Synthesis,structural studies and antimicrobial evaluation of nickel (II) complexes of NNS tridentate thiosemicarbazone based ligands

Synthesis and characterization of three nickel complexes [NiCl(L¹)] 1 , [NiCl(L²)] 2 and [NiCl(L³)] 3 are described {HL¹ = 4‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1‐((pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide, HL² = 4‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐1‐((pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide and HL³ = 4‐(2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1‐((pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide} and among the tridentate ligands HL³ is reported for the first time. The structures of the complexes were assigned based on CHNS microanalysis, spectroscopic (IR & UV–Vis.) data and solution conductivity studies. The absence of any magnetism for the complexes proved their square planar geometry. Single crystals of complex 1 were grown and analyzed by XRD analysis which confirmed the complex planarity as each Ni atom connects to three (two nitrogen and one sulfur) atoms from the thiosemicarbazone ligand and an additional chlorine atom. Packing of the complex 1 in the crystal lattice was proved to stabilize via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Antimicrobial activities of 1 – 3 were studied in vitro against fungal and bacterial species and, in several instances, the complexes possessed improved antibacterial behavior in comparison to chloramphenicol.     

Nickel versus copper: enhanced antibacterial activity in a series of new nickel(II) Schiff base complexes

Five new Ni(II) Schiff base complexes [NiL^x(Solv)₂] denoted by NiL^x, x = 1–5, were synthesized and characterized. The Schiff base ligands were synthesized from the condensation of 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzaldehyde with different aliphatic and aromatic diamines. The X-ray crystal structure of NiL³ was determined. The ligands and complexes were tested as antibacterial agents against two gram(+) and two gram(?) human pathogenic bacteria. The complexes showed moderate antibacterial activity against both gram type bacteria. The new Ni(II) complexes showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the previously reported Cu(II) complexes of the same ligands.     

Heteroscorpionate‐based heteroleptic copper(II) complexes: Antioxidant,molecular docking and in vitro cytotoxicity studies

Three new heteroscorpionate ligands, (2‐hydroxyphenyl)bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)methane (HL¹), (4‐diethylamino‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)methane (HL²) and (5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)methane (HL³), and their heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L^1–3)diimine]ClO₄ ( 1 – 6 ; where diimine =2,2′‐bipyridyl or 1,10‐phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of ligand HL¹ was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. UV–visible, electron paramagnetic resonance and theoretical studies suggest a distorted square pyramidal geometry around copper(II) ion. Analyses of highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals have been used to explain the charge transfer taking place within the complexes. The antioxidant activities of the heteroscorpionate ligands and their heteroleptic copper(II) complexes were determined using ABTS, DPPH and H₂O₂ free radical scavenging assays with respect to standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. In molecular docking studies, the complexes showed π–π, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions with fibroblast growth factor receptor kinase. In vitro cytotoxicity activities of ligands and copper(II) complexes were examined on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7), cervical (HeLa) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines and normal human dermal fibroblast cell line using MTT assay. Complex 4 exhibited higher anticancer activity than the other complexes against all three cancer lines, being more potent than the standard drug cisplatin.     

Octahedral Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of Schiff bases,semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone,synthesis, biological,spectral, and thermal studies

A new series of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes, [M(ligand)(H₂O)₂(Y)] (M = Co(II) or Ni(II); Y = Cl^?, Br^? or NO₃ ^?), containing the Schiff-base semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone, HL¹ and HL², formed from 4-hydroxycoumarin-3-carbaldehyde have been synthesized. The nature of bonding and the stereochemistry of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analyses, infrared, electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity measurements. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for the complexes. The metal complexes were screened for their antifungal and antibacterial activities on different species of pathogenic fungi and bacteria and their biopotency has been discussed.     

