Mononuclear metallacarboranes of groups 6–10 metals: Analogues of metallocenes

Quantum Chemical and Biological Insights into Redox Activity of Metallacarborane Complexes in Cancer Cells

A relationship between the electronic properties of metal ions in metallacarboranes and their ability to modulate mitochondrial oxidase activity and membrane hyperpolarization in cancer cells was demonstrated. Quantum chemistry methods, including DFT and molecular dynamics simulations, were used to understand the oxidized and reduced forms of metallacarboranes and their intramolecular rotatory behavior. According to the low-spin assumption for metal ions, the intramolecular oscillations of cluster ligands in metallacarboranes are significantly influenced by the type of metal and correspond to the cellular uptake of these complexes in vitro. In particular, the low-spin iron compound may be a new xenogeneic booster of redox homeostasis in cancer cells resistant to cisplatin, which induces metabolic 'exhaustion' of cancer cells and their death.

Metallacarboranes in Medicinal Chemistry: Current Advances and Future Perspectives

Metallacarboranes, exemplified by cobalt bis(dicarbollide) ([COSAN]-), have excelled their historical metallocene analogue label to become promising in drug design, medical studies, and fundamental biological research. Serving as a unique platform for conjugation with biomolecules, they also constitute an auspicious building block for biologically active derivatives and a carrier for cellular transport of membrane-impermeable cargos. Modified [COSAN]- exhibits specific antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer actions showing promise for preclinical trials. Contributing to the ongoing development in medicinal chemistry, metallacarboranes offer desirable physicochemical properties and low acute toxicity. This article presents a critical look at metallacarboranes in the context of their application in medicinal chemistry, emphasizing [COSAN]- as a potential game-changer in drug design and biomedical sciences. As medicinal chemistry seeks innovative building blocks, metallacarboranes emerge as an important novelty with versatile solutions and promising implications.

Charge-compensated nido-carborane derivatives in the synthesis of iron(II) bis(dicarbollide) complexes

A series of stable iron(II) bis(dicarbollide) derivatives [8,8'-(RNHC(Et)HN)2-3,3'-Fe(1,2-C2B9H10)2] (R = Pr, R = Ph, (CH2)2OH, (CH2)3OH, (CH2)2NMe2) was prepared starting from FeCl2 or [FeCl2(dppe)] and the corresponding nido-carboranyl amidines [10-RNHC(Et)HN-7,8-C2B9H11]. In a similar way, the reactions of the oxonium derivatives of nido-carborane with FeCl2 in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of t-BuOK lead to the corresponding stable oxonium derivatives iron(II) bis(dicarbollide) [8,8'-(RR'O)2-3,3'-Fe(1,2-C2B9H10)2] (RR' = (CH2)4, (CH2)2O(CH2)2, (CH2)5; R = R' = Et), which can be alternatively prepared by the reaction of the parent iron(II) bis(dicarbollide) with tetrahydrofuran or 1,4-dioxane in the presence of Me2SO4. The cyclic voltammetry studies of the synthesized iron(II) bis(dicarbollide) derivatives revealed that the introduction of amidinium and oxonium substituents leads to a significant increase in the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox potential relative to the parent iron(II) bis(dicarbollide). The redox potentials of the oxonium derivatives are close to the redox potential of ferrocene and somewhat lower than redox potentials of sulfonium and phosphonium derivatives of iron(II) bis(dicarbollide).

Water soluble organometallic small molecules as promising antibacterial agents: synthesis, physical-chemical properties and biological evaluation to tackle bacterial infections

