Evidence of altered pressure pain thresholds in persons with disorders of consciousness as measured by the Nociception Coma Scale-Italian version.

Pain assessment in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) is a controversial issue for clinicians, who require tools and standardised procedures for testing nociception in non-communicative patients. The aims of the present study were, first, to analyse the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Nociception Coma Scale and, second, to evaluate pressure pain thresholds in a group of patients with DoC. The authors conducted a multi-centre study on 40 healthy participants and 60 DoC patients enrolled from six hospitals in Italy. For each group an electronic algometer was used to apply all nociceptive pressure stimuli. Our results show that the Italian version of the NCS retains the good psychometric properties of the original version and is therefore suitable for standardised pain assessment in clinical practice. In our study, pressure pain thresholds measured in a group of patients in vegetative and minimally conscious state were relatively lower than pain threshold values found in a group of healthy participants. Such findings motivate additional investigation on possible pain sensitisation in patients with severe brain injury and multiple co-morbidities, and on application of tailored therapeutic approaches useful for pain management in patients unable verbally to communicate their feelings.

Association between Fish Consumption during Pregnancy and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Statistical Study in Southern Italy.

Background: This research aimed to evaluate the association between the monthly consumption of fish (differentiated by type) and both gestational and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Women who were admitted for delivery in the last 6 months of 2023 were prospectively included and divided according to type of fish consumed (based on DHA and mercury content) and frequency of consumption. Neonatal outcomes included weight, length, head circumference, and 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores. Maternal outcomes were threats of abortion, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and hypertension, cesarean section, and differential body mass index (BMI). Results: Small-size oily fish with high DHA and low mercury content (type B fish) consumption was positively associated with neonatal weight and head circumference, and less weight gain in pregnancy. It was also significantly associated with lower incidences of gestational diabetes and hypertension, and cesarean section. Correlation between differential BMI and monthly consumption of fish resulted in statistical significance, especially in type B fish consumers. Conclusions: The consumption of type B fish was significantly associated with increased neonatal weight and head circumference and better maternal outcomes.

Exploring Consumer Behavior and Preferences in Welfare-Friendly Pork Breeding: A Multivariate Analysis.

This study investigates consumer behavior and interest in "welfare-friendly" forms of pork production, considering the growing presence of animal welfare-focused breeding practices. The aim is to outline the typical profile of pork consumers and identify the key attributes influencing their purchasing decisions. A survey was conducted on a sample of 286 individuals after excluding those who only consumed beef and/or poultry or identified as vegetarians/vegans. Regression coefficients (b), 95% Confidence Intervals (95% C.I.), and p-values were reported for univariate and multivariate models. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05 (indicated in bold). The findings indicate that younger participants show greater sensitivity towards consuming meat raised using welfare-friendly methods, raising considerations about the age composition of the sample. The research's originality lies in evaluating consumer interest in pork raised with animal welfare-respecting techniques. The use of appropriate statistical tools, such as multivariate and multilayer models, allows effective solutions for multidimensional hypothesis testing problems in non-parametric permutation inference.

Willingness to Pay a Higher Price for Pork Obtained Using Animal-Friendly Raising Techniques: A Consumers' Opinion Survey.

In Italy, the consumption of pork meat is increasing, despite consumers' attitudes being addressed toward a greater sensitivity about animal welfare and its link with safe food. Considering the relatively high animal welfare standards and the divergence in public interest in farm animal welfare and ethical issues, the objective of this study-in continuation of our previous paper relating to consumer behavior and preferences in welfare-friendly pork breeding-was to investigate habits of pork consumers regarding pig welfare, principally evaluating their willingness to pay (WTP) a higher price for pork obtained using raising techniques with an approach based on animal welfare. An ad hoc questionnaire-based survey was submitted to consumers (n = 404) in Messina province, Italy. Results suggest that 47% of consumers were willing to pay an additional price for pork from farms that apply specific animal welfare standards. Positive correlations were between WTP and farming techniques (p = 0.001), organic farming methods (p = 0.001), and farms in which animal welfare is taken care of and guaranteed (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that consumers intend to pay a higher price for pork, like other animal products obtained using animal-friendly raising techniques. The sensitivity to the animal welfare of a single human being may influence consumers' attitudes toward pork consumption.

