Transmetalation Research Articles

Synthesis, structural determination, and antibacterial studies of Silver(I) and Gold(I) benzimidazolylidene complexes with N-tert-butylacetyl fragments

A standard and reliable methodology was used to synthesize the chloride benzimidazolium symmetric salt 1,3-bis(2-tert-butoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium chloride, [(AcO-t-Bu)2BzIm]Cl (1) by employing 1H-benzimidazole and tert-butyl 2-chloroacetate as starting materials. Following the silver oxide route, the compound [{Ag(μ-Cl)(NHC)}2] (2) {NHC = (AcO-t-Bu)2BzIm} was obtained as a dimer, and through transmetalation reactions from [AuCl(SMe2)], two benzimidazolylidene N–heterocyclic carbene gold complexes were obtained using different stoichiometric ratios. Complex [AuCl(NHC)] (3) is a monocarbene species, while [Au(NHC)2][AgCl2] (4) is a biscarbene gold complex having a dichloroargentate anion. All complex structures have been elucidated through multinuclear NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy, HRMS, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography.The antibacterial capacity of the synthesized metallic compounds was evaluated in vitro versus Gram-positives, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. faecalis, and Gram-negatives, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. typhi bacteria by Kirby-Bauer and MIC methods. The Kirby-Bauer experiments revealed that all compounds exhibited good antibacterial activity versus all bacterial strains. Silver compound 2 showed higher results against E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi than the antibiotic. Gold complex 3 showed the highest antibacterial activity versus S. aureus and intermediate activity versus E. faecalis and S. typhi, and compound 4 showed only its best inhibition effect against E. faecalis and S. typhi and a slight upgrade against P. aeruginosa, revealing that no significant differences are having the two kinds of metal atoms. The preliminary results of MIC values for the bacteria tested were 8-13 μg/ml for 2 and 9-16 μg/ml for 3.

Mono-β-diketonate Metal Complexes of the First Transition Series.

Mono-β-diketonate compounds have been fleetingly observed in base metal catalyzed reactions, which are of current interest as alternatives to precious metal catalyzed reactions. Their isolation has been challenging due to synthetic and structural limitations of acac-type ligands, leading to the development of a related NacNac ligand platform. Herein we report the synthesis of a β-diketone capable of kinetically stabilizing relevant catalytic intermediates. Their efficient synthesis requires isolable acyl triflate and lithium enolate reactants. Further, the syntheses of several transmetalation salts are reported and used in transmetalation reactions with a series of late, first-row transition metal compounds (FeII, CoII, NiII, CuI, CuII) of interest in base metal catalysis. In all, a dozen single-crystal XRD structures are reported, among other methods of characterization (i.e., IR, UV-vis, NMR, HRMS). The majority of the compounds present as mono-β-diketonate small-molecule bridged dimers. They serve as effective precatalysts and are accurately modeled by DFT calculations, validating the use of computational methods for determining structures and mechanisms. Their reactivity with various small molecules and solvents is also described. The utility of bis(2,6-dimesitylbenzoyl)methane (L) as a supporting ancillary ligand and a tool for further rational development of this class of ligands is discussed.

Gold(I) complexes of the type [AuL{κC-2-C6H4P(S)Ph2}] [L = PTA, PPh3, PPh2(C6H4-3-SO3Na) and PPh2(2-py)]: Synthesis, characterisation, crystal structures, and In Vitro and In Vivo anticancer properties

Four new mononuclear gold (I) compounds of the type [AuL{κC-2-C6H4P(S)Ph2}] {L = PTA (1), PPh3 (2), PPh2(C6H4-3-SO3Na) (3), and PPh2(2-py) (4)} were prepared by scission of the dinuclear compound [Au2{μ-2-C6H4P(S)Ph2}2] by L or via a transmetalation reaction using the organotin reagent 2-Me3SnC6H4P(S)Ph2 and a suitable gold halide precursor. The cytotoxic potential of complexes 1–4 was evaluated against four human cancer cell lines of diverse cellular origin: cervical (HeLa), prostate (PC-3), non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (A549), and fibrosarcoma (HT-1080). The in vitro cytotoxicity results showed that 1 demonstrated exceptional anticancer activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 3.5 μM. Complex 3, which contains a sulfonated triphenyl phosphine ligand, displayed the weakest anticancer activity with IC50 values ranging from 3.1 to >50 μM. When compared to the standard chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin, 1 displayed approximately 27-fold greater cytotoxic activity against cervical cancer cells and 3.5- and 7.5-fold greater activities against prostate and fibrosarcoma cancer cells, respectively. Additionally, 1 exhibited 3-fold selectivity for cervical cancer cells compared to non-cancerous HEK-293 cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that 1 induced apoptosis, which was associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of the intracellular enzyme thioredoxin reductase. Furthermore, 1 exhibited notable antiangiogenic characteristics in an in vivo model using transgenic zebrafish Tg(fli1a:EGFP). In vivo studies using mouse xenograft models showed that complex 1 displayed superior inhibition of tumour growth (82 %) compared to the clinical drug cisplatin (29 %). Overall, these results highlight the potential of gold (I) compounds as novel antitumour agents.

Palladium(II)-Indenyl Complexes Bearing N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligands as Potent and Selective Metallodrugs toward High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Models.

In this study, we synthesized novel Pd(II)-indenyl complexes using various N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, including chelating NHC-picolyl, NHC-thioether, and diNHC ligands, and two monodentate NHCs. Transmetalation reactions between a Pd(II)-indenyl precursor and silver-NHC complexes were generally employed, except for chelating diNHC derivatives, which required direct reaction with bisimidazolium salts and potassium carbonate. Characterization included NMR, HRMS analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In vitro on five ovarian cancer cell lines showed notable cytotoxicity, with IC50 values in the micro- and submicromolar range. Some compounds exhibited intriguing selectivity for cancer cells due to higher tumor cell uptake. Mechanistic studies revealed that monodentate NHCs induced mitochondrial damage while chelating ligands caused DNA damage. One chelating NHC-picolyl ligand showed promising cytotoxicity and selectivity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer models, supporting its consideration for preclinical study.

Phenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Ratiometric Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoprobe for Selective Tracking of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ in Aqueous Media and Living Cells.

The development of appropriate molecular tools to monitor different mercury speciation, especially CH3Hg+, in living organisms is attractive because its persistent accumulation and toxicity are very harmful to human health. Herein, we develop a novel activity-based ratiometric SERS nanoprobe to selectively monitor Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ in aqueous media and in vivo. In this nanoprobe, a new bifunctional Raman probe bis-s-s'-[(s)-(4-(ethylcarbamoyl)phenyl)boronic acid] (b-(s)-EPBA) was synthesized and immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles via a Au-S bond, in which the phenylboronic acid group was employed as the recognition unit for Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ based on the Hg-promoted transmetalation reaction. In the presence of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+, a new surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peak aroused from of C-Hg appeared at 1080 cm-1, and the SERS intensity at 1002 cm-1 belonged to the B-O symmetric stretching decreased simultaneously. The quantitative tracking of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ was realized based on the SERS intensity ratio (I1080/I1303) with rapid response (∼4 min) and high sensitivity, with detection limits of 10.05 and 25.13 nM, respectively. Moreover, the SERS sensor was used for the quantitative detection of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ in four actual water samples with a high accuracy and excellent recovery. More importantly, cell imaging experiments showed that AuNPs@b-(s)-EPBA could quantitatively detect intracellular CH3Hg+ and had a good concentration dependence in ratiometric SERS imaging. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that AuNPs@b-(s)-EPBA could detect and image CH3Hg+ in zebrafish. We anticipate that AuNPs@b-(s)-EPBA could potentially be used to study the physiological functions related to CH3Hg+ in the future.

