New dicationic derivatives of dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene: tuning DNA-binding properties

Four new water-soluble derivatives of dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene have been synthesized, bearing meso substituents with different structures and dimensions: 3-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)propyl, 3-(N-pyridinium-1-yl)propyl, 2-[3-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)propoxy]benzoyl, and 2-[3-(N-pyridinium-1-yl)propoxy]benzoyl. The crystal structures of 3-(trimethylammonium)propyl and (N,N,N-trimethylammonium)propoxy]benzoyl derivatives were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. According to the UV-vis titrations, thermal denaturation experiments, and ethidium bromide displacement assays, all compounds presented here interact strongly with double stranded (ct)-DNA. The product equipped with 3-(trimethylammonium)propyl pendant groups and two positive charges interacts with DNA in one dominant binding mode, whereas the other three derivatives revealed more complex mixed-type interactions. The results have been discussed in terms of dimensions, geometry, and electronic properties of the evaluated compounds, on the basis of corresponding crystallographic data.     

Stepwise solid phase synthesis of uridylylated viral genome-linked peptides using uridylylated amino acid building blocks

The uridylylated amino acid building blocks 2-cyanoethyl-(N^α-9-fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl-tyrosin-4-yl)-(2′,3′-di-O-acetyluridin-5′-yl) phosphate and 2-chlorophenyl-(N^α-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl-serin-3-yl)-(2′,3′-di-O-acetyluridin-5′-yl) phosphate have been used successfully in an on-line SPPS of the VPgpU from the polio, coxsackie and cowpea mosaic virus.     

Luminescence and electroluminescence of bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc. Exciplex formation and energy transfer in mixed film of bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc and N,N′-bis-(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine

The absorption and emission properties of benzimidazol-2-yl-quinoline (BIQ) and bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc (ZnBIQ) a new emitter used for organic light emitting device (OLED) were reported. Exciplexes are observed for ZnBIQ with N,N′-bis-(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (NPB) system, in both electro- and photoluminescent processes. The identification of exciplex emission in co-evaporated and multi-layer ZnBIQ thin film was reported for the first time. The optical formation of the exciplex involves the excitation of a single molecule, followed by the relaxation of that exciton into a lower energy exciplex state. Both BIQ and ZnBIQ possess very high thermal stabilities and can be purified by subliming under the high vacuum condition. Devices consisting of ZnBIQ as the emitting layer have been fabricated, and the emission spectra of ZnBIQ-base devices gave a voltage-dependent spectrum, with the red emission observed (3-7 V), switching over to strong white emission as the bias was raised.     

Syntheses, characterization, X-ray crystal structures and emission properties of five oxovanadium(V) complexes with pyridyl/pyrimidyl-pyrazole derived ditopic ligands

Four oxovanadium(V) complexes of heterocycle based ditopic ligands PyPzOAP (N-[amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid), PyPzOAPz (N-[amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid), PymPzOAP (N-[amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-1-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) and PyPzCAP (5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide) and a binuclear (di-μ-oxo) oxovanadium(V) complex of the ligand PymPzCAP (1-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-5-methyl-N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide) have been investigated. The ligands act as uninegative NNO tridentates donors for the VO₂⁺ ion exhibiting their monotopicity. The ligands show varying emission properties due to the presence of fluophoric groups like 1-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole or 1-(2-pyrimidyl)pyrazole. The vanadium(V) complexes show fluorescence quenching with respect to the used ligands to a varying extent. The complexes were characterized by UV-Vis, IR, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography.     

Cu(N-N)2Cl2 and Cu(N-N-N)Cl2 and HgCl2 building blocks in the synthesis of coordination compounds—X-ray studies and magnetic properties

A series of complexes containing Cu(N-N)₂Cl₂ (N-N=bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane (bpzm), bis(3,5dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane (bdmpzm), 2,2-dipyridylamine (dpa), 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-trazine (dppt) and 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy)), Cu(N-N-N)Cl₂ (N-N-N=2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy)) and HgCl₂ building blocks have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Increase in structural dimensionality is observed for [Cu(bpzm)₂][HgCl₄], [Cu(dpa)₂][HgCl₃]₂ and [Cu(terpy)(μ-Cl)HgCl₃] compounds. No coordination polymers have formed in the case of bis(3,5dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-trazine and 2,2′-bipyridine. The [Cu(bpzm)₂][HgCl₄] and [Cu(terpy)(μ-Cl)HgCl₃] complexes have been studied by magnetic measurements.     

