Osmium NAMI-A analogues: synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and antiproliferative properties

The osmium(III) complex [(DMSO)2H][trans-OsIIICl4(DMSO)2] (1) has been prepared via stepwise reduction of OsO4 in concentrated HCl using N2H(4).2HCl and SnCl(2).2H2O in DMSO. 1 reacts with a number of azole ligands, namely, indazole (Hind), pyrazole (Hpz), benzimidazole (Hbzim), imidazole (Him), and 1H-1,2,4-triazole (Htrz), in organic solvents, affording novel complexes (H2ind)[OsIIICl4(Hind)(DMSO)] (2), (H2pz)[OsIIICl4(Hpz)(DMSO)] (3), (H2bzim)[OsIIICl4(Hbzim)(DMSO)] (4), (H2im)[OsIIICl4(Him)(DMSO)] (6), and (H2trz)[OsIIICl4(Htrz)(DMSO)] (7), which are close analogues of the antimetastatic complex NAMI-A. Metathesis reaction of 4 with benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride in methanol led to the formation of (Ph3PCH2Ph)[OsIIICl4(Hbzim)(DMSO)] (5). The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-vis, ESI mass spectrometry, 1H NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. In contrast to NAMI-A, 2-4, 6, and 7 are kinetically stable in aqueous solution and resistant to hydrolysis. Surprisingly, they show reasonable antiproliferative activity in vitro in two human cell lines, HT-29 (colon carcinoma) and SK-BR-3 (mammary carcinoma), when compared with analogous ruthenium compounds. Structure-activity relationships and the potential of the prepared complexes for further development are discussed.     

Tuning of redox potentials for the design of ruthenium anticancer drugs -- an electrochemical study of [trans-RuCl(4)L(DMSO)](-) and [trans-RuCl(4)L(2)](-) complexes, where L = imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, indazole

The electrochemical behavior of [trans-RuCl(4)L(DMSO)](-) (A) and [trans-RuCl(4)L(2)](-) (B) [L = imidazole (Him), 1,2,4-triazole (Htrz), and indazole (Hind)] complexes has been studied in DMF, DMSO, and aqueous media by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis. They exhibit one single-electron Ru(III)/Ru(II) reduction involving, at a sufficiently long time scale, metal dechlorination on solvolysis, as well as, in organic media, one single-electron reversible Ru(III)/Ru(IV) oxidation. The redox potential values are interpreted on the basis of the Lever's parametrization method, and particular forms of this linear expression (that relates the redox potential with the ligand E(L) parameter) are proposed, for the first time, for negatively (1-) charged complexes with the Ru(III/II) redox couple center in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7) medium and for complexes with the Ru(III/IV) couple in organic media. The E(L) parameter was estimated for indazole showing that this ligand behaves as a weaker net electron donor than imidazole or triazole. The kinetics of the reductively induced stepwise replacement of chloride by DMF were studied by digital simulation of the cyclic voltammograms, and the obtained rate constants were shown to increase with the net electron donor character (decrease of E(L)) of the neutral ligands (DMSO < indazole < triazole < imidazole) and with the basicity of the ligated azole, factors that destabilize the Ru(II) relative to the Ru(III) form of the complexes. The synthesis and characterization of some novel complexes of the A and B series are also reported, including the X-ray structural analyses of (Ph(3)PCH(2)Ph)[trans-RuCl(4)(Htrz)(DMSO)], [(Ph(3)P)(2)N][trans-RuCl(4)(Htrz)(DMSO)], (H(2)ind)[trans-RuCl(4)(Hind)(DMSO)], and [(Hind)(2)H][trans-RuCl(4)(Hind)(2)].     

