Synthesis, structure, DNA-binding properties and antioxidant activity of silver(I) complexes containing V-shaped bis-benzimidazole ligands

A V-shaped ligand bis(2-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine L(1) with its two derivatives bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine L(2) and bis(N-benzylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)benzylamine L(3) have been prepared. Reaction of these shape-specific designed ligands with Ag(pic) (pic = picrate) afforded three novel complexes, namely, [Ag(2)L(1)(2)](pic)(2)1, [Ag(2)L(2)(2)](pic)(2)·2DMF 2 and [AgL(3)(pic)] 3. The ligands and complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a dinuclear metallacycle with a 2-fold rotational symmetry in which two syn-conformational L(1) ligands are connected by two linearly coordinated Ag(I) atoms. Due to the strong interaction between two adjacent Ag(I) atoms, the coordination mode of the central Ag(I) atom can be described as T-shaped. Complex 2 consists of a centrosymmetric dinuclear pore canal structure assembled from two nearly linearly coordinated Ag(I) atoms and two L(2) ligands. The structure of complex 3 adopts a four-coordinate environment for AgN(2)O(2), with the counterion participating in an eight-shaped geometry. In order to explore the relationship between the structure and biological properties, the DNA-binding properties have been investigated by viscosity measurements, electronic absorption, and fluorescence. The results suggest that the ligands and complexes bind to DNA in an intercalation mode, and their binding affinities for DNA are also different. Moreover, the three Ag(I) complexes also exhibited potential antioxidant properties in vitro studies.     

Looking for the origin of the switch between coordination-captured helicates and catenates

Self-assembly of the linear segmental ligand L5, consisting of a tridentate binding unit flanked with two bidentate binding units, with a mixture of Fe(II)/Ag(I) yields the trinuclear coordination-captured [2]catenate [AgFeAg(L5)(2)](4+) instead of the planned isomeric double-stranded helicate. Replacing the octahedral (Fe(II)) and tetrahedral (Ag(I)) cations with Zn(II), which is compatible with both geometries, gives intricate mixtures of homometallic complexes upon reaction with the twin ligand L6, from which the macrocyclic dinuclear complex [Zn(2)(L6)](4+) can be isolated. Application of the thermodynamic site binding model attributes the origin of the ligand preference for producing single-stranded macrocycles, the precursors of the trinuclear catenate, to the abnormally low value of the effective molarity controlling the intramolecular connection leading to the usual double-stranded helical isomer.     

The 'Trinity' helix: synthesis and structural characterisation of a C3-symmetric tris-bidentate ligand and its coordination to Ag(I)

The synthesis and structural characterisation of a novel C3-symmetric tris-bidentate ligand, L, featuring a triphenylamine core appended by pyridylimine coordination sites is reported: 1H NMR compleximetric titration studies with Ag(I) and ESMS indicate the presence of [Ag3L2]3+ species in solution, consistent with the formation of a trinuclear double helicate complex: the Trinity helix.     

Ligand Reprogramming in Dinuclear Helicate Complexes: A Consequence of Allosteric or Electrostatic Effects?

The ditopic ligand 6,6'-bis(4-methylthiazol-2-yl)-3,3'-([18]crown-6)-2,2'-bipyridine (L(1)) contains both a potentially tetradentate pyridyl-thiazole (py-tz) N-donor chain and an additional "external" crown ether binding site which spans the central 2,2'-bipyridine unit. In polar solvents (MeCN, MeNO(2)) this ligand forms complexes with Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and Cu(I) ions via coordination of the N donors to the metal ion. Reaction with both Hg(II) and Cu(I) ions results in the self-assembly of dinuclear double-stranded helicate complexes. The ligands are partitioned by rotation about the central py--py bond, such that each can coordinate to both metals as a bis-bidentate donor ligand. With Zn(II) ions a single-stranded mononuclear species is formed in which one ligand coordinates the metal ion in a planar tetradentate fashion. Reaction with Cd(II) ions gives rise to an equilibrium between both the dinuclear double-stranded helicate and the mononuclear species. These complexes can further coordinate s-block metal cations via the remote crown ether O-donor domains; a consequence of which are some remarkable changes in the binding modes of the N-donor domains. Reaction of the Hg(II)- or Cd(II)-containing helicate with either Ba(2+) or Sr(2+) ions effectively reprogrammes the ligand to form only the single-stranded heterobinuclear complexes [MM'(L(1))](4+) (M=Hg(II), Cd(II); M'=Ba(2+), Sr(2+)), where the transition and s-block cations reside in the N- and O-donor sites, respectively. In contrast, the same ions have only a minor structural impact on the Zn(II) species, which already exists as a single-stranded mononuclear complex. Similar reactions with the Cd(II) system result in a shift in equilibrium towards the single-stranded species, the extent of which depends on the size and charge of the s-block cation in question. Reaction of the dicopper(I) double-stranded helicate with Ba(2+) shows that the dinuclear structure still remains intact but the pitch length is significantly increased.     

