Synthesis and characterization of some cobalt(III) catechol complexes

Mixed-Ligand Cobalt(III) Complexes of a Naturally Occurring Coumarin and Phenanthroline Bases as Mitochondria-Targeted Dual-Purpose Photochemotherapeutics

The bioessential nature of cobalt and the rich photochemistry of its coordination complexes can be exploited to develop potential next-generation photochemotherapeutics. A series of six novel mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes of the formulation [Co(B)₂(L)]ClO₄ (1-6), where B is an N,N-donor phenanthroline base, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1 and 4), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 2 and 5), and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 3 and 6), and L is an O,O-donor dianionic ligand derived from catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene, cat^2-, in 1-3) or esculetin (6,7-dihydoxycoumarin, esc^2-, in 4-6), have been prepared and characterized, and their light-triggered cytotoxicity has been studied in cancer cells. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of complexes 1 (as PF₆^- salt, 1a) and 2 show distorted octahedral geometries around the cobalt(III) center formed by the set of N₄O₂ donor atoms. The low-spin and 1:1 electrolytic complexes 1-6 display a d-d transition around 700 nm. Complexes 4-6 with a coordinated esc^2- ligand additionally display a π → π* intraligand transition centered at 403 nm. Complexes 4-6 possessing a naturally occurring and photoactive esc^2- ligand show high visible-light-triggered cytotoxicity against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cells, yielding remarkably low micromolar IC₅₀ values while being much less toxic under dark conditions. Control complexes 1-3 possessing the photoinactive cat^2- ligand show significantly less cytotoxicity either in the presence of light or in the dark. The complex-induced cell death is apoptotic in nature caused by the formation of reactive oxygen species via a type 1 photoredox pathway. Fluorescence microscopy of HeLa cells treated with complex 6 reveals mitochondrial localization of the complex. A significant decrease in the dark toxicity of free esculetin and dppz base is observed upon coordination to cobalt(III). Complexes bind to calf-thymus DNA with significant affinity, but 6 binds with the greatest affinity. Complex 6 efficiently photocleaves supercoiled DNA to its nicked circular form when irradiated with visible light via a photoredox type 1 pathway involving hydroxyl radicals (HO^•). Thus, complex 6 showing remarkable visible-light-triggered cytotoxicity but negligible toxicity in the dark is a good candidate for cancer photochemotherapy applications.

IR and NMR spectroscopic correlation of enterobactin by DFT

Emerging and re-emerging epidemic diseases pose an ongoing threat to global health. Currently, Enterobactin and Enterobactin derivatives have gained interest, owing to their potential application in the pharmaceutical field. As it is known [J. Am. Chem. Soc (1979) 101, 20, 6097-6104], Enterobactin (H₆EB) is an efficient iron carrier synthesized and secreted by many microbial species. In order to facilitate the elucidation of enterobactin and its analogues, here we propose the creation of a H₆EB standard set using Density Functional Theory Infrared (IR) and NMR spectra. We used two exchange-correlation (xc) functionals (PBE including long-range corrections LC-PBE and mPW1), 2 basis sets (QZVP and 6-31G(d)) and 2 grids (fine and ultrafine) for most of the H₆EB structures dependent of dihedral angles. The results show a significant difference between the OH and NH bands, while the CO amide and O(CO) IR bands are often found on top of each other. The NMR DFT calculations show a strong dependence on the xc functional, basis set, and grid used for the H₆EB structure. Calculated ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra enable the effect of the solvent to be understood in the context of the experimental measurements. The good agreement between the experimental and the calculated spectra using LC-PBE/QZVP and ultrafine grid suggest the possibility of the systems reported here to be considered as a standard set. The dependence of electrostatic potential and frontier orbitals with the catecholamide dihedral angles of H₆EB is described. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of the flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) of H₆EB is also reported of manner to enrich the knowledge about its reactivity.

Multifunctional Biochar for Highly Efficient Capture, Identification, and Removal of Toxic Metals and Superbugs from Water Samples

According to the World Health Organization, more than two billion people in our world use drinking water sources which are not free from pathogens and heavy metal contamination. Unsafe drinking water is responsible for the death of several millions in the 21st century. To find facile and cost-effective routes for developing multifunctional materials, which has the capability to resolve many of the challenges associated with drinking water problem, here, we report the novel design of multifunctional fluorescence-magnetic biochar with the capability for highly efficient separation, identification, and removal of pathogenic superbugs and toxic metals from environmental water samples. Details of synthesis and characterization of multifunctional biochar that exhibits very good magnetic properties and emits bright blue light owing to the quantum confinement effect are reported. In our design, biochar, a carbon-rich low-cost byproduct of naturally abundant biomass, which exhibits heterogeneous surface chemistry and strong binding affinity via oxygen-containing group on the surface, has been used to capture pathogens and toxic metals. Biochar dots (BCDs) of an average of 4 nm size with very bright photoluminescence have been developed for the identification of pathogens and toxic metals. In the current design, magnetic nanoparticles have been incorporated with BCDs which allow pathogens and toxic metals to be completely removed from water after separation by an external magnetic field. Reported results show that owing to the formation of strong complex between multifunctional biochar and cobalt(II), multifunctional biochar can be used for the selective capture and removal of Co(II) from environmental samples. Experimental data demonstrate that multifunctional biochar can be used for the highly efficient removal of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from environmental samples. Reported results also show that melittin, an antimicrobial peptide-attached multifunctional biochar, has the capability to completely disinfect MRSA superbugs after magnetic separation. A possible mechanism for the selective separation of Co(II), as well as separation and killing of MRSA, has been discussed.

