Silver(I) and Silver(II) Complexes with Some Tetraazamacrocyclic Ligands in Aqueous Solutions

The reactions of silver(I) with isocyclam, scorpiand,trans-Me₂[14]anN₄, cis-Me₆[14]anN₄,(N-Me)Me₂py[14]anN₄ and py[12]anN₄ were investigated.The stability constant of the Ag(I) complex with py[12]anN₄ was determined. The aqueous solutions of the silver(II) complexes with the 14-membered ligands were obtained, and characterized by means of UV-VIS and CVA measurements. The Ag²⁺ ion does not form a five-coordinate complex with scorpiand. The formal potentials of the Ag(II)/Ag(I) system in the presence of scorpiand, trans-Me₂[14]anN₄, cis-Me₆[14]anN₄ and(N-Me)Me₂py[14]anN₄ were determined. The mechanism is also proposedfor the electroreduction of the silver(II) complexes with these compounds on a platinum electrode in aqueous solution.     

Gold and Silver Complexes with Thiotriazoles and Thiotetrazoles

Abstract

The potential of thiotriazoles and thiotetrazoles in coordination chemistry towards gold and silver derivatives still remains largely unfulfilled. These substrates can function as ideal S,N donor ligands and form covalent or coordinative bonds with gold and silver. Relying on this, a comprehensive overview in this field is given in the article and basic principles are discussed.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT      

Antiproliferative Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Phosphino Silver(I) Complexes: Effect of Ligand Combination on Their Biological Mechanism of Action

A series of neutral mixed-ligand [HB(pz)₃]Ag(PR₃) silver(I) complexes (PR₃ = tertiary phosphine, [HB(pz)₃]⁻ = tris(pyrazolyl)borate anion), and the corresponding homoleptic [Ag(PR₃)₄]BF₄ compounds have been synthesized and fully characterized. Silver compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activities against a wide panel of human cancer cells derived from solid tumors and endowed with different platinum drug sensitivity. Mixed-ligand complexes were generally more effective than the corresponding homoleptic derivatives, but the most active compounds were [HB(pz)₃]Ag(PPh₃) (5) and [Ag(PPh₃)₄]BF₄ (10), both comprising the lipophilic PPh₃ phosphine ligand. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that both homoleptic and heteroleptic silver complexes strongly and selectively inhibit the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase both as isolated enzyme and in human ovarian cancer cells (half inhibition concentration values in the nanomolar range) causing the disruption of cellular thiol-redox homeostasis, and leading to apoptotic cell death. Moreover, for heteroleptic Ag(I) derivatives, an additional ability to damage nuclear DNA has been detected. These results confirm the importance of the type of silver ion coordinating ligands in affecting the biological behavior of the overall corresponding silver complexes, besides in terms of hydrophilic–lipophilic balance, also in terms of biological mechanism of action, such as interaction with DNA and/or thioredoxin reductase.     

First Copper(I) and Silver(I) Complexes Containing Phosphanylphosphido Ligands

Three new complexes with phosphanylphosphido ligands, [Cu₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu}₄] ( 1 ), [Ag₄{μ₂‐P(SiMe₃)‐PtBu₂}₄] ( 2 ) and [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ ( 3 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were obtained in the reactions of lithium derivative of diphosphane tBu₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2.7THF with CuCl and [iBu₃PAgCl]₄, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the complexes 1 and 2 present macrocyclic, tetrameric form with Cu₄P₄ and Ag₄P₄ core. Complex 3 was prepared in the reaction of CuCl with a different derivative of lithiated diphosphane iPr₂P‐P(SiMe₃)Li · 2(Diglyme). Surprisingly, the X‐ray analysis of 3 revealed that in this reaction instead of the tetramer the monomeric form, ionic complex [Cu{η¹‐P(SiMe₃)‐PiPr₂}₂]^–[Li(Diglyme)₂]⁺ was formed.     

Homoleptic Phosphaalkyne Complexes of Silver(I)

By employing silver salts with a weakly coordinating anion Ag[A] ([A]=[FAl{OC₁₂F₁₅}₃], [Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]), two phosphaalkynes could be coordinated side‐on to a bare silver(I) center to form the unprecedented homoleptic complexes [Ag(η²‐P≡CtBu)₂][FAl{OC₁₂F₁₅}₃] ( 1 ) and [Ag(η²‐P≡CtBu)₂][Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] ( 2 ). DFT calculations show that the perpendicular arrangement in 1 is the minimum energy structure of the coordination of the two phosphaalkynes to a silver atom, whereas for 2 a unique square‐planar coordination mode of the phosphaalkynes at Ag⁺ was found. Reactions with donor molecules yield the trigonally planar coordinated silver salts [((CH₃)₂CO)Ag(η²‐P≡CtBu)₂][FAl{OC₁₂F₁₅}₃] ( 3 ) and [(C₇H₈)₂Ag(η²‐P≡CtBu)][FAl{OC₁₂F₁₅}₃] ( 4 ). All of the compounds were comprehensively characterized in solution and in the solid state.     

