Synthesis of Pyridyl and N-Methylpyridinium Analogues of Rosamines: Relevance of Solvent and Charge on Their Photophysical Properties

A series of pyridyl analogues of rosamines was prepared by employing two methodologies: (i) the conventional-heating condensation of a pyridinecarboxaldehyde with 3-(diethylamino)phenol in propionic acid, and (ii) the novel ohmic-heating assisted condensation under “on water” conditions, followed by oxidation. The 4-pyridyl substituted rosamine was further converted into the N-methylpyridinium derivative through N-alkylation using methyl iodide. The influence of the position and cationization of the nitrogen atom of the pyridyl ring in the physicochemical properties of fluorophores was investigated by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N NMR spectral analysis, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (4-pyridyl and N-methylpyridinium derivatives) and thermal-behavior analysis. Curiously, for ethanolic solutions of 4-pyridyl and N-methylpyridinium derivatives an extinction of color and fluorescence over time was observed. This phenomenon was further studied and the data revealed that it is the result of nucleophilic addition of ethoxide ion to the central 9-position of the xanthene. The kinetics of the process is slower for the 4-pyridyl rosamine, which emphasizes the importance of the charge in the N-methylpyridinium analogue in the reactivity of the molecule towards a nucleophile agent. This phenomenon is reversible, meaning that the compounds can be rapidly recovered by decreasing the pH, opening new avenues in the sensing applications of this class of rosamines.     

Quaternary salts from 2-(methylpyridyl or quinolyl)benzimidazoles and related polymethine dyes

The quaternisation of 2-(methylpyridyl or quinolyl)benzimidazoles with methyl iodide leads to a variety of salts depending on the relative position of the nuclei and on the experimental conditions: N-methylpyridinium, N-methylquinolinium, methyl and 1,3-dimethylbenzimidazolium iodides, and hydroiodides were isolated. Cyanine dyes were prepared from N-methylpyridinium and N-methylquinolinium methiodides. The main spectrospcopic features of these compounds are briefly discussed.     

Bridgehead nitrogen heterocycles. VI. The reaction of 1-amino- and 1,2-diaminopyridinium salts with β-dicarbonyl compounds

1,2-Diaminopyridinium iodide underwent reaction with ethyl acetoacetate to form 1,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxopyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium iodide, and with acetyl acetone it gave 2,4-dimethylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ium iodide. Though 2-acetylcyclohexanone gave the corresponding 5-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]quinazolin-11-ium iodide, no reaction was observed with 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione, 1-benzoylacetone, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione and its p-methoxyphenyl derivative. However, 1-aminopyridinium iodide and acetyl acetone in the presence of base gave 3-acetyl-2-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and 1-amino-2-methylpyridinium iodide yielded the corresponding 3-acetyl-2,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine. With ethyl acetoacetate, the latter salt formed 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine but with 2,6-dimethyl substituents in the pyridine ring no condensation occurred. Reaction of 1-amino-2-methylpyridinium iodide with benzaldehyde gave N-benzalimino-2-methylpyridinium iodide which, on treatment with base, resulted in the formation of 2-picoline and benzonitrile, providing a convenient method of deamination.     

Cationic,water‐soluble,fluorene‐containing poly(arylene ethynylene)s: Effects of water solubility on aggregation,photoluminescence efficiency,and amplified fluorescence quenching in aqueous solutions

Three novel fluorene‐containing poly(arylene ethynylene)s with amino‐functionalized side groups were synthesized through the Sonogashira reaction. They were poly{9,9‐bis[6′‐(N,N‐diethylamino)hexyl]‐2,7‐fluorenylene ethynylene}‐alt‐co‐{2,5‐bis[3′‐(N,N‐diethylamino)‐1′‐oxapropyl]‐1,4‐phenylene} ( P1 ), poly{9,9‐bis[6′‐(N,N‐diethylamino)hexyl]‐2,7‐fluorenylene ethynylene} ( P2 ), and poly({9,9‐bis[6′‐(N,N‐diethylamino)hexyl]‐2,7‐fluorenylene ethynylene}‐alt‐co‐(1,4‐phenylene)) ( P3 ). Through the postquaternization treatment of P1 – P3 with methyl iodide, we obtained their cationic water‐soluble conjugated polyelectrolytes (WSCPs): P1′ – P3′ . The water solubility was gradually improved from P3′ to P1′ with increasing contents of hydrophilic side chains. After examining the ultraviolet–visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, and dynamic light scattering data, we propose that with the reduction of the water solubility from P1′ to P3′ , they exhibited a gradually increased degree of aggregation in H₂O. The PL quantum yields of P1′ – P3′ in H₂O displayed a decreasing tendency consistent with the increased degree of aggregation, suggesting that the pronounced degree of aggregation was an important reason for the low PL quantum yields of WSCPs in H₂O. Two structurally analogous water‐soluble trimers of P2′ and P3′ , model compounds 2,7‐bis(9″,9″‐bis{6‴‐[(N,N‐diethyl)‐N‐methylammonium] hexyl}‐2″‐fluorenylethynyl)‐9,9‐bis{6′‐[(N,N‐diethyl)‐N‐methylammonium]hexyl}fluorene hexaiodide and 1,4‐bis(9′,9′‐bis{6″‐[(N,N‐diethyl)‐N‐methylammonium]hexyl}‐2′‐fluorenylethynyl)benzene tetraiodide, were synthesized. The amplified fluorescence quenching of these WSCPs by Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻ in H₂O was studied by comparison with a corresponding analogous trimer. The effects of aggregation on the fluorescence quenching may be two‐edged in these cases. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5778–5794, 2006     

