The first water‐soluble copper(I) complexes bearing sulfonated imidazole‐ and benzimidazole‐derived N‐heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis and anticancer studies

The first water‐soluble bis(NHC^SO3)CuCl complexes (NHC^SO3 = NaIm^Bn,PrSO3, Na₂(4‐Me)Im^PrSO3 and Na₂BzIm^PrSO3) derived from the sulfonated N‐heterocyclic carbene precursors HIm^Bn,PrSO3 (3‐(1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium‐3‐yl)propane‐1‐sulfonate), Na(4‐Me)HIm^PrSO3 (sodium 3,3′‐(4‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole‐3‐ium‐1,3‐diyl)dipropane‐1‐sulfonate) and NaHBzIm^PrSO3 (sodium 3,3′‐(1H‐benzoimidazole‐3‐ium‐1,3‐diyl)dipropane‐1‐sulfonate) have been synthesized. These compounds have been characterized using infrared and NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The in vitro anti‐tumour effects of the bis(NHC^SO3)CuCl complexes and the corresponding free ligands were evaluated for a panel of various human tumour cell lines, including examples of lung, colon, ovarian and cervical carcinoma as well as of melanoma. Their cytotoxic properties were also evaluated against non‐transformed human cells and on a cellular model of cisplatin resistance. NHC–copper complexes induced cell killing effects preferentially against tumour cells, with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. Additionally, they were found able to overcome acquired cisplatin resistance.     

Palladium complexes of bidentate pyridine N‐heterocyclic carbenes: Optical resolution,antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies

A series of bidentate pyridine‐functionalized palladium N‐heterocyclic carbene (Pd NHC) complexes with various wingtip substituents (R = methyl, phenyl and tert‐butyl) have been synthesized and evaluated for their potential biomedical applications as antimicrobials and antiproliferative drug candidates. The obtained Pd NHC complexes were applied in a standard broth microdilution assay for determination of their antimicrobial activities against thirteen strains of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to that, cytotoxic activities of the Pd NHC complexes were also evaluated against three human cancer cell lines, namely breast (MCF‐7), colon (HCT116) and oral (H103) cancer cells, using a standard MTT assay. Upon coordination to palladium, the Pd NHC complexes show significant antimicrobial activities with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the micromolar range, and they are cytotoxic to the tested carcinomas with IC₅₀ ranging from 13 to 38 μM. Evidences for influence of both wingtip substituents and optical isomerism on the biological activities of the complexes have been found.     

Reaching for two new stable ambiphilic quinoline‐derived N‐heterocyclic carbenes at DFT level

A detailed investigation on the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of four carbenic tautomers of quinoline 1 , including quinoline‐2‐ylidene 2 , quinoline‐3‐ylidene 3 , quinoline‐4‐ylidene 4 , and 3,4‐dihydroquinoline‐4‐ylidene 5 , reveals that singlet planar six‐membered ring N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) 2 and 4 have less stability than Arduengo type NHC but seems to have enough conceivably for reaching at B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP/6–31+G* and B3LYP/6–311++G**//B3LYP/6–31+G* levels. All these six‐membered NHCs are extremely ambiphilic with the more nucleophilic and electrophilic characters compared to the Arduengo type one. The aromaticity of singlet 2 and 4 is a significant contributor to their stability which is confirmed through their Nucleus‐independent chemical shift(1)_zz values. Finally, among 2–5 , the normal NHC 2 is thermodynamically preferred but the remote NHC 4 is kinetically proffered over the other isomeric carbenes. The effects of different N‐ or C‐substituted NHCs of 2 are studied using appropriate isodesmic reactions. The trimethylsilyl substituent exhibits slightly larger carbene stabilization in quinoline‐derived NHCs than the pyridine analogue. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

1,2,4‐Triazole‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of gold(I): synthesis,characterization and biological activity

Two gold(I) complexes of the (NHC)AuX type bearing a triazole‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand (1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐ium‐5‐ylidene) and various halide ligands (X = Br, I) were synthesized and characterized in solution using NMR spectroscopy as well as in the solid state using X‐ray diffraction techniques. The cytotoxic properties of both compounds and the precursor, (NHC)AuCl, were screened against a panel of human tumour cell lines including liver cancer (HepG2), cervical cancer (HeLa S3) and leukaemia (CCRF‐CEM, HL‐60) and compared to cisplatin and auranofin. It was found that the activities of the chloro and bromo derivatives were generally superior to that of cisplatin and slightly less effective compared to auranofin, except for HepG2 cells where auranofin was not as effective. In addition, the ability to induce membrane phosphatidyl serine externalization as a hallmark of apoptosis in CCRF‐CEM leukaemic cells was investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Palladacycles bearing COOH‐/ester‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbenes: Divergent syntheses and catalytic applications

