Detoxifying Polyhalogenated Catechols through a Copper‐Chelating Agent by Forming Stable and Redox‐Inactive Hydrogen‐Bonded Complexes with an Unusual Perpendicular Structure

The use of selective metal chelating agents with preference for binding of a specific metal ion to investigate its biological role is becoming increasingly common. We found recently that a well‐known copper‐specific chelator 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (2,9‐Me₂OP) could completely inhibit the synergistic toxicity induced by tetrachlorocatechol (TCC) and sodium azide (NaN₃). However, its underlying molecular mechanism is still not clear. Here, we show that the protection by 2,9‐Me₂OP is not due to its classic copper‐chelating property, but rather due to formation of a multiple hydrogen‐bonded complex between 2,9‐Me₂OP and TCC, featuring an unusual perpendicular arrangement of the two binding partners. The two methyl groups at the 2,9 positions in 2,9‐Me₂OP were found to be critical to stabilize the 2,9‐Me₂OP/TCC complex due to steric hindrance, and therefore completely prevents the generation of the reactive and toxic semiquinone radicals by TCC/NaN₃. This represents the first report showing that an unexpected new protective mode of action for the copper “specific” chelating agent 2,9‐Me₂OP by using its steric hindrance effect of the two CH₃ groups not only to chelate copper, but also to “chelate” a catechol through multiple H‐bonding. These findings may have broad biological implications for future research of this widely used copper‐chelating agent and the ubiquitous catecholic compounds.     

Synthesis,Characterization and X‐ray Crystal Structure of a Chromium(III) Complex Obtained from a Proton‐Transfer Compound Containing 1,10‐Phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylic Acid and 2,6‐Pyridinediamine

The novel 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylate containing Chromium(III) complex, (pydaH)[Cr(phendc)₂] · 5H₂O, was synthesized using proton‐transfer compound LH₂, (pydaH₂)²⁺(phendc)^2?, (pyda: 2,6‐pyridinediamine; phendcH₂: 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylic acid) and thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with four formula units in the unit cell. The unit cell dimensions are: a = 13.962(3) Å, b = 14.529(3) Å, c = 16.381(3) Å and β = 106.691(4)°. In this complex, 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylate acts as a tridentate ligand and the lattice is composed of anionic hexacoordinated complex, [Cr(phendc)₂]^?, 2,6‐pyridiniumdiamine counter ion, (pydaH)⁺, and five lattice water molecules. Crystallographic characterization revealed that the resulting supramolecular structure is strongly stabilized by complicated network of hydrogen bonds between the crystallization water molecules, counter ion and both coordinated and uncoordinated carboxylate groups. There is no relevant π‐π interaction for this anionic complex between pyda or phendc moieties. The electrochemical studies indicated over potential for both the cathodic and anodic peaks of the complex with respect to the free Cr³⁺ ion, as a consequence of the energy requirement for rearrangement of the ligand at electrode surface.     

Locating Dynamic Species with X‐ray Crystallography and NMR Spectroscopy: Acetone in p‐tert‐Butylcalix[4]arene

The exact location and orientation of dynamic species in structural studies continues to be a serious challenge, yet it is of paramount importance in modeling guest–host interactions so as to improve our understanding of the multiple weak interactions that govern many chemical and biological processes. The acetone guest in the tBC (p‐tert‐butylcalixarene) host presents such a challenge, as initial guest positions obtained from single crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) are incompatible with the ²H NMR spectrum. A detailed consideration of the diffraction data showed that more complicated structural models could be constructed that were consistent with the NMR data and still yielded satisfactory diffraction residuals. These models agree that one acetone methyl group is inserted into the deep cavity, and that it exchanges with the second methyl group outside. The outside methyl group in turn can switch positions with the carbonyl group, but the distribution of the methyl and carbonyl groups over the two sites is not equal. One factor that poses additional difficulty in deciding between models is whether the actual space group is tetragonal (P4/n), or twinned monoclinic (P2/n). All of the structural models considered here disagree substantially with the one proposed in an earlier publication.     

