•The advances in Zn complexes as anticancer agents (period 2015–2020) are reviewed.•The structure/antitumor activity relationships of Zn complexes are evidenced.•The development of Zn complexes as ...photosensitizers is reviewed.•The perspectives of Zn-based anticancer drugs are outlined.
Zinc, present in all forms of life, is an essential element for humans. It is one of the most abundant metals in our body. Because of its importance, any malfunctions of its homeostasis can lead to different disease states, also related to the development of cancer. On the other hand, several Zn complexes have been recognized for their biological activities principally for preventive effects on infectious diseases and for low toxicity. Among different applications in medicinal chemistry, zinc-based complexes have shown to be appealing as anticancer drugs with low toxicity or as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. Here we present an overview of Zn coordination complexes proposed in the last six years as anticancer agents, trying to find a correlation between their chemical features and biological activity, and to evidence the potential perspectives of their use. Despite the great amount of work done in this field, this is the first exhaustive review on antitumor zinc complexes, that might be of wide interest for the researchers in the design and synthesis of new antitumor zinc-based drugs alternative to platinum derivatives.
The development of a portable and cost-effective sensor for detecting zinc ions (Zn (II)) in water addresses a crucial need for real-time monitoring of heavy metal environmental contamination. To ...this, here, a novel bismuth-MXene (Bi2S3-MXene) nanocomposite-based sensor is developed for the rapid and selective detection of Zn (II) ions with a simple procedure. The exceptionally selective nanocomposites were capable of detecting Zn (II) through the square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) technique in a linearity range of up to 3 µg/mL, achieving limit of detection (LOD) of 7 ng/mL and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 22 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of R2 =0.9825. Subsequently, the content of Zn (II) in real tap water and sea water was successfully determined for sensitivity and practical applicability. The developed sensor demonstrated several advantages for detecting Zn (II) in water, including a rapid setup process, fast detection times, high sensitivity, more selectivity and portability. While this study focuses on Zn (II) detection, the developed platform suggests it could potentially be adapted for detecting other heavy metals in future research. This work broadens the potential applications of portable nanomaterial-based sensors for regular environmental monitoring.
•Economical portable sensors are essential for safeguarding ecophysiology from heavy metals.•Zn (II) are industrial pollutants that can become very harmful in excess.•Bi2S3-MXene nanocomposite provides for the first time a platform for efficient Zn (II) detection.•Nanocomposites shows a linearity up to 3 μg/mL, LOD of 7 ng/mL, and LOQ of 22 ng/mL.•Untreated tap water and seawater samples were tested to demonstrate the efficacy of portable device.
This study presents a comprehensive investigation into NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) spinel nanoparticles synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal method using Co(NO3)2.6H2O and Ni(NO3)2.6H2O salts. XRD, ...FTIR, FESEM, and VSM analyses confirmed a cubic structure of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) nanoparticles without impurities. These nanoparticles exhibit efficient Zn (II) adsorption characteristics, following Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity was measured to be 666.67 mg g−1 at pH = 7, with mechanisms involving both electrostatic attraction and cation exchange. Desorption studies indicate more than 75% Zn (II) recovery in an acidic environment (pH = 2) after three cycles. Computational analysis was used to validate the experimental results through Molecular Dynamics simulations, initially focusing on NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5). Further exploration involved variations in x at 0.25 and 0.75 to identify the optimal Ni and Co ratio in this bivalent cation spinel ferrite. Computational analyses reveal the superior performance of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.75) in Zn (II) removal, supported by radial distribution analysis, VdW energy, Coulombic energy, mean square displacement (MSD), root mean square displacement (RMSD), and interaction energy. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the adsorption behavior and structural stability of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 nanoparticles, showcasing potential applications in Zn (II) removal.
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•One-pot synthesis produced pure Ni₀.₅Co₀.₅Fe₂O₄ spinel nanoparticles with cubic structure and no impurities.•Nanoparticles adsorbed Zn(II) at 666.67 mg/g (pH 7), fitting Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics.•Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations found Ni₀.₇₅Co₀.₂₅Fe₂O₄ optimal for Zn(II) removal.•Validated structural stability and performance using experiments and MD simulations, confirmed by various energy parameters.•Ni₀.₇₅Co₀.₂₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles show promise for efficient Zn(II) removal in water treatment.
