Ruthenium(II) Complexes of Carboxylated Terpyridines and Dipyrazinylpyridines

Mitochondrial targeted osmium polypyridyl probe shows concentration dependent uptake, localisation and mechanism of cell death

A symmetric osmium(ii) [bis-(4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine)] was prepared and conjugated to two mitochondrial-targeting peptide sequences; FrFKFrFK (r = d-arginine). The parent and conjugate complexes showed strong near infra-red emission centred at λmax 745 nm that was modestly oxygen dependent in the case of the parent and oxygen independent in the case of the conjugate, attributed in the latter case, surprisingly, to a shorter emission lifetime of the conjugate compared to the parent. Confocal fluorescence imaging of sub-live HeLa and MCF 7 cells showed the parent complex was cell impermeable whereas the conjugate was rapidly internalised into the cell and distributed in a concentration dependent manner. At concentrations below approximately 30 μmol, the conjugate localised to the mitochondria of both cell types where it was observed to trigger apoptosis induced by the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MPP). At concentrations exceeding 30 μmol the conjugate was similarly internalised rapidly but distributed throughout the cell, including to the nucleus and nucleolus. At these concentrations, it was observed to precipitate a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. The combination of concentration dependent organelle targeting, NIR emission coincident with the biological window, and distribution dependent cytotoxicity offers an interesting approach to theranostics with the possibility of eliciting site dependent therapeutic effect whilst monitoring the therapeutic effect with luminescence imaging.

Heteroleptic ruthenium bis-terpyridine complexes bearing a 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl donor and free coordination sites for hydrogen photo-evolution

Three new ruthenium bis-terpyridine complexes bearing both an internal electron donor and peripheral coordination site(s) are used as photosensitisers in H₂ photo-evolution under blue and green light with sustained activity for at least two days.

Chiral macrocyclic terpyridine complexes

Interlinking of two terpyridine ligands results in mononuclear chiral metal complexes (Fe and Ru) which were separated into their enantiomers.

The syntheses of novel chiral M(ii) bis(terpyridine) cage complexes Fe(L1)₂-c and Ru(L1)₂-c are described. The extraordinary design of the precursors Fe(L1)₂ and Ru(L1)₂ allows perfect preorganization for the final closing step. Due to the rigidity of the spacers between the two terpyridine moieties, the two isolated enantiomers barely racemize at room temperature in solution. The stable and axially chiral bis(terpyridine) Fe(ii) and Ru(ii) complexes were fully characterized by NMR-spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, high resolution mass spectrometry, circular dichroism measurements, and X-ray structural analysis.

Stepwise synthesis, characterization, DNA binding properties and cytotoxicity of diruthenium oligopyridine compounds conjugated with peptides

Although the interactions of oligopyridine ruthenium complexes with DNA have been widely studied, the biological activity of similar diruthenium oligopyridine complexes conjugated with peptides has not been investigated. Herein, we report the stepwise synthesis and characterization of diruthenium complexes with the general formula [(L^a)Ru(tppz)Ru(L^b)]ⁿ⁺ (tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, L^a = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine or 4-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and L^b = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Gly¹-Gly²-Gly³-LysCONH₂) (5), (6), n = 5; 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Gly¹-Gly²-Lys¹-Lys²CONH₂) (7), (8), n = 6; 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Ahx-Lys¹Lys²CONH₂) (9), (10), n = 5, Ahx = 6-aminohexanoic acid). The compounds [(trpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy-CO₂H)](PF₆)₄, (2)(PF₆)₄, [(ptrpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy-CO₂H)](PF₆)₄, (3)(PF₆)₄ and [(ptrpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy)](PF₆)₄, (4)(PF₆)₄ were also characterized by single crystal X-ray methods. Moreover, the interactions of the chloride salts (5), (6) and (4) with the self-complementary dodecanucleotide duplex d(5'-CGCGAATTCGCG-3')₂ were studied by NMR spectroscopic techniques. The results show that complex (4) binds in the central part of the oligonucleotide, from the minor groove through the ligand ptrpy, while the ligand trpy, which was located on the other side of the diruthenium core, does not contribute to the binding. Complex (5) binds similarly, through the ligand ptrpy. However, the induced upfield shifts of the ptrpy proton signals are significantly lower than the corresponding ones in the case of (4), indicating much lower binding affinity. This is clear evidence that the tethered peptide Gly¹-Gly²-Gly³-Lys¹CONH₂ hinders the complex binding, even though it contains groups that are able to assist it (e.g., the positively charged amino group of lysine, the peptidic backbone, the terminal amide). Complex (6) shows a non-specific binding, interacting through electrostatic forces. The chloride salts of (4), (5) and (6) had insignificant effects on the cell cycle distribution and marginal cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 750 μM) against human lung cancer cell lines H1299 and H1437, indicating that their binding to the oligonucleotide is not a sufficient condition for their cytotoxicity.

