Synthesis and antifolate activity of new pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine and thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase

Three previously undescribed dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors, N^α‐[4‐[N‐[(2,4‐diaminopyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐yl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]‐N^δ‐hemiphthaloyl‐L‐ornithine (7) , N^α‐ [4‐ [N‐[(2,4‐diaminothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐yl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]‐ N^δ‐hemiphthaloyl‐L‐ornithine (8) , and N‐[4‐[N‐[(2,4‐diaminothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐yl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]‐L‐glutamic acid (12) , were synthesized and their antifolate activity was assessed. The ability of 7 and 8 to bind to DHFR and inhibit the growth of CCRF‐CEM human lymphoblastic leukemia cells in culture were dramatically reduced in comparison with the corresponding pteridine analogue, N^α‐(4‐amino‐4‐deoxypteroyl)‐N^δ‐hemiphmaloyl‐L‐ornithine ( 1 , PT523). In a similar manner, the antifolate activity of 12 was markedly reduced in comparison with that of the corresponding glutamate analogue, aminopterin ( 5 , AMT). In contrast, 7, 8 , and 12 all displayed excellent affinity for the reduced folate carrier (RFC) of CCRF‐CEM cells as measured by a standard competitive influx assay. Lack of a consistent correlation between the results of the growth inhibition assays and those of the DHFR and RFC binding assays results suggest that additional factors also play a role in the antifolate activity of these compounds.     

Reactions of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives with a “model” thiirane

Reactions of 3-mono- and 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles with a “model” thiirane, 8-bromo-1,3-dimethyl-7-(thiiran-2-ylmethyl)-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-diones proceed at the positions N¹ and N² of the triazole ring and yield 7-(5-R-3-R′-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl- and/or 7-(5-R′-3-R-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl-1,3-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro[1,3]thiazolo[2,3-f]-purine-2,4-(1H,3H)-diones. 3-Methylsulfonyl-1,2,4-triazole reacted regiospecifically at the position N¹ forming 1,3-dimethyl-7-[(3-methyl-sulfonyl-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-methyl]-6,7-dihydro[1,3]thiazolo-[2,3-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and an ab initio Study of a Manganese(II) Macrocyclic Schiff-Base Complex with Two 2-Aminoethyl Pendant Arms

The cyclocondensation of 2,6-diformylpyridine with N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (pentene) in the presence of Mn^II forms the [1 + 1] pendant arm Schiff-base macrocyclic complex, [MnL³]²⁺. The ligand is a 15-membered pentaaza macrocycle having two 2-aminoethyl pendant arms {L³= 6,9-bis(aminoethyl)-3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentene}. The complex, investigated by analytical, spectroscopic and magnetic techniques, supports the formation of a highly symmetrical pentagonal bipyramid complex with the Mn^II ion located within a pentaaza macrocycle and two pendant amines coordinating on opposite sides of a plane defined by the macrocycle and the metal ion. The structure of the complex was also verified by ab initio HF-MO calculations using a standard 3-21G basis set.     

DEB-FAPy-dG Adducts of 1,3-Butadiene: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Formation in 1,2,3,4-Diepoxybutane Treated DNA**

Metabolic activation of the human carcinogen 1,3-butadiene (BD) by cytochrome 450 monooxygenases gives rise to a genotoxic diepoxide, 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB). This reactive electrophile alkylates guanine bases in DNA to produce N7-(2-hydroxy-3,4-epoxy-1-yl)-dG (N7-DE-dG) adducts. Because of the positive charge at the N7 position of the purine heterocycle, N7-DEB-dG adducts are inherently unstable and can undergo spontaneous depurination or base-catalyzed imidazole ring opening to give N⁶-[2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl]-2,6-diamino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5-N-1-(oxiran-2-yl)propan-1-ol-formamidopyrimidine (DEB-FAPy-dG) adducts. Here we report the first synthesis and structural characterization of DEB-FAPy-dG adducts. Authentic standards of DEB-FAPy-dG and its ¹⁵N₃-labeled analogue were used for the development of a quantitative nanoLC-ESI⁺-HRMS/MS method, allowing for adduct detection in DEB-treated calf thymus DNA. DEB-FAPy-dG formation in DNA was dependent on DEB concentration and pH, with higher numbers observed under alkaline conditions.     

