Photochemical E (trans)-->Z (cis) isomerization in substituted 1-naphthylacrylates.

Substituted naphthylacrylates, 1-3, not showing rotamerism have been synthesized with a view to study photochemical E (trans)-->Z (cis) isomerization. Photostationary state composition of the isomers upon direct excitation, triplet sensitized isomerization, quantum yield of isomerization, and steady state and time-resolved fluorescence behavior have been studied for these naphthylacrylates. The direct excitations of the compounds yield high Z (approximately 80%) isomer composition, whereas the triplet sensitization results in less Z (approximately 20%) isomer composition. This indicates that the singlet pathway is very efficient in converting the E isomer to the Z isomer. The naphthylacrylates 1 and 2 exhibit structured fluorescence at room temperature in hexane and upon changing the solvent to CH3CN; the structure of the fluorescence is lost, indicating that the singlet excited-state develops a polar character in a polar environment. The polar nature of the singlet excited state becomes more clear in the case of 3 from its fluorescence solvatochromism. The naphthylacrylates did not exhibit excitation wavelength-dependent fluorescence at room temperature suggesting that the ground state conformers (rotamers) are not involved. Fluorescence lifetimes measured for these compounds displayed biexponential behavior, which is explained using a two-state model.     

Kinetics and equilibria of cis/trans isomerization of backbone amide bonds in peptoids

The biological activities of N-substituted glycine oligomers (peptoids) have been the subject of extensive research. As compared to peptides, both the cis and trans conformations of the backbone amide bonds of peptoids can be significantly populated. Thus, peptoids are mixtures of configurational isomers, with the number of isomers increasing by a factor of 2 with each additional monomer residue. Here we report the results of a study of the kinetics and equilibria of cis/trans isomerization of the amide bonds of N-acetylated peptoid monomers, dipeptoids, and tripeptoids by NMR spectroscopy. Resonance intensities indicate the cis conformation of the backbone amide bonds of the peptoids studied is more populated than is generally the case for the analogous secondary amide bond to proline residues in acyclic peptides. Rate constants were measured by inversion-magnetization transfer techniques over a range of temperatures, and activation parameters were derived from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. The rate of cis/trans isomerization by rotation around the amide bonds in the peptoids studied is generally slower than that around amide bonds to proline residues and takes place on the NMR inversion-magnetization transfer time scale only by rotation around the amide bond to the C-terminal peptoid residue.     

Kinetics of the cis,cis to trans,trans isomerization of 1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6-octamethyl-1,2,5,6-tetrasilacycloocta-3,7-diene

The kinetics of the ruthenium-promoted cis,cis to trans,trans isomerization of 1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6-octamethyl-1,2,5,6-tetrasilacycloocta-3,7-diene were investigated. Incubation of a ruthenium alkylidene complex, (Cy(3)P)RuCl(2)(==CHPh)Ru(p-cymene)Cl(2), in CD(2)Cl(2) for 5 days at 40 degrees C afforded a catalytically active ruthenium species that was shown to be responsible for promoting the isomerization. The isomerization was observed to proceed in two steps: (1) conversion of the starting cis,cis isomer to a proposed cis,trans intermediate and (2) subsequent conversion of the intermediate to the product trans,trans isomer. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the two steps are first-order with respect to the concentrations of the cis,cis isomer, the intermediate, and the ruthenium alkylidene complex. The data were further consistent with a mechanism involving bimolecular hydride addition-elimination during the two isomerization steps.     

Unexpectedly fast cis/trans isomerization of Xaa-Pro peptide bonds in disulfide-constrained cyclic peptides

Acyclic dithiol and cyclic disulfide forms of the peptides Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NH2 (Xaa = Phe, His, Tyr, Gly, and Thr) and Ac-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-NH2 and the peptide Ac-Ala-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2 were synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Rate constants kct and ktc for cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis isomerization, respectively, across the Cys-Pro or Gly-Pro peptide bonds were determined by magnetization transfer NMR techniques over a range of temperatures, and activation parameters were derived from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. It was found that constraints imposed by the disulfide bond confer an unexpected rate enhancement for cis/trans isomerization, ranging from a factor of 2 to 13. It is proposed that the rate enhancements are a result of an intramolecular catalysis mechanism in which the NH proton of the Pro-Xaa peptide bond hydrogen bonds to the proline nitrogen in the transition state. The peptides Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NH2 and Ac-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-NH2 are model compounds for proline-containing active sites of the thioredoxin superfamily of oxidoreductase enzymes; the results suggest that the backbones of the active sites of the oxidized form of these enzymes may have unusual conformational flexibility.     

