Mononuclear η6-arene ruthenium(II) complexes with pyrazolyl-pyridazine ligands: synthesis, CT-DNA binding, reactivity towards glutathione, and cytotoxicity.

Organometallic η6-arene ruthenium(II) complexes with 3-chloro-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine (Ru1, Ru2, and Ru5) and 3-chloro-6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine (Ru3-4) N,N' heterocyclic and η6-arene (cymene (Ru1-4) or toluene (Ru 5)) have been synthesized. The ruthenium(II) complexes have common "three-legged piano-stool" pseudo-octahedral structures known for half-sandwich complexes. Evolution of their UV-Visible absorption spectra in PBS buffer or DMSO over 24 h confirmed their good solvolysis stability. Titrations of the complexes with the calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were monitored using UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The complexes interact moderately with CT-DNA and their binding constants are in the order of 104 M-1. Competitive binding of the complexes to a DNA-Hoechst 33,258 depicted competitive displacement of Hoechst from DNA's minor grooves. These complexes bind to glutathione forming GSH-adducts through S coordination by replacement of a halide, with the iodo-analogues having higher binding constants than the chloro-complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of the complexes exhibited one electron-transfer quasi-reversible process. Trends in the molecular docking data of Ru1-5/DNA were similar to those for DNA binding constants. Of the five, only Ru1, Ru3 and Ru5 showed some activity (moderate) against the MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of 59.2-39.9 for which Ru5 was the most active. However, the more difficult-to-treat cell line, MDA-MB 231 cell was recalcitrant to the treatment by these complexes.

Electrospun Nanofiber Composite Utilized as an Electrocatalyst for the Detection of Acetaminophen in Multifarious Water Samples.

Herein, the nanofabrication and characterization of new conductive materials, PANI-CoPc-fur (1) ((PANI = polyaniline and CoPc-fur = tetra-4-(furan-2-methylthiophthalocyaninato)Co(II)) and PANI-CoPc-fur-f-MWCNTs (2) (f-MWCNTs = carboxylic acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes), are reported. Subsequently, an electrospun nanofiber (ENF) composite of 2, encapsulated with a poly(vinyl acetate) shell, was fabricated. The resultant core-shell nanoconjugated fibers, ENFs-2, were adsorbed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), followed by the immobilization of a permeable adhesion top layer of Nafion (Nf) to render the chemically modified electrode, GCE|ENFs-2-Nf. The electron-mediating properties of the components within the film of GCE|ENFs-2-Nf synergistically aided in promoting its electrocatalytic activities. Consequently, the CME showed greater cyclic voltammetry (CV) peak currents compared to the bare GCE and other modified electrodes, indicating its higher sensitivity toward acetaminophen (APAP), an emerging water pollutant of concern. The detection of APAP at the GCE|ENFs-2-Nf attained by square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was linear from 10 to 200 µM of APAP and was reproducible (%RSD of 3.2%, N = 3). The respective calculated limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) values of 0.094 and 0.28 µM were lower than those acquired using other electrochemical techniques. Analysis of APAP in the presence of commonly associated interferences metronidazole (MTZ) and dopamine (DA) illustrated a significant separation between the SWV peak potentials of APAP and MTZ, whereas there was some degree of overlap between the SWV current responses of APAP and DA. The analytical performance of the GCE|ENFs-2-Nf rendered a comparable percentage recovery (104%) with that of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (106%).

Anti-amyloid aggregation and anti-hyperglycemic activities of novel ruthenium uracil Schiff base compounds.

The formation and characterization of new diamagnetic ruthenium uracil mono-imine compounds: [(η6-p-cymene)RuII(L)Cl][BF4] (L = H2urpda = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 1, urdpy = 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)uracil) for 2 or urqda = 5-((quinolin-2-yl)methyleneamino)-6-aminouracil) for 3); cis-[RuII(L)(bipy)2] (L =  urpy = 5-((pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino)uracil) for 4 and H2dadp = 5,6-diaminouracil for 5) are described. A paramagnetic ruthenium uracil Schiff base compound,  trans-[RuIV(L)(PPh3)Cl2] (L = H2urpda for 6) was also formed. Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the novel ruthenium compounds. Similarly, the stabilities of 1 - 3 and 6 monitored in chloro-containing and the non-coordinating solvent, dichloromethane show that they are kinetically inert, whereas, in a high nucleophilic environment, the chloride co-ligands of these ruthenium complexes were rapidly substituted by DMSO. In contrast, the substitution of the labile co-ligands for these ruthenium complexes by DMSO molecules in a high chloride content was suppressed. Solution chemical reactivities of the different ruthenium complexes were rationalized by density functional theory computations. Furthermore, the binding affinities and strengths between BSA and the respective ruthenium complexes were monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the in vitro anti-diabetic activities of the novel metal complexes were assessed in selected skeletal muscle and liver cell lines.

