A Click Chemistry-Based Artificial Metallo-Nuclease.

Artificial metallo-nucleases (AMNs) are promising DNA damaging drug candidates. Here, we demonstrate how the 1,2,3-triazole linker produced by the Cu-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction can be directed to build Cu-binding AMN scaffolds. We selected biologically inert reaction partners tris(azidomethyl)mesitylene and ethynyl-thiophene to develop TC-Thio, a bioactive C3 -symmetric ligand in which three thiophene-triazole moieties are positioned around a central mesitylene core. The ligand was characterised by X-ray crystallography and forms multinuclear CuII and CuI complexes identified by mass spectrometry and rationalised by density functional theory (DFT). Upon Cu coordination, CuII -TC-Thio becomes a potent DNA binding and cleaving agent. Mechanistic studies reveal DNA recognition occurs exclusively at the minor groove with subsequent oxidative damage promoted through a superoxide- and peroxide-dependent pathway. Single molecule imaging of DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells shows that the complex has comparable activity to the clinical drug temozolomide, causing DNA damage that is recognised by a combination of base excision repair (BER) enzymes.

BODIPY-Perylene Charge Transfer Compounds; Sensitizers for Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Up-conversion.

BODIPY heterochromophores, asymmetrically substituted with perylene and/or iodine at the 2 and 6 positions were prepared and investigated as sensitizers for triplet-triplet annihilation up conversion (TTA-UC). Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses show that the torsion angle between BODIPY and perylene units lie between 73.54 and 74.51, though they are not orthogonal. Both compounds show intense, charge transfer absorption and emission profiles, confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy and consistent with DFT calculations. The emission quantum yield was solvent dependent but the emission profile remained characteristic of CT transition across all solvents explored. Both BODIPY derivatives were found to be effective sensitizers of TTA-UC with perylene annihilator in dioxane and DMSO. Intense anti-Stokes emission was observed, and visible by eye from these solvents. Conversely, no TTA-UC was observed from the other solvents explored, including from non-polar solvents such as toluene and hexane that yielded brightest fluorescence from the BODIPY derivatives. In dioxane, the power density plots obtained were strongly consistent with TTA-UC and the power density threshold, the Ith value (the photon flux at which 50 % of ΦTTAUC is achieved), for B2PI was observed to be 2.5x lower than of B2P under optimal conditions, an effect ascribed to the combined influence of spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) and heavy metal on the triplet state formation for B2PI.

Antitumor copper(II) complexes with hydroxyanthraquinones and N,N-heterocyclic ligands.

Five ternary copper(II) complexes, [Cu2(phen)2(L1)(ClO4)2] (1), [Cu2(phen)2(L1)(DMSO)2](PF6)2 (2), [Cu2(bpy)2(L1)(ClO4)2(H2O)2] (3), [Cu2(dmp)2(L1)(ClO4)2(H2O)2] (4), and [Cu(phen)(L2)]2(ClO4)2 (5), in which phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, H2L1 = 1,4-dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione and HL2 = 1-hydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione, DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide, were synthesized and fully characterized. Complex 2 was obtained through the substitution of perchlorate for DMSO. When two hydroxyquinone groups are present, L1 makes a bridge between two Cu(II) ions, which also bind two nitrogens of the respective diimine ligand. The compounds bind to calf thymus DNA and oxidatively cleave pUC19 DNA according to the following order of activity 1 > 4-5 > 3. Furthermore, complexes 1, 3, 4 and 5 inhibit topoisomerase-I activity and the growth of myelogenous leukemia cells with the IC50 values of 1.13, 10.60, 0.078, and 1.84 µmol L-1, respectively. Complexes 1 and 4 are the most active in cancer cells and in DNA cleavage.

Facile transmetallation of [SbIII(DOTA)]- renders it unsuitable for medical applications.

