Diaryl dithiocarbamates: synthesis, oxidation to thiuram disulfides, Co(III) complexes [Co(S2CNAr2)3] and their use as single source precursors to CoS2

Air and moisture stable diaryl dithiocarbamate salts, Ar₂NCS₂Li, result from addition of CS₂ to Ar₂NLi, the latter being formed upon deprotonation of diarylamines by ⁿBuLi. Oxidation with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] affords the analogous thiuram disulfides, (Ar₂NCS₂)₂, two examples of which (Ar = p-C₆H₄X; X = Me, OMe) have been crystallographically characterised. The interconversion of dithiocarbamate and thiuram disulfides has also been probed electrochemically and compared with that established for the widely-utilised diethyl system. While oxidation reactions are generally clean and high yielding, for Ph(2-naphthyl)NCS₂Li an ortho-cyclisation product, 3-phenylnaphtho[2,1-d]thiazole-2(3H)-thione, is also formed, resulting from a competitive intramolecular free-radical cyclisation. To demonstrate the coordinating ability of diaryl dithiocarbamates, a small series of Co(III) complexes have been prepared, with two examples, [Co{S₂CN(p-tolyl)₂}₃] and [Co{S₂CNPh(m-tolyl)}₃] being crystallographically characterised. Solvothermal decomposition of [Co{S₂CN(p-tolyl)₂}₃] in oleylamine generates phase pure CoS₂ nanospheres in an unexpected phase-selective manner.

Palladium(II) ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate (ocap) complexes

A series of Pd(II) complexes containing ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate (ocap) ligands have been prepared and their molecular structures elucidated. Hg(II) ocap complexes, [Hg{SC6H3XN(C≡N)}]n (X = H, Me) (1), react with Na2S to...

Synthesis, structure and reactivity with phosphines of Hg(II) ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate complexes formed via C-S bond cleavage and dehydrogenation of 2-aminobenzothiazoles

Addition of 2-aminobenzothiazole (abt) and substituted derivatives to Hg(OAc)2 leads to the high yield formation of ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate (ocap) complexes [Hg{SC6H3XN(C≡N)}]n (X = H, Me, Cl, Br, NO2) resulting from dehydrogenation...

Biomimetics of [FeFe]-hydrogenases incorporating redox-active ligands: Synthesis, redox and spectroelectrochemistry of diiron-dithiolate complexes with ferrocenyl-diphosphines as Fe4S4 surrogates

[FeFe]-ase biomimics containing a redox-active ferrocenyl diphosphine have been prepared and their ability to reduce protons and oxidise H2 studied, including 1,1’-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) complexes Fe2(CO)4(-dppf)(-S(CH2)nS) (n = 2, edt; n...

Two new monofunctional platinum(II) dithiocarbamate complexes: phenanthriplatin-type axial protection, equatorial-axial conformational isomerism, and anticancer and DNA binding studies

The syntheses of two platinum(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes (1 and 2) that show quinoplatin- and phenanthriplatin-type axial protection of the Pt-plane are described. The Pt-plane of complex 2 is axially more protected than that of complex 1. Furthermore, both complexes adopt two different stereochemical conformations in the solid state (based on single-crystal X-ray structures) owing to the structurally flexible piperazine backbone; i.e., C-e,e-Anti (1) and C-e,a-Syn (2), where "C" stands for the chair configuration, "e" and "a" stand for the equatorial and axial positions and "Anti" (opposite side) and "Syn" (same side) represent the relative orientations in space of the terminal substituents on the piperazine ring. In complex 2, the C-e,a-Syn conformation may provide additional steric hindrance to the Pt-plane. Despite the lower lipophilicity of 2 as compared to that of 1, the in vitro anticancer action against selected cancer cell lines is better for the former revealing the superior role of the axial protection over lipophilicity in modulating anticancer activity. The activity against the cancer promoting protein NF-κB signifies that the mode of cancer cell death may be the result of hindering the activity of NF-κB in the initiation of apoptosis. The apoptotic mode of cell death has been established earlier in a study using Annexin V-FITC. Finally, DNA binding studies revealed that the complex-DNA adduct formation is spontaneous and the mode of interaction is non-intercalative (electrostatic/covalent).

