Redox-Switchable Behavior of Transition-Metal Complexes Supported by Amino-Decorated N-Heterocyclic Carbenes.

The coordination chemistry of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand IMes(NMe2)2, derived from the well-known IMes ligand by substitution of the carbenic heterocycle with two dimethylamino groups, was investigated with d6 [Mn(I), Fe(II)], d8 [Rh(I)], and d10 [Cu(I)] transition-metal centers. The redox behavior of the resulting organometallic complexes was studied through a combined experimental/theoretical study, involving electrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. While the complexes [CuCl(IMes(NMe2)2)], [RhCl(COD)(IMes(NMe2)2)], and [FeCp(CO)2 (IMes(NMe2)2)](BF4) exhibit two oxidation waves, the first oxidation wave is fully reversible but only for the first complex the second oxidation wave is reversible. The mono-oxidation event for these complexes occurs on the NHC ligand, with a spin density mainly located on the diaminoethylene NHC-backbone, and has a dramatic effect on the donating properties of the NHC ligand. Conversely, as the Mn(I) center in the complex [MnCp(CO)2 ((IMes(NMe2)2)] is easily oxidizable, the latter complex is first oxidized on the metal center to form the corresponding cationic Mn(II) complex, and the NHC ligand is oxidized in a second reversible oxidation wave.

C-O and C-N Functionalization of Cationic, NCN-Type Pincer Complexes of Trivalent Nickel: Mechanism, Selectivity, and Kinetic Isotope Effect.

This report presents the synthesis of new mono- and dicationic NCN-NiIII complexes and describes their reactivities with protic substrates. (NCN is the pincer-type ligand κ N, κ C, κ N-2,6-(CH2NMe2)2-C6H3.) Treating van Koten's trivalent complex (NCN)NiIIIBr2 with AgSbF6 in acetonitrile gives the dicationic complex [(NCN)NiIII(MeCN)3]2+, whereas the latter complex undergoes a ligand-exchange reaction with (NCN)NiIIIBr2 to furnish the related monocationic complex [(NCN)NiIII(Br)(MeCN)]+. These trivalent complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and EPR spectroscopy. Treating these trivalent complexes with methanol and methylamine led, respectively, to C-OCH3 or C-NH(CH3) functionalization of the Ni-aryl moiety in these complexes, C-heteroatom bond formation taking place at the ipso-C. These reactions also generate the cationic divalent complex [(NCN)NiII(NCMe)]+, which was prepared independently and characterized fully. The unanticipated formation of the latter divalent species suggested a comproportionation side reaction between the cationic trivalent precursors and a monovalent species generated at the C-O and C-N bond formation steps; this scenario was supported by direct reaction of the trivalent complexes with the monovalent compound (PPh3)3NiICl. Kinetic measurements and density functional theory analysis have been used to investigate the mechanism of these C-O and C-N functionalization reactions and to rationalize the observed inverse kinetic isotope effect in the reaction of [(NCN)NiIII(Br)(MeCN)]+ with CH3OH/CD3OD.

pH-Dependent Cu(II) coordination to amyloid-ß peptide: impact of sequence alterations, including the H6R and D7N familial mutations.

Copper ions have been proposed to intervene in deleterious processes linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a direct consequence, delineating how Cu(II) can be bound to amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide, the amyloidogenic peptide encountered in AD, is of paramount importance. Two different forms of [Cu(II)(Aß)] complexes are present near physiological pH, usually noted components I and II, the nature of which is still widely debated in the literature, especially for II. In the present report, the phenomenological pH-dependent study of Cu(II) coordination to Aß and to ten mutants by EPR, CD, and NMR techniques is described. Although only indirect insights can be obtained from the study of Cu(II) binding to mutated peptides, they reveal very useful for better defining Cu(II) coordination sites in the native Aß peptide. Four components were identified between pH 6 and 12, namely, components I, II, III and IV, in which the predominant Cu(II) equatorial sites are {-NH(2), CO (Asp1-Ala2), N(im) (His6), N(im) (His13 or His14)}, {-NH(2), N(-) (Asp1-Ala2), CO (Ala2-Glu3), N(im)}, {-NH(2), N(-) (Asp1-Ala2), N(-) (Ala2-Glu3), N(im)} and {-NH(2), N(-) (Asp1-Ala2), N(-) (Ala2-Glu3), N(-) (Glu3-Phe4)}, respectively, in line with classical pH-induced deprotonation of the peptide backbone encountered in Cu(II) peptidic complexes formation. The structure proposed for component II is discussed with respect to another coordination model reported in the literature, that is, {CO (Ala2-Glu3), 3 N(im)}. Cu(II) binding to the H6R-Aß and D7N-Aß peptides, where the familial H6R and D7N mutations have been linked to early onset of AD, has also been investigated. In case of the H6R mutation, some different structural features (compared to those encountered in the native [Cu(II)(Aß)] species) have been evidenced and are anticipated to be important for the aggregating properties of the H6R-Aß peptide in presence of Cu(II).