In-vitro antibacterial activity of Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes incorporating new azo-azomethine ligand possessing excellent antioxidant,anti-inflammatory activity and protective effect of free radicals against plasmid DNA

Azo Schiff base ligand 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(tolyldiazenyl)benzaldehyde oxime (HL¹) and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(methoxyphenyl)benzaldehyde oxime (HL²) were prepared along with their transition metal complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). Ligands and their metal complexes were characterized by several analysis techniques. In- vitro antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of synthesized ligands and their metal complexes have been studied. Biological study showed that amongst all the synthesized compounds, Cu(II) complexes possessed excellent antibacterial activity than standard antibiotic Chloramphenicol. Ligands (HL¹) and (HL²) showed excellent antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory activity. Both the ligands were tested for their protective effect of free radicals against plasmid DNA and it was found that both the ligands showed good DNA nicking activity.     

四个对苯酚四唑硫酮金属(II)配合物的合成和晶体结构

四唑酸(–CN4H)与羧酸(–COOH)具有相似的酸性。对苯酚四唑硫酮(H2L)可以作为单齿(–S或–N)或双齿(–N, N或–N, S)配体与金属离子配位形成配位化合物。合成了4个以H2L为配体的金属(II)配合物：Co(HL)2(Py)2(H2O)2 (1), [Mn(HL)2(H2O)4]·2H2O (2), Mn(HL)2(Phen)2 (3), and [Zn(HL)2(Phen)2]·0.5H2O·1.5CH3OH (4),并用X−射线单晶衍射法测定了晶体结构。晶体结构分析表明,在这些配合物中所有的中心金属原子均呈现六配位的八面体构型。在配合物1和2中,HL–配体以氧原子与中心金属原子配位,而在配合物3和4中HL–配体则以硫原子与中心金属原子配位。     

Tweaking the affinity of aryl‐substituted diazosalicylato‐ and pyridine ligands towards Zn (II) and its neighbors in the periodic system of the elements,Cu (II) and Cd (II), and their antimicrobial activity

A series of six new Zn (II) compounds, viz., [Zn(HL^ASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 1 ), [Zn(HL^MASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 2 ), [Zn(HL^MASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(HL^CASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 4 ), [Zn(HL^BASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 5 ), [Zn(HL^BASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 6 ) and representative Cu (II) and Cd (II) complexes, viz., [Cu(HL^ASA)₂(Py)₂(H₂O)] ( 7 ) and [Cd(HL^BASA)₂(Py)₃] ( 8 ) [(HL^XASA)^? = para‐substituted 5‐[(E)‐2‐(aryl)‐1‐diazenyl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoate with X = H (ASA), Me (MASA), Cl (CASA) or Br (BASA); Py = pyridine; 4‐MePy = 4‐methylpyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The structural characterization of the compounds revealed distorted tetrahedral ( 1 – 6 ), square‐pyramidal ( 7 ) and pentagonal‐bipyramidal ( 8 ) coordination geometries around the metal atom, in which the aryl‐substituted diazosalicylate ligands are coordinated only through the oxygen atoms of carboxylate groups, either in an anisobidentate or isobidentate mode; meanwhile, the 2‐hydroxy groups of the monoanionic ligand (HL^XASA)^? are involved only in intramolecular O‐H···O hydrogen bonds with the carboxylate function. In the crystal structures of 1 – 8 , the complex molecules are assembled by π‐stacking interactions giving mostly infinite 1D strands. The intermolecular binding in the solid state structures is accomplished by diverse additional non‐covalent contacts including C‐H···O, C‐H···N, C‐H···π, C‐H···Br, O···Br, Br···π and van der Waals contacts. Although the primary and secondary ligands in the Zn (II) complex series 1 – 6 carry different substituents at the periphery (X = H, Me, Cl, Br for (HL^XASA)^? and R = H, Me for 4‐Py‐R), five of the crystal structures were isostructural. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the pro‐ligands H₂L^XASA and their Zn (II), Cu (II) and Cd (II) compounds were studied in a comparative manner, showing high sensitivity (IZD ≥ 20) against Bacillus subtilis.     

