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The synthesis and characterization of nine Schiff bases of pyrazolone ligands HL n ( n = 1-9) and the corresponding zinc(II) complexes 1 - 9 of composition [Zn(L n ) 2 ] ( n = 1-9) are reported. The molecular structures of complexes 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , and 9 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, highlighting in all cases a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the Zn(II) ion. Density functional theory studies are performed on both the HL n ligands and the derived complexes. A mechanism of dissociation and hydrolyzation of the coordinated Schiff base ligands is suggested, confirmed experimentally by powder X-ray diffraction study and photophysical studies. Complexes 1-9 were investigated in vitro as anticancer agents, along with mutant p53 (mutp53) protein levels in human cancer cell lines carrying R175H and R273H mutp53 proteins. Only those complexes with the highest Zn(II) ion release via dissociation have shown a significant cytotoxic activity with reduction of mutp53 protein levels.

Here, we report a new synthetic protocol based on microwave-assisted synthesis (MAS) for the preparation of higher yields of zinc and copper in MOFs based on different bis(pyrazolyl)-tagged ligands ([M(BPZ)] n where M = Zn(II), Cu(II), H 2 BPZ = 4,4'-bipyrazole, [M(BPZ-NH 2 )] n where M = Zn(II), Cu(II); H 2 BPZ-NH 2 = 3-amino-4,4'-bipyrazole, and [M x (Me 4 BPZPh)] where M = Zn(II), x = 1; Cu(II), x = 2; H 2 Me 4 BPZPh = bis-4'-(3',5'-dimethyl)-pyrazolylbenzene) and, for the first time, a detailed study of their antibacterial activity, tested against Gram-negative ( E. coli ) and Gram-positive ( S. aureus ) bacteria, as representative agents of infections. The results show that all MOFs exert a broad-spectrum activity and strong efficiency in bacterial growth inhibition, with a mechanism of action based on the surface contact of MOF particles with bacterial cells through the so-called "chelation effect" and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, without a significant release of Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions. In addition, morphological changes were elucidated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and bacterial cell damage was further confirmed by a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) test.

A series of Ga(Q n ) 3 coordination compounds have been synthesized, where HQ n is 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-RC(═O)-pyrazolo-5-one. The complexes have been characterized through analytical data, NMR and IR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) studies. Cytotoxic activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with interesting results in terms of both cell line selectivity and toxicity values compared with cisplatin. The mechanism of action was explored by spectrophotometric, fluorometric, chromatographic, immunometric, and cytofluorimetric assays, SPR biosensor binding studies, and cell-based experiments. Cell treatment with gallium(III) complexes promoted several cell death triggering signals (accumulation of p27, PCNA, PARP fragments, activation of the caspase cascade, and inhibition of the mevalonate pathway) and induced changes in cell redox homeostasis (decreased levels of GSH/GPX4 and NADP(H), increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), mitochondrial damage, and increased activity of CPR and CcO), identifying ferroptosis as the mechanism responsible for cancer cell death.

Two pyrazolone-based hydrazones H 2 L' [in general, H 2 L'; in detail, H 2 L 1 = 5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-(2-phenyl-1-(2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)hydrazineyl)ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3 H -pyrazol-3-one, H 2 L 2 = ( Z )-5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-(2-phenyl-1-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazineyl)ethylidene)-2,4-dihydro-3 H -pyrazol-3-one] were reacted with Zn(II) and Cu(II) acceptors affording the complexes [Zn(HL 1 ) 2 (MeOH) 2 ], [Cu(HL 1 ) 2 ], and [M(HL 2 ) 2 ] (M = Cu or Zn). X-ray and DFT studies showed the free proligands to exist in the N-H,N-H tautomeric form and that in [Zn(HL 1 ) 2 (MeOH) 2 ], zinc is six-coordinated by the N,O-chelated (HL 1 ) ligand and other two oxygen atoms of coordinated methanol molecules, while [Cu(HL 1 ) 2 ] adopts a square planar geometry with the two (HL 1 ) ligands in anti-conformation. Finally, the [M(HL 2 ) 2 ] complexes are octahedral with the two (HL 2 ) ligands acting as κ-O,N,N-donors in planar conformation. Both the proligands and metal complexes were tested against the parasite Trypanosoma brucei and Balb3T3 cells. The Zn(II) complexes were found to be very powerful, more than the starting proligands, while maintaining a good safety level. In detail, H 2 L 1 and its Zn(II) complex have high selective index (55 and >100, respectively) against T. brucei compared to the mammalian Balb/3T3 reference cells. These results encouraged the researchers to investigate the mechanism of action of these compounds that have no structural relations with the already known drugs used against T. brucei . Interestingly, the analysis of NTP and dNTP pools in T. brucei treated by H 2 L 1 and its Zn(II) complex showed that the drugs had a strong impact on the CTP pools, making it likely that CTP synthetase is the targeted enzyme.

