Two Different Structural Motifs Observed for Dimeric Dialkylaluminum and Dialkylgallium Alkynides [R2E‐C≡C‐C6H5]2

The dialkylaluminum and dialkylgallium alkynides [R₂E‐C≡C‐R′]₂ (R = Me, CMe₃; E = Al, Ga; R′ = Ph) containing C≡C triple bonds attached to their central aluminum or gallium atoms are easily obtained by the reactions of dialkylelement chlorides with lithium alkynides or by treatment of the corresponding alkyne R‐C≡C‐H with dialkylaluminum or dialkylgallium hydrides. The first reaction is favored by the precipitation of LiCl, the second one by the formation of elemental hydrogen. All products form dimers in which the carbanionic carbon atoms of the alkynido groups adopt bridging positions, but, interestingly, different types of molecular structures were observed depending on the steric demand of the substituents terminally attached to the aluminum or gallium atoms. The small methyl substituents gave structures in which the aluminum or gallium atoms seemed to be side‐on coordinated by the C≡C triple bonds of almost linear E‐C≡C groups. In contrast, the more bulky tert‐butyl groups forced an arrangement in which the C≡C triple bonds were perpendicular to the E‐E axis of the molecules. Different bonding modes result, which were analyzed by quantum‐chemical calculations.     

Syntheses and Structural Studies of Several Diynyl‐Ruthenium Complexes and their Adducts with Cyano‐Alkenes

Herein are described some continuing investigations into the reactions of cyano‐alkenes with diynyl‐ruthenium complexes which have resulted in the preparation and characterisation of diynyl‐ruthenium compounds Ru(C≡CC≡CR)(PP)Cp [R = Ph, PP = dppe; R = Fc, PP = dppf; R = CPh=CBr₂, PP = (PPh₃)₂], together with the polycyanobutadienyls Ru{C≡CC[=C(CN)₂]CR=CR′(CN)}(PP)Cp′ [R = Fc, (PP)Cp′ = (dppf)Cp; R = H, SiMe₃, (PP)Cp′ = (dppe)Cp*] formed by [2 + 2]‐cycloaddition of the cyano‐alkenes to the outer C≡C triple bonds and subsequent ring‐opening reactions. Single‐crystal XRD molecular structure determinations of six complexes are reported.     

Synthesis of pillar[5]arene dimers and their cooperative binding toward some neutral guests

Three pillar[5]arene dimers, bridged by a flexible aliphatic chain (H1) or a relatively rigid phenylene unit (H2 and H3), were synthesized, with the possible synthetic strategies being discussed. The dimers could significantly enhance the binding affinities toward neutral model substrates in comparison with monomeric 1,4-dimethoxypillar[5]arene (H4) through the cooperative binding of two pillar[5]arene moieties. The molecular binding ability and selectivity are discussed from the viewpoints of the size/shape-fit concept and multiple recognition mechanism.     

Reactivity of an N,N‐Chelated Germylene Toward Substituted Alkynes,Alkenes, and Allenes

Treatment of N,N‐chelated germylene [(iPr)₂NB(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)₂]Ge ( 1 ) with ferrocenyl alkynes containing carbonyl functionalities, FcC≡CC(O)R, resulted in [2+2+2] cyclization and formation of the respective ferrocenylated 3‐Fc‐4‐C(O)R‐1,2‐digermacyclobut‐3‐enes 2 – 4 [R = Me ( 2 ), OEt ( 3 ) and NMe₂ ( 4 )] bearing intact carbonyl substituents. In contrast, the reaction between 1 and PhC(O)C≡CC(O)Ph led to activation of both C≡C and C=O bonds producing bicyclic compound containing two five‐membered 1‐germa‐2‐oxacyclopent‐3‐ene rings sharing one C–C bond, 4,8‐diphenyl‐3,7‐dioxa‐2,6‐digermabicyclo[3.3.0]octa‐4,8‐diene ( 5 ). With N‐methylmaleimide containing an analogous C(O)CH=CHC(O) fragment, germylene 1 reacted under [2+2+2] cyclization involving the C=C double bond, producing 1,2‐digermacyclobutane 6 with unchanged carbonyl moieties. Finally, 1 selectively added to the terminal double bond in allenes CH₂=C=CRR′ giving rise to 3‐(=CRR′)‐1,2‐digermacyclobutanes [R/R′ = Me/Me ( 7 ), H/OMe ( 8 )] bearing an exo‐C=C double bond. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and the molecular structures of 3 , 4 , 5 , and 8 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The redox behavior of ferrocenylated derivatives 2 – 4 was studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Enhanced Solution and Solid-State Emission and Tunable White-Light Emission Harvested by Supramolecular Approaches