Low Vapor Pressure Solvents for Single-Molecule Junction Measurements.

Nonpolar solvents commonly used in scanning tunneling microscope-based break junction measurements exhibit hazards and relatively low boiling points (bp) that limit the scope of solution experiments at elevated temperatures. Here we show that low toxicity, ultrahigh bp solvents such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (bp = 417 °C) and squalane (457 °C) can be used to probe molecular junctions at ≥100 °C. With these, we extend solvent- and temperature-dependent conductance trends for junction components such as 4,4'-bipyridine and thiomethyl-terminated oligophenylenes and reveal the gold snapback distance is larger at 100 °C due to increased surface atom mobility. We further show the rate of surface transmetalation and homocoupling reactions using phenylboronic acids increases at 100 °C, while junctions comprising anticipated boroxine condensation products form only at room temperature in an anhydrous glovebox atmosphere. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of low vapor pressure solvents for the comprehensive characterization of junction properties and chemical reactivity at the single-molecule limit.

Redox transmetallation reaction mediated synthesis of Ni-Pd bimetallic nanocatalyst for pesticide degradation to value added product

In this work a wet-chemical recipe has been accounted for the synthesis of bimetallic Ni-Pd nanostructures at ambient condition involving pre-synthesized nickel nanoparticles and aqueous tetrachloropalladate, [PdCl4]2- solution. The Galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) starts instantaneously between less noble Ni0 nanoparticle i.e., zero valent nickel (ZVN) and more noble [PdCl4]2-. Thus ZVN is oxidatively etched out as soluble Ni2+ by more noble [PdCl4]2- depositing Pd0 onto the residual ZVN. Concurrently the Ni2+ ions move outwardly into the bulk solution and the Pd0enters into the inwardly fashion owing to their different diffusivities and results in the formation of hollow bimetallic nanostructures following diffusion limited nanoscale Kirkendall effect. Finally, the bimetallic nanomaterial was shown to be a competent heterogeneous catalyst for facile hydrolytic degradation of an organothiophosphate pesticide, methyl parathion (MP). After the completion of the degradation, the degraded product, 4-nitrophenolate (4-NP) was subsequently reduced to 4-aminophenolate (4-AP) in the same reaction pot in presence of the same catalyst using borohydride. 4-AP is the principal ingredient for the production of the medicine paracetamol. Hence the bimetallic Ni-Pd nanoparticles turn out to be a promising heterogeneous catalyst for water pollution abatement through pesticide degradation vis-à-vis generation of value added product out of the degraded product of the pesticide.

Facile Synthesis of Rigid Binuclear Manganese Complexes for Magnetic Resonance Angiography and SLC39A14-Mediated Hepatic Imaging.

Manganese(II)-based contrast agents (MBCAs) are potential candidates for gadolinium-free enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this work, a rigid binuclear MBCA (Mn2-PhDTA2) with a zero-length linker was developed via facile synthetic routes, while the other dimer (Mn2-TPA-PhDTA2) with a longer rigid linker was also synthesized via more complex steps. Although the molecular weight of Mn2-PhDTA2 is lower than that of Mn2-TPA-PhDTA2, their T1 relaxivities are similar, being increased by over 71% compared to the mononuclear Mn-PhDTA. In the presence of serum albumin, the relaxivity of Mn2-PhDTA2 was slightly lower than that of Mn2-TPA-PhDTA2, possibly due to the lower affinity constant. The transmetalation reaction with copper(II) ions confirmed that Mn2-PhDTA2 has an ideal kinetic inertness with a dissociation half-life of approximately 10.4 h under physiological conditions. In the variable-temperature 17O NMR study, both Mn-PhDTA and Mn2-PhDTA2 demonstrated a similar estimated q close to 1, indicating the formation of monohydrated complexes with each manganese(II) ion. In addition, Mn2-PhDTA2 demonstrated a superior contrast enhancement to Mn-PhDTA in in vivo vascular and hepatic MRI and can be rapidly cleared through a dual hepatic and renal excretion pattern. The hepatic uptake mechanism of Mn2-PhDTA2 mediated by SLC39A14 was validated in cellular uptake studies.