Two new [C^N]‐type palladacyclic dinuclear complexes bearing carboxylate‐containing N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were synthesized, and in both cases the carboxylato‐NHC ligand adopts a bridging mode. Both complexes proved to be suitable precursors, which can be used to divergently access palladacycles bearing ester‐ or COOH‐functionalized NHCs upon esterification or acidolysis. In the esterification reactions, alkyl halides are found to selectively react with the carboxylato moieties, and the palladacycle scaffold is retained even when excess haloalkane is employed. In the acidolysis reactions, the desired COOH‐tethered complexes can only be obtained when stoichiometric acid (with respect to Pd) is used, while excess acid destroys the metallacycle scaffold. Finally, a preliminary catalytic study reveals the good performances of all newly synthesized complexes in direct aromatic C─H functionalization reactions with alkynes. Poisoning experiments indicate that these hydroarylation reactions are likely to be homogeneously catalyzed.     

Platinum (II) N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic properties

Platinum (II) complexes bearing N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been widely used in catalytic chemistry, but there are very few reports of biological properties of this type of complexes. A series of [PtCl₂(NHC)(PEt₃)] complexes were synthesized. The structures of all compounds were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR and elemental analysis techniques, which supported the proposed structures. The single crystal structures of complexes 1a and 1e were determined. The title complexes show slightly distorted square‐planar coordination around the platinum (II) metal center. The cytotoxic properties of the platinum (II)–NHC complexes have been assessed in various human cancer lines, including cisplatin‐sensitive and resistant cells. IC₅₀ values of these four complexes were determined by the MTS‐based assay on three human cell lines—brain (SHSY5Y), colon (HTC116) and liver (HEP3B). These complexes have been highlighted cancer therapeutic agent with unique structures and functions.     

Thermochemistry of N‐heterocyclic carbenes with 5‐, 4‐, 3‐, and 2‐membered rings

N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) based on imidazole‐2‐ylidene ( 1 ) or the saturated imidazolidine‐2‐ylidene ( 2 ) scaffolds are long‐lived singlet carbenes. Both benefit from inductive stabilization of the sigma lone pair on carbon by neighboring N atoms and delocalization of the N pi lone pairs into the nominally vacant p‐pi atomic orbital at the carbene carbon. With thermochemical schemes G4 and CBS‐QB3, we estimate the relative thermodynamic stabilization of smaller ring carbenes and acyclic species which may share the keys to NHC stability. These include four‐membered ring systems incorporating the carbene center, two trivalent N centers, and either a boron or a phosphorus atom to complete the ring. Amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes have been reported but three‐membered rings containing the carbene center and two N atoms are not known. Our calculations suggest that amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes are comparable in stability to the four‐membered NHCs but that diazacyclopropanylidenes would be substantially less effectively stabilized. Concluding the series are acyclic carbenes with and without neighboring N atoms and a series of “two‐membered ring” azapropadienenylidene cations of form :C?N?W with W = an electron‐withdrawing agent. We have studied W = NO₂, CH₂(+), CF₂(+), and (CN)₂C(+). Although these systems display a degree of stabilization and carbene‐like electronic structure, the stability of the NHCs is unsurpassed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Sulfonated N‐heterocyclic carbine‐silver (I) complexes: Synthesis,characterisation and biological evaluation

The synthesis, characterisation and biological activity of water‐soluble Ag(I)‐NHC complexes, general formula Na[(NHC)AgCl] where NHC is a sulfonated and sterically hindered N‐heterocyclic carbene, is reported. The Ag‐NHC complexes (2a–e) were synthesised by reacting the corresponding sulfonated NHC ligands with Ag₂O in the presence of NaCl or NaBr in methanol/water (1:1) solution. Synthesised silver (I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes have been characterised by NMR, micro‐analysis and HRMS spectroscopic methods. The IC₅₀ values of these complexes were determined by a proliferation BrdU enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against HeLa (human cervix carcinoma), HT29 (human adenocarcinoma) and L929 (mouse fibroblast) cell lines. These complexes have been highlighted as promising and original platforms for building new types of metalodrug. All new water‐soluble Ag(I) complexes demonstrated remarkable cytotoxic activity against HeLa, HT29 and L929 cell lines.     

