Synthesis, structural characterization, and pro-apoptotic activity of 1-indanone thiosemicarbazone platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes: potential as antileukemic agents

In the search for alternative chemotherapeutic strategies against leukemia, various 1‐indanone thiosemicarbazones, as well as eight novel platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes, with the formula [MCl₂(HL)] and [M(HL)(L)]Cl, derived from two 1‐indanone thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and tested for antiproliferative activity against the human leukemia U937 cell line. The crystal structure of [Pt(HL1)(L1)]Cl^.2M eOH, where L1=1‐indanone thiosemicarbazone, was solved by X‐ray diffraction. Free thiosemicarbazone ligands showed no antiproliferative effect, but the corresponding platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Platinum(II) complexes also displayed selective apoptotic activity in U937 cells but not in peripheral blood monocytes or the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line used to screen for potential hepatotoxicity. Present findings show that, in U937 cells, 1‐indanone thiosemicarbazones coordinated to palladium(II) were more cytotoxic than those complexed with platinum(II), although the latter were found to be more selective for leukemic cells suggesting that they are promising compounds with potential therapeutic application against hematological malignancies.     

2,2-(2,2'-4(S)-苯基-4,5-二氢(噁)唑啉基)丙烷金属络合物对硝酮环加成反应的催化作用

研究了手性双噁唑啉配体2,2-（2,2’-4（S）-苯基-4,5-二氢噁唑啉基）丙烷（5）与铜或锌的配合物对二苯基硝酮（8）与3-（（E）-2-丁烯酰基）-1,3-噁唑烷-2-酮（6）和2,3-二氢呋喃（7）两种烯烃的环加成反应的催化效果。研究结果表明,双噁唑啉金属络合物对硝酮的环加成反应有较好的催化作用,表现在反应速度的提高和立体选择性的改变。比较而言,（5）与铜的配合物具有更好的催化作用。使用二氯亚砜作为氯化试剂对双噁唑啉（5）的合成方法进行了合理的改进,使产率由69．7％提高到89％。     

Towards Ruthenium(II)-Rhenium(I) Binuclear Complexes as Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

The search for new metal-based photosensitizers (PSs) for anticancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a fast-developing field of research. Knowing that polymetallic complexes bear a high potential as PDT PSs, in this study, we aimed at combining the known photophysical properties of a rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complex and a ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex to prepare a ruthenium-rhenium binuclear complex that could act as a PS for anticancer PDT. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of such a system and discuss its stability in aqueous solution. In addition, one of our complexes prepared, which localized in mitochondria, was found to have some degree of selectivity towards two types of cancerous cells: human lung carcinoma A549 and human colon colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29, with interesting photo-index (PI) values of 135.1 and 256.4, respectively, compared to noncancerous retinal pigment epithelium RPE1 cells (22.4).     

Solid-state intercalation of 8-Hydroxyquinoline into Li(I)-, Zn(II)- and Mn(II)-montmorillonites

Formation of three fluorescent complexes, Li(I)-, Zn(II)- and Mn(II)-8-hydroxyquinoline complexes (Mq_n), was investigated in the interlayer spaces of montmorillonites by solid–solid reactions between homoionic (Li(I), Zn(II) and Mn(II)) montmorillonites and neat 8-hydroxyquinoline at room temperature. The intercalation of 8-hydroxyquinoline molecules into the interlayer spaces of Li(I)-, Zn(II)- and Mn(II)-montmorillonites was confirmed by powder XRD, FT-IR, TG-DTA and chemical analysis. The in-situ complex formation was proved by FT-IR, UV–vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The absorption and luminescence bands of the complexes shifted slightly compared to the corresponding neat complexes, suggesting the different microstructures including molecular packing of the complexes in the interlayer spaces of montmorillonites as a result of host–guest interactions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Heteroleptic Ru(II) Complex of Phenanthroline Containing Oligo-Anthracenyl Carboxylic Acid Moieties