Non-Functional Jaw Muscular Activity in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness Revealed by A Long-Lasting Polygraphy.

The presence of involuntary, non-functional jaw muscle activity (NFJMA) has not yet been assessed in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), although the presence of bruxism and other forms of movement disorders involving facial muscles is probably more frequent than believed. In this work, we evaluated twenty-two prolonged or chronic DOC patients with a long-lasting polygraphic recording to verify NFJMA occurrence and assess its neurophysiological patterns in this group of patients. A total of 5 out of 22 patients showed the presence of significant NFJMA with electromyographic patterns similar to what can be observed in non-DOC patients with bruxism, thus suggesting a disinhibition of masticatory motor nuclei from the cortical control. On the other hand, in two DOC patients, electromyographic patterns advised for the presence of myorhythmia, thus suggesting a brainstem/diencephalic involvement. Functional, non-invasive tools such as long-lasting polygraphic recordings should be extended to a larger sample of patients, since they are increasingly important in revealing disorders potentially severe and impacting the quality of life of DOC patients.

Thioamido coordination in a thioxo-1,2,4-triazole copper(II) complex enhances nonapoptotic programmed cell death associated with copper accumulation and oxidative stress in human cancer cells.

The thioamido function of [CuCl2(1H)]Cl (2) (1=4-amino-1,4-dihydro-3-(2-pyridyl)-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazole), a cytotoxic copper complex, was converted into thioether moieties, leading to the synthesis of [CuCl2(3)]2 (4) and [CuCl2(5)] (6) (3=6-methyl-3-pyridin-2-yl-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine; 5=4-amino-5-ethylthio-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole). These complexes were structurally characterized, and their stability constants, along with their biological activity, were determined. 4 and 6 were slightly less stable and significantly less active than 2. However, as 2, both complexes induced nonapoptotic vacuolar cell death. Copper uptake, investigated in both 2-sensitive and -insensitive cell types, was markedly higher in sensitive cells where it was associated with an increase in oxidized glutathione. These data suggest that the thioamido function enhances the cytotoxicity of copper complexes in cancer cells promoting the accumulation of the metal and its interaction with cell thiols.

Synthesis, solution equilibria and antiproliferative activity of copper(II) aminomethyltriazole and aminomethylthioxotriazoline complexes.

The aim of the present study was the synthesis, the determination of formation constants, and the evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of two copper(II) complexes formed with triazole-type ligands. The synthesis of the unsymmetrical triazole ligand 4-amino-3-aminomethyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazole (L1), and its copper(II) complex is reported. The ligand was prepared by functionalization of the carboxylate function of tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) protected glycine O-methyl ester. All intermediates and final products were isolated and characterized with IR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis. X-ray structures of the ligand as a sulfate salt ((H2L1)2SO4.H2O) and the copper(II) complex [CuCl2(L1)(2)] are described. The ligand forms a (N,N) bidentate chelate with the amino group and one triazole nitrogen atom. The tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination of Cu(II) results from two axially coordinated chloride ions. Protonation constants for L1 and speciation of the Cu(II)/L1 system were determined in 0.1 M aqueous KCl solution at 25 degrees C. Complexes formed in solution were also characterized by visible spectrophotometry. Ligand substitution competition between L1 and glycine has also been studied using potentiometric titrations. Antiproliferative activities of ([CuCl2(L1)2]) and [CuCl2(H2L2)]Cl, where HL2 is the 5-thioxo analog of L1, against human tumor cell lines HT1080 and HT29 as well as normal human fibroblasts (HF) are presented along with the antiproliferative activities of L1, CuCl2, and cisplatin. Activity of these two complexes are discussed and compared with the activity of analogous compounds reported in the literature which contain pyridyl groups in place of the aminomethyl group. In particular, it is suggested that a lypophilic residue such as a pyridyl group is important for antiproliferative activity of this class of compounds.

Steric Crowding and Redox Reactivity in Platinum(II) and Platinum(IV) Complexes Containing Substituted 1,10-Phenanthrolines.

