Cobalt(III)-py2en systems as potential carriers of β-ketoester-based ligands

Two cobalt(III) complexes containing different β-ketoesters, namely [CoIII(L1)(py2en)](ClO4)2·H2O (1) and [CoIII(L2)(py2en)](ClO4)2 (2) (py2en = N,N'-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine; L1- = methylacetoacetate; L2- = ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate) have been prepared and investigated as prototypes of bioreductive prodrugs. The presence of β-ketoester and py2en ligands in 1 and 2, as well as the perchlorate counterions, was supported by IR spectroscopy and CHN elemental analysis. The composition molecular structure of both complexes was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. Structural information was also obtained for 2via X-ray diffraction analysis. The redox properties indicate that 1 and 2 are suitable for reduction under biological conditions. Investigation of DNA-interacting suggest that 1 and 2 bind DNA via electrostatic forces. Both complexes may be employed as possible platforms for the delivery of biologically active compounds, since their reaction with ascorbic acid in PBS at pH 6.2 and 7.4 at 37°C results in the release of the β-ketoester ligands upon Co(III)/Co(II) reduction.

Evaluation of cobalt(III) complexes as potential hypoxia-responsive carriers of esculetin

Differentiation between hypoxic and normoxic tissues have been exploited for the development of selective chemotherapeutic agents. In this context, cobalt(III)-based coordination compounds have been designed and investigated as prospective hypoxia-responsive drug delivery systems. Three cobalt(III) complexes, namely [Co^III(esc)(py₂en)]ClO₄·(CH₃OH)₂ (1) [Co^III(esc)(TPA)]ClO₄·3H₂O (2) and [Co^III(bipy)₂(esc)]ClO₄·2.5H₂O (3) (py₂en = N,N'-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine, TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and esc = 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin or esculetin), were prepared and investigated as potential carriers of esculetin. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 1-3 were investigated and compared. Reactions of the complexes with biologically relevant reducing agents, viz. ascorbic acid, cysteine and glutathione, were monitored spectroscopically for 24 h, in pH 6.2 and 7.4 PBS phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solutions at 37 °C, under air, argon and dioxygen atmospheres. Dissociation of esculetin was observed upon Co³⁺/Co²⁺ reduction preferably under hypoxic conditions, with more effective conversion rates for 3 > 2 > 1. These results illustrate the importance to modulate the Co³⁺/Co²⁺ redox potential through the donor-acceptor properties of the ancillary ligands. Complex 3 is cytotoxic against HCT-116 but not against HT-29 and HEK-293 cells. In addition, DNA-binding studies indicate that interactions of 1 and 3 with the biomolecule are electrostatic.

Mononuclear anionic octahedral cobalt(III) complexes based on N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol and its derivatives: synthetic, structural and spectroscopic studies

The reactions of Co(II) sources with N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol (H2saph), N-salicylidene-o-amino-4-methylphenol (H2saph-4Me) and N-salicylidene-o-amino-4-chlorophenol (H2saph-4Cl) were studied in MeOH. The new solid complexes (Bu4(n)N)[Co(III)(saph)2] (1), (Et3NH)[Co(III)(saph-4Me)2]⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H (2⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H) and (Et3NH)[Co(III)(saph-4Cl)2]⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H (3⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H) have been isolated and their structures determined by single-crystal, X-ray crystallography. The three compounds contain the mononuclear, low- spin octahedral anion [Co(III)L2](-) (H2L=H2saph, H2saph-4Me, H2saph-4Cl), in which both L(2)(-) ligands act as tridentate chelating, meridional ONO donors. The crystal structures of 2⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H and 3⋅MeOH⋅MeCO2H are built through H-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic (IR, Raman, UV/VIS, (1)H NMR) data. All data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures.