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A series of bioactive molecules were synthesized from the condensation of aspirin or chlorambucil with terminal alkynes bearing alcohol or amine substituents. Insertion of the resulting alkynes into the iron-carbyne bond of readily accessible diiron bis(cyclopentadienyl) mu-aminocarbyne complexes, [1a,b]CF3SO3, afforded novel diiron complexes with a bridging vinyliminium ligand, [2-10]CF3SO3, functionalized with a bioactive moiety. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and in three cases by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the D2O solubility, stability in D2O and cell culture media, and octanol-water partition coefficients of diiron complexes were determined spectroscopically. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was assessed in the tumorigenic A2780 and A2780cisR and the nontumorigenic HEK 293T cell lines. Some complexes exhibit high potency and the ability to overcome resistance in A2780cisR cells (aspirin complexes) or high selectivity relative to HEK 293T cells (chlorambucil complexes). Further studies indicate that the complexes significantly trigger intracellular ROS production, irrespective of the nature of the bioactive fragment. DNA alkylation and protein binding studies were also undertaken.

Catalysts are involved in a number of established and emerging chemical processes as well as in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Nanoparticles (NPs) can offer several advantages over some conventional catalysts, such as higher efficiency and selectivity. Nowadays, versatile and scalable nanocatalysts that combine activity and stability are still lacking. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation on the production and characterization of hybrid nano-architectures bringing a partial or total bare surface together with their catalytic efficiency evaluation on, as a proof-of-concept, the formic acid decomposition reaction. In this regard, formic acid (FA) is a convenient and safe hydrogen carrier with appealing features for mobile applications, fuel cells technologies, petrochemical processes and energetic applications. Thus, the design of robust catalysts for FA dehydrogenation is strongly demanded. Due to this, we produced and evaluated nano-architectures with various equilibrium between the size-increase of the active part and the barer catalytic surface. Overall, this work paves the way for the development of new approaches for green energy storage and safe delivery.

A family of homodinuclear Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Gd3+, Eu3+) luminescent complexes with the general formula [Ln2(β-diketonato)6(N-oxide)y] has been developed to study the effect of the β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands on their thermometric properties. The investigated complexes are [Ln2(tta)6(pyrzMO)2] (Ln = Eu (1·C7H8), Gd (5)), [Ln2(dbm)6(pyrzMO)2] (Ln = Eu (2), Gd (6)), [Ln2(bta)6(pyrzMO)2] (Ln = Eu (3), Gd (7)), [Ln2(hfac)6(pyrzMO)3] (Ln = Eu (4), Gd (8)) (pyrzMO = pyrazine N-oxide, Htta = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, Hdbm = dibenzoylmethane, Hbta = benzoyltrifluoroacetone, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone, C7H8 = toluene), and their 4,4′-bipyridine N-oxide (bipyMO) analogues. Europium complexes emit a bright red light under UV radiation at room temperature, whose intensity displays a strong temperature (T) dependence between 223 and 373 K. This remarkable variation is exploited to develop a series of luminescent thermometers by using the integrated intensity of the 5D0 → 7F2 europium transition as the thermometric parameter (Δ). The effect of different β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands is investigated with particular regard to the shape of thermometer calibration (Δ vs T) and relative thermal sensitivity curves: i.e.. the change in Δ per degree of temperature variation usually indicated as Sr (% K–1). The thermometric properties are determined by the presence of two nonradiative deactivation channels, back energy transfer (BEnT) from Eu3+ to the ligand triplet levels and ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). In the complexes bearing tta and dbm ligands, whose triplet energy is ca. 20000 cm–1, both deactivation channels are active in the same temperature range, and both contribute to determine the thermometric properties. Conversely, with bta and hfac ligands the response of the europium luminescence to temperature variation is ruled by LMCT channels since the high triplet energy (>21400 cm–1) makes BEnT ineffective in the investigated temperature range., A family of homodinuclear Eu3+ luminescent complexes with the general formula [Ln2(β-diketonato)6(N-oxide)y] (y = 2, 3) was developed to study the effect of the β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands on the thermometric properties of the complexes. In this way, an effective tuning of the system’s thermometric properties can be achieved.

The development of sustainable synthetic routes to access valuable oxazolidinones via CO2 fixation is an active research area, and the aziridine/carbon dioxide coupling has aroused a considerable interest. This reaction is featured by a high activation barrier, so to require a catalytic system, and may present some other critical issues. Here, we describe the straightforward gram-scale synthesis of a series of 5-​aryl-​2-oxazolidinones at ambient temperature and atmospheric CO2 pressure, in the absence of any catalyst/co-catalyst. The key to this innovative procedure consists in the direct transfer of the pre-formed amine/CO2 adduct (carbamate) to common aziridine precursors (dimethylsulfonium salts), replacing the classical sequential addition of amine (intermediate isolation of aziridine) and then CO2. The reaction mechanism has been investigated by NMR studies and DFT calculations applied to model cases.

The diiron µ-vinyliminium compounds [Fe2Cp2(CO)(µ-CO){µ-η1:η3-C3HC2HC1NMe(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = Me, 2a; R = Xyl = 2,6-C6H3Me2, 2b; Cp = η5-C5H5) reacted with grey selenium, in the presence of sodium methoxide, to give the corresponding Se-functionalized derivatives [Fe2Cp2(CO)(µ-CO){µ-η1:η3-C3HC2(Se)C1NMe(R)}], 3a–b, in ca. 50 % yields. The monoiron zwitterionic complex [FeCp(CO){SeC1(NMe2)C2HC3H}], 4, was obtained as a side-product (31 %) of the reaction leading to 3a. The treatment of 3b with S8/NaOMe afforded the 2-ferra-thiophene [FeCp(CO){SC3HC2HC1NMe(Xyl)}], 5, in 49 % yield. The straightforward reactions of 3a with a two-fold excess of dialkylacetylenedicarboxylates led to functionalized 3-amino-selenophenes appended to the diiron frame through a bridging allylidene ligand, [Fe2Cp2(CO)(µ-CO){µ-η1:η3-C7(CO2R)C6(CO2R)C3HC2SeC5(CO2R)C4(CO2R)C1(NMe2)}] (R = Me, 6a; R = Et, 6b; R = tBu, 6c), in approximately 50 % yields. The synthesis of 6a–c is the result of two distinct modes of reactivity exhibited by the alkyne reactant in one pot, i.e. 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to C and Se atoms and insertion into Fe-µ-alkylidene. All the products were characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structure of 6a was elucidated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.

