Novel imino thioether complexes of platinum(II): synthesis, structural investigation, and biological activity.

The reactions of the nitrile complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl2(NCR)2] (R = Me, Et, CH2Ph, Ph) with an excess of ethanethiol, EtSH, in the presence of a catalytic amount of n-BuLi in tetrahydrofuran (THF), afforded in good yield the bis-imino thioether derivatives cis-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)R}2] (R = Me (1), Et (2), CH2Ph (3), Ph (4)) and trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)R}2] (R = Me (5), Et (6), CH2Ph (7), Ph (8)). The imino thioether ligands assumed the E configuration corresponding to a cis addition of the thiol to the nitrile triple bond. The spectroscopic properties of these complexes have been reported along with the molecular structures of 1, 2, and 7 as established by X-ray crystallography which indicated that these compounds exhibit square-planar coordination geometry around the platinum center. Four N-H···Cl intermolecular contacts (N-H···Cl ca. 2.5-2.7 Å) between each chlorine atom and the N-H proton of the imino thioether ligand gave rise to "dimers" Pt2Cl4L4 (L = imino thioether) formed by two PtCl2L2 units. The cytotoxic properties of these new platinum(II) complexes were evaluated against various human cancer cell lines. Among all derivatives, trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)CH2Ph}2] showed the greatest in vitro cytotoxic activity being able to decrease cancer cell viability roughly 3-fold more effectively than cisplatin.

Energetics and structure of uranium(VI)-acetate complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide.

The thermodynamics of the complexation between uranium(VI) and acetate in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was studied at 298 K in an ionic medium of 0.1 mol dm(-3) tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate. The results show that the uranyl ion forms three strong successive mononuclear complexes with acetate. The complexes, both enthalpically and entropically stabilized, are significantly more stable in DMSO than in water. This feature can be ascribed to the weak solvation of acetate in DMSO. The thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the uranium(VI) complexes with acetate in DMSO are compared with those with ethylenediamine in the same solvent. The difference between the two ligand systems reveals that, for the complexation reactions involving charge neutralization, the reorganization of the solvent gives a very important contribution to the overall complexation energetics. The coordination mode of acetate in the uranyl complexes and the changes of the solvation sphere of UO(2)(2+) upon complexation were investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy in DMSO and in acetonitrile/DMSO mixtures. In addition, DFT calculations were performed to provide an accurate description of the complexation at the molecular level. The experimental and calculated results suggest that acetate is solely bidentate to UO(2)(2+) in the 1:1 and 1:3 complexes but mono- and bidentate in the 1:2 complexes. The DFT calculations also indicate that the medium effects must always be taken into account in order to gain accurate information on the complex formation in solution. In fact, the relative stability of the reaction products changes markedly when the DFT calculations are carried out in vacuum or in DMSO solution.

Reactivity of novel N,N'-diphosphino-silanediamine-based rhodium(I) derivatives.

The coordination abilities of the novel N,N'-diphosphino-silanediamine ligand of formula SiMe(2)(NtolPPh(2))(2) (SiNP, 1) have been investigated toward rhodium, and the derivatives [RhCl(SiNP)](2) (2), [Rh(SiNP)(COD)][BF(4)] (3), and Rh(acac)(SiNP) (4) have been synthesized. The stability of the dinuclear frame of [RhCl(SiNP)](2) (2) toward incoming nucleophiles has been shown to be dependent on their π-acceptor ability. Indeed, the mononuclear complexes RhCl(SiNP)(L) (L = CO, 5; CN(t)Bu, 6) have been isolated purely and quantitatively upon reaction of 2 with CO and CN(t)Bu, respectively. Otherwise, PPh(3) and RhCl(SiNP) equilibrate with Rh(Cl)(SiNP)(PPh(3)) (7). Carbon electrophiles such as MeI and 3-chloro-1-proprene afforded the oxidation of rhodium(I) to rhodium(III) and the formation of RhCl(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(SiNP) (8) and Rh(Me)(I)(SiNP)(acac) (10), respectively. The methyl derivative 10 is thermally stable and does not react either with CO or with CN(t)Bu even in excess. Otherwise, RhCl(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(SiNP) (8) is thermally stable but reacts with CO, affording 3-chloro-1-proprene and RhCl(SiNP)(CO) (5). Finally, upon reaction of Rh(acac)(SiNP) (4) and 3-chloro-1-proprene, RhCl(acac)(η(1)-C(3)H(5))(SiNP) (9a) and [Rh(acac)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(SiNP)]Cl (9b) could be detected at 233 K. At higher temperatures, 9a and 9b smoothly decompose, affording the dinuclear derivative [RhCl(SiNP)](2) (2) and the CC coupling product 3-allylpentane-2,4-dione.

