Mixed-ligand copper(ii)-diimine complexes of 3-formylchromone-N 4-phenyl thiosemicarbazone: 5,6-dmp co-ligand confers enhanced cytotoxicity.

The promising biological applications of thiosemicarbazone derivatives have inspired the design, synthesis, and study of their Cu(ii) complexes for anticancer therapeutic applications. Herein, we have evaluated the DNA/protein binding, DNA cleaving, and cytotoxic properties of four mixed-ligand Cu(ii) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(diimine)](NO3) 1-4, where HL is 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde-4(N)-phenylthiosemicarbazone and diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, 1) 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp, 3), or dipyrido-[3,2-f:2',3'-h]-quinoxaline (dpq, 4). Interestingly, complex 3 with higher lipophilicity shows stronger DNA binding and oxidative DNA cleavage, higher ROS production, and more reversible redox behaviour, resulting in its remarkable cytotoxicity (IC50, 1.26 µM) against HeLa cervical cancer cells, and rendering it 5 times more potent than the widely used drug cisplatin. The same complex induces enhanced apoptotic cell death on HeLa cells but lower toxicity towards the non-cancerous PBMC cells. Molecular docking studies suggest that all the complexes bind in the minor groove of DNA and subdomain II of HSA, which is in close agreement with the experimental results. Also, 3 shows cytotoxicity higher than the analogous mixed ligand Cu(ii) complexes, reported already, emphasizing the importance of co-ligand in tuning the anticancer activity.

Mononuclear nickel(ii)-flavonolate complexes of tetradentate tripodal 4N ligands as structural and functional models for quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: structures, spectra, redox and dioxygenase activity.

Three new nickel(ii)-flavonolate complexes of the type [Ni(L)(fla)](ClO4) 1-3, where L is the tripodal 4N ligand tris(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (tpa, L1) or (pyrid-2-ylmethyl)bis(6-methylpyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (6-Me2-tpa, L2) or tris(N-Et-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (Et-ntb, L3), have been isolated as functional models for Ni(ii)-containing quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 3 reveal that Ni(ii) is involved in π-back bonding with flavonolate (fla-), as evident from enhancement in C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond length upon coordination [H(fla), 1.232(3); 1, 1.245(7); 3, 1.262(8) Å]. More asymmetric chelation of fla- in 3 than in 1 [Δd = (Ni-Ocarbonyl - Ni-Oenolate): 1, 0.126; 3, 0.182 Å] corresponds to lower π-delocalization in 3 with electron-releasing N-Et substituent. The optimized structures of 1-3 and their geometrical isomers have been computed by DFT methods. The HOMO and LUMO, both localized on Ni(ii)-bound fla-, are highly conjugated bonding π- and antibonding π*-orbitals respectively. They are located higher in energy than the Ni(ii)-based MOs (HOMO-1, dx2-y2; HOMO-2/6, dz2), revealing that the Ni(ii)-bound fla- rather than Ni(ii) would undergo oxidation upon exposure to dioxygen. The results of computational studies, in combination with spectral and electrochemical studies, support the involvement of redox-inactive Ni(ii) in π-back bonding with fla-, tuning the π-delocalization in fla- and hence its activation. Upon exposure to dioxygen, all the flavonolate adducts in DMF solution decompose to produce CO and depside, which then is hydrolyzed to give the corresponding acids at 70 °C. The highest rate of dioxygenase reactivity of 3 (kO2: 3 (29.10 ± 0.16) > 1 (16.67 ± 0.70) > 2 (1.81 ± 0.04 × 10-1 M-1 s-1)), determined by monitoring the disappearance of the LMCT band in the range 440-450 nm, is ascribed to the electron-releasing N-Et substituent on bzim ring, which decreases the π-delocalization in fla- and enhances its activation.

Mixed ligand copper(II)-diimine complexes of 2-formylpyridine-N4-phenylthiosemicarbazone: diimine co-ligands tune the in vitro nanomolar cytotoxicity.

