Reactions of DNA purines with dirhodium formamidinate compounds that display antitumor behavior

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ic990194n

The synthesis and characterization of products from reactions of Rh₂(form)₂(O₂CCF₃) ₂(CH₃CN)₂ (form = N,N′-p-ditolylformamidinate, N,N′-diphenylformamidinate) and the partially solvated [Rh₂(DTolF)₂(CH₃CN)₆][BF ₄]₂ (DtolF = N,N′-p-ditolylformamidinate) with the DNA purine analogues, 9-ethylguanine, and 9-ethyladenine are described. X-ray crystallography was used to characterize Rh₂(DTolF)₂(O₂CCF₃) ₂(CH₃CN)₂ (1) which crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a = 10.849 (3) ?, b = 21.435 (6) ?, c = 18.677 (3) ?, V = 4340 ?³, Z = 4, R = 0.0451, and R_w = 0.0904. The two rhodium centers are bridged by four O₂CCF₃^- ligands with a Rh-Rh distance of 2.24743(5) ?. Compound 1 reacts with 9-ethylguanine to form Rh₂(DTolF)₂(9-EtGH)₂(O₂CCF ₃)₂ (3) which exists as two isomers, namely head-to-head and head-to-tail as confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. [Rh₂(DTolF)₂(CH₃CN)₆][BF ₄]₂ (5) crystallizes in the Pbca space group with a = 21.646 (3) ?, b = 31.272 (3) ?, c = 14.561(4) ?, V = 9857 ?³, Z = 8, R = 0.046, and R_w = 0.063. The Rh-Rh bond distance is 2.5594 (8) ?. The partially solvated compound 5 reacts with 9-ethyladenine and 9-ethylguanine to form [Rh₂(DTolF)₂(9-EtAH)₂(CH ₃CN)][BF₄]₂ (6) and [Rh₂(DTolF)₂(9-EtGH)₂(CH ₃CN)][BF₄]₂ (7), respectively. Compound 6 was characterized by X-ray crystallography as well as by variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy. [Rh₂(DTolF)₂-(9-EtAH)₂(CH ₃CN)][BF₄]₂ crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group with a = 15.648(8) ?, b= 16.575(5) ?, c = 20.026(8) ?, β = 105.17(4)°, V = 4994 ?³, Z = 4, R = 0.063, and R_w = 0.073. This compound contains two bridging DTolF^- ligands as well as two 9-ethyladenine ligands, bridging through the N7 and exocyclic N6 positions in a head-to-tail fashion. ¹H NMR studies performed on 6 revealed that the N6 position is in the imino (NH^-) form.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/ic990194n

3904
Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38, 3904-3913
Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate Compounds That Display
Antitumor Behavior
K. V. Catalan, J. S. Hess, M. M. Maloney, D. J. Mindiola, D. L. Ward, and K. R. Dunbar*,†
Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
ReceiVed February 17, 1999
The synthesis and characterization of products from reactions of Rh2(form)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (form ) N,N′-
p-ditolylformamidinate, N,N′-diphenylformamidinate) and the partially solvated [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
(DtolF ) N,N′-p-ditolylformamidinate) with the DNA purine analogues, 9-ethylguanine, and 9-ethyladenine are
described. X-ray crystallography was used to characterize Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1) which crystallizes
in the space group P21/n with a ) 10.849 (3) Å, b ) 21.435 (6) Å, c ) 18.677 (3) Å, V ) 4340 Å3, Z ) 4, R
-
) 0.0451, and Rw ) 0.0904. The two rhodium centers are bridged by four O2CCF3 ligands with a Rh-Rh
distance of 2.24743(5) Å. Compound 1 reacts with 9-ethylguanine to form Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (3)
1
which exists as two isomers, namely head-to-head and head-to-tail as confirmed by H NMR spectroscopy.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5) crystallizes in the Pbca space group with a ) 21.646 (3) Å, b ) 31.272 (3)
Å, c ) 14.561(4) Å, V ) 9857 Å3, Z ) 8, R ) 0.046, and Rw ) 0.063. The Rh-Rh bond distance is 2.5594 (8)
Å. The partially solvated compound 5 reacts with 9-ethyladenine and 9-ethylguanine to form [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-
EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6) and [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (7), respectively. Compound 6 was
characterized by X-ray crystallography as well as by variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. [Rh2(DTolF)2-
(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 crystallizes in the P21/c space group with a ) 15.648(8) Å, b ) 16.575(5) Å, c )
20.026(8) Å, â ) 105.17(4)°, V ) 4994 Å3, Z ) 4, R ) 0.063, and Rw ) 0.073. This compound contains two
bridging DTolF- ligands as well as two 9-ethyladenine ligands bridging through the N7 and exocyclic N6 positions
1
in a head-to-tail fashion. H NMR studies performed on 6 revealed that the N6 position is in the imino (NH-)
form.
Introduction
Since the recognition that cisplatin (Figure 1a) is an effective
antitumor agent, researchers have discovered many additional
examples of biologically active transition metal compounds.1a
Among these are the dirhodium tetracarboxylate complexes
Rh2(O2CR)4L2 (R ) Me, Et, Ph, or CF3; L ) donor solvent)
that are active against such tumors as human oral carcinoma,
Ehrlich ascites, L1210, and P388 (Figure 1b).1
Twenty years have passed since the first biological studies
were performed on dirhodium compounds, yet little is known
about the potential mechanism of their antitumor activity. The
main conclusions that one can glean from the literature is that
the compounds inhibit DNA synthesis in a manner akin to
cisplatin and that they exhibit a strong preference for binding
to adenine over guanine.2,3 The affinity for axially bound adenine
Figure 1. Transition metal antitumor compounds (a) cis-platin, (b)
dirhodium tetracarboxylate, and (c) dirhodium formamidinate/carboxy-
late.
is easily understood by an examination of the X-ray structure
of the bis(1-methyladenosine) adduct of Rh2(OAc)4, which
exhibits hydrogen bonding between the exocyclic amine groups
and the bridging carboxylate oxygen atoms.2e Since most
reactions of these compounds occur at the axial positions, the
argument was advanced that guanine bases would be precluded
from reacting with dirhodium tetracarboxylates due to repulsive
interactions between the ketone oxygen and the carboxylate
bridges.3 While this may pose a problem for axial binding of
guanine, it does not preclude binding through the equatorial
sites and, indeed, Rh2(OAc)4 and numerous related compounds
are quite reactive toward guanine. X-ray data revealed that
the purine ligands are not bound axially, as previously noted
for adenine-type bases, but rather equatorially via bridging
interactions involving the N7 and ketone O6 positions (Figure
2).4
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dunbar@
mail.chem.tamu.edu.
† Present address: Texas A&M University.
(1) (a) Rosenberg, B.; Van Camp, L. Nature 1969, 222, 385. (b) Pruchnik,
F.; Dus, D. J. Inorg. Biochem. 1996, 61, 55. (c) Bear, J. L.; Gray, H.
B.; et al. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 1975, 59, 611. (d) Bear, J. L.;
Howard, R. A.; Dennis, A. M. Curr. Chemother., Proc. Int. Congr.
Chemother., 10th 1977, 2.
(2) (a) Pneumatikakis, G.; Hadjiliadis, N. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans.
1979, 596. (b) Rainen, L.; Howard, R. A.; Kimball, A. P.; Bear, J. L.
J. Inorg. Chem. 1975, 11, 2752. (c) Farrell, N. J. Inorg. Biochem.
1981, 14, 261. (d) Yu, B. S.; Choo, S. Y. J. Pharm. Soc. Kor. 1975,
19, 215. (e) Rubin, J. R.; Haromy, T. P.; Sundaralingam, M. Acta
Crystallogr. 1991, C47, 1712. (f) Waysbort, D.; Tarien, E.; Eichorn,
G. L. Inorg. Chem. 1993, 32, 4774.
(3) Bear, J. L.; Gray, H. B., Jr.; Rainen, L.; Chang, I. M.; Howard, R.;
Serio, S.; Kimball, A. P. Cancer Chemother. Rep., Part 1 1975, 59,
611.
10.1021/ic990194n CCC: $18.00 © 1999 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 08/07/1999

Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999 3905
Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1). A slurry of [Rh(DTolF)-
(cod)]2 (157 mg, 0.32 mmol) in a 1:1 mixture of methanol and
methylene chloride (7 mL) was treated with 3 mL of a Ag(O2CCF3)
(281 mg, 1.3 mmol) methanol solution. The mixture was stirred for 24
h at r.t. after which time it was treated with diethyl ether to induce
crystallization of the product. The red crystalline material was collected
by filtration, and dried in air (204 mg, 69% yield). Purity was
determined by NMR spectroscopy: 1H NMR (C6D6) δ 1.88 (s, CH3),
6.65 (d, tolyl), 6.73 (d tolyl), 7.02 (s, NCHN).
Rh2(DPhF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (2). A suspension of [Rh(DPhF)-
(cod)]2 (350 mg, 0.8 mmol) was suspended in a 1:1 mixture of
methylene chloride and methanol (14 mL) and was treated with a
solution of Ag(O2CCF3) (751 mg, 3.4 mmol) in 7 mL methanol. The
solution turned from orange to green, and after it had been stirred for
24 h at r.t. it was filtered through a Celite plug and then reduced in
volume. An excess of diethyl ether was added to effect precipitation
of the red product, which was collected by filtration. Purity was
determined by NMR spectroscopy: 1H NMR (CD3CN) δ 7.05 (t,
phenyl), 7.22 (s, NCHN), 7.31 (t, phenyl), 8.15 (d, phenyl).
