Synthetic Chameleon Turns into Oximes, Nitrones, and Hydroxylamines when Exposed to Blue Light.

A metal-free, user-friendly photochemical transformation of nitroalkanes to oximes, nitrones, and hydroxylamines has been developed. The visible-light-induced reactions are catalyzed by the readily available photoredox organocatalyst 4CzIPN and use inexpensive amines as reductants. Broad in scope and tolerant of multiple functional groups and heterocycles, the transformation proceeds under mild conditions. Its synthetic potential was demonstrated in the formal total synthesis of amathaspiramide F. A basic insight into the reaction mechanism was gained with the help of an NMR study.

A heptanuclear {Dy2Cu5} complex as a single-molecule magnet.

The structure and magnetic properties of a complex containing a {Dy2Cu5} core are presented. In 1, the Dy(III) are 9- and the Cu(II) are 4-, 5- and 6-coordinated. Antiferromagnetic interactions cause an irregular energy spectrum with the ground state J = 25/2. The complex is a single molecule magnet exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation in zero magnetic field.

Magnetic properties of a europium(III) complex - possible multiplet crossover.

A dinuclear complex [(H2O)Zn(LH)Eu(NO3)3] containing a hexadentate Schiff-base {N2O4}-donor ligand LH2- was prepared and characterized by X-ray structural analysis and IR, electronic and fluorescence spectroscopy. DC magnetic data show that upon heating the diamagnetic complex with the ground state Eu(III)-7F0 and Zn(II)-1S switches to paramagnetic species due to the population of 7FJ (J = 1 to 6) magnetic multiplets. The magnetic susceptibility increases from zero, passes through a maximum, and then decreases upon heating. This behaviour can be explained using a spin-orbit Hamiltonian with an axial distortion term. There is an alternative interpretation of the susceptibility data based on a two-level model similar to that used in the spin crossover theory.

Impact of the central atom and halido ligand on the structure, antiproliferative activity and selectivity of half-sandwich Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes with a 1,3,4-thiadiazole-based ligand.

Half-sandwich complexes [Ru(η6-pcym)(L1)X]PF6 (1, 3) and [Ir(η5-Cp*)(L1)X]PF6 (2, 4) featuring a thiadiazole-based ligand L1 (2-(furan-2-yl)-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole) were synthesized and characterized by varied analytical methods, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction (X = Cl or I, pcym = p-cymene, Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). The structures of the molecules were analysed and interpreted using computational methods such as Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QT-AIM). A 1H NMR spectroscopy study showed that complexes 1-3 exhibited hydrolytic stability while 4 underwent partial iodido/chlorido ligand exchange in phosphate-buffered saline. Moreover, 1-4 demonstrated the ability to oxidize NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) to NAD+ with Ir(III) complexes 2 and 4 displaying higher catalytic activity compared to their Ru(II) analogues. None of the complexes interacted with reduced glutathione (GSH). Additionally, 1-4 exhibited greater lipophilicity than cisplatin. In vitro biological analyses were performed in healthy cell lines (CCD-18Co colon and CCD-1072Sk foreskin fibroblasts) as well as in cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and -resistant (A2780cis) ovarian cancer cell lines. The results indicated that Ir(III) complexes 2 and 4 had no effect on human fibroblasts, demonstrating their selectivity. In contrast, complexes 1 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the metabolic and proliferation activities of the cancer cells tested (selectivity index SI > 3.4 for 4 and 2.6 for cisplatin; SI = IC50(A2780)/IC50(CCD-18Co)), including the cisplatin-resistant cancer cell line. Based on these findings, it is possible to emphasize that mainly complex 4 could represent a further step in the development of selective and highly effective anticancer agents, particularly against resistant tumour types.

Synthetic Study of Natural Metabolites Containing a Benzo[c]oxepine Skeleton: Heterocornol C and D.

A versatile strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of a benzo[c]oxepine structural core containing natural secondary metabolites was developed. The key steps of the synthetic approach include ring-closing alkene metathesis for seven-member ring construction, the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction for the installation of the double bond and Katsuki-Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation for the introduction of chiral centers. The first total synthesis and absolute configuration assignment of heterocornol D (3a) were achieved. Four stereoisomers, 3a, ent-3a, 3b and ent-3b, of this natural polyketide were prepared, starting with 2,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid and divinyl carbinol. The absolute and relative configuration of heterocornol D was assigned via single-crystal X-ray analysis. The extension of the described synthetic approach is further presented with the synthesis of heterocornol C by applying the ether group reduction method to the lactone.

Bipyridine Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Halogen-Substituted Salicylates: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Biological Activity.

