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Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Despite the combination of chemotherapy with targeted therapy, including monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors, drug resistance and treatment failure remain a common occurrence. Copper, complexed to various organic ligands, has gained attention as potential chemotherapeutic agents due to its perceived decreased toxicity to normal cells. The cytotoxic efficacy and the mechanism of cell death of an 8-aminoquinoline-naphthyl copper complex (Cu8AqN) in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was investigated. The complex inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with IC 50 values of 2.54 ± 0.69 μM and 3.31 ± 0.06 μM, respectively. Nuclear fragmentation, annexin V binding, and increased caspase-3/7 activity indicated apoptotic cell death. The loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in caspase-9 activity, the absence of active caspase-8 and a decrease of tumour necrosis factor receptor 1(TNFR1) expression supported activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Increased ROS formation and increased expression of haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1) indicated activation of cellular stress pathways. Expression of p21 protein in the nuclei was increased indicating cell cycle arrest, whilst the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs); cIAP1, XIAP and survivin were decreased, creating a pro-apoptotic environment. Phosphorylated p53 species; phospho-p53(S15), phospho-p53(S46), and phospho-p53(S392) accumulated in MCF-7 cells indicating the potential of Cu8AqN to restore p53 function in the cells. In combination, the data indicates that Cu8AqN is a useful lead molecule worthy of further exploration as a potential anti-cancer drug., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Four Pt(II) bis(pyrrole-imine) Schiff base chelates (1-4) were synthesised by previously reported methods, through a condensation reaction, and the novel crystal structure of 2,2'-{propane-1,3-diylbis[nitrilo(E)methylylidene]}bis(pyrrol-1-ido)platinum(II) (1) was obtained. Pt(II) complexes 1-4 exhibited phosphorescence, with increased luminescence in anaerobic solvents or when bound to human serum albumin (HSA). One of the complexes shows a 15.6-fold increase in quantum yield when bound to HSA and could be used to detect HSA concentrations as low as 5 nM. Pt(II) complexes 1-3 was investigated as potential theranostic agents in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, but only complex 3 exhibited cytotoxicity when irradiated with UV light (λ 355nm Excitation ). Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of complex 1 was unresponsive to UV light irradiation. This indicates that only complex 3 can be considered a potential photosensitising agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Sheldon Sookai reports financial support was provided by National Research Foundation. Orde Q Munro reports financial support was provided by National Research Foundation. Mandeep Kaur reports financial support was provided by National Research Foundation. Shanen Perumal reports financial support was provided by National Research Foundation. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Au(III) bis(pyrrolide-imine) chelates are emerging as a class of versatile, efficacious metallodrug candidates. Here, we synthesised two enantiopure chiral ligands H2L1 and H2L2 (tetradentate cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-bridged bis(pyrrole-imine) derivatives). Metallation of the ligands with Au(III) afforded the chiral cationic complexes AuL1 and AuL2. The in vitro cytotoxicities of AuL1 and AuL2 determined in the NCI-60 single-dose drug screen were 56.5% and 89.1%, respectively. AuL1 was subsequently selected for a five-dose NCI-60 screen, attaining GI 50 , IC 50 , and LC 50 values of 4.7, 9.3 and 39.8 μM, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the NCI-60 data indicated that the profile for AuL1 was similar to that of vinblastine sulfate, a microtubule-targeting vinca alkaloid. Reactions of AuL1 with glutathione (GSH) in vitro confirmed its susceptibility to reduction, Au(III) → Au(I), by intracellular thiols. Because human serum albumin (HSA) is responsible for transporting clinically deployed and investigational drugs, we studied the uptake of AuL1 and AuL2 by HSA to delineate how chirality impacts their protein-binding affinity. Steady-state fluorescence quenching data acquired on the native protein and data from site-specific probes showed that the compounds bind at sites close enough to Trp-214 (subdomain IIA) of HSA to quench the fluorophore. The bimolecular quenching rate constants, K q , were ca . 10 2 times higher than the maximum diffusion-controlled collision constant of a biomolecule in water (10 10 M -1 s -1 ), confirming that static fluorescence quenching was the dominant mechanism. The Stern-Volmer constants, K SV , were ∼10 4 M -1 at 37 °C, while the affinity constants, K a (37 °C), measured ∼2.1 × 10 4 M -1 (AuL1) and ∼1.2 × 10 4 M -1 (AuL2) for enthalpy-driven ligand uptake targeting Sudlow's site I. Although far- and near-UV CD spectroscopy indicated that both complexes minimally perturb the secondary and tertiary structure of HSA, substantial shifts in the CD spectra were recorded for both protein-bound ligands. This study highlights the role of chirality in determining the cytotoxicity profiles and protein binding behaviour of enantiomeric Au(III) chelates.

Reaction of 2,4,6-trifluoropyridine with sodium 3,4-dimethoxybenzenethiolate and 2 equiv of sodium pyrazolate in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature affords 4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylsulfanyl)-2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ( L ), in 30% yield. The iron(II) complexes [Fe L 2 ][BF 4 ] 2 ( 1a ) and [Fe L 2 ][ClO 4 ] 2 ( 1b ) are high-spin with a highly distorted six-coordinate geometry. This structural deviation from ideal D 2d symmetry is common in high-spin [Fe(bpp) 2 ] 2+ (bpp = di{pyrazol-1-yl}pyridine) derivatives, which are important in spin-crossover materials research. The magnitude of the distortion in 1a and 1b is the largest yet discovered for a mononuclear complex. Gas-phase DFT calculations at the ω-B97X-D/6-311G** level of theory identified four minimum or local minimum structural pathways across the distortion landscape, all of which are observed experimentally in different complexes. Small distortions from D 2d symmetry are energetically favorable in complexes with electron-donating ligand substituents, including sulfanyl groups, which also have smaller energy penalties associated with the lowest energy distortion pathway. Natural population analysis showed that these differences reflect greater changes to the Fe-N{pyridyl} σ-bonding as the distortion proceeds, in the presence of more electron-rich pyridyl donors. The results imply that [Fe(bpp) 2 ] 2+ derivatives with electron-donating pyridyl substituents are more likely to undergo cooperative spin transitions in the solid state. The high-spin salt [Fe(bpp) 2 ][CF 3 SO 3 ] 2 , which also has a strong angular distortion, is also briefly described and included in the analysis.

Three bis(pyrrolide-imine) Pt(II) chelates were synthesised and characterized with different bridging alkyl groups, specifically 2-hydroxypropyl (1), 2,2-dimethylpropyl (2), and 1,2-( S , S )-(+)-cyclohexyl (3). Novel compounds 1 and 2 were analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (space group P 1̄). The asymmetric unit of 1 comprises three independent molecules linked by hydrogen bonds involving the OH groups, forming a trimeric supramolecular structure. The Pt(II) chelates were reacted with human serum albumin (HSA) to investigate how the ligand bound to the Pt(II) ion influences the compound's affinity for HSA. Fluorescence quenching data obtained for native HSA and HSA bound to site-specific probes (warfarin, subdomain IIA; ibuprofen, subdomain IIIA) indicated that the three Pt(II) chelates bind close enough (within ∼30 Å) to Trp-214 to quench its intrinsic fluorescence. The bimolecular quenching constant ( k q ) was 10 3 -10 4 -fold higher than the maximum diffusion-controlled collision constant in water (10 10 M s -1 ) at 310 K, while the affinity constants, K a , ranged from ∼5 × 10 3 to ∼5 × 10 5 at 310 K, and followed the order 1 > 3 > 2. The reactions of 1 and 3 with HSA were enthalpically driven, while that for 2 was entropically driven. Macromolecular docking simulations (Glide XP) and binding site specificity assays employing site-specific probes and UV-vis CD spectroscopy indicated that 1 and 2 target Sudlow's site II in subdomain IIIA, minimally perturbing the tertiary structure of the protein. Well-resolved induced CD signals from 1 and 2 bound to HSA in subdomain IIIA were adequately simulated by hybrid QM:MM TD-DFT methods. We conclude that the structure of the bis(pyrrolide-imine) Pt(II) chelate measurably affects its uptake by HSA without detectable decomposition or demetallation. Such compounds could thus serve as metallodrug candidates capable of utilising an HSA-mediated cellular uptake pathway.

