Synthesis, structure, and in vitro antiproliferative activity of cyclic hypervalent organobismuth(III) chlorides and their triphenylgermylpropionate derivatives

Coordination environment dependence of anticancer activity in cyclometalated bismuth(III) complexes with C,O-chelating ligands

In this paper, a series of cyclometalated bismuth(III) complexes bearing C,O-bidentate ligands were synthesized and characterized by techniques such as UV-vis, NMR, HRMS, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Meanwhile, their cytotoxicities against various human cell lines, including colon cancer cells (HCT-116), breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), lung cancer cells (A549), gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901), and normal embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were assessed in vitro. Compared with the clinical cisplatin, most of the synthesized complexes possessed significantly higher degrees of anticancer activity and selectivity, giving a selectivity index of up to 71.3. The structure-activity relationship study revealed that the anticancer performance of these bismuth(III) species depends on the factors of coordination environment surrounding the metal center, such as coordination number, coordination bonding strength, lone 6s2 electron pair stereoactivity. The Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay results suggested that the coordination environment-dependent cytotoxicity is ascribable to apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed the proposal, as evidenced by the down-regulating level of Bcl-2 and the activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, the representative complexes Bi1, Bi4, Bi6, and Bi8 exhibited relatively lower inhibitory efficiency on human ovarian cancer cells (A2780) than on its cisplatin-resistant daughter cells (A2780/cis), thus demonstrating that such compounds are capable of circumventing the cisplatin-induced resistance. This investigation elucidated the excellent anticancer performance of C,O-coordinated bismuth(III) complexes and established the correlation between cytotoxic activity and coordination chemistry, which provides a practical basis for in-depth designing and developing bismuth-based chemotherapeutics.

Two Faces of the Bi-O Bond: Photochemically and Thermally Induced Dehydrocoupling for Si-O Bond Formation

The diorgano(bismuth)alcoholate [Bi((C6H4CH2)2S)OPh] (1-OPh) has been synthesized and fully characterized. Stoichiometric reactions, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and (TD-)DFT calculations suggest its susceptibility to homolytic and heterolytic Bi-O bond cleavage under given reaction conditions. Using the dehydrocoupling of silanes with either TEMPO or phenol as model reactions, the catalytic competency of 1-OPh has been investigated (TEMPO=(tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yl)-oxyl). Different reaction pathways can deliberately be addressed by applying photochemical or thermal reaction conditions and by choosing radical or closed-shell substrates (TEMPO vs. phenol). Applied analytical techniques include NMR, UV/Vis, and EPR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and (TD)-DFT calculations.

Electrochemical Studies of the Cycloaddition Activity of Bismuth(III) Acetylides Towards Organic Azides Under Copper(I)-Catalyzed Conditions

Time-dependent monitoring of the reactive intermediates provides valuable information about the mechanism of a synthetic transformation. However, the process frequently involves intermediates with short lifetimes that significantly challenge the accessibility of the desired kinetic data. We report in situ cyclic voltammetry (CV) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies of the cycloaddition reaction of organobismuth(III) compounds with organic azides under the copper(I)-catalyzed conditions. A series of bismuth(III) acetylides carrying diphenyl sulfone scaffolds have been synthesized to study the underlying electronic and steric effects of the tethered moieties capable of transannular oxygen O···Bi interactions and para-functionality of the parent phenylacetylene backbones. While belonging to the family of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions, the reaction yielding 5-bismuth(III)-triazolide is the sole example of a complex catalytic transformation that features activity of bismuth(III) acetylides towards organic azides under copper(I)-catalyzed conditions. Stepwise continuous monitoring of the copper(I)/copper(0) redox activity of the copper(I) catalyst by cyclic voltammetry provided novel insights into the complex catalytic cycle of the bismuth(III)-triazolide formation. From CV-derived kinetic data, reaction rate parameters of the bismuth(III) acetylides coordination to the copper(I) catalyst (K_A) and equilibrium concentration of the copper species [cat]_eq. are compared with the overall 5-bismuth(III)-triazolide formation rate constant k_obs obtained by ¹H-NMR kinetic analysis.

