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Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Half-Sandwich Ir(III), Rh(III), and Co(III) Complexes

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This dissertation describes the synthesis and antimicrobial use of a series of half-sandwich Ir(III), Rh(III), Co(III) amino acid and ethylenediamine complexes. This investigation focuses on the formulation (ηn-arene)M(L)X, (L = ethylenediamine or α-amino carboxylate), (M= Ir, Rh, Ru, Co). Arene, Ligand and metal center variations were designed to tailor antimicrobial activity specific for each organism studied (Staphylococcus aureus or Mycobacteria). Each of the D/L-amino acids formed a diasteromeric complex with chiral centers on both the metal center and amino acid ligand. The unique chirality of each center elicits different antimicrobial activity against the Mycobacteria studied. The metal center (M), arene ligand (ηn-arene), and amino acid (aa), were changed independently and studied for the antimicrobial activity. In a similar fashion, each of the complexes modified with ethylenediamine and diamine derivatives were studied for their antimicrobial activity against S.aureus. All complexes were synthesized,characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. During the course of this work it was found that the amino acid complexes with all metal centers were specific for antimicrobial activity against all types of Mycobacteria, while the diamine derivatives were active against different strains of S.aureus. Acitvity was measured to be as low as 2 ug/mL respectively depending on the complex used. A structure activity relationship was developed to determine what combinations of ligand, metal and arene were necessary to achieve the highest antimicrobial activity. The optimal arene R-chain length for CpR was determined to be R=hexyl for all complexes studied. The most active amino acidcomplex was determined to be that of L-phenylglycine for Mycobacteria, the cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane complex is the most active ligand against S.aureus. Each metal center had similar activity levels. Toxicological studies were performed to test their viablity to be used in mammalian systems. The complexes with the highest activity were studied against several mammailan cell lines and revealed that mammailan cells were undergoing normal cellular processes at up to 40 times the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). A study of the MOA or mechanism of action revealed the ability of the amino acid complexes to affect the peptidyl transferase region on the 23s ribosomal subunit of M.smegmatis. This was accomplished by isolating resistant strains of M.smegmatis towards the most effective complex (Cp*hexyl)Ir(L-phenylglycine)-Cl. Cross drug resistance of these mutants was shown with clarithromycin. The DNA of the 23s ribosomal subunit was sequenced revealing a deletion/insertion mutation within domain V (bases 2057-2058).

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Chemistry
Department dc:contributor.department
Chemistry
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2017

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Karpin, George W.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Merola, Joseph S.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Santos, Webster L.
  • Falkinham, Joseph O. III
  • Long, Gary L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 9

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:12700
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/79414

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Karpin, George W.. Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Half-Sandwich Ir(III), Rh(III), and Co(III) Complexes. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/79414