Amine Nitrogen Atoms Research Articles

Structural studies and anticancer activity of a novel (N 6O 4) macrocyclic ligand and its Cu(II) complexes

A novel (N 6O 4) macrocyclic ligand ( L) and its Cu(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and conductivity measurements. Quantum chemical calculations have also been carried out at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) to study the structure of the ligand and one of its complexes. The results show a novel macrocyclic ligand with potential amide oxygen atom, amide and amine nitrogen atoms available for coordination. Distorted square pyramidal ([Cu(L)Cl]Cl·2.5H 2O ( 1), [Cu(L)NO 3]NO 3 ·3.5H 2O ( 2), and [Cu(L)Br]Br ·3H 2O ( 4) and octahedral ([Cu(L)(OAc) 2] ·5H 2O ( 3)) geometries were proposed. The EPR data of 1, 2, and 4 indicate d 1 x 2 − y 2 ground state of Cu(II) ion with a considerable exchange interaction. The measured cytotoxicity for L and its complexes ( 1, 2) against three tumor cell lines showed that coordination improves the antitumor activity of the ligand; IC 50 for breast cancer cells are ≈8.5, 3, and 4 μg/mL for L and complexes ( 1) and ( 2), respectively.

ChemInform Abstract: A Convenient Route to β-Aryl-Substituted Cyclic Enamines as Key Synthetic Intermediates of Sceletium and Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids.

Abstract Aryl groups were introduced into the position β to the nitrogen atom of cyclic amines by carrying out the anodic α-methoxylation of cyclic amine derivatives, the elimination of methanol from the oxidized products, the halomethoxylation of the resulting α,β-unsaturated cyclic amine derivatives, the replacement of the α-methoxy group with an aryl group, and the silver ion-promoted migration of the α-aryl group to the β-position, consecutively. This method was applied to the synthesis of some alkaloids such as (±)-mesembrine.

Mechanism of nitric oxide reactivity and fluorescence enhancement of the NO-specific probe CuFL1.

The mechanism of the reaction of CuFL1 (FL1 = 2-{2-chloro-6-hydroxy-5-[(2-methylquinolin-8-ylamino)methyl]-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl}benzoic acid) with nitric oxide (NO) to form the N-nitrosated product FL1-NO in buffered aqueous solutions was investigated. The reaction is first-order in [CuFL1], [NO], and [OH(-)]. The observed rate saturation at high base concentrations is consistent with a mechanism in which the protonation state of the secondary amine of the ligand is important for reactivity. This information provides a rationale for designing faster-reacting probes by lowering the pK(a) of the secondary amine. Activation parameters for the reaction of CuFL1 with NO indicate an associative mechanism (DeltaS(double dagger) = -120 +/- 10 J/mol.K) with a modest thermal barrier (DeltaH(double dagger) = 41 +/- 2 kJ/mol; E(a) = 43 +/- 2 kJ/mol). Variable-pH electron paramagnetic resonance experiments reveal that, as the secondary amine of CuFL1 is deprotonated, electron density shifts to yield a new spin-active species having electron density localized on the deprotonated amine nitrogen atom. This result suggests that FL1-NO formation occurs when NO attacks the deprotonated secondary amine of the coordinated ligand, followed by inner-sphere electron transfer to Cu(II) to form Cu(I) and release of FL1-NO from the metal.

Modeling of Amorphous Polyaniline Emeraldine Base

Amorphous polyaniline emeraldine base has been investigated using atomistic classical molecular dynamics simulations. Initially, different sets of force-field parameters, which differ in the atomic charges and/or the van der Waals parameters, were tested. The experimental density of polyaniline was satisfactorily reproduced using the following combination: (i) equilibrium bond lengths, equilibrium bond angles, and electrostatic charges derived from quantum mechanical calculations and (ii) van der Waals parameters extrapolated from GROMOS for all atoms with the exception of the CH pseudoparticles of the phenyl ring, which were taken from an anisotropic united atom potential. Next, this force field was used to investigate the structure of the polymer in the amorphous state, the trajectories performed for this purpose allowing accumulation of 750 ns. Analyses of the energies evidence that the interactions between one repeating unit containing an amine nitrogen atom and another unit with an imine nitrogen are favored with respect to those between two identical repeating units. This conclusion is also supported by quantum mechanical and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics calculations. On the other hand, the partial radial distribution functions indicate that this material only exhibits short-range intramolecular correlation, which is in excellent agreement with experimental evidence.

