Characterization of an asymmetric M(chelate)2(μ-Cl)2MCl2 dimer and isolation of corresponding DMSO adducts: X-ray crystal structures of Co(phen)2(μ-Cl)2CoCl2⋅C4H8O and M(chelate)Cl2(DMSO) x (Co, x = 1; Ni, x = 2) complexes

In aqueous solution, [M(chelate)Cl₂]x (chelate = 2,2-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes can disproportionate to produce M(chelate)₂ ⁿ⁺ species that contain two chelating ligands. After extraction with organic solvent,Co(phen)₂(-Cl)₂CoCl₂(1) has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 10.278(2)Å, b = 22.026(5)Å, c = 12.941(3)Å, = 103.959(4)°, Z = 4, 2414 reflections [I 2 (I)], R ₁ = 0.0321, wR ₂ = 0.0864). However, addition of [M(chelate)Cl₂]x starting materials to dimethyl sulfoxide produces complexes that retain a single chelate ligand. The pentacoordinate complex Co(bpy)Cl₂DMSO (2) has been structurally characterized (triclinic, P , a = 7.824(2)Å, b = 9.570(4)Å, c = 10.025(2)Å, = 83.24(3)°, = 87.14(2)°, = 83.35(3)°, Z = 2, 2455 reflections [I 2 (I)], R ₁ = 0.0278, wR ₂ = 0.0747). In the case of nickel, two different geometric isomers are observed, depending on the chelate identity: trans-(DMSO)₂Ni(bpy)Cl₂ DMSO (3) (monoclinic, P21/c, a = 10.9149(8)Å, b = 12.1287(9)Å, c = 17.0044(13)Å, = 98.610(1)°, Z = 4,3519 reflections [I 2 (I)], R ₁ = 0.0209, wR ₂ = 0.0560) and cis-(DMSO)₂Ni(phen)Cl₂ (4) (monoclinic, P21/c, a = 8.404(2)Å, b = 14.051(4)Å, c = 16.710(4)Å, = 92.44(3)°, Z = 4, 3069 reflections [I 2 (I)], R ₁ = 0.0691, wR ₂ = 0.1782).     

A Conjugate Addition Approach to Diazo‐Containing Scaffolds with β Quaternary Centers

Structurally complex diazo‐containing scaffolds are formed by conjugate addition to vinyl diazonium salts. The electrophile, a little studied α‐diazonium‐α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compound, is formed at low temperature under mild conditions by treating β‐hydroxy‐α‐diazo carbonyls with Sc(OTf)₃. Conjugate addition occurs selectively at the 3‐position of indole to give α‐diazo‐β‐indole carbonyls, and enoxy silanes react to give 2‐diazo‐1,4‐dicarbonyl products. These reactions result in the formation of tertiary and quaternary centers, and give products that would be otherwise difficult to form. Importantly, the diazo functional group is retained within the molecule for future manipulation. Treating an α‐diazo ester indole addition product with Rh₂(OAc)₄ caused a rearrangement to occur to give a 2‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐enoate. In the case of diazo ketone compounds, this shift occurred spontaneously on prolonged exposure to the Lewis acidic reaction conditions.     

Introducing structural flexibility into porphyrin-DNA zipper arrays

A more flexible nucleotide building block for the synthesis of new DNA based porphyrin-zipper arrays is described. Changing the rigid acetylene linker between the porphyrin substituent and the 2'-deoxyuridine to a more flexible propargyl amide containing linkage leads in part to an increased duplex stability. The CD spectra reveal different electronic interactions between the porphyrins depending on the type of linker used. Molecular modelling suggests large variation of the relative orientation of the porphyrins within the major groove of the DNA. The porphyrins can be metallated post-synthetically with different metals as shown with zinc, cobalt and copper. The spectroscopic features do not alter drastically upon metallation apart from the CD spectra, and the stability of the metal complex is highly dependent on the nature of the metal. As shown by CD spectroscopy, the zinc porphyrin is rapidly demetallated at high temperatures. Globular structure determination using SAXS indicates that a molecular assembly comprised of a two to four helical bundle dominates in solution at higher concentrations (≥50 μM) which is not observed by spectroscopy at lower concentrations (≤1 μM).     

Characterizing a spheroidal nanocage drug delivery vesicle using multi-detector hydrodynamic chromatography

The biological application of nanoparticles has resulted in an increased need for the development of robust, accurate, and precise methods for quality control analysis and characterization. Parameters such as particle size, particle shape, and their distributions affect end-use properties such as chemical reactivity, diffusivity, permeability, and transport. Introduced here is a hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) method utilizing multi-angle static light scattering, quasi-elastic light scattering, differential viscometry, and differential refractometry detection for characterizing nanoscale vesicles. Quadruple-detector HDC was used to determine multiple sizing parameters and their statistical moments and distributions. Molar mass and molar mass averages were determined in a calibrant-independent fashion. Both the sizing parameters and the molar mass were measured across the HDC elution profile. The shape and structure of the nanoparticle were monitored as a function of HDC elution volume through the dimensionless ratio ??????R _G,z /R _H,z . The HDC results were comparable to those obtained by transmission electron microscopy, but more extensive characterization was possible by HDC, which provided distributions of both particle size and particle shape.

A new structural motif for photoinitiated electron collection: Ru,Rh bimetallics providing insight into H2 production via photocatalysis of water reduction by Ru,Rh,Ru supramolecules

Ru,Rh,Ru complexes are photocatalysts for the reduction of H(2)O to H(2)via a Rh(I) intermediate. The herein reported Ru,Rh bimetallics undergo PEC but do not catalyze the reduction of H(2)O, establishing intact supramolecules are photoactive in the Ru,Rh,Ru systems. The Ru,Rh(I) photoproduct dimerizes via Rh-Rh bond formation, deactivating the Rh(I) center sterically prohibited in the Ru,Rh,Ru trimetallic systems.