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Understanding the role of chemokine receptors in health and disease has been of increasing interest in recent years. Chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been extensively studied because of its defined role in immune cell trafficking, HIV infection, inflammatory diseases, and cancer progression. We have developed high affinity rigidified CXCR4 antagonists that incorporate metal ions to optimize the binding interactions with the aspartate side chains at the extracellular surface of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor and increase the residence time. Cross- and side-bridged tetraazamacrocylic complexes offer significant advantages over the non-bridged molecular structures in terms of receptor affinity, potential for radiolabelling, and use in therapeutic applications. Our investigation has been extended to the influence of the ring size on bridged tetraazamacrocyclic compounds with the addition of two novel chelators (bis-cross-bridged homocyclen and bis-cross-bridged cyclen) to compare to the bis-bridged cyclam, along with novel metal complexes formed with copper(II) or zinc(II). The in vitro biological assays showed that all of the zinc(II) complexes are high affinity antagonists with a marked increase in CXCR4 selectivity for the bis-cross-bridged cyclen complex, whereas the properties of the copper(II) complexes are highly dependent on metal ion geometry. X-ray crystal structural data and DFT computational studies allow for the rationalisation of the relative affinities and the aspartate residue interactions on the protein surface. Changing the ring size from 14-membered can increase the selectivity for the CXCR4 receptor whilst retaining potent inhibitory activity, improving the key pharmacological characteristics.

Abstract This study aims to compare the fabrics of anthropogenic carbonates downstream of lime and steel disposal sites with models of carbonate precipitation from natural systems to elucidate potential drivers, precipitation mechanisms, morphological similarities, predictability in 3D facies distributions and depositional models of these systems. For this purpose, a combination of sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical approaches is conducted including the analysis of microfacies (petrographic microscope and electron microscopy), X‐ray diffraction and hydrochemistry. The data show that both anthropogenic and natural systems exhibit clear proximal, middle and distal zones of carbonate precipitation. The main macroscopic differences are the dominance of swamp environments in the proximal zone and the prevalence of tufa‐like barrage‐and‐pool sequences in the middle and distal zones. Microfabrics in anthropogenic sites are comparable to travertines but lack the sub‐surface facies and at extreme pH exhibit sparry crusts without clear equivalents in travertines. This sedimentology of anthropogenic carbonates shows that calcite mineral formation is complex and not homogeneous or purely driven by thermodynamic processes. Considering the sedimentology of these human‐induced systems will help us understand precipitation mechanisms which will aid both efforts to utilise anthropogenic alkaline wastes for carbon capture and manage their environmental impacts.

Twenty novel Mn, Fe, and Cu complexes of ethylene cross-bridged tetraazamacrocycles with potentially copolymerizable allyl and benzyl pendant arms were synthesized and characterized. Multiple X-ray crystal structures demonstrate the cis-folded pseudo-octahedral geometry forced by the rigidifying ethylene cross-bridge and show that two cis coordination cites are available for interaction with substrate and oxidant. The Cu complexes were used to determine kinetic stability under harsh acidic and high-temperature conditions, which revealed that the cyclam-based ligands provide superior stabilization with half-lives of many minutes or even hours in 5 M HCl at 50–90 °C. Cyclic voltammetry studies of the Fe and Mn complexes reveal reversible redox processes indicating stabilization of Fe2+/Fe3+ and Mn2+/Mn3+/Mn4+ oxidation states, indicating the likelihood of catalytic oxidation for these complexes. Finally, dye-bleaching experiments with methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B demonstrate efficient catalytic decolorization and allow selection of the most successful monomeric catalysts for copolymerization to produce future heterogeneous water purification materials.

