Characterization of a Robust CoII Fluorescent Complex Deposited Intact On HOPG

The new diimine fluorescent ligand ACRI‐1 based on a central acridine yellow core is reported along with its coordination complex [Co₂( ACRI‐1 )₂] ( 1 ), a fluorescent weak ferromagnet. Due to the strong fluorescence of the acridine yellow fluorophore, it is not completely quenched when the ligand is coordinated to Co^II. The magnetic properties of bulk complex 1 and its stability in solution have been studied. Complex 1 has been deposited on highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOGP) from solution. The thin films prepared have been characterized by AFM, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS), grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD), X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and theoretical calculations. The data show that the complex is robust and remains intact on the surface of graphite.     

Organocatalytic Stereoselective Iodoamination of Alkenes

A new chiral thiohydantoin catalyst is used for the stereoselective iodoamination of alkenes. N‐iodosuccinimide as the source of the electrophilic iodine is activated by catalytic amounts of different additives which also influence the regioselectivity of some cyclizations.     

Enzymatic synthesis of a chiral chalcogran intermediate

Two lipases, Novozyme 435 (lipase B from Candida Antarctica) and Lipozyme TL IM (Thermomyces lanuginosus) were used successfully for the kinetic resolution of racemic 1-(2-furyl)-3-pentanol, the key intermediate in synthesis of the bark beetle pheromone, chalcogran. The desired S-(+)-enantiomer was prepared in enantiomeric excesses higher than 98 % and with yields of 26.3 % and 32.5 %, respectively. Methyl tert-butyl ether and vinyl acetate were found to be the best reaction media and the acetyl donor to achieve fast and effective resolution.     

How glucosylation triggers physical–chemical properties of curcumin: an experimental and theoretical study

In the present study, we investigate the structures of glucosylated curcumin derivatives with DFT at B3LYP/6‐31G* level. A conformational analysis is performed in order to determine the conformational minimum (GS) and rotational transition state (TS) of curcumin derivatives and then their electronic features are evaluated. HOMO and LUMO frontier orbitals and maps of electron density potential (MEPs) are plotted and compared. In order to correlate their predicted spectroscopic properties with IR, UV–vis and NMR experimental data we extended the theoretical study on electronic properties to different solvents (H₂O, MeOH, ACN, DMSO). The main finding is that the curcuminic core maintains the same geometrical and electronic structures in all compounds miming the metal coordination capability showed by curcumin. Therefore, we may confirm that the presence of glucose does not affect the electronic properties of the derivatives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of the non-reducing end trisaccharide of the antithrombin-binding domain of heparin and its bioisosteric sulfonic acid analogues

A glucoronic acid-containing trisaccharide related to the antithrombin-binding DEFGH domain of heparin and its methanesulfonic acid analogues were synthesized. Trisaccharides without sulfonic acid content or possessing a sulfonatomethyl moiety at position 2 or 6 of unit F were prepared in high yields by [DE+F] couplings using the same disaccharide uronate donor, respectively. Synthesis of the trisaccharide with a 3-deoxy-3-sulfonatomethyl function was accomplished in three different pathways, from which a [D+EF] coupling and applying a non-oxidized precursor of the glucuronic acid afforded the trisaccharide in the highest yield.     

Unwinding of DNA polymerases by the antitumor drug,cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

The helix-turn-helix motifs of the DNA binding domains of human polymerase-alpha and polymerase-kappa are dramatically perturbed upon binding to cisplatin with concomitant release of zinc.     

High-Quality Protein Crystal Growth of Mouse Lipocalin-Type Prostaglandin D Synthase in Microgravity

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin (PG) D synthase (L-PGDS) catalyzes the isomerization of PGH(2) to PGD(2) and is involved in the regulation of pain and of nonrapid eye movement sleep and the differentiation of male genital organs and adipocytes, etc. L-PGDS is secreted into various body fluids and binds various lipophilic compounds with high affinities, acting also as an extracellular transporter. Mouse L-PGDS with a C65A mutation was previously crystallized with citrate or malonate as a precipitant, and the X-ray crystallographic structure was determined at 2.0 ? resolution. To obtain high-quality crystals, we tried, unsuccessfully, to crystallize the C65A mutant in microgravity under the same conditions used in the previous study. After further purifying the protein and changing the precipitant to polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000, high-quality crystals were grown in microgravity. The precipitant solution was 40% (w/v) PEG 8000, 100 mM sodium chloride, and 100 mM HEPES-NaOH (pH 7.0). Crystals grew on board the International Space Station for 11 weeks in 2007, yielding single crystals of the wild-type L-PGDS and the C65A mutant, both of which diffracted at around 1.0 ? resolution. The crystal quality was markedly improved through the use of a high-viscosity precipitant solution in microgravity, in combination with the use of a highly purified protein.