9-Ethyladenine (9-EtAH). Adenine (828 mg, 6.13 mmol) and 2.58
g of 35% aqueous tetraethylammonium hydroxide were placed into a
50 mL round-bottomed Schlenk flask equipped with an internal
condenser. The reaction mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at r.t., after which
time the water was evaporated to yield an off-white residue. The residue
was heated to 200 °C which resulted in the sublimation of the 9-EtAH
onto the water-cooled condenser. The material was recrystallized from
methylethyl ketone to yield 800 mg of purified material (80% yield).
1H NMR (CD3CN) δ 1.43 (t, CH3), 4.17 (d, CH2), 7.89 (s, H2), 8.21
(s, H8).
Figure 2. Interactions of DNA purines with dirhodium tetracarboxy-
lates: (a) repulsive interactions with 9-ethylguanine, and (b) attractive
interactions with 9-ethyladenine.
In recent years, additional testing has revealed that antitumor
active dirhodium compounds are not limited to the tetracar-
boxylate species. In particular, the mixed formamidinate/
carboxylate compounds such as Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(H2O)2
(DTolF ) N,N′-p-tolylformamidinate) (Figure 1c) are quite
promising for their in vivo activity against Yoshida ascites and
T8 sarcoma cells.5 Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(H2O)2 was reported
to be an inhibitor of DNA synthesis and to be reactive with
adenine but not guanine. In light of our recent findings in the
carboxylate chemistry, we were prompted to reinvestigate the
DNA nucleobase reactions of the new dirhodium formamidinate
complexes. Contrary to the literature reports we have found that
compounds of the type Rh2(form)2(O2CCF3)2 (form ) N,N′-
diphenylformamidinate, N,N′-ditolylformamidinate) react with
guanine as well as adenine bases via complete substitution of
the trifluoroacetate ligands. Herein we report the syntheses and
characterization of the products from reactions of Rh2(form)2(O2-
CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 and the partially solvated compound [Rh2-
(form)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 with 9-ethyladenine (9-EtAH) and
9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH). A portion of these results has been
the subject of a brief communication.6
Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (3). Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3-
CN)2 (26 mg, 0.00361 mmol) was dissolved in 4 mL of CH3CN,
9-EtGH (12.7 mg, 0.0071 mmol) was added to the red solution, and
the mixture was refluxed for approximately 1 h. The olive-green solution
was allowed to cool to room temperature, after which time it was filtered
and treated with Et2O to effect precipitation of the product. The green
solid was washed with 20 mL of Et2O and dried under reduced pressure
(32 mg, 83% yield). Purity was established by NMR spectroscopy:
1H NMR (CD3CN) δ 1.35-1.37 (m, CH3), 1.95 (s, CH3CN), 2.15 (s,
H2O), 2.23 (s, CH3), 4.05 (m, CH2), 6.80 (d, tolyl), 6.89 (d, tolyl),
7.03-7.19 (m, tolyl), 7.55 (m, NCHN), 7.99 (s, H2), 8.02 (s, H8). 19
F
NMR (both CD3CN and acetone-d6) δ -12.49 (s, O2CCF3) referenced
to C6H5CF3.
Experimental Section
Starting Materials. [Rh(form)(cod)]2 (cod ) 1,4-cyclooctadiene)
was prepared according to the literature procedure,7a whereas
Rh2(form)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 and 9-EtAH were prepared by modi-
fications of reported methods.7b,8 9-Ethylguanine was purchased from
Sigma, and AgBF4 was purchased from Aldrich; both were used without
further purification. All solvents were predried over 4 Å molecular
sieves with the exception of acetone and acetonitrile, which were
predried over 3 Å molecular sieves. Prior to use, diethyl ether and
toluene were freshly distilled from Na/K, acetone and acetonitrile were
distilled over 3 Å molecular sieves, and methylene chloride was distilled
from P2O5. Acetonitrile that was used for the electrochemical measure-
ments was further dried by passsage through an activated alumina
column under argon.
Rh2(DPhF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (4). A quantity of Rh2(DPhF)2(O2-
CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (16.8 mg, 0.00234 mmol) was dissolved in 5 mL of
CH3CN and 9-EtGH (9.0 mg, 0.0050 mmol) was added. The resulting
red solution was refluxed for ∼1 h, and the solvent was evaporated
under reduced pressure to yield a dark green residue, which was
recrystallized from acetone/hexanes (3 mL/5 mL) at -10 °C. The bright
green solid was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo (19 mg, 79%
yield). The purity was established by NMR spectroscopy: 1H NMR
(CD3CN) δ 1.35-1.38 (m, CH3), 1.95 (s, CH3CN), 2.21 (s, H2O), 4.04-
4.07 (m, CH2), 6.82 (d, phenyl), 6.89 (d, phenyl), 7.04-7.20 (m,
phenyl), 7.55 (m, NCHN), 7.93 (s, H2), 8.03 (s, H8). 19F NMR (CD3-
CN and acetone-d6) δ -12.47 (s, O2CCF3) referenced to C6H5CF3.
103Rh NMR (CD3CN) δ 5551.98.
Reaction Procedures. All manipulations were performed under inert
atmospheric conditions using standard Schlenk techniques unless
otherwise stated.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5). [Rh(cod)(DTolF)]2 (97 mg, 0.15
mmol) and AgBF4 (120 mg, 0.62 mmol) were dissolved in 20 mL of
a 1:1 mixture of CH3CN/CH2Cl2 in the absence of light. Within 2-3
h, the yellow-orange solution had changed to a clear, pale green color,
and after 2 days visible Ag metal deposits were present. The mixture
was filtered through a Celite plug, concentrated to ∼ 5 mL under
reduced pressure, treated with 3 mL of diethyl ether, and finally chilled
to -10 °C. An orange-red microcrystalline solid was collected by
suction filtration, washed with 3 × 5 mL portions of diethyl ether and
dried in vacuo (138 mg, 93%). 1H NMR (CD3CN) δ 1.96 (s, ax-CH3-
CN), 2.27 (s, CH3, tolyl), 2.49 (s, eq-CH3CN), 6.99 (m, tolyl), 7.51 (t,
3JRh-H ) 4 Hz, NCHN). 103Rh NMR (CD3CN) δ 4648.
(4) (a) Dunbar, K. R.; Matonic, J. H., Saharan, V. P.; Crawford, C. A.;
Christou, G. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 2201. (b) Day, E. F.;
Crawford, C. A.; Folting, K.; Dunbar, K. R.; Christou, G. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 1994, 116, 9339. (c) Crawford, C. A.; Day, E. F.; Saharan, V.
P.; Folting, K.; Huffman, J. C.; Dunbar, K. R.; Christou, G. Chem.
Commun. 1996, 1113.
(5) Fimiani, V.; Ainis, T.; Cavallaro, A.; Piraino, P. J. Chemother 1990,
2, 319.
(6) Catalan, K. V.; Mindiola, D. J.; Ward, D. L.; Dunbar, K. R. Inorg.
Chem. 1997, 36, 2458.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6). Compound 5 (60.3
mg, 0.0556 mmol) was dissolved in CH3CN (2 mL) and treated with
a CH3CN solution (3 mL) of 9-EtAH (18.2 mg, 0.112 mmol). The
mixture was stirred for ∼2 days, after which time a green solid
(7) (a) Piraino, P.; Tresoldi, G.; Faraone, F. J. Organomet. Chem. 1982,
224, 305. (b) Piraino, P.; Bruno, G.; Tresoldi, G.; Lo Schiavo, S.;
Zanello, P. Inorg. Chem. 1987, 26, 91.
(8) Myers, T. C.; Zeleznick, L. J. Org. Chem. 1963, 28, 2087.

3906 Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999
Catalan et al.
precipitated from solution by the addition of Et2O (5 mL); single crystals
were grown from a mixture of CH3CN/C6H5CH3. H NMR at 25 °C
X-ray crystallographic data for compounds 1 and 7 were collected on
a Siemens SMART diffractometer at -100 ( 1 °C with graphite
monochromated Mo ΚR (λR ) 0.710 73 Å) radiation and were corrected
for Lorentz and polarization effects. Calculations were performed on a
Silicon Graphics computer. The frames were integrated with the
Siemens SAINT software package, and the data were corrected for
absorption using the SADABS program.10 The structures of 1 and 7
were solved by direct methods using the SHELXS program in the
Bruker SHELXTL v. 5.05 software and11a refined by full-matrix least-
squares calculations on F 2 using the SHELXL-97 program.11b All
relevant crystallographic values and other pertinent information for
compounds 1, 5, 6, and 7 are listed in Tables 1-7.
1
(CD3CN) δ 1.25 (t, CH3), 1.95 (s, CH3CN), 2.25 (s, CH3), 2.33 (s,
CH3), 3.98-4.11 (m, CH2), 6.46 (d, tolyl), 6.76 (d, tolyl), 7.02 (d, tolyl),
7.09 (d, tolyl), 7.26 (s, NCHN), 7.68 (s, H2), 8.06 (s, H8), 8.63 (s,
1
H6). H NMR at -32 °C (CD3CN) δ 1.28 (t, CH3), 1.95 (s, CH3CN),
2.13 (s, H2O), 2.23 (s, CH3), 4.08 (m, CH2), 6.36 (d, tolyl), 6.46 (s,
H6), 6.78 (d, tolyl), 6.96 (d, tolyl), 6.99 (d, tolyl), 7.65 (t, NCHN),
1
7.68 (s, H2), 8.04 (s, H8). H NMR at 25 °C (acetone-d6) δ 1.30 (t,
CH3-9-EtAH), 1.88 (s, ax-CH3CN), 2.14 (s, H2O), 2.24 (s, CH3, tolyl),
4.15-4.19 (m, CH2-9-EtAH), 6.71 (d, tolyl), 6.86 (d, tolyl), 7.06 (d,
tolyl), 7.12 (d, tolyl), 7.73 (s, NCHN), 7.94 (s, H2), 8.63 (s, H8), 11.35
(s, H6). 1H NMR at -41 °C (acetone-d6) δ 1.27 (t, CH2-9-EtAH), 1.84
(s, ax-CH3CN), 2.13 (s, CH3, tolyl), 2.20 (s, CH3, tolyl), 4.17 (m, CH2-
9-EtAH), 6.76 (d, H6), 6.88 (d, tolyl), 7.03 (d, tolyl), 7.11 (d, tolyl),
7.20 (s, H1), 7.71 (s, NCHN), 7.99 (d, H2), 8.73 (s, H8), 11.57 (s,
H6).
Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1). An orange-red rectangular
platelet of dimensions 0.11 × 0.31 × 0.10 mm was selected from a
batch of crystals obtained from the evaporation of an acetonitrile
solution of the compound and mounted on the tip of a glass fiber with
Dow Corning grease. Indexing and refinement of 59 reflections selected
from a total of 45 frames with an exposure time of 10 s/frame gave
unit cell parameters for a monoclinic unit cell. A total of 1321 frames
were collected with a scan width of 0.3° in ω and an exposure time of
30 s/frame. The total data collection time was 13.5 h. The integration
of the frame data using a monoclinic B-centered unit cell yielded a
total of 25 160 reflections in the range h ) 14 f -14, k ) 27 f -28,
l ) 23 f -15 with a maximum 2θ angle of 56.78°. Of the 10 101
unique reflections, a total of 3761 reflections remained with I > 2σ(I)
and Rint ) 0.1116 and Rsig ) 0.1390 after data reduction. The positions
of all of the non-hydrogen atoms were located by direct methods and
refined anisotropically. Hydrogen atoms were calculated at fixed
positions. Final refinement of 506 parameters and 31 restraints gave
residuals of R1 ) 0.0451 and wR2 ) 0.0904. The goodness-of-fit was
0.717 with the maximum and minimum peak heights in the final
difference Fourier map being 0.649 and -0.994 e/Å3, respectively.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5). Large single crystals were
obtained from the slow diffusion of a concentrated acetonitrile solution
of the compound into toluene. The crystals grew as long orange-red
rectangles at the interface of the two solvents after 12 days. A suitable
single crystal, with the approximate dimensions 0.78 × 0.26 × 0.21
mm, was mounted on the tip of a glass fiber with Dow Corning grease
and cooled in a liquid nitrogen stream. Cell constants for an orthor-
hombic unit cell were obtained from a least squares refinement using
24 carefully centered reflections in the range 29 < 2θ < 37°. The
reflection data were collected in the range 4 e 2θ e 47°, by using the
ω scan method. Weak reflections (those with F < 10σ(F)) were
rescanned a maximum of 3 times, and the counts were accumulated to
ensure good counting statistics. Of the 8005 reflections which were
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (7). (a) A quantity of
9-ethylguanine (41.7 mg, 0.233 mmol) was added to a stirring solution
of [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (115.4 mg, 0.116 mmol) dissolved
in 5 mL of CH3OH and 10 mL of CH3CN. The mixture was gently
refluxed for ∼2 h, during which time the orange-red mixture with the
suspended 9-ethylguanine became a clear green solution. The reaction
mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to yield
a green solid (60 mg, 47% yield).
(b) The aforementioned reaction was repeated in an acetonitrile/
acetone solvent mixture. Two equivalents of 9-EtGH (46 mg, 0.0257
mmol) were added to a solution of acetonitrile/acetone (5 mL/1 mL)
of 5 (138.5 mg, 0.0129 mmol). The mixture was stirred at constant
reflux for ∼3 h, filtered in air through a Celite plug, and finally reduced
1
to dryness in vacuo (110 mg, 78% yield). H NMR (CD3OD) δ 1.36
(t, CH3), 1.40 (t, CH3), 1.92 (s, CH3CN), 2.23 (s, CH3), 3.98 (q, CH2),
4.05 (q, CH2), 6.80 (m, tolyl), 6.89 (m, tolyl), 7.00 (m, tolyl), 7.50 (t,
NCHN), 7.55 (t, NCHN), 8.32, 8.35 (s, H8).
Physical Measurements. Infrared spectra were collected on a Nicolet
740 FT-IR spectrophotometer. All 1H NMR spectroscopic data including
the 2-dimensional experiments were collected on a either a 300 or a
500 MHz Varian spectrometer. Chemical shifts were referenced relative
to the residual proton impurities of the solvents used. Electrochemical
measurements were performed by using an EG&G Princeton Applied
Research model 362 scanning potentiostat in conjunction with a Soltec
model VP-6424S X-Y recorder. The cyclic voltammetric experiments
for compound 5 were carried out at r.t. in acetonitrile containing 0.1
M tetra-n-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate, TBAPF6, as supporting
electrolyte, while the experiments for 6 and 7 were performed with
0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium tetrafluoroborate, TBABF4, as the
supporting electrolyte. E1/2 values, determined as (Ep,a + Ep,c)/2, were
referenced to the Ag/AgCl electrode without correction for junction
collected, 3865 reflections with Fo > 3σ(Fo)2 were used in the
2
measurement. Periodic measurement of three representative reflections
at regular intervals revealed that no loss of diffraction intensity had
occurred during data collection. An empirical absorption correction was
applied on the basis of azimuthal scans of 3 reflections with ø near
90°. The space group was determined to be Pbca on the basis of the
observed systematic absences. The positions of all non-hydrogen atoms
were obtained by the application of the direct methods programs
MITHRIL and DIRDIF followed by successive full-matrix least-squares
cycles9 and refined with anisotropic thermal parameters. Hydrogen
atoms were treated as fixed contributors at idealized positions and were
not refined. Final least-squares refinement of 567 parameters resulted
in residuals of R ) 0.046 and Rw ) 0.063 and a goodness-of-fit )
2.01. A final difference Fourier map revealed the highest peak to be
0.87 e-/Å3.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)](BF4)2 (6). Single X-ray quality
crystals of 6 were grown from the slow diffusion of an acetonitrile
solution of 6 into toluene. A green rectangular crystal of approximate
dimensions of 0.31 × 0.23 × 0.18 mm was mounted on the tip of a
glass fiber with Dow Corning grease. Cell constants for the monoclinic
space group P21/c were obtained from a least-squares refinement of
potentials. The Cp2Fe/Cp2Fe+ couple occurs at E1/2 ) +0.46 V, E1/2
)
+0.53 V, and E1/2 ) +0.45 V for the cyclic voltammograms of
compounds 5, 6, and 7, respectively, under the same experimental
conditions in acetonitrile.
X-ray Crystallography and Structure Solution. Geometric and
intensity data for compound 5 were collected on a Rigaku AFC6S
diffractometer at -100 ( 1 °C. A hemisphere of crystallographic data
for compound 6 was collected at -100 ( 1 °C on a Nicolet P3/V
diffractometer upgraded to a Siemens P3/F with graphite-monochro-
mated Mo KR (λR ) 0.710 73 Å) radiation; the reflections were
corrected for Lorentz and polarization effects. All calculations for the
structure solution and the refinement of compounds 5 and 6 were
performed with Silicon Graphics computers on a cluster network in
the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University using the
Texsan software package of the Molecular Structure Corporation.9 The
(9) (a) TEXSAN-TEXRAY Structure Analysis Package; Molecular Struc-
ture Corporation: The Woodlands, TX, 1985. (b) MITHRIL: Inte-
grated Direct Methods Computer Program, Gilmore, C. J. J. Appl.
Crystallogr. 1984, 17, 42. (c) P. T. DIRDIF: Direct Methods for
Difference Structures, An Automatic Procedure for Phase Extension;
Refinement of Difference Structure Factors; Beurskens, Technical
Report, 1984.
(10) SAINT & SADABS programs in the SHELXTL software, Bruker
AXS, Inc., Analytical X-ray Systems.
(11) (a) Sheldrick, G. SHELXS-97; University of Go¨ttingen: Go¨ttingen,
1990. (b) Sheldrick, G. SHELXL-97; 1997.

Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999 3907
25 carefully centered reflections in the range 15 < 2θ < 21°. The data
were collected using the ω-2θ scan technique to a maximum 2θ value
of 45° in the range 4 < 2θ < 45°. Of the 7151 reflections that were
collected, 6841 were unique with Rint ) 0.119. Standards collected every
150 reflections during the data collection revealed no significant
decrease in diffraction intensity. An empirical absorption correction
was applied on the basis of azimuthal scans of 3 reflections with ø
near 90°. The structure was solved by direct methods using the
MITHRIL program and expanded using Fourier techniques. The ethyl
carbon atoms of the 9-EtAH molecules and the aromatic carbon atoms
of the DTolF groups were refined isotropically while the remaining
non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. All hydrogen atoms
were calculated at fixed positions. The final least-squares refinement
of 503 parameters based on 2240 observed reflections (I > 3.00σ(I))
resulted in residuals of R ) 0.063 and Rw ) 0.073 and a goodness-
of-fit ) 1.30. A final difference Fourier map revealed the highest peak
to be 0.75 e-/Å3 and the minimum peak height to be -0.65 e-/Å3.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)](BF4)2 (7). A green prismatic
platelet having dimensions 0.10 × 0.065 × 0.078 mm was obtained
from the evaporation of a methylene chloride solution. The selected
crystal, which was quite small and soft, was mounted on the tip of a
glass fiber with Dow Corning grease. A total of 1321 reflections were
collected with a scan width of 0.3° in ω and an exposure time of 44
s/frame from which 107 reflections were used for indexing a triclinic
cell. The data were integrated to yield a total of 31 002 reflections in
the range h ) 13 f -14, k ) 24 f -27, l ) 19 f -29 with a
maximum 2θ angle of 56.68°. After data reduction of the 12 287 unique
reflections, 4,834 reflections remained with I > 2σ(I). The Rint and
Rsig values were 0.1480 and 0.2539, respectively. These fairly high
residuals are indicative of the poor quality of the crystal. The positions
of the Rh atoms were located by direct methods and the remaining
non-hydrogen atoms were located through successive cycles of least-
squares refinements and difference Fourier maps. A disordered [BF4]-
anion was located and modeled with partial occupancy distributed over
two positions. All of the nonhydrogen atoms of the cationic complex
and one of the [BF4]- anions were refined anisotropically. The F atoms
of the disordered [BF4]- anion were refined anisotropically while the
B atom was refined isotropically with a constraint on the temperature
factor. The hydrogen atoms were refined at fixed positions. The final
full-matrix least-squares on F 2 revealed maximum and minimum peak
heights of 1.43 and -0.732 e-/Å3 with final residuals of R1 ) 0.0898
and wR2 ) 0.1484 for 694 parameters and 95 restraints. The final
goodness-of-fit was 0.974.
highly likely that this compound would be accessible. In
addition, our earlier preparation of the analogous diiridium
complex [Ir2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 lent further credence to
the idea.13 The reaction of [Rh(cod)(DTolF)]2 with 4 equiv of
AgBF4 in CH3CN affords [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6]2+ (5) in high
yields (eq 2).
