Single Crystal EPR of the Mixed-Ligand Complex of Copper(II) with l-Glutamic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline: A Study on the Narrowing of the Hyperfine Structure by Exchange

Synthesis, structure, and characterisation of a ferromagnetically coupled dinuclear complex containing Co(II) ions in a high spin configuration and thiodiacetate and phenanthroline as ligands and of a series of isomorphous heterodinuclear complexes containing different Co : Zn ratios

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and characterisation of a dinuclear Co(II) compound with thiodiacetate (tda) and phenanthroline (phen) as ligands (1), and of a series of metal complexes isomorphous to 1 with different Co : Zn ratios (2, 4 : 1; 3, 1 : 1; 4, 1 : 4; 5, 1 : 10). General characterisation methodologies and X-ray data showed that all the synthesised complexes are isomorphous to Zn(II) and Cu(II) analogues (CSD codes: DUHXEL and BEBQII). 1 consists of centrosymmetric Co(II) ion dimers in which the ions are 3.214 Å apart, linked by two μ-O bridges. Each cobalt atom is in a distorted octahedral environment of the N2O3S type. UV-vis spectra of 1 and 5 are in line with high spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) ions in octahedral coordination and indicate that the electronic structure of both Co(II) ions in the dinuclear unit does not significantly change relative to that of the magnetically isolated Co(II) ion. EPR spectra of powder samples of 5 (Co : Zn ratio of 1 : 10) together with spectral simulation indicated high spin Co(II) ions with high rhombic distortion of the zfs [E/D = 0.31(1), D > 0]. DC magnetic susceptibility experiments on 1 and analysis of the data constraining the E/D value obtained by EPR yielded g = 2.595(7), |D| = 61(1) cm-1, and an intradimer ferromagnetic exchange coupling of J = 1.39(4) cm-1. EPR spectra as a function of Co : Zn ratio for both powder and single crystal samples confirmed that they result from two effective S' = 1/2 spins that interact through dipolar and isotropic exchange interactions to yield magnetically isolated S' = 1 centres and that interdimeric exchange interactions, putatively mediated by hydrophobic interactions between phen moieties, are negligible. The latter observation contrasts with that observed in the Cu(II) analogue, where a transition from S = 1 to S' = 1/2 was observed. Computational calculations indicated that the absence of the interdimeric exchange interaction in 1 is due to a lower Co(II) ion spin density delocalisation towards the metal ligands.

Spin Crossover and Fluorine-Specific Interactions in Metal Complexes of Terpyridines with Polyfluorocarbon Tails

In coordination chemistry and materials science, terpyridine ligands are of great interest, due to their ability to form stable complexes with a broad range of transition metal ions. We report three terpyridine ligands containing different perfluorocarbon (PFC) tails on the backbone and the corresponding FeII and CoII complexes. The CoII complexes display spin crossover close to ambient temperature, and the nature of this spin transition is influenced by the length of the PFC tail on the ligand backbone. The electrochemical properties of the metal complexes were investigated with cyclic voltammetry revealing one oxidation and several reduction processes. The fluorine-specific interactions were investigated by EPR measurements. Analysis of the EPR spectra of the complexes as microcrystalline powders and in solution reveals exchange-narrowed spectra without resolved hyperfine splittings arising from the 59 Co nucleus; this suggests complex aggregation in solution mediated by interactions of the PFC tails. Interestingly, addition of perfluoro-octanol in different ratios to the acetonitrile solution of the sample resulted in the disruption of the F ⋯ ${\cdots }$ F interactions of the tails. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of fluorine-specific interactions in metal complexes through EPR spectroscopy, as exemplified by exchange narrowing.

Insight into the Spatial Arrangement of the Lysine Tyrosylquinone and Cu2+ in the Active Site of Lysyl Oxidase-like 2

Lysyl oxidase-2 (LOXL2) is a Cu²⁺ and lysine tyrosylquinone (LTQ)-dependent amine oxidase that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysine and hydroxylysine residues to promote crosslinking of extracellular matrix proteins. LTQ is post-translationally derived from Lys653 and Tyr689, but its biogenesis mechanism remains still elusive. A 2.4 Å Zn²⁺-bound precursor structure lacking LTQ (PDB:5ZE3) has become available, where Lys653 and Tyr689 are 16.6 Å apart, thus a substantial conformational rearrangement is expected to take place for LTQ biogenesis. However, we have recently shown that the overall structures of the precursor (no LTQ) and the mature (LTQ-containing) LOXL2s are very similar and disulfide bonds are conserved. In this study, we aim to gain insights into the spatial arrangement of LTQ and the active site Cu²⁺ in the mature LOXL2 using a recombinant LOXL2 that is inhibited by 2-hydrazinopyridine (2HP). Comparative UV-vis and resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of the 2HP-inhibited LOXL2 and the corresponding model compounds and an EPR study of the latter support that 2HP-modified LTQ serves as a tridentate ligand to the active site Cu². We propose that LTQ resides within 2.9 Å of the active site of Cu²⁺ in the mature LOXL2, and both LTQ and Cu²⁺ are solvent-exposed.

