Expression of metallothionein genes I and II in bank vole clethrionomys glareolus populations chronically exposed in situ to heavy metals

The expression of two metallothionein genes (Mt-I and Mt-II) in the liver, kidney, and gonad of bank voles collected at four metal-contaminated sites (Cd, Zn, Pb, and Fe) were measured using the quantitative real-time PCR method (QPCR). Relative Mt gene expression was calculated by applying a normalization factor (NF) using the expression of two housekeeping genes, ribosomal 18S and beta-actin. Relative Mt expression in tissues of animals from contaminated sites was up to 54.8-fold higher than those from the reference site for Mt-I and up to 91.6-fold higher for Mt-II. Mt-II gene expression in the livers of bank voles from contaminated sites was higher than Mt-I gene expression. Inversely, Mt-II expression in the kidneys of voles was lower than Mt-I expression. Positive correlations between cadmium levels in the tissues and Mt-I were obtained in all studied tissues. Zinc, which undergoes homeostatic regulation, correlated positively with both Mt-I and Mt-II gene expression only in the kidney. Results showed that animals living in chronically contaminated environments intensively activate detoxifying mechanisms such as metallothionein expression. This is the first time that QPCR techniques to measure MT gene expression have been applied to assess the impact of environmental metal pollution on field collected bank voles.

Metallothionein I and II gene expression as a response to metal contamination in bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus

The expression of two metallothionein genes (Mt-I and Mt-II) in the liver, kidney, and gonad of bank voles collected at four metal-contaminated sites (Cd, Zn, Pb, and Fe) were measured using the quantitative real-time PCR method (QPCR). Relative Mt gene expression was calculated by applying a normalization factor (NF) using the expression of two housekeeping genes, ribosomal 18S and beta-actin. Relative Mt expression in tissues of animals from contaminated sites was up to 54.8-fold higher than those from the reference site for Mt-I and up to 91.6-fold higher for Mt-II. Mt-II gene expression in the livers of bank voles from contaminated sites was higher than Mt-I gene expression. Inversely, Mt-II expression in the kidneys of voles was lower than Mt-I expression. Positive correlations between cadmium levels in the tissues and Mt-I were obtained in all studied tissues. Zinc, which undergoes homeostatic regulation, correlated positively with both Mt-I and Mt-II gene expression only in the kidney. Results showed that animals living in chronically contaminated environments intensively activate detoxifying mechanisms such as metallothionein expression. This is the first time that QPCR techniques to measure MT gene expression have been applied to assess the impact of environmental metal pollution on field collected bank voles.

Immobilisation of eta(3)-allyidicarbonyl complexes of Mo-II with bidentate nitrogen ligands within aluminium-pillared clays

Molybdenum(II) complexes [MOX(CO)(2)(eta(3)-allyl)(CH3CN)(2)] (X = Cl or Br) were encapsulated in an aluminium-pillared natural clay or a porous clay heterostructure and allowed to react with bidentate diimine ligands. All the materials obtained were characterised by several solid-state techniques. Powder XRD, and Al-27 and Si-29 MAS NMR were used to investigate the integrity of the pillared clay during the modification treatments. C-13 CP MAS NMR, FTIR, elemental analyses and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption showed that the immobilisation of the precursor complexes was successful as well as the in situ ligand-substitution reaction. The new complex [MoBr(CO)(2)(eta(3)-allyl)(2-aminodipyridyl)] was characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, and NMR studies were used to investigate its fluxional behaviour in solution. The prepared materials are active for the oxidation of cis-cyclooctene using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant, though the activity of the isolated complexes is higher. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).

Dinuclear complexes of M-II thiocyanate (M = Ni and Cu) containing a tridentate Schiff-base ligand: synthesis, structural diversity and magnetic properties

A dinuclear Ni-II complex, [Ni-2(L)(2)(H2O)(NCS)(2)]center dot 3H(2)O (1) in which the metal atoms are bridged by one water molecule and two mu(2)-phenolate ions, and a thiocyanato-bridged dimeric Cull complex, [Cu(L)NCS](2) (2) [L = tridentate Schiff-base ligand, N-(3-aminopropyl)salicylaldimine, derived from 1:1 condensation of salicylaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopropane], have been synthesized and characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of 1 consists of dinuclear units with crystallographic C-2 symmetry in which each Ni-II atom is in a distorted octahedral environment. The Ni-O distance and the Ni-O-Ni angle, through the bridged water molecule, are 2.240(11) angstrom and 82.5(5)degrees, respectively. The structure of 2 consists of dinuclear units bridged asymmetrically by di-mu(1,3)-NCS ions; each Cull ion is in a square-pyramidal environment with tau = 0.25. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate the presence of dominant ferromagnetic exchange coupling in complex 1 with J = 3.1 cm(-1), whereas complex 2 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu-II centers with J = -1.7 cm(-1). ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)

