Metal compounds in cancer chemotherapy

Design, spectral, molecular modeling, antimitotic, analytical and mechanism studies of phenyl isothiocyanate Girard's T derived metal complexes

The ligand N-{[(phenyl amino) thioxomethyl] hydrazino carbonyl methyl} trimethyl ammonium chloride (PTHAC) was prepared by the refluxing phenyl isothiocyanate and Girard-T (trimethyl ammonium-acethydrazide) in a molar ratio (1:1). The metal complexes derived from NiCl2.6H2O, CuCl2.2H2O and Co(CH3COO)2.6H2O were synthesized and purified. The PTHAC and its Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) metal complexes(1-3) were characterized using a variety of various instrumental performances such as elemental analysis, magnetic moment, spectra (IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, mass) and thermal analysis (TGA and DTG).The results of element analysis, magnetic moment, spectra (IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR, mass), and thermal (TGA and DTA) analyses provide the structures of the produced ligand and its (1-3) complexes. According to the spectroscopic results, PTHAC acts as an O, N and S tridentate donor, creating a mononuclear complex with copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions with an octahedral geometry. All of the atomic properties, including bond lengths, bond angles, HOMO, LUMO, dipole moments, and charges, have been determined. The cytotoxic activities of the PTHAC and the produced (1-3) complexes against breast carcinoma cells have been studied and correlated to the molecular modeling. When compared to the free ligand, CoII-L, and NiII-L, the CuII-L complex inhibits breast cancer cell growth more effectively. Furthermore, the PTHAC ligand was successfully applied for separation via flotation and spectrophotometric determination of Co(II) in several natural water, certified ore and pharmaceutical samples using oleic acid surfactant (HOL). At pH 6.5, PTHAC reacted with Co(II) to create a dark green (1:1) Co(II):PTHAC complex that was floated significantly using oleic acid (HOL) surfactant. The different experimental variable affecting the separation procedure e.g. pH, concentration of Co(II), HOL, PTHAC, temperature etc.…, were investigated. Co(II) had a linear range of (0.1-7.0) mgL-1. In the aqueous and scum layers, the molar absorptivities for the coloured complex are 0.14 × 104 and 0.16 × 105Lmol-1 cm-1, respectively. The LOD was 0.04 mgL-1, which is related to Sandell sensitivity of 3.7 × 10-3 µg cm-2 with a preconcentration factor of 200 and a RSD, % (n = 5) less than 4.2%. In addition, the mechanisms involved in the process of coordination of PTHAC with Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) and the mechanism involved in the process of flotation of the PTHAC-Co(II) complex using HOL surfactant were elucidated.

A Theoretical Investigation of Novel Sila- and Germa-Spirocyclic Imines and Their Relevance for Electron-Transporting Materials and Drug Discovery

A new class of spirocyclic imines (SCIs) has been theoretically investigated by applying a variety of quantum chemical methods and basis sets. The uniqueness of these compounds is depicted by various peculiarities, e.g., the incidence of planar six-membered rings each with two imine groups (two π bonds) and the incorporation of the isosteres carbon, silicon, or germanium spiro centers. Additional peculiarities of these novel SCIs are mirrored by their three-dimensionality, the simultaneous occurrence of nucleophilic and electrophilic centers, and the cross-hyperconjugative (spiro-conjugation) interactions, which provoke charge mobility along the spirocyclic scaffold. Substitution of SCIs with strong electron-withdrawing substituents, like the cyano group or fluorine, enhances their docking capability and impacts their reactivity and charge mobility. To gain thorough knowledge about the molecular properties of these SCIs, their structures have been optimized and various quantum chemical concepts and models were applied, e.g., full NBO analysis and the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) theory (HOMO-LUMO energy gap) and the chemical reactivity descriptors derived from them. For the assessment of the charge density distribution along the SCI framework, additional complementary quantum chemical methods were used, e.g., molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) and Bader's QTAIM. Additionally, using the aromaticity index NICS (nuclear independent chemical shift) and other criteria, it could be shown that the investigated cross-hyperconjugated sila and germa SCIs are spiro-aromatics of the Heilbronner Craig-type Möbius aromaticity.