The Na[3,3'-Fe(8-I-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] and Na[2,2'-M(1,7-C₂B₉H₁₁)] (M = Co³⁺, Fe³⁺) small molecules are synthesized and the X-ray structures of [(H₃O)(H₂O)₅][2,2'-Co(1,7-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂] and [Cs(MeCN)][8,8'-I₂-Fe(1,2 C₂B₉H₁₀)₂], both displaying a transoid conformation of the [M(C₂B₉)₂]^- framework, are reported. Importantly, the supramolecular structure of [(H₃O)(H₂O)₅][2,2'-Co(1,7-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂] presents 2D layers leading to a lamellar arrangement of the anions while the cation layers form polymeric water rings made of six- and four-membered rings of water molecules connected via OH⋯H hydrogen bonds; B-H⋯O contacts connect the cationic and anionic layers. Herein, we highlight the influence of the ligand isomers (ortho-/meta-), the metal effect (Co³⁺/Fe³⁺) on the same isomer, as well as the influence of the presence of the iodine atoms on the physical-chemical and biological properties of these molecules as antimicrobial agents to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which were tested with four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria, and three Candida albicans strains that have been responsible for human infections. We have demonstrated an antimicrobial effect against Candida species (MIC of 2 and 3 nM for Na[3,3'-Co(8-I-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] and Na[2,2'-Co(1,7-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂], respectively), and against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multiresistant MRSA strains (MIC of 6 nM for Na[3,3'-Co(8-I-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]). The selectivity index for antimicrobial activity of Na[3,3'-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂] and Na[3,3'-Co(8-I-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] compounds is very high (165 and 1180, respectively), which reveals that these small anionic metallacarborane molecules may be useful to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Moreover, we have demonstrated that the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria constitutes an impermeable barrier for the majority of these compounds. Nonetheless, the addition of two iodine groups in the structure of the parent Na[3,3'-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂] had an improved effect (3-7 times) against Gram-negative bacteria. Possibly the changes in their physical-chemical properties make the meta-isomers and the ortho-di-iodinated small molecules more permeable for crossing this barrier. It should be emphasized that the most active metallabis(dicarbollide) small molecules are both transoid conformers in contrast to the ortho- [3,3'-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]^- that is cisoid. The fact that these small molecules cross the mammalian membrane and have antimicrobial properties but low toxicity for mammalian cells (high selectivity index, SI) represents a promising tool to treat infectious intracellular bacteria. Since there is an urgent need for antibiotic discovery and development, this study represents a relevant advance in the field.

Contrasting Bonding Extremes in Two [Ge6]n- Complexes: A Wadian Polyhedron (n = 2) versus a Hydrocarbon-like 2c-2e Polygermanide (n = 12)

[Nb(η⁶-C₆H₃Me₃)₂] reacts with ethylenediamine (en) solutions of K₄Ge₉ in the presence of 18-crown-6 to give [(η⁶-C₆H₃Me₃)NbHGe₆]^2- (1) and [(η⁶-C₆H₃Me₃)NbGe₆Nb(η⁶-C₆H₃Me₃)]^2- (2) as their corresponding [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ salts. The crystalline solids are dark brown, air-sensitive, and sparingly soluble or insoluble in most solvents. The [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ salts of cluster ions 1 and 2 have been characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, NMR studies, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and electrospray ionization time-of-flight (ESI-TOF) mass spectrometry studies. Cluster ions 1 and 2 have markedly different [Ge₆] moieties: an electron-deficient carborane-like subunit in 1 and a two-center, two-electron cyclohexane-like subunit in 2.

Metallacarboranes as Photoredox Catalysts in Water

Metallacarboranes with the shape of the Greek letter θ, such as [Co(C₂ B₉ H₁₁ )₂ ]^- , were tested, for the first time, as efficient photoredox catalysts in the oxidation of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols in water. Their efficiency is linked to their high solubility in water, their high oxidizing power (Co^4+/3+ ), and their absence of fluorescence on excitation, among others. In most of the studied examples, using a catalyst load of 0.4 mol % gave high yields of 90-95 % with selectivity greater than 99 %. By reducing the catalyst load to 0.01 mol %, quantitative conversion of reactants to products was achieved, in some cases with greater than 99 % yield, high catalyst efficiency reaching a turnover number of 10 000, and a higher yield with a 45 times lower concentration of catalyst. The metallacarboranes can be recovered easily by precipitation on addition of [NMe₄ ]Cl. A pathway for the photoredox-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols is proposed.

A fast and simple B-C bond formation in metallacarboranes avoiding halometallacarboranes and transition metal catalysts

An electrophilic substitution on metallacarboranes by using a stabilized carbocation that can be made in situ is reported for the first time. This new synthetic methodology provides a new perspective on easy metallacarborane derivatization with organic fragments, which enhances the properties of both fragments and widens their possible applications.

