Asymmetric enolate alkylation via templation with chiral synthetic receptors

C₃-Symmetric chiral receptors have been developed for enantioselective alkylation of sodium enolates of active methylene compounds. It has been demonstrated that a 1:1 binding complex forms between these receptors and sodium enolates in THF-d₈/CD₃CN by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Moderate enantiomeric enrichment of the benzylation product of 2-acetylcyclohexanone has been demonstrated using this strategy. Templation of enolate alkylation by synthetic receptors represents a new approach to asymmetric induction.     

Hydrogen bonding-driven elastic bis(zinc)porphyrin receptors for neutral and cationic electron-deficient guests with a sandwich-styled complexing pattern

This Letter reports the design and synthesis of a new type of hydrogen bonding-mediated foldamer-derived tweezer receptors that are incorporated with two peripheral (zinc)porphyrin units. Due to the existence of four intramolecular hydrogen bonds, the (zinc)porphyrin units are forced to approach and stack with each other. ¹H NMR and fluorescent studies revealed that the new receptors could form 1:1 complexes with planar electron-deficient molecules such as naphthalene and benzene diimides and paraquat through a unique sandwich-styled binding pattern. The association constants of the new complexes have been evaluated by the ¹H NMR or fluorescent titration methods.     

Molecular recognition properties of salicylic acid-imprinted polymers

Summary Two molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) have been prepared using the acidic drug salicylic acid, which can form intramolecular hydrogen bond, as the template and acrylamide or 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer. HPLC was used to evaluate the binding performance of the MIP for the template and for several analogues. The results showed that the MIP (P₂) prepared using acrylamide as the functional monomer had no molecular imprinting effect whereas that (P₁) prepared using 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer had a significant molecular imprinting effect. The reason the molecular imprinting effect was different for the two MIP was elucidated and the molecular recognition properties of P₁ were studied in detail. It was confirmed that electrostatic interaction played an important role in the molecular recognition of P₁. Scatchard analysis showed that two types of binding site with distinctly different affinity were formed in P₁. Their dissociation constants were estimated to be 7.6×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and 3.2×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, respectively. Because P₁ has high affinity and selectivity for salicylic acid not only in organic systems but also in water-containing systems, it gives P₁ the potential for use in the enrichment, separation, and detection of salicylic acid in biological fluids.     

Light‐ and Redox‐Gated Molecular Brakes Consisting of a Pentiptycene Rotor and an Indole Pad

Two photochemically and electrochemically active alkenes 3Me and 3An containing pentiptycene and indole groups have been synthesized and investigated as light and/or redox‐gated molecular brakes. The pentiptycene group functions as the four‐bladed rotor, the indole group as the brake pad, and the vinylene group as the switch module. The E configuration corresponds to the brake‐off state, in which the rotation of the rotor is free with a rotation rate of 10⁸‐10⁹ at ambient temperature according to DFT calculations. The Z configuration corresponds to the brake‐on state, in which the rotation rate is decreased to 10¹‐10², depending on the N‐substituent of indole, according to line‐shape analysis of variable temperature ¹³C NMR spectra. The overall braking effect reaches a factor of 10⁶‐10⁸. While the combined photochemical E → Z and electrochemical Z → E switching has a higher capacity than the two‐way photochemical switching in the case of 3Me , the switching capacity are comparable for the two methods in 3An . The results also show that photochemical E‐Z isomerization is much more reliable than the electrochemical counterpart, as the stability of the redox intermediates plays a critical role in determining the robustness of the molecular brakes via electrochemical switching.     

Synthesis of covalently bonded nanostructure from two porphyrin molecular wires leading to a molecular tube

Molecular wire, diacetylene-linked porphyrin dimer 6 having terminal alkenes, was synthesized. Porphyrin dimer 6 formed the 1:1 double-stranded ladder complex with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The co-planar stacked two porphyrin molecular wires in the ladder complex were connected by olefin metathesis in the presence of the Grubbs catalyst in order to make a covalently bonded tubular nanostructure. The obtained molecular tube 7 was characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry.     

