Di-Pyridine-Containing Macrocyclic Triamide Fe(II) and Ni(II) Complexes as ParaCEST Agents.

Fe(II) and Ni(II) paraCEST contrast agents containing the di-pyridine macrocyclic ligand 2,2',2″-(3,7,10-triaza-1,5(2,6)-dipyridinacycloundecaphane-3,7,10-triyl)triacetamide (DETA) are reported here. Both [Fe(DETA)]2+ and [Ni(DETA)]2+ complexes were structurally characterized. Crystallographic data revealed the seven-coordinated distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry of the [Fe(DETA)]·(BF4)2·MeCN complex with five coordinated nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic ring and two coordinated oxygen atoms from two amide pendant arms. The [Ni(DETA)]·Cl2·2H2O complex was six-coordinated in nature with a distorted octahedral geometry. Four coordinated nitrogen atoms were from the macrocyclic ring, and two coordinated oxygen atoms were from two amide pendant arms. [Fe(DETA)]2+ exhibited well-resolved sharp proton resonances, whereas very broad proton resonances were observed in the case of [Ni(DETA)]2+ due to the long electronic relaxation times. The CEST peaks for the [Fe(DETA)]2+ complex showed one highly downfield-shifted and intense peak at 84 ppm with another shifted but less intense peak at 28 ppm with good CEST contrast efficiency at body temperature, whereas [Ni(DETA)]2+ showed only one highly shifted intense peak at 78 ppm from the bulk water protons. Potentiometric titrations were performed to determine the protonation constants of the ligand and the thermodynamic stability constant of the [M(DETA)]2+ (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) species at 25.0 °C and I = 0.15 mol·L-1 NaClO4. Metal exchange studies confirmed the stability of the complexes in acidic medium in the presence of physiologically relevant anions and an equimolar concentration of Zn(II) ions.

Interaction of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate with biogenic and synthetic polyamines.

Within all the eukaryotic cells myo-inositol phosphates (InsPs) are an important group of biomolecules that are potentially related to signaling functions. The most abundant member of this family in nature is InsP6 (phytate, L(12-) in its fully deprotonated form). The complicated chemical behavior of this molecule demands a great effort to understand its function in the cell medium. In this work we follow our earlier studies on the interaction of InsP6 with metal cations by inclusion of polyamines (both biogenic and synthetic) as potential agents to produce stable adducts. The stability constants of InsP6-amine adducts and the relevant thermodynamic parameters ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° were determined at 37.0 °C and 0.15 M ionic strength by means of potentiometric titrations and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The biogenic amines studied were 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine, put), 1,5-diaminopentane (cadaverine, cad), N-(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-diaminobutane (spermidine, spd), N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-diaminobutane (spermine, spm), and 1-(4-aminobutyl)guanidine (agmatine, agm), while the synthetic models of longer polyamines were 1,19-dimethyl-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptaazanonadecane (Me2hexaen), 1,22-dimethyl-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaazadocosane (Me2heptaen), 1,25-dimethyl-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25-nonaazapentacosane (Me2octaen) and N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-propanediamine (3,3,3-tet). With the aid of molecular modeling, we also studied the structural aspects of molecular recognition in operation. The final result is a balance between many parameters including charge of the species, flexibility of the amines, H-bonds in the adduct, and desolvation processes.

Comparative paraCEST effect of amide and hydroxy groups in divalent cobalt and nickel complexes of tripyridine-based ligands.

Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of two tri-pyridine-based ligands with two hydroxy and two amide exchangeable protons (TDTA) and with six amide exchangeable protons (TMTP) were investigated for application as paraCEST-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. The two hydroxy groups present in the TDTA ligand were found to be passive while the amide group was active towards the CEST process. In the case of the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of the TMTP ligand, all three coordinated amide groups participated in the exchange process, and excellent CEST signals were observed. The X-ray structure of the four complexes revealed the seven-coordinate geometry of Co(II) complexes and the six-coordinate geometry of Ni(II) complexes. The presence of amide protons and hydroxy protons in the complexes was detected by the NMR method. The stability of the complexes in solution at high temperatures, in different pH ranges and acidic conditions, in the presence of competing cations, and biologically relevant anions was investigated. Potentiometric titrations were carried out to determine the ligand's protonation constants and the complexes' thermodynamic stability constant at 25.0 °C and I = 0.15 mol L-1 NaClO4. ParaCEST studies of [Co(TMTP)]2+ and [Ni(TMTP)]2+ at variable pH and variable pulse power are highlighted.