Anion-directed synthesis of metal-organic frameworks based on 2-picolinate Cu(II) complexes: a ferromagnetic alternating chain and two unprecedented ferromagnetic fish backbone chains

Three new polynuclear copper(II) complexes of 2-picolinic acid (Hpic), {[Cu-2(pic)(3)(H2O)]ClO4}(n) (1), {[Cu-2(pic)(3)(H2O)]BF4}(n) (2), and [Cu-2(pic)3(H2O)(2)(NO3)](n) (3), have been synthesized by reaction of the "metalloligand" [Cu-(pic)(2)] with the corresponding copper(II) salts. The compounds are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and variable-temperature magnetic measurements. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic system with space group P (1) over bar, while 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/n. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 2 are constructed by "fish backbone" chains through syn-anti (equatorial-equatorial) carboxylate bridges, which are linked to one another by syn-anti (equatorial-axial) carboxylate bridges, giving rise to a rectangular grid-like two-dimensional net. Complex 3 is formed by alternating chains of syn-anti carboxylate-bridged copper(II) atoms, which are linked together by strong H bonds involving coordinated nitrate ions and water molecules and uncoordinated oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups. The different coordination ability of the anions along with their involvement in the H-bonding network seems to be responsible for the difference in the final polymeric structures. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurement shows the presence of weak ferromagnetic coupling for all three complexes that have been fitted with a fish backbone model developed for 1 and 2 (J = 1.74 and 0.99 cm(-1); J' = 0.19 and 0.25 cm(-1), respectively) and an alternating chain model for 3 (J = 1.19 cm(-1) and J' = 1.19 cm(-1)).

Dicopper(II) complexes of a new di-para-xylyldioxatetraazamacrocycle and cascade species with dicarboxylate anions: thermodynamics and structural properties

The new dioxatetraazamacrocycle (L-1) was synthesized by a 2 + 2 condensation and characterized. Stability constants of its copper(II) complexes were determined by spectrophotometry in DMSO at 298.2 K in 0. 10 mol dm(-3) KClO4. Mainly dinuclear complexes are formed and the presence of mononuclear species is dependent on the counterion (Cl- or ClO4-). The association constants of the dinuclear copper(II) complexes with dicarboxylate anions [oxalate (oxa(2-)), malonate (mal(2-)), succinate (suc(2-)), and glutarate (glu(2-))] were also determined by spectrophotometry at 298.2 K in DMSO, and it was found that values decrease with an increase of the alkyl chain between the carboxylate groups. X-Band EPR spectra of the dicopper(II) complexes and of their cascade species in frozen DMSO exhibit dipole-dipole coupling, and their simulation, together with their UV-vis spectra, showed that the copper centres of the complexes in solution had square pyramidal geometries though with different distortions. From the experimental data, it was also possible to predict the Cu...Cu distances, the minimum being found at 6.4 angstrom for the (Cu2LCl4)-Cl-1 complex and then successively this distance slightly increases when the chloride anions are replaced by dicarboxylate anions, from 6.6 angstrom for oxa(2-) to 7.8 for glu(2-). The crystal structures of the dinuclear copper cascade species with oxa(2-) and suc(2-) were determined and showed one anion bridging both copper centres and Cu...Cu distances of 5.485(7) angstrom and 6.442(8) angstrom, respectively.

Extended-chain, multinuclear transition metal complexes bridged by cyanodiazenido(1-), [N=N-C=N](-), ligands

Extended-chain complexes containing multiple transition metal centres linked by conjugated mu-cyanodiazenido(1-) ligands [N= N-C N]-have been obtained by reaction of trans-[BrW(dppe)(2)(N2CN)], 1, [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino) ethane] with dirhodium(II) tetra-acetate, bis(benzonitrile) palladium(II) dichloride, and bis(aqua) M(II) bis(hexa. uoroacetylacetonate) (M = Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn): stronger Lewis acids such as tetrakis(acetonitrile) palladium(II) tetra. uoroborate and boron trifl. uoride promote hydrolysis of complex 1, leading to the isolation of a novel carbamoylhydrazido(2-) complex, trans-[BrW(dppe) 2(N2HC=ONH2)](+)[BF4](-).

