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Piero Zanello

Bio: Piero Zanello is an academic researcher from University of Siena. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ligand & Cyclic voltammetry. The author has an hindex of 44, co-authored 370 publications receiving 8604 citations. Previous affiliations of Piero Zanello include University of Cagliari & Leiden University.


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01 Oct 2003
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the behavior of first row transition metal sandwich complexes: Metallocenes and Metallacarboranes, and the reactivity of transition metal complexes with small molecules.
Abstract: Introduction BASIC ASPECTS OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY Fundamentals of Electrode Reactions Voltammetric Techniques Softwares able to assist Electrochemistry PRACTICAL ASPECTS Basic Equipment for Electrochemical Measurements APPLICATIVE ASPECTS The Electrochemical Behaviour of First Row Transition Metal Sandwich Complexes: Metallocenes and Metallacarboranesl The Electrochemical Behaviour of Transition Metal Complexes Metal Complexes Containing Redox Active Ligands Electrochemistry and Molecular Reorganizations The Reactivity of Transition Metal Complexes with Small Molecules Transition Metal Clusters The "Direct" Electrochemistry of Redox-Active Proteins Single-Molecule Electronics: from Molecular Metal Wires to Molecular Motors Spectroelectrochemistry An Introduction to Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Appendices

412 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In contrast the phenanthroline and terpyridine ligands turned out to be even more cytotoxic than the corresponding gold(III) complexes rendering the interpretation of the cytotoxicity profiles of the latter complexes less straightforward.
Abstract: Gold(III) complexes generally exhibit interesting cytotoxic and antitumor properties, but until now, their development has been heavily hampered by their poor stability under physiological conditions To enhance the stability of the gold(III) center, we prepared a number of gold(III) complexes with multidentate ligands - namely [Au(en)(2)]Cl(3), [Au(dien)Cl]Cl(2), [Au(cyclam)](ClO(4))(2)Cl, [Au(terpy)Cl]Cl(2), and [Au(phen)Cl(2)]Cl - and analyzed their behavior in solution The solution properties of these complexes were monitored by visible absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chloride-selective potentiometric measurements; the electrochemical properties were also studied by cyclic voltammetry and coulometry Since all the investigated compounds exhibited sufficient stability under physiological conditions, their cytotoxic properties were tested in vitro, via the sulforhodamine B assay, on the representative human ovarian tumor cell line A2780, either sensitive or resistant to cisplatin In most cases the investigated compounds showed relevant cell-killing properties with IC(50) values falling in the 02-10 microM range; noticeably most investigated gold(III) complexes were able to overcome, to a large extent, resistance to cisplatin when tested on the corresponding cisplatin-resistant cell line The cytotoxic properties of the free ligands were also determined under the same solution conditions Ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and cyclam were virtually nontoxic (IC(50) values > 100 microM) so that the relevant cytotoxic effects observed for [Au(en)(2)]Cl(3) and [Au(dien)Cl]Cl(2) could be quite unambiguously ascribed to the presence of the gold(III) center In contrast the phenanthroline and terpyridine ligands turned out to be even more cytotoxic than the corresponding gold(III) complexes rendering the interpretation of the cytotoxicity profiles of the latter complexes less straightforward The implications of the present findings for the development of novel gold(III) complexes as possible cytotoxic and antitumor drugs are discussed