The antimony(iii) complex of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (DOTA) has been prepared and its exceptionally low stability observed. The Sb(iii) ion in Na[Sb(DOTA)]·4H2O shows an approximately square antiprismatic coordination geometry that is close to superimposable to the Bi(iii) geometry in [Bi(DOTA)]- in two phases containing this anion, Na[Bi(DOTA)]·4H2O, [H3O][Bi(DOTA)]·H2O for which structures are also described. Interestingly, DOTA itself in [(H6DOTA)]Cl2·4H2O·DMSO shows the same orientation of the N4O4 metal binding cavity reflecting the limited flexibility of DOTA in an octadentate coordination mode. In 8-coordinate complexes it can however accommodate M(iii) ions with r ion spanning a relatively wide range from 87 pm (Sc(iii)) to 117 pm (Bi(iii)). The larger Bi3+ ion appears to be the best metal-ligand size match since [Bi(DOTA)]- is associated with greater complex stability. In the solution state, [Sb(DOTA)]- is extremely susceptible to transmetallation by trivalent ions (Sc(iii), Y(iii), Bi(iii)) and, significantly, even by biologically important divalent metal ions (Mg(ii), Ca(ii), Zn(ii)). In all cases just one equivalent is enough to displace most of the Sb(iii). [Sb(DOTA)]- is resistant to hydrolysis; however, since biologically more abundant metal ions easily substitute the antimony, DOTA complexes will not be suitable for deployment for the delivery of the, so far unexploited, theranostic isotope pair 119Sb and 117Sb.

Anion and solvent controlled growth of crystalline and amorphous zinc(ii) coordination polymers and a molecular complex.

Controlled bottom-up synthesis of amorphous coordination polymers with tailored metal coordination is a research field in its infancy. In this study, synthesis control was achieved to selectively prepare one-dimensional (1D) crystalline and amorphous zinc(ii)-based coordination polymers and a dimeric molecular compound, all with similar coordination geometry as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and total scattering studies. The compounds were obtained by bottom up self-assembly of Zn(ii) with terephthalate (tph2-) as linker and the enantiopure chelating ligand S-(1,2)-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethanol (L). The solvent and the coordination ability of the precursor zinc salt anion control the crystalline products formed by slow diffusion at room temperature: perchlorate allows isolation of the phase pure crystalline 1D polymer {[Zn(tph)(L)]·H2O·3DMF}n (1·H2O·3DMF, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). In contrast, zinc chloride leads to the formation of either a mixture of polymeric 1·H2O·3DMF and a dimeric molecular species [Zn2Cl2(tph)(L)2]·4DMF (2·4DMF), or to the phase pure dimer 2·4DMF, depending on the Zn(ii) : tphH2 stoichiometry. A modified synthesis using zinc nitrate and fast precipitation by base addition results in an amorphous analogue of the 1D polymer (3). Chains of 1·H2O·3DMF pack into a non-porous crystalline material with a surface area of just 6 m2 g-1, while the outer surface area of amorphous polymer 3 is a factor of eight larger. Hence, the amorphous compound provides larger metal site accessibility for potential surface chemical reactions, while maintaining the coordination geometry of the metal sites. The temperature response of crystalline polymer 1·H2O·3DMF was studied using multi-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction (100-300 K). The a = b axes display normal positive thermal expansion, while the c axis remains constant with increasing temperature due to partial relaxation of the terephthalate linkers and slightly changed geometry within the individual polymer chains.

Manganese(II) complexes derived from acyclic ligands having flexible alcohol arms: structural chracterization and SOD and catalase mimetic studies.

