Influence of residual impurities on ring‐opening metathesis polymerization after copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition click reaction

Bottlebrush polymers (BBPs) are three‐dimensional polymers with great academic and industrial potential owing to their highly tunable and intricate architecture. The most popular method to synthesize BBPs is ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with Grubbs' catalyst, allowing living grafting‐through polymerization of macromonomers of up to ultrahigh molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distribution. In this case, it has been well recognized that the purity of macromonomers (MMs) is critical for a successful ROMP reaction. For MMs synthesized from reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization, Grubbs and Xia demonstrated that the better control of ROMP reaction can be achieved when they are prepared via “growth‐then‐coupling” method that is coupling a norbornenyl group to end‐functionalized prepolymers. However, these MMs can also contain various residual impurities from previous synthetic steps, which can potentially poison the catalyst and hamper the ROMP reaction. Herein, we intentionally doped possible impurities into purified MMs to identify the most poisoning species. As a result, it was found that alkyne‐functionalized norbornene most significantly retarded the ROMP reaction due to a formation of Ru‐vinyl‐carbene intermediates having low catalytic reactivity, whereas the other reagents such as solvent, Cu‐catalyst, ligands, and azido‐terminated prepolymers were relatively inert. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 726–737     

“Click” generation of a conjugated polymer library for SWNT dispersion

Noncovalent functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with conjugated polymers enhances SWNT processability and allows for selective dispersion of various SWNT species. Selective dispersions can be obtained by tuning the nature of the polymer, which can involve using various polymer backbones or side‐chains. However, a clear understanding of selectivity determinants is elusive, as the degree of polymerization (DP) has a large effect on SWNT selectivity. Additionally, preparing libraries of conjugated polymers with varying functionality while keeping DP consistent is difficult. Here, we report the utilization of a strained cyclooctyne‐containing conjugated polymer that serves as a versatile scaffold, enabling systematic preparation of a small library of conjugated polymers with different side‐chain functionality, while maintaining a consistent DP. The resulting polymers were used as dispersants for SWNTs, forming supramolecular polymer‐SWNT complexes that were characterized by UV‐Vis‐NIR absorption and Raman spectroscopy. In the series of polymers, we were able to probe the effect of small changes within the side chains, such as the incorporation of a carbonyl group or an aromatic unit, on the quality of the polymer‐SWNT dispersion. The results of these studies provide new insight into the factors that dictate the ability of a polymer to form strong interactions with SWNTs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2053–2058     

Synthesis and characterization of polymer linked copper(I) bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) mechanocatalysts

In this paper, the synthesis and characterization of a series of latent polymeric bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) copper(I) complexes is reported, which can be activated for the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) via ultrasound. To prove the influence of chain length and nature of the polymer towards the activation, poly(isobutylene) (PIB), poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) are synthesized via living polymerization techniques (LCCP, ATRP, CROP) obtaining different chain lengths (from 2500 to 9000 g/mol), followed by quaternization with N‐methylimidazole, generating the corresponding N‐methylimidazolium‐telechelic polymers. The deprotonation of these macroligands via strong bases like sodium tert‐butoxide (NaO^tBu) or potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) yields the free N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), which are used to coordinate to tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate, forming the final polymer‐based mono‐ and bis(N‐methylimidazole‐2‐ylidene) copper(I)X complexes. The structural proof of these complexes is accomplished via ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF‐MS and GPC‐techniques. The activation of the copper(I) biscarbene catalysts by ultrasound is studied by GPC, revealing the cleavage of one shielding NHC‐ligand. The initial catalytic latency and the via ultrasound introduced catalytic activation is successfully demonstrated monitoring a CuAAC “click” reaction of benzyl azide and phenylacetylene by in situ ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy introducing thus “click” conversions up to 97%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3893–3907     

Development of Protein‐Cage‐Based Delivery Nanoplatforms by Polyvalently Displaying β‐Cyclodextrins on the Surface of Ferritins Through Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Azide/Alkyne Cycloaddition

Protein cages are spherical hollow macromolecules that are attractive platforms for the construction of nanoscale cargo delivery vehicles. Human heavy‐chain ferritin (HHFn) is modified genetically to control the number and position of functional groups per cage. 24 β‐CDs are conjugated precisely to the modified HHFn in specific locations through thiol‐maleimide Michael‐type addition followed by copper(I)‐catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The resulting human ferritins displaying β‐CDs (β‐CD‐C90 HHFn) can form inclusion complexes with FITC‐AD, which can slowly release the guest molecule reversibly in a buffer solution via non‐covalent β‐CD/AD interactions. β‐CD‐C90 HHFn can potentially be used as delivery vehicles for insoluble drugs.

