Synthesis, Crystallographic Structure, Theoretical Analysis, Molecular Docking Studies, and Biological Activity Evaluation of Binuclear Ru(II)-1-Naphthylhydrazine Complex.

Ruthenium(II)-arene complexes have gained significant research interest due to their possible application in cancer therapy. In this contribution two new complexes are described, namely [{RuCl(η6-p-cymene)}2(µ-Cl)(µ-1-N,N'-naphthyl)]X (X = Cl, 1; PF6, 2), which were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental microanalysis. Furthermore, the structure of 2 in the solid state was determined by a single crystal X-ray crystallographic study, confirming the composition of the crystals as 2·2MeOH. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed for the investigation of interactions that govern the crystal structure of 2·2MeOH. The structural data for 2 out of 2·2MeOH was used for the theoretical analysis of the cationic part [{RuCl(η6-p-cymene)}2(µ-Cl)(µ-1-N,N'-naphthyl)]+ (2a) which is common to both 1 and 2. The density functional theory, at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) basis set for H, C, N, and Cl atoms and LanL2DZ for Ru ions, was used for the optimization of the 2a structure. The natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses were employed to quantify the intramolecular interactions. The reproduction of experimental IR and NMR spectra proved the applicability of the chosen level of theory. The binding of 1 to bovine serum albumin was examined by spectrofluorimetry and molecular docking, with complementary results obtained. Compound 1 acted as a radical scavenger towards DPPH• and HO• radicals, along with high activity towards cancer prostate and colon cell lines.

Total Synthesis via Biomimetic Late-Stage Heterocyclization: Assignment of the Relative Configuration and Biological Evaluation of the Nitraria Alkaloid (±)-Nitrabirine.

The racemic total synthesis of nitrabirine (5) together with its previously undescribed epimer 2-epi nitrabirine (5') is accomplished via a six-step route based on a biomimetic late-stage heterocyclization. This allowed the assignment of the relative configuration of nitrabirine by the lanthanide-induced shifts (LIS) experiment, which was later on confirmed by X-ray diffraction of obtained single crystals. Furthermore, oxidation studies demonstrated that the direct N-oxidation of nitrabirine does not yield nitrabirine N-oxide as reported earlier. In contrast, the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with nitrabirine (5) yields the salt 24', whereas 2-epi nitrabirine (5') surprisingly leads to a previously uncharacterized product 22 under the same conditions. Finally, a Fischer indole reaction gave access to novel tetracyclic nitrabirine derivatives 26a-d. A comprehensive biological evaluation of nitrabirine (5), 2-epi nitrabirine (5'), and all derivatives synthesized in this study revealed general biofilm dispersal effects against Candida albicans. Moreover, specific compounds showed moderate antibacterial activities as well as potent cytotoxic activities.

Arene Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing the κ-P or κ-P,κ-S Ph2P(CH2)3SPh Ligand.

Neutral [Ru(η6-arene)Cl2{Ph2P(CH2)3SPh-κP}] (arene = benzene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene: 2a, 2c and 2d) and cationic [Ru(η6-arene)Cl(Ph2P(CH2)3SPh-κP,κS)]X complexes (arene = mesitylene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = Cl: 3b, 3e; arene = benzene, mesitylene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, and 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = PF6: 4a-4e) complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy and also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The stability of the complexes has been investigated in DMSO. Complexes have been assessed for their cytotoxic activity against 518A2, 8505C, A253, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines. Generally, complexes exhibited activity in the lower micromolar range; moreover, they are found to be more active than cisplatin. For the most active ruthenium(II) complex, 4b, bearing mesitylene as ligand, the mechanism of action against 8505C cisplatin resistant cell line was determined. Complex 4b induced apoptosis accompanied by caspase activation.

Ferrocenyl-Pyrenes, Ferrocenyl-9,10-Phenanthrenediones, and Ferrocenyl-9,10-Dimethoxyphenanthrenes: Charge-Transfer Studies and SWCNT Functionalization.

