Recent advances in the coordination chemistry of benzotriazole-based ligands

Harnessing benzotriazole as a sustainable ligand in metal-catalyzed coupling reactions

Coupling reactions play a crucial role in drug development enabling the rapid expansion of structure-activity relationships (SARs) during drug discovery programs to identify a clinical candidate and simplify subsequent drug development processes. In particular, their relevance in clinical medicine and drug discovery has increased significantly in the last two decades. To facilitate these metal-catalyzed coupling reactions, suitably designed ligands are necessary and from the industrial point of view, sustainable and cost-effective ligands are of current need. Benzotriazole, a non-toxic, thermally stable, and inexpensive bidentate ligand, exhibits strong electron donating and electron accepting properties, along with excellent solubility in various organic solvents. It has been extensively explored as a synthetic auxiliary in the past; in recent years, benzotriazole and its derivatives have been used as ligands in metal-catalyzed coupling reactions. The facile construction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds in the presence of versatile benzotriazole ligands makes it an indispensable ligand for catalytic transformations. The present feature article mainly emphasizes the advances in the utilization of benzotriazole as a ligand in a diverse range of C-C, C-N, C-O, and C-S coupling reactions.

Chemical Chartographisis: a contemporary perspective in molecular design and synthesis

The use of flexible molecular systems in solution, without strictly controlling their behaviour, has frequently been productive. Their potential could increase by a more holistic view of the reaction(s) process(es) in which they are involved. In this perspective, we introduce a broader approach - "Chemical Chartographisis" - and discuss three projects in detail to illustrate its potential. The topics involve bimetallic 3d/4f species and coordination compounds built from benzotriazole-based and (a)symmetric salan ligands and focus on catalytic and, in less detail, biological-related examples.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico investigations of benzotriazole derivatives as potential inhibitors of NIMA related kinase

In the current study, a novel compound, bis(3-(2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)-5-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenyl)methane (TAJ1), has been synthesized by the reaction of 6,6'-methylenebis(2-(2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)-4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenol) (1), propargyl bromide (2) and potassium carbonate. Spectroscopic (FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) and single-crystal assays proved the structure of the synthesized sample. XRD analysis confirmed the structure of the synthesized compound, showing that it possesses two aromatic parts linked via a -CH2 carbon with a bond angle of 108.40°. The cell line activity reported a percent growth reduction for different cell types (HeLa cells, MCF-7 cells, and Vero cells) under various treatment conditions (TAJ1, cisplatin, and doxorubicin) after 24 hours and 48 hours. The percent growth reduction represents a decrease in cell growth compared to a control condition. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to examine the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and overall chemical reactivity descriptors of TAJ1. The molecule's chemical reactivity and stability were assessed by determining the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. TAJ1 displayed a HOMO energy level of -0.224 eV, a LUMO energy level of -0.065 eV, and a HOMO-LUMO gap of 0.159 eV. Additionally, molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the binding affinities of TAJ1 with various proteins. The compound TAJ1 showed potent interactions with NEK2, exhibiting -10.5 kcal mol-1 binding energy. Although TAJ1 has demonstrated interactions with NEK7, NEK9, TP53, NF-KAPPA-B, and caspase-3 proteins, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent, it is important to evaluate the conformational stability of the protein-ligand complex. Hence, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to assess this stability. To analyze the complex, root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation analyses were performed. The results of these analyses indicate that the top hits obtained from the virtual screening possess the ability to act as effective NEK2 inhibitors. Therefore, further investigation of the inhibitory potential of these identified compounds using in vitro and in vivo approaches is recommended.

Advances in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds by in situ benzyne cycloaddition

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are prevalent in various natural products, medicines, agrochemicals, and organic functional materials. Among strategies to prepare nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, pathways involving benzyne intermediates are attractive given that they can readily assemble highly diverse heterocyclic compounds in a step-economical manner under transition-metal-free conditions. The synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds from benzyne intermediates offers an alternative strategy to the conventional metal-catalyzed activation approaches. In the past years, chemists have witnessed the revival of benzyne chemistry, mainly attributed to the wide application of various novel benzyne precursors. The cycloaddition of benzynes is a powerful tool for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, which can be constructed by [n + 2] cyclization of benzyne intermediates in situ generated from benzyne precursors under mild reaction conditions. This review focuses on the application of cycloaddition reactions involving in situ benzynes in the construction of various nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds.

