Oxidation of thioglycolate by [Os(phen)3]3+: an unusual example of redox-mediated aromatic substitution

The aqueous oxidation of thioglycolic acid (TGA) by [Os(phen)(3)](3+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is catalyzed by traces of ubiquitous Cu(2+) and inhibited by the product [Os(phen)(3)](2+). In the presence of dipicolinic acid (dipic), which thoroughly masks trace Cu(2+) catalysis, and spin trap PBN, the kinetics under anaerobic conditions have been studied in the pH range 1.82-7.32. The rate law is -d[Os(phen)(3)(3+)]/dt = k[TGA](tot)[Os(phen)(3)(3+)], with k = 2{(k(b)K(a1) + k(c)K(a1)K(i))[H(+)] + k(d)K(a1)K(a2)}/{[H(+)](2) + K(a1)[H(+)] + K(a1)K(a2)}; K(a1) and K(a2) are the successive acid dissociation constants of TGA, and K(i) is the tautomerization constant of two TGA monoanions. k(b) + k(c)K(i) = (5.9 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), k(d) = (1.6 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) at mu = 0.1 M (NaCF(3)SO(3)) and 25 degrees C. The major products in the absence of spin traps are dithiodiglycolic acid, [Os(phen)(3)](2+), and [Os(phen)(2)(phen-tga)](2+), where phen-tga is phenanthroline with a TGA substituent. A mechanism is proposed in which neutral TGA is unreactive, the (minor) thiolate form of the TGA monoanion undergoes one-electron oxidation by [Os(phen)(3)](3+) (k(c)), and the dianion of TGA likewise undergoes one-electron oxidation by [Os(phen)(3)](3+) (k(d)). The Marcus cross relationship provides a good account for the magnitude of k(d) in this and related reactions of TGA. [Os(phen)(2)(phen-tga)](2+) is suggested to arise from a post-rate-limiting step involving attack of the TGA(*) radical on [Os(phen)(3)](3+).     

Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA, inhibition of telomerase activity and live cell imaging studies of chiral ruthenium(II) complexes

Telomerase inhibition is an attractive strategy for cancer chemotherapy. In the current study, we have synthesized and characterized two chiral ruthenium(II) complexes, namely, Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) and Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and p-MOPIP is 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-imidazo[4,5f][1,10]phenanthroline. The chiral selectivity of the compounds and their ability to discriminate quadruplex DNA were investigated by using UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer melting assay, polymerase chain reaction stop assay and telomerase repeat amplification protocol. The results indicate that the two chiral compounds could induce and stabilize the formation of antiparallel G-quadruplexes of telomeric DNA in the presence or absence of metal cations. We report the remarkable ability of the two complexes Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) and Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) to stabilize selectively G-quadruplex DNA; the former is a better G-quadruplex binder than the latter. The anticancer activities of these complexes were evaluated by using the MTT assay. Interestingly, the antiproliferative activity of Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) was higher than that of Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+), and Λ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) showed a significant antitumor activity in HepG2 cells. The status of the nuclei in Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2) (p-MOPIP)](2+)-treated HepG2 cells was investigated by using real-time living cell microscopy to determine the effects of Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) on intracellular accumulation. The results show that Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+) can be taken up by HepG2 cells and can enter into the cytoplasm as well as accumulate in the nuclei; this suggests that the nuclei were the cellular targets of Λ/Δ-[Ru(phen)(2)(p-MOPIP)](2+).     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of dinuclear complexes containing ruthenium(II) bipyridyl units linked by a bis(pyridylimine) ligand

Enantiopure dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of the form [Ru(2)(LL)(4)L(1)](PF(6))(4) (LL = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); L(1)= C(25)H(20)N(4) a bis(pyridylimine) ligand containing a diphenylmethane spacer) have been synthesized using the chiral building blocks cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(py)(2)](2+). These dinuclear ruthenium complexes have been characterised using NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible absorbance, circular dichroism and linear dichroism. The compounds exhibit good photo and thermal stability. The extinction coefficient for the bpy complex at 478 nm is epsilon(478) = 15,700 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3) and for the phen complex is epsilon(478) = 24,900 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3). Both complexes have their longest wavelength (metal to ligand charge transfer) transition predominantly x/y (short axis)-polarised while the transitions at shorter wavelength are a mixture of x/y and z-polarisations, similar to both the copper helicate and iron triple helicate studied previously. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the compounds are dramatically less active against cancer cell lines than the recently reported supramolecular cylinders prepared from the same bis(pyridylimine) ligand.     