Aiming at extending the tagged zinc bipyrazolate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) family, the ligand 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-bipyrazole (3,3'-H 2 L) has been synthesized in good yield. The reaction with zinc(II) acetate hydrate led to the related MOF Zn(3,3'-L). The compound is isostructural with its mono(amino) analogue Zn(BPZNH 2 ) and with Zn(3,5-L), its isomeric parent built with 3,5-diamino-4,4'-bipyrazole. The textural analysis has unveiled its micro-/mesoporous nature, with a BET area of 463 m 2  g -1 . Its CO 2 adsorption capacity (17.4 wt. % CO 2 at p CO2 = 1 bar and T = 298 K) and isosteric heat of adsorption (Q st = 24.8 kJ mol -1 ) are comparable to that of Zn(3,5-L). Both Zn(3,3'-L) and Zn(3,5-L) have been tested as heterogeneous catalysts in the reaction of CO 2 with the epoxides epichlorohydrin and epibromohydrin to give the corresponding cyclic carbonates at T = 393 K and p CO2 = 5 bar under solvent- and co-catalyst-free conditions. In general, the conversions recorded are higher than those found for Zn(BPZNH 2 ), proving that the insertion of an extra amino tag in the pores is beneficial for the epoxidation catalysis. The best catalytic match has been observed for the Zn(3,5-L)/epichlorohydrin couple, with 64 % conversion and a TOF of 5.3 mmol(carbonate) (mmol Zn ) -1  h -1 . To gain better insights on the MOF-epoxide interaction, the crystal structure of the [epibromohydrin@Zn(3,3'-L)] adduct has been solved, confirming the existence of Br⋅⋅⋅(H)-N non-bonding interactions. To our knowledge, this study represents the first structural determination of a [epibromohydrin@MOF] adduct., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Platinum-based compounds are the most widely used anticancer drugs but, their elevated toxicity and chemoresistance has stimulated the study of others, such as ruthenium-based compounds. NAMI-A and UNICAM-1 were tested in vitro, comparing the mechanisms of toxicity, in terms of mitochondrial functionality and cellular oxidative stress. UNICAM-1, showed a clear mitochondrial target and a cytotoxic dose-dependent response thanks to its ability to promote an imbalance of cellular redox status. It impaired directly mitochondrial respiratory chain, promoting mitochondrial superoxide anion production, leading to mitochondrial membrane depolarization. All these aspects, could make UNICAM-1 a valid alternative for chemotherapy treatment of breast cancer., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.)

Three metal-organic frameworks with the general formula Co(BPZX) (BPZX 2- = 3-X-4,4'-bipyrazolate, X = H, NH 2 , NO 2 ) constructed with ligands having different functional groups on the same skeleton have been employed as heterogeneous catalysts for aerobic liquid-phase oxidation of cumene with O 2 as oxidant. O 2 adsorption isotherms collected at p O2 = 1 atm and T = 195 and 273 K have cast light on the relative affinity of these catalysts for dioxygen. The highest gas uptake at 195 K is found for Co(BPZ) (3.2 mmol/g (10.1 wt % O 2 )), in line with its highest BET specific surface area (926 m 2 /g) in comparison with those of Co(BPZNH 2 ) (317 m 2 /g) and Co(BPZNO 2 ) (645 m 2 /g). The O 2 isosteric heat of adsorption ( Q st ) trend follows the order Co(BPZ) > Co(BPZNH 2 ) > Co(BPZNO 2 ) . Interestingly, the selectivity in the cumene oxidation products was found to be dependent on the tag present in the catalyst linker: while cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) is the main product obtained with Co(BPZ) (84% selectivity to CHP after 7 h, p O2 = 4 bar, and T = 363 K), further oxidation to 2-phenyl-2-propanol (PP) is observed in the presence of Co(BPZNH 2 ) as the catalyst (69% selectivity to PP under the same experimental conditions).

