Second‐Generation Inhibitors for the Metalloprotease Neprilysin Based on Bicyclic Heteroaromatic Scaffolds: Synthesis,Biological Activity,and X‐Ray Crystal‐Structure Analysis

A new class of nonpeptidic inhibitors of the Zn^II‐dependent metalloprotease neprilysin with IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar activity range (0.034–0.30 μM ) were developed based on structure‐based de novo design (Figs. 1 and 2). The inhibitors feature benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine moieties as central scaffolds to undergo H‐bonding to Asn542 and Arg717 and to engage in favorable π‐π stacking interactions with the imidazole ring of His711. The platform is decorated with a thiol vector to coordinate to the Zn^II ion and an aryl residue to occupy the hydrophobic S1′ pocket, but lack a substituent for binding in the S2′ pocket, which remains closed by the side chains of Phe106 and Arg110 when not occupied. The enantioselective syntheses of the active compounds (+)‐ 1 , (+)‐ 2 , (+)‐ 25 , and (+)‐ 26 were accomplished using Evans auxiliaries (Schemes 2, 4, and 5). The inhibitors (+)‐ 2 and (+)‐ 26 with an imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine core are ca. 8 times more active than those with a benzimidazole core ((+)‐ 1 and (+)‐ 25 ) (Table 1). The predicted binding mode was established by X‐ray analysis of the complex of neprilysin with (+)‐ 2 at 2.25‐Å resolution (Fig. 4 and Table 2). The ligand coordinates with its sulfanyl residue to the Zn^II ion, and the benzyl residue occupies the S1′ pocket. The 1H‐imidazole moiety of the central scaffold forms the required H‐bonds to the side chains of Asn542 and Arg717. The heterobicyclic platform additionally undergoes π‐π stacking with the side chain of His711 as well as edge‐to‐face‐type interactions with the side chain of Trp693. According to the X‐ray analysis, the substantial advantage in biological activity of the imidazo‐pyridine inhibitors over the benzimidazole ligands arises from favorable interactions of the pyridine N‐atom in the former with the side chain of Arg102. Unexpectedly, replacement of the phenyl group pointing into the deep S1′ pocket by a biphenyl group does not enhance the binding affinity for this class of inhibitors.     

Development of a New Class of Inhibitors for the Malarial Aspartic Protease Plasmepsin II Based on a Central 7‐Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane Scaffold

Plasmepsin II (PMII), a malarial aspartic protease involved in the catabolism of hemoglobin in parasites of the genus Plasmodium, and renin, a human aspartic protease, share 35% sequence identity in their mature chains. Structures of 4‐arylpiperidine inhibitors complexed to human renin were reported by Roche recently. The major conformational changes, compared to a structure of renin, with a peptidomimetic inhibitor were identified and subsequently modeled in a structure of PMII (Fig. 1). This distorted structure of PMII served as active‐site model for a novel class of PMII inhibitors, according to a structure‐based de novo design approach (Fig. 2). These newly designed inhibitors feature a rigid 7‐azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane scaffold, which, in its protonated form, is assumed to undergo ionic H‐bonding with the two catalytic Asp residues at the active site of PMII. Two substituents depart from the scaffold for occupancy of either the S1/S3 or S2′‐pocket and the hydrophobic flap pocket, newly created by the conformational changes in PMII. The inhibitors synthesized starting from N‐Boc‐protected 7‐azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene ( 6 ; Schemes 1–5) displayed up to single‐digit micromolar activity (IC₅₀ values) toward PMII and good selectivity towards renin. The clear structure? activity relationship (SAR; Table) provides strong validation of the proposed conformational changes in PMII and the occupancy of the resulting hydrophobic flap pocket by our new inhibitors.     