The synthesis of 1-Fc- (3), 1-Br-6-Fc- (5 a), 2-Br-7-Fc- (7 a), 1,6-Fc2 - (5 b), 2,7-Fc2 -pyrene (7 b), 3,6-Fc2 -9,10-phenanthrenedione (10), and 3,6-Fc2 -9,10-dimethoxyphenanthrene (12; Fc=Fe(η5 -C5 H4 )(η5 -C5 H5 )) is discussed. Of these compounds, 10 and 12 form 1D or 2D coordination polymers in the solid state. (Spectro)Electrochemical studies confirmed reversible Fc/Fc+ redox events between -130 and 160 mV. 1,6- and 2,7-Substitution in 5 a (E°'=-130 mV) and 7 a (E°'=50 mV) influences the redox potentials, whereas the ones of 5 b and 7 b (E°'=20 mV) are independent. Compounds 5 b, 7 b, 10, and 12 show single Fc oxidation processes with redox splittings between 70 and 100 mV. UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry confirmed a weak electron transfer between FeII /FeIII in mixed-valent [5 b]+ and [12]+ . DFT calculations showed that 5 b non-covalently interacts with the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) sidewalls as proven by, for example, disentangling experiments. In addition, CV studies of the as-obtained dispersions confirmed exohedral attachment of 5 b at the SWCNTs.

From a Cerium-Doped Polynuclear Bismuth Oxido Cluster to ß-Bi2O3:Ce.

The simultaneous hydrolysis of Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and Ce(NO3)3·6H2O results in the formation of novel heterometallic bismuth oxido clusters with the general formula [Bi38O45(NO3)24(DMSO)28+δ]:Ce (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide; cerium content <1.50%), which is demonstrated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The incorporation of cerium into the cluster core is a result of the interplay of hydrolysis and condensation of the metal nitrates in the presence of oxygen. Diffuse-reflectance UV-vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the presence of CeIV in the final bismuth oxido clusters as a result of oxidation of the cerium source. The cerium atoms are statistically distributed mainly on the bismuth atom positions of the central [Bi6O9] motif of the [Bi38O45] cluster core. Hydrolysis and subsequent annealing of the bismuth oxido clusters in the temperature range of 300-400 °C provides ß-Bi2O3:Ce samples with slightly lowered band gaps of approximately 2.3 eV compared to the undoped ß-Bi2O3 (approximately 2.4 eV). The sintering behavior of ß-Bi2O3 is significantly affected by the cerium dopant. Finally, differences in the efficiency of the as-prepared ß-Bi2O3:Ce and undoped ß-Bi2O3 samples in the photocatalytic decomposition of the biocide triclosan in an aqueous solution under visible-light irradiation are demonstrated.

Evaluation of bismuth-based dispersion energy donors - synthesis, structure and theoretical study of 2-biphenylbismuth(iii) derivatives.

A series of 2-biphenyl bismuth(iii) compounds of the type (2-PhC6H4)3-nBiXn [n = 0 (1); n = 1, X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), Me (5); n = 2, X = Cl (6), Br (7), I (8)] has been synthesized and analyzed with focus on intramolecular London dispersion interactions. The library of the compounds was set up in order to investigate the Biπ arene interaction by systematic variation of X. The structural analysis in the solid state revealed that the triarylbismuth(iii) compound 1 shows an encapsulation of the metal atom but the distances between the bismuth atom and the phenyl centroids amount to values close to or larger than 4.0 Å, which is considered to be a rather week dispersion interaction. In the case of monomeric diorganobismuth(iii) compounds 2-5 the moderate crowding effectively hinders the formation of intermolecular donor-acceptor interactions, but allows for intramolecular dispersion-type interactions with the 2-biphenyl ligand. In contrast, the structures of the monoorganobismuth compounds 6-8 show the formation of Bi-XBi donor-acceptor bonds leading to the formation of 1D ribbons in the solid state. These coordination bonds are accompanied by intermolecular dispersion interactions with BiPhcentroid distances < 4.0 Å. In solution the diorganobismuth(iii) halides 2-4 show a broadening of their NMR signals (H-8, H-8' and H-9, H-9' protons of the 2-biphenyl ligand), which is a result of dynamic processes including ligand rotation. For further elucidation of these processes compounds 2, 4 and 7 were studied by temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy. Electronic structure calculations at the density functional theory and DLPNO-coupled cluster level of theory were applied to investigate and quantify the intramolecular London dispersion interactions, in an attempt to distinguish between basic intramolecular interactions and packing effects and to shed light on the dynamic behavior in solution.

Anthracene-Based Cyclophanes with Selective Fluorescent Responses for TTP and GTP: Insights into Recognition and Sensing Mechanisms.

