Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and cell selectivity of zinc dithiocarbamates functionalized with hydroxyethyl substituents

Synthesis, optical and structural characterisation of ZnS nanoparticles derived from Zn(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes

Zinc sulphide nanoparticles represented as ZnS1, ZnS2 and ZnS3 have been prepared from Zn(ii) N-methyl-N-ethanoldithiocarbamate (1) complex and its 2,2′-bipyridine (2) and 1,10′-phenanthroline (3) adducts, respectively. Both the parent complex (1) and the adducts (2) and (3) were characterised by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. In the solid state, the structures of complexes (1) and (2) were established using single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complex (1) possessed a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry about the zinc centre, whilst forming a dimer via bidentate bridging coordination between two opposite dithiocarbamate motifs. On the other hand, complex (2) formed a trigonal prismatic geometry about the Zn centre with a ZnS4N2 chromophore. The decomposition of the complexes in hexadecylamine afforded spherical-shaped ZnS nanoparticles of the cubic sphalerite crystal phase. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed that the average particles size of ZnS1, ZnS2 and ZnS3 were 2.63, 5.27 and 6.52 nm, respectively. In the optical study, the estimated bandgap energies were found in the range between 4.34 and 4.08 eV, which indicated a blue shift when compared with the bandgap energy of bulk ZnS.

A bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate compound induced apoptosis via mitochondria-dependent pathway and suppressed invasion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Interest in bismuth(III) dithiocarbamate complexes as potential drug candidates is increasing due to their low toxicity compared to other group 15 elements (pnictogen) of the periodic table. Bismuth dithiocarbamate compounds have been reported to induce greater cytotoxicity in various human carcinoma cancer cell lines. Using various in vitro cancer-related assays, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate, denoted as 1, against the MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and the effect on genes that may be involved in antiproliferation, apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, invasion and polyubiquitination functions. In general, 1 exhibited high cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, with an IC₅₀ of 1.26 ± 0.02 µM, by inducing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as ascertained by measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase activity, the amount of cytochrome c released and the extent of DNA fragmentation and by staining assays that reveal apoptotic cells. In addition, 1 significantly attenuated cell invasion and modulated several cancer-related genes, including PLK2, FIGF, FLT4, PARP4, and HDAC11, as determined via gene expression analysis. The NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited by 1 upon the activation of Lys48- and Lys63-linked polyubiquitination, thus leading to its degradation via the proteasome. Overall, 1 has the potential to act as an antiproliferative agent and a proteasome inhibitor in estrogen-positive breast cancer.

(N,N-Di-allyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2 S,S')tri-phenyltin(IV) and bis-(N,N-di-allyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2 S,S')di-phenyl-tin(IV): crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study

The crystal and mol-ecular structures of the title organotin di-thio-carbamate compounds, [Sn(C6H5)3(C7H10NS2)] (I) and [Sn(C6H5)2(C7H10NS2)2] (II), present very distinct tin atom coordination geometries. In (I), the di-thio-carbamate ligand is asymmetrically coordinating with the resulting C3S2 donor set defining a coordination geometry inter-mediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal. In (II), two independent mol-ecules comprise the asymmetric unit, which differ in the conformations of the allyl substituents and in the relative orientations of the tin-bound phenyl rings. The di-thio-carbamate ligands in (II) coordinate in an asymmetric mode but the Sn-S bonds are more symmetric than observed in (I). The resulting C2S4 donor set approximates an octa-hedral coordination geometry with a cis-disposition of the ipso-carbon atoms and with the more tightly bound sulfur atoms approximately trans. The only directional inter-molecular contacts in the crystals of (I) and (II) are of the type phenyl-C-H⋯π(phen-yl) and vinyl-idene-C-H⋯π(phen-yl), respectively, with each leading to a supra-molecular chain propagating along the a-axis direction. The calculated Hirshfeld surfaces emphasize the importance of H⋯H contacts in the crystal of (I), i.e. contributing 62.2% to the overall surface. The only other two significant contacts also involve hydrogen, i.e. C⋯H/H⋯C (28.4%) and S⋯H/H⋯S (8.6%). Similar observations pertain to the individual mol-ecules of (II), which are clearly distinguishable in their surface contacts, with H⋯H being clearly dominant (59.9 and 64.9%, respectively) along with C⋯H/H⋯C (24.3 and 20.1%) and S⋯H/H⋯S (14.4 and 13.6%) contacts. The calculations of energies of inter-action suggest dispersive forces make a significant contribution to the stabilization of the crystals. The exception is for the C-H⋯π contacts in (II) where, in addition to the dispersive contribution, significant contributions are made by the electrostatic forces.

