Azetidinic amino acids: stereocontrolled synthesis and pharmacological characterization as ligands for glutamate receptors and transporters

A set of ten azetidinic amino acids, that can be envisioned as C-4 alkyl substituted analogues of trans-2-carboxyazetidine-3-acetic acid (t-CAA) and/or conformationally constrained analogues of (R)- or (S)-glutamic acid (Glu) have been synthesized in a diastereo- and enantiomerically pure form from beta-amino alcohols through a straightforward five step sequence. The key step of this synthesis is an original anionic 4-exo-tet ring closure that forms the azetidine ring upon an intramolecular Michael addition. This reaction was proven to be reversible and to lead to a thermodynamic distribution of two diastereoisomers that were easily separated and converted in two steps into azetidinic amino acids. Azetidines 35-44 were characterized in binding studies on native ionotropic Glu receptors and in functional assays at cloned metabotropic receptors mGluR1, 2 and 4, representing group I, II and III mGlu receptors, respectively. Furthermore, azetidine analogues 35, 36, and 40 were also characterized as potential ligands at the glutamate transporter subtypes EAAT1-3 in the FLIPR Membrane Potential (FMP) assay. The (2R)-azetidines 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 were inactive in iGlu, mGlu and EAAT assays, whereas a marked change in the pharmacological profile at the iGlu receptors was observed when a methyl group was introduced in the C-4 position, compound 36 versus t-CAA. At EAAT1-3, compound 35 was inactive, whereas azetidines 36 and 40 were both identified as inhibitors and showed selectivity for the EAAT2 subtype.     

(Nb2W4O19), TMA2, Na4(OH2)14(SO4): a new layered structure with Lindqvist heteropolyanions, XAS characterization of the HPAs

The new (Nb₂W₄O₁₉),TMA₂, Na₄(OH₂)₁₄(SO₄) has been evidenced as a minor phase during the Nb₂W₄O₁₉TMA (tetramethylammonium) salt synthesis. Its crystal structure has been refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, system monoclinic, a=10.166(5) Å, b=17.93(1) Å, c=24.81(1) Å, β=93.057(7)°, space group (S.G.) C2/c, Z=4, R₁=3.96%, wR₁=4.50%. It shows the stacking of cationic and anionic bidimensional layers. The anionic layer of formula [(Nb₂W₄O₁₉), TMA₂ ]²⁻ is formed of isolated Lindqvist HPAs surrounded by TMA groups. The isolated layers adopt a trigonal symmetry that is lost in the crystal by the association of the cationic sheets. These later, of formula [Na₄(OH₂)₁₄(SO₄)]²⁺ form porous net-like sheets with nearly circular cavities of diameter 7.5 Å. groups host the available cavities in a disordered manner. The cohesion between the sheets is performed by both electrostatic interactions and a set of hydrogen bonds. In the cationic layers, the highly symmetrical surrounding of HPAs by TMA groups yields a homogeneous electrostatic field at their external surface leading to a statistic Nb/W disorder over the three available independent metallic positions. Then, XAS experiments at the L₁/L₃-W edge complementarily helped to highlight the preferential cis configuration of (Nb₂W₄O₁₉)⁴⁻ anions, help to the strong Nb vs W contrast in their contribution to the backscattering paths. Previously to these experiments, it was of course checked that both the two phases present in the prepared sample contain Nb₂W₄O₁₉ anions with nearly unchanged geometry.     

An efficient route to 6-(het)aryl-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyridin-4-ones as potential nAChRs ligands

A new efficient pathway to synthesise 6-(het)aryl-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyridin-4-ones is described. This reaction sequence involved, as a key step, a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between various boronic acids and an 6-iodo-2,3-dihydropyridin-4-one. A final deprotecting step furnished the attempted products.     

