Actinide arene-metalates: ion pairing effects on the electronic structure of unsupported uranium–arenide sandwich complexes

Addition of [UI₂(THF)₃(μ-OMe)]₂·THF (2·THF) to THF solutions containing 6 equiv. of K[C₁₄H₁₀] generates the heteroleptic dimeric complexes [K(18-crown-6)(THF)₂]₂[U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]₂·4THF (118C6·4THF) and {[K(THF)₃][U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]}₂ (1THF) upon crystallization of the products in THF in the presence or absence of 18-crown-6, respectively. Both 118C6·4THF and 1THF are thermally stable in the solid-state at room temperature; however, after crystallization, they become insoluble in THF or DME solutions and instead gradually decompose upon standing. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals 118C6·4THF and 1THF to be structurally similar, possessing uranium centres sandwiched between bent anthracenide ligands of mixed tetrahapto and hexahapto ligation modes. Yet, the two complexes are distinguished by the close contact potassium-arenide ion pairing that is seen in 1THF but absent in 118C6·4THF, which is observed to have a significant effect on the electronic characteristics of the two complexes. Structural analysis, SQUID magnetometry data, XANES spectral characterization, and computational analyses are generally consistent with U(iv) formal assignments for the metal centres in both 118C6·4THF and 1THF, though noticeable differences are detected between the two species. For instance, the effective magnetic moment of 1THF (3.74 μ_B) is significantly lower than that of 118C6·4THF (4.40 μ_B) at 300 K. Furthermore, the XANES data shows the U L_III-edge absorption energy for 1THF to be 0.9 eV higher than that of 118C6·4THF, suggestive of more oxidized metal centres in the former. Of note, CASSCF calculations on the model complex {[U(η⁶-C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁴-C₁₄H₁₀)(μ-OMe)]₂}²⁻ (1*) shows highly polarized uranium–arenide interactions defined by π-type bonds where the metal contributions are primarily comprised by the 6d-orbitals (7.3 ± 0.6%) with minor participation from the 5f-orbitals (1.5 ± 0.5%). These unique complexes provide new insights into actinide–arenide bonding interactions and show the sensitivity of the electronic structures of the uranium atoms to coordination sphere effects.

Use of Chatt metal-arene protocols with uranium leads to the synthesis of the first well-characterized, unsupported actinide–arenide sandwich complexes. The electronic structures of the actinide centres show a key sensitivity to ion pairing effects.     

Structural Diversity of Silver Fluorinated β-Diketonates: Effect of the Terminal Substituent and Solvent

In order to demonstrate the role of the fluorination and some solvents in the structural organization of the Ag(I) coordination polymers with β-diketonate ligands (R¹C(O)C_αHC(O)R²)⁻ we synthesized a series of the compounds containing tfac- (R₁ = CH₃, R² = CF₃) and pfpac- (R₁ = CH₃, R² = C₂F₅) anions. Solvent-free [Ag(L)]_∞ (L = tfac 1, pfpac 2) compounds and the corresponding acetonitrile and toluene adducts have been characterized by elemental analysis and/or NMR, IR and single-crystal XRD. This series includes five new coordination polymers. Compound 1 is a 3D coordination framework based on Ag–O_{chelate/bridge}, Ag–C_α bonds, and argentophilic interactions. An increase in the fluorinated group leads to a chain coordination polymer 2 of an unusual structural organization. These chains can be represented as a “DNA-type”, where two intertwined helices based on Ag–O_chelate and Ag–C_α bonds are connected through Ag–O_bridge ones. Two structural types of chain coordination polymers, [Ag(tfac)(CH₃CN)] and [Ag₂(L)₂(solvent)], have been revealed for the adducts. The latter structural type differs significantly from the previously studied toluene and acetonitrile adducts of fluorinated Ag(I) β-diketonates of the same stoichiometry. Thermal analysis in helium showed that both 1 and 2 decompose to metallic silver with the compound of pfpac-ligand being slightly more stable.     

