Zinc(II)-methimazole complexes: synthesis and reactivity

The tetrahedral S-coordinated complex [Zn(MeImHS)(4)](ClO4)(2), synthesised from the reaction of [Zn(ClO4)(2)] with methimazole (1-methyl-3H-imidazole-2-thione, MeImHS), reacts with triethylamine to yield the homoleptic complex [Zn(MeImS)(2)] (MeImS = anion methimazole). ESI-MS and MAS C-13-NMR experiments supported MeImS acting as a (N, S)-chelating ligand. The DFT-optimised structure of [Zn(MeImS)(2)] is also reported and the main bond lengths compared to those of related Zn-methimazole complexes. The complex [Zn(MeImS)(2)] reacts under mild conditions with methyl iodide and separates the novel complex [Zn(MeImSMe)(2)I-2] (MeImSMe = S-methylmethimazole). X-ray diffraction analysis of the complex shows a ZnI2N2 core, with the methyl thioethers uncoordinated to zinc. Conversely, the reaction of [Zn( MeImS)(2)] with hydroiodic acid led to the formation of the complex [Zn(MeImHS)(2)I-2] having a ZnI2S2 core with the neutral methimazole units S-coordinating the metal centre. The Zn-coordinated methimazole can markedly modify the coordination environment when changing from its thione to thionate form and vice versa. The study of the interaction of the drug methimazole with the complex [Zn(MeIm)(4)](2+) (MeIm = 1-methylimidazole) - as a model for Zn-enzymes containing a N-4 donor set from histidine residues shows that methimazole displaces only one of the coordinated MeIm molecules; the formation constant of the mixed complex [Zn(MeIm)(3)(MeImHS)](2+) was determined

Luminescent gold-thallium derivatives with a pyridine-containing 12-membered aza-thioether macrocycle

The coordination modes of the ligand 2, 5, 8-trithia[9](2, 6)pyridinophane (L) to thallium(i), gold(iii) and gold(i) have been studied. Thallium(i) is coordinated by the macrocyclic ligand in [Tl(L)](PF6) (1) through all the sulfur and nitrogen atoms, in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with the thallium(i) ion in the apical position and with the presence of an inert lone pair. Gold(iii) is bonded by the ligand only through the nitrogen of the pyridine group in [AuCl3(L)] (2), whereas two AuI-C6F5fragments coordinate the sulfur atoms next to the pyridine moiety of the ligand in [{Au(C6F5)}2(µ-L)] (3), which form a linear polymer through intermolecular aurophilic contacts. The heterometallic TlI/AuIcomplex {[Au(C6F5)2Tl]2(L)}n(4) features a polymeric structural nature with a metallic pseudo-rhombic Au2Tl2core, which repeats itself forming a zig-zag polymer. In each Au2Tl2unit only one thallium atom is bonded by the NS3donor set of the macrocyclic ligand and also forms two unsupported Au-Tl bonds with two [Au(C6F5)2]-units in an overall pseudo-octahedral geometry. The other thallium atom similarly bridges the same [Au(C6F5)2]-units and links a neighbouring Au2Tl2moiety, thus exhibiting a distorted trigonal planar geometry being bonded only to three gold atoms with unsupported Au-Tl interactions. This complex displays an interesting thermochromic behaviour showing emissions mainly resulting from MM'CT transitions at room temperature. At 77 K a dual emission appears, probably arising from the two different thallium environments. DFT calculations have been carried out in the attempt to investigate the origin of the emissions of complex4. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021

Photographic detection of Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) ions

The binding properties of two 2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane-based ligands, bearing respectively coumarin (HNCum) and naphthol-benzoxaazole (HNBO) optically active units as pendant arms, were studied with the aim of transition metal cations selective detection. The novel all-solid-state optodes were obtained by inclusion of fluorophores inside PVC-based polymeric films. The influence of lipophilic sites incorporation and plasticizer nature on pyridinophane-based optodes response was investigated. An enhanced selectivity of the ligands towards Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) ions was detected. Light Emitting Diode, LED 380 nm, was used as light source, and a digital camera as a signal detector. The results obtained demonstrated the suitability of the developed optodes to perform fast and low cost simultaneous monitoring of Zn2+and Cd2+ ions by means of familiar devices and chemometrics. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

A structural spproach to the strength evaluation of linear chalcogen bonds

The experimental structural features of chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions in over 34,000 linear fragments R–Ch⋯A (Ch = S, Se, Te; R = C, N, O, S, Se, Te; A = N, O, S, Se, Te, F, Cl, Br, I) were analyzed. The bond distances dR–Ch and the interaction distances dCh⋯A were investigated, and the functions δR–Ch and δCh⋯A were introduced to compare the structural data of R–Ch⋯A fragments involving different Ch atoms. The functions δR−Ch and δCh⋯A were calculated by normalizing the differences between the relevant bond dR–Ch and ChB interaction dCh⋯A distances with respect to the sum of the relevant covalent (rcovR + rcovCh) and the van der Waals (vdW) radii (rvdWCh + rvdWA), respectively. A systematic comparison is presented, highlighting the role of the chalcogen involved, the role of the R atoms covalently bonded to the Ch, and the role of the A species playing the role of chalcogen bond acceptor. Based on the results obtained, an innovative approach is proposed for the evaluation and categorization of the ChB strength based on structural data

