Trinuclear Magnesium Imidazolate Borohydride Complex.

A new type of hybrid compound, combining properties of MOFs and borohydrides, was synthesized solvothermally using Mg(BH4)2 and imidazole as precursors. Material in the form of acetonitrile solvate with formula [Mg3{(Im)BH2(Im)}6(ImH)6]·CH3CN crystallizes in the space group R3̅, having the unit cell parameters a = 15.1942(2) Å and c = 28.3157(3) Å as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was further investigated by solid-state NMR and DFT quantum chemical calculations. The main feature of the structure, reported here for the first time, is a linear trinuclear complex, where octahedrally nitrogen-coordinated Mg2+ ions are bridged with {(Im)BH2(Im)}- units, forming inside voids of 4.6 Å in diameter between the magnesium ions. Polar intermolecular interactions hold the molecules in a dense rhombohedral stacking, where a disordered acetonitrile molecule plays a cohesive role. The compound is stable in air and upon heating to about 160 °C. Using an alternative synthesis method from an imidazole melt, an imidazole solvate with the formula [Mg3{(Im)BH2(Im)}6(ImH)6]·ImH and a very similar crystal structure to acetonitrile solvate was prepared. It is stable up to 220 °C. Upon further heating, it transformed into a layered structure with the formula Mg(Im3BH)2, space group P3̅1c, and unit cell parameters a = 8.7338(9) Å and c = 17.621(2) Å determined by synchrotron powder diffraction. Besides its structural novelty, two types of potentially reactive hydrogens, bonded to boron and nitrogen in the same molecule, make the material highly interesting for future investigations in the fields of energy storage applications.

Influence of Aliphatic Chain Length on Structural, Thermal and Electrochemical Properties of n-alkylene Benzyl Alcohols: A Study of the Odd-Even Effect.

The century-old, well-known odd-even effect phenomenon is still a very attractive and intriguing topic in supramolecular and nano-scale organic chemistry. As a part of our continuous efforts in the study of supramolecular chemistry, we have prepared three novel aromatic alcohols (1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]butylene (Do4OH), 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]pentylene (Do5OH) and 1,2-bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]hexylene (Do6OH)) and determined their crystal and molecular structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all compounds, two benzyl alcohol groups are linked by an aliphatic chain of different lengths (CH2)n; n = 4, 5 and 6. The major differences in the molecular structures were found in the overall planarity of the molecules and the conformation of the aliphatic chain. Molecules with an even number of CH2 groups tend to be planar with an all-trans conformation of the aliphatic chain, while the odd-numbered molecule is non-planar, with partial gauche conformation. A direct consequence of these structural differences is visible in the melting points-odd-numbered compounds of a particular series display systematically lower melting points. Crystal and molecular structures were additionally studied by the theoretical calculations and the melting points were correlated with packing density and the number of CH2 groups. The results have shown that the generally accepted rule, higher density = higher stability = higher melting point, could not be applied to these compounds. It was found that the denser packaging causes an increase in the percentage of repulsive H‧‧‧H interactions, thereby reducing the stability of the crystal, and consequently, the melting points. Another interesting consequence of different molecular structures is their electrochemical and antioxidative properties-a non-planar structure displays the highest oxidation peak of hydroxyl groups and moderate antioxidant activity.

[MII(NCS)2(nia)2(OH2)2]: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Thermal Properties (MII = Mn, Fe; nia = nicotinamide).

Two novel isostructural coordination compounds of manganese(II) (1) and iron(II) (2) with common formulae [MII(NCS)2(nia)2(OH2)2] have been prepared from water solution of appropriate metal salt, nicotinamide and KSCN. Their crystal structures were determined by means of X-ray diffraction on single crystals. The mononuclear title compounds crystallize in a triclinic P-1 space group with six monodentate octahedrally arranged ligands around the metal centre. The coordination molecules are self-assembled with an extended network of hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional structure. Additionally, 1 and 2 were characterized with infrared spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and thermal analysis.

Synthesis and Rotational Isomerism of 1-Substituted Methyl (S)-[5-(2-Nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl]alaninates.

Seven title compounds 12a-g and the (S)-prolinate analogue 13 were prepared in five steps from 2-nitrobenzoic acid (7). Reduction of the nitro group followed by derivatization of the so formed anilines 14 gave the N-alkyl-(15a-c), N-acyl-(16a,b and 19), and N-vinyl derivative 20. NMR spectra of (S)-alanine and (S)-proline derived compounds 12, 13, 14-16, 19, and 20 exhibited two sets of signals corresponding to pairs of conformational diastereomers. The free energy barriers of rotation, ΔG(‡)298 = 82-86 kJ mol(-1), were determined by (1)H NMR for 12a, 12d, 12f, and 12g and evaluated by DFT calculations.

