Extent of the Acidification by N7-Coordinated cis-Diammine-Platinum(II) on the Acidic Sites of Guanine Derivatives

Coordination of two monoprotonated 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate species, H(dGMP)(-), via N7 to cis-(NH(2))(2)Pt(2+) gives the complex cis-(NH(2))(2)Pt(H.dGMP)(2) which is a four-protonic acid. The corresponding acidity constants were measured by potentiometric pH titrations (25; I = 0.1 M, NaNO(3)). The first two protons are released from the two -P(O)(2)(OH)(-) groups (PK(a/1)= 5.57; PK(a/2) = 6.29) and the next two protons are from the H(N1) sites of the guanine residues (PK(a/3) = 8.73; PK(a/4) = 9.48). The micro acidity constants of the various sites are also evaluated. Comparison of these data with those determined for the three-protonic H(2)(dGMP)(+/-) (PK(a/1) = 2.69 for the H(+)(N7) site; PK(a/2) = 6.29 for -P(O)(2)(OH)(-) ;PK(a/3) = 9.56 for H(N1)) shows that on average the N-7-coordinated Pt(2+) acidifies the phosphate protons by Delta pK(a) = 0.36 and the H(N1) sites by Delta pK(a) = 0.46. These results are further compared with those obtained previously for cis-(NH(2))(2)Pt(L)(2), where L = 9-ethylguanine or monoprotonated 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-monophosphate. Conclusions regarding platinated DNA are also presented.     

Determination of biotransformation products of platinum drugs in rat and human urine

Cisplatin is an extremely effective cancer chemotherapeutic agent, but its use is often accompanied by toxicity. Second generation drugs such as carboplatin are becoming more widely used because of reduced toxicity. Since biotransformation products have been implicated in the toxic responses, we have begun to investigate the reactions of cisplatin and carboplatin with potential biological ligands. Reaction products were characterized using HPLC with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS), (1)H and (13)C NMR and fast atom bombardment - mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). Three Pt-creatinine complexes, cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)Cl(Creat)](+), cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(Creat)](2+) and cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(Creat)(2)](2+), were synthesized and the platinum was shown to coordinate to the ring nitrogen, N(3). Human urine samples from patients on cisplatin chemotherapy were shown to contain cisplatin, its hydrolysis product and biotransformation products containing Pt-creatinine, Pt-urea and Pt-uric acid complexes. Urine from carboplatin patients shows fewer biotransformation products. Studies with control and diabetic (protected against cisplatin toxicity) rats showed systematic differences in the biotransformation products formed on administration of cisplatin.     

Chiral platinum(II) metallointercalators with potent in vitro cytotoxic activity

Four platinum(II) metallointercalating complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) with the chiral ancillary ligands trans-R,R- and trans-S,S-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (R,R- and S,S-dach, respectively), and N,N'-dimethyl-R,R- and N,N'-dimethyl-S,S-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (Me(2)-R,R-dach and Me(2)-S,S-dach, respectively) have been synthesised and characterised. The crystal structure of [Pt(Me(2)-S,S-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2)1.5 H(2)O (C(20)H(26)Cl(2)N(4)O(9.5)Pt) has been determined; orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)(No. 19), a=23.194(8), b=25.131(9), c=8.522(3) A. In vitro cytotoxic assays (IC(50)) in the human bladder cancer cell line 5637 and in the murine leukemia L1210 cell line revealed that [Pt(S,S-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) (0.091 and 0.13 microM, respectively) and [Pt(R,R-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) (0.54 and 1.50 microM, respectively) were more cytotoxic than cisplatin (0.31 and 0.50 microM, respectively) and considerably more cytotoxic than their methylated counterparts, [Pt(Me(2)-R,R-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) and [Pt(Me(2)-S,S-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) (both>23 microM). Chiral discrimination for [Pt(S,S-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) over its R,R-enantiomer was observed in all 13 cancer cell lines investigated. Moreover, [Pt(S,S-dach)(phen)](ClO(4))(2) was more active than cisplatin in all cell lines tested and shows only partial cross-resistance to cisplatin in two cisplatin resistant cell lines.     