     

Preparation of Fluorescent Organometallic Porphyrin Complex Nanogels of Controlled Molecular Structure via Reverse‐Emulsion Click Chemistry

Here, we are the first to report a novel approach to preparing well‐defined poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) fluorescent nanogels, with well‐defined molecular structures and desired functionalities via reverse (mini)emulsion copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (REM‐CuAAC). Nanogels with hydroxyl groups and Ga‐porphyrin complex (Ga‐porphyrin‐OH nanogels), as well as with Ga‐porphyrin complex and folate functional groups (Ga‐porphyrin‐FA), are successfully prepared. Nanogels of 30 and 120 nm in diameter are obtained and they exhibit an emission maxima within the wavelength range 700–800 nm. The nanogels could find uses in near infrared (NIR) imaging attributable to their fluorescence and their functionality for cell affinity.     

Thermal stability of ester linkage in the presence of 1,2,3‐Triazole moiety generated by click reaction

The copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), so‐called “click” reaction, is one of most useful synthetic strategies to connect two polymer chains. 1,2,3‐Triazole ring (TA) produced by the click reaction has good thermal and chemical stability. However, we observed that block copolymers synthesized by the click reaction showed thermal degradation to give homopolymers when they are thermally annealed at high temperature, which is required for obtaining equilibrium microdomain structure. To investigate the origin of thermal instability of block copolymers, we synthesized model polystyrenes (PSs) using systematically designed bi‐functional atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiators containing TA. PS including both ester and TA groups showed thermal decomposition at relatively low temperature (e.g., 140 °C). MALDI‐TOF analysis clearly demonstrated that the cleavage site is the ester group adjacent to TA. We also found that the bromine group located at the polymer chain end plays an important role in pyrolysis of ester groups at low temperature. The pyrolysis occurs by syn‐elimination of the ester group. This result implies that the phase behavior of block copolymer synthesized by click reaction should be carefully investigated when high temperature thermal annealing is required. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 427–436     

Copper(I) oxide nanoparticles supported on magnetic casein as a bio‐supported and magnetically recoverable catalyst for aqueous click chemistry synthesis of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles

Copper(I) oxide nanoparticles supported on magnetic casein (Cu₂O/Casein@Fe₃O₄NPs) has been synthesized as a bio‐supported catalyst and was characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst was investigated in one‐pot three‐component reactions of alkyl halides, sodium azide and alkynes to prepare 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles with high yields in water. The reaction work‐up is simple and the catalyst can be magnetically separated from the reaction medium and reused in subsequent reactions.     

Synthesis, Characterization, Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Properties of New Mono- and Binuclear Copper（Ⅰ） Complexes with Substituted 2,2′-Bipyridine

The mono- and binuclear Cu(Ⅰ) complexes with substituted 2,2′-bipyridine and iodide ligands, [CuL2]BF4(L=4-methoxycarbonyl-6-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (a), 6-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (b) and 6-(4-methoxylphenyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (c)) and [Cu2(μ-I)2L2] were prepared, and the crystal structures of the complexes were obtained from signal-crystal X-ray diffractional analysis. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes in dichloromethane are dominated by low energy MLCT bands from 360 to 650 nrn. The electrochemical studies of mononuclear complexes reveal that the complexes have stable copper(Ⅰ) state.     

Synthesis and characterization of three dinuclear copper(I) complexes of 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane

Three dinuclear copper(I) complexes, [Cu₂(µ‐Cl)₂(1,2‐(PPh₂)₂‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)₂]·2CH₂Cl₂ ( 1 ), [Cu₂(µ‐Br)₂(1,2‐(PPh₂)₂‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)₂]·2THF ( 2 ) and {Cu₂(µ‐I)₂[1,2‐(PPh₂)₂‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀]₂} ( 3 ) have been synthesized by the reactions of CuX (X = Cl, Br and I) with the closo ligand 1,2‐(PPh₂)₂‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray structure determination. Single crystal X‐ray structure determinations show that every complex contained di‐µ‐X‐bridged structure involving a crossed parallelogram plane formed by two Cu atoms and two X atoms (X = Cl, Br, I). The geometry at the Cu atom was a distorted tetrahedron, in which two positions were occupied by two P atoms of the PPh₂ groups connected to the two C atoms of carborane (Cc), and the other two resulted from two X atoms which bridged the other Cu atom at the same time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of copper(I) complexes with 1,2‐diphenylphosphino‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane as ligand characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The catalytic property of the complex 3 for the amination of iodobenzene with aniline was also investigated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of side‐chain liquid crystalline Azopolymers by CuAAC postfunctionalization using bifunctional azides: Induction of chirality using circularly polarized light

