Late Transition Metal Complexes: Catalytic and/or Biological Activities

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis in Organic and Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 19919

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Science (DIS), University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
Interests: NHC -silver, -gold and -ruthenium complexes; A3-coupling reactions; hydroamination of alkynes; olefin metathesis reactions; polymerizations; self-healing materials; metal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as potential antitumor
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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: organometallic chemistry; homogeneous catalysis; polymerization of olefins; organometallic complexes having antitumoral activity; self-healing materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Late transition metal (groups from 8 to 12) complexes find several applications in many areas of research, such as homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis, advanced materials, chemical industry, and medicinal chemistry. Most current industrial chemical processes involve catalytic transformations via late transition metal complexes. This explains the attention of scientific research to this class of compounds. Late transition metal complexes catalyze many reactions, such as activation of C–H and C–C multiple bonds, olefin metathesis, hydrogenations, oxidations, epoxidations, cross coupling reactions, olefin hydroarylation, polymerizations, etc. They have several good properties that become apparent in the various fields in which they are used. Some features that should be emphasized are stability, selectivity, reactivity, facile synthesis, characterization. Ligands can significantly affect the reactivity and stability of metal complexes; in fact, their catalytic behavior can be easily modulated through modification of the stereoelectronic properties of ligands.

In this context, an important aspect in pharmacological research is represented by achieving new molecule-based metals, with lower toxicity and higher selectivity toward pathogenic microorganisms and cancer cells with respect to the drugs already used in clinical treatment. Recently, some metal complexes (platinum, gold, silver, ruthenium, etc.) are widely studied for their potential pharmacological activities as antibacterial and anticancer.

This Special Issue of Catalysts will highlights recent progress in terms of design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic and/or pharmacological activity of late transition metal complexes.

Dr. Annaluisa Mariconda
Prof. Dr. Pasquale Longo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • late transition metal complexes
  • coordination chemistry
  • ligand design
  • late transition metal complexes biological activity
  • structure-activity relationship
  • catalysts based on late transition metal

