Rare Earths-The Answer to Everything.

Rare earths, scandium, yttrium, and the fifteen lanthanoids from lanthanum to lutetium, are classified as critical metals because of their ubiquity in daily life. They are present in magnets in cars, especially electric cars; green electricity generating systems and computers; in steel manufacturing; in glass and light emission materials especially for safety lighting and lasers; in exhaust emission catalysts and supports; catalysts in artificial rubber production; in agriculture and animal husbandry; in health and especially cancer diagnosis and treatment; and in a variety of materials and electronic products essential to modern living. They have the potential to replace toxic chromates for corrosion inhibition, in magnetic refrigeration, a variety of new materials, and their role in agriculture may expand. This review examines their role in sustainability, the environment, recycling, corrosion inhibition, crop production, animal feedstocks, catalysis, health, and materials, as well as considering future uses.

Oxidation of the Platinum(II) Anticancer Agent [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)] to Platinum(IV) Complexes by Hydrogen Peroxide.

PtIV coordination complexes are of interest as prodrugs of PtII anticancer agents, as they can avoid deactivation pathways owing to their inert nature. Here, we report the oxidation of the antitumor agent [PtII(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)], 1 (py = pyridine) to dihydroxidoplatinum(IV) solvate complexes [PtIV{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(OH)2(py)].H2O, 2·H2O with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at room temperature. To optimize the yield, 1 was oxidized in the presence of added lithium chloride with H2O2 in a 1:2 ratio of Pt: H2O2, in CH2Cl2 producing complex 2·H2O in higher yields in both gold and red forms. Despite the color difference, red and yellow 2·H2O have the same structure as determined by single-crystal and X-ray powder diffraction, namely, an octahedral ligand array with a chelating organoamide, pyridine and chloride ligands in the equatorial plane, and axial hydroxido ligands. When tetrabutylammonium chloride was used as a chloride source, in CH2Cl2, another solvate, [PtIV{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(OH)2(py)].0.5CH2Cl2,3·0.5CH2Cl2, was obtained. These PtIV compounds show reductive dehydration into PtII [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=CHNEt2}Cl(py)], 1H over time in the solid state, as determined by X-ray powder diffraction, and in solution, as determined by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. 1H contains an oxidized coordinating ligand and was previously obtained by oxidation of 1 under more vigorous conditions. Experimental data suggest that oxidation of the ligand is favored in the presence of excess H2O2 and elevated temperatures. In contrast, a smaller amount (1Pt:2H2O2) of H2O2 at room temperature favors the oxidation of the metal and yields platinum(IV) complexes.

Electron Delocalization in Spectroelectrochemically and Computationally Characterized [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH═C(Cl)NEt2}Cl(py)]+ Formed by Electrochemical Oxidation of [PtII{(p-BrC6F4)NCH═C(Cl)NEt2}Cl(py)].

[Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH═C(Cl)NEt2}Cl(py)] (1Cl) is the product of the hydrogen peroxide oxidation of the PtII anticancer agent [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)] (1). Insights into electron delocalization and bonding in [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH═C(Cl)NEt2}Cl(py)]+ (1Cl+) obtained by electrochemical oxidation of 1Cl have been gained by spectroscopic and computational studies. The 1Cl/1Cl+ process is chemically and electrochemically reversible on the short time scale of voltammetry in dichloromethane (0.10 M [Bu4N][PF6]). Substantial stability is retained on longer time scales enabling a high yield of 1Cl+ to be generated by bulk electrolysis. In situ IR and visible spectroelectrochemical studies on the oxidation of 1Cl to 1Cl+ and the reduction of 1Cl+ back to 1Cl confirm the long-term chemical reversibility. DFT calculations indicate only a minor contribution to the electron density (13%) resides on the Pt metal center in 1Cl+, indicating that the 1Cl/1Cl+ oxidation process is extensively ligand-based. Published X-ray crystallographic data show that 1Cl is present in only one structural form, while NMR data on the dissolved crystals revealed the presence of two closely related structural forms in an almost equimolar ratio. Solution-phase EPR spectra of 1Cl+ are consistent with two closely related structural forms in a ratio of about 90:10. The average g value for the frozen solution spectra (2.0567 for the major species) is significantly greater than the 2.0023 expected for a free radical. Crystal field analysis of the EPR spectra leads to an estimate of the 5d(xz) character of around 10% in 1Cl+. Analysis of X-ray absorption fine structure derived from 1Cl+ also supports the presence of a delocalized singly occupied metal molecular orbital with a spin density of approximately 17% on Pt. Accordingly, the considerably larger electron density distribution on the ligand framework (diminished PtIII character) is proposed to contribute to the increased stability of 1Cl+ compared to that of 1+.