A Flexible Copper(I)‐Complexed [4]Rotaxane Containing Two Face‐to‐Face Porphyrinic Plates that Behaves as a Distensible Receptor

A new cyclic [4]rotaxane composed of two flexible bis‐macrocycles and two rigid axles is described. Each bis‐macrocycle consists of two rings attached to antipodal meso positions of a central Zn porphyrin through single C? C bonds. Each ring incorporates a 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline chelation site. The axles contain two coplanar bidentate sites derived from the 2,2′‐bipyridine motif. The building blocks were assembled by using a one‐pot threading‐and‐stoppering reaction, which afforded the [4]rotaxane in 50 % yield. The “gathering‐and‐threading” effect of copper(I) was utilised in the formation of a [4]pseudorotaxane, which was immediately converted to the corresponding [4]rotaxane by a quadruple CuAAC stoppering reaction. The rotaxane contains two face‐to‐face zinc porphyrins, which allowed the coordination of ditopic guest substrates. The rotaxane host showed remarkable flexibility and was able to adjust its conformation to the guest size. It can be distended and accommodate rod‐like guests of 2.6 to 15.8 Å in length.     

Facile acidic hydrolysis and displacement reactions of 2‐chloro‐and 2,9‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline

Treatment of 2‐chloro‐ or 2,9‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline with aqueous HBr or aqueous H₂SO₄ at 120°C yielded 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2(1H)‐one or 1,10‐dihydro‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dione, respectively. The hydrolysis of 2,9‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline with 37% aqueous HC1 led to the half hydrolyzed amide and the bis‐amide. Under comparable reactions conditions, using aqueous HBr, H₂SO₄ or HC1, 2‐chloropyridine was found to be hydrolytically stable. On the other hand, 2‐chloro‐ or 2,9‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline on heating with 57% aqueous HI afforded the HI salts of 2‐iodo‐ or 2,9‐diiodo‐1,10‐phenanthroline, which could be isolated. These salts on treatment with aqueous ammonium hydroxide led to good yields of 2‐iodo‐ and 2, 9‐diiodo‐1,10‐phenanthroline, respectively. Treatment of 2‐chloropyridine with 57% aqueous HI under similar reaction conditions led to 2‐iodopyridine in a 10% conversion.     

Torands Revisited: Metal Sequestration and Self‐Assembly of Cyclo‐2,9‐tris‐1,10‐phenanthroline Hexaaza Macrocycles

A series of novel toroidal cyclo‐2,9‐tris‐1,10‐phenanthroline macrocycles with an unusual hexaaza cavity are reported. Nickel‐mediated Yamamoto aryl–aryl coupling was found to be a versatile tool for the cyclotrimerization of functionalized 1,10‐phenathroline precursors. Due to the now improved processability, both liquid‐crystalline behavior in the bulk phase and two‐dimensional self‐assembly at the molecular level could be studied, for the first time, for a torand system. The macrocycles exhibited a strong affinity for the complexation of different metal cations, as evidenced by MALDI‐TOF analysis and spectroscopic methods. Experimental results were correlated to an extensive computational study of the cyclo‐2,9‐tris‐1,10‐phenanthroline cavity and its binding mode for metal cations. Due to the combination of several interesting features, toroidal macrocycles may find future applications in the field of ion and charge transport through molecular channels, as well as for chemical sensing and molecular writing in surface‐confined monolayers under STM conditions.     

Bis(1,10‐phenanthroline)(thio­sulfato)­manganese(II) methanol solvate and catena‐poly­[[di­aqua(2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline)­manganese(II)]‐μ‐thio­sulfato]

The structure of bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)(thio­sulfato‐κ²O:S)­manganese(II) methanol solvate, [Mn(S₂O₃)(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·CH₃OH, is made up of Mn²⁺ centers coordinated to two bidentate phenanthroline (phen) groups and an S,O‐chelating thio­sulfate anion, forming monomeric entities. The structure of catena‐poly­[[di­aqua(2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phen­anthro­line‐κ²N,N′)­manganese(II)]‐μ‐thio­sulfato‐κ²O:S], [Mn(S₂O₃)(C₁₄H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n, is polymeric, consisting of Mn(dmph)(H₂O)₂ units (dmph is 2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline) linked by thio­sulfate anions acting in an S,O‐chelating manner.     

