Novel bifunctional viologen-linked pyrene conjugates: Synthesis and study of their interactions with nucleosides and DNA

With the objective of developing efficient DNA oxidizing agents, a new series of viologen-linked pyrene conjugates with the general formula PYLnV(2+), having a different number of methylene spacer units (Ln) was synthesized, and their interactions with nucleosides and DNA have been investigated through photophysical and biophysical techniques. The viologen-linked pyrene derivatives PYL1V(2+) (n =equals; 1), PYL7V(2+) (n = 7), and PYL12V(2+) (n = 12) exhibited characteristic fluorescence emission of the pyrene chromophore centered around 380 nm but with significantly reduced yields when compared to those of the model compound PYL1Et(3)(+). The fluorescence quenching observed in these systems is explained through an electron-transfer mechanism based on a calculated favorable change in free energy (DeltaG(ET) = -1.59 eV), and the redox species characterized through laser flash photolysis studies. Intramolecular electron-transfer rate constants (k(ET)) were calculated from the observed fluorescence yields, and the singlet lifetimes of the model compound and are found to decrease with increasing spacer length. The DNA binding studies of these systems through photophysical, chiroptical, and viscometric techniques demonstrated that these systems effectively undergo DNA intercalation with association constants (KDNA) in the range of 1.1-2.6 x 10(4) M(-1) and exhibit 2:1 sequence selectivity for poly(dG) x poly(dC) over poly(dA) x poly(dT). Photoactivation of these systems initiates electron transfer from the singlet excited state of the pyrene chromophore to the viologen moiety followed by an electron transfer from DNA to the oxidized pyrene. This results in the formation of stable charge-separated species such as radical cations of both DNA and reduced viologen as characterized by laser flash photolysis studies and subsequently the oxidized DNA modifications. These novel systems are soluble in buffer media, stable under irradiation conditions, and oxidize DNA efficiently and selectively through a cosensitization mechanism and hence can be useful as photoactivated DNA cleaving agents.     

Synthesis and photoinduced electron-transfer properties of phthalocyanine-[60]fullerene conjugates

A series of three novel ZnPc-C60 conjugates (Pc=phthalocyanine) 1 a-c bearing different spacers (single, double, and triple bond) between the two electroactive moieties was synthesized and compared to that of ZnPc-C60 conjugate 2, in which the two electroactive moieties are linked directly. The synthetic strategy- towards the preparation of 1 a-c- involved palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions over a monoiodophthalocyanine precursor 4 to introduce the corresponding spacer, and subsequent dipolar cycloaddition reaction to C60. Detailed photophysical investigations of 1 a-c and 2 prompted an intramolecular electron transfer that evolves from the photoexcited ZnPc to the electron-accepting C60. In particular, with the help of femtosecond laser photolysis charge separation was indeed confirmed as the major deactivation channel. Complementary time-dependent density functional calculations supported the spectral assignment, namely, the spectral identity of the ZnPc(*+) radical cation and the C60 (*-) radical anion as seen in the differential absorption spectra. The lifetimes of the correspondingly formed radical ion-pair states depend markedly on the solvent polarity: they increase as polarity decreases. Similarly, although to a lesser extent, the nature of the linker impacts the lifetime of the radical ion-pair states. In general, the lifetimes of these states tend to be shortest in the system that lacks any spacer at all (2), whereas the longest lifetimes were found in the system that carries the triple-bond spacer (1 a).     

Electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene-triarylamine conjugates: synthesis and redox properties

By combining tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) and triarylamines, four TTF-triarylamine conjugates bridged by an annulated pyrrole ring were designed and synthesized by an N-arylation reaction. Electrochemical and photophysical investigations suggest that these novel conjugates possess very strong electron-donating ability with very high HOMO energy levels of around -4.70 eV; the HOMOs are mainly located on the TTF moiety. We observed significant electronic coupling between the TTF moieties and the triarylamine groups. However, no evidence for such electronic communication between end-capping TTF units (conjugates 5 and 7) or between two terminal triarylamine groups (conjugate 9) could be found. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements together with PM3-optimized geometries suggest that conjugates 5 and 7, which adopt three-dimensional propeller-shaped structures, may easily pack and crystallize in the solid state because of the large rigid planar blades consisting of TTF and one of the phenyl rings of the triarylamine moiety. However, conjugate 9, with two bulky end-capping triarylamine groups, forms an amorphous material with a glass transition at 74.5 degrees C.     

Novel synthesis of organic nanowires and their optical properties

Aligned nanowires of organic luminescent material were prepared by introducing the organic luminants into nanochannels of variable size in an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane, and the emission spectra from these nanowire arrays exhibited novel size-dependent luminescent properties.     

Novel purine conjugates with N-heterocycles: synthesis and anti-influenza activity

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - A number of novel amides were synthesized by coupling of 6-[(9H-purin-6-yl)amino]hexanoic acid to heterocyclic amines. The antiviral activity of the obtained...     

