A trinuclear Zn (II) schiff base dicyanamide complex attenuates bacterial biofilm formation by ROS generation and membrane damage and exhibits anticancer activity.

A trinuclear Zn (II) complex, [(ZnL{N(CN)2})2Zn], termed complex 1 has been synthesized by the reaction of an aqueous solution of sodium dicyanamide to the methanolic solution of Zn (CH3COO)2, 2H2O and corresponding Schiff base (H2L) which is derived from 1:2 condensation of 1, 4 butane diamine with 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde. Complex 1 is characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV and Single X-ray diffraction study. Drug resistance is a growing global public health concern that has prompted researchers to look into advanced alternative treatment modalities. In this context, complex 1 has shown promising antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Complex 1 attenuated Staphylococcal biofilm formation by reducing several virulence factors including the formation of extracellular polysaccharide matrix, slime, haemolysin, staphyloxanthin, auto-aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, and motility. Notably, complex 1 mechanistically potentiated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation within the bacterial cells, leading to the damage of bacterial cell membrane followed by DNA leakage and thereby impeding the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, complex 1 significantly exhibited anticancer activity by reducing the growth of prostate adenocarcinoma cells. It obstructed the migration of cancer cells by potentiating apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. In summary, complex 1 could act as a potent candidate for the generation of novel antibacterial, antibiofilm as well as anticancer treatment regimens for the management of drug-resistant biofilm-mediated Staphylococcus aureus infection and lethal prostate malignancy.

Heterometallic Metal-Organic Frameworks That Catalyze Two Different Reactions Sequentially.

A series of copper- and alkaline-earth-metal-based multidimensional metal-organic frameworks, {[CuMg(pdc)2(H2O)4]·2H2O}n (1), [CuCa(pdc)2]n (2), [CuSr(pdc)2(H2O)3]n (3), and {[CuBa(pdc)2(H2O)5]·H2O}n (4), where H2Pdc = pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Two different metals act as the active center to catalyze two kinds of reactions, viz., olefin to its epoxide followed by epoxide ring opening to afford the corresponding vicinal diol in a sequential manner.

Single crystal to single crystal (SC-to-SC) transformation from a nonporous to porous metal-organic framework and its application potential in gas adsorption and Suzuki coupling reaction through postmodification.

A new amino-functionalized strontium-carboxylate-based metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized that undergoes single crystal to single crystal (SC-to-SC) transformation upon desolvation. Both structures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The desolvated structure shows an interesting 3D porous structure with pendent -NH2 groups inside the pore wall, whereas the solvated compound possesses a nonporous structure with DMF molecules on the metal centers. The amino group was postmodified through Schiff base condensation by pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and palladium was anchored on that site. The modified framework has been utilized for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The compound shows high activity towards the C-C cross-coupling reaction with good yields and turnover frequencies. Gas adsorption studies showed that the desolvated compound had permanent porosity and was microporous in nature with a BET surface area of 2052 m(2) g(-1). The material also possesses good CO2 (8 wt %) and H2 (1.87 wt %) adsorption capabilities.

pH-Tuned Modulation of 1D Chain to 3D Metal-Organic Framework: Synthesis, Structure and Their Useful Application in the Heterogeneous Claisen-Schmidt Reaction.

The role of pH in the formation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been studied on magnesium-based carboxylate framework systems [Mg(Pdc)(H2 O)3 ]n (1) and [Mg(Pdc)(H2 O)]n (2) (Pdc=pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate). The investigation reveals the formation of two different compounds of one- or three-dimensions starting from the same reaction mixture that differs only in pH. Isolated compounds have been characterized by IR and elemental analysis; both compounds were also successfully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This study shows that the gradual increase in pH helps to construct a higher-dimensional network. Catalytic activity of compounds 1 and 2 was tested for the Claisen-Schmidt reaction. Compound 2 was successfully dehydrated to produce a coordinately unsaturated compound 2 a, which shows higher catalytic activity than 1 or 2 in heterogeneous medium.

