Multi-wall carbon nanotubes supported ruthenium for glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) supported ruthenium prepared with an impregnation method was used as catalyst in glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol. The effects of ruthenium loading, reaction time, temperature and initial hydrogen pressure on glucose hydrogenation were investigated. Compared with Raney Ni and ruthenium supported on Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Ru/MWNTs showed higher catalytic activity.     

Anticancer activity of multinuclear arene ruthenium complexes coordinated to dendritic polypyridyl scaffolds

The rational development of multinuclear arene ruthenium complexes (arene = p-cymene, hexamethylbenzene) from generation 1 (G¹) and generation 2 (G²) of 4-iminopyridyl based poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer scaffolds of the type, DAB-(NH₂)_n (n = 4 or 8, DAB = diaminobutane) has been accomplished in order to exploit the ‘enhanced permeability and retention’ (EPR) effect that allows large molecules to selectively enter cancer cells. Four compounds were synthesised, i.e. [{(p-cymene)RuCl₂}₄G¹] (1), [{(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂}₄G¹] (2), [{(p-cymene)RuCl₂}₈G²] (3), and [{(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂}₈G²] (4), by first reacting DAB-(NH₂)_n with 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and subsequently metallating the iminopyridyl dendrimers with [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ or [(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂]₂. The related mononuclear complexes [(p-cymene)RuCl₂(L)] (5) and [(hexamethylbenzene)RuCl₂(L)] (6) were obtained in a similar manner from N-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)propan-1-amine (L). The molecular structure of 5 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and the in vitro anticancer activities of the mono-, tetra- and octanuclear complexes 1–6 studied on the A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cell line showing a close correlation between the size of the compound and cytotoxicity.     

Carbon nanotubes decorated with terpyridine‐ruthenium complexes

Surface functionalization of CNTs (SWCNTs or MWCNTs) with dendronized alkoxy terpyridine‐Ru(II)‐terpyridine complexes has been accomplished using either the “grafting to” or the “grafting from” approaches. Different sets of easily processable hybrid metallo‐CNTs composites have been efficiently synthesized bearing either monomeric or polymeric side chain tpy‐Ru(II)‐tpy dicomplexes. Their characterization through TGA, UV‐Vis, and Raman techniques revealed various modification degrees depending on the methodology employed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2551–2559, 2009     

Binding of antitumor ruthenium complexes to DNA and proteins: a theoretical approach

The thermodynamics of the binding of the antitumor ammine, amine, and immine complexes of ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) to DNA and peptides was studied computationally using model molecules. We performed density functional calculations on several monofunctional ruthenium complexes of the formula [Ru(NH3)5B]z+, where B is an adenine, guanine, or cytosine nucleobase or an 4-methylimidazole, a dimethylthioether, or a dimethylphosphate anion and z = 2 and 3. The pentammineruthenium fragment has been intensively studied and also constitutes a good model for a wide class of antitumor ammine, amine, and imine complexes of Ru(II) and Ru(III), while the considered bases/ligands have been chosen as models for the main binding sites of DNA, nucleobases, and phosphate backbone and proteins, histidyl, and sulfur-containing residue such as methionine or cysteine. Bond dissociation enthalpies and free energies have been calculated for all the considered metal binding sites both in the gas phase and in solution and allow building a binding affinity order for the considered nucleic acid or protein binding sites. The binding of guanine to some bifunctional complexes, [Ru(NH3)(4)Cl2], [cis-RuCl(2)(bpy)2], and [cis-RuCl(2)(azpy)2], has also been considered to evaluate the effect of a second labile chloro or aquo ligand and more realistic polypyridyl and arylazopyridine ligands.     

Binding geometry and photophysical properties of DNA-threading binuclear ruthenium complexes

The DNA binding conformation and the photophysical properties of the semiflexible binuclear ruthenium complex [micro-bidppz(phen)4Ru2]4+ (2) were studied with optical spectroscopy and compared to the rigid, planar homologue in syn conformation [micro-dtpf(phen)4Ru2]4+ (3) and the parent "light-switch" complex [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+ (1). Comparison of calculated and observed absorption bands of the bridging ligand, bidppz, confirm earlier suggestions that 2 is significantly nonplanar, both free in solution and when intercalated into poly(dAdT)2, but the conclusion that the intercalated conformation is an anti rotamer is not substantiated by comparison of linear and circular dichroism spectra of 2 and 3. The behavior of the emission quantum yield as a function of temperature is similar for the two binuclear complexes 2 and 3 in different protic solvents, and a quantitative analysis suggests that, in solution, the solvent is more strongly hydrogen bonded to the excited state of 2 than to 1. However, the observation that for 2 the radiative rate constant increases to a value similar to 1 upon intercalation into DNA suggests that the difference between 1 and 2 in accepting hydrogen bonds is less pronounced when intercalated.     

