Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-SCH 351448: a unique ligand system for sodium, calcium, and other cations

(+)-SCH 351448 (Na+ salt A) was synthesized employing ring-closing olefin metathesis reaction of an open diene diester intermediate for construction of the 28-membered macrodiolide structure. The open diene diester was prepared from the monomeric hydroxy carboxylic acid and two different olefin fragments. The monomeric hydroxy acid was synthesized via Julia-Julia coupling reaction of intermediates derived from the same olefinic fragments. Oxane units in these fragments were prepared by radical cyclization reactions of beta-alkoxyacrylates. Analogous SCH 351448 salts incorporating other mono- and divalent cations may be prepared. Under acidic conditions, SCH 351448 (Na+ salt A) was the most stable complex, but SCH 351448 (Ca2+ salt) and (Na+ salt B) appear to be physiologically important species.     

Ab initio excited-state dynamics of the photoactive yellow protein chromophore

The photoisomerization mechanism of the neutral form of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP) chromophore is investigated using ab initio quantum chemistry and first-principles nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (ab initio multiple spawning or AIMS). We identify the nature of the two lowest-lying excited states, characterize the short-time behavior of molecules excited directly to S2, and explain the origin of the experimentally observed wavelength-dependent photoisomerization quantum yield.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on composite solid polymer electrolytes

The ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes and their interfacial contact with dye-attached TiO2 particles were enhanced markedly by the addition of amorphous oligomer into polymer electrolytes, resulting in very high overall energy conversion efficiency.     

Synthesis and manganese complexes of pentagonal bipyramidal ligands: N,N′-disubstituted pentaaza macrocycles

Two novel heptadentate ligands, pentaaza macrocycles with two pendant xpyridyl and phenol groups, were prepared and the crystal structure of the manganese(II) complex of N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-pentaaza macrocycle revealed a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry.     

Syntheses of 1beta-methylcarbapenems bearing 5-methyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidinone

A new series of 1beta-methylcarbapenems 1a-d bearing 5-methyl-4-mercaptopyrrolidinone rings has been prepared and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity and pharmacokinetic parameters. Most compounds showed excellent antibacterial activity and high stability to dehydropeptidase-1. We have synthesized optically active 5-methyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidinones from enantiomerically pure aziridine esters.     

Lithium isotope separation by chemical exchange with polymer-bound azacrown compounds

The chromatographic separation of lithium isotopes was investigated by chemical exchange with the recently synthesized polymer-bound dibenzo pyridino diamide azacrown (DBPDA) and reduced dibenzo pyridino diamide azacrown (RDBPDA). Column chromatography was employed for the determination of the effect of solvents and ligand conformation on the separation coefficients. The maximum separation coefficients, , for the DBPDA and RDBPDA at 20.0±0.02°C with acetonitrile as eluent, were found to be 0.034±0.002 and 0.035±0.002, respectively. The isotope separation coefficient and adsorption capability of the lithium ion on the DBPDA and RDBPDA were only slightly dependent on ligand structure, but strongly dependent on the solvent. DBPDA and RDBPDA appeared to have almost the same value for the isotope separation coefficient of lithium.     

Human topoisomerase I poisoning: docking protoberberines into a structure-based binding site model

Summary Using the X-ray crystal structure of the human topoisomerase I (top1) – DNA cleavable complex and the Sybyl software package, we have developed a general model for the ternary cleavable complex formed with four protoberberine alkaloids differing in the substitution on the terminal phenyl rings and covering a broad range of the top1-poisoning activities. This model has the drug intercalated with its planar chromophore between the −1 and +1 base pairs flanking the cleavage site, with the nonplanar portion pointing into the minor groove. The ternary complexes were geometry-optimized and relative interaction energies, computed by using the Tripos force field, were found to rank in correct order the biological potency of the compounds; in addition, the model is also consistent with the top1-poisoning inactivity of berberine, a major prototype of the protoberberine alkaloids. The model might serve as a rational basis for elaboration of the most active compound as a lead structure, in order to develop more potent top1 poisons as next generation anti-cancer drugs.     

ATRP grafting of styrene from benzyl chloride functionalized polysiloxanes: An AFM and TGA study of the Cu(0)/bpy catalyst

Various combinations of Cu(0), CuCl, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were used as catalysts for the grafting polymerizations of styrene from polysiloxane macroinitiators functionalized with benzyl chloride. While Cu(0)/bpy alone promotes the grafting, narrower polydispersities were obtained in the presence of CuCl. Analysis of the Cu(0) surface before and after polymerization by a combination of AFM, TGA and FTIR investigations reveals the formation of bpy or phen films on Cu(0). In the presence of CuCl, the ligand film appears decorated with CuCl particles which increase in size with increasing the CuCl concentration. The initial layer occurs most likely as a result of complexation between the ligands and the Cu(0) surface and acts as a support for the rest of the film. These observations are consistent with the film formation on Cu(0) from related nitrogen donors and indicate that the reactivity of the Cu surface may depend not only on its prior treatment but also on the deposition of ligands from the reaction mixture.     

Exchange interactions in copper(II) complexes with tridentate Schiff bases: EPR and magnetic studies

The influence of the nature of ligands upon the magnetic and EPR properties was investigated for the series of polynuclear Cu(II) complexes with tridentate Schiff bases. A similar tendency of changes in the |J| and D parameters was found for binuclear Cu(II) complexes with ligands derived from condensation of 3-amino-1-propanol with 2-hydroxyaldehydes and acetylacetone as well as for Cu(II) complexes with condensation products of o-aminophenol and β-diketones. The Cu(II) complex with Schiff base of 1-amino-2-propanol and acetylacetone exhibits ferromagnetic behaviour suggesting tetrameric structure.     

Differential pulse voltammetric determination of trace Te(IV) at a poly(3,3′-diaminobenzidine) film modified gold electrode in flow systems

Electropolymerization of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine on a gold surface gave an adherent, stable film of poly(3,3′-diaminobenzidine) (PDAB). This polymer film retained the complexational functionalities of its monomer, demonstrating preconcentration abilities for several ions, including Se(IV) and Te(IV). In particular, in this work, continuous flow and flow injection methods were developed for the sensitive and selective determination of Te(IV). The optimized method for the continuous flow mode had a detection limit of 5.6×10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹ for 10 min preconcentration. Typical relative standard deviations for six consecutive determinations were 1.82 and 2.56% for Te(IV) concentrations of 1.0×10⁻⁶ and 5.0×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹, respectively (10 min preconcentration). The method was applied to the determination of Te(IV) in real samples.