Zinc(II) complexes of constrained antiviral macrocycles

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Proteins: In Silico Investigation with Polypyridyl-Based Zn(II)-Curcumin Complexes

Herein, we have selected eight Zn(II)-based complexes viz., [Zn(bpy)(acac)Cl] (1), [Zn(phen)(acac)Cl] (2), [Zn(dppz)(acac)Cl] (3), [Zn(dppn)(acac)Cl] (4), [Zn(bpy)(cur)Cl] (5), [Zn(phen)(cur)Cl] (6), [Zn(dppz)(cur)Cl] (7), [Zn(dppn)(cur)Cl] (8), where bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, dppz=benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, dppn=naphtho[2,3-i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, acac=acetylacetonate, cur=curcumin and performed in silico molecular docking studies with the viral proteins, i. e., spike protein (S), Angiotensin-converting enzyme II Receptor protein (ACE2), nucleocapsid protein (N), main protease protein (Mpro), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2. The binding energy calculations, visualization of the docking orientation, and analysis of the interactions revealed that these complexes could be potential inhibitors of the viral proteins. Among complexes 1-8, complex 6 showed the strongest binding affinity with S and ACE2 proteins. 4 exerted better binding affinity in the case of the N protein, whereas 8 presented the highest binding affinities with Mpro and RdRp among all the complexes. Overall, the study indicated that Zn(II) complexes have the potential as alternative and viable therapeutic solutions for COVID-19.

Metal-based strategies for the fight against COVID-19

The emerging COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has claimed over six million lives globally to date. Despite the availability of vaccines, the pandemic still cannot be fully controlled owing to rapid mutation of the virus that renders enhanced transmissibility and antibody evasion. This is thus an unmet need to develop safe and effective therapeutic options for COVID-19, in particular, remedies that can be used at home. Considering the great success of multi-targeted cocktail therapy for the treatment of viral infections, metal-based drugs might represent a unique and new source of antivirals that resemble a cocktail therapy in terms of their mode of actions. In this review, we first summarize the role that metal ions played in SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and pathogenesis, then highlight the chemistry of metal-based strategies in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including both metal displacement and chelation based approaches. Finally, we outline a perspective and direction on how to design and develop metal-based antivirals for the fight against the current or future coronavirus pandemic.

Insights into the κ-P,N Coordination of 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and Derivatives: κ-P,N-Heterometallic Complexes and a 15N Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Survey

Complexes {[(PTA)₂CpRu-μ-CN-1κC:2κ²N-RuCp(PTA)₂-ZnCl₃]}·2DMSO (13) {[ZnCl₂(H₂O)]-(PTA-1κP:2κ²N)(PTA)CpRu-μ-CN-1κC:2κ²N-RuCp(PTA)(PTA-1κP:2κ²N)-[ZnCl₂(H₂O)]}Cl (14), [RuCp(HdmoPTA)(PPh₃)(PTA)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (20), [RuCp(HdmoPTA)(HPTA)(PPh₃)](CF₃SO₃)₃ (21), and [RuCp(dmoPTA)(PPh₃)(PTA)](CF₃SO₃) (22) were obtained and characterized, and their crystal structure together with that of the previously published complex 18 is reported. The behavior of the 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (PTA) and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (dmoPTA) ligands against protonation and κN-coordination is discussed, on the basis of ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance data collected on 22 different compounds, including PTA (1), HdmoPTA (7H), and some common derivatives as free ligands (2–6 and 8), along with mono- and polymetallic complexes containing PTA and/or HdmoPTA (9–22). ¹⁵N detection via ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear multiple bond correlation allowed the construction of a small library of ¹⁵N chemical shifts that shed light on important features regarding κN-coordination in PTA and its derivatives.

To shed light on the behavior of the triazaphosphines 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (PTA) and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (dmoPTA) upon κN coordination and N protonation, the ¹⁵N chemical shifts of 22 compounds, including PTA and a representative variety of its derivatives, piano-stool complexes, were collected by ¹H−¹⁵N heteronuclear multiple bond correlation nuclear magnetic resonance. New heterometallic complexes containing PTA were also synthesized and fully characterized.