Organopnictogen(III) bis(arylthiolates) containing NCN-aryl pincer ligands: from synthesis and characterization to reactivity

Salt elimination reactions between organopnictogen(III) dichlorides, RPnCl₂ [R¹ = 2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃, Pn = Sb (1), Bi (2); R² = 2,6-{MeN(CH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂}₂C₆H₃, Pn = Sb (3), Bi (4); R³ = 2,6-{O(CH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂}₂C₆H₃, Pn = Sb (5), Bi (6)] and 2 equivalents of KSC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 afforded the isolation of a series of new NCN-chelated monoorganopnictogen(III) bis(arylthiolates), RPn(SC₆H₃Me₂-2,6)₂ [R¹, Pn = Sb (7), Bi (8); R², Pn = Sb (9), Bi (10); R³, Pn = Sb (11), Bi (12)]. Compounds 7 and 8 are unstable upon exposure to a dry O₂ atmosphere and their aerobic decomposition yields the monoorganopnictogen(III) oxides, cyclo-[2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃Pn(μ-O)]₂ [Pn = Sb (13), Bi (14)] with concomitant formation of the corresponding disulfide, ArS-SAr (Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,6). The oxidative addition of elemental sulfur or selenium to 7 undergoes a similar reaction path and gives stable heterocyclic species cyclo-[2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃Sb(μ-E)]₂ [E = S (15), Se (16)]. The reaction of 12 with I₂ (1 : 1 molar ratio) gives the diiodide [2,6-{O(CH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂}₂C₆H₃]BiI₂ (17), along with the S-S oxidative coupling by-product, ArS-SAr. The use of an excess of iodine affords the crystallization of a 2 : 1 iodine adduct of 17 (17·0.5I₂), built through halogen bonding. All new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction (except compounds 9 and 10).

The crystal structure of the cocrystal di-μ2-chlorido-octamethyl-di-μ3-oxido-bis(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2 O,O′)tetratin(IV) ─ octamethyl-di-μ3-oxido-bis(μ2-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2 O:O′)-bis(μ2-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2 O:O;O′)tetratin(IV) C58H54Cl2F24O16Sn8

C58H54Cl2F24O16Sn8, triclinic, P 1 ‾ $P‾{1}$ (no. 2), a = 7.609(4) Å, b = 13.938(6) Å, c = 19.190(9) Å, α = 77.599(7)°, β = 89.846(7)°, γ = 79.841(7)°, V = 1955.2(15) Å3, Z = 1, R gt (F) = 0.0578, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1660, T = 298 K.

Fluorescence modulation of naphthalene containing salicyl hydrazide-based receptor through aggregation-induced emission enhancement approach: Dual detection of lanthanum and cyanide ions in semi-aqueous medium

The sensing activity of naphthalene containing salicyl hydrazide-based fluorescence receptor has been improved through aggregation-induced enhanced emission mechanism approach in semi-aqueous medium. The receptor has been found to be selective toward La³⁺ with approximately 70-fold fluorescence enhancement due to a combined effect of keto-enol tautomerism inhibition and chelation enhanced fluorescence with a detection limit of 3.91 × 10^-6 M. In addition, the receptor is also able to sense CN^- with a detection limit of 3.55 × 10^-6 M via deprotonation effect, justifying its multiple analyte sensing behaviour. Hence, the current analytical methodology improves the sensing activity of the probe and also provides a greener alternative for La³⁺ and CN^- detection.

Synthesis, structural, cytotoxic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of some thiosemicarbazone derivatives

Iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes bearing a thiosemicarbazone framework were synthesized by a one-pot synthesis method. The structures were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹ H NMR, APCI Mass, conductivity, magnetic moment measurements. Molecular and crystal structures of the iron(III) complex were obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The findings showed that the metal atom adopts a slightly distorted square-pyramidal coordination, with the four donor atoms of the thiosemicarbazone ligand defining the basal plane and a chloride atom occupying the apical position. In the crystal lattice, the structure is stabilized by intermolecular O─H···O and C─H···O interactions. The cytotoxic activity was studied by MTT assay, the expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes by Western blot, and the lipophilicity (LogP) by using the shake-flask method, another pharmacokinetic parameter. The findings showed that the IC₅₀ values decreased with the decrease of the LogP values of the substances. Cytochrome P450 expression levels were found specific for each compound and each cell line. As a result, the pharmacokinetic properties of the newly synthesized thiosemicarbazone compounds are crucial for oral administration and provide us with clues for prospective in vivo studies.