Alkaline earth metal-based metal-organic framework: hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure and heterogeneously catalyzed Claisen-Schmidt reaction.

Two alkaline earth metal-based carboxylate systems, [Mg(HL)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Ca(H2L)2]n (2) (H3L = chelidamic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, elemental analysis, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. Compound 1 has a 2D structure incorporating two water molecules. The dehydrated species, 1a, generated from 1 by removal of the coordinated water, has been characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis, IR, elemental analysis and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction. Both 1 and its dehydrated species 1a catalyze the Claisen-Schmidt reaction under heterogeneous conditions, but 1a is a more effective catalyst under environmentally friendly conditions. The catalyst can readily be recovered and reused in successive cycles without detectable loss of activity. Compound 2 has a 3D structure and is thermally stable up to 540 °C, but is inactive catalytically.

A magnesium-based multifunctional metal-organic framework: synthesis, thermally induced structural variation, selective gas adsorption, photoluminescence and heterogeneous catalytic study.

Three magnesium based carboxylate framework systems were prepared through a temperature-dependent synthesis. The compounds were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A stepwise increase in the temperature of the medium resulted a stepwise increase in the dimensionality of the network, ultimately leading to the formation of a new 2D layered alkaline earth metal-organic framework (MOF) compound, {[Mg2(HL)2(H2O)4]·H2O}n (1) (H3L = pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylate). Compound 1 selectively adsorbs hydrogen (H2) (ca. 0.56 wt% at 77 K) over nitrogen at 1 atm and demonstrates a strong blue fluorescent emission band at 480 nm (λ(max)) upon excitation at 270 nm. Notably, the 2D framework compound efficiently catalyzes the aldol condensation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes with ketones in a heterogeneous medium under environmentally friendly conditions. The catalyst can be recycled and reused several times without any significant loss of activity.

Iron-containing mesoporous aluminosilicate catalyzed direct alkenylation of phenols: Facile synthesis of 1,1-diarylalkenes.

The addition of phenols to aryl-substituted alkynes to form 1,1-diarylalkenes was carried out by using the Fe-Al-MCM-41 catalyst. The catalyst showed remarkable improvement in time and yield in comparison to other solid catalysts. The heterogeneous catalyst can be reused at least three times without a significant loss in activity.

Anchoring of palladium onto surface of porous metal-organic framework through post-synthesis modification and studies on Suzuki and Stille coupling reactions under heterogeneous condition.

An ecofriendly solid catalyst has been synthesized by anchoring palladium(II) into post synthetically modified metal organic framework IRMOF-3. The pore of IRMOF-3 was first modified with pyridine-2-aldehyde. The amine group of IRMOF-3 upon condensation with pyridine-2-aldehyde afforded a bidentate Schiff base moiety in the porous matrix. The Schiff base moieties were used to anchor palladium(II) ions. The prepared catalyst has been characterized by UV-vis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and nitrogen sorption measurements. Framework structure of the catalyst is not being destroyed in the multistep synthesis procedure as evidenced in X-ray powder diffraction studies. The catalyst has shown high activity toward the Suzuki and Stille cross-coupling reaction in 20% H2O/EtOH and EtOH medium, respectively, at 80 °C. The immobilized complex did not leach or decompose during the catalytic reactions, showing practical advantages over the homogeneous catalysis.

Porous magnesium carboxylate framework: synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, gas adsorption property and heterogeneous catalytic aldol condensation reaction.

