Near‐Infrared‐III‐Absorbing and ‐Emitting Dyes: Energy‐Gap Engineering of Expanded Porphyrinoids via Metallation

The synthesis of organometallic complexes of modified 26π‐conjugated hexaphyrins with absorption and emission capabilities in the third near‐infrared region (NIR‐III) is described. Symmetry alteration of the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) of bis‐Pd^II and bis‐Pt^II complexes of hexaphyrin via N‐confusion modification led to substantial metal d_π–p_π interactions. This MO mixing, in turn, resulted in a significantly narrower HOMO–LUMO energy gap. A remarkable long‐wavelength shift of the lowest S₀→S₁ absorption beyond 1700 nm was achieved with the bis‐Pt^II complex, t ‐Pt₂‐3 . The emergence of photoacoustic (PA) signals maximized at 1700 nm makes t ‐Pt₂‐3 potentially useful as a NIR‐III PA contrast agent. The rigid bis‐Pd^II complexes, t ‐Pd₂‐3 and c ‐Pd₂‐3 , are rare examples of NIR emitters beyond 1500 nm. The current study provides new insight into the design of stable, expanded porphyrinic dyes possessing NIR‐III‐emissive and photoacoustic‐response capabilities.     

Development of a Pre‐assembled Through‐Bond Energy Transfer (TBET) Fluorescent Probe for Ratiometric Sensing of Anticancer Platinum(ll) Complexes

Fluorescence microscopy has emerged as an attractive technique to probe the intracellular processing of Pt‐based anticancer compounds. Herein, we reported the first through‐bond energy transfer (TBET) fluorescent probe NPR1 designed for sensitive detection and quantitation of Pt^II complexes. The novel TBET probe was successfully applied for ratiometric fluorescence imaging of anticancer Pt^II complexes such as cisplatin and JM118 in cells. Capitalizing on the ability of the probe to discriminate between Pt^II complexes and their Pt^IV derivatives, the probe was further applied to study the activation of Pt^IV prodrug complexes that are known to release active Pt^II species after intracellular reduction.     

Supramolecular Polymers Self‐Assembled from trans‐Bis(pyridine) Dichloropalladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes

Two structurally similar trans‐bis(pyridine) dichloropalladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐type complexes were synthesized and characterized. They both self‐assemble in n‐hexane to form viscous fluids at lower concentrations, but form metallogels at sufficient concentrations. The viscous solutions were studied by capillary viscosity measurements and UV/Vis absorption spectra monitored during the disassembly process indicated that a metallophilic interaction was involved in the supramolecular polymerization process. For the two supramolecular assemblies, uncommon continuous porous networks were observed by using SEM and TEM revealed that they were built from nanofibers that fused and crosslinked with the increase of concentration. The xerogels of the palladium and platinum complexes were carefully studied by using synchrotron radiation WAXD and EXAFS. The WAXD data show close stacking distances driven by π–π and metal–metal interactions and an evident dimer structure for the platinum complex was found. The coordination bond lengths were extracted from fitting of the EXAFS data. Moreover, close Pt^II–Pt^II (Pd^II–Pd^II) and Pt?Cl (Pd?Cl) interactions proposed from DFT calculations in the reported oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)‐based palladium(II) pyridyl supramolecular polymers were also confirmed by using EXAFS. The Pt^II–Pt^II interaction is more feasible for supramolecular interaction than the Pd^II–Pd^II interaction in our simple case.     

A Reduced‐Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus‐Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open‐cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Coordination Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Nitrenium‐Based Ligands

Comprehensive studies on the coordination properties of tridentate nitrenium‐based ligands are presented. N‐heterocyclic nitrenium ions demonstrate general and versatile binding abilities to various transition metals, as exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of Rh^I, Rh^III, Mo⁰, Ru⁰, Ru^II, Pd^II, Pt^II, Pt^IV, and Ag^I complexes based on these unusual ligands. Formation of nitrenium–metal bonds is unambiguously confirmed both in solution by selective ¹⁵N‐labeling experiments and in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. The generality of N‐heterocyclic nitrenium as a ligand is also validated by a systematic DFT study of its affinity towards all second‐row transition and post‐transition metals (Y–Cd) in terms of the corresponding bond‐dissociation energies.     