Tetraazamacrocycles, cyclic molecules with four nitrogen atoms, have long been known to produce highly stable transition metal complexes. Cross-bridging such molecules with two-carbon chains has been shown to enhance the stability of these complexes even further. This provides enough stability to use the resulting compounds in applications as diverse and demanding as aqueous, green oxidation catalysis all the way to drug molecules injected into humans. Although the stability of these compounds is believed to result from the increased rigidity and topological complexity imparted by the cross-bridge, there is insufficient experimental data to exclude other causes. In this study, standard organic and inorganic synthetic methods were used to produce unbridged dibenzyl tetraazamacrocycle complexes of Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn that are analogues of known cross-bridged tetraazamacrocycles and their transition metal complexes to allow direct comparison of molecules that are identical except for the cross-bridge. The syntheses of the known tetraazamacrocycles and the new transition metal complexes were successful with high yields and purity. Initial chemical characterization of the complexes was conducted by UV-Visible spectroscopy, while cyclic voltammetry showed more marked differences in electronic properties from bridged versions. Direct comparison studies of the unbridged and bridged compounds’ kinetic stabilities, as demonstrated by decomposition using high acid concentration and elevated temperature, showed that the cyclen-based complex stability did not benefit from cross-bridging. This is likely due to poor complementarity with the Cu2+ ion while cyclam-based complexes benefited greatly. We conclude that ligand–metal complementarity must be maintained in order for the topological and rigidity constraints imparted by the cross-bridge to contribute significantly to complex robustness.

Ethylene cross-bridged tetraazamacrocycles are known to produce kinetically stable transition metal complexes that can act as robust oxidation catalysts under harsh aqueous conditions. We have synthesized ligand analogs with single acetate pendant arms that act as pentadentate ligands to Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn. These complexes have been synthesized and characterized, including the structural characterization of four Co and Cu complexes. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that multiple oxidation states are stabilized by these rigid, bicyclic ligands. Yet, redox potentials of the metal complexes are modified compared to the “parent” ligands due to the pendant acetate arm. Similarly, gains in kinetic stability under harsh acidic conditions, compared to parent complexes without the pendant acetate arm, were demonstrated by a half-life seven times longer for the cyclam copper complex. Due to the reversible, high oxidation states available for the Mn and Fe complexes, the Mn and Fe complexes were examined as catalysts for the bleaching of three commonly used pollutant model dyes (methylene blue, methyl orange, and Rhodamine B) in water with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The efficient bleaching of these dyes was observed.

The reactions of the titanium alkoxide [Ti(OR)4] (R = Me, nPr, iPr, tBu) with the acids 2,2′-Ph2C(X)(CO2H), where X = OH and NH2, i.e., benzilic acid (2,2′-diphenylglycolic acid, L1H2), and 2,2′-diphenylglycine (L2H3), have been investigated. The variation of the reaction stoichiometry allows for the isolation of mono-, bi-, tri or tetra-metallic products, the structures of which have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The ability of the resulting complexes to act as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and r-lactide (r-LA) has been investigated. In the case of ε-CL, all catalysts except that derived from [Ti(OnPr)4] and L2H3, i.e., 7, exhibited an induction period of between 60 and 285 min, with 7 exhibiting the best performance (>99% conversion within 6 min). The PCL products are moderate- to high-molecular weight polymers. For r-LA, systems 1, 3, 4 and 7 afforded conversions of ca. 90% or more, with 4 exhibiting the fastest kinetics. The molecular weights for the PLA are somewhat higher than those of the PCL, with both cyclic and linear PLA products (end groups of OR/OH) identified. Comparative studies versus the [Ti(OR)4] starting materials were conducted, and although high conversions were achieved, the control was poor.

The linear two-coordinate silver (I) complex [Ag(C4H2NO2S)(C4H3NO2S)] or [Ag(2-Htza)(2-tza)] is reported (2-Htza = 1,3-thiazole-2-carboxylic acid). The AgI ion is coordinated by two heterocyclic N atoms from two ligands in a linear configuration, forming a discrete coordination complex. There is an O—H...O hydrogen bond between 2-tza− and 2tzaH of adjacent complexes. The hydrogen atom is shared between the two oxygen atoms. This interaction produces a hydrogen-bonded tape parallel to the [110] direction, which is augmented through intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between the bound thiazole groups. There is a further rather long Ag...O interaction [2.8401 (13) Å, compared with a mean of 2.54 (11) Å for 23 structures in the CSD] that assembles these tapes into columns, between which there are C—H...π interactions, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.

