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

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

Encapsulation of metal cations and anions within the cavity of bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) receptors

The synthesis and characterisation of a new bis([9]aneN3) ligand (L4) containing two [9]aneN3 macrocyclic moieties separated by a 2,6-dimethylenepyridine unit is reported. A potentiometric and 1H NMR study in aqueous solution reveals that ligand protonation occurs on the secondary amine groups and does not involve the pyridine nitrogen. The coordination properties toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) were studied by means of potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The ligand can form mono- and binuclear complexes in aqueous solution. In the 1 : 1 complexes, the metal is sandwiched between the two [9]aneN3 moieties and the pyridine N-donor is coordinated to the metal, as actually shown by the crystal structure of the compound [ZnL4](NO3)2.CH3NO2. L4 shows a higher binding ability for Cd(II) with respect to Zn(II), probably due to a better fitting of Cd(II) ion inside the cavity generated by the two facing [9]aneN3 units. The formation of binuclear complexes is accompanied by the assembly of OH-bridged M2(OH)x (x = 1-3) clusters inside the cavity defined by the two facing [9]aneN3 units, and pyridine is not involved in metal coordination. A potentiometric and (1)H NMR study on the coordination of halogenide anions by L4 and its structural analogous L3 in which the two [9]aneN3 units are separated by a shorter quinoxaline linkage, shows that bromide is selectively recognised by L4, while chloride is selectively bound by L3. Such a behaviour is discussed in terms of dimensional matching between the spherical anions and the cavities generated by the two [9]aneN3 units of the receptors.     

Carboxy ester hydrolysis promoted by a zinc(II) 2-[bis(2-aminomethyl)amino]ethanol complex: a new model for indirect activation on the serine nucleophile by zinc(II) in zinc enzymes

A complexation study on the new Zn(II) complexes of asymmetric tripodal ligand 2-[bis(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol (L) has revealed that the alcoholic OH group of complex ZnL exhibits remarkable acidity with a very low pK(a) value of 7.7 at 25 degrees C. Both the monomeric complex [ZnH(-0.25)L(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(1.75) (I) and the dimeric alkoxide-coordinating complex [Zn(2)(H(-1)L)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (II) were synthesized, and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Zn(II)-bound alkoxide, as the reactive nucleophile toward the hydrolysis of esters, has shown a second-order rate constant of 0.13 +/- 0.01 M(-1) s(-1) in 10% (v/v) CH(3)CN at 25 degrees C in 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NA) hydrolysis, which is almost the same as the corresponding value for the very reactive alcohol-dependent [12]aneN(3)-Zn complex. Present work shows for the first time that Zn(II) complexes of the asymmetric tripodal polyamine bearing an ethoxyl pod can also serve as good models of Zn(II)-containing enzymes.     

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

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

Pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes double bridged by phosphate ester or phosphinate ligands: spectroscopic, structural, kinetic, and magnetic studies

The bis(phosphatediester)-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)P(OR)(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (1), Bu (2), Ph (3), Ph-4-NO(2) (4); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (5), Bu (6), Ph (7), Ph-4-NO(2) (8)] were prepared by hydrolysis of the phosphate triester with the hydroxo complex [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) or by acid-base reaction of the dialkyl or diaryl phosphoric acid and the above hydroxo complex. The acid-base reaction was also used to synthesise the phosphinate-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)PR(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (9), Ph (10); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (11), Ph (12)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 3 and 12 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The eight-membered rings defined by the nickel atoms and the bridging ligands show distorted twist-boat, chair and boat-boat conformations in 2, 3 and 12, respectively. The experimental susceptibility data for compounds 2, 3 and 12 were fitted by least-squares methods to the analytical expression given by Ginsberg. The best fit was obtained with values of J=-0.11 cm(-1), D=-9.5 cm(-1) and g=2.20 for 2; J=-0.97 cm(-1), D=-9.3 cm(-1) and g=2.21 for 3; and J=-0.14 cm(-1), D=-11.9 cm(-1) and g=2.195 for 12. The magnetic-exchange pathways must involve the phosphate/phosphinate bridges, because these favour antiferromagnetic interactions. The observation of a higher exchange parameter for compound 3 is a consequence of a favourable disposition of the O-P-O bridges. The kinetics for the hydrolysis of TNP (tris(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate) with the dinuclear nickel(II) hydroxo complex [[Ni(Me(3)[12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The proposed mechanism for TNP-promoted hydrolysis can be described as one-substrate/two-product, and can be fitted to a Michaelis-Menten equation.     

