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Tomasz Kostrzewa,1 Izabela Nowak,2 Agnieszka Feliczak-Guzik,2 Joanna Drzeżdżon,3 Dagmara Jacewicz,3 Magdalena Górska-Ponikowska,1,4,5 Alicja Kuban-Jankowska1 1Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, 80-211, Poland; 2Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, 61-614, Poland; 3Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland; 4IEMEST Istituto Euro-Mediterraneo di Scienza e Tecnologia, Palermo, 90127, Italy; 5Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, 70174, GermanyCorrespondence: Tomasz Kostrzewa; Alicja Kuban-Jankowska, Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, 80-211, Poland, Tel +48 58 349 14 50, Fax +48 58 349 14 56, Email tomasz.kostrzewa@gumed.edu.pl; alicja.kuban-jankowska@gumed.edu.plIntroduction: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have been considered lately as promising drug delivery system in treatment of many human diseases including cancers. We previously studied potential drug compounds that were effective inhibitors of PTP1B phosphatase – possible target for breast cancer treatment. Based on our studies, two complexes were selected for encapsulation into the SLNs, the compound 1 ([VO(dipic)(dmbipy)] · 2 H2O) and compound 2 ([VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH) · H2O). Here, we investigate the effect of encapsulation of those compounds on cell cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. The study also included the stability evaluation of the obtained nanocarriers with incorporated active substances and characterization of their lipid matrix. Moreover, the cell cytotoxicity studies against the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line in comparison and in combination with vincristine have been performed. Wound healing assay was carried out to observe cell migration rate.Methods: The properties of the SLNs such as particle size, zeta potential (ZP), and polydispersity index (PDI) were investigated. The morphology of SLNs was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the crystallinity of the lipid particles was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The cell cytotoxicity of complexes and their encapsulated forms was carried out against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line using standard MTT protocols. The wound healing assay was performed using live imaging microscopy.Results: SLNs with a mean size of 160 ± 25 nm, a ZP of − 34.00 ± 0.5, and a polydispersity index of 30 ± 5% were obtained. Encapsulated forms of compounds showed significantly higher cytotoxicity also in co-incubation with vincristine. Moreover, our research shows that the best compound was complex 2 encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles.Conclusion: We observed that encapsulation of studied complexes into SLNs increases their cell cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cell line and enhanced the effect of vincristine.Keywords: solid lipid nanoparticles, stability of nanoparticles, oxovanadium(IV) and dioxovanadium(V) complexes, triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, live imaging microscopy

Mitochondria, as “power house of the cell”, are crucial players in cell pathophysiology. Beyond adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, they take part in a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulation of cell signaling and cell death. Dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics may lead to cancers and neurodegeneration; however, the fusion/fission cycle allows mitochondria to adapt to metabolic needs of the cell. There are multiple data suggesting that disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis can lead to Parkinson’s disease (PD) development. 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), metabolite of 17β-estradiol (E2) and potential anticancer agent, was demonstrated to inhibit cell growth of hippocampal HT22 cells by means of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) production and oxidative stress at both pharmacologically and also physiologically relevant concentrations. Moreover, 2-ME was suggested to inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis and to be a dynamic regulator. This review is a comprehensive discussion, from both scientific and clinical point of view, about the influence of 2-ME on mitochondria and its plausible role as a modulator of neuron survival., Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland

The review provides information on the latest methods for the synthesis of MOFs in line with green chemistry principles on an industrial scale.

One of the main goals of recent bioinorganic chemistry studies has been to design and synthesize novel substances to treat human diseases. The promising compounds are metal-based and metal ion binding components such as vanadium-based compounds. The potential anticancer action of vanadium-based compounds is one of area of investigation in this field. In this study, we present five oxovanadium(IV) and dioxovanadium(V) complexes as potential PTP1B inhibitors with anticancer activity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, the triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, and the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. We observed that all tested compounds were effective inhibitors of PTP1B, which correlates with anticancer activity. [VO(dipic)(dmbipy)]·2 H2O (Compound 4) and [VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH)·H2O (Compound 5) possessed the greatest inhibitory effect, with IC50 185.4 ± 9.8 and 167.2 ± 8.0 nM, respectively. To obtain a better understanding of the relationship between the structure of the examined compounds and their activity, we performed a computer simulation of their binding inside the active site of PTP1B. We observed a stronger binding of complexes containing dipicolinic acid with PTP1B. Based on our simulations, we suggested that the studied complexes exert their activity by stabilizing the WPD-loop in an open position and limiting access to the P-loop.