Iron(III) Catecholates for Cellular Imaging and Photocytotoxicity in Red Light

Iron(III) complexes [Fe( L )( L′ )(NO₃)]—in which L is phenyl‐N,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]methanamine ( 1 ), (anthracen‐9‐yl)‐N,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]methanamine ( 2 ), (pyreny‐1‐yl)‐N,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]methanamine ( 3 – 5 ), and L′ is catecholate ( 1 – 3 ), 4‐tert‐butyl catecholate ( 4 ), and 4‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐benzene‐1,2‐diolate ( 5 )—were synthesized and their photocytotoxic properties examined. The five electron‐paramagnetic complexes displayed a Fe^III/Fe^II redox couple near ?0.4 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in DMF/0.1 m tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). They showed unprecedented photocytotoxicity in red light (600–720 nm) to give IC₅₀≈15 μM in various cell lines by means of apoptosis to generate reactive oxygen species. They were ingested in the nucleus of HeLa and HaCaT cells in 4 h, thereby interacting favorably with calf thymus (ct)‐DNA and photocleaving pUC19 DNA in red light of 785 nm to form hydroxyl radicals.     

Reactions of 6-thiotheophylline with alkylating agents and epichlorohydrin: Isolation of S-alkylated 6-thiotheophylline and 7-(2,3-thioepoxypropyl)theophylline

Alkylation of 6-thiotheophylline ( 1 ) under the aprotic basic condition affords S-alkylated 6-thiotheophylline ( 3 ) together with an N⁷ -alkylated product 4 . There is a tendency that the more reactive the alkylating agents are, the higher the yields of S-alkylated products are. On the other hand, treatment of 6-thiotheophylline ( 1 ) with epichlorohydrin afforded an unexpected product, 7-(2,3-thioepoxypropyl)theophylline ( 6 ), neither an S-alkylated compound 3g nor an N⁷ -alkylated compound 4g . The chemical structure was determined by nmr spectroscopic analysis.     

Intensification of Biocatalytical Processes by Synergistic Substrate Conversion. Fungal Peroxidase Catalyzed <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Hydroxy Derivative Oxidation in Presence of 10-Propyl Sulfonic Acid Phenoxazine

Many industrial pollutants, xenobiotics, and industry-important compounds are known to be oxidized by peroxidases. It has been shown that highly efficient peroxidase substrates are able to enhance the oxidation of low reactive substrate by acting as mediators. To explore this effect, the oxidation of two N-hydroxy derivatives, i.e., N-hydroxy-N-phenyl-acetamide (HPA) and N-hydroxy-N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester (HPCM) catalyzed by recombinant Coprinus cinereus (rCiP) peroxidase has been studied in presence of efficient substrate 3-(4a,10a-dihydro- phenoxazin-10-yl)-propane-1-sulfonic acid (PPSA) at pH 8.5. The bimolecular constant of PPSA cation radical reaction with HPA was estimated to be (2.5 ± 0.2)·10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and for HPCM was even higher. The kinetic measurements show that rCiP-catalyzed oxidation of HPA and HPCM can increase up to 33,000 times and 5,500 times in the presence of equivalent concentration of high reactive substrate PPSA. The mathematical model of synergistic rCiP-catalyzed HPA–PPSA and HPCM–PPSA oxidation was proposed. Experimentally obtained rate constants were in good agreement with those calculated from the model confirming the synergistic scheme of the substrate oxidation. In order to explain the different reactivity of substrates, the docking of substrates in the active site of the enzyme was calculated. Molecular dynamic calculations show that the enzyme–substrate complexes are structurally stable. The high reactive PPSA exhibited higher affinity to enzyme active site than HPA and HPCM. Furthermore, the orientation of HPA and HPCM was not favorable for proton transfer to the distal histidine, and different substrate reactivity was explained by these diversities.     