Synthesis,properties, and molecular simulations of high-barrier polyimide containing carbazole moiety and amide group in the main chain

An intrinsic high-barrier polyimide (2,7-CPAPPI) containing rigid planar carbazole moiety and amide group in main chain was prepared. The 2,7-CPAPPI shows very attractive barrier performances, possessing water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) low to 0.04 g m⁻² day⁻¹ and 0.11 cm³ m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively. Meanwhile, 2,7-CPAPPI also displays exceptional thermal stability with a glass transition temperature (T_g) of 552°C and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 15.48 ppm/K. The barrier performances of 2,7-CPAPPI are compared with those of a structural analog (2,7-CPPI, containing only carbazole moiety in the main chain) and a typical polyimide (Kapton). The structure–barrier performances relationship was investigated by molecular simulations, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The results show that 2,7-CPAPPI has more number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds among the three PIs, which leads to close chain packing and thereby high crystallinity, low free volume, and poor chains mobility. That is, the high crystallinity and low free volume of 2,7-CPAPPI decrease the diffusion and solubility of gases. Meanwhile, the poor chains mobility further reduces the gases diffusion. The decreased diffusion and solubility of gases consequently promote the improvement of barrier properties for 2,7-CPAPPI.     

The Inclusion Properties of a New Watersoluble Sulfonated Calix[4]resorcinarene towards Alkylammonium and N-Methylpyridinium Cations

The inclusion behaviour of a new water-soluble sulfonated calix[4]resorcinarene towards alkylammonium and N-methylpyridinium cations has been investigated on the basis of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and pH-potentiometry data. The inclusion of the N-methylpyridinium cation has been found to be dependent on pH with the preferable inclusion of the methyl substituent in alkaline and the aromatic ring in neutral aqueous media.     

The mannich reaction in the synthesis of N,S-containing heterocycles 4. Aminomethylation of 6-amino-3,5-dicyano-1,4-dihydropyridine-2-thiolates: A convenient regioselective route to 3,5,7,11-tetraazatricyclo[7.3.1.02,7]tridec-2-ene derivatives

Treatment of N-methylmorpholinium 4-R-6-amino-3,5-dicyano-1,4-dihydropyridine-2-thiolates (R = 2-ClC₆H₄ and 2-MeOC₆H₄) with primary amines in the presence of an excess of formaldehyde gave 13-R-8-thioxo-3,5,7,11-tetraazatricyclo[7.3.1.0^2,7]tridec-2-ene-1,9-dicarbonitrile derivatives in high yields (66–95%). In a similar way, aminomethylation of 3-R-10-amino-7,11-dicyano-9-aza-3-azoniaspiro[5.5]undeca-7,10-diene-8-thiolates (R = Me and Et) afforded 1′-alkyl-8-thioxospiro[3,5,7,11-tetraazatricyclo[7.3.1.0^2,7]tridec-2-ene-13,4′-piperidine]-1,9-dicarbonitriles in 43–91% yields. Alternatively, these compounds were obtained by multicomponent cyclocondensation of N-alkylpiperidin-4-ones, cyanothioacetamide, primary amines, and aqueous formaldehyde. The starting 3-R-10-amino-7,11-dicyano-9-aza-3-azoniaspiro[5.5]undeca-7,10-diene-8-thiolates were prepared by a new method from N-alkylpiperidin-4-ones and cyanothioacetamide. The structure of 5,11-bis(4-ethoxyphenyl)-13-(2-methoxyphenyl)-8-thioxo-3,5,7,11-tetraazatricyclo[7.3.1.0^2,7]tridec-2-ene-1,9-dicarbonitrile was examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1014–1022, May, 2007.     

