Tethered dinuclear europium(III) macrocyclic catalysts for the cleavage of RNA

Dinuclear europium(III) complexes of the macrocycles 1,3-bis[1-(4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane]-m-xylene (1), 1,4-bis[1-(4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane]-p-xylene (2), and mononuclear europium(III) complexes of macrocycles 1-methyl-,4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3), 1-[3'-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)benzyl]-4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (4), and 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (5) were prepared. Studies using direct excitation ((7)F0 --> (5)D0) europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy show that each Eu(III) center in the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes has two water ligands at pH 7.0, I = 0.10 M (NaNO3) and that there are no water ligand ionizations over the pH range of 7-9. All complexes promote cleavage of the RNA analogue 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HpPNP) at 25 degrees C (I = 0.10 M (NaNO3), 20 mM buffer). Second-order rate constants for the cleavage of HpPNP by the catalysts increase linearly with pH in the pH range of 7-9. The second-order rate constant for HpPNP cleavage by the dinuclear Eu(III) complex (Eu2(1)) at pH 7 is 200 and 23-fold higher than that of Eu(5) and Eu(3), respectively, but only 7-fold higher than the mononuclear complex with an aryl pendent group, Eu(4). This shows that the macrocycle substituent modulates the efficiency of the Eu(III) catalysts. Eu2(1) promotes cleavage of a dinucleoside, uridylyl-3',5'-uridine (UpU) with a second-order rate constant at pH 7.6 (0.021 M(-1) s(-1)) that is 46-fold higher than that of the mononuclear Eu(5) complex. Methyl phosphate binding to the Eu(III) complexes is energetically most favorable for the best catalysts, and this supports an important role for the catalyst in stabilization of the developing negative charge on the phosphorane transition state. Despite the formation of a bridging phosphate ester between the two Eu(III) centers in Eu2(1) as shown by luminescence spectroscopy, the two metal ion centers are only weakly cooperative in cleavage of RNA and RNA analogues.     

Synthesis and characterization of binuclear Zn(II)–cyclen complexes bridged by α,ω-bis(4-methylphenoxy) alkanes

A series of novel α,ω-bis(4-methylphenoxy) alkane functionalized cyclen ligands were synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,4,7-tris(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane and α,ω-bis(4-bromomethylphenoxy) alkanes. The corresponding dimeric Zn(II)–cyclen complexes were obtained by reaction of these ligands with Zn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O. Ligands and complexes were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis.     

Complex-forming and ion-selective properties of bis(2-diphenylphosphorylalkyl)phenyl ethers of ethylene glycols. Crystal structures of cadmium complexes

New complexes of cadmium iodide with 1,3-bis[2-(diphenylphosphoryl)phenoxy]propane [CdL⁰I₂], 1,2-bis[2-(diphenylphosphorylethyl)phenoxy]ethane [CdL^{1, 2}I₂], and 1,8-bis[2-(diphenylphosphorylethyl) phenoxy]-3,6-dioxaoctane [CdL^{3, 2}I₂] are synthesized and their IR spectra and crystal structures are studied. Electroanalytical characteristics of membranes of ion-selective electrodes based on L⁰, L^{1, 2}, L^{3, 2}, and known crown ethers are compared for cations of alkali, alkaline-earth, and transition metals. Ligand L^{3, 2} is the first podand with terminal diphenylphosphoryl fragments to exhibit selectivity with respect to the cadmium cation.     

Gomadalactones A, B, and C: novel 3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane compounds in the contact sex pheromone of the white-spotted longicorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca

The ether extract of the females of white-spotted longicorn beetle Anoplophora malasiaca showed activity as contact sex pheromone to males. The extract was fractionated, and a pheromonal activity was revealed only when three fractions; n-hexane, n-hexane/EtOAc 9:1, and EtOAc were blended. The relative structures of gomadalactone A, B, and C, three active components isolated from the EtOAc fraction, were determined by spectroscopic studies to be (1S^∗,4R^∗,5S^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-7-en-2,6-dione, (1R^∗,4R^∗,5R^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-7-en-2,6-dione, and (1S^∗,4R^∗,5S^∗,8S^∗)-5-hydroxy-4-[(E)-7-hydroxy-4-methylhept-3-enyl]-4,8-dimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2,6-dione, respectively.     

Analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone from (2S,3S)- and (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylic acids

Reaction of dialkyl (2S,3S)- or (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylates with POCl₃ in pyridine followed by diazomethane resulted in the isolation of dialkyl 2S-4-methoxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-2,3-furandicarboxylates, which are analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone (3-hydroxy-4,5-(R)-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone). An unusual α-hydroxylation of γ-butyrolactone takes place involving POCl₃ in pyridine. When the dehydration was facilitated with methanesulfonyl chloride in triethylamine, instead of POCl₃, aromatic dialkyl 5-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]-2,3-furandicarboxylates were obtained.     

Coordinative Behaviour of Tridentate NS2‐Donor Ligands with Cadmium: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of New Complexes

The reaction of cadmium salts with various amounts of the tridentate NS₂‐chelating ligands 1‐(2‐mercapto‐acetophenone)‐4‐triphenylmethylthiosemicarbazone (H₂L¹) and 1‐(5‐mercapto‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazole‐4‐carboxaldehyde)‐4‐triphenyl‐methylthiosemicarbazone (H₂L²) in the presence of bases like N‐methylimidazole (N–MeIm), pyridine (py) or triethylamine (Et₃N) provided a series of novel mono‐, di‐, tri‐ and heptanuclear cadmium complexes. They are of the general formulas [CdL¹(N–MeIm)]₂ ( 1 ), [CdL¹(py)]₂ ( 2 ), [CdL²(N–MeIm)]₂ ( 3 ), [CdL²(py)₃] · 0.25 C₆H₁₄ · 0.5 py ( 4 ), [Et₃NH]₂[Cd₃L ] · 7 MeOH ( 5 ), [Et₃NH]₂[Cd₃L ] ( 6 ) and [Et₃NH]₂[Cd₇L ] · 14 MeOH ( 7 ). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR‐ and ¹H‐NMR‐spectroscopy. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analyses are reported for the complexes 2 , 4 , 5 and 7 . While 2 has a dimeric structure where each cadmium ion is pentacoordinated in a N₂S₃‐environment, 4 consists of a monomeric cadmium center with distorted octahedral N₄S₂‐coordination. The complexes 5 and 7 exhibit new structural types for tri‐ and heptanuclear cadmium compounds. It is shown that sulfur bridging might proceed via arylthiolates, iminothiolates or even both functions of the ligand. Aggregation is influenced by various factors like solvents, counterions and ligand properties.     

Modelling and Optimization of Stability Constants of Cadmium or Zinc with Biological Buffers (DIPSO or TAPS) in Aqueous Solutions by Electrochemical Techniques

The complexation behavior of four systems involving cadmium(II) or zinc(II) in aqueous solutions with the biological buffers 3-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (DIPSO), and [(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)amino]-1-propanesulfonic acid (TAPS) was studied by direct current polarography (DCP) and glass electrode potentiometry (GEP), at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and ionic strength 0.1 mol·dm^?3 KNO₃. Except for the Cd–TAPS system, for which full characterization of the system was possible either by DCP or GEP, full characterization of the other metal-buffer systems (Zn–DIPSO, Zn–TAPS and Cd–DIPSO) was only possible using DCP. For Zn-buffers systems, ZnL⁺ and $ {\text{ZnL(OH)}}_{2}^{ - } $ ZnL(OH) 2 ? (where L stands for buffer) were identified. For the Zn–DIPSO system, the overall stability constant values (as log₁₀ β) are 2.1 ± 0.2 and 13.4 ± 0.2, respectively. For the Zn–TAPS system, the overall stability constants values (as log₁₀ β) are 2.4 ± 0.1 and 12.9 ± 0.3, respectively. For the Cd–DIPSO system, the overall stability constants values (as log₁₀ β) of CdL⁺ and CdL(OH) are 2.9 ± 0.1 and 6.9 ± 0.3, respectively. For the Cd–TAPS system, only the species CdL⁺ was identified with log₁₀ β = 2.5 ± 0.1.     

