Seasonal Evaluation of Phlorotannin-Enriched Extracts from Brown Macroalgae Fucus spiralis.

Fucus spiralis that was collected in the four seasons was submitted to an extraction with ethanol:water (crude extracts Et80), followed by a liquid-liquid fractionation with organic solvents (fraction He from n-hexane; aqueous fractions AQ1, AQ2, AQ3 and AQ4; ethyl acetate fraction EA), with the aim of obtaining phlorotannin-enriched extracts. All the extracts (Et80, He, AQ1, AQ2, AQ3, AQ4 and EA) that were obtained for the F. spiralis of the four seasons were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds. The summer extracts presented the highest contents in polyphenols (TPC), as well as the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), when compared to the samples from the other seasons. The reductive percentage of the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) compound was similar between the seasons. For all the seasons, the EA extract showed the highest polyphenol content (TPC), and the highest antioxidant capacity (highest ferric reducing power (FRAP) and lowest concentration needed to reduce 50% of the DPPH compound), which is in agreement with a phlorotannin-enriched fraction. This study revealed that the polyphenol content and antioxidant power of the F. spiralis extracts are influenced by the time of harvest, as well as by the solvents used for their extraction.

Enhancement of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Porphyran through Chemical Modification with Tyrosine Derivatives.

The chemical modification of porphyran hydrocolloid is attempted, with the objective of enhancing its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Sulfated galactan porphyran is obtained from commercial samples of the red algae Porphyra dioica using Soxhlet extraction with water at 100 °C and precipitation with isopropyl alcohol. The extracted porphyran is then treated with modified L-tyrosines in aqueous medium in the presence of NaOH, at ca. 70 °C. The modified tyrosines L1 and L2 are prepared through a Mannich reaction with either thymol or 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, respectively. While the reaction with 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol yields the expected tyrosine derivative, a mixture of products is obtained with thymol. The resulting polysaccharides are structurally characterized and the respective antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are determined. Porphyran treated with the N-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-benzyl)-L-tyrosine derivative, POR-L2, presents a noticeable superior radical scavenging and antioxidant activity compared to native porphyran, POR. Furthermore, it exhibited some antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. The surface morphology of films prepared by casting with native and modified porphyrans is studied by SEM/EDS. Both POR and POR-L2 present potential applicability in the production of films and washable coatings for food packaging with improved protecting characteristics.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions for Gracilaria gracilis Extracts and Their Antioxidative Stability as Part of Microfiber Food Coating Additives.

Incorporation of antioxidant agents in edible films and packages often relies in the usage of essential oils and other concentrated hydrophobic liquids, with reliable increases in antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the overall composite, but with less desirable synthetic sources and extraction methods. Hydroethanolic extracts of commercially-available red macroalgae Gracilaria gracilis were evaluated for their antioxidant potential and phenolic content, as part of the selection of algal biomass for the enrichment of thermoplastic film coatings. The extracts were obtained through use of solid-liquid extractions, over which yield, DPPH radical reduction capacity, total phenolic content, and FRAP activity assays were measured. Solid-to-liquid ratio, extraction time, and ethanol percentages were selected as independent variables, and response surface methodology (RSM) was then used to estimate the effect of each extraction condition on the tested bioactivities. These extracts were electrospun into polypropylene films and the antioxidant activity of these coatings was measured. Similar bioactivities were measured for both 100% ethanolic and aqueous extracts, revealing high viability in the application of both for antioxidant coating purposes, though activity losses as a result of the electrospinning process were above 60% in all cases.

Chemistry of Monomeric and Dinuclear Non-Oxido Vanadium(IV) and Oxidovanadium(V) Aroylazine Complexes: Exploring Solution Behavior.