Mono- and Binuclear Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with the 3,6-Bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-Tetrazine Ligand

Four new compounds of formulas [Cu(hfac)₂(L)] (1), [Ni(hfac)₂(L)] (2), [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃OH (3) and [{Ni(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃CN (4) [Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone and L = 3,6-bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine] have been prepared and their structures determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural mononuclear complexes where the metal ions [copper(II) (1) and nickel(II) (2)] are six-coordinated in distorted octahedral MN₂O₄ surroundings which are built by two bidentate hfac ligands plus another bidentate L molecule. This last ligand coordinates to the metal ions through the nitrogen atoms of the picolylamine fragment. Compounds 3 and 4 are centrosymmetric homodinuclear compounds where two bidentate hfac units are the bidentate capping ligands at each metal center and a bis-bidentate L molecule acts as a bridge. The values of the intramolecular metal···metal separation are 7.97 (3) and 7.82 Å (4). Static (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for polycrystalline samples 1–4 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K. Curie law behaviors were observed for 1 and 2, the downturn of χ_MT in the low temperature region for 2 being due to the zero-field splitting of the nickel(II) ion. Very weak [J = −0.247(2) cm⁻¹] and relatively weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions [J = −4.86(2) cm⁻¹] occurred in 3 and 4, respectively (the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = −JS₁·S₂). Simple symmetry considerations about the overlap between the magnetic orbitals across the extended bis-bidentate L bridge in 3 and 4 account for their magnetic properties.     

A Cd(II) Luminescent Coordination Grid as a Multiresponsive Fluorescence Sensor for Cr(VI) Oxyanions and Cr(III), Fe(III), and Al(III) in Aqueous Medium

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of Cd(NO₃)₂, N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-mbpy-34), and 5-bromobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (Br-1,3-H₂bdc) afforded a luminescent coordination polymer, {[Cd(Br-1,3-bdc)(NI-mbpy-34)(H₂O)]∙2H₂O}_n (1). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that 1 features a two-dimensional (2-D) gridlike sql layer with the point symbol of (4⁴·6²), where the Cd(II) center adopts a {CdO₅N₂} pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis confirmed the thermal stability of 1 up to about 340 °C, whereas XRPD patterns proved the maintenance of crystallinity and framework integrity of 1 in CH₂Cl₂, H₂O, CH₃OH, and toluene. Photoluminescence studies indicated that 1 displayed intense blue fluorescence emissions in both solid-state and H₂O suspension-phase. Owing to the good fluorescent properties, 1 could serve as an excellent turn-off fluorescence sensor for selective and sensitive Cr(VI) detection in water, with LOD = 15.15 μM for CrO₄²⁻ and 14.91 μM for Cr₂O₇²⁻, through energy competition absorption mechanism. In addition, 1 could also sensitively detect Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺ ions in aqueous medium via fluorescence-enhancement responses, with LOD = 2.81 μM for Cr³⁺, 3.82 μM for Fe³⁺, and 3.37 μM for Al³⁺, mainly through an absorbance-caused enhancement (ACE) mechanism.     

Tuning Photophysical Properties by p-Functional Groups in Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes with Piperonylic Acid

Aggregation between discrete molecules is an essential factor to prevent aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). Indeed, functional groups capable of generating strong hydrogen bonds are likely to assemble and cause ACQ and photoinduced electron transfer processes. Thus, it is possible to compare absorption and emission properties by incorporating two ligands with a different bias toward intra- and intermolecular interactions that can induce a specific structural arrangement. In parallel, the π electron-donor or electron-withdrawing character of the functional groups could modify the Highest Ocuppied Molecular Orbital (HOMO)–Lowest Unocuppied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy gap. Reactions of M(OAc)₂·2H₂O (M = Zn(II) and Cd(II); OAc = acetate) with 1,3-benzodioxole-5-carboxylic acid (Piperonylic acid, HPip) and 4-acetylpyridine (4-Acpy) or isonicotinamide (Isn) resulted in the formation of four complexes. The elucidation of their crystal structure showed the formation of one paddle-wheel [Zn(μ-Pip)₂(4-Acpy)]₂ (1); a mixture of one dimer and two monomers [Zn(µ-Pip)(Pip)(Isn)₂]₂·2[Zn(Pip)₂(HPip)(Isn)]·2MeOH (2); and two dimers [Cd(μ-Pip)(Pip)(4-Acpy)₂]₂ (3) and [Cd(μ-Pip)(Pip)(Isn)₂]₂·MeOH (4). They exhibit bridged (1, µ₂-η¹:η¹), bridged, chelated and monodentated (2, µ₂-η¹:η¹, µ₁-η¹:η¹ and µ₁-η¹), or simultaneously bridged and chelated (3 and 4, µ₂-η²:η¹) coordination modes. Zn(II) centers accommodate coordination numbers 5 and 6, whereas Cd(II) presents coordination number 7. We have related their photophysical properties and fluorescence quantum yields with their geometric variations and interactions supported by TD-DFT calculations.     