Synthesis and properties of polymers containing aromatic amino groups in the main chain and their glass-forming model compounds

Polymers containing di(carbazol-3-yl)phenylamine and N,N^′-di(carbazol-3-yl)-N,N^′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine units in the main chain have been synthesized by a modified Ullmann condensation as a key step. The number-average molecular weights of the polymers synthesized were in the range of 2300-4800 with a molecular weight distribution of 1.42-2.25. Well defined model compounds of the title polymers were synthesized by stepwise reactions. All the materials exhibit high thermal stability with the initial weight loss temperatures exceeding 320 °C and form glasses. Their glass transition temperatures range from 102 to 216 °C as characterised by differential scanning calorimetry. The electron photoemission spectra of thin films of the synthesized compounds have been recorded and the ionisation potentials of 5.0-5.1 eV have been established.     

Solution-processed red iridium complexes based on carbazole-phenylquinoline main ligand: Synthesis, properties and their applications in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes

New carbazole-phenylquinoline (CVz-PhQ) based iridium complexes were designed and synthesized for their application in red phosphorescence organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) and their photophysical, electrochemical and electroluminescence (EL) properties were investigated. The PhOLEDs were fabricated using bis[9-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)-3-(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)-9H-carbazolato-N,C2′]iridium 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (EO-CVz-PhQ)₂Ir(prz) and bis[9-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)-3-(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)-9H-carbazolato-N,C2′]iridium 5-methyl-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (EO-CVz-PhQ)₂Ir(mprz) as the emitter and PVK, co-doped with OXD-7 as the electron transport material and TPD as the hole transport material, as the polymer host. The red emissive PhOLEDs, based on the ITO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/4,4′,4″-tris(carbazole-9-yl)triphenylamine (TCTA)/poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK):N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-(bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine (TPD):1,3-bis[5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl]benzene (OXD-7):Ir complex/cathode configuration, exhibited a maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.68% and a maximum luminance efficiency of 6.69 cd/A. Furthermore, by introducing a TCTA interlayer, the PhOLEDs showed only a slight efficiency roll off of 5.4% from a low current density (1.81 mA/cm²) to a high current density (44.59 mA/cm²).     

A simple one-pot synthesis of functionalised 6-(indol-3-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine derivatives via multi-component reaction under neat condition

A series of 4-aryl-6-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,2-bipyridine-5-carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized via a one-pot multi-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, 3-(cyanoacetyl)indole and 2-acetyl pyridine in ammonium acetate by conventional heating and microwave irradiation under solvent-free condition. Also a series of 6,6′-di(1H-indol-3-yl)-4,4′-diaryl-2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarbonitrile derivatives were synthesized using cinnamils, 3-(cyanoacetyl)indole and ammonium acetate. The methodology affords high yields of product at short reaction time.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands

Five transition metal compounds containing arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands, namely [Zn₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(N-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₈](bpds)₂ · 5H₂O (1), [Ag₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(bpds)] (2), [Cd(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₄]₂(4-abs)₄ · 5H₂O (3), [Cu(N,N′-4,4′-bipy) (O-bs)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (4), and [Zn(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](4,4′-bipy)(bs)₂ · 4H₂O (5) (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpds = 4,4′-biphenyldisulfonate, 4-abs = 4-aminobenzenesulfonate, bs = benzenesulfonate), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analyses and TG analyses, in order to investigate the coordination chemistry of arenesulfonates and 4,4-bipy, as well as to construct novel coordination frameworks via mixed-ligand strategy. Compounds 2, 4 and 5 could be obtained via hydrothermal or aqueous reactions. Compound 1 forms a binuclear octahedral metal complex. Compounds 2–4 form polymeric chains. Compound 5 consists of 2D square grids with one intercalated 4,4′-bipy molecule. Weak Ag–Ag interactions are observed in compound 2. These complexes show great structural varieties and there are three different coordination modes observed for both the 4,4′-bipy and the sulfonate ligands.     