Half- and mixed-sandwich metallacarboranes for potential applications in medicine

Today, medicinal chemistry is still clearly dominated by organic chemistry, and commercially available boron-based drugs are rare. In contrast to hydrocarbons, boranes prefer the formation of polyhedral clusters via delocalized 3c2e bonds, such as polyhedral dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (closo-C2B10H12). These clusters have remarkable biological stability, and the three isomers, 1,2- (ortho), 1,7- (meta), and 1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (para), have attracted much interest due to their unique structural features. Furthermore, anionic nido clusters ([7,8-C2B9H11]2−), derived from the neutral icosahedral closo cluster 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) by deboronation followed by deprotonation are suitable ligands for transition metals and offer the possibility to form metallacarboranes, for example via coordination through the upper pentagonal face of the cluster. The isolobal analogy between the cyclopentadienyl(–1) ligand (Cp−) and [C2B9H11]2− clusters (dicarbollide anion, Cb2−) is the motivation in using Cb2− as ligand for coordination to a metal center to design compounds for various applications. This review focuses on potential applications of half- and mixed-sandwich-type transition metal complexes in medicine.

Electron Accumulative Molecules

With the goal to produce molecules with high electron accepting capacity and low reorganization energy upon gaining one or more electrons, a synthesis procedure leading to the formation of a B-N(aromatic) bond in a cluster has been developed. The research was focused on the development of a molecular structure able to accept and release a specific number of electrons without decomposing or change in its structural arrangement. The synthetic procedure consists of a parallel decomposition reaction to generate a reactive electrophile and a synthesis reaction to generate the B-N(aromatic) bond. This procedure has paved the way to produce the metallacarboranylviologen [M(C₂B₉H₁₁)(C₂B₉H₁₀)-NC₅H₄-C₅H₄N-M'(C₂B₉H₁₁)(C₂B₉H₁₀)] (M = M' = Co, Fe and M = Co and M' = Fe) and semi(metallacarboranyl)viologen [3,3'-M(8-(NC₅H₄-C₅H₄N-1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)(1',2'-C₂B₉H₁₁)] (M = Co, Fe) electron cumulative molecules. These molecules are able to accept up to five electrons and to donate one in single electron steps at accessible potentials and in a reversible way. By targeted synthesis and corresponding electrochemical tests each electron transfer (ET) step has been assigned to specific fragments of the molecules. The molecules have been carefully characterized, and the electronic communication between both metal centers (when this situation applies) has been definitely observed through the coplanarity of both pyridine fragments. The structural characteristics of these molecules imply a low reorganization energy that is a necessary requirement for low energy ET processes. This makes them electronically comparable to fullerenes, but on their side, they have a wide range of possible solvents. The ET from one molecule to another has been clearly demonstrated as well as their self-organizing capacity. We consider that these molecules, thanks to their easy synthesis, ET, self-organizing capacity, wide range of solubility, and easy processability, can find important application in any area where ET is paramount.

Metallacarboranes as tunable redox potential electrochemical indicators for screening of gene mutation

The substitution of hydrogen with chlorine in the metallacarborane [3,3-Fe(1,2-closo-C2B9H11)2]- cluster modulates the formal potential of the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple, shifting it to a more positive value. Hence, very similar redox probes with a wide range of formal potentials, ranging from negative to positive values, are available. Thus, we have achieved the synthesis and studied the electrochemical behaviour of the sodium salt of [3,3-Fe(8,9,12-Cl3-1,2-closo-C2B9H8)2]- in aqueous media. This strategy allows tuning of the redox potential of the [3,3-Fe(1,2-closo-C2B9H11)2]- framework with a minor change in its shape and dimensions. We also describe the interaction of the prepared [3,3-Fe(8,9,12-Cl3-1,2-closo-C2B9H8)2]- and the pristine [3,3-Fe(1,2-closo-C2B9H11)2]- with DNA. These studies have been carried out not only with DNA in solution but also with DNA immobilized on screen-printed gold electrodes. The results obtained point to a strong interaction between the metallacarboranes and DNA, to a different extent with single stranded DNA (ssDNA) compared to double stranded DNA (dsDNA). This property makes them selective and wide-ranging potential electrochemical indicators of hybridization. The suitability of these new redox indicators for selective DNA biosensor development has been probed by the direct detection of two different mutations associated with cystic fibrosis in PCR amplicons extracted from blood cells.

