New azaphilones from Chaetomium globosum isolated from the built environment

A strain of Chaetomium globosum (DAOM 240359) was isolated from an indoor air sample in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. When fermented in liquid culture, this strain produced a number of known metabolites including chaetoglobosins A (6), C, and F (7), chaetomugilin D (5), chaetoviridin A (4), and three new nitrogenous azaphilones; 4′-epi-N-2-hydroxyethyl-azachaetoviridin A (1), N-2-butyric-azochaetoviridin E (2), and isochromophilone XIII (3). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including; HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and ORD. Compounds 2–7 were antimicrobial when tested using quantitative growth inhibition assays.     

Synthesis, NMR conformational analysis and pharmacological evaluation of 7,7a,13,14-tetrahydro-6H-cyclobuta[b]pyrimido[1,2-a:3,4-a']diindole analogues as melatonin receptor ligands

A structure for the self-condensation product of 2-(1H-indol-2-yl)ethyl tosylate 2a, previously proposed as 6,7,14,15-tetrahydro-15aH-azocino[1,2-a:6,5-b]diindole 3a, was revised based on the (13)C-2D-INADEQUATE experiment, and proved to be 7,7a,13,14-tetrahydro-6H-cyclobuta[b]pyrimido[1,2-a:3,4-a']diindole 4a. A mechanism for the unexpected formation of this novel hexacyclic heterocycle was proposed and its NMR solution structure was elucidated. Five derivatives of the title ring skeleton 12-16 designed as melatonin receptor ligands were synthesized and their affinities for the human MT(1) and MT(2) receptors were determined. Both butyramides 13 and 15, as well as the non-methoxy acetamide 12 exhibited micromolar binding affinities for both receptors being slightly MT(2) selective. The methoxy acetamide 14 showed the best pharmacological profile exhibiting a five times higher affinity for MT(1) (K(i) = 49 nM) than for MT(2) (K(i) = 246 nM) receptor.     

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Glycopeptides with PglB, a Bacterial Oligosaccharyl Transferase from Campylobacter jejuni

The gram-negative bacterium Campylobacter jejuni has a general N-linked glycosylation pathway encoded by the pgl gene cluster. One of the proteins in this cluster, PglB, is thought to be the oligosaccharyl transferase due to its significant homology to Stt3p, a subunit of the yeast oligosaccharyl transferase complex. PglB has been shown to be involved in catalyzing the transfer of an undecaprenyl-linked heptasaccharide to the asparagine side chain of proteins at the Asn-X-Ser/Thr motif. Using a synthetic disaccharide glycan donor (GalNAc-α1,3-bacillosamine-pyrophosphate-undecaprenyl) and a peptide acceptor substrate (KDFNVSKA), we can observe the oligosaccharyl transferase activity of PglB in vitro. Furthermore, the preparation of additional undecaprenyl-linked glycan variants reveals the ability of PglB to transfer a wide variety of saccharides. With the demonstration of PglB activity in vitro, fundamental questions surrounding the mechanism of N-linked glycosylation can now be addressed.     

Unusual dependence of particle architecture on surfactant concentration in partially fluorinated decylpyridinium templated silica

A series of porous silica particles is prepared with different concentrations of the fluorinated cationic surfactant 1-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10)-heptadecafluorodecyl)pyridinium chloride (HFDePC) to trace the changes in pore structure and particle morphology as the surfactant concentration increases. At the lowest concentration studied (1.5 mmol/L), the product consists of small round particles with close-packed cylindrical mesopores. As the HFDePC concentration increases, macroporous voids are introduced to create multi-chambered hollow particles with mesoporous walls. With a still higher concentration of HFDePC the macropore volume decreases, and elongated, tactoid-like nanoparticles are formed with random mesh-phase pores oriented with silica layers perpendicular to the main axis of the particles. Further increasing the concentration of HFDePC eventually leads to the formation of round particles with disordered pores. These changes are consistent with increasing HFDePC concentration favoring increasingly oblate or disklike micelles. The process of forming the elongated particles with random mesh-phase structure is investigated by TEM of chilled and dried samples. The results indicate that the oriented tactoid-like structure forms spontaneously within 2 min by co-assembly of silica and HFDePC rather than by preferred growth perpendicular to the layers. The particle shape and layer orientation are consistent with what would be expected for a liquid-crystal particle with orientation-dependent surface tension. Finally, we compare samples prepared with a high HFDePC and with good or poor mixing. With inadequate mixing, a gel layer forms at the top of the sample which is composed of elongated mesoporous particles with a thick coating of microporous silica. The lower particulate phase contains small disordered particles similar to those obtained in a well-mixed sample. Presumably, the structure of the upper layer results from initial immiscibility of the precursor and slow diffusion of silicates out of the gel.     

H/D isotopic recognition in hydrogen bonded systems: H/D isotopic self-organization effects in the IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2-methylimidazole crystals

Polarized IR spectra of H12(3)45 2-methylimidazole and of its H1D2(3)45, D1H2(3)45 and D12(3)45 deuterium derivative crystals are reported and interpreted within the limits of the "strong-coupling" theory. The spectra interpretation facilitated the recognition of the H/D isotopic "self-organization" phenomenon, which depends on a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the lattices of isotopically diluted crystal samples. The H/D isotopic "self-organization" mechanism engaged all four hydrogen bonds from each unit cell. These effects basically resulted from the dynamical co-operative interactions involving adjacent hydrogen bonds in each hydrogen bond chain. A weaker exciton coupling involved the closely spaced hydrogen bonds; each belonging to a different chain of associated 2-methylimidazole molecules. The high intensity of the narrow band at ca. 1880cm(-1) was interpreted as the result of coupling between the γ(N-H?N) proton bending "out of plane" vibration overtone and the ν(N-H) proton stretching vibration.     