N2-Selective β-Thioalkylation of Benzotriazoles with Alkenes

Herein, N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles with unactivated alkenes and styrenes is reported. The N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles is highly stereospecific and works under simple and mild conditions, exhibiting excellent functional group tolerance. The high N²-selectivity is a consequence of the combination of hydrogen bonding and Lewis acid/base activation, which reverses the N²-position to be favored for alkylation.

Visible-emitting Cu(i) complexes with N-functionalized benzotriazole-based ligands

Bidentate benzotriazole-based N-ligands are suited for the preparation of luminescent heteroleptic copper(i) complexes with noticeable emissions related to 3MLCT transitions.

The Synthesis and Properties of TIPA-Dominated Porous Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as a class of crystalline materials are constructed using metal nodes and organic spacers. Polydentate N-donor ligands play a mainstay-type role in the construction of metal-organic frameworks, especially cationic MOFs. Highly stable cationic MOFs with high porosity and open channels exhibit distinct advantages, they can act as a powerful ion exchange platform for the capture of toxic heavy-metal oxoanions through a Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal (SC-SC) pattern. Porous luminescent MOFs can act as nano-sized containers to encapsulate guest emitters and construct multi-emitter materials for chemical sensing. This feature article reviews the synthesis and application of porous Metal-Organic Frameworks based on tridentate ligand tris (4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl) phenyl) amine (TIPA) and focuses on design strategies for the synthesis of TIPA-dominated Metal-Organic Frameworks with high porosity and stability. The design strategies are integrated into four types: small organic molecule as auxiliaries, inorganic oxyanion as auxiliaries, small organic molecule as secondary linkers, and metal clusters as nodes. The applications of ratiometric sensing, the adsorption of oxyanions contaminants from water, and small molecule gas storage are summarized. We hope to provide experience and inspiration in the design and construction of highly porous MOFs base on polydentate N-donor ligands.

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes

Alkylation of benzotriazoles is synthetically challenging, often leading to mixtures of N1 and N2 alkylation. Herein, metal-free catalytic site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes is described in the presence of 10 mol% of B(C6F5)3. These reactions provide N1-alkylated benzotriazoles in good to excellent yields and this protocol is successfully adapted to gram-scale syntheses as well as a derivative with antimicrobial activity.

Structural and Electronic Control of the Bidentate 1-(2-pyridyl)benzotriazole Ligand in Copper Chemistry with Application to Catalysis in the A3 Coupling Reaction

The hybrid bidentate 1-(2-pyridyl)benzotriazole (pyb) ligand was introduced into 3d transition metal catalysis. Specifically, [Cu^II (OTf)₂ (pyb)₂ ]⋅2 CH₃ CN (1) enables the synthesis of a wide range of propargylamines by the A³ coupling reaction at room temperature in the absence of additives. Experimental and high-level theoretical calculations suggest that the bridging N atom of the ligand imposes exclusive trans coordination at Cu and allows ligand rotation, while the N atom of the pyridine group modulates charge distribution and flux, and thus orchestrates structural and electronic precatalyst control permitting alkyne binding with simultaneous activation of the C-H bond via a transient Cu^I species.

A Toughening and Anti-Counterfeiting Benzotriazole-Based High-Performance Polymer Film Driven by Appropriate Intermolecular Coordination Force

It is of great significance to circumvent the inherent trade-off between strength and extensibility for epoxy resins. Herein dynamic Cu-benzotriazole cross-links are incorporated, as the appropriate intermolecular coordination interaction, into high performance epoxy networks, and the resulting epoxy resins exhibits outstanding thermal stability and mechanical properties, their strength and extensibility are simultaneously improved. Additionally, local manipulation of coordination crosslinking confers the film with anti-counterfeiting function.