Organic luminescent materials with high quantum yields and/or white-light-emitting properties in particular play a crucial role in labeling and optoelectronic devices. In this work we have synthesized a new 2,3,6,7-tetramethoxy-9,10-di-p-tolylanthracene-bridged pillar[5]arene dimer with persistent mazarine blue fluorescent emission and much higher quantum yields in both solution and the solid state in comparison with its corresponding emissive linker without pillarene units, which exhibits typical aggregation-caused quenching. According to the fluorescence data and single-crystal analyses, their contrasting fluorescent performances can be rationally ascribed to their different stacking structures and intermolecular interactions. Three fluorescent guests containing different chromophores and/or terminal binding sites have also been synthesized to interact with the pillar[5]arene dimer to construct supramolecular ensembles with highly controllable luminescence, taking advantage of the stimuli-responsive properties of the supramolecular host–guest interactions. Intriguingly, multicolor fluorescence, including white-light emission (0.31, 0.35), which is in high demand, has been achieved by tuning the molar ratio of the host and guest and/or by changing the solvent system. This strategy holds great potential for the design and development of fluorescent materials with high quantum yields, controllable emission wavelength, and good stimuli-responsiveness.     

Highly Sensitive and Robust Linear Probe for Detection of mRNA in Cells

A stemless linear probe was designed that robustly detects mRNA in cells with high sensitivity. The probe is modified at some positions with base surrogates prepared from D ‐threoninol, with anthraquinone moieties near the 5′‐ and 3′‐termini, and with perylene moieties. Even in cell lysate that involves various proteins and enzymes, background emission was very low. When the probe was hybridized with RNA, chromophores are intercalated between the base pairs, resulting in a remarkable light‐up signal. The signal‐to‐background ratio was as high as 1600 under our standard buffer conditions. In the HeLa cell lysate, the linear probe had sufficient signal‐to‐background ratio (S/B=40) for reliable mRNA detection. No degradation was observed after a 24 h incubation in HeLa cell lysate. In cells, a probe designed to target DsRed resulted in distinct blue fluorescence only in cells transfected with plasmid encoding DsRed; no fluorescence was observed in control cells.     

Proton transfer-assisted host–guest complexation between a difunctional pillar[5]arene and amine-based guests

Proton transfer from a difunctional pillar[5]arene containing two carboxylic acid moieties to amine-based guests occurs in the host–guest complexation. The binding affinities are enhanced effectively due to the existence of electrostatic interactions.     

Synthesis of polymers with isolated thiophene–arylidene–thiophene chromophores for enhanced and specific electron/hole transport

The synthesis of nine new polymers intended for future use in light‐emitting diodes is described. The polymers consist of alternating units of thiophene–arylidene–thiophene chromophores and saturated silicon‐containing spacers. The arylidene moieties include benzene‐1,4‐, 2,5‐dimethoxybenzene‐1,4‐, naphthalene‐1,4‐, anthracene‐9,10‐, pyridine‐2,5‐, pyridine‐2,6‐, N‐methylcarbazole‐3,6‐, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2,5‐, and 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐. The syntheses involved dibromination of the central arene followed by Suzuki or Kumada cross‐coupling reactions with two thiophene units. Subsequent dilithiation and reaction with dihalosilylalkanes provided the polymers. Their optical properties, including ultraviolet–visible absorption and emission in solution, were comparable to those of the parent monomer units, and they possessed the physical characteristics of macromolecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 872–879, 2001     

Structural changes of conjugated pt-containing polymetallaynes exposed to gamma ray radiation doses

The effect of (60)Co gamma rays irradiation on the polymetallayne [-Pt(PBu(3))-C≡C-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-C≡C-](n) (Pt-DEBP) of defined chain length corresponding to 10 repeat units, has been studied in detail. The UV-vis absorption spectra of Pt-DEBP have been recorded in solution upon exposure of the polymetallayne at increasing radiation doses in the range up to 90 Gy, with special care to the features related to low doses. Complex modifications of the chemical structure of Pt-DEBP could be accessed through NMR, FTIR, GPC, and XPS characterizations, which support the attack of Cl and H radicals coming from the radiolysis of the solvent, CHCl(3), to the triple C≡C bonds of the backbone, leading to the formation of chlorinated double and single C-C bonds, with a concomitant increase of the molecular weight due to a recombinant effect of oligomer fragments upon irradiation. The presence of vinyl and single chlorinated moieties has been sustained from the simulation of the UV-vis spectra based on theoretical calculations.     