A series of mononuclear non-oxido vanadium(IV) [V(IV)(L(1-4))2] (1-4), oxidoethoxido vanadium(V) [V(V)O(L(1-4))(OEt)] (5-8), and dinuclear µ-oxidodioxidodivanadium(V) [V(V)2O3(L(1))2] (9) complexes with tridentate aroylazine ligands are reported [H2L(1) = 2-furoylazine of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone, H2L(2) = 2-thiophenoylazine of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone, H2L(3) = 1-naphthoylazine of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone, H2L(4) = 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoylazine of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone]. The complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, by various spectroscopic techniques, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (for 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9). The non-oxido V(IV) complexes (1-4) are quite stable in open air as well as in solution, and DFT calculations allow predicting EPR and UV-vis spectra and the electronic structure. The solution behavior of the [V(V)O(L(1-4))(OEt)] compounds (5-8) is studied confirming the formation of at least two different types of V(V) species in solution, monomeric corresponding to 5-8, and µ-oxidodioxidodivanadium [V(V)2O3(L(1-4))2] compounds. The µ-oxidodioxidodivanadium compound [V(V)2O3(L(1))2] (9), generated from the corresponding mononuclear complex [V(V)O(L(1))(OEt)] (5), is characterized in solution and in the solid state. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the non-oxido vanadium(IV) compounds (2 and 3) show a N2O4 binding set and a trigonal prismatic geometry, and those of the V(V)O complexes 5, 6, and 8 and the µ-oxidodioxidodivanadium(V) (9) reveal that the metal center is in a distorted square pyramidal geometry with O4N binding sets. For the µ-oxidodioxidodivanadium species in equilibrium with 5-8 in CH2Cl2, no mixed-valence complexes are detected by chronocoulometric and EPR studies. However, upon progressive transfer of two electrons, two distinct monomeric V(IV)O species are detected and characterized by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Use of Limestone Sludge in the Preparation of É©-Carrageenan/Alginate-Based Films.

The use of processed limestone sludge as a crosslinking agent for films based on Na-alginate and É©-carrageenan/Na-alginate blends was studied. Sorbitol was tested as a plasticizer. The produced gel formulations included alginate/sorbitol and carrageenan/alginate/sorbitol mixtures, with tested sorbitol concentrations of 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%. The limestone sludge waste obtained from the processing of quarried limestone was converted into an aqueous solution of Ca2+ by dissolution with mineral acid. This solution was then diluted in water and used to induce gel crosslinking. The necessity of using sorbitol as a component of the crosslinking solution was also assessed. The resulting films were characterized regarding their dimensional stability, microstructure, chemical structure, mechanical performance and antifungal properties. Alginate/sorbitol films displayed poor dimensional stability and were deemed not viable. Carrageenan/alginate/sorbitol films exhibited higher dimensional stability and smooth and flat surfaces, especially in compositions with 0.5 wt% sorbitol. However, an increasing amount of plasticizer appears to result in severe surface cracking, the development of a segregation phenomenon affecting carrageenan and an overall decrease in films' mechanical resistance. Although further studies regarding film composition-including plasticizer fraction, film optimal thickness and film/mold material interaction-are mandatory, the attained results show the potential of the reported É©-carrageenan/alginate/sorbitol films to be used towards the development of viable films derived from algal polysaccharides.

Amino alcohol-derived reduced Schiff base V(IV)O and V(V) compounds as catalysts for asymmetric sulfoxidation of thioanisole with hydrogen peroxide.

We report the synthesis and characterization of several amino alcohol-derived reduced Schiff base ligands (AORSB) and the corresponding V(IV)O and V(V) complexes. Some of the related Schiff base variants (amino alcohol derived Schiff base = AOSB) were also prepared and characterized. With some exceptions, all compounds are formulated as dinuclear compounds {V(IV)O(L)}(2) in the solid state. Suitable crystals for X-ray diffraction were obtained for two of the AORSB compounds, as well as a rare X-ray structure of a chiral V(IV)O compound, which revealed a dinuclear {V(IV)O(AOSB)}(2) structure with a rather short V-V distance of 3.053(9) Å. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), (51)V NMR, and density functional theory (DFT) studies were carried out to identify the intervenient species prior to and during catalytic reactions. The quantum-chemical DFT calculations were important to determine the more stable isomers in solution, to explain the EPR data, and to assign the (51)V NMR chemical shifts. The V(AORSB) and V(AOSB) complexes were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of thioanisole, with H(2)O(2) as the oxidant in organic solvents. In general, high conversions of sulfoxide were obtained. The V(AOSB) systems exhibited greater activity and enantioselectivity than their V(AORSB) counterparts. Computational and spectroscopic studies were carried out to assist in the understanding of the mechanistic aspects and the reasons behind such marked differences in activity and enantioselectivity. The quantum-chemical calculations are consistent with experimental data in the assessment of the differences in catalytic activity between V(AOSB) and V(AORSB) peroxido variants because the V(AORSB) peroxido transition states correspond to ca. 22 kJ/mol higher energy activation barriers than their V(AOSB) counterparts.

