Electrochemical studies of copper(II) complexes with Schiff-base ligands

Exploring corrosion behavior, antimicrobial evaluation, molecular docking and DFT calculation of thiosemicarbazone ligand and its metal complexes

In the current study, the execution of thiosemicarbazone ligand (HL) as a novel corrosion inhibitor for copper metal in 1 M HCl solution was evaluated through the electrochemical measurements which includes (open circuit potential (OCP) potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results confirmed that the ligand (HL) acted as a good corrosion inhibitor for copper metal in 1 M HCl solution; as it displayed high percentage of inhibition efficiency about 94.66% and 92.93% after PDP and EIS methods respectively; at its optimum concentration (1 × 10-7 M). The morphology and surface constituents of the sample were examined before and after addition of the ligand (HL) by using the analysis (scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) which clarified the passivation effect of the ligand (HL) after formation of a protective layer of its adsorbed molecules on the surface of the copper sample. In addition, the metal complexes Ni (II), Co (II) and Cd (II) derived from thiosemicarbazone ligand (HL) were used in this study to shed light on some of their electrochemical properties. But based on their nature as they are insoluble in aqueous media the cyclic voltammetry method was used in this section. The results deducted from cyclic voltammetry technique showed that, the oxidation-reduction process of the ligand (HL) and its metal complexes Ni (II), Co (II) and Cd (II) under quasi-reversible system and the reaction occurred on the metal surface under diffusion control. In vitro, the antibacterial activity testing against S. aureus, S. pneumonia, E. coli and S. Typhimurium were performed for the ligand (HL) and its metal complexes Ni (II), Co (II) and Cd (II). The result showed that Co (II) and Cd (II), complexes exhibited the best antibacterial activity against S. pneumonia, S. Typhimurium and E. coli while, all the compounds did not show any antibacterial activity against S. aureus. To obtain a good relation that supports and explains the interactions between the molecules of the studied compounds and the metal surface and with the antibacterial activity; the theoretical study in detail was applied using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking. The parameters such as, energy level (ΔE), the highest HOMO (EH), and the lowest occupied LUMO (EL), molecular orbital and the binding energy are deducted and discussed. The main target investigated of this study is that the thiosemicarbazone ligand (HL) can be used as a new corrosion inhibitor for the metals and their alloys against the aggressive media. Also, from cyclic voltammetry technique which had been used for testing the metal complexes Ni (II), Co (II) and Cd (II) derived from the ligand (HL); all the details about the redox reactions of these compounds had been obtained. The importance of knowing oxidation and reduction reactions is due to their consideration as the main source of energy for the most biological process, energy productions, photosynthesis to immune responses and the synthesis and breakdown of biomolecules. Therefore, redox reactions are very important in our life.

In-vitro assay studies and molecular docking of functionalized chitosan decorated vanadium pentoxide nano-agents as an antidiabetic drug

This study aims to enhance the antidiabetic potential of Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) by synthesizing chitosan-based nanoparticles (NPs). Chitosan and its derivatives were used to fabricate V2O5 NPs, ensuring enhanced antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. Surface topography was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing bioactive sites on the NPs with improved electron-transfer capability, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Furthermore, NPs were exploited for their possible antioxidant and antidiabetic potency by using different in-vitro assays. Among the fabricated NPs, chitosan-salicylaldehyde decorated V2O5 NPs (CHVD2) exhibited highest antidiabetic activity with 72.69 ± 0.76 % inhibition against α-amylase, 69.15 ± 0.58 % inhibition against α-glucosidase, and glycemic diffusion retardation index (GDRI) of 60.33 ± 0.47 %. Importantly, CHVD2 did not inhibit the growth of Bifidobacterium bacteria, as shown by disc-diffusion assay and exhibit least cytotoxicity among all NPs as tested on HacaT cell line. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding interactions between CHVD2 and the target enzymes, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase supporting its inhibitory potential. This work demonstrates the promising enhanced antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of chitosan-coated V2O5 NPs.

