Synthesis and acid-base properties of (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonate (Bimp2-). Evidence for intramolecular hydrogen-bond formation in aqueous solution between (N-1)H and the phosphonate group

The synthesis of (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonic acid, H2(Bimp)+/-, is described: 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole was reacted with ethylchloroformate to give 1-carboethoxy-2-chloromethylbenzimidazole which was treated with trimethyl phosphite and after hydrolysis with aqueous HBr H2(Bimp)+/- was obtained. In H2(Bimp)+/- one proton is at the N-3 site and the other at the phosphonate group; both acidity constants were determined in aqueous solution by potentiometric pH titrations (25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO3) and this furnished the pKa values of 5.37 +/- 0.02 and 7.41 +/- 0.02, respectively. The acidity constant for the release of the primary proton from the P(O)(OH)2 group of H3(Bimp)+ was estimated: pKa = 1.5 +/- 0.2. Moreover, Bimp2- can be further deprotonated at its neutral (N-1/N-3)H site to give the benzimidazolate residue, but this reaction occurs only in strongly alkaline solution (KOH); application of the H_ scale developed by G. Yagil (J. Phys. Chem., 1967, 71, 1034) together with UV spectrophotometric measurements gave pKa = 14.65 +/- 0.12. Comparisons with acidity constants taken from the literature show that this latter pKa value is far too large and this allows the conclusion that an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the (N-1/N-3)H site and the phosphonate group of Bimp2-; the formation degree of this hydrogen-bonded isomer is estimated to be 98 +/- 2%. The general relevance of this and the other results are shortly discussed and the species distribution for the Bimp system in dependence on pH is provided.     

Instant Visual Detection of Picogram Levels of Trinitrotoluene by Using Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework Gel‐Coated Filter Paper

There is an ongoing need for explosive detection strategies to uncover threats to human security including illegal transport and terrorist activities. The widespread military use of the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT) for landmines poses another particular threat to human health in the form of contamination of the surrounding environment and groundwater. The detection of explosives, particularly at low picogram levels, by using a molecular sensor is seen as an important challenge. Herein, we report on the use of a fluorescent metal–organic framework hydrogel that exhibits a higher detection capability for TNT in the gel state compared with that in the solution state. A portable sensor prepared from filter paper coated by the hydrogel was able to detect TNT at the picogram level with a detection limit of 1.82 ppt (parts per trillon). Our results present a simple and new means to provide selective detection of TNT on a surface or in aqueous solution, as afforded by the unique molecular packing through the metal–organic framework structure in the gel formation and the associated photophysical properties. Furthermore, the rheological properties of the MOF‐based gel were similar to those of a typical hydrogel.     

Spectroscopic and magnetic evidence of coordination properties of bioactive diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate ligand with chloride transition-metal ions

A series of five chloride coordination compounds of diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate (4-pmOpe) ligand, i.e. [CuCl₂(4-pmOpe)₂], [NiCl₂(4-pmOpe)₄], [CoCl₂(4-pmOpe)], [ZnCl₂(4-pmOpe)₂], and [CdCl₂(4-pmOpe)₂], was prepared and studied. Stoichiometry and stereochemistry of the compounds was confirmed by spectroscopic and magnetic studies as well as by elemental analyses. The 4-pmOpe ligand has a capacity to coordinate to metal ions by means of phosphoryl oxygen and/or nitrogen of pyridine atoms. In Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) compounds, 4-pmOpe adopts the monodentate coordination mode, bonding metal centers through the pyridine nitrogen atom only. On the contrary, in Co(II) and Cd(II) compounds, 4-pmOpe acts as N,O-bridging ligand forming polynuclear structures. Magnetic studies (1.8–300 K) indicate mononuclear structure of the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds and suggest existence of a very weak exchange coupling between metal centers in crystal lattice.     

Ferromagnetic exchange coupling in phosphonato-bridged dinuclear copper(II) compound with monoethyl (pyridyn-2-ylmethyl)phosphonate ligand (2-mpmpe): Cu2(2-mpmpe)2(H2O)2(NO3)2

The interaction of diethyl (pyridyn-2-ylmethyl)phosphonate (2-pmpe) with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O leads to a partial hydrolysis of the starting ligand and formation of the compound of the formula Cu₂(2-mpmpe)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂, where 2-mpmpe = monoethyl (pyridyn-2-ylmethyl)phosphonate. The crystal and molecular structure of a copper(II) compound was determined by single X-ray diffraction method. Its structure consists of five-coordinated in distorted square planar geometry (CuNO₄ chromophore) copper(II) ions doubly bridged by OPO from phosphonate. The Cu?Cu distance is 4.69 Å. The crystal packing is determined by the interdinuclear hydrogen bond system, which leads to a three-dimensional (3D) H-bonds network. The compound was characterized by infrared, ligand field, EPR spectroscopy, and magnetic studies. The magnetic properties of the title compound investigated over the 1.8–300 K, revealed the occurrence of a weak ferromagnetic coupling through phosphonate bridge (J = 1.86 cm⁻¹) and interdimer superexchange coupling through H-bond network (zJ′ = −0.17 cm⁻¹). Spectroscopic and magnetic properties are presented in the light of crystal structure.     