Apparent Failure of the Wharton Rearrangement in a Tricyclo[7.1.1.02,7]undecane

The Wharton rearrangement of 2,3-epoxytricyclo[7.1.1.0^2,7]undecan-3-one, a sterically hindered system, which should have led to an allyl alcohol with the OH group at a bridgehead, gave instead the allylically rearranged alcohol. The desired hydroxy compound was prepared by the Barton modification of the Wharton rearrangement: borohydride reduction to the epoxy alcohols, reaction with N, N′-thiocarbonylbisimidazole, and treatment with Bu₃SnH. The bridgehead alcohol (and other 2-oxygenated tricyclo[7.1.1.0^2,7]undecanes) readily rearranged under acidic or thermal conditions.     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Two-photon-absorbed Material Heasps

Abstract

A new dye Trans-4-[p-(N-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyiamino)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium p-toluene sulfonate (HEASPS) was synthesized, and the two-photon absorption (TPA), TPA-induced frequency up-conversion emission, and two-photon pumped (TPP) frequency up-converted lasing properties of this new dye were experimentally studied. This new dye has a moderate TPA cross-section of\sigma₂ = 4.7 × 10^?48 cm⁴ .s/photon at 1064nm, but exhibits a high lasing efficiency. The net conversion efficiency from the absorbed 1064 nm pump pulse energy to the 626 nm up-converted lasing energy is 18.2% at the pump energy level of 1.9 mJ.     

Siloles and Acetenyl Aromatics Copolymers: Synthesis,Characterization and Photophysical Properties

Two copolymers, poly(1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐diphenylsilole‐alt‐N‐hexyl‐3,6‐diethynylcarbazole) (PS‐DyCz) and poly(1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐diphenylsilole‐alt‐2,7‐diethynyl‐9,9′‐dihexylfluorene) (PS‐DyF), were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling reaction of 2,5‐dibromo‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3,4‐diphenylsilole and N‐hexyl‐3,6‐diethynylcarbazole or 2,7‐diethynyl‐9,9′‐dihexylfluorene, respectively. The chemical structures of the copolymers were characterized by NMR, FT‐IR techniques. Their thermal and photophysical properties were evaluated by TGA, DSC, UV‐Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The weight‐averaged molecular weights (M_w) of PS‐DyCz and PS‐DyF are 1.20×10⁴ and 3.83×10⁴ Da, respectively. The degree of polymerization is 8 and 22 units. These π‐conjugated polymers exhibited lower band‐gap of 2.25 and 2.70 eV due to the presence of silole rings and C?C triple bonds in their backbone, the results were consistent with the density functional (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level.     

5,7,12,14-Tetramethyldimethoxybenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclodecine,a new tumoricidal pseudo-porphyrin

The title compound, a mixture of two isomers differing in the position of a methoxy substituent in one benzene ring, was obtained in a Ni-templated synthesis directly as a water soluble dihydrochloride of the free base. The cyclic voltametry study indicated that in a neutral solution the reduction and oxidation are irreversible one electron processes, the latter leading to cation radical undergoing polymerization, a process followed by deposition of a film on the electrode. In 1,2-dichloroethane the cation radical is oxidized to a dication, both species being much less stable than those originating from meso-tetraphenylporphyrin. The title compoud at 2.5 × 10^?5 M in Tris buffer showed a 50% inhibition of the growth of malignant melanoma cells as compared to a 44% inhibition shown by a water soluble meso-monomethoxy-tris(N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin. The exposure to light for 30 minutes at 2.5 times smaller concentration increased the inhibition caused by the pseudo-porphyrin from 9% to 49%.     

Synthesis,spectral, crystal structure,drug-likeness,in silico,and in vitro biological screening of halogen [Cl,Br] substituted N-phenylbenzo[g]indazole derivatives as antimicrobial agents