Experimental and Theoretical Biological Probing of Schiff Bases as Esterase Inhibitors: Structural, Spectral and Molecular Insights

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in silico potential of the Schiff bases (Z)-4-ethoxy-N-((5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)methylene)benzenamine (1) and (Z)-2,4-diiodo-6-((2-methyl-3-nitrophenylimino)methyl)phenol (2). These Schiff bases were synthesized according to a reported method using ethanol as a solvent, and each reaction was monitored on a TLC until completion of the reaction. The structures of both compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Molecular structure was determined using single-crystal XRD, which revealed that compounds 1 and 2 were monoclinic and triclinic, respectively. Hirshfeld surface analysis (HS) and 2D fingerprint plots were used to determine the intermolecular interactions along the contact contribution in the crystalline molecules. The structures of both compounds were optimized through a hybrid functional method B3LYP using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set, and various structural parameters were studied. The experimental and theoretical parameters (bond angle and bond length) of the compounds were compared with each other and are in close agreement. The in vitro esterase potential of the synthesized compounds was checked using a spectrophotometric model, while in silico molecular docking studies were performed with AutoDock against two enzymes of the esterase family. The docking studies and the in vitro assessment predicted that such molecules could be used as enzyme inhibitors against the tested enzymes: acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and butyrylcholine esterase (BChE).

Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of the New Cu(II) Complexes Bearing Imine-Phenolate Ligands with Pendant Amine N-Donor Groups

Cu(II) complexes bearing NNO-donor Schiff base ligands (2a, b) have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray analysis of the 2a complex revealed that a mononuclear and a dinuclear complex co-crystallize in the solid state. The electronic structures of the complexes are optimized by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The monomeric nature of 2a and 2b species is maintained in solution. Antioxidant activities of the ligands (1a, b) and Cu(II) complexes (2a, b) were determined by in vitro assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (DPPH^.) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (ABTS⁺). Our results demonstrated that 2a showed better antioxidant activity. MTT assays were performed to assess the toxicity of ligands and Cu(II) complexes in V79 cells. The antiproliferative activity of compounds was tested against two human tumor cell lines: MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and SW620 (colorectal carcinoma) and on MRC-5 (normal lung fibroblast). All compounds showed high cytotoxicity in the all-cell lines but showed no selectivity for tumor cell lines. Antiproliferative activity by clonogenic assay 2b showed a more significant inhibitory effect on the MCF-7 cell lines than on MRC-5. DNA damage for the 2b compound at 10 µM concentration was about three times higher in MCF-7 cells than in MRC-5 cells.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Schiff Base Metal–Ligand Complexes with Copper and Nickel Centres for Electrochemical In Vitro Sensing of Nitric Oxide in an Aqueous Solution

Nitric oxide (NO), the smallest signalling molecule known in the human body, keeps blood vessels dilated, controls blood pressure, and has numerous other health regulatory effects. The use of Schiff base complexes incorporated onto electrodes to make electrochemical sensors has been explored as an effective method for the determination and quantification of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions. Schiff base ligands were complexed with Cu and Ni metal centres using the microwave synthesis method to produce metal–ligand complexes with enhanced capabilites for NO detection. The electrical current generated at the anode is directly proportional to NO concentrations in the solution through its oxidation to HNO3. Various characterisation techniques were implemented to verify the integrity of each step of metal–ligand synthesis as well as the final product produced, using FT-IR, UV-VIS, and TGA. The as-synthesised Schiff base complexes were electrodeposited on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) and electrochemically evaluated in a 0.1 M PBS. Furthermore, metal complexes were screened for their in vitro activity towards NO detection in an aqueous solution (PBS). The results show that the investigated sensors (SPCE/Ni-BPND and SPCE/Cu-BPND) respond positively toward NO detection. It was, therefore, identified that the two sensors also do not differ significantly in terms of precision, sensitivity, and lowest detection limit. The sensor strategies demonstrate the NO limits of detection of 0.22 µM and 0.09 µM, and they also demonstrate sensitivity values of 16.3 µA/µM and 13.1 µA/µM for SPCE/Cu-BPND and SPCE/Ni-BPND sensors, respectively.

