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Thiosemicarbazones are promising candidates for anticancer therapy and their mechanism of action is often linked to their metal chelating ability. In this study, five (thio)semicarbazones with different donor sets (NNS, NNO, ONS, ONO) were selected and their behaviour in aqueous solution, the stability of their copper(II) complexes in addition to their cytotoxicity, DNA-binding, DNA cleavage ability and inhibition of topoisomerase IIα were investigated and compared. We aimed to reveal relationships between the structural variations, the significantly different physico-chemical properties, solution speciation and biological activity. The cytotoxicity of the ligands did not show correlation with the solubility, lipophilicity and permeability; and the decreased activity of the oxygen donor containing compounds was explained by their stronger preference towards chelation of iron(III) over iron(II). Meanwhile, among the copper complexes the most lipophilic species with the highest stability and membrane permeability exhibited the highest cytotoxicity. The studied copper(II) complexes interact with DNA, and reaction with glutathione led to heavy DNA cleavage in the case of the highly stable complexes which could be reduced in a reversible reaction with moderate rate. All the tested copper complexes inhibited topoisomerase IIα, however, this property of the complexes with low stability is most probably linked to the liberated free copper(II).

The stoichiometry and stability constants of the gallium(III) and iron(III) complexes of two alkoxycarbonylmethyl-3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone ligands were determined by means of pH-potentiometry, UV–Vis spectrophotometry and 1H and 71Ga NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solution. The cytotoxicity of one of the gallium(III) complexes was also measured in multidrug resistant/non-resistant human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Iron(III) forms complexes with the studied 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinones of higher stability than gallium(III), while the obtained pFe values are significantly lower (pFe: 14.95, 15.06; pH 7.4, cM = 1 µM, cL = 10 µM) compared to those of typical iron binders such as deferiprone or transferrin. The moderate gallium(III) and iron(III) binding ability of the compounds stands for lower solution complex stability compared to that of analogous bidentate non-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone or 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (O,O) donor ligands. Tris-ligand complexes of the general formula [ML3] (M = Ga, Fe) predominate at physiological pH for both ligands. No interaction with cell culture medium components was observed in the millimolar concentration range of gallium(III) complexes, however they can suffer significant decomposition at biologically relevant low concentrations leading to negligible cytotoxic activity. The redox potential of the studied iron–3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone complex (E1/2 = −597 mV at pH 7.4) falls into the range that is typical of iron(III) complexes with conventional bidentate (O,O) donor-containing chelators.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a family of benzohydrazones (L-n, n = 1-6) derived from 2-car-baldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline and benzylhydrazides containing different substituents in the para position. Their oxidovanadium(IV) complexes were prepared and compounds with 1:1 and 1:2 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry were obtained. All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and mass spectrometry as well as FTIR, UV-visible absorption, NMR (ligand precursors) and EPR (complexes) spectroscopies, and by DFT computational methods. Proton dissociation constants, lipophilicity and solubility in aqueous media were determined for all ligand precursors. Complex formation with V(IV)O was evaluated by spectrophotometry for L-4 (Me-substituted) and L-6 (OH-substituted) and formation constants for mono [VO(HL)](+), [VO(L)] and bis [VO(HL)(2)], [VO(HL) (L)], [VO(L)(2)](2- )complexes were determined. EPR spectroscopy indicates the formation of [VO(HL)](+) and [VO (HL)(2)], with this latter being the major species at the physiological pH. Noteworthy, the EPR data suggest a different behaviour for L-4 and L-6, which confirm the results obtained in the solid state. The antiproliferative activity of all compounds was evaluated in malignant melanoma (A-375) and lung (A-549) cancer cells. All complexes show much higher activity on A-375 (IC50 < 6.3 mu M) than in A-549 cells (IC50 > 20 mu M). Complex 3 (F-substituted) shows the lowest IC50 on both cell lines and lower than cisplatin (in A-375). Studies identified this compound as the one showing the highest increase in Annexin-V staining, caspase activity and induction of double stranded breaks, corroborating the cytotoxicity results. The mechanism of action of the complexes involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced DNA damage, and cell death by apoptosis., European Union (EU); COST Action CA18202; This work was supported by Centro de Quimica Estrutural, which is financed by national funds from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), projects UIDB/00100/2020, UIDP/00100/2020 and LA/P/0056/2020, and Programa Operacional Regional de Lisboa 2020. We also thank project PTDC/QUI-QIN/0586/2020 and N. Ribeiro acknowledges FCT for SFRH/BD/135797/2018 grant. The Portuguese NMR and Mass spectrometry IST-UL are acknowledged for the access to the equipment. This work was supported by the Portuguese-Hungarian Scientific & Technological Cooperation TET-PT-2018-00002, UNKP-21-3-SZTE-455 (to V. Posa) New National Excellence Program Ministry of Human Capacities. The support of the `Lendulet' Programme (ELKH, LP2019-6/2019), NECTAR-Network for Equilibria and Chemical Thermodynamics Advanced Research is also acknowledged. This work was also supported by Koc University School of Medicine (KUSOM) and the authors gratefully acknowledge use of the services and facilities of the Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), funded by the Presidency of Turkey, Presidency of Strategy and Budget. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget. G. Sciortino, V. Ugone, E. Garribba thank Fondazione di Sardegna (grant FdSGarribba2017) and Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (grant RASSR79857); G. Sciortino also thanks MICINN' Juan de la Cierva program, FJC2019-039135-I for the financial support. L. Maia thanks the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry -LAQV, which is financed by national funds from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, MCTES (FCT/MCTES; UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020).