Chalcogen Bonds in Selenocysteine Seleninic Acid, a Functional GPx Constituent, and in Other Seleninic or Sulfinic Acid Derivatives.

The controlled oxidation reaction of L-selenocystine under neutral pH conditions affords selenocysteine seleninic acid (3-selenino-L-alanine) which is characterized also by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This technique shows that selenium forms three chalcogen bonds (ChBs), one of them being outstandingly short. A survey of seleninic acid derivatives in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) confirms that the C-Se(=O)O- functionality tends to act as a ChB donor robust enough to systematically influence the interactional landscape in the solid. Quantum Theory of Atom in Molecules (QTAIM) analysis proves the attractive nature of the short contacts observed in crystals containing the seleninic functionality and calculation of surface molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) reveals that remarkably positive σ-holes can frequently be found opposite to the covalent bonds at selenium. Both CSD searches and QTAIM and MEP approaches show that also the sulfinic acid moiety can function as a ChB donor, albeit less frequently than the seleninic acid one. These findings may contribute to a better understanding, at the atomic level, of the mechanism of action of the enzymes that control oxidative stress and ROS deactivation and that contain selenocysteine seleninic acid and cysteine sulfinic acid in the active site.

Diverse and unexpected outcomes from oxidation of the platinum(II) anticancer agent [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)] by hydrogen peroxide.

Oxidation of the anti-tumour agent [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)], 1 (py = pyridine) with hydrogen peroxide under a variety of conditions yields a range of organoenamineamidoplatinum(II) compounds [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=C(X)NEt2}Cl(py)] (X = H, Cl, Br) as well as species with shared occupancy involving H, Cl and Br. Thus, oxidation of the -CH2-CH2- backbone (dehydrogenation) occurs, often accompanied by substitution. Oxidation of 1 with H2O2 in acetone yielded 1:1 co-crystallized [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=CHNEt2}Cl(py)], 1H and [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=C(Cl)NEt2}Cl(py)], 1Cl. The former was obtained pure in low yield from the oxidation of 1 with (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6] in acetone, and the latter was obtained from 1 and H2O2 in CH2Cl2 at near reflux. From the latter reaction under vigorous refluxing [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=C(Br)NEt2}Cl(py)], 1Br was isolated. In refluxing acetonitrile, oxidation of 1 with H2O2 yielded [Pt{(p-BrC6F4)NCH=C(H0.25Br0.75)NEt2}Cl(py)], 1H0.25Br0.75, in which the alkene is mainly substituted by Br in a dual occupancy. Treatment of 1 with H2O2 and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in acetone at room temperature formed [Pt{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)], 2. Oxidation of [Pt{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Br(py)], 3 with H2O2 in boiling acetonitrile gave the ligand oxidation product [Pt{(p-HC6F4)NCH=C(Br)NEt2}Br(py)], 3Br. All major products were identified by X-ray crystallography as well as by 1H and 19F NMR spectra. In cases of mixed crystals or dual occupancy compounds, the 19F and 1H NMR spectra showed dissociation into the components in the solution in the same proportions as in isolated crystalline material.

Infrared nanospectroscopic mapping of a single metaphase chromosome.

The integrity of the chromatin structure is essential to every process occurring within eukaryotic nuclei. However, there are no reliable tools to decipher the molecular composition of metaphase chromosomes. Here, we have applied infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to demonstrate molecular difference between eu- and heterochromatin and generate infrared maps of single metaphase chromosomes revealing detailed information on their molecular composition, with nanometric lateral spatial resolution. AFM-IR coupled with principal component analysis has confirmed that chromosome areas containing euchromatin and heterochromatin are distinguishable based on differences in the degree of methylation. AFM-IR distribution of eu- and heterochromatin was compared to standard fluorescent staining. We demonstrate the ability of our methodology to locate spatially the presence of anticancer drug sites in metaphase chromosomes and cellular nuclei. We show that the anticancer 'rule breaker' platinum compound [Pt[N(p-HC6F4)CH2]2py2] preferentially binds to heterochromatin, forming localized discrete foci due to condensation of DNA interacting with the drug. Given the importance of DNA methylation in the development of nearly all types of cancer, there is potential for infrared nanospectroscopy to be used to detect gene expression/suppression sites in the whole genome and to become an early screening tool for malignancy.