Recently, mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes have received much attention in searching for alternative metallodrugs to cisplatin. A series of mixed ligand Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(diimine)](ClO4) 1-6, where the HL is 2-formylpyridine-N4-phenylthiosemicarbazone and the diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (1), 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (3), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanathroline (4), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5) and dipyrido-[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (6), has been synthesized and their cytotoxicity in HeLa cervical cancer cells examined. In the molecular structures of 2 and 4, as determined by single-crystal X-ray studies, Cu(II) assumes a trigonal bipyramidal distorted square-based pyramidal (TBDSBP) coordination geometry. DFT studies reveal that the axial Cu-N4diimine bond length, interestingly, varies linearly with the experimental CuII/CuI reduction potential as well as the trigonality index τ of the five-coordinate complexes, and that methyl substitution on diimine co-ligands tunes the extent of the Jahn-Teller distortion at the Cu(II). While 4 is involved in strong DNA groove binding with a hydrophobic interaction of methyl substituents, 6 is involved in stronger binding through partial intercalation of dpq with DNA. Complexes 3, 4, 5, and 6 efficiently cleave supercoiled DNA into NC form in ascorbic acid by generating hydroxyl radicals. Interestingly, 4 exhibits higher DNA cleavage in hypoxic than at normoxic conditions. Notably, except for [CuL]+, all the complexes were stable in 0.5% DMSO-RPMI (without phenol red) cell culture medium up to 48 h at 37 °C. Remarkably, all the complexes show time-dependent cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations (IC50, 7.0-182 nM) in HeLa cervical cancer cells compared with uncoordinated ligand HL (IC50 > 10 000 nM). Except for 2 and 3, all the complexes exhibit higher cytotoxicity than [CuL]+ at 48 h. 4 shows (57.2 nM) higher cytotoxicity than 1 (181.5 nM) at 24 h incubation; however, notably, 1 demonstrates phenomenal cytotoxicity (7.0 nM) higher than 4 (13.6 nM) at 48 h incubation. The selectivity index (SI) reveals that complexes 1 and 4 are 53.5 and 37.3, respectively, times less toxic to HEK293 normal cells than to cancerous cells. Except for [CuL]+, all the complexes generate ROS to different extents at 24 h, with 1 producing the highest amount, which is consistent with their redox properties. Also, 1 and 4 exhibit, respectively, sub-G1 and G2-M phase cell arrest in the cell cycle. Therefore, complexes 1 and 4 have the potential to emerge as promising anticancer agents.

Rapid atmospheric carbon dioxide fixation by nickel(II) complexes: meridionally coordinated diazepane-based 3N ligands facilitate fixation.

Octahedral complexes of the type [Ni(L)(H2O)3](ClO4)2 (1 and 2), where L is the tridentate 3N ligand 4-methyl-1-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane (L1, 1), or 4-methyl-1-(N-methylimidazolyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane (L2, 2), have been isolated and characterized using elemental analysis, ESI-MS and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The DFT optimized structures of 1 and 2 reveal that the tridentate 3N ligands are coordinated meridionally constituting a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around nickel(ii). In methanol solution, the complexes, upon treatment with triethylamine, generate the reactive red colored low-spin square planar Ni-OH intermediate [Ni(L1/L2)(OH)]+ (1a and 2a), as characterized by ESI-MS and electronic absorption spectroscopy, and energy minimized structures. The latter when exposed to the atmosphere rapidly absorbs atmospheric CO2 to produce the carbonate bridged dinickel(ii) complexes [Ni2(L1/L2)2(µ-CO3)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (3 and 4), as characterized by elemental analysis and the IR spectral feature (∼1608 cm-1) characteristic of bridging carbonate. The single crystal X-ray structure of 3 reveals the presence of a dinickel(ii) core bridged by a carbonate anion in a symmetric mode. Both the Ni(ii) centers are identical to each other with each Ni(ii) possessing a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by a meridionally coordinated 3N ligand, a carbonate ion and a water molecule. The decay kinetics of the red intermediates generated by 1 (kobs, 7.7 ± 0.1 × 10-5 s-1) and 2 (kobs, 5.8 ± 0.3 × 10-4 s-1) in basic methanol solution with atmospheric CO2 has been determined by absorption spectroscopy. DFT studies illustrate that meridional coordination of the 3N ligand and the electron-releasing imidazole ring as in 2 facilitate fixation of CO2. The carbonate complex 3 efficiently catalyzes the conversion of styrene oxide into cyclic carbonate by absorbing atmospheric and pure CO2 with excellent selectivity.

µ-Oxo-bridged diiron(iii) complexes of tripodal 4N ligands as catalysts for alkane hydroxylation reaction using m-CPBA as an oxidant: substrate vs. self hydroxylation.

A series of non-heme µ-oxo-bridged dinuclear iron(iii) complexes of the type [Fe2(µ-O)(L1-L6)2Cl2]Cl21-6 have been isolated and their catalytic activity towards oxidative transformation of alkanes into alcohols has been studied using m-choloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as an oxidant. All the complexes were characterized by CHN, electrochemical, and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of 2 and 5 have been determined successfully by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and both possesses octahedral coordination geometry and each iron atom is coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of the 4N ligand and a bridging oxygen. The sixth position of each octahedron is coordinated by a chloride ion. The (µ-oxo)diiron(iii) core is linear in 2 (Fe-O-Fe, 180.0°), whereas it is non-linear (Fe-O-Fe, 161°) in 5. All the diiron(iii) complexes show quasi-reversible one electron transfer in the cyclic voltammagram and catalyze the hydroxylation of alkanes like cyclohexane, adamantane with m-CPBA as an oxidant. In acetonitrile solution, adding excess m-CPBA to the diiron(iii) complex 2 without chloride ions leads to intramolecular hydroxylation reaction of the oxidant. Interestingly, 2 catalyzes alkane hydroxylation in the presence of chloride ions, but intramolecular hydroxylation in the absence of chloride ions. The observed selectivity for cyclohexane (A/K, 5-7) and adamantane (3°/2°, 9-18) suggests the involvement of high-valent iron-oxo species rather than freely diffusing radicals in the catalytic reaction. Moreover, 4 oxidizes (A/K, 7) cyclohexane very efficiently up to 513 TON while 5 oxidizes adamantane with good selectivity (3°/2°, 18) using m-CPBA as an oxidant. The electronic effects of ligand donors dictate the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic hydroxylation of alkanes.

