Peptide‐Based Carbohydrate Receptors

A broad spectrum of physiological processes is mediated by highly specific noncovalent interactions of carbohydrates and proteins. In a recent communication we identified several cyclic hexapeptides in a dynamic combinatorial library that interact selectively with carbohydrates with high binding constants in water. Herein, we report a detailed investigation of the noncovalent interaction of two cyclic hexapeptides (Cys‐His‐Cys (which we call HisHis) and Cys‐Tyr‐Cys (which we call TyrTyr)) with a selection of monosaccharides and disaccharides in aqueous solution. The parallel and antiparallel isomers of HisHis or TyrTyr were synthesized separately, and their interaction with monosaccharides and disaccharides in aqueous solution was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry, NMR spectroscopic titrations, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. From these measurements, we identified particularly stable complexes (K_a>1000 M ^?1) of the parallel isomer of HisHis with N‐acetylneuraminic acid and with methyl‐α‐D ‐galactopyranoside as well as of both isomers of TyrTyr with trehalose. To gain further insight into the structure of the peptide–carbohydrate complexes, structure prediction was performed using quantum chemical methods. The calculations confirm the selectivity observed in the experiments and indicate the formation of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the most stable complexes.     

A Photochromic Agonist for μ‐Opioid Receptors

Opioid receptors (ORs) are widely distributed in the brain, the spinal cord, and the digestive tract and play an important role in nociception. All known ORs are G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) of family A. Another well‐known member of this family, rhodopsin, is activated by light through the cis/trans isomerization of a covalently bound chromophore, retinal. We now show how an OR can be combined with a synthetic azobenzene photoswitch to gain light sensitivity. Our work extends the reach of photopharmacology and outlines a general strategy for converting Family A GPCRs, which account for the majority of drug targets, into photoreceptors.     

Tribenzotriquinacene Receptors for C60 Fullerene Rotors: Towards C3 Symmetrical Chiral Stators for Unidirectionally Operating Nanoratchets

The synthesis of a stereochemically pure concave tribenzotriquinacene receptor ( 7 ) for C₆₀ fullerene, possessing C₃ point group symmetry, by threefold condensation of C₂‐symmetric 1,2‐diketone synthons ( 5 ) and a hexaaminotribenzotriquinacene core ( 6 ) is described. The chiral diketone was synthesized in a five‐step reaction sequence starting from C_2h‐symmetric 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylanthracene. The highly diastereo‐discriminating Diels–Alder reaction of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylanthracene with fumaric acid di(?)menthyl ester, catalyzed by aluminium chloride, is the relevant stereochemistry introducing step. The structure of the fullerene receptor was verified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. VCD and ECD spectra were recorded, which were corroborated by ab initio DFT calculations, establishing the chiral nature of 7 with about 99.7 % ee, based on the ee (99.9 %) of the chiral synthon ( 1 ). The absolute configuration of 7 could thus be established as all‐S [(2S,7S,16S,21S,30S,35S)‐( 7 )]. Spectroscopic titration experiments reveal that the host forms 1:1 complexes with either pure fullerene (C₆₀) or fullerene derivatives, such as rotor 1′‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐3′‐(4‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐pyrazolino[4′,5′:1,2][60]fullerene ( R ). The complex stability constants of the complexes dissolved in CHCl₃/CS₂ (1:1 vol. %) are K([ C₆₀ ? 7 ])=319(±156) M ^?1 and K([ R ? 7 ])=110(±50) M ^?1. With molecular dynamics simulations using a first‐principles parameterized force field the asymmetry of the rotational potential for [ R ? 7 ] was shown, demonstrating the potential suitability of receptor 7 to act as a stator in a unidirectionally operating nanoratchet.     

A New Approach to Enantiopure C3‐Symmetric Molecules

Chiral base chemistry has been used to create three chiral centres in one pot on a C₃‐symmetric substrate. The potential of this new approach to C₃‐symmetric molecules is exemplified by the creation of an enantiopure C_3v‐symmetric triol, triphosphane and tripyridine. A ruthenium complex of the last compound has been studied by X‐ray crystallography.     

Practical Organocatalytic Synthesis of Functionalized Non‐C2‐Symmetrical Atropisomeric Biaryls

An organic acid catalyzed direct arylation of aromatic C(sp²)? H bonds in phenols and naphthols for the preparation of 1,1′‐linked functionalized biaryls was developed. The products are non‐C₂‐symmetrical, atropoisomeric, and represent previously untapped chemical space. Overall this transformation is operationally simple, does not require an external oxidant, is readily scaled up (up to 98 mmol), and the structurally diverse 2,2′‐dihydroxy biaryl (i.e., BINOL‐type), as well as 2‐amino‐2′‐hydroxy products (i.e., NOBIN‐type) are formed with complete regioselectivity. Density‐functional calculations suggest that the quinone and imino‐quinone monoacetal coupling partners are exclusively arylated at their α‐position by an asynchronous [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of a mixed acetal species which is formed in situ under the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of β‐Peptides with β‐Helices from New C‐Linked Carbo‐β‐Amino Acids: Study on the Impact of Carbohydrate Side Chains