Zinc(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes Based on Schiff Base Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Luminescent and Magnetic Properties

Three new phenolate oxygen bridged transition metal complexes [Zn₃(HL¹)₃(μ₃‐CH₃O)]·(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₃ ( 1 ), [Ni₂(HL¹)₂(μ_1,1‐N₃)(o‐vanillin)]·H₂O ( 2 ), [Ni₃(HL²)₂(PhCOO)₂(PhCOOH)₂(EtOH)₂] ( 3 ) have been synthesized by metal ions and potentially multidentate Schiff base ligands (H₂L¹ = 2‐((1‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropan‐2‐ylimino) methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol; H₃L² = (E)‐1‐((2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐benzylidene)amino)ethane‐1,2‐diol). All the three complexes 1 , 2 , and 3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Crystal structures reveal that complex 1 is a trinuclear incomplete cubane‐like zinc cluster whereas complex 2 is a dinuclear nickel complex bridged by azide, and compound 3 is a trinuclear nickel complex. The luminescent property for complex 1 and magnetic behaviors for complexes 2 and 3 have been investigated.     

Spectral and structural studies of nickel(II) complexes of salicylaldehyde 3-azacyclothiosemicarbazones

Mononuclear nickel(II) complexes with two ONS donor thiosemicarbazone ligands {salicylaldehyde 3-hexamethyleneiminyl thiosemicarbazone [H₂L¹] and salicylaldehyde 3-tetramethyleneiminyl thiosemicarbazone [H₂L²]} have been prepared and physico-chemically characterized. IR and electronic spectra of the complexes have been obtained. The thiosemicarbazones bind to the metal as dianionic ONS donor ligands in all the complexes except in [Ni(HL¹)₂] (1). In compound 1, the ligand is coordinated as a monoanionic (HL⁻) one. The magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that all the complexes are mononuclear and are diamagnetic. The complexes were given the formulae [Ni(HL¹)₂] (1), [NiL¹py] (2), [NiL¹α-pic] (3), [NiL¹γ-pic] · H₂O (4), [NiL²py] (5) and [NiL²γ-pic] (6). The structures of compounds 2 and 3 have been solved by single crystal X-ray crystallography and were found to be distorted square planar in geometry with coordination of azomethine nitrogen, thiolato sulfur, phenolato oxygen and pyridyl nitrogen atoms.     

Synthesis and Characterization of N,N‐Di‐substituted Acylthiourea Copper(II) Complexes

A series of six N,N‐di‐substituted acylthiourea ArC(O)NHC(S)NRR′ ligands (denoted as HLⁿ) [Ar = 1‐Naph: NRR′ = NPh₂, HL¹ ( 1 ); N(iPr)Ph, HL² ( 2 ). Ar = Mes: NRR′ = NPh₂, HL⁴ ( 3 ); N(iPr)Ph, HL⁵ ( 4 ); NEt₂, HL⁶ ( 5 ). Ar = Ph: NRR′ = N(iPr)Ph, HL⁸ ( 6 )] were synthesized and characterized. These ligands were deprotonated to form Cu^II complexes through metathesis or combined redox reaction with copper halides. The structures of the complexes were investigated with single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The reaction of the 1‐naphthalene derivative HL¹ ( 1 ) with CuBr in the presence of sodium acetate produced cis‐CuL¹₂ ( 7 ), where the deprotonated ligand is bound to the Cu^II atom in a bidentate‐(O, S) coordination mode. Similarly treatment of HL² ( 2 ) with NaOAc and CuCl resulted in the formation of the cis‐arranged product [cis‐CuL²₂ ( 8 )]. The reaction of mesityl derivative HL⁴ ( 3 ) and CuBr with and without the addition of NaOAc gave the cis‐CuL⁴₂ ( 9 ) and cis‐(HL⁴)₂CuBr ( 10 ), respectively. In contrast, reaction of HL⁵ ( 4 ) and CuI in the presence of NaOAc resulted in trans‐CuL⁵₂ ( 11 ). Alternatively trans‐CuL⁶₂ ( 12 ) was obtained by the reaction of diethyl‐substituted HL⁶ ( 5 ) with CuCl₂ in the absence of a base.     

