Mononuclear Rare-Earth Metalloligands Exploiting a Divergent Ligand

Rare-earth tris-diketonato [RE(dike)3pyterpy] metalloligands can be prepared reacting at room temperature [RE(dike)3dme] (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane; dike = tta with Htta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone and RE = La, 1; Y, 2; Eu, 3; Dy, 4; or dike = hfac with Hhfac hexafluoroacetylacetone, and RE = Eu, 5; Tb, 6; Yb 7) with 4'-(4‴-pyridil)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (pyterpy). The molecular structures of 1, 5, 6, and 7 have been studied through single-crystal X-ray diffraction showing mononuclear neutral complexes with the rare-earth ion in coordination number nine and with a muffin-like coordination geometry. [RE(tta)3pyterpy] promptly reacts with [M(tta)2dme] with formation of [Mpyterpy2][RE(tta)4]2 (M = Zn, RE = Y, 8; M = Co, RE = Dy, 9). Consistently, [Zn(hfac)2dme] reacts at room temperature with 2 equiv of pyterpy yielding [Znpyterpy2][hfac]2 10 that easily can be transformed by reaction with 2 equiv of [Eu(hfac)3] in [Znpyterpy2][Eu(hfac)4]2 11 that has been structurally characterized. Finally, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 metalloligands react at room temperature in few minutes with [PtCl(μ-Cl)PPh3]2 yielding the heterometallic molecular complexes [RE(dike)3pyterpyPtCl2PPh3] (dike = tta, RE = La, 12; Y, 13; Eu; 14; dike = hfac, RE = Eu, 15; Yb, 16).

Aluminium 8-Hydroxyquinolinate N-Oxide as a Precursor to Heterometallic Aluminium-Lanthanide Complexes

A reaction in anhydrous toluene between the formally unsaturated fragment [Ln(hfac)3] (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Gd3+ and Er3+; Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone) and [Al(qNO)3] (HqNO = 8-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide), here prepared for the first time from [Al(OtBu)3] and HqNO, affords the dinuclear heterometallic compounds [Ln(hfac)3Al(qNO)3] (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Gd3+ and Er3+) in high yields. The molecular structures of these new compounds revealed a dinuclear species with three phenolic oxygen atoms bridging the two metal atoms. While the europium and gadolinium complexes show the coordination number (CN) 9 for the lanthanide centre, in the complex featuring the smaller erbium ion, only two oxygens bridge the two metal atoms for a resulting CN of 8. The reaction of [Eu(hfac)3] with [Alq3] (Hq = 8-hydroxyquinoline) in the same conditions yields a heterometallic product of composition [Eu(hfac)3Alq3]. A recrystallization attempt from hot heptane in air produced single crystals of two different morphologies and compositions: [Eu2(hfac)6Al2q4(OH)2] and [Eu2(hfac)6(µ-Hq)2]. The latter compound can be directly prepared from [Eu(hfac)3] and Hq at room temperature. Quantum mechanical calculations confirm (i) the higher stability of [Eu(hfac)3Al(qNO)3] vs. the corresponding [Eu(hfac)3Alq3] and (ii) the preference of the Er complexes for the CN 8, justifying the different behaviour in terms of the Lewis acidity of the metal centre.

Competing excitation paths in luminescent heterobimetallic Ln-Al complexes: Unraveling interactions via experimental and theoretical investigations

The interest for heterometallic lanthanide-d or-p metal (Ln-M) complexes is growing because of a potential cooperative or synergistic effect related to the proximity of two different metals in the same molecular architecture affording special tunable physical properties. To exploit the potentiality of Ln-M complexes, suitable synthetic approaches, and the in-depth understanding of the effect of each building block on their properties are mandatory. Here, we report the study on a family of heterometallic luminescent complexes [Ln(hfac)₃Al(L)₃], Ln= Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺. Using different L ligands, we investigated the effect of the steric and electronic properties of the Al(L)₃ fragment, highlighting the general validity of the employed synthetic route. A marked difference in the light emission of [Eu(hfac)₃Al(L)₃] and [Tb(hfac)₃Al(L)₃] complexes has been observed. Thanks to photoluminescence experiments and Density Functional Theory calculations, Ln³⁺ emissions are explained with a model involving two non-interacting excitation paths through hfac or Al(L)₃ ligands.