In this work, a series of seven MnII complexes of noncyclic flexible ligands derived from 2,6-diformylpyridine and ethanolamine or alkyl-substituted ethanolamines were prepared and characterized, six structurally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes are dichlorido{2,2'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diethanol}manganese(II), [MnCl2(C11H15N3O2)] or [MnCl2(L1)], (2), bis{µ-2,2'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diethanol}bis[dithiocyanatomanganese(II)], [Mn2(NCS)4(C11H15N3O2)2] or [Mn2(NCS)4(L1)2], (3), chlorido{1,1'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-2-ol)}manganese(II) chloride monohydrate, [MnCl(C13H19N3O2)(H2O)]Cl·H2O or [MnCl(L2)(H2O)]Cl·H2O, (4), {1,1'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-2-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II), [Mn(NCS)2(C13H19N3O2)] or [Mn(NCS)2(L2)], (5), aquadichlorido{2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-1-ol)}manganese(II) 0.3-hydrate, [MnCl2(C15H23N3O2)(H2O)]·0.3H2O or [MnCl2(L3)(H2O)]·0.3H2O, (6), (dimethylformamide){2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-1-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II), [Mn(NCS)2(C15H23N3O2)(C3H7NO)] or [Mn(NCS)2(L3)(DMF)], (7), and (dimethylformamide){2,2'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(butan-1-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II) dimethylformamide monosolvate, [Mn(NCS)2(C15H23N3O2)(C3H7NO)]·C3H7NO or [Mn(NCS)2(L4)(DMF)]·DMF, (8). The crystal structure of ligand L1 is also reported, but that of (5) is not. All four ligands (L1-L4) have five potential donor atoms in an N3O2 donor set, i.e. three N (pyridine/diimine donors) and two alcohol O atoms, to coordinate the MnII centre. The N3O2 donor set coordinates to the metal centre in a pentagonal planar arrangement; seven-coordinated MnII complexes were obtained via coordination of two auxiliary ligands (anions or water molecules) at the axial positions. However, in some cases, the alcohol O-atom donors remain uncoordinated, resulting in five- or six-coordinated MnII complexes. The structurally characterized complexes were tested for their catalytic scavenging of superoxide and peroxide. The results indicated that the complexes with coordinated exogenous water or chloride ligands showed higher SOD activity than those with exogenous thiocyanate ligands.

Polypyridyl-Based Copper Phenanthrene Complexes: Combining Stability with Enhanced DNA Recognition.

We report a series of copper(II) artificial metallo-nucleases (AMNs) and demonstrate their DNA damaging properties and in-vitro cytotoxicity against human-derived pancreatic cancer cells. The compounds combine a tris-chelating polypyridyl ligand, di-(2-pycolyl)amine (DPA), and a DNA intercalating phenanthrene unit. Their general formula is Cu-DPA-N,N' (where N,N'=1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), dipyridoquinoxaline (DPQ) or dipyridophenazine (DPPZ)). Characterisation was achieved by X-ray crystallography and continuous-wave EPR (cw-EPR), hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) and Davies electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies. The presence of the DPA ligand enhances solution stability and facilitates enhanced DNA recognition with apparent binding constants (Kapp ) rising from 105 to 107 m-1 with increasing extent of planar phenanthrene. Cu-DPA-DPPZ, the complex with greatest DNA binding and intercalation effects, recognises the minor groove of guanine-cytosine (G-C) rich sequences. Oxidative DNA damage also occurs in the minor groove and can be inhibited by superoxide and hydroxyl radical trapping agents. The complexes, particularly Cu-DPA-DPPZ, display promising anticancer activity against human pancreatic tumour cells with in-vitro results surpassing the clinical platinum(II) drug oxaliplatin.

Development of Gene-Targeted Polypyridyl Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotide Hybrids.

In the field of nucleic acid therapy there is major interest in the development of libraries of DNA-reactive small molecules which are tethered to vectors that recognize and bind specific genes. This approach mimics enzymatic gene editors, such as ZFNs, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas, but overcomes the limitations imposed by the delivery of a large protein endonuclease which is required for DNA cleavage. Here, we introduce a chemistry-based DNA-cleavage system comprising an artificial metallo-nuclease (AMN) that oxidatively cuts DNA, and a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) that sequence-specifically recognises duplex DNA. The AMN-TFO hybrids coordinate CuII ions to form chimeric catalytic complexes that are programmable - based on the TFO sequence employed - to bind and cut specific DNA sequences. Use of the alkyne-azide cycloaddition click reaction allows scalable and high-throughput generation of hybrid libraries that can be tuned for specific reactivity and gene-of-interest knockout. As a first approach, we demonstrate targeted cleavage of purine-rich sequences, optimisation of the hybrid system to enhance stability, and discrimination between target and off-target sequences. Our results highlight the potential of this approach where the cutting unit, which mimics the endonuclease cleavage machinery, is directly bound to a TFO guide by click chemistry.

