Synthesis and anticancer properties of gold(I) and silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Bis(1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene)silver(I) nitrate and bis(4,5-dichloro-1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene)silver(I) nitrate were prepared by reacting the corresponding imidazolium nitrate salts with silver oxide. Bis(1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene)gold(I) nitrate and bis(4,5-dichloro-1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene)gold(I) nitrate salts were prepared via transmetallation of their silver precursors with chloro dimethylsulfide gold. The anticancer properties were determined using NCI-H460 lung cancer cells. Efficacy was established by comparison of the gold and silver compounds with cisplatin.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of neutral salicylaldiminato nickel(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Neutral salicylaldiminato Ni(II) complexes bearing a single N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand [3,5-^tBu₂-2-(O)C₆H₂CHNAr]Ni(C{RNCHCHNⁱPr})Ph [Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = Bn (1); Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R = ⁱPr (2)], have been synthesized via a one-pot procedure in high yield. The X-ray structure analysis reveals that both of 1 and 2 adopt distorted square-planar coordination geometry and NHC carbon (C_carbene) is trans to the ketimine nitrogen. Preliminary study indicates that complex 1 is inert toward the insertion of ethylene, however, it can catalyze the dimerization of ethylene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) with a moderate activity of 3.05 × 10⁴ g(mol Ni)⁻¹ h ⁻¹ atm⁻¹ in a highly selective fashion.     

Bridge functionalized bis-N-heterocyclic carbene rhodium(I) complexes and their application in catalytic hydrosilylation

A series of chelating bridge functionalized bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) complexes of rhodium (I) were prepared by reacting the corresponding imidazolium salts with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ in an in-situ reaction. For the N-methyl substituted complex with a PF₆-anion an X-ray crystal structure was exemplary obtained. All complexes were spectroscopically characterized and tested for the hydrosilylation of acetophenone.     

A Ru-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex from metal-metal singly bonded diruthenium(I) precursor: Synthesis, structure and catalytic evaluation

A mononuclear Ru(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex [Ru^II(CO)₂(κ²C,N-BIN)(H₂O)Br][OTf] (OTf = trifluoromethane sulphonate) (1) has been synthesized in high-yield by the oxidative cleavage of the metal-metal singly-bonded diruthenium(I) precursor [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₆(OTf)₂] with 1,8-naphthyridine functionalized NHC precursor 1-benzyl-3-(5,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl)imidazolium bromide (BIN·HBr) at room temperature. Compound 1 catalyzes transfer hydrogenation of ketones to alcohols, and carbene-transfer from ethyl diazoacetate to a variety of substrates. It is shown to be an excellent catalyst for the insertion of carbene into the O-H and N-H bonds of alcohols and amines.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of novel NHC-gold(I)-sugar complexes

Gold(I) complexes containing stabilising ligands such as phosphines or N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are known to be inhibitors of the enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and therefore act as potential apoptosis-inducing anticancer drug candidates. The conjugation of biomolecules overexpressed in cancer cells to the gold complexes makes them semi-targeted metabolites. Auranofin, an anti-arthritis agent, encompasses this property and exhibits anti-tumour activities. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of four novel N-heterocyclic carbene-gold(I)-thiosugar complexes derived from glucose, lactose and galactose is reported. The reactions of 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-diphenyl-imidazol-2-ylidene gold(I) chloride (NHC1-Au-Cl) with pre-synthesized glycosyl thiols under mildly basic conditions gave the desired NHC-Au-thiosugar complexes in high to excellent yields (79–91%). The complexes retain the strong and redox-active Au-S bond contained in Auranofin. All complexes showed good solubility in biological media and were tested against the NCI 60 cancer cell panel for cytotoxicity. The synthesized NHC1-Au derivatives showed good activity in the medium to low micromolar region, while complex 2 showed activity in the low micromolar to nanomolar region against the tested cell lines. To provide a theoretical structure of 4, computational calculations were carried out based on the crystal structures of NHC-Au-SCN and NHC-Au-S-C₆H₄OMe.     

