Edwin W. Y. Wong

Pyridine Analogues of the Antimetastatic Ru(III) Complex NAMI-A Targeting Non-Covalent Interactions with Albumin

A series of pyridine-based derivatives of the antimetastatic Ru(III) complex imidazolium [trans-RuCl(4)(1H-imidazole)(DMSO-S)] (NAMI-A) have been synthesized along with their sodium-ion compensated analogues. These compounds have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), NMR, and electrochemistry, with the goal of probing their noncovalent interactions with human serum albumin (hsA). EPR studies show that the choice of imidazolium ligands and compensating ions does not strongly influence the rates of ligand exchange processes in aqueous buffer solutions. By contrast, the rate of formation and persistence of interactions of the complexes with hsA is found to be strongly dependent on the properties of the axial ligands. The stability of noncovalent binding is shown to correlate with the anticipated ability of the various pyridine ligands to interact with the hydrophobic binding domains of hsA. These interactions prevent the oligomerization of the complexes in solution and limit the rate of covalent binding to albumin amino acid side chains. Electrochemical studies demonstrate relatively high reduction potentials for these complexes, leading to the formation of Ru(II) species in aqueous solutions containing biological reducing agents, such as ascorbate. However, EPR measurements indicate that while noncovalent interactions with hsA do not prevent reduction, covalent binding produces persistent mononuclear Ru(III) species under these conditions.

Non-Innocent Ligand Behavior of a Bimetallic Ni Schiff-Base Complex Containing a Bridging Catecholate

The geometric and electronic structure of a bimetallic Ni Schiff-base complex and its one-electron oxidized form have been investigated in the solid state and in solution. The two salen units in the neutral complex 1 are linked via a bridging catecholate function. The one-electron oxidized form [1](+) was determined to exist as a ligand radical species in solution, with the electron hole potentially localized on the redox-active dioxolene, the phenolate ligands, or delocalized over the entire ligand system. Electrochemical experiments and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, provide insight into the locus of oxidation and the degree of delocalization in this system. The one-electron hole for [1](+) was determined experimentally to be localized on the dioxolene bridge with a small amount of spin density on the outer phenolate moieties predicted by the calculations. The resonance Raman spectrum of [1](+) (λ(ex) = 413 nm) in CH(2)Cl(2) solution clearly exhibited a new band at 1315 cm(-1) in comparison to 1, which is predicted to be a combination of dioxolene ring and C-O bond stretching modes, consistent with oxidation of the bridging moiety in [1](+). Analysis of the NIR bands for [1](+), in association with time-dependent DFT calculations, suggests that the low energy bands are ligand to ligand charge transfer transitions from the terminal phenolates to the central dioxolene unit. In combination, this data is consistent with a description of the overall electronic structure of [1](+) as a bridge-localized semiquinone ligand radical species. This is in contrast to the mixed-valence ground state description for many one-electron oxidized Ni salen monomer systems, and analysis in terms of intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) theory.

Phthalocyanine as a Chemically Inert, Redox-Active Ligand: Structural and Electronic Properties of a Nb(IV)-Oxo Complex Incorporating a Highly Reduced Phthalocyanine(4−) Anion

This report describes the reduction of a niobium(V) phthalocyanine complex and investigation of the electronic structure of the resulting products. The reduction of PcNbCl(3) (Pc = phthalocyanine dianion) with 5.5 equiv of potassium graphite in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) resulted in the isolation of K(2)PcNbO.5DME (1a). Addition of 18-crown-6 to 1a gave [K(18-crown-6)](2)(mu-DME)PcNbO (1b). Both 1a and 1b were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In both complexes, the niobium center adopts a square pyramidal geometry and is coordinated by four basal Pc nitrogen atoms and an apical oxo ligand. Notably, the Pc ligand in 1a is saddle-shaped, with significant bond length alternation, rather than flat with delocalized bonding. The production of ethylene during the reduction of PcNbCl(3), detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), suggests that the oxo ligand likely results from double C-O bond activation of DME solvent. A combination of spectroscopic techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to establish the electronic structure of 1a. The close correspondence of the electronic absorption spectrum of 1a to that of [PcZn](2-) with a di-reduced Pc(4-) ligand, indicates a similar electronic structure for the two complexes. Evaluation of the electronic transitions for 1a and [PcZn](2-) by time-dependent DFT calculations further suggests a similar electronic structure for both complexes, indicating that differences in symmetry between 1a and [PcZn](2-) do not significantly affect the nature of the electronic transitions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of 1a in solution at room temperature gave a 10-line spectrum, while frozen-solution X- and Q-band EPR spectra are consistent with powder-pattern spectra defined by uniaxial g and (93)Nb hyperfine tensors: these imply the presence of a d(1) Nb(IV) metal center. EPR and electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy suggests that the spin density in 1a is centered almost completely on the niobium, in agreement with the DFT calculations. These results illustrate the value of Pc as a chemically inert, redox-active ligand for stabilizing reactive metal centers.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes containing a redox-active benzoxazole iminosemiquinone ligand

