Experimental and ab Initio Study of Catena(bis(µ2-iodo)-6-methylquinoline-copper(I)) under Pressure: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Electronic, and Luminescence Properties.

Copper(I) iodine compounds can exhibit interesting mechanochromic and thermochromic luminescent properties with important technological applications. We report the synthesis and structure determination by X-ray diffraction of a new polymeric staircase copper(I) iodine compound catena(bis(µ2-iodo)-6-methylquinoline-copper(I), [C10H9CuIN]. The structure is composed of isolated polymeric staircase chains of copper-iodine coordinated to organic ligands through Cu-N bonds. High pressure X-ray diffraction to 6.45 GPa shows that the material is soft, with a bulk modulus K0 = 10.2(2)GPa and a first derivative K'0 = 8.1(3), typical for organometallic compounds. The unit-cell compression is very anisotropic with the stiffest direction [302] arising from a combination of the stiff CuI ladders and the shear of the planar quinolone ligands over one another. Full structure refinements at elevated pressures show that pressures reduce the Cu···Cu distances in the compound. This effect is detected in luminescence spectra with the appearance of four sub-bands at 515, 600, 647, and 712 nm above 3.5 GPa. Red-shifts are observed, and they are tentatively associated with interactions between copper(I) ions due to the shortening of the Cu···Cu distances induced by pressure, below twice the van der Waals limit (2.8 Å). Additionally, ab initio simulations were performed, and they confirmed the structure and the results obtained experimentally for the equation of state. The simulation allowed the band structure and the electronic density of states of this copper(I) iodine complex to be determined. In particular, the band gap decreases slowly with pressure in a quadratic way with dEg/dP = -0.011 eV/GPa and d(2)Eg/dP(2) = 0.001 eV/GPa(2).

Mechanism of [3+2] cycloaddition of alkynes to the [Mo3 S4 (acac)3 (py)3 ][PF6 ] cluster.

A study, involving kinetic measurements on the stopped-flow and conventional UV/Vis timescales, ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, has been carried out to understand the mechanism of the reaction of [Mo3 S4 (acac)3 (py)3 ][PF6 ] ([1]PF6 ; acac=acetylacetonate, py=pyridine) with two RCCR alkynes (R=CH2 OH (btd), COOH (adc)) in CH3 CN. Both reactions show polyphasic kinetics, but experimental and computational data indicate that alkyne activation occurs in a single kinetic step through a concerted mechanism similar to that of organic [3+2] cycloaddition reactions, in this case through the interaction with one Mo(µ-S)2 moiety of [1](+) . The rate of this step is three orders of magnitude faster for adc than that for btd, and the products initially formed evolve in subsequent steps into compounds that result from substitution of py ligands or from reorganization to give species with different structures. Activation strain analysis of the [3+2] cycloaddition step reveals that the deformation of the two reactants has a small contribution to the difference in the computed activation barriers, which is mainly associated with the change in the extent of their interaction at the transition-state structures. Subsequent frontier molecular orbital analysis shows that the carboxylic acid substituents on adc stabilize its HOMO and LUMO orbitals with respect to those on btd due to better electron-withdrawing properties. As a result, the frontier molecular orbitals of the cluster and alkyne become closer in energy; this allows a stronger interaction.

Kinetic and DFT studies on the mechanism of C-S bond formation by alkyne addition to the [Mo3S4(H2O)9]4+ cluster.

Reaction of [Mo3(µ3-S)(µ-S)3] clusters with alkynes usually leads to formation of two C-S bonds between the alkyne and two of the bridging sulfides. The resulting compounds contain a bridging alkenedithiolate ligand, and the metal centers appear to play a passive role despite reactions at those sites being well illustrated for this kind of cluster. A detailed study including kinetic measurements and DFT calculations has been carried out to understand the mechanism of reaction of the [Mo3(µ3-S)(µ-S)3(H2O)9](4+) (1) cluster with two different alkynes, 2-butyne-1,4-diol and acetylenedicarboxylic acid. Stopped-flow experiments indicate that the reaction involves the appearance in a single kinetic step of a band at 855 or 875 nm, depending on the alkyne used, a position typical of clusters with two C-S bonds. The effects of the concentrations of the reagents, the acidity, and the reaction medium on the rate of reaction have been analyzed. DFT and TD-DFT calculations provide information on the nature of the product formed, its electronic spectrum and the energy profile for the reaction. The structure of the transition state indicates that the alkyne approaches the cluster in a lateral way and both C-S bonds are formed simultaneously.

Tungsten and molybdenum incomplete cuboidal clusters; kinetico-mechanistic studies and association in dimers.

