No description available.

M.Sc. / Polymerization of a-olefins by metallocene-based catalysts, is an ever expanding field with current scientific research continuing in an endeavor to develop chiral catalysts with greater stereospecificity and activities. However, the application of metallocene catalysts in oligomerization reactions of a-olefins has been somewhat neglected. This is despite the fact that metallocene catalysis can offer a convenient route to the synthesis of higher a-olefin oligomers. Furthermore, by utilizing an assortment of functional group transformations, a-olefin oligomers can serve as intermediates for a variety of specialty chemicals. Notwithstanding the possibility of employing alternative ligands in catalysis, the use of non-cyclopentadienyl-based complexes is a topic that has only recently been considered. Comparative studies of a series of analogous complexes is lacking in this field and thus a pertinent study of a number of known metallocene complexes was executed in this project. Furthermore, an industrially applicable process for oligomerization was sought after. This was in fact achieved by subjecting the a-olefins 1-pentene, 1- hexene and 1-octene, to oligomerization conditions with a previously unreported and lowered methylaluminoxane ratio. This reaction proved to be highly selective to dimer formation of the three aforementioned higher a-olefins. In order to gain more insight into the oligomerization process, the progress of the reaction was also followed. Only zirconium complexes were synthesized and furthermore, the induction of oligomerization as opposed to polymerization (using compounds known to be active solely as polymerization catalysts), was attempted by increasing the reaction temperature. The second part of this project entailed the synthesis and subsequent testing of zirconium catalysts containing non-cyclopenatadienyl-based ligands. These complexes have frameworks with chelating phenolate or naphtholate ligands. These complexes were tested for oligomerization, but results proved to be negative.

Large single crystals of the metal dichalcogenide hosts ZrS2 and 811X2 (X = S, Se) have been successfully intercalated with a variety of organometallic guests {C0(η-C5H5)2, CO(η-C5H4CH3)2, Mo(η-C6H6)2, Mo(η-C7H7)(η-C5H5), W(η-C7H7)(η-C5H5), Ti(η-C8H8)(η-C5H5)}. The structural and electronic properties of these materials have been studied, as well as the intercalation kinetics of these organometallic species into the tin dichalcogenides. X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments have been used to obtain 001 reflections in order to obtain a one-dimensional profile of electron and neutron scattering in these disordered layered materials (Chapter Two). Refinement of the data shows that for all the organometallic guests, the majority of the intercalant adopts an orientation in which the principal molecular axis lies parallel to the layer planes of the host. These findings are confirmed by 2H NMR spectroscopy on single crystals of deuterated cobaltocene intercalates of ZrS2 and SnSe2, where it has been shown that rapid C5, but not C2, rotation of the metallocene occurs in the interlamellar van der Waals space. To study the electronic properties of these intercalates, electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been performed (Chapter Three). An apparatus has been built to measure the resistivity of these crystal intercalates down to 4.2K. The resistivity measurements show that intercalation of various organometallic complexes confers metallic properties upon ZrS2 while SnS2{Co(η-C5H5)2} 0.3 becomes a superconductor with a Tc of 8.3K. The magnetic susceptbility measurements confirm the presence of guest-host charge transfer. Estimates of its extent, as well as the magnitude of the Pauli susceptibility in these intercalates, have been attempted. Studies on the rate and mechanism for the intercalation of cobaltocene into the disulfides and diselenides of tin have been performed (Chapter Four). An apparatus has been designed and constructed for in situ diffraction using synchrotron X-rays in order to monitor the progress of these rapid intercalation reactions. The results indicate that the rate of intercalation of cobaltocene into the tin dichalcogenides is very much dependent on the solvent used, being significantly faster in dimethoxyethane than in toluene. Analyses of the kinetic rate expressions for the tin dichalcogenide intercalation in dimethoxyethane suggests that diffusion of cobaltocene molecules into the interlamellar space constitutes the rate limiting step. The choice of solvent also dramatically affects the mechanism of the intercalation. When a solution of cobaltocene in dimethoxyethane is used, the host transforms directly to the final product but in toluene, staged intermediates are observed during the intercalation process. The apparatus and techniques that have been developed for the in situ kinetics experiments are general and permit dynamic structural transformations in air- and moisture-sensitive suspensions of solids to be effectively studied.

The details of the electronic structure and bonding in ferrocenes and early transition metal bent metallocenes are probed by photoelectron spectroscopy. The fundamental electronic interaction of the methyl group substituted for a hydrogen on a metal-coordinated cyclopentadienyl ring is shown by a combined core and valence pe spectroscopic study of a series of methyl-substituted ferrocenes. Shifts of core and valence ionization energies upon methyl substitution are equivalent and additive for the iron atom. Knowledge of the core ionization energy shifts for both carbon and iron allow the relative changes in atomic charges upon methyl substitution to be found. In these molecules, the methyl group is found not to be an inductive electron donor as is commonly assumed. The primary electronic effect of methyl substitution is on the valence orbitals of the cyclopentadienyl ring. Methylation of the cyclopentadienyl rings of ferrocene causes a dramatic redistribution of valence electron density and greatly increases the covalent nature of metal-ring bonding. An understanding of the electronic effect of methylation of metal-coordinated cyclopentadienyl rings is used to establish the relative locations of ring π and Cl ionizations in the pe spectra of group IV and V early transition metal bent metallocene dichlorides with both unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands. The differences in chloride and methyl ligand bonding to an early transition metal center are reflected in the photoelectron data of the dichlorides and related dimethyls. The relative differences in metal-chlorine and metal-carbon bond strengths are also shown in the pe data. The relationship between bond strengths and ionization energies is detailed for early transition metal bent metallocenes of niobium and tantalum with a variety of ligands. The relative bond strength/ionization energy information for metal-hydrogen and metal-carbon bonds is shown to help in understanding the stability of niobocene and tantalocene ethylene-hydride complexes and their resistance to intramolecular olefin insertion. Evidence from the pe data concerning the electron distribution as well as the relative bond strengths in these ethylene-hydride complexes is found supporting the consideration of these complexes more properly as metallacyclopropane-hydrides.

This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and characterisation of new ansa bridged bis-η-cyclopentadienyl derivatives of niobium. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the area of early transition metal bent metallocene derivatives and charts the development of ansa bridged metallocenes. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis and characterisation of some new ansa niobocene derivatives prepared from niobium(IV) chloride. The compounds [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂- η-C₅H₄)(η²-BH₄)],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(PMe3)H],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(PPh₃)H], [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(SPh)₂] and [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(CH2Ph)2]* are described. An asterisk indicates that the X-ray crystal structure was determined. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterisation of some ansa niobocene derivatives containing ancillary imido ligands. The compounds [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄)(NSiMe₃)Cl],* [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NBu')X] (X = Cl,* Br,* I,* Me), [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NHBu')Cl][BF₄)]and[Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(O)Cl]* are described. An asterisk indicates that the X-ray crystal structure was determined. Photoelectron spectra were recorded for [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(NBu')X] (X = Cl, Me) and compared to a geometry optimisation calculation obtained using density functional theory. In these formally twenty electron compounds the HOMO has negligible metal contribution and the eighteen electron rule is not violated. Chapter 4 describes the results of a preliminary investigation into ansa niobium(III) bis-η-cyclopentadienyl derivatives containing phosphorus donor ligands. The compound [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η-C₅H₄)(PMe₃)Cl] is characterised spectroscopically. The synthesis and full characterisation details of the compound [Nb(η-C₅H₄-CMe₂-η- C₅H₄){P(OMe)₃}Cl] are given, including the X-ray crystal structure. Chapter 5 provides the experimental details for the preceding Chapters and Chapter 6 contains the characterising data for the new compounds described in this thesis. Full details of the X-ray crystallographic structure determinations are given in Appendices A -1.

