Title: Bifunctional ligands for copper(II) complexation Author: Bc. Martina Benešová Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Jan Kotek, Ph.D. Institution: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, CU in Prague Author's e-mail: EvaGlaser@seznam.cz ABSTRACT The main aim of this thesis was preparation of macrocyclic ligands based on 1,4,8,11- tetraazacyclotetradecane skeleton, which is suitable for selective complexation of divalent copper, and study of their properties. These ligands are suggested for potential utilization in nuclear medicine. Cyclam macrocycle was modified to bear one coordinating aminobenzylphospinate pendant arm (compound L1) or monophosphinate-bis(phosphonate) pendant arm (compound L2). During the synthesis, the skeleton was protected in positions 1, 4 and 8. In the frame of this work the synthesis of both targeted products was developed. Furthermore, a study of the thermodynamic, kinetic and coordination properties of ligand L2 was investigated by UV/VIS spectrophotometry and potentiometric titrations. A model bioconjugation of ligand L1 with primary amine was also studied. KEYWORDS Cyclam, phosphinates, phosphonates, nuclear medicine, copper(II) complexes, kinetic inertness, thermodynamic stability.

L'objectif de ce travail est l'analyse de la stabilité thermodynamique et de l'inertie chimique de complexes métalliques avec des ligands ou des nanoparticules conçus pour des applications en IRM. Deux types de ligands polyaminocarboxylates ont été étudiés, ligands pour lesquels les unités complexantes sont soit linéaires soit macrocycliques.Les ligands macrocycliques étudiés sont des ligands basés sur des squelettes DO3A, substitués par des entités benzimidazole (L1H4) ou p-nitrophenylbenzimidazole (L2H3). Les données thermodynamiques indiquent que les affinités de ces ligands vis-à-vis des ions de la première série de transition (Cu(II) et Zn(II)) ou vis-à-vis des lanthanides (Gd(III) et Eu(III)) sont plus élevées que celles des complexes correspondants avec le ligand DO3A. Ce renforcement d'affinité est corrélé avec la participation des groupements benzimidazole à la sphère de coordination de chacun des métaux. L'inertie chimique du complexe Gd(III)- L1H4 a ensuite été évaluée par relaxométrie en tampon phosphate, en présence d'une quantité équimolaire de Zn(II). Dans cette expérience, le Zn(II) joue le rôle d'un compétiteur du Gd(III) c'est-à-dire qu'il peut si le complexe Gd(III)-L1H4 n'est pas inerte chimiquement, induire une libération de l'ion gadolinium. Pour Gd(III)-L1H4, aucune réaction de ce type n'a été détectée, ce qui plaide en faveur de l'inertie chimique de ce complexe.Les ligands linéaires étudiés sont des dérivés dithiolés de ligands DTPA bisamide L@1H5. Ces ligands ont été conçus pour être greffés sur des nanoparticules d'or. La stabilité thermodynamique des complexes de Cu(II), Zn(II) et Gd(III) utilisant les ligands L@1H5 et L@1H5 greffé sur nanoparticule d'or (autrement appelé L@2H3) suit l'ordre de stabilité croissant Zn(II) < Cu(II) < Gd(III). Par ailleurs, les résultats montrent que le complexe Gd(III)-L@1H5 est moins stable d'au moins deux ordres de grandeur que le complexe Gd(III)-L@2H3. Ceci suggère qu'une fois greffé sur la nanoparticule, le complexe de gadolinium correspondant gagne en stabilité. Par ailleurs, des études comparatives d'inertie chimique montre que le complexe Gd(III)-L@1H5 greffé sur la nanoparticule a une inertie chimique comparable à celle de l'agent de contraste commercial Gd-DTPA. En revanche lorsque ce complexe est seul, sa vitesse de démétallation est rapide. Le greffage du ligand L@1H5 à la surface de la nanoparticule est donc au bénéfice de la stabilité et de l'inertie chimique de son complexe de Gd(III). Ce gain de stabilité peut être attribué à l''effet de ballast' de la nanoparticule qui rigidifie la structure du complexe et limite sa démétallation. / The aim of this work is to analyse the stability of metal complexes with ligands or nanoparticles of interest in MRI and to study their transmetallation mechanisms in the presence of endogenous cations near physiological pH. Two types of polyaminocarboxylate ligands were studied for which the binding unit was either linear or macrocyclic.Macrocyclic ligands are constituted of a DO3A backbone functionalized with a benzimidazole (L1H4) or a p-nitrophenylbenzimidazole unit (L2H3). Thermodynamic data indicated that the affinities of these ligands towards first row transition metal ions (Cu(II) and Zn(II) or lanthanide ions (Gd(III) and Eu(III)) are increased compared to the corresponding ones with DO3A. This enhancement is correlated to the involvement of the benzimidazole moiety to each metal coordination sphere. For gadolinium complex Gd(III)- L1H4, its kinetic inertness was evaluated in phosphate buffer by relaxometry, in the presence of equimolar quantities of Zn(II) as a competitor. In these conditions, if the complex is not chemically inert, it would be subjected to a transmetallation reaction, that is to say that at least, gadolinium would be released. For Gd(III)-L1H4, no such reaction was detected which is in favour of kinetic inertness of Gd(III)- L1H4.Linear ligand, dithiolated DTPA bisamide L@1H5 was designed with an aim of grafting it onto gold nanoparticles. L@1H5 and the ligand grafted into gold nanoparticle,namely L@2H3, were analysed for their thermodynamic stability towards mainly Cu(II), Zn(II) and Gd(III). Whatever the system, L@1H5 or L@2H3, the general trend of increasing complex stability was Zn(II) < Cu(II) < Gd(III). Furthermore, Gd(III)-L@1H5 complex was less stable than Gd(III)-L@2H3, this latter being 2 orders of magnitude more stable at physiological pH. This suggested that the gadolinium complex stability is enhanced when the ligand is grafted onto the nanoparticle. Moreover, comparative kinetic inertness studies showed that the gadolinium complex Gd(III)-L@1H5 is not chemically inert and demetallates rapidly while the gadolinium complex grafted onto the nanoparticle exhibit almost equal kinetic inertness as Gd-DTPA (Magnevist). The bulky nanoparticle probably rigidifies the structure of the complex and prevents Gd(III)-L@2H3 from an extensive demetallation, which was a good point for the possible use of these nanoparticles in living organisms for imaging applications.

