Structural and magnetic studies of mononuclear lanthanide complexes derived from N-rich chiral Schiff bases.

A new family of mononuclear lanthanide complexes with the formula [CeIII(L)(NO3)3(MeOH)] (1) and [LnIII(L)(NO3)3]·MeOH where Ln = Gd (2) or Dy (3) and L = N,N'-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine has been obtained with the use of enantiomerically pure Schiff bases. Dynamic magnetic studies indicate that 1-3 present field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization and their response has been compared with the magnetically diluted complexes 2d and 3d. Structural studies have been carried out by single crystal X-ray and powder diffraction.

Decanuclear FeIII clusters with hemiacetal ligands: a new {M10(µ3-O)8} cluster core.

The characterization of a decanuclear FeIII cluster with α-methyl-2-pyridinemethanolate, generated by the hydrolysis of Schiff bases, inspired us to carry out an initial exploration of the direct syntheses of medium nuclearity FeIII clusters starting from aldehydes in methanolic medium. The new complexes exhibit an unprecedented {Fe10(µ3-O)8} cluster core.

Syntheses, structures, and chiroptical and magnetic properties of chiral clusters built from Schiff bases: a novel [MnIIMnNa] core.

Chiral clusters with MnIIMnNaI and the new MnIIMnNa cores have been synthesised employing enantiomerically pure Schiff bases and halide ligands. The new compounds have been characterized by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and magnetic susceptibility.

A Ferromagnetic Salicylaldoximate/Azide Mn(II)2Mn(III)6 Cluster with an S = 17 Ground State and a Single-Molecule-Magnet Response.

One new Mn(II)2Mn(III)6 cluster exhibiting an S = 17 spin ground state and single-molecule-magnet properties has been designed linking Mn(III)3-salicylaldoximate triangles and tetracoordinated Mn(II) cations by means of end-on azido bridges. The ferromagnetic coupling has been rationalized as a function of their structural parameters.

Copper(II) cubanes with a {Cu4O} core and well defined S = 1 ground state.

The reaction of 2-pyridinemethanol with copper 4-fluorobenzoate has yielded a family of type II cubanes with formula [Cu4(pymO)4(4-F-PhCOO)3(NO3)] (), [Cu4(pymO)4(4-F-PhCOO)4] () and [Cu4(pymO)4(4-F-PhCOO)4(H2O)] (). These systems exhibit an unexpected S = 1 ground state and their magnetic properties have been unambiguously characterized and rationalized as a function of the asymmetry of the {Cu4O4} cage and Cu-O-Cu bond angles. Analysis of the coupling constants was performed applying new interaction schemes. Magneto-structural correlations have been performed from the analysis of previously reported type II copper cubanes.

Optimization of xanthatin extraction from Xanthium spinosum L. and its cytotoxic, anti-angiogenesis and antiviral properties.

The aqueous extraction of the sesquiterpene lactone xanthatin from Xanthium spinosum L. favours the conversion of xanthinin (1) to xanthatin (2) via the loss of acetic acid. The cytotoxic (Hep-G2 and L1210 human cell lines) and antiviral activities of isolated xanthatin are established. This natural compound shows significant cytotoxicity against the Hep-G2 cell line and our experimental results reveal its strong anti-angiogenesis capacity in vitro. The structure of xanthatin is determined by spectroscopic methods and for the first time confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) with 9-aminoacridine: reactions with DNA and study of their antiproliferative activity.