磷炔R-C≡P(R=－BH2,－CH3,－NH2,－OH)及其异构体的稳定性

采用B3LYP和CCSD(T)方法对R－C≡P(R=－BH2, －CH3,－NH2, －OH)体系进行了理论研究.结果表明，含C≡P三键的异构体BH2－C≡P和CH3－C≡P在各自的体系中分别是热力学最稳定的结构.而在HO－C≡P和NH2－C≡P体系中，热力学最稳定的结构却是H－P=C=O和含C≡N三键的N≡C－PH2.动力学理论研究表明，没有相关实验研究的R－C≡P(R=－BH2, NH2)体系中共有5种异构体是动力学稳定的. 在HO－C≡P体系的2种动力学稳定的异构体中， H－P=C=O连接方式的异构体已被实验所证实，而另外一种HO－C≡P连接方式的异构体的动力学稳定性较高，实验中可以观察到.对于CH3C≡P体系，研究所预示的2种动力学稳定的异构体中CH3－C≡P已被实验证实，从理论上推测另一种动力学稳定性较高的异构体HC≡C－PH2在实验中也可以检测到.     

(2′‐O‐Methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA Chimeras: A New Class of Mixed Backbone Oligonucleotide Analogues with High Binding Affinity to RNA

The automated on‐line synthesis of DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras 1 – 4 and (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras 5 – 8 is described, in which the 3′‐terminal part of the oligonucleotide is linked to the N‐terminal part of the PNA via N‐(ω‐hydroxyalkyl)‐N‐[(thymin‐1‐yl)acetyl]glycine units (alkyl=Et, Ph, Bu, and pentyl). By means of UV thermal denaturation, the binding affinities of all chimeras were directly compared by determining their T_m values in the duplex with complementary DNA and RNA. All investigated DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras and (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras form more‐stable duplexes with complementary DNA and RNA than the corresponding unmodified DNA. Interestingly, a N‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)glycine linker resulted in the highest binding affinity for DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras, whereas the (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras showed optimal binding with the homologous N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)glycine linker. The duplexes of (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras and RNA were significantly more stable than those containing the corresponding DNA‐3′‐PNA chimeras. Surprisingly, we found that the charged (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimera with a N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)glycine‐based unit at the junction to the PNA part shows the same binding affinity to RNA as uncharged PNA. Potential applications of (2′‐O‐methyl‐RNA)‐3′‐PNA chimeras include their use as antisense agents acting by a RNase‐independent mechanism of action, a prerequisite for antisense‐oligonucleotide‐mediated correction of aberrant splicing of pre‐mRNA.     

Reactions of ((i)PrO)3M≡M(O(i)Pr)3 (M = Mo, W) with low-coordinate phosphorus compounds. Formation of the first four-membered planar metallacycles, containing an M≡M triple bond

The low-coordinate phosphorus compounds (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P=NSiMe(3), (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P(=S)=N(t)Bu and (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P(=NSiMe(3))(2) react with ((i)PrO)(3)M≡M(O(i)Pr)(3) (M = Mo, W) to form four- and five-membered metallacycles with intact endocyclic or exocyclic M≡M triple bonds. The first four-membered planar metallacycles, containing an M≡M triple bond were obtained in reaction with (Me(3)Si)(2)N-P=NSiMe(3).     

Synthesis,crystal structures,DNA/bovine serum albumin binding,DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity of five mononuclear zinc(II) complexes

Five new mononuclear zinc(II) complexes containing ligands with extended planar phenanthroline moieties (dipyrido‐[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz) or dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3′‐f] quinoxaline (dpq)), namely [Zn(dppz)(acac)₂]⋅CH₃OH ( 1 ), [Zn(dppz)(dbm)(OAc)] ( 2 ), [Zn(dpq)(dbm) (OAc)] 1.5H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(dpq)(tfnb)(OAc)] ( 4 ) and [Zn(dpq)(tfnb)₂] ( 5 ), where acac = acetylacetonate, tfnb = benzoyltrifluoroacetone and dbm = dibenzoylmethane, were synthesized and structurally characterized. The binding ability of complexes 1 – 5 with calf thymus DNA was investigated by spectroscopic titration methods and viscosity measurements. Results indicate that all complexes bind to calf thymus DNA via intercalative mode, and the DNA binding affinities of dppz complexes 1 and 2 are apparently stronger than those of dpq complexes 3 – 5 . DNA photocleavage experiments reveal that these complexes are efficient DNA cleaving agents and they are more active in UV‐A (365 nm) than in visible light. In particular, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes for human cancer cell line A549 demonstrates that the five compounds have anticancer activity with low IC₅₀ values. Meanwhile, interaction of the complexes with bovine serum albumin investigated using UV–visible and fluorescence methods indicates that all complexes can quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin in a static quenching process.     

