the course of the BNPP catalytic reaction was different from that of the BNPP spontaneous hydrolysis, and was an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. Based on the analytic result of the specific absorption spectrum, an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution mechanism of BNPP catalytic hydrolysis was proposed and a correlative kinetic mathematical model was established, and the corresponding thermodynamic and kinetic constant was calculated. The result of this study proved validity of the mechanism and mathematical model proposed in the article.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, and phosphate ester cleavage properties of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine copper(II) complexes with guanidinium pendant groups

Three new derivatives of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (DPA) featuring ethylguanidinium (L (1)), propylguanidinium (L (2)), or butylguanidinium (L (3)) pendant groups have been prepared by the reaction of N, N- bis(2-pyridylmethyl)alkane-alpha,omega-diamines with 1 H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine hydrochloride. The corresponding mononuclear copper(II) complexes were prepared by reacting the ligands with copper(II) nitrate and were isolated as [Cu(LH (+))(OH 2)](ClO 4) 3. xNaClO 4. yH 2O ( C1: L = L (1), x = 2, y = 3; C2: L = L (2), x = 2, y = 4; C3: L = L (3), x = 1, y = 0) following cation exchange purification. Recrystallization yielded crystals of composition [Cu(LH (+))(X)](ClO 4) 3.X ( C1': L = L (1), X = MeOH; C2': L = L (2), X = H 2O; C3': L = L (3), X = H 2O), which were suitable for X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures of C1', C2', and C3' indicate that the DPA moieties of the ligands coordinate to the copper(II) centers in a meridional fashion, with a water or methanol molecule occupying the fourth basal position. Weakly bound perchlorate anions located in the axial positions complete the distorted octahedral coordination spheres. The noncoordinating, monoprotonated guanidinium groups project away from the Cu(II)-DPA units and are involved in extensive charge-assisted hydrogen-bonding interactions with cocrystallized water/methanol molecules and perchlorate anions within the crystal lattices. The copper(II) complexes were tested for their ability to promote the cleavage of two model phosphodiesters, bis( p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and uridine-3'- p-nitrophenylphosphate (UpNP), as well as supercoiled plasmid DNA (pBR 322). While the presence of the guanidine pendants was found to be detrimental to BNPP cleavage efficiency, the functionalized complexes were found to cleave plasmid DNA and, in some cases, the model ribose phosphate diester, UpNP, at a faster rate than the parent copper(II) complex of DPA.     

Copper and cobalt complexes of octadentate azamacrocycles: spectrophotometric titration, stopped-flow kinetics and crystallographic study

Details of complex formation kinetics are reported for tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl) substituted cyclen (L(1)) and cyclam (L(2)) with Cu(II) and Co(II). Stopped-flow kinetics and spectroscopic titration methods were employed for the activation parameters and stability constants, respectively. X-ray studies revealed that the pendant 2-hydroxyethyl groups are not equivalent: two are folded over the macrocycle and maintained by intramolecular hydrogen bonds while the others are extended and pointed away from the macrocyclic cavity. Complex formation kinetics and spectroscopic titration were performed in aqueous acidic buffer solutions. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters revealed that the ring size of the macrocycles plays an extremely important role for each metal ion studied. Stopped-flow kinetic measurements explained the mechanism of the complex formation process of both Cu(II) and Co(II) which proceed in outer-sphere interactions with ligands. There are two steps in the complex formation of the system studied. The initial step is a second order reaction between the metal ion and macrocycle with a second order rate constant.     

Catalytic Hydrolysis of Phosphate Diester with Metal Complexes of Macrocyclic Tetraamine in Comicellar Solution

Four novel pyridine or benzene ring‐containing pendant macrocyclic dioxotetraamines 2,6‐dixo‐l,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane ligands have been synthesized. Their metal complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the hydrolysis of bis(p‐nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) in aqueous comicellar solution. The results indicate mat the hydrophobic interaction between substrate and metal complex, the nature of transition metal ion, and the micellar microenvironment are important factors for the hydrolysis of BNPP. Large rate enhancement (up to over two‐three orders of magnitude) employing 5 has been observed.     

Formation and dissociation kinetics and crystal structures of nickel(II)-macrocyclic tetrathiaether complexes in acetonitrile. Comparison to nickel(II)-macrocyclic tetramines

Complex formation and dissociation rate constants have been independently determined for solvated nickel(II) ion reacting with eight macrocyclic tetrathiaether ligands and one acyclic analogue in acetonitrile at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.15 M. The macrocyclic ligands include 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane ([14]aneS4) and seven derivatives in which one or both ethylene bridges have been substituted by cis- or trans-1,2-cyclohexane, while the acyclic ligand is 2,5,9,12-tetrathiatridecane (Me2-2,3,2-S4). In contrast to similar complex formation kinetic studies on Ni(II) reacting with corresponding macrocyclic tetramines in acetonitrile and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), the kinetics of complex formation with the macrocyclic tetrathiaethers show no evidence of slow conformational changes following the initial coordination process. The differing behavior is ascribed to the fact that such conformational changes require donor atom inversion, which is readily accommodated by thiaether sulfurs but requires abstraction of a hydrogen from a nitrogen (to form a temporary amide). The latter process is not facilitated in solvents of low protophilicity. The rate-determining step in the formation reactions appears to be at the point of first-bond formation for the acyclic tetrathiaether but shifts to the point of chelate ring closure (i.e., second-bond formation) for the macrocyclic tetrathiaether complexes. The formation rate constants for Ni(II) with the macrocyclic tetrathiaethers parallel those previously obtained for Cu(II) reacting with the same ligands in 80% methanol-20% water (w/w). By contrast, the Ni(II) dissociation rate constants show significant variations from the trends in the Cu(II) behavior. Crystal structures are reported for the Ni(II) complexes formed with all five dicyclohexanediyl-substituted macrocyclic tetrathiaethers. All but one are low-spin species.