Although reductive cleavage of dinitrogen (N2) to nitride (N3−) and hydrogenation with dihydrogen (H2) to yield ammonia (NH3) is accomplished in heterogeneous Haber–Bosch industrial processes on a ...vast scale, sequentially coupling these elementary reactions together with a single metal complex remains a major challenge for homogeneous molecular complexes. Herein, we report that the reaction of a chloro titanium triamidoamine complex with magnesium effects complete reductive cleavage of N2 to give a dinitride dititanium dimagnesium ditriamidoamine complex. Tandem H2 splitting by a phosphine–borane frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) shuttles H atoms to the N3−, evolving NH3. Isotope labelling experiments confirmed N2 and H2 fixation. Though not yet catalytic, these results give unprecedented insight into coupling N2 and H2 cleavage and N−H bond formation steps together, highlight the importance of heterobimetallic cooperativity in N2 activation, and establish FLPs in NH3 synthesis.
The reaction of a chloro titanium triamidoamine complex with magnesium effects complete reductive cleavage of N2 to give a dinitride dititanium dimagnesium ditriamidoamine complex. Tandem H2 splitting by a phosphine–borane frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) shuttles H atoms to the N3− ion, evolving NH3. Isotope labelling experiments confirmed N2 and H2 fixation.
The catalytic fixation of N2 by molecular Fe compounds is a rapidly developing field, yet thus far few complexes can effect this transformation, and none are selective for N2H4 production. Herein we ...report that the simple Fe(0) complex Fe(Et2PCH2CH2PEt2)2(N2) (1) is an efficient catalyst for the selective conversion of N2 (>25 molecules N2 fixed) into N2H4, attendant with the production of ca. one molecule of NH3. Notably, the reductant (CoCp*2) and acid (Ph2NH2OTf) used are considerably weaker than conventional chemical H+ and e– sources used in previous demonstrations of N2 turnover by synthetic Fe compounds. These results show that the direct catalytic conversion of N2 to the hydrazine oxidation state on molecular Fe complexes is viable and that the mechanism of NH3 formation by such systems may proceed via Fe–N2H4 intermediates.
Catalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 by a Ti complex has been achieved, thus now adding an early d‐block metal to the small group of mid‐ and late‐d‐block metals (Mo, Fe, Ru, Os, Co) that catalytically ...produce NH3 by N2 reduction and protonolysis under homogeneous, abiological conditions. Reduction of TiIV(TrenTMS)X (X=Cl, 1A; I, 1B; TrenTMS=N(CH2CH2NSiMe3)3) with KC8 affords TiIII(TrenTMS) (2). Addition of N2 affords {(TrenTMS)TiIII}2(μ‐η1:η1‐N2) (3); further reduction with KC8 gives {(TrenTMS)TiIV}2(μ‐η1:η1:η2:η2‐N2K2) (4). Addition of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 ether (B15C5) to 4 affords {(TrenTMS)TiIV}2(μ‐η1:η1‐N2)K(B15C5)22 (5). Complexes 3–5 treated under N2 with KC8 and R3PHI, (the weakest H+ source yet used in N2 reduction) produce up to 18 equiv of NH3 with only trace N2H4. When only acid is present, N2H4 is the dominant product, suggesting successive protonation produces {(TrenTMS)TiIV}2(μ‐η1:η1‐N2H4)I2, and that extruded N2H4 reacts further with R3PHI/KC8 to form NH3.
Catalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 by a Ti complex has been achieved, thus now adding an early d‐block metal to the small group of mid‐ and late‐d‐block metals (Mo, Fe, Ru, Os, Co) that catalytically produce NH3 by N2 reduction and protonolysis under homogeneous, abiological conditions.