Steric Determinants of Pt/DNA Interactions and Anticancer Activity

Studies directed at establishing the structural features that control Pt/DNA interactions and the anticancer activity of Pt drugs are described. [(1)H, (15)N]-HSQC 2D NMR spectroscopic studies of the reactions of cisplatin with oligonucleotides containing ApG and GpA binding sites reveal dramatic differences in the rates of formation of monofunctional adducts at the two sites. When the reactant is cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)](2+) no such differences are observed suggesting that outer-sphere interactions between the reactant and the oligonucleotide may play a substantial role in determining the rates. Rates of closure to the bifunctional adducts are similar to those observed for cisplatin. Studies of the adduct profiles formed by sterically bulky and/or optically active complexes reveal that steric interactions play a major role in mediating the binding of Pt(ll) to DNA but that hydrogen bonds play less of a role. In vitro cytotoxic activities for these complexes do not always follow the trends that would be expected on the basis of the adduct profiles.     

Surface decorated platinum carbonyl clusters

Four molecular Pt-carbonyl clusters decorated by Cd-Br fragments, i.e., [Pt(13)(CO)(12){Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(2)(dmf)(3)}(2)](2-) (1), [Pt(19)(CO)(17){Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(3)(Me(2)CO)(2)}{Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(Me(2)CO)(4)}](2-) (2), [H(2)Pt(26)(CO)(20)(CdBr)(12)](8-) (3) and [H(4)Pt(26)(CO)(20)(CdBr)(12)(PtBr)(x)](6-) (4) (x = 0-2), have been obtained from the reactions between [Pt(3n)(CO)(6n)](2-) (n = 2-6) and CdBr(2)·H(2)O in dmf at 120 °C. The structures of these molecular clusters with diameters of 1.5-2 nm have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Both 1 and 2 are composed of icosahedral or bis-icosahedral Pt-CO cores decorated on the surface by Cd-Br motifs, whereas 3 and 4 display a cubic close packed Pt(26)Cd(12) metal frame decorated by CO and Br ligands. An oversimplified and unifying approach to interpret the electron count of these surface decorated platinum carbonyl clusters is suggested, and extended to other low-valent organometallic clusters and Au-thiolate nanoclusters.     

Interaction of [Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(OH)Ph)(2)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](O(2)C-CH(OH)Ph)(2) With Sulfhydryl Compounds and Ceruloplasmin

The interaction of binuclear rhodium(II) complexes [Rh(2)(OOCCH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2)], [Rh(2){OOCCH(OH)Ph}(2)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] {OOCCH(OH)Ph}(2), [Rh(2)(OOCCH(3))(2)(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](OOCCH(3))(2) and [Rh(2)Cl(2)(OOCMe)(2)(bpy)(2)](3H(2)O) with ceruloplasmin, cysteine, glutathione and coenzyme A have been investigated using. UV-Vis and CD spectroscopies. The complexes containing phen or bpy at pH = 7.4 and 4.0 are readily reduced with sulfhydryl compounds, while rhodium(II) acetate is relatively stable in these conditions. Complex [Rh(2){OOCCH(OH)Ph}(2)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] strongly changes structure of ceruloplasmin leading to the decrease of of alpha-helix content and loss of oxidase activity.     