Direct in situ synthesis of cationic N-heterocyclic carbene iridium and rhodium complexes from neat ionic liquid: Application in catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclooctadiene

A direct synthetic route to cationic N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of rhodium and iridium from neat dialkyl-imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) has been found. The method uses complexes bearing basic anionic ligands, [M(COD)(PPh₃)X], X = OEt, MeCO₂, which react with the inactivated imidazolium cation in the absence of external bases yielding one M-NHC moiety and the free protonated base. This new one-pot synthesis leaving pure, catalytically active IL solutions is faster, cleaner and more efficient than traditional syntheses of such NHC complexes. The observed reactivity also gives insight into NHC incorporation of rhodium and iridium catalyzed reactions performed in common dialkyl-imidazolium ILs.The complexes synthesised in this manner are compared with their bis-phosphine analogues in terms of activity for catalytic dehydrogenation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and 1,3-cyclooctadiene in neat [BMIM][NTf₂] as solvent. Even at high temperature, no ligand exchange reaction is observed with [(COD)M(PPh₃)₂] [NTf₂] catalysts. As expected, the yields of all the reactions were low, iridium was much more active in C-H activation than rhodium and the NHC ligands were more stable than triphenylphosphine. For all catalysts, the isomerisation of 1,5-cyclooctadiene is the major reaction. However, the phosphine-NHC complex of iridium seems to be more selective for dehydrogenation than its bis-phosphine counterpart, which is more active in transfer-hydrogenation and less stable under the applied conditions. Different reaction conditions were tried in order to optimise selectivity for dehydrogenation over isomerisation and transfer-hydrogenation. Surprisingly, with 1,3-cyclooctadiene as substrate selectivity for dehydrogenation is much higher than with 1,5-cyclooctadiene for all catalysts.     

Structural motifs of Au(I)-Cu(I) N-heterocyclic carbene halide complexes

A series of Au(I)–Cu(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) halide complexes [AuCu₂(im(CH₂py)₂)₂X]²⁺ where X?=?Cl (1), Br (2), I (3) was prepared by refluxing [AuCu₂(im(CH₂py)₂)₂(NCCH₃)₄]³⁺ with the appropriate halide in acetonitrile. The compounds were characterized by NMR, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. They feature similar solution behavior and solid-state photoemissions. The solid-state structures feature a rhomboidal [AuCu₂X]²⁺ core which is influenced by the type of halide. Compared to other Au(I)–Cu(I) NHC complexes, 1–3 comprise a new structural motif containing a bridging halide. The benzimidazolium analog of 1 was also characterized crystallographically. The structure of [AuCu₂(benzim(CH₂py)₂)₂Cl]²⁺(4) features different coordination modes of the NHC ligands with the carbenic carbon bonded to both gold and copper and the pyridyl groups bonded to the same copper(I) ion.     

Pincer-type bis(carbene)-derived complexes of nickel(II): Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity

Air- and moisture-stable NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene)-derived CNC-type pincer complexes of nickel(II) 4a-d were successfully synthesized, and their structures were fully characterized using X-ray crystallography and analytical and spectroscopic methods. These complexes exhibit a high catalytic activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides with aryl- and alkenylboronic acids, providing an array of biphenyls and stilbenes generally in high yields.     

Heteroleptic palladium(II) complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbenes and 4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole: Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application

Abstract

Reaction of the dimeric N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium compounds [Pd(μ-Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ with 4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole gave four mono- and dinuclear complexes 1–4. Mononuclear complexes 1 and 2 [(NHC)PdCl₂(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole)] were obtained when the reactions were performed in CH₂Cl₂, whereas dinuclear complexes 3 and 4 [Pd₂(μ-Cl)(μ-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole)Cl₂(NHC)₂] were obtained when the reactions were performed in THF in reflux with Et₃N as the base. Further explorations of the catalytic properties of 1–4 for Pd-catalyzed transformations have been performed and these complexes exhibited moderate to high catalytic activities for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and arylation of benzoxazoles with aryl bromides.     

Macrometallocycle binuclear NHC silver(I) complex with bridging azobenzene: Synthesis,structure and recognition for hydrogen sulfate

One bis-imidazolium salt 2,2′-di[2’’-(N-methyl-imidazoliumyl)ethoxyl]azobenzene hexafluorophosphate (LH₂·(PF₆)₂) and its macrometallocycle binuclear N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ were prepared and characterized. The structure of [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂, one 34-membered macrometallocycle was formed by two biscarbene ligand L and two silver(I) ions. Additionally, the selective recognition of hydrogen sulfate using [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ as a chemosensor was investigated on the basis of fluorescence titrations, ultraviolet titrations, ¹H NMR titrations, HRMS and IR spectra. Complex [(LAg)₂](PF₆)₂ was demonstrated to be an effective chemosensor for hydrogen sulfate.     