Hydrocarbon oxidation by Bis-mu-oxo manganese dimers: electron transfer,hydride transfer,and hydrogen atom transfer mechanisms

Described here are oxidations of alkylaromatic compounds by dimanganese mu-oxo and mu-hydroxo dimers [(phen)(2)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)Mn(IV)(phen)(2)](4+) ([Mn(2)(O)(2)](4+)), [(phen)(2)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)Mn(III)(phen)(2)](3+) ([Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+)), and [(phen)(2)Mn(III)(mu-O)(mu-OH)Mn(III)(phen)(2)](3+) ([Mn(2)(O)(OH)](3+)). Dihydroanthracene, xanthene, and fluorene are oxidized by [Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+) to give anthracene, bixanthenyl, and bifluorenyl, respectively. The manganese product is the bis(hydroxide) dimer, [(phen)(2)Mn(III)(mu-OH)(2)Mn(II)(phen)(2)](3+) ([Mn(2)(OH)(2)](3+)). Global analysis of the UV/vis spectral kinetic data shows a consecutive reaction with buildup and decay of [Mn(2)(O)(OH)](3+) as an intermediate. The kinetics and products indicate a mechanism of hydrogen atom transfers from the substrates to oxo groups of [Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+) and [Mn(2)(O)(OH)](3+). [Mn(2)(O)(2)](4+) is a much stronger oxidant, converting toluene to tolyl-phenylmethanes and naphthalene to binaphthyl. Kinetic and mechanistic data indicate a mechanism of initial preequilibrium electron transfer for p-methoxytoluene and naphthalenes because, for instance, the reactions are inhibited by addition of [Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+). The oxidation of toluene by [Mn(2)(O)(2)](4+), however, is not inhibited by [Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+). Oxidation of a mixture of C(6)H(5)CH(3) and C(6)H(5)CD(3) shows a kinetic isotope effect of 4.3 +/- 0.8, consistent with C-H bond cleavage in the rate-determining step. The data indicate a mechanism of initial hydride transfer from toluene to [Mn(2)(O)(2)](4+). Thus, oxidations by manganese oxo dimers occur by three different mechanisms: hydrogen atom transfer, electron transfer, and hydride transfer. The thermodynamics of e(-), H(*), and H(-) transfers have been determined from redox potential and pK(a) measurements. For a particular oxidant and a particular substrate, the choice of mechanism is influenced both by the thermochemistry and by the intrinsic barriers. Rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by [Mn(2)(O)(2)](3+) and [Mn(2)(O)(OH)](3+) are consistent with their 79 and 75 kcal mol(-)(1) affinities for H(*). In the oxidation of p-methoxytoluene by [Mn(2)(O)(2)](4+), hydride transfer is thermochemically 24 kcal mol(-)(1) more facile than electron transfer; yet the latter mechanism is preferred. Thus, electron transfer has a substantially smaller intrinsic barrier than does hydride transfer in this system.     

Self-assembly of [M8L4] and [M4L2] fluorescent metallomacrocycles with carbazole-based dipyrazole ligands

Fluorescent carbazole-based dipyrazole ligands (H(2)L(1-4)) were employed to coordinate with dipalladium corners ([(phen)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), [(dmbpy)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), or [(15-crown-5-phen)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, in aqueous solution to afford a series of positively charged [M(8)L(4)](8+) or [M(4)L(2)](4+) multimetallomacrocycles with remarkable water solubility. Their structures were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis and in the cases of 1·8BF(4)(-) ([(phen)(8)Pd(8)L(1)(4)](BF(4))(8)), and 3·4BF(4)(-) ([(phen)(4)Pd(4)L(2)(2)](BF(4))(4)) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3-8 are square-type hybrid metallomacrocycles, while complexes 1 and 2 exhibit folding cyclic structures. Interestingly, in single-crystal structures of 1·8BF(4)(-) and 3·4BF(4)(-), BF(4)(-) anions are trapped in the dipalladium clips through anion-π interaction. The luminescence properties and interaction toward anions of these metallomacrocycles were discussed.     