Effect of the Ancillary Ligands on the Spectral Properties and G‐Quadruplexes DNA Binding Behavior: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

In an effort to explore the effect of ancillary ligands on the spectral properties and overall G‐quadruplex DNA binding behavior, two new ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(dppzi)]²⁺ ( 1 ) and [Ru(dmp)₂(dppzi)]²⁺ ( 2 ) (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, dmp=2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, dppzi=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine‐10,11‐imidazole) were prepared. Complex 1 can emit luminescence in the absence and presence of G‐quadruplexes DNA. However, with ?CH₃ substituent on the 2‐ and 9‐positions of the phen ancillary ligand, no detectable luminescence is observed for complex 2 in any organic solvent or in the absence and/or presence of G‐quadruplex DNA. Experimental and molecular docking studies indicated that both complexes interacted with the human telomeric repeat AG3(T2AG3)3 (22AG) G‐quadruplex with the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1, but the two complexes showed different G‐quadruplex DNA binding affinity. Complex 1 binds to the G‐quadruplexes DNA more tightly than complex 2 does. Our results demonstrate that methyl groups on the phen ancillary ligand significantly affect the spectral properties and the overall DNA binding behavior of the complexes. Such difference in spectral properties and DNA binding affinities of these two complexes can be reasonably explained by DFT/TD‐DFT calculations. This work provides guidance not only on exploring the G‐quadruplexes DNA binding behavior of complexes, but also understanding the unique luminescence mechanism.     

Oxidation of 2,9‐Diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline to Generate the 5,6‐Dione and Its Subsequent Alkylation Product

One group of ligands used in transition metal complexes is synthesized by derivatizing 1,10‐phenanthroline. These metal complexes are of interest for study in the field of photovoltaic devices and solar fuels. Previous strategies for obtaining the 5,6‐diones of substituted 1,10‐phenanthrolines do not work for 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline due to undesired products resulting from oxidation of the phenyl substituents. However, 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione can be obtained in reasonable yield by oxidation with BrO₃^? in weak aqueous acid. The resulting dione can be converted directly to the 5,6‐dialkoxy product upon two electron reduction in aprotic solvent followed by treatment with appropriate alkylating agents.     

Bis­(acetato‐κ2O,O′)(2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)mercury(II) in two differently hydrated crystal forms

Two differently hydrated crystal forms of the title compound, viz. bis­(acetato‐κ²O,O′)(2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)­mercury(II), [Hg(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₂)] or [HgAc₂(dmph)] [dmph is 2,3‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenantroline (neocuproine) and Ac is acetate], (I), and tris­[bis­(acetato‐κ²O,O′)(2,9‐di­methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)­mercury(II)] hexadecahydrate, [Hg(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₂)]₃·16H₂O or [HgAc₂(dmph)]₃·16H₂O, (II), are presented. Both structures are composed of very simple monomeric units, which act as the building blocks of complex packing schemes stabilized by a diversity of π–π and hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Stepwise Metal–Ligand Cooperation by a Reversible Aromatization/Deconjugation Sequence in Ruthenium Complexes with a Tetradentate Phenanthroline‐Based Ligand

The synthesis and reactivity of ruthenium complexes containing the tetradentate phenanthroline‐based phosphine ligand 2,9‐bis((di‐tert‐butylphosphino)methyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline (PPhenP) is described. The hydrido chloro complex [RuHCl(PPhenP)] ( 2 ) undergoes facile dearomatization upon deprotonation of the benzylic position, to give [RuH(PPhenP‐H)] ( 4 ). Addition of dihydrogen to 4 causes rearomatization of the phenanthroline moiety to trans‐[Ru(H)₂(PPhenP)] ( 5 ), followed by hydrogenation of an aromatic heterocycle in the ligand backbone, to give a new dearomatized and deconjugated complex [RuH(PPhenP*‐H)] ( 6 ). These aromatization/deconjugation steps of the coordinated ligand were demonstrated to be reversible and operative in the dehydrogenation of primary alcohols without the need for a hydrogen acceptor. This aromatization/deconjugation sequence constitutes an unprecedented mode of a stepwise cooperation between the metal center and the coordinated ligand.     

Chains,Necklaces and Weaving Chain‐link Grids from Self‐Assembly Reactions

Assembly of two ditopic units, a phenanthroline substituted by 4‐ethynyl pyridines at the 2‐and 9‐positions and a dimetallic paddlewheel, gives a linear chain polymer rather than a closed cyclic species, which would appear equally possible. The chain may be decorated by binding a copper‐containing macrocycle around the phenanthroline units to form a polypseudorotaxane. When two phenanthroline ligands are assembled in a first step around copper(I), the paddlewheel acceptor can link them in a second step to form a two‐dimensional interwoven grid that resembles the form of a chain‐link fence. Each copper(I) centre in this structure is chiral, and the crystal shows complete homochirality, implying selection during the assembly process.     

