Synthesis of functionalized porphyrins as oxygen ligand receptors

Oxophilic synthetic receptors were designed and synthesized using a porphyrin scaffold, with the aim of constructing a preorganized complementary binding site for phenols and carbohydrates. We pursued three strategies for phenol recognition: (1) Lewis acid/Lewis base combinations serving as a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor for the OH group, (2) Lewis base/pi-pi stacking, targeting both the OH group and the aromatic moiety of phenols, and (3) exchange of the axial hydroxyl ligand on a trivalent and oxophilic metal center of aluminum porphyrin. For the recognition of acidic phenols, the most promising recognition motif was Lewis base/pi-pi stacking, which can bind to phenols with a hydrogen bond and pi-pi stacking interactions. [5-(8-Quinolyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinato]zinc binds to p-nitrophenol with a binding constant of 540 M(-)(1) in CHCl(3) at 25 degrees C. For carbohydrate recognition, we designed the metalloporphyrin receptor having 8-quinolyl groups and o-carbomethoxymethoxyphenyl groups, where these Lewis basic parts serve as the cooperative hydrogen bonding sites for the hydroxyl groups of glucoside. The receptor binds to beta-octyl glucoside with a binding constant of 7.35 x 10(4) M(-)(1) in CHCl(3) at 15 degrees C, demonstrating importance of formation of a highly ordered hydrogen bonding network between the receptor and the guest. These binding features have significant implications for the rational design of oxophilic artificial receptors.     

Anion binding by fluorescent biimidazole diamides

Six 2,2'-biimidazoles with various amide groups at the 4- and 4'-positions were prepared from 5-propyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester. In the final step of the synthesis, biimidazole C2-C2' bond formation was accomplished in 33-45% yield by palladium(0)-catalyzed homocoupling of the corresponding 2-iodoimidazoles. Four of the biimidazoles were studied by X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, all display coplanar imidazole rings, an anti relationship of amide groups, and intramolecular (NH(amide).N(imid)) and intermolecular (NH(imid).O(amide)) hydrogen bonding. In CH(2)Cl(2), the emission intensity of the biimidazoles is quenched by the presence of dihydrogenphosphate and chloride anions, but no shifts in lambda(emiss) are observed. Binding constants for 1:1 biimidazole-anion complexation (K(assoc)) are on the order of 10(4) M(-)(1) for H(2)PO(4)(-) and Cl(-). One of the receptors (bearing 3,5-difluorobenzylamides) is selective for chloride. The participation of the amide NH atoms in anion binding was established by (1)H NMR.     

Metal ion-dependent molecular inclusion chemistry: inclusion of aromatic anions by coordinated 1,4,7,10-tetrakis((S)-2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

The ability of the pendant donor macrocyclic ligand 1,4,7,10-tetrakis((S)-2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraaza- cyclododecane((S)-thphpc12) (or [Cd((S)-thphpc12)](2+)) to act as a metal ion-dependent receptor for aromatic anions has been investigated in solution and in the solid state. [Cd((S)-thphpc12)](2+) adopts a stable conical conformation with a large hydrophobic cavity, which has been shown to contain, via complementary multiple hydrogen bonding, p-nitrophenolate, aromatic carboxylates, p-toluenesulfonate, certain aromatic amino acid anions, phenoxyacetate, and acetate. In the case of p-nitrophenolate only, one or two anions can be contained within the receptor cavity. The crystal structure of [Cd((S)-thphpc12)(p-nitrophenolate)(2)] shows a coplanar arrangement of the p-nitrophenolates, where each is retained in the cavity by a pair of hydrogen bonds to cis hydroxyl groups. The crystal structure of the p-aminobenzoate inclusion complex indicates retention of the guest via a pair of hydrogen bonds to each oxygen atom of the carboxylate moiety. The crystal structure of the (L)-phenylalaninate inclusion complex indicates that the amino acid is retained by five hydrogen bonds, two involving the nitrogen atom and three to the oxygen atoms of the carboxylate moiety. Binding constants (10(3)-10(5) M(-1)) for the inclusion of some of the aforementioned anions in [Cd((S)-thphpc12)](2+) and related receptors were measured by (1)H NMR titration in DMSO-d(6) at 298 K.     

Pharmacophore and receptor models for neurokinin receptors

Three neurokinin (NK) antagonist pharmacophore models (Models 1-3) accounting for hydrogen bonding groups in the 'head' and 'tail' of NK receptor ligands have been developed by use of a new procedure for treatment of hydrogen bonds during superimposition. Instead of modelling the hydrogen bond acceptor vector in the strict direction of the lone pair, an angle is allowed between the hydrogen bond acceptor direction and the ideal lone pair direction. This approach adds flexibility to hydrogen bond directions and produces more realistic RMS values. By using this approach, two novel pharmacophore models were derived (Models 2 and 3) and a hydrogen bond acceptor was added to a previously published NK2 pharmacophore model [Poulsen et al., J. Comput.-Aided Mol. Design, 16 (2002) 273] (Model 1). Model 2 as well as Model 3 are described by seven pharmacophore elements: three hydrophobic groups, three hydrogen bond acceptors and a hydrogen bond donor. Model 1 contains the same hydrophobic groups and hydrogen bond donor as Models 2 and 3, but only one hydrogen bond acceptor. The hydrogen bond acceptors and donor are represented as vectors. Two of the hydrophobic groups are always aromatic rings whereas the other hydrophobic group can be either aromatic or aliphatic. In Model 1 the antagonists bind in an extended conformation with two aromatic rings in a parallel displaced and tilted conformation. Model 2 has the same two aromatic rings in a parallel displaced conformation whereas Model 3 has the rings in an edge to face conformation. The pharmacophore models were evaluated using both a structure (NK receptor homology models) and a ligand based approach. By use of exhaustive conformational analysis (MMFFs force field and the GB/SA hydration model) and least-squares molecular superimposition studies, 21 non-peptide antagonists from several structurally diverse classes were fitted to the pharmacophore models. More antagonists could be fitted to Model 2 with a low RMS and a low conformational energy penalty than to Models 1 and 3. Pharmacophore Model 2 was also able to explain the NK1, NK2 and NK3 subtype selectivity of the compounds fitted to the model. Three NK 7TM receptor models were constructed, one for each receptor subtype. The location of the antagonist binding site in the three NK receptor models is identical. Compounds fitted to pharmacophore Model 2 could be docked into the NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptor models after adjustment of the conformation of the flexible linker connecting the head and tail. Models I and 3 are not compatible with the receptor models.     

Investigation on the Surface‐Confined Self‐Assembly Stabilized by Hydrogen Bonds of Urea and Amide Groups: Quantitative Analysis of Concentration Dependence of Surface Coverage

Formation of a hydrogen‐bond network via an amide group is a key driving force for the nucleation–elongation‐type self‐assembly that is often seen in biomolecules and artificial supramolecular assemblies. In this work, rod‐coil‐like aromatic compounds bearing an amide ( 1 a – 3 a ) or urea group ( 1 u – 3 u ) were synthesized, and their self‐assemblies on a 2‐D surface were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). According to the quantitative analysis of the concentration dependence of the surface coverage, it was revealed that the strength of the hydrogen bond (i.e., amide or urea) and the number of non‐hydrogen atoms in a molecular component (i.e., size of core and length of alkyl side chain) play a primary role in determining the stabilization energy during nucleation and elongation processes of molecular ordering on the HOPG surface.     

利用三中心氢键限制芳酰胺构象的核磁共振氢谱分析

设计并合成了9个可形成三中心氢键和6个可形成二中心氢键的N-芳基芳酰胺模型化合物, 基于它们在氯仿和二甲基亚砜(DMSO)中的一维核磁共振波谱, 系统地分析了羰基对βH和γH的去屏蔽效应. 将Δ(δ_βH)和Δ(δ_γH)的值结合在一起, 分析了三中心氢键对芳酰胺分子的构象限制效果, 发现N-(2-氟苯基)-2-氟苯甲酰胺、 N-(2-甲氧基苯基)-2-氟苯甲酰胺和N-(2-氟苯基)-2-甲氧基苯甲酰胺这3个N-芳基芳酰胺在酰胺基团的左右两侧都能展现出很好的构象控制效果, 因此认为这3种结构单元在构建折叠体方面具有更大的潜力. 此外, 本文还发现, 当NH与第二个氢键受体形成氢键时, 其和第一个氢键受体之间的氢键就被削弱了, 即在芳酰胺形成三中心氢键时, 2个氢键受体争相与NH形成氢键并取得了某种平衡.     

A colorimetric anion receptor containing the <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Ru(bipy)<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript> group

When one or more nitro groups are incorporated into an anion receptor, intramolecular proton transfer from nearby –NH groups often takes place and is a significant obstacle for the construction of supramolecular systems. In this paper, by employing an intramolecular hydrogen bond between –NH and nitro groups in order to reduce the acidity of the amide group, we were able to construct a receptor that formed stable supramolecular systems. The receptor forms a 1:2 supramolecular compound with fluoride, whereas 1:1 complexes were formed with AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄ ⁻ in DMSO solution. Using this system, an easy-to-prepare test paper for the detection of F⁻ in low concentration at (10⁻⁴ M) in water was developed. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

高选择性比色识别碘离子的氨基硫脲类阴离子受体

设计合成了一系列基于氨基硫脲的阴离子受体（M1～M4）.此类受体以氨基硫脲基团为识别位点,以硝基苯基为信号报告基团,其中受体M1和M3可在乙腈溶液中高选择性的比色识别碘离子.在受体M1或M3的乙腈溶液中加入I^–时,溶液的颜色由浅红色变成无色,而加入其他离子如F^–,Cl^–,Br^–,AcO^–,HSO4^–,H2PO4^–,ClO4^–等阴离子时,受体溶液不会褪色.通过紫外滴定和核磁滴定等方法研究了受体选择性比色识别碘离子的机理.结果表明,受体通过其氨基硫脲基团上的三个NH质子与碘离子形成的三重氢键选择性的结合碘离子.在此过程中,受体构型发生转变,从而导致了颜色变化,产生了比色识别的效果.此类阴离子受体具有合成方法简便,产率高,识别效果好等优点.     

Shape of 4S- and 4R-hydroxyproline in gas phase

The alpha-amino acids 4(S)-hydroxyproline and 4(R)-hydroxyproline have been studied under isolation conditions in gas phase using laser-ablation molecular-beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Two conformers of each molecule have been detected in the jet-cooled rotational spectrum. The most stable conformer in both molecules exhibits an intramolecular N...H-O hydrogen bond (configuration 1) between the hydrogen atom of the carboxylic group and the nitrogen atom. The second conformer is characterized by an intramolecular N-H...O=C hydrogen bond (configuration 2). The conformers of 4(R)-hydroxyproline adopt a C(gamma)-exo puckering, while those of 4(S)-hydroxyproline present a C(gamma)-endo ring conformation. These ring conformations, which show the same propensity observed in collagen-like peptides, are stabilized by additional intramolecular hydrogen bonds involving the 4-hydroxyl group, with the exception of the most stable form of 4(S)-hydroxyproline for which a n-pi interaction between the oxygen atom of the 4-hydroxyl group and the carboxyl group carbon seems to be established. A gauche effect could be also contributing to stabilize the observed conformers.     

Optical activity induced by helical arrangements of tryptamine and 4-chlorobenzoic acid in their cocrystal

Optical rotatory powers of chiral cocrystals formed from the achiral molecules tryptamine and 4-chlorobenzoic acid were determined by the HAUP (high accuracy universal polarimeter) method. These cocrystals belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), and their absolute configuration was confirmed by the Flack parameter. In the M-crystal, 2-fold helical arrangements are formed in a counterclockwise direction between the two components through the quaternary ammonium salt bridge, hydrogen bond, and the aromatic pi-piinteraction along the c axis, while clockwise helices alone exist in the P-crystal. Large rotatory powers rho(3)(M) = -355 and rho(3)(P) = +352 deg mm(-)(1) were obtained along the c axis in the M- and P-crystal, respectively, at 632.8 nm and 303 K. The magnitude was 10 to 100 times larger than those for ordinary organic crystals. Further, it was confirmed that the negative sign was induced by the counterclockwise helical structures and the positive sign by the clockwise helices. In contrast, the rotations along the a and b axis which are in perpendicular directions to the screw axis were rho(1)(M) = +138, rho(1)(P) = -140 deg mm(-)(1), and rho(2)(M) = -56, rho(2)(P) = +58 deg mm(-)(1), much smaller than rho(3)(M) and rho(3)(P) . The results revealed that the helically arranged aromatic pi electrons as well as the helical ionic and hydrogen bond networks in the crystal contributed to the enhancement of the magnitude of these rotations.     

Investigating the effect of hydrogen bonding environments in amide cleavage reactions at zinc(II) complexes with intramolecular amide oxygen co-ordination

Amide oxygen co-ordination to a zinc(II) ion around a hydrogen bonding microenvironment is a common structural/functional feature of metalloproteases. We report two strategies to position hydrogen bonding groups in the proximity of a zinc(II)-bound amide oxygen, and we investigate their effect on the stability of the amide group. Polydentate tripodal ligands (6-R1-2-pyridylmethyl)-R2 (R1= NHCOtBu, R2= N(CH2-py-6-X)2 X = H L1, X = NH2, H L2, X = NH2 L3) form [(L)Zn]2+ cations (L =L1, 1; L2, 2; L3, 3) with intramolecular amide oxygen co-ordination (1-3), and intramolecular N-H...O=C(amide) hydrogen bonding (2, 3) rigidly fixed by the ligand framework. 1-3 undergo cleavage of the tert-butyl amide upon addition of Me4NOH.5H2O (1 equiv.) in methanol at 50(1) degrees C. Under these conditions the half-life, t(1/2), of the amide bond is 0.4 h for 1, 9 h for 2 and 320 h for 3. Mononuclear zinc(II) complexes of (6-NHCOtBu-2-pyridylmethyl)-R2(R2= N(CH2CH2)2S) L4 and chelating N2 ligands without hydrogen bonding groups (1,10-phenanthroline L5, 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine L6) as control compounds, and with an amino hydrogen bonding group (6-amino-2-(aminomethyl)pyridine L7) have been synthesised. Amide cleavage is in this case faster at the zinc(II) complex with the amino hydrogen bonding group. Thus, hydrogen bonding environments can both accelerate and slow down amide bond cleavage reactions at zinc(II) sites. Importantly, the magnitude of the effect exerted by the hydrogen bonding environments was found to be significant; 800-fold rate difference. This result highlights the importance of hydrogen bonding environments around metal centres in amide cleavage reactions, which may be relevant to the chemistry of natural metalloproteases and applicable to the design of more efficient artificial protein cleaving agents.     

Adrenaline recognition in water

Host molecule 1 displays a high affinity in water towards catecholamines and especially related structures such as beta-blockers with extended aromatic pi-faces (up to 7x10(3) M(-1) for each single complexation step or 5x10(7) M(-2) for both steps). The amphiphilic structural design leads to an extensive self-association of host molecules through their aromatic flanks. Above a cmc (critical micelle concentration) of 3x10(-4) M, host 1 forms micelles that produce a favorable microenvironment for hydrophobic interactions with the included guest molecules. Electrostatic attraction of the ammonium alcohol by the phosphonate anions is thus combined with hydrophobic contributions between the aromatic moieties. Ionic hydrogen bonds with polar OH or NH groups of the guest enforce the non-covalent interactions, and finally lead to increased specificity. Both its affinity and its selectivity towards adrenergic receptor substrates are greatly enhanced if the receptor molecule 1 is transferred from water into a lipid monolayer. Catecholamines and beta-blockers lead to drastically different effects at concentrations approaching the micromolar regime. Especially beta-blockers with minute structural changes can be easily distinguished from each other. In both cases, extensive hydrophobic interactions with a self-associated and/or self-organized microenvironment are largely responsible for the observed high efficiency and specificity.     

3-X-2(1H)-吡啶酮互变异构体系的理论计算

２（１Ｈ）－吡啶酮类化合物常呈现出诱人的生物活性［１,２］．由于酮式和烯醇式结构具有互变异构化性质,因此确定其互变异构平衡体系中的优势结构及研究取代基对平衡体系的影响,对阐明该类化合物的生物活性及进行构效关系的研究有着重要的意义．当其３－位含有可与２－位羰基或２－位羟基形成分子内氢键的基团时,势必对互变异构平衡产生影响．基于该类化合物的互变异构平衡有着强烈的溶剂效应［３］,本文对３－Ｘ－２（１Ｈ）－吡啶酮（Ｘ＝ＮＯ２,ＮＨ２,ＣＯＯＨ）及其烯醇式互变异构体分别在气相和溶液中进行了理论计算,考察了…     

Improving foldamer synthesis through protecting group induced unfolding of aromatic oligoamides

The hydrogen bond rigidified backbones of aromatic oligoamides are temporarily interrupted by replacing the amide hydrogens with the acid-labile 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl (DMB) group, which allows the efficient preparation of long folding oligomers that, upon removal of the DMB groups, fold into multiturn helices. [structure: see text]     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of leucine enkephalin turn mimetics

A cyclic Leu-enkephalin mimetic containing a 7-membered ring, and two linear analogues, has been prepared on solid phase. In the cyclic mimetic the intramolecular (1-4) hydrogen bond found in crystalline Leu-enkephalin has been replaced by an ethylene bridge. In addition, the amide bond between Tyr1 and Gly2 has been replaced by a methylene ether isostere and Gly3 has been deleted. The two linear analogues both contain the methylene ether isostere instead of the Tyr1-Gly2 amide bond and the shorter of the two lacks Gly3. The three compounds, and a beta-turn mimetic analogous to the 7-membered turn mimetic but with Gly3 included, were evaluated for specific binding to micro- and delta-opioid receptors in rat brain membranes. With the exception of the beta-turn mimetic the three other Leu-enkephalin analogues all bound with varying affinity to the micro- and delta-opioid receptors. From the results it could be concluded that Leu-enkephalin binds in a turn conformation to the opiate receptors, but that this conformation is not a (1-4) beta-turn.     

Complex formation equilibria of some aromatic beta-amino-alcohols

Complex formation equilibria of some aromatic beta-amino-alcohols with zinc(II), cadmium(II) and silver(I) have been investigated. The structure of the considered ligands (2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanol, 2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol and 2-amino-1,3-propanediol) are similar to some hormones and alcaloids, like adrenaline, noradrenaline and ephedrine, and differ each other for the number and the relative position of alcoholic and phenyl groups. Equilibria constants at 25 degrees C and micro = 0.5 M (KNO3) have been determined by potentiometric titrations. The comparison of the obtained values with those previously determined for some aliphatic beta-amino-alcohols with the same polar heads has allowed to evidence the influence of aromatic ring on the coordinating properties of ligands, which is different depending on the considered metal ion. In particular, two contrasting effects have been evidenced. The electron withdrawing effect of the aromatic ring causes a decrease of amine basicity, more relevant when phenyl and hydroxylic groups are in 1-3 position, which reflects in a reduction of metal-NH2 coordination bond. This effect is predominant in the case of zinc(II) complexes and causes a reduction of complex stability which results directly proportional to the amine group basicity. On the other hand, in the case of silver(I) and cadmium(II) complexes, phenyl group seems to contribute directly to the coordination of the metal ion causing a stabilization of complexes.     

Low-barrier hydrogen bond between phosphate and the amide group in phosphopeptide

As the conversion between the monoionic (1) and diionic (2) form of the phosphate occurs, the phosphorylated peptides or proteins can not only cause the formation of a hydrogen bond between the phosphate group and the amide group but also change the strength of the hydrogen bond to form low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs). This reversible protonation of the phosphate group, which changes both the electrostatic properties of the phosphate group and the strength of the hydrogen bond, provides a possible mechanism in regulating protein function.     

Polymorphs and Polymorphic Cocrystals of Temozolomide

Crystal polymorphism in the antitumor drug temozolomide (TMZ), cocrystals of TMZ with 4,4′‐bipyridine‐N,N′‐dioxide (BPNO), and solid‐state stability were studied. Apart from a known X‐ray crystal structure of TMZ (form 1), two new crystalline modifications, forms 2 and 3, were obtained during attempted cocrystallization with carbamazepine and 3‐hydroxypyridine‐N‐oxide. Conformers A and B of the drug molecule are stabilized by intramolecular amide N? H???N_imidazole and N? H???N_tetrazine interactions. The stable conformer A is present in forms 1 and 2, whereas both conformers crystallized in form 3. Preparation of polymorphic cocrystals I and II (TMZ?BPNO 1:0.5 and 2:1) were optimized by using solution crystallization and grinding methods. The metastable nature of polymorph 2 and cocrystal II is ascribed to unused hydrogen‐bond donors/acceptors in the crystal structure. The intramolecularly bonded amide N–H donor in the less stable structure makes additional intermolecular bonds with the tetrazine C?O group and the imidazole N atom in stable polymorph 1 and cocrystal I, respectively. All available hydrogen‐bond donors and acceptors are used to make intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the stable crystalline form. Synthon polymorphism and crystal stability are discussed in terms of hydrogen‐bond reorganization.     

Liquid chromatographic study of the enzymatic degradation of endomorphins, with identification by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The recently discovered native endomorphins play an important role in opioid analgesia, but their metabolic fate in the organism remains relatively little known. This paper describes the application of high-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to identify the degradation products resulting from the incubation of endomorphins with proteolytic enzymes. The native endomorphin-1, H-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2 (1), and endomorphin-2, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2 (2), and an analog of endomorphin-2, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-OH (3), were synthetized, and the levels of their resistance against carboxypeptidase A, carboxypeptidase Y, aminopeptidase M and proteinase A were determined. The patterns of peptide metabolites identified by this method indicated that carboxypeptidase Y first hydrolyzes the C-terminal amide group to a carboxy group, and then splits the peptides at the Trp3-Phe4 or Phe3-Phe4 bond. The remaining fragment peptides are stable against the enzymes investigated. Carboxypeptidase A degrades only analog 3 at the Phe3-Phe4 bond. Aminopeptidase M cleaves the peptides at the Pro2-Trp3 or Pro2-Phe3 bond. The C-terminal fragments hydrolyze further, giving amino acids and Phe-NH2-s while the N-terminal part displays a resistance to further aminopeptidase M digestion. Proteinase A exhibits a similar effect to carboxypeptidase Y: the C-terminal amide group is first converted to a carboxy group, and one amino acid is then split off from the C-terminal side.     

Electron-induced (EI) mass fragmentation is directed by intra-molecular H-bonding in two isomeric benzodipyran systems

The striking differences observed in the electron-induced (EI) mass fragmentation pathways of two isomeric benzodipyrans are attributable to hydrogen bonding in these molecules. In the "angular" isomer, 6-butyryl-5-hydroxy-2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,4,9,10-tetra-hydro-2H,8H-benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b(1)]dipyran (2), H-bonding occurs between the aromatic OH group and the alpha carbonyl moiety contained in the ortho-phenone group, whereas in the"linear" isomer, 10-butyryl-5-hydroxy-2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H,8H-benzo-[1,2-b:5,4-b(1)]dipyran (3), the aromatic OH group is para to the phenone moiety, effectively precluding any H-bonding. Semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations (AM1) were used to compare predicted sites of ionization with associated fragmentation patterns. In both molecules, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) was located predominantly on the aromatic moiety. Similarly, in the radical cation species of both compounds, maximum spin density was located over the aromatic rings. Neither the HOMO nor the spin density maps provided a rational explanation for the differences in fragmentation patterns of the two benzodipyran isomers. The H-bonding favors EI alpha aromatic ring C-O bond cleavage in the"angular" benzodipyran and in 5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-8-butyryl chroman (1), a related monochroman also containing a hydrogen proximal to the aromatic ring C-O bond. In contrast,fragmentation of the "linear" benzodipyran followed a different route, which was exhibited by its base peak resulting from the loss of a propyl group from the butyryl side-chain.