2:2 Complexes from Diphenylpyridiniums and Cucurbit[8]uril: Encapsulation‐Promoted Dimerization of Electrostatically Repulsing Pyridiniums

Rigid linear compounds G1 and G2 , which contained two 4‐phenylpyridinium (PhPy⁺) units, have been prepared to investigate their binding with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). X‐ray crystallographic structures revealed that in the solid state both compounds were included by CB[8], through antiparallel stacking, to form 2:2 quaternary complexes ( G1 )₂@(CB[8])₂ and ( G2 )₂@(CB[8])₂. For the former complex, CB[8] entrapped G1 by holding two heterodimers of its Py⁺ and benzyl units, which were at opposite ends of the backbone. In contrast, for the first time, the second complex disclosed parallel stacking of two cationic Py⁺ units of G2 in the cavity of CB[8] in the solid state, despite the generation of important electrostatic repulsion. Isothermal titrations in water afforded high apparent association constants of 4.36×10⁶ and 6.43×10⁶ m ^?1 for 1:1 complexes G1 @CB[8] and G2 @CB[8], respectively, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy experiments in D₂O confirmed a similar stacking pattern to that observed in the solid state. A previous study and crystal structures of the 2:1 complexes formed between three new controls, G3–5 , and CB[8] did not display such unusual stacking of the cationic Py⁺ unit; this may be attributed to the multivalency of the two CB[8] encapsulation interactions.     

Complexation and Fluorescence of Tricyclic Basic Dyes Encapsulated in Cucurbiturils

Tricyclic basic dyes (proflavine, acridine orange, pyronine, pyronine Y, oxonine, thionine and methylene blue) often form one‐to‐one or two‐to‐one complexes with CB[7] and CB[8], respectively. In the case of pyronine Y, the complexes with CB[7] and CB[8] have a one‐to‐one and three‐to‐one stoichiometry, respectively. The binding constants for CB[7] complexes range from 3.07×10⁶ to 1.70×10⁷ m ^?1. In the case of CB[8], the association constant varies between 3.24×10¹³ and 2.50×10¹⁶ m ^?2. Overall, these binding constants are four orders of magnitude higher than those reported for the same dyes in β and γ‐cyclodextrins. Formation of the host–guest complexes leads to an increase in the fluorescence quantum yields in the case of CB[7], while the dimeric or trimeric dye encapsulated in CB[8] are remarkably less fluorescent than the same dye in diluted solutions.     

Strong N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds: A Comprehensive Study on N‐Halosaccharin Pyridine N‐Oxide Complexes

A study of the strong N?X???^?O?N⁺ (X=I, Br) halogen bonding interactions reports 2×27 donor×acceptor complexes of N‐halosaccharins and pyridine N‐oxides (PyNO). DFT calculations were used to investigate the X???O halogen bond (XB) interaction energies in 54 complexes. A simplified computationally fast electrostatic model was developed for predicting the X???O XBs. The XB interaction energies vary from ?47.5 to ?120.3 kJ mol^?1; the strongest N?I???^?O?N⁺ XBs approaching those of 3‐center‐4‐electron [N?I?N]⁺ halogen‐bonded systems (ca. 160 kJ mol^?1). ¹H NMR association constants (K_XB) determined in CDCl₃ and [D₆]acetone vary from 2.0×10⁰ to >10⁸ m ^?1 and correlate well with the calculated donor×acceptor complexation enthalpies found between ?38.4 and ?77.5 kJ mol^?1. In X‐ray crystal structures, the N‐iodosaccharin‐PyNO complexes manifest short interaction ratios (R_XB) between 0.65–0.67 for the N?I???^?O?N⁺ halogen bond.     

