Exploring the Mechanisms behind the Anti-Tumoral Effects of Model C-Scorpionate Complexes.

The growing worldwide cancer incidence, coupled to the increasing occurrence of multidrug cancer resistance, requires a continuous effort towards the identification of new leads for cancer management. In this work, two C-scorpionate complexes, [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] (1) and [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 (2), (Tpm = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane and TpmOH = 2,2,2-tris(pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol), were studied as potential scaffolds for future anticancer drug development. Their cytotoxicity and cell migration inhibitory activity were analyzed, and an untargeted metabolomics approach was employed to elucidate the biological processes significantly affected by these two complexes, using two tumoral cell lines (B16 and HCT116) and a non-tumoral cell line (HaCaT). While [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] did not display a significant cytotoxicity, [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 was particularly cytotoxic against the HCT116 cell line. While [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 significantly inhibited cell migration in all tested cell lines, [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] displayed a mixed activity. From a metabolomics perspective, exposure to [FeCl2(κ3-Tpm)] was associated with changes in various metabolic pathways involving tyrosine, where iron-dependent enzymes are particularly relevant. On the other hand, [Co(κ3-TpmOH)2](NO3)2 was associated with dysregulation of cell adhesion and membrane structural pathways, suggesting that its antiproliferative and anti-migration properties could be due to changes in the overall cellular adhesion mechanisms.

Efficient and Reusable Iron Catalyst to Convert CO2 into Valuable Cyclic Carbonates.

The production of cyclic carbonates from CO2 cycloaddition to epoxides, using the C-scorpionate iron(II) complex [FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}] (pz = 1H-pyrazol-1-yl) as a catalyst, is achieved in excellent yields (up to 98%) in a tailor-made ionic liquid (IL) medium under mild conditions (80 °C; 1-8 bar). A favorable synergistic catalytic effect was found in the [FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}]/IL system. Notably, in addition to exhibiting remarkable activity, the catalyst is stable during ten consecutive cycles, the first decrease (11%) on the cyclic carbonate yield being observed during the 11th cycle. The use of C-scorpionate complexes in ionic liquids to afford cyclic carbonates is presented herein for the first time.

Spectroelectrochemical Properties and Catalytic Activity in Cyclohexane Oxidation of the Hybrid Zr/Hf-Phthalocyaninate-Capped Nickel(II) and Iron(II) tris-Pyridineoximates and Their Precursors.

The in situ spectroelectrochemical cyclic voltammetric studies of the antimony-monocapped nickel(II) and iron(II) tris-pyridineoximates with a labile triethylantimony cross-linking group and Zr(IV)/Hf(IV) phthalocyaninate complexes were performed in order to understand the nature of the redox events in the molecules of heterodinuclear zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) phthalocyaninate-capped derivatives. Electronic structures of their 1e-oxidized and 1e-electron-reduced forms were experimentally studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemical experiments and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The investigated hybrid molecular systems that combine a transition metal (pseudo)clathrochelate and a Zr/Hf-phthalocyaninate moiety exhibit quite rich redox activity both in the cathodic and in the anodic region. These binuclear compounds and their precursors were tested as potential catalysts in oxidation reactions of cyclohexane and the results are discussed.

Selective Oxidation of Ethane to Acetic Acid Catalyzed by a C-Scorpionate Iron(II) Complex: A Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Comparison.

The direct, one-pot oxidation of ethane to acetic acid was, for the first time, performed using a C-scorpionate complex anchored onto a magnetic core-shell support, the Fe3O4/TiO2/[FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}] composite. This catalytic system, where the magnetic catalyst is easily recovered and reused, is highly selective to the acetic acid synthesis. The performed green metrics calculations highlight the "greeness" of the new ethane oxidation procedure.

Catalytic Performance of a Magnetic Core-Shell Iron(II) C-Scorpionate under Unconventional Oxidation Conditions.

For the first time, herein is reported the use of a magnetic core-shell support for a C-scorpionate metallic complex. The prepared hybrid material, that consists on the C-scorpionate iron(II) complex [FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}] (pz, pyrazolyl) immobilized at magnetic core-shell particles (Fe3O4/TiO2), was tested as catalyst for the oxidation of secondary alcohols using the model substrate 1-phenylethanol. Moreover, the application of alternative energy sources (e.g., ultrasounds, microwaves, mechanical or thermal) for the peroxidative alcohol oxidation using the magnetic heterogenized iron(II) scorpionate led to different/unusual outcomes that are presented and discussed.

