Applications of five-membered ring products of cyclometalation reactions as anticancer agents

Cycloplatinated (II) Complex Based on Isoquinoline Alkaloid Elicits Ferritinophagy-Dependent Ferroptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

The development and optimization of metal-based anticancer drugs with novel cytotoxic mechanisms have emerged as key strategies to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance and side effects. Agents that simultaneously induce ferroptosis and autophagic death have received extensive attention as potential modalities for cancer therapy. However, only a limited set of drugs or treatment modalities can synergistically induce ferroptosis and autophagic tumor cell death. In this work, we designed and synthesized four new cycloplatinated (II) complexes harboring an isoquinoline alkaloid C∧N ligand. On screening the in vitro activity of these agents, we found that Pt-3 exhibited greater selectivity of cytotoxicity, decreased resistance factors, and improved anticancer activity compared to cisplatin. Furthermore, Pt-3, which we demonstrate can initiate potent ferritinophagy-dependent ferroptosis, exhibits less toxic and better therapeutic activity than cisplatin in vivo. Our results identify Pt-3 as a promising candidate or paradigm for further drug development in cancer treatment.

Investigating the Mechanism of Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonic Acid as a Depressant for Calcite Flotation of Fluorite

Fluorite and calcite have been attracting research attention for a long time. This paper reports on an investigation of the use of diethylene triamine pentamethylphosphonic acid (DTPMPA) as a chelating inhibitor. DTPMPA was used as a chelating inhibitor to study the flotation, separation, and adsorption behaviors of fluorite and calcite minerals. The microflotation experiment showed that the maximum separation of fluorite and calcite can be achieved with a DTPMPA dosage of 1.5 × 10-4 mol/L under weakly alkaline conditions (pH = 8). Zeta potential measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm that DTPMPA was adsorbed on the surface of calcite, inhibiting NaOl adsorption. Additionally, density functional theory calculations showed that oxygen in the DTPMPA phosphate group formed the most stable bidentate binuclear adsorption configuration by chelating with calcium on the calcite surface. Through detection analysis and simulation calculations, the results showed that DTPMPA exhibited significantly weaker adsorption on fluorite compared to that on calcite, highlighting its selective inhibition ability on calcite.

Antiproliferative activity and DNA binding studies of cyclometalated complexes of platinum(II) containing 2-vinylpyridine

The cytotoxic activity of four cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [PtMe(vpy)(L)], containing 2-vinylpyridine (vpy) and the phosphine ligands (L) PMe₂Ph (1a), PPh₃ (1b), PMePh₂ (1c), and P(c-Hex)₃ (1d), were evaluated against human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), human lung cancer (A549), human colon cancer (SW1116), and non-tumor epithelial breast (MCF-10 A) cell lines. The highest activity was found for 1c with IC₅₀ values of 21.10 µM, 23.36 µM, and 12.96 µM, compared to cisplatin, which was 10.12 µM, 47.57 µM, and 19.50 µM against the A549, SW1116, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. 1a-d showed a higher selectivity index (SI) than cisplatin. Docking studies confirmed interaction to the DNA minor groove for all complexes. Genotoxicity studies on 1c showed interactions with the genomic content of malignant cells. Compared with cisplatin as a positive control, a slight shift was found in the electrophoresis mobility, which was utilized further to study the direct interaction of 1c with DNA.

