Remarkable Shape‐Sustaining,Load‐Bearing,and Self‐Healing Properties Displayed by a Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide of L‐Phenyl Alanine

A series of bis‐amides decorated with pyridyl and phenyl moieties derived from L ‐amino acids having an innocent side chain (L ‐alanine and L ‐phenyl alanine) were synthesized as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators (LMWGs). Both protic and aprotic solvents were found to be gelled by most of the bis‐amides with moderate to excellent gelation efficiency (minimum gelator concentration=0.32–4.0 wt. % and gel–sol dissociation temperature T_gel=52–110 °C). The gels were characterized by rheology, DSC, SEM, TEM, and temperature‐variable ¹H NMR measurements. pH‐dependent gelation studies revealed that the pyridyl moieties took part in gelation. Structure–property correlation was attempted using single‐crystal X‐ray and powder X‐ray diffraction data. Remarkably, one of the bis‐pyridyl bis‐amide gelators, namely 3,3‐Phe (3‐pyridyl bis‐amide of L ‐phenylalanine) displayed outstanding shape‐sustaining, load‐bearing, and self‐healing properties.     

Thermosensitive gel formation of novel polypeptides containing a collagen‐derived Pro‐Hyp‐Gly sequence and an elastin‐derived Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly sequence

A triple‐helix‐forming collagen model peptide, (prolyl‐trans‐4‐hydroxyprolyl‐glycyl)₁₀ [(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)₁₀], and a thermosensitive elastin‐derived pentapeptide, valyl‐prolyl‐glycyl‐valyl‐glycyl (Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly), were copolymerized in various mole ratios using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide hydrochloride and 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole in dimethyl sulfoxide at 20 °C. All of the obtained polypeptides have molecular weight higher than 10³ and contain a triple‐helical structure, and showed an inverse phase transition from transparent solution to turbid suspension in response to a rise in temperature. The lower critical solution temperature of the polypeptide solution decreased upon increasing the content of Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly. Furthermore, polypeptides containing 82–86 mol % of Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly in composition showed reversible gel formation, suggesting that (Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)₁₀ acts as a hydrated unit and Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly acts as a thermosensitive crosslinking point. These biodegradable thermosensitive polypeptides may be useful for biomedical applications, including, as a scaffold for tissue regeneration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6048–6056, 2005     

New dsDNA‐Binding Hybrid Molecules Combining an Unnatural Peptide and an Intercalating Moiety

In our search for new dsDNA‐binding ligands, combinatorial chemistry was first applied to select unnatural oligopeptides with moderate affinity for dsDNA. To enhance the binding affinity of a heptapeptide lead structure, Ac‐Arg‐Ual‐Sar‐Chi‐Chi‐Tal‐Arg‐NH₂ (K_d=4.9?10^?4 M ), the compound was conjugated to different heteropolyaromatic moieties by means of a variety of linker arms. Glycine, β‐alanine, glycyl‐glycine, glycyl‐β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid, and 6‐aminocaproic acid were used as spacers, representing different lengths and/or flexibilities. The intercalators coupled to the oligopeptide were acridine, fluorenone, anthracene, anthraquinone, and 3,8‐diamino‐5‐methyl‐6‐phenylphenantridinium (methidium). The binding capacities of these new hybrid molecules to dsDNA have been investigated by gel retardation and footprinting assays. The results show that, by conjugating the unnatural oligopeptide to intercalators, the affinity for dsDNA could be enhanced more than 100‐fold. For methidium‐β‐alanyl‐glycyl‐Arg‐Ual‐Sar‐Chi‐Chi‐Tal‐Arg‐NH₂ (K_d of 2.1?10^?6 M ), the interaction with dsDNA was dominated by the intercalator in such a way that the sequence specificity of the heptapeptide was changed. The interaction with dsDNA of hybrid molecules of other intercalators was mainly governed by the oligopeptide, since the sequence selectivity of the heptapeptide was conserved. In general, the linker arm glycine (shortest spacer) and glycine‐β‐alanine were preferred over β‐alanine, glycyl‐glycine and the more‐flexible spacers γ‐aminobutyric acid and 6‐aminocaproic acid. This way new hybrid molecules endowed with dsDNA affinities of ca. 10^?6 M and displaying different sequence selectivities have been developed. Therefore, combinations of such unnatural peptides with intercalators can be used to broaden the knowledge about the sequence‐selective recognition of dsDNA.     