Well‐defined side‐chain liquid crystal azopolymers have been synthesized by click chemistry of poly(propargyl methacrylate) with bifunctional liquid crystalline azides to produce materials with large degrees of functionalization. A polymeric scaffold having pendant alkyne groups was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and postfunctionalized by copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) using homo‐ and heterobifunctional azides. The azides are derivatives of 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid (bis‐MPA) containing photoresponsive azobenzene and/or liquid crystalline biphenyl moieties. The approach is a convenient alternative to increase the density of functional units in side‐chain polymers having moderate polymerization degrees and to modulate the properties of the final material. The article describes the synthesis, characterization, and liquid crystalline properties of the obtained polymers. The effect of the chemical structure and the possible cooperative effects between functional units in the photo‐induction of chirality are also evaluated. A switchable photo‐transference of chirality from the circularly polarized light (CPL) to material has been achieved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzene‐sulfonyl Azide and Its Synthetic Utility for the Transformation to (Z)‐N‐[4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates

A novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide by simultaneous azidation and debrominative decarboxylation of anti‐2,3‐dibromo‐3‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid using NaN₃ only was developed. Facile transformation of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide to (Z)‐N‐[4‐ (2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates was also achieved by Cu‐catalyzed three‐component coulping of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide, terminal alkynes and alcohols/phenols.     

`0'‐ and `8'‐shaped complexes generated from a nano‐sized oxadiazole‐containing organic ligand with CdI2 and CuI

A new nano‐sized rigid double‐armed oxadiazole‐bridged organic ligand, 2,5‐bis{2‐methyl‐5‐[2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)ethenyl]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, C₃₀H₂₀N₄O, L or (I), which adopts a cis conformation in the solid state, has been synthesized and used to create the two novel metallocycle complexes (2,5‐bis{2‐methyl‐5‐[2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl‐κN)ethenyl]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)diiodidocadmium(II) dichloromethane monosolvate, [CdI₂(C₃₀H₂₀N₄O)]·CH₂Cl₂, (II), and di‐μ‐iodido‐bis[(2,5‐bis{2‐methyl‐5‐[2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl‐κN)ethenyl]phenyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)copper(I)], [Cu₂I₂(C₃₀H₂₀N₄O)₂], (III). Molecules of complex (II) adopts a 20‐membered `0'‐shaped metallocycle structure with crystallographic mirror symmetry. The discrete units are linked into one‐dimensional chains through intermolecular π–π and C—H...π interactions. In (III), the two I atoms and two Cu<sup>I</sup> atoms form a {Cu<sub>2</sub>(μ‐I)<sub>2</sub>} cluster. One {Cu<sub>2</sub>(μ‐I)<sub>2</sub>} cluster and two L ligands form two 20‐membered monometallic rings in a head‐to‐head fashion, leading to a discrete centrosymmetric `8'‐shaped metallocyclic complex. These metallocycles stack together via two kinds of intermolecular π–π interactions to generate a two‐dimensional network in the ac plane. The luminescence properties of (I)–(III) were investigated in the solid state at room temperature and displayed an obvious red shift.     