Investigation on Optical and Biological Properties of 2-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole Based Cycloplatinated Complexes

The optical and biological properties of 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole cycloplatinated complexes featuring bioactive ligands ([{Pt(Me 2 N-pbt)(C 6 F 5 )}L] [L = Me 2 N-pbtH 1 , p -dpbH (4-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid) 2 , o -dpbH (2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid) 3) , [Pt(Me 2 N-pbt)( o -dpb)] 4 ,  [{Pt(Me 2 N-pbt)(C 6 F 5 )} 2 (µ-PR n P)] [PR 4 P = O(CH 2 CH 2 OC(O)C 6 H 4 PPh 2 ) 2 5 , PR 12 P = O{(CH 2 CH 2 O) 3 C(O)C 6 H 4 PPh 2 } 2 6 ] are presented. Complexes 1-6 display 1 ILCT and metal perturbed 3 ILCT dual emissions. The ratio between both bands is excitation dependent, accomplishing warm-white emissions for 2 , 5 and 6 .  The phosphorescent emission is lost in aerated solutions owing to photoinduced electron transfer to 3 O 2 and formation of 1 O 2 , as confirmed in complexes 2 and 4 . They also exhibit photoinduced phosphorescence enhancement in non-degassed DMSO, due to local oxidation of DMSO by sensitized 1 O 2 , which causes a local degassing. Me 2 N-pbtH and the complexes exhibit specific accumulation in the Golgi apparatus although only 2 , 3 and 6 were active against A549 and HeLa cancer cell lines, being 6 highly selective respect to nontumoral cells. The potential photodynamic property of these complexes was demonstrated with complex 4 .

Luminescent cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes with acyclic diaminocarbene ligands: structural, photophysical and biological properties

Four new cyclometalated Pt(ii) complexes bearing acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) ligands, [Pt(C^N)Cl{C(NHXyl)(NHR)}] [C^N = 2,6-difluorophenylpyridine (dfppy), phenylquinoline (pq); R = Pr 3a, 4a, CH₂Ph 3b, 4b], were prepared by the nucleophilic attack on the isocyanide [Pt(C^N)Cl(CNXyl)] (C^N = dfppy 1, pq 2) by the corresponding amine RNH₂ (R = Pr, CH₂Ph). Complexes 3 show in their ¹H NMR spectra in CDCl₃ a notable concentration dependence, with a clear variation of the δ_H (NHXyl) signal, suggesting an assembling process implying donor-acceptor NH_XylCl bonding, also supported by 1D-PGSE (Pulse Field Gradient Spin Echo) and 2D-DOSY (Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy) NMR experiments in solution and X-ray diffraction studies. The intermolecular interactions in compounds 3a and 3b were studied by using Hirshfeld surface analysis and Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) methods on their X-ray structures. Their photophysical properties were investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopies and also by TD-DFT calculations performed on 3a and 4b. These complexes show green (3) or orange (4) phosphorescence, attributed to a mixed ³IL/³MLCT excited state. The carbene ligand does not affect the emission maxima but it produces an increase of the quantum yields in relation to the isocyanide in the precursors. In fluid solutions, the emission is not concentration-dependent, but the complexes may show aggregation induced emission as detailed for complexes 3a and 4a. In addition, cytotoxicity studies in the human cell lines A549 (lung carcinoma) and HeLa (cervix carcinoma) showed good activity for these complexes and 3a, 3b and 4a exhibit a strong effect on DNA electrophoretic mobility. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 3 and 4 represent the first examples of cycloplatinated complexes bearing acyclic diamino carbenes with antiproliferative properties.

Cyclometalated Osmium Compounds and beyond: Synthesis, Properties, Applications

The synthesis of cyclometalated osmium complexes is usually more complicated than of other transition metals such as Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, where cyclometalation reactions readily occur via direct activation of C–H bonds. It differs also from their ruthenium analogs. Cyclometalation for osmium usually occurs under more severe conditions, in polar solvents, using specific precursors, stronger acids, or bases. Such requirements expand reaction mechanisms to electrophilic activation, transmetalation, and oxidative addition, often involving C–H bond activations. Osmacycles exhibit specific applications in homogeneous catalysis, photophysics, bioelectrocatalysis and are studied as anticancer agents. This review describes major synthetic pathways to osmacycles and related compounds and discusses their practical applications.