A new C-anionic tripodal ligand 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl and its bismuth complexes

A new tripodal C-anionic ligand, 2-{bis(benzothiazolyl)(methoxy)methyl}phenyl (L), was stably generated by the reaction of the ligand precursor (L'), the corresponding bromide (2-BrC6H4)(MeO)C(C7H4NS)2 (C7H4NS = 2-benzothiazolyl), with nBuLi at -104 °C in the presence of TMEDA (N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine). The ligand lithium salt reacted with BiCl3 to give a 2 : 1 complex L2BiCl. A 1 : 1 complex LBiCl2 was obtained in good yield by the redistribution reaction between L2BiCl and BiCl3. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the ligand L coordinated in an expected κ3-C,N,N' coordination mode in LBiCl2, while it coordinated in κ3-C,N,O and κ2-C,O coordination modes in L2BiCl. The ligand precursor reacted with BiX3 (X = Cl, Br) to give 1 : 1 complexes L'BiX3 and was found to act as a neutral tripodal C(π),N,N-ligand.

(N),C,N-Coordinated Heavier Group 13-15 Compounds: Synthesis, Structure and Applications

The aim of this review is to summarize recent achievements in the field of (N),C,N-coordinated group 13-15 compounds not only regarding their synthesis and structure, but mainly focusing on their potential applications. Relevant compounds contain various types of N-coordinating ligands built up on an ortho-(di)substituted phenyl platform. Thus, group 13 and 14 derivatives were used as single-source precursors for the deposition of semiconducting thin films, as building blocks for the preparation of high-molecular polymers with remarkable optical and chemical properties or as compounds with interesting reactivity in hydrometallation processes. Group 15 derivatives function as catalysts in the Mannich reaction, in the allylation of aldehydes or activation of CO₂ . They were used as transmetallation reagents in transition metal catalysed coupling reactions. The univalent species serve as ligands for transition metals, activate alkynes or alkenes and are utilized as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of azo-compounds.

Recent Research Trends on Bismuth Compounds in Cancer Chemoand Radiotherapy

Background:

Application of coordination chemistry in nanotechnology is a rapidly developing research field in medicine. Bismuth complexes have been widely used in biomedicine with satisfactory therapeutic effects, mostly in Helicobacter pylori eradication, but also as potential antimicrobial and anti-leishmanial agents. Additionally, in recent years, application of bismuth-based compounds as potent anticancer drugs has been studied extensively.

Methods:

Search for data connected with recent trends on bismuth compounds in cancer chemo- and radiotherapy was carried out using web-based literature searching tools such as ScienceDirect, Springer, Royal Society of Chemistry, American Chemical Society and Wiley. Pertinent literature is covered up to 2016.

Results:

In this review, based on 213 papers, we highlighted a number of current problems connected with: (i) characterization of bismuth complexes with selected thiosemicarbazone, hydrazone, and dithiocarbamate classes of ligands as potential chemotherapeutics. Literature results derived from 50 papers show that almost all bismuth compounds inhibit growth and proliferation of breast, colon, ovarian, lung, and other tumours; (ii) pioneering research on application of bismuth-based nanoparticles and nanodots for radiosensitization. Results show great promise for improvement in therapeutic efficacy of ionizing radiation in advanced radiotherapy (described in 36 papers); and (iii) research challenges in using bismuth radionuclides in targeted radioimmunotherapy, connected with choice of adequate radionuclide, targeting vector, proper bifunctional ligand and problems with 213Bi recoil daughters toxicity (derived from 92 papers).

Conclusion:

This review presents recent research trends on bismuth compounds in cancer chemo- and radiotherapy, suggesting directions for future research.

Crystal structure of 6-cyclohexyl-6,7-dihydrodibenzo[c,f][1,5]azabismocin-12(5H)-yl nitrate, C20H23O3N2Bi

C20H23O3N2Bi, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 10.6897(5) Å, b = 10.5590(5) Å, c = 17.4099(9) Å, β = 105.491(2)°, V = 1893.71(16) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0253, wR(F 2) = 0.0576, T = 296(2) K.

Studies on the cytotoxicity and anticancer performance of heterocyclic hypervalent organobismuth(III) compounds

Novel organobismuth(III) complex of 5H-dibenzo[c,f][1,5]oxabismocin-12(7H)-yl nitrate (C2) was synthesized and characterized by spectral and elemental analysis. It was compared with other five C,E,C-chelating (E = N, O, S) organobismuth(III) complexes against human adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549), human liver cancer cell line (SMCC7721), human gastric cancer cell line (SGC-7901), human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (SW480) and healthy human bronchial cell line (16HBE14o-) in vitro. It was found that C2 exhibited the best anticancer activity. Further mechanistic investigation indicated that toxicological activity of C2 was ascribable to apoptosis rather than anti-proliferative activity. Apoptosis was induced through up-regulating the level of Bcl-2/Bax as well as the activation of caspase-3. The results demonstrate that heterocyclic organobismuth(III) complexes of this type have great potential in the treatment of cancer.