Characterization of recognition sites for diethyl 4-nitrobenzylphosphonate, an organophosphate pesticide analogue

In a first step towards chemical sensors using molecular imprinted materials, the complexing characteristics of diethyl 4-nitrobenzylphosphonate, an organophosphate pesticide analogue, have been studied. Two molecules have been assessed as potential interacting moieties, specifically a fluoroalcohol and an aromatic acid. The interactions have been first characterized by regular methods, such as ¹H, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopy. These showed a stoichiometry 1/1 for both complexes and association constants, respectively, close to 40 ± 10 and 12 ± 2 M⁻¹. In a second step, isothermal titration calorimetry was used and a method was developed to obtain low-association constants. The association constant could be obtained for the fluoroalcohol ligand and was found equal to 63 ± 0.7 M⁻¹. For the acidic molecule, an appropriate model could not be found, preventing the evaluation of this constant.     

Experimental Quantification of Halogen⋅⋅⋅Arene van der Waals Contacts

Crystallographic and computational studies suggest the occurrence of favourable interactions between polarizable arenes and halogen atoms. However, the systematic experimental quantification of halogen⋅⋅⋅arene interactions in solution has been hindered by the large variance in the steric demands of the halogens. Here we have synthesized molecular balances to quantify halogen⋅⋅⋅arene contacts in 17 solvents and solvent mixtures using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Calculations indicate that favourable halogen⋅⋅⋅arene interactions arise from London dispersion in the gas phase. In contrast, comparison of our experimental measurements with partitioned SAPT0 energies indicate that dispersion is sufficiently attenuated by the solvent that the halogen⋅⋅⋅arene interaction trend was instead aligned with increasing exchange repulsion as the halogen increased in size (ΔG_X⋅⋅⋅_Ph=0 to +1.5 kJ mol⁻¹). Halogen⋅⋅⋅arene contacts were slightly less disfavoured in solvents with higher solvophobicities and lower polarizabilities, but strikingly, were always less favoured than CH₃⋅⋅⋅arene contacts (ΔG_Me⋅⋅⋅_Ph=0 to −1.4 kJ mol⁻¹).     

Interpenetrating metal-organic frameworks formed by self-assembly of tetrahedral and octahedral building blocks

To investigate the relationship between topological types and molecular building blocks (MBBs), we have designed and synthesized a series of three-dimensional (3D) interpenetrating metal-organic frameworks based on different polygons or polyhedra under hydrothermal conditions, namely [Cd(bpib)_0.5(L¹)] (1), [Cd(bpib)_0.5(L²)]·H₂O (2), [Cd(bpib)_0.5(L³)] (3) and [Cd(bib)_0.5(L¹)] (4), where bpib=1,4-bis(2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane, bib=1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane, H₂L¹=4-(4-carboxybenzyloxy)benzoic acid, H₂L²=4,4′-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))dibenzoic acid and H₂L³=4,4′-(1,4-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(oxy)dibenzoic acid, respectively. Their structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Compounds 1–3 display α-Po topological nets with different degrees of interpenetration based on the similar octahedral [Cd₂(–COO)₄] building blocks. Compound 4 is a six-fold interpenetrating diamondoid net based on tetrahedral MBBs. By careful inspection of these structures, we find that various carboxylic ligands and N-donor ligands with different coordination modes and conformations, and metal centers with different geometries are important for the formation of the different MBBs. It is believed that different topological types lie on different MBBs with various polygons or polyhedra. Such as four- and six-connected topologies are formed by tetrahedral and octahedral building blocks. In addition, with the increase of carboxylic ligands’ length, the degrees of interpenetration have been changed in the α-Po topological nets. And the luminescent properties of these compounds have been investigated in detail.     

The preparation, molecular structure, and theoretical study of carbohydrazide (CHZ)

Carbohydrazide is prepared by reacting dimethyl carbonate with hydrazine hydrate. Its single crystal has been cultured with slow evaporation method. Its molecular structure and crystal structure have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction technique. The obtained results shows that the crystal belongs to Crystal system of Monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n with crystal parameters of a = 3.725(1), b = 8.834(2), c = 11.96(3), β = 91.97(1)°, V = 392.23(2) ³, Z = 4, D _c = 1.522 g/cm³, μ = 0.128 mm⁻¹, F0 0 0) = 192. Based on the crystal data, we have also carried quantum chemistry calculations on the title compound using the B3LYP and MP2 method with cc-pVTZ basis set. The calculation results further demonstrate the molecular structure of title compound and its coordination properties.     