The effect of the phenanthroline substituents on the structure and reactivity of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes has been investigated. The X-ray crystal structures of the compounds [PtI(2)(4,7-Ph(2)phen)].CHCl(3) (1dz.CHCl(3)), [PtI(4)(4,7-Ph(2)phen)].CHCl(3) (2dz.CHCl(3)), [PtI(2)(2,9-Me(2)-4,7-Ph(2)phen)] (1fz), and [PtI(4)(2,9-Me(2)-4,7-Ph(2)phen)].I(2) (2fz.I(2)) have shown that complexes 1fz and 2fz, containing ortho-substituted phenanthrolines, exhibit a remarkable displacement of the equatorial iodine atoms from the N-Pt-N' plane (average 0.477(2) and 0.199(2) Å, respectively), a bending of the phenanthroline [angle between outer rings of 19.9(7) and 14.2(7) degrees, respectively] and a rotation of the N-C-C'-N' plane with respect to the N-Pt-N' plane [32.3(10) and 26.5(9) degrees, respectively]. Comparison between the structures of 1fz and 2fz, both having the phenanthroline with methyl substituents in the ortho position, indicates that, in the latter case, because of the presence of the two axial iodine ligands, the displacements of the ligands from the equatorial plane are smaller and find a compensation in a narrowing of the I(1)-Pt-I(1') angle (5 degrees ) and a lengthening of the Pt-N bonds (0.07 Å). The electrochemical behavior of the four-coordinate platinum(II) complexes shows that compounds possessing regular planar geometry have access to the one-electron reduced species, whereas those with distorted coordination geometry are irreversibly reduced by collapsing of the complex geometry. This is in sharp contrast with the behavior of related nickel complexes for which the pseudo-tetrahedral coordination imposed by bulky 2,9-substituents of phenanthroline stabilizes the nickel(I) species. Spectroscopic results allow us to assign a significant Pt(I) character to [1d](-) monoanions. The electrogenerated, plus one electron, complexes are not indefinitely stable and, because of conjugation with the phen ligand, progressively restore the Pt(II) oxidation state by transferring the electron to the peripheral organic ligand. The latter process can involve multiple electron additions in the macroelectrolysis time scale. The related platinum(IV) complexes [PtX(4)(L)] undergo irreversible two-electron reduction accompanied by fast release of the axial ligands and formation of the corresponding platinum(II) species.

Stepwise Construction of Polynuclear Complexes of Rhodium and Iridium Assisted by Benzimidazole-2-thiol. NMR and X-ray Diffraction Studies.

Reactions of [M(2)(&mgr;-Cl)(2)(cod)(2)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, M = Rh, Ir) with benzimidazole-2-thiol (H(2)Bzimt) afford the mononuclear complexes [MCl(H(2)Bzimt)(cod)] (M = Rh (1), Ir (2)) for which a S-coordination of the ligand is proposed based on their spectroscopic data. The dinuclear complexes [M(2)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)(cod)(2)] (M = Rh (3), Ir (4)) are isolated from the reaction of [M(acac)(cod)] and benzimidazole-2-thiol. They contain the monodeprotonated ligand (HBzimt(-)) bridging the two metals in a &mgr;(2)-(1kappaN,2kappaS) coordination mode and in a relative cis,cis-HT arrangement. Complexes 3 and 4 react with the appropriate species [M(cod)(Me(2)CO)(2)](+) to afford the trinuclear cationic aggregates [M(3)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)(cod)(3)](+) (M = Rh (5), Ir (6)) and with the [M'(2)(&mgr;-OMe)(2)(cod)(2)] compounds to give the homo- and heterotetranuclear complexes [MM'(&mgr;-Bzimt)(cod)(2)](2) (M = M' = Rh (7), Ir (8); M = Ir, M' = Rh (9)) containing the dideprotonated ligand (Bzimt(2)(-)). The trinuclear neutral complexes [M(3)(&mgr;-Bzimt)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(cod)(3)] are intermediates detected in the synthesis of the tetranuclear complexes. Protonation of 9 with HBF(4) gives the unsymmetrical complex [Ir(2)Rh(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)(cod)(3)]BF(4) (10). This reaction involves the protonation of the bridging ligands followed by the removal of one "Rh(cod)" moiety to give a single isomer. The molecular structure of [Rh(2)(&mgr;-Bzimt)(cod)(2)](2) (7) has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 20.173(5) Å, b = 42.076(8) Å, c = 10.983(3) Å, beta = 93.32(2) degrees, Z = 8, 7145 reflections, R = 0.0622, and R(w) = 0.0779. The complete assignment of the resonances of the (1)H NMR spectra of the complexes 3, 4, and 7-9 was carried out by selective decoupling, NOE, and H,H-COSY experiments. The differences in the chemical shifts of the olefinic protons are discussed on the basis of steric and magnetic anisotropy effects.