Four new metal complexes {M = Pd(II) or Pt(II)} containing the ligand 9-aminoacridine (9AA) were prepared. The compounds were characterized by FT-IR and (1)H, (13)C, and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies. Crystal structure of the palladium complex of formulae [Pd(9AA)(mu-Cl)](2) . 2DMF was determined by X-ray diffraction. Two 9-acridine molecules in the imine form bind symmetrically to the metal ions in a bidentate fashion through the imine nitrogen atom and the C(1) atom of the aminoacridine closing a new five-membered ring. By reaction with phosphine or pyridine, the Cl bridges broke and compounds with general formulae [Pd(9AA)Cl(L)] (where L = PPh(3) or py) were formed. A mononuclear complex of platinum of formulae [Pt(9AA)Cl(DMSO)] was also obtained by direct reaction of 9-aminoacridine and the complex [PtCl(2)(DMSO(2)]. The capacity of the compounds to modify the secondary and tertiary structures of DNA was evaluated by means of circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Both palladium and platinum compounds proved active in the modification of both the secondary and tertiary DNA structures. AFM images showed noticeable modifications of the morphology of the plasmid pBR322 DNA by the compounds probably due to the intercalation of the complexes between base pairs of the DNA molecule. Finally, the palladium complex was tested for antiproliferative activity against three different human tumor cell lines. The results suggest that the palladium complex of formula [Pd(9AA)(mu-Cl)](2) has significant antiproliferative activity, although it is less active than cisplatin.

Crystal structure and magnetic interactions in nickel(II) dibridged complexes formed by two azide groups or by both phenolate oxygen-azide, -thiocyanate, -carboxylate, or -cyanate groups.

Tridentate/tetradentate Schiff base ligands L(1) and L(2), derived from the condensation of o-vanillin or pyridine-2-aldehyde with N,N-dimethylethylenediammine, react with nickel acetate or perchlorate salt and azide, cyanate, or thiocyanate to give rise to a series of dinuclear complexes of formulas [Ni(L(1))(micro(1,1)-N(3))Ni(L(1))(N(3))(OH(2))].H(2)O (1), [[Ni(L(1))(micro(1,1)-NCS)Ni(L(1))(NCS)(OH(2))][Ni(L(1))(micro-CH(3)COO)Ni(L(1))( NCS) (OH(2))]] (2) [[2A][2B]], [Ni(L(1))(micro(1,1)-NCO)Ni(L(1))(NCO)(OH(2))].H(2)O (3), and [Ni(L(2)-OMe)(micro(1,1)-N(3))(N(3))](2) (4), where L(1) = Me(2)N(CH(2))(2)NCHC(6)H(3)(O(-))(OCH(3)) and L(2) = Me(2)N(CH(2))(2)NCHC(6)H(3)N. We have characterized these complexes by analytical, spectroscopic, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The coordination geometry around all of the Ni(II) centers is a distorted octahedron with bridging azide, thiocyanate/acetate, or cyanate in a micro(1,1) mode and micro(2)-phenolate oxygen ion for 1-3, respectively, or with a double-bridging azide for 4. The magnetic properties of the complexes were studied by magnetic susceptibility (chi(M)) versus temperature measurements. The chi(M) nus T plot reveals that compounds 1 and 4 are strongly ferromagnetically coupled, 3 shows a weak ferromagnetic behavior, and 2 is very weakly antiferromagnetically coupled.

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with aromatic diamines: study of their interaction with DNA.

Pd(II) and Pt(II) new complexes with simple aromatic diamines were synthesised and characterised with the aim of studying their possible antitumour activity. The aromatic diamines chosen were 2,3-diaminotoluene (2,3 dat), 3,4-diaminotoluene (3,4 dat), 4,5-diaminoxylene (4,5 dax) and 2,3-diaminophenol (2,3 dap). The complexes, of formulae cis-[MCl(2)(diamine)], were characterised by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, 1H, 13C(1H) and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure was also resolved for the palladium complexes with 2,3-diaminotoluene and 4,5-diaminoxylene. The DNA adduct formation of the eight new complexes synthesised was followed by circular dichroism and electrophoretic mobility. Atomic force microscopy images of the modifications caused by the complexes on plasmid DNA pBR322 were also obtained. Values of IC50 were also calculated for the four platinum complexes against the cisplatin resistant tumour cell line A2780cisR.

Structural analysis and magnetic properties of the 1D and 3D compounds [Mn(dca)2nbipym] (M = Mn, Cu; dca = dicyanamide; bipym = bipyrimidine; n = 1,2).