Iron(II) and Ru(II) half-sandwich compounds encompass some promising pre-clinical anticancer agents whose efficacy may be tuned by structural modification of the coordinated ligands. Here, we combine two such bioactive metal centres in cationic bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane-bridged heterodinuclear [Fe 2+ , Ru 2+ ] complexes to delineate how ligand structural variations modulate compound cytotoxicity. Specifically, Fe(II) complexes of the type [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 (κ 1 -PPh 2 (CH 2 ) n PPh 2 )]{PF 6 } (n = 1-5), compounds 1-5, and heterodinuclear [Fe 2+ , Ru 2+ ] complexes, [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 (μ-PPh 2 (CH 2 ) n PPh 2 ))(η 6 -p-cymene)RuCl 2 ]{PF 6 } (n = 2-5) (compounds 7-10), were synthesized and characterised. The mononuclear complexes were moderately cytotoxic against two ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and cisplatin resistant A2780cis) with IC 50 values ranging from 2.3 ± 0.5 μM to 9.0 ± 1.4 μM. For 7-10, the cytotoxicity increased with increasing Fe⋅⋅⋅Ru distance, consistent with their DNA affinity. UV-visible spectroscopy suggested the chloride ligands in heterodinuclear 8-10 undergo stepwise substitution by water on the timescale of the DNA interaction experiments, probably affording the species [RuCl(OH 2 )(η 6 -p-cymene)(PRPh 2 )] 2+ and [Ru(OH)(OH 2 )(η 6 -p-cymene)(PRPh 2 )] 2+ (where PRPh 2 has R = [-(CH 2 ) 5 PPh 2 -Fe(C 5 H 5 )(CO) 2 ] + ). One interpretation of the combined DNA-interaction and kinetic data is that the mono(aqua) complex may interact with dsDNA through nucleobase coordination. Heterodinuclear 10 reacts with glutathione (GSH) to form stable mono- and bis(thiolate) adducts, 10-SG and 10-SG 2 , with no evidence of metal ion reduction (k 1 = 1.07 ± 0.17 × 10 -1 min -1 and k 2 = 6.04 ± 0.59 × 10 -3 min -1 at 37 °C). This work highlights the synergistic effect of the Fe 2+ /Ru 2+ centres on both the cytotoxicity and biomolecular interactions of the present heterodinuclear complexes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is considered as an emerging druggable target to reduce blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and decrease inflammation. Despite the availability of different classes of sEH small molecule inhibitors for the potential treatment of hypertension, only a few candidates have reached clinical trials, making the optimal control of blood pressure presently unattainable. This necessity motivated us to explore a series of novel quinazoline-4(3 H )-one and 4,6-disubstituted pyridin-2(1 H )-one derivatives targeting sEH enzyme. Herein, comprehensive computational investigations were performed to probe the inhibition efficacy of these potent compounds in terms of inhibitor-enzyme interactions against sEH. In this study, the 39 in-house with a focused library comprising 39 in-house synthesized compounds were selected. The structure-based pharmacophore modeling was developed based on the crystal structure of sEH with its co-crystallized biologically active inhibitor. The generated hypotheses were applied for virtual screening-based PHASE fitness scores. Docking-based virtual screening workflows were used to generate lead compounds using HTVS, SP and XP based GLIDE G-score values. The candidate leads were filtered using ADMET pharmacological and physicochemical properties screening. A 100-ns of molecular dynamics simulations with Molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) were performed to explore the binding affinities of the considered compounds. Our study identified four best candidates from quinazoline-4(3H)-one derivatives, which indicated that a quinazolinone ring serves as a suitable scaffold to develop novel small molecule sEH inhibitors.

This tutorial review highlights key principles underpinning the design of selected metallodrugs to target specific biological macromolecules (DNA and proteins). The review commences with a descriptive overview of the eukaryotic cell cycle and the molecular biology of cancer, particularly apoptosis, which is provided as a necessary foundation for the discovery, design, and targeting of metal-based anticancer agents. Drugs which target DNA have been highlighted and clinically approved metallodrugs discussed. A brief history of the development of mainly gold-based metallodrugs is presented prior to addressing ligand systems for stabilizing and adding functionality to bio-active gold(I) and gold(III) complexes, particularly in the burgeoning field of anticancer metallodrugs. Concepts such as multi-modal and selective cytotoxic agents are covered where necessary for selected compounds. The emerging role of carbenes as the ligand system of choice to achieve these goals for gold-based metallodrug candidates is highlighted prior to closing the review with comments on some future directions that this research field might follow. The latter section ultimately emphasizes the importance of understanding the fate of metal complexes in cells to garner key mechanistic insights.

The syntheses of bis(triazolium)carbazole precursors and their corresponding coinage metal (Au, Ag) complexes are reported. For alkylated triazolium salts, di- or tetranuclear complexes with bridging ligands were isolated, while the bis(aryl) analogue afforded a bis(carbene) Au I -CNC pincer complex suitable for oxidation to the redox-stable [Au III (CNC)Cl] + cation. Although the ligand salt and the [Au III (CNC)Cl] + complex were both notably cytotoxic toward the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, the Au III complex was somewhat more selective. Electrophoresis, viscometry, UV-vis, CD and LD spectroscopy suggest the cytotoxic [Au III (CNC)Cl] + complex behaves as a partial DNA intercalator. In silico screening indicated that the [Au III (CNC)Cl] + complex can target DNA three-way junctions with good specificity, several other regular B-DNA forms, and Z-DNA. Multiple hydrophobic π-type interactions involving T and A bases appear to be important for B-form DNA binding, while phosphate O⋅⋅⋅Au interactions evidently underpin Z-DNA binding. The CNC ligand effectively stabilizes the Au III ion, preventing reduction in the presence of glutathione. Both the redox stability and DNA affinity of the hit compound might be key factors underpinning its cytotoxicity in vitro., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Three imidazole-derived Schiff base compounds comprising an N -methyl imidazole group coupled to a phenol ring through an imine bond were synthesised. The structures differ by the substituent on the phenol ring at the 4-position: methyl (1), tert -butyl (2) and hydrogen (3). The compounds were synthesised using both a traditional reflux in solvent as well as an environmentally friendly solid-state reaction. Compounds (1)-(3) as well as the hemihydrate of (3) were all studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit of compound (1) consists of two nominally planar molecules linked by hydrogen bonds to form a dimeric supramolecular structure. This dimeric structure was ubiquitous for the anhydrous forms of (1)-(3). The complementary hydrogen bonding motif between the imidazole N atoms and the phenol OH results in a stable 16-membered hydrogen-bonded ring. The asymmetric unit of (3) comprises two symmetry-independent molecules one of which has co-planar imidazole and phenol rings while the other shows a significantly oblique orientation. The hemihydrate of (3) similarly forms extensive hydrogen bonds, though in the form of a water-bridged dimeric structure. The hydrogen bond lengths (D⋯A) for compounds (1)-(3) are relatively short, ranging from 2.662(1) to 2.688(1) Å. DFT was used to understand the relative stability of the monomeric and dimeric species. These showed the hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structures were ca. 101 kJ mol -1 lower in energy than the non-interacting monomers. Scan simulations were used to calculate the total energy of the molecule as a function of phenyl ring rotation and showed why the expected planar configuration for a conjugated π-system was not observed experimentally. The barrier to rotation was found to be relatively low, 7.97(6) kJ mol -1 , with the lowest energy conformations subtending dihedral angles of 22.319, 24.265 and 25.319° for molecules (1), (2) and (3), respectively. The electrostatic potential maps are able to succinctly explain the stability of the hydrogen bonds through the partial charges of the interacting atoms. TD-DFT simulations and analysis of the simulated and experimental UV/visible spectra suggest that the dimeric supramolecular structure is a stable species in solution. This was confirmed through 1 H NMR titrations and an equilibrium constant of 0.16(5) M -1 was estimated., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A solvatochromic dinuclear copper(ii) metallocycle effectively traps tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether and pentane significantly above their boiling points. X-ray crystallography, EPR and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to delineate an empirical relationship between the guest-induced structural perturbation of the metallocycle, the ligand field splitting parameter Δ (νmax), and the EPR g-values of the inclusion compounds, thereby elucidating the solvatochromic mechanism.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the fast-growing species Mycobacterium abscessus are two important human pathogens causing persistent pulmonary infections that are difficult to cure and require long treatment times. The emergence of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains and the high level of intrinsic resistance of M. abscessus call for novel drug scaffolds that effectively target both pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the activity of bis(pyrrolide-imine) gold(III) macrocycles and chelates, originally designed as DNA intercalators capable of targeting human topoisomerase types I and II (Topo1 and Topo2), against M. abscessus and M. tuberculosis We identified a total of 5 noncytotoxic compounds active against both mycobacterial pathogens under replicating in vitro conditions. We chose one of these hits, compound 14, for detailed analysis due to its potent bactericidal mode of inhibition and scalable synthesis. The clinical relevance of this compound was demonstrated by its ability to inhibit a panel of diverse M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus clinical isolates. Prompted by previous data suggesting that compound 14 may target topoisomerase/gyrase enzymes, we demonstrated that it lacked cross-resistance with fluoroquinolones, which target the M. tuberculosis gyrase. In vitro enzyme assays confirmed the potent activity of compound 14 against bacterial topoisomerase 1A (Topo1) enzymes but not gyrase. Novel scaffolds like compound 14 with potent, selective bactericidal activity against M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus that act on validated but underexploited targets like Topo1 represent a promising starting point for the development of novel therapeutics for infections by pathogenic mycobacteria., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.)

