DNA binding and photocleavage in vitro by new dirhodium(II) dppz complexes: correlation to cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity

Two new dirhodium(II) complexes possessing the intercalating dppz ligand (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), cis-[Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(dppz)(eta(1)-O(2)CCH(3))(CH(3)OH)](+) (1) and cis-[Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(dppz)(2)](2+) (2), were synthesized and characterized as potential agents for photochemotherapy. Various techniques show that 1 binds to DNA through intercalation, although some aggregation of the complex on the DNA surface is also present. In contrast, 2 does not intercalate between the DNA bases; however, strong hypochromic behavior is observed in the presence of DNA, which can be attributed to intermolecular pi-stacking of 2 enhanced by the polyanion. The apparent DNA binding constants determined using optical titrations are compared to those from dialysis experiments. Both complexes photocleave pUC18 plasmid in vitro under irradiation with visible light (lambda(irr) >or= 395 nm, 15 min), resulting in the nicked, circular form. Greater photocleavage is observed for 1 relative to 2, which may be due to the ability of 1 to intercalate between the DNA bases. The cytotoxicity toward human skin cells (Hs-27) measured as the concentration at which 50% cell death is recorded, LC(50), was found to be 135 +/- 8 microM for 2 in the dark (30 min), which is significantly lower than those of 1 (LC(50) = 27 +/- 2 microM) and Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) (LC(50) = 15 +/- 2 microM). Irradiation of cell cultures containing 1 and Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) with visible light (400-700 nm, 30 min) has little effect on their cytotoxicity, with LC(50) values of 21 +/- 3 and 13 +/- 2 microM, respectively. Interestingly, a 3.4-fold increase in the toxicity of 2 is observed when the cell cultures are irradiated (400-700 nm, 30 min), resulting in LC(50) = 39 +/- 1 microM. The greater toxicity of 1 compared to 2 in the dark may be related to the ability of the former compound to intercalate between the DNA bases. The lower cytotoxicity of 2, together with its significantly greater photocytotoxicity, makes this complex a potential agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT). These results suggest that intercalation or strong DNA binding may not be a desirable property of a potential PDT agent.     

Direct DNA photocleavage by a new intercalating dirhodium(II/II) complex: comparison to Rh2(mu-O2CCH3)4

Transition metal complexes possessing the intercalating dppz ligand (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) typically bind ds-DNA through intercalation (K(b) approximately 10(5)-10(6) M(-1)), and DNA photocleavage by these complexes with visible light proceeds through the generation of a reactive oxygen species. The DNA binding and photocleavage by [Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(eta(1)-O(2)CCH(3))(CH(3)OH)(dppz)](+) (2) is reported and compared to that of Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(4) (1). Spectral changes and an increase in viscosity provide evidence for the intercalation of 2 to double stranded DNA with K(b) = 1.8 x 10(5) M(-1). DNA photocleavage by 2 is observed upon irradiation with lambda(irr) > 395 nm both in air and deoxygenated solution. DNA photocleavage is not observed for 1 or free dppz ligand under these irradiation conditions. The coupling of a single dppz ligand to a dirhodium(II/II) bimetallic core in 2 provides a means to access oxygen-independent DNA photocleavage with visible light.     

Surface Skin Development and Rupture During Sol-Gel Spin-Coating

Spin coating is one of the standard methods for depositing sol-gel, nanocomposite, or polymer coatings onto flat substrates (silicon wafers, glass plates for displays, sensor substrates, etc.). Our recent research has been focused at understanding a wide variety of defect formation mechanisms and looking for ways to prevent these defects. A key aspect of spin-coating is the solvent evaporation that happens at the top surface of the coating fluid during spinning--even while the fluid is moving rapidly, radially, outward on the substrate. As the fluid gets physically thinner, concentration gradients can develop within the fluid as a result of the evaporation. The enrichment of the precursors at the top surface can cause premature gelation there, in other words a “skin” may form. This skin layer is also more resistant to stretching than the underlying fluid and can retard radial fluid motions as well as further solvent evaporation. It is even possible for the stretching forces to be large enough that fracture or tearing of the skin occurs. These surface ruptures create wispy locations of significantly thinner coating or small randomly located linear rips, but they do not typically result in complete penetration through the coating. The occurrence of these defects depends to a large degree on the volatility of key solvents used in the sol-gel process, with less volatile solvents being less likely to result in surface ruptures.     

New linear tricobalt complex of di(2-pyridyl)amide (dpa), [Co3(dpa)4(CH3CN)2][PF6]2

Reaction of the linear tricobalt compound Co3(dpa)4Cl2 (1) (dpa = di(2-pyridyl)amide) with silver hexafluorophosphate in acetonitrile yields [Co3(dpa)4(CH3CN)2][PF6]2 (2). Two crystalline forms are obtained from the same solution, namely, a monoclinic (P2(1)) form 2xCH3CNx2Et2O and a triclinic (P1) form, 2x3CH3CN. The tricobalt units in both crystals are essentially symmetrical, though this is not required by crystal symmetry, with Co-Co distances in the range 2298-2304 A. Each of the two terminal Co atoms is coordinated to an acetonitrile molecule with Co-N distances in the range 2068-2111 A at 213 K. The spiral arrangement of ligands gives an overall idealized D4 point group symmetry for the cation [Co3(dpa)4(CH3CN)2]2+ . Chiral crystals of both delta and lambda configurations in the P2(1) form have been isolated. The absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography and their mirror-image circular dichroism spectra measured. The D4 symmetry of the cation appears to be preserved in solution as judged by the presence of only five proton resonance signals in the 1H NMR spectrum. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state indicates that 2 has a doublet ground state and exhibits an increase of the effective moment at high temperature (approximately 160 K) due to a spin crossover process.     