Pseudopolyrotaxanes of Cucurbit[6]uril: A Three‐Dimensional Network Self‐assembled by ClO4−(H2O)2 Water Clusters

A pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with guest molecule N,N′‐hexamethylenebis (pyrazinyl perchlorate) (BPHP) was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR spectra, IR, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of the pseudorotaxane (CB[6]·BPHP) is stabilized by host‐guest hydrogen bonds. Self‐assembly of the pseudorotaxane produces infinite one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional networks with intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In the molecular packing of the CB[6]·BPHP, ClO₄^?(H₂O)₂ water clusters serve as bridges to associate these pseudorotaxanes and form three‐dimensional networked pseudopolyrotaxane.     

Side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes by threading cucurbit[7]uril onto poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

A novel side‐chain polypseudorotaxanes P4VBVBu/CB[7] was synthesized from poly‐N‐n‐butyl‐N′‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium bromide chloride (P4VBVBu) and cucurbit [7]uril (CB[7]) in water by simple stirring at room temperature. CB[7] beads are localized on viologen units in side chains of polypseudorotaxanes as shown by ¹H NMR, IR, XRD, and UV–vis studies, and it is considered that the hydrophobic and charge‐dipole interactions are the driving forces. TGA data show that thermal stability of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with the adding of CB[7] threaded. DLS data show that P4VBVBu and CB[7] could form polypseudorotaxanes, and the average hydrodynamic radius of the polypseudorotaxanes increases with increasing the concentration of CB[7]. The typical cyclic voltammograms indicate that the oxidation reduction characteristic of P4VBVBu is remarkably affected by the addition of CB[7] because of the formation of polypseudorotaxanes and the shielding effects of CB[7] threaded on the viologen units of polypseudorotaxanes. With the increase of the concentration of KBr or K₂SO₄, the formation of the polypseudorotaxanes was inhibited due to the shielding effects of both Br^? or SO to viologen ion and K⁺ to CB[7] by UV–vis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2135–2142, 2010     

Cucurbit[7]uril: A High‐Affinity Host for Encapsulation of Amino Saccharides and Supramolecular Stabilization of Their α‐Anomers in Water

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), an uncharged and water‐soluble macrocyclic host, binds protonated amino saccharides (D ‐glucosamine, D ‐galactosamine, D ‐mannosamine and 6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose) with excellent affinity (K_a=10³ to 10⁴ M ^?1). The host–guest complexation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and MALDI‐TOF mass spectral analyses. NMR analyses revealed that the amino saccharides, except D ‐mannosamine, are bound as α‐anomers within the CB[7] cavity. ITC analyses reveal that CB[7] has excellent affinity for binding amino saccharides in water. The maximum affinity was observed for D ‐galactosamine hydrochloride (K_a=1.6×10⁴ M ^?1). Such a strong affinity for any saccharide in water using a synthetic receptor is unprecedented, as is the supramolecular stabilization of an α‐anomer by the host.     

Determination of L‐Cystine by a New Sensitive Cucurbit[7]uril/palmatine Probe

In the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), the CB[7] could react with palmatine, which served as a sensitive fluorescence probe, to form host‐guest stable complexes and the fluorescence intensity of the complexes was greatly enhanced. The fluorescence intensity decreased linearly with an increasing number of L‐cystine in the inclusion system. The experimental results show that there exists a competition between L‐cystine and palmatine for the CB[7] hydrophobic cavity and L‐cystine occupies the space of CB[7] cavity, leading palmatine molecules to be forced to reside in the aqueous environment. Based on the fluorescence quenching of the CB[7]/palmatine complexes resulting from complex formation between CB[7] and L‐cystine, a spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of L‐cystine in aqueous solution in the presence of CB[7] was developed. The linear relationship between the corresponding values of the fluorescence quenching ΔF and L‐cystine concentration was obtained in the range of 6.0 to 1.5×10³ ng·mL^?1, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996. The detection limit was 2.0 ng·mL^?1. The application of the present method to the determination of L‐cystine in tablets gave satisfactory results. This paper also discussed the mechanism of the fluorescence indicator probe.     