Since the sandwich structure of ferrocene was elucidated in 1952, metallocenes have generated a vast amount of interest. Transition metal metallocenes have previously been shown to be suitable precursors in the syntheses of novel organometallic and metallo-organic complexes, although the use of metal halide starting materials for organometallic synthesis is much more common due to their being readily commercially available and generally easier to handle than the extremely air- and moisture-sensitive metallocene alternatives. In this project, the polar transition metal metallocenes Cp2V, Cp2Cr, Cp2Mn and Cp2Ni were employed as precursors in the synthesis of fourteen novel metal containing complexes, in several cases generating products which could not have been obtained using metal halide starting materials.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study focused on the analysis of a variety o f synthesised tailored copolymers. During the investigation o f the samples new and innovative analytical techniques were developed to be able to identify the presence of certain predicted or expected copolymerisation products. Emphasis was placed on the versatility of CRYSTAF as a method for the analysis of semi-crystalline copolymers. Changes in the crystallisation temperature were used as an indicator, while the type o f method, solvent and sample weight served as variables in the system. The percentage comonomer content distribution for an unknown sample was determined from the standard curve plotted with the aid o f copolymers with known comonomer content. Ethylene/higher a-olefin and propylene/higher a-olefm copolymers were synthesised by means o f a metallocene precatalyst. In both cases, NMR spectroscopy, DSC, GPC, and CRYSTAF were used as analytical tools. In the ethylene series it was shown that the sample mixture was homogenous in the molar mass axis (GPC) but not in the chemical composition axis (CRYSTAF) regarding the comonomer content. For the propylene series, an increase in stereoerrors was observed by NMR and this was correlated with crystallisation on heating a DSC for the range o f copolymers. In the case where ethylene/methyl methacrylate block copolymers were synthesised using metallocene precatalyst, novel detection and separation methods were used and developed. This included the use o f CRYSTAF fitted with a carbonyl filter, high temperature gradient HPLC and high temperature liquid chromatography under critical conditions (LCCC). The last two techniques were the first where separation could be achieved with samples only dissolving at high temperature. All previous mentioned techniques, as well as the coupling of FTIR to GPC and high temperature gradient HPLC via LC-Transform revealed that the samples consisted o f varying ethylene and MMA block lengths. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van die navorsing was die analise van spesiaalvervaardigde kopolimere. Nuwe analitiese tegnieke is vir die bevestiging van sekere voorgestelde kopolimerisasie-produkte ontwikkel. Klem is gelê op die veelsydigheid van CRYSTAF as ’n metode vir die analise van gedeeltelik-kristallyne kopolimere. Veranderinge in die kristallisasie-temperature is as respons gebruik, terwyl die metode van sintese, die oplosmiddel en die hoeveelheid monster as veranderlikes in die sisteem beskou is. ‘n Standaardkurwe vir komonomeerinhoud is opgestel met behulp van kopolimere met ‘n bekende komonomeerinhoud. Hierdie kurwe is gebruik om die komonomeerinhoudsverspreiding van onbekende monsters te bepaal. Etileen/hoër a-olefien- en propileen/hoër a-olefien-kopolimere is met behulp van ‘n metalloseen pre-katalis gesintetiseer. In beide gevalle is KMR spektroskopie, DSC, GPC en CRYSTAF gebruik om die analises uit te uitvoer. Met verwysing na komonomeerinhoud is daar in die geval van die etileenreeks bevind dat die monstermengsel homogeen is met betrekking tot die molere massa, maar nie met betrekking tot die chemiese samestelling nie. Vir die propileenreeks is ’n verhoging in die stereofoute met behulp van KMR waargeneem. Dit is gekorrelleer met kristallisasie weens verhitting tydens DSC-bepalings vir die reeks kopolimere. In die geval van die sinteses van etileen/metielmetakrilaat-blokkopolimere met metalloseen as pre-katalis, moes nuwe waamemings- en skeidingstegnieke ontwikkel word. Dit het die gebruik van CRYSTAF met ’n karbonielfilter, hoetemperatuurgradient- HPLC en hoë-temperatuurvloeistofchromatografie onder kritiese toestande ingesluit. Laasgenoemde twee tegnieke het vir die eerste keer skeiding van monsters wat net by hoe temperature oplos, moontlik gemaak. Bogenoemde tegnieke, sowel as die koppeling van FTIR met GPC en hoë-temperatuur-gradient-HPLC via LC-transformasie het getoon dat die monsters etileen- en MMA-blokke met verskillende lengtes bevat het.