A New Class of Inhibitors for the Malarial Aspartic Protease Plasmepsin II Based on a Central 11‐Azatricyclo[6.2.1.02,7]undeca‐2,4,6‐triene Scaffold

A new class of nonpeptidic inhibitors of the malarial aspartic protease plasmepsin II (PMII) with up to single‐digit micromolar activities (IC₅₀ values) was developed by structure‐based de novo design. The active‐site matrix used in the design was based on an X‐ray crystal structure of PMII, onto which the major conformational changes seen in the structure of renin upon complexation of 4‐arylpiperidines – including the unlocking of a new hydrophobic (flap) pocket – were modeled. The sequence identity of 35% between mature renin and PMII had prompted us to hypothesize that an induced‐fit adaptation around the active site as observed in renin might also be effective in PMII. The new inhibitors contain a central 11‐azatricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,7]undeca‐2(7),3,5‐triene core, which, in protonated form, undergoes ionic H‐bonding with the two catalytic Asp residues at the active site of PMII (Figs. 1 and 2). This tricyclic scaffold is readily prepared by a Diels? Alder reaction between an activated pyrrole and a benzyne species generated in situ (Scheme 1). Two substituents with naphthyl or 1,3‐benzothiazole moieties are attached to the central core (Schemes 1–4) for accommodation in the hydrophobic flap and S1/S3 (or S2′, depending on the optical antipode of the inhibitor) pockets at the active site of the enzyme. The most‐potent inhibitors (±)‐ 19a – 19c (IC₅₀ 3–5 μM ) and (±)‐ 23b (2 μM ) (Table) bear an additional Cl‐atom on the 1,3‐benzothiazole moiety to fully fill the rear of the flap pocket. Optimization of the linker between the tricyclic scaffold and the 1,3‐benzothiazole moiety, based on detailed conformational analysis (Figs. 3 and 4), led to a further small increase in inhibitory strength. The new compounds were also tested against other aspartic proteases. They were found to be quite selective against renin, while the selectivity against cathepsin D and E, two other human aspartic proteases, is rather poor (Table). The detailed SARs established in this investigation provide a valuable basis for the design of the next generations of more‐potent and ‐selective PMII inhibitors with potential application in a new antimalarial therapy.     

Structure‐Based Design of Nonpeptidic Thrombin Inhibitors: Exploring the D‐Pocket and the Oxyanion Hole

Structure‐activity relationships for new members of a class of nonpeptidic, low‐molecular‐weight inhibitors of thrombin, a key serine protease in the blood coagulation cascade, are described. These compounds, which originate from X‐ray‐structure‐based design, feature a conformationally rigid, bi‐ or tricyclic core from which side chains diverge into the four major binding pockets (distal D, proximal P, recognition or specificity S1, and oxyanion hole O) at the thrombin active site (Fig. 1). Phenylamidinium is the side chain of choice for the S1 pocket, while the most active inhibitors orient an i‐Pr group into the P‐pocket (Table 1). The key step in the synthesis of the inhibitors is the construction of the central bi‐ or tricyclic scaffold by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of an in situ prepared azomethine ylide and an N‐substituted maleimide (Schemes 1–3, and 8–10). One series of compounds was designed to explore the binding features of the large hydrophobic D pocket. This pocket provides space for lipophilic residues as bulky as benzhydryl groups. A new strategy was developed, allowing introduction of these sterically demanding substituents very late in the synthesis (Schemes 5 and 6). Benzhydryl derivative (±)‐ 2 was found to be the most selective member (K_i (trypsin)/K_i (thrombin)=1200) of this class of nonpeptidic thrombin inhibitors, while the ‘dipiperonyl' analog (±)‐ 3 (K_i=9 nM , 7.60‐fold selectivity) displays the highest potency of all compounds prepared so far (Table 1). A second series of inhibitors features side chains designed to orient into the oxyanion hole and to undergo H‐bonding with the backbone NH groups lining the catalytic site of the enzyme. Unfortunately, neither activity nor selectivity could be substantially improved by introduction of these substituents (Table 2). Presumably, the high degree of pre‐organization and the rigidity of the tightly bound scaffolds prevents the new substituents from assuming a position that would allow favorable interactions in the oxyanion hole. However, the oxyanion hole and the S1′ pocket next to it were found to be capable of accommodating quite large groups, which leaves much room for further exploration.     

Synthesis of Novel Nonpeptidic Thrombin Inhibitors

A novel class of nonpeptidic, active, and selective thrombin inhibitors has resulted from X‐ray‐structure‐based design and subsequent improvement of the initial lead molecules. These inhibitors possess a bi‐ or tricyclic central core structure with attached side chains to reach the three binding pockets (selectivity S1 pocket, distal D pocket, and proximal P pocket) present in the active site of the enzyme. The key step in the preparation of these compounds is the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition between an azomethine ylide, prepared in situ by the decarboxylative method from an aromatic aldehyde and an α‐amino acid, with an N‐substituted maleimide (e.g., see Schemes 1 and 2). All potent inhibitors contain an amidinium residue in the side chain for incorporation into the S1 pocket, which was introduced in the last step of the synthesis by a Pinner reaction. The compounds were tested in biological assays for activity against thrombin and the related serine protease trypsin. The first‐generation lead compounds (±)‐ 11 and (±)‐ 19 (Scheme 1) with a bicyclic central scaffold showed K_i values for thrombin inhibition of 18 μM and 0.67 μM , respectively. Conformationally more restricted second‐generation analogs (Scheme 2) were more active ((±)‐ 22i : K_i=90 nM (Table 1)); yet the selectivity for thrombin over trypsin remained weak. In the third‐generation compounds, a small lipophilic side chain for incorporation into the hydrophobic P pocket was introduced (Schemes 7 and 8). Since this pocket is present in thrombin but not in trypsin, an increase in binding affinity was accompanied by an increase in selectivity for thrombin over trypsin. The most selective inhibitor (K_i=13 nM , 760‐fold selectivity for thrombin over trypsin; Table 2) was (±)‐ 1 with an i‐Pr group for incorporation into the P pocket. Optical resolution of (±)‐ 1 (Scheme 9) provided (+)‐ 1 with a K_i value of 7 nM and a 740‐fold selectivity, whereas (−)‐ 1 was 800‐fold less active (K_i=5.6 μM , 21‐fold selectivity). The absolute configuration of the stronger‐binding enantiomer was assigned based on the X‐ray crystal structure of the complex formed between thrombin and this inhibitor. Compound (+)‐ 1 mimics the natural thrombin substrate, fibrinogen, which binds to the enzyme with the Ph group of a phenylalanine (piperonyl in (+)‐ 1 ) in the distal D pocket, with the i‐Pr group of a valine (i‐Pr in (+)‐ 1 ) in the proximal P pocket, and with a guanidinium side chain of an arginine residue (phenylamidinium group in (+)‐ 1 ) in the selectivity S1 pocket of thrombin. A series of analogs of (±)‐ 1 with the phenylamidinium group replaced by aromatic and aliphatic rings bearing OH or NH₂ groups (Schemes 10 – 14) were not effectively bound by thrombin. A number of X‐ray crystal‐structure analyses of free inhibitors confirmed the high degree of preorganization of these compounds in the unbound state. Since all inhibitors prefer similar modes of association with thrombin, detailed information on the strength of individual intermolecular bonding interactions and their incremental contribution to the overall free energy of complexation was generated in correlative binding and X‐ray studies. The present study demonstrates that defined mutations in highly preorganized inhibitors provide an attractive alternative to site‐directed mutagenesis in exploring molecular‐recognition phenomena at enzyme active sites.     

Design of new plasmepsin inhibitors: a virtual high throughput screening approach on the EGEE grid

