The relationship between the electrospray ionization behaviour and biological activity of some phosphino Cu(I) complexes

Synthesis of a Novel Series of Cu(I) Complexes Bearing Alkylated 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane as Homogeneous and Carbon-Supported Catalysts for the Synthesis of 1- and 2-Substituted-1,2,3-triazoles

The N-alkylation of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) with ortho-, meta- and para-substituted nitrobenzyl bromide under mild conditions afforded three hydrophilic PTA ammonium salts, which were used to obtain a new set of seven water-soluble copper(I) complexes. The new compounds were fully characterized and their catalytic activity was investigated for the low power microwave assisted one-pot azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction in homogeneous aqueous medium to obtain disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. The most active catalysts were immobilized on activated carbon (AC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT), as well as surface functionalized AC and CNT, with the most efficient support being the CNT treated with nitric acid and NaOH. In the presence of the immobilized catalyst, several 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles were obtained from the reaction of terminal alkynes, organic halides and sodium azide in moderate yields up to 80%. Furthermore, the catalyzed reaction of terminal alkynes, formaldehyde and sodium azide afforded 2-hydroxymethyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles in high yields up to 99%. The immobilized catalyst can be recovered and recycled through simple workup steps and reused up to five consecutive cycles without a marked loss in activity. The described catalytic systems proceed with a broad substrate scope, under microwave irradiation in aqueous medium and according to "click rules".

A new amido-phosphane as ligand for copper and silver complexes. Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application for azide-alkyne cycloaddition in glycerol

The new sterically hindered amido-phosphane 1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,7-diylbis(phenylmethanone), DBPTA (1), has been obtained via an open-cage double N-acylation of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane (PTA) using benzoic anhydride. DBPTA is the only acyl derivative of PTA that contains an aromatic appendage. Due to the bulky nature of the benzoyl C(O)Ph groups, they exhibit mutual anti configuration as confirmed by solution NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is readily soluble in common polar organic and green solvents, making it a very versatile ligand that could be used in a variety of reaction systems. To assess the coordination characteristics of the new phosphane, seven copper complexes of formulas [Cu(DBPTA)4]BF4 (2), [CuX(DBPTA)3] {X = Br (3) and I (4)}, [Cu(μ-X)(DBPTA)2]2 {X = Br (5) and I (6)}, [Cu(bpy)(DBPTA)2]Y {Y = BF4 (7) and BPh4 (8)} {bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine}, and three silver complexes with formulas [Ag(DBPTA)4]NO3 (9), [Ag(Tpm*)(DBPTA)]NO3 (10) and [Ag(Tpms)(DBPTA)] (11) {Tpm* = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane, Tpms = tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methanesulfonate} have been synthesised. Compounds 1-11 were characterized by elemental analyses and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), as well as by FT-IR and NMR (1H, 13C, 31P, COSY and HSQC) spectroscopic techniques. The catalytic activity of the complexes has been investigated for 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction using glycerol as a reaction medium to afford 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles. Complex 7 was found to be the most efficient catalyst, affording triazoles in yields up to 97% after 18 h under standard bench experimental conditions (at 23 °C, aerobic conditions and in the absence of any additional bases) and up to 98% after 15 minutes under microwave irradiation (125 °C, 30 W). The catalysis proceeds with a broad substrate scope according to "Click" rules providing a significant contribution to "Green Chemistry".

Coordinative unsaturated CuI entities are crucial intermediates governing cell internalization of copper. A combined experimental ESI-MS and DFT study

Model peptides relevant to hCtr1 transchelate Cu^I from the anti-tumour [Cu^I(PTA)₄]⁺ complex before metal internalization into tumor cells.

Thermodynamic stability and structure in aqueous solution of the [Cu(PTA)4]+ complex (PTA = aminophosphine‑1,3,5‑triaza‑7‑phosphaadamantane)

The chemistry of copper(I) with water-soluble phosphines is an emergent area of study which has the objective of finding ligands that stabilize copper in its lower oxidation state. Cu(I) has been found relevant in the mechanism of copper transports into cells, and the accessibility of this oxidation state has implications in oxidative stress processes. For these reasons the possibility to deal with stable, water soluble copper(I) is an attractive approach for devising new biologically relevant metal-based drugs and chelating agents. Here we present the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and UV-visible spectrophotometric study of the [Cu(PTA)₄]BF₄ complex (PTA = aminophosphine‑1,3,5‑triaza‑7‑phosphaadamantane). In particular, we have studied the stability of the [Cu(PTA)_n]⁺ species (n = 2-4) in aqueous medium, and their speciation as a function of the total [Cu(PTA)₄]BF₄ concentration by means of competitive UV-visible spectrophotometric titrations using metallochromic indicators. Also, the structure in solution of the Cu(I)/PTA species and the nature of the first coordination sphere of the metal were studied by transformed XAS. Both techniques allowed to study samples with total [Cu(PTA)₄]BF₄ concentration down to 68-74 μM, possibly relevant for biological applications. Overall, our data suggest that the [Cu(PTA)_n]⁺ species are stable in solution, among which [Cu(PTA)₂]⁺ has a remarkable thermodynamic stability. The tendency of this last complex to form adducts with N-donor ligands is demonstrated by the spectrophotometric data. The biological relevance of PTA towards Cu(I), especially in terms of chemotreatments and chelation therapy, is discussed on the basis of the speciation model the Cu(I)/PTA system.

Cu(i) and Ag(i) complex formation with the hydrophilic phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane in different ionic media. How to estimate the effect of a complexing medium

The complexes of Cu(i) and Ag(i) with 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane (PTA) are currently studied for their potential clinical use as anticancer agents, given the cytotoxicity they exhibited in vitro towards a panel of several human tumor cell lines. These metallodrugs are prepared in the form of [M(PTA)₄]⁺ (M = Cu⁺, Ag⁺) compounds and dissolved in physiological solution for their administration. However, the nature of the species involved in the cytotoxic activity of the compounds is often unknown. In the present work, the thermodynamics of formation of the complexes of Cu(i) and Ag(i) with PTA in aqueous solution is investigated by means of potentiometric, spectrophotometric and microcalorimetric methods. The results show that both metal(i) ions form up to four successive complexes with PTA. The formation of Ag(i) complexes is studied at 298.15 K in 0.1 M NaNO₃ whereas the formation of the Cu(i) one is studied in 1 M NaCl, where Cu(i) is stabilized by the formation of three successive chloro-complexes. Therefore, for this latter system, conditional stability constants and thermodynamic data are obtained. To estimate the affinity of Cu(i) for PTA in the absence of chloride, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been done to obtain the stoichiometry and the relative stability of the possible Cu/PTA/Cl species. Results indicate that one chloride ion is involved in the formation of the first two complexes of Cu(i) ([CuCl(PTA)] and [CuCl(PTA)₂]) whereas it is absent in the successive ones ([Cu(PTA)₃]⁺ and [Cu(PTA)₄]⁺). The combination of DFT results and thermodynamic experimental data has been used to estimate the stability constants of the four [Cu(PTA)_n]⁺ (n = 1-4) complexes in an ideal non-complexing medium. The calculated stability constants are higher than the corresponding conditional values and show that PTA prefers Cu(i) to the Ag(i) ion. The approach used here to estimate the hidden role of chloride on the conditional stability constants of Cu(i) complexes may be applied to any Cu(i)/ligand system, provided that the stoichiometry of the species in NaCl solution is known. The speciation for the two systems shows that the [M(PTA)₄]⁺ (M = Cu⁺, Ag⁺) complexes present in the metallodrugs are dissociated into lower stoichiometry species when diluted to the micromolar concentration range, typical of the in vitro biological testing. Accordingly, [Cu(PTA)₂]⁺, [Cu(PTA)₃]⁺ and [Ag(PTA)₂]⁺ are predicted to be the species actually involved in the cytotoxic activity of these compounds.

