Complex formation of isocytosine tautomers with PdII and PtII

Isocytosine (ICH) exists in solution as two major tautomers, the keto form with N1 carrying a proton (1a) and the keto form with N3 being protonated (1b). In water, 1a and 1b exist in equilibrium with almost equal amounts of both forms present. Reactions with a series of Pd(II) and Pt(II) am(m)ine species such as (dien)Pd(II), (dien)Pt(II), and trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) reveal, however, a distinct preference of these metals for the N3 site, as determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Individual species have been identified by the pD dependence of the ICH resonances. pK(a) values (calculated for H(2)O) for deprotonation of the individual tautomers complexes are 6.5 and 6.4 for the N3 linkage isomers of dienPd(II) and dienPt(II), respectively, as well as 6.2 and 6.0 for the N1 linkage isomers. The dimetalated species [(dienM)(2)(IC-N1,N3)](3+) (M = Pd(II) or Pt(II)) are insensitive over a wide range of pD. The crystal structure analysis of [(dien)Pd(ICH-N3)](NO(3))(2) is reported. Ab initio calculations have been performed for tautomer compounds of composition [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH)](2+), cis- and trans-[(NH(3))(2)PtCl(ICH)](+), as well as trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(ICH)(2)](2+). Without exception, N3 linkage isomers are more stable, in agreement with experimental findings. As to the reasons for this binding preference, an NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis for [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH-N3)](2+)strongly suggests that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between trans-positioned NH(3) ligands and the two exocyclic groups of the ICH is of prime importance. The calculations furthermore show a marked pyramidalization of the NH(2) group of ICH in the complex once the heterocyclic ligand forms a dihedral angle <90 degrees with the Pt coordination plane.     

Different rotamer states of cytosine nucleobases in heteronuclear PtPd-, PtPd2, and Pt2Pd2Ag complexes derived from [Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC-N3)2]2+ (1-MeC = 1-methylcytosine): first examples of species with head-head oriented 1-MeC(-) ligands

[Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC-N3)(2)](NO(3))(2) (1) (2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 1-MeC = 1-methylcytosine) exists in water in an equilibrium of head-tail and head-head rotamers, with the former exceeding the latter by a factor of ca. 20 at room temperature. Nevertheless, 1 reacts with (en)Pd(II) (en = ethylenediamine) to give preferentially the dinuclear complex [Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(2)Pd(en)](NO(3))(2)·5H(2)O (2) with head-head arranged 1-methylctosinato (1-MeC(-)) ligands and Pd being coordinated to two exocyclic N4H(-) positions. Addition of AgNO(3) to a solution of 2 leads to formation of a pentanuclear chain compound [{Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC(-))(2)Pd(en)}(2)Ag](NO(3))(5)·14H(2)O (5) in which Ag(+) cross-links two cations of 2 via the four available O2 sites of the 1-MeC(-) ligands. 2 and 5 appear to be the first X-ray structurally characterized examples of di- and multinuclear complexes derived from a Pt(II) species with two cis-positioned cytosinato ligands adopting a head-head arrangement. (tmeda)Pd(II) (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and (2,2'-bpy)Pd(II) behave differently toward 1 in that in their derivatives the head-tail orientation of the 1-MeC(-) nucleobases is retained. In [Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC(-))(2){Pd(2,2'-bpy)}(2)](NO(3))(4)·10H(2)O (4), both (2,2'-bpy)Pd(II) entities are pairwise bonded to N4H(-) and O2 sites of the two 1-MeC(-) rings, whereas in [Pt(2,2'-bpy)(1-MeC(-))(2){Pd(tmeda)}(2)(NO(3))](NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O (3) only one of the two (tmeda)Pd(II) units is chelated to N4H(-) and O2. The second (tmeda)Pd(II) is monofunctionally attached to a single N4H(-) site. On the basis of these established binding patterns, ways to the formation of mixed Pt/Pd complexes and possible intermediates are proposed. The methylene protons of the en ligand in 2 are special in that they display two multiplets separated by 0.64 ppm in the (1)H NMR spectrum.     

