Search Results (29)

The development of gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) is a highly challenging and demanding research field in metal-coordination medicinal chemistry. The recognized high capacity of hydroxypyridinone (HOPO)-based compounds to coordinate Gd (III) led us to evaluate the set of physic–chemical–biological properties of a new Gd (III) complex with a hexadentate tripodal ligand (H₃L) containing three 3,4-HOPO chelating moieties attached to an anchoring cyclohexane backbone. In particular, the thermodynamic stability constants of the complex were evaluated by potentiometry, showing the formation of a highly stable (1:1) Gd-L complex (log β_GdL = 26.59), with full coordination even in an acid-neutral pH under the experimental conditions used. Molecular simulations of the Gd (III) complex revealed a minimum energy structure with somewhat-distorted octahedral geometry, involving full metal hexa-coordination by the three bidentate moieties of the ligand arms, indicating that an extra water molecule should be coordinated to the metal ion, an important feature for the CAs (and the required enhancement of water proton relaxivity). In vivo biodistribution studies with the ⁶⁷Ga complex, as a surrogate of the corresponding Gd complex, showed in vivo stability and rapid excretion from the animal body. Though deserving further investigation, these results may give an input on future perspectives towards new MRI diagnostic agents. Full article

We report here the synthesis of a series of nine coordinated mononuclear Ln^III complexes [LnL₁Cl₂(DMF)]Cl·2.5DMF and [LnL¹(L₂)₂]Cl·4CH₃OH (Ln^III = Gd^III, Dy^III, Er^III and Yb^III, HL₂ = 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid), where L1 is a hexadentate N₄O₂ Schiff base ligand prepared from the condensation of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarbaldehyde and semicarbazone. The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes show the Ln^III ions to possess LnN₄O₂Cl₂ and LnN₄O₄ coordination spheres, which can be considered to be derived from a hexagonal bipyramidal geometry, with the ligand in the equatorial plane and the anions (chloride or 9-antracenecarboxylate) in axial positions, which undergo distortion after coordination of either a molecule of DMF or a bidentate coordination of the 9-anthracenecarboxxylate ligand. All these compounds exhibit field-induced slow magnetization relaxation (SMR). The absence of SMR at zero field due to QTM, as well as the processes involved in the magnetic relaxation under a field of 0.1 T, have been justified on the basis of theoretical calculations and the distortion of the respective coordination spheres. The severe discrepancy between the calculated and experimental thermal energy barriers for the Dy^III complexes seems to indicate that the relaxation occurs with the contribution of spin–vibrational coupling, which is favored by the flexibility of the ligand. Full article

The DFO, a special hexadentate chelator with three hydroxamate moieties, is a bifunctional 1-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-3-[6,17-dihydroxy-7,10,18,21-tetraoxo-27-(N-acetylhydroxylamino)- 6,11,17, 22- tetraazaheptaeicosine] thiourea (p-SCN-Bn-Df), a significant next-generation ligand. The presence of the thiocyanate (-SCN) group makes it capable of hydrolysis and the protonation process. In this study aims to optimize the HPLC protocol for 1-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)-3-[6,17-dihydroxy-7,10,18,21-tetraoxo-27-(n-acetylhydroxylamino)-6,11,17,22-tetraazaheptaeicosine] thiourea (p-SCN-Bn-Df) via the Reversed-Phase Chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. A variety of mobile phases were tested in various ratios of solvent constituents such as methanol/water, acetonitrile/water, and phosphate buffer along with at variable pH concentrations. However, when employing a mobile phase consisting of water to acetonitrile containing 0.1% TFA (05:95, v/v) in an isocratic manner, satisfactory separation and symmetric peaks were observed. This method utilized an Eclipsed C-18 column (5 μm, 4.6 × 250 mm) column with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The maximum absorption of p-SCN-Bn-Dfat 254 nm wavelength was selected as the detection wavelength. The Retention time (t_R) of p-SCN-Bn-Df was found at 5.205 min. The ICH guideline was used to evaluate the linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), specificity, and system appropriateness criteria to validate the optimized chromatographic and spectrophotometric procedures. For accurate compound separation in pharmaceutical and environmental analyses, this phase is adaptable and often used. This study is useful for the evaluation of p-SCN-Bn-Df QC parameters and chelation rates with different radioisotopes e.g., Zirconuim-89 (Zr-89). Full article

The aerobic photooxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides in eco-friendly solvents, notably water, at room temperature, represents a significant interest in the domain of synthetic chemistry. This study introduces four highly stable hexadentate Ir(III) complexes: [Ir(fpqen)](PF₆) (1), [Ir(btqen)](PF₆) (2), [Ir(bmpqen)](PF₆) (3), and [Ir(bnqen](PF₆) (4) (where bfpqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, btqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-tolyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, bmpqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, and bnqen is N,N′-bis(2-naphthylquinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine). These complexes were synthesized utilizing an in situ inter-ligand C-N cross-coupling photoreaction of the precursors [Ir(L)₂(en)](PF₆) (L is 2-(4-fluorophenyl)quinoline, (2-(4-tolyl)quinoline, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)quinoline or 2-naphthylquinoline, and en is 1,2-diamine) under benign conditions. This methodology furnishes a valuable and complementary approach for the in situ generation of multidentate complexes through a post-coordination inter-ligand-coupling strategy under mild conditions. Moreover, these hexadentate Ir(III) complexes exhibit pronounced catalytic activity and chemo-selectivity toward the aerobic photooxidations of sulfides into sulfoxides in aqueous media at room temperature, offering a new avenue for the sustainable synthesis of sulfoxides. Full article

A series of molybdenum(VI) complexes with aryl-functionalized alkyl dihydrazones was prepared by the reaction of [MoO₂(acac)₂] and the appropriate dihydrazone in methanol. Their solid-state structures were elucidated via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) and Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, while the thermal stability of compounds was inspected by combined thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. The behaviour of complexes in DMSO-d₆ solution was explored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The relevant data show that all complexes are dinuclear, with dihydrazones acting as ditopic hexadentate ligands. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the prepared molybdenum(VI) complexes was evaluated on THP-1 and HepG2 cell lines, while their antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Moraxella catarrhalis bacteria. The majority of compounds proved to be non-cytotoxic, while some exhibited superior antibacterial activity in comparison to dihydrazone ligands. Full article

Two new ligands were synthesized with the goal of copper stabilization, N,N′-(2-methylpyridine)-2,11-diaza[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane (^PicN4) and N-(methyl),N′-(2-methylpyridine)-2,11-diaza[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane (^PicMeN4), by selective functionalization of ^HN4 and ^TsHN4. These two ligands, when reacted with various copper salts, generated both Cu(II) and Cu(I) complexes. These ligands and Cu complexes were characterized by various methods, such as NMR, UV-Vis, MS, and EA. Each compound was also examined electrochemically, and each revealed reversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox couples. Additionally, stability constants were determined via spectrophotometric titrations, and radiolabeling and cytotoxicity experiments were performed to assess the chelators relevance to their potential use in vivo as ⁶⁴Cu PET imaging agents. Full article

The use of polydentate macrocyclic Lewis bases is a way to contribute to determine the coordination number of metal complexes. In this sense, hexadentate N₆ donors can help to achieve lanthanoid complexes with coordination number 8. But the geometry of these complexes depends on the flexibility of the bases. Accordingly, in this communication we present the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of the dysprosium complex [DyL^N6Cl₂]Cl·2H₂O, where L^N6 is a flexible hexaaza donor. Full article

Scorpiand-like ligands combine the preorganization of the donor atoms of macrocycles and the degrees of freedom of the linear ligands. We prepared the complexes of several of these ligands with transition metal ions and made a crystallographic and water solution speciation studies. The analysis of the resulting crystal structures show that the ligands have the ability to accommodate several metal ions and that the coordination geometry is mostly determined by the ligand. Ligand 6-[3,7-diazaheptyl]-3,6,9–triaza-1-(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane (L3) is an hexadentate ligand that affords a family of isostructural crystals with Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). The attempts to obtain Co(II) crystals afforded the Co(III) structures instead. Ligand 6-[4-(2-pyridyl)-3-azabutyl]-3,6,9-triaza-1(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane (L2) is very similar to L3 and yields structures similar to it, but its behavior in solution is very different due to the different interaction with protons. Ligand 6-(2-aminoethyl)-3,6,9–triaza-1-(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane (L1) is pentadentate and its complexes allow the metal to be more accessible from the solvent. A Zn(II) structure with L1 shows the species [ZnBrHL1]${}^{2+}$, which exists in a narrow pH range. Full article

The complex formation of Eu(III) and Cm(III) was studied via tetradentate, hexadentate, and octadentate coordinating ligands of the aminopolycarboxylate family, viz., nitrilotriacetate (NTA³⁻), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA⁴⁻), and ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate (EGTA⁴⁻), respectively. Based on the complexones’ pK_a values obtained from ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic pH titration, complex formation constants were determined by means of the parallel-factor-analysis-assisted evaluation of Eu(III) and Cm(III) time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This was complemented by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), providing the enthalpy and entropy of the complex formation. This allowed us to obtain genuine species along with their molecular structures and corresponding reliable thermodynamic data. The three investigated complexones formed 1:1 complexes with both Eu(III) and Cm(III). Besides the established Eu(III)–NTA 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, we observed, for the first time, the existence of a Eu(III)–NTA 2:2 complex of millimolar metal and ligand concentrations. Demonstrated for thermodynamic studies on Eu(III) and Cm(III) interaction with complexones, the utilized approach is commonly applicable to many other metal–ligand systems, even to high-affinity ligands. Full article

The viability of pathogens at interfaces can be disrupted by the presence of (cationic) charge and chelating groups. We report on the synthesis of silicone dendrimers and linear polymers based on a motif of hexadentate ligands with the ability to capture and deliver metal ions. Mono-, di- or trialkoxysilanes are converted in G1 to analogous vinylsilicones and then, iteratively using the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction and hydrosilylation, each vinyl group is transformed into a trivinyl cluster at G2. The thiol-ene reaction with cysteamine or 3-mercaptopropionic acid and the trivinyl cluster leads to hexadentate ligands 3 × N–S or 3 × HOOC–S. The compounds were shown to effectively capture a variety of metals ions. Copper ion chelation was pursued in more detail, because of its toxicity. On average, metal ions form chelates with 2.4 of the three ligands in a cluster. Upon chelation, viscous oils are converted to (very) soft elastomers. Most of the ions could be stripped from the elastomers using aqueous EDTA solutions, demonstrating the ability of the silicones to both sequester and deliver ions. However, complete ion removal is not observed; at equilibrium, the silicones remain ionically crosslinked. Full article

Tripodal multidentate ligands have become increasingly popular in f-element chemistry for stabilizing unusual bonding motifs and supporting small molecule activation processes. The steric and electronic effects of ligand donor atom substituents have proved crucial in both of these applications. In this study we functionalized the previously reported tris-anilide ligand {tacn(SiMe₂NPh)₃} (tacn = 1,3,7-triazacyclononane) to incorporate substituted aromatic rings, with the aim of modifying f-element complex solubility and ligand steric effects. We report the synthesis of two proligands, {tacn(SiMe₂NHAr)₃} (Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-3,5 or C₆H₄Me-4), and their respective group 1 transfer agents—{tacn(SiMe₂NKAr)₃}, M(III) complexes [M{tacn(SiMe₂NAr)₃}] for M = La and U, and U(IV) complexes [M{tacn(SiMe₂NAr)₃}(Cl)]. These compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The paramagnetic uranium complexes were also characterized by solid state magnetic measurements and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy. U(III) complexes were additionally studied by EPR spectroscopy. The solid state structures of all f-block complexes were authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), together with a minor byproduct [U{tacn(SiMe₂NC₆H₄Me-4)₃}(I)]. Comparisons of the characterization data of our f-element complexes with similar literature examples containing the {tacn(SiMe₂NPh)₃} ligand set showed minor changes in physicochemical properties resulting from the different aromatic ring substitution patterns we investigated. Full article

Metallic radionuclides conjugated to biological vectors via an appropriate chelator are employed in nuclear medicine for the diagnosis (imaging) and radiotherapy of diseases. For the application of radiolabeled antibodies using positron emission tomography (immunoPET), zirconium-89 has gained increasing interest over the last decades as its physical properties (t_1/2 = 78.4 h, 22.6% β⁺ decay) match well with the slow pharmacokinetics of antibodies (t_biol. = days to weeks) allowing for late time point imaging. The most commonly used chelator for ⁸⁹Zr in this context is desferrioxamine (DFO). However, it has been shown in preclinical studies that the hexadentate DFO ligand does not provide ⁸⁹Zr-complexes of sufficient stability in vivo and unspecific uptake of the osteophilic radiometal in bones is observed. For clinical applications, this might be of concern not only because of an unnecessary dose to the patient but also an increased background signal. As a consequence, next generation chelators based on hydroxamate scaffolds for more stable coordination of ⁸⁹Zr have been developed by different research groups. In this review, we describe the progress in this research field until end of 2020, including promising examples of new candidates of chelators currently in advanced stages for clinical translation that outrun the performance of the current gold standard DFO. Full article

A tripodal Schiff base ligand, 2,4,6-Tris(4-carboxybenzimino)-1,3,5-triazine (MT) and its trinuclear Dy(III), Er(III), and Gd(III) complexes were synthesized. These were characterized using UV-visible, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and molar conductivity measurements. The spectral studies indicate that the ligand is hexadentate and coordinates to the Ln(III) ions through the oxygen atoms of the carboxylic group. The trinuclear complexes were characterized as being bridged by carboxylate anions to the Dy(III), Er(III), and Gd(III) salen centers and displaying a coordination number of six. Biological studies revealed that MT is more active against the test micro-organisms relative to the trinuclear complexes. Acute toxicity studies revealed that MT is safe and has a wide range of effective doses (ED₅₀). In vivo antimalarial studies indicate that MT could serve as an effective antimalarial agent since it has parasitemia inhibition of 84.02% at 50 mg/kg and 65.81% at 25 mg/kg, close to the value (87.22%) of the standard drug—Artesunate. Molecular docking simulation studies on the compounds against SARS-CoV-2 (6Y84) and E. coli DNA gyrase (5MMN) revealed effective binding interactions through multiple bonding modes. The binding energy calculated for Er(III)MT-6Y84 and Er(III)MT-5MMN complexes showed active molecules with the ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and E. coli DNA gyrase. Full article

Hexadentate tris(3,4-hydroxypyridinone) ligands (THP) complex Fe³⁺ at very low iron concentrations and their high affinities for oxophilic trivalent metal ions have led to their development for new applications as bifunctional chelators for the radiometal gallium-68 (⁶⁸Ga). THP-peptide bioconjugates rapidly and quantitatively complex ⁶⁸Ga at room temperature, neutral pH, and micromolar ligand concentrations, making them amenable to kit-based radiosynthesis of ⁶⁸Ga PET radiopharmaceuticals. With the aim to produce an N-hydroxysuccinimide-(NHS)-THP reagent for kit-based ⁶⁸Ga-labeling and PET imaging, THP-derivatives were designed and synthesized to exploit the advantages of NHS chemistry for coupling with peptides, proteins, and antibodies. The more stable five-carbon atoms linker product was selected for a proof-of-concept conjugation and radiolabeling study with an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) camelid single domain antibody (sdAb) under mild conditions and further evaluated for site-specific amide bond formation with a synthesized glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) targeting peptide using solid-phase synthesis. The obtained THP-GLP-1 conjugate was tested for its ⁶⁸Ga chelating ability, demonstrating to be a promising candidate for the detection and monitoring of GLP-1 aberrant malignancies. The obtained sdAb-THP conjugate was radiolabeled with ⁶⁸Ga under mild conditions, providing sufficient labeling yields after 5 min, demonstrating that the novel NHS-THP bifunctional chelator can be widely used to easily conjugate the THP moiety to different targeting molecules (e.g., antibodies, anticalins, or peptides) under mild conditions, paving the way to the synthesis of different imaging probes with all the advantages of THP radiochemistry. Full article

This paper reports the syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of Mn(III) hexadentate Schiff base complexes [Mn(4-OH-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]NO₃(1) and [Mn(4-OH-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]ClO₄(2), where (4-OH-sal-N-1,5,8,12)²⁻ (4,4′-((1E,13E)-2,6,9,13-tetraazatetradeca-1,13-diene-1,14-diyl)bis(3-methoxyphenol) is a new hydroxyl-substituted hexadentate Schiff base ligand. The introduction of the (4-OH-sal-N-1,5,8,12)²⁻ ligand induces more hydrogen bonding interactions, in addition to promoting the formation of intermolecular interactions among the cations. However, the close-packing structures of both complexes lead to their stabilization in the high-spin state in the temperature range of 2−300 K. Full article