Syntheses and structural characterization of some mono- and di-p-nitrophenyl[3]ferrocenophanes: X-ray structure of [3]ferrocenophane, 3-p-nitrophenyl[3]ferrocenophane, and 3,4′-bis-(p-nitrophenyl)[3]ferrocenophane; DFT calculations on ferrocene derivatives

[3]Ferrocenophane (3a) reacts in a Gomberg reaction with diazotized p-nitroaniline to give a mixture of mono- and di-substituted products. The isomeric pairs of 3- and 2-(p-nitrophenyl)[3]ferrocenophanes (4 and 5), as well as 3,4′- and 3,4-bis-(p-nitrophenyl)[3]ferrocenophanes (6 and 7) were separated from the mixture by column chromatography on Al₂O₃ and characterized by means of mass, IR, UV, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and by X-ray analysis (4 and 6). PM3/tm and density functional theoretical calculations on ferrocene (1) and ferrocenophane derivatives are reported. A refined X-ray structure determination of [3]ferrocenophane (3a) is given.     

Unusual demetalation of iron from [2]ferrocenophane skeleton of di-nuclear ferracycle carbonyl complex

Photolysis of a hexane solution containing 1,1′- bis (trimethylsilylethynyl)ferrocene ( 1 ) and Fe (CO)₅, under argon at 0 °C led to the formation of dinuclear complexes [Fe (CO)₂{η²:η² – C (SiMe₃) = C(C₅H₄)FeC(C₅H₄) = C (SiMe₃)Fe (CO)₃}–μ–CO] ( 2 ) and [Fe (CO)₂{η²:η²–C (SiMe₃) = C(C₅H₅)–C(C₅H₅) = C (SiMe₃)Fe (CO)₃}–μ–CO] ( 3 ). DFT calculations support the experimentally observed demetalation of ferrocene unit of 2 to 3 in presence of water. These compounds were comprehensively characterized by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and crystallographically ( 1 and 3 ).     

Organometallic diphenols: The importance of the organometallic moiety on the expression of a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells

We have recently reported that the ferrocenyl diphenol compound 1,1-di(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-ferrocenyl-but-1-ene 1 exhibited strong in vitro anti-proliferative effects on both hormone dependent (MCF7, IC₅₀ = 0.7 μM) and hormone independent (MDA-MB231, IC₅₀ = 0.6 μM) breast cancer cells. In order to assess the importance of the ferrocenyl motif, we have prepared a series of analogs using the organometallic fragments (η⁵-C₅H₄)Cp^∗Fe (7), ((η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₃)₂phospholyl)Fe (9), (η⁵-C₅H₄)CpRu (10), (η⁵-C₅H₄)Re(CO)₃ (11), and (η⁵-C₅H₄)Mn(CO)₃ (12), and the chlorinated ferrocenyl derivative 1,1-di(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-ferrocenyl-4-chloro-but-1-ene (4). The nature of the organometallic moiety had a strong influence on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) recognition, with relative binding affinity (RBA) values ranging from 0.55% to 10.8%. The second isoform of the estrogen receptor, ERβ, was better able to accommodate these compounds, with RBA values ranging from 8.9% to 17.1%. Molecular modeling studies suggest that the orientation of the compounds and their interactions with the residues of ERα and ERβ binding sites are very similar. A study on the MCF7 hormone dependent breast cancer cell line revealed an anti-proliferative effect for the ferrocenyl phenols 1 and 4, while the other compounds displayed either a proliferative effect (9-12), or no effect (7). The anti-proliferative effect of 1 and 4 is also evident in the MDA-MB231 hormone independent breast cancer cell line (IC₅₀(4) = 1 μM), and can be attributed to the cytotoxicity of these compounds, while the other compounds showed no effect on this cell line. The cytotoxicity of 1 and 4 may arise from electron delocalization in the radical cation in alkaline conditions, possibly resulting in a cytotoxic quinone methide formation, while the other complexes do not undergo the formation of this entity, as evidenced by the electrochemical results.     

