Pyridinium‐Substituted TetraphenylethyleneEntailing Alkyne Moiety: Enhancement of Photosensitizing Efficiency and Antimicrobial Activity

Apart from sensing and imaging, luminogens with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) are also interesting for photosensitizing. The photosensitizing behavior and bacteria‐killing performance of a pyridinium‐substituted tetraphenylethylene with an alkyne group ( TPE‐A‐Py⁺ ) is reported herein. Interestingly, TPE‐A‐Py⁺ exhibits higher photosensitizing efficiency than TPE‐Py⁺ (without alkyne group) when I⁻ was used as a counteranion. This is well explained by the fact that the ΔΕ _ST between the excited singlet state (S ₁) and triplet state (T ₁) was lower for TPE‐A‐Py⁺ than for TPE‐Py⁺ , according to theoretical calculations. Moreover, replacement of I ⁻ with other anions (PF₆⁻, N(SO₂CF₃)₂⁻ and BPh₄⁻) led to a decrease of photosensitizing efficiency for TPE‐A‐Py⁺ . Notably, TPE‐A‐Py⁺ could be used as an efficient photosensitizer to photo‐inactivate ampicillin‐resistant (amp^r) E. coli at low concentration under white‐light irradiation very quickly.     

Base Pairing of 8‐Aza‐7‐deazapurine‐2,6‐diamine Linked via the N(8)‐Position to the DNA Backbone: Universal Base‐Pairing Properties and Formation of Highly Stable Duplexes when Alternating with dT

The unusually N⁸‐glycosylated pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine‐4,6‐diamine 2′‐deoxyribonucleoside ( 3 ) was synthesized and converted to the phosphoramidite 11 . Oligonucleotides were prepared by solid‐phase synthesis, and the base pairing of compound 3 was studied. In non‐self‐complementary duplexes containing compound 3 located opposite to the four canonical DNA constituents, strong base pairs are formed that show ambiguous pairing properties. The self‐complementary duplex d( 3 ‐T)₆ ( 34 ⋅ 34 ) is significantly more stable than d(A‐T)₆.     

Temperature response of aqueous solutions of pyrene end‐labeled poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s probed by steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence

Aqueous solutions of a series of monodisperse poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s end‐labeled with n‐butyl‐1‐pyrene at one or both chain ends (Py_n‐PNIPAMs with n = 1 or 2) were studied by turbidimetry, light scattering, and fluorescence. For a given polymer concentration and heating rate, the cloud point (T_c) of an aqueous Py_n‐PNIPAM solution, determined by turbidimetry, was found to increase with the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the polymer. The steady‐state fluorescence spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence decays of Py_n‐PNIPAM aqueous solutions were analyzed and all parameters retrieved from these analyses were found to be affected as the solution temperature passed through T_c, the solution cloud point, and T_m, the temperature where dehydration of PNIPAM occurred. The trends obtained by fluorescence to characterize the aqueous Py_n‐PNIPAM solutions as a function of temperature were found to be consistent with the model proposed for telechelic PNIPAM by Koga et al. in 2006. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 308–318     

5，10，15，20-四 [4-(4''-乙基哌嗪基)苯基]卟啉的合成及其与DNA的相互作用

基于卟啉对癌细胞的特殊亲和作用和哌嗪化合物的抗肿瘤、抗病毒作用，设计并合成了具有哌嗪结构的新型卟啉化合物5，10，15，20-四[4-(4'-乙基哌嗪基)苯基]卟啉（TEPPPH₂），其结构经UV-Vis, 元素分析，¹H NMR等手段证明。采用UV-Vis光谱和荧光光谱研究了TEPPPH₂和小牛胸腺DNA 的相互作用模式和结合机理。实验发现，TEPPPH₂能嵌入到DNA的碱基对中，1个小牛胸腺DNA分子对TEPPPH₂分子的最大结合数n约为88，结合常数为8.4×10⁶mol•L^-1 。TEPPPH₂与DNA的结合数和结合常数大于已知的四（4-N-甲基吡啶基）卟啉和Ca/sal-his、Ni/sal–aln型席夫碱抗癌药物。     