A Click Chemistry Approach to Developing Molecularly Targeted DNA Scissors.

Nucleic acid click chemistry was used to prepare a family of chemically modified triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) for application as a new gene-targeted technology. Azide-bearing phenanthrene ligands-designed to promote triplex stability and copper binding-were 'clicked' to alkyne-modified parallel TFOs. Using this approach, a library of TFO hybrids was prepared and shown to effectively target purine-rich genetic elements in vitro. Several of the hybrids provide significant stabilisation toward melting in parallel triplexes (>20 °C) and DNA damage can be triggered upon copper binding in the presence of added reductant. Therefore, the TFO and 'clicked' ligands work synergistically to provide sequence-selectivity to the copper cutting unit which, in turn, confers high stabilisation to the DNA triplex. To extend the boundaries of this hybrid system further, a click chemistry-based di-copper binding ligand was developed to accommodate designer ancillary ligands such as DPQ and DPPZ. When this ligand was inserted into a TFO, a dramatic improvement in targeted oxidative cleavage is afforded.

Cubes on a string: a series of linear coordination polymers with cubane-like nodes and dicarboxylate linkers.

A series of semicrystalline and amorphous one-dimensional (1D) polymeric chains consisting of cubane-like CoII4L4 units (L = S-1,2-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)ethanol) and dicarboxylates were synthesized and characterized by single crystal diffraction and X-ray total scattering. The polycationic chains are composed of [Co4L4(dicarboxylate)]2+ monomeric units, while one molecular dicarboxylate counterion is balancing the charge of each monomer. The linear compound series has five members, and the crystal structures were solved for [Co4L4(tph)](tph) and [Co4L4(ndc)](ndc), where tph = terephthalate and ndc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate. Partly crystalline compounds were produced by slow assembly at elevated temperature (over days), while the amorphous compounds were formed by fast precipitation (within minutes). Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis based on X-ray total scattering data reveals the presence of the cubane-like entity in both the amorphous and semicrystalline samples. While the powders are non-porous, precipitation is a fast and versatile method to produce compounds with cubane-like centres with moderate surface areas of 17-49 m2 g-1 allowing for surface chemical reactions. The powders have a high concentration of Lewis base sites as verified by their selective adsorption of CO2 over N2. The use of an amorphous cubane-like polymer for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction was demonstrated.

Remarkable reversal of 13C-NMR assignment in d1, d2 compared to d8, d9 acetylacetonate complexes: analysis and explanation based on solid-state MAS NMR and computations.

13C solid-state MAS NMR spectra of a series of paramagnetic metal acetylacetonate complexes; [VO(acac)2] (d1, S = ½), [V(acac)3] (d2, S = 1), [Ni(acac)2(H2O)2] (d8, S = 1), and [Cu(acac)2] (d9, S = ½), were assigned using modern NMR shielding calculations. This provided a reliable assignment of the chemical shifts and a qualitative insight into the hyperfine couplings. Our results show a reversal of the isotropic 13C shifts, δiso(13C), for CH3 and CO between the d1 and d2versus the d8 and d9 acetylacetonate complexes. The CH3 shifts change from about -150 ppm (d1,2) to roughly 1000 ppm (d8,9), whereas the CO shifts decrease from 800 ppm to about 150 ppm for d1,2 and d8,9, respectively. This was rationalized by comparison of total spin-density plots and computed contact couplings to those corresponding to singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs). This revealed the interplay between spin delocalization of the SOMOs and spin polarization of the lower-energy MOs, influenced by both the molecular symmetry and the d-electron configuration. A large positive chemical shift results from spin delocalization and spin polarization acting in the same direction, whereas their cancellation corresponds to a small shift. The SOMO(s) for the d8 and d9 complexes are σ-like, implying spin-delocalization on the CH3 and CO groups of the acac ligand, cancelled only for CO by spin polarization. In contrast, the SOMOs of the d1 and d2 systems are π-like and a large CO-shift results from spin polarization, which accounts for the reversed assignment of δiso(13C) for CH3 and CO.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and structure-activity relationships of 5-arylidene tetramic acids with antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The steady rise of the antimicrobial resistance is a major global threat to human health that requires the urgent need for novel antibiotics. In this work we report the synthesis of a small library of 3-subsituted-5-arylidene tetramic acids in order to investigate the scope of our previously established methodology via an intermediate oxazolone and their antimicrobial activity. From this series of 14 tetramic acids, 11 derivatives are novel and one of them is a Schiff base, which was structurally characterized with single-crystal X-ray analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The compounds incorporating a lipophilic acyl group at carbon-3 of the ring showed moderate to high activity with minimum inhibitory activity of 4-32 µg/mL against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), accompanied by no human cell toxicity and hemolytic activity within the tested concentration range. The substituent at para position of the aryl ring seemed to have no or little effect on the antimicrobial activity of these compounds.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel benzimidazole derivatives.

