Imine- and Amine-Type Macrocycles Derived from Chiral Diamines and Aromatic Dialdehydes.

The condensation of aromatic dialdehydes with chiral diamines, such as 1,2-trans-diaminocyclohexane, leads to various enantiopure or meso-type macrocyclic Schiff bases, including [2 + 2], [3 + 3], [4 + 4], [6 + 6] and [8 + 8] condensation products. Unlike most cases of macrocycle synthesis, the [3 + 3] macrocycles of this type are sometimes obtained in high yields by direct condensation without a metal template. Macrocycles of other sizes from this family can often be selectively obtained in high yields by a suitable choice of metal template, solvent, or chirality of the building blocks. In particular, the application of a cadmium(II) template results in the expansion of the [2 + 2] macrocycles into giant [6 + 6] and [8 + 8] macrocycles. These imine macrocycles can be reduced to the corresponding macrocyclic amines which can act as hosts for the binding of multiple cations or multiple anions.

Sorting Phenomena and Chirality Transfer in Fluoride-Bridged Macrocyclic Rare Earth Complexes.

The reaction of fluoride anions with mononuclear lanthanide(III) and yttrium(III) hexaaza-macrocyclic complexes results in the formation of dinuclear fluoride-bridged complexes. As indicated by X-ray crystal structures, in these complexes two metal ions bound by the macrocycles are linked by two or three bridging fluoride anions, depending on the type of the macrocycle. In the case of the chiral hexaaza-macrocycle L1 derived from trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, the formation of these µ2-fluorido dinuclear complexes is accompanied by enantiomeric self-recognition of macrocyclic units. In contrast, this kind of recognition is not observed in the case of complexes of the chiral macrocycle L2 derived from 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine. The reaction of fluoride with a mixture of mononuclear complexes of L1 and L2, containing two different Ln(III) ions, results in narcissistic sorting of macrocyclic units. Conversely, a similar reaction involving mononuclear complexes of L1 and complexes of achiral macrocycle L3 based on ethylenediamine results in sociable sorting of macrocyclic units and preferable formation of heterodinuclear complexes. In addition, formation of these heterodinuclear complexes is accompanied by chirality transfer from the chiral macrocycle L1 to the achiral macrocycle L3 as indicated by CPL and CD spectra.

Trinuclear and Hexanuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes of the Chiral 3+3 Macrocycle: X-ray Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties.

A new triphenolic hexaaza chiral macrocyclic amine L forms trinuclear complexes 1-3 with rare earth metal lanthanide(III) ions (Ln = Dy, Eu, and Y) with the general formula [Ln3L(µ3-OH)2(NO3)4(H2O)2]· xCH3OH. The crystal structures of the nitrate derivatives of this type reveal the presence of a {Ln3(µ3-OH)2} core within the macrocycle. For the chloride derivative of dysprosium(III) 4, a duplex of the trinuclear compound is formed to give the hexanuclear [Dy6L2(µ3-OH)3(µ3-O)(µ2-Cl)3Cl4(H2O)2] compound, in which two trinuclear macrocyclic units are linked by bridging chloride anions, supplemented by a hydrogen bond connecting the central oxo and hydroxo bridges as well as by weak interactions at the periphery of the macrocycle. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these complexes reveal a dynamic behavior in solution related to exchange of axial ligands and hindered rotation of phenyl substituents. Magnetic studies of the nitrate (1-3) and chloride (4) dysprosium(III) complexes suggest the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between neighboring metal centers. The interaction is strongest for compound 1, and for the related duplex compound 4, it appears to be somewhat weaker. The ac susceptibility measurements for complexes 1 and 4 confirm their field-induced single-molecule magnet behavior with the following characteristics: Ueff = 10.6 cm-1 (15.2 K), τ0 = 2.05 × 10-4 s under 2500 Oe dc fields for 1; Ueff = 7.9 cm-1 (11.4 K), τ0 = 1.68 × 10-4 s under a 3000 Oe dc field for 4.

Chiral Cryptates Derived from a Hexaazamacrocycle.

The reactions of hexaazamacrocycle 1 with 2,6-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine or 2,6-bis[(tosyloxy)methyl)]pyridine in the presence of appropriate carbonates result in the formation of derivatives of cryptand 6: enantiopure azacryptates of sodium and potassium. Crystal structures of these compounds indicate interaction of a metal ion with four pyridine nitrogen atoms and four tertiary amine atoms. The competition reactions monitored by NMR spectroscopy indicate preferential binding of Na+ over K+ as well as higher affinity of 6 for Na+ in comparison with the [2.2.1] cryptand.