Electron impact mass spectrometry of [C7H8N]+ and [C6H7]+ and [C6H7]+ fragment ions produced from o-toluidine and N-methylaniline

An energetic study of the production of [C₇H₈N]⁺ and [C₆H₇]⁺ fragment ions from o-toluidine and N-methylaniline is reported. The mechanisms for the formation of the ions are suggested. Metastable peaks associated with the formation and fragmentation of reactive [C₇H₈N]⁺ and [C₆H₇]⁺ ions were detected and kinetic energy released were determined. The results indicate that the [C₇H₈N]⁺ ion is formed at threshold from o-toluidine with an aminotropylium structure whereas for N-methylaniline the ion is formed with anN-phenylmethaniminium structure. [C₆H₇]⁺ ions are believed to be formed at threshold from the two precursors with a protonated benzene structure.     

Tris-N-alkylpyridinium-functionalised cyclotriguaiacylene hosts as axles in branched [4]pseudorotaxane formation

A series of [4]pseudorotaxanes composed of three-way axle threads based on the cyclotriguaiacylene family of crown-shaped cavitands and three threaded macrocyclic components has been achieved. These exploit the strong affinity for electron-poor alkyl-pyridinium units to reside within the electron-rich cavity of macrocycles, in this case dimethoxypillar[5]arene (DMP). The branched [4]pseudorotaxane assemblies {(DMP)₃?L}³⁺,where L = N-alkylated derivatives of the host molecule (±)-tris-(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene, were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and an energy-minimised structure of {(DMP)₃?(tris-(N-propyl-isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene)}³⁺ was calculated. Crystal structures of N-ethyl-isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene hexafluorophosphate and N-propyl-isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene hexafluorophosphate each show ‘hand-shake’ self-inclusion motifs occurring between the individual cavitands.     

Arene ruthenium oxinato complexes: Synthesis, molecular structure and catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in aqueous solution

Two families of arene ruthenium oxinato complexes of the types [(η⁶-arene)Ru(η²-N,O-L)Cl] and [(η⁶-arene)Ru(η²-N,O-L)(OH₂)]⁺ have been synthesized from the dinuclear precursors [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ (arene = para-cymeme or hexamethylbenzene) and the corresponding oxine LH (LH = 8-hydroxyquinoline, 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline, 5-nitro-8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-dimethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline). The molecular structures of the neutral chloro complexes [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(η²-N,O-L)Cl] (LH = 8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline) and [(η⁶-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ)Ru(η²-N,O-L)Cl] (LH = 5,7-dichloro-2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline) as well as those of the cationic aqua derivatives [(η⁶-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ)Ru(η²-N,O-L)(OH₂)]⁺ (LH = 8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-dimethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline), isolated as the tetrafluoroborate salts, show in all cases a piano-stool arrangement with the arene ligand, the chelating oxinato ligand and the chloro or the aqua ligand surrounding the ruthenium center in a pseudo-tetrahedral fashion. The analogous reaction of [(η⁶-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ)RuCl₂]₂ with other N,O-chelating ligands such as 2-pyridinemethanol or tetrahydrofurfurylamine did not give the expected analogs but resulted in the formation of the complexes [(η⁶-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ)Ru(η²-NC₅H₄CH₂OH)Cl]⁺ and [(η⁶-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ)Ru(η¹-NHCH₂C₄H₃O)Cl₂]. The neutral and cationic complexes of the types [(η⁶-arene)Ru(η²-N,O-L)Cl] and [(η⁶-arene)Ru(η²-N,O-L)(OH₂)]⁺ have been found to catalyze the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to give formate in alkaline aqueous solution with catalytic turnovers up to 400.     