7-Methylguanine: protonation, formation of linkage isomers with trans-(NH3)2Pt(II), and base pairing properties

Three protonated forms of 7-methylguanine (7-MeGH, 1) with different counter ions, [7-MeGH(2)]X (X = NO(3), 1a; ClO(4), 1b; BF(4), 1c) and two Pt(II) complexes, trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(7-MeGH-N9)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (4) and trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(7-MeGH-N9)(7-MeGH-N3)](ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (5) are described and their X-ray crystal structures are reported. 1a-1c form infinite ribbons via pairs of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between N1H···O6 and N3···N2H(2) sites, with anions connecting individual ribbons, thereby generating extended sheets. 4 and 5 do not display unusual features, except that 5 represents a rare case of a bis(nucleobase) complex of Pt(II) in which linkage isomers occur. Unlike in a previously reported compound, [Pt(dien)(7-MeGH-N9)](NO(3))(ClO(4)), the Pt coordination planes and the 7-MeGH planes are not coplanar in 4 and 5. The hydrogen bonding behaviour of 7-MeGH, free and when platinated at N9 (complex 4), was studied in Me(2)SO-d(6). It revealed the following: (i) there is no detectable self-association of 1 in Me(2)SO solution. (ii) 1 and 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC) form Watson-Crick pairs. (iii) 4 does not self-associate. (iv) 4 associates with 1-MeC in the Watson-Crick fashion. (v) 4 and 1 interact in solution, but no model can be proposed at present. (vi) Remarkable interaction shifts between 4 and 1 occur when NH(3) is liberated from trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) to give NH(4)(+) in Me(2)SO-d(6). Feasible models, which imply the presence of deprotonated 7-MeG(-) species are proposed. Finally, DFT calculations were carried out to qualitatively estimate the effect of 7-MeGH acidity in [Pt(dien)(7-MeGH-N9)](2+) in dependence of the dihedral angle between the Pt coordination plane and the nucleobase.     

Structural and mechanistic investigations of the oxidation of dimethylplatinum(II) complexes by dioxygen

The oxidation of (tmeda)Pt(II)(CH(3))(2) (1, tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) to (tmeda)Pt(IV)(OH)(OCH(3))(CH(3))(2) (3) by dioxygen in methanol proceeds via a two-step mechanism. The initial reaction between (tmeda)Pt(CH(3))(2) and dioxygen yields a hydroperoxoplatinum(IV) intermediate, (tmeda)Pt(OOH)(OCH(3))(CH(3))(2) (2), which reacts with a second equivalent of (tmeda)Pt(CH(3))(2) to afford the final product 3. Both 2 and 3 have been fully characterized, including X-ray crystallographic structure determinations. The effect of ligand variation on the oxidation of several dimethylplatinum(II) complexes by 2 as well as by dioxygen has been examined.     

N1 and N3 linkage isomers of neutral and deprotonated cytosine with trans-[(CH3NH2)2PtII

A series of complexes obtained from the reaction of trans-[(CH3NH2)2PtII] with unsubstituted cytosine (CH) and its anion (C), respectively, has been prepared and isolated or detected in solution: trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)Cl]Cl.H2O (1), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)2 (1a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N3)2].2H2O (1b), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N3)2](ClO4)(2).2DMSO (1c), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)2] (NO3)(2).3H2O (2a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)2].2H2O (2b), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(CH-N1)(CH-N3)](ClO4)2 (3a), trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(C-N1)(C-N3)] (3b), and trans-[Pt(CH3NH2)2(N1-CN3)(N3-C-N1)Cu(OH)]ClO(4).1.2H2O (4). X-ray crystal structures of all these compounds, except 3a and 3b, are reported. Complex 2a is of particular interest in that it contains the rarer of the two 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer forms of cytosine, namely that with the N3 position protonated. Since the effect of PtII on the geometry of the nucleobase is minimal, bond lengths and angles of CH in 2a reflect, to a first approximation, those of the free rare tautomer. Compared to the preferred 2-oxo-4-amino tautomer (N1 site protonated) of CH, the rare tautomer in 2a differs particularly in internal ring angles (7-11 sigma). Formation of compounds containing the rare CH tautomers on a preparative scale can be achieved by a detour (reaction of PtII with the cytosine anion, followed by cytosine reprotonation) or by linkage isomerization (N3-->N1) under alkaline reaction conditions. Surprisingly, in water and over a wide pH range, N1 linkage isomers (3a, 2a) form in considerably higher amounts than can be expected on the basis of the tautomer equilibrium. This is particularly true for the pH range in which the cytosine is present as a neutral species and implies that complexation of the minor tautomer is considerably promoted. Deprotonation of the rare CH tautomers in 2a occurs with pKa values of 6.07 +/- 0.18 (1 sigma) and 7.09 +/- 0.11 (1 sigma). This value compares with pKa 9.06 +/- 0.09 (1 sigma) (average of both ligands) in 1a.     

