Cytotoxicity of osmium(II) and cycloosmated half-sandwich complexes from 1-pyrenyl-containing phosphane ligands.

Five metal-arene complexes of formula [MX2(η6-p-cymene)(diR(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (M = Os or Ru, X = Cl or I, R = isopropyl or phenyl) and symbolized as MRX2 were synthesized and fully characterized, namely OsiPrCl2, OsiPrI2, OsPhCl2, OsPhI2 and RuPhI2. Furthermore, nine cyclometalated half-sandwich complexes of formula [MX-(η6-p-cymene)(k2C-diR(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (M = Os or Ru, X = Cl or I, R = isopropyl or phenyl) or [M(η6-p-cymene)(kS-dmso)(k2C-diR(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)]PF6 (M = Os or Ru, R = isopropyl or phenyl) and symbolized as c-MRX were prepared; hence, c-OsiPrCl, c-OsiPrI, c-OsiPrdmso, c-OsPhCl, c-OsPhI, c-OsPhdmso, c-RuPhCl, c-RuPhI and c-RuPhdmso were obtained and fully characterized. The crystal structures of ten out of the fourteen complexes were solved. All complexes exhibit notable cytotoxic properties against A549 (Lung Adenocarcinoma) human cells, with IC50 values ranging from 48 to 1.42 µM. In addition, complex c-OsiPrdmso shows remarkable toxic behaviours agains other cell lines, namely MCF7 (breast carcinoma), MCF10A (non-tumorigenic epithelial breast) and MDA-MB-435 (melanoma) human cells, as illustrated by IC50 values of 4.36, 4.71 and 2.32 µM, respectively. Finally, it has been found that OsiPrI2 affects the cell cycle of A549 cells, impeding their replication (i.e., the cell cycle is blocked), whereas OsPhI2 (namely with phenyl groups instead of isopropyl ones) does not induce this effect.

Magnetic and optical studies of a new family of multidimensional and multiproperty PO-lanthanide(III) derived systems.

A new family of lanthanide compounds has been synthesized using 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane dioxide (dppeO2) as an O-donor ligand through the phosphoryl group to lanthanide(III) cations and structurally, magnetically and optically studied. Depending on the lanthanide, two different topologies appear: the two-dimensional structure [LnIII(dppeO2)1.5(NO3)3(H2O)0.5]n (Ln = Ce (1), Sm (2) and Dy (6)) and the one-dimensional structure [Ln(dppeO2)(NO3)3DMF]n (Ln = Eu (3), Gd (4) and Tb (5)). Some of the Ln-derived complexes have been used as structural probes, while others have been synthesized to use the specific characteristics of each cation to take advantage of their magnetic/luminescence properties. Complex 6 presents slow relaxation of the magnetization while 2, 3 and 5 present emitting properties in the visible range.

Rhodium and ruthenium complexes of methylene-bridged, P-stereogenic, unsymmetrical diphosphanes.

Enantiopure P-stereogenic methylphosphane-boranes (SP)-P(BH3)PhArMe (ArMe; Ar = 1-naphthyl (NpMe), and 2-biphenylyl (BiphMe)) have been used to prepare diphosphanes of the type ArPhPCH2PR2 (R = Ph, iPr or tBu; ArR). The ligands have been reacted with [Rh(COD)2]BF4 to furnish the corresponding six monochelated [Rh(COD)(ArR)]BF4 organometallic compounds (RhArR) or, depending on the reaction conditions, the bis(chelated) coordination compound [Rh(BiphiPr)2]BF4 as a mixture of cis and trans isomers. The crystal structure of cis-[Rh(BiphiPr)2]BF4 was obtained. The coordination of the BiphR with [RuCl(µ-Cl)(η6-p-cymene)2]2 under different conditions produced cationic chelated complexes of the type [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(κ2-BiphR)]PF6 (RuBiphR) and the neutral monocoordinated complex [RuCl2(η6-p-cymene)(κ1-BiphPh)] (RuBiphPh') with the uncoordinated P-stereogenic moiety. The Rh(I) complexes were used in the catalytic hydrogenation of functionalized olefins and the Ru(II) complexes were tested in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone. Both precursors displayed good activities with moderate enantioselectivities.

Piano-Stool Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Delayed Cytotoxic Activity: Origin of the Lag Time.