Bovine serum albumin uptake and polypeptide disaggregation studies of hypoglycemic ruthenium(II) uracil Schiff-base complexes.

Our prior studies have illustrated that the uracil ruthenium(II) diimino complex, [Ru(H3ucp)Cl(PPh3)] (1) (H4ucp = 2,6-bis-((6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracilimino)methylene)pyridine) displayed high hypoglycemic effects in diet-induced diabetic rats. To rationalize the anti-diabetic effects of 1, three new derivatives have been prepared, cis-[Ru(bpy)2(urdp)]Cl2 (2) (urdp = 2,6-bis-((uracilimino)methylene)pyridine), trans-[RuCl2(PPh3)(urdp)] (3), and cis-[Ru(bpy)2(H4ucp)](PF6)2 (4). Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to characterize the structures of the novel ruthenium compounds. Prior to biomolecular interactions or in vitro studies, the stabilities of 1-4 were monitored in anhydrous DMSO, aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO, and dichloromethane (DCM) via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Time-dependent stability studies showed ligand exchange between DMSO nucleophiles and chloride co-ligands of 1 and 3, which was suppressed in the presence of an excess amount of chloride ions. In addition, the metal complexes 1 and 3 are stable in both DCM and an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO. In the case of compounds 2 and 4 with no chloride co-ligands within their coordination spheres, high stability in aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2% DMSO was observed. Fluorescence emission titrations of the individual ruthenium compounds with bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed that the metal compounds interact non-discriminately within the protein's hydrophobic cavities as moderate to strong binders. The metal complexes were capable of disintegrating mature amylin amyloid fibrils. In vivo glucose metabolism studies in liver (Chang) cell lines confirmed enhanced glucose metabolism as evidenced by the increased glucose utilization and glycogen synthesis in liver cell lines in the presence of complexes 2-4.

N,N-Bis(pyridin-2-ylmeth-yl)cyclo-hexa-namine.

The pyridine rings of the title compound, C(18)H(23)N(3), are in a nearly perpendicular orientation relative to the plane defined by the three amino-bonded C atoms, making dihedral angles of 87.4 (1) ° and 84.2 (1) °. One of the pyridine N atoms acts as an hydrogen-bond acceptor for two pyridine C-H groups. By means of these intermolecular hydrogen bonds, the mol-ecules form a two-dimensional network parallel to the ab plane.

Biomolecular Interactions of Cytotoxic Ruthenium Compounds with Thiosemicarbazone or Benzothiazole Schiff Base Chelates.

Herein we illustrate the formation and characterization of new paramagnetic ruthenium compounds, trans-P-[RuCl(PPh3 )2 (pmt)]Cl (1) (Hpmt=1-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide), trans-P-[RuCl(PPh3 )2 (tmc)]Cl (2) (Htmc=1-((thiophen-2-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide) and a diamagnetic ruthenium complex, cis-Cl, trans-P-[RuCl2 (PPh3 )2 (btm)] (3) (btm=2-((5-hydroxypentylimino)methyl)benzothiazole). Agarose gel electrophoresis experiments of the metal compounds illustrated dose-dependent binding to gDNA by 1-3, while methylene blue competition assays suggested that 1 and 2 are also DNA intercalators. Assessment of the effects of the compounds on topoisomerase function indicated that 1-3 are capable of inhibiting topoisomerase I activity in terms of the ability to nick supercoiled plasmid DNA. The cytotoxic activities of the metal complexes were determined against a range of cancer cell lines versus a non-tumorigenic control cell line, and the complexes were, in general, more cytotoxic towards the cancer cells, displaying IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Time-dependent stability studies showed that in the presence of strong nucleophilic species (such as DMSO), the chloride co-ligands of 1-3 are rapidly substituted by the former as proven by the suppression of the substitution reactions in the presence of an excess amount of chloride ions. The metal complexes are significantly stable in both DCM and an aqueous phosphate buffer containing 2 % DMSO.