New triangular Mo(IV) and W(IV) incomplete cuboidal cluster complexes containing three η(2)-diethyldithiophosphates (dtp, one per metal centre) and a η(2)(µ)-AcO or η(2)(µ)-dtp ligand bridging two of these centres have been prepared as mono-substituted derivatives and characterized by the usual techniques plus single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis in some cases. In the compounds, the single substitutionally available unlocked position is coordinated to different N-donor ligands (1,2-bis(pyridyl)ethylene, pyrimidine, pyrazine) or to the residual solvent. The compounds are very labile and the N-donor ligands are only weakly coordinated, being easily substituted by other donors or coordinating solvents such as acetonitrile. This lability has been explored kinetico-mechanistically by stopped-flow techniques at varying temperatures for the compound [Mo3S4(η(2)-dtp)3(η(2)(µ)-dtp)(H2O)]. By doing so, the nature of the activation process leading to substitution reactions on these complexes has been established as associatively activated and dominated by a very low formation equilibrium constant, that is, by the substitution of the incoming N-donor ligand. Furthermore, the existence of a non-dissociatively activated trigonal 60° fluxional twist has also been established for the η(2)-dtp ligand on the single unlocked position. The lability of the system has also enabled the association in dimers of the acetato derivative, i.e. [Mo3S4(η(2)-dtp)3(η(2)(µ)-AcO)(H2O)], via a pyrazine bridging ligand. After a very careful tuning of the reaction conditions, as established from the kinetico-mechanistic studies, the first single-bridged unsupported dimeric association of {Mo3S4} units, i.e. [{Mo3S4(η(2)-dtp)3(η(2)(µ)-AcO)}2(µ-pyrazine)], has been structurally characterised.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of metallic complexes of lawsone.

In the present study, a series of metallic complexes of the 1,4-naphthoquinone lawsone (2-6) were synthesized and evaluated for potential cytotoxicity in a mouse leukemic macrophagic RAW 264.7 cell line. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Significant growth inhibition was observed for the copper complex (4) with an IC(50) value of 2.5 µM. This compound was selected for further evaluation of cytotoxic activity on several human cancer cells including HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and HeLa, (human cervical adenocarcinoma cells). Significant cell viability decrease was also observed in HepG2 cells. The apoptotic potential of this complex was evaluated in these cells. Compound 4 induced apoptosis by a mechanism that involves the activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9 and modulation of apoptotic-related proteins such as Bax, Bad, and p53. These results indicate that metal complexes of lawsone derivatives, in particular compound 4, might be used for the design of new antitumoral agents.

Kinetic, DFT and TD-DFT studies on the mechanism of stabilization of pyramidal H3PO3 at the [Mo3M'S4(H2O)10]4+ clusters (M' = Pd, Ni).

The kinetics of reaction between the [Mo(3)M'S(4)(H(2)O)(10)](4+) clusters (M' = Pd, Ni) and H(3)PO(3) has been studied in 4.0 M Hpts/Lipts (pts(-) = p-toluenesulfonate). For both complexes there is an initial kinetic step with small absorbance changes that corresponds to substitution of the water coordinated to Pd by a molecule of tetrahedral H(3)PO(3). For the Pd complex, tautomerization of H(3)PO(3) occurs in a slower kinetic step with much larger absorbance changes; it leads to formation of [Mo(3)Pd(pyr-H(3)PO(3))S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) in which H(3)PO(3) adopts a pyramidal structure, but the process is not as favored as for H(3)PO(2). The kinetics of this second step is independent of the concentration of H(3)PO(3) but dependent on the concentration of Hpts on the supporting electrolyte. For the Ni complex, the second step is severely hindered and its kinetics could not be studied. DFT calculations indicate that tautomerization of H(3)PO(3) is expected to be less favoured than that of H(3)PO(2), both processes being less favored at the Ni cluster than at its Pd analogue. With regard to the tautomerization mechanism, the calculations indicate that the mechanism previously proposed for H(3)PO(2) can be the same for H(3)PO(3), although the initial H-shift can also occur through a protonation-deprotonation sequence with participation of external protons instead of a second molecule of the phosphorus acid. TD-DFT studies have been also carried out to understand the similarity between the spectra of the starting complex and the reaction intermediate formed in the first kinetic step as well as the large spectral changes associated to the tautomerization process. Although it contains contributions from several transitions, the intense band observed for clusters containing coordinated pyr-H(3)PO(3) involves essentially ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions.

Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff: In vitro activity against the trophozoite stage of a natural sesquiterpene and a synthetic cobalt(II)-lapachol complex.

