Behavior of molecular potential energy curves for large nuclear separations

We prove by elementary geometric methods and within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation that as the nuclei of a molecule are dissociated into spatially separated clusters, the discrete molecular energies approach sums of the energies of isolated subsystems. Our methods also show that the spectral projections associated with the discrete molecular spectrum asymptotically approach direct sums of suitable spectral projections for the isolated subsystems. These results apply to any system of particles interacting by asymptotically vanishing pair potentials. We prove that the 1/R expansion for discrete molecular potential curves is asymptotic as R → ∞, and we discuss the behavior of the coefficients of the 1/R expansion for the ground state of H₂⁺.     

Functionalized organosilica microspheres via a novel emulsion-based route

Thiol-functionalized organosilica microspheres were synthesized via a two-step process: (1) acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), followed by (2) base-catalyzed condensation, which led to the rapid formation of emulsion droplets with a narrow size distribution. These droplets continued to condense to form solid microspheres. Solution (29)Si NMR and optical microscopy were applied to study the mechanism of this novel synthetic route. Solid-state (29)Si NMR, SEM, zeta potential titration, and Coulter counter measurements were used to study the bulk and surface properties and to determine the particle size distributions of the final microspheres. Compared to conventional St?ber silica particles, these microspheres were shown to have a lower degree of cross-linking (average degree of condensation, r = 1.25), a larger average size (up to 6 microm), and a higher isoelectric point (pH = 4.4). Confocal microscopy of dye-labeled microspheres showed an even distribution of dye molecules throughout the interior, characteristic of a readily accessible and permeable organosilica network. These findings have implications for the production of functionalized solid supports for use in catalysis and biological applications, such as optically encoded carriers for combinatorial synthesis.     

Reactions of metal carbonyl cluster complexes with multidentate phosphine ligands; reactions with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reactions of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂, or Rh₆(CO)₁₀(dppm)₃, depending upon the reaction conditions. Rh₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) may be obtained from the reaction of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ with dppm, but this derivative rapidly decomposes in solution to give Rh₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), and Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂. Ir₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) and Ir₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂ have also been prepared, and their structures are discussed on the basis of infrared and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data.     

Synthesis of the 4-methyl-1,2-oxazetidine-4-carboxylic acid moiety of the originally proposed halipeptin A and B structures

O-Alkylation of N-hydroxycarbamate 6 with iodo ester 5 affords 15, which was elaborated to mesylate 4. Intramolecular N-alkylation affords methyl N-Boc-4-methyl-1,2-oxazetidine-4-carboxylate (3). The geminal coupling constant of the methylene protons is 8.5 Hz, which is much smaller than the 12.0 Hz reported for halipeptins A and B. This confirms that the halipeptins do not contain an oxazetidinecarboxylic acid as originally proposed in structure 1, but a thiazoline as in the revised structure 2. The unusual O-alkylation of 5 probably proceeds by an electron transfer mechanism.     

An unusual dichotomy in the regioselectivity of a metal catalyzed versus thermal ene reaction

A Pd(+2) catalyzed cyclization of a 1,6-enyne complements a thermal Alder ene reaction; a rationale invoking a remote binding site is proposed.     

Cyclizations via Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylations [New Synthetic Methods (79)]

The history of ring systems in organic chemistry parallels their synthetic accessibility. Transition-metal-catalyzed cyclizations offer a new opportunity to create carbo- and heterocyclic compounds with great facility. Among these methods, allylic alkylations catalyzed by palladium have proven unusually productive because of the extraordinary chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity and the continuing possibility for the development of enantioselectivity. The rules for ring closure differ from those for non-transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. A major benefit is the ability to generate medium (eight-, nine-, ten-, and eleven-membered) and large rings in preference to normal (five-, six- and seven-membered) rings. With the appropriate substrate, efficient macrocyclizations are possible under conditions of normal concentrations. A second major benefit derives from the complementary stereochemistry of the metalcatalyzed substitution (net retention of configuration) compared to non-metal-catalyzed reactions (inversion of configuration). Further, the requirement for the substrate to conform to the transition-metal template may impose a stereochemical preference in the intermediate that ultimately translates into the thermodynamically less stable organic product regardless of the stereochemistry of the starting material. While more work has focused on carbocyclic synthesis, the possibilities for heterocyclic synthesis are just beginning to be tapped. In addition to forming heterocycles by C? C bond formation, use of a heteroatom as a nucleophile has already proven effective for oxygen and nitrogen, with other nucleophiles awaiting investigation. New dimensions for cyclization via allylic alkylation arise by generating the requisite π-allylpalladium intermediates by methods other than palladium(0)-initiated allylic ionizations. In addition, metals other than palladium will clearly expand the possibilities, but as yet remain untapped.     