Structural influences on the activity of bismuth(III) indole-carboxylato complexes towards Helicobacter pylori and Leishmania

Seven new bismuth(III) complexes derived from indole-carboxylic acids have been synthesised: five are homoleptic; [Bi(IAA)₃] B1, [Bi(IPA)₃] B2, [Bi(IBA)₃] B3, [Bi(MICA)₃] B4, [Bi(IGA)₃] B6, and two are heteroleptic [BiPh(MICA)₂] B5 (where IAA-H=2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid, IPA-H=3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid, IBA-H=4-(1H-indol-3-yl)butanoic acid, IGA-H=2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetic acid, and MICA-H=1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid). All complexes were fully characterised by elemental analysis, infrared and mass-spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. Complex [BiPh(IGA)₂] B7 is structurally authenticated by X-ray crystallography as a dimer in the solid-state. The in-vitro anti-bacterial activity of the indole-carboxylic acids and their bismuth(III) complexes was assessed against Helicobacter pylori. While the acids were non-toxic at <100μgmL^-1, all the bismuth compounds showed an MIC of 6.25μgmL^-1, indicating that the anti-bacterial activity is insensitive to the degree of substitution at the Bi(III) centre or the composition of the indole-carboxylate ligands. All compounds were further tested for their anti-parasitic activity against Leishmania major and for their toxicity towards mammalian cells. From the anti-parasitic studies, it was found that the heteroleptic bismuth(III) complexes are the most active, with B5 and B7 showing comparable activity to Amphotericin B, without any toxicity towards the mammalian cells at their effective concentration.

Heterocyclic bismuth(iii) compounds with transannular N→Bi interactions as catalysts for the oxidation of thiophenol to diphenyldisulfide

Aerial oxidation of thiophenol to diphenyl disulfide proceeds with high reaction rates, total conversion and selectivity in ionic liquids by using diorganobismuth(iii) catalysts.

Bismuth⋯π arene versus bismuth⋯halide coordination in heterocyclic diorganobismuth(iii) compounds with transannular N→Bi interaction

The hypervalent diorganobismuth(iii) halides of type [RCH₂N(CH₂C₆H₄)₂]BiX, (R = Ph, Bz, and MeO) show a strong tendency to associate either by Bi⋯X or by Bi⋯π arene secondary interactions.

Bismuth compounds in medicinal chemistry

In recent years, the chemical potential of bismuth and bismuth compounds has been actively exploited. Bismuth salts are known for their low toxicity, making them potential valuable reagents for large-scale synthesis, which becomes more obvious when dealing with products such as active pharmaceutical ingredients or synthetic intermediates. Conversely, bismuth compounds have been widely used in medicine. After extensive use in the treatments of syphilis and other bacterial infections before the advent of modern antibiotics, bismuth compounds remain important for the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders and also exhibit antimicrobial properties and cytotoxic activity, among others. This review updates relevant advances in the past few years, concerning the application of bismuth reagents and catalysts in innovative synthetic processes for the preparation of compounds of medicinal interest, as well as the preparation, biological evaluation and potential medicinal uses of bismuth compounds.

6-Phenyl-6,7-dihydro-dibenzo[c,f][1,5]aza-bis-mocin-12(5H)-yl perchlorate

In the title compound, [Bi(C₂₀H₁₇N)(ClO₄)] or C₂₀H₁₇BiClNO₄, the Bi^III ion assumes a distorted ψ trigonal–bipyramidal geometry, with two C atoms and the electron lone pair of the Bi atom at the equatorial positions and an amine N atom and a perchlorate O atom at the apical positions. Weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure.

Synthesis, Properties Characterization and Applications of Various Organobismuth Compounds

Organobismuth chemistry was emphasized in this review article due to the low price, low toxicity and low radioactivity characteristics of bismuth. As an environmentally-friendly class of organometallic compounds, different types of organobismuth compounds have been used in organic synthesis, catalysis, materials, etc. The synthesis and property characterization of many organobismuth compounds had been summarized. This review article also presented a survey of various applications of organobismuth compounds in organic transformations, as reagents or catalysts. The reactivity, reaction pathways and mechanisms of reactions with organobismuths were discussed. Less common and limiting aspects of organobismuth compounds were also briefly mentioned.