Cu(ii) and V(iv)O complexes with tri- or tetradentate ligands based on (2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-alanines reveal promising anticancer therapeutic potential.

Four new ligand precursors (H2L1-H2L4), derived from the Mannich condensation of two amino acids (l-Val and l-Phe) and two 3,5-disubstituted phenols (t-Bu or Me), and the corresponding oxidovanadium(iv) (1-4) and copper(ii) (6-7) complexes are synthesized. Two other related compounds (H2L5 and H2L6), containing an additional 2-methyl-pyridine arm, and the corresponding VIVO (5) and CuII (8-9) complexes were also obtained. All metal complexes are monomeric in the solid state, having a solvent molecule or a chloride ion in the coordination sphere. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of all compounds is evaluated against cancer cells from different origins. The IC50 values at 72 h are in the range of 6-15 µM for HeLa cells, 4-17 µM for A-549 cells and >25 µM for MDA-MB-231 cells, except for [VIVOL1(CH3OH)] (1) and [CuL6(H2O)] (9). With the exception of H2L6, overall, the metal complexes are more cytotoxic than the corresponding ligand precursors. Globally, the cellular viability data show that (i) the l-Phe derived compounds are more cytotoxic than the corresponding l-Val complexes; (ii) the presence of the bulkier t-Bu groups increases the cytotoxicity; (iii) the presence of a 2-methyl-pyridine arm increases considerably the cytotoxicity; and (iv) the CuII-complexes are more cytotoxic than the VIVO-compounds. Complexes [VIVOL3(CH3OH)] (3), [CuL3(H2O)] (7) and [CuL5(H2O)] (8) were further evaluated and their mechanism of action was determined to be apoptosis, evidenced by AnnexinV staining and the increase in caspase 3/7 activity. Compounds 3, 7 and 8 also exhibit DNA cleavage activity, involving the formation of reactive oxygen species and were able to induce genomic damage in cells as determined by COMET assay.

Vanadium diaminebis(phenolate) complexes: syntheses, structures, and reactivity in sulfoxidation catalysis.

Vanadium diaminebis(phenolate) complexes of the general formulas [LVCl(THF)] (L = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(R)N(CH(2)-2-O-3,5-C(6)H(2)(t)Bu(2))(2), where R = H, Me) and [LV(O)X] [X = Cl; R = H (2), Me (3), O(i)Pr (4), (mu-O)V(O)L (5)] are described. All compounds display octahedral geometry and trans-O(Ph) coordination. For compounds 2, 3, and 5, only one isomer, presenting the V=O ligand trans to the tripodal nitrogen, was formed, while for 4, two isomers were observed by NMR in solution. The UV-vis and circular dichroism spectra of 2 and 3 display very intense charge-transfer transition bands from the phenolate donors to the vanadium, which are in agreement with the (51)V low-field shifts observed. All vanadium(V) complexes were tested as thioanisole sulfoxidation catalysts, revealing very high selectivity when H(2)O(2) was used as the oxidant. However, no enantioselectivity was observed even when enantiopure 3 was used as the catalyst precursor. (1)H and (51)V NMR studies were conducted for the reactions of 2 with aqueous solutions of H(2)O(2) in methanol-d(4) and in acetonitrile-d(3); 2 reacts with the solvents, leading to [LV(O)OMe], by replacement of Cl by MeO in methanol, and to a new vanadium aminebis(phenolate) complex, where the dimethylamine fragment of the original ligand L was replaced by CH(3)CN. In either case, (51)V NMR spectra suggest the formation of peroxovanadium species upon the addition of a H(2)O(2) solution. The subsequent addition of thioanisole to the methanol-d(4) solution leads to regeneration of the original complex.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of vanadium-salan complexes in oxygen transfer reactions.

