Thermodynamic Stability and Physicochemical Characterization of Ligand (4S)‐4‐Benzyl‐3,6,10‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,10‐triazadodecanedioic Acid (H5[(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda]) and Its Complexes Formed with Lanthanides,Calcium(II), Zinc(II), and Copper(II) Ions

A derivative of H₅ttda (=3,6,10‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,10‐triazadodecanedioic acid=N‐{2‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl}‐N‐{3‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]propyl}glycine), H₅[(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda] (=(4S)‐4‐benzyl‐3,6,10‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,10‐triazadodecanedioic acid=N‐{(2S)‐2‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]‐3‐phenylpropyl}‐N‐{3‐[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]propyl}glycine; 1 ) carrying a benzyl group was synthesized and characterized. The stability constants of the complexes formed with Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Gd³⁺ were determined by potentiometric methods at 25.0±0.1° and 0.1M ionic strength in Me₄NNO₃. The observed water proton relaxivity value of [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ was constant with respect to pH changes over the range pH 4.5–12.0. From the ¹⁷O‐NMR chemical shift of H₂O induced by [Dy{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ at pH 6.80, the presence of 0.9 inner‐sphere water molecules was deduced. The water proton spin‐lattice relaxation rate for [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ at 37.0±0.1° and 20 MHz was 4.90±0.05 mM ⁻¹ s⁻¹. The EPR transverse electronic relaxation rate and ¹⁷O‐NMR transverse‐relaxation time for the exchange lifetime of the coordinated H₂O molecule (τ_M), and ²H‐NMR longitudinal‐relaxation rate of the deuterated diamagnetic lanthanum complex for the rotational correlation time (τ_R) were thoroughly investigated, and the results were compared with those previously reported for the other lanthanide(III) complexes. The exchange lifetime (τ_M) for [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ (2.3±1.3 ns) was significantly shorter than that of the [Gd(dtpa)(H₂O)]²⁻ complex (dtpa=diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid). The rotational correlation time τ_R for [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ (70±6 ps) was slightly longer than that of the [Gd(dtpa)(H₂O)]²⁻ complex. The marked increase of relaxivity of [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ mainly resulted from its longer rotational time rather than from its fast water‐exchange rate. The noncovalent interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and the [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ complex containing the hydrophobic substituent was investigated by measuring the solvent proton relaxation rate of the aqueous solutions. The association constant (K_A) was less than 100 M ⁻¹, indicating a weaker interaction of [Gd{(S)‐4‐Bz‐ttda}]²⁻ with HSA.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Various Benzyl Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acids (dtpa) and Their Paramagnetic Complexes,Potential Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Four derivatives of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (=3,6,9‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid (H₅dtpa)), potential contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carrying benzyl groups at various positions of the parent structure were synthesized and characterized by a thorough multinuclear NMR study, i.e., the (S)‐ and (R)‐stereoisomers 1a and 1b of 4‐benzyl‐3,6,9‐tris(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid (H₅[(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa] and H₅[(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa], the diamide derivative N,N″‐bis[(benzylcarbamoyl)methyl]diethylenetriamine‐N,N′,N″‐triacetic acid (=3,9‐bis[2‐(benzylamino)‐2‐oxoethyl]‐6‐(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid; H₃[dtpa(BzA)₂]; 2 ), and the diester derivative N,N″‐bis{[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]methyl}diethylenetriamine‐N,N′,N″‐triacetic acid (=3,9‐bis[2‐(benzyloxy)‐2‐oxoethyl]‐6‐(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid; H₃[dtpa(BzE)₂]; 3 ). From the ¹⁷O‐NMR chemical shift of H₂O induced by their dysprosium complexes with ligands 1 – 3 , it was concluded that only one H₂O molecule is contained in the first coordination sphere of these lanthanide complexes. The rotational correlation times (τ_R) of the complexes were estimated from the ²H‐NMR longitudinal relaxation rate of the deuterated diamagnetic lanthanum complexes. The exchange time of the coordinated H₂O molecule (τ_M) was studied through the temperature dependence of the ¹⁷O‐NMR transverse relaxation rate. As compared to [Gd(dtpa)]²⁻, the H₂O‐exchange rate is faster for [Gd{(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ and [Gd{(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻‐, slower for [Gd{dtpa(BzA)₂}], and almost identical for [Gd{dtpa(BzE)₂}]. The analysis of the ¹H‐relaxivity of the gadolinium complexes recorded from 0.02 to 300 MHz established that i) the relaxivity of [Gd{dtpa(BzE)₂}] is similar to that of [Gd(dtpa)]²⁻, ii) the slightly slower molecular rotation of [Gd{dtpa(BzA)₂}] induces a mild enhancement of its relaxivity, and iii) the marked increase of relaxivity of [Gd{(S)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ and [Gd{(R)‐(4‐Bz)dtpa}]²⁻ mainly results from an apparently shorter distance between the gadolinium ion and the H₂O protons of the coordinated H₂O molecule.     