Structures and vibrational spectra for protonated carbonyl sulfide

The HOCS⁺ form of protonated OCS was identified in 1987 using high-resolution difference frequency laser spectroscopy by assigning the vibrational frequency (ν=3435cm⁻¹) as the O-H stretch. The isomer HSCO⁺ was not detected in spite of a search of the S-H stretching region. Theoretical calculations indicate, however, that the S-protonated form lies significantly lower than the O-protonated form. To resolve this apparent discrepancy between experiments and theoretical calculations, highly accurate ab initio studies of both species have been carried out. Our results indicate that the S-protonated form lies about 5 kcal/mol below the O-protonated one. The SH stretching frequency is predicted to be found around 2496cm⁻¹. A new search for the ν₁ band of HSCO⁺ using a diode spectrometer showed no evidence of HSCO⁺. Received: 26 November 1996 / Accepted: 3 March 1997     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and photoluminescence of a new Zn(II) molecular box compound derived from a two-armed bis-terdendate ligand

The dinuclear compound Zn₂(HL²)₂(ClO₄)₂(C₂H₅OH)_0.5(H₂O)₂ (1) based on di(2-acetylpyridyl)-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2′-bipyridine (H₂L²) has been obtained via self-assembly. X-ray crystallography indicated the formation of a molecular box rather than a helicate. The photoluminescence properties of 1 in the solid state have an emission at ca 500 nm with excitation at 400 nm at room temperature.     

Indirect competitive immunoassay for trichlorophenol determination: Rational evaluation of the competitor heterology effect

An improved competitive indirect immunoassay for the detection of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) has been developed and optimized by preparing heterologous haptens that have been evaluated as coating antigens. The relation between the degree of heterology and immunoassay detectability has been investigated according to the geometric and electronic distribution similarities between the haptens and the analyte using molecular modeling tools. The assay has been characterized according to different physicochemical parameters such as the incubation time, the ionic strength, the effect of detergents and the pH. The resulting assay has an IC₅₀ of 1.44 μg l⁻¹ and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ and it shows a good accuracy and suitability to analyze trichlorophenol in drinking water.     

Theoretical studies of the mechanism of the action of the neurohypophyseal hormones. I. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and molecular electrostatic field (MEF) maps of some vasopressin analogues

Summary Continuing our theoretical studies of the oxytocin and vasopressin analogues, we have analysed the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and the norm of the molecular electrostatic field (MEF) of [1--mercaptopropionic acid]-arginine-vasopressin ([Mpa¹]-AVP), [1-(-mercapto-,-cyclopentamethylene)propionic acid]-arginine-vasopressin ([Cpp]-AVP), and [1-thiosalicylic acid]-arginine-vasopressin ([Ths]-AVP) whose low-energy conformations were calculated in our previous work. These compounds are known from experiment to exhibit different biological activity. The scalar fields mentioned determine the energy of interaction with either charged (MEP) or polar (MEF) species, the energy being in the second case either optimal or Boltzmann-averaged over all the possible orientations of the dipole moment versus the electrostatic field. The electrostatic interactions slowly vanish with distance and can therefore be considered to be the factor determining the molecular shape at greater distances, which can help in both predicting the interactions with the receptor at the stage of remote recognition and in finding the preferred directions of solvation by a polar solvent. In the analysis of the fields three techniques have been used: (i) the construction of maps in certain planes; (ii) the construction of maps on spheres centered in the charge center of the molecule under study and of poles chosen according to the main axes of the quadrupole moment; and (iii) the construction of surfaces corresponding to a given value of potential. The results obtained show that the shapes of both MEP and MEF are similar in the case of [Mpa¹]-AVP and [Cpp¹-AVP (biologically active), while some differences emerge when comparing these compounds with [Ths¹]-AVP (inactive). It has also been found that both MEP and MEF depend even more strongly on conformation.     