We report the synthesis and characterization of several chiral salen- and salan-type ligands and their vanadium complexes, which are derived from salicylaldehyde or salicylaldehyde derivatives and chiral diamines (1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane, 1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane, and 1S,2S-diphenylethylenediamine). The structures of H(2)sal(R,R-chan)(2+) x 2 Cl(-) x (CH(3))(2)CHOH x H(2)O (1c; H(2)sal(R,R-chan) = N,N'-salicyl-R,R-cyclohexanediaminium), Etvan(S,S-chen) (3c; Etvan(S,S-chen) = N,N'-3-ethoxy-salicylidene-S,S-cyclohexanediiminato), and naph(R,R-chen) (6c; naph(R,R-chen) = N,N'-naphthylidene-R,R-cyclohexanediiminato) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The corresponding vanadium(IV) complexes and several other new complexes involving different salicylaldehyde-type precursors were prepared and characterized in the solid state and in solution by spectroscopic techniques: UV-vis, circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance, and (51)V NMR, which provide information on the coordination geometry. The salan complexes oxidize in organic solvents to V(V) species, and this process was also studied using spectroscopic techniques. Single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained for [{V(V)O[sal(S,S-dpan)]}(2)(mu-O)] x H(2)O x 2(CH(3))(2)CHOH (14c; sal(S,S-dpan) = N,N'-salicyl-S,S-diphenylethylenediaminato) and [{V(V)O[t-Busal(R,R-chan)]}(2)(mu-O)] x 2 (CH(3))(2)CHOH (15c), both containing an OV(V)(mu-O)V(V)O moiety (V(2)O(3)(4+) core) with tetradentate ligands and one mu-oxo bridge. Both structures are the first examples of dinuclear vanadium complexes involving the V(V)(2)O(3)(4+) core with tetradentate ligands, the configuration of the V(2)O(3) unit being twist-angular. The V-salen and V-salan complexes are tested as catalysts in the oxidation of styrene, cyclohexene, cumene, and methyl phenyl sulfide with H(2)O(2) and t-BuOOH as oxidants. Overall, the V-salan complexes show higher activity and normally better selectivity in alkene oxidation and higher activity and enantioselectivity for sulfoxidation than their parent V-salen complexes, therefore being an advantageous alternative ligand system for oxidation catalysis. The better performance of V-salan complexes probably results from their significantly higher hydrolytic stability. Mechanisms for the alkene oxidation with these newly obtained V-salan compounds are discussed, including the use of DFT for the comparison of several alternative mechanisms for epoxidation.

New Cyclams and Their Copper(II) and Iron(III) Complexes: Synthesis and Potential Application as Anticancer Agents.

New cyclam derivatives (HOCH2 CH2 CH2 )2 (PhCH2 )2 Cyclam and (HOCH2 CH2 CH2 )2 ( 4-CF3 PhCH2 )2 Cyclam, as well as their CuII and FeIII complexes, were synthesized and characterized and their stability in cellular media was assessed. The cytotoxic effect of all compounds was examined on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, revealing strong anticancer activity. After 24 h, only complexes with the (HOCH2 CH2 CH2 )2 ( 4-CF3 PhCH2 )2 Cyclam ligand are cytotoxic, whereas after incubation for 72 h all compounds show significant antiproliferative effects. Notably, compounds containing 4-CF3 PhCH2 pendant arms on the cyclam ring revealed the most activity, with cytotoxicity values up to 12 times higher than those of cisplatin. All metal complexes seem to induce cell death through the formation of reactive oxygen species.

Vanadate substituted phytase: immobilization, structural characterization and performance for sulfoxidations.

A cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) of 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) was synthesised, which was incubated with vanadate and tested as a biocatalyst in the asymmetric sulfoxidation of thioanisole using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. The results show that the 3-phytase-CLEA demonstrates a similar efficiency (ca. 95% conversion) and asymmetric induction (ca. 60%) as the free enzyme. Moreover, the 3-phytase-CLEA can be reused at least three times without significant loss of activity. The activity of the 3-phytase in the presence of organic solvents is however still limited. Studies were undertaken to elucidate the role of vanadate on the active site and on the effect of organic solvents on the conformation of the enzyme. The incorporation of vanadate in the active sites of two different phytases could be followed using (51)V NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. (51)V NMR spectra show the incorporation of vanadate into the active site at pH 5.0 and 7.6, and suggest coordination to oxygen functions at two different binding sites, which probably explains the poor enantioselectivity found in the catalytic studies. After addition of H(2)O(2), only at pH 5.0 and with the 3-phytase a V-phytase-peroxide complex could be observed, which is the active species responsible for the oxidation reactions. CD studies showed that the alpha-helical content of the enzyme decreased upon coordination of vanadate, but in the concentration range used in the catalytic studies (<30 microM) the secondary conformation of the enzyme was unchanged. Acetonitrile decreases the alpha-helical content of both phytases from 59% to 51% and from 42% to 34%, in the 3- and 6-phytases, respectively, this being in agreement with the activity loss in the catalytic experiments.

Synthesis, structure, solution behavior, reactivity and biological evaluation of oxidovanadium(iv/v) thiosemicarbazone complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of an oxidovanadium(iv) [VIVO(L)(acac)] (1) and of two dioxidovanadium(v) [VVO2(L')] (2) and [VVO2(L)] (2a) complexes of the Schiff base formed from the reaction of 4-(p-fluorophenyl) thiosemicarbazone with pyridine-2-aldehyde (HL) are described. The oxidovanadium(iv) species [VIVO(L)(acac)] (1) was synthesized by the reaction of VIVO(acac)2 with the thiosemicarbazone HL in refluxing ethanol. The recrystallization of [VIVO(L)(acac)] (1) in DMF, CH3CN or EtOH gave the same product i.e. the dioxidovanadium(v) complex [VVO2(L)] (2a); however, upon recrystallization of 1 in DMSO a distinct compound [VVO2(L')] (2) was formed, wherein the original ligand L- is transformed to a rearranged one, L'-. In the presence of DMSO the ligand in complex 1 is found to undergo methylation at the carbon centre attached to imine nitrogen (aldimine) and transformed to the corresponding VVO2-species through in situ reaction. The synthesized HL and the metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, NMR and EPR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [VVO2(L')] (2) was determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The methylation of various other ligands and complexes prepared from different vanadium precursors under similar reaction conditions was also attempted and it was confirmed that the imine methylation observed is both ligand and metal precursor specific. Complexes 1 and 2 show in vitro insulin-like activity against insulin responsive L6 myoblast cells, higher than VIVO(acac)2, with complex 1 being more potent. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity studies of HL, and of complexes 1 and 2 against the MCF-7 and Vero cell lines were also done. The ligand is not cytotoxic and complex 2 is significantly more cytotoxic than 1. DAPI staining experiments indicate that an increase in the time of incubation and an increase of concentration of the complexes lead to the increase in cell death.

Radical reactions of diamine bis(phenolate) vanadium(iii) complexes. Solid state binding of O2 to form a vanadium(v) peroxo complex.