Solid-State Structures and Photoluminescence of Lamellar Architectures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) Paddlewheel Clusters with Hydrogen-Bonded Polar Guests

Two hexanuclear paddlewheel-like clusters appending six carboxylic-acid pendants have been isolated with the inclusion of polar solvent guests: [Cu₆(Hmna)₆]·7DMF (1·7DMF) and [Ag₆(Hmna)₆]·8DMSO (2·8DMSO), where H₂mna = 2-mercaptonicotininc acid, DMF = N,N’-dimethylformamide, and DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide. The solvated clusters, together with their fully desolvated forms 1 and 2, have been characterized by FTIR, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, TG-DTA analysis, and DFT calculations. Crystal structures of two solvated clusters 1·7DMF and 2·8DMSO have been unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Six carboxylic groups appended on the clusters trap solvent guests, DMF or DMSO, through H-bonds. As a result, alternately stacked lamellar architectures comprising of a paddlewheel cluster layer and H-bonded solvent layer are formed. Upon UV illumination (λ_ex = 365 nm), the solvated hexasilver(I) cluster 2·8DMSO gives intense greenish-yellow photoluminescence in the solid state (λ_PL = 545 nm, Φ_PL = 0.17 at 298 K), whereas the solvated hexacopper(I) cluster 1·7DMF displays PL in the near-IR region (λ_PL = 765 nm, Φ_PL = 0.38 at 298 K). Upon complete desolvation, a substantial bleach in the PL intensity (Φ_PL < 0.01) is observed. The desorption–sorption response was studied by the solid-state PL spectroscopy. Non-covalent interactions in the crystal including intermolecular H-bonds, CH⋯π interactions, and π⋯π stack were found to play decisive roles in the creation of the lamellar architectures, small-molecule trap-and-release behavior, and guest-induced luminescence enhancement.     

Crystal structure of a silver(I) complex {[Ag(N-methylthiourea)2]NO3}n exhibiting infinite chains of AgS4 tetrahedra

A polymeric silver(I) complex, bis(N-methylthiourea)silver(I) nitrate, {[Ag(Metu)₂]NO₃} _n is prepared and its crystal structure is determined. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group. In the structure, distorted AgS₄ tetrahedra are linked through the sulfur atoms of the Metu ligand to form isolated infinite chains of the type [Ag(SR)₂] _n ⁿ⁺. The cationic chains are separated from each other by nitrate ions that do not coordinate to the metal ion. The chains are bridged via N-H...O hydrogen bonds involving the nitrate ions. The complex exhibits an Ag—Ag separation of ∼3.21 ? indicating the existence of significant argentophilic interactions. An upfield shift in the >C=S resonance of Metu in ¹³C NMR and downfield shift in the N-H resonance in ¹H NMR are consistent with sulfur coordination to silver(I).     

Construction of Two Stable Co(II)-Based Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks as a Luminescent Probe for Recognition of Fe3+ and Cr2O72− in H2O

A pair of cobalt(II)-based hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), [Co(pca)₂(bmimb)]_n (1) and [Co₂(pca)₄(bimb)₂] (2), where Hpca = p-chlorobenzoic acid, bmimb = 1,3-bis((2-methylimidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene, and bimb = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized through infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental and thermal analysis (EA), power X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analyses. X-ray diffraction structural analysis revealed that 1 has a one-dimensional (1D) infinite chain network through the deprotonated pca⁻ monodentate chelation and with a μ₂-bmimb bridge Co(II) atom, and 2 is a binuclear Co(II) complex construction with a pair of symmetry-related pca⁻ and bimb ligands. For both 1 and 2, each cobalt atom has four coordinated twisted tetrahedral configurations with a N₂O₂ donor set. Then, 1 and 2 are further extended into three-dimensional (3D) or two-dimensional (2D) hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks through C–H···Cl interactions. Topologically, HOFs 1 and 2 can be simplified as a 4-connected qtz topology with a Schläfli symbol {6⁴·8²} and a 4-connected sql topology with a Schläfli symbol {4⁴·6²}, respectively. The fluorescent sensing application of 1 was investigated; 1 exhibits high sensitivity recognition for Fe³⁺ (K_sv: 10970 M⁻¹ and detection limit: 19 μM) and Cr₂O₇²⁻ (K_sv: 12960 M⁻¹ and detection limit: 20 μM). This work provides a feasible detection platform of HOFs for highly sensitive discrimination of Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻ in aqueous media.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Luminescence of Cadmium(II) and Silver(I) Coordination Polymers Based on 1,3-Bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane

Coordination polymers with a new rigid ligand 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane (L) were prepared by its reaction with cadmium(II) or silver(I) nitrates. Crystal structure of the coordination polymers was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Silver formed two-dimensional coordination polymer [Ag(L)NO₃]_n, in which metal ions are linked by 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane ligands, coordinated by nitrogen atoms at positions 2 and 4 of 1,2,4-triazole rings. Layers of the coordination polymer consist of rare 18- and 30-membered {Ag₂L₂} and {Ag₄L₄} metallocycles. Cadmium(II) nitrate formed two kinds of one-dimensional coordination polymers depending on the metal-to-ligand ratio used in the synthesis. Coordination polymer [Cd(L)₂(NO₃)₂]_n was obtained in case of a 1:2 M:L ratio, while for M:L = 2:1 product {[Cd(L)(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)]·0.5CH₃OH}_n was isolated. All coordination polymers demonstrated ligand-centered emission near 450 nm upon excitation at 370 nm.     

Versatile Reactivity of MnII Complexes in Reactions with N-Donor Heterocycles: Metamorphosis of Labile Homometallic Pivalates vs. Assembling of Endurable Heterometallic Acetates

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) or 1,10-phenantroline (phen) with [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n led to the formation of binuclear complexes [Mn₂(Piv)₄L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (1), phen (2); Piv⁻ is the anion of pivalic acid). Oxidation of 1 or 2 by air oxygen resulted in the formation of tetranuclear Mn^II/III complexes [Mn₄O₂(Piv)₆L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (3), phen (4)). The hexanuclear complex [Mn₆(OH)₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₄] (5) was formed in the reaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with pyrimidine (pym), while oxidation of 5 produced the coordination polymer [Mn₆O₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₂]_n (6). Use of pyrazine (pz) instead of pyrimidine led to the 2D-coordination polymer [Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇(µ₂-pz)₂]_n (7). Interaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with FeCl₃ resulted in the formation of the hexanuclear complex [Mn^II₄Fe^III₂O₂(Piv)₁₀(MeCN)₂(HPiv)₂] (8). The reactions of [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(H₂O)₃] with 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) or trans-1,2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) led to the formation of 1D-polymers [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆L₂]_n·2nDMF, where L = 4,4′-bipy (9·2DMF), bpe (10·2DMF) and [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(bpe)(DMF)]_n·3.5nDMF (11·3.5DMF). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Desolvation of 11·3.5DMF led to a collapse of the porous crystal lattice that was confirmed by PXRD and N₂ sorption measurements, while alcohol adsorption led to porous structure restoration. Weak antiferromagnetic exchange was found in the case of binuclear Mn^II complexes (J_Mn-Mn = −1.03 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2). According to magnetic data analysis (J_Mn-Mn = −(2.69 ÷ 0.42) cm⁻¹) and DFT calculations (J_Mn-Mn = −(6.9 ÷ 0.9) cm⁻¹) weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn^II ions also occurred in the tetranuclear {Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇} unit of the 2D polymer 7. In contrast, strong antiferromagnetic coupling was found in oxo-bridged trinuclear fragment {MnFe₂O(OAc)₆} in 11·3.5DMF (J_Fe-Fe = −57.8 cm⁻¹, J_Fe-Mn = −20.12 cm⁻¹).     