The delivery of drugs to the brain is complicated by the multiple factors including low blood–brain barrier (BBB) passive permeability, active BBB efflux systems, and plasma protein binding. Thus, a detailed understanding of the transport of the new potent substances through the membranes is vitally important and their physico-chemical characteristics should be analyzed at first. This work presents an evaluation of drug likeness of eight 7-O-arylpiperazinylcoumarin derivatives with high affinity towards serotoninergic receptors 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A with particular analysis of the requirements for the CNS chemotherapeutics. The binding constants to human serum albumin (HSA) were determined at physiological pH using fluorescence spectroscopy, and then their mode of action was explained by analysis of theoretical HSA complexes. Dynamic simulation of systems allowed for reliable evaluation of the interaction strength. The analyzed coumarins were able to pass BBB, and they present good drug likeness properties. They showed high affinities to HSA (log KQ = 5.3–6.0 which corresponds to −8.12 to −7.15 kcalmol−1 of Gibbs free energy). The changes of the emission intensity upon binding to HSA were scrutinized showing the different mode of action for 4-phenylpiperazinylcoumarins. The values of computed Gibbs free energy and determined on the basis of experimentally obtained binding constants log KQ coincide suggesting a good quality of the theoretical model. Overall the 8-acetyl-7-O-arylpiperazinyl-4-methylcoumarin derivatives represent valuable lead compounds to be further tested in various preclinical assays as a possible chemotherapeutics against CNS diseases. Studied coumarins can be metabolized by cytochrome P450 to aldehydes and hydroxy derivatives. The existence of other binding sites inside HSA than Sudlow’s site 1 was postulated. The longer aliphatic linker between coumarin and piperazine moieties favored binding to HSA in other than Sudlow site 1 pocket.

Triapine, the most prominent anticancer drug candidate from the substance class of thiosemicarbazones, was investigated in >30 clinical phase I and II studies. However, the results were rather disappointing against solid tumors, which can be explained (at least partially) due to inefficient delivery to the tumor site. Hence, we synthesized the first biotin-functionalized thiosemicarbazone derivatives in order to increase tumor specificity and accumulation. Additionally, for Triapine and one biotin conjugate the iron(III) and copper(II) complexes were prepared. Subsequently, the novel compounds were biologically evaluated on a cell line panel with different biotin uptake. The metal-free biotin-conjugated ligands showed comparable activity to the reference compound Triapine. However, astonishingly, the metal complexes of the biotinylated derivative showed strikingly decreased anticancer activity. To further analyze possible differences between the metal complexes, detailed physico- and electrochemical experiments were performed. However, neither lipophilicity or complex solution stability, nor the reduction potential or behavior in the presence of biologically relevant reducing agents showed strong variations between the biotinylated and non-biotinylated derivatives (only some differences in the reduction kinetics were observed). Nonetheless, the metal-free biotin-conjugate of Triapine revealed distinct activity in a colon cancer mouse model upon oral application comparable to Triapine. Therefore, this type of biotin-conjugated thiosemicarbazone is of interest for further synthetic strategies and biological studies.

One of the latest trends is search for the new anti-psychotic drugs among coumarin derivatives with piperazine moiety. Their therapeutic potential can be hampered by poor physico-chemical parameters as low brain penetration or limited transport in the body fluid. Herein, we predicted the drug likeness of six coumarins with high affinity towards 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. Subsequent experimental determination of their binding constants to human serum albumin (HSA) revealed the binding with a moderate strength (logK=4.8-5.8) at the Sudlow's site 1, which represents a possibility of temporary storage of tested coumarins on HSA. Computational mapping of the binding of coumarins - HSA complexes showed that the coumarin rings of all tested compounds were similarly located within the hydrophobic binding pocket of HSA, while the rest of molecules (composed with alkyl chains, piperazine and benzene rings) decided about the difference in binding modes by the hydrogen bonding interactions. The proton dissociation constants (pKa) of the compounds were also determined by UV-vis spectrophotometric titrations to obtain the distribution of the species in the different protonation states at physiological pH of 7.4. A good agreement of the computationally-determined free enthalpy values of the ligand - HSA complexes with the values determined by experimental fluorescence quenching data could be a promising prospect for proposed theoretical strategy.

The stoichiometry and thermodynamic stability of vanadium(IV/V) and copper(II) complexes of pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone and pyridoxal-N 3 ,N 3 -dimethylthiosemicarbazone have been determined by pH-potentiometry (V IV O), EPR (V IV O/Cu II ), UV–Vis (Cu II , V IV O and V V ) and 51 V NMR spectroscopy (V V ) in 30% (w/w) dimethyl sulfoxide/water solvent mixture. In all cases, mono-ligand complexes are formed in different protonation states. In addition, the proton-dissociation constants of the ligands were also determined by pH-potentiometry, UV–Vis and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The solid state structures of the monoprotonated forms (V V O 2 (L 1 H)×1.5H 2 O and V V O 2 (L 2 H)×0.8H 2 O) of the V V complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The mono-ligand complexes of Cu II and V V are dominant at physiological pH. With all investigated metal ions the pyridoxal moiety of the ligand causes an extra deprotonation step between pH 4 and 7 due to the non-coordinating pyridine-NH + . The pyridoxal-containing ligands form somewhat more stable complexes with both V IV O and Cu II ions than the reference compound salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Dimethylation of the terminal amino group resulted in the formation of V V and Cu II complexes with even higher stability.