Synthesis of methyl (E)-2-[(3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-(pent-3-yloxy)-pyrrolidin-2-ylidene]propanoate and its unusual recyclization

Methyl (2E,4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-6-mesyloxy-2-methyl-4-(pent-3-yloxy)hex-2-enoate was synthesized from l-tartaric acid. Attempted substitution of the mesyloxy group by the reaction with NaN₃ directly led to methyl (E)-2-[(3S,4S)-4-hydroxy-3-(pent-3-yloxy)pyrrolidin-2-ylidene]propanoate. The latter on treatment with CF₃COOH and then NaOH gave methyl (2E)-2-methyl-4-[(S)-oxiran-2-yl]-4-(pent-3-yloxy)but-2-enoate.     

fac-Cobalt(III)-azido complexes derived from substituted pyridyl-based tridentate amines

Four new mononuclear triazido-cobalt(III) complexes [Co(L ^1/2/4 )(N₃)₃] and [Co(L ³ )(N₃)₃]·CH₃CN where L ¹  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-methylamine, L ²  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[6-methyl-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, L ³  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, and L ⁴  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[3,4-dimethoxy-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, respectively, were synthesized and structurally characterized. The four complexes were characterized by elemental microanalyses, IR and UV–VIS spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal crystallography. The complexes display two strong IR bands over the frequency region 2,020–2,050 cm^?1 assigned for the asymmetric stretching frequency, ν_a(N₃) of the coordinated azides indicating facial geometry. The molecular structure determinations of the complexes were in complete agreement with fac-[Co(L)(N₃)₃] conformation in distorted octahedral Co(III) environment.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and electrochemical studies of nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of some ONS donor ligands derived from thiosemicarbazide and S-alkyl/aryl dithiocarbazates

Four tridentate ONS ligands, namely 2-hydroxyacetophenonethiosemicarbazone (H₂L¹), the 2-hydroxyacetophenone Schiff base of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂L²), the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde Schiff base of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂L³), and the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde Schiff base of S-benzyldithiocarbazate (H₂L⁴), and their complexes of general formula [Ni(HL¹)₂], [ML] (M?=?Ni^II or Cu^II; L?=?L¹, L², L³ and L⁴), [Co(HL)(L); L?=?L¹, L², L³ and L⁴] and [ML(B)] (M?=?Ni^II or Cu^II; L?=?L² and L⁴; B?=?py, PPh₃) have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that the Schiff bases behave as ONS tridentate chelating agents. X-ray crystallographic structure determination of [NiL²(PPh₃)] and [CuL⁴(py)] indicates that these complexes have an approximately square-planar structure with the Schiff bases acting as dinegatively charged ONS tridentate ligands coordinating via the phenoxide oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur atoms. The electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of some cadmium(II) complexes with three polyamine and corresponding macroacyclic Schiff base ligands

Three Cd(II) macroacyclic Schiff base complexes [CdL⁴(NO₃)₂] (4), [CdL⁵(NO₃)₂] (5), [CdL⁶(NO₃)₂] (6) were prepared by template condensation of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde with N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L¹), N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(2-aminoethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (L²) or N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(3-aminopropyl)propane-1,3-diamine (L³), in the presence of cadmium metal ion, respectively. Three Cd(II) complexes with L¹, L² and L³ were also synthesized. All complexes have been studied with IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC and microanalysis. Two of these complexes, [CdL⁴(NO₃)₂] (4) and [CdL¹(NO₃)₂] (1) have been characterized through X-ray crystallography. In complex 4, the Cd is in a six-coordinate environment comprised of the ligand N₄-donor set and two oxygen atoms of two nitrate groups. In the polyamine complexes (1, 2 and 3) Cd and ligand are in a ratio of 1:1. Supporting ab initio HF-MO calculations have been undertaken using the standard 3-21G^∗ and 6-31G^∗ basis sets.     