Size Selectivity in Heterolanthanide Molecular Complexes with a Ditopic Ligand

The similar reactivity of lanthanides generally leads to statistically populated polynuclear complexes, making the rational design of ordered hetero-lanthanide compounds extremely challenging. Here we report on the site selectivity in hetero-lanthanide tetranuclear complexes afforded by the relatively simple ditopic pyterpyNO ligand (4'-(4-pyridil)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine N-oxide). The sequential room temperature reaction of RE₂ (tta)₆ (pyterpyNO)₂ (where RE=Y, (1); Eu, (2), Dy, (3) Htta=2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) with La(tta)₃ dme (dme=dimethoxyethane) yielded Y₂ La₂ (tta)₁₂ (pyterpyNO)₂ (4), Dy₂ La₂ (tta)₁₂ (pyterpyNO)₂ (5) and Eu₂ La₂ (tta)₁₂ (pyterpyNO)₂ (6). Single crystals X-ray diffraction studies showed that 4, 5 and 6 are isostructural, featuring a tetranuclear structure with two different metal coordination sites with coordination numbers 8 (CN8) and 9 (CN9). The two smaller cations are mainly bridged by the O-donor atoms of the NO groups of two pyterpyNO ligands (CN8), while the larger lanthanum centres are bound by a terpyridine unit (CN9). Size selectivity has been studied with structural and magnetic studies in the solid state and through ¹⁹ F NMR and photoluminescence studies in solution, showing a direct dependence on the difference of ionic radii of the ions and yielding a 91 % selectivity for 4. Furthermore, ¹⁹ F NMR, X-ray and PL studies pointed out that the nature of the product is independent from the synthetic route for compound Eu₂ Y₂ (tta)₁₂ (pyterpyNO)₂ (7), keeping the ion selectivity also for a self-assembly reaction. Unexpectedly, these studies have evidenced that selectivity is not exclusively governed by electrostatic interactions related to size dimensions.

trans-Dichloro(triphenylarsino)(N,N-dialkylamino)platinum(II) Complexes: In Search of New Scaffolds to Circumvent Cisplatin Resistance

The high incidence of the resistance phenomenon represents one of the most important limitations to the clinical usefulness of cisplatin as an anticancer drug. Notwithstanding the considerable efforts to solve this problem, the circumvention of cisplatin resistance remains a challenge in the treatment of cancer. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of two trans-dichloro(triphenylarsino)(N,N-dialkylamino)platinum(II) complexes (1 and 2) were described. The trypan blue exclusion assay demonstrated an interesting antiproliferative effect for complex 1 in ovarian carcinoma-resistant cells, A2780cis. Quantitative analysis performed by ICP-AES demonstrated a scarce ability to platinate DNA, and a significant intracellular accumulation. The investigation of the mechanism of action highlighted the ability of 1 to inhibit the relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA mediated by topoisomerase II and to stabilize the cleavable complex. Cytofluorimetric analyses indicated the activation of the apoptotic pathway and the mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Therefore, topoisomerase II and mitochondria could represent possible intracellular targets. The biological properties of 1 and 2 were compared to those of the related trans-dichloro(triphenylphosphino)(N,N-dialkylamino)platinum(II) complexes in order to draw structure–activity relationships useful to face the resistance phenotype.