Molecular, Electronic, Nonlinear Optical and Spectroscopic Analysis of Heterocyclic 3-Substituted-4-(3-methyl-2-thienylmethyleneamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones: Experiment and DFT Calculations

In the present study, 3-p-methoxybenzyl/m-chlorobenzyl/phenyl-4-(3-methyl-2-thienylmethyleneamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones were obtained from the reaction between 3-methylthiophene-2-carbaldehyde and three different 4-amino-(3-p-methoxybenzyl/m-chlorobenzyl/phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-ones. In order to compare experimental and theoretical values, the geometric parameter, electronic, nonlinear optical properties, molecular electrostatic potentials and spectroscopic properties of 3-substituted-4-(3-methyl-2-thienylmethyleneamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones have been simulated. The electronic properties of the newly synthesized compounds were calculated using DFT/B3LYP and DFT/B3PW91 methods revealing parameters such as ionization potential, electron affinity, energy gap, electronegativity, molecular hardness, molecular softness, electrophilic index, nucleophilic index and chemical potential, all obtained from HOMO and LUMO energies, dipole moments and total energies. UV-visible absorption spectra and the stimulation contributions in UV-visible transitions were obtained by using TD-DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and TD-DFT/B3PW91/6-311G(d,p) methods in ethanol. The calculated absorption wavelengths, oscillator power and excitation energies were compared with experimental values. In line with DFT, the numbers of molecular vibration were analyzed through the basis set of 6-311G(d,p). The recording of FT-IR frequencies was done for the pertinent compound. The recorded frequencies through DFT/B3LYP and DFT/B3PW91 methods were compared to experimental values, with a result gained closest to the values of B3LYP. Finally, the Gaussian09W program package in DMSO phase, starting from the optimized structure, has been instrumental in calculating the 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR chemical shift values of the GIAO method.

Synthesis, Characterization, Cyclic Voltammetry, and Biological Studies of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexes of a Tridentate Schiff Base, 1-((E)-(2-Mercaptophenylimino) Methyl) Naphthalen-2-ol (H2L1)

A novel tridentate Schiff base, 1-((E)-(2-mercaptophenylimino) methyl) naphthalen-2-ol (H2L1), was synthesized by the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with 2-aminothiophenol in absolute ethanol. The resulting ligand was reacted with Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions to obtain tetrahedral CoL1, NiL1, and square planar CuL1 complexes. The Schiff base and its metal complexes were characterized using 1H-NMR, microanalysis, FT-IR, UV-visible, and mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). All the compounds are soluble in DMSO and DMF. Spectroscopic studies show that the ligand coordinates to the metal center through the azomethine nitrogen, naphthoxide oxygen, and thiophenoxide sulfur to form a tridentate chelate system. Conductance measurements show that these compounds are molecular in solution. Cyclic voltammetry studies show Co(III)/Co(II) and Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox systems to be quasi-reversible involving a monoelectronic transfer while Ni(III)/Ni(II) was irreversible. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity against five bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Proteus mirabilis) and five fungal strains (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis) showed no antifungal activity but moderate antibacterial activity on E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and P. mirabilis bacterial strains. Antioxidant studies reveal that the ligand and its Cu(II) complex are more potent than Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes to eliminate free radicals.

Striking Increase in Hole Mobility upon Metal Coordination to Triphenylene Schiff Base Semiconducting Multicolumnar Mesophases

This paper reports the synthesis, liquid-crystal behavior, and charge-transport properties in the mesophase of triphenylene Schiff bases and their copper(II), nickel(II), and oxovanadium(IV) complexes. The thermal and electronic properties of the Schiff bases are modulated by coordination to the corresponding metal moieties, which have the ability to self-assemble into linear structures and help the alignment of the triphenylene columns. This produces two kinds of electronically nonconnected columnar regions, one purely organic and one more inorganic. The most remarkable effect is a striking charge mobility enhancement in the metal-containing mesophases, due to the contribution of the more inorganic columns: in comparison to values of hole mobility along the columnar stacking for the purely organic columnar mesophases, on the order of 10^-7 cm² V^-1 s^-1, these values jump to 1-10 cm² V^-1 s^-1 in these hybrid inorganic/organic columnar materials.

