Theoretical investigation of five-coordinated manganese(III) oxophlorin with different axial ligands at various spin states using different DFT methods

The Mn(III)-oxophlorin complexes with imidazole, pyridine and t-butylcyanide as axial ligands have been studied using B3LYP, Bv86p, and M06-2X methods. All of the possible optimized geometries are specified, while the M06-2X is employed. Results obtained show that the isomers of Mn(III)-oxophlorin with imidazole or pyridine are the most stable at quintet state, compared to singlet and triplet spin states. Besides, there are two and four [Formula: see text]-electrons on manganese in each of these complexes at triplet and quintet states, respectively. Also, Mn(III)-oxophlorin with t-butylcyanide as axial ligand is only stable at singlet state. Non-specific solvent effects show that dispersion and London forces have the basic role in stability of complexes in a solvent. Note that latter interactions can occur in medium with dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]) of [Formula: see text]8, such as [Formula: see text] for position of oxophlorin in heme oxygenase enzyme. NBO analysis show that there is no degeneracy between d orbitals of Mn in the five-coordinated Mn(III)-oxophlorin at singlet and triplet spin states, but two d orbitals of manganese are degenerated in latter complexes at quintet state. Such degeneracy of d orbitals is observed in a complex with square pyramid structure. Then five-coordinated Mn(III)-oxophlorin with imidazole or pyridine is the most stable at quintet spin state, because of its geometry corresponding to square pyramid configuration of atoms. Also, nonbounding interaction between Mn and the ring of oxophlorin or Mn and ligand are more effective in Mn(III)-oxophlorin with imidazole as axial ligand, compared to pyridine and t-butylcyanide.

Ru(III) Complexes with Lonidamine-Modified Ligands

A series of bifunctional Ru(III) complexes with lonidamine-modified ligands (lonidamine is a selective inhibitor of aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells) was described. Redox properties of Ru(III) complexes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. An easy reduction suggested a perspective for these agents as their whole mechanism of action seems to be based on activation by metal atom reduction. New compounds demonstrated a more pronounced antiproliferative potency than the parental drug; individual new agents were more cytotoxic than cisplatin. Stability studies showed an increase in the stability of complexes along with the linker length. A similar trend was noted for antiproliferative activity, cellular uptake, apoptosis induction, and thioredoxin reductase inhibition. Finally, at concentrations that did not alter water solubility, the selected new complex evoked no acute toxicity in Balb/c mice.

Electrochemical Sensing Behavior of Graphdiyne Nanoflake Toward Uric Acid; A Quantum Chemical Approach

Though, the gas sensing applications of graphdiyne have widely reported; however, the biosensing utility of graphdiyne needs to be explored. This study deals with the sensitivity of graphdiyne nanoflake (GDY) towards the uric acid (UA) within the density functional framework. The uric acid is allowed to interact with graphdiyne nanoflake from all the possible orientations. Based on these interacting geometries, the complexes are differentiated with naming i.e., UA1@GDY, UA2@GDY, UA3@GDY and UA4@GDY (Figure 1). The essence of interface interactions of UA on GDY is derived by computing geometric, energetic, electronic and optical properties. The adsorbing affinity of complexes is evaluated at ωB97XD/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The stabilities of the complexes are quantified through the interaction energies (Eint) with reasonable accuracy. The calculated Eint of the UA1@GDY, UA2@GDY, UA3@GDY and UA4@GDY complexes are -31.13, -25.87, -20.59 and -16.54 kcal/mol, respectively. In comparison with geometries, it is revealed that the higher stability of complexes is facilitated by π-π stacking. Other energetic analyses including symmetry adopted perturbation theory (SAPT0), noncovalent interaction index (NCI) and quantum theory of atoms in molecule (QTAIM) provided the evidence of dominating dispersion energy in stabilizing the resultant complexes. The HOMO-LUMO energies, NBO charge transfer and UV-vis analysis justify the higher electronic transition in UA1@GDY, plays a role of higher sensitivity of GDY towards the π-stacked geometries over all other possible interaction orientations. The present findings bestow the higher sensitivity of GDY towards uric acid via π-stacking interactions.

Structural Diversity of Nickel and Manganese Chloride Complexes with Pyridin-2-One

Reactions of NiCl2·6H2O and pyridin-2-one (C5H5NO = Hhp) afforded novel molecular complexes, i.e., mononuclear [NiCl2(Hhp)4] (1), dinuclear [NiCl2(Hhp)(H2O)2]2.2Hhp (3) and [Ni2Cl4(Hhp)5]·2MeCN (4), and an ionic complex [Ni(Hhp)6]Cl2 (2). Single-crystal X-ray analyses revealed two modes of Hhp ligation in these complexes: a monodentate coordination of carbonyl oxygen in all of them and an additional µ2-oxygen bridging coordination in the dinuclear complex 4. Three bridging molecules of Hhp span two nickel(II) ions in 4 with a 2.9802 (5) Å separation of the metal ions. Complex 3 is a chlorido-bridged nickel dimer with a planar Ni2(µ-Cl)2 framework. Hydrogen bonds and parallel stacking arrangements of the Hhp molecules govern the connectivity patterns in the crystals, resulting in 1D structures in 1 and 5 or 2D in 3. A single manganese compound [MnCl2(Hhp)4] (5), isostructural to 1, was isolated under the similar conditions. This is in contrast to four nickel(II) chloride complexes with Hhp. Thermal analyses proved the stability of complexes 1 and 3 in argon up to 145 °C and 100 °C, respectively. The decomposition of 1 and 3 yielded nickel in argon and nickel(II) oxide in air at 800 °C.

Recent Advances and Computational Approaches in Peptide Drug Discovery

Background: Drug design and development is a vast field that requires huge investment along with a long duration for providing approval to suitable drug candidates. With the advancement in the field of genomics, the information about druggable targets is being updated at a fast rate which is helpful in finding a cure for various diseases. Methods: There are certain biochemicals as well as physiological advantages of using peptide-based therapeutics. Additionally, the limitations of peptide-based drugs can be overcome by modulating the properties of peptide molecules through various biomolecular engineering techniques. Recent advances in computational approaches have been helpful in studying the effect of peptide drugs on the biomolecular targets. Receptor – ligand-based molecular docking studies have made it easy to screen compatible inhibitors against a target.Furthermore, there are simulation tools available to evaluate stability of complexes at the molecular level. Machine learning methods have added a new edge by enabling accurate prediction of therapeutic peptides. Results: Peptide-based drugs are expected to take over many popular drugs in the near future due to their biosafety, lower off-target binding chances and multifunctional properties. Conclusion: This article summarises the latest developments in the field of peptide-based therapeutics related to their usage, tools, and databases.