Template synthesis of phthalocyanine analogues and inhibitors of enzyme activity

INTRODUCTION

The so named self-assembly and template syntheses, notwithstanding their apparent simplicity, are known to be very effective methods for the preparation of new complexes and organic structures which are formed at the coordination sphere of metal ions. In all these cases, the metal ions serve as active participants of the reaction, providing a reaction environment and driving an energetic pattern of the process. Sometimes we can analyze and predict the result of the influence of metal ions on the organic component of the reaction, but mostly it is difficult to evaluate all circumstances, and up to now such a synthesis remains a matter of intuition and good luck. In any case, great affords are performed to rationalize this type of synthesis and to get more benefit from this very exciting area of modern chemistry. Sometimes the exploration of mechanisms of template inorganic synthesis helps to understand the course of reactions in pure organic chemistry building a bridge between these areas and leading to new approaches and synthetic schemes in pure organic chemistry. My current research is situated on the mentioned border area, uniting (or separating) inorganic, organic chemistry and catalysis.

Template, self-assembly synthesis of metal complexes and catalysis thereof have a lot in common. In all cases, metal ions organize other participants of the reaction, namely by using their d-orbitals and in such a way facilitate the course of a reaction. When these complexes are thermodynamically stable, we deal with the template or self-assembly synthesis; otherwise, catalysis can occur. Hence, by using metal ions which form stable complexes we may synthesize new coordination compounds but when shifting to metal ions which form more labile complexes (or even using non-metals or metalloids) we can fall in the area of catalysis or pure organic synthesis. Reversely, to understand mechanisms and driving forces of several catalytic and pure organic reactions we may use some “freezing” agents, e.g. metal ions which form stable metal complexes. These are main general ideas of my current work. More details see in provided publications.