Hydrogen Bonding and Isomerism Arising from the Coordination Modes of Bridging Benzimidazole-2-thiolate Ligands in Tetranuclear Rhodium Complexes.

Reaction of the dinuclear complex [Rh(2)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)(cod)(2)] with [Rh(2)(&mgr;-Cl)(2)(cod)(2)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) gives the neutral tetranuclear complex [Rh(4)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)Cl(2)(cod)(4)] (2) in dichloromethane and the trinuclear cationic complex [Rh(3)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)(cod)(3)]Cl (3) in methanol, respectively. The ionization ability of the solvent seems to be the driving force to give 3, while the ability to coordinate a further RhCl(cod) fragment leads to 2 in poorer ionizing media. The complexes [M(4)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)Cl(2)(diolefin)(4)] (M = Rh, diolefin = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene (tfbb) (5); M = Ir, diolefin = cod (6)), formally analogous to 2, were isolated from the reactions of the appropriate complexes [MCl(H(2)Bzimt)(diolefin)] and [M(acac)(diolefin)] in acetone. A X-ray diffraction study on 2 shows the HBzimt(-) ligands to bridge two rhodium atoms through the sulfurs, forming a basic four-membered Rh(2)(&mgr;-(1:2kappaS)-HBzimt)(2) ring along with two RhCl(cod) moieties bonded to the nitrogen atoms. Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the chloro ligands and the acidic NH protons should stabilize the syn-endo disposition of the thiolate type bridging ligands. Replacement of the olefin in 2 by carbon monoxide gives [Rh(4)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)Cl(2)(cod)(CO)(6)] and [Rh(4)(&mgr;-HBzimt)(2)Cl(2)(CO)(8)] (7) depending on the reaction conditions. The X-ray structure of 7 shows the HBzimt(-) ligands in a HT-Rh(2)(&mgr;-(1kappaN,2kappaS)-HBzimt)(2) disposition with two RhCl(CO)(2) fragments coordinated to the sulfur atoms. In addition, two tetranuclear units 7 are associated in a dimer through four intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This association occurs even in solution, where the two species are observed. The equilibrium constant for the dissociation fits a linear plot of ln K(eq) versus 1/T, which gives DeltaH = 43.3 kJ mol(-)(1) and DeltaS = 114.7 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1). Deprotonation of 7 with [Rh(2)(&mgr;-OMe)(2)(cod)(2)] gives the hexanuclear complex [Rh(6)(&mgr;-Bzimt)(2)(&mgr;-Cl)(2)(cod)(2)(CO)(8)] (10). Complexes 7 and 10 show identical conformations of the eight-membered HT-Rh(2)(&mgr;-(1kappaN,2kappaS)-Bzimt)(2) metallacycle and identical configurations of the sulfur atoms.

Synthesis, molecular structure, solution equilibrium, and antiproliferative activity of thioxotriazoline and thioxotriazole complexes of copper II and palladium II.