CH3CN/CH2Cl2
[Rh(DTolF)(cod)]2
8
4 (AgBF4)
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
(2)
5
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 reacts with 2 equiv of 9-EtGH
in refluxing methanol/acetonitrile to yield two isomers of [Rh2-
(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (eq 3) as judged by the 1H
NMR spectrum (Vide infra).
2 (9-EtGH)
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
8
CH3OH/CH3CN
reflux 2 h
5
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2
(3)
7
The formation of two compounds with the same composition
but with different arrangements of the purines had been
previously observed in the chemistry of Rh2(O2CCH3)4 and
[Rh2(O2CCH3)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 with 9-ethylguanine. [Rh2-
(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 reacts with two equivalents of 9-
EtAH in acetonitrile at r.t. (eq 4), but in this case only one
isomer is formed, namely [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)]-
1
[BF4]2 as Et-judged by H NMR spectroscopy.
2 (9-EtAH)8
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
CH3CN
5
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2
(4)
6
Description of Structures. ORTEP representations of the
cations in compounds 1, 5, 6, and a PLUTO of 7 are depicted
in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively; fractional coordinates
and selected metrical parameters are listed in Tables 1-7.
Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1). Substitution of the
water molecules in the axial positions of Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2
with CH3CN results in subtle changes in the lantern structure
of the mixed-ligand complex. An ORTEP representation of 1
which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n is
presented in Figure 3. The dirhodium core consists of two cis
[DTolF]- ligands and two [O2CCF3]- ligands. The geometry
around the Rh atoms is essentially octahedral with a Rh-Rh
bond length of 2.4743(5) Å. This distance is longer than the
corresponding value observed for the bis-water adduct (Rh-
Rh ) 2.425(1) Å).7b The lengthening of the metal-metal bond
is attributed to the stronger interactions of the axial acetonitrile
molecules (Rh(1)-N(3) ) 2.267(5) Å and Rh(2)-N(4) )
2.265(5) Å). Interestingly, both axial acetonitriles are coordi-
nated at angles significantly less than 180°, with Rh(1)-Rh-
(2)-N(4) and Rh(2)-Rh(1)-N(3) angles of 172.37(11)° and
168.88(11)°. The bis-water adduct exhibits similar bends for
the axial water molecules ( Rh-Rh-Oav )168.6(1)°), and the
compound [Rh2(DTolF)2(bpy)(CH3CN)4][BF4]2 exhibits an axial
acetonitrile ligand coordinated at an even more acute angle of
Results and Discussion.
Syntheses. Our modified syntheses of the antitumor active
compound Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(H2O)2 in acetonitrile or
methanol rather than water led to the isolation of the new axial
adducts Rh2(form)(O2CCF3)2L2 (1 and 2, L ) CH3CN or CH3-
OH) in greater yields and a higher purity.7b Both 1 and 2 react
with 2 equiv of 9-EtGH to yield Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2-
CCF3)2 (3) and Rh2(DPhF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (4) (eq 1). The
use of refluxing conditions serves to increase the solubility of
the 9-EtGH which enhances the rate of the reaction.
2(9-EtGH)8
Rh2(form)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2
1, 2
Rh2(form)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2
(1)
3, 4
Reports that the bridging trifluoroacetate groups of Rh2-
(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(H2O)2 exhibit increased lability due to the
strong trans influence of the [DTolF]- ligands prompted us to
investigate the preparation of the partially solvated dication
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6]2+ (5) to complement our studies
involving 1 and 2.12 The 19F NMR spectra (Table 9) for 1 and
2 in donating solvents such as acetonitrile revealed that the
trifluoroacetate anions were uncoordinated, thus it seemed
(12) (a) Piraino, P.; Tresoldi, G.; Schiavo, S. L. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1993,
203, 101. (b) Schiavo, S. L.; Sinicropi, M. S.; Tresoldi, G.; Arena, C.
G.; Piraino, P. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1994, 1517 and references
therein.
(13) Dunbar, K. R.; Majors, S. O.; Sun, J.-S. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1995, 229,
373.

3908 Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999
Catalan et al.
Table 1. Crystallographic Data for
Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1), [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
(5), and [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6)
Table 2. Positional Parameters and Equivalent Isotropic Thermal
Parameters for Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1)
atom
x
y
z
Ueq
1
5
6
Rh1
Rh2
O1
O2
O3
O4
N1
N2
N3
N4
N5
N6
C1
C2
C4
C5
C6
0.0265(1)
0.056214)
-0.0201(3)
0.1986(3)
-0.0649(3)
0.2330(3)
-0.1359(4)
-0.1155(4)
-0.0008(5)
0.1059(4)
0.1157(4)
0.1280(4)
-0.4612(7)
0.1900(9)
0.3873(6)
-0.2581(7)
-0.4127(6)
-0.3750(7)
-0.1795(6)
0.1440(6)
0.1924(7)
0.1704(7)
0.1934(7)
0.1226(6)
0.2040(6)
-0.0155(6)
0.1891(5)
-0.0373(8)
-0.2805(5)
0.3175(6)
-0.2866(5)
0.3796(6)
0.1049(6)
0.1293(5)
-0.3516(6)
-0.3374(6)
-0.0663(5)
0.3183(7)
-0.1798(5)
0.2589(5)
0.1376(5)
-0.2184(6)
0.1928(6)
-0.2239(5)
-0.2350(5)
-0.1738(5)
0.1492(5)
-0.1773(5)
-0.0596(9)
0.4726(4)
0.4232(4)
0.4026(4)
0.3894(7)
-0.1393(13)
-0.1890(9)
-0.1891(7)
0.1968(1)
0.1972(1)
0.2871(1)
0.2412(2)
0.2821(1)
0.2332(2)
0.1542(2)
0.1628(2)
0.2169(2)
0.2055(2)
0.1144(2)
0.1111(2)
0.1016(4)
-0.0165(4)
-0.0017(3)
0.0933(3)
0.1505(3)
0.1154(3)
0.1055(3)
0.1976(3)
0.0282(2)
0.0176(4)
0.1853(3)
-0.0116(3)
0.0792(3)
0.2323(3)
0.1100(3)
0.2517(5)
0.0850(2)
0.0802(2)
0.1318(2)
0.0524(3)
0.0188(3)
0.0553(2)
0.1209(2)
0.1638(2)
0.3061(2)
0.0274(3)
0.1990(2)
0.2466(2)
0.0802(3)
0.1414(2)
0.0820(2)
0.0942(2)
0.1887(2)
0.1516(2)
0.0884(2)
0.1469(2)
0.4117(3)
0.2370(2)
0.2828(2)
0.3259(2)
0.2729(4)
0.3650(4)
0.3758(4)
0.3843(3)
0.316212)
0.4482(1)
0.4465(2)
0.3115(2)
0.3278(2)
0.4321(2)
0.3295(2)
0.4544(2)
0.1976(3)
0.5667(2)
0.3142(2)
0.4400(2)
0.0867(4)
0.0482(4)
0.6800(3)
0.1543(3)
0.2076(4)
0.1509(4)
0.2132(3)
0.6235(3)
0.6129(3)
0.1196(4)
0.6954(3)
0.1784(4)
0.1282(3)
0.1405(4)
0.1917(3)
0.0645(4)
0.6024(3)
0.5031(3)
0.6540(3)
0.5603(4)
0.2433(3)
0.5559(3)
0.7230(3)
0.2665(3)
0.3884(3)
0.6166(3)
0.5724(3)
0.3686(3)
0.2499(3)
0.2699(3)
0.4992(3)
0.5372(3)
0.6368(3)
0.5211(3)
0.3756(3)
0.3954(3)
0.4028(6)
0.3926(2)
0.2978(2)
0.3976(3)
0.3626(4)
0.3900(5)
0.4468(4)
0.3389(3)
0.047(1)
0.046(1)
0.057(1)
0.057(1)
0.056(1)
0.058(1)
0.049(1)
0.050(1)
0.064(1)
0.058(1)
0.052(1)
0.054(1)
0.122(3)
0.164(4)
0.109(3)
0.082(2)
0.082(2)
0.078(2)
0.072(2)
0.066(2)
0.067(2)
0.097(2)
0.104(3)
0.088(2)
0.094(2)
0.087(2)
0.070(2)
0.177(4)
0.057(2)
0.067(2)
0.053(1)
0.081(2)
0.072(2)
0.061(2)
0.076(2)
0.064(2)
0.057(1)
0.068(2)
0.053(1)
0.056(2)
0.056(2)
0.054(1)
0.052(1)
0.050(1)
0.057(2)
0.047(1)
0.056(2)
0.054(1)
0.289(6)
0.126(2)
0.137(2)
0.149(2)
0.081(2)
0.148(5)
0.254(5)
0.240(4)
formulaa
fw, g/mol
cryst syst
space group P21/n
a/Å
C38H36F6N6O4Rh2 C42H60B2F8N10Rh2 C46H48B2F8N15Rh2
960.55
1084.42
orthorhombic
Pcba
21.646(3)
31.272(3)
14.561(4)
90
1190.40
monoclinic
P21/c
15.648(8)
16.515(5)
20.026(8)
90
monoclinic
10.8495(3)
b/Å
c/Å
21.4349(6)
18.6766(3)
90
90.059(1)
90
R/deg
â/deg
γ/deg
V/Å3
Z
90
90
9857(3)
8
-100
1.461
7.39
105.17(4)
90
4340.6(2)
4
4994(6)
4
-100
1.583
T/°C
-100
Dc, g/cm-3 1.470
µ
Mo/cm-1
8.29
10101
3761
7.40
N
8005
6841
b
No
3862g
2240g
C7
C8
C9
Rc (Rsig
)
0.118 (0.191)
0.045 (0.090)
0.119
d
Rw
0.042h (0.045)i
0.063h (0.073)i
a Including solvent molecules. b I > 2σ(I). c R ) ∑|Fo2 - Fo (mean)|/
C10
C11
C12
C13
C15
C16
C17
C18
C19
C20
C21
C22
C23
C24
C25
C27
C28
C29
C30
C31
C32
C33
C34
C35
C36
C37
C39
C40
F4
2
∑[Fo ]; Rsig ) ∑[σ(Fo )]/[Fo ]. d Rw ) ∑||Fo| - |Fc||/∑|Fo|; wR2 )
2
2
2
[∑[w(Fo2 - Fc2)2]/∑[w(Fo )2]]1/2
.