Two mononuclear Ru(II) complexes, i.e. [RuCl(κ3N-terpy)(κ2N-dpp)]PF6 ([1]PF6; terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; dpp = 2,3-bis(2′-pyridyl-pyrazine) and [RuCl(κ3N-tpm)(κ2N-dpp)]Cl ([2]Cl; tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane), and one dinuclear complex, i.e. [Ru2Cl(κ3N-tpm)(μ-κ2N:κ2N-dpp)Ru(κ2N-bpy)2][PF6]3 ([3][PF6]3; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and their water oxidation catalytic properties have been investigated. A combined DFT and experimental (35Cl NMR and conductivity measurements) study aimed to elucidate the nature of [1]+ and [2]+ in aqueous solution has also been performed, indicating that one water molecule is allowed to enter the first coordination sphere of [2]+ in the ground state, replacing one tpm nitrogen. Conversely, in the case of [1]+, water coordination, assumed to be needed for the water oxidation process, presumably occurs following the oxidation of the metal. For all complexes, a catalytic wave has been detected in acetonitrile/water 1 : 1 (v/v) solution in the range 1.4–1.7 V vs. SCE. In all cases, water oxidation (investigated at pH < 8) takes place initially via a proton-coupled two-electron, two-proton process with the formation of an Ru(IV)O moiety, followed by one electron oxidation and water nucleophilic attack. The TON and TOF values (within the range of 16–33 and 1.3–2.2 h−1, respectively) of the complexes are higher than those of the benchmark [Ru(LLL)(LL)(OH2)]2+-type species (LLL and LL are tridentate and bidentate polypyridine ligands, respectively), which is [Ru(terpy)(bpm)(OH2)]2+.

We report a screening study aimed to assess for the first time the air- and water-stability and the biological potential of simple metal-carbamates. These molecular metallic species are based on elements belonging to the groups 4–5, 7–9 and 11, and tin, and are easily available from inexpensive reagents. Complexes [Ag(O2CNEt2)] (13-Ag) and [Au(O2CNMe2)(PPh3)] (14-Au) resulted substantially stable in aqueous media and exhibited a potent in vitro cytotoxicity. Especially 13-Ag revealed a significant selectivity against the A549 lung adenocarcinoma and the A2780 ovarian cancer cell lines with respect to the noncancerous HEK293 cell line. Generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and mitochondrial membrane depolarization were recognized for 13-Ag and 14-Au; notwithstanding, the cell death mechanism is different in the two cases: apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase for 13-Ag; necroptosis and cell cycle arrest in S phase for 14-Au. Both 13-Ag and 14-Au are endowed with antibacterial activity, which is relatively stronger for 13-Ag towards Gram negative and for 14-Au towards Gram positive strains, respectively., La Caixa Foundation (LCF/PR/PR12/11070003), Consejería de Educación-Junta de Castilla y León-FEDER Funds (BU305P18), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RTI2018-102040-B-100) and the University of Pisa (PRA_2020_39).

Nitriles (N≡CR) are ubiquitous in coordination chemistry, yet literature studies on metal–nitrile bonding based on a multi-technique approach are rare. We selected an easily-available di-organoiron framework, containing both π-acceptor (CO, aminocarbyne) and donor (Cp = η5−C5H5) ligands, as a suitable system to provide a comprehensive description of the iron–nitrile bond. Thus, the new nitrile (2–12)CF3SO3 and the related imine/amine complexes (8–9)CF3SO3 were synthesized in 58–83% yields from the respective tris-carbonyl precursors (1a–d)CF3SO3, using the TMNO strategy (TMNO = trimethylamine-N-oxide). The products were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR (solution and solid state) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the structures of (2)CF3SO3, (3)CF3SO3, (5)CF3SO3 and (11)CF3SO3 were ascertained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Salient spectroscopic data of the nitrile complexes are coherent with the scale of electron-donor power of the R substituents; otherwise, this scale does not match the degree of Fe → N π-back-donation and the Fe–N bond energies, which were elucidated in (2–7)CF3SO3 by DFT calculations.

Two homometallic Coordination Polymers (CPs) with composition [Ln(hfac)3bipy]n (Ln3+ = Eu3+, 1, and Tb3+, 2, hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonato, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were used to develop a family of ratiometric luminescent thermometers containing Eu3+ and Tb3+ as red and green emitters, respectively. The thermometric properties of pure CPs and of their mixtures having an Eu3+/Tb3+ molar ratio of 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:10 (samples: Eu1Tb1, Eu1Tb3, Eu1Tb5, and Eu1Tb10) were studied in the 83–383 K temperature range. Irrespective of the chemical composition, we observed similar thermometric responses characterized by broad applicative temperature ranges (from 100 to 165 K wide), and high relative thermal sensitivity values (Sr), up to 2.40% K−1, in the physiological temperature range (298–318 K). All samples showed emissions endowed with peculiar and continuous color variation from green (83 K) to red (383 K) that can be exploited to develop a colorimetric temperature indicator. At fixed temperature, the color of the emitted light can be tuned by varying composition and excitation wavelength.