Fluorinated Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes Bearing Bisphosphine Ligands as Potent Anticancer Agents

A family of cationic cycloplatinated(II) complexes [Pt(dfppy)(P^P)]Cl, dfppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine, incorporating bisphosphine ligands, P^P = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (1, dppm), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (2, dppe) and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (3, dppbz), was prepared. The complexes were characterized by means of several analytical and spectroscopic methods. These complexes displayed acceptable stability in the biological environments which was confirmed by NMR, HR ESI-MS and UV-vis techniques. The antiproliferative properties of these complexes were evaluated by National Cancer Institute (NCI) at National Institutes of Health (NIH) against 60 different human tumor cell lines such as leukemia, melanoma, lung, colon, brain, ovary, breast, prostate and kidney. These complexes showed higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against a wide variety of cancer cell lines such as K-562 (leukemia), HOP-92 (lung), HCT-116 (colon), OVCAR-8 (ovarian), PC-3 (prostate), MDA-MB-468 (breast), and melanoma cancer cell lines. Complex 3 as the most potent compound in this study furnished an excellent anti-proliferative activity compared to the cisplatin against Hela, SKOV3, and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. The main mode of the interaction of 1-3 with DNA was also determined using molecular docking studies.

Influence of Ligand and Nuclearity on the Cytotoxicity of Cyclometallated C^N^C Platinum(II) Complexes

A series of cyclometallated mono- and di-nuclear platinum(II) complexes and the parent organic ligand, 2,6-diphenylpyridine 1 (HC^N^CH), have been synthesized and characterized. This library of compounds includes [(C^N^C)PtII (L)] (L=dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) 2 and triphenylphosphine (PPh3 ) 3) and [((C^N^C)PtII )2 (L')] (where L'=N-heterocycles (pyrazine (pyr) 4, 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) 5 or diphosphine (1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) 6). Their cytotoxicity was assessed against four cancerous cell lines and one normal cell line, with results highlighting significantly increased antiproliferative activity for the dinuclear complexes (4-6), when compared to the mononucleated species (2 and 3). Complex 6 is the most promising candidate, displaying very high selectivity towards cancerous cells, with selectivity index (SI) values >29.5 (A2780) and >11.2 (A2780cisR), and outperforming cisplatin by >4-fold and >18-fold, respectively.

A review on 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane bridged homo- and heterobimetallic complexes for anticancer applications: Synthesis, structure, and cytotoxicity

Herein, we review developments in synthesis, structure, and biological (anti-cancer) activities of 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) bridged homo- and heterobimetallic systems of the type L_mM(μ₂-dppm)M'L_n (M and M' are transition metals which may be different or the same and L_n,m are co-ligands) since the first such reported bimetallic system in 1987 until the present time (2020). As the simplest diphosphine, dppm enables facile formation of bimetallic complexes, where, given the short spacer between the PPh₂ groups, close spatial proximity of the metal centres is ensured. We concentrate on complexes bearing no M-M interaction and contrast biological activities of these complexes with mononuclear counterparts and positive control agents such as cisplatin, in an attempt to elucidate patterns in the biological activities of these complexes.

Tumoricidal Potential of Novel Amino-1,10-phenanthroline Derived Imine Ligands: Chemical Preparation, Structure, and Biological Investigations