New copper(II) cyclam complexes with aminocarboxylate co-ligands: Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro antiproliferative and antibacterial studies

Two new cationic Cu(II) complexes of cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo-tetradecane) and aminocarboxylate coligands glycine or alanine have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, and N), molar electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurement at room temperature, spectral methods (UV/vis and FTIR), as well as TG and DTA. The analytical data of the complexes show the formation of mononuclear complexes with general formula [Cu(L)cyc](ClO4)2?nH2O, (A): L = glycine, n = 1.5 and (B): L = alanine, n = 2.5. The tetradentate ligand cyclam was coordinated to metals through four N donors. The spectroscopic data suggested that the amino carboxylate ligands coordinated via their carboxylate ion moieties. The six-coordinate octahedral geometry around Cu(II) in both complexes was proposed. TG-DTA analysis indicates that complex B decomposes exothermally in a single step in the range of 310 -400 ?C . The cytotoxic activity of Cu(II) complexes and the starting ligands were tested against human cervix adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa), human melanoma (FemX) and human colon carcinoma (LS174). The IC50 values for the Cu(II) complexes were from 48.35-82.25 ?M. Both complexes were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and the yeast Candida albicans.

Crystal structure of di-aqua-(3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosa-ne)copper(II) (3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo[16.4.0.07,12]docosa-ne)copper(II) tetra-bromide dihydrate, [Cu(C22H44N4)(H2O)2][Cu(C22H44N4)]Br4·2H2O

The crystal structure of the new double CuII complex salt, [Cu(L)(H2O)2][Cu(L)]Br4·2H2O (L = 3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane, C22H44N4) has been determined using synchrotron radiation. The asymmetric unit contains one half of a [Cu(L)(H2O)2]2+ cation, one half of a [Cu(L)]2+ cation (both completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry), two bromide anions and one water solvent mol-ecule. The CuII atom in the first complex exists in a tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral environment with the four N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand in equatorial and two aqua ligands in axial positions, whereas the CuII atom in the second complex exists in a square-planar environment defined by the four nitro-gen atoms of the macrocyclic ligand. The two macrocyclic rings adopt the most stable trans-III configuration with normal Cu-N bond lengths from 2.016 (3) to 2.055 (3) Å and an axial Cu-O bond length of 2.658 (4) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N-H or C-H groups and the O-H groups of water mol-ecules as donor groups, and the O atoms of water mol-ecules and bromide anions as acceptor groups, giving rise to a one-dimensional network extending parallel to [100].

Crystal structure of 3,14-dimethyl-2,13-di-aza-6,17-diazo-niatri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane bis-(per-chlorate) from synchrotron X-ray data

The crystal structure of the title salt, C20H42N4 2+·2ClO4 -, has been determined using synchrotron radiation at 220 (2) K. The structure determination reveals that protonation has occurred at diagonally opposite amine N atoms. The asymmetric unit comprises one half of the organic dication, which lies about a center of inversion, and one perchlorate anion. The macrocyclic dication adopts the most stable endodentate trans-III conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by intra-molecular N-H⋯N, and inter-molecular N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N-H and C-H groups as donors and the O atoms of perchlorate anions as acceptors, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

Crystal structure of cis-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4 N)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)chromium(III) bromide from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data

The crystal structure of the title complex, cis-[Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]Br (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, C10H24N4), has been determined from synchrotron X-ray data. The asymmetric unit contains one [Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]+ cation and one bromide anion. The CrIII ion of the complex cation is coordinated by the four N atoms of the cyclam ligand and by two N-coordinating NCS groups in a cis arrangement, displaying a distorted octa-hedral coordination sphere. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths are in the range 2.075 (3) to 2.081 (3) Å while the average Cr-N(NCS) bond length is 1.996 (16) Å. The macrocyclic cyclam moiety adopts the most stable cis-V conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the cyclam N-H groups as donor groups, and the bromide anion and the S atom of one of the NCS ligands as acceptor groups.

Crystal structure of 3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-azoniatri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane tetra-chloride tetra-hydrate from synchrotron X-ray data

The crystal structure of the hydrated title salt, C22H48N4 4+·4Cl-·4H2O (C22H48N4 = H4 L = 3,14-diethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-azoniatri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]doco-sa-ne), has been determined using synchrotron radiation at 220 K. The structure determination reveals that protonation has occurred at all four amine N atoms. The asymmetric unit comprises one half of the macrocyclic cation (completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry), two chloride anions and two water mol-ecules. The macrocyclic ring of the tetra-cation adopts an exodentate (3,4,3,4)-D conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N-H groups and water O-H groups as donors, and the O atoms of the water mol-ecules and chloride anions as acceptors, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

The role of coordination compounds in virus research. Different approaches and trends