This thesis reports a study of the chemical stability and coordination chemistry of several antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (Cp = h5-C5H5; M = Ti 1, V 2, Nb 3, Mo 4), as well as derivatives of Cp2TiCl2 1, with nucleic acids, nucleic acid constituents and proteins. These studies were carried out in order to identify the biologically active species and more fully understand the molecular level mechanism of action of the antitumour metallocenes, in particular Cp2TiCl2 1, which is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials. The interactions of Cp2MoCl2 4 with four oligonucleotides were studied by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. In 50 mM salt solutions of Cp2MoCl2 4, hydrolysis of the halide ligands occurred to give a solution with pD -2, containing a species in which both Cp rings remain metal bound for 24 h. At pD -7, partial hydrolysis of the Cp rings (-30percent) occurred after 24 h. Addition of an aqueous solution of Cp2MoCl2 4 in 50 mM salt to the self-complementary sequence d(CGCATATGCG)2, maintaining the pD at 6.0-7.0, showed no evidence for the formation of a metallocene-oligonucleotide complex and only peaks arising from hydrolysis of Cp2MoCl2 4 were detected. A similar result was obtained in titration experiments with the single stranded sequence d(ATGGTA) at pD 6.5-7.0. However, at pD 3.0, new signals assigned to a molybdocene-oligonucleotide complex(es), which was stable for hours at pD 3.0, were detected; while at pD -7 the complex is destabilised and only peaks arising from hydrolysis of Cp2MoCl2 4 were detected. Titration experiments at low pD with Cp2MoCl2 4 and the dinucleotide dCG were consistent with formation of a complex arising due to coordination of molybdenum to guanine N7 and/or cytosine N3. The results obtained showed that stable oligonucleotide adducts were not formed in 50 mM salt at pD -7 and hence it is highly unlikely that formation of molybdocene-DNA adducts in vivo is the primary action that is responsible for the antitumour properties of Cp2MoCl2 4. The rate of hydrolysis of the aromatic rings of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) and the dimethylsubstituted derivatives (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41), in aqueous solutions at pD 2-8 was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Rapid hydrolysis of both the halide/glycine and Cp ligands in Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) occurred and predominantly gave a precipitate at pD -7. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions, the predominant species present in aqueous solutions of (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) at pH 2-8 contained both MeCp rings metal bound. At pD < 5, Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) and (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) formed similar complex(es) with purine nucleotides. However, at pD >5, stable adducts between nucleotides and Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) were not formed. In contrast, (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) formed complex(es) with 5'-dAMP or 5'-dGMP, which were stable for 24 h. These results suggest that formation of stable chelates between (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) and nucleic acid constituents in vivo is possible. However, the methyl substituted derivatives 34 and 41 did not show any antitumour activity against EAT in mice when administered in either 10percentDMSO/90percentsaline or in water at pH 6.2-6.4, which suggests that the labile Cp-Ti bond present in Cp2TiCl2 1 is required for antitumour activity. The synthesis of a range of Cp substituted titanocene derivatives was investigated in an attempt to prepare derivatives with modified Cp stability in comparison to the methyl substituted derivatives. The synthesis of derivatives (CpCH2Y)2TiCl2 where Y equals ?CHO 43, ?CONMe2 44, ?NO2 45, (RCp)2TiCl2 where R equals ?COMe 46, ?COOMe 47 or ?CONMe2 48, (CpNMe2)2TiCl2 62 and (Cp(CH2)2NMe2)2TiCl2 63 was unsuccessful, due to the presence of coordinating substituents on the Cp rings and poor stability in polar, protic solvents. Hence, these derivatives were excluded from further studies. The rate of hydrolysis of the Cp rings of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCCl3 22 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) in aqueous solutions, 10percentDMSO/90percentD2O and 100percent DMSO was monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Rapid