John P. Scovill

Iron(III) complexes of some thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine, its 6-methyl derivative and itsN-oxide

SummaryA series of iron(III) complexes of thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine, 6-methyl-2-acetylpyridine and 2-acetylpyridineN-oxide have been prepared from Fe(ClO4)3 and FeCl3. All of the isolated solids have cations involving two monobasic tridentate ligands, and either perchlorate or tetrachloroferrate(III) anions and are 1∶1 electrolytes. Coordinationvia the pyridine nitrogen (or theN-oxide oxygen), the imine nitrogen and the sulphur atom are confirmed by infrared spectra and x-ray diffraction. The presence of two different iron(III) species is indicated by the electron spin resonance spectra of the tetrachloroferrate(III) solids. E.s.r. along with electronic spectra prove the spin-paired configuration of these cationic iron(III) complexes.

Nickel (II) complexes of a thiosemicarbazone prepared from 2-acetylpyridine

SummaryThe ligand 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-3-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (HL), which is observed in an unusual tautomeric form in the solid state, and its selenium analogue (HLSe) have been used to prepare a series of nickel(II) complexes. Compounds of the general formula [NiLX] (X=Cl, Br, NCS, N3, NO2 or NCSe) as well as [Ni(LSe)Cl] have been found to be diamagnetic, planar complexes. A single crystal study of [NiL(NCS)] shows the deprotonated ligand bound in a tridentate mannervia its pyridyl nitrogen, imine nitrogen and the thione sulphur atom with the nitrogen atom of the thiocyanato-ligand occupying the fourth coordination position. The solids prepared from the nickel(II) salts having tetrafluoroborate, nitrate and iodide ions approximate to octahedral symmetry and have neutral HL ligands coordinated in a bidentate fashionvia the pyridine and imine nitrogens with the remaining coordination sites being occupied by the anions or water molecules. The [NiL2] solid is also octahedral with the two deprotonated ligands bonding as tridentate groupsvia the same atoms as in the [NiLX] complexes.

Copper(II) complexes of thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine and its n-oxide

Abstract A series of Cu(II) complexes of the thiosemicarbazone, 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]-nonene-3-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazide(HL) and the corresponding N-oxide (HLO) have been prepared and characterized. Both ligands undergo deprotonation and appear to coordinate via the thione sulfur, the imine nitrogen and the pyridyl nitrogen (or N-oxide oxygen). A single anionic ligand such as Cl−, Br−, NCS− and N−3 completes the bonding to the Cu(II) center of these 4-coordinate complexes. When the complexes are prepared using Cu(II) perchlorate, the solids isolated contain a neutral thiosemicarbazone ligand as well as the deprotonated ligand. The solids are primarily characterized by IR, electronic and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. In addition, electronic and ESR spectra of their chloroform solutions were recorded. Most of the solids (except the nitrates) were unaltered upon dissolution. Simulation of the solution ESR spectra was used to estimate the coupling constants of the various coordinated nuclei.

2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones. 8. Derivatives of 1-acetylisoquinoline as potential antimalarial agents.

A series of 1-acetylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazones was prepared in order to evaluate their antimalarial properties. This was achieved by the reaction of 1-acetylisoquinoline with methyl hydrazinecarbodithioate to give methyl 3-[1-(1-isoquinolinyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioate (II). Displacement of the S-methyl group from this intermediate by various primary and secondary amines afforded the desired 1-acetylisoquinoline thiosemicarbazones (III). Thiosemicarbazides in which the azomethine moiety of the latter was reduced could be prepared by the reaction of II with NaBH4 to give methyl 3-[1-(1-isoquinolinyl)ethyl]hydrazinecarbodithioate (VIII). Reaction of VII with the appropriate amine gave 1-[1-(1-isoquinolinyl)ethyl]thiosemicarbazides (IX). Evaluation of the antimalarial activity of series III and IX in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei indicated that cures were attainable at dose levels of 40-160 mg/kg.

Intermediate spin iron(III) complexes of N4,N4-disubtituted 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone

SummaryMagnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements have been carried out on [FeIII(SAm)Cl2], and indicate an intermediate spin state for the ferric ion. The temperature-independent magnetic moment of (4.17±0.05) μB, the quadrupole splitting=4.09 mm s−1 and isomer shift=0.133 mm s−1 are in agreement with such formulation. These studies, together with infrared data, are used to suggest a possible structure of the complex.