Ag(I)-containing ethylcellulose (EC) films suitable as antbacterial packaging materials have been prepared and fully characterized. Different preparation methods, including the use of green casting solvents, are proposed. The Ag(I) acylpyrazolonato complexes, [Ag(Q py,CF3 )(L)], L=benzylimidazole (Bzim) and L=ethylimidazole (EtimH), used as active additives, display different modes of interactions with EC, depending on their structural features. A thorough investigation of the EC liquid-crystalline lyotropic phase and its changes with the introduction of silver additives, has been conducted, revealing either the inclusion of complex molecules into the inner structure of the EC matrix or their dispersion on its surface. Moreover, the bactericidal activity of the prepared Ag(I) films seems to be related to the interaction between silver additives and the polymeric EC matrix. Indeed, the EC-2b films show a particularly good performance even with a low silver content, with a relative bacterial killing of about 100 %. Tests for Ag(I) migration have been performed by using three food stimulants under two assay conditions. Low values of silver release are recorded, particularly at low concentration of silver content, in the case of all new prepared Ag(I) films., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The acylpyrazolone proligands HQ R (HQ R in general, in detail: HQ Cy = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-carbonylcyclohexyl-5-pyrazolone, 4-C(O)-phenyl, HQ Ph = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone, HQ C17 = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-stearoyl-5-pyrazolone, HQ C17,Ph = 1-phenyl-3-stearyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone) were synthesized and reacted with (arene)Ru(II) acceptors affording complexes [(arene)Ru(Q R )Cl] (arene = cymene (cym) or hexamethylbenzene (hmb)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis-Differntial Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA), IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS and 1 H, and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. Complexes [(arene)Ru(Q R )Cl] where Q R = Q C17 and Q C17,Ph , due to the long aliphatic chain in the ligand, afford nanometric dispersions in methanol via self-assembly into micellar aggregates of dimensions 50-200 nm. The antibacterial activity of the complexes was established against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , those containing the ligands with a long aliphatic chain being the most effective. The complexes were immobilized on polystyrene by a simple procedure, and the resulting composite materials showed to be very effective against E. coli and S. aureus ., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Public health systems today face the dual challenges of controlling infections and curbing the increase in antimicrobial resistance manifested in drug-resistant microorganisms in hospitals and elsewhere. In the last ten years, research has been conducted to develop new materials with antimicrobial properties to be used in medical devices, increasingly found to harbour critical nosocomial infections., Methods: Two next-generation composites using the antimicrobial qualities of silver were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans with the purpose of evaluating their antimicrobial and antifungal activity. These tests applied the standardized method according to ISO-2216: Plastics-Measurement of Antibacterial Activity on Plastics Surfaces. Testing was carried out using polyethylene (PE) enriched with AgNO3 as a positive control and PE as a negative control., Results: The antimicrobial activity of the composites proved to be between medium (bacteriostatic) and very good (bactericidal). In particular, PE2 showed the highest scores against all microorganisms, with values ranging from good to very good. Instead, PE1 had lower scores, with a value of medium for Escherichia coli and slight for Candida albicans. Statistical analysis carried out with the t-test for unpaired data showed a statistically significant difference between the positive control and the other polymers (p< .0001)., Conclusions: Based on our findings, we conclude that the test, conducted to ISO-2216 standards, could be extended to include fungal strains and that the new composites could be used to produce antimicrobial surfaces for medical devices, for example, intubation tubes, urinary catheters, vascular prostheses, and mechanical heart valves. This would reduce the risk of microbial contamination and biofilm formation, ensuring better health outcomes for patients treated with these devices. Further testing should be done to evaluate potential future applications of these composites and the possibility of adding fungal strains to the IS0-2216 standard.

The four zinc(II) mixed-ligand metal-organic frameworks (MIXMOFs) Zn(BPZ) x (BPZNO 2 ) 1- x , Zn(BPZ) x (BPZNH 2 ) 1- x , Zn(BPZNO 2 ) x (BPZNH 2 ) 1- x , and Zn(BPZ) x (BPZNO 2 ) y (BPZNH 2 ) 1- x - y (H 2 BPZ = 4,4'-bipyrazole; H 2 BPZNO 2 = 3-nitro-4,4'-bipyrazole; H 2 BPZNH 2 = 3-amino-4,4'-bipyrazole) were prepared through solvothermal routes and fully investigated in the solid state. Isoreticular to the end members Zn(BPZ) and Zn(BPZX) (X = NO 2 , NH 2 ), they are the first examples ever reported of (pyr)azolate MIXMOFs. Their crystal structure is characterized by a three-dimensional open framework with one-dimensional square or rhombic channels decorated by the functional groups. Accurate information about ligand stoichiometric ratio was determined (for the first time on MIXMOFs) through integration of selected ligands skeleton resonances from 13 C cross polarized magic angle spinning solid-state NMR spectra collected on the as-synthesized materials. Like other poly(pyrazolate) MOFs, the four MIXMOFs are thermally stable, with decomposition temperatures between 708 and 726 K. As disclosed by N 2 adsorption at 77 K, they are micro-mesoporous materials with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface areas in the range 400-600 m 2 /g. A comparative study (involving also the single-ligand analogues) of CO 2 adsorption capacity, CO 2 isosteric heat of adsorption ( Q st ), and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity in equimolar mixtures at p = 1 bar and T = 298 K cast light on interesting trends, depending on ligand tag nature or ligand stoichiometric ratio. In particular, the amino-decorated compounds show higher Q st values and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity vs the nitro-functionalized analogues; in addition, tag "dilution" [upon passing from Zn(BPZX) to Zn(BPZ) x (BPZX) 1- x ] increases CO 2 adsorption selectivity over N 2 . The simultaneous presence of amino and nitro groups is not beneficial for CO 2 uptake. Among the compounds studied, the best compromise among uptake capacity, Q st , and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity is represented by Zn(BPZ) x (BPZNH 2 ) 1- x .

