分子基逻辑材料*

在适当的条件下分子开关将输入的信息转换为输出信号,利用这一特点,可在分子体系根据二进位布尔逻辑规则实现信号转换。目前,用化学体系进行基本的布尔逻辑功能执行 (PASS、YES、NOT、AND、NAND、OR、NOR、XNOR和INH)都已成为可能。在此基础上,逻辑门的整合与编程,以及更进一步的复杂分子运算开始受到人们的关注。迄今为止,以高灵敏性的荧光输出信号为主,人们在分子水平上设计实现了多种复杂的逻辑电路,包括组合逻辑电路和时序逻辑电路等,并开始涉及信息处理的安全平台设计。本文主要介绍了近年来利用分子荧光开关体系模拟数字逻辑电路过程中所取得的最新进展,对分子逻辑电路研究的热点和问题进行了展望。     

Oxidative transformation of thiols to disulfides promoted by activated carbon-air system

Efficient oxidative transformation of thiols to disulfides took place in the presence of activated carbon under an oxygen (or air) atmosphere. The present oxidation method is available not only for a variety of thiols such as simple aromatic and aliphatic thiols but also for 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones and N-Boc-l-cysteine.     

A fluorescent-switch-based computing platform in defending information risk

A molecular computing platform to defend against illegal information theft and invasion is obtained by the rational control of chemical reaction sequences in a newly prepared multiswitchable fluorophore 2-(4-aminophenylethylyl)-5-methoxy-2-(2-pyridyl)thiazole. Some of the fluorescent states with distinct recognition features are only activated through input-sequence-sensitive conversions. Chemically encoded user identity information can then be transmitted from a sequential logic unit to a combinational logic circuit, and hence, result in user-specific digital functionalities. The user's password entry is authorized prior to each computing step to check not only the user's identity, but also to reconfigure the molecular platform from the standby state to the corresponding operational state. Illegal accesses to the molecular computing platform are unable to activate the operation of the trusted users due to the incorrect activation processes, thereby ensuring the information is secured against information invasions.     

Simultaneous detection of small molecule thiols with a simple 19F NMR platform

Thiols play critical roles in regulating biological functions and have wide applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. However, we still lack a general approach for the simultaneous detection of various thiols, especially in complex systems. Herein, we establish a ¹⁹F NMR platform where thiols are selectively fused into a novelly designed fluorinated receptor that has two sets of environmentally different ¹⁹F atoms with fast kinetics (k₂ = 0.73 mM⁻¹ min⁻¹), allowing us to generate unique two-dimensional codes for about 20 thiols. We demonstrate the feasibility of the approach by reliably quantifying thiol drug content in tablets, discriminating thiols in living cells, and for the first time monitoring the thiol related metabolism pathway at the atomic level. Moreover, the method can be easily extended to detect the activity of thiol related enzymes such as γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. We envision that the versatile platform will be a useful tool for detecting thiols and elucidating thiol-related processes in complex systems.

A ¹⁹F NMR platform, capable of discriminating various small molecule thiols, was designed for in-cell thiol differentiation and monitoring, and further detection of the γ-GT activity, demonstrating the wide applications in thiol-related processes.     

Dechalcogenative allylic selenosulfide and disulfide rearrangements: complementary methods for the formation of allylic sulfides in the absence of electrophiles. Scope, limitations, and application to the functionalization of unprotected peptides in aqueous media

Primary allylic selenosulfates (seleno Bunte salts) and selenocyanates transfer the allylic selenide moiety to thiols giving primary allylic selenosulfides, which undergo rearrangement in the presence of PPh3 with the loss of selenium to give allylically rearranged allyl alkyl sulfides. This rearrangement may be conducted with prenyl-type selenosulfides to give isoprenyl alkyl sulfides. Alkyl secondary and tertiary allylic disulfides, formed by sulfide transfer from allylic heteroaryl disulfides to thiols, undergo desulfurative allylic rearrangement on treatment with PPh3 in methanolic acetonitrile at room temperature. With nerolidyl alkyl disulfides this rearrangement provides an electrophile-free method for the introduction of the farnesyl chain onto thiols. Both rearrangements are compatible with the full range of functionality found in the proteinogenic amino acids, and it is demonstrated that the desulfurative rearrangement functions in aqueous media, enabling the derivatization of unprotected peptides. It is also demonstrated that the allylic disulfide rearrangement can be induced in the absence of phosphine at room temperature by treatment with piperidine, or simply by refluxing in methanol. Under these latter conditions the reaction is also applicable to allyl aryl disulfides, providing allylically rearranged allyl aryl sulfides in good yields.     