In this study, the in vitro activities of a natural sesquiterpene, alpha-cyperotundone, isolated from the root bark of Maytenus retusa and a cobalt(II)-complex of a natural occurring prenyl hydroxynaphthoquinone (lapachol) were evaluated against the trophozoite stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff using a previously developed colorimetric 96-well microtiter plate assay, based on the oxido-reduction of Alamar Blue(R). The obtained activities showed that these two compounds were able to inhibit the in vitro growth of the amoebae at relatively low concentrations. Further identification of the molecular targets of these products and their effects on acanthamoebae should be determined to evaluate their possible therapeutic use.

Combined kinetic and DFT studies on the stabilization of the pyramidal form of H3PO2 at the heterometal site of [Mo3M'S4(H2O)10]4+ clusters (M' = Pd, Ni).

Kinetic and DFT studies have been carried out on the reaction of the [Mo(3)M'S(4)(H(2)O)(10)](4+) clusters (M' = Pd, Ni) with H(3)PO(2) to form the [Mo(3)M'(pyr-H(3)PO(2))S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) complexes, in which the rare pyramidal form of H(3)PO(2) is stabilized by coordination to the M' site of the clusters. The reaction proceeds with biphasic kinetics, both steps showing a first order dependence with respect to H(3)PO(2). These results are interpreted in terms of a mechanism that involves an initial substitution step in which one tetrahedral H(3)PO(2) molecule coordinates to M' through the oxygen atom of the P=O bond, followed by a second step that consists in tautomerization of coordinated H(3)PO(2) assisted by a second H(3)PO(2) molecule. DFT studies have been carried out to obtain information on the details of both kinetic steps, the major finding being that the role of the additional H(3)PO(2) molecule in the second step consists in catalysing a hydrogen shift from phosphorus to oxygen in O-coordinated H(3)PO(2), which is made possible by its capability of accepting a proton from P-H to form H(4)PO(2)(+) and then transfer it to the oxygen. DFT studies have been also carried out on the reaction at the Mo centres to understand the reasons that make these metal centres ineffective for promoting tautomerization.

Synthesis, reactivity, and kinetics of substitution in W3PdSe4 cuboidal clusters. A reexamination of the kinetics of substitution of the related W3S4 cluster with thiocyanate.

The reaction of Pd(dba)(2) (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) with [W(3)Se(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) in 2 M HCl gives the cuboidal cluster [W(3)(PdCl)Se(4)(H(2)O)(9)](3+), which undergoes edge-to-edge condensation and crystallizes from Hpts solutions as edge-linked double-cubane cluster [{W(3)PdSe(4)(H(2)O)(9)}(2)](pts)(8) x 18 H(2)O (pts(-) = p-toluenesulfonate). The substitution of Cl(-) by different ligands, including phenylsulfinate PhSO(2)(-), was explored. The phenylsulfinate complex was crystallized as a 2:1 adduct with cucurbit[6]uril (C(36)H(36)N(24)O(12)), [W(3)(Pd(PhSO(2))Se(4)(H(2)O)(8.58)Cl(0.42)](2)(C(36)H(36)N(24)O(12))Cl(5.16) x 16.83 H(2)O, and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. Solution studies indicate that the Pd atom is able to stabilize the pyramidal tautomer of hypophosphorous and phosphorous acid: HP(OH)(2) and P(OH)(3). Kinetic studies were carried out on the reactions with H(3)PO(2) and thiocyanate, which were found to proceed in two and three kinetically resolvable steps, respectively. The kinetic results are discussed in terms of the mechanistic proposals put forward in the literature for related complexes. To gain insight into the details of the substitution kinetics in these kinds of clusters, the reaction of the related [W(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) complex with NCS(-) has been reexamined, and the results obtained provide for the first time information about the rates of substitution of the whole set of nine-coordinated water molecules.

Heterometallic cuboidal clusters M(3)M'Q(4) (M = Mo, W; M'= Sn, Pb, As, Sb; Q = S, Se): from coordination compounds to supramolecular adducts.

