Synthesis,characterization and biological application of cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes

A series of square planar cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of the type [(C^N)Pt(O^O)] [where, O^O is a β‐diketonato ligand of acetylacetone (acac), C^N = cyclometalating 7‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L¹), 7‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L²), 7‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L³), 7‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L⁴), 5‐phenyl‐7‐(p‐tolyl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L⁵)] have been design, synthesized and characterized. All compounds have been screened for biological studies like in vitro antibacterial, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular level cytotoxicity, absorption titration, viscosity measurements, fluorescence quenching analysis, molecular docking and DNA nuclease. The intrinsic binding constants (K_b) of compounds with HS‐DNA has been obtained in range of 2.892–0.242 × 10⁵ M^?1. All the compounds bound with HS DNA by partial intercalative mode of binding. MIC study has been carried out against Gram^(+ve) and Gram^(?ve) bacterial species. In vitro cytotoxicity against brine shrimp lethality bioassay has been also carried out. The LC₅₀ values of the ligands and complexes have been found in range of 56.49–120.22 μg/mL and 6.71–11.96 μg/mL, respectively.     

Flat vs. Folded Chelate Rings in cis‐PtIIa2 (a = NH3, a2 = en,a2 = 2, 2′‐bpy) Complexes of Twofold Substituted Diazine Ligands

Acid‐base and ligating properties of three bis(substituted)pyrazine (pz) and pyrimidine (pym) ligands (pyrazine‐2, 5‐dicarboxylic acid, 2, 5‐pzdcH2, 2, 3‐bis(pyridine‐2‐yl)pyrazine, 2, 3‐bppz, pyrimidine‐4, 6‐dicarboxylic acid, 4, 6‐pmdcH₂) toward cis‐Pt^IIa₂ (a = NH₃, a₂ = en, a₂ = 2, 2′‐bpy) have been studied. Combinations of pz‐N/pym‐N with donor atoms of the substituents lead to 5‐membered platinum chelates, but exclusive N, N‐coordination through the pyridyl substituents of 2, 3‐bppz can lead to a 7‐membered platinum chelate with a characteristic L‐shape of the resulting cation. It is observed for Pt^II(2, 2′‐bpy), yet not for Pt^II(en), and is a consequence of differences in sterical interactions between the 2, 3‐bppz ligand and the coligands of Pt^II.     

Green One‐Pot Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines,Azolo[3,4‐d]pyridiazines,and Thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines Containing Triazole Moiety

Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, 8,10‐dimethyl‐2‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]‐pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine via heterocyclic amines, and sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one were carried out. Also, synthesis of isoxazoles, and pyrazoles from sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one and hydroxymoyl chlorides and hydrazonoyl halides, respectively, were made. Analogously, (1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine derivatives were obtained from sodium 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐ triazole‐4‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one and cyanothioacetamide followed by its reacting with active methylene compounds. In addition to full characterization of all synthesized compounds, they were tested to evaluate their antimicrobial activities, and some compounds showed competitive activities to those of tetracycline, the typical antibacterial drug, and clotrimazole, the typical antifungal drug.     

A new approach for the synthesis of some pyrazolo[5,1‐c]triazines and pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines containing naphtofuran moiety

Naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)(8‐phenylpyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐3‐yl)methanone, ([1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐6‐yl)(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)methanone, benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐3‐yl‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl‐methanone, 5‐(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, 7‐(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidine, 2‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl‐benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine, pyridine, and pyrazole derivatives are synthesized from sodium salt of 5‐hydroxy‐1‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐ylpropenone and various reagents. The newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, spectral data, chemical transformation, and alternative synthetic route whenever possible. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).     

Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of the Anticancer Properties of a Novel Series of Imidazolone Fused Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine Derivatives

A novel series of imidazolone fused pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives has been designed and synthesized using a convergent approach, and the structures of these compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI‐MS, and IR analyses. These new compounds were tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activity using an 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Out of the 20 derivatives prepared in the current study, compounds 8h , 8n , and 8r exhibited good anticancer activities tested against HeLa cells and HepG₂ cells. However, the in vitro anticancer activity of compound 8r against HeLa, HepG₂, and MCF‐7 cell lines is superior to the marketed drugs Paclitaxel and SAHA.     