Versatile and Homogeneous DNA Tetraplex Platform for Constructing Label-Free Logic Devices: From Design to Application

The design of DNA-based logic circuits has become an active research field in DNA nanotechnology and holds great potential in intelligent bioanalysis. To date, although many DNA-based logic systems have been realized, the implementation of advanced logic functions is still challenging, especially with simple and homogeneous compositions. Herein, by integrating two DNA tetraplex structures (G-quadruplex and i-motif), a completely label-free logic platform with high scalability was established, with which a series of advanced functions were realized, including arithmetic (adders and subtractors) and nonarithmetic ones (majority and dual-transfer gates). Furthermore, the platform was also applied as an intelligent biosensor to coanalyze two cancer-related micro-RNAs with high sensitivities and specificities. Considering the excellent versatility, expandability, and biocompatibility, the platform may promote the development of DNA computing and hold great potential in multiparameter sensing and medical diagnosis.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed propargylic substitution reaction of propargylic alcohols with thiols: a general synthetic route to propargylic sulfides

A novel cationic methanethiolate-bridged diruthenium complex [Cp*RuCl(mu2-SMe)2RuCp*(OH2)]OTf (1e) has been disclosed to promote the catalytic propargylic substitution reaction of propargylic alcohols bearing not only terminal alkyne group but also internal alkyne group with thiols. It is noteworthy that neutral thiolate-bridged diruthenium complexes (1a-1c), which were known to promote the propargylic substitution reactions of propargylic alcohols bearing a terminal alkyne group with various heteroatom- and carbon-centered nucleophiles, did not work at all. The catalytic reaction described here provides a general and environmentally friendly preparative method for propargylic sulfides, which are quite useful intermediates in organic synthesis, directly from the corresponding propargylic alcohols and thiols.     

Unimolecular half-adders and half-subtractors based on acid-base reaction

According to the structural analysis of reported molecular processors with acids and bases as inputs, we proposed a general method for constructing molecular half-adders and/or half-subtractors based on acid-base reaction. The method is preliminarily supported by four molecular processors (8-hydroxyquinoline, 4-hydroxypyridine, 4-aminophenol and 5-amino-1-naphthol) capable of the elementary addition and/or subtraction algebraic operations. Noticeably, 8-hydroxyquinoline can mimic the functions of three logic devices, i.e. half-adder, half-subtractor and digital comparator, by the use of superposition and reconfiguration. The method described in this paper may be useful not only for designing new unimolecular arithmetical processors with the same inputs and outputs as standard devices for the construction of future molecular computers, but it can also help us disclose the simplest molecules and biomolecules with computational properties concealed around us.     

Synthesis of meso-arylsulfanyl- and alkylsulfanyl-substituted porphyrins via palladium-mediated C-S bond formation

A family of new meso-arylsulfanyl- and alkylsulfanyl-substituted porphyrins were efficiently synthesized from direct reactions of meso-brominated porphyrins with thiols via palladium-mediated C-S bond formation. The catalytic method can be performed under mild conditions with both mono- and bis-substituted meso-bromoporphyrins as well as their zinc complexes and is suitable for different types of thiols. With the use of selenols, meso-seleno-substituted porphyrins can also be prepared similarly.     

Direct Observation of Dynamic Interactions between Orientation-Controlled Nucleosomes in a DNA Origami Frame

The nucleosome is one of the most fundamental units involved in gene expression and consequent cell development, differentiation, and expression of cell functions. We report here a method to place reconstituted nucleosomes into a DNA origami frame for direct observation using high-speed atomic-force microscopy (HS-AFM). By using this method, multiple nucleosomes can be incorporated into a DNA origami frame and real-time movement of nucleosomes can be visualized. The arrangement and conformation of nucleosomes and the distance between two nucleosomes can be designed and controlled. In addition, four nucleosomes can be placed in a DNA frame. Multiple nucleosomes were well accessible in each conformation. Dynamic movement of the individual nucleosomes were precisely monitored in the DNA frame, and their assembly and interaction were directly observed. Neither mica surface modification nor chemical fixation of nucleosomes is used in this method, meaning that the DNA frame not only holds nucleosomes, but also retains their natural state. This method offers a promising platform for investigating nucleosome interactions and for studying chromatin structure.     

