A re-investigation of copper coordination in the octa-repeats region of the prion protein

An aqueous solution spectroscopic (Vis and EPR) study of the copper(II) complexes with the Ac-HGGG-NH2 and Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH2 polypeptides (generically designated as L) suggests square base pyramids ascribable to [Cu(L)H(-2)] complex species, which contain three nitrogen donor atoms, arising from imidazole and peptide groups, in the equatorial plane and for a pseudo-octahedral geometry in the case of [CuLH-3]- and [Cu(L)H-4]2- which have four nitrogen donor atoms in their equatorial plane. The coordination sphere of the copper complex in the [Cu(L)H(-2)] species, which is present at neutral pH values, is completed by two oxygen donor atoms. ESI-MS spectra ascertained that water molecules are not present in the coordination equatorial plane of this latter species, in comparison with other copper(II) complexes with ligands bearing nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms and surely having equatorial water molecules. This indicates the coordination of a carbonyl oxygen atom in the equatorial plane has to be invoked. However, no direct proof about the involvement of a carbonyl group oxygen donor atom apically linked to copper was obtained, due to the flexibility of these structures at room temperature. Additionally, the low A(ll) value leads one to consider another oxygen atom of a carbonyl group being involved in the apical bond to copper in a fast exchange fashion. This apical interaction, which may also involve a water molecule, is more pronounced in the Cu-Ac-HGGG-NH2 than in the analogous Cu-Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH2 system, probably because of the presence of tryptophan and proline in the polypeptide sequence.     

Studies of nitric oxide interaction with mono- and dinuclear copper(II) complexes of prion protein bis-octarepeat fragments

The interaction of nitric oxide with copper(ii) complexes of two octarepeat sequences belonging to the prion protein was studied, considering both mononuclear and dinuclear systems, i.e. Cu-Ac-(PHGGGWGQ)(2)-NH(2) and Cu(2)-Ac-(PHGGGWGQ)(2)-NH(2), respectively. The NO interaction with both systems was followed in aqueous solutions at physiological pH value, by using UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopic techniques as well as cyclic voltammetry. The mechanism of NO interaction with the mononuclear copper complex can be considered similar to that previously observed for the analogous copper systems with Ac-HGGG-NH(2) and Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH(2). A more complicated behaviour was found with the copper dinuclear system, in which the involvement of two different intermediate complex species was evidenced. A positive cooperativity between the two copper ions, in the reduction process was inferred. When working with a large excess of the Ac-(PHGGGWGQ)(2)-NH(2) ligand, the frozen-solution EPR parameters pertain to the well characterized [Cu(N(im))(4)](2+) unit, which did not exhibit any interaction with NO. The presence of a free coordination site is the necessary requirement for the NO interaction to occur, as found only in the square-pyramidal geometry of [Cu(L)H(-2)] or [Cu(2)(L)H(-4)] complex species, which form when copper and ligand concentrations are similar.     

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of cyclam derivatives. 5. Copper(II) binding studies of a pyridine-strapped 5,12-dioxocyclam-based macrobicycle

The copper(II) binding properties of the macrobicyclic diamide 1,9,12,18,22-pentaazatricyclo[7.6.6.1(3,7)]docosa-3,5,7(22)-triene-13,19-dione (L1) have been fully investigated by spectroscopic (IR, UV-vis, EPR, MALDI-TOF MS), X-ray diffraction, potentiometric, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical methods. This constrained receptor possesses a hemispherical cavity created by cross-bridging the 1 and 8 positions of trans-dioxocyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-5,12-dione, L2) with a 2,6-pyridyl strap. Treatment of L1 with a copper salt in methanol produces a red complex of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ formula in which the copper atom is embedded in a 13-membered ring and coordinated by both amines as well as the pyridine and one deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms. Infrared spectroscopy provides evidence for protonation of the carbonyl oxygen atom belonging to the copper-bound amide of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ under strongly acidic conditions. The resulting conversion of the amidate into an iminol group highlights the inert character of the corresponding complexes, which do not dissociate at low pH values. In contrast, both secondary amides of L1 deprotonate in the presence of a weak base, thus affording a blue pentacoordinated [Cu(L1H(-2))] compound where the copper atom sits in the center of the 14-membered dioxocyclam fragment. In aqueous solution, both complexes undergo a pH-driven (pK(a) = 8.73(2)) molecular reorganization, which is reminiscent of a glider motion. The copper(II) cation switches rapidly and reversibly from a four-coordinate flattened tetrahedral arrangement of the donor atoms in the red species to a five-coordinate environment in the blue species, which is intermediate between a square pyramid and a trigonal bipyramid. Conversion of the red to the blue form was also demonstrated to occur upon reduction of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ by cyclic voltammetry (E(pc) = -0.64 V/SCE in CH(3)CN).     

