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We report the difunctional modification of an anionic cobalta bis(dicarbollide)(1-) cluster with a B(8,8')-oxygen bridging unit that provides structural rigidity and an organic alkylazide substituent(s) on the carbon atoms of the metallacarborane cage. These ions present a good binding motif for incorporation into organic molecules using Huisgen-Sharpless (2+3) cycloaddition reactions. In addition, the compounds are chiral, as verified by separation of enantiomers using HPLC on chiral stationary phases (CSPs) and provide a high electrochemical peak in the window located outside of typical signals of biomolecules.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of two families of compounds accessible from [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of known B8-substituted isonitrilium and new C1-alkylnitrile and C(1,1')-dialkylnitrile derivatives of the [(1,2-C2B9H11)2-3,3'-Co(III)]- ion with an azide ion that produce a tetrazole ring substitution at the cobaltacarborane cage. In addition, we outline the important differences in reactivity observed for the two types [B-isonitrilium/C-(alkyl)nitrile] of cobaltacarborane derivatives. The first family of compounds described corresponds to C5-atom-boronated tetrazole rings, with the five-membered moiety in the second type being doubly substituted at the N1 and C5 positions. This substitution opens cobaltacarborane chemistry to a new type of functional group at the cage of potential utility as structural blocks for use in medicinal chemistry or materials science. Our study includes single-crystal X-ray structures of the starting nitriles and both families of tetrazole derivatives, and the structural features that arise from the substitutions are discussed.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a tumor-associated metalloenzyme, represents a validated target for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Herein, we report the inhibition properties of isomeric families of sulfonamidopropyl-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes group(s) prepared using a new direct five-step synthesis from the corresponding parent cages. The protocol offers a reliable solution for synthesis of singly and doubly substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes with a different geometric position of carbon atoms. The closo-compounds from the ortho- and meta-series were then degraded to corresponding 11-vertex dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) anions. All compounds show in vitro enzymatic activity against CA IX in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range. This is accompanied by clear isomer dependence of the inhibition constant (Ki ) and selectivity towards CA IX. Decreasing trends in Ki and selectivity index (SI ) values are observed with increasing separation of the cage carbon atoms. Interactions of compounds with the active sites of CA IX were explored with X-ray crystallography, and eight high-resolution crystal structures uncovered the structural basis of inhibition potency and selectivity.

This review describes recent progress in the design and development of inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) based on space-filling carborane and cobalt bis(dicarbollide) clusters. CA IX enzyme is known to play a crucial role in cancer cell proliferation and metastases. The new class of potent and selective CA IX inhibitors combines the structural motif of a bulky inorganic cluster with an alkylsulfamido or alkylsulfonamido anchor group for Zn2+ ion in the enzyme active site. Detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of a large series containing 50 compounds uncovered structural features of the cluster-containing inhibitors that are important for efficient and selective inhibition of CA IX activity. Preclinical evaluation of selected compounds revealed low toxicity, favorable pharmacokinetics and ability to reduce tumor growth. Cluster-containing inhibitors of CA IX can thus be considered as promising candidates for drug development and/or for combination therapy in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).

Human carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a protein specifically expressed on the surface of solid tumour cells, represents a validated target both for anticancer therapy and diagnostics. We recently identified sulfonamide dicarbaboranes as promising inhibitors of CA IX with favourable activities both in vitro and in vivo. To explain their selectivity and potency, we performed detailed X-ray structural analysis of their interactions within the active sites of CA IX and CA II. Series of compounds bearing various aliphatic linkers between the dicarbaborane cluster and sulfonamide group were examined. Preferential binding towards the hydrophobic part of the active site cavity was observed. Selectivity towards CA IX lies in the shape complementarity of the dicarbaborane cluster with a specific CA IX hydrophobic patch containing V131 residue. The bulky side chain of F131 residue in CA II alters the shape of the catalytic cavity, disrupting favourable interactions of the spherical dicarbaborane cluster.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is an enzyme expressed on the surface of cells in hypoxic tumors. It plays a role in regulation of tumor pH and promotes thus tumor cell survival and occurrence of metastases. Here, derivatives of the cobalt bis(dicarbollide)(1-) anion are reported that are based on substitution at the carbon sites of the polyhedra by two alkylsulfonamide groups differing in the length of the aliphatic connector (from C1 to C4, n=1-4), which were prepared by cobalt insertion into the 7-sulfonamidoalkyl-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate ions. Pure meso- and rac-diastereoisomeric forms were isolated. The series is complemented with monosubstituted species (n=2). Synthesis by a direct method furnished similar derivatives (n=2, 3), which are chlorinated at the B(8,8') boron sites. All compounds inhibited CAIX with subnanomolar inhibition constants and showed high selectivity for CAIX. The best inhibitory properties were observed for the compound with n= 3 and two substituents present in rac-arrangement with K

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a transmembrane enzyme overexpressed in hypoxic tumors, where it plays an important role in tumor progression. Specific CA IX inhibitors potentially could serve as anti-cancer drugs. We designed a series of sulfonamide inhibitors containing carborane clusters based on prior structural knowledge of carborane binding into the enzyme active site. Two types of carborane clusters, 12-vertex dicarba-closo-dodecaborane and 11-vertex 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate (dicarbollide), were connected to a sulfonamide moiety via aliphatic linkers of varying lengths (1–4 carbon atoms; n = 1–4). In vitro testing of CA inhibitory potencies revealed that the optimal linker length for selective inhibition of CA IX was n = 3. A 1-sulfamidopropyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (3) emerged as the strongest CA IX inhibitor from this series, with a Ki value of 0.5 nM and roughly 1230-fold selectivity towards CA IX over CA II. X-ray studies of 3 yielded structural insights into their binding modes within the CA IX active site. Compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and primary cell lines in 2D cultures. Cytotoxicity towards multicellular spheroids was also observed. Moreover, 3 significantly lowered the amount of CA IX on the cell surface both in 2D cultures and spheroids and facilitated penetration of doxorubicin. Although 3 had only a moderate effect on tumor size in mice, we observed favorable ADME properties and pharmacokinetics in mice, and preferential presence in brain over serum.