g Fo2 > 3σ(Fo)2. h R ) ∑||Fo| - |Fc||/
2
∑|Fo|. i Rw ) [∑w(|Fo| - |Fc| /∑w|Fo| ]1/2; w ) 1/σ2(|Fo|).
2
2
161.9(26)°.14 The average Rh-O bond distance (2.098(3) Å)
of the coordinated trifluoroacetate groups in 1 is slightly longer
than the average Rh-O distance reported for the bis-water
adduct (2.083(3) Å). The O-C-O angles of the trifluoroacetate
groups are 129.7(5)° and 131.4(5)° for O(1)-C(28)-O(3) and
O(2)-C(31)-O(4), respectively. The [O2CCF3]- groups are
twisted by 5.32(13)° and 6.03(14)° from the eclipsed orientation
in comparison to 8.0(1)° and 8.3(1)° twists of the [O2CCF3]-
bridges in the bis-water adduct. Distances involving the
[DTolF]- groups (e.g. the average Rh-N distance of 2.011(4)
Å) are within normal ranges. Likewise, the N-C-N angles of
the bridgehead C atoms of 124.4(5)° and 125.8(5)° are in
expected ranges. The [DTolF]- groups are slightly twisted from
the eclipsed orientation by 5.4(2)° and 5.6(2)° in comparison
to the greater twists reported for the bis-water adduct of 9.4-
(2)° and 9.5(2)°.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5). The partially solvated
complex, [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 is isomorphic to the
related compound [Ir2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 prepared in our
laboratories several years ago.13 An ORTEP representation of
the dirhodium cation is depicted in Figure 4. Both compounds
exhibit a C2V symmetry and crystallize in the orthorhombic space
group Pbca with cis, bridging [DTolF]- groups and CH3CN in
the remaining six metal coordination sites. The average Rh-N
is 2.042(7) Å is not statistically different than the corresponding
distance in the Ir analogue of 2.05(1) Å. These values are longer
than the corresponding distances in the bis-trifluoroacetate
derivatives, however, and the [DTolF]- ligands are twisted by
∼19° from the eclipsed orientation (compared to a 20° twist in
[Ir2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6]2+). These are significantly greater dis-
tortions than what was observed for the bis-trifluoroacetate
derivatives, but it is not particularly unusual for compounds of
this structural type.15 The angles subtended by the N-C-N
bridgehead in the five-membered rings are within normal ranges
(1235.2(6)° and 123.4(7)°). The remaining equatorial positions
F1
F2
F3
C41
C3
F5
F6
are coordinated by acetonitrile molecules with average Rh-N
bond distances of 2.029(7) Å which is approximately 0.02 Å
shorter than the metal-formamidinate distances. The axial
Rh-NCCH3 interactions of 2.235(7) and 2.208(7) Å are
comparable to the distance of 2.232(4) Å reported for the related
compound [Rh2(O2CCH3)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2.16 By comparison,
[Ir2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 exhibits axial and equatorial Ir-
NCCH3 distances of 2.17(1) and 2.00(1) Å, respectively. The
Rh-Rh bond distance is 2.5594(8) Å which is 0.1 Å longer
than the corresponding metal-metal bond distances in related
(14) Catalan, K. V.; Dunbar, K. R.; Maloney, M. M. Manuscript in
preparation.
(15) Cotton, F. A.; Walton, R. A. Multiple Bonds between Metal Atoms,
2nd ed.; Oxford University Press: Oxford, 1993, and references
therein.
(16) Pimblett, G.; Garner, C. D.; Clegg, W. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans.
1986, 1257.

Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999 3909
Table 3. Positional Parameters and Equivalent Isotropic Thermal
Parameters for [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5)
Table 4. Positional Parameters and Equivalent Isotropic Thermal
Parameters for [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6)
a
a
atom
x
y
z
Beq
atom
x
y
z
Beq
Rh(1)
Rh(2)
N(1)
0.7682(1)
0.7122(1)
0.872(1)
0.662(1)
0.696(1)
0.833(1)
0.806(1)
0.641(1)
0.609(1)
0.815(1)
0.781(1)
0.930(2)
0.991(2)
0.928(2)
0.542(1)
0.475(2)
0.543(2)
0.856(2)
0.617(2)
0.965(2)
1.028(2)
1.117(2)
1.147(2)
1.089(2)
0.998(2)
1.244(2)
0.761(1)
0.728(1)
0.711(2)
0.728(2)
0.762(2)
0.776(2)
0.714(2)
0.521(2)
0.449(1)
0.352(2)
0.424(2)
0.507(2)
0.260(2)
0.703(1)
0.778(2)
0.793(2)
0.736(2)
0.660(2)
0.645(2)
0.754(2)
0.814(2)
0.828(2)
0.872(2)
0.985(2)
0.935(2)
0.876(2)
0.867(2)
0.969(3)
1.049(3)
0.607(2)
0.485(2)
0.536(2)
0.599(2)
0.607(2)
0.472(3)
0.509(3)
0.365(2)
0.975(2)
0.615(5)
0.979(1)
1.004(1)
1.018(1)
0.885(1)
0.676(2)
0.569(2)
0.566(2)
0.623(1)
0.1470(1)
0.2177(1)
0.122(1)
0.173(1)
0.050(1)
0.245(1)
0.078(1)
0.302(1)
0.142(1)
0.296(1)
0.132(1)
0.388(1)
0.412(2)
0.320(1)
0.242(1)
0.361(2)
0.400(2)
0.104(1)
0.069(2)
0.123(1)
0.142(2)
0.125(2)
0.099(2)
0.091(1)
0.102(1)
0.076(2)
0.100(1)
0.155(2)
0.125(1)
0.043(2)
-0.010(2)
0.022(2)
0.016(2)
0.166(1)
0.146(1)
0.237(2)
0.258(1)
0.223(2)
0.280(2)
-0.029(1)
-0.073(1)
-0.146(2)
-0.175(1)
-0.130(2)
-0.056(1)
-0.253(2)
0.037(2)
-0.020(2)
0.329(2)
0.425(2)
0.353(2)
0.306(2)
0.255(1)
0.363(3)
0.340(2)
0.231(2)
0.306(2)
0.352(2)
0.293(2)
0.370(2)
0.466(3)
0.530(3)
0.184(1)
0.148(3)
0.410(2)
0.079(1)
0.141(1)
0.210(1)
0.172(1)
0.376(2)
0.339(2)
0.444(1)
0.448(1)
0.1467(1)
0.2378(1)
0.230(1)
0.0662(10)
0.1685(8)
0.128(1)
0.074(1)
0.173(1)
0.2107(9)
0.2712(10)
0.303(1)
0.267(1)
0.174(2)
0.081(1)
-0.009(1)
0.023(2)
0.139(2)
0.291(1)
0.183(1)
0.233(1)
0.296(1)
0.300(1)
0.245(1)
0.183(1)
0.176(1)
0.257(2)
0.362(1)
0.405(1)
0.463(1)
0.487(1)
0.444(1)
0.381(1)
0.555(1)
0.205(1)
0.150(1)
0.192(1)
0.246(1)
0.253(1)
0.180(1)
0.139(1)
0.169(1)
0.140(1)
0.083(1)
0.054(1)
0.083(1)
0.047(1)
0.030(2)
-0.028(2)
0.240(1)
0.232(3)
0.147(2)
0.172(2)
0.075(1)
0.021(2)
0.045(2)