Though different species of the genus Plasmodium may be responsible for malaria, the variant caused by P. falciparum is often very dangerous and even fatal if untreated. Hemoglobin degradation is one of the key metabolic processes for the survival of the Plasmodium parasite in its host. Plasmepsins, a family of aspartic proteases encoded by the Plasmodium genome, play a prominent role in host hemoglobin cleavage. In this paper we demonstrate the use of virtual screening, in particular molecular docking, employed at a very large scale to identify novel inhibitors for plasmepsins II and IV. A large grid infrastructure, the EGEE grid, was used to address the problem of large computation resources required for docking hundreds of thousands of chemical compounds on different plasmepsin targets of P. falciparum. A large compound library of about 1 million chemical compounds was docked on 5 different targets of plasmepsins using two different docking software, namely FlexX and AutoDock. Several strategies were employed to analyze the results of this virtual screening approach including docking scores, ideal binding modes, and interactions to key residues of the protein. Three different classes of structures with thiourea, diphenylurea, and guanidino scaffolds were identified to be promising hits. While the identification of diphenylurea compounds is in accordance with the literature and thus provides a sort of "positive control", the identification of novel compounds with a guanidino scaffold proves that high throughput docking can be effectively used to identify novel potential inhibitors of P. falciparum plasmepsins. Thus, with the work presented here, we do not only demonstrate the relevance of computational grids in drug discovery but also identify several promising small molecules which have the potential to serve as candidate inhibitors for P. falciparum plasmepsins. With the use of the EGEE grid infrastructure for the virtual screening campaign against the malaria causing parasite P. falciparum we have demonstrated that resource sharing on an eScience infrastructure such as EGEE provides a new model for doing collaborative research to fight diseases of the poor.     

Molecular recognition at the active site of factor Xa: cation-π interactions, stacking on planar peptide surfaces, and replacement of structural water

Factor Xa, a serine protease from the blood coagulation cascade, is an ideal enzyme for molecular recognition studies, as its active site is highly shape-persistent and features distinct, concave sub-pockets. We developed a family of non-peptidic, small-molecule inhibitors with a central tricyclic core orienting a neutral heterocyclic substituent into the S1 pocket and a quaternary ammonium ion into the aromatic box in the S4 pocket. The substituents were systematically varied to investigate cation-π interactions in the S4 pocket, optimal heterocyclic stacking on the flat peptide walls lining the S1 pocket, and potential water replacements in both the S1 and the S4 pockets. Structure-activity relationships were established to reveal and quantify contributions to the binding free enthalpy, resulting from single-atom replacements or positional changes in the ligands. A series of high-affinity ligands with inhibitory constants down to K(i)=2 nM were obtained and their proposed binding geometries confirmed by X-ray co-crystal structures of protein-ligand complexes.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Some Ferrocenyl Schiff Bases Containing Pyridine Moiety and Their Complexation with Cobalt,Nickel, Copper and Zinc

Three novel ferrocenyl Schiff base ligands containing pyridine moiety have been formed by 1:2 molar condensation of 1,1′‐diacetylferrocene with 2‐aminopyridine, 2‐amino‐5‐picoline or 2‐amino‐5‐chloropyridine, respectively. The ligands are 1,1′‐bis[1‐(pyridyl‐2‐imino)‐ethyl]ferrocene (L1); 1,1′‐bis[1‐(5‐methyl‐pyridyl‐2‐imino)ethyl]ferrocene (L2) and 1,1′‐bis[1‐(5‐chloropyridyl‐2‐imino)ethyl]ferrocene (L3). These ligands form 1:1 complexes with Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions. The prepared ligands and their complexes have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis spectra as well as elemental analysis. The spectral data of the ligands and their complexes are discussed in connection with the structural changes due to complexation.     

Synthesis,characterization, and evaluation of biological activities of new 4′‐substituted ruthenium (II) terpyridine complexes: Prospective anti‐inflammatory properties