Zinc (II), palladium (II) and cadmium (II) complexes containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline derivatives: Synthesis,characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization

A series of Zn (II), Pd (II) and Cd (II) complexes, [(L) _n MX ₂ ] _m (L = L‐a–L‐c; M = Zn, Pd; X = Cl; M = Cd; X = Br; n, m = 1 or 2), containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline ( L‐a ), 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐b ) and 4‐methoxy‐N‐methyl‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐c ) have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray crystal structures of Pd (II) complexes [L ₁ PdCl ₂ ] (L = L‐b and L‐c) revealed distorted square planar geometries obtained via coordinative interaction of the nitrogen atoms of pyridine and amine moieties and two chloro ligands. The geometry around Zn (II) center in [(L‐a)ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐c)ZnCl ₂ ] can be best described as distorted tetrahedral, whereas [(L‐b) ₂ ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐b) ₂ CdBr ₂ ] achieved 6‐coordinated octahedral geometries around Zn and Cd centers through 2‐equivalent ligands, respectively. In addition, a dimeric [(L‐c)Cd(μ ‐ Br)Br] ₂ complex exhibited typical 5‐coordinated trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Cd center. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane was evaluated by all the synthesized complexes at 60°C. Among these complexes, [(L‐b)PdCl ₂ ] showed the highest catalytic activity [3.80 × 10⁴ g poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/mol Pd hr^?1], yielding high molecular weight (9.12 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) PMMA. Syndio‐enriched PMMA (characterized using ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy) of about 0.68 was obtained with T_g in the range 120–128°C. Unlike imine and amine moieties, the introduction of N‐methyl moiety has an adverse effect on the catalytic activity, but the syndiotacticity remained unaffected.     

Water Soluble Gold(I)‐diacetyl‐1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane‐arylazoimidazole Complexes: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Study

Reaction of [Au(DAPTA)(Cl)] with RaaiR’ in CH2Cl2 medium following ligand addition leads to [Au(DAPTA)(RaaiR’)](Cl) [DAPTA＝diacetyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, RaaiR’＝p-R-C6H4-N＝N- C3H2-NN-1-R’, (1—3), abbreviated as N,N’-chelator, where N(imidazole) and N(azo) represent N and N’, respectively; R＝H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R’＝Me (1), CH2CH3 (2), CH2Ph (3)]. The 1H NMR spectral measurements in D2O suggest methylene, CH2, in RaaiEt gives a complex AB type multiplet while in RaaiCH2Ph it shows AB type quartets. 13C NMR spectrum in D2O suggest the molecular skeleton. The 1H-1H COSY spectrum in D2O as well as contour peaks in the 1H-13C HMQC spectrum in D2O assign the solution structure.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Covalent Binding,and Degree of Unwinding of Platinum(II) Bipyridine Complexes

The complexes [Pt(3′′‐clpbpy)Cl₂] ( 1 ) [3′′‐clpbpy = 4‐(3′′‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], [Pt(4′′‐clpbpy)Cl₂] ( 2 ) [4′′‐clpbpy = 4‐(4′′‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], [Pt(3′′‐brpbpy)Cl₂] ( 3 ) [3′′‐brpbpy = 4‐(3′′‐bromophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], and [Pt(4′′‐brpbpy)Cl₂] ( 4 ) [4′′‐brpbpy = 4‐(4′′‐bromophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine] were synthesized and characterized. The binding of the complexes with herring sperm DNA (HS DNA) was investigated by absorption titration and viscosity measurements. It was found that the complexes have ability of interaction with DNA by covalent mode. The intrinsic binding constant K_b of the complexes with HS DNA is 8.76 × 10⁴ ( 1 ), 9.89 ×10⁴ ( 2 ), 1.52 × 10⁵ ( 3 ), and 2.31 × 10⁵ ( 4 ) M^–1. The slight depression in relative specific viscosity was observed, which also attributes to covalent binding of complexes with DNA bases. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to unwind negatively supercoiled pUC19 plasmid by 14° ( 1 ), 13° ( 2 ), 13° ( 3 ), and 11° ( 4 ). The in vitro cytotoxic property of the synthesized metal complexes was also carried out against brine shrimp bioassay.     