In an effort to develop new ruthenium(II) complexes, this work describes the design, synthesis and characterization of a ruthenium(II) functionalized phenanthroline complex with extended π-conjugation. The ligand were L(1) (4,7-bis(2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-1,10-phenanthroline), synthesized by a direct aromatic substitution reaction, and L(2) (4,7-bis(trianthracenyl-2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-1,10-phenanthroline), which was synthesized by the dehalogenation of halogenated aromatic compounds using a zero-valent palladium cross-catalyzed reaction in the absence of magnesium-diene complexes and/or cyclooctadienyl nickel (0) catalysts to generate a new carbon-carbon bond (C-C bond) polymerized hydrocarbon units. The ruthenium complex [RuL(1)L(2)(NCS)(2)] showed improved photophysical properties (red-shifted metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition absorptions and enhanced molar extinction coefficients), luminescence and interesting electrochemical properties. Cyclic and square wave voltammetry revealed five major redox processes. The number of electron(s) transferred by the ruthenium complex was determined by chronocoulometry in each case. The results show that processes I, II and III are multi-electron transfer reactions while processes IV and V involved one-electron transfer reaction. The photophysical property of the complex makes it a promising candidate in the design of chemosensors and photosensitizers, while its redox-active nature makes the complex a potential mediator of electron transfer in photochemical processes.     

Cytotoxicity of triorganophosphinegold(i) complexes of thiobenzoate

The preparation and characterization of two triorganophosphinegold(I) complexes containing the anion derived from thiobenzoic acid are described. The cytotoxicity of these complexes has been investigated along with that of triphenylphosphinegold(I) mercaptopurinate, a known anti-tumor compound, against a variety of human cell lines. The complexes showed moderate to high cytotoxicity (ID(50) 250 - 2500 ng/ml).     

Lessons from isolable nickel(I) precursor complexes for small molecule activation

Small-molecule activation by transition metals is essential to numerous organic transformations, both biological and industrial. Creating useful metal-mediated activation systems often depends on stabilizing the metal with uncommon low oxidation states and low coordination numbers. This provides a redox-active metal center with vacant coordination sites well suited for interacting with small molecules. Monovalent nickel species, with their d(9) electronic configuration, are moderately strong one-electron reducing agents that are synthetically attractive if they can be isolated. They represent suitable reagents for closing the knowledge gap in nickel-mediated activation of small molecules. Recently, the first strikingly stable dinuclear β-diketiminate nickel(I) precursor complexes were synthesized, proving to be suitable promoters for small-molecule binding and activation. They have led to many unprecedented nickel complexes bearing activated small molecules in different reduction stages. In this Account, we describe selected achievements in the activation of nitrous oxide (N(2)O), O(2), the heavier chalcogens (S, Se, and Te), and white phosphorus (P(4)) through this β-diketiminatonickel(I) precursor species. We emphasize the reductive activation of O(2), owing to its promise in oxidation processes. The one-electron-reduced O(2) activation product, that is, the corresponding β-diketiminato-supported Ni-O(2) complex, is a genuine superoxonickel(II) complex, representing an important intermediate in the early stages of O(2) activation. It selectively acts as an oxygen-atom transfer agent, hydrogen-atom scavenger, or both towards exogenous organic substrates to yield oxidation products. The one-electron reduction of the superoxonickel(II) moiety was examined by using elemental potassium, β-diketiminatozinc(II) chloride, and β-diketiminatoiron(I) complexes, affording the first heterobimetallic complexes featuring a [NiO(2)M] subunit (M is K, Zn, or Fe). Through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the geometric and electronic structures of these complexes were established and their distinctive reactivity, including the unprecedented monooxygenase-like activity of a bis(μ-oxo)nickel-iron complex, was studied. The studies have further led to other heterobimetallic complexes containing a [NiO(2)M] core, which are useful for understanding the influence of the heterometal on structure-reactivity relationships. The activation of N(2)O led directly to the hydrogen-atom abstraction product bis(μ-hydroxo)nickel(II) species and prevented isolation of any intermediate. In contrast, the activation of elemental S, Se, and Te with the same nickel(I) reagent furnished activation products with superchalcogenido E(2)(-) (E is S, Se, or Te) and dichalcogenido E(2)(2-) ligand in different activation stages. The isolable supersulfidonickel(II) subunit may serve as a versatile building block for the synthesis of heterobimetallic disulfidonickel(II) complexes with a [NiS(2)M] core. In the case of white phosphorus, the P(4) molecule has been coordinated to the nickel(I) center of dinuclear β-diketiminatonickel(I) precursor complexes; however, the whole P(4) subunit is a weaker electron acceptor than the dichalcogen ligands E(2), thus remaining unreduced. This P(4) binding mode is rare and could open new doors for subsequent functionalization of P(4). Our advances in understanding how these small molecules are bound to a nickel(I) center and are activated for further transformation offer promise for designing new catalysts. These nickel-containing complexes offer exceptional potential for nickel-mediated transformations of organic molecules and as model compounds for mimicking active sites of nickel-containing metalloenzymes.     