Targeting large kinase active site with rigid, bulky octahedral ruthenium complexes

A strategy for targeting protein kinases with large ATP-binding sites by using bulky and rigid octahedral ruthenium complexes as structural scaffolds is presented. A highly potent and selective GSK3 and Pim1 half-sandwich complex NP309 was successfully converted into a PAK1 inhibitor by making use of the large octahedral compounds Lambda-FL172 and Lambda-FL411 in which the cyclopentadienyl moiety of NP309 is replaced by a chloride and sterically demanding diimine ligands. A 1.65 A cocrystal structure of PAK1 with Lambda-FL172 reveals how the large coordination sphere of the ruthenium complex matches the size of the active site and serves as a yardstick to discriminate between otherwise closely related binding sites.     

Non-covalent ruthenium polypyridyl complexes-carbon nanotubes composites: an alternative for functional dissolution of carbon nanotubes in solution

The dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the presence of water soluble polypyridyl complexes of the general formula [Ru(x)(bpy)(y)L](2+) (L = dppz, dppn, tpphz) is reported. These ligands have extended planar π systems, which aid in the solubilization of SWCNTs via π-π interactions.     

Sulphoxide complexes of ruthenium

Summary Compounds of the type RuL_4–nX_2+n where L = dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), tetramethylene sulphoxide (TMSO) and X = Cl, Br or I for n = 0 and L = di-n-propyl sulphoxide (n-Pr₂SO) and di-n-butyl sulphoxide (n-Bu₂SO) X = Cl or Br for n = 1 and also Ru(DMSO)₆Br₃ have been prepared and studied. The important i.r. bands of all compounds together with their electronic spectra and the thermograms of some of them are discussed. In order to interpret the i.r. data, the corresponding deuteriated (DMSO-d₆) analogues have also been prepared. In the majority of the compounds of the type RuL₄X₂ the sulphoxide ligands are bonded through the sulphur atom; in a few cases, bonding through both S- and O-donor sites has been found. A mixed type of bonding is also observed in Ru(DMSO)₆Br₃ and in RuL₃X₃.     

The conversion of polyaniline nanotubes to nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes and their comparison with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes were prepared by the oxidation of aniline in solutions of acetic or succinic acid, and subsequently carbonized in a nitrogen atmosphere during thermogravimetric analysis running up to 830 °C. The nanotubular morphology of PANI was preserved after carbonization. The molecular structure of the original PANI and of the carbonized products has been analyzed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. Carbonized PANI nanotubes contained about 8 wt.% of nitrogen. The molecular structure, thermal stability, and morphology of carbonized PANI nanotubes were compared with the properties of commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes.     

Noncovalent interactions between organometallic metallocene complexes and single-walled carbon nanotubes

First principles density functional pseudopotential calculations have been used to investigate the nature of interactions between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and intercalated transition metal metallocene complexes, M(eta-C(5)H(5))(2) (MCp(2)). Three composites, MCp(2)-graphene (d(t)=infinity), MCp(2)@(17,0) (d(t)=1.33 nm), and MCp(2)@(12,0) (d(t)=0.94 nm) (where M=Fe,Co), have been studied to probe the influence of the nanotube diameter (d(t)) on the nature and magnitude of the interactions. Theoretical results presented here demonstrate that these MCp(2)@SWNT composites are stabilized by weak pi-stacking and CH...pi interactions, and in the case of the CoCp(2)@SWNT composites there is an additional electrostatic contribution as a result of charge transfer from CoCp(2) to the nanotube. The extent of charge transfer (MCp(2)-->SWNT) can be rationalized in terms of the electronic structures of the two fragments, or more specifically, the relative positions of the metallocene highest occupied molecular orbital and the conduction band of the nanotube in the electronic structure of the composite.     

Aqueous phase carbon dioxide and bicarbonate hydrogenation catalyzed by cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes

The water‐soluble ruthenium(II) complexes [Cp′RuX(PTA)₂]Y and [CpRuCl(PPh₃)(mPTA)]OTf (Cp′ = Cp, Cp*, X = Cl and Y = nil; or X = MeCN and Y = PF₆; PTA = 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane; mPTA = 1‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane) were used as catalyst precursors for the hydrogenation of CO₂ and bicarbonate in aqueous solutions, in the absence of amines or other additives, under relatively mild conditions (100 bar H₂, 30–80 °C), with moderate activities. Kinetic studies showed that the hydrogenation of HCO₃^? proceeds without an induction period, and that the rate strongly depends on the pH of the reaction medium. High‐pressure multinuclear NMR spectroscopy revealed that the ruthenium(II) chloride precursors are quantitatively converted into the corresponding hydrides under H₂ pressure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cyclopentadienyl ruthenium alkynyldithiocarboxylate complexes

Treatment of the ruthenium chloride, CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl, with the alkynyldithiocarboxylate anions, , in refluxing THF affords the chelate complexes CpRu(PPh₃)(κ²S,S-S₂CCCR) (1) (R = Bu^t (a), Buⁿ (b), Ph (c), SiMe₃ (d)) in high yield. The room temperature reaction of the solvated species, [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(NCPh)]⁺, with the alkynyldithiocarboxylate anions, , produces the chelate complexes 1 and the mono-coordinated complexes CpRu(PPh₃)₂(κS-S₂CCCR) (2). Complexes 2 are converted to 1 in solution so that they were characterized spectroscopically.     