The Application of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy and the Reversible DNA Conformation as a Sensor to Test the Effectiveness of Platinum(II) Anticancer Drugs.

Platinum(II) complexes have been found to be effective against cancer cells. Cisplatin curbs cell replication by interacting with the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), reducing cell proliferation and eventually leading to cell death. In order to investigate the ability of platinum complexes to affect cancer cells, two examples from the class of polyfluorophenylorganoamidoplatinum(II) complexes were synthesised and tested on isolated DNA. The two compounds trans-[N,N'-bis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diaminato(1-)](2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzoato)(pyridine)platinum(II) (PFB) and trans-[N,N'-bis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diaminato(1-)](2,4,6-trimethylbenzoato)(pyridine)platinum(II) (TMB) were compared with cisplatin through their reaction with DNA. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to analyse the interaction of the Pt(II) complexes with DNA in the hydrated, dehydrated and rehydrated states. These were compared with control DNA in acetone/water (PFB, TMB) and isotonic saline (cisplatin) under the same conditions. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to compare the ATR-FTIR spectra of the untreated control DNA with spectra of PFB and TMB treated DNA samples. Disruptions in the conformation of DNA treated with the Pt(II) complexes upon rehydration were mainly observed by monitoring the position of the IR-band around 1711 cm-1 assigned to the DNA base-stacking vibration. Furthermore, other intensity changes in the phosphodiester bands of DNA at ~1234 cm-1 and 1225 cm-1 and shifts in the dianionic phosphodiester vibration at 966 cm-1 were observed. The isolated double stranded DNA (dsDNA) or single stranded DNA (ssDNA) showed different structural changes when incubated with the studied compounds. PCA confirmed PFB had the most dramatic effect by denaturing both dsDNA and ssDNA. Both compounds, along with cisplatin, induced changes in DNA bands at 1711, 1088, 1051 and 966 cm-1 indicative of DNA conformation changes. The ability to monitor conformational change with infrared spectroscopy paves the way for a sensor to screen for new anticancer therapeutic agents.

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy shows changes in ovarian cancer cells after incubation with novel organoamidoplatinum(ii) complexes.

Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy has been applied to compare the effect of the new organoamidoplatinum(ii) complexes [Pt{NH(p-HC6F4)CH2CH2N(p-HC6F4)}(py)(O2CR)] (R = C6F4 or 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) with cisplatin on cells from one cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) and one cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line (A2780R). After incubation of the cells with cisplatin, 1 and 2 for 48 hours, distinct changes were found in the ATR-FT-IR spectra. Comparison of the second derivative spectra suggests that 1 and 2 induce similar chemical changes in both cell lines, A2780 and A2780R, while cisplatin had a slight effect on A2780 and A2780R cells. Furthermore, drugs 1 and 2 result in changes to the phosphodiester and polysaccharide bands in the spectra. This work shows how ATR-FT-IR can be applied to monitor the effects of organoamidoplatinum(ii) complexes on cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cell lines providing potential information on how drugs affect the cellular metabolism.

Mechanism of hydrolysis of a platinum(IV) complex discovered by atomic telemetry.

Herein we report on the hydrolysis mechanism of [Pt{N(p-HC6F4)CH2}2(NC5H5)2(OH)2], a platinum(IV) complex that exhibits anti-cancer properties. Atomic telemetry, an in situ technique based on electron structure sensitive X-ray spectroscopy, revealed that hydrolysis preceded any reduction of the metal center. The obtained results are complemented with 19F NMR measurements and theoretical calculations and support the observation that this PtIV complex does not reduce spontaneously to PtII in HEPES buffer solution at pH 7.4 and after 24 h incubation. These results are of importance for the design of novel Pt-based coordination complexes as well as understanding their behavior under physiological conditions.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of a series of new platinum and palladium diphosphane complexes.