Novel highly fluorinated sulfamates: synthesis and evaluation of their surfactant properties

Two synthetic pathways have been elaborated to prepare new series of highly fluorinated sulfamates with excellent yields. Surface tension measurements at the air/water interface showed that these compounds constitute new excellent non-ionic surfactants exhibiting high surface activity in the range of the best non-ionic fluoro surfactants already described in the literature. The most important feature of this work is that, in comparison with the classical non-ionic fluoro surfactants, these sulfamates are easily synthesized in a monodisperse form from classical and relatively non-toxic starting materials. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), the maximum surface excess concentration (Γ) and the minimum area per molecule (a) have been calculated from the surface tension measurements on surfactant aqueous solutions. Relationships have been established between the length of both the fluorinated tail and hydrocarbon spacer linking the hydrophobic tail to the hydrophilic head, and the interfacial properties.     

The synthesis and properties of oligoribonucleotide-spermine conjugates

Polyamines stabilise nucleic acids against chemical and enzymatic degradation, facilitate the formation of secondary and tertiary structures and enhance cellular uptake. Therefore methods for the syntheses of polyamine-nucleic acid conjugates are of interest. A route for the syntheses of RNA-spermine conjugates has been developed. The polyamine was introduced to the C-5 position of uridine via an ethyl tether and the molecule elaborated into a synthon suitable for oligoribonucleotide assembly. The resultant oligomers were components of the hairpin ribozyme. Characterisation of the spermine-conjugated catalytic RNA revealed that attachment of the polyamine was well tolerated in three of four positions, namely U41, U37 and U34, suggesting that conjugation to C-5 brings about minimal structural perturbation.     

Novel synthesis of bifunctional catalysts with different microenvironments

Acid-base bifunctional activity governed by -NH(2) group's microenvironment is evident from two different catalysts scrutinized by interchanging the location of -SO(3)H/NH(2) groups on periodic mesoporous ethylenesilica. The hydrophobic local environment plays a significant role in one-pot deacetalization/nitroaldol condensation.     

Gemini amphiphilic pseudopeptides: synthesis and preliminary study of their self-assembling properties

The synthesis of a family of Gemini Amphiphilic Pseudopeptide (GAP) molecules by a reductive amination reaction has been carried out. The process is highly modular and can be efficiently performed with different pseudopeptidic diamines as well as aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Preliminary studies showed the abilities of the GAPs to self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures.     

Spectral and photochemical properties of bifunctional compounds and their complexes

Quantum yields of the step-by-step photocyclization of diphenylamine (DPA) derivatives Ph₂N−(CH₂)n−NPh₂,n=3–6, 9, to the corresponding α,ω-di(carbazolyl)alkanes were measured. Atn>3, the presence of the second DPA group had no effect on the cyclization of the first DPA group; however, cyclization of the second DPA group was retarded after cyclization of the first DPA group. The effect was explained by quenching of the excited DPA group by the carbazole group newly formed in the semi-cyclic compound. For disubstituted propane (n=3), the mutual influence of the two groups at both stages of the reaction was found. For Part 1, see Ref. 1. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1510–1515, August, 1999.     

Porphyrin and phthalocyanine glycodendritic conjugates: synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties

Synthesis of water soluble porphyrin and phthalocyanine derivatives with, respectively, eight and sixteen galactose units has been carried out. The combined preliminary photophysical and photochemical features of the new products suggest that they might be promising photodynamic therapeutic agents.     

Novel acenaphthopyrazine derivatives as antitumor agents against MCF-7 cells: molecular synthesis, optical properties, and DNA-binding studies

Abstract  

A series of novel acenaphthopyrazine derivatives was synthesized from acenaphthylene-1,2-dione via three steps, including bromination, cyclization, and S_NAr^H reaction. These new compounds exhibited potential antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells in vitro, and 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino]acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrazine-8,9-dicarbonitrile exhibited the highest activity (IC ₅₀ = 4.60 μM). DNA-binding experiments suggested that these derivatives bind to DNA through intercalation with intrinsic binding constants K all above 10⁵ M⁻¹. Optical property studies indicated that these compounds have long emission wavelength (λ _em > 560 nm), high quantum yields in toluene (Φ_f = 0.59 for 3-(morpholin-4-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]pyrazine-8,9-dicarbonitrile), and large Stokes shift (ΔS > 130 nm).     