Synthesis, molecular structure and antioxidant activity of bis [L(μ2-chloro)copper(II)] supported by phenoxy/naphthoxy-imine ligands

A new series of Cu(II) complexes [bis[{(μ₂-chloro)-2-MeO-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2,4-tert-butyl-2-OC₆H₂)}Cu(II)] (Cu1); bis[{(μ₂-chloro)-2-MeS-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2,4-tert-butyl-2-(OC₆H₂)}Cu(II)] (Cu2); bis[{(μ₂-chloro)-2-MeO-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2-(OC₁₀H₆)} Cu(II)] (Cu3); bis[{(μ₂-chloro)-2-MeS-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2-(OC₁₀H₆)}Cu(II)] complex (Cu4); bis[{2-MeS-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2,4-tert-butyl-2-(OC₆H₂)}Cu(II)] (Cu5)] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Visible and by X-ray crystallography for Cu1, Cu4 and Cu5. In the solid state, Cu1 features of a chloro-bridged dimer complex with κ² coordination of the monoanionic phenoxy-imine ligand onto the copper center. On the other hand, the molecular structure of Cu4 reveals the naphthoxy-imine ligand with pendant S-group coordinated to the copper atom in tridentate meridional fashion. Treatment of [Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O] with two equiv. of [2-MeS-Ph-CH₂-(N=CH)-2,4-tert-butyl-2-(HOC₆H₂)] led to a monomeric complex Cu5, with the ONS-donor Schiff base acting as a bidentate ligand. The redox behavior was explored by cyclic voltammetry. The reduction/oxidation potential of Cu(II) complexes depends on the structure and conformation of the central atom in the coordination compounds. Antioxidant activities of the complexes, Cu1 - Cu5, were determined by in vitro assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radicals (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (ABTS⁺). The dinuclear compounds Cu1-Cu4, from the concentration of 5 μM, presented a good activity in scavenging DPPH radical. In addition, most of the Cu(II) complexes showed ABTS^.+ radical-scavenging activity. The monomeric complex Cu5 at all concentrations tested showed antioxidant inability. The cytotoxicity of the Cu1 and Cu3 was determined in V79 cell line by reduction of 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

DNA profiling and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-based copper(II) complexes

A series of N-benzoylated mononuclear copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L^1-6)Cl₂] (1-6), where L¹= ethyl 4-benzoyl-5-methyl-7-aryl-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate, L²= ethyl 4-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-5-methyl-7-aryl-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate, L³ = ethyl 4-benzoyl-5-methyl-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate, L⁴ = ethyl 4-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-5-methyl-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate, L⁵ = ethyl 4-benzoyl-5-methyl-7-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate and L⁶ = ethyl 4-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-5-methyl-7-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate have been synthesized and characterized by spectral methods. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of complexes show four lines, characteristic of square planar geometry. The binding studies of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) revealed groove mode of binding, which were further supported by molecular docking studies. Gel electrophoresis experiments demonstrated the ability of the complexes to cleave plasmid DNA in the absence of activators. Further, the cytotoxicity activity of the complexes were examined on three cancerous cell lines (lung (A549), cervical (HeLa) and colon (HCT-15)), and on two normal cells (human embryonic kidney (HEK) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)) by MTT assay.

Two New Fluorinated Phenol Derivatives Pyridine Schiff Bases: Synthesis, Spectral, Theoretical Characterization, Inclusion in Epichlorohydrin-β-Cyclodextrin Polymer, and Antifungal Effect