Linear Pyrazole‐bridged Tetra(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ligands and Their Hexanuclear Silver(I) Complexes

New hybrid ligands are reported that combine two types of popular donor groups within a single linear scaffold, viz., a central pyrazolate bridge and two appended bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) units; the ligand strands thus provide two potentially tridentate {NCC} compartments. The pyrazole/tetraimidazolium proligands, [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ and [H₅L²](PF₆)₄ , were synthesized via multi‐step protocols, and the NH prototropy of [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ was examined by variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy, giving solvent dependent activation parameters (ΔH^? = 27.6 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –125 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₃]MeCN; ΔH^? = 40.4 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –86.9 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₆]DMSO) that are in the range typical for pyrazoles. Reaction of the proligands with Ag₂O gave hexametallic complexes [Ag₆(L¹)₂](PF₆)₄ and [Ag₆(L²)₂](PF₆)₄ that involve all six potential donor atoms of the ligands, viz. the four C^NHC and two N^pz donors, in metal coordination. X‐ray crystallography revealed a chair‐like central {Ag₆} deck in both complexes but different arrangements of the ligand strands, which goes along with significantly different Ag^I ··· Ag^I distances that indicate more pronounced argentophilic interactions in case of [Ag₆(L¹)₂]^{4 +}.     

Gold(I) and Silver(I) Complexes of Diphosphacyclobutadiene Cobaltate Sandwich Anions

The synthesis and structural characterization of the first coordination compounds of bis(diphosphacyclobutadiene) cobaltate anions [M(P₂C₂R₂)₂]^? is described. Reactions of the new potassium salts [K(thf)₃{Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂tPent₂)₂}] ( 1 ) and [K(thf)₄{Co(η⁴‐P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}] ( 2 ) with [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene), [AuCl(PPh₃)] and Ag[SbF₆] afforded the complexes [Au{Co(P₂C₂tPent₂)₂}(PMe₃)₂] ( 3 ), [Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 4 ), [Ag{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 5 ), [Au(PMe₃)₄][Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 6 ), [K([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂][Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 7 ), and [K([18]crown‐6)(thf)₂][M{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}₂] ( 8 : M=Au 9 : M=Ag) in moderate yields. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 , and 6 – 9 were elucidated by X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 4 – 9 were thoroughly characterized by ³¹P and ¹³C solid state NMR spectroscopy. The complexes [Au{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 4 ) and [Ag{Co(P₂C₂Ad₂)₂}]_x ( 5 ) exist as coordination polymers in the solid state. The linking mode between the monomeric units in the polymers is deduced. The soluble complexes 1 – 3 , 6 , and 7 were studied by multinuclear ¹H‐, ³¹P{¹H}‐, and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy in solution. Variable temperature NMR measurements of 3 and 6 in deuterated THF reveal the formation of equilibria between the ionic species [Au(PMe₃)₄]⁺, [Au(PMe₃)₂]⁺, [Co(P₂C₂R₂)₂]^?, and [Au{Co(P₂C₂R₂)₂}₂]^? (R=tPent and Ad).     

Synthesis,Structures, and Photophysics of Polynuclear Silver(I) Thiolate and Silver(I) Thiocarboxylate Complexes with Dppm Ligands

Trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes [Ag₃(μ‐dppm)₃(μ_n‐SR)₂](ClO₄) [n = 2, R = C₆H₄Cl‐4 ( 1 ) and C{O}Ph ( 2 ); n = 3, R = tBu ( 3 )], pentanuclear silver(I) thiolate complex [Ag₅(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SC₆H₄NO₂‐4)₄](PF₆) ( 4 ), and hexanuclear silver(I) thiolate complexes [Ag₆(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SR)₄]Y₂ [Y = ClO₄, R =C₆H₄CH₃‐4 ( 5 ) and C₁₀H₇ (2‐naphthyl) ( 7 ); Y = PF₆, R = C₆H₄OCH₃‐4( 6 )], were synthesized [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane] and their crystal structures as well as photophysical properties were studied. In the solid state at 77 K, trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes 1 and 2 exhibit luminescence at 470–523 nm, tentatively attributed to originate from the ³IL (intraligand) of thiolate or thiocarboxylate ligands, whereas hexanuclaer silver(I) thiolate complexes 5 and 7 produce dual emission, in which high‐energy emission is tentatively attributed to come from the ³IL of thiolate ligands and low‐energy emission is tentatively assigned to come from the admixture of metal ··· metal bond‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MMLCT) and metal‐centered (MC) excited states.     