We have recently reported a series of piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [RuCl2(η6-arene)(P(1-pyrenyl)R2R3)] showing excellent cytotoxic activities (particularly when R2 = R3 = methyl). In the present study, new members of this family of compounds have been prepared with the objective to investigate the effect of the steric hindrance of a bulky phosphane ligand, namely diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane (L), on exchange reactions involving the coordinated halides (X = Cl, I). Two η6-arene rings were used, i.e. η6-methyl benzoate (mba) and η6-p-cymene (p-cym), and four complexes were synthesized, namely [RuCl2(mba)(L)] (1Cl2iPr), [RuI2(mba)(L)] (1I2iPr), [RuCl2(p-cym)(L)] (2Cl2iPr), and [RuI2(p-cym)(L)] (2I2iPr). Unexpectedly, all of the complexes exhibited poor cytotoxic activities after 24 h of incubation with cells, in contrast to the related compounds previously reported. However, it was observed that aged DMSO solutions of 2I2iPr (from 2 to 7 days) exhibited better activities in comparison to freshly prepared solutions and that the activity improved over "aging" time. Thorough studies were therefore performed to uncover the origin of this lag time in the cytotoxicity efficiency. The data achieved clearly demonstrated that compounds 2I2iPr and 2Cl2iPr were undergoing a series of transformation reactions in DMSO (with higher rates for the iodido complex 2I2iPr), ultimately generating cyclometalated species through a mechanism involving DMSO as a coordinated proton abstractor. The cyclometalated complexes detected in solution were subsequently prepared; hence, pure [RuCl(p-cym)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (3CliPr), [RuI(p-cym)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (3IiPr), and [Ru(p-cym)(κS-dmso)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)]PF6 (3dmsoiPr) were synthesized and fully characterized. Remarkably, 3CliPr, 3IiPr, and 3dmsoiPr are all very efficient cytotoxic agents, exhibiting slightly better activities in comparison to the chlorido noncyclometalated complexes [RuCl2(η6-arene)(P(1-pyrenyl)R2R3)] described in an earlier report. For comparison purposes, the iodido compounds [RuI2(mba)(dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (1I2Me) and [RuI2(p-cym)(dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (2I2Me), bearing the less hindered dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane ligand, have also been prepared. The cytotoxic and chemical behaviors of 1I2Me and 1I2Me were comparable to those of their chlorido counterparts reported previously.

Access to α-Aminophosphonic Acid Derivatives and Phosphonopeptides by [Rh(P-OP)]-Catalyzed Stereoselective Hydrogenation.

The hydrogenation of N-substituted vinylphosphonates using rhodium complexes derived from P-OP ligands L1, ent-L1, or (R,R)-Me-DuPHOS as catalysts has been successfully accomplished, achieving very high levels of stereoselectivity (up to 99% ee or de). The described synthetic strategy allowed for the efficient preparation of α-aminophosphonic acid derivatives and phosphonopeptides, which are valuable building blocks for the preparation of biologically relevant molecules.

Highly Cytotoxic Ruthenium(II)-Arene Complexes from Bulky 1-Pyrenylphosphane Ligands.

In the present study, the potential anti-neoplastic properties of a series of ruthenium half-sandwich complexes of formula [Ru(η6-arene)Cl2(PR1R2(1-pyrenyl))] (η6-arene = p-cymene and R1 = R2 = methyl for 1; η6-arene = methylbenzoate and R1 = R2 = methyl for 2; η6-arene = p-cymene and R1 = R2 = phenyl for 3; η6-arene = methylbenzoate and R1 = R2 = phenyl for 4; η6-arene = p-cymene, R1 = methyl and R2 = phenyl for 5; η6-arene = methylbenzoate, R1 = methyl and R2 = phenyl for 6) have been investigated. The six structurally related organoruthenium(II) compounds have been prepared in good yields and fully characterized; the X-ray structures of three of them, i.e., 1, 2, and 4, were determined. Although the piano-stool compounds contain a large polycyclic aromatic moiety, viz. a 1-pyrenyl group, they do not appear to interact with DNA. However, all the piano-stool complexes show significant cytotoxic properties against five human cell lines, namely, lung adenocarcinoma (A549), melanoma (A375), colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), and nontumorigenic epithelial breast (MCF10A), with IC50 values in the micromolar range for most of them. In addition, the most active compound, i.e., 2, induces a remarkable decrease of cell viability, that is in the nanomolar range, against two human neuroblastoma cell lines, namely, SK-N-BE(2) and CHLA-90. Complexes 1-6 are all capable of inducing apoptosis, but with various degrees of magnitude. Whereas 1, 3, 5, and 6 have no effect on the cell cycle of A375 cells, 2 and 4 can arrest it at the G2/M phase; furthermore, 2 (which is the most efficient compound of the series) also stops the cycle at the S phase, behaving as the well-known anticancer agent cisplatin. Finally, 2 is able to inhibit/reduce the cell migration of neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2) cells.