The peptide Z‐Aib‐Aib‐Aib‐L‐Ala‐OtBu

The title peptide, N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐L‐alanine tert‐butyl ester or Z‐Aib‐Aib‐Aib‐L‐Ala‐OtBu (Aib is α‐aminoisobutyric acid, Z is benzyloxycarbonyl and OtBu indicates the tert‐butyl ester), C₂₇H₄₂N₄O₇, is a left‐handed helix with a right‐handed conformation in the fourth residue, which is the only chiral residue. There are two 4→1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the structure. In the lattice, molecules are hydrogen bonded to form columns along the c axis.     

Thermally Triggered Solid‐State Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Structural Transformation Accompanies Property Changes

The 1D complex [(CuL_0.5H₂O) ? H₂O]_n ( 1 ) (H₄L=2,2′‐bipyridine‐3,3′,6,6′‐tetracarboxylic acid) undergoes an irreversible thermally triggered single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation to produce the 3D anhydrous complex [CuL_0.5]_n ( 2 ). This SCSC structural transformation was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction (VT–PXRD) patterns, and IR spectroscopy. Structural analyses reveal that in complex 2 , though the initial 1D chain is still retained as in complex 1 , accompanied with the Cu‐bound H₂O removed and new O(carboxyl)?Cu bond forming, the coordination geometries around the Cu^II ions vary from a distorted trigonal bipyramid to a distorted square pyramid. With the drastic structural transition, significant property changes are observed. Magnetic analyses show prominent changes from antiferromagnetism to weak ferromagnetism due to the new formed Cu1‐O‐C‐O‐Cu4 bridge. The catalytic results demonstrate that, even though both solid‐state materials present high catalytic activity for the synthesis of 2‐imidazolines derivatives and can be reused, the activation temperature of complex 1 is higher than that of complex 2 . In addition, a possible pathway for the SCSC structural transformations is proposed.     

An unexpected tetragonal unit cell for N‐(L‐2‐aminobutyryl)‐L‐serine

The title dipeptide {systematic name: (S)‐2‐[(S)‐2‐azaniumylbutanamido]‐3‐hydroxypropanoate}, C₇H₁₄N₂O₄, was synthesized in the anticipation that it would form nanoporous crystals with hexagonal symmetry. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that it had instead adopted a unit cell in the space group I4, similar to L‐alanyl‐L‐alanine [Fletterick, Tsai & Hughes (1970). J. Phys. Chem. 75 , 918–922]. The resulting packing arrangement has a high density for a peptide (1.462 Mg m⁻³), which is rendered possible by extensive disorder over two positions for the ethyl side chain of the 2‐aminobutyric acid fragment and over three positions for the serine side chain.<!?tpb=17.5pt>     

Synthesis,Characterization and Molecular Structure of a New Tetrameric Palladium(II) Complex Containing Schiff‐Bases Derived from AMTTO (AMTTO = 4‐amino‐6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐thione‐5‐one)

The reactions of AMTTO = 4‐amino‐6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐thione‐5‐one (AMTTO, 1 ) with 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (salicylaldehyde) and 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde in methanol under reflux conditions led to the corresponding Schiff‐bases ( H₂L1 and H₂L2 ). The reaction of H₂L1 with palladium acetate in ethanol and additional recrystallization from toluene gave the tetrameric complex [Pd(L)]₄·2C₇H₈ ( 2 ). All compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses as well as by X‐ray diffraction studies. Crystal data for H₂L1 at ?80 °C: space group P2₁/c with a = 1285.4(1), b = 707.7(1), c = 1348.2(1) pm, β = 109.32(1)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0328, H₂L2 at ?80 °C: space group P4₃2₁2 with a = 762.5(1), b = 762.5(1), c = 4038.9(2) pm, Z = 8, R₁ = 0.025 and for 2 at ?103 °C: space group C2/c with a = 2862.5(6), b = 2847.6(6), c = 1727.8(4) pm, β = 105.18(3)°, Z = 8, R₁ = 0.0704.     

