Recent approaches for clickable poly(2-oxazoline)-based functional stimuli-responsive polymers and related applications

Abstract

Poly(2-oxazoline)s (POxs) are well-known thermo-responsive polymers that exhibit reversible hydrophilic–hydrophobic phase transitions at the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Using living cationic ring-opening polymerisation, various functional groups can be introduced into POxs. Several clickable POxs with propargyl or azide end groups have been designed and subsequently reacted with various functional groups to prepare multifunctional POxs that respond to stimuli such as temperature, pH, chemicals and light. In this article, we briefly review recent approaches for clickable POx-based functional stimuli-responsive polymers and related applications.     

Molecular dynamics and pharmacophore modelling studies of different subtype (ALK and EGFR (T790M)) inhibitors in NSCLC

Extensively validated 3D pharmacophore models for ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) and EGFR (T790M) (epithelial growth factor receptor with acquired secondary mutation) were developed. The pharmacophore model for ALK (r² = 0.96, q² = 0.692) suggested that two hydrogen bond acceptors and three hydrophobic groups arranged in 3-D space are essential for the binding affinity of ALK inhibitors. Similarly, the pharmacophore model for EGFR (T790M) (r² = 0.92, q² = 0.72) suggested that the presence of a hydrogen bond acceptor, two hydrogen bond donors and a hydrophobic group plays vital role in binding of an inhibitor of EGFR (T790M). These pharmacophore models allowed searches for novel ALK and EGFR (T790M) dual inhibitors from multiconformer 3D databases (Asinex, Chembridge and Maybridge). Finally, the eight best hits were selected for molecular dynamics simulation, to study the stability of their complexes with both proteins and final binding orientations of these molecules. After molecular dynamics simulations, one hit has been predicted to possess good binding affinity for both ALK and EGFR (T790M), which can be further investigated for its experimental in-vitro/in-vivo activities.     

The Quest for Mononuclear Gold(II) and Its Potential Role in Photocatalysis and Drug Action

The chemistry of gold strongly focuses on the ubiquitous oxidation states +I and +III. The intermediate oxidation state +II is generally avoided in mononuclear gold species. In recent years, gold(II) has been increasingly suggested as a key intermediate in artificial photosynthesis systems, with gold(III) moieties acting as electron acceptors, as well as in gold‐catalyzed photoredox catalysis and radical chemistry. This Minireview provides a concise summary of confirmed and characterized mononuclear open‐shell gold(II) complexes. Recent findings on structural motifs and reactivity patterns will be discussed. Exciting developments in the fields of photosynthesis, photocatalysis, and potential roles in medicinal chemistry will be outlined.     

Detailed Evidence for an Unparalleled Interaction Mode between Calmodulin and Orai Proteins

Calmodulin (CaM) binds most of its targets by wrapping around an amphipathic α‐helix. The N‐terminus of Orai proteins contains a conserved CaM‐binding segment but the binding mechanism has been only partially characterized. Here, microscale thermophoresis (MST), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to study the binding equilibria, the kinetics, and the single‐molecule interaction forces involved in the binding of CaM to the conserved helical segments of Orai1 and Orai3. The results consistently indicated stepwise binding of two separate target peptides to the two lobes of CaM. An unparalleled high affinity was found when two Orai peptides were dimerized or immobilized at high lateral density, thereby mimicking the close proximity of the N‐termini in native Orai oligomers. The analogous experiments with smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK) showed only the expected 1:1 binding, confirming the validity of our methods.     

A Metal–Organic Compound as Cathode Material with Superhigh Capacity Achieved by Reversible Cationic and Anionic Redox Chemistry for High-Energy Sodium-Ion Batteries

Although sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrochemical performances, in particular the energy density, are much lower than LIBs. A metal–organic compound, cuprous 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ), is presented as a new kind of cathode material for SIBs. It consists of both cationic (Cu^II↔Cu^I) and anionic (TCNQ⁰↔TCNQ⁻↔ TCNQ²⁻) reversible redox reactions, delivering a discharge capacity as high as 255 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 20 mA g⁻¹. The synergistic effect of both redox-active metal cations and organic anions brings an electrochemical transfer of multiple electrons. The transformation of cupric ions to cuprous ions occurs at near 3.80 V vs. Na⁺/Na, while the full reduction of TCNQ⁰ to TCNQ⁻ happens at 3.00–3.30 V. The remarkably high voltage is attributed to the strong inductive effect of the four cyano groups.     

A three‐dimensional cadmium coordination polymer based on 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)but‐2‐ene and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid

The Cd^II three‐dimensional coordination poly[[[μ₄‐1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)but‐2‐ene]bis(μ₃‐5‐carboxybenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato)dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd₂(C₉H₄O₆)₂(C₈H₁₀N₆)]·2H₂O}_n , (I), has been synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid (1,3,5‐H₃BTC) and 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)but‐2‐ene (1,4‐btbe). The IR spectrum suggests the presence of protonated carboxylic acid, deprotonated carboxylate and triazolyl groups. The purity of the bulk sample was confirmed by elemental analysis and X‐ray powder diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Cd^II ions adopt a five‐coordinated distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry, coordinated by three O atoms from three different 1,3,5‐HBTC²⁻ ligands and two N atoms from two different 1,4‐btbe ligands; the latter are situated on centres of inversion. The Cd^II centres are bridged by 1,3,5‐HBTC²⁻ and 1,4‐btbe ligands into an overall three‐dimensional framework. When the Cd^II centres and the tetradentate 1,4‐btbe ligands are regarded as nodes, the three‐dimensional topology can be simplified as a binodal 4,6‐connected network. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms the presence of lattice water in (I). Photoluminescence studies imply that the emission of (I) may be ascribed to intraligand fluorescence.     