Impact of Polypyridyl Ru Complexes on Angiogenesis—Contribution to Their Antimetastatic Activity

The use of polypyridyl Ru complexes to inhibit metastasis is a novel approach, and recent studies have shown promising results. We have reported recently that Ru (II) complexes gathering two 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dip) ligands and the one being 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or its derivative with a 4-[3-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl (bpy-NitroIm) or 5-(4-{4′-methyl-[2,2′-bipyridine]-4-yl}but-1-yn-1-yl)pyridine-2-carbaldehyde semicarbazone (bpy-SC) moieties can alter the metastatic cascade, among others, by modulating cell adhesion properties. In this work, we show further studies of this group of complexes by evaluating their effect on HMEC-1 endothelial cells. While all the tested complexes significantly inhibited the endothelial cell migration, Ru-bpy additionally interrupted the pseudovessels formation. Functional changes in endothelial cells might arise from the impact of the studied compounds on cell elasticity and expression of proteins (vinculin and paxillin) involved in focal adhesions. Furthermore, molecular studies showed that complexes modulate the expression of cell adhesion molecules, which has been suggested to be one of the factors that mediate the activation of angiogenesis. Based on the performed studies, we can conclude that the investigated polypyridyl Ru (II) complexes can deregulate the functionality of endothelial cells which may lead to the inhibition of angiogenesis.     

Antitumor activity of gold(i), silver(i) and copper(i) complexes containing chiral tertiary phosphines

The in vitro cytotoxicities of a number of gold(I), silver(I) and copper(I) complexes containing chiral tertiary phosphine ligands have been examined against the mouse tumour cell lines P815 mastocytoma, B16 melanoma [gold(I) and silver(I) compounds] and P388 leukaemia [gold(I) complexes only] with many of the complexes having IC(50) values comparable to that of the reference compounds cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(ll), cisplatin, and bis[1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino) ethane]gold(I) iodide. The chiral tertiary phosphine ligands used in this study include (R)-(2-aminophenyl)methylphenylphosphine; (R,R)-, (S,S)- and (R(*),R(*))-1,2-phenylenebis(methylphenylphosphine); and (R,R)-, (S,S)- and (R(*),R(*))-bis{(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphino}ethane. The in vitro cytotoxicities of gold(I) and silver(I) complexes containing the optically active forms of the tetra(tertiary phosphine) have also been examined against the human ovarian carcinoma cell lines 41M and CH1, and the cisplatin resistant 41McisR, CH1cisR and SKOV-3 tumour models. IC(50) values in the range 0.01 - 0.04 muM were determined for the most active compounds, silver(I) complexes of the tetra(tertiary phosphine). Furthermore, the chirality of the ligand appeared to have little effect on the overall activity of the complexes: similar IC(50) data were obtained for complexes of a particular metal ion with each of the stereoisomeric forms of a specific ligand.     

Insights into the mode of action of the anti-Candida activity of 1,10-phenanthroline and its metal chelates

Metal complexes of malonie acid (metal = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I)) were prepared and only the Ag(I) complex inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. Malonate complexes incorporating the chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-phen) ligand showed a range of activities: good (Mn(II), Cu(II), Ag(I)); moderate (Zn(II)); poor (Co(II), Ni(II)). Metal-free 1,10-phen and Ag(CH(3)CO(2)) were also highly active. The metal-free non-chelating ligands 1,7- phenanthroline and 4,7-phenanthroline were inactive and the Cu(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) complexs of 1,7-phen displayed only marginal activity. Whereas the Cu(II) malonate/1,10-phen complex induces significant cellular oxidative stress the Zn(II) analogue does not.     

Catalytic destruction of paraoxon by metallomicelle layers of Co(II) and Cr(III)

Two micellized ion complexes, Co(II) and Cr(III), were synthesized and found to possess good catalytic activity in cleaving the paraoxon/cobalt (chromate) complex phosphate ester. The complexes orm metallomicelles, which bind the substrate by coordinating with the phosphorus in the paraoxon (which is chemically similar to the nerve agents sarin and soman). Possible reasons for the acceleration include enhanced electrophilicity of the micellized metals, enhanced surface activity, and the recognized ability of cationic micelles to accelerate the cleavage of phosphate ester. The results of kinetic data (half-lives) for paraoxon degradation were 16.5 and 28.9 min in the presence of Co(II) and Cr(III) metallomicelle layers, respectively. The higher the value of the stability constant, the more stable the Co(II) and Cr(III) complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization and antibacterial activity of Pd(II), Pt(II) and Ag(I) complexes of 4-ethyl and 4-(p-tolyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)thiosemicarbazides