DNA Binding Properties and Antibacterial Activity of Heterolyptic Transition Metal Complexes with 2,2-Bipyridyl and 2-Acetylthiophene Thiosemicarbazone

Metal complexes having the composition M(Bipy)Cl2 (where, M = Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II); Bipy = 2,2-bipyridyl) are reacted with 2-acetylthiophene thiosemicarbazone (ATT) to produce heteroleptic transition metal complexes with molecular formula [M(Bipy)ATT]. The complexes are characterized by mass spectra, molar conductivity, infrared and electronic spectra. Electrochemical behaviour of these metal complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetric studies. The metal complexes show quasi reversible cyclic voltammetric responses for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The binding properties of these complexes with calf-thymus DNA have been investigated by using absorption spectrophotometry. Metal complexes are screened for their antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method against pathogenic bacterial strains viz. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial activity of the present complexes are comparable with the activity of ciprofloxacin. The Cu(Bipy)Cl2 complex inhibits bacteria more strongly than any other complex. The Ni(Bipy)ATT complex shows more activity than the parent complex, Ni(Bipy)Cl2.

Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding studies of a new ibuprofen-platinum(II) complex

The study is focused on the synthesis of a novel complex of ibuprofen and Platinum(II). The formation of the product was characterized through analytical tools including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry as well as density functional theory. Using the continuous variation method, the stoichiometry of Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂ binding on DNA (ct-DNA) determines as a single class of binding. Based on the results of Stern-Volmer analysis on the fluorescence quenching data, the quenching mechanism was determined to be static in nature. The studies indicated that the complex could bind DNA molecules via groove binding for four major reasons. Initially, the complex-DNA binding constant determined based on spectrophotometric data were found to be comparable to those of groove-binding drugs. In addition, the competitive fluorimetric based on the applications of Hoechst 33258 proved the ability of Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂ to displace with Hoechst in its DNA-bounded form, reflecting the competition between Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂ and Hoechst for groove binding. Further, no considerable changes were observed in the intensity of the methylene blue (MB)-DNA system after adding the Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂ complex, reflecting the stability of MB molecules in the DNA helix and a non-intercalative bonds of Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂ interaction on DNA. Finally, minor changes in the viscosity of DNA in the presence of Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂, indicated that changes in the length of DNA in the presence of the complex are negligible, supporting the assumption of DNA groove-binding. Also induced CD spectral changes and docking simulations were in favor of the groove mechanism for the Pt(HIb)₂(Cl)₂-DNA binding.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Computer-aided drug design and virtual screening of targeted combinatorial libraries of mixed-ligand transition metal complexes of 2-butanone thiosemicarbazone