New family of thiocyanate-bridged Re(IV)-SCN-M(II) (M = Ni, Co, Fe, and Mn) heterobimetallic compounds: synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties.

The heterobimetallic complexes of formula [(Me(2)phen)(2)M(µ-NCS)Re(NCS)(5)]·CH(3)CN [Me(2)phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and M = Ni (1), Co (2), Fe (3), and Mn (4)] have been prepared, and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Compounds 1-4 crystallize in the monoclinic C2/c space group, and their structure consists of neutral [(Me(2)phen)(2)M(µ-NCS)Re(NCS)(5)] heterodinuclear units with a Re-SCN-M bridge. Each Re(IV) ion in this series is six-coordinated with one sulfur and five nitrogen atoms from six thiocyanate groups building a somewhat distorted octahedral environment, whereas the M(II) metal ions are five-coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from two bidentate Me(2)phen molecules and a nitrogen atom from the bridging thiocyanate describing distorted trigonal bipyramidal surroundings. The values of the Re···M separation through the thiocyanate bridge in 1-4 vary in the range 5.903(1)-6.117(3) Å. The magnetic properties of 1-4 as well as those of the parent mononuclear Re(IV) compounds (NBu(4))(2)[Re(NCS)(6)] (A1) (NBu(4)(+) = tetra-n-butylammonium cation) and [Zn(NO(3))(Me(2)phen)(2)](2)[Re(NCS)(5)(SCN)] (A2) were investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. Weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Re(IV) and M(II) ions across the bridging thiocyanate were found in 1-4 [J = -4.3 (1), -2.4 (2), -1.8 (3), and -1.2 cm(-1) (4), the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JS(Re)·S(M)]. The magnetic behavior of A2 is that of a magnetically diluted Re(IV) complex with a large and positive value of the zero-field splitting for the ground level (D(Re) = +37.0 cm(-1)). In the case of A1, although its magnetic behavior is similar to that of A2 in the high-temperature range (D(Re) being +19.0 cm(-1)), it exhibits a weak ferromagnetism below 3.0 K with a canting angle of 1.3°.

Crystal structure and magnetic study of the complex salt [RuCp(PTA)2-µ-CN-1κC:2κN-RuCp(PTA)2][Re(NO)Br4(EtOH)0.5(MeOH)0.5].

A new RuII-ReII complex salt, µ-cyanido-κ2 C:N-bis-[(η5-cyclo-penta-dien-yl)bis(3,5,7-tri-aza-phosphaadamantane-κP)ruthenium(II)] tetra-bromido-(ethanol/methanol-κO)nitrosylrhenate(II), [Ru(CN)(C5H5)2(C6H12N3P)4][ReBr4(NO)(CH4O)0.5(C2H6O)0.5] or [RuCp(PTA)2-µ-CN-1κC:2κ2 N-RuCp(PTA)2][Re(NO)Br4(EtOH)0.5(MeOH)0.5] (PTA = 3,5,7-tri-aza-phosphaadaman-tane) was obtained and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The title salt was obtained by liquid-liquid diffusion of methanol/DMSO solutions of (NBu4)[Re(NO)Br4(EtOH)] and [(PTA)2CpRu-µ-CN-1κC:2κ2 N-RuCp(PTA)2](CF3SO3). The RuII and ReII independent moieties correspond to a binuclear and mononuclear complex ion, respectively. A deep geometrical parameter analysis was performed, and no significant differences were found with earlier reports containing similar mol-ecules. The magnetic properties were investigated in the temperature range 2.0-300 K, and the complex behaves as a quasi-magnetically isolated spin doublet with weak anti-ferromagnetic inter-actions.