Synthesis of two new tripodal ligands and their cyclocondensation with 2-[2-(2-formylphenoxy)ethoxy]benzaldehyde in the presence of manganese(II) and cadmium(II) metal ions

Two new asymmetric tripodal tetraamine ligands, 2-((bis(2-aminoethyl)amino)methyl)benzenamine (L²) and 2-(((2-aminoethyl)(3-aminopropyl)amino)methyl)benzenamine (L³) were synthesized and characterized. [1+1] Macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes containing 1,2-diphenoxyethane head units and a 2-aminobenzyl pendant arm, were synthesized as [MnL⁴(MeOH)](ClO₄)₂ (1), [MnL⁵(MeOH)](ClO₄)₂ (2), [CdL⁴(H₂O)](NO₃)₂ (3) and [CdL⁵(H₂O)](NO₃)₂ (4) from the metal ion templated cyclocondensation reactions of 2-[2-(2-formylphenoxy)ethoxy]benzaldehyde with the (L²) or (L³) tripodal tetraamine ligands. The crystal structure determination of (1) and (4) showed that the complex cations that had formed consisted of pentagonal bipyramidally coordinated Mn(II) and Cd(II) ions, centrally located in a N₃O₂ macrocycle, with one 2-aminobenzyl pendant arm. Supporting ab initio HF-MO calculations have been undertaken using the standard 3-21G^∗ and 6-31G^∗ basis sets.     

Synthesis and structure of diamine bis(phenolate) complexes containing the Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt) function

Reaction of diamine-bis(phenol) ligands containing a mixture of N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L¹ and H₂L³, with [Ti(OCHMe₂)₄ in absolute ethanol under reflux without exclusion of air and moisture gives [(L¹)Ti (OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹)] (1). [(L³)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L³)] (2) forms when the remaining solution containing [(L³)Ti(OEt)₂] (3) (characterised by X-ray crystallography) is hydrolysed with H₂O. For the N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl ligand mixture H₂L² and H₂L⁴, which contain tert-butyl groups on the ortho-positions of the aryl rings, [(L²)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L²)] (4) forms much more slowly and [(L⁴)Ti(OEt)₂] (5) does not hydrolyse when H₂O is added. When the N-protonated ligand N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁵, is used, rapid hydrolysis to two isomers of [(L⁵)Ti(OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁵)] (6) occurs without addition of water. For N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁶, hydrolysis to [(L⁶)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁶)] (7) occurs slowly when H₂O is added. For pendant NMe₂ ligand N,N-dimethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁷, the hydrolysis reaction readily gives [(L⁷)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁷)] (8) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained. The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L⁸ formed a complex analysing as [(L⁸)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁸)] (9) which could not be studied further due to insolubility. Pendant pyridine ligand N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2′-hydroxy-3′-methyl-5′-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H₂L⁹, apparently forms isomers of [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁹)] and possibly [{(L⁹)Ti(O)}₂] from [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)₂] (10). The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L¹⁰ formed [(L¹⁰)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹⁰)] (11) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of new unsymmetrical N2O2 Schiff bases derived from 3-(2-aminobenzylimino)-1-phenylbutan-1-ol: synthesis,structure, antibacterial properties,and electrochemistry

Two new N₂O₂ unsymmetrical Schiff bases, H₂L¹ = 3-[({o-[(E)-(o-hydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol and H₂L² = 3-[({o-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol, and their copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes, [CuL¹] (1), [CuL²] (2), [NiL¹] (3), and [NiL²] (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometry around Cu(II) and Ni(II) centers is described as distorted square planar in all complexes with the CuN₂O₂ coordination more distorted than the Ni ones. The electrochemical studies of these complexes indicate a good correlation between the structural distortion and the redox potentials of the metal centers. The ligand and metal complexes were also screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity.     