Synthesis of some novel pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine,pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine,pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazine and 1,2,4‐triazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazine derivatives incorporating a thiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazole moiety

E‐3‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)‐1‐(3‐methylthiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazol‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 2 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 1‐(3‐methylthiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazol‐2‐yl)ethanone ( 1 ) with dimethylformamide‐dimethylacetal. The reaction of 2 with 5‐amino‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole ( 4a ) or 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐(1H)‐triazole ( 4b ) furnished pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine and 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives 6a and 6b , while the reaction of enaminone 2 with 6‐aminopyrimidine derivatives 7a,b afforded pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives 9a,b , respectively. The diazonium salts 11a or 11b coupled with compound 2 to yield the pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazine and 1,2,4‐triazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazine derivatives 13a and 13b . Some of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited a moderate effect against some bacterial and fungal species.     

Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes of N-Phenyl- and N-Ethyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of N-ethyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea(HL¹) and N-phenyl-N′-pyrimidin-2-ylthiourea (HL²) have been prepared, and the complexes [M(HL)Cl₂], [Pt(L)₂], [Pd(HL¹)₂]Cl₂, and [Pd(L²)₂] (where M = Pd^II or Pt^II) were characterized. The spectroscopic data are consistent with coordination of thioureas as neutral or monoanionic ligands to Pd^II and Pt^II through S and a pyrimidine-N. The IR spectra show shifts of CS and pyrimidine ring stretch bands to lower and higher frequencies, respectively. The ¹H NMR spectra differentiate between H(4′) and H(6′) resonances and indicate downfield shifts for all protons of pyrimidine [H(4′), H(5′), and H(6′)], two resonances for two N?H protons for complexes containing the neutral ligand (HL), and only one N?H proton chemical shift for complexes containing the monoanion (L). ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of pyrimidine carbons are correlated with the type of bonding between Pd^II or Pt^II and pyrimidine-N. The magnetic susceptibilities suggest a diamagnetic planar structure for all complexes.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazine,Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine,and Imidazo[1,2‐b]pyrazole Derivatives Based on Imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazole Moiety

3(5)‐Aminopyrazole derivative ( 6 ) has been synthesized by the reactions of the versatile unreported 2‐cyano‐N ′‐(1‐(3‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[2,1‐b ]thiazol‐2‐yl)ethylidene)acetohydrazide ( 3 ) with phenyl isothiocyanate in KOH/DMF solution followed by reaction with methyl iodide and hydrazine hydrate. Reaction of compound 6 with some 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds yielded pyrazolo[1,5‐a ]pyrimidine derivatives ( 14 – 17 ). Alkylation of compound 6 with various halo reagents, followed by intramolecular cyclization, yielded the corresponding imidazo[1,2‐b ]pyrazole derivatives 27 , 29 , 31 , and 33 . All newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by considering the data of both elemental analysis and spectral data.     

Synthesis and Structure of Novel Thieno[2, 3‐d]Pyrimidine Derivatives Containing 1, 3, 4‐Oxadiazole Moiety

The reaction of 5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐4‐methyl‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine carbohydrazide 5 with CS₂ in the presence of pyridine afforded the 6‐(2, 3‐dihydro‐2‐mercapto‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 6 , which reacted with methyl iodide in the presence of sodium methoxide to yield the 6‐(2‐methylthio‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐2‐phenyl‐thieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 7. The 6‐(2‐substituted‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives 9, 11 and 13 were obtained by the condensation of 6‐(2‐methylthio‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 7 with appropriate secondary amines. The structure of the new compounds was substantiated from their IR, UV‐vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, mass spectra, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystal analysis.     

