Some new morpholine-based Schiff-base complexes; Synthesis, characterization, anticancer activities and theoretical studies

Trinuclear cylinder-like potential anticancer and antibacterial Cu(i), Ag(i) and Au(i) nano-sized cationic complexes with tris-NHC ligands: cationic M3 metal cluster displaying positive or negative cooperativity in triad [L2(R)6→M3]3+ complexes?

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are a class of organic molecules containing a divalent carbon atom, known as a carbene, within a heterocyclic (ring) structure where nitrogen atoms (N) form part of the ring. These molecules have garnered significant attention in coordination chemistry due to their unique bonding properties, particularly as strong σ-donor ligands that facilitate the formation of stable complexes. A theoretical study was conducted to investigate the structural and bonding characteristics of M←C bonds in trinuclear, nano-sized Cu(i), Ag(i), and Au(i) cations with two tris-NHC ligands, which exhibit promising anti-cancer and antibacterial potential. The study employed natural bond orbital (NBO) techniques, energy decomposition analysis (EDA), and extended transition-state natural orbital for chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) methods to analyze the bonding interactions. The cooperativity values between bonds were also examined, revealing positive values indicative of anti-cooperativity within the complexes. The results further demonstrated that the M←C interactions are predominantly electrostatic in nature. These findings highlight the unique structural and electronic properties of the complexes, suggesting their potential as candidates for anti-cancer and antibacterial applications.

Advances in Coordination Chemistry of Schiff Base Complexes: A Journey from Nanoarchitectonic Design to Biomedical Applications

Since the discovery of Schiff bases over one and a half centuries ago, there has been tremendous research activity in the design of various Schiff bases and examination of their diverse structures and versatile applications. This family of compounds has continued to captivate many research groups due to the simplicity of their synthesis through the condensation of amines with carbonyl compounds. While conventional synthesis has been the most widely used, green synthetic methodologies have been also explored for this reaction, including sonication, microwave-assisted, natural acid-catalyzed and mechanochemical syntheses as well as utilizing ionic liquid solvents or deep eutectic solvents. Schiff bases have been utilized as excellent ligands for coordination to transition metals and late transition metals (lanthanides and actinides). These Schiff base compounds can be mono-, di-, or polydentate ligands. The aim of this review is to examine the biological applications of Schiff base complexes over the past decade with particular focus on their antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Schiff base complexes have been found effective in combating bacterial and fungal infections with numerous examples in the literature. The review addressed this area by focusing on the very recent examples while using tables to summarize the vast breadth of research according to the metallic moieties. Viruses have continued to be a target of many researchers in light of their continuous mutations and impact on human health, and therefore some examples of Schiff base complexes with antiviral activity are described. Cancer continues to be among the leading causes of death worldwide. In this article, the use of Schiff base complexes for, and the mechanisms associated with, their anticancer activity are highlighted. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or intercalation with DNA base pairs leading to cell cycle arrest were the main mechanisms described. While there have been some efforts made to use Schiff base complexes as antidiabetic or anti-inflammatory agents, there are limited examples when compared with antimicrobial and anticancer studies. The conclusion of this review highlights the emerging areas of research and future perspectives with an emphasis on the potential uses of Schiff bases in the treatment of infectious and noninfectious diseases.

The antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of novel synthetized nitroimidazole compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in vitro and in silico

The antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens has led to failure in infections elimination. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of novel synthesized nitroimidazole compounds (8a-8o). In this study, nitroimidazole compounds were synthesized via the A3 coupling reaction of sample substrates in the presence of copper-doped silica cuprous sulfate (CDSCS). Fifteen and two carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia (CP-E. coli and CP-K. pneumonia, respectively) and one methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and one methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) plus standard strain of each isolate were included. The antibacterial effects of these compounds demonstrated that the lowest minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC, respectively) levels corresponded to compound 8g against S. aureus (1/2 µg/mL) and K. pneumonia (8/32 µg/mL) standard and clinical strains and confirmed by in silico assessment. This was comparable to those of metronidazole being 32-128 µg/mL against K. pneumonia and 32-64 µg/mL against S. aureus. In comparison to metronidazole, against CP-E. coli, compounds 8i and 8m had significantly higher antibacterial effects (p < 0.001) and against CP-K. pneumonia, compounds 8a-8j and 8l-8o had significantly higher (p < 0.0001) antibacterial effects. Compound 8g exhibited significantly higher antibacterial effects against MSSA and compounds 8b (p < 0.001), 8c (p < 0.001), 8d (p < 0.001), 8e (p < 0.001) and 8g (p < 0.0001) exerted significantly higher antibacterial effects than metronidazole against MRSA. Moreover, potential anti-biofilm effects was corresponded to compounds 8a, 8b, 8c, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8i, 8k, 8m and 8n. Considering the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of novel synthesized compounds evaluated in this study, further assessments is warranted to verify their properties in vivo and clinical trials in the future.

Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of New 8-Hydroxyquinoline Schiff Bases: Investigating Their Structure, Solution Speciation, and Anticancer Potential

We report the synthesis and characterization of three novel Schiff bases (L1-L3) derived from the condensation of 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline with amines containing morpholine or piperidine moieties. These were reacted with CuCl₂ and ZnCl₂ yielding six new coordination compounds, with the general formula ML₂, where M = Cu(II) or Zn(II) and L = L1-L3, which were all characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-visible absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)), and mass spectrometric techniques, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, two Cu(II) complexes, with L1 and L2, are obtained as dinuclear compounds, with relatively short Cu-Cu distances (3.146 and 3.171 Å for Cu₂(L1)₄ and Cu₂(L2)₄, respectively). The free ligands show moderate lipophilicity, while their complexes are more lipophilic. The pK_a values of L1-L3 and formation constants of the complex (for ML and ML₂) species were determined by spectrophotometric titrations, with the Cu(II) complexes showing higher stability than the Zn(II) complexes. EPR indicated the presence of several species in solution as pH varied and binding modes were proposed. The binding of the complexes to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated by fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. All complexes bind BSA, and as demonstrated by CD, the process takes several hours to reach equilibrium. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated in malignant melanoma cells (A375) and in noncancerous keratinocytes (HaCaT). All complexes display significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ < 10 μM) but modest selectivity. The complexes show higher activity than the free ligands, the Cu(II) complexes being more active than the Zn(II) complexes, and approximately twice more cytotoxic than cisplatin. A Guava ViaCount assay corroborated the antiproliferative activity.

Amphiphilic Silver Nanoparticles for Inkjet-Printable Conductive Inks

The large-scale manufacturing of flexible electronics is nowadays based on inkjet printing technology using specially formulated conductive inks, but achieving adequate wetting of different surfaces remains a challenge. In this work, the development of a silver nanoparticle-based functional ink for printing on flexible paper and plastic substrates is demonstrated. Amphiphilic silver nanoparticles with narrow particle size distribution and good dispersibility were prepared via a two-step wet chemical synthesis procedure. First, silver nanoparticles capped with poly(acrylic acid) were prepared, followed by an amidation reaction with 3-morpholynopropylamine (MPA) to increase their lipophilicity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the interactions between the particles and the dispersion medium in detail. The amphiphilic nanoparticles were dispersed in solvents of different polarity and their physicochemical and rheological properties were determined. A stable ink containing 10 wt% amphiphilic silver nanoparticles was formulated and inkjet-printed on different surfaces, followed by intense pulsed light (IPL) sintering. Low sheet resistances of 3.85 Ω sq^-1, 0.57 Ω sq^-1 and 19.7 Ω sq^-1 were obtained for the paper, coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and uncoated polyimide (PI) flexible substrates, respectively. Application of the nanoparticle ink for printed electronics was demonstrated via a simple flexible LED circuit.

Synthesis, “turn-on” fluorescence signals towards Zn2+ and Hg2+ and monoamine oxidase A inhibitory activity using a molecular docking approach of morpholine analogue Schiff base linked organosilanes

A new set of morpholine analogue Schiff base linked organosilanes (5a–5c) was prepared.