315 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These gold(III) complexes show high reactivity toward some biologically important isolated macromolecules, resulting in a dramatic inhibition of both DNA and RNA synthesis and inducing DNA lesions with a faster kinetics than cisplatin, suggesting that intracellular DNA might not represent their primary or exclusive biological target.
Abstract: Gold(III) compounds are emerging as a new class of metal complexes with outstanding cytotoxic properties and are presently being evaluated as potential antitumor agents. We report here on the solution and electrochemical properties, and the biological behavior of some gold(III) dithiocarbamate derivatives which have been recently proved to be one to 4 orders of magnitude more cytotoxic in vitro than the reference drug (cisplatin) and to be able to overcome to a large extent both intrinsic and acquired resistance to cisplatin itself. Their solution properties have been monitored in order to study their stability under physiological conditions; remarkably, they have shown to undergo complete hydrolysis within 1 h, the metal center remaining in the +3 oxidation state. Their DNA binding properties and ability in hemolyzing red blood cells have been also evaluated. These gold(III) complexes show high reactivity toward some biologically important isolated macromolecules, resulting in a dramatic inhibition of both DNA and RNA synthesis and inducing DNA lesions with a faster kinetics than cisplatin. Nevertheless, they also induce a strong and fast hemolytic effect (compared to cisplatin), suggesting that intracellular DNA might not represent their primary or exclusive biological target.

277 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that only ferrocenium species are able to inhibit the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo and propose that the cytotoxic activity of ferrocium salts is not based on their direct linking to DNA, but on their ability to generate oxygen active species which induce oxidative DNA damage.

244 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 1. Advantages and disadvantages of Chemical Redox Agents, 2. Reversible vs Irreversible ET Reagents, 3. Categorization of Reagent Strength.
Abstract: 1. Advantages of Chemical Redox Agents 878 2. Disadvantages of Chemical Redox Agents 879 C. Potentials in Nonaqueous Solvents 879 D. Reversible vs Irreversible ET Reagents 879 E. Categorization of Reagent Strength 881 II. Oxidants 881 A. Inorganic 881 1. Metal and Metal Complex Oxidants 881 2. Main Group Oxidants 887 B. Organic 891 1. Radical Cations 891 2. Carbocations 893 3. Cyanocarbons and Related Electron-Rich Compounds 894

3,432 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Nanoalloys of Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) 865 5.1.5.2.
Abstract: 5.1. Nanoalloys of Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) 865 5.1.1. Cu−Ag 866 5.1.2. Cu−Au 867 5.1.3. Ag−Au 870 5.1.4. Cu−Ag−Au 872 5.2. Nanoalloys of Group 10 (Ni, Pd, Pt) 872 5.2.1. Ni−Pd 872 * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: +39010 3536214. Fax:+39010 311066. E-mail: ferrando@fisica.unige.it. † Universita di Genova. ‡ Argonne National Laboratory. § University of Birmingham. | As of October 1, 2007, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division. Volume 108, Number 3

3,114 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: New methods for the synthesis of complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands such as the oxidative addition or the metal atom template controlled cyclized isocyanides have been developed recently.
Abstract: The chemistry of heterocyclic carbenes has experienced a rapid development over the last years. In addition to the imidazolin-2-ylidenes, a large number of cyclic diaminocarbenes with different ring sizes have been described. Aside from diaminocarbenes, P-heterocyclic carbenes, and derivatives with only one, or even no heteroatom within the carbene ring are known. New methods for the synthesis of complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands such as the oxidative addition or the metal atom template controlled cyclization of β-functionalized isocyanides have been developed recently. This review summarizes the new developments regarding the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbenes and their metal complexes.

2,454 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The exciting successes in taming molecular-level movement thus far are outlined, the underlying principles that all experimental designs must follow, and the early progress made towards utilizing synthetic molecular structures to perform tasks using mechanical motion are highlighted.
Abstract: The widespread use of controlled molecular-level motion in key natural processes suggests that great rewards could come from bridging the gap between the present generation of synthetic molecular systems, which by and large rely upon electronic and chemical effects to carry out their functions, and the machines of the macroscopic world, which utilize the synchronized movements of smaller parts to perform specific tasks. This is a scientific area of great contemporary interest and extraordinary recent growth, yet the notion of molecular-level machines dates back to a time when the ideas surrounding the statistical nature of matter and the laws of thermodynamics were first being formulated. Here we outline the exciting successes in taming molecular-level movement thus far, the underlying principles that all experimental designs must follow, and the early progress made towards utilizing synthetic molecular structures to perform tasks using mechanical motion. We also highlight some of the issues and challenges that still need to be overcome.

2,301 citations