CuII Ions and the Stilbene–Chroman Hybrid with a Catechol Moiety Synergistically Induced DNA Damage,and Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells: An Interesting Acid/Base‐Promoted Prooxidant Reaction

Development of potential cancer treatment strategies by using an exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐generating agent (prooxidant) or redox intervention, has attracted much interest. One effective ROS generation method is to construct a prooxidant system by polyphenolic compounds and Cu^II ions. This work demonstrates that Cu^II and the stilbene–chroman hybrid with a catechol moiety could synergistically induce pBR322 plasmid DNA damage, as well as cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Additionally, an interesting acid/base‐promoted prooxidant reaction was found. The detailed chemical mechanisms for the reaction of the hybrid with Cu^II in acid, neutral and base solutions are proposed based on UV/Vis spectral changes and identification of the related oxidative intermediates and products.     

Synthese,Strukturen, NMR‐ und EPR‐Untersuchungen der binuklearen Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenoureato))‐Komplexe des NiII und CuII

Synthesis, Structures, NMR and EPR Investigations of Binuclear Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenoureato)) Complexes of Ni^II and Cu^II The synthesis of binuclear Cu^II and Ni^II complexes of the quadridentate ligand N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenourea) and their crystal structures are reported. The complexes crystallize monoclinic, P2₁/c (Z = 2). In the EPR spectra of the binuclear Cu^II complex exchange‐coupled Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs were observed. In addition the signals of a mononuclear Cu^II species are observed what will be explained with the assumption of an equilibrium between the binuclear Cu^II‐complex (Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs) and oligomeric complexes with “isolated” Cu^II ions. Detailed ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se NMR investigations on the ligand and the Ni^II complex allow an exact assignment of all signals of the heteroatoms.     

Synthese,Struktur und EPR‐Untersuchungen von binuklearen Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato))‐Komplexen des CuII,NiII, ZnII,CdII und PdII

Synthesis, Structure and EPR Investigations of binuclear Bis(N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato)) Complexes of Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, Cd^II and Pd^II The synthesis of binuclear Cu^II‐, Ni^II‐, Zn^II‐, Cd^II‐ and Pd^II‐complexes of the quadridentate ligand N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thiourea) and the crystal structures of the Cu^II‐ and Ni^II‐complexes are reported. The Cu^II‐complex crystallizes in two polymorphic modifications: triclinic, (Z = 1) and monoclinic, P2₁/c (Z = 2). The Ni^II‐complex was found to be isostructural with the triclinic modification of the copper complex. The also prepared Pd^II‐, Zn^II‐ and Cd^II‐complexes could not be characterized by X‐ray analysis. However, EPR studies of diamagnetically diluted Cu^II/Pd^II‐ and Cu^II/Zn^II‐powders show axially‐symmetric g and A ^Cu tensors suggesting a nearly planar co‐ordination within the binuclear host complexes. Diamagnetically diluted Cu^II/Cd^II powder samples could not be prepared. In the EPR spectra of the pure binuclear Cu^II‐complex exchange‐coupled Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs were observed. According to the large Cu^II‐Cu^II distance of about 7,50Å a small fine structure parameter D = 26·10^?4 cm^?1 is observed; T‐dependent EPR measurements down to 5 K reveal small antiferromagnetic interactions for the Cu^II‐Cu^II dimer. Besides of the dimer in the EPR spectra the signals of a mononuclear Cu^II species are observed whose concentration is T‐dependent. This observation can be explained assuming an equilibrium between the binuclear Cu^II‐complex (Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs) and oligomeric complexes with “isolated” Cu^II ions.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,DNA‐binding Properties and Antioxidant Activity of a Copper(II) Complex with Naphthalimide Schiff Base

The Schiff N‐allylamine‐4‐(ethylenediamine‐5‐methylsalicylidene)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (H₂L) and its copper(II) complex, [Cu(HL)₂] · 0.5DMF, were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the Cu^II complex reveals a slightly distorted square‐planar arrangement provided by two N and O donors from two deprotonated ligands. In addition, the DNA‐binding properties of the ligand and Cu^II complex were investigated by fluorescence spectra, electronic absorption, and viscosity measurements. The experimental studies of the DNA‐binding properties indicated that the ligand and Cu^II complex reacted with DNA via intercalation binding mode, and binding affinity for DNA takes the order: ligand > Cu^II complex. The antioxidant assay in vitro suggested that both exhibited potential intensely antioxidant properties, and the ligand is more effective than its Cu^II complex.     