CCC-N-heterocyclic carbene pincer complexes: Synthesis, characterization and hydroamination activity of a hafnium complex

Our methodology for the stoichiometric preparation of CCC-NHC pincer complexes of Zr has been extended to Hf. The CCC^Bu-NHC pincer Hf complex has been characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Catalytic activity in the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of unactivated alkenes is reported and compared to the recently reported Zr analog. An improved, scaled-up CuO-catalyzed aryl amination of 1,3-dibromobenzene and an improved salt formation methodology for preparation of bis(butyl-imidazolium)benzene are reported also.     

Silver(I), nickel(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes based on bidentate bis-imidazolium salt with a quinoxaline linker: syntheses,structures, and characterization

Quinoxaline-bridged bidentate bis-imidazolium dicarbene ligand 1,1′-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)bis(3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) hexafluorophosphate salt H₂L·2PF₆ (3) was prepared by a two-step reaction based on 2,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)quinoxaline (1). First, the 2,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)quinoxaline reacted with CH₃I resulting in the 1,1′-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)bis(3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium) iodide salt H₂L·2I (2), then through anion exchange reactions with NH₄PF₆ in water produced the desired bis-imidazolium bidentate ligand H₂L·2PF₆ (3). Reaction of the bidentate bis-imidazolium ligands H₂L·2PF₆ (3) with Ag₂O in acetonitrile gave the macrocyclic binuclear silver(I) carbene complex [Ag₂(L)₂]·2PF₆·CH₃CN (4). Nickel carbene complex [Ni(L)PPh₃Cl]·PF₆·2DMSO (5) was obtained via transmetalation of 4 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ in DMSO. The bidentate carbene ligand is a chelating ligand in 5, while bridging in 4. The imidazolium ligand H₂L·2PF₆ (3) and transition metal carbene complexes 4 and 5 have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Furthermore, the UV and luminescent properties of 3–5 were also studied.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Abstract

In this study, two novel benzimidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (1a-b) and their silver(I) complexes (2a-b) were synthesized. All new compounds were characterized by FT-IR, LC-MS, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The in vitro antitumor activities of NHC ligands (1a-b) and their silver(I) complexes (2a-b) against DU-145 human prostate cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and L-929 (normal cells adipose from mouse) were also determined using MTT analysis for 24?h, 48?h, and 72?h. The results showed that while NHC ligands did not have in vitro antitumor activity on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and DU-145 cells, Ag(I)-NHC complexes have in vitro antitumor activities. The in vitro antitumor activity of 2a was found to be lower than that of 2b. Ag(I)-NHC complexes were observed to have higher IC₅₀ values for non-cancerous cell lines than cancer cells.     

Synthesis, structural characterization of benzimidazole-functionalized Ni(II) and Hg(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their applications as efficient catalysts for Friedel-Crafts alkylations

[Ni(L₁)₂](PF₆)₂ (3a, L₁ = 3-(1-ethyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)-1-((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)imidazolyl-idene), [Ni(L₂)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (3b, L₂ = 3-(1-ethyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)-1-((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-methyl)benzimidazolylidene), and [Hg(L₁)₂(CH₃CN)₂](PF₆)₂ (4) have been successfully prepared and fully characterized by NMR, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The nickel complexes reveal a square-planar structure with two carbene ligands and benzimidazole groups at the cis configuration. The nickel complex 3b has been proved to be a highly efficient catalyst for Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with β-nitrostyrenes at room temperature in moderate-to-excellent yields. The crystal packing structure of 4 shows that double-stranded 1D supramolecular chains are formed by inter-chain benzimidazole rings and pyridine rings face-to-face π-π stacking interactions.     

