Modeling the Solvent Extraction of Cadmium(II) from Aqueous Chloride Solutions by 2-pyridyl Ketoximes: A Coordination Chemistry Approach.

The goal of this work is to model the nature of the chemical species [CdCl2(extractant)2] that are formed during the solvent (or liquid-liquid) extraction of the toxic cadmium(II) from chloride-containing aqueous media using hydrophobic 2-pyridyl ketoximes as extractants. Our coordination chemistry approach involves the study of the reactions between cadmium(II) chloride dihydrate and phenyl 2-pyridyl ketoxime (phpaoH) in water-containing acetone. The reactions have provided access to complexes [CdCl2(phpaoH)2]∙H2O (1∙H2O) and {[CdCl2(phpaoH)]}n (2); the solid-state structures of which have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In both complexes, phpaoH behaves as an N,N'-bidentate chelating ligand. The complexes have been characterized by solid-state IR and Raman spectra, and by solution 1H NMR spectra. The preparation and characterization of 1∙H2O provide strong evidence for the existence of the species [CdCl2(extractant)2] that have been proposed to be formed during the liquid-liquid extraction process of Cd(II), allowing the efficient transfer of the toxic metal ion from the aqueous phase into the organic phase.

Ni(II)20 "Bowls" from the Use of Tridentate Schiff Bases.

The reactions of N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol or its derivatives and excess of nickel(II) acetate in alcohols have led to Ni(II)20 clusters with an unprecedented "bowl" metal topology.

Mononuclear anionic octahedral cobalt(III) complexes based on N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol and its derivatives: synthetic, structural and spectroscopic studies.

The reactions of Co(II) sources with N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol (H2saph), N-salicylidene-o-amino-4-methylphenol (H2saph-4Me) and N-salicylidene-o-amino-4-chlorophenol (H2saph-4Cl) were studied in MeOH. The new solid complexes (Bu4(n)N)[Co(III)(saph)2] (1), (Et3NH)[Co(III)(saph-4Me)2]⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H (2⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H) and (Et3NH)[Co(III)(saph-4Cl)2]⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H (3⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H) have been isolated and their structures determined by single-crystal, X-ray crystallography. The three compounds contain the mononuclear, low- spin octahedral anion [Co(III)L2](-) (H2L=H2saph, H2saph-4Me, H2saph-4Cl), in which both L(2)(-) ligands act as tridentate chelating, meridional ONO donors. The crystal structures of 2⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H and 3⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H are built through H-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic (IR, Raman, UV/VIS, (1)H NMR) data. All data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures.

Synthesis and characterization of fac-[M(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[M(CO)2(P)2(OO)] complexes (M = Re, (99m)Tc) with acetylacetone and curcumin as OO donor bidentate ligands.

The synthesis and characterization of neutral mixed ligand complexes fac-[M(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[M(CO)2(P)2(OO)] (M = Re, (99m)Tc), with deprotonated acetylacetone or curcumin as the OO donor bidentate ligands and a phosphine (triphenylphosphine or methyldiphenylphosphine) as the monodentate P ligand, is described. The complexes were synthesized through the corresponding fac-[M(CO)3(H2O)(OO)] (M = Re, (99m)Tc) intermediate aqua complex. In the presence of phosphine, replacement of the H2O molecule of the intermediate complex at room temperature generates the neutral tricarbonyl monophosphine fac-[Re(CO)3(P)(OO)] complex, while under reflux conditions further replacement of the trans to the phosphine carbonyl generates the new stable dicarbonyl bisphosphine complex cis-trans-[Re(CO)2(P)2(OO)]. The Re complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography showing a distorted octahedral geometry around Re. Both the monophosphine and the bisphosphine complexes of curcumin show selective binding to ß-amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease. At the (99m)Tc tracer level, the same type of complexes, fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[(99m)Tc(CO)2(P)2(OO)], are formed introducing new donor combinations for (99m)Tc(I). Overall, ß-diketonate and phosphine constitute a versatile ligand combination for Re(I) and (99m)Tc(I), and the successful employment of the multipotent curcumin as ß-diketone provides a solid example of the pharmacological potential of this system.

Employment of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime in 3d/4f-metal chemistry: dinuclear nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) species and complexes containing the metals in separate ions.