The effects of methyl substituents at different positions on the 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (FTSC) core structure on various physico-chemical properties were investigated. Proton dissociation processes, aqueous solution stability, isomer distribution in different solvents, fluorescence properties and lipophilic character of FTSC, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde N 4 , N 4 -dimethylthiosemicarbazone (PTSC), 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (AcFTSC) and 2-acetylpyridine N 4 , N 4 -dimethylthiosemicarbazone (AcPTSC) were studied and compared under the same conditions. There are more and more indications that Cu(II) ions play an important role in the biological activity of anticancer thiosemicarbazones. Therefore, the complex formation equilibria of FTSC with Cu(II) ions were studied by pH-potentiometry, UV–visible spectrophotometry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to determine stoichiometry, stability constants and solution structures of the complexes formed in aqueous solution (with 30% DMSO). Mono-ligand complexes in different protonation states were identified such as [CuLH] 2+ , [CuL] + and [CuL(OH)] with (N pyridyl ,N,S)(H 2 O), (N pyridyl ,N,S − )(H 2 O) and (N pyridyl ,N,S − )(OH) coordination modes, respectively. At ligand excess two kinds of isomers of a bis complex [CuL 2 ] were detected at pH > 7, in which binding of the ligands via (N pyridyl ,N,S − )(N) and (N pyridyl ,N,S − )(S − ) donor sets is probable at the equatorial positions. Based on the stability data, [CuL] + complexes of the α- N -pyridyl thiosemicarbazones are predominant at pH 7.4 at 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio possessing such high solution stability that their decomposition is not likely even at biologically relevant micromolar concentrations. In addition, FTSC and all methylated derivatives investigated show similar Cu(II) binding abilities which is in contrast to the respective Fe(II)/(III) complexes where terminal dimethylation distinctly increases the solution stabilities.

This review provides definitions and examples of chemical speciation, as well as giving details of the differences in speciation between labile and inert systems. By moving from the simple to the complex, starting with simple species distribution calculation methods based on equilibrium and solution structural studies, this review progresses to modeling calculations that are applicable to ’real-world’ systems. The biological and or medicinal speciation of the following metal ions are discussed (modeling and experimental confirmation of the calculation results as well as kinetic aspects of their changes in speciation): Al(III), Fe(III), Ga(III), Gd(III), Ru(III), Ca(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), VO(IV), V(V), and Zn(II). Brief introductions are also given to trace analytical and environmental speciation. The current status and future possibilities of speciation studies (evaluation and prediction of speciation data), data collection, and databases are also critically discussed.

Complex formation processes of the (O,N) donor ligands 6-methylpicolinic acid (6-Mepic), quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (2-QA) and 3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid (3-iQA) with the organometallic moiety (η 5 -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) (RhCp*) were studied in aqueous solution by the combined use of pH-potentiometry, 1 H NMR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The solid phase structures of the [RhCp*(L)Cl] complexes bearing 6-Mepic and 2-QA were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Studies revealed the exclusive formation of mono complexes of the form [RhCp*(L)(H 2 O)] + (L = deprotonated form of the ligands) and [RhCp*(L)(OH)]. The positively charged aqua species predominate at physiological pH even in the micromolar concentration range. The H 2 O/Cl − co-ligand exchange constants showed that all complexes preferably retain the chlorido ligand at the third coordination site at chloride ion concentrations present in the serum. In addition in vitro cytotoxicity of these [RhCp*(L)Cl] complexes was evaluated in three human cancer cell lines (A549, SW480 and CH1/PA-1) where they showed minor cytotoxic potency.

The solution chemical properties such as proton dissociation, complex formation with copper(II) and gallium(III) ions in addition to antibacterial and antitumor activity of a novel tridentate salicyaldehyde semicarbazone-estrone hybrid (estrone-SC) and a related bicyclic compound (thn-SC) were investigated. The crystal structure of complex [Cu(thn-SCH−1)Cl] was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Estrone-SC and thn-SC form mono-ligand complexes with Cu(II) characterized by relatively high stability, however, they are much less stable than their thiosemicarbazone analogues. The neutral Cu(II) complexes with (O−,N,O−)(H2O) coordination mode predominate at physiological pH. Estrone-SC and thn-SC are more efficient Ga(III) binders in comparison with thiosemicarbazones, although the complexes also suffer dissociation at pH 7.4. The Cu(II) complex of estrone-SC displayed significant cytotoxicity in A549, SW480 and CH1/PA cancer cells, and moderate apoptosis induction and ROS formation. The semicarbazone compounds did not exhibit antibacterial effect; unlike the related Cu(II)-thiosemicarbazone complexes represented by the fairly low MIC values (3–50 μM) obtained on the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria.