Ligand Substitution Reactions on Aquapentachloro‐ and Hexachloroplatinic Acid — Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrachloroplatinum(IV) Complexes with Heterocyclic N,N Donors

Reactions of aquapentachloroplatinic acid, (H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)]·2(18C6)·6H₂O ( 1 ) (18C6 = 18‐crown‐6), and H₂[PtCl₆]·6H₂O ( 2 ) with heterocyclic N, N donors (2, 2′‐bipyridine, bpy; 4, 4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine, tBu₂bpy; 1, 10‐phenanthroline, phen; 4, 7‐diphenyl‐1, 10‐phenanthroline, Ph₂phen; 2, 2′‐bipyrimidine, bpym) afforded with ligand substitution platinum(IV) complexes [PtCl₄(N∩N)] (N∩N = bpy, 3a ; tBu₂bpy, 3b ; Ph₂phen, 5 ; bpym, 7 ) and/or with protonation of N, N donor yielding (R₂phenH)₂[PtCl₆] (R = H, 4a ; Ph, 4b ) and (bpymH)⁺ ( 8 ). With UV irradiation Ph₂phen and bpym reacted with reduction yielding platinum(II) complexes [PtCl₂(N∩N)] (N∩N = Ph₂phen, 6 ; bpym, 9 ). Identities of all complexes were established by microanalysis as well as by NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹⁵Pt) and IR spectroscopic investigations. Molecular structures of [PtCl₄(bpym)]·MeOH ( 7 ) and [PtCl₂(Ph₂phen)] ( 6 ) were determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. Differences in reactivity of bpy/bpym and phen ligands are discussed in terms of calculated structures of complexes [PtCl₅(N∩N)]^— with monodentately bound N, N ligands (N∩N = bpy, 10a ; phen, 10b ; bpym, 10c ).     

3‐Rhoda‐1,2‐diazacyclopentanes: A Series of Novel Metallacycle Complexes Derived From CN Functionalization of Ethylene

Rh‐containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NR)₂‐]Cl; TPA=N,N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh^I ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η²‐CH₂CH₂)]Cl ([ 1 ]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron‐deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO₂N?NCO₂R; R=Et [ 3 ]Cl, R=iPr [ 4 ]Cl, R=tBu [ 5 ]Cl, and R=Bn [ 6 ]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dione (PTAD), [ 7 ]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho‐fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3‐rhoda‐1,2‐diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N–N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?N bond. In terms of reactivity, [ 3 ]Cl and [ 4 ]Cl successfully undergo ring‐opening using p‐toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh^III(Cl)(κ¹‐(C)‐CH₂CH₂(NCO₂R)(NHCO₂R)]OTs; [ 13 ]OTs and [ 14 ]OTs. Deprotection of [ 5 ]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end‐on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NH)₂‐]⁺ [ 16 ]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [ 16 ]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NAc)₂‐]⁺, [ 17 ]Cl. Treatment of [ 1 ]Cl with AcN?NAc did not give the Rh?N insertion product, but instead the N,O‐chelated complex [(TPA)Rh^I ( κ²‐(O,N)‐CH₃(CO)(NH)(N?C(CH₃)(OCH?CH₂))]Cl [ 23 ]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?O bond.     

Two ZnII mononuclear coordination compounds with pyridinedicarboxylate and auxiliary N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine ligands

Two new mononuclear coordination compounds, bis{4‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium} diaquabis(pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,O²)zincate(II), (C₆H₇N₂O)₂[Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (1), and (pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)bis[N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene‐κN)hydroxylamine]zinc(II), [Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₆H₆N₂O)₂], (2), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The centrosymmetric Zn^II cation in (1) is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate ligands and by two water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. In (2), the Zn^II cation is coordinated by a tridentate pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion and by two N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine molecules in a distorted C₂‐symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.     