Octahedral monodithiolene complexes of iron: characterization of S,S'-coordinated dithiolate(1-) pi radical monoanions: a spectroscopic and density functional theoretical investigation

The reaction of cis-[Fe(III)(cyclam)Cl(2)]Cl with 1 equiv of sodium N-diethyldithiocarbamate, toluene-3,4-dithiolate, and maleonitriledithiolate in methanol in the presence of triethylamine afforded the cations [Fe(III)(cyclam)(Et(2)dtc)](2+) (1), [Fe(III)(cyclam)(tdt)](+) (2), and [Fe(III)(cyclam)(mnt)](+) (3), which were isolated as triflate, hexafluorophosphate, and tetrafluoroborate salt, respectively, using sodium triflate, potassium hexafluorophosphate, or sodium tetrafluoroborate as the source for the counteranion. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 possess an S = (1)/(2) ground state (low-spin ferric d(5)). These salts were characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis, Mössbauer, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that 2 and 3 are reversibly one-electron-reduced, generating neutral 2(red) and 3(red), respectively, and one-electron-oxidized, generating dicationic 2(ox) and 3(ox), respectively. Fe and S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed that 2 (S = (1)/(2)) and 2(ox) (S = 0) possess a low-spin ferric ion. Complexes 2 and 3 are S,S'-coordinated to a closed-shell dithiolate(2-) ligand, whereas 2(ox) and 3(ox) consist of a low-spin ferric ion antiferromagnetically coupled to a dithiolate(1-) pi radical ligand. They are singlet diradicals [Fe(III)(cyclam)(dithiolate(*))](2+). The analysis of the sulfur K pre-edge transitions reveals significant multiplet effects in the spectra of 2 and 2(ox), which provide rare experimental evidence for a singlet diradical description for 2(ox). Mössbauer spectroscopy on frozen solutions of 2(red) clearly show the presence of a high-spin ferrous ion (S = 2). The experimentally established electronic structures of the three members of the electron transfer series [Fe(cyclam)(dithiolate)](2+,+,0) have been verified by broken symmetry density functional theoretical calculations, which have been calibrated against the experiment by calculating XAS and Mössbauer spectra.

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies on chromium(III) complex containing mixed-valence chrysenesemiquinone-chrysenecatecholate ligands and 2,2'-bipyridine coligand

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of Cr(bpy)(chrySQ)(chryCat), a complex containing chromium(III) metal ion and chrysenequinone ligand in its partially reduced (chrySQ) and fully reduced (chryCat) forms, are described. The complex has been prepared by two different routes from Cr(CO)6 and Cr(chrySQ)3. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between Cr(III) (S=3/2) and chrysenesemiquinone radical (S=1/2), giving a magnetic coupling constant J=-342 cm(-1). Ligand-based redox couples were observed in the electrochemical studies that consist of quasi-reversible chrySQ/chryCat and bpy/bpy*- reductions and chryCat/chrySQ oxidation at negative potentials and irreversible chrySQ/chryBQ oxidation at positive potential. However, the metal was inert in the studied potential range. The electronic spectra of the complex revealed interesting properties. In addition to interaligand pi-pi* and n-pi* transitions, other bands corresponding to Cr(t(2g))-->chrySQ(pi*) and Cr(t(2g))-->bpy(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer MLCT transitions were observed. The infrared spectral analysis was informative in assigning the vibrations due to SQ and Cat ligands. Also, it was a useful tool in confirming the coordination of bpy ligand to chromium metal ion.

Visible absorption spectra of metal–catecholate and metal–tironate complexes

Interactions between metals and catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) or other ortho-dihydroxy moieties are being found in an increasing number of biological systems with functions ranging from metal ion internalization to biomaterial synthesis. Although metal-catecholate interactions have been studied in the past, we present the first systematic study of an array of these compounds, all prepared under identical conditions. We report the ultraviolet-visible absorption (UV-vis) spectra for catecholate and tironate complexes of the first row transition elements. Generation and identification of these species were accomplished by preparing aqueous solutions with varied ligand:metal ratios and subsequently titrating with base (NaOH). Controlled ligand deprotonation and metal binding resulted in sequential formation of complexes with one, two, and sometimes three catecholate or tironate ligands bound to a metal ion. We prepared the mono-, bis- and tris-catecholates and -tironates of Fe(3+), V(3+), V(4+)and Mn(3+), the mono- and bis-catecholates and -tironates of Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cr(2+) and Mn(2+), and several Ti(4+) and Cr(3+) species. The UV-vis spectra of each complex are described, some of which have not been reported previously. These data can now be applied to characterization of biological metal-catecholate systems.