Study of pH-dependent zinc(II)-carboxamide interactions by zinc(II)-carboxamide-appended cyclen complexes (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)

To elucidate intrinsic recognition of carboxamides by zinc(II) in carbonic anhydrase (CA) (as inhibitors) and carboxypeptidase A (CPA) (as substrates), a new series of Zn(2+)-carboxamide-appended cyclen complexes have been synthesized and characterized (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Two types of Zn(2+)-carboxamide interactions have been found. In the first case represented by a zinc(II) complex of carbamoylmethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (L(1)), the amide oxygen binds to zinc(II) at slightly acidic pH (to form ZnL(1)), and the deprotonated amide N(-) binds to zinc(II) at alkaline pH (to form ZnH(-1)L(1)) with pK(a) = 8.59 at 25 degrees C and I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)), as determined by potentiometric pH titrations, infrared spectral changes, and (13)C and (1)H NMR titrations. The X-ray crystal structure of ZnH(-1)L(3) (where L(3) = N-(4-nitrophenyl)carbamoylmethyl cyclen, pK(a) = 7.01 for ZnL(3) <==> ZnH(-1)L(3)) proved that the zinc(II) binds to the amidate N(-) (Zn-N(-) distance of 1.974(3) A) along with the four nitrogen atoms of cyclen (average Zn-N distance 2.136 A). Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14) with a = 10.838(1) A, b = 17.210(2) A, c = 12.113(2) A, b = 107.38(1) degrees, V = 2156.2(5) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.042, and R(w) = 0.038. These model studies provide the first chemical support that carboxamides are CA(-) inhibitors by occupying the active Zn(2+) site both in acidic and alkaline pH to prevent the occurrence of the catalytically active Zn(2+)-OH(-) species. In the second case represented by a zinc(II) complex of 1-(N-acetyl)aminoethylcyclen, ZnL(6), the pendant amide oxygen had little interaction with zinc(II) at acidic pH. At alkaline pH, the monodeprotonation yielded a zinc(II)-bound hydroxide species ZnL(6)(OH(-)) (pK(a) = 7.64) with the amide pendant remaining intact. The ZnL(6)(OH(-)) species showed the same nucleophilic activity as Zn(2+)-cyclen-OH(-). The second case may mimic the Zn(2+)-OH(-) mechanism of CPA, where the nucleophilic Zn(2+)-OH(-) species does not act as a base to deprotonate a proximate amide.     

Heterobimetallic Zn(II)-Ln(III) phenylene-bridged schiff base complexes, computational studies, and evidence for singlet energy transfer as the main pathway in the sensitization of near-infrared Nd3+ luminescence

A series of 3d-4f heterobimetallic phenylene-bridged Schiff base complexes of the general formula [Zn(mu-L1)Ln(NO3)3(S)n] [Ln = La (1), Nd (2), Gd (3), Er (4), Yb (5); S = H(2)O, EtOH; n = 1, 2; H2L1 = N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)phenylene-1,2-diamine] and [Zn(mu-L2)Ln(NO3)3(H2O)n] [Ln = La (6), Nd (7), Gd (8), Er (9), Yb (10); n = 1, 2; H(2)L(2) = N,N'-bis(3-methoxy-5-p-tolylsalicylidene)phenylene-1,2-diamine] were synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1, 2, 4, and 7 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. At room temperature in CH(3)CN, both neodymium(III) (2 and 7) and ytterbium(III) (5 and 10) complexes also exhibited, in addition to the ligand-centered emission in the UV-vis region, their lanthanide(III) ion emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region. The photophysical properties of the zinc(II) phenylene-bridged complexes (ZnL1 and ZnL2) were measured and compared with those of the corresponding zinc(II) ethylene-bridged complexes (ZnL3 and ZnL4). Our results revealed that, at 77 K, both ligand-centered triplet (3LC) and singlet (1LC) states existed for the ethylene-bridged complexes (ZnL3 and ZnL4), whereas only the (1)LC state was detected for the phenylene-bridged complexes (ZnL1 and ZnL2). NIR sensitization studies of [Zn(mu-L')Nd(NO3)3(H2O)n] (L' = L1-L4) complexes further showed that Nd3+ sensitization took place via the 3LC and 1LC states when the spacer between the imine groups of the Schiff base ligand was an ethylene and a phenylene unit, respectively. Ab initio calculations show that the observed differences can be attributed to the difference in the molecular vibrational properties and electron densities of the electronic states between the ethylene- and phenylene-bridged complexes.     