The molecular targets and the modes of action behind the cytotoxicity of two structurally established N,O- or N,N-hydrazone ruthenium(II)-arene complexes were explored in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and paralleled in non-cancerous and cisplatin-resistant counterparts (MCF-10A and MCF-7CR respectively). Both complexes, [Ru(hmb)(L1)Cl] (1, L1=4-((2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)(phenyl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-olate) and [Ru(cym)(L2)Cl] (2, L2=1-((3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4(5H)-ylidene)(phenyl)methyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazin-1-ide), reversibly interact with moderate-to-high affinity with a number of molecular targets in cell-free assays, namely serum albumin, DNA, the 20S proteasome and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Most interestingly, only 2 readily crosses the cell membrane and preserves its binding/modulatory ability toward the targets of interest upon rapid cellular internalization. The resulting action at multiple levels of the cancer cascade is likely the cause for the selective sensitization of tumour cells to p27-mediated apoptotic death, and for the ability of 2 to overcome the drug resistance problem.

The direct heterofunctionalization of acyclic α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with N-acylquinolinium ions contemplating the formation of two stereocentres is studied using dienamine catalysis. This work gives some new experimental insights on the remote stereocontrol in dienamine catalysis using unbiased aliphatic systems and large electrophiles, pointing to a (Z)-preference of the reactive configuration of the second double bond.

Transition metal carbamates constitute a class of compounds with unique properties, however their catalytic potential has been sparingly explored so far. The easily available silver N,N-dimethylcarbamate, Ag(O2CNMe2), worked as a catalyst in the carboxylation reaction of terminal alkynes with CO2 at atmospheric pressure. Different reaction parameters (solvent, base, temperature, time and the amount of catalyst) were investigated in order to establish the optimal conditions.

The first examples of (arene)Os(II) curcuminoid derivatives have been prepared and characterized. The neutral complexes [(p-cym)Os(curc)Cl] (1) and [( p-cym)Os(bdcurc)Cl] ( 2), together with the cationic derivatives [( p-cym)Os(curc)(PTA)][SO3CF3] (3) and [( p-cym)Os(bdcurc)(PTA)][SO3CF3] (4) (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry, and the crystal structure of 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated in vitro against human ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780 and A2780cisR), as well as against non-tumorous Human Embryonic Kidney cells (HEK293). Binding of the complexes to potential pharmacological targets and serum carriers was also explored.

Four bipyridine-Type ligands variably derivatized with two bioactive groups (taken from ethacrynic acid, flurbiprofen, biotin, and benzylpenicillin) were prepared via sequential esterification steps from commercial 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and subsequently coordinated to ruthenium(II) p-cymene and iridium(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl scaffolds. The resulting complexes were isolated as nitrate salts in high yields and fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. NMR and MS studies in aqueous solution and in cell culture medium highlighted a substantial stability of ligand coordination and a slow release of the bioactive fragments in the latter case. The complexes were assessed for their antiproliferative activity on four cancer cell lines, showing cytotoxicity to the low micromolar level (equipotent with cisplatin). Additional biological experiments revealed a multimodal mechanism of action of the investigated compounds, involving DNA metalation and enzyme inhibition. Synergic effects provided by specific combinations of metal and bioactive fragments were identified, pointing toward an optimal ethacrynic acid/flurbiprofen combination for both Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes.

Resistance to platinum‐based anticancer drugs represents an important limit for their clinical effectiveness and one of the most important field of investigation in the context of platinum compounds. From our previous studies, PtII complexes containing the triphenylphosphino moiety have been emerging as promising agents, showing significant cytotoxicity to resistant ovarian carcinoma cells. Two brominated triphenylphosphino trans‐platinum derivatives were prepared and evaluated on human tumor cell lines, sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. The new complexes exert a notable antiproliferative effect on resistant ovarian carcinoma cells, showing a remarkable intracellular accumulation and the ability to interact with different intracellular targets. The interaction with DNA, the collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and the impairment of intracellular redox state were demonstrated. Moreover, a selectivity towards the selenocysteine of thioredoxin reductase was observed. The mechanism of action is discussed with regard to the resistance phenomenon in ovarian carcinoma cells., Increase targets, decrease resistance: Two new brominated trans‐PtII complexes show an interesting cytotoxicity on ovarian carcinoma resistant cells. Study of the mechanism of action reveals the ability to affect different biomolecular targets: interaction with DNA, inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and impairment of mitochondria were demonstrated.

Despite the generally accepted inertness of platinum(IV) complexes towards nucleophilic substitution, the title compound promptly reacts with nucleophiles L (L = pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, benzothiazole, o-, m-, p-toluidine) affording the corresponding acetonitrile substitution products. To follow the reaction spectroscopically, a series of platinum(IV) standards were prepared by bridge splitting of trans-[Pt(μ-Cl)Cl(PPh3)]2, followed by oxidation by PhICl2. All the new platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes were fully characterized, and, in some cases, the structure was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Even when protic o-, m- and p-toluidines were used, chemoselectivity towards substitution was observed, with addition products formed in less than 10% extent.

Several complexes of general formula [Ru(halide)(η6-p-cymene)(α-diimine)]+, in the form of nitrate, triflate and hexafluorophosphate salts, including a newly synthesized iodide compound, were investigated as potential anticancer drugs and bactericides. NMR and UV–Vis studies evidenced remarkable stability of the complexes in water and cell culture medium. In general, the complexes displayed strong cytotoxicity against A2780 and A549 cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, and one complex (RUCYN) emerged as the most promising one, with a significant selectivity compared to the non-cancerous HEK293 cell line. A variable affinity of the complexes for BSA and DNA binding was ascertained by spectrophotometry/fluorimetry, circular dichroism, electrophoresis and viscometry. The performance of RUCYN appears associated to enhanced cell internalization, favored by two cyclohexyl substituents, rather than to specific interaction with the evaluated biomolecules. The chloride/iodide replacement, in one case, led to increased cellular uptake and cytotoxicity at the expense of selectivity, and tuned DNA binding towards intercalation. Complexes with iodide or a valproate bioactive fragment exhibited the best antimicrobial profiles.