Nickel(II), Copper(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes with Bis-Semicarbazide Hexaazamacrocycles: Redox-Noninnocent Behavior and Catalytic Activity in Oxidation and C-C Coupling Reactions.

Nickel(II), copper(II), and palladium(II) complexes MLH, where M = Ni (1), Cu (2), Pd (3), and MLOMe, where M = Ni (4), Cu (5), Pd (6), have been prepared by reactions of NiCl2·6H2O, Cu(OAc)2·H2O, and PdCl2(MeCN)2 with 14-membered bis-semicarbazide hexaazamacrocycles H2LH and H2LOMe in dimethylformamide (DMF). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, IR, UV-vis, and 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D (1H-1H COSY, 1H-1H TOCSY, 1H-1H NOESY, 1H-13C HSQC, 1H-13C HMBC) NMR spectra (1, 3, 4, and 6), and X-ray diffraction (2, 4-6). The complexes with MIIN4 coordination environment have S = 0, 1/2, 0 ground states for Ni, Cu, and Pd, respectively. The electrochemical behavior of 1-6 was investigated in detail. The electronic structures of 1e-oxidized species were studied by EPR, UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT calculations, indicating the redox-noninnocent behavior of the ligands. Compounds 1-6 were tested in the oxidation of styrene and C-C coupling (Henry and Knoevenagel condensations). Compounds 2 and 5 selectively catalyze the microwave-assisted oxidation of neat styrene to benzaldehyde (up to 88% yield), whereas the 1 and 4 catalytic systems afforded up to 99% ß-nitroethanol yield with an appreciable diastereoselectivity toward the formation of the anti isomer.

Nickel(II) Complexes with Redox Noninnocent Octaazamacrocycles as Catalysts in Oxidation Reactions.

Nickel(II) complexes with 15-membered (1-5) and 14-membered (6) octaazamacrocyclic ligands derived from 1,2- and 1,3-diketones and S-methylisothiocarbohydrazide were prepared by template synthesis. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, IR, UV-vis, 1H NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction. The complexes contain a low-spin nickel(II) ion in a square-planar coordination environment. The electrochemical behavior of 1-6 was investigated in detail, and the electronic structure of 1e-oxidized and 1e-reduced species was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance, UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemistry, and density functional theory calculations indicating redox noninnocent behavior of the ligands. Compounds 1-6 were tested in the microwave-assisted solvent-free oxidation of cyclohexane by tert-butyl hydroperoxide to produce the industrially significant mixture of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (i.e., A/K oil). The results showed that the catalytic activity was affected by several factors, namely, reaction time and temperature or amount and type of catalyst. The best values for A/K oil yield (23%, turnover number of 1.1 × 102) were obtained with compound 6 after 2 h of microwave irradiation at 100 °C.

Structural characterization and biological properties of silver(I) tris(pyrazolyl)methane sulfonate.

The water-soluble 1D helical coordination polymer [Ag(Tpms)]n (1) [Tpms = tris(pyrazolyl)methane sulfonate, -O3SC(pz)3; pz = pyrazolyl] was synthesized and fully characterized, its single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealing the ligand acting as a bridging chelate N3-donor ligand. The antiproliferative potential of 1 was performed on two human tumour cell lines, A2780 and HCT116, and in normal fibroblasts, with a much higher effect in the former cell line (IC50 of 0.04 µM) as compared to the latter cell line and to normal fibroblasts. Compound 1 does not alter cell cycle progression but interferes with the adherence of A2780 cells triggering cell apoptosis. Apoptosis appears to occur via the extrinsic pathway (no changes in mitochondria membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-apoptotic (B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated protein (BAX))/anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) ratio) being this hypothesis also supported by the presence of silver mainly in the supernatants of A2780 cells. Results also indicated that cell death via autophagy was triggered. Proteomic analysis allowed us to confirm that compound 1 is able to induce a stress response in A2780 cells that is related with its antiproliferative activity and the trigger of apoptosis.

Novel Chemotherapeutic Agents - The Contribution of Scorpionates.

