Photoinduced energy and electron transfer processes in hexapyropheophorbide a- fullerene [C(60)] molecular systems

The photophysical properties of the novel hexapyropheophorbide a (P6), and hexakis (pyropheophorbide a)-C60 (FP6) were studied and compared with those of hexakis (pyropheophorbide a)-fullerene [5:1] hexaadduct (FHP6). It was found that after light absorption the pyropheophorbide a molecules in all three compounds undergo very efficient energy transfer as well as partly excitonic interactions. The last process results in the formation of energy traps, which could be resolved experimentally. For P6, due to shorter distances between neighboring dye molecules, stronger interactions between pyropheophorbide a units than for FHP6 were observed. As a consequence, the excitation energy is delivered rapidly to traps formed by stacked pyropheophorbide a molecules resulting in the reduction of fluorescence, intersystem crossing, and singlet oxygen quantum yields compared to the values of FHP6. For FP6 the reduction of these values is much stronger due to an additional fast and efficient deactivation process, namely photoinduced electron transfer from pyropheophorbide a to the fullerene moiety. Consequently, FP6 can be considered as a combination of a light-harvesting system consisting of several separate pyropheophorbide a molecules and a charge-separating center.     

Dissipation of electronic excitation energy within a C60 [6:0]-hexaadduct carrying 12 pyropheophorbide a moieties

The synthesis and photophysical studies of a fullerene [6:0]-hexaadduct that carries 12 pyropheophorbide a units are reported. The synthesis started with the malonate 1, which was coupled under template conditions to C(60)() to give the hexaadduct 2. After removal of the protecting group with acid the dodecakis amino-substituted precursor compound 3 was generated. 3 was not isolated but directly reacted with the N-succinimid ester 4 of pyropheophorbide a (5), which delivered the desired fullerene [6:0]-hexaadduct 6 in excellent yield. The photophysical properties of 6 were studied and compared with those of the fullerene [5:1]-hexaadduct 7 with six pyropheophorbide a groups and the bispyropheophorbide a-fullerene [5:1]-hexaadduct 8. The pyropheophorbide a units in 6 undergo after light absorption very efficient energy transfer as well as partly excitonic interaction. The last process results in formation of energy traps, which could be resolved experimentally. Compared to the reference compounds 7 and 8, 6 has a higher probability of trap formation due to a higher local concentration of dye molecules and shorter distances between them. As a consequence, the excitation energy is delivered rapidly (within 23 ps) to the traps, resulting in decreases of the fluorescence, intersystem crossing, and singlet oxygen quantum yields in comparison with the values of the reference compounds.     

Fullerene-pyropheophorbide a complexes as sensitizer for photodynamic therapy: uptake and photo-induced cytotoxicity on Jurkat cells

The main challenge in searching for new photosensitizers is to improve their specificity for target cells to avoid toxicity towards normal cells. New modular drug delivery systems were proposed consisting of a multiplying unit with the property of carrying several drug moieties and an addressing unity with high selectivity for target cells. Following this concept, two new fullerene-bis-pyropheophorbide a derivatives were synthesized: a mono-(FP1) and a hexa-adduct (FHP1). The photophysical characterization of the compounds revealed significantly different parameters related to the number of addends at the fullerene core. In this study, the derivatives were tested with regard to their intracellular uptake and photosensitizing activity towards human leukemia T-lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) in comparison with the free sensitizer, pyropheophorbide a. The C(60)-hexa-adduct FHP1 resulted to have a significative phototoxic activity (58% dead cell, after a dose of 400 mJ/cm(2), 688 nm) while the mono-adduct FP1 had a very low phototoxicity and only at higher light doses. The photosensitizing activity of the fullerene hexa-adduct, FHP1, resulted to be lower than that of pyropheophorbide a. The lesser intracellular concentration reached by the C(60)-hexa-adduct FHP1 is probably the reason for its lower phototoxicity with respect to pyropheophorbide a.     

Electrophilic substitution of C60F18 into phenols: HF elimination between OH and a 1,3-shifted fluorine giving benzofurano[2',3':10,26]hexadecafluro[60]fullerene and derivatives

The reaction of C60F18 with phenol, 2-naphthol and quinol in the presence of ferric chloride leads to initial electrophilic substitution (aryldefluorination). This occurs at both ortho and para positions for phenol, at the ortho position for quinol, and at the relatively hindered but most reactive 1-position for 2-naphthol. It is followed, where sterically favourable, by HF loss either between the OH group and F (rendered adjacent as a result of a 1,3-shift) or to attack of the OH group at an adjacent double bond with loss of a beta-fluorine, giving benzofurano[2',3':10,26]hexadecafluoro[60]fullerene derivatives. The reaction is accompanied by some complete defluorination leading, in reaction with phenol and with 2-naphthol, to the formation of benzofurano[2',3':1,2][60]fullerene and naphtho[2,1:b]furano[d:1,2][60]-fullerene, respectively. The mechanism of base-catalysed reaction of phenols with C60Cl6 is re-evaluated.     

Hexakis‐Adducts of [60]Fullerene with Different Addition Patterns: Templated Synthesis,Physical Properties,and Chemical Reactivity

Representatives of two classes of hexakis‐adducts of C₆₀ were prepared by templated synthesis strategies. Compound 8 with a dipyridylmethano addend in a pseudo‐octahedral addition pattern was obtained by DMA‐templated addition (DMA=9,10‐dimethylanthracene; Scheme 1) and served as the starting material for the first supramolecular fullerene dimer 2 . Hexakis‐adduct 12 also possesses a pseudo‐octahedral addition pattern and was obtained by a sequence of tether‐directed remote functionalization, tether removal, and regioselective bis‐functionalization (Scheme 2). With its two diethynylmethano addends in trans‐1 position, it is a precursor for fascinating new oligomers and polymers that feature C₆₀ moieties as part of the polymeric backbone (Fig. 1). With the residual fullerene π‐electron chromophore reduced to a `cubic cyclophane'‐type sub‐structure (Fig. 4), and for steric reasons, 8 and 12 no longer display electrophilic reactivity. As a representative of the second class of hexakis‐adducts, (±)‐ 1 , which features six addends in a distinct helical array along an equatorial belt, was prepared by a route that involved two sequential tether‐directed remote functionalization steps (Schemes 3 and 5). In compound (±)‐ 1 , π‐electron conjugation between the two unsubstituted poles of the carbon sphere is maintained via two (E)‐stilbene‐like bridges (Fig. 4). As a result, (±)‐ 1 features very different chemical reactivity and physical properties when compared to hexakis‐adducts with a pseudo‐octahedral addition pattern. Its reduction under cyclic voltammetric conditions is greatly facilitated (by 570 mV), and it readily undergoes additional, electronically favored Bingel additions at the two sterically well‐accessible central polar 6‐6 bonds under formation of heptakis‐ and octakis‐adducts, (±)‐ 30 and (±)‐ 31 , respectively (Scheme 6). The different extent of the residual π‐electron delocalization in the fullerene sphere is also reflected in the optical properties of the two types of hexakis‐adducts. Whereas 8 and 12 are bright‐yellow (end‐absorption around 450 nm), compound (±)‐ 1 is shiny‐red, with an end‐absorption around 600 nm. This study once more demonstrates the power of templated functionalization strategies in fullerene chemistry, providing addition patterns that are not accessible by stepwise synthetic approaches.     

New pyrazolino- and pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes with transition-metal chelating pyridine substitutents: synthesis and complexation to Ru(II)

Three pyridine-substituted fullerene adducts, bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(2'-phenyl-5'-(2-pyridinyl)-2'H-[5,6]fullereno(C(60)-I(h))[1,9]pyrazole)ruthenium-bis(hexafluorophosphate) (1), bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(2'-phenyl-5'-(4-(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridinyl))-2'H-[5,6]fullereno(C(60)-I(h))[1,9]pyrazole)ruthenium-bis(hexafluorophosphate) (2), and bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(1',5'-dihydro-3'-methyl-2'-(4-(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridinyl))-2'H-[5,6]fullereno(C(60)-I(h))[1,9]pyrrole)ruthenium-bis(hexafluorophosphate) (3), have been prepared. The common features for these complexes are the short bridges between the fullerene and the pyridine moieties. [structure: see text]     