A facile route to bimetallic ruthenium dipyridophenazine complexes

Using achiral coordinatively unsaturated metal complex building-blocks, the two step synthesis of a bimetallic complex containing independent [Ru(II)dppz] units tethered together by a linking 4,4'dipyridyl-1,5-pentane ligand is reported. Photophysical studies on this prototype system indicate that the characteristic luminescence of the [Ru(II)dppz] moieties is perturbed by self-quenching processes. Preliminary binding studies on the complex with natural and synthetic duplex DNA is reported. Luminescence and calorimetric titrations reveal that the complex does not show enhanced binding affinity with respect to analogous monometallic complexes. This result is interpreted by a consideration of the length and rigidity of the linker employed in the complex.     

Half-sandwich trihydrido ruthenium complexes

This paper reports facile preparation of half-sandwich trihydrido complexes of ruthenium based on the reactions of the readily available precursors [Cp(R₃P)Ru(NCCH₃)₂][PF₆] with LiAlH₄. The target complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray structure analysis of .     

Multifunctional molecular carbon materials--from fullerenes to carbon nanotubes

This critical review covers the timely topic of carbon nanostructures-fullerenes and carbon nanotubes-in combination with metalloporphyrins as integrative components for electron-donor-acceptor ensembles. These ensembles are typically probed in condensed media and at semi-transparent electrode surfaces. In particular, we will present a comprehensive survey of a variety of covalent (i.e., nanoconjugates) and non-covalent linkages (i.e., nanohybrids) to demonstrate how to govern/fine-tune the electronic interactions in the resulting electron-donor-acceptor ensembles. In the context of covalent bridges, different spacers will be discussed, which range from pure "insulators" (i.e., amide bonds, etc.) to sophisticated "molecular wires" (i.e., p-phenylenevinylene units, etc.). Furthermore, we will elucidate the fundamental impact that these vastly different spacers may exert on the rate, efficiency, and mechanism of short- and long-range electron transfer reactions. Additionally, a series of non-covalent motifs will be described: hydrogen bonding, complementary electrostatics, pi-pi stacking and metal coordination-to name a few. These motifs have been successfully employed by us and our collaborators en route towards novel architectures (i.e., linear structures, tubular structures, rotaxanes, catenanes, etc.) that exhibit unique and remarkable charge transfer features.     

Synthesis and characterization of rigid +2 and +3 heteroleptic dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes

Synthesis and characterization of the dinuclear ruthenium coordination complexes with heteroleptic ligand sets, [Cl(terpy)Ru(tpphz)Ru(terpy)Cl](PF₆)₂(7) and [(phen)₂Ru(tpphz)Ru(terpy)Cl](PF₆)₃(8), are reported. Both structures contain a tetrapyrido[3,2-α:2′,3′-c:3′′,2′′-h:2′′,3′′-j]phenazine (tpphz) (6) ligand bridging the two metal centers. Complex 7 was obtained via ligand exchange between, RuCl₂(terpy)DMSO (5) and a tpphz bridge. Complex 8 was obtained via ligand exchange between, [Ru(phen)₂tpphz](PF₆)₂(4) and RuCl₂(terpy)DMSO (5). Metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) absorptions are sensitive to ligand set composition and are significantly red-shifted due to more electron donating ligands. Complexes 7–9 have been characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, NMR, and UV–Vis), and mass spectrometric techniques. The electronic spectral properties of 7, 8, and [(phen)₂Ru(tpphz)Ru(phen)₂](PF₆)₄(9), a previously reported +4 analog, are presented together. The different terminal ligands of 7, 8, and 9 shift the energy of the MLCT and the π–π* transition of the bridging ligand. These shifts in the spectra are discussed in the context of density functional theory (DFT). A model is proposed suggesting that low-lying orbitals of the bridging ligand accept electron density from the metal center which can facilitate electron transfer to nanoparticles like single walled carbon nanotubes and colloidal gold.     

An electrochemiluminescence aptasensor switch for aldicarb recognition via ruthenium complex-modified dendrimers on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The authors describe an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) based aptasensor for the pesticide aldicarb. The method is based on effective ECL energy transfer that occurs between the ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complex [referred to as Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺] and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). More specifically, multiwalled carbon nanotubes were modified with dendritic poly(L-arginine) labeled with Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺, and the aptamers were taggedd with AuNPs. In the absence of aldicarb, the ECL emitted by Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ is enhanced by AuNPs under peak wavelength at at a wavelength of 610 nm. In the presence of aldicarb, the capture and competitive binding of aldicarb to the DNA aptamers causes their separation from the DPA6/Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺/MWCNT. As a result, ECL intensity decreases linearly with increasing aldicarb concentrations in the range between 40 pM and 4 nM, with a detection limit of 9.6 pM. This aptamer switch is highly sensitive, selective and inexpensive. Conceivably, it can be adapted to formats for the determination of other pesticide residues by using different DNA aptamers.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of the procedure for aptamer-based detection of aldicarb using the ECL signal of the Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ amplified by gold nanoparticles. This assay has high sensitivity, good selectivity, and low cost. It can presumably be transferred to other pesticide detection schemes.