Ruthenium complexes currently represent a perspective subject of investigation in terms of potential anticancer therapeutics. Eight novel octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes are the subject of this article. Complexes contain 2,2'-bipyridine molecules and salicylates as ligands, differing in position and type of halogen substituent. The structure of the complexes was determined via X-ray structural analysis and NMR spectroscopy. All complexes were characterized by spectral methods-FTIR, UV-Vis, ESI-MS. Complexes show sufficient stability in solutions. Therefore, their biological properties were studied. Binding ability to BSA, interaction with DNA, as well as in vitro antiproliferative effects against MCF-7 and U-118MG cell lines were investigated. Several complexes showed anticancer effects against these cell lines.

Easy-axis magnetic anisotropy in tetragonally elongated cobalt(II) complexes beyond the spin-Hamiltonian formalism.

Two hexacoordinate Co(II) complexes [Co(hfac)2(etpy)2] (1) and [Co(hfac)2(bzpyCl)2] (2) were synthesized and spectrally and structurally characterized. The {CoO4N2} chromophore adopts a geometry of the elongated tetragonal bipyramid with a small o-rhombic component. This less common arrangement causes the magnetic data to need be analysed using the Griffith-Figgis model, instead of the commonly used spin-Hamiltonian with zero-field splitting parameters D and E. In the case of the elongated bipyramid for d7 complexes, the source of the magnetic anisotropy of an easy-axis type is the axial crystal field splitting Δax. The ab initio CASSCF calculations followed by the NEVPT2 module confirm that the ground electronic term is quasi-degenerate owing to the splitting of the 4Eg (D4h) mother term. The lowest spin-orbit multiplets appear as four Kramers doublets belonging to the Γ5 irreducible representation of the double point group D2'. They exhibit a serious mixing of the |±1/2〉 and |±3/2〉 spins which reflects a sizable effect of the spin-orbit coupling. Both complexes exhibit field-supported slow magnetic relaxation governed by the Raman process.

A Universal Strategy for Synthesis of Agropyrenol Family. Total Synthesis of Agropyrenol, Sordarial, and Heterocornol A and B.

A divergent strategy for natural polyketides synthesis has been designed. This synthetic route allowed chemical alterations leading to all stereoisomers of the natural agropyrenol 1, sordarial 2, and heterocornol B 4. Key steps involve desymmetrization of divinylcarbinol using asymmetric Sharpless epoxidation and Heck coupling of an easily available aromatic partner and prepared chiral alkene. The versatility of the synthetic method was demonstrated on the preparation of heterocornol A 3 and sordariol 5. The absolute and relative configurations of prepared natural compounds 2·1/3C6H12 and 4 were confirmed and assigned by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Unusual slow magnetic relaxation in a mononuclear copper(II) complex.

A hexacoordinate Cu(II) complex with the {CuO4O'N} donor set shows an intermolecular π-π stacking owing to which a 1D-chain structure is formed. The DC magnetic data at low temperature are consistent with the Curie law. The AC susceptibility shows a field supported slow magnetic relaxation that survives up to 7 K. The relaxation time at T = 2.0 K and BDC = 0.2 T is τ = 0.23 ms and it increases at BDC = 0.6 T to τ = 2.9 ms.

In vitro biological activity of copper(II) complexes with NSAIDs and nicotinamide: Characterization, DNA- and BSA-interaction study and anticancer activity.

Through the reaction of copper(II) acetate with nicotinamide (pyridine-3-carboxylic acid amide, niacinamide) and some derivatives of N-phenylanthranilic acid (fenamates), seven new mixed-ligand copper(II) compounds were isolated: [Cu(tolf-O)(tolf-O,O')nia-N)2(EtOH)] (1), [Cu(tolf-O)(tolf-O,O')(nia-N)2(MeOH)] (2), [Cu(meclf-O)(meclf-O,O')(nia-N)2(EtOH)] (3), [Cu(meclf-O)(meclf-O,O')(nia-N)2(MeOH)] (4), [Cu(meclf-O)(meclf-O,O')(nia-N)2(ACN)] (5), [Cu(mef-O)(mef-O,O')(nia-N)2(EtOH)] (6) and [Cu(mef-O)(mef-O,O')(nia-N)2(ACN)] (7) containing a molecule of relevant solvent as ligand in their primary crystal structure (tolf = tolfenamate, meclf = meclofenamate, mef = mefenamate, nia = nicotinamide, EtOH = ethanol, MeOH = methanol, ACN = acetonitrile). The structures of the complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The intermolecular interactions were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and their redox properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of the complexes with bovine serum albumin was studied by fluorescence emission spectroscopy and the albumin-binding constants of the compounds were calculated. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA was monitored by diverse techniques (UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements) suggesting intercalation as the most possible mode of binding. DNA-competitive studies of the complexes with ethidium bromide were monitored by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The cytotoxic effects of copper(II) complexes on lung carcinoma cells and healthy cells were determined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] colorimetric technique.

Highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of racemic codonopsinol B through isoxazolidine-4,5-diol vinylation.

A new highly diastereoselective synthesis of the polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine alkaloid (±)-codonopsinol B and its N-nor-methyl analogue, starting from achiral materials, is presented. The strategy relies on the trans-stereoselective epoxidation of 2,3-dihydroisoxazole with in situ-generated DMDO, the syn-selective α-chelation-controlled addition of vinyl-MgBr/CeCl3 to the isoxazolidine-4,5-diol intermediate, and the substrate-directed epoxidation of the terminal double bond of the corresponding γ-amino-α,ß-diol with aqueous hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by phosphotungstic heteropoly acid. Each of the key reactions proceeded with an excellent diastereoselectivity (dr > 95:5). (±)-Codonopsinol B was prepared in 10 steps with overall 8.4% yield. The antiproliferative effect of (±)-codonopsinol B and its N-nor-methyl analogue was evaluated using several cell line models.

3d-4f magnetic exchange interactions and anisotropy in a series of heterobimetallic vanadium(IV)-lanthanide(III) Schiff base complexes.

A series of heterobimetallic LnIII-VIV compounds [Ln(VO)L(NO3)3(H2O)] (Ln = Gd(1), Tb(2), Dy(3), and Er(4)) assembled by a Schiff base ligand (H2L = N,N'-bis(1-hydroxy-2-benzylidene-6-methoxy)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane) were prepared and studied with experimental and theoretical methods. The single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed the change of the coordination number from 10 found in 1-3 to 9 confirmed in 4. The DC magnetic data were fit with several Hamiltonians to extract the exchange and anisotropy parameters of complexes 1-4. This investigation of magnetic properties was carried out using both DFT and CASSCF theoretical calculations. It was found out that exchange interactions in 1, 3 and 4 are antiferromagnetic, while 2 has ferromagnetic exchange interactions. Moreover, the AC susceptibility measurements revealed the field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization in complexes 2 and 3 which is complicated by the presence of three relaxation channels. Nevertheless, these compounds belong to the first TbIII-VIV and DyIII-VIV single-molecule magnets in this class of compounds.

Autotandem Catalysis: Inexpensive and Green Access to Functionalized Ketones by Intermolecular Iron-Catalyzed Amidoalkynylation/Hydration Cascade Reaction via N-Acyliminium Ion Chemistry.

Iron-based catalysts were applied in cascade-type reactions for the synthesis of different carbonyl compounds. The reactions proceeded by a new iron-catalyzed cascade of alkynylation/hydration by using both the σ- and π-Lewis acid properties of iron salts. The alkynylation reactions of several endo and exocyclic acetoxylactams were achieved with three different catalysts including FeCl3 ⋅ 6H2 O, FeCl3 , and Fe(OTf)3 showing the efficiency of σ-Lewis acidity of iron (III) salts in catalyzing the alkynylation reaction. We also demonstrated that the reaction sequence could be shortened by the direct use of hydroxylactams, leading to an environmentally friendly protocol, avoiding the need to perform unnecessary lengthy steps. A combination of the hard/soft iron Lewis acid properties was then used to implement an unprecedented tandem intermolecular alkynylation/intramolecular hydration sequence allowing expedient access to a new carbonyl structures from trivial materials.

Spin crossover metal-organic frameworks with inserted photoactive guests: on the quest to control the spin state by photoisomerization.

Three Hofmann-like metal-organic frameworks {Fe(bpac)[Pt(CN)4]}·G (bpac = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)acetylene) were synthesized with photoisomerizable guest molecules (G = trans-azobenzene, trans-stilbene or cis-stilbene) and were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and powder X-ray diffraction. The insertion of guest molecules and their conformation were inferred from Raman and FTIR spectra and from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and confronted with computational simulation. The magnetic and photomagnetic behaviors of the framework are significantly altered by the different guest molecules and different conformations. On the other hand, photoisomerization of the guest molecules becomes strongly hindered by the framework.

Polyradical PROXYL/TEMPO Conjugates Connected by Ester/Amide Bridges: Synthesis, Physicochemical Studies, and DFT Calculations.

A series of di-/trinitroxide esters and amides featuring PROXYL and/or TEMPO radicals connected with alicyclic bridges were prepared in 61-92 % yields and their properties were analysed by using multiple experimental techniques. The examination of EPR spectra of radicals in organic solvents augmented with DFT calculations brought valuable information on the conformational dynamics and spin exchange mechanisms. Cyclic voltammetry investigations revealed (quasi)reversible electrochemical behaviour of studied nitroxides with their half-wave potentials ranging from -51 to -17 mV. SQUID measurements of selected radicals revealed that the magnetism of di- and trinitroxides is significantly different, since antiferromagnetic coupling in biradicals is notably larger than in triradicals. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of selected biradicals revealed the existence of 3D supramolecular networks of molecules linked through hydrogen-bonding interactions. These polynitroxide radicals can serve as promising bridging or chelating ligands in the synthesis of transition-metal-based molecular magnets.

