A polyoxyethylene-substituted bimetallic europium helicate for luminescent staining of living cells

The homoditopic ligand H2LC3 has been designed to form neutral triple-stranded bimetallic helicates of overall composition [Ln2(LC3)3]. The grafting of the polyoxyethylene fragments ensures water solubility and also favors cell penetration while being amenable to further derivatization. The ligand pKa values have been determined by spectrophotometric titration and range from 3.5 (sum of the first two) to 10.3. The thermodynamic stability of the helicates is large at physiological pH (logbeta23 in the range 22-23). The ligand triplet state has an adequate energy (0-phonon transition at approximately 20,800 cm(-1)) for sensitizing the luminescence of EuIII (Q=11%). Analysis of the EuIII emission spectrum points to an overall pseudo D3 symmetry for the metal environment. No significant effect of [Eu2(LC3)3] is observed on the viability of several cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, Jurkat, and 5D10). The cell imaging properties of the EuIII helicate are demonstrated for the HeLa cell line by luminescence microscopy. Bright EuIII emission is seen for helicate concentration>50 microM and after 20-30 min loading time. The helicate stains the cytoplasm and the permeation mechanism is likely to be endocytosis.     

Self-assembly of a diferrous triple-stranded helicate with bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ligands: thermodynamic and kinetic intermediates

The protonation and iron(II) coordination properties of a bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ligand L were investigated in methanol. The protonated forms showed allosteric effects due to the flexibility of the strand. Speciation studies of the corresponding ferrous complexes were carried out as a function of pH and iron(II) concentrations. A combination of electrospray mass spectroscopy, potentiometry, and spectrophotometry allowed the determination in solution of three ferrous complexes, one mononuclear (L2Fe2+) and two dinuclear (L2Fe2(4+) and L3Fe2(4+)) species. Their structure was deduced from the metal spin state and confirmed by 1H NMR measurements and molecular modeling. The dissociation process of the triple-stranded diferrous helicate L3Fe2(4+) by OH- revealed two rate-limiting steps. The former leads to the formation of a monoferrous triple-stranded compound via a classical mechanism, which involves hydroxy-ferrous complexes. A similar process was observed in the latter step for the release of the ferrous cation from the mononuclear intermediate. Taking into account the structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic features provided by the present study, we could propose a self-assembling mechanism of the triple-stranded diferrous helicate.     

A dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with a bis(benzene-o-dithiolato) ligand

The bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligand H4-1 reacts with Ti4+ in a self-assembly reaction to give the dinuclear triple-stranded helicate [Ti2(1)3]4- which is the first helicate build exclusively from benzene-o-dithiolato donor groups.     

Luminescent lanthanide bimetallic triple-stranded helicates as potential cellular imaging probes

Water-soluble triple-stranded [Ln(2)(L)(3)] helicates have been successfully tested as imaging probes in human cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa), the complex being not toxic and clearly staining their cytoplasm in a concentration-dependent manner.     

Self-assembly of lanthanide helicate coordination polymers into 3D metal-organic framework structures

Pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (pdcH(2) ) reacts with nitrate salts of La(III), Ce(III), and Nd(III) under hydrothermal conditions to form three-dimensional network structures, 1-4. All the compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with the following lattice parameters: [La(2)(pdc)(3).3H(2)O] 1, a = 10.966(3) A, b = 17.534(4) A, c = 13.578(2) A, beta = 100.23(3) degrees, V( )()= 2569.3(9) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.052, wR2 = 0.143, S = 1.06; [Ce(2)(pdc)(3).3H(2)O] 2, a = 12.701(3) A, b = 9.979(1) A, c = 19.401(4) A, beta = 97.73(2) degrees, V( )()= 2436.6(8) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.039, wR2 = 0.117, S = 1.30; [Ce(2)(pdc)(3).3H(2)O] 3, a = 10.961(5) A, b = 17.523(5) A, c = 13.505(2) A, beta = 100.89(3) degrees, V( )()= 2547.2(8) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.040, wR2 = 0.103, S = 1.08; [Nd(2)(pdc)(3).3H(2)O] 4, a = 10.944(3) A, b = 17.448(5) A, c = 13.397(2) A, beta = 101.19(3) degrees, V( )()= 2569.3(9) A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.052, wR2 = 0.143, S = 1.06. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 form infinite single helical chains with large widths and pitches containing four metal ions per turn while 2 forms a different helix with smaller width and pitch containing two metal ions per turn. Each helix is further bonded on either side via carboxylate bridging producing three-dimensional metal-organic framework structures.     

A zinc(II) directed triple-stranded helicate incorporating a nine membered metallamacrocycle: supramolecular cylinders mimicking P1 nuclease

We report herein the first small molecule based self-assembled fluorescent trinuclear Zn(II) supramolecular cylindrical motif as a structural and functional model of the active site of P1 nuclease. The DNA binding of the same was investigated through UV-Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism studies.     