Interaction of rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)3]2+ with DNA: enantiospecific DNA binding and ligand-promoted exciton coupling

The X-ray crystal structure of the complex rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)(3)]Cl(2) (5,6-dmp = 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) reveals a distorted octahedral coordination geometry with the Ru-N bond distances shorter than in its phen analogue. Absorption spectral titrations with CT DNA reveal that rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)(3)](2+) interacts (K(b), (8.0 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1)) much more strongly than its phen analogue. The emission intensity of the 5,6-dmp complex is dramatically enhanced on binding to DNA, which is higher than that of the phen analogue. Also, interestingly, time-resolved emission measurements on the DNA-bound complex shows biexponential decay of the excited states with the lifetimes of short- and long-lived components being higher than those for the phen analogue. The CD spectral studies of rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)(3)](2+) bound to CT DNA provide a definite and elegant evidence for the enantiospecific interaction of the complex with B-form DNA. Competitive DNA binding studies using rac-[Ru(phen)(3)](2+) provide support for the strong binding of the complex with DNA. The Delta-enantiomer of rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)(3)](2+) binds specifically to the right-handed B-form of poly d(GC)(12) at lower ionic strength (0.05 M NaCl), and the Lambda-enantiomer binds specifically to the left-handed Z-form of poly d(GC)(12) generated by treating the B-form with 5 M NaCl. The strong electronic coupling of the DNA-bound complex with the unbound complex facilitates the change in its enantiospecificity upon changing the conformation of DNA. The (1)H NMR spectra of rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)(3)](2+) bound to poly d(GC)(12) reveal that the complex closely interacts most possibly in the major grooves of DNA. Electrochemical studies using ITO electrode show that the 5,6-dmp complex stabilizes CT DNA from electrocatalytic oxidation of its guanine base more than the phen analogue does.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, photochemical and photophysical properties and biological activities of ruthenium complexes with mono- and bi-dentate histamine ligand

The monodentate cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(hist)(2)](2+)1R and the bidentate cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(hist)](2+)2A complexes were prepared and characterized using spectroscopic ((1)H, ((1)H-(1)H)COSY and ((1)H-(13)C)HSQC NMR, UV-vis, luminescence) techniques. The complexes presented absorption and emission in the visible region, as well as a tri-exponential emission decay. The complexes are soluble in aqueous and non-aqueous solution with solubility in a buffer solution of pH 7.4 of 1.14 × 10(-3) mol L(-1) for (1R + 2A) and 6.43 × 10(-4) mol L(-1) for 2A and lipophilicity measured in an aqueous-octanol solution of -1.14 and -0.96, respectively. Photolysis in the visible region in CH(3)CN converted the starting complexes into cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+). Histamine photorelease was also observed in pure water and in the presence of BSA (1.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1)). The bidentate coordination of the histamine to the ruthenium center in relation to the monodentate coordination increased the photosubstitution quantum yield by a factor of 3. Pharmacological studies showed that the complexes present a moderate inhibition of AChE with an IC(50) of 21 μmol L(-1) (referred to risvagtini, IC(50) 181 μmol L(-1) and galantamine IC(50) 0.006 μmol L(-1)) with no appreciable cytotoxicity toward to the HeLa cells (50% cell viability at 925 μmol L(-1)). Cell uptake of the complexes into HeLa cells was detected by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Overall, the observation of a luminescent complex that penetrates the cell wall and has low cytotoxicity, but is reactive photochemically, releasing histamine when irradiated with visible light, are interesting features for application of these complexes as phototherapeutic agents.     