A straightforward two‐step procedure via single CO removal allows the conversion of commercial [Fe2Cp2(CO)4] into a range of amphiphilic and robust ionic complexes based on a hybrid aminocarbyne/iminium ligand, [Fe2Cp2(CO)3{CN(R)(R’)}]X (R, R’=alkyl or aryl; X=CF3SO3 or BF4), on up to multigram scales. Their physicochemical properties can be modulated by an appropriate choice of N‐substituents and counteranion. Tested against a panel of human cancer cell lines, the complexes were shown to possess promising antiproliferative activity and to circumvent multidrug resistance. Interestingly, most derivatives also retained a significant cytotoxic activity against human cancer 3D cell cultures. Among them, the complex with R=4‐C6H4OMe and R’=Me emerged as the best performer of the series, being on average about six times more active against cancer cells than a noncancerous cell line, and displayed IC50 values comparable to those of cisplatin in 3D cell cultures. Mechanistic studies revealed the ability of the complexes to release carbon monoxide and to act as oxidative stress inducers in cancer cells., A class of cationic diiron complexes containing a variable bridging iminium ligand displays promising antiproliferative activity towards a panel of 2D and 3D cancer cell lines, and a selectivity not correlated to a different degree of uptake in cancerous and noncancerous cells. The mode of action appears to be mainly related to the interference with cell redox processes (ROS production, inhibition of TrxR), initiated by intracellular CO release.

The catalytic potential of ammonium halide salts was explored in the coupling reaction of a model aziridine with carbon dioxide, highlighting the superior activity of [NH2Et2]I. Then, working at room temperature, atmospheric CO2 pressure and in the absence of solvent, the [NH2Et2]I-catalyzed synthesis of a series of 5-aryl-2-oxazolidinones was accomplished in good to high yields and excellent selectivity, from 2-aryl-aziridines with N-methyl or N-ethyl groups. NMR studies and DFT calculations outlined the pivotal role of both the diethylammonium cation and the iodide anion. The proposed method represents a convenient choice for obtaining a limited number of valuable molecules for which more complex and more expensive catalytic systems have been reported even in recent years.

The simple and cost-effective compound [Ag(O2CNEt2)], in combination with PPh3, works as an effective catalytic precursor in the carboxylation of propargyl alcohols at ambient temperature and atmospheric CO2 pressure, and in most cases under solventless conditions. The silver carbamate revealed a better performance than commercial silver oxide, Ag2O, and allowed to obtain a series of α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates in high yields.

Current chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are based on cisplatin, which is usually associated to severe side effects. In general, the exploration for metal-based alternatives to cisplatin has resulted in the development of a series of ruthenium complexes that are able to produce a safe therapeutic action against some neoplasms, among which are lung and ovarian cancers. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of well defined, easily available and robust ruthenium(II) ?6-arene compounds on 3D models of HNSCCs with or without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and compare their effects to the state-of-the-art RAPTA-C, a promising ruthenium compound with known anti-cancer activity. One of the compounds induces a significant therapeutic action especially on HPV negative carcinoma. Besides viability and repopulation evaluations, we performed quantitative analysis of the internalized Ru compounds to further validate our findings and elucidate the possible mechanisms of action. These results show that Ru arene compounds represent a promising alternative for the treatment of HNSCCs and pave the way for the composition of innovative (co)therapies. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS

The catalytic activity toward NaIO4 driven water oxidation of a series of [RCp*IrCl(μ-Cl)]2 dimeric precursors, containing tetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands with a variable R substituent (H, 1; Me, 2; Et, 3; nPr, 4; CH2CH2NH3+, 5; Ph, 6; 4-C6H4F, 7; 4-C6H4OH, 8; Bn, 9), has been evaluated at 298 K and pH = 7 (with phosphate buffer). For each dimer, the effect of changing the catalyst (1–10 μM) and NaIO4 (5–40 mM) concentration has been studied. All precursors exhibit a high activity with TOF values ranging from 101 min−1 to 393 min−1 and TON values being always those expected assuming a 100% yield. The catalytic activity was strongly affected by the nature of the R substituent. The highest TOF values were observed when R was electron-donating and small. The results of multiple consecutive injection experiments suggest that a fragment of the initial C5Me4R, still bearing the R-substituent, remains attached at iridium in the active species, despite the oxidative in situ degradation of the same ligand. The decrease of TOF in the second and third catalytic runs was completely ascribed to a drop of the redox potential caused by the conversion of IO4− into IO3−, according to the Nernst equation. This hypothesis was verified by performing catalytic experiments in which the initial redox potential (ΔE) was deliberately varied by using water solutions of IO4−/IO3− mixtures at different relative concentrations. Consistently, TOF versus ΔE plots show that, for a given catalyst, the same TOF is obtained at a certain redox potential, irrespective of the initial reaction conditions used. All seems to indicate that after a short activation period, during which the transformation of the precursors occurs, individual active species for each dimer form and remain the same also after multiple additions of the sacrificial oxidant. It can be speculated that such active species are small iridium clusters bearing R-functionalized likely O,O-bidentate ligands.