The N-phenylbenzo[g]indazole derivatives, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,3a,4,5-tetrahydro-N-phenylbenzo[g]indazole-2-carbothioamide (4CLPBIC), 3-(4-bromophenyl)-3,3a,4,5-tetrahydro-N-phenylbenzo[g]indazole-2-carbothioamide (4BRPBIC), and 3-(3-bromophenyl)-3,3a,4,5-tetrahydro-N-phenylbenzo[g]indazole-2-carbothioamide (3BRPBIC), were synthesized by the one-pot green amalgamation of solvent-free granulating methodology procedure at room temperature. The synthesized crystals were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR, and UV–Vis techniques. The molecular geometries from XRD experimental values of synthesized compounds 4CLPBIC, 4BRPBIC, and 3BRPBIC in the ground state are compared theoretically by applying the density functional theory (DFT), a method with the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) basis set using Gaussian 09 software. The vibrational assignments of the synthesized compounds were studied based on potential energy distribution (PED) by the VEDA4 program. The scaled DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) results show the best agreement with the experimental values. Computational ¹H and ¹³C NMR were acquired by utilizing gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) procedure, and chemical shift results are in good agreement with the experimental values. A web-based theoretical investigation was performed to understand the drug-likeness and ADMET properties of the compounds. Molecular docking studies were carried out against bacterial cholesterol inhibitor block and inhibitor of lanosterol-14α-demethylase CYP51 used in the treatment of topical and systemic mycoses in fungal to understand the inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds. The synthesized molecules were also tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Novel blue‐greenish electroluminescent poly(fluorenevinylene‐alt‐dibenzothiophenevinylene)s and their model compounds

Poly(9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐vinylene‐alt‐dibenzothiophene‐2,8‐vinylene) (PS) and poly(9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐vinylene‐alt‐dibenzothiophene‐5,5‐dioxide‐2,8‐ vinylene) (PSO) as well as corresponding model compounds were synthesized by Heck coupling. Both the polymers and model compounds were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, and toluene. The polymers showed a decomposition temperature at ～430 °C and a char yield of about 65% at 800 °C in N₂. The glass‐transition temperatures of the polymers were almost identical (75–77 °C) and higher than those of the model compounds (26–45 °C). All samples absorbed around 390 nm, and their optical band gaps were 2.69–2.85 eV. They behaved as blue‐greenish light emitting materials in both solutions and thin films, with photoluminescence emission maxima at 450–483 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields of 0.52–0.72 in solution. Organic light‐emitting diodes with an indium tin oxide/poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonic acid)/polymer/Mg:Ag/Ag configuration with polymers PS and PSO as emitting layers showed green electroluminescence with maxima at 530 and 540 nm, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6790–6800, 2006     

Synthesis,Photophysical and Electronic Properties of New Red-to-NIR Emitting Donor–Acceptor Pyrene Derivatives

We synthesized new pyrene derivatives with strong bis(para-methoxyphenyl)amine donors at the 2,7-positions and n-azaacene acceptors at the K-region of pyrene. The compounds possess a strong intramolecular charge transfer, leading to unusual properties such as emission in the red to NIR region (700 nm), which has not been reported before for monomeric pyrenes. Detailed photophysical studies reveal very long intrinsic lifetimes of >100 ns for the new compounds, which is typical for 2,7-substituted pyrenes but not for K-region substituted pyrenes. The incorporation of strong donors and acceptors leads to very low reduction and oxidation potentials, and spectroelectrochemical studies show that the compounds are on the borderline between localized Robin-Day class-II and delocalized Robin-Day class-III species.     

Höhere,kondensierte Ringsysteme. 5. Mitteilung[1]. Makrocyclen mit überbrückten 9, 10-Dihydrophenanthreneinheiten

Starting from 2, 7-diacetyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene, 2, 7-dichloromethyl-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene was synthesized through a serie of a new compounds. By a modified Wurtz reaction the dichloromethyl compound led to hexahydro-[2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane and decahydro-[2⁵] (2,7) phenanthrenophane. [2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane was obtained by dehydrogena tion of hexahydro-[2³] (2,7) phenanthrenophane with Pd/C. The structure of these new ring systems was confirmed by UV.-, NMR.- and mass spectroscopy.     

Design,synthesis, molecular docking,and biological evaluation of novel selenium containing lumefantrine analogues

A new series of 1-(9-benzylidene-2,7-dichloro-9H-fluoren-4-yl)-2-(methylselanyl)ethanol was synthesized by a simple Knoevenagel condensation of 1-(2,7-dichloro-9H-fluoren-4-yl)-2-(methylselanyl)ethanol with different substituted aromatic aldehydes in basic media. These synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their elemental analyses, infrared (IR), ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral data and screened for the antibacterial and antifungal activity. The preliminary antibacterial and antifungal screening revealed that the compounds 8c (dichloro), 8d (fluoro), 8e (chloro), 8i (methoxy), and 8l (methyl) displayed moderate to good activity. The antibacterial results of these compounds were further supported by in silico molecular docking studies, for the inhibition of Escherichia coli MurB enzyme (PDB code: 2MBR), wherein they showed higher binding energy and good affinity towards the active pocket of the enzyme compared with that of the standard drug Ciprofloxacin. Thus, the plausible mechanism of their antibacterial activity was owed to their inhibitory action of the bacterial MurB enzyme.     