Copper(ii) and silver(i) complexes with dimethyl 6-(pyrazine-2-yl)pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate (py-2pz): the influence of the metal ion on the antimicrobial potential of the complex.

Dimethyl 6-(pyrazine-2-yl)pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate (py-2pz) was used as a ligand for the synthesis of new copper(ii) and silver(i) complexes, [CuCl2(py-2pz)]2 (1), [Cu(CF3SO3)(H2O)(py-2pz)2]CF3SO3·2H2O (2), [Ag(py-2pz)2]PF6 (3) and {[Ag(NO3)(py-2pz)]·0.5H2O} n (4). The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, while their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray analysis revealed the bidentate coordination mode of py-2pz to the corresponding metal ion via its pyridine and pyrazine nitrogen atoms in all complexes, while in polynuclear complex 4, the heterocyclic pyrazine ring of one py-2pz additionally behaves as a bridging ligand between two Ag(i) ions. DFT calculations were performed to elucidate the structures of the investigated complexes in solution. The antimicrobial potential of the complexes 1-4 was evaluated against two bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Candida (C. albicans and C. parapsilosis) species. Silver(i) complexes 3 and 4 have shown good antibacterial and antifungal properties with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 4.9 to 39.0 µM (3.9-31.2 µg mL-1). All complexes inhibited the filamentation of C. albicans and hyphae formation, while silver(i) complexes 3 and 4 had also the ability to inhibit the biofilm formation process of this fungus. The binding affinity of the complexes 1-4 with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence emission spectroscopy to clarify the mode of their antimicrobial activity. Catechol oxidase biomimetic catalytic activity of copper(ii) complexes 1 and 2 was additionally investigated by using 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) and o-aminophenol (OAP) as substrates.

New Zinc Coordination Compound with Simple Salicylato and Pyridine Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis.

A novel mononuclear zinc coordination compound with formula [Zn(Hsal)2(Py)2] (H2sal = salicylic acid, Py = pyridine) was prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of sodium salicylate and zinc sulfate in 1:1 molar ratio, and to the resulting solution pyridine was added dropwise. The obtained compound was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. X-ray structure analysis has shown that the central zinc ion is four-coordinated by two monodentate salicylato ligands and two pyridine molecules, forming a distorted tetrahedron. Since the asymmetric unit consists of two halves of coordination molecules, orthorhombic Ibca space group symmetry leads to two coordination molecules with slightly different geometry. The comparison between the two is given in terms of interatomic distances and angles, and also in terms of differences in intermolecular interactions obtained as a result of Hirshfeld surface analysis. With the assistance of C-H…O interactions, the adjacent molecules are linked into chains and further connected into three-dimensional network.

A Novel Tetranuclear Silver Compound with bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate: a Simple Synthesis Yielding Complex Crystal Structure.

A novel tetranuclear silver coordination compound with the formula [Ag4(bdmpza)4]×10H2O (bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate) was synthesized by a reaction between an aqueous solution of silver nitrate and an aqueous solution prepared by bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid and potassium hydroxide (1:1 molar ratio). The obtained compound was characterized by elemental analysis, coupled thermogravimetric-mass spectrometry analysis, vibrational IR spectroscopy, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Furthermore, the obtained crystal structure was additionally evaluated by Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Tailoring copper(ii) complexes with pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate esters for anti-Candida activity.

Five novel copper(ii) complexes with pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate esters as ligands, [Cu(NO3)(py-2tz)(H2O)3]NO3 (1), [Cu(NO3)2(py-2metz)(H2O)] (2), [Cu(NO3)2(py-2py)(H2O)]·H2O (3), [CuCl2(py-2tz)]2 (4) and [CuCl2(py-2metz)]n (5) (py-2tz is dimethyl 2-(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate, py-2metz is dimethyl 2-(4-methylthiazol-2-yl)pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate and py-2py is dimethyl 2,2'-bipyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate), were synthesized and structurally characterized by different spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The structure of these complexes was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, confirming the bidentate coordination mode of the corresponding pyridine-4,5-dicarboxylate ester to the Cu(ii) ion through the nitrogen atoms. The antimicrobial potential of copper(ii) complexes 1-5 was assessed against two bacterial and two Candida species. These complexes showed better growth inhibiting activity against Candida spp. with respect to the tested bacterial species, also being moderately toxic towards normal human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5). Complexes 1 and 4 showed the greatest ability to inhibit the filamentation of C. albicans, which is an important process during fungal infection, and these two complexes efficiently inhibited the biofilm formation of C. albicans at subinhibitory concentrations. Complex 4 also successfully prevented the adhesion of C. albicans in an in vitro epithelial cell model. The mechanism of the antifungal activity of copper(ii) complexes 1-5 was studied through their interaction with ct-DNA, as one of the possible target biomolecules, by fluorescence spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis. Finally, the ability of these complexes to bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence emission spectroscopy.