Synergic effect of two metal centers in catalytic hydrolysis of methionine-containing peptides promoted by dinuclear palladium(II) hexaazacyclooctadecane complex

The species obtained by the reaction of [Pd2([18]aneN6)Cl2](ClO4)2(where [18]aneN6 is 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctadecane) with AgBF4 have been determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to be an equilibrium mixture of three major types of dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations, [Pd2(mu-O)([18]aneN6)]2+, [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ and [Pd2(H2O)(OH)([18]aneN6)](3+), in aqueous solution. The hydroxo-group-bridged one, [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+, is a dominant species, whose crystal structure has been obtained. The crystal structure of [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)](ClO4)3 shows that each Pd(II) ion in the dinuclear complex is tetra-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms and one hydroxo group bridge in a distorted square configuration. The two Pd(II) ions are 3.09 A apart from each other. The dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ and [Pd2(H2O)(OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ can efficiently catalyze hydrolysis of the amide bond involving the carbonyl group of methionine in methionine-containing peptides with turnover number of larger than 20. In these hydrolytic reactions, the two Pd(II) ions are synergic; one Pd(II) ion anchors to the side chain of methionine and the other one delivers hydroxo group or aqua ligand to carbonyl carbon of methionine, or acts as a Lewis acid to activate the carbonyl group of methionine, resulting in cleavage of Met-X bond. The binding constant of dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations with AcMet-Gly and AcMet were determined by 1H NMR titration to be 282 +/- 2 M(-1) and 366 +/- 4 M(-1), respectively. The relatively low binding constants enable the catalytic cycle and the possible catalytic mechanism is proposed. This is the first artificial mimic of metallopeptidases with two metal active centers.     

Reactivity of mu-hydroxodizinc(II) centers in enzymatic catalysis through model studies

The stable dinuclear complex [Zn2(BPAM)(mu-OH)(mu-O2PPh2)](ClO4)2, where BPAN = 2,7-bis[2-(2-pyridylethyl)-aminomethyl]-1,8-naphthyridine, was chosen as a model to investigate the reactivity of (mu-hydroxo)dizinc(II) centers in metallohydrolases. Two reactions, the hydrolysis of phosphodiesters and the hydrolysis of beta-lactams, were studied. These two processes are catalyzed in vivo by zinc(II)-containing enzymes: P1 nucleases and beta-lactamases, respectively. The former catalyzes the hydrolysis of single-stranded DNA and RNA. beta-Lactamases, expressed in many types of pathogenic bacteria, are responsible for the hydrolytic degradation of beta-lactam antibiotic drugs. In the first step of phosphodiester hydrolysis promoted by the dinuclear model complex, the substrate replaces the bridging diphenylphosphinate. The bridging hydroxide serves as a general base to deprotonate water, which acts as a nucleophile in the ensuing hydrolysis. The dinuclear model complex is only 1.8 times more reactive in hydrolyzing phosphodiesters than a mononuclear analogue, Zn(bpta)(OTf)2, where bpta = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-tert-butylamine. Hydrolysis of nitrocefin, a beta-lactam antibiotic analogue, catalyzed by [Zn2(BPAN)(mu-OH)(mu-O2PPh2)](ClO4)2 involves monodentate coordination of the substrate via its carboxylate group, followed by nucleophilic attack of the zinc(II)-bound terminal hydroxide at the beta-lactam carbonyl carbon atom. Collapse of the tetrahedral intermediate results in product formation. Mononuclear complexes Zn(cyclen)-(NO3)2 and Zn(bpta)(NO3)2, where cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, are as reactive in the beta-lactam hydrolysis as the dinuclear complex. Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the phosphodiester and beta-lactam hydrolyses indicate that the bridging hydroxide in [Zn2(BPAN)(mu-OH)(mu-O2PPh2)](ClO4)2 is not very reactive, despite its low pKa value. This low reactivity presumably arises from the two factors. First, the briding hydroxide and coordinated substrate in [Zn2(BPAN)(mu-OH)(substrate)]2+ are not aligned properly to favor nucleophilic attack. Second, the nucleophilicity of the bridging hydroxide is diminished because it is simultaneously bound to the two zinc(II) ions.     

