Ab initio calculation of the C/D ratio of magnetic circular dichroism

A procedure for calculating the magnetic circular dichroism C/D ratio from density functional theory calculations is discussed. The method is simplified considerably through the application of group theory and the irreducible-tensor method and only requires integrals of the magnetic dipole moment operator over a few orbitals and published tables of symmetry factors. The implementation of the method is tested through application to several small and medium-sized molecules.     

Structural and spectroscopic study of reactions between chelating zinc-binding groups and mimics of the matrix metalloproteinase and disintegrin metalloprotease catalytic sites: the coordination chemistry of metalloprotease inhibition

To understand the coordination chemistry of zinc-binding groups (ZBGs) with catalytic zinc centers in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and disintegrin metalloproteases (ADAMs), we have undertaken a model compound study centered around tris(3,5-methylphenypyrazolyl)hydroboratozinc(II) hydroxide and aqua complexes ([Tp(Ph,Me)ZnOH] and [Tp(Ph,Me)Zn(OH2)]+, respectively, wherein (Tp(Ph,Me))- = hydrotris(3,5-methylphenylpyrazolyl)borate) and the products of their reactions with a class of chelating Schiff's base ligands. The results show that the protic ligands, HL (HL = N-propyl-1-(5-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methanimine (5-Me-4-ImHPr), N-propyl-1-(4-imidazolyl)methanimine (4-ImHPr), and N-propyl-1-(2-imidazolyl)methanimine (2-ImHPr)), react with [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnOH] and give products with the general formula [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnL], whereas reactions with neutral aprotic ligands, L' (L' = N-propyl-1-(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methanimine (1-Me-2-ImPr) and N-propyl-1-(2-thiazolyl)methanimine (2-TaPr)), yield the corresponding [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnL]+ complexes. Although the phenol group of N-propyl-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanimine (2-HOPhPr) is protic, this ligand forms a cationic four-coordinate complex containing an intraligand hydrogen bond. The solid-state structures of these complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the results showed that the protic ligands form five-membered chelates of the Zn2+ ion. All ligands displace the aqua ligand in [Tp(Ph,Me)Zn(OH2)]+ to yield complexes having 1H NMR spectra consistent with the formation of five membered chelates. The 1H resonance frequencies of the chelating ligands typically shift upfield upon coordination to the zinc center, due to ring current effects from the pendant phenyl groups of the (Tp(Ph,Me))- ligand. Thus, the 1H NMR spectra provide a convenient and sensitive means of tracking the solution reactions by titration. The resulting series of spectra showed that the stabilities of the chelates in solution depend on the propensity of the ligands to deprotonate upon chelation of the zinc center. The behaviors of these bidentate ZBGs provide insight into the structural and electronic factors that contribute to the stabilities of inhibited MMPs and ADAMs and suggest that the proton acidity of the coordinated ZBG may be a crucial criterion for inhibitor design.     

Using model complexes to augment and advance metalloproteinase inhibitor design

The tetrahedral zinc complex [(Tp(Ph,Me))ZnOH] (Tp(Ph,Me) = hydrotris(3,5-phenylmethylpyrazolyl)borate) was combined with 2-thenylmercaptan, ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate, salicylic acid, salicylamide, thiosalicylic acid, thiosalicylamide, methyl salicylate, methyl thiosalicyliate, and 2-hydroxyacetophenone to form the corresponding [(Tp(Ph,Me))Zn(ZBG)] complexes (ZBG = zinc-binding group). X-ray crystal structures of these complexes were obtained to determine the mode of binding for each ZBG, several of which had been previously studied with SAR by NMR (structure-activity relationship by nuclear magnetic resonance) as potential ligands for use in matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. The [(Tp(Ph,Me))Zn(ZBG)] complexes show that hydrogen bonding and donor atom acidity have a pronounced effect on the mode of binding for this series of ligands. The results of these studies give valuable insight into how ligand protonation state and intramolecular hydrogen bonds can influence the coordination mode of metal-binding proteinase inhibitors. The findings here suggest that model-based approaches can be used to augment drug discovery methods applied to metalloproteins and can aid second-generation drug design.     