Structure of 1,4-dihydro-1-ethyl-4-iminecinnoline-3-carboxylic acids, classical isosters of quinolone antibacterials: Crystal structures of hydrochlorides of 7-chloro and 7-methyl derivatives

Crystal structures of hydrochlorides of 7-chloro- and 7-methyl-4-iminecinnoline analogs of antibacterial quinolones have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The cell parameters for the 7-chloro (1) analog in the space group P2₁/c are a = 9.061(1), b = 19.062(1), c = 7.310(1)Å, = 104.92(1)°, Z = 4, and D _calc = 1.569 g/cm³ and for the 7-methyl (2) analog in the space group P are a = 7.277(5), b = 9.080(5), c = 10.058(5) Å, = 106.10(1), = 102.38(1), = 90.18(1)°, Z = 2, and D _calc = 1.429 g/cm³. Despite geometrical equivalency of methyl and chlorine and some resemblance of their packings, the crystal structures are not isostructural. Each compound forms a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond between protonated 4-imine (a donor) and 3-carboxylic (an acceptor) groups. Compounds with a similar bond, but with reversed functionality and orientation of the 3-carboxylic group, form common quinolones, being mostly 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids. The difference should exclude chemical affinity of 4-imine analogs to the guanine base of a bacterial DNA in DNA-gyrase complex, as proposed by Shen et al. ² for 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids showing antibacterial activity. Also the free acidic function of a carboxyl group may significantly lower permeability of 4-imine-3-carboxylic analogs of quinolones. Surprisingly, they have demonstrated antibacterial activity comparable with that of nalidixic acid.     

Evolutionary screening of biomimetic coatings for selective detection of explosives

Susceptibility of chemical sensors to false positive signals remains a common drawback due to insufficient sensor coating selectivity. By mimicking biology, we have demonstrated the use of sequence-specific biopolymers to generate highly selective receptors for trinitrotoluene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Using mutational analysis, we show that the identified binding peptides recognize the target substrate through multivalent binding with key side chain amino acid elements. Additionally, our peptide-based receptors embedded in a hydrogel show selective binding to target molecules in the gas phase. These experiments demonstrate the technique of receptor screening in liquid to be translated to selective gas-phase target binding, potentially impacting the design of a new class of sensor coatings.     

Fluorescent composite hydrogels of metal-organic frameworks and functionalized graphene oxide

GO MOFs! Azobenzoic acid functionalized graphene (A-GO) can act as a structure-directing template that influences hydrogel formation together with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Zn(2+) MOFs of pyridine derivatives work as framework linkers between the A-GO sheets (MOF-A-GO, see figure). MOF-A-GO exhibits a strong fluorescence enhancement upon gel formation. In addition, MOF-A-GO selectively recognizes trinitrotoluene.     

trans-Bis(3-aminoflavone-κ2N,O)bis(perchlorato-κO)copper(II), a new potential antitumour agent

The title compound, trans-bis(3-amino-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one-κ²N,O⁴)bis(perchlorato-κO)copper(II), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₁₅H₁₁NO₂)₂], is composed of mononuclear units wherein the central Cu^II cation occupies a crystallographic inversion centre. The cation is coordinated by two bidentate 3-aminoflavone ligands occupying the equatorial sites and by two perchlorate anions in the apical positions, thereby giving rise to a markedly elongated octahedral coordination geometry. Two symmetry-related intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains of rings running parallel to the [100] direction, while intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds help to determine the orientation of the apical perchlorate anions.     

A nonlinear finite-element model of the newborn ear canal

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element model of a 22-day-old newborn ear canal is presented. The geometry is based on a clinical x-ray CT scan. A nonlinear hyperelastic constitutive law is applied to model large deformations. The Young's modulus of the soft tissue is found to have a significant effect on the ear-canal volume change, which ranges from approximately 27% to 75% over the static-pressure range of +/-3kPa. The effects of Poisson's ratio and of the ratio C10: C01 in the hyperelastic model are found to be small. The volume changes do not reach a plateau at high pressures, which implies that the newborn ear-canal wall would not be rigid in tympanometric measurements. The displacements and volume changes calculated from the model are compared with available experimental data.