New heteroleptic bis-phenanthroline copper(I) complexes with dipyridophenazine or imidazole fused phenanthroline ligands: spectral, electrochemical, and quantum chemical studies

Two new sterically challenged diimine ligands L(1) (2,9-dimesityl-2-(4'-bromophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and L(2) (3,6-di-n-butyl-11-bromodipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) have been synthesized with the aim to build original heteroleptic copper(I) complexes, following the HETPHEN concept developed by Schmittel and co-workers. The structure of L(1) is based on a phen-imidazole molecular core, derivatized by two highly bulky mesityl groups in positions 2 and 9 of the phenanthroline cavity, preventing the formation of a homoleptic species, while L(2) is a dppz derivative, bearing n-butyl chains in α positions of the chelating nitrogen atoms. The unambiguous formation of six novel heteroleptic copper(I) complexes based on L(1), L(2), and complementary matching ligands (2,9-R(2)-1,10-phenanthroline, with R = H, methyl, n-butyl or mesityl) has been evidenced, and the resulting compounds were fully characterized. The electronic absorption spectra of all complexes fits well with DFT calculations allowing the assignment of the main transitions. The characteristics of the emissive excited state were investigated in different solvents using time-resolved single photon counting and transient absorption spectroscopy. The complexes with ligand L(2), bearing a characteristic dppz moiety, exhibit a very low energy excited-state which mainly leads to fast nonradiative relaxation, whereas the emission lifetime is higher for those containing the bulky ligand L(1). For example, a luminescence quantum yield of about 3 × 10(-4) is obtained with a decay time of about 50 ns for C2 ([Cu(I)(nBu-phen)(L(1))](+)) with a weak influence of strong coordinating solvent on the luminescence properties. Overall, the spectral features are those expected for a highly constrained coordination cage. Yet, the complexes are stable in solution, partly due to the beneficial π stacking between mesityl groups and vicinal phenanthroline aromatic rings, as evidenced by the X-ray structure of complex C3 ([Cu(I)(Mes-phen)(L(2))](+)). Electrochemistry of the copper(I) complexes revealed reversible anodic behavior, corresponding to a copper(I) to copper(II) transition. The half wave potentials increase with the steric bulk at the level of the copper(I) ion, reaching a value as high as 1 V vs SCE, with the assistance of ligand induced electronic effects. L(1) and L(2) are further end-capped by a bromo functionality. A Suzuki cross-coupling reaction was directly performed on the complexes, in spite of the handicapping lability of copper(I)-phenanthroline complexes.     

New Substituted 1‐Aryl‐4,4,6‐Trimethyl‐3,4‐Dihydropyrimidine‐2‐(1H)Thiones; A Metal‐Free and Solvent‐Free Synthesis,Characterization, and Lymphoid Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibition Studies

A series of fourteen 3,4‐dihydropyrimidine‐2‐thiones ( 3a–n ) were synthesized by a green protocol, and their structures were characterized by spectroanalytical data. The compounds were obtained in high yields by efficient annulation of mesityl oxide (4‐methylpent‐3‐en‐2‐one) with anilines in the presence of potassium thiocyanate. The reaction is essentially metal‐catalyst‐ and solvent‐free, as mesityl oxide itself is the solvent as well as the reactant. The compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22, and 5 of the 14 compounds exhibited IC₅₀ values in the mid‐micromolar range, with the most potent hit being the compound 3d , having a methoxy substituent at the 2‐position of the phenyl ring with an IC₅₀ = 18 ± 1 μM, and second most potent compound ( 3c ) with an IC₅₀ value of 45 ± 3 μM, having methyl substituents at both 2‐ and 4‐position of the phenyl ring.     

Stereoselective P5‐Deltacyclene Alkylation,an Efficient Route to New Asymmetric P‐C‐Cage Compounds

Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐P₅‐deltacyclene 5 represents one of only two asymmetric P‐C cage compounds, which are available in highly enantiomerically enriched versions. This paper reports about stereoselective substitution reactions of 5 to develop the chemistry of optically active P‐C cages further. Electrophilic substitution of the only secondary phosphorus atom P1 of the cage with methyl and benzyl groups was achieved with 92 % and >99 % de, but the yields of the reactions are limited due to competing processes. The uncatalyzed hydrophosphination reaction of a monosubstituted allene and two α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with 5 proved to be the method of choice. cis‐Butanone‐P₅‐deltacyclene 12 is formed in 92 % yield and with >99 % de and cis‐pentanone‐P₅‐deltacyclene 13a is accessible with >99 % de for P1 and 92 % de for the attached carbon atom at the same time. Besides stereoselectivity, the hydrophosphination reaction of 5 performs with a good regioselectivity. The chiral cage 5 controls the stereoselectivity of its reactions for the cage elements as well as for the α position of a substituent.     