Herein we report the synthesis and structural elucidation of two novel imine-based ligands, 2-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)imino)methyl)-5-bromophenol (PIB) and N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-1-(thiophen-3-yl)methanimine (PTM) ligands. An in vitro cytotoxicity assay of the synthesized molecules was carried out against breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer cell lines as well as immortalized human keratinocytes. The observations indicated that both the molecules possesses dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity of cancer cells with no detrimental effect on the normal cell lines. Furthermore, the detailed computational analysis of newly synthetized ligands (PIB and PTM) has been conducted in order to identify their most important parts from the perspective of local reactivity. The IC₅₀ values of PIB treatment on MCF-7, HeLa, HCT-116 and PC-3 were 15.10, 16.25, 17.88, 17.55 and 23.86 micromoles, respectively. Meanwhile, the IC₅₀ values of PTM on MCF-7, HeLa, HCT-116, PC-3 and HaCat were observed to be 14.82, 15.03, 17.88, 17.28 and 21.22 micromoles, respectively. For computational analysis, we have employed the combination of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and MD simulations. DFT calculations provided us with information about structure and reactivity descriptors based on the electron distribution. Surfaces of molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and averaged local ionization energy (ALIE) indicated the sites within studied molecules that are most reactive. These results indicated the importance of nitrogen atoms and OH group. Additionally, the values of bond dissociation for hydrogen abstraction showed that both molecules, especially the PTM, are stable toward the influence of autoxidation mechanism. On the other side, MD simulations gave us an insight how ligands interact with water molecules. Namely, the radial distribution functions (RDF) indicated that the hydrogen atom of the OH group in the case of the PIB has the most pronounced interactions with water.

Ligand-Controlled Reactivity and Cytotoxicity of Cyclometalated Rhodium(III) Complexes

We report the synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity of six cyclometalated rhodium(III) complexes [CpXRh(C^N)Z]0/+, in which CpX = Cp*, Cpph, or Cpbiph, C^N = benzo[h]quinoline, and Z = chloride or pyridine. Three x-ray crystal structures showing the expected "piano-stool" configurations have been determined. The chlorido complexes hydrolysed faster in aqueous solution, also reacted preferentially with 9-ethyl guanine or glutathione compared to their pyridine analogues. The 1-biphenyl-2,3,4,5,-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl complex [CpbiphRh(benzo[h]quinoline)Cl] (3a) was the most efficient catalyst in coenzyme reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidation to NAD+ and induced an elevated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 human lung cancer cells. The pyridine complex [CpbiphRh(benzo[h]quinoline)py]+ (3b) was the most potent against A549 lung and A2780 ovarian cancer cell lines, being 5-fold more active than cisplatin towards A549 cells, and acted as a ROS scavenger. This work highlights a ligand-controlled strategy to modulate the reactivity and cytotoxicity of cyclometalated rhodium anticancer complexes.

Luminescent PtII and PtIV Platinacycles with Anticancer Activity Against Multiplatinum-Resistant Metastatic CRC and CRPC Cell Models

Platinum-based chemotherapy persists to be the only effective therapeutic option against a wide variety of tumours. Nevertheless, the acquisition of platinum resistance is utterly common, ultimately cornering conventional platinum drugs to only palliative in many patients. Thus, encountering alternatives that are both effective and non-cross-resistant is urgent. In this work, we report the synthesis, reduction studies, and luminescent properties of a series of cyclometallated (C,N,N')Pt^IV compounds derived from amine-imine ligands, and their remarkable efficacy at the high nanomolar range and complete lack of cross-resistance, as an intrinsic property of the platinacycle, against multiplatinum-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) metastatic cell lines generated for this work. We have also determined that the compounds are effective and selective for a broader cancer panel, including breast and lung cancer. Additionally, selected compounds have been further evaluated, finding a shift in their antiproliferative mechanism towards more cytotoxic and less cytostatic than cisplatin against cancer cells, being also able to oxidize cysteine residues and inhibit topoisomerase II, thereby holding great promise as future improved alternatives to conventional platinum drugs.

Palladium(ii) complexes bearing 1-iminothiolate-3,5-dimethylpyrazoles: synthesis, cytotoxicity, DNA binding and enzymatic inhibition studies

This work describes the enzymatic inhibitory activity of four novel Pd(ii) complexes towards topoisomerase IIα and cathepsins B and L.In silicostudies agree well with the enhancedin vitrocathepsin B inhibition induced by compound4(58% at 10 μM).