Hexanuclear and Trinuclear Metal Complexes of a Giant Octadecaaza Macrocycle.

A large macrocyclic ligand containing six pyridine fragments and six diaminocyclopentane fragments is able to form hexanuclear Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes as well as a trinuclear Zn(II) complex. X-ray crystal structures of these complexes indicate quite different ligand conformations. In the hexanuclear Zn(II) derivative with chloride counteranions metal ions have a distorted-trigonal-bipyramidal geometry and occupy loop sections formed by the highly folded macrocycle, which adopts a globular shape. In the hexanuclear Ni(II) derivative with nitrate counteranions metal ions exhibit a distorted-octahedral geometry and the ligand conformation is much more open, while in the trinuclear Zn(II) complex the macrocycle wraps around the octahedral metal ions. The last highly entangled conformation of the trinuclear complex is also present in solution, as confirmed by the NOESY spectra. The NMR data indicate that the hexanuclear Zn(II) complex partially dissociates in water solutions to form the trinuclear complex, while the 1H NMR titration of the free macrocycle with zinc(II) chloride indicates that the formation of a trinuclear complex corresponds to cooperative binding of metal ions.

Trinuclear Cage-Like Zn(II) Macrocyclic Complexes: Enantiomeric Recognition and Gas Adsorption Properties.

Three zinc(II) ions in combination with two units of enantiopure [3+3] triphenolic Schiff-base macrocycles 1, 2, 3, or 4 form cage-like chiral complexes. The formation of these complexes is accompanied by the enantioselective self-recognition of chiral macrocyclic units. The X-ray crystal structures of these trinuclear complexes show hollow metal-organic molecules. In some crystal forms, these barrel-shaped complexes are arranged in a window-to-window fashion, which results in the formation of 1D channels and a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic porosity. The microporous nature of the [Zn3 12 ] complex is reflected in its N2 , Ar, H2 , and CO2 adsorption properties. The N2 and Ar adsorption isotherms show pressure-gating behavior, which is without precedent for any noncovalent porous material. A comparison of the structures of the [Zn3 12 ] and [Zn3 32 ] complexes with that of the free macrocycle H3 1 reveals a striking structural similarity. In H3 1, two macrocyclic units are stitched together by hydrogen bonds to form a cage very similar to that formed by two macrocyclic units stitched together by Zn(II) ions. This structural similarity is manifested also by the gas adsorption properties of the free H3 1 macrocycle. Recrystallization of [Zn3 12 ] in the presence of racemic 2-butanol resulted in the enantioselective binding of (S)-2-butanol inside the cage through the coordination to one of the Zn(II) ions.

From 2 + 2 to 8 + 8 Condensation Products of Diamine and Dialdehyde: Giant Container-Shaped Macrocycles for Multiple Anion Binding.

The combination of 2,6-diformylpyridine and trans-1,2-diaminocyclopentane fragments results in 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, 6 + 6, and 8 + 8 macrocyclic imine condensation products. These imines can be reduced to the corresponding 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, 6 + 6, and 8 + 8 macrocyclic amines. The X-ray crystal structures of their protonated derivatives show a rich variety of macrocycle conformations ranging from a stepped 2 + 2 macrocycle to a multiply folded 8 + 8 macrocycle of globular shape. These compounds bind anions via hydrogen bonds: two chloride anions are bound above and below the macrocyclic ring of the 2 + 2 amine, one chloride anion is bound approximately in the center of the 3 + 3 macrocycle, and two chloride anions are deeply buried inside a folded container-shaped 4 + 4 macrocycle, while in the case of the previously reported 6 + 6 amine four chloride anions and two solvent molecules are buried inside a container-shaped macrocycle. Yet another situation was observed for a multiply folded protonated 8 + 8 macrocycle which binds six sulfate anions; two of them are deeply buried inside the container structure while four anions interact with the clefts at the surface of the container.

Contrasting enantioselective DNA preference: chiral helical macrocyclic lanthanide complex binding to DNA.