Induction of Redox-Mediated Cell Death in ER-Positive and ER-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by a Copper(II)-Phenolate Complex: An In Vitro and In Silico Study.

This research was aimed at finding the cytotoxic potential of the mixed ligand copper(II) complex [Cu(tdp)(phen)](ClO4)-where H(tdp) is the tetradentate ligand 2-[(2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-ethylimino)methyl]phenol, and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline-to two genotypically different breast cancer cells, MCF-7 (p53+ and ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (p53- and ER-). The complex has been already shown to be cytotoxic to ME180 cervical carcinoma cells. The special focus in this study was the induction of cell death by apoptosis and necrosis, and its link with ROS. The treatment brought about nuclear fragmentation, phosphatidylserine externalization, disruption of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, DNA damage, cell cycle arrest at sub-G1 phase, and increase of ROS generation, followed by apoptotic death of cells during early hours and a late onset of necrosis in the cells surviving the apoptosis. The efficacy of the complex against genotypically different breast cancer cells is attributed to a strong association through p53-mitochondrial redox-cell cycle junction. The ADMET properties and docking of the complex at the active site of Top1 are desirable attributes of a lead molecule for development into a therapeutic. Thus, it is shown that the copper(II)-phenolate complex[Cu(tdp)(phen)]+ offers potential to be developed into a therapeutic for breast cancers in general and ER-negative ones in particular.

Octahedral copper(ii)-diimine complexes of triethylenetetramine: effect of stereochemical fluxionality and ligand hydrophobicity on CuII/CuI redox, DNA binding and cleavage, cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing ability.

Octahedral copper(ii) complexes of the type [Cu(trien)(diimine)](ClO4)2 (1-4), where trien is triethylenetetramine and diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (1), 1,10-phenanthroline (2), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3), and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4), have been isolated. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2 reveal that the coordination geometry around Cu(ii) is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The stereochemical fluxionality of the complexes illustrates the observed trend in CuII/CuI redox potentials and DNA binding affinity (Kb: 1, 0.030 ± 0.002 < 2, 0.66 ± 0.01 < 3, 1.63 ± 0.10 < 4, 2.27± 0.20 × 105 M-1), determined using absorption spectral titration. All complexes effect oxidative DNA cleavage more efficiently than hydrolytic DNA cleavage. The bpy complex 1 with stereochemical fluxionality lower than its phen analogue 2 shows a higher cytotoxicity against both A549 lung (IC50, 3.3 µM) and MCF-7 human breast (IC50, 3.9 µM) cancer cells, and induces the generation of the highest amount of ROS in A549 cells. Complex 3 with a higher stereochemical fluxionality and higher ligand hydrophobicity exhibits a higher DNA binding and cleavage ability and higher cytotoxicity (IC50, 2.1 µM) towards MCF-7 cells. Complex 4 with a still higher stereochemical fluxionality displays the highest DNA binding and cleavage ability but a lower cytotoxicity towards both A549 and MCF-7 cell lines due to its tendency to form a five-coordinated complex with the uncoordinated amine group. Annexin V.Cy3 staining and immunoblot analysis demonstrate the mechanism of cell death caused by 1 and 2. The finding of the up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and down-regulation of PARP protein in western blot analysis confirms the induction of apoptosis by these complexes.

DNA and protein binding, double-strand DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity of mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of the antibacterial drug nalidixic acid.

The water soluble mixed ligand complexes [Cu(nal)(diimine)(H2O)](ClO4) 1-4, where H(nal) is nalidixic acid and diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (1), 1,10-phenanthroline (2), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3), and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4), have been isolated. The coordination geometry around Cu(II) in 1 and that in the Density Functional Theory optimized structures of 1-4 has been assessed as square pyramidal. The trend in DNA binding constants (Kb) determined using absorption spectral titration (Kb: 1, 0.79±0.1<2, 1.06±0.1<3, 1.79±0.2<4, 1.84±0.2×105M-1) is in line with that (Kapp) determined by competitive ethidium bromide binding studies. The large red-shift (10nm) observed for 2 suggests that the phen co-ligand is stacked with a frayed DNA base pair. In contrast, 3 and 4 are involved in intimate hydrophobic interaction with DNA through the methyl substituents on phen ring, which is supported by viscosity and protein binding studies. DNA docking studies imply that 4 is involved preferentially in DNA major groove binding while 1-3 in minor groove binding and that all the complexes, upon removing the axially coordinated water molecule, bind in the major groove. Interestingly, 3 and 4 display prominent double-strand DNA cleavage while 1 and 2 effect only single-strand DNA cleavage in the absence of an activator. The complexes 3 and 4 show cytotoxicity higher than 1 and 2 against human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). The complex 4 induces apoptotic mode of cell death in cancer cells.

Novel nickel(ii) complexes of sterically modified linear N4 ligands: effect of ligand stereoelectronic factors and solvent of coordination on nickel(ii) spin-state and catalytic alkane hydroxylation.