60]- and [70]Fullerenes are trifluoromethylated across 5:6-bonds

Trifluoromethylation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes occurs across both 6:6- and 5:6-bonds giving unsymmetrical tetramethyl adducts having four contiguous CF3 groups; both fullerenes give bis adducts which do not involve 6:6-addition, and unsymmetrical hexa-adducts (with contiguous CF3 groups) are also obtained from [60]fullerene.     

NMR spectrometric studies of complexation of [60]fullerene with series of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins

Extensive 1H NMR spectrometric studies have been done to gain information on the nature of molecular interactions of the supramolecular complexes of [60]fullerene with a series of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins, namely, meso-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (1), meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-2-bromophenyl-porphyrin (2) and meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-2-chlorophenyl-porphyrin (3) in toluene medium. [60]Fullerene has been shown to form 1:1 adducts with the above series of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins. Formation constants (K) for all the complexes have been determined from the systematic variation of the NMR chemical shifts of beta proton of the porphyrin in presence of [60]fullerene. It has been observed that 3 acts as a better donor in forming supramolecular complex with [60]fullerene.     

The syntheses of pyrazino-containing sultines and their application in diels-alder reactions with electron-poor olefins and

The Diels-Alder reactions of heterocyclic o-quinodimethanes, generated in situ from 6,7-disubstituted quinoxalino[2,3-d]-[1, 2lambda(4)]oxathiine 2-oxides (6a-c), 2,3-disubstituted-8, 9-dihydro-6H-8lambda(4)-[1,2]oxathiino[4,5-g]quinoxalin-8-one (7a-c) (sultines), and pyrazinosultine (22), with electron-poor olefins and [60]fullerene are described. The heterocyclic-fused sultines 7a-c and 22 are readily prepared from the corresponding dibromides 9a-c and 24 with the commercially available Rongalite (sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate). When heated in the presence of electron-poor dienophiles and [60]fullerene, all of the sultines underwent extrusion of SO(2), and the resulting heterocyclic o-quinodimethanes (3a-d, 4a-c, and 25) were intercepted as the 1:1 adducts in good to excellent yields. The temperature-dependent (1)H NMR spectra of fullerene derivatives 31-38 show a dynamic process for the methylene protons. The activation free energies (DeltaG(c)()) determined for the boat-to-boat inversion of these pyrazino-containing C(60) compounds (31-34 and 38) are found to be in the range of 14.1-14.8 kcal/mol, but they are in the range of 15. 2 to >17.1 kcal/mol for adducts 35-37. The activation free energies (DeltaG(c)()) are significantly affected by (1) the orientations and (2) the substituents of the quinoxaline rings and (3) the extended benzannulation in the arenes of C(60) adducts (see Table 2), which implies that both electronic interactions and steric effects between the aromatic addends and C(60) are important. Tautomerization of methylquinoxaline to its enamine is invoked as a rationalization for the lowering of DeltaG(c)() in some of the fulleroadducts.     

3He NMR as a sensitive probe of fullerene reactivity: [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to C70

The [2 + 2] photoadditions of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to C70 and 3He@C70 have been studied by a combination of HPLC chromatography and FAB-MS, as well as IR and 1H and 3He NMR spectroscopies. The total yield of the mixture of monoadducts was 55% (67% on the basis of the recovered C70). The use of 3He NMR was especially powerful in determining the regioselectivity of the photoaddition reaction of enone to C70. Results of the 3He NMR experiments conducted on the product mixture implicate the two [6,6] bonds closest to the poles of the fullerene (C1-C2 and C5-C6) in the photoaddition process. This reaction mode is analogous to that of most thermal addition reactions to C70. Separation and characterization of the product mixture shows that eight distinct monoadducts are formed in the photoaddition, namely, the four diastereomeric adducts to the C1-C2 and C5-C6 bonds of the C70 cage, each consisting of cis- and trans-fused isomers in a ratio of 2:3. The major mode of photoaddition, accounting for 65% of the product mixture, involves addition to the C1-C2 bond of the ovoid fullerene. Mechanistic implications of these findings are discussed.     

