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Here we explore the effect of the nature of organic ligands in rhenium cluster complexes [Re6Q8L6]4− (where Q=S or Se, and L=benzotriazole, 1,2,3‐triazole or 1,2,4‐triazole) on the biological properties of the complexes, in particular on the cellular toxicity, cellular internalization and localization. Specifically, the study describes the synthesis and detailed characterization of the structure, luminescence and electrochemical properties of the four new Re6 clusters with 1,2,3‐ and 1,2,4‐triazoles. Biological assays of these complexes are also discussed in addition to those with benzotriazole using cervical cancer (HeLa) and immortalized human fibroblasts (CRL‐4025) as model cell lines. Our study demonstrates that the presence of hydrophobic and π‐bonding rich units such as the benzene ring in benzotriazole significantly enhances cellular internalization of rhenium clusters. These ligands facilitate binding of the clusters to DNA, which results in increased cytotoxicity of the complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific molecular recognition of γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) by the cationic hexanuclear niobium [Nb6Cl12(H2O)6]2+ cluster complex in aqueous solutions results in a 1:1 supramolecular assembly {[Nb6Cl12(H2O)6]@γ‐CD}2+. NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and ESI‐MS were used to study the interaction between the inorganic cluster and the organic macrocycle. Such molecular association affects the biological activity of [Nb6Cl12(H2O)6]2+, decreasing its cytotoxicity despite enhanced cellular uptake. The 1:1 stoichiometry is maintained in solution over a large window of the reagents' ratio, but crystallization by slow evaporation produces a 1:2 host–guest complex [Nb6Cl12(H2O)6@(γ‐CD)2]Cl2⋅20 H2O featuring the cluster encapsulated between two molecules of γ‐CD. The 1:2 complex was characterized by XRD, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Quantum chemical calculations were performed to model host–guest interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]