New silver, rhodium and iridium complexes with anthracene-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: Crystal structures, cytotoxicity and fluorescence studies

In the present study, we have synthesized anthracene-functionalized metal complexes to investigate their cytotoxicity and photophysical properties. In this context, firstly, an Ag–NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complex (2a) has been synthesized by the interaction of Ag2O and N-(2-methylbenzyl)-N-((anthracen-9-yl)methyl)benzimidazolium chloride (1a). Corresponding Rh– (3a) and Ir–NHC (4a) complexes have also been synthesized by the transmetalation reaction between 2a and corresponding metal compounds. Additionally, for comparison purposes, an ether-functionalized Ag–NHC complex (2b) with N-(methoxyethyl)-N-((anthracene-9-yl)methyl)benzimidazole-2-ylidene ligand, and [AgL2]NO3 type complex (2c) with a N-coordinated N-((anthracen-9-yl)methyl)benzimidazole ligand have been synthesized. All complexes have been characterized by the combination of NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. Moreover, solid state structures of 2a, 2b and 4a have been determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Cytotoxic potentials of all compounds have been tested against human lung adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) using the MTT assay, and all complexes performed strong anti-proliferative activity. Stability studies have disclosed that only 1a and 2c are able to retain their structure in the culture medium (DMEM) that biological assays were carried out. Photophysical measurements revealed that all compounds have similar emission bands because of the conjugation of anthracene group. Finally, 1a and 2c have been visualized by fluorescence confocal microscopy to investigate cellular uptake and subcellular distribution of the complexes, and the findings indicated that both compounds dispersed along the cell membranes nuclear regions.

Exploring the energetics of Suzuki cross-coupling reaction: A computational study of palladium and nickel catalysts

The present study employed density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling reaction using single atom catalysis (SAC) via palladium or nickel. The reaction barriers for chloride bond cleavage in phenyl chloride were found to be 34.68 kJ/mol and 24.24 kJ/mol for palladium and nickel catalysts, respectively. During the transmetalation process, the energy barrier for boronic acid release from phenyl trihydroxyboronate using SAC via palladium and SAC via nickel was calculated to be 74.17 kJ/mol and 65.22 kJ/mol, respectively. The results indicated that in the oxidative addition and transmetalation reactions, the SAC via nickel outperforms the SAC via palladium, while the SAC via palladium excels in the reductive elimination reaction. These findings suggest the effectiveness of a SAC via nickel as a substitute for SAC via palladium in the synthesis of biphenyls in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.

Preparation, X-ray Characterization, and Reactivity of the Rod-like and Angular Germanium- and Titanium(IV)-Capped Iron(II) Bis-Clathrochelates and Their Mono- and Bis-Capped (Semi)clathrochelate Precursors.

Transmetalation of the bis{triethylantimony(V)}-capped iron(II) tris-α-dioximate with n-butylboronic acid afforded the mixed antimony, boron cross-linked clathrochelate with single reactive antimony(V)-based apical fragment. This macrobicyclic precursor easily underwent the transmetalation reactions with germanium and titanium(IV) alkoxides to give the rod-like and angular FeII2MIV-trinuclear bis-clathrochelates. Those of the aforementioned diantimony(V)-capped complex with 3- and 4-carboxyphenylboronic acids afforded the monoboron-capped iron(II) semiclathrochelates, undergoing a double-cyclization (macrobicyclization) with germanium- and titanium(IV)-based capping agents. The reactions in the low-temperature range unexpectedly gave the stable 2:1 associates, formed by the bridging of two carboxyl-terminated macrobicyclic molecules of the mixed carboxylboron, triethylantimony-capped iron(II) clathrochelate with a triethylantimony(V)-based linker fragment. The obtained complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF, 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and UV-vis spectra, and single-crystal XRD experiments. The encapsulated iron(II) ion in their 3D-molecules is situated almost in the center of its FeN6-coordination polyhedron possessing a truncated trigonal-pyramidal geometry. Fe-N distances fall in the range 1.887(7)-1.945(4) Å characteristic of the low-spin iron(II) complexes. The cross-linking titanium and germanium(IV) ions in the corresponding bis-clathrochelate molecules form the octahedral MIVO6-coordination polyhedra, the MIV-O distances of which vary from 1.946(2) to 1.964(2) Å and from 1.879(7) to 1.907(6) Å, respectively.