聚乙炔顺、反异构化机理研究

探讨了聚乙炔三种异构化-光、热、掺杂异构化的共性和特性,对光、热异构化过程提出了一种新的可能的"双自由基"机理,该机理在定性方面吻合了ESR实验结果,有限分子CNDO/2及INDO量子化学计算证明该机理在能量上最有利;估价了有限分子半经验MO方法在聚合物方面应用的可靠性,结果表明,这种简单易行的方法对一些规律性的预言是可靠的,从而为通常的半经验MO方法在高分子方面的推广应用提供了算例。     

Properties of astaxanthin/Ca2+ complex formation in the deceleration of cis/trans isomerization

Deceleration of the regioselective cis/trans isomerization of all-trans-astaxanthin (ASTX) in the presence of Ca2+ was shown by HPLC analysis. The NMR and ITC analyses provided evidence for complexation of ASTX with Ca2+ in 1:2 stoichiometry via chelation at both carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. The rotation across torsion omega6 (C5-C6-C7-C8) upon complexation is consistent with the NOE between 7-H and 5-CH3. This study supports the inhibitory effect of ASTX on calcium-induced turbidity of lens crystallins.     

Thermal- and UV-induced cis/trans isomerization of undoped polyacetylene films. An ESR and IR investigation

The UV- and thermal-induced cis→trans isomerization of undoped polyacetylene (PA) films has been investigated. The results have shown that temperature and UV light promote the isomerization of PA with a similar mechanism. We suggest that the formation of paramagnetic defects in trans PA takes place by bond rehybridization, in agreement with previous hypotheses, and that both spin concentration and spin delocalization depend on the temperature of isomerization. It was found that under UV irradiation thermal cis→trans isomerization of polyacetylene also takes place at temperatures at which the sole thermal treatment isomerization is much lower or nil, and we suggest that the possibility of preparing trans PA under relatively mild conditions may lead to a better material.     

Theoretical research of isomerization mechanisms from cis to trans form in polyacetylene

The characteristics of photo, thermal and doping isomerizations of polyacetylene were discussed. A new biradical mechanism for photo and thermal isomerizations is proposed, which is consistent with the ESR results. The CNDO/2 and INDO molecular orbital calculation results show that the mechanism is energetically the most favorable. The reliability of applying general semi-empirical MO methods in polymers is estimated and showed to be valuable in predicting properties.     

In-solution and on-plate light-catalyzed E/Z isomerization of cyclic chalcone analogues. Lipophilicity of E- and Z-2-(X-benzylidene)-1-benzosuberones

Some cyclic chalcone analogues [E-2-(X-benzylidene)-1-indanones, -tetralones, and -benzosuberones], on-plate UV light-catalyzed formation of new chromatographic spots, can be observed during thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of selected derivatives indicates the formation of one new substance in each case. GC coupled with mass spectrometry and 1H NMR analysis of the samples reveals that the compounds formed are the respective Z-2-(X-benzylidene)-1-indanones, -tetralones, and -benzosuberones. Two-dimensional TLC shows that the E/Z isomerization is a reversible process. By means of the RP-TLC, the logarithm of n-octanol-water partition coefficient (log P) values of E- and Z-isomeric pairs of selected 2-(X-benzylidene)-1-benzosuberones is determined. The Z-isomers are less lipophilic than the E-isomers.     

Unconventional thermodynamically stable cis isomer and trans to cis thermal isomerization in reversibly photoresponsive [0.0](3,3')-azobenzenophane

Sterically hindered [0.0](3,3')-azobenzenophane exhibits thermal trans-to-cis isomerization to the thermodynamically stable cis-cis isomer, and reversible photochemical isomerization with good fatigue resistance.     

The cis/trans isomerization of Cu(II)-bis-(glycinato) complex in solution: a computer aided multifrequency EPR and DFT/PCM calculation study

In this paper the Cu(II)-bis-(glycinato) complex has been analysed in solution by applying a combined approach of multifrequency EPR and DFT/PCM calculations. The accuracy in the determination of magnetic parameters has been reached by the use of a unique simulation program (COSMOS) for the whole range of temperatures analysed and by the error analysis. A change in magnetic parameters was envisaged in the 243-253 K range of temperature, and was interpreted in terms of stabilization, near the freezing point of the solution, of one of the isomers of the complex. A DFT/PCM computational model was crucial in assigning, on the basis of the experimental superhyperfine interaction value, the isomer to the trans form.     