In search of achieving less toxic and more potent chemotherapeutics, three novel heterocyclic benzimidazole derivatives: 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-4-chlorophenol (BM1), 4-chloro-2-(6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol (BM2) and 4-chloro-2-(6-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol (BM3) with DNA-targeting properties, were synthesized and fully characterized by important physicochemical techniques. The DNA binding properties of the compounds were investigated by UV-Visible absorption titrations and thermal denaturation experiments. These molecules exhibited a good binding propensity to fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA), as evident from the high binding constants (Kb) values: 1.9 × 105, 1.39 × 105 and 1.8 × 104 M‒1 for BM1, BM2 and BM3, respectively. Thermal melting studies of DNA further validated the absorption titration results and best interaction was manifested by BM1 with ΔTm = 4.96 °C. The experimental DNA binding results were further validated theoretically by molecular docking study. It was confirmed that the molecules (BM1-BM3) bind to DNA via an intercalative and groove binding mode. The investigations showed a correlation between binding constants and energies obtained experimentally and through molecular docking, indicating a binding preference of benzimidazole derivatives with the minor groove of DNA. BM1 was the preferential candidate for DNA binding because of its flat structure, π-π interactions and less steric hindrance. To complement the DNA interaction, antimicrobial assays (antibacterial & antifungal) were performed. It was observed that compound BM2 showed promising activity against all bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli) and fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani), while rest of the compounds were active against selective strains. The MIC values of BM2 were found to be in the range of 12.5 ± 2.2-25 ± 1.5 µg/mL. Thus, the compound BM2 was found to be the effective DNA binding antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the preliminary cytotoxic properties of synthesized compounds were evaluated by brine shrimps lethality assay to check their nontoxic nature towards healthy normal cells.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Copper bis-Dipyridoquinoxaline Is a Potent DNA Intercalator that Induces Superoxide-Mediated Cleavage via the Minor Groove.

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterisation, X-ray crystallography, and oxidative DNA binding interactions of the copper artificial metallo-nuclease [Cu(DPQ)2(NO3)](NO3), where DPQ = dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline. The cation [Cu(DPQ)2]2+ (Cu-DPQ), is a high-affinity binder of duplex DNA and presents an intercalative profile in topoisomerase unwinding and viscosity experiments. Artificial metallo-nuclease activity occurs in the absence of exogenous reductant but is greatly enhanced by the presence of the reductant Na-L-ascorbate. Mechanistically, oxidative DNA damage occurs in the minor groove, is mediated aerobically by the Cu(I) complex and is dependent on both superoxide and hydroxyl radical generation. To corroborate cleavage at the minor groove, DNA oxidation of a cytosine-guanine (5'-CCGG-3')-rich oligomer was examined in tandem with a 5-methylcytosine (5'-C5mCGG-3') derivative where 5mC served to sterically block the major groove and direct damage to the minor groove. Overall, both the DNA binding affinity and cleavage mechanism of Cu-DPQ depart from Sigman's reagent [Cu(1,10-phenanthroline)2]2+; however, both complexes are potent oxidants of the minor groove.