Unveiling the redox-active character of imidazolin-2-thiones derived from amino-substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes.

IMes-derived thioureas in which the imidazolyl ring is directly substituted by one or two dimethylamino groups are redox-active, exhibiting one and two oxidized states, respectively. The structure, stability, and electronics of the oxidized species are investigated, emphasizing the decisive role of the amino substituents.

Synthesis and mechanistic investigation of iron(II) complexes of isoniazid and derivatives as a redox-mediated activation strategy for anti-tuberculosis therapy.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) represents a major threat to global health. Isoniazid (INH) is a prodrug used in the first-line treatment of tuberculosis. It undergoes oxidation by a catalase-peroxidase KatG, leading to generation of an isonicotinoyl radical that reacts with NAD(H) forming the INH-NADH adduct as the active metabolite. A redox-mediated activation of isoniazid using an iron metal complex was previously proposed as a strategy to overcome isoniazid resistance due to KatG mutations. Here, we have prepared a series of iron metal complexes with isoniazid and analogues, containing alkyl substituents at the hydrazide moiety, and also with pyrazinamide derivatives. These complexes were activated by H2O2 and studied by ESR and LC-MS. For the first time, the formation of the oxidized INH-NAD adduct from the pentacyano(isoniazid)ferrate(II) complex was detected by LC-MS, supporting a redox-mediated activation, for which a mechanistic proposition is reported. ESR data showed all alkylated hydrazides, in contrast to non-substituted hydrazides, only generated alkyl-based radicals. The structural modifications did not improve minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MTB in comparison to isoniazid iron complex, providing support to isonicotinoyl radical formation as a requirement for activity. Nonetheless, the pyrazinoic acid hydrazide iron complex showed redox-mediated activation using H2O2 with generation of a pyrazinoyl radical intermediate and production of pyrazinoic acid, which is in fact the active metabolite of pyrazinamide prodrug. Thereby, this strategy can also unveil new opportunities for activation of this type of drug.

The Necessity of Having a Tetradentate Ligand to Extract Copper(II) Ions from Amyloids.

The accumulation of redox-active metal ions, in particular copper, in amyloid plaques is considered to the cause of the intensive oxidation damage to the brain of patients with Alzheimers disease (AD). Drug candidates based on a bis(8-aminoquinoline) tetradentate ligand are able to efficiently extract Cu(2+) from copper-loaded amyloids (Cu-Aß). Contrarily, in the presence of a bidentate hydroxyquinoline, such as clioquinol, the copper is not released from Aß, but remains sequestrated within a Aß-Cu-clioquinol ternary complex that has been characterized by mass spectrometry. Facile extraction of copper(II) at a low amyloid/ligand ratio is essential for the re-introduction of copper in regular metal circulation in the brain. As, upon reduction, the Cu(+) is easily released from the bis(8-aminoquinoline) ligand unable to accommodate Cu(I), it should be taken by proteins with an affinity for copper. So, the tetradentate bis(8-aminoquinoline) described here might act as a regulator of copper homeostasis.

Photo- and thermo-induced spin crossover in a cyanide-bridged {Mo(V)2Fe(II)2} rhombus molecule.

The self-assembly of [Mo(V)(CN)8](3-) and [Fe(II)(bik)2(S)2](2+) affords a cyanide-bridged {Mo(V)2Fe(II)2} rhombus molecule that shows photomagnetic effect under laser light irradiation at low temperature and exhibits thermo-induced spin crossover near ambient temperature.

Photomagnetic effect in a cyanide-bridged mixed-valence {Fe(II)2Fe(III)2} molecular square.

The self-assembly of [Fe(III)(Tp)(CN)(3)](-) and [Fe(II)(bik)(2)(S)(2)](2+) affords the cyanide-bridged mixed valence {Fe(III)(2)Fe(II)(2)}(2+) molecular square, which exhibits a photomagnetic effect under laser light irradiation at low temperature and also shows thermal spin-state conversion near ambient temperature.