Controlled helical orientation of carbazole in amino acid derived poly(N‐propargylamide)s

Novel L ‐alanine and L ‐glutamic acid derivatized, carbazole‐containing N‐propargylamides [N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide and N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] were synthesized and polymerized with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] (nbd = norbornadiene) as a catalyst to obtain the corresponding polymers with moderate molecular weights in high yields. Polarimetry, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy studies revealed that both poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] and poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] took a helical structure with a predominantly one‐handed screw sense in tetrahydrofuran, CHCl₃, and CH₂Cl₂. The helix content of poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] could be tuned by heat or the addition of a protic solvent, and the helical sense of poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl) ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] was inverted by heat in CHCl₃ or in mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and CH₂Cl₂. Poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl) ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] and poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] also took a helical structure in film states. They showed small fluorescence in comparison with the monomers and redox activity based on carbazole. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 253–261, 2007     

A Homochiral Metal‐Dipeptide Supramolecular Framework Including a Hydrogen‐bonded Guest Network of Water and Uncoordinated 4, 4′‐Bipyridine

Abstract. The self‐assembly of glycyl‐L ‐leucine, Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O and 4, 4′‐bipyridine resulted in the tetranuclear‐based metal‐dipeptide supramolecular framework [Cu₄(C₈H₁₄N₂O₃)₄(H₂O)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂] · (C₁₀H₈N₂) · 13H₂O ( 1 ). In the structure, the 4, 4′‐bipyridine‐bridged tetranuclear complex of Cu^II‐glycyl‐L ‐leucine interacts with each other to form a 1D hydrogen‐bonded chain including uncoordinated 4, 4′‐bipyridine and an interesting water chain in different channels. Under similar reaction conditions, racemic glycyl‐D ,L ‐leucine gave rise to the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex [Cu₂(C₈H₁₄N₂O₃)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ), which is linked into a 2D hydrogen‐bonded structure without 4, 4′‐bipyridine included.     

Conformation of tert‐butoxy­carbonyl­glycyl‐dehydro­alanyl‐glycine methyl ester in the crystalline state and calculated in the gas phase

tert‐Butoxy­carbonyl­glycyl‐dehydro­alanyl‐glycine methyl ester (systematic name: methyl {2‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonylamino)­acetamido]prop‐2‐enamido}acetate) (Boc⁰‐Gly¹‐ΔAla²‐Gly³‐OMe), C₁₃H₂₁N₃O₆, has been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6–311+G** level. The peptide chain in both the solid‐state and calculated structures adopts neither β nor γ turns. All amino acid residues in the tripeptide sequence are linked trans to each other. The bond lengths and valence angles of the amino acid units in the crystal structure and gas phase are comparable. However, the conformation of the third glycyl residue (Gly³) is different in the crystalline state and in the gas phase. It is stabilized in the calculated structure by an additional intra­molecular short contact between Gly³ NH and methyl ester COMe groups.     

A Three‐dimensional DyIII‐based Metal‐organic Framework: Smart Drug Carrier and Anti‐lung Cancer Activity

A 3D lanthanide metal‐organic framework (MOF) with the formula [Dy₂(L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ) (H₃L = biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 features a 3D porous framework based on 1D rod‐shaped Dy^III‐carboxylate chains. The efficient encapsulation and controllable release of an anticancer drug (5‐Fu) make it a promising drug delivery host. Furthermore, the GCMC simulation was used to probe the drug‐framework interaction at the atomic lever. The in vitro anti‐lung cancer activity of 1 and 5‐Fu loaded 1a were also evaluated using MTT assay.     