Novel bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilicas, BPMOs: synthesis, characterization, properties and in-situ selective hydroboration-alcoholysis reactions of functional groups

A new class of bifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilicas (BPMOs) containing two differently bonded organic moieties in a mesoporous host has been synthesized and characterized. By incorporating bridge-bonded ethylene groups into the walls and terminally bonded vinyl groups protruding into the channel space, both the chemistry and physical properties of the resulting BPMO could be modified. The materials have periodic mesoporous structures in which the bridging ethylene plays a structural and mechanical role and the vinyl groups are readily accessible for chemical transformations. The vinyl groups in the material underwent hydroboration with BH(3).THF and the resulting organoborane in the BPMO was quantitatively transformed into an alcohol using either H(2)O(2)/NaOH or NaBO(3).4H(2)O. The materials retained ordered structures after subsequent in situ reactions with largely unchanged pore volumes, specific surface areas and pore size distributions. Other organic functionalized BPMO materials may be synthesized in a similar manner or by further functionalizing the resulting borylated or alcohol functionalized BPMO materials. The thermal properties of the BPMO materials have also been investigated and are compared to those of the periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) materials. Noteworthy thermal events concern intrachannel reactions between residual silanols or atmospheric oxygen and organics in BPMOs. They begin around 300 degrees C and smoothly interconvert bridging ethylene to terminal vinyl groups and terminal vinyl to gaseous ethene and ethane, ultimately producing periodic mesoporous silica at 900 degrees C that exhibits good structural order and a unit-cell size decreased relative to that of the parent BPMO.     

Novel oxybispyridylboronic acids: synthesis and study of their reactivity in Suzuki-type cross-coupling reactions

This paper sets forth the synthesis of novel oxybispyridylboronic acids, which are prepared from the corresponding halo-oxybispyridines via halogen-metal exchange using n-butyllithium and treatment with triisopropylborate. A range of efficient cross-coupling reactions of these novel boronic acids with selected aryl halides is described. This strategy produces novel pyridylethers of interest in cholinergic medicinal chemistry.     

Novel phenylazomethine dendrimers: synthesis and structural properties

The novel dendrimers consisting of a pi-conjugated backbone, the dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPAs), were synthesized by the convergent method via the dehydration of aromatic ketones with aromatic amines in the presence of titanium(IV) tetrachloride. The obtained DPAs have a high solubility unlike the conventional linear polyphenylazomethines. NMR studies revealed the conformational rigidity of DPA G4. DPAs having many azomethine groups as the coordination site for metal ions are expected to be novel ligands.     

Novel diethynylcarbazole macrocycles: synthesis and optoelectronic properties

Diethynylcarbazole macrocycles 1b and 2b have been synthesized by oxidative coupling of appropriate precursors. In particular, macrocycle 2b was prepared by bimolecular Pd-catalyzed oxidative coupling in 35% isolated yield. The spectroscopic properties of these macrocycles and their precursors were measured in detail. The films of these macrocycles by the dipping method and the Langmuir-Blodgett technique were fabricated to study their photoinduced charge-transfer properties. A rapid and steady cathodic photocurrent of these films was produced in a three-electrode cell when irradiated with white light. A possible mechanism of the photoinduced electron-transfer pathway was suggested.     

Novel fluorophores: efficient synthesis and photophysical properties

The synthesis of new donor-acceptor acetylene-bridged compounds was realized via organophosphorus reactions and Sonogashira couplings. These systems exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields, and excitation induces very efficient charge redistribution in the molecules. [structure: see text]     

Novel synthesis of bis(phosphonic acid)-steroid conjugates

An efficient synthesis has been realized for several members of a new class of potential bone resorption inhibitors consisting of steroidal oestrogenic units linked at the 3 and 17 positions to a geminal bisphosphonate moiety through an ester linkage of variable length. The convergent synthesis utilizes benzyl bisphosphonates, transesterification, and Meldrum's acid chemistry and has the potential to allow many oestrogenic derivatives as well as other biologically active compounds to be coupled to the geminal bisphosphonate moeity.     

Oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene and oxacorrole-ferrocene conjugates: synthesis, structure, and nonlinear optical properties

Ferrocenyl macrocyclic conjugates involving 22 pi oxasmaragdyrins and 18 pi oxacorroles have been synthesized and characterized. The direct covalent linkage of the ferrocenyl moiety to the meso position of the macrocycle is achieved by simple oxidative coupling of appropriate precursors with trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst. The electronic coupling between the ferrocenyl moiety and the macrocyclic pi system is apparent from: a) the red shifts (293-718 cm(-1)) of the Soret and Q-bands in the electronic absorption spectra of ferrocenyl conjugates; b) the shift of oxidation potentials (50-130 mV) of both the ferrocene and the corrole rings to the positive potentials; and c) considerable shortening of the C-C bond which connects the ferrocene and the meso-carbon atom of the macrocycle. The single-crystal X-ray structure of oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 9 reveals the planarity of the 22 pi skeleton with very small deviations of the meso-carbon atoms. The meso-ferrocenyl substituent has a small dihedral angle of 38 degrees, making way for mixing of the molecular orbitals of the ferrocene and the macrocycle. However, the other two meso substituents are almost perpendicular to the mean plane, defined by the three meso carbon atoms. Classical C-H...O and nonclassical C-H...pi interactions lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular network. Ferrocene-smaragdyrin conjugate 9 bonds to a chloride ion in the protonated form and a rhodium(i) ion in the free base form. Nonlinear optical measurements reveal a larger nonlinear refractive index (-5.83 x 10(-8)cm(2)W(-1)) and figure of merit (2.28 x 10(-8)cm(3)W(-1)) for the rhodium smaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 19 than for the others, suggesting its possible application in optical devices.