Automated parallel, multi-step polymer-assisted solution phase (PASP) synthesis of substituted benzimidazole derivatives

The automated polymer-assisted solution phase (PASP) synthesis of a 72 member library of 2-alkylthio-benzimidazoles 16 and benzimidazolin-2-ones 17 using commercially available robotic workstations is described. By incorporating both automated aqueous work-ups, in-line scavenging and 'catch and release' protocols the desired compounds were obtained directly in good yields and excellent purities without the need for conventional chromatographic purification. The synthesis described demonstrates how both manual and automated equipment may be utilised together to provide a versatile approach that facilitates parallel compound synthesis.     

Matrix infrared spectroscopic study of magnesium carbene and carbenoid radicals and analysis of their bonding with density functional calculations

Magnesium atoms generated by laser ablation were reacted with methyl halides and methane diluted in argon. Among the reaction products were the metal carbene species, MgCH2, and carbenoid radicals, XMgCH2 (where X = H, F, Cl, and Br). This investigation reports matrix infrared spectra for Mg carbene and carbenoid species in a cold matrix, and electronic structure calculations for these and related beryllium species. An unusual bonding interaction for the MCH2 species is described in which the bonding in the alpha and beta manifolds is qualitatively different. Vibrational frequencies and analysis of the results of density functional calculations provide information about the nature of the bonding in these species and allow for a comparison to the well-known transition metal Fischer- and Schrock-type carbene complexes. The special difficulties of computational modeling of vibrations in highly polar molecules are discussed.     

Infrared spectra and structures of the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules

Thorium atoms react with H2O2, H2 + O2 mixtures, and H2O in excess argon to form the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules as minor and major products, respectively. The vibrational frequencies observed in the matrix infrared spectra are in excellent agreement with MP2 computed values, which confirms the identification of these highly ionic thorium hydroxide molecules. Our MP2 calculations converge to slightly bent and tetrahedral structures, respectively. This investigation reports the first evidence for pure actinide dihydroxide and tetrahydroxide molecules.     

Magnetic circular dichroism of matrix isolated noble gas monohalides

MCD measurements on XeF, XeCl, XeBr and XeI matrix isolated in Ar at low temperature are reported. Some relationships among the various spectroscopic parameters are established by combining these data existing absorption and ESR measurements.     

Reactions of uranium atoms with ammonia: infrared spectra and quasi-relativistic calculations of the U:NH3, H2N--UH, and HN==UH2 complexes

Ammonia molecules interact with U atoms, and the resulting U:NH3 complex rearranges upon visible irradiation to form the H2N--UH and HN==UH2 molecules in excess argon. These products are identified by functional group frequencies, 15NH3 and ND3 isotopic shifts, and comparison to frequencies calculated by using density functional theory. The N==U pi bond in HN==UH2 is enhanced by partial triple-bond character through N(2p) to U(5f) conjugation, which is comparable to that found in the analogous HN==ThH2 molecule. These products also form complexes with additional ammonia molecules in the matrix. The interesting higher-energy N[triple chemical bond]UH3 complex is not formed.     

Bismuth(III) Flavonolates: The Impact of Structural Diversity on Antibacterial Activity,Mammalian Cell Viability and Cellular Uptake

A series of homoleptic and heteroleptic bismuth(III) flavonolate complexes derived from six flavonols of varying substitution have been synthesised and structurally characterised. The complexes were evaluated for antibacterial activity towards several problematic Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The cell viability of COS-7 (monkey kidney) cells treated with the bismuth flavonolates was also studied to determine the effect of the complexes on mammalian cells. The heteroleptic complexes [BiPh(L)₂] (in which L=flavonolate) showed good antibacterial activity towards all of the bacteria but reduced COS-7 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The homoleptic complexes [Bi(L)₃] exhibited activity towards the Gram-positive bacteria and showed low toxicity towards the mammalian cell line. Bismuth uptake studies in VRE and COS-7 cells treated with the bismuth flavonolate complexes indicated that Bi accumulation is influenced by both the substitution of the flavonolate ligands and the degree of substitution at the bismuth centre.     

Geometries of functional group interactions in enzyme-ligand complexes: Guides for receptor modelling

Summary An approach is described which makes use of X-ray structural data from enzyme-ligand complexes in order to obtain information for application in receptor modelling. The atomic surroundings of five different ligand functional groups were determined for all complex structures recorded in the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank. These atomic surroundings were then superimposed with respect to the atoms of the functional groups of the ligands in order to obtain clouds of neighbouring atoms. General principles were sought to describe the orientiation or favoured position of groups or atoms around those functional groups when bound to a macromolecule. Some simple conclusions and leads for further modelling were thus derived.     

Development of a size exclusion chromatography-electrochemical detection method for the analysis of total organic and inorganic chloramines

A size exclusion chromatography (SEC) followed by post-column reaction with iodide and electrochemical detection method is developed for analysis of total organic and inorganic chloramines. Ammonium chloride and a group of test compounds (Glycine, Tyrosine, DL-Alanyl-DL-Alanine, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, Bradykinin, Aprotinin, and alpha-Lactalbumin) are selected and chlorinated to represent inorganic chloramines and different sizes of organic N-chloramines. An analytical SEC column with pore size of 60A is used and chromatographic conditions including the working electrode potential and flow rate are optimized to gain optimum resolution and sensitivity. The detection limits are estimated to be 0.12 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively, for tested inorganic and organic chloramines.     

A sulfone-based strategy for the preparation of 2,4-disubstituted furan derivatives

2,4-Disubstituted furans are prepared by treating 2,3-dibromo-1-phenylsulfonyl-1-propene (DBP, 2) with 1,3-diketones under basic conditions. The furan-forming step involves a deacetylation, and the selectivity of this process depends upon the steric demand of the R group. The substituent in position 4 is elaborated by reaction of sulfonyl carbanions with alkyl halides, acyl halides, and aldehydes. Oxidative or reductive desulfonylation produces the 2,4-disubstituted furans in 60-92% yield. This strategy has been used to prepare rabdoketone A (12) and the naturally occurring nematotoxic furoic acid 13.     

Dynamics of the dispersion interaction in an energy transfer system

On the propagation of resonant radiation through an optically dense system, photon capture is commonly followed by one or more near-field transfers of the resulting optical excitation. The process invokes secondary changes to the local electronic environment, shifting the electromagnetic interactions between participant chromophores and producing modified intermolecular forces. From the theory it emerges that energy transfer, when it occurs between chromophores with electronically dissimilar properties, can itself generate significant changes in the intermolecular potentials. This report highlights specific effects that can be anticipated when laser light propagates across an interface between differentially absorbing components in a model energy transfer system.