A new three-dimensional alkaline-earth metal-organic framework (MOF) compound, [Mg(Pdc)(H(2)O)](n) (1) (H(2)Pdc = pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 features a 3D porous framework afforded by the Mg(2)-diad centers through formation of interconnected chair like structural motifs. A nitrogen adsorption study confirms the microporosity of compound 1 with a BET surface area of 211 ± 12 m(2) g(-1). Upon dehydration, the BET surface area of 1 is enhanced to a value of 463 ± 36 m(2) g(-1) due to removal of coordinated water molecule. After rehydration, the compound reverts to its original form as evidenced by powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic analysis and N(2) sorption measurement. Compound 1 retains its pore structure with a variable BET surface area in several cycles of dehydration and rehydration processes indicating robustness of the framework in [Mg(Pdc)(H(2)O)](n) (1). Compound 1 catalyzes the aldol condensation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes with acetone and cyclohexanone in heterogeneous conditions. Notably, the catalytic activity of the compound is enhanced upon dehydration. The catalyst can be recycled and reused several times without significant loss of activity.

Controlled construction of metal-organic frameworks: hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure, and heterogeneous catalytic study.

The role of pH in the formation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been studied for a series of magnesium-based carboxylate framework systems. Our investigations have revealed the formation of five different zero-dimensional (0D) to three-dimensional (3D) ordered frameworks from the same reaction mixture, merely by varying the pH of the medium. The compounds were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Increase of the pH of the medium led to abstraction of the imine hydrogen from the ligand and a concomitant increase in the OH(-) ion concentration in the solution, facilitating the construction of higher dimensional framework compounds. A stepwise increase in pH resulted in a stepwise increase in the dimensionality of the network, ultimately leading to the formation of a 3D porous solid. A gas adsorption study of the 3D framework compound confirmed its microporosity with a BET surface area of approximately 450 m(2) g(-1). Notably, the 3D framework compound catalyzes aldol condensation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes with acetone under heterogeneous conditions.

MCM-41-supported oxo-vanadium(IV) complex: a highly selective heterogeneous catalyst for the bromination of hydroxy aromatic compounds in water.

An ecofriendly solid catalyst has been synthesized by anchoring vanadium(IV) into organically modified MCM-41. First, the surface of Si-MCM-41 was modified with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (3-APTES), the amine group of which upon condensation with ortho-hydroxy-acetophenone affords a N(2)O(2)-type Schiff base moiety in the mesoporous matrix. The Schiff base moieties were used to anchor oxo-vanadium(IV) ions. The prepared catalyst has been characterized by UV-vis, IR spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAX), nitrogen sorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. It is observed that the mesostructure has not been destroyed in the multistep synthesis procedure, as evidenced by SAX and TEM measurements. The catalyst has shown unprecedented high conversion as well as para selectivity toward the bromination of hydroxy aromatic compounds using aqueous 30% H(2)O(2)/KBr in water. The reaction proceeds according to the stoichiometric ratio, and the monobrominated product was obtained as the major product using a stoichiometric amount of the bromine source. The immobilized complex does not leach or decompose during the catalytic reactions, showing practical advantages over the free metal complex.

Entrapment of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in the anionic metal-organic framework: novel photoluminescence behavior exhibiting dual emission at room temperature.

[Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) ions were entrapped into the cavities of two-dimensional anionic sheet-like coordination polymeric networks of [M(dca)(3)](-) (dca = dicyanamide; M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)). The prepared compounds, {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Mn(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (1) and {[Ru(bpy)(3)][Fe(dca)(3)](2)}(n) (2), were structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. The spectroscopic properties of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) ion dramatically changed on its entrapment in [M(dca)(3)](-). The [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) moiety present in 1 and 2 exhibits novel dual photo-emission at room temperature.

Iron-containing mesoporous aluminosilicate: a highly active and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for hydroarylation of styrenes.

Hydroarylation of various styrene derivatives has been successfully carried out in excellent yield using Fe-Al-MCM-41 catalyst. The C-H functionalization using solid heterogeneous catalyst provides a straightforward access to a series of important 1,1-diarylalkane products. The catalyst can be recovered and reused at least three times without any significant loss in its catalytic activity.

Layered transition metal carboxylates: efficient reusable heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation of olefins.