Conformational analysis of piperazine and piperidine analogs of GBR 12909: stochastic approach to evaluating the effects of force fields and solvent

Analogs of the flexible dopamine reuptake inhibitor, GBR 12909 (1), may have potential utility in the treatment of cocaine abuse. As a first step in the 3D-QSAR modeling of the dopamine transporter (DAT)/serotonin transporter (SERT) selectivity of these compounds, we carried out conformational analyses of two analogs of 1: a piperazine (2) and a related piperidine (3). Ensembles of conformers consisting of local minima on the potential energy surface of the molecule were generated in the vacuum phase and in implicit solvent by random search conformational analysis using the Tripos and MMFF94 force fields. Some differences were noted in the conformer populations due to differences in the treatment of the tertiary amine nitrogen and ether oxygen atom types by the force fields. The force fields also differed in their descriptions of internal rotation around the C(sp³)-O(sp³) bond proximal to the bisphenyl moiety. Molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels of C-O internal rotation in model compound (5), designed to model the effect of the proximity of the bisphenyl group on C-O internal rotation, showed a broad region of low energy between -60° to 60° with minima at both -60° and 30° and a low rotational barrier at 0°, in closer agreement with the MMFF94 results than the Tripos results. Molecular mechanics calculations on model compound (6) showed that the MMFF94 force field was much more sensitive than the Tripos force field to the effects of the bisphenyl moiety on C-O internal rotation.

DNA interaction studies of new nano metal based anticancer agent: validation byspectroscopic methods

A new nano dimensional heterobimetallic Cu–Sn containing complex as a potentialdrug candidate was designed, synthesized and characterized by analytical andspectral methods. The electronic absorption and electron paramagnetic resonanceparameters of the complex revealed that the Cu(II) ion exhibits a square pyramidalgeometry with the two pyrazole nitrogen atoms, the amine nitrogen atom andthe carboxylate oxygen of the phenyl glycine chloride ligand located at theequatorial sites and the coordinated chloride ion occupying an apical position. 119Sn NMR spectral data showed a hexa-coordinated environment around the Sn(IV) metal ion. TEM,AFM and XRD measurements illustrate that the complex could induce the condensation ofCT-DNA to a particulate nanostructure. The interaction of the Cu–Sn complex withCT-DNA was investigated by UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well ascyclic voltammetric measurements. The results indicated that the complex interacts withDNA through an electrostatic mode of binding with an intrinsic binding constantKb = 8.42 × 104 M − 1. The Cu–Sn complex exhibits effective cleavage of pBR322 plasmid DNA by an oxidativecleavage mechanism, monitored at different concentrations both in the absence and in thepresence of reducing agents.

Potentiometric and spectrophotometric studies of MnII and NiII cimetidine complexes

Cimetidine is an important hydrogen histamine receptor which has the ability to chelate metal ions in blood plasma and in different tissues. This study aimed to determine the stability constants for the cimetidine ligand with MnII and NiII metallic ions, synthesizing complexes and characterizing them by infrared spectroscopy, IR, and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, ¹H NMR. Cimetidine protonation constant regarding to the imidazole group was logK 7.05 and the stability constants for MnII and NiII complexes, ML2 species were logK 3.75 and 2.97, respectively, in 0.100 mol L-1 KCI. The interpretation of IR and H¹ NMR spectra for complexes MnII-cim2 and NiII-cim2 indicated that their formation occurs through the sulfur atoms in the thiol group, nitrogen atoms of imidazole ring, and nitrogen atoms of secondary amine. The nitrile group seems to be involved in the complexation of the NiII-cim2 complex.

