Rubén Gil-García

Desulfurization processes of thiosemicarbazonecopper(II) derivatives in acidic and basic aqueous media

This work provides structural evidence for different desulfurization processes in aqueous solutions of [CuL]+ derivatives (HL = pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone). Structural resolution has been achieved for the [{CuL(SH)}2] (1), [CuLCl]2[Cu(pic)2] (pic− = picolinato, pyridine-2-carboxilato) (2) and [Cu(HL)(NCS)](NO3) (4) compounds, together with a derivative of 4 with formula [Cu(HL)(NCS)][Cu(HL)(NCS)0.72(NO3)0.28](NO3)2 (5), whose HS−, pic− and NCS− ligands come from thiosemicarbazone breakage. The behaviour of the [CuL]+ species in basic aqueous solutions or water under reflux has been compared with that exhibited by iron(III), cobalt(III), zinc(II) and lead(II) derivatives of the same thiosemicarbazone ligand. [Cu(L′)]+ species (HL′ = pyridine-2-carbaldehyde N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) have also been analyzed by infrared spectroscopy or mass spectrometry under the same experimental conditions. In addition, preparative methods for a rational synthesis of the serendipitously obtained compounds are proposed. In this way, the crystal structure of [CuL(pic)]·3H2O (3) has been elucidated too. The partial desulfurization of coordinated thiosemicarbazones could lead to a reinterpretation of their biological activity with consequences for the search for possible therapeutic uses.

Selectivity of a thiosemicarbazonatocopper(II) complex towards duplex RNA. Relevant noncovalent interactions both in solid state and solution

Thiosemicarbazones and their metal derivatives have long been screened as antitumor agents, and their interactions with DNA have been analysed. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of compounds containing [CuL]+ entities (HL = pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) and adenine, cytosine or 9-methylguanine, and some of their corresponding nucleotides. For the first time, crystal structures of adenine- and 9-methylguanine-containing thiosemicarbazone complexes are reported. To the best of our knowledge, the first study on the affinity thiosemicarbazone-RNA is also provided here. Experimental and computational studies have shown that [CuL(OH2)]+ entities at low concentration intercalate into dsRNA poly(rA)·poly(rU) through strong hydrogen bonds involving uracil residues and π-π stacking interactions. In fact, noncovalent interactions are present both in the solid state and in solution. This behaviour diverges from that observed with DNA duplexes and creates an optimistic outlook in achieving selective binding to RNA for subsequent possible medical applications.

Revisiting the thiosemicarbazonecopper(II) reaction with glutathione. Activity against colorectal carcinoma cell lines

Thiosemicarbazones (TSCs), and their copper derivatives, have been extensively studied mainly due to the potential applications as antitumor compounds. A part of the biological activity of the TSC-CuII complexes rests on their reactivity against cell reductants, as glutathione (GSH). The present paper describes the structure of the [Cu(PTSC)(ONO2)]n compound (1) (HPTSC=pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) and its spectroscopic and magnetic properties. ESI studies performed on the reaction of GSH with 1 and the analogous [{Cu(PTSC*)(ONO2)}2] derivative (2, HPTSC*=pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 4N-methylthiosemicarbazone) show the absence of peaks related with TSC-Cu-GSH species. However GSH-Cu ones are detected, in good agreement with the release of CuI ions after reduction in the experimental conditions. The reactivity of 1 and 2 with cytochrome c and myoglobin and their activities against HT-29 and SW-480 colon carcinoma cell lines are compared with those shown by the free HPTSC and HPTSC* ligands.