Dithiocarbamate Complexes as Single Source Precursors to Nanoscale Binary, Ternary and Quaternary Metal Sulfides

Nanodimensional metal sulfides are a developing class of low-cost materials with potential applications in areas as wide-ranging as energy storage, electrocatalysis, and imaging. An attractive synthetic strategy, which allows careful control over stoichiometry, is the single source precursor (SSP) approach in which well-defined molecular species containing preformed metal-sulfur bonds are heated to decomposition, either in the vapor or solution phase, resulting in facile loss of organics and formation of nanodimensional metal sulfides. By careful control of the precursor, the decomposition environment and addition of surfactants, this approach affords a range of nanocrystalline materials from a library of precursors. Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) are monoanionic chelating ligands that have been known for over a century and find applications in agriculture, medicine, and materials science. They are easily prepared from nontoxic secondary and primary amines and form stable complexes with all elements. Since pioneering work in the late 1980s, the use of DTC complexes as SSPs to a wide range of binary, ternary, and multinary sulfides has been extensively documented. This review maps these developments, from the formation of thin films, often comprised of embedded nanocrystals, to quantum dots coated with organic ligands or shelled by other metal sulfides that show high photoluminescence quantum yields, and a range of other nanomaterials in which both the phase and morphology of the nanocrystals can be engineered, allowing fine-tuning of technologically important physical properties, thus opening up a myriad of potential applications.

Understanding the role of zinc dithiocarbamate complexes as single source precursors to ZnS nanomaterials

Zinc sulfide is an important wide-band gap semi-conductor and dithiocarbamate complexes [Zn(S₂CNR₂)₂] find widespread use as single-source precursors for the controlled synthesis of ZnS nanoparticulate modifications. Decomposition of [Zn(S₂CNⁱBu₂)₂] in oleylamine gives high aspect ratio wurtzite nanowires, the average length of which was increased upon addition of thiuram disulfide to the decomposition mixture. To provide further insight into the decomposition process, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of [Zn(S₂CNMe₂)₂] was performed in the solid-state, in non-coordinating xylene and in oleylamine. In the solid-state, dimeric [Zn(S₂CNMe₂)₂]₂ was characterised in accord with the single crystal X-ray structure, while in xylene this breaks down into tetrahedral monomers. In situ XAS in oleylamine (RNH₂) shows that the coordination sphere is further modified, amine binding to give five-coordinate [Zn(S₂CNMe₂)₂(RNH₂)]. This species is stable to ca. 70 °C, above which amine dissociates and at ca. 90 °C decomposition occurs to generate ZnS. The relatively low temperature onset of nanoparticle formation is associated with amine-exchange leading to the in situ formation of [Zn(S₂CNMe₂)(S₂CNHR)] which has a low temperature decomposition pathway. Combining these observations with the previous work of others allows us to propose a detailed mechanistic scheme for the overall process.

Electrocatalytic proton-reduction behaviour of telluride-capped triiron clusters: tuning of overpotentials and stabilization of redox states relative to lighter chalcogenide analogues

Electrocatalytic proton reduction catalyzed by [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-Te)₂], and a number of its phosphine and diphosphine derivatives, has been studied.

Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) dithiocarbamate complexes as single source precursors to nanoscale iron sulfides: a combined synthetic and in situ XAS approach

Nanoparticulate iron sulfides have many potential applications and are also proposed to be prebiotic catalysts for the reduction of CO₂ to biologically important molecules, thus the development of reliable routes to specific phases with controlled sizes and morphologies is important. Here we focus on the use of iron dithiocarbamate complexes as single source precursors (SSPs) to generate greigite and pyrrhotite nanoparticles. Since these minerals contain both iron(iii) and iron(ii) centres, SSPs in both oxidation states, [Fe(S₂CNR₂)₃] and cis-[Fe(CO)₂(S₂CNR₂)₂] respectively, have been utilised. Use of this Fe(ii) precursor is novel and it readily loses both carbonyls in a single step (as shown by TGA measurements) providing an in situ source of the extremely air-sensitive Fe(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes [Fe(S₂CNR₂)₂]. Decomposition of [Fe(S₂CNR₂)₃] alone in oleylamine affords primarily pyrrhotite, although by careful control of reaction conditions (ca. 230 °C, 40-50 nM SSP) a window exists in which pure greigite nanoparticles can be isolated. With cis-[Fe(CO)₂(S₂CNR₂)₂] we were unable to produce pure greigite, with pyrrhotite formation dominating, a similar situation being found with mixtures of Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) precursors. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies showed that heating [Fe(S₂CNⁱBu₂)₃] in oleylamine resulted in amine coordination and, at ca. 60 °C, reduction of Fe(iii) to Fe(ii) with (proposed) elimination of thiuram disulfide (S₂CNR₂)₂. We thus carried out a series of decomposition studies with added thiuram disulfide (R = ⁱBu) and found that addition of 1-2 equivalents led to the formation of pure greigite nanoparticles between 230 and 280 °C with low SSP concentrations. Average particle size does not vary significantly with increasing concentration, thus providing a convenient route to ca. 40 nm greigite nanoparticles. In situ XAS studies have been carried out and allow a decomposition pathway for [Fe(S₂CNⁱBu₂)₃] in oleylamine to be established; reduction of Fe(iii) to Fe(ii) reduction triggers substitution of the secondary amide backbone by oleylamine (RNH₂) resulting in the in situ formation of a primary dithiocarbamate derivative [Fe(RNH₂)₂(S₂CNHR)₂]. This in turn extrudes RNCS to afford molecular precursors of the observed FeS nanomaterials. The precise role of thiuram disulfide in the decomposition process is unknown, but it likely plays a part in controlling the Fe(iii)-Fe(ii) equilibrium and may also act as a source of sulfur allowing control over the Fe : S ratio in the mineral products.