Computational Modeling of the Mechanism of Urease

In order to elucidate aspects of the mechanism of the hydrolytic enzyme urease, theoretical calculations were undertaken on a model of the active site, using density functional theory. The bridging oxygen donor that has been found in the crystal structures was determined to be a hydroxide ion. The initial coordination of urea at the active site occurs most likely through the urea oxygen to the nickel ion with the lowest coordination number. This coordination can be made without much gain in energy. The calculations also showed that weak coordination of one of the urea amine nitrogen atoms to the second nickel atom is energetically feasible. Furthermore, a proposed mechanism including a tetrahedral intermediate generated by hydrolytic attack on the urea carbon by the bridging hydroxide was modeled, and the tetrahedral intermediate was found to be energetically unfavorable relative to terminal coordination of the substrate (urea).

A hexadentate bis(thiosemicarbazonato) ligand: rhenium(v), iron(iii) and cobalt(iii) complexes

A new 1,3-diaminopropane bridged bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligand (H(4)L) has been synthesised. The new hexadentate ligand is capable of forming six coordinate complexes with rhenium(V), iron(III) and cobalt(III). In the case of the iron(III) and cobalt(III) complexes the ligand doubly deprotonates to give the monocations [Fe(III)(H(2)L)](+) and [Co(III)(H(2)L)](+) in which the metal ion is in a distorted octahedral environment. In the rhenium(V) complex the ligand loses four protons by deprotonation of both secondary amine nitrogen atoms to give [Re(V)(L)](+) with the metal ion in a distorted trigonal prismatic coordination environment. [Re(V)(L)](+) represents a rare example of a rhenium(V) complex that does not contain one of the ReO(3+), ReN(2+) or Re(NPh)(2+) cores. The new ligand and metal complexes have been characterised by a combination of NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and microanalysis. The electrochemistry of [Fe(III)(H(2)L)](+), [Co(III)(H(2)L)](+) and [Re(V)(L)](+) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry with each complex undergoing a single electron reduction event. It is possible to prepare the rhenium(V) complex from ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) or directly from [ReO(4)](-) with the addition of a reductant, which suggests the new ligand may be of interest in the development of rhenium radiopharmaceuticals.

The Tertiary Amine Nitrogen Atom of Piperazine Sulfonamides as a Novel Determinant of Potent and Selective β3‐Adrenoceptor Agonists

Novel compounds were prepared in fair to good yields as human beta(3)-adrenoceptor (beta(3)-AR) agonists. In particular, aryloxypropanolamines 7 a-d (EC(50)=0.57-2.1 nM) and arylethanolamines 12 a,b,e (EC(50)=6.38-19.4 nM) were designed to explore the effects of modifications at the right-hand side of these molecules on their activity as beta(3)-AR agonists. Piperidine sulfonamides 15 a-c, e-g (EC(50)=6.1-36.2 nM) and piperazine sulfonamide derivatives 20-29 (EC(50)=1.79-49.3 nM) were examined as compounds bearing a non-aromatic linker on the right- and left-hand sides of the molecules. Some piperazine sulfonamides were found to be potent and selective beta(3)-AR agonists, even if the amine nitrogen atom is tertiary and not secondary, as is the case for all beta(3)-AR agonists reported so far. (S)-3-{4-{N-{4-{2-[2-Hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propylamino]ethyl}phenyl}sulfamoyl}phenoxy}propanoic acid (7 d; EC(50)=0.57 nM), (R)-N-{4-[2-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamino)ethyl]phenyl}-4-(3-octylureido)benzenesulfonamide (12 e; EC(50)=6.38 nM), (R)-2-[1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)piperidin-4-ylamino]-1-phenylethanol (15 f; EC(50)=6.1 nM), and (S)-4-{2-hydroxy-3-[4-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl]propoxy}phenol (25; EC(50)=1.79 nM) were found to be the most potent beta(3)-AR agonists of the aryloxypropanolamine, arylethanolamine, piperidine sulfonamide, and piperazine sulfonamide classes, respectively. The two most potent compounds were identified as possible candidates for further development of beta(3)-AR agonists useful in the treatment of beta(3)-AR-mediated pathological conditions.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Bis[N-{(S)-1-Phenylethyl}-N-{1-(2-Pyridinyl)Methyl}Amine] Zinc(II) Perchlorate