Herein we delineate an unusual one-dimensional coordination polymer (CP), 3, prepared from S = 1/2 Co(TPP), 1 (TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin dianion), and S = 1/2 4-(4'-pyridyl)-1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl (py-DTDA) radical, 2. The atypically long S-S distance for CP 3 (2.12 Å) reflects fractional electron transfer from the formally Co(II) ion into the antibonding π-SOMO of the metal-bound py-DTDA bridging ligand. The bonding in solid CP 3 involves noninteger redox states in a resonance hybrid repeat unit best formulated as [Co(TPP)] 0.5+ hemication (Co 2.5+ ) bound to a dithiadiazolide hemianion (py-DTDA 0.5- ). DFT calculations confirm the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) character of the low-lying electronic states (641, 732, and 735 nm) observed for CP 3 and show that oligomer chains of length ≥14 repeat units tend toward a band structure with a limiting band gap energy of 0.669(6) eV. In dichloromethane, the reaction between radicals 1 and 2 involves coordination of the Co(II) ion by a py-DTDA ring sulfur atom, orbitally favored spin-pairing, and the formation of the thermodynamically favored diamagnetic five-coordinate S-bound adduct, Co(TPP)(S-py-DTDA), 3a. Polymerization and crystallization of 3a affords diamagnetic CP 3. Dissolution of CP 3 in DMSO favors Co-S bond heterolysis, yielding the diamagnetic six-coordinate purple N-bound Co III (TPP)(N-py-DTDA - )(O═SMe 2 ) complex (λ max , 436 nm). However, monomerization of CP 3 in dry 1,2-dichloroethane affords bright green diamagnetic Co III (TPP)(N-py-DTDA - ), 3b, with multiple MLCT bands in the 800-1100 nm NIR region and a red-shifted Soret band (λ max , 443 nm). Implications for the use of CP 3 in electronic devices are discussed based on its density of states.

New complexes catena-(μ2 -nitrato-O,O')bis(piperidinedithiocarbamato)bismuth(III) (1) and tetrakis(μ-nitrato)tetrakis[bis(tetrahydroquinolinedithiocarbamato)bismuth(III)] (2) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2 were determined. The coordination numbers of the Bi(III) ion are 8 for 1 and ≥6 for 2 when the experimental electron density for the nominal 6s(2) lone pair of electrons is included. Both complexes were used as single-source precursors for the synthesis of dodecylamine-, hexadecylamine-, oleylamine and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide-capped Bi2 S3 nanoparticles at different temperatures. UV/Vis spectra showed a blueshift in the absorbance band edge characteristic of a quantum size effect. High-quality, crystalline, long and short Bi2 S3 nanorods were obtained depending on the thermolysis temperature, which was varied from 190 to 270 °C. A general trend of increasing particle breadth with increasing reaction temperature and increasing length of the carbon chain of the amine (capping agent) was observed. Powder XRD patterns revealed the orthorhombic crystal structure of Bi2 S3 ., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A series of Group 7 Fischer carbene complexes, [Cp(CO)2 Mn(I) =C(OEt)Ar] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, Ar=Th=thienyl (1 a), Ar=Fu=furyl (2 a), Ar=Fc=ferrocenyl (3 a)) and biscarbene complexes, [Cp(CO)2 MnC(OEt)Ar'(OEt)CMn(CO)2 Cp] (Ar'=Th'=2,5-thienylene (1 b), Ar'=Fu'=2,5-furylene (2 b), Ar'=Fc'=1,1'-ferrocendiyl (3 b)) was synthesized and characterized. Chemical oxidation of [Cp(CO)2 MnC(OEt)Fc] (3 a) and isolation of the oxidised species [3 a][PF6 ] possessing a Mn(II) centre proved possible below -30 °C in dichloromethane solution. The ESR spectrum of the transiently stable radical cation, [3 a][PF6 ], confirmed the presence of a low-spin Mn(II) centre characterized by a rhombic g tensor (gx =1.975, gy =2.007 and gz =2.130) in frozen dichloromethane at 77 K with (55)  Mn hyperfine coupling constants A1 , A2 and A3 of 115, 33 and 43 G, respectively. Electrochemical studies demonstrated the influence of the Ar substituent on the oxidation potential. All complexes showed that the redox potentials of carbene double bond reduction and Mn(I) oxidation were dependent on the type of Ar group, but only 3 b showed resolved oxidations for the two Mn(I) centres. Surprisingly, Mn(I) oxidation occurs at lower potentials than ferrocenyl oxidation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to delineate the nature of the species involved in the oxidation and reduction processes and clearly confirm that oxidation of Mn(I) is favoured over that of ferrocene., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Topoisomerase IB (Top1) is a key eukaryotic nuclear enzyme that regulates the topology of DNA during replication and gene transcription. Anticancer drugs that block Top1 are either well-characterized interfacial poisons or lesser-known catalytic inhibitor compounds. Here we describe a new class of cytotoxic redox-stable cationic Au(3+) macrocycles which, through hierarchical cluster analysis of cytotoxicity data for the lead compound, 3, were identified as either poisons or inhibitors of Top1. Two pivotal enzyme inhibition assays prove that the compounds are true catalytic inhibitors of Top1. Inhibition of human topoisomerase IIα (Top2α) by 3 was 2 orders of magnitude weaker than its inhibition of Top1, confirming that 3 is a type I-specific catalytic inhibitor. Importantly, Au(3+) is essential for both DNA intercalation and enzyme inhibition. Macromolecular simulations show that 3 intercalates directly at the 5'-TA-3' dinucleotide sequence targeted by Top1 via crucial electrostatic interactions, which include π-π stacking and an Au···O contact involving a thymine carbonyl group, resolving the ambiguity of conventional (drug binds protein) vs unconventional (drug binds substrate) catalytic inhibition of the enzyme. Surface plasmon resonance studies confirm the molecular mechanism of action elucidated by the simulations.

The structures, spectroscopy, and cytotoxicity of four novel nominally square-planar gold(III) chelates 1-4 with the general formula cis-AuCl2(X), where the ligand X is an anionic bidentate pyridyl- or isoquinolylamido chelating agent, are described. The Au-N(amido), Au-N(pyridyl), and Au-N(isoquinolyl) distances are 2.002(9)-2.016(3), 2.01(1)-2.037(3), and 2.037(3) Å, respectively. Density functional theory simulations afforded accurate gold(III) coordination geometries for 1-4 (bond distances and angles to within 5% of the X-ray values), while accurate transition energies were limited to those calculated in the UV spectral region. The complexes had variable stability in dimethyl sulfoxide: compound 3 (relatively rigid) was indefinitely stable, compounds 1 and 2 (conformationally flexible) slowly demetalated over 30 days, and 4 (extensively aromatic) formed an insoluble precipitate after 10 days (72 h in an aqueous buffer). The isoquinolylamido derivative 4 was sufficiently cytotoxic in the NCI-60 screen to undergo full five-dose testing. Notably low GI50 (1.8, 2.3, and 3.2 μM) and IC50 (4.0, 9.8, and 15 μM) values were recorded for the OVCAR-3, IGROV1, and SW-620 cell lines, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis employing the National Cancer Institute (NCI) data for known anticancer drugs and 4 revealed that compound 4 is mechanistically identical with the topoisomerase IIα (Top2) poison zorubicin and statistically similar to the topoisomerase IB (Top1) poisons camptothecin and 9-methoxycamptothecin. The Top2-catalyzed decatenation reaction of kinetoplast DNA was studied as a function of the concentration of 4: the compound acts as an interfacial poison of Top2 at low concentrations (<1 μM) and a catalytic inhibitor of the enzyme above 5 μM. Gel mobility shift assays (plasmid DNA substrate) showed that the catalytic inhibition of Top2 likely correlates with DNA binding by 4 at concentrations >5 μM. Compound 4 is also a catalytic inhibitor of Top1 at higher concentrations, consistent with DNA binding by the complex.