Solid-state self-assembly of polymeric double helicates leading to linear arrays of silver(I) ions and reversible strand/double helix interconversion in solution

Reaction of a bent py-hyz-pym-hyz-pym 1 and of a linear py-hyz-py-hyz-pym 3 (py=pyridine; pym=pyrimidine; hyz=hydrazone) ligand strands with silver(I) tetrafluoroborate in CH(3)NO(2) generates double-helical dinuclear 2 and trinuclear 4 complexes. These complexes form polymeric, highly ordered solid-state structures, with wirelike, linear continuous or discontinuous polycationic Ag(n) (+) arrays with Ag--Ag distances of 2.78 to 4.42 A. Ligand 5, an isomer of 1, is found to yield a [2x2] grid-type complex 6. Titration experiments reveal the formation of linear rack-type dinuclear species from 1 and 5. Acid-base modulated, reversible interconversion between strand 1 and double helicate 2 may be achieved by using tren as a competing complexing agent (tren=N(CH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(3)). Progressive addition of silver(I) ions to a 1:1 mixture of 1 and 5 leads to the preferential formation of the double helicate 2 over the grid complex 6, illustrating a process of self-organisation with selection of the correct ligand.     

Copper(II/I) Complexes of a Hexakis(bipyridyl)cyclotriveratrylene Ligand: A Redox-Induced Conformational Switch

A series of copper(II) and copper(I) complexes have been synthesized with ligands combining 6-methyl-2,2'-bipyridines with cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) (1) and with catechol (2). The electrochemical, (1)H NMR, and mass spectrometry characterizations of these complexes are described and discussed. The six pendant bipyridines of ligand 1 allow for the formation of two trinuclear copper(I) complexes [(1)Cu(3)](BF(4))(3) differing only in the conformation "vic" or "int" adopted by the ligand to fit the tetrahedral cuprous ions. Similarly, 1 generates two trinuclear copper(II) complexes in which the conformation of the ligand fits the square planar geometry of cupric ions. In both the cuprous and cupric complexes, a conformational equilibrium exists. Ligand 2 bearing two methylbipyridines has proven to be a useful model of the coordinating sites of ligand 1. In this case, two homologous copper(I) complexes are obtained, [(2)Cu]BF(4) and [(2)(2)Cu(2)](BF(4))(2), modeling respectively two possible coordination conformations of ligand 1. With copper(II), ligand 2 yields only one complex [(2)Cu](CF(3)SO(3))(2), which allows for the unambiguous identification of the conformations observed for ligand 1 complexes. The different coordinating modes of ligand 1 in the complexes mentioned are in exchange but exhibit different physical properties, thus representing a new bistable system based on conformational isomerism which exhibits an electrochemical potential hysteresis. An equilibrium constant and thermodynamic data were obtained for this system by variable-temperature cyclic voltammetry. The influence of coordinating vs noncoordinating solvents was also studied.     