Cyclopalladated compounds containing 2,6-lutidine: Synthesis, spectral and biological studies

Bridge splitting reactions between [Pd(C²,N-dmba)(μ-X)]₂ (dmba = N,N-dimethylbenzylamine; X = Cl, I, N₃, NCO) and 2,6-lutidine (lut) in the 1:2 molar ratio at room temperature afforded cyclopalladated compounds of general formulae [Pd(C²,N-dmba)(X)(lut)] {X = Cl^- (1), I^-(2), NNN^-(3), NCO^-(4)}, which were characterized by elemental analyses and infrared (IR), ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of all synthesized palladacycles have been solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity of the cyclopalladated compounds has been evaluated against a panel of murine {mammary carcinoma (4T1) and melanoma (B16F10-Nex2)} and human {melanoma (A2058, SK-MEL-110 and SK-MEL-5) tumor cell lines. All complexes were about 10 to 100-fold more active than cisplatin, depending on the tested tumor cell line. For comparison purposes, the cytotoxic effects of 1-4 towards human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) have also been tested. The late apoptosis-inducing properties of 1-4 compounds in SK-MEL-5 cells were verified 24 h incubation using annexin V-Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI). The binding properties of the model compound 1 on human serum albumin (HSA) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) have been studied using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. Docking simulations have been carried out to gain more information about the interaction of the palladacycle and HSA. The ability of compounds 1-4 to inhibit the activity of cathepsin B and L has also been investigated in this work.

Chelating and Bridging Roles of 2-(2-Pyridyl)benzimidazole and Bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene in Stabilizing a Cyclic Tetranuclear Platinum(II) Complex

The reaction of complex [Pt(Me)(DMSO)(pbz)], 1, (pbz = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolate) with [PtMe(Cl)(DMSO)₂], B, followed by addition of bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene (dppac), gave the novel tetranuclear platinum complex [Pt₄Me₄(μ-dppac)₂(pbz)₂Cl₂], 2, bearing both the pbz and dppac ligands. In this structure, the pbz ligands are both chelating and bridging to stabilize the tetraplatinum framework. The tetranuclear Pt(II) complex was fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and mass spectrometry, and its electronic structure was investigated and supported by DFT calculations.

Mesityl(amidinato)tetrylenes as ligands in iridium(i) and iridium(iii) complexes: silicon versus germanium and simple κ1-coordination versus cyclometallation

The reactivity of the germylene Ge(^tBu₂bzam)Mes with [Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂(η⁴-cod)₂] and [Ir₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂(η⁵-Cp*)₂] differs considerably from that previously communicated for the isostructural silylene Si(^tBu₂bzam)Mes.

Cyclometallation of a germylene ligand by concerted metalation-deprotonation of a methyl group

The reaction of [CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)}2]GeCl with LiN(SiMe3)2 was previously reported, which led to the formation of a hetero-fulvene type germylene, [CH{(CMe)(C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)}2]Ge through the deprotonation of the C-H bond from the methyl substituents. In this paper, we attempted the analogous reaction with (Dipp)NCMeCHCOMeGeCl using LiN(SiMe3)2 which gave rise to a metathesis product, (Dipp)NCMeCHCOMeGeN(SiMe3)2 (2). However, the reactions of 2 with [M2Cl2(μ-Cl)2(η5-Cp*)2] (M = Rh and Ir) resulted in cyclometallated Rh and Ir complexes through the activation of the C-H bond from the germylene ligand. The complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, which authenticated the presence of Ge-Rh and Ge-Ir bonds. DFT studies have been performed to understand the mechanism.