Electron Exchange and the Photophysics of Metal-Quinone Complexes. 1. Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Chromium-Quinone Dyads

The synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization of monosemiquinone and monocatechol complexes of chromium(III) are described. Compounds of the general form [Cr(N(4))Q](n+), where N(4) represents a tetradentate or bis-bidentate nitrogenous ligand or ligands and Q represents a reduced form of an orthoquinone, have been prepared by two different routes from Cr(III) and Cr(II) starting materials. The complex [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2), where tren is tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and 3,6-DTBSQ is 3,6-di-tert-butylorthosemiquinone, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 11.9560(2) Å, b = 17.0715(4) Å, c = 17.1805(4) Å, beta = 90.167(1) degrees, V = 3506.6(1) Å(3), Z = 4, with R = 0.056 and R(w) = 0.070. Alternating C-C bond distances within the quinoidal ligand confirm its semiquinone character. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data collected on solid samples of both [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2) and [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBCat)](PF(6)) in the range 5-350 K exhibit temperature-independent values of 2.85 +/- 0.1 &mgr;(B) and 3.85 +/- 0.1 &mgr;(B), respectively. These data are consistent with a simple Cr(III)-catechol formulation (S = (3)/(2)) in the case of [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBCat)](PF(6)) and strong antiferromagnetic coupling (|J| > 350 cm(-)(1)) between the Cr(III) and the semiquinone radical in [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2). The absorption spectrum of the semiquinone complex exhibits a number of sharp, relatively intense transitions in fluid solution. Group theoretical arguments coupled with a qualitative ligand-field analysis including the effects of Heisenberg spin exchange suggest that several of the observed transitions are a consequence of exchange interactions in both the ground- and excited-state manifolds of the compound. The effect of electron exchange on excited-state dynamics has also been probed through static emission as well as time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopies. It is suggested that the introduction of exchange coupling and subsequent change in the molecule's electronic structure may contribute to an increase of nearly 4 orders of magnitude in the rate of radiative decay (k(r)), and a factor of ca. 10(7) in the rate of nonradiative decay (k(nr)).

Pocket Semiquinonate Complexes of Cobalt(II), Copper(II), and Zinc(II) Prepared with the Hydrotris(cumenylmethylpyrazolyl)borate Ligand

3,5-Di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinonate (3,5-DBSQ) complexes of Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) have been prepared that contain the hydrotris(cumenylmethyl-pyrazolyl)borate (Tp(Cum,Me)) coligand. Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(3,5-DBSQ) and Tp(Cum,Me)Cu(3,5-DBSQ) were prepared by treating the parent hydroxide, Tp(Cum,Me)M(OH), M = Cu and Zn, with 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol. Tp(Cum,Me)Co(3,5-DBSQ) was prepared by a reaction between (Tp(Cum,Me))(2)Co and 3,5-DBCat. The identity of (Tp(Cum,Me))(2)Co in this reaction was confirmed by a structure determination [(Tp(Cum,Me))(2)Co: orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 17.7189(4) Å, b = 17.4806(3) Å, c = 25.7123(6) Å, V = 7964.1(3) Å(3), Z = 4, R(F) = 0.054]. Intersecting cumenyl substituents of the pyrazolylborate ligand encapsulate the Co(II) ion. Structural characterization on all three members of the Tp(Cum,Me)M(3,5-DBSQ) series has been carried out. The complexes of Co(II) and Zn(II) are isomorphous and isostructural [Tp(Cum,Me)Co(3,5-DBSQ): triclinic, P&onemacr;, a = 14.4631(2) Å, b = 18.5438(3) Å, c = 21.6142(2) Å, alpha = 79.8430(10) degrees, beta = 90.0900(10) degrees, gamma = 84.9900(10) degrees, V = 5683.45(13) Å(3), Z = 4, R(F) = 0.072; Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(3,5-DBSQ), triclinic, P&onemacr;, a = 14.261(3) Å, b = 18.760(7) Å, c = 21.710(4) Å, alpha = 80.049(12) degrees, beta = 89.853(8) degrees, gamma = 85.542(12) degrees, V = 5703(3) Å(3), Z = 4, R(F) = 0.064]. Tp(Cum,Me)Cu(3,5-DBSQ) [monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 19.3081(3) Å, b = 13.0291(2) Å, c = 21.4783(4) Å, beta = 102.8420(10) degrees, V = 5268.1(2) Å(3), Z = 4, R(F) = 0.071] has a distorted square pyramidal structure, the complexes of Zn and Co have structures that are closer to a trigonal bipyramid. Parent catecholate complexes of all three metals are unusually stable in air but undergo slow oxidation in solution to give the semiquinonate products characterized structurally. Copper(II) and SQ spins of Tp(Cum,Me)Cu(3,5-DBSQ) are located in orthogonal orbitals, and the complex has a S = 1 spin state. The charge distribution in Tp(Cum,Me)Co(3,5-DBSQ) is Co(II)-SQ, rather than the more common Co(III)-Cat, due to surprisingly weak donation by the Tp(Cum,Me) nitrogens.