Synthesis of ternary sulfide nanomaterials using dithiocarbamate complexes as single source precursors

We report the use of cheap, readily accessible and easy to handle di-isobutyl-dithiocarbamate complexes, [M(S₂CNⁱBu₂) _n ], as single source precursors (SSPs) to ternary sulfides of iron-nickel, iron-copper and nickel-cobalt. Varying decomposition temperature and precursor concentrations has a significant effect on both the phase and size of the nanomaterials, and in some instances meta-stable phases are accessible. Decomposition of [Fe(S₂CNⁱBu₂)₃]/[Ni(S₂CNⁱBu₂)₂] at ca. 210-230 °C affords metastable FeNi₂S₄ (violarite) nanoparticles, while at higher temperatures the thermodynamic product (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ (pentlandite) results. Addition of tetra-isobutyl-thiuram disulfide to the decomposition mixture can significantly affect the nature of the product at any particular temperature-concentration, being attributed to suppression of the intramolecular Fe(iii) to Fe(ii) reduction. Attempts to replicate this simple approach to ternary metal sulfides of iron-indium and iron-zinc were unsuccessful, mixtures of binary metal sulfides resulting. Oleylamine is non-innocent in these transformations, and we propose that SSP decomposition occurs via primary-secondary backbone amide-exchange with primary dithiocarbamate complexes, [M(S₂CNHoleyl) _n ], being the active decomposition precursors.

New molecular architectures containing low-valent cluster centres with di- and trimetalated 2-vinylpyrazine ligands: synthesis and molecular structures of Ru5(CO)15(μ5-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)(μ-H)2 and Ru8(CO)24(μ7-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C)(μ-H)3

Reaction of 2-vinylpyrazine with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ results in multiple C-H bond activations to afford penta- and octa-ruthenium clusters, Ru₅(CO)₁₅(μ₅-C₄H₂N₂CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)(μ-H)₂ (2) and Ru₈(CO)₂₄(μ₇-C₄H₂N₂CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C)(μ-H)₃ (3), in which a Ru₃ sub-unit is linked to Ru₂ and Ru₅ centres via di- and tri-metalated 2-vinylpyrazine ligands, exhibiting novel coordination modes including the loss of ring aromaticity in 2. The bonding of 2 and the mechanism for the fluxional behaviour of the hydrides have been examined by electronic structure calculations.

Chemistry, pharmacology, and cellular uptake mechanisms of thiometallate sulfide donors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A clinical need exists for targeted, safe, and effective sulfide donors. We recently reported that ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) belongs to a new class of sulfide-releasing drugs. Here, we investigated the cellular uptake mechanisms of this drug class compared to sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and the effects of a thiometallate tungsten congener of ATTM, ammonium tetrathiotungstate (ATTT).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

In vitro H₂ S release was determined by headspace gas sampling of vials containing dissolved thiometallates. Thiometallate and NaHS bioactivity was assessed by spectrophotometry-derived sulfhaemoglobin formation. Cellular uptake dependence on the anion exchange protein (AE)-1 was investigated in human red blood cells. ATTM/glutathione interactions were assessed by LC-MS/MS. Rodent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies focused on haemodynamics and inhibition of aerobic respiration.