Encapsulation of labile trivalent lanthanides into a homobimetallic chromium(III)-containing triple-stranded helicate. Synthesis, characterization, and divergent intramolecular energy transfers

The segmental bidentate-tridentate-bidentate ligand L2 reacts with M(II) (M = Cr, Zn) and Ln(III) (Ln = La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu) to give the heterotrimetallic triple-stranded helicates [MLnM(L2)3]7+. For M = Zn(II), the isolated complexes [ZnLnZn(L2)3](CF3SO3)7 (Ln = Eu, Tb) display only lanthanide-centred luminescence arising from the pseudo-tricapped trigonal prismatic LnN9 coordination site. For M = Cr(II), rapid air oxidation provides Cr(III) and leads to the isolation of inert [CrLnCr(L2)3](CF3SO3)9 (Ln = Eu, Tb) complexes, in which divergent intramolecular Ln --> Cr energy transfers can be evidenced. Taking [ZnEuZn(L2)3]7+ as a luminescent standard for Eu-centred emission, a quantitative treatment of the energy migration processes indicates that the rate constant characterizing the Eu --> Cr energy transfer is more efficient in the trimetallic system, than in the analogous simple bimetallic edifice. Particular attention is focused on potential control of directional energy transfer processes in Cr-Ln pairs.     

X-ray structure and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two bimetallic europium complexes

The structural, luminescent and temperature dependent luminescent properties of two homodinuclear europium complexes bridged by 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm) are reported. β-Diketonate ligands 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione (tfa) and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione (tta) are used as capping ligands resulting in complexes of the form [Eu(tfa)₃]₂bpm (1) and [Eu(tta)₃]₂bpm (2). All Eu^III ions are eight coordinate with six O atoms from the β-diketones and two N atoms from the polyazine bridging ligand. Excitation of the β-diketonate ligands tfa or tta at ca. 340 nm in toluene solutions results in the characteristic Eu^III emission in the visible region of the spectrum. The emission intensity and lifetime associated with the Eu^III centers decrease as the temperature of the solution is increased. Lifetime measurements are fit to a monoexponential while the temperature dependent lifetime data is fit to an Arrhenius-type equation. Evaluation of the data in comparison to data obtained from the monometallic Eu^III analogs reveal very similar photoluminescent properties. This suggests little electronic communication between Eu^III ions via the polyazine bpm bridging ligand.     

Allosteric deprogramming of a trinuclear heterometallic helicate

Two multidentate ditopic ligands L1 and L2 which contain both N-donor and crown ether units have been synthesised. The potentially octadentate ligand L1 forms a trinuclear heterometallic double helicate with Cu(I) and Zn(II) ([Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+)), whereas L2 forms a tetranuclear heterometallic double helicate with the same metal ions ([Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+)). Both species have been characterised by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Reaction of [Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+) with Ba(2+) results in the coordination of the crown ether units giving the simple barium coordinated species [Zn2Cu2(L2)2Ba2](10+). However, reaction of [Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+) with Ba(2+) deprograms the ligand and results in the formation of a mixture of species.     

Self-assembly between dicarboxylate ions and a binuclear europium complex: formation of stable adducts and heterometallic lanthanide complexes

A binuclear lanthanide complex consisting of two lanthanide binding domains linked by a m-xylyl bridging unit forms very stable 1?:?1 adducts with benzene dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives. The complex with isophthalate derivatives is particularly stable.     

Anion directed assembly of a dinuclear double helicate

The synthesis and structural characterisation of the diamino-bis-pyridine ligand L2 and its diammonium-bispyridinium salt [(H4L2Cl)2].6Cl.H2O 1, are reported; X-ray diffraction studies reveal that chloride coordination causes the latter to adopt a double-helicate structure in the solid-state.     

Localization and delocalization in a mixed-valence dicopper helicate

The coordination chemistry of the tetradentate pyridyl-thiazole (py-tz) N-donor ligand 6,6'-bis(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L1) has been investigated. Reaction of L1 with equimolar copper(II) ions results in the formation of the single-stranded mononuclear complex [Cu(L1)(ClO4)2] (1), whereas reaction with copper(I) ions results in the double-stranded dinuclear helicate [Cu2(L1)2][PF6]2 (2). Both complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (as well as 1H NMR spectroscopy for diamagnetic 2). Complex 2 is redox-active and, upon one-electron oxidation, forms the stable tricationic mixed-valence helicate [Cu2(L1)2]3+ (3). This species can also be prepared in situ by combining [Cu(MeCN)4][BF4], [Cu(H2O)6][BF4]2, and L1 in a 1:1:2 ratio in nitromethane. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3 provides structural evidence for the presence of an internuclear Cu-Cu bond, with an even distribution of spin density across the two Cu centers. Room-temperature UV-vis spectroscopy is consistent with this finding; however, frozen-glass EPR spectroscopic investigations suggest solvatochromic behavior at 110 K, with the [Cu2]3+ core varying from localized to delocalized depending on the solvent polarity.     

Allosteric pitch length tuning of a dinuclear double helicate

Self assembly of the ditopic ligand L1 with Cu2+ gives the dinuclear double helicate [Cu2(L1)2]4+, which can further coordinate s-block cations. This coordination alters the helicate pitch to a variety of different lengths depending on the size and charge of the guest cation.