The catalytic potential of a large series of easily available metal carbamates (based on thirteen different non-precious metal elements) was explored for the first time in the coupling reaction between 2-aryl-aziridines and carbon dioxide, working under solventless and ambient conditions and using tetraalkylammonium halides as co-catalysts. The straightforward synthesis of novel [NbCl3(O2CNEt2)2], NbCl, and [NbBr3(O2CNEt2)2], NbBr, is reported. The niobium complex NbCl, in combination with NBu4I, emerged as the best catalyst of the overall series to convert aziridines with small N-alkyl substituents into the corresponding 5-aryl-oxazolidin-2-ones.

Two cationic ruthenium(II) 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane ([9]aneS3) complexes of curcumin (curcH) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (bdcurcH), namely [Ru(curc)(dmso-S)([9]aneS3)]Cl (1) and [Ru(bdcurc)(dmso-S)([9]aneS3)]Cl (2) were prepared from the [RuCl2(dmso-S)([9]-aneS3)] precursor and structurally characterized, both in solution and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The corresponding PTA complexes [Ru(curc)(PTA)([9]aneS3)]Cl (3) and [Ru(bdcurc)(PTA)([9]aneS3)]Cl (4) have been also synthesized and characterized (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane). Bioinorganic studies relying on mass spectrometry were performed on complexes 1–4 to assess their interactions with the model protein lysozyme. Overall, a rather limited reactivity with lysozyme was highlighted accompanied by a modest cytotoxic potency against three representative cancer cell lines. The moderate pharmacological activity is likely connected to the relatively high stability of these complexes.

Crystallization of adducts of simple copper(I) and silver(I) salts (MX) with triphenylphosphine from 'N,N,N′,N'-tetramethylethylenediamine', 'tmeda', has yielded adducts of 1:1:1 MX:PPh3:tmeda stoichiometry, all of which have been characterized by room temperature single crystal X-ray structure determinations. In all adducts, the complex is mononuclear [M(PPh3)(N,N′-tmeda)X] with four-coordinate N2PMX metal atom environments (M = Cu, X = Cl, Br, I; M = Ag, X = Cl or NO3). The tricyclohexylphosphine species [Ag(Pcy3)(N,N′-tmeda)(ONO2)], also in a N2PAgX metal environment, has been defined. A number of similar silver(I) adducts are obtained by using 1,2-diaminopropane, 'pn' as solvent. The chloride, bromide and iodide complexes are isomorphous, the complexes being mononuclear, [Ag(PPh3)(pn)X], with four-coordinate N2PAgX environments, the pn ligand chelating. An isomorphous arsenic analogue of the bromide has also been isolated. All complexes have been characterized by IR and NMR (1H and 31P) spectroscopy.

Piano-stool iridium complexes based on the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand (Cp*) have been intensively investigated as anticancer drug candidates and hold much promise in this setting. A systematic study aimed at outlining the effect of Cp* mono-derivatization on the antiproliferative activity is presented here. Thus, the dinuclear complexes [Ir(η5-C5Me4R)Cl(μ-Cl)]2 (R = Me, 1a, R = H, 1b, R = Pr, 1c, R = 4-C6H4F, 1d, R = 4-C6H4OH, 1e), their 2-phenylpyridyl mononuclear derivatives [Ir(η5-C5Me4R)(kN,kCPhPy)Cl] (2a–d), and the dimethylsulfoxide complex [Ir{h5-C5Me4(4-C6H4OH)}Cl2(κS-Me2S=O)] (3) were synthesized, structurally characterized, and assessed for their cytotoxicity towards a panel of six human and rodent cancer cell lines (mouse melanoma, B16, rat glioma, C6, breast adenocarcinoma, MCF-7, colorectal carcinoma, SW620 and HCT116, ovarian carcinoma, A2780) and one primary, human fetal lung fibroblast cell line (MRC5). Complexes 2b (R = H) and 2d (4-C6H4F) emerged as the most active ones and were selected for further investigation. They did not affect the viability of primary mouse peritoneal cells, and their tumoricidal action arises from the combined influence on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and senescence. The latter is triggered by mitochondrial failure and production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

The oxidation of the sulfide function promoted by a variety of vanadium compounds has been largely explored, whereas the use of homogeneous catalytic systems based on the heavier group 5 metals remains less explored. We report the use of easily available niobium and tantalum carbamates, i.e. [M(O2CNMe2)5] (M = Nb, 1; M = Ta, 2), [Nb(O2CNMe2)4], 3, [NbO(O2CNEt2)3], 4, and [NbCl3(O2CNEt2)2], 5, as effective catalysts for the conversion of a series of alkyl aryl and aromatic sulfides into the corresponding sulfones. NMR investigations on the performant niobium catalyst 4 unexpectedly revealed the substantial stability of this compound in the protic catalytic environment, and a plausible catalytic cycle was obtained by DFT studies. The two active catalytic species, i.e. 4 and its minor mono-methoxide derivative, presumably interconvert to each other exploiting the versatile coordination of the carbamato ligand.

The unique optical and magnetic properties of lanthanide ions (Ln), like a gem, need the right faceting and the right setting. Azole carboxylic acids provide a unique platform for driving the structure of complex compounds ranging in dimensions from 0-D (molecular complexes) to 1-D, 2-D polymers and 3-D MOF (Metal Organic Framework) structures. The peculiarity of azolecarboxylate ligands is that numerous possible coordination fashions, including both carboxyl groups and nitrogen atoms, on the one hand, open up almost unlimited possibilities for obtaining materials with desired properties, for example, luminescent sources and sensors, molecular magnets, catalysts and materials for gas sorption and separation. Several coordination modes, dependent on the reaction conditions, make the structural diversity of lanthanide carboxylates difficult to predict and require systematic analysis. Our analysis is critical to produce efficient and advanced materials. This review describes and systematizes data on both synthesis and structure and functional properties of pyrazole-, imidazole-, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole- and tetrazole-carboxylates of lanthanide metals and evaluates the achievements in this area of coordination chemistry. The author's view on the future of the chemistry of lanthanides azole carboxylates and possible new applications in materials science is also presented.