Three pyrazolone-based hydrazone ligands HL' (HL' in general; in detail, HL1 = 2-((5-hydroxo-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl)(phenyl)methylene)-1-(2,4-nitrophenyl)hydrazine, HL2 = 2-((5-hydroxo-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl) (phenyl)methylene)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazine, and HL3 = 2-((5-hydroxo-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl)(phenyl)methylene)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazine) have been prepared starting from 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1 H-pyrazol-5(4 H)-one and fully characterized in the solid state and solution, where the existing tautomeric forms were identified by taking advantage of natural abundance 1 H- 15 N coupling in { 1 H- 15 N}-HSQC and { 1 H- 15 N}-HMBC NMR spectroscopy. Then, six half-sandwich arene-ruthenium(II) derivatives (arene = hexamethylbenzene and p-cymene) of composition [(arene)Ru(L')Cl] have been synthesized and fully characterized by IR, 1 H, and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and density functional theory calculations. The crystal structures of three complexes, together with the E configurational isomer (with respect to the C═N double bond) of the free proligand HL2 and the zwitterionic proligand HL3 were determined by X-ray analysis. The anionic ligands L1 and L2 were found bonded to ruthenium in the N,O-form, while L3 coordinates the metal in the N,N-form affording five-membered chelating rings. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated against human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7 and MCF-7CR), as well as against nontumorigenic human breast (MCF-10A) cells and compared to the free ligand and cisplatin.

The metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) M(BPZNO 2 ) (M=Co, Cu, Zn; H 2 BPZNO 2 =3-nitro-4,4'-bipyrazole) were prepared through solvothermal routes and were fully investigated in the solid state. They showed good thermal stability both under a N 2 atmosphere and in air, with decomposition temperatures peaking up to 663 K for Zn(BPZNO 2 ). Their crystal structure is characterized by 3D networks with square (M=Co, Zn) or rhombic (M=Cu) channels decorated by polar NO 2 groups. As revealed by N 2 adsorption at 77 K, they are micro-mesoporous materials with BET specific surface areas ranging from 400 to 900 m 2  g -1 . Remarkably, under the mild conditions of 298 K and 1.2 bar, Zn(BPZNO 2 ) adsorbs 21.8 wt % CO 2 (4.95 mmol g -1 ). It shows a Henry CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 15 and an ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) selectivity of 12 at p=1 bar. As a CO 2 adsorbent, this compound is the best-performing MOF to date among those bearing a nitro group as a unique chemical tag. High-resolution powder X-ray diffraction at 298 K and different CO 2 loadings revealed, for the first time in a NO 2 -functionalized MOF, the insurgence of primary host-guest interactions involving the C(3)-NO 2 moiety of the framework and the oxygen atoms of carbon dioxide, as confirmed by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. This interaction mode is markedly different from that observed in NH 2 -functionalized MOFs, for which the carbon atom of CO 2 is involved., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A series of neutral ruthenium(ii)-arene complexes, [(arene)Ru(Q R )Cl] (arene = p-cymene or hexamethylbenzene), containing 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate (Q R ) ligands with aromatic substituents in the acyl moiety (a phenyl in Q Ph and a 1-naphthyl in Q naph ) and related ionic complexes [(arene)Ru(Q R )(PTA)][PF 6 ] (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, 1 H, 13 C and 31 P NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and ESI mass spectrometry. The structures of five of these compounds were also determined by X-ray crystallography. DFT studies have been performed on all complexes and, in the case of two cationic [(arene)Ru(Q naph )(PTA)][PF 6 ], the existence of two conformers with a different relative orientation of the naphthyl group in the Q naph ligand has been assessed, showing that they possess similar energies, in agreement with the experimentally observed NMR spectra in solution. The cytotoxicity of the 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate proligands (HQ R ) and complexes was evaluated in vitro against human ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780 and A2780cisR) and non-tumorous human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. In general, each complex is about equally cytotoxic to all three cell lines and the PTA derivatives with the naphthyl-modified Q R ligands are the most active of the series.