The biodistribution of an N2 N2 ' tetradentate gold(III) chelate, which is known to be cytotoxic towards a range of human cancer cell lines, was determined by a radiolabelled equivalent of the compound. The (198) Au-labelled gold(III) chelate of a bis(pyrrolide-imine) Schiff base ligand with a three-carbon di(azomethine) linkage was successfully synthesised with a high radiochemical yield of 73% and radiochemical purity of >95%. The high energy γ-ray emitted by the (198) Au nucleus was used to follow the biodistribution of the compound in vivo in six male Sprague Dawley rats on a gamma camera. The log Po/w value of the (nat) Au analogue, -1.92(2), showed that the compound is hydrophilic and therefore likely to largely remain in the blood pool. This was confirmed by the biodistribution study, which showed 21% of the injected dose (ID) remained in the blood pool 4.5 h after injection. This decreased to 10.8% over a 24-h period. The activity measured in the lungs, 1.48%ID/g, remained relatively constant over a 24-h period suggesting that the complex had accumulated in the lungs in the form of particulates, and could not be cleared by the test subjects. The t½ for the heart and lungs was greater than 24 h. Excretion of the test compound is seemingly via the kidneys, but is slow with approximately 30% of the ID excreted within 24 h., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The Schiff base enaminones (3Z)-4-(5-ethylsulfonyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one, C13H17NO4S, (I), and (3Z)-4-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one, C15H21NO2, (II), were studied by X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT). Although the keto tautomer of these compounds is dominant, the O=C-C=C-N bond lengths are consistent with some electron delocalization and partial enol character. Both (I) and (II) are nonplanar, with the amino-phenol group canted relative to the rest of the molecule; the twist about the N(enamine)-C(aryl) bond leads to dihedral angles of 40.5 (2) and -116.7 (1)° for (I) and (II), respectively. Compound (I) has a bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bond between the N-H group and the flanking carbonyl and hydroxy O atoms, as well as an intermolecular hydrogen bond, leading to an infinite one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain. Compound (II) has one intramolecular hydrogen bond and one intermolecular C=O...H-O hydrogen bond, and consequently also forms a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain. The DFT-calculated structures [in vacuo, B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level] for the keto tautomers compare favourably with the X-ray crystal structures of (I) and (II), confirming the dominance of the keto tautomer. The simulations indicate that the keto tautomers are 20.55 and 18.86 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy than the enol tautomers for (I) and (II), respectively.

The cation of the title complex salt, chlorido{2,2-dimethyl-N-[(E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]propane-1,3-diamine}platinum(II) tetrafluoridoborate, [PtCl(C(12)H(19)N(3))]BF(4), exhibits a nominally square-planar Pt(II) ion coordinated to a chloride ion [Pt-Cl = 2.3046 (9) Å] and three unique N-atom types, viz. pyridine, imine and amine, of the tridentate Schiff base ligand formed by the 1:1 condensation of 1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanone and 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine. The cations are π-stacked in inversion-related pairs (dimers), with a mean plane separation of 3.426 Å, an intradimer Pt···Pt separation of 5.0785 (6) Å and a lateral shift of 3.676 Å. The centroid (Cg) of the pyridine ring is positioned approximately over the Pt(II) ion of the neighbouring cation (Pt···Cg = 3.503 Å).

Treatment of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}Cl]SbF(6) with AgSCN in a metathesis reaction in refluxing acetonitrile affords, after work-up, single crystals of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(NCS)]SbF(6)·CH(3)CN, where trpy is 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. These crystals lose solvent to give single crystals of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(NCS)]SbF(6) (1). An X-ray crystal structure determination of 1 shows that the SCN(-) ion is N-bound and that the cation as a whole is approximately planar. Compound 1 is porous with "empty" channels that corkscrew through the crystal: this crystal structure is stabilised by extended π-π interactions between the planar cations. When a single crystal of 1 is exposed to vapours of acetonitrile the vapours are sorbed without loss of single crystallinity, as confirmed by crystal structure determinations of 1 and 1·CH(3)CN using the same single crystal. Similarly, single crystals of 1 sorb vapours of methanol without loss of single crystallinity, as confirmed by a crystal structure determination of 1·CH(3)OH. We also report the crystal structure of 1·(CH(3))(2)CO; however, in this case the single crystal was grown directly from acetone. Compound 1 and its solvates are all yellow. Nevertheless, there are differences between the emission spectra recorded for 1 and its solvates in the solid state. Thus, whereas 1 exhibits very weak multiple emission from (3)MLCT (MLCT = metal-to-ligand charge transfer) and excimeric (3)π-π* excited states, 1·CH(3)CN and 1·(CH(3))(2)CO both exhibit more intense (3)MLCT emission; and the emission by 1·CH(3)OH is complicated by the presence of metallophilic interactions in the crystal. We discuss the role of the solvent in causing these differences.

A stable yellow derivative of cobyrinic acid heptamethyl ester, (5R,6R)-Coα,Coβ-dicyano-5,6-dihydro-5-hydroxy-heptamethylcob(III)yrinate-c,6-lactone (DCSYCbs), was prepared from dicyanocobyrinic acid heptamethyl ester (DCCbs). The C5 carbon is oxidized and the c side chain cyclized to form a lactone at C6; the 13 atom, 14 π-e(-) delocalized system of corrins is interrupted, giving a triazamethine system with four conjugated double bonds between N22 and N24 and an isolated double bond between N21 and C4. Stable yellow aquacyanocobyrinic acid heptamethyl ester (ACSYCbs) was prepared by driving off HCN with N(2) in a methanol/acetic acid solution. The electronic spectra of DCCbs and DCSYCbs appear similar except that the bands in DCSYCbs are shifted to shorter wavelengths and the γ-band is much less intense. The experimental spectra were adequately modeled using TD-DFT at the PBE1PBE/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. DCSYCbs crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (R(1) = 6.08%) with Z = 4, including one methanol solvent molecule and one water molecule per cobester. The addition of a hydroxyl group at C5 causes loss of the double bond between C5 and C6 and elongation of the C5-C6 bond. From a combination of two-dimensional (1)H TOCSY and ROESY NMR spectra and (1)H/(13)C HSQC and HMBC data, the complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments of DCSYCbs were possible, except for two of the ester methyl groups and the (13)C resonances of the two axial cyanide ligands. The latter were assigned using relative chemical shifts calculated by GIAO-DFT methods. The (59)Co resonance of DCCbs was observed at 4074 ppm while that of DCSYCbs is shifted downfield to 4298 ppm. Comparison with available (59)Co data of analogous systems suggests that the more π-conjugated corrin of DCCbs interacts more strongly with the metal than the less extensively conjugated macrocycle of DCSYCbs. As the strength of the interaction between Co(III) and an equatorial macrocycle increases, ν(CN) of axially coordinated CN(-) shifts to lower frequency; in DCSYCbs and DCCbs ν(CN) occurs at 2138 and 2123 cm(-1), respectively. Hence the corrin ligand in DCCbs interacts more strongly with the metal than the stable yellow corrin ligand, with its diminished conjugation. The UV-vis spectral data and DFT-calculated MOs are consistent with greater overlap between the corrin and the metal orbitals in DCCbs relative to DCSYCbs, which gives the metal in the former a softer, more covalent character.

The crystal structures of two symmetrical pyridine-2-carboxamides, namely N,N'-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis(pyridine-2-carboxamide), C(15)H(16)N(4)O(2), (I), and N,N'-(butane-1,4-diyl)bis(pyridine-2-carboxamide), C(16)H(18)N(4)O(2), (II), exhibit extended hydrogen-bonded sequences involving their amide groups. In (I), conventional bifurcated amide-carbonyl (N-H)...O hydrogen bonding favours the formation of one-dimensional chains, the axes of which run parallel to [001]. Unconventional bifurcated pyridine-carbonyl C-H...O hydrogen bonding links adjacent one-dimensional chains to form a `porous' three-dimensional lattice with interconnected, yet unfilled, voids of 60.6 (2) Å(3) which combine into channels that run parallel to, and include, [001]. 4% of the unit-cell volume of (I) is vacant. Compound (II) adopts a Z-shaped conformation with inversion symmetry, and exhibits an extended structure comprising one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chains along [100] in which individual molecules are linked by complementary pairs of amide N-H...O hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen-bonded chains interlock via π-π interactions between pyridine rings of neighbouring molecules to form sheets parallel with (010); each sheet is one Z-shaped molecule thick and separated from the next sheet by the b-axis dimension [7.2734 (4) Å].