The thermal stability of the oligomers obtained by using 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol as the monomer has been studied. The oligomers were synthesized using chromium(III) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes as the catalysts after activation by modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO-12). The complexes used as the catalysts were polycarboxylate complex compounds of oxovanadium(IV) and chromium(III). The studies have been conducted by two methods: thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The obtained results allow to determine the glass transition temperatures and thermal stability of the oligomers depending on the central catalyst cation Cr3+ and V4+.

Elevated levels of reactive nitrogen species, alteration in redox balance and deregulated redox signaling are common hallmarks of cancer progression and chemoresistance. However, depending on the cellular context, distinct reactive nitrogen species are also hypothesized to mediate cytotoxic activity and are thus used in anticancer therapies. We present here the dual face of nitric oxide and its derivatives in cancer biology. Main derivatives of nitric oxide, such as nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrite cause cell death by inducing protein and lipid peroxidation and/or DNA damage. Moreover, they control the activity of important protein players within the pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways. Thus, the control of intracellular reactive nitrogen species may become a sophisticated tool in anticancer strategies.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many serious diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and myocardial infarction. In the body’s natural biochemical processes, harmful free radicals are formed, which can be removed with the help of appropriate enzymes, a balanced diet or the supply of synthetic antioxidant substances such as flavonoids, vitamins or anthocyanins to the body. Due to the growing demand for antioxidant substances, new complex compounds of transition metal ions with potential antioxidant activity are constantly being sought. In this study, four oxovanadium(IV) and dioxovanadium(V) dipicolinate (dipic) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) and the protonated form of 2-phenylpyridine (2-phephyH): (1) [VO(dipic)(H2O)2]·2 H2O, (2) [VO(dipic)(phen)]·3 H2O, (3) [VO(dipic)(bipy)]·H2O and (4) [VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH)·H2O were synthesized including one new complex, so far unknown and not described in the literature, i.e., [VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH)·H2O. The oxovanadium(IV) dipicolinate complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridyl have been characterized by several physicochemical methods: NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, IR, but new complex [VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH)·H2O has been examined by XRD to confirm its structure. The antioxidant activities of four complexes have been examined by the nitrotetrazolium blue (NBT) method towards superoxide anion. All complexes exhibit high reactivity with superoxide anion and [VOO(dipic)](2-phepyH)·H2O has higher antioxidant activity than L-ascorbic acid. Our studies confirmed that high basicity of the auxiliary ligand increases the reactivity of the complex with the superoxide radical.

Characterization of polymers at various structural levels is very important because it aims, inter alia, to improve the properties of materials used on an industrial scale. Research on the structure and morphology of polymers allows for dependence between their macroscopic properties, morphology, and conformations, and for the interactions of polymer chains to be determined. Mechanistic studies examining the creation and interactions of polymer chains are used to plan the synthesis of new polymeric materials. Several analytical methods such as Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) have been developed to characterize fractography, micro-deformation, nanostructures and self-organization of polymers in detail. In this review, the current status of analytical methods determining details of the structure, morphology and the reorganization of polymeric chains has been summarized.

A new chromium(III) complex with dipicolinate anion i.e. [Cr(dipic)(H 2 O) 3 ]Cl ⋅ 2 H 2 O and its crystal structure, the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity for the oligomerization reaction of 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol is presented in this report. The X-ray analysis of the new chromium(III) complex has been performed and based on the X-Ray analysis the crystallographic parameters have been determined. Conductivity titrations have been performed to determine the stoichiometry of the complex in aqueous solutions. The stability of the titled compound in aqueous solutions has been examined by potentiometric titrations. The nitro blue tetrazolium test has been carried out to check the antioxidant properties of [Cr(dipic)(H 2 O) 3 ]Cl ⋅ 2 H 2 O. The oligomerization reaction of 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol alcohol catalyzed by the titled chromium(III) complex has been conducted. The catalytic activity of [Cr(dipic)(H 2 O) 3 ]Cl ⋅ 2 H 2 O has been calculated. The oligomerization products have been characterized using the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the infrared spectroscopy.

