Three chromium(III) complexes with asparagine (Asn) and histidine (His) of the [Cr(ox)2(Aa)]2− type, where Aa = N,O–Asn, N,O–His or N,N′–His, were obtained and characterized in solution. The complexes with N,O–Aa undergo acid-catalysed aquation to give a free amino acid and cis-[Cr(ox)2(H2O)2]−, whereas the complex with N,N′–His undergoes parallel reaction paths: (1) isomerization to the N,O–His complex and (2) liberation of an oxalate ligand. Kinetics of the N,O–Aa complexes in HClO4 media were studied spectrophotometrically under pseudo-first-order conditions. The absorbance changes were attributed to the chelate ring opening at the Cr–N bond. The linear dependence of rate constants on [H+] was established, and a mechanism for the chelate ring cleavage was postulated. The existence of a metastable intermediate with O-monodentate Aa ligand was proved experimentally. Effect of [Cr(ox)2(Aa)]2− on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation was studied. The tests revealed low cytotoxicity of the complexes. Complexes with Ala, His and Cys are good candidates for biochromium sources.

Kinetic studies on H+-catalysed aquation of chromium(III)-oxalato-asparaginato and chromium(III)-oxalato-histidinato complexes

A potential synthetic biochromium source, bis-aspartatochromium(III) ion (where Asp is a tridentate N,O,O′-ligand, bonded via amine nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms) has been obtained and characterized in aqueous solution. Kinetics of partial dechelation of the complex catalysed by H+ and OH− ions has been studied spectrophotometrically within 0.1–1.0 M HClO4 and 0.1–1.0 M NaOH ranges under first-order conditions. A linear dependence of the k
 obs,H on [H+] and independence of the k
 obs,OH on [OH−] were established. The derived rate expression and identification of components of the reaction mixture provide evidence for a reaction mechanism, where the key role in the overall process is the formation of an intermediate species with bidentate N,O-bonded Asp via both spontaneous and H+(OH−)-catalysed reaction paths. The intermediate is meta-stable and at pH 5–7 restores the substrate.

Kinetic studies on H + - and OH − -catalysed aquation of bis -aspartatochromium(III)

The following chromium(III) complexes with serine (Ser) and aspartic acid (Asp) were obtained and characterized in solution: [Cr(ox)2(Aa)]2− (where Aa = Ser or Asp), [Cr(AspH−1)2]− and [Cr(ox)(Ser)2]−. In acidic solutions, [Cr(ox)2(Aa)]2− undergoes acid-catalysed aquation to cis-[Cr(ox)2(H2O)2]− and the appropriate amino acid. [Cr(ox)(Ser)2]− undergoes consecutive acid-catalysed Ser liberation to give [Cr(ox)(H2O)4]+, and the [Cr(Asp)2]− ion is converted into [Cr(Asp)(H2O)4]2+. Kinetics of these reactions were studied under isolation conditions. The determined rate expressions for all the reactions are of the form: kobs = a + b[H+]. Reaction mechanisms are proposed, and the meaning of the determined parameters has been established. Evidence for the formation of an intermediate with O-monodentate amino acid is given. The effect of the R-substituent at the α-carbon atom of the amino acid on the complex reactivity is discussed.

Paula Wróbel

Papers

Kinetic studies on H+-catalysed aquation of some chromium(III)-oxalato-amino acid complexes