•Synthesis of 4-(2-isopropylphenoxy)phthalonitrile.•Synthesis of peripherally tetra isopropylphenoxy substituted zinc(II) and cobalt(II) phthalocyanines.•Investigation of electrochemical properties ...of metallo-phthaloyanines.
In this study, 4-(2-isopropylphenoxy)phthalonitrile (3) was prepared via a substitution reaction between 2-isopropylphenol (1) and 4-nitrophthalonitrile (2). Then, peripherally tetra 2-isopropylphenoxy substituted zinc(II) (4) and cobalt(II) (5) phthalocyanines were obtained via a cyclotetramerization reaction between phthalonitrile (3) and related metal salt. The structural characterization of synthesized compounds were completed via FT-IR, 1HNMR , UV–Vis and MALDI-TOF mass data. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements were performed to determine the potential of novel phthalocyanines to be used in electrochemical applications. While the cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (5) displayed one metal-based reduction, two ring-based reductions and one metal and ring-based oxidation; zinc(II) phthalocyanine (4) showed three ring-based reductions and one ring-based oxidation reaction. In addition, it was determined that electron-releasing isopropyl phenoxy group affected half-wave peak potentials of complexes and the Q band positions. Diffusion-controlled, reversible and multi-electron transfer abilities of the zinc(II) (4) and cobalt(II) (5) phthalocyanines showed that they have redox richness for can be used in optical technological applications.
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The search for anticancer metal-based drugs alternative to platinum derivatives could not exclude zinc derivatives due to the importance of this metal for the correct functioning of the human body. ...Zinc, the second most abundant trace element in the human body, is one of the most important micro-elements essential for human physiology. Its ubiquity in thousands of proteins and enzymes is related to its chemical features, in particular its lack of redox activity and its ability to support different coordination geometries and to promote fast ligands exchange. Analogously to other trace elements, the impairment of its homeostasis can lead to various diseases and in some cases can be also related to cancer development. However, in addition to its physiological role, zinc can have beneficial therapeutic and preventive effects on infectious diseases and, compared to other metal-based drugs, Zn(II) complexes generally exert lower toxicity and offer few side effects. Zinc derivatives have been proposed as antitumor agents and, among the great number of zinc coordination complexes which have been described so far, this review focuses on the design, synthesis and biological studies of zinc complexes comprising N-donor ligands and that have been reported within the last five years.
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•New Zn(II) carboxylate complex containing 2-aminopyridine ligand was synthesized and structurally characterized.•FT-IR, UV–visible, fluorescence spectroscopy; single crystal XRD ...studies were performed.•DNA binding ability of the complex was assessed using absorption and emission spectral studies.•Sensing ability of the complex towards nitroaromatic compounds were explored by fluorescence quenching measurements.•Selective sensing of picric acid in presence of other nitroaromatics explored.•Theoretical studies (DFT) carried out to ascertain complex’s preferential binding towards nitroaromatics, especially picric acid revealing involvement of π-stacking and spodium bonding interactions.
A mononuclear zinc(II) carboxylate complex containing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and N-donor 2-aminopyridine was synthesized in aqueous methanol and comprehensively characterized by elemental, spectroscopic, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The complex crystallized in monoclinic space group P21/c having a distorted square pyramidal structure. Spectral and X-ray diffraction analyses confirm the molecular composition of the complex. The complex has shown strong fluorescence emission, acts as a selective and sensitive chemosensor for nitroaromatics. The complex is able to selectively detect picric acid in the presence of other nitroaromatics. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations further elucidate the complex’s preferential binding towards nitroaromatics, revealing the involvement of π-stacking and spodium bonding interactions. This work not only expands the understanding of zinc(II) carboxylate complexes in supramolecular chemistry but also highlights their promising applications in environmental monitoring and biological studies due to their significant fluorescence quenching in the presence of nitroaromatics and moderate DNA binding affinity.
The recognition of nitroexplosives is a pivotal area of research, vital for homeland security and environmental safety. This critical review aims to succinctly outline the key characteristics of ...luminescent Zn(II) Schiff base complexes, highlighting their design, synthesis, and sensing abilities, with a specific emphasis on their role in nitroexplosives detection.
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•Discussion on different luminescent chemosensors for the detection of nitroexplosives.•Brief discussion on the advantages of using zinc(II) Schiff base complexes as chemosensors.•Brief discussion on different synthetic strategies of the zinc(II) Schiff base complexes.•Highlights on their sensing mechanism.