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties, and antiproliferative activity in vitro of novel osmium(III) complexes with azole heterocycles

Reactions of (H 2azole) 2[OsCl 6], where Hazole = pyrazole, Hpz, ( 1), indazole, Hind, ( 2), imidazole, Him, ( 3) and benzimidazole, Hbzim, ( 4) with the corresponding azole heterocycle in 1:4 molar ratio in boiling isoamyl alcohol or hexanol-1 afforded novel water-soluble osmium(III) complexes of the type trans-[OsCl 2(Hazole) 4]Cl, where Hazole = Hpz ( 5a), Hind ( 6a), Him ( 7a), and Hbzim ( 9a) in 50-70% ( 5a, 7a, 9a) and 5% ( 6a) yields. The synthesis of 7a was accompanied by a concurrent reaction which led to minor formation (<4%) of cis-[OsCl 2(Him) 4]Cl ( 8). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. 5a, 7a, and 9a were found to possess remarkable antiproliferative activity in vitro against A549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma), CH1 (ovarian carcinoma), and SW480 (colon carcinoma) cells, which was compared with that of related ruthenium compounds trans-[RuCl 2(Hazole) 4]Cl, where Hazole = Hpz (5b), Hind (6b), Him (7b), and Hbzim (9b).     

Evaluation of osmium(II) complexes as electron transfer mediators accessible for amperometric glucose sensors.

In order to lower the redox potentials of Os(III/II) complexes, the mixed ligand complexes of Os(II) were synthesized. The redox potentials of Os(III/II) complexes could be lowered by the use of 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dmbpy), imidazole (Him) or its derivatives, and chloride ion as ligands, e.g., values of the redox (formal) potentials of 628 mV vs. Ag/AgCl for [Os(bpy)3]3+/2+ (bpy: 2,2'-bipyridine) and -6 mV for [OsCl(Him)(dmbpy)2]2+/+ were given in deaerated 0.1 mol dm-3 phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The evaluation of Os(II) complexes as electron transfer mediators accessible for amperometric glucose sensors was examined according to the determination of the redox potentials of Os(III/II) complexes and the second-order rate constants for electron transfer between glucose oxidase (GOx) in reduced form and the Os(III) complex. Although the Os(II) complexes with lower redox potentials tended to decrease the second-order rate constants ks, the ks values for the majority of Os(II) complexes synthesized in this study were greater than that for ferrocenecarboxylic acid. Acceleration of the electron-transfer reaction is attributable to the hydrogen bonding and/or the electrostatic interaction between the Os(II) complexes and GOx. It may be consequently concluded that the mixed ligand complexes of Os(II) with bpy (dmbpy), Him (its derivatives), and Cl- can act as more efficient electron transfer mediators for the fabrication of amperometric glucose sensors.     

Catalase-peroxidase activity of iron(III)-TAML activators of hydrogen peroxide

Exceptionally high peroxidase-like and catalase-like activities of iron(III)-TAML activators of H 2O 2 ( 1: Tetra-Amidato-Macrocyclic-Ligand Fe (III) complexes [ F e{1,2-X 2C 6H 2-4,5-( NCOCMe 2 NCO) 2CR 2}(OH 2)] (-)) are reported from pH 6-12.4 and 25-45 degrees C. Oxidation of the cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridine organometallic complex, [Ru (II)( o-C 6H 4py)(phen) 2]PF 6 ( 2) or "ruthenium dye", occurs via the equation [ Ru II ] + 1/2 H 2 O 2 + H +-->(Fe III - TAML) [ Ru III ] + H 2 O, following a simple rate law rate = k obs (per)[ 1][H 2O 2], that is, the rate is independent of the concentration of 2 at all pHs and temperatures studied. The kinetics of the catalase-like activity (H 2 O 2 -->(Fe III - TAML) H 2 O + 1/2 O 2) obeys a similar rate law: rate = k obs (cat)[ 1][H 2O 2]). The rate constants, k obs (per) and k obs (cat), are strongly and similarly pH dependent, with a maximum around pH 10. Both bell-shaped pH profiles are quantitatively accounted for in terms of a common mechanism based on the known speciation of 1 and H 2O 2 in this pH range. Complexes 1 exist as axial diaqua species [FeL(H 2O) 2] (-) ( 1 aqua) which are deprotonated to afford [FeL(OH)(H 2O)] (2-) ( 1 OH) at pH 9-10. The pathways 1 aqua + H 2O 2 ( k 1), 1 OH + H 2O 2 ( k 2), and 1 OH + HO 2 (-) ( k 4) afford one or more oxidized Fe-TAML species that further rapidly oxidize the dye (peroxidase-like activity) or a second H 2O 2 molecule (catalase-like activity). This mechanism is supported by the observations that (i) the catalase-like activity of 1 is controllably retarded by addition of reducing agents into solution and (ii) second order kinetics in H 2O 2 has been observed when the rate of O 2 evolution was monitored in the presence of added reducing agents. The performances of the 1 complexes in catalyzing H 2O 2 oxidations are shown to compare favorably with the peroxidases further establishing Fe (III)-TAML activators as miniaturized enzyme replicas with the potential to greatly expand the technological utility of hydrogen peroxide.     