Synergistic Effects of Metals in a Promising RuII−PtII Assembly for a Combined Anticancer Approach: Theoretical Exploration of the Photophysical Properties

Ru^II?Pt^II complexes are a class of bioactive molecules of interest as anticancer agents that combine a light‐absorbing chromophore with a cisplatin‐like unit. The results of a DFT and TDDFT investigation of a Ru^II complex and its conjugate with a cis‐PtCl₂ moiety reveal that a synergistic effect of the metals makes the assembly a promising multitarget anticancer drug. Inspection of type I and type II photoreactions and spin–orbit coupling computations reveals that the cis‐PtCl₂ moiety improves the photophysical properties of the Ru^II chromophore, ensuring efficient singlet oxygen generation and making the assembly suitable for photodynamic therapy. At the same time, the Ru^II chromophore promotes a new alternative activation mechanism of the Pt^II ligand via a triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (³M LCT) state, before reaching the biological target. The importance of the supramolecular architecture is accurately derived, opening interesting new perspectives on the use of bimetallic Ru^II?Pt^II assemblies in a combined anticancer approach.     

Novel platinum‐based anticancer drug: a complete vibrational study

The introduction of cisplatin to oncology, in the 1970s, marked the onset of the search for novel and improved metal‐based anticancer drugs. Polynuclear Pt^II and Pd^II complexes with linear alkylamines as bridging ligands are a class of potential antineoplastic agents that have shown promising cytotoxicity against low‐prognosis human cancers, such as metastatic breast adenocarcinoma and osteosarcoma. The present study reports an analysis of [μ‐N,N′‐bis(3‐aminopropyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine‐κ⁴N,N′:N′′,N′′′]bis[dichloridoplatinum(II)], [Pt₂Cl₄(C₁₀H₂₆N₄)], denoted Pt₂Spm (Spm is spermine), by vibrational spectroscopy coupled to theoretical calculations. Within the latter, the Density Functional Theory (DFT – mPW1PW/6‐31G*) and Effective Core Potential (ECP – LANL2DZ) approaches were used, in order to ensure the most accurate representation of the molecule and achieve a maximum agreement with the experimental data. The solid‐state geometry of Pt₂Spm corresponds to C_i symmetry, displaying 132 vibrational modes. A complete assignment of the experimental vibrational profile of the system was attained through the combined application of complementary Raman, FT–IR and Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) techniques. INS allowed an unequivocal identification of the CH₂ and NH₂ rocking modes, not clearly detected by the optical techniques, while Raman measurements led to a clear discrimination of the Pt—N stretching frequencies from the two distinct Pt—N moieties within the chelate. The metal‐to‐metal distances calculated for the molecule under study were found to allow the establishment of effective inter‐ and intrastrand crosslinks with DNA. These results will hopefully help to clarify the mode of action of the compound, at the molecular level, contributing to the development of improved cisplatin‐like chemotherapeutic drugs having a higher efficacy and specificity coupled to lower acquired resistance and deleterious side effects.     

Ylidyl‐substituted Phosphonio‐benzophospholides as Chelating Ligands

Phosphonio‐benzo[c]phospholides with an additional phosphonium ylide substituent in 3‐position were synthesized by deprotonation of appropriately substituted 1, 3‐bis‐phosphonio benzophospholide cations and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical data. The ability of these molecules to act as bidentate P, C‐chelating ligands to transition metal atoms was demonstrated in the reactions with [W(CO)₄(norbornadiene)] and [MCl₂(cyclooctadiene)] (M = Pd, Pt). The Pd^II and Pt^II complexes are distinguished by a strong inclination towards addition of H₂O to the 10π‐electron system of the ligand. The molecular structures of a W⁰ complex with a P, C‐chelating ylidyl‐phosphonio‐benzophospholide ligand and of the product resulting from H₂O‐addition to a corresponding Pt^II complex were determined. The structural parameters of the W⁰ complex provide evidence for the presence of substantial steric strain around the metal atom.     