[VCl3(THF)3] reacted with the sodium salt of a tripodal diamine bisphenolate ligand precursor Na2L2 to give a paramagnetic d2 complex [V(L2)Cl] (2). The reaction of 2 with oxygen is strongly dependent on the experimental conditions, affording [VO(L2)Cl] (6) or [V(η2-O2)(L2)Cl] (7). The formation of 7 involves the direct addition of O2 to V(iii) in the solid state with oxidation to V(v) without significantly disturbing the structure of 2. DFT calculations showed that compound 7 is an intermediate in the formation of 6 from 2. The reaction involves the cleavage of the η1-O-O bond in a proposed dimeric species. The overall reaction of 2 moles of vanadium(iii), complex 2, and one mole of O2 to yield two moles of product 6 is a favourable process with ΔG298 = -38.3 kcal mol-1. 7 is the first non-oxido peroxidovanadium(v) complex obtained directly from the reaction of a crystal and the second example of a structurally characterized complex of that type. Reactions of V(L1)Cl (1) and V(L2)Cl (2) with one equivalent of the nitroxyl radical TEMPO in toluene also result in the formation of oxido V(v) complexes, VO(L1)Cl (5) and VO(L2)Cl (6). The reaction of VO(OiPr)3 with Na2L2 afforded [VO(L2)(OiPr)] (8) in high yield. A major isomer having the V[double bond, length as m-dash]O moiety in the equatorial plane was characterised by X-ray diffraction although solution NMR data showed the presence of a minor species with the oxido ligand trans to the tripodal nitrogen, as in 6. Complexes 6 and 8 are very active and selective sulfoxidation catalysts of thioanisole, but no enantiomeric excess was obtained.

Vanadium(V) complexes of a tripodal ligand, their characterisation and biological implications.

The reaction of the tripodal tetradentate dibasic ligand 6,6'-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylazanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenol), H2L(1)I, with [V(IV)O(acac)2] in CH3CN gives the V(V)O-complex, [V(V)O(acac)(L(1))] 1. Crystallisation of 1 in CH3CN at ∼0 °C gives dark blue crystals of 1, while at room temperature it affords dark green crystals of [{V(V)O(L(1))}2µ-O] 3. Upon prolonged treatment of 1 in MeOH, [V(V)O(OMe)(MeOH)(L(1))] 2 is obtained. All three complexes were analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, depicting a distorted octahedral geometry around vanadium. In the reaction of H2L(1) with V(IV)OSO4 partial hydrolysis of the tripodal ligand results in the elimination of the pyridyl fragment of L(1) and the formation of H[V(V)O2(L(2))] 4 containing the ONO tridentate ligand 6,6'-azanediylbis(methylene)bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenol), H2L(2)II. Compound 4, which was not fully characterised, undergoes dimerization in acetone yielding the hydroxido-bridged [{V(V)O(L(2))}2µ-(OH)2] 5 having a distorted octahedral geometry around each vanadium. In contrast, from a solution of 4 in acetonitrile, the dinuclear compound [{V(V)O(L(2))}2µ-O] 6 is obtained, with a trigonal bipyramidal geometry around each vanadium. The methoxido complex 2 is successfully employed as a functional catechol-oxidase mimic in the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone under air. The process was confirmed to follow a Michaelis-Menten type kinetics with respect to catechol, the Vmax and KM values obtained being 7.66 × 10(-6) M min(-1) and 0.0557 M, respectively, and the turnover frequency is 0.0541 min(-1). A similar reaction with the bulkier 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol proceeded at a much slower rate. Complex 2 was also used as a catalyst precursor for the oxidative bromination of thymol in aqueous medium. The selectivity shows quite interesting trends, namely when not using excess of the primary oxidizing agent, H2O2, the para mono-brominated product corresponds to ∼93% of the products and no dibromo derivative is formed.

Oxidovanadium(IV) and dioxidovanadium(V) complexes of hydrazones of 2-benzoylpyridine and their catalytic applications.