Catalytic mechanism of water oxidation with single-site ruthenium-heteropolytungstate complexes

Catalytic water oxidation to generate oxygen was achieved using all-inorganic mononuclear ruthenium complexes bearing Keggin-type lacunary heteropolytungstate, [Ru(III)(H(2)O)SiW(11)O(39)](5-) (1) and [Ru(III)(H(2)O)GeW(11)O(39)](5-) (2), as catalysts with (NH(4))(2)[Ce(IV)(NO(3))(6)] (CAN) as a one-electron oxidant in water. The oxygen atoms of evolved oxygen come from water as confirmed by isotope-labeled experiments. Cyclic voltammetric measurements of 1 and 2 at various pH's indicate that both complexes 1 and 2 exhibit three one-electron redox couples based on ruthenium center. The Pourbaix diagrams (plots of E(1/2) vs pH) support that the Ru(III) complexes are oxidized to the Ru(V)-oxo complexes with CAN. The Ru(V)-oxo complex derived from 1 was detected by UV-visible absorption, EPR, and resonance Raman measurements in situ as an active species during the water oxidation reaction. This indicates that the Ru(V)-oxo complex is involved in the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle of water oxidation. The overall catalytic mechanism of water oxidation was revealed on the basis of the kinetic analysis and detection of the catalytic intermediates. Complex 2 exhibited a higher catalytic reactivity for the water oxidation with CAN than did complex 1.     

Synthesis and reactivity of the aquation product of the antitumor complex trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(indazole)2]-

Aquation of the investigational anticancer drug trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2](-) (1, KP1019) results in the formation of mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(H2O)] (2), which was isolated in high yield (85%) and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. Dissolution of 2 in acetone, led to its dimerization into [Ru(III)2(mu-Cl)2Cl4(Hind)4] x 2 (Me)2CO (3) in 79% yield, with release of two water molecules. Complex 2 reacts readily with nucleophilic organic molecules, viz., methanol or dimethyl sulfide, at room temperature by replacement of the aqua ligand to give mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(MeOH)] (4) and mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(Me2S)] (5) in 58 and 64% yield, respectively. By reaction of 2 with DMSO at room temperature or dimethyl sulfide at elevated temperatures trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(Hind)2(Me2S)2] (6) and trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl2(Hind)2(S-DMSO)2] (7) were prepared in 64 and 75% yield, respectively. Dissolution of 2 in acetonitrile or benzonitrile gave rise to mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)(HNC(Me)ind)] (8a), mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)(HNC(Ph)ind)] (8b), and trans,trans-[Ru(III)Cl2(HNC(Me)ind)2]Cl (9) in 67, 50, and 23% yield, respectively, upon metal-assisted iminoacylation of indazole, which is unprecedented for ruthenium(III). Furthermore, complex 2 reacts with the DNA-model bases 9-methyladenine (9-meade) and N6,N6-dimethyladenine (6-me2ade) to yield mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(9-meade)] (10) and mer,trans-[Ru(III)Cl3(Hind)2(6-me2ade)] (11) with the purine bases bound to the Ru(III) center via N7 and N3, respectively. Complex 11 represents the first ruthenium complex in which the coordination of the purine ligand N6,N6-dimethyladenine occurs via N3. In addition, the polymer [Na(EtOAc)2Ru(III)(mu-Cl)4(Hind)2]n (12) was crystallized from ethyl acetate/diethyl ether solutions of Na[trans-Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2] x 1.5 H2O (1a). The reported complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical investigations give insight into the mechanistic details of the solvolytic behavior of complex 2. The lability of the aqua ligand in 2 suggests that this complex is a potential active species responsible for the high antitumor activity of trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(Hind)2](-).     