The Interaction of α‐Hydroxycarboxylic Acids with Metal Ions: Lactic Acid (H2L1) and 2‐Methyllactic Acid (H2L2) with Cobalt(II) Crystal and Molecular Structures of [Co(HL1)2(H2O)2]·H2O and [Co(HL2)2(H2O)2]

The cobalt(II) complexes [Co(HL¹)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O) ( 1 ) and [Co(HL²)₂(H₂O)₂]( 2 ) [(HL¹)^‐ = (/plusmn;)‐lactate, (HL²)^‐ = 2‐Methyl‐lactate] were prepared and characterized structurally. The cobalt atom is in a distorted octahedral environment in both compounds. Both α‐hydroxycarboxylato ligands are O, O'‐bidentate chelating monoanions. The presence of a lattice water molecule in 1 makes its supramolecular organization different from that of 2 . The thermal behaviour of both compounds was also investigated.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA-binding,and antioxidant activities of four copper(II) complexes containing N-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-amino amide ligands

Four new substituted amino acid ligands, N-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-glycine acid (HL₁), N-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-alanine acid (HL₂), N-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-phenylalanine acid (HL₃), and N-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-leucine acid (HL₄), were synthesized and characterized on the basis of ¹H NMR, IR, ESI-MS, and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of their copper(II) complexes [Cu(L₁)₂]·2H₂O (1), [Cu(L₂)₂(H₂O)] (2), [Cu(L₃)₂(CH₃OH)] (3), and [Cu(L₄)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O (4) were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The ligands coordinate with copper(II) through secondary amine and carboxylate in all complexes. In 2, 3, and 4, additional water or methanol coordinates, completing a distorted tetragonal pyramidal coordination geometry around copper. Fluorescence titration spectra, electronic absorption titration spectra, and EB displacement indicate that all the complexes bind to CT-DNA. Intrinsic binding constants of the copper(II) complexes with CT-DNA are 1.32?×?10^6?M^?1, 4.32?×?10^5?M^?1, 5.00?×?10^5?M^?1, and 5.70?×?10^4?M^?1 for 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the compounds have been investigated by spectrophotometric measurements. The results show that the Cu(II) complexes have similar superoxide dismutase activity to that of native Cu, Zn-SOD.     

Amide‐Functionalized Naphthyridines on a RhII–RhII Platform: Effect of Steric Crowding,Hemilability, and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions on the Structural Diversity and Catalytic Activity of Dirhodium(II) Complexes

Ferrocene‐amide‐functionalized 1,8‐naphthyridine (NP) based ligands {[(5,7‐dimethyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2‐yl)amino]carbonyl}ferrocene (L¹H) and {[(3‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2‐yl)amino]carbonyl}ferrocene (L²H) have been synthesized. Room‐temperature treatment of both the ligands with Rh₂(CH₃COO)₄ produced [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₃(L¹)] ( 1 ) and [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₃(L²)] ( 2 ) as neutral complexes in which the ligands were deprotonated and bound in a tridentate fashion. The steric effect of the ortho‐methyl group in L¹H and the inertness of the bridging carboxylate groups prevented the incorporation of the second ligand on the {Rh^II–Rh^II} unit. The use of the more labile Rh₂(CF₃COO)₄ salt with L¹H produced a cis bis‐adduct [Rh₂(CF₃COO)₄(L¹H)²] ( 3 ), whereas L²H resulted in a trans bis‐adduct [Rh₂(CF₃COO)₃(L²)(L²H)] ( 4 ). Ligand L¹H exhibits chelate binding in 3 and L²H forms a bridge‐chelate mode in 4 . Hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the amide hydrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms play an important role in the formation of these complexes. In the absence of this hydrogen‐bonding interaction, both ligands bind axially as evident from the X‐ray structure of [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(CH₃CN)₄(L²H)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 6 ). However, the axial ligands reorganize at reflux into a bridge‐chelate coordination mode and produce [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(CH₃CN)₂(L¹H)](BF₄)₂ ( 5 ) and [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(L²H)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 7 ). Judicious selection of the dirhodium(II) precursors, choice of ligand, and adaptation of the correct reaction conditions affords 7 , which features hemilabile amide side arms that occupy sites trans to the Rh–Rh bond. Consequently, this compound exhibits higher catalytic activity for carbene insertion to the C?H bond of substituted indoles by using appropriate diazo compounds, whereas other compounds are far less reactive. Thus, this work demonstrates the utility of steric crowding, hemilability, and hydrogen‐bonding functionalities to govern the structure and catalytic efficacyof dirhodium(II,II) compounds.     

Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Metal Complexes with Bis(tetrazole) Ligands: Synthesis and Crystal Structures

Two new metal complexes [Zn( L¹ )]_n ( 1 ) and [Cd₃( L² )₂Cl₂(H2O)6]_n ( 2 ) (H₂ L¹ = 1,5‐bis(tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐3‐oxapentane, H₂ L² = bis(tetrazol‐5‐yl)methane) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 was a 2‐D sheet constructed by L¹ and Zn(II) center, further assembled to form a three‐dimensional (3‐D) supramolecular networks through weak hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In the complex 2 , there were two unequivalent Cd(II) centers, and some of ligands L² adopted chelate coordination mode, and others adopted bridge coordination mode linking the Cd1 center and simultaneously bridging the Cd2 center, the Cl^‐ anions adopted μ₂ bridging mode, ligands L² and the Cl^‐ anions linked the Cd(II) centers to form a 3‐D supramolecular networks.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic and electrochemiluminescence properties of three manganese(II) complexes

Three novel complexes, namely, penta‐μ‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)‐μ‐formato‐tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)_5.168(CHO₂)_0.832], 1 , hexa‐μ₂‐acetato‐bis(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐bromopyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)tetramanganese(II), [Mn₄(C₁₃H₁₁BrN₃O₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₆], 2 , and catena‐poly[[μ₂‐acetato‐acetatoaqua(μ₂‐2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolato)dimanganese(II)]‐μ₂‐acetato], [Mn₂(C₁₃H₁₁ClN₃O₂)(C₂H₃O₂)₃(H₂O)]_n, 3 , have been synthesized using solvothermal methods. Complexes 1 – 3 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are tetranuclear manganese clusters, while complex 3 has a one‐dimensional network based on tetranuclear Mn₄(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)₆(H₂O)₂ building units (L¹ is 2‐{[2‐(6‐chloropyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenolate). Magnetic studies reveal that complexes 1 – 3 display dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn^II ions through μ₂‐O bridges. In addition, 1 – 3 also display favourable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties.     

Triazine based Mn (II) and Mn (II)/Ln (III) complexes: Synthesis,characterization and catecholase activities

In the current work, two triazine‐based multidentate ligands (H₂L¹ and H₂L²) and their homo‐dinuclear Mn (II), mononuclear Ln (III) and hetero‐dinuclear Mn (II)/Ln (III) (Where Ln: Eu or La) complexes were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Single crystals of a homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complex {[Mn (HL¹)(CH₃OH)](ClO₄·CH₃OH}₂ ( 1 ) were obtained and the molecular structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction method. In the structure of the complex, each Mn (II) ion is seven‐coordinate and one of the phenolic oxygen bridges two Mn (II) centre forming a dimeric structure. The UV–Vis. and photoluminescence properties of synthesized ligands and their metal complexes were investigated in DMF solution and the compounds showed emission bands in the UV–Vis. region. The catecholase enzyme‐like activity of the complexes were studied for 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion in the presence of air oxygen. Homo‐dinuclear Mn (II) complexes ( 1 and 4 ) were found to efficiently catalyse 3,5‐DTBC → 3,5‐DTBQ conversion with the turnover numbers of 37.25 and 35.78 h^?1 (k_cat), respectively. Mononuclear Eu (III) and La (III) complexes did not show catecholase activity.     