The reaction of N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-N-[1-(2-pyridinyl)methyl]amine (PEPMA) with Zn(ClO4)2 affords (PEPMA)2Zn(ClO4)2 at room temperature. The complex is characterized by elemental analysis, 1H-MNR and X-ray crystallography. The crystal system is orthorhombic with space group of P212121 and unit cell parameters: a = 8.6911(4), b = 9.7755(7), c = 37.275(2) A, V = 3166.9(3) A3, Z = 4, D x = 1.445 Mg/m3. The crystal structure reveals that zinc metal is ligated by two PEPMA ligands in a distorted tetrahedral fashion. Interestingly, both nitrogen atoms of amine at PEPMA to the central zinc metal exhibit (R)-configuration. The X-ray structure study reveals that the coordination of zinc(II) perchlorate and N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-N-[1-(2-pyridinyl)methyl]amine (PEPMA) ligand affords the zinc(II) complex in a distorted tetrahedral geometry and induces new chiral centers at both amine-nitrogens of PEPMA ligands in (R)-configuration .

Matrix-isolation FTIR, theoretical structural analysis and reactivity of amino-saccharins: N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)- N-methyl amine and - N,N-dimethyl amine

In this work, two novel amino-substituted derivatives of saccharin, N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)- N-methyl amine (MBAD) and N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)- N, N-dimethyl amine (DMBAD), were synthesized and characterized, and their molecular structure and vibrational properties were investigated by matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations undertaken using different levels of approximation. The calculations predicted the existence of two conformers of MBAD. The lowest energy form was predicted to be considerably more stable than the second conformer (Δ E > ca. 20 kJ mol −1) and was the sole form contributing to the infrared spectrum of the compound isolated in solid xenon. Both conformers have planar amine moieties. In the case of DMBAD, only one doubly-degenerated-by-symmetry conformer exists, with the amine nitrogen atom considerably pyramidalized. The effect of the electron-withdrawing saccharyl ring on the C–N bond lengths is discussed. The different structural preferences around the amine nitrogen atom in the two molecules were explained in terms of repulsive interactions involving the additional methyl group of DMBAD. Observed structural features are correlated with the reactivity exhibited by the two compounds towards nucleophiles. The experimentally obtained spectra of the matrix-isolated monomers of MBAD and DMBAD were fully assigned by comparison with the corresponding calculated spectra.

A Multivalent Approach to the Design and Discovery of Orally Efficacious 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists

5-HT(4) receptor agonists such as tegaserod have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), a highly prevalent disorder characterized by chronic constipation and impairment of intestinal propulsion, abdominal bloating, and pain. The 5-HT(4) receptor binding site can accommodate functionally and sterically diverse groups attached to the amine nitrogen atom of common ligands, occupying what may be termed a "secondary" binding site. Using a multivalent approach to lead discovery, we have investigated how varying the position and nature of the secondary binding group can be used as a strategy to achieve the desired 5-HT(4) agonist pharmacological profile. During this study, we discovered the ability of amine-based secondary binding groups to impart exceptional gains in the binding affinity, selectivity, and functional potency of 5-HT(4) agonists. Optimization of the leads generated by this approach afforded compound 26, a selective, orally efficacious 5-HT(4) agonist for the potential treatment of gastrointestinal motility-related disorders.

Dinuclear tetrapyridyl pendant-armed azamacrocyclic complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II)

The coordination capability of the new tetrapyridyl pendant-armed azamacrocyclic ligand L, towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions was studied. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by microanalysis, LSI mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis and NMR spectroscopy, magnetic studies and conductivity measurements. Crystal structures of [Co 2L(CH 3CN) 2](ClO 4) 4·2CH 3CN and [Cd 2L(NO 3) 2](NO 3) 2·2H 2O complexes have been determined. The X-ray studies show the presence of dinuclear endomacrocyclic complexes with the metal ion in a similar distorted octahedral environment, coordinated by one pyridyl bridgehead group, two amine nitrogen atoms and two pyridyl pendant-arms. The sixth coordination position around the metal ion is completed by one acetonitrile molecule in [Co 2L(CH 3CN) 2](ClO 4) 4·2CH 3CN and by one monodentate nitrate anion in [Cd 2L(NO 3) 2](NO 3) 2·2H 2O. Different sort of intramolecular non-classical hydrogen bonds were found in the crystal lattice of both structures.