The crystal structures of two para-substituted aryl derivatives of pyridine-2-carboxamide, namely N-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, C(12)H(9)FN(2)O, (I), and N-(4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, C(12)H(9)N(3)O(3), (II), have been studied. Compound (I) exhibits unconventional aryl-carbonyl C-H...O and pyridine-fluorine C-H...F hydrogen bonding in two dimensions and well defined π-stacking involving pyridine rings in the third dimension. The conformation of (II) is more nearly planar than that of (I) and the intermolecular interactions comprise one-dimensional aryl-carbonyl C-H...O hydrogen bonds leading to a stepped or staircase-like progression of loosely π-stacked molecules. The close-packed layers of planar π-stacked molecules are related by inversion symmetry. Two alternating interplanar separations of 3.439 (1) and 3.476 (1) Å are observed in the crystal lattice and are consistent with a repetitive packing sequence, ABA'B'AB…, for the π-stacked inversion pairs of (II).

Treatment of [Pt(trpy)Cl]SbF(6) with AgSCN in a metathesis reaction affords after work-up yellow crystals of [Pt(trpy)(NCS)]SbF(6).CH(3)CN where trpy is 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. A single crystal structure determination of the solvate shows that the SCN(-) ion is N-bound to the Pt atom, and that the planar cations stack as Pt(2) dimers with a PtPt separation of 3.293(1) A. The crystals rapidly de-solvate under ambient conditions to give a polycrystalline maroon material characterised as [Pt(trpy)(NCS)]SbF(6) (). A (15)N NMR spectroscopic study of a solution of isotopically labeled [Pt(trpy)((15)N(13)CS)]SbF(6) in CD(3)CN shows that both linkage isomers of the SCN(-) ion co-exist in solution with the N-bound isomer dominant, and the S-bound isomer present at a much lower concentration. Compound exhibits temperature dependent (3)MMLCT emission in the solid state; at 280 K the emission maximises at 692 nm, but red-shifts systematically on cooling to reach 762 nm at 80 K. Compound shows vapochromic behaviour that is selective and reversible for vapours of acetonitrile, DMF and pyridine. The colour change is from maroon for to yellow for all three solvates. The emission spectra recorded for the solvates maximise at wavelengths that are all significantly blue-shifted compared to lambda(em)(max) recorded for : the blue-shifts measured at 77 K are 90, 115 and 155 nm for the acetonitrile, DMF and pyridine solvates respectively. The origin of the vapochromic properties of compound is likely to do with the breaking and making of metallophilic PtPt interactions in the solid state.

When {2,2'-[(2-methyl-2-nitropropane-1,3-diyl)diimino]diacetato}copper(II), [Cu(C(8)H(13)N(3)O(6))], (I), was crystallized from a binary mixture of methanol and water, a monoclinic two-dimensional water- and methanol-solvated metal-organic framework (MOF) structure, distinctly different from the known orthorhombic one-dimensional coordination polymer of (I), was isolated, namely catena-poly[[copper(II)-mu(3)-2,2'-[(2-methyl-2-nitropropane-1,3-diyl)diimino]diacetato] methanol 0.45-solvate 0.55-hydrate], {[Cu(C(8)H(13)N(3)O(6))].0.45CH(3)OH.0.55H(2)O}(n), (II). The monoclinic structure of (II) comprises centrosymmetric dimers stabilized by a dative covalent Cu(2)O(2) core and intramolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds. Each dimer is linked to four neighbouring dimers via symmetry-related (opposing) pairs of bridging carboxylate O atoms to generate a ;diamondoid' net or two-dimensional coordination network. Tight voids of 166 A(3) are located between these two-dimensional MOF sheets and contain a mixture of water and methanol with fractional occupancies of 0.55 and 0.45, respectively. The two-dimensional MOF sheets have nanometre-scale spacings (11.2 A) in the crystal structure. Hydrogen-bonding between the methanol/water hydroxy groups and a Cu-bound bridging carboxylate O atom apparently negates thermal desolvation of the structure below 358 K in an uncrushed crystal of (II).

The reaction of 0.67 molar equivalents of the O,N,O'-tridentate zwitterionic Schiff base (2Z,4E)-4-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)iminio]pent-2-en-2-olate (H2L) with one equivalent of zinc(II) acetate in methanol affords a novel trinuclear Zn(II) cluster, di-mu-acetato-1:2kappa2O:O';2:3kappa2O:O'-dimethanol-1kappaO,3kappaO-bis{mu-2-[(2E,3Z)-4-oxidopent-3-en-2-ylideneamino]phenolato}-1:2kappa4O2,N,O4:O4;2:3kappa4O4:O2,N,O4-trizinc(II), [Zn3(C11H11NO2)2(C2H3O2)2(CH4O)2], (I), in which two bridging acetate ligands link the terminal square-based pyramidal Zn(II) ions to the approximately tetrahedral Zn(II) ion at the core of the cluster. The ZnO(4) coordination group of the central Zn(II) ion is established by two bridging phenolate and two bridging acetate O atoms. The remaining four coordination sites of each terminal Zn(II) ion are occupied by methanol and deprotonated H2L. Furthermore, the Zn-bound methanol hydroxyl groups are involved in complementary hydrogen bonding with the Zn-bound enolate O atom of a neighbouring molecule, about an inversion centre in each case. The structure of (I) is therefore best described as an extended one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain of trinuclear Zn(II) clusters.

The title compound, C(22)H(14)F(3)N(3), is a versatile tridentate N-donor ligand consisting of a terpyridyl (terpy) molecule substituted in the 4'-position by a phenyl group, itself substituted in an ortho-position by a bulky trifluoro-methyl group. The phenyl ring is twisted as a result of steric inter-actions involving the bulky trifluoro-methyl substituent. This is reflected in the dihedral angle between the mean plane through the C atoms of the phenyl ring and the terpyridyl unit being 69.2 (1)°. The crystal structure contains no short van der Waals contacts. However, the terpy units stack in a head-to-tail orientation perpendicular to the c axis. The structure is is loosely stabilized by π-π inter-actions between the terminal pyridine rings of adjacent mol-ecules along the stack. The perpendicular distance between the mean planes through the terpy moieties of adjacent mol-ecules is 3.4 (1) Å.

In N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine, C(27)H(30)N(6), (I), and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)butane-1,4-diamine, C(28)H(32)N(6), (II), the twofold rotational symmetry of (I) favours the formation of a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymer with two columns of C-H...N hydrogen bonds, while the inversion symmetry of (II) allows the formation of a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymer stabilized by four columns of C-H...N hydrogen bonds. The possible role played by the chain length of the linking alkanediamine in determining the type of supramolecular architecture in this series of compounds is discussed.

We report the X-ray crystal structures of two different iron(III) porphyrinates: [Fe(OEP)(NO(3))] and [Fe(TPP)(NO(3))]. The first complex has the nitrate ion coordinated by a single oxygen atom while the second derivative has the nitrate coordinated in a symmetric bidentate fashion. This latter structure is a redetermination that shows some differences from an earlier structure; the difference appears to be the result of an unrecognized nitrate ion disorder in the earlier structure determination. Changes in physical properties of three species ([Fe(TPivP)(NO(3))], [Fe(OEP)(NO(3))], and [Fe(TPP)(NO(3))] as a function of coordination mode were examined by Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopies; EPR spectra appear to be most sensitive to the change in coordination mode.

In a new polymorph of acetato(2,2'-{iminobis[(E)-propane-3,1-diylnitrilomethylidyne]}diphenolato)cobalt(III), [Co(C(20)H(23)N(3)O(2))(C(2)H(3)O(2))], in the space group P2(1)/c, the Co(III) ion is six-coordinate, with unequal Co-O(phenolate) distances that average 1.908 (12) A and more similar Co-N(imine) distances averaging 1.937 (4) A. The acetate ion occupies the sixth coordination site and forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond (H...O = 1.95 A) with the Co-bound NH group of the pentadentate chelate. The extended structure is a one-dimensional (aryl)C-H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen-bonded polymer with 2(1) (helical) symmetry and is thus distinct from the simple hydrogen-bonded stack of the P2(1)/n polymorph [Matsumoto, Imaizumi & Ohyoshi (1983). Polyhedron, 2, 137-139].