Studies in hydride generation atomic fluorescence determination of selenium and tellurium. Part 2 — effect of thiourea and thiols

In determination of selenium and tellurium by continuous flow hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry, the effect of thiourea and thiols was investigated in view of their potential to achieve mild reaction conditions and as masking agents of interference from foreign elements. The effect of thiourea and thiols was first tested in the absence of interfering species and using different addition modes to reaction system. In the absence of interfering species, thiols negatively influenced the hydride evolution of both selenium and tellurium and, in general, they did not produce the desired effects. Thiourea was well tolerated in the determination of both elements by appropriate choice of experimental conditions. Possible mechanisms producing the depressive effect of thiourea and thiols were also investigated and are discussed later. Compromise reaction conditions were identified by using on-line addition of a neutral thiourea solution to acidified sample, combined with KI addition to NaBH₄. Mild reaction conditions can be achieved by decreasing the NaBH₄ concentration but at the expense of a reduced linear dynamic range. In the presence of foreign elements, thiourea allowed good control of interferences generated by Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Au(III), Ag(I) and Bi(III). Tolerance limits could be improved by factors in the range of 7–2000, for both selenium and tellurium determination. The method has been successfully applied in the determination of traces of tellurium and selenium in copper, lead and molybdenum ores, stainless steel and pure copper metal without any additional steps other than sample dissolution.     

Aliphatic thioacetate deprotection using catalytic tetrabutylammonium cyanide

A series of thiol-functionalized organic compounds were selected to analyze the scope and efficiency of a new thioacetate deprotection method using catalytic tetrabutylammonium cyanide (TBACN) to effect the transformation of a thioacetate group to a free thiol in the presence of a protic solvent. Particularly attractive are the mild reaction and workup conditions, reduced byproduct formation typically seen using literature methods and yields of greater than 80% for the free aliphatic thiols. This method is effective on aliphatic thiols with trityl, benzyl, p-halo-benzyl, phenethyl, phenoxyethyl, and cyclohexylethyl structural moieties, but it is not effective with thiophenols.     

Automated high performance liquid chromatography with on-line reduction of disulfides and chemiluminescence detection for determination of thiols and disulfides in biological fluids

In general, the reduction of disulfide bonds with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) is performed using off-line operation, which is not only time-consuming but also vulnerable to the spontaneous re-oxidation of thiols during sample preparation and subsequent analysis procedures. To the best of our knowledge, there has been not any case on the on-line reduction for biological disulfides coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, these obstacles are overcome by packing Zn(II)-TCEP complexes into a home-made column. The as-synthesized Zn(II)-TCEP complexes enable efficient reduction of disulfide bonds at pH 3.0. This acidic pH value was compatible with that of the mobile phase for HPLC separation of thiols and disulfides. Therefore, using fluorosurfactant-prepared triangular gold nanoparticles as HPLC postcolumn specific chemiluminescence (CL) reagents for thiols, the feasibility of the established on-line reduction column has been confirmed for the direct identification of both thiols and disulfides by incorporating this reduction column into a single chromatographic separation. Detection limits for these analytes range from 8.3 to 25.4 nM and the linear range in a log–log plot can comprise three orders of magnitude. Finally, the utility of this automated on-line reduction of disulfides-HPLC-CL system has been demonstrated for the reliable determination of thiols and disulfides in human urine and plasma samples.     

Distribution of low-density lipoprotein-bound low-molecular-weight thiols: a new analytical approach

We have recently demonstrated that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apoprotein is able to bind the most concentrated plasma thiols such as cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and homocysteine by disulfide linkage. However, the LIF CE assay employed to measure linked thiols was not sensitive enough to verify whether low concentrated plasma thiols as glutathione and glutamylcysteine are also linked to apoprotein. By modifying sample treatment and electrophoretic parameters we set up a new method with an LOQ of about 1.5 nmol/L, by which we demonstrate that LDL apoprotein binds all physiological plasma thiols. The increased sensitivity was obtained by drying released apoB thiols after reduction treatment, dissolving them directly in a low volume of derivatization buffer and decreasing the dilution factor of derivatized sample before CE injection. Moreover, by increasing the concentration of the electrolyte buffer, we improved the selectivity of peaks, in particular between glutathione (GSH) and the impurity peak derived from unreacted 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein, which in the previous electrophoretic conditions were overlapped. The method optimization, reached by searching the best combination between sample matrix and CE run buffer, is fully described. Given the potential pathologic significance of protein thiolation, the proposed method may be useful to understand the mechanisms and the balances that regulate the interaction between thiols and -SH free groups of proteins.     