Synthesis of lysozyme-metallacarborane conjugates and the effect of boron cluster modification on protein structure and function

Two complementary methods, "in solution" and "in solid state", for the synthesis of lysozyme modified with metallacarborane (cobalt bis(dicarbollide), Co(C2 B9 H11 )2 (2-) ) were developed. As metallacarborane donors, oxonium adducts of cobalt bis(dicarbollide) and 1,4-dioxane or tetrahydropyran were used. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of the obtained lysozyme-metallacarborane conjugates were studied for changes in secondary and tertiary structure, aggregation behavior, and biological activity. Only minor changes in primary, secondary, and tertiary protein structure were observed, caused by the single substitution of metallacarborane on lysozyme. However, the modification produced significant changes in lysozyme enzymatic activity and a tendency toward time- and temperature-dependent aggregation.

Recent advances in biological applications of cage metal complexes

This review highlights advances in biochemical and medical applications of cage metal complexes (clathrochelates) and related polyhedral compounds.

How to get the desired reduction voltage in a single framework! Metallacarborane as an optimal probe for sequential voltage tuning

A single platform, [M(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]⁻ (M = Co, Fe) offers the possibility to choose the desired potential in a 1.4 V range without changing shape or volume of the platform. Methyl viologen was used as benchmark for E_1/2 tuning.

Metallacarboranes for the labelling of DNA — Synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing a 3,3′-iron-1,2,1′,2′-dicarbollide complex

The present work reports the efficient synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing metallacarborane complexes containing iron (3,3′-iron-1,2,1′,2′-dicarbollide) on a solid support via the H-phosphonate method. This versatile methodology can be applied to the synthesis of DNA oligomers bearing various metallacarborane units.

Carborane-carbohydrate derivatives — Versatile platforms for developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals

A series of carborane-carbohydrate derivatives were prepared as model platforms for developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals in which a single ligand can be tagged with two different classes of radionuclides. A nido-carborane linked to glucose was synthesized and the cage labelled with a radiometal (99mTc) and a radiohalogen (125I) in good radiochemical yield. The 99mTc-metallocarborane derivative was prepared via microwave-assisted reactions, while the iodinated derivative was prepared using oxidative labelling methods in mere minutes. Fully characterized reference standards were prepared using nonradioactive rhenium and iodine and used to demonstrate that the isolated radioactive compounds were in fact the desired targets. The work reported, which is one of the rare examples of a single ligand system that can be labelled with both radiohalogens and radiometals, forms the basis of a new paradigm for developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals.Key words: carboranes, medical isotopes, technetium-99m, iodine-125, glucose.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Tricarbonyl Rhenacarboranes: Steric and Electronic Effects on the 1,2 → 1,7 Carborane Cage Isomerization

A series of tricarbonyl rhenacarboranes {[M][Re(CO)3(RR'C2B9H9)]} (M = Na, K) were synthesized in water using microwave radiation with reaction times of less than 15 min. The novel complexes were isolated in good yields (57-94%) as either 3,1,2-(R = H: R' = CH2Pyr 6; R' = CH2Cy, 20) or 2,1,8-(R = H: R' = H, 4; R' = CH2PyrMe 12; R' = CH2PyrH, 13; R' = Pyr, 15; R' = Ph, 17; R = R' = Bn, 19) metallacarboranes and characterized by multinuclear (1H, 11B, 13C) and NOE NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography in the case of compounds 12 and 13. Carborane cage isomerization from the original 1,2 configuration to the 1,7 orientation occurred in cases where significant steric crowding was present at the metal center. Incorporation of a methylene spacer between the carborane cage and the six-membered ring as in 7 and 20 decreased steric strain such that the 3,1,2 configuration was maintained. Conversion of the 3,1,2 complex 6 to the 2,1,8 isomers 12 and 13 takes place at room temperature upon methylation or protonation of the pyridyl ring, indicating that electronic effects also play a significant role in the isomerization process.