Synthesis of the first 1,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienyl heteroannular bridged [4]ferrocenophane

An unusual heteroannular cyclization of methyl 4-(((1′-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)ferrocenyl)ethynyl)benzoate (11) under the basic desilylation condition yielded 1,1′-(l-methoxy-3-(4′-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-1,3-butadienylene)ferrocene (7), the first reported 1,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienyl heteroannular bridged [4]ferrocenophane. Compound 7 has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical behavior has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The DFT calculation results of 7 are also reported.     

The replacement of a phenol group by an aniline or acetanilide group enhances the cytotoxicity of 2-ferrocenyl-1,1-diphenyl-but-l-ene compounds against breast cancer cells

We have previously shown that conjugated ferrocenyl p-phenols show strong cytotoxic effects against both the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and hormone-independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, possibly via oxidative quinone methide formation. We now present a series of analogous amine and acetamide compounds: 2-ferrocenyl-1-(4-aminophenyl)-1-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-2), 2-ferrocenyl-1-(4-N-acetylaminophenyl)-1-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z-3), and their corresponding organic molecules 1-(4-aminophenyl)-1,2-bis-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-4) and 1-(4-N-acetamidophenyl)-1,2-bis-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-5). All of the compounds have adequate relative binding affinity values for the estrogen receptor; between 2.8% and 5.7% for ERα, and between 0.18% and 15.5% for ERβ, as well as exothermic ligand binding in in silico ER docking experiments. Compounds 2 and 3 show dual estrogenic/cytotoxic activity on the MCF-7 cell line; they are proliferative at low concentrations (0.1 μM) and antiproliferative at high concentrations (10 μM). On the MDA-MB-231 cell line, the ferrocenyl complexes 2 and 3 are antiproliferative with IC₅₀ values of 0.8 μM for 2 and 0.65 μM for 3, while the purely organic molecules 4 and 5 show no effect. Electrochemical experiments suggest that both 2 and 3 can be transformed to oxidized quinoid-type species, analogous to what had previously been observed for the ferrocene phenols.     

[3]Ferrocenophanes with a tetramethyldisiloxane bridge: Synthesis and molecular structure

Summary 6,6,8,8-Tetramethyl-7-oxa-6,8-disila[3]ferrocenophane2 was obtained from the di(alkoxysilyl) ferrocene (H₄C₅SiMe₂OR)₂Fe (R=CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OMe) by hydrolysis and subsequent intramolecular disiloxane formation. 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,8,8-Dodecamethyl-7-oxa-6,8-disila-[3]ferrocenophane3 was formed by air oxidation of 2,23,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecamethyl-6,7-disila[2]ferrocenophane. The crystal structures of both compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (2:a=8.5330(10),b=15.610(3),c=18.774(5)Å, =70.68(2), =77.94(2), =75.150(10)°,V=2259.8(8)ų,Z=6, space group P ,R=0.045,R _w =0.044;3:a=12.388(3),b=9.924(3),c=19.136(10)Å, =105.11(3)°,V=2271.2(15)ų,Z=4, space group P2₁/c,R=0.076,R _w =0.060). Owing to the flexibility of the disiloxane bridge,2 and3 are unstrained molecules.

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[3]Ferrocenophane mit Tetramethyldisiloxan-Brücke: Synthese und Molekülstruktur

Zusammenfassung 6,6,8,8-Tetramethyl-7-oxa-6,8-disila[3]-ferrocenophan2 entsteht aus dem Di(alkoxysilyl)ferrocen (H₄C₅SiMe₂OR)₂Fe (R=CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OMe) durch Hydrolyse und anschließende intramolekulare Disiloxan-Bildung. 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,8,8-Dodecamethyl-7-oxa-6,8-disila[3]ferrocenophan3 wurde durch Luftoxidation von 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-Dodecamethyl-6,7-disila[2]ferrocenophan erhaeten. Die Kristallstrukturen beider Verbindungen wurden durch Einkristall-Röntgenstrukturanalyse bestimmt (2:a=8.5330(10),b=15.610(3),c=18.774(5)Å, =70.68(2), =77.94(2), =75.150(10)°,V=2259.8(8)ų,Z=6, Raumgruppe P ,R=0.045,R _w =0.044;3:a=12.388(3),b=9.924(3),c=19.136(10)Å, =105.11(3)°,V=2271.2(15)ų,Z=4, Raumgruppe P2₁/c,R=0.076,R _w =0.060). Wegen der Flexibilität der Disiloxan-Brücke sind2 und3 ungespannte Moleküle.