Synthesis of Two Derivatives of 3,6,9‐tri(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic Acid and the Stabilities of Their Complexes with Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Dy3+ and Gd3+

Two N‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethyl and N‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl derivatives of DTPA (3,6,9‐tri(carboxymethyl)‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid), DTPA‐H1P = 3,9‐di(carboxymethyl)‐6‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethyl‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid, and DTPA‐H2P = 3,9‐di(carboxymethyl)‐6‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl‐3,6,9‐triazaundecanedioic acid were synthesized. Their protonation constants were determined by Potentiometric titration in 0.10 M Me₄NNO₃ and by NMR pH titration at 25.0 ± 0.1°C. The formations of lanthanide(III), copper(II), zinc(II) and calcium(II) complexes were investigated quantitatively by potentiometry. The stability constant for Gd(III) complex is larger than those for Ca(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with these two ligands. The selectivity constants and modified selectivity constants of the DTPA‐H1P and DTPA‐H2P for Gd(III) over endogenously available metal ions were calculated. Comparing pM values at physiological pH 7.4 assesses effectiveness of these two ligands in binding divalent and trivalent metal ions in biological media. The observed water proton relaxivity values of [Gd(DTPA‐H1P)]^? and [Gd(DTPA‐H2P)]^? became constant with respect to pH changes over the range of 4‐10. ¹⁷O NMR shifts showed that the [Dy(DTPA‐H1P)]^? and [Dy(DTPA‐H2P)]^? complexes at pH 6.30 had 1.91 and 2.28 inner‐sphere water molecules, respectively. Water proton spin‐lattice relaxation rates of [Gd(DTPA‐H1P)]^? and [Gd(DTPA‐H2P)]^? complexes were also consistent with the inner‐sphere Gd(III) coordination.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Four Gadolinium(III) DTPA‐like Complexes

The analysis of ¹⁷O NMR transverse relaxation rates and EPR transverse electronic relaxation rates for aqueous solutions of the four DTPA‐like (DTPA = diethylenetriamine‐N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentaacetic acid) complexes, [Gd(DTPA‐PY)(H₂O)]^? (DTPA‐PY = N′‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)), [Gd(DTPA‐HP)(H₂O)₂]^? (DTPA‐HP = N′‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)), [Gd(DTPA‐H1P)(H₂O)₂]^? (DTPA‐H1P = N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethyl)) and [Gd(DTPA‐H2P)(H₂O)₂] (DTPA‐H2P = N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl)), at various temperatures allows us to understand the water exchange dynamics of these four complexes. The water‐exchange lifetime (τM) parameters for [Gd(DTPA‐PY)(H₂O)]^?, [Gd(DTPA‐HP)(H₂O)₂]^?, [Gd(DTPA‐H1P)(H₂O)₂]^? and [Gd(DTPA‐H2P)(H₂O)₂] are of 585, 98, 163, and 69 ns, respectively. Compared with [Gd(DTPA)(H₂O)]^2? (τM = 303 ns), the τM value of [Gd(DTPA‐PY)(H₂O)]^? is slightly higher, but the other three complexes values are significantly lower than those of [Gd(DTPA)(H₂O)]^2?. This difference is explained by the fact that the gadolinium(III) complexes of DTPA‐HP, DTPA‐H1P, and DTPA‐H2P have two inner‐sphere waters. The ²H longitudinal relaxation rates of the labeled diamagnetic lanthanum complex allow the calculation of its rotational correlation time (τR). The τR values calculated for DTPA‐PY, DTPA‐HP, DTPA‐H1P, and DTPA‐H2P are of 127, 110, 142 and 147 ps, respectively. These four values are higher than the value of [La(DTPA)]^2? (τR = 103 ps), because the rotational correlation time is related to the magnitude of its molecular weight.     

