We report herein the synthesis and characterization of a new mononuclear nickel complex based on a thiosemicarbazone ligand that exhibits an electrocatalytic behavior for H2 evolution in DMF using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the proton source. Catalysis is observed at quite small overpotential values and a maximum turnover frequency (TOFmax) of 3080 s−1 was extrapolated for 1 m proton concentration using the foot‐of‐the wave analysis of cyclic voltammetry data. Gas analysis during controlled potential electrolysis experiments confirmed the catalytic nature of the process and production of dihydrogen with 80 % faradaic yield. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the catalytic mechanism involves first ligand‐based reduction and protonation steps followed by metal‐centered processes.

The synthesis and characterization of a dinuclear bis(thiosemicarbazone) cobalt complex [Co L (NCS) ] is reported. This complex exhibits significant catalytic activity for hydrogen production in DMF by using triethylammonium (Et NHBF ) as the proton source. Cyclic voltammetry data allowed a maximum turnover frequency of 130 s for 1 m proton concentration to be determined. The catalytic nature of the process and the production of dihydrogen were confirmed by gas analysis during controlled potential electrolysis experiments. Quantum chemical calculations show that the complex displays a ligand-assisted metal-centered reactivity and supports a catalytic mechanism involving ligand-based reduction and protonation steps followed by metal-centered processes.

A series of water-soluble sodium salts of 3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid thiosemicarbazones (or sodium 5-sulfonate-salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazones) containing different substituents at the terminal nitrogen atom (H, Me, Et, Ph) and their copper(ii) complexes have been prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-vis, H NMR), ESI mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry. The proligands and their copper(ii) complexes exhibit moderate water solubility and good stability in aqueous environment, determined by investigating their proton dissociation and complex formation equilibria. The copper(ii) complexes showed moderate anticancer activity in established human cancer cell lines, while the proligands were devoid of cytotoxicity. The anticancer activity of the copper(ii) complexes correlates with their ability to induce ROS accumulation in cells, consistent with their redox potentials within the biological window, triggering the activation of antioxidation defense mechanisms in response to the ROS insult. These studies pave the way for the investigation of ROS-inducing copper(ii) complexes as prospective antiproliferative agents in cancer chemotherapy.

New 3D lead halide hybrid perovskites have been obtained using a unique small aziridinium cation.

Hydrazone complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pt(II) with N-isonicotinoyl-N′-(3-metoxy-2 hydroxybenzaldehyde)-hydrazone (HL) were synthesized and characterized by different physico-chemical techniques including elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar electric conductivity, as well as IR (infrared), 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR (hydrogen and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible), FAB (fast atom bombardment), EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance), and mass spectroscopies. The crystal structure of ligand was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Spectral data showed that hydrazone behaves as an ONO tridentate ligand through the azomethine nitrogen, phenolate and keto oxygen atoms. For the copper(II) complexes, metal–ligand bonding parameters were evaluated from the EPR spectra. These parameters indicate the presence of in-plane π bonding. In addition, the f values of complexes 1–4 indicate small distortion from planarity. The effect of these complexes on proliferation of human breast cancer (MCF-7 and SKBR-3), human melanoma (A375), lung adenocarcinoma cells (NCI-H1573) and their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains were studied and compared with those of free ligand. The ligand and complexes 1–3 showed significant antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in comparison to the control drugs. The complexes 2–4 could be potential antitumor agents, leading to a significant improvement of the cytotoxic activity when compared with HL.