Synthesis of Gold(III) Complexes with Bidentate Amino-Thiolate Ligands as Precursors of Novel Bifunctional Acyclic Diaminocarbenes

Two neutral bis(pentafluorophenyl)thiolate gold(III) complexes with the unsymmetrical S^N ligands 2-aminothiophenol or cysteamine have been synthesized and their reactivity has been studied. Homo- and heterodinuclear compounds were obtained by their coordination to gold(I) or silver(I) derivatives through the sulfur atom. Interestingly, a tetranuclear derivative bearing short gold(I)···gold(I) and the more unusual gold(I)···gold(III) interactions has been prepared. These amino-thiolate derivatives can be used as precursors for the synthesis of novel gold(III) acyclic diaminocarbene complexes by reaction with isocyanides CNR. The nucleophilic attack of the amino group to isocyanide molecules affords the synthesis of unprecedented bidentate C^S acyclic diaminocarbene ligands. All of the complexes are air- and moisture-stable at room temperature and have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of new cyclometallated platinum(iv) complexes containing a para-tolyl ligand

The synthesis of three new cyclometallated platinum(ii) compounds containing a para-tolyl ligand and a tridentate [C,N,N'] (cm1) or a bidentate [C,N] ligand and an additional ligand such as SEt2 (cm2) or PPh3 (cm3) is reported. The X-ray molecular structure of platinum(ii) compound cm3 is also presented. Intermolecular oxidative addition of methyl iodide or iodine upon cm1, cm2 and cm3 produced six novel cyclometallated platinum(iv) compounds. The cytotoxic activity against a panel of human adenocarcinoma cell lines (A-549 lung, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast, and HCT-116 colon), DNA interaction, topoisomerase I, IIα, and cathepsin B inhibition, and cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and ROS generation of the investigated complexes are presented. The best results for antiproliferative activity were obtained for platinum(iv) compounds cm1MeI and cm1I2 arising from oxidative addition of methyl iodide and iodine, respectively, to cm1. Cyclometallated platinum(iv) compounds cm1MeI and cm3MeI induce significant changes in the mobility of DNA and, in addition, cm1MeI, cm3MeI and cm1I2, showed considerable topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity. Moreover, the compounds exhibiting the higher antiproliferative activity (cm1MeI and cm1I2) were found to generate ROS and to supress HCT-116 colon cancer cell growth by a mixture of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. 1H NMR experiments carried out in a buffered aqueous medium (pH 7.40) indicate that compound cm1MeI is not reduced by common biologically relevant reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, glutathione or cysteine.

Synthesis, Structures, and Reactivity of Single and Double Cyclometalated Complexes Formed by Reactions of [Cp*MCl2]2 (M = Ir and Rh) with Dinaphthyl Phosphines

Reactions of two dinaphthyl phosphines with [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ have been carried out. In the case of di(α-naphthyl)phenylphosphine (1a), a simple P-coordinated neutral adduct 2a is obtained. However, tert-butyldi(α-naphthyl)phenylphosphine (1b) is cyclometalated to form [Cp*IrCl(P^C)] (3b). Complexes 2a and 3a undergo further cyclometalation to give the corresponding double cyclometalated complexes [Cp*Ir(C^P^C)] (4a,b) upon heating. In the presence of sodium acetate, reactions of 1a,b with [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ directly afford the final double cyclometalated complexes (4a,b). In the absence of acetate, [Cp*RhCl₂]₂ shows no reaction with 1a,b, whereas with acetate the reactions form the corresponding single cyclometalated complexes [Cp*RhCl(P^C)] (5a,b), which react with ^t BuOK to form the corresponding rhodium hydride complexes (6a,b). Treatment of 4a with CuCl₂ or I₂ leads to opening of two Ir-C σ bonds to yield the corresponding P-coordinated iridium dihalide (7 or 8) by means of an intramolecular C-C coupling reaction. A new chiral phosphine (11) is formed by the ligand-exchange reaction of 8 with PMe₃. Reactions of the single cycloiridated complex 3b with terminal aromatic alkynes result in the corresponding five- and six-membered doubly cycloiridated complex 12 and/or η²-alkene coordinated complexes 13-15; the latter discloses that the electronic effect of terminal alkynes affects the regioselectivity. While the single cyclorhodated complex 5b reacts with terminal aromatic alkynes to form the corresponding six-membered cyclometalated complexes 16a-c by vinylidene rearrangement/1,1-insertion. Plausible pathways for formation of insertion products 13-16 were proposed. Molecular structures of twelve new complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction.