A series of Ni(ii) complexes of the types [Ni(L)(CH3CN)2](BPh4)21-3, 5 and [Ni(L4)](BPh4)24, where L = N,N'-bis(2-pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L1), N-(6-methylpyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L2), N,N'-bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane (L3), N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (L5) and L4 = N,N'-bis((1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl)-1,4-diazepane, have been isolated and characterized. The complex cations of 1 and 4 possess, respectively, distorted octahedral and low-spin square planar coordination geometries in which nickel(ii) is meridionally coordinated to all four nitrogen atoms of L1 and L4. DFT studies reveal that L5 with the ethylenediamine backbone coordinates in the cis-ß mode in [Ni(L5)(CH3CN)2]2+5, but in the cis-α mode in [Ni(L5)(H2O)2]2+. Also, they illustrate the role of ligand donor atom type, diazacyclo backbone and steric hindrance to coordination of pyridyl nitrogen in conferring novel coordination geometries on Ni(ii). All these complexes catalyse the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m-CPBA as the oxidant up to 600 turnover numbers (TON) with relatively good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 5.6-7.2). Adamantane is oxidized to 1-adamantanol, 2-adamantanol and 2-adamantanone with high bond selectivity (3°/2°, 8.7-11.7). The incorporation of methyl substituent(s) on one (2) or both (3) of the pyridyl rings and the replacement of both the pyridylmethyl arms in 1 by imidazolylmethyl arms to give 4 decrease the catalytic efficiency. Interestingly, 5 with the cis-ß mode of coordination provides two labile cis coordination sites for oxidant binding, leading to higher total TON and product/bond selectivity.

Non-heme µ-Oxo- and bis(µ-carboxylato)-bridged diiron(iii) complexes of a 3N ligand as catalysts for alkane hydroxylation: stereoelectronic factors of carboxylate bridges determine the catalytic efficiency.

A series of non-heme (µ-oxo)bis(µ-dicarboxylato)-bridged diiron(iii) complexes, [Fe2(O)(OOCH)2(L)2](2+)1, [Fe2(O)(OAc)2(L)2](2+)2, [Fe2(O)(Me3AcO)2(L)2](2+)3, [Fe2(O)(OBz)2(L)2](2+)4, [Fe2(O)(Ph2AcO)2(L)2](2+)5 and [Fe2(O)(Ph3AcO)3(L)2](2+)6, where L = N,N-dimethyl-N'-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine, OAc(-) = acetate, Me3AcO(-) = trimethylacetate, OBz(-) = benzoate, Ph2AcO(-) = diphenylacetate and Ph3AcO(-) = triphenylacetate, have been isolated and characterized using elemental analysis and spectral and electrochemical techniques. They have been studied as catalysts for the selective oxidation of alkanes using m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as the oxidant. Complexes 2, 3, and 4 possess a distorted bioctahedral geometry in which each iron atom is coordinated to an oxygen atom of the µ-oxo bridge, two oxygen atoms of the µ-carboxylate bridge and three nitrogen atoms of the 3N ligand. In an acetonitrile/dichloromethane solvent mixture all the complexes display a d-d band characteristic of the triply bridged diiron(iii) core, revealing that they retain their identity in solution. Upon replacing electron-donating substituents on the bridging carboxylates by electron-withdrawing ones the E1/2 value of the one-electron Fe(III)Fe(III)→ Fe(III)Fe(II) reduction becomes less negative. On adding one equivalent of Et3N to a mixture of one equivalent of the complex and an excess of m-CPBA in the acetonitrile/dichloromethane solvent mixture an intense absorption band (λmax, 680-720 nm) appears, which corresponds to the formation of a mixture of complex species. All the complexes act as efficient catalysts for the hydroxylation of cyclohexane with 380-500 total turnover numbers and good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 6.0-10.1). Adamantane is selectively oxidized to 1-adamantanol and 2-adamantanol (3°/2°, 12.9-17.1) along with a small amount of 2-adamantanone (total TON, 381-476), and interestingly, the sterically demanding trimethylacetate bridge around the diiron(iii) centre leads to high 3°/2° bond selectivity; on the other hand, the sterically demanding triphenylacetate bridge gives a lower 3°/2° bond selectivity. A remarkable linear correlation between the pKa of the bridging carboxylate and TON for both cyclohexane and adamantane oxidation is observed, illustrating the highest catalytic activity for 3 with strongly electron-releasing trimethylacetate bridges.

In vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of a mononuclear copper(II) complex with dppz ligand, in two genotypically different breast cancer cell lines.