Two recently published Ru(III) complexes bearing (N2O2) tetradentate bis(aminophenolate) ligands, formulated as [Ru(III)(salan)(PPh3)Cl] (salan is the tetradentate ligand 6,6'-(1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(3-methoxyphenol) in complex 1, or 2,2'-(1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(4-methoxyphenol) in complex 2; PPh3 is triphenylphosphane) and found very active against ovarian and breast adenocarcinoma human cells were studied to outline their antitumor mode of action. The human cisplatin-sensitive ovarian adenocarcinoma line A2780 was used herein as the cell model. At a 24h challenge (similarly as found before for 72h) both complexes are active, their cytotoxicity being comparable to that of cisplatin in the same conditions. As a possible target in the cell for their action, the interaction of 1 and 2 with DNA was assessed through displacement of well-established DNA fluorescent probes (ethidium bromide, EB, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI) through steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The whole emission spectra were analyzed globally for the binary DNA-probe and ternary DNA-probe-Ru(III) complex systems. Both Ru(III) complexes can displace EB and bind to DNA with similar and moderate strong affinity with conditional stability constants of logK'=(5.05±0.01) for 1 and logK'=(4.79±0.01) for 2. The analysis of time-domain fluorescence intensity decays confirmed both qualitatively and quantitatively the model used to describe the binding and competition processes. Cell studies indicated that apoptosis is the major mechanism of cell death for both complexes, with 2 (the more active complex) promoting that process more efficiently than 1. Transmission electron micrographs revealed clear alterations on intracellular organization consistent with the induction of programmed cell death processes.

Three new gallium(III) and iron(III) complexes with l -proline-thiosemicarbazone hybrids, namely [GaCl( l -Pro-FTSC–2H)]·0.7H2O·0.5CH3OH (1·0.7H2O·0.5CH3OH), [GaCl(dm- l -Pro-FTSC–2H)]·0.4H2O (2·0.4H2O) and [FeCl( l -Pro-FTDA–H)]Cl (3) were synthesised and comprehensively characterised by spectroscopic methods (1H, 13C NMR, UV–vis), ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The complexes are soluble in biological media to allow for assaying their antiproliferative activity. The complexes were tested in three human cancer cell lines, namely HeLa, A549 (non-small cell lung cancer), LS174 and nontumorigenic MRC5. Complex formation equilibrium processes of l -Pro-FTSC with gallium(III), iron(II) and iron(II) ions were investigated in solution. The formation of mono-ligand iron(II) and gallium(III) complexes with pentadentate ligands and relatively low aqueous solution stability was found. Between iron(III) and the ligands, a redox reaction takes place via the oxidative cyclisation of the thiosemicarbazone.

Overall binding affinity of sodium or indazolium cis/trans-[MCl4(1H-indazole)(NO)] (M = Ru, Os) complexes towards human serum albumin (HSA) and high molecular mass components of the blood serum was monitored by ultrafiltration. HSA was found to be mainly responsible for the binding of the studied ruthenium and osmium complexes. In other words, this protein can provide a depot for the compounds and can affect their biodistribution and transport processes. In order to elucidate the HSA binding sites tryptophan fluorescence quenching studies and displacement reactions with the established site markers warfarin and dansylglycine were performed. Conditional stability constants for the binding to sites I and II on HSA were computed showing that the studied ruthenium and osmium complexes are able to bind into both sites with moderately strong affinity (logK' = 4.4-5.1). Site I is slightly more favored over site II for all complexes. No significant differences in the HSA binding properties were found for these metal complexes demonstrating negligible influence of the type of counterion (sodium vs indazolium), the metal ion center identity (Ru vs. Os) or the position of the nitrosyl group on the binding event. Electron paramagnetic resonance spin labeling of HSA revealed that indazolium trans-[RuCl4(1H-indazole)(NO)] and long-chain fatty acids show competitive binding to HSA. Moreover, this complex has a higher affinity for site I, but when present in excess, it is able to bind to site II as well, and displace fatty acids.

The stoichiometry and thermodynamic stability of vanadium(IV/V) complexes of Triapine and two related α(N)-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) with potential antitumor activity have been determined by pH-potentiometry, EPR and (51)V NMR spectroscopy in 30% (w/w) dimethyl sulfoxide/water solvent mixtures. In all cases, mono-ligand complexes in different protonation states were identified. Dimethylation of the terminal amino group resulted in the formation of vanadium(IV/V) complexes with considerably higher stability. Three of the most stable complexes were also synthesized in solid state and comprehensively characterized. The biological evaluation of the synthesized vanadium complexes in comparison to the metal-free ligands in different human cancer cell lines revealed only minimal influence of the metal ion. Thus, in addition the coordination ability of salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (STSC) to vanadium(IV/V) ions was investigated. The exchange of the pyridine nitrogen of the α(N)-heterocyclic TSCs to a phenolate oxygen in STSC significantly increased the stability of the complexes in solution. Finally, this also resulted in increased cytotoxicity activity of a vanadium(V) complex of STSC compared to the metal-free ligand.