Complexes of 1-thia-4,7,10-triazacyclododecane ([12]aneN3S): Synthesis,structure and stability constants

The 12-membered macrocyclic ligand 1-thia-4,7,10-triazacyclododecane ([12]aneN₃S) has been synthesised, although upon crystallization from acetonitrile a product in which carbon dioxide had added to one secondary amine in the macrocyclic ring (H[12]aneN₃S–CO₂·H₂O) was isolated and subsequently characterised by X-ray crystallography. The protonation constants for [12]aneN₃S and stability constants with Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) have been determined either potentiometrically or spectrophotometrically in aqueous solution, and compared with those measured or reported for the ligands 1-oxa-4,7,10-triazacyclododecane ([12]aneN₃O) and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ([12]aneN₄). The magnitudes of the stability constants are consistent with trends observed previously for macrocyclic ligands as secondary amine donors are replaced with oxygen and thioether donors although the stability constant for the [Hg([12]aneN₄)]²⁺ complex has been estimated from an NMR experiment to be at least three orders of magnitude larger than reported previously. Zinc(II), mercury(II), lead(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of [12]aneN₃S have been isolated and characterised by X-ray crystallography. In the case of copper(II), two complexes [Cu([12]aneN₃S)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ and [Cu₂([12]aneN₃S)₂(OH)₂](ClO₄)₂ were isolated, depending on the conditions employed. Molecular mechanics calculations have been employed to investigate the relative metal ion size preferences of the [3333], asym-[2424] and sym-[2424] conformation isomers. The calculations predict that the asym-[2424] conformer is most stable for M–N bond lengths in the range 2.00–2.25 Å whilst for the larger metal ions the [3333] conformer is dominant. The disorder seen in the structure of the [Zn([12]aneN₃S)(NO₃)]⁺ complex is also explained by the calculations.     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial evaluation and QSAR studies of organotin(IV) complexes of Schiff base ligands of 2-amino-6-substituted benzothiazole derivatives

A series of organotin(IV) complexes of type R₂SnLCl [R = Ph, Bu, Et, Me] were prepared by reaction of diorganotindichloride(IV) with Schiff base ligands, L₁ = (1-[(6-ethoxy-benzothiazol-2-ylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol), L₂ = (1-[(6-nitro-benzothiazol-2-ylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol), L₃ = (1-[(6-methoxy-benzothiazol-2-ylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol) and L₄ = (1-[(6-methyl-benzothiazol-2-ylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol) obtained from 2-amino-6-substituted benzothiazole derivatives with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde in 1:1 molar ratio. These organotin(IV) complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, FT-IR), and physical techniques (X-ray powder diffraction analysis and elemental analysis). The coordination of the prepared complexes has been planned as pentacoordinated around the central tin atom during which ligands coordinated to tin atom in bidentate manner acted as N, O donor system. The ligands and their complexes were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus (MTCC 10072), Staphylococcus aureus (NCIM 2901), Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (MTCC 732), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424) and fungi Aspergillus niger (MTCC 9933) and Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 76801). The output of QSAR analysis indicated that topological parameters (molecular connectivity indices) were responsible for controlling the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds.     

Synthesis, thermal stability, electronic features, and antimicrobial activity of phenolic azo dyes and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Four water soluble azo dyes, 4-(isopropyl)-2-[(E)-(4-chlorophenyl)diazenyl]phenol (L ¹), 4-(isopropyl)-2-[(E)-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)diazenyl]phenol (L²), 4-(sec-butyl)-2-[(E)-(4-chlorophenyl) diazenyl]phenol (L ³), 4-(sec-butyl)-2-[(E)-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)diazenyl]phenol (L ⁴), and their Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods. Examination of their thermal stability revealed similar decomposition temperature of approximately 260–300°C and that they were more thermally stable than their metal complexes. Ni(II) complexes of ligands L² and L⁴ were more stable than the other coordination compounds. Among the synthesized ligands, L² and the complexes Cu(L³)₂ and Ni(L⁴)₂ showed both antimicrobial and antifungal activity. However, the other ligands and the complexes were poorly active against selected microorganisms.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of peptidyl organotrifluoroborates and their corresponding boron analogs