Copper(II) Coordination Compounds with Methanoato and Pyridine Ligands: Conversion from Mononuclear to Polynuclear in the Presence of Moisture.

Blue prismatic crystals of mononuclear [CuII(O2CH)2(Py)3] (Py = pyridine, C5H5N), 1, were prepared from reaction solution containing dry pyridine and dinuclear [Cu2II(O2CH)4(Py)2]. When a portion of solution together with crystals was exposed to air moisture, crystals of 1 dissolved in mother liquid. Simultaneously, blue needles of 2, i.e. covalently linked one-dimensional chain structure with formula [Cu(O2CH)2(Py)2]n·nH2O, grew out of the solution. The process lasted few minutes and was observed under optical microscope. The conversion from 1 to 2 takes place also outside of solution in the solid state. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected at 150 K for 1 and after that for 2, originating from the same reaction solution. This paper reports the structures of both compounds. Alternative synthesis method of 2 arising from a mixture of copper methanoate and pyridine is also reported.

Evaluation of the metal-dependent cytotoxic behaviour of coordination compounds.

The [Cu(L)Cl2]2 and [Pt(L)Cl2] complexes were prepared from the simple Schiff-base ligand (E)-phenyl-N-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)methanamine (L) and respectively, CuCl2 and cis-[PtCl2(DMSO)2]. DNA-interaction studies revealed that the copper complex most likely acts as a DNA cleaver whereas the platinum complex binds to the double helix. Remarkably, cell-viability experiments with HeLa, MCF7 and PC3 cells showed that [Cu(L)Cl2]2 is an efficient cytotoxic agent whereas [Pt(L)Cl2] is not toxic, illustrating the crucial role played by the nature of the metal ion in the corresponding biological activity.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Acacen-Type Ligands and Their Coordination Compounds.

A highly modular synthetic method for the preparation of acacen-type ligands and their coordination compounds was developed. A series of 46 acacen-type ligands were synthesized by a combinatorial acid-catalyzed transamination between six primary diamines and eight enaminones. The bis-enaminone products were used as tetradentate ligands for coordination of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), and palladium(II). Dependence of the preferred E- or Z-configuration of the enaminone ligand on the α-substituent of the enaminone moiety in solution was determined by NMR and confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) complexes were tested for their suitability as catalysts in 3 + 2 cycloaddition of azomethine imine to methyl propiolate.

Stability of the compounds with the octahedral [MII(κ3-L)2] coordination building blocks of late 3d elements via solvate water supramolecular arrangement.

Five new coordination compounds with the common formulae [MII(bdmpza)2]•xH2O (bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate, C11H15N4COO-; x = 2 for Co (1), Ni (2) and Zn (3), x = 3 for Mn (4) and Fe (5)), were synthesized from the reaction mixtures containing appropriate metal salt, bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (Hbdmpza), methanol and water. The X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis reveals that all five compounds (1-5) contain mononuclear homoleptic [MII(bdmpza)2] coordination molecules, in which the central metal ions are surrounded with two chelating bdmpza ligands. Each ligand is bound tridentately facially via κ3-N,N,O sites and centrosymmetric coordination chromophore is thus obtained. In the dihydrates [M(L)2]•2H2O, 1-3, every coordination molecule is linked by two water molecules, i.e. two pairs of O-H...O hydrogen bonds, on each of the two sides, thus forming infinite chain. In case of the trihydrates [M(L)2]•3H2O, 4-5, with an assistance of the additional water molecule, such chains are further connected into extended supramolecular sheets. A similarity of both hydrate types is confirmed by powder XRD data and IR analysis. The ionic metal radius and the coordination M-O, M-N bonds were related to the void dimension among the coordination molecules of the title [MII(bdmpza)2]•xH2O.