Microcalorimetric studies on the interactions of lanthanide ions with bovine serum albumin

The interactions of lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) under mimetic physiological conditions (310.15 K, pH 6.7, 0.1MNaCl) were studied by microcalorimetry. For the first time, based on Two Sets of Independent Sites Model, molar enthalpies (Δ_r H _m1, Δ_r H _m2) and coordination number (n ₁, n ₂) of the two sets of binding sites with different affinity were obtained directly from the microcalorimetric results. It was shown that the interactions are endothermic and entropy-driving processes. By combining with fluorescence spectroscopy, other thermodynamic parameters (Δ_r G _m1, Δ_r S _m1) were determined for high-affinity specific sites.     

Combination of <Superscript>13</Superscript>C/<Superscript>113</Superscript>Cd NMR,potentiometry, and voltammetry in characterizing the interactions between Cd and two models of the main components of soil organic matter

This work allowed the characterization of the Cd-binding sites of two compounds taken as models for exudates, the main components of soil organic matter (SOM). The studied compounds were exopolysaccharides (EPS), specifically exudates of roots (polygalacturonic acid) and of soil bacteria (Phytagel). Potentiometric acid–base titrations were performed and fitting of the obtained results indicated the presence of two main classes of acidic sites, defined by their pK _a values, for both EPS but of a different nature when comparing the two compounds. The two studied exopolysaccharides presented different acidic/basic site ratios: 0.15 for Phytagel and 0.76 for polygalacturonic acid. Spectroscopic techniques (¹³C/¹¹³Cd NMR, FTIR) distinguished different Cd surroundings for each of the studied EPS, which is in agreement with the titration results. Furthermore, these analyses indicated the presence of –COOH and –OH groups in various proportions for each exopolysaccharide, which should be linked to their reactivity towards cadmium. Cadmium titrations (voltammetric measurements) also differentiated different binding sites for each compound and allowed the determination of the strength of the Cd-binding site of the EPS. Fitting of the results of such voltammetric measurements was performed using PROSECE (Programme d’Optimisation et de Speciation Chimique dans l’Environnement), a software coupling chemical speciation calculation and binding parameter optimization. The fitting, taking into account the Cd²⁺/H⁺ competition towards exopolysaccharides, confirmed the acid-base titrations and spectroscopic analyses by revealing two classes of binding sites: (i) one defined as a strong complexant regarding its Cd²⁺–EPS association (logK = 9–10.4) and with basic functionality regarding H⁺–EPS association (pK _a = 11.3–11.7), and (ii) one defined as a weak complexant (logK = 7.1–8.2) and with acidic functionality (pK _a = 3.7–4.0). Therefore the combination of spectroscopic analyses, voltammetry, and fitting allowed the precise characterization of the binding sites of the studied exopolysaccharides, mimicking the main SOM components. Furthermore, the binding parameters obtained by fitting can be used in biogeochemical models to better define the role of key SOM compounds like exudates of roots and of soil bacteria on trace metal transport or assimilation.     

Association of Valdecoxib,a Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug,with Human Serum Albumin

Valdecoxib addition quenches the intrinsic human serum albumin (HSA) fluorescence. This allows an evaluation of the drug–protein association. However, both the number of binding sites and their affinity for the drug depend upon the methodology employed for their evaluation and the employed protein concentration. In this work, we measured the effect of valdecoxib on HSA fluorescence yield over a wide range of experimental conditions and discuss the validity of the binding parameters derived from the different data treatments: Stern–Volmer, Scatchard, double logarithmic, quadratic equation, Benesi–Hilderand, and Encinas–Lissi. It is proposed that a combination of Encinas–Lissi and Scatchard treatments of the data renders the most reliable results. From these data, it is concluded that HSA presents three high‐affinity binding sites for valdecoxib (K_as = 4.5 × 10⁴ m ^?1) and several secondary sites of smaller activity.     

