[Gd(AAZTA)]− Derivatives with n-Alkyl Acid Side Chains Show Improved Properties for Their Application as MRI Contrast Agents**

Herein, the synthesis and an extensive characterization of two novel Gd(AAZTA) (AAZTA=6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepine tetra acetic acid) derivatives functionalized with short (C₂ and C₄) n-alkyl acid functions are reported. The carboxylate functionality is the site for further conjugations for the design of more specific contrast agents (CAs). Interestingly, it has been found that the synthesized complexes display enhanced properties for use as MRI contrast agents on their own. The stability constants determined by using potentiometric titration and UV/Vis spectrophotometry were slightly higher than the one reported for the parent Gd(AAZTA) complex. This observation might be accounted for by the larger sigma-electron donation of the acyl substituents with respect to the one provided by the methyl group in the parent complex. As far as concerns the kinetic stability, transmetallation experiments with endogenous ions (e.g. Cu²⁺) implied that the Gd³⁺ ions present in these Gd(AAZTA) derivatives show somewhat smaller susceptibility to chemical exchange towards these ions at 25 °C, close to the physiological condition. The ¹H NMR spectra of the complexes with Eu^III and Yb^III displayed a set of signals consistent with half the number of methylene protons present on each ligand. The number of resonances was invariant over a large range of temperatures, suggesting the occurrence of a fast interconversion between structural isomers. The relaxivity values (298 K, 20 MHz) were consistent with q=2 being equal to 8.8 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the C₂ derivative and 9.4 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the C₄ one, that is, sensibly larger than the one reported for Gd(AAZTA) (7.1 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹). Variable-temperature (VT)-T₂ ¹⁷O NMR measurements showed, for both complexes, the presence of two populations of coordinated water molecules, one in fast and one in slow exchange with the bulk water. As the high-resolution ¹H NMR spectra of the analogs with Eu^III and Yb^III did not show the occurrence of distinct isomers (as frequently observed in other macrocyclic lanthanide(III)-containing complexes), we surmised the presence of two fast-interconverting isomers in solution. The analysis of the ¹⁷O NMR VT-T₂ profiles versus temperature allowed their relative molar fraction to be established as 35 % for the isomer with the fast exchanging water and 65 % for the isomer with the water molecules in slower exchange. Finally, ¹H NMRD profiles over an extended range of applied magnetic field strengths have been satisfactory fitted on the basis of the occurrence of the two interconverting species.     

Role of Mononuclear Rare Earth Metal Complexes in Promoting the Hydrolysis of 2-Hydroxypropyl p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate

Two long-chain multidentate ligands： 2,9-di-（n-2＇,5＇,8＇-triazanonyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^1） and 2,9-di- （n-4＇,7＇,10＇-triazaundecyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^2） were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate （HPNP） catalyzed by the complexes of L^1 or L^2 with La（Ⅲ） or Gd（Ⅲ） have been studied in aqueous solution at （298.2±0.1） K, I=0.10 mol·dm^-3 KNO3 in pH 7.5-9.1, respectively, finding that the catalytic effect of GdL^1 was the best among the four complexes for hydrolysis of HPNP. Its kLnLH-1, kLnLand pKa are 0.047 mol^-1·L·s^-1, 0.000074 mol^-1·L·s^-1 and 8.90, respectively. This paper expounded the studied result with the structure of the ligands and the properties of the metal ions, and deduced the catalysis mechanism.     

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Physicochemical Properties of LnIII Complexes of Aminoethyl‐DO3A as pH‐Responsive T1‐MRI Contrast Agents

