Alessia Bacchi

Antimicrobial and mutagenic activity of some carbono- and thiocarbonohydrazone ligands and their copper(II), iron(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Several mono- and bis- carbono- and thiocarbonohydrazone ligands have been synthesised and characterised; the X-ray diffraction analysis of bis(phenyl 2-pyridyl ketone) thiocarbonohydrazone is reported. The coordinating properties of the ligands have been studied towards Cu(II), Fe(II), and Zn(II) salts. The ligands and the metal complexes were tested in vitro against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, yeasts and moulds. In general, the bisthiocarbonohydrazones possess the best antimicrobial properties and Gram positive bacteria are the most sensitive microorganisms. Bis(ethyl 2-pyridyl ketone) thiocarbonohydrazone, bis(butyl 2-pyridyl ketone)thiocarbonohydrazone and Cu(H2nft)Cl2 (H2nft, bis(5-nitrofuraldehyde)thiocarbonohydrazone) reveal a strong activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.7 microgram ml-1 against Bacillus subtilis and of 3 micrograms ml-1 against Staphylococcus aureus. Cu(II) complexes are more effective than Fe(II) and Zn(II) ones. All bisthiocarbono- and carbonohydrazones are devoid of mutagenic properties, with the exception of the compounds derived from 5-nitrofuraldehyde. On the contrary a weak mutagenicity, that disappears in the copper complexes, is exhibited by monosubstituted thiocarbonohydrazones.

Alkynyl phenyl selenides as convenient precursors for the synthesis of stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes

Abstract The addition of p-toluensulfonic acid to alkynyl phenyl selenides is regio- and stereospecific and affords (Z)-α-(phenylseleno)vinyl p-toluensulfonates in good yield. α-(Phenylseleno)vinyl halides are obtained from the reactions of these compounds with magnesium halides. The reactions of (Z)-α-(phenylseleno)vinyl p-toluensulfonates with cyanocuprates afford the corresponding trisubstituted alkenes in which the tosyl group has been selectively substituted by an aryl or an alkyl group with retention of configuration. Finally, the cross coupling reaction of these vinyl selenides with methylmagnesium bromide, in the presence of a nickel catalyst, occurs with retention of configuration and affords the selenium free trisubstituted alkenes.

ORGANOTIN COMPLEXES WITH PYRROLE-2,5-DICARBOXALDEHYDE BIS(ACYLHYDRAZONES).SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND GENOTOXICITY

Mono- and bimetallic organotin complexes with pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde bis(2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone) (H5dfps) and pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde bis(2-picolinoylhydrazone) (H3dfpp) were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. X-ray analysis of the complex [Sn(H3dfps)(C6H5)2].(CH3)2SO revealed a pentacoordination around tin through a N,N,O terdentate ligand behaviour of the hydrazone. This complex is the most active compound, exhibiting MIC values of 3 and 12 micrograms/ml against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, respectively. None of the ligands or complexes produced DNA-damage in the Bacillus subtilis rec-assay or showed mutagenic activity in the Salmonella-microsome test.

Palladium(II) complexes containing a P, N chelating ligand Part II. Synthesis and characterisation of complexes with different hydrazinic ligands. Catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of double and triple C-C bonds

Abstract Palladium(II) complexes of the type Pd(PNO)Y (PNO = 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde picolinhydrazone, nicotinhydrazone, isonicotinhydrazone; Y = CH3CO2, Cl, I) and Pd(PNS)Y (PNS = 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone; Y = CH3CO2, Cl, I) were synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic methods. The X-ray structure of an iodo complex was also determined. The catalytic activity of all the complexes in the homogeneous hydrogenation of terminal double and triple bonds was tested with particular regards to the chemoselectivity from triple to double bond. A correlation between the catalytic activity and the nature of the ligand and Y group was established. In the hydrogenation of phenylacetylene using acetato complexes as catalysts, stable phenylethynylpalladium(II) complexes were recovered and characterised by spectroscopic methods. A facile route of synthesis of alkynyl complexes was also determined.

From Ligand to Complexes. Part 2. Remarks on Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 Integrase Inhibition by β-Diketo Acid Metal Complexes

Previously, we synthesized a series of beta-diketo acid metal complexes as novel HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors (J. Med. Chem. 2006, 46, 4248-4260). Herein, a further extension of this study is reported. First, detailed docking studies were performed in order to investigate the mode of binding in the active site of the free ligands and of their metal complexes. Second, a series of potentiometric measurements were conducted for two diketo acids chosen as model ligands, with Mn(2+) and Ca(2+), in order to outline a speciation model. Third, we designed and synthesized a new set of complexes with different stoichiometries and tested them in an in vitro assay specific for IN. Finally, we obtained the first X-ray structure of a metal complex with HIV-1 IN inhibition activity. Analysis of these results supports the hypothesis that the diketo acids could act as complexes and form complexes with the metal ions on the active site of the enzyme.