Carbonation of natural α-amino acids in water and subsequent cyclization with (2-bromo-1-arylethyl)dimethylsulfonium bromides led selectively to a family of 2-oxazolidinonyl derivatives, which were isolated without the needing of purification. Analogous conjugation of the 2-oxazolidinone skeleton with amino acids was previously realized by complicated and narrow-scope routes, whereby the amino acid core is built stepwise. Deprotonation of some of the products afforded the corresponding water-soluble carboxylates, while a straightforward, proof of concept esterification reaction of the carboxylic acid group yielded a menthol-alanine-oxazolidinone conjugate.

A series of iminopyridine complexes of platinum(II), bearing a flexible diethereal, aryl terminated residue, where the size of aryl group is varied from phenyl to 9-anthracenyl, was synthesized. The new complexes are soluble and stable in DMSO/H2O mixtures. Besides the metal center, aryl groups are available for further interactions with DNA, due to the good side chain flexibility. The new aryl functionalized iminopyridine dichlorido platinum(II) complexes show a significant antiproliferative activity on ovarian carcinoma cells and notably, complex 13 is able to overcome cisplatin resistance. The study of the interaction mode of 13 with DNA highlighted the ability to form a molecular complex characterized by a dual (intercalative and groove binding) geometry. The complex is also able to covalently add to DNA even though interstrand cross-links appear significantly hampered with respect to cisplatin. The interactions with the macromolecule are discussed in view of the observed cell effect.

Abstract Background Tumor progression and tumor response to anticancer therapies may be affected by activation of oncogenic pathways such as the antioxidant one induced by NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) transcription factor and the pathways modified by deregulation of oncosuppressor p53. Often, oncogenic pathways may crosstalk between them increasing tumor progression and resistance to anticancer therapies. Therefore, understanding that interplay is critical to improve cancer cell response to therapies. In this study we aimed at evaluating NRF2 and p53 in several cancer cell lines carrying different endogenous p53 status, using a novel curcumin compound since curcumin has been shown to target both NRF2 and p53 and have anti-tumor activity. Methods We performed biochemical and molecular studies by using pharmacologic of genetic inhibition of NRF2 to evaluate the effect of curcumin compound in cancer cell lines of different tumor types bearing wild-type (wt) p53, mutant (mut) p53 or p53 null status. Results We found that the curcumin compound induced a certain degree of cell death in all tested cancer cell lines, independently of the p53 status. At molecular level, the curcumin compound induced NRF2 activation, mutp53 degradation and/or wtp53 activation. Pharmacologic or genetic NRF2 inhibition further increased the curcumin-induced cell death in both mutp53- and wtp53-carrying cancer cell lines while it did not increase cell death in p53 null cells, suggesting a cytoprotective role for NRF2 and a critical role for functional p53 to achieve an efficient cancer cell response to therapy. Conclusions These findings underline the prosurvival role of curcumin-induced NRF2 expression in cancer cells even when cells underwent mutp53 downregulation and/or wtp53 activation. Thus, NRF2 inhibition increased cell demise particularly in cancer cells carrying p53 either wild-type or mutant suggesting that p53 is crucial for efficient cancer cell death. These results may represent a paradigm for better understanding the cancer cell response to therapies in order to design more efficient combined anticancer therapies targeting both NRF2 and p53.

A 2D CuNi metal-organic framework (MOF) named CuxNi3-x(HHTP)2 was synthesized with 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) as the linker and was used as a sensitive scaffold to adsorb aptamer strands for the electrochemical detection of living C6 glioma cells and one of their biomarkers, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Different from conventional MOFs, the CuxNi3-x(HHTP)2 MOF comprises long-range delocalized electrons, a graphene-analog nanostructure, multiple metal states (Cu0/Cu+/Cu2+ and Ni2+/Ni3+), and abundant oxygen vacancies. With these features, the CuxNi3-x(HHTP)2 MOF anchored a large amount of C6 cell-targeted aptamer strands via coordination among metal centers, oligonucleotides, π-π stacking, and van der Waals force. The CuxNi3-x(HHTP)2-based cytosensor showed a low limit of detection (LOD) of 21 cells mL-1 toward C6 glioma cells within a wide range from 50 cells mL-1 to 1 × 105 cells mL-1. Moreover, the proposed aptasensor displayed high selectivity, good stability, acceptable reproducibility, and a low LOD of 0.72 fg mL-1 for detecting EGFR with the concentration ranging from 1 fg mL-1 to 1 ng mL-1. The aptasensor based on the CuxNi3-x(HHTP)2 MOF exhibited superior sensing performance over those based on its monometallic analogues such as Cu3(HHTP)2 MOF and Ni3(HHTP)2 MOF. Hence, this sensing strategy based on a bimetallic semiconducting MOF shows great potential for cancer diagnosis.

Regio- and stereoselective nucleophilic attack of cyanide (from NBu4CN) to cationic diiron vinyliminium compounds [Fe2Cp2(CO)(mu-CO){mu-eta(1):eta(3)-C-(R')C(R '')-CNMe2}]CF3SO3 ([1a-f]CF3SO3) affords the nitrile-aminoallylidene derivatives 2a-f in good to excellent yield. The analogous reaction of [1g]CF3SO3, comprising two different N substituents, gives 4 (63%) as a mixture of two stereoisomers. The new products [lg]CF3SO3, 2a-f, and 4 were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and in a number of cases by IR-spectroelectrochemistry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The allylidene complexes are air-stable and robust in aqueous solution; however, in general they undergo oxidation within a biologically relevant range of potentials. DFT calculations were carried out to rationalize the observed stereoselectivity of the synthesis reaction and other structural and thermodynamic aspects. The cytotoxicity of 2a-f was assessed on cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian carcinoma (A2780 and A2780cisR) cell lines and human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. Experiments reveal that treatment with the compounds leads to ROS production, with an absence of direct interactions with double-stranded DNA (calf thymus) and bovine serum albumin.