[RuCl(arene)(μ-Cl)]2 dimers were treated in a 1:2 molar ratio with sodium or thallium salts of bis- and tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands [Na(Bp(Br3))], [Tl(Tp(Br3))], and [Tl(Tp(iPr, 4Br))]. Mononuclear neutral complexes [RuCl(arene)(κ(2)-Bp(Br3))] (1: arene=p-cymene (cym); 2: arene=hexamethylbenzene (hmb); 3: arene=benzene (bz)), [RuCl(arene)(κ(2)-Tp(Br3))] (4: arene=cym; 6: arene=bz), and [RuCl(arene)(κ(2)-Tp(iPr, 4Br))] (7: arene=cym, 8: arene=hmb, 9: arene=bz) have been always obtained with the exception of the ionic [Ru2 (hmb)2-(μ-Cl)3][Tp(Br3)] (5'), which formed independently of the ratio of reactants and reaction conditions employed. The ionic [Ru-(CH3OH)(cym)(κ(2)-Bp(Br3))][X] (10: X=PF6, 12: X=O3SCF3) and the neutral [Ru(O2CCF3)(cym)(κ(2)-Bp(Br3))] (11) have been obtained by a metathesis reaction with corresponding silver salts. All complexes 1-12 have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data (IR, ESI-MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy). The structures of the thallium and calcium derivatives of ligand Tp(Br3), [Tl(Tp(Br3))] and [Ca(dmso)6][Tp(Br3)]2 ⋅2 DMSO, of the complexes 1, 4, 5', 6, 11, and of the decomposition product [RuCl(cym)(Hpz(iPr, 4Br))2][Cl] (7') have been confirmed by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies showed that 1-9 and 11 undergo a single-electron Ru(II) →Ru(III) oxidation at a potential, measured by cyclic voltammetry, which allows comparison of the electron-donor characters of the bis- and tris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate and arene ligands, and to estimate, for the first time, the values of the Lever EL ligand parameter for Bp(Br3), Tp(Br3), and Tp(iPr, 4Br). Theoretical calculations at the DFT level indicated that both oxidation and reduction of the Ru complexes under study are mostly metal-centered with some involvement of the chloride ligand in the former case, and also demonstrated that the experimental isolation of the μ(3)-binuclear complex 5' (instead of the mononuclear 5) is accounted for by the low thermodynamic stability of the latter species due to steric reasons., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Adducts of a number of tertiary pnicogen ligands ER(3) (triphenyl-phosphine and -arsine (PPh(3),AsPh(3)), diphenyl,2-pyridylphosphine (PPh(2)py), tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine (P(C(6)H(4)-4F)(3)), tris(2-tolyl)phosphine (P(o-tol)(3)), tris(cyclohexyl)phosphine (PCy(3))), with silver(I) thiocyanate, AgSCN are structurally and spectroscopically characterized. The 1:3 AgSCN : ER(3) complexes structurally defined (for PPh(3),AsPh(3) (diversely solvated)) take the form [(R(3)E)(3)AgX], the thiocyanate X = NCS being N-bound, thus [(Ph(3)E)Ag(NCS)]. A 1:2 complex with PPh(2)py, takes the binuclear form [(pyPh(2)P)(2)Ag()Ag(PPh(2)py)(2)] with an eight-membered cyclic core. 1:1 complexes are defined with PPh(2)py, P(o-tol)(3) and PCy(3); binuclear forms [(R(3)P)Ag()Ag(PR(3))] are obtained with P(o-tol)(3) (two polymorphs), while novel isomeric tetranuclear forms, which may be envisaged as dimers of dimers, are obtained with PPh(2)py, and, as further polymorphs, with PCy(3); these latter may be considered as extensions of the 'cubane' and 'step' forms previously described for [(R(3)E)AgX](4) (X = halide) complexes. Solvent-assisted mechanochemical or solvent-assisted solid-state synthesis methods were employed in some cases, where complexes could not be obtained by conventional solution methods, or where such methods yielded a mixture of polymorphs unsuitable for solid-state spectroscopy. The wavenumbers of the ν(CN) bands in the IR spectra are in broad agreement with the empirical rule that distinguishes bridging from terminal bonding, but exceptions occur for compounds that have a double SCN bridged dimeric structure, and replacement of PPh(3) with PPh(2)py apparently causes a significant decrease in ν(CN) to well below the range expected for bridging SCN in these structures. (31)P CP MAS NMR spectra yield additional parameters that allow a correlation between the structures and spectra.

Coupling the rigid spacer 4,4'-bipyrazole (H(2)BPZ), in its anionic or neutral form, to different silver(I) salts allowed isolation of the novel coordination polymers [Ag(2)(BPZ)] (1) and [Ag(H(2)BPZ)(X)] (X = NO(3), 2; ClO(4), 3; BF(4), 4; PF(6), 5; CH(3)SO(3), 6; CF(3)SO(3), 7), which were fully characterized by infrared and emission spectroscopies, thermal analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 consists of 2-D layers containing 1-D chains of Ag(I) ions bridged by exo-tetradentate bipyrazolato moieties. The crystal structures of the [Ag(H(2)BPZ)(X)] species 2-7 feature 1-D chains of [Ag(H(2)BPZ)] stoichiometry, along which the metal centers are bridged by exo-bidentate bipyrazolyl spacers. Contacts among adjacent chains are mediated by the counterions through nonbonding interactions involving the Ag(I) ions and the pyrazolyl N-H groups. Thermogravimetric analyses disclosed the good thermal stability of these materials, decomposing in the range 200-300 °C. Under UV irradiation at room temperature, all the species showed a yellow-green emission centered in the range 520-522 nm. When embedded into polyethylene disks, 1, 2, and 4-7 demonstrated their activity as topical antibacterial agents against suspensions of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus: complete reduction of the three bacterial strains was achieved in 24 h, reduction of S. aureus reaching ca. 90% in only 2 h. Biocidal action was expressed also by contact susceptibility tests.