High-performance affinity chromatography and the analysis of drug interactions with modified proteins: binding of gliclazide with glycated human serum albumin

This study used high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) to examine the binding of gliclazide (i.e., a sulfonylurea drug used to treat diabetes) with the protein human serum albumin (HSA) at various stages of modification due to glycation. Frontal analysis conducted with small HPAC columns was first used to estimate the number of binding sites and association equilibrium constants (K _a) for gliclazide with normal HSA and glycated HSA. Both normal and glycated HSA interacted with gliclazide according to a two-site model, with a class of high-affinity sites (average K _a, 7.1–10 × 10⁴ M⁻¹) and a group of lower-affinity sites (average K _a, 5.7–8.9 × 10³ M⁻¹) at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. Competition experiments indicated that Sudlow sites I and II of HSA were both involved in these interactions, with the K _a values for gliclazide at these sites being 1.9 × 10⁴ and 6.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively, for normal HSA. Two samples of glycated HSA had similar affinities to normal HSA for gliclazide at Sudlow site I, but one sample had a 1.9-fold increase in affinity at this site. All three glycated HSA samples differed from normal HSA in their affinity for gliclazide at Sudlow site II. This work illustrated how HPAC can be used to examine both the overall binding of a drug with normal or modified proteins and the site-specific changes that can occur in these interactions as a result of protein modification.     

Radiotracer studies of the antitumor metallocene molybdocene dichloride with biomolecules

Neutron irradiation of Cp₂MoCl₂ for 24 h afforded the radiotracer Cp₂⁹⁹MoCl₂ which was characterised by UV–Vis spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography. Binding experiments with the thiol containing protein human serum albumin (HSA) or calf thymus DNA, were monitored for ⁹⁹Mo using a gamma counter. Under the conditions investigated, molar ratios of binding of 0.2:1 (Cp₂MoCl₂:DNA) and 9.4:1 (Cp₂MoCl₂:HSA) were calculated. The results are consistent with in vitro coordination studies that have shown strong preferential interaction of Cp₂MoCl₂ with thiols versus other donor sites in biomolecules including DNA.     

Polybenzoxazine–silica (PBZ–SiO2) hybrid nanocomposites through in situ sol–gel method

New type of Polybenzoxazine–silica (PBZ–SiO₂) hybrid nanocomposites was prepared through in situ sol–gel method. Benzoxazine was synthesized using bisphenol-A, trans-4-aminocyclohexanol hydrochloride and formaldehyde solution through Mannich condensation reaction and was characterized by FT-IR, ¹HNMR and ¹³CNMR spectroscopy. The methodology adopted in the present study involves to formation of hydrogen bond interaction between the benzoxazine monomer and the silica matrix, followed by the ring opening polymerization of benzoxazine monomer through thermal curing to obtain a red brown transparent PBZ–SiO₂ hybrid. The formation of hybrid nanocomposites was confirmed by FT-IR. Thermal and morphological properties of the hybrid materials were investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PBZ–SiO₂ hybrids show improved thermal properties and glass transition (Tg) temperature. The nitrogen porosimetry study was carried out to confirm the nanometer level integration of polybenzoxazine in the PBZ–SiO₂ hybrid nanocomposites.     

THERMODYNAMICS OF THE BINDING OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN ESTER, A HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE-LIKE PHOTOSENSITIZER, AND ITS COMPONENTS TO HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN, HUMAN HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN AND HUMAN LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN

The phenomena of the high affinity of porphyrins to the human serum proteins, albumin, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is well established. Yet, evaluation of the activities of these proteins as endogenous porphyrin carriers, especially with respect to receptor-mediated porphyrin uptake into tumor cells, the merits of which are still in dispute, requires more quantitative protein-porphyrin binding data. As a continuation of previous studies on this issue, the binding of several porphyrin systems to each of the three proteins, employing previously developed spectral methodologies, was studied. The specific systems reported here are hematoporphyrin ester (HPE), which is a novel hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD)-like system, two porphyrin trimers (denoted O1 and O2) and a porphyrin dimer (denoted O3) isolated from HPE. Human serum albumin (HSA) was found to have a single high-affinity site for the monomeric components of HPE, with an equilibrium binding constant of 3.6 × 10⁶. The equilibrium parameters determined for the binding of the three HPE-isolated oligomers to each of the serum proteins are: (1) Binding constants (K_b') of 2.3 × 10⁶, 6.9 × 10⁴ and 1.5 × 10⁴ and number of sites per protein molecule (n) of 3, 1 and 5, for the binding of 01, 02 and 03, respectively, to HSA. (2) K_b’values of 15.5 × 10³, 15.3 × 10³ and 6.6 × 10³ and n values of 1, 2 and 2, for the binding of O1, O2 and O3, respectively, to HDL. (3) K_b’values of 3.3 × 10³, 2.28 × 10⁴ and 8.0 × 10³ and n values of 50, 20 and 16 for the binding of O1, O2 and O3, respectively, to LDL. These data are direct and clear support not only for the high affinity of porphyrins to serum proteins but specifically of stable oligomers that have been assigned critical roles in the photodynamic treatment of tumors. Of the three proteins, LDL is clearly the best camer, providing the highest drug payload with a moderate affinity (enough to bind and not too much to prevent release). These data are suggested to be promising for the postulated role of LDL in porphyrin uptake into tumor cells and to be useful in the future as benchmarks for novel porphyrin systems.     

Effects of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on inward K<Superscript>+</Superscript> channels at plasma membrane in guard cells

The effects of La³⁺ on inward K⁺ channels at plasma membrane in vicia guard cells are investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording mode. It is shown that La³⁺ on both sides of plasma membrane blocks inward K⁺ currents in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that La³⁺ binding sites may exist on both sides of plasma membrane in guard cells in vicia. The dose response is fitted by the Michaelis-Menten relation characterized by an inhibitor constant K _i of 2.56±0.25 μmol · L⁻¹ (outside membrane) and (1.18±0.11)×10⁻¹⁵ mol · L⁻¹ (inside membrane). Intracellular La³⁺ has much stronger inhibitory effect on inward K⁺ currents than extracellular La³⁺ does, suggesting there may exist stronger binding sites inside membrane than outside membrane. Since ion channel activities of guard cells directly affect plant stomatal movement and water status, our results imply that rare earth elements might have potential practical values in regulating plant water status and strengthening plant drought endurance.     

An overview of protein-DNA and protein-RNA interactions

In this review the fundamental question of how does protein-DNA or protein-RNA interactions affect the structures and dynamics of DNA, RNA, and protein is addressed. Two models of human serum albumin (HSA) bindings to calf-thymus DNA and transfer RNA (tRNA) are presented here. In these models the binding sites, stability and structural aspects of DNA-protein and RNA-protein are discussed. Electrostatic binding of DNA or RNA via backbone phosphate group to the positively charged amino acids on the surface of protein is prevailing. Two binding sites with K₁ = 4.8 × 10⁵ M^?1 and K₂ = 6.1 × 10⁴ M^?1 for protein-DNA and one binding affinity with K = 1.45 × 10⁴ M^?1 for protein-RNA are observed. A partial B to A-DNA transition is observed for protein-DNA complexes, while tRNA remains in A-family structure upon protein interaction.     

Stopped-flow- und fluorescenzspektrometrische Untersuchungen des Bindungsverhaltens von Dansylsarkosin an Albumin in Nativserum

