Interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating both symmetrically and unsymmetrically arranged N, O and S donors

The synthesis and characterisation of four 17-membered, dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating unsymmetrical arrangements of their N(3)S(2), N(3)O(2) and N(3)OS (two ligands) donor atoms are described; these rings complete the matrix of related macrocyclic systems incorporating both symmetric and unsymmetric donor sets reported previously. The X-ray structures of three of the new macrocycles are reported. In two of the Cu(II) structures only three of the possible five donor atoms present in the corresponding macrocyclic ligand bind to the Cu(II) site, whereas all five donors are coordinated in each of the remaining complexes. The interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with the unsymmetric macrocycle series has been investigated by potentiometric (pH) titration in 95% methanol; X-ray structures of two nickel and three copper complexes of these ligands, each exhibiting 1:1 (M:L) ratios, have been obtained. The results are discussed in the context of previous results for these metals with the analogous 17-membered ring systems incorporating symmetrical arrangements of their donor atoms, with emphasis being given to both the influence of the donor atom set, as well as the donor atom sequence, on the nature of the resulting complexes.     

Dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one dibenzofuran unit selective for cadmium

The binding properties of dioxadiaza- ([17](DBF)N2O2) and trioxadiaza- ([22](DBF)N2O3), macrocyclic ligands containing a rigid dibenzofuran group (DBF), to metal cations and structural studies of their metal complexes have been carried out. The protonation constants of these two ligands and the stability constants of their complexes with Ca2+, Ba2+, and Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+, were determined at 298.2 K in methanol-water (1:1, v/v), and at ionic strength 0.10 mol dm-3 in KNO3. The values of the protonation constants of both ligands are similar, indicating that no cavity size effect is observed. Only mononuclear complexes of these ligands with the divalent metal ions studied were found, and their stability constants are lower than expected, especially for the complexes of the macrocycle with smaller cavity size. However, the Cd2+ complex with [17](DBF)N2O2 exhibits the highest value of stability constant for the whole series of metal ions studied, indicating that this ligand reveals a remarkable selectivity for cadmium(II) in the presence of all the metal ions studied, except copper(II), indicating that this ligand reveals a remarkable selectivity for cadmium(II) in the presence of the mentioned metal ions. The crystal structures of H2[17](DBF)N2O3(2+) (diprotonated form of the ligand) and of its cadmium complex were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Cd2+ ion fits exactly inside the macrocyclic cavity exhibiting coordination number eight by coordination to all the donor atoms of the ligand, and additionally to two oxygen atoms from one nitrate anion and one oxygen atom from a water molecule. The nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with the two ligands were further studied by UV-vis-NIR and the copper(II) complexes also by EPR spectroscopic techniques in solution indicating square-pyramidal structures and suggesting that only one nitrogen and oxygen donors of the ligands are bound to the metal. However an additional weak interaction of the second nitrogen cannot be ruled out.     

Induction of B- to Z-DNA transition by copper and zinc complexes with C(15) substituted macrocyclic pentaaza ligands

The new macrocyclic ligand 15-fluoro-15-methyl-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecan-14,16-dione (2) was synthesised and its crystal structure determined together with the ones of the known analogues of 2, 15-fluoro-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecan-14,16-dione (1) and 15,15-difluoro-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecan-14,16-dione (3). The binding behaviour of all three ligands to copper and zinc was studied in the solid state. They can bind to the metal centre by either triple coordination (N3) with all secondary amines or after double deprotonation of the two amides with all five nitrogen atoms (N5). The N5 coordination mode is favoured by the presence of one or two fluorine substituents at the C(15) position and by a high pH in the case of aqueous solutions. Circular dichroism titrations of poly d(GC) with the metal complexes showed that only 4 and 5, that is the copper complexes of 1 and 2, induced a complete B- to Z-DNA transition. The degree of cooperativity of the transition was found to be 3.4 and 7.3 for 4 and 5 respectively. As a possible hypothesis to explain this difference, the additional methyl group in 5 compared with 4 may be involved in a hydrophobic interaction with the DNA. Ligand 2, the copper complex 6 of the bis fluoro substituted ligand 3, and the zinc complex 7 of ligand 1 did not induce any change in the direction of Z-DNA. In the case of 6, the CD spectrum of the DNA actually showed no change at all, indicating that the complex was even not interacting with the B form of DNA. Therefore it is assumed that the bis fluoro substitution is causing the complex to be in the neutral N5 coordination mode at the experimental conditions of pH 7. The electrostatic contribution together with the shielding effect of the ligand might explain the absence of any interaction with the DNA.     