Synthesis,Spectral, Thermal Studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)‐arginato Complexes. Crystal Structure of Monoaquabis(arginato‐κO,κN)copper(II). [Cu(arg)2(H2O)].NaNO3

Transition metal complexes of arginine (using Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) cations separately) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, TG/DTA‐DrTG, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis methods. Cu(II)‐Arg complex crystals was found suitable for x‐ray diffraction studies. It was contained, one mole Cu^II and Na⁺ ions, two arginate ligands, one coordinated aqua ligand and one solvent NO₃^? group in the asymmetric unit. The principle coordination sites of metal atom have been occupied by two N atoms of arginate ligands, two carboxylate O atoms, while the apical site was occupied by one O atom for Cu^II cation and two O atoms for Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II atoms of aqua ligands. Although Cu^II ion adopts a square pyramidal geometry of the structure. Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II cations have octahedral due to coordination number of these metals. Neighbouring chains were linked together to form a three‐dimensional network via hydrogen‐bonding between coordinated water molecule, amino atoms and O atoms of the bridging carboxylate groups. Cu^II complex was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁, a = 8.4407(5) Å, b = 12.0976(5) Å, c = 10.2448(6) Å, V = 1041.03(10) ų, Z = 2. Structures of the other metal complexes were similar to CuII complex, because of their spectroscopic studies have in agreement with each other. Copper complex has shown DNA like helix chain structure. Lastly, anti‐bacterial, anti‐microbial and anti‐fungal biological activities of complexes were investigated.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Crystal Structure,and Biological Activities of Transition Metal Complexes with 1‐Phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐hydroxypyrazole‐4‐methylene‐8′‐quinolineimine

The Schiff base ligand, 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐hydroxypyrazole‐4‐methylene‐8′‐quinolineimine, and its Cu^II, Zn^II, and Ni^II complexes were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the Zn^II complex was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicating that the metal ions and Schiff base ligand can form mononuclear six‐coordination complexes with 1:1 metal‐to‐ligand stoichiometry at the metal ions as centers. The binding mechanism and affinity of the ligand and its metal complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence titration spectroscopy, EB displacement experiments, and viscosity measurements, indicating that the free ligand and its metal complexes can bind to DNA via an intercalation mode with the binding constants at the order of magnitude of 105–106 M ^–1, and the metal complexes can bind to DNA more strongly than the free ligand alone. In addition, antioxidant activities of the ligand and its metal complexes were investigated through scavenging effects for hydroxyl radical in vitro, indicating that the compounds show stronger antioxidant activities than some standard antioxidants, such as mannitol. The ligand and its metal complexes were subjected to cytotoxic tests, and experimental results indicated that the metal complexes show significant cytotoxic activity against lung cancer A 549 cells.     

New Mechanistic Insight into Stepwise Metal‐Center Exchange in a Metal–Organic Framework Based on Asymmetric Zn4 Clusters

Herein, a mechanism of stepwise metal‐center exchange for a specific metal–organic framework, namely, [Zn₄(dcpp)₂(DMF)₃(H₂O)₂]_n (H₄dcpp=4,5‐bis(4′‐carboxylphenyl)phthalic acid), is disclosed for the first time. The coordination stabilities between the central metal atoms and the ligands as well as the coordination geometry are considered to be dominant factors in this stepwise exchange mechanism. A new magnetic analytical method and a theoretical model confirmed that the exchange mechanism is reasonable. When the metathesis reaction occurs between Cu^II ions and framework Zn^II ions, the magnetic exchange interaction of each pair of Cu^II centers gradually strengthens with increasing amount of framework Cu^II ions. By analyzing the changes of coupling constants in the Cu‐exchanged products, it was deduced that Zn4 and Zn3 are initially replaced, and then Zn1 and Zn2 are replaced later. The theoretical calculation further verified that Zn4 is replaced first, Zn3 next, then Zn1 and Zn2 last, and the coordination stability dominates the Cu/Zn exchange process. For the Ni/Zn and Co/Zn exchange processes, besides the coordination stability, the preferred coordination geometry was also considered in the stepwise‐exchange behavior. As Ni^II and Co^II ions especially favor octahedral coordination geometry in oxygen‐ligand fields, Ni^II ions and Co^II ions could only selectively exchange with the octahedral Zn^II ions, as was also confirmed by the experimental results. The stepwise metal‐exchange process occurs in a single crystal‐to‐single crystal fashion.     