New organometallic complexes [M(dppe)(R)2] {where M = Pt or Pd, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphano)ethane, and R = C6F4H-x (x = 6,5,4), C6F3H2-3,5, C6F3H2-5,6, C6F3H2-3,6, C6F4(OMe)-4, and C6F4(cyclo-C5H10N)-4, the numbers x refer to the positions of the protons in the polyfluoroaryl ligands} were synthesised either through transmetalation from the dichlorido complexes [M(dppe)Cl2] or through ligand exchange using [M(diene)Cl2] precursor complexes with diene = 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) or 1,5-hexadiene (hex). Alternatively, [M(dppX)Cl(R)] complexes with dppX = dppm (1,1-bis(diphenylphosphano)methane), dppe, dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphano)propane), and dppb (1,4-bis(diphenylphosphano)butane) were prepared in decarboxylation reactions from thallium(i) carboxylates Tl(O2CR). The different preparative methods were compared in terms of yield and purity. Structural and spectroscopic data are reported for the new dppX- and diene-M(R)2 complexes. Antiproliferative activity was investigated for these new complexes against the HT-29 (colon carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines, and the active compounds of this first series together with organometallic dppX or hex PtII or PdII complexes were then included in cell tests using L1210 (leukaemia cells) and the cisplatin-resistant L1210/DDP cell line. Remarkably, promising antiproliferative results were found for a few PtII and PdII complexes, while structurally closely related compounds were essentially nontoxic.

Labile Pd-sulphur and Pt-sulphur bonds in organometallic palladium and platinum complexes [(COD)M(alkyl)(S-ligand)]n+-A speciation study.

Reaction of various sulphur ligands L (SEt-, SPh-, SC6F4H-4-, SEt2, StBu2, SnBu2, DMSO, DPSO) with the precursors [(COD)M(R)Cl] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene, M=Pd or Pt; R=methyl (Me) or benzyl (Bn); DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide; DPSO=diphenyl sulfoxide) allowed isolation and characterisation of mononuclear neutral (n=0) or cationic (n=1) complexes [(COD)Pt(R)(L)]n+. Reaction of l-cysteine (HCys) with [(COD)Pt(Me)Cl] under similar conditions gave the binuclear cationic complex in [{(COD)Pt(Me)}2(µ-Cys)]Cl. Detailed NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction in the case of [(COD)Pt(Me)(SEt2)][SbF6] and [(COD)Pt(Me)(DMSO)][SbF6] reveal markedly labilised Pt-S bonds as a consequence of the highly covalent Pt-C bonds of the R coligands in these organometallic species. Cationic charge (n=1) seems to lower the Pt-S bond strength further. Consequently, most of these complexes are not stable long-term in aqueous DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide) solutions. This made the evaluation of their antiproliferative properties towards HT-29 colon carcinoma and MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines impossible. Only the two complexes [(COD)Pt(R)(SC6F4H-4)] with R=Me or SC6F4H-4 coligands could be tested with the R=Me complex showing promising activity (in the range of cisplatin), while the R=SC6F4H-4 derivative is largely inactive, as were the phosphane complexes [(dppe)Pt(SC6F4H-4)2] (dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), cis-[(PPh3)2Pt(SC6F4H-4)2] and cis-[(PPh3)2PtCl2] which were tested for comparison. In turn, our findings might pave the way to new Pt anti-cancer drugs with largely reduced unwanted depletion of incorporated drugs and reduced side-effects from binding to S-containing biomolecules.

EPR spectroscopic characterization of a monomeric PtIII species produced via electrochemical oxidation of the anticancer compound trans-[PtII{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)].

The bulk oxidative electrolysis of a 2mM solution of trans-[PtII{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)] in highly non-coordinating dichloromethane (0.05M [Bu4N][B(C6F5)]) media leads to the formation of about 14% of the PtIII species trans-[PtIII{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)]+. The EPR spectrum of this electro-synthesized formally PtIII species shows Pt-hyperfine coupling with gx~gy>gz~ge, and is broadly consistent with the simple crystal field theory prediction for 5d7 PtIII in an elongated tetragonal environment where the unpaired electron is in a 5d(z2) orbital. The crystal field calculations lead to an estimate of the 5d(z2) character of around 37% and indicate partial delocalization of the unpaired electron onto the orbitals of the surrounding ligands. Transient cyclic voltammetric and steady-state microelectrode studies in the same media as used for bulk electrolysis exhibit a chemically reversible one electron oxidation process under their shorter time scale conditions. Analysis of X-ray diffraction data obtained from a single crystal of trans-[PtII{(p-HC6F4)NCH2CH2NEt2}Cl(py)] shows the square planar geometry of the ligands around the Pt metal center and the 'W' arrangement of the ethyl groups on the ligand is explained in terms of agostic interactions.