The development of new polymerization methods and, consequently, the generation of new polymeric materials, is associated with the development of methods for testing the properties of these materials. The matrix assisted laser desorption and ionization - mass spectrometry method (MALDI-MS) is the technique used to study various polymers. The most important advantages of this method include the ability to determine the distribution of the molecular mass of polymers, identify the components of the polymer chain, and examine the surfaces of the polymers. The investigations using MALDI-MS are conducted on different types of samples, e. g. environmental samples, synthetic polymers, colony-cultured and blood-cultured samples. In this review the main recent developments of the MALDI-MS method for studies of polymers have been summarized. The future prospects in field of MALDI-MS and its application to different types of polymeric materials have been described.

The kinetics of the aquation reaction of the [VO(ida)(bipy)]·2H2O (VO(ida)(bipy)) complex (where ida = iminodiacetate anion and bipy = 2,2’-bipyridine) promoted by [Fe(H2O)6]3+ ions were investigated in aqueous solutions. Spectrophotometric studies were carried out at different temperatures in the range of 293.15–313.15 K. The concentration of the [Fe(H2O)6]3+ (Fe3+) ions was kept within the range of 2 × 10–4 to 8 × 10–4 mol L–1, and the concentration of VO(ida)(bipy) was 1 × 10–3 mol L–1. The values of the observable reaction rate constants were calculated based on the Glint computer program. Furthermore, the mechanism for the aquation of VO(ida)(bipy), induced by Fe(III) ions, has been proposed.

Polymers have a wide range of applications, in the production of packaging, medical and the automotive industries. Due to the ample and large-scale usage of polymers in various industries, scientists are now looking for novel polymer materials with thermoplastic properties or with the high mechanical strength while, maintaining a lightweight. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) based techniques such as conventional DSC, Parallel-Nano DSC (PNDSC), MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)-DSC, Modulated-Temperature DSC (MTDSC), Infrared (IR)-heated DSC, Gas Flow-Modulated DSC (GFMDSC), High-Performance (HPer) DSC, Pressure Perturbation Calorimetry (PPC), Flash DSC and Self-Referencing DSC (SRDSC) are frequently used to study and analyze the thermal properties of polymer materials. These techniques allow researchers to determine melting temperatures, polymorphic transformations and decompositions. This review highlights the recent developments within the field of DSC applications, which show new possibilities in the applications of DSC for physicochemical analysis.

Environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals, nanomaterials, and pesticides, induce the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Plants interact closely with the atmosphere, water, and soil, and consequently RONS intensely affect their biochemistry. For the past 30 years researchers have thoroughly examined the role of RONS in plant organisms and oxidative modifications to cellular components. Hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, nitrogen(II) oxide, and hydroxyl radicals have been found to take part in many metabolic pathways. In this review the various aspects of the oxidative stress induced by environmental contamination are described based on an analysis of literature. The review reinforces the contention that RONS play a dual role, that is, both a deleterious and a beneficial one, in plants. Environmental contamination affects human health, also, and so we have additionally described the impact of RONS on the coupled human – environment system.

The report focuses on the new precatalysts for ethylene oligomerization. The five chromium(III) complex compounds containing the following ligands: dipicolinate anion, oxalate anion, 5-aminopyridine-2-carboxylate anion, 2,2′-bipyridine and 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine have been examined towards catalytic activity for ethylene oligomerization. The chromium(III) complexes have been activated by modified methylaluminoxane. The obtained oligomers have been investigated by MALDI-TOF–MS, thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that the examined chromium(III) complexes are highly active catalysts for ethylene oligomerization. The values of catalytic activities of the examined complexes are in the range 1860 – 3798 g∙mmol-1∙h-1∙bar-1.