Whereas complexes of divalent metal halides (X = Cl, Br, I) with/from pyridine commonly crystallise as trans-[M(py)(4)X(2)]·2py, M on a site of 222 symmetry in space group Ccca, true for CuCl(2) and CuBr(2) in particular, the copper(II) iodide adduct is of the form [Cu(py)(4)I]I·2py, Cu on a site of mm2 symmetry in space group Cmcm, and five-coordinate (square-pyramidal), the same cationic species also being found in 2[Cu(py)(4)I](I(3))·[(py)(2)Cu(μ-I)(2)Cu(py)(2)] (structurally defined). Bromide or N-thiocyanate may be substituted for the unbound iodide ion in the solvated salt, resulting in complexes which crystallize in space group Ccca, but with both anions and the metal atom disordered. In [Cu(py)(4)(I(3))(2)], a pair of long Cu···I contacts approach a square-planar Cu(py)(4) array. Assignments of the ν(CuN) and ν(CuX) (X = Br, I, SCN) bands in the far-IR spectra are made, the latter with the aid of analogous assignments for [Cu(py)(2)X(2)] (X = Cl, Br), which show a dependence of ν(CuX) on the Cu-X bond length that is very similar to that determined previously for copper(i) halide complexes. The structure of the adventitious complex [(trans-)(H(2)O)(py)(4)CuClCu(py)(4)](I(3))(3)·H(2)O is also recorded, with six- and five-coordinate copper atoms; rational synthesis provides [{Cu(py)(4)}(2)(μ-Cl)](I(3))(3)·H(2)O with one water molecule less. In [{Cu(py)(4)Cl}((∞|∞))](I(3))·3py, square pyramidal [Cu(py)(4)Cl](+) cations, assisted by Cl···Cu interactions, stack to give rise to infinite polymeric strings. Several of these compounds were prepared mechanochemically, illustrating the applicability of this method to syntheses involving redox reactions as well as to complex syntheses involving up to five components. The totality of results demonstrates that the [Cu(II)(py)(4)] entity can be stabilized in an unexpectedly diverse range of mononuclear and multinuclear complexes through the presence of lattice pyridine molecules, the bulky triiodide ion, or a combination of both.

In extension of recent synthetic and crystallographic studies of adducts of silver(I) oxyanion salts with uni- and bi-dentate nitrogen-donor ligands, AgX : L (1 : n), a parallel series of complexes formed with silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate ('tfs', 'triflate') has been similarly defined, showing rather more divergence from tendencies established with the previous ClO(4), NO(3), F(3)CCO(2) core arrays than might be expected from basicity arguments. Thus, while silver triflate crystallised from neat base forms 1 : 2 mononuclear adducts with 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine and quinoline which comprise essentially linear two-coordinate [LAgL](+) cations, perturbed by approaches of the anions, 1 : 2 adducts obtained similarly from pyridine and 2-methylpyridine are [L(2)Ag(mu-tfs)(2)AgL(2)] dimers, with central four- and eight-membered rings arising from mu-OSO(2)CF(3) and extended mu-(O,O'SOCF(3)) anion bridging modes, respectively. With piperidine, a single-stranded polymer reminiscent of the arrays [(pip)(2)AgX](infinity/infinity), X = Cl, NCS, is formed, the triflate bridging through two of its oxygen atoms, rather than via a single atom bridge. With 2- and 4-cyanopyridine, the former a 1 : 1 adduct (being an acetonitrile solvate (MeCN coordinated)), and the latter 1 : 2, both are more complex structures in which the nitrile functionalities now coordinate weakly. The 1 : 2 adduct with 2-acetylpyridine parallels its perchlorate analogue, the ligands being bidentate in a mononuclear complex [L(2)AgOSO(2)CF(3)], while adducts of 2,9-dimethylphenanthroline and 2,2'-biquinolyl, both acetonitrile monosolvates, take the form [LAg(NCMe)]tfs. Agtfs : dpk (8 : 8)(infinity/infinity).EtOH ('dpk' = bis(2-pyridyl)ketone) is a complex polymer. The nature of the interactions is explored by way of spectroscopy (IR, NMR and ESI MS) and a density functional theory approach.

By reacting copper(II) acrylate with pyrazole (Hpz), two trinuclear copper derivatives [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2CHCOO)2(H2O)2(Hpz)], 1, and [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2CHCOO)2(CH3OH)], 2, are obtained, in water and methanol respectively, while copper(II) methacrylate affords [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2C(CH3)COO)2], 3, independently from the solvent used. In 1 and 2 two triangular trinuclear units are connected through acrylate bridges forming hexanuclear clusters that, in the case of 2 are further connected through double syn-syn carboxylate bridges, generating a 1-D coordination polymer. In the case of 3 a different 1-D coordination polymer is obtained by alternating syn-syn and syn-anti double carboxylate bridges connecting the trinuclear clusters. In all cases H-bonds contribute both to the stabilization of these arrangements and to the formation of more extended supramolecular networks. Compounds 1-3 are valuable catalysts in the peroxidative oxidation with aqueous H2O2, in MeCN at 25 degrees C, of cycloalkanes (i.e. cyclohexane and cyclopentane) to the corresponding ketones and alcohols (overall yield up to 36%, TON = 36), following a radical mechanism as shown by radical trap experiments, and the effects of various factors are studied. Electrochemical experiments show that the copper(II) centres are reduced to copper(I) and copper(0).