Preparations of copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes of 4-amino-5-methylthio-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (L(1)) and the copper(II) complex of 1,4-dihydro-4-amino-3-(2-pyridyl)-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazole (HL) are described. These complexes have been characterized by means of spectroscopy and microanalysis. Molecular structures of HL (1), [CuCl(2)(H(2)L)]Cl.2H(2)O (2a), cis-[CuCl(2)(L(1))] (3), and cis-[PdCl(2)(L(1))] (4) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The HL ligand acts as a N,S bidentate through the thioxo moiety and the exo-amino group whilst the ligand L(1) forms N,N coordination complexes through the pyridine and triazole nitrogen atoms. Speciation in solution of the systems Cu/HL and Cu/L(1) have been determined by means of potentiometry and spectrophotometry as well as for the Cu/L(1)/A (HA=glycine) system in order to determine species present at physiological pH. Antiproliferative activity of these complexes and their ligands was evaluated, using the AlamarBlue Assay, on normal human fibroblasts (HF) and human fibrosarcoma tumor (HT1080) cells. The copper compounds cis-[CuCl(2)(H(2)L)]Cl and cis-[CuCl(2)(L(1))] exerted significant antiproliferative activity of both normal and neoplastic cells; although dose-response experiments revealed that the HT1080 cell line was more sensitive to the tested drugs than normal fibroblasts.

A New Type of Doubly Silylamido-Bridged Cyclopentadienyl Group 4 Metal Complexes.

Doubly bridged di(silyl-η-amido)cyclopentadienyltitanium and -zirconium complexes and their related cations as the [(PhCH2 )B(C6 F5 )3 ]- salts have been isolated (see structure of the Ti derivative). The neutral benzylzirconium complex was a very efficient catalyst in the presence of methylaluminoxane for producing high molecular weight polyethylene and ethylene-1-hexene copolymers.

Synthesis, structural characterisation and solution chemistry of ruthenium(III) triazole-thiadiazine complexes.

Two ruthenium(III) complexes structurally similar to the anticancer compound NAMI were prepared: Na[RuCl4(DMSO)(L1)] ( 1) and Na[RuCl4(DMSO)(L2)] ( 2), where L1 and L2 are differently functionalised triazole-thiadiazine ligands. To facilitate the crystallisation of the complex anions, Na+ was substituted with the [bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium] cation (PPN+), allowing the X-ray characterisation of PPN[RuCl4(DMSO)(L1)].2H2O ( 1a.2H2O) and PPN[RuCl4(DMSO)(L2)].3H2O ( 2a.3H2O), respectively. The two compounds undergo stepwise hydrolytic processes, as assessed by means of UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The first hydrolytic step consists of the replacement of a chloride anion with a water molecule, with a half-life of 50 min ( 1) and 110 min ( 2), while the subsequent hydrolytic steps are more complicated to describe since more than one product is generated at the same time. The redox potential of the Ru(III)/Ru(II) couple (0.31 V for 1 and 0.28 V for 2) suggests that these complexes can be reduced in the intracellular environment, in agreement with the activation by reduction mechanism proposed for NAMI and NAMI-A. 1 and 2 were tested on a human cancer cell line derived from a fibrosarcoma (HT1080), and on non-cancerous primary human fibroblasts (HF), where they showed a modest inhibitory effect.

Hard/soft selectivity in ligand substitution reactions of beta-diketonate platinum(II) complexes.

The reactivity of platinum(II) complexes of the type [PtCl(O,O-acac)(L)] (1) and [Pt(O,O-acac)(gamma-acac)(L)] (2) (L = DMSO, a; DMS, b), with a range of hard and soft nucleophiles such as dimethylsulfide (DMS, b), triphenylphosphine, (PPh3, c), ethylene (eta2-C2H4, d), carbon monoxide (CO, e), pyridine (py, f), and guanosine (Guo, g) has been investigated. Interestingly, the complexes 1a and 1b undergo selective substitution of the chloro or sulfur ligand depending on the hard/soft character of the incoming nucleophile. The soft incoming ligand replaces the softer one and the hard ligand replaces the harder one, giving [PtCl(O,O'-acac)(L)] complexes (1b, 1c, 1d and 1e in the reaction of 1a with L = DMS, PPh3, eta2-C2H4, CO, respectively), and [Pt(O,O'-acac)(DMSO)(L')] (3f, 3g) and [Pt(O,O'-acac)(DMS)(L')] (4f, 4g) species in the reaction of 1a and 1b with L' = py and guo, respectively. In the cases of 2a and 2b complexes, where the pi-bonded acac (gamma-acac) replaces the chloro ligand, only in the presence of an incoming soft nucleophile substituting the soft sulfur ligand the reaction occurs. Equilibrium constants for the substitution reactions were measured by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy studies, performed for the reaction of 1a and 2a complexes with DMS, revealed that the selective substitution of DMSO with DMS takes place in both cases, according to a second-order kinetic law. The calculated values of DeltaH++ and DeltaS++ are consistent with an associative mechanism. NMR spectroscopic characterization (1H, 13C, 195Pt, 31P) for the complexes and crystal structures of isolated complexes ([PtCl(O,O'-acac)(L)] (1) and [Pt(O,O'-acac)(gamma-acac)(L)] (2), L = DMSO, 1a and 2a; L = DMS, 1b and 2b; L = PPh3, 1c and 2c) are herein reported and discussed.