Rare Tautomers of 1‐Methyluracil and 1‐Methylthymine: Tuning Relative Stabilities through Coordination to PtII Complexes

We have computationally explored how the relative stabilities of 1‐methyluracil (1‐MeUH) tautomers can be tuned through coordination of these tautomers to Pt^II complexes with a particular set of ligands. This has been done using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level. Thus, we have examined the water/1‐MeUH exchange reactions of [Pt^II(A)(B)(C)(OH₂)]^q + 1‐MeUH to uncover: i) which tautomers are best stabilized by the Pt^II complex, and ii) how the net charge q in the complex affects the reaction energy. The net charge q depends on the ligands A, B, and C, which can be the neutral NH₃ or anionic Cl^?. To reveal the effect of solvation, all reaction systems are studied both in the gas phase and in water. Also the stabilization of tautomers of 1‐methylthymine (1‐MeTH) by cisplatin is investigated. The calculations reveal that relative energies of the metal (here: Pt^II)‐complexed forms of the various tautomers (here: of 1‐MeUH and 1‐MeTH) do not parallel those of the free tautomers. Rather, a rare nucleobase tautomer, despite its low natural abundance, may become favored over the predominant one when complexed to a metal ion.     

Recognition Properties and Self‐assembly of Planar [M(2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole)2]2+ Metallo‐ligands

Molecular recognition continues to be an area of keen interest for supramolecular chemists. The investigated [M( L )₂]²⁺ metallo‐ligands (M=Pd^II, Pt^II, L =2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1 H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine) form a planar cationic panel with vacant pyridyl binding sites. They interact with planar neutral aromatic guests through π–π and/or metallophilic interactions. In some cases, the metallo‐ligands also interacted in the solid state with Ag^I either through coordination to the pendant pyridyl arms, or through metal–metal interactions, forming coordination polymers. We have therefore developed a system that reliably recognises a planar electron‐rich guest in solution and in the solid state, and shows the potential to link the resultant host–guest adducts into extended solid‐state structures. The facile synthesis and ready functionalisation of 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole ligands through copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry should allow for ready tuning of the electronic properties of adducts formed from these systems.     

Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes of N-Phenyl- and N-Ethyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of N-ethyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea(HL¹) and N-phenyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea (HL²) have been prepared, and the complexes [M(HL)Cl₂], [Pt(L)₂], [Pd(HL¹)₂]Cl₂, and [Pd(L²)₂] (where M = Pd^II or Pt^II) were characterized. The spectroscopic data are consistent with coordination of thioureas as neutral or monoanionic ligands to Pd^II and Pt^II through S and a pyrimidine-N. The IR spectra show shifts of CS and pyrimidine ring stretch bands to lower and higher frequencies, respectively. The ¹H NMR spectra differentiate between H(4′) and H(6′) resonances and indicate downfield shifts for all protons of pyrimidine [H(4′), H(5′), and H(6′)], two resonances for two N?H protons for complexes containing the neutral ligand (HL), and only one N?H proton chemical shift for complexes containing the monoanion (L). ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of pyrimidine carbons are correlated with the type of bonding between Pd^II or Pt^II and pyrimidine-N. The magnetic susceptibilities suggest a diamagnetic planar structure for all complexes.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

A Remarkable cis‐ and trans‐Spanning Dibenzylidene Acetone Diphosphine Chelating Ligand (dbaphos)

A multidentate and flexible diolefin–diphosphine ligand, based on the dibenzylidene acetone core, namely dbaphos ( 1 ), is reported herein. The ligand adopts an array of different geometries at Pt, Pd and Rh. At Pt^II the dbaphos ligand forms cis‐ and trans‐diphosphine complexes and can be defined as a wide‐angle spanning ligand. ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis shows that the β‐hydrogen of one olefin moiety interacts with the Pt^II centre (an anagostic interaction), which is supported by DFT calculations. At Pd⁰ and Rh^I, the dbaphos ligand exhibits both olefin and phosphine interactions with the metal centres. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos is dinuclear, with bridging diphosphines. The complex exhibits the coordination of one olefin moiety, which is in dynamic exchange (intramolecular) with the other “free” olefin. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos reacts with iodobenzene to afford trans‐[Pd^II(dbaphos)I(Ph)]. In the case of Rh^I, dbaphos coordinates to form a structure in which the phosphine and olefin moieties occupy both axial and equatorial sites, which stands in contrast to a related bidentate olefin, phosphine ligand (“Lei” ligand), in which the olefins occupy the equatorial sites and phosphines the axial sites, exclusively.     