Title: Bifunctional chelators for selective copper(II) binding Autor: Bc. Monika Paúrová Department: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Jan Kotek, Ph.D. Supervisor's e-mail: modrej@natur.cuni.cz Abstract: In this Master thesis, cyclam bifunctional derivatives bearing pendant phosphinate groups (4-methyl-11-p-aminobenzyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8- bis(methylenephosphinic acid)) and phosphonate groups (4-methyl-11-p-aminobenzyl- 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylenephosphonic acid)), were prepared and studied as potential ligands for complexation of divalent copper. These ligands are suitable for binding to a macromolecular carrier. Keywords: radiomedicine, copper, cyclam, chelating agent, phosphinate, phosphonate, kinetic inertness, kinetic lability, thermodynamic stability

L’imagerie par résonnance magnétique trouve depuis ces dernières années des applications notables dans le domaine de l’imagerie moléculaire, qui représente un atout considérable pour l’investigation et la compréhension des processus biologiques. Des agents de contraste dits « intelligents » et spécifiques du processus physiologique que l’on souhaite détecter (pH, température, concentration en ion métallique, métabolite, etc.) sont alors développés. Cette thèse se concentre sur le développement et l’étude de nouveaux agents de contraste conçus pour la détection spécifique de l’activité enzymatique. Ces agents consistent en un complexe de lanthanide paramagnétique de type LnDO3A couplés par le biais d’un espaceur (auto-immolable par exemple) au substrat spécifique de l’enzyme ciblée. Après coupure du substrat par l’enzyme, la structure chimique de l’agent de contraste est modifiée entrainant des variations significatives de la relaxivité et des propriétés paraCEST des complexes. La caractérisation physico-chimique de certains complexes de Ln³⁺ et de Mn²⁺ a été réalisée. Les complexes de Gd³⁺ étudiés ont eu des réponses enzymatiques T1 prometteuses et les complexes de Ln³⁺ paramagnétiques étudiés (autres que Gd³⁺) ont montré une possible détection paraCEST de l’activité enzymatique. Les paramètres influençant l’effet CEST (structure moléculaire du complexe, choix du lanthanide, etc.) ont également été mis en évidence. Cependant la coupure enzymatique de certains composés reste encore à améliorer. / Over the past years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging has found significant applications in the field of molecular imaging, which is a considerable asset for investigating and understanding biological processes. Towards this objective, smart or responsive contrast agents (CA) which are specific of the physiological phenomenon that we aim to visualize (pH, temperature, metal ion concentration, metabolites, etc.) have been widely explored. This thesis focuses on the synthesis and the investigation of novel CAs designed for specific detection of enzyme activities. These CAs consist of a DO3A-type lanthanide chelate coupled via a spacer (e.g. a self-immolative linker) to an enzyme-specific substrate. After cleavage of the substrate by the enzyme, the CA’s chemical structure is modified leading to significant variations in the relaxivity or the paraCEST properties of the complexes. In this context, the physical chemical characterization of several Ln³⁺ and Mn²⁺ complexes has been achieved. Some Gd³⁺ complexes showed promising T1 responses while other paramagnetic Ln³⁺ complexes (Ln³⁺ = other than Gd³⁺) exhibited interesting paraCEST properties for enzymatic detection. The parameters affecting CEST properties (e.g. molecular structure of the complex, choice of lanthanide, etc.) have also been widely investigated. Nevertheless, the enzymatic cleavage of some compounds still need to be improved.

In recent years, copper radioisotopes have been extensively studied for their suitable coordination and physical properties. Nuclides 61 Cu, 64 Cu and 67 Cu are used in nuclear medicine - in diagnostic as well as in therapeutic applications. The aim of the Thesis is a study of the coordination properties of divalent copper as a stepping stone for the next potential applications. The presented Thesis consists of two thematic parts. The first part deals with the synthesis of cyclam derivatives. Sixteen new macrocyclic ligands with different phosphorus acid coordinating pendant arms (phosphinate, phosphonate, germinal P-C-P) were prepared; an analogous ligand endowed by carboxylic acid pendant arm as well as tetramethylcyclam without coordinating arm were prepared for comparison. The influence of the nature of coordinating acid pendant arms on selectivity and on the rate of copper(II) complexation was studied in detail. The protonation constants of the free ligands and the stability constants of the complexes with selected transition metal ions were determined by potentiometric titrations and by 1 H and 31 P NMR spectroscopy. Kinetic properties - i.e. studies of the formation rate and kinetic inertness of the copper(II) complexes - were performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The formation kinetics of the selected...