Linear Pyrazole‐bridged Tetra(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ligands and Their Hexanuclear Silver(I) Complexes

New hybrid ligands are reported that combine two types of popular donor groups within a single linear scaffold, viz., a central pyrazolate bridge and two appended bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) units; the ligand strands thus provide two potentially tridentate {NCC} compartments. The pyrazole/tetraimidazolium proligands, [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ and [H₅L²](PF₆)₄ , were synthesized via multi‐step protocols, and the NH prototropy of [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ was examined by variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy, giving solvent dependent activation parameters (ΔH^? = 27.6 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –125 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₃]MeCN; ΔH^? = 40.4 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –86.9 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₆]DMSO) that are in the range typical for pyrazoles. Reaction of the proligands with Ag₂O gave hexametallic complexes [Ag₆(L¹)₂](PF₆)₄ and [Ag₆(L²)₂](PF₆)₄ that involve all six potential donor atoms of the ligands, viz. the four C^NHC and two N^pz donors, in metal coordination. X‐ray crystallography revealed a chair‐like central {Ag₆} deck in both complexes but different arrangements of the ligand strands, which goes along with significantly different Ag^I ··· Ag^I distances that indicate more pronounced argentophilic interactions in case of [Ag₆(L¹)₂]^{4 +}.     

(N‐heterocyclic carbene)PdCl(N‐heterocyclic carboxylate) complexes: Synthesis and catalytic activities towards arylation of benzoxazoles with aryl halides

A series of N‐heterocyclic carboxylate‐stabilized N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes have been synthesized and fully characterized. The solid‐state structures indicate that each of the palladium centers is coordinated by an N‐heterocyclic carbene, a chloride and a bidentate N,O‐donor N‐heterocyclic carboxylate ligand. The catalytic performance of the complexes was screened and the results revealed that the complexes exhibit moderate to high catalytic activities for the direct C─H bond arylation of benzoxazoles with aryl bromides.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

Coinage metal complexes of N‐heterocyclic carbene bearing nitrile functionalization: Synthesis and photophysical properties

A new series of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors ( 1 and 2 ) with their [Ag(I)(NHC)₂]PF₆ complexes ( 3 and 4 ) and [ClAu(I)(NHC)] complexes ( 5 and 6 ) are reported. Complexes 5 and 6 were synthesized via transmetalation reaction using either 3 or 4 and AuCl(SMe₂) as reactants, respectively. All the synthesized compounds were fully characterized using elemental analyses and Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. In the crystal structures of 3 , 5 and 6 , the Ag(I) and Au(I) ions are in a linear geometry. The entire structure of 3 is stabilized by significant π–π interactions, while the structures of 5 and 6 are stabilized with the presence of aurophilic interactions between the adjacent Au(I) ions as well as CH–π or π–π interactions. From photoluminescence studies, complexes 5 and 6 show dual‐emission characteristics. The higher‐energy fluorescence originates from ¹XLCT mixed with ¹MLCT, while the lower‐energy phosphorescence is ascribed to ³XLCT and ³MLCT with small contribution of ³ILCT, as evidenced by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT calculations of the modelled molecules.     

Inhibition of paraoxonase 1 by coumarin‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene silver(I), ruthenium(II) and palladium(II) complexes

We synthesized three coumarin‐substituted benzimidazolium chlorides and their silver(I), ruthenium(II) and palladium(II) N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. All compounds were characterized using appropriate spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure of a Pd(II)–NHC complex ( 6b ) was also determined. The inhibitory properties of all compounds were tested on the activity of human paraoxonase 1 (PON1). All complexes exhibited weaker inhibitory properties than their corresponding benzimidazolium salts except for complex 6b which is the most active inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 3.01 μM among the compounds reported in this study. A kinetic evaluation showed that this complex inhibits PON1 activity in a non‐competitive manner. Molecular docking studies were also performed for 6b in order to obtain more insight into the binding mode.     

Piperazine‐ and DABCO‐bridged dinuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes: synthesis,structure and application to Hiyama coupling reaction

Four dinuclear N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes were prepared by reaction of imidazolinium salts, PdCl₂ and bridging ligands (piperazine and DABCO) in one pot or by direct cleavage of the chloro‐bridged dimeric compounds [Pd(μ ‐Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ with bridging ligands. All of the complexes were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, high‐resolution mass and infrared spectroscopies, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The catalytic activities of the obtained palladium catalysts towards Hiyama coupling of aryl chlorides with phenyltrimethoxysilane were investigated and the results showed that the dinuclear palladium complexes were considerably active for the coupling reaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of bulky 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl substituent‐containing silver–N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes

A series of novel benzimidazolium bromides containing bulky 3,5‐di‐tert ‐butyl group were synthesized in high yields as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. These NHC ligands were metallated with Ag₂O under moderate conditions to give novel silver–NHC complexes. The structures of all compounds were characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³CNMR, infrared and elemental analysis techniques, which supported the proposed structures. The silver–NHC complexes were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against the standard bacterial strains Enterococcus faecalis , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungal strains Candida albicans and C. tropicalis . The results showed that most of the silver–NHC complexes inhibited the growth of all bacterial strains and fungal strains and were found to display effective antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms.     