En route to osmium analogues of KP1019: synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties and antiproliferative activity of trans-[Os(IV)Cl4(Hazole)2

By controlled Anderson type rearrangement reactions complexes of the general formula trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(Hazole)(2)], where Hazole = 1H-pyrazole, 2H-indazole, 1H-imidazole, and 1H-benzimidazole, have been synthesized. Note that 2H-indazole tautomer stabilization in trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(2H-indazole)(2)] is unprecedented in coordination chemistry of indazole. The metal ion in these compounds possesses the same coordination environment as ruthenium(III) in (H(2)ind)[Ru(III)Cl(4)(Hind)(2)], where Hind = 1H-indazole, (KP1019), an investigational anticancer drug in phase I clinical trials. These osmium(IV) complexes are appropriate precursors for the synthesis of osmium(III) analogues of KP1019. In addition the formation of an adduct of trans-[Os(IV)Cl(4)(Hpz)(2)] with cucurbit[7]uril is described. The compounds have been comprehensively characterized by elemental analysis, EI and ESI mass spectrometry, spectroscopy (IR, UV-vis, 1D and 2D NMR), cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. Their antiproliferative acitivity in the human cancer cell lines CH1 (ovarian carcinoma), A549 (nonsmall cell lung carcinoma), and SW480 (colon carcinoma) is reported.     

Determination of adduct forms of antitumor ruthenium(III) complex with cytosolic components by capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry

Using capillary electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the transformation of adduct forms of indazolium trans-[tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] with apo-transferrin and albumin under the effect of active intracellular reducing agents, glutathione and ascorbic acid, and citric acid as a complexant was studied under conditions simulating a cytosolic environment. These adducts of ruthenium with transport proteins are forms in which the anticancer drug exists after intravenous administration. Two modes of interaction of adducts with glutathione, ascorbic acid, and citric acid were studied: in a capillary using a background electrolyte containing a cytosolic active ingredient and upon incubation of the reaction components in the off-line mode, followed by their separation and determination by capillary electrophoresis. Incubation with intracellular components and separation were carried out in a 10 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.0) containing 4 mM NaCl. The effect 1–10 mM of glutathione, 10 mM of ascorbic acid, and 50 mM of citric acid on the adducts was studied. It is shown that under the selected model conditions, new forms of ruthenium do not emerge.     

Dissociation kinetics of macrocyclic trivalent lanthanide complexes of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetic acid (DO2A)

The [H(+)]-catalyzed dissociation rate constants of several trivalent lanthanide (Ln) complexes of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetic acid (LnDO2A(+), Ln = La, Pr, Eu, Er and Lu) have been determined in two pH ranges: 3.73-5.11 and 1.75-2.65 at four different temperatures (19-41.0 °C) in aqueous media at a constant ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm(-3) (LiClO(4)). For the study in the higher pH range, i.e. pH 3.73-5.11, copper(II) ion was used as the scavenger for the free ligand DO2A in acetate/acetic acid buffer medium. The rates of Ln(III) complex dissociation have been found to be independent of [Cu(2+)] and all the Ln(III) complexes studied show [H(+)]-dependence at low acid concentrations but become [H(+)]-independent at high acid concentrations. Influence of the acetate ion content in the buffer on the dissociation rate has also been investigated and all the complexes exhibit a first-order dependence on [Acetate]. The dissociation reactions follow the rate law: k(obs) = k(Ac)[Acetate] + K'k(lim)[H(+)]/(1 + K'[H(+)]) where k(AC) is the dissociation rate constant for the [Acetate]-dependent pathway, k(lim) is the limiting rate constant, and K' is the equilibrium constant for the reaction LnDO2A(+) + H(+) ? LnDO2AH(2+). In the lower pH range, i.e. pH 1.75-2.65, the dye indicator, cresol red, was used to monitor the dissociation rate, and all the Ln(III) complexes also show [H(+)]-dependence dissociation pathways but without the rate saturation observed at higher pH range. The dissociation reactions follow the simple rate law: k(obs) = k(H)[H(+)], where k(H) is the dissociation rate constant for the pathway involving monoprotonated species. The absence of an [H(+)]-independent pathway in both pH ranges indicates that LnDO2A(+) complexes are kinetically rather inert. The obtained k(AC) values follow the order: LaDO2A(+) > PrDO2A(+) > EuDO2A(+) > ErDO2A(+) > LuDO2A(+), whereas the k(lim) and k(H) values follow the order: LaDO2A(+) > PrDO2A(+) > ErDO2A(+) > EuDO2A(+) > LuDO2A(+), mostly consistent with their thermodynamic stability order, i.e. the more thermodynamically stable the more kinetically inert. In both pH ranges, activation parameters, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG*, for both acetate-dependent and proton-catalyzed dissociation pathways have been obtained for most of the La(III), Pr(III), Eu(III), Er(III) and Lu(III) complexes, from the temperature dependence measurements of the rate constants in the 19-41 °C range. An isokinetic (linear) relationship is found between ΔH* and ΔS* values, which supports a common reaction mechanism.     

Fractionation and redox speciation of antimony in agricultural soils by hydride generation--atomic fluorescence spectrometry and stability of Sb(III) and Sb(V) during extraction with different extractant solutions

This stability of Sb(III) and Sb(V) species was studied during single extraction from soils by water. EDTA, diluted H2SO4 and H3PO4, and oxalic acid/oxalate solutions, with and without ascorbic acid, were used as stabilizing reagent of both Sb species. Antimony redox speciation in soil extracts was performed by selective hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Simulated extraction procedures (without soil) showed that, except in oxalate medium, Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V), and this reaction was avoided with ascorbic acid. Recovery studies from a spiked agricultural soil showed that no oxidation but sorption of Sb(III) occurred during the extraction process in water and H2SO4 medium, and quantitative oxidation in EDTA and oxalate medium. With ascorbic acid, this oxidation was totally avoided in EDTA and partially avoided in oxalate solution. A new sequential extraction procedure was proposed and applied to the fractionation and redox speciation of antimony in agricultural soils, using EDTA + ascorbic acid, pH 7 (available under complexing and moderately reducible conditions); oxalic acid/oxalate + ascorbic acid (extractable in reducible conditions) and HNO3 + HCl + HF (residual fraction). The proposed extraction scheme can provide information about the availability and mobility of antimony redox species in agricultural soils.     

Reduction of [VO2(ma)2]- and [VO2(ema)2]- by ascorbic acid and glutathione: kinetic studies of pro-drugs for the enhancement of insulin action

To shed light on the role of V(V) complexes as pro-drugs for their V(IV) analogues, the kinetics of the reduction reactions of [VO2(ma)2]- or [VO2(ema)2]- (Hma = maltol, Hema = ethylmaltol), with ascorbic acid or glutathione, have been studied in aqueous solution by spectrophotometric and magnetic resonance methods. EPR and 51V NMR studies suggested that the vanadium(V) in each complex was reduced to vanadium(IV) during the reactions. All the reactions studied showed first-order kinetics when the concentration of ascorbic acid or glutathione was in large excess and the observed first-order rate constants have a linear relationship with the concentrations of reductant (ascorbic acid or glutathione). Potentiometric results revealed that the most important species in the neutral pH range is [VO2(L)2]- for the V(V) system where L is either ma- or ema-. An acid dependence mechanism was proposed from kinetic studies with varying pH and varying maltol concentration. The good fits of the second order rate constant versus pH or the total concentration of maltol, and the good agreement of the constants obtained between fittings, strongly supported the mechanism. Under the same conditions, the reaction rate of [VO2(ma)2]- with glutathione is about 2000 times slower than that of [VO2(ma)2]- with ascorbic acid, but an acid dependence mechanism can also be used to explain the results for the reduction with glutathione. Replacing the methyl group in maltol with an ethyl group has little influence on the reduction rate with ascorbic acid, and the kinetics are the same no matter whether [VO2(ma)2]- or [VO2(ema)2]- is reduced.     