The Schiff-base compounds 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(((3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (L1H), 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(((2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (L2H), 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(((2,4-trimethoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol) (L3H) derived from anilines bearing methoxy substituents have been employed in the preparation of alkylaluminum and zinc complexes. Molecular structure determinations reveal mono-chelate aluminum complexes of the type [Al(Ln)(Me)2] (L1, 1; L2, 2; L3, 3), and bis(chelate) complexes for zinc, namely [Zn(Ln)2] (L1, 5; L2, 6; L3, 7). All complexes have significant activity at 50 °C and higher activity at 100 °C for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) with good control over the molar mass distribution (Mw/Mn < 2) and molecular weight. Complex 1 was found to be the most active catalyst, achieving 99% conversion within 18 h at 50 °C and giving polycaprolactone with high molecular weight; results are compared against aniline-derived (i.e., non-methoxy containing) complexes (4 and 8). Aluminum or zinc complexes derived from L1 exhibit higher activity as compared with complexes derived from L2 and L3. Complex 1 was also tested as an initiator for the copolymerization of ε-CL and glycolide (GL). The CL-GL copolymers have various microstructures depending on the feed ratio. The crosslinker 4,4′-bioxepane-7,7′-dione was used in the polymerization with ε-CL using 1, and well-defined cross-linked PCL was afforded of high molecular weight.

The South Atlantic Aptian “Pre-Salt” shrubby carbonate successions offshore Brazil and Angola are of major interest due to their potential hydrocarbon accumulations. Although the general sedimentology of these deposits is widely recognized to be within saline, alkaline lakes in rift volcanic settings, the specific genesis of shrubby carbonate morphologies remains unclear. This study reports the first petrographically comparable shrubby carbonates amongst other carbonate microfacies from an Anthropocene limestone formed under hyperalkaline (pH 9–12) and hypersaline (conductivity 425–3200 μS) conditions at ambient temperature (12.5–13°C) (Consett, United Kingdom). This discovery allows us to capitalize on exceptional long-term hydrochemical monitoring efforts from the site, demonstrating that shrubby carbonates occur uniquely within the waters richest in calcium (∼240 mg/L) and with highest pH (∼12) and consequently with very high levels of supersaturation. However, the physical distribution of shrubs is more comparable with estimated local kinetic precipitation rate than it is to thermodynamic saturation, indicating that the fundamental control on shrub formation arises from crystal surface processes. The shrubby carbonate we report grows in the presence of significant diatomaceous and cyanobacterial biofilms, despite the highly alkaline conditions. These biofilms are lost from the deposited material early due to the high solubility of organic and silica within hyperalkaline settings, and this loss contributes to very high intercrystalline porosity. Despite the presence of these microbes, few if any of the fabrics we report would be considered as “boundstones” despite it being clear that most fabrics are being deposited in the presence of abundant extra-cellular polymeric substances. We are aware of no previous petrographic work on anthropogenic carbonates of this type, and recommend further investigation to capitalize on what can be learned from these “accidental laboratories.”

The hydrochloride salt of isonicotinamide, C6H7N2O+·Cl−, has been synthesized from a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid in acetonitrile. The compound displays monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/c) at 150 K, similar to the related hydrochloride salt of nicotinamide. The asymmetric unit contains one protonated isonicotinamide molecule and a chloride anion. An array of hydrogen-bonding interactions, including a peculiar bifurcated pyridinium–chloride interaction, results in linear chains running almost perpendicularly in the [150] and [1-50] directions within the structure. A description of the hydrogen-bonding network and comparison with similar compounds are presented.

