Influence of acid–base equilibrium on interactions of some monofunctional coumarin Pd(ii) complexes with biologically relevant nucleophiles-comprehensive kinetic study

Abstract

This aimed to develop a comprehensive theoretical protocol for examining substitution reaction processes. The researchers used a theoretical quantum-mechanical protocol based on the QM-ORSA approach, which estimates the kinetic parameters of thermodynamically favourable reaction pathways. This theoretical protocol was validated by experimentally investigating substitution mechanisms in two previously synthesised Pd(II) complexes: chlorido-[(3-(1-(2-hydroxypropylamino)ethylidene)chroman-2,4-dione)]palladium(II) (C1) and chlorido-[(3-(1-(2-mercaptoethylamino)-ethylidene)-chroman-2,4dione)]palladium(II) (C2), along with biologically relevant nucleophiles, namely L-cysteine (L-Cys), L-methionine (L-Met), and guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP). Reactions were investigated under pseudo-first-order conditions, monitoring nucleophile concentration and temperature changes using stopped-flow UV-vis spectrophotometry. All reactions were conducted under physiological conditions (pH = 7.2) at 37 °C. The reactivity of the studied nucleophiles follows the order: L-Cys > L-Met > 5′-GMP, and the reaction mechanism is associative based on the activation parameters. The experimental and theoretical data showed that C2 is more reactive than C1, confirming that the complexes’ structural and electronic properties greatly affect their reactivity with selected nucleophiles. The study's findings have confirmed that the primary interaction occurs with the acid–base species L-Cys, mostly through the involvement of the partially negative sulfur atom (87.2%). On the other hand, C2 has a higher propensity for reacting with L-Cys⁻, primarily through the partially negative oxygen atom (92.6%). The implementation of this theoretical framework will significantly restrict the utilization of chemical substances, hence facilitating cost reduction and environmental protection.