The synthesis and characterization of Ru (II) terpyridine complexes derived from 4′ functionalized 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (tpy) ligands are reported. The heteroleptic complexes comprise the synthesized ligands 4′‐(2‐thienyl)‐ 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine) or (4′‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine and (dimethyl 5‐(pyrimidin‐5‐yl)isophthalate). The new complexes [Ru(4′‐(2‐thienyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine)(5‐(pyrimidin‐5‐yl)‐isophthalic acid)Cl₂] ( 9 ), [Ru(4′‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine)(5‐(pyrimidin‐5‐yl)‐isophthalic acid)Cl₂] ( 10 ), and [Ru(4′‐(2‐thienyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine)(5‐(pyrimidin‐5‐yl)‐isophthalic acid)(NCS)₂] ( 11 ) were characterized by ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, C, H, N, and S elemental analysis, UPLC‐ESI‐MS, TGA, FT‐IR, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The biological activities of the synthesized ligands and their Ru (II) complexes as anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents were evaluated. Furthermore, the toxicity of the synthesized compounds was studied and compared with the standard drugs, namely, diclofenac potassium and ibuprofen, using hemolysis assay. The results indicated that the ligands and the complex 9 possess superior anti‐inflammatory activities inhibiting albumin denaturation (89.88–100%) compared with the standard drugs (51.5–88.37%) at a concentration of 500 μg g^?1. These activities were related to the presence of the chelating N‐atoms in the ligands and the exchangeable chloro‐ groups in the complex. Moreover, the chloro‐ and thiophene groups in complex 9 produce a higher anticancer activity compared with its isothiocyanate derivative in the complex 11 and the 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl moiety in complex 10 . Considering the toxicity results, the synthesized ligands are nontoxic or far less toxic compared with the standard drugs and the metal complexes. Therefore, these newly synthesized compounds are promising anti‐inflammatory agents in addition to their moderate unique broad antimicrobial activity.     

Oxovanadium(IV) and ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of ONS‐donor ligands derived from dehydroacetic acid and dithiocarbazate: Synthesis,characterization, antioxidant activity,DNA binding and in vitro cytotoxicity

A series of new complexes of oxovanadium(IV) [VO(L)(B)] and ruthenium(II) [Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L)] ( 1.1- 1.3,  2.1–2.3 ) (H₂L = dehydroacetic acid Schiff base of S‐methyldithiocarbazate, H₂smdha ( 1 ) or S‐benzyldithiocarbazate, H₂sbdha ( 2 ); B = 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen)) have been synthesized. The structure of these complexes was authenticated using elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques, and their magnetic properties and electrochemical behaviour were studied. The molecular structures of oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(smdha)(bpy)]?CH₂Cl₂ ( 1.1 ) and [VO(sbdha)(phen)]?2H₂O ( 2.2 ) were confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Analytical data showed that the ligands 1 and 2 are chelated to the metal centres in a bi‐negative tridentate fashion through azomethine N, thiol S and deprotonated hydroxyl group. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was tested against 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical, which showed that the complexes demonstrate a better scavenging activity than their corresponding ligands. The cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity method was also employed and the total equivalent antioxidant capacity values were found to be higher for the oxovandium(IV) complexes. DNA binding affinity of the compounds was determined using UV–visible and fluorescence spectra, revealing an intercalation binding mode. Higher cytotoxicity for the complexes compared to their ligands was found against human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cell lines using MTT assay.     

Polymeric Coordination Compounds Derived from Transition Metal(II) with Tetradentate Schiff‐base: Synthetic,Spectroscopic, Magnetic and Thermal Approach

The polymeric coordination compounds have been synthesized using the dipotassium salt of N,N′‐di(carboxymethylene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB¹) or N,N′‐di(carboxyethylene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB²) with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), and cadmium(II). The ligands have been characterized by ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectra. The polychelates have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, electronic spectra and infrared spectra. The coordination compounds are colored, and the central metal ions are octahedrally coordinated with two water molecules and the Schiff bases. The Schiff bases act as di‐negative tetradentate ligands, in which bonding occurs through two oxygen and two nitrogen atoms. The polymers are insoluble in all common organic solvents such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, N,N‐dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide.     

Stable Four‐Coordinate Guanidinatosilicon(IV) Complexes with SiN3El Skeletons (El=S,Se, Te) and SiEl Double Bonds