Reactions of potent antitumor complex trans-[Ru(III)Cl4(indazole)2]- with a DNA-relevant nucleobase and thioethers: insight into biological action

Reactions of the complex trans-[RuCl(4)(Hind)(2)](-) (Hind = indazole), which is of clinical relevance today, with both the DNA model nucleobase 9-methyladenine (made) and the thioethers R(2)S (R = Me, Et), as models of the methionine residue in biological molecules possibly acting as nitrogen-competing sulfur-donor ligands for ruthenium atom, have been investigated to get insight into details of mechanism leading to antitumor activity. Three novel ruthenium complexes, viz., [Ru(III)Cl(3)(Hind)(2)(made)], 1, [Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hind)(2)(Me(2)S)(2)], 2, and [Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hind)(2)(Et(2)S)(2)], 3, have been isolated as solids. Oxidation of 2 and 3 with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of 12 M HCl in chloroform afforded the monothioether adducts, viz., [Ru(III)Cl(3)(Hind)(2)(Me(2)S)], 4, and [Ru(III)Cl(3)(Hind)(2)(Et(2)S)], 5. By dissolution of 2 or 3 in DMSO, replacement of both R(2)S ligands by DMSO molecules occurred with isolation of trans,trans,trans-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(Hind)(2)(DMSO)(2)], 6. The products were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, electrospray mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography (1.CH(2)Cl(2).CH(3)OH and 1.1.1H(2)O.0.9CH(3)OH, 2, and 5). The first crystallographic evidence for the monofunctional coordination of the 9-methyladenine ligand to ruthenium via N7 and the self-pairing of the complex molecules via H-bonding, using the usual Watson-Crick pairing donor and acceptor sites of two adjacent 9-methyladenine ligands, is reported. The electrochemical behavior of 1-5 has been studied in DMF and DMSO by cyclic voltammetry. The redox potential values have been interpreted on the basis of the Lever's parametrization method. The E(L) parameter was estimated for 9-methyladenine at 0.18 V, showing that this ligand behaves as a weaker net electron donor than imidazole (E(L) = 0.12 V). The kinetics of the reductively induced stepwise replacement of chlorides by DMF in 4 and 5 were studied by digital simulation of the cyclic voltammograms. The rate constant k(1) has been determined as 0.9 +/- 0.1 s(-)(1), which obeys the first-order rate law, while k(2) is concentration dependent (0.2 +/- 0.1 M(1)(-)(n)().s(-)(1) with n > 1 for 4 mM solutions of 4 and 5), indicating higher-order reactions mechanism.     

Dinuclear complexes with bis(benzenedithiolate) ligands

As a part of a broader study directed towards helical coordination compounds with benzenedithiolate donors, we have synthesized the bis(benzenedithiol) ligands 1,2-bis(2,3-dimercaptobenzamido)ethane (H(4)-1) and 1,2-bis(2,3-dimercaptophenyl)ethane (H(4)-2). Both ligands form dinuclear complexes with Ni(II), Ni(III) and, after air-oxidation, Co(III) ions under equilibrium conditions. Complexes (NEt(4))(4)[Ni(II)(2)(1)(2)] (11 b), (NEt(4))(2)[Ni(III)(2)(1)(2)] (13), and Na(4)[Ni(II)(2)(2)(2)] (14) were characterized by X-ray diffraction. In all complexes, two square-planar [Ni(S(2)C(6)H(3)R)(2)] units are linked in a double-stranded fashion by the carbon backbone and they assume a coplanar arrangement in a stair-like manner. Cyclic voltammetric investigations show a strong dependence of the redox potential on the type of the ligand. The substitution of 1(4-) for 2(4-) on nickel (-785 mV for 11 b versus -1130 mV for 14, relative to ferrocene) affects the redox potential to a similar degree as the substitution of nickel for cobalt (-1160 mV for [Co(2)(1)(2)](2-)/[Co(2)(1)(2)](4-), relative to ferrocene). The redox waves display a markedly less reversible behavior for complexes with the shorter bridged ligand 2(4-) compared to those of 1(4-).     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of a mixed-valent triiron complex of tetramethyl reductic acid, an ascorbic acid analogue, and its relationship to a functional non-heme iron oxidation catalyst system

The purple triiron(II,III,III) complex, [Fe(3)Cl(2)(TMRASQ)(4)(HTMRA)(2)] x C(5)H(12) (1 x C(5)H(12)), where H(2)TMRA is a tetramethyl reductic acid, 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2,3-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one, and HTMRASQ is the semiquinone form of this ligand, was prepared from (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(2)OCl(6)] and H(2)TMRA and characterized by X-ray crystallography, M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and redox titrations. The physical properties of the complex in solution are consistent with its mixed-valent character, as delineated by a solid-state structure analysis. Assignments of the iron and ligand oxidation states in the crystal were made on the basis of a valence bond sum analysis and the internal ligand geometry. As the first well-characterized iron complex of an ascorbic acid H(2)AA analogue, 1 provides insight into the possible coordination geometry of the family of complexes containing H(2)AA and its analogues. In the presence of air and H(2)TMRA, 1 is able to catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol with remarkable selectivity, but the nature of the true catalyst remains unknown.     