Several polynuclear Hg(II) complexes containing the flexible ditopic bisimidazolylmethane ligand (C(7)H(8)N(4), bim) have been prepared by reaction of equimolar quantities of mercury salts (acetate, cyanide, thiocyanate, chloride, and iodide) in EtOH or acetonitrile solution. Their crystal and molecular structures were retrieved from laboratory powder diffraction data, and their thermal properties were fully characterized, including the determination of the thermal expansion coefficients and the related strain tensor using thermodiffractometric methods. [Hg(bim)(CH(3)COO)(2)](2) consists of cyclic dimers with chelating acetates, while the [Hg(bim)X(2)](n) species (X = Cl, CN, SCN, and I) are one-dimensional polymers, with dangling X groups. A further complex of nominal Hg(2)(bim)Cl(2) formulation was also prepared, but the complexity and nonideality of its powder diffraction traces prevented the determination of its main structural features.

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands have been prepared by reacting the ligands L' (L' in general; specifically L(1) = H(2)C(pz)(2), L(2) = H(2)C(pz(Me2))(2), L(3) = H(2)C(pz(4Me))(2), L(4) = Me(2)C(pz)(2) and L(5) = Et(2)C(pz)(2) where pz = pyrazole) with [(arene)RuCl(mu-Cl)](2) dimers (arene = p-cymene or benzene). When the reaction was carried out in methanol solution, complexes of the type [(arene)Ru(L')Cl]Cl were obtained. When L(1), L(2), L(3), and L(5) ligands reacted with excess [(arene)RuCl(mu-Cl)](2), [(arene)Ru(L')Cl][(arene)RuCl(3)] species have been obtained, whereas by using the L(4) ligand under the same reaction conditions the unexpected [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]Cl complex was recovered. The reaction of 1 equiv of [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl]Cl and of [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]Cl with 1 equiv of AgX (X = O(3)SCF(3) or BF(4)) in methanol afforded the complexes [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl](O(3)SCF(3)) (L' = L(1) or L(2)) and [(p-cymene)Ru(pzH)(2)Cl]BF(4), respectively. [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))(H(2)O)][PF(6)](2) formed when [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))Cl]Cl reacts with an excess of AgPF(6). The solid-state structures of the three complexes, [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)C(pz)(2)}Cl]Cl, [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)Cpz(4Me))(2)}Cl]Cl, and [(p-cymene)Ru{H(2)C(pz)(2)}Cl](O(3)SCF(3)), were determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. The interionic structure of [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))Cl](O(3)SCF(3)) and [(p-cymene)Ru(L')Cl][(p-cymene)RuCl(3)] (L' = L(1) or L(2)) was investigated through an integrated experimental approach based on NOE and pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR experiments in CD(2)Cl(2) as a function of the concentration. PGSE NMR measurements indicate the predominance of ion pairs in solution. NOE measurements suggest that (O(3)SCF(3))(-) approaches the cation orienting itself toward the CH(2) moiety of the L(1) (H(2)C(pz)(2)) ligand as found in the solid state. Selected Ru species have been preliminarily investigated as catalysts toward styrene oxidation by dihydrogen peroxide, [(p-cymene)Ru(L(1))(H(2)O)][PF(6)](2) being the most active species.

Formation of the trinuclear triangular copper derivative [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(EtCOO)2(H2O)] x H2O, 1b (Hpz = pyrazole), has been simply achieved by addition of Hpz to a water solution of Cu(EtCOO)2 x H2O and leaving the resulting solution to crystallize at ca. 12 degrees C. When the reaction and crystallization were carried out at a slightly higher temperature (18-22 degrees C), the compound [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(EtCOO)2(H2O)], 1c, formed. Single-crystal X-ray molecular structure determinations show that both compounds have analogous trinuclear triangular structures, but very different supramolecular assemblies, due mainly, but not only, to the crystallization molecule of H2O in 1b. In particular, contrarily to the previously reported, strictly related, [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(EtCOO)2(EtOH)], 1a, the propionate ions in 1b and 1c do not bridge different triangular units, whereas they are involved in intra- and intermolecular H-bonds, generating complex supramolecular 2-D MOFs. Compounds 1a and 1c act as remarkably active and selective catalysts or catalyst precursors for liquid biphasic (MeCN/H2O) peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclopentane to the corresponding alcohols and ketones.

Cadmium and mercury acetates have been reacted with pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz), affording distinct mixed-ligand species, selectively prepared upon slightly modifying the reaction conditions. Two polymorphs of [{Cd(mu-ac)2(Hpz)2}n], as well as the [{Cd(mu-ac)2(Hdmpz)2}n] species (Hac = acetic acid), were obtained by solution chemistry, while the two-dimensional [{Cd3(mu3-ac)4(mu-pz)2(Hpz)2}n] and [{Cd(mu-ac)(mu-pz)}n] polymers were prepared upon controlled thermal treatment of one of the [{Cd(mu-ac)2(Hpz)2}n] forms. Two mercury derivatives, [{Hg3(mu-ac)3(mu-pz)3}n] and [{Hg(ac)(mu-dmpz)}n], were also prepared, the latter containing one-dimensional chains of Hg(II) ions bridged by C-mercuriated Hdmpz ligands. All their crystal structures (but one) were determined by powder diffraction methods using conventional X-ray laboratory equipment, supported by 13C CPMAS NMR measurements. The latter method helped in assigning a C-metalated nature to an amorphous material of [Hg(ac)(pz)] formula, obtained by employing EtOH as a solvent. A few other Hdmpz-containing cadmium acetates were also prepared, but their polyphasic nature, evidenced by diffraction methods, hampered their complete structural characterization.