De novo design and spectroscopic characterization of a dinucleating copper-binding pentadecapeptide

A spectroscopic study of aqueous solutions of Ac-WGHGHGHGPGHGHGH-NH(2) (HGP) indicates that copper(II) binds to the peptide to form a 2:1 Cu(2+)/HGP complex with four nitrogen atoms in the copper coordination environment. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV-visible data suggest copper binding through the peptide backbone and imidazole nitrogen donors. Circular dichroism data show that HGP is unbound below pH 5.5 and is copper-saturated at pH 9 and above. The apo form of the peptide is unstructured in solution and is organized into a turn conformation in the presence of 2 mol equiv of Cu(2+) at basic pH. EPR measurements for 2:1 Cu(2+)/HGP solutions in the g = 2 region and within the pH range 7-11 exhibit axial spectra. A molecular-mechanics-minimized model of the Cu(2+)/HGP complex gave a Cu...Cu separation of 8 A.     

Copper(II) chloride complexes with multimodal ligands based on the cyclotriphosphazene platform

The reaction of hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L) and hexakis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (MeL) with copper(ii) chloride afford the complexes [CuLCl(2)], [(CuCl(2))(2)(MeL)], [CuLCl]PF(6) and [Cu(MeL)Cl]PF(6). The single-crystal X-ray structure of [CuLCl(2)] shows the copper ion to be in a square based pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (SBPDTBP) environment (tau= 0.47) with L acting as a kappa(3)N donor, coordinating via the nitrogen atoms from two non-geminal pyridyloxy pendant arms, a nitrogen atom in the phosphazene ring and two chloride ions. In the dimetallic complex, [(CuCl(2))(2)(MeL)], the geometry about both (symmetry related) copper(ii) centres is also SBPDTBP (tau= 0.57) with a 'N(3)Cl(2)' donor set. In the monocation of [CuLCl]PF(6), L acts as a kappa(5)N donor, bonding to the copper(ii) centre through the nitrogen atoms of four pyridyloxy pendant arms, a phosphazene ring nitrogen atom and a chloride ion to give an elongated rhombic octahedral coordination sphere. The phosphazene ring atoms remain virtually coplanar in all three structures as a consequence of the phenoxy-hinge, which links the pyridine pendant donors to the cyclotriphosphazene platform, allowing the formation of six-membered chelate rings. The spectroscopic (mass spectral, EPR and electronic) and magnetic properties of the complexes are discussed. The EPR and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility results for the dicopper complex, [(CuCl(2))(2)(MeL)], point to a very weak electronic interaction between the metal atoms.     

亚甲基二膦酸为配位体的无氰碱性镀铜

提出一种以亚甲基二膦酸(MDPA, H₄L)为主配位剂的无氰镀铜体系. 采用pH 电位滴定法分别测定MDPA的四级解离常数和MDPA-Cu(II)的稳定常数, 并比较MDPA-Cu(II)和羟基乙叉二膦酸(HEDPA)-Cu(II)的循环伏安曲线和阴极极化曲线. 结果表明: MDPA各级解离常数为, pK₁=1.86, pK₂=2.65, pK₃=6.81, pK₄=9.04;MDPA与Cu²⁺形成分级配合物的稳定常数为, pK_ML=10.65, pK_ML2 = 5.59, pK_ML3 = 2.50; 随着pH升高, 形成的配合物依次为, Cu(H₃L)₂、[Cu(H₃L)(H₂L)]-和[Cu(H₂L)₂]^2-; 当pH在7-10 时, MDPA较HEDPA更易与Cu²⁺配位. 当pH=9 时, MDPA碱性镀铜体系阴极主要发生的是[Cu(H₃L)(H₂L)]^-和[Cu(H₂L)₂]^2-还原生成铜的过程; 在10 °C,MDPA体系的铜配位化合物还原生成铜的电位比HEDPA体系负移, 扩散速度更快.     

New pyridine carboxamide ligands and their complexation to copper(II). X-Ray crystal structures of mono-, di, tri- and tetranuclear copper complexes

Seven new pyridine dicarboxamide ligands H2L(1-7) have been synthesised from condensation reactions involving pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2dipic), pyridine-2,6-dicarbonyl dichloride or 2,6-diaminopyridine with heterocyclic amine or carboxylic acid precursors. Crystallographic analyses of N,N'-bis(2-pyridyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide monohydrate (H2L8 x H2O), N,N'-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide and N,N'-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide monohydrate revealed extensive intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. 2,6-Bis(pyrazine-2-carboxamido)pyridine (H2L6) and 2,6-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)pyridine (H2L7) reacted with copper(II) acetate monohydrate to give tricopper(II) complexes [Cu3(L)2(mu2-OAc)2]. X-Ray crystallography confirmed deprotonation of the amidic nitrogen atoms and that the (L6,7)2- ligands and acetate anions hold three copper(II) ions in approximately linear fashion. H2L8. Reacted with copper(II) tetrakis(pyridine) perchlorate to give [Cu(L8)(OH2)]2 x 2H2O, in which (L8)2- was tridentate through the nitrogen atoms of the central pyridine ring and the deprotonated carboxamide groups at one copper centre, with one of the terminal pyridyl rings coordinating to the other copper atom in the dimer. The corresponding reaction using H2L7 gave [Cu3(L7)2(py)2][ClO4]2, which transformed during an attempted recrystallisation from ethanol under aerobic conditions to a tetracopper(II) complex [Cu4(L7)2(L7-O)2].     

Synthesis,characterization and coordination chemistry of the new tetraazamacrocycle 4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-bis(methanephosphonic acid monoethyl ester) dipotassium salt

A new potentially hexadentate tetraazamacrocycle based on the cyclen skeleton has been synthesized and fully characterized. The macrocycle 4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-bis(methanephosphonic acid monoethyl ester) dipotassium salt (Me2DO2PME) contains mutually trans monoethyl ester phosphonate acid substituents on two nitrogen atoms, and trans methyl substituents on the other two nitrogen atoms. The protonation constants of this macrocycle and the stability constants of its complexes with Cu2+, Zn2+, Gd3+ and Ca2+ ions have been determined by pH potentiometric titrations. The protonation sequence of the macrocycle has been studied by 1H, 31P[1H] and 13C[1H] NMR spectroscopy: the first and second protonation steps take place at the methyl-substituted nitrogen atoms, while the third protonation involves one oxygen from a phosphonate group. Upon protonation, all the CH2 ring protons become magnetically inequivalent on the NMR time scale due to a slow conformational rearrangement, most likely occasioned by the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds within the macrocyclic ring. Me2DOPM forms neutral, mononuclear complexes with all the metals investigated. The presence of hydroxo complexes was observed for Ca2+ and Zn2+ at high pH values. Structural information on the neutral complex [Cu(Me2DO2PME)] has been obtained by a solution X-Band EPR study. It is proposed that Me2DO2PME binds Cu2+ in a distorted octahedral structure using all of its donor atoms, i.e. the four nitrogen atoms and the two phosphonate oxygen atoms. The redox chemistry of [Cu(Me2DO2PME)] in dimethyl sulfoxide and water has been studied by electrochemical measurements. Cyclic voltammetry in DMSO shows the complex to undergo a quasireversible one-electron reduction step leading to an unstable CuI species.     

Trigonal planar copper(I) complex: synthesis, structure, and spectra of a redox pair of novel copper(II/I) complexes of tridentate bis(benzimidazol-2'-yl) ligand framework as models for electron-transfer copper proteins

The copper(II) and copper(I) complexes of the chelating ligands 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2'-ylthiomethyl)pyridine (bbtmp) and N,N-bis(benzimidazol-2'-ylthioethyl)methylamine (bbtma) have been isolated and characterized by electronic and EPR spectra. The molecular structures of a redox pair of Cu(II/I) complexes, viz., [Cu(bbtmp)(NO(3))]NO(3), 1, and [Cu(bbtmp)]NO(3), 2, and of [Cu(bbtmp)Cl], 3, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cation of the green complex [Cu(bbtmp)(NO(3))]NO(3) possesses an almost perfectly square planar coordination geometry in which the corners are occupied by the pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of the bbtmp ligand and an oxygen atom of the nitrate ion. The light-yellow complex [Cu(bbtmp)]NO(3) contains copper(I) with trigonal planar coordination geometry constituted by the pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of the bbtmp ligand. In the yellow chloride complex [Cu(bbtmp)Cl] the asymmetric unit consists of two complex molecules that are crystallographically independent. The coordination geometry of copper(I) in these molecules, in contrast to the nitrate, is tetrahedral, with pyridine and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms of bbtmp ligand and the chloride ion occupying the apexes. The above coordination structures are unusual in that the thioether sulfurs are not engaged in coordination and the presence of two seven-membered chelate rings facilitates strong coordination of the benzimidazole nitrogens and discourage any distortion in Cu(II) coordination geometry. The solid-state coordination geometries are retained even in solution, as revealed by electronic, EPR, and (1)H NMR spectra. The electrochemical behavior of the present and other similar CuN(3) complexes has been examined, and the thermodynamic aspects of the electrode process are correlated to the stereochemical reorganizations accompanying the redox changes. The influence of coordinated pyridine and amine nitrogen atoms on the spectral and electrochemical properties has been discussed.     

Copper(II) complexes of terminally protected pentapeptides containing three histidyl residues in alternating positions, Ac-His-Xaa-His-Yaa-His-NH2

Copper(II) complexes of the pentapeptides Ac-HisAlaHisValHis-NH2, Ac-HisValHisAlaHis-NH2, Ac-HisProHisAlaHis-NH2, Ac-HisAlaHisProHis-NH2, Ac-HisGlyHisValHis-NH2 and Ac-HisValHisGlyHis-NH2 have been studied by potentiometric, UV-Vis, CD and EPR spectroscopic methods. It has been found that the pentapeptides are efficient ligands for the complexation with copper(II) and exhibit an outstanding versatility in the co-ordination geometry of complexes. The presence of three histidyl residues provides a high possibility for the formation of macrochelates via the exclusive binding of imidazole-N donor atoms. The macrochelation suppresses, but cannot preclude the deprotonation and metal ion co-ordination of amide functions and the species [CuH(-2)L] and [Cu2H(-4)L] predominate at physiological pH in equimolar solutions and in the presence of excess metal ions, respectively. It is also clear from the data that both C-terminal and internal histidyl residues can work as the anchoring sites for metal binding and subsequent amide deprotonation resulting in the formation of co-ordination isomers and dinuclear species in equimolar solutions and in the presence of excess metal ions, respectively. In more alkaline solutions (pH approximately 10) a third amide function can be deprotonated and co-ordinated in the species [CuH(-3)L]- with (N-,N-,N-,N(im)) co-ordination. The dinuclear species [Cu2H(-5)L]- and [Cu2H(-6)L](2-) containing hydroxide ions and/or imidazolato bridges are formed at high pH in the presence of excess of metal ions. The insertion of one proline into the sequence preceding histidyl residues hinders the deprotonation of amide functions at that site and the formation of only mononuclear complexes was observed with these peptides.     