In this review, we briefly summarize the key aspects of the synthetic strategies for zinc(II) Schiff base complexes, focusing on their photophysical properties such as the origin of luminescence, intensity, lifetime, and quantum yield. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of using luminescent zinc(II) complex-based sensors, the factors underlying their effectiveness as chemosensors for explosive detection, their mechanisms of action, and future outlooks and concerns. Most of the zinc(II) Schiff base complexes reported to date function as turn-off luminescent chemosensors for nitroexplosives. Some zinc(II) complexes discussed in this review demonstrate very high selectivity and sensitivity, with limits of detection (LOD) in the ppb or nM range for picric acid. Additionally, certain zinc(II) complexes can detect picric acid in the solid state through a visible color change observable to the naked eye under ambient light.
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•A novel zinc(II) complexes based on tetrazole were synthesized.•Crystal structures of complexes by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique was examined.•Compound Zn2(dmphen)2L4 ...displayed significant cytotoxic effect against Hep2.•A pronounced cytostatic effect is observed in complexes based on phen on tumor cell line.•The complex Zn2(dmbipy)2L4 was very active against C. steinii.
In this work, we present six new zinc(II) complexes with the general formulas Zn2(oligopyridine)2L4 and Zn(oligopyridine)2L2, where L– = 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-tetrazolate anion, and oligopyridine = 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives (dmphen – 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, phen – 1,10 phenanthroline, dmbipy – 2,2′-bi-4-picoline, bipy – 2,2′-bipyridine), which have been synthesized with high yield and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental, thermogravimetric, single crystal and powder X-ray analyses. A distorted square-pyramidal and octahedral geometry of zinc(II) ion have been demonstrated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The tetrazolate ligand exhibits two types of coordination: monodentate, and bidentate-bridging via the N(2), N(3) or N(1), N(2) atoms. The behavior of all complexes in solution has been investigated by UV–Vis and the 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, conductometry, and mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial study of the compounds has been carried out against E. coli, St. aureus, P. italicum, and C. steinii, and Zn2(dmbipy)2L4 has been shown to possess significant protistocidal properties. According to the cytotoxicity study,all complexes don’t have cytotoxic properties in 1–100 µM concentration range against tumor human cell lines (larynx carcinoma Hep2, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7) with the exception of complex 5 which has displayed significant cytotoxic effect (LC50 = 19.8 ± 2.4 μM) against Hep2 cells. However, obtained compounds have a pronounced cytostatic effect on all tumor cell lines.
The structural features and the antioxidant properties of the reported Cu(II)- or Zn(II)-complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are presented.
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•Structural features of ...Cu(II) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.•Structural features of Zn(II) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.•Antioxidant activity of complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.•Role of the co-ligand on the structure and the antioxidant activity.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents with known side-effects. The most important NSAIDs are carboxylate derivatives of phenylalkanoic acids, anthranilic acid and salicylic acid. In most cases, the metal complexes of NSAID ligands are more active as drugs than the corresponding free NSAIDs. The structural features concerning the sofar reported NSAID complexes with copper(II) or zinc(II) are presented. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of these compounds (radical scavenging, soybean lipoxygenase inhibition and superoxide dismutase mimicking activity) is discussed.
Two water-stable complexes, namely, Zn(BBOP)(TPA)0.5n (1) and Zn(BBOP)(NDC)·H2On (2) are hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Topologically, 1 can be described as a 3D 3-connected SrSi2-type ...net with the point symbol of {103}. 2 is a mononuclear Zn(II) complex and forms a 3D supramolecular framework via OH⋯O and NH⋯O hydrogen bonding. The complexes can act as sensitive multi-responsive luminescent sensors for Fe3+ and Cr2O72−/Cr2O72− ions in water with excellent selectivity and recyclability.
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Two new zinc(II) complexes, namely, Zn(BBOP)(TPA)0.5n (1) and Zn(BBOP)(NDC)·H2On (2) (H2TPA = terephthalic acid, H2NDC = 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, BBOP = 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxapropane) are hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. 1 features a 3D 2-fold interpenetrated 3-connected SrSi2-type framework. 2 is a mononuclear Zn(II) complex and further extend into the 3D supramolecular framework by OH⋯O and NH⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. 1 and 2 both manifest high chemical stability. Two luminescence complexes are excellent sensors for the luminescent detection of Fe3+, Cr2O72−, and CrO42− ions in an aqueous medium. The quenching mechanism of the complexes is also investigated.
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