Layered metal carboxylates [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n) (M = Ni(II) and Mn(II)) that have a claylike structure have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized. The interlayer separation in these layered carboxylates is comparable to that of the intercalation distance of the naturally occurring clay materials or layered double hydroxides (LDHs). In this study, we have demonstrated that, instead of intercalating the metal complex into layers of the clay or LDH, layered transition metal carboxylates, [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n), as such can be used as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in olefin epoxidation reaction. Metal carboxylates [M(malonato)(H(2)O)(2)](n) exhibit excellent catalytic performance in olefin epoxidation reaction.

Immobilization of palladium in mesoporous silica matrix: preparation, characterization, and its catalytic efficacy in carbon-carbon coupling reactions.

Palladium(0) has been immobilized into the silica-based mesoporous material to develop catalyst Pd(0)-MCM-41, which is found to be highly active in carbon-carbon coupling reactions. [Pd(NH3)4]2+ ions have been incorporated into the mesoporous material during synthesis of MCM-41 and subsequently upon treatments with hydrazine hydrate Pd2+ ions present in mesoporous silica matrix were reduced to Pd(0) almost instantaneously. The catalyst has been characterized by small-angle X-ray diffraction, N2 sorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM and surface area measurements clearly demonstrate that the immobilization of Pd(0) into the mesoporous silica has a significant effect on pore structure of the catalyst. Nevertheless, after immobilization of palladium the meso-porosity of the material is retained, as evidenced in the nitrogen sorption measurement. The TEM micrograph shows that both MCM-41 and Pd(0)-MCM-41 have similar types of external surface morphology; however, Pd(0)-MCM-41 was less ordered. Pd(0)-MCM-41 showed high catalytic activity toward carbon-carbon bond formation reactions like Heck and Sonogashira coupling, as evidenced in high turn-over numbers. In contrast to many other Pd-based catalysts reported so far, Pd(0)-MCM-41 acts as a truly heterogeneous catalyst in C-C coupling reactions. Notably, the new heterogeneous catalyst is found to be efficient in the activation of arylchloride to give impressive conversion in cross coupling (15-45% for Heck and 30% for Sonogashira) reactions under mild conditions.

Oxo-vanadium(IV) dihydrogen phosphate: preparation, magnetic study, and heterogeneous catalytic epoxidation.

A layered oxo-vanadium(IV) dihydrogen phosphate, {VO(H2PO 4)2} n has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by several physicochemical methods. Single-crystal X-ray analysis (crystal system, tetragonal; space group, P4/ ncc; unit cell dimensions, a = b = 8.9632(4), c = 7.9768(32) A) of {VO(H2PO4) 2} n reveals that the compound has an extended two-dimensional structure. The VO2+ moieties are connected through bridging H 2PO4 (-) ions, and this type of connection propagates parallel to the crystallographic ab plane which gives rise to a layered structure. The layers are staked parallel to the crystallographic c axis with a separation between the layers of ca. 4.0 A. Magnetic susceptibility of {VO(H2PO4)2} n has been measured in the temperature range 2-300 K on a SQUID magnetometer. The magnetic property of {VO(H2PO4)2} n is explicable in the light of a two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet model. Magnetic pathways are available through the dihydrogen-phosphato bridges within the layer and provide for weak antiferromagnetic interactions. Notably {VO(H2PO4)2} n catalyzes the epoxidation reaction of alkenes with tert-BuOOH in acetonitrile medium under heterogeneous condition.

Anchoring of copper complex in MCM-41 matrix: a highly efficient catalyst for epoxidation of olefins by tert-BuOOH.