Coordination Frameworks based on 3,5‐Bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)­pyridine and Aromatic Dicarboxylate Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Photoluminescent Properties

Three metal coordination polymers [Zn(bdc)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), [Co(pta)(L)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ), and [Cd(tda)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 3 ) [H₂bdc = 1,2‐benzene dicarboxylate acid, H₂pta = terephthalic acid, H₂tda = 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid, L = 3,5‐bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)pyridine] were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a three‐dimensional (3D) structure with cco topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8, whereas complex 2 features a 3D structure with cds topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8. Complex 3 has a 2D network constructed by the cadmium atoms bridged through the ligands tda and L. Their X‐ray powder diffraction patterns were compared with the simulated ones. Moreover, their luminescent properties were investigated in the solid state at room temperature, and the thermogravimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal stability of the 3D networks.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Photophysical Properties of Two Coordination Polymers Based on 2,3‐Dioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline‐6‐carboxylic Acid

Two complexes based on the ligand 1,4‐dihydro‐2,3‐quinoxalinedione, namely [Mn(H₂L)₂(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ) and {[Zn₂(H₂L)₂(tz)₂] · 5H₂O}_n ( 2 ) (H₃L = 2,3‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoxaline‐6‐carboxylic acid, Htz = 1,2,4‐triazole) were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, as well as single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 exhibited a 1D comb‐like chain formed by H₂L^– anions linking Mn^II ions, whereas complex 2 was a 2D layer‐like structure with square‐shaped windows and outstretched arms built by combination of H₂L^– and tz^– ligands with Zn^II ions. The adjacent chains or layers connected with each other by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking to further extend to a 3D supermolecular framework. In addition, the thermal stabilities, luminescence properties, and optical energy gap of 1 and 2 were investigated in detail.     

Racemic dipeptide glycyl‐dl‐leucine at 120 K

The structure of glycyl‐dl ‐leucine, C₈H₁₆N₂O₃, has been determined at 120 K by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In addition to three N—H?O‐type hydrogen bonds of the positively charged RNH₃⁺ group of the zwitterionic mol­ecule, an intermolecular N—H?O contact exists between the peptide bond and the carboxyl­ate group. Four hydrogen‐bond cycles were identified, giving a complex pattern.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structure of Some Novel 1‐Aryl‐2‐Thioxo‐2,3‐Dihydro‐1H‐Quinazolin‐4‐Ones

The base catalyzed intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of 1‐(2‐haloaroyl)‐3‐aryl thioureas ( 1a‐i ), in the presence of DMF afforded the 1‐aryl‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐quinazolin‐4‐ones ( 2a‐i ). The structures were confirmed by spectroscopic data, elemental analyses and in case of the 2c by single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The mechanistic studies support an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr mechanism) rather than intramolecular aromatic substitution (S_RN1 mechanism).     

C—H…Cl Hydrogen Bond and π-π Interaction Based Two 3D Supramolecular Architectures of Cu(II) and Co(II) Complexes with Chiral 1,2-Bis(benzimidazol-2-yl) ethane Ligand Containing 2D Grids

合成了两个新的配合物CuLCl₂•2EtOH(1) 和CoLCl₂ (2) [L是( S , S )－1,2－二N－甲基苯并咪唑－1,2－二甲氧基－乙烷],并通过单晶X衍射确定它们的结构。配合物1中,L作为三齿[N, N, O]配体,而配合物2 中,L作为二齿[N, N]配体。这两个配合物共同的结构特点都是通过分子内氢键形成2维的格子结构,然后通过分子间的C－H···Cl型氢键和π–π堆积作用形成3维结构。     

One‐dimensional Salen‐type Chain‐like Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Fluorescence Properties