Therapeutic potential of the phosphino Cu(I) complex (HydroCuP) in the treatment of solid tumors

[Cu(thp)₄][PF₆] (HydroCuP) is a phosphino copper(I) complex highly soluble and stable in physiological media that has been developed as a possible viable alternative to platinum-based drugs for anticancer therapy. HydroCuP potently inhibited the growth of human cancer cells derived from solid tumors by inducing endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress thus leading to cell death through paraptosis with a preferential efficacy against cancer rather than non-cancer cells. Aim of the present study was to assess the therapeutic potential of HydroCuP in vivo, in syngenic and xenograft murine models of solid tumors by triggering the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathway. With respect to platinum drugs, HydroCuP induced a markedly higher reduction of tumor growth associated with minimal animal toxicity. In human colorectal cancer xenografts, chemotherapy with HydroCuP was extremely effective in both oxaliplatin-sensitive and resistant models. The favorable in vivo tolerability of HydroCuP was also correlated to an encouraging biodistribution profile. Additionally, no signs of drug-related neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were observed. Altogether, these results demonstrate that HydroCuP appears worth of further investigation to evaluate its therapeutic activity towards a broad spectrum of solid malignancies.

Novel metalloantimalarials: Transmission blocking effects of water soluble Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) phosphane complexes on the murine malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

The water soluble phosphane complexes [M(L)₄]PF₆ (M=Cu(I), Ag(I)) and [Au(L)₄]Cl (L=thp (tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphane) or PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane)) showed notable in vitro activity against Plasmodium early sporogonic stages, the sexual forms of the malaria parasite that are responsible for infection of the mosquito vector. Effects varied according to both, the type of metal and phosphane ligands. [Ag(thp)₄]PF₆ was the best performing complex exhibiting a half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value in the low micromolar range (0.3-15.6μM). The silver complex [Ag(thp)₄]PF₆ was characterized by X-ray crystallography revealing that the structure comprises the cationic complex [Ag(thp)₄]⁺, the PF₆^- anion, and a water molecule of crystallization. Our results revealed that Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) phosphanes complexes elicited similar activity profiles showing potential for the development of antimalarial, transmission blocking compounds. Molecules targeting the sexual parasite stages in the human and/or mosquito host are urgently needed to complement current artemisinin based treatments and next generation antimalarials in a vision not only to cure the disease but to interrupt its transmission.

Insights into the cytotoxic activity of the phosphane copper(I) complex [Cu(thp)4][PF6]

The phosphane Cu(I) complex [Cu(thp)₄][PF₆], 1 (thp=tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphane) shows notable in vitro antitumour activity against a wide range of solid tumours. Uptake experiments performed in 1-treated colon cancer cells by atomic absorption spectrometry, reveal that the antiproliferative activity is consistent with the intracellular copper content. The solution chemistry of this agent, investigated by means of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and spectrophotometric titrations in aqueous media, indicates that 1 is labile giving coordinative unsaturated [Cu(thp)_n]⁺ species (n=3 and 2) at micromolar concentrations. [Cu(thp)_n]⁺ are reactive species that yield the mixed-ligand complex [Cu(thp)₂(BCS)]^- (BCS: bathocuproinedisulphonate^(2-)) upon interaction with N,N-diimine. Analogously, [Cu(thp)_n]⁺ interact with the methionine-rich peptide sequence (Ac-MMMMPMTFK-NH₂; Pep1), relevant in the recruiting of physiological copper, giving [Cu(thp)(Pep1)]⁺ and [Cu(Pep1)]⁺ species. The formation of these adducts was assessed by electrospray mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode and validated by density functional theory investigations. The possibility to trans-chelate Cu(I) from pure inorganic [Cu(thp)_n]⁺ assemblies into more physiological adducts represents a pathway that complex 1 might follow during the internalization process into cancer cells.