Tetracationic Bis-Triarylborane 1,3-Butadiyne as a Combined Fluorimetric and Raman Probe for Simultaneous and Selective Sensing of Various DNA,RNA, and Proteins

A bis-triarylborane tetracation (4-Ar₂B-3,5-Me₂C₆H₂)-C≡C−C≡C-(3,5-Me₂C₆H₂-4-BAr₂ [Ar=(2,6-Me₂-4-NMe₃-C₆H₂)⁺] ( 2⁴⁺ ) shows distinctly different behaviour in its fluorimetric response than that of our recently published bis-triarylborane 5-(4-Ar₂B-3,5-Me₂C₆H₂)-2,2′-(C₄H₂S)₂–5′-(3,5-Me₂C₆H₂-4-BAr₂) ( 3⁴⁺ ). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data on the neutral bis-triarylborane precursor 2 N confirm its rod-like dumbbell structure, which is shown to be important for DNA/RNA targeting and also for BSA protein binding. Fluorimetric titrations with DNA/RNA/BSA revealed the very strong affinity of 2⁴⁺ and indicated the importance of the properties of the linker connecting the two triarylboranes. Using the butadiyne rather than a bithiophene linker resulted in an opposite emission effect (quenching vs. enhancement), and 2⁴⁺ bound to BSA 100 times stronger than 3⁴⁺ . Moreover, 2⁴⁺ interacted strongly with ss-RNA, and circular dichroism (CD) results suggest ss-RNA chain-wrapping around the rod-like bis-triarylborane dumbbell structure like a thread around a spindle, a very unusual mode of binding of ss-RNA with small molecules. Furthermore, 2⁴⁺ yielded strong Raman/SERS signals, allowing DNA or protein detection at ca. 10 nm concentrations. The above observations, combined with low cytotoxicity, efficient human cell uptake and organelle-selective accumulation make such compounds intriguing novel lead structures for bio-oriented, dual fluorescence/Raman-based applications.     

Dimetallapoly‐yn‐diylidynes: LnM≡C−(C≡C)x−C≡MLn (x=0–4)

Synthetic routes to dimetallated C_x carbon wires in which two metals are separated by a linear carbon chain involving terminal metal–carbon triple bonds are described for the complexes [(Tp*)(CO)₂W≡C?(C≡C)_n?C≡W(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp*=hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) where n=1, 3 or 4, joining the previously known examples with n=0, 1 and 2 to complete the series as models for linear carbyne C_∞.     

Combined triple and double bonds to uranium: the N≡U=N-H uranimine nitride molecule prepared in solid argon

Reactions of laser-ablated U atoms with N(2) and H(2) mixtures upon codeposition in excess argon at 5 K gave strong NUN and weak UN infrared absorptions and new bands at 3349.7, 966.9, 752.4, and 433.0 cm(-1) for the unusual new U(V) molecule N≡U=N-H, uranimine nitride, containing both triple and double bonds. This identification is based on D and (15)N isotopic substitution and comparison with frequencies computed by density functional theory for the (2)Δ ground state NUNH. Calculated bond lengths are compared to those of the (1)Σ(g)(+) ground state of U(VI) uranium dinitride N≡U≡N, the (2)Φ ground state of the isoelectronic nitride oxide N≡U=O, and the (3)A ground state of the U(IV) uranimine dihydride HN=UH(2) molecule, which have all been prepared in solid argon matrices. Mulliken bond orders based on the CASSCF orbitals for N≡U=N-H are 2.91, 2.19, and 1.05, respectively. Here, the terminal nitride is effectively a triple bond, just as found for N≡U≡N. The solid argon matrix is a convenient medium to isolate reactive terminal uranium nitrides for examination of their spectroscopic properties.     