Electrophilic and nucleophilic enzymatic cascade reactions in biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of cyclic terpenoids and polyethers involves enzyme-initiated cascade reactions for ring formation. While the former are obtained by electrophilic cascades through carbenium ions as intermediates, cyclic polyethers are formed by nucleophilic cascade reactions of (poly)epoxide precursors. These mechanistically complementary pathways follow common principles via (i) triggering of the cascade by forming a reactive intermediate ('initiation'), (ii) sequential 'proliferation' of the cyclization and finally (iii) 'termination' of the cascade. As analyzed in this concept paper, the multiplicity of precursors, combined with various initiation and termination routes and kinetically favored or disfavored cyclization modes accounts for the enormous diversity in cyclic terpenoid and polyether scaffolds. Although the essential role of enzymes in the triggering of these cascades is reasonably well understood, remarkably little is known about their influence in proliferation reactions, especially those implying kinetically disfavored (anti-Markovnikov and anti-Baldwin) routes. Mechanistic analysis of enzymatic cascade reactions provides biomimetic strategies for natural product synthesis.     

Emulsion of aqueous-based nonspherical droplets in aqueous solutions by single-chain surfactants: templated assembly by nonamphiphilic lyotropic liquid crystals in water

Single-chain surfactants usually emulsify and stabilize oily substances into droplets in an aqueous solution. Here, we report a coassembly system, in which single types of anionic or non-ionic surfactants emulsify a class of water-soluble nonamphiphilic organic salts with fused aromatic rings in aqueous solutions. The nonamphiphilic organic salts are in turn promoted to form droplets of water-based liquid crystals (chromonic liquid crystals) encapsulated by single-chain surfactants. The droplets, stabilized against coalescence by encapsulated in a layer (or layers) of single chain surfactants, are of both nonspherical tactoid (elongated ellipsoid with pointy ends) and spherical shapes. The tactoids have an average long axis of ～9 μm and a short axis of ～3.5 μm with the liquid crystal aligning parallel to the droplet surface. The spherical droplets are 5-10 μm in diameter and have the liquid crystal aligning perpendicular to the droplet surface and a point defect in the center. Cationic and zwitterionic surfactants studied in this work did not promote the organic salt to form droplets. These results illustrate the complex interplay of self-association and thermodynamic incompatibility of molecules in water, which can cause new assembly behavior, including potential formation of vesicles or other assemblies, from surfactants that usually form only micelles. These unprecedented tactoidal shaped droplets also provide potential for the fabrication of new soft organic microcapsules.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of conjugated polymer films from patterned electrodes

A new phenomenon is presented in which electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is generated and propagates laterally as self-reinforcing waves as a result of the oxidation of a poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) thin film. In an ordered array of Au electrode posts that act as effective ECL nucleation sites, soliton-like waves were observed to expand from each site and annihilate upon collision with each other. Simulations of the ECL response supported the experimental observations that the ECL waves propagate at a constant speed. A correlated diffusion mechanism involving the correlated motion of ions, injected holes, and solvent molecules is proposed to interpret the experimental data qualitatively. A rapid increase in the diffusion coefficient of these species in the polymer results in a sharp interface between non-oxidized and oxidized polymer phases wherein the electrochemical (EC) oxidation and mass transport of all pertinent species take place. EC oxidation of conjugated polymers of this type has important implications for the understanding of these materials and their modes of operation in EC conjugated polymer devices.     

Preparation of Fe2O3-exfoliated graphite composite and its electrochemical properties investigated in alkaline solution

In the present work, a simple method of preparation of FeCl₄⁻- graphite intercalation compounds from HCl/FeCl₃ solution with the aid of chemical oxidant is presented. Based on X-ray diffraction measurements it was concluded, that stages 8, 6, and 5 FeCl₄⁻-graphite intercalation compounds were obtained. The compounds thus obtained were thermally treated to obtain Fe₂O₃-exfoliated graphite composites. The dispersion of Fe₂O₃ in the exfoliated graphite flakes was examined with the aid of the energy dispersive X-ray analysis combined with a scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical behavior of electrodes was investigated in 6 M KOH solution. Electrochemical investigations proved the formation of FeOOH on the surface of exfoliated graphite during the anodic process. Besides, electrochemical investigations showed that the lower limit potential strongly affects the redox behavior of the Fe₂O₃-EG electrode.     

Theoretical advances in the dissolution studies of mineral–water interfaces

This article presents theoretical advances in computational modeling of dissolution at mineral–water interfaces with specific emphasis on silicates. Two different Monte Carlo methods have been developed that target equilibrium properties and kinetics in silicate–water dissolution. The equilibrium properties are explored using the combined reactive Monte Carlo and configurational bias Monte Carlo (RxMC-CBMC) method. The new RxMC-CBMC method is designed to affordably simulate the three-dimensional structure of the mineral with explicit water molecules. The kinetics of the overall dissolution process is studied using a stochastic kinetic Monte Carlo method that utilizes rate constants obtained from accurate ab initio calculations. Both these methods provide important complementary perspective of the complex dynamics involving chemical and physical interactions at the mineral–water interface. The results are compared to experimental and previous computational data available in the literature.