2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a physiological anticancer compound, metabolite of 17β-estradiol. Previously, our group evidenced that from mechanistic point of view one of anticancer mechanisms of action of 2-ME is specific induction and nuclear hijacking of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), resulting in local generation of nitro-oxidative stress and finally, cancer cell death. The current study aims to establish the substantial mechanism of generation of reactive nitrogen species by 2-ME. We further achieved to identify the specific reactive nitrogen species involved in DNA-damaging mechanism of 2-ME. The study was performed using metastatic osteosarcoma 143B cells. We detected the release of biologically active (free) nitric oxide (•NO) with concurrent measurements of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in real time in a single cell of 143B cell line by using •NO/ONOO− sensitive microsensors after stimulation with calcium ionophore. Detection of nitrogen dioxide (•NO2) and determination of chemical rate constants were carried out by a stopped-flow technique. The affinity of reactive nitrogen species toward the guanine base of DNA was evaluated by density functional theory calculations. Expression and localization of nuclear factor NF-kB was determined using imaging cytometry, while cell viability assay was evaluated by MTT assay. Herein, we presented that 2-ME triggers pro-apoptotic signalling cascade by increasing cellular reactive nitrogen species overproduction – a result of enzymatic uncoupling of increased nNOS protein levels. In particular, we proved that ONOO− and •NO2 directly formed from peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH) and/or by auto-oxidation of •NO, are inducers of DNA damage in anticancer mechanism of 2-ME. Specifically, the affinity of reactive nitrogen species toward the guanine base of DNA, evaluated by density functional theory calculations, decreased in the order: ONOOH > ONOO− > •NO2 > •NO. Therefore, we propose to consider the specific inducers of nNOS as an effective tool in the field of chemotherapy.

The oxydiacetate complexes of copper(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) have been investigated towards their kinetic and thermodynamic stability. The kinetics of the substitution reactions of the oxydiacetate complex of Cu2+ with bipy and phen have been studied in two types of surfactant solutions - anionic dodecyl sulfate sodium (SDS) and cationic hexadecyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB). The values of the observable rate constants for the studied reactions have been determined using the “Glint” program. Moreover, the thermodynamic stability of the copper(II) complexes with oda, phen and bipy in aqueous solutions has been investigated using potentiometric titration method (PT). The concentration distributions of the studied complexes as a function of pH calculated based on the values of log βpqrs have been determined. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of the oxydiacetate complexes of copper(II) with bipy and phen have been studied by the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test and the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women—it affects more than 2 million women worldwide. PTP1B phosphatase can be one of the possible targets for new drugs in breast cancer therapy. In this paper, we present new curcumin derivatives featuring a 4-piperidone ring as PTP1B inhibitors and ROS inducers. We performed cytotoxicity analysis for twelve curcumin derivatives against breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines and the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Furthermore, because curcumin is a known antioxidant, we assessed antioxidant effects in its derivatives. For the most potent cytotoxic compounds, we determined intracellular ROS and PTP1B phosphatase levels. Moreover, for curcumin and its derivatives, we performed real-time microscopy to observe the photosensitizing effect. Finally, computational analysis was performed for the curcumin derivatives with an inhibitory effect against PTP1B phosphatase to assess the potential binding mode of new inhibitors within the allosteric site of the enzyme. We observed that two tested compounds are better anticancer agents than curcumin. Moreover, we suggest that blocking the -OH group in phenolic compounds causes an increase in the cytotoxicity effect, even at a low concentration. Furthermore, due to this modification, a higher level of ROS is induced, which correlates with a lower level of PTP1B.

The kinetics and thermodynamics have been studied for the reactions of the copper(II) complexes with iminodiacetate (ida), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as ligands. The kinetics of substitution reactions of two aqua ligands for bipy and phen in the [Cu(ida)(H2O)2] coordination compound has been studied in water and three type of aqueous solutions of the following surfactants: anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic hexadecyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) and nonionic t-octylphenoxypolyetoxyethanol (Triton X-100). The progress of the substitution reactions in the studied solutions was monitored spectrophotometrically using the stopped-flow method. The studies have allowed the determination of the effect of the type of surfactant solutions on the rate of the substitution reaction. Moreover, the order of studied reactions has been determined. The research performed has also allowed us to propose the reaction mechanism of the [Cu(ida)(H2O)2] binary complex with chelate ligands (bipy or phen). In addition, the thermodynamic stability of complexes under study in aqueous solutions has been examined using the potentiometric titration method. Moreover, the potential scavenging activity of the copper(II) complexes has been investigated towards the superoxide radical.

The crystal and molecular structures of a new dinuclear oxidovanadium(IV) complex with the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetate (pmida) ligand and the 4-amino-2-methylquinolinium ([amqH]+) cation of the molecular formula [amqH]4[V2O2(pmida)2]6H2O have been determined. The phosphonate groups in the two pmida4− ligands form two bridges between adjacent V4+ atoms, resulting in the formation of a [V2O2(pmida)2]4− dimer with a V2O4P2 eight-membered ring. This is the first example of a quinoline derivative complex containing the [V2O2(pmida)2]4− ion. The susceptibility curve for the complex exhibits a maximum at approximately 10 K, indicating the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions transmitted in the crystal lattice. Furthermore, the biological properties of the complex in the concentration range 1–100 μM were investigated in relation to its cytoprotective activity against oxidative damage generated exogenously using hydrogen peroxide in the hippocampal neuronal HT22 cell line (MTT tests). The obtained results were subsequently referred to the [amqH][VO(nta)(H2O)]H2O analogue as well as trolox and ascorbic acid, used as known antioxidants. It has been established that the title compound effectively protects HT22 from oxidative damage and is a potentially good candidate for further evaluation of the mechanism of its action.

New oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with a modification of the ligand in the VO 2+ coordination sphere were synthesized. [VO(mIDA)(dmbipy)]∙1.5H 2 O and [VO(IDA)(dmbipy)]∙2H 2 O were obtained as dark green crystals and grey-green powder, respectively (mIDA = N-methyliminodiacetic anion, IDA = iminodiacetic anion, dmbipy = 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-dipyridyl). The crystal structure of [VO(mIDA)(dmbipy)]·1.5H 2 O has been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The studies of structure of [VO(mIDA)(dmbipy)]∙1.5H 2 O have shown that this compound occurs in the crystal as two rotational conformers. Furthermore, the stability constants of [VO(mIDA)(dmbipy)]∙1.5H 2 O and [VO(IDA)(dmbipy)]∙2H 2 O complexes in aqueous solutions were studied by using the potentiometric titration method and, consequently, determined using the Hyperquad2008 program. Moreover, the title complexes were investigated as antioxidant substances. The impact of the structure modification in the VO 2+ complexes on the radical scavenging activity has been studied. The ability to scavenge the superoxide radical by two complexes - [VO(mIDA)(dmbipy)]·1.5H 2 O and [VO(IDA)(dmbipy)]·2H 2 O was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) methods. The title complexes were also examined by the spectrophotometric method as scavengers of neutral organic radical - 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH ∙ ) and radical cation - 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS ∙+ ). Furthermore, the biological properties of two oxidovanadium(IV) complexes were investigated in relation to its cytoprotective properties by the MTT and LDH tests based on the hippocampal HT22 neuronal cell line during the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Finally, the results presented in this paper have shown that the both new oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with the 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-dipyridyl ligand can be treated as the cytoprotective substances.

The crystal and molecular structure of the new copper(II) complex with nitrilotriacetate (nta) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands of the [Cu(phen)2Cu(nta)(phen)]2[Cu(Hnta)2]·20H2O molecular formula has been determined. The compound comprises the dianionic mononuclear entity, [Cu(Hnta)2]2−, and two monocationic dinuclear units, [Cu(phen)2Cu(nta)(phen)]+, in which the Cu(II) ions are bridged by one oxygen atom of the nta ligand in the rarely found μ1,1–O bridging mode. The complex was characterized by spectroscopic (IR, FIR and EPR) methods and magnetic measurements as well as thermogravimetry (TG). The magnetic measurements revealed an antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) ions in the dinuclear unit. Based on the experimental data supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations the correlation between the coordination mode of the Cu(II) ions and magnetic properties of the compound studied has been discussed.

1,3-Diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) has been developed as a selective probe for the detection and quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide in samples containing different reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS). DPBF is a fluorescent probe which, for almost 20 years, was believed to react in a highly specific manner toward some reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen and hydroxy, alkyloxy or alkylperoxy radicals. Under the action of these individuals DPBF has been rapidly transformed to 1,2-dibenzoylbenzene (DBB). In order to check if DPBF can act as a unique indicator of the total amount of different RNOS, as well as oxidative stress caused by an overproduction of these individuals, a series of experiments was carried out, in which DPBF reacted with peroxynitrite anion, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite anion, and anions commonly present under biological conditions, namely nitrite and nitrate. In all cases, except for hydrogen peroxide, the product of the reaction is DBB. Only under the action of H

The impact of oxydiacetate oxidovanadium(IV) complexes on plants is currently unknown. This report demonstrates the influence of these complexes on Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. In the presence of 10-6M vanadium(IV) complexes, plants proceeded through their entire life cycle, with the occurrence of proper morphological and cytological organisation of leaf and root tissues. The addition of 10-1M H2O2 caused root damage, leaf necrosis, and plant death at around the seventh day, due to the destruction of the root system. Pretreatment of the plants with 10-6M of vanadium(IV) compounds: VOSO4 and VO(oda), alleviated the effects of H2O2 to some extent. Plants pretreated with 10-6M vanadium(IV) complexes survived longer despite the presence of H2O2. Considering the higher rate of plant survival in the presence of VOSO4, and the relatively high photosynthetic parameters and anthocyanin contents in the cells, we conclude that this vanadium(IV) compound can have positive effects on plants that are grown under stress conditions.