Killing two birds with one stone: 2D+2D→3D parallel stacking and 3D self‐penetrating structures in one reaction and their crystal‐to‐crystal transformation

Reaction of the flexible phenolic carboxylate ligand 2‐(3,5‐dicarboxylbenzyloxy)benzoic acid (H₃L) with nickel salts in the presence of 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene (bpe) leads to the generation of a mixture of the two complexes under solvolthermal conditions, namely poly[[aqua[μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene‐κ²N:N′]{μ‐5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O¹,O^1′:O³}nickel(II)] dimethylformamide hemisolvate monohydrate], {[Ni(C₁₆H₁₀O₇)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)]·0.5C₃H₇NO·H₂O}_n or {[Ni(HL)(bpe)(H₂O)]·0.5DMF·H₂O}_n, 1 , and poly[[diaquatris[μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethylene‐κ²N:N′]bis{μ‐5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O⁵}nickel(II)] dimethylformamide disolvate hexahydrate], {[Ni₂(C₁₆H₁₀O₇)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₃(H₂O)₂]·2C₃H₇NO·6H₂O}_n or {[Ni₂(HL)₂(bpe)₃(H₂O)₂]·2DMF·6H₂O}_n, 2 . In complex 1 , the Ni^II centres are connected by the carboxylate and bpe ligands to form two‐dimensional (2D) 4‐connected (4,4) layers, which are extended into a 2D+2D→3D (3D is three‐dimensional) supramolecular framework. In complex 2 , bpe ligands connect to Ni^II centres to form 2D layers with Ni₆(bpe)₆ metallmacrocycles. Interestingly, 2D+2D→3D inclined polycatenation was observed between these layers. The final 5‐connected 3D self‐penetrating structure was generated through further connection of Ni–carboxylate chains with these inclined motifs. Both complexes were fully characterized by single‐crystal analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, FT–IR spectra, elemental analyses, thermal analysis and UV–Vis spectra. Notably, an interesting metal/ligand‐induced crystal‐to‐crystal transformation was observed between the two complexes.     

The steric hindrance controlled [2]pseudorotaxanes constructed by V-type stilbene dyes⊂CB[7]

In this paper, five V-type stilbene dyes (VD, 1a-1e) that had unchanged dimethylamino phenylethenyl (DMPE) arm as inclusive location with CB[7] and another arm with different steric hindrance aryloxyethyl (AE) group were designed and synthesized. Their inclusive characteristics and stability to CB[7] were studied. Fluorescence spectroscopy and ¹H NMR method were used respectively to study the inclusive characteristics of 1a?CB[7], 1b?CB[7], 1c?CB [7], 1d?CB[7] and 1e?CB[7]. Fitting curves results of fluorescent titration indicated that 1:1 complexes between CB[7] and VD were constructed, and their inclusive constants were calculated respectively. The order of inclusive constants K_1a?CB[7]> K_1b?CB[7]> K_1c?CB[7] > K_1d?CB[7] was consistent with the magnitude of the steric hindrance, however, 1e did not include with CB[7]. Therefore, a series of steric hindrance controlled [2]pseudorotaxanes were constructed.     

Three Transition Metal(II) Coordination Polymers Constructed by a Semi‐rigid Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide and Dicarboxylates Mixed Ligands: Assembly,Structures and Properties