Zusammenfassung Mit Humanserumalbumin (HSA) von 12 gesunden mÄnnlichen Spendern, mit Aktivkohle behandelten Seren und mit aus Citratplasma isoliertem Albumin wurden Stopped-flow- und fluorescenzspektrometrische Untersuchungen der Bindung von Dansylsarkosin (DS) an HSA durchgeführt. Die AffinitÄtskonstanten sind für alle untersuchten Seren vergleichbar (K _A=5,93 · 10⁵M^–1). Die AffinitÄtskonstante des Anlagerungskomplexes ist für die 12 Spenderseren (K _A=4,31 · 10⁴M^–1) etwas höher als für mit Aktivkohle behandelte Seren und isoliertes Albumin (K _A=2,9 · 10⁴M^–1). Dagegen ist die Geschwindigkeit der Umlagerung in den stabilen DS-HSA-Komplex (t _1/2=2,4 ms für isoliertes Albumin) erniedrigt (t _1/2=3,4 ms). Die Bindungskonstanten für die DS-HSA-Komplexierung sind für die 12 Spenderseren fast identisch (Standardabweichung 15%), die Dissoziationshalbwertszeit ist für alle untersuchten Seren etwa 46 ms. Aus den Ergebnissen kann gefolgert werden, da\ sich DS im Serum ausschlie\lich an HSA bindet. In nicht mit Aktivkohle behandeltem Serum vorhandene endogene Substanzen beeinflussen allosterisch den DS-HSA-Komplex.

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Stopped-flow and fluorescence spectrometric investigations of the binding behaviour of dansylsarcosine to albumin in native serum

Summary In serum of 12 healthy men, in charcoal treated serum and with isolated albumin the binding of dansylsarcosine (DS) to human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by fluorescence and stopped-flow measurements. The affinity constants for all sera (K _A=5.93×10⁵M^–1)were comparable. The constant of the low affinity DS-HSA complex is in the 12 seras (K _A=4.31×10⁴M^–1) somewhat higher than in charcoal treated sera and isolated albumin (K _A=2.9×10⁴M^–1), conversion into the high affinity complex (t _1/2=3.4 ms) is faster (t _1/2=2.4 ms) for isolated albumin. Dissociation half-life of the DS-HSA complex was for all investigated sera 46 ms. HSA is probably the only acceptor for DS in serum. Endogenous substances in untreated serum are affecting DS-HSA complexation allosterically.

     

The interaction of dansyl amino acids with bovine serum albumin

The interaction of 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (DNS or dansyl) amino acids with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by means of fluorescence measurements. Fluorometric titrations revealed that BSA has one high affinity site (binding constant,K _a=10⁵10⁶ M^–1), and other sites of lower affinity (K _a=10³10⁴ M^–1) for the probes. Static excitation and emission spectra, lifetimes, time resolved emission spectra, and anisotropy data indicated that the binding is stabilized mainly through fixation by the high affinity binding site. The binding constant significantly decreased with the increase of the spacer distance between the dansyl and anionic groups of the probe molecule. This observation was explained by considering the change of the electrostatic interaction between the anionic group of the probe and a cationic residue in the vicinity of the site.     

Study on Interactions of Phenolic Acid-Like Drug Candidates with Bovine Serum Albumin by Capillary Electrophoresis and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The interactions of the phenolic acids cinnamic acid (CNA), ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA) and chlorogenic acid (CLA) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated and compared using affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) and the fluorescence quenching methods. ACE gives binding constants (K _b) and thermodynamic parameters. The thermodynamic parameters show that each of four phenolic acids bind to BSA mainly by hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The fluorescence quenching method provided quenching constant K _sv, binding site number n and K _b. The fluorescence results indicate that BSA fluorescence quenching is mainly a static quenching process. The binding constants (K _b) of CNA, FA, CA and CLA were from 2.52×10⁴ to 7.90×10⁴ L⋅mol⁻¹ from ACE experiments and 1.19×10⁴ to 5.21×10⁴ L⋅mol⁻¹ from fluorescence, their increase corresponded to the increase in the number of hydroxyl groups. These results imply that molecular structure and the number of hydroxyl groups of phenolic acids play act key roles in the affinity of natural phenolic acids towards BSA.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological evaluation of silver(I) complexes of N′-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene)picolinohydrazide

Three Ag⁺ complexes, [Ag(L)(NO₃)]_n (1), {[Ag(L)]·SbF₆·CH₂Cl₂}_n (2), and {[Ag(L)]·SO₃CF₃·CHCl₃}_n (3), based on a hydrazone ligand L have been obtained (L = N′-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene)picolinohydrazide) and characterized. Complexes 1–3 all show 1-D chain-like structures. Their antibacterial activity and interaction with serum albumin were investigated. These results indicate that these complexes show good antibacterial activities and binding affinity to serum albumin.     