Scrutinizing low-spin Cr(II) complexes

The oxidation state of the chromium center in the following compounds has been probed using a combination of chromium K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory: [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](2) (1), [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](3) (2), [CrCl(2)((t)bpy)(2)] (3), [CrCl(2)(bpy)(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62) (4), [Cr(TPP)(py)(2)] (5), [Cr((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2) (6), [CrCl(2)(dmpe)(2)] (7), and [Cr(Cp)(2)] (8), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, (t)bpy is 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine, and TPP(2-) is doubly deprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, [Cr(phen)(3)][OTf](2) (1'), and 3 are reported. The X-ray absorption and computational data reveal that complexes 1-5 all contain a central Cr(III) ion (S(Cr) = (3)/(2)), whereas complexes 6-8 contain a central low-spin (S = 1) Cr(II) ion. Therefore, the electronic structures of 1-8 are best described as [Cr(III)(phen(?))(phen(0))(2)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(III)(phen(0))(3)][PF(6)](3), [Cr(III)Cl(2)((t)bpy(?))((t)bpy(0))], [Cr(III)Cl(2)(bpy(0))(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62), [Cr(III)(TPP(3?-))(py)(2)], [Cr(II)((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(II)Cl(2)(dmpe)(2)], and [Cr(II)(Cp)(2)], respectively, where (L(0)) and (L(?))(-) (L = phen, (t)bpy, or bpy) are the diamagnetic neutral and one-electron-reduced radical monoanionic forms of L, and TPP(3?-) is the one-electron-reduced doublet form of diamagnetic TPP(2-). Following our previous results that have shown [Cr((t)bpy)(3)](2+) and [Cr(tpy)(2)](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) to contain a central Cr(III) ion, the current results further refine the scope of compounds that may be described as low-spin Cr(II) and reveal that this is a very rare oxidation state accessible only with ligands in the strong-field extreme of the spectrochemical series.     

Interaction of rac-[Cu(diimine)3]2+ and rac-[Zn(diimine)3]2+ complexes with CT DNA: effect of fluxional Cu(II) geometry on DNA binding, ligand-promoted exciton coupling and prominent DNA cleavage

The complexes [Cu(phen)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 1, [Cu(5,6-dmp)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 2, [Cu(dpq)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 3, [Zn(phen)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 4, [Zn(5,6-dmp)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 5 and [Zn(dpq)(3)](ClO(4))(2) 6, where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 5,6-dmp = 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and dpq = dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline, have been isolated, characterized and their interaction with calf thymus DNA studied by using a host of physical methods. The X-ray crystal structures of rac-[Cu(5,6-dmp)(3)](ClO(4))(2) and rac-[Zn(5,6-dmp)(3)](ClO(4))(2) have been determined. While 2 possesses a regular elongated octahedral coordination geometry (REO), 5 possesses a distorted octahedral geometry. Absorption spectral titrations of the Cu(II) complexes with CT DNA reveal that the red-shift (12 nm) and DNA binding affinity of 3 (K(b), 7.5 x 10(4) M(-1)) are higher than those of 1 (red-shift, 6 nm; K(b), 9.6 x 10(3) M(-1)) indicating that the partial insertion of the extended phen ring of dpq ligand in between the DNA base pairs is deeper than that of phen ring. Also, 2 with a fluxional Cu(II) geometry interacts with DNA (K(b), 3.8 x 10(4) M(-1)) more strongly than 1 suggesting that the hydrophobic forces of interaction of 5,6 methyl groups on the phen ring is more pronounced than the partial intercalation of phen ring in the latter with a static geometry. The DNA binding affinity of 1 is lower than that of its Zn(ii) analogue 4, and, interestingly, the DNA binding affinity 2 of with a fluxional geometry is higher than that of its Zn(II) analogue 5 with a spherical geometry. It is remarkable that upon binding to DNA 3 shows an increase in viscosity higher than that the intercalator EthBr does, which is consistent with the above DNA binding affinities. The CD spectra show only one induced CD band on the characteristic positive band of CT DNA upon interaction with the phen (1,4) and dpq (3,6) complexes. In contrast, the 5,6-dmp complexes 2 and 5 bound to CT DNA show exciton-coupled biphasic CD signals with 2 showing CD signals more intense than 5. The Delta-enantiomer of rac-[Cu(5,6-dmp)(3)](2+) 2 binds specifically to the right-handed B-form of CT DNA at lower ionic strength (0.05 M NaCl) while the Lambda-enantiomer binds specifically to the left-handed Z-form of CT DNA generated by treating the B-form with 5 M NaCl. The complex 2 is stabilized in the higher oxidation state of Cu(II) more than its phen analogue 1 upon binding to DNA suggesting the involvement of electrostatic forces in DNA interaction of the former. In contrast, 3 bound to DNA is stabilized as Cu(I) rather than the Cu(II) oxidation state due to partial intercalative interaction of the dpq ligand. The efficiencies of the complexes to oxidatively cleave pUC19 DNA vary in the order, 3> 1 > 2 with 3 effecting 100% cleavage even at 10 microM complex concentration. However, interestingly, this order is reversed when the DNA cleavage is performed using H(2)O(2) as an activator and the highest cleavage efficiency of 2 is ascribed to its electrostatic interaction with the exterior phosphates of DNA.     