The synthesis and characterization of [Pt{4'-(R)trpy}(CN)]X (R = Ph, X = BF(4) or SbF(6); R = o-CH(3)C(6)H(4), X = SbF(6); R = o-ClC(6)H(4), X = SbF(6); or R = o-CF(3)C(6)H(4), X = SbF(6)) are described where trpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. Single crystals of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)]BF(4).CH(3)CN were grown by vapour diffusion of diethyl ether into an acetonitrile solution of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)]BF(4). An X-ray crystal structure determination of the solvated complex confirms the near linear coordination of the cyanide ligand to the platinum centre. The cation is almost planar as evidenced by a twist of only 1.9 degrees of the phenyl group out of the plane of the terpyridyl moiety. Cyclic voltammograms were recorded in DMF/0.1 M TBAH for the [Pt{4'-(R)trpy}(CN)](+) cations. Two quasi-reversible one-electron reduction (cathodic) waves are observed with E(1/2) values that show the trend expected for an increasingly lower energy of the trpy-based LUMO of the complex i.e., [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) approximately [Pt{4'-(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+) < [Pt{4'-(o-ClC(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+) < [Pt{4'-(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+). All the [Pt(4'-(R)trpy}(CN)](+) cations are photoluminescent in dichloromethane. Emission by [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) is from an excited state with largely (3)MLCT orbital parentage, but with some intraligand (3)pi-pi* character mixed-in (tau = 0.1 micros). In contrast, the other three cations display emission that appears exclusively intraligand (3)pi-pi* in origin (tau approximately 0.8 micros). Emission spectra have been recorded in a low concentration frozen DME {1 : 5 : 5 (v/v) DMF-MeOH-EtOH} glass. For the R = o-CH(3)C(6)H(4), o-ClC(6)H(4) and o-CF(3)C(6)H(4) cations the envelope of vibronic structure and energies of the vibrational components are essentially the same as that recorded in dichloromethane. However, for the [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) cation, there is a blue-shift in the energies of the vibrational components as compared to that recorded in dichloromethane, as well as a change in the envelope of vibronic structure to a more "domed" pattern; this has been interpreted in terms of a higher percentage of intraligand (3)pi-pi* character in the emitting state for the glass. Increasing the concentration of the glass invariably leads to aggregation of the cations and the consequent development of new low energy bands, such that at 0.200 mM broad peaks centred at ca. 650 and 700 nm dominate the spectrum; these bands are assigned to excimeric (3)pi-pi* and (3)MMLCT emission, respectively.

Multiple techniques have been used to delineate the self-assembly of a bis(pyrrole) Schiff base derivative (compound 4, C(16)H(14)N(4)), which forms an unusual dimer through complementary N-H...N=C hydrogen bonds between twisted, C2-symmetric monomer units. The asymmetric unit of the crystal structure comprises one and a half dimer units, with one dimer exhibiting approximate D2 point-group symmetry and the other exact D2 symmetry (space group C2/c). The dimers pack into columns whose axes are collinear with the a axis of the unit cell. The columns assemble into discrete layers with two distinct types of hydrogen-sized voids residing between the layers. Despite the promising architecture of the voids within the lattice of 4, the absence of genuine channels to interconnect the voids precludes the uptake of hydrogen gas, even at elevated pressures (10 bar). AM1 calculations of the structure of dimeric 4 indicate that self-recognition through hydrogen bonding depends primarily on favorable electrostatic interactions. The potential-energy surface for monomeric 4 mapped by counter-rotation of an adjacent pair of C=C-N=C torsion angles indicates that the X-ray structures of the four monomeric units are global minima with highly nonplanar conformations that are preorganized for self-recognition by hydrogen bonding. The in vacuo enthalpy of association for the dimer was calculated to be significantly exergonic (DeltaG(assoc)=-21.9 kJ mol(-1), 298 K) and in excellent agreement with that determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy in CDCl3 (DeltaG(assoc)=-16.6(4) kJ mol(-1), 298 K). Using population and bond order analyses, in conjunction with the conformation dependence of the frontier MO energies, we have been able to show that pi-electron delocalization is only marginally diminished in the nonplanar conformers of 4 and that the electronic structures of the constituent monomers of the dimer are well mixed.

Substitution reactions of the complexes [Pd(bpma)(H2O)]2+ and [Pt(bpma)(H2O)]2+, where bpma = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, with TU, DMTU and TMTU for both complexes and Cl-, Br-, I- and SCN- for the platinum complex, were studied in aqueous 0.10 M NaClO4 at pH 2.5 using a variable-temperature stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The pKa value for the coordinated water molecule in [Pd(bpma)(H2O)]2+ (6.67) is a unit higher than that of [Pt(bpma)(H2O)]2+. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants k(obs) (s(-1)) obeyed the equation k(obs) = k2[Nu] (Nu = nucleophile). The second-order rate constants indicate that the Pd(II) complex is a factor of 10(3) more reactive than Pt(II) complex. The nucleophile reactivity attributed to the steric hindrance in case of TMTU and the inductive effect for DMTU was found to be DMTU > TU > TMTU for [Pt(bpma)(H2O)]2+ and DMTU approximately TU > TMTU for [Pd(bpma)(H2O)]2+. The trend for ionic nucleophile was I- > SCN- > Br- > Cl-, an order linked to their polarizability and the softness or hardness of the metal. Activation parameters were determined for all reactions and the negative entropies of activation (Delta S++) support an associative ligand substitution mechanism. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(bpma)(py)](ClO4)2 was determined; it belongs to the triclinic space group P1 and has one formula unit in the unit cell. The unit cell dimensions are a = 8.522(2), b = 8.627(2), c = 16.730(4) A; alpha = 89.20(2), beta = 81.03(2), gamma = 60.61(2) degrees ; V = 1055.7(5) A3. The structure was solved using direct methods in WinGX's implementation of SHELXS-97 and refined to R = 0.054. The coordination geometry of [Pd(bpma)(py)]2+ is distorted square-planar. The Pd-N(central) bond distance, 1.996(3) A, is shorter than the other two Pd-N distances, 2.017(3) and 2.019(3) A. The Pd-N(pyridine) distance is 2.037(3) A.

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2-[[(4-nitrophenoxy)sulfonyl]oxy]phenyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfate (4) reveals that an interesting intermolecular or extended structure (a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymer) is formed because of pairs of intermolecular (aryl)C--H...O(nitro) hydrogen bonds between the C(2) symmetry monomer units. The axis of the hydrogen-bonded polymer runs co-linear with the [101] face diagonal of the monoclinic unit cell. Molecular mechanics calculations using a modified version of the MM+ force field and a random conformational search algorithm have been used to locate the important low-energy in vacuo conformations of (4). The MM-calculated conformation of (4) that most closely matches the X-ray structure lies some 26.5 kJ mol(-1) higher in energy than the global minimum-energy conformation, consistent with the notion that the crystallographically observed molecular architecture of (4) is a local energy minimum in the absence of its crystal lattice environment. Since the X-ray conformation of (4) was correctly calculated only when all of the neighbouring molecules in the crystal lattice were included in the simulation, hydrogen bonding and other non-bonded interactions in the crystal lattice clearly dictate the experimentally observed conformation of (4). Quantum chemical calculations (AM1 method) confirm the critical role played by the intermolecular (aryl)C--H...O(nitro) hydrogen bonds in controlling the crystallographically observed conformation of (4) and show that self-recognition in this system by hydrogen bonding is favoured on electrostatic grounds. Collectively, the molecular simulations suggest that because the lowest-energy molecular conformation of (4) does not permit the formation of an extended hydrogen-bonded 'supramolecular' structure, it is not the preferred conformation in the crystalline solid state.

The isolation and identification of two minor pyrano-isoflavones from Eriosema kraussianum is described. New studies on the original pyrano-isoflavones shows that: (i) kraussianone 2 (a major compound in the plant) can be cyclised under acid conditions, (ii) kraussianones 3 and 5 cause contraction (not relaxation as anticipated) of corpus cavernosum tissue and (iii) the structures proposed previously for 4 and 5 are confirmed by the data obtained from an X-ray study of 5.