Crystal structure of N-methyl-N-phenyl(methylsulfanyl)carbothioamide, C9H11NS2

C9H11NS2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 5.6183(1) Å, b = 18.2426(3) Å, c = 9.5185(2) Å, β = 96.835(2)°, V = 968.64(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0303, wRref(F2) = 0.0826, T = 100(2) K.

6-Methoxyquinoline complexes as lung carcinoma agents: induction of oxidative damage on A549 monolayer and multicellular spheroid model

The aim of this work was to study the antitumor effects and the mechanisms of toxic action of a series of 6-methoxyquinoline (6MQ) complexes in vitro. The Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes (Cu6MQ and Zn6MQ) are formulated as M(6MQ)₂Cl₂; the Co(II) and Ag(I) compounds (Co6MQ and Ag6MQ) are ionic with formulae [Ag(6MQ)₂]⁺NO₃^- and H(6MQ)⁺[Co(6MQ)Cl₃]^- (where H(6MQ)⁺ is the protonated ligand). We found that the copper complex, outperformed the Co(II), Zn(II) and Ag(I) complexes with a lower IC₅₀ (57.9 µM) in A549 cells exposed for 24 h. Cu6MQ decreased cell proliferation and induced oxidative stress detected with H₂DCFDA at 40 µM, which reduces GSH/GSSG ratio. This redox imbalance induced oxidative DNA damage revealed by the Micronucleus test and the Comet assay, which turned into a cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. In multicellular spheroids, the IC₅₀ values tripled the monolayer model (187.3 µM for 24 h). At this concentration, the proportion of live/dead cells diminished, and the spheroids could not proliferate or invade. Although Zn6MQ also decreased GSH/GSSG ratio from 200 µM and the cytotoxicity is related to oxidative stress, the induction of the hydrogen peroxide levels only doubled the control value. Zn6MQ induced S phase arrest, which relates with the increased micronucleus frequency and with the induction of necrosis. Finally, our results reveal a synergistic activity with a 1:1 ratio of both complexes in the monolayer and multicellular spheroids.

In vitro anti-bacterial and time kill evaluation of binuclear tricyclohexylphosphanesilver(I) dithiocarbamates, {Cy3PAg(S2CNRR')}2

Four binuclear phosphanesilver(I) dithiocarbamates, {cyclohexyl₃PAg(S₂CNRR')}₂ for R = R' = Et (1), CH₂CH₂ (2), CH₂CH₂OH (3) and R = Me, R' = CH₂CH₂OH (4) have been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopy and crystallography, and feature tri-connective, μ₂-bridging dithiocarbamate ligands and distorted tetrahedral geometries based on PS₃ donor sets. The compounds were evaluated for anti-bacterial activity against a total of 12 clinically important pathogens. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and cell viability tests (human embryonic kidney cells, HEK 293), 1-4 are specifically active against Gram-positive bacteria while demonstrating low toxicity; 3 and 4 are active against methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Across the series, 4 was most effective and was more active than the standard anti-biotic chloramphenicol. Time kill assays reveal 1-4 to exhibit both time- and concentration-dependent pharmacokinetics against susceptible bacteria. Compound 4 demonstrates rapid (within 2 h) bactericidal activity at 1 and 2 × MIC to reach a maximum decrease of 5.2 log₁₀ CFU/mL against S. aureus (MRSA).

1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)imidazolidine-2-thione

1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)imidazolidine-2-thione (1) was obtained as a product from an in situ reaction between N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine, carbon disulfide, potassium hydroxide, and di(4-fluorobenzyl)tin dichloride. Compound 1 was characterized by IR, UV, 1H, 13C{1H}, and 2D (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopies. The cyclic molecular structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography which showed the five-membered ring to be non-planar and the π-electron density to be localized over the CN2S chromophore. In the crystal, thioamide–N–H…O(hydroxy) and hydroxy–O–H…S(thione) hydrogen bonds lead to supramolecular layers in the bc-plane.

Exploring the Topological Landscape Exhibited by Binary Zinc-triad 1,1-dithiolates

The crystal chemistry of the zinc-triad binary 1,1-dithiolates, that is, compounds of xanthate [−S2COR], dithiophosphate [−S2P(OR)2], and dithiocarbamate [−S2CNR2] ligands, is reviewed. Owing to a wide range of coordination modes that can be adopted by 1,1-dithiolate anions, such as monodentate, chelating, μ2-bridging, μ3-bridging, etc., there exists a rich diversity in supramolecular assemblies for these compounds, including examples of zero-, one-, and two-dimensional architectures. While there are similarities in structural motifs across the series of 1,1-dithiolate ligands, specific architectures are sometimes found, depending on the metal centre and/or on the 1,1-dithiolate ligand. Further, an influence of steric bulk upon supramolecular aggregation is apparent. Thus, bulky R groups generally preclude the close approach of molecules in order to reduce steric hindrance and therefore, lead to lower dimensional aggregation patterns. The ligating ability of the 1,1-dithiolate ligands also proves crucial in determining the extent of supramolecular aggregation, in particular for dithiocarbamate species where the relatively greater chelating ability of this ligand reduces the Lewis acidity of the zinc-triad element, which thereby reduces its ability to significantly expand its coordination number. Often, the functionalisation of the organic substituents in the 1,1-dithiolate ligands, for example, by incorporating pyridyl groups, can lead to different supramolecular association patterns. Herein, the diverse assemblies of supramolecular architectures are classified and compared. In all, 27 structurally distinct motifs have been identified.

Gold-Based Medicine: A Paradigm Shift in Anti-Cancer Therapy?

A new era of metal-based drugs started in the 1960s, heralded by the discovery of potent platinum-based complexes, commencing with cisplatin [(H₃N)₂PtCl₂], which are effective anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. While clinical applications of gold-based drugs largely relate to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, attention has turned to the investigation of the efficacy of gold(I) and gold(III) compounds for anti-cancer applications. This review article provides an account of the latest research conducted during the last decade or so on the development of gold compounds and their potential activities against several cancers as well as a summary of possible mechanisms of action/biological targets. The promising activities and increasing knowledge of gold-based drug metabolism ensures that continued efforts will be made to develop gold-based anti-cancer agents.

Crystal structure of bis(μ-N-i-propyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2S:S′) bis(N-i-propyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2S,S′)dizinc(II), C28H56N4S8Zn2

C28H56N4S8Zn2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.4123(2) Å, b = 19.2708(4) Å, c = 11.5228(3) Å, β = 107.202(2)°, V = 1996.54(8) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0254, wRref(F2) = 0.0572, T = 100(2) K.

Recent Advances in Antabuse (Disulfiram): The Importance of its Metal-binding Ability to its Anticancer Activity

BACKGROUND

Considerable evidence demonstrates the importance of dithiocarbamates especially disulfiram as anticancer drugs. However there are no systematic reviews outlining how their metal-binding ability is related to their anticancer activity. This review aims to summarize chemical features and metal-binding activity of disulfiram and its metabolite DEDTC, and discuss different mechanisms of action of disulfiram and their contributions to the drug's anticancer activity.

METHODS

We undertook a disulfiram-related search on bibliographic databases of peerreviewed research literature, including many historic papers and in vitro, in vivo, preclinical and clinical studies. The selected papers were carefully reviewed and summarized.

RESULTS

More than five hundreds of papers were obtained in the initial search and one hundred eighteen (118) papers were included in the review, most of which deal with chemical and biological aspects of Disulfiram and the relationship of its chemical and biological properties. Eighty one (81) papers outline biological aspects of dithiocarbamates, and fifty seven (57) papers report biological activity of Disulfiram as an inhibitor of proteasomes or inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes, interaction with other anticancer drugs, or mechanism of action related to reactive oxygen species. Other papers reviewed focus on chemical aspects of dithiocarbamates.

CONCLUSION

This review confirms the importance of chemical features of compounds such as Disulfiram to their biological activities, and supports repurposing DSF as a potential anticancer agent.