Oxidative homolysis of a nitrosylchromium complex

Metal(III)-polypyridine complexes [M(NN)(3)](3+) (M = Ru or Fe; NN = bipyridine (bpy), phenanthroline (phen), or 4,7-dimethylphenanthroline (Me(2)-phen)) oxidize the nitrosylpentaaquachromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)NO](2+), with an overall 4:1 stoichiometry, 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) + [Cr(aq)NO](2+) + 2 H(2)O --> 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) + [Cr(aq)](3+) + NO(3)(-) + 4 H(+). The kinetics follow a mixed second-order rate law, -d[[M(NN)(3)](3+)]/dt = nk[[M(NN)(3)](3+)][[Cr(aq)NO](2+)], in which k represents the rate constant for the initial one-electron transfer step, and n = 2-4 depending on reaction conditions and relative rates of the first and subsequent steps. With [Cr(aq)NO](2+) in excess, the values of nk are 283 M(-1) s(-1) ([Ru(bpy)(3)](3+)), 7.4 ([Ru(Me(2)-phen)(3)](3+)), and 5.8 ([Fe(phen)(3)](3+)). In the proposed mechanism, the one-electron oxidation of [Cr(aq)NO](2+) releases NO, which is further oxidized to nitrite, k = 1.04x10(6) M(-1) s(-1), 6.17x10(4), and 1.12x10(4) with the three respective oxidants. Further oxidation yields the observed nitrate. The kinetics of the first step show a strong correlation with thermodynamic driving force. Parallels were drawn with oxidative homolysis of a superoxochromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)OO](2+), to gain insight into relative oxidizability of coordinated NO and O(2), and to address the question of the "oxidation state" of coordinated NO in [Cr(aq)NO](2+).     

Mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(II) heteroleptic complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline ligands. Part II: Spectroscopic and photophysical study in the presence of DNA

Photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of mononuclear and binuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of phen (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), in the absence or in the presence of calf-thymus DNA have been investigated by steady-state as well as time-resolved methods. The complexes of this series are [Ru(x)(phen)(2x)(L)](2x+) (x=1 or 2) type, where L is a bpy (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bypiridine, with x=1) or a bis-bpy covalently linked by flexible chains including either polymethylene groups or polyamine functions (with x=2). Upon addition of DNA, the most important increasing luminescence and change of emission maxima wavelength are observed for the bimetallic compounds having amine functions in their spacer. A biexponential decay in luminescence is found with emission lifetimes of the complexes upon binding to DNA. Moreover, these complexes induce efficient photocleavage of DNA by irradiation at 450 nm. This efficiency is particularly important when the binuclear complexes include amino groups. Topoisomerization experiments have pointed out a similarity between the DNA cleaving ability of these complexes and their intercalation into DNA. Scavenging experiments have shown that the oxidative species involved in DNA cleavage was mainly (1)O(2), via a type II mechanism.     

Structural diversity, optical and magnetic properties of a series of manganese thioarsenates with 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine ligands: using monodentate methylamine as an alkalinity regulator