There is great interest in design and synthesis of small molecules which selectively target specific genes to inhibit biological functions in which particular DNA structures participate. Among these studies, chiral recognition has been received much attention because more evidences have shown that conversions of the chirality and diverse conformations of DNA are involved in a series of important life events. Here, we report that a pair of chiral helical macrocyclic lanthanide (III) complexes, (M)-Yb[L(SSSSSS)](3+) and (P)-Yb[L(RRRRRR)](3+), can enantioselectively bind to B-form DNA and show remarkably contrasting effects on GC-rich and AT-rich DNA. Neither of them can influence non-B-form DNA, nor quadruplex DNA stability. Our results clearly show that P-enantiomer stabilizes both poly(dG-dC)(2) and poly(dA-dT)(2) while M-enantiomer stabilizes poly(dA-dT)(2), however, destabilizes poly(dG-dC)(2). To our knowledge, this is the best example of chiral metal compounds with such contrasting preference on GC- and AT-DNA. Ligand selectively stabilizing or destabilizing DNA can interfere with protein-DNA interactions and potentially affect many crucial biological processes, such as DNA replication, transcription and repair. As such, bearing these unique capabilities, the chiral compounds reported here may shed light on the design of novel enantiomers targeting specific DNA with both sequence and conformation preference.

Anion and solvent induced chirality inversion in macrocyclic lanthanide complexes.

A series of the lanthanide(III) or yttrium(III) complexes of the type [LnL(NO3)(H2O)2](NO3)2, [LnL(NO3)(H2O)](NO3)2, [LnL(H2O)2](NO3)3, and [LnLCl(H2O)2]Cl2 where L is an all-R or all-S enantiomer (L(R) or L(S)) of the chiral hexaaza macrocycle, 2(R),7(R),18(R),23(R)- or 2(S),7(S),18(S),23(S)-1,8,15,17,24,31-hexaazatricyclo[25.3.1.1.0.0]-dotriaconta-10,12,14,26,28,30-hexaene, and Ln(III) = Sm(III), Tb(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), Lu(III), or Y(III), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystal structure of the free macrocycle shows a highly twisted molecule, preorganized for the formation of helical complexes. The crystal structures of the lanthanide(III) complexes show two different diastereomeric forms of the macrocycle with different configurations at the stereogenic amine nitrogen atoms: (RRRR) or (RSRS) (denoted as L(RI) and L(RII), respectively). The L(RI) diastereomeric form of the nitrate derivatives [LnL(NO3)(H2O)](NO3)2 (Ln = Ho, Er) and [LnL(H2O)2](NO3)3 (Ln = Tm, Yb, Lu) convert slowly to the L(RII) form in methanol or acetonitrile solutions, while this process is not observed for the L(RI) diastereomers of analogous chloride derivatives [LnL(H2O)2]Cl3 (Ln = Tm, Yb, Lu). On the other hand, the L(RI) → L(RII) conversion for these Tm(III), Yb(III), and Lu(III) chloride derivatives can be triggered by the addition of external nitrate anions. The circular dichroism (CD) and (1)H NMR data indicate initial fast exchange of axial chloride for axial nitrate ligand, followed by slow chirality inversion of the equatorial macrocyclic ligand.

Incorporation of trinuclear lanthanide(III) hydroxo bridged clusters in macrocyclic frameworks.

A cluster of lanthanide(III) or yttrium(III) ions, Ln3(µ3-OH)2, (Ln(III) = Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Yb(III), or Y(III)) can be bound in the center of a chiral macrocyclic amines H3L1(R), H3L1(S), and H3L2(S) obtained in a reduction of a 3 + 3 condensation product of (1R,2R)- or (1S,2S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol or 2,6-diformyl-4-tertbutylphenol. X-ray crystal structures of the Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Dy(III), and Y(III) complexes reveal trinuclear complexes with Ln(III) ions bridged by the phenolate oxygen atoms of the macrocycle as well as by µ3-hydroxo bridges. In the case of the Nd(III) ion, another complex form can be obtained, whose X-ray crystal structure reveals two trinuclear macrocyclic units additionally bridged by hydroxide anions, corresponding to a [Ln3(µ3-OH)]2(µ2-OH)2 cluster encapsulated by two macrocycles. The formation of trinuclear complexes is confirmed additionally by (1)H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS), and elemental analyses. Titrations of free macrocycles with Sm(III) or Y(III) salts and KOH also indicate that a trinuclear complex is formed in solution. On the other hand, analogous titrations with La(III) salt indicate that this kind of complex is not formed even with the excess of La(III) salt. The magnetic data for the trinuclear Gd(III) indicate weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -0.17 cm(-1)) between the Gd(III) ions. For the trinuclear Dy(III) and Tb(III) complexes the χ(M)T vs T plots indicate a more complicated dependence, resulting from the combination of thermal depopulation of mJ sublevels, magnetic anisotropy, and possibly weak antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions.