The design and synthesis of β‐peptides from new C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐Caa) presented here, provides an opportunity to understand the impact of carbohydrate side chains on the formation and stability of helical structures. The β‐amino acids, Boc‐(S)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 1 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 2 , having a D ‐galactopyranoside side chain were prepared from D ‐galactose. Similarly, the homo C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐hCaa); Boc‐(S)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 3 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 4 , were prepared from D ‐glucose. The peptides derived from the above monomers were investigated by NMR, CD, and MD studies. The β‐peptides, especially the shorter ones obtained from the epimeric (at the amine stereocenter C_β) 1 and 2 by the concept of alternating chirality, showed a much smaller propensity to form 10/12‐helices. This substantial destabilization of the helix could be attributed to the bulkier D ‐galactopyranoside side chain. Our efforts to prepare peptides with alternating 3 and 4 were unsuccessful. However, the β‐peptides derived from alternating geometrically heterochiral (at C_β) 4 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(x)‐OMe 5 (D ‐xylose side chain) display robust right‐handed 10/12‐helices, while the mixed peptides with alternating 4 and Boc‐β‐hGly‐OMe 6 (β‐homoglycine), resulted in left‐handed β‐helices. These observations show a distinct influence of the side chains on helix formation as well as their stability.     

The Mechanism of Ligand‐Induced Activation or Inhibition of μ‐ and κ‐Opioid Receptors

G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for treating severe diseases. However why certain molecules act as activators whereas others, with similar structures, block GPCR activation, is poorly understood since the same molecule can activate one receptor subtype while blocking another closely related receptor. To shed light on these central questions, we used all‐atom, long‐time‐scale molecular dynamics simulations on the κ‐opioid and μ‐opioid receptors (κOR and μOR). We found that water molecules penetrating into the receptor interior mediate the activating versus blocking effects of a particular ligand–receptor interaction. Both the size and the flexibility of the bound ligand regulated water influx into the receptor. The solvent‐accessible inner surface area was found to be a parameter that can help predict the function of the bound ligand.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Supramolecular Helical Fibres from Amphiphilic C3‐Symmetrical Functional Tris(tetrathiafulvalenes)

The preparation and self‐assembly of the enantiomers of a series of C₃‐symmetric compounds incorporating three tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) residues is reported. The chiral citronellyl and dihydrocitronellyl alkyl chains lead to helical one dimensional stacks in solution. Molecular mechanics and dynamics simulations combined with experimental and theoretical circular dichroism support the observed helicity in solution. These stacks self‐assemble to give fibres that have morphologies that depend on the nature of the chiral alkyl group and the medium in which the compounds aggregate. An inversion of macroscopic helical morphology of the citronellyl compound is observed when compared to analogous 2‐methylbutyl chains, which is presumably a result of the stereogenic centre being further away from the core of the molecule. This composition still allows both morphologies to be observed, whereas an achiral compound shows no helicity. The morphology of the fibres also depends on the flexibility at the chain ends of the amphiphilic components, as there is not such an apparently persistent helical morphology for the dihydrocitronellyl derivative as for that prepared from citronellyl chains.     

On‐Surface Self‐Assembly of a C3‐Symmetric π‐Conjugated Molecule Family Studied by STM: Two‐Dimensional Nanoporous Frameworks

The on‐surface self‐assembled behavior of four C ₃‐symmetric π‐conjugated planar molecules ( Tp , T12 , T18 , and Ex ) has been investigated. These molecules are excellent building blocks for the construction of noncovalent organic frameworks in the bulk phase. Their hydrogen‐bonded 2D on‐surface self‐assemblies are observed under STM at the solid/liquid interface; these structures are very different to those in the bulk crystal. Upon combining the results of STM measurements and DFT calculations, the formation mechanism of different assemblies is revealed; in particular, the critical role of hydrogen bonding in the assemblies. This research provides us with not only a deep insight into the self‐assembled behavior of these novel functional molecules, but also a convenient approach toward the construction of 2D multiporous networks.     

多分支中性受体的合成及αω-二羧酸阴离子识别研究

Two new multi-armed neutral receptors 1 and 2 containing thiourea and amide groups were synthesized by simple steps in good yields. Receptors 1 and 2 have a better selectivity and higher association constants for malonate anion than other anions examined by the present work. In particular, distinct color changes were observed upon addition of dicarboxylate anions to the solution of 1 in DMSO. The UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra data indicate that a 1 ： 2 stoichiometry complex was formed between compound 1 or 2 and dicarboxylate anions of shorter carbon chain, and a 1 ： 1 stoichiometry complex was formed between compound 1 or 2 and dicarboxylate anions of longer carbon chain through hydrogen bonding interactions.