Chemistry of Pentafluorosulfanyl Derivatives and Related Analogs: From Synthesis to Applications

Pentafluorosulfanyl (SF₅)-containing compounds and corresponding analogs are a highly valuable class of fluorine-containing building blocks owing to their unique properties. The reason for that is the set of peculiar and tremendously beneficial characteristics they can impart on molecules once introduced onto them. Despite this, their application in distinct scientific fields remains modest, given the extremely harsh reaction conditions needed to access such compounds. The recent synthetic approaches via S−F, and C−SF₅ bond formation as well as the use of SF₅-containing building blocks embody a “stairway-to-heaven” loophole in the synthesis of otherwise-inaccessible chemical scaffolds only a few years ago. Herein, we report and evaluate the properties of the SF₅ group and analogs, by summarizing synthetic methodologies available to access them as well as following applications in material science and medicinal chemistry since 2015.     

The Effect of the Spacer of Bis(biurea) Ligands on the Structure of A2L3‐type (A=anion) Phosphate Complexes

By tuning the length and rigidity of the spacer of bis(biurea) ligands L, three structural motifs of the A₂L₃ complexes (A represents anion, here orthophosphate PO₄^3?), namely helicate, mesocate, and mono‐bridged motif, have been assembled by coordination of the ligand to phosphate anion. Crystal structure analysis indicated that in the three complexes, each of the phosphate ions is coordinated by twelve hydrogen bonds from six surrounding urea groups. The anion coordination properties in solution have also been studied. The results further demonstrate the coordination behavior of phosphate ion, which shows strong tendency for coordination saturation and geometrical preference, thus allowing for the assembly of novel anion coordination‐based structures as in transition‐metal complexes.     

Functional Binding Surface of a β‐Hairpin VEGF Receptor Targeting Peptide Determined by NMR Spectroscopy in Living Cells

In this study, the functional interaction of HPLW peptide with VEGFR2 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2) was determined by using fast ¹⁵N‐edited NMR spectroscopic experiments. To this aim, ¹⁵N uniformly labelled HPLW has been added to Porcine Aortic Endothelial Cells. The acquisition of isotope‐edited NMR spectroscopic experiments, including ¹⁵N relaxation measurements, allowed a precise characterization of the in‐cell HPLW epitope recognized by VEGFR2.     

100 MeV质子束流品质诊断及剂量测量准确性评估方法研究

质子辐射生物学效应是太空放射生物学和质子束放疗研究的重要基础，可为空间环境下人员的危险性评估以及质子治疗优化设计提供科学依据。依托加速器建立相应的生物样本辐照技术是开展此类研究的前提条件。中国原子能科学研究院最近建立的100 MeV强流质子回旋加速器提供的中能质子束流为目前国内能量最高，特别适合用于太空放射生物学和质子治疗相关研究。本研究中，利用在束和离线等多种手段建立了中能质子束流诊断和剂量测量方法，对加速器引出的100 MeV质子照射野大小、均匀性等束流品质以及剂量测量系统准确性进行了分析和评估。结果表明，对光子剂量响应好的LiF(Mg, Ti)热释光探测器，对90 MeV质子同样具有良好的剂量响应关系，可作为中能质子剂量准确性评估的手段之一。在5.0 cm×5.0 cm照射野范围内，加速器引出的100 MeV质子束流的均匀性好于90%，在线剂量测量系统准确性好于93%，束流品质和剂量测量条件基本满足辐射生物学的要求，可为质子辐射生物学效应研究的开展提供可靠保障。     

PtII-Catalyzed Hydroxylation of Terminal Aliphatic C(sp3)−H Bonds with Molecular Oxygen

The practical application of Shilov-type Pt catalysis to the selective hydroxylation of terminal aliphatic C−H bonds remains a formidable challenge, due to difficulties in replacing Pt^IV with a more economically viable oxidant, particularly O₂. We report the potential of employing FeCl₂ as a suitable redox mediator to overcome the kinetic hurdles related to the direct use of O₂ in the Pt reoxidation. For the selective conversion of butyric acid to γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a significantly enhanced catalyst activity and stability (turnover numbers (TON)>30) were achieved under 20 bar O₂ in comparison to current state-of-the-art systems (TON<10). In this regard, essential reaction parameters affecting the overall activity were identified, along with specific additives to attain catalyst stability at longer reaction times. Notably, deactivation by reduction to Pt⁰ was prevented by the addition of monodentate pyridine derivatives, such as 2-fluoropyridine, but also by introducing varying partial pressures of N₂ in the gaseous atmosphere. Finally, stability tests revealed the involvement of Pt^II and FeCl₂ in catalyzing the non-selective overoxidation of GHB. Accordingly, in situ esterification with boric acid proved to be a suitable strategy to maintain enhanced selectivities at much higher conversions (TON>60). Altogether, a useful catalytic system for the selective hydroxylation of primary aliphatic C−H bonds with O₂ is presented.