Theoretical investigation of inclusion complex formation of Gold (III) – Dimethyldithiocarbamate anticancer agents with cucurbit[n = 5,6]urils

Gold (III)-N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate [DMDT(Au)X₂] complexes have recently gained increasing attention as potential anticancer agents because of their strong tumor cell growth–inhibitory effects, generally achieved by exploiting non-cisplatin-like mechanisms of action. The goal of our research work is to encapsulate the gold(III) dimethyldithiocarbamate complexes as anticancer with cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n = 5, 6]) by accurate calculations, to predict the inclusion complex formation of gold(III) species with cucurbiturils (CB[n = 5, 6]). The calculations were carried out just for the 1:1 stoichiometric complexes. Upon encapsulation, binding energy, thermodynamic parameters, structural parameters and electronic structures of complexes are investigated. The results of the thermodynamic calculations and the binding energy show that the inclusion process is exothermic and the CB[6]/[DMDT(Au)Br₂] complex is more stable than other complexes. The final geometry of CB[n]/drugs indicates that the drugs were expelled from the cavity of CB[n]. NBO calculations reveal that the hydrogen bonding between CB[n] and drugs and electrostatic interactions are the major factors contributing to the overall stabilities of the complexes.     

An evaluation of primary water standards by TG/DTA and vapor sorption analysis

The thermal behavior of [Ca(H₂O)₃(2,3-pydcH)₂] _n (I), [Cd(H₂O)₃(2,3-pydc)] _n (II), and [Cd(H₂O)₆][Cd(2,3-pydcH)₃]₂ (III) complexes with pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid was monitored by TG, DTG, and DSC analysis, where 2,3-pydcH—mono deprotonated pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and 2,3-pydc—doubly deprotonated dicarboxylate anion. Thermal decomposition of these compounds go through one or two dehydratation stages, followed by the loss of organic matter. The final decomposition products are found to be the corresponding metal oxides. The possible scheme of destruction of the complexes have been used to reveal the relationships between stability and molecular structure.     

Crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and antimicrobial activities of cobalt(II) 2-methylthionicotinate complexes with N-heterocyclic ligands

Synthesis and characterization of 10 new 2-methylthionicotinate (2-MeSnic) Co(II) complexes, namely, [Co(2-MeSnic)₂L₂(H₂O)₂] · nH₂O (L is N,N-diethylnicotinamide—Et₂nia, ethylnicotinate—Etnic, nicotinamide—nia, isonicotinamide—isonia, N-methylnicotinamide—N-Menia, furo[3,2-c]pyridine—fpy, 2,3-dimethylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Me₂fpy or benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-c]pyridine—Bfp; n is 0, 1 or 2) as well as [Co(2-MeSnic)₂L₂] (L is ronicol—ron or 2-methylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Mefpy), are reported. The characterizations were based on physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure of one of the complexes has been determined. In the molecular complex [Co(2-MeSnic)₂(Me₂fpy)₂(H₂O)₂], the Co(II) central atom, located at a symmetry centre, is octahedrally coordinated by an oxygen atom of the unidentate 2-MeSnic carboxyl group, the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring of Me₂fpy, a water molecule and the corresponding centrosymmetrically located atoms. Also, biological activity of the complexes against various strains of bacteria and filamentous fungi has been investigated. It is concluded that by complexation of these nicotinate derivatives their biological activities are elevated. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Interaction of Cucurbit[n = 6∼8]urils and Benzimidazole Derivatives

The structures and optical properties of host–guest complexes produced from cucurbit[n = 6–8]urils and some benzimidazole derivatives have been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results reveal that calculations of A∼N_Q[n]/N_guest and I_f∼N_Q[n]/N_guest for the same association complex both support a good fit to an identical binding model. In particular, the A∼N_Q[n]/N_guest, I_f∼N_Q[n]/N_guest calculations and the ¹H NMR determinations for three Q[6]–ge(1∼3) complexes and three Q[8]–ge(1∼3) complexes all support a binding model of 1:1 and 1:2 respectively.     