Nature of metal binding sites in Cu(II) complexes with histidine and related N-coordinating ligands, as studied by EXAFS

Knowledge of the complexes formed by N-coordinating ligands and Cu(II) ions is of relevance in understanding the interactions of this ion with biomolecules. Within this framework, we investigated Cu(II) complexation with mono- and polydentate ligands, such as ammonia, ethylenediamine (en), and phthalocyanine (Pc). The obtained Cu-N coordination distances were 2.02 A for [Cu(NH(3))(4)](2+), 2.01 A for [Cu(en)(2)](2+), and 1.95 A for CuPc. The shorter bond distance found for CuPc is attributed to the macrocyclic effect. In addition to the structure of the first shell, information on higher coordination shells of the chelate ligands could be extracted by EXAFS, thus allowing discrimination among the different coordination modes. This was possible due to the geometry of the complexes, where the absorbing Cu atoms are coplanar with the four N atoms forming the first coordination shell of the complex. For this reason multiple scattering contributions become relevant, thus allowing determination of higher shells. This knowledge has been used to gain information about the structure of the 1:2 complexes formed by Cu(II) ions with the amino acids histidine and glycine, both showing a high affinity for Cu(II) ions. The in-solution structure of these complexes, particularly that with histidine, is not clear yet, probably due to the various possible coordination modes. In this case the square-planar arrangements glycine-histamine and histamine-histamine as well as tetrahedral coordination modes have been considered. The obtained first-shell Cu-N coordination distance for this complex is 1.99 A. The results of the higher shells EXAFS analysis point to the fact that the predominant coordination mode is the so-called histamine-histamine one in which both histidine molecules coordinate Cu(II) cations through N atoms from the amino group and from the imidazole ring.     

Thermodynamic, kinetic and solid-state study of divalent metal complexes of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) bearing two trans (1,8-)methylphosphonic acid pendant arms

Divalent metal complexes of macrocyclic ligand 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid)) (1,8-H4te2p, H4L) were investigated in solution and in the solid state. The majority of transition-metal ions form thermodynamically very stable complexes as a consequence of high affinity for the nitrogen atoms of the ring. On the other hand, complexes with Mn2+, Pb2+ and alkaline earth ions interacting mainly with phosphonate oxygen atoms are much weaker than those of transition-metal ions and are formed only at higher pH. The same tendency is seen in the solid state. Zinc(II) ion in the octahedral trans-O,O-[Zn(H2L)] complex is fully encapsulated within the macrocycle (N4O2 coordination mode with protonated phosphonate oxygen atoms). The polymeric {[Pb(H2L)(H2O)2].6H2O}n complex has double-protonated secondary amino groups and the central atom is bound only to the phosphonate oxygen atoms. The phosphonate moieties bridge lead atoms creating a 3D-polymeric network. The [{(H2O)5Mn}2(micro-H2L)](H2L).21H2O complex contains two pentaaquamanganese(II) moieties bridged by a ligand molecule protonated on two nitrogen atoms. In the complex cation, oxygen atoms of the phosphonate groups on the opposite sites of the ring occupy one coordination site of each metal ion. The second ligand molecule is diprotonated and balances the positive charge of the complex cation. Complexation of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) by the ligand shows large differences in reactivity of differently protonated ligand species similarly to other cyclam-like complexes. Acid-assisted dissociations of metal(II) complexes occur predominantly through triprotonated species [M(H3L)]+ and take place at pH < 5 (Zn2+) and pH < 6 (Cd2+).     