The pseudobinary phase diagram cis-/trans-azobenzene and the cis → trans isomerization in various states of aggregation

The pseudobinary phase diagram of trans-azobenzene and the thermally instable cis-isomer was examined by thermomicroscopical and DSC-measurements. Two eutectic temperatures have been determined (at 41.4 C and 36.7 C). The latter occurs only in the presence of a metastable polymorph of cis-azobenzene after quenching a melt, that contained as well cis-as trans-azobenzene, presumable under conditions of heterogeneous nucleation. In the melt and in solution the thermally induced cis-trans-isomerization follows first order kinetics. Below the eutectic temperature the rate is controlled by three-dimensional nuclei growth to reaction extent 0.20. Between the eutectic temperature and the melting points of product respectively educt the kinetics follow the PROUT-TOMPKINS law. The reason is the increasing isomerization rate with increasing fraction of melt.

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Zusammenfassung Das pseudobinäre Phasendiagramm von trans-Azobenzol und des thermisch instabilen cis-Isomeren wurde mit Hilfe thermomikroskopischer und DSC-Messungen untersucht. Es wurden zwei Eutektika bestimmt /bei 41.4 °C und 36.7 °C/, wobei das zweite Eutektikum nur in Anwesenheit einer metastabilen Modifikation von cis-Azobenzol nach Abschrecken einer Schmelze, die gleichzeitig eis- und trans-Azobenzol enthielt, vermutlich bei heterogener Keimbildung entstand. In der Schmelze und in Lösung verläuft die thermische cis-trans-Isomerisierung nach einem Geschwindigkeitsgesetz erster Ordnung. Unterhalb der eutektischen Temperatur ist die Festkörperreaktion bis zu Umsätzen von 0.20 durch dreidimensionales Keimwachstum bestimmt. Zwischen eutektischer Temperatur und Schmelzpunkt lässt sich die Reaktion durch die Gleichung von PROUT-TOMPKINS beschreiben, was auf die zunehmende Isomerisierungsgeschwindigkeit mit zunehmende Anteil Schmelze zurückzuführen ist.

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- -. 41,4 36,7°. - , -, -, , , . - . 0,20. , -. .

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We thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for financial support.     

Regioselective E(trans)-Z(cis) photoisomerization in naphthyldiene derivatives

Naphthyldiene derivatives,1-4, carrying electron-donating groups at one end and electron-withdrawing groups at the other, were synthesized to study the photoisomerization process. All the compounds showed efficient photoisomerization upon direct excitation leading to the formation of 4-Z isomer with high selectivity. Triplet sensitization studies indicated inefficientE-Z isomerization process. Room temperature fluorescence of1 and2 displayed fine structure in hexane solvent and the same was replaced by broad or structureless fluorescence in acetonitrile and methanol solvents. A mechanism involving a polarized or charge transfer singlet excited state is proposed for the observed photoisomerization in these naphthyldiene derivatives.     

Peptidyl-Prolyl cis/trans Isomerases and Their Effectors

Changes in the conformation of the units within the peptide chain are the elementary processes in the folding of a protein into its native three-dimensional structure. Even a few years ago protein folding in vivo was considered to be an autonomous process not requiring the help of enzymes or auxiliary substances. Recently an increasing number of proteins that assist in the folding process have been found; these include enzymes that catalyze conformational interconversions. The cis/trans isomerization of the petptide bond N-terminal to a praline residue is catalyzed by peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases). Two families of these ubiquitous and phylogenetically highly conserved enzymes are known, the cyclophilins and FK506-binding proteins. Their catalytic activity is extremely highmdash;the rate constants for the bimolecular reactions they catalyze approach the diffusion-controlled limit for enzyme-substrate reactions. These enzymes increase the rate of isomerization in oligopeptides as well as in intermediate in protein folding. It is not yet known which structural units in the cell serve as substrates and exactly which reactions are catalyzed. However, these isomerases have been shown to interact with the heat shock proteins of the nonactivated steroid receptors and with the gag polyprotein of the AIDS HIV-1 virus. The immunosuppressive agents cyclosporine A and FK506 are highly effective inhibitors for PPIases. Surprisingly these compounds affect the signal cascade of T cells but not through enzyme inhibition; the inhibitor-enzyme complexes themselves are the active agents. These complexes exhibit properties not displayed by the individual components and thus are able to affect other cellular components. The current model of the suppression of the antigen- and mitogen-stimulated clonal expansion of T cells is presented here.