DNA Cross‐Linking Patterns Induced by an Antitumor‐Active Trinuclear Platinum Complex and Comparison with Its Dinuclear Analogue

The center of it all : An antitumor‐active trinuclear platinum complex forms unprecedented interstrand cross‐linked triadducts with 18‐mer DNA duplexes (see figure; complex in yellow with the platinum centers in red) and behaves differently from its dinuclear analogue.

     

Influence of the Charge State on the Structures and Interactions of Vancomycin Antibiotics with Cell‐Wall Analogue Peptides: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Charge matters! The charge state significantly influences the conformation and the binding energy between vancomycin antibiotic and bacterial cell‐wall analogue peptides (see figure). Surface‐induced dissociation (SID) studies provide a quantitative comparison between the stabilities of different charge states of the complex.

     

A Supramolecular Polymer as a Self‐Assembling Polyvalent Scaffold

Binding bacteria : Discotic molecules self‐assemble into columnar supramolecular polymers that show strong polyvalent binding to bacteria by virtue of mannose ligands attached at their periphery (orange; see picture). The reversible formation of the supramolecular polymers allows simple mixing of differently substituted monomers and the optimization of bacterial aggregation.

     

Asymmetrically Substituted Benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamides: Self‐Assembly and Odd–Even Effects in the Solid State and in Dilute Solution

Molecular organization : Chiral benzene tricarboxamides with methyl substituents at defined positions self‐assemble into supramolecular polymers of preferred helicity by three‐fold α‐helical‐type hydrogen bonding. The odd–even effect is operative and all derivatives are liquid crystalline showing a Col_ho phase (see figure).

     

Synthesis of Styrenes by Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Vinylation of Arylboronic Acids and Aryltrifluoroborates by Using Vinyl Acetate

One Heck of a reaction : Treatment of arylboronic acids or aryltrifluoroborates with vinyl acetate by using a palladium(II) catalyst gives the corresponding styrenes (see scheme). No palladium reoxidant is needed and the vinylation is performed under non‐inert conditions

     

Detection of Biologically Important Anions in Aqueous Media by Dicationic Azaborines Bearing Ammonio or Phosphonio Groups

Not common sense, but specific : Dicationic azaborines bearing ammonio or phosphonio groups showed enhanced Lewis acidity as well as improved water solubility. Complexation between the azaborines and fluoride or cyanide ions was observed in aqueous media (see figure; DMSO= dimethyl sulfoxide).

     

C?H Hydroxylation Using a Heterocyclic Catalyst and Aqueous H2O2

Substituted benzoxathiazines function as catalysts for the selective hydroxylation of tertiary C? H bonds. Mechanistic studies have revealed an unanticipated disparity between oxaziridine reactivity and catalyst performance and have given way to a new catalyst and an aqueous H₂O₂ reaction protocol that greatly facilitate such transformations (see scheme).