Ligand‐forced dimerization of copper(I)–olefin complexes bearing a 1,3,4‐thiadiazole core

As an important class of heterocyclic compounds, 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles have a broad range of potential applications in medicine, agriculture and materials chemistry, and were found to be excellent precursors for the crystal engineering of organometallic materials. The coordinating behaviour of allyl derivatives of 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles with respect to transition metal ions has been little studied. Five new crystalline copper(I) π‐complexes have been obtained by means of an alternating current electrochemical technique and have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The compounds are bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine]bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu₂(NO₃)₂(C₆H₉N₃S)₂], (1), bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine]bis[(tetrafluoroborato)copper(I)], [Cu₂(BF₄)₂(C₆H₉N₃S)₂], (2), μ‐aqua‐bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu₂(NO₃)₂(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂(H₂O)], (3), μ‐aqua‐(hexafluorosilicato)bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}dicopper(I)–acetonitrile–water (2/1/4), [Cu₂(SiF₆)(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂(H₂O)]·0.5CH₃CN·2H₂O, (4), and μ‐benzenesulfonato‐bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}dicopper(I) benzenesulfonate–methanol–water (1/1/1), [Cu₂(C₆H₅O₃S)(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂](C₆H₅O₃S)·CH₃OH·H₂O, (5). The structure of the ligand 5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine (Mepeta ), C₆H₉N₃S, was also structurally characterized. Both Mepeta and 5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine (Pesta ) (denoted L ) reveal a strong tendency to form dimeric {Cu₂L ₂}²⁺ fragments, being attached to the metal atom in a chelating–bridging mode via two thiadiazole N atoms and an allylic C=C bond. Flexibility of the {Cu₂(Pesta )₂}²⁺ unit allows the Cu^I atom site to be split into two positions with different metal‐coordination environments, thus enabling the competitive participation of different molecules in bonding to the metal centre. The Pesta ligand in (4) allows the Cu^I atom to vary between water O‐atom and hexafluorosilicate F‐atom coordination, resulting in the rare case of a direct Cu^I…FSiF₅²⁻ interaction. Extensive three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding patterns are formed in the reported crystal structures. Complex (5) should be considered as the first known example of a Cu^I(C₆H₅SO₃) coordination compound. To determine the hydrogen‐bond interactions in the structures of (1) and (2), a Hirshfeld surface analysis has been performed.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and infrared spectra of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with 4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐[ethylene dioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol

Novel 4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H₂L) and its complexes [CuL] and {[CoL(THF)]₂(OAc)₂Co} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H‐NMR and X‐ray crystallography. [CuL] forms a mononuclear structure which may be stabilized by the intermolecular contacts between copper atom (Cu) and oxygen atom (O3) to form a head‐to‐tail dimer. In {[CoL(THF)]₂(OAc)₂Co}, two acetates coordinate to three cobalt ions through Co? O? C? O? Co bridges and four µ‐phenoxo oxygen atoms from two [CoL(THF)] units also coordinate to cobalt ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

二维多孔铜-间苯二腈配位聚合物用于阴离子交换及客体分子可逆吸附性的研究

The 2D porous copper（Ⅰ） complex with 1,3-dicyanobenzene （DCB）, [Cu（DCB）2]（PF6）（Me2CO） 1, exhibits channels along axis c, in which one molecule acetone and one anion PF6 per formula unit are included respectively. The reversible incorporation of guest acetone and acetonitrile, as well as the anion exchange from PF6^- to BF4^- or CF3SO3^-, was investigated by thermogravimetric （TG） analysis, ^1H NMR spectra and/or infrared absorption spectroscopy. Additionally, the incorporation of benzene and toluene into complex 1 was also discussed. Complex 1 exhibited size selectivity for guest inclusion or anion exchange.     

Synthesis,characterization and oxygen‐sensing properties of a novel luminescent Cu(I) complex

A novel luminescent copper(I) complex with formula [Cu(PPh₃)₂(PIP)]BF₄ (PPh₃ = triphenyl phosphine, PIP = 2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline) has been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystal structure analysis. In solid state, it displays broad band emission upon excitation at λ = 420 nm with the emission maximum locates at 551 nm. Its excited‐state lifetime is in the microsecond time scale (3.02 µs); as a result, its emission intensity is sensitive to oxygen concentration and shows oxygen‐sensing properties after being encapsulated into mesoporous silica MCM‐41. For the system with 60 mg/g loading level, a sensitivity (I₀/I) of 4.35, a fluorescence quenching time (t_Q) of 5 s and a recovery time (t_R) of 36 s were achieved. Even after aging for 5 months, the sensitivities of the three loading level systems can be retained, ignoring the measurement error, which indicates that they possess long‐term stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of a One—Dimen—sional Copper（Ⅰ） Halide Cluster with 1,10—Phenanthroline