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Some Transition Metal Complexes with 3-Hydroxypyridine

The complexes ML₂ · 2H₂O and CrL₃ · 8H₂O were synthesized by the reaction of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cd(II), and Cr(III) nitrates with 3-hydroxypyridine (HL) and identified. The spectroscopic characteristics of neutral, anionic, and cationic forms of the ligand were determined. It was shown that 3-hydroxypyridine enters the complex as an anion to give polymeric chains due to the ligand coordination through the N and O atoms. Complexation of copper, cobalt, and chromium nitrates with 3-hydroxypyridine in ethanol solutions was studied, and the formation constant of the copper complex was calculated. It was found that Cu(II) and Cr(III) complexes are formed in the solid state and in solutions (M : L = 1 : 2 and 1 : 3, respectively; in the case of Cu(II), the M : L ratio is 1 : 3).     

A new pyridine-based 12-membered macrocycle functionalised with different fluorescent subunits; coordination chemistry towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II)

The coordination chemistry of the new pyridine-based, N2S2-donating 12-membered macrocycle 2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L1) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) has been investigated both in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The protonation constants for L1 and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions have been determined potentiometrically and compared with those of ligand L2, which contains a N-aminopropyl side arm. The measured values show that Hg(II) in water has the highest affinity for both ligands followed by Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II). For each metal ion considered, 1:1 complexes with L1 have also been isolated in the solid state, those of Cu(II) and Zn(II) having also been characterised by X-ray crystallography. In both complexes L1 adopts a folded conformation and the coordination environments around the two metal centres are very similar: four positions of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere are occupied by the donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, and the two mutually cis-positions unoccupied by L1 accommodate monodentate NO3- ligands. The macrocycle L1 has then been functionalised with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular, the N-dansylamidopropyl (L3), N-(9-anthracenyl)methyl (L4), and N-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinyl)methyl (L5) pendant arm derivatives of L1 have been synthesised and their optical response to the above mentioned metal ions investigated in MeCN/H2O (4:1 v/v) solutions.     

Structural modulation of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands by the bridgehead alkyl groups

Structures of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands RL = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane (HL), 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethane (MeL), and 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propane (EtL), [Cu(RL)(MeCN)]PF(6) (1-3), [Cu(RL)(SO(4))] (4-6), and [Cu(RL)(NO(3))(2)] (7-9), have been explored in the solid state and in solution to gain some insights into modulation of the copper coordination structures by bridgehead alkyl groups (CH, CMe, and CEt). The crystal structures of 1-9 show that RL binds a copper ion in a tridentate facial-capping mode, except for 3, where EtL chelates in a bidentate mode with two pyridyl nitrogen atoms. To avoid the steric repulsion between the bridgehead alkyl group and the 3-H(py) atoms, the pyridine rings in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of MeL and EtL shift toward the Cu side as compared to those in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of HL, leading to the significant differences in the nonbonding interatomic distances, H.H (between the 3-H(py) atoms), N.N (between the N(py) atoms), and C.C (between the 6-Me carbon atoms), the Cu-N(py), Cu-N(MeCN), and Cu-O bond distances, and the tilt of the pyridine rings. The copper coordination geometries in 4-6, where a SO(4) ligand chelates in a bidentate mode, are varied from a square pyramid of 4 to distorted trigonal bipyramids of 5 and 6. Such structural differences are not observed for 7-9, where two NO(3) ligands coordinate in a monodentate mode. The structures of 1-9 in solution are investigated by means of the electronic, (1)H NMR, and ESR spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR spectra show that the structures of 1-3 in the solid state are kept in solution with rapid coordination exchange of the pyridine rings. The electronic and the ESR spectra reveal the structural changes of 5 and 6 in solution. The bridgehead alkyl groups and 6-Me groups in the sterically hindered tripyridine ligand play important roles in modulating the copper coordination structures.     