Nickel(II) complexes of terdentate or symmetrical tetradentate Schiff bases: Evidence of the influence of the counter anions in the hydrolysis of the imine bond in Schiff base complexes

Two sets of ligands, set-1 and set-2, have been prepared by mixing 1,3-diaminopentane and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively, and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate, Ni(II) thiocyanate and Ni(II) chloride. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL2](ClO4)(2)(L = L-1 [N-3-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1 or L-2[N-3-pyridin-2-ylmethylene-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 2) in which the Schiff bases are monocondensed terdentate, whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL(SCN)(2)] (L = L-3[N,N'-bis-(1-pyridin-2- yl-ethylidine)-pentane-1,3-diamine] for complex 3 or L-4 [N,N'-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyline)-pentane-1,3- diamine] for complex 4) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Complexes 5 {[NiL3(N-3)(2)]} and 6 {[NiL4(N-3)(2)]} are prepared by adding sodium azide to the methanol solution of complexes 1 and 2. Addition of Ni(II) chloride to the set-1 or set-2 ligands produces [Ni(pn)(2)]Cl-2, 7, as the major product, where pn = 1,3-diaminopentane. Formation of the complexes has been explained by the activation of the imine bond by the counter anion and thereby favouring the hydrolysis of the Schiff base. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectral data. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies con. firm the structures of three representative members, 1, 4 and 7; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complex of terdentate ligands, 1, is the mer isomer, and complexes 4 and 7 possess trans geometry. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, characterization, and anion selectivity of copper(II) complexes with a tetradentate Schiff base ligand

A new mononuclear Cu(II) complex, [CuL(ClO4)(2)] (1) has been derived from symmetrical tetradentate di-Schiff base, N,N'-bis-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-propane-1,3-diamine (L) and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The copper atom assumes a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry with two perchlorate oxygens coordinated very weakly in the axial positions. Reactions of I with sodium azide, ammonium thiocyanate or sodium nitrite solution yielded compounds [CuL(N-3)]ClO4 (2), [CuL(SCN)ClO4 (3) or [CuL(NO2)]-ClO4 (4), respectively, all of which have been characterized by X-ray analysis. The geometries of the penta-coordinated copper(H) in complexes 2-4 are intermediate between square pyramid and trigonal bipyramid (tbp) having the Addition parameters (tau) 0.47, 0.45 and 0.58, respectively. In complex 4, the nitrite ion is coordinated as a chelating ligand and essentially both the 0 atoms of the nitrite occupy one axial site. Complex 1 shows distinct preference for the anion in the order SCN- > N-3(-) > NO2- in forming the complexes 24 when treated with a SCN-/N-3(-)/NO2- mixture. Electrochemical electron transfer study reveals (CuCuI)-Cu-II reduction in acetonitrile solution. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Anion directed templated synthesis of mono- and di-Schiff base complexes of Ni(II)

Two sets of Schiff base ligands, set-1 and set-2 have been prepared by mixing the respective diamine (1,2-propanediamine or 1,3-propanediamine) and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate and Ni(II) thiocyanate. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL2](ClO4)(2) (L = L-1 [N-1-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1, L-2 [N-1-pyridine-2-ylmethylene-propane1,3-diamine] for complex 2 or L-3 [N-1-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 3) in which the Schiff bases are mono-condensed terdentate whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL](SCN)(2) (L=L-4 [N,N'-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 4, L-5 [NN'-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyline)-propane-1, 3-diamine] for complex 5 or L-6 [NN'-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane- 1, 2-diamine] for complex 6) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Formation of the complexes has been explained by anion modulation of cation templating effect. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral and electrochemical results. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of four representative members, 1, 3, 4 and 5; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complexes of terdentate ligands, I and 3 are the mer isomers and the complexes of tetradentate ligands, 4 and 5 possess trans geometry. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Facile synthesis of Cu(II) complexes of monocondensed N,N,N donor Schiff base ligands: crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