Isomerization Reactions in Anionic Mesoionic Carbene-Borates and Control of Properties and Reactivities in the Resulting CoII Complexes through Agostic Interactions

We present herein anionic borate-based bi-mesoionic carbene compounds of the 1,2,3-triazol-4-ylidene type that undergo C-N isomerization reactions. The isomerized compounds are excellent ligands for CoII  centers. Strong agostic interactions with the "C-H"-groups of the cyclohexyl substituents result in an unusual low-spin square planar CoII  complex, which is unreactive towards external substrates. Such agostic interactions are absent in the complex with phenyl substituents on the borate backbone. This complex displays a high-spin tetrahedral CoII  center, which is reactive towards external substrates including dioxygen. To the best of our knowledge, this is also the first investigation of agostic interactions through single-crystal EPR spectroscopy. We conclusively show here that the structure and properties of these CoII complexes can be strongly influenced through interactions in the secondary coordination sphere. Additionally, we unravel a unique ligand rearrangement for these classes of anionic mesoionic carbene-based ligands.

Cyclo-tetravanadate bridged copper complexes as potential double bullet pro-metallodrugs for cancer treatment

Over the last decade, copper and vanadium complexes have shown promising properties for the treatment of several types of cancer. In particular, Casiopeinas®, a group of copper-based complexes, has received specific attention, and their mechanism of action has been extensively studied since their structure is simple and their synthesis may be affordable. Similarly, vanadium-containing compounds in the form of complexes and simple polyoxovanadates have also been studied as antitumor agents. Here, potential prodrugs that would release the two metals, V and Cu, in usable form to act in conjunction against cancer cells are reported. The new series of Casiopeinas-like compounds are bridged by a cyclotetravanadate ion with the generic formula [Cu(N,N')(AA)]₂•(V₄O₁₂), where (N,N') represent 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine, and (AA) are aminoacidate ions (Lysine and Ornithine). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Visible, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies, as well as ⁵¹V NMR, EPR, and Thermogravimetric Analysis. Additionally, theoretical calculations based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) were carried out to model the compounds. Optimized structures, theoretical IR, and Raman spectra were also obtained, as well as docking analysis to test DNA interactions with the casiopeina-like complexes. The compounds may act as prodrugs by providing acting molecules that have showed potential pharmacological properties for the treatment of several types of cancer.

Ternary copper(II) complex of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 1,10-phenanthroline with several pharmacological properties and an adequate safety profile

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a ternary copper complex, [Cu(5HTP)(phen)(H₂O)](NO₃).2H₂O, with the antioxidant agent 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and phenanthroline (phen, added to improve its lipophilicity and membrane transport). The crystal structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and antimetastatic properties with an adequate safety profile. The interaction of the metal with phen promotes cellular copper accumulation and cytotoxicity on human lung A549 cell line (IC₅₀ = 3.6 μM). Furthermore, the viability of the normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) is not altered by the complex. An oxidative stress mechanism for the anticancer effect has been determined: cellular increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease of the glutathione (GSH) and oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio and alteration of the mitochondrial potential. The complex also displays antimetastatic activities with inhibition of cell adhesion, invasion and migration. It has not mutagenic behavior and no toxicity on Artemia salina indicating its potential to act as an effective and safety antimicrobial and antitumor drug.

Synthesis, characterization, theoretical studies and biological (antioxidant, anticancer, toxicity and neuroprotective) determinations of a copper(II) complex with 5-hydroxytryptophan

5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) is a serotonin pathway metabolite of L-tryptophan in the brain. In the knowledge that the biological properties of some compounds can be modified upon metal complexation, a new solid metal complex, [Cu(5-hydroxytryptophan)₂].H₂O (Cu5HTP), has been synthesized and characterized to analyze the modification of some biological properties. The conformational investigations (optimized in gas phase at B3LYP/6-311G** theory level) suggest the coexistence of two conformers of Cu5HTP with cis- and trans- arrangements of the amino acids in the equatorial plane. The trans- Cu5HTP1 complex is the most stable conformer. The complexation led to an enhancement of the antioxidant properties of the ligand. The metal complex also improved the anticancer behavior of the ligand (tested in cancer cell lines derived from human lung (A549), cervix (HeLa) and colon (HCT-116)). It did not show toxicity against either the non-malignant human lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cell line or Artemia salina and did not behave as mutagenic agent (Ames test). Cellular reactive oxygen species production may be one of the possible mechanisms of action. Besides, the metal complex exerted neuroprotective action on cortical neurons from embryonic 18 days rats exposed to glutamate.