Bifacial Base‐Pairing Behaviors of 5‐Hydroxyuracil DNA Bases through Hydrogen Bonding and Metal Coordination

A novel bifacial ligand‐bearing nucleobase, 5‐hydroxyuracil ( U^OH ), which forms both a hydrogen‐bonded base pair ( U^OH –A) and a metal‐mediated base pair ( U^OH –M– U^OH ) has been developed. The U^OH –M– U^OH base pairs were quantitatively formed in the presence of lanthanide ions such as Gd^III when U^OH – U^OH pairs were consecutively incorporated into DNA duplexes. This result established metal‐assisted duplex stabilization as well as DNA‐templated assembly of lanthanide ions. Notably, a duplex possessing U^OH –A base pairs was destabilized by addition of Gd^III ions. This observation suggests that the hybridization behaviors of the U^OH ‐containing DNA strands are altered by metal complexation. Thus, the U^OH nucleobase with a bifacial base‐pairing property holds great promise as a component for metal‐responsive DNA materials.     

Fluorescence Studies of Pyrene‐Labeled Cholesterol‐Bearing Polymer Films

Copolymers of cholesteryl 6‐methacryloyloxy hexanoate and (1‐pyrenemethyl) 6‐methacryloyloxy hexanoate were prepared by free radical polymerization, with the amount of (1‐pyrenemethyl) 6‐methacryloyloxy hexanoate units (f_Py) in the polymers ranging from 0–100 mol‐%. The copolymers with f_Py ≤ 20.0 mol‐% show distinct liquid‐crystalline (LC) phase behavior. According to the fluorescence of pyrene in these copolymer LC films, each pyrene moiety is individually incorporated into the LC domain, and the interaction between the pyrene moieties is restricted.     

1,5‐Diamino‐4‐methyltetrazolium 5‐Nitrotetrazolate – Synthesis,Testing and Scale‐up

1,5‐Diamino‐4‐methyltetrazolium 5‐nitrotetrazolate ( 2b ) was synthesized in high yield from 1,5‐diamino‐4‐methyltetrazolium iodide ( 2a ) and highly sensitive silver 5‐nitrotetrazolate (AgNT). A safer synthesis, suitable for scale‐up, is introduced involving reaction of the previously unreported 1‐amino‐5‐imino‐4‐methyltetrazole free base ( 2 ) with ammonium 5‐nitrotetrazolate. Both new compounds ( 2 and 2b ) were fully characterized using vibrational (IR and Raman) and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵N), elemental analysis and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The hydrogen‐bonding networks of both materials are described in terms of their graph‐sets. Compound 2b is hydrolytically stable with a high melting point and concomitant decomposition at 160 °C. The sensitivity of the energetic salt 2b towards impact (>30 J) and friction (>360 N) was tested. The constant volume energy of combustion (Δ_cU) of 2b was measured experimentally using bomb calorimetry. In addition, the detonation parameters (detonation pressure and velocity) of the nitrotetrazolate salt were calculated from the energy of formation, the crystal density and the molecular formula using the EXPLO5 computer code (P = 15.5·GPa, D = 6749 m s^?1) and are similar to that of TNT and nitroguanidine making 2b of prospective interest in propellant charge formulations or, in combination with a suitable oxidizer, as a solid propellant.     

Darstellung,Kristallstruktur und Schwingungsspektren von cis‐(CH2Py2)[ReBr4Py2]2 · (CH3)2CO

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Spectra of cis ‐(CH₂Py₂)[ReBr₄Py₂]₂ · (CH₃)₂CO By reaction of (n‐Bu₄N)₂[ReBr₆] with pyridine and (n‐Bu₄N)BH₄ in dichloromethane halogeno‐pyridine‐rhenium(III)complexes are formed and purified by chromatography. X‐ray structure determination on a single crystal has been performed of cis‐(CH₂Py₂)[ReBr₄Py₂]₂ · (CH₃)₂CO (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 15.0690(9), b = 8.3337(8), c = 35.588(4) Å, β = 96.409(7), Z = 4). Based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray structure determination and assuming C₂ point symmetry for the anion cis‐[ReBr₄Py₂]^– the IR and Raman spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis. The valence force constants are in the Br–Re–Br axis f_d(ReBr) = 1.49, in the asymmetrically coordinated N′–Re–Br ^· axes f_d(ReBr ^· ) = 1.03 und f_d(ReN′) = 2.52 mdyn/Å.     

A highly efficient synthesis of (Z)‐1‐aryl‐2‐silyl‐1‐ stannylethenes and their conversion to (E)‐2‐ arylethenyl‐, (Z)‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethenyl‐ and allenyl‐silanes

A Pd(dba)₂–P(OEt)₃ combination allowed the silastannation of arylacetylenes, 1‐hexyne or propargyl alcohols with tributyl(trimethylsilyl)stannane to take place at room temperature, producing (Z)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannyl‐1‐substituted ethenes in high yields. Novel silyl(stannyl)ethenes were fully characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ²⁹Si‐ and ¹¹⁹Sn‐NMR as well as infrared and mass analyses. Treatment of a series of (Z)‐1‐aryl‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethenes and (Z)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene with hydrochloric acid or hydroiodic acid in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEACl) or tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) led to the exclusive formation of (E)‐trimethyl(2‐arylethenyl)silanes with high stereoselectivity. A similar reaction of (Z)‐1‐(2‐anisyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene also produced E‐type trimethyl[2‐(2‐anisyl)ethenyl]silane, while (Z)‐trimethyl [2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethenyl]silane was produced exclusively from (Z)‐1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene. Protodestannylation of (Z)‐1‐[hydroxy(phenyl)methyl]‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene with trifluoroacetic acid took place via the β‐elimination of hydroxystannane, providing trimethyl(3‐phenylpropa‐1,2‐dienyl)silane quite easily. The destannylation products were also fully characterized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Ligand Fields on the Reactivity of O2‐Activating Iron(II)‐Benzilate Complexes of Neutral N5 Donor Ligands

Three new iron(II)‐benzilate complexes [(N4Py)Fe^II(benzilate)]ClO₄ ( 1 ), [(N4Py^Me2)Fe^II(benzilate)]ClO₄ ( 2 ) and [(N4Py^Me4)Fe^II(benzilate)]ClO₄ ( 3 ) of neutral pentadentate nitrogen donor ligands have been isolated and characterized to study their dioxygen reactivity. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures reveal a mononuclear six‐coordinate iron(II) center in each case, where benzilate binds to the iron center in monodentate mode via one carboxylate oxygen. Introduction of methyl groups in the 6‐positions of the pyridine rings makes the N4Py^Me2 and N4Py^Me4 ligand fields weaker compared to that of the parent N4Py ligand. All the complexes ( 1 – 3 ) react with dioxygen to decarboxylate the coordinated benzilate to benzophenone quantitatively. The decarboxylation is faster for the complex of the more sterically hindered ligand and follows the order 3 > 2 > 1 . The complexes display oxygen atom transfer reactivity to thioanisole and also exhibit hydrogen atom transfer reactions with substrates containing weak C?H bonds. Based on interception studies with external substrates, labelling experiments and Hammett analysis, a nucleophilic iron(II)‐hydroperoxo species is proposed to form upon two‐electron reductive activation of dioxygen by each iron(II)‐benzilate complex. The nucleophilic oxidants are converted to the corresponding electrophilic iron(IV)‐oxo oxidant upon treatment with a protic acid. The high‐spin iron(II)‐benzilate complex with the weakest ligand field results in the formation of a more reactive iron‐oxygen oxidant.     

Fluorescence Quenching by Intercalation of a Pyrene Group Tethered to an N4‐modified Cytosine in Duplex DNA

A series of duplex DNA oligomers was prepared that contain a pyrene chromophore linked by a trimethylene chain (‐(CH₂)₃‐) to N⁴ of a cytosine. The pyrene group stabilizes the DNA as evidenced by an increase in melting temperature. The absorption spectrum of the linked pyrene chromophore shows a temperature‐dependent shift and there is also a strong induced circular dichroism spectrum attributed to the pyrene group. The fluorescence of the pyrene chromophore is strongly quenched at room temperature by linkage to the DNA, but it increases above the melting temperature. We attribute these observations to intramolecular intercalation of the pyrene group at a base pair adjacent to its linkage site at cytosine.     

Fluorescence Quenching and Binding Interaction of l0-Methylacridinium Iodide to Nucleic Acids

Interaction of 10‐methylacridinium iodide (MAI) as fluorescence probe with nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleic acids has been studied by UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that fluorescence of MAI is strongly quenched by the nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleic acids, respectively. The quenching follows the Stern‐Volmer linear equation. The fluorescence quenching rate constant (k_q) was measured to be 10^9‐10¹⁰ (L/mol)/s within the range of diffusion‐controlled rate limit, indicating that the interaction between MAI and nucleic acid and their precursors is characteristic of electron transfer mechanism. In addition, the binding interaction model of MAI to calf thymus DNA (ct‐DNA) was further investigated. Apparent hypochromism in the absorption spectra of MAI was observed when MAI binds to ct‐DNA. Three spectroscopic methods, which include (1) UV spectroscopy, (2) fluorescence quenching of MAI, (3) competitive dual‐probe method of MAI and ethidium bromide (EB), were utilized to determine the affinity binding constants (K) of MAI and ct‐DNA. The binding constants K obtained from the above methods gave consistent data in the same range (1.0–5.5) × 10⁴L/mol, which lend credibility to these measurements. The binding site number was determined to be 1.9. The influence of thermal denaturation and phosphate concentration on the binding was examined. The binding model of MAI to ct‐DNA including intercalation and outside binding was investigated.     

Synthesis and Nonlinear Optical Properties of a New A-π-A Two-Photon Compound Utilizing Dibenzothiophene as Center

A new two‐photon material, 3E,6E‐bis(2‐pyrid‐4′‐ylvinyl)dibenzothiophene (BPVDBT), has been firstly synthesized by an efficient Pd‐catalyzed Heck coupling route. The single‐ and two‐photon fluorescence, quantum yields, lifetimes, solvent effects of the chromophore were studied in detail and the compound exhibited solvent‐sensitivity. The fluorescence intensity (I_out) and input excitation intensity (I_in) can fit in well with the quadratic parabolas, which indicates that the up‐converted fluorescence was induced by the two‐photon absorption (TPA). TPA cross‐section of BPVDBT has been measured using the two‐photon‐induced fluorescence method, whose value is 14.24×10^?50 cm⁴·s·photon^?1·molecule^?1 at 750 nm. The experimental results confirm that BPVDBT is a good two‐photon absorbing chromophore with an A‐π‐A type.     

Isoguanine and 5‐Methyl‐Isocytosine Bases,In Vitro and In Vivo

The synthesis, base‐pairing properties and in vitro and in vivo characteristics of 5‐methyl‐isocytosine (isoC^Me) and isoguanine (isoG) nucleosides, incorporated in an HNA(h) (hexitol nucleic acid)–DNA(d) mosaic backbone, are described. The required h‐isoG phosphoramidite was prepared by a selective deamination as a key step. As demonstrated by T_m measurements the hexitol sugar showed slightly better mismatch discrimination against dT. The d‐isoG base mispairing follows the order T>G>C while the h‐isoG base mispairing follows the order G>C>T. The h‐ and d‐isoC^Me bases mainly mispair with G. Enzymatic incorporation experiments show that the hexitol backbone has a variable effect on selectivity. In the enzymatic assays, isoG misincorporates mainly with T, and isoC^Me misincorporates mainly with A. Further analysis in vivo confirmed the patterns of base‐pair interpretation for the deoxyribose and hexitol isoC^Me/isoG bases in a cellular context, through incorporation of the bases into plasmidic DNA. Results in vivo demonstrated that mispairing and misincorporation was dependent on the backbone scaffold of the base, which indicates rational advances towards orthogonality.     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen, Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalysen der mer‐Trihalogeno‐tris‐Pyridin‐Osmium(III)Komplexe mer‐[OsX3Py3], X = Cl,Br, I

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analyses of the mer ‐Trihalogeno‐tris‐Pyridine‐Osmium(III) Complexes mer‐[OsX₃Py₃], X = Cl, Br, I By reaction of the hexahalogenoosmates(IV) with pyridine and iso‐amylalcohol mer‐trihalogeno‐tris‐pyridine‐osmium(III) complexes are formed and purified by chromatography. X‐ray structure determinations on single crystals have been performed of mer‐[OsBr₃Py₃] (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 9.098(5), b = 12.864(5), c = 15.632(5) Å, β = 90.216(5)°, Z = 4) and mer‐[OsI₃Py₃] (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 9.0952(17), b = 13.461(4), c = 15.891(10), β = 91.569(5)°, Z = 4). The pyridine rings are twisted propeller‐like against the N₃ meridional plane with mean angles of 49° (Cl), 46° (Br), 44° (I). Based on the molecular parameters of the X‐ray structure determinations and assuming C₂ point symmetry, the IR and Raman spectra are assigned by normal coordinate analysis. Due to the stronger trans influence of pyridine as compared with the halide ligands for N'–Os–X ^· axes significantly different valence force constants are observed in comparison with symmetrically coordinated octahedron axes: f_d(OsCl) = 1.74, f_d(OsCl^·) = 1.49, f_d(OsBr) = 1.43, f_d(OsBr ^· ) = 1.18, f_d(OsI) = 0.99, f_d(OsI ^· ) = 0.96, f_d(OsN) between 1.96 and 2.07 and f_d(OsN') between 2.13 and 2.32 mdyn/Å.     

Metabolism of Deuterated Isomeric 6,7‐Dihydroxydodecanoic Acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae – Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Formation and Characterization of 5‐Hydroxydecano‐4‐lactone (=4,5‐Dihydro‐5‐(1‐hydroxyhexyl)furan‐2(3H)‐one) Isomers

The chemical synthesis of deuterated isomeric 6,7‐dihydroxydodecanoic acid methyl esters 1 and the subsequent metabolism of esters 1 and the corresponding acids 1a in liquid cultures of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Incubation experiments with (6R,7R)‐ or (6S,7S)‐6,7‐dihydroxy(6,7‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid methyl ester ((6R,7R)‐ or (6S,7S)‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1 , resp.) and (±)‐threo‐ or (±)‐erythro‐6,7‐dihydroxy(6,7‐²H₂)dodecanoic acid ((±)‐threo‐ or (±)‐erythro‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1a , resp.) elucidated their metabolic pathway in yeast (Tables 1–3). The main products were isomeric ²H‐labeled 5‐hydroxydecano‐4‐lactones 2 . The absolute configuration of the four isomeric lactones 2 was assigned by chemical synthesis via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and chiral gas chromatography (Lipodex ^® E). The enantiomers of threo‐ 2 were separated without derivatization on Lipodex ^® E; in contrast, the enantiomers of erythro‐ 2 could be separated only after transformation to their 5‐O‐(trifluoroacetyl) derivatives. Biotransformation of the methyl ester (6R,7R)‐(6,7‐²H₂)‐ 1 led to (4R,5R)‐ and (4S,5R)‐(2,5‐²H₂)‐ 2 (ratio ca. 4 : 1; Table 2). Estimation of the label content and position of (4S,5R)‐(2,5‐²H₂)‐ 2 showed 95% label at C(5), 68% label at C(2), and no ²H at C(4) (Table 2). Therefore, oxidation and subsequent reduction with inversion at C(4) of 4,5‐dihydroxydecanoic acid and transfer of ²H from C(4) to C(2) is postulated. The 5‐hydroxydecano‐4‐lactones 2 are of biochemical importance: during the fermentation of Streptomyces griseus, (4S,5R)‐ 2 , known as L‐factor, occurs temporarily before the antibiotic production, and (?)‐muricatacin (=(4R,5R)‐5‐hydroxy‐heptadecano‐4‐lactone), a homologue of (4R,5R)‐ 2 , is an anticancer agent.     

Synthesen und Strukturen von Bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridin)‐Ruthenium(II)‐Komplexen mit funktionellen Derivaten des Tetramethyl‐bibenzimidazols

Syntheses and Structures of Bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) Ruthenium(II) Complexes with functional Derivatives of Tetramethyl‐bibenzimidazole [(tbbpy)₂RuCl₂] reacts with dinitro‐tetramethylbibenzimidazole ( A ) in DMF to form the complex [(tbbpy)₂Ru( A )](PF₆)₂ ( 1a ) (tbbpy: bis(4,4′‐t‐butyl)‐2,2′bipyridine). Exchange of the two PF₆^? anions by a mixture of tetrafluor‐terephthalat/tetrafluor‐terephthalic acid results in the formation of 1b in which an extended hydrogen‐bonded network is formed. According to the ¹H NMR spectra and X‐ray analyses of both 1a and 1b , the two nitro groups of the bibenzimidazole ligand are situated at the periphery of the complex in cis position to each other. Reduction of the nitro groups in 1a with SnCl₂/HCl results in the corresponding diamino complex 2 which is a useful starting product for further functionalization reactions. Substitution of the two amino groups in 2 by bromide or iodide via Sandmeyer reaction results in the crystalline complexes [(tbbpy)₂Ru( C )](PF₆)₂ and [(tbbpy)₂Ru( D )](PF₆)₂ ( C : dibromo‐tetrabibenzimidazole, D : diiodo‐tetrabibenzimidazole). Furthermore, 2 readily reacts with 4‐t‐butyl‐salicylaldehyde or pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde under formation of the corresponding Schiff base Ru^II complexes 5 and 6 . ¹H NMR spectra show that the substituents (NH₂, Br, I, azomethines) in 2 ‐ 6 are also situated in peripheral positions, cis to each other. The solid state structure of both 2 , and 3 , determined by X‐ray analyses confirm this structure. In addition, the X‐ray diffraction analyses of single crystals of the complexes [(tri‐t‐butyl‐terpy)(Cl)Ru( A )] ( 7 ) and [( A )PtCl₂] ( 8 ) display also that the nitro groups in these complexes are in a cis‐arrangement.     

Oligonucleotides Containing 7‐Deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine as Universal Nucleoside: Synthesis of 7‐Halogenated and 7‐Alkynylated Derivatives,Ambiguous Base Pairing,and Dye Functionalization by the Alkyne–Azide ‘Click’ Reaction

Oligonucleotides containing 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives bearing 7‐halogen substituents or 7‐alkynyl groups were prepared. For this, the phosphoramidites 2b – 2g containing 7‐substituted 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine analogues 1b – 1g were synthesized (Scheme 2). Hybridization experiments with modified oligonucleotides demonstrate that all 2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives show ambiguous base pairing, as 2′‐deoxyinosine does. The duplex stability decreases in the order C_d>A_d>T_d>G_d when 2b – 2g pair with these canonical nucleosides (Table 6). The self‐complementary duplexes 5′‐d(F⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, d(Br⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, and d(I⁷c⁷I‐C)₆ are more stable than the parent duplex d(c⁷I‐C)₆ (Table 7). An oligonucleotide containing the octa‐1,7‐diyn‐1‐yl derivative 1g , i.e., 27 , was functionalized with the nonfluorescent 3‐azido‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 28 ) by the Huisgen–Sharpless–Meldal cycloaddition ‘click’ reaction to afford the highly fluorescent oligonucleotide conjugate 29 (Scheme 3). Consequently, oligonucleotides incorporating the derivative 1g bearing a terminal C?C bond show a number of favorable properties: i) it is possible to activate them by labeling with reporter molecules employing the ‘click’ chemistry. ii) Space demanding residues introduced in the 7‐position of the 7‐deazapurine base does not interfere with duplex structure and stability (Table 8). iii) The ambiguous pairing character of the nucleobase makes them universal probes for numerous applications in oligonucleotide chemistry, molecular biology, and nanobiotechnology.     

Conformation of Peptides Containing a Chiral α‐Ethylated α,α‐Disubstituted α‐Amino Acid: (S)‐α‐Ethylleucine (=(2S)‐2‐Amino‐2‐ethyl‐4‐methylpentanoic Acid) within Sequences of Dimethylglycine and Diethylglycine Residues

An optically active (S)‐α‐ethylleucine ((S)‐αEtLeu) as a chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid was synthesized by means of a chiral acetal auxiliary of (R,R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol. The chiral α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid (S)‐αEtLeu was introduced into the peptides constructed from 2‐aminoisobutyric acid (=dimethylglycine, Aib), and also into the peptide prepared from diethylglycine (Deg). The X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that both right‐handed (P) and left‐handed (M) 3₁₀‐helical structures exist in the solid state of CF₃CO‐(Aib)₂‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₂‐OEt ( 14 ) and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Deg)₄‐OEt ( 18 ), respectively. The IR, CD, and ¹H‐NMR spectra indicated that the dominant conformation of pentapeptides 14 and CF₃CO‐[(S)‐αEtLeu]‐(Aib)₄‐OEt ( 16 ) in solution is a 3₁₀‐helical structure, and that of 18 in solution is a planar C₅ conformation. The conformation of peptides was also studied by molecular‐mechanics calculations.     

Factors Affecting DNA–DNA Interstrand Cross‐Links in the Antiparallel 3′–3′ Sense: A Comparison with the 5′–5′ Directional Isomer

Reported herein is a study of the unusual 3′–3′ 1,4‐GG interstrand cross‐link (IXL) formation in duplex DNA by a series of polynuclear platinum anticancer complexes. To examine the effect of possible preassociation through charge and hydrogen‐bonding effects the closely related compounds [{trans‐PtCl(NH₃)₂}₂(μ‐trans‐Pt(NH₃)₂{NH₂(CH₂)₆NH₂}₂)]⁴⁺ (BBR3464, 1 ), [{trans‐PtCl(NH₃)₂}₂(μ‐NH₂(CH₂)₆NH₂)]²⁺ (BBR3005, 2 ), [{trans‐PtCl(NH₃)₂}₂(μ‐H₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂(CH₂)₄)]³⁺ (BBR3571, 3 ) and [{trans‐PtCl(NH₃)₂}₂{μ‐H₂N(CH₂)₃‐N(COCF₃)(CH₂)₄}]²⁺ (BBR3571‐COCF₃, 4 ) were studied. Two different molecular biology approaches were used to investigate the effect of DNA template upon IXL formation in synthetic 20‐base‐pair duplexes. In the “hybridisation directed” method the monofunctionally adducted top strands were hybridised with their complementary 5′‐end labelled strands; after 24 h the efficiency of interstrand cross‐linking in the 5′–5′ direction was slightly higher than in the 3′–3′ direction. The second method involved “postsynthetic modification” of the intact duplex; significantly less cross‐linking was observed, but again a slight preference for the 5′–5′ duplex was present. 2D [¹H, ¹⁵N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy studies of the reaction of [¹⁵N]‐ 1 with the sequence 5′‐d{TATACATGTATA}₂ allowed direct comparison of the stepwise formation of the 3′–3′ IXL with the previously studied 5′–5′ IXL on the analogous sequence 5′‐d(ATATGTACATAT)₂. Whereas the preassociation and aquation steps were similar, differences were evident at the monofunctional binding step. The reaction did not yield a single distinct 3′–3′ 1,4‐GG IXL, but numerous cross‐linked adducts formed. Similar results were found for the reaction with the dinuclear [¹⁵N]‐ 2 . Molecular dynamics simulations for the 3′–3′ IXLs formed by both 1 and 2 showed a highly distorted structure with evident fraying of the end base pairs and considerable widening of the minor groove.