Molecular recognition of polymethoxybenzenes by host molecule comprised of two pyromellitic diimides and two dialkoxynaphthalenes

For the continuing study of the molecular recognition of the π-electron-poor host comprised of two pyromellitic diimides and two dialkoxynaphthalenes, its inclusion with π-electron-rich polymethoxybenzenes has been examined. The UV-vis titration studies indicated following order of the association constants (K_a's) as 1:1 complexes in CHCl₃: 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (31.3 M⁻¹)>1,3-dimethoxybenzene (9.2 M⁻¹)>1,2-dimethoxybenzene (6.5 M⁻¹)>1,4-dimethoxybenzenes (2.8 M⁻¹). The X-ray structural analysis of the complexes between the host and dimethoxybenzenes proved the intracavity 1:1 complexes and provided useful information on the structures of the complexes. Not only charge transfer interactions but also other weak interactions such as electrostatic, van der Waals, and the unique hydrogen bonds between the α-hydrogen atoms of the naphthalene and the methoxy oxygen atoms were considered to be responsible for the magnitude of the K_a's. Thus molecular recognition of polymethoxybenzenes has been accomplished by the neutral host using multipoint weak interactions in an organic solvent.     

Molecular ordering in some liquid aromatic hydrocarbons

This study presents a comparison of the structures and molecular correlations for the linear aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene in the liquid phase, performed for the first time by the method of X-ray diffraction. Also for the first time the X-ray diffraction results obtained for anthracene at 513?K have been reported. Monochromatic radiation CuK_α was used to determine the scattered radiation intensity between S _min?=?4π?sin?Θ_min/λ?=?0.417?Å^?1 and S _max?=?4π?sin?Θ_max/λ?=?7.06?Å^?1. The mean angular distributions of X-ray scattered intensity were measured and the differential radial distribution functions of electron density (DRDFs) were calculated. The mean distances between the neighbouring molecules and the mean coordination numbers were found. The most probable models of local ordering of these molecules were suggested. Correlations have been found between the number of benzene rings in the molecules studied and their physical properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of new difunctional alkynylated (η-arene)(η-cycloocta-1,5-diene)ruthenium(0) complexes as molecular models for organometallic polymers

The new dialkynylated complexes Ru(η⁶-DEB-Si)(η⁴-COD), 4a, Ru(η⁶-DEBP-Si)(η⁴-COD), 4b1, Ru₂(η⁶,η⁶-DEBP)(η⁴-COD)₂, 4b2 [COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; DEB-Si = 1,4-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene; DEBP-Si = 4,4′-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)biphenyl] have been synthesized by the arene exchange reaction with the complex Ru(η⁶-naphthalene)(η⁴-COD). The complexes Ru(η⁶-DEB)(η⁴-COD), 5a, and Ru(η⁶-DEBP)(η⁴-COD), 5b1, have been prepared by desilylation of the corresponding compounds 4a and 4b1. All the complexes have been fully characterized by means of spectroscopic techniques.     

A high selective anion colorimetric sensor based on salicylaldehyde for fluoride in aqueous media

A new and simple salicylaldehyde-based sensor 1 designed for fluoride sensing has been investigated in DMSO and even in the 9/1 DMSO/H₂O (v/v) mixtures. The affinity constants of receptor 1 for anionic species in the 9/1 DMSO/H₂O (v/v) reveal that it is sensitive to F. Also, the color changes induced by anions can provide a way of detection by ‘naked-eye’. These result can be substantiated by the spectrum changes upon the addition of 25 equiv. anions to 1 in the 9/1 DMSO/H₂O solution. The further insights to the nature of interactions between the sensor 1 and F⁻ were investigated by ¹H NMR titration experiments in 9/1 DMSO-d₆/H₂O (v/v). In addition, the proposed binding mode between 1 and F⁻ was suggested.     