The use of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime (mpkoH) for the synthesis of Ni(II)/Ln(III) (Ln = lanthanide) complexes, using "one-pot" reactions in the absence of an external base, is described. Depending on the reaction and crystallization conditions employed, two families of complexes have been obtained. The first family consists of true heterometallic species and involves complexes [NiLn(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2), where Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er. The second family contains the pseudo heterometallic complexes [Ni(mpkoH)(3)](2)[Ln(NO(3))(6)](ClO(4)), where Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm. The crystal structures of [NiCe(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [NiDy(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (8) and [Ni(mpkoH)(3)](2)[La(NO(3))(6)](ClO(4)) (11) have been determined by single-crystal, X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1·1.2MeOH·0.6H(2)O and 8·1.2MeOH·0.6H(2)O crystallise in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a and are isomorphous; there are two crystallographically independent cations in the unit cell, but their interatomic distances and angles differ little. The Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions are bridged by three oximate groups belonging to the η(1):η(1):η(1):µ mpko(-) ligands. The Ni(II) centre is octahedrally coordinated by the six nitrogen atoms of the mpko(-) ligands in a facial arrangement. The Ln(III) centre is bound to an (O(oximate))(3)N(6) set of donor atoms, the nitrogen atoms belonging to the three N,N'-bidentate chelating mpkoH ligands. The stereochemistry of the Ln(III) atoms has been evaluated by means of continuous shape measures (CShM). The two crystallographically independent Ce(III) atoms in 1 have tricapped trigonal prismatic and capped square antiprismatic coordination geometries, while the polyhedra of the Dy(III) atoms in 8 are both close to a tricapped trigonal prism. The octahedral Ni(II) atoms in 11 are both facially bound to a N(6) set of donor atoms from three N,N'-bidentate chelating mpkoH ligands, while the 12-coordinate La(III) centre in [La(NO(3))(6)](3-) is coordinated by six bidentate chelating nitrato groups. Variable-temperature, solid state dc magnetic susceptibility studies were carried out on complexes 2, 6, 7 and 8. The dc susceptibility data for 6 in the 2.0-300 K range have been fit to a model with one J value, revealing an antiferromagnetic Ni(II)···Gd(III) exchange interaction [J = -1.1 cm(-1) based on H = -J (S(Ni)·S(Gd))]. Antiferromagnetic Ni(II)···Pr(III), Ni(II)···Tb(III) and Ni(II)···Dy(III) exchange interactions have also been suggested for 2, 7 and 8, respectively. The combined work demonstrates the usefulness of mpko(-) in the preparation of interesting Ni(II)/Ln(III) compounds, without requiring the presence of external base and ancillary organic ligands.

Investigating magnetostructural correlations in the pseudooctahedral trans-[Ni(II){(OPPh2)(EPPh2)N}2(sol)2] complexes (E = S, Se; sol = DMF, THF) by magnetometry, HFEPR, and ab initio quantum chemistry.

In this work, magnetometry and high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (HFEPR) have been employed in order to determine the spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters of the non-Kramers, S = 1, pseudooctahedral trans-[Ni(II){(OPPh(2))(EPPh(2))N}(2)(sol)(2)] (E = S, Se; sol = DMF, THF) complexes. X-ray crystallographic studies on these compounds revealed a highly anisotropic NiO(4)E(2) coordination environment, as well as subtle structural differences, owing to the nature of the Ni(II)-coordinated solvent molecule or ligand E atoms. The effects of these structural characteristics on the magnetic properties of the complexes were investigated. The accurately HFEPR-determined SH zero-field-splitting (zfs) D and E parameters, along with the structural data, provided the basis for a systematic density functional theory (DFT) and multiconfigurational ab initio computational analysis, aimed at further elucidating the electronic structure of the complexes. DFT methods yielded only qualitatively useful data. However, already entry level ab initio methods yielded good results for the investigated magnetic properties, provided that the property calculations are taken beyond a second-order treatment of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) interaction. This was achieved by quasi-degenerate perturbation theory, in conjunction with state-averaged complete active space self-consistent-field calculations. The accuracy in the calculated D parameters improves upon recovering dynamic correlation with multiconfigurational ab initio methods, such as the second-order N-electron valence perturbation theory NEVPT2, the difference dedicated configuration interaction, and the spectroscopy-oriented configuration interaction. The calculations showed that the magnitude of D (∼3-7 cm(-1)) in these complexes is mainly dominated by multiple SOC contributions, the origin of which was analyzed in detail. In addition, the observed largely rhombic regime (E/D = 0.16-0.33) is attributed to the highly distorted metal coordination sphere. Of special importance is the insight by this work on the zfs effects of Se coordination to Ni(II). Overall, a combined experimental and theoretical methodology is provided, as a means to probe the electronic structure of octahedral Ni(II) complexes.

Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug-copper(II) complexes: structure and biological perspectives.

Copper(II) complexes with the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug mefenamic acid in the presence of aqua or nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligands (2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridylamine or pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of [(2,2'-bipyridine)bis(mefenamato)copper(II)], 2, [(2,2'-bipyridylamine)bis(mefenamato)copper(II)], 4, and [bis(pyridine)bis(methanol)bis(mefenamato)copper(II)], 5, have been determined by X-ray crystallography. UV study of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that the complexes can bind to CT DNA and [bis(aqua)tetrakis(mefenamato)dicopper(II)] exhibits the highest binding constant to CT DNA. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes in the presence of CT DNA solution have shown that the complexes can bind to CT DNA by the intercalative binding mode verified also by DNA solution viscosity measurements. Competitive studies with ethidium bromide (EB) indicate that the complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB suggesting strong competition with EB. Mefenamic acid and its complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein having relatively high binding constant values. All the compounds have been tested for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity as well as for their in vitro inhibitory activity against soybean lipoxygenase showing significant activity.

Conversion of tetrahedral to octahedral structures upon solvent coordination: studies on the M[(OPPh2)(SePPh2)N]2 (M = Co, Ni) and [Ni{(OPPh2)(EPPh2)N}2(dmf)2] (E = S, Se) complexes.

The synthesis of the M[(OPPh(2))(SePPh(2))N](2), M = Co (1), Ni (2) complexes was accomplished by metathetical reactions between the corresponding M(II) salts and the deprotonated form of the dichalcogenated imidodiphosphinato ligand [(OPPh(2))(SePPh(2))N](-). X-Ray crystallography revealed a pseudo-tetrahedral MO(2)Se(2) coordination sphere, owing to the asymmetric (O,Se) nature of the chelating ligand. Slow diffusion of the coordinating solvent dimethylformamide into dichloromethane solutions of Ni[(OPPh(2))(SPPh(2))N](2) or 2, afforded the pseudo-octahedral trans-[Ni{(OPPh(2))(EPPh(2))N}(2)(dmf)(2)], E = S (3), Se (4) complexes, respectively. UV-vis spectra provided evidence that, in solution, complexes 3 and 4 revert to the corresponding pseudo-tetrahedral complexes, most likely due to the removal of the dmf molecules from the coordination sphere. The IR spectra of all complexes reflect the structural features observed by X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties of the S = 3/2 complex 1, as well as the S = 1 complexes 2, 3 and 4, were extensively studied, and the magnitude of their g and zero-field splitting D parameters was estimated. The reported structures establish a structural transformation of tetrahedral to octahedral geometry of Ni(II) complexes bearing asymmetric imidodiphosphinate ligands, upon recrystallization from coordinating solvents. The structural correlations between the Ni(II) coordination spheres are aided by DFT and ab initio multi-configuration MCSCF calculations, which investigate the corresponding interconversion pathways. In addition, the calculations provide descriptions of the bonding interactions in the octahedral Ni(II) complexes, as well as predictions of their D values.

Hydrogen-Bonded Networks Based on Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Zinc(II) Complexes of N,N'-Diethylurea.