Three‐Dimensional Metal–Fullerene Frameworks

Hexakis‐substituted [60]fullerene adducts with icosahedral symmetry provide an unprecedented scaffold for the spatial arrangement of twelve functional groups with high geometric precision. This unique molecular symmetry identifies such polyfunctional organic building blocks as potential highly connective linkers for coordination polymer and metal–organic framework synthesis. Hereby, the linker exhibits a higher connectivity than the metal ions and with the main connectivity based on the ligand, this can create a new type of inversely cross‐linked framework. Two hexakis adducts bearing either twelve glycolic acid or 3‐hydroxypropionic acid side chains attached to its malonate units were incorporated as organic connectivity centers in the first fullerene‐containing three‐dimensional frameworks by coordination with Zn²⁺.     

Structural diversity in solvated lithium aryloxides. Syntheses, characterization, and structures of [Li(OAr)(THF)x]n and [Li(OAr)(py)x]2 complexes where OAr = OC6H5, OC6H4(2-Me), OC6H3(2,6-(Me))2, OC6H4(2-Pr(i)), OC6H3(2,6-Pr(i)))2, OC6h4(2-Bu(t)), OC6H3(2,6-Bu(t)))2

A series of sterically varied aryl alcohols H-OAr [OAr = OC6H5 (OPh), OC6H4(2-Me) (oMP), OC6H3(2,6-(Me))2 (DMP), OC6H4(2-Pr(i)) (oPP), OC6H3(2,6-(Pr(i)))2 (DIP), OC6H4(2-Bu(t)) (oBP), OC6H3(2,6-(Bu(t)))2 (DBP); Me = CH3, Pr(i) = CHMe2, and Bu(t) = CMe3] were reacted with LiN(SiMe3)2 in a Lewis basic solvent [tetrahydrofuran (THF) or pyridine (py)] to generate the appropriate "Li(OAr)(solv)x". In the presence of THF, the OPh derivative was previously identified as the hexagonal prismatic complex [Li(OPh)(THF)]6; however, the structure isolated from the above route proved to be the tetranuclear species [Li(OPh)(THF)]4 (1). The other "Li(OAr)(THF)x" products isolated were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [Li(OAr)(THF)]4 [OAr = oMP (2), DMP (3), oPP (4)], [Li(DIP)(THF)]3 (5), [Li(oBP)(THF)2]2, (6), and [Li(DBP)(THF)]2, (7). The tetranuclear species (1-4) consist of symmetric cubes of alternating tetrahedral Li and pyramidal O atoms, with terminal THF solvent molecules bound to each metal center. The trinuclear species 5 consists of a six-membered ring of alternating trigonal planar Li and bridging O atoms, with one THF solvent molecule bound to each metal center. Compound 6 possesses two Li atoms that adopt tetrahedral geometries involving two bridging oBP and two terminal THF ligands. The structure of 7 was identical to the previously reported [Li(DBP)(THF)]2 species, but different unit cell parameters were observed. Compound 7 varies from 6 in that only one solvent molecule is bound to each Li metal center of 7 because of the steric bulk of the DBP ligand. In contrast to the structurally diverse THF adducts, when py was used as the solvent, the appropriate "Li(OAr)(py)x" complexes were isolated as [Li(OAr)(py)2]2 (OAr = OPh (8), oMP (9), DMP (10), oPP (11), DIP (12), oBP (13)) and [Li(DBP)(py)]2 (14). Compounds 8-13 adopt a dinuclear, edge-shared tetrahedral complex. For 14, because of the steric crowding of the DBP ligand, only one py is coordinated, yielding a dinuclear fused trigonal planar arrangement. Two additional structure types were also characterized for the DIP ligand: [Li(DIP)(H-DIP)(py)]2 (12b) and [Li2(DIP)2(py)3] (12c). Multinuclear (6,7Li and 13C) solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that the bulk powder possesses several Li environments for "transitional ligands" of the THF complexes; however, the py adducts possess only one Li environment, which is consistent with the solid-state structures. Solution NMR studies indicate that "transitional" compounds of the THF precursors display multiple species in solution whereas the py adducts display only one lithium environment.     