The Uracil C(5) Position as a Metal Binding Site: Solution and X-ray Crystal Structure Studies of Pt(II) and Hg(II) Compounds

1,3-Dimethyluracil (1,3-DimeU) reacts with trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(H(2)O)(2)](+) to give trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)(H(2)O)]X (X = NO(3)(-), 1a, ClO(4)(-), 1b) and subsequently with NaCl to give trans-(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)Cl (2) or with NH(3) to yield trans-[(CH(3)NH(2))(2)Pt(1,3-DimeU-C5)(NH(3))]ClO(4) (3). In a similar way, (dien)Pt(II) forms [dienPt(1,3-DimeU-C5)](+) (4). Reactions leading to formation of 1 and 4 are slow, taking days. In contrast, Hg(CH(3)COO)(2) reacts fast with 1,3-DimeU to give (1,3-DimeU-C5)Hg(CH(3)COO) (5). Both 1-methyluracil (1-MeUH) and uridine (urdH) react with (dien)Pt(II) initially at N(3) and subsequently with either (dien)Pt(II) or Hg(CH(3)COO)(2) also at C(5) to give the diplatinated species 7 and 9 or the mixed PtHg complex 8. C(5) binding of either Pt(II) or Hg(II) is evident from coupling of uracil-H(6) with either (195)Pt or (199)Hg nuclei and (3)J values of 47-74 Hz (for Pt compounds) and 185-197 Hz (for Hg compounds). J values of Pt compounds are influenced both by the ligands trans to the uracil C(5) position and by the number of metal entities bound to a uracil ring. Both 2 and 5 were X-ray structurally characterized. 2: monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 15.736(6) ?, b = 11.481(6) ?, c = 25.655 (10) ?, beta = 145.55(3) degrees, V = 2621.9(28) ?(3), Z = 4. 5: monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 4.905(2) ?, b = 18.451(6) ?, c = 11.801(5) ?, beta = 94.47(3) degrees, V = 1064.77(72) ?(3), Z = 4.     

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) organometallic complexes with the model nucleobase anions of thymine, uracil, and cytosine: antitumor activity and interactions with DNA of the platinum compounds

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with the anions of the model nucleobases 1-methylthymine (1-MethyH), 1-methyluracil (1-MeuraH), and 1-methylcytosine (1-MecytH) of the types [Pd(dmba)(mu-L)]2 [dmba = N,C-chelating 2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl; L = 1-Methy, 1-Meura or 1-Mecyt] and [M(dmba)(L)(L')] [L = 1-Methy or 1-Meura; L' = PPh(3) (M = Pd or Pt), DMSO (M = Pt)] have been obtained. Palladium complexes of the types [Pd(C6F5)(N-N)(L)] [L = 1-Methy or 1-Meura; N-N = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), or 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bpy)] and [NBu4][Pd(C6F5)(1-Methy)2(H2O)] have also been prepared. The crystal structures of [Pd(dmba)(mu-1-Methy)]2, [Pd(dmba)(mu-1-Mecyt)]2.2CHCl3, [Pd(dmba)(1-Methy)(PPh3)].3CHCl3, [Pt(dmba)(1-Methy)(PPh3)], [Pd(tmeda)(C6F5)(1-Methy)], and [NBu4][Pd(C6F5)(1-Methy)2(H2O)].H2O have been established by X-ray diffraction. The DNA adduct formation of the new platinum complexes synthesized was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the platinum complexes on plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the new platinum complexes against the tumor cell line HL-60. All the new platinum complexes were more active than cisplatin (up to 20-fold in some cases).     

Pyrazine as a building block for molecular architectures with PtII

A series of pyrazine (pz) complexes containing cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II), (tmeda)Pt(II) (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine), and trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) entities have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and/or 1H NMR spectroscopy. In these compounds, the pz ligands act as monodentate (1-3) or bidentate bridging ligands (4-7). Three variants of the latter case are described: a dinuclear complex [Pt(II)]2 (4b), a cyclic tetranuclear [Pt(II)](4) complex (5), and a trinuclear mixed-metal complex [Pt2Ag] (7). Mono- and bidentate binding modes are readily differentiated by 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the assignment of pz protons in the case of monodentate coordination is aided by the observation of (195)Pt satellites. Formation of the open molecular box cis-[{(NH3)2Pt(pz)}4](NO3)8.3.67H2O (5) from cis-(NH3)2Pt(II) and pz follows expectations of the "molecular library approach" for the generation of a cyclic tetramer.     