This article aims to provide an overview of the studies focused on using coordination compounds as antiviral agents against different types of viruses. We present various strategies so far used to this end. This article is divided into two sections. The first collects the series of designed antiviral drugs based on coordination compounds. This approach has been developed for many years, starting from the 70s with the discovery of cis-platin (cis-DDP). It has been mainly focused on studying the synergistic effect of a wide variety of new compounds obtained by combining metal ions with organic antiviral ligands. Then, we collect various strategies analyzing the coordination compounds interacting with viruses using different processes such as wrapping viruses, rapid detection of RNA or DNA virus, or nanocarriers. These recent and novel insights help to study viruses from other points of view, allowing to measure their physical and chemical properties. We also highlight a section in which the issue of viruses from a disinfection viewpoint is addressed, using coordination compounds as a tool able to control the release of antiviral and biocide agents. This is an emerging and promising field but this approach is actually little developed. We finally provide a section with a general conclusion and perspectives.

Metallodrugs are unique: opportunities and challenges of discovery and development

Metals play vital roles in nutrients and medicines and provide chemical functionalities that are not accessible to purely organic compounds. At least 10 metals are essential for human life and about 46 other non-essential metals (including radionuclides) are also used in drug therapies and diagnostic agents. These include platinum drugs (in 50% of cancer chemotherapies), lithium (bipolar disorders), silver (antimicrobials), and bismuth (broad-spectrum antibiotics). While the quest for novel and better drugs is now as urgent as ever, drug discovery and development pipelines established for organic drugs and based on target identification and high-throughput screening of compound libraries are less effective when applied to metallodrugs. Metallodrugs are often prodrugs which undergo activation by ligand substitution or redox reactions, and are multi-targeting, all of which need to be considered when establishing structure-activity relationships. We focus on early-stage in vitro drug discovery, highlighting the challenges of evaluating anticancer, antimicrobial and antiviral metallo-pharmacophores in cultured cells, and identifying their targets. We highlight advances in the application of metal-specific techniques that can assist the preclinical development, including synchrotron X-ray spectro(micro)scopy, luminescence, and mass spectrometry-based methods, combined with proteomic and genomic (metallomic) approaches. A deeper understanding of the behavior of metals and metallodrugs in biological systems is not only key to the design of novel agents with unique mechanisms of action, but also to new understanding of clinically-established drugs.

Crystal structure of trans-di-chlorido-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4 N)chromium(III) bis-(form-amide-κO)(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4 N)chromium(III) bis-[tetra-chlorido-zincate(II)]

The structure of the title compound, [CrCl2(C10H24N4)][Cr(HCONH2)2(C10H24N4)][ZnCl4]2 (C10H24N4 = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, cyclam; HCONH2 = formamide, fa), has been determined from synchrotron X-ray data. The asymmetric unit contains two independent halves of the [CrCl2(cyclam)]+ and [Cr(fa)(cyclam)]3+ cations, and one tetra-chlorido-zincate anion. In each complex cation, the CrIII ion is coordinated by the four N atoms of the cyclam ligand in the equatorial plane and two Cl ligands or two O-bonded formamide mol-ecules in a trans axial arrangement, displaying a distorted octa-hedral geometry with crystallographic inversion symmetry. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths are in the range 2.061 (2) to 2.074 (2) Å, while the Cr-Cl and Cr-O(fa) bond distances are 2.3194 (7) and 1.9953 (19) Å, respectively. The macrocyclic cyclam moieties adopt the centrosymmetric trans-III conformation with six- and five-membered chelate rings in chair and gauche conformations. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the NH or CH groups of cyclam and the NH2 group of coordinated formamide as donors, and Cl atoms of the ZnCl4 2- anion as acceptors.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Spectroscopic Properties, and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis of Diaqua [3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17 tetraazatricyclo(16.4.0.07,12)docosane]copper(II) Dibromide

A newly prepared Cu(II) complex salt, Cu(L1)(H2O)2Br2, where L1 is 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo(16.4.0.07,12) docosane, is characterized by elemental and crystallographic analyses. The Cu(II) center is coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of macrocyclic ligand and the axial position by two water molecules. The macrocyclic ligand adopts an optimally stable trans-III conformation with normal Cu–N bond lengths of 2.018 (3) and 2.049 (3) Å and long axial Cu1–O1W length of 2.632 (3) Å due to the Jahn–Teller effect. The complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds formed between the O atoms of water molecules and bromide anions. The bromide anion is connected to the neighboring complex cations and water molecules through N–H···Br and O–H···Br hydrogen bonds, respectively. The g-factors obtained from the electron spin resonance spectrum show the typical trend of g∥ > g⊥ > 2.0023, which is in a good accordance to the dx2-y2 ground state. It reveals a coordination sphere of tetragonal symmetry for the Cu(II) ion. The infrared and electronic absorption spectral properties of the complex are also discussed. Hirshfeld surface analysis represents that the H···H, H···Br/Br···H and H···O/O···H contacts are the major molecular interactions in the prepared complex.