Solution chemical properties of two bidentate pyrazolyl thiosemicarbazones 2-((3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (Me-pyrTSC), 2-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (Ph-pyrTSC), stability of their Cu(II) and Ru(η6-p-cymene) complexes were characterized in aqueous solution (with 30% DMSO) by the combined use of UV–visible spectrophotometry, 1H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in addition to their solid phase isolation. The solid phase structures of Me-pyrTSC∙H2O, [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(Me-pyrTSC)Cl]Cl and [Cu(Ph-pyrTSCH−1)2] were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. High stability mononuclear Ru(η6-p-cymene) complexes with (N,S) coordination mode are formed in the acidic pH range, and increasing the pH the predominating dinuclear [(Ru(η6-p-cymene))2(L)2]2+ complex with μ2-bridging sulphur donor atoms is formed (where L− is the deprotonated thiosemicarbazone). [CuL]+ and [CuL2] complexes show much higher stability compared to that of complexes of the reference compound benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. [CuL2] complexes predominate at neutral pH. Me-pyrTSC and Ph-pyrTSC exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines (IC50 = 33–76 μM), while their complexation with Ru(η6-p-cymene) (IC50 = 11–24 μM) and especially Cu(II) (IC50 = 3–6 μM) resulted in higher cytotoxicity. Cu(II) complexes of the tested thiosemicarbazones were also cytotoxic in three breast cancer and in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. No reactive oxygen species production was detected and the relatively high catalase activity of SUM159 breast cancer cells was decreased upon addition of the ligands and the complexes. In the latter cell line the tested compounds interfered with the glutathione synthesis as they decreased the concentration of this cellular reductant.

Three novel pyrimidinylhydrazones substituted at either the aromatic moiety or at the imine carbon atom were synthesized and characterized by standard analytical methods. All compounds were found to be toxic in the micro- to submicromolar range against a diverse panel of cancer cell lines including multidrug resistant (MDR) derivatives expressing P-glycoprotein (Pgp). UV–visible spectrophotometry experiments demonstrated that the most active compound ( 3 ) forms highly stable complexes with iron(III) and copper(II) in a wide pH range with a stronger preference towards iron(III). The redox activity of the iron and copper complexes of ligand 3 was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and was tested with cellular reductants. The impact of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the mechanism of toxicity was assessed using the ROS-sensitive cell permeable dye 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA). Our results demonstrate that the studied pyrimidinylhydrazones form redox-active iron and copper complexes that are capable of producing intracellular ROS, which might lead to cellular damage and cell death in cancer cells regardless of their resistance status.

The acid–base properties of 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)carbohydrazone (H4L) and its thioanalogue 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)thiocarbohydrazone (H4LS) have been studied experimentally by pH-potentiometry and UV–Vis spectrophotometry and theoretically by using DFT methods. Copper(II) complexes [Cu2(HL)(DMSO)2(H2O)]NO3·H2O (1), [{Cu2(HL)(DMF)(H2O)}n][{Cu2(HL)(DMF)NO3}n](NO3)n (2), [Cu2(HL)(DMF)2(H2O)]HSO4·H2O (3), [Cu2(HL)(DMF)2(H2O)][Cu2(HL)(SO4)(H2O)(DMF)2]·2H2O (4) and [Cu4(HL)2(HSO4)(DMF)2]HSO4 (5), where H4L = 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)carbohydrazone, have been synthesised. Complexes 1–3 have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray diffraction, while 4 and 5 only by X-ray crystallography. X-ray diffraction revealed that the ditopic triply deprotonated ligand possesses two binding sites able to accommodate transition metal ions, namely ONN and ONO. Magnetic measurements showed antiferromagnetic interactions between copper(II) centres.

Several articles were published about the vanadate–3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-pyridinone (Hdhp) system, however, the results are contradictory and not complete: pH-potentiometry and 51V NMR spectroscopy were used to clarify this complicated system. The eleven peaks in the spectra at different chemical shifts were assigned to ten stoichiometrically different compounds; four of them are new, never identified or assigned before. Besides the simple mono (in two different protonation states) and bis complexes (in three different protonation states) a tris complex, three dinuclear and a trinuclear complex were found based on the 51V NMR spectra measured at different pH values and various metal ion concentrations and metal-to-ligand ratios. As a joint evaluation of the two methods, overall stability constants were calculated for all species. X-ray structure of the potassium salt of the bis complex, [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− was also determined. The trans effect of the oxido-oxygens results in maltolato-type coordination of the ligand instead of the catecholate-like chelation. The redox properties of [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− and some other prodrug vanadium(V) bis complexes were investigated by spectrophotometry in aqueous solution via their reduction by glutathione (GSH) and l -ascorbic acid (ASC) under strictly anaerobic conditions and by cyclic voltammetry at physiological pH. The reduction was found to be much faster by ASC in all cases as compared with GSH and the reaction rate of the reduction of [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− was prominently high most probably due to the formation of the significantly higher stability of the corresponding vanadium(IV) complex.

The specific binding of five reduced Schiff base derived 7-amino-coumarin compounds with antitumor activity to human serum albumin, the principal binding protein of blood, was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. Their conditional binding constants were computed and the reversible binding at the Sudlow's site I was found to be strong (KD∼0.03-2.09 μM). Based on the data albumin can provide a depot for the compounds and is responsible for their biodistribution and transport processes. The experimental data is complemented by protein-ligand docking calculations for two representatives which support the observations. The proton dissociation constants of the compounds were also determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometric and fluorometric titrations to obtain the actual charges and distribution of the species in the various protonation states at physiological pH.

The stoichiometry and thermodynamic stability of copper(II), vanadium(IV/V), iron(II)/(III) and gallium(III) complexes of salicylaldehyde semicarbazone (SSC, HL) and its 5-bromo derivative (Br-SSC, HL) have been determined by pH-potentiometry, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, EPR, 1H and 51V NMR spectroscopy in 30% (w/w) dimethyl sulfoxide/water solvent mixture. Proton dissociation processes and lipophilicity of the ligands were also studied in detail. Formation of mono-ligand complexes such as [ML], [MLH−1], [MLH−2] was found with copper(II), vanadium(IV/V), while bis-ligand species of iron(II)/(III) and gallium(III) such as [ML2], [ML2H−1] and [ML2H−2] were also detected, in which the ligands coordinate via monoanionic (O−,N1,O) or dianionic (O−,N1,O−) modes. The bromine substituent on the phenol ring has no significant impact on the stability and binding modes but provides a remarkably enhanced lipophilic character, which is advantageous for the bioactivity. The Ga(III)–salicylaldehyde semicarbazone species show unambiguously higher stability; whereas Cu(II) species have somewhat lower stability relative to the corresponding thiosemicarbazone analogues, however no decomposition of the Cu(II) complex was observed even at micromolar concentrations at physiological pH.

Stoichiometry and stability of antitumor ruthenium(II)-g 6 -p-cymene complexes of picolinic acid and its

A series of copper(II) complexes of Schiff base-derived ligands (1-7) were studied for their pro- and antioxidant behaviour in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. The coordination modes of two of the copper(II) complexes were investigated by pH-potentiometry, EPR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. The solution studies indicated that monomeric species are present in the Cu(II) - L1 system at neutral pH, whereas dinuclear species were observed in the case of the Cu(II) - L7 system. This difference in speciation was reflected in their relative cytotoxicities with the copper(II) complex of L1, showing significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells whilst the complex of L7 was inactive. In fact, only three of the seven complexes studied in this series were cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells but this cytotoxicity did not correlate with their ability to bind to DNA, cleave DNA or act as a pro-oxidant. In contrast to previous copper(II) complexes studied by our group, the compounds studied here do not appear to lead to intracellular reactive oxygen species generation at any significant level. In a yeast-based assay, all of the copper complexes had the ability to protect Saccharomyces cerevisiae against menadione-induced oxidative stress but not hydrogen peroxide-induced stress, indicating a lack of catalase activity. Given that the adaptive mechanisms induced by hypoxia in cancer cells have selective effects, with a fine-tuned protection against damage and stress of many kinds, particularly against oxidative stress, chemotherapeutic compounds which are not pro-oxidants may offer a therapeutic advantage.

Ru II (η 6 - p -cymene) complexes of bidentate ( O , O ) alkoxycarbonylmethyl-3-hydroxy-2(1 H )-pyridone ligands exhibit in vitro antitumor activity. We determined the stoichiometry and stability in aqueous solution of two examples by pH-potentiometry, 1 H NMR spectroscopy and UV–vis spectrophotometry and also characterized the proton dissociation processes of the ligands. Formation of mono-ligand complexes with moderate stability was found to predominate in the physiological pH range. Moreover, the chlorido/aqua co-ligand exchange processes of the [Ru II (η 6 - p -cymene)(L)(H 2 O)] + species were also monitored and 55–65% of the aqua ligand was found to be replaced by chloride in 0.2 M KCl-containing aqueous solutions. Under basic conditions, the complexes decompose to dinuclear tri-hydroxido-bridged [Ru 2 (η 6 - p -cymene) 2 (OH) 3 ] + and metal-free ligand and also a hydroxido species [Ru II (η 6 - p -cymene)(L)(OH)] was found. Furthermore, the ligands contain an ester functional group, which may hydrolyze at basic pH, which is however negligible at acidic or neutral pH.

Ruthenium complexes hold great potential as alternatives to cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. We present results on the in vitro antitumor activity of an organometallic 'Ru(II)Cp' complex, [Ru(II)Cp(bipy)(PPh(3))][CF(3)SO(3)], designated as TM34 (PPh(3) = triphenylphosphine; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), against a panel of human tumor cell lines with different responses to cisplatin treatment, namely ovarian (A2780/A2780cisR, cisplatin sensitive and resistant, respectively), breast (MCF7) and prostate (PC3) adenocarcinomas. TM34 is very active against all tumorigenic cell lines, its efficacy largely surpassing that of cisplatin (CisPt). The high activity of TM34 towards CisPt resistant cell lines possibly suggests a mechanism of action distinct from that of CisPt. The effect of TM34 on the activity of the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) involved in DNA repair mechanisms and apoptotic pathways was also evaluated, and it was found to be a strong PARP-1 ruthenium inhibitor in the low micromolar range (IC(50)=1.0 ± 0.3 μM). TM34 quickly binds to human serum albumin forming a 1:1 complex with a conditional stability constant (log K'~4.0), comparable to that of the Ru(III) complex in clinical trial KP1019. This indicates that TM34 can be efficiently transported by this protein, possibly being involved in its distribution and delivery if the complex is introduced in the blood stream. Albumin binding does not affect TM34 activity, yielding an adduct that maintains cytotoxic properties (against A2780 and A2780cisR cells). Altogether, the properties herein evaluated suggest that TM34 could be an anticancer agent of highly relevant therapeutic value.