The exploration in two hydro(solvo)thermal reaction systems As/S/Mn(2+)/phen/methylamine aqueous solution and As/S/Mn(2+)/2,2'-bipy/H(2)O affords five new manganese thioarsenates with diverse structures, namely, (CH(3)NH(3)){[Mn(phen)(2)](As(V)S(4))}·phen (1 and 1'), (CH(3)NH(3))(2){[Mn(phen)](2)(As(V)S(4))(2)} (2), {[Mn(phen)(2)](As(III)(2)S(4))}(n) (3), {[Mn(phen)](3)(As(III)S(3))(2)}·H(2)O (4), and {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2)(As(V)S(4))}[As(III)S(S(5))] (5). Compound 1 comprises a {[Mn(phen)(2)](As(V)S(4))}(-) complex anion, a monoprotonated methylamine cation and a phen molecule. Compound 2 contains a butterfly like {[Mn(phen)](2)(As(V)S(4))(2)}(2-) anion charge compensated by two monoprotonated methylamine cations. Compound 3 is a neutral chain formed by a helical (1)(∞)(As(III)S(2)(-)) vierer chain covalently bonds to [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complexes via all its terminal S atoms. Compound 4 features a neutral chain showing the stabilization of noncondensed (As(III)S(3))(3-) anions in the coordination of [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complex cations. Compound 5 features a mixed-valent As(III)/As(V) character and an interesting chalcogenidometalates structure, where a polycation formed by the connection of two [Mn(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2+) complex cation and a (As(V)S(4))(3-) anion acts as a countercation for a polythioarsenate anion, [As(III)S(S(5))](-). The title compounds exhibit optical gaps in the range 1.58-2.48 eV and blue photoluminescence. Interestingly, compound 1 displays a weak second harmonic generation (SHG) response being about 1/21 times of KTP (KTiOPO(4)). Magnetic measurements show paramagnetic behavior for 1 and dominant antiferromagnetic behavior for 2-5. Of particular interest is 4, which is the first manganese chalcogenide showing spin-canting characteristic.     

Oxygen atom transfer from a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex to nitric oxide

In aqueous acidic solutions trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) (L=1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane) is rapidly reduced by excess NO to give trans-[Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+). When ≤1 mol equiv NO is used, the intermediate Ru(IV) species, trans-[Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+), can be detected. The reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO is first order with respect to [Ru(VI)] and [NO], k(2)=(4.13±0.21)×10(1) M(-1) s(-1) at 298.0 K. ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) are (12.0±0.3) kcal mol(-1) and -(11±1) cal mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. In CH(3)CN, ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) have the same values as in H(2)O; this suggests that the mechanism is the same in both solvents. In CH(3)CN, the reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO produces a blue-green species with λ(max) at approximately 650 nm, which is characteristic of N(2)O(3). N(2)O(3) is formed by coupling of NO(2) with excess NO; it is relatively stable in CH(3)CN, but undergoes rapid hydrolysis in H(2)O. A mechanism that involves oxygen atom transfer from [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) to NO to produce NO(2) is proposed. The kinetics of the reaction of [Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+) with NO has also been investigated. In this case, the data are consistent with initial one-electron O(-) transfer from Ru(IV) to NO to produce the nitrito species [Ru(III)(L)(ONO)(OH(2))](2+) (k(2)>10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), followed by a reaction with another molecule of NO to give [Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+) and NO(2)(-) (k(2)=54.7 M(-1) s(-1)).     

A double arene hydroxylation mediated by dicopper(II)-hydroperoxide species

The dicopper(II) complex [Cu(2)(L)](4+) (L = alpha,alpha'-bis[bis[2-(1'-methyl-2'-benzimidazolyl)ethyl]amino]-m-xylene) reacts with hydrogen peroxide to give the dicopper(II)-hydroquinone complex in which the xylyl ring of the ligand has undergone a double hydroxylation reaction at ring positions 2 and 5. The dihydroxylated ligand 2,6-bis([bis[2-(3-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl]amino]methyl)benzene-1,4-diol was isolated by decomposition of the product complex. The incorporation of two oxygen atoms from H(2)O(2) into the ligand was confirmed by isotope labeling studies using H(2)(18)O(2). The pathway of the unusual double hydroxylation was investigated by preparing the two isomeric phenolic derivatives of L, namely 3,5-bis([bis[2-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl]amino]methyl)phenol (6) and 2,6-bis([bis[2-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl]amino]methyl)phenol (7), carrying the hydroxyl group in one of the two positions where L is hydroxylated. The dicopper(II) complexes prepared with the new ligands 6 and 7 and containing bridging micro-phenoxo moieties are inactive in the hydroxylation. Though, the dicopper(II) complex 3 derived from 6 and containing a protonated phenol is rapidly hydroxylated by H(2)O(2) and represents the first product formed in the hydroxylation of [Cu(2)(L)](4+). Kinetic studies performed on the reactions of [Cu(2)(L)](4+) and 3 with H(2)O(2) show that the second hydroxylation is faster than the first one at room temperature (0.13 +/- 0.05 s(-1) vs 5.0(+/-0.1) x 10(-3) s(-1)) and both are intramolecular processes. However, the two reactions exhibit different activation parameters (Delta H++ = 39.1 +/- 0.9 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S++ = -115.7 +/- 2.4 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the first hydroxylation; Delta H++ = 77.8 +/- 1.6 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S++ = -14.0 +/- 0.4 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the second hydroxylation). By studying the reaction between [Cu(2)(L)](4+) and H(2)O(2) at low temperature, we were able to characterize the intermediate eta(1):eta(1)-hydroperoxodicopper(II) adduct active in the first hydroxylation step, [Cu(2)(L)(OOH)](3+) [lambda(max) = 342 (epsilon 12,000), 444 (epsilon 1200), and 610 nm (epsilon 800 M(-1)cm(-1)); broad EPR signal in frozen solution indicative of magnetically coupled Cu(II) centers].     