Electrospray ionization in the study of the interactions between cytotoxic phosphino Cu(I) complexes and selected amino acids and GlyGlyHis peptide model

Tetrahedral [Cu(P)₄][BF₄]-type complexes (P = tertiary phosphine) are a class of monopositively charged compounds that have shown notable antitumor activity in both in vitro and in vivo tests. This biological property appears to be related to the peculiar physicochemical characteristics of these compounds. Although thermodynamically stable, they are labile at micromolar concentrations. Such a behavior allows the Cu(I) ion in [Cu(P)_n]⁺ assemblies (n < 4) to interact with surrounding molecules, including the rich peptide/protein environment that metal complexes have to face in the physiological milieu on the way to tumor cells. The scope of this investigation was to study the interaction products that originate from the treatment in water/methanol mixtures of representative phosphino Cu(I) compounds with an excess of individual amino acids (AAs) selected on the basis of the donor atom likely involved in metal coordination (i.e. O-glycine, S-methionine and N-histidine). These interactions have been investigated in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), mainly in the positive ion mode [ESI(+)MS], and the interaction products have been characterized by sequential collisional experiments, performed by an ion trap instrument. Histidine and methionine, but not glycine, were able to mine Cu(I) from [Cu(P)_n]⁺ assemblies through the formation of mixed [Cu^I(P)(AA)]⁺ and eventually [Cu^I(AA)₂]⁺ adducts. The ability to substitute phosphine(s) by AAs and the strongest affinity for Cu(I) was proved by the study of the energetics of collisional-induced decomposition (CID) reactions [Cu^I(P)(AA)]⁺ → Cu^I(AA) + P]⁺. Among the investigated AAs, histidine displayed the strongest affinity for Cu(I). Transchelation of Cu(I) was similarly observed when [Cu(P)_n]⁺ species were treated with the model tripeptide GlyGlyHis (GGH), the most investigated member of the amino terminal Cu(II) and Ni(II) (ATCUN) peptide family. GGH was able to form robust metal adducts not only with Cu(II) and the related divalent Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions, but also with monovalent ions, including Cu(I) and Ag(I). CID pathways of [Cu^I(GGH)]⁺ and [Ag^I(GGH)]⁺ were qualitatively superimposable and proceeded through losses of neutral fragments. Similar losses of neutral fragments were observed from [Zn^II(GGH)] and [Ni^II(GGH)]. CID pathways of [Cu^II(GGH)]^-/+ adducts instead took place mainly through intramolecular electron-transfer reactions comprising the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and the formation of fragment radical cations.

Homoleptic phosphino copper(I) complexes with in vitro and in vivo dual cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activity

Homoleptic, tetrahedral Cu(i) complexes of the type [Cu(P)4]BF4 (1-3), where P are the phosphine ligands, 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA) and 2-thia-1,3,5-triaza-phosphoaadamantane-2,2-dioxide (PTA-SO2), have been prepared. Novel complexes [Cu(DAPTA)4]BF42 and [Cu(PTA-SO2)4]BF43 have been fully characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, corroborated by XAS-EXAFS analysis of 2. In vitro cell culture experiments revealed a significant antiproliferative activity for Cu(i) compounds against several human cancer cell lines derived from solid tumors with preferential cell growth inhibition towards tumour compared to non-malignant cells. In vitro monitoring of migration and capillary-like tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed an anti-angiogenic effect of copper(i) complexes at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. In vivo studies on the antitumor efficacy and ability to inhibit angiogenesis confirmed the dual cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic properties of Cu(i) derivatives.

Electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometric study of the interaction products of the cytotoxic complex [Cu(thp)₄][PF₆] with methionine-rich model peptides

RATIONALE

The cytotoxic activity of the copper(I) complex [Cu(thp)4][PF6] (CP) (thp = tris(hydroxymethyl) phosphine) is correlated with its high accumulation in cancer cells. Human copper transporter 1 (hCtr1) has been described as the main trans-membrane protein involved in cellular trafficking of physiological copper. Methionine-rich peptide sequences incorporated in the extracellular domain of hCtr1 play a key role in the cellular internalization of copper. We wish to investigate the interaction of CP with model peptides that mimic the extracellular domain of hCtr1.

METHODS

The interaction of CP with methionine-rich and methionine-free model peptides has been investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and the interaction products have been characterized by multiple collisional experiments, using an ion trap mass instrument.

RESULTS

The interaction of CP with selected methionine-rich model peptides, Ac-MMMMPMTFK-NH2 (P1) and Ac-MGMSYMDSK-NH2 (P2), shows that the native copper complex, after sequential loss of phosphines, induces the formation of [Cu(P1)(thp)](+) and [Cu(P1/P2)](+) adducts reasonably by inclusion of the Cu(I) ion in the peptide framework. Collisionally induced fragmentations (MS(n)) of [Cu(P1/P2)](+) give evidence that the metal is coordinated by the thioether-S of two adjacent methionine residues. Interaction of the same peptides with the isostructural complex [Ag(thp)4](+) or AgNO3 yields similar experimental evidence, leading to [Ag(P1/P2)](+).

CONCLUSIONS

Methionine sequences incorporated in model peptides are crucial for the recruitment of copper from CP. Such a metal-peptide interaction does not take place when methionine-free Ac-NleGNleSYNleDSK-NH2 (P3) is utilized. A mechanism for tumor cell internalization of CP involving: (i) chemically driven sequential loss of phosphines from the native tetrahedral complex, followed by (ii) transfer of Cu(I) to the methionine-rich sequences typical of the hCtr1 transporter, is proposed.

In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of copper(I) complexes with homoscorpionate tridentate tris(pyrazolyl)borate and auxiliary monodentate phosphine ligands

Tetrahedral copper(I) TpCuP complexes 1-15, where Tp is a N,N,N-tris(azolyl)borate and P is a tertiary phosphine, have been synthesized and characterized by means of NMR, ESI-MS, and XAS-EXAFS, and X-ray diffraction analyses on the representative complexes 1 and 10, respectively. All copper(I) complexes were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines (including cisplatin and multidrug-resistant sublines). The two most effective complexes [HB(pz)3]Cu(PCN), 1, and [HB(pz)3]Cu(PTA), 2, showed selectivity toward tumor vs normal cells, inhibition of 26S proteasome activity associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and unfolded protein response (UPR) activation. No biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis were detected, and morphology studies revealed an extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization coherently with a paraptosis-like cell death mechanism. Finally, the antitumor efficacy of complex 1 was validated in the murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model.

The relationship between electrospray ionization behavior and cytotoxic activity of [M(I)(P)4](+)-type complexes (M = Cu, Ag and Au; P = tertiary phosphine)

RATIONALE

To try to find a correlation between the antiproliferative activity of a series of [M(I)(P)4](+) complexes (M = Cu, Ag and Au; P = tertiary phosphine) and their stability at micromolar concentration under mass spectrometric conditions.

METHODS

[M(I)(P)4](+) complexes were investigated by positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with multiple collisional experiments using an ion trap mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

The displacement of P from native [M(I)(P)4](+), previously described for the copper derivative, is common for the triad complexes leading to the formation of [M(P)3](+) and [M(P)2](+) adducts. Further dissociation of [M(P)2](+) depends on the nature of the metal (Cu ~ Ag > Au). More labile [Cu(P)2](+) and [Ag(P)2](+) are more cytotoxic against HCT-15 human colon carcinoma cells compared to less labile [Au(P)2](+) species.

CONCLUSIONS

The dissociation of P ligand(s) from the [M(I)(P)4](+) complexes is the driving force for the triggering of the antiproliferative activity. The more favored is the displacement of P from the [M(P)2](+) active form, the more favored is in turn the possibility for the metal to interact with biological substrates related to cancer proliferation.