The title compound Cu₂Cl₂phen (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, C₁₂H₈N₂) 1 was synthesized from CuCl₂·2H₂O, CuCl and phen by hydrothermal method and its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray analysis. With phen, CuG forms one‐dimensional chains, which comprise two zigzag chains based on fused Cu‐X units and connected via covalent bonds. The compound contains two crystallographically unique monovalent copper ions, Cu(1) and Cu(2). The Cu(1) atom in the tetrahedral site, is coordinated to two bridging Cl^? and two N atoms in phen. The Cu(2) atom with a slightly distorted triangular planar geometry, is coordinated to three Cl^?. The compound 1 was crystallized in monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a = 0.37338(4), b = 1.9510(2), c = 1.68008(19) nm, β = 95.605 (3)°, R = 0.0458, and was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum and TGA analysis.     

Synthesis,structure, characterization and biological evaluation of 3‐substituted 1‐pyridin‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based copper(I)–phosphine complexes for anticancer drug screening

Copper(I) complexes of the types [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)₂]NO₃ (LC41–LC44) and [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)(NO₃)] (LC45) carrying 3‐substituted 1‐pyridine‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine (N–N) derivatives and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) ligands have been prepared. The synthesized copper(I)–phosphine complexes were fully characterized by NMR, IR, ESI‐MS and UV–visible spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Selected structures such as LC42, LC43 and LC45 were additionally analysed by single‐crystal X‐ray method, which show that copper(I) centre adopts a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of the complexes throw light on the nature of metal–ligand bonding. They display dπ–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition and show quasireversible Cu^I/Cu^II metal oxidation. Among the copper(I)–phosphine complexes, LC41–LC44 exhibit moderate cytotoxicity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 67–74 μM; 48 h, 58–70 μM) against human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma A549 cells, whereas LC45 displays the best activity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 42 μM; 48 h, 34 μM) for A549 cancer cell line, which is better than that of the commercial antitumor drug cisplatin. All the complexes also displayed excellent selectivity by being relatively inactive against the human lung epithelial L132 normal cell line with selectivity index (SI) values ranging from 3.4 to 7.4. The complexes block cell cycle progression of A549 cells in G₀/G₁ phase. FACSVerse analyses are suggestive of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptotic cell death induced by the LC41, LC43 and LC45. The induction of apoptosis in A549 cells was shown by Annexin V with propidium iodide (PI) and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining methods and established the ability of LC41, LC43 and LC45 to accumulate in the cell nuclei.     

Topoisomerase I inhibitory and photocleavage activity of non‐dppz DNA ‘light switches’ based on ruthenium complexes containing nitro group

A new polypyridyl ligand containing a nitro group and two new ruthenium complexes of it were synthesized. The two complexes exhibited non‐dppz DNA ‘light switch’ effects after interaction with calf thymus DNA. Introducing both electron‐withdrawing group (─ NO₂) and electron‐donating group (─ CH₃) may be the reason that the two complexes display DNA ‘light switch’ behaviors. Furthermore, one of the complexes showed higher photocleavage activity, topoisomerase I inhibition activity and DNA affinity than the other. The present work shows that the more active complex can be employed as a non‐dppz DNA ‘light switch’, DNA photocleaver and topoisomerase I inhibitor. In addition, the two complexes have no or weak cytotoxic activities against Eca‐109 and A549 cells.     

Silver(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of bis‐imidazol‐2‐ylidenes having different aromatic‐spacers: synthesis,crystal structure,and in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer studies

A series of Ag(I) complexes ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) derived from imidazol‐2‐ylidenes was synthesized by reacting Ag₂O with an o‐, m‐, p‐xylyl or 1,3,5‐triazine‐linked imidazolium salts ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) and then characterizing these using various spectro‐analytical techniques. Additionally, triazine‐linked bis‐imidazolium salt 5 was characterized using the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Complexes 6–9 were formed from the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors 1–3 as PF₆^‐ salts in good yields. Conversely, salt 5 does not form Ag(I) complex even under various reaction conditions. Using ampicillin as a standard, complexes 6–9 were tested against bacteria strains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, respectively, showing potent antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria even at minimum inhibition concentration and bacterial concentration levels. Furthermore, the potential anticancer activities of the reported complexes were evaluated against the human colorectal cancer (HCT 116) cell lines, using 5‐fluorouracil as a standard drug. The highest anticancer activities were observed for complex 8 with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μm , whereas the lowest was observed for complex 9 with an IC₅₀ value of 18.1 μm . Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.