Six peptidyl organotrifluoroborates and their corresponding boronate esters and/or boronic acid analogs were designed and synthesized. Their anti-proliferative activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and human metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231) were evaluated by use of an MTT assay. Potassium {4-[(3S,6S,9S)-3,6-dibenzyl-9-isopropyl-4,7,10-trioxo-11-oxa-2,5,8-triazadodecyl]phenyl}trifluoroborate (B6) was potent (IC₅₀ = 29.9 μM) against MDA-MB231, and {4-[(3S,6S,9S)-6-benzyl-3-((benzyloxy)methyl)-9-isopropyl-4,7,10-trioxo-11-oxa-2,5,8-triazadodecyl]phenyl}boronic acid (B9) and Potassium {4-[(3S,6S,9S)-6-benzyl-3-((benzyloxy)methyl)-9-isopropyl-4,7,10-trioxo-11-oxa-2,5,8-triazadodecyl]phenyl}trifluoroborate (B10) had broad anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 (IC₅₀ = 24.7 and 21.8 μM, respectively) and MDA-MB231 (IC₅₀ = 24.5 and 18.9 μM, respectively).     

Structural control in palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation by new chiral phosphine-phosphite and pyridine-phosphite ligands

The ligands 6-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-4,8-di-tert-butyl-2,10-dimethoxy-5,7-dioxa-6-phosphadibenzo[a,c]cycloheptene, 1, (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-2, and (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-2,6-bis-trimethylsilanyl-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-3, (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxymethyl)pyridine, (S)-4, and (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxy)pyridine, (S)-5, have been easily prepared.The cationic complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L-L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=1–(S)-5) and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)(L–L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=(S)-2–(S)-4) were synthesized by conventional methods starting from the complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)Cl]₂, respectively. The behavior in solution of all the π-allyl- and π-phenylallyl-(L–L′)palladium derivatives 6–14 was studied by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and 2D-NOESY spectroscopy. As concerns the ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5, a satisfactory analysis of the structures in solution was possible only for palladium–allyl complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 11, and [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 12, since the corresponding species [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 13, and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 14, revealed low stability in solution for a long time. The new ligands (S)-2–(S)-5 were tested in the palladium-catalyzed enantioselective substitution of (1,3-diphenyl-1,2-propenyl)acetate by dimethylmalonate. The precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-2)]CF₃SO₃ afforded the allyl substituted product in good yield (95%) and acceptable enantioselectivities (71% e.e. in the S form). A similar result was achieved with the precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-3)]CF₃SO₃. The nucleophilic attack of the malonate occurred preferentially at allylic carbon far from the binaphthalene moiety, namely trans to the phosphite group. When the complexes containing ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5 were used as precatalysts, the product was obtained as a racemic mixture in high yield. The number of the configurational isomers of the Pd-allyl intermediates present in solution in the allylic alkylation and the relative concentrations are considered a determining factor for the enantioselectivity of the process.     

Control of molecular architecture by hydrogen bonding: mononuclear versus dinuclear copper(II) complexes with tridentate N2O donor Schiff base isomers

Two isomeric Schiff bases, HL ¹  = 1-[(2-dimethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol and HL ²  = 1-[(2-ethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol, have been used to prepare copper(II) complexes in presence of thiocyanate. HL ¹ forms a mononuclear complex [Cu(L ¹ )NCS] with terminal thiocyanate, whereas the isomeric Schiff base HL ² , which is capable of hydrogen bonding, gives a dimeric complex, [Cu₂ (L ² ) ₂(NCS)₂], with double μ-1,1-NCS bridges. Both complexes are characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods as well as by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.