New bis-cresol-bridged bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligand as receptor for metal cations and phosphate anions

The synthesis and characterization of a new bis([9]aneN3) ligand (H2L) containing two [9]aneN3 macrocyclic moieties separated by a 2,2'-methylene-bis-cresol (cresol = 4-methyl-phenol) unit is reported. A potentiometric and (1)H NMR study in aqueous solution reveals that H2L is in a zwitterionic form, and protonation of the cresolate oxygens occurs only with the formation of the highly charged (H5L)(3+) and (H6L)(4+) species at acidic pH values. The coordination properties of H2L toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were studied by means of potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The ligand gives both mono- and binuclear complexes in aqueous solution. At acidic pH values the ligand forms stable binuclear [M2H2L](4+) complexes, where each metal is coordinated by two amine groups of [9]aneN3 and the deprotonated oxygen of the adjacent cresol unit; the remaining amine group is protonated. Deprotonation of the [M2H2L](4+) species at alkaline pH values affords [M2L](2+) complexes, where all amine groups of the [9]aneN3 moieties are involved in metal coordination. Binding of mono-, di- and triphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was studied by means of potentiometric, (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements and by molecular dynamics simulations. The receptor forms stable 1:1 adducts with di-, triphosphate, and ATP, while the interaction with monophosphate is too low to be detected. In the complexes both the [9]aneN3 moieties act cooperatively in the substrate binding process. The stability of the adducts increases in the order diphosphate < triphosphate < ATP. This trend is explained in terms of increasing number of charge-charge interactions between the phosphate chains and the protonated [9]aneN3 subunits and, in the case of ATP, of stacking interactions between the adenine and cresol units.     

CO(2) Fixation by Novel Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Macrocyclic Complexes. A Solution and Solid State Study

Solutions containing Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with [15]aneN(3)O(2) rapidly adsorb atmospheric CO(2) to give {[ZnL](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) (2) and {[CuL](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) (4) complexes. The crystal structures of both complexes have been solved (for 2, space group R3c, a, b = 22.300(5) ?, c = 17.980(8) ?, V = 7743(4) ?(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0666, R(w)(2) = 0.1719; for 4, space group R3c, a, b = 22.292(7) ?, c = 10.096(8) ?, V = 7788(5) ?(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0598, R(w)(2) = 0.1611), and the spectromagnetic behavior of 4 has been studied. In both compounds a carbonate anion triply bridges three metal cations. Each metal is coordinated by one oxygen of the carbonate, three nitrogens, and an oxygen of the macrocycle; the latter donor weakly interacts with the metals. Although the two compounds are isomorphous, they are not isostructural, because the coordination geometries of Zn(II) in 2 and Cu(II) in 4 are different. The mixed complex {[CuZn(2)L(3)](&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) has been synthesized. X-ray analysis (space group R3c, a, b = 22.323(7) ?, c = 17.989(9) ?, V = 7763(5) ?(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0477, R(w)(2) = 0.1371) and EPR measurements are in accord with a &mgr;(3)-carbonate bridging one Cu(II) and two Zn(II) ions in {[CuZn(2)L(3)](&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}(4+). Both the Zn(II) and Cu(II) cations exhibit the same coordination sphere, almost equal to that found in the trinuclear Zn(II) complex 2. The systems Zn(II)/L and Cu(II)/Lhave been studied by means of potentiometric measurements in 0.15 mol dm(-)(1) NaCl and in 0.1 mol dm(-)(3) NaClO(4) aqueous solutions; the species present in solution and their stability constants have been determined. In both systems [ML](2+) species and hydroxo complexes [M(II)LOH](+) (M = Zn, Cu) are present in solution. In the case of Cu(II), a [CuL(OH)(2)] complex is also found. The process of CO(2) fixation is due to the presence of such hydroxo-species, which can act as nucleophiles toward CO(2). In order to test the nucleophilic ability of the Zn(II) complexes, the kinetics of the promoted hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate has been studied. The [ZnLOH](+) complex promotes such a reaction, where the Zn(II)-bound OH(-) acts as a nucleophile to the carbonyl carbon. The equilibrium constants for the addition of HCO(3)(-) and CO(3)(2)(-) to the [ZnL](2+) complex have been potentiometrically determined. Only [ML(HCO(3))](+) and [ML(CO(3))] species are found in aqueous solution. A mechanism for the formation of {[ML](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) is suggested.     