N,N'-diethylurea (DEU) was employed as a ligand to form the octahedral complexes [M(DEU)(6)](2+) (M=Co, Ni and Zn). Compounds [Co(DEU)(6)](BF(4))(2) (1), [Co(DEU)(6)](CIO(4))(2) (2), [Ni(DEU)(6)](CIO(4))(2) (3), and [Zn(DMU)(6)](CIO(4))(2) (4) have been prepared from the reactions of DEU and the appropriate hydrated metal(II) salts in EtOH in the presence of 2,2-dimethoxypropane. Crystal structure determinations demonstrate the existence of [M(DEU)(6)](2+) cations and CIO(4) (-) (in 2-4) or BF(4) (-) (in 1) counterions. The [M(DEU)(6)](2+) cations in the solid state are stabilized by a pseudochelate effect due to the existence of six strong intracationic N-H cdots, three dots, centered O((DEU)) hydrogen bonds. The [M(DEU)(6)](2+) cations and counterions self-assemble to form hydrogen-bonded 2D architectures in 2-4 that conform to the kgd (kagome dual) network, and a 3D hydrogen-bonded rtl (rutile) network in 1. The nature of the resulting supramolecular structures is influenced by the nature of the counter-ion. The complexes were also characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (IR).

Initial employment of di-2-pyridyl ketone as a route to nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) clusters: triangular Ni(2)Ln complexes.

Using monoanionic forms of di-2-pyridyl ketone as the only primary ligand, triangular Ni(2)M (M = lanthanide, Y) complexes with interesting magnetic properties have been synthesized.

Medium effect on the geometric isomerism of a centrosymmetrically disubstituted naphthalene derivative with flexible methoxytriethylene glycol chains.

The geometric isomeric diversity of a centrosymmetrically disubstituted naphthalene derivative with flexible methoxytriethyleneglycol chains has been investigated both in the liquid and the solid state. Owing to the fact that the exocyclic C(Aryl)-O linking appears to be essentially a double bond, the material can exist in discrete geometric isomers. Variable temperature ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy combined with single crystal X-ray diffraction reveal the nature of the various stereoisomers present in the liquid and solid phase. Computational support is also given wherever possible. In solution, the material exists predominantly as a mixture of two rapidly interconverting stereoisomers; namely, the thermodynamically preferred cis, cis and the energetically closest lying cis, trans configuration. In the solid state, optical spectroscopic methods provide evidence for the presence of a small amount of the energetically highly unstable trans, trans stereoisomer, kinetically trapped in the lattice defined by the scaffold of the predominant cis, cis isomeric form. Unlocking of the seemingly frozen cis, cis right arrow over left arrow trans, trans equilibrium was observed in the molten state.

A tetrahedron in a cube: a dodecanuclear Zn(II) benzoate cluster from the use of 2-pyridinealdoxime.

The reactions of 2-pyridinealdoxime with Zn(O(2)CPh)(2)·2H(2)O have led to a mononuclear complex and a dodecanuclear cluster; the Zn(12) compound, whose metallic skeleton describes a tetrahedron encapsulated in a distorted cube, is the biggest Zn(II) oxime cluster discovered to date and displays photoluminescence with a maximum at 354 nm upon maximum excitation at 314 nm.

Zinc(II) complexes of the second-generation quinolone antibacterial drug enrofloxacin: Structure and DNA or albumin interaction.

Zinc mononuclear complexes with the second-generation quinolone antibacterial drug enrofloxacin in the absence or presence of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine have been synthesized and characterized. Enrofloxacin is on deprotonated mode acting as a bidentate ligand coordinated to zinc ion through the ketone and a carboxylato oxygen atoms. The crystal structure of bis(enrofloxacinato)(1,10-phenanthroline)zinc(II), 2, has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of the complexes has been evaluated by examining their ability to bind to calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) with UV and fluorescence spectroscopies. UV studies of the interaction of the complexes with DNA have shown that they can bind to CT DNA and the DNA binding constants have been calculated. Competitive studies with ethidium bromide (EB) have shown that the complexes exhibit the ability to displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB for the intercalative binding site. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human and bovine serum albumin proteins having relatively high binding constant values.

Copper inverse-9-metallacrown-3 compounds interacting with DNA.