The synthesis and structure of heteroleptic tris(diimine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with cationic bis(diimine)[Ru(L)(L1)(CO)Cl]+ complexes (L, L1, L2 are dissimilar diimine ligands), in the presence of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me3NO) as a decarbonylation reagent, lead to the formation of heteroleptic tris(diimine) ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(L)(L1)(L2)]2+. Typically isolated as hexafluorophosphate or perchlorate salts, these complexes were characterised by UV-visible, infrared and mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, microanalyses and NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray studies have elucidated the structures of K[Ru(bpy)(phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(3).1/2H(2)O, [Ru(bpy)(5,6-Me(2)phen)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(phen)(5,6-Me(2)phen)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(5,6'-Me(2)phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(2).EtOH, [Ru(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(phen)(Hdpa)](PF(6))(2).MeOH and [Ru(bpy)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2).1/2Hdpa (where Hdpa is di(2-pyridyl)amine). A novel feature of the first complex is the presence of a dinuclear anionic adduct, [K(2)(PF(6))(6)](4-), in which the two potassium centres are bridged by two fluorides from different hexafluorophosphate ions forming a K(2)F(2) bridging unit and by two KFPFK bridging moieties.     

Reactions of cadmium(II) nitrate with 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate in the presence of N-donor ligands

Reactions of Cd(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O with TabHPF(6) (TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol) and Et(3)N in the presence of NH(4)SCN and five other N-donor ligands such as 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmphen), 2,6-bis(pyrazd-3-yl)pyridine (bppy) and 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bdmppy) gave rise to a family of Cd(II)/thiolate complexes of N-donor ligands, {[Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(4)(NCS)(2)](NO(3))(2)·MeOH}(n) (1), [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(L)(4)](PF(6))(4) (2: L = 2,2'-bipy; 3: L = phen), [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](PF(6))(2) (4: L = 2,9-dmphen; 5: L = bppy), and [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(Tab)(2)(bdmppy)](2)(PF(6))(8)·H(2)O (6·H(2)O). These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra, (1)H NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For 1, each [Cd(NCS)](+) fragment is connected to its equivalents via a pair of Tab bridges to a one-dimensional chain. For 2 and 3, two [Cd(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2+) or [Cd(phen)(2)](2+) units are linked by a pair of Tab bridges to form a cationic dimeric structure. The Cd atom in [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](2+) dication of 4 or 5 is coordinated by two Tab ligands and chelated by two N atoms from 2,9-dmphen (4) or three N atoms from bppy (5), forming a distorted tetrahedral (4) or trigonal bipyramidal (5) coordination geometry. For 6, each of two [Cd(Tab)(bdmppy)] fragments is linked to one [(Tab)Cd(μ-Tab)(2)Cd(Tab)] fragment via two Tab bridges to generate a unique cationic zigzag tetrameric structure where the Cd centers take a tetrahedral or a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. The results may provide an interesting insight into mimicking the coordination spheres of the Cd(II) sites of metallothioneins and their interactions with various N-donor ligands encountered in nature.     