Prolonged exposure of resveratrol induces reactive superoxide species-independent apoptosis in murine prostate cells

Nitric oxide, a signaling molecule, inhibits mitochondrial respiration by binding with cytochrome c oxidase, resulting in elevated production of reactive superoxide species (reactive oxygen and nitrogen) in the mitochondria and increased susceptibility to cell death. Generation of mitochondrial superoxide species can be suppressed by natural compounds such as resveratrol, a dietary polyphenol found in the skin of red fruits. In various cancer cells, resveratrol shows anti-oxidant and cancer preventive properties. Since, the effect of resveratrol on reactive superoxide species-independent apoptosis in prostate cancer cells is not well illustrated; therefore, we investigated this phenomenon in TRAMP murine prostate cancer cells. To accomplish this, TRAMP cells were incubated with resveratrol, resveratrol + DETA-NONOate, DETA-NONOate (nitric oxide donor), resveratrol + L-NMMA, or L-NMMA (nitric oxide inhibitor) for 48 h, and reactive superoxide species in the mitochondria and culture supernatant were measured. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential, cell viability, expression of apoptotic markers (Bax and Bcl2), γ-H2A.x, p53, and caspase-3 was determined. We found that resveratrol suppressed reactive superoxide species such as reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria and nitric oxide in culture supernatant when compared to the DETA-NONOate treatment and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential. Resveratrol also reduced cell viability, altered the expression of apoptotic markers (Bax and Bcl2), and increased expression of γ-H2A.x (indicative marker of DNA fragmentation) and p53 (a critical DNA damage response protein). However, there was no appreciable modulation of the caspase-3. Therefore, our data suggest that resveratrol induces superoxide species-independent apoptosis and may act as a therapeutic agent against prostate cancer.

Crystal structure of bis-[N-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-N-methyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2S,S'](pyridine)-zinc(II) pyridine monosolvate and its N-ethyl analogue

The common structural feature of the title compounds, [Zn(C4H8NOS2)2(C5H5N)]·C5H5N (I) and [Zn(C5H10NOS2)2(C5H5N)]·C5H5N (II), which differ by having di-thio-carbamate N-bound methyl (I) and ethyl (II) groups, is the coordination of each ZnII atom by two non-symmetrically chelating di-thio-carbamate ligands and by a pyridine ligand; in each case, the non-coordinating pyridine mol-ecule is connected to the Zn-containing mol-ecule via a (hy-droxy)O-H⋯N(pyridine) hydrogen bond. The resulting NS4 coordination geometry is closer to a square-pyramid than a trigonal bipyramid in the case of (I), but almost inter-mediate between the two extremes in (II). The mol-ecular packing features (hy-droxy)O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds, leading to supra-molecular chains with a zigzag arrangement along [10-1] (I) or a helical arrangement along [010] (II). In (I), π-π [inter-centroid distances = 3.4738 (10) and 3.4848 (10) Å] between coordinating and non-coordinating pyridine mol-ecules lead to stacks comprising alternating rings along the a axis. In (II), weaker π-π contacts occur between centrosymmetrically related pairs of coordinating pyridine mol-ecules [inter-centroid separation = 3.9815 (14) Å]. Further inter-actions, including C-H⋯π(chelate) inter-actions in (I), lead to a three-dimensional architecture in each case.

Bis(μ2-N-methyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato)-κ3S,S':S;κ3S:S,S'-bis-[(N-methyl-N-phenyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2S,S')cadmium]: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The title compound, [Cd2(C8H8NS2)4], is a centrosymmetric dimer with both chelating and μ2-tridentate di-thio-carbamate ligands. The resulting S5 donor set defines a CdII coordination geometry inter-mediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal, but tending towards the former. The packing features C-H⋯S and C-H⋯π inter-actions, which generate a three-dimensional network. The influence of these inter-actions, along with intra-dimer π-π inter-actions between chelate rings, has been investigated by an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface.

Supramolecular association in (μ2-pyrazine)-tetrakis(N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamato)dizinc(II) and its di-dioxane solvate

The crystal and molecular structures of {Zn[S2CN(CH2CH2OH)2]2}2(pyrazine), (1), and its di-dioxane solvate, (2), are described. In each of these, the centrosymmetric, binuclear molecule features a five-coordinated, highly distorted square-pyramidal geometry based on a NS4 donor set. The three-dimensional architectures in 1 and 2 are sustained by extensive networks of distinctive hydroxyl-O–H···O(hydroxyl) hydrogen bonding. The topology of the lattices are very different with that of 2 having a more regular appearance. The dioxane molecules reside in channels defined by the host molecules in 2 but, do not make many significant interactions with the host. The fact that 1 exhibits a significantly greater packing efficiency and a higher density suggests 1 is more stable than 2. The retention of dioxane in crystals of 2 probably reflects its intimate involvement in nucleation and high boiling point, meaning it is retained during crystallisation. Hirshfeld surface analyses were conducted and confirm the importance of the hydroxyl-O–H···O(hydroxyl) hydrogen bonding but, also reveal the presence of other interactions, most notably C–H···π(chelate) interactions.