Using noncovalent intra-strand and inter-strand interactions to prescribe helix formation within a metallo-supramolecular system

The effect of inter-strand and intra-strand interactions is explored in a metallo-supramolecular system in which the metal-ligand coordination requirements may be satisfied by more than one different supramolecular architecture. This is achieved by introducing alkyl substituents onto the spacers of readily prepared bis(pyridylimine) ligands. The alkyl substituents induce twisting within the ligand strand and this intra-strand effect favours formation of helical architectures. The alkyl substituents also introduce inter-strand CH.pi interactions into the system. For the smaller methyl group these are most effectively accommodated in a trinuclear circular helicate architecture. A solution mixture of dinuclear double-helicate and trinuclear circular helicate results from which, for copper(I), the trinuclear circular helicate crystallises. The CH.pi interactions endow the circular helicate with a bowl-shaped conformation and the triangular unit aggregates into a tetrahedral ball-shaped array. Low-temperature NMR studies indicate that the CH.pi interactions also confer a bowl-shaped conformation on the triangle in solution. The larger ethyl groups can sustain intra-strand CH.pi interactions in the lower nuclearity double-helical system and this is the unique architecture for that ligand system in both solution and the solid state. Crystal structures are described for both the copper(I) and silver(I) complexes. Thus we show that intra-strand interactions may be used to induce helicity within this system, while the nuclearity of the array can be prescribed by the inter-strand interactions.     

Coordination chemistry of silanedithiolato ligands derived from cyclotrisilathiane: synthesis and structures of complexes of iron(II), cobalt(II), palladium(II), copper(I), and silver(I)

The coordination chemistry of chelating silanedithiolato ligands has been investigated on Fe(II), Co(II), Pd(II), Cu(I), and Ag(I). Treatment of M(OAc)(2) (M = Fe, Co, Pd) with cyclotrisilathiane (SSiMe(2))(3) in the presence of Lewis bases resulted in formation of Fe(S(2)SiMe(2))(PMDETA) (1), Fe(S(2)SiMe(2))(Me(3)TACN) (2), Co(S(2)SiMe(2))(PMDETA) (3), and Pd(S(2)SiMe(2))(PEt(3))(2) (4) (PMDETA = N,N,N',N',N' '-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine; Me(3)TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). The analogous reactions of M(OAc) (M = Cu, Ag) in the presence of PEt(3) gave rise to the dinuclear complexes M(2)[(SSiMe(2))(2)S](PEt(3))(3) [M = Cu (5), Ag (6)]. Complexes were characterized in solution by (1)H, (31)P[(1)H], and (29)Si[(1)H] NMR and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Mononuclear complexes 1-3 have a four-membered MS(2)Si ring, and these five-coordinate complexes adopt trigonal-bipyramidal (for the PMDETA adducts) or square-pyramidal (for the Me(3)TACN adduct) geometries. In dimer 6, the (SSiMe(2))(2)S(2)(-) silanedithiolato ligand bridges two metal centers, one of which is three-coordinate and the other four-coordinate. The chelating effect of silanedithiolato ligands leads to an increase in the stability of silylated thiolato complexes.     

Formation of mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetranuclear Ag(I) complexes of C3-symmetric tripodal benzimidazole ligands

The C3-symmetric tripodal ligand tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (ntb) and its alkyl-substituted derivatives tris(N-R-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (R = methyl, Mentb; R = ethyl, Etntb; R = propyl, Prntb) react with various silver(I) salts to afford mononuclear [Ag(Prntb)(CF3SO3)].0.25H2O, 1, binuclear [Ag2(Mentb)2](CF3SO3)2.H2O, 2, trinuclear [Ag3(Etntb)2](ClO4)3.CH3OH, 3, and tetranuclear [Ag4(ntb)2(CH3CN)2(CF3CO2)2](CF3CO2)2.2H2O, 4. All four complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The Ag(I) ion in 1 is coordinated to the three imine nitrogen atoms of the Prntb ligand and one oxygen atom of the trifluoromethanesulfonate anion in a distorted tetrahedral environment. Dinuclear 2 has C2 symmetry with each Ag(I) atom trigonally coordinated by two arms of one Mentb and one arm of another. Trinuclear 3 has C3 symmetry with a Ag3 regular triangle sandwiched between a pair of Etntb ligands such that one arm of each ligand is involved in linear coordination about an Ag(I) atom. In the tetranuclear complex 4, two linearly coordinated Ag(I) atoms lying on the molecular C2 axis are bridged by a pair of ntb ligands and the remaining pendant arm of each ntb ligand is attached to another Ag(I) atom whose tetrahedral coordination sphere is completed by an acetonitrile molecule and a chelating trifluoroacetate anion. Complexes 2 and 3 may be regarded as an aggregation of two tridentate ligands by a silver dimer and a trinuclear cluster with weak Ag...Ag interactions, respectively, while in 4 the aggregation of two tripodal ligands by four Ag(I) ions affords a multicomponent internal cavity. The packing modes of complexes 1-3 are dominated by weak supramolecular pi...pi and CH...pi interactions. Hexagonal or square channels are generated in 1 and 2, and a honeycomb layer structure is formed in 3 with solvate molecules and counteranions occupying the voids. The crystal structure of 4 consists of a three-dimensional network consolidated by NH...O and OH...O hydrogen bonds.     