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3381 KiB  
Article
Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Promoted by Ruthenium Catalysts Bearing Unsymmetrical NHC Ligands
by Rubina Troiano, Chiara Costabile and Fabia Grisi
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13010034 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2002
Abstract
In this paper, Grubbs- and Hoveyda–Grubbs-type olefin metathesis catalysts featuring N-cyclopentyl/N’-mesityl backbone-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized. Their propensity to promote the alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) with cyclooctene (COE) or cyclopentene (CPE) was evaluated [...] Read more.
In this paper, Grubbs- and Hoveyda–Grubbs-type olefin metathesis catalysts featuring N-cyclopentyl/N’-mesityl backbone-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized. Their propensity to promote the alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) with cyclooctene (COE) or cyclopentene (CPE) was evaluated and compared to that shown by analogous N-cyclohexyl complexes. High degrees of chemoselectivity were achieved in both copolymerizations. The presence of the N-cyclopentyl substituent allowed for the achievement of up to 98% and 97% of alternating diads for NBE-COE and NBE-CPE copolymers, respectively, at low comonomer ratios. Density functional theory (DFT) studies showed that both the sterical and electronic effects of NHC ligands influence catalyst selectivity. Full article
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7 pages, 2065 KiB  
Article
A Calix[8]arene-Based Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Couplings with Reduced Pd_Leaching
by Erika Adhel, Axel Labattut, Timothée Naret, Diana Dragoe and Vincent Huc
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101098 - 22 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1730
Abstract
Pd-catalysed reactions are amongst the most important in current chemistry. Consequently, very reactive catalysts were developed during the last decades, allowing very high conversions at low catalytic rates. However, decreasing Pd leaching in final products without decreasing catalyst efficiency remains an unsolved issue, [...] Read more.
Pd-catalysed reactions are amongst the most important in current chemistry. Consequently, very reactive catalysts were developed during the last decades, allowing very high conversions at low catalytic rates. However, decreasing Pd leaching in final products without decreasing catalyst efficiency remains an unsolved issue, especially in the pharma industry. We recently showed that using calixarenes as platforms for Pd-based catalysts constitutes an efficient answer to this concern. In the present work, we show that using these calixarenic platforms in combination with suitably engineered ligands allows for an even more strongly decreased Pd leaching. It thus opens up interesting perspectives for the synthesis of new families of catalysts combining a very high reactivity and a very low Pd leaching in final products. Full article
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12 pages, 3550 KiB  
Article
A Novel Tri-Coordination Zinc Complex Functionalized Silicotungstate with ROS Catalytic Ability and Anti-Tumor Cells Activity
by Xiang Ma, Jiai Hua, Man Wang, Deqiang Zhang, Xinyao Pei, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yulan Niu and Yanqing Wang
Catalysts 2022, 12(7), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070695 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1898
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be used as an effective method to treat tumors. Artificial oxidase has received increasing attention as a catalyst for ROS generation in fields ranging from bioinorganic chemistry to pharmaceutical chemistry. In this study, an artificial oxidase based on [...] Read more.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be used as an effective method to treat tumors. Artificial oxidase has received increasing attention as a catalyst for ROS generation in fields ranging from bioinorganic chemistry to pharmaceutical chemistry. In this study, an artificial oxidase based on a binuclear zinc complex and Keggin-type silicotungstate [Zn2(4,4′-bpy)(Phen)2][SiW12O40] (ZSW) (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine; Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) was synthesized and structurally featured in terms of its X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), bond valence sum (Σs) calculation, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD). ZSW is an ionic compound in which the cation is a binuclear zinc complex [Zn2(4,4′-bpy)(Phen)2]4+ and the anion is a α-Keggin-type silicotungstate [SiW12O40]4– cluster. Notably, the Zn ions in the [Zn2(4,4′-bpy)(Phen)2] exist in tri-coordination, which was first obtained in polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry. It was also demonstrated that ZSW is capable of efficiently catalyzing the production of ROS, which, according to the computational calculations, may be due to the synergistic action of zinc complexes and POM building blocks. Furthermore, ZSW exhibited inhibition ability toward ROS-sensitive tumor cells, such as PC12 cells. Full article
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14 pages, 1049 KiB  
Article
Catalytic and Biological Activity of Silver and Gold Complexes Stabilized by NHC with Hydroxy Derivatives on Nitrogen Atoms
by Marco Sirignano, Annaluisa Mariconda, Giovanni Vigliotta, Jessica Ceramella, Domenico Iacopetta, Maria Stefania Sinicropi and Pasquale Longo
Catalysts 2022, 12(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12010018 - 25 Dec 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3252
Abstract
In this paper is reported the synthesis of N,N′ hydroxy derivative of NHC silver (3a4a) and gold(I) (3b4b) complexes of general formula [M(NHC)2]+ [MX2]. All [...] Read more.
In this paper is reported the synthesis of N,N′ hydroxy derivative of NHC silver (3a4a) and gold(I) (3b4b) complexes of general formula [M(NHC)2]+ [MX2]. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and analytic techniques. The complexes turned out to be effective in both catalytic and biological applications. They catalyzed the coupling of aldehyde, piperidine, and phenylacetylene in A3-reaction to produce propargylamines and showed antimicrobial activity. In fact, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) tests with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria demonstrated that the silver compounds are selective toward E. coli, whereas the gold analogues are active against S. aureus. Moreover, the N,N′ hydroxy derivative of NHC silver complexes 3a and 4a exhibited good anticancer activity on the HeLA cancer cells (3a-IC50 = 12.2 ± 0.1 µM, 4a-IC50 = 11.9 ± 1.2 µM), whereas gold complex 4b displayed good anticancer activity towards the MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 12.2 ± 1.2 µM). Full article
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17 pages, 3188 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Novel Ruthenacarboranes Based on nido-[5-Me-7,8-C2B9H10]2− and nido-[5,6-Me2-7,8-C2B9H9]2− Dicarbollide Ligands
by Ivan D. Grishin, Anastasiya M. Zimina, Sergey A. Anufriev, Nadezhda A. Knyazeva, Alexander V. Piskunov, Fedor M. Dolgushin and Igor B. Sivaev
Catalysts 2021, 11(11), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11111409 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2070
Abstract
The effect of methyl substituents in the lower belt of dicarbollide ligands on the redox potential of ruthenacarboranes based thereof, as well as the ability of the metallacarboranes obtained to catalyze radical polymerization with atom transfer were studied. For this purpose, a new [...] Read more.
The effect of methyl substituents in the lower belt of dicarbollide ligands on the redox potential of ruthenacarboranes based thereof, as well as the ability of the metallacarboranes obtained to catalyze radical polymerization with atom transfer were studied. For this purpose, a new approach to the synthesis of closo-ruthenacarboranes based on substituted dicarbollide ligands was developed and six new complexes 3,3-(Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2)-3-H-3-Cl-9-Me-12-X-closo-3,1,2-RuC2B9H9, 3,3,8-(Ph2P(CH2)4PPh-μ-(C6H4-o))-3-Cl-9-Me-12-X-closo-3,1,2-RuC2B9H8 and 3,3,4,8-(Ph2P(CH2)4P-μ-(C6H4-o)2)-3-Cl-9-Me-9-X-closo-3,1,2-RuC2B9H7 (X = H, Me) were synthetized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR and ESR spectroscopy and MALDI TOF mass-spectrometry. Comparison of the values of the redox potentials of the synthesized ruthenium complexes in 1,2-dichloroethane with the values previously found for the corresponding ruthenacarboranes based on the parent dicarbollide anion showed that the introduction of methyl substituents into the carborane cage led to a decrease in the redox potentials of the complexes, which made them more preferable catalysts for ATRP. Test experiments on the polymerization of MMA showed that the synthesized ruthenacarboranes were effective catalysts for ATRP, the most active being the complex with two methyl groups and two ortho-phenylenecycloboronated fragments. Full article
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Review