     

Structure and properties of protonated N-alkyl-2-aza[3]ferrocenophanes

Protonation of N-alkyl-2-aza[3]ferrocenophanes by HCl and NH₄PF₆ affords hexafluorophosphate salts having a trialkylammonium group. Structures of the protonated and unprotonated N-(p-methylbezyl)-2-aza[3]ferrocenophanes were determined by X-ray crystallography. Variable temperature ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra of the N-protonated N-hexyl-2-aza[3]ferrocenophane revealed inversion of the nitrogen of the 2-aza[3]ferrocenophane on the NMR time scale probably via partial deprotonation of the nitrogen atom. Cyclic voltammograms of the N-protonated compounds exhibited reversible redox peaks at higher potentials than those of the corresponding neutral ferrocenophanes.     

5-Fluorouracil-containing inorganic iron oxide/platinum nanozymes with dual drug delivery and enzyme-like activity for the treatment of breast cancer

Intrinsic enzyme-mimic activity of inorganic nanoparticles has been widely used for nanozymatic anticancer and antibacterial treatment. However, the relatively low peroxidase-mimic activity (PMA) and catalse-mimic activity (CMA) of nanozymes in tumor microenvironment has hampered their potential application in the cancer therapy. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to fabricate platinum (Pt) nanozymes dispersed on the surface of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanosphere that, in addition to boosting the PMA and CMA, resulted in the formation of a pH-sensitive nano-platform for drug delivery in breast cancer therapy. After development of Fe₃O₄ nanospheres containing Pt nanozymes and loading 5-fluorouracil (abbreviated as: Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres), the physicochemical properties of the nanospheres were examined by electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, BET surface, and PMA/CMA analyses. Then, the cytotoxicity of the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres against 4T1 cells was investigated by the cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry. Also, the anticancer effect of fabricated nanoplatform was assessed in mouse bearing 4T1 cancer tumors, in vivo. The results showed that the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres provide a platform for optimal FLU loading, continuous pH-sensitive drug release, and potential PMA and CMA to increase the level of ROS and O₂, respectively. Cytotoxicity outputs showed that the Fe₃O₄/Pt-FLU@PEG nanospheres mitigate the proliferation of 4T1 cancer cells mediated by apoptosis and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, in vivo assays indicated a significant reduction in tumor size and overcoming tumor hypoxia. Overall, we believe that the developed nanospheres with dual enzyme-mimic activity and pH-sensitive drug delivery can be used for ROS/chemotherapy double-modality antitumor therapy.     

The synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro anti-cancer activity of novel N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters and novel N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters

N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (5-7) and N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (8-10) were prepared by coupling either 3-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 2 or 6-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 4 to the dipeptide ethyl esters GlyAla(OEt) (5, 8), AlaGly(OEt) (6, 9), and AlaAla(OEt) (7, 10) using the standard N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. All the compounds were fully characterized using a combination of ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-135 and ¹H-¹³C COSY (HMQC) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of compounds 5-10 show improvements over the corresponding N-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl derivatives, with IC₅₀ values against the H1299 lung cancer cells ranging from 1.2 μM to 8.0 μM. N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl)-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 8 was found to be the most active derivative of the naphthoyl series so far, displaying an IC₅₀ value of 1.3 ± 0.1 μM. This value is slightly lower than that found for the clinically employed anti-cancer drug cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 1.5 ± 0.1 μM against H1299).     

