Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of halo derivatives of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones

The palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of halo derivatives of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one with (het)arylboronic acids allow easy access to (het)aryl and vinyl derivatives of this bicycle in good to excellent yields, even from chloro derivatives. The sequence of reactivity of the halogen in the different positions of the ring system was also investigated. 6-Phenyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one could be prepared by thermal cyclization of isopropylidene (6-phenylpyrid-2-ylamino)methylenemalonate, together with a small amount of 7-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridin-4-one.     

Synthesis, characterization, mechanochromism and photochromism of [Fe(dm4bt)3][FeCl4]2 and [Fe(dm4bt)3][FeBr4]2, along with the investigation of steric influence on spin state

The complexes [Fe(dm4bt)(3)][FeCl(4)](2) (1) and [Fe(dm4bt)(3)][FeBr(4)](2) (2) were prepared from the reaction of 2,2'-dimethyl-4,4'-bithiazole (dm4bt) with FeCl(3)·6H(2)O and FeBr(3), respectively, in methanol. Both complexes were characterized by IR, UV-Vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy and their structures were studied by single-crystal diffraction. The methylated bithiazole led to high spin Fe(II) centers in the octahedral cation part of complexes 1 and 2 with Fe-N distance of 2.220 ?, in spite of the low spin octahedral Fe(II) complexes with unsubstituted bithiazole ligands. Crystal structure determination of 2 was performed at 90, 120 and 298 K. Temperature reduction to 90 K resulted in a decrease in the Fe-N bond length to 2.206 ? which is still in the range of high spin Fe(II). Complex 1 shows a reversible mechanochromic effect from the crystalline phase to powder form from red to yellow; it also displays reversible photochromism from yellow to green in solution under sunlight. The magnetic behaviour of the complexes was also studied at 2-300 K. The temperature dependence of χ(m)T curves for the two forms of 1, crystal and powder, demands some changes in their magnetic behavior, causing different colors i.e. red and yellow. At low temperatures, χ(m)T decreases where the decrease starts at around 65 K for compound 1, and at around 100 K for compound 2, due to different counterions. The two complexes exhibit antiferromagnetism at around 4 K.     

Internal Lewis acid assisted hydrogen bond donor catalysis

Boronate ureas are introduced as a new class of noncovalent catalysts for conjugate addition reactions with enhanced activity. Through intramolecular coordination of the urea functionality to a strategically placed Lewis acid, rate enhancements up to 10 times that of more conventional urea catalysts are observed. The tunable nature of boronate ureas is a particularly attractive feature and enables the rational design of catalysts for optimal performance, in terms of both activity and stereocontrol, in new bond-forming processes.     

Short- and long-term stability of lyophilised melatonin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to establish a freeze-drying process for melatonin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) to preserve their chemical and physical stability for a longer time period that what is possible in an aqueous suspension. Glucose and trehalose were investigated as potential excipients during freeze-drying of NP suspensions. Lecithin/chitosan NPs were characterised by mean diameter and zeta potential, ranging between 117.4 and 328.5 nm and 6.7 and 30.2 mV, respectively, depending on the lecithin type and chitosan content in the preparation. Melatonin loadings were up to 7.1%. For all lecithin/chitosan NPs, no notable differences in the mean particle size, size distribution, zeta potential or melatonin content were observed before or immediately after the lyophilisation process or after 7 months of storage at 4 °C. The residual moisture contents of lyophilisates with glucose and trehalose immediately after the lyophilisation process varied between 4.0-4.8% and 2.4-3.0%, respectively. All lecithin/chitosan NPs had a fully amorphous nature after the freeze-drying process, as indicated by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. NP lyophilisates with glucose had a low glass transition temperature (ca. 5 °C), confirming that lyophilisation with glucose as a cryoprotectant was not appropriate. All lyophilisates with trehalose had a glass transition temperature above the room temperature, allowing formation of the cake without a collapse of the structure, which was capable of preserving its characteristics and appearance following 7 months of storage at 4 °C.     

Design and characterization of a metal ion-imidazole self-assembled monolayer for reversible immobilization of histidine-tagged peptides

We report the design and characterization of a metal ion-imidazole self-assembled monolayer on a gold electrode. The resultant monolayer is well-suited for direct immobilization of histidine and methylene blue-modified peptides.     

Exo-cyclopamine--a stable and potent inhibitor of hedgehog-signaling

The combination of theoretical and computational studies with organic synthesis and biological investigations has led to exo-cyclopamine. This stable and highly potent derivative of cyclopamine promises big potential as an experimental drug against several types of human cancer.     

Probing the furanose conformation in the 2'-5'strand of isoDNA : RNA duplexes by freezing the nucleoside conformations

Sugar conformations in the isoDNA strand of isoDNA : RNA duplexes are preferred S-type locked/frozen in contrast to N-type locked conformations preferred in DNA : RNA duplexes.     

pKas of the conjugate acids of N-heterocyclic carbenes in water

pK(a) values of 19.8-28.2 are reported for the conjugate acids of a large series of NHCs in water. The effects of ring size, N-substituent and C(4)-C(5) saturation on pK(a) are discussed.     

Distorted fused porphyrin-phthalocyanine conjugates: synthesis and photophysics of supramolecular assembled systems with a pyridylfullerene

In the current work, we report on the synthesis and photophysical features of supramolecular hybrid systems that are based on newly fused porphyrin-phthalocyanine (P-Pc) conjugates and a pyridylfullerene. The ZnP-ZnPc conjugate was synthesized in three steps starting with a Diels-Alder reaction between β-vinylporphyrin and fumaronitrile. The resulting mixture of isomeric adducts was then dehydrogenated to yield the corresponding benzo[b]porphyrin-2(1),2(2)-dicarbonitrile. In the final step, cyclotetramerization with 4-tert-butylphthalonitrile, in the presence of zinc acetate, afforded the bis-metalated conjugate. Selective demetallation of ZnP led to the H(2)P-ZnPc conjugate. For both conjugates steric hindrance is the inception to a bent configuration, which does, however, not preclude enlargement of the π-conjugated system, that is, the porphyrins and the phthalocyanines. The two conjugates coordinate N-(4-pyridyl)fullero[c]pyrrolidine giving rise to the corresponding supramolecular porphyrin-phthalocyanine-fullerene systems. Photophysical measurements corroborate a sequential deactivation in the excited state, namely an initial intramolecular energy transfer from ZnP or H(2)P to ZnPc followed by an intramolecular charge transfer to yield ZnP-(ZnPc)˙(+)-(C(60))˙(-) and H(2)P-(ZnPc)˙(+)-(C(60))˙(-), respectively.     

Use of a crown ether-heteropoly acid precipitate as a potassium ion-selective membrane electrode

Summary A Potassium ion-selective electrode based on dibenzo-18-crown-6-tungstophosphoric acid precipitate membrane is prepared and conditions for the best functioning have been investigated. The working concentration and pH-range of the electrode is 2.0×10^–2 to 1.3×10^–6 mol/l and 2.9–6.5, respectively. The selectivity coefficient values for a large number of cations are quite low except for caesium and ammonium ions. The electrode can tolerate non-aqueous content upto 20%.

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Kaliumion-sensitive Membranelektrode auf Basis von Kronenether-Heteropolysäure