Homo-and heterodinuclear complexes of the tris(catecholamide) derivative of a tetraazamacrocycle with Fe3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ions

The new ditopic catecholamide 3,7,11-tris-{N-[3,4-(dihydroxybenzoyl)-aminopropyl]} derivative of a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle containing pyridine (H(6)L(1)) has been synthesized. The protonation constants of (L(1))(6-) and the stability constants of its mono-, homo- and hetero-dinuclear complexes with Fe(3+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) metal ions were determined at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in KNO(3). The large overall basicity of the ligand was ascribed to the very high protonation constants of the catecholate groups, and its acid-base behaviour was correlated with the presence of tertiary nitrogen atoms and secondary amide functions. The UV-vis spectrum of the red solution of [FeL(1)](3-) complex exhibits the LMCT band of catecholate to iron(III), and its EPR spectrum revealed a typical isotropic signal of a rhombic distorted ferric centre in a high-spin state and E/D approximately 0.31, both characteristic of a tris-catecholate octahedral environment. The ligand forms with copper(II) and zinc(II) ions mono- and dinuclear protonated complexes and their stability constants were determined, except for the [ML(1)](4-) complexes as the last proton is released at very high pH. Electronic spectroscopic studies of the copper complexes revealed the involvement of catecholate groups in the coordination to the metal centre in the mono- and dinuclear copper(II) complexes. This information together with the determined stability constants indicated that the copper(II) ion can be involved in both types of coordination site of the ligand with comparable binding affinity. The EPR spectrum of [Cu(2)L(1)](2-) showed a well resolved seven-line hyperfine pattern of copper(II) dinuclear species typical of a paramagnetic triplet spin state with weak coupling between the two metal centres. Thermodynamically stable heterodinuclear complexes, [CuFeH(h)L(1)](h-1) (h = 0-3) and [CuZnH(h)L(1)](h-2) (h = 0-4), were formed as expected from a ditopic ligand having two dissimilar coordination sites. At physiological pH, the [CuFeL(1)](-) complex is formed at approximately 100%. The formation of the [CuFeH(h)L(1)](h-1) complexes in solution was supported by electronic spectroscopic measurements. The data indicated the specific coordination of each metal centre at the dissimilar sites of the ligand, the iron(III) bound to the oxygen donors of the catecholate arms and the copper(II) coordinated to the amine donors of the macrocyclic ring. The two metal centres are weakly coupled, due to the fairly large distance between them.     

Assembling novel heterotrimetallic Cu/Co/Ni and Cu/Co/Cd cores supported by diethanolamine ligand in one-pot reactions of zerovalent copper with metal salts

The three novel heterotrimetallic complexes [Ni(H2L)2][CoCu(L)2(H2L)(NCS)]2(NCS)2 (1), [Ni(H2L)2][CuCo(L)2(H2L)(NCS)]2Br2.2H2O (2), and [CuCoCd(H2L)2(L)2(NCS)Br2].CH3OH (3) have been prepared using zerovalent copper; cobalt thiocyanate; nickel thiocyanate (1), nickel bromide (2), or cadmium bromide (3); and methanol solutions of diethanolamine in air. The most prominent feature of the structures of 1 and 2 is the formation of the "pentanuclear"aggregate [[Ni(H2L)2][CoCu(L)2(H2L)(NCS)]2]2+ made up of two neutral [CoCu(L)2(H2L)(NCS)] units and the previously unknown cation [Ni(H2L)2]2+ "glued together" by strong complementary hydrogen bonds. With Cd2+ instead of Ni2+, a different structure is obtained: the [CoCu(L)2(H2L)(NCS)] unit is now linked to the Cd center through coordination of the oxygens of L groups on the Co atom to form the discrete heterotrimetallic molecular species 3. Cryomagnetic measurements of the compounds show that, in all cases, the magnetic behavior is paramagnetic; the polycrystalline EPR spectra contain signals due to monomeric copper species only. At the same time, the EPR spectra of frozen DMF and methanol solutions of 1-3 reveal the presence of triplet-state species that can be generated only by a coupling of the Cu2+ centers within a dimer. The species responsible for the appearance of transitions within the triplet state are thought to be Cu(II) dimeric centers formed by aggregation of two [CuCo(H2L)(L)2] fragments of 1-3 present in solution. The residual monomeric spectra in the g approximately 2 region are indicative of the existence of an equilibrium in solution between the dimeric and monomeric Cu(II) centers in aggregated and free [CuCo(H2L)(L)2] fragments, respectively, with varying degrees of stability. The fragmentation process of 1-3 in solution was screened by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Bis- and tris-(3-aminopropyl) derivatives of 14-membered tetraazamacrocycles containing pyridine: synthesis, protonation and complexation studies

New N-(3-aminopropyl) (L1, L2) and (2-cyanoethyl) (L3, L4) derivatives of a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle containing pyridine have been synthesized. The protonation constants of L1 and L2 and the stability constants of their complexes with Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ metal ions were determined in aqueous solutions by potentiometry, at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm(-3) in KNO3. Both compounds have high overall basicity due to the presence of the aminopropyl arms. Their copper(II) complexes exhibit very high stability constants, which sharply decrease for the complexes of the other studied metal ions, as usually happens with polyamine ligands. Mono- and dinuclear complexes are formed with L2 as well as with L1, but the latter exhibits mononuclear complexes with slightly higher K(ML) values while the dinuclear complexes of L2 are thermodynamically more stable. The presence of these species in solution was supported by UV-VIS-NIR and EPR spectroscopic data. The single crystal structures of [Cu(H2L2)(ClO4)]3+ and [CoL3Cl]+ revealed that the metal centres are surrounded by the four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and one monodentate ligand, adopting distorted square pyramidal geometries. In the [CoL3Cl]+ complex, the macrocycle adopts a folded arrangement with the nitrogen atom opposite to the pyridine at the axial position while in the [Cu(H2L2)(ClO4)]3+ complex, the macrocycle adopts a planar conformation with the three aminopropyl arms located at the same side of the macrocyclic plane.     

Electron delocalisation in a trinuclear copper(II) complex: high-field EPR characterization and magnetic properties of Na3[Cu3(mal)3(H2O)] x 8H2O

The complex Na3[Cu3(mal)3(H2O)] x 8H2O was obtained from evaporation of an aqueous solution containing Cu(OAc)2, malic acid (HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H) and NaOH and was characterised by X-ray diffraction on single crystal, X-band and high-field EPR spectroscopy (HF-EPR) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The trinuclear complex [Cu3(mal)3(H2O)]3- is trapped in a three-dimensional network with sodium cations. The three copper atoms are connected by alkoxo bridges and form an almost isosceles triangle with Cu...Cu distances of 3.076(1), 3.504(1) and 3.513(1) A. Two of the copper ions are also bridged by an extra aquo ligand. EPR spectroscopy combined with magnetic susceptibility measurements provide a powerful tool to resolve the electronic structure of the complex. The overall magnetic behaviour corresponds to an antiferromagnetically coupled triangular system. The 285 GHz-EPR spectrum (g = 2; 10.18 T) is characteristic of a spin state S = 1/2, with a rhombic anisotropy of [g]. This rhombic pattern allows us to propose that the electronic spin density is delocalised on the three copper ions.     

Probing the copper(II) binding features of angiogenin. Similarities and differences between a N-terminus peptide fragment and the recombinant human protein

The angiogenin protein (hAng) is a potent angiogenic factor and its cellular activities may be affected by copper ions even if it is yet unknown how this metal ion is able to produce this effect. Among the different regions of hAng potentially able to bind copper ions, the N-terminal domain appears to be an ideal candidate. Copper(II) complexes of the peptide fragments encompassing the amino acid residues 4-17 of hAng protein were characterized by potentiometric, UV-vis, CD, and EPR spectroscopic methods. The results show that these fragments have an unusual copper(II) binding ability. At physiological pH, the prevailing complex species formed by the peptide encompassing the protein sequence 4-17 is [CuHL], in which the metal ion is bound to two imidazole and two deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms disposed in a planar equatorial arrangement. Preliminary spectroscopic (UV-vis, CD, and EPR) data obtained on the copper(II) complexes formed by the whole recombinant hAng protein, show a great similarity with those obtained for the N-terminal peptide fragments. These findings indicate that within the N-terminal domain there is one of the preferred copper(II) ions anchoring site of the whole recombinant hAng protein.     