Reaction of the bulky bi-phenols 2,2′-RCH[4,6-(t-Bu)2C6H2OH]2 (R = Me L1MeH2, Ph L1PhH2) with the bis(imido) molybdenum(VI) tert-butoxides [Mo(NR1)(NR2)(Ot-Bu)2] (R1 = R2 = 2,6-C6H3-i-Pr2; R1 = t-Bu, R2 = C6F5) afforded, following the successive removal of tert-butanol, the complexes [Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2L1Me] (1), [Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2L1Ph] (2) and [Mo(Nt-Bu)(μ-NC6F5)(L1Me)]2 (3). Similar use of the tri-phenol 2,6-bis(3,5-di-tert -butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol (L2H3) with [Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2(Ot-Bu)2] afforded the oxo-bridged product [Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)(NCMe)(μ-O)L2H]2 (4), whilst use of the tetra-phenols α,α,α′,α′-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-p- or -m-xylene L3pH4/L3mH4 led to {[Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2]2(μ-L3p)} (5) or {[Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2]2(μ-L3m)} (6), respectively. Similar use of [Mo(NC6F5)2(Ot-Bu)2] with L3pH4 afforded, after work-up, the complex {[Mo(NC6F5)(Ot-Bu)2]2(μ-L3p)}·6MeCN (7·6MeCN). Molecular structures of 1, 2·CH2Cl2, 3, 4·6MeCN, 6·2C6H14, and 7·6MeCN are reported and these complexes have been screened for their ability to ring open polymerize (ROP) ε-caprolactone; for comparative studies the precursor complex [Mo(NC6H3i-Pr2-2,6)2Cl2(DME)] (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) has also been screened. Results revealed that good activity is only achievable at temperatures of ≥100 °C over periods of 1 h or more. Polymer polydispersities were narrow, but observed molecular weights (Mn) were much lower than calculated values.

Metallation of biomacromolecular species forms the basis for the anticancer activity of many metallodrugs. A major limitation of these compounds is that their reactivity is indiscriminate and can, in principle, occur in healthy tissue as well as cancerous tissue, potentially leading to side effects in vivo. Here we present pH-dependent intramolecular coordination of an arene-tethered sulfonamide functionality in organometallic ruthenium(II) ethylenediamine complexes as a route to controlling the coordination environment about the central metal atom. Through variation of the sulfonamide R group and the length of the tether linking it to the arene ligand the acidity of the sulfonamide NH group, and hence the pH-region over which regulation of metal coordination occurs, can be modulated. Intramolecular sulfonamide ligation controlled the reactivity of complex 4 within the physiologically relevant pH-region, rendering it more reactive towards 5ʹ-GMP in mildly acidic pH-conditions typical of tumour tissue compared to the mildly alkaline pH-conditions typical of healthy tissue. However, the activation of 4 by ring-opening of the chelate was found to be a slow process relative to the timescale of typical cell culture assays and members of this series of complexes were found not to be cytotoxic towards the HT-29 cell line. These complexes provide the basis for the development of analogues of increased potency where intramolecular sulfonamide ligation regulates reactivity and therefore cytotoxicity in a pH-dependent, and potentially, tissue-dependent manner.

The title compound, [FeCl2(C14H30N4)]PF6, contains Fe3+ coordinated by the four nitrogen atoms of an ethylene cross-bridged cyclam macrocycle and two cis chloride ligands in a distorted octahedral environment. In contrast to other similar compounds this is a monomer. Intermolecular C—H...Cl interactions exist in the structure between the complex ions. Comparison with the mononuclear Fe2+ complex of the same ligand shows that the smaller Fe3+ ion is more fully engulfed by the cavity of the bicyclic ligand. Comparison with the μ-oxido dinuclear complex of an unsubstituted ligand of the same size demonstrates that the methyl groups of 4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane prevent dimerization upon oxidation.

The crystal structure of dichlorido(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazabicyclo[5.5.2]tetradecane)chromium(III) hexafluoridophosphate, [CrCl2(C12H26N4)]PF6, (I), has monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/n) at 150 K. The structure of the related dichlorido(4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecane)chromium(III) hexafluoridophosphate, [CrCl2(C14H30N4)]PF6, (II), also displays monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/c) at 150 K. In each case, the CrIII ion is hexacoordinate with two cis chloride ions and two non-adjacent N atoms bound cis equatorially and the other two non-adjacent N atoms bound trans axially in a cis-V conformation of the macrocycle. The extent of the distortion from the preferred octahedral coordination geometry of the CrIII ion is determined by the parent macrocycle ring size, with the larger cross-bridged cyclam ring in (II) better able to accommodate this preference and the smaller cross-bridged cyclen ring in (I) requiring more distortion away from octahedral geometry.