From the aqueous extract of the dry rhizomes of Gunnera perpensa the minor components pyrogallol, succinic acid, lactic acid, and the trimethyl ether of ellagic acid glucoside were isolated. The major constituent was identified as Z-venusol, a phenylpropanoid glucoside. Its structure was verified by X-ray diffraction. Tests on isolated uterine smooth muscle from rats showed that the whole extract stimulated a direct contractile response and induced a state of continuous contractility of the uterus once all additives had been removed from the organ bath. By contrast, venusol did not trigger the direct contractile response but induced the state of continuous contractility once the organ bath was flushed.

The title Schiff base compound, N,N'-bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)propane-1,2-diamine, C(13)H(16)N(4), forms an interesting supramolecular structure (a one-dimensional ladder-like polymer) in the solid state that is based on the existence of complementary intermolecular N-H.N=C hydrogen bonds between the monomer units. The polymer axis is collinear with the c axis of the orthorhombic unit cell. Quantum-chemical AM1 calculations clearly indicate that self-recognition in this system by hydrogen bonding is favoured on electrostatic grounds, since the partial atomic charge on the H atom of the pyrrole NH group (0.274 e) complements the partial atomic charge of the N atom of the C=N group (-0.239 e) on a neighbouring molecule.

The title salt, (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane-kappa(6)O)[(isothiocyanato)triphenylborato-kappaS]potassium(I), [K(C(19)H(15)BNS)(C(12)H(24)O(6))] or [K(SCNBPh(3))(18-crown-6)], where 18-crown-6 is 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane and [SCNBPh(3)](-) is the (isothiocyanato)triphenylborate anion, exhibits a supramolecular structure that is best described as a helical coordination polymer or molecular screw. This unusual supramolecular structure is based on a framework in which the SCN(-) ion bridges the chelated K(+) ion and the B atom of BPh(3) in a micro(2) fashion. The X-ray crystal structure of the title salt has been determined at 100 (1) and 293 (2) K. The K(+) ion exhibits axial ligation by the S atom of the [SCNBPh(3)](-) anion, with a K-S distance of 3.2617 (17) A (100 K). The trans-axial ligand is an unexpected eta(2)-bound C=C bond of a phenyl group (meta- and para-C atoms) that belongs to the BPh(3) moiety of a neighboring molecule. The K-C bond distances span the range 3.099 (3)-3.310 (3) A (100 K) and are apparently retained in CDCl(3) solution (as evidenced by (13)C NMR spectroscopy). By virtue of the latter interaction, the supramolecular structure is a helical coordination polymer, with the helix axis parallel to the b axis of the unit cell. IR spectroscopy and semi-empirical molecular orbital (AM1) calculations have been used to investigate further the electronic structure of the [SCNBPh(3)](-) ion.

The low-spin iron(II) ion of bis(4-methylpiperidine)(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)iron(II), [Fe(TPP)(4-MePip)(2)], where TPP is 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate (C(44)H(28)N(4)) and 4-MePip is 4-methylpiperidine (C(6)H(13)N), is located at a center of inversion, and there is one molecule in the triclinic unit cell. The axial 4-MePip ligands adopt a chair conformation and the alpha-C atoms are oriented at angles of 21.2 (2) and 32.8 (2) degrees relative to the closest porphyrin N atoms. The equatorial Fe-N(TPP) distances are 1.998 (2) and 1.990 (2) A, while the axial Fe-N distance is 2.107 (2) A. The relatively short axial coordination distance reflects compression of the molecule along its principal axis by intermolecular non-bonded interactions.

(Diphenyl phosphite-kappaO)(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato-kappa(4)N)manganese(III) hexafluoroantimonate(V), [Mn(C(44)H(28)N(4))(C(12)H(11)O(3)P)](SbF(6)), is the first example of a structurally characterized diaryl or dialkyl phosphite complex of a metal-porphyrin ion. The axial phosphite ligand binds to the Mn(III) ion via the P=O O atom, affording a nominally five-coordinate complex with an Mn-O distance of 2.120 (4) A. The mean porphyrin Mn-N distance is 2.000 (4) A and the Mn(III) ion is displaced from the 24-atom porphyrin mean plane by 0.1548 (13) A towards the axial O atom. The porphyrin adopts a marked saddle conformation, with a small domed component. The saddle distortion of the porphyrin ligand reflects the tight back-to-back dimers formed in the lattice by pairs of neighboring cations. The 'non-covalent' dimers in the lattice exhibit an unusual (weak) eta(2)-type coordination of a pyrrole C=C bond from a neighboring molecule, with Mn(III).C distances of 3.697 (5) and 3.537 (5) A.

Two novel X-ray structures of the sulfonic ester derivatives 2-(6-iodo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)ethyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate, 3, and 2-(6-iodo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate, 4, have been obtained in a study aimed at analyzing the structures and conformations of sulfonic ester derivatives that are routinely used in alkaloid syntheses. The crystal structure of 4 is highly unusual, containing four independent molecules that belong to two distinct conformational types: (1) a hairpin conformation (stabilized mainly by intramolecular pi-stacking) and (2) a stepped conformation (stabilized mainly by intermolecular pi-stacking). Compound 3, on the other hand, crystallizes exclusively as the hairpin conformer. New MM+ force field parameters for sulfonic esters have been developed using the X-ray data, empirical rules, and DFT calculations to estimate the bond dipole parameters. Grid searches of conformational space for 3 and 4 using MM methods show that there are several gas-phase conformations within 5 kcal/mol of the global minimum and that the lowest energy conformations (by approximately 4.6 kcal/mol) are of the hairpin type. Analysis of the MM conformational energies suggests that the dominant intramolecular interaction stabilizing the hairpin conformations of 3 and 4 is van der Waals attraction. Moreover, the lattice energies for packing the hairpin conformations of 3 and 4 are approximately 4 kcal/mol more favorable than for the stepped conformations. Various intermolecular interactions contribute to the complexity of the observed crystal structures of 3 and 4, including electrostatic attraction between O and I atoms in neighboring molecules. Langevin dynamics (LD) simulations at several temperatures (6.0 ns, friction coefficient = 2.5 ps(-1)) indicate that the conformational exchange rates are approximately 10(10)-10(11) s(-1) over the temperature range 213-400 K, accounting for the temperature-independent (1)H NMR spectra of 3 and 4.

pi-Acceptor effects are often used to account for the unusual high lability of [Pt(terpy)L]((2)(-)(n)+) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complexes. To gain further insight into this phenomenon, the pi-acceptor effect was varied systematically by studying the lability of [Pt(diethylenetriamine)OH(2)](2+) (aaa), [Pt(2,6-bis-aminomethylpyridine)OH(2)](2+) (apa), [Pt(N-(pyridyl-2-methyl)-1,2-diamino-ethane)OH(2)](2+) (aap), [Pt(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine)OH(2)](2+) (pap), [Pt(2,2'-bipyridine)(NH(3))(OH(2))](2+) (app), and [Pt(terpy)OH(2)](2+) (ppp). The crystal structure of the apa precursor [Pt(2,6-bis-aminomethylpyridine)Cl]Cl.H(2)O was determined. The substitution of water by a series of nucleophiles, viz. thiourea, N,N-dimethylthiourea, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylthiourea, I(-), and SCN(-), was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of concentration, pH, temperature, and pressure, using stopped-flow techniques. The data enable an overall comparison of the substitution behavior of these complexes, emphasizing the role played by the kinetic cis and trans pi-acceptor effects. The results indicate that the cis pi-acceptor effect is larger than the trans pi-acceptor effect, and that the pi-acceptor effects are multiplicative. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/LACVP level of theory show that, by the addition of pi-acceptor ligands to the metal, the positive charge on the metal center increases, and the energy separation of the frontier molecular orbitals (E(LUMO) - E(HOMO)) of the ground state Pt(II) complexes decreases. The calculations collectively support the experimentally observed additional increase in reactivity when two pi-accepting rings are adjacent to each other (app and ppp), which is ascribed to "electronic communication" between the pyridine rings. The results furthermore indicate that the pK(a) value of the platinum bound water molecule is controlled by the pi-accepting nature of the chelate system and reflects the electron density around the metal center. This in turn controls the rate of the associative substitution reaction and was analyzed using the Hammett equation.

Five pyrano-isoflavones have been isolated from the rootstock of Eriosema kraussianum N. E. Br (Papilionaceae). Spectral data and single crystal X-ray analyses were used for structural elucidation. The most active of the compounds had an activity of 75% of that found in Viagra in the erectile dysfunction test on rabbit penile smooth muscle.