Approaching the Kinetic Inertness of Macrocyclic Gadolinium(III)‐Based MRI Contrast Agents with Highly Rigid Open‐Chain Derivatives

A highly rigid open‐chain octadentate ligand (H₄cddadpa) containing a diaminocylohexane unit to replace the ethylenediamine bridge of 6,6′‐[(ethane‐1,2 diylbis{(carboxymethyl)azanediyl})bis(methylene)]dipicolinic acid (H₄octapa) was synthesized. This structural modification improves the thermodynamic stability of the Gd³⁺ complex slightly (log K_GdL=20.68 vs. 20.23 for [Gd(octapa)]^?) while other MRI‐relevant parameters remain unaffected (one coordinated water molecule; relaxivity r₁=5.73 mm ^?1 s^?1 at 20 MHz and 295 K). Kinetic inertness is improved by the rigidifying effect of the diaminocylohexane unit in the ligand skeleton (half‐life of dissociation for physiological conditions is 6 orders of magnitude higher for [Gd(cddadpa)]^? (t_1/2=1.49×10⁵ h) than for [Gd(octapa)]^?. The kinetic inertness of this novel chelate is superior by 2–3 orders of magnitude compared to non‐macrocyclic MRI contrast agents approved for clinical use.     

Concurrent two one‐electron transfer in the oxidation of chromium(III) complexes with trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetate and diethylenetriaminepentaacetate ligands by periodate ion

The kinetics of oxidation of [Cr^IIIcdta(H₂O)]^? and [Cr^IIIdtpa(H₂O)]^2? (where cdta = trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetate and dtpa = diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) by periodate ion has been studied in aqueous solutions. The oxidation of these complexes was carried out in the pH range 5.52–7.44 for the [Cr^IIIcdta(H₂O)]^? complex and the pH range 5.56–8.56 for the [Cr^IIIdtpa(H₂O)]^2? complex. The reaction exhibited an uncommon second‐order dependence on [Cr^IIIL(H₂O)]ⁿ (L = cdta or dtpa and n=?1 or ?2, respectively) and a first‐order dependence on [IO^?₄]. At fixed reaction conditions, the reaction rate is described by Eq. (i). The third‐order rate constant, k₃, varied with [H⁺] according to Eq. (ii). (i) (ii) A mechanism in which simultaneous one‐electron transfer from two [Cr^IIIL(OH)]^n?1 ions to I(VII) is proposed. The two [Cr^IIIL(OH)]^n?1 ions are bridged to I(VII) via the hydroxo group. Periodate ion is known to undergo rapid substitution or expansion of its coordination number from four to six. The activation parameters ΔH* and ΔS* were calculated using the Eyring equation. The relatively high negative values of ΔS* are consistent with an associative process preceding electron transfer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 729–735, 2012     

Gadolinium(III) Complexes of dota‐Derived N‐Sulfonylacetamides (H4(dota‐NHSO2R)=10‐{2‐[(R)sulfonylamino]‐2‐oxoethyl}‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic Acid): A New Class of Relaxation Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications

Four new ligands for lanthanide ions based on the H₃do3a (=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid) structure and bearing one N‐sulfonylacetamide arm were synthesized, i.e., H₄dota‐NHSO₂R=10‐{2‐[(R)sulfonylamino]‐2‐oxoethyl}‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acids 1a – e . A ¹⁵N‐NMR study of the ¹⁵N‐labelled Eu³⁺ complex of one such ligands, 1d , showed that the coordination of the N‐sulfonylacetamide arm involves the carbonyl O‐atom rather than the N‐atom. The relaxometric properties of the corresponding Gd³⁺ complexes were investigated as a function of pH and temperature. These complexes have relaxivities in the range 4.5–5.3 mM ^?1 s^?1, at 20 MHz and 25°, and are characterized by a single H₂O molecule in their inner coordination sphere. The mean residence lifetime of this molecule is relatively long (500–700 ns) compared to other anionic complexes. The slow rate of H₂O exchange can be justified by the extensive delocalization of the negative charge on the N‐sulfonylacetamide arm. The long residence time of the coordinated H₂O allowed the observation of the effect of the prototropic exchange on the relaxivity. The study of the interaction between the complex [Gd( 1e )]‐ and HSA revealed a weak affinity constant highlighting the importance of a localized negative charge on the complex to promote a strong interaction with the protein.     

Structure and Dynamics of Lanthanide Complexes of Triethylenetetramine‐N,N,N′,N″,N′′′,N′′′‐hexaacetic Acid (H6ttha) and of Diamides H4ttha(NHR) Derived from H6ttha as Studied by NMR,NMRD, and EPR

A multinuclear NMR study on [Ln(ttha)]^3? and [Ln{ttha(NHR)₂}]^? complexes (R=Et, CH₂(CHOH)₄CH₂OH) shows that coordinating groups of the organic ligands in these complexes are occupying all coordination sites of the metal ions, leaving no space for coordination of H₂O molecules (H₆ttha=triethylenetetramine‐N,N,N′,N″,N′′′,N′′′‐hexaacetic acid). The lanthanides of the first half of the series bind the ttha‐type ligands in a decadentate fashion, while the complexes formed with the smaller ions of the second half of the lanthanide series are nonadentate. One carboxylate group of the ligand remains unbound in the latter complexes. In principle, the ttha complexes can exist in six enantiomeric forms. Only one of the pair of diastereoisomers can interconvert without decoordination of the ligand. This pair of isomers seems to be predominant in solution. For the [Ln{ttha(NHR)₂}]^? complexes, the number of chiral centers is larger, resulting in 32 possible enantiomeric forms of the complexes. The NMR spectra of [Nd{ttha(NHEt)₂}]^? indicate that two dynamic processes occur between the isomers in solution. The NMRD curves of [Gd(ttha)]^3?, [Gd{ttha(NHEt)₂}]^?, and [Gd{ttha(NHgluca)₂}]^? (NHgluca=D ‐glucamine) show significant differences with the previously determined outer‐sphere contributions to the NMRD profiles of the corresponding [Gd{dtpa(NHR)₂}]^? complexes, which can be ascribed to differences in the parameters determining the electronic relaxation.     

Complexation Properties of N,N′,N″,N′′′‐[1,4,7,10‐Tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrayltetrakis(1‐oxoethane‐2,1‐diyl)]tetrakis[glycine] (H4dotagl). Equilibrium,Kinetic, and Relaxation Behavior of the Lanthanide(III) Complexes

Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Yb³⁺ complexes of the dota‐derived tetramide N,N′,N″,N′′′‐[1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrayltetrakis(1‐oxoethane‐2,1‐diyl)]tetrakis[glycine] (H₄dotagl) are potential CEST contrast agents in MRI. In the [Ln(dotagl)] complexes, the Ln³⁺ ion is in the cage formed by the four ring N‐atoms and the amide O‐atom donor atoms, and a H₂O molecule occupies the ninth coordination site. The stability constants of the [Ln(dotagl)] complexes are ca. 10 orders of magnitude lower than those of the [Ln(dota)] analogues (H₄dota=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid). The free carboxylate groups in [Ln(dotagl)] are protonated in the pH range 1–5, resulting in mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetraprotonated species. Complexes with divalent metals (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺) are also of relatively low stability. At pH>8, Cu²⁺ forms a hydroxo complex; however, the amide H‐atom(s) does not dissociate due to the absence of anchor N‐atom(s), which is the result of the rigid structure of the ring. The relaxivities of [Gd(dotagl)] decrease from 10 to 25°, then increase between 30–50°. This unusual trend is interpreted with the low H₂O‐exchange rate. The [Ln(dotagl)] complexes form slowly, via the equilibrium formation of a monoprotonated intermediate, which deprotonates and rearranges to the product in a slow, OH^?‐catalyzed reaction. The formation rates are lower than those for the corresponding Ln(dota) complexes. The dissociation rate of [Eu(dotagl)] is directly proportional to [H⁺] (0.1–1.0M HClO₄); the proton‐assisted dissociation rate is lower for [Eu(H₄dotagl)] (k₁=8.1?10^?6 M ^?1 s^?1) than for [Eu(dota)] (k₁=1.4?10^?5 M ^?1 s^?1).     