Metal-dependent assembly of a helical-[Co3L3] cluster versus a meso-[Cu2L2] cluster with O,N,N',O'-Schiff base ligand: structures and magnetic properties

Self-assembly of a tetradentate ligand, N, N'-bi(salicylidene)-2,6-pyridinediamine (H 2L), with Cu(II) or Co(II), affords a dinuclear [Cu 2L 2] complex ( 1) or a trinuclear [Co 3L 3] complex ( 2), which were characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The coordination geometry of the Cu (II) centers in 1 is between square planar and tetrahedral, with the ligand adopting a cis-cis conformation to give a centrally symmetric structure, which can be regarded as a mesocate. However, the coordination geometry of Co (II) centers in 2 is distortedly tetrahedral, and the ligand adopts a cis-trans conformation. The whole complex of 2 is of a pseudo- C 3 symmatrical, torus-like structure, which can be regarded as a circular helicate. Both the mesocate and the helicate exhibit expanded supramolecular structures due to elaborate intercomplex pi-stacking interactions. These two complexes were also characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, and TGA. To verify the stability of 2, ESI-MS was carried out on both the crystal and the powdered samples. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that both 1 and 2 display antiferromagnetic properties. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to verify the antiferromagnetic coupling between intracluster metal centers.     

The first beta-diketiminate-Ag(I) complexes. Macrocyclic dinuclear and tetranuclear Ag(I)-complexes and linear coordination polymer Ag(I)-complex

Reactions of Ag(I) and a series of beta-diketiminate ligands have been investigated to demonstrate that unique macrocyclic dinuclear and tetranuclear Ag(I)-complexes and a linear coordination polymer Ag(I)-complex as well as oxidative C-C coupling dimer products of the ligands were obtained depending on the substituents on the carbon framework of beta-diketiminate ligands.     

Modeling the mononuclear, dinuclear, and trinuclear copper(I) reaction centers of copper proteins using pyridylalkylamine ligands connected to 1,3,5-triethylbenzene spacer

The structure and O2-reactivity of copper(I) complexes supported by novel ligands, Pye2 (1,3,5-triethyl-2,4-bis((N-benzyl-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)-)aminomethyl)benzene), Pye3 (1,3,5-triethyl-2,4,6-tris((N-benzyl-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl))aminomethyl)benzene), MePym2 (1,3,5-triethyl-2,4-bis((N-benzyl-N-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethyl))aminomethyl)benzene), and MePym3 (1,3,5-triethyl-2,4,6-tris((N-benzyl-N-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethyl))aminomethyl)benzene) have been examined. The ligands are designed to construct mono-, di-, and trinuclear copper(I) complexes by connecting two or three pyridylalkylamine metal-binding sites to a 1,3,5-triethylbenzene spacer. Thus, the reaction of the ligands with [CuI(CH3CN)4]X (X = PF6, CF3SO3) or CuICl gave the expected mononuclear copper(I) complexes [CuI(Pye2)(CF3SO3)] (1) and [CuI(Pye3)](CF3SO3) (2), dinuclear copper(I) complex [CuI2(MePym2)(Cl)]CuICl2 (3), and trinuclear copper(I) complex [CuI3(MePym3)(CH3CN)3](CF3SO3)3 (4), the structures of which were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The mononuclear copper(I) complexes, 1 and 2, exhibit a distorted three-coordinate T-shape structure and a trigonal planar structure, respectively, which are very close to the coordination geometry of the CuA site of PHM (peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase) and the CuB site of CcO (cytochrome c oxidase). Notably, 1 and 2 showed a significantly high oxidation potential (990 mV vs SCE), thus showing virtually no reactivity toward O2. On the other hand, the metal centers of the dinuclear and trinuclear copper(I) complexes, 3 and 4, exhibit a distorted trigonal planar geometry and a trigonal pyramidal geometry, respectively. In contrast to the mononuclear copper(I) complexes, these dinuclear and trinuclear copper(I) complexes reacted with O2 to induce an aromatic ligand hydroxylation reaction involving an NIH-shift of one of the ethyl substituents on the benzene spacer. The NIH-shift of the alkyl substituent on the aromatic ring is strong evidence of the electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism, although the active oxygen intermediate could not be directly detected during the course of the reaction. The biological relevance of the copper(I) complexes is also discussed on the basis of structure and O2-reactivity.     