Synthesis of mono- and di-[12]aneN3 ligands and study on the catalytic cleavage of RNA model 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate with their metal complexes

A series of mono- and di-[12]aneN(3) ligands 1-6, which contain different substituents on the coordinating backbone, different linkers between two [12]aneN(3) units and different N-methylation on the [12]aneN(3) units, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The catalytic activities of their metal complexes on the cleavage of RNA model phosphate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP) varied with the structures of the ligands and metal ions. Click reactions afforded an efficient method to prepare a series of [12]aneN(3) ligands, however, the incorporation of triazole moieties reduced the catalytic activities due to their coordination with metal ions and the strong inhibition from the triflate counter ion. Dinuclear zinc(II) complexes containing an m-xylyl bridge showed higher catalytic activities with synergistic effects up to 700-fold. Copper(II) complexes with the ligands without triazole moieties proved to be highly reactive and showed strong cooperativity between the two copper(II) ions. In terms of k(2), dinuclear complexes Zn(2)-3b, Zn(2)-3d, Zn(2)-4b, and Cu(2)-4b afforded activities of 7.9 × 10(5), 3.9 × 10(4), 9.0 × 10(4), and 8.1 × 10(4)-fold higher than that of methoxide. The ortho arrangement of the two [12]aneN(3) units and the presence of 5- or 2-positioned substituents in the benzene ring as well as N-methylation of [12]aneN(3) units greatly reduced the catalytic activities due to the steric effects. These results clearly indicate that the structures of the linker between two [12]aneN(3) units play very important role in their catalytic synergistic effects.     

Metal chelation-controlled twisted intramolecular charge transfer and its application to fluorescent sensing of metal ions and anions

Two fluorescent ligands, N-(2-(5-cyanopyridyl))cyclen (L5) and N-(2-pyridyl)cyclen (L6) (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), were designed and synthesized to control twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) by metal chelation in aqueous solution. By complexation with Zn(2+), L6 exhibited TICT emissions at 430 nm (excitation at 270 nm) in 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.0) with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)) at 25 degrees C due to the perpendicular conformation of a pyridine ring with respect to a dialkylamino group, which was fixed by Zn(2+)-N(pyridine) coordination, as proven by potentiometric pH, UV, and fluorescence titrations and X-ray crystal structure analysis. We further describe that the 1:1 complexation of ZnL6 with guests such as succinimide, phosphates, thiolates, and dicarboxylates, which compete with a nitrogen in the pyridine ring for Zn(2+) in ZnL6, induces considerable emission shift from TICT emissions (at 430 nm) to locally excited emissions (at ca. 350 nm) in neutral aqueous solution at 25 degrees C.     