Three anthracene-based cyclophanes were synthesized and their binding properties towards nucleoside triphosphates were studied. A new polycyclic amine derived from dearomatized anthracene was identified as a major side product in the cyclization reaction between 9,10-anthracenedicarboxaldehyde and diethylenetriamine. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The cyclophanes were found to form 1:1 complexes with all nucleoside triphosphates as well as with pyrophosphate in a buffered aqueous solution at pH 6.2. A turn-on fluorescence response was observed for all nucleotides except for GTP, which demonstrated strong fluorescence quenching. The strongest turn-on fluorescence was observed for the largest receptor 3 in the presence of thymidine triphosphate (TTP). Based on the NMR and fluorescence experiments, two major binding modes for nucleotide complexes were identified.

Straightforward Design of Fluorescent Receptors for Sulfate: Study of Non-Covalent Interactions Contributing to Host-Guest Formation.

A straightforward design of receptors for binding and sensing of sulfate in aqueous medium was developed. The design involves the connection of two naphthalimide-based pH probes through a hydrogen-bonding motif. The structure of the receptor-sulfate complex, predicted by DFT calculations, was unambiguously confirmed by NMR measurements. There are three major interactions stabilizing the host-guest complex: electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and stacking interactions of the dyes. Study of two control receptors containing either one dye or methyl amide groups instead of amides, revealed that electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions contribute the most to affinity and selectivity of receptors. The receptors can detect sulfate in a 1:1 THF-buffer mixture in pH window 3.6-4.5 demonstrating up to 7-fold fluorescence enhancement. To the best of our knowledge, the reported PET (photoinduced electron transfer) anion probes possess the largest response for sulfate in aqueous solution yet described.

Homo- and Heteroleptic Coordination Polymers and Oxido Clusters of Bismuth(III) Vinylsulfonates.

The synthesis and characterization of six homo- and heteroleptic coordination polymers and oxido clusters of bismuth(III) vinylsulfonates are reported. The solvent-mediated reaction of BiPh3 and vinylsulfonic acid in ethanol produces [{Ph2 Bi(O3 SCH=CH2 )}n ] (1), which crystallizes as a one-dimensional coordination polymer as a result of bridging sulfonato ligands accompanied by intermolecular Bi⋅⋅⋅ π(arene) London dispersion interactions. In solution, compound 1 equilibrates to give [{PhBi(O3 SCH=CH2 )2 }n ] (2) and BiPh3 . Compound 2 is obtained as a single product by the reaction of BiPh3 with vinylsulfonic acid in acetonitrile and crystallizes as a one-dimensional coordination polymer. The homoleptic vinylsulfonate [{Bi(O3 SCH=CH2 )3 }n ] (3) was isolated as a two-dimensional coordination polymer, which is quite moisture sensitive, but did not provide a distinct polynuclear bismuth oxido cluster upon hydrolysis. However, by treatment of [Bi6 O4 (OH)4 (NO3 )6 ]⋅H2 O or [Bi38 O45 (OMc)24 (dmso)9 (H2 O)2 ]⋅2 DMSO⋅5 H2 O (OMc=methacrylate) with vinylsulfonic acid, such a cluster, namely, [Bi9 O7 (OH)(O3 SCH=CH2 )11 (dmso)11 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )⋅3 DMSO (4), is available as the main product. Starting from the hexanuclear bismuth oxido nitrate, another cluster, [Bi38 O45 (NO3 )8 (O3 SCH=CH2 )14 (dmso)18 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )2 ⋅2 DMSO (5), was observed as a co-crystallizing side product, which upon further hydrolysis afforded [Bi38 O45 (NO3 )6 (OH)4 (O3 SCH=CH2 )12 (dmso)23 (H2 O)2 ](O3 SCH=CH2 )2 ⋅2 H2 O (6).

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Marine Bromotyrosine Purpurealidin I and Its Derivatives.

The first total synthesis of the marine bromotyrosine purpurealidin I (1) using trifluoroacetoxy protection group and its dimethylated analog (29) is reported along with 16 simplified bromotyrosine derivatives lacking the tyramine moiety. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated against the human malignant melanoma cell line (A-375) and normal skin fibroblast cells (Hs27) together with 33 purpurealidin-inspired simplified amides, and the structure⁻activity relationships were investigated. The synthesized simplified analogs without the tyramine part retained the cytotoxic activity. Purpurealidin I (1) showed no selectivity but its simplified pyridin-2-yl derivative (36) had the best improvement in selectivity (Selectivity index 4.1). This shows that the marine bromotyrosines are promising scaffolds for developing cytotoxic agents and the full understanding of the elements of their SAR and improving the selectivity requires further optimization of simplified bromotyrosine derivatives.

