Pd(II) Binding Strength of a Novel Ambidentate Dipeptide-Hydroxypyridinonate Ligand: A Solution Equilibrium Study

A novel ambidentate dipeptide conjugate (H(L1)) containing N-donor atoms of the peptide part and an (O,O) chelate at the hydroxypyridinone (HP) ring is synthesized and characterized. It is hoped that this chelating ligand can be useful to obtain multitargeted Co(III)/Pt(II) dinuclear complexes with anticancer potential. The Pd(II) (as a Pt(II) model but with faster ligand exchange reactions) binding strength of the ligand was studied in an aqueous solution with the combined use of pH-potentiometry and NMR. In an equimolar solution, (L1)(-) was found to bind Pd(II) via the terminal amino and increasing number of peptide nitrogens of the peptide backbone over a wide pH range. At a 2:1 Pd(II) to ligand ratio, the presence of [Pd2H-x(L1)] (x = 1-4) species, with high stability and with the coordination of the (O,O) chelating set of the ligand, was detected. The reaction of H(L1) with [Co(tren)](3+) (tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine) indicated the exclusive binding of (L1)(-) via its (O,O) donor atoms to the metal unit, while treatment of the resulting Co-complex with Pd(II) afforded the formation of a Co/Pd heterobimetallic complex in solution with an (NH2, N-amide) coordination of Pd(II). Shortening the peptide backbone in H(L1) by one peptide unit compared to the structurally similar ambidentate chelator consisting of three peptide bonds resulted in the slightly more favorable formation of the N-coordinated Pd(II) species, allowing the tailoring of the coordination properties.

Automated summary

A novel ambidentate dipeptide conjugate with potential anticancer activity was synthesized and characterized. The binding behavior of the ligand with Pd(II) and Co(III) was studied, and stable dinuclear complexes were formed. The coordination properties can be tailored by modifying the peptide backbone.