0.058(2)
-0.021(2)
0.084(2)
0.105(2)
0.192(1)
0.151(2)
0.143(2)
0.146(1)
-0.055(2)
0.384(3)
-0.0904(9)
0.0129(8)
-0.0819(10)
-0.0722(8)
0.366(1)
0.388(1)
0.327(1)
0.4400(8)
2.52(5)
2.60(5)
3.2(6)
3.2(6)
2.1(5)
3.1(6)
2.9(6)
3.2(6)
3.0(5)
3.1(5)
3.2(5)
6.2(8)
8(1)
Rh(1)
Rh(2)
N(1)
N(2)
N(3)
N(4)
N(5)
N(6)
N(7)
N(8)
N(9)
N(10)
C(1)
C(2)
C(3)
C(4)
C(5)
C(6)
0.56796(3)
0.63806(3)
0.6157(3)
0.6942(3)
0.5080(3)
0.5867(3)
0.5238(3)
0.5823(3)
0.6280(3)
0.6865(3)
0.5120(3)
0.7011(3)
0.6725(4)
0.5314(4)
0.7170(4)
0.5577(5)
0.6566(5)
0.4953(4)
0.7561(5)
0.6912(6)
0.7831(4)
0.7854(5)
0.4100(4)
0.3511(4)
0.6090(4)
0.6232(4)
0.6448(4)
0.6494(4)
0.6343(4)
0.6141(5)
0.6712(6)
0.7584(4)
0.8019(4)
0.8628(4)
0.8798(4)
0.8353(4)
0.7744(4)
0.9445(5)
0.4465(4)
0.4214(4)
0.3617(4)
0.3257(4)
0.2613(4)
0.4870(4)
0.4529(5)
0.5993(4)
0.5464(4)
0.5265(4)
0.5569(4)
0.6106(4)
0.6325(4)
0.5276(5)
0.4575(5)
0.5332(5)
0.14524(2)
0.14887(2)
0.0906(2)
0.1081(2)
0.1112(2)
0.0991(2)
0.2007(2)
0.1883(2)
0.1768(2)
0.1999(2)
0.1410(2)
0.1503(2)
0.0861(3)
0.0909(3)
0.2279(3)
0.2106(3)
0.1926(4)
0.2302(3)
0.2636(3)
0.2128(6)
0.1485(3)
0.1447(4)
0.1299(3)
0.1197(3)
0.0696(3)
0.0278(3)
-0.0002(3)
0.0108(3)
0.0531(3)
0.0821(3)
-0.0205(4)
0.1028(3)
0.1292(3)
0.1269(3)
0.0989(3)
0.0714(3)
0.0734(3)
0.0990(4)
0.1002(3)
0.0593(3)
0.0499(3)
0.0794(3)
0.0683(4)
0.1359(3)
0.1283(3)
0.0685(3)
0.0436(2)
0.0261(3)
0.0320(3)
0.0558(4)
0.0737(3)
0.2414(4)
0.2684(3)
0.0153(3)
-0.03818(2)
0.10314(4)
-0.0677(4)
0.0345(4)
0.0410(4)
0.1470(4)
-0.0081(4)
0.1752(4)
-0.1199(5)
0.0574(4)
-0.1668(4)
0.2223(4)
-0.0355(5)
0.1133(5)
0.0359(6)
0.2216(6)
-0.1762(7)
0.0018(6)
0.0076(7)
-0.2494(8)
0.2763(5)
0.3471(7)
-0.0296(6)
-0.0601(5)
0.2156(5)
0.1919(6)
0.2578(7)
0.3486(7)
0.3718(6)
0.3072(5)
0.4188(8)
0.0608(5)
0.0234(6)
0.0555(7)
0.1244(7)
0.1571(6)
0.1274(5)
0.1625(8)
0.0142(5)
0.0284(6)
-0.0008(6)
-0.0460(6)
-0.0786(7)
-0.2345(6)
-0.3205(6)
-0.1501(5)
-0.1518(5)
-0.2337(6)
-0.3141(6)
-0.3118(6)
-0.2302(6)
0.2821(8)
0.0146(8)
-0.4046(7)
1.82(1)
1.82(1)
2.1(2)
2.0(1)
1.9(1)
1.9(2)
2.2(2)
2.4(2)
3.0(2)
2.4(2)
2.4(2)
2.4(2)
2.2(2)
2.1(2)
2.9(2)
3.8(3)
5.2(3)
2.8(2)
5.3(3)
12.7(5)
2.9(2)
5.5(3)
2.6(2)
2.9(2)
2.0(2)
2.7(2)
3.4(2)
3.8(2)
3.6(2)
2.2(2)
6.5(3)
2.0(2)
3.0(2)
3.9(2)
3.6(3)
3.6(2)
2.6(2)
6.7(4)
2.2(2)
2.8(2)
3.0(2)
3.1(2)
4.7(3)
2.7(2)
4.9(3)
1.9(2)
2.2(2)
2.7(2)
3.2(2)
4.5(3)
4.0(3)
8.2(4)
5.4(3)
4.8(3)
N(2)
N(3)
N(4)
N(5)
N(6)
N(7)
N(8)
N(9)
N(10)
N(11)
N(12)
N(13)
N(14)
N(15)
C(1)
5.6(8)
4.3(7)
6.5(9)
6.0(8)
3.3(7)
3.7(8)
2.5(6)
4.4(6)
4.5(6)
4.3(6)
3.3(5)
3.4(5)
6.8(8)
3.1(7)
3.3(5)
3.7(6)
3.6(6)
5.0(7)
3.8(6)
6.0(7)
2.8(5)
3.0(5)
4.6(6)
3.5(5)
3.7(5)
6.4(7)
2.3(5)
3.4(5)
4.3(6)
3.6(S)
4.8(6)
3.2(5)
6.1(7)
3.8(8)
6.4(7)
4.0(9)
9(1)
5.6(9)
3.4(7)
3.6(7)
10(1)
9.6(9)
3.5(8)
6(1)
5.2(9)
2.9(7)
3.9(8)
11(1)
13(1)
4.1(6)
5(1)
10(2)
8.0(6)
7.8(6)
8.2(6)
7.5(6)
17(1)
16(1)
14.5(10)
7.3(5)
C(2)
C(7)
C(8)
C(9)
C(3)
C(4)
C(5)
C(10)
C(11)
C(12)
C(13)
C(14)
C(15)
C(16)
C(17)
C(18)
C(19)
C(20)
C(21)
C(22)
C(23)
C(24)
C(25)
C(26)
C(27)
C(28)
C(29)
C(30)
C(31)
C(32)
C(33)
C(34)
C(35)
C(36)
C(37)
C(38)
C(39)
C(40)
C(41)
C(42)
C(6)
C(7)
C(8)
C(9)
C(10)
C(11)
C(12)
C(13)
C(14)
C(15)
C(16)
C(17)
C(18)
C(19)
C(20)
C(21)
C(22)
C(23)
C(24)
C(25)
C(26)
C(27)
C(28)
C(29)
C(30)
C(31)
C(32)
C(33)
C(34)
C(35)
C(36)
C(37)
C(38)
C(39)
C(40)
C(41)
C(42)
C(43)
C(44)
C(45)
C(46)
B(1)
a Beq ) (8/3)π2(U11(aa*)2 + U22(bb*)2 + U33(cc*)2 + 2U12aa*bb*
cos γ) + 2U13aa*cc* cos â) + 2U23bb*cc* cos R).
bis-trifluoroacetate compounds, but is quite similar to the Rh-
Rh distance of 2.534(1) Å in [Rh2(O2CCH3)2(CH3CN)6]2+ 16
.
Likewise the Ir-Ir distance in [Ir2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6]2+ of
2.601(1) Å is longer than what is observed for Ir2(DTolF)4 (Ir-
Ir ) 2.524(3) Å). Several factors are expected to contribute to
a lengthening of the M-M bond in the nitrile compounds as
compared to the carboxylate derivatives, including the presence
of only two bridging ligands versus four as well as the cationic
charge on the compounds.
B(2*)
F(1)
F(2)
F(3)
F(4)
F(5*)
F(6*)
F(7*)
F(8*)
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6). This com-
pound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with
the asymmetric unit consisting of the entire cation and two
[BF4]- anions (Figure 5). The dinuclear cation contains two
a Beq ) (8/3)π2(U11(aa*)2 + U22(bb*)2 + U33(cc*)2 + 2U12aa*bb*
cos γ) + 2U13aa*cc* cos â) + 2U23bb*cc* cos R).

3910 Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999
Catalan et al.
Table 5. Selected Bond Distances (Å) and Angles (deg) for
Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1)
Rh(1)-Rh(2)
Rh(1)-N(1)
Rh(1)-N(5)
Rh(1)-O(3)
Rh(1)-O(2)
Rh(2)-N(4)
2.474(5)
2.007(4)
2.015(4)
2.094(3)
2.101(3)
2.265(5)
Rh(1)-N(3)
Rh(2)-N(6)
Rh(2)-N(2)
Rh(2)-O(1)
Rh(2)-O(4)
2.267(5)
2.011(4)
2.011(4)
2.098(3)
2.100(3)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(5)-Rh(1)-O(3)
N(5)-Rh(1)-O(2)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(3)
O(3)-Rh(1)-N(3)
N(6)-Rh(2)-N(2)
N(2)-Rh(2)-O(1)
N(2)-Rh(2)-O(4)
N(6)-Rh(2)-N(4)
O(1)-Rh(2)-N(4)
N(2)-C(40)-N(1)
O(1)-C(28)-O(3)
91.6(2)
175.2(2)
88.2(2)
97.1(2)
N(1)-Rh(1)-O(3)
N(1)-Rh(1)-O(2)
O(3)-Rh(1)-O(2)
N(5)-Rh(1)-N(3)
87.93(14)
175.4(2)
91.92(14)
101.2(2)
87.6(2)
174.80(2)
88.2(2)
91.22(14)
99.3(2)
85.7(2)
83.64(14) O(2)-Rh(1)-N(3)
91.7(2)
88.40(2)
175.0(2)
93.9(2)
N(6)-Rh(2)-O(1)
N(6)-Rh(2)-O(4)
O(1)-Rh(2)-O(4)
N(2)-Rh(2)-N(4)
Figure 3. ORTEP representation of compound 1 drawn at the 50%
probability level. H and F atoms are omitted for clarity.