(Acetato‐κO)[tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN2)hydroborato]zinc(II)

The title complex, [Zn(C₁₅H₂₂BN₆)(C₂H₃O₂)] or (Tp^Me,Me)Zn(OAc), contains a tripodal tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligand, a monodentate acetate ligand and a Zn^II centre in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment capped on one triangular face by a secondary Zn...O interaction with the second O atom of the acetate ligand. The four‐coordination of Zn^II and the essentially monodentate character of the acetate ligand are due to the high steric demands of the ligand set, which prevent chelate formation and five‐coordination and lead to relatively long Zn—O and Zn—N bonds compared with related complexes of Zn^II and other metals.     

Metal‐Ion Sensing Europium(III) Complexes with Bidentate Phosphine Oxide Ligands Containing a 2,2′‐Bipyridine Framework

Novel Eu^III complexes with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands containing a bipyridine framework, i.e., [3,3′‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine]tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(hfa)₃(BIPYPO)]) and [3,3′‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐6,6′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(hfa)₃(Me‐BIPYPO)]), were synthesized for lanthanide‐based sensor materials having high emission quantum yields and effective chemosensing properties. The emission quantum yields of [Eu(hfa)₃(BIPYPO)] and [Eu(hfa)₃(Me‐BIPYPO)] were 71 and 73%, respectively. Metal‐ion sensing properties of the Eu^III complexes were also studied by measuring the emission spectra of Eu^III complexes in the presence of Zn^II or Cu^II ions. The metal‐ion sensing and the photophysical properties of luminescent Eu^III complexes with a bidentate phosphine oxide containing 2,2′‐bipyridine framework are demonstrated for the first time.     

Lanthanide(III) Complexes of 4,10‐Bis(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,7‐diacetic acid (trans‐H6do2a2p) in Solution and in the Solid State: Structural Studies Along the Series

Complexes of 4,10‐bis(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,7‐diacetic acid (trans‐H₆do2a2p, H₆ L ) with transition metal and lanthanide(III) ions were investigated. The stability constant values of the divalent and trivalent metal‐ion complexes are between the corresponding values of H₄dota and H₈dotp complexes, as a consequence of the ligand basicity. The solid‐state structures of the ligand and of nine lanthanide(III) complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction. All the complexes are present as twisted‐square‐antiprismatic isomers and their structures can be divided into two series. The first one involves nona‐coordinated complexes of the large lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Nd, Sm) with a coordinated water molecule. In the series of Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb, the complexes are octa‐coordinated only by the ligand donor atoms and their coordination cages are more irregular. The formation kinetics and the acid‐assisted dissociation of several Ln^III–H₆ L complexes were investigated at different temperatures and compared with analogous data for complexes of other dota‐like ligands. The [Ce( L )(H₂O)]^3? complex is the most kinetically inert among complexes of the investigated lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Eu, Gd, Yb). Among mixed phosphonate–acetate dota analogues, kinetic inertness of the cerium(III) complexes is increased with a higher number of phosphonate arms in the ligand, whereas the opposite is true for europium(III) complexes. According to the ¹H NMR spectroscopic pseudo‐contact shifts for the Ce–Eu and Tb–Yb series, the solution structures of the complexes reflect the structures of the [Ce(H L )(H₂O)]^2? and [Yb(H L )]^2? anions, respectively, found in the solid state. However, these solution NMR spectroscopic studies showed that there is no unambiguous relation between ³¹P/¹H lanthanide‐induced shift (LIS) values and coordination of water in the complexes; the values rather express a relative position of the central ions between the N₄ and O₄ planes.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Cationic Complexes with Hexacoordinate Silicon(IV) and Three Bidentate 1‐Oxopyridine‐2‐olato(1–) Ligands