Duplex-promoted platination of adenine-N3 in the minor groove of DNA: challenging a longstanding bioinorganic paradigm

The interactions of [Pt(en)Cl(ACRAMTU-S)](NO3)2 (PT-ACRAMTU, en = ethane-1,2-diamine, ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea) with adenine in DNA have been studied using a combination of analytical and high-resolution structural methods. For the first time, a cytotoxic platinum(II) complex has been demonstrated to form adducts in the minor groove of DNA through platination of the adenine-N3 endocyclic nitrogen. An acidic depurination assay was developed that allowed the controlled and selective (pH 2, 60 degrees C, 12 h) release of platinum-modified adenine from drug-treated nucleic acid samples. From the digested mixtures, three adducts were isolated by semipreparative reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography and studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (in-line LC-MS), variable-pH 1H NMR spectroscopy, and, where applicable, X-ray crystallography. The three species were identified as the N7 (A-I), N3 (A-II), and N1 (A-III) linkage isomers of [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU-S)(adenine)]3+ (A). Incubations carried out with the single- and double-stranded model sequences, d(TA)5 and d(TA)15, as well as native DNA indicate that the adduct profiles (A-I:A-II:A-IIIratios) are sensitive to the nature of the nucleic acid template. A-II was found to be a double-strand specific adduct. The crystal structure of this adduct has been determined, providing ultimate evidence for the N3 connectivity of platinum. A-II crystallizes in the triclinic space group P in the form of centrosymmetric dimers, {[Pt(en)(ACRAMTU-S)(adenine-N3)]2}6+. The cations are stabilized by a combination of adenine-adenine base pairing (N6...N1 2.945(5) A) and mutual acridine-adenine base stacking. Tandem mass spectra and 1H chemical shift anomalies indicate that this type of self-association is not merely a crystal packing effect but persists in solution. The monofunctional platination of adenine at its N7, N3, and N1 positions in a significant fraction of adducts breaks a longstanding paradigm in platinum-DNA chemistry, the requirement for nucleophilic attack of guanine-N7 as the principal step in cross-link formation. The biological consequences and potential therapeutic applications of the unique base and groove recognition of PT-ACRAMTU are discussed.     

Relative Lewis basicities of six AI(ORF)4- superweak anions and the structures of LiA

The relative Lewis basicities of six Al(ORF)4- ions, Al[OC(CH3)(CF3)2]4-, Al(OC(CF3)3]4-, Al(OCPh(CF3)2]4-, Al[OC[4-C6H4(tBu)](CF3)2]4-, Al(OC(Cy)(CF3)2]4-, and Al(OCPh2(CF3)]4-, have been determined by measuring their relative coordinating abilities towards Li+ in dichloromethane. The relative Li- Lewis basicities of the Al(ORF)4- ions are linearly related to the aqueous pKa values of the corresponding parent HORF fluoroalcohols. The Lewis basicity of Al[OCH(CF3)2]4- could not be measured because two of these anions can coordinate to one Li+ cation. The structures of LiAl[OCH(CF3)2]4 and [1-Et-3-Me-1,3-C3H3N2][Li[Al[OCH(CF3)2)4]2] were determined.     

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY INDUCED ULTRASTRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN MICROVASCULATURE OF THE RAT CREMASTER MUSCLE

Abstract— Photodynamic therapy disrupts blood flow to tumors and produces tumor necrosis. These effects may be due to a localized generation of singlet oxygen. The current studies used direct observations of the rat cremaster microvasculature to examine the vascular effects of PDT. The objective of the morphological examination was to delineate the structural basis for the altered blood flow in photodynamic therapy. Dihematoporphyrin ether given 30 min or 48 h prior to the experiment was activated with green light (wavelength530–560 nm, 120 J/cm²). After the in vivo activation the tissues were prepared for electron microscopy. Light alone induced little or no change in the luminal content or vessel wall. On exposure to activating light both acute (30 min) and long term (48 h) dihematoporphyrin ether pretreated samples displayed formation of luminal aggregates, granulocyte margination and migration, and endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell damage. The latter was more pronounced in the arterioles than the venules. Perivascular changes included interstitial edema and damage to striated myocytes. Some of the alterations such as interstitial edema may be transient; however, smooth and skeletal muscle cell injury are important in normal and tumor tissue necrosis after photodynamic therapy.