Agents inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (PAM) pathway are currently in various stages of clinical development in oncology, ranging from some in early-phase ...evaluations to others that have already received regulatory approval for treatment in advanced cancers. The administration of PAM pathway inhibitors has been associated with metabolic toxicities of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. The PAM Task Force of the National Cancer Institute Investigational Drug Steering Committee convened an interdisciplinary expert panel to review the pathophysiology of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia induced by PAM pathway inhibitors, summarize the incidence of these metabolic toxicities induced by such agents in the current literature, advise on clinical trial screening and monitoring criteria, and provide management guidance and therapeutic goals on occurrence of these toxicities. The overarching aim of this consensus report is to raise awareness of these metabolic adverse events to enable their early recognition, regular monitoring, and timely intervention in clinical trials. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are generally not acutely toxic and most often reversible with therapeutic intervention. Dose modifications or discontinuation of PAM pathway inhibitors should only be considered in situations of severe events or if progressive metabolic derangement persists after therapeutic interventions have been attempted for a sufficient duration. Specialty consultation should be sought to aid clinical trial planning and the management of these metabolic adverse events.
Temsirolimus was combined with cixutumumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed at the insulin growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R).
Patients received cixutumumab, 6 mg/kg i.v. weekly, and ...temsirolimus, 25 to 37.5 mg i.v. weekly (4-week cycles), with restaging after 8 weeks. Median follow-up was 8.9 months.
Twenty patients 17 with Ewing's sarcoma (EWS), 3 with desmoplastic small-round cell tumor (DSRCT) were enrolled. Twelve patients (60%) were men with a median age of 24 years and six median prior systemic therapies in a metastatic setting. The most frequent toxicities were thrombocytopenia (85%), mucositis (80%), hypercholesterolemia (75%), hypertriglyceridemia (70%), and hyperglycemia (65%; mostly grade I-II). Seven of 20 patients (35%) achieved stable disease (SD) for more than 5 months or complete/partial (CR/PR) responses. Tumor regression of more than 20% (23%, 23%, 27%, 100%, 100%) occurred in five of 17 (29%) patients with EWS, and they remained on study for 8 to 27 months. One of six patients with EWS who previously developed resistance to a different IGF-1R inhibitor antibody achieved a CR. Four of the seven best responders developed grade III mucositis, myelosuppression, or hyperglycemia, which were controlled while maintaining drug dose.
Cixutumumab combined with temsirolimus was well-tolerated and showed preliminary evidence of durable antitumor activity in heavily pretreated EWS family tumors.
A fundamental bonding model in coordination and organometallic chemistry is the synergic, donor-acceptor interaction between a metal and a neutral π-acceptor ligand, in which the ligand σ donates to ...the metal, which π back-bonds to the ligand. This interaction typically involves a metal with an electron-rich, mid-, low- or even negative oxidation state and a ligand with a π* orbital. Here, we report that treatment of a uranium-carbene complex with an organoazide produces a uranium(V)-bis(imido)-dinitrogen complex, stabilized by a lithium counterion. This complex, which was isolated in a crystalline form, involves an electron-poor, high-oxidation-state uranium(V) 5f
ion that is π back-bonded to the poor π-acceptor ligand dinitrogen. We propose that this is made possible by a combination of cooperative heterobimetallic uranium-lithium effects and the presence of suitable ancillary ligands that render the uranium ion unusually electron rich. This electron-poor back-bonding could have implications for the field of dinitrogen activation.
Despite there being numerous examples of f‐element compounds supported by cyclopentadienyl, arene, cycloheptatrienyl, and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands (C5–8), cyclobutadienyl (C4) complexes remain ...exceedingly rare. Here, we report that reaction of Li2{C4(SiMe3)4}(THF)2 (1) with U(BH4)3(THF)2 (2) gives the pianostool complex U{C4(SiMe3)4}(BH4)3Li(THF)4 (3), where use of a borohydride and preformed C4‐unit circumvents difficulties in product isolation and closing a C4‐ring at uranium. Complex 3 is an unprecedented example of an f‐element half‐sandwich cyclobutadienyl complex, and it is only the second example of an actinide‐cyclobutadienyl complex, the other being an inverse‐sandwich. The U−C distances are short (av. 2.513 Å), reflecting the formal 2− charge of the C4‐unit, and the SiMe3 groups are displaced from the C4‐plane, which we propose maximises U−C4 orbital overlap. DFT calculations identify two quasi‐degenerate U−C4 π‐bonds utilising the ψ2 and ψ3 molecular orbitals of the C4‐unit, but the potential δ‐bond using the ψ4 orbital is vacant.