91.27(14) O(4)-Rh(2)-N(4)
124.4(5)
129.7(5)
N(5)-C(39)-N(6)
O(2)-C(31)-O(4)
125.8(5)
131.4(5)
N(4)-Rh(2)-Rh(1) 172.37(11) N(3)-Rh(1)-Rh(2) 168.88(11)
Table 6. Selected Bond Distances (Å) and Angles (deg) for
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5)
Rh(1)-Rh(2)
Rh(1)-N(1)
Rh(1)-N(5)
Rh(1)-N(3)
Rh(1)-N(9)
Rh(1)-N(7)
2.5594(8)
2.042(7)
2.029(7)
2.037(6)
2.235(7)
2.020(6)
Rh(2)-N(2)
Rh(2)-N(4)
Rh(2)-N(6)
Rh(2)-N(10)
Rh(2)-N(8)
2.026(6)
2.017(2)
2.018(7)
2.208(7)
2.023(2)
Rh(1)-N(1)-C(47A)
C(10)-N(10)-Rh(1)
N(9)-Rh(1)-N(6)
161.9(26) Rh(2)-N(2)-C(17) 173.9(8)
170.5(6) C(32)-N(9)-Rh(1) 175.0(9)
178.6(3) N(9)-Rh(1)-N(5)
92.0(2) N(9)-Rh(1)-N(1)
177.4(3) N(5)-Rh(1)-N(1)
93.8(2) N(4)-Rh(2)-N(3)
84.3(2) N(3)-Rh(2)-N(7)
92.9(4)
85.5(3)
93.1(3)
87.8(10)
96.4(4)
N(6)-Rh(1)-N(10)
N(5)-Rh(1)-N(10)
N(6)-Rh(1)-N(1)
N(10)-Rh(1)-N(1)
N(4)-Rh(2)-N(7)
Figure 4. ORTEP representation of compound 5 with thermal
ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level. H atoms are omitted for
clarity.
174.8(14) N(3)-Rh(2)-N(8) 175.3(16)
N(4)-Rh(2)-N(8)
96.4(3) N(4)-Rh(2)-N(2)
79.3(9) N(7)-Rh(2)-N(2)
95.8(11) N(4)-C(3)-N(5)
99.1(13)
83.6(2)
125.0(14)
N(7)-Rh(2)-N(8)
N(3)-Rh(2)-N(2)
N(3)-C(2)-N(6)
125.2(6) N(2)-C(17)-C(40) 178.0(12)
162.0(58) Rh(1)-Rh(2)-N(2) 177.8(6)
7.8(6) Rh(2)-Rh(1)-N(1) 174.9(13)
N(1)-C(47A)-C(48A)
N(3)-Rh(2)-Rh(1)-N(6)
N(4)-Rh(2)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(7)-C(1)-C(7)-N(8)
8.5(5) N(1)-C(1)-N(2)
2.2(11)
123.4(7)
Table 7. Selected Bond Distances (Å) and Angles (deg) for
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6)
Rh(1)-Rh(2)
Rh(1)-N(2)
Rh(1)-N(4)
Rh(2)-N(6)
Rh(2)-N(8)
2.510(3)
2.04(2)
1.99(2)
2.03(2)
2.03(2)
Rh(1)-N(1)
Rh(1)-N(3)
Rh(1)-N(5)
Rh(2)-N(7)
Rh(2)-N(9)
2.04(2)
2.07(2)
2.06(2)
2.00(2)
2.03(2)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(2)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(4)
N(2)-Rh(1)-N(3)
N(2)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(3)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(6)-Rh(2)-N(7)
N(6)-Rh(2)-N(9)
N(7)-Rh(2)-N(9)
N(1)-C(1)-N(9)
177.7(8)
88.6(7)
87.1(7)
83.2(8)
90.1(7)
89.5(8)
179.0(7)
89.6(7)
116(2)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(3)
N(1)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(2)-Rh(1)-N(4)
N(3)-Rh(1)-N(4)
N(4)-Rh(1)-N(5)
N(6)-Rh(2)-N(8)
N(7)-Rh(2)-N(8)
N(8)-Rh(2)-N(9)
N(3)-C(2)-N(7)
92.1(7)
98.9(8)
92.1(7)
176.4(8)
93.3(8)
91.8(7)
176.5(7)
89.2(7)
118(2)
bridging types of bridging ligands, namely [DTolF]- anions and
cis 9-EtAH ligands coordinated in a head-to-tail bridging
orientation through the N7 and N6 positions of the purine. This
structure constitutes only the second example of a bridging
adenine in a metal complex, the first example being [Mo2(O2-
CCHF2)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)2][BF4]2 with the adenine ligand in
a head-to-tail arrangement.4b The presence of only one axial
acetonitrile molecule is unusual, furthermore the Rh-NCCH3
Figure 5. ORTEP representation of compound 6 with thermal
ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level. H atoms are omitted for
clarity.
bond distance of 2.04(2) Å is quite short. Other monoaxial
adducts that have recently been prepared in our laboratories,
namely [Rh2(DTolF)2(bpy)(CH3CN)3][BF4]2, [Rh2(DTolF)2-
(bpy)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2, and [Rh2(DTolF)2(phen)(CH3CN)3]-
[BF4]2, contain a single axial acetonitrile ligand coordinated at

Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999 3911
Figure 6. PLUTO representations of compound 7: (a) side view and
(b) end-on view.
Rh-N bond distances of 2.101(4), 2.115(4), and 2.126(3) Å,
respectively.14 As a consequence of the unsymmetrical structure,
the metal-ligand distances to the two purines are slightly
different from each other. In one adenine the distances are Rh-
(1)-N(4) ) 1.99(2) Å and Rh(2)-N(6) ) 2.03(2) Å, and in
the other adenine the corresponding distances are Rh(1)-N(2)
) 2.04(2) Å and Rh(2)-N(8) ) 2.03(2) Å. The fact that two
outer-sphere [BF4]- anions are present in the structure allows
for the assignment of the 9-EtAH molecules as neutral, but does
not resolve the question as to whether the N6 positions are amino
(NH2) or imino (NH-) groups. This question will be addressed
Figure 7. Schematic representations of the H-H and H-T bridging
modes of 9-EtGH and 9-EtAH with dinuclear transition metal centers.
1
in the H NMR spectroscopy section.
The bridging [DTolF]- ligands of [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2-
(CH3CN)][BF4]2 are twisted from the eclipsed orientation by
∼30°, which is nearly 10° more than the twist exhibited by 5,
and more than 20° greater than that observed for the bis-
trifluoroacetate derivatives. The Rh-Rh bond length of 2.510-
(3) Å in 6 is slightly shorter than that of the parent complex
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5), but longer than that observed
for Rh2(DTolF)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3CN)2 (1). The Mo-Mo bond
length in [Mo2(O2CCHF2)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)2][BF4]2 of 2.1436-
(17) Å is significantly shorter than the Rh-Rh distance in [Rh2-
(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 which indicates that the
9-ethyladenine ligand can span a wide range of dimetal bond
distances.
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (7). Compound 7
crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The cation
consists of a dirhodium cation coordinated to two neutral
9-EtGH groups bridging the dinuclear unit in a head-to-head
arrangement, as well as two cis [DTolF]- ligands, and one axial
CH3CN molecule (Figure 7).
Figure 8. Schematic representations of protonated and deprotonated
9-ethylguanine ligands.
4) attributable to the H8 positions of bridging 9-EtGH molecules.
The fact that two resonances are observed is an indication that
two isomers are present, namely the head-to-head and head-to-
tail isomers depicted in Figure 7. These form in statistical ratios
due to the fact that there is no strong preference for formation
of the nonpolar versus the polar arrangement of the two purines.
These results are in accord with earlier observations that
reactions of Rh2(O2CCH3)4 and [Rh2(O2CCH3)2(CH3CN)6]2+
with 9-EtGH lead to both isomers as verified by X-ray
crystallography.4
Earlier work in our laboratories had established that reactions
of Rh2(O2CCH3)4L2, [Rh2(O2CCH3)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2, and
Rh2(O2CCF3)4 with 9-ethylguanine lead to products with one
of two types of bridging guanine ligands. These are 9-EtGH,
the neutral ligand form and 9-EtG-, the anionic or deprotonated
form (Figure 8). It has been documented that the pKa of the N1
position is lowered by 1.5-2.0 pKa units upon coordination to
platinum complexes (from ∼9.4 to 8.0).18 The deprotonation
of the N1-H in guanine to give 9-EtG- has been observed
mainly in reactions with metal complexes containing basic
leaving groups such as CH3CO2- (pKb ) 9.25). The much lower
The presence of two [BF4]- anions in the interstices indicates
that the guanine ligands are neutral in this compound. Due to
the fact that the data for this structure are so poor, no discussion
of the distances or angles is included. This information is
contained in the Supporting Information.
NMR Spectroscopic Data. Rh2(form)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2
1
(form ) DTolF (3) and DPhF (4)). The use of H NMR
spectroscopy to characterize dinuclear metal centers coordinated
to DNA purines is convenient because of the characteristic
downfield shift of the H8 resonance by 0.5-1 ppm upon
coordination of the N7 position.17 The 1H NMR spectra of the
products Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (3) and Rh2(DPhF)2-
(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2 (4) in CD3CN each exhibit two signals in
a 1:1 ratio (7.99 and 8.02 ppm for 3 and 7.93 and 8.03 ppm for
-
basicity of the CF3CO2 leaving group (pKb > 13) results
exclusively in the formation of products containing the neutral
9-EtGH form. It therefore is reasonable to expect that a leaving
group such as CH3CN would lead only to compounds with
neutral guanine ligands.
