Dinuclear Iron Complexes of Iminopyridine-Based Ligands as Selective Cytotoxins for Tumor Cells and Inhibitors of Cancer Cell Migration.

A family of dinuclear iron (II) compounds with iminopyridine-based ligands displays selective cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. All compounds have IC values 2-6 fold lower than that of cisplatin, and 30-90 fold lower than that of carboplatin for the tumor cell lines assayed. Comparing the IC values between tumor and non-tumor cell lines, the selectivity indexes range from 3.

Determination of the surface temperature of magnetically heated nanoparticles using a catalytic approach.

Herein we describe a new method for the determination of the surface temperature of magnetically heated nanoparticles in solution using the temperature dependency of the catalytic performances of iron carbide nanoparticles coated with ruthenium (FeC@Ru) for acetophenone hydrodeoxygenation. A correlation between nanoparticle surface temperature and magnetic field could be established. Very high surface temperatures could be estimated in different solvents, which were also found similar at a given magnetic field and well above some solvent boiling points.

σ-H-H, σ-C-H, and σ-Si-H Bond Activation Catalyzed by Metal Nanoparticles.

Activation of H-H, Si-H, and C-H bonds through σ-bond coordination has grown in the past 30 years from a scientific curiosity to an important tool in the functionalization of hydrocarbons. Several mechanisms were discovered via which the initially σ-bonded substrate could be converted: oxidative addition, heterolytic cleavage, σ-bond metathesis, electrophilic attack, etc. The use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in this area is a more recent development, but obviously nanoparticles offer a much richer basis than classical homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for tuning reactivity for such a demanding process as C-H functionalization.

Hydrodeoxygenation Using Magnetic Induction: High-Temperature Heterogeneous Catalysis in Solution.

Magnetic heating has recently been demonstrated as an efficient way to perform catalytic reactions after deposition of the heating agent and the catalyst on a support. Here we show that in solution, and under mild conditions of mean temperature and pressure, it is possible to use magnetic heating to carry out transformations that are otherwise performed heterogeneously at high pressure and/or high temperature. As a proof of concept, we chose the hydrodeoxygenation of acetophenone derivatives and of biomass-derived molecules, namely furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural.

Halogen bonding effects on the outcome of reactions at metal centres.

Key findings regarding the effects of ligand preorganisation via halogen bonding on the outcome of reactions at rhodium are reported. An unprecedented halogen bonding-mediated oxidative addition of CAr-I bonds to rhodium with efficient formation of cyclometallated species deserves special mention.

Ruthenium nanoparticles ligated by cholesterol-derived NHCs and their application in the hydrogenation of arenes.

Herein we present ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru-NPs) stabilized with two rigid NHC ligands derived from cholesterol. The obtained nanoparticles were fully characterized and applied in the hydrogenation of various aromatic compounds under mild conditions. Interestingly, the more bulky ligand gives a slightly lower ligand coverage and a faster catalyst.

: a halogen-bond assembled supramolecular catalyst.

The use of halogen bonding as a tool to construct a catalyst backbone is reported. Specifically, pyridyl- and iodotetrafluoroaryl-substituted phosphines were assembled in the presence of a rhodium(i) precursor to form the corresponding halogen-bonded complex . The presence of fluorine substituents at the iodo-containing supramolecular motif was not necessary for halogen bonding to occur due to the template effect exerted by the rhodium center during formation of the halogen-bonded complex.

A protic ionic liquid as an atom economical solution for palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation.

The asymmetric allylic alkylation of rac-1,3-diphenyl-3-acetoxyprop-1-ene (I) catalysed by palladium and diverse phosphorus containing ligands [(S)-BINAP, (R,R)-Chiraphite and (R,R)-Et-Duphos] in an ionic liquid [HDBU][OAc] was successfully performed, achieving full conversions and up to 96% ee of the (S)-product when (R,R)-Et-Duphos was used as a ligand. The reaction could be performed using an equimolar amount of substrate, malonate and base DBU, in which case the total products sum to the desired alkylated product and the ionic pair [HDBU][OAc]; this system thus produces its own IL solvent as the only co-product. These catalytic systems were active in recycling experiments for up to four cycles, albeit with a loss of activity due to the poor retention of palladium in the ionic liquid.

Characterization of secondary phosphine oxide ligands on the surface of iridium nanoparticles.