Photodynamic activity of substituted zinc trisulfophthalocyanines: role of plasma membrane damage

We recently reported that variations in cellular phototoxicity among a series of alkynyl-substituted zinc trisulfophthalocyanines (ZnPcS3Cn) correlates with their hydrophobicity, with the most amphiphilic derivatives showing the highest cell uptake and phototoxicity. In this study we address the role of the plasma membrane in the photodynamic response as it relates to the overall hydrophobicity of the photosensitizer. The membrane tracker dye 1-[4(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (TMA-DPH), which is incorporated into plasma membranes by endocytosis, was used to establish plasma membrane uptake by EMT-6 cells of the ZnPcS3C, by colocalization, and TMA-DPH membrane uptake rates after photodynamic therapy were used to quantify membrane damage. TMA-DPH colocalization patterns show plasma membrane uptake of the photosensitizers after short 1 h incubation periods. TMA-DPH plasma membrane uptake rates after illumination of the photosensitizer-treated cells show a parabolic relationship with photosensitizer hydrophobicity that correlates well with the phototoxicity of the ZnPcS3C,. After a 1 h incubation period, overall phototoxicity correlates closely with the postillumination rate of TMA-DPH incorporation into the cell membrane, suggesting a major role of plasma membrane damage in the overall PDT effect. In contrast, after a 24 h incubation, phototoxicity shows a stronger but imperfect correlation with total cellular photosensitizer uptake rather than TMA-DPH membrane uptake, suggesting a partial shift in the cellular damage responsible for photosensitization from the plasma membrane to intracellular targets. We conclude that plasma membrane localization of the amphiphilic ZnPcS3C6-C9 is a major factor in their overall photodynamic activity.     

Synthesis of highly branched sulfur-nitrogen heterocycles by cascade cycloadditions of [1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazines and [1,2]dithiolopyrroles

We report the synthesis of some new polysulfur-nitrogen heterocycles by cascade cycloadditions to readily available polycyclic 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones. Thus, treatment of bis[1,2]dithiolopyrrole dithione 1 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) or dibenzoylacetylene (DBA) gave the 1:4 adducts 2a,b and 3a. On the other hand, cycloaddition of bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazine dithiones 4a-d with the same dipolarophiles gave the 1:2, 1:3, or 1:4 adducts 5a-c, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a,c,d selectively in fair to high yields. Reaction conditions were crucial for achievement of selectivity in thermal reactions. Catalysis by scandium triflate was used in the reaction of 4a and 2 equiv of DMAD. Treatment of the [1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazine dithione 11 with DBA gave the 1:2, 1:3 (two isomers), and 1:4 adducts 12-14 and 15a-d selectively. Cyclic voltammetry of selected examples showed irreversible processes that were not influenced by peripheral groups bonded to the heterocyclic system.     

Energies of charge transfer and supramolecular interactions of some mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes with [60]fullerene by absorption spectrometric method

Equilibria for the formation of supramolecular complexes of [60]fullerene with a series of mono O-substituted calix[6]arenes, namely: (i) 37-methoxy-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (1), (ii) 37-allyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (2), (iii) 37-phenacyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (3), (iv) 37-ethylester-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (4) and (v) 37-benzyl-38,39,40,41,42-pentahydroxy-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(4-tert-butyl)calix[6]arene (5) have been studied in CCl4 medium by absorption spectroscopic technique. The stoichiometry has been found to be 1:1 ([60]fullerene:calix[6]arene) in each case. An absorption band due to charge transfer (CT) transition is observed in each case in the visible region. The vertical ionisation potentials (I(D)(v)) of all the calix[6]arenes under study have been estimated utilising CT transition energy. The experimental I(D)(v) values also yield a good estimate of the electron affinity of [60]fullerene. The degrees of CT in the ground state of the complexes have been found to be very low (about 0.15%). Resonance energy of the complexes have been estimated. Thermodynamic parameters for the supramolecular complex formation of [60]fullerene with mono O-substituted calix[6]arene receptors are reported. It is observed that among the calix[6]arenes under the present study, only 1 and 4 form inclusion complexes with [60]fullerene. This has also been substantiated by theoretical calculation using PM3 method. Thus presence of one substituent group (of different types) on the lower rim of the calix[6]arene molecule has been shown to govern the host-guest complexation process.     

