Bitopic Ligand Research Articles

Linkers in Bitopic Agonists Shape Bias Profile among Transducers for the Dopamine D2 and D3 Receptors.

Bitopic ligands bind both orthosteric and allosteric or secondary binding sites within the same receptor, often resulting in an improvement of receptor selectivity, potency, and efficacy. In particular, for both agonists and antagonists of the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors (D2R and D3R), the primary therapeutic targets for several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, bitopic ligand design has proved advantageous in achieving better pharmacological profiles in vitro. Although the two pharmacophores within a bitopic ligand are typically considered the main drivers of conformational change for a receptor, the role of the linker that connects the two has not yet been systematically studied for its relevance in receptor activity profiles. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of sumanirole and PF592,379-based indole-containing bitopic compounds in agonist activity at D2R and D3R, with a focus on linker chemical space and stereochemistry through testing six distinct chirally resolved linkers and a simple aliphatic linker. The structure activity relationships (SARs) of these linkers are examined extensively, beyond the conventional level, by characterizing the activation of all putative transducers over a 44 min time course. Our multiparametric analysis reveals previously unappreciated specific linker-dependent effects on primary pharmacophores, receptors, transducer activation kinetics, and bias, highlighting the utility of this comprehensive approach and the significance of the linker type in shaping transducer bias profiles.

Structure-Guided Design of Partial Agonists at an Opioid Receptor.

The persistence of chronic pain and continuing overdose deaths from pain-relieving opioids targeting μ opioid receptor (μOR) have fueled the need for reliable long-term analgesics which use different targets and mechanisms. The δ opioid receptor (δOR) is a potential alternative target for non-addictive analgesics to alleviate chronic pain, made more attractive by its lack of respiratory depression associated with μOR agonists. However, early δOR full agonists were found to induce seizures, precluding clinical use. Partial δOR agonists may offer more controlled activation of the receptor compared to full agonists, but the development of such ligands has been hindered by uncertainty over the molecular mechanism mediating partial agonism. Using a structure-based approach, we explored the engagement of the sodium binding pocket in δOR and developed a bitopic ligand, C6-Quino, predicted to be a selective δOR partial agonist. Functional studies of C6-Quino revealed that it displayed δOR partial agonist activity at both G-protein and arrestin pathways. Its interaction with the sodium pocket was confirmed and analyzed using a single particle cryo-EM. Additionally, C6-Quino demonstrated favorable chemical and physiological properties like oral activity, and analgesic activity in multiple chronic pain models. Notably, μOR-related hyperlocomotion and respiratory depression, and δOR-related convulsions, were not observed at analgesic doses of C6-Quino. This fundamentally new approach to designing δOR ligands provides a blueprint for the development of partial agonists as safe analgesics and acts as a generic method to optimize signaling profiles of other Class A GPCRs.

A Proteomic Approach Identified TFEB as a Key Player in the Protective Action of Novel CB2R Bitopic Ligand FD22a against the Deleterious Effects Induced by β-Amyloid in Glial Cells.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are progressive multifactorial disorders of the nervous system sharing common pathogenic features, including intracellular misfolded protein aggregation, mitochondrial deficit, and inflammation. Taking into consideration the multifaceted nature of NDDs, development of multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) has evolved as an attractive therapeutic strategy. Compounds that target the cannabinoid receptor type II (CB2R) are rapidly emerging as novel effective MTDLs against common NDDs, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recently developed the first CB2R bitopic/dualsteric ligand, namely FD22a, which revealed the ability to induce neuroprotection with fewer side effects. To explore the potential of FD22a as a multitarget drug for the treatment of NDDs, we investigated here its ability to prevent the toxic effect of β-amyloid (Aβ25-35 peptide) on human cellular models of neurodegeneration, such as microglia (HMC3) and glioblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines. Our results displayed that FD22a efficiently prevented Aβ25-35 cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects in both cell lines and counteracted β-amyloid-induced depression of autophagy in U87-MG cells. Notably, a quantitative proteomic analysis of U87-MG cells revealed that FD22a was able to potently stimulate the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) by activating its master transcriptional regulator TFEB, ultimately increasing the potential of this novel CB2R bitopic/dualsteric ligand as a multitarget drug for the treatment of NDDs.