A Chiral Coordination Polymer of Silver(I) with Saccharinate and Pyridine: Synthesis,Spectral, Thermal,and Structural Characterization of [Ag(sac)(py)]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The first silver(I) complex of saccharinate (sac) with pyridine (py), [Ag(sac)(py)]_n has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The complex crystallizes in chiral, trigonal space group P3₁21 (No. 152) with unit cell parameters of a = 11.2605(2) Å, c = 17.3300(4) Å, V = 1903.02(6) ų and Z = 6. [Ag(sac)(py)]_n contains monomeric [Ag(sac)(py)] units linked into infinite helices by way of Ag⋅sAg interactions [d(Ag⋅sAg) = 2.909(2) and 2.985(1) Å]. The distorted square-planar environment of Ag is completed by an N-bonded sac [Ag—N = 2.084(2) Å] and a py molecule [Ag—N = 2.116(2) Å]. The N_sac—Ag—N_py angle is 173.85(10)^∘. The one-dimensional chains are crosslinked by C—H⋅sO interactions involving the carbonyl and sulfonyl O atoms of sac and aromatic-ring hydrogen atoms of both sac and py. The thermal stability of the title complex was investigated using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis in a static atmosphere of air. The first decomposition stage between 90 and 160^∘C corresponds to removal of the py molecule in a single stage, while the degradation of the sac moiety occurs at two stages in the temperature range 370–515^∘C, giving an end product of metallic Ag.     

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Application of Silver(I) Dipeptide Complexes

Three silver(I) dipeptide complexes [Ag(GlyGly)]_n(NO₃)_n (AgGlyGly), [Ag₂(GlyAla)(NO₃)₂]_n (AgGlyAla) and [Ag₂(HGlyAsp)(NO₃)]_n (AgGlyAsp) were prepared, investigated and characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (mid-IR), elemental and thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. For AgGlyGly, X-ray crystallography was also performed. Their stability in biological testing media was verified by time-dependent NMR measurements. Their in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, the influence of silver(I) dipeptide complexes on microbial film formation was described. Further, the cytotoxicity of the complexes against selected cancer cells (BLM, MDA-MB-231, HeLa, HCT116, MCF-7 and Jurkat) and fibroblasts (BJ-5ta) using a colorimetric MTS assay was tested, and the selectivity index (SI) was identified. The mechanism of action of Ag(I) dipeptide complexes was elucidated and discussed by the study in terms of their binding affinity toward the CT DNA, the ability to cleave the DNA and the ability to influence numbers of cells within each cell cycle phase. The new silver(I) dipeptide complexes are able to bind into DNA by noncovalent interaction, and the topoisomerase I inhibition study showed that the studied complexes inhibit its activity at a concentration of 15 μM.     

Bioactive Abietane-Type Diterpenoid Glycosides from Leaves of Clerodendrum infortunatum (Lamiaceae)

In this study, two previously undescribed diterpenoids, (5R,10S,16R)-11,16,19-trihydroxy-12-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-17(15→16),18(4→3)-diabeo-3,8,11,13-abietatetraene-7-one (1) and (5R,10S,16R)-11,16-dihydroxy-12-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-17(15→16),18(4→3)-diabeo-4-carboxy-3,8,11,13-abietatetraene-7-one (2), and one known compound, the C₁₃-nor-isoprenoid glycoside byzantionoside B (3), were isolated from the leaves of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. (Lamiaceae). Structures were established based on spectroscopic and spectrometric data and by comparison with literature data. The three terpenoids, along with five phenylpropanoids: 6′-O-caffeoyl-12-glucopyranosyloxyjasmonic acid (4), jionoside C (5), jionoside D (6), brachynoside (7), and incanoside C (8), previously isolated from the same source, were tested for their in vitro antidiabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), anticancer (Hs578T and MDA-MB-231), and anticholinesterase activities. In an in vitro test against carbohydrate digestion enzymes, compound 6 showed the most potent effect against mammalian α-amylase (IC₅₀ 3.4 ± 0.2 μM) compared to the reference standard acarbose (IC₅₀ 5.9 ± 0.1 μM). As yeast α-glucosidase inhibitors, compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 displayed moderate inhibitory activities, ranging from 24.6 to 96.0 μM, compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ 665 ± 42 μM). All of the tested compounds demonstrated negligible anticholinesterase effects. In an anticancer test, compounds 3 and 5 exhibited moderate antiproliferative properties with IC₅₀ of 94.7 ± 1.3 and 85.3 ± 2.4 μM, respectively, against Hs578T cell, while the rest of the compounds did not show significant activity (IC₅₀ > 100 μM).     