Synthesis and biodistribution of p-iodophenyl analogues of a naturally occurring imidazole ribonucleoside

A model iodophenyl imidazole ribonucleoside has been synthesized to study biodistribution properties in laboratory animals. The key intermediate 5-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-[N-(p-iodophenyl)carboxamide] ( 5 ) was synthesized by coupling N-succinimidyl-5-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylate ( 4 ) and p-iodoaniline. Deacetylation of the intermediate compound gave 5-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-[N-(p-iodophenyl)]carboxamide ( 6 ). Ring annulation via diazotization of 5 gave 7-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[4,5-d]-v-triazin-[3-N-(p-iodophenyl)]-4-one ( 7 ). Subsequent deacetylation of 7 afforded 7-β-D-ribofuranosylimidazo[4,5-d]-v-triazin-[3-N-(p-iodophenyl)]-4-one ( 8 ). The radiolabeled compounds, [¹²⁵I] 5 and [¹²⁵I] 6 were prepared in a manner similar to the corresponding unlabeled compounds except that p-[¹²⁵I]iodoaniline was used for coupling with 4 . Biodistribution studies of iodine-125-labeled 5 and 6 were performed in female Fischer rats and tumor bearing nude mice. Compound 6 showed uptake in the brain and proliferating tissues such as tumor and bone-marrow.     

Syntheses and evaluation of 7-deoxycholic amide-based tweezer-type copper(II) ion-selective ionophores

Seven tweezer-type copper(II) ion-selective ionophores; that is, 3α,12α-bis[[[N-(R)thiocarboxamino]acetyl]oxy]-N,N-dioctyl-5β-cholan-24-amides and 3α,12α-bis[[[N-(R)thiocarboxaminomethyl]acetyl]oxy]-N,N-dioctyl-5β-cholan-24-amides (R = alkyl and phenyl), were newly designed and synthesized. Their potentiometric evaluation of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membranes showed excellent affinity and selectivity to copper(II) ions over those of other transition metal ions and alkali/alkaline earth metal ions. These membranes exhibited super-Nernstian responses toward copper(II) ions (34-36 mV/decade), with detection limits of 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁷ M.     

The kinetics and mechanism of alkaline hydrolysis of N-substituted phthalimides

The aqueous cleavage of N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide (NBEPH), N-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide (NBPPH), and N-carbethoxyphthalimide (NCPH) have been studied within the [ōH] range of 5 × 10^?4 M to 2 × 10^?3 M, pH range of 8.82 to 10.62 and 8.06 to 8.66, respectively. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants, k_obs, reveal a linear relationship with [ōH] with essentially zero intercept. The alkaline hydrolysis of N-(hydroxymethyl)phthalimide (NHMPH) has been studied within the [ōH] range of 5.64 × 10^?6 M to 2.0 M. The [OH]-rate profile reveals that both ionized and nonionized NHMPH are reactive toward ōH. The second-order rate constant, k_OH, for the reaction of ōH with non-ionized NHMPH is ca. 10⁴ times larger than that with ionized NHMPH. The values of k_OH obtained for NBEPH, NBPPH, NCPH, and nonionized NHMPH show a reasonable linear relationship with Taft substituent constants, and the slope (ρ*) of the plot is 1.01 ± 0.10. The low value of ρ* of 1.01 is attributed to nucleophilic attack as the rate-limiting. The k_OH value for ionized NHMPH reveals nearly 10³-fold negative deviation from the linear Taft plot.     

An unusual cascade of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript>N</Subscript> reactions of benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide derivatives

An unusual cascade of S _NAr reactions was discovered in the series of benzo-1,2,3,4-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides containing two adjacent nucleofuges X and Y in the benzene ring. First, the 1,2,3-triazole anion displaces the anion X^s- from the more reactive site. Then the nucleo-phile X^s- displaces the adjacent group Y. For instance, 1,2,3-triazole reacts with 6-azido-5-nitrobenzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide to give 5-azido-6-(1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide, with 8-azido-7-nitrobenzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide to give 7-azido-8-(1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide and 7-azido-8-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide, and with 7-bromo-6-(phenylthio)benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide to give 7-phenylthio-6-(1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzotetrazine 1,3-dioxide.     