In the background that there is concerted effort to discover newer metal-based cancer chemotherapeutic agents that could overcome the limitations in cisplatin and that copper, a biocompatible and redox-active metal, offers potential as alternative to cisplatin, the present study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro anti-proliferative properties of the mononuclear copper(II)complex [Cu(L)(diimine)] + where LH = 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and diimine = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) using breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (ER(+ve) and p53(WT)) and MDA-MB-231(ER(-ve) and p53(mutant)) when cisplatin was used as positive control. The complex affected the viability of both the cell lines in dose-as well as duration-dependent manner as revealed in the MTT assay. The 24 and 48 h IC50 of the complex were several times lesser than those of cisplatin, and within this huge difference the efficacy of the complex was much superior with MCF-7 cell compared to MDA-MB-231 cell. The cell death was preferentially apoptosis, though necrosis also occurred to a certain extent. These inferences were substantiated by AO/EB fluorescent staining, Hoechst staining, assessment of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, comet assay for DNA damage, DCFH assay for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Western blot of apoptosis-related proteins. Thus, the copper(II) dppz complex under investigation is much more efficient than cisplatin in affecting viability of the breast cancer cells. The underlying mechanism appears to be DNA damage-primed (in view of the known intercalation mode of binding of the complex with DNA) and ROS-associated mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis to a great extent but necrosis also has a role to a certain extent, which may also be a PARP-mediated cell death independent of apoptosis. Within the purview of this conclusion, the results indicate that the ER and/or p53 genotypes have a bearing on the efficacy of the complex as a cytotoxic agent since the response in the ER(-ve) and p53(mutant) MDA-MB-231 cell was not so prominent as in ER(+ve) and p53(WT) MCF-7 cell. Taken together, the complex has been shown to be a potential DNA damaging agent and, in the light of the superiority of the complex over cisplatin, we are further investigating the possibility of targeted nano-delivery of the complex to the tumor cells. When tested on a normal cell, 3T3, Cu(II)dppz was found to affect its viability but at concentrations very high compared to those for the breast cancer cells. Yet, this is a cause of concern and, therefore, we are working out a strategy for targeted delivery of this complex to the cancer cells only.

Interaction of DNA with Simple and Mixed Ligand Copper(II) Complexes of 1,10-Phenanthrolines as Studied by DNA-Fiber EPR Spectroscopy.

The interaction of simple and ternary Cu(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthrolines with DNA has been studied extensively because of their various interesting and important functions such as DNA cleavage activity, cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, and DNA based asymmetric catalysis. Such functions are closely related to the DNA binding modes of the complexes such as intercalation, groove binding, and electrostatic surface binding. A variety of spectroscopic methods have been used to study the DNA binding mode of the Cu(II) complexes. Of all these methods, DNA-fiber electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy affords unique information on the DNA binding structures of the complexes. In this review we summarize the results of our DNA-fiber EPR studies on the DNA binding structure of the complexes and discuss them together with the data accumulated by using other measurements.

Fluorescent mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of anthracene-appended Schiff bases: studies on DNA binding, nuclease activity and cytotoxicity.

A series of mixed ligand copper(ii) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(phen)(ACN)](ClO4)21-5, where L is a bidentate Schiff base ligand (N(1)-(anthracen-10-ylmethylene)-N(2)-methylethane-1,2-diamine (L1), N(1)-(anthracen-10-ylmethylene)-N(2),N(2)-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (L2), N(1)-(anthracen-10-yl-methylene)-N(2)-ethylethane-1,2-diamine (L3), N(1)-(anthracen-10-ylmethylene)-N(2),N(2)-diethylethane-1,2-diamine (L4) and N(1)-(anthracen-10-ylmethylene)-N(3)-methylpropane-1,3-diamine (L5)) and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, have been synthesized and characterized by spectral and analytical methods. The X-ray crystal structure of 5 reveals that the coordination geometry around Cu(ii) is square pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (τ, 0.76). The corners of the trigonal plane of the geometry are occupied by the N2 nitrogen atom of phen, the N4 nitrogen atom of L5 and the N5 nitrogen of acetonitrile while the N1 nitrogen of phen and the N3 nitrogen of L5 occupy the axial positions with an N1-Cu1-N3 bond angle of 176.0(3)°. All the complexes display a ligand field band (600-705 nm) and three less intense anthracene-based bands (345-395 nm) in solution. The Kb values calculated from absorption spectral titration of the complexes (π→π*, 250-265 nm) with Calf Thymus (CT) DNA vary in the order 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1. The fluorescence intensity of the complexes (520-525 nm) decreases upon incremental addition of CT DNA, which reveals the involvement of phen rather than the appended anthracene ring in partial DNA intercalation with the DNA base stack. The extent of quenching is in agreement with the DNA binding affinities and the relative increase in the viscosity of DNA upon binding to the complexes as well. Thus 5 interacts with DNA more strongly than 4 on account of the stronger involvement in hydrophobic DNA interaction of the anthracenyl moiety, which is facilitated by the propylene ligand backbone with chair conformation. The ability of complexes (100 µM) to cleave DNA (pUC19 DNA) in 5 mM Tris-HCl/50 mM NaCl buffer at pH 7.1 in the absence of a reducing agent or light varies in the order 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1, which is in conformity with their DNA binding affinities. Interestingly, cytotoxicity studies on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line show that the IC50 value of 5 is less than that of cisplatin for the same cell line, revealing that it can act as an effective cytotoxic drug in a time-dependent manner.