Novel 3D, 2D, and 0D first-row coordination compounds with 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide incorporating sulfur-containing anions

The reaction of M(S2O6) (M = Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II)) with 4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide (bpdo) results in the formation of novel 3D, 2D, and mononuclear complexes. Complex 1, {[Cu(H2O)(bpdo)2](S2O6)(H2O)}n, is a 2-D wavelike polymer with the Cu(II) ion located on a 2-fold axis and having a distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere. With Co(II) and Ni(II), 3-D complexes, {[M(bpdo)3](S2O6)(C2H5OH)7}n [M = Co(II) (2), Ni(II) (3)], were obtained. The metal atoms are situated on centers of symmetry and have octahedral environments coordinated to six bpdo molecules. The same reaction in aqueous solution with a metal/ligand ratio of 1:1 results in the formation of mononuclear complexes, {[M(bpdo)(H2O)5](SO4)(H2O)2} [M = Co(II) (4), Ni(II) (5)], accompanied by the decomposition of the dithionate anions S2O6(2-) to sulfate anions SO4(2-).     

Spectroscopic, redox and biological activities of transition metal complexes with ons donor macrocyclic ligand derived from semicarbazide and thiodiglycolic acid

A novel macrocyclic Schiff base ligand (2,5,9,12,14,18-hexaoxo-7,16-dithia-1,3,4,10,11,13-hexaazacycloocta-decane (H6L) with N4S2 coordinating sites was prepared by the reaction of the semicarbazide and thiodiglycolic acid. The transition metal complexes with macrocyclic ligand were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductance, IR, electronic, and EPR spectral studies. Mass, 1H NMR and IR spectral techniques suggest the structural features of macrocyclic ligand. Magnetic and electronic spectral studies suggest an octahedral geometry of complexes. Electrochemical behaviour of cobalt, nickel and copper complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammogram of the copper complex at room temperature shows a quasi-reversible peaks for Cu(III)-->Cu(II) and Cu(II)-->Cu(I) couples. The macrocyclic ligand and its complexes show growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi A. niger, A. alternata and P. variotii. Most of the complexes have higher activities than that of free ligand.     

Spectral,Thermal, and Antimicrobial Studies on the Copper(II), Zinc(II), Cadmium(II), and Mercury(II) Chelates of a New Antimetabolite–5-Dimethylaminomethyl-2-Thiouracil

Owing to the presence of multiple donor atoms such as N(1)H, C(2)SH, N(3), C(4)O, and CNC in the newly synthesized antimetabolite, namely, 5-dimethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, preferences of the hetero-atoms for coordination with metal ions like Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) were explored. The complexes isolated were characterized by chemical analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The ligand behaves as a bidentate/tetradentate chelating ligand. Invariably in all the complexes, one of the donor atoms is the soft C(2)SH. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the thermal decomposition of the metal chelates were evaluated using (Coats–Redfern) and (Madhusudanan–Krishnan–Ninan) equations. The antimicrobial studies show that the copper(II) complexes are more active than the other complexes.     

Divalent nickel,cobalt and copper complexes of a tetradentate N6 macrocyclic ligand

Summary Divalent nickel, cobalt and copper salts react with 2,6-diaminopyridine and acetylacetone to form complexes containing a 16-membered N₆ tetradentate macrocyclic ligand. The complexes are characterised as distorted octahedra of the M(TML)X₂ type where M=nickel(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II); TML=tetradentate macrocyclic ligand and X=Cl, Br, NO₃ or NCS. The ligand coordinates through all the four azomethine nitrogen atoms which are bridged by acetylacetone moieties. Pyridine nitrogen does not participate in coordination, a fact supported by far i.r. studies. The magnetic, electronic and i.r. spectral studies indicate that the complexes have lower symmetries and the amounts of distortion calculated in terms of DT/DQ applying normalised spherical harmonic Hamiltonian theory indicate that these complexes are moderately distored.     