N‐Substituted aminoethyl groups were attached to 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (DO3A) with the aim to design pH‐responsive Ln^III complexes based on the pH‐dependent on/off ligation of the amine nitrogen to the metal ion. The following ligands were synthesized: AE ‐ DO3A (aminoethyl‐DO3A), MAE ‐ DO3A (N‐methylaminoethyl‐DO3A), DMAE ‐ DO3A (N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl‐DO3A) and MEM ‐ AE ‐ DO3A (N‐methoxyethyl‐N‐methylaminoethyl‐DO3A). The physicochemical properties of the Ln^III complexes were investigated for the evaluation of their potential applicability as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In particular, a ¹H and ¹⁷O NMR relaxometric study was carried out for these Gd^III complexes at two different pH values: at basic pH (pendant amino group coordinated to the metal centre) and at acidic pH (protonated amine, not interacting with the metal ion). Eu^III complexes allow one to estimate the number of inner‐sphere water molecules through luminescence lifetime measurements and obtain some structural information through variable‐temperature (VT) high‐resolution ¹H NMR studies. Equilibria between differently hydrated species were found for most of the complexes at both acidic and basic pH. The thermodynamic stability of Ca^II, Zn^II, Cu^II and Ln^III complexes and kinetics of formation and dissociation reactions of Ln^III complexes of AE ‐ DO3A and DMAE ‐ DO3A were investigated showing stabilities comparable to currently approved Gd^III‐based CAs. In detail, higher total basicity (Σlog K_i^H) and higher stability constants of Ln^III complexes were found for AE ‐ DO3A with respect to DMAE ‐ DO3A (i.e., log K_{Gd‐ AE‐DO3A} =22.40 and log K_{Gd‐ DMAE‐DO3A} =20.56). The transmetallation reactions of Gd^III complexes are very slow (Gd‐ AE ‐ DO3A : t_1/2=2.7×10⁴ h; Gd‐ DMAE ‐ DO3A : 1.1×10⁵ h at pH 7.4 and 298 K) and occur through proton‐assisted dissociation.     

Proton Conduction at High Temperature in High-Symmetry Hydrogen-Bonded Molecular Crystals of RuIII Complexes with Six Imidazole-Imidazolate Ligands

A new H-bonded crystal [Ru^III(Him)₃(Im)₃] with three imidazole (Him) and three imidazolate (Im⁻) groups was prepared to obtain a higher-temperature proton conductor than a Nafion membrane with water driving. The crystal is constructed by complementary N−H⋅⋅⋅N H-bonds between the Ru^III complexes and has a rare Icy-c* cubic network topology with a twofold interpenetration without crystal anisotropy. The crystals show a proton conductivity of 3.08×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 450 K and a faster conductivity than those formed by only HIms. The high proton conductivity is attributed to not only molecular rotations and hopping motions of HIm frameworks that are activated at ∼113 K, but also isotropic whole-molecule rotation of [Ru^III(Him)₃(Im)₃] at temperatures greater than 420 K. The latter rotation was confirmed by solid-state ²H NMR spectroscopy; probable proton conduction routes were predicted and theoretically considered.     

Unprecedented Reaction Pathway of Sterically Crowded Calcium Complexes: Sequential C−N Bond Cleavage Reactions Induced by C−H Bond Activations

Five bis(quinolylmethyl)‐(1H ‐indolylmethyl)amine (BQIA) compounds, that is, {(quinol‐8‐yl‐CH₂)₂NCH₂(3‐Br‐1H ‐indol‐2‐yl)} ( L¹H ) and {[(8‐R³‐quinol‐2‐yl)CH₂]₂NCH(R²)[3‐R¹‐1H ‐indol‐2‐yl]} ( L^2–5H ) ( L²H : R¹=Br, R²=H, R³=H; L³H : R¹=Br, R²=H, R³=i Pr; L⁴H : R¹=H, R²=CH₃, R³=i Pr; L⁵H : R¹=H, R²=n Bu, R³=i Pr) were synthesized and used to prepare calcium complexes. The reactions of L^1–5H with silylamido calcium precursors (Ca[N(SiMe₂R)₂]₂(THF)₂, R=Me or H) at room temperature gave heteroleptic products ( L^{1, 2} )CaN(SiMe₃)₂ ( 1 , 2 ), ( L^{3, 4} )CaN(SiHMe₂)₂ ( 3 a , 4 a ) and homoleptic complexes ( L^{3, 5} )₂Ca ( D3 , D5 ). NMR and X‐ray analyses proved that these calcium complexes were stabilized through Ca⋅⋅⋅C−Si, Ca⋅⋅⋅H−Si or Ca⋅⋅⋅H−C agostic interactions. Unexpectedly, calcium complexes (( L^3–5 )CaN(SiMe₃)₂) bearing more sterically encumbered ligands of the same type were extremely unstable and underwent C−N bond cleavage processes as a consequence of intramolecular C−H bond activation, leading to the exclusive formation of (E )‐1,2‐bis(8‐isopropylquinol‐2‐yl)ethane.     