DNA-Binding Capabilities and Anticancer Activities of Ruthenium(II) Cymene Complexes with (Poly)cyclic Aromatic Diamine Ligands

Ruthenium(II) arene complexes of the general formula [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(diamine)]PF₆ (diamine = 1,2-diaminobenzene (1), 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (2), 9,10-diaminophenanthrene (3), 2,3-diaminophenazine (4), and 1,2-diaminoanthraquinone (5) were synthesized. Chloro/aqua exchange was evaluated experimentally for complexes 1 and 2. The exchange process was investigated theoretically for all complexes, revealing relatively fast exchange with no significant influence from the polycyclic aromatic diamines. The calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) binding of the complexes increased dramatically upon extending the aromatic component of the diamines, as evaluated by changes in absorption spectra upon titration with different concentrations of CT-DNA. An intercalation binding mode was established for the complexes using the increase in the relative viscosity of the CT-DNA following addition of complexes 1 and 2. Theoretical studies showed strong preference for replacement of water by guanine for all the complexes, and relatively strong Ru–N_guanine bonds. The plane of the aromatic systems can assume angles that support non-classical interactions with the DNA and covalent binding, leading to higher binding affinities. The ruthenium arenes illustrated in this study have promising anticancer activities, with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values comparable to or better than cisplatin against three cell lines.     

[MoNCl3(THF)]4 – ein Nitrido-Komplex mit gefaltetem Mo4N4-Achtring

[MoNCl₃(THF)]₄ – a Nitrido Complex with a Folded Mo₄N₄ Eight-Membered Ring Red moisture sensitive single crystals of [MoNCl₃(THF)]₄ ( 1 ) prepared from saturated solutions of CH₂Cl₂ were characterized by a crystal structure determination. Space group P 4 2₁c, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at –80 °C: a = b = 1291.2(1), c = 1116.3(1) pm, R = 0.0581. In 1 the molybdenum atoms are linked by nearly linear Mo≡N–Mo bridges with MoN distances of 167 and 216 pm, which corresponds with triple and single bonds. In trans position to the Mo≡N bond the THF molecule is bonded by its oxygen atom. Along the diagonal axis Mo…Mo 1 is folded with an aperture angle of 140° thus forming a butterfly structure.     

Simultaneous bridge-localized and mixed-valence character in diruthenium radical cations featuring diethynylaromatic bridging ligands

A series of bimetallic ruthenium complexes [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}(2)(μ-C≡CArC≡C)] featuring diethynylaromatic bridging ligands (Ar = 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene, 9,10-anthrylene) have been prepared and some representative molecular structures determined. A combination of UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemical methods and density functional theory (DFT) have been used to demonstrate that one-electron oxidation of compounds [{Ru(dppe)Cp*}(2)(μ-C≡CArC≡C)](HC≡CArC≡CH = 1,4-diethynylbenzene; 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-dimethoxybenzene; 1,4-diethynylnaphthalene; 9,10-diethynylanthracene) yields solutions containing radical cations that exhibit characteristics of both oxidation of the diethynylaromatic portion of the bridge, and a mixed-valence state. The simultaneous population of bridge-oxidized and mixed-valence states is likely related to a number of factors, including orientation of the plane of the aromatic portion of the bridging ligand with respect to the metal d-orbitals of appropriate π-symmetry.     

Formation of supramolecular polymers and discrete dimers of perylene bisimide dyes based on melamine-cyanurates hydrogen-bonding interactions

Melamine-linked perylene bisimide dyes (MPBIs) bearing an ethylene or trimethylene group as linker moieties were synthesized, and their self-aggregation and coaggregation with cyanurates through complementary triple hydrogen bonds have been investigated. UV/vis studies revealed that both the MPBIs self-assemble in nonpolar organic solvent through pi-pi stacking interaction between perylene cores, giving self-aggregates with nearly identical thermal stabilities. Upon addition of 1 equiv of cyanurate components, however, the stabilities of the resulting aggregates were dramatically changed between the two systems, suggesting the formation of different types of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular species. Dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopic studies revealed that the system featuring ethylene linker moieties generates a discrete dimer of MPBI supported by two cyanurate molecules, whereas the system featuring trimethylene linker moieties affords extended supramolecular polymers hierarchically organizing into nanoscopic fibers. These results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain distinct supramolecular species by just changing the number of carbon atoms at the linker moieties of MPBI components. The present strategy for the fabrication of discrete or polymeric supramolecular assemblies should be applicable to other functional pi-conjugated molecules.