Fluorescent UO2(II) and ZrO(II) complexes: Synthesis,structural characterization,fluorescence, DNA binding studies and biological applications in cell probing

A new series of UO2(II) and ZrO(II) azo‐complexes based on 5‐nitro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline; [UO₂(H₂L¹)(NO₃)EtOH] (1), [ZrO(H₂L¹)(NO₃)H₂O] (2), [UO₂(HL²)(NO₃)EtOH]3H₂O (3), [ZrO(HL²)(NO₃)EtOH] (4), [UO₂(HL³)(NO₃)(H₂O)₃]2H₂O (5) and [ZrO(HL³)(NO₃)EtOH] (6); have been synthesized. The structure of these complexes has been characterized using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, molar conductance, UV–vis, IR, electron impact mass, X‐ray powder diffraction and NMR spectra. The results revealed the formation of non‐electrolyte mononuclear complexes via the N atom of the azo group or of the quinoline ring and the oxygen atom of the deprotonated OH. Fluorescence properties of the synthesized complexes have been examined and the fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) has been determined. The complexes have been tested as cell staining and imaging under the fluorescent microscope. The data showed that complexes 1 and 2 efficiently stain the nuclei in addition to some focal cytoplasmic areas. Other than complexes 3 and 4 exclusively stained the nuclei. On the other hand, complexes 5 and 6 stained the cytoplasm exclusively. It has been demonstrated that complex 4 was the most effective in cell staining. The binding constant (Kb) with DNA was calculated using UV–vis absorption titration and fluorescence spectral methods. It was concluded that complex 4 can be used effectively as fluorescent probes in studying cell biology.     

Preparation,characterization, DFT calculations and ethylene oligomerization studies of iron(II) complexes bearing 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-phenol derivatives

Five 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-phenol derivatives including 1H (HL₁), 5-chloro-(HL₂), 5-methyl-(HL₃), 5,6-dichloro-(HL₄), and 5,6-dimethyl-(HL₅) were synthesized by the reaction of their corresponding benzene-1,2-diamine precursors and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde which subsequently was employed in complexation with Fe(II) to prepare complexes C1–C5, respectively. Indeed, in all complexes, the ligands were coordinated as bidentate, via the C=N nitrogen and hydroxy oxygen atom of benzimidazole moiety and phenol ring, respectively. The compounds were characterized by FTIR, UV–vis, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectropscopy, ICP, and elemental analysis (C, H, and N). The purity of these compounds was determined by melting point (m.p )and TLC. The synthesized ligands and complexes were geometrically optimized by Gaussian09 software at B3LYP/TZVP level of theory and satisfactory theoretical–experimental agreement was achieved for analysis of IR data of the compounds. Catalytic behavior of the iron(II) complexes was investigated for ethylene reactivity. On activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl), iron(II) complex (C4) showed the highest activity (1686 kg oligomers.mol^?1(Fe).h^?1) for ethylene oligomerization when it contains chlorine substituents and exhibits good selectivity for linear 1-butene. The steric and electronic effects of ligands were investigated in detail on the influence of their catalytic activities.     