Hexamethyl-1,2,3-tristanna-[3]ferrocenophane – Molecular Structure and Cleavage of the Tin–Tin Bonds by Iodine,Sulfur, Selenium,and Tellurium

Hexamethyl-1,2,3-tristanna-[3]ferrocenophane ( 1 ) was prepared by the reaction of 1,1′-bis(dimethylstannyl)ferrocene ( 3 ) with bis(diethylamino)dimethylstannane. The molecular structure of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The monoclinic unit cell (space group P2₁/c; a = 18.659(4), b = 17.311(3), c = 13.719(3) Å; β = 111.02(3)°) contains two independent molecules which differ slightly in their conformation. The cyclopentadienyl rings are almost parallel, but the positions of the substituted carbon atoms are twisted by τ £ 62° with respect to the ecliptic positions. The reactivity of 1 towards iodine and chalcogens E (E = S, Se, Te) was studied. Iodine reacts to give 1,1′-bis[iodo(dimethyl)stannyl]ferrocene ( 6 ) and dimethyltin diiodide. In the case of the chalcogens, the detectable and isolated products are 1,3-distanna-2-chalcogena-[3]ferrocenophanes (E = S ( 7 ), Se ( 8 ), Te ( 9 )) in addition to trimeric dimethyltin chalcogenides, (Me₂SnE)₃. Crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis could be obtained of 1,3-distanna-2-thia-[3]ferrocenophane ( 7 ); the triclinic unit cell (space group P 1) has the dimensions a = 6.538(2), b = 9.013(2), c = 15.442(2) Å; α = 92.15(2), β = 91.89(2), γ = 109.43(2)°. The molecular structures of 1 and 7 are compared with those of other 1,3-distanna-[3]ferrocenophanes. All compounds were studied by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹²⁵Te NMR) in order to establish the presence of the [3]ferrocenophanes 7 – 9 and of the cycles (Me₂SnE)₃ in solution.     

Design,cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB 231), and molecular docking of some maleimide-benzenesulfonamide derivatives

A group of novel maleimide-benzenesulfonamide derivatives 3a-d was designed and synthesized for their evaluation as a potential anti-breast cancer agent. The structures of these derivatives were confirmed by their ¹H, ¹³C NMR, Mass, FT-IR spectral data, and melting points. The cytotoxic activity (in vitro) of the selected molecules against MDA-MB231 ​cell line was evaluated by MTT method. Among them, compounds 3a and 3d exhibited a significant cytotoxicity with the IC₅₀ value of 1.61 and 1.26 ​μM, respectively, whereas compounds 3b and 3c showed a moderate cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 0.45 and 1.12 ​μM, respectively against MDA-MB231 ​cells. Docking modeling of the synthesized compounds 3a-d into binding sites of human aromatase protein (PDB ID: 4GL7) was performed to investigate if these derivatives possess analogous binding mode to breast cancer proteins. Docking results showed these compounds have efficient interactions such as hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals interactions, and hydrophobic interactions with the active site residues of the aromatase protein (PDB ID: 4GL7). The low binding energies and a number of hydrogen bonding indicated that the maleimide-benzenesulfonamide derivatives might be considered as a promising anti-breast cancer agent with further developments in drug discovery.     

1-羰基-3-羟基-3-芳基丙基二茂铁的晶体结构研究

通过乙酰基二茂铁与取代苯甲醛（邻硝基，邻甲氧基苯甲醛）的缩合反应，制得了标题化合物，对其进行了结构表征，并对其中之一进行了X射线单晶结构分析。结果表明：该化合物晶体属于三斜晶系，空间群为P1，晶胞参数：分子结构中苯环平面几乎垂直于两茂环平面。羰基与次甲基的平面近似平行与茂环，而与苯环的二面角为78．95°     

Development of [3]ferrocenophane-derived N/B frustrated Lewis pairs for the metal-free catalytic hydrogenation of imines

A series of novel [3]ferrocenophane-derived N/B frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) were synthesized and successfully applied to the catalytic hydrogenation of imines in 71–93% yields. This approach could be easily conducted on gram scale and provided versatile synthetic route for the key intermediate of sertraline hydrochloride without heavy metal residues.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, in vitro anti-proliferative effect and cell cycle analysis of N-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl dipeptide esters

