Manganese(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane

The title complexes, catena‐poly[[[diaquadiethanolmanganese(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane‐κ²O:O′] dinitrate 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane solvate], {[Mn(C₂H₆O)₂(C₂₈H₂₈O₂P₂)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·C₂₈H₂₈O₂P₂}_n, (I), and catena‐poly[[[diaquadiethanolcobalt(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane‐κ²O:O′] dinitrate 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane solvate], {[Co(C₂H₆O)₂(C₂₈H₂₈O₂P₂)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·C₂₈H₂₈O₂P₂}_n, (II), are isostructural and centrosymmetric, with the M^II ions at centres of inversion. The coordination geometry is octahedral, with each metal ion coordinated by two trans ethanol molecules, two trans water molecules and two bridging 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane ligands which link the coordination centres to form one‐dimensional polymeric chains. Parallel chains are linked by hydrogen bonds to uncoordinated 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane molecules, which are bisected by a centre of inversion. Further hydrogen bonds, weak C—H...O interactions to nitrate anions, and weak C—H...π interactions serve to stabilize the structure. This study reports a development of the coordination chemistry of bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)alkanes, with the first reported structures of complexes of the first‐row transition metals with 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)butane.     

Application of deuterated THENA for assigning the absolute configuration of chiral secondary alcohols

The structure of a constrained bicyclic chiral derivatizing agent (CDA), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid, THENA 1, was modified by replacing both exo-methylene protons with deuterium atoms. The modified CDA, THENA-d₂2, could be used to assign the absolute configuration of chiral secondary alcohols with good reliability. Compared with THENA, the multiplicity of the methylene proton signals in the ¹H NMR spectra of THENA-d₂ derivatives is less complicated and the new CDA thus offers simpler NMR spectra for data interpretation.     

Structure elucidation of cyclohexene (9Z)-octadec-9-enyl ethers isolated from the leaves of Uvaria cherrevensis (Annonaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of the leaf extract of Uvaria cherrevensis (Annonaceae) yielded three new cyclohexene (9Z)-octadec-9-enyl ethers, cherrevenols M-O (1–3), and a known fatty ester derivative (4). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and computer-aided molecular modelling methods. Ozone Induced Dissociation (OzID) mass spectrometry was employed to determine the C-9 position of the side chain olefinic double bonds, while ¹³C NMR spectroscopy indicated their (Z)-configurations. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimalarial and cytotoxic activities; all were inactive.     

Modeling force-induced bio-polymer unfolding

We study the conformations of polymer chains in a poor solvent, with and without bending rigidity, by means of a simple statistical mechanics model. This model can be exactly solved for chains of length up to N = 55 using exact enumeration techniques. We analyze in detail the differences between the constant force and constant distance ensembles for large but finite N. At low temperatures, and in the constant force ensemble, the force–extension curve shows multiple plateaus (intermediate states), in contrast with the abrupt transition to an extended state prevailing in the N → ∞ limit. In the constant distance ensemble, the same curve provides a unified response to pulling and compressing forces, and agrees qualitatively with recent experimental results. We identify a cross-over length, proportional to N, below which the critical force of unfolding decreases with temperature, while above, it increases with temperature. Finally, the force–extension curve for stiff chains exhibits “saw-tooth” like behavior, as observed in protein unfolding experiments.     

Synthesis and Optical Properties of Diaza‐ and Tetraazatetracenes

A series of functionalized diaza‐ and tetraazatetracenes was synthesized, either by condensation of an aromatic diamine with an ortho‐quinone/diethyloxalate followed by chlorination with POCl₃ to give diazatetracenes or by palladium‐catalyzed coupling of a phenylenediamine with various 2,3‐dichloroquinoxalines to give tetraazatetracenes (after oxidation with MnO₂). Representative examples included halogenated and nitrated derivatives. The optical properties of these azatetracenes were discussed with respect to their molecular structures and substitution patterns. The diazatetracenes and tetraazatetracenes formed two different groups that had significantly different electronic structures and properties. Furthermore, 1,2,3,4‐tetrafluoro‐6,11‐bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)benzo[b]phenazine was synthesized, which is the first reported fluorinated diazatetracene. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of this compound is reported.     