Crystal structure of 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-azoniatri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane tetra-chloride tetra-hydrate from synchrotron X-ray data

The crystal structure of the title salt, C20H44N44+·4Cl-·4H2O, has been determined using synchrotron radiation at 220 K. The structure determination reveals that protonation has occurred at all four amine N atoms. The asymmetric unit contains one half-cation (completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry), two chloride anions and two water mol-ecules. There are two mol-ecules in the unit cell. The Cl- anions and hydrate mol-ecules are involved in hydrogen bonding. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N-H groups and water O-H groups as donors and the O atoms of the water mol-ecules and the Cl- anions as acceptors, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

Crystal structure of [2,13-bis-(acetamido)-5,16-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane-κ4N]silver(II) dinitrate from synchrotron X-ray data

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ag(C24H46N6O2)](NO3)2 [C24H46N6O2 is (5,16-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo-[16.4.0.07,12]docosane-2,13-di-yl)diacetamide, L], consists of one independent half of the [Ag(C24H46N6O2)]2+ cation and one nitrate anion. The Ag atom, lying on an inversion centre, has a square-planar geometry and the complex adopts a stable trans-III conformation. Inter-estingly, the two O atoms of the pendant acetamide groups are not coordinated to the AgII ion. The longer distance of 2.227 (2) Å for Ag-N(tertiary) compared to 2.134 (2) Å for Ag-N(secondary) may be due to the effects of the attached acetamide group on the tertiary N atom. Two nitrate anions are very weakly bound to the AgII ion in the axial sites and are further connected to the ligand of the cation by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen-bonding inter-actions among the N-H donor groups of the macrocycle and its actetamide substituents, and the O atoms of the nitrate anions and of an acetamide group as the acceptor atoms.

Crystal structure of 9,20-dimethyl-1,8,12,19-tetra-aza-tetra-cyclo-[17.3.1.02,7.013,18]tricosane dihydrate from synchrotron X-ray data

The structure of the title compound, C21H40N4·2H2O, has been determined from synchrotron X-ray radiation data. The asymmetric unit comprises one 12-membered macropolycycle and two lattice water mol-ecules. The macropolycycle contains two cyclo-hexane rings and one 1,3-di-aza-cyclo-hexane ring, all in chair conformations. The C-N and C-C bond lengths are in the ranges 1.4526 (16)-1.4786 (17) and 1.517 (2)-1.5414 (17) Å, respectively. One intra-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bond helps to stabilize the mol-ecular conformation while medium-strength inter-molecular N-H⋯O, O-H⋯N and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the lattice water mol-ecules connect the components into a three-dimensional network.

Crystal structure of bis-[(oxalato-κ2O1,O2)(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4N)chromium(III)] dichromate octa-hydrate from synchrotron X-ray data

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Cr(C2O4)(C10H24N4)]2[Cr2O7]·8H2O (C10H24N4 = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, cyclam; C2O4 = oxalate, ox) contains one [Cr(ox)(cyclam)]+ cation, one half of a dichromate anion that lies about an inversion centre so that the bridging O atom is equally disordered over two positions, and four water mol-ecules. The terminal O atoms of the dichromate anion are also disordered over two positions with a refined occupancy ratio 0.586 (6):0.414 (6). The CrIII ion is coordinated by the four N atoms of the cyclam ligand and one bidentate oxalato ligand in a cis arrangement, resulting in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths are in the range 2.069 (2)-2.086 (2) Å, while the average Cr-O(ox) bond length is 1.936 Å. The macrocyclic cyclam moiety adopts the cis-V conformation. The dichromate anion has a staggered conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the cyclam N-H groups and water O-H groups as donors, and the O atoms of oxalate ligand, water mol-ecules and the Cr2O72- anion as acceptors, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

Crystal structure of bis-[cis-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne-κ4N)bis(thio-cyanato-κN)chrom-ium(III)] dichromate monohydrate from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data