KEY RESULTS

ATTM and ATTT both exhibit temperature-, pH-, and thiol-dependence of sulfide release. ATTM/glutathione interactions revealed the generation of inorganic and organic persulfides and polysulfides. ATTM showed greater ex vivo and in vivo bioactivity over ATTT, notwithstanding similar pharmacokinetic profiles. Cellular uptake mechanisms of the two drug classes are distinct; thiometallates show dependence on AE-1, while hydrosulfide itself was unaffected by inhibition of this pathway.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The cellular uptake of thiometallates relies upon a plasma membrane ion channel. This advances our pharmacological knowledge of this drug class, and further supports their utility as cell-targeted sulfide donor therapies. Our results indicate that, as a more stable form, ATTT is better suited as a copper chelator. ATTM, a superior sulfide donor, may additionally participate in intracellular redox recycling.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc.

An atom efficient, single-source precursor route to plasmonic CuS nanocrystals

The synthesis of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) from single-source precursors offers simplified manufacturing processes at the cost of reduced atom efficiency. Self-capping routes have the potential to maximise this efficiency although investigation has so far been limited to organic solvents. Here we present the synthesis of copper sulfide NCs via the decomposition of a copper dithiocarbamate complex in water. Nanocrystalline covellite particles were prepared without the need for additional capping ligand and exhibited a hollow nanosphere morphology. Mass spectrometry of the water-stable NCs indicated the presence of a number of surface ligands, including a small amine fragment of the single-source precursor (SSP) complex. A broad plasmon resonance in the near-infrared (NIR) at 990 nm was also observed and the photothermal effect of this demonstrated. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated cell viability remained above 95% for NC concentrations up to 1 mg mL^-1, indicating high biocompatibility.

Hydrogenase biomimics containing redox-active ligands: Fe2(CO)4(μ-edt)(κ2-bpcd) with electron-acceptor 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) as a potential [Fe4–S4]H surrogate

The diiron centre and redox-active diphosphine are reduced in separate steps but there is little evidence of intramolecular electron transfer between the two.

Models of the iron-only hydrogenase enzyme: structure, electrochemistry and catalytic activity of Fe2(CO)3(μ-dithiolate)(μ,κ1,κ2-triphos)

A series of Fe₂(triphos)(CO)₃(μ-dithiolate) complexes have been prepared and studied as models of the diiron centre in [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

Phosphine-promoted ring-opening of benzisothiazolinate ligands at a nickel(ii) centre: a convenient synthesis of Ni(ii)-thiolate complexes

Phosphines react with the benzisothiazolinate (bit) paddlewheel dimer, [Ni2(μ-bit)4·2H2O], resulting in sulfur-nitrogen bond scission and a series of unexpected transformations leading to novel Ni(ii) complexes containing 2-cyanophenylthiolate and related thiolate ligands.

Insight into the Nature of Iron Sulfide Surfaces During the Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution and CO2 Reduction Reactions

Greigite and other iron sulfides are potential, cheap, earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), yet little is known about the underlying surface chemistry. Structural and chemical changes to a greigite (Fe₃S₄)-modified electrode were determined at -0.6 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) at pH 7, under conditions of the HER. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy was employed at the Fe K-edge to show that iron-sulfur linkages were replaced by iron-oxygen units under these conditions. The resulting material was determined as 60% greigite and 40% iron hydroxide (goethite) with a proposed core-shell structure. A large increase in pH at the electrode surface (to pH 12) is caused by the generation of OH^- as a product of the HER. Under these conditions, iron sulfide materials are thermodynamically unstable with respect to the hydroxide. In situ infrared spectroscopy of the solution near the electrode interface confirmed changes in the phosphate ion speciation consistent with a change in pH from 7 to 12 when -0.6 V versus SHE is applied. Saturation of the solution with CO₂ resulted in the inhibition of the hydroxide formation, potentially due to surface adsorption of HCO₃^-. This study shows that the true nature of the greigite electrode under conditions of the HER is a core-shell greigite-hydroxide material and emphasizes the importance of in situ investigation of the catalyst under operation to develop true and accurate mechanistic models.

Mixed-valence dimolybdenum complexes containing hard oxo and soft carbonyl ligands: synthesis, structure, and electrochemistry of Mo2(O)(CO)2(μ-κ2-S(CH2)nS)2(κ2-diphosphine)