CuI complexes with N,N',S,S' scorpionate ligands: evidence for dimer-monomer equilibria.

The heteroscorpionate N, N', S, S' donor ligands 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-(3-(methylthio)-1-(3-(2-(methylthio)phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propyl)pyridine (L(a)) and 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-(2-(methylthio)-1-(3-(2-(methylthio)phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl)pyridine (L(b)) were prepared. The Cu(I) complexes [Cu(L(a))]2(BF4)2 (a2(BF4)2) and [Cu(L(b))]2(BF4)2 (b2(BF4)2) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both compounds exhibit a dinuclear structure, presenting each Cu(I) center in a distorted N, N', S, S' tetrahedral environment. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ESI-mass data, the presence of a mononuclear complex in equilibrium with the dimer was hypothesized for both complexes. The dimerization constants of the processes, 2a(+) = a2(2+) and 2b(+) = b2(2+) , were obtained by (1)H NMR dilution experiments (fast-exchange regime) in CD 3CN: log K(a2(2+)) = 3.55(6) and log K(b2(2+)) = 3.23(5) at 300 K. Thermodynamic parameters were determined by a van't Hoff analysis (280-310 K temperature range): DeltaH(0)(a2(2+)) = -12(1) kJ mol (-1), DeltaH(0)(b2(2+)) = -10(1) kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(0)(a2(2+)) = +27(4) kJ mol (-1), and DeltaS(0)(b2(2+)) = +28(4) kJ mol (-1). Pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR experiments provided the weighted-average hydrodynamic volume (VH) of the species present in CD 3CN solution at different copper concentrations (CCu). Nonlinear interpolation of VH as a function of C Cu for a dimer-monomer equilibrium led to the hydrodynamic volumes of both monomers (VH(0)(M)) and dimers (VH(0)(D)): VH(0)(a(+)) = 620(40) A(3), VH(0)(b(+)) = 550(10) A(3), VH(0)(a2(2+)) = 950(20) A(3), and VH(0)(b2(2+)) = 900(10) A(3). Cyclic voltammetry experiments performed in CH3CN and CH2Cl2 showed a quasi-reversible to irreversible behavior of the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couple for both complexes.

A new chiral N,N',O-donor heteroscorpionate ligand. Structures of Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ complexes and study of solution equilibria by means of 1H NMR/UV-vis titrations and EXSY NMR spectroscopy.

The N,N',O-heteroscorpionate ligand 1-(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1-pyrazol-1-yl-propan-2-ol (LOH) was prepared in two high-yield steps. Complexes [M(LOH)2][MCl4] (M2+ = Cu2+ and Zn2+) and [M(LOH)2]Cl2 (M2+ = Ni2+ and Cu2+) were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The speciation in solution (methanol:water 95:5) of the M2+/LOH systems was investigated by means of spectrophotometric (Ni2+ and Cu2+) and 1H NMR (Zn2+) titrations. The beta1 and beta2 global formation constants for the [M(LOH)]2+ and [M(LOH)2]2+ species were obtained and are in agreement with the Irving-Williams series: Ni2+< Cu2+> Zn2+. The Zn2+/LOH system was studied by means of quantitative 1H-1H EXSY spectroscopy (300 K, mixing time = 0.2-0.8 s), which allows the description of the equilibria occurring between five octahedral [Zn(LOH)2]2+ structural isomers and tetrahedral [Zn(LOH)Cl]Cl species. Exchange constants kijex and associated rate constants kij suggest that two types of interconversion occur: octahedral-octahedral (faster) and octahedral-tetrahedral (slower). DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-311+G(d)) were employed to evaluate the relative stability of the [Zn(LOH)2]2+ isomers, which are comparable for the five complexes with a maximum energy difference of 6.3 kJ/mol.