Pd(II), Pt(II) and Ag(I) ions were found to form stable complexes with 4-(p-tolyl)- or 4-ethyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)thiosemicarbazides (Hp-TPTS or HEPTS). The complex structure was elucidated by analysis (elemental and thermal), spectroscopy (electronic, IR and ¹H NMR spectra) and physical measurements (magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance). The ligands coordinate to the metal ions as monobasic bidentate through nitrogen and sulfur atoms. The electronic spectra of the Pt(II) complexes in DMF showed a metal to ligand charge transfer transition at 11,935–13,260 cm^?1. The structural, electronic and vibrational features of HEPTS and Hp?TPTS were discussed on the basis of semi-empirical quantum mechanic calculations [ZINDO/S and semi-empirical parameterization (PM3)]. The simulated IR and electronic spectra are found reasonable in accordance with the experimental data. Finally, the antibacterial activities of the ligands and their complexes were investigated and some were found promising.     

Zinc(II) coordination complexes as membrane-active fluorescent probes and antibiotics

Molecular probes with zinc(II)-(2,2'-dipicolylamine) coordination complexes associate with oxyanions in aqueous solution and target biomembranes that contain anionic phospholipids. This study examines a new series of coordination complexes with 2,6-bis(zinc(II)-dipicolylamine)phenoxide as the molecular recognition unit. Two lipophilic analogues are observed to partition into the membranes of zwitterionic and anionic vesicles and induce the transport of phospholipids and hydrophilic anions (carboxyfluorescein). These lipophilic zinc complexes are moderately toxic to mammalian cells. A more hydrophilic analogue does not exhibit mammalian cell toxicity (LD(50) >50 microg mL(-1)), but it is highly active against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC of 1 microg mL(-1)). Furthermore, it is active against clinically important S. aureus strains that are resistant to various antibiotics, including vancomycin and oxacillin. The antibiotic action is attributed to its ability to depolarize the bacterial cell membrane. The intense bacterial staining that was exhibited by a fluorescent conjugate suggests that this family of zinc coordination complexes can be used as molecular probes for the detection and imaging of bacteria.     

Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity, and interaction with DNA of platinum(II) complexes with N-monocycloalkyl derivatives of 1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane as carrier ligands

A series of platinum(II) complexes with N-monocyclopentyl/cyclohexyl derivatives of 1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane as carrier ligands and dicarboxylate anions as leaving groups were synthesized and characterized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, as well as ESIMS. The in vitro antiproliferative activities were tested by MTT assay against four human cancer cell lines; breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HCT-116) cells were particularly sensitive, especially to complexes 1f (IC(50) =9.81 and 1.49 μM) and 2f (IC(50) =4.59 and 0.36 μM). Flow cytometry indicated that representative compounds exert cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells through induction of apoptosis and blockage of cell-cycle progression in the S phase, similar to cisplatin. The interaction between the platinum(II) complexes and pET22b plasmid DNA was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis, revealing that complex 2f has the capacity to distort plasmid DNA in a manner distinct from that of oxaliplatin.     

Catalytic destruction of malathion by metallomicelle layers

Two micellized Cu(II) and Fe(III) ion complexes were synthesized and found to possess good catalytic activity in the cleavage of the malathion/dupric (ferric) complex thionate ester. The complexes form metallomicelles, which bind the substrate by coordinating with the thionate sulfur in the malathion (which is chemically similar to the nerve agent sarin). Possible reasons for the rate acceleration include enhanced electrophilicity of the micellized metals, enhanced surface activity, and the recognized ability of cationic micelles to accelerate the cleavage of the thionate ester. The results of kinetic data (half-life times) for malathion degradation were 13.7 and 8.3 min in the presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III) metallomicelle layers, respectively.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of enantiomerically pure [1,2-diamino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methylbutane]platinum(II) complexes

A series of leaving group derivatives of enantiomerically pure [1,2-diamino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methylbutane]platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and tested for cytotoxicity. The enantiomeric purity was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy on the final diamines after derivation with (1R)-myrtenal. For coordination to platinum, the diamines were reacted with K2PtI4. The treatment of diiodoplatinum(II) complexes (4F-Ph/iProp-PtI2) with Ag2SO4 resulted in the sulfatoplatinum(II) complexes (4F-Ph/iProp-PtSO4), which can be easily transformed to dichloroplatinum(II) complexes (4F-Ph/iProp-PtCl2) with 2 n HCl. The importance of the leaving groups and the configuration at the diamine ligand on the antiproliferative effects was evaluated on the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and the hormone-independent MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell lines as well as the LNCaP/FGC prostate cancer cell line. (R,R)-4F-Ph/iProp-PtCl2 was identified as the most active platinum(II) complex. The 3-methyl group increased antiproliferative effects relative to the [1,2-diamino-1-(4-fluorophenyl)butane]platinum(II) complexes described in an earlier study.     