Carbazole and tetrahydro-carboline derivatives as dopamine D3 receptor antagonists with the multiple antipsychotic-like properties.

Dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) is implicated in multiple psychotic symptoms. Increasing the D3R selectivity over dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) would facilitate the antipsychotic treatments. Herein, novel carbazole and tetrahydro-carboline derivatives were reported as D3R selective ligands. Through a structure-based virtual screen, ZLG-25 (D3R Ki=685nmol/L; D2R Ki>10,000nmol/L) was identified as a novel D3R selective bitopic ligand with a carbazole scaffold. Scaffolds hopping led to the discovery of novel D3R-selective analogs with tetrahydro-β-carboline or tetrahydro-γ-carboline core. Further functional studies showed that most derivatives acted as hD3R-selective antagonists. Several lead compounds could dose-dependently inhibit the MK-801-induced hyperactivity. Additional investigation revealed that 23j and 36b could decrease the apomorphine-induced climbing without cataleptic reaction. Furthermore, 36b demonstrated unusual antidepressant-like activity in the forced swimming tests and the tail suspension tests, and alleviated the MK-801-induced disruption of novel object recognition in mice. Additionally, preliminary studies confirmed the favorable PK/PD profiles, no weight gain and limited serum prolactin levels in mice. These results revealed that 36b provided potential opportunities to new antipsychotic drugs with the multiple antipsychotic-like properties.

Hybridization into a Bitopic Ligand Increased Muscarinic Receptor Activation for Isopilocarpine but Not for Pilocarpine Derivatives.

Pilocarpine (1), a secondary metabolite of several Pilocarpus species, is a therapeutically used partial agonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). The available pharmacological data and structure-activity relationships do not provide comparable data for all five receptor subtypes. In this study, pilocarpine (1), its epimer isopilocarpine (2), racemic analogues pilosinine (3) and desmethyl pilosinine (4), and the respective hybrid ligands with a naphmethonium fragment (5-C6 to 8-C6) were synthesized and analyzed in mini-G nano-BRET assays at the five mAChRs. In line with earlier studies, pilocarpine was the most active compound among the orthosteric ligands 1-4. Computational docking of pilocarpine and isopilocarpine to the active M2 receptor suggests that the trans-configuration of isopilocarpine leads to a loss of the hydrogen bond from the lactone carbonyl to N6.52, explaining the lower activity of isopilocarpine. Hybrid formation of pilocarpine (1) and isopilocarpine (2) led to an inverted activity rank, with the trans-configured isopilocarpine hybrid (6-C6) being more active. The hydrogen bond of interest is formed by the isopilocarpine hybrid (6-C6) but not by the pilocarpine hybrid (5-C6). Hybridization thus leads to a modified binding mode of the orthosteric moiety, as the binding mode of the hybrid is dominated by the high-affinity allosteric moiety.

New Insights into Bitopic Orthosteric/Allosteric Ligands of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2.

Very recently, we have developed a new generation of ligands targeting the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), namely JR compounds, which combine the pharmacophoric portion of the CB2R positive allosteric modulator (PAM), EC21a, with that of the CB2R selective orthosteric agonist LV62, both synthesized in our laboratories. The functional examination enabled us to identify JR14a, JR22a, and JR64a as the most promising compounds of the series. In the current study, we focused on the assessment of the bitopic (dualsteric) nature of these three compounds. Experiments in cAMP assays highlighted that only JR22a behaves as a CB2R bitopic (dualsteric) ligand. In parallel, computational studies helped us to clarify the binding mode of these three compounds at CB2R, confirming the bitopic (dualsteric) nature of JR22a. Finally, the potential of JR22a to prevent neuroinflammation was investigated on a human microglial cell inflammatory model.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of New CB2 Receptor Ligands: from Orthosteric and Allosteric Modulators to Dualsteric/Bitopic Ligands.

