Organometallic pincer-type complexes: recent applications in synthesis and catalysis

YCY pincer palladacycles, where YCY is typically an SCS, NCN, PCP, SeCSe anionic six-electron donor ligand (e.g. see 1-6, Scheme 1.1), are a well-established family of organometallic complexes with manifold applications in catalysis, synthesis and materials science [1-24]. Their synthesis can be achieved by many routes including C-H activation, oxidative addition, transmetalation and trans-cyclopalladation [25].

Synthesis of cycloruthenated compounds as potential anticancer agents

A library of 19 cycloruthenated derivatives is constructed by making use of the well-known cyclometalation reaction. Their geometries are modified in a straightforward manner by addition of either mono- or bidentate ligands, such as bipyridine, phenanthroline, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane, dimethylphenylphosphane, triphenylphosphane, and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1]decane (PTA) ligands, to cationic cycloruthenated centers. The antitumor properties of the compounds thus obtained are investigated in order to compare them with recently reported ruthenium complexes and cisplatin. IC50 values against mammalian cells (A-172, HCT-116, and RDM-4) are determined for the library compounds and some of them, such as those derived from orthoruthenated phenylpyridine and a bidentate N,N ligand, display activity of the same order of magnitude as cisplatin.

Historical highlights in organoarsenic chemistry

Organoarsenic compounds have given insight into important theoretical topics in chemistry and proved to have beneficial pharmacological effects

Molybdenum hexacarbonyl and DBU reduction of nitro compounds under microwave irradiation

An ethanolic mixture of molybdenurn hexacarbonyl and DBU mediates the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines in excellent yields in 15-30 minutes under microwave irradiation.