Evaluation of dispersion type metal···π arene interaction in arylbismuth compounds - an experimental and theoretical study.

The dispersion type Bi···π arene interaction is one of the important structural features in the assembly process of arylbismuth compounds. Several triarylbismuth compounds and polymorphs are discussed and compared based on the analysis of single crystal X-ray diffraction data and computational studies. First, the crystal structures of polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1) are described emphasizing on the description of London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions and other van der Waals interactions in the solid state and the effect of it on polymorphism. For comparison we have chosen the substituted arylbismuth compounds (C6H4-CH═CH2-4)3Bi (2), (C6H4-OMe-4)3Bi (3), (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)3Bi (4) and (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)2BiCl (5). The structural analyses revealed that only two of them show London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions. One of them is the styryl derivative 2, for which two polymorphs were isolated. Polymorph 2a crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121, while polymorph 2b exhibits the monoclinic space group P21/c. The general structure of 2a is similar to the monoclinic C2/c modification of Ph3Bi (1a), which leads to the formation of zig-zag Bi-arenecentroid ribbons formed as a result of bismuth···π arene interactions and π···π intermolecular contacts. In the crystal structures of the polymorph 2b as well as for 4 bismuth···π arene interactions are not observed, but both compounds revealed C-HPh···π intermolecular contacts, as likewise observed in all of the three described polymorphs of Ph3Bi. For compound 3 intermolecular contacts as a result of coordination of the methoxy group to neighboring bismuth atoms are observed overruling Bi···π arene contacts. Compound 5 shows a combination of donor acceptor Bi···Cl and Bi···π arene interactions, resulting in an intermolecular pincer-type coordination at the bismuth atom. A detailed analysis of three polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1), which were chosen as model systems, at the DFT-D level of theory supported by DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations reveals how van der Waals interactions between different structural features balance in order to stabilize molecular arrangements present in the crystal structure. Furthermore, the computational results allow to group this class of compounds into the range of heavy main group element compounds which have been characterized as dispersion energy donors in previous work.

Tricyanomethane and Its Ketenimine Tautomer: Generation from Different Precursors and Analysis in Solution, Argon Matrix, and as a Single Crystal.

Solutions of azidomethylidenemalononitrile were photolyzed at low temperatures to produce the corresponding 2H-azirine and tricyanomethane, which were analyzed by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The latter product was also observed after short thermolysis of the azide precursor in solution whereas irradiation of the azide isolated in an argon matrix did not lead to tricyanomethane, but to unequivocal detection of the tautomeric ketenimine by IR spectroscopy for the first time. When the long-known "aquoethereal" greenish phase generated from potassium tricyanomethanide, dilute sulfuric acid, and diethyl ether was rapidly evaporated and sublimed, a mixture of hydronium tricyanomethanide and tricyanomethane was formed instead of the previously claimed ketenimine tautomer. Under special conditions of sublimation, single crystals of tricyanomethane could be isolated, which enabled the analysis of the molecular structure by X-ray diffraction.

Interactions of Enolizable Barbiturate Dyes.

The specific barbituric acid dyes 1-n-butyl-5-(2,4-dinitro-phenyl) barbituric acid and 1-n-butyl-5-{4-[(1,3-dioxo-1H-inden-(3 H)-ylidene)methyl]phenyl}barbituric acid were used to study complex formation with nucleobase derivatives and related model compounds. The enol form of both compounds shows a strong bathochromic shift of the UV/Vis absorption band compared to the rarely coloured keto form. The keto-enol equilibria of the five studied dyes are strongly dependent on the properties of the environment as shown by solvatochromic studies in ionic liquids and a set of organic solvents. Enol form development of the barbituric acid dyes is also associated with alteration of the hydrogen bonding pattern from the ADA to the DDA type (A=hydrogen bond acceptor site, D=donor site). Receptor-induced altering of ADA towards DDA hydrogen bonding patterns of the chromophores are utilised to study supramolecular complex formation. As complementary receptors 9-ethyladenine, 1-n-butylcytosine, 1-n-butylthymine, 9-ethylguanidine and 2,6-diacetamidopiridine were used. The UV/Vis spectroscopic response of acid-base reaction compared to supramolecular complex formation is evaluated by (1)H NMR titration experiments and X-ray crystal structure analyses. An increased acidity of the barbituric acid derivative promotes genuine salt formation. In contrast, supramolecular complex formation is preferred for the weaker acidic barbituric acid.