Stannylenes and Germylenes Stabilized by Tetradentate Bis(amidine) Ligands with a Rigid Naphthalene Backbone.

An unusual series of germylenes and stannylenes stabilized by new tetradentate bis(amidine) ligands RNC(R')N-linker-NC(R')NR with a rigid naphthalene backbone has been prepared by protonolysis reaction of Lappert's metallylenes [M(HMDS)2] (M = Ge or Sn). Germylenes and stannylenes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. DFT calculations have been performed to clarify the structural and electronic properties associated with tetradentate bis(amidine) ligands. Stannylene L1Sn shows reactivity through oxidation, oxidative addition, and transmetalation reactions, affording the corresponding gallium and aluminum derivatives.

Twinned versus linked organometallics - bimetallic "half-baguette" pentalenide complexes of Rh(I).

The application of Mg[Ph4Pn] and Li·K[Ph4Pn] in transmetalation reactions to a range of Rh(I) precursors led to the formation of "half-baguette" anti-[RhI(L)n]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] (L = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, norbornadiene, ethylene; n = 1, 2) and syn-[RhI(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] complexes as well as the related iridium complex anti-[IrI(COD)]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn]. With CO exclusive syn metalation was obtained even when using mono-nuclear Rh(I) precursors, indicating an electronic preference for syn metalation. DFT analysis showed this to be the result of π overlap between the adjacent M(CO)2 units which overcompensates for dz2 repulsion of the metals, an effect which can be overridden by steric clash of the auxiliary ligands to yield anti-configuration as seen in the larger olefin complexes. syn-[RhI(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] is a rare example of a twinned organometallic where the two metals are held flexibly in close proximity, but the two d8 Rh(I) centres did not show signs of M-M bonding interactions or exhibit Lewis basic behaviour as in some related mono-nuclear Cp complexes due to the acceptor properties of the ligands. The ligand substitution chemistry of syn-[RhI(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] was investigated with a series of electronically and sterically diverse donor ligands (P(OPh)3, P(OMe)3, PPh3, PMe3, dppe) yielding new mono- and bis-substituted complexes, with E-syn-[RhI(CO)(P{OR})3]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] (R = Me, Ph) characterised by XRD.

New sugar-incorporated N-heterocyclic carbene precursors and their Ag(I) and Pd(II) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies

In the present work, a new series of sugar-incorporated N-heterocyclic carbene precursors namely 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl]imidazolium bromide (7a), 4-methyl-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl]imidazolium bromide (7b), 4,5-diphenyl-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl]imidazolium bromide (7c), and 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl]benzimidazolium bromide (8) were synthesized by the direct reaction of the N-alkylated benzimidazoles with 2-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-ethyl bromide. Ag(I)–NHC complexes (9a-c, 10) of the abovementioned precursors were synthesized by in-situ reaction with Ag2O in light-excluded conditions. The transmetallation reaction technique was used to synthesize Pd(II)–NHC complexes (11a-c, 12) by the reaction of [PdCl2(MeCN)2] with corresponding Ag(I)–NHC complexes. All NHC precursors and their corresponding Ag(I) and Pd(II) complexes were spectrally characterized using 1H &13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. Further, Pd(II) complexes were evaluated for their anticancer activity against eight diverse cancer cell lines, namely; Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (Capan-1), Colorectal Carcinoma (HCT-116), Glioblastoma (LN229), Lung Carcinoma (NCI-H1975), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (DND-41), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (HL-60), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (K562), and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Z138). Standard antineoplastic drugs docetaxel and etoposide were included as reference compounds. Among the tested complexes, complex 11c displayed broad activity against all tested cancer types, albeit at higher concentrations when compared to the reference drugs.