Soft template synthesis of cobalt(III) chelates with 2,8-dithio-3, 7-diaza-5-oxa-nonandithioamide-1,9 and with 2,7-dithio-3,6-diazaoctadien-3, 5-dithioamide-1,8 into cobalt(III)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix materials

The complexing processes in the triple Co^III–dithiooxamide–methanal and Co^III–dithiooxamide–glyoxal systems taking place in the KCoFe(CN)₆-gelatin-immobilized matrix in contact with aqueous-alkaline solutions (pH~12) containing (dithiooxamide + methanal) and (dithiooxamide + glyoxal), have been studied. Template synthesis leading to macrocyclic Co^III coordination compounds with tetradentate N,N,S,S-donor ligands-(2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-5-oxanonandithioamide-1,9) and (2,7-dithio-3,6-diazaoctadien-3,5-dithioamide-1,8) occurs under these specific conditions. Dithiooxamide, methanal and glyoxal are the ligand synthons in these processes.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Derivatives of endo-4-Aminomethyltetracyclo[6.2.1.13,6.02,7]dodec-9-ene

Synthesis was performed and structure studied of endo-4-cyanotetracyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7]dodec-9-ene prepared by reaction of a stereochemically uniform endo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene with cyclopentadiene. By analysis of potential energy surface (PES) for reactions of endo-5-cyanobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and the respective exo-stereoisomer with cyclopentadiene (in B3LYP/6-31G(d) approximation) the endo,exo-junction and anti-orientation of the methylene bridges in the bicyclic fragments of the adducts were shown to be preferable. Reduction of the tetracyclic nitrile with lithium aluminum hydride yielded endo-4-aminomethyltetracyclo-[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7]dodec-9-ene whose geometry and conformational characteristics were studied by means of molecular mechanics method. Products were obtained from reactions of the tetracyclic amine with p-toluene-, p-chloro-benzene-, p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chlorides, p-nitrobenzoyl chloride, succinic anhydride, mesityl and p-toluene-sulfonyl isocyanates, phenyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, and benzoyl isothiocyanates, p-nitrophenyloxirane, and N-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole. A series of the amine derivatives was epoxidized with perphtahlic acid. The structure of compounds synthesized was confirmed by analysis of their IR spectra, ¹H, ¹³C, and two-dimensional NMR spectra, and additionally by calculation of the chemical shifts in ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra by procedures GIAO and CSGT in PBE1PBE/6-31G^## approximation.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Physicochemical Properties of Hydrophobic Pyridinium‐based Ionic Liquids with N‐Propyl and N‐Isopropyl

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of four pyridinium‐based ionic liquids (ILs), N‐propylpyridinium bromide [N‐propylPyr]⁺[Br]^–, N‐isopropylpyridinium bromide [N‐isopropylPyr]⁺[Br]^–, N‐propylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate [N‐propylPyr]⁺[PF₆]^–, and N‐isopropylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate [N‐isopropylPyr]⁺[PF₆]^– are reported. The molecular structures of these compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ³¹P NMR, spectroscopy. The thermal properties, conductivity, and solubility of these ionic liquids were also investigated. The effects of propyl and isopropyl alkyl lateral chain at the N‐position of pyridinium cation on the thermal stability, conductivity, and solubility of ionic liquids are discussed. The results obtained confirmed that the ionic liquids based on pyridinium cations exhibit higher decomposition temperature, low melting points, immiscible with water, and their conductivities are mainly influenced by mobility of ions.     

Recognition of the folded conformation of plant hormone (auxin, IAA) conjugates with glutamic and aspartic acids and their amides

The molecular structure of the endogenous plant hormone (auxin) conjugate, N-(indol-3-ylacetyl)- -glutamic acid, is deduced by comparison with N²-(indol-3-ylacetyl)glutamine (IAA-Gln), N²-(indol-3-ylacetyl)asparagine (IAA-Asn) and N-(indol-3-ylacetyl)- -aspartic acid using X-ray structure analysis, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy (NOE measurements) and molecular modelling. The significance of the overall molecular shape, and of the resulting amphiphilic properties, of the compounds studied are discussed in terms of possible implications for trafficking between cell compartments. Both in the solid state and in solution, the molecules are in the hair-pin (folded) conformation in which the side chain is folded over the indole ring. While extended conformations can be detected by molecular dynamics simulations, they are so short-lived that any major influence on the biological properties of the compounds studied is unlikely.