Facile solid-phase synthesis of biotinylated alkyl thiols

Biotinylated alkyl thiols with the capacity to graft avidin proteins are in increasing demand for the development of self-assembled monolayers on gold. Here we propose 2-Chlorotrityl Chloride solid-phase resin as a new platform to produce these functionalized alkyl thiols. Biotinylated alkyl thiols of non-obvious solution synthesis were obtained rapidly using this method and without previous purification steps.     

Cs2CO3‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling of Thiols with Phosphonates and Arenes

An efficient Cs₂CO₃‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of thiols with phosphonates and arenes that uses molecular oxygen as the oxidant is described. These reactions provide not only a novel alkali metal salt catalyzed aerobic oxidation, but also an efficient approach to thiophosphates and sulfenylarenes, which are ubiquitously found in pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The reaction proceeds under simple and mild reaction conditions, tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and is applicable to the late‐stage synthesis and modification of bioactive molecules.     

Single electron localisation on the cystine/cysteine couple: sulphur or carbon?

Protein sulphur functions can host a single electron on sulphur atoms in redox processes linking thiols to disulphides. However, experimental results have shown that the single electron can also reside on carbon atoms leading to protein damage. We have investigated this possibility on cystine for two initial conformations. The other site of electron fixation is always the carbonyl function. When there is no carbonyl, the electron remains on the sulphur atoms. In a model of the active site of thioredoxin (cystine, the carboxylic group of aspartic acid 30 and a water molecule), only the carbonyl group of the cystine is reactive.     

Sc(Ⅲ)催化硫醇对邻亚甲基苯醌的亲核加成反应合成邻羟基苄硫醚衍生物

以2-[羟基(苯基)甲基]苯酚类化合物和简单的硫醇为原料, 1,2-二氯乙烷为溶剂, 在Sc(Ⅲ)促进下原位生成邻亚甲基苯醌, 并发生亲核加成反应构建邻羟基苄硫醚. 该反应在50 ℃下搅拌2 h即可完成, 目标产物产率82%95%. 反应可放大至克级规模.     

Zirconyl triflate: A new, highly efficient and reusable catalyst for acetylation and benzoylation of alcohols, phenols, amines and thiols with acetic and benzoic anhydrides

Highly efficient acetylation and benzoylation of alcohols, phenols, amines and thiols with acetic and benzoic anhydrides catalyzed by new and reusable zirconyl triflate, ZrO(OTf)₂, is reported. The high catalytic activity of electron deficient ZrO(OTf)₂ can be used for the acetylation and benzoylation of not only primary alcohols but also sterically-hindered secondary and tertiary alcohols with acetic and benzoic anhydrides. Acetylation of phenols with acetic and benzoic anhydrides was achieved to afford the desired acetates and benzoates efficiently. This catalyst also efficiently catalyzed the acetylation and benzoylation of amines and thiols whereby the corresponding amides and thioesters were obtained in good to excellent yields. This catalyst can be reused several times without loss of its activity.     

Electron transfer and ligand binding to cytochrome c' immobilized on self-assembled monolayers

We have successfully immobilized Allochromatium vinosum cytochrome c' on carboxylic acid-terminated thiol monolayers on gold and have investigated its electron-transfer and ligand binding properties. Immobilization could only be achieved for pH's ranging from 3.5 to 5.5, reflecting the fact that the protein is only sufficiently positively charged below pH 5.5 (pI = 4.9). Upon immobilization, the protein retains a near-native conformation, as is suggested by the observed potential of 85 mV vs SHE for the heme FeIII/FeII transition, which is close to the value of 60 mV reported in solution. The electron-transfer rate to the immobilized protein depends on the length of the thiol spacer, displaying distance-dependent electron tunneling for long thiols and distance-independent protein reorganization for short thiols. The unique CO-induced dimer-to-monomer transition observed for cytochrome c' in solution also seems to occur for immobilized cytochrome c'. Upon saturation with CO, a new anodic peak corresponding to the oxidation of an FeII-CO adduct is observed. CO binding is accompanied by a significant decrease in protein coverage, which could be due to weaker electrostatic interactions between the self-assembled monolayer and cytochrome c' in its monomeric form as compared to those in its dimeric form. The observed CO binding rate of 24 M-1 s-1 is slightly slower than the binding rate in solution (48 M-1 s-1), which could be due to electrostatic protein-electrode interactions or could be the result of protein crowding on the surface. This study shows that the use of carboxyl acid-terminated thiol monolayers as a protein friendly method to immobilize redox proteins on gold electrodes is not restricted to cytochrome c, but can also be used for other proteins such as cytochrome c'.