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...]

Despite the simple chemical formula, [Ni(1,10-phenanthroline)2(H2O)2](NO3)2, crystallizes with a remarkably complicated 3-D hydrogen bonding supramolecular assembly. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with an unusually long b axis and a large cell volume. A huge asymmetric unit has been identified, containing six discrete [Ni(1,10-phen)2(H2O)2]2+ cations and twelve nitrate anions. Detailed analyses of the crystal structure and O-H×××O and C-H×××O hydrogen bonding interactions are reported and discussed. In this way the anion-directed assembly of the 3-D structure is illustrated. The thermal and spectroscopic properties of the compound are described. Upon heating to 308 K, the crystal undergoes a phase change to a much simpler structure with a single [Ni(1,10-phen)2(H2O)2]2+ cation within the asymmetric unit and unit cell volume one sixth of that at low temperature. Although the crystal decomposed during data collection, it was possible to establish the molecular packing in the high temperature form and relate it to that at low temperature.

The host-guest interaction of a series of cyclohexyl-appended guests with cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and X-ray crystallography. The X-ray structure revealed that two cycloalkane moieties can be simultaneously encapsulated in the hydrophobic cavity of the Q[8] host to form a ternary complex for the first time.

Heating a mixture of Nd(NO3)3·6H2O, KCl, Q[10] and Q[5] in HCl for 10 min affords the inclusion complex {NdQ[5]K@Q[10](H2O)4}·4NO3·20H2O. The structure of the inclusion complex has been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and by X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

The title compound, 2C3H7N6+·C6H7NO62−·3H2O, was obtained by mixing melamine and nitrilotriacetic acid in aqueous solution. There is proton transfer from the nitrilotriacteic acid to melamine to produce two melaminium cations and an internal proton transfer to generate the [HN(CH2COO)]2− zwitterion. The melaminium cations are arranged in hydrogen-bonded tapes formed by N—H...N interactions. These tapes extend parallel to the [010] direction and are stacked parallel to the a axis at a mean separation of 3.3559 (11) Å. Between these tapes lie the anions and lattice water molecules. Further O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds exist between the water molecules, the anions, and the melaminium cations, generating a three-dimensional array. The crystal examined was found to be twinned by a twofold rotation about the direct lattice direction [100]. The two twin components were present in the ratio 0.5918:0.4082 (14).

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Cu(SO4)(C12H8N2)2]·C2H5OH, arises from the assembly of the neutral complex [Cu(SO4)(C12H8N2)2] and an ethanol solvent molecule. The CuII ion is five-coordinate, surrounded by two pairs of N atoms from two independent N,N′-chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands, and one O atom of monodentate sulfate ligand, in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal fashion. Spatial orientation of the ligands and the assembly in the solid state are stabilized by the C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, established between the O atoms (from the sulfate ligand and the ethanol molecule) and the neighbouring 1,10-phenanthroline molecules. There is also an offset face-to-face π–π stacking between the 1,10-phenanthroline ligands. The ethanol solvent molecule is disordered over two orientations in the ratio 0.663 (10):0.337 (10). The crystal examined was subject to racemic twinning and the refined twin fraction was 0.346 (19).

In an attempt to synthesize new cobalt(II) sulfate framework structures using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as a template, crystals of poly[0.35-[hexaaquacobalt(II)] [tri-μ-hydroxido-μ-sulfato-dicobalt(II)]], {[Co(H2O)6]0.35[Co2(OH)3(SO4)]}n, were obtained as a mixture with [Co(H2O)6]SO4 crystals. The crystal structure can be described as being constructed from discrete brucite-type [Co4(OH)6(SO4)2] layers, each of which is built up from edge-shared [Co(OH)6] and [Co(OH)4(OSO3)2] octahedra, with partial intercalation by [Co(H2O)6]2+ ions. The absence of ca 30% of the [Co(H2O)6]2+ cations indicates partial oxidation of cobalt(II) to cobalt(III) within the layer.