Four new copper(II) complexes, [((CuLN3)-N-1)(2)](ClO4)(2) (1), [(CuL2 N-3)(2)](ClO4)(2) (2), [CuL3(N-3)ClO4)](n) (3) and [CuL4(mu-1,1-N-3)(mu-1,3-N-3)(ClO4)](n) (4) where L-1 = N-1-pyridin-2-yl-methylene-propane-1,3-diamine, L-2 = N-1-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)propane-1,3-diamine, L-3 =N-1-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine and L-4=N-1-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)propane-1,2-diamine are four tridentate N,N,N donor Schiff base ligands, have been derived and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 2 consist of double basal-apical end-on (EO) azide bridged dinuclear Cu-II complexes with square-pyramidal geometry. In complex 3 the square planar mononuclear [CuL3 (N-3)] units are linked by weakly coordinated perchlorate ions in the axial positions of Cu-II to form a one-dimensional chain. Two such chains are connected by hydrogen bonds involving perchlorate ions and azide groups. Compound 4 consists of 1-D chains in which the Cu-II ions with a square-pyramidal geometry are alternately bridged by single EO and end-to-end (EE) azido ligands, both adopting a basal-apical disposition. Variable temperature (300-2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements and magnetization measurements at 2 K have been performed. The results reveal that complexes 1 and 2 are antiferromagnetically coupled through azido bridges (J= -12.18 +/- 0.09 and -4.43 +/- 0.1 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively). Complex 3 shows two different magnetic interactions through the two kinds of hydrogen bonds; one is antiferromagnetic (J(1) = - 9.69 +/- 0.03 cm(-1)) and the other is ferromagnetic (J(2) = 1.00 +/- 0.01 cm(-1)). From a magnetic point of view complex 4 is a ferromagnetic dinuclear complex (J= 1.91 +/- 0.01 cm(-1)) coupled through the EO bridge only. The coupling through the EE bridge is practically nil as the N(azido)-Cu-II (axial) distance (2.643 angstrom) is too long. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bis[bis(methoxycarbimido)aminato]copper(II) 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one disolvate

The title compound, [Cu(C4H8N3O2)(2)]center dot 2C(5)H(9)NO, consists of a neutral copper complex, in which the Cu II centre coordinates to two bis(methoxycarbimido) aminate ligands, solvated by two molecules of 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one. The complex is planar and centrosymmetric, with the Cu II centre occupying a crystallographic inversion centre and adopting approximately square-planar geometry. N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen-bonding interactions exist between the amine NH groups of the ligands and the O atoms of the 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one molecules. The associated units pack to form sheets.

Enantiospecific assembly of a homochiral, hexanuclear palladium complex

The linking of orthopalladated ferrocenylene units by parabanato(2-) ligands results in enantiospecific assembly of a hexanuclear complex in which (i) the steric bulk of the ferrocenylene moiety, (ii) the folded configuration dictated by the imidato(2-) bridging ligand, and (iii) the strong preference for a trans arrangement of the carbonyl oxygen and ferrocenyl carbon atoms, combine to ensure that only ferrocenylene-palladium units with the same chirality can be located at adjacent positions in the assembled complex. The resulting tris-parabanato(2-)-bridged, hexapalladium complex is thus homochiral (R,R,R,R,R,R or S,S,S,S,S,S), as demonstrated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray analysis of a racemic crystal which shows the complex to possess a tapering, twisted, trigonal-prismatic skeleton of palladium atoms with threefold crystallographic symmetry. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

A hexadecanuclear copper(I)-copper(II) mixed-valence compound: structure, magnetic properties, intervalence charge transfer, EPR, and NMR

Hexadecanuclear copper mixed-valence complex 2 containing 10 Cu-II, centers and 6 Cu-I centers was isolated with N,O donor ligands. From the X-ray crystal structure, 2 was found to contain a centrosymmetric dimeric cation - each monomeric unit composed of eight copper centers. It displays a very broad and weak intervalence charge-transfer band around 1100 nm at room temperature in the solid state. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate an S = 1/2 ground state for half of 2, explicitly, each Cu-8 moiety has a g value around 2.26. Complex 2 was examined by NMR spectroscopy at room temperature in solution and by EPR at low temperature; the data indicates that the valence is delocalized in 2 at room temperature but localized at low temperature. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)

Zinc(II)-pyridylthioazophenol system: synthesis, characterization and crystal structure

Reactivities of pyridylthioazophenols (1) with zinc(II) salts have been studied and the complexes isolated in pure form and characterized. Pyridylthioazophenols react with zinc( II)acetate in MeOH/EtOH at room temperature to give a series of pyridylsulfinylazophenols (2)but no zinc( II) complex. The sulfoxides (2) have been characterized by IR and NMR. One of the pyridylsulfinylazophenols (2a) has been subjected to single-crystal X-ray analysis in order to confirm details of its structure. A series of dimeric zinc( II) complexes of tetradentate NSNO pyridylthioazophenolates has been isolated through reaction of zinc nitrate in MeOH followed by in situ reaction with azide ion, which acts as a mu-(1,1) bridge. All complexes have been characterized spectroscopically. The detailed structure of one of the dinuclear zinc( II) complexes has been established by a single-crystal X-ray structure determination. In complex 3a two octahedrally coordinated zinc( II) ions are bridged by two end-on azide ions. No reactions of pyridylthioazophenols with zinc chloride in refluxing EtOH have been observed.