Association and insertion complexes of nickel with water and methanol studied using Kohn-Sham theory

Summary The complexes formed by simple association of the nickel atom with water and methanol, and those formed by insertion of nickel into O-H and O-C bonds, have been studied by the Linear Combination of Gaussian-type orbitalsdensity functional (LCGTO-DF) method. The binding energies calculated for theassociation complexes are 7 kcal/mol for both Ni(H₂O) and Ni(CH₃OH). These association complexes have equilibrium geometries characterized by a tetrahedral arrangement of bonds and lone pair around the oxygen atom. Theinsertion complexes HNiOH and HNiOCH₃ are more stable than the association complexes by 14 and 18 kcal/mol, respectively. The H₃CNiOH insertion complex is still more stable, by an additional 14 kcal/mol. In all five complexes, the lowest singlet and triplet states are nearly degenerate. Comparison of calculated frequencies with infrared spectra of matrix isolated species [MA Park (1988) PhD thesis, Rice University] indicates that only triplet states are seen in the experiment.     

Preparation and solid-state characterization of mixed-ligand coordination/organometallic oligomers and polymers of copper(I) and silver(I) using diphosphine and mono- and diisocyanide ligands

The dimers [Cu(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(3)](BF(4))(2) and [Ag(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](X)(2) (X(-) = BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-)) and the coordination polymers [[M(diphos)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; diphos = bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppen), bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (dpph)), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), and [[Ag(dpppen)(CN-t-Bu)]BF(4)](n) have been synthesized and fully characterized as model materials for the mixed bridging ligand polymers which exhibit the general formula [[M(diphos)(dmb)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) and [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n). The identity of four polymers ([[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) (x = 1, 2), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n)) and the two dimers has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure of [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n) exhibits an unprecedented 1-D chain of the type "[Ag(dmb)(2)Ag(dppm)(2)(2+)](n)", where d(Ag(.)Ag) values between tetrahedral Ag atoms are 4.028(1) and 9.609(1) A for the dppm and dmb bridged units, respectively. The [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) polymers (x = 1, 2) form zigzag chains in which the Ag atoms are tri- and tetracoordinated, respectively. The [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n) polymer, which is produced from the rearrangement of [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n), forms a 2-D structure described as a "honeycomb" pattern, where large [Ag(dppb)(+)](6) macrocycles each hosting two counterions and two acetonitrile guest molecules are observed. Properties such as glass transition temperature, morphology, thermal decomposition, and luminescence in the solid state at 293 K are reported. The luminescence bands exhibit maxima between 475 and 500 nm with emission lifetimes ranging between 6 and 55 micros. These emissions are assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) of the type M(I) --> pi(NC)/pi(PPh(2)).     

(R)-bis-Binaphthoxy iodo lanthanides as catalysts for Diels–Alder reactions

[(R)-1,1′bi-2,2′-Naphthoxy]LnI(THF)₂ (Ln: Yb, Sm, La) 5 have been prepared by reaction of the bispotassium salt of (R)-binaphthol with lanthanide triiodides, and characterized. They are active catalysts for Diels–Alder reactions although with low asymmetric inductions. The lanthanum iodo bisbinaphthoxide gives a slightly higher enantiomeric excess than the two other complexes.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Structure of Bis‐ and Tetrakis‐Aziridine‐Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of mononuclear tetrakis‐aziridine nickel(II ) and copper(II ) complexes as well as of a dinuclear bis‐aziridine copper(II ) complex are described. The reactions of anhydrous MCl₂ (M = Ni^II, Cu^II) with aziridine (= az = C₂H₄NH, C₂H₃MeNH, CH₂CMe₂NH) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in a 1:5 and 1:2 molar ratio, respectively, afforded the tetrakis‐aziridine complexes [M(az)₄Cl₂] (M = Ni, Cu) or the dimeric bis‐aziridine complex [Cu(az)₂Cl₂]₂. After purification, all of the complexes were fully characterized. The single crystal structure analysis revealed two different coordination modes. Whereas both nickel(II ) complexes can be classified as showing an elongated octahedral structure, copper(II ) complexes show either an elongated octahedral or a square pyramidal arrangement forming dimers with chlorido bridges in axial positions. Furthermore, the results of magnetic measurements of the nickel(II ) and copper(II ) compounds are presented.     