Scandium-catalyzed highly selective N2-alkylation of benzotriazoles with cyclohexanones

A scandium-catalyzed highly N²-selective alkylation of benzotriazoles with cyclohexanones has been developed.

Driving force to detect Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: application of a thioflavine T@Er-MOF ratiometric fluorescent sensor for smart detection of presenilin 1, amyloid β-protein and acetylcholine

Currently, the highly sensitive detection of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) biomarkers, namely presenilin 1, amyloid β-protein (Aβ), and acetylcholine (ACh), is vital to helping us prevent and diagnose AD. In this work, a novel metal-organic framework [Er(L)(DMF)_1.27]_n (Er-MOF) (H₃L = terphenyl-3,4'',5-tricarboxylic acid) has been synthesized by solvothermal and ultrasonic methods. Further, through the post-synthesis assembly strategy, the fluorescent dye thioflavine T (ThT) has been introduced into Er-MOF to construct a dual-emission ThT@Er-MOF ratiometric fluorescent sensor. This is the first time that ThT@Er-MOF has been successfully applied in the highly sensitive detection of three main Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid through three different low cost and facile detection strategies. Firstly, with the spilted DNA strategy, this is the first time that ThT@Er-MOF can be applied in the label-free detection of SSODN (part of the presenilin 1 gene). Secondly, for the detection of Aβ, because ThT can be specifically combined with Aβ and has an excellent characteristic fluorescence band, the dual-emission ThT@Er-MOF sensor can be selectively applied to detect Aβ over the analog protein, which shows far more sensitivity than other Aβ sensors. Thirdly, through the acetylcholine esterase (AchE) enzymatic cleavage and release strategy, ThT@Er-MOF enhances the detection of acetylcholine (ACh) with a low limit of detection (LOD) value (0.03226 nM). It should be noticed that the three different detection methods are low cost and facile. This study also provides the first example of utilizing laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) to investigate the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detection mechanism by ThT@Er-MOF in more detail. The location of FRET occurrence and FRET efficiency can also be investigated by LSCM, which can be helpful to understand the FRET detection process by these unique MOF-based hybrid materials.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[diaqua-bis(3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylato-κO 1)-(μ2-1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene-κ2 N 3:N3′)cobalt(II)], C32H26CoF6N4O6

C32H26CoF6N4O6, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 5.4881(3) Å, b = 11.6495(6) Å, c = 13.1533(6) Å, α = 84.979(2)°, β = 84.370(2)°, γ = 80.602(2)°, V = 823.46(7) Å3, Z = 1, R gt(F) = 0.0381, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1069, T = 293(2) K.

Dual-emission CdTe quantum dot@ZIF-365 ratiometric fluorescent sensor and application for highly sensitive detection of l-histidine and Cu2

l-histidine acts as a semi-essential amino acid, which is medically used in the treatment of gastric ulcer, anemia, allergies. However, the overuse of l-histidine will result in terrible damage to heart disease, slow growth of animals and water pollution in the environment. In addition, Cu²⁺ pollution is common environmental pollution in the industry. It has the characteristics of high accumulation, migration, and persistence. Given this, through the post-synthesis strategy, CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were the first time to introduce into zeolitic imidazolate framework-ZIF-365 to synthesis dual-emission hybrid material CdTe@ZIF-365 with high quantum yield. TEM mappings and N₂ absorption tests are applied to confirm the combination mode between CdTe quantum dots and ZIF-365. It should be noted that CdTe@ZIF-365 can be successfully utilized as a bi-functional ratiometric sensor for highly sensitive discrimination of l-histidine and Cu²⁺. Firstly, CdTe@ZIF-365 is applied to a fluorescent ratiometric sensor for Cu²⁺ with high sensitivity (the K_sv value is 2.7417✕10⁷ [M^-1]) and selectivity in the mixed cation ions' solution. On the other hand, CdTe@ZIF-365 also behaved as the first example for an excellent ratiometric fluorescent senor for l-histidine with high sensitivity (the K_sv value is 6.0507✕10⁸ [M^-1]) and selectivity in the mixed amino acids' solutions.