Four salen‐type lanthanide(III) coordination polymers [LnH₂L(NO₃)₃(MeOH)_x]_n [Ln = La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Sm ( 3 ), Gd ( 4 )] were prepared by reaction of Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O with H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine]. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that H₂L effectively functions as a bridging ligand forming a series of 1D chain‐like polymers. The solid‐state fluorescence spectra of polymers 1 and 2 emit single ligand‐centered green fluorescence, whereas 3 exhibits typical red fluorescence of Sm^III ions. The lowest triplet level of ligand H₂L was calculated on the basis of the phosphorescence spectrum of Gd^III complex 4 . The energy transfer mechanisms in the lanthanide polymers were described and discussed.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structure of the New Schiff‐Bases derived from 1,2,4‐Triazole and the Structure of [(PPh3)2Cu(AMTT)]NO3·EtOH (AMTT = 4‐Amino‐5‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thione)

The reactions of 4‐amino‐5‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thione (AMTT, L1 ) with 2‐thiophen carbaldehyde, salicylaldehyde and 2‐nitrobenzaldehyde in methanol led to the corresponding Schiff‐bases ( L1a‐c ). The reaction of L1 with [(PPh₃)₂Cu]NO₃ in ethanol gave the ionic complex [(PPh₃)₂Cu(L1)]NO₃·EtOH ( 2 ) All compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses as well as by X‐ray diffraction studies. Crystal data for L1a at 20 °C: space group P2₁/n with a = 439.6(2), b = 2074.0(9), c = 1112.8(4) pm, β = 93.51(3)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0406, L1b at ?80 °C: space group P2₁/n with a = 1268.9(2), b = 739.3(1), c = 1272.5(1) pm, β = 117.97(1)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0361, L1c at ?80 °C: space group P2₁/n with a = 847.8(1), b = 1502.9(2), c = 981.5(2) pm, β = 110.34(1)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0376 and for 2 at ?80 °C: space group with a = 1247.8(1), b = 1270.3(1), c = 1387.5(1) pm, α = 84.32(1)°, β = 84.71(1)°, γ = 63.12(1)°, Z = 2, R₁ = 0.0539.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Photocatalytic Properties of a Zinc(II) Coordination Polymer Based on 3‐Hydroxy‐2‐pyridinecarboxylic Acid

The zinc(II) compound, [Zn₃(HL)₆]_n ( 1 ) (H₂L = 3‐hydroxypyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) was synthesized by a solvothermal reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and 3‐hydroxypyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid as raw materials. The structure of complex 1 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, as well as powder X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray structure analysis demonstrates that the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n. There are three zinc ions in the asymmetric unit, which are either five‐coordinate or six‐coordinate. The asymmetric units are further bridged by the carboxylate of the organic ligands, featuring a 2D framework. The solid state diffuse‐reflectance UV/Vis spectra reveals that complex 1 has semiconducting nature with the energy bandgap (E_g) estimated to be 3.11 eV. The photocatalytic properties of complex 1 in degradation of organic dyes were further investigated. Results showed that the complex could degrade 54 % of the dye methylene blue solution within 120 min under UV irradiation light and reused for five times without the decline of the photocatalytic activity.     

Pendant structure governed anion sensing property for sulfonamide‐functionalized poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing various α‐amino acids

The colorimetric detection of anionic species has been studied for α‐amino acid‐conjugated poly(phenylacetylene)s, which were prepared by the polymerization of the ethyl esters of N‐(4‐ethynylphenylsulfonyl)‐L ‐alanine, L ‐isoleucine, L ‐valine, L ‐phenylalanine, L ‐aspartic acid, and L ‐glutamic acid using Rh⁺(2,5‐norbornadiene)[(η⁶‐C₆H₅)B^?(C₆H₅)₃] as the catalyst in CHCl₃. The one‐handed helical conformations of all the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers were characterized by Cotton effects in the circular dichroism spectra. The addition of anions with a relatively high basicity, such as tetra‐n‐butylammonium acetate and fluoride, induced drastic changes in both the optical and chiroptical properties. On the other hand, anions with a relatively low basicity, such as tetra‐n‐butylammonium nitrate, azide, and bromide, had essentially no effects on the helical conformation of all the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers. The anion signaling property of the sulfonamide‐functionalized polymers possessing α‐amino acid moieties was significantly affected by the installed residual amino acid structures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1683–1689, 2010