A tridentate benzoxazole-containing aminophenol ligand HL(BAP) was synthesized and complexed with Cu(II). The resulting Cu(II) complexes were characterized by X-ray, IR, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility studies, demonstrating that the ligand is oxidized to the o-iminosemiquinone form [L(BIS)](-) in the isolated complexes. L(BIS)Cu(II)Cl exhibits a distorted tetrahedral geometry, while L(BIS)Cu(II)OAc is square pyramidal. In both solid state structures the ligand is coordinated to Cu(II)via the benzoxazole, as well as the nitrogen and oxygen atoms from the o-iminosemiquinone moiety. The chloride, or acetate group occupies the fourth and/or fifth positions in L(BIS)Cu(II)Cl and L(BIS)Cu(II)OAc, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that both complexes are diamagnetic due to antiferromagnetic coupling between the d(9) Cu(II) centre and iminosemiquinone ligand radical. Electrochemical studies of the complexes demonstrate both a quasi-reversible reduction and oxidation process for the Cu complexes. While L(BIS)Cu(II)X (X = Cl) is EPR-silent, chemical oxidation affords a species with an EPR signal consistent with ligand oxidation to form a d(9) Cu(II) iminoquinone species. In addition, chemical reduction results in a Cu(II) centre most likely bound to an amidophenoxide. Mild and efficient oxidation of alcohol substrates to the corresponding aldehydes was achieved with molecular oxygen as the oxidant and L(BIS)Cu(II)X-Cs2CO3 as the catalyst.

Synthesis and structural characterization of a magnesium phthalocyanine(3–) anion

The reduction of magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) with 2.2 equivalents of potassium graphite in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) gives [K2(DME)4]PcMg(OH)(1) in 67% yield. Compound 1 was structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray crystallography and was found to be a monomeric, heterometallic complex consisting of a μ3-OH ligand that bridges a [MgIIPc3-]- anion to two potassium cations solvated by four DME molecules. An absorption spectrum of 1 confirms the Pc ligand is singly reduced and has a 3–charge. The solid-state structure of 1 does not indicate breaking of the aromaticity of the Pc ligand. Compound 1 is only the second Pc3- complex and the first reduced MgPc to be isolated and structurally characterized.

Gold(II) phthalocyanine revisited: synthesis and spectroscopic properties of gold(III) phthalocyanine and an unprecedented ring-contracted phthalocyanine analogue.

In 1965, gold(II) phthalocyanine (AuPc, 1) was described to be synthesized from unsubstituted 1,3-diiminoisoindoline and gold powder or AuBr. Compound 1 has been regarded as a rare example of a paramagnetic gold(II) complex. However, its chemistry, especially the oxidation state of the central gold ion, has not been previously explored due to the inherent insolubility of 1 caused by its unsubstituted structure. In our attempt to synthesize soluble AuPcs by using 5,6-di-substituted 1,3-diiminoisoindolines, gold(III) phthalocyanine chloride (3) and a gold(III) complex of an unprecedented ring-contracted phthalocyanine analogue ([18]tribenzo-pentaaza-triphyrin(4,1,1), 4) were isolated. With this discrepant result from the original literature in hand, a reinvestigation of the original AuPc synthesis by using unsubstituted 1,3-diiminoisoindoline and various gold salts (including gold powder and AuBr) was performed, finding that only unsubstituted analogues of 3 and 4 or free-base phthalocyanine were obtained. No gold(II)-containing species could be isolated.

From low to very high birefringence in bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolines: synthesis and structure-property analysis.

A series of new substituted 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolines--1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5,6-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy)isoindoline (2b), 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5,6-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)isoindoline (2c), and 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5-tert-butylisoindoline (2d)--were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The birefringence (Δn) of the crystals of unsubstituted 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline (2a), 2b, 2c, and 2d were measured and found to vary greatly, with Δn values of 0.0654(3), 0.0629(17), 0.588(10), 0.701(12), respectively. A structure-property relationship for the birefringence values of 2a-2d was outlined and indicated that the anisotropy of the polarizability of the molecules plays a crucial role in the birefringence of the crystals. The greatest birefringence values are achieved when the molecules are oriented in a face-to-face configuration intermolecularly, and along the crystallographic face being measured.