hydrolysis of both the carboxylate and Cp ligands of Cp2TiX2 (OCOCCl3 22 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) occurred in DMSO to give biologically inactive species. The rate of these reactions were concentration dependent as dilution of these samples with saline or water to give the therapeutic conditions of 10percentDMSO/90percentD2O slowed the hydrolysis chemistry. In contrast, samples of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) dissolved in water, gave solutions containing the presumed antitumour active species in which the halide or glycine ligands have been hydrolysed but the Cp rings remain metal bound. Thus, charged X ligands may be incorporated into Cp2TiX2 and will give comparable activity to Cp2TiCl2 1 provided the samples are administered in water. The antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, V 2, Nb 3, Mo 4) and the inactive derivative (MeCp)2TiCl2 34 were found to inhibit the relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA pBR322 by human topoisomerase II in vitro. These results implicated the inhibition of topoisomerase II in the mechanism of antitumour activity although there was no direct correlation between the in vitro results with biological activity against EAT in vivo. UV spectroscopy confirmed that the metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Mo 4) became associated with and were stabilised to hydrolysis by calf thymus DNA but not with human serum albumin. ICP-AES was used to measure the amount of metal associated with either DNA or human serum albumin after incubation with Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Nb 3, Mo 4) and dialysis of these solution. The results confirmed that DNA stabilises or becomes associated with the metallocenes. However, errors associated with the ICP-AES measurements did not allow these results to be quantified. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to show that the antitumour metallocene Cp2MoCl2 4 formed an adduct with glutathione 72 in the pH range 3-7 through the sulfur donor group. In comparison, the antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Nb 3) showed limited adduct formation with glutathione 72 at pH -3 and no adducts were detected at pH > 5.5.

This thesis reports a study of the chemical stability and coordination chemistry of several antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (Cp = h5-C5H5; M = Ti 1, V 2, Nb 3, Mo 4), as well as derivatives of Cp2TiCl2 1, with nucleic acids, nucleic acid constituents and proteins. These studies were carried out in order to identify the biologically active species and more fully understand the molecular level mechanism of action of the antitumour metallocenes, in particular Cp2TiCl2 1, which is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials. The interactions of Cp2MoCl2 4 with four oligonucleotides were studied by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. In 50 mM salt solutions of Cp2MoCl2 4, hydrolysis of the halide ligands occurred to give a solution with pD -2, containing a species in which both Cp rings remain metal bound for 24 h. At pD -7, partial hydrolysis of the Cp rings (-30percent) occurred after 24 h. Addition of an aqueous solution of Cp2MoCl2 4 in 50 mM salt to the self-complementary sequence d(CGCATATGCG)2, maintaining the pD at 6.0-7.0, showed no evidence for the formation of a metallocene-oligonucleotide complex and only peaks arising from hydrolysis of Cp2MoCl2 4 were detected. A similar result was obtained in titration experiments with the single stranded sequence d(ATGGTA) at pD 6.5-7.0. However, at pD 3.0, new signals assigned to a molybdocene-oligonucleotide complex(es), which was stable for hours at pD 3.0, were detected; while at pD -7 the complex is destabilised and only peaks arising from hydrolysis of Cp2MoCl2 4 were detected. Titration experiments at low pD with Cp2MoCl2 4 and the dinucleotide dCG were consistent with formation of a complex arising due to coordination of molybdenum to guanine N7 and/or cytosine N3. The results obtained showed that stable oligonucleotide adducts were not formed in 50 mM salt at pD -7 and hence it is highly unlikely that formation of molybdocene-DNA adducts in vivo is the primary action that is responsible for the antitumour properties of Cp2MoCl2 4. The rate of hydrolysis of the aromatic rings of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) and the dimethylsubstituted derivatives (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41), in aqueous solutions at pD 2-8 was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Rapid hydrolysis of both the halide/glycine and Cp ligands in Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) occurred and predominantly gave a precipitate at pD -7. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions, the predominant species present in aqueous solutions of (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) at pH 2-8 contained both MeCp rings metal bound. At pD < 5, Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) and (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) formed similar complex(es) with purine nucleotides. However, at pD >5, stable adducts between nucleotides and Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) were not formed. In contrast, (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) formed complex(es) with 5'-dAMP or 5'-dGMP, which were stable for 24 h. These results suggest that formation of stable chelates between (MeCp)2TiX2 (X equals Cl 34, OCOCH2NH3Cl 41) and nucleic acid constituents in vivo is possible. However, the methyl substituted derivatives 34 and 41 did not show any antitumour activity against EAT in mice when administered in either 10percentDMSO/90percentsaline or in water at pH 6.2-6.4, which suggests that the labile Cp-Ti bond present in Cp2TiCl2 1 is required for antitumour activity. The synthesis of a range of Cp substituted titanocene derivatives was investigated in an attempt to prepare derivatives with modified Cp stability in comparison to the methyl substituted derivatives. The synthesis of derivatives (CpCH2Y)2TiCl2 where Y equals ?CHO 43, ?CONMe2 44, ?NO2 45, (RCp)2TiCl2 where R equals ?COMe 46, ?COOMe 47 or ?CONMe2 48, (CpNMe2)2TiCl2 62 and (Cp(CH2)2NMe2)2TiCl2 63 was unsuccessful, due to the presence of coordinating substituents on the Cp rings and poor stability in polar, protic solvents. Hence, these derivatives were excluded from further studies. The rate of hydrolysis of the Cp rings of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1, OCOCCl3 22 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) in aqueous solutions, 10percentDMSO/90percentD2O and 100percent DMSO was monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Rapid hydrolysis of both the carboxylate and Cp ligands of Cp2TiX2 (OCOCCl3 22 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) occurred in DMSO to give biologically inactive species. The rate of these reactions were concentration dependent as dilution of these samples with saline or water to give the therapeutic conditions of 10percentDMSO/90percentD2O slowed the hydrolysis chemistry. In contrast, samples of Cp2TiX2 (X equals Cl 1 and OCOCH2NH3Cl 27) dissolved in water, gave solutions containing the presumed antitumour active species in which the halide or glycine ligands have been hydrolysed but the Cp rings remain metal bound. Thus, charged X ligands may be incorporated into Cp2TiX2 and will give comparable activity to Cp2TiCl2 1 provided the samples are administered in water. The antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, V 2, Nb 3, Mo 4) and the inactive derivative (MeCp)2TiCl2 34 were found to inhibit the relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA pBR322 by human topoisomerase II in vitro. These results implicated the inhibition of topoisomerase II in the mechanism of antitumour activity although there was no direct correlation between the in vitro results with biological activity against EAT in vivo. UV spectroscopy confirmed that the metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Mo 4) became associated with and were stabilised to hydrolysis by calf thymus DNA but not with human serum albumin. ICP-AES was used to measure the amount of metal associated with either DNA or human serum albumin after incubation with Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Nb 3, Mo 4) and dialysis of these solution. The results confirmed that DNA stabilises or becomes associated with the metallocenes. However, errors associated with the ICP-AES measurements did not allow these results to be quantified. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to show that the antitumour metallocene Cp2MoCl2 4 formed an adduct with glutathione 72 in the pH range 3-7 through the sulfur donor group. In comparison, the antitumour metallocenes Cp2MCl2 (M equals Ti 1, Nb 3) showed limited adduct formation with glutathione 72 at pH -3 and no adducts were detected at pH > 5.5.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.