Reactions between the tridentate ONN donor ligands, Hbzpy-tch () and Hbzpy-inh (), with [V(IV)O(acac)2] in dry methanol give two different types of complexes, [V(IV)O(acac)(bzpy-tch)] () and [V(IV)O(OMe)(bzpy-inh)] (), respectively. Irrespective of their nature in methanol upon aerial oxidation and precipitation both yield dinuclear [{V(V)O(bzpy-tch)}2(µ-O)2] () and [{V(V)O(bzpy-inh)}2(µ-O)2] (). Treatment of or in methanol with H2O2 yields the oxidomonoperoxidovanadium(v) complexes [{V(V)O(bzpy-tch)}2(µ-O2)2] () and [V(V)O(O2)(bzpy-inh)] (). Reactions of and with imidazolomethylpolystyrene cross-linked with 5% divinylbenzene (PS-im) in DMF give the polymer-supported PS-im[V(V)O2(bzpy-inh)] () and PS-im[V(V)O2(bzpy-tch)] (). The compounds are characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and compounds and were also analyzed by thermal, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field-emission scanning electron micrographs (FE-SEM) as well as energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) studies. The molecular structures of and of [V(V)O(O2)(bzpy-inh)(H2O)]·0.5MeOH () were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, confirming the µ-bis(O) and ONN binding mode in the dinuclear complexes and , as well as the side-on coordination of the peroxido ligand in and . The polymer-grafted compounds and were used for the catalytic oxidation of isoeugenol using aqueous H2O2 as an oxidant. The intermediate peroxido species, expected to be involved during catalytic action, were also generated from solutions of and studied by UV-Vis and (51)V NMR. The catalytic activity of the several systems was tested and the polymer-supported versions showed higher conversions than their neat counterparts. The polymer-supported complexes allow for recyclable catalytic systems, thus providing additional advantages over their homogeneous counterparts in terms of increased catalyst lifetime and easier separation from the reaction mixture.

Amino acid derived CuII compounds as catalysts for asymmetric oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol.

We report the synthesis and characterization of several novel aminopyridine - L-amino acid derived Cu(II)-complexes. The ligands are prepared by a one-pot reductive alkylation of the L-amino acid scaffold and the respective aminopyridine Cu(II)-complexes were obtained by reaction with CuCl2 or Cu(acetato)2. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, as well as ESI-MS. Two of the Cu(II)-complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, one of them, [Cu(II)(L)(CH3COO)] (HL = (S)-3-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)propanoic acid), being the first ever reported aminopyridine-class Cu(II) complex bearing a tridentate N,N,O donor set and a monodentate acetato ligand. The complexes are tested as catalysts in the oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol in organic solvent-water mixtures using dioxygen as the terminal oxidant. The effect of variables such as ligand denticity and substituents, as well as solvent, temperature and oxidant intake, on the overall performance is studied. In general, moderate to low conversions of 2-naphthol to 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) are obtained. The catalysts also showed moderate to low enantioselectivity. Some aspects of the reaction mechanism were elucidated by spectroscopy, electrochemical and theoretical studies. It was found that basic additives are important for activity, but these also increase the formation of secondary oxidation products. The addition of peroxide scavengers such as KI resulted in an increase of conversion, the yield of BINOL and enantioselectivity.

Hydroxyquinoline derived vanadium(IV and V) and copper(II) complexes as potential anti-tuberculosis and anti-tumor agents.

Several mixed ligand vanadium and copper complexes were synthesized containing 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) and a ligand such as picolinato (pic(-)), dipicolinato (dipic(2-)) or a Schiff base. The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the case of [V(V)O(L-pheolnaph-im)(5-Cl-8HQ)] and [V(V)O(OMe)(8HQ)2], which evidenced the distorted octahedral geometry of the complexes. The electronic absorption data showed the presence of strong ligand to metal charge transfer bands, significant solvent effects, and methoxido species in methanol, which was further confirmed by (51)V-NMR spectroscopy. The structures of [Cu(II)(dipic)(8HQ)]Na and [V(IV)O(pic)(8HQ)] were confirmed by EPR spectroscopy, showing only one species in solution. The biological activity of the compounds was assessed through the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and the cytotoxic activity against the cisplatin sensitive/resistant ovarian cells A2780/A2780cisR and the non-tumorigenic HEK cells (IC50 values). Almost all tested vanadium complexes were very active against Mtb and the MICs were comparable to, or better than, the MICs of drugs, such as streptomycin. The activity of the complexes against the A2780 cell line was dependent on incubation time presenting IC50 values in the 3-14 µM (at 48 h) range. In these conditions, the complexes were significantly (*P<0.05-**P<0.001) more active than cisplatin (22 µM), in the A2780 cells and even surpassing its activity in the cisplatin-resistant cells A2780cisR (2.4-8 µM vs. 75.4; **P<0.001). In the non-tumorigenic HEK cells poor selectivity toward cancer cells for most of the complexes was observed, as well as for cisplatin.