The stoichiometry and stability constants of the Ga(III) complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ), 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (HQS), maltol, thiomaltol, allomaltol and thioallomaltol were determined by means of pH-potentiometry, UV-vis spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry and (1)H NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solution. Spectrofluorometry was used to determine the stability constants of the Ga(III)-HQ species in water. Formation of [GaL](2+), [GaL(2)](+) and [GaL(3)] complexes was found and the Ga(III) binding ability of the ligands followed the order: thioallomaltol

The paper deals with the application of thermodynamic description of metal–ligand interactions in biological systems, when the determination of the actual chemical form of a metal ion or a metal compound with potential biological activity in biological fluids or tissues can help in the identification of the relevant active form of the metallic drug or in the exploration of its pharmacokinetics. Two groups of metal compounds are discussed in the paper: the fate of vanadium and zinc containing antidiabetics during their transport in the blood stream, and the application of metal ion chelators to control synaptic Cu(II) and Zn(II) level in order to hinder oligomerisation of β-amyloids in Alzheimer's disease.

The lipophilic character of several carrier ligands of antidiabetic Zn(II) and VO(IV) metal complexes were characterized by the traditional saturation shake flask method based on n-octanol/water partitioning. The transfer of the neutral ligand species to the organic phase was followed by UV spectrophotometry at various pH and the partition and distribution coefficients were calculated with the help of the proton dissociation constants and the spectra of the individual ligand species. Partition and distribution coefficients of the Zn(II) and VO(IV) complexes were determined by analysis of the metal ion content of the aqueous phases before and after separation by ICP-AES, their UV spectra and the corresponding concentration distribution curves. Results revealed the fairly hydrophilic character both the carrier ligands and their neutral Zn(II) and VO(IV) complexes. A quasi-linear relationship was found between log P of the ligands and that of the metal species in the case of the ligands studied with the exception of the picolinates. Importance of the knowledge of the chemical speciation (i.e. stoichiometry and stability constants) was also highlighted for the characterization of the lipophilic character of the kinetically labile metal complexes.

The speciation of several insulin-mimetic/enhancing VO(IV) and Zn(II) complexes in human blood serum was studied and a comparison was made concerning the ability of the serum components to interact with the original metal complexes and the distribution of the metal ions between the low and the high molecular fractions of the serum. It was found that the low molecular mass components may play a larger role in transporting Zn(II) than in the case with VO(IV). Among the high molecular mass serum proteins, transferrin is the primary binder of VO(IV), and albumin is that of Zn(II). The results revealed that protein–ligand interactions may influence the metal ion distribution in the serum.

The possible transformations of antidiabetic vanadium(IV) complexes in the organism are discussed. These reactions involve absorption processes in the gastrointestinal tract, transport in the blood stream and interactions with endogenous binding molecules in the glucose-metabolizing cells. Modeling studies were mostly used to determine the actual chemical form of VO(IV) complexes in various biological environments. The results suggest that decomposition and subsequent ternary complex formation with endogenous or exogenous ligands in the organism affects the absorption efficacy of the originally neutral VO(IV) compounds considerably. During transport in the blood stream, transferrin displaces the carrier ligands from the VO(IV) compounds and plays an important role in transporting VO(IV) to the cell. In the cell, vanadium undergoes redox interaction with glutathione and complexation with adenosine 5′-triphosphate (the two important cell components present in mM concentration). In vitro and in vivo biological results confirmed some of the basic findings obtained from the modeling.

Three new dihydroxamic acids (HO(CH 3 )NCO–(CH 2 ) 2 –CO–NH–(CH 2 ) x –CON(CH 3 )OH where the x values are 4; 3 and 2, and the compounds are abbreviated as 2,4-DIHA, 2,3-DIHA and 2,2-DIHA), containing the peptide group in a certain position to one of the two functional groups and in different distances to the other one, were synthesized and their complexation with Fe(III), Mo(VI) and V(V) was studied by pH-potentiometric, spectrophotometric and in some cases by CV methods to evaluate the redox behaviour of the Fe(III) complexes and assess their potential biological activity as siderophore models. All these compounds are structural models for the natural siderophore, desferrioxamine B (DFB). The results were compared to those of the complexes of 2,5-DIHA having the same connecting chain structure and length as DFB has, and the effects of the length of the connecting chain on the co-ordination mode and on the stability of the complexes formed were evaluated. Very similar stability of the mono-chelated complexes formed with all these dihydroxamic acids was found. All the results obtained suggest that one dihydroxamic acid (even the 2,2-DIHA) is able to complete the four coordination sites of a MoO 2 2+ core forming simple mononuclear complexes. Favoured monomeric structures of the bis-chelated complexes of these dihydroxamic acids are also suggested with V(V) having the smallest ionic radius among the three metal ions studied. In the case of iron(III), however, clear indication was obtained for the slightly different complexation behaviour of 2,2-DIHA. Namely, the formation of the mononuclear bis-chelated complex with this shortest ligand seems to have sufficient strain to induce the formation of bimetallic species such as [Fe(2,2-DIHA) 2 Fe)] 2+ .

