Molecular Simulations of Human and Mouse Aβ1–16 at Different pH Values: Structural Characteristics toward Understanding Cu2+‐Coordinated Amyloid Beta Spheres

As the main sequence responsible for metal ion coordination in the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, Aβ_1–16 plays a key role in the understanding of the aggregation of Aβ induced by Cu²⁺ ions. There is no consensus on the nature of the coordination sphere of the Cu²⁺–Aβ complex so far due to the amorphous conformation of the Aβ_1–16 peptide itself and the pH dependence of Cu²⁺–Aβ coordination. The simulation reported here reveals that human Aβ_1–16 monomer has a U‐shape morphology, which is preserved at any pH. This morphology accommodates Cu²⁺ ions with several binding sites and is also the basis for establishing a center‐distance statistical method (CDSM). Based on this CDSM, specific histidine residues for a Cu²⁺‐coordinated sphere are identified and the corresponding accurate pH range is established, indicating that the CDSM can be used as a reference to predict the potential coordination sites of metal ions in other amorphous peptides. By contrast, mouse Aβ_1–16 monomer has a more open and random morphology than human Aβ_1–16 due to the differences of three sequence positions. These mutations not only reduce the number of binding sites required by a stable Cu²⁺‐binding sphere but also diminish the capacity to generate salt bridges compared to the human peptide. These observations offer insights into the roles of three residues that differ in the mouse Aβ_1–16 and perhaps into the reasons mice seldom develop Alzheimer's disease.     

Syntheses,structures of N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes and their application as redox sensor for Cu2+ ion

Rigid N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes L1 and L2 were easily synthesized from 1,1 ‐dicarboxyaldehydeferrocene and the corresponding amines. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The coordination abilities of L1 and L2 with metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 125 mV was observed in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while no significant shift of the Fc/Fc + couple was observed when Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ metal ions were added to the solution of L1 in the mixture of MeOH and H₂O. Moreover, the extent of the anodic shift of redox potentials was approximately equal to that induced by Cu²⁺ alone when a mixture of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was added to a solution of L1. Ligand L1 was proved to selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of large, excessive first‐row transition and late‐transition metal cations. The coordination model was proposed from the results of controlled experiments and quantum calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Harnessing the Flexibility of Peptidic Scaffolds to Control their Copper(II)‐Coordination Properties: A Potentiometric and Spectroscopic Study

Designing small peptides that are capable of binding Cu²⁺ ions mainly through the side‐chain functionalities is a hard task because the amide nitrogen atoms strongly compete for Cu²⁺ ion coordination. However, the design of such peptides is important for obtaining biomimetic small systems of metalloenyzmes as well as for the development of artificial systems. With this in mind, a cyclic decapeptide, C‐Asp, which contained three His residues and one Asp residue, and its linear derivative, O‐Asp, were synthesized. The C‐Asp peptide has two Pro? Gly β‐turn‐inducer units and, as a result of cyclization, and as shown by CD spectroscopy, its backbone is constrained into a more defined conformation than O‐Asp, which is linear and contains a single Pro? Gly unit. A detailed potentiometric, mass spectrometric, and spectroscopic study (UV/Vis, CD, and EPR spectroscopy) showed that at a 1:1 Cu²⁺/peptide ratio, both peptides formed a major [CuHL]²⁺ species in the pH range 5.0–7.5 (C‐Asp) and 5.5–7.0 (O‐Asp). The corrected stability constants of the protonated species (log K*_CuH(O?Asp)=9.28 and log K*_CuH(C?Asp)=10.79) indicate that the cyclic peptide binds Cu²⁺ ions with higher affinity. In addition, the calculated value of K_eff shows that this higher affinity for Cu²⁺ ions prevails at all pH values, not only for a 1:1 ratio but even for a 2:1 ratio. The spectroscopic data of both [CuHL]²⁺ species are consistent with the exclusive coordination of Cu²⁺ ions by the side‐chain functionalities of the three His residues and the Asp residue in a square‐planar or square‐pyramidal geometry. Nonetheless, although these data show that, upon metal coordination, both peptides adopt a similar fold, the larger conformational constraints that are present in the cyclic scaffold results in different behaviour for both [CuHL]²⁺ species. CD and NMR analysis revealed the formation of a more rigid structure and a slower Cu²⁺‐exchange rate for [CuH(C‐Asp)]²⁺ compared to [CuH(O‐Asp]²⁺. This detailed comparative study shows that cyclization has a remarkable effect on the Cu²⁺‐coordination properties of the C‐Asp peptide, which binds Cu²⁺ ions with higher affinity at all pH values, stabilizes the [CuHL]²⁺ species in a wider pH range, and has a slower Cu²⁺‐exchange rate compared to O‐Asp.     

Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Tuning of Duplex DNA Binding by Bis(2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole)

Studies of double‐stranded‐DNA binding have been performed with three isomeric bis(2‐(n‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole)s (n=2, 3, 4). Like the well‐known Hoechst 33258, which is a bisbenzimidazole compound, these three isomers bind to the minor groove of duplex DNA. DNA binding by the three isomers was investigated in the presence of the divalent metal ions Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Ligand–DNA interactions were probed with fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. These studies revealed that the binding of the 2‐pyridyl derivative to DNA is dramatically reduced in the presence of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions and is abolished completely at a ligand/metal‐cation ratio of 1:1. Control experiments done with the isomeric 3‐ and 4‐pyridyl derivatives showed that their binding to DNA is unaffected by the aforementioned transition‐metal ions. The ability of 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole to chelate metal ions and the conformational changes of the ligand associated with ion chelation probably led to such unusual binding results for the ortho isomer. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) reversed the effects completely.     

Introduction of a Fluorescent Probe to Amyloid‐β to Reveal Kinetic Insights into Its Interactions with Copper(II)

The kinetics of the interactions between amyloid‐β (Aβ) and metal ions are crucial to understanding the physiological and pathological roles of Aβ in the normal brain and in Alzheimer’s disease. Using the quenching of a fluorescent probe by Cu²⁺, the mechanism of Aβ/Cu²⁺ interactions in physiologically relevant conditions has been elucidated. Cu²⁺ binds to Aβ at a near diffusion‐limited rate, initially forming component I. The switching between component I and II occurs on the second timescale, with a significant energy barrier. Component I is much more reactive towards Cu²⁺ ligands and likely responsible for initial Aβ dimer formation. Clioquinol (CQ) is shown to sequester Cu²⁺ more effectively than other tested ligands. These findings have implications for the potential roles of Aβ in regulating neurotransmission, and for the screening of small molecules targeting Aβ–metal interactions.     

EPR Spectroscopy of 4, 4′‐Bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine‐1, 2‐dithiolatocuprates(II) in Host Lattices with Different Coordination Geometries

A series of new heteroleptic MN₂S₂ transition metal complexes with M = Cu²⁺ for EPR measurements and as diamagnetic hosts Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pd²⁺ were synthesized and characterized. The ligands are N₂ = 4, 4′‐bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine (tBu₂bpy) and S₂ =1, 2‐dithiooxalate, (dto), 1, 2‐dithiosquarate, (dtsq), maleonitrile‐1, 2‐dithiolate, or 1, 2‐dicyanoethene‐1, 2‐dithiolate, (mnt). The Cu^II complexes were studied by EPR in solution and as powders, diamagnetically diluted in the isostructural planar [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] or[Pd^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] as well as in tetrahedrally coordinated[Zn^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] host structures to put steric stress on the coordination geometry of the central CuN₂S₂ unit. The spin density contributions for different geometries calculated from experimental parameters are compared with the electronic situation in the frontier orbital, namely in the semi‐occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the copper complex, derived from quantum chemical calculations on different levels (EHT and DFT). One of the hosts, [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], is characterized by X‐ray structure analysis to prove the coordination geometry. The complex crystallizes in a square‐planar coordination mode in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with Z = 4 and the unit cell parameters a = 10.4508(10) Å, b = 18.266(2) Å, c = 12.6566(12) Å, β = 112.095(7)°. Oxidation and reductions potentials of one of the host complexes, [Ni(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], were obtained by cyclovoltammetric measurements.     

catena‐Poly[hexaaquamagnesium(II) [bis(μ3‐5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalato)dicopper(II)] dihydrate]