Spin-crossover in an iron(III) complex showing a broad thermal hysteresis.

A pentadentate Schiff-base ligand 3,5Cl-L2- and NCSe- form an iron(iii) mononuclear complex, namely [Fe(3,5Cl-L)(NCSe)], which shows a thermally induced spin crossover with a broad hysteresis width of 24 K between 123 K (warming) and 99 K (cooling). Analogous complexes of the [Fe(3,5X-L)(Y)] type, where X = Cl or Br and Y = Cl-, N3-, NCS-, and NCSe-, are high-spin over the whole temperature interval.

Deposition of Tetracoordinate Co(II) Complex with Chalcone Ligands on Graphene.

Studying the properties of complex molecules on surfaces is still mostly an unexplored research area because the deposition of the metal complexes has many pitfalls. Herein, we probed the possibility to produce surface hybrids by depositing a Co(II)-based complex with chalcone ligands on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene by a wet-chemistry approach and by thermal sublimation under high vacuum. Samples were characterized by high-frequency electron spin resonance (HF-ESR), XPS, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and optical microscopy, supported with density functional theory (DFT) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)/N-electron valence second-order perturbation theory (NEVPT2) calculations. This compound's rationale is its structure, with several aromatic rings for weak binding and possible favorable π-π stacking onto graphene. In contrast to expectations, we observed the formation of nanodroplets on graphene for a drop-cast sample and microcrystallites localized at grain boundaries and defects after thermal sublimation.

Effect of the Distant Substituent to Slow Magnetic Relaxation of Pentacoordinate Fe(III) Complexes.

Pentacoordinate Fe(III) complexes [Fe(LMeO)2X] and [Fe(LEtO)2X], X = Cl and Br, show the slow magnetic relaxation that is enhanced by the applied static magnetic field. A substitution of the distant ethoxy group to the methoxy group residing at the phenyl ring of a Schiff base N,O-donor ligand (LMeO vs LEtO) considerably influences the relaxation characteristics. In the chlorido complex [Fe(LMeO)2Cl], the following three slow relaxation channels are recognized as possessing different relaxation times: τLF = 0.47 s, τIF = 13 ms, and τHF = 26 µs at the static field BDC = 0.2 T and T = 1.9 K. In the bromido complex [Fe(LMeO)2Br], only the following two relaxation channels are seen: τLF = 0.30 ms and τHF = 139 µs at BDC = 0.15 T and T = 1.9 K. Due to D > 0, the Orbach relaxation mechanism does not apply, and the temperature dependence of the high-frequency relaxation time can be described by two Raman-like terms.

Synthesis and sequential diastereoselective incorporation of hydroxyl groups into hexahydrofuro[3,2-f]indolizin-7(2H)-one to give mono-, di- and tetra-hydroxyfuroindolizidines.

Dihydrofuro[2,3-f]indolizidinone obtained from biosourced reagents even at multigram-scale was used as an advanced building-block with up to five points of chemical diversification. This resulted in the sequential synthesis of a series of mono-, di- and tetra-hydroxyfuranoindolizidines belonging to a very scarce and elaborate tetrahydrofuran-fused indolizidine family with up to six controlled stereogenic centers. These sequences include, among others, diastereoselective olefin epoxidation, stereoselective epoxide ring opening into tetrahydrofuran trans-diols, their protection as an ester or acetonide, and lactam carbonyl reduction ultimately followed by acetate or acetonide deprotection.

Effect of the distant substituent on the slow magnetic relaxation of the mononuclear Co(ii) complex with pincer-type ligands.

A hexacoordinated complex [Co(pydm)2](mdnbz)2 from the family of pincer complexes was prepared and structurally characterized. The complex behaves as an S = 3/2 spin system with a considerable zero-field splitting parameter D/hc ∼ +50 cm-1. The AC susceptibility measurements show a slow magnetic relaxation with three relaxation channels: at the low-frequency (LF), intermediate-frequency (IF) and high-frequency (HF) domains. At T = 2.0 K and an external field BDC = 0.25 T, the relaxation times of the individual modes are τ(LF) = 282 ms, τ(IF) = 3.1 ms, and τ(HF) = 0.16 ms, and the mole fractions of the slowly relaxing species are x(LF) = 0.19, x(IF) = 0.45, and x(HF) = 0.37. A comparison with the analogous complex [Co(pydm)2](dnbz)2 possessing a demethylated counter anion and identical metal cation shows that even small modifications in the composition of SIMs are no longer underestimated for the slow magnetic relaxation.