Thiohydrazone copper(II) complexes. The relationship between redox properties and superoxide dismutase mimetic activity

The redox behaviour of copper(II) complexes with the open chain ligand, benzilbisthiosemicarbazone, and the macrocyclic one [3,4,10,11-tetraphenyl-1,2,5,8,9,12,13-octaazacyclotetradeca-7,14- dithione- 2,4,9,11-tetraene] has been explored by cyclic voltammetry. The half-wave potential values for the copper(II)/copper(I) redox couple and the spectral data obtained on dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution agree with the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic activity of the complexes. The macrocyclic complexes show more positive reduction potential and more activity than the open chain derivatives. From our results it follows that the structure and conformation of ligand has influence on the redox potential of central atom in coordination compound. The changes in the coordination sphere are connected with the change of biological function of compounds represented by SOD-mimic activity. In addition, the L1H6 derivatives show quasireversible waves associated to Cu(II)/Cu(III) process.     

Lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates by VO4 units: synthesis, characterization, and structure elucidation by X-ray crystallography and EXAFS spectroscopy

Reactions of a tetravanadate anion, [V(4)O(12)](4-), with a series of lanthanide(III) salts yield three types of lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates: (Et(4)N)(6)[Ln(III)V(9)O(27)] [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6)], (Et(4)N)(5)[(H(2)O)Ho(III)(V(4)O(12))(2)] (7), and (Et(4)N)(7)[Ln(III)V(10)O(30)] [Ln = Er (8), Tm (9), Yb (10), Lu (11)]. Lanthanide complexes 1-11 are isolated and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Lanthanide complexes 1-6 are composed of a square-antiprism eight-coordinated Ln(III) center with a macrocyclic polyoxovanadate that is constructed from nine VO(4) tetrahedra through vertex sharing. The structure of 7 is composed of a seven-coordinated Ho(III) center, which exhibits a capped trigonal-prism coordination environment by the sandwiching of two cyclic tetravanadates with a capping H(2)O ligand. Lanthanide complexes 8-11 have a six-coordinated Ln(III) center with a 10-membered vanadate ligand. The structural trend to adopt a larger coordination number for a larger lanthanide ion among the three types of structures is accompanied by a change in the vanadate ring sizes. These lanthanide complexes are examined by EXAFS spectroscopies on lanthanide L(III) absorption edges, and the EXAFS oscillations of each of the samples in the solid state and in acetonitrile are identical. The Ln-O and Ln···V bond lengths obtained from fits of the EXAFS data are consistent with the data from the single-crystal X-ray studies, reflecting retention of the structures in acetonitrile.     

Evidence of desulfurization in the oxidative cyclization of thiosemicarbazones. Conversion to 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives

The addition of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 4N-methylthiosemicarbazone (C8H10N4S) to an aqueous solution of copper(II) nitrate yields [[Cu(C8H9N4S)(NO3)]2] (1). This complex consists of centrosymmetric dinuclear entities containing square-pyramidal copper(II) ions bridged through the sulfur thioamide atoms. The oxidation of 1 with KBrO3 or KIO3 gives rise to a compound with formula [[Cu(C8H8N4O)(H2O)2(SO4)]2]*2H2O (2) (C8H8N4O = 2-methylamino-5-pyridin-2-yl-1,3,4-oxadiazole). The structure of 2 is made up of centrosymmetric dimers where the copper(II) ions exhibit a distorted octahedral coordination and are connected by the oxadiazole moiety. The metal ions in 2 can be removed by addition of K4[Fe(CN)6], and then the oxadiazole ligand can be isolated and recrystallized as (C8H8N4O)*3H2O (3).     

New dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one dibenzofuran unit with two amino pendant arms: synthesis, protonation and complexation studies

New dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one rigid dibenzofuran unit (DBF) and N-(2-aminoethyl) pendant arms were synthesized, N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-[17](DBF)N(2)O(2) (L(1)) and N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-[22](DBF)N(2)O(3) (L(2)), respectively. The binding properties of both macrocycles to metal ions and structural studies of their metal complexes were carried out. The protonation constants of both compounds and the stability constants of their complexes with Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Pb(2+) were determined at 298.2 K, in aqueous solutions, and at ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in KNO(3). Mononuclear complexes with both ligands were formed, and dinuclear complexes were only found for L(2). The thermodynamic binding affinities of the metal complexes of L(2) are lower than those of L(1) as expected, but the Pb(2+) complexes of both macrocycles exhibit close stability constant values. On the other hand, the binding affinities of Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) for L(1) are very high, when compared to those of Co(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+). These interesting properties were explained by the presence of the rigid DBF moiety in the backbone of the macrocycle and to the special match between the macrocyclic cavity size and the studied larger metal ions. To elucidate the adopted structures of complexes in solution, the nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with both ligands were further studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy in DMSO-H(2)O 1 : 1 (v/v) solution. The copper(II) complexes were also studied by EPR spectroscopy in the same mixture of solvents. The crystal structure of the copper complex of L(1) was also determined. The copper(II) displays an octahedral geometry, the four nitrogen atoms forming the equatorial plane and two oxygen atoms, one from the DBF unit and the other one from the ether oxygen, in axial positions. One of the ether oxygens of the macrocycle is out of the coordination sphere. Our results led us to suggest that this geometry is also adopted by the Co(2+) to Zn(2+) complexes, and only the larger Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) manage to form complexes with the involvement of all the oxygen atoms of the macrocyclic backbone.     

Structural studies and anticancer activity of a novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand and its Cu(II) complexes

A novel (N6O4) macrocyclic ligand (L) and its Cu(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and conductivity measurements. Quantum chemical calculations have also been carried out at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) to study the structure of the ligand and one of its complexes. The results show a novel macrocyclic ligand with potential amide oxygen atom, amide and amine nitrogen atoms available for coordination. Distorted square pyramidal ([Cu(L)Cl]Cl·2.5H2O (1), [Cu(L)NO3]NO(3)·3.5H2O (2), and [Cu(L)Br]Br·3H2O (4) and octahedral ([Cu(L)(OAc)2]·5H2O (3)) geometries were proposed. The EPR data of 1, 2, and 4 indicate d1x2(-y)2 ground state of Cu(II) ion with a considerable exchange interaction. The measured cytotoxicity for L and its complexes (1, 2) against three tumor cell lines showed that coordination improves the antitumor activity of the ligand; IC50 for breast cancer cells are ≈8.5, 3, and 4 μg/mL for L and complexes (1) and (2), respectively.     

Monopicolinate cyclen and cyclam derivatives for stable copper(II) complexation

The syntheses of a new 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) derivative bearing a picolinate pendant arm (HL1), and its 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) analogue HL2, were achieved by using two different selective-protection methods involving the preparation of cyclen-bisaminal or phosphoryl cyclam derivatives. The acid-base properties of both compounds were investigated as well as their coordination chemistry, especially with Cu(2+), in aqueous solution and in solid state. The copper(II) complexes were synthesized, and the single crystal X-ray diffraction structures of compounds of formula [Cu(HL)](ClO(4))(2)·H(2)O (L = L1 or L2), [CuL1](ClO(4)) and [CuL2]Cl·2H(2)O, were determined. These studies revealed that protonation of the complexes occurs on the carboxylate group of the picolinate moiety. Stability constants of the complexes were determined at 25.0 °C and ionic strength 0.10 M in KNO(3) using potentiometric titrations. Both ligands form complexes with Cu(2+) that are thermodynamically very stable. Additionally, both HL1 and HL2 exhibit an important selectivity for Cu(2+) over Zn(2+). The kinetic inertness in acidic medium of both complexes of Cu(2+) was evaluated by spectrophotometry revealing that [CuL2](+) is much more inert than [CuL1](+). The determined half-life values also demonstrate the very high kinetic inertness of [CuL2](+) when compared to a list of copper(II) complexes of other macrocyclic ligands. The coordination geometry of the copper center in the complexes was established in aqueous solution from UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, showing that the solution structures of both complexes are in excellent agreement with those of crystallographic data. Cyclic voltammetry experiments point to a good stability of the complexes with respect to metal ion dissociation upon reduction of the metal ion to Cu(+) at about neutral pH. Our results revealed that the cyclam-based ligand HL2 is a very attractive receptor for copper(II), presenting a fast complexation process, a high kinetic inertness, and important thermodynamic and electrochemical stability.     