The present paper deals with in silico evaluation of 32 virtually designed transition metal complexes of 2-butanone thiosemicarbazone and N,S,O containing donor hetero-ligands namely py, bpy, furan, thiophene, 2-picoline, 1,10-phenanthroline, piperazine and liquid ammonia. The complexes were designed with a view to assess their potential anticancer, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties of the chosen ligands were calculated by admetSAR software. Metabolic sites of different ligands likely to undergo metabolism were predicted using Metaprint 2D. The proposed complexes were also evaluated for their drug-like quality based on Lipinski's, Veber, Ghose and leadlikeness filters. Druglikeness and toxicity potential were predicted by OSIRIS property explorer. The pharmacokinetic properties and bioactivity scores were calculated by Molinspiration tool. Bioactivity scores of the complexes were predicted for drug targets including enzymes, nuclear receptors, kinase inhibitors, G-protein coupled receptor ligands and ion channel modulators. Molecular docking of selected Fe(II) mixed-ligand complexes was performed using AutoDock version 4.2.6 and i-GEMDOCK version 2.1 with two target proteins namely Ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and Topoisomerase II (Topo II). The results were compared with three standard reference drugs viz. Doxorubicin HCl, Letrozole (anticancer) and Tetracycline (antibiotic). Multivariate data obtained were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) for visualization and projection as scatter and 3D plots. Positive results obtained for hetero-ligands using admetSAR version 1.0 indicated good absorption and transport kinetics of the hetero-ligand complexes through the human intestine and blood-brain barrier. The hetero-ligands were predicted to have no associated mutagenic effect(s) also. However, none of the hetero-ligands was predicted to be Caco-2 (human colon cancer cell line) permeable. Most of the hetero-ligands and the parent ligand (2-butanone thiosemicarbazone) were predicted to undergo Phase-I metabolism prior to excretion using MetaPrint2D software. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of the proposed complexes revealed that all complexes displayed drug-like character and were predicted to have no apparent toxic side-effects. All the proposed complexes showed moderate to good biological activity scores (-5.0 to 0.0). Mixed complexes with bpy, 2-picoline and 1,10-phenanthroline showed significant bioactivity scores (as enzyme inhibitors) in the range 0.02-0.13. Likewise, good docking scores were obtained for Fe (II) complexes with the same ligands. [FeL(2-pic)₂] displayed the lowest binding energy (-6.47 kcal/mol) with respect to Topo II followed by [FeL(py)₂] (-6.14 kcal/mol) as calculated by AutoDock version 4.2.6. With respect to binding with RR, [FeL(2--pic)₂] again displayed the lowest binding energy (-7.21 kcal/mol) followed by [FeL(py)₂] (-5.96 kcal/mol). On the basis of docking predictions and various other computational evaluations, four mixed-ligand complexes of Fe in +2 oxidation state with py, bpy, 2--picoline and 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized with 2-butanone thiosemicarbazone. All the synthesized Fe complexes were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques and tested for their potential anticancer activity in vitro against human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB 231 and human lung carcinoma cell line A549 cell line using MTT assay. [FeL(2-pic)₂], [FeL(bpy)], and [FeL(py)₂] were found to exhibit significant antiproliferative activity with IC₅₀ values in the range of 80-100 μM against breast and lung cancer cells. The synthesized Fe complexes also displayed mild antioxidant activities. The synthesized and studied Fe complexes have the potential for development into future anticancer agents if analyzed and modified further for improvement of their ADMET, solubility and permeability criteria set for potential drug-candidates.

Tetra-Antimony(III)-Bridged 18-Tungsto-2-Arsenates(V), [(LSb(III))4(A-α-As(V)W9O34)2](10-) (L = Ph, OH): Turning Bioactivity On and Off by Ligand Substitution

Two tetra-antimony(III)-bridged, sandwich-type 18-tungsto-2-arsenates(V), [(LSb(III))4(A-α-As(V)W9O34)2](10-) (L = Ph (1), OH (2)), were prepared and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution. Both polyanions are stable in aqueous physiological medium for at least 24 h (at concentrations ≥2.5 × 10(-6) M). Despite the presence of an isostructural tetra-antimony(III) motif in 1 and 2, distinctly different antibacterial activity was observed for both polyanions. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 1 (7.8-62.5 μg/mL) is lower than for any other organoantimony(III)-containing polyoxometalate reported to date.

Synthesis and crystal structure of the dinuclear copper(II) Schiff base complex μ-hydroxido-μ-chlorido-bis{[bis(trans-2-nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine]chloridocopper(II)} dichloromethane sesquisolvate

Transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligands have been shown to have particular application in catalysis and magnetism. The chemistry of copper complexes is of interest owing to their importance in biological and industrial processes. The reaction of copper(I) chloride with the bidentate Schiff base N,N'-bis(trans-2-nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine {Nca2en, systematic name: (1E,1'E,2E,2'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-imine]} in a 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane without exclusion of air or moisture resulted in the formation of the title complex μ-chlorido-μ-hydroxido-bis(chlorido{(1E,1'E,2E,2'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-imine]-κ(2)N,N'}copper(II)) dichloromethane sesquisolvate, [Cu2Cl3(OH)(C20H18N4O4)2]·1.5CH2Cl2. The dinuclear complex has a folded four-membered ring in an unsymmetrical Cu2OCl3 core in which the approximate trigonal bipyramidal coordination displays different angular distortions in the equatorial planes of the two Cu(II) atoms; the chloride bridge is asymmetric, but the hydroxide bridge is symmetric. The chelate rings of the two Nca2en ligands have different conformations, leading to a more marked bowing of one of the ligands compared with the other. This is the first reported dinuclear complex, and the first five-coordinate complex, of the Nca2en Schiff base ligand. Molecules of the dimer are associated in pairs by ring-stacking interactions supported by C-H...Cl interactions with solvent molecules; a further ring-stacking interaction exists between the two Schiff base ligands of each molecule.