Bioinspired Copper(I) Complexes that Exhibit Monooxygenase and Catechol Dioxygenase Activity

New tripodal ligand L2 featuring three different pyridyl/imidazolyl‐based N‐donor units at a bridgehead C atom, from which one of the imidazolyl units is separated by a phenylene linker, was synthesized and investigated with regards to copper(I) complexation. The resulting complex [( L2 )Cu]OTf ( 2^OTf ), the known complex [( L1 )Cu]OTf ( 1^OTf ; L1 differs from L2 in that it lacks the phenylene spacer) and [( L3 )Cu]OTf ( 3^OTf ), prepared from a known chiral, tripodal, N‐donor ligand featuring pyridyl, pyrazolyl, and imidazolyl donors, were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of sodium 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate ( NaDTBP ) with O₂. Indeed, they mediated NaDTBP oxidation to give mainly the corresponding catecholate and quinone ( Q ). None of the complexes 1^OTf , 2^OTf , and 3^OTf is superior to the others, as yields were comparable and, if the presence of protons is guaranteed by concomitant addition of the phenol DTBP , the oxidation can also be performed catalytically. For all complexes stoichiometric oxidations under certain conditions (concentrated solutions, high NaDTBP content) were found to also generate products typical for metal‐mediated intradiol cleavage of the catecholate with O₂. As shown representatively for 1^OTf this dioxygenation sets in at a later stage of the reaction. Initially a copper species responsible for the monooxygenation must form from 1^OTf / NaDTBP /O₂, and only thereafter is the copper species responsible for dioxygenation formed and consumes Q as substrate. Hence, under these circumstances complexes 1^OTf – 3^OTf show both monooxygenase and catechol dioxygenase activity.     

Metal‐Ion Permeation in Congested Nanochannels: The Exposure Effect of Ag+ Ions on the Phosphorescent Properties of a Gold(I)–Pyrazolate Complex that is Confined in the Nanoscopic Channels of Mesoporous Silica

An organometallic/silica nanocomposite of a 1D cylindrical assembly of a trinuclear gold(I)–pyrazolate complex ([Au₃Pz₃]) that was confined inside the nanoscopic channels of hexagonal mesoporous silica ([Au₃Pz₃]/silica_hex), emitted red light with a luminescence center at 693 nm upon photoexcitation at 276 nm owing to a Au^I? Au^I metallophilic interaction. When a film of [Au₃Pz₃]/silica_hex was dipped into a solution of Ag⁺ in tetrahydrofuran (THF), the resulting nanocomposite material (Ag@[Au₃Pz₃]/silica_hex) emitted green light with a new luminescence center at 486 nm, which was characteristic of a Au^I? Ag^I heterometallic interaction. Changes in the emission/excitation and XPS spectra of Ag@[Au₃Pz₃]/silica_hex revealed that Ag⁺ ions permeated into the congested nanochannels of [Au₃Pz₃]/silica_hex, which were filled with the cylindrical assembly of [Au₃Pz₃].     

A Novel Method for the Selective Determination of Silver （I） Ion

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) present considerable advantages over bulk single-crystal semiconductors1. As a result of quantum confinement, they have unique optical and electronic properties such as broad excitation spectra, narrow, symmetric and tunable emission spectra2. In addition, QDs exhibit high photobleaching threshold and excellent photostability. They are starting to attract considerable attention as novel fluorescence probes in recent years3-6. Recently, Chen and Rosenzwei…     

Bridging nanogap electrodes by in situ electropolymerization of a bis(terthiophenylphenanthroline)ruthenium complex

A novel complex containing a 3,8-bis[terthiophenyl-(1,10-phenanthroline)] ligand coordinated to [Ru(bpy)(2)] was synthesized and characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The complex was shown to be a suitable starting material for the electrodeposition of functionalized molecular wires between nanogap electrodes to generate stable molecular nanodevices. Temperature-dependent nonlinear I-V curves were obtained at 80-300 K. The material can also be deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) to form compact electrochromic films at surface concentrations lower than approximately 1 x 10(-8) mol cm(2); however, a more loosely bond fibrous form is preferentially deposited at higher surface concentrations.