Efficient NIR‐Light Emission from Solid‐State Complexes of Boron Difluoride with 2′‐Hydroxychalcone Derivatives

This article describes a series of nine complexes of boron difluoride with 2′‐hydroxychacone derivatives. These dyes were synthesized very simply and exhibited intense NIR emission in the solid state. Complexation with boron was shown to impart very strong donor–acceptor character into the excited state of these dyes, which further shifted their emission towards the NIR region (up to 855 nm for dye 5 b , which contained the strongly donating triphenylamine group). Strikingly, these optical features were obtained for crystalline solids, which are characterized by high molecular order and tight packing, two features that are conventionally believed to be detrimental to luminescence in organic crystals. Remarkably, the emission of light from the π‐stacked molecules did not occur at the expense of the emission quantum yield. Indeed, in the case of pyrene‐containing dye 4 , for example, a fluorescence quantum yield of about 15 % with a fluorescence emission maximum at 755 nm were obtained in the solid state. Moreover, dye 3 a and acetonaphthone‐based compounds 1 b , 2 b , and 3 b showed no evidence of degradation as solutions in CH₂Cl₂ that contained EtOH. In particular, solutions of brightly fluorescent compound 3 a (brightness: ε×Φ_f=45 000 M ^?1 cm^?1) could be stored for long periods without any detectable changes in its optical properties. All together, these new dyes possess a set of very interesting properties that make them promising solid‐state NIR fluorophores for applications in materials science.     

Bio-smart materials: kinetics of immobilized enzymes in p(HEMA)/p(pyrrole) hydrogels in amperometric biosensors

Various strategies are being pursued to confer the highly specific molecular recognition properties of bioactive molecules to the transducer action of inherently conductive polymers. We have successfully integrated inherently conductive polypyrrole within electrode-supported, UV cross-linked hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-based hydrogels. These electroactive composites were used as matrixes for the physical immobilization of several oxidase enzymes to fabricate clinically important biosensors. Measurements were made of the amperometric responses via H₂O₂ oxidation for each biosensor. Apparent Michaelis constants, K_m(app), for glucose oxidase immobilized in p(HEMA) membranes and in p(HEMA)/p(Pyrrole) composite membranes were 13.8 and 43.7 mM respectively compared to 33 mM in solution. The inclusion of polypyrrole in the hydrogel network increased the thermal stability of the immobilized enzyme at 60°C by 30% and 40% compared to p(HEMA) membranes and solution phase respectively. The composite also yielded larger I_max values (19 μA/cm⁻²) for glucose biosensors compared to similar glucose biosensors fabricated without the conducting polymer (15 μA). K_m(app) values for cholesterol oxidase immobilized in the same composite films were ca. three orders of magnitude higher than the K_m for the soluble enzyme. The polypyrrole component is shown to reduce diffusive transport but to confer thermal stability to these biosensors.     

Thermo‐ and Acid‐Responsive Photochromic Spironaphthoxazine‐Containing Organogelators

A series of photochromic spironaphthoxazine derivatives has been designed, synthesized, and characterized by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Their photophysical and photochromic behavior have been investigated. Two of the compounds (G¹²‐en‐SA‐SO and G¹⁶‐en‐SA‐SO) have been shown to be capable of forming stable thermoreversible organogels in organic solvents, tested by the “stable‐to‐inversion of a test tube” method. Addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid was found to induce the formation of stable organogels at concentrations below that of the critical gelation concentration (c.g.c.), with a concomitant change in color from colorless to purple. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the xerogels showed typical fibrous structures in the micrometer scale. The activation parameters for the bleaching reaction of G⁸‐en‐SA‐SO in the solution state and G¹⁶‐en‐SA‐SO in the gel state have been determined in ethanol through kinetic studies at various temperatures. The results showed that the rate of the bleaching reaction in the gel state was much slower than that in the solution state.