A Convenient Synthesis and Pharmacological Activity of Novel Annelated Pyrimidine Derivatives

Simple and convenient synthesis for a series of 2,3‐diglycosylpyrimidine 4 , pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine 8 , ditetrazolo[1,5‐a;1′,5′‐c]pyrimidine 9 , 2,9a,10‐triazaanthracene 12 , thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine 14 , 1,3,5,7‐tetraazafluorene‐8‐one 15 , 1,3,5‐triazafluorene‐8‐one 16 , 1,3‐diazafluorene 21a,b derivatives have been synthesized via a sequence of heterocyclization reactions of suitably functionalized 6‐[5‐(4‐bromophenyl)ox‐azol‐4‐yl]‐4‐oxo‐2‐thioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrimidine‐5‐carbonitrile ( 2 ) with different electrophiles and nucleophiles. The new compounds were prepared with the objective to study their pharmacological properties.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of 3‐oxoprop‐1‐en‐1‐olate Derivative as a Building Block for the Synthesis of Azole and Azine Derivatives

Several new heterocyclic compounds such as 7‐substituted pyrazolo[1,5‐a ]pyrimidine ( 5a–e ) derivatives have been synthesized by the reactions of the versatile unreported sodium 3‐(4‐methyl‐2‐(4‐methylphenylsulfonamido)thiazol‐5‐yl)‐3‐oxoprop‐1‐en‐1‐olate (2) with amino heterocyclic ( 3a–e ) derivatives. Reaction of (2) with hydrazonyl halide ( 7a–d ) and hydroximoyl chloride ( 11a,b ) derivatives followed by reaction with hydrazine hydrate afforded pyrazolo[3,4‐d ]pyridazine and isoxazolo[3,4‐d ]pyridazine derivatives, respectively incorporating a thiazole moiety have been described. All newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by considering the data of both elemental and spectral analysis.     

Photolysis and Thermolysis of Platinum(IV) 2,2′‐Bipyridine Complexes Lead to Identical Platinum(II)–DNA Adducts

Two Pt^IV and two Pt^II complexes containing a 2,2′‐bipyridine ligand were treated with a short DNA oligonucleotide under light irradiation at 37 °C or in the dark at 37 and 50 °C. Photolysis and thermolysis of the Pt^IV complexes led to spontaneous reduction of the Pt^IV to the corresponding Pt^II complexes and to binding of Pt^II 2,2′‐bipyridine complexes to N7 of guanine. When the reduction product was [Pt(bpy)Cl₂], formation of bis‐oligonucleotide adducts was observed, whereas [Pt(bpy)(MeNH₂)Cl]⁺ gave monoadducts, with chloride ligands substituted in both cases. Neither in the dark nor under light irradiation was the reductive elimination process of these Pt^IV complexes accompanied by oxidative DNA damage. This work raises the question of the stability of photoactivatable Pt^IV complexes toward moderate heating conditions.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Some New 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles,Thiazoles, Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines,Pyrazolo[5,1‐c]triazine,and Thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidines Containing 5‐Bromobenzofuran Moiety

1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles, pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, pyrazolo[5,1‐c]triazine, and thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidines were synthesized from 1‐(5‐bromobenzofuran‐2‐yl)ethanone. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, spectral data, chemical transformation, and alternative synthesis route whenever possible.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Metal Complexes of 2‐Formylpyrrole‐4N‐ethylthiosemicarbazone (4 EL1) and 2‐Acetylpyrrole‐4N‐ethylthiosemicarbazone (4 EL2)

The reactions of ⁴N‐ethyl‐2‐[1‐(pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylidene(hydrazine carbothioamide ( 4 EL₁ ) and ⁴N‐ethyl‐2[1‐(pyrrol‐2‐yl)ethylidene(hydrazine carbothioamide ( 4 EL₂ ) with Group 12 metal halides afforded complexes of types [M(L)₂X₂] (M = Zn, Cd; L = 4 EL₁, 4 EL₂; X = Cl, Br, I; 1 – 6 , 14 – 19 ) and [M(L)X₂] (M = Hg; L = 4 EL₁, 4 EL₂; X = Cl, Br, I; 7 – 9 , 20 – 22 ). In addition, reaction of 4 EL₁ with salts of Cu^II, Ni^II, Pd^II and Pt^II afforded compounds of type [M(4 EL₁–H)₂] ( 10 – 13 ). The new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry, IR and electronic spectroscopy and, for sufficiently soluble compounds, ¹H, ¹³C and, when appropriate, ¹¹³Cd or ¹⁹⁹Hg NMR spectrometry. The spectral data suggest that in their complexes with Group 12 metal cations, both thiosemicarbazones are neutral and S‐monodentate; and for [Zn(4 EL₁)₂I₂] ( 3 ), [Cd(4 EL₁)₂Br₂] ( 5 ) and [Hg(4 EL₁)Cl₂]₂ ( 7 ) this was confirmed by X‐ray diffractometry. By contrast, in its complexes with Cu^II and Group 10 metal cations, 4 EL₁ is monodeprotonated and S,N‐bidentate, as was confirmed by X‐ray diffractometry for [Ni(4 EL₁–H)₂] ( 11 ) and [Pd(4 EL₁–H)₂] ( 12 ).     