Metal(II) Ion Complexes with 5‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione; Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Acid‐base,and Complexing Properties in Solution

The study reports the synthesis of complexes Co(HL)Cl₂ ( 1 ), Ni(HL)Cl₂ ( 2 ), Cu(HL)Cl₂ ( 3 ), and Zn(HL)₃Cl₂ ( 4 ) with the title ligand, 5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione (HL), and their characterization by elemental analyses, ESI‐MS (m/z), FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as EPR in the case of the Cu^II complex. The comparative analysis of IR spectra of the metal ion complexes with HL and HL alone indicated that the metal ions in 1 , 2 , and 3 are chelated by two nitrogen atoms, N(4) of pyrazine and N(5) of triazole in the thiol tautomeric form, whereas the Zn^II ion in 4 is coordinated by the non‐protonated N(2) nitrogen atom of triazole in the thione form. pH potentiometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to examine Co^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II complexes in 10/90 (v/v) DMSO/water solution, whereas the Cu^II complex was examined in 40/60 (v/v) DMSO/water solution. Monodeprotonation of the thione triazole in solution enables the formation of the L:M = 1:1 species with Co^II, Ni^II and Zn^II, the 2:1 species with Co^II and Zn^II, and the 3:1 species with Zn^II. A distorted tetrahedral arrangement of the Cu^II complex was suggested on the basis of EPR and Vis/NIR spectra.     

Rational Approach Towards Designing Metallogels From a Urea‐Functionalized Pyridyl Dicarboxylate: Anti‐inflammatory,Anticancer, and Drug Delivery

A structural rationale was adopted to design a series of metallogels from a newly synthesized urea‐functionalized dicarboxylate ligand, namely, 5‐[3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)ureido]isophthalic acid ( PUIA ), that produces metallogels upon reaction with various metal salts (Cu^II, Zn^II, Co^II, Cd^II, and Ni^II salts) at room temperature. The gels were characterized by dynamic rheology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The existence of a coordination bond in the gel state was probed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy in a Zn^II metallogel (i.e., MG2 ). Single crystals isolated from the reaction mixture of PUIA and Co^II or Cd^II salts characterized by X‐ray diffraction revealed lattice inclusion of solvent molecules, which was in agreement with the hypothesis based on which the metallogels were designed. MG2 displayed anti‐inflammatory response (prostaglandin E₂ assay) in the macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and anticancer properties (cell migration assay) on a highly aggressive human breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231). The MG2 metallogel matrix could also be used to load and release (pH responsive) the anticancer drug doxorubicin. Fluorescence imaging of MDA‐MB‐231 cells treated with MG2 revealed that it was successfully internalized.     

Synthesis,Characterization, DNA‐binding Properties,and ­Antioxidant Activity of a Copper(II) Complex with 1, 3‐Bis­(1‐allaylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxopropane

A new complex of copper(II) picrate (pic) with 1, 3‐bis(1‐allaylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxopropane (aobb), with the composition [Cu(aobb)₂](pic)₂, was synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the copper(II) complex revealed that the coordination environment around the central copper(II) atom is a distorted octahedral arrangement. Electronic absorption spectroscopy, ethidium bromide displacement experiments and viscosity measurements indicate that the ligand and the Cu^II complex can strongly bind to calf thymus DNA, presumably by an intercalation mechanism. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the Cu^II complex was determined by superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging method in vitro, which indicate that the Cu^II complex has the activity to suppress OH ^· and O₂ ^{· –}.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Thermal Stability,Magnetic Property,and Biological Activity of a New Copper(II) Complex Based on 1,2,4‐Benzenetricarboxylic Acid and 2,2′‐Bipyridine

Based on an asymmetric 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (H₃btc) and 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), a new Cu^II complex, Cu₂(H₂btc)₄(bpy)₂ · 8H₂O ( 1 ), was synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray analysis, thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), magnetic susceptibility, EPR measurement, and UV/Vis spectrometry. Complex 1 shows a dinuclear copper structure. The Cu^II of each dinuclear moiety are in a slightly distorted square‐pyramidal environments. Magnetic susceptibility of 1 shows a ferromagnetic coupling between both metal atoms. The interaction of 1 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) is investigated using UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The Cu^II complex shows strong binding propensity in albumin binding study.     