Novel imino thioether complexes of platinum(II): synthesis, structural investigation, and biological activity

The reactions of the nitrile complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl2(NCR)2] (R = Me, Et, CH2Ph, Ph) with an excess of ethanethiol, EtSH, in the presence of a catalytic amount of n-BuLi in tetrahydrofuran (THF), afforded in good yield the bis-imino thioether derivatives cis-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)R}2] (R = Me (1), Et (2), CH2Ph (3), Ph (4)) and trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)R}2] (R = Me (5), Et (6), CH2Ph (7), Ph (8)). The imino thioether ligands assumed the E configuration corresponding to a cis addition of the thiol to the nitrile triple bond. The spectroscopic properties of these complexes have been reported along with the molecular structures of 1, 2, and 7 as established by X-ray crystallography which indicated that these compounds exhibit square-planar coordination geometry around the platinum center. Four N-H···Cl intermolecular contacts (N-H···Cl ca. 2.5-2.7 Å) between each chlorine atom and the N-H proton of the imino thioether ligand gave rise to "dimers" Pt2Cl4L4 (L = imino thioether) formed by two PtCl2L2 units. The cytotoxic properties of these new platinum(II) complexes were evaluated against various human cancer cell lines. Among all derivatives, trans-[PtCl2{E-N(H)═C(SEt)CH2Ph}2] showed the greatest in vitro cytotoxic activity being able to decrease cancer cell viability roughly 3-fold more effectively than cisplatin.

Tandem mass spectrometry of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide releasing aspirins: a hint into activity behavior

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. However, due to its action on cyclooxygenase and its acid nature, aspirin is associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects. In an effort to minimize these side effects, NO-donor and H2S-donor ASA co-drugs have been designed and tested. Their mass spectrometric behavior is now analyzed and reported. Positive ions were obtained by electrospray ionization involving protonation or alkali metal attachment. Their dissociation processes have been studied by collision induced dissociation in a triple quadrupole instrument. High mass accuracy measurements have been recorded on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The protonated molecules dissociate by an exclusive or largely prevailing path leading to acetyloxy-substituted benzoyl cation, namely an ASA unit. The process is reminiscent of the enzymatic hydrolysis, releasing intact ASA to a large extent. Only at higher collision energy does the formal ketene loss disrupt the ASA moiety. The gas phase chemistry of protonated ASA-releasing drugs develops along elementary dissociation steps analogous to the reactive processes in complex biological environments. This notion may provide a tool for preliminary testing of new compounds.

Neutral and charged phosphine/scorpionate copper(I) complexes: effects of ligand assembly on their antiproliferative activity

Ligand-exchange reactions of copper(I) precursors ([Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)]BF(4), CuCl) with a panel of bis(azolyl)borates or poly(pyrazolyl)methanes and a tertiary monodentate phosphine (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, PCN = tris(cyanoethyl)phosphine) produced two series of heteroleptic, either '2 + 1 + 1'- or '3 + 1'-type complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS and multinuclear (31)P and (1)H NMR. '2 + 1 + 1'-type complexes include a N,N-bidentate chelate and two monodentate phosphines (1-8) and '3 + 1'-type complexes comprise a N,N,O- or N,N,N-tridentate chelate and one monodentate phosphine (9-12). All these complexes adopt a four-coordinate, tetrahedral geometry. '3 + 1' complexes show better red-ox stability and a greater tendency to retain the native '3 + 1' mixed-ligand structure. Conversely, '2 + 1 + 1' complexes exhibit increased propensity to dissociation as shown by ESI-MS measurements and X-ray structure determination at low temperature (150 K) of the polymeric complex {[H(2)B(tz(NO2))(2)]Cu[PCN]}(n)6b. In this complex, either the bis(triazolyl)borate and the PCN ligands act as bidentate, with PCN being also the μ(2)-bridiging linker between adjacent monomers. Compound 6b is the first reported example of a polymeric PCN compound with a tetra-coordinate metal centre. Cytotoxic activity of all compounds has been evaluated by MTT test against a panel of several human tumor cell lines including examples of breast (MCF-7), colon (HCT-15 and LoVo), lung (A549), cervix (A431) and ovarian (2008 and its cisplatin resistant variant, C13*) carcinoma, melanoma (A375) and promyelocytic leukemia (HL60). Copper complexes generally show in vitro antitumour activity comparable to that of cisplatin. In particular, neutral '3 + 1'-type complexes 9 and 10, show IC(50) values appreciably lower than those exhibited by the reference metallodrug.