Inside or outside a ligand cleft? Synthetic, structural, and kinetic inertness studies of zinc, cadmium, and mercury complexes of cross-bridged cyclam and cyclen

Ethylene cross-bridging of the popular tetraazamacrocyclic ligand cyclam has led to metal complexes with enhanced kinetic inertness. The synthesis and spectral characterization of zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II) complexes of cross-bridged cyclam (L1) as well as cross-bridged cyclen (L2) are reported along with the details of our synthetic route to L2. X-ray structural studies revealed that all Zn(II) and Cd(II) cations are fully kappa(4)N-coordinated inside the respective ligand's molecular cleft with L1 providing the better fit for Zn(II). While Hg(II) is similarly coordinated to L2, it has been found to complex L1 outside the ligand cleft in a novel exo-kappa(2)N-mode. Solution NMR data of the kappa(4)N complexes are consistent with the presence of only a single cis-folded isomer in each case. Ligand (1)H and (13)C coupling to both (111,113)Cd and (199)Hg in their complexes can be clearly discerned. The relative kinetic inertness of representative cross-bridged complexes in acidic aqueous solution has been assessed and found to be in the following order: Zn(II) > Cd(II)[dbl greater-than] Hg(II). The data also reaffirm that cross-bridged cyclam ligand L1 forms a substantially more inert complex with zinc(II) than either the smaller cyclen analogue L2 or the unbridged 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-cyclam L3.     

Kinetic origin of the chelate effect. Base hydrolysis, H-exchange reactivity, and structures of syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(NH3)2]3+ and syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(diamine)]3+ ions (diamine = H2N(CH2)2NH2, H2N(CH2)3NH2)

The synthesis of syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)en](ClO4)3 (1(ClO4)3) and syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)tn](ClO4)3 (2(ClO4)3) is reported, as are single-crystal X-ray structures for syn,anti-[Co(cyclen)(NH3)2](ClO4)3 (3(ClO4)3). 3(ClO4)3: orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 17.805(4) A, b = 12.123(3) A, c = 9.493(2) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.030. 1(ClO4)3: monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 8.892(2) A, b = 15.285(3) A, c = 15.466(3) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 91.05(3) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0657. 2Br3: orthorhombic, Pca2(1) a = 14.170(4) A, b = 10.623(3) A, c = 12.362(4) A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0289. Rate constants for H/D exchange (D2O, I = 1.0 M, NaClO4, 25 degrees C) of the syn and anti NH protons (rate law: kobs = ko + kH[OD-]) and the apical NH, and the NH3 and NH2 protons (rate law: kobs = kH[OD-]) in the 1, 2, and 3 cations are reported. Deprotonation constants (K = [Co(cyclen-H)(diamine)2+]/[Co(cyclen)(diamine)3+][OH-]) were determined for 1 (5.5 +/- 0.5 M-1) and 2 (28 +/- 3 M-1). In alkaline solution 1, 2, and 3 hydrolyze to [Co(cyclen)(OH)2]+ via [Co(cyclen)(amine)OH)]2+ monodentates. Hydrolysis of 3 is two step: kobs(1) = kOH(1)[OH-], kobs(2) = ko + kOH(2)[OH-] (kOH(1) = (2.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) M-1 s-1, ko = (5.1 +/- 1.2) x 10(-4) s-1, kOH(2) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 M-1 s-1). Hydrolysis of 2 is biphasic: kobs(1) = k1K[OH-]/(1 + K[OH-] (k1 = 5.0 +/- 0.2 s-1, K = 28 M-1), kobs(2) = k2K2[OH-]/(1 + K2[OH-]) (k2 = 3.5 +/- 1.2 s-1, K2 = 1.2 +/- 0.8 M-1). Hydrolysis of 1 is monophasic: kobs = k1k2KK2[OH-]2/(1 + K[OH-1])(k-1 + k2K2[OH-]) (k1 = 0.035 +/- 0.004 s-1, k-1 = 2.9 +/- 0.6 s-1, K = 5.5 M-1, k2K2 = 4.0 M-1 s-1). The much slower rate of chelate ring-opening in 1, compared to loss of NH3 from 3, is rationalized in terms of a reduced ability of the former system to allow the bond angle expansion required to produce the SN1CB trigonal bipyramidal intermediate.     