Regioselective Synthesis of Some New Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines,Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline and Pyrimido[4′,5′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5‐a] pyrimidines Containing Thiazole Moiety

A regioselective synthesis of novel pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazoline and pyrimido[4′,5′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines incorporating a thiazole moiety was described via the reactions of the versatile, readily accessible 5‐amino‐3‐(phenylamino)‐N‐(4‐phenylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide 3 with appropriate 1,3‐biselectrophilic reagents namely, β‐diketones, enaminones, and α,β‐unsaturated cyclic ketone. The newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, spectral data, and alternative synthetic route whenever possible.     

Facile Route to Novel Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine,Imidazo[1,2‐b] pyrazole,Pyrazolo[3,4‐d][1,2,3]triazine,Pyrazolo[1,5‐c][1,3,5]triazine and Pyrazolo[1,5‐c][1,3,5]thiadiazine Derivatives

A regioselective synthesis of novel pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidines, imidazo[1,2‐b]pyrazoles, pyrazolo[3,4‐d][1,2,3]triazine, pyrazolo[1,5‐c][1,3,5]triazine and pyrazolo[1,5‐c][1,3,5]thiadiazine incorporating a thiazole moiety was described via the reactions of the versatile, readily accessible 5‐amino‐3‐(phenylamino)‐N‐(4‐phenylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamide ( 1 ) with each of DMF‐DMA, phenylisothiocyanate, chloroacetyl chloride, phenacyl bromide, benzoylisothiocyanate and formalin, respectively. All structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis and spectral data.     

Organoplatinum(II) Complexes with Nucleobase Motifs as Inhibitors of Human Topoisomerase II Catalytic Activity

Platinum(II) complexes bearing acetylide ligands containing nucleobase motifs are prepared and their impact on human topoisomerase II (TopoII) is evaluated. Both platinum(II) complexes [Pt^II(C^N^N)(C≡CCH₂R)] ( 1a , 1b , 1c ) and [Pt^II(tBu₃terpy)(C≡CCH₂R)]⁺ ( 2a , 2b , 2c ) (C^N^N=6‐phenyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl, tBu₃terpy = 4,4′,4′′‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridyl, and R=( a ) adenine, ( b ) thymine, and ( c ) 2‐amino‐6‐chloropurine) are stable in aqueous solutions for 48 hours at room temperature. The binding constants (K) for the platinum(II) complexes towards calf thymus DNA are in the order of 10⁵ dm³ mol^?1 as estimated by using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. Of the complexes examined, only complexes 1a , 1b , 1c are found to behave as intercalators. Both complexes 1a , 1b , 1c and 2a , 2b , 2c inhibit TopoII‐induced relaxation of supercoiled DNA, while 2c is the most potent TopoII inhibitors among the tested compounds. Inhibition of DNA relaxation is detected at nanomolar concentrations of 2c . All of the platinum(II) complexes are cytotoxic to human cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.5–13.7 μM , while they are less toxic against normal cells CCD‐19 Lu.     