Influence of hydrogen bonding on the assembly of six-membered vanadium borophosphate cluster anions: synthesis and structures of (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12](6)10H2O, (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12](6)17H2O, and (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4 5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4][V2P2BO12]6 10H2O

Three new strontium vanadium borophosphate compounds, (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12]6 10H2O (Sr-VBPO1) (1), (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12]6 17H2O (Sr-VBPO2) (2), and (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4.5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4][V2P2BO12]6 10H2O (Sr-VBPO3) (3) have been synthesized by interdiffusion methods in the presence of diprotonated ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, and 1,4-diaminobutane. Compound 1 has a chain structure, whereas 2 and 3 have layered structures with different arrangements of [(NH4) [symbol: see text] [V2P2BO12]6] cluster anions within the layers. Crystal data: (NH4)2(C2H10N2)6[Sr(H2O)5]2[V2P2BO12]6 10H2O, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 21.552(1) A, b = 27.694(2) A, c = 20.552(1) A, beta = 113.650(1) degrees, Z = 4; (NH4)2(C3H12N2)6[Sr(H2O)4]2[V2P2BO12]6 17H2O, monoclinic, space group I2/m (no. 12), a = 15.7618(9) A, b = 16.4821(9) A, c = 21.112(1) A, beta = 107.473(1) degrees, Z = 2; (NH4)3(C4H14N2)4.5[Sr(H2O)5]2[Sr(H2O)4] [V2P2BO12]6 10H2O, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 39.364(2) A, b = 14.0924(7) A, c = 25.342(1) A, beta = 121.259(1) degrees, Z = 4. The differences in the three structures arise from the different steric requirements of the amines that lead to different amine-cluster hydrogen bonds.     

Aluminum and zinc complexes based on an amino-bis(pyrazolyl) ligand: synthesis, structures, and use in MMA and lactide polymerization

The coordination chemistry of bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)ethyl]amine (1, LH) with aluminum- and zinc-alkyls has been studied. Reaction of 1 with AlR3 affords the adducts [LH] x AlR3 (R = Me, 2; Et, 3), which undergo alkane elimination upon heating to yield the amido complexes [L]AlR2 (R = Me, 4; Et, 5). Reaction of LiO(iPrO)C=CMe2 with 2 proceeds via N-H deprotonation to give Li[L]AlMe3 (6), while the former enolate adds to 4 to generate [Me2C=C(OiPr)OLi] x [L]AlMe2 (7). Similarly, the 1:1 reaction of ZnEt2 with 1 gives [LH] x ZnEt2 (9), which is transformed into [L]ZnEt (10) upon heating. When an excess of ZnEt2 was used in the latter reaction, the bimetallic complex [L]ZnEt x ZnEt2 (11) was isolated beside 10. Performing the same reaction in the presence of O2 traces yielded selectively the dinuclear ethyl-ethoxide complex [L]Zn2Et2(mu-OEt) (12), which was alternatively prepared from the reaction of 10 and ZnEt(OEt). Zinc chloride complexes [LH] x ZnRCl (R = Et, 13; p-CH3C6H4CH2, 14) and [L]ZnCl (15) were prepared in high yields following similar strategies. Ethyl abstraction from 10 with B(C6F5)3 yields [L]Zn+EtB(C6F5)3- (16). All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for four-coordinate Al complexes 2, 4, and 6 and Zn complexes 9-12 and 14. Aluminate species 6 and 7 initiate the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, and the monomer conversions are improved in the presence of neutral complexes 2 or 4, respectively; however, these methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerizations are uncontrolled. Polymerization of rac-lactide takes place at 20 degrees C in the presence of zinc ethoxide complex 12 to yield atactic polymers with controlled molecular masses and relatively narrow polydispersities.     