The development of safe and effective chemotherapeutic agents is one of the uppermost priorities and challenges of medicinal chemistry and new transition metal complexes are being continuously designed and tested as anticancer agents. Scorpionate ligands have played a great role in coordination chemistry, since their discovery by Trofimenko in the late 1960s, with significant contributions in the fields of catalysis and bioinorganic chemistry. Scorpionate metal complexes have also shown interesting anticancer properties, and herein, the most recent (last decade) and relevant scorpionate complexes reported for application in medicinal chemistry as chemotherapeutic agents are reviewed. The current progress on the anticancer properties of transition metal complexes bearing homo- or hetero- scorpionate ligands, derived from bis- or tris-(pyrazol-1-yl)-borate or -methane moieties is highlighted.

Combination of chemotherapy and Au-nanoparticle photothermy in the visible light to tackle doxorubicin resistance in cancer cells.

Despite great advances in the fight against cancer, traditional chemotherapy has been hindered by the dose dependent adverse side effects that reduce the usable doses for effective therapy. This has been associated to drug resistance in tumor cells that often cause relapse and therapy failure. These drawbacks have been tackled by combining different therapeutic regiments that prevent drug resistance while decreasing the chemotherapy dose required for efficacious ablation of cancer. In fact, new metallic compounds have been in a continuous development to extend the existing chemotherapy arsenal for these combined regimens. Here, we demonstrate that combination of a metallic compound (TS265), previously characterized by our group, with photothermy circumvents cells resistant to Doxorubicin (DOX). We first engendered a colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT116) highly resistant to DOX, whose viability was diminished after administration of TS265. Cancer cell death was potentiated by challenging these cells with 14 nm spherical gold nanoparticles followed by laser irradiation at 532 nm. The combination of TS265 with photothermy lead to 65% cell death of the DOX resistant cells without impacting healthy cells. These results support the use of combined chemotherapy and photothermy in the visible spectrum as an efficient tool for drug resistant tumors.

Insights into the mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative potential of a Co(II) coordination compound bearing 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione: DNA and protein interaction studies.

The very high antiproliferative activity of [Co(Cl)(H2O)(phendione)2][BF4] (phendione is 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) against three human tumor cell lines (half-maximal inhibitory concentration below 1 µM) and its slight selectivity for the colorectal tumor cell line compared with healthy human fibroblasts led us to explore the mechanisms of action underlying this promising antitumor potential. As previously shown by our group, this complex induces cell cycle arrest in S phase and subsequent cell death by apoptosis and it also reduces the expression of proteins typically upregulated in tumors. In the present work, we demonstrate that [Co(Cl)(phendione)2(H2O)][BF4] (1) does not reduce the viability of nontumorigenic breast epithelial cells by more than 85 % at 1 µM, (2) promotes the upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and cell-cycle-related p21, and (3) induces release of lactate dehydrogenase, which is partially reversed by ursodeoxycholic acid. DNA interaction studies were performed to uncover the genotoxicity of the complex and demonstrate that even though it displays K b (± standard error of the mean) of (3.48 ± 0.03) × 10(5) M(-1) and is able to produce double-strand breaks in a concentration-dependent manner, it does not exert any clastogenic effect ex vivo, ruling out DNA as a major cellular target for the complex. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy studies are indicative of a strong and specific interaction of the complex with human serum albumin, involving one binding site, at a distance of approximately 1.5 nm for the Trp214 indole side chain with log K b ~4.7, thus suggesting that this complex can be efficiently transported by albumin in the blood plasma.

Cobalt complexes with pyrazole ligands as catalyst precursors for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane: X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies and biological applications.

[CoCl(µ-Cl)(Hpz(Ph))3]2 (1) and [CoCl2(Hpz(Ph))4] (2) were obtained by reaction of CoCl2 with HC(pz(Ph))3 and Hpz(Ph), respectively (Hpz(Ph)=3-phenylpyrazole). The compounds were isolated as air-stable solids and fully characterized by IR and far-IR spectroscopy, MS(ESI+/-), elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), controlled potential electrolysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies showed that 1 and 2 undergo single-electron irreversible Co(II)→Co(III) oxidations and Co(II)→Co(I) reductions at potentials measured by CV, which also allowed, in the case of dinuclear complex 1, the detection of electronic communication between the Co centers through the chloride bridging ligands. The electrochemical behavior of models of 1 and 2 were also investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods, which indicated that the vertical oxidation of 1 and 2 (that before structural relaxation) affects mostly the chloride and pyrazolyl ligands, whereas adiabatic oxidation (that after the geometry relaxation) and reduction are mostly metal centered. Compounds 1 and 2 and, for comparative purposes, other related scorpionate and pyrazole cobalt complexes, exhibit catalytic activity for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone under mild conditions (room temperature, aqueous H2O2). In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies indicated that the species derived from complexes 1 and 2 during the oxidation of cyclohexane (i.e., Ox-1 and Ox-2, respectively) are analogous and contain a Co(III) site. Complex 2 showed low in vitro cytotoxicity toward the HCT116 colorectal carcinoma and MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Hexanuclear and undecanuclear iron(III) carboxylates as catalyst precursors for cyclohexane oxidation.

