Group 10 metal macrocycles and chelates: supramolecular chemistry; biopolymer modification and anti-cancer properties

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We are interested in the development of new materials based on macrocycles - which are ring-shaped molecules that can bind to a wide range of metals forming very stable compounds.  One goal is to attach macrocycles to chitosan - a biopolymer made by modifying chitin (which itself is the major biopolymer present in lobster and crab shells).  The new materials may have important properties, and we plan to study their ability to (a) bind metal ions (for purification of polluted waters); and (b) bind phosphate ion (which would be useful in removing phosphate toxins from dialysis patients).      A second goal of our work is to continue to explore the interaction of "pendant-arm macrocycles" (which, as the name implies, are macrocycles that have other molecules appended) with cyclodextrins (which are chains of 6 or 7 sugar molecules connected in a ring).  These interactions are termed "supramolecular", since they do not involve bonding of the two reaction species, but involve non-bonding, intermolecular forces of attraction.  Supramolecular chemistry is a rapidly growing and important field, where many studies of non-bonding interaction between organic or inorganic compounds have been explored. There is, however, a paucity of research on transition metal macrocycles, and we plan to explore this area.      The third goal of our research is to make new materials containing palladium metal, to study their reactivity and determine if they are effective in killing human cancer cells. This work is carried out in vitro, where commercially available human cancer cells (ovarian, breast and colon, for example) are treated with the new compounds, using cisplatin as a control, to determine their efficacy as potential anti-cancer agents. This research not only adds to our understanding of mechanisms of reactions of transition metal macrocycles, but may have important application to human health.  The research program also provides research training to undergraduate and graduate students, who will learn research methods valuable to their future careers.