Synthesis and structures of (13-hydroxylamino-5,7,7,13-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-4-ene-κ 4)nickel(II) tetrachlorozincate(II) and (13-azonium-5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ 4)nickel(II) tetrachlorozincate(II) chloride 2.25 water

Zinc/acid reduction of the nitro function of (5,7,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-4-ene)nickel(II) yields (13-hydroxylamino-5,7,7,13-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-4-ene)nickel(II), isolated as the tetrachlorozincate salt, for which the structure is reported. This has singlet ground state nickel(II) in square-planar coordination by the three amine and the imine nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle. There is no interaction between the nickel(II) ion and the axially oriented hydroxylamino group. Zinc/acid reduction of the nitro function of (5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-13-nitro-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)nickel(II) yields (13-amino-5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)nickel(II), isolated from acid solution as (13-azonium-5,5,7,13-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ 4)nickel(II) tetrachlorozincate(II) chloride 2.25 water, for which the structure is reported. The two independent cations have singlet ground state nickel(II) in square-planar coordination by the four secondary amine nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle, with the protonated amine substituent axially oriented. The cations of both compounds show disorder in the location of the axial methyl component of the gem-dimethyl group, manifest as reversal of the trimethyl substituted 1,3-amine-imine or 1,3-diamine chelate rings, arising from co-crystallisation of enantiomers.

Structural and magnetic diversity in metal-dicyanamido polymer moieties: Paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic 1D chain compound and weakly ferromagnetic 2D motif

The reaction of M(NO 3) 2· xH 2O (M = Cu, Ni and Co; x = 3 for Cu and x = 6 for Co/Ni), imidazole (Im) and sodium dicyanamide (dca) afforded the complexes [M(Im) 2(dca) 2] (where M = Cu for 1, M = Ni for 2, and M = Co for 3). All of them have been characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. X-ray analysis reveals that the dicyanamido ligand features the μ 1,3 bridging mode that led to the formation of two-dimensional structure of complex 1 while complexes 2 and 3 attribute an infinite one-dimensional chain like structure to generate the fascinating molecular assemblies. The {N(CN) 2} − ligands present in the complexes 2 and 3 are coordinated in end-to-end (μ 1,5) fashion. All the complexes have distorted octahedral geometry around the central metal ion and coordinated by two amine nitrogen atoms from imidazole ligands and four nitrogen atoms from dca ligands. The variable temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that the magnetic interaction between the metal centers in the complex 1 is dominantly ferromagnetic while the metal ions in complex 3 are antiferromagnetically coupled. On the contrary, complex 2 is a simple paramagnet. The results of magnetic model are in good agreement with the experimental data.

NMR characterization and dynamics of vanadium(V) complexes with tripod (hydroquinonate/phenolate) iminodiacetate ligands in aqueous solution

Reaction of NH4VO3 with (phenolate/hydroquinonate) iminodiacetate tripod ligands in aqueous solution in the pH range 7–8 results in the isolation of three new dioxido vanadium(V) complexes, one dinuclear (NH4)4{(VVO)2[μ-bicah(6-)-N,O,O,O]}·8H2O, (H6bicah, 2,5-bis[N,N'-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-hydroquinone), and two mononuclear (NH4)2{(VVO)2[Hcah(3-)-N,O,O,O]·2H2O, (H4cah, 2-[N,N'-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-hydroquinone) and (NH4)2{(VVO)[Hcacp(3-)-N,O,O,O]}·4H2O, (H4cacp, 2-[N,N'-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-4-carboxyphenol). The 51V, 1H, and 13C NMR spectra in D2O show the coordination environment of vanadium in the above complexes to be octahedral, with four out of six positions to be occupied by the two carboxylate oxygen, one hydroquinonate oxygen, and one amine nitrogen atoms of the tripod ligand. The two acetate arms are in cis position to each other. Variable-temperature 1H and 13C NMR measurements show that the complexes are kinetically labile. An intramolecular exchange that proceeds through the opening of the phenolate/hydroquinonate chelate ring has been revealed by 2D{1H} NMR EXSY (exchange spectroscopy).