The design of dualsteric/bitopic agents as single chemical entities able to simultaneously interact with both the orthosteric and an allosteric binding site represents a novel approach in medicinal chemistry. Biased dualsteric/bitopic agents could enhance certain signaling pathways while diminishing the others that cause unwanted side effects. We have designed, synthesized, and functionally characterized the first CB2R heterobivalent bitopic ligands. In contrast to the parent orthosteric compound, our bitopic ligands selectively target CB2R versus CB1R and show a functional selectivity for the cAMP signaling pathway versus βarrestin2 recruitment. Moreover, the most promising bitopic ligand FD-22a displayed anti-inflammatory activity in a human microglial cell inflammatory model and antinociceptive activity in vivo in an experimental mouse model of neuropathic pain. Finally, computational studies clarified the binding mode of these compounds inside the CB2R, further confirming their bitopic nature.

In Search of Synergistic Insect Repellents: Modeling of Muscarinic GPCR Interactions with Classical and Bitopic Photoactive Ligands.

Insect vector-borne diseases pose serious health problems, so there is a high demand for efficient molecules that could reduce transmission. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we studied a series of compounds acting on human and insect muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), a novel target of synergistic agents in pest control. We characterized early conformational changes of human M1 and fruit fly type-A mAChR G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in response to DEET, IR3535, and muscarine binding based on the MD analysis of the activation microswitches known to form the signal transduction pathway in class A GPCRs. We indicated groups of microswitches that are the most affected by the presence of a ligand. Moreover, to increase selectivity towards insects, we proposed a new, bitopic, photoswitchable mAChR ligand—BQCA-azo-IR353 and studied its interactions with both receptors. Modeling data showed that using a bitopic ligand may be a promising strategy in the search for better insect control.

Synthesis of Bitopic Ligands as Potent Dopamine D2 Receptor Agonists

AbstractIn this study, we designed and synthesized twelve bitopic ligands as dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonists. The forskolin‐induced cAMP accumulation assay revealed that all the finial compounds are able to activate D2R. Furthermore, bitopic ligand N‐((trans)‐4‐(((2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐2‐yl)(propyl)amino)methyl)cyclo‐hexyl)‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxamide (11 b) showed 21‐fold higher potency than lead compound propyl aminoindane (2) and 17‐fold higher subtype selectivity for D2R over D4R, indicating that the optimal length of spacer affects the D2R functionality. Molecular modeling study exhibited that 11 b formed an electrostatic interaction and two H‐bonds with amino acid Asp114, which contributes significantly to the D2R functional activity. Taken together, we discovered a bitopic ligand 11 b as potent D2R agonist, which may be used as a tool compound for further study.

Studies of Potency and Efficacy of an Optimized Artemisinin-Quinoline Hybrid against Multiple Stages of the Plasmodium Life Cycle.

A recently developed artemisinin-quinoline hybrid, named 163A, has been shown to display potent activity against the asexual blood stage of Plasmodium, the malaria parasite. In this study, we determined its in vitro cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, its potency to suppress P. berghei hepatic infection and to decrease the viability of P. falciparum gametocytes, in addition to determining whether the drug exhibits efficacy of a P. berghei infection in mice. This hybrid compound has a low level of cytotoxicity to mammalian cells and, conversely, a high level of selectivity. It is potent in the prevention of hepatic stage development as well as in killing gametocytes, denoting a potential blockage of malaria transmission. The hybrid presents a potent inhibitory activity for beta-hematin crystal formation, in which subsequent assays revealed that its endoperoxide component undergoes bioactivation by reductive reaction with ferrous heme towards the formation of heme-drug adducts; in parallel, the 7-chloroquinoline component has binding affinity for ferric hemin. Both structural components of the hybrid co-operate to enhance the inhibition of beta-hematin, and this bitopic ligand property is essential for arresting the growth of asexual blood parasites. We demonstrated the in vivo efficacy of the hybrid as an erythrocytic schizonticide agent in comparison to a chloroquine/artemisinin combination therapy. Collectively, the findings suggest that the bitopic property of the hybrid is highly operative on heme detoxification suppression, and this provides compelling evidence for explaining the action of the hybrid on the asexual blood stage. For sporozoite and gametocyte stages, the hybrid conserves the potency typically observed for endoperoxide drugs, and this is possibly achieved due to the redox chemistry of endoperoxide components with ferrous heme.

Elucidation of Distinct Modular Assemblies of Smoothened Receptor by Bitopic Ligand Measurement.