Conformational analysis of the natural iron chelator myo-inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate using a pyrene-based fluorescent mimic.

myo-Inositol phosphates possessing the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif share the remarkable ability to completely inhibit iron-catalysed hydroxyl radical formation. The simplest derivative, myo-inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate [Ins(1,2,3)P(3)], has been proposed as an intracellular iron chelator involved in iron transport. The binding conformation of Ins(1,2,3)P(3) is considered to be important to complex Fe(3+) in a 'safe' manner. Here, a pyrene-based fluorescent probe, 4,6-bispyrenoyl-myo-inositol 1,2,3,5-tetrakisphosphate [4,6-bispyrenoyl Ins(1,2,3,5)P(4)], has been synthesised and used to monitor the conformation of the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif using excimer fluorescence emission. Ring-flip of the cyclohexane chair to the penta-axial conformation occurs upon association with Fe(3+), evident from excimer fluorescence induced by pi-pi stacking of the pyrene reporter groups, accompanied by excimer formation by excitation at 351 nm. This effect is unique amongst biologically relevant metal cations, except for Ca(2+) cations exceeding a 1 : 1 molar ratio. In addition, the thermodynamic constants for the interaction of the fluorescent probe with Fe(3+) have been determined. The complexes formed between Fe(3+) and 4,6-bispyrenoyl Ins(1,2,3,5)P(4) display similar stability to those formed with Ins(1,2,3)P(3), indicating that the fluorescent probe acts as a good model for the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif. This is further supported by the antioxidant properties of 4,6-bispyrenoyl Ins(1,2,3,5)P(4), which closely resemble those obtained for Ins(1,2,3)P(3). The data presented confirms that Fe(3+) binds tightly to the unstable penta-axial conformation of myo-inositol phosphates possessing the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif.

The behaviour of inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate in the presence of the major biological metal cations.

The inositol phosphates are ubiquitous metabolites in eukaryotes, of which the most abundant are inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP 6) and inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5)]. These two compounds, poorly understood functionally, have complicated complexation and solid formation behaviours with multivalent cations. For InsP 6, we have previously described this chemistry and its biological implications (Veiga et al. in J Inorg Biochem 100:1800, 2006; Torres et al. in J Inorg Biochem 99:828, 2005). We now cover similar ground for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, describing its interactions in solution with Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, and its solid-formation equilibria with Ca2+ and Mg2+. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 forms soluble complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with all multivalent cations studied. The affinity for Fe3+ is similar to that of InsP6 and inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate, indicating that the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif, which Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 lacks, is not absolutely necessary for high-affinity Fe3+ complexation by inositol phosphates, even if it is necessary for their prevention of the Fenton reaction. With excess Ca2+ and Mg2+, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 also forms the polymetallic complexes [M4(H2L)] [where L is fully deprotonated Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5]. However, unlike InsP6, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 is predicted not to be fully associated with Mg2+ under simulated cytosolic/nuclear conditions. The neutral Mg2+ and Ca2+ complexes have significant windows of solubility, but they precipitate as [Mg4(H2L)] x 23H2O or [Ca4(H2L)] x 16H2O whenever they exceed 135 and 56 microM in concentration, respectively. Nonetheless, the low stability of the [M4(H2L)] complexes means that the 1:1 species contribute to the overall solubility of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P 5 even under significant Mg2+ or Ca2+ excesses. We summarize the solubility behaviour of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 in straightforward plots.

"Chelatable iron pool": inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate fulfils the conditions required to be a safe cellular iron ligand.

Mammalian cells contain a pool of iron that is not strongly bound to proteins, which can be detected with fluorescent chelating probes. The cellular ligands of this biologically important "chelatable", "labile" or "transit" iron are not known. Proposed ligands are problematic, because they are saturated by magnesium under cellular conditions and/or because they are not "safe", i.e. they allow iron to catalyse hydroxyl radical formation. Among small cellular molecules, certain inositol phosphates (InsPs) excel at complexing Fe(3+) in such a "safe" manner in vitro. However, we previously calculated that the most abundant InsP, inositol hexakisphosphate, cannot interact with Fe(3+) in the presence of cellular concentrations of Mg(2+). In this work, we study the metal complexation behaviour of inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate [Ins(1,2,3)P(3)], a cellular constituent of unknown function and the simplest InsP to display high-affinity, "safe", iron complexation. We report thermodynamic constants for the interaction of Ins(1,2,3)P(3) with Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Fe(3+). Our calculations indicate that Ins(1,2,3)P(3) can be expected to complex all available Fe(3+) in a quantitative, 1:1 reaction, both in cytosol/nucleus and in acidic compartments, in which an important labile iron subpool is thought to exist. In addition, we calculate that the fluorescent iron probe calcein would strip Fe(3+) from Ins(1,2,3)P(3) under cellular conditions, and hence labile iron detected using this probe may include iron bound to Ins(1,2,3)P(3). Therefore Ins(1,2,3)P(3) is the first viable proposal for a transit iron ligand.