In the centrosymmetric dinuclear anions of the title bimetallic complex, {[Mg(H₂O)₆][Cu₂(C₈H₂NO₇)₂]·2H₂O}_n, each Cu^II ion is strongly coordinated by four O atoms in a distorted square‐planar geometry. Two of these O atoms belong to phenolate groups and the other two to carboxylate groups from 5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalate (L1) trianions, derived from 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid (O₂N–H₃L). The phenolate O atoms bridge the two Cu^II ions in the anion. In addition, each Cu^II cation interacts weakly with a symmetry‐related carboxylate O atom of an adjacent L1 ligand, giving a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. The copper residue forms a ladder‐like linear coordination polymer via L1 ligands. The [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations sit on centres of inversion. The polymeric anions, cations and free water molecules are self‐assembled into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network via O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Ligand‐forced dimerization of copper(I)–olefin complexes bearing a 1,3,4‐thiadiazole core

As an important class of heterocyclic compounds, 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles have a broad range of potential applications in medicine, agriculture and materials chemistry, and were found to be excellent precursors for the crystal engineering of organometallic materials. The coordinating behaviour of allyl derivatives of 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles with respect to transition metal ions has been little studied. Five new crystalline copper(I) π‐complexes have been obtained by means of an alternating current electrochemical technique and have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The compounds are bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine]bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu₂(NO₃)₂(C₆H₉N₃S)₂], (1), bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine]bis[(tetrafluoroborato)copper(I)], [Cu₂(BF₄)₂(C₆H₉N₃S)₂], (2), μ‐aqua‐bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}bis[nitratocopper(I)], [Cu₂(NO₃)₂(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂(H₂O)], (3), μ‐aqua‐(hexafluorosilicato)bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}dicopper(I)–acetonitrile–water (2/1/4), [Cu₂(SiF₆)(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂(H₂O)]·0.5CH₃CN·2H₂O, (4), and μ‐benzenesulfonato‐bis{μ‐5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine}dicopper(I) benzenesulfonate–methanol–water (1/1/1), [Cu₂(C₆H₅O₃S)(C₅H₇N₃S₂)₂](C₆H₅O₃S)·CH₃OH·H₂O, (5). The structure of the ligand 5‐methyl‐N‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine (Mepeta ), C₆H₉N₃S, was also structurally characterized. Both Mepeta and 5‐[(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)sulfanyl]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐amine (Pesta ) (denoted L ) reveal a strong tendency to form dimeric {Cu₂L ₂}²⁺ fragments, being attached to the metal atom in a chelating–bridging mode via two thiadiazole N atoms and an allylic C=C bond. Flexibility of the {Cu₂(Pesta )₂}²⁺ unit allows the Cu^I atom site to be split into two positions with different metal‐coordination environments, thus enabling the competitive participation of different molecules in bonding to the metal centre. The Pesta ligand in (4) allows the Cu^I atom to vary between water O‐atom and hexafluorosilicate F‐atom coordination, resulting in the rare case of a direct Cu^I…FSiF₅²⁻ interaction. Extensive three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding patterns are formed in the reported crystal structures. Complex (5) should be considered as the first known example of a Cu^I(C₆H₅SO₃) coordination compound. To determine the hydrogen‐bond interactions in the structures of (1) and (2), a Hirshfeld surface analysis has been performed.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,electrochemistry and antioxidative activity of copper(II), manganese(II) and nickel(II) complexes containing bis(N‐ethylbenzimidazol‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline

Bis(N‐ethylbenzimidazol‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline (Etbba) and its transition metal complexes, [Cu(Etbba)(Cl)₂]?DMF ( 1 ), [Mn(Etbba)(Cl)₂] ( 2 ) and [Ni(Etbba)(Cl)₂] ( 3 ), have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, UV–visible, infrared and NMR spectroscopies and X‐ray crystallography. The coordination environment of complex 1 can be described as distorted square‐based pyramidal, while complexes 2 and 3 each have a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Cyclic voltammograms of complex 1 indicate an electrochemically quasi‐reversible Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the free ligand and its complexes were investigated using the superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods in vitro. Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 are found to possess potent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and to be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit significant superoxide radical activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A mixed‐valence chair‐like tetranuclear copper(I,II) cluster with three linking modes of the 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole ligand