Diamondoid Structure in a Metal-Organic Framework of Fe4 Single-Molecule Magnets.

A 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) having single-molecule magnet (SMM) linkers was prepared in crystalline form by using a tetrairon(III) complex functionalised with two divergent pyridyl groups, namely [Fe4 (pPy)2 (dpm)6 ] (1; H3 pPy=2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)propane-1,3-diol, Hdpm=dipivaloylmethane). Reaction of 1 with silver(I) perchlorate afforded {[Fe4 (pPy)2 (dpm)6 ]2 Ag}ClO4 (2), which crystallises in a cubic face-centred lattice and exhibits two interlocked diamondoid networks. In 2, the SMMs act as linear ditopic synthons, and silver(I) ions as tetrahedral nodes coordinated by four pyridyl nitrogen atoms. The magnetic properties of 1 (S=5 and D≈-0.4 cm(-1) in the ground spin state) are largely preserved in 2, which shows slow magnetic relaxation with an anisotropy barrier of Ueff /kB =11.46(10) K in zero field and 14.25(8) K in an applied field of 1 kOe. However, crystal symmetry triggers highly noncollinear magnetic anisotropy contributions oriented at 109.47° from each other along the threefold axes of AgN4 tetrahedra, a unique scenario fully confirmed by a single-crystal cantilever torque magnetometry investigation. Magnetisation curves down to 0.03 K demonstrated the occurrence of a wide hysteresis loop when the magnetic field was swept along one of the four Ag-N bonds. By symmetry, the crystalline compound can then be persistently magnetised parallel or antiparallel to the four main diagonals of the unit cell, although the crystals have no overall second-order anisotropy.

Iron-bismuth halido compounds: molecules, clusters, and polymers.

The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl substituted iron-bismuth halides [Bi{FeCp*(CO)2}X2] [X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3); Cp* = η(5)-C5Me5] were synthesized starting from [FeCp*(CO)2]2 and BiX3 (X = Cl, Br), followed by halogen exchange reaction with KI in case of 3. From a reaction mixture of [FeCp*(CO)2]2 with BiCl3 in CH2Cl2 to which CH3CN had been added, a novel coordination polymer of the formula [FeCp*(CO)2(CH3CN)]2n[Bi4Cl14]n (4) was isolated. The change of the molar ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 in the reaction of [FeCp*(CO)2]2 with BiBr3 afforded the novel ionic complex [{FeCp*(CO)2Br]2[Bi6Br22{FeCp*(CO)2}]·CH2Cl2 (5·CH2Cl2). It is demonstrated that treatment of [FeCp*(CO)2X] (X = Cl, Br) with BiCl3 and BiBr3, respectively, is a more convenient route to synthesize the new halido bismuthates 4 and 5.

Synthesis with perfect atom economy: generation of furan derivatives by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of acetylenedicarboxylates at cyclooctynes.

Cyclooctyne and cycloocten-5-yne undergo, at room temperature, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 1a,b to generate furan-derived short-lived intermediates 2, which can be trapped by two additional equivalents of 1a,b or alternatively by methanol, phenol, water or aldehydes to yield polycyclic products 3b-d, orthoesters 4a-c, ketones 5 or epoxides 6a,b, respectively. Treatment of bis(trimethylsilyl) acetylenedicarboxylate (1c) with cyclooctyne leads to the ketone 7 via retro-Brook rearrangement of the dipolar intermediate 2c. In all cases, the products are formed with perfect atom economy.

Crystal structure of cyclo-bis-(µ4-2,2-di-allyl-malonato-κ(6) O (1),O (3):O (3):O (1'),O (3'):O (1'))tetra-kis-(triphenyl-phosphane-κP)tetra-silver(I).

In the tetra-nuclear mol-ecule of the title compound, [Ag4(C9H10O4)2(C18H15P)4], the Ag(I) ion is coordinated by one P and three O atoms in a considerably distorted tetra-hedral environment. The two 2,2-di-allyl-malonate anions bridge four Ag(I) ions in a µ4-(κ(6) O (1),O (3):O (3):O (1'),O (3'):O (1')) mode, setting up an Ag4O8P4 core (point group symmetry -4..) of corner-sharing tetra-hedra. The shortest intra-molecular Ag⋯Ag distance of 3.9510 (3) Šreveals that no direct d (10)⋯d (10) inter-actions are present. Four weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed in the crystal structure of the title compound, which most likely stabilize the tetra-nuclear silver core.