Two new lanthanide (III) complexes, namely [Ln(QCy)3(H2O)] (Ln = Eu (1), Gd (2); HQCy = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexylcarbonyl-pyrazol-5-one), have been obtained by reaction of corresponding Ln(NO3)3·xH2O with excess of HQCy and MOH, M = Li, Na, K or Cs. Unexpectedly, formation of the [Ln(QCy)4]− species was not observed, also when the reaction was carried out in ligand excess and by varying reaction conditions and molar ratios. [Eu(QCy)3(H2O)] (1) has been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray study. The crystal structure of 1 is based on molecular [Eu(QCy)3(H2O)] moieties connected by O H…N hydrogen bonds into 1D-chain. Phosphorescence spectra of 2 allowed to determine the very high energy of the triplet level of the ligand (QCy) 23,640 cm−1, which correlates well with the calculated value of 24,040 cm−1. Weak luminescence of the europium species 1 is observed even at room temperature.

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal post-synthetic modifications (PSMs) of Lanthanide Organic Frameworks (LOFs) {[Ln2(H2L)3(DMF)4]·2DMF}n (Ln = Gd, 1 and Eu, 2; H4L = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid; DMF = dimethylformamide), carried out by treatment with (a) chloroform or (b) an imidazole solution in chloroform, yielded respectively isostructural {[Ln2(H2L)3(DMF)4]·CHCl3}n (Ln = Gd, 3; Eu, 4) or {[Ln2(H2L)3(Im)4][Ln2(H2L)3(Im)2(H2O)2]·6Im·2CHCl3}n (Ln = Gd, 5; Eu, 6). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 5 showed two different regularly alternating dimeric units in the LOF and two regularly alternating cavities with different guest molecules. All compounds revert to the parent LOF, 1 or 2, when treated with DMF at 90 °C for 8 h. Europium-LOFs (2, 4 and 6) showed a faint red emission that progressively gained intensity upon cooling from RT to liquid nitrogen temperature. This behaviour was exploited to develop a family of luminescent thermometers whose characteristics were affected by the structural and coordinative modifications induced by PSMs.

Three novel lanthanide complexes based on 1,3-bis(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)propane-1,3-dionate (L), namely [Ln(L)3(phen)] (Ln = Gd, Yb, Lu; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray study that revealed a monomeric nature for the three compounds. Comparison of the molecular parameters has been made with analogous [Ln(diketonate)3(N2-donor)] species. The peculiarities of the coordination polyhedron and the photophysical properties for the three complexes were discussed. It has been found that, despite relatively high energy of triplet state of the ligand L (T1 = 22,000 cm−1) unfavorable for sensibilization of Yb3+ ion, the ytterbium complex is noticeable luminescent. The emission Stark-splitted maximum in photoluminescence spectrum of [Yb(L)3(phen)] is peaked at 980 nm (NIR-region) and photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is about 0.3%.

A series of 2,3-dicarboxylato-5-acetyl-4-aminoselenophenes, 5a–j, was obtained via the uncommon assembly of building blocks on a diiron platform, starting from commercial [Fe2Cp2(CO)4] through the stepwise formation of diiron complexes [2a–d]CF3SO3, 3a–d, and 4a–j. The selenophene-substituted bridging alkylidene ligand in 4a–j is removed from coordination upon treatment with water in air under mild conditions (ambient temperature in most cases), affording 5a–j in good to excellent yields. This process is highly selective and is accompanied by the disruption of the organometallic scaffold: cyclopentadiene (CpH) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeO(OH)) were identified by NMR and Raman analyses at the end of one representative reaction. The straightforward cleavage of the linkage between a bridging Fischer alkylidene and two (or more) metal centers, as observed here, is an unprecedented reaction in organometallic chemistry: in the present case, the carbene function is converted to a ketone which is incorporated into the organic product. DFT calculations and electrochemical experiments were carried out to give insight into the release of the selenophene-alkylidene ligand. Compounds 5a–j were fully characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry in one case., Metal−metal cooperativity in action! Different fragments are combined on the {Fe2Cp2(CO)2} skeleton to give highly functionalized selenophene ligands, linked to the iron centers through a bridging alkylidene, which is easily removed from coordination by exposure to air/water in ethereal solution.

A series of diiron/tetrairon compounds containing a S- or a Se-function (2a&ndash, d, 4a&ndash, d, 5a&ndash, b, 6), and the monoiron [FeCp(CO){SeC1(NMe2)C2HC3(Me)}] (3) were prepared from the diiron &mu, vinyliminium precursors [Fe2Cp2(CO)( &mu, CO){ &mu, &eta, 1: &eta, 3-C3(R&rsquo, )C2HC1N(Me)(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = R&rsquo, = Me, 1a, R = 2,6-C6H3Me2 = Xyl, R&rsquo, = Ph, 1b, R = Xyl, R&rsquo, = CH2OH, 1c), via treatment with S8 or gray selenium. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and structural aspects were further elucidated by DFT calculations. The unprecedented metallacyclic structure of 3 was ascertained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The air-stable compounds (3, 4a&ndash, b, 6) display fair to good stability in aqueous media, and thus were assessed for their cytotoxic activity towards A2780, A2780cisR, and HEK-293 cell lines. Cyclic voltammetry, ROS production and NADH oxidation studies were carried out on selected compounds to give insights into their mode of action.