Interaction of phenyl 2-pyridyl ketoxime (PhPyCNO)/X(-)"blends" (X(-) = OH(-), Cl(-), ClO(4)(-), 2,4-D) (2,4-DH = 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) with copper perchlorate has yielded trinuclear clusters that have been characterized as inverse-9-metallacrown-3, accommodating one or two anions. The structure of the complex [Cu(3)(PhPyCNO)(3)(mu(3)-OH)(2,4-D)(2)] x 1.25CH(3)OH.0.25CH(3)CN (1) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of copper inverse {(OH)[9-MC(CuN(PhPyCNO))-3]} metallacrowns with DNA showed that these compounds bind to dsDNA by intercalative mode with an additional covalent {(OH)[9-MC(Cu(PhPyCNO))-3]}-DNA interaction leading to hydrolytic cleavage of DNA that may be assigned to the presence of the hydroxyl group in the inverse metallacrown ring. The binding strength of [Cu(3)(PhPyCNO)(3)(mu(3)-OH)(2,4-D)(2)] (1) complex for CT-DNA was determined to be 0.56 x 10(5) M(-1). All the complexes exhibited the ability to displace the DNA-bound EthBr. DNA electrophoretic mobility experiments showed that all complexes, at low cluster concentration, are capable of binding to pDNA and linear DNA. At higher cluster concentration and in the absence of any reducing agent they showed marked chemical nuclease activity.

Nickel-quinolones interaction. Part 1 - Nickel(II) complexes with the antibacterial drug sparfloxacin: structure and biological properties.

The mononuclear nickel(II) complexes with the third-generation quinolone antibacterial agent sparfloxacin in the absence or presence of nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligands (1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. The experimental data suggest that sparfloxacin acts as deprotonated bidentate ligand coordinated to Ni(II) ion through the ketone and carboxylato oxygens. The crystal structure of (1,10-phenanthroline)bis(sparfloxacinato) nickel(II), 2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes recorded in dmso solution and in 1/2 dmso/buffer (containing 150 mM NaCl and 15 mM trisodium citrate at pH 7.0) solution have shown that in the presence of CT DNA they can bind to CT DNA by the intercalative binding mode. UV study of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that the complexes can bind to CT DNA and 2 exhibits the highest binding constant to CT DNA. Competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) has shown that the complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB for the intercalative binding site. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms and has revealed that the inhibition provided by the complexes is slightly decreased in comparison to free sparfloxacin. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human and bovine serum albumin proteins having relatively high binding constant values.

Synthesis and characterization of new aromatic aldehyde/ketone 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)thiosemicarbazones.

A series of 22 aromatic aldehyde/ketone 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)thiosemicarbazones have been synthesized by condensation of 4-(per-O-acetylated-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)thiosemicarbazide with an aldehyde or a ketone, and then, deacetylation of the resulting product. The compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis, and for two derivatives by X-ray analysis. The data indicate the beta configuration, and the E configuration pertaining to the stereochemistry of the C=N bond. However, a partial conversion of the E-form into the Z-form is possible in solution after several hours.

Alcoholysis/hydrolysis of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole as a means of preparing unprecedented, imidazole-containing one-dimensional coordination polymers of copper(II).

The use of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole, (im)(2)CO, for the synthesis of imidazolate (im(-)) and/or imidazole (Him)-containing copper(II) coordination polymers is described. The [Cu(2)(O(2)CMe)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]/(im)(2)CO reaction system in EtOH yields the new polymeric species [Cu(O(2)CMe)(im)(Him)(EtOH)](n) () and the known compound [Cu(im)(2)](n) (), depending on the reaction conditions. A mechanism for the alcoholysis/hydrolysis of (im)(2)CO is proposed. Complex comprises neutral, zigzag chains with the eta(1):eta(1):mu im(-) ligand bridging two neighbouring Cu(II) atoms. Each square pyramidal metal centre is coordinated to two imidazolate nitrogen atoms, the pyridine-type nitrogen atom of the terminal imidazole ligand, one acetate oxygen atom and the ethanol oxygen atom. The dc magnetic susceptibility data for have been analysed according to the Bonner-Fisher model for an equally spaced S = 1/2 chain, revealing moderate antiferromagnetic Cu(II)Cu(II) exchange interactions (J = -33.5 cm(-1) using the H = -2J summation operatorS(i)S(i+1) spin Hamiltonian). The reaction system Cu(NO(3))(2).3H(2)O/(im)(2)CO in EtOH leading to the preparation of known trans-[Cu(NO(3))(2)(Him)(4)] () is also described. With terephthalate(-2) (tp(2-)), instead of MeCO(2)(-), in MeOH/H(2)O the product is the new, 1D linear coordination polymer [Cu(tp)(Him)(2)(H(2)O)](n).2nH(2)O (.2nH(2)O). Adjacent square pyramidal Cu(II) atoms are singly bridged by the bis-monodentate tp(2-) ligand, while two monodentate Him groups and one H(2)O molecule complete five-coordination at each metal centre. The chains of and .2nH(2)O form interesting, hydrogen-bonded 3D networks. The combined work demonstrates the usefulness of (im)(2)CO in the preparation of interesting Cu(II) coordination polymers which can not be obtained by the use of Him.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of novel mononuclear peroxotungsten(VI) complexes. Insulinomimetic activity of W(VI) and Nb(V) peroxo complexes.