Effect of Hydrogenation on Ring C of Flavonols on Their Affinity for Bovine Serum Albumin

In this paper, the effect of hydrogenation on ring C of flavonols on the affinity for bovine serum albumin was investigated. Two differently substituted B-ring hydroxylation flavonols (myricetin and quercetin) and their dihydrides (dihydromyricetin and dihydroquercetin) were used to study their affinities for BSA by quenching the intrinsic BSA fluorescence in solution. From the spectra, the bimolecular quenching constants, the binding constants, the number of binding sites and the binding distances were calculated. The hydroxylation on ring B and hydrogenation on ring C of flavonols significantly affected the binding/quenching process; in general, the hydroxylation increased the affinity and the hydrogenation decreased the affinity. For myricetin and quercetin, the binding constants (K _a) for BSA were 1.84×10⁸ L⋅mol⁻¹ and 3.83×10⁷ L⋅mol⁻¹. For dihydromyricetin, the binding constant was 1.36×10⁴ L⋅mol⁻¹, while dihydroquercetin hardly quenched the BSA intrinsic fluorescence. These results showed that hydrogen bonding and conjugative effects may play an important role in binding of flavonols to BSA. These results also showed that the properties of flavonols are related to their chemical structure.     

The Synthesis and the Cationic Fluorescence Role of Glycols with Aromatic End Groups, Part III

Some novel bis-(substituted-phenoxy) ended glycols were synthesised usinghydroxy aromatics of vanillin, o-vanillin, iso-vanillin and 4-hydroxy coumarin which reacted with bis-dihalides of polyglycols in the presence ofDMSO/alkali carbonate. The novel podands, Ar-(CH₂CH₂O)_m-Ar,(m = 1–4), were identified with IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The various (formyl-methoxy)phenyl and 4-oxycoumarin derivatives of glycols were studied to estimate the cation binding selectivity of SCN^- salts ofLi⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Zn²⁺ cations in acetonitrile using steady statefluorescence spectroscopy. The relevant structures of podands have shown goodselectivity depending on the cation and the glycollength, although the chromophoreend groups have no specific contribution on binding.     

Development of gold nanoparticle based colorimetric method for quantitatively studying the inhibitors of Cu/Zn induced β-amyloid peptide assembly

In this paper, a kind of gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based colorimetric assay has been developed for studying the reversible interaction of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, and quantitatively analyzing four inhibitors (i.e., EDTA, EGTA, histidine and clioquinol) of Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺ induced Aβ assembly. The inhibition efficiencies (e.g., half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC₅₀ value) of these inhibitors could be measured in this work. As far as we know, these IC₅₀ values were reported at the first time. In this assay, the streptavidin conjugated GNPs (SA-GNPs) were employed as indicators to monitor the Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺ induced aggregating/disaggregating behaviors of biotin modified β-amyloid 1–16 peptides (Aβ_1–16(biotin)). Because of high affinity of streptavidin (SA) with biotin, the aggregating/disaggregating of Aβ_1–16(biotin) results in the significant color change of SA-GNPs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the assay can be used as an effective tool for designing anti-dementia drugs through quantitative analysis of the interactions of four representative inhibitors with Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺ induced Aβ assembly.     

Voltammetric Studies of the Interactions Between Ferrocene‐Labeled Glutathione and Proteins in Solution or Immobilized onto Surface