The 19F NMR spectra of compounds 3 (δ ) -12.49) and 4
(δ ) -12.47 ppm) are indicative of dissociated [CF3CO2]-
(17) (a) Burgess, J. Trans. Met. Chem. 1993, 18, 439. (b) Hollis, L. S.;
Amundsen, A. R.; Stern, E. W. J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32, 136. (c)
Allesio, E.; Balducci, G.; Calligaris, M.; Costa, G.; Attia, W. M.;
Mestroni, G. Inorg. Chem. 1991, 30, 609.
groups in solution (Table 9).19 This conclusion is based on 19
F
NMR signals for bridging, equatorial [CF3CO2]- groups which

3912 Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999
Catalan et al.
Table 8. 1H NMR Spectroscopic Data for
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6)
confirmed by selective decoupling experiments. The solution
behavior in acetone allows for the definitive assignment of the
adenine structure and supports the X-ray results for 6.
solvent
T (°C)
H1
H2
7.68
7.68
7.94
H8
H6
N-CH-N
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (7). The bulk prod-
uct obtained from the reaction of [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2
(5) with 2 equiv of 9-EtGH exhibits two H8 resonances in a
1:1 ratio in CD3OD at δ ) 8.32 and 8.35 ppm. The two triplets
observed for the N-CH-N signals at δ ) 7.50 and 7.55 ppm
are an indication of two types of formamidinate environments
CD3CN
CD3CN
acetone-d6
acetone-d6
25
-32
25
8.06
8.04
8.63 11.35
7.26
7.65
7.73
7.71
6.46
-41
7.20 7.99(d) 8.73 11.57
Table 9. 19F NMR Spectroscopic Data for 3 and 4 (Measured in
CD3CN and Acetone-d6 at 25 °C, Referenced to C6H5CF3)
3
and further reveal coupling to the rhodium nuclei J(103Rh-
chemical shift assignments,
ppm
1H) coupling of 30 Hz. The broad resonances in the aromatic
region of the formamidinate ligand as well as the broadened
ethyl regions of the purine ligands point to a mixture of
3, Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2
4, Rh2(DPhF)2(9-EtGH)2(O2CCF3)2
-12.49 (s, O2CCF3)
-12.47 (s, O2CCF3)
1
compounds. A H NMR spectrum obtained from crystals of
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (7) with the head-to-
head arrangement exhibited one H8 signal at 8.34 ppm which
indicated that selective crystallization of this isomer had been
effected. Attempts to isolate the pure head-to-tail isomer have
not been successful.
are commonly observed 50-60 ppm upfield (δ ∼ -77 ppm)
from the free acid referenced to C6H5CF3. Monodentate, axially
coordinated [CF3CO2]- ligands have been observed in the same
chemical shift region as the uncoordinated ligand.19
[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5). The 1H NMR spectrum
of [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5) is in accord with the solid-
state structure obtained from the crystallographic results. The
singlet at δ ) 1.96 ppm is assignable to free acetonitrile ligands
that have undergone exchange with CD3CN, whereas the singlet
at δ ) 2.49 ppm can be attributed to equatorial acetonitrile
groups. The singlet at δ ) 2.27 ppm is due to the four equivalent
methyl groups of the tolyl substituents on the formamidinate,
and a multiplet centered at δ ∼6.9 ppm is assigned to the phenyl
rings. The triplet centered at δ ) 7.51 ppm is observed for the
H atom of the N-CH-N fragment of the formamidinate groups
with 103Rh-1H coupling of 30 Hz.
Electrochemistry of 5, 6, and 7. The cyclic voltammogram
of [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 (5) exhibits one reversible
oxidation at E1/2 ) +1.02 V and one quasi-reversible oxidation
at Ep,a ) +1.55 V with an associated return wave at Ep,c
)
+1.40 V. Two irreversible reductions are located at Ep,c ) -0.51
and -1.34 V in comparison to the bis-trifluoroacetate adduct,
which exhibits only two reversible metal-based oxidations at
E1/2 ) +0.52 and +1.41 V, and an irreversible oxidation at
+0.95 V attributed to free formamidinate.7b Replacement of
equatorial acetonitrile ligands with 9-EtGH affects the electronic
properties of the dirhodium core as clearly indicated by the
electrochemistry of [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2,
[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6). The 1H NMR
data for [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 (6) proved to
be quite useful in resolving the question as to whether the N6
positions of the purines were amino (NH2) or imino (NH-)
groups. The latter situation, although unusual, arises from a
prototopic shift from the N6 amino group to the N1 position of
the purine (Figure 9). For example, a prototopically shifted
adenine is present in the compound [Mo2(O2CCHF2)2(9-EtAH)2-
(CH3CN)2][BF4]2.4b A prototopic shift in 9-EtAH is easily
(6). This compound exhibits a reversible oxidation at E1/2
)
+0.67 V, a quasi-reversible oxidation at E1/2 ) +1.63 V and
an irreversible reduction at -1.31 V. An even more dramatic
change in the electrochemical properties is observed when the
bridging purines are 9-EtAH. [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)]-
[BF4]2 (7) exhibits one irreversible anodic process at Ep,a
)
+0.93 V with a very small return wave at +0.72 V. An
irreversible reduction process near the solvent limit is observed
at Ep,c ) -1.14 V.
1
recognized by H NMR spectroscopy, since three resonances
The electrochemical behavior of the dirhodium compounds
is clearly influenced by the identity of the ligands trans to the
formamidinate ligands. It appears that the most stable dirhodium-
(II,II) compound in the group we examined is [Rh2(DTolF)2-
(9-EtAH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2 in that it is more difficult to oxidize
or reduce than either [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2
or [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2. This may be an important
factor in determining the most stable adducts of the antitumor
active dirhodium compounds with DNA.
are expected for the common adenine tautomer, whereas four
resonances are expected for an adenine that had undergone a
prototopic shift from N6 to N1. The 1H NMR spectrum of 6 in
CD3CN exhibits two singlets that can be assigned to the H8
(8.06 ppm) and H2 (7.68 ppm) protons in the aromatic region
(Table 8, Figure 10). Upon lowering the temperature to -32
°C, an additional singlet appears at 6.46 ppm that can be
assigned to the NH6 protons. The observation of these three
resonances initially led us to conclude that the 9-EtAH ligands
were neutral with the two protons of the exocyclic NH2 group
intact. By measuring the 1H NMR spectrum in acetone-d6,
however, we were led to a different conclusion. The room
Conclusions
Recent findings in our laboratories involving the reactions
of dirhodium tetracarboxylate compounds with DNA purines
raises the question of the possible involvement of the O6/N6
positions of guanine and adenine in the DNA binding of this
class of compounds. Reactions of Rh2(form)2(O2CCF3)2(CH3-
CN)2 and [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6][BF4]2 with purines were
explored, and it was found that the 9-ethylguanine ligands adopt
bridging arrangements, with no apparent preference for either
head-to-head or head-to-tail isomers. On the other hand,
reactions of [Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6]2+ with 9-EtAH yield only
the head-to-tail isomer. 1H NMR studies support the conclusion
that the adenine has undergone a prototopic shift of an NH2
proton to the N1 position, a situation that reflects the change
1
temperature H NMR spectrum in acetone-d6 exhibits singlets
at 7.94, 8.63, and 11.35 ppm that are assignable to the H2, H8,
and H6 protons, respectively, but at -41 °C the resonance at
7.94 is resolved into a doublet, and a new resonance appears at
7.20 ppm (H1) among the aromatic resonances of the [DTolF]-
groups. The integration of the four resonances is 1:1:1:1, with
the definitive assignments of the H1 and H2 protons being
(18) Lippard, S. J. Pure Appl. Chem. 1987, 59, 731.
(19) (a) Webb, G. A. Annu. Rep. NMR Spectrosc. 1983, 14. (b) Garner, C.
D.; Hughes, B. AdV. Inorg. Radiochem. 1975, 17, 1. (c) Matonic J.
H.; Chen, S. J.; Pence, L. E.; Dunbar, K. R. Polyhedron 1992, 11,
541.

Reactions of DNA Purines with Dirhodium Formamidinate
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 17, 1999 3913
Figure 9. Schematic representations of 9-ethyladenine tautomers.
dirhodium tetracarboxylate compounds. An obvious extrapola-
tion of these and earlier results from our laboratories is an
exploration of the more biologically relevant reactions of dimetal
complexes with single- and double-stranded DNA. Preliminary
work involving dirhodium acetate reactions in water with
dinucleotides as well as dodecamer -GpG- and -ApA- containing
sequences of DNA points to the formation of a single product.
Attempts to elucidate the structures of these products by two-
dimensional NMR methods as well as X-ray crystallography
are in progress and will be reported in due course.20
Acknowledgment. We gratefully acknowledge the financial
support of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Marie Swanson,
and The Cancer Center at Michigan State University for
financial support of the project. We also thank Proctor &
Gamble for a Fellowship for K.V.C., and the ACS Scholars
Program for a Scholarship in support of D.J.M. The X-ray
diffractometers, NMR instruments, and Silicon Graphics com-
puters were obtained, in part, by funds provided by the National
Science Foundation.
Supporting Information Available: Tables of crystal data and
listings of atomic coordinates, bond lengths and bond angles, anisotropic
thermal parameters, and torsion angles for 1, 5, 6, and 7. This material
is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.
Figure 10. 1H NMR spectra of [Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGH)2(CH3CN)][BF4]2
(6).
in acidity of these protons upon coordination of the N7 position
to the metal. It is clear from these new studies that dirhodium
formamidinate reactions with DNA nucleobases proceed in a
manner that is very similar to the corresponding reactions of
IC990194N
(20) Lozada, E.; Catalan, K. V.; Chifotides, H.; Sorasaenee, K.; Bishop,
K.; Dunbar, K. R. Unpublished results.