To get information about the reactivity profile of the donor‐stabilized guanidinatosilicon(II) complexes 2 and 3 , a series of oxidative addition reactions was studied. Treatment of 2 and 3 with S₈, Se, or Te afforded the respective four‐coordinate silicon(IV ) complexes 8 – 10 and 12 – 14 , which contain an SiN₃El skeleton (El=S, Se, Te) with an Si?El double bond. Treatment of 2 with N₂O yielded the dinuclear four‐coordinate silicon(IV) complex 11 with an SiN₃O skeleton and a central four‐membered Si₂O₂ ring. Compounds 8 – 14 exist both in the solid state and in solution. They were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectroscopic studies in the solid state and in solution, and crystal structure analyses. The reactivity profile of 2 was compared with that of the structurally related bis[N,N′‐diisopropylbenzamidinato(?)]silicon(II) ( 1 ), which is three‐coordinate in the solid state and four‐coordinate in solution ( 1′ ). In contrast, as shown by state‐of‐the‐art relativistic DFT analyses and experimental studies, silylene 2 is three‐coordinate both in the solid state and solution. The three‐coordinate species 2 is 9.3 kcal mol^?1 more stable in benzene than the four‐coordinate isomer 2′ . The reason for this was studied by bonding analyses of 2 and 2′ , which were compared with those of 1 and 1′ . The gas‐phase proton affinities of the relevant species in solution ( 1 ′ and 2 ) amount to 288.8 and 273.8 kcal mol^?1, respectively.     

VEGFR2活性腔性质以及与抑制剂的结合模式研究

VEGFR2介导肿瘤诱导的血管生成作用, 是抑制肿瘤生长和转移的新靶点. 为深入探讨VEGFR2活性腔性质以及与抑制剂的结合模式, 采用多拷贝同时搜寻法(MCSS)研究VEGFR2活性腔的性质, 然后用分子对接方法对5个已上临床的VEGFR抑制剂与VEGFR2活性腔进行对接计算, 讨论它们的结合模式, 确定与配体结合相关的关键残基. 研究发现: 疏水腔I, II是配体结合的关键区域, 残基Glu915, Cys917是关键的氢键作用位点, Lys866, Glu883和Asp1044形成的极性区域对提高配体亲合力很重要, 疏水腔III和极性腔IV是额外增强配体结合力的区域, IV区的Arg1030可提供额外的氢键作用位点. 本研究可为全新VEGFR2抑制剂的合理药物设计提供理论依据, 为寻找新的抗肿瘤药物奠定基础.     

Development of peptidomimetic hydroxamates as PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 dual inhibitors: Biological evaluation and structural characterization by cocrystallization

Plasmodium parasites causing malaria have developed resistance to most of the antimalarials in use, including the artemisinin-based combinations, which are the last line of defense against malaria. This necessitates the discovery of new targets and the development of novel antimalarials. Plasmodium falciparum alanyl aminopeptidase（PfA-M1） and leucyl aminopeptidase（PfA-M17） belong to the M1 and M17 family of metalloproteases respectively and play critical roles in the asexual erythrocytic stage o...     

Synthesis,Characterizations, Magnetism and Thermal Degradation of a 2‐Fold Interpenetrated 3D Cobalt‐Organic Framework

A new coordination polymer, [Co₂(L)₂(4,4′‐bipy)]_n·3nH₂O ( 1 ) based on 5‐(3‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)isophthalic acid (H₂ L ) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, XRPD, IR, and elemental analysis. Temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility and thermal degradation for 1 were also studied. The asymmetric unit of compound 1 consists of two crystallographically independent Co(II) ion, two L ^2? ligand, one 4,4′‐bipy ligand, and three lattice water molecules. The 2D triangle networks were linked by the bridging 4,4′‐bipy ligand to give rise to a 2‐fold interpenetrated 3D architecture. The simplest cyclic motif of the 2D networks is a triangle ring consisting of three Co(II) cations and three L ^2? ligands. So we can define Co(II) ions as 4‐connected nodes and the L ^2? ligands as 3‐connected nodes. Thus, the 3D structure can be described as a 2‐fold parallel interpenetrated ins InS 3,4‐conn topology.     