In the tetranuclear copper complex tetrakis[μ‐3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]bis[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]dicopper(I)dicopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu^I₂Cu^II₂(C₁₂H₈N₅)₆]·2H₂O, the asymmetric unit is composed of one Cu^I center, one Cu^II center, three anionic 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐BPT) ligands and one solvent water molecule. The Cu^I and Cu^II centers exhibit [Cu^IN₄] tetrahedral and [Cu^IIN₆] octahedral coordination environments, respectively. The three independent 2‐BPT ligands adopt different chelating modes, which link the copper centers to generate a chair‐like tetranuclear metallomacrocycle with metal–metal distances of about 4.4 × 6.2 Å disposed about a crystallographic inversion center. Furthermore, strong π–π stacking interactions and O—H...N hydrogen‐bonding systems link the tetracopper clusters into a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Crystal Structure,and Biological Activities of Transition Metal Complexes with 1‐Phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐hydroxypyrazole‐4‐methylene‐8′‐quinolineimine

The Schiff base ligand, 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐hydroxypyrazole‐4‐methylene‐8′‐quinolineimine, and its Cu^II, Zn^II, and Ni^II complexes were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the Zn^II complex was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicating that the metal ions and Schiff base ligand can form mononuclear six‐coordination complexes with 1:1 metal‐to‐ligand stoichiometry at the metal ions as centers. The binding mechanism and affinity of the ligand and its metal complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence titration spectroscopy, EB displacement experiments, and viscosity measurements, indicating that the free ligand and its metal complexes can bind to DNA via an intercalation mode with the binding constants at the order of magnitude of 105–106 M ^–1, and the metal complexes can bind to DNA more strongly than the free ligand alone. In addition, antioxidant activities of the ligand and its metal complexes were investigated through scavenging effects for hydroxyl radical in vitro, indicating that the compounds show stronger antioxidant activities than some standard antioxidants, such as mannitol. The ligand and its metal complexes were subjected to cytotoxic tests, and experimental results indicated that the metal complexes show significant cytotoxic activity against lung cancer A 549 cells.     

Competitive heavy metal removal by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid‐co‐itaconic acid)

The competitive removal of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by the copolymer of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and itaconic acid (IA), P(AMPS‐co‐IA), was investigated. Homopolymer of AMPS (PAMPS) was also used to remove these ions from their aqueous solution. In the preparation of AMPS–IA copolymer, the molar percentages of AMPS and IA were 80 and 20, respectively. In order to observe the changes in the structures of polymers due to metal adsorption, FTIR spectra by attenuated total reflectancetechnique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures of the polymers were taken both before and after adsorption experiments. Total metal ion removal capacities of PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were 1.685 and 1.722 mmol Me²⁺/g_polymer, respectively. Experimental data were evaluated to determine the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption process. Competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions onto both PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) was found to fit pseudo‐second‐order type kinetics. In addition, the removal orders in the competitive adsorption of these metal ions onto PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were found to be Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three AgI,CuI and CdII coordination polymers based on the new asymmetrical ligand 2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole: syntheses,characterization and emission properties

The new asymmetrical organic ligand 2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( L , C₁₇H₁₃N₅O), containing pyridine and imidazole terminal groups, as well as potential oxdiazole coordination sites, was designed and synthesized. The coordination chemistry of L with soft Ag^I, Cu^I and Cd^II metal ions was investigated and three new coordination polymers (CPs), namely, catena‐poly[[silver(I)‐μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] hexafluoridophosphate], {[Ag( L )]PF₆}_n, catena‐poly[[copper(I)‐di‐μ‐iodido‐copper(I)‐bis(μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)] 1,4‐dioxane monosolvate], {[Cu₂I₂( L )₂]·C₄H₈O₂}_n, and catena‐poly[[[dinitratocopper(II)]‐bis(μ‐2‐{4‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]phenyl}‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)]–methanol–water (1/1/0.65)], {[Cd( L )₂(NO₃)₂]·2CH₄O·0.65H₂O}_n, were obtained. The experimental results show that ligand L coordinates easily with linear Ag^I, tetrahedral Cu^I and octahedral Cd^II metal atoms to form one‐dimensional polymeric structures. The intermediate oxadiazole ring does not participate in the coordination interactions with the metal ions. In all three CPs, weak π–π interactions between the nearly coplanar pyridine, oxadiazole and benzene rings play an important role in the packing of the polymeric chains.     