Reactivity of ammonia ligands of the antitumor agent cisplatin: a unique dodecanuclear Pt4,Pd4,Ag4 platform for four cytosine model nucleobases

The reaction of a potential mono(nucleobase) model adduct of cisplatin, cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(1-MeC-N3)(H(2)O)](2+) (6; 1-MeC: 1-methylcytosine), with the electrophile [Pd(en)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) (en: ethylenediamine) at pH approximately 6 yields a kinetic product X which is likely to be a dinuclear Pt,Pd complex containing 1-MeC(-)-N3,N4 and OH bridges, namely cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(OH)Pd(en)](2+). Upon addition of excess Ag(+) ions, conversion takes place to form a thermodynamic product, which, according to (1)H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, is dominated by a mu-NH(2) bridge between the Pt(II) and Pd(II) centers. X-ray crystallography reveals that the compound crystallizes out of solution as a dodecanuclear complex containing four Pt(II), four Pd(II), and four Ag(+) entities: [{Pt(2)(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(2)(NH(3))(2)(NH(2))(2)(OH)Pd(2)(en)(2)Ag}(2){Ag(H(2)O)}(2)](NO(3))(10) 6 H(2)O (10) is composed of a roughly planar array of the 12 metal ions, in which the metal ions are interconnected by mu-NH(2) groups (between Pt and Pd centers), mu-OH groups (between pairs of Pt atoms), and metal-metal donor bonds (Pt-->Ag, Pd-->Ag). The four 1-methylcytosinato ligands, which are stacked pairwise, as well as the four NH(3) ligands and parts of the en rings, are approximately perpendicular to the metal plane. Two of the four Ag ions (Ag2, Ag2') of 10 are labile in solution and show the expected behavior of Ag(+) ions in water, that is, they are readily precipitated as AgCl by Cl(-) ions. The resulting pentanuclear complex [Pt(2)Pd(2)Ag(1-MeC(-))(2)(NH(2))(2)(OH)(NH(3))(2)(en)(2)](NO(3))(4)7 H(2)O (11) largely maintains the structural features of one half of 10. The other two Ag(+) ions (Ag1, Ag1') of 10 are remarkably unreactive toward excess NaCl. In fact, the pentanuclear complex [Pt(2)Pd(2)AgCl(1-MeC(-))(2)(NH(2))(2)(OH)(NH(3))(2)(en)(2)](NO(3))(3)4.5 H(2)O (12), obtained from 10 with excess NaCl, displays a Cl(-) anion bound to the Ag center (2.459(3) A) and is thus a rare case of a crystallized "AgCl molecule".     

Diplatinum(III) complexes with four bridging 1-methylcytosinato nucleobases derived from a mononuclear trans-(NH3)2PtII complex and CuII

A heteronuclear complex of composition trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(N4-1-MeC(-)-N3)(2)Cu(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1a), with 1-MeC(-) = 1-methylcytosinate, has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1a (Cu,Pt) is a linkage isomer of a previously described compound with the two metals inverted (Pt,Cu). The intermetallic distances are significantly different in the two types of compounds, 2.6109(9) A in 1a, yet 2.49-2.56 A in several forms of the linkage isomer. When heated in water in the presence of air, 1a is converted in low yield into diplatinum(III) compounds [(H(3)N)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt(NH(3))](2+) (2a) and [(H(2)O)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt(NH(3))](2+) (2b), which were crystallized as ClO(4)(-) salts. In a modified procedure a third representative of this group of diplatinum(III) compounds, [(O(2)N)Pt(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)(4)Pt](+) (2c) was isolated. All three compounds contain the four bridging 1-MeC ligands in a head,tail,head,tail arrangement with Pt-Pt distances (2.4516(7)-2.4976(9) A) that are the shortest ones among diplatinum(III) compounds containing nucleobases.     