Metal⋅⋅⋅F−C Bonding in Low-Coordinate Alkaline Earth Fluoroarylamides

A set of calcium and barium complexes containing the fluoroarylamide N(C₆F₅)₂⁻ is presented. These compounds illustrate the key role of stabilising M⋅⋅⋅F−C secondary interactions in the construction of low-coordinate alkaline earth complexes. The nature of Ca⋅⋅⋅F−C bonding in calcium complexes is examined in the light of structural data, bond valence sum (BVS) analysis and DFT computations. The molecular structures of [Ca{N(C₆F₅)₂}₂(Et₂O)₂] ( 4 ′), [Ca{μ-N(SiMe₃)₂}{N(C₆F₅)₂}]₂ ( 5₂ ), [Ba{μ-N(C₆F₅)₂}{N(C₆F₅)₂}⋅toluene]₂ ( 6₂ ), [{BDI^DiPP}CaN(C₆F₅)₂]₂ ( 7₂ ), [{N^N^DiPP}CaN(C₆F₅)₂]₂ ( 8₂ ), and [Ca{μ-OB(CH(SiMe₃)₂)₂}{N(C₆F₅)₂}]₂ ( 9₂ ), where {BDI^DiPP}⁻ and {N^N^DiPP}⁻ are the bidentate ligands CH[C(CH₃)NDipp]₂⁻ and DippNC₆H₄CNDipp⁻ (Dipp=2,6-iPr₂-C₆H₃), are detailed. Complex 6₂ displays strong Ba⋅⋅⋅F−C contacts at around 2.85 Å. The calcium complexes feature also very short intramolecular Ca−F interatomic distances at around 2.50 Å. In addition, the three-coordinate complexes 7₂ and 8₂ form dinuclear structures due to intermolecular Ca⋅⋅⋅F−C contacts. BVS analysis shows that Ca⋅⋅⋅F−C interactions contribute to 15–20 % of the bonding pattern around calcium. Computations demonstrate that Ca⋅⋅⋅F−C bonding is mostly electrostatic, but also contains a non-negligible covalent contribution. They also suggest that Ca⋅⋅⋅F−C are the strongest amongst the range of weak Ca⋅⋅⋅X (X=F, H, C_π) secondary interactions, due to the high positive charge of Ca²⁺ which favours electrostatic interactions.     

Ruthenium complexes containing mPTA and thiopurines bis(8-thiotheophylline)-(CH2)n (n = 1 – 3; mPTA = N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)

Thiopurines bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)methane (MBTTH₂), 1,2-bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)ethane (EBTTH₂), and 1,3-bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)propane (PBTTH₂) were reacted with [RuClCp(mPTA)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ in water to afford the bis-ruthenium complexes [{RuCp(mPTA)₂}₂-μ-(L-κN7,N′7)](CF₃SO₃)₄ (1: L = MBTT; 2: L = EBTT; 3: L = PBTT), which have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹⁹F{¹H}) spectroscopy). Diffusion experiments for 1 were carried out. Proposed structures for the three complexes were also supported by theoretical calculations. Cyclic voltammetry showed that these complexes are characterized by two one-electron irreversible oxidative response (Ru^II – Ru^II/Ru^III – Ru^II; Ru^III – Ru^II/Ru^III – Ru^III). Complexes showed poor antiproliferative activity against cisplatin-sensitive T2 human cell line and the cisplatin-resistant SKOV3 cell line.     

Single-Molecule Magnetism in Dy2 Cluster Based on a Schiff Base Ligand

Two dinuclear Ln^III-based clusters, namely [Dy₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 1 ) and [Gd₂L₂(NO₃)₂(DME)₄] ( 2 ) [H₂L = (E)-2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol] were obtained under hydrothermal condition. Two Ln^III ions are bridged by two phenolic hydroxyl oxygen atoms, and the distances of them are 3.829 Å (Dy1–Dy1A) and 3.860 Å (Gd1–Gd1A). Two Dy1–O–Dy1A and Gd1–O–Gd1A angles are 109.4° and 109.8°, respectively. Magnetic studies reveal a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Gd ions in complex 2 , and single-molecule magnet behavior for 1 with U_eff = 49.9 K and τ₀ = 1.54 × 10^–6 s.     