Bis(N,N-di-ethyl-dithio-carbamato-κ2S,S')(3-hy-droxy-pyridine-κN)zinc and bis-[N-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-N-methyldithio-carbamato-κ2S,S'](3-hy-droxy-pyridine-κN)zinc: crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The common feature of the mol-ecular structures of the title compounds, [Zn(C5H10NS2)2(C5H5NO)], (I), and [Zn(C4H8NOS2)2(C5H5NO)], (II), are NS4 donor sets derived from N-bound hy-droxy-pyridyl ligands and asymmetrically chelating di-thio-carbamate ligands. The resulting coordination geometries are highly distorted, being inter-mediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal for both independent mol-ecules comprising the asymmetric unit of (I), and significantly closer towards square pyramidal in (II). The key feature of the mol-ecular packing in (I) is the formation of centrosymmetric, dimeric aggregates sustained by pairs of hy-droxy-O-H⋯S(di-thio-carbamate) hydrogen bonds. The aggregates are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by methyl-ene-C-H⋯O(hy-droxy) and methyl-C-H⋯π(chelate) inter-actions. With greater hydrogen-bonding potential, supra-molecular chains along the c axis are formed in the crystal of (II), sustained by hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds, with ethyl-hydroxy and pyridyl-hydroxy groups as the donors, along with ethyl-hydroxy-O-H⋯S(di-thio-carbamate) hydrogen bonds. Chains are connected into layers in the ac plane by methyl-ene-C-H⋯π(chelate) inter-actions and these stack along the b axis, with no directional inter-actions between them. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces clearly distinguished the independent mol-ecules of (I) and reveals the importance of the C-H⋯π(chelate) inter-actions in the packing of both (I) and (II).

Design, syntheses, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of novel heterobinuclear oxindolimine copper(II)-platinum(II) complexes

Herein, the design and syntheses of two new mononuclear oxindolimine-copper(II) (1 and 2) and corresponding heterobinuclear oxindolimine Cu(II)Pt(II) complexes (3 and 4), are described. All the isolated complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR, EPR), in addition to elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements showed that in all cases, one-electron quasi-reversible waves were observed, and ascribed to the formation of corresponding copper(I) complexes. Additionally, waves related to oxindolimine ligand reduction was verified, and confirmed using analogous oxindolimine-Zn(II) complexes. The Pt(IV/II) reduction, and corresponding oxidation, for complexes 3 and 4 occurred at very close values to those observed for cisplatin. By complementary fluorescence studies, it was shown that glutathione (GSH) cannot reduce any of these complexes, under the experimental conditions (room temperature, phosphate buffer 50mM, pH7.4), using an excess of 20-fold [GSH]. All these complexes showed characteristic EPR spectral profile, with parameters values g_ǁ>g_⊥ suggesting an axially distorted environment around the copper(II) center. Interactions with calf thymus-DNA, monitored by circular dichroism (CD), indicated different effects modulated by the ligands. Finally, the cytotoxicity of each complex was tested toward different tumor cells, in comparison to cisplatin, and low values of IC₅₀ in the range 0.6 to 4.0μM were obtained, after 24 or 48h incubation at 37°C. The obtained results indicate that such complexes can be promising alternative antitumor agents.