An approach to the synthesis of chemically modified bisazocalix[4]arenes and their extraction properties

Bisazocalix[4]arenes [N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)benzene (1), N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)biphenyl (2) and N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)-2,2′-dinitro biphenyl (3)] have been synthesized from 25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene by diazocoupling with the corresponding aromatic diamines (p-phenylenediamine, 4,4′-diamino biphenyl and 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-dinitrobiphenyl). Extraction studies of bisazocalix[4]arenes 1, 2, and 3 show no difference in their extraction behavior and selectivity, whereas azocalix[4]arenes are a poor extractant for heavy metal cations. The absorption spectra of the prepared bisazocalix[4]arenes are discussed, both the effect of varying pH and solvent upon the absorption ability of bisazocalix[4]arenes.     

Enantiospecific synthesis, separation and olfactory evaluation of all diastereomers of a homologue of the sandalwood odorant Polysantol

The four stereoisomers of (5E)-4,4-dimethyl-6-(2′,2′,3′-trimethylcyclopent-3′-en-1′-yl)-hex-5-en-3-ol, a homologue of the valuable sandalwood-type odorant Polysantol^®, were enantiospecifically synthesized from (+)- and (−)-α-pinene, through (−)- and (+)-campholenic aldehyde, by aldol condensation with 3-pentanone, deconjugative α-methylation and reduction. The mixtures of epimeric alcohols obtained after reduction were separated by means of derivatization with (−)-(1S)-camphanic chloride. The enantiomerically pure final products were evaluated organoleptically.     

Efficient preparation of 9-Z-11-methylretinal and 11-Z-11-methylretinal

[2-(β-Ionylidene)propyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3-methyl-4-oxobut-2-enenitrile in refluxing 1,2-epoxybutane to give a mixture of 11-Z- and all-E-11-methylretinal via DIBAL-H reduction. In an analogous fashion, β-ionyl triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3,5-dimethyl-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienenitrile in 1,2-epoxybutane followed by subsequent DIBAL-H reduction to afford a mixture of new products consisting of 9-Z-11-methylretinal, its all-E isomer and 1-(2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2′-en-1′-yl)-6-(buten-2″-al-3″-yl)-3,5-dimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene. These molecules were obtained in pure form by HPLC.     

Spontaneous cyclization of (acridin-9-ylmethyl)thioureas to spiro [dihydroacridine-9′(10′H),5-imidazolidine]-2-thiones,a novel type of acridine spirocycles

Novel acridine spirocompounds, spiro[dihydroacridine-9′(10′H),5-imidazolidine]-2-thiones have been prepared by the spontaneous cyclization of 1-substituted 3-(acridin-9-ylmethyl)thioureas, which were obtained from 1-(acridin-9-yl)methanamine, N-(acridin-9-ylmethyl)propan-1-amine, and N-(acridin-9-ylmethyl)benzylamine and alkyl/aryl isothiocyanates, as continuation of our previous studies on new acridine spirocycles. Imidazolidine-2-thiones thus obtained were subsequently transformed with mesitylnitrile oxide to imidazolidine-2-one analogues, some of which partly reopened to the corresponding (acridin-9-ylmethyl)ureas. An unusual spirocyclization via a CH carbanion instead of the N-1 nitrogen has been found for 3-(acridin-9-ylmethyl)-1-(acridin-9-yl)thioureas possessing two acridine rings. Structural modifications in positions 1, 3, and 4 of the spiro ring together with ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography have been employed to rationalize a general propensity of various 9-substituted acridines to undergo easy spirocyclization.     

Copper(II) complexes with neutral Schiff bases: Syntheses, crystal structures and DNA interactions

The synthesis and X-ray structural characterisation of a new Cu(II) complex, [Cu(L¹)Cl](ClO₄)·CH₃OH (1) [L¹ = N,N′-bis((pyridine-2-yl)phenylidene)-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol], has been described in this work. The structural study reveals that the Cu(II) centre in 1 has a square pyramidal geometry with a trigonality index τ = 0.43, being coordinated by the organic ligand and a chloro group. The interaction of complex 1 and another complex previously reported by our group, [Cu(L²)](ClO₄)₂ (2) [L² = N-(1-pyridin-2-yl-phenylidene)-N′-[2-({2-[(1-pyridin-2-ylphenylidene)amino]ethyl}amino)ethyl]ethane-1,2diamine], with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated using absorption and emission spectral studies. The binding constant (K_b) and the linear Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_sv) have been determined.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and antibacterial activity of a group of mononuclear manganese(II) Schiff base complexes

Five mononuclear complexes of manganese(II) of a group of the general formula, [MnL(NCS)₂] where the Schiff base L = N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L¹), (1); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L²), (2); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L³), (3); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁴), (4) and N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁵), (5) have been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reacting manganese chloride with the corresponding tetradentate Schiff bases in presence of thiocyanate in the molar ratio of 1:1:2. The complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and other physicochemical studies, including crystal structure determination of 1, 2 and 4. Structural studies reveal that the complexes 1, 2 and 4 adopt highly distorted octahedral geometry. The antibacterial activity of all the complexes and their respective Schiff bases has been tested against Gram(+) and Gram(−) bacteria.     