Three coordination polymers, namely [Co(BDC)( L )] · H₂O ( 1 ), [Co(NPH)( L )] · H₂O ( 2 ), and [Ni(NPH)( L )(H₂O)₃] · H₂O ( 3 ) [H₂BDC = 1, 3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂NPH = 3‐nitrophthalic acid, L = N,N′‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐terephthalamide] were hydrothermally synthesized by self‐assembly of cobalt/nickel chloride with a semi‐rigid bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide ligand and two aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complexes 1 and 2 are two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers containing a one‐dimensional (1D) ribbon‐like Co‐dicarboxylate chain and a 1D zigzag Co‐ L chain. Although the coordination numbers of Co^II ions and the coordination modes of two dicarboxylates are different in complexes 1 and 2 , they have a similar 3, 5‐connected {4².6⁷.8}{4².6} topology. In complex 3 , the adjacent Ni^II ions are linked by L ligands to form a 1D polymeric chain, whereas the 1D chains does not extend into a higher‐dimensional structure due to the ligand NPH with monodentate coordination mode. The adjacent layers of complexes 1 and 2 and the adjacent chains of 3 are further linked by hydrogen bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular networks. Moreover, the thermal stabilities, fluorescent properties, and photocatalytic activities of complexes 1 – 3 were studied.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Cadmium Methanetetrabenzoates Featured by Open Framework and Infinite Layers

Colorless single crystals of Cd₂[μ₈‐MTB] · 3H₂O · DMF ( 1 ) were prepared in DMF/H₂O solution [ 1 : space group C2/c (no. 15) with a = 1821.30(6), b = 2175.08(6), c = 1269.87(4) pm, β = 129.684(1)°]. The connection between the methane‐p‐benzoate tetraanions (MTB^4–) and the Cd²⁺ cations leads to a three‐dimensional framework with channels extending along [1 10] and [110] with openings of 670 pm × 360 pm. The channel‐like voids accommodate water molecules and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules not bound to Cd²⁺. Colorless single crystals of [Cd₄(2,2′‐bipy)₄(μ₇‐MTB)₂] · 7DMF ( 2 ) were prepared in DMF in the presence of 2,2′‐bipyridine [ 2 : space group P1 (no. 2) with a = 1224.84(4), b = 1418.85(5), c = 2033.49(4) pm, α = 85.831(2)°, β = 88.351(2)°, γ = 68.261(1)°]. The coordination of MTB^4– to Cd²⁺ results in infinite layers parallel to (001). The layers, not connected by any hydrogen bonds, contain small openings of about 320 pm × 340 pm.     

Studies on the nuclease activity and interactions of the mixed‐polypyridyl [Ni2(1,3‐tpbd)(diimine)2(H2O)2]4+ complexes with thioredoxin reductase

Three new nickel(II) complexes formulated as [Ni₂(1,3‐tpbd)(diimine)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ [1,3‐tpbd = N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)benzene‐1,3‐diamine, where diimine is an N,N‐donor heterocyclic base like 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen),2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (dafo)], have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography: [Ni₂(1,3‐tpbd)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (1), [Ni₂(1,3‐tpbd)(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺(2) and [Ni₂(1,3‐tpbd)(dafo)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (3). Single‐crystal diffraction reveals that the metal atoms in the complexes are all in a distorted octahedral geometry and in a trans arrangement around 1,3‐tpbd ligand. The interactions of the three complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism and viscosity. The apparent binding constant (K_app) values are calculated to be 1.91 × 10⁵ m ^?1 for 1, 1.18 × 10⁵ m ^?1 for 2, and 1.35 × 10⁵ m ^?1 for 3, following the order 1 > 3 > 2. The higher DNA binding affinity of 1 is due to the involvement in partial insertion of the phen ring between the DNA base pairs. A decrease in relative viscosities of DNA upon binding to 1–3 is consistent with the DNA binding affinities. These complexes efficiently display oxidative cleavage of supercoiled DNA in the presence of H₂O₂ (250 µ m ), with 3 exhibiting the highest nuclease activity. The rate constants for the conversion of supercoiled to nicked DNA are 5.28 × 10^?5 s^?1 (for 1), 6.67 × 10^?5 s^?1 (for 2) and 1.39 × 10^?4 s^?1 (for 3), also indicating that complex 3 shows higher catalytic activity than 1 and 2. Here the nuclease activity is not readily correlated to binding affinity. The inhibitory effect of complexes 1–3 on thioredoxin reductase has also been examined. The IC₅₀ values are calculated to be 26.54 ± 0.57, 31.03 ± 3.33 and 8.69 ± 2.54 µ m , respectively, showing a more marked inhibitory effect on thioredoxin reductase by complex 3 than the other two complexes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two ZnII Metal‐Organic Frameworks with Coordinatively Unsaturated Metal Sites: Structures,Adsorption, and Catalysis