A fluorine scan of non-peptidic inhibitors of neprilysin: Fluorophobic and fluorophilic regions in an enzyme active site

This article describes the synthesis and in vitro biological affinities of (poly)fluorinated neprilysin inhibitors. Two series of inhibitors with F-substitution of the central benzimidazole platform of the ligands and the benzylic vector to fill the S1’ pocket of NEP were investigated. The S1’ pocket was found to be highly fluorophobic, and F-substitution led to significantly decreased binding affinities of inhibitors. This result is explained by electrostatically unfavorable close contacts of organic fluorine with the negatively polarized π-surfaces of surrounding aromatic amino acid side chains. In contrast, the protein environment around the benzimidazole platform, with three electropositive guanidinium side chains of Arg residues, was found to provide a fluorophilic environment. Overall, the data support that organic fluorine, with its high negative charge density prefers to orient into electropositive regions of receptor sites. pK_a measurements of fluorinated ligands provided several simple patterns for the prediction of pK_a values of benzimidazoles, important building blocks in medicinal chemistry.     

Copper(ll) Complexes of Diamino Diamide and Diamino Diamine in Aqueous Solution

In order to study the difference on the equilibrium, spectral properties of copper(II) complexes of diamino diamide and diamino diamine, new tetradentate ligands, 4,7‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4,7‐N,N′‐Me₂‐L‐2,2,2) and 1,10‐diamino‐4,7‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diazadecane (4,7‐N,N′‐Me₂‐3,2,3‐tet), have been synthesized. Synthetic procedures for these new ligands are described. Their protonation constants have been determined potentiometrically in 0.10 MKC1 at 25.0°C. The formation of their copper(II) complexes have been investigated quantitatively by the potentiometric technique and by the measurement of their electronic spectra.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two New Chiral Copper(II) Compounds Constructed from (+)‐N‐Tosyl‐L‐glutamic Acid

Chiral coordination polymers have attracted intense interest mainly due to their potential applications. Hence, two new chiral copper(II) coordination polymers {[Cu(tsgluO)(H₂O)]₂·3H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Cu(tsgluO)(2,2′‐bipy)]_n ( 2 ) (H₂tsglu?(+)‐N‐tosyl‐l‐glutamic acid; 2,2′‐bipy?2,2′‐bipyridine) were synthesized in the absence or presence of 2,2′‐bipy ligand and structurally characterized. A single crystal X‐ray diffraction study revealed that compound 1 consists of a paddle‐wheel dicopper(II) core, which links other equivalents via four tsgluO^2? ligands to form a 1D double chain. Such a chain is further interconnected through weak π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D H‐bonded supramolecular structure with 1D channels hosting lattice water molecules. Whereas, compound 2 , containing the coordinating 2,2′‐bipy, gives rise to a ladder‐like 1D double chain. Antiferromagnetic interactions were observed in 1 and 2 .     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Magnetic Properties of a New Coordination Polymer Framework [CoII(4,4′‐bpy)(N3)2]n

A new cobalt(II) coordination polymer containing 4,4′‐bipyridine and azide as bridging ligand, [Co^II(4,4′‐bpy)(N₃)₂]_n ( 1 ) was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and magnetic susceptibility measurements. It exhibits an acentric structure, in which cobalt(II) ions are linked through end‐to‐end (EE) azido groups. The 4,4′‐bpy ligands are coordinated on the axial positions of the octahedral environment reinforcing the intermetallic connections and resulting in a network. Circular dichroism spectra of the compound exhibit a maximum negative Cotton effect at 260 nm, which indicates the chiral nature of 1 . Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 2–300 K reveal the existence of antiferromagnetic couplings in the framework.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Ruthenium(II) Complex for Photovoltaic Cells

We have designed and synthesized a new ruthenium complex, [(5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline)bis(4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid‐2,2′‐bipyridine)]ruthenium(II) by introducing two types of ligands, 5‐amino‐1,10‐phenanthroline and 4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid‐2,2′‐bipyridine. We investigated the electronic, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the Ru(II) complex. The short‐circuit current density and overall solar‐to‐electric energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cells made with this Ru(II) complex were found to be 8.9 mA/cm² and 2.1%, respectively. A series of analogous Ru(II) complexes have also been synthesized and investigated to compare the effects of functional groups on various ligands. HOMO‐LUMO energies and molecular orbital surfaces have been investigated using semiempirical quantum chemical methods.