Stoichiometrically Controlled Assembly of Lanthanide Molecular Complexes of the Heteroditopic Divergent Ligand 4'-(4-Pyridyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine N-Oxide in Hypodentate or Bridging Coordination Modes. Structural, Magnetic, and Photoluminescence Studies

Mononuclear rare-earth tris-β-diketonato complexes RE(tta)₃dme [RE = Y (1), La (2), Dy (3), or Eu (4); Htta = 2-thenoylacetone; dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane] react cleanly at room temperature in a 1:1 molar ratio with the heteroditopic divergent ligand 4'-(4-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine N-oxide (pyterpyNO) to yield RE₂(tta)₆(pyterpyNO)_n, where n = 2 for RE = Y (5), Dy (6), or Eu (7) and n = 3 for RE = La (8). The crystal structure of 5 revealed a dinuclear compound with two pyterpyNO's bridging through the oxygen atom in a hypodentate mode leaving the terpyridine moieties uncoordinated. Using a metal:pyterpyNO molar ratio of 2 for RE = Y (9), Dy (10), or Eu (11), it was possible to isolate the molecular complexes RE₄(tta)₁₂(pyterpyNO)₂, while using a 5:3 molar ratio, the product La₅(tta)₁₂(pyterpyNO)₃ (12) can be obtained. ⁸⁹Y nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed two different yttrium centers at room temperature for 9. An X-ray diffraction study of 10 showed a symmetrical tetranuclear structure resulting from the coordination of two Dy(tta)₃ fragments to the two hypodentate terpyridines of the dinuclear unit and presenting two different coordination sites for metals with coordination numbers of 8 and 9. Magnetic studies of 6 and 10 revealed the presence of an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two Dy(III) atoms bound by the NO bridges. These compounds displayed a slow relaxing magnetization through Orbach (6) and Raman (10) processes in the absence of an applied magnetic field; the rate increased upon application of a 1 kOe field. 7 and 11 showed a bright red emission typical of Eu³⁺. The two complexes have similar emission properties mainly determined by the employed β-diketonato ligands.

1D-Zigzag Eu3+/Tb3+ Coordination Chains as Luminescent Ratiometric Thermometers Endowed with Multicolor Emission

Two homometallic Coordination Polymers (CPs) with composition [Ln(hfac)₃bipy]_n (Ln³⁺ = Eu³⁺, 1, and Tb³⁺, 2; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonato, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were used to develop a family of ratiometric luminescent thermometers containing Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ as red and green emitters, respectively. The thermometric properties of pure CPs and of their mixtures having an Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ molar ratio of 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:10 (samples: Eu1Tb1, Eu1Tb3, Eu1Tb5, and Eu1Tb10) were studied in the 83–383 K temperature range. Irrespective of the chemical composition, we observed similar thermometric responses characterized by broad applicative temperature ranges (from 100 to 165 K wide), and high relative thermal sensitivity values (S_r), up to 2.40% K⁻¹, in the physiological temperature range (298–318 K). All samples showed emissions endowed with peculiar and continuous color variation from green (83 K) to red (383 K) that can be exploited to develop a colorimetric temperature indicator. At fixed temperature, the color of the emitted light can be tuned by varying composition and excitation wavelength.

New Platinum(II) Complexes Affecting Different Biomolecular Targets in Resistant Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Resistance to platinum-based anticancer drugs represents an important limit for their clinical effectiveness and one of the most important field of investigation in the context of platinum compounds. From our previous studies, PtII complexes containing the triphenylphosphino moiety have been emerging as promising agents, showing significant cytotoxicity to resistant ovarian carcinoma cells. Two brominated triphenylphosphino trans-platinum derivatives were prepared and evaluated on human tumor cell lines, sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. The new complexes exert a notable antiproliferative effect on resistant ovarian carcinoma cells, showing a remarkable intracellular accumulation and the ability to interact with different intracellular targets. The interaction with DNA, the collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and the impairment of intracellular redox state were demonstrated. Moreover, a selectivity towards the selenocysteine of thioredoxin reductase was observed. The mechanism of action is discussed with regard to the resistance phenomenon in ovarian carcinoma cells.