Solid state structures and solution behaviour of tetranuclear lanthanide(III) carbonate-bridged coordination compounds of chiral 3 + 3 amine macrocycle.

The linking of two dinuclear macrocyclic units of large triphenolic hexaazamine by two carbonate anions results in the formation of dimeric tetranuclear Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) complexes. These complexes were initially obtained serendipitously by fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide and subsequently obtained in a rational way by the application of carbonate salts. The X-ray crystal structures of these isomorphic complexes show highly folded conformation of the macrocycle. This type of conformation is also confirmed by 2D NMR spectra of the Sm(III) complex. The ESI-MS and NMR spectra reveal also that these carbonate complexes exist in solution in two different forms that are in a concentration-dependent dynamic equilibrium.

Enantiomeric self-recognition in homo- and heterodinuclear macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes.

The controlled formation of lanthanide(III) dinuclear µ-hydroxo-bridged [Ln(2)L(2)(µ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes (where X = H(2)O, NO(3)(-), or Cl(-)) of the enantiopure chiral macrocycle L is reported. The (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances of these complexes have been assigned on the basis of COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, and HMQC spectra. The observed NOE connectivities confirm that the dimeric solid-state structure is retained in solution. The enantiomeric nature of the obtained chiral complexes and binding of hydroxide anions are reflected in their CD spectra. The formation of the dimeric complexes is accompanied by a complete enantiomeric self-recognition of the chiral macrocyclic units. The reaction of NaOH with a mixture of two different mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(1)L](3+) and [Ln(2)L](3+), results in formation of the heterodinuclear [Ln(1)Ln(2)L(2)(µ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes as well as the corresponding homodinuclear complexes. The formation of the heterodinuclear complex is directly confirmed by the NOESY spectra of [EuLuL(2)(µ-OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](4+), which reveal close contacts between the macrocyclic unit containing the Eu(III) ion and the macrocyclic unit containing the Lu(III) ion. While the relative amounts of homo- and heterodinuclear complexes are statistical for the two lanthanide(III) ions of similar radii, a clear preference for the formation of heterodinuclear species is observed when the two mononuclear complexes contain lanthanide(III) ions of markedly different sizes, e.g., La(III) and Yb(III). The formation of heterodinuclear complexes is accompanied by the self-sorting of the chiral macrocyclic units based on their chirality. The reactions of NaOH with a pair of homochiral or racemic mononuclear complexes, [Ln(1)L(RRRR)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(RRRR)](3+), [Ln(1)L(SSSS)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(SSSS)](3+), or [Ln(1)L(rac)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(rac)](3+), results in mixtures of homochiral, homodinuclear and homochiral, heterodinuclear complexes. On the contrary, no heterochiral, heterodinuclear complexes [Ln(1)L(RRRR)Ln(2)L(SSSS)(µ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) are formed in the reactions of two different mononuclear complexes of opposite chirality.

Chirality transfer between hexaazamacrocycles in heterodinuclear rare earth complexes.

Both the chiral hexaazamacrocyle L1 based on trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and the achiral hexaazamacrocyle L2 based on ethylenediamine form lanthanide(iii) dinuclear µ-hydroxo bridged complexes which have been characterized by NMR and CD spectroscopy. The homodinuclear complexes of the type [Ln2(L1)2(µ-OH)2](NO3)4 (Ln = NdIII, EuIII, TbIII and YbIII) have been synthesized in the enantiopure form and the X-ray crystal structures of NdIII, EuIII and YbIII derivatives have been determined. The heterodinuclear cationic complexes [Ln(L1)Ln'(L2)(µ-OH)2X2]n+ have been generated and characterized in solution by using the mononuclear complexes of L1 and L2 as substrates. While the formation of [LnLn'(L1)2(µ-OH)2X2]n+ dinuclear complexes is accompanied by chiral narcissistic self-sorting, the formation of [Ln(L1)Ln'(L2)(µ-OH)2X2]n+ dinuclear complexes is accompanied by the sizable sociable self-sorting of macrocyclic units. The homodinuclear complexes [Y2(L1)2(µ-OH)2X2]n+ and [Ln2(L2)2(µ-OH)2X2]n+ (Ln = DyIII, PrIII and NdIII) are CD silent in the visible region due to the lack of f-f transitions and the presence of an achiral ligand, respectively. In contrast, the heterodinuclear [Y(L1S)Ln(L2)(µ-OH)2X2]n+ complexes give rise to CD signals arising from the f-f transitions because of the chirality transfer from the L1 macrocyclic unit to the L2 macrocyclic unit.