Design and synthesis of novel dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acids as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

Previously, we discovered linomide analogues as novel HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors. Here, to make possible structure-activity relationships, we report on the design and synthesis of a series of substituted dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acids. The crystal structure of the representative compound 2c has also been solved. Among the eight new analogues, 2e showed a potency in inhibiting IN strand transfer catalytic activity similar to the reference diketo acid inhibitor L-731,988 (IC(50)=0.9 microM vs. 0.54 microM, for 2e and L-731,988, respectively). Furthermore, none of the compounds showed significant cytotoxicity in two tested cancer cell lines. These compounds represent an interesting prototype of IN inhibitors, potentially involved in a metal chelating mechanism, and further optimization is warranted.

Synthesis, structure and characterization of novel Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes with the condensation product of 2-formylpyridine and selenosemicarbazide Antiproliferative activity of the synthesized complexes and related selenosemicarbazone complexes.

Two novel Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes with the condensation product of 2-formylpyridine and selenosemicarbazide were synthesized. The structure of Cd(II) complex was determined by X-ray crystallography. The ligand is coordinated in a neutral form via pyridine and azomethine nitrogen atoms and the selenium donor. The cadmium ion completes its five-coordination by two chloride ligands, forming a square-pyramidal geometry. The structure of Zn(II) complex was established by analysis of spectroscopic data, which indicated coordination of the ligand as a bidentate via the selenium and the azomethine nitrogen atoms. The cytotoxic activity of the newly synthesized complexes, as well as if five structurally related complexes and the ligand evaluated against eight tumor cell lines. The new Cd(II) complex showed the highest activity similar to cisplatin with IC50 less than 10muM for all cell lines. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis study showed that Cd(II) complex and cisplatin might have some similarity in anticancer activity, which was not the case for cisplatin and other studied complexes. Effects of the complexes on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-9 and MMP-2 was also studied. Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes and cisplatin increased MMP-2 activity in supernatants of tested cells, while Ni(II) complex with the same ligand decreased the activity, implying a possible activity in preventing tumor invasion and metastasis processes.

Syntheses, characterization and X-ray structure of palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes of tetradentate pyrrole containing ligands

Abstract Palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes with tetradentate ligands derived from pyrrole 2-carboxaldehyde and various diamines have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes are neutral and the coordination around the metal is square-planar; they are able to activate the molecular hydrogen and to catalyse the homogenous hydrogenation of phenylacetylene. The X-ray structures of N,N′-cycloexylenebis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamine) (H2L4), PdL4 and PdL3 (H2L3, N,N′-propylenebis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamine)) are discussed.

Stable alkynyl palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes with terdentate PNO and PNN hydrazone ligands

Abstract Chloro and acetato complexes of palladium(II) and nickel(II) with terdentate PNO acylhydrazonic ligands derived from 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde have been synthesized and characterized. The acetato complexes are able to activate the CH bond of terminal alkynes, giving stable alkynyl complexes, one of which has been X-ray characterized. The coordination chemistry of the new PNN ligand 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde 2-pyridylhydrazone (HL6) has been also investigated and the X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Pd(HL6)Cl][PdL6Cl]Cl·2H2O is reported. Starting from the nickel(II) acetato complex of HL6, it has been possible to obtain a new stable alkynyl derivative.

HIV-1 in strand transfer chelating inhibitors: A focus on metal binding

Most active and selective strand transfer HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors contain chelating functional groups that are crucial feature for the inhibition of the catalytic activities of the enzyme. In particular, diketo acids and their derivatives can coordinate one or two metal ions within the catalytic core of the enzyme. The present work is intended as a contribution to elucidate the mechanism of action of the HIV-IN inhibitors by studying the coordinative features of H₂L¹ (L-708,906), an important member of the diketo acids family of inhibitors, and H₂L₂, a model for S-1360, another potent IN inhibitor. Magnesium(II) and manganese(II) complexes of H₂L¹ and H₂L² were isolated and fully characterized in solution and in the solid state. The crystal structures of the manganese complex [Mn(HL₂)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH were solved by X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, the speciation models for H₂L₂ with magnesium(II) and manganese(II) ions were performed and the formation constants of the complexes were measured. M(HL₂)₂ (M = Mg²+, Mn²+) was the most abundant species in solution at physiological pH. All the synthesized compounds were tested for their anti-IN activity, showing good results both for the ligand and the corresponding complexes. From analysis of the speciation models and of the biological data we can conclude that coordination of both metal cofactors could not be strictly necessary and that inhibitors can act as complexes and not only as free ligands.