Isolation of the Copper Redox Steps in the Standard Selective Catalytic Reduction on Cu‐SSZ‐13

Operando X‐ray absorption experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are reported that elucidate the role of copper redox chemistry in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO over Cu‐exchanged SSZ‐13. Catalysts prepared to contain only isolated, exchanged Cu^II ions evidence both Cu^II and Cu^I ions under standard SCR conditions at 473 K. Reactant cutoff experiments show that NO and NH₃ together are necessary for Cu^II reduction to Cu^I. DFT calculations show that NO‐assisted NH₃ dissociation is both energetically favorable and accounts for the observed Cu^II reduction. The calculations predict in situ generation of Brønsted sites proximal to Cu^I upon reduction, which we quantify in separate titration experiments. Both NO and O₂ are necessary for oxidation of Cu^I to Cu^II, which DFT suggests to occur by a NO₂ intermediate. Reaction of Cu‐bound NO₂ with proximal NH₄⁺ completes the catalytic cycle. N₂ is produced in both reduction and oxidation half‐cycles.     

Coordination‐Accelerated Radical Formation from Acyclic Enediynes for Tumor Cell Suppression

A maleimide‐based acyclic enediyne with salicylaldiminato substituents at the alkyne termini was synthesized, which was further chelated with three kinds of metal‐ions, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Mg^II, and form metalloenediynes. The cycloaromatization of this thermally inactive enediyne ligand was greatly accelerated through the coordination with metal ions. Specifically, the Cu^II‐metalloenediyne showed an extremely low onset temperature of 55 °C and underwent spontaneous cycloaromatization at ambient temperature to produce free radicals, followed by generation of reactive oxygen species in the physiological environment. The metalloenediyne exhibited excellent DNA cleavage ability and high cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells, with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values comparable to many commercial antitumor agents. The combination of the electron‐withdrawing effect of the maleimide moiety at the ene position and metal coordination at the yne termini provides a new inspiration for designing and synthesizing highly efficient enediyne antitumor agents.     

Chemically and Biologically Harmless versus Harmful Ferritin/Copper–Metallothionein Couples

The simultaneous measurement of the decrease of available Fe^II ions and the increase of available Fe^III ions allowed the analysis of the ferroxidase activity of two distinct apoferritins. Although recombinant human apoferritin (HuFtH) rapidly oxidizes Fe^II to Fe^III, this iron is not properly stored in the ferritin cavity, as otherwise occurs in horse‐spleen H/L‐apoferritin (HsFt; H=heavy subunit, L=light subunit). Iron storage in these apoferritins was also studied in the presence of two copper‐loaded mammalian metallothioneins (MT2 and MT3), a scenario that occurs in different brain‐cell types. For HuFtH, unstored Fe^III ions trigger the oxidation of Cu–MT2 with concomitant Cu^I release. In contrast, there is no reaction with Cu–MT2 in the case of HsFt. Similarly, Cu–MT3 does not react during either HuFtH or HsFt iron reconstitution. Significantly, the combination of ferritin and metallothionein isoforms reported in glia and neuronal cells are precisely those combinations that avoid a harmful release of Fe^II and Cu^I ions.     

Bis{[μ‐N,N′‐bis­(salicyl­idene)‐1,4‐butane­di­amine‐N,N′,O,O′‐copper(II)]‐μ‐chloro‐chloromercury(II)}

A new tetranuclear Cu^II–Hg^II–Hg^II–Cu^II complex, [Cu₂Hg₂Cl₄(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₂)₂], has been prepared by means of a copper complex found in the literature. The molecular structure of this complex was determined by X‐ray diffraction and the Cu–Hg–Hg–Cu chain was seen to be non‐linear. The change in magnetic susceptibility with temperature was recorded for this complex and observed to abide by the Curie–Weiss law. The coordination around the Hg^II ions is square pyramidal. The Cu?Hg bridging distance is 3.5269 (7) Å.     