Solvothermal and Ultrasonic Preparation of Two Unique Cluster-Based Lu and Y Coordination Materials: Metal-Organic Framework-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Biosensor for an Ornidazole and Ronidazole and Sensing Platform for a Biomarker of Amoeba Liver Abscess

Through powerful solvothermal and facile ultrasonic synthetic strategies, two unique cluster-based lanthanide Lu and Y nanoporous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been successfully prepared, namely, {[Lu₂(L)₂]·2DMF·H₂O}_n (Lu-MOF) and [Y(L)(DMF)_0.75]_n (Y-MOF) (H₃L = terphenyl-3,4'',5-tricarboxylic acid). In addition, both the morphologies and nanosizes of Lu-MOF and Y-MOF materials also have been deliberately tuned by adjustable ultrasonic conditions including irradiation time (40, 60, and 80 min) and power (70 w, 100 w). Currently, it is noted that the abuse of antibiotics such as ornidazole and ronidazole leads to great damage to human health, and therefore the development of highly effective and facile detection methods for ornidazole and ronidazole is quite important. Herein, to improve the fluorescent sensing sensitivity of antibiotics, Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ have been introduced into Lu-MOF (under a solvothermal preparation method) to fabricate a dual-emission hybrid material Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺@Lu-MOF through a postsynthesis strategy, which can be successfully applied as a self-calibrated ratiometric fluorescent sensor for ornidazole and ronidazole with high selectivity and sensitivity (the K_sv value for ornidazole is 1.0854 × 10⁶ [M^-1], and the K_sv value for ronidazole is 1.0595 × 10⁷ [M^-1]) and low detection limit values (2.85 nM for ornidazole and 26.7 nM for ronidazole). On the other hand, amoeba liver abscess (ALA) will easily lead to irregular fever, night sweats, and other tortured symptoms; C-reactive protein autoantibody (CRP Ab) is the important biomarker for the detection of ALA. Given this, Y-MOF (under the solvothermal preparation method) also has been successfully designed to combine FAM-labeled NH-ssDNA to construct the scarcely reported excellent hybrid FAM-labeled NH-ssDNA/Y-MOF sensing platform for the highly effective discrimination of CRP Ab with excellent sensitivity and selectivity in real samples such as human serum solution.

H-Bonded and metal(ii)-organic architectures assembled from an unexplored aromatic tricarboxylic acid: structural variety and functional properties

This study reports the application of an aromatic tricarboxylic acid, 2,5-di(4-carboxylphenyl)nicotinic acid (H3dcna) as a versatile and unexplored organic building block for assembling a new series of metal(ii) (M = Co, Ni, Zn, Fe, and Mn) complexes and coordination polymers, namely [M(Hdcna)(phen)2(H2O)]·H2O (M = Co (1), Ni (2)), [Zn(μ-Hdcna)(phen)]n (3), [Co(μ-Hdcna)(bipy)(H2O)2]n·nH2O (4), [Zn2(μ-Hdcna)2(bipy)2(H2O)4]·6H2O (5), [Zn(μ3-Hdcna)(H2biim)]n (6), [Ni2(Hdcna)2(μ-bpb)(bpb)2(H2O)4] (7), [Fe(μ4-Hdcna)(μ-H2O)]n·nH2O (8), and [Mn3(μ5-dcna)2(bipy)2(H2O)2]n·2nH2O (9). Such a diversity of products was hydrothermally prepared from the corresponding metal(ii) salts, H3dcna as a principal multifunctional ligand, and N-donor mediators of crystallization (1,10-phenanthroline, phen; 2,2'-bipyridine, bipy; 2,2'-biimidazole, H2biim; or 1,4-bis(pyrid-4-yl)benzene, bpb). The obtained products 1-9 were fully characterized by standard methods (elemental analysis, FTIR, TGA, PXRD) and the structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These vary from the discrete monomers (1, 2) and dimers (5, 7) to the 1D (3, 4, 6) and 2D (8, 9) coordination polymers (CPs). Structural and topological characteristics of hydrogen-bonded or metal-organic architectures in 1-9 were highlighted, revealing that their structural multiplicity depends on the type of metal(ii) source and crystallization mediator. Thermal stability as well as luminescent, magnetic, or catalytic properties were explored for selected compounds. In particular, the zinc(ii) derivatives 3, 5, and 6 were applied as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide at room temperature. The catalytic reactions were optimized by tuning the different reaction parameters (solvent composition, time, catalyst loading) and the substrate scope was also explored. Compound 5 revealed superior catalytic activity leading to up to 75% product yields, while maintaining its original performance upon recycling for at least four reaction cycles. Finally, the obtained herein products represent the unique examples of coordination compounds derived from H3dcna, thus opening up the use of this multifunctional tricarboxylic acid for generating complexes and coordination polymers with interesting structures and functional properties.