Mixed ligand copper(II) dicarboxylate complexes: the role of co-ligand hydrophobicity in DNA binding, double-strand DNA cleavage, protein binding and cytotoxicity.

A few water soluble mixed ligand copper(ii) complexes of the type [Cu(bimda)(diimine)] , where bimda is N-benzyliminodiacetic acid and diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, ) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, ) or 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp, ) or 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3,4,7,8-tmp, ) and dipyrido[3,2-d: 2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq, ), have been successfully isolated and characterized by elemental analysis and other spectral techniques. The coordination geometry around copper(ii) in is described as distorted square based pyramidal while that in is described as square pyramidal. Absorption spectral titrations and competitive DNA binding studies reveal that the intrinsic DNA binding affinity of the complexes depends upon the diimine co-ligand, dpq () > 3,4,7,8-tmp () > 5,6-dmp () > phen () > bpy (). The phen and dpq co-ligands are involved in the π-stacking interaction with DNA base pairs while the 3,4,7,8-tmp/5,6-dmp and bpy co-ligands are involved in respectively hydrophobic and surface mode of binding with DNA. The small enhancement in the relative viscosity of DNA upon binding to supports the DNA binding modes proposed. Interestingly, and are selective in exhibiting a positive induced CD band (ICD) upon binding to DNA suggesting that they induce B to A conformational change. In contrast, and show CD responses which reveal their involvement in strong DNA binding. The complexes are unique in displaying prominent double-strand DNA cleavage while effects only single-strand DNA cleavage, and their ability to cleave DNA in the absence of an activator varies as > > > > . Also, all the complexes exhibit oxidative double-strand DNA cleavage activity in the presence of ascorbic acid, which varies as > > > > . The ability of the complexes to bind and cleave the protein BSA varies in the order > > > > . Interestingly, and cleave the protein non-specifically in the presence of H2O2 as an activator suggesting that they can act also as chemical proteases. It is remarkable that exhibit cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) with potency higher than the widely used drug cisplatin indicating that they have the potential to act as effective anticancer drugs in a time dependent manner. The morphological assessment data obtained by using Hoechst 33258 staining reveal that and induce apoptosis much more effectively than other complexes. Also, the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis study (comet assay) suggests that the same complexes induce DNA fragmentation more efficiently than others.

Mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline with tridentate phenolate/pyridyl/(benz)imidazolyl Schiff base ligands: covalent vs non-covalent DNA binding, DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity.

A series of copper(II) complexes of the types [Cu(L)(phen)](ClO4) 1-2, where HL is a tridentate ligand with two nitrogen and one oxygen donor atoms (2NO) such as 2-(2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyliminomethyl)phenol (HL1) and 2-(2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl-imino)methyl)-4-methylphenol (HL2), phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and [Cu(L)(phen)](ClO4)23-6, where L is a tridentate ligand with three nitrogen donor atoms (3N) such as (2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)pyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine (L3), 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl)-pyridin-2-yl-methyleneamine (L4), 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl)(1H-imidazol-2-ylmethylene)-amine (L5) and 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethyl)(4,4a-dihydroquinolin-2-ylmethylene)amine (L6), has been isolated and characterized by different spectral techniques. In single crystal X-ray structures, 1 possesses square pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (SPDTBP), geometry whereas 3 and 4 possess trigonal bipyramidal distorted square pyramidal (TBDSP) geometry. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectral studies reveal that the complexes 1-6 bind non-covalently to calf thymus DNA more strongly than the corresponding covalently bound chlorido complexes [Cu(2NO)Cl] 1a-2a and [Cu(3N)Cl2] 3a-6a. On prolonged incubation, all the complexes 1-6 exhibit double strand cleavage of supercoiled (SC) plasmid DNA in the absence of an activator. Also, they exhibit cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell lines (HBL-100) more potent than their corresponding chlorido complexes 1a-6a, and have the potential to act as efficient cytotoxic drugs.

Nickel(II) complexes of pentadentate N5 ligands as catalysts for alkane hydroxylation by using m-CPBA as oxidant: a combined experimental and computational study.