Importance of Outer‐Sphere and Aggregation Phenomena in the Relaxation Properties of Phosphonated Gadolinium Complexes with Potential Applications as MRI Contrast Agents

A series composed of a tetra‐, a tris‐ and a bisphosphonated ligand based on a pyridine scaffold ( L⁴ , L³ and L² , respectively) was studied within the frame of lanthanide (Ln) coordination. The stability constants of the complexes formed with lanthanide cations (Ln=La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er and Lu) were determined by potentiometry in aqueous solutions (25.0 °C, 0.1 M NaClO₄), showing that the tetraphosphonated complexes are among the most stable Ln^III complexes reported in the literature. The complexation of L⁴ was further studied by different titration experiments using mass spectrometry and various spectroscopic techniques including UV/Vis absorption, and steady state and time‐resolved luminescence (Ln=Eu and Tb). Titration experiments confirmed the formation of highly stable [Ln L⁴ ] complexes. ³¹P NMR experiments of the Lu L⁴ complex revealed an intramolecular interconversion process which was studied at different temperatures and was rationalized by DFT modelling. The relaxivity properties of the Gd^III complexes were studied by recording their ¹H NMRD profiles at various temperatures, by temperature dependent ¹⁷O NMR experiments (Gd L⁴ ) and by pH dependent relaxivity measurements at 0.47 T (Gd L³ and Gd L² ). In addition to the high relaxivity values observed for all complexes, the results showed an important second‐sphere contribution to relaxivity and pH dependent variations associated with the formation of aggregates for Gd L² and Gd L³ . Finally, intravenous injection of Gd L⁴ to a mouse was followed by dynamic MRI imaging at 1.5 T, which showed that the complex can be immediately found in the blood stream and rapidly eliminated through the liver and in large part through the kidneys.     

Fluoride‐Bridged {GdIII3MIII2} (M=Cr,Fe, Ga) Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

The reaction of fac‐[M^IIIF₃(Me₃tacn)]⋅x H₂O with Gd(NO₃)₃⋅5H₂O affords a series of fluoride‐bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd^III₃M^III₂} (M=Cr ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Ga ( 3 )) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF₃ formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride‐complexes as precursors for 3d–4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ ( 1 ) and 33.1 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ ( 2 ) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe–Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close‐lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.     

Binuclear ruthenium complexes containing mPTA and alkyl-bis(8-thiotheophylline) derivatives (mPTA = N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)

The water-soluble complex [RuClCp(PPh₃)(mPTA)](CF₃SO₃) reacts with the thiopurines, bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)methane (MBTTH₂), 1,2-bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)ethane (EBTTH₂), and 1,3-bis(S-8-thiotheophylline)propane (PBTTH₂), to lead to the binuclear ruthenium(II) complexes [{RuCp(PPh₃)(mPTA)}₂-μ-(L-κS7,S′7)](CF₃SO₃)₂ where (L = MBTT^2? (1), EBTT^2? (2), and PBTT^2? (3)). All the complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and multinuclear ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes is characterized by two one-electron oxidative responses (Ru^II–Ru^II/Ru^III–Ru^II; Ru^III–Ru^II/Ru^III–Ru^III) that increase their redox potential when the bis(8-thiotheophylline)-alkyl-bridge growths. The reactivity against DNA and partition coefficient of the complexes were also determined.     

NLO active CuII/RuII and CdII/RuII coordination-organometallic complexes: synthesis,structural characterization and photoluminescence properties