Properties of Binuclear Rhodium(II) Complexes and Their Antibacterial Activity

Binuclear rhodium(II) complexes [Rh(2)Cl(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)], [Rh(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](RCOO)(2) and [Rh(2)Cl(2)(mu-OOCCH(3))(terpy)(2)](H(3)O)Cl(2).9H(2)O (R = H, Me, Bu(n), ph, PhCHOH; N-N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) and 6,7-dimethyl-2,3- di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dmpq); terpy 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine) have been synthesized and their structure and properties have been studied by electronic, IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of these complexes against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli has been investigated. The most active antibacterial agents against S. aureus were [Rh(2)(OOCPh)(2)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+), [Rh(2)(OOCPh)(2)(dmpq)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+), [Rh(2)(OOCBu)(2)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) and [Rh(2)-(OOCBu)(2)(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) which were considerably more active than the appropriate nitrogen ligands. The complexes show rather low activity against E. coli.     

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Zinc(II) Carboxylates With/Without N-Donor Organic Ligands

The antibacterial and antifungal activity of zinc(II) carboxylates with composition Zn(RCOO)(2)*nH(2)O(R =H-, CH(3) (-), CH(3)CH(2)CH(2) (-), (CH(3))(2)CH-, XCH(2) (-), X=Cl, Br, I, n=0 or 2), [ZnX(2)(Nia(+)CH(2)COO(-))(2)](Nia=nicotinamide, X=Cl, Br, I) and [Zn(XCH(2)COO)(2)(Caf)(2)]*2H(2)O (Car=caffeine, X=Cl, Br) is studied against bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans. The structural types are assigned to the prepared compounds and the influence of (i) carboxylate chain length, (ii) substitution of hydrogen atom of carboxylate by halogen and (iii) presence of N-donor organic ligands on the biological activity is discussed.     

Synthesis and Anti-Candida Activity of Cobalt(II) Complexes of Benzene-1,2-Dioxyacetic Acid (bdoaH(2)). X-Ray Crystal Structures of [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)] 3.5H(2)O and {[CO(phen)(3)](bdoa)}(2)24H(2)O (phen = 1,10-Phenanthroline)

Co(CH(3)CO(2))(2)4H(2)O reacts with benzene-1,2-dioxyacetic acid (bdoaH(2)) to give the Co(2+) complexes [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)]H(2)O (1a) and [Co(bdoa)(H(2)O)(3)] 3.5H(2)O (1b). Subsequent reaction of 1a with 1,10- phenanthroline produces [CO(phen)(3)] bdoa10H(2)O (2a) and {[CO(phen)(3)](bdoa)}(2)24H(2)O (2b). Molecular structures of 1b and 2b were determined crystallographically. In 1b the bdoa(2-)- ligates the metal by two carboxylate oxygens and two ethereal oxygens, whereas in 2b the bdoa(2-) is uncoordinated. The Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) complexes [Mn(bdoa)(phen)(2)]H(2)O (3) and [Cu(pdoa)(imid)(2)] (4) were also synthesised, 1a-4 and other metal complexes of bdoa H(2) (metal = Mn(2+), Co(2+) ,Cu(2+), Cu(+) ) were screened for their ability to inhibit the growth ofhe yeast Candida albicans. Complexes incorporating the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand were the most active.     

Ternary Complexes of cis-(NH(3))(2)PtCl(2) (cis-DDP) With Guanosine (guo), Cytidine (cyd) and the Aminoacids Glycine (gly), L-Alanine (ala), L-2-Aminobutyric Acid (2-aba), L-Norvaline (nval) and L-Norleucine (nleu)

The ternary complexes of formulae cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(nucl)(amac)]NO(3), where nucl = guo and cyd (guanosine and cytidine) and amac = the deprotonated aminoacids glycine (gly), L-alanine (ala), L-2-aminobutyric acid (2-aba), L-norvaline (nval) and L-norleucine (nleu), were prepared from the reactions of the binary chelated ones cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(nucl)(amac)]NO(3) with the nucleosides.They were characterized by (1)H, (13)C and (195)Pt NMR and IR spectra, together with elemental analysis and conductivity measurements. The aminoacids coordinate with Pt(II) in the ternary complexes with their terminal -NH(2) groups, guo through N(7) and cyd through N(3). Ligand-ligand hydrophobic interactions were also observed in the ternary complexes and were stronger with longer aliphatic chains of the aminoacids. The (3)E sugar conformation increased by 5-7% in the ternary systems, as compared to the free nucleosides, while the percentage of the gg conformation remained almost constant and the one of the anti conformation of the sugar increased also slightly. Finally, the h conformer around the C(alpha)-C(beta) bonds of the aminoacids reached a maximum in the binary systems and decreased again considerably in the ternary ones.     

Synthesis, Characterisation and Antifungal Activities of Some New Copper(II) Complexes of Isomeric 3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-Octamethyl-1,4,8,11-Tetraazacyclotetradecanes

Three isomeric Me(8)[14]anes, L(A), L(B) and L(C), undergo complexation with copper(II) salts to form a series of [CuLX(n)(H(2)O)(x)]X(y).(H(2)O)(z) complexes where L = L(A), L(B) and L(C); X = Cl, Br, NO(3); n, x, y and z may have values of 0, 1 or 2. The complexes have been characterised on the basis of analytical, spectroscopic, magnetic and conductance data. Further, the X-ray crystal structure of one complex, [CuL(B)(OH(2))(2)](NO(3))(2), has been determined. The antifungal activity of all three isomeric ligands and their complexes has been investigated against a range of phytopathogenic fungi.     

Facile Routes to Manganese(II) Triflate Complexes

Manganese(II) chloride reacts with trimethylsilyl triflate (TMS(OTf) where OTf = (-)OSO(2)CF(3)) in a 1:1 mixture of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran, and after recrystallization affords the linear coordination polymer [Mn(II)(CH(3)CN)(2)(OTf)(2)](n). Each distorted octahedral manganese(II) center in the polymeric chain has trans-acetonitriles and the remaining equatorial coordination positions are occupied by the bridging triflate anions. Dissolving [Mn(II)(CH(3)CN)(2)(OTf)(2)](n) in equal volumes of acetonitrile and pyridine followed by recrystallization with diethyl ether yields trans-[Mn(II)(C(5)H(5)N)(4)(OTf)(2)]. The distorted octahedral geometry of the manganese center features monodentate trans-triflate anions and four equatorial pyridines. Exposure of either [Mn(II)(CH(3)CN)(2)(OTf)(2)](n) or [Mn(II)(C(5)H(5)N)(4)(OTf)(2)] to water readily gives [Mn(II)(H(2)O)(6)](OTf)(2). XRD reveals hydrogen-bonding interactions between the [Mn(II)(H(2)O)(6)](2+) cation and the triflate anion. All three of these species are easily crystallized and provide convenient sources of manganese(II) for further synthetic elaboration.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of Manganese (II) Complexes of Phthalic and Isophthalic Acid: X-Ray Crystal Structures of [Mn(ph)(Phen)(2)(H(2)O)]. 4H(2)O, [Mn(Phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2)(Isoph)(2)(Phen). 12H(2)O and {[Mn(Isoph)(bipy)](4). 2.75biby}(n)(phH(2) = Phthalic Acid; isoph = Isophthalic Acid; phen = 1,10-Phenanthroline; bipy = 2,2-Bipyridine)

Manganese(II) acetate reacts with phthalic acid (phH(2)) to give [Mn(ph)].0.5H(2)O (1). Reaction of 1 with 1,10-phenanthroline produces [Mn(ph)(phen)].2H(2)O (2) and [Mn(ph)(phen)(2)(H(2)O)].4H(2)O (3). Reaction of isophthalic acid (isophH(2)) with manganese(II) acetate results in the formation of [Mn(isoph)].2H(2)O (4). The addition of the N,N-donor ligands 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine to 4 leads to the formation of [Mn(2) (isoph)(2)(phen)(3))].4H(2)O (5), [(Mn(phen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2)(isoph)(2)(phen).12H(2)O (6) and {[Mn(isoph)(bipy)](4).2.75 biby}(n) (7), respectively. Molecular structures of 3, 6 and 7 were determined crystallographically. In 3 the phthalate ligand is bound to the manganese via just one of its carboxylate groups in a monodentate mode with the remaining coordination sites filled by four phenanthroline nitrogen and one water oxygen atoms. In 6 the isophthalates are uncoordinated with the octahedral manganese center ligated by two phenanthrolines and two waters. In 7 the Isophthalate ligands act as bridges resulting in a polymeric structure. One of the carboxylate groups is chelating a single manganese with the other binding two metal centres in a bridging bidentate mode. The phthalate and isophthalate complexes, the metal free ligands and a number of simple manganes salts were each tested for their ability, to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Only the "metal free" 1,10-phenanthroline and its manganese complexes were found to be active.     

Growth Effects of Some Platinum(II) Complexes with Sulfur-Containing Carrier Ligands on MCF7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line upon Simultaneous Administration with Taxol

The platinum (II)complexes, cis-[PtCl(2)(CH(3)SCH(2)CH(2)SCH(3))] (Pt1), cis-[PtCl(2)(dmso)(2)] (dmso is dimethylsulfoxide; Pt2) and cis-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] (cisplatin), and taxol (T) have been tested at different equimolar concentrations. Cells were exposed to complexes for 2 h and left to recover in fresh medium for 24, 48 or 72 h. Growth inhibition was measured by tetrazolium WST1 assay Analyses of the cell cycle, and apoptosis were performed by flow cytometry, at the same exposure times. The IC50 value of each platinum(II) complex as well as combination index (CI; platinum(II) complex + taxol) for various cytotoxicity levels were determined by median effects analysis.MCF7 cells were found to be sensitive to both Pt1 and Pt2 complexe These cisplatin analogues influenced the cell growth more effectively as compared to cisplatin. Cytotoxic effect was concentration and time-dependent. Profound growth inhibitory effect was observed for Pt1 complex, across all its concentrations at all recovery periods. A plateau effect was achieved three days after treatment at Pt1 concentrations 相似文献   

Facile synthesis and optical properties of magic-number Au13 clusters

Synthesis of molecular gold clusters through a post-synthetic scheme involving HCl-promoted nuclearity convergence was examined with various phosphine ligands. Systematic studies with a series of bis(diphenylphosphino) ligands (Ph(2)P-(CH(2))(m)-PPh(2)) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and electronic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the use of dppp (m = 3), dppb (m = 4) and dpppe (m = 5) as the ligands resulted in the formation of [Au(13)P(8)Cl(4)](+) type clusters, whereas the [Au(13)P(10)Cl(2)](3+) type cluster was formed with dppe (m = 2). The cluster species did not survive the HCl treatment step when monophosphines PPh(3), PMe(2)Ph, and POct(3) were employed, but [Au(13)(POct(3))(8)Cl(4)](+) was isolated as a minor product in the NaBH(4) reduction of Au(POct(3))Cl in aqueous THF. Electronic absorption and photoluminescence studies of a series of Au(13) clusters revealed that their optical properties are highly dependent on the phosphine/chloride composition ratio, but are far less so on the phosphine structure.     

Effect of Copper Acyclovir Complexes on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) Infection in Cultured Cells