Di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis{[bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine‐κ3N′,N′′,N′′′]copper(II)} bis(perchlorate)

The title compund, [Cu₂(OH)₂(C₂₂H₂₅N₃)₂](ClO₄)₂, is a copper(II) dimer, with two [CuL]²⁺ units [L is bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine] bridged by hydroxide groups to define the {[CuL](μ‐OH)₂[CuL]}²⁺ cation. Charge balance is provided by perchlorate counter‐anions. The cation has a crystallographic inversion centre halfway between the Cu^II ions, which are separated by 3.0161 (8) Å. The central core of the cation is an almost regular Cu₂O₂ parallelogram of sides 1.931 (2) and 1.935 (2) Å, with a Cu—O—Cu angle of 102.55 (11)°. The coordination geometry around each Cu^II centre can be best described as a square‐based pyramid, with three N atoms from L ligands and two hydroxide O atoms completing the coordination environment. Each cationic unit is hydrogen bonded to two perchlorate anions by means of hydroxide–perchlorate O—H...O interactions.     

A New,Highly Potent 1,8‐Naphthalimide‐based Fluorescence “Turn off” Chemosensor Capable of Cu2+ Detection in China's Yellow River Water Samples

A new 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based fluorescence “turn off” chemosensor, N‐phenyl‐4‐(3,3′‐((2‐aminoethyl)azanediyl)dipropanoic acid)‐1,8‐naphthalimide ( MAST ), for the detection of Cu²⁺ was synthesized. Upon treatment with Cu²⁺, in coexistence with various competitive metal ions in HEPES‐buffered dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution (v/v, 1:1; pH 7.4), MAST displayed a high selectivity toward Cu²⁺ with a fluorescence quenching of 83.67%. Additionally, a good linear response of MAST for the detection of Cu²⁺ was obtained in the concentration range of 10 × 10⁻⁶ to 50 × 10⁻⁶ M. A 1:1 stoichiometric interaction of MAST with Cu²⁺ was observed, and the association constant and detection limit were calculated to be 1.37 × 10⁶ and 0.69 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The sensing mechanism of the chemosensor toward Cu²⁺ was proposed due to the effect of the paramagnetic nature of Cu²⁺ and reverse‐photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) process. Ultimately, the proposed chemosensor was applied to quantify Cu²⁺ in real‐world water samples, with excellent recovery rates of 98.00–109.80% observed.     

Preparation and Structure of Magnesium Bis(hydrogen β‐glutamate) Hexahydrate

The dissociation equilibria of aqueous solutions of β‐glutamic acid were studied by potentiometric titration and the three pK values determined under standard conditions. The hydrogen β‐glutamate anion β‐GluH⁻ was found to be the dominating species in the physiologically relevant pH range 4.0–9.4. Neutralization of β‐glutamic acid by magnesium oxide affords magnesium bis(hydrogen β‐glutamate) Mg (β‐GluH)₂, which crystallizes as the hexahydrate from dilute aqueous solution. A single‐crystal X‐ray study showed that the β‐GluH⁻ anions are not part of the coordination sphere of the magnesium ion. Instead hexahydrated dications [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺ are intimately associated with free β‐GluH⁻ anions through a three‐dimensional network of H‐bonds. This study provides the first structural and conformational reference data for the β‐GluH⁻ anion.     

Bis{1‐n‐hex­yl‐3‐meth­yl‐4‐[1‐(phenyl­imino)prop­yl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐olato}­copper(II): a new copper(II) complex with a chelating alkyl­pyrazolone‐based enamine

The title compound, [Cu(C₁₉H₂₆N₃O)₂], is the first reported complex of the alkyl­pyrazolone‐derived ligand 1‐n‐hexyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐[1‐(phenylimino)propyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐one. The most notable feature is the imine–enol character presented by the ligand due to coordination, in spite of its enamine–ketone structure in the free state. The ligand chelates through N and O atoms, resulting in a square‐planar coordination around the Cu^II atom, which lies on an inversion centre.     