Glutathione (GSH) tagged with a ferrocene (Fc) label at its C‐terminal was synthesized via coupling ferrocenyl amine to glutathione using o‐(benzotriazol‐1‐yl)‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyluronium (HBTU)/1‐hydroxybenzotrizole (HOBt). The presence of Fc yielded well defined voltammetric signals, rendering the Fc‐tagged GSH (GSH‐Fc) suitable for electrochemical studies of GSH binding to other biological species. The interaction of GSH‐Fc with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated, and a binding ratio of 1.41±0.06 (GSH‐Fc/BSA) and an affinity constant K_a of 6.53±2.01×10⁶ M^?1 were determined. These results compare well with those measured by fluorescence using untagged GSH, suggesting that the attachment of Fc to GSH does not significantly perturb the GSH structure and binding behavior. By contrasting the binding behavior to several compounds that are known to conjugate to different domains of BSA, the voltammetric study confirmed that GSH‐Fc binds at subdomain IIA of BSA with high affinity. The versatility of GSH‐Fc for studying GSH binding to surface‐confined proteins was also demonstrated with the GSH binding to electroinactive Zn‐metallothionein (Zn₇‐MT) through hydrogen binding at the region between the Zn₇‐MT α and β domains.     

The Synthesis of Dibenzo[3n]crown-n by Novel Methods and their Cation Binding Studied by Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Part IV

The dibenzo[3n]crown-n were synthesised from1,2-bis(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethane obtained from 1,2-bis(o-formylphenoxy)ethane via Bayer-Willigeroxidations with H₂O₂/CH₃COOH in good yields. The cyclic condensation of 1,2-bis(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethanewith dichlorides, and ditosylates of polyethylene glycols in DMF/Me₂CO₃ gave the macrocyclesdibenzo[15]crown-5, dibenzo[18]crown-6, dibenzo[21]crown-7 anddibenzo[24]crown-8. The structures were identified using IR, mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Therecognition of the molecules for the cations, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Zn²⁺were conducted quantitatively with steady state fluorescencespectroscopy. The 1:1 association constants in acetonitrileshowed a good relation of the appropriate size of the macrocyclic ether towards the fitting cationradii. Namely, dibenzo[15]crown-5 was the best for Li⁺ binding and more than 100 times better thanNa⁺ and K⁺. Dibenzo[21]crown-7 was excellent for Rb⁺ binding while K⁺ is 100 timesless preferred. The largest crown ether studied, dibenzo[24]crown-8, exhibited the order of binding power,Rb⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺. Zn²⁺ displayed, however, a marked binding with only dibenzo[18]crown-6.p>     

Novel Methods of Synthesis of Dibenzo[3n]crown-n and Their Cation Binding Studied by Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Part V

The dibenzo[3n]crown-n were synthesised starting from bis[2-(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]ether obtained from bis[2-(o-formylphenoxy)ethyl]ether via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation in H₂O₂/CH₃COOH in a good yield. The cyclic condensation ofbis[2-(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]etherwith tri- and tetraethylene glycol bisdichlorides andthe bisditosylate of pentaethylene glycol in DMF/Me₂CO₃ afforded the large cyclic ethers of dibenzo[21]crown-7, dibenzo[24]crown-8 and dibenzo[27]crown-9. The structures were analysed with IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and low-resolution mass spectroscopy methods. The Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ cations' recognition of the molecules were conducted withsteady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The 1:1 association constants, K_a, in acetonitrile were estimated. Dibenzo[21]crown-7 was the best both for K⁺ and Rb⁺ binding but showed too small an effect on Cs⁺. Dibenzo[24]crown-8 exhibited the binding power in the order of Rb⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Cs⁺. However, dibenzo[27]crown-9 displayed marked binding with only K⁺ but not with Rb⁺ or with Cs⁺ cations probably due to the heavy atom effect of fluorescence quenching.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and thermal studies on platinum(II) complexes of 5-nitrosouracil derivatives

Three complexes were obtained during reactions of 6-amino-1-methyl-5-nitrosouracil, 6-methylamino-1-methyl-5-nitrosouracil and 6-methylamino-1-benzyl-5-nitrosouracil with K₂PtCl₄. The complexes were isolated in good yields as powdery precipitates and characterized through elemental analysis, infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and thermal analysis. The pyrimidine bases easily substitute chloro ligands as a neutral monodentate ligand form. The exocyclic oxygen atoms are the probable binding sites rather than ring or exocyclic nitrogen atoms. trans Square planar structures were proposed in all cases.