Composition-Thermometric Properties Correlations in Homodinuclear Eu3+ Luminescent Complexes

A family of homodinuclear Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Gd³⁺, Eu³⁺) luminescent complexes with the general formula [Ln₂(β-diketonato)₆(N-oxide)_y] has been developed to study the effect of the β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands on their thermometric properties. The investigated complexes are [Ln₂(tta)₆(pyrzMO)₂] (Ln = Eu (1·C₇H₈), Gd (5)), [Ln₂(dbm)₆(pyrzMO)₂] (Ln = Eu (2), Gd (6)), [Ln₂(bta)₆(pyrzMO)₂] (Ln = Eu (3), Gd (7)), [Ln₂(hfac)₆(pyrzMO)₃] (Ln = Eu (4), Gd (8)) (pyrzMO = pyrazine N-oxide, Htta = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, Hdbm = dibenzoylmethane, Hbta = benzoyltrifluoroacetone, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone, C₇H₈ = toluene), and their 4,4′-bipyridine N-oxide (bipyMO) analogues. Europium complexes emit a bright red light under UV radiation at room temperature, whose intensity displays a strong temperature (T) dependence between 223 and 373 K. This remarkable variation is exploited to develop a series of luminescent thermometers by using the integrated intensity of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ europium transition as the thermometric parameter (Δ). The effect of different β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands is investigated with particular regard to the shape of thermometer calibration (Δ vs T) and relative thermal sensitivity curves: i.e.. the change in Δ per degree of temperature variation usually indicated as S_r (% K^–1). The thermometric properties are determined by the presence of two nonradiative deactivation channels, back energy transfer (BEnT) from Eu³⁺ to the ligand triplet levels and ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT). In the complexes bearing tta and dbm ligands, whose triplet energy is ca. 20000 cm^–1, both deactivation channels are active in the same temperature range, and both contribute to determine the thermometric properties. Conversely, with bta and hfac ligands the response of the europium luminescence to temperature variation is ruled by LMCT channels since the high triplet energy (>21400 cm^–1) makes BEnT ineffective in the investigated temperature range.

A family of homodinuclear Eu³⁺ luminescent complexes with the general formula [Ln₂(β-diketonato)₆(N-oxide)_y] (y = 2, 3) was developed to study the effect of the β-diketonato and N-oxide ligands on the thermometric properties of the complexes. In this way, an effective tuning of the system’s thermometric properties can be achieved.

Cytotoxicity and DNA interaction in a series of aryl terminated iminopyridine Pt(II) complexes

A series of iminopyridine complexes of platinum(II), bearing a flexible diethereal, aryl terminated residue, where the size of aryl group is varied from phenyl to 9-anthracenyl, was synthesized. The new complexes are soluble and stable in DMSO/H₂O mixtures. Besides the metal center, aryl groups are available for further interactions with DNA, due to the good side chain flexibility. The new aryl functionalized iminopyridine dichlorido platinum(II) complexes show a significant antiproliferative activity on ovarian carcinoma cells and notably, complex 13 is able to overcome cisplatin resistance. The study of the interaction mode of 13 with DNA highlighted the ability to form a molecular complex characterized by a dual (intercalative and groove binding) geometry. The complex is also able to covalently add to DNA even though interstrand cross-links appear significantly hampered with respect to cisplatin. The interactions with the macromolecule are discussed in view of the observed cell effect.

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal post-synthetic modifications of three-dimensional LOFs (Ln = Gd, Eu): a way to modulate their luminescence and thermometric properties

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal post-synthetic modifications of {[Ln₂(H₂L)₃(DMF)₄]·2DMF}_n LOFs (Ln = Gd, Eu) to modulate their luminescence and thermometric properties.

