Organometallic ruthenium(II) arene complexes containing the PTA ligand ([Ru(η(6)-arene)Cl(2)(PTA)], PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo-[3.3.1.1]decane, termed RAPTA) show pharmacologically relevant anti-tumour properties in vitro. Two new enantiomeric pairs of RAPTA compounds, containing the chiral arene (R)- or (S)-2-phenyl-N-(1-phenylethylene)acetamide and either dichlorido or oxalato ligan...

A pillar[6]arene with mono(ethylene oxide) groups was synthesized and it formed a highly stable inclusion complex with diquat, while the pillar[5]arene analogue did not.

The complex [(p-cym)Ru(bpm)(py)][PF(6)](2) (where p-cym = para-cymene, bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine and py = pyridine) is the first ruthenium(ii) arene complex that can selectively photodissociate a monodentate ligand (py) when excited with visible light and form a reactive aqua derivative able to bind to a DNA base.

Reaction of Zn(C6F5)2·toluene (two equivalents) with 1,3-dipropoxy-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (L(1)H2) led to the isolation of the complex [{Zn(C6F5)}2L(1)] (1), whilst similar use of Zn(Me)2 resulted in the known complex [{Zn(Me)}2L(1)] (2). Treatment of L(1)H2 with in situ prepared Zn{N(SiMe3)2}2 in refluxing toluene led to the isolation of the compound [(Na)ZnN(SiMe3)2L(1)] (3). The stepwise...

The structure of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II, which contains a cubane-like metal-oxo cluster incorporating four manganese(III,IV) cations, along with a calcium cation, has focussed attention on synthetic analogues of this cluster. Despite this activity, there are relatively few structurally characterised coordination clusters with this combination of metal cations. The calixar...

New ferrocene substituted calix[4 and 5]arenes have been prepared and the crystal structure of a lower-rim substituted bis ferrocene calix[4]arene (7) has been elucidated. The respective ferrocene/ferrocenium redox-couples of compounds 6 (a calix[4]arene tetra ferrocene amide) and 8 (a calix[5]arene pentaferrocene amide) are shown to be significantly cathodically perturbed in the presence of an...

A [2]rotaxane constructed from a per-ethylated pillar[6]arene as a wheel and a pyridinium derivative as an axle was prepared. The wheel segment of the per-ethylated pillar[6]arene moved from one station to another along the axle as a result of thermal stimuli.