A new class of antitumor trans-amine-amidine-Pt(II) cationic complexes: influence of chemical structure and solvent on in vitro and in vivo tumor cell proliferation.

The reactions of cyclopropylamine, cyclopentylamine, and cyclohexylamine with trans-[PtCl2(NCMe)2] afforded the bis-cationic complexes trans-[Pt(amine)2(Z-amidine)2]2+[Cl-]2, 1-3. The solution behavior and biological activity have been studied in different solvents (DMSO, water, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400), and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEG-DME 500)). The biological activity was strongly influenced by the cycloaliphatic amine ring size, with trans-[Pt(NH2CH(CH2)4CH2)2{N(H) horizontal lineC(CH3)N(H)CH(CH2)4CH2}2]2+[Cl-]2 (3) being the most active compound. Complex 3 overcame both cisplatin and MDR resistance, inducing cancer cell death through p53-mediated apoptosis. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis experiments indicated direct DNA damage, reasonably attributable to DNA adducts of trans-[PtCl(amine)(Z-amidine)2][Cl] species, which can evolve to produce disruptive and nonrepairable lesions on DNA, thus leading to the drug-induced programmed cancer cell death. Preliminary in vivo antitumor studies on C57BL mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma highlighted that complex 3 promoted a significant and dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition without adverse side effects.

Synthesis and characterization of calcium beta-diketonate complexes. X-ray crystal and molecular structures of: [{Ca(tmhd)2}2(18-crown-6)], [Ca(dpp)2(thf)2] and [Ca(dpp)2(triglyme)].

Reactions of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione (Htmhd), 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione (Hhfa) or 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione (Hdpp) with calcium methoxide in hexane or toluene afford the corresponding known oligomeric beta-diketonates: [Ca(3)(tmhd)(6)], [{Ca(hfa)(2)}(n)] and [{Ca(dpp)(2)}(n)]. The complexes react with tetrahydrofuran, 2,5,8,11-tetraoxadodecane (triglyme) or 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (18-crown-6) leading to the formation of the new mononuclear [Ca(dpp)(2)(thf)(2)], [Ca(dpp)(2)(triglyme)] and dinuclear [{Ca(dpp)(2)}(2)(18-crown-6)] and [{Ca(tmhd)(2)}(2)(18-crown-6)] adducts. The obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies; moreover, single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements were also carried out for: [{Ca(tmhd)(2)}(2)(18-crown-6)], [Ca(dpp)(2)(thf)(2)] and [Ca(dpp)(2)(triglyme)].

Synthesis and structural characterization of copper(I) complexes bearing N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (mPTA): cytotoxic activity evaluation of a series of water soluble Cu(I) derivatives containing PTA, PTAH and mPTA ligands.

New copper(I) complexes containing the water soluble N-methyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (mPTA) phosphine have been synthesized by ligand-exchange reactions starting from [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][BF(4)] or [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][PF(6)] precursors and (mPTA)X (X=CF(3)SO(3), I). Depending on the ligand counter ion, the hydrophilic [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(BF(4))] 3a and [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(PF(6))] 3c complexes or the iodine-coordinated [Cu(mPTA)(3)I]I(3)4 species were obtained respectively and fully characterized by spectroscopic methods. Single crystal structural characterization was undertaken for [Cu(mPTA)(3)I]I(3).H(2)O, 4.H(2)O, and [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(2)(BF(4))(3)] .0.25H(2)O, 3b.0.25H(2)O, the latter obtained by crystallization of [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(BF(4))] 3a. The cytotoxicity of analogous tetrahedral homoleptic Cu(I) derivatives [Cu(PTA)(4)](BF(4)) 1, [Cu(PTAH)(4)][Cl(4)(BF(4))] 2, [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(BF(4))] 3a and [Cu(mPTA)(4)][(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(PF(6))] 3c was evaluated against a panel of several human tumor cell lines. All the complexes showed in vitro antitumor activity comparable to that of the reference metallodrug cisplatin. Tests performed on cisplatin sensitive and resistant cell lines showed that against human ovarian 2008/C13(*) cell line pair, the resistance factor of copper derivatives was roughly 7-fold lower than that of cisplatin, whereas against human cervix cancer A431/A431-Pt cell line pair it was about 2.5-fold lower. These results, confirming the circumvention of cisplatin resistance, support the hypothesis that phosphine copper(I) complexes follow different cytotoxic mechanisms than do platinum drugs.

Reactions of diazo compounds with alkenes catalysed by [RuCl(cod)(Cp)]: effect of the substituents in the formation of cyclopropanation or metathesis products.

The reaction of diazo compounds with alkenes catalysed by complex [RuCl(cod)(Cp)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, Cp = cyclopentadienyl) has been studied. The catalytic cycle involves in the first step the decomposition of the diazo derivative to afford the reactive [RuCl(Cp){=C(R(1))R(2)}] intermediate and a mechanism is proposed for this step based on a kinetic study of the simple coupling reaction of ethyl diazoacetate. The evolution of the Ru-carbene intermediate in the presence of alkenes depends on the nature of the substituents at both the diazo N(2)=C(R(1))R(2) (R(1), R(2) = Ph, H; Ph, CO(2)Me; Ph, Ph; C(R(1))R(2) = fluorene) and the olefin substrates R(3)(H)C=C(H)R(4) (R(3), R(4) = CO(2)Et, CO(2)Et; Ph, Ph; Ph, Me; Ph, H; Me, Br; Me, CN; Ph, CN; H, CN; CN, CN). A remarkable reactivity of the complex was recorded, especially towards unstable aryldiazo compounds and electron-poor olefins. The results obtained indicate that either cyclopropanation or metathesis products can be formed: the first products are favoured by the presence of a cyano substituent at the double bond and the second ones by a phenyl.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of substituted benzyl iminoether Pt(II) complexes of the type cis- and trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)=C(OMe)CH2-C6H4-p-R}2] (R=Me, OMe, F). X-ray structure of trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)=C(OMe)CH2-C6H4-p-F}2].

New substituted benzyl iminoether derivatives of the type cis- and trans-[PtCl(2){E-N(H)C(OMe)CH(2)-C(6)H(4)-p-R}(2)] (R=Me (1a, 2a), OMe (3a, 4a), F (5a, 6a)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR techniques. The iminoether ligands are in the E configuration, which is stable in solution and in the solid state, as confirmed by the (1)H NMR data. Complex trans-[PtCl(2){E-N(H)C(OMe)CH(2)-C(6)H(4)-p-F}(2)] (6a) was also characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Complexes 1a-6a have been tested against a panel of human tumor cell lines in order to evaluate their cytotoxic activity. cis-Isomers were significant more potent than the corresponding trans-isomers against all tumor cell lines tested; moreover, complexes 1a and 5a showed IC(50) values from about 2-fold to 6-fold lower than those exhibited by cisplatin, used as reference platinum anticancer drug.

Cisplatinum and transplatinum complexes with benzyliminoether ligands; synthesis, characterization, structure-activity relationships, and in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy.

New benzyliminoether derivatives [PtCl2{N(H)=C(OMe)CH2Ph}2] of cis (1a, 1b) and trans (2a, 2b) geometry were prepared and characterized by means of elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR and FT-IR techniques, and X-ray crystallography; this latter was carried out for 1b. The cytotoxic properties of these new platinum(II) complexes were evaluated in terms of cell growth inhibition against a panel of different types of human cancer cell lines. cis-[PtCl2{E-N(H)=C(OMe)CH2Ph}2] (1a) was significantly more potent than cisplatin against all tumor cell lines tested, showing IC50 values from about 2- to 17-fold lower than the reference compound. Chemosensitivity tests performed on cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cell lines have demonstrated that complex 1a is able to overcome cisplatin resistance. Analyzing the mechanism by which complex 1a led to cell death, we have found that it induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by the activation of caspase-3. The in vivo studies carried out using two transplantable tumor models (L1210 leukemia and Lewis lung carcinoma) showed that derivative 1a induced a remarkable antitumor activity in both tumor models, as measured by prolonged survival and reduced tumor mass compared to control groups.

Metal-metal electronic coupling in syn and anti stereoisomers of mixed-valent (FeCp)2-, (RhL2)2-, and (FeCp)(RhL2)-as-indacenediide ions.

The extent of metal-metal electronic coupling was quantified for a series of syn and anti stereoisomers of (FeCp)(2)-, (RhL(2))(2)- and (FeCp)(RhL(2))- (L(2)=1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod), L=CO) as-indacenediide mixed-valent ions by spectroelectrochemical and DFT studies. The effect of the syn/anti orientation of the metal units with respect to the planar aromatic ligand indicates that electron transfer occurs through the bridge rather than through space. The nature of the metal was found to be crucial: while homobimetallic diiron species are localised valence-trapped ions (Class II), the dirhodium analogues are almost delocalised mixed-valent ions (borderline and Class III). Finally, despite their redox asymmetry, even in the heterobimetallic iron-rhodium as-indacenediide complexes, strong metal-metal coupling is present. In fact, oxidation of the iron centre is accompanied by electron transfer from rhodium to iron and formation of a reactive 17-electron rhodium site. syn and anti Fe-Rh as-indacenediide complexes are rare examples of heterobimetallic systems which can be classified as borderline Class II/Class III species.

Tuning the electronic communication in heterobimetallic mixed-valence ions of (1-ferrocenyl)- and (2-ferrocenyl)indenyl rhodium isomers.

A series of heterobimetallic complexes of general structure [RhL(2){eta(5)-(2-ferrocenyl)indenyl}] (L(2)=cod, nbd, L=CO; cod=cyclooctadiene; nbd=norbornadiene) has been synthesised with the aim of tuning the metal-metal interaction in their mixed-valence ions generated both by chemical and electrochemical oxidation, and the results are compared with those obtained for [RhL(2){eta(5)-(1-ferrocenyl)indenyl}] isomers. Crystallographic studies and DFT calculations provide a detailed description of the structural and electronic features of these complexes evidencing a significant difference in the extent of planarity of the flexible bridging ligand between the 1- and 2-ferrocenyl isomers. Independent experimental probes, in particular the potential splitting in the cyclic voltammograms and the IT bands in the near-IR spectra, are rationalised in the framework of Marcus-Hush theory and at quantum chemistry level by DFT and TD-DFT methods. These methods allow us to establish a trend based on the magnitude of iron-rhodium electronic coupling H(ab) ranging from valence trapped to almost delocalised ions. The quasi planar bridge and the olefin ancillary ligands make [Rh(nbd){eta(5)-(2-ferrocenyl)indenyl}](+) and [Rh(cod){eta(5)-(2-ferrocenyl)indenyl}](+) rare examples of heterobimetallic systems which can be classified as borderline Class II/Class III species.

The first nitro-substituted heteroscorpionate ligand.

The new dihydridobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate ligand, [H2B(tzNO2)2]-, has been synthesized in dimethylacetamide solution, using 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole and KBH4 through careful temperature control, and characterized as its potassium salt. The zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes, {M[H2B(tzNO2)2]Cl(H2O)2}, have been prepared by metathesis of [H2B(tzNO2)2]K with ZnCl2 and CdCl2, respectively. The complexes likely contain a metal core in which the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in the K2-N,N' or K4-N,N',O,O' fashion. A single-crystal structural characterization is reported for the potassium dihydrobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate. The potassium salt is polymeric and shows several K...N and K...O interactions.

Solution dynamics and molecular structure elucidation of novel aluminium derivatives containing diaminodimethylsilane ligands.

The interaction of dimethyldiaminosilane ligands of general formula SiMe2(NR2)(NR'2)(NR2, NR'2 = NiHPr, NHtBu, NC4H8, NHCH2CH2NMe2) with AlX3 (X = Cl, Me) has been investigated and the synthesis of novel aluminium derivatives is reported, namely AlMe3[SiMe2(NR2)(NR'2)], AlX2[SiMe2(NR)(NR'2)] and AlMe[SiMe2(NR)2], containing the silane ligand as neutral, monoanionic and dianionic species, respectively. Moreover, the solution molecular structures and dynamics have been elucidated via 1D/2D variable temperature NMR spectroscopy showing the influence of the N-substituents of the silane ligand and of the aluminium ancillary ligands.

AlIII ion complexes of saccharic acid and mucic acid: a solution and solid-state study.

The Al(III)-binding abilities of two aldaric acids, D-saccharic acid and mucic acid (the neutral form is denoted as H(2)L), were studied in solution by means of pH potentiometric, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and ESI-MS techniques. The most probable conformations and isomeric binding modes of the complexes formed in solution were determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A solid D-saccharic acid complex K(2)[[Al(LH(-2))(H(2)O)](2)].H(2)O was isolated and crystallographically characterised. The two alcoholic hydroxy groups alpha to the terminal COO(-) groups were found to take part in the coordination, but in different ways. One of them coordinates in a bridging mode. Detailed ESI-MS and NMR studies proved that the complex retains its structure in solution. However, depending on the ligand and the pH, such complexes may exist in two isomeric forms. DFT calculations on the ion [[Al(LH(-2))(H(2)O)](2)](2-) revealed that several orbitals participate in stabilizing the dimeric arrangement.