Proton controlled intramolecular communication in dinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

The synthesis and characterization of two dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes based on the bridging ligands 5,5'-bis(pyridin-2' '-yl)-3,3'-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) and 5,5'-bis(pyrazin-2' '-yl)-3,3'-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) and of their mononuclear precursors are reported. The dinuclear compounds have been prepared by a Ni(0) catalyzed coupling of a mononuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex containing a brominated triazole moiety. Electrochemical and photophysical studies indicate that, in these dinuclear complexes, the protonation state of the bridge may be used to tune the intercomponent interaction between the two metal centers and that these species act as proton driven three-way molecular switches that can be read by electrochemical or luminescence techniques.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, photophysical properties, and bioimaging of living cells of bis-β-diketonate phenothiazine ligands and its cyclic dinuclear complexes

Two bis-β-diketones, RCOCH(2)CO-EPTZ-COCH(2)COR (EPTZ = 10-ethylphenothiazine; R = C(6)H(5) for H(2)L(1) and CF(3) for H(2)L(2)) and their cyclic dinuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) complexes have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Their photophysical properties have been further investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The results revealed that significant enhancement of two-photon absorption cross section values were obtained for the cyclic dinuclear Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes compared with their free ligands. Additionally, confocal microscopy and two-photon microscopy fluorescent imaging of MCF-7 cells labeled with two ligands and Zn(II) complexes reveal their potential applications as a biological fluorescent probe.     

1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane metal complexes as potent promoters of carboxyester hydrolysis under physiological conditions

New 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane ([12]aneN4 or cyclen) ligands with different heterocyclic spacers (triazine and pyridine) of various lengths (bi- and tripyridine) or an azacrown pendant and their mono- and dinuclear Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The pKa values of water molecules coordinated to the complexed metal ions were determined by potentiometric pH titrations and vary from 7.7 to 11.2, depending on the metal-ion and ligand properties. The X-ray structure of [Zn2L2]mu-OH(ClO4)3.CH3CN.H2O shows each Zn(II) ion in a tetrahedral geometry, binding to three N atoms of cyclen (the average distance of Zn-N = 2.1 A) and having a mu-OH bridge at the apical site linking the two metal ions (the average distance of Zn-O- = 1.9 A). The distance between the Zn(II) ion and the fourth N atom is 2.6 A. All Zn(II) complexes promote the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NA) under physiological conditions, while those of Cu(II) and Ni(II) do not have a significant effect on the hydrolysis reaction. The kinetic studies in buffered solutions (0.05 M Tris, HEPES, or CHES, I = 0.1 M, NaCl) at 25 degrees C in the pH range of 6-11 under pseudo-first-order reaction conditions (excess of the metal complex) were analyzed by applying the method of initial rates. Comparison of the second-order pH-independent rate constants (kNA, M-1 s-1) for the mononuclear complexes ZnL1, ZnL3, and ZnL8, which are 0.39, 0.27, and 0.38, respectively, indicates that the heterocyclic moiety improves the rate of hydrolysis up to 4 times over the parent Zn([12]aneN4) complex (kNA = 0.09 M-1 s-1). The reactive species is the Zn(II)-OH- complex, in which the Zn(II)-bound OH- acts as a nucleophile, which attacks intermolecularly the carbonyl group of the acetate ester. For dinuclear complexes Zn2L2, Zn2L4, Zn2L5, Zn2L6, and Zn2L7, the mechanism of the reaction is defined by the degree of cooperation between the metal centers, determined by the spacer length. For Zn2L7, having the longest triaryl spacer, the two metal centers act independently in the hydrolysis; therefore, the reaction rate is twice as high as the rate of the mononuclear analogue (kNA = 0.78 M-1 s-1). The complexes with a monoaryl spacer show saturation kinetics with the formation of a Michaelis-Menten adduct. Their hydrolysis rates are 40 times higher than that of the Zn[12]aneN4 system (kNA approximately 4 M-1 s-1). Zn2L6 is a hybrid between these two mechanisms; a clear saturation curve is not visible nor are the metal cores completely independent from one another. Some of the Zn(II) complexes show a higher hydrolytic activity under physiological conditions compared to other previously reported complexes of this type.     