Helical lanthanide(III) complexes with chiral nonaaza macrocycle.

The chiral nonaazamacrocyclic amine L, which is a reduction product of the 3 + 3 Schiff base macrocycle, wraps around the lanthanide(III) ions to form enantiopure helical complexes. These Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Er(III), Yb(III) and Lu(III) complexes have been isolated in enantiopure form and have been characterized by spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystal structures of the Ln(III) complexes with L show that the thermodynamic product of the complexation of the RRRRRR-isomer of the macrocycle is the (M)-helical complex in the case of Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III) and Eu(III). In contrast, the (P)-helical complex is the thermodynamic product in the case of Yb(III) and Lu(III). The NMR and CD spectra show that the (M)-helicity for the kinetic complexation product of the RRRRRR-isomer of the macrocycle is preferred for all investigated lanthanide(III) ions, while the preferred helicity of the thermodynamic product is (M) for the early lanthanide(III) ions and (P) for the late lanthanide(III) ions. In the case of the late lanthanide(III) ions, a slow inversion of helicity between the kinetic (M)-helical product and the thermodynamic (P)-helical product is observed in solution. For Er(III), Yb(III) and Lu(III) both forms have been isolated in pure form and characterized by NMR and CD. The analysis of 2D NMR spectra of the Lu(III) complex reveals the NOE correlations that prove that the helical structure is retained in solution. The NMR spectra also reveal large isotopic effect on the 1H NMR shifts of paramagnetic Ln(III) complexes, related to NH/ND exchange. Photophysical measurements show that L(RRRRRR) appears to favor an efficient 3pipi*-to-Ln energy transfer process taking place for Eu(III) and Tb(III), but these Eu(III)- and Tb(III)-containing complexes with L(RRRRRR) lead to small luminescent quantum yields due to an incomplete intersystem crossing (isc) transfer, a weak efficiency of the luminescence sensitization by the ligand, and/or efficient nonradiative deactivation processes. Circularly polarized luminescence on the MeOH solutions of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes confirms the presence of stable chiral emitting species and the observation of almost perfect mirror-image CPL spectra for these compounds with both enantiomeric forms of L.

Lanthanide complexes of the heterochiral nonaaza macrocycle: switching the orientation of the helix axis.

The La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), and Eu(III) complexes of the racemic heterochiral nonaaza macrocyclic amine L have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of the [PrL][Pr(NO(3))(6)].CH(3)OH and the isomorphic [NdL][Nd(NO(3))(6)].CH(3)OH complexes show that all nine nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle coordinate to the Ln(3+) ion, completing its coordination sphere. The macrocycle wraps tightly around the metal ion in double-helical fashion. The structures reveal the RRRRSS/SSSSRR configuration at the stereogenic carbon atoms of the three cyclohexane rings, confirming the heterochiral nature of the parent 3 + 3 macrocycle obtained in the condensation of racemic trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformylpyridine. The NMR spectra of the isolated complexes indicate the presence of low C(1) symmetry [LnL](3+) complexes. The same symmetry is indicated by the X-ray crystal structures of Pr(III) and Nd(III) complexes, which show that for the RRRRSS enantiomer of the macrocycle L, the helix axis passes through the cyclohexane ring of RR chirality and the opposite pyridine ring. The NMR studies of complex formation in solution by the paramagnetic Pr(3+) and Eu(3+) ions indicate that the initially formed [LnL](3+) complexes are of C(2) symmetry. For the RRRRSS enantiomer of the macrocycle L in the C(2)-symmetric species, the helix axis passes through the cyclohexane ring of SS chirality and the opposite pyridine ring. The C(1)-symmetric and C(2)-symmetric forms of the [LnL](3+) complexes constitute a new kind of isomers and the conversion of the kinetic complexation product of C(2) symmetry into the thermodynamic product of C(1) symmetry corresponds to an unprecedented switching of the orientation of the helix axis within the macrocycle framework.

Chiral 2 + 3 Keto-Enamine Pseudocyclophanes Derived from 1,3,5-Triformylphloroglucinol.

The reactions of 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol with (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, or (R)-2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl result in the formation of enantiopure [2 + 3] keto-enamine condensation products, in contrast to analogous reactions of 1,3,5-triformylbenzene, where [4 + 6] Schiff base cages are formed. The X-ray crystal structure of the diaminocyclohexane 2 + 3 derivative as well as modeled structures of other compounds of this type show cyclophane-like molecules with close contact between the phloroglucinol rings. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirm that there is a sizable π-π interaction between these rings influencing the conformation of these molecules.