Copper(II) mediated anion dependent formation of Schiff base complexes

A tetranuclear mixed ligand copper(II) complex of a pyrazole containing Schiff base and a hydroxyhexahydropyrimidylpyrazole and copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of the Schiff base having N-donor atoms have been investigated. A 2 equiv amount of 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole (MPA) and 2 equiv of 1,3-diamino-2-propanol (1,3-DAP) on reaction with 1 equiv of copper(II) nitrate produce an unusual tetranuclear mixed ligand complex [Cu4(L1)2(L2)2(NO3)2] (1), where H2L1 = 1,3-bis(5-methyl-3-formylpyrazolylmethinimino)propane-2-ol and HL2 = 5-methyl-3-(5-hydroxyhexahydro-2-pyrimidyl)pyrazole. In contrast, a similar reaction with nickel(II) nitrate leads to the formation of a hygroscopic intractable material. On the other hand, the reaction involving 2 equiv of MPA and 1 equiv each of 1,3-DAP and various copper(II) salts gives rise to two types of products, viz. [Cu(T3-porphyrinogen)(H2O)]X2 (X = ClO4, NO3, BF4 (2)) (T3-porphyrinogen = 1,6,11,16-tetraza-5,10,15,20-tetrahydroxy-2,7,12,17-tetramethylporphyrinogen) and [Cu(H2L1)X]X x H2O (X = Cl (3), Br (4)). The same reaction carried out with nickel(II) salts also produces two types of compounds [Ni(H2L1)(H2O)2]X2 [X = ClO4 (5), NO3 (6), BF4 (7)] and [Ni(H2L1)X2] x H2O [X = Cl (8), Br (9)]. Among the above species 1, 3, and 5 are crystallographically characterized. In 1, all four copper atoms are in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4O chromophore around two terminal copper atoms and N5 chromophore around two inner copper atoms. In 3, the copper atom is also in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4Cl chromophore. The nickel atom in 5 is in a distorted octahedral geometry with N4O2 chromophore, where the metal atom is slightly pulled toward one of the axial coordinated water molecules. Variable-temperature (300 to 2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements have been carried out for complex 1. The separations between the metal centers, viz., Cu(1)...Cu(2), Cu(2)...Cu(2)A, and Cu(2)A...Cu(1)A are 3.858, 3.89, and 3.858 A, respectively. The overall magnetic behavior is consistent with strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin centers. The exchange coupling constants between Cu(1)...Cu(2) and Cu(2)...Cu(2A) centers have turned out to be -305.3 and -400.7 cm(-1), respectively, resulting in a S = 1/2 ground state. The complexes are further characterized by UV-vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical studies.     

Microspeciation in the copper(II)-L-histidylglycine system. An ESR study by the two-dimensional computer simulation method

Twelve ESR-active (and one inactive) copper(II) complexes of L-histidylglycine (HL) were characterized via their formation (micro)constants and ESR parameters obtained by two-dimensional ESR spectroscopic evaluation in aqueous solution. In strongly acidic media, the ligand is coordinated through its N-terminal donor groups: the complex [CuLH(2)](3+) involves monodentate imidazole binding, whereas [CuLH](2+) involves bidentate ligation through the amino and imidazole N atoms. This histamine-like bonding mode also predominates in the isomers of [CuL(2)], formed at ligand excess near pH 7: in the major 4N isomer, both ligands occupy two equatorial sites, while in the 3N isomer, the second dipeptide is coordinated equatorially by the amino and axially by the imidazole groups. At above pH 3-4, deprotonation of the peptide group also starts: in approximately 60% of the molecules of [CuL](+), the peptide group is deprotonated, while in the minor isomer histamine-like coordination occurs. At higher pH, the active dimer [Cu(2)L(2)H(-2)], the mixed hydroxo complexes (the inactive [Cu(2)L(2)H(-3)](-) and the active [CuLH(-2)](-)), and the bis complexes [CuL(2)H](+) and [CuL(2)H(-1)](-) all involve tridentate equatorial ligation of the backbone by the amino and deprotonated peptide N and the carboxylate O atoms. In the active dimer, the neutral imidazole groups form bridges between CuLH(-1) units. In [CuL(2)H](+), the second ligand is bound equatorially via its imidazole group; in [CuL(2)H(-1)](-), the L ligand occupies the fourth equatorial site and an axial site through its amino and imidazole N atoms, respectively.     

Double-strand DNA cleavage by copper complexes of 2,2'-dipyridyl with guanidinium/ammonium pendants

Two ligands with guanidinium/ammonium groups were synthesized and their copper complexes, [Cu(L1)Cl2](ClO4)2.H2O (1) and [Cu(L2)Cl2](ClO4)2 (2) (L1 = 5,5'-di[1-(guanidyl)methyl]-2,2'-bipyridyl cation and L2 = 5,5'-di[1-(amino)methyl]-2,2'-bipyridyl cation), were prepared to serve as nuclease mimics. X-Ray analysis revealed that Cu(II) ion in 1 has a planar square CuN2Cl2-configuration. The shortest distance between the nitrogen of guanidinium and copper atoms is 6.5408(5) A, which is coincident with that of adjacent phosphodiesters in DNA (ca. 6 A). In the absence of reducing agent, supercoiled plasmid DNA cleavage by the complexes were performed and their hydrolytic mechanisms were demonstrated with radical scavengers and T4 ligase. The pseudo-Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters (kcat, KM) were calculated to be 4.42 h(-1), 7.46 x 10(-5) M for 1, and 4.21 h(-1), 1.07 x 10(-4) M for 2, respectively. The result shows that their cleavage efficiency is about 10-fold higher than the simple analogue [Cu(bipy)Cl2] (3) (0.50 h(-1), 3.5 x 10(-4) M). The pH dependence of DNA cleavage by 1 and its hydroxide species in solution indicates that mononuclear [Cu(L1)(OH)(H2O)]3+ ion is the active species. Highly effective DNA cleavage ability of is attributed to the effective cooperation of the metal moiety and two guanidinium pendants with the phosphodiester backbone of nucleic acid.     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of copper(II)-beta-substituted beta-amino acid systems by the two-dimensional simulation method: first evidence of primarily steric effects of substituents on equilibria of metal complexes

We have studied the complex equilibria of copper(II) with a series of beta-substituted beta-amino acids (R: H, Me, Et, iBu, iPr, cHex, 1-EtPr, and tBu) in aqueous solution by pH potentiometry and electron paramagnetic resonace (EPR) spectroscopy in the range pH = 2-8 at various metal and ligand concentrations. The basicities of the corresponding donor groups differed only slightly in the series of ligands. A purely mathematical method, the matrix rank analysis carried out on the EPR spectrum package recorded in the presence of copper(II), indicated the formation of 6 independent paramagnetic species. Accordingly, Cu(2+) (aqua complex) and the complexes [CuLH](2+), [CuL](+), [CuL(2)H(2)](2+), [CuL(2)H](+), and [CuL(2)] were considered in the subsequent analysis of series of spectra, and also two isomers of [CuL(2)] were identified. The formation constants and the EPR parameters, e.g. the isotropic g-factors and the copper and nitrogen hyperfine couplings for the above species, were determined in the same optimization procedure by the simultaneous evaluation of spectra. The ligands "LH" are suggested to bind in equatorial positions through their carboxylate groups, while the amino acids in the L protonation state are likely to occupy two equatorial sites via the amino and carboxylate groups. For the isomers of [CuL(2)], the donors of the same kind are in the cis or trans position. As far as we know, this is the first reported case in which a strong correlation has been found between the steric effects of substituents characterized by Meyer's steric parameter V(a) and the protonation constants of metal complexes. The observed trend for the preference for nonprotonated complexes [CuL](+) and [CuL(2)] to increase with the steric demand of the substituent was explained by the increasing shielding effect of the substituent hindering protonation of the nonprotonated complex.