The synthesis of iridium nanoparticles (IrNPs) ligated by various secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) is described. This highly reproducible and simple method via H reduction produces well dispersed, small nanoparticles (NPs), which were characterized by the state-of-the-art techniques, such as TEM, HRTEM, WAXS and ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. In particular, multinuclear solid state MAS-NMR spectroscopy with and without cross polarization (CP) enabled us to investigate the different binding modes adopted by the ligand at the nanoparticle surface, suggesting the presence of three possible types of coordination: as a purely anionic ligand Ir-P(O)R, as a neutral acid RP-O-H and as a monoanionic bidentate H-bonded dimer RP-O-HO[double bond, length as m-dash]PR.

Soluble Platinum Nanoparticles Ligated by Long-Chain N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Catalysts.

Soluble platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) ligated by two different long-chain N-heterocyclic carbenes (LC-IPr and LC-IMe) were synthesized and fully characterized by TEM, high-resolution TEM, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and solution NMR. The surface chemistry of these NPs (Pt@LC-IPr and Pt@LC-IMe) was investigated by FT-IR and solid state NMR using CO as a probe molecule. A clear influence of the bulkiness of the N-substituents on the size, surface state, and catalytic activity of these Pt NPs was observed.

Monitoring of nanoparticle reactivity in solution: interaction of l-lysine and Ru nanoparticles probed by chemical shift perturbation parallels regioselective H/D exchange.

Thanks to new water-soluble Ru nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by sulfonated NHC ligands, we demonstrate that it is possible to monitor the catalyst/substrate interaction using NMR chemical shift perturbations (CSPs), under conditions that closely resemble those applied during the enantiospecific C-H deuteration of l-lysine. Correlating the pH dependence of the interaction of l-lysine with the surface of the RuNPs and its subsequent deuteration, our study underscores the importance of oriented binding to the surface as a critical factor for H/D exchange.

Phosphine Supported Ruthenium Nanoparticle Catalyzed Synthesis of Substituted Pyrazines and Imidazoles from α-Diketones.

A new methodology has been developed for the synthesis of highly substituted nitrogen heterocycles such as pyrazines and imidazoles starting from α-diketones using phosphine supported ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) as catalysts. Ruthenium nanoparticles Ru1-Ru4 supported with different phosphines such as dbdocphos, dppp, DPEphos, and Xantphos are screened, of which Ru1 and Ru4 are found to be the most active. Interestingly, aryl-substituted and alkyl-substituted α-diketones produced different products: namely, pyrazine and imidazoles, respectively.

Iridium versus Iridium: Nanocluster and Monometallic Catalysts Carrying the Same Ligand Behave Differently.

A specific secondary phosphine oxide (SPO) ligand (tert-butyl(phenyl)phosphine oxide) was employed to generate two iridium catalysts, an Ir-SPO complex and IrNPs (iridium nanoparticles) ligated with SPO ligands, which were compared mutually and with several supported iridium catalysts with the aim to establish the differences in their catalytic properties. The Ir-SPO-based catalysts showed totally different activities and selectivities in the hydrogenation of various substituted aldehydes, in which H is likely cleaved by a metal-ligand cooperation, that is, the SPO ligand and a neighboring metal centre operate in tandem to activate the hydrogen molecule. In addition, the supported IrNPs behave very differently from both Ir-SPO catalysts.

Correlation between the Selectivity and the Structure of an Asymmetric Catalyst Built on a Chirally Amplified Supramolecular Helical Scaffold.

For the first time, supramolecular helical rods composed of an achiral metal complex and a complementary enantiopure monomer provided a good level of enantioinduction in asymmetric catalysis. Mixtures containing an achiral ligand monomer (BTA(PPh2), 2 mol %) and an enantiopure ligand-free comonomer (ester BTA, 2.5 mol %), both possessing a complementary benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) central unit, were investigated in combination with [Rh(cod)2]BArF (1 mol %) in the asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate.

Novel iminopyridine derivatives: ligands for preparation of Fe(ii) and Cu(ii) dinuclear complexes.

A series of imino- and amino-pyridine ligands based on dihydrobenzofurobenzofuran (BFBF) and methanodibenzodioxocine (DBDOC) backbones have been synthesized. These ligands form exclusively dinuclear complexes with metals such as iron(II) and copper(II). The structures for complexes 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24 were determined by X-ray crystallography.

Air-Stable Gold Nanoparticles Ligated by Secondary Phosphine Oxides as Catalyst for the Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Substituted Aldehydes: a Remarkable Ligand Effect.

Air-stable and homogeneous gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 1a-5a) ligated by various secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs), [R(1)R(2)P(O)H] (R(1) = Naph, R(2) = (t)Bu, L1; R(1) = R(2) = Ph, L2; R(1) = Ph, R(2) = Naph, L3; R(1) = R(2) = Et, L4; R(1) = R(2) = Cy, L5; R(1) = R(2) = (t)Bu, L6), with different electronic and steric properties were synthesized via NaBH4 reduction of the corresponding Au(I)-SPO complex. These easily accessible ligands allow the formation of well dispersed and small nanoparticles (size 1.2-2.

Phosphinothiolates as ligands for polyhydrido copper nanoclusters.

The reaction of [CuI(HSC6 H4 PPh2 )]2 with NaBH4 in CH2 Cl2 /EtOH led to air- and moisture-stable copper hydride nanoparticles (CuNPs) containing phosphinothiolates as new ligands, one of which was isolated by crystallization. The X-ray crystal structure of [Cu18 H7 L10 I] (L=(-) S(C6 H4 )PPh2 ) shows unprecedented features in its 28-atom framework (18 Cu and 10 S atoms). Seven hydrogen atoms, in hydride form, are needed for charge balance and were located by density functional theory methods.

Air-stable gold nanoparticles ligated by secondary phosphine oxides for the chemoselective hydrogenation of aldehydes: crucial role of the ligand.

The synthesis of air-stable and homogeneous gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) employing tert-butyl(naphthalen-1-yl)phosphine oxide as supporting ligand is described via NaBH4 reduction of a Au(I) precursor, [(tert-butyl(naphthalen-1-yl)phosphine oxide)AuCl]2. This highly reproducible and simple procedure furnishes small (1.24 ± 0.

Supramolecular catalysis. Part 2: artificial enzyme mimics.

The design of artificial catalysts able to compete with the catalytic proficiency of enzymes is an intense subject of research. Non-covalent interactions are thought to be involved in several properties of enzymatic catalysis, notably (i) the confinement of the substrates and the active site within a catalytic pocket, (ii) the creation of a hydrophobic pocket in water, (iii) self-replication properties and (iv) allosteric properties. The origins of the enhanced rates and high catalytic selectivities associated with these properties are still a matter of debate.

Supramolecular catalysis. Part 1: non-covalent interactions as a tool for building and modifying homogeneous catalysts.

Supramolecular catalysis is a rapidly expanding discipline which has benefited from the development of both homogeneous catalysis and supramolecular chemistry. The properties of classical metal and organic catalysts can now be carefully tailored by means of several suitable approaches and the choice of reversible interactions such as hydrogen bond, metal-ligand, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The first part of these two subsequent reviews will be dedicated to catalytic systems for which non-covalent interactions between the partners of the reaction have been designed although mimicking enzyme properties has not been intended.

Tunable asymmetric catalysis through ligand stacking in chiral rigid rods.

Chiral benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) ligands, comprising one diphenylphosphino group and one or two remote chiral 1-methylheptyl side chains, were evaluated in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate. Despite the fact that the rhodium atom and the chiral center(s) are separated by more than 12 covalent bonds, up to 82% ee was observed. A series of control and spectroscopic experiments confirmed that the selectivity arises from the formation of chiral helical polymers by self-association of the BTA monomers through noncovalent interactions.

Ortho-phosphinobenzenesulfonate: a superb ligand for palladium-catalyzed coordination-insertion copolymerization of polar vinyl monomers.

Ligands, Lewis bases that coordinate to the metal center in a complex, can completely change the catalytic behavior of the metal center. In this Account, we summarize new reactions enabled by a single class of ligands, phosphine-sulfonates (ortho-phosphinobenzenesulfonates). Using their palladium complexes, we have developed four unusual reactions, and three of these have produced novel types of polymers.

Heterolytic activation of dihydrogen by platinum and palladium complexes.

Wide bite angle diphosphine ligands were used to prepare [(diphosphine)M(2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine)](2+) complexes (M = Pd, Pt). Except for the ligand with the largest bite angle, 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine coordinates in a bidentate mode leading to bis-chelate complexes. In the case of Xantphos (9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-xanthene, βn = 111°) two types of complexes are formed, in which 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine coordinates in a mono- or bidentate fashion, respectively.

Biomass conversion to high value chemicals: from furfural to chiral hydrofuroins in two steps.

Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of rac-furoin and furil produces hydrofuroin with up to 99% ee and 9:1 dr. This reaction provides an exceptionally easy access to optically active hydrofuroins in two straightforward steps from biomass-derived furfural (global production 200,000-300,000 t annually) using benzoin condensation.

Enantioselective supramolecular catalysis induced by remote chiral diols.

A new method of creating libraries of chiral diphosphines is presented. Supramolecular coordination compounds based on Ti, Rh, achiral ditopic ligands, and chiral diols were synthesized by in situ mixing and used as catalysts in the asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)-methyl 2-acetamido-3-phenylacrylate, giving ee's of up to 92%. The ditopic ligands contain a Schiff base that coordinates to the assembly metal Ti and a phosphine as a ligand for Rh.