Two new mononuclear peroxo complexes of tungsten of the formula (gu)(2)[WO(2)(O(2))(2)] (1) and (gu)[WO(O(2))(2)(quin-2-c)] (2a) (where gu(+)=guanidinium ion, CN(3)H(6)(+) and quin-2-c=quinoline-2-carboxylate ion) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, Raman, UV-visible and (1)H NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structure of (gu)[WO(O(2))(2)(quin-2-c)].H(2)O (2b) determined by X-ray diffraction indicates that the side-on peroxo groups and the bidentate quinaldate ligand bind the W(VI) centre leading to an hepta coordination mode. The guanidinium ion occurring as a counterion and the hydrogen-bound interactions stabilize the complexes. The in vitro insulin-mimetic effect of the complexes has been evaluated by the inhibitory effect on free fatty acid release in isolated fat adipocytes treated with epinephrine. Moreover the niobate analogues, synthesized and characterized previously, (gu)(3)[Nb(O(2))(4)] and (gu)(2)[Nb(O(2))(3)(quin-2-c)].H(2)O have been tested for the insulin-like activity.

Interpretation of the magnetic properties of a compound consisting of cocrystallized Cu(II)(3) and Cu(II)(4) clusters through the targeted synthesis and study of its discrete Cu(II)(4) component.

The use of the binary "blend" of MeCO(2)(-)/pdmH(2) ligands (pdmH(2) = pyridine-2,6-dimethanol) in copper(II) chemistry has provided access to a compound consisting of discrete linear Cu(II)(3) and cubane Cu(II)(4) clusters. The complicated magnetic behavior of the Cu(II)(3) + Cu(II)(4) complex was clarified and interpreted through the designed synthesis of the individual Cu(II)(4) component; a unique 1D (Cu(II)(5))(n) compound containing a Cu(II)(3) subunit, which is structurally similar to the trinuclear cluster in the Cu(II)(3) + Cu(II)(4) compound, was also isolated and structurally characterized.

A MnII4 cubane and a novel MnII10MnIII4 cluster from the use of di-2-pyridyl ketone in manganese acetate chemistry.

The employment of di-2-pyridyl ketone, (py)2CO, in manganese(II) acetate chemistry is reported. The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetochemical characterisation are described for [MnII4(O2CMe)4{(py)2C(OH)O}4] () and [MnII10MnIII4O4(O2CMe)20{(py)2C(OH)O}4] (), where (py)2C(OH)O- is the monoanion of the gem-diol form of the ligand. The reaction of Mn(O2CMe)(2).4H2O with one equivalent of (py)2CO in Me2CO gives . Complex was obtained from the 1:1 reaction, in EtOH, between Mn(O2CMe)(2).4H2O and (py)2CO in the presence of NEt3. The tetranuclear molecule has a cubane topology with the MnII and the deprotonated oxygen atoms from the eta1:eta3:eta1:micro3 ligands occupying alternate vertices of the cube. The core of consists of two mixed valence cubane {MnII2MnIII2(micro3-O)2(micro3-OR'')2}4+ subunits that are linked through an unusual {MnII6(eta1:eta2:micro-O2CMe)6(eta2:eta2:micro3-O2CMe)2}4+ moiety via twelve eta1:eta1:micro MeCO2- groups. Some suggestions have been made concerning the possible assembly of from . The magnetic properties of in the 300-5 K range have been modelled with two J values, which reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the molecule. Complex has a low spin ground state. This work demonstrates the flexibility, versatility and synthetic potential of combining (py)2CO with carboxylate ligands.