Facile Fabrication of Ordered Component-Tunable Heterobimetallic Self-Assembly Nanosheet for Catalyzing "Click" Reaction

How to maximize the number of desirable active sites on the surface of the catalyst and minimize the number of sites promoting undesirable side reactions is currently an important research topic. In this study, a new way based on the synergism to achieve the successful fabrication of an ordered heterobimetallic self-assembled monolayer (denoted as BMSAM) with a controlled composition and an excellent orientation of metals in the monolayer was developed. BMSAM consisting of phenanthroline and Schiff-base groups was prepared, and its novel heterobimetallic (Cu and Pd) self-assembled monolayer anchored in silicon (denoted as Si-Fmp-Cu-Pd BMSAM) with a controlled composition and a fixed position was fabricated and characterized by UV, cyclic voltammetry, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and water-drop contact angle (WDCA) analyses. The effects of Si-Fmp-Cu-Pd BMSAM on its catalytic properties were also systematically investigated using "click" reaction as a template by WDCA, XPS, SEM, XRD, ICP-AES and in situ Fourier transform infrared analyses in a heterogeneous system. The results showed that the excellent catalytic characteristic could be attributed to the partial (ordered or proper distance) isolation of active sites displaying high densities of specific atomic ensembles. The catalytic reaction mechanism of the click reaction interpreted that the catalytic process mainly occurred on the surface of the monolayer, internal active site (Pd) and rationalized that the Cu(I) species and Pd(0) reduced from the Cu(II) and Pd(II) catalyst were active species, which had a proper distance between two different metals. The cuprate-triazole intermediate and the palladium intermediate, whose production is the key step, should lie in a proper position between the copper and active palladium sites, with which the reaction rate of transmetalation would be improved to increase the amount of the undesired Sonogashira coupling product.

Two uranyl heterocyclic carboxyl compounds with fluorescent properties as high sensitivity and selectivity optical detectors for nitroaromatics

Uranyl skeleton compounds showed high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of nitroaromatics.

Proton-switchable vapochromic behaviour of a platinum(ii)–carboxy-terpyridine complex

We synthesized a carboxy-functionalized Pt(ii)–terpyridine complex that exhibits vapochromic behavior that is switchable via protonation/deprotonation of the carboxy group.

Assembling mono-, di- and tri-nuclear coordination complexes with a ditopic analogue of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine: syntheses, structures and catalytic studies

Diverse metal assemblies based on a ditopic analogue of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine are structurally characterized and applied for catalytic aerobic alcohol oxidation.

Synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and photophysical studies of structurally tuned aryl-substituted terpyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes

Synthesis, electrochemical potentials, static emission, and temperature-dependent excited-state lifetimes of several 4'-aryl-substituted terpyridyl complexes of ruthenium(II) are reported. Synthetic tuning is explored within three conceptual series of complexes. The first series explores the impact of introducing a strong σ-donating 4,4',4″-tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (tbtpy) opposite to an arylated terpyridine ligand 4'-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (ttpy). It is found that (3)MLCT (triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer state) stabilization concomitant with (3)MC (triplet metal-centered state) destabilization in the heteroleptic parent complex [Ru(ttpy)(tbtpy)](2+) leads to an extended excited-state lifetime relative to the structurally related bis-homoleptic species [Ru(ttpy)2](2+). The second series explores the impact of introducing a carboxylic acid or a methyl ester moiety at the para-position of the arylterpyridyl ligand (R1 = R2 = H) within heteroleptic complexes as a platform for future semiconductor attachment studies. This substitution leads to further lifetime enhancements, understood as arising from (3)MLCT stabilization. Such complexes are referred to as [Ru(1)(tbtpy)](2+) (for the acid at R3) and [Ru(1')(tbtpy)](2+) (for the ester at R3). In the final series, methyl substituents are sequentially added at the R1 and R2 positions for both the acid ([Ru(2)(tbtpy)](2+) and [Ru(3)(tbtpy)](2+)) and ester ([Ru(2')(tbtpy)](2+) and [Ru(3')(tbtpy)](2+)) analogues to eventually explore dynamical electron transfer coupling at dye/semiconductor interfaces. In these complexes, sequential addition of steric bulk decreases excited state lifetimes. This can be understood to arise primarily from the increase of the (3)MLCT level, as excited-state electron delocalization is limited by inter-ring twisting in the lower-energy arylated ligand. The introduction of a dimethylated sterically encumbered ligand lead to a notable 14-fold increase in knr from [Ru(1')(tbtpy)](2+) to [Ru(3')(tbtpy)](2+) (or [Ru(1)(tbtpy)](2+) to [Ru(3)(tbtpy)](2+)).

Seven novel coordination polymers constructed by rigid 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-terpyridine ligands: synthesis, structural diversity, luminescence and magnetic properties

Seven coordination polymers, namely [Mn(4-cptpy)2]n (1), [Co(4-cptpy)2]n (2), [Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O)]n·2nH2O (3), [Co(4-cptpy)(HCOO)(H2O)]n·nDMF (4), [Zn2(4-Hcptpy)2Cl4]n·2nC2H5OH·nH2O (5), [Co4(3-cptpy)4(HCOO)4(H2O)2]n (6), and [Mn(3-cptpy)2]n (7) (4-Hcptpy = 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,2':6',4''-terpyridine; 3-Hcptpy = 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3,2':6',3''-terpyridine), have been synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions and structurally characterized. A general solvothermal method is proposed for preparing carboxylate complexes in DMF solution without any basic additive. 1 and 2 possess isostructural 3D metal-organic frameworks containing nanosized cavities. 3 is a beautiful 2D coordination polymer assembled by flower-like Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O) subunits. 4 and 6 both display 2D polymeric networks constructed from 4/3-cptpy(-) ligands, in which the formate ligands originate from the hydrolysis of DMF. 5 is a 1D 2(1) helical chain polymer. 7 shows a 2D network with a (3.6) two-nodal kgd topology. 4/3-Hcptpy ligands display seven types of coordination modes. The zinc complex 5 emits strong violet luminescence. 1 and 2 are both thermally stable below 440 °C and exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions.

Role of Thermal Process on Self-Assembled Structures of 4'-([2,2':6',2''-Terpyridin]-4'-Yl)-[1,1'-Biphenyl]-4-Carboxylic Acid on Au(III)

The role of dynamic processes on self-assembled structures of 4′-([2,2′:6′, 2″-terpyridin]-4′-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid (l) molecules on Au(III) has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. The as-deposited monolayer is closed-packed and periodic in a short-range due to dipole forces. A thermal annealing process at 110 degrees drives such disordered monolayer into ordered chain-like structures, determined by the combination of the dipole forces and hydrogen bonding. Further annealing at 130 degrees turns the whole monolayer into a bowknot-like structure in which hydrogen bonding plays the dominant role in the formation of assembled structures. Such dependence of an assembled structure on the process demonstrates that an assembled structure can be regulated and controlled not only by the molecular structure but also by the thermal process to form the assembled structure.