5-(Pyridylmethylidene)-substituted 2-thiohydantoins and their complexes with CuII, NiII, and CoII: Synthesis, electrochemical study, and adsorption on the cystamine-modified gold surface

A series of Cu^II, Ni^II, and Co^II complexes with 5-(pyridylmethylidene)-substituted 2-thiohydantoins (L) were synthesized by the reactions of the corresponding organic ligands with MCl₂·nH₂O. The resulting complexes have the composition LMCl₂ (M = Cu or Ni) or L₂MCl₂ (M = Co). The reactions with N(3)-unsubstituted thiohydantoins afford complexes containing four-membered metallacycles, in which the metal ion is coordinated by the S and N(3) atoms of the thiohydantoin ligand. The reactions of N(3)-substituted thiohydantoins give complexes in which the S and N(1) atoms are involved in coordination. Study by IR spectroscopy demonstrated that the pyridine nitrogen atom is not involved in coordination. Based on the results of electrochemical study of the ligands and complexes by cyclic voltammetry and calculation of their frontier orbitals by the PM3(tm) method, the mechanism of oxidation and reduction of these compounds was proposed. In the first reduction and oxidation steps, the metal atom in the copper and nickel complexes remains, apparently, intact, and these processes occur with the involvement of the ligand fragments, viz., the coordinated thiohydantoin ligand and chloride anion, respectively. In the cobalt complexes, the first reduction step occurs at the ligand; the first oxidation state, at the metal atom. Measurements of the contact angle of aqueous wetting and electrochemical study demonstrated that carboxy-containing 2-thiohydantoins and their complexes can be adsorbed on the cystamine-modified gold surface. The structures of the complexes on the surface differ from the structures of these complexes in solution. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 978–990, June, 2006.     

Influence of the anions on the structure and magnetic properties of a series of bis(μ-diphenoxo)-bridged linear trinuclear copper(II) complexes: an experimental and theoretical study

The reaction of H(2)L (N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)-ethylenediamine) with different copper salts, in methanol and using a H(2)L/Cu = 2 : 3 molar ratio, led to four new bis(μ-diphenoxo)-bridged Cu(3) complexes of general formula [{Cu(S)(μ-L)}(2)Cu(H(2)O)(2n)]X(2) (S = CH(3)OH, n = 1 and X = BF(4)(-) for (1) or ClO(4)(-) for (2); S = Br(3)(-) anion and n = 1 without any X species for (3); S = H(2)O, n = 0 and X = NO(3)(-) for (4)). The use in the same reaction conditions of 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) as connector led to the chain complex [{Cu(μ-4,4'-bipy)(0.5)(μ-L)}(2)Cu(H(2)O)(2n)](ClO(4))(2)·17H(2)O (5). The structure of the centrosymmetric trinuclear unit in (1)-(5) consists of two [Cu(L)] fragments connected through two phenoxo bridging groups to the central copper(II) ion giving rise to a linear arrangement of the copper(II) ions, where the ligand acts in a compartmental form wrapping the metal centre with a N(2)O(2) tetradentate bridging mode. The coordination polyhedron of the symmetrically related external copper atoms exhibits a geometry very close to square-pyramidal, whereas the central copper(II) atom displays either a tetragonally elongated octahedral geometry or a square-planar geometry. Owing to the steric hindrance promoted by the methoxy groups at the phenyl rings, the whole Cu(3) structure is not planar but folded along the line connecting the phenoxo bridging oxygen atoms of the same ligand. Temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of complexes (1)-(5) was measured, showing strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the central and external atoms through the bis(μ-phenoxo) groups. DFT calculations were also performed (a) to support the experimental values of the coupling constant (J(1)) between the nearest-neighbouring copper atoms, (b) to determine the magnitude of the interactions between next-nearest copper(II) atoms (J(2)) and (c) to study magneto-structural correlations for this kind of bis(μ-diphenoxo) trinuclear copper(II) complex.