Pyrene Carboxylate Ligand Based Coordination Polymers for Microwave-Assisted Solvent-Free Cyanosilylation of Aldehydes

The new coordination polymers (CPs) [Zn(μ-1κO¹:1κO²-L)(H₂O)₂]_n·n(H₂O) (1) and [Cd(μ₄-1κO¹O²:2κN:3,4κO³-L)(H₂O)]_n·n(H₂O) (2) are reported, being prepared by the solvothermal reactions of 5-{(pyren-4-ylmethyl)amino}isophthalic acid (H₂L) with Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O or Cd(NO₃)₂.4H₂O, respectively. They were synthesized in a basic ethanolic medium or a DMF:H₂O mixture, respectively. These compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that compound 1 is a one dimensional linear coordination polymer, whereas 2 presents a two dimensional network. In both compounds, the coordinating ligand (L²⁻) is twisted due to the rotation of the pyrene ring around the CH₂-NH bond. In compound 1, the Zn(II) metal ion has a tetrahedral geometry, whereas, in 2, the dinuclear [Cd₂(COO)₂] moiety acts as a secondary building unit and the Cd(II) ion possesses a distorted octahedral geometry. Recently, several CPs have been explored for the cyanosilylation reaction under conventional conditions, but microwave-assisted cyanosilylation of aldehydes catalyzed by CPs has not yet been well studied. Thus, we have tested the solvent-free microwave-assisted cyanosilylation reactions of different aldehydes, with trimethylsilyl cyanide, using our synthesized compounds, which behave as highly active heterogeneous catalysts. The coordination polymer 1 is more effective than 2, conceivably due to the higher Lewis acidity of the Zn(II) than the Cd(II) center and to a higher accessibility of the metal centers in the former framework. We have also checked the heterogeneity and recyclability of these coordination polymers, showing that they remain active at least after four recyclings.     

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Hypericum androsaemum on prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cell lines with identification of secondary metabolites by LC-HRMS

The study aims to determine the secondary metabolites of Hypericum androsaemum L. extracts by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), and investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the plant. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis induction abilities on human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3), and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cell lines. Accordingly, major secondary metabolites were found as hederagenin (762 ± 70.10 μg/g) in the leaves dichloromethane (LD), herniarin (167 ± 1.50 μg/g) in fruit dichloromethane (FD), (-)-epicatechin (6538 ± 235.36 μg/g) in the leaves methanol (LM), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (758 ± 20.46 μg/g) in the fruit methanol (FM), and caffeic acid (370 ± 8.88 μg/g) in the fruit water (FW), and (3313 ± 79.51 μg/g) in the leaves water (LW) extracts. LM exerted strong antioxidant activity in DPPH free (IC₅₀ 10.94 ± 0.08 μg/mL), and ABTS cation radicals scavenging (IC₅₀ 9.09 ± 0.05 μg/mL) activities. FM exhibited cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values of 73.23 ± 3.06 µg/mL and 31.64 ± 2.75 µg/mL on PC-3 and Hep G2 cell lines, respectively. Being the richest extract in terms of quillaic acid (630 ± 18.9 μg/g), which is a well-known cytotoxic triterpenoid with proven apoptosis induction ability on different cells, FM extract showed apoptosis induction activity with 64.75% on PC-3 cells at 50 μg/mL concentration. The study provides promising results about the potential of Hypericum androsaemum on cancer prevention.     

A Coordination Polymer from HAMTTO with Silver(I) (HAMTTO = 4‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐thione‐5‐one)

The reaction of 4‐amino‐6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐thione‐5‐one, HAMTTO, with silver (I) nitrate in methanol led under deprotonation to the polymeric compound [(AMTTO)Ag]_n. The coordination polymer {[Ag(HAMTTO)]ClO₄}_n ( 1 ) is synthesized from the reaction of the latter polymeric compound with perchloric acid. Both compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies on compound 1 showed that HAMTTO acts as a bidentate ligand and chelates the silver atom via its hydrazine nitrogen atom and its sulfur atom. Crystal data for 1 at ?90 °C: space group P2₁, Z = 2, a = 629.3(1), b = 748.7(1), c = 1071.7(1) pm, β = 98.28(1)°, R₁ = 0.0533.     

Coordination Chemistry of a Bis(Tetrazine) Tweezer: A Case of Host-Guest Behavior with Silver Salts

The carbon-carbon cross-coupling of phenyl s-tetrazine (Tz) units at their ortho-phenyl positions allows the formation of constrained bis(tetrazines) with original tweezer structures. In these compounds, the face-to-face positioning of the central tetrazine cores is reinforced by π-stacking of the electron-poor nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic moieties. The resulting tetra-aromatic structure can be used as a weak coordinating ligand with cationic silver. This coordination generates a set of bis(tetrazine)-silver(I) coordination complexes tolerating a large variety of counter anions of various geometries, namely, PF₆⁻, BF₄⁻, SbF₆⁻, ClO₄⁻, NTf₂⁻, and OTf⁻. These compounds were characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and in solution by ¹H-NMR, mass spectrometry, electroanalysis, and UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry. The X-ray crystal structure of complexes {[Ag(3)][PF₆]}_∞ (4) and {[Ag(3)][SbF₆]}_∞ (6), where 3 is 3,3′-[(1,1′-biphenyl)-2,2′-diyl]-6,6′-bis(phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, revealed the formation of 1D polymeric chains, characterized by an evolution to a large opening of the original tweezer and a coordination of silver(I) via two chelating nitrogen atom and some C=C π-interactions. Electrochemical and UV spectroscopic properties of the original tweezer and of the corresponding silver complexes are reported and compared. ¹H-NMR titrations with AgNTf₂ allowed the determination of the stoichiometry and apparent stability of two solution species, namely [Ag(3)]⁺ and [Ag(3)₂]²⁺, that formed in CDCl₃/CD₃OD 2:1 v/v mixtures.     

New Terpenoids from Potentilla freyniana Bornm. and Their Cytotoxic Activities

Two new A-ring contracted triterpenoids, madengaisu A and madengaisu B, and one undescribed ent-kaurane diterpenoid, madengaisu C, along with 20 known compounds were isolated from the roots of Potentilla freyniana Bornm. The structures were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, ECD spectra, IR, and UV analysis. Moreover, all isolated constituents were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against RA-FLS cells and cytotoxic activities against the human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, HCT-116, BGC-823, and MCF-7. Ursolic acid and pomolic acid displayed moderate inhibitory activity in RA-FLS cells with IC₅₀ values of 24.63 ± 1.96 and 25.12 ± 1.97 μM, respectively. Hyptadienic acid and 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranoside exhibited good cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 cells with IC₅₀ values of 25.16 ± 2.55 and 17.66 ± 1.82 μM, respectively. In addition, 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-13(18)-en-28-oic acid and alphitolic acid were observed to inhibit HCT-116 cells (13.25 ± 1.65 and 21.62 ± 0.33 μM, respectively), while madengaisu B and 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-13(18)-en-28-oic acid showed cytotoxic activities against BGC-823 cells with IC₅₀ values of 24.76 ± 0.94 and 26.83 ± 2.52 μM, respectively, which demonstrated that triterpenes from P. freyniana may serve as therapeutic agents for RA and cancer treatment.     

Structural Characterization,Antimicrobial Activity and BSA/DNA Binding Affinity of New Silver(I) Complexes with Thianthrene and 1,8-Naphthyridine

Three new silver(I) complexes [Ag(NO₃)(tia)(H₂O)]_n (Ag1), [Ag(CF₃SO₃)(1,8-naph)]_n (Ag2) and [Ag₂(1,8-naph)₂(H₂O)_1.2](PF₆)₂ (Ag3), where tia is thianthrene and 1,8-naph is 1,8-naphthyridine, were synthesized and structurally characterized by different spectroscopic and electrochemical methods and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Their antimicrobial potential was evaluated against four bacterial and three Candida species, and the obtained results revealed that these complexes showed significant activity toward the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the investigated Candida species with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range 1.56–7.81 μg/mL. On the other hand, tia and 1,8-naph ligands were not active against the investigated strains, suggesting that their complexation with Ag(I) ion results in the formation of antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, low toxicity of the complexes was detected by in vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied to evaluate their binding affinity towards these biomolecules for possible insights into the mode of antimicrobial activity. The binding affinity of Ag1–3 to BSA was higher than that for DNA, indicating that proteins could be more favorable binding sites for these complexes in comparison to the nucleic acids.