Irradiation effects in MALDI,ablation, ion production,and surface modifications. Part II. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid monocrystals

Irradiation effects at low and high laser fluence on 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid large crystals were investigated. Contrary to what was observed for matrices as cinnamic acid derivatives, no chemical degradation of matrix is evidenced and continuous ablation as well as ion production resulted of extended irradiation in all the fluence range corresponding to classical matrix-assisted laser desorption /ionization. Ripples are formed on the base of the crater for a limited number of laser shots under moderate fluence. For extended irradiation, conical shape craters are formed with the axis of the crater oriented along the incident direction of the laser beam. A study of the craters showed that ablation through the ablated volume slowly varied with the laser fluence when a strong increase of ion production (matrix and analyte) was recorded. Ablation volume was found to vary non-linearly with the number of laser shots. On a same spot, the ablated volume and the ion production were measured as a function of the laser energy. With an increasing laser energy (or fluence), the ablated volume slowly increases when the ion production strongly increases. This gives evidence of a decoupling between ablation and ionization. Interaction of the plume with the incoming beam is thus probable.     

Long tethers binding redox centers to polymer backbones enhance electron transport in enzyme "Wiring" hydrogels

A redox hydrogel with an apparent electron diffusion coefficient (D(app)) of (5.8 +/- 0.5) x 10(-)(6) cm(2) s(-)(1) is described. The order of magnitude increase in D(app) relative to previously studied redox hydrogels results from the tethering of redox centers to the backbone of the cross-linked redox polymer backbone through 13 atom spacer arms. The long and flexible tethers allow the redox centers to sweep electrons from large-volume elements and to collect electrons of glucose oxidase efficiently. The spacer arms make the collection of electrons from glucose oxidase so efficient that glucose is electrooxidized already at -0.36 V versus Ag/AgCl, the reversible potential of the redox potential of the FAD/FADH(2) centers of the enzyme at pH 7.2. The limiting current density of 1.15 mA cm(-)(2) is reached at a potential as low as -0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl. The novel redox center of the polymer is a tris-dialkylated N,N'-biimidazole Os(2+/3+) complex. Its redox potential, -0.195 V versus Ag/AgCl, is 0.8 V reducing relative to that of Os(bpy)(2+/3+), its 2,2'-bipyridine analogue.     

Uranyl extraction by beta-diketonate ligands to SC-CO2: theoretical studies on the effect of ligand fluorination and on the synergistic effect of TBP

We report theoretical investigations on the effect of H --> F substitution in acetylacetonate ligands in order to understand why fluorination promotes the extraction of uranyl to supercritical CO(2) with a marked synergistic effect of tri-n-butyl phosphate "TBP". The neutral LH and deprotonated L(-) forms of the ligand, and the uranyl complexes UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S (S = H(2)O versus trimethyl phosphate "TMP" which mimics TBP) are studied by quantum mechanics (QM) in the gas phase, whereas the ligands LH and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are studied by molecular dynamics (MD) in SC-CO(2) solution as well as at a CO(2)-water interface. Several effects are found to favor F ligands over the H ligands. (i) First, intrinsically (in the gas phase), the complexation reaction 2 LH + UO(2)(2+) --> UO(2)L(2) is more exothermic for the F ligands, mainly due to their higher acidity, compared to the H ligands. (ii) The unsaturated UO(2)L(2) complexes with F ligands bind more strongly TMP than H(2)O, thus preferentially leading to the UO(2)L(2)(TMP) complex, more hydrophobic than UO(2)L(2)(H(2)O). (iii) Molecular dynamics simulations of SC-CO(2) solutions show that the F ligands and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are better solvated than their H analogues, and that the UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complex with F ligands is the most CO(2)-philic. (iv) Concentrated solutions of UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complexes at the CO(2)-water interface display an equilibrium between adsorbed and extracted species, and the proportion of extracted species is larger with F- than with H- ligands, in agreement with experimental observations. Thus, TBP plays a dual synergistic role: its co-complexation by UO(2)L(2) yields a hydrophobic and CO(2)-philic complex suitable for extraction, whereas TBP in excess at the interface facilitates the migration of the complex to the supercritical phase.