New pyridinimino complexes of platinum(II) [PtCl2(N^N-R)] (N^N = 2-pyridylmethanimino, R = -(CH2)2O(CH2)2OH, -(CH)2O(CH2)2OCH2Pyr), Pyr = pyren-1-yl) have been prepared. They are characterized by a dioxygenated alkyl side chain and, in one case, by a fluorescent terminal 1-pyrenyl residue. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H–, 13C–and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies. For [PtCl2(N^N-(CH2)2O(CH2)2OH] the molecular structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes are soluble and stable in DMSO/H2O (80/20, v/v). The pyrenyl terminated compound was tested as antiproliferative agent against selected human cancer cell lines. Comparable cytotoxic effect was obtained on human ovarian carcinoma A-2780 and A-2780cis cells, thus suggesting a certain ability to circumvent cisplatin resistance. The interaction of this complex with DNA was investigated by linear flow dichroism and by spectrophotometric (absorbance and fluorescence) titrations. Both techniques enlightened the presence of a complex mode of interaction with DNA, involving both groove binding and intercalation.

A series of diiron complexes based on the [Fe2Cp2(CO)x] skeleton (Cp = η5-C5H5, x = 2, 3; η4-C5H5Ph in place of one Cp in one case) and containing different bridging hydrocarbyl ligands (aminocarbyne, thiocarbyne, allenyl) were preliminarily investigated for their anticancer potential. The water solubility, stability in water and in the presence of a cell culture medium, and octanol/water partition coefficient were evaluated by spectroscopic techniques. The cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro toward the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780, the human triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, and the human vascular smooth muscle cell line SMC. Some aminocarbyne complexes exhibited a potent cytotoxicity, with IC50 values in the low micromolar/nanomolar range, and a strong selectivity for the A2780 cells in comparison to the SMC cell line. Several experiments were carried out in order to give insight into the mode of action of selected compounds, including an assessment of catalytic NADH oxidation and ROS production and studies of binding with DNA and with a model protein.

A series of copper(II) pyrazolates were synthesized employing different synthetic approaches. By refluxing either [Cu3(μ3-OH)(μ-pz)3(CH3COO)2(pzH)] (pzH = pyrazole) or [Cu(μ-pz)2·H2O]n in water, [Cu(μ-pz)(μ-OH)]n (1) was unexpectedly obtained, whereas the reactions of copper(II) acetate hydrate with pzH or 4-XpzH (4-XpzH = 4-Xpyrazole, X = Cl, Br, I) in dimethylformamide (DMF) by microwave-assisted solvothermal syntheses yielded the compounds [Cu(μ-pz)2(μ-DMF)]n (2DMF) or [Cu(μ-4-Xpz)2(μ-DMF)]n (3DMF–5DMF). As unveiled by powder X-ray diffraction, all these compounds are 1-D coordination polymers showing square planar trans-CuN2O2 (1) or octahedral trans-CuN4O2 (2DMF–5DMF) metal centers, reasonably involved in through-bond antiferromagnetic interactions (magnetic susceptibility in the range 0.91–1.56 B.M.). Theoretical calculations carried out on these compounds at the B3LYP-D* level confirmed the structural aspects and IR spectroscopy features unveiled experimentally. Upon heating, 2DMF–5DMF reversibly lose DMF to give the corresponding low-crystallinity coordination polymers [Cu(μ-pz)2]n (2) and [Cu(μ-4-Xpz)2]n (3–5), of which only 3 was characterized in the past. In order to shed light on the local-level structural features of 2, 4 and 5, UV-Vis-NIR absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy measurements were performed, the results suggesting a tetrahedral stereochemistry for the metal centres.

Two-step functionalization of 4-diphenylphosphino benzoic acid with biotin afforded 2-(biotinyloxy)ethyl 4-(diphenylphosphanyl)benzoate (LP), that was subsequently used to synthesize the Ru(II) arene complexes [RuCl2(eta(6)-p-cymene)(LP)] (1), [Ru(C2O4)(eta(6)-p-cymene)(LP)] (2) and [Ru(curc)(eta(6)-p-cymene)(LP)]NO3 ([3]NO3), the latter incorporating curcumin (curcH) as an additional bioactive fragment. [Ru(curc)(eta(6)-p-cymene)(PPh3)]NO3 ([4]NO3) was also prepared as a reference compound. Compounds 2 and [3]NO3 exhibited excellent stability in water/DMSO solution while being slowly activated in the cell culture medium over 72 hours. Together with LP, they were therefore assessed for their antiproliferative activity towards a panel of cancer cell lines, with different levels of biotin transporter expression. The apparent affinity of the compounds towards avidin varies, and their antiproliferative activity does not correlate with biotin transporter expression, although it is systematically enhanced when biotin-free cell culture medium is used.

The study of the activity of a series of heterogeneous cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) based catalyst precursors for the hydrogen peroxide promoted oxidation of benzothiophene, 2- and 3-methylbenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, has been carried out. The last, chosen as model substrates of the common sulfurated derivatives of fuels, have been oxidized in the presence of selected imidazolium based ionic liquids, under extractive oxidative desulfurization conditions. The reactivity of sulfur-containing compounds toward the oxidation to their corresponding sulfones has been evaluated, firstly, for each type of substrate alone, and then applying the optimized procedure to a system formed by all sulfurated substrates. Our aim was to mimic the oxidation of a model diesel oil, under either thermal or microwave assisted heating. Cis-dioxomolybdenum (VI) compounds behaved as very active and stable catalytic systems retaining, in one selected case, the original activity at least for three cycles. Imidazolium ionic liquids played a dual fundamental role not only as extractant and reaction medium but also as stabilizing system for both the oxidant and the catalytic agents. Under optimized microwave-assisted conditions, the quantitative elimination of sulfurated substrates from the model diesel oil, was obtained after only 1 h or 2 h, when [BMIM]OTf or [BMIM]BF4 and [OMIM]BF4, respectively, have been used as ionic liquids.