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclopentanones through dual Lewis acid-catalysed [3+2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with ketenes.

When InBr3-EtAlCl2 (15-30 mol%) was used as a dual Lewis acid system to promote the formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of enantioenriched donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with ketenes, cyclopentanones were formed in good to excellent yields (84-99%, 18 examples), and with excellent transfer of chirality (15 examples, 90% ee to >99% ee).

NO sorption, in-crystal nitrite and nitrate production with arylamine oxidation in gas-solid single crystal to single crystal reactions.

A bridging nitrite and a nitrate counter anion per Co2 site are generated in-crystal and an arylamine group on the ligand scaffold is oxidised to a nitro group when nitric oxide (NO) is chemisorbed by molecular crystals of cobalt complexes.

(E)-6,6'-(Diazene-1,2-di-yl)bis-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-ol) tri-chloro-methane disolvate: a superconjugated ligand.

Phenanthroline ligands are important metal-binding mol-ecules which have been extensively researched for applications in both material science and medicinal chemistry. Azo-benzene and its derivatives have received significant attention because of their ability to be reversibly switched between the E and Z forms and so could have applications in optical memory and logic devices or as mol-ecular machines. Herein we report the formation and crystal structure of a highly unusual novel diazo-diphenanthroline compound, C24H14N6O2·2CHCl3.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurans through Palladium(0)-Catalyzed [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Vinylcyclopropanes with Ketenes.

In this article we describe a new asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydrofurans through a Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed formal [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes and ketenes. The desired structural motif was formed in moderate to excellent yields (42-84% for 16 examples), with excellent Z:E isomer diastereoselectivity (≥19:1 for 16 examples), and with good to excellent enantioselectivity in all cases examined (83-97% ee for 6 examples). The synthetic utility of the products was illustrated by a number of diastereoselective transformations into reduced tetrahydrofurans and spirocyclic tetrahydrofuran-barbiturate derivatives.

Spectroscopic characterizations, structural peculiarities, molecular docking study and evaluation of biological potential of newly designed organotin(IV) carboxylates.

In the search for new therapeutic agents we have synthesized 13 new organotin(IV) carboxylate derivatives of (E)-4-((4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid. The synthesized complexes were characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. A chelating or bridging bidentate nature of the carboxylate ligand was suggested from the solid state FT-IR results. Solution state multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C and 119Sn) results reveal that the geometry around the Sn atom in triorganotin(IV) complexes is trigonal bipyramidal and in diorganotin(IV) complexes is octahedral. The ligand, (E)-4-((4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid, complex 1 and complex 2 were also analyzed by single crystal X-ray technique and the results fully supports the spectroscopic data. For 1 and 2 the geometry optimized by the single crystal X-ray analyses is distorted trigonal bipyramidal. The interaction of the studied compounds with SS-DNA was investigated by UV-Vis. Spectroscopy and Molecular docking showing an intercalative mode of binding. The evaluation of the screened compounds for cancer treatment displays even higher than that of the vincristine used as a standard drug. Similarly the performance of the tested compounds as an antileishmanial agent considers them very close in activity to the standard drug, amphotericin B. The antibacterial results show that the most of the compounds have a moderate sensitivity against the studied bacterial pathogens.

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of N-acetyl-3-acetyl-5-benzylidene tetramic acid-metal complexes. X-ray analysis and identification of the Cd(II) complex as a potent antifungal agent.

This study aims at the further expansion of knowledge on the antimicrobial activities of the tetramic acid moiety and the effect of metal complexation. Complexes of the N-acetyl-3-acetyl-5-benzylidenetetramic acid with Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd were synthesized and screened against 5 key ESKAPE pathogens (Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 2 fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans). The cadmium complex was found to effectively inhibit the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 µg/mL, with no human cell toxicity and hemolytic activity within the tested concentration range. The biologically active tetramic acid­cadmium complex was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the ligand and the complexes was investigated along with NMR and EPR studies of the Cd(II) and Co(II) complexes respectively.