Class F G protein-coupled receptors are characterized by a large extracellular domain (ECD) in addition to the common transmembrane domain (TMD) with seven α-helixes. For smoothened receptor (SMO), structural studies revealed dissected ECD and TMD, and their integrated assemblies. However, distinct assemblies were reported under different circumstances. Using an unbiased approach based on four series of cross-conjugated bitopic ligands, we explore the relationship between the active status and receptor assembly. Different activity dependency on the linker length for these bitopic ligands corroborates the various occurrences of SMO assembly. These results reveal a rigid "near" assembly for active SMO, which is in contrast to previous results. Conversely, inactive SMO adopts a free ECD, which would be remotely captured at "far" assembly by cholesterol. Altogether, we propose a mechanism of cholesterol flow-caused SMO activation involving an erection of ECD from far to near assembly.

Facemasks during COVID-19 and the importance of smiles in developmental assessment

Recent interest in the M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (mAChR) has led to the discovery of various selective agonists for the receptor. The novel selective agonist 1-(1′-(2-methylbenzyl)-1,4′-bipiperidin-4-yl)-1<i>H-</i>benzo[<i>d</i>]imidazol-2(3<i>H</i>)-1 (TBPB) displays unprecedented...

Orthosteric and Allosteric Dual Targeting of the Nuclear Receptor RORγt with a Bitopic Ligand

The RORγt nuclear receptor (NR) is of critical importance for the differentiation and proliferation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and their production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17a. Dysregulation of RORγt has been linked to various autoimmune diseases, and small molecule inhibition of RORγt is therefore an attractive strategy to treat these diseases. RORγt is a unique NR in that it contains both a canonical, orthosteric and a second, allosteric ligand binding site in its ligand binding domain (LBD). Hence, dual targeting of both binding pockets constitutes an attractive alternative molecular entry for pharmacological modulation. Here, we report a chemical biology approach to develop a bitopic ligand for the RORγt NR, enabling concomitant engagement of both binding pockets. Three candidate bitopic ligands, Bit-L15, Bit-L9, and Bit-L4, comprising an orthosteric and allosteric RORγt pharmacophore linked via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to examine the influence of linker length on the RORγt binding mode. Bit-L15 and Bit-L9 show convincing evidence of concomitant engagement of both RORγt binding pockets, while the shorter Bit-L4 does not show this evidence, as was anticipated during the ligand design. As the most potent bitopic RORγt ligand, Bit-L15, antagonizes RORγt function in a potent manner in both a biochemical and cellular context. Furthermore, Bit-L15 displays an increased selectivity for RORγt over RORα and PPARγ compared to the purely orthosteric and allosteric parent compounds. Combined, these results highlight potential advantages of bitopic NR modulation over monovalent targeting strategies.

Effects of an Adenosine Receptor Bitopic Ligand on The Cardiovascular System

Adenosine regulates physiological and pathophysiological processes via the activation of four G‐protein coupled receptors identified as the A1, A2A, A2B and A3 receptors. All of these receptors are known to be involved in regulation of the cardiovascular system [1]. Recently, we described the effects of A1‐receptor selective agonists and the novel A1‐receptor bitopic ligand VCP746 on the rat cardiovascular system [2]. Here, we assess the haemodynamic responses of VCP746 in the presence and absence of selective A2A and A2B‐receptor antagonists (SCH58261 and PSB1115, respectively).As described previously [3], under anaesthetic, rats were instrumented with miniature pulsed Doppler flow probes for the measurement of vascular conductance at the renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds. Intra‐arterial and intra‐venous catheters were implanted for measurement of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and drug administration, respectively. All procedures were carried out with approval of the University of Nottingham Animal Welfare Ethical Review Board, under Home Office Project and Personal License Authority.Experimental studies were conducted in conscious, freely‐moving rats. All compounds were prepared in a propylene glycol (PEG) buffer (5% PEG, 2% Tween, 0.9% saline). A 0.1ml bolus of SCH58261 (1.0 mg/kg), PSB1115 (10mg/kg) or vehicle was administered 10 minutes prior to increasing doses of VCP746 (6, 20, 60 μg/kg/min). Doses of VCP746 were administered as 3 minute infusions over a total of 9 minutes at an infusion rate of 0.1 ml/min.VCP746 produced tachycardic effects, which were associated with renal and mesenteric vasodilatations (Figure). There was little effect in the hindquarter vascular bed and MAP was not significantly affected (Figure). The haemodynamic effects of VCP746 were partially antagonised by SCH58261 and PSB1115 fully attenuated haemodynamic responses to VCP746.This study suggests that VCP746, the A1‐receptor bitopic ligand, mediates haemodynamic responses through the activation of the A2‐receptors, particularly the A2B‐receptor, rather than the A1‐receptor. This has implications for the design of bitopic ligands in the future.Support or Funding InformationWe would like to thank the BHF and COMPARE for funding.Cardiovascular responses to VCP746. Rats were dosed with either PSB1115 (0.1 ml bolus dose of 10 mg/kg i.v., n=8) or vehicle (0.1 ml bolus PEG buffer, n=8). Approximately 10 min later, all animals received an infusion of VCP746 (6, 20, and 60 μg/kg/min; each dose infused over 3 minutes). Data presented as mean ± SEM. *P &lt; 0.05 versus baseline (Friedman test). A Wilcoxon test for integrated area under or above curve analysis was used for comparisons between groups (♯ P&lt;0.05).Figure 1