Mixed-valence dimolybdenum complexes Mo2(O)(CO)2{μ-κ2-S(CH2)nS}2(κ2-Ph2P(CH2)mPPh2) (n = 2, 3; m = 1, 2) (1-4) have been synthesized from one-pot reactions of fac-Mo(CO)3(NCMe)3 and dithiols, HS(CH2)nSH, in the presence of diphosphines. The dimolybdenum framework is supported by two thiolate bridges, with one molybdenum carrying a terminal oxo ligand and the second two carbonyls. The dppm (m = 1) products exist as a pair of diastereomers differing in the relative orientation of the two carbonyls (cis and trans) at the Mo(CO)2(dppm) center, while dppe (m = 2) complexes are found solely as the trans isomers. Small amounts of Mo(CO){κ3-S(CH2CH2S)2}(κ2-dppe) (5) also result from the reaction using HS(CH2)2SH and dppe. The bonding in isomers of 1-4 has been computationally explored by DFT calculations, trans diastereomers being computed to be more stable than the corresponding pair of cis diastereomers for all. The calculations confirm the existence of Mo[triple bond, length as m-dash]O and Mo-Mo bond orders and suggest that the new dimeric compounds are best viewed as Mo(v)-Mo(i) mixed-valence systems. The electrochemical properties of 1 have been investigated by CV and show a reversible one-electron reduction associated with the Mo(v) centre, while two closely spaced irreversible oxidation waves are tentatively assigned to oxidation of the Mo(i) centre of the two isomers as supported by DFT calculations.

Induction of Necroptosis in Cancer Stem Cells using a Nickel(II)-Dithiocarbamate Phenanthroline Complex

The cytotoxic properties of a series of nickel(II)-dithiocarbamate phenanthroline complexes is reported. The complexes 1-6 kill bulk cancer cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) with micromolar potency. Two of the complexes, 2 and 6, kill twice as many breast cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched HMLER-shEcad cells as compared to breast CSC-depleted HMLER cells. Complex 2 inhibits mammosphere formation to a similar extent as salinomycin (a CSC-specific toxin). Detailed mechanistic studies suggest that 2 induces CSC death by necroptosis, a programmed form of necrosis. Specifically, 2 triggers MLKL phosphorylation, oligomerization, and translocation to the cell membrane. Additionally, 2 induces necrosome-mediated propidium iodide (PI) uptake and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation, as well as morphological changes consistent with necroptotosis. Strikingly, 2 does not evoke necroptosis by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production or poly(ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP-1) activation.

Phase control during the synthesis of nickel sulfide nanoparticles from dithiocarbamate precursors

Square-planar nickel bis(dithiocarbamate) complexes, [Ni(S2CNR2)2], have been prepared and utilised as single source precursors to nanoparticulate nickel sulfides. While they are stable in the solid-state to around 300 °C, heating in oleylamine at 230 °C, 5 mM solutions afford pure α-NiS, where the outcome is independent of the substituents. DFT calculations show an electronic effect rather than steric hindrance influences the resulting particle size. Decomposition of the iso-butyl derivative, [Ni(S2CN(i)Bu2)2], has been studied in detail. There is a temperature-dependence of the phase of the nickel sulfide formed. At low temperatures (150 °C), pure α-NiS is formed. Upon raising the temperature, increasing amounts of β-NiS are produced and at 280 °C this is formed in pure form. A range of concentrations (from 5-50 mM) was also investigated at 180 °C and while in all cases pure α-NiS was formed, particle sizes varied significantly. Thus at low concentrations average particle sizes were ca. 100 nm, but at higher concentrations they increased to ca. 150 nm. The addition of two equivalents of tetra-iso-butyl thiuram disulfide, ((i)Bu2NCS2)2, to the decomposition mixture was found to influence the material formed. At 230 °C and above, α-NiS was generated, in contrast to the results found without added thiuram disulfide, suggesting that addition of ((i)Bu2NCS2)2 stabilises the metastable α-NiS phase. At low temperatures (150-180 °C) and concentrations (5 mM), mixtures of α-NiS and Ni3S4, result. A growing proportion of Ni3S4 is noted upon increasing precursor concentration to 10 mM. At 20 mM a metastable phase of nickel sulfide, NiS2 is formed and as the concentration is increased, α-NiS appears alongside NiS2. Reasons for these variations are discussed.

Monofunctional platinum(ii) dithiocarbamate complexes: synthesis, characterization and anticancer activity

Three heteroleptic platinum(ii) dithiocarbamates with good anticancer potency have been synthesized and characterized. The anticancer activity against five cell lines may be due to their strong complex-DNA adduct formation ability.

Formation of ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate ligands with versatile binding modes via facile carbon-sulfur bond cleavage of 2-aminobenzothiazoles at mercury(II) centres

Addition of 2-aminobenzothiazole and substituted derivatives to mercuric acetate in warm ethanol leads to the high yield formation of [Hg{SC6H3XN(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N)}]n resulting from loss of hydrogen and sulfur-carbon bond cleavage. Addition of phosphines affords a series of complexes in which the new ortho-cyano-aminothiophenolate ligands adopt three different binding modes.