Solution Studies and Crystal Structures of Heteropolynuclear Potassium/Copper Complexes with Phytate and Aromatic Polyamines: Self-Assembly through Coordinative and Supramolecular Interactions.

Phytate (L12- ) is a relevant natural product. It interacts strongly with biologically relevant cations, due to the high negative charge exhibited in a wide pH range. The synthesis and crystal structures of the mixed-ligand Cu(II) polynuclear complexes K(H2 tptz)0.5 [Cu(H8 L)(tptz)] ⋅ 3.6H2 O (1), K(H2 O)3 {[Cu(H2 O)(bpca)]3 (H8 L)} ⋅ 1.75H2 O (2), and K1.5 (H2 O)2 [Cu(bpca)](H9.5 L) ⋅ 8H2 O (3) (tptz=2,4,6-tri(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine; Hbpca=bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl) amine) are reported herein. They were obtained by the use of an aromatic rigid amine, which satisfies some of the metal coordination sites and promotes the hierarchical assembly of 2D polymeric structures. Speciation of phytate-Cu(II)-Hbpca system and determination of complex stability constants were performed by means of potentiometric titrations, in 0.15 M NMe4 Cl at 37.0 °C, showing that, even in solution, this system is able to produce highly aggregated complexes, such as [Cu3 (bpca)3 (H7 L)]2- . Furthermore, the Cu(II)-mediated tptz hydrolysis was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy at room temperature in 0.15 M NMe4 Cl. Based on the equilibrium results and with the aid of molecular modelling tools, a plausible self-assembly process for 2 and 3 could be proposed.

Fluorescent probe: complexation of Fe3+ with the myo-inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif.

Natural myo-inositol phosphate antioxidants containing the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif bind Fe(3+) in the unstable penta-axial conformation.

Myoglobin modified electrodes as anchors for d metal cationic complexes.

The capability of adsorption of different electroactive cationic Re(V)-amine complexes onto myoglobin-containing electrodes has been investigated. The goal of this work was the development of an Au/thiol/myo electrode and, after incubation of such ensemble in the presence of three different Re(V)-amine complexes, the evaluation of the extent of surface coverage by the complexes (as a way to evaluate the interaction complex-protein) using electrochemical techniques. Our results showed that a protein-containing electrode could therefore be used for the detection of the interaction of small electroactive cationic complexes and the biomolecule. The extent of the coverage of the myoglobin electrode by the complex depends on the number of free tails from the ligands and the total charge of the complex.

Self-Assembly of Manganese(II)-Phytate Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Physicochemical Properties.

myo-Inositol phosphates are an important group of biomolecules that are present in all eukaryotic cells. The most abundant member of this family in nature is InsP6 (phytate, L12- in its fully deprotonated form). Phytate interacts strongly with inorganic and organic cations, and this interaction is essential for determining the possible functions of this biomolecule. Herein, the chemical, thermodynamic, and structural characterization of phytate-MnII species is presented in a study aimed at understanding how the interaction of the two components modulates their biological roles and their bioavailability. Polynuclear complexes Mn5 (H2 L)⋅16 H2 O (1) and (H2 terpy)2 [Mn(H6 L)(terpy)(H2 O)]⋅17 H2 O (terpy=terpyridine) (2) were prepared and characterized by different techniques. The isolation of 1 and the determination of its solubility, together with potentiometric titrations of the MnII -phytate system, allow the full description of this binary system. The preparation and crystal structure of 2 show a novel coordination mode of phytate, that is, the formation of infinite polymeric chains through equatorial phosphate groups.

New complexes of Cu(II) with dipicolinate and pyridyl-based ligands: An experimental and DFT approach.

The three novel mononuclear copper(II) complexes with dipicolinate and pyridyl-based ligands [Cu(dipic)(L)(OH2)] (L=4-picoline, vinylpyridine, 4-styrylpyridine; dipic2-=dipicolinate) were afforded and structurally characterized. X-ray diffraction studies accounted for slight distorted square-pyramidal structures in which the dianion dipic2- acts as a tridentate ligand in a mer-fashion, the N-donor species occupy an in-plane position, and a water molecule was detected apically coordinated. To assess the effect of the nature of the pyridyl-substituent (para position) on electronic properties, other complexes were also synthesized: [Cu(dipic)(py)(OH2)], [{Cu(dipic)(OH2)}2(µ-pyz)] and [{Cu(dipic)(OH2)}(µ-pypy){Cu(dipic)}] (py=pyridine, pyz=pyrazine, pypy=(E)-1,2-bis(pyridine-4-yl)ethane). Absorptive behavior in the UV-VIS region was studied in solution and in the solid state (reflectance measurements). Additionally, geometry and population analyses were conducted by means of DFT calculations. Electronic UV-VIS spectra were simulated for both dinuclear complexes in the framework of the TD-DFT methodology to assign the origin of the absorption bands.

Characterization of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate deposits from larval Echinococcus granulosus.

The abundant metabolite myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) can form vesicular deposits with cations, a widespread phenomenon in plants also found in the cestode parasite, Echinococcus granulosus. In this organism, the deposits are exocytosed, accumulating in a host-exposed sheath of extracellular matrix termed the laminated layer. The formation and mobilization of InsP6 deposits, which involve precipitation and solubilization reactions, respectively, cannot yet be rationalized in quantitative chemical terms, as the solids involved have not been formally described. We report such a description for the InsP6 deposits from E. granulosus, purified as the solid residue left by mild alkaline digestion of the principal mucin component of the laminated layer. The deposits are largely composed of the compound Ca5H2L.16H2O (L representing fully deprotonated InsP6), and additionally contain Mg2+ (6-9% molar ratio with respect to Ca2+), but not K+. Calculations employing recently available chemical constants show that the precipitation of Ca5H2L.16H2O is predicted by thermodynamics in secretory vesicle-like conditions. The deposits appear to be similar to microcrystalline solids when analysed under the electron microscope; we estimate that each crystal comprises around 200 InsP6 molecules. We calculate that the deposits increase, by three orders of magnitude, the surface area available for adsorption of host proteins, a salient ability of the laminated layer. The major inositol phosphate in the deposits, other than InsP6, is myo-inositol (1,2,4,5,6) pentakisphosphate, or its enantiomer, inositol (2,3,4,5,6) pentakisphosphate. The compound appears to be a subproduct of the intracellular pathways leading to the synthesis and vesicular accumulation of InsP6, rather than arising from extracellular hydrolysis of InsP6.

The behaviour of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate in the presence of magnesium(II) and calcium(II): protein-free soluble InsP6 is limited to 49 microM under cytosolic/nuclear conditions.

Progress in the biology of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6)) has been delayed by the lack of a quantitative description of its multiple interactions with divalent cations. Our recent initial description of these [J. Torres, S. Dominguez, M.F. Cerda, G. Obal, A. Mederos, R.F. Irvine, A. Diaz, C. Kremer, J. Inorg. Biochem. 99 (2005) 828-840] predicted that under cytosolic/nuclear conditions, protein-free soluble InsP(6) occurs as Mg(5)(H(2)L), a neutral complex that exists thanks to a significant, but undefined, window of solubility displayed by solid Mg(5)(H(2)L).22H(2)O (L is fully deprotonated InsP(6)). Here we complete the description of the InsP(6)-Mg(2+)-Ca(2+) system, defining the solubilities of the Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) (Ca(5)(H(2)L).16H(2)O) solids in terms of K(s0)=[M(2+)](5)[H(2)L(10-)], with pK(s0)=32.93 for M=Mg and pK(s0)=39.3 for M=Ca. The concentration of soluble Mg(5)(H(2)L) at 37 degrees C and I=0.15M NaClO(4) is limited to 49muM, yet InsP(6) in mammalian cells may reach 100muM. Any cytosolic/nuclear InsP(6) in excess of 49muM must be protein- or membrane-bound, or as solid Mg(5)(H(2)L).22H(2)O, and any extracellular InsP(6) (e.g. in plasma) is surely protein-bound.

Mononuclear and polynuclear complexes ligated by an iminodiacetic acid derivative: synthesis, structure, solution studies and magnetic properties.