Pianostool: The first example of an f‐element half‐sandwich cyclobutadienyl complex, which is only the second example of an actinide–cyclobutadienyl complex, is reported. Calculations suggest that U−C π‐bonding dominates, with no δ‐bonding component.
The thermally robust silylium complex iPr3Si-PtBu3(+)B(C6F5)4(-) (1) activates H2/D2 at 90 °C (PhCl); no evidence for dissociation into the separated Lewis pair is found. DFT calculations show H2 ...cleavage proceeds via Si-P bond elongation to form an encounter complex directly from the adduct, thus avoiding the non-isolable iPr3Si(+)-PtBu3 FLP.
The Fe(0) species Fe(N2)(dmpe)2 exists in equilibrium with the previously unreported dimer, Fe(dmpe2)2(μ-N2). For the first time these complexes, alongside Fe(N2)(depe)2, are shown unambiguously to ...produce N2H4 and/or NH3 upon addition of triflic acid; for Fe(N2)(depe)2 this represents one of the highest electron conversion efficiencies for Fe complexes to date.
Paediatric low-grade glioma is the most common CNS tumour of childhood. Although overall survival is good, disease often recurs. No single universally accepted treatment exists for these patients; ...however, standard cytotoxic chemotherapies are generally used. We aimed to assess the activity of selumetinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, in these patients.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium performed a multicentre, phase 2 study in patients with paediatric low-grade glioma in 11 hospitals in the USA. Patients aged 3–21 years with a Lansky or Karnofsky performance score greater than 60 and the presence of recurrent, refractory, or progressive paediatric low-grade glioma after at least one standard therapy were eligible for inclusion. Patients were assigned to six unique strata according to histology, tumour location, NF1 status, and BRAF aberration status; herein, we report the results of strata 1 and 3. Stratum 1 comprised patients with WHO grade I pilocytic astrocytoma harbouring either one of the two most common BRAF aberrations (KIAA1549–BRAF fusion or the BRAFV600E Val600Glu mutation). Stratum 3 comprised patients with any neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated paediatric low-grade glioma (WHO grades I and II). Selumetinib was provided as capsules given orally at the recommended phase 2 dose of 25 mg/m2 twice daily in 28-day courses for up to 26 courses. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a stratum-specific objective response (partial response or complete response), as assessed by the local site and sustained for at least 8 weeks. All responses were reviewed centrally. All eligible patients who initiated treatment were evaluable for the activity and toxicity analyses. Although the trial is ongoing in other strata, enrolment and planned follow-up is complete for strata 1 and 3. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01089101.
Between July 25, 2013, and June 12, 2015, 25 eligible and evaluable patients were accrued to stratum 1, and between Aug 28, 2013, and June 25, 2015, 25 eligible and evaluable patients were accrued to stratum 3. In stratum 1, nine (36% 95% CI 18–57) of 25 patients achieved a sustained partial response. The median follow-up for the 11 patients who had not had a progression event by Aug 9, 2018, was 36·40 months (IQR 21·72–45·59). In stratum 3, ten (40% 21–61) of 25 patients achieved a sustained partial response; median follow-up was 48·60 months (IQR 39·14–51·31) for the 17 patients without a progression event by Aug 9, 2018. The most frequent grade 3 or worse adverse events were elevated creatine phosphokinase (five 10%) and maculopapular rash (five 10%). No treatment-realted deaths were reported.
Selumetinib is active in recurrent, refractory, or progressive pilocytic astrocytoma harbouring common BRAF aberrations and NF1-associated paediatric low-grade glioma. These results show that selumetinib could be an alternative to standard chemotherapy for these subgroups of patients, and have directly led to the development of two Children's Oncology Group phase 3 studies comparing standard chemotherapy to selumetinib in patients with newly diagnosed paediatric low-grade glioma both with and without NF1.
National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, and AstraZeneca.
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