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The Ru(III) complexes indazolium [trans-RuCl4(1H-indazole)2] (KP1019) and sodium [trans-RuCl4(1H-indazole)2] (NKP-1339) are leading candidates for the next generation of metal-based chemotherapeutics. Trifluoromethyl derivatives of these compounds and their imidazole and pyridine analogues were synthesized to probe the effect of ligand lipophilicity on the pharmacological properties of these types of complexes. Addition of CF3 groups also provided a spectroscopic handle for (19)F NMR studies of ligand exchange processes and protein interactions. The lipophilicities of the CF3-functionalized compounds and their unsubstituted parent complexes were quantified by the shake-flask method to give the distribution coefficient D at pH 7.4 (log D7.4). The solution behavior of the CF3-functionalized complexes was characterized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using (19)F NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and UV-vis spectroscopies. These techniques, along with fluorescence competition experiments, were also used to characterize interactions with human serum albumin (HSA). From these studies it was determined that increased lipophilicity correlates with reduced solubility in PBS but enhancement of noncoordinate interactions with hydrophobic domains of HSA. These protein interactions improve the solubility of the complexes and inhibit the formation of oligomeric species. EPR measurements also demonstrated the formation of HSA-coordinated species with longer incubation. (19)F NMR spectra show that the trifluoromethyl complexes release axial ligands in PBS and in the presence of HSA. In vitro testing showed that the most lipophilic complexes had the greatest cytotoxic activity. Addition of CF3 groups enhances the activity of the indazole complex against A549 nonsmall cell lung carcinoma cells. Furthermore, in the case of the pyridine complexes, the parent compound was inactive against the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line but showed strong cytotoxicity with CF3 functionalization. Overall, these studies demonstrate that lipophilicity may be a determining factor in the anticancer activity and pharmacological behavior of these types of Ru(III) complexes.

Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions of the bis(histidine) cytochrome active site models (TPP)FeII(ImH)2 (FeIIImH) and (TPP)Fe(Im)(ImH) (FeIIIIm) have been examined in acetonitrile solvent (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin, ImH = 4-methylimidazole). The ascorbate derivative 5,6-isopropylidine ascorbate, hydroquinone, and the hydroxylamine TEMPOH all rapidly add H* to FeIIIIm to give FeIIImH. Similarly, the phenoxyl radical 2,4,6-tBu3C6H2O* and excess TEMPO* each oxidize FeIIImH to give FeIIIIm. On the basis of redox potential, pKa, and equilibrium measurements, the N-H bond in FeIIImH was found to have a bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of 70 +/- 2 kcal mol(-1). A hydrogen atom transfer mechanism (concerted transfer of e- and H+) is indicated based on data for the ascorbate and TEMPO* reactions.

Rapid and low overpotential oxidation of water to dioxygen remains a key hurdle for storage of solar energy. Here, we address this issue by demonstrating that deprotonation of 2-(2′-pyridyl)-imidazole (pimH)-ligated copper complexes promotes water oxidation at low overpotential and low catalyst loading. This improves upon other work on homogeneous copper-based water oxidation catalysts, which are highly active, but limited by high overpotentials. EPR and UV-vis spectroscopic evaluation of catalyst speciation shows that at pH ≥ 12 coordinated pimH is deprotonated and a bis(hydroxide) Cu2+ active catalyst forms. Rapid electrochemical water oxidation (35 s−1, 0.85 V onset potential) was observed with 150 μM catalyst. These results demonstrate that catalytic water oxidation potentials can be shifted by hundreds of mV in homogeneous metal catalysts bearing an ionisable imidazole ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of CO 2 to CO is an ongoing chemical challenge of great interest for the development of renewable and sustainable technologies. Coordination complexes of rhenium(I) are widely known as CO 2 reduction electrocatalysts, with emphasis on complexes bearing 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) ligands. Recent research efforts have focused on incorporation of these catalysts into solid, electroactive supports, which can be challenging due to the requirement for synthetic modification to bpy ligands. Development of related ligand sets with modular syntheses is therefore an attractive goal. We investigated electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction using ReCl(CO) 3 (N-N) complexes, where N-N is 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole (PyIm), 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PyBIm), 2-(2′-quinolyl)imidazole (QuIm), or 2-(2′-quinolyl)benzimidazole (QuBIm) ligands. In CO 2 -saturated MeCN solutions, cyclic voltammograms of the Re-QuBIm complex showed current enhancement at a peak potential of −2.01 V vs. Cp 2 Fe +/0 . The catalytic current was stable upon repeated cycling. Re-QuBIm has an overpotential ∼200 mV lower than related Re-bpy catalysts, but also is kinetically slower. The redox reactivity of each complex can be correlated to electronic parameters of the N-N chelating ligands. These results suggest that modular reduction potential tuning of CO 2 reduction catalysts is possible, but associated penalties to activity are important considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ru(III) complexes indazolium [trans-RuCl4(1H-indazole)2] (KP1019) and sodium [trans-RuCl4(1H-indazole)2] (NKP-1339) are leading candidates for the next generation of metal-based chemotherapeutics. Trifluoromethyl derivatives of these compounds and their imidazole and pyridine analogues were synthesized to probe the effect of ligand lipophilicity on the pharmacological properties of these types of complexes. Addition of CF3 groups also provided a spectroscopic handle for 19F NMR studies of ligand exchange processes and protein interactions. The lipophilicities of the CF3-functionalized compounds and their unsubstituted parent complexes were quantified by the shake-flask method to give the distribution coefficient Dat pH 7.4 (log D7.4). The solution behavior of the CF3-functionalized complexes was characterized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using 19F NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and UV-vis spectroscopies. These techniques, along with fluorescence competition experiments, were also used to characterize interactions with human serum albumin (HSA). From these studies it was determined that increased lipophilicity correlates with reduced solubility in PBS but enhancement of noncoordinate interactions with hydrophobic domains of HSA. These protein interactions improve the solubility of the complexes and inhibit the formation of oligomeric species. EPR measurements also demonstrated the formation of HSA-coordinated species with longer incubation. 19F NMR spectra show that the trifluoromethyl complexes release axial ligands in PBS and in the presence of HSA. In vitro testing showed that the most lipophilic complexes had the greatest cytotoxic activity. Addition of CF3 groups enhances the activity of the indazole complex against A549 nonsmall cell lung carcinoma cells. Furthermore, in the case of the pyridine complexes, the parent compound was inactive against the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line but showed strong cytotoxicity with CF3 functionalization. Overall, these studies demonstrate that lipophilicity may be a determining factor in the anticancer activity and pharmacological behavior of these types of Ru(III) complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]