Ferrocenyl-triazole complexes and their use in heavy metal cation sensing.

Complexes tris((1-ferrocenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)amine (3), bis((1-ferrocenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)amine (6), bis((1-ferrocenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)ether (7), and 1-ferrocenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanamine (9) were synthesized using the copper-catalyzed click reaction. Complexes 3, 6, 7, and 9 were characterized using NMR (1H and 13{1H}) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. Structures of 3, 7, and 9 in the solid state were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was found that the triazole rings were planar and slightly twisted with respect to the cyclopentadienyl groups attached to them. Chains and 3D network structures were observed due to the presence of π⋯π and C-H⋯N interactions between the cyclopentadienyl and triazole ligands. A reversible redox behavior of the Fc groups between 239 and 257 mV with multicycle stability was characteristic for all the compounds, revealing that the electrochemically generated species Fc+ remained soluble in dichloromethane. Electrochemical sensor tests demonstrated the applicability of all the complexes to enhance the quantification sensing behavior of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) toward Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ ions.

(Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)chloridoiridium(III) Complex Bearing Bidentate Ph2PCH2CH2SPh-κP,κS Ligand.

The (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)chloridoiridium(III) complex bearing a κP,κS-bonded Ph2PCH2CH2SPh ligand ([Ir(η5-C5Me5)Cl(Ph2P(CH2)2SPh-κP,κS)]PF6, (1)] was synthesized and characterized. Multinuclear (1H, 13C and 31P) NMR spectroscopy was employed for the determination of the structure. Moreover, SC-XRD confirmed the proposed structure belongs to the "piano stool" type. The Hirshfeld surface analysis outlined the most important intermolecular interactions in the structure. The crystallographic structure was optimized at the B3LYP-D3BJ/6-311++G(d,p)(H,C,P,S,Cl)/LanL2DZ(Ir) level of theory. The applicability of this level was verified through a comparison of experimental and theoretical bond lengths and angles, and 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts. The Natural Bond Orbital theory was used to identify and quantify the intramolecular stabilization interactions, especially those between donor atoms and Ir(III) ions. Complex 1 was tested on antitumor activity against five human tumor cell lines: MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma, SW480 colon adenocarcinoma, 518A2 melanoma, 8505C human thyroid carcinoma and A253 submandibular carcinoma. Complex 1 showed superior antitumor activity against cisplatin-resistant MCF-7, SW480 and 8505C cell lines. The mechanism of tumoricidal action on 8505C cells indicates the involvement of caspase-induced apoptosis, accompanied by a considerable reduction in ROS/RNS and proliferation potential of treated cells.

Cobalt(III)-containing penta-dentate "helmet"-type phthalogens: synthesis, solid-state structures and their thermal and electrochemical characterization.

Treatment of unsubstituted and substituted phthalonitrile (1a-d) with appropriate equivalents of sodium methoxide and ammonia afforded the corresponding 1,3-diiminoisoindolines (2a-d), which were converted to cobalt(III)-containing penta-dentate "helmet"-type phthalogens (3a-d) by the reaction with CoCl2·6H2O as templating agent in the inert solvent 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. The identities of 2a-d and 3a-d were established by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). A computational study was performed to determine the most stable tautomeric form of 2a-c in the gas phase. The solid-state structures of 2b and 2c were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) studies to confirm their existence in the stereoisomeric anti-form, which is aligned with quantum chemical computations. SC-XRD studies of 3a and 3b revealed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry around the CoIII ions which are coordinated by five N-donor atoms and one extra co-ligand, resulting in a coordination environment of CoN5Cl (3a) and CoN5O (3b), respectively. The thermal stabilities of 2a-d and 3a-d were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in the temperature range of 40-500 °C and 40-800 °C, respectively, revealing that 3a-d were converted to the parent cobalt(II)-containing phthalocyanines (4a-d), which was verified independently by furnace heating experiments. Moreover, the electrochemical behavior of 3a was studied exemplarily for the phthalogens by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. This study showed that 4a (CoPc) is formed irreversibly by reducing 3a electrochemically.