Zn(II) coordination to polyamine macrocycles containing dipyridine units. New insights into the activity of dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in phosphate ester hydrolysis

Zn(II) binding by the dipyridine-containing macrocycles L1-L3 has been analyzed by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solutions. These ligands contain one (L1, L2) or two (L3) 2,2'-dipyridine units as an integral part of a polyamine macrocyclic framework having different dimensions and numbers of nitrogen donors. Depending on the number of donors, L1-L3 can form stable mono- and/or dinuclear Zn(II) complexes in a wide pH range. Facile deprotonation of Zn(II)-coordinated water molecules gives mono- and dihydroxo-complexes from neutral to alkaline pH values. The ability of these complexes as nucleophilic agents in hydrolytic processes has been tested by using bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) as a substrate. In the dinuclear complexes the two metals play a cooperative role in BNPP cleavage. In the case of the L2 dinuclear complex [Zn(2)L2(OH)(2)](2+), the two metals act cooperatively through a hydrolytic process involving a bridging interaction of the substrate with the two Zn(II) ions and a simultaneous nucleophilic attack of a Zn-OH function at phosphorus; in the case of the dizinc complex with the largest macrocycle L3, only the monohydroxo complex [Zn(2)L3(OH)](3+) promotes BNPP hydrolysis. BNPP interacts with a single metal, while the hydroxide anion may operate a nucleophilic attack. Both complexes display high rate enhancements in BNPP cleavage with respect to previously reported dizinc complexes, due to hydrophobic and pi-stacking interactions between the nitrophenyl groups of BNPP and the dipyridine units of the complexes.     

Intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer in a ruthenium polypyridyl functionalised β-cyclodextrin capped with a hydroxo bridged Cu(II) dimer

The synthesis of a novel donor–acceptor system comprising a ruthenium polypyridyl unit covalently linked to the secondary face of β-cyclodextrin which has a hydrxy bridged dinuclear copper(II) moiety on its primary face is described and the spectroscopic, electrochemical and photophysical properties of this complex are outlined. Photophysical studies demonstrate evidence for photoinduced electron transfer from the excited ruthenium to the copper centre. The rate of electron transfer, was estimated from luminescence lifetime studies to be 1.86 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹. The parent ruthenium polypyridyl functionalized β-cyclodextrin complex binds to both Cu(II) and Zn(II) in alkaline aqueous solution and the affects of these cations on the luminescence intensity of this complex is explored and compared with the photophysics of the isolated supramolecular complex. Whereas Cu(II) statically quenches the ruthenium centre, Zn(II) has little effect. This work suggests luminescent CD complexes, with long-lived luminophores may have value in metal ion sensing.     

ApA Cleavage Promoted by Oxa-aza Macrocycles and Their Zn(II) Complexes. The Role of pH and Metal Coordination in the Hydrolytic Mechanism

Abstract

The thermodynamic parameters for protonation and Zn(II) complex formation with ligand 1,4,7,16,19,22-hexaza-10,13,25,28-tetraoxacyclotriacontane (L1) have been determined. L1 forms stable dizinc complexes from neutral to alkaline pH. The hydrolytic ability toward adenylyl(3′-5′)adenosine (ApA) of L1 and its dizinc(II) complexes have been analyzed by means of HPLC chromatography. Only partially protonated species of L promote ApA hydrolysis suggesting that the cleavage process is cooperatively promoted by a general base catalysis by neutral amine groups and a general acid catalysis by protonated ammonium functions. Concerning the Zn(II) complexes, the hydrolysis rates increase in the presence of the hydroxo complexes [Zn₂L1(OH)]³⁺ and [Zn₂L1(OH)²]²⁺. This indicates that Zn-OH functions play a crucial role in the hydrolytic process, assisting the deprotonation of the 2′-OH group of ApA, which may act as nucleophile in the cleavage process. Both binuclear L1 complexes are better catalysts than the mononuclear [ZnL₂(OH)]⁺ complex (L₂ = 1,4-Dioxa-7,10,13-triazacyclopentadecane), indicating a cooperative role of the two Zn(II) ions in ApA cleavage by [Zn₂L1(OH)]³⁺ and [Zn₂L1(OH)₂]²⁺, probably due to a bridging coordination of the phosphate moiety of ApA to the two metal centers.     

Basicity and coordination properties of a new phenanthroline-based bis-macrocyclic receptor

The synthesis and characterisation of the new macrocyclic ligand 6-methyl-2,6,10-triaza-[11]-12,25-phenathrolinophane (L1), which contains a triamine aliphatic chain linking the 2,9 positions of 1,10-phenanthroline and of its derivative L2, composed by two L1 moieties connected by an ethylenic bridge, are reported. Their basicity and coordination properties toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) have been studied by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic (UV-Vis, fluorescence emission) measurements in aqueous solutions. L1 forms 1:1 metal complexes in aqueous solutions, while L2 can give both mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the mononuclear L2 complexes the metal is sandwiched between the two cyclic moieties. The metal complexes with L1 and L2 do not display fluorescence emission, due to the presence of amine groups not involved in metal coordination. These amine groups can quench the excited fluorophore through an electron transfer process. The ability of the Zn(II) complexes with L1 and L2 to cleave the phosphate ester bond in the presence has been investigated by using bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) as substrate. The dinuclear complex with L2 shows a remarkable hydrolytic activity, due to the simultaneous presence within this complex of two metals and two hydrophobic units. In fact, the two Zn(II) act cooperatively in substrate binding, probably through a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester; the interaction is further reinforced by pi-stacking pairing and hydrophobic interactions between the phenanthroline unit(s) and the p-nitrophenyl groups of BNPP.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of multinuclear zinc-salophen complexes: enhancement of fluorescence by fluorene termini

Incorporation of fluorene groups into the salicylidene moiety significantly enhances the luminescence of a number of multinuclear alkynylated Zn(II)-salophen complexes. Preparation of these complexes was achieved by a synthetic strategy with facile handling of the reactants, simple purification of the products, and one-pot reaction process. Two synthetic methods are used for the preparation of different types of multinuclear salophen complexes. The introduction of a bis- or a tris-salicylaldehyde as a bridging unit in the presence of various alkynyl substituted monoimines in the reaction mixture containing zinc acetate resulted in the preparation of di- and tri-nuclear Zn(II)-salophen complexes of type 1, respectively. For a different type, treatment of tetraminobenzene with various arylethynyl-substituted salicylaldehyde afforded dinuclear Zn(II) alkynylated salophen complexes of type 2 with a different structure. The photophysical behaviors of these multinuclear metal salophen complexes were investigated. Particularly, the dinuclear complex 9b of type 1 having ethynylfluorene groups in salophen moieties and dialkoxyl groups in the bridging moiety exhibits higher quantum efficiency than that of other complexes in this report. In addition, the bis-Zn(II) alkynylated salophen complex 11e bearing nitrogen donor groups displays more red-shifted pattern than those with other functional substituents both in absorption and emission spectra.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new discrete, neutral complexes of manganese and zinc using a rigid organic clip

Two discrete neutral dimanganese(II) and tetrazinc(II) complexes were synthesized from a rigid organic clip and the corresponding metal acetates. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The manganese species is a dinuclear discrete product with two disordered acetates bridging two manganese centers, while the zinc one consists of two octahedral and two tetrahedral Zn(II) centers with both bridging acetates and triply micro(3)-hydroxides. Variable temperature magnetic measurement reveals the existence of weak antiferromagnetic interaction (J = -1.6 cm(-)(1); H = -2JS(1).S(2)) within the manganese complex.     

Dinuclear asymmetric ruthenium complexes with 5-cyano-1,10-phenanthroline as a bridging ligand

New dinuclear asymmetric ruthenium complexes of the type [(bpy)(2)Ru(5-CNphen)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+/5+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 5-CNphen = 5-cyano-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical techniques. The structure of the cation [(bpy)(2)Ru(5-CNphen)Ru(NH(3))(5)](4+) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The mononuclear precursor [Ru(bpy)(2)(5-CNphen)](2+) has also been prepared and studied; while its properties as a photosensitizer are similar to those of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), its luminescence at room temperature is quenched by a factor of 5 in the mixed-valent species [(bpy)(2)Ru(II)(5-CNphen)Ru(III)(NH(3))(5)](5+), pointing to the occurrence of intramolecular electron-transfer processes that follow light excitation. From spectral data for the metal-to-metal charge-transfer transition Ru(II) --> Ru(III) in this latter complex, a slight electronic interaction (H(AB) = 190 cm(-1)) is disclosed between both metallic centers through the bridging 5-CNphen.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structures,enzyme inhibition,DNA binding,and electrochemical studies of zinc(II) complexes

Five zinc(II) complexes, [Zn(L¹)₂] (1), [Zn(L¹)₂(phen)H₂O]·H₂O (2), [Zn(L¹)₂(bipy)] (3), [Zn(L²)₂] (4), and [Zn(L²)₂(phen)] (5) (where L¹?=?4-nitrophenylacetate, L²?=?phenylacetate, phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline and bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and multinuclear NMR. Complexes 2, 3, and 4 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 2 and 3, zinc is bonded monodentate to two carboxylates exhibiting distorted trigonal bipyramidal and tetrahedral geometries, respectively, whereas in 4, the carboxylates are bridging bidentate in distorted tetrahedral geometry. The complexes have been screened for electro- and biological activities, including DNA interaction and enzyme inhibition studies. The effect of concentration of 1–5 on the activity of enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, showed that an increase in concentration of complex decreased the activity of the enzyme. Electrochemical behavior of HL¹, 2, and 3 was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and it was observed that ligand-centered electro-activity exhibits a proportionate change on complexation. The UV–visible spectroscopic and viscometric data indicate electrostatic and groove binding of the complexes with DNA. The binding constant and Gibb’s free energy values indicate the feasibility of the complex–DNA interaction and show potent biological activity of the complexes.     

Structure-activity studies on the cleavage of an RNA analogue by a potent dinuclear metal ion catalyst: effect of changing the metal ion

Dinuclear Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of L2OH (L2OH = 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropane) are compared as catalysts for cleavage of the RNA analogue HpPNP (HpPNP = 2-hydroxypropyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate) at 25 degrees C, I = 0.10 M (NaNO(3)). Zn(II) and Cu(II) readily form dinuclear complexes at millimolar concentrations and a 2:1 ratio of metal ion to L2OH at neutral pH. The dinuclear Zn(2)(L2O) and Cu(2)(L2O) complexes have a bridging alkoxide group that brings together the two cations in close proximity to facilitate cooperative catalysis. Under similar conditions, the dinuclear complex of Cd(II) is a minor species in solution; only at high pH values (pH 10.4) does the Cd(2)(L2O) complex become the predominant species in solution. Analysis of the second-order rate constants for cleavage of HpPNP by Zn(2)(L2O) is straightforward because a linear dependence of pseudo-first-order rate constant on dinuclear complex is observed over a wide pH range. In contrast, plots of pseudo-first-order rate constants for cleavage of HpPNP by solutions containing a 2:1 ratio of Cd(II) to L2OH as a function of increasing L2OH are curved, and second-order rate constants are obtained by fitting the kinetic data to an equation for the formation of the dinuclear Cd(II) complex as a function of pH and [L2OH]. Second-order rate constants for cleavage of HpPNP by these dinuclear complexes at pH 9.3 and 25 degrees C vary by 3 orders of magnitude in the order Cd(2)(L2O) (2.8 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) > Zn(2)(L2O) (0.68 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) > Cu(2)(L2O) (0.0041 M(-1) s(-1)). The relative reactivity of these complexes is discussed in terms of the different geometric preferences and Lewis acidity of the dinuclear Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) complexes, giving insight into the importance of these catalyst properties in the cleavage of phosphate diesters resembling RNA.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and some spectroscopic properties of zinc(II) complexes with N2O2 ligands derived from m-phenylenediamine and m-aminobenzylamine

The reaction of bis(salicylidene)-m-phenylenediamine with zinc(II) ion affords a 2?:?2 dinuclear zinc(II) complex formulated as [Zn₂(L¹)₂]. A similar 2?:?2 dinuclear zinc(II) complex, [Zn₂(L²)₂], can be obtained by reaction of bis(salicylidene)-m-aminobenzylamine with zinc(II) ion. These two dinuclear complexes slightly differ in their crystal structures, especially coordination environments around the zinc(II) centers, depending on the dissimilar flexibilities of the two ligands. The differences between the two complexes are reflected in their diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence behaviors.     

Preparation, crystal structures, and magnetic features for a series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes: evidence for slow relaxation of the magnetization for the Dy(III) derivative

A series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes (using a Schiff-base dicompartmental ligand derived from o-vanillin [H(2)valpn = 1,3-propanediylbis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxy-phenol)]) with Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and a hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear [Ni(II)Yb(III)] are reported. The crystal structures have been solved for 10 dinuclear complexes revealing four arrangements for the dinuclear units, which are modulated by the coordinated solvent molecules and the nitrato-anion interactions. The magnetic behaviors have been investigated, and the nature of the Ni(II)-Ln(III) exchange interaction has been emphasized by comparison with the behavior of the related [Zn(II)Ln(III)] derivatives. This allowed for establishing that the interaction within these compounds is antiferromagnetic with the 4f ions of the beginning of the Ln series and turns ferromagnetic from Gd(III) toward the end of the series. AC susceptibility investigations clearly show the occurrence of slow relaxation processes of the magnetization close to 2 K for the dinuclear [Ni(II)Dy(III)] complex.     

Controlling the helicity of 2,2'-bipyridyl ruthenium(II) and zinc(II) hemicage complexes

Two enantiomers of a new 4,5-pineno-2,2'-bipyridine ligand were synthesized and subsequently incorporated into hemicage ligands through a phenyl linker to yield ligands (+)-L1 and (-)-L1 or through a mesityl linker to yield ligands (+)-L2 and (-)-L2. Complexation of these ligands to Ru(II) afforded diastereomerically pure Delta and Lambda isomers, as verified through circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy. Ligands (+)-L2 and (-)-L2 were further coordinated to Zn(II) to form a complex with intriguing photophysical properties. Whereas Zn(bpy)32+ was shown to be a fluorescent emitter outside the visible spectrum, the caging process provided an unprecedented enhancement of intersystem crossing and subsequent switching to the phosphorescent emission of blue light. Additionally, the chiroptical properties of the Zn(II) complexes were also studied.     

Coordination properties of new bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands: a highly active dizinc complex in phosphate diester hydrolysis

The synthesis and characterization of three new bis([9]aneN(3)) ligands, containing respectively 2,2'-bipyridine (L(1)), 1,10-phenanthroline (L(2)), and quinoxaline (L(3)) moieties linking the two macrocyclic units, are reported. Proton binding and Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) coordination with L(1)-L(3) have been studied by potentiometric titrations and, for L(1) and L(2), by spectrophotometric UV-vis measurements in aqueous solutions. All ligands can give stable mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the case of L(1), trinuclear Cu(II) complexes are also formed. The stability constants and structural features of the formed complexes are strongly affected by the different architecture and binding properties of the spacers bridging the two [9]aneN(3) units. In the case of the L(1) and L(2) mononuclear complexes, the metal is coordinated by the three donors of one [9]aneN(3) moiety; in the [ML(2)](2+) complexes, however, the phenanthroline nitrogens are also involved in metal binding. Finally, in the [ML(3)](2+) complexes both macrocyclic units, at a short distance from each other, can be involved in metal coordination, giving rise to sandwich complexes. In the binuclear complexes each metal ion is generally coordinated by one [9]aneN(3) unit. In L(1), however, the dipyridine nitrogens can also act as a potential binding site for metals. The dinuclear complexes show a marked tendency to form mono-, di-, and, in some cases, trihydroxo species in aqueous solutions. The resulting M-OH functions may behave as nucleophiles in hydrolytic reactions. The hydrolysis rate of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) was measured in aqueous solution at 308.1 K in the presence of the L(2) and L(3) dinuclear Zn(II) complexes. Both the L(2) complexes [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(2)](2+) and [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(3)](+) and the L(3) complex [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) promote BNPP hydrolysis. The [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) complex is ca. 2 orders of magnitude more active than the L(2) complexes, due both to the short distance between the metal centers in [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+), which could allow a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester, and to the simultaneous presence of single-metal bound nucleophilic Zn-OH functions. These structural features are substantially corroborated by semiempirical PM3 calculations carried out on the mono-, di-, and trihydroxo species of the L(3) dizinc complex.     

Impact of metal on the DNA photocleavage activity and cytotoxicity of ferrocenyl terpyridine 3d metal complexes

Ferrocenyl terpyridine 3d metal complexes and their analogues, viz. [M(Fc-tpy)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1-4), [Zn(Ph-tpy)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (5) and [Zn(Fc-dpa)(2)]X(2) (X = ClO(4), 6; PF(6), 6a), where M = Fe(II) in 1, Co(II) in 2, Cu(II) in 3 and Zn(II) in 4, Fc-tpy is 4'-ferrocenyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, Ph-tpy is 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine and Fc-dpa is ferrocenyl-N,N-dipicolylmethanamine, are prepared and their DNA binding and photocleavage activity in visible light studied. Complexes 2, 4, 5 and 6a that are structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography show distorted octahedral geometry with the terpyridyl ligands binding to the metal in a meridional fashion, with Fc-dpa in 6a showing a facial binding mode. The Fc-tpy complexes display a charge transfer band in the visible region. The ferrocenyl (Fc) complexes show a quasi-reversible Fc(+)-Fc redox couple within 0.48 to 0.66 V vs. SCE in DMF-0.1 M TBAP. The DNA binding constants of the complexes are ～10(4) M(-1). Thermal denaturation and viscometric data suggest DNA surface binding through electrostatic interaction by the positively charged complexes. Barring the Cu(II) complex 3, the complexes do not show any chemical nuclease activity in the presence of glutathione. Complexes 1-4 exhibit significant plasmid DNA photocleavage activity in visible light via a photoredox pathway. Complex 5, without the Fc moiety, does not show any DNA photocleavage activity. The Zn(II) complex 4 shows a significant PDT effect in HeLa cancer cells giving an IC(50) value of 7.5 μM in visible light, while being less toxic in the dark (IC(50) = 49 μM).     