Multinuclear Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes of chiral macrocyclic nonaazamine.

The chiral macrocyclic amines R-L and S-L derived from the 3 + 3 condensation of 2,6-diformylpyridine and (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane or (1S,2S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane form enantiopure trinuclear Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes [Ni3(L)(H2O)2Cl5]Cl and [Cu3(L)Cl4]Cl2 and form the dinuclear complex [Zn2(L)Cl2](ZnCl4) with Zn(ii). The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes indicate remarkably different conformations of the ligand and different binding modes of the chloride anions. The structure of the copper(ii) derivative [Cu3(R-L)Cl4]Cl2·CH3CN·7.5(H2O) indicates unsymmetrical conformation of the macrocycle with three dissimilar pentacoordinate copper(ii) ions bridged by chloride; the structure of [Ni3(R-L)(H2O)2Cl5]Cl·0.4CH3CN·4.2H2O is somewhat more symmetrical, with three Ni(ii) ions of distorted octahedral geometry, also bridged by a common chloride anion. On the other hand, the macrocycle is highly folded in [Zn2(R-L)Cl2](ZnCl4)·CHCl3·0.8CH3OH·3.7H2O, forming a cleft where the third Zn(ii) ion is held via electrostatic interactions as the ZnCl42- anion. The magnetic data for [Cu3(R-L)Cl4]Cl2 indicate the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions within the quasi isosceles tricopper(ii) core (J = -85.6 cm-1, j = 77.1 cm-1). Compound [Ni3(R-L)(H2O)2Cl5]Cl shows the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -2.56 cm-1, j = -1.54 cm-1) between the three Ni(ii) ions.

Lanthanide(III) and lead(II) complexes of a chiral nonaaza macrocyclic amine based on 1,2-diaminocyclopentane.

The macrocyclic nonaaza 3 + 3 amine based on diaminocyclopentane forms enantiopure helical complexes with lanthanide(III) ions. In contrast to analogous complexes based on 1,2-trans-diaminocyclohexane, no clear helicity process is observed. Crystal structures of these compounds show tight helical wrapping of the macrocycle around the lanthanide(III) ion leading to the formation of a double helix. In contrast, more "open" conformation is observed for the free macrocycle. Similar double-helical conformation of the ligand was also observed for the lead(II) complex. In the case of this complex the NMR spectra indicate a dynamic process in which the C2-symmetric molecule observed in the solid state gives rise to an effective, averaged D3-symmetry in solution at elevated temperatures.

Expansion of a 2 + 2 macrocycle into a 6 + 6 macrocycle: template effect of cadmium(II).

The reaction of trans-1,2-diaminocyclopentane with 2,6-diformylpyridine results in formation of 2 + 2, 3 + 3, and 4 + 4 Schiff base macrocycles as well as trace amounts of 6 + 6 and 8 + 8 macrocycles. In contrast, the 6 + 6 Schiff base macrocycle is a dominant product of the reaction of the isolated 2 + 2 macrocycle with excess of cadmium(II) chloride. The X-ray crystal structure of the protonated amine derivative of the 6 + 6 macrocycle reveals an unusual container-like conformation with the S6 axis.

Enantioselective cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA catalyzed by chiral macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes.

The enantiomers of the Sm (III), Eu (III) and Yb (III) complexes [LnL(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) of a chiral hexaazamacrocycle were tested as catalysts for the hydrolytic cleavage of supercoiled plasmid DNA. The catalytic activity was remarkably enantioselective; while the [LnL(SSSS)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) enantiomers promoted the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 from the supercoiled form (SC) to the nicked form (NC), the [LnL(RRRR)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) enantiomers were inactive. Kinetics of plasmid DNA hydrolysis was also investigated by agarose electrophoresis and it indicated typical single-exponential cleavage reaction. The hydrolytic mechanism of DNA cleavage was confirmed by the successful ligation of hydrolysis product by T4 ligase. The NMR study of the solutions of the complexes in various buffers indicated that the complexes exist as monomeric cationic complexes [LnL(H(2)O)(3)](3+) in slightly acidic solutions and as dimeric cationic complexes [Ln(2)L(2)(µ-OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](4+) in slightly basic 8mM solutions, with the latter form being a possible catalyst for hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds.