The versatile ruthenium(II/III) tetraazamacrocycle complexes and their nitrosyl derivatives

Unexpected Reduction of a Coordinated Diazapyridinophane Ligand Bound to Chromium(III) Ion Leading to Delocalization of the Unpaired Electron across Two Isolated Pyridine Units

In the tetraazamacrocyclic ligand N,N'-dimethyl-2,11-diaza-[3.3](2,6)pyridinophane (L-N4 Me2 ), the two pyridine units are separated from each other by sp3 -hybridized triatomic bridges. Such electronically isolated pyridine moieties are considerably less prone to reductions than di- or triimines. A detailed structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic investigation of the complexes [Cr(L-N4 Me2 )(OAc)2 ] and [Cr(L-N4 Me2 )(OAc)2 ](PF6 ), in combination with theoretical calculations, reveals that the reduced complex must be described as a chromium(III) ion coordinated to the anionic radical ligand (L-N4 Me2 )⋅- rather than a low-spin chromium(II) ion bound to closed-shell ligands. Thus, it is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second example of a stable and structurally characterized metal complex containing a reduced isolated pyridine unit. The stability is attributed to the delocalization of the unpaired electron across the two pyridine units, mediated by their interaction to the metal ion.

Ru(II) based dual nitric oxide donors: electrochemical and photochemical reactivities and vasorelaxant effect with no cytotoxicity

The synthesized complexes, cis-[Ru(NO)(NO2)(phen)2](PF6)2 (NONO2P) and cis-[Ru(NO)(NO2)(bpy)2](PF6)2 (NONO2B), were characterized by using elemental analysis, voltammetry and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Under electrochemical and photochemical stimulation in an aqueous medium, there are indications of the formation of complexes, which suggests that the nitro and nitrosyl groups are converted into nitric oxide. Both compounds do not show cytotoxic activity against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cis-[Ru(NO)(NO2)(phen)2](PF6)2 complex presented vasorelaxation activity in superior mesenteric arteries from Wistar rats: the biphasic concentration-response curve indicates two sites of action. In the presence of NO scavengers, we observed an impaired relaxing effect induced by NONO2P, suggesting that the vasorelaxant effect is due to NO production from this compound.

Development of a ruthenium–aquo complex for utilization in synthesis and catalysis for selective hydration of nitriles and alkynes

A ruthenium(ii)–aquo complex serves as a precursor for the synthesis of new ternary complexes and also as an efficient catalyst for selective hydration of aryl nitriles to aryl amides and aryl alkynes to aryl aldehydes.

Ruthenium-nitrosyl complexes as NO-releasing molecules and potential anticancer drugs

The synthesis of new types of mono- and polynuclear ruthenium nitrosyl complexes is driving progress in the field of NO generation for a variety of applications. Light-induced Ru-NO bond dissociation...

Understanding of [RuL(ONO)]n+ acting as nitric oxide precursor, a theoretical study of ruthenium complexes of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo- tetradecane having different substituents: How spin multiplicity influences bond angle and bond lengths (Ru-O-NO) in releasing of NO

Generation of nitric oxide has been a great interest in cell biology as it involves a wide range of physiological functions including the blood pressure control; thus the exploitation of ruthenium chemistry has been motivated in biochemical and clinical points of view. Herein, the structural and electronic properties of ruthenium(II) complexes of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane containing pyridyl, imidazole and benzimidazole (L¹, L², L³) were analyzed theoretically in the context of how spin multiplicity plays a crucial role influencing the NO release from the LRu-ONO moiety. The results show that β-cleavage of nitrito in the complex motivates the release of NO as it depends highly on total spin multiplicity of metal ion altering significantly the geometrical parameters; particularly, a decrease of bond length of Ru-ONO is highly associated with an increase of RuO-NO bond distance that correlates with the decrease of the Ru-O-NO bond angle ultimately leading to the release of NO; apparently, the bending nature of Ru-O-NO defines its release from the complex. This is consistent with orbital energy (d_x²-_y²) where the stabilization of axial Ru-O bond in the complex was observed, and proved by molecular orbital studies. In the excitation of the complex (singlet to triplet or singlet to quintet), the NO release has been facilitated, agreeing with the Gibbs free energy data where a lower energy for NO release was obtained compared to other types of excitations. In the calculated electronic spectra, a visible broad band with relatively high intensity for [RuL¹ONO]⁺ was observed, agreeing approximately with reported experimental results.

Helpful correlations to estimate the pKa of coordinated HNO: a potential-pH exploration in a pendant-arm cyclam-based ruthenium nitroxyl

The acid-base speciation of coordinated azanone (HNO) remains a highly relevant topic in bioinorganic chemistry. Ruthenium nitroxyl complexes with sufficient robustness towards ligand loss have gained significance as operating platforms to delve into such studies. In this work, we revisit an octahedral {RuNO}⁶ complex containing the cyclam-based pentadentate ligand L^py = 1-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and explore the thermodynamic and spectroscopic aspects of its reduced states in aqueous media. Upon in situ electro-generation of the bound HNO moiety, we have undertaken different strategies to determine both its acidity and electrochemical properties. This robust HNO complex does not undergo deprotonation in a wide pH range. We have found pK_a ([Ru(L^py)(HNO)]²⁺) = 13.0 ± 0.1 and . There are indications that pK_a (HNO) values in several ruthenium-based species correlate with the redox potential associated with the {RuNO}^6,7 and {RuNO}^7,8 couples. The present pK_a extends the range of acidity of bound HNO to more than five pH units, confirming a remarkable sensitivity to the nature of the coordination sphere. This result lays new foundations to continue rational ligand design that may contribute to a better understanding of the different biological roles of both HNO and NO^- by investigating key chemical aspects of model complexes.