Direct Asymmetric Hydrogenation of N-Methyl and N-Alkyl Imines with an Ir(III)H Catalyst.

A novel cationic [IrH(THF)(P,N)(imine)] [BArF] catalyst containing a P-stereogenic MaxPHOX ligand is described for the direct asymmetric hydrogenation of N-methyl and N-alkyl imines. This is the first catalytic system to attain high enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) in this type of transformation. The labile tetrahydrofuran ligand allows for effective activation and reactivity, even at low temperatures. Density functional theory calculations allowed the rationalization of the stereochemical course of the reaction.

Growth of Au-Pd2Sn Nanorods via Galvanic Replacement and Their Catalytic Performance on Hydrogenation and Sonogashira Coupling Reactions.

Colloidal Pd2Sn and Au-Pd2Sn nanorods (NRs) with tuned size were produced by the reduction of Pd and Sn salts in the presence of size- and shape-controlling agents and the posterior growth of Au tips through a galvanic replacement reaction. Pd2Sn and Au-Pd2Sn NRs exhibited high catalytic activity toward quasi-homogeneous hydrogenation of alkenes (styrene and 1-octene) and alkynes (phenylacetylene and 1-octyne) in dichloromethane. Au-Pd2Sn NRs showed higher activity than Pd2Sn for 1-octene, 1-octyne, and phenylacetylene. In Au-Pd2Sn heterostructures, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy evidenced an electron donation from the Pd2Sn NR to the Au tips. Such heterostructures showed distinct catalytic behavior in the hydrogenation of compounds containing a triple bond such as tolan. This can be explained by the aurophilicity of triple bonds. To further study this effect, Pd2Sn and Au-Pd2Sn NRs were also tested in the Sonogashira coupling reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene in N, N-dimethylformamide. At low concentration, this reaction provided the expected product, tolan. However, at high concentration, more reduced products such as stilbene and 1,2-diphenylethane were also obtained, even without the addition of H2. A mechanism for this unexpected reduction is proposed.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of enantiopure t-BuMeP(O)H.

Both enantiomers of the optically pure Secondary Phosphine Oxide (SPO) t-BuMeP(O)H (1) have been obtained by deboronation of phosphinous acid-borane t-BuMeP(O)H·BH3 (3) with HBF4 followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate adduct t-BuMeP(O)H·BF3 (1·BF3), which has been isolated and crystallographically characterised. Complexes [MCl(COD)(κP-(R)-1)] (M = Ir, Rh; 4 and 7 respectively) have been detected in solution but could not be isolated while trans-[RhCl(CO)(κP-(S)-1)2] (9) has been successfully obtained in good yield. Gold complex [AuCl(κP-(S)-1)] (10) has been prepared and its crystal structure shows the presence of aurophilic interactions. Three new ruthenium complexes ([RuCl2(η6-p-cymene)(κP-(R)-1)], 12), ([RuCl2(CO)3(κO-(S)-1)], 13) and trans-([RuCl2(CO)2(κP-(S)-1)2], 14) have been synthesised and fully characterised, including the crystal structure of 12. Four palladium coordination compounds have been prepared: trans-[PdCl2(κP-(S)-1)2] (trans-15), [Pd(µ-Cl)(κP-(S)-1)2]2 (16·OH and 16·BF2) and [Pd(µ-OAc)(κP-(S)-1)2] (17) and the crystal structure of complex 16·OH proves the pseudobidentate coordination of the two molecules of 1. Three organometallic allylpalladium complexes have been prepared namely [Pd(η3-Ph2C2H3)Cl(κP-(S)-1)] (18) and [Pd(η3-Ph2C2H3)(κP-(S)-1)2] (19·OH and 19·BF2). The crystal structure of 19·BF2 constitutes the first allylpalladium-SPO complex reported to date.

Half-sandwich complexes of Ir(iii), Rh(iii) and Ru(ii) with the MaxPhos ligand: metal centred chirality and cyclometallation.

