A new era of metal-based drugs started in the 1960s, heralded by the discovery of potent platinum-based complexes, commencing with cisplatin [(H₃N)₂PtCl₂], which are effective anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. While clinical applications of gold-based drugs largely relate to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, attention has turned to the investigation of the efficacy of gold(I) and gold(III) compounds for anti-cancer applications. This review article provides an account of the latest research conducted during the last decade or so on the development of gold compounds and their potential activities against several cancers as well as a summary of possible mechanisms of action/biological targets. The promising activities and increasing knowledge of gold-based drug metabolism ensures that continued efforts will be made to develop gold-based anti-cancer agents.

The incorporation of dithiocarbamate ligands in the preparation of metal complexes is largely prompted by the versatility of this molecule. Fascinating coordination chemistry can be obtained from the study of such metal complexes ranging from their preparation, the solid-state properties, solution behavior as well as their applications as bioactive materials and luminescent compounds, to name a few. In this overview, the dithiocarbamate complexes of platinum-group elements form the focus of the discussion. The structural aspects of these complexes will be discussed based upon the intriguing findings obtained from their solid- (crystallographic) and solution-state (NMR) studies. At the end of this review, the applications of platinum-group metal complexes will be discussed.

Bacterial infection remains a worldwide problem that requires urgent addressing. Overuse and poor disposal of antibacterial agents abet the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms. There is a clear need for new approaches for the development of antibacterial therapeutics. Herein, the antibacterial potential of molecules based on dithiocarbamate anions, of general formula R(R’)NCS₂⁽⁻⁾, and metal salts of transition metals and main group elements, is summarized. Preclinical studies show a broad range of antibacterial potential, and these investigations are supported by appraisals of possible biological targets and mechanisms of action to guide chemical syntheses. This bibliographic review of the literature points to the exciting potential of dithiocarbamate-based therapeutics in the crucial battle against bacteria. Additionally, included in this overview, for the sake of completeness, is mention of the far fewer studies on the antifungal potential of dithiocarbamates and even less work conducted on antiparasitic behavior.

1 : 1 co-crystals formed between 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene and each of the three isomeric n -pyridinealdazines ( n = 2, 3 and 4), featuring I⋯N halogen bonding contacts within one-dimensional chains, are described.

The process of drug development and discovery is costly and slow. Although an understanding of molecular design principles and biochemical processes has progressed, it is essential to minimize synthesis-testing cycles. An effective approach is to analyze key heteroatoms, including oxygen and nitrogen. Herein, we present an analysis focusing on the utilization of nitrogen atoms in approved drugs. The present work examines the frequency, distribution, prevalence, and diversity of nitrogen atoms in a dataset comprising 2,049 small molecules approved by different regulatory agencies (FDA and others). Various types of nitrogen atoms, such as sp³-, sp²-, sp-hybridized, planar, ring, and non-ring are included in this investigation. The results unveil both previously reported and newly discovered patterns of nitrogen atom distribution around the center of mass in the majority of drug molecules. This study has highlighted intriguing trends in the role of nitrogen atoms in drug design and development. The majority of drugs contain 1-3 nitrogen atoms within 5Å from the center of mass (COM) of a molecule, with a higher preference for the ring and planar nitrogen atoms. The results offer invaluable guidance for the multiparameter optimization process, thus significantly contributing toward the conversion of lead compounds into potential drug candidates.

The title compound, C₁₀H₁₃NOS, is a second monoclinic polymorph (space groupP2₁/c,Z′ = 2) of the previously reportedC2/c(Z= 1) polymorph [Tadbuppa & Tiekink (2005).Z. Kristallogr. New Cryst. Struct.220, 395–396]. Two independent molecules comprise the asymmetric unit of the new polymorph and each of these exists as a thioamide–thione tautomer. In each molecule, the central CNOS chromophore is strictly planar [r.m.s. deviations = 0.0003 and 0.0015 Å] and forms dihedral angles of 6.17 (5) and 20.78 (5)° with the N-bound 3-tolyl rings, thereby representing the major difference between the molecules. The thione-S and thioamide-N—H atoms aresynin each molecule and this facilitates the formation of an eight-membered thioamide {...SCNH}₂synthon between them; the dimeric aggregates are consolidated by pairwise 3-tolyl-C—H...S interactions. In the extended structure, supramolecular layers parallel to (102) are formedviaa combination of 3-tolyl-C—H...π(3-tolyl) and weak π–π interactions [inter-centroid distance between 3-tolyl rings = 3.8535 (12) Å]. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces calculated for both polymorphs reveals the near equivalence of one of the independent molecules of theP2₁/cform to that in theC2/cform.