The cationic complexes with hexacoordinate silicon(IV), tris[1‐oxopyridine‐2‐olato(1–)]silicon(IV) trifluoromethanesulfonate ( 4 ), 4 · ¹/₂ C₅H₅NO₂, tris[1‐oxopyridine‐2‐olato(1–)]silicon(IV) ethyl sulfate–ethanol ( 5 · EtOH), and tris[1‐oxopyridine‐2‐olato(1–)]silicon(IV) isopropyl sulfate ( 6 ), were synthesized. The identities of 4 , 4 · ¹/₂ C₅H₅NO₂, 5 · EtOH, and 6 were established by elemental analyses (C, H, N, S), mass‐spectrometric studies (FAB MS) as well as solid‐state (²⁹Si) and solution (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si) NMR experiments. In addition, 4 · ¹/₂ C₅H₅NO₂ was structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and Relaxometric Properties of Gadolinium(III) Complexes of New Triazine‐Based Polydentate Ligands

Two new derivatives based on an s‐triazine structural motif were synthesized by attaching two 2,2′‐hydrazinylidenebis[acetic acid] moieties to the triazine ring to reach an overall heptadenticity for the complexation of lanthanide(III) cations. The remaining reactive site was exploited for the substitution with a functionizable amino group (see H₄ L1 ) and a lipophilic moiety (see H₄ L2 ). Luminescence‐lifetime determinations revealed the presence of a single H₂O molecule coordinated for [Eu( L1 )]. A complete ¹H‐NMR relaxometric study was carried out for the octacoordinated [Gd( L1 )] and [Gd( L2 )] complexes. A remarkably long H₂O residence lifetime (²⁹⁸τ_M =5.2 μs) was found by ¹⁷O‐NMR in the case of [Gd( L1 )]. Micelle formation of the lipophilic complex [Gd( L2 )] was evidenced, the critical micellization concentration (cmc) determined, and relaxometric properties of the system investigated.     

Anionically Substituted 1,1′,1″‐Methylidynetris[1H‐pyrazole] Ligands for the Formation of Neutral Lanthanide Complexes in Water: Synthesis,Characterization, and Photophysical Properties

The six‐step synthesis of the new podand‐type ligand 6,6′,6″‐[methylidenetri(1H‐pyrazole‐1,3‐diyl)]tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] (LH₃) is described. Reaction of LH₃ with LnCl₃ ?6 H₂O (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb) in MeOH resulted in the isolation of [LnL]?HCl complexes characterized by elemental analysis, mass and IR spectroscopy. Photophysical studies of the Eu and Tb complexes in aqueous solutions revealed the characteristic luminescence features of the metal atoms, indicative of an efficient ligand‐to‐metal energy‐transfer process. Determination of the luminescence quantum yields in H₂O showed the Tb complex to be highly luminescent (?=15%), while, for the Eu complex, the quantum efficiency was only 2%. Excited‐state‐lifetime measurements in H₂O and D₂O evidenced the presence of ca. three H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the complexes. Investigation of the Gd complex allowed the determination of the ligand‐centered triplet state and showed the ligand to be well suited for energy transfer to the metal. The luminescence properties of the complexes are described, and the properties of the ligand as a suitable complexation pocket is questioned.     

One‐Dimensional Channels Encapsulated in Supramolecular Networks Constructed of Zinc(II), Manganese(II), or ­Nickel(II) Atoms with 3‐(Carboxymethyl)‐2, 7‐dimethyl‐3H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic Acid

Four complexes with supramolecular architectures, namely, MZCA · 3H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ · [MZCA]₂ · [H₂O]₆ ( 2 ), [Mn(MZCA)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O ( 3 ), and [Ni(MZCA)₂(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O ( 4 ) [MZCA = 3‐(carboxymethyl)‐2, 7‐dimethyl‐3H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic acid], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 display a remarkable 3D network with 1D hydrophilic channels. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural and exhibit a 3D structure encapsulating 1D 24‐membered ring microporous channels. The UV/Vis and fluorescent spectra were measured to characterize complexes 1 – 4 . The thermal stability of complexes 2 – 4 were also examined.     