Two multinuclear complexes [Fe6(µ3-O)2(µ4-O2)L10(OAc)2(H2O)2]·2.625Et2O·2.375H2O (1) and [Fe(III)11Cl(µ4-O)3(µ3-O)5L16(dmf)(2.5)(H2O)(0.5)]·Et2O·1.25dmf·3.8H2O (2), where HL = 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and dmf = dimethylformamide, have been prepared from trinuclear iron(III) carboxylates via their structural rearrangement in dimethylformamide or diethyl ether-dimethylformamide 9:1, respectively, and slow vapor diffusion of diethyl ether into the reaction mixture. Both compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Complex 1 possesses a hexanuclear ferric peroxido-dioxido {Fe6(O2)(O)2}(12+) core unit, which adopts a recliner conformation, while complex 2 contains an unprecedented {Fe11O8Cl}(16+) core, in which 9 ferric ions are six-coordinate and the remaining two are five-coordinate. Another structural feature of note of the undecanuclear core is the presence of a deformed cubane entity {Fe4(µ3-O)(µ4-O)3}(4+). Both complexes act as catalyst precursors for the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with aqueous H2O2, in the presence of pyrazinecarboxylic acid. Remarkable TONs and TOFs (the latter mainly for 1) with concomitant quite good yields have been achieved under mild conditions. Moreover, 1 exhibits remarkably high activity in an exceptionally short reaction time (45 min), being unprecedented for any metal catalyzed alkane oxidation by H2O2. The catalytic reactions proceed via Fenton type chemistry.

Biological characterization of the antiproliferative potential of Co(II) and Sn(IV) coordination compounds in human cancer cell lines: a comparative proteomic approach.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of cisplatin's antitumor activity led to a great interest in the potential application of coordination compounds as chemotherapeutic agents. It is essential to identify new compounds that selectively inhibit tumor proliferation, evading secondary effects and resistance associated with chemotherapeutics. METHODS: The in vitro antiproliferative potential of an organotin(IV) compound was evaluated using colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma, mammary gland adenocarcinoma cell lines, and human fibroblasts. Tumor cell death was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry for the Sn(IV) compound and also for a Co(II) compound bearing 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione as ligand. Comparative proteomic analysis for both compounds was assessed in the colorectal cancer cell line. RESULTS: The Sn(IV) compound presented a high cytotoxic effect in colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (IC50 of 0.238 ± 0.011 µM, 0.199 ± 0.003 µM, respectively), and a lower cytotoxicity in human fibroblasts. Both compounds induced cell apoptosis and promoted the overexpression of oxidative stress-related enzyme superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (SODC). The Co(II) compound induced a decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (translationally-controlled tumor protein and endoplasmin), and the Sn(IV) compound decreased expression of proteins involved in microtubule stabilization, TCTP, and cofilin-1. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveals a high in vitro antiproliferative potential against cancer cell lines and a moderate selectivity promoted by the Sn(IV) compound. Proteomic analysis of Sn(IV) and Co(II) compounds in the colorectal cancer cell line allowed an insight to their mechanisms of action, particularly by affecting the expression of proteins typically deregulated in cancer, and also suggesting a promising therapeutic potential for both compounds.

Cobalt complexes bearing scorpionate ligands: synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and DNA cleavage.

A number of novel, water-stable redox-active cobalt complexes of the C-functionalized tripodal ligands tris(pyrazolyl)methane XC(pz)(3) (X = HOCH(2), CH(2)OCH(2)Py or CH(2)OSO(2)Me) are reported along with their effects on DNA. The compounds were isolated as air-stable solids and fully characterized by IR and FIR spectroscopies, ESI-MS(+/-), cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential electrolysis, elemental analysis and, in a number of cases, also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They showed moderate cytotoxicity in vitro towards HCT116 colorectal carcinoma and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma human cancer cell lines. This viability loss is correlated with an increase of tumour cell lines apoptosis. Reactivity studies with biomolecules, such as reducing agents, H(2)O(2), plasmid DNA and UV-visible titrations were also performed to provide tentative insights into the mode of action of the complexes. Incubation of Co(II) complexes with pDNA induced double strand breaks, without requiring the presence of any activator. This pDNA cleavage appears to be mediated by O-centred radical species.