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Analysis, and DFT Calculations of Molecular Copper(II) Chloride Complexes with Bitopic Ligand 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane

Two binuclear coordination compounds of Cu(II) chloride with the bitopic ligand 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (Pz4) of the composition [Cu2(µ2Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]·4H2O and [Cu2(µ2Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]∙2DMSO were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and powder diffraction analysis. It was shown that in contrast to silver(I) and copper(II) nitrates, copper(II) chloride forms discrete complexes instead of coordination polymers. The supramolecular structure of the complex [Cu2(µ2Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]·4H2O with lattice water molecules is formed by OH···Cl and OH···O hydrogen bonds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of vibrational frequencies of the ligand and its copper(II) complex allowed for assigning IR bands to specific vibrations.

The PKC inhibitor BimI functions as a bi‐topic ligand that toggles a conserved allosteric switch to drive potent kinase inhibition

ATP‐competitive small‐molecule kinase inhibitors (SMKIs) are viewed primarily from the lens of tight and specific binding to the conserved catalytic domain. The allosteric effects of ATP‐competitive SMKIs are generally ignored, despite evidence that they can influence the potency and selectivity of kinase inhibition. We have recently showed that the ATP‐competitive PKC inhibitor BimI can displace substrate binding leading to potent inhibition of the kinase (Sommese and Sivaramakrishnan, JBC, 2016). In this study, we examine the substrate‐competitive behavior of a range of SMKIs derived from staurosporine and nucleotide analogs. We find that BimI functions like a bi‐topic ligand that acts on both the orthosteric ATP binding pocket and a remote allosteric site that determines overall kinase conformation. Combining novel FRET‐based sensors and multi‐scale MD simulations we identify a novel, conserved structural mechanism that regulates substrate binding in protein kinases. Bi‐topic ligands such as BimI disrupt a conserved ionic‐lock that drives global reorganization of the kinase domain through long‐range allosteric pathways that connect the N‐ and C‐terminal lobes. Together our studies identify a novel allosteric switch that regulates substrate binding in protein kinases that can be leveraged to develop highly selective kinase inhibitors.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

A Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Bitopic N6-Substituted Adenosine Derivatives as Biased Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonists

The adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) is a potential novel therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, to date, clinical translation of prototypical A1AR agonists has been hindered due to dose limiting adverse effects. Recently, we demonstrated that the biased bitopic agonist 1, consisting of an adenosine pharmacophore linked to an allosteric moiety, could stimulate cardioprotective A1AR signaling in the absence of unwanted bradycardia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the structure-activity relationship of compound 1 biased agonism. A series of novel derivatives of 1 were synthesized and pharmacologically profiled. Modifications were made to the orthosteric adenosine pharmacophore, linker, and allosteric 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophene pharmacophore to probe the structure-activity relationships, particularly in terms of biased signaling, as well as A1AR activity and subtype selectivity. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the allosteric moiety, particularly the 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl substituent of the thiophene scaffold, is important in conferring bitopic ligand bias at the A1AR.

The E2.65A mutation disrupts dynamic binding poses of SB269652 at the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors.

