Metal-promoted synthesis of amidines containing the model nucleobases 1-methylcytosine and 9-methyladenine

The amidine complexes cis-[L(2)PtNH==C(R){1-MeCy(-2H)}]NO(3) (R = Me, 1a; Ph, 1b, Me(3)C, 1c; Ph(2)(H)C, 1d) and cis-[L(2)PtNH==C(R){9-MeAd(-2H)}]NO(3) (R = Me, 2a; Ph, 2b; Me(3)C, 2c; Ph(2)(H)C, 2d), are formed when cis-[L(2)Pt(μ-OH)](2)(NO(3))(2) (L = PPh(3)) reacts with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeCy) and 9-methyladenine (9-MeAd) in solution of MeCN, PhCN, Me(3)CCN and Ph(2)(H)CCN. Reaction of 1a,b and 2a,b with HCl affords the protonated amidines [NH(2)==C(R){1-MeCy(-H)}]NO(3) (R = Me, 3a; Ph, 3b) and [NH(2)==C(R){9-MeAd(-H)}]NO(3) (R = Me, 4a; Ph, 4b) and cis-(PPh(3))(2)PtCl(2) in quantitative yield. Treatment of 3b and 4b with NaOH allows the isolation of the neutral benzimidamides NH(2)-C(Ph){1-MeCy(-2H)} (5b) and NH(2)-C(Ph){9-MeAd(-2H)} (6b). In the solid state 3b shows a planar structure with the hydrogen atom on N(4) cytosine position involved in a strong H-bond with the NO(3)(-) ion. Intermolecular H-bonds between the oxygen of the cytosine ring and one of the H atoms of the amidine-NH(2) group allow the dimerization of the molecule. A detailed analysis of the spectra of 3b in DMF-d(7) at -55 °C indicates the presence of an equilibrium between the species [NH(2)==C(R){1-MeCy(-H)}]NO(3) and [NH(2)==C(R){1-MeCy(-H)}](2)(NO(3))(2), exchanging with trace amounts of water at 25 °C. [(15)N,(1)H]-HMBC experiments for 5b and 6b indicate that the amino tautomer H(2)N-C(Ph){nucleobase(-2H)}, is the only detectable in solution and such structure has been confirmed in the solid state. The reaction of 5b and 6b with cis-L(2)Pt(ONO(2))(2) (L = PPh(3)), in chlorinated solvents, determines the immediate appearance of a pale yellow colour due to the coordination of the neutral amidine, likely in its imino form HN==C(Ph){nucleobase(-H)}, to give the adducts cis-[L(2)PtNH==C(Ph){nucleobase(-H)}](2+). In fact, addition of "proton sponge" leads to the immediate deprotonation of the amidine ligand with formation of the starting complexes 1b and 2b.     

Isolation of four new CoII/CoIII and NiII complexes with a pentadentate Schiff base ligand: syntheses, structural descriptions and magnetic studies

In this paper we report the temperature and pH dependent syntheses and systematic characterization of four new Co(II)/Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes with a pentadentate Schiff base ligand H(3)L obtained by condensing 1,3,-diaminopropan-2-ol with 2-hydroxyacetophenone in 1:2 molar ratio. The room temperature syntheses involving Co(II) and Ni(II) nitrates and the ligand H(3)L lead to the isolation of the dinuclear species [Co(2)L(2)(H(2)O)] (1), and the mononuclear complex [Ni(LH)] (3), respectively, whereas refluxing at basic pH leads to the tetranuclear complexes, [Co(II)(2)Co(III)(2)L(2)(μ(3)-OMe)(2)(NO(3))(H(2)O)(2)]NO(3)·2(H(2)O) (2), and [Ni(4)L(2)(μ(3)-OMe)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O (4). 1 is found to be a simple mono alkoxo-bridged Co(III) dinuclear species, whereas 2 and 4 are both rhomb-like tetrameric complexes with double oxo bridges and μ(3)-methoxo bridges, derived from the methanol solvent, in an open dicubane arrangement. Moreover 2 shows six coordinate ordered Co(II) and Co(III) ions and 4 has both six- and five-coordinate Ni(II) centers. Compound 3 is assigned a tentative mononuclear structure based on IR, UV-Vis spectroscopic, (1)H-NMR and ESI mass study results and is supposed to have one Ni(II) center coordinated with a ligand fragment in square planar geometry. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility study for 2 and 4 is performed which indicate for both 2 and 4 the presence of intracluster dominant ferromagnetic interactions.     