Catalytic Hydroaminoalkylation

Excellent couplings: Recent developments in the metal-catalyzed C-H activation of sp(3) centers in an alpha position relative to an amine nitrogen atom are presented. Their reaction with alkenes to give alkylamines (hydroaminoalkylation) is also summarized (see general scheme).

Ru(II)–DMSO complexes containing aromatic and heterocyclic acid hydrazides: Structure, electrochemistry and biological activity

The reaction of cis-[RuCl 2(DMSO) 4] with a family of aromatic and heterocyclic acid hydrazides yielded new complexes of the general formula trans-[RuCl 2(DMSO) 2(hydrazide)] · nH 2O ( n = 0; 1– 6; n = 1; 7). The new complexes have been characterized by IR, UV–Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopic methods. In addition, the structure of one of the complexes, [RuCl 2(DMSO) 2(tcah)] · H 2O (tcah = thiophene-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide), has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the studies reveal the neutral bidentate coordination of the hydrazide ligands through the acyl oxygen and amine nitrogen atoms. The electron transfer properties of the complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry and all the complexes except one show an irreversible/quasi-reversible reduction wave (Ru II/Ru I) and an uncoupled oxidation peak (Ru III/ Ru II). The preliminary DNA-binding ability of the complexes, studied with herring sperm DNA, shows the binding of the complexes with DNA with a lesser affinity than classical intercalators. The complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activity against five pathogenic bacteria.

Mn(II) azamacrocyclic bromide complexes with different nuclearities

The coordination behaviour of a series of pyridyl azamacrocyclic ligands, some of them containing cyanomethyl and cyanoethyl pendant-arms, towards Mn(II) ion was studied. All the complexes were characterized by microanalysis, LSI mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Crystal structures of [MnL 1 ][MnBr 4 ] ( 1 ), [MnL 3 ][MnBr 4 ] · 2CH 3 CN ( 3 ), [Mn 2 L 5 Br 4 ] · 2CH 3 CN ( 5 ) and [Mn 2 L 6 Br 4 ] ( 6 ) complexes have been determined. The X-ray studies show the presence of an ionic mixed octahedral–tetrahedral complex for 1 and 3 , with the manganese ion of the cation complex, endomacrocyclicly coordinated by the six nitrogen donor atoms from the macrocyclic backbone in a distorted octahedral geometry. Instead, the complexes 5 and 6 are dinuclear, and both manganese ions are coordinated by one pyridinic and two amine nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic backbone and two bromide ions, being the geometry around the metal better described as distorted square pyramidal. In all cases, the nitrile pendant-arms do not show coordination to the metal ion. The coordination behaviour of a series of pyridyl azamacrocyclic ligands, some of them containing cyanomethyl and cyanoethyl pendant-arms, towards Mn(II) ion was studied. All the complexes were characterized by microanalysis, LSI mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Crystal structures of [MnL 1 ][MnBr 4 ] ( 1 ), [MnL 3 ][MnBr 4 ] · 2CH 3 CN ( 3 ), [Mn 2 L 5 Br 4 ] · 2CH 3 CN ( 5 ) and [Mn 2 L 6 Br 4 ] ( 6 ) complexes have been determined. The X-ray studies show the presence of an ionic mixed octahedral–tetrahedral complex for 1 and 2 , with the manganese ion of the cation complex, endomacrocyclicly coordinated by the six nitrogen donor atoms from the macrocyclic backbone in a distorted octahedral geometry. Instead, the complexes 5 and 6 are dinuclear, and both manganese ions are coordinated by one pyridinic and two amine nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic backbone and two bromide ions, being the geometry around the metal better described as distorted square pyramidal. In all cases, the nitrile pendant-arms do not show coordination to the metal ion.