Four novel low-spin bis(amine) Co(III) porphyrins [Co(TPP)(BzNH(2))(2)](SbF(6)), 1, [Co(TPP)(1-BuNH(2))(2)](SbF(6)), 2, [Co(TPP)(PhCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2)](SbF(6)), 3, and [Co(TPP)(1-MePipz)(2)](SbF(6)), 4, have been synthesized and characterized by low-temperature X-ray crystallography, IR, electronic, and NMR ((1)H, (13)C, and (59)Co) spectroscopy. The mean Co-N(p) distance for the four structures is 1.986(1) A. The Co-N(ax) distances for the 1 degrees amine derivatives average to 1.980(5) A; the axial bonds of the 2 degrees amine derivative are significantly longer, averaging 2.040(1) A. The porphyrin core conformation of 4 is significantly nonplanar (mixture of S(4)-ruf and D(2d)-sad distortions) due to a staggered arrangement of the axial ligands over the porphyrin core and meso-phenyl group orientations < 90 degrees. The X-ray structures have been used with the coordinates for [Co(TPP)(Pip)(2)](NO(3)) (Scheidt et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1973, 95, 8289-8294.) to parametrize a molecular mechanics (MM) force field for bis(amine) complexes of Co(III) porphyrins. The calculations show that two types of crystal packing interactions (van der Waals and hydrogen bonding) largely control the crystallographically observed conformations. Gas phase conformational energy surfaces have been computed for these complexes by dihedral angle driving methods and augmented with population distributions calculated by MD simulations at 298 K; the calculations demonstrate that the bis(1 degrees amine) complexes are significantly more flexible than the bis(2 degrees amine) analogues. (59)Co NMR spectra have been acquired for a range of [Co(TPP)(amine)(2)]Cl derivatives as a function of temperature. The (59)Co chemical shifts increase linearly with increasing temperature due to population of thermally excited vibrational levels of the (1)A(1) ground state. Activation energies for molecular reorientation (tumbling) have been determined from an analysis of the (59)Co NMR line widths as a function of 1/T; lower barriers exist for the conformationally rigid 2 degrees amine derivatives (2.6-3.8 kJ mol(-1)). The (59)Co chemical shifts vary linearly with the DFT-calculated radial expectation values (3d) for the Co(III) ion. The correlation leads to the following order for the sigma-donor strengths of the axial ligands: BzNH(2) > or = Cl(-) > 1-BuNH(2) > PhCH(2)CH(2)NH(2) > 1-Bu(2)NH > Et(2)NH. The (59)Co NMR line widths are proportional to the square of the DFT-calculated valence electric field gradient at the Co nucleus. Importantly, this is the first computational rationalization of the (59)Co NMR spectra of Co(III) porphyrins.

From the rootstock of Scabiosa columbria L. loganin and sweroside were isolated. Sweroside showed moderate antibacterial activity. Pure sweroside was converted to the sweroside aglycone 1-acetoxy derivative (DABCO/Ac2O) after hydrolysis of the glucose unit. X-ray crystallography of the monoacetate showed unambiguously that it had been transformed to a new seco-iridoid having the novel trans diaxial configuration for the protons on C-1, C-9 and C-5. The mechanism for the rearrangement is discussed.

A novel diastereomer of ocobullenone. designated as sibyllenone, was isolated from the stem bark of mature Ocotea bullata in the course of a search for anti-inflammatory compounds from this plant. The stereostructure was established by X-ray crystallography and corroborated by NOESY analysis. Ocobullenone, obtained previously, was re-isolated and crystallised successfully for X-ray analysis, thus making possible an accurate spatial comparison of ocobullenone, iso-ocobullenone and the new stereoisomer. Tested pharmacologically for cyclooxygenase-1 and 2, and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition, sibyllenone was the only compound from O. bullata which showed good inhibitory activity towards 5-lipoxygenase.

Three novel bis(primary amine)iron(II) porphyrins [Fe(TPP)(RNH(2))(2)], where RNH(2) = 1-butylamine, benzylamine, and phenethylamine, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and IR, electronic, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The compounds provide unprecedented structural data for the coordination of primary amines by iron(II) porphyrins. The Fe-N(ax) distances of [Fe(TPP)(1-BuNH(2))(2)], [Fe(TPP)(BzNH(2))(2)], and [Fe(TPP)(PhCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2)] are 2.039(3), 2.043(3), and 2.028(2) Å, respectively. The Fe-N(p) distances of the three complexes average 1.990(2) Å. The zero-field Mössbauer spectra (5-300 K) show comparable isomer shifts (0.393(1)-0.493(1) mm/s) and quadrupole splittings (1.144(6)-1.204(3) mm/s) that are consistent with an S = 0 iron(II) assignment in each case. The bis(primary amine) complexes are structurally and spectroscopically similar to [Fe(TPP)(Py)(2)] derivatives, where Py = an unsubstituted pyridine. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations with a force field parametrized for primary and secondary amine complexes of iron(II) porphyrins show that stable conformations arise when the alpha-CH(2) and NH(2) protons of the coordinated ligands are staggered relative to the Fe-N(p) bonds of the porphyrin core. The lowest energy conformations of the three [Fe(TPP)(RNH(2))(2)] complexes therefore have the ligand alpha-carbons positioned directly over the Fe-N(p) bonds of the porphyrin core. The X-ray structure of [Fe(TPP)(PhCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2)] lies close to the global minimum (phi(1), phi(2) = 0, 180 degrees ) on the potential surface, while [Fe(TPP)(BzNH(2))(2)] and [Fe(TPP)(1-BuNH(2))(2)] show deviations that may be attributed to packing interactions in the solid and intrinsically low barriers to axial ligand rotation (<0.5 kcal/mol). Three types of minimum energy conformation are accessible for [Fe(TPP)(Pip)(2)]. The lowest energy conformation has an S(4)-ruffled porphyrin core. The conformation which matches the X-ray structure (Radonovich, L. J.; Bloom, A.; Hoard, J. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 2073-2078) is a local minimum (1.6 kcal/mol higher in energy than the global minimum) with exact inversion symmetry. Higher in vacuo strain energy barriers ( approximately 2.2 kcal/mol) separate the potential minima of [Fe(TPP)(Pip)(2)], consistent with the increased bulk of the secondary amine axial ligands.

The reaction of BF(3).OEt(2) with the bis(nitro) complex of iron(III) picket-fence porphyrin, [K(18C6)(OH(2))][Fe(TpivPP)(NO(2))(2)], leads to the formation of a transient porphyrin intermediate, assigned on the basis of its rhombic low-spin EPR spectrum as the five-coordinate N-bound mono(nitro) iron(III) derivative, [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(2))]. This species is reactive and readily undergoes oxygen atom transfer to form [Fe(III)(TpivPP)(NO(3))] and [Fe(II)(TpivPP)(NO)]. The reactions have been followed by EPR and IR spectroscopy. [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(2))] has a rhombic EPR spectrum (g = 2.60, 2.35, and 1.75) in chlorobenzene and CH(2)Cl(2) and is spectroscopically distinct from the bis(nitro) starting material (g = 2.70, 2.50, and 1.57). Oxidation of the nitrosyl species to [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(3))] proceeds via an intermediate assigned as [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(2))] on the basis of its EPR spectrum. The crystal structure of one of the reaction products, [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(3))], has been determined. The nitrate ion of [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(3))] is bound to the iron(III) ion in a "symmetric" bidentate fashion within the ligand-binding pocket of the porphyrin pickets. Individual Fe-O distances are 2.123(3) and 2.226(3) Å. The dihedral angle between the plane of the nitrate ion and the closest N(p)-Fe-N(p) plane is 10.0 degrees. The Fe-N(p) bonds (and trans N(p)-Fe-N(p) angles) perpendicular and parallel to the plane of the axial ligand average to 2.060(5) Å (154.84(9) degrees ) and 2.083(3) Å (146.14(9) degrees ), respectively. Crystal data for [Fe(TpivPP)(NO(3))]: a = 23.530(2) Å, b = 10.0822(5) Å, c = 48.748(3) Å, beta = 92.145(5) degrees, monoclinic, space group I2/a, V = 11556.4(14) Å(3), Z = 8, FeN(9)O(7)C(64)H(64), 8798 observed data, R(1) = 0.0606, wR(2) = 0.1313, all observations at 127(2) K.