Stereospecific synthesis of polysubstituted E-olefins by reaction of acyclic nitrones with free and platinum(II) coordinated organonitriles

Free nitriles NCCH2R (1a R = CO2Me, 1b R = SO2Ph, and 1c R = COPh) with an acidic alpha-methylene react with acyclic nitrones -O+N(Me)=C(H)R' (2a R' = 4-MeC6H4 and 2b R' = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2), in refluxing CH2Cl2, to afford stereoselectively the E-olefins (NC)(R)C=C(H)R' (3a-3c and 3a'-3c'), whereas, when coordinated at the platinum(II) trans-[PtCl2(NCCH2R)2] complexes (4a R = CO2Me and 4b R = Cl), they undergo cycloaddition to give the (oxadiazoline)-PtII complexes trans-[PtCl2{N=C(CH2R)ON(Me)C(H)R'}2] (R = CO2Me, Cl and R' = 4-MeC6H4, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) (5a-5d). Upon heating in CH2Cl2, 5a affords the corresponding alkene 3a. The reactions are greatly accelerated when carried out under focused microwave irradiation, particularly in the solid phase (SiO2), without solvent, a substantial increase of the yields being also observed. The compounds were characterized by IR and 1H, 13C, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies, FAB+-MS, elemental analyses and, in the cases of the alkene (NC)(CO2Me)C=C(H)(4-MeC6H4) 3a and of the oxadiazoline complex trans-[PtCl2{N=C(CH2Cl)ON(Me)C(H)(4-C6H4Me)}2] 5c, also by X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) organometallic complexes with 4,7-dihydro-5-methyl-7-oxo[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine. Antitumor activity of the platinum compounds

Palladium and platinum complexes with HmtpO (where HmtpO=4,7-dihydro-5-methyl-7-oxo[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, an analogue of the natural occurring nucleobase hypoxanthine) of the types [M(dmba)(PPh3)(HmtpO)]ClO4[dmba=N,C-chelating 2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl; M=Pd or Pt], [Pd(N-N)(C6F5)(HmtpO)]ClO4[N-N=2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2bpy), or N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda)] and cis-[M(C6F5)2(HmtpO)2] (M=Pd or Pt) (head-to-head atropisomer in the solid state) have been obtained. Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with the anion of HmtpO of the types [Pd(tmeda)(C6F5)(mtpO)], [Pd(dmba)(micro-mtpO)] 2, and [NBu4]2[M(C6F5)2(micro-mtpO)]2(M=Pd or Pt) have been prepared starting from the corresponding hydroxometal complexes. Complexes containing simultaneously both the neutral HmtpO ligand and the anionic mtpO of the type [NBu4][M(C6F5)2(HmtpO)(mtpO)] (M=Pd or Pt) have been also obtained. In these mtpO-HmtpO metal complexes, for the first time, prototropic exchange is observed between the two heterocyclic ligands. The crystal structures of [Pd(dmba)(PPh 3)(HmtpO)]+, cis-[Pt(C6F5)2(HmtpO)2].acetone, [Pd(C6F5)(tmeda)(mtpO)].2H2O, [Pd(dmba)(micro-mtpO)]2, [NBu4]2[Pd(C6F5)2(micro-mtpO)]2.CH2Cl2.toluene, [NBu4]2[Pt(C6F5)2(micro-mtpO)](2).0.5(toluene), and [NBu4][Pt(C6F5)2(mtpO)(HmtpO)] have been established by X-ray diffraction. Values of IC50 were calculated for the new platinum complexes cis-[Pt(C6F5)2(HmtpO)2] and [Pt(dmba)(PPh3)(HmtpO)]ClO4 against a panel of human tumor cell lines representative of ovarian (A2780 and A2780 cisR), lung (NCI-H460), and breast cancers (T47D). At 48 h incubation time, both complexes were about 8-fold more active than cisplatin in T47D and show very low resistance factors against an A2780 cell line, which has acquired resistance to cisplatin. The DNA adduct formation of cis-[Pt(C6F5)2(HmtpO)2] and [Pt(dmba)(PPh3)(HmtpO)]ClO4 was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by these platinum complexes on plasmid DNA pB R322 were also obtained.     

The rich chemistry of [Zn2Cp*2]: trapping three different types of zinc ligands in the PdZn7 complex [Pd(ZnCp*)4(ZnMe)2{Zn(tmeda)}

The synthesis, structural characterization, and bonding situation analysis of a novel, all-zinc, hepta-coordinated palladium complex [Pd(ZnCp*)(4)(ZnMe)(2){Zn(tmeda)}] (1) is reported. The reaction of the substitution labile d(10) metal starting complex [Pd(CH(3))(2)(tmeda)] (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine) with stoichiometric amounts of [Zn(2)Cp*(2)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) results in the formation of [Pd(ZnCp*)(4)(ZnMe)(2){Zn(tmeda)}] (1) in 35% yield. Compound 1 has been fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and liquid injection field desorption ionization mass spectrometry. It consists of an unusual [PdZn(7)] metal core and exhibits a terminal {Zn(tmeda)} unit. The bonding situation of 1 with respect to the properties of the three different types of Zn ligands Zn(R,L) (R = CH(3), Cp*; L = tmeda) bonded to the Pd center was studied by density functional theory quantum chemical calculations. The results of energy decomposition and atoms in molecules analysis clearly point out significant differences according to R vs L. While Zn(CH(3)) and ZnCp* can be viewed as 1e donor Zn(I) ligands, {Zn(tmeda)} is best described as a strong 2e Zn(0) donor ligand. Thus, the 18 valence electron complex 1 nicely fits to the family of metal-rich molecules of the general formula [M(ZnR)(a)(GaR)(b)] (a + 2b = n ≥ 8; M = Mo, Ru, Rh; Ni, Pd, Pt; R = Me, Et, Cp*).     