Mononuclear and polynuclear copper(I) complexes with a new N,N',S-donor ligand and with structural analogies to the copper thionein core.

The N,N',S-donor ligand 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-((3-(2-(methylthio)phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)pyridine (L) was prepared from 2-(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridine hydrochloride and 3-(2-(methylthio)phenyl)-1H-pyrazole. The Cu(I) complexes [Cu2(L)2CH3CN][Cu(L)CH3CN](BF4)3 (1), [Cu(L)PPh3]BF4 (2), and [Cu6(L)2(C6F5S)6] (3) were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography (PPh3=triphenylphosphine, C6F5S-=pentafluorothiophenolate). The unit cell of compound 1 consists of cocrystallized mononuclear and dinuclear entities in which all of the copper atoms exhibit distorted tetrahedral coordination. Compound 2 is monomeric with L bound in the kappa3-N,N',S mode and a PPh3 molecule that completes the coordination environment. Compound 2 presents a fluxional behavior in CDCl3 solution due to the boat inversion of the six-membered N,N' chelate ring (DeltaH=+43.6(3) kJ mol(-1), DeltaS=-16(1) J mol(-1) K(-1)). Crystallization of 3 in acetonitrile leads to a polynuclear structure that contains a CH3CN molecule coordinated to one of the copper atoms: [Cu6(L)2(C6F5S)6CH3CN] (3a). The core of 3a partially resembles a {Cu4S6} adamantane-like moiety, the only difference being that the Cu-NCCH3 interaction leads to the opening of the cluster by disrupting a Cu-Cu interaction. Part of this assembly is found in the yeast metallothionein copper(I)-cysteinate core whose crystal structure has recently been reported. Two additional [Cu(L)]+ peripheral moieties interact with the cluster by means of bridging thiolates. ESI-mass spectrometry, conductivity measurements, and 1H/19F pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR experiments suggest that 3a dissociates in acetonitrile solution: 3a+CH3CN-->[Cu4(C6F5S)6]2-+2[Cu(L)CH3CN]+. The stability of the cluster with respect to the hypothetical mononuclear species, [Cu(L)(C6F5S)], is confirmed by DFT calculations (B3LYP), which illustrate the exergonic character of the reaction: 6[Cu(L')(C6H5S)]-->[Cu6(L')2(C6H5S)6]+4L' (DeltaG298=-58.6 kJ mol(-1), where L' and C6H5S- are simplified models for L and C6F5S-, respectively). The energetics pertinent to the ionic dissociation of the cluster in acetonitrile is computed using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) approach.

Zwitterionic metalates of group 11 elements and their use as metalloligands for the assembly of multizwitterionic clusters.

Reaction of RNHC(S)PPh2NPPh2C(S)NR (HRSNS; R = Me, Et) with M(I) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) salts afforded zwitterionic complexes of the general formula [M(RSNS)] (M = Cu, Ag, Au). The ligand was found in the solid state in S,S-kappa2 and S,N,S-kappa3 coordination fashions. [Cu(RSNS)] and [Ag(RSNS)] can be used as metalloligand building blocks for the assembly of pentanuclear multizwitterionic Cu5, Cu3Ag2 and Ag5 core clusters of the general formula [M'2{M(RSNS)}3]2+ (M = Cu, M' = Cu, Ag; M = M' = Ag) upon reaction with suitable M' salts. The crystal structures of the most significant compounds are reported herein. Compound [Ag2{Ag(RSNS)}2(OTf)2] was also isolated and structurally characterized, representing a model for the intermediate species of the aforementioned assembly.