Planar 2‐Pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole Derived Metallo‐ligands: Self‐assembly with PdCl2 and Photocatalysis

Self‐assembled metallosupramolecular architectures (MSAs) with built‐in functionalities such as light‐harvesting metal centers are a promising approach for developing emergent properties within discrete molecular systems. Herein we describe the synthesis of two new but simple “click” ligands featuring a bidentate 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole chelate pocket linked to a monodentate pyridyl (either 3‐ or 4‐substituted, L1 and L2 ) unit. The ligands and the corresponding four Pd^IIand Pt^IImetallo‐ligands ( Pd1 , Pd2 , Pt1 and Pt2 ) were synthesized and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and X‐ray crystallography. Solid‐state characterization of the series of ligands and metallo‐ligands revealed that these compounds display a co‐planar conformation of all the aryl units. The Pt^IIcontaining metallo‐ligands ( Pt1 and Pt2 ) were found to assemble into square ( Sqr ) and triangular ( Tri ) shaped architectures when combined with neutral PdCl₂ linker units. Additionally, the ability of the Pt^IImetallo‐ligands and Tri to photocatalyze the cycloaddition of singlet oxygen to anthracene was investigated.     

Guest Exchange Mechanisms in Mono‐Metallic PdII/PtII‐Cages Based on a Tetra‐Pyridyl Calix[4]pyrrole Ligand

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic Pd^II/Pt^II‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A “French doors” mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the Pd^II‐cage, and does not take place in the Pt^II counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the Pd^II‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms.     

Organoplatinum‐Substituted Polyoxometalate Inhibits β‐amyloid Aggregation for Alzheimer's Therapy

Aggregated β‐amyloid (Aβ) is widely considered as a key factor in triggering progressive loss of neuronal function in Alzheimer's disease (AD), so targeting and inhibiting Aβ aggregation has been broadly recognized as an efficient therapeutic strategy for curing AD. Herein, we designed and prepared an organic platinum‐substituted polyoxometalate, (Me₄N)₃[PW₁₁O₄₀(SiC₃H₆NH₂)₂PtCl₂] (abbreviated as Pt^II‐PW₁₁) for inhibiting Aβ₄₂ aggregation. The mechanism of inhibition on Aβ₄₂ aggregation by Pt^II‐PW₁₁ was attributed to the multiple interactions of Pt^II‐PW₁₁ with Aβ₄₂ including coordination interaction of Pt²⁺ in Pt^II‐PW₁₁ with amino group in Aβ₄₂, electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force. In cell‐based assay, Pt^II‐PW₁₁ displayed remarkable neuroprotective effect for Aβ₄₂ aggregation‐induced cytotoxicity, leading to increase of cell viability from 49 % to 67 % at a dosage of 8 μm . More importantly, the Pt^II‐PW₁₁ greatly reduced Aβ deposition and rescued memory loss in APP/PS1 transgenic AD model mice without noticeable cytotoxicity, demonstrating its potential as drugs for AD treatment.     

Synthesis,Structures and Spectroscopic Properties of Platinum(II), Palladium(II) and Copper(I) Halide Complexes with Pyrimidine‐phosphine Ligand

The reactions of pyrimidine‐phosphine ligand N‐[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]‐2‐pyrimidinamine ( L ) with various metal salts of Pt^II, Pd^II and Cu^I provide three new halide metal complexes, Pt₂Cl₄(μ‐L)₂·2CH₂Cl₂ ( 1 ), Pd₂Cl₄(μ‐L)₂ ( 2 ), and [Cu₂(μ‐I)₂L₂]_n ( 3 ). Single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show that complexes 1 and 2 display a similar bimetallic twelve‐membered ring structure, while complex 3 consists of one‐dimensional polymeric chains, which are further connected into a 2‐D supramolecular framework through hydrogen bonds. In the binuclear complexes 1 and 2 , the ligand L serves as a bridge with the N and P as coordination atoms, but in the polymeric complex 3 , both bridging and chelating modes are adopted by the ligand. The spectroscopic properties of complexes 1 ‐ 3 as well as L have been investigated, in which complex 3 exhibits intense photoluminescence originating from intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) π→π* and metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) excited states both in acetonitrile solution and solid state, respectively.     