Cu^II/Ru^II and Cd^II/Ru^II hybrid complexes [Cu(L_1–3)(NC₅H₄C≡CRu(dppe)₂Cl)] (1a-3a) and [Cd(L_1-3)(NC₅H₄C≡CRu(dppe)₂Cl)] (1b–3b) have been prepared by reaction of trans-[RuCl(dppe)₂(C≡C-py-3)] (1) with copper or cadmium acetate in the presence of Schiff base ligands L_H1–3 (where L_H = 2-(pyrrole-2-yl-methylidine)aminophenol (L_H1), 5-bromo-2-(pyrrole-2-yl-methylidine)aminophenol (L_H2) and 5-nitro-2-(pyrrole-2-yl-methylidine)aminophenol (L_H3)). The hybrid materials were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, TEM, IR, UV–visible, ¹H NMR, and ³¹P NMR spectral studies. TEM overview observations revealed well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles of ~60 nm are formed. Quasireversible redox behavior is observed for Cu^II/Ru^II complexes corresponding to Cu^I/Cu^II and Ru^II/Ru^III couples. All the complexes exhibit blue-green emission as a result of fluorescence from the intraligand (π → π*) emission excited state with good quantum yield. The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Cu^II/Ru^II and Cd^II/Ru^II complexes have been investigated by the Kurtz-powder method. The second harmonic generation efficiency of these complexes show that these complexes are NLO active and display good second-order nonlinear optical activity.     

Designing Novel Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Synthesis and Relaxometric Characterization of three Gadolinium(III) Complexes Based on Functionalized Pyridine‐Containing Macrocyclic Ligands

The three novel pyridine‐containing 12‐membered macrocyclic ligands 1 – 3 were synthesized. The coordinating arms are represented by three acetate moieties in 1 and 3 and by one acetate and two phosphonate moieties in 2 . In all three ligands, the acetate arm in the distal position is substituted, with a benzyl group in 1 and 2 and with an arylmethyl moiety in 3 . The relaxivities r_1p (20 MHz, 25°) of Gd^III complexes are: GD?1 , r_1p=8.3 mM ^?1 s^?1; GD?2 , r_1p8.1 mM ^?1 s^?1; Gd?3 , r_1p10.5 mM ^?1 s^?1. ¹H‐NMRD and ¹⁷O‐NMR T₂ data show that Gd?1 and Gd?3 contain two H₂O molecules in the inner sphere, whereas the presence of two phosphonate arms allows the coordination of only one H₂O molecule in Gd?2 . Interestingly, the exchange lifetime of coordinated H₂O in the three complexes is similar in spite of the difference in the coordination number of the Gd^III ion (i.e., 9 in Gd?1 and Gd?3 , and 8 in Gd?2 ). ¹H‐Relaxometric measurements at different pH and in the presence of lactate and oxalate were carried out to get some insight into the formation of ternary complexes from Gd?1 and Gd?3 . Finally, it was found that binding to human‐serum albumin (HSA) of Gd?1 and Gd?2 , though weak, yields limited relaxivity enhancements, likely as a consequence of effects on the hydration sphere caused by donor atoms on the surface of the protein.     

Gadolinium(III) Porpholactones as Efficient and Robust Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizers

Construction of Gd^III photosensitizers is important for designing theranostic agents owing to the unique properties arising from seven unpaired f electrons of the Gd³⁺ ion. Combining these with the advantages of porpholactones with tunable NIR absorption, we herein report the synthesis of Gd^III complexes Gd‐1 – 4 ( 1 , porphyrin; 2 , porpholactone; 3 and 4 , cis‐ and trans‐porphodilactone, respectively) and investigated their function as singlet oxygen (¹O₂) photosensitizers. These Gd complexes displayed ¹O₂ quantum yields (Φ_Δs) from 0.64–0.99 with the order Gd‐1 < Gd‐2 < Gd‐3 < Gd‐4 . The gradually enhanced ¹O₂ sensitization after β‐oxazolone moiety replacement was ascribed to the narrowing of the energy gap (ΔE) between the lowest triplet states (T₁) of the ligand and the energy level of the ¹Δ_g→³Σ_g transition of ¹O₂. In particular, Gd‐4 is capable of excitation in the visible to NIR region (400–700 nm) with a quantum yield near unity. These Gd complexes were first demonstrated as efficient photosensitizers in photocatalysis such as oxidative C?H bond functionalization of secondary or tertiary amines, and the oxygenation of the natural product cholesterol. Finally, after glycosylation, these water‐soluble Gd complexes showed potential applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT) in HeLa cells. This work revealed that Gd^III complexes of “bioinspired” β‐modified porpholactones are efficient NIR photosensitizers and form a chemical basis to construct appealing photocatalysts and theranostic agents based on lanthanides.     