Dipolarity versus Polarizability and Acidity versus Basicity of Ionic Liquids as a Function of Their Molecular Structures

The four empirical solvent polarity parameters according to the Catalán scale—solvent acidity (SA), solvent basicity (SB), solvent polarizability (SP), and solvent dipolarity (SdP)—of 64 ionic liquids (ILs) were determined by the solvatochromic method. The SA parameter was determined solely by using [Fe^II(1,10‐phenanthroline)₂(CN)₂] ( Fe ), the SB parameter by using the pair of structurally comparable dyes 3‐(4‐amino‐3‐methylphenyl)‐7‐phenylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]difuran‐2,6‐dione ( ABF ) and 3‐(4‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐7‐phenylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]‐difuran‐2,6‐dione ( DMe‐ABF ), and the SP and SdP parameters by using the homomorphic pair of 4‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(dicyanomethylene)‐5‐[4‐(diethylamino)benzylidene]‐Δ³‐thiazoline ( Th ) and 2‐[4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzylidene]malononitrile ( BMN ). The separation of SP and SdP for a set of 64 various ILs was performed for the first time. Correlation analyses of SP with physicochemical data related to ionization potentials of anions of ILs as well as with theoretical data show the correctness of the applied method. The found correlations of the Catalán parameters with each other and with the alkyl‐chain length of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐type ILs gives new information about interactions within ILs. An analytical comparison of the determined Catalán parameters with the established Kamlet–Taft parameters and the Gutmann acceptor and donor numbers is also presented.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: A High‐Affinity Host for Encapsulation of Amino Saccharides and Supramolecular Stabilization of Their α‐Anomers in Water

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), an uncharged and water‐soluble macrocyclic host, binds protonated amino saccharides (D ‐glucosamine, D ‐galactosamine, D ‐mannosamine and 6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose) with excellent affinity (K_a=10³ to 10⁴ M ^?1). The host–guest complexation was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and MALDI‐TOF mass spectral analyses. NMR analyses revealed that the amino saccharides, except D ‐mannosamine, are bound as α‐anomers within the CB[7] cavity. ITC analyses reveal that CB[7] has excellent affinity for binding amino saccharides in water. The maximum affinity was observed for D ‐galactosamine hydrochloride (K_a=1.6×10⁴ M ^?1). Such a strong affinity for any saccharide in water using a synthetic receptor is unprecedented, as is the supramolecular stabilization of an α‐anomer by the host.     

An Easy Preparation of Chemically Pure,High-Activity Tritium-Labelled N-Propionylampicillin for the Analysis of Penicillin-Binding Proteins

Abstract

The laboratory preparation of chemically pure, ³H-labelled β-propionylampicillin suitable for studies of the mode of action of β-lactam antibiotics has been investigated. The chemical purity of the labelled antibiotic is a crucial factor for the quantitative determination of penicillin-binding proteins. Ampicillin (D-α-aminobenzylpenicillin) was N-[³H]propionylated by N-succinimidyl [³H]propionate, the labelled reaction products were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography followed by fluorography. The synthesis and the purification of the resulting N-[³H]propionylampicillin have been optimized, the best conditions for the acylation reaction were at pH 8.25 for 2 h, giving both a high yield of the labelled antibiotic and minimal amounts of unwanted by-products. The reaction mixture was fractionated by a two-step procedure, the purified radioactive antibiotic did not contain any residual reactant, especially free ampicillin, or degradation products such as D-α.-[³H]propionamidobenzylpenicilloic acid. This improved procedure allows an easy, fast and rather inexpensive preparation of a good quality radiolabeled antibiotic for studies of penicillin-interacting proteins.     