The reactions of pyrazole (Hpz) with some copper(II) carboxylates in the presence of water yield trinuclear copper derivatives characterized by the triangular core [Cu3mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(RCOO)2] (R = H, C2H5, C3H7). Copper(II) formate gives [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(HCOO)2(Hpz)2] (1), whereas copper propionate and butyrate afford [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(C2H5COO)2(EtOH)] (2) and [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(C3H7COO)2(MeOH)(H2O)] (3), respectively, both containing solvent molecules coordinated to copper atoms. Magnetic susceptibilities are consistent with a single unpaired electron for each trinuclear unit of 1-3, and EPR measurements indicate that higher spin states, generated by exchange coupling between copper atoms, may be populated at room temperature. Density-functional calculations provide the description of the electronic structures of 1-3, allowing, at the same time, the assignment of their UV-vis absorption spectra. X-ray molecular structure determinations show that triangular trinuclear units of 1 are connected to each other through single formate bridges, forming one-dimensional (1D) zigzag coordination polymers, whereas in 2 and 3, two oxygen atoms of two carboxylate ions doubly bridge two copper atoms of different triangles, thus generating hexanuclear units. Moreover, in 2, two other propionate ions link together two hexanuclear units yielding a 12-membered cycle and giving rise to 1D coordination polymers. The supramolecular assemblies of 1-3 are compared to that of the previously reported trinuclear triangular copper(II) derivative [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH3COO)2(Hpz)] (A), where a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer is present. The reactions of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hpz) with copper(II) carboxylates in the same conditions yield 1:2 Cu(RCOO)2/Hpz adducts.

Seven novel R2Sn(IV)-oxydiacetate (oda) and -iminodiacetate (ida) compounds of the form [R2Sn(oda)(H2O)]2 (R = Me, nBu, and Ph) (1-3), [(R2SnCl)2(oda)(H2O)2]n (R = Et, iBu, and tBu) (4-6), and [Me2Sn(ida)(MeOH)]2 (7) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR (solution), solid-state 119Sn CPMAS NMR, and (119m)Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [Me2Sn(oda)(H2O)]2, 1, shows it to be dinuclear (centrosymmetric), with two seven-coordinated tin atoms, bridged by one arm of the carboxylate group from each oda. By contrast, the crystal structure of [(Et2SnCl)2(oda)(H2O)2]n, 4, comprises a zigzag polymeric assembly containing a pair of different alternating subunits, {Et2SnCl(H2O)} and {Et2SnCl(H2O)(oda)}, which are connected by way of bridging oda carboxylates, thus giving seven-coordinate tin centers in both components. Finally, the structure of [Me2Sn(ida)(MeOH)]2, 7, also centrosymmetric dinuclear, is comprised of a pair of mononuclear units with seven-coordinate tin. The 119Sn solid-state CPMAS NMR and (119m)Sn Mossbauer suggest the presence of seven-coordinate Sn metal atoms in some derivatives and the existence of two different tin sites in the [(R2SnCl)2(oda)(H2O)2]n compounds.

The almost quantitative formation of the triangular trinuclear copper derivative [Cu3(3-OH)(-pz)3(MeCOO)2(Hpz)] (1) (Hpz = pyrazole), has been simply achieved by adding Hpz to an ethanol solution of Cu(MeCOO)2 x H2O. An X-ray molecular structure determination shows that 1 is completely unsymmetric and that trinuclear units result assembled in an extended bidimensional network formed through acetate bridges and hydrogen bonds. EPR and magnetic measurements are consistent with the presence of a single unpaired electron. Theoretical density functional calculations carried out for S = 1/2 provide a thorough description of the electronic structure of 1, allowing a detailed assignment of its UV-vis absorption spectrum. Compound 1 reacts with MeONa, yielding [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeCOO)(MeO)(Hpz)] (2) and [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeO)2(Hpz)] (3) through the substitution of one and two acetate ions, respectively, with MeO- ion(s). The spontaneous self-assembly of the triangular trinuclear Cu3 moiety seems to occur only with pyrazole as can be inferred by the results obtained in the reactions of copper(II) acetate with some substituted pyrazoles leading to the formation of mononuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)2] (4-8) and dinuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)]2 (9-11) (L = substituted pyrazole) compounds. Also the presence of acetate ions seems to play a leading role in determining the formation of the trinuclear triangular arrangement, as indicated by the formation of a mononuclear derivative, [Cu(CF3COO)2(Hpz)]2 (compound 12), in the reaction of copper(II) trifluoroacetate with pyrazole. Compounds 1-3, as well as some other mono- and dinuclear copper(II)-substituted pyrazole complexes, have been tested as catalyst precursors in cyclopropanation reaction, observing the formation of products in a syn:anti ratio opposite that normally reported., (Copyright 2004 American Chemical Society)