Binuclear Pd(II) complexes with chiral ethylenediaminodioxime (H2L) and bis-α-thiooxime (H2L1), the derivative of monoterpenoid(+)-3-carene. Crystal structures of [Pd2(H2L)Cl4] and [Pd2(H2L1)Cl4] · 3CDCl3

Diamagnetic Pd(II) complexes with the chiral ethylenediaminodioxime (H 2 L) and bis-α-thiooxime (H₂L¹), the derivatives of monoterpenoid (+)-3-carene, of the composition Pd₂(H₂L)Cl₄(I), Pd₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄ (II), and the solvate Pd₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄·3DCl₃ (III) were synthesized. The crystal structures of complex I and solvate III were determined from X-ray diffraction data. The structures consist of acentric binuclear molecules with the coordination cores PdN₂Cl₂ (in I) and PdNSCl₂ (in III) in the form of the distorted squares. In complex I, each Pd atom coordinates two N atoms of the tetradentate bridge-cyclic ligand H₂L and two Cl atoms; in compound III, one N and one S atom of the tetradentate bridge-cyclic ligand H₂L¹, and 2 Cl atoms. The CDCl₃ molecules in compound III lie in the cavities formed by the molecules of complex II. In both structures, the PdCl₂ fragments are in the trans-positions. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that the structures of complexes I, II in solutions are similar to the structures of compounds I, III in the solid state. Original Russian Text ? T.E. Kokina, L.I. Myachina, L.A. Glinskaya, A.V. Tkachev, R.F. Klevtsova, L.A. Sheludyakova, S.N. Bizyaev, A.M. Agafontsev, N.B. Gorshkov, S.V. Larionov, 2008, published in Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, 2008, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 120–132.     

Design Principles and Theory of Paramagnetic Fluorine‐Labelled Lanthanide Complexes as Probes for 19F Magnetic Resonance: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of a series of CF₃‐labelled lanthanide(III) complexes (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) with amide‐substituted ligands based on 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane are described. The theoretical contributions of the ¹⁹F magnetic relaxation processes in these systems are critically assessed and selected volumetric plots are presented. These plots allow an accurate estimation of the increase in the rates of longitudinal and transverse relaxation as a function of the distance between the Ln^III ion and the fluorine nucleus, the applied magnetic field, and the re‐rotational correlation time of the complex, for a given Ln^III ion. Selected complexes exhibit pH‐dependent chemical shift behaviour, and a pK_a of 7.0 was determined in one example based on the holmium complex of an ortho‐cyano DO3A‐monoamide ligand, which allowed the pH to be assessed by measuring the difference in chemical shift (varying by over 14 ppm) between two ¹⁹F resonances. Relaxation analyses of variable‐temperature and variable‐field ¹⁹F, ¹⁷O and ¹H NMR spectroscopy experiments are reported, aided by identification of salient low‐energy conformers by using density functional theory. The study of fluorine relaxation rates, over a field range of 4.7 to 16.5 T allowed precise computation of the distance between the Ln^III ion and the CF₃ reporter group by using global fitting methods. The sensitivity benefits of using such paramagnetic fluorinated probes in ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic studies are quantified in preliminary spectroscopic and imaging experiments with respect to a diamagnetic yttrium(III) analogue.     

3,5-Bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,2,4-triazole based ligands — protonation and metal complex formation

3,5-Bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (H₂L^a) and 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid (H₃L^b) have been prepared, and crystal structure of the intermediate 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1,3-benzoxazin-4-one has been determined. Temperature dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements of H₂L^a indicated dynamic behavior with the equilibrium between the two asymmetric tautomers. For H₃L^b, pD-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements showed small but characteristic shifts in the range of 0 ≤ pD ≤ 1, indicative of a triazole nitrogen atom protonation; the corresponding pK _a of 0.98 ± 0.04 was determined by spectrophotometric titrations. (H₂O, 26°C, 1 M KCl/HCl). Formation of [Fe^III(L^a)]⁺ (pH 2.5) and [Fe^III(L^a)₂]⁻ (pH > 6) was verified by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Complex formation of H₃L^b with Al³⁺ and VO²⁺ was investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopic titration and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. Single crystals of the phenoxo bridged [V^VO(HL^b)(EtO)]₂·2EtOH were characterized by X-ray structural analysis. Dedicated to Professor Milan Melník on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