Synthesis, crystal structure and bovine serum albumin–binding studies of a new Cd(II) complex incorporating 2,2′-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate)

A new Cd(II) complex, [Cd(H4pbidc)(H2O)] n (1), incorporating 2,2′-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1H- imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) (H6pbidc) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In complex 1, each Cd(II) ion is hepta-coordinated, showing a significantly distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination environment. Adjacent Cd(II) ions are alternately joined through two carboxylate oxygen atoms and two bridging water molecules resulting in a one-dimensional chain structure. In the solid state, adjacent chains are further linked by hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. Meanwhile, the interactions of complex 1 with bovine serum albumin were analysed by fluorescence measurements under physiological conditions. The results indicated that the fluorescence intensity of bovine serum albumin was decreased considerably upon the addition of complex 1 through a static quenching mechanism with formation of one binding site. The negative values of the thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy change (Δ H), entropy change (Δ S) and Gibbs free energy change (Δ G) showed that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were the main interactions in the binding of complex 1 to bovine serum albumin, and the binding process is spontaneous in thermodynamics.

The synergy of different solid-state techniques to elucidate the supramolecular assembly of two 1H-benzotriazole polymorphs

1H-Benzotriazole crystallizes as two different polymorphs, namely 4aα and 4aβ. One polymorph is chiral and it resolves spontaneously as conglomerates. The other polymorph crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group and it is therefore achiral. In both polymorphs supramolecular structures are formed starting from achiral monomers. An analysis of these two polymorphs of 1H-benzotriazole has been carried out by a complete strategy involving different solid-state experimental techniques and quantum chemical calculations (DFT, Density Functional Theory). In particular, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy techniques (FarIR, IR and Raman) that are not sensitive to chirality have been used to characterize the two polymorphs structurally. Vibrational spectroscopy (VCD, Vibrational Circular Dichroism) that is sensitive to chirality was employed to determine the absolute configuration (M or P helices) of the chiral supramolecular structure of 4aα.

Effect of pH on the construction of CdII coordination polymers involving the 1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium) ligand

Changing the pH value of a reaction system can result in polymers with very different compositions and architectures. Two new coordination polymers based on 1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium) (L^2-), namely catena-poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]-μ₂-1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium)] 1.66-hydrate], {[Cd(C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₄]·1.66H₂O}_n, (I), and poly[{μ₆-1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium)}cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₂₂H₁₄N₂O₈)]_n, (II), have been prepared in the presence of NaOH or HNO₃ and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In polymer (I), each Cd^II ion is coordinated by two halves of independent L^2- ligands, forming a one-dimensional chain structure. In the crystal, these chains are further connected through O-H...O hydrogen bonds, leading to a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network. In polymer (II), each hexadentate L^2- ligand coordinates to six Cd^II ions, resulting in a three-dimensional network structure, in which all of the Cd^II ions and L^2- ligands are equivalent, respectively. The IR spectra, thermogravimetric analyses and fluorescence properties of both reported compounds were investigated.