Zinc chalcogenolate complexes as precursors to ZnE and Mn/ZnE (E = S, Se) clusters

The ternary clusters (tmeda)(6)Zn(14-x)Mn(x)S(13)Cl(2) (1a-d) and (tmeda)(6)Zn(14-x)Mn(x)Se(13)Cl(2) (2a-d), (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine; x ≈ 2-8) and the binary clusters (tmeda)(6)Zn(14)E(13)Cl(2) (E = S, 3; Se, 4;) have been isolated by reacting (tmeda)Zn(ESiMe(3))(2) with Mn(II) and Zn(II) salts. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the complexes confirms the presence of the six "(tmeda)ZnE(2)" units as capping ligands that stabilize the clusters, and distorted tetrahedral geometry around the metal centers. Mn(II) is incorporated into the ZnE framework by substitution of Zn(II) ions in the cluster. The polynuclear complexes (tmeda)(6)Zn(12.3)Mn(1.7)S(13)Cl(2)1a, (tmeda)(6)Zn(12.0)Mn(2.0)Se(13)Cl(2)2a, and (tmeda)(6)Zn(8.4)Mn(5.6)Se(13)Cl(2)2d represent the first examples of "Mn/ZnE" clusters with structural characterization and indications of the local chemical environment of the Mn(II) ions. The incorporation of higher amounts of Mn into 1d and 2d has been confirmed by elemental analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that replacement of Zn with Mn is perfectly feasible and at least partly allows for the identification of some sites preferred by the Mn(II) metals. These calculations, combined with luminescence studies, suggest a distribution of the Mn(II) in the clusters. The room temperature emission spectra of clusters 1c-d display a significant red shift relative to the all zinc cluster 3, with a peak maximum centered at 730 nm. Clusters 2c-d display a peak maximum at 640 nm in their emission spectra.     

ESI-MS and thermal melting studies of nanoscale platinum(II) metallomacrocycles with DNA

The hydrophilic, long-chain diamine PEGda (O,O'-bis(2-aminoethyl)octadeca(ethylene glycol)), when complexed with cis-protected Pt(II) ions afforded water-soluble complexes of the type [Pt(N,N)(PEGda)](NO(3))(2) (N,N = N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (tmeda), 1,2-diaminoethane (en), and 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy)) featuring unusual 62-membered chelate rings. Equimolar mixtures containing either the 16-mer duplex DNA D2 or the single-stranded D2a and [Pt(N,N)(PEGda)](2+) were analyzed by negative-ion ESI-MS. Analysis of D2-Pt(II) mixtures showed the formation of 1 : 1 adducts of [Pt(en)(PEGda)](2+), [Pt(tmeda)(PEGda)](2+) and the previously-described metallomacrocycle [Pt(2)(2,2'-bipy)(2){4,4'-bipy(CH(2))(4)4,4'-bipy}(2)](8+) with D2; the dinuclear species bound to D2 most strongly, consistent with its greater charge and aromatic surface area. D2 formed 1 : 2 complexes with the acyclic species [Pt(2,2'-bipy)(Mebipy)(2)](4+) and [Pt(2,2'-bipy)(NH(3))(2)](2+). Analyses of D2a-Pt(II) mixtures gave results similar to those obtained with D2, although fragmentation was more pronounced, indicating that the nucleobases in D2a play more significant roles in mediating the decomposition of complexes than those in D2, in which they are paired in a complementary manner. Investigations were also conducted into the effects of selected platinum(II) complexes on the thermal denaturation of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) in buffered solution. Both [Pt(2)(2,2'-bipy)(2){4,4'-bipy(CH(2))(6)4,4'-bipy}(2)](8+) and [Pt(2,2'-bipy)(Mebipy)(2)](4+) stabilized CT-DNA. In contrast, [Pt(tmeda)(PEGda)](2+) and [Pt(en)(PEGda)](2+) (as well as free PEGda) caused negligible changes in melting temperature (ΔT(m)), suggesting that these species interact weakly with CT-DNA.     