The use of Resonant X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (RXES) for the electronic analysis of metal complexes and their interactions with biomolecules.

This review presents a new application of Resonant X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (RXES) to study the mechanism of action of metal containing anticancer derivatives and in particular platinum in situ and in vivo. The technique is an example of a photon-in photon-out X-ray spectroscopic approach, which enables chemical speciation of drugs to be determined and therefore to derive action mechanisms, and to determine drug binding rates under physiological conditions and therapeutic concentrations. This is made feasible due to the atomic specificity and high penetration depth of RXES. The review presents examples of the three main types of information that can be obtained by RXES and establishes an experimental protocol to perfect the measurements within cells.

Novel in situ methodology to observe the interactions of chemotherapeutical Pt drugs with DNA under physiological conditions.

The binding of the antitumor drug cisplatin with DNA was determined by means of in situ resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy. Because of the penetrating properties of hard X-rays, we could determine, under physiological conditions, the identity and number of platinum complexes present. In situ RIXS revealed that under physiological conditions, water molecules replace chloride ligands owing to drug hydration. The subsequent interaction with DNA, led to the bonding of the aqua complexes into the DNA structure with simultaneous loss of the coordinating water and chloride ion. The data analysis reveals that Pt is coordinated by two adjacent guanines giving cis-[Pt(NH3)2{d(GpG)-N7(1),-N7(2)}] upon losing its coordinating water or chloride ligands.

Systematic differences in electrochemical reduction of the structurally characterized anti-cancer platinum(IV) complexes [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}-(pyridine)2Cl2], [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)2], and [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)Cl].

The putative platinum(IV) anticancer drugs, [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)XY] (X,Y=Cl, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (1a), C(6)F(5) (1b); X,Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (2); X=Cl, Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (3), py = pyridine) have been prepared by oxidation of the Pt(II) anticancer drugs [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)] (R=p-HC(6)F(4) (4a) or C(6)F(5) (4b)) with PhICl(2) (1a,b), H(2)O(2) (2) and PhICl(2)/Bu(4)NOH (3). NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2 and 3 show that they have octahedral stereochemistry with the X,Y ligands in the trans-position. The net two electron electrochemical reduction of 1a, 2 and 3 has been studied by voltammetric, spectroelectrochemical and bulk electrolysis techniques in acetonitrile. NMR and other data reveal that reduction of 1a gives pure 4a via the elimination of both axial chloride ligands. In the case of 2, one end of the diamide ligand is protonated and the resulting -NH(p-HC(6)F(4)) group dissociated giving a [Pt{N(p-HC(6)F(4))CH(2)CH(2)NH(p-HC(6)F(4))}] arrangement, one pyridine ligand is lost and a hydroxide ion retained in the coordination sphere. Intriguingly, in the case of reduction of 3, a 50% mixture of the reduction products of pure 1a and 2 is formed. The relative ease of reduction is 1>3>2. Testing of 1a, 2 and 3 against L1210 and L1210(DDP) (DDP = cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum(II)) mouse leukaemia cells shows all to be cytotoxic with IC(50) values of 1.0-3.5 µM. 2 and 3 are active in vivo against AHDJ/PC6 tumor line when delivered in peanut oil despite being hard to reduce electrochemically, and notably are more active than 4a delivered in this medium whilst comparable with 4a delivered in saline/Tween.

Structural and anticancer properties of hydrogen bonded diphenyl phosphate adducts of Pt(IV) complexes: the importance of pKa matching.