Guest Exchange Mechanisms in Mono‐Metallic PdII/PtII‐Cages Based on a Tetra‐Pyridyl Calix[4]pyrrole Ligand

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic Pd^II/Pt^II‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A “French doors” mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the Pd^II‐cage, and does not take place in the Pt^II counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the Pd^II‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms.     

固相β-环糊精包结物诱导7-羟基-2-甲氧基-2-甲基色满的不对称合成

研究了室温下间苯二酚和甲基乙烯基酮分别与β-环糊精（ β-CD）形成包结物后的几种不同固相反应,结果表明包结物A（间苯二酚/β-CD）与包结物B（甲基乙烯基酮/β-CD）反应能够很好地得到目的产物,产率及ee值分别为82.8%和78.4%;间苯二酚与包结物B反应仅得到低光学活性产物（ee值为19.5%）;包结物A与甲基乙烯基酮反应却没有得到手性目的产物。以熔点、X-粉末衍射、固相核磁碳谱及ROESY多种方法对所形成的包结物进行了表征,包结物中主客体的比例（1：1）通过¹H NMR (400 MHz)得以确定,文章对固相环加成反应的机制也进行了初步探讨。     

Mapping the Metal Positions inside Spherical C80 Cages: Crystallographic and Theoretical Studies of Ce2@D5h‐C80 and Ce2@Ih‐C80

The dynamic positions of the dimetallic cluster inside the mid‐sized spherical cages of C₈₀–C₈₂ have been seldom studied, despite the high abundance of M₂@C_2n (2n=80, 82) species among various endohedral metallofullerenes. Herein, using crystallographic methods, we first unambiguously map the metal positions for both Ce₂@D_5h‐C₈₀ and Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀, showing how the symmetry or geometrical change in cage structure can influence the motional behavior of the cluster. Inside the D_5h cage, the primary cerium sites have been identified along a cage belt of the contiguous hexagons, which suggests the significant influence of such a cage motif on endohedral cluster motion. Further analysis revealed a distorted D_5h cage owing to the “punch‐out” effect of cerium atoms. The consequence is the presence of two localized electrostatic potential minima inside the cage of (D_5h‐C₈₀)^6?, thus reflecting the primary ionic cerium–cage interaction. In contrast, a different motional behavior of Ce₂ cluster was observed inside the I_h cage. With the major cerium sites, the molecule of Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀ presented an approximate D_2h configuration. With the combined theoretical study, we propose that the additional unidentified influence of Ni^II(OEP) (OEP=octaethylporphyrin) might be also relevant for the location of cerium sites inside the I_h cage.     

α‐Cyclodextrin Host–Guest Binding: A Computational Study of the Different Driving Forces

Free‐energy differences govern the equilibrium between bound and unbound states of a host and its guest molecules. The understanding of the underlying entropic and enthalpic contributions, and their complex interplay are crucial for the design of new drugs and inhibitors. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed with inclusion complexes of α‐cyclodextrin (αCD) and three monosubstituted benzene derivatives to investigate host–guest binding. αCD Complexes are an ideal model system, which is experimentally and computationally well‐known. Thermodynamic integration (TI) simulations were carried out under various conditions for the free ligands in solution and bound to αCD. The two possible orientations of the ligand inside the cavity were investigated. Agreement with experimental data was only found for the more stable orientation, where the substituent resides inside the cavity. The better stability of this conformation results from stronger Van der Waals interactions and a favorable antiparallel host–guest dipole–dipole alignment. To estimate the entropic contributions, simulations were performed at three different temperatures (250, 300, and 350 K) and using positional restraints for the host. The system was found to be insensitive to both factors, due to the large and symmetric cavity of αCD, and the nondirectional nature of the host–guest interactions.     

[2]Pseudorotaxanes Based on Naphtho‐21‐crown‐7 and Secondary Dialkylammonium Salts: Remarkably Improved Association Constants Among Four Threaded Structures

This research article is focused on the recognition interaction of a new host naphtho‐21‐crown‐7 and four secondary dialkylammonium salts. In acetone, they can form 1:1 host‐guest complexes which belong to slow‐exchange systems. We also found the differences of binding affinity and binding selectivity between the host and its complementary guest moieties, which could be ascribed to the aromatic π‐π stacking effect and the acidity increase of N‐methylene and ammonium hydrogens due to the increasing electron withdrawing ability from butyl to methoxyphenyl to phenyl to p‐cyanophenyl substituents in the recognition motif.