Can radical cations of the constituents of nucleic acids be formed in the gas phase using ternary transition metal complexes?

Electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of ternary transition metal complexes of [M(L(3))(N)](2+) (where M = copper(II) or platinum(II); L(3) = diethylenetriamine (dien) or 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (tpy); N = the nucleobases: adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine; the nucleosides: 2'deoxyadenosine, 2'deoxyguanosine, 2'deoxythymine, 2'deoxycytidine; the nucleotides: 2'deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxythymine 5'-monophosphate, 2'deoxycytidine 5'-monophosphate) was examined as a means of forming radical cations of the constituents of nucleic acids in the gas phase. In general, sufficient quantities of the ternary complexes [M(L(3))(N)](2+) could be formed for MS/MS studies by subjecting methanolic solutions of mixtures of a metal salt [M(L(3))X(2)] (where M = Cu(II) or Pt(II); L(3) = dien or tpy; X = Cl or NO(3)) and N to ESI. The only exceptions were thymine and its derivatives, which failed to form sufficient abundances of [M(L(3))(N)](2+) ions when: (a) M = Pt(II) and L(3) = dien or tpy; (b) M = Cu(II) and L(3) = dien. In some instances higher oligomeric complexes were formed; e.g., [Pt(tpy)(dG)(n)](2+) (n = 1-13). Each of the ternary complexes [M(L(3))(N)](2+) was mass-selected and then subjected to collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole ion trap. The types of fragmentation reactions observed for these complexes depend on the nature of all three components (metal, auxiliary ligand and nucleic acid constituent) and can be classified into: (i) a redox reaction which results in the formation of the radical cation of the nucleic acid constituent, N(+.); (ii) loss of the nucleic acid constituent in its protonated form; and (iii) fragmentation of the nucleic acid constituent. Only the copper complexes yielded radical cations of the nucleic acid constituent, with [Cu(tpy)(N)](2+) being the preferred complex due to suppression, in this case, of the loss of the nucleobase in its protonated form. The yields of the radical cations of the nucleobases from the copper complexes follow the order of their ionization potentials (IPs): G (lowest IP) > A > C > T (highest IP). Sufficient yields of the radical cations of each of the nucleobases allowed their CID reactions (in MS(3) experiments) to be compared to their even-electron counterparts.     

Carbon-oxygen bond formation via organometallic Baeyer-Villiger transformations: a computational study on the impact of metal identity

Metal-mediated formation of C-O bonds is an important transformation that can occur by a variety of mechanisms. Recent studies suggest that oxygen-atom insertion into metal-hydrocarbyl bonds in a reaction that resembles the Baeyer-Villiger transformation is a viable process. In an effort to identify promising new systems, this study is designed to assess the impact of metal identity on such O-atom insertions for the reaction [(bpy)(x)M(Me)(OOH)](n) → [(bpy)(x)M(OMe)(OH)](n) (x = 1 or 2; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl; n is varied to maintain the d-electron count at d(6) or d(8)). Six d(8)-square-planar complexes (M = Pt(II), Pd(II), Ni(II), Ir(I), Rh(I), and Co(I)) and eight d(6)-octahedral systems (M = Ir(III), Rh(III), Co(III), Fe(II) Ru(II), Os(II), Mn(I), and Tc(I)) are studied. Using density functional theory calculations, the structures and energies of ground-state and transition-state species are elucidated. This study shows clear trends in calculated ΔG(++)'s for the O-atom insertions. The organometallic Baeyer-Villiger insertions are favored by lower coordination numbers (x = 1 versus x = 2), earlier transition metals, and first-row (3d) transition metals.     

Ge(7)O(13)(OH)(2)F(3)](3)(-).Cl(-).2[Ni(dien)(2)](2+): the first chainlike germanate templated by a transition metal complex

The first chainlike germanate, [Ge(7)O(13)(OH)(2)F(3)](3)(-).Cl(-).2[Ni(dien)(2)](2+), has been solvothermally synthesized by using Ni(dien)(2)(2+) cations as the template and characterized by IR, SEM, TGA, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, respectively. This compound crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2/nwith a = 8.8904(2) A, b = 17.4374(3) A, c = 13.2110(3) A, beta = 101.352(1) degrees, V = 2007.97(7) A(3), and Z = 2. Interestingly, the structure contains two types of chiral mer-[Ni(dien)(2)](2+) cations and two types of chiral chains, one left-handed and the other right-handed, which lead to a racemic compound. The orderly separation of achiral s-fac-[Ni(dien)(2)](2+) and chiral mer-[Ni(dien)(2)](2+) isomers was found in the structure. The structure is stabilized by N-H.O(F, Cl) hydrogen bonds.     