Helical coordination polymers and cyclic dimers formed from heteroleptic thioether-dipyrrinato copper(II) complexes

Heteroleptic copper complexes containing an acetylacetonato ligand and a thioether derivatized dipyrrinato ligand are shown to form oligomers and polymers in the solid state.     

Study of EPR, optical properties and electrical conductivity of vanadyl doped Bi2O3.PbO.B2O3 glasses

Heavy metal based oxide glasses having composition xBi(2)O(3).(0.30 - x)PbO.0.70B(2)O(3) have been prepared (0.00 < or = x < or = 0.15, mol%) containing 2.0mol% of V(2)O(5) by normal melt-quenching technique. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optical spectra and dc conductivity of these glasses have been studied. Spin Hamiltonian parameters (SHP) of VO(2+) ions, dipolar hyperfine parameter, P and Fermi contact interaction parameter, K, molecular orbital coefficients (alpha(2) and gamma(2)) and optical band gap have been calculated. It is observed that in these glasses, the tetragonal nature of V(4+)O(6) complex increases with Bi(2)O(3) content. Increase in Bi(2)O(3):PbO ratio results in the contraction of 3d(xy) orbit of the unpaired electron in the vanadium ion, and the SHP are dependent on the theoretical optical basicity, Lambda(th). In present glasses, the conductivity (activation energy) first decreases (increases) with increase in mol% of Bi(2)O(3) content upto x = 0.08 and then shows a maxima (minima) at x = 0.10 and then starts decreasing (increasing) upto x < or = 0.15 with mol% of Bi(2)O(3) content.     

PHOTO-CIDNP STUDY OF PYRIMIDINE DIMER SPLITTING II: REACTIONS INVOLVING PYRIMIDINE RADICAL ANION INTERMEDIATES

A series of photo-CIDNP (chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization) experiments were performed on pyrimidine monomers and dimers, using the electron-donor Nα-acetyltryptophan (AcTrp) as a photosensitizer. The CIDNP spectra give evidence for the existence of both the dimer radical anion, which is formed by electron transfer from the excited AcTrp* to the dimer, and its dissociation product, the monomer radical anion. The AcTrp spectra are completely different from those obtained with an oxidizing sensitizer like anthraquinone-2-sulfonate, because of different unpaired electron spin density distributions in pyrimidine radical anion and cation. In the spectra of the anti (1,3-dimethyluracil) dimers, polarization is detected that originates from a spin-sorting process in the dimer radical pair, pointing to a relatively long lifetime of the dimer radical anions involved. Although the dimer radical anions of the 1,1′-trimethylene-bridged pyrimidines may have a relatively long lifetime as well, their protons have only very weak hyperfine interaction, which explains why no polarization originating from the dimer radical pair is detected. In the spectra of the bridged pyrimidines, polarized dimer protons are observed as a result of spin sorting in the monomer radical pair, from which it follows that the dissociation of dimer radical anion into monomer radical anion is reversible. A study of CIDNP intensities as a function of pH shows that a pH between 3 and 4 is optimal for observing monomer polarization that originates from spin-sorting in the monomer radical pair. At higher pH the geminate recombination polarization is partly cancelled by escape polarization arising in the same product.     