Inclusion of nickel(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>) and copper(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>) complexes with aliphatic polyamines in cucurbit[8]uril

The inclusion compound of macrocyclic cavitand cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) with the nickel(II) complex containing the tetraazamacrocyclic ligand cyclam, {[Ni(cyclam)]@CB[8]}Cl₂··16H₂O (1), and the inclusion compounds of CB[8] with the copper(II) bis-ethylene-diamine complex, {trans-[Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]@CB[8]}Cl₂·{CB[8]}·42H₂O (2a) and {trans-[Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]@CB[8]}Cl₂·17H₂O (2b), were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, IR and ESR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Guest—host inclusion compounds can be directly synthesized starting from a metal complex and cucurbit[8]uril, as was exemplified by the preparation of compounds 2a and 2b.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2414–2419, November, 2004.     

From Packed “Sandwich” to “Russian Doll”: Assembly by Charge‐Transfer Interactions in Cucurbit[10]uril

As the host possessing the largest cavity in the cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family, CB[10] has previously displayed unusual recognition and assembly properties with guests but much remains to be explored. Herein, we present the recognition properties of CB[10] toward a series of bipyridinium guests including the tetracationic cyclophane known as blue box along with electron‐rich guests and detail the influence of encapsulation on the charge‐transfer interactions between guests. For the mono‐bipyridinium guest (methylviologen, MV ²⁺), CB[10] not only forms 1:1 and 1:2 inclusion complexes, but also enhances the charge‐transfer interactions between methylviologen and dihydroxynaphthalene ( HN ) by mainly forming the 1:2:1 packed “sandwich” complex (CB[10] ? 2 MV ²⁺ ?HN ). For guest 1 with two bipyridinium units, an interesting conformational switching from linear to “U” shape is observed by adding catechol to the solution of CB[10] and the guest. For the tetracationic cyclophane‐blue box, CB[10] forms a stable 1:1 inclusion complex; the two bipyridinium units tilt inside the cavity of CB[10] according to the X‐ray crystal structure. Finally, a supramolecular “Russian doll” was built up by threading a guest through the cavities of both blue box and CB[10].     

Formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside the cavities of cucurbit[6,8]urils: A DFT forecast

Results of DFT calculations of the structure and thermodynamics of formation of aqua and tetraammine Cu(II) complexes inside CB[n] (n = 6,8) are presented in this study. Formation thermodynamics of the complexes in the cavitands was evaluated by taking into account the most probable number of water molecules inside CB[n]. In this methodology, the complexation was first considered as a substitution reaction in which the guest complex displaces partially or completely the water molecules that are located inside the cavity. The water molecules present in the cavitand were shown to play an important role in the fixation of the guest complex inside the cavity due to the hydrogen bonds with the oxygen portals. The hydration of Cu(II) ion inside CB[6] leads to the formation of an inclusion compound with the formula {[Cu(H₂O)₄]²⁺·2H₂O}@CB[6] while in CB[8] {[Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8] is formed. For the binding of tetraammine Cu(II) complex, CB[8] was determined to be a significantly more suitable “container” than CB[6]. Both a direct embedding of this complex into the CB[8] and another mechanism in which ammonia molecules replace the water molecules in the Cu(II) aqua complex, preexisting in CB[8] were determined to be thermodynamically possible. Both these lead to the formation of the resultant inclusion compound described by the formula {[Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺·4H₂O}@CB[8].     

Quantum-chemical study of the formation mechanism of cucurbit[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]uril nanocavitands

The quantum-chemical study of the formation mechanism of cucurbit[n]urils CB[n] has been performed by the PBE density functional theory method. According to the thermodynamic characteristics of separate stages of CB[n] formation, the oligomer-bound water molecules formed in the course of synthesis are responsible for the predominant formation of CB[6] as compared with other CB[n] nanocavitands.     