Controlling the reactivity of [Pd(II)(N

Four [(N^N^N)Pd(II)Cl]+ complexes [chloride-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine)Pd(II)]Cl (PdL1), [chlorido(2,6-bis(N-pyrazol-2-yl)pyridine)Pd(II)]Cl (PdL2), [chlorido(2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazol-2-yl)pyridine)Pd(II)]Cl (PdL3) and [chlorido(2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazol-2-ylmethyl)pyridine)Pd(II)]BF4 (PdL4) were synthesized and characterized. The rates of substitution of these Pd(II) complexes with thiourea nucleophiles viz; thiourea (Tu), N,N'-dimethylthiourea (Dmtu) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylthiourea (Tmtu) was investigated under pseudo first-order conditions as a function of nucleophile concentration [Nu] and temperature using the stopped-flow technique. The observed rate constants vary linearly with [Nu]; kobs = k2[Nu] and decreased in the order: PdL1 > PdL2 > PdL3 â‰« PdL4. The lower π-acceptability of the cis-coordinated N-pyrazol-2-yl groups (which coordinates via pyrazollic-N π-donor atoms) of the PdL2-4 significantly decelerates the reactivity relative to PdL1. Furthermore, the six-membered chelates having methylene bridge in PdL4 do not allow π-extension in the ligand and introduces steric hindrance further lowering the reactivity. Trends in DFT calculated data supported the observed reactivity trend. Spectrophotometric titration data of complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and viscosity measurements of the resultant mixtures suggested that associative interactions occur between the complexes and CT-DNA, likely through groove binding with high binding constants (Kb = 104 M-1). In vitro MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cytotoxic activity data showed that PdL1 was the most potent complex against MCF7 breast cancer cells; its IC50 value is lower than that of cisplatin. The results demonstrate how modification of a spectator ligand can be used to slow down the reactivity of Pd(II) complexes. This is of special importance in controlling drug toxicity in both pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

N,N-Bis(2-pyridylmeth-yl)-tert-butyl-amine.

In the title compound, C(16)H(21)N(3), the dihedral angle between the two pyridine rings is 88.11 (9)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked through inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming a layer expanding parallel to the (10) plane.

Seven membered chelate Pt(ii) complexes with 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline ligands: studies of substitution kinetics by sulfur donor nucleophiles, interactions with CT-DNA, BSA and in vitro cytotoxicity activities.

Dichloro platinum(ii) complexes coordinated with 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline ligands which form seven-membered chelates namely, bpqPtCl2, dmbpqPtCl2 and bbqPtCl2 (where bpq, dmbpq and bbq are 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline, 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline and 2,3-bis(2'pyriyl)benzo[g]quinoxaline, respectively) were synthesized, characterised and their respective hydrated product complexes namely, bpqPt(OH2)2 2+, dmbpqPt(OH2)2 2+ and bbqPt(OH2)2 2+ were prepared by chloride metathesis. The substitution kinetics of the aquated cations by thiourea nucleophiles indicated that the two aqua ligands are substituted simultaneously according to the rate law: k obs = k 2[Nu]. This is followed by a forced dechelation of the ligands from the Pt (II) to form Pt(Nu)4 2+ species. The dechelation step is considerably slow to be monitored reliably. The rate of substitution is marginally enhanced by introducing two methyl groups and by extending the π-conjugation on the bpq core ligand. The reactivity order increased as bpqPt(OH2)2 2+ < dmbpqPt(OH2)2 2+ < bbqPt(OH2)2 2+. Reactivity trends were well supported by theoretical computed DFT electronic descriptors. The interactions of the Pt(ii) complexes with CT-DNA and BSA were also examined spectroscopically in tris buffers at pH 7.2. Spectroscopic and viscosity measurements suggested strong associative interactions between the Pt(ii) complexes and CT-DNA, most likely through groove binding. In silico theoretical binding studies showed energetically stable poses through associative non-covalent interactions. In vitro MTT cytotoxicity IC50 values of the Pt(ii) complexes on human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2) cancer cell lines revealed bbqPtCl2 as the least active. The fluorescence staining assays revealed the morphological changes suggested early apoptotic induction as well as non-specific necrosis.

One-dimensional C-H...N hydrogen-bonded polymers in flexible tetrapyridyl systems.

In N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine, C(27)H(30)N(6), (I), and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)butane-1,4-diamine, C(28)H(32)N(6), (II), the twofold rotational symmetry of (I) favours the formation of a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymer with two columns of C-H...N hydrogen bonds, while the inversion symmetry of (II) allows the formation of a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymer stabilized by four columns of C-H...N hydrogen bonds. The possible role played by the chain length of the linking alkanediamine in determining the type of supramolecular architecture in this series of compounds is discussed.

A kinetics and mechanistic study on the role of the structural rigidity of the linker on the substitution reactions of chelated dinuclear Pt(II) complexes.

