Combinatorial library of peptidotriazoles: identification of [1,2,3]-triazole inhibitors against a recombinant Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease

A library consisting of about half of 800 000 possible peptidotriazoles on 450 000 beads was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis combined with a regiospecific copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between a resin-bound alkyne and a protected amino azide. The central [1,2,3]-triazole was flanked on each side by two randomized amino acids introduced in a combinatorial approach. Importantly, the formation of the triazole could be performed quantitatively in a randomized fashion. The library was screened on solid phase for inhibitory effect against a recombinant cysteine protease, Leishmania mexicana CPB2.8DeltaCTE and sorted by a high-throughput instrument, COPAS beadsorter (up to 200 000 beads/h