Results on the previously described irreversible redox reaction taking place between iron(II) and desferrioxamine B (DFB) under anaerobic conditions have been complemented by additional capillary electrophoresis (CE) and kinetic studies in the present work. Reduction of the oxidizing agent, DFB to monoamide derivative, was confirmed by CE technique and suggestion for the most probable kinetically active species and mechanism of the initial step is discussed in the paper.

Three new dihydroxamic acids (HO(CH3)NCO(CH2)xCONH(CH2)yCON(CH3)OH, where the related x and y values are as follows: 2,5; 3,4 and 3,3) with different length of the connecting chains containing the peptide group in different positions between the two functional groups were synthesized and their complexation with Fe(III), Mo(VI) and V(V) were studied by pH-potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. Both the structure and length of the connecting chain in the 2,5-dihydroxamic acid (2,5-DIHA) are the same as those in the natural siderophore, desferrioxamine B (DFB). Although the stability of the monochelated complexes formed with all three dihydroxamic acids are similar, 2,5-DIHA forms significantly more stable bis-chelated complexes than the other two ligands with the three metal ions studied. The results support the hypothesis that the arrangement of the two chelating functions in 2,5-DIHA is in a proper preorganization for the coordination in octahedral complexes to metal ions having similar ionic radius as iron(III) has.

The stability constants and coordination modes of the mixed-ligand complexes formed by Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), ethylenediamine (en), 2,2%-bipyridine (bpy), glycinate (Gly), disodium salt of 4,5-dihydroxybenzene 1,3-disulfonate (Tiron), diethylenetriamine (dien) or 2,2%:6,2ƒ-terpyridine (terpy) (ligand B) and acetohydroxamate (Aha), N-methylacetohydroxamate (MeAha) or N-phenylacetohydroxamate (PhAha) (ligand A) were determined in water (25°C, I 0.2 M KCl) by pH-metric, spectrophotometric, EPR and calorimetric methods. Mixed-ligand complexes with typical hydroxamate type chelation mode involving the NHO moiety are formed in all systems. However, further copper(II) induced deprotonation of the NHO moiety of Aha in the presence of en or bpy results in the formation of mixed-ligand complexes with hydroximato chelates at high pH. The results show the favoured coordination of a hydroxamate to metal(II)‐en and especially to a metal(II)‐bpy moiety. If ligand B is Gly, the increase of stability of the mixed-ligand complexes is as expected on statistical basis, whereas the formation of complexes involving O,O-coordinated hydroxamate and O,O-coordinated Tiron is unfavoured. The tridentate coordination of dien or terpy results in five-coordinated mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes in which, most probably, the hydroxamate moiety adopts an equatorial‐axial coordination mode. This quite unstable hydroxamate chelate can not hinder the hydrolysis of the complex above pH 8. Under very basic conditions acetohydroximato moieties (CONO 2 ) displace the rigid terpy ligand from the coordination sphere and complexes, [Cu(AhaH 1)2] 2 involving hydroximato chelates are formed. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The chelating properties exhibited by a series of monohydroxamic acids (propanohydroxamic acid (Pha), hexanohydroxamic acid (Hha), benzohydroxamic acid (Bha), N-methyl-acetohydroxamic acid (MAha), N-phenyl-acetohydroxamic acid (PhAha) and 2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide (PYRha)) towards copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), calcium(II), magnesium(II) and aluminium(III) ions were studied by pH-metric, spectrophotometric and, in one case, by 27Al NMR methods. The results were compared with the corresponding data for metal ion-acetohydroxamate (Aha) and metal ion-desferrioxamine B (DFB) complexes. Changes of the substituents either on the carbon or on the nitrogen of the hydroxamate moiety caused a measurable effect on the chelate stability only in the case of aluminium(III) complexes. The aromatic derivative, PYRha, formed significantly more stable complexes than expected on the basis of the ligand basicity. The higher complex-forming ability of DFB compared to monohydroxamic acids diminishes in the case of the largest calcium(II) ion.

The complexes of hexanedioic acid bis(3-hydroxycarbamoyl-methyl)amide (Dha1) and hexanedioic acid bis(3-hydroxycarbamoyl-propyl)amide (Dha2) with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), iron(III), calcium(II) and magnesium(II) have been studied by pH-metric and spectrophotometric methods. All the complexes formed with Dha2 are soluble in water, but a very insoluble complex is formed in the copper(II)-Dha1 system. Besides the 1:1 species complexes with 2:3 stoichiometry are also formed in the cobalt(II)-, nickel(II)-, zinc(II)- and iron(III)-containing systems. Dha2 generally forms more stable complexes than those of Dha1 (e.g. log β values for their iron(III) 1:1 complexes are 17.9 and 19.1, respectively). A comparison of the data with those on the complexes of a simple monohydroxamate, (acetohydroxamate, Aha), nonano-dihydroxamate (Dha3) and the natural trihydroxamate-based siderophore, desferrioxamine B (DFB) revealed that the stability sequence of the complexes is generally: DFB>Dha2≥Dha3∼Dha1>Aha. The shorter but more flexible connecting chain of Dha3 results in the ca. same stability of complexes of Dha1 and Dha3. The above sequence, however, did not hold for copper(II) allowing the coordination of at most two hydroxamates and for calcium(II). In this latter case, Dha2, containing the longest connecting chain, formed the most stable complexes.