Formation of dinuclear,macrocyclic, and chain structures from HgI(2) and a semirigid benzimidazole-based bridging ligand: an example of ring-opening supramolecular isomerism

The reactions of HgI(2) with the semirigid ditopic ligand 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (bbimms) afforded three new complexes, [Hg(2)(mu-I)(2)I(2)(bbimms)] (1), [Hg(2)I(4)(bbimms)(2)] (2), and catena-poly[HgI(2)(bbimms)] (3). The ligand and all complexes have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 is a triply bridged dinuclear complex comprised of two Hg(II) ions, one bridging ligand, two bridging I(-) anions, and two terminal I(-) anions. 2 is a dinuclear metallamacrocycle comprised of two Hg(II) ions, two bridging ligands, and four terminal I(-) anions, while 3 is a helical chain with the repeating unit of HgI(2)(bbimms). 2 and 3 can be classified as supramolecular isomers, and both are related to the triply bridged precursor 1 via the addition of one more ligand in a ring-opening process.     

Coordination chemistry of tetradentate N-donor ligands containing two pyrazolyl-pyridine units separated by a 1,8-naphthyl spacer: dodecanuclear and tetranuclear coordination cages and cyclic helicates

The tetradentate ligand L(naph) contains two N-donor bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine units connected to a 1,8-naphthyl core via methylene spacers; L45 and L56 are chiral ligands with a structure similar to that of L(naph) but bearing pinene groups fused to either C4 and C5 or C5 and C6 of the terminal pyridyl rings. The complexes [Cu(L(naph))](OTf) and [Ag(L(naph))](BF4) have unremarkable mononuclear structures, with Cu(I) being four-coordinate and Ag(I) being two-coordinate with two additional weak interactions (i.e., "2 + 2" coordinate). In contrast, [Cu4(L(naph))4][BF4]4 is a cyclic tetranuclear helicate with a tetrafluoroborate anion in the central cavity, formed by an anion-templating effect; electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) spectra show the presence of other cyclic oligomers in solution. The chiral ligands show comparable behavior, with [Cu(L45)](BF4) and [Ag(L45)](ClO4) having similar mononuclear crystal structures and with the ligands being tetradentate chelates. In contrast, [Ag4(L56)4](BF4)4 is a cyclic tetranuclear helicate in which both diastereomers of the complex are present in the crystal; the two diastereomers have similar gross geometries but are significantly different in detail. Despite their different crystal structures, [Ag(L45)](ClO4) and [Ag4(L56)4](BF4)4 behave similarly in solution according to ESMS studies, with a range of cyclic oligomers (up to Ag9L9) forming. With transition-metal dications Co(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II), L(naph) generates a series of unusual dodecanuclear coordination cages [M12(L(naph))18]X24 (X- = ClO4- or BF4-) in which the 12 metal ions occupy the vertices of a truncated tetrahedron and a bridging ligand spans each of the 18 edges. The central cavity of each cage can accommodate four counterions, and each cage molecule is chiral, with all 12 metal trischelates being homochiral; the crystals are racemic. Extensive aromatic stacking between ligands around the periphery of the cages appears to be a significant factor in their assembly. The chiral analogue L45 forms the simpler tetranuclear, tetrahedral coordination cage [Zn4(L45)6](ClO4)(8), with one anion in the central cavity; the steric bulk of the pinene chiral auxiliaries prevents the formation of a dodecanuclear cage, although trace amounts of [Zn12(L45)18](ClO4)24 can be detected in solution by ESMS. Formation of [Zn4(L45)6](ClO4)8 is diastereoselective, with the chirality of the pinene groups controlling the chirality of the tetranuclear cage.     

Bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes with an aliphatic sulfinato donor: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Treatment of a thiolato-bridged Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (aet = 2-aminoethanthiolate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), with NaI in aqueous ethanol under an aerobic condition afforded a mononuclear ruthenium(II) complex having an S-bonded sulfinato group, [1](+) ([Ru(aesi-N, S)(bpy)(2)](+) (aesi = 2-aminoethanesulfinate)). Similar treatment of optically active isomers of an analogous Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, Δ(D)Δ(D)- and Λ(D)Λ(D)-[Ag{Ru(d-Hpen-O,S)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (d-pen = d-penicillaminate), with NaI also produced mononuclear ruthenium(II) isomers with an S-bonded sulfinato group, Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-O,S)(bpy)(2)](+) (d-psi = d-penicillaminesulfinate)), respectively, retaining the bidentate-O,S coordination mode of a d-Hpen ligand and the absolute configuration (Δ or Λ) about a Ru(II) center. On refluxing in water, the Δ(D) isomer of [2](+) underwent a linkage isomerization to form Δ(D)-[3] (+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-N,S)(bpy)(2)](+)), in which a d-Hpsi ligand coordinates to a Ru(II) center in a bidentate-N,S mode. Complexes [1](+), Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+), and Δ(D)-[3](+) were fully characterized by electronic absorption, CD, NMR, and IR spectroscopies, together with single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of these complexes, which are highly dependent on the coordination mode of sulfinate ligands, are also described.     

Allosteric deprogramming of a trinuclear heterometallic helicate

Two multidentate ditopic ligands L1 and L2 which contain both N-donor and crown ether units have been synthesised. The potentially octadentate ligand L1 forms a trinuclear heterometallic double helicate with Cu(I) and Zn(II) ([Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+)), whereas L2 forms a tetranuclear heterometallic double helicate with the same metal ions ([Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+)). Both species have been characterised by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Reaction of [Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+) with Ba(2+) results in the coordination of the crown ether units giving the simple barium coordinated species [Zn2Cu2(L2)2Ba2](10+). However, reaction of [Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+) with Ba(2+) deprograms the ligand and results in the formation of a mixture of species.     

Nitrile‐functionalized Hg(II)‐ and Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis,crystal structures,nuclease and DNA binding activities

Various nitrile‐functionalized benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene carbene complexes of Hg(II) and Ag(I) were synthesized by the interaction of 1‐benzyl/1‐butyl‐3‐(cyano‐benzyl)‐3 H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ium mono/dihexafluorophosphate with Hg(OAc)₂/Ag₂O in acetonitrile. Two of the benzimidazolium salts were structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Structures of reported compounds were characterized by ¹ H, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, UV–visible spectroscopic techniques, and molar conductivity and elemental analyses. For bis‐benzimidazolium salt, dinuclear Hg(II)– and Ag(I)–carbene complexes were obtained. Nuclease activity and binding interactions of the synthesized benzimidazolium salts and their Ag(I)–carbene complexes with DNA were studied using agarose gel electrophoresis and, absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurements, respectively. Ag(I)–carbene complexes showed higher DNA binding activity compared to their respective benzimidazolium salts. However, a benzimidazolium salt and two of the Ag(I) complexes showed remarkably higher nuclease activity both, in the presence and absence of an oxidizing agent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordination features of ditopic oxa-azamacrocycles toward Ni(II) and Co(II). Dioxygen uptake by their dinuclear Co(II) complexes

The coordination properties of the ditopic oxa-aza macrocycles L1-L3 toward Ni(II) and Co(II) have been investigated by means of potentiometric and UV-vis spectrophotometric measurements. L1-L3 contain two triamine and/or tetraamine chains separated by two dioxa chains and form both mono- and dinuclear complexes in aqueous solution. In the [ML]2+ complexes, the metal ion is coordinated by one of the two polyamine moieties, while the other does not participate in the coordination. In the dinuclear complexes each metal ion is coordinated, almost independently, to a single polyamine moiety. Under aerobic conditions the binuclear Co(II) complexes of the ligands L1-L3 are able to bind molecular oxygen, with a bridging coordination of O2 between the two metals.     