Two novel families of coordination polymers, [Ln(bzlida)(Hbzlida)]·H2O (Ln = La, Nd) and [Ln2(bzlida)3]·3H2O (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Ln2O3 with benzyliminodiacetic acid (H2bzlida). The conditions of synthesis, in particular the pH value, were selected on the basis of previous speciation studies reported in this work. The first type of complex consists of 1D chains built by a fully deprotonated ligand bridging two lanthanide ions and protonated Hbzlida(-) ligands connecting three cations. The second type is formed by [Ln2(bzlida)3] bimetallic units in which the ligand has a tridentate NOO coordination mode. This is expanded to a 2D network through carboxylate linkers. Under similar synthetic conditions but including copper acetate in the reaction mixture, a new compound was also obtained and characterized: [Cu(bzlida)2{Er(AcO)(H2O)5}2][Cu(bzlida)2]·6H2O (AcO = acetate). This salt is made up of the [Cu(bzlida)2{Er(AcO)(H2O)5}2](2+) heterotrimetallic complex cation containing an acetato bridge, and the [Cu(bzlida)2](2-) anion. The same reaction produces the monomeric [Cu(Hbzlida)2]·4H2O whose structure was also elucidated. Magnetic properties of the Gd(iii) derivative were studied and analyzed experimentally and theoretically. The results are compared and discussed with respect to those reported in the literature and a magnetostructural correlation is suggested.

Solution behaviour of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate in the presence of multivalent cations. Prediction of a neutral pentamagnesium species under cytosolic/nuclear conditions.

myo-Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) is an ubiquitous and abundant molecule in the cytosol and nucleus of eukaryotic cells whose biological functions are incompletely known. A major hurdle for studying the biology of InsP6 has been a deficiency of a full understanding of the chemistry of its interaction with divalent and trivalent cations. This deficiency has limited our appreciation of how it remains in solution within cells, and the likely degree to which it might interact in vivo with physiologically important cations such as Ca2+ and Fe3+. We report here the initial part of the description of the InsP6-multivalent cation chemistry, including its solution equilibria studied by high resolution potentiometry and (for the Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple) cyclic voltammetry. InsP6 forms anionic complexes of high affinities and 1:1 stoichiometry with Mg(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II). Of particular importance is the observation that, in the exceptional case of Mg(II), InsP6 forms the species [Mg5(H2L)] (L representing fully deprotonated InsP6); this soluble neutral species is predicted to be the predominant form of InsP6 under nuclear or cytosolic conditions in animal cells. Contrary to previous suggestions, InsP6 is predicted not to interact with cytosolic calcium even when calcium is increased during signalling events. In vitro, InsP6 also forms high affinity 1:1 complexes with Fe(III) and Al(III). However, our data predict that in the biological context of excess free Mg(II), neither Fe(III) nor Fe(II) are complexed by InsP6.

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of 3-pyridinecarboxylate-bridged Re(II)M(II) complexes (M = Cu, Ni, Co and Mn).

