Dinuclear copper(II) complexes with derivative triazine ligands as biomimetic models for catechol oxidases and nucleases

The research reported herein focuses on the synthesis of two new Cu(II) complexes {[Cu₂(2-X-4,6-bis(di-2-picolylamino)-1,3,5-triazine], with X = butane-1,4-diamine (2) or N-methylpyrenylbutane-1,4-diamine (3)}, the latter with a pyrene group as a possible DNA intercalating agent. The structure of complex (3) was determined by X-ray crystallography and shows the dinuclear {Cu^II(μ-OCH₃)₂Cu^II} unit in which the Cu^II···Cu^II distance of 3.040 Å is similar to that of 2.97 Å previously found for 1, which contains a {Cu^II(μ-OH)₂Cu^II} structural unit. Complexes (2) and (3) were also characterized in spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, and catecholase-like activity were performed for both complexes. The kinetic parameters obtained for the oxidation of the model substrate 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol revealed that the insertion of the spacer butane-1,4-diamine and the pyrene group strongly contributes to increasing the catalytic efficiency of these systems. In fact, K_ass becomes significantly higher, indicating that these groups influence the interaction between the complex and the substrate. These complexes also show DNA cleavage under mild conditions with moderate reaction times. The rate of cleavage (k_cat) indicated that the presence of butane-1,4-diamine and pyrene increased the activity of both complexes. The reaction mechanism seems to have oxidative and hydrolytic features and the effect of DNA groove binding compounds and circular dichroism indicate that all complexes interact with plasmid DNA through the minor groove. High-resolution DNA cleavage assays provide information on the interaction mechanism and for complex (2) a specificity for the unpaired hairpin region containing thymine bases was observed, in contrast to (3).

Synthesis, Structure, and Biological Assays of Novel Trifluoromethyldiazepine–Metal Complexes

A new series of CuII, NiII, CoII, and MnIII complexes have been synthesised from the (6Z)-6-(7-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5H-1,4-diazepin-5-ylidene)cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-one (HDZP) ligand. These complexes were characterised by elemental, spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis), and thermal analysis. The crystal structure of Cu-DZP was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex crystallises in the monoclinic P21/c space group, with two molecules per unit cell. The crystal lattice is stabilised by different intra and intermolecular interactions. Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed to obtain additional information about interactions that are responsible for the crystal packing. Quantitative examination of the fingerprint plots indicated the dominant contribution of H⋯H and H⋯X (X=O, F) interactions in the crystal packing. In addition, C–H⋯chelate ring (CR) and C–H⋯π interactions are described in detail and evaluated using DFT calculations. The antibacterial properties and the mechanism of inhibition of the main bacterial resistant mechanism, the biofilm, of the metal complexes and free ligand were investigated. [Mn(DZP)3]·2H2O was the most active complex against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation with an inhibition of 40%. However, none of the complexes inhibit more than 25% of the Gram negative bacteria microbial development. The most meaningful result was the bactericidal effect of [Co(DZP)2(H2O)2]·2H2O against the Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, which inhibits the bacterial development and significantly reduces the biofilm formation at low concentration.

N,1,4-Tri(4-alkoxy-2-hydroxybenzyl)-DAZA: efficient one-pot synthesis and labelling with 68Ga for PET liver imaging in ovo

We report the isolation of a new type of 1,4-diazepan-6-amine (DAZA)-based ligand. Condensation of aldehydes with DAZA gives a novel class of 1,5-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes in nearly quantitative yields. Subsequent reductive cleavage of these bicyclic aminal species with sodium borohydride selectively leads to N,1,4-tri(4-alkoxy-2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4-diazepan-6-amines (alkoxy = Me: TMeOHB-DAZA; alkoxy = Et: TEtOHB-DAZA) via a unique reductive alkylation reaction in which a substituent is added to the DAZA moiety without the presence of an alkylating agent. Mass spectrometry studies of the intermediates suggest that the mechanism involves insertion of in situ released carbonyl species into an aminal bond to form hemiaminal intermediates, and subsequent reduction. TMeOHB-DAZA and TEtOHB-DAZA are hexadentate ligands suitable for effectively coordinating Ga(iii) ions. Chelation of the radionuclide 68Ga was achieved within 5 min at 100 °C. In vitro stability studies in PBS and human serum confirmed the kinetic inertness of the tracers as no 68Ga demetallation was observed over a period of 4 h. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging after in ovo administration to incubated ostrich eggs showed a high uptake in the liver, namely 27% (60 min post injection), and subsequent biliary excretion. These results suggest that [68Ga]Ga-TMeOHB-DAZA and [68Ga]Ga-TEtOHB-DAZA have excellent potential as hepatobiliary PET/CT imaging agents.