Bis[bis(N-2-hydroxyethyl,N-isopropyl-dithiocarbamato)mercury(II)]2: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The presence of both κ2-chelating and μ2,κ2-tridentate bridging dithiocarbamate ligands in centrosymmetric {Hg[S2CN(iPr)CH2CH2OH]2}2 (1) leads to globular aggregates that are linked into a three-dimensional architecture via hydroxyl-O–H···O(hydroxy) hydrogen bonding. The structure contrasts that of Hg[S2CN(CH2CH2OH)2]2 (2; this is a literature structure) in which square planar units are connected into supramolecular chains via Hg···S secondary bonding; chains are connected in the crystal structure by hydroxyl-O–H···O(hydroxy) hydrogen bonding. A Hirshfeld surface analysis on 1 and 2 reveal the influence of O–H···O and Hg···S interactions on the molecular packing as well as the distinctive interactions, such as C–H···S interactions in 1 and C–H···π (HgS2C) contacts in 2. A bibliographic survey shows the different structural motifs observed for 1 and 2 are complimented by an additional five motifs for binary mercury(II) dithiocarbamates revealing a fascinating structural diversity for this class of compound.

Bis(phosphane)copper(I) and silver(I) dithiocarbamates: crystallography and anti-microbial assay

The crystal and molecular structures of (Ph3P)2M[S2CN(Me)CH2CH2OH], M=Cu, isolated as a 1:1 dichloromethane solvate (1·CH2Cl2), and M=Ag (4) show the central metal atom to be coordinated by a symmetrically (1·CH2Cl2) and asymmetrically chelating (4) dithiocarbamate ligand. The distorted tetrahedral geometries are completed by two PPh3 ligands. The presence of hydroxyl-O–H···S(dithiocarbamate) hydrogen bonds leads to centrosymmetric dimeric aggregates in each crystal structure. In the molecular packing of 1·CH2Cl2, channels comprising 1 are formed via aryl-C–H···O interactions with the solvent molecules associated with the walls of the channels via methylene-C–H···S, π(aryl) interactions. For 4, the dimeric aggregates are connected via a network of aryl-C–H···π(aryl) interactions. Preliminary screening for anti-microbial activity was conducted. The compounds were only potent against Gram-positive bacteria. Some further selectivity in activity was noted. Most notably, all compounds were active against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Crystal structures of (2,2'-bipyridyl-κ(2) N,N')bis-[N,N-bis-(2-hydroxy-eth-yl)di-thio-carbamato-κ(2) S,S']zinc dihydrate and (2,2'-bipyridyl-κ(2) N,N')bis-[N-(2-hydroxy-eth-yl)-N-iso-propyl-dithio-carbamato-κ(2) S,S']zinc

The common feature of the title compounds, [Zn(C5H10NO2S2)2(C10H8N2)]·2H2O, (I), and [Zn(C6H12NOS2)2(C10H8N2)], (II), is the location of the Zn(II) atoms on a twofold rotation axis. Further, each Zn(II) atom is chelated by two symmetry-equivalent and symmetrically coordinating di-thio-carbamate ligands and a 2,2'-bi-pyridine ligand. The resulting N2S4 coordination geometry is based on a highly distorted octa-hedron in each case. In the mol-ecular packing of (I), supra-molecular ladders mediated by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding are found whereby the uprights are defined by {⋯HO(water)⋯HO(hy-droxy)⋯} n chains parallel to the a axis and with the rungs defined by 'Zn[S2CN(CH2CH2)2]2'. The water mol-ecules connect the ladders into a supra-molecular layer parallel to the ab plane via water-O-H⋯S and pyridyl-C-H⋯O(water) inter-actions, with the connections between layers being of the type pyridyl-C-H⋯S. In (II), supra-molecular layers parallel to the ab plane are sustained by hy-droxy-O-H⋯S hydrogen bonds with connections between layers being of the type pyridyl-C-H⋯S.

Bis[N-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-N-iso-propyl-dithio-carbamato-κ(2) S,S'](piperazine-κN)cadmium: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis

The title compound, [Cd(C6H12NOS2)2(C4H10N2)], features a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry about the central Cd(II) atom. The di-thio-carbamate ligands are chelating, forming similar Cd-S bond lengths and define the approximate basal plane. One of the N atoms of the piperazine mol-ecule, which adopts a chair conformation, occupies the apical site. In the crystal, supra-molecular layers propagating in the ac plane are formed via hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy), hy-droxy-O-H⋯N(terminal-piperazine) and coordinated-piperazine-N-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds; the layers also feature methine-C-H⋯S inter-actions and S⋯S [3.3714 (10) Å] short contacts. The layers stack along the b-axis direction with very weak terminal-piperazine-N-H⋯O(hy-droxy) inter-actions between them. An evaluation of the Hirshfeld surfaces confirms the importance of inter-molecular inter-actions involving oxygen and sulfur atoms.