Structure, bonding, and catecholase mechanism of copper bispidine complexes.

Oxygen activation by copper(I) complexes with tetra- or pentadentate mono- or dinucleating bispidine ligands is known to lead to unusually stable end-on-[{(bispidine)Cu}(2)(O(2))](2+) complexes (bispidines are methyl-2,4-bis(2-pyridin-yl)-3,7-diazabicyclo-[3.3.1]-nonane-9-diol-1,5-dicarboxylates); catecholase activity of these dinuclear Cu(II/I) systems has been demonstrated experimentally, and the mechanism has been thoroughly analyzed. The present density functional theory (DFT) based study provides an analysis of the electronic structure and catalytic activity of [{(bispidine)Cu}(2)(O(2))](2+). As a result of the unique square pyramidal coordination geometry, the d(x(2)-y(2)) ground state leads to an unusual σ/π bonding pattern, responsible for the stability of the peroxo complex and the observed catecholase activity with a unique mechanistic pathway. The oxidation of catechol to ortho-quinone (one molecule per catalytic cycle and concomitant formation of one equivalent of H(2)O(2)) is shown to occur via an associative, stepwise pathway. The unusual stability of the end-on-peroxo-dicopper(II) complex and isomerization to copper(II) complexes with chelating catecholate ligands, which inhibit the catalytic cycle, are shown to be responsible for an only moderate catalytic activity.

Synthesis, structure, and highly efficient copper-catalyzed aziridination with a tetraaza-bispidine ligand.

The distorted trigonal-bipyramidal Cu(II) complex [Cu(L(1))(NCCH(3))](2+) of the novel tetradentate bispidine-derived ligand L(1) with four tertiary amine donors (L(1)=1,5-diphenyl-3-methyl-7-(1,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-diazacycloheptane-6-yl)diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-9-one) is a very efficient catalyst for the aziridination of olefins in the presence of a nitrene source. In agreement with the experimental data (in situ spectroscopy, product distribution, and its dependence on the geometry of the substrate and of the nitrene source), a theoretical analysis based on DFT calculations indicates that the active catalyst has the Cu center in its +II oxidation state, that electron transfer is not involved, and that the conversion of the olefin to an aziridine is a stepwise process involving a radical intermediate. The striking change of efficiency and reaction mechanism between classical copper-bispidine complexes and the novel L(1)-based catalyst is primarily attributed to the structural variation, enforced by the ligand architecture.

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.

Quantification of bambuterol hydrochloride in a formulated product using solid-state NMR.

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of the stable polymorphs of solid bambuterol hydrochloride (BHC) and terbutaline sulfate (TBS) are reported and the resonances assigned with the aid of solution-state spectra. A protocol is presented for quantification of BHC in a formulation in lactose, together with TBS, relative to a reference peak from magnesium stearate. This protocol compares the intensity of an aromatic signal of BHC with that of the main-chain methylene carbons of the stearate. It is shown that the limit of detection (LOD) of BHC in this system under the conditions described is 0.5% with an effective limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.0%. A calibration plot for the quantification is presented and the various factors affecting the accuracy of the measurements are described. No discernible differences are found in the spectra of physical mixtures of the components, whole tablets, and crushed or ground tablets.

The mechanism of the (bispidine)copper(II)-catalyzed aziridination of styrene: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Experimental and DFT-based computational results on the aziridination mechanism and the catalytic activity of (bispidine)copper(I) and -copper(II) complexes are reported and discussed (bispidine=tetra- or pentadentate 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.1.1]nonane derivative with two or three aromatic N donors in addition to the two tertiary amines). There is a correlation between the redox potential of the copper(II/I) couple and the activity of the catalyst. The most active catalyst studied, which has the most positive redox potential among all (bispidine)copper(II) complexes, performs 180 turnovers in 30 min. A detailed hybrid density functional theory (DFT) study provides insight into the structure, spin state, and stability of reactive intermediates and transition states, the oxidation state of the copper center, and the denticity of the nitrene source. Among the possible pathways for the formation of the aziridine product, the stepwise formation of the two N-C bonds is shown to be preferred, which also follows from experimental results. Although the triplet state of the catalytically active copper nitrene is lowest in energy, the two possible spin states of the radical intermediate are practically degenerate, and there is a spin crossover at this stage because the triplet energy barrier to the singlet product is exceedingly high.