Molecular characterization of Plasmodium falciparum S-adenosylmethionine synthetase

S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) synthetase (SAMS: EC 2.5.1.6) catalyses the formation of AdoMet from methionine and ATP. We have cloned a gene for Plasmodium falciparum AdoMet synthetase (PfSAMS) (GenBank accession no. AF097923), consisting of 1209 base pairs with no introns. The gene encodes a polypeptide (PfSAMS) of 402 amino acids with a molecular mass of 44844 Da, and has an overall base composition of 67% A+T. PfSAMS is probably a single copy gene, and was mapped to chromosome 9. The PfSAMS protein is highly homologous to all other SAMS, including a conserved motif for the phosphate-binding P-loop, HGGGAFSGKD, and the signature hexapeptide, GAGDQG. All the active-site amino acids for the binding of ADP, P(i) and metal ions are similarly preserved, matching entirely those of human hepatic SAMS and Escherichia coli SAMS. Molecular modelling of PfSAMS guided by the X-ray crystal structure of E. coli SAMS indicates that PfSAMS binds ATP/Mg(2+) in a manner similar to that seen in the E. coli SAMS structure. However, the PfSAMS model shows that it can not form tetramers as does E. coli SAMS, and is probably a dimer instead. There was a differential sensitivity towards the inhibition by cycloleucine between the expressed PfSAMS and the human hepatic SAMS with K(i) values of 17 and 10 mM, respectively. Based on phylogenetic analysis using protein parsimony and neighbour-joining algorithms, the malarial PfSAMS is closely related to SAMS of other protozoans and plants.

Analysis of stereoelectronic properties of camptothecin analogues in relation to biological activity.

Camptothecin and four of its 10,11-methylenedioxy analogues were examined for their activity against the pathogenic protozoan Leishmania donovani in vitro. The methylenedioxy analogues were 36- to 180-fold more potent than the parent camptothecin, possessing IC50 values ranging from 160 to 32 nM against the parasite. Our finding that the methylenedioxy camptothecins possess greater activity than camptothecin, which is also the case for other cell types and for the generation of cleavable complex in the presence of DNA and purified mammalian topoisomerase I, prompted us to examine the molecular features of camptothecin and methylenedioxy camptothecin analogues. A delocalization of positive potential was observed in the methylenedioxy camptothecin analogues, which could increase the affinity of these molecules for DNA. In addition, geometrical and electronic differences between the E ring of camptothecin and its methylenedioxy analogues were noted. One or both of these factors may contribute to the superior biological activity of the methylenedioxy camptothecin analogues.

Transition metal ion complexes of a thiosemicarbazone derived from 6-methyl-2-acetylpyridine

SummaryA series of metal ion complexes of the thiosemicarbazone, 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-3-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazide (6 MLH) have been prepared and spectrally characterized. The ligand undergoes deprotonation to coordinatevia the thione sulphur, the imine nitrogen and the pyridyl nitrogen. A single anionic ligand such as Cl−, Br− and NO3− completes the bonding to the CuII and NiII centre. The compound derived from CoCl2 contains two 6 MLH ligands bound to a CoII centre and a CoCl42− counter ion. Complexes derived from perchlorate salts may feature 6 MLH, 6 ML, or both with the CoII being oxidized to CoIII. The solids were characterized by i.r., electronic and e.s.r. spectroscopy. In addition, electronic and e.s.r. spectra of their chloroform solutions were recorded.

Spectral magnetic EPR studies of copper(II) complexes of N-phenyl-2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide

Abstract Copper(II) complexes of N -phenyl-2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide (LH) of general composition [L − Cu(II)X − ] (where X − = F − , Cl − , Br − , I − , OAc − NO − 3 and NCS − ) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, i.r. spectra, electronic spectra, EPR spectra and conductivity measurements. The EPR spectra of the complexes were recorded in the polycrystalline state, in dimethylformamide solution at room temperature and at − 195°C, whereas electronic spectra were recorded in dimethylformamide and Nujol. Various bonding parameters were calculated. A planar geometry is indicated for the complexes.

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry of transition metal complexes of thio- and selenosemicarbazones of 2-acetylpyridines

SummaryCalifornium-252 plasma desorption mass spectra were recorded for complexes of the anions of various thio-and seleno-semicarbazones of 3-acetylpyridines(1–4) with the transition metal ions iron(III) and cobalt(II). Positive ion spectra gave clear evidence of the cation present and fragmentation with loss of ligands or parts of ligands was straightforward. Negative ion spectra likewise provided evidence of the intact anion except with tetracoordinate metal halide systems [MX4]− which lost one or more halide atoms. Evidence of fragmentation of the ligand and recombination of the fragments with the metal ion was also observed in the negative ion mode. Spectra were used to revise the structure of a complex previously reported as [FeLCl2](1) to [FeL2]+[FeCl4]−.