The novel Re(II) complex NBu4[Re(NO)Br4(Hnic)] (1) and the heterodinuclear compounds [Re(NO)Br4(µ-nic)Ni(dmphen)2]·½CH3CN (2), [Re(NO)Br4(µ-nic)Co(dmphen)2]·½MeOH (3), [Re(NO)Br4(µ-nic)Mn(dmphen)(H2O)2]·dmphen (4), [Re(NO)Br4(µ-nic)Cu(bipy)2] (5) [Re(NO)Br4(µ-nic)Cu(dmphen)2] (5') (NBu4(+) = tetra-n-butylammonium cation, Hnic = 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been prepared and the structures of 1-5 determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of [Re(NO)Br4(Hnic)](-) anions and NBu4(+) cations. Each Re(II) is six-coordinate with four bromide ligands, a linear nitrosyl group and a nitrogen atom from the Hnic molecule, in a distorted octahedral surrounding. The structures of 2-5 are made up of discrete heterodinuclear Re(II)M(II) units where the fully deprotonated [Re(NO)Br4(nic)](2-) entity acts as a didentate ligand through the carboxylate group towards the [Ni(dmphen)2](2+) (2), [Co(dmphen)2](2+) (3), [Mn(dmphen)(H2O)2](2+) (4) and [Cu(bipy)2](2+) (5) fragments, the Re-M separation across the nic bridge being 7.8736(8) (2), 7.9632(10) (3), 7.7600(6) (4) and 8.2148(7) Å (5). The environment of the Re(II) ion in 2-5 is the same as 1 that in and all M(II) are six-coordinate in highly distorted octahedral surroundings, the main source of the distortion being due to the reduced bite of the chelating carboxylate. The magnetic properties of 1-5' were investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. 1 behaves as a quasi-magnetically isolated spin doublet with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions through space Br···Br contacts. Its magnetic susceptibility data were successfully modeled through a deep analysis of the influence of the ligand field, spin-orbit coupling, tetragonal distortion and covalence effects as variable parameters. Compounds 2-5' exhibit weak antiferromagnetic interactions. The intramolecular exchange pathway in this family being discarded because of the symmetry of magnetic orbitals of the Re(II) ion (d(xy)) precludes any spin delocalization on the bridging nic orbitals, the observed magnetic interactions are most likely mediated by π-π type interactions between the peripheral ligands which occur in them. Only in the case of 4, short through space Br···Br contacts of ca. 4.03 Å (values larger than 5.5 Å in 2, 3 and 5) could be involved in the exchange coupling.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Tetraphenylarsonium Tetrachloro(oxalato)rhenate(IV) and Bis(2,2'-bipyridine)tetrachloro(&mgr;-oxalato)copper(II)rhenium(IV).

Two new rhenium(IV) compounds of formula (AsPh(4))(2)[ReCl(4)(ox)] (1) and [ReCl(4)(&mgr;-ox)Cu(bipy)(2)] (2) (AsPh(4) = tetraphenylarsonium cation, ox = oxalate anion, and bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic system, space groups P2(1)/c and P2(1)/n, respectively, with a = 22.250(5) Å, b = 11.245(3) Å, c = 19.089(4) Å, beta = 96.59(2) degrees, and Z = 4 for 1 and a = 9.421(2) Å, b = 16.909(4) Å, c = 16.179(4) Å, beta = 93.97(2) degrees, and Z = 4 for 2. The structure of 1 is made up of [ReCl(4)(ox)](2)(-) anions and AsPh(4)(+) cations held united by electrostatic forces. Rhenium(IV) is hexacoordinate, with two oxygens of a chelating ox and four chlorine atoms building a distorted octahedron around the metal atom. There is no contact between the [ReCl(4)(ox)](2)(-) anions, the shortest Re.Re and Cl.Cl distances being 10.345 and 7.209 Å, respectively. This anionic complex is coordinated to a [Cu(bipy)(2)](2+) cation in 2, through one oxalate-oxygen, giving a neutral heterometallic dinuclear unit. The Cu(II) ion shows a very distorted five-coordinated geometry, four bipy-nitrogens occuping the equatorial positions and the oxygen atom the apical one. The basal plane geometry is distorted toward the tetrahedron, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the two bipy ligands is 37.6(2) degrees. These [ReCl(4)(&mgr;-ox)Cu(bipy)(2)] units are arranged in such a way that a chlorine atom of one of them points toward the copper atom of the neighboring one, forming helicoid chains. The intrachain Re.Cu distances through chloro and oxalato bridges are 4.658 and 4.798 Å, respectively. The magnetic behavior of 1 and 2 has been investigated over the temperature range 1.8-300 K. 1 is a magnetically diluted Re(IV) complex, the great value of zero-field splitting of the ground level (D = 60 cm(-)(1)) accounting for the variation of chi(M)T with T in the low-temperature range. 2 behaves as a ferrimagnetic chain, with weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Re(IV) and Cu(II) through oxalato and single chloro bridges.

Voltammetric studies of the interaction between Re(V) complexes and proteins.

A reliable method based on electrochemical measurements for the evaluation of protein interaction with small electroactive coordination compounds is proposed. Protein binding capacity of five different cationic Re(V) complexes was evaluated by means of voltammetric techniques in the absence and the presence of bovine serum albumin. The percentage of interaction between the complex and the protein was estimated from the quantitative decrease of the diffusion coefficient for the sole complex due to the addition of the protein, and therefore the formation of the protein-complex molecular ensemble. The proposed methodology was checked using cisplatin as a molecular complex probe.