N-ortho, meta and para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl dipeptide esters 2-10 were prepared by coupling ferrocenyl benzoic acids 1(ortho, meta and para) to the dipeptide ethyl esters GlyAbu(OEt) 2-4, GlyNva(OEt) 5-7 and GlyNle(OEt) 8-10 in the presence of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. The compounds were fully characterized by a range of NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. The cytotoxicity of 3, 6 and 9 versus H1299 lung cancer cells were 10.5 μM, 19.1 μM and 18.9 μM, respectively, whereas N-{meta-(ferrocenyl)-benzoyl}-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 11 and N-{para-(ferrocenyl)-benzoyl}-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 12 gave IC₅₀ values of 4.0 and 6.6 μM, respectively. Therefore, an increase in alkyl chain length of the second amino acid also increases the IC₅₀ values. Cell cycle analysis of N-{ortho-(ferrocenyl)-benzoyl}-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 13 suggests a block in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.     

Proteomics analysis of human breast milk to assess breast cancer risk

Detection of breast cancer (BC) in young women is challenging because mammography, the most common tool for detecting BC, is not effective on the dense breast tissue characteristic of young women. In addition to the limited means for detecting their BC, young women face a transient increased risk of pregnancy‐associated BC. As a consequence, reproductively active women could benefit significantly from a tool that provides them with accurate risk assessment and early detection of BC. One potential method for detection of BC is biochemical monitoring of proteins and other molecules in bodily fluids such as serum, nipple aspirate, ductal lavage, tear, urine, saliva and breast milk. Of all these fluids, only breast milk provides access to a large volume of breast tissue, in the form of exfoliated epithelial cells, and to the local breast environment, in the form of molecules in the milk. Thus, analysis of breast milk is a non‐invasive method with significant potential for assessing BC risk. Here we analyzed human breast milk by mass spectrometry (MS)‐based proteomics to build a biomarker signature for early detection of BC. Ten milk samples from eight women provided five paired‐groups (cancer versus control) for analysis of dysregulatedproteins: two within woman comparisons (milk from a diseased breast versus a healthy breast of the same woman) and three across women comparisons (milk from a woman with cancer versus a woman without cancer). Despite a wide range in the time between milk donation and cancer diagnosis (cancer diagnosis occurred from 1 month before to 24 months after milk donation), the levels of some proteins differed significantly between cancer and control in several of the five comparison groups. These pilot data are supportive of the idea that molecular analysis of breast milk will identify proteins informative for early detection and accurate assessment of BC risk, and warrant further research. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD007066.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of SAM of alkanethiols functionalized with 2-aza[3]ferrocenophane on gold electrode

Thiols functionalized with N-aryl[3]azaferrocenophane formulated as HS-(CH₂)_n-N(CH₂Cp)₂Fe (1: n = 6, 2: n = 8, 3: n = 10, 4: n = 12) and disulfide obtained by oxidation of 4 (5) were synthesized via three or four steps reactions starting from 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol, 4-aminophenol, and α,ω-aklanedithiol. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these thiols and disulfide on gold electrode were prepared by immersing the electrode in MeCN solutions of the compounds. Cyclic voltammograms of the SAM of 1 (n = 6) exhibited reversible redox of the Fe center at E_1/2 = 0.26 V (vs. Ag⁺/Ag) in the presence of Et₄NBF₄ in MeCN and at E_1/2 = 0.40 V (vs. AgCl/Ag) in the presence of NaClO₄ in H₂O. Addition of HClO₄ to the solutions shifted the redox peaks to higher potentials, E_1/2 = 0.51 V (vs. Ag⁺/Ag) in MeCN and E_1/2 = 0.48 V (vs. AgCl/Ag) in H₂O, respectively, which was ascribed to positive charge of tertiary ammonium group formed by protonation of the amino group of the azaferrocenophane. E_1/2 of SAM of 1 in H₂O solution varies depending on the anion contained in the electrolyte, NaClO₄ (0.40 V), NaBF₄ (0.46 V), Na₂SO₄ (0.53 V), and NaCl (0.55 V). Kinetic data of electron transfer between the Fe center and the gold surface of the SAM of 2-4 were obtained with variable scanning rate. Laviron’s analysis provided tunneling constant β, 0.05 Å⁻¹, suggesting that the structural changes in the SAMs on oxidation/reduction undergoes the insignificant change of the kinetic constants of the electron transfer depending on the range of the spacer length. In the acidic aqueous media, the kinetic parameters indicated that the imbalanced electron transfer between oxidized and reduced states of the Fe center was caused by the protonation of bridged amine group of azaferrocenophane.     