Steric control on the coordination behaviour of carbazole thiosemicarbazones towards [RuH(Cl)(CO)(AsPh3)3]: a combined experimental and theoretical study

We report the steric control on the coordination behaviour of carbazole thiosemicarbazones towards ruthenium(ii) complexes, along with the combined experimental and theoretical investigations.

Synthetic, Spectroscopic, Crystallographic, and Biological Studies of Seven-Coordinated Diorganotin(IV) Complexes Derived from Schiff Bases and Pyridinic Carboxylic Acids

The synthesis and characterisation of diorganotin(iv) monomeric derivatives of pyridine Schiff bases and pyridinic carboxylic acids are reported. All complexes were characterised by mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, IR spectra, and multinuclear NMR analyses. Among them, complexes 5a, 5d, 5e, 5g, and 6a were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which led to establishing that the tin atom is seven-coordinated and has a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination environment in the solid state and also revealed that both ligands occupy the equatorial positions and the organic substituents the axial positions. The antioxidant activity of the synthetic derivatives towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) as well as the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay were determined, and were compared with standard antioxidants, showing a dose-dependent activity in both cases. A prominent response was obtained depending on the substituent. The anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated on a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) model of induced acute inflammation. The results of the biological tests are discussed in terms of structural characteristics.

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, DNA/protein binding and DNA cleavage studies of novel copper(ii) complexes of N-substituted isatin thiosemicarbazone ligands

Copper(ii) complexes containing isatin thiosemicarbozone ligands have been synthesized and evaluated for its biological applications like DNA/protein binding and DNA cleavage studies.

19-Tungstodiarsenate(III) Functionalized by Organoantimony(III) Groups: Tuning the Structure-Bioactivity Relationship

A family of three discrete organoantimony(III)-functionalized heteropolyanions-[Na{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}As(III)2W19O67(H2O)](10-) (1), [{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}2As(III)2W19O67(H2O)](8-) (2), and [{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}{WO2(H2O)}{WO(H2O)}2(B-β-As(III)W8O30)(B-α-As(III)W9O33)2](14-) (3)-have been prepared by one-pot reactions of the 19-tungstodiarsenate(III) precursor [As(III)2W19O67(H2O)](14-) with 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4SbCl2. The three novel polyanions crystallized as the hydrated mixed-alkali salts Cs3KNa6[Na{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}As(III)2W19O67(H2O)]·43H2O (CsKNa-1), Rb2.5K5.5[{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}2As(III)2W19O67(H2O)]·18H2O·Me2NCH2C6H5 (RbK-2), and Rb2.5K11.5[{2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)}{WO2(H2O)}{WO(H2O)}2(B-β-As(III)W8O30)(B-α-As(III)W9O33)2]·52H2O (RbK-3), respectively. The number of incorporated {2-(Me2HN(+)CH2)C6H4Sb(III)} units could be tuned by careful control of the experimental parameters. Polyanions 1 and 2 possess a dimeric sandwich-type topology, whereas 3 features a trimeric, wheel-shaped structure, representing the largest organoantimony-containing polyanion. All three compounds were fully characterized in the solid state via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and their aqueous solution stability was validated by ultraviolet-visible light (UV-vis) and multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and (183)W) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Effective inhibition against six different types of bacteria was observed for 1 and 2, and we could extract a structure-bioactivity relationship for these polyanions.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of phthalimides endowed with dual antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities

The present work reports the synthesis and evaluation of the antitumour and immunomodulatory properties of new phthalimides derivatives designed to explore molecular hybridization and bioisosterism approaches between thalidomide, thiosemicarbazone, thiazolidinone and thiazole series. Twenty-seven new molecules were assessed for their immunosuppressive effect toward TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-6 production and antiproliferative activity. The best activity profile was observed for the (6a-f) series, which presents phthalyl and thiazolidinone groups.

Synthesis, DNA/protein binding, molecular docking, DNA cleavage and in vitro anticancer activity of nickel(ii) bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes

Cytotoxic nickel(ii) complexes with an N-substituted isatin thiosemicarbazone were synthesized and their interaction with CT DNA and BSA protein was investigated, which was supported by molecular docking studies.