Electron and hydrogen-atom self-exchange reactions of iron and cobalt coordination complexes

Reported here are self-exchange reactions between iron 2,2'-bi(tetrahydro)pyrimidine (H(2)bip) complexes and between cobalt 2,2'-biimidazoline (H(2)bim) complexes. The (1)H NMR resonances of [Fe(II)(H(2)bip)(3)](2+) are broadened upon addition of [Fe(III)(H(2)bip)(3)](3+), indicating that electron self-exchange occurs with k(Fe,e)(-) = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K in CD(3)CN. Similar studies of [Fe(II)(H(2)bip)(3)](2+) plus [Fe(III)(Hbip)(H(2)bip)(2)](2+) indicate that hydrogen-atom self-exchange (proton-coupled electron transfer) occurs with k(Fe,H.) = (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) under the same conditions. Both self-exchange reactions are faster at lower temperatures, showing small negative enthalpies of activation: DeltaH++(e(-)) = -2.1 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1) (288-320 K) and DeltaH++(H.) = -1.5 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1) (260-300 K). This behavior is concluded to be due to the faster reaction of the low-spin states of the iron complexes, which are depopulated as the temperature is raised. Below about 290 K, rate constants for electron self-exchange show the more normal decrease with temperature. There is a modest kinetic isotope effect on H-atom self-exchange of 1.6 +/- 0.5 at 298 K that is close to that seen previously for the fully high-spin iron biimidazoline complexes.(12) The difference in the measured activation parameters, E(a)(D) - E(a)(H), is -1.2 +/- 0.8 kcal mol(-1), appears to be inconsistent with a semiclassical view of the isotope effect, and suggests extensive tunneling. Reactions of [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+)-d(24) with [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](3+) or [Co(Hbim)(H(2)bim)(2)](2+) occur with scrambling of ligands indicating inner-sphere processes. The self-exchange rate constant for outer-sphere electron transfer between [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) and [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](3+) is estimated to be 10(-)(6) M(-1) s(-1) by application of the Marcus cross relation. Similar application of the cross relation to H-atom transfer reactions indicates that self-exchange between [Co(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) and [Co(Hbim)(H(2)bim)(2)](2+) is also slow, < or =10(-3) M(-1) s(-1). The slow self-exchange rates for the cobalt complexes are apparently due to their interconverting high-spin [Co(II)(H(2)bim)(3)](2+) with low-spin Co(III) derivatives.     

Ruthenium(II) as a novel "labile" partner in thermodynamic self-assembly of heterobimetallic d-f triple-stranded helicates

Unsymmetrical substituted bidentate benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine ligands L2 and L3 react with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl(2)] in ethanol to give statistical 1:3 mixtures of fac-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+) and mer-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+) (i=2, 3; DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)=-2.7 kJ mol(-1)). In more polar solvents (acetonitrile, methanol), the free energy of the facial<=>meridional isomerisation process favours mer-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+), which is the only isomer observed in solution at the equilibrium (DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)< or = -11.4 kJ mol(-1)). Since the latter process takes several days for [Ru(L2)(3)](2+), fac-[Ru(L2)(3)](2+) and mer-[Ru(L2)(3)](2+) have been separated by chromatography, but the 28-fold increase in velocity observed for [Ru(L3)(3)](2+) provides only mer-[Ru(L3)3](ClO(4))2 after chromatography (RuC(60)H(51)N(9)O(8)Cl(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z=4). The facial isomer can be stabilised when an appended tridentate binding unit, connected at the 5-position of the benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine unit in ligand L1, interacts with nine-coordinate lanthanides(III). The free energy of the facial<=>meridional isomerisation is reversed (DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)> or =11.4 kJ mol(-1)), and the Ru--N bonds are labile enough to allow the quantitative thermodynamic self-assembly of HHH-[RuLu(L1)(3)]5+ within hours ([RuLu(L1)3](CF(3)SO(3))(4.5)Cl(0.5)(CH(3)OH)(2.5): RuLuC(106)H(109)Cl(0.5)N(21)O(19)S(4.5)F(13.5), triclinic, P(-)1, Z=2). Electrochemical and photophysical studies show that the benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine units in L1-L3 display similar pi-acceptor properties to, but stronger pi-donor properties than, those found in 2,2'-bipyridine. This shifts the intraligand pi-->pi* and the MLCT transitions toward lower energies in the pseudo-octahedral [Ru(Li)(3)](2+) (i=2, 3) chromophores. The concomitant short lifetime of the (3)MLCT excited state points to efficient, thermally activated quenching via low-energy Ru-centred d-d states, a limitation which is partially overcome by mechanical coupling in HHH-[RuLu(L1)(3)]5+.