Alkenylcopper Reagents Prepared from Stereodefined Alkenylboronate Esters. Reaction with Allylic Halides as a Convenient Route to Stereodefined 1,4-Dienes

The stereo-defined synthesis of 1,4-dienes based on in situ generated stereo-defined alkenylcopper reagents is presented. The hydroboration of alkynes with dibromoborane-methyl sulfide complex followed by treatment with trimethylene glycol provides stable (E)-1-alkenylboronate esters. These boronate esters readily undergo “ate” complexes with a hindered base such as potassium-tert.-butoxide. The transmetalation of the alkenyl group from boron to copper via the “ate” complexes retains the original stereochemistry defined from the starting alkenylboronate esters. The effect of representative bases on stereodefined alkenylboronate esters and subsequent reaction of these boronate esters in the transmetalation reaction with copper(I) bromidemethyl sulfide is investigated. The resulting stereo-defined alkenyl copper species generated in situ readily couple with allylic bromide to give the corresponding 1,4-dienes with retention of stereochemistry. Since (Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters are easily accessible, both cisand trans-isomeric 1,4-dienes are synthesized.

Binuclear Macrocyclic Silver(I) Complex of a Bis(carbone) Pincer Ligand: Synthesis and Application as a Carbone-Transfer Agent.

A facile synthesis of a binuclear AgI complex 2 of a bis(carbone) ligand L and its application as a carbone-transfer agent for the generation of other transition-metal complexes of AuI (3), NiII (4), and PdII (5) is presented. Complex 2 was synthesized through multiple synthetic routes under mild reaction conditions using the tetracationic [LH4][OTf·Cl]2 precursor salt, the dicationic [LH2][OTf]2 ylide salt, and the free ligand L. The first two synthesis routes require no prior isolation of the air-, moisture-, and temperature-sensitive free ligand L, thus affording complex 2 with high yield and purity. Multinuclear NMR techniques, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the identity of complex 2 as a binuclear AgI complex of L with a molecular formula of [L2Ag2][OTf]2 and a 16-membered-ring metallomacrocyclic structure. During the transmetalation reaction with AuI, the binuclear nature of complex 2 remains intact to give analogous complex 3 ([L2Au2][OTf]2). However, the dimeric structure was disrupted upon the carbone-transfer reaction with NiII and PdII, yielding mononuclear C-N-C pincer-type complexes 4 ([LNiCl][OTf]) and 5 ([LPdCl][OTf]), respectively. These results demonstrated the versatile use of complex 2 as a carbone-transfer agent to other transition metals regardless of the type or size of the metals or the geometry they prefer.

Reactions involving the central cavity of porphyrin molecules attached to self-assembled monolayers

In this work we studied the metalation, transmetalation and demetalation reactions of protoporphyrin (PPIX) molecules attached to self-assembled monolayers (SAM) grown over Au(111) surfaces at the solid/liquid interface. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we found that when the molecules attached to the SAM are immersed in Cu2+ or Zn2+ containing solutions, the degree of metalation is larger for Cu2+ than for Zn2+. Furthermore, when ZnPPIX molecules attached to the SAM are placed in contact with a Cu2+ solution the partial exchange of Zn ions with Cu ions at the porphyrin central cavity is observed. This suggests that insertion of Cu2+ to form CuPPIX is both kinetically and thermodynamically favored over the insertion of Zn2+ in agreement with the solution chemistry of the molecules. Finally, unlike the behavior in solution, Zn and CuPPIX molecules attached to the amino terminated SAMs are more stable against demetalation in acidic conditions. We attribute this difference to the competing protonation of the amine terminal groups. Our results could be useful for the design of molecular devices based on porphyrins that are exposed to liquid interfaces.