It has been reported that the structure of the Schiff bases is fundamental for their function in biomedical applications. Pyridine Schiff bases are characterized by the presence of a pyridine and a phenolic ring, connected by an azomethine group. In this case, the nitrogen present in the pyridine is responsible for antifungal effects, where the phenolic ring may be also participating in this bioactivity. In this study, we synthesized two new pyridine Schiff Bases: (E)-2-[(3-Amino-pyridin-4-ylimino)-methyl]-4,6-difluoro-phenol (F1) and (E)- 2-[(3-Amino-pyridin-4-ylimino)-methyl]-6-fluoro-phenol (F2), which only differ in the fluorine substitutions in the phenolic ring. We fully characterized both F1 and F2 by FTIR, UV-vis, ¹H; ¹³C; ¹⁹F-NMR, DEPT, HHCOSY, TOCSY, and cyclic voltammetry, as well as by computational studies (DFT), and NBO analysis. In addition, we assessed the antifungal activity of both F1 (two fluorine substitution at positions 4 and 6 in the phenolic ring) and F2 (one fluorine substitution at position 6 in the phenolic ring) against yeasts. We found that only F1 exerted a clear antifungal activity, showing that, for these kind of Schiff bases, the phenolic ring substitutions can modulate biological properties. In addition, we included F1 and F2 into in epichlorohydrin-β-cyclodextrin polymer (βCD), where the Schiff bases remained inside the βCD as determined by the k_i, TGA, DSC, and S_BET. We found that the inclusion in βCD improved the solubility in aqueous media and the antifungal activity of both F1 and F2, revealing antimicrobial effects normally hidden by the presence of common solvents (e.g., DMSO) with some cellular inhibitory activity. The study of structural prerequisites for antimicrobial activity, and the inclusion in polymers to improve solubility, is important for the design of new drugs.

Bis-ZnII salphen complexes bearing pyridyl functionalized ligands for efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)

Inspired by the emissive features of Zn^II complexes based on bis-Schiff base ligands, bis-Zn^II salphen complexes bearing pyridyl functionalized ligands have been successfully synthesized. Their photophysical features, electrochemical behavior and electroluminescent (EL) properties have been investigated in detail. The functionalized bis-Zn^II salphen complexes can exhibit high thermal stability up to 417 °C, and their photoluminescence (PL) spectra show a maximal emission wavelength peak at ca. 565 nm both in solution and PMMA doped films. The PL investigation of the neat films for these functionalized bis-Zn^II salphen complexes indicated that the pyridyl functionalized ligands can effectively reduce the degree of molecular aggregation to enhance their emission intensity. Taking advantage of the charge carrier injection/transporting ability of the pyridyl functionalized ligands and their dendritic design, the optimized EL devices fabricated by a simple solution-processing method can achieve a peak luminance (L_max) of 3589 cd m^-2, a maximal external quantum efficiency (η_ext) of 1.46%, a maximal current efficiency (η_L) of 4.1 cd A^-1 and a maximal power efficiency (η_p) of 3.8 lm W^-1. These results should afford important instructions for exploiting high performance fluorescent emitters based on dinuclear Zn^II complexes.

Study of the structure–bioactivity relationship of three new pyridine Schiff bases: synthesis, spectral characterization, DFT calculations and biological assays

Schiff bases exhibit a broad range of applications, including their use as catalysts, stabilizers, dyes, and intermediates in organic synthesis; and biological activities, such as antifungal properties.

Coordination polymers based on bis-ZnII salphen complexes and functional ditopic ligands for efficient polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs)

Bis-Zn^II salphen coordination polymers with functional ditopic ligands can exhibit higher EL efficiencies compared to their analogues.

Synthesis and crystal structure of the dinuclear copper(II) Schiff base complex μ-hydroxido-μ-chlorido-bis{[bis(trans-2-nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine]chloridocopper(II)} dichloromethane sesquisolvate

Transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligands have been shown to have particular application in catalysis and magnetism. The chemistry of copper complexes is of interest owing to their importance in biological and industrial processes. The reaction of copper(I) chloride with the bidentate Schiff base N,N'-bis(trans-2-nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine {Nca2en, systematic name: (1E,1'E,2E,2'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-imine]} in a 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane without exclusion of air or moisture resulted in the formation of the title complex μ-chlorido-μ-hydroxido-bis(chlorido{(1E,1'E,2E,2'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-imine]-κ(2)N,N'}copper(II)) dichloromethane sesquisolvate, [Cu2Cl3(OH)(C20H18N4O4)2]·1.5CH2Cl2. The dinuclear complex has a folded four-membered ring in an unsymmetrical Cu2OCl3 core in which the approximate trigonal bipyramidal coordination displays different angular distortions in the equatorial planes of the two Cu(II) atoms; the chloride bridge is asymmetric, but the hydroxide bridge is symmetric. The chelate rings of the two Nca2en ligands have different conformations, leading to a more marked bowing of one of the ligands compared with the other. This is the first reported dinuclear complex, and the first five-coordinate complex, of the Nca2en Schiff base ligand. Molecules of the dimer are associated in pairs by ring-stacking interactions supported by C-H...Cl interactions with solvent molecules; a further ring-stacking interaction exists between the two Schiff base ligands of each molecule.

Theoretical and experimental characterization of a novel pyridine benzimidazole: suitability for fluorescence staining in cells and antimicrobial properties

Imidazopyridine showed fluorescence properties suitable for imaging with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Analysis of tautomeric equilibrium in (E)-4,6-dibromo-2-[(4-fluorophenylimino)methyl]-3-methoxyphenol compound

In this study, the tautomeric equilibrium between the phenol-imine and keto-amine structural forms of (E)-4,6-dibromo-2-[(4-fluorophenylimino)methyl]-3-methoxyphenol compound has been investigated with experimental (XRD, UV-vis and NMR) and theoretical (DFT and TD-DFT) methods. The results clearly show that structural preference of the compound is definitely depended on its state. Namely, the compound exists in phenol-imine form in the solid state while one or both of these forms can be seen in solvent media. For example, the compound prefers phenol-imine form in benzene while both forms exist in EtOH and DMSO solvents. Coexistence of two forms has been quantified with NMR studies, giving a ratio of 11:9 for phenol and keto structures of the compound in acetone-d6 solvent.

Modeling of catalytically active metal complex species and intermediates in reactions of organic halides electroreduction

The results of quantum chemical modeling of organic and metal-containing intermediates that occur in electrocatalytic dehalogenation reactions of organic chlorides are presented. Modeling of processes that take place in successive steps of the electrochemical reduction of representative C1 and C2 chlorides - CHCl3 and Freon R113 (1,1,2-trifluoro-1,2,2-trichloroethane) - was carried out by density functional theory (DFT) and second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). It was found that taking solvation into account using an implicit solvent model (conductor-like screening model, COSMO) or considering explicit solvent molecules gave similar results. In addition to modeling of simple non-catalytic dehalogenation, processes with a number of complexes and their reduced forms, some of which were catalytically active, were investigated by DFT. Complexes M(L1)2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, L1H = Schiff base from 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde and the hydrazide of 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid), Ni(L2) (H2L2 is the Schiff base from salicylaldehyde and 1,2-ethylenediamine, known as salen) and Co(L3)2Cl2, representing a fragment of a redox-active coordination polymer [Co(L3)Cl2]n (L3 is the dithioamide of 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid), were considered. Gradual changes in electronic structure in a series of compounds M(L1)2 were observed, and correlations between [M(L1)2](0) spin-up and spin-down LUMO energies and the relative energies of the corresponding high-spin and low-spin reduced forms, as well as the shape of the orbitals, were proposed. These results can be helpful for determination of the nature of redox-processes in similar systems by DFT. No specific covalent interactions between [M(L1)2](-) and the R113 molecule (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) were found, which indicates that M(L1)2 electrocatalysts act rather like electron transfer mediators via outer-shell electron transfer. A relaxed surface scan of the adducts {M(L1)2·R113}(-) (M = Ni or Co) versus the distance between the chlorine atom leaving during reduction and the corresponding carbon atom showed an energy barrier to electron transfer (the first stage of R113 catalytic reduction), while DFT optimization of the {Ni(L2)·R113}(-) adduct showed barrier-free decomposition. The difference between the stabilities of the {Ni(L1)2·R113}(-) and {Ni(L2)·R113}(-) adducts correlates with the difference between the catalytic activities of Ni(L1)2 and Ni(L2) in the electrochemical reduction of R113.

Spectral, theoretical characterization and antifungal properties of two phenol derivative Schiff bases with an intramolecular hydrogen bond

Only one of the two isomers show biological activity but theory and spectroscopic techniques are not able to distinguish between both isomers.

Oxidative coupling of 2-naphthol to (R)/(S)-BINOL by MCM-41 supported Mn-chiral Schiff base complexes

Conversion of 2-naphthol toC2-symmetric BINOL is achieved in 91% ee in the presence of an Mn-Schiff base chiral catalyst supported on MCM-41.