PHOTO-CIDNP DETECTION OF PYRIMIDINE DIMER RADICAL CATIONS IN ANTHRAQUINONESULFONATE- SENSITIZED SPLITTING

Anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) photosensitizes pyrimidine dimer splitting. Electron abstraction from the dimer is thought to induce dimer splitting, but direct evidence for the existence and intermediacy of dimer radical cations has been lacking. By employing photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization, we have found emission signals in the NMR spectra of dimers upon photolysis of dimers in the presence of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate. The two dimers employed were cis, syn-thymine dimer in which the N(1)-positions were linked by a three-carbon bridge and the N(3), N(3')-dimethyl derivative of that compound. The anthraquinone-2-sulfonate sensitized photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization spectrum of the methylated derivative exhibited an emission signal from the dimer-C(6) hydrogens. This result implied the existence of a dimer radical cation (mD+.) formed by electron abstraction by excited anthraquinone-2-sulfonate and nuclear spin sorting within a solvent caged radical ion pair [mD+. AQS-.]. Product pyrimidine photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization signals were also seen [enhanced absorption by C(6)-hydrogens and emission by C(5)-methyl groups]. Nuclear spin polarization in the product resulted from spin sorting in one or more of its precursors, including mD+. The results support the conclusion that dimer radical cations not only exist but are intermediates in the photosensitized splitting of pyrimidine dimers by anthraquinonesulfonate.     

A practical, fast, and high-yielding aziridination procedure using simple Cu(II) complexes containing N-donor pyridine-based ligands

Four-coordinate dichlorocopper(II) complexes derived from di(2-pyridyl)methanes or pyridine itself exhibit high catalytic activity in aziridination of regular olefins with PhINTs in weakly coordinating chloroform in the presence of 1-2 equiv of NaBArF4 (BArF4- = tetra[3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate). High yields of aziridines exceeding 90% can be obtained with a 1:1 olefin/PhINTs ratio and 1-5 mol % catalyst loading for such reactive olefins as styrene, tri- and tetramethylethylene. For cis-cyclooctene, indene, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl methyl ketone, tert-butylethylene, and neopentylethylene, as well as for 1-hexene and cyclopentene, yields of corresponding aziridines vary from 44% to 83%. The catalytic activity and efficiency of the reported copper complexes decrease moderately in the absence of NaBArF4.     

Formation of stable Meisenheimer adduct ion pairs in apolar solvents: implications for stereoselective reactions

[reaction: see text] A detailed study concerning the formation of Meisenheimer adducts in biphasic solvent systems is described. The process relies on utilizing a significantly lipophilic quaternary ammonium salt to transfer a nucleophile (e.g., hydroxide ion) between an aqueous and organic layer containing the electron-deficient aromatic substrate. Provided that the organic layer is sufficiently apolar, the resultant Meisenheimer adduct is considerably stable, likely the result of a strong ion-pairing interaction between the large polarizable anionic complex and the diffusively charged tetraalkylammonium cation. Using the diethylamide of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid as a model compound, the influence of ion-pairing reagents and solvents on adduct formation was investigated. Dramatically increased equilibrium formation of the Meisenheimer adduct is observed in the biphasic medium (e.g., benzene/2 M NaOH) relative to the same adduct generated in single-phase systems. Spectroscopic studies on this adduct are consistent with those conducted in single-phase polar or dipolar aprotic solvents. The methodology is extended to performing highly enantioselective biphasic kinetic resolutions of several racemic electron-deficient amides.     

A highly emissive Cu2N2 diamond core complex supported by a [PNP]- ligand

A Cu2N2 diamond core structure, {(PNP)CuI}2 (2), supported by a [PNP]- ligand (1) ([PNP]- = bis(2-(diisobutylphosphino)phenyl)amide) has been prepared. 2 is highly emissive at ambient temperature in both the solid and solution states and is characterized by a relatively long-lived excited state (tau > 10 mus) and an unusually high quantum yield (phi > 0.65). These observations are consistent with a low degree of structural reorganization between the ground state of 2 and its excited state *2, and also with a high degree of steric protection of the two copper centers of 2 afforded by the bulky [PNP]- ligand. An estimate for the excited-state reduction potential of *2 (ca. -3.2 V vs Fc+/Fc), and the availability of two well-separated and reversible ground-state redox processes, suggests that bimetallic copper systems of these types may be interesting candidates to consider for photochemically driving multielectron redox transformations.