Cyclic trimer versus head-tail dimer in metal-nucleobase complexes: importance of relative orientation (syn, anti) of the metal entities and relevance as a metallaazacrown compound

The formation and crystal structure analysis of a cyclic trinuclear Pd complex with bridging 1-methylcytosinato model nucleobases is reported: [[(tmeda)Pd(1-MeC(-)-N3,N4)]3] (ClO4)3.5.5H2O (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine; 1-MeC- = 1-methylcytosine deprotonated at exocyclic amino group) is obtained, among others, from the hydroxo-bridged dinuclear species [[(tmeda)Pd(OH)]2](ClO4)2, which likewise has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, and 1-MeC (1-MeC = neutral 1-methylcytosine) in aqueous solution. The usual head-tail dimer (HT1) appears not to be formed presumably because of the steric bulk of the tmeda ligand, which prevents a close approach of two tmeda ligands. There is also no evidence for formation of an alternative head-tail dimer structure (HT2) which, in principle, would not lead to any steric clash of ligands, but would require an orientation of the metal at N4 that is almost perpendicular to the nucleobase plane. In the Pd3 compound, the bridging metals are approximately in an anti arrangement, thereby leading to Pd...Pd separations within the Pd3 triangle close to 5.2 angstroms. This arrangement is reflected in the 1H NMR spectrum by a strongly deshielded H5 resonance of the nucleobase, occurring at 6.56 ppm (D2O). The overall structure of the Pd3 is that of a double cone, with ClO4- counterions approaching the cavities from either side. The trinuclear structure is also maintained in Me2SO-d6. In this solvent, Pd3 acts as a fluoride anion receptor, with F- binding to the N4H protons, as evident from large downfield shifts of these protons. The compound is compared with cyclic adeninato complexes of hexacoordinated metal ions, and a conceptional analogy with [12]metallacrown-3 species is outlined.     

Synthesis, molecular structures, and chemistry of some new palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with pentafluorophenyl ligands

A series of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes possessing pentafluorophenyl ligands of the general formula [M(L-L)(C6F5)Cl][space](M = Pd 3; L-L=tmeda (N,N,N',N',-tetramethylethylenediamine) a; 1,2-bis(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethane) b; dmpe (1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) c; dcpe (1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) d; Pt ; L-L=tmeda a; 1,2-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylimino]-1,2-dimethylethane b; dmpe c; dcpe d) were readily synthesized from the dimer [M(C6F5)(tht)(mu-Cl)2] (M=Pd 1b, Pt 2b; tht=tetrahydrothiophene) and the corresponding bidentate ligand. In the case of palladium, the corresponding iodo analogues (6a-c) were readily synthesized in a one-pot reaction from [Pd2(dba)3], iodopentafluorobenzene, and the appropriate ligand. The platinum complexes 4c-d were then converted to the water complexes [Pt(L-L)(C6F5)(OH2)]OTf (L-L =dmpe 7a; dcpe 7b)via reaction with AgOTf in the presence of water. Attempts to convert the palladium complexes 3c-d to the corresponding water complexes resulted in the disproportionation of the intermediate water complex to form [Pd(L-L)(C6F5)2] (L-L=dmpe 8) or [Pd(L-L)2][OTf]2(L-L=dcpe 9). Upon standing in solution for prolonged periods, complex 7a undergoes an identical disproportionation reaction to the Pd analogues to form [Pt(L-L)(C6F5)2] (L-L=dmpe 10). Complexes 4c and 4d were converted to the corresponding hydrides (11b-c, respectively) using two different hydride sources: 11a was formed by the reaction of with NaBH4 in refluxing THF, while 11b was synthesized in near quantitative yield using [Cp2ZrH2] in refluxing THF. Attempts to synthesize eta2-tetrafluorobenzyne complexes [Pt(L-L)(C6F4)] (L-L=dmpe, dcpe) from reaction of 11a-b with butyllithium were unsuccessful. The molecular structures of 3a,4a, 4c, 4d, 6b, 7a, 8, 11b and have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies, and are discussed.