Luminescent cyclometalated Rh(III), Ir(III), and (DIP)2Ru(II) complexes with carboxylated bipyridyl ligands: synthesis, X-ray molecular structure, and photophysical properties

Luminescent cyclometalated rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of the general formula [M(ppy) 2(N (wedge)N)][PF 6], with N (wedge)N = Hcmbpy = 4-carboxy-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine and M = Rh ( 1), Ir ( 2) and N (wedge)N = H 2dcbpy = 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine and M = Rh ( 3), Ir ( 4), were prepared in high yields and fully characterized. The X-ray molecular structure of the monocarboxylic iridium complex [Ir(ppy) 2(Hcmbpy)][PF 6] ( 2) was also determined. The photophysical properties of these compounds were studied and showed that the photoluminescence of rhodium complexes 1 and 3 and iridium complexes 2 and 4 originates from intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer/ligand-centered MLCT/LC excited states, respectively. For comparison purposes, the mono- and dicarboxylic acid ruthenium complexes [Ru(DIP) 2(Hcmbpy)][Cl] 2 ( 5) and [Ru(DIP) 2(H 2dcbpy)][Cl] 2 ( 6), where DIP = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, were also prepared, whose emission is MLCT in nature. Comparison of the photophysical behavior of these rhodium(III), iridium(III), and ruthenium(II) complexes reveals the influence of the carboxylic groups that affect in different ways the ILCT, MLCT, and LC states.     

Acid-base equilibria of various oxidation states of aqua-ruthenium complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione in aqueous media

Syntheses and pH dependent electrochemical properties of aqua-ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(trpy)(PDA-N,N')(OH2)](ClO4)2 ([1](ClO4)2) and [Ru(trpy)(PD-N,N')(OH2)](ClO4)2 ([2](ClO4)2) (trpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, PDA = 6-acetonyl-6-hydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline-5-one, PD = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) are presented. Treatment of [Ru(trpy)(PD-N,N')Cl](PF6) with AgClO4 in a mixed solvent of acetone and H2O selectively produced the acetonyl-PD complex [1](ClO4)2, and the similar treatment in a mixed solvent of 2-methoxyethanol and H2O gave the PD complex [2](ClO4)2. The molecular structures of both complexes were determined by X-ray structural analysis. The proton dissociation constants of various oxidations state of [1]2+ and [2]2+ were evaluated by simulation of E(1/2) values of those redox potentials depending on pH. The simulation revealed that the acetonyl-PD complex [1]2+ underwent successive Ru(II)/Ru(III) and Ru(III)/Ru(IV) redox couples though the two redox reactions were not separated in the cyclic voltammograms. The redox behavior of [2]2+ in H2O is reasonably explained by not only the similar successive metal-centered redox reactions but also simultaneous two-electron quinone/catechol redox couple of the PD ligand including the contribution of hydration on a carbonyl carbon.     

Ruthenium complexes with the stanna-closo-dodecaborate ligand: coexistence of eta1(Sn) and eta3(B-H) coordination

Four stanna-closo-dodecaborate complexes of ruthenium have been prepared and characterized by multinuclear NMR studies in solution and in the solid state. The solid-state structures of the dimeric zwitterions [[Ru(dppb)(SnB11H11)]2] (2) (dppb = bis(diphenylphosphino)butane), [[Ru(PPh3)2(SnB11H11)]2] (3), and the dianionic ruthenium complex [Bu3MeN]2[Ru(dppb)[2,7,8-(mu-H)3-exo-SnB11H11](SnB11H11)] (4) were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis; they establish an unprecedented structural motif in the chemistry of heteroboranes and transition-metal fragments with the stanna-closo-dodecaborate moiety as a two-faced ligand that exhibits eta1(Sn) as well as eta3(B-H) coordination. The eta3-coordinated stannaborate in 4 and in the isostructural compound [Bu3MeN]2[Ru(PPh3)2[2,7,8-(mu-H)3-exo-SnB11H11](SnB11H11)] (5) shows fluxional behavior, which was studied in detail by using 31P[1H] EXSY and DNMR experiments. The activation parameters for the dynamic process of 5 are given.     