Hydrogen bonding-mediated self-assembly of rigid and planar metallocyclophanes and their recognition for mono- and disaccharides

A hydrogen bonding approach has been developed to facilitate the self-assembly of a new series of rigid and planar metallocyclophanes. Two new anthranilamide derivatives 1 and 2, which are incorporated with two acetylene units, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray analysis (for 1), 1D and 2D ¹H NMR and IR experiments reveal that, due to the formation of intramolecular three-centered hydrogen bonding, both compounds adopt rigid and planar conformations with the two acetylene units located at the same side of the anthranilamide skeleton. Two new metallocyclophanes 17 and 18 have been constructed in moderate yields from the reaction of 1 and 2 with trans-Pt(PEt₃)₂Cl₂, respectively, in dichloromethane in the presence of diethylamine and cupric chloride. Fluorescent and ¹H NMR investigations reveal that both 17 and 18 can efficiently complex mono- and disaccharide derivatives in chloroform, with a binding selectivity for disaccharides, which is driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Unimolecular rearrangement of α-silylcarbenium ions. An ab initio study

The unimolecular rearrangements of hydrogen, methyl and phenyl groups at the Si atom in α-silylcarbenium ions have been investigated using an ab initio molecular orbital method. MP2/6–31 + G^*//HF/6–31G^* calculations predict that all three groups migrate from the Si to an adjacent C_α with no energy barrier. Thus, the silicenium ion is the only stable species in each potential energy surface. The conformation of the benzylsilicenium ion, (C₆H₅)CH₂−SiH₂⁺, indicates that the phenyl ring is significantly bent toward the silyl cationic center in order to interact with the vacant 3p(Si⁺) orbital. In contrast to MP2 results, Hartree-Fuck calculations (both HF/3–21G^* and HF/6–31G^* levels) predict small energy barriers for 1,2-migrations of H and Me (1.4 kcal mol⁻¹ for H migration, and 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for Me migration, respectively, at the HF/6–31G^* level). This difference provides convincing evidence that the incorporation of electron correlation is of particular importance in describing the potential energy surface for the rearrangement of α-silylcarbenium ions to silicenium ions. The results of the calculations have also been applied to the possible rearrangement mechanism of α-chlorosilanes to chlorosilanes, assuming that the experimental conditions are favorable toward the generation of ionic species. Various factors which may govern the migratory aptitudes of various R groups, i.e. (1) activation energies, (2) overall reaction energies and (3) the conformational preference of reactants have been investigated. The calculated activation energy obtained, namely the energy for the generation of the silicenium ion and the C⁻¹ ion from an α-chlorosilane, is consistent with the experimental migratory aptitude in the gas phase observed in mass spectrometers.     

New insights into the anti-hepatoma mechanism of Alisol G-metal ions complexes based on c-myc DNA

This study investigated the anti-hepatoma molecular mechanism of Alisol G, which is an effective component of the Chinese medicine Alisma orientalis, in the presence of metal ions Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ based on c-myc DNA. Here, a combination of Alisol G and metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺) to augment anti-hepatoma efficiencies of Alisol G has been identified by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Network pharmacology revealed that c-myc DNA was the potential target of Alisol G with respect to its anti-hepatoma effects. By performing multi-spectroscopic analyses, we showed that the interaction of Alisol G with c-myc DNA was a process of static quenching. The binding constants and thermodynamic constants indicated that a 1:1 complex was formed between Alisol G and c-myc DNA. Moreover, metal ions strengthened the interaction between Alisol G and c-myc DNA. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation further unveiled that the higher binding affinity between Alisol G-Fe³⁺ complex and c-myc DNA as compared to Alisol G-Cu²⁺ complex. This probably resulted from the polarization of metal ions and the structural flexion of Alisol G. The C22-O31-H76 and C18-O32-H77 of Alisol G were key groups in the interaction with c-myc DNA. Addition of metal ion, had greatly changed the c-myc DNA-binding domain of Alisol G while didn’t affect the kinetic stability of the interaction, thus facilitating the insertion of Alisol G into c-myc DNA A-T base pair. Importantly, the DG113 of c-myc DNA was important for its binding to metal ions. Together, our findings suggested that Alisol G in combination with metal ions may be an efficient and promising option for the treatment of liver cancer.