Compounds [Mn(dca)2bipym] (1), [Cu2(dca)4bipym] (2), and [Mn2(dca)4bipym] (3) have been synthesized and structural (2, 3) and magnetically characterized. Compound 1 is isomorphous with [Mn(dca)2bipy]. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group, Z = 4, with a = 7.5609(9), b = 11.477(42), and c = 11.792(2) A and beta = 106.565(6) degrees. Compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 7.396(3) A, b = 11.498(7) A, and c = 12.349(9) A and beta = 106.61(5) degrees. While compound 1 is one-dimensional, with the manganese(II) ions bridged by double mu1,5-dicyanamide ligands, the structural arrangement in compounds 2 and 3 is three-dimensional based on ladder-like moieties. These units, whose steps are bipym groups, extend through mu1,5-dca bridges and are connected to another four on the plane perpendicular to the extension of the ladders to form the 3D arrangement. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show antiferromagnetic couplings in all cases, increasing for 1, 3, and 2, respectively.

Enantioselective addition of a chiral thiazolidinethione-derived titanium enolate to acetals.

[reaction: see text] High stereoselectivities (up to 98% de) have been achieved for the Lewis acid-mediated cross-coupling reaction of dimethyl acetals to a chiral 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione-derived titanium enolate. The reaction affords enantiopure anti alpha-methyl-beta-alkoxy carbonyl compounds in a wide range of acetals.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of three new one-dimensional nickel(II) complexes: new magnetic model for the first one-dimensional S = 1 complex with alternating ferro-ferromagnetic coupling.

Three new one-dimensional nickel(II) complexes with the formulas trans-[Ni(N-Eten)2(mu1.3-N3)]n(ClO4)n (1), trans-[Ni(N-Eten)2(mu1.3-N3)]n(PF6)n (2), and cis-[Ni(N-Eten)(mu1.1-N3)2]n (3) (N-Eten = N-Ethylethylenediamine) were synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 has the P2(1)/c space group and consists of a structurally and magnetically alternating one-dimensional antiferromagnetic system with end-to-end azido bridges. Compound 2 has the P1 space group and has alternate units in its structure but consists of a magnetically uniform one-dimensional antiferromagnetic system with end-to-end azido bridges. Complex 3 has the I2/a space group and may be described as a structurally and magnetically alternating one-dimensional ferromagnetic system with double azido bridged ligands in an end-on coordination mode. The chi(M)T versus T plots for compound 3 suggest an intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction between adjacent NiII ions and metamagnetism at low temperature (below 10 K). The magnetization measurements versus applied field confirm this metamagnetic ordering. In order to describe the magnetic data of this compound we developed a general formula for the magnetic susceptibility of the isotropic ferro-ferromagnetic S = 1 Heisenberg chain in terms of the alternation parameter alpha (= J2/J1); this assumed a variation of chi(M)T versus the length N.

Reactivity in polynuclear transition metal chemistry as a means to obtain high-spin molecules: substitution of mu 4-OH- by eta 1,mu 4-N3- increases nine times the ground-state S value of a nonanuclear nickel(II) cage.

The reaction of di-2-pyridyl ketone, (2-py)2CO, with Ni(O2CMe)(2).4H2O yields the cage [Ni9(OH)2(O2CMe)8((2-py)2CO2)4], which reacts further with N3- ions to give the structurally similar cluster [Ni9(N3)2(O2CMe)8((2-py)2CO2)4] containing extremely rare eta 1,mu 4-N3- groups; magnetic studies reveal that the spin ground state of the latter is nine times the ground state of the former.

X-Ray structure of cytotoxic trans-[PtCl(2)(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine)]: interstrand cross-link efficiency, DNA sequence specificity, and inhibition of the B-Z transition.

We report here the X-ray structure of cytotoxic trans-¿PtCl(2)(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine). This trans-platinum compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, with Z = 8, in the spatial group C2/c with unit cell parameters a = 19.862(17) A, b = 6. 581(3) A, c = 18.563(3) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 119.16(3) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 2119(2) A(3), rho = 2.321 Mg/m(3), R = 0.0505, and R(w) = 0.1166 on the basis of 2339 independent reflections. To our knowledge this is the first report of the crystal structure of a biologically active trans-platinum compound containing different aliphatic amines. The DNA binding mode of trans-¿PtCl(2)(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine) may be a consequence of the spatial disposition of the dimethylamine and isopropylamine ligands around the trans-Pt(II) center. We have found that trans-¿PtCl(2)(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine) readily forms DNA interstrand cross-links. In addition, the compound shows binding affinity toward alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences and inhibits the B-Z transition. These particular DNA binding properties might be related to the capacity of trans-¿PtCl(2)(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine) for inducing some selective killing in a H-ras overexpresssing cell line.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of two new ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic one-dimensional nickel(II) complexes. Magnetostructural correlations.