On the reliability of acquiring molecular junction parameters by Lorentzian fitting of I/V curves

Fitting the I/V curves of molecular junctions by simple analytical models is often done to extract relevant molecular parameters such as energy level alignment or interfacial electronic coupling to build up useful property-relationships. However, such models can suffer from severe limitations and hence provide unreliable molecular parameters. This is illustrated here by extracting key molecular parameters by fitting computed voltage-dependent transmission spectra and by comparing them to the values obtained by fitting the calculated I/V curves with a typical Lorentzian model used in the literature. Doing so, we observe a large discrepancy between the two sets of values which warns us about the risks of using simple fitting expressions. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the quality of the fit can be improved by imposing the low bias conductance and Seebeck coefficient of the junction to be recovered in the fitting procedure.

Study of M(iii)-cyclam (M = Rh, Ru; cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) complexes as novel methanol resistant electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

Ru(iii)- and Rh(iii)-cyclam macrocyclic complexes as selective oxygen electroreduction catalysts: no ligand μ-bonds or complex heating treatments are needed.

How does the acidic milieu interfere in the capability of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes to release nitric oxide?

The nitric oxide has a well-defined role in biology. The ruthenium complexes are model for study NO release mechanisms. The proton increases the capability of these compounds to release NO after reduction reaction or of the light supported reaction.

Tracking the role of trans-ligands in ruthenium–NO bond lability: computational insight

Ruthenium–NO tetraamine structures control the nitric oxide bioavailability. The ligand trans to NO modulates the Ru–NO bond stability.

Further studies on the photoreactivities of ruthenium–nitrosyl complexes with terpyridyl ligands

Exposure of the ruthenium terpyridyl complex to NO gas leads to the ruthenium–NO complex with nitrosation of the ligand.

The Structures, Spectroscopic Properties, and Photodynamic Reactions of Three [RuCl(QN)NO]- Complexes (HQN = 8-Hydroxyquinoline and Its Derivatives) as Potential NO-Donating Drugs

The structures and spectral properties of three ruthenium complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hhqn) and their derivatives 2-methyl-8-quinolinoline (H2mqn) and 2-chloro-8-quiolinoline (H2cqn) as ligands (QN = hqn, 2mqn, or 2cqn) were calculated with density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level. The UV-Vis and IR spectra of the three [RuCl(QN)NO]⁻ complexes were theoretically assigned via DFT calculations. The calculated spectra reasonably correspond to the experimentally measured spectra. Photoinduced NO release was confirmed through spin trapping of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), and the dynamic process of the NO dissociation upon photoirradiation was monitored using time-resolved infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the energy levels and related components of frontier orbitals were further analyzed to understand the electronic effects of the substituent groups at the 2nd position of the ligands on their photochemical reactivity. This study provides the basis for the design of NO donors with potential applications in photodynamic therapy.

How does the total charge and isomerism influence the Ru–NO ammine complexes?

The NO bioavailability is controlled from Ru–NO complexes, and thus, the influence of the total charge and ligands is explored from DFT calculations.

Phenotypic switching prevention and proliferation/migration inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cells by the ruthenium nitrosyl complex trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(cyclam](PF6 )2

OBJECTIVES

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation at sites of vascular injury are both critical steps in the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). Local delivery of nitric oxide (NO) largely prevents these events. Among the NO donors, tetraazamacrocyclic nitrosyl complexes, such as trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(cyclam)](PF₆ )₂ (cyclamNO), gained attention for their features, which include the possibility of being embedded in solid matrices, and ability to participate in a nitrite/NO catalytic conversion cycle.

METHODS

Methods used to evaluate cyclamNO activity: safety margin by NR and MTT; cell proliferation by 3H-thymidine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression; antimigratory properties by transwell and wound healing; prevention of cell phenotypic switching under platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) stimuli by analysis of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression.

KEY FINDINGS

Cell proliferation and migration induced by PDGF-BB were significantly inhibited by cyclamNO. The ~60% reduction on expression of contractile protein α-SMA induced by PDGF-BB revealed VSMC phenotypic switching which is significantly prevented by cyclamNO. Compared to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside, cyclamNO showed to be significantly less cytotoxic.

CONCLUSIONS

With great potential to maintain VSMC functionality and prevent IH-associated events, cyclamNO might be a promissory drug for several applications in cardiovascular medicine, as in stents.

Nature of the Ru-NO Coordination Bond: Kohn-Sham Molecular Orbital and Energy Decomposition Analysis

We have analyzed structure, stability, and Ru-NO bonding of the trans-[RuCl(NO)(NH3)4]2+ complex by using relativistic density functional theory. First, we focus on the bond dissociation energies associated with the three canonical dissociation modes leading to [RuCl(NH3)4]++NO+, [RuCl(NH3)4]2++NO, and [RuCl(NH3)4]3++NO-. The main objective is to understand the Ru-NO+ bonding mechanism in the conceptual framework of Kohn-Sham molecular orbital theory in combination with a quantitative energy decomposition analysis. In our analyses, we have addressed the importance of the synergism between Ru-NO+ σ-donation and π-backdonation as well as the so-called negative trans influence of the Cl- ligand on the Ru-NO bond. For completeness, the Ru-NO+ bonding mechanism is compared with that of the corresponding Ru-CO bond.

The influence of L ligands on the {RuNO}6/7 bonding situation in cis-[Ru(NO)(NO2)L1–4]q complexes: a theoretical insight

The nature of the Ru–NO interaction before and after reduction of cis-[Ru(NO)(NO₂)L_1–4]^q complexes is modulated by the coordination environment of the metallic center, resulting in more labile on complexes with weak π-acceptor ligands.