Investigation on sonocatalytic damage of BSA under ultrasonic irradiation by Fe<Superscript>III</Superscript> complexes with some aminocarboxylic acid

The interaction of BSA and Fe^III complexes ([Fe^III(gly)(H₂O)₄]²⁺, [Fe^III(ida)(H₂O)₃]⁺, and [Fe^III(nta)(H₂O)₂], gly—glyane, ida—iminodiacetic acid, nta—triglycolamic acid) as well as the sonocatalytic damage to BSA was studied by UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. In addition, the influences of ultrasonic irradiation time and Fe^III complex concentration were also examined on the sonocatalytic damage to BSA. The results showed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA solution caused by the Fe^III complexes belonged to the static quenching process. The BSA and Fe^III complexes interacted with each other mainly through weak interaction and coordinate actions. The binding association constants (K) and binding site numbers (n) were calculated. The results were as follows: K ₁ = 0.5353 × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ and n ₁ = 0.9812 for [Fe^III(gly)(H₂O)₄]²⁺, K ₂ = 1.4285 × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ and n ₂ = 1.0899 for [Fe^III(ida)(H₂O)₃, and K ₃ = 0.4411 × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ and n ₃ = 0.9471 for [Fe^III(nta)(H₂O)₂]. Otherwise, under ultrasonic irradiation the BSA were obviously damaged by the Fe^III complexes. The damage degree rose up with the increase of ultrasonic irradiation time and Fe^III complex concentration. And that, [Fe^III(nta)(H₂O)₂] exhibited in a way higher sonocatalytic activity than [Fe^III(gly)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ and [Fe^III(ida)(H₂O)₃]⁺.     

Crystal structures of [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-ethylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] and [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Two mercury(II) cyanide complexes of N-ethylthiourea (Ettu) and N-propylthiourea (Prtu) ligands, [Hg(Ettu)₂(CN)₂] (1) and [Hg(Prtu)₂(CN)₂] (2), were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In both structures, the mercury atom is coordinated to two sulfur atoms of thioureas and two cyanide carbon atoms in a pseudo-tetrahedral mode with the bond angles in the range of 90.52(11)–162.2(3)°. The structures are stabilized by N-H—S, N-H—N, and C-H—N intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Circular dichroism of optically active organometallic derivatives of fullerenes C<Subscript>60</Subscript> and C<Subscript>70</Subscript>

Palladium and platinum complexes of fulleienes C₆₀ and C₇₀ containing the axially chiral ligand (—)-BITIANP (BITIANP is 2,2’-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,3’-bi(benzo[b]thiophene)) and pynolidino[60]fullerene bearing a planar chiral organometallic π-complex substituent in the heteiocyclic ring were studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.     

Dimerization and Coordination Properties of Zinc(II)tetra-4-alkoxybenzoyloxiphthalocyanine in Relation to DABCO in <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Xylene and Chloroform

For the first time the interactions between zinc(II)tetra-4-alkoxybenzoyloxiphthalocyanine (Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in o-xylene and chloroform have been studied by calorimetric titration and NMR and electron absorption spectroscopic methods. It has been found that in o-xylene at concentrations of Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc higher than 6×10⁻⁴ mol⋅L⁻¹ π–π dimers species are formed (λ _max= 685 nm). Additions of DABCO to the solution up to mole ratio 1 : 8 (Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc : DABCO) lead to a shift of the aggregation equilibrium towards monomer species due to formation of monoligand axial complexes. Further increasing the DABCO concentration results in formation of Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc—DABCO—Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc sandwich dimers (λ _max= 675 nm).     

Syntheses and spectrothermal studies of triethanolamine complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) squarates

The triethanolamine complexes, [M(tea)₂]sq·nH₂O, (n=2 for Co(II), n=0 for Ni(II), Cu(II) and n=1 for Cd(II), tea=triethanolamine, sq²⁻=squarate), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements, UV-Vis and IR spectra, and thermal analyses techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes possess octahedral geometry, while the Cd(II) complex is monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Dianionic squarate behaves as a counter ion in the complexes. The thermal decomposition of these complexes takes place in three stages: (i) dehydration, (ii) release of the tea ligands and (iii) burning of organic residue. On the basis of the first DTG_max of the decomposition, the thermal stability of the anhydrous complexes follows the order: Ni(II), 289°C>Co(II), 230°C>Cu(II), 226°C>Cu(II), 170°C in static air atmosphere. The final decomposition products — the respective metal oxides — were identified by FTIR spectroscopy.     