1D hetero-bimetallic regularly alternated 4f-3d coordination polymers based on N-oxide-4,4'-bipyridine (bipyMO) as a linker: photoluminescence and magnetic properties

Heterotopic divergent ligand N-oxide-4,4'-bipyridine (bipyMO) has been herein exploited for the preparation of hetero-bimetallic coordination polymers where Ln(hfac)3 and M(hfac)2 nodes regularly alternate (Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione), bipyMO being able to selectively use its two potential coordination sites to discriminate the metal ions. The synthesis of three coordination polymers, [Ln(hfac)3M(hfac)2(bipyMO)2]n (Ln = Eu, M = Zn, 1; Ln = Eu, M = Cu, 2, Ln = Dy, M = Co, 3), was carried out by reacting the appropriate [M(hfac)2(bipyMO)]n and [Ln(hfac)3] precursors in toluene in the presence of a given stoichiometric amount of bipyMO. The products were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and FTIR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies carried out on 2 showed that it was formed by chains containing the hexa-coordinated 3d metal (Cu(hfac)2[N]2) and the octa-coordinated lanthanide (Eu(hfac)3[O]2) nodes, where [N] and [O] stand for the donor atom of the bridging divergent ligand. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the three compounds and the comparison of their cell constant values allowed establishing that the derivatives were isotypic. Photoluminescence (PL) studies on microcrystalline sample powders evidenced a bright red emission for 1 with an absolute PL quantum yield of 0.24. The sensitized emission of Eu3+ can be excited in a wide wavelength range, from UV to visible, up to ≈450 nm. Conversely, europium emissions are not detectable in 2 due to the presence of Cu(hfac)2(bipyMO) moieties whose strong absorption overlaps Eu3+ transitions. Magnetic measurements conducted on 3 revealed the presence of a weak ferromagnetic interaction below 2.1 K. An ac susceptibility study highlighted a slow relaxation of the magnetization of 3 with an applied static magnetic field of 0.1 T, which could be equally fitted with a Orbach-direct or a Raman-direct mechanism. No relaxation dynamics was detected without the application of a static magnetic field.

New trans dichloro (triphenylphosphine)platinum(II) complexes containing N-(butyl),N-(arylmethyl)amino ligands: Synthesis, cytotoxicity and mechanism of action

Some new platinum(II) complexes have been prepared, of general formula trans-[PtCl2(PPh3){NH(Bu)CH2Ar}], where the dimension of the Ar residue in the secondary amines has been varied from small phenyl to large pyrenyl group. The obtained complexes, tested in vitro towards a panel of human tumor cell lines showed an interesting antiproliferative effect on both cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cells. For the most cytotoxic derivative 2a the investigation on the mechanism of action highlighted the ability to induce apoptosis on resistant cells and interestingly, to inhibit the catalytic activity of topoisomerase II.

Smart Grafting of Lanthanides onto Silica via N,N-Dialkylcarbamato Complexes

The grafting and the postgrafting functionalization of lanthanide ions on commercial amorphous silica have been herein carried out by using as a precursor the terbium N,N-dibutylcarbamato derivative [Tb(O2CNBu2)3]. The reaction of the complex with the surface silanols involved only a fraction of the carbamato ligands. The following protolytic substitution of the residual carbamato ligands was carried out by exploiting the Brønsted's acidity of the β-diketone dibenzoylmethane (Hdbm), in view of the antenna effect of the β-diketonato groups, which are commonly used in lanthanide photoluminescence studies. The reaction proceeded at room temperature in a clean and easy way affording the introduction of the chosen functionality in the lanthanide coordination sphere. The same procedure has been followed by using as a precursor the X-ray characterized heterometallic N,N-dibutylcarbamato complex [NH2Bu2]2[Ln4(CO3)(O2CNBu2)12] (Ln = Eu, Tb, Tm). In both cases, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy evidenced the chemical implantation of the lanthanide ions on the silica surface, and photoluminescence studies pointed out the potentiality of the proposed synthetic approach in the preparation of highly luminescent materials.