Two new one-dimensional nickel(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized: [Ni(N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)(N3)2] (1) and [Ni(2-aminoethylpyridine)(N3)2] (2). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were solved. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n with a = 10.569(2) A, b = 7.331(4) A, c = 12.9072(8) A, beta = 111.324(10) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c with a = 12.299(5) A, b = 14.307(2) A, c = 12.604(3), beta = 106.72(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The two complexes are similar and may be described as one-dimensional systems with double-azido-bridged ligands in end-to-end and end-on coordination alternatively. The end-on moiety is almost identical for 1 and 2, but the end-to-end moiety is different in each structure: for 1 this part is almost planar but for 2 is nonplanar. In both cases the Ni atoms are situated in similar distorted octahedral environments. The magnetic properties of the two compounds were studied by susceptibility measurements vs temperature. The chi M vs T plots for 1 and 2 show a global antiferromagnetic behavior with a maximum near room temperature for 1 and at very low temperature for 2. J values for 1 and 2 were deduced from the spin Hamiltonian -sigma(J1SiSi+1 + J2Si+1Si+2). The computational method was based on the numerical solution for finite systems of increasing size. J values for 1 were J1 = -187 cm-1 and J2 = +77 cm-1 and for 2 J1 = -28 cm-1 and J2 = +73 cm-1. The positive values correspond to end-on azido ligands and the negative values to end-to-end azido ligands. Since the geometries of the [Ni(N3)]2 moieties involving the end-on azido ligands are almost the same in the two structures, the ferromagnetic coupling is nearly identical in the two compounds, while the significantly different antiferromagnetic couplings reflect the near planarity of the end-to-end Ni2(N3)2 fragment in 1 and its twisted geometry in 2.

Structural and cytotoxic study of new Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with the bi-heterocyclic ligand mepirizole.

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of formulae [MLCl2], where L = mepirizole, were synthesized and characterized. Two complexes were obtained and studied by different techniques: IR, 1H and 13C NMR and XPS spectroscopies and mass spectrometry (electrospray). The crystal structure of the complex cis-dichloro-4-methoxy-2-(5-methoxy-3-methyl- pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidinepalladium(II), [Pd(mep)Cl2], was studied by crystal X-ray diffraction. It consists of discrete molecules with planar geometry. Pd(II) ions are four-coordinated by two mepirizole nitrogen atoms (N1 from the pyrazole ring and N4 from the pyrimidine ring) and two chlorine atoms. The geometry of the PdN2Cl2 chromophore is a distortion of the square-planar coordination. Data from powder pattern X-ray diffraction of cis-dichloro-4-methoxy-2-(5-methoxy-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl- pyrimidineplatinum(II), [Pt(mep)Cl2], demonstrated that the two complexes are isostructural. The cytotoxic activity of both Pd and Pt complexes was checked for six different tumor cell lines and was lower than that of cisplatin. The Pt bound to DNA was also checked and only a low percentage is able to cross the cell membrane.

Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes of Schiff Thiobases Derived From 2-Carbonylpyridine.

Pd(ll) and Pt(ll) complexes of three series of Schiff thiobases derived from 2- carbonylpyridine have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the Pt(ll) derivative of methyl-3-(2-pyridylmethylene)hydrazinecarbodithioate (HFp) was resolved. The ligand coordinates the platinum ion in tridentate fashion by heterocycle and imine nitrogen and thiocarbonyl sulfur. The fourth ligand is a chloride ion. The structure of the complexes is suitable for the formation of monofunctional adducts with DNA. Studies on the interaction of the complexes with Calf thymus DNA by CD reveal modifications in the B form of lineal DNA. Interaction with plasmid DNA was also confirmed in the images obtained by atomic force microscopy.