A new family of nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2), where L=N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (L1, 1), N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(pyrid-2-yl-methyl)-ethylenediamine (L2, 2), N-methyl-N,N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(6-methyl-pyrid-2-yl-methyl)-ethylenediamine (L3, 3), N-methyl-N,N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (L4, 4), and N-methyl-N,N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-imidazole-2-ylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (L5, 5), has been isolated and characterized by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The single-crystal X-ray structure of [Ni(L(3))(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2) reveals that the nickel(II) center is located in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by all the five nitrogen atoms of the pentadentate ligand and an acetonitrile molecule. In a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the complexes show ligand field bands in the visible region characteristic of an octahedral coordination geometry. They exhibit a one-electron oxidation corresponding to the Ni(II) /Ni(III) redox couple the potential of which depends upon the ligand donor functionalities. The new complexes catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m-CPBA as oxidant up to a turnover number of 530 with good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 7.1-10.6, A=alcohol, K=ketone). Upon replacing the pyridylmethyl arm in [Ni(L1)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2) by the strongly σ-bonding but weakly π-bonding imidazolylmethyl arm as in [Ni(L5)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2) or the sterically demanding 6-methylpyridylmethyl ([Ni(L3)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2) and the quinolylmethyl arms ([Ni(L4)(CH(3)CN)](BPh(4))(2), both the catalytic activity and the selectivity decrease. DFT studies performed on cyclohexane oxidation by complexes 1 and 5 demonstrate the two spin-state reactivity for the high-spin [(N5)Ni(II)-O(.)] intermediate (ts1(hs), ts2(doublet)), which has a low-spin state located closely in energy to the high-spin state. The lower catalytic activity of complex 5 is mainly due to the formation of thermodynamically less accessible m-CPBA-coordinated precursor of [Ni(II) (L5)(OOCOC(6)H(4)Cl)](+) (5 a). Adamantane is oxidized to 1-adamantanol, 2-adamantanol, and 2-adamantanone (3°/2°, 10.6-11.5), and cumene is selectively oxidized to 2-phenyl-2-propanol. The incorporation of sterically hindering pyridylmethyl and quinolylmethyl donor ligands around the Ni(II) leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation, which is in contrast to the lower cyclohexane oxidation activities of the complexes.

Mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: tridentate 3N primary ligands determine DNA binding and cleavage and cytotoxicity.

A series of mononuclear mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)(2,9-dmp)](ClO4)21-4, where L is a tridentate 3N ligand such as diethylenetriamine (L1) (1) or N-methyl-N'-(pyrid-2-yl-methyl)ethylenediamine (L2) (2) or di(2-picolyl)amine (L3) (3) or bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N-methylamine (L4) (4) and 2,9-dmp is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, has been isolated and characterized. The complexes 1 and 3 possess square-based pyramidal coordination geometry. Absorption spectral studies reveal that the intrinsic DNA binding affinity varies as 1>2>3>4. The higher DNA binding affinity of 1 arises from L1, which offers lower steric hindrance toward intercalation of 2,9-dmp co-ligand into DNA base pairs and is involved in hydrogen bonding interaction with DNA. Interestingly, all the complexes cleave pUC19 supercoiled DNA in the absence of an activating agent. They also exhibit oxidative (H2O2) DNA cleavage ability, which varies as 1>2>3>4, the highest cleavage efficiency of 1 being due to the largest amount of ROS it generates. The tryptophan emission-quenching experiment reveals that the stronger binding of 3 and 4 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the hydrophobic region, which is in line with DNA viscosity measurements. The IC50 values of 1-4 for MCF-7 breast cancer cell line are lower than that of cisplatin. Flow cytometry analysis reveals that 1 mediates the arrest of S and G2/M phases in the cell cycle progression at 24h harvesting time, which progresses into apoptosis. Hoechst 33258 staining studies indicate the higher potency of 1 to induce apoptosis.

Iron(III) complexes of tripodal tetradentate 4N ligands as functional models for catechol dioxygenases: the electronic vs. steric effect on extradiol cleavage.

A few mononuclear iron(iii) complexes of the type [Fe(L)Cl2]Cl , where L is a tetradentate tripodal 4N ligand such as N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (), N,N-diethyl-N',N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (), N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis-(6-methylpyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (), N,N-dimethyl-N'-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (), N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine () and N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (), have been isolated and characterized by CHN analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The complex cation [Fe(H)Cl3](+) possesses a distorted octahedral geometry in which iron is coordinated by the monoprotonated 4N ligand in a tridentate fashion and the remaining three sites of the octahedron are occupied by chloride ions. The DFT optimized octahedral geometries of , and contain iron(iii) with a high-spin (S = 5/2) ground state. The catecholate adducts [Fe(L)(DBC)](+), where H2DBC is 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol, of all the complexes have been generated in situ in acetonitrile solution and their spectral and redox properties and dioxygenase activities have been studied. The DFT optimized geometries of the catecholate adducts [Fe()(DBC)](+), [Fe()(DBC)](+) and [Fe()(DBC)](+) have also been generated to illustrate the ability of the complexes to cleave H2DBC in the presence of molecular oxygen to afford varying amounts of intra- (I) and extradiol (E) cleavage products. The extradiol to intradiol product selectivity (E/I, 0.1-2.0) depends upon the asymmetry in bidentate coordination of catecholate, as determined by the stereoelectronic properties of the ligand donor functionalities. While the higher E/I value obtained for [Fe()(DBC)](+) is on account of the steric hindrance of the quinolyl moiety to coordination the lower value observed for [Fe()(DBC)](+) and [Fe()(DBC)](+) is on account of the electron-releasing effect of the N-methylimidazolyl moiety. Based on the data obtained it is proposed that the detachment of the -NMe2 group from the coordination sphere in the semiquinone intermediate is followed for dioxygen binding and activation to yield the extradiol cleavage product.

Biomimetic iron(III) complexes of facially and meridionally coordinating tridentate 3N ligands: tuning of regioselective extradiol dioxygenase activity in organized assemblies.