Preparation of N,N-dialkylcarbamato lanthanide complexes by extraction of lanthanide ions from aqueous solution into hydrocarbons

Lanthanides are easily extracted as N,N-dibutylcarbamato complexes from aqueous solutions of their chlorides into heptane solutions of dibutylamine saturated with CO2. The products are recovered in high yields and are soluble in hydrocarbons. The derivatives [Ln(O2CNBu2)3]n [Ln = Nd (1), Eu (2), Tb (3)], [NH2Bu2]2[Ln4(CO3)(O2CNBu2)12] [Ln = Tb (4), Sm (5), Eu (6)], and [Sm4(CO3)(O2CNBu2)10], 7, have thus been obtained. The crystal and molecular structure of 4 has been solved; the samarium and europium complexes 5 and 6 were found to be isostructural. Mass spectra of the complexes 1-3, 4, and 7 (in MeCN/toluene) reveal that equilibria are present in solution. Compound 2 has been reacted in toluene with NHBz2 in the presence of CO2 affording [NH2Bz2][Eu(O2CNBz2)4], 8, through a ligand exchange process. By thermal treatment, 8 afforded [Eu(O2CNBz2)3]n, 9. With a similar procedure [Sm(O2CNBz2)3]n, 10, was obtained from 5. According to the photoluminescence study carried out on solid samples of 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, the metal centered f-f transitions represent the only effective way to induce lanthanide luminescence in these complexes.

Bent dinuclear platinum(II) halo-bridged carbonyl complexes

Crystals of trans-Pt₂(μ-X)₂X₂(CO)₂ (X = Br, I) have been grown and their molecular and crystalline structures have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. In both cases the dinuclear molecules are bent, with a bending angle of 164.6° and 156.5° for the bromide and the iodide, respectively. While the structure of the bromo-derivative is reported here for the first time, a modification of trans-Pt₂(μ-I)₂I₂(CO)₂ with planar centrosymmetric molecules is known. This appears to be a rare case of a platinum(II) halo-bridged derivative structurally characterized in both bent and planar forms.

N,N-Di-iso-propylcarbamato complexes of boron

N,N-di- iso-propylcarbamato derivatives of boron(III) have been synthesized from di-iso-propylamine and boron trichloride in the presence of carbon dioxide. With a large excess of amine, a single boron product was obtained, [NH2i)Pr2][B(O2CNiPr2)4], 1, while with a lower excess a mixture of 1 and of the dinuclear derivative [B2(O2CNiPr2)6], 2, was produced. By heating in vacuo at 60 degrees C, solid 1 slowly converted to 2. The transformation was reversible, 2 giving 1 back with di- iso-propylamine under carbon dioxide at atmospheric pressure. The molecular structure of both compounds was established by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 1 is constituted by ion-pairs where the ammonium cation is hydrogen-bonded to the mononuclear anion. Compound 2 is a dinuclear species with two bridging carbamato ligands. In both derivatives, boron shows tetrahedral coordination. As IR- and 1H NMR spectra of the two species are well differentiated, it is possible to monitor the interconversion of 1 and 2 by both spectroscopic methods.

Bis-qtpy (qtpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘:6‘ ‘,2‘ ‘‘-quaterpyridine) Metal Complexes, [M(qtpy)2]2+

Reactions of perchlorates of iron(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) with 2,2':6',2'':6'',2'"-quaterpyridine (qtpy) gave the first crystallographically established bis-qtpy metal complexes of formula [M(qtpy)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (M = Fe, Ni, Zn). Coordination of two terdentate quaterpyridines to the same center produces a distorted octahedron of six nitrogen atoms around the metal, leaving two pendant pyridyl groups, one for each quaterpyridine. For the diamagnetic zinc system, an NMR investigation has been carried out in order to establish the conditions to obtain the intermediate mono-qtpy complex, of formula [Zn(qtpy)(H(2)O)(2)][ClO(4)](2), which has also been crystallographically established. The corresponding hexafluorophosphate derivatives [M(qtpy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (M = Ni and Zn) were prepared in DMF at room temperature.