Photophysical properties of aqueous solutions of a styryl dye in the presence of cucurbit[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>]uril (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 5, 6, 8)

Photophysical properties of aqueous solutions of the styryl dye 4-[(E)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-ethylpyridinium] perchlorate (1) in the presence of cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]; n = 5, 6, 8) have been studied by fluorescent spectroscopy methods. The fluorescence intensity of a 10^–6 mol L^–1 solution of 1 increases by a factor of 12.6 upon the formation of 1 : 1 inclusion complexes with CB[6] or 1.3 in complexes with CB[8]. Upon the formation of inclusion complexes, the average lifetime of the electronically excited state of 1 increases to about 1 ns for both CB[6] and CB[8]. On the basis of fluorescence anisotropy measurements, the rotational relaxation times were estimated to be 408, 314, and 183 ps for the complexes with CB[6], CB[8], and for unbound 1, respectively. Using the fluorescence titration method developed for the case of poorly soluble cavitands, the binding constant of 1 with CB[6] was determined to be 1.1 × 10⁵ L mol^–1. The addition of CB[5] does not lead to changes in the photophysical properties of a solution of 1, indicating the absence of complexes between CB[5] and 1. It has been found on the basis of the experimental data that the fluorescence rate constant of 1 decreases about twice in the complex with CB[8], but doubles in the complex with CB[6].     

Intermolecular Complexation Between p-Sulfonated Calix[4,6,8]arene Sodium and Neutral Red

The inclusion complexation behavior of the dye guest molecule neutral red with three kinds of water-soluble p-sulfonated calix[n]arene sodium (n=4,6,8) was investigated. p-Sulfonated calix[4,6,8]arene sodium (pSC4, pSC6, pSC8) can react with neutral red to form inclusion complexes, which were confirmed by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments were performed in pH=4.6 acetic buffer solutions at 25 °C to calculate the stability constants (K _S) for the stoichiometric 1:1 inclusion complexes of pSC4, pSC6 and pSC8 with neutral red. The thermodynamic parameters for the inclusion complexes were determined through a van’t Hoff analysis. Formation of the inclusion complexes of pSC4, pSC6 and pSC8 with neutral red was driven by favorable enthalpic changes with their accompanying negative entropy changes. The complex stability constants monotonically increased with the number of phenolic units in the calixarene ring, which was attributed mainly to electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, rather than to the cavity size.     

A quantum chemical study of lead(II) thiocomplexes with mono- and bidentate ligands

Model Pb(II) thiocomplexes with mono- and bidentate ligands of the composition [Pb(L^1,2) _n ]²⁻ⁿ (L¹ is (SC₆H₅)⁻ (thiophenolate ion), L² is (S₂CN(CH₃)₂)⁻ (dithiocarbamate ion), n is the number of ligands of 2–6), which simulate fragments of the crystal structures of Pb(II) complex compounds with organic ligands, are studied within density functional theory. Geometric and energy parameters of model complexes with different coordination geometries of the Pb atom are determined and the stereochemical activity of the lone electron pair (LEP, E) of the Pb²⁺ ion is estimated in them. In the studied complexes, the highest Pb-S binding energy is found for the Pb atom surrounded by 2–4 ligands. The geometry of the Pb atom coordinated by S donor atoms can be described in terms of the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) model with stereochemically active LEP. The coordination number (cn) of the Pb atom in the most energetically favorable complexes [Pb(SC₆H₅) _n ]²⁻ⁿ is (3+E) − (4+E), and in [Pb(S₂CN(CH₃)₂) _n ]²⁻ⁿ complexes, it is (4+E) and (6+E). Configurations with the mentioned cns are most often observed in the crystal structures of Pb(II) thiocomplex compounds.     

Thermal analysis of copper(Ii) complexes of general formula [Et<Subscript>4</Subscript>N]<Subscript>2</Subscript>[CuBr<Subscript>n</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4-n</Subscript>]

Thermal decomposition of compounds consisting of tetrahalogenocuprate(II), [CuBr_nCl_4−n]²⁻ (n=0–4) anions and a tetraethylammonium cation has been studied using TG-FTIR, TG-MS, DTA and DTG techniques. The measurements were carried out in an argon and air atmospheres over the temperature range 293-1073 K. The products of the thermal decomposition were identified by IR and Far Infrared (FIR) spectroscopy as well as X-ray powder diffractometry.     