Structure‐Based Design of Platinum(II) Complexes as c‐myc Oncogene Down‐Regulators and Luminescent Probes for G‐Quadruplex DNA

A series of platinum(II) complexes with tridentate ligands was synthesized and their interactions with G‐quadruplex DNA within the c‐myc gene promoter were evaluated. Complex 1 , which has a flat planar 2,6‐bis(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)pyridine (bzimpy) scaffold, was found to stabilize the c‐myc G‐quadruplex structure in a cell‐free system. An in silico G‐quadruplex DNA model has been constructed for structure‐based virtual screening to develop new Pt^II‐based complexes with superior inhibitory activities. By using complex 1 as the initial structure for hit‐to‐lead optimization, bzimpy and related 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine (dPzPy) scaffolds containing amine side‐chains emerge as the top candidates. Six of the top‐scoring complexes were synthesized and their interactions with c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA have been investigated. The results revealed that all of the complexes have the ability to stabilize the c‐myc G‐quadruplex. Complex 3 a ([Pt^II L2R ] ⁺ ; L2 =2,6‐bis[1‐(3‐piperidinepropyl)‐1H‐enzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl]pyridine, R =Cl) displayed the strongest inhibition in a cell‐free system (IC₅₀=2.2 μM ) and was 3.3‐fold more potent than that of 1 . Complexes 3 a and 4 a ([Pt^II L3R ]⁺; L3 =2,6‐bis[1‐(3‐morpholinopropyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]pyridine, R =Cl) were found to effectively inhibit c‐myc gene expression in human hepatocarcinoma cells with IC₅₀ values of ≈17 μM , whereas initial hit 1 displayed no significant effect on gene expression at concentrations up to 50 μM . Complexes 3 a and 4 a have a strong preference for G‐quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA, as revealed by competition dialysis experiments and absorption titration; 3 a and 4 a bind G‐quadruplex DNA with binding constants (K) of approximately 10⁶–10⁷ dm³ mol^?1, which are at least an order of magnitude higher than the K values for duplex DNA. NMR spectroscopic titration experiments and molecular modeling showed that 4 a binds c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA through an external end‐stacking mode at the 3′‐terminal face of the G‐quadruplex. Intriguingly, binding of c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA by 3 b is accompanied by an increase of up to 38‐fold in photoluminescence intensity at λ_max=622 nm.     

A convenient synthesis of novel 7‐phosphonylbenzyl‐2‐substituted pyrazolo[4,3‐e]‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidine derivatives

A series of pyrazolo[4,3‐e]‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[1,5‐c]pyrimidine derivatives, bearing phosphonylbenzyl chain in position 7, were conveniently synthesized in an attempt to obtain potent and selective antagonists for the A_2A adenosine receptor or potent pesticide lead compounds. Diethyl[(5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐3‐methylsulfanyl‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐benzyl]phospho‐nate ( 3 ), which was prepared by the cyclization of diethyl 1‐hydrazinobenzylphosphonate ( 1 ) with 2‐[bis(methylthio)methylene]malononitrile ( 2 ), reacted with triethyl orthoformate to afford diethyl[(4‐cyano‐5‐ethoxymethyleneamino‐3‐methylsulfanyl‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐benzyl]phosphonate ( 4 ), which reacted with various acyl hydrazines in refluxing 2‐methoxyethanol to give the target compounds 5a–h in good yields. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of 5e was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:634–638, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20478     

Influence of Ligand and Nuclearity on the Cytotoxicity of Cyclometallated C^N^C Platinum(II) Complexes

A series of cyclometallated mono- and di-nuclear platinum(II) complexes and the parent organic ligand, 2,6-diphenylpyridine 1 (HC^N^CH), have been synthesized and characterized. This library of compounds includes [(C^N^C)Pt^II( L )] ( L =dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) 2 and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) 3 ) and [((C^N^C)Pt^II)₂( L‘ )] (where L‘ =N-heterocycles (pyrazine (pyr) 4 , 4,4‘-bipyridine (4,4‘-bipy) 5 or diphosphine (1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) 6 ). Their cytotoxicity was assessed against four cancerous cell lines and one normal cell line, with results highlighting significantly increased antiproliferative activity for the dinuclear complexes ( 4 – 6 ), when compared to the mononucleated species ( 2 and 3 ). Complex 6 is the most promising candidate, displaying very high selectivity towards cancerous cells, with selectivity index (SI) values >29.5 (A2780) and >11.2 (A2780cisR), and outperforming cisplatin by >4-fold and >18-fold, respectively.