Magnetostructural Characterization of Oxalamide Dihalo-Bridged Copper Dimers: Intra- and Interdimer Interactions Studied by Single-Crystal Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy

Detailed single-crystal electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis of oxalamide complexes with halogen-bridged copper dimers, supported by X-ray, magnetic susceptibility, and powder ESR studies, is reported. Four complexes with two different ligands are synthesized: [CuL^A (μ-X)]₂ and [CuL^V (μ-X)]₂ , for which L^A =N-(l-alanine methyl ester)-N'-[(2-pyridine-2-yl)methyl]oxalamide and L^V =N-(l-valine methyl ester)-N'-[(2-pyridine-2-yl)methyl]oxalamide, for which X=Cl or Br. X-ray analysis shows that the geometry at each copper(II) ion is square pyramidal, whereas two pyramids share one base-to-apex edge with parallel basal planes. The complexes are linked by hydrogen bonds into infinite chains and are further linked into a 3D network. Susceptibility measurements show that the copper centers in the dimers are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled (|J|≈1-2 cm^-1 ). From powder ESR spectroscopy, the g values and dx2-y2 orbital as the ground state of the unpaired electron are determined. The complexes show unusual anisotropic splitting and merging of the ESR lines if their single crystals rotate in a magnetic field. The observation of this partially resolved intradimer dipolar splitting enables estimation of the weak interdimer exchange interaction parameter |J'|≈0.001 cm^-1 .

Probing the electronic structure of a copper(ii) complex by CW- and pulse-EPR spectroscopy

The electronic structure of a mononuclear octahedral copper(ii) complex has been studied using CW EPR spectroscopy and other advanced methods including Davies ENDOR and HYSCORE (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy.

Transition from isolated to interacting copper(ii) pairs in extended lattices evaluated by single crystal EPR spectroscopy

Single crystal EPR experiments in copper-doped dimeric Zn(tda)(phen) allowed determination of Cu(ii) g- and A-matrices and ZFS parameters, which are used to evaluate the interdimeric exchange interaction in pure Cu(tda)(phen).

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation and anticancer activity of arene–ruthenium compounds incorporating bi-dentate precursors

A series of arene–Ru compounds were synthesized and their catalytic transfer hydrogenation and anticancer activity towards human hormone-refractory prostate cancer were investigated.

Magnetic properties of weakly exchange-coupled high spin Co(II) ions in pseudooctahedral coordination evaluated by single crystal X-band EPR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements

We report single-crystal X-band EPR and magnetic measurements of the coordination polymer catena-(trans-(μ2-fumarato)tetraaquacobalt(II)), 1, and the Co(II)-doped Zn(II) analogue, 2, in different Zn:Co ratios. 1 presents two magnetically inequivalent high spin S = 3/2 Co(II) ions per unit cell, named A and B, in a distorted octahedral environment coordinated to four water oxygen atoms and trans coordinated to two carboxylic oxygen atoms from the fumarate anions, in which the Co(II) ions are linked by hydrogen bonds and fumarate molecules. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements of 1 indicate weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the S = 3/2 spins of the Co(II) ions in the crystal lattice. Oriented single crystal EPR experiments of 1 and 2 were used to evaluate the molecular g-tensor and the different exchange coupling constants between the Co(II) ions, assuming an effective spin S′= 1/2. Unexpectedly, the eigenvectors of the molecular g-tensor were not lying along any preferential bond direction, indicating that, in high spin Co(II) ions in roughly octahedral geometry with approximately axial EPR signals, the presence of molecular pseudo axes in the metal site does not determine preferential directions for the molecular g-tensor. The EPR experiment and magnetic measurements, together with a theoretical analysis relating the coupling constants obtained from both techniques, allowed us to evaluate selectively the exchange coupling constant associated with hydrogen bonds that connect magnetically inequivalent Co(II) ions (|JAB(1/2)| = 0.055(2) cm(–1)) and the exchange coupling constant associated with a fumarate bridge connecting equivalent Co(II) ions (|JAA(1/2)| ≈ 0.25 (1) cm(–1)), in good agreement with the average J(3/2) value determined from magnetic measurements.