A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione, for anions in aqueous-organic media

A new fluorescent chemosensor, 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dione (1), which is capable of the ratiometric sensing of anions in aqueous MeCN, was developed. Chemosensor 1 recognized an anion via two NH groups in the molecule, and showed a much higher affinity for F⁻ than that of 4-quinolone, which binds to an anion at one NH group of the molecule. Upon binding to F⁻, the intensity of the emission band ascribed to the complex of 1-F⁻ was drastically enhanced, while the emission intensity of unbound 1 gradually decreased. The changes in these two emission bands enabled the successful ratiometric sensing.     

Epoxy-based polymer bearing 1-naphthylamine units: highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for ferric ion

A simple epoxy-based polymer 1 bearing 1-naphthylamine units has been synthesized and its recognition behaviors toward various metal ions have been investigated in THF-water (8:2, v/v) solution. The designed polymer 1 was found to exhibit selective ON-OFF-type fluorosensing behavior toward Fe³⁺ ions over other representative metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions.     

Highly selective ratiometric estimation of fluoride ion based on a BINOL imidazolium cyclophane with dual-channel

A novel imidazolium cyclophane S-1, which displays a high selectivity for the recognition toward fluoride ion, has been constructed by using BINOL as scaffold. The fluoride ion induced remarkable red shift both in absorption and emission spectra, which might allow S-1 to be employed as a ratiometric receptor with dual-channel. The chiral recognitions of S-1 with chiral carboxylates were also examined.     

Squaraine-based colorimetric and fluorescent sensors for Cu-specific detection and fluorescence imaging in living cells

New squaraine-based chemosensors SQ1 and SQ2 functionalized with 2-picolyl units were first synthesized and used as highly selective and sensitive colorimetric and fluorometric dual-channel sensors for Cu²⁺-specific recognition in aqueous systems. Among a series of individual metal ions, only Cu²⁺ could result in dramatic color changes. We also evaluated their capability of biological applications and found that SQ2 could be successfully employed as a Cu²⁺-selective probe in the fluorescence imaging of living cells.     

Mercury assisted fluorescent supramolecular assembly of hexaphenylbenzene derivative for femtogram detection of picric acid

Aggregates of hexaphenylbenzene derivatives 3, having pyrene groups form network of fluorescent nanofibres in presence of mercury ions. Further, fluorescent nanofibres of 3-Hg²⁺ supramolecular ensemble exhibit sensitive and pronounced response towards the picric acid. In addition, the solution coated paper strips of 3-Hg²⁺ supramolecular ensemble can detect picric acid in the range of 2.29 fg/cm², thus, providing a simple, portable and low cost method for detection of picric acid in solution and in contact mode.     

Exploiting the deprotonation mechanism for the design of ratiometric and colorimetric Zn fluorescent chemosensor with a large red-shift in emission

The design, synthesis, and photophysical evaluation of a new naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, N-butyl-4-[di-(2-picolyl)amino]-5-(2-picolyl)amino-1,8-naphthalimide (1), were described for the detection of Zn²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution at pH 7.0. Probe 1 showed absorption at 451 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 537 nm (Φ_F=0.33). The capture of Zn²⁺ by the receptor resulted in the deprotonation of the secondary amine conjugated to 1,8-naphthalimide so that the electron-donating ability of the N atom would be greatly enhanced; thus probe 1 showed a 56 nm red-shift in absorption (507 nm) and fluorescence spectra (593 nm, Φ_F=0.14), respectively, from which one could sense Zn²⁺ ratiometrically and colorimetrically. The deprotonated complex, [(1-H)/Zn]⁺, was calculated at m/z 619.1800 and measured at m/z 618.9890. In contrast to these results, the emission of 1 was thoroughly quenched by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. The addition of other metal ions such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ produced a nominal change in the optical properties of 1 due to their low affinity to probe 1. This means that probe 1 has a very high fluorescent imaging selectivity to Zn²⁺ among metal ions.     

Reactivity of 1-boraadamantanes towards bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes. First examples of 3-boratricyclo[5.3.1.1]dodecanes, and the molecular structure of a tetraalkyldiboroxane

1-Boraadamantane (1) and 2-ethyl-1-boraadamantane (1(2-Et)) react with bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes (3), R₃Sn-CC-SnR₃ with R=Me (a), Et (b), in a 1:1 molar ratio by 1,1-organoboration under very mild conditions to give the 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivatives 4a,b and 7a,b, respectively, which are dynamic at room temperature with respect to deorganoboration. The compounds 4a,b react further with 3a,b by 1,1-organoboration to the tricyclic butadiene derivatives 5a,b. Attempts to crystallise 4a afforded the product of hydrolysis, the diboroxane 6a which was characterised by X-ray structural analysis. All products were characterised in solution by ¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR spectroscopy.     

A combinatorial access to 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives and their evaluation for aldose reductase inhibition

Aryldiazepinothiophenones 4 were prepared from the reaction of o-phenylenediamines with acetone in the presence of 2-mercaptocarboxylic acids along with thiazolobenzodiazepines 6, thiazolobenzimidazoles 7 and 1,5-benzodiazepines 5, which were obtained as by-products. The benzodiazepinothiophenones 4a-d and the benzodiazepines 5a-d were also isolated from the reaction of o-phenylenediamines 1a-c with phorone. Structural assignments of the new compounds as well as complete assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals were based on the analysis of their ¹H and ¹³C NMR (1D and 2D), IR, MS and elemental analysis data. Compounds 4 were evaluated for aldose reductase inhibition and also as antioxidants.     

Quencher-free molecular beacon systems with two pyrene units in the stem region

We appended pyrene units covalently onto adenosine and uridine nucleosides (forming A^P and U^P units, respectively) and then incorporated them into oligonucleotides such that they were positioned in complementary locations in opposite strands in the middle positions of hairpin stems. Systems 1 (A^PU^P) and 3 (A^PA^P) individually exhibit aromatic stacking between the opposing pyrene units in the stems of their hairpins and display in their spectra the photophysical properties of strongly red-shifted bands; in contrast, the U^PU^P system 2 exhibits quenching spectra. Systems 1 (A^PU^P) and 3 (A^PA^P) behave as effective molecular beacons (MBs) that change color from green to blue upon duplex formation, whereas 2 (U^PU^P) is an effective MB that changes the intensity of its fluorescence upon forming its perfectly matched duplex.     

A highly selective turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) ion

A new pyrene derivative (1) containing a diaminomaleonitrile moiety exhibits high selectivity for Cu²⁺ detection. Significant fluorescence enhancement was observed with chemosensor 1 in the presence of Cu²⁺. However, the metal ions Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ produced only minor changes in fluorescence values for the system. The apparent association constant (K_a) of Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was found to be 5.55×10³ M⁻¹. The maximum fluorescence enhancement caused by Cu²⁺ binding in chemosensor 1 was observed over the pH range 5-7.5.     

Synthesis and dynamics of atropisomeric (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)benzamides

The synthesis of atropisomeric 2-substituted benzamides 2a-e, 3a-e, and 4a-e, and characterization by X-ray structure analysis of 2d, 2e, 3c, 3e, 4c, and 4e are reported. Dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of benzamides 2b-d, 3b-d, and 4b-d indicate that only two of the four possible rotamers are present in solution, with population ratios ranging between 1.5:1 and 4.1:1. The measured free energy of activation to interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 12.4 to 18.9 kcal mol⁻¹. Benzamides ArCON[(S)-phenethyl]₂ (2e, 3e, and 4e), exhibited atropisomer ratios between 1.7:1 and 1:1, and free energies of interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 11.5 to 17.6 kcal mol⁻¹. The highest rotation barriers were observed for the ortho-nitro derivatives 2a-e. Molecular calculations at the semiempirical level (PM3MM) gave free energies of activation for benzamides 2e and 3e of 23.6 and 12.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, which are comparable to the experimental values.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of copper mixed-ligand complexes of multidentate enaminones and acetate anions

Reactions of ferrocenoylacetone with 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane afford the multidentate enaminones HL¹ and H₃L², respectively. Reactions of copper acetate with the two enaminones generate the corresponding mixed-ligand complexes I and II, which are formulated as [CuL¹(OAc)] and [Cu(H₂L²)(OAc)], respectively. The structures of HL¹, I and II have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In complex I, HL¹ acts as a monoanionic tridentate donor via the carbonyl oxygen, deprotonated enamine nitrogen and pyridyl nitrogen atoms, the acetate anion is monodentate and the coordination geometry of the central metal is square planar. In complex II, H₃L² is a monoanionic tetradentate ligand via the carbonyl oxygen, deprotonated enamine nitrogen, secondary amine nitrogen and hydroxy oxygen atoms, the acetate anion is monodentate and the coordination geometry of the central metal is a distorted trigonal bipyramid.     

Microwave-assisted and conventional synthesis and stereogenic properties of monospirocyclotriphosphazene derivatives

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with N/O donor type N-alkyl or (aryl)-o-hydroxybenzylamines HO(C₆H₄)CH₂NHR(Ar), [R(Ar) = C(CH₃)₃ (1), Ph (2)] produce monospirocyclic tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazenes (1a and 2a). The geminal substituted cyclotriphosphazenes (1b, 1d, 2b and 2d) are obtained from the reactions of 1 equiv. of 1a and 2a with 2 equiv. of pyrrolidine or morpholine in THF, while the fully substituted phosphazenes (1c, 1e, 2c and 2e) are formed from the reactions of 1a and 2a with the excess pyrrolidine or morpholine in toluene, between 24 and 48 h. The microwave-assisted reactions of 1a and 2a with excess pyrrolidine or morpholine in toluene afford the fully substituted products with higher yields than those which were obtained by conventional methods. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, ESI-MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR and HETCOR techniques. The crystal structure of 2a is determined by X-ray crystallography and the phosphazene ring is in the flattened boat form. Compounds 1b, 1d, 2b and 2d in which the spiro aryloxy moiety provides the one centre of chirality exist as racemates and the chirality has been confirmed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy on addition of a chiral solvating agent (CSA), (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9′-anthryl)ethanol.     

Diastereoselective syntheses and oxygenation of silyl fulleroids

The addition of silyl diazomethane (1a-d) to fullerene C₆₀ at room temperature provided the mono-adducts, the bis- and tris-adducts of silyl fulleroid (3a-d) in moderate yields. The structures of the silyl fulleroids were characterized by mass spectroscopy, as well as ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The gated ¹H NMR and ¹³C-¹H COLOC analyses of 3a-d showed a correlation between the methine proton resonances and three fullerene carbons. These observations, as well as the ¹H NMR chemical shifts of the methine protons, suggest a remarkable diastereoselectivity, with the silyl groups located above a five-membered ring. Two transition states of the thermal nitrogen-extrusion of pyrazoline intermediate (2a) were theoretically obtained, the structures of which disclosed that the diastereoselectivity is a consequence of minimization of the repulsive interaction between the silyl groups and the N₂ moiety. The bridgehead CC double bond of the silyl fulleroid is thought to be reactive by POAV analyses. The silyl fulleroids (3a,b) were found to react with singlet oxygen to afford the silyl enol ether (9a,b) via 1,3-silyl migration of a diketone (8a,b). This is the first example of ¹O₂ oxygenation of fulleroids.     

Metal-organic coordination architectures of azole heterocycle ligands bearing acetic acid groups: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Four new coordination complexes with azole heterocycle ligands bearing acetic acid groups, [Co(L¹)₂]_n (1), [CuL¹N₃]_n (2), [Cu(L²)₂·0.5C₂H₅OH·H₂O]_n (3) and [Co(L²)₂]_n (4) (here, HL¹=1H-imidazole-1-yl-acetic acid, HL²=1H-benzimidazole-1-yl-acetic acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal structure analysis shows that 3 and 4 are 2D complexes with 4⁴-sql topologies, while another 2D complex 1 has a (4³)₂(4⁶)-kgd topology. And 2 is a 3D complex composed dinuclear μ_1,1-bridging azido Cu^II entities with distorted rutile topology. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been studied.     

Novel 2,7-substituted pyrene derivatives: syntheses, solid-state structures, and properties

A novel series of pyrene derivatives 3-6 functionalized with different aromatic substituents at 2,7-positions of the pyrene core have been readily synthesized by Suzuki coupling reactions. Single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic analysis of compounds 3-6 were all successfully obtained. The optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of these newly synthesized compounds were thoroughly investigated and discussed. Theoretical calculation was adopted to study the geometric and electronic structure of compounds 3-6. Additionally, preliminary studies demonstrated that field-effect transistors using compound 3, 5, and 6 performed as p-type semiconductors, in which a field-effect mobility as high as 0.018 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and current on/off ratio of 10⁶ were achieved from compound 6.     

Photoinduced cycloadditions of N-methyl-1,8-naphthalenedicarboximides with alkynes

Photoinduced cycloadditions of N-methyl-1,8-naphthalenedicarboximide 1 with phenylacetylenes 2a-2c, cyclopropylacetylene 2d, diphenylacetylenes 2e-2f and 1-phenylpropyne 2g were investigated. In the case of phenylacetylenes 2a, 2b and cyclopropylacetylene 2c, photoreaction with 1 takes place at the naphthalene C(1)C(2) bond to give the cyclobutene products. For 4-methoxyphenylacetylene 1c, the cyclobutene 3c is obtained together with the 4-benzo[a]thebenidinone 4c derived from a primary oxetene product formed by [2+2] addition of the imide carbonyl with the alkyne. Similar to 2c, photocycloaddition of 1 with 2e and 2f gave the cyclobutenes 7e, 7f, 8f and the 4-benzo[a]thebenidinone products 9e, 9f and 10f, respectively, derived from the corresponding oxetenes. Photoreaction of 1 with 2g gave cyclobutene 7g and benzo[a]thebenidinone 9g. Sensitization experiment and internal heavy atom effect study showed that these reactions proceed from the ππ* singlet excited state of 1. Estimation of the free energy change for electron transfer between ¹1* and the alkynes and the calculation of charge and spin density distribution in the anion radical of 1 and the cation radical of the alkynes suggested that the cyclobutene products are formed by direct [2+2] cycloaddition of ¹1* with the alkyne, while the formation of the oxetene products is the result of electron transfer interaction between ¹1* and the alkyne. The regioselectivity in the oxetene formation is accounted for by charge and spin density distribution in the anion radical of 1 and the cation radical of the alkyne.     

Synthesis of leucine-enkephalin analogs containing α-amino squaric acid

Novel Leu-enkephalin analogs 10a-c in which the Tyr¹, Gly², or Gly³ residue of Leu-enkephalin 9 was replaced with α-amino squaric acid analog Sq-Tyr 8b or Sq-Gly 8a were synthesized starting from 14 or 18. Conformational analysis of 10a-c together with its model compound 26 and their opioid receptor binding activity were evaluated.     

Endo and exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine

The reaction of N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing toluene gives endo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes 2 and 5, exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complex 3, and unexpected iron carbonyl complex 4. Complexes 2, 3, and 5 are geometric isomers. Complex 5 differs from complex 2 in the switch of the original substituent from α to β position of the pyrrolyl ring, and the pyrrolyl ring bridges to the diiron centers in μ-(3,2-η¹:η²) coordination mode in stead of μ-(2,3-η¹:η²). In complex 4, the pyrrolyl moiety of the original ligand 1 has been displaced by a thienyl group, which comes from the same ligand. Single crystals of 2, 3, and 5 were subjected to the X-ray diffraction analysis. The major product 2 undergoes: (i) thermolysis to recover the original ligand 1; (ii) reduction to form a hydrogenation product, 6, of the original ligand; (iii) substitution to form a monophosphine-substituted complex 7; (iv) chemical as well as electrochemical oxidation to produce a carbonylation product, γ-butyrolactam 8.     

Real light emitter in the bioluminescence of the calcium-activated photoproteins aequorin and obelin: light emission from the singlet-excited state of coelenteramide phenolate anion in a contact ion pair

Fluorescence of the phenolate anion (3(O)⁻) and the amide anion (5(N)⁻) of coelenteramide analogues in ion pairs with various counter cations was systematically investigated to elucidate the ionic structure of the light emitter in the bioluminescence of the calcium-activated photoproteins aequorin and obelin. The fluorescent properties of 3(O)⁻ in an ion pair with a conjugate acid of an organic base (BASE-H⁺) were varied depending on the structural variation of the ion pair and the solvent polarity. In particular, the fluorescence of 3(O)⁻ in the ion pair with the conjugate acid of n-butylamine (NBA-H⁺) indicates that the singlet-excited state of 3(O)⁻ (¹3(O)^−∗) and NBA-H⁺ make a contact ion pair in which the fluorescence emission maxima of 3(O)⁻ is sensitive to the solvent polarity and the fluorescence quantum yields of 3(O)⁻ increase in a less polar solvent. The results also confirm that ¹3(O)^−∗ is a twisted intramolecular charge transfer state. By contrast, the fluorescence of 5(N)⁻ in an ion pair depends little on the BASE-H⁺ or the solvent polarity. Based on these results, we conclude that the light emitter in aequorin and obelin bioluminescences is the singlet-excited state of coelenteramide phenolate anion 2(O)⁻ (¹2(O)^−∗) in a contact ion pair with an imidazolium side chain of a histidine residue, which is located at the less polar active sites of the photoproteins. We also propose a mechanism for the bioluminescence reaction, including the chemiexcitation process to give ¹2(O)^−∗.