Metal-based gels: Synthesis, properties, and applications

This review covers various aspects of recent developments on the design, the synthesis, the characterization of gels that: (i) are formed in the presence of metal ions (metallogels); (ii) are based on coordination complexes as gelators. Particular attention is devoted to systems that show recognition and sensing properties towards different analytes

Reactivity of the drug methimazole and its iodine adduct with elemental zinc

The reactivity of zinc complexes with N,S-donor molecules may be of relevance to the study of Zn-metalloproteins and -metalloenzymes. In this context, the zinc complex [Zn(MeImSH)2I2] was synthesised by the reaction of zinc powder with the 1 : 1 iodine adduct of the drug methimazole [(MeImSH)·I2]. The molecular structure of the complex, elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis, showed a tetrahedral zinc(II) centre coordinated by two neutral methimazole units (through the sulfur atoms) and two iodides. From the reaction of MeImSH and Zn powder, the complex [Zn(MeImSH)(MeImS)2] (MeImS = deprotonated form of methimazole) was separated and characterised. An analysis of the crystal packing of the neutral complexes [Zn(MeImSH)2X2] (X = I, Br and Cl) and the ionic complex [Zn(MeImSH)3I]I showed that in all of the complexes the sulfur atom, in addition to binding to the metal centre, contributes to the formation of 1-D chains built via C(4)–HS and N–HX interactions in the neutral complexes, and via C(4)–HS and N–CH3S interactions in the ionic complex [Zn(MeImSH)3I]I. The deprotonation/protonation of the coordinated methimazole units can modulate the coordination environment at the Zn core. From the reaction of complex [Zn(MeImSH)3I]I with a strong non-coordinating organic base, we have shown that, as a consequence of the NH deprotonation of methimazole S-coordinated to zinc(II), the ligand coordination mode changes from S-monodentate to N,S-bridging. Correspondingly, in the complex [Zn(MeImSH)(MeImS)2], the MeImS that displays the N,S-bridging mode at zinc can be N-protonated and thereby changes to the S-monodentate coordination

Colorimetric response to anions by a "robust" copper(II) complex of a [9]aneN3 pendant arm derivative: CN- and I- selective sensing

The 1 : 1 complex [Cu(L)](BF4)2MeCN (1) of the tetradentate ligand 1-(2-quinolinylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L) selectively changes its colour in the presence of CN in H2O and MeCN (without undergoing decomplexation from the macrocyclic ligand). The same complex in MeCN assumes different colours in the presence of CN or I

1,4-Bis(2′-pyridylethynyl)benzene as a ligand in heteronuclear gold–thallium complexes. Influence of the ancillary ligands on their optical properties

The reaction of 1,4-bis(2′-pyridylethynyl)benzene (L) with [{Au(C6X5)2}Tl]n affords new heterometallic AuI/TlI complexes with different stoichiometries, structural arrangements and optical properties depending on the halogens present in the aryl group. The chlorinated derivative [{Au(C6Cl5)2}Tl(L)]n (1) displays polymeric chains built thanks to unsupported Au⋯Tl interactions and bridging bidentate ligands between adjacent chains, while in the fluorinated species [{Au(C6F5)2}2Tl2(L)2]n (2), also containing N-donor bridging ligands and Au⋯Tl contacts, polymerization occurs via Tl⋯Caryl non-bonding interactions between neighbouring molecules. The optical properties of 1 and 2 have been studied experimentally and theoretically, concluding that the luminescence of 1 in the solid state has its origin in the Au⋯Tl interactions, and that the Tl⋯Caryl interactions in 2 favour a non-radiative deactivation pathway that avoids luminescence. The strength of the non-bonding interactions present in 1 has also been theoretically studied at the HF and MP2 levels, revealing the metallophilic contact as the strongest one.This work was supported by the D.G.I. (MEC)/FEDER (CTQ2013-48635-C2-2-P).Peer reviewe

Coupling of Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Probing the Thermodynamics of Facilitated Ion Transfer Reactions Exhibiting Chemical Kinetic Hindrances

Mathematical models under conditions of cyclic staircase voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which consider the kinetic effects due to the complexation reaction by the facilitated transfer of metal ions at polarized interfaces, are presented. Criteria for qualitative recognition of these kinetic effects from the features of simulated cyclic voltammograms are given. In case of the existence of these effects, only the EIS can bring access to the thermodynamics and kinetics of the complexation chemical reaction. Analytical equations for estimating the thermodynamic parameters by such systems under EIS conditions are evaluated. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental results of the facilitated Cu2+ transfer at the polarized water-1,2-dichlorethane interface, assisted by two phenanthroline-containing macrocycles. In the experimental case where kinetic effects due to the complexation step exist, we show how elegantly EIS can be used as a tool for estimation of the complexation constant of Cu2+ and 5-oxo-2,8-dithia [9],(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (PhenOS2)

Natural Occurrence of Ochratoxin A in Blood and Milk Samples from Jennies and Their Foals after Delivery

An assessment of the natural ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure of seven Martina Franca jennies was carried out by analyzing blood and milk samples collected close to and after delivery. A total of 41 and 34 blood samples were collected from jennies and foals, respectively, and analyzed by ELISA. A total of 33 milk samples were collected from jennies and analyzed by the HPLC/FLD method based on IAC clean-up. Furthermore, 53 feed samples were collected from January to September and analyzed by a reference method (AOAC Official Method No. 2000.03) for OTA content. Feed samples showed OTA levels up to 2.7 ng/g with an incidence of 32%, while the OTA incidence rate in jennies' blood samples was 73%, with a median value of 97 ng/L and concentrations ranging fro