Impact of N-Truncated Aβ Peptides on Cu- and Cu(Aβ)-Generated ROS: CuI Matters!

In vitro Cu(Aβ_1–x)-induced ROS production has been extensively studied. Conversely, the ability of N-truncated isoforms of Aβ to alter the Cu-induced ROS production has been overlooked, even though they are main constituents of amyloid plaques found in the human brain. N-Truncated peptides at the positions 4 and 11 (Aβ_4–x and Aβ_11–x) contain an amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif (H₂N-Xxx-Zzz-His) that confer them different coordination sites and higher affinities for Cu^II compared to the Aβ_1–x peptide. It has further been proposed that the role of Aβ_4–x peptide is to quench Cu^II toxicity in the brain. However, the role of Cu^I coordination has not been investigated to date. In contrast to Cu^II, Cu^I coordination is expected to be the same for N-truncated and N-intact peptides. Herein, we report in-depth characterizations and ROS production studies of Cu (Cu^I and Cu^II) complexes of the Aβ_4–16 and Aβ_11–16 N-truncated peptides. Our findings show that the N-truncated peptides do produce ROS when Cu^I is present in the medium, albeit to a lesser extent than the unmodified counterpart. In addition, when used as competitor ligands (i.e., in the presence of Aβ_1–16), the N-truncated peptides are not able to fully preclude Cu(Aβ_1–16)-induced ROS production.     

A novel three‐dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[[hexaaquabis[μ3‐3,5‐dicarboxylatopyrazolato‐κ5O3,N2:N1,O5:O5′](μ2‐oxalato‐κ4O1,O2:O1′,O2′)copper(II)dierbium(III)] trihydrate]

The title novel heterometallic 3d–4f coordination polymer, {[CuEr₂(C₅HN₂O₄)₂(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₆]·3H₂O}_n, has a three‐dimensional metal–organic framework composed of two types of metal atoms (one Cu^II and two Er^III) and two types of bridging anionic ligands [3,5‐dicarboxylatopyrazolate(3−) (ptc³⁻) and oxalate]. The Cu^II atom is four‐coordinated in a square geometry. The Er^III atoms are both eight‐coordinated, but the geometries at the two atoms appear different, viz. triangular dodecahedral and bicapped trigonal prismatic. One of the oxalate anions is located on a twofold axis and the other lies about an inversion centre. Both oxalate anions act as bis‐bidentate ligands bridging the latter type of Er atoms in parallel zigzag chains. The pdc³⁻ anions act as quinquedentate ligands not only chelating the Cu^II and the triangular dodecahedral Er^III centres in a bis‐bidentate bridging mode, but also connecting to Er^III centres of both types in a monodentate bridging mode. Thus, a three‐dimensional metal–organic framework is generated, and hydrogen bonds link the metal–organic framework with the uncoordinated water molecules. This study describes the first example of a three‐dimensional 3d–4f coordination polymer based on pyrazole‐3,5‐dicarboxylate and oxalate, and therefore demonstrates further the usefulness of pyrazoledicarboxylate as a versatile multidentate ligand for constructing heterometallic 3d–4f coordination polymers with interesting architectures.     

Attenuation of the Aggregation and Neurotoxicity of Amyloid‐β Peptides by Catalytic Photooxygenation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive severe neurodegenerative disorder, is currently incurable, despite intensive efforts worldwide. Herein, we demonstrate that catalytic oxygenation of amyloid‐β peptides (Aβ) might be an effective approach to treat AD. Aβ1–42 was oxygenated under physiologically‐relevant conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C) using a riboflavin catalyst and visible light irradiation, with modifications at the Tyr¹⁰, His¹³, His¹⁴, and Met³⁵ residues. The oxygenated Aβ1–42 exhibited considerably lower aggregation potency and neurotoxicity compared with native Aβ. Photooxygenation of Aβ can be performed even in the presence of cells, by using a selective flavin catalyst attached to an Aβ‐binding peptide; the Aβ cytotoxicity was attenuated in this case as well. Furthermore, oxygenated Aβ1–42 inhibited the aggregation and cytotoxicity of native Aβ.