A complex moiety containing copper (II) has been anchored covalently into the organic-modified Si-MCM-41 to prepare a new catalyst. The amine group containing organic moiety 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane has been first anchored on the surface of Si-MCM-41 via silicon alkoxide route. The amine group upon condensation with salicyldehyde affords a bidentate ligand in the mesoporous matrix for anchoring copper(II) ions. The prepared catalyst has been characterized by UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and infrared (IR) spectroscopic analysis, small-angle X-ray diffraction, and N2 sorption study. A remarkable difference in the pore structure has been observed after the immobilization of copper(II) complex in Si-MCM-41. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic efficiency in epoxidation reactions with various olefinic compounds including styrene and allyl alcohol, using tert-BuOOH as oxidant. Notably, styrene shows unprecedented high conversion (97%) as well as epoxide selectivity (89%) with tert-BuOOH over the Cu-MCM-41 catalyst.

Cation-dependent nuclearity of the copper-azido moiety: synthesis, structure, and magnetic study.

Mono-, di-, and trinuclear copper-azido moieties have been synthesized by varying the size of the countercations. [Bu4N]+ yielded a [Cu2(N3)6]2- copper-azido moiety in [Bu4N]2[Cu2(mu(1,1)-N3)2(N3)4], 1, and [Pr4N]+ yielded a [Cu3(N3)8]2- moiety in {[Pr4N]2[Cu3(mu(1,1)-N3)4(N3)4]}n, 2, in which symmetry-related [Cu3(N3)8]2- moieties are doubly mu(1,1)-azido bridged to form unprecedented infinite zigzag chains parallel to the crystallographic a-axis. In the case of [Et4N]+, the mononuclear species [Et4N]2[Cu(N3)4], 3, has been formed. All complexes have been characterized structurally by single-crystal X-ray analysis: 1, C32H72N20Cu2, triclinic, space group P, a = 10.671(9) A, b = 12.239(9) A, c = 10.591(5) A, alpha = 110.01(4) degrees , beta = 93.91(5) degrees , gamma = 113.28(5) degrees , V = 1160.0(1) A3; 2, C24H56N26Cu3, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 8.811(2) A, b = 37.266(3) A, c = 13.796(1) A, beta = 107.05(1) degrees , V = 4330.8(10) A(3); 3, C16H40N14Cu, tetragonal, space group I4/m, a = b = 10.487(1) A, c = 12.084(2) A, V = 1328.9(3) A3. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that although the magnetic interaction in [Bu4N]2[Cu2(mu(1,1)-N3)2(N3)4], 1, is antiferromagnetic (J = -36 cm(-1)), it is ferromagnetic in {[Pr4N]2[Cu3(mu(1,1)-N3)4(N3)4]}n, 2 (J = 7 cm(-1)). As expected, the [Et4N]2[Cu(N3)4] complex, 3, is paramagnetic.

Unprecedented low Cu-N(azide)-Cu angles in end-on double azido bridged copper(II) complex.

A rare asymmetric end-on double azido-bridged copper(II) complex has been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The Cu-N(azide)-Cu angle in this complex is calculated to be 89.1 degrees. This is unusually low in comparison to the same angle in other end-on azido-bridged binuclear complexes reported so far. Though a strong ferromagnetic interaction between the metal centers is expected in the complex, the coupling has actually been found to be antiferromagnetic, instead.

A novel tetranuclear copper(II) complex with alternating mu 1,1-azido and phenoxo bridges: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of [Cu4(mu-salen)2(mu 1,1-N3)2(N3)2].

A novel tetranuclear copper(II) complex containing alternating mu(1,1)-azido and monophenoxo bridges has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods, X-ray single-crystal analysis, and variable-temperature magnetic measurements. The magnetic behavior, investigated in the temperature range 2-300 K, indicates that the interactions between copper ions are antiferromagnetic in nature for both azido and phenoxo bridges. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was fitted with J(1) = -12.8 cm(-1), J(2) = -10 cm(-1), g = 2.171, 2.1% paramagnetic component, and negligible temperature-independent paramagnetism (5 x 10(-8)). At variance with the earlier reports of these types of complexes containing a mu(1,1)-azido group, the end-on double-azido-bridged copper(II) center in this complex shows an antiferromagnetic interaction.