Ruthenium, rhodium and iridium complexes of a silyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and their catalytic performance in hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes

Herein, [Ru(NHC)(p-cymene)Cl2] (3) and [MCl(NHC)(cod)] (M=Rh (4) or Ir (5)) (cod=1,5‒cyclooctadiene) complexes of a silyl‒substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (NHC) have been prepared by the transmetalation reaction between Ag‒NHC (2) and corresponding starting metal compound. The characterization of the complexes has been completed by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Solid state structures of Ag- (2) and Rh-NHC (4) have also been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. [RhCl(NHC)(CO)2] type bis-carbonyl complex (6) has also been prepared and CO stretching frequencies pointed the strong σ‒donor ability of the silyl-substituted NHC. The catalytic activity of all complexes have been examined in hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes. Among the complexes, Ir-NHC has been found out as active catalyst with around 90% conversion and β‒(Z) selectivity at room temperature. Further studies revealed that this complex is able to maintain its stability in catalytic reaction conditions, chemoselective to alkynes in the presence of alkenes, and operable in scale-up reactions. In contrast, bis-carbonyl Rh-NHC performed 82% β‒(Z) selectivity with full conversion of alkyne in first 4 h of reaction, but when reaction time was extended to 24 h, almost all β‒(Z) vinylsilane isomerised to thermodynamically more stable β‒(E).

Cytotoxic potential of silver, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium complexes of a cycloheptyl-substituted lipophilic N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Lipophilicity is a crucial parameter for cytotoxicity of metal complexes, in many cases associated with increased activity. In the present study, we synthesized a series of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of different metals with a lipophilic benzimidazolium chloride to investigate and compare their cytotoxicity. Rh– (4), Ru– (5), and Ir–NHC (6) complexes of a cycloheptyl-substituted benzimidazole-based NHC ligand (1) have been prepared by transmetalation reaction between Ag–NHC and the corresponding metal compound. The newly synthesized complexes have been characterized by NMR, IR, LC-MS spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. The anti-growth effects of the newly synthesized Rh–, Ru–, and Ir–NHC complexes and previously reported NHC precursor (1), Ag– (2), and Pd–NHC (3) complexes against human breast (MCF-7), colorectal (Caco-2), ovarian (A2780), and prostate (LNCaP) cancer cell lines have been investigated by MTT assay. The results revealed that the compounds provide stronger anti-growth effects against all cell lines compared to standard drug cisplatin. Among the compounds, benzimidazolium chloride, and Ag–NHC complex showed promising activities.

α‐C−H Arylation of N‐Sulfonyl Amines by Dual Palladium Catalysis

AbstractFunctionalization of C(sp3)−H bonds adjacent to a nitrogen atom is an efficient means of preparing structurally complex amines and has long been of interest to synthetic chemists. Herein, dual palladium catalysis is used to achieve α‐C−H arylation of linear N‐sulfonyl amines with aryl boroxines, rather than N‐arylation (C−N bond formation). This method has a broad scope with respect to both the amine and the boroxine, providing convenient access to α‐branched amines. During the dehydrogenation step of the catalytic cycle, bromobenzene accepts a hydride from the α‐carbon on the amine, producing an imine that subsequently undergoes Pd‐catalyzed C‐arylation with the boroxine. Mechanistic studies revealed that imine arylation proceeds through an unusual Pd0/PdII catalytic cycle, in which oxidative cyclization of a palladium η2‐imine complex generates a three‐membered palladacycle that subsequently undergoes transmetallation reaction with the boroxine.