Guanidine is a Zn(2+)-binding ligand at neutral pH in aqueous solution

We have found the first well-characterized coordination of guanidine with Zn(2+) in a 1:1 complex (ZnL(1)) with cyclen (= 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) functionalized with guanidinylethyl group (L(1) = (2-guanidinyl)ethyl-cyclen). The X-ray structure analysis of the 1:1 complex crystallized at pH 7.5 revealed an apical coordination of the pendant guanidinyl group to Zn(2+) ion in ZnL(1). By potentiometrtic pH titration, initial formation of a 1:1 Zn(L(1).H(+)) complex was indicated, where only the cyclen N's bind to Zn(2+) with the complexation constant, log K(s) (K(s) = [Zn(L(1).H(+))]/[Zn(2+)][L(1).H(+)] (M(-1))), being 12.4 +/- 0.1. Facile deprotonation of the guanidinium pendant in the Zn(L(1).H(+)) occurred with a pK(a) value of 5.9 +/- 0.1 at 25 degrees C with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)) to yield the guanidine-coordinating complex ZnL(1). 4-Nitrophenyl phosphate dianion (NPP(2-)) interacted with ZnL(1) through a new Zn(2+)-phosphate coordination, as indicated by (31)P NMR titration and potentiometric pH titration. An apparent complexation constant for this new species, log K(app)(Zn(L(1).H(+))-NPP), was 4.0 +/- 0.1, which is larger than the log K(app)(ZnL(2)-NPP) value of 3.1 for the 1:1 complex of Zn(2+)-cyclen (ZnL(2)) with NPP at the common pH 5.6. The interaction of ZnL(1) with a phosphate dianion was proven by the X-ray crystal structure analysis of the 1:1 ZnL(1)-PP(2-) complex (PP(2-) is a dianion of phenyl phosphate) obtained from an aqueous solution at pH 6.5. At higher pH, the pendant guanidinium cation is deprotonated to displace the phosphate to yield the Zn(2+)-guanidine bond.     

A new zinc(II) fluorophore 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

A new 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended cyclen, L(3) (1-(2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), was synthesized and characterized for a new Zn(2+) chelation-enhanced fluorophore, in comparison with previously reported 9-anthrylmethylcyclen L(1) (1-(9-anthrylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and dansylamide cyclen L(2). L(3) showed protonation constants log K(a)(i)() of 10.57 +/- 0.02, 9.10 +/- 0.02, 7.15 +/- 0.02, <2, and <2. The log K(a3) value of 7.15 was assigned to the pendant 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl on the basis of the pH-dependent (1)H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements. The potentiometric pH titration study indicated extremely stable 1:1 Zn(2+)-L(3) complexation with a stability constant log K(s)(ZnL(3)) (where K(s)(ZnL(3)) = [ZnL(3)]/[Zn(2+)][L(3)] (M(-)(1))) of 17.6 at 25 degrees C with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)), which is translated into the much smaller apparent dissociation constant K(d) (=[Zn(2+)](free)[L(3)](free)/[ZnL(3)]) of 2 x 10(-)(11) M with respect to 5 x 10(-)(8) M for L(1) at pH 7.4. The quantum yield (Phi = 0.14) in the fluorescent emission of L(3) increased to Phi = 0.44 upon complexation with zinc(II) ion at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The fluorescence of 5 microM L(3) at pH 7.4 linearly increased with a 0.1-5 microM concentration of zinc(II). By comparison, the fluorescent emission of the free ligand L(1) decreased upon binding to Zn(2+) (from Phi = 0.27 to Phi = 0.19) at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The Zn(2+) complexation with L(3) occurred more rapidly (the second-order rate constant k(2) is 4.6 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) at pH 7.4 than that with L(1) (k(2) = 5.6 x 10 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and L(2) (k(2) = 1.4 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). With an additionally inserted ethylamine in the pendant group, the macrocyclic ligand L(3) is a more effective and practical zinc(II) fluorophore than L(1).     