Controlling the confinement and alignment of fullerene C(70) in para-substituted calix[5]arenes

In toluene fullerene C(70) forms 2:1 complexes with p-benzylcalix[5]arene (1) and p-phenylcalix[5]arene (2), [C(70) subset1(2)].6(C(7)H(8)) and [C(70) subset2(2)].7(C(7)H(8)). The fullerene molecules are completely shrouded by two calix[5]arenes in addition to terminal benzyl groups from other supermolecules, [C(70) subset1(2)], and solvent. Within the capsule-like supermolecules the calixarenes have distinctly different arrangements relative to the principal axis of the fullerene; for [C(70) subset1(2)].6(C(7)H(8)) the oxygen planes of the two calixarenes are skewed by 37.0 and 47.5 degrees , whereas in [C(70) subset2(2)].7(C(7)H(8)) the principal axes of the fullerene and the two encapsulating calixarenes are more closely aligned with the corresponding angles at 9.7 and 8.6 degrees , and features a pentaphenyl inter-calixarene embrace. The Hirshfeld surfaces of these two complexes have been investigated for a detailed understanding of the orientation and nature of interactions of C(70) with the cavitand-type molecules and toluene.     

Comparative study of photodynamic properties of 13,15-N-cycloimide derivatives of chlorin p6

Comparative study of 13,15-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)]cycloimide chlorin p6 (2), 13,15-(N-acetoxy)cycloimide chlorin p6 (3), 13,15-(N-hydroxy)cycloimide chlorin p6 methyl ester (4) and 13,15-(N-methoxy)cycloimide chlorin p6 methyl ester (5) together with the previously investigated 13,15-[N-(3-hydroxypropyl)]cycloimide chlorin p6 (1) was performed. The dependence of the key photodynamic properties of 1-5 on the introduced substituents was analyzed. The photoinduced cell-killing activity of 4 is 100- and 280-fold higher than that of chlorin p6 and Photogem, respectively, as estimated on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. The activity is reduced eight times in the order 4 > 5 > 1 > 2 > 3. The intracellular accumulation of 1-5 occurs in cytoplasm in a monomeric form bound to the lipids of cellular membranes. This form of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is characterized by the high quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation, which depends on the introduced substituents, 0.66, 0.59, 0.35, 0.51 and 0.73, respectively. The photostability is two-fold less for 1 and four-fold less for 2, 3 and 5 than for 4. The rates of cellular uptake and efflux of 1-5 vary widely, thus providing the way to optimize the pharmacological properties of the photosensitizer (PS) using the respective substituents. Modifying the substituents, 1-5 were targeted to different cellular organelles. The enhanced accumulation in the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria complemented with diffuse staining of intracellular membranous structures is a property of 1-4. Compound 5 accumulates selectively in the lipid droplets and stains weakly perinuclear structures. Temperature-sensitive mechanisms of transport are responsible for the 1-4 uptake. Diffusion can play a role in the internalization of 5 but not of 1-4. Endocytosis via caveolae, clathrin-dependent and adenosine triphosphate-dependent pathways are not noticeably involved in the 1-5 internalization. Independently from their intracellular localization 1, 4 and 5 are highly efficient near-IR PS, which induce predominantly an apoptotic type of cell death under conditions providing ca 50% level of phototoxicity and necrosis at the 100% level of phototoxicity.     

Approaches to open fullerenes: a 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaadduct of C60

Complete saturation of a single six-membered ring on fullerene C60 has been achieved. The critical step in this first synthesis of a fully characterized 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaadduct consisted of a remarkable double 5-exo-trig addition of alkoxyl radicals promoted by lead tetraacetate. Two possible opening pathways ([2 + 2 + 2] retrocycloadditions) for the newly synthesized compound were explored using quantum mechanical calculations. We found that the oxa bridges in the hexaadduct prevent ring opening through the retro[2 + 2 + 2] mechanism due to the high activation barrier and endothermicity of the reaction.