Chiral bisimidazolium salts derived from amino acids and their palladium(II)- and platinum(II)-biscarbene complexes

We report new chiral bisimidazolium salts synthesized from naturally occurring l-amino acids. They served as precursors for bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene metal complexes. The chiral imidazoles could be synthesized in good yields via a one-pot ring closing reaction, followed by esterification. The methylene bridged bisimidazolium iodide salts are accessible in moderate yields. Corresponding palladium(II)- and platinum(II)-NHC complexes could be synthesized and fully characterized, but do not show optical activity. We also report a solid state structure of one of the synthesized palladium(II) biscarbene compounds derived from alanine.     

Niobium Alcoholate Clusters with an Octahedral Arrangement of Metal Atoms: [K(CH3OH)4]2 [Nb6(OCH3)18] and [Na([18]crown‐6)(C2H5OH)2]2 [Nb6(OC2H5)12(NCS)6]

Complete exchange : [M₆X₁₂] type cluster compounds with an octahedral M₆ metal atom arrangement, which is completely surrounded by alcoholato ligands, were unknown until now. The first representatives are prepared containing a [Nb₆(OR)₁₂]⁴⁺ unit (R=CH₃ or C₂H₅). They are accessible at elevated temperatures from strongly basic alcoholate solutions of [Nb₆Cl₁₂]²⁺‐containing precursors. C gray, H white, K turquoise, Nb blue, O red.

     

A highly tunable family of chiral bisphospholanes for rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation reactions

A set of 16 new and closely related bisphospholane ligands have been prepared by using a highly flexible and convergent approach. Each synthesis can be performed on an industrially relevant scale. The bisphosphines differ in the nature of the bridge connecting both phospholane units. Bridges are formed by three-, four-, five- and six-membered heterocyclic or alicyclic rings. Bisphospholanes and their Rh-precatalysts have been investigated by using results of theoretical calculations (DFT) and analytic measurements ((31)P and (103)Rh NMR spectroscopy, X-ray structure analysis). The studies showed that catalysts based on ligands with maleic anhydride or maleimide bridges give constantly superior enantioselectivities in methanol as the solvent. This may account for optimised steric and electronic effects. However, by changing the solvent catalysts with other backbones can give rise to excellent results. This gives proof that simple correlations between steric and electronic properties and results in the enantioselective hydrogenation frequently claimed in literature are not general.     

Catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-dumetorine by ring-rearrangement metathesis

A concise, enantioselective synthesis of (+)-dumetorine is described, giving the natural product in six steps and a 27% overall yield from a readily available precursor. Among the key steps used, the synthesis entails a high-yielding ring-rearrangement metathesis (RRM), using the commercially available first generation Grubbs catalyst 2 in combination with Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ as a co-catalyst. This constitutes the first enantioselective total synthesis of the alkaloid from a known chiral intermediate, and hence a confirmation of its absolute stereochemistry.     

Synthesis and characterization of new iridium photosensitizers for catalytic hydrogen generation from water

Novel phenylazole ligands were applied successfully in the synthesis of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of the general formula [Ir(phenylazole)(2)(bpy)]PF(6) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). All complexes were fully characterized by NMR, IR, and MS spectroscopic studies as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Three crystal structures obtained by X-ray analysis complemented the spectroscopic investigations. The excited-state lifetimes of the iridium complexes were determined and showed to be in the range of several hundred ns to multiple μs. All obtained iridium complexes were active as photosensitizers in catalytic hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of triethylamine as a sacrificial reducing agent. Applying an in situ formed iron-based water reduction catalyst derived from [HNEt(3)](+) [HFe(3)(CO)(11)](-) and tris[3,5-tris-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]phosphine as the ligand, [Ir(2-phenylbenz-oxazole)(2)-(bpy)]PF(6) proved to be the most efficient complex giving a quantum yield of 16% at 440 nm light irradiation.     

Quadracyclic adenine: a non-perturbing fluorescent adenine analogue

Fluorescent-base analogues (FBAs) comprise a group of increasingly important molecules for the investigation of nucleic acid structure and dynamics as well as of interactions between nucleic acids and other molecules. Here, we report on the synthesis, detailed spectroscopic characterisation and base-pairing properties of a new environment-sensitive fluorescent adenine analogue, quadracyclic adenine (qA). After developing an efficient route of synthesis for the phosphoramidite of qA it was incorporated into DNA in high yield by using standard solid-phase synthesis procedures. In DNA qA serves as an adenine analogue that preserves the B-form and, in contrast to most currently available FBAs, maintains or even increases the stability of the duplex. We demonstrate that, unlike fluorescent adenine analogues, such as the most commonly used one, 2-aminopurine, and the recently developed triazole adenine, qA shows highly specific base-pairing with thymine. Moreover, qA has an absorption band outside the absorption of the natural nucleobases (>300?nm) and can thus be selectively excited. Upon excitation the qA monomer displays a fluorescence quantum yield of 6.8?% with an emission maximum at 456?nm. More importantly, upon incorporation into DNA the fluorescence of qA is significantly less quenched than most FBAs. This results in quantum yields that in some sequences reach values that are up to fourfold higher than maximum values reported for 2-aminopurine. To facilitate future utilisation of qA in biochemical and biophysical studies we investigated its fluorescence properties in greater detail and resolved its absorption band outside the DNA absorption region into distinct transition dipole moments. In conclusion, the unique combination of properties of qA make it a promising alternative to current fluorescent adenine analogues for future detailed studies of nucleic acid-containing systems.     

Detection of peginesatide in equine serum using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for doping control purposes

Erythropoietin (EPO) and its recombinant analogues are suspected to be illicitly administered to horses for performance enhancing purposes and, consequently, prohibited in equine sports. Recently, a new erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, peginesatide (Omontys, formerly referred to as Hematide), belonging to the upcoming class of EPO-mimetic peptides, received approval for the treatment of anaemia in humans with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. As the pegylated dimeric peptide of approximately 45 kDa without sequence homology to EPO is not detectable by conventional EPO detection assays, specific methods are bound to be established for horse sports drug testing. Thus, by fortifying equine serum with peginesatide, an approach consisting of a proteolytic digestion with subtilisin after protein precipitation was developed, eventually targeting a proteotypic and xenobiotic pentapeptide which is easily accessible to liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The method was validated for qualitative purposes and demonstrated to be specific, precise (relative standard deviations below 14%), sensitive (limit of detection 10 ng mL(-1)) and linear. Being simple, cost-effective and readily transferable to other doping control laboratories, a mass spectrometric assay for the detection of therapeutic concentrations of peginesatide in equine serum is, in terms of preventive doping research, applicable to routine analysis shortly after approval of the drug.     

Quadracyclic Adenine: A Non‐Perturbing Fluorescent Adenine Analogue

Fluorescent‐base analogues (FBAs) comprise a group of increasingly important molecules for the investigation of nucleic acid structure and dynamics as well as of interactions between nucleic acids and other molecules. Here, we report on the synthesis, detailed spectroscopic characterisation and base‐pairing properties of a new environment‐sensitive fluorescent adenine analogue, quadracyclic adenine (qA). After developing an efficient route of synthesis for the phosphoramidite of qA it was incorporated into DNA in high yield by using standard solid‐phase synthesis procedures. In DNA qA serves as an adenine analogue that preserves the B‐form and, in contrast to most currently available FBAs, maintains or even increases the stability of the duplex. We demonstrate that, unlike fluorescent adenine analogues, such as the most commonly used one, 2‐aminopurine, and the recently developed triazole adenine, qA shows highly specific base‐pairing with thymine. Moreover, qA has an absorption band outside the absorption of the natural nucleobases (>300 nm) and can thus be selectively excited. Upon excitation the qA monomer displays a fluorescence quantum yield of 6.8 % with an emission maximum at 456 nm. More importantly, upon incorporation into DNA the fluorescence of qA is significantly less quenched than most FBAs. This results in quantum yields that in some sequences reach values that are up to fourfold higher than maximum values reported for 2‐aminopurine. To facilitate future utilisation of qA in biochemical and biophysical studies we investigated its fluorescence properties in greater detail and resolved its absorption band outside the DNA absorption region into distinct transition dipole moments. In conclusion, the unique combination of properties of qA make it a promising alternative to current fluorescent adenine analogues for future detailed studies of nucleic acid‐containing systems.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Electronic and Gas‐Sensing Properties towards H2 and CO of Transparent,Large‐Area,Low‐Layer Graphene

Low‐layered, transparent graphene is accessible by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique on a Ni‐catalyst layer, which is deposited on a <100> silicon substrate. The number of graphene layers on the substrate is controlled by the grain boundaries in the Ni‐catalyst layer and can be studied by micro Raman analysis. Electrical studies showed a sheet resistance (R_sheet) of approximately 1435 Ω per □, a contact resistance (R_c) of about 127 Ω, and a specific contact resistance (R_sc) of approximately 2.8×10^?4 Ω cm² for the CVD graphene samples. Transistor output characteristics for the graphene sample demonstrated linear current/voltage behavior. A current versus voltage (I_ds–V_ds) plot clearly indicates a p‐conducting characteristic of the synthesized graphene. Gas‐sensor measurements revealed a high sensor activity of the low‐layer graphene material towards H₂ and CO. At 300 °C, a sensor response of approximately 29 towards low H₂ concentrations (1 vol %) was observed, which is by a factor of four higher than recently reported.