Oxidative degradation of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid in nitric acid studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The selective separation of the minor actinides (Am, Cm) from the lanthanides is a topic of ongoing nuclear fuel cycle research, and dithiophosphinic acids are candidate ligands in these processes. Ligand instability has been noted under radiolytic and harsh acid conditions but explicit degradation pathways for ligands such as bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-dithiophosphinic acid (CyxH), the major compound in the commercial product Cyanex 301, have been elusive.

METHODS

Organic solutions of CyxH were contacted with aqueous solutions of HNO(3), and their degradation was studied by analyzing samples from these experiments by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Ions were identified using accurate mass measurement and collision-induced dissociation.

RESULTS

The positive ion spectra contained cationized CyxH cluster ions, and oxidatively coupled species (designated Cyx(2)) cationized by either H or Na. The Cyx(2)-derived ions increased with acid contact time. The negative ion spectra consisted almost entirely of the CyxH conjugate base. The negative ion spectra of the HNO(3)-contacted samples also contained conjugate bases corresponding to the dioxo and perthio derivatives of CyxH.

CONCLUSIONS

CyxH is oxidized by acid contact to form the coupled species Cyx(2), and the dioxo species arise from subsequent oxidation of Cyx(2). Oxidative coupling increases with contact time, and with higher HNO(3) concentrations. The direct infusion measurements provided a simple approach for assessing degradation pathways and kinetics.

A study of resveratrol-copper complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in plants and human foods which has shown biological activities including chemoprevention, acting through a mechanism which involves the reduction of Cu(II) species. By electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry we have produced and detected the resveratrol-copper complexes [Resv+Cu](+), [Resv+Cu+H(2)O](+) and [2Resv+Cu](+) by using a resveratrol/CuSO(4) solution in CH(3)CN/H(2)O. The most stable structures of the detected complexes have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level of theory. Resveratrol interacts with the copper ion through nucleophilic carbon atoms on the aromatic ring and the alkenyl group. The fact that only singly charged ions were observed implies that Cu(II) is reduced to Cu(I) in the ESI process. For investigating the structure-reactivity correlation, we have carried out a similar study on the synthetic analogue dihydroresveratrol (DHResv). For the latter only the [DHResv+Cu](+) complex has been detected.

Mass spectrometry as test bench for medicinal chemistry studies

This review describes how mass spectrometry can be used as a powerful test bench to obtain information on the biological activity of target compounds. Considering that mass spectrometry is based on the chemical reactivity of the analytes, it is possible to investigate the stability of the active compounds, to predict their behaviour in the environment of interest, and to obtain structure-reactivity relationships for new molecules of pharmacological interest. Electron ionization and metastable ion studies give evidence of the correlation between the mutagenic properties of a series of aryl and heteroaryl triazenes and mass spectrometric data. A linear relationship between the energetics of C(O)-O bond cleavage of some carbamic acid O-aryl esters and their FAAH inhibition activity has been proved by electrospray-ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. An inverse correlation between the stability and cytotoxic activity of some copper complexes has been clearly established by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. Moreover, because of the sensitivity and specificity of mass spectrometry, it has been possible to determine and characterize impurities that in some cases can be the real bioactive compound.