An azo dye for photodynamic therapy that is activated selectively by two-photon excitation

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer because of its better penetration depth and superior spatial selectivity. Here, we describe an azo group containing cyclized-cyanine derivatives (ACC1 and ACC2) as a two-photon activated, type I based photosensitizer (PS). These small-molecule and heavy atom-free organic dyes showed marked reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating ability under physiological conditions, as well as fast loading ability into the cells and negligible dark toxicity. Live cell analyses with one- and two-photon microscopy revealed that these dyes showed higher ROS generation ability upon two-photon excitation than upon one-photon excitation via the type I process. The PSs have superior PDT properties compared to conventional Visudyne and 5-ALA under mild conditions. These characteristics allowed for precise PDT at the target region in mimic tumor spheroids, demonstrating that the developed TP PS could be useful in efficient PDT applications and in designing various PSs.

Azo containing dyes as a two-photon selective and type I based photosensitizers (PSs) were developed that exhibit excellent photodynamic therapy properties under mild condition.     

Locally enhanced relative humidity for scanning probe nanolithography

The formation of a water meniscus between a sharp tip and a solid surface is one of the prevailing requirements for scanning probe microscope (SPM)-based lithographies, such as dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and conductive tip induced oxidation. The water meniscus functions as a medium for the oxidation of or mass transfer to the solid surface. Here we report a simple, efficient, and effective approach to enhance the local relative humidity and thus increase the size of the water meniscus by bringing a water-containing capillary tube to the proximity of the tip-surface contact area. The enhancement in local relative humidity is confirmed via an increase in the measured tip-surface adhesion forces and the widths of DPN generated parallel lines. Compared to the global control of relative humidity for the whole lithography system, the short distance between the "water reservoir" and the tip-surface contact area enables rapid increase in the local vapor pressure of water, less perturbation, and minimal erosion to the state-of-the-art electronics. As a result, most scanning probe lithography experiments at high relative humidity can now be performed in a reasonable time frame.     

Transparent conducting oxides: texture and microstructure effects on charge carrier mobility in MOCVD-derived CdO thin films grown with a thermally stable, low-melting precursor

A series of low-melting, thermally stable cadmium metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors have been synthesized, structurally and spectroscopically characterized, and implemented in growth of highly conductive and transparent CdO thin films. One member of the series, bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato)(N,N-diethyl-N',N'-dimethyl-ethylenediamine)cadmium(II), Cd(hfa)(2)()(N,N-DE-N',N'-DMEDA), represents a particularly significant improvement over previously available Cd precursors, owing to the low melting point and robust thermal stability. High-quality CdO films were grown by MOCVD on glass and single-crystal MgO(100) between 300 and 412 degrees C. Film growth parameters and substrate surface have large effects on microstructure and electron carrier transport properties. Enhanced mobilities observed for highly biaxially textured films grown on MgO(100) vs glass are attributed, on the basis of DC charge transport and microstructure analysis, to a reduction in neutral impurity scattering and/or to a more densely packed grain microstructure. Although single-grained films grown on MgO(100) exhibit greater mobilities than analogues with discrete approximately 100 nm grains and similar texture, this effect is attributed, on the basis of charge transport and Hall effect measurements as well as optical reflectivity analysis, to differences in carrier concentration rather than to reduced grain boundary scattering. Unprecedented conductivities and mobilities as high as 11,000 S/cm and 307 cm(2)/V.s, respectively, are obtained for epitaxial single-grained films (X-ray diffraction parameters: fwhm(omega) = 0.30 degrees, fwhm(phi) = 0.27 degrees ) grown in situ on MgO(100) at a relatively low temperature (400 degrees C).     