Synthesis, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity of novel silver(I) tris(pyrazolyl)methanesulfonate and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane complexes.

Five new silver(I) complexes of formulas [Ag(Tpms)] (1), [Ag(Tpms)(PPh(3))] (2), [Ag(Tpms)(PCy(3))] (3), [Ag(PTA)][BF(4)] (4), and [Ag(Tpms)(PTA)] (5) {Tpms = tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methanesulfonate, PPh(3) = triphenylphosphane, PCy(3) = tricyclohexylphosphane, PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane} have been synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analyses, (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and IR spectroscopic techniques. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 3 shows the Tpms ligand acting in the N(3)-facially coordinating mode, while in 2 and 5 a N(2)O-coordination is found, with the SO(3) group bonded to silver and a pendant free pyrazolyl ring. Features of the tilting in the coordinated pyrazolyl rings in these cases suggest that this inequivalence is related with the cone angles of the phosphanes. A detailed study of antimycobacterial and antiproliferative properties of all compounds has been carried out. They were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against the standard strains Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 49619), Streptococcus pyogenes (SF37), Streptococcus sanguinis (SK36), Streptococcus mutans (UA159), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and the fungus Candida albicans (ATCC 24443). Complexes 1-5 have been found to display effective antimicrobial activity against the series of bacteria and fungi, and some of them are potential candidates for antiseptic or disinfectant drugs. Interaction of Ag complexes with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, using ethidium bromide (EB) as a fluorescence probe of DNA. The decrease in the fluorescence of DNA-EB system on addition of Ag complexes shows that the fluorescence quenching of DNA-EB complex occurs and compound 3 is particularly active. Complexes 1-5 exhibit pronounced antiproliferative activity against human malignant melanoma (A375) with an activity often higher than that of AgNO(3), which has been used as a control, following the same order of activity inhibition on DNA, i.e., 3 > 2 > 1 > 5 > AgNO(3)≫ 4.

Metal-hydride bond activation and metal-metal interaction in dinuclear iron complexes with linking dinitriles: a synthetic, electrochemical, and theoretical study.

The dinuclear iron(II)-hydride complexes [[FeH(dppe)(2)](2)(mu-LL)][BF(4)](2) (LL = NCCH=CHCN (1a), NCC(6)H(4)CN (1b), NCCH(2)CH(2)CN (1c); dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)) and the corresponding mononuclear ones, trans-[FeH(LL)(dppe)(2)][BF(4)] (2a-c) were prepared by treatment of trans-[FeHCl(dppe)(2)], in tetrahydrofuran (thf) and in the presence of Tl[BF(4)], with the appropriate dinitrile (in molar deficiency or excess, respectively). Metal-metal interaction was detected by cyclic voltammetry for 1a, which, upon single-electron reversible oxidation, forms the mixed valent Fe(II)/Fe(III) 1a(+) complex. The latter either undergoes heterolytic Fe-H bond cleavage (loss of H(+)) or further oxidation, at a higher potential, also followed by hydride-proton evolution, according to ECECE or EECECEC mechanistic processes, respectively, which were established by digital simulation. Anodically induced Fe-H bond rupture was also observed for the other complexes and the detailed electrochemical behavior, as well as the metal-metal interaction (for 1a), were rationalized by ab initio calculations for model compounds and oxidized derivatives. These calculations were used to generate the structural parameters (full geometry optimization), the most stable isomeric forms, the ionization potentials, the effective atomic charges, and the molecular orbital diagrams, as well as to predict the nature of the other electron-transfer induced chemical steps, i.e. geometric isomerization and nucleophilic addition, by BF(4)(-), to the unsaturated iron center resulting from hydride-proton loss. From the values of the oxidation potential of the complexes, the electrochemical P(L) and E(L) ligand parameters were also estimated for the dinitrile ligands (LL) and for their mononuclear complexes 2 considered as ligands toward a second binding metal center.