Co-crystallisation of diphenyl phosphate (Hdpp) with anticancer active Pt(IV) complexes of the type cis,trans,cis-[PtCl(2)(OH)(2)(am(m)ine)(2)] has produced a new type of supramolecular adduct with short hydrogen bonds from the Hdpp molecules to the hydroxide ligands in all cases. X-ray crystallographic analysis showed within the adduct cis,trans-[PtCl(2)(en)(OH(2))(2)](dpp)(2) (1) a hydrogen bond length of 2.341(6) Å; the shortest O ··· O distance reported in the literature. Similar, though longer hydrogen bonds were observed in three other complexes: [PtCl(2)(OH)(NH(3))(2)(OH(2))]dpp·3H(2)O (2), trans-[Pt(mal)(OH)(OH(2))(S,S-chxn)]dpp·3H(2)O (3), and trans-[Pt(ox)(OH)(OH(2))(S,S-chxn)]dpp·2H(2)O (4). Co-crystallisation with Hdpp leads to higher aqueous solubility than the parent complexes indicating the potential of the adducts for use as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Anticancer testing of [Pt(mal)(OH)(OH(2))(S,S-chxn)]dpp·3H(2)O (3) showed in vitro cytotoxicity is low, as expected for Pt(IV) prodrugs, yet substantial tumour growth inhibition was observed in an in vivo ADJ/PC6 tumour model, with activity retained at maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/2 and MTD/4.

N- versus P-coordination in bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane complexes of aluminum.

The reaction of the bis(amino)cyclodiphosph(III)azane, cis-{(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu)(2)}, with AlMe(3), AlClMe(2), AlCl(2)Me, and AlCl(3) is reported. The less Lewis acidic compound AlMe(3) forms the adduct cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P.(AlMe(3))NtBu}] (1), in which the aluminum atom is exclusively coordinated to one phosphorus atom. At elevated temperatures AlMe(3) undergoes migratory exchange between the two phosphorus atoms, but no methane elimination is observed. By using the more Lewis acidic compound AlClMe(2) the P-coordinated compound cis-[(tBuNH)(2)(PNtBu){P(AlClMe(2))NtBu}] (2) can be obtained at low temperatures. Compound 2 rearranges irreversibly to a product in which the AlClMe(2) group is coordinated by one exo-cyclic nitrogen atom. A concomitant 1,2-H shift from this nitrogen atom onto the phosphorus atom is observed. The N-coordinated rearrangement product slowly decomposes via a P-N bond cleavage in solution. Reaction of the even more Lewis acidic compounds AlCl(2)Me and AlCl(3) finally led to stable adducts, cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(2)Me){P(H)NtBu}] (3), and cis-[(tBuNH)(PNtBu)(tBuNAlCl(3)){P(H)NtBu}] (4), in which the aluminum atoms are N-coordinated by a tBuN=PH unit.

The direct mapping of the uptake of platinum anticancer agents in individual human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells using a hard X-ray microprobe.

Uptake of platinum-based anticancer compounds into individual human ovarian andenocarcinoma cells was measured using an X-ray microprobe. The uptake of cisplatin, a platinum-based compound, in drug-resistant cells is decreased by approximately 50% after 24 h, compared with the uptake of the drug in nonresistant cells over the same time period. The Pt103 derivative of the drug, in contrast, showed an increased uptake by an order of magnitude in resistant cells over the same time period. Increased uptake appears to allow Pt103 to overcome the resistance mechanism developed by the cell. This work additionally shows that the X-ray microprobe is able to directly quantify Pt drug uptake on a subcellular level and can measure the mass of Pt down to a detectable limit of 20 attograms of Pt (2 x 10(-17) grams or 6 x 10(4) Pt atoms) in 1 s. Such exquisite elemental sensitivity combined with high spatial resolution paves the way for quantitative submicron three-dimensional mapping of elemental distributions within individual cells.

Heterometallic CeIII-FeIII-salicylate networks: models for corrosion mitigation of steel surfaces by the 'green' inhibitor, Ce(salicylate)3.

The syntheses and structures of the novel Ce-Fe bimetallic complexes [[Fe(sal)2(bpy)]2Ce(NO3)(H2O)3].EtOH and [[Fe(sal)2(bpy)]4Ce2(H2O)11][salH]2.EtOH.3H2O (salH2 = salicylic acid) suggest Fe(3+)-sal2- units and Ce-OC(R)O-Fe bridging contribute to the formation of corrosion inhibitive layers on steel surfaces exposed to [Ce(salH)3(H2O)].