Dinuclear gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes

Dinuclear gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were developed for the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes. The gold(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes 2a-2b were synthesized in good yields from silver complexes synthesized in situ, which in turn were obtained from the corresponding imidazolium salts with Ag₂O in dichloromethane as a solvent. The new air-stable gold(I)-NHC complexes, 2a - 2b, were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, infrared, and mass spectroscopy studies. The gold(I) complex 2a was characterized using X-ray crystallography. Bis-N-heterocyclic carbene–based gold(I) complexes 2a - 2b exhibited excellent catalytic activities for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes yielding acylhydrazone derivatives. The working catalytic system can be used in gram-scale synthesis. In addition, the catalytic reaction mechanism of the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes by gold(I)-NHC complex was studied in detail using density functional theory.     

The effect of short alkane bridges in stability of bisbenzimidazole-2-ylidene silver(I) complexes: synthesis,crystal structure and antibacterial activity

Three bisbenzimidazolium salts, 3,3-(alkane-1,n-diyl)bisbenzylbenzimidazolium dibromide/dihexafluorophosphate (1a/b–3a/b) (where alkane?=?ethane, propane or butane and n?=?2, 3, or 4), were synthesized. The bromide salts were subsequently used as precursors to prepare their respective Ag(I)-NHC complexes via in situ deprotonation method. The successful formation of all bisbenzimidazolium salts and complexes were proved by elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and FT-IR analyses. From single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, 4 has been established as a binuclear complex with the molecule arranged as in trans-conformation. Salts 1b–3b and Ag(I)-NHC complexes 4–6 were then screened for their antibacterial potential against E. coli (ATCC 25922) and S. aureus (ATCC 12600). All the bisbenzimidazolium salts do not show any activity against both bacteria while 4 exhibits the highest activity against both bacteria in all methods followed by 5 and 6.     

Half-sandwich Ru(II), Ir(III) and Rh(III) complexes with bridging or chelating N-heterocyclic bis-carbene ligand: Synthesis and characterization

N-heterocyclic bis-carbene ligand (bis-NHC) which was derived from 1,1′-diisopropyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazolium dibromide (L·2HBr) via silver carbene transfer method, reacted with [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp^∗MCl₂]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me_5, M = Ir, Rh) respectively, afforded complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂(L) (1), [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂(L) (2) and [Cp^∗RhCl(L)][Cp^∗RhCl₃] (3). When [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂ was treated with 2 equiv AgOTf at first, and then reacted with bis-NHC ligand, [Cp^∗IrCl(L)]OTf (4) was obtained. The molecular structures of complexes 1-4 were determined by X-ray single crystal analysis, showing that 1 and 2 adopted bridging coordination mode, 3 and 4 adopted chelating coordination mode. All of these complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and element analysis.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of N -functionalised carbene complexes of rhodium(I)

Reaction of [RhCl(COD)]₂, with 1,3-dialkylimidazolinylidene (1) or 1,3-dialkylbenzimidazolinylidene (2) resulted in the formation of rhodium(I) 1,3-dialkylimidazolin-2-ylidene (3a-c) and 1,3-dialkylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene (4a,b) complexes. Triethylsilane reacts with acetophenone derivatives in the presence of catalytic amounts of RhCl(COD)(1,3-dialkylimidazolin-2-ylidene) or RhCl(COD)(1,3-dialkylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene) to give the corresponding silylethers in good yield (57–98%).     

Chromium(0)-rhodium(I) metal exchange: Synthesis and X-ray structure of new Fischer (NHC)carbene complexes of rhodium(I)

An easy approach to Fischer (NHC)carbene complexes of rhodium(I) 3 from methoxy- and aminocarbene complexes of chromium 1 and (NHC)(cod)RhCl (2) is described. The process involves the transfer of the carbene unit and a CO ligand from chromium to rhodium. The X-ray analysis is provided for 3d and the preliminary results on their thermal stability and reactivity toward alkynes and allenes are also reported.     

Symmetrically bridged bis-N-heterocyclic carbene rhodium (I) complexes and their catalytic application for transfer hydrogenation reaction

Bridged rhodium(I) bis(NHC) complexes of the formula [bis-(NHC)Rh(I)PF₆] (1c-5c) were synthesized and applied as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in 2-propanol. The activity of the rhodium(I) complexes largely depends on the nature of the N-substituents and the applied bases. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structure of complex 2c was exemplary determined by X-ray analysis.