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46 pages, 18949 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in N-Heterocyclic Carbene Coinage Metal Complexes in A3-Coupling and Carboxylation Reaction
by Assunta D’Amato, Marco Sirignano, Simona Russo, Rubina Troiano, Annaluisa Mariconda and Pasquale Longo
Catalysts 2023, 13(5), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13050811 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2206
Abstract
Owing of their accessibility and wide range of reactivities, alkynes make for fascinating building blocks. Either a selective alkyne carbon-carbon triple bond reaction or activation of the terminal alkyne C-H bond may be employed to functionalize them. Monocationic coinage metal complexes with a [...] Read more.
Owing of their accessibility and wide range of reactivities, alkynes make for fascinating building blocks. Either a selective alkyne carbon-carbon triple bond reaction or activation of the terminal alkyne C-H bond may be employed to functionalize them. Monocationic coinage metal complexes with a d10 electronic configuration are effective catalysts for alkyne activation. Silver(I) and gold(I) N-heterocyclic (NHC) systems are emerging as promising catalysts in multicomponent alkyne activation reactions; this review paper focuses on A3 (aldehyde-amine-alkyne)-coupling reaction and carbon dioxide fixation, furnishing a systematic overview of the scientific advances achieved during the last two decades. This study will carefully compare the corresponding silver and gold complexes employed in the two processes. The differences in reaction routes brought about by the catalyst ligand structure will be investigated with an emphasis on evaluating the benefits provided by the easily tuneable NHC backbone, in terms of chemo- and stereo-selectivity. Full article
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31 pages, 8280 KiB  
Review
N-Heterocyclic Carbene Gold Complexes Active in Hydroamination and Hydration of Alkynes
by Annaluisa Mariconda, Marco Sirignano, Rubina Troiano, Simona Russo and Pasquale Longo
Catalysts 2022, 12(8), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12080836 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2710
Abstract
Until the year 2000, gold compounds were considered catalytically inert. Subsequently, it was found that they are able to promote the nucleophilic attack on unsaturated substrates by forming an Au–π-system. The main limitation in the use of these catalytic systems is the ease [...] Read more.
Until the year 2000, gold compounds were considered catalytically inert. Subsequently, it was found that they are able to promote the nucleophilic attack on unsaturated substrates by forming an Au–π-system. The main limitation in the use of these catalytic systems is the ease with which they decompose, which is avoided by stabilization with an ancillary ligand. N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), having interesting σ-donor capacities, are able to stabilize the gold complexes (Au (I/III) NHC), favoring the exploration of their catalytic activity. This review reports the state of the art (years 2007–2022) in the nucleophilic addition of amines (hydroamination) and water (hydration) to the terminal and internal alkynes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene gold (I/III) complexes. These reactions are particularly interesting both because they are environmentally sustainable and because they lead to the production of important intermediates in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. In fact, they have an atom economy of 100%, and lead to the formation of imines and enamines, as well as the formation of ketones and enols, all important scaffolds in the synthesis of bioactive molecules, drugs, heterocycles, polymers, and bulk and fine chemicals. Full article
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