The structure of the complex salt, cis-[Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]2[Cr2O7]·H2O (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, C10H24N4), has been determined from synchrotron data. The asymmetric unit comprises of one [Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]+ cation, one half of a Cr2O72- anion (completed by inversion symmetry) and one half of a water mol-ecule (completed by twofold rotation symmetry). The CrIII ion is coordinated by the four cyclam N atoms and by two N atoms of cis-arranged thio-cyanate anions, displaying a distorted octa-hedral coordination sphere. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths are in the range 2.080 (2) to 2.097 (2) Å while the average Cr-N(NCS) bond length is 1.985 (4) Å. The macrocyclic cyclam moiety adopts the cis-V conformation. The bridging O atom of the dichromate anion is disordered around an inversion centre, leading to a bending of the Cr-O-Cr bridging angle [157.7 (3)°]; the anion has a staggered conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen bonds involving the cyclam N-H groups and water O-H groups as donor groups, and the O atoms of the Cr2O72- anion and water mol-ecules as acceptor groups, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

Crystal structure of cis-di-chlorido-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4N)chromium(III) (oxalato-κ2O1,O2)(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ4N)chromium(III) bis(perchlorate) from synchrotron data

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, [CrCl2(C10H24N4)][Cr(C2O4)(C10H24N4)](ClO4)2 (C10H24N4 = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, cyclam; C2O4 = oxalate, ox), there are two independent halves of the [CrCl2(cyclam)]+ and [Cr(ox)(cyclam)]+ cations, and one perchlorate anion. In the complex cations, which are completed by application of twofold rotation symmetry, the CrIII ions are coordinated by the four N atoms of a cyclam ligand, and by two chloride ions or one oxalate bidentate ligand in a cis arrangement, displaying an overall distorted octa-hedral coordination environment. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths are in the range of 2.075 (5) to 2.096 (4) Å while the Cr-Cl and Cr-O(ox) bond lengths are 2.3358 (14) and 1.956 (4) Å, respectively. Both cyclam moieties adopt the cis-V conformation. The slightly distorted tetra-hedral ClO4- anion remains outside the coordination sphere. The supra-molecular architecture includes N-H⋯O and N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding between cyclam NH donor groups, O atoms of the oxalate ligand or ClO4- anions and one Cl ligand as acceptors, leading to a three-dimensional network structure.

Spectroscopic characterization and molecular structure of 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazapentacyclo[16.4.0.1(2,17).1(6,13).0(7,12)]tetracosane

Constrained cyclam derivatives have been found to exhibit anti-HIV effects. The strength of binding to the CXCR4 receptor correlates with anti-HIV activity. The conformation of the macrocyclic compound is very important for co-receptor recognition. Therefore, knowledge of the conformation and crystal packing of macrocycles has become important in developing new highly effective anti-HIV drugs. Structural modifications of N-functionalized polyaza macrocyclic compounds have been achieved using various methods. A new synthesis affording single crystals of the title tetraazapentacyclo[16.4.0.1(2,17).1(6,13).0(7,12)]tetracosane macrocycle, C22H40N4, is reported. Formaldehyde reacts readily at room temperature with the tetraazatricyclo[16.4.0.0(2,17)]docosane precursor to yield a macropolycycle containing two five-membered rings. Characterization by elemental, spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses shows that the asymmetric unit contains half of a centrosymmetric molecule. The molecular structure shows a trans conformation for the two methylene bridges owing to molecular symmetry. The crystal structure is stabilized by intramolecular C-H...N hydrogen bonds. NMR and IR spectroscopic properties support the methylene-bridged macrocyclic structure.

Crystal structure of trans-diammine(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ(4) N)chromium(III) tetra-chlorido-zincate chloride monohydrate from synchrotron data

The asymmetric unit of the title complex salt, [Cr(C10H24N4)(NH3)2][ZnCl4]Cl·H2O, is comprised of four halves of the Cr(III) complex cations (the counterparts being generated by application of inversion symmetry), two tetra-chlorido-zincate anions, two chloride anions and two water mol-ecules. Each Cr(III) ion is coordinated by the four N atoms of the cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne) ligand in the equatorial plane and by two N atoms of ammine ligands in axial positions, displaying an overall distorted octa-hedral coordination environment. The Cr-N(cyclam) bond lengths range from 2.0501 (15) to 2.0615 (15) Å, while the Cr-(NH3) bond lengths range from 2.0976 (13) to 2.1062 (13) Å. The macrocyclic cyclam moieties adopt the trans-III conformation with six- and five-membered chelate rings in chair and gauche conformations. The [ZnCl4](2-) anions have a slightly distorted tetra-hedral shape. In the crystal, the Cl(-) anions link the complex cations, as well as the solvent water mol-ecules, through N-H⋯Cl and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen-bonding inter-actions. The supra-molecular set-up also includes N-H⋯Cl, C-H⋯Cl, N-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding between N-H or C-H groups of cyclam, ammine N-H and water O-H donor groups, and O atoms of the water mol-ecules, Cl(-) anions or Cl atoms of the [ZnCl4](2-) anions as acceptors, leading to a three-dimensional network structure.