Water oxidation catalysis: influence of anionic ligands upon the redox properties and catalytic performance of mononuclear ruthenium complexes

Aiming at highly efficient molecular catalysts for water oxidation, a mononuclear ruthenium complex Ru(II)(hqc)(pic)(3) (1; H(2)hqc = 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid and pic = 4-picoline) containing negatively charged carboxylate and phenolate donor groups has been designed and synthesized. As a comparison, two reference complexes, Ru(II)(pdc)(pic)(3) (2; H(2)pdc = 2,6-pyridine-dicarboxylic acid) and Ru(II)(tpy)(pic)(3) (3; tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine), have also been prepared. All three complexes are fully characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry (MS), and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 showed a high efficiency toward catalytic water oxidation either driven by chemical oxidant (Ce(IV) in a pH 1 solution) with a initial turnover number of 0.32 s(-1), which is several orders of magnitude higher than that of related mononuclear ruthenium catalysts reported in the literature, or driven by visible light in a three-component system with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) types of photosensitizers. Electrospray ionization MS results revealed that at the Ru(III) state complex 1 undergoes ligand exchange of 4-picoline with water, forming the authentic water oxidation catalyst in situ. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to explain how anionic ligands (hqc and pdc) facilitate the 4-picoline dissociation compared with a neutral ligand (tpy). Electrochemical measurements show that complex 1 has a much lower E(Ru(III)/Ru(II)) than that of reference complex 2 because of the introduction of a phenolate ligand. DFT was further used to study the influence of anionic ligands upon the redox properties of mononuclear aquaruthenium species, which are postulated to be involved in the catalysis cycle of water oxidation.     

A synthetic analogue of the active site of Fe-containing nitrile hydratase with carboxamido N and thiolato S as donors: synthesis, structure, and reactivities.

As part of our work on models of the iron(III) site of Fe-containing nitrile hydratase, a designed ligand PyPSH(4) with two carboxamide and two thiolate donor groups has been synthesized. Reaction of (Et(4)N)[FeCl(4)] with the deprotonated form of the ligand in DMF affords the mononuclear iron(III) complex (Et(4)N)[Fe(III)(PyPS)] (1) in high yield. The iron(III) center is in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry with two deprotonated carboxamido nitrogens, one pyridine nitrogen, and two thiolato sulfurs as donors. Complex 1 is stable in water and binds a variety of Lewis bases at the sixth site at low temperature to afford green solutions with a band around 700 nm. The iron(III) centers in these six-coordinate species are low-spin and exhibit EPR spectra much like the enzyme. The pK(a) of the water molecule in [Fe(III)(PyPS)(H(2)O)](-) is 6.3 +/- 0.4. The iron(III) site in 1 with ligated carboxamido nitrogens and thiolato sulfurs does not show any affinity toward nitriles. It thus appears that at physiological pH, a metal-bound hydroxide promotes hydration of nitriles nested in close proximity of the iron center in the enzyme. Redox measurements demonstrate that the carboxamido nitrogens prefer Fe(III) to Fe(II) centers. This fact explains the absence of any redox behavior at the iron site in nitrile hydratase. Upon exposure to limited amount of dioxygen, 1 is converted to the bis-sulfinic species. The structure of the more stable O-bonded sulfinato complex (Et(4)N)[Fe(III)(PyP[SO(2)](2))] (2) has been determined. Six-coordinated low-spin cyanide adducts of the S-bonded and the O-bonded sulfinato complexes, namely, Na(2)[Fe(III)(PyP[SO(2)](2))(CN)] (4) and (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(III)(PyP[SO(2)](2))(CN)] (5), afford green solutions in water and other solvents. The iron(II) complex (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(II)(PyPS)] (3) has also been isolated and structurally characterized.