We have found that when copper, zinc or cobalt is bound to a suitable ligand, the appropriate complex exhibited a significant anti-HSV effect (Varadinova et al., 1993; 1996). Recently published data by Sagripanti et al. (1997) also show that the inhibition of HSV by copper was enhanced by reducing agents and that mechanism of the inactivation is similar as for copper-mediated DNA damage (Aruoma, et al. 1991; Dizdaroglu, et al., 1991; Toyokuni and Sagripanti, 1994). Therefore it was interesting to study the efect of Cu(ll) coordination compounds with acyclovir (ACV) on the replication of HSV in cultured cells. The experiments on cytotoxicity as well as on the activity of three different Cu-ACV complexes [Cu(ACV)(2)Cl(2)(H(2)O)(2)] = (A); [Cu(ACV)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](NO(3))(2).H(2)O = (B) and [Cu(ACV)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2)] = (C) towards virus replication, with special attention on the growth of ACV-resistant strain R-100 were performed on MDBK cells. ACV was used as a reference compound. The following results were obtained: 1) Increased cell's viability in the presence of 20-40(g/ml ACV and decreased one in the presence of Cu-ACV complexes with relative level (A) > (B) > (C); 2) Cu-ACV complexes are more cytotoxic than the ligand - ACV and the relative level is (C)>(B)>(A); 3) The anti-HSV effect of ACV can be modulated by copper at levels depending on the specificity of the particular virus strain: (i) for the ACV sensitive strain DA (HSV-1) - ACV ((A) > (C) > (B); (ii) for the ACV sensitive strain Bja (HSV-2) (A) > ACV > (C) > (B); (iii) for strain R-100 (ACV(R), TK(a)) - (A) > ACV > (C) > (B). This findings are consistent with previously published data and undoubtedly show that Cu-ACV complexes could be useful in the treatment of HSV infections, especially when the causative agent is a resistant to ACV mutant.     

Syntheses and characterization of new nickel coordination polymers with 4,4'-dipyridylsulfide. Dynamic rearrangements of one-dimensional chains responding to external stimuli: temperature variation and guest releases/re-inclusions

Crystal structures and dynamic rearrangements of one-dimensional coordination polymers with 4,4'-dipyridylsulfide (dps) have been studied. Reaction of Ni(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O with dps in EtOH yielded [Ni(dps)(2)(NO(3))(2)] ·EtOH (1), which had channels filled with guest EtOH molecules among the four Ni(dps)(2) chains. This coordination polymer reversibly transformed the channel structure responding to temperature variations. Immersion of 1 in m-xylene released guest EtOH molecules to yield a guest-free coordination polymer [Ni(dps)(2)(NO(3))(2)] (2a), which was also obtained by treatment of Ni(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O with dps in MeOH. On the other hand, removal of the guest molecules from 1 upon heating at 130 °C under reduced pressure produced a guest-free coordination polymer [Ni(dps)(2)(NO(3))(2)] (2b). Although the 2a and 2b guest-free coordination polymers have the same formula, they showed differences in the assembled structures of the one-dimensional chains. Exposure of 2b to EtOH vapor reproduced 1, while 2a did not convert to 1 in a similar reaction. Reaction of Ni(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O with dps in acetone provided [Ni(dps)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)] ·Me(2)CO (4) with no channel structure. When MeOH or acetone was used as a reaction solvent, the [Ni(dps)(2)(NO(3))(2)] · (guest molecule) type coordination polymer, which was observed in 1, was not formed. Nevertheless, the reaction of Ni(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O with dps in MeOH/acetone mixed solution produced [Ni(dps)(2)(NO(3))(2)]·0.5(MeOH·acetone) (5), which has an isostructural Ni-dps framework to 1.     

Binuclear Rhodium(II) Complexes With Selective Antibacterial Activity

Binuclear rhodium(II) complexes [Rh(2)Cl(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)] {R = H, Me; N-N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)} and [Rh(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](RCOO)(2) (R = Me, Et;) have been synthesized and their structure and properties have been studied by electronic, IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of these complexes against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus has been investigated. The most active antibacterial agents against E. coli were [Rh(2)Cl(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)] and [Rh(2)(mu-OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](RCOO)(2) {R = H and Me} which were considerably more active than the appropriate nitrogen ligands. The complexes show low activity against S. aureus. The activity of the complexes [Rh(2)(OOCR)(2)(N-N)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](OOCR)(2) against E. coli decreases in the series: R=H congruent withCH(3)>C(2)H(5)>C(3)H(7) congruent withC(4)H(9). The reverse order was found in the case of S. aureus.