Crystal structure of trans-di-chlorido-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-undecane-κ(4) N)chromium(III) perchlorate determined from synchrotron data

The structure of the title complex, [CrCl2(2,3,2-tet)]ClO4 (2,3,2-tet is 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-undecane, C7H20N4), has been determined from synchrotron data. The Cr(III) ion is coordinated by the four N atoms of the 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-undecane ligand in the equatorial plane and two chloride ions in an axial arrangement, displaying a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination environment. The two H atoms of the secondary amines are grouped on the same side of the equatorial N4 plane (meso-RS conformation). The Cr-N bond lengths range from 2.069 (2) to 2.084 (2) Å, while the mean Cr-Cl bond length is 2.325 (2) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the primary and secondary amine groups of the 2,3,2-tet ligands, the Cl ligands and the O atoms of the perchlorate counter-anion, forming corrugated layers parallel to (010).

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of trans-dibromidobis(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine-κ(2)N,N')chromium(III) perchlorate

The title complex salt, trans-anti-[CrBr2(Me2tn)2]ClO4 (where Me2tn = 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine, C5H14N2), was prepared and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The asymmetric unit contains three conformationally similar complex cations and three perchlorate anions. In each complex cation, the Cr(III) centre is coordinated by four N atoms of two chelating Me2tn ligands in the equatorial plane and by two Br atoms in a trans-axial arrangement, to give a distorted octahedral geometry. Interionic contacts are dominated by extensive hydrogen bonding, involving the NH groups of the Me2tn ligand as donors and the anion O atoms or coordinated Br atoms as acceptors, resulting in two-dimensional layers in the bc plane. Ligand field analysis based on the angular overlap model, and IR and electronic spectroscopic properties, are also discussed.

Crystal structure of bis-[trans-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κ(4) N)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)chromium(III)] tetra-chlorido-zincate from synchrotron data

The structure of the title compound, [Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]2[ZnCl4] (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, C10H24N4), has been determined from synchrotron data. The asymmetric unit contains two independent halves of the Cr(III) complex cations and half of a tetra-chlorido-zincate anion. In each complex cation, the Cr(III) atom is coordinated by the four N atoms of the cyclam ligand in the equatorial plane and by two N-bound NCS(-) anions in a trans axial arrangement, displaying a distorted octa-hedral geometry with crystallographic inversion symmetry. The mean Cr-N(cyclam) and Cr-N(NCS) bond lengths are 2.065 (4) and 1.995 (6) Å, respectively. The macrocyclic cyclam moieties adopt centrosymmetric trans-III configurations with six- and five-membered chelate rings in chair and gauche configurations, respectively. The [ZnCl4](2-) anion, which lies about a twofold rotation axis, has a slightly distorted tetra-hedral geometry. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the N-H groups of the cyclam ligands, the S atoms of the NCS(-) groups and the Cl(-) ligands of the anion.

Synthesis, conformational structure and spectroscopic properties of trans-diazidobis(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine)chromium(III) perchlorate

A new complex trans-anti-[Cr(Me2tn)2(N3)2]ClO4·2H2O, where Me2tn=2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine was synthesized and characterized, and its molecular structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 95K. The complex crystallized in the space group C2/c of the monoclinic system with four mononuclear formula units in a cell of dimensions a=16.600 (3), b=7.709 (2), c=16.865 (3)Å, and β=99.07 (3)°. The chromium(III) atom was in a distorted octahedral coordination with four N atoms of two chelating Me2tn ligands and two N atoms of the azido group in the trans axial position. The two six-membered rings in the complex adopted only anti chair-chair conformations with respect to each other The important bond lengths are CrN(azide) 2.007 (2), CrN(Me2tn) 2.081 (2), 2.082 (2), NN(azide) 1.184 (2) and 1.156 (2)Å, respectively. The crystal lattice is stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions among the ClO4(-), hydrate molecule, N3(-), and NH groups of the Me2tn ligand. The ligand field analysis as well as the IR and electronic spectral properties were described.