Kinetics and mechanism of promoted hydrolysis of 4‐nitrophenyl acetate by zinc(II)‐tripod: Different roles of mononuclear and trinuclear species

Coordination studies on Zn(II) complexes of 1,3,5‐tri(2,5‐diazahexyl)benzene (L) show that by comparison with the non‐deprotonation of complex ZnL in a 1:1 system, the three‐dimensional complexiaton decreases the pK_a of the Zn‐bound water molecule, that is, pK_a = 7.47 for trinulclear complex Zn₃L in a 3:1 metal–ligand ratio. These two types of zinc(II) complexes have been examined as catalysts for the hydrolysis of 4‐nitrophenyl acetate (NA) in 10% (v/v) CH₃CN at 298 K, I = 0.10 mol dm^?3 KNO₃ at pH range 6.5–8.2 and 8.5–10, respectively. Kinetic studies show that the second‐order rate constants of NA‐hydrolysis catalyzed by complexes ZnL, Zn₃L, and Zn₃LH_?1 are 0.021, 0.0082, and 0.342 mol^?1 dm³ s^?1, respectively. In all the cases, the pH‐dependent observed first‐order rate constant, k_obs, shows sigmoidal pH–rate profile. The 1:1 complex ZnL–H₂O undergoes NA hydrolysis by direct rate‐determining hydrolysis to produce 4‐nitrophenol(ate) (NP^?) and ZnL(OOCCH₃); while in the 3:1 system the oxygen atom of acetic group forms a H‐bond with the Zn(II)‐bound water of the second branch of tripod indicating that the polynuclear centers are associated and bi‐functional. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 41–48 2004     

Syntheses, Characterizations, Crystal Structures and Antibacterial Activities of Two Zinc(II) Complexes with a Schiff Base Derived from o-Vanillin and p-Toluidine

Two new zinc(II) complexes, [Zn2L2Cl4]·2[ZnL(CH3OH)Cl2] 1 and [ZnL2(NO3)2] 2, were synthesized by reacting ZnX2·nH2O (X = Cl-, NO3-) and a Schiff base ligand 2-[(4-me- thylphenylimino)methyl]-6-methoxyphenol (C15H15NO2, L) which was obtained by the condensation of o-vanillin (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) with p-toluidine. Both 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique, elemental analysis, molar conductance, FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. The Schiff base ligand and its zinc(II) complexes have been tested in vitro to evaluate their antibacterial activity against bacteria, viz., Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus Subtilis. The results show that these complexes have higher activity than the corresponding free Schiff base ligand against the same bacteria.     

Coordination chemistry of N-aminopropyl pendant arm derivatives of mixed N/S-, and N/S/O-donor macrocycles, and construction of selective fluorimetric chemosensors for heavy metal ions

The coordination chemistry of the N-aminopropyl pendant arm derivatives (L1c-4c) of the mixed donor macrocyclic ligands [12]aneNS2O, [12]aneNS3, [12]aneN2SO, and [15]aneNS2O2(L1a-4a) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) in aqueous solution has been investigated. The protonation and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions were determined potentiometrically and compared, where possible, with those of the unfunctionalised macrocycles. The measured values show that Hg(II) and Cu(II) in water have the highest affinity for all ligands considered, with the N-aminopropyl pendant arm weakly coordinating the metal centres. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were grown for the perchlorate salt (H2L1c)(ClO4)2.dmf, and for the 1 : 1 complexes [Cd(L3a)(NO3)2](1), [Cu(L4a)dmf](ClO4)2(2), [Zn(L1c)(ClO4)]ClO4(3), [Cd(L1c)(NO3)]NO3(4), and [Hg(L2c)](ClO4)2(5). Their structures show the macrocyclic ligands adopting a folded conformation, which for the 12-membered systems can be either [2424] or [3333] depending on the nature of the metal ion. L1c-4c were also functionalised at the primary amino pendant group with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular the N-dansylamidopropyl (Lnd, n= 1-4), and the N-(9-anthracenylmethyl)aminopropyl (Lne, n= 1, 2, 4, ) pendant arm derivatives of L1a-4a were synthesised and their optical responses to the above mentioned metal ions were investigated in MeCN/H2O (4 : 1 v/v) solutions.