Concerted motions in supramolecular systems: metal-mediated assemblies of porphyrins that behave like nanometric step-machines

According to NMR evidence the metal-mediated sandwich assemblies of porphyrins 2 and 3 undergo in solution a thermally driven motion that resembles that of a stepper: the spontaneous rotational motion of the pyridyl rings is converted into a reciprocating linear motion of the porphyrins.     

Coordination behavior of 3,4-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)toluene with copper(II) ions: Synthesis,structural characterization and reactivity,and DNA binding study of the dinuclear copper(II) complex

On reaction of different copper(II) salts with 3,4-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)toluene (L) having neutral tetradentate NSSN donor set in different chemical environments, two mononuclear copper(II), one dinuclear copper(I) and one dinuclear copper(II) complexes, formulated as [Cu^II(L)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (1), [Cu^II(pic)₂] (2), [Cu^I₂(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Cu^II₂(L)₂Cl₂](ClO₄)₂ (4), respectively, were isolated in pure form [where pic = picolinate]. All the complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The product of the reactions are dependent on the counter anion of copper(II) salts used as reactant and on the reaction medium. Complexes 1 and 4 were obtained with nitrate and perchlorate copper(II) salts, respectively. On the other hand, C–S bond cleavage was observed in the reaction of L with copper(II) chloride to form in situ picolinic acid and complex 2. Dinuclear complexes 3 and 4 were separated out when copper(II) perchlorate was allowed to react with L in methanol and in acetonitrile, respectively, under aerobic condition. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the dinuclear complex 3 shows a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry about each copper ion. Complex 4 is converted to 3 in acetonitrile in presence of catechol. The spectral study of complex 4 with calf thymus DNA is indicative of a groove binding mode interaction.     

Synthesis of bis[benzyl‐N′‐hydrazinecarbodithioato‐κ2 N′,S]nickel(II) complex as a novel lead molecule for cancer treatment

A novel bis[benzyl‐N′‐hydrazinecarbodithioato‐κ² N′,S]nickel(II) complex was synthesized and characterized by means of various physical, chemical, and spectroscopic techniques. The X‐ray single crystal diffraction analysis indicated two independent close comparable bis‐chelated square planar complexes of trans‐configuration, where S‐benzyl dithiocarbazate (SBDTC) ligand is coordinated via N,S‐donor set. The complex is able to inhibit Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell proliferation by 51.81% and 75.75%, with 0.3 and 50 mg kg^?1 (dose adjusted) dose, respectively, administered intraperitoneally for five successive days in mice model. Apoptotic cell morphological changes were examined using optical and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Expression pattern of apoptosis regulatory genes in EAC cells treated with the synthesized nickel(II) complex for five consecutive days showed an increased expression of P⁵³, Bax, Cas‐8, Cas‐9, Cas‐3, Cyt‐c, and TNF‐α proapoptotic genes and decreased expression of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 gene. The Ni(II) complex and Bleomycin (standard drug) were used in molecular docking coupled with molecular dynamics simulation studies with the aim to support the experimental results and to investigate the apoptotic effect towards the targeting apoptotic genes. Both experimental and computational studies reveal that the nickel(II) complex inhibits EAC cells growth successfully, suggesting a potential compound for cancer treatment.     

