High-fidelity Recognition of Organotrifluoroborate Anions (R−BF3−) as Designer Guest Molecules

The recognition of boron compounds is well developed as boronic acids but untapped as organotrifluoroborate anions (R−BF₃⁻). We are exploring the development of these and other designer anions as anion-recognition motifs by considering them as substituted versions of the parent inorganic ion. To this end, we demonstrate strong and reliable binding of organic trifluoroborates, R−BF₃⁻, by cyanostar macrocycles that are size-complementary to the inorganic BF₄⁻ progenitors. We find that recognition is modulated by the substituent's sterics and that the affinities are retained using the common K⁺ salts of R−BF₃⁻ anions.     

Electrode processes of Cr(II) in non-complexing and complexing media

The formal potentials and the kinetics parameters for the electrode process: Cr²⁺+2 e⁻ = Cr^o occurring at a mercury electrode in solutions of NaClO₄, NaCI, NaBr, and NaSCN, were determined from the analysis of irreversible anodic and cathodic chronocoulometric waves. The interaction of Cr(II) with Cl⁻ was found to be negligible (equilibrium constant K <1) whereas the interaction with Br⁻ and SCN⁻ was weak (K₁(Br⁻)=1 M⁻¹ and β₂(SCN⁻) = 25 M⁻²). The results of the analysis of the formal rate constant of this and other amalgam forming reactions suggested that the formation of amalgam was the most important step in the whole process.     

In silico characterization of the interaction between LSKL peptide,a LAP-TGF-beta derived peptide,and ADAMTS1

Metalloproteases involved in extracellular matrix remodeling play a pivotal role in cell response by regulating the bioavailability of cytokines and growth factors. Recently, the disintegrin and metalloprotease, ADAMTS1 has been demonstrated to be able to activate the transforming growth factor TGF-β, a major factor in fibrosis and cancer. The KTFR sequence from ADAMTS1 is responsible for the interaction with the LSKL peptide from the latent form of TGF-β, leading to its activation. While the atomic details of the interaction site can be the basis of the rational design of efficient inhibitory molecules, the binding mode of interaction is totally unknown.In this study, we show that recombinant fragments of human ADAMTS1 containing KTFR sequence keep the ability to bind the latent form of TGF-β. The recombinant fragment with the best affinity is modeled to investigate the binding mode of LSKL peptide with ADAMTS1 at the atomic level. Using a combined approach with molecular docking and multiple independent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we provide the binding mode of LSKL peptide with ADAMTS1. The MD simulations starting with the two lowest energy model predicted by molecular docking shows stable interactions characterized by 3 salt bridges (K₃–NH₃⁺ with E₆₂₆–COO⁻; L₄–COO⁻ with K₆₁₉–NH₃⁺; L₁–NH₃⁺ with E₆₂₄–COO⁻) and 2 hydrogen bonds (S₂–OH with E₆₂₃–COO⁻; L₄–NH with E₆₂₃–COO⁻). The knowledge of this interaction mechanism paves the way to the design of more potent and more specific inhibitors against the inappropriate activation of TGF-β by ADAMTS1 in liver diseases.     

Molecular docking analysis and spectroscopic investigations of zinc(II), nickel(II) N-phthaloyl-β-alanine complexes for DNA binding: Evaluation of antibacterial and antitumor activities

Herein, computational molecular docking, UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques have been used to explore the DNA binding interactions of N-phthaloyl-β-alanine (NPA) ligand and its Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes (NPAZn, NPANi). The compounds were further tested for anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activities. Docking analysis depicted that ligand NPA interacted with DNA via intercalation, while its metal complexes showed mixed mode of interactions. Spectroscopic experiments for DNA binding studies were run under physiological conditions of pH (stomach; 4.7, blood; 7.4) and temperature (37 °C). Based on changes in spectral responses, binding parameters for all the compounds were obtained which showed comparatively greater binding constant values (K_b: UV; 1.16 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, Flu; 1.35 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) and more negative free energy changes (ΔG: UV; −30.00 kJ mol⁻¹, Flu; −30.44 kJ mol⁻¹) for NPAZn at pH 4.7. The overall, binding results were also found more significant at stomach pH. Dynamic “K_D” and bimolecular “K_B” constants were evaluated, and the values affirmed the participation of static process for each compound–DNA binding. The greater binding site size values (n > 1) of metal complexes NPAZn and NPANi indicated other sites availability of intercalative compounds. DNA viscosity variation by increasing compound’s concentration further verified the compound–DNA interaction. Antibacterial and tumor inhibitory activities were observed significant for both metal complexes, while ligand has shown no activity. The greater binding affinity of metal complexes, as evaluated both computationally and spectroscopically, further validated the lower IC50 values of complexes as compared to ligand.     

Hydrogen‐bonding motifs in 3‐carboxyanilinium bromide and iodide

In the title compounds, C₇H₈NO₂⁺·Br⁻, (I), and C₇H₈NO₂⁺·I⁻, (II), the asymmetric unit contains a discrete 3‐carboxyanilinium cation, with a protonated amine group, and a halide anion. The compounds are not isostructural, and the crystal structures of (I) and (II) are characterized by different two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded networks. The ions in (I) are connected into ladder‐like ribbons via N—H...Br hydrogen bonds, while classic cyclic O—H...O hydrogen bonds between adjacent carboxylic acid functions link adjacent ribbons to give three characteristic graph‐set motifs, viz. C₂¹(4), R₄²(8) and R₂²(8). The ions in (II) are connected via N—H...I, N—H...O and O—H...I hydrogen bonds, also with three characteristic graph‐set motifs, viz. C(7), C₂¹(4) and R₄²(18), but an O—H...O interaction is not present.     

Comparing the differential capacitance of two ionic liquid electrolytes: Effects of specific adsorption

The differential capacitance/potential curves of two ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM⁺/PF₆⁻) and N-butyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium hexafluorophosphate (Pyr₁₄⁺/PF₆⁻) on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode were measured experimentally. The differential capacitance of BMIM⁺/PF₆⁻/GC is higher in the negative polarization, while the differential capacitance of Pyr₁₄⁺/PF₆⁻/GC is higher in the positive polarization, although both ILs are composed of common anions, with cations of similar ionic structures and diameters. Such an opposite trend may be understood in terms of the specific adsorption between BMIM⁺ and the GC electrode, caused by the π-stacking interaction between the aromatic imidazolium ring and the sp² graphite surface. The specific adsorption effectively shortens the electric double layer (EDL) thickness on the negatively charged electrode but elongates the EDL thickness on the positively charged electrode. Such an effect is manifested in the differential capacitance, with a higher value on the negative polarization branch than on the positive polarization branch. The impact of the specific adsorption is also seen from the positive shift of the potential of zero charge of BMIM⁺/PF₆⁻/GC in comparison with that of Pyr₁₄⁺/PF₆⁻/GC.     

Fourier transform and high sensitivity cw-cavity ringdown absorption spectroscopies of ozone in the 6030–6130 cm−1 region. First observation and analysis of the 3ν1+3ν3 and 2ν2+5ν3 bands

The absorption spectrum of ¹⁶O₃ has been recorded between 6030 and 6130 cm⁻¹ by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (GSMA, Reims) and cw-cavity ringdown spectroscopy (LSP, Grenoble). The two new bands 3ν₁+3ν₃ and 2ν₂+5ν₃ centered at 6063.923 and 6124.304 cm⁻¹, respectively are observed and analyzed. Rovibrational transitions with J and K_a values up to 40 and 10, respectively, could be assigned. The rovibrational fitting of the observed energy levels shows that some rotational levels of the (303) and (025) bright states are perturbed by interaction with the (232), (510) and (124) dark states. The observed energy levels could be reproduced with a rms deviation of 5×10⁻³ cm⁻¹ using a global analysis based on an effective Hamiltonian including the five interacting states. The energy values of the three dark vibrational states provided by the fit are found in good agreement with theoretical predictions.The parameters of the resulting effective Hamiltonian and of the transition moment operator retrieved from the measured absolute line intensities allowed calculating a complete line list of 2035 transitions, available as Supplementary Material. The integrated band strengths are estimated to be 1.22×10⁻²⁴ and 3.15×10⁻²⁴ cm⁻¹/(mol cm⁻²) at 296 K for the 3ν₁+3ν₃ and 2ν₂+5ν₃ bands, respectively. A realistic error for these band strengths is 15% (see text).     

Lamellar aggregation and hydrogen‐bonding motifs in 3‐(amino­carbon­yl)­pyridinium perchlorate and hydrogen oxalate

In the title compounds, C₆H₇N₂O⁺·ClO₄⁻, (I), and C₆H₇N₂O⁺·C₂HO₄⁻, (II), the carboxamide plane is twisted from the plane of the protonated pyridine ring. Lamellar or sheet‐like structural features are observed through N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen‐bonded motifs of cations and anions in (I) and (II), respectively. These sheets are aggregated through C(4) and C(5) chain motifs in (I) and (II), respectively. R₁²(4) ring motifs in (I) and R₁²(5) motifs in (II) are formed via pyridine–anion bifurcated N—H⋯O inter­actions. In (II), carboxamide groups form N—H⋯O dimers around the inversion centres of the unit cell, with R₂²(8) ring motifs. A 2₁ screw‐related helical or ribbon‐like structure along the b axis is formed in (II) through carboxamide and pyridinium N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with the oxalate anions.     

An electrochemical method for determination of the standard Gibbs energy of anion transfer between water and n-octanol

The transfer of the ions Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, ClO₄⁻, SCN⁻, NO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, and (C₆H₅)₄B⁻ across the water|n-octanol (W|OC) liquid interface was studied and the standard Gibbs energies of ion transfer were determined. The ion transfer was achieved by oxidation of decamethylferrocene dissolved in a droplet of n-octanol that was attached to a graphite electrode immersed in the aqueous solutions of the respective alkali salts of the anions. The electrode reaction can be described by the equation: dmfc_(OC)+X_(W)⁻⇄dmfc⁺_(OC)+X⁻_(OC)+e⁻, where X⁻ is the transferred anion. Square-wave voltammetry at this three-phase arrangement was utilised to determine the formal potential of the decamethylferrocene/decamethylferrocenium (dmfc/dmfc⁺) couple under the condition of ion transfer across the water|n-octanol interface. For calibration the standard Gibbs energies of ion transfer have been extrapolated to octanol from the series of known data for methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol. All these data are consistent and the experimental dependence of the formal potentials on the standard Gibbs energies is as predicted by theory. The validity of data is further supported by calculations of Gibbs energies of ion transfer using the Born theory. Until now it was not possible to perform electrochemical measurements at the water|n-octanol interface because in the conventional four-electrode cells this interface cannot be polarised. With the new method it is now for the first time possible to determine the Gibbs energies of transfer of ions across the water|n-octanol interface. These values are of very wide use for assessing the lipophilicity of compounds in chemistry, medicine, and pharmacology.     

Aspartate: An interesting model for analyzing dipole-ion and ion pair interactions through its oppositely charged amine and acid groups

Anionic species of aspartic acid, Asp⁻, having a zwitterionic backbone and a deprotonated side chain, appears to be a good example for analyzing dipole-ion and ion pair interactions. Density functional theory calculations were herein performed to investigate the low energy conformers of Asp⁻ embedded in a dielectric continuum modeling an aqueous environment, through a scan of the potential energy as a function of the side chain (χ₁, χ₂) torsion angles. The most energetically favorable conformers having g⁺g⁻ and g⁻g⁺ side chain orientations are found to be stabilized by charge-enhanced intramolecular H-bonding involving the positively charged () and the two negatively charged (COO⁻) groups. These conformers were further used to analyze Asp⁻ + nW clusters (W: water, n = 1 or 3), and Asp⁻/Asp⁻ pair formation. COO⁻ groups were found to be the most attractive sites for hosting a water molecule (binding energy: −6.0 ± 1.5 kcal/mol), compared to groups (binding energy: −4.7 ± 1.1 kcal/mol). Energy separation between g⁺g⁻ and g⁻g⁺ conformers increases upon explicit hydration. Asp⁻/Asp⁻ ion pairs, stabilized by the interaction between the group of a partner and the COO⁻ group of the other, shows a quite constant binding energy (−8.1 ± 0.2 kcal/mol), whatever the pair type, and the relative orientation of the two interacting partners. This study suggests a first step to achieve a more realistic image of intermolecular interactions in aqueous environment, especially upon increasing concentration. It can also be considered as a preliminary attempt to assess the interactions of the Lys⁺…Asp⁻/Glu⁻ ion pairs stabilizing intra- and interchain interactions in proteins.     

An electrochemical study of energy-dependent potassium accumulation in E. coli Part 14. Comparison of K+ uptake characteristics in anaerobically grown cells performing glycolysis or nitrate/nitrite respiration: role of the respiratory chain

The characteristics of H⁺−K⁺ exchange in anaerobically grown wild-type Escherichia coli K12(λ) performing nitrate/nitrite respiration are studied and compared with H⁺−K⁺ exchange in cells performing glycolysis. Unlike glycolysing cells, in which H⁺−K⁺ exchange takes place in two steps with different characteristics and inhibitor effects, H⁺−K⁺ exchange in E. coli K12(λ) with nitrate/nitrite respiration requires only one step. K⁺ uptake with a K_m of 4.5 mM is not sensitive to N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD), but is inhibited by arsenate or protonophore. Such a K⁺ uptake is observed in the trkG mutant and is absent in the mutant with the trkA deletion. K⁺ accumulation is greater than 270 mM and the K⁺ gradient between the cytoplasm and the medium is comparable with the measured Δφ. The ratio of H⁺ to K⁺ flux through the membranes in the absence or presence of DCCD varies with the change in K⁺ external activity. A DCCD-sensitive ATPase activity in the isolated membranes of the trkG mutant is not stimulated by K⁺; such activity was lost in the trkG mutant with the deletion of the unc-operon. Moreover, H₂ production by respiring cells is not observed. In addition, K⁺ uptake is osomosensitive and occurs under an upshock (i.e. an increase in the osmolarity of the medium). This osmosensitivity is lost in spheroplasts deprived of periplasmic space. The K⁺-uptaking TrkA system in E. coli worked as an ATP-driven pump by association with F₁F₀ in the united mechanism in glycolysing bacteria, and is assumed to operate as an uniport using ΔμH in cells with nitrate/nitrite respiration. This system has no ATPase activity and cannot carry out intramolecular dithiol-disulfide interconversion leading to H₂ production. The interaction of the TrkA system with the F₁F₀ within the membrane is determined by a respiratory chain. This system is osmosensitive in anaerobically grown cells; osmoregulation can occur in a periplasmic space.     

Magnesium tetraorganyl derivatives of group 13 metals as intermediate products in the synthesis of group 13 metal alkyls and aryls

Reactions of organomagnesium halides with group 13 metal halides lead to the formation of R₃M type compounds (R = alkyl, aryl; M = Al, Ga, In) and are considered as the simplest methods of R₃M compound syntheses. These seemingly simple reactions reveal a much more complex chemistry involving mixed magnesium-group 13 metal compounds. To elucidate the reaction course of reactions of organomagnesium halides with group 13 metal halides, we have studied reactions of R₃M with organomagnesium halides. The interaction of Et₃M with R¹MgX led to the formation of following products being mixtures of crystalline ionic complexes with the general composition of [Et_4-nR¹_nM]⁻[XMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf): [Et_2.2Al(CH=CH₂)_1.8]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 1 ), [Et₃Ga(CH=CH₂)]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 2 ), [Et₄Al]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 3 ), [Et₄Ga]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 4 ), [Et_2.9Al(C₆H₅)_1.1]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 5 ), [Et_2.9Ga(C₆H₅)_1.1]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 6 ), [Et_3.4GaMe_0.6]⁻[IMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 7 ) and [Et₄In]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 8 ). A comparison of the production course of group 13 metal trialkyls R₃M with a thermal decomposition of 1–8 products showed that reactions of MX₃ with RMgX (X = Br, I; R = alkyl, aryl) yield initially intermediate ionic compounds, which must then be thermally decomposed to obtain pure R₃M compounds. If group 13 metal bromides and iodides, and alkyl (aryl)magnesium bromides and iodides in thf are used, only intermediate products with the [R₄M]⁻[XMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) structure are formed.     

Speciation of inorganic lead and trialkyllead compounds by flame atomic absorption spectrometry following continuous selective preconcentration from aqueous solutions

A new method for the speciation of inorganic lead and trialkyllead compounds involving the selective separation of the analytes in a continuous system and their subsequent introduction into a flame atomic absorption spectrometer was developed. The proposed flow system consists of two units. In the first unit, total inorganic lead at concentrations from 8 to 200 ng ml⁻¹ is continuously precipitated as lead chromate and the filtrate, containing trialkyllead cations, is collected in a vessel, the precipitate then being dissolved in diluted acid and driven to the instrument. In the second unit, trimethyllead (TML⁺) and triethyllead (TEL⁺) cations at ng ml⁻¹ levels are complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and retained on a C₆₀ pre-conditioned fullerene column; the mixture of both species was resolved by conditioning the sorbent column with n-hexane or isobutyl methyl ketone solvents. Detection limits of 1–2 ng ml⁻¹ can be achieved by using a sample volume of 50 ml. Special attention was given to the reliability and robustness of the global flow injection method in assessing its applicability to both types of organolead compounds and inorganic lead present in different proportions. Trimethyllead provides the poorest results as consequence of its low adsorption constant on C₆₀; however, the three different types of species (Pb²⁺/TML⁺/TEL⁺) can be effectively determined in proportions from 1:1:1 to 30:12:1 with relative errors less than 10%.     

The state energy and the displacements of the potential minima of the 2Ag− state in all-trans-β-carotene as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy

The fluorescence spectrum of all-trans-β-carotene was recorded at 170 K. The 1B_u⁺ → 1A_g⁻ fluorescence exhibited clear vibrational structures constituting a mirror image with those of the 1B_u⁺ ← 1A_g⁻ absorption, and the deconvolution of the entire spectrum identified the 2A_g⁻(0) → 1A_g⁻(0) transition at 14 500 cm⁻¹. The displacements of the 1B_u⁺ and 2A_g⁻ potential minima along ν₁ and ν₂ (the CC stretching and C–C stretching normal coordinates, respectively) were determined to be 1.2 and 0.9, and 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. Thus, much larger potential displacements in the 2A_g⁻ state than in the 1Bu⁺ state have been shown.     

Reactions of Au+ and Au− with benzene and fluorine-substituted benzenes

Reactions of gold anions and cations generated by laser desorption/ionization were studied in the FTICR spectrometer. Au⁻ associated with C₆F₆ to give the novel Au⁻(C₆F₆) complex, whose binding energy was estimated to be 24 ± 4 kcal mol⁻¹ from analysis of the radiative association (RA) kinetics. Au⁺ associated with C₆F₅H to give Au⁺(C₆F₅H), with binding energy estimated to be 31 kcal mol⁻¹. Au⁺ reacted with C₆H₆ to form the well known Au⁺(C₆H₆) and Au⁺(C₆H₆)₂ complexes. The observation of rapid charge transfer from Au⁺(C₆H₆) to C₆H₆ was interpreted as showing that benzene binds more strongly to neutral Au than to Au⁺. The neutral Au–C₆H₆ bond is accordingly concluded to be stronger than about 70 kcal mol⁻¹.     

Syntheses and Properties of (Nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted Tri-phenylamine ortho-Bridged by Two Oxygen and Sulfur Atoms

A nitronyl nitroxide unit ( NN ) was linked with a triphenylamine-based condensed polycyclic skeleton DOTT to form a radical substituted donor NN - DOTT . X-ray crystal structure analysis demonstrated a flat bowl shape of the DOTT unit. EPR spectra showed the localization of electron spin on the NN unit. Chemical oxidation of the DOTT unit produced radical-substituted radical cation salts NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ SbF₆⁻ and NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ that are stable under ambient conditions. The magnetic behavior of NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ SbF₆⁻ is characterized by the strong intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction between NN and DOTT ⁺. The X-ray structural analysis of NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ shows planar structure of DOTT and 1D mixed-stack column of NN-DOTT ⁺ and FeBr₄⁻. Magnetic measurements established that NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ undergoes magnetic phase transition into a weak ferromagnet at 7 K.     

Characterization of aerosol nitroaromatic compounds: Validation of an experimental method

The analytical capabilities associated with the use of silylation reactions have been extended to a new class of organic molecules, nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). These compounds are a possible contributor to urban particulate matter of secondary origin which would make them important analytes due to their (1) detrimental health effects, (2) potential to affect aerosol optical properties, and (3) and usefulness for identifying PM_2.5 from biomass burning. The technique is based on derivatization of the parent NACs by using N,O‐bis‐(trimethylsilyl)‐trifluoro acetamide, one of the most prevalent derivatization reagent for analyzing hydroxylated molecules, followed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry using electron ionization (EI) and methane chemical ionization (CI). This method is evaluated for 32 NACs including nitrophenols, methyl‐/methoxy‐nitrophenols, nitrobenzoic acids, and nitrobenzyl alcohols. Electron ionization spectra were characterized by a high abundance of ions corresponding to [M⁺] or [M⁺ − 15]. Chemical ionization spectra exhibited high abundance for [M⁺ + 1], [M⁺ − 15], and [M⁺ + 29] ions. Both EI and CI spectra exhibit ions specific to nitro group(s) for [M⁺ − 31], [M⁺ − 45], and [M⁺ − 60]. The strong abundance observed for [M⁺] (EI), [M⁺ − 15] (EI/CI), or [M⁺ + 1] (CI) ions is consistent with the high charge stabilizing ability associated with aromatic compounds. The combination of EI and CI ionization offers strong capabilities for detection and identification of NACs. Spectra associated with NACs, containing hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms only, as silylated derivatives show fragment/adduct ions at either (a) odd or (b) even masses that indicate either (a) odd or (b) even number of nitro groups, respectively. Mass spectra associated with silylated NACs exhibited 3 distinct regions where characteristic fragmentation with a specific pattern associated with (1) ─OH and/or ─COOH groups, (2) ─NO₂ group(s), and (3) benzene ring(s). These findings were confirmed with applications to chamber aerosol and ambient PM_2.5.     

New rhodium(I) water‐soluble complexes with 1‐alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phospha‐adamantane iodides and their catalytic activity

The water‐soluble phosphine ligands, 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane (tpa) and 1‐alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane iodides (Rtpa⁺I⁻), with alkyl=methyl(mtpa⁺I⁻), ethyl (etpa⁺I⁻) and n‐propyl, (ptpa⁺I⁻), and mtpa⁺Cl⁻ react with [Rh₂Cl₂(CO)₄] giving the rhodium(I) complexes [RhCl(CO)(tpa)₂], [RhI(CO)(Rtpa⁺I⁻)₂], [RhCl‐­(CO)(mtpa⁺Cl⁻)₃] and [RhI(CO)(Rtpa⁺I⁻)₃]. The properties and reactivities of the complexes have been investigated using ¹H and ³¹PNMR and IR spectroscopies. The five‐coordinate complexes in solutions show dynamic properties. The complexes are catalysts of the water‐gas shift reaction, the hydrogenation of CC and CO bonds, the hydroformylation of alkenes and the isomerization of unsaturated compounds. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

l‐Methioninium chloride and l‐seleno­methioninium chloride at 103 K

The crystal structures of the title compounds, (S)‐1‐carboxy‐3‐(methyl­sulfanyl)­propanaminium chloride, C₅H₁₂NO₂S⁺·Cl⁻, and (S)‐1‐carboxy‐3‐(methyl­selanyl)­propanaminium chloride, C₅H₁₂NO₂Se⁺·Cl⁻, are isomorphous. The proton­ated l ‐methionine and l ‐seleno­methionine mol­ecules have almost identical conformations and create very similar contacts with the Cl⁻ anions in the crystal structures of both compounds. The amino acid cations and the Cl⁻ anions are linked viaN—H⋯Cl⁻ and O—H⋯Cl⁻ hydrogen bonds.     

Current literature highlights - August 2002.

Cdk4 Inhibitors: Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) play important roles in regulation of the cell cycle. In particular, D-type cyclins, which are activated by rearrangement or amplification in several tumours, associate Cdk4/6. Cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complexes phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and regulate the cell cycle during G₁/S transition. Loss of function or deletion of p16^ink4a (endogenous Cdk4/6 specific inhibitor protein) frequently occurs in clinical cancer cells. As a next generation of Cdk inhibitors, selective inhibitors of only one target Cdk are expected to cause cell cycle arrest specifically. Suppression of tumour growth by G₁ arrest is thought to reduce the stress for normal cells more than in other phases, because normal cells are usually resting in the G₀-G₁ phase. Thus, the design of Cdk4 selective inhibitors that cause cell cycle arrest in the G₁ phase has been attempted [2] (Structure-based generation of a new class of potent Cdk4 inhibitors: New de novo design strategy and library design, Honma, T. et. al., J. Med. Chem., 44, (2001), 4615-4627). To obtain highly selective and potent Cdk4 inhibitors a structure-based design was performed which consisted of lead generation of a new class of Cdk4 inhibitors based on a Cdk4 homology model, and enhancement of Cdk4 selectivity of lead compounds over Cdk1/2 and other kinases based on the binding modes and structural differences between Cdk4 and other kinases. This methodology was applied to search the Available Chemicals Directory and 382 commercial compounds were selected for screening in cyclin D-Cdk4 assays at concentrations up to 1mM. From this set, 18 compounds were found which possessed an IC₅₀ value of under 500 mM. From these hits, a class of diarylureas were identified with the potential for parallel synthesis follow up to validate the potential of the scaffold and to obtain preliminary SAR. 410 Urea compounds were then designed and synthesised as singles in solution, the design based on the diarylurea hits, and they were screened in a Cdk4 inhibition assay. One of the most potent compounds isolated was (i) which possessed an IC₅₀ value of 34 nM. This work has utilised a structure-based lead generation approach consisting of homology modelling of the target protein, construction of a library of compounds, followed by modification of hits obtained based on predicted binding mode. This strategy has provided potent compounds from a new class of diarylurea Cdk4 inhibitors and may lay the foundation for further work to improve potency in this series.