Two new dimeric cadmium(II) and zinc(II) sulfate complexes with 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and 2,2:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine

The structures of two new sulfate complexes are reported, namely di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ³O,O′:O′′‐bis{aqua­[2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐κ³N¹,N²,N⁶]­cadmium(II)} tetra­hydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O, and di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′‐bis­[(2,2′:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine‐κ³N¹,N^1′,N^1′′)­zinc(II)] dihydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)₂]·2H₂O, the former being the first report of a Cd(tpt) complex [tpt is 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine]. Both compounds crystallize in the space group P and form centrosymmetric dimeric structures. In the cadmium complex, the metal center is heptacoordinated in the form of a pentagonal bipyramid, while in the zinc complex, the metal ion is in a fivefold environment, the coordination geometry being intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Packing of the dimers leads to the formation of planar structures strongly linked by hydrogen bonding.     

Structure and cytotoxicity of zinc (II) and cobalt (II) complexes based on 1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl) benzene

Three novel complexes, [Zn (tib)₂·(H₂O)₂]·(NO₃)₂ ( 1 ), [Co (tib)₂]·2NO₃ ( 2 ) and [Co₂(tib)₂(btc)]·H₂O ( 3 ) [H₄btc = 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid; H₂tib = 1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl)benzene], were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray, IR and elemental analysis. The interaction of these complexes with FS‐DNA (fish sperm DNA) was monitored, and binding constants were determined using UV/Vis, which revealed that they have the ability to bind to FS‐DNA. DNA‐binding constants (K) for the three complexes were 2.2 × 10⁴ m ^?1, 0.7 × 10⁴ m ^?1 and 0.09 × 10⁴ m ^?1, respectively. The interaction capacity of the complexes with FS‐DNA has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer quenching plot values for complexes 1 , 2 and 3 were 0.3784, 0.1028 and 0.076, respectively. The viscosity measurement suggested that complexes 1 , 2 and 3 interact with DNA in an intercalation mode. In addition, anti‐cancer activities of these complexes investigated through MTT assays in vitro indicated that the complexes showed good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of test complexes against two different cancer cell lines (HeLa and KB cells) showed significant cancer cell inhibition rates. Flow cytometry experiments and morphological apoptosis studies showed that the complexes induced apoptosis of HeLa tumor cell lines. Finally, a further molecular docking technique was employed to confirm the binding of the complexes toward the molecular target DNA.     

A Structural Study of the Iminodiacetate Moiety Conformation in N‐(1‐adamantyl)‐iminodiacetate(2‐) Copper(II) Complexes

N,N‐bis(carboxymethyl)‐1‐adamantylamine acid (H₂BCAA) or N‐(1‐adamantyl)‐iminodiacetic acid forms zwitterions that are intra‐stabilized by a ‘bifurcated’ N⁺‐H···O(carboxyl)₂ interaction. In the crystal, both half‐protonated carboxyl groups of H₂BCAA^± are involved in linear O‐H···O inter‐molecular bridges of 2.46Å. In the studied BCAA‐Cu^II derivatives, the iminodiacetate‐moiety of the BCAA chelating ligand exhibits a mer‐NO₂ conformation in [Cu(BCAA)(H₂O)₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu(BCAA)(Him)]₂ ( 2 ), but a fac‐O₂+N(apical) conformation in [Cu(BCAA)(bpy)(H₂O)]·3.5H₂O ( 3 ) [Him = imidazole, bpy =2,2′‐bipyridine]. In clear contrast, dipyridylamine (dpya), as auxiliary ligand, seems to be unable to promote the fac‐O₂+N(apical) conformation in BCAA, as reveal the structures of two new salts with the trinuclear cation [(dpya)₂Cu‐μ₂‐Cu(BCAA)₂‐Cu(dpya)₂]²⁺ and the anions [Cu(BCAA)₂]^2? ( 4 ) or NO₃^? ( 5 ), respectively.