Acrylamide determination in atmospheric particulate matter by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the determination of acrylamide at the picogram per cubic metre level in particulate-phase outdoor aerosol using high-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometric detection. Acrylamide was identified by positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry using m/z 72.00/54.90 as monitoring ion transition. The limit of detection, defined as three times the standard deviation of the procedural blanks, was 0.4?pg?m^?3 (173?pg absolute amount injected); the repeatability was 8% (evaluated as the relative standard deviation of five consecutive measurements on cleaned quartz fibre filters of acrylamide standard spikes) and the recovery was 52?±?4%. The accuracy of the method (evaluated as relative error) has been estimated to be ?2%. This methodology was used to determine acrylamide concentrations in particulate-phase outdoor aerosol in the Venice Lagoon with concentrations ranging between 0.4 and 12.9?pg?m^?3 with an average value of 3.1?pg?m^?3.     

124I Radiolabeling of a AuIII‐NHC Complex for In Vivo Biodistribution Studies

Au^III complexes with N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have shown remarkable potential as anticancer agents, yet their fate in vivo has not been thoroughly examined and understood. Reported herein is the synthesis of new Au^III‐NHC complexes by direct oxidation with radioactive [¹²⁴I]I₂ as a valuable strategy to monitor the in vivo biodistribution of this class of compounds using positron emission tomography (PET). While in vitro analyses provide direct evidence for the importance of Au^III‐to‐Au^I reduction to achieve full anticancer activity, in vivo studies reveal that a fraction of the Au^III‐NHC prodrug is not immediately reduced after administration but able to reach the major organs before metabolic activation.     

Microfluidic biofunctionalisation protocols to form multi‐valent interactions for cell rolling and phenotype modification investigations

In this study, we propose a fast, simple method to biofunctionalise microfluidic systems for cellomic investigations based on micro‐fluidic protocols. Many available processes either require expensive and time‐consuming protocols or are incompatible with the fabrication of microfluidic systems. Our method differs from the existing since it is applicable to an assembled system, uses few microlitres of reagents and it is based on the use of microbeads. The microbeads have specific surface moieties to link the biomolecules and couple cell receptors. Furthermore, the microbeads serve as arm spacer and offer the benefit of the multi‐valent interaction. Microfluidics was adapted together with topology and biochemistry surface modifications to offer the microenvironment for cellomic studies. Based on this principle, we exploit the streptavidin–biotin interaction to couple antibodies to the biofunctionalised microfluidic environment within 5 h using 200 μL of reagents and biomolecules. We selected the antibodies able to form complexes with the MHC class I (MHC‐I) molecules present on the cell membrane and involved in the immune surveillance. To test the microfluidic system, tumour cell lines (RMA) were rolled across the coupled antibodies to recognise and strip MHC‐I molecules. As result, we show that cell rolling performed inside a microfluidic chamber functionalised with beads and the opportune antibody facilitate the removal of MHC class I molecules. We showed that the level of median fluorescent intensity of the MHC‐I molecules is 300 for cells treated in a not biofunctionalised surface. It decreased to 275 for cells treated in a flat biofunctionalised surface and to 250 for cells treated on a surface where biofunctionalised microbeads were immobilised. The cells with reduced expression of MHC‐I molecules showed, after cytotoxicity tests, susceptibility 3.5 times higher than normal cells.     

On the convergence of solutions of some evolution differential equations

Two conjectures concerning the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of two types of evolution differential equations are presented.     

Esterase-mediated synthesis of optically active GABA analogues containing a stereogenic all-carbon quaternary carbon atom

Esterase from Horse Liver (HLAP) was able to hydrolyze a series of linear and cyclic β,β-dialkyl-γ-nitroesters, in spite of the well-known reluctance of hydrolytic enzymes to recognize and transform hindered substrates, such as those possessing a stereogenic quaternary carbon atom next to the reaction site. The resulting optically active γ-nitroesters gave access to optically active β,β-disubstituted γ-aminoacids as well as α,α-disubstituted succinic acids, both being biologically relevant compounds.