The relationship between ligand structures and their CoII and NiII complexes: Synthesis and characterization of novel dimeric CoII/CoIII complexes of bis(thiosemicarbazone)

4,6-Diacetylresorcinol serves as a starting point for the generation of multidentate S/N/O or O/N/O symmetrical chelating agents by condensation with thiosemicarbazide or semicarbazide to yield the corresponding bis(thiosemicarbazone) H₄L¹ or bis(semicarbazone) H₄L², respectively. Reaction of H₄L¹ and H₄L² with M(NO₃)₂·6H₂O (M?=?Co or Ni) afforded dimeric complexes for H₄L¹ and binuclear complexes for H₄L², revealing the tendency of S to form bridges. The dimeric cobalt complexes of H₄L¹ are very interesting in that they contain Co^II/Co^III, side/side, low-spin octahedral coordinated Co^III-ions and high-spin square-planar coordinated Co^II-ions. These complexes have the general formula [(H₂L¹)₂Co₂(H₂O) (NO₃)]·nEtOH. Arguments supporting these anomalous Co^II/Co^III structures are based on a pronounced decrease in their magnetic moments, elemental and thermal analyses, visible and IR spectra, as well as their unreactivity towards organic bases such as 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (Bpy), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (Tmen) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine, Ox). The dimeric octahedral Ni^II complex [(H₂L¹)₂Ni₂(H₂O)₄]·3H₂O showed higher reactivity towards phen and Bpy and formed adducts; [(HL¹)Ni₂(B)(H₂O)₅] NO₃ (B?=?phen or Bpy). In the presence of oxine, the dimeric brown paramagnetic octahedral complex [(H₂L¹)₂Ni₂(H₂O)₄]·3H₂O was transformed to the dimeric brick-red diamagnetic square-planar complex [(H₃L¹)₂Ni₂](NO₃)₂. The latter showed dramatic behavior in its ¹H NMR spectrum in DMSO-d ₆, which was explained on the basis of H⁺-transfer. By contrast, the binuclear Ni^II–H₄L² complex (11) showed higher reactivity towards phen, Bpy and oxine. These reactions afforded mixed dimeric complexes having the molar ratio 2?:?2?:?1 (Ni^II?:?H₄L²?:?base). The binuclear Co^II–H₄L² complex afforded an adduct with phen and trinuclear complexes with Bpy and oxine. All complexes were found to be unreactive towards Tmen. Structural characterization was achieved by elemental and thermal analyses, spectral data (electronic, IR, mass and ¹H NMR spectra) and conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Studies on the Synthesis and Thermodynamic Stability of Two Multidentate Ligands 2,9-disubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline

Two multidentate ligands: N,N′-di-(propionic acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-di-aminomethylphenanthroline (L₁) and N,N′-di-(3′-methylbutyric acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-di-amino-methylphenanthroline (L₂) were synthesized and fully characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The binding ability of L₁ and L₂ to metal ions such as M(II) (M = Cu, Zn, Co and Ni) and Ln(III) (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) has been investigated by potentiometric titration in aqueous solution and 0.1 mol dm⁻³KNO₃ at 25.0 ± °C. In view of the structure of L₁ and L₂, mononuclear metal complexes can be formed in solution. The stability constants of binary complexes of ligands L1 and L2 with metal ions M(II) and Ln(III) have been determined respectively and further discussed.     

Ligational behaviour of two biologically active N−S donors towards cobalt(III), iron(III), iron(II) and rhodium(III)

Summary The chelating behaviour of two biologically active ligands, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde(4-phenyl) thiosemicarbazone(L₁H) and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone(LH), towards Fe^III, Co^III, Fe^II and Rh^III has been investigated. The ligands act as tridentate N–N–S donors, resulting in the formation of bis-chelate complexes of the type M^III(A)₂X·nH₂O (A=L₁ or L; X=Cl, ClO₄; M=Co^III, Rh^III, Fe^III), Fe^II(L₁H)₂SO₄·2H₂O and Fe^II(L₁)₂·H₂O. Biological activity of the ligands and the metal complexes in the form ofin vitro antibacterial activities towardsE. coli has been evaluated and the possible reasons for enhancement of the activity of ligands on coordination to metal ion is discussed.