Role of the orbitally degenerate Mn(III) ions in the single-molecule magnet behavior of the cyanide cluster ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[Mn(III)(CN)6]2) (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)

We report a new theoretical model that accounts for the unusual magnetic properties of the cyanide cluster ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[MnIII(CN)6]2) (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The model takes into account (1) the spin-orbit interaction, (2) the trigonal component of the crystal field acting on the ground-state cubic (3)T(1) terms of the apical Mn(III) ions, and (3) the isotropic contribution to the exchange interaction between Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions. The ground state of the cluster was shown to be the state with the total angular momentum projection |M(J)| = 15/2; the energies of the low-lying levels obtained from this treatment increase with decreasing |M(J)| values, a situation that leads to a barrier for the reversal of magnetization (U(eff) approximately 30 cm(-1)). The new model explains the recently discovered single-molecule magnet behavior of the ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[MnIII(CN)6]2)in contrast to the traditional approach that takes into account only the ground-state spin (S) and a negative zero-field splitting parameter (D(S) < 0).     

Reactivity and binding energies of transition metal halide ions with benzene

We have generated novel halogen-ligated transition metal ions MX(n)+ (M = Sc, Ti, V, and Fe, X = Cl, Br and I, n = 1-3). We have explored their reactions with benzene, a typical aromatic hydrocarbon. Attachment of one benzene molecule is usually rapid, whereas attachment of a second benzene molecule is generally much slower. The kinetics were analyzed to estimate binding energies, modeling the attachment reaction as a radiative association process. In all cases the Standard Hydrocarbon semiquantitative estimation approach was employed, and in some cases the more accurate variational transition state (VTST) kinetic modeling approach was also applied. Density functional (DFT) quantum calculations were also performed to give computed binding energies for some of the complexes. Taking previously determined binding energies for halogen-ligated alkaline-earth ions as benchmarks, it is concluded that binding of the first benzene molecule to the transition-metal species is strongly enhanced by specific chemical interactions, while binding of the second benzene molecule is more nearly electrostatic. The binding energies are not strongly dependent on the identity of the transition metal ion, and the metal-ion dependences can be rationalized in terms of valence-orbital occupations of the metals. The binding energies are nearly independent of the identity of the halogen ligands.     

Recognition of topological isomerism: synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties of two pentanuclear high-spin molecules of the type [NiI(N-N)2]3[FeIII(CN)6]2

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of two pentanuclear cyanide-bridged compounds are reported. The trigonal bipyramidal molecule [[Ni(tmphen)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)].14H(2)O, (1).14H(2)O (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 19.531(4) A, b = 24.895(5) A, c = 24.522(5) A, beta = 98.68(3) degrees, V = 11787(4) A(3), and Z = 4. The pi-pi interactions between the tmphen ligands provide the closest intermolecular contacts of 3.37 A leading to large intermolecular M...M distances (> 8.68 A). The dc magnetic susceptibility of 1 indicates a ferromagnetically coupled S = 4 ground state best fit to the parameters g = 2.23, J = +4.3 cm(-1), and D(Ni) = +8.8 cm(-1) for the Hamiltonian H = -2J [(S(Fe(1)) + S(Fe(2))).(S(Ni(1)) + S(Ni(2)) + S(Ni(3)))] + D[S(Ni(1))(z)(2) + S(Ni(2))(z)(2) + S(Ni(3))(z)(2)]. The extended square molecule [Ni(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)][[Ni(bpy)(2)](2)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)].12H(2)O, (2).12H(2)O (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) crystallizes in the space group P1 (No. 2) with unit cell parameters a = 13.264(3) A, b = 17.607(4) A, c = 18.057(4) A, alpha = 94.58(3) degrees, beta = 103.29(3) degrees, gamma = 95.18(3) degrees, V = 4065(2) A(3), and Z = 2. The pi-pi interactions of 3.29 A between the bpy ligands are the closest intermolecular contacts, and the intermolecular M...M separations are greater than 7.76 A. The dc magnetic susceptibility data for 2 are also in accord with an S = 4 ground state arising from intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling. The data were best fit to the parameters g = 2.25, J = J' = +3.3 cm(-1), and D(Ni) = +5.8 cm(-1) for the Hamiltonian H = -2J[(S(Fe(1)) + S(Fe(2))).(S(Ni(1)) + S(Ni(2)))] - 2J'[(S(Fe(2)).S(Ni(3)))] + D[S(Ni(1))(z)(2) + S(Ni(2))(z)(2) + S(Ni(3))(z)(2)]. No evidence for long-range magnetic ordering was observed for crystalline samples of 1 or 2.     

Preparation of pyrrolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole by nickel(0) mediated ring contraction of pyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine. Proton NMR and mass spectral studies

Pyrrolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole 1a , the previously unreported 16π-electron parent compound, has been synthesized by treatment of pyrrolo[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazine 2a with a 1:1 mixture of bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene) nickel(0) and 2,2′-bipyridyl. An unequivocal assignment of the ¹H nmr spectrum of 1a was made by decoupling experiments and by comparison with the ¹H nmr spectrum of 1,9-dideuteriopyrrolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole 1b . Metastable ion studies, exact mass measurements and the dideuterioderivative 1b were utilized to investigate the electron impact induced fragmentation of 1a .