Poly(ionic liquid)s based on imidazolium hydrogen carbonate monomer units as recyclable polymer‐supported N‐heterocyclic carbenes: Use in organocatalysis

Synthesis of novel poly(ionic liquid)s, namely, poly(1‐vinyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium hydrogen carbonate)s, denoted as poly([NHC(H)][HCO₃])s or PVRImHCO₃, where R is an alkyl group (R = ethyl, butyl, phenylethyl, dodecyl), is described. Two distinct synthetic routes were explored. The first method is based on the free‐radical polymerization (FRP) of 1‐vinyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium monomers featuring a hydrogen carbonate counter anion (HCO₃^?), denoted as VRImHCO₃. The latter monomers were readily synthesized by alkylation of 1‐vinylimidazole (VIm), followed by direct anion exchange of 1‐vinyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium bromide monomers (VRImBr), using potassium hydrogen carbonate (KHCO₃) in methanol at room temperature. Alternatively, the same anion exchange method could be applied onto FRP‐derived poly(1‐vinyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium bromide) precursors (PVRImBr). All PVRImHCO₃ salts proved air stable and could be manipulated without any particular precautions. They could serve as polymer‐supported precatalysts to generate polymer‐supported N‐heterocyclic carbenes, referred to as poly(NHC)s, formally by a loss of “H₂CO₃” (H₂O +CO₂) in solution. This was demonstrated through selected organocatalyzed reactions of molecular chemistry, known as being efficiently mediated by molecular NHC catalysts, including benzoin condensation, transesterification and cyanosilylation of aldehyde. Of particular interest, recycling of the polymer‐supported precatalysts was possible by re‐carboxylation of in situ generated poly(NHC)s. Organocatalyzed reactions could be performed with excellent yields, even after five catalytic cycles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4530–4540     

Two Fe3(μ3‐S)2(CO)8 clusters with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes

The title compounds with terminal N‐heterocyclic carbenes, namely octacarbonyl(imidazolidinylidene‐κC²)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₃H₆N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (I), and octacarbonyl(1‐methylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene‐κC³)di‐μ₃‐sulfido‐triiron(II)(2 Fe—Fe), [Fe₃(C₈H₈N₂)(μ₃‐S)₂(CO)₈], (II), have been synthesized. Each compound contains two Fe—Fe bonds and two S atoms above and below a triiron triangle. One of the eight carbonyl ligands deviates significantly from linearity. In (I), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked into [001] double chains by a second N—H...S hydrogen bond. These chains are packed by a C—H...O hydrogen bond to yield [101] sheets. In (II), dimers generated by an N—H...S hydrogen bond are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form [111] double chains.     

Novel quasi‐scorpionate ligand structures based on a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelate core: synthesis,complexation and catalysis

A series of novel quasi‐scorpionate CNC donor ligands, MeC(2‐C₅H₄N){CH₂(imidazole‐R)} (R = methyl, n‐butyl, n‐propenyl), in which a chelating bis(NHC) core is supplemented by a hemi‐labile pyridyl donor, were prepared. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was investigated with silver, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The single crystal X‐ray structures of [Rh(NC₂^Me)(COD)]Cl 8a and [Ir(NC₂^Pr)(COD)]Br 9b were determined. The catalytic potential of the rhodium and iridium complexes was assessed in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones; the iridium complexes, which show superior performance, form very effective and stable catalysts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes derived from benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene

Novel benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene carbene complexes of Ag(I) were prepared by interaction of the corresponding benzimidazolium salt with Ag₂O in dichloromethane. Their structures were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR and IR spectroscopy techniques. All compounds studied in this work were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against the standard strains: Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The new complexes were found to be effective antimicrobial activity against a series of bacteria and fungi. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Allyl palladium complexes bearing carbohydrate-based N-heterocyclic carbenes: Anticancer agents for selective and potent in vitro cytotoxicity

Novel allyl palladium compounds stabilized by carbohydrate-based N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were prepared and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The antiproliferative activity of the compounds was tested on a panel of different tumor lines, especially ovarian cancer and MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts (nontumor cells). These experiments showed that both mixed NHC/PPh₃ and NHC/PTA (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) allyl complexes have IC₅₀ (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values comparable and sometimes even significantly lower than cisplatin. Moreover, the mixed NHC/PTA allyl complexes exhibit good activity toward the seven tumor lines tested with a substantial inactivity against normal cells, a necessary condition to avoid the general cytotoxicity of a metallo-drug. Furthermore, this subclass of compounds proved particularly active on the A549 lung cancer tumor line (up to 100-fold more cytotoxic than cisplatin) and exhibited satisfactory cytotoxicity against KURAMOCHI and OVCAR3 cell lines, which are currently considered the best in vitro models for serous ovarian cancer, the most lethal tumor for women worldwide.