Reactions of the incomplete cuboidal clusters [M3Q4(acac)3(py)3]+ (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se) with group 14 and 15 metal complexes with the s2p0 electronic configuration (AsPh3, SbPh3, SbCl3, SbI3, PbI3-, SnCl3-) led to heterometal incorporation with the formation of cuboidal clusters of the type [M3(EX3)Q4(acac)3(py)3]n+ (n = 0 for Sn, Pb; n = 1 for As, Sb), whose structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The cuboidal clusters can be described as complexes of the cluster tridentate ligand [M3Q4(acac)3(py)3]+ (mu2-chalcogen atoms as donors) with the EX3, where the E atom attains a distorted octahedral coordination. Analysis based on the bond distances E-Q gives the following sequence of affinity: As < Sb; Pb < Sn approximately Sb; SbPh3 < SbI3 approximately SbCl3; W3S4 < W3Se4. Interaction energies at the gas phase between [W3Q4(acac)3(py)3]+ (Q = S, Se) and SbX3 (X = I, Ph) were computed at the DFT level (BP86/TZP). The magnitude of the interaction depends strongly on the substituents at Sb, and the replacement of iodine by the phenyl group decreases the interaction energy from -9.21 to -2.70 kcal/mol and from -12.73 to -3.85 kcal/mol for the W3SbS4 and W3SbSe4 cores, respectively.

Catalytic effect of a second H3PO2 in the mechanism of stabilisation of the unstable pyramidal tautomer of H3PO2 coordinated at [Mo3S4M'] clusters (M' = Ni, Pd).

Kinetic and DFT studies indicate that the stabilization of a single pyramidal H(3)PO(2) molecule at the M' site of [Mo(3)S(4)M'] clusters requires the participation of two tetrahedral H(3)PO(2) molecules, the role of the second one being assisting tautomerization of a previously coordinated tetrahedral H(3)PO(2).

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of cuboidal-type cluster aqua complexes with W3PdS4 4+ core.

The reaction of PdCl(2) with [W3S4(H2O)9]4+ in the presence of hypophosphorous acid in 2 M HCl gives cuboidal cluster [W3(PdCl)S4(H2O)9]3+ (1) which undergoes condensation and crystallises from Hpts solutions as edge-linked double cubane cluster [{W3PdS4(H2O)9}2](pts)(8).19H2O (pts = p-toluenesulfonate) (1'). The substitution of Cl- in (1) by different ligands was explored. The Pd atom in the cluster shows an exceptionally high reactivity in the isomerisation of the hydrophosphoryl H2P(O)(OH), HP(O)(OH)2, HPPh(O)(OH) and HPPh2(O) molecules into the corresponding hydroxo tautomers HP(OH)2, P(OH)3, PhP(OH)2 and Ph2P(OH) stabilised by coordination at Pd. The reactions were followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and 31P NMR. Formation constants of the 1 : 1 coordination of [M3(PdCl)S4(H2O)9]3+ (M = Mo, W) with HP(OH)2 and As(OH)3 were obtained. The structures of cucurbit[6]uril (C36H36N24O12, CUC[6]) adducts [W3(PdP(OH)3)S4(H2O)8Cl]-(C36H36N24O12)Cl3.12.5H2O (2), and [W3Pd(PhP(OH)2)S4(H2O)7Cl2]2(C36H36N24O12)Cl4.9H2O (3) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis and structure of nickel-containing cuboidal clusters derived from [W3Se4(H2O)9]4+. Site-differentiated substitution at the nickel site in the series [W3NiQ4(H2O)10]4+ (Q = S, Se).

New Ni-containing heterometallic cuboidal cluster aqua complex [W3(NiCl)Se4(H2O)9]3+, the missing link in the family of the M3NiQ4 clusters (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se), has been prepared by the reaction of [W3Se4(H2O)9]4+ with Ni in 2 M HCl. Single crystals of edge-linked double-cuboidal cluster [{W3NiSe4(H2O)9}2](pts)8.18H2O (pts = p-toluenesulfonate) were grown from the solution of the aqua complex in 3 M Hpts, and their structures were determined. The Ni site in the clusters [W3(NiCl)Q4(H2O)9]3+ selectively coordinates typical pi-acceptor ligands such as CO, olefins, acetylenes, phosphines, arsines, or SnCl3-. This allows stabilization by coordination of such elusive species as HP(OH)2 and As(OH)3. The stability constants for coordination of HP(OH)2, As(OH)3, and SnCl3- were determined. The Se for S substitution increases the stability by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Supramolecular adducts with cucurbit[6]uril (Cuc), [W3(Ni(HP(OH)2))Q4(H2O)9]Cl4.Cuc.11H2O and [W3(NiAs(OH)3)S4(H2O)8Cl]Cl3.Cuc.13H2O, were isolated and structurally characterized.

Aqueous solution chemistry of [Mo3CuSe4]n+ (n = 4, 5) and [W3CuQ4]5+ (Q = S, Se) clusters.