The development of ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes and conjugates for in vitro cellular and in vivo applications

Ruthenium(ii) [Ru(ii)] polypyridyl complexes have been the focus of intense investigations since work began exploring their supramolecular interactions with DNA. In recent years, there have been considerable efforts to translate this solution-based research into a biological environment with the intention of developing new classes of probes, luminescent imaging agents, therapeutics and theranostics. In only 10 years the field has expanded with diverse applications for these complexes as imaging agents and promising candidates for therapeutics. In light of these efforts this review exclusively focuses on the developments of these complexes in biological systems, both in cells and in vivo, and hopes to communicate to readers the diversity of applications within which these complexes have found use, as well as new insights gained along the way and challenges that researchers in this field still face.

A direct access to heterobimetallic complexes by roll-over cyclometallation

Complexes of the type [Cp*Ir(N,N')Cl]⁺ (N,N' = 2-(2-dialkylaminopyrimidin-4-yl)pyrimidine) can undergo roll-over cyclometallation leading to a novel N,N'-donor site. Following this strategy heterobimetallic complexes including iridium(iii) and a Group X metal centre in the oxidation state +II were achieved.

Benzothiazole-Based Cycloplatinated Chromophores: Synthetic, Optical, and Biological Studies

Cycloplatinated complexes based on 2-(4-substituted)benzothiazole ligands of type [Pt(R-PBT-κC,N)Cl(L)] (PBT=2-phenylbenzothiazole; R=Br (1), Me₂ N (2); L=dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; a), 1,3,5- triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA; b), triphenylphosphine 3,3',3''-trisulfonate (TPPTS; c)) and [Pt(Br-PBT-κC)Cl(PTA)₂ ] (3) are presented. On the basis of the photophysical data and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations (1 a and 2 a), the low-lying transitions (absorption and emission) were associated with ligand-center (LC) charge transfer, with minor metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), and intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) [Me₂ N-PBT→PBT] excited states, respectively. Simultaneous fluorescence/phosphorescence bands were found in fluid solutions (and also in the solid state for 2 a), which become dominated by triplet emission bands in rigid media at 77 K. The effect of the concentration on emissive behavior of 2 a, b indicated the occurrence of aggregation-induced luminescence properties related to the occurrence of metal-metal and π⋅⋅⋅π interactions, which are more enhanced in 2 a because of the less bulky DMSO ligand. The behavior of 2 a toward para-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) in aerated acetonitrile and to hydrogen chloride gas in the solid state has been evaluated, thus showing a clear reversible change between the ¹ ILCT and ³ LC/³ MLCT states due to protonation of the NMe₂ group (theoretical calculations on 2 a-H⁺ ). Solid 2 a undergoes a surprising oxidation of the Pt^II center to Pt^IV with concomitant deoxygenation of DMSO, under prolonged reaction with hydrogen chloride gas to afford the Pt^IV /dimethyl sulfide complex (mer-[Pt(Me₂ N-PBT-κC,N)Cl₃ (SMe₂ )]; mer-4), which evolves in solution to fac-4, as confirmed by X-ray studies. Cytotoxic activity studies on A549 and HeLa cell lines indicated cytotoxic activity of 1 b and 2 a, b. In addition, fluorescent cell microscopy revealed cytoplasmic staining, more visible in perinuclear areas. Inhibition of tubulin polymerization by 1 b in both cells is presented as a preliminary mechanism of its cytotoxic action.

Isomeric and hybrid ferrocenyl/cyrhetrenyl aldimines: a new family of multifunctional compounds

Comparative experimental and theoretical studies of the properties and biological activities of the new aldimines 1 and 2 are reported.