The dopamine D2 and D3 receptors (D2R and D3R) are important targets for antipsychotics and for the treatment of drug abuse. SB269652, a bitopic ligand that simultaneously binds both the orthosteric binding site (OBS) and a secondary binding pocket (SBP) in both D2R and D3R, was found to be a negative allosteric modulator. Previous studies identified Glu2.65 in the SBP to be a key determinant of both the affinity of SB269652 and the magnitude of its cooperativity with orthosteric ligands, as the E2.65A mutation decreased both of these parameters. However, the proposed hydrogen bond (H-bond) between Glu2.65 and the indole moiety of SB269652 is not a strong interaction, and a structure activity relationship study of SB269652 indicates that this H-bond may not be the only element that determines its allosteric properties. To understand the structural basis of the observed phenotype of E2.65A, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations with a cumulative length of ~77 μs of D2R and D3R wild-type and their E2.65A mutants bound to SB269652. In combination with Markov state model analysis and by characterizing the equilibria of ligand binding modes in different conditions, we found that in both D2R and D3R, whereas the tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety of SB269652 is stably bound in the OBS, the indole-2-carboxamide moiety is dynamic and only intermittently forms H-bonds with Glu2.65. Our results also indicate that the E2.65A mutation significantly affects the overall shape and size of the SBP, as well as the conformation of the N terminus. Thus, our findings suggest that the key role of Glu2.65 in mediating the allosteric properties of SB269652 extends beyond a direct interaction with SB269652, and provide structural insights for rational design of SB269652 derivatives that may retain its allosteric properties.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Thermal Stability of 1D Linear Silver(I) Coordination Polymers with 1,1,2,2-Tetra(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane

Two new linear silver(I) nitrate coordination polymers with bitopic ligand 1,1,2,2-tetra(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane were synthesized. Synthesized compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. Silver coordination polymers demonstrated a yellow emission near 500 nm upon excitation at 360 nm. Crystal structures of coordination polymers were determined and structural peculiarities are discussed. In both of the structures, silver ions are connected via bridging ligand molecules to form polymeric chains with a five-atomic environment. The coordination environment of the central atom corresponds to a distorted trigonal bipyramid with two N atoms of different ligands in apical positions. The Ag–N bond distances vary in a wide range of 2.31–2.62 Å, giving strongly distorted metallacycles. Thermolysis of coordination polymers in reductive atmosphere (H2/He) leads to the formation of silver nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution.

Composition Space Analysis in the Development of Copper Molybdate Hybrids Decorated by a Bifunctional Pyrazolyl/1,2,4-Triazole Ligand.

A bitopic ligand, 4-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hpz-tr) (1), containing two different heterocyclic moieties was employed for the design of copper(II)-molybdate solids under hydrothermal conditions. In the multicomponent Cu(II)/Hpz-tr/Mo(VI) system, a diverse set of coordination hybrids, [Cu(Hpz-tr)2SO4]·3H2O (2), [Cu(Hpz-tr)Mo3O10] (3), [Cu4(OH)4(Hpz-tr)4Mo8O26]·6H2O (4), [Cu(Hpz-tr)2Mo4O13] (5), and [Mo2O6(Hpz-tr)]·H2O (6), was prepared and characterized. A systematic investigation of these systems in the form of a ternary crystallization diagram approach was utilized to show the influence of the molar ratios of starting reagents, the metal (Cu(II) and Mo(VI)) sources, the temperature, etc., on the reaction products outcome. Complexes 2-4 dominate throughout a wide crystallization range of the composition triangle, while the other two compounds 5 and 6 crystallize as minor phases in a narrow concentration range. In the crystal structures of 2-6, the organic ligand behaves as a short [N-N]-triazole linker between metal centers Cu···Cu in 2-4, Cu···Mo in 5, and Mo···Mo in 6, while the pyrazolyl function remains uncoordinated. This is the reason for the exceptional formation of low-dimensional coordination motifs: 1D for 2, 4, and 6 and 2D for 3 and 5. In all cases, the pyrazolyl group is involved in H bonding (H-donor/H-acceptor) and is responsible for π-π stacking, thus connecting the chain and layer structures in more complicated H-bonding architectures. These compounds possess moderate thermal stability up to 250-300 °C. The magnetic measurements were performed for 2-4, revealing in all three cases antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between neighboring Cu(II) centers and long-range order with a net moment below Tc of 13 K for compound 4.