Synthesis and characterization of novel Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone. Crystal structure of bis(2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazonato)nickel(II)

New complexes of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone (Hqasesc) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of the ligand, Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes was determined by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis and molar conductivity measurements. Both complexes occur in solution in two forms, the major tetrahedral and minor octahedral. In the major Cd(II) complex one qasesc⁻ ligand is coordinated as a tridentate, the fourth coordination site being occupied by acetate, while in the major Zn(II) complex two qasesc⁻ ligands are coordinated as bidentates. In both minor complexes two qasesc⁻ ligands are coordinated as tridentates forming the octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. The only paramagnetic complex in the series is Ni(II) complex for which X-ray structure analysis was performed. The complex has the angularly distorted octahedral geometry with two qasesc⁻ ligands coordinated as tridentates, in a similar way as in the minor complexes of Cd(II) and Zn(II).     

Ag(I) and Zn(II) isonicotinate complexes: design,characterization, antimicrobial effect,and CT-DNA binding studies

Trinuclear Ag(I) (1) and dinuclear and mononuclear Zn(II) isonicotinate (2 and 3) complexes were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Single-crystal analysis of the Ag(I) complex reveals two different monodentate carboxylate coordination modes, protonated and deprotonated, respectively. IR spectra showed correlations between isonicotinate coordination modes and Δ(ν_as???ν_s)_IR values. In addition, the hydrogen bonds significantly influence a position of carboxylate absorption bands. Moreover, IC₅₀ and MIC data for bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi were determined and the binding of Ag(I) and Zn(II) complexes to calf thymus DNA was investigated using electronic absorption, fluorescence, and CD measurements. Biological tests showed that the Ag(I) complex is more active than commercially used Ag(I) sulfadiazine against Escherichia coli. The fluorescence spectral results indicate that the complexes can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants for investigated complexes obtained from the linear quenching plot are in the range of 1.67 × 10⁴–3.42 × 10⁴ M^?1.     

1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane metal complexes as potent promoters of phosphodiester hydrolysis under physiological conditions

Previously reported mono- and dinuclear Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) complexes of 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane ([12]aneN4 or cyclen) with different heterocyclic spacers (triazine, pyridine) of various lengths (bi- and tripyridine) or an azacrown-pendant have been tested for the hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) under physiological conditions (pH 7-9, 25 degrees C). All Zn(II) complexes promote the hydrolysis of BNPP under physiological conditions, while those of Cu(II) and Ni(II) do not have a significant effect on the hydrolysis reaction. The hydrolysis kinetics in buffered solutions (0.05 M Bis/Tris, TRIS, HEPES, or CHES, I=0.1 M, NaCl) at 25 degrees C were determined by the initial slope method (product conversion<5%). Comparison of the second-order pH-independent rate constants (kBNPP, M(-1) s(-1)) for the mononuclear complexes ZnL1, ZnL3, and ZnL6, which are 6.1x10 (-5), 5.1x10(-5), and 5.7x10(-5), respectively, indicate that the heterocyclic moiety improves the rate of hydrolysis up to six times over the parent Zn([12]aneN4) complex (kBNPP=1.1x10(-5) M(-1) s(-1)). The reactive species is the Zn(II)-OH- complex, in which the Zn(II)-bound OH- acts as a nucleophile. For dinuclear complexes Zn2L2, Zn2L4, and Zn2L5, the rate of reaction is defined by the degree of cooperation between the metal centers, which is determined by the spacer length. Zn2L2 and Zn2L4 possessing shorter spacers are able to hydrolyze BNPP 1 to 2 orders of magnitudes faster than Zn2L5. The second-order rate constants k of Zn2L4 and Zn2L2 at pH 7, 8, and 9 are significantly higher than those of previously reported related complexes. The high BNPP hydrolytic activity may be related to pi-stacking and hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic spacer moieties and the substrate. Complexes Zn2L4 and Zn2L2 show hydrolytic activity at pH 7 and 8, which allows for the hydrolysis of activated phosphate esters under physiological conditions.