Classification of coordination polygons and polyhedra according to their mode of self-assembly.

This work extends techniques for the controlled formation of synthetic molecular containers by metal-mediated self-assembly. A new classification system based on the self-assembly of such species is proposed. The system: 1) allows a systematic identification of suitable acceptor-donor combinations, 2) widens the variety of design possibilities available, 3) allows a ready comparison of the self-assembly of different compounds, 4) reveals useful commonalities between different compounds, 5) aids in the development of novel architectures, and 6) permits identification of systems capable of being switched back-and-forth between architectures.

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.