Development of a resonator with automatic tuning and coupling capability to minimize sample motion noise for in vivo EPR spectroscopy

EPR spectroscopy has been applied to measure free radicals in vivo; however, respiratory, cardiac, and other movements of living animals are a major source of noise and spectral distortion. Sample motions result in changes in resonator frequency, Q, and coupling. These instabilities limit the applications that can be performed and the quality of data that can be obtained. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop resonators with automatic tuning and automatic coupling capability. We report the development of automatic tuning and automatic coupling provisions for a 750-MHz transversely oriented electric field reentrant resonator using two electronically tunable high Q hyperabrupt varactor diodes and feedback loops. In both moving phantoms and living mice, these automatic coupling control and automatic tuning control provisions resulted in an 8- to 10-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio.     

Fast EPR imaging at 300 MHz using spinning magnetic field gradients

Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) technology has rapidly progressed in the last decade enabling many important applications in the fields of biology and medicine. At frequencies of 300-1200 MHz a range of in vivo applications have been performed. However, the requisite imaging time duration to acquire a given number of projections, limits the use of this technique in many in vivo applications where relatively rapid kinetics occur. Therefore, there has been a great need to develop approaches to accelerate EPRI data acquisition. We report the development of a fast low-frequency EPRI technique using spinning magnetic field gradients (SMFG). Utilizing a 300 MHz CW (continuous wave) EPRI system, SMFG enabled over 10-fold accelerated acquisition of image projections. 2D images with over 200 projections could be acquired in less than 3s and with 20s acquisitions good image quality was obtained on large aqueous free radical samples. This technique should be particularly useful for in vivo studies of free radicals and their metabolism.     

Structural Insights into Hysteretic Spin-Crossover in a Set of Iron(II)-2,6-bis(1H-Pyrazol-1-yl)Pyridine) Complexes

Bistable spin-crossover (SCO) complexes that undergo abrupt and hysteretic (ΔT_1/2) spin-state switching are desirable for molecule-based switching and memory applications. In this study, we report on structural facets governing hysteretic SCO in a set of iron(II)-2,6-bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) (bpp) complexes – [Fe(bpp−COOEt)₂](X)₂ ⋅ CH₃NO₂ (X=ClO₄, 1 ; X=BF₄, 2 ). Stable spin-state switching – T_1/2=288 K; ΔT_1/2=62 K – is observed for 1 , whereas 2 undergoes above-room-temperature lattice-solvent content-dependent SCO – T_1/2=331 K; ΔT_1/2=43 K. Variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the complexes revealed pronounced molecular reorganizations – from the Jahn-Teller-distorted HS state to the less distorted LS state – and conformation switching of the ethyl group of the COOEt substituent upon SCO. Consequently, we propose that the large structural reorganizations rendered SCO hysteretic in 1 and 2 . Such insights shedding light on the molecular origin of thermal hysteresis might enable the design of technologically relevant molecule-based switching and memory elements.     

A parametric approach to spectral-spatial EPR imaging

Continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance imaging for in vivo mapping of spin distribution and spectral shape requires rapid data acquisition. A spectral-spatial imaging technique is presented that provides an order of magnitude reduction in acquisition time, compared to iterative tomographic reprojection. The proposed approach assumes that spectral shapes in the sample are well-approximated by members from a parametric family of functions. A model is developed for the spectra measured with magnetic field modulation. Parameters defining the spin distribution and spectral shapes are then determined directly from the measurements using maximum a posteriori probability estimation. The approach does not suffer approximation error from limited sweep width of the main magnetic field and explicitly incorporates the variability in signal-to-noise ratio versus strength of magnetic field gradient. The processing technique is experimentally demonstrated on a one-dimensional phantom containing a nitroxide spin label with constant g-factor. Using an L-band EPR spectrometer, spectral shapes and spin distribution are accurately recovered from two projections and a spectral window which is comparable to the maximum linewidth of the sample.     

Crystal and molecular structure ofN-methylphenazinium bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)nickelate(III). Structure of (C13H11N2)[Ni(S2C6H4)2]

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound, (C₁₃H₁₁N₂)[Ni(S₂C₆H₄)₂], is reported. Crystals are triclinic, space groupP¯1(No.2) withZ=2 in a unit cell of dimensionsa=9.363(1),b=10.148(1),c=13.623(1) Å,=85.64(1),=107.33(1), and =113.10(1)°. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by the method of full-matrix least squares toR=0.036 for 2874 unique reflections. The metal atom of the anion has an approximate square-planar configuration. The metal atoms occupy the origins and A-face centers of the lattice. The anions with the metal atoms in the origins stack along thec-axis, the interplanar separation being thec-axis lattice repeat of 13.623(1) Å. The anions with the metal atoms in theA-face centers and the cations form a mixed stack along the short diagonal of theab-plane. The short interplanar distances (C–A=A–C=3.43 Å and C-C=3.91 Å) in the mixed stack (CAC-CAC) show the possibility of unusual electrical behavior. There is no evidence of direct or indirect metal-metal interaction.This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, for which we are grateful. One of the authors (PK) also expresses his thanks to the U.G.C., New Delhi and Pachaiyappas College, Madras, for the award of FIP Fellowship.     

Total Synthesis of the 7,10‐Epimer of the Proposed Structure of Amphidinolide N,Part I: Synthesis of the C1–C13 Subunit

Amphidinolide N, the structure of which has been recently revised, is a 26‐membered macrolide featuring allyl epoxide and tetrahydropyran moieties with 13 chiral centers. Due to its challenging structure and extraordinary potent cytotoxicity, amphidinolide N is a highly attractive target of total synthesis. During our total synthesis studies of the 7,10‐epimer of the proposed structure of amphidinolide N, we have synthesized the C1–C13 subunit enantio‐ and diastereoselectively. Key reactions include an l ‐proline catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aldol reaction, Evans aldol reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Tamao–Fleming oxidation. To aid late‐stage manipulations, we also developed the 4‐(N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐N‐methylamino)butyryl group as a novel ester protective group for the C9 alcohol.     

β‐Iminoenamine‐BF2 Complexes: Aggregation‐Induced Emission and Pronounced Effects of Aliphatic Rings on Radiationless Deactivation

The synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical attributes of a novel class of boron difluorides containing an aromatic‐fused alicyclic/hetero‐alicyclic ring built on a β‐iminoenamine chromophoric backbone are reported. The compounds displayed large Stokes shifts (86–121 nm), and were emissive in the solid state. The quantum yields obtained in solution at room temperature were unusually lower by an order of magnitude compared to those in the solid state. Some of the tested compounds displayed aggregation‐induced emission (AIE). Single crystal XRD analyses revealed a lack of interplanar π–π interactions, which are presumed to be absent owing to non‐planarity of the alicyclic component in the molecule. For most of the studied compounds, time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations invariably reveal intramolecular charge transfer (π–π*) characteristics with the frontier orbitals concentrated on the boron–nitrogen heterocycle. The participation of boron and fluorine atoms was found to be negligible.     

Multisite EPR oximetry from multiple quadrature harmonics

Multisite continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry using multiple quadrature field modulation harmonics is presented. First, a recently developed digital receiver is used to extract multiple harmonics of field modulated projection data. Second, a forward model is presented that relates the projection data to unknown parameters, including linewidth at each site. Third, a maximum likelihood estimator of unknown parameters is reported using an iterative algorithm capable of jointly processing multiple quadrature harmonics. The data modeling and processing are applicable for parametric lineshapes under nonsaturating conditions. Joint processing of multiple harmonics leads to 2-3-fold acceleration of EPR data acquisition. For demonstration in two spatial dimensions, both simulations and phantom studies on an L-band system are reported.     

Practical syntheses of proposed and revised manzacidin B and their congeners

A concise and highly stereoselective total synthesis of manzacidin B and its congeners has been developed following chelation-controlled syn-epoxidation and Lewis acid catalyzed intramolecular regioselective epoxide ring opening to generate the quarternary amine center. Elaboration of the triol moiety to the target molecule was achieved in good overall yield, representing practical total syntheses of manzacidin B and its congeners. From the XRD, NMR, and analytical data, the correct structure of natural manzacidin B, (4R,5R,6R)-6, was confirmed.