The kinetics of the aquation reaction of [Ni(ODA)(H2O)3] (where ODA = oxydiacetate) promoted by [Fe(H2O)6]3+ ions were investigated. Spectrophotometry studies were carried out at temperatures within the range 293.15–313.15 K. The concentration of [Ni(ODA)(H2O)3] was 8.67 × 10–4 mol L–1 and the concentration of the [Fe(H2O)6]3+ ions was kept within the range 0.75 × 10–4–7.50 × 10–4 mol L–1. The observable reaction rate constants increased with the increase of [Fe3+] according to the rate law: kobs = k + k1K{[Fe(H2O)6]3+}. Based on the kinetic data, the activation parameters were determined for the spontaneous step of the reaction and for the step dependent on the concentration of Fe3+ ions. A mechanism for the aquation reaction has been proposed. In the first step (the reversible part of the aquation reaction) a dinuclear intermediate product is produced and in the next step the products of the reaction, ([Ni(H2O)6]2+ and [Fe(ODA)(H2O)3]+), are formed. Nevertheless, it has turned out that the spontaneous path of the aquation reaction is also possible concurrently (independent of the presence of Fe3+ ions). However, this process is too slow to be accurately measurable.

The influence of the oxydiacetate (ODA) and thiodiacetate (TDA) ligands on the physicochemical and biological properties of the oxidovanadium(IV) ternary complexes of the VO(L)(B) type, where L denotes ODA or TDA and B denotes 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), has been investigated. The stability of the complexes in aqueous solutions, assessed based on the potentiometric titration method, increases in the following direction: VO(TDA)(bipy)

The crystal structure of 2,2′-bipyridyl(iminodiacetato)oxidovanadium(IV) dihydrate of [VO(IDA)bipy]·2H2O molecular formula was redetermined. The vanadium atom has an octahedral coordination. The IDA ligand adopts the facial conformation in VO(IDA)bipy. The stability of title compound in aqueous solutions was investigated by using the potentiometric titration method. Furthermore, the kinetics of substitution reactions of the [VO(IDA)H2O]H2O binary complex with 2,2′-bipyridine was investigated in aqueous solutions. These reactions were monitored spectrophotometrically using the stopped-flow method at 260 nm. The kinetic measurements were performed in the 293–308 K temperature range, at different concentrations in the 0.1–0.5 mM range of the binary complex and at the constant concentration of bipy (0.05 mmol/L). The antioxidant properties of [VO(IDA)bipy]·2H2O and [VO(IDA)H2O]H2O complexes have been studied. The antioxidant activity of these complexes against the superoxide radical as well as stable organic radicals, namely 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH ) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical was investigated. The evaluation of [VO(IDA)bipy]·2H2O as a potential antioxidant agent shows that the titled complex exhibit the antioxidant activity against the superoxide anion and organic radicals.

The kinetics of substitution reactions of the CuODA and CuTDA binary complexes (ODA = oxydiacetate, TDA = thiodiacetate) with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2’-bipyridine (bipy) were studied in aqueous and DMSO solutions. These reactions were monitored spectrometrically using the stopped-flow method in the UV range. The studies were carried out at three temperatures - 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K. The concentrations of the binary complexes were kept within the range of 0.2–0.5 mmol L−1, whereas the concentration of phen or bipy was constant = 0.05 mmol L−1. The values of the reaction rate constants were calculated based on the A → B reaction model. A linear relationship of the rate of the substitution reaction versus the concentration of the binary complex as well as temperature was observed. The impact of the type of the primary (ODA and TDA) and auxiliary ligands (phen and bipy) as well as the effect of solvent on the rate of substitution reaction have been discussed.

This publication presents a new chromium(III) complex with 5-aminopyridine-2-carboxylate anions. The title compound was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, potentiometric and conductometric titrations. The oligomerization reaction of the 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol alcohol was carried out using the title complex as a catalyst for the reaction. The resulting product was examined by MALDI-TOF MS and infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the complex in the oligomerization reaction of 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol was determined.