Formation and base hydrolysis of oxidimethaneamine bridges in CoIII-amine complexes

cis-[CoL2](3+) (1a(3+)), trans-[CoL2](3+) (2a(3+)), cis-[Co(MeL)2](3+) (1b(3+)), and trans-[Co(MeL)2](3+) (2b(3+)), L = 1,4-diazepan-6-amine (daza) and MeL = 6-methyl-1,4-diazepan-6-amine (Medaza), were allowed to react as templates in acetonitrile with paraformaldehyde and triethylamine. Several Co(III) complexes, where two adjacent amino groups of two ligand moieties are interlinked by an oxidimethaneamine bridge, were obtained. Connection of a primary with a secondary amino group (prim-sec bridging) was found to be predominant. The singly and doubly bridged daza- and Medaza-derivatives 7a(3+), 9a(3+) and 7b(3+), 9b(3+) were characterized by crystal-structure analysis. The bridging process resulted in a slight lengthening of the mean Co-N distance, a red shift of the A1g-T1g transition, and an increase of the Co(III)/Co(II) reduction potential. Several minor components, which could be only partially separated by chromatographic methods, were also formed. The daza-derivatives 6a(3+) (prim-prim bridged) and 10a(3+) (bidentate coordination of one daza frame) formed in small quantities. The Medaza derivatives 3b(3+) and 4b(3+) (trans configuration of the Medaza frames, with additional pending carbinolamino groups), and 8b(3+) (with a methylideneimino group) represent intermediates of the condensation process. Their structure was again corroborated by X-ray diffraction. All bridged species (6a(3+), 7a(3+), 7b(3+), 8b(3+), 9a(3+), 9b(3+), and 10a(3+)) exhibited exclusively a cis orientation of the two diazepane frames, even if the trans configured 2a(3+) or 2b(3+) were used as starting materials. Molecular mechanics calculations indicate that in the bridged species with a trans configuration steric strain is substantially more pronounced. In alkaline aqueous media, 9a(3+) and 9b(3+) revealed a complete degradation of the bridges whereby the original 1a(3+) and 1b(3+) reformed. The pseudo-first-order rate constant k(obs) of the degradation reaction was found to depend linearly on OH(-) concentration. The degradation of the first bridge is about 100 times faster than the degradation of the second. The mechanism of formation and degradation of such oxidimethaneamine bridges is discussed.

Tri-tert-butyl 3-oxo-4-oxa-1,8,11-triazaspiro[5.6]dodecane-1,8,11-triacetate

The title compound, C(26)H(45)N(3)O(8), is a bicyclic molecule; the seven-membered diazepane ring has a twisted-chair conformation and the six-membered morpholine ring has a boat conformation.

Di-μ-chlorido-bis-[chlorido(1,4,6-trimethyl-6-nitro-1,4-diazepine)copper(II)]

The title neutral copper complex, [Cu₂Cl₄(C₈H₁₇N₃O₂)₂], shows a binuclear center with a Cu—(μ-Cl)₂—Cu core, in which each copper ion is coordinated by the N,N,O donor atoms of the tridentate ligand 1,4,6-trimethyl-6-nitro-1,4-diazepine (meaaz-NO₂) and three chloride exogenous ligands. Each metal ion is facially coordinated by meaaz-NO₂ through N,N,O donor atoms, whereas two bridging and one terminal chloride ions occupy the other face of the highly Jahn–Teller-distorted octa­hedron. Two N atoms from tertiary amine groups of the meaaz-NO₂ ligand and two exogenous Cl atoms with short Cu—N and Cu—Cl distances define the equatorial plane. The coordination around each Cu^II ion is completed by another Cl atom and an O atom from the NO₂ group, in the axial positions. The binuclear complex exhibits a centrosymmetric structure with point symmetry .