Molecular squares, cubes and chains from self-assembly of bis-bidentate bridging ligands with transition metal dications

The two new ligands L(fur) and L(th) consist of two chelating pyrazolyl-pyridine termini connected to furan-2,5-diyl or thiophene-2,5-diyl spacers via methylene groups. Reaction of these with a range of transition metal dications that prefer octahedral coordination affords a series of unusual structures which are all based on a 2M : 3L ratio. [M(8)(L(fur))(12)]X(16) (M = Co, Cu, X = BF(4); and M = Zn, X = ClO(4)) are octanuclear cubes with approximate D(4) symmetry in which two cyclic tetranuclear helicate M(4)L(4) units are connected by four additional 'pillar' ligands. In contrast [Ni(4)(L(fur))(6)](BF(4))(8) is a centrosymmetric molecular square consisting of two dinuclear Ni(2)L(2) units of opposite chirality that are connected by a pair of additional L(fur) ligands such that the four edges of the Ni(4) square are spanned by alternately two and one bridging ligands. [M(4)(L(th))(6)](BF(4))(8) (M = Co, Ni, Cu) are likewise molecular squares with similar structures to [Ni(4)(L(fur))(6)](BF(4))(8) with the significant difference that the two crosslinked double helicate M(2)L(2) units are now homochiral. The Cd(II) complexes both behave quite differently to the first-row metal complexes, with [Cd(L(fur))(BF(4))](BF(4)) being a simple mononuclear complex with a single ligand in which the furan oxygen atom is weakly interacting with the Cd(II) centre. In contrast, in {[Cd(2)(L(th))(3)](BF(4))(4)}(∞), where this quasi-pentadentate coordination mode of the ligand is not possible because thiophene is too poor an electron donor, the ligand reverts to bis-bidentate bridging coordination to afford a one-dimensional chain consisting of an infinite sequence of crosslinked, homochiral, Cd(2)(L(th))(2) double helicate units.     

Spin crossover in di-, tri- and tetranuclear, mixed-ligand tris(pyrazolyl)methane iron(II) complexes

A series of polynuclear mixed-ligand tris(pyrazolyl)methane iron(II) complexes displaying high temperature spin crossover behaviour has been synthesised. These complexes are of the type [(Fe((3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)CH))(n)(μ-L)](BF(4))(2n), where μ-L is one of five bridging ligands X(CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3))(n), (X = the central linking moiety, pz = pyrazolyl ring and n = 2 (ditopic), 3 (tritopic) or 4 (tetratopic)). Throughout the series the terminal tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane co-ligand (3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)CH and the BF(4)(-) counter anion were kept constant while variations in the central linking moiety have produced three dinuclear complexes and a trinuclear and tetranuclear complex, all isolated as solvates. The three dinuclear complexes are a 1,4-xylene-bridged complex 1·2DME, a 2,6-naphthalene-bridged complex 2·2.5MeCN.2DME and a 1,4-butene-bridged complex 3·2DME. The trinuclear complex 4·solvent (solvent undefined) has a 1,3,5-mesitylene core and the tetranuclear complex, 5·8MeCN.2(t)BuOMe, has a 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene core (DME = dimethoxyethane, (t)BuOMe = tertiarybutyl-methylether). The trinuclear cluster has a "3-up" cup shape with the cups arranging themselves in pairs to form capsules that contain anion guests. All the solvated compounds have been structurally characterised and both the solvated and desolvated versions have had their magnetic and thermal properties thoroughly investigated by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, differential scanning calorimetric and M?ssbauer spectral methods. They all display typical low spin iron(II) magnetic behaviour at room temperature and all undergo a spin state transition to high spin iron(II) above room temperature. In particular, complex 1·2DME shows an abrupt spin transition which shifts, upon desolvation, to a lower value of T(1/2) and in addition displays a small thermal hysteresis.