Assembly of Zn(NO₃)₂ with the tripodal ligand H₃TCPB (1,3,5‐tri(4‐carboxyphenoxy)benzene) affords two porous isoreticular metal‐organic frameworks, [Zn₃(TCPB)₂?2DEF]? 3DEF ( 1 ) and [Zn₃(TCPB)₂?2H₂O]? 2H₂O?4DMF ( 2 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c and possesses a 2D network containing 1D microporous opening channels with an effective size of 3.0×2.9 Ų, whereas 2 crystallizes in the trigonal space group c1 and also possesses a 2D network containing 1D channels, with an effective aperture of 4.0×4.0 Ų. TOPOS analysis reveals that both 1 and 2 have a (3,6)‐connected network topology with the Schläfli symbol of (4³?6¹²) (4³)₂. According to the variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction patterns, the solid phase of 1 can be converted into that of 2 during a temperature‐induced dynamic structural transformation, thus indicating that the framework of 2 represents the most thermally stable polymorph. Desolvated 2 exhibits highly selective adsorption behaviors toward H₂/N₂, CO₂/N₂, and CO₂/CH₄; furthermore, it displays size‐selective catalytic activity towards carbonyl cyanosilylation and Henry (nitroaldol) reactions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Various Benzyl Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acids (dtpa) and Their Paramagnetic Complexes,Potential Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Four derivatives of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (=3,6,9‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid (H₅dtpa)), potential contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carrying benzyl groups at various positions of the parent structure were synthesized and characterized by a thorough multinuclear NMR study, i.e., the (S)‐ and (R)‐stereoisomers 1a and 1b of 4‐benzyl‐3,6,9‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid (H₅[(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa] and H₅[(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa], the diamide derivative N,N″‐bis[(benzylcarbamoyl)methyl]diethylenetriamine‐N,N′,N″‐triacetic acid (=3,9‐bis[2‐(benzylamino)‐2‐oxoethyl]‐6‐(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid; H₃[dtpa(BzA)₂]; 2 ), and the diester derivative N,N″‐bis{[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]methyl}diethylenetriamine‐N,N′,N″‐triacetic acid (=3,9‐bis[2‐(benzyloxy)‐2‐oxoethyl]‐6‐(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid; H₃[dtpa(BzE)₂]; 3 ). From the ¹⁷O‐NMR chemical shift of H₂O induced by their dysprosium complexes with ligands 1 – 3 , it was concluded that only one H₂O molecule is contained in the first coordination sphere of these lanthanide complexes. The rotational correlation times (τ_R) of the complexes were estimated from the ²H‐NMR longitudinal relaxation rate of the deuterated diamagnetic lanthanum complexes. The exchange time of the coordinated H₂O molecule (τ_M) was studied through the temperature dependence of the ¹⁷O‐NMR transverse relaxation rate. As compared to [Gd(dtpa)]²⁻, the H₂O‐exchange rate is faster for [Gd{(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ and [Gd{(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻‐, slower for [Gd{dtpa(BzA)₂}], and almost identical for [Gd{dtpa(BzE)₂}]. The analysis of the ¹H‐relaxivity of the gadolinium complexes recorded from 0.02 to 300 MHz established that i) the relaxivity of [Gd{dtpa(BzE)₂}] is similar to that of [Gd(dtpa)]²⁻, ii) the slightly slower molecular rotation of [Gd{dtpa(BzA)₂}] induces a mild enhancement of its relaxivity, and iii) the marked increase of relaxivity of [Gd{(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ and [Gd{(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ mainly results from an apparently shorter distance between the gadolinium ion and the H₂O protons of the coordinated H₂O molecule.