Transition metal complexes bound to macroporous resins carrying nitrile groups. Effect of matrix structure on the activity of supported catalysts

Two groups of resins bearing nitrile (CN) groups based on macroporous copolymers of acrylonitrile and divinylbenzene (AN/DVB) and terpolymers of styrene, acrylonitrile and divinylbenzene (S/AN/DVB) have been used as polymer matrices for the immobilization of Rh(I), Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes. A group of four S/DVB resins functionalized with the CN ligands have been prepared and used for comparison. The resins differ in their chemical and physical structure, local concentration of the CN groups and their availability. Characterization of the heterogeneous complexes by IR spectroscopy confirmed the coordination of the metal ions to the polymer-CN ligands. The catalytic behaviour of the immobilized complex catalysts was tested in the hydrosilylation of 1-hexene. The activity of the polymer-bound catalysts strongly depends on the structure of the support used. The largest effect of the chemical structure of the polymer was found for the catalysts immobilized on the AN/DVB resins, while the polymer morphology played the major role in the high activity of the catalysts attached to the S/N/DVB resins. Lower activity was found for the systems bound to the functionalized S/DVB resins. Both polymer-supported Pt and Rh systems appeared to be highly effective for the hydrosilylation of the CC double bonds, but the platinum catalysts proved to be considerably more active. The rhodium catalysts were found efficient in the hydrosilylation of ketones. The immobilized Pd(II) complex was reduced to the metallic Pd by hydrosilanes. The supported Pt catalyst remained active when recycled 5 times, while the activity of the rhodium systems gradually decreased. The results offer the possibility of choosing the most suitable polymer matrix for the immobilization of metal complex catalysts for use in hydrosilylation and other catalytic reactions.     

Nitric oxide releasing metal-diazeniumdiolate complexes strongly induce vasorelaxation and endothelial cell proliferation

The preparation, characterization, and NO-releasing properties of metal complexes derived from N-aminoethylpiperazine-N-diazeniumdiolate (HPipNONO), [Cu(PipNONO)Cl] and [Ni(PipNONO)Cl], and the Ni(II) complex derived from the Schiff base between HPipNONO and salicylaldehyde, [Ni(SalPipNONO)], are described. Compounds [Cu(PipNONO)Cl] and [Ni(SalPipNONO)] release NO at a much slower rate than HPipNONO in aqueous buffer in the pH range between 6.8 and 8.0. The kinetics of NO release by [Ni(SalPipNONO)] is complex, with an apparent stepwise release of NO molecules. Both [Cu(PipNONO)Cl] and [Ni(SalPipNONO)] are effective vasorelaxant agents of precontracted rabbit aorta rings, and are active in the nM concentration range. In addition, these complexes promote the proliferation of endothelial cells. Both vascular activities were inhibited by a specific inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, suggesting the involvement of the cGMP pathway. In all biological assays, the reference agent sodium nitroprusside was shown to be 10-1000-fold less potent than the two metal-NONOates.     

Three-dimensional modeling of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 and its interactions with serine protease

An attempt is made to build up a three-dimensional model of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 (SCCA2) by means of the homology module of Insight II, where SCCA2 contains the stressed and relaxed forms, i.e. SCCA2(S) and SCCA2(R). The docking of SCCA2(S) with two different target serine proteinases, that are the cathepsin G (Cat G) and the human mast cell chymase (HMC), are studied theoretically to give two different complexes, respectively. It is shown, from the molecular surface electricity potential, that in the formation of the two complexes SCCA2(S)-Cat G and SCCA2(S)-HMC, the electrostatic interaction may play an important role. Since HMC possesses a loop to produce spatial anti-effect, the complex SCCA2(S)-HMC is less stable than the complex SCCA2(S)-Cat G. However, the reactive site loop involved in SCCA2(S) is an important factor in restraining serine proteinases.