A Click Chemistry Approach to Developing Molecularly Targeted DNA Scissors

Nucleic acid click chemistry was used to prepare a family of chemically modified triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) for application as a new gene-targeted technology. Azide-bearing phenanthrene ligands—designed to promote triplex stability and copper binding—were ‘clicked’ to alkyne-modified parallel TFOs. Using this approach, a library of TFO hybrids was prepared and shown to effectively target purine-rich genetic elements in vitro. Several of the hybrids provide significant stabilisation toward melting in parallel triplexes (>20 °C) and DNA damage can be triggered upon copper binding in the presence of added reductant. Therefore, the TFO and ‘clicked’ ligands work synergistically to provide sequence-selectivity to the copper cutting unit which, in turn, confers high stabilisation to the DNA triplex. To extend the boundaries of this hybrid system further, a click chemistry-based di-copper binding ligand was developed to accommodate designer ancillary ligands such as DPQ and DPPZ. When this ligand was inserted into a TFO, a dramatic improvement in targeted oxidative cleavage is afforded.     

Fractional powers of the noncommutative Fourier's law by the S‐spectrum approach

Let e_?, for ? = 1,2,3, be orthogonal unit vectors in and let be a bounded open set with smooth boundary ?Ω. Denoting by a point in Ω, the heat equation, for nonhomogeneous materials, is obtained replacing the Fourier law, given by the following: into the conservation of energy law, here a, b, are given functions. With the S‐spectrum approach to fractional diffusion processes we determine, in a suitable way, the fractional powers of T. Then, roughly speaking, we replace the fractional powers of T into the conservation of energy law to obtain the fractional evolution equation. This method is important for nonhomogeneous materials where the Fourier law is not simply the negative gradient. In this paper, we determine under which conditions on the coefficients a, b, the fractional powers of T exist in the sense of the S‐spectrum approach. More in general, this theory allows to compute the fractional powers of vector operators that arise in different fields of science and technology. This paper is devoted to researchers working in fractional diffusion and fractional evolution problems, partial differential equations, and noncommutative operator theory.     

Generating examples: focus on processes

Constructing an example can be a rich and complex activity, interesting to investigate mathematical thinking and with many potentialities in mathematics education. In this article, I analyse processes involved in example generation, with particular emphasis on production and transformation of signs representing mathematical objects and on generation of inferences. The richness and complexity of these processes will also be shown through the notions of prototypes, concept image and concept definition. This investigation reveals aspects that are significant both in education and for the reflection on cognitive and cultural aspects of mathematical thinking.     

A novel conformationally restricted analogue of 3-methylaspartic acid via stereoselective methylation of chiral pyrrolidin-2-ones

Conformationally restricted analogues of β-methylaspartic acid were easily prepared starting from chiral N-protected trans-3-amino-4-methoxycarbonyl pyrrolidin-2-ones. The key step of the synthesis was the methylation reaction at C-4, proceeding with high diastereoselection syn to the protected amino group lying at C-3 of the pyrrolidin-2-one ring.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Complexes Involving Dithiocarbamates,Triphenylphosphine, and Nickel(II)

Abstract

Six new nickel complexes of two dithiocarbamate ligands (cyfdtc = N-cyclohexyl-N- furfuryldithiocarbamate and bztpedtc = N-benzyl-N-[2-thiophenylethyl]dithiocarbamate) namely, (Ni[cyfdtc]₂) (1), (Ni[bztpedtc]₂) (2), (Ni[cyfdtc][NCS][PPh₃]) (3), (Ni[bztpedtc] [NCS][PPh₃]) (4), (Ni[cyfdtc][PPh₃]₂)ClO₄ (5), and (Ni[bztpedtc][PPh₃]₂)ClO₄ (6) have been prepared and characterized using IR, electronic, and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectra. A single crystal X-ray structural analysis was carried out for complex 3 and showed that nickel is in a distorted square planar arrangement with the NiS₂PN chromophore. The shift in ν_C?N of the heteroleptic complexes to higher frequencies compared with the parent complex is assigned to mesomeric delocalization of electron density from the

dithiocarbamate ligand toward the metal atom, which increases the contribution of polar thioureide form in mixed ligand complexes. Electronic spectral studies suggest square planar geometry for the complexes. In the ¹³C NMR spectra, the upfield shift of NCS₂ carbon signal for 3 and 4 from the chemical shift value of 1 and 2 is due to effect of PPh₃ on the mesomeric drift of electron density toward nickel throughout thioureide C?N bond.     

An integrated console for capsule-based,automated organic synthesis

The current laboratory practices of organic synthesis are labor intensive, impose safety and environmental hazards, and hamper the implementation of artificial intelligence guided drug discovery. Using a combination of reagent design, hardware engineering, and a simple operating system we provide an instrument capable of executing complex organic reactions with prepacked capsules. The machine conducts coupling reactions and delivers the purified products with minimal user involvement. Two desirable reaction classes – the synthesis of saturated N-heterocycles and reductive amination – were implemented, along with multi-step sequences that provide drug-like organic molecules in a fully automated manner. We envision that this system will serve as a console for developers to provide synthetic methods as integrated, user-friendly packages for conducting organic synthesis in a safe and convenient fashion.

Using a combination of reagent design, hardware engineering, and a simple operating system we provide an instrument capable of executing complex organic reactions using prepacked capsules with minimal user involvement.