Substitution reactions of platinum complexes bearing cyclohexylamine/diamine moieties viz., [Pt(H(2)O)(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)cyclohexylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpcHna; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,4-cyclohexyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), cHn and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-dicyclohexylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), dcHnm and phenylamine/diamine moieties viz., ([Pt(H(2)O)N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)phenylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpPha; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), mPh; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), pPh and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-diphenylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4)), dPhm with thiourea nucleophiles were studied in acidified 0.01 M LiCF(3)SO(3) aqueous medium under pseudo-first-order conditions using stopped-flow and UV-visible spectrophotometric techniques. The rate of substitution follows a similar trend in the two sets of complexes and decreases in the order: bpcHna > dcHnm > cHn and bpPha > dPhm ≈ pPh ≈ mPh), respectively. The result of this study has shown that the rigidity and/or the planarity of a diamine bridge linking the two (2-pyridylmethyl)amine-chelated Pt(II) centres, influences the reactivity of the metal centres by protracting similar symmetry elements within the complexes, which determines the amount of steric influences felt on the coordination square-plane. Hence, the order of reactivity is controlled by both the steric hindrance and the magnitude of the trans σ-inductive effect originating from the linker towards the metal centre. These two factors also impact on the acidity of the complexes. The high negative entropies and low positive enthalpies support an associative mode of activation.

Understanding the role of the flexible bridging linker through kinetics and mechanistic study of Pt(II) amphiphiles derived from a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine chelate head group.

The substitution of aqua ligands of mononuclear Pt(II) complexes of the general form [Pt(H(2)O)(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N(CH(2))(n)-CH(3); -NC(CH(3))(3); -NH](CF(3)SO(3))(2), n = 1 (bpea); 2 (bppa); 3 (bpba); 5 (bpha), 9 (bpda) -NC(CH(3))(3) (bpbta) and -NH (bpma) by thiourea nucleophiles was investigated under pseudo first-order conditions as a function of concentration and temperature using the stopped-flow technique and UV-vis spectroscopy. The substitution reactions occur via two separate reaction steps, each fitting to a single exponential curve. In the two reaction steps, the thiourea nucleophiles first substitute the coordinated aqua ligand followed by ring opening via dechelation of one of the pyridyl units. The mode of activation for both steps remains associative in nature and the observed rate constants can be fitted to the equation k(obs(1st/2nd)) = k(2(1st/2nd))[Nu]. Appending a primary alkyl hydrocarbon group on the trans-N donor atom of the chelate head group marginally increases the rate of substitution of the aqua leaving group due to the weaker trans-influence of its alkyl amine donor group. However, when a tert-butyl group is the pendant group, reactivity increases by a factor of about two, reiterating the inductive nature of the flow of electron density from the tailing groups towards the Pt(II) metal centres. A comparison of the reactivities of the studied complexes with their dinuclear analogues bridged by alkyl diamines has demonstrated that the electronic effect of the alkyl diamine bridge on the overall reactivity of the multinuclear Pt(II) complexes is weak and insignificant when compared to steric effects due to the constraining bridge.

Tuning the reactivity of chelated dinuclear Pt(II) complexes through a flexible diamine linker. A detailed kinetic and mechanistic study.

The rate of displacement of the aqua ligands by three neutral nucleophiles (Nu) of different steric demands, namely thiourea (tu), N,N'-dimethylthiourea (dmtu) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylthiourea (tmtu) and an anionic nucleophile (I(-)) in complexes of the form [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N(CH(2))(n)N](CF(3)SO(3))(4), n = 2 (En); 3 (Prop); 4 (But); 6 (Hex); 8 (Oct) and 10 (Dec), was studied under pseudo first-order conditions as a function of concentration, temperature and pressure using stopped-flow techniques and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The pseudo first-order rate constants, k(obs(1(st)/2(nd))), for the simultaneous substitution of the aqua ligands and the proposed subsequent dechelation of the pyridyl units, respectively, agreed well to the rate law: k(obs(1(st)/2(nd))) = k(2(1(st)/2(nd)))[Nu]. High negative activation entropies, negative volumes of activation and second-order kinetics for the displacement reactions all support an associative mode of activation. Except for Prop, the rate of the simultaneous substitution of the aqua ligands in the complexes was found to increase as the chain length of the linker increases from En to Hex, beyond which any further increase in chain length is not accompanied by a further increase in reactivity. The reactivity trend of the even-bridged complexes with C(2h) symmetry is ascribed to a concomitant decrease in axial steric influences imposed on one side of the square-planar picolyl chelates by the other as the chain length increases. Based on the model structures of the complexes, this kind of steric imposition occurs only in complexes with an even number of CH(2) groups within the linker. The Prop complex, having a C(2v) symmetry showed exceptional high reactivity towards the nucleophiles. A cage effect, evolving from its bowl-shaped molecular structure, is proposed to explain this high reactivity. The order of reactivity of the nucleophiles increased in the order I(-) >> tu approximately dmtu > tmtu, in line with the strong electrostatic interactions between the highly polarizable iodide nucleophile and the Pt centers, steric retardation effects in the case of tmtu and dominating positive inductive effects for the dmtu nucleophile.