The triangular cluster [Mo3Se4(H2O)9]4+ reacts with Cu turnings to give a new heterometallic cuboidal cluster [Mo3CuSe4(H2O)10]4+(purple; UV/Vis lambda(epsilon): 352(3907), 509(2613)). The reaction of [Mo3Se4(H2O)9]4+ with CuCl afforded the 5+ cube [Mo3CuSe4(H2O)10]5+(red; UV/Vis lambda(epsilon): 356(5406), 500(3477)). In contrast, [W3Se4(H2O)9]4+ both with Cu and CuCl gives the 5+ cube, [W3CuSe4(H2O)10]5+(yellow-green; UV/Vis lambda(epsilon): 312(5327), 419(3256) and 628(680)). Cyclic voltammetry of [M3CuQ4(H2O)10]5+ in 2 M HCl (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se) shows a reversible one-electron reduction wave for the Mo clusters, but no reduction occurs for the W clusters prior to H+ reduction. In HCl solutions, Cl is coordinated to the Cu site of the clusters, alongside some less extensive coordination to Mo and W, and for [W3(CuCl)S4(H2O)6Cl3]+, isolated as the supramolecular adduct with cucurbit[6]uril, [W3(CuCl)S4(H2O)6Cl3]2Cl2 x C36H36N24O12 x 12H2O, the crystal structure was determined (Cu-W 2.856(4) angstroms, W-W 2.7432(15) angstroms, Cu-Cl 2.167(13) angstroms).

Stabilization of the previously unknown tautomer HP(OH)2 of hypophosphorous acid as ligand; preparation of [W3(Ni(HP(OH)2))Q4(H2O)9]4+ (Q = S, Se) complexes.

Bis(hydroxy)phosphine, the isomer of hypophosphorous acid which remained elusive for a long time, coordinates to the Ni site of heterometallic clusters with a W3NiQ4 core (Q = S, Se) to give [W3(Ni(HP(OH)2))Q4(H2O)9]4+ (Q = S, Se).

Preparation and properties of the aqua ions [W(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(12)](n+) (n = 5, 6) and crystal structure of (Me(2)NH(2))(6)[W(4)S(4)(NCS)(12)].0.5H(2)O.

The [3 + 1] reaction of [W(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) with [W(CO)(6)] in 2 M HCl under hydrothermal conditions (130 degrees C) gives the [W(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) cuboidal cluster, reduction potential 35 mV vs NHE (6+/5+ couple). The reduced form is obtained by controlled potential electrolysis. X-ray crystal structure was determined for (Me(2)NH(2))(6)[W(4)S(4)(NCS)(12)].0.5H(2)O. The W-W and W-S bond lengths are 2.840 and 2.379 A, respectively.

Preparation and Properties of Group 13 (Ga, In, Tl) Heterometallic Single and Corner-Shared Double Cube Derivatives of [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) and Related Studies.

New routes are described for the preparation of cuboidal complexes [Mo(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+), [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+), and [Mo(6)InS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) from the incomplete cuboidal [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+). A comparison of the aqueous solution properties of the single cubes, [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+) and [Mo(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+), and the double cubes, [Mo(6)InS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) and [Mo(6)TlS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+), the total listing of group 13 derivatives, is reported. The single cube [Mo(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+) can be quantitatively converted into the double cube by reductive (H(3)PO(2) or BH(4)(-)) addition of [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+). The double cubes are O(2) sensitive, much more so in HCl than Hpts (pts(-) = p-toluenesulfonate), and are oxidized by H(+) in HCl solutions with the formation of H(2) (detected by gas chromatography). The single cubes are less reactive in air, and are only oxidized by H(+) at higher ( approximately 4 M) levels. Stoichiometry measurements with [Co(dipic)(2)](-) and [Fe(H(2)O)(6)](3+) as 1e(-) oxidants were used to confirm charges on the clusters. In the absence of reduction potentials, rate constants for outer-sphere [Co(dipic)(2)](-) oxidations give a measure of redox properties. Oxidation of [Mo(6)InS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) with [Co(dipic)(2)](-) provides a route back to the single cube [Mo(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+). Properties of [W(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+) and [Mo(6)InO(2)S(6)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) obtained from [W(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) and [Mo(3)OS(3)-(H(2)O)(9)](4+) are also considered. The single cube [W(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+) is >10(3) times more reactive with [Co(dipic)(2)](-) than [Mo(3)InS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+), consistent with reducing properties W > Mo. No evidence was obtained in these studies for [Mo(3)TlS(4) (H(2)O)(12)](5+), [Mo(6)GaS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+), or the recently proposed 6+ analogue of [Mo(3)GaS(4)(H(2)O)(12)](5+).