Series of closo-decaborate (NH4)2[B10H10] derivatives were prepared by their direct reaction with ligand L (alcohols or nitriles) via an auto-catalyzed reaction with NH4+ present as a counter cation. The reactions were carried out under mild conditions in open air at reflux in the absence of any subsidiary catalyst. The yield and degree of substitution of the derivatives depend on the duration of the reaction and the applied temperature. Derivatives were characterized by NMR, MS-ESI and TLC. The study elaborates the proposed mechanism of the nucleophilic substitution on [B10H10]2– by illustrating the assistance of an initiator to catalyze the reaction.

Ring cleavage of cyclic ether substituents attached to a boron cage via an oxonium oxygen atom are amongst the most versatile methods for conjoining boron closo-cages with organic functional groups. Here we focus on much less tackled chemistry of the 11-vertex zwitterionic compound [10-(O-(CH2-CH2)2O)-nido-7,8-C2B9H11] (1), which is the only known representative of cyclic ether substitution at nido-cages, and explore the scope for the use of this zwitterion 1 in reactions with various types of nucleophiles including bifunctional ones. Most of the nitrogen, oxygen, halogen, and sulphur nucleophiles studied react via nucleophilic substitution at the C1 atom of the dioxane ring, followed by its cleavage that produces six atom chain between the cage and the respective organic moiety. We also report the differences in reactivity of this nido-cage system with the simplest oxygen nucleophile, i.e., OH−. With compound 1, reaction proceeds in two possible directions, either via typical ring cleavage, or by replacement of the whole dioxane ring with -OH at higher temperatures. Furthermore, an easy deprotonation of the hydrogen bridge in 1 was observed that proceeds even in diluted aqueous KOH. We believe this knowledge can be further applied in the design of functional molecules, materials, and drugs.

A facile and rapid access to a wide range of novel 1,2,3-triazoles bearing closo-decahydrodecaborate anion [B10H10]2− has been developed through an efficient general synthetic approach. It is based on the nucleophilic cleavage of 2-tetrahydrofuranium decaborate with sodium azide to form the known [B10H9O(CH2)4N3]2−. This azide derivative obtained reacted with various linear alkynes (phenylacetylene, 5-chloro-1-pentyne, heptyne, octyne, N-Boc-propargylamine and diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate) by the copper(I) catalyzed [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) to form click-decaborate derivatives. In absence of copper and with strained cycloalkynes, the reaction is a strain-promoted cycloalkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC). All click-decaborate derivatives were obtained in pure form with high yields and characterized by 11B, 1H and 13C NMR, MS-ESI, and Atomic Absorption.

New preparative methods for halogenation of the cage producing the corresponding [2-NH3-B10X9]- species (2- to 4-, X = Cl, Br, I) have been developed using halogenations by elemental halogens in a glass pressure vessel. Compared to similar icosahedral species of formulation [1-H3N-B12X11]- (X = Cl, Br), the N-alkylation reactions in 10-vertex series proceed significantly more easily. The reason for this difference is conceivably due to the two orders of magnitude lower basicity of the amino group, with pKa values in the interval from 9.27 to 8.37, and slightly lower steric strain around the reaction centre. Thus methylations with MeI under mild conditions provided the whole series of corresponding quarternary amines of the formulation [2-Me3N-B10X9]- (5- to 7-, X = Cl, Br, I). The effect of the steric strain of the surrounding halogens on the reactivity at the NH3- centre could then be better seen from reactions with bulkier benzyl bromide. Under comparable conditions, these reactions resulted in the ready formation of disubstituted compounds in case of X = Cl (8-), mixture of mono and disubstituted derivatives for X = Br (9-, 10-) or in monosubstited product for X = I (11-) only. Dibenzyl derivative of the nonaiodinated products (12-) could be still obtained, however only under more forcing conditions. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of all three polyhalogenated derivatives 2- to 4- are presented along with that for benzyl derivative 10-, spectral and physicochemical properties of these polyhalogenated systems are outlined along with specific insights into specific properties of the NH3 group.

Currently the whole area of polyhalogenated polyhedral anions undergoes renaissance due to their high stability, the kinetic inertness of cage-B-X (X= F, Cl, Br, I) bonds and facile tuning of physicochemical properties (stability, polarity, lipophilicity, pKa, solubility, electrochemical potentials, etc.). Herein, we report on specific procedures that facilitate polyhalogenation of basic 10- and 12-vertex borate anions. New preparative methods for perhalogenation of the [B10H10]2- ion in aqueous solution that easily and almost quantitatively produce [B10X10]2- species (X= Cl, Br, I) have been developed using halogenations by elemental halogens in a glass pressure vessel. Moreover, attention is also paid to similar reactions leading to derivatives with mixed substitutions with heavier halogens and ammonium group, i.e. on the series of [1-NH3-B12X11]- (X= Cl, Br, I). The X-ray structure of the [1-NH3-B12I11]- derivative is presented and spectral, electrochemical and physicochemical properties of these polyhalogenated systems are outlined along with specific insights into properties of NH3 group and its substitution chemistry.

We report the modification of the 2-ammonio group at halogenated decaborate ions with 2,3-epoxypropane, the product of which reacts readily with nucleophiles to form previously inaccessible coupling of polyhedra with organic molecules and materials. We demonstrate that these ions present a good binding motif in supramolecular chemistry.