Gas phase structure of micro-hydrated [Mn(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)]<Superscript>+</Superscript> and [Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions probed by infrared spectroscopy

Gas-phase infrared photodissociation spectroscopy is reported for the microsolvated [Mn(ClO₄)(H₂O) _n ]⁺ and [Mn₂(ClO₄)₃(H₂O) _n ]⁺ complexes from n = 2 to 5. Electrosprayed ions are isolated in an ion-trap where they are photodissociated. The 2600–3800 cm⁻¹ spectral region associated with the OH stretching mode is scanned with a relatively low-power infrared table-top laser, which is used in combination with a CO₂ laser to enhance the photofragmentation yield of these strongly bound ions. Hydrogen bonding is evidenced by a relatively broad band red-shifted from the free OH region. Band assignment based on quantum chemical calculations suggest that there is formation of water—perchlorate hydrogen bond within the first coordination shell of high-spin Mn(II). Although the observed spectral features are also compatible with the formation of structures with double-acceptor water in the second shell, these structures are found relatively high in energy compared with structures with all water directly bound to manganese. Using the highly intense IR beam of the free electron laser CLIO in the 800–1700 cm⁻¹, we were also able to characterize the coordination mode (η²) of perchlorate for two clusters. The comparison of experimental and calculated spectra suggests that the perchlorate Cl—O stretches are unexpectedly underestimated at the B3LYP level, while they are correctly described at the MP2 level allowing for spectral assignment.     

Complexes of Zr<Superscript>IV</Superscript> and Hf<Superscript>IV</Superscript> with monolacunary Keggin-and Dawson-type anions

The reactions of the tetranuclear hydroxo complexes [M₄(μ₂-OH)₈(H₂O)₁₆]⁸⁺ (M = Zr or Hf) with the lacunary Keggin-type ([α-PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻) and Dawson-type ([α ₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁]¹⁰⁻) phosphotungstates in aqueous solutions produce the sandwich polyoxometalate complexes [M(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹⁰⁻ (M = Zr (1) or Hf (2)) and [M(α ₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)₂]¹⁶⁻ (M = Zr (3) and Hf (4)). The complexes were isolated and structurally characterized as salts with potassium and dimethylammonium cations. The zirconium and hafnium atoms have a square antiprismatic coordination environment (coordination number is 8). In all complexes, the mutual arrangement of the ligands corresponds to the syn isomer. Hafnium complexes 2 and 4 are the first structurally characterized polyoxometalate complexes of this metal. The structures of the resulting compounds were confirmed also by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy in solution. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 214–218, February, 2007.     

Ruthenium-mediated Selective Aromatic Thiolation in the Complex [RuII{o-S—C6H4-(p-R-)—N=N—C3H2NN(1)—R′}2]. Synthesis, Spectroscopic, e.p.r., Electro-chemical Characterization and Spectro-electrochemical Correlation

The reaction of ctc-[Ru(RaaiR′)₂Cl₂] (3a–3i) [RaaiR′=1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole, p-R—C₆H₄—N=N— C₃H₂NN(1)—R′, R=H, OMe, NO₂, R′=Me, Et, Bz] with KS₂COR′′ (R′′=Me, Et, Pr, Bu or CH₂Ph) in boiling dimethylformamide afforded [Ru^II{o-S—C₆H₄(p-R-)—N=N—C₃H₂NN(1)—R′}₂] (4a–4i), where the ortho-carbon atom of the pendant phenyl ring of both ligands has been selectively and directedly thiolated. The newly formed tridentate thiolate ligands are bound in a meridional fashion. The solution electronic spectra exhibit a strong MLCT band near 700 nm and near 550 nm, respectively in DCM. The molecular geometry of the complexes in solution has been determined by H n.m.r. spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammograms show a Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple near 0.4 V and an irreversible oxidation response near 1.0 V due to oxidation of the coordinated thiol group, along with two successive reversible ligand reductions in the range −0.80–0.87 V (one electron), −1.38–1.42 V (one electron). Coulometric oxidation of the complexes at 0.6 V versus SCE in CH₂Cl₂ produced an unstable Ru(III) congener. When R=Me the presence of trivalent ruthenium was proved by a rhombic e.p.r. spectrum having g₁=2.349, g₂=2.310.