Glycoluril‐Derived Molecular Clips are Potent and Selective Receptors for Cationic Dyes in Water

Molecular clip 1 remains monomeric in water and engages in host–guest recognition processes with suitable guests. We report the K_a values for 32 1? guest complexes measured by ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence titrations. The cavity of 1 is shaped by aromatic surfaces of negative electrostatic potential and therefore displays high affinity and selectivity for planar and cationic aromatic guests that distinguishes it from CB[n] receptors that prefer aliphatic over aromatic guests. Electrostatic effects play a dominant role in the recognition process whereby ion–dipole interactions may occur between ammonium ions and the C=O groups of 1 , between the SO₃^? groups of 1 and pendant cationic groups on the guest, and within the cavity of 1 by cation–π interactions. Host 1 displays a high affinity toward dicationic guests with large planar aromatic surfaces (e.g. naphthalene diimide NDI+ and perylene diimide PDI+) and cationic dyes derived from acridine (e.g. methylene blue and azure A). The critical importance of cation–π interactions was ascertained by a comparison of analogous neutral and cationic guests (e.g. methylene violet vs. methylene blue; quinoline vs. N‐methylquinolinium; acridine vs. N‐methylacridinium; neutral red vs. neutral red H⁺) the affinities of which differ by up to 380‐fold. We demonstrate that the high affinity of 1 toward methylene blue (K_a=3.92×10⁷ m ^?1; K_d=25 nm ) allows for the selective sequestration and destaining of U87 cells stained with methylene blue.     

Cobalt(II) porphyrazine catalysed reduction of nitrite

Studies on the catalytic reduction of nitrite on carbon electrodes modified with Co(II) tetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazine (CoTppa, 1), N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetramethyltetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazine ([CoTm-2,3-tppa]⁴⁺, 2) and Co(II) N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetramethyltetra-3,4-pyridinoporphyrazine ([CoTm-3,4-tppa]⁴⁺, 3) are reported. There is a close correspondence between the proximity of the methyl groups to the porphyrazine ring and the catalytic activity of the porphyrazine complexes. Bulk electrolysis gave ammonia and hydroxylamine as some of the products. The catalytic activity of the cationic complex, 3, towards the detection of low concentrations of nitrite (<10⁻⁹ M) in water containing sodium sulfate, was compared with the activities of the anionic cobalt(II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([CoTSPc]⁴⁻, 4) and the mixed [Co^IITm-3,4-tppa]⁴⁺·[CoTSPc]⁴⁻ (5) complexes. Complex 5 showed the best catalytic activity of the three in that large currents were obtained for very low concentrations of nitrite.     

A tandem mass spectrometric investigation of N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters and N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters

N‐(3‐Ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters 1–4 and N‐(6‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters 5–8 were prepared by coupling either 3‐ferrocenylnaphthalene‐2‐carboxylic acid or 6‐ferrocenylnaphthalene‐2‐carboxylic acid to the dipeptide ethyl esters GlyGly(OEt) (1, 5), AlaGly(OEt) (2, 6), GlyPhe(OEt) (3, 7) and GlyLeu(OEt) (4, 8), using the standard N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N'‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole protocol. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) were employed in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry in the analysis of N‐(3‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters 1–4 and N‐(6‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters 5–8. Radical cations, [M]^+? and [M + H]⁺ species were both observed in the mass spectra. Intense sodium [M + Na]⁺ and potassium [M + K]⁺ adducts were also present. An important diagnostic ion at m/z [M–65]⁺ was observed in both the MS and MS/MS spectra of the N‐(3‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide derivatives. Sequence‐specific ions were generally not observed in the MS/MS spectra of the N‐(3‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) series due to formation of the diagnostic [M–65]⁺ ion. Sequence‐specific ions were observed in the MS/MS spectra of the N‐(6‐ferrocenyl‐2‐naphthoyl) dipeptide esters with charge retention on the derivatized N‐terminal of the dipeptide. Both series of compounds could be successfully analyzed by MALDI without the use of a matrix (LDI). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.