Altering the Activity of Catechol Oxidase Model Compounds by Electronic Influence on the Copper Core

The catecholase activity of the dicopper(II) complexes [Cu₂(L¹)(μ‐OCH₃)(NCCH₃)₂](PF₆)₂·H₂O·CH₃CN ( 1 ), [Cu₂(L²)(μ‐OH)(MeOH)(NCCH₃)](BF₄)₂ ( 2 ), [Cu₂(L³)(μ‐OMe)(NCCH₃)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN·H₂O ( 3 ), [Cu₂(L²)(μ‐OAc)₂]BF₄·H₂O ( 4 ), [Cu₂(L⁴)(μ‐OAc)₂]ClO₄ ( 5 ) and [Cu₂(L⁵)(μ‐OMe)(NCCH₃)₃(OH₂)](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH·CH₃CN ( 6 ) consisting of varying para‐substituted phenol ligands HL¹ = 4‐trifluoromethyl‐2,6‐bis((4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl)phenol, HL² = 4‐bromo‐2,6‐bis((4‐methyl‐1,4‐diazepan‐1‐yl)methyl)phenol, HL³ = 4‐bromo‐2‐((4‐methyl‐1,4‐diazepan‐1‐yl)methyl)‐6‐((4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl)phenol, HL⁴ = 2,6‐bis((4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl)‐4‐nitrophenol and HL⁵ = 4‐tert‐butyl‐2,6‐bis((4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl)phenol was studied. The main difference within the six complexes lies in the individual copper–copper separation that is enforced by the chelating side arms of the phenolate ligand entity and more importantly in the exogenous bridging solvent, hydroxide, methanolate or acetate ions. The distance between the copper cores varies from 2.94Å in 1 to 3.29Å in 5 . The catalytic activity of the complexes 1 – 6 towards the oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol was determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring the increase of the 3,5–di‐tert‐butylquinone characteristic absorption band at about 400 nm over time saturated with O₂. The complexes are able to oxidize the substrate 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol to the corresponding o‐quinone with distinct catalytic activity (k_cat between 92 h^?1 and 189 h^?1), with an order of decreasing activity 6 > 5 > 1 , 2 , 4 ≥ 3 . A kinetic treatment of the data based on the Michaelis‐Menten approach was applied. A correlation of the catecholase activities with the variation of the para‐ substituents as well as other effects resulting from the copper core distances is discussed. [Cu₂(L⁵)(μ‐OMe)(NCCH₃)₃(OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH·CH₃CN ( 6 ) exhibited the highest activity of the six complexes as a result of its high turnover rate.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of an Unexpected Tetranuclear Zinc(II) Complex and a Benzoquinone Compound Derived from ZnII‐ and CdII‐Promoted Reactivity of Schiff Base Ligands

An unexpected polyhydroxyl‐bridged tetranuclear Zn^II complex and a benzoquinone compound derived from metal‐ion promoted reactivity of Schiff base ligands were synthesized and characterized. The reaction of zinc(II) acetate dihydrate with oxime‐type Schiff base ligand HL¹ [HL¹ = 1‐(3‐((3,5‐dibromosalicylaldehyde)amino)phenyl)ethan‐1‐one O‐benzyl oxime] in methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile resulted in the chemoselective cleavage of the C=N bond of the Schiff base HL¹, and then the further addition of acetone to two salicylaldehyde molecules derived from cleavage of the C=N bond in situ α,α double aldol reaction promoted by Zn^II ions. The newly formed ligands H₄L² coordinate to four Zn^II ions forming a defect‐dicubane core structure [Zn^II₄(H₂L²)₂(μ₃‐OCH₃)₂(μ‐OCH₃)₂(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ) bridged exclusively by oxygen‐based ligands. The similar ligand HL³ [HL³ = 1‐(3‐((3,5‐dichlorosalicylaldehyde)amino)phenyl)ethan‐1‐one O‐benzyl oxime)] was employed to react with Cd^II acetate dihydrate under the same reaction conditions. No aldol addition occurred but a unexpected benzoquinone compound 2,5‐bis(((3‐(1‐((benzyloxy)imino)ethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)‐1,4‐benzoquinone ( 2 ) formed. The results provided interesting insights into one‐pot routes involving in situ reactions act as a strategy for obtaining a variety of polymeric/polynuclear complexes which are inconvenient to obtain from directly presynthesizing the ligands.