Synthesis of 4,6-disubstituted-7-β-D-ribofuranosyl- and arabinofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines and certain related ribonucleosides

Several disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides have been prepared as congeners of uridine and cytidine. Glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H,7H)-dione ( 4 ) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose ( 5 ) in the presence of TMS triflate afforded 7-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 6 ). Debenzoylation of 6 gave the uridine analog 7-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 3 ), identical with 7-ribofuranosyloxoallopurinol reported earlier. Thiation of 6 gave 7 , which on debenzoylation afforded 7-β-D-ribofuranosyl-6-oxopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4(1H,5H)-thione ( 8 ). Ammonolysis of 7 at elevated temperature gave a low yield of the cytidine analog 4-amino-7-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6(1H)-one ( 11 ). Chlorination of 6 , followed by ammonolysis, furnished an alternate route to 11 . A similar glycosylation of TMS-4 with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride ( 12 ) gave mainly the N7-glycosylated product 13 , which on debenzylation provided 7-β-D-arabinofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 14 ). 4-Amino-7-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6(1H)-one ( 19 ) was prepared from 13 via the C4-pyridinium chloride intermediate 17 . Condensation of the TMS derivatives of 7-hydroxy- ( 20 ) or 7-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one ( 23 ) with 5 in the presence of TMS triflate gave the corresponding blocked nucleosides 21 and 24 , respectively, which on deprotection afforded 7-hydroxy- 22 and 7-amino-4-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one ( 25 ), respectively. Similarly, starting either from 2-chloro ( 26 ) or 2-aminothiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-5,7-(4H,6H)-dione ( 29 ), 2-amino-4-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-5,7(6H)-dione ( 28 ) has been prepared. The structure of 25 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

THE 'OPSIN SHIFT' IN BACTERIORHODOPSIN: STUDIES WITH ARTIFICIAL BACTERIORHODOPSINS

Abstract— The difference (in cm⁻¹) in absorption maxima between the protonated Schiff base of retinals and the pigment derived therefrom has been defined as the opsin shift. It represents the influence of the opsin binding site on the chromophore. The analysis of the opsin shifts of a series of dihydrobacteriorhodopsins has led to the external point-charge model, which in addition to a counter anion near the Schiff base ammonium, carries another negative charge in the vicinity of the β-ionone ring. This is in striking contrast to the external point-charge model proposed earlier for the bovine visual pigment. The absorption maxima of rhodopsins formed from bromo- and phenyl retinals support the two models. A retinal carrying a photoaffinity label has yielded a nonbleachable bacteriorhodopsin.     

Acylation of α-(N-carbamoyl)alkylcuprates and alkyl- or aryl(halo)cuprates

α-(N-Carbamoyl)alkylcuprates [R₂CuLi·LiX or RCuXLi (X=CN, Cl)] when prepared from THF soluble CuX·2LiCl (X=Cl, CN) undergo a reliable and generally high yield reaction with aroyl, alkanoyl, and alkenoyl chlorides to provide a rapid and efficient synthesis of α-carbamoyl ketones. Cuprates prepared from acyclic, cyclic, and a functionalized carbamate can be utilized. Although yields are a function of cuprate reagent and substrate structure, nearly quantitative yields can be obtained with reagents generated from 2RLi+CuCN·2LiCl. The use of reagents generated from CuCl·2LiCl are more efficient in the α-(N-carbamoyl)alkyl ligand, although yields are slightly lower. Acylation of alkyl(chloro)cuprates generated from one equivalent of CuCl·2LiCl and organolithium or Grignard reagents provides an efficient and high yield procedure for ketone synthesis.     

Total synthesis of (±) zoapatanol: a stereospecific synthesis of a key intermediate

The development of a stereospecific synthesis of a key intermediate in the synthesis of (±)-zoapatanol from the Weiland-Miescher ketone is described.     

Oxomolybdenum(VI) and oxomolybdenum(V) thiocarbohydrazone complexes

Summary Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO₂L]H₂O and oxomolybdenum(V) complexes [Mo₂O₃L₂]H₂O and [Mo₂O₃(LH)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] (where LH₂=thiocarbohydrazones derived from thiocarbohydrazide with salicylaldehyde, 5-methyl-, 5-chloro-, 5-bromo-, 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde) have been prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic moment, i.r., u.v-vis, e.p.r. and thermal studies. The data suggests that molybdenum(VI) complexes are non electrolytes, diamagnetic, monomeric and have distorted octahedral geometry, whereas the molybdenum(V) complexes are non electrolytes, paramagnetic and have distorted octahedral structures with possible metal intereaction via oxo bridging.