The reaction of the acetylacetonates [(η5-C5Me5)M(acac)Cl] with (SP)-[HMaxPhos][BF4] afforded cationic complexes with the formula (SM,RP)-[(η5-C5Me5)MCl(MaxPhos)][BF4] (M = Rh (1), Ir (2)). The reaction of (SP)-MaxPhos with [RuCl(µ-Cl)(η6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2 and NH4X afforded (SRu,RP)-[(η6-p-MeC6H4iPr)RuCl(MaxPhos)][X] (X = BF4 (3), PF6 (3')). The complexes have been completely characterized by analytical and spectroscopic means, including the determination of the crystal structures of 1, 2 and 3'. Treatment of the iridium complex 2 with AgBF4, at 253 K, resulted in the intramolecular cyclometallation of one of the tert-butyl substituents of the MaxPhos diphosphane ligand, affording a mixture of isomers of (SIr,RP1,SP2 and RIr,RP1,RP2)-[(η5-C5Me5)Ir(MaxPhos)][BF4] (4a and 4b). However, rhodium complex 1 and ruthenium complex 3 reacted with AgBF4 forming the expected unsaturated intermediates "(ηn-ring)M(MaxPhos)" which were trapped by MeCN, affording the cationic adducts (SM,RP)-[(ηn-ring)M(MaxPhos)(MeCN)][BF4]2 (M = Rh (5), Ru (6)). Only one epimer at the metal was isolated in high yield for the complexes 1, 2, 3, 3', 5 and 6 and the metallation of 2 to give 4 occurs with high diastereoselectivity.

Ruthenium complexes of P-stereogenic phosphines with a heterocyclic substituent.

The synthesis via phosphine-boranes of 13 new optically pure P-stereogenic diarylphosphines P(Het)PhR (Het = 4-dibenzofuranyl (DBF), 4-dibenzothiophenyl (DBT), 4-dibenzothiophenyl-S,S-dioxide (DBTO2) and 1-thianthrenyl (TA); R = OMe, Me, i-Pr, Fc (ferrocenyl)) following the Jugé-Stephan method is described. The ligands were designed with the aim of having a heteroatom in a position capable of interacting with a metal upon coordination. The ligands and their precursors have been fully characterised, including the determination of two crystal structures of phosphine-boranes. Ru neutral complexes of the type [RuCl2(η(6)-arene)(κP-P)] (arene = p-cymene and methyl benzoate) have been prepared and characterised, including three crystal structure determinations. Treatment of solutions of the complexes with TlPF6 allowed the preparation of well-defined cationic complexes [RuCl(η(6)-arene)(κ(2)P,S-P)]PF6 for DBT- and TA-based phosphines. The complexes possess a stereogenic Ru atom and in most of the cases they are present as a single isomer in solution. All the Ru complexes have been used in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in refluxing 2-propanol, with good activities and up to 70% ee.

Borane as an efficient directing group. Stereoselective 1,2-addition of organometallic reagents to borane P-stereogenic N-phosphanylimines.

In non-coordinating solvents, borane was shown to be an efficient directing group for the stereoselective 1,2-addition of organolithium reagents to P-stereogenic N-phosphanylimines. Selectivity was reversed in coordinating solvents. This process can lead to novel ligand scaffolds for asymmetric catalysis.

Homoleptic ruthenium complex bearing dissymmetrical 4-carboxy-4'-pyrrolo-2,2'-bipyridine for efficient sensitization of TiO(2) in solar cells.

An easily accessible homoleptic complex [Ru(L3)(3)](2+) containing a dissymmetrical bipyridine (L3) substituted by a pyrrole and a carboxylic group has been evaluated in a dye-sensitized solar cell. The new dye displayed extended absorption domain, high absorbance, and a promising 65% IPCE value. Higher scores were reached using a cobalt-iron mediator instead of the usual LiI/I(2) couple for regeneration of the Ru(II) state. Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to explain the mediator effect.

Ruthenium complexes bearing pi-extended pyrrolo-styryl-bipyridine ligand: electronic properties and evaluation as photosensitizers.

A new Ru(L)(dcbpy)(NCS)2 dye containing a pyrrole-based pi-extended ligand has been prepared and showed very good light harvesting ability with near 70% IPCE in the visible region. The performance is very close to those of the standard N3 with a wider absorption range.