A halide‐free pyridinium‐substituted η3‐cycloheptatrienide–Pd complex

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐substituted η³‐cycloheptatrienide–Pd complex which is free of halide ligands. Diacetonitrile{η³‐[4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐1‐yl]cycloheptatrienido}palladium(II) bis(tetrafluoroborate), [Pd(C₂H₃N)₂(C₁₄H₁₆N₂)](BF₄)₂, was prepared by the exchange of two bromide ligands for noncoordinating anions, which results in the empty coordination sites being occupied by acetonitrile ligands. As described previously, exchange of only one bromide leads to a dimeric complex, di‐μ‐bromido‐bis({η³‐[4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐1‐yl]cycloheptatrienido}palladium(II)) bis(tetrafluoroborate) acetonitrile disolvate, [Pd₂Br₂(C₁₄H₁₆N₂)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN, with bridging bromide ligands, and the crystal structure of this compound is also reported here. The structures of the cycloheptatrienide ligands of both complexes are analogous to the dibromide derivative, showing the allyl bond in the β‐position with respect to the pyridinium substituent. This indicates that, unlike a previous interpretation, the main reason for the formation of the β‐isomer cannot be internal hydrogen bonding between the cationic substituents and bromide ligands.     

A charge‐transfer salt composed of methyl viologen and hexacyanidoferrate(II)

The methyl viologen dication, used under the name Paraquat as an agricultural reagent, is a well‐known electron‐acceptor species that can participate in charge‐transfer (CT) interactions. The determination of the crystal structure of this species is important for accessing the CT interaction and CT‐based properties. The title hydrated salt, bis(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium) hexacyanidoferrate(II) octahydrate, (C₁₂H₁₄N₂)₂[Fe(CN)₆]·8H₂O or (MV)₂[Fe(CN)₆]·8H₂O [MV²⁺ is the 1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐1,1′‐diium (methyl viologen) dication], crystallizes in the space group P 2₁/c with one MV²⁺ cation, half of an [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anion and four water molecules in the asymmetric unit. The Fe^II atom of the [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anion lies on an inversion centre and has an octahedral coordination sphere defined by six cyanide ligands. The MV²⁺ cation is located on a general position and adopts a noncoplanar structure, with a dihedral angle of 40.32 (7)° between the planes of the pyridine rings. In the crystal, layers of electron‐donor [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anions and layers of electron‐acceptor MV²⁺ cations are formed and are stacked in an alternating manner parallel to the direction of the −2a + c axis, resulting in an alternate layered structure.     

N‐Benzylnicotinamide and N‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide: useful models for NAD+ and NADH

3‐Aminocarbonyl‐1‐benzylpyridinium bromide (N‐benzylnicotinamide, BNA), C₁₃H₁₃N₂O⁺·Br⁻, (I), and 1‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carboxamide (N‐benzyl‐1,4‐dihydronicotinamide, rBNA), C₁₃H₁₄N₂O, (II), are valuable model compounds used to study the enzymatic cofactors NAD(P)⁺ and NAD(P)H. BNA was crystallized successfully and its structure determined for the first time, while a low‐temperature high‐resolution structure of rBNA was obtained. Together, these structures provide the most detailed view of the reactive portions of NAD(P)⁺ and NAD(P)H. The amide group in BNA is rotated 8.4 (4)° out of the plane of the pyridine ring, while the two rings display a dihedral angle of 70.48 (17)°. In the rBNA structure, the dihydropyridine ring is essentially planar, indicating significant delocalization of the formal double bonds, and the amide group is coplanar with the ring [dihedral angle = 4.35 (9)°]. This rBNA conformation may lower the transition‐state energy of an ene reaction between a substrate double bond and the dihydropyridine ring. The transition state would involve one atom of the double bond binding to the carbon ortho to both the ring N atom and the amide substituent of the dihydropyridine ring, while the other end of the double bond accepts an H atom from the methylene group para to the N atom.     

Polymorphism of a widely used building block for halogen‐bonded assemblies: 1,3,5‐trifluoro‐2,4,6‐triiodobenzene

After reporting the structure of a new polymorph of 1,3,5‐trifluoro‐2,4,6‐triiodobenzene (denoted BzF3I3 ), C₆F₃I₃, (I), which crystallized in the space group P 2₁/c , we perform a comparative analysis with the already reported P 2₁/n polymorph, (II) [Reddy et al. (2006). Chem. Eur. J. 12 , 2222–2234]. In polymorph (II), type‐II I…I halogen bonds and I…π interactions connect molecules in such a way that a three‐dimensional structure is formed; however, the way in which molecules are connected in polymorph (I), through type‐II I…I halogen bonds and π–π interactions, gives rise to an exfoldable lamellar structure, which looks less tightly bound than that of (II). In agreement with this structural observation, both the melting point and the melting enthalpy of (I) are lower than those of (II).