Synthesis, computational modelling and liquid crystalline properties of some [3]ferrocenophane-containing Schiff’s bases and β-aminovinylketone: Molecular geometry-phase behaviour relationship

Rotationally fixed [3]ferrocenophane extends the variety of possible molecular geometries in its derivatives in comparison with unbridged ferrocenes. In this respect molecular geometry-liquid crystalline properties relationship studies in [3]ferrocenophane mesogens are of considerable interest. Different positional isomers of mono- and di-substituted [3]ferrocenophanes which are obtained by incorporating one or two promesogenic building blocks into the cyclopentadienyl rings are reported in this article. A series of mono-substituted [3]ferrocenophane-containing Schiff’s bases was synthesized by condensing isomeric p-aminophenyl [3]ferrocenophanes with appropriate aldehydes. Isomers of di-substituted [3]ferrocenophane amines gave rise to a series of azomethines with two promesogenic substituents in the cyclopentadienyl rings. Besides, a β-enaminoketone was prepared from 3-(p-aminophenyl)[3]ferrocenophane. Nematic and smectic mesophases were observed in the synthesized compounds under a polarizing optical microscope. The [3]ferrocenophane-containing β-enaminoketone showed complex mesomorphic behaviour connected with occurrence of the keto-enamine and imino-enol tautomeric equilibrium in this compound. On the base of computational models obtained by semi-empirical quantum chemistry calculations the molecular geometry-phase behaviour relationships were examined. It was demonstrated that mesomorphism of [3]ferocenophane azomethines depends on the spatial orientation of the substituents with respect to the propanediyl bridge in a case of mono-, and as well as to each other in a case of di-substituted derivatives.     

Synthesis of a distanna [2]ferrocenophane and reactivity of [2]ferrocenophanes towards elemental sulfur and selenium

Here we report the synthesis and crystal structure of a new [2]ferrocenophane [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(SntBu₂)₂] with a sterically demanding distannanediyl bridge. The reactivity of the title compound towards selected main group elements was examined and in addition, this reactivity pattern was established for the related diboranediyl bridged [2]ferrocenophane [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂(BNMe₂)₂].     

Proliferative and anti-proliferative effects of titanium- and iron-based metallocene anti-cancer drugs

In previous work we have found that Cp₂TiCl₂ and its corresponding derivative of tamoxifen, Titanocene tamoxifen, show an unexpected proliferative effect on hormone dependent breast cancer cells MCF-7. In order to check if this behavior is a general trend for titanocene derivatives we have tested two other titanocene derivatives, Titanocene Y and Titanocene K, on this cell line. Interestingly, these two titanocene complexes behave in a totally different manner. Titanocene K is highly proliferative on MCF-7 cells even at low concentrations (0.5 μM), thus behave almost similarly to Cp₂TiCl₂. This proliferative effect is also observed in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In contrast, Titanocene Y alone has almost no effect on MCF-7 at a concentration of 10 μM, but exhibits a significant dose dependent cytotoxic effect of up to 50% when incubated with BSA (20-50 μg/mL). This confirms the crucial role played by the binding to serum proteins in the expression of the in vivo, cytotoxicity of the titanocene complexes. From the hydridolithiation reaction of 6-p-anisylfulvene with LiBEt₃H followed by transmetallation with iron dichloride [bis-[(p-methoxy-benzyl)cyclopentadienyl]iron(II)] (Ferrocene Y) was synthesised. This complex, which was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, contains the robust ferrocenyl unit instead of Ti associated with easily leaving groups such as chlorine and shows only a modest cytotoxicity against MCF-7 or MDA-MB-231 cells.