Molecular recognition of biotin, barbital and tolbutamide with new synthetic receptors

We have measured, by means of NMR titrations, the binding constants for the complexes between hosts N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1,3-benzenedicarboxamide (7) and 4-chloro-N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (8, hydrated) with biotin methyl ester (1), N,N′-dimethylurea (2), 2-imidazolidone (3), N,N′-trimethylenurea (4), barbital (5) and tolbutamide (6) as guests. Molecular Mechanics calculations (Monte Carlo Conformational Search, AMBER and OPLS force fields, MacroModel v.8.1) on the complexes formed between the foregoing guests and hosts 7 and 8, comparatively with 4-oxo-N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (9a) have been carried out in order to determine the correlation between experimental and theoretical results and to understand the behaviour of the designed new hosts. Finally we have performed single point DFT [B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)] calculations on the optimised Molecular Mechanics geometries for the complexes between hosts 7-9 and water.     

Reactions of 1,4-bis(tetrazole)benzenes: formation of long chain alkyl halides

The reactions of 1,4-bis[2-(tributylstannyl)tetrazol-5-yl]benzene with α,ω-dibromoalkanes were carried out in order to synthesise pendant alkyl halide derivatives of the parent bis-tetrazole. This led to the formation of several alkyl halide derivatives, substituted variously at N1 or N2 on the tetrazole ring. The crystal structures of 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′), 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (1-N,2-N′) and 1,4-bis[(2-(8-bromooctyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′) are reported. Further discussion involves the structure of 1,4-bis[2-(6-bromohexyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]benzene (2-N,2-N′) previously reported.     

New N-acyl, N-alkyl, and N-bridged derivatives of rac-6,6′,7,7′-tetramethoxy-1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydro-1,1′-bisisoquinoline

The preparation of potential new ligand systems based on the rac-1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydro-6,6′,7,7′-tetramethoxy-1,1′-bisisoquinoline skeleton has been investigated. Syntheses of N-(2-bromobenzyl), N-(3-acetoxybenzyl), N-acetyl, N-chloroacetyl, N-chlorocarbonyl, N-ethoxycarbonyl and N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl derivatives and five macrocyclic, polyether containing derivatives are described.     

Cascade assembly of N,N′-dialkylbarbituric acids and aldehydes: a simple and efficient one-pot approach to the substituted 1,5-dihydro-2H,2′H-spiro(furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5′-pyrimidine)-2,2′,4,4′,6′(1′H,3H,3′H)-pentone framework

Cascade assembly of N,N′-dialkylbarbituric acids and aldehydes in the presence of bromine leads to the selective and efficient formation of substituted 1,5-dihydro-2H,2′H-spiro(furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5′-pyrimidine)-2,2′,4,4′,6′-(1′H,3H,3′H)-pentones in 70-88% yields via a complex cascade process. Spirobarbiturates containing the furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine framework are a class of compounds with interesting pharmacological and physiological activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of new polyimides containing pendent pentadecyl chains

A new unsymmetrical aromatic diamine, viz., 4-pentadecylbenzene-1,3-diamine was synthesized through a series of reaction steps starting from 3-pentadecylphenol. 4-Pentadecylbenzene-1,3-diamine was employed to synthesize a series of new polyimides by one-step polycondensation in m-cresol with four commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, viz., 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6-FDA). Inherent viscosities of resulting polyimides were in the range 0.33-0.67 dL/g and number average molecular weights were in the range 14,700-52,200 (GPC, polystyrene standard). Polyimides containing pendent pentadecyl chains were soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform, m-cresol, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), pyridine and nitrobenzene. Strong and flexible films of polyimides could be cast from their chloroform solutions. Polyimides exhibited glass transition temperature in the range 158-206 °C. The temperature at 10% wt. loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, of polyimides was in the range 470-480 °C indicating good thermal stability.