Bis­[S‐methyl 3‐(2‐bromo­benzyl­idene)­di­thio­cab­aza­to‐N3,S]­platinum(II)

The Schiff base ligand in the title complex, [Pt(C₉H₈BrN₂S₂)₂], is deprotonated from its tautomeric thiol form and coordinated to Pt^IIvia the mercapto S and β–N atoms. The configuration about Pt^II is a perfect square‐planar, with two equivalent Pt—N [2.023 (3) Å] and Pt—S [2.293 (1) Å] bonds. The phenyl ring is twisted against the coordination moiety Pt1/N1/N1′/S2′/S2 by 31.8 (2)°, due to the steric hindrance induced by ortho‐substituted bulky Br atom.     

Metal(II) Ion Complexes with 5‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione; Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Acid‐base,and Complexing Properties in Solution

The study reports the synthesis of complexes Co(HL)Cl₂ ( 1 ), Ni(HL)Cl₂ ( 2 ), Cu(HL)Cl₂ ( 3 ), and Zn(HL)₃Cl₂ ( 4 ) with the title ligand, 5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione (HL), and their characterization by elemental analyses, ESI‐MS (m/z), FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as EPR in the case of the Cu^II complex. The comparative analysis of IR spectra of the metal ion complexes with HL and HL alone indicated that the metal ions in 1 , 2 , and 3 are chelated by two nitrogen atoms, N(4) of pyrazine and N(5) of triazole in the thiol tautomeric form, whereas the Zn^II ion in 4 is coordinated by the non‐protonated N(2) nitrogen atom of triazole in the thione form. pH potentiometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to examine Co^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II complexes in 10/90 (v/v) DMSO/water solution, whereas the Cu^II complex was examined in 40/60 (v/v) DMSO/water solution. Monodeprotonation of the thione triazole in solution enables the formation of the L:M = 1:1 species with Co^II, Ni^II and Zn^II, the 2:1 species with Co^II and Zn^II, and the 3:1 species with Zn^II. A distorted tetrahedral arrangement of the Cu^II complex was suggested on the basis of EPR and Vis/NIR spectra.     

Near Infrared Phosphorescent,Non‐oxidizable Palladium and Platinum Perfluoro‐phthalocyanines

New Pd^II and Pt^II complexes with a highly electron‐deficient ligand (H₂PcF₆₄) were conveniently prepared in a three‐step synthesis. This is the first time that the phosphorescence of phthalocyanines with a H₂PcF₆₄ framework has been measured. Based on these measurements, the triplet‐state energies (E_T) were directly determined. Transient absorption experiments revealed broad T₁→T_n absorption spanning from ca. 350 to ca. 1000 nm and allowed determination of the triplet‐state lifetimes. Removal of the Pd or Pt from the perfluoro‐phthalocyanine resulted in a significant increase of the triplet lifetime for H₂PcF₆₄. The very efficient intersystem crossing observed for both PdPcF₆₄ and PtPcF₆₄ leads to residual fluorescence and suppresses the fluorescence lifetimes to less than 50 ps. The absence of Pd and Pt in the perfluoro‐phthalocyanine ligand, viz. H₂PcF₆₄, led to a recovery of fluorescence. Cyclic voltamperometry studies pointed to complete resistance of PdPcF₆₄ and PtPcF₆₄ to oxidation and very strong electron affinity, which rendered these materials very good electron acceptors (n‐type materials). The presence of d‐orbital metals such as Pd^II and Pt^II in the phthalocyanine ring stabilizes their reduced forms, as indicated by the spectroelectrochemical experiments. PdPcF₆₄ and PtPcF₆₄ easily sensitize singlet oxygen production with very high quantum yields. Both phthalocyanines presented resistance to photodegradation in the solid state under aerobic conditions and under intense irradiation.     

Intramolecular hydrogen‐bond‐directed coordination: trans‐bis(N‐benzoyl‐N′‐propyl­thio­urea‐κS)di­iodo­platinum(II) and trans‐bis(N‐benzoyl‐N′‐propyl­thio­urea‐κS)di­bromo­platinum(II)

In the title compounds, trans‐[PtI₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂OS)₂], (I), and trans‐[PtBr₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂OS)₂], (II), respectively, intramolecular N—H⋯O (propyl­amine side) hydrogen bonds in the potentially bidentate thio­urea ligands lock the carbonyl O atoms into six‐membered rings, determining the S‐mono­dentate mode of coordination of these ligands. Intramolecular N—H⋯X (X is I or Br) interactions (benzoyl­amine side) lead to slight distortions of the Pt^II coordination spheres from ideal square‐planar geometry. The Pt^II ion is located on an inversion centre in both structures.