Controlled Orthogonal Self‐Assembly of Heterometal‐Decorated Coordination Cages

Multiple orthogonal coordinative interactions were utilized to construct heterometal‐decorated tetrahedral cages from in situ formed trinuclear Zr^IV clusters through the combination with other metal ions such as Cu^II or Pd^II. Through effective use of the hard/soft acid/base principle, the orthogonal self‐assembly process of Zr‐bpydc‐CuCl₂ (H₂bpydc=2,2‐bipyridine‐5,5‐dicarboxylic acid) can be finely controlled using three strategies: post‐synthetic metallization, a stepwise metalloligand approach, or a one‐pot reaction.     

A Stable Organic π‐Radical of a Zinc(II)–Copper(I)–Zinc(II) Complex of Decaphyrin

A Zn^II‐Cu^I‐Zn^II heterotrimetal complex of decaphyrin was synthesized by stepwise metalations: metalation of a [46]decaphyrin with Zn^II ions to produce a 46π decaphyrin bis(Zn^II) complex and its subsequent metalation with Cu^II ion. In the second metalation step, it has been shown that Cu^II ion is reduced to a Cu^I ion in the complex and a dianionic bis(Zn^II) containing [46]decaphyrin ligand is oxidized to the corresponding monoanionic [45]decaphyrin ligand, indicating a non‐innocent nature of the decaphyrin ligand. Despite the radical nature, the heterotrimetal complex is fairly stable under ambient conditions and exhibits almost no intermolecular magnetic interaction, owing to extensive delocalization of an unpaired electron in the large π‐conjugated circuit of decaphyrin moiety.     

Thermotropic Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Derived from Natural Cinnamoyl Biomonomers

Summary: The compound 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (4HCA), a natural biomonomer, is polymerized by melt polycondensation to yield a liquid‐crystalline biopolymer (P4HCA) with UV reactivity. L929 cells were successfully incubated on P4HCA films at 37 °C.

Structure of poly(4‐hydroxycinnamic acid) (P4HCA) and its crossed‐polarizing optical micrograph in the nematic state. Inset image: optical micrograph of L929 mouse fibroblasts adhered on P4HCA film after 24 h incubation at 37 °C.     

Synthese,Strukturen und X‐/Q‐Band‐EPR‐Untersuchungen von N,N‐Diethyl‐N′‐3,5‐di(trifluormethyl)benzoylthioureato‐Komplexen des CuII,NiII und PdII sowie EPR‐spektroskopische Charakterisierung eines CuII‐CuII‐Dimers

The synthesis and the structures of (i) the ligand N,N‐Diethyl‐N′‐3,5‐di(trifluoromethyl)benzoylthiourea HEt₂dtfmbtu and (ii) the Ni^II and Pd^II complexes of HEt₂dtfmbtu are reported. The ligand coordinates bidendate forming bis chelates. The Ni^II and the Pd^II complexes are isostructural. The also prepared Cu^II complex could not be characterized by X‐ray analysis. However, the preparation of diamagnetically diluted powders Cu/Ni(Et₂dtfmbtu)₂ and Cu/Pd(Et₂dtfmbtu)₂ suitable for EPR studies was successful. The EPR spectra of the Cu/Ni and Cu/Pd systems show noticeable differences for the symmetry of the CuS₂O₂ unit in both complexes: the Cu/Pd system is characterized by axially‐symmetric g< and A ^cu tensors; for the Cu/Ni system g and A ^Cu have rhombic symmetry. EPR studies on frozen solutions of the Cu^II complex show the presence of a Cu^II‐Cu^II dimer which is the first observed for Cu^II acylthioureato complexes up to now. The parameters of the fine structure tensor were used for the estimation of the Cu^II‐Cu^II distance.     

Complexation of late transition metal(II) ions (M = Co,Ni, Cu,and Zn) by a macrocyclic thiacrown ether studied by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) is used to probe the metal‐binding selectivity of a macrocyclic thiacrown ether (C₄₄H₃₂S₂₀) towards Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Zn^II. In homogeneous 1:1 v/v methanol/dichloromethane solutions, it is found that the thia ligand very selectively binds traces of copper even in the presence of an excess of the other metal ions. The large selectivity is ascribed to the redox‐active nature of copper which enables a reduction from Cu^II to Cu^I, occurring upon ESI‐MS, whereas Co^II, Ni^II and Zn^II cannot undergo similar redox reactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.