Four mononuclear iron(III) complexes of the type [Fe(L)Cl3] 1-4, where L is a tridentate 3N ligand such as (2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine (L1), (methyl)(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine (L2), bis(pyridin-2-ylethyl)amine (L3), and (1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)(pyridin-2-ylethyl)amine (L4), have been isolated and studied as functional models for catechol dioxygenase enzymes. In [Fe(L2)Cl3] 2, the ligand L2 is coordinated facially to iron(III) whereas in [Fe(L1)Cl3] 1 and [Fe(L4)Cl3] 4 the ligands L1 and L4 are coordinated meridionally. In DCM, CH3CN and aqueous SDS, CTAB and TX-100 micellar media, the positions of both the low and high energy catecholate-to-iron(III) LMCT bands (465-530, 690-860 nm) observed for the 3,4-di-tert-butylcatecholate (DBC(2-)) adducts of the iron(III) complexes vary in the order 2 > 1 > 3 > 4, which reflects the influence of the stereoelectronic factors, mode of coordination and the chelate ring size formed by the tridentate ligands. Spectral and electrochemical studies disclose the formation and location of the cationic adducts as solvated [Fe(L)(DBC)(H2O)](+) species mostly in the aqueous micellar pseudophases of SDS and TX-100 and in the aqueous phase of CTAB micellar solution. The [Fe(L)(DBC)Cl] adducts of 1, 3 and 4, generated in situ, afford major amounts of intradiol cleavage products (17.0-70.0%) and smaller amounts of extradiol (1.2-4.2%) products with varying extradiol to intradiol cleavage product selectivity (E/I: 1, 0.08 : 1; 3, 0.02 : 1; 4, 0.3 : 1). On the other hand, interestingly, the adduct [Fe(L2)(DBC)Cl] of 2 generated in DCM yields a major amount of extradiol (54.0%) and a lower amount (18.3%) of the intradiol cleavage products (E/I, 3 : 1). Remarkably, in aqueous SDS micellar media, it shows exclusive extradiol cleavage products (79.4%) while all the other complexes show very low selectivity (E/I: 1, 0.03 : 1; 2, 79.4 : 0, 3, 0.06 : 1, 4, 0.06 : 1), suggesting the suitability of SDS medium for 2 to elicit exclusive extradiol cleavage. The TX-100 micellar medium also provides a suitable hydrophobic environment for 2 to elicit extradiol cleavage. However, in CTAB micellar medium, 2 shows cleavage selectivity lower than others. Also, the rate of dioxygenation is higher in SDS micellar medium than in DCM, and is dependent upon the chelate ring size.

Mixed ligand µ-phenoxo-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complexes with diimine co-ligands: efficient chemical nuclease and protease activities and cytotoxicity.

The water soluble mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(sal)(diimine)(ClO4)]21-5, where sal is salicylaldehyde and diimine is 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp, 3), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3,4,7,8-tmp, 4) or dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 5), and [Cu(sal)(phen)(NO3)]2 (2a) have been successfully isolated and characterized by elemental analysis and other spectral techniques. The DNA binding and cleavage properties of 1-5 have been explored by using various physical and biochemical methods. The coordination geometry around copper(II) in the X-ray structures of 1, 2, 2a and 4 is described as an elongated octahedron. The UV-Vis and EPR spectral and ESI-MS studies reveal that in solution the dinuclear complexes dissociate into essentially mononuclear [Cu(sal)(diimine)]+ species with square-based geometry. The absorption spectral titrations and competitive DNA binding studies reveal that the intrinsic DNA binding affinity of the complexes depends upon the diimine co-ligand and is of the order of dpq (5) > 3,4,7,8-tmp (4) > 5,6-dmp (3) > phen (2) > bpy (1). The complexes 2 and 5 are involved in a partial intercalative interaction with DNA base pairs, while 3 and 4 are involved in a hydrophobic interaction with DNA and 1 is involved in an electrostatic interaction with DNA, which is supported by viscosity studies. Interestingly, only 3 and 4 are selective in exhibiting a positive induced CD band (ICD) upon binding to DNA suggesting that they induce a B to A conformational change in DNA. All the complexes exhibit an oxidative DNA cleavage ability, which varies as 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1. While 4 and 5 are unique in displaying prominent double-strand DNA cleavage even in the absence of an activator, 2 and 3 display only single-strand DNA cleavage. Interestingly, all the complexes exhibit oxidative double-strand DNA cleavage in the presence of ascorbic acid, with 4 and 5 showing a DNA cleavage activity more prominent than 1 and 2. The ability of the complexes to bind and cleave the protein BSA varies in the order, 4 > 3 > 5 > 2 > 1. Interestingly, 3 and 4 cleave the protein in the presence of H2O2 as an activator in a non-specific manner suggesting that they can act as chemical proteases. It is remarkable that all the complexes exhibit cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) with a potency more than the widely used drug cisplatin indicating that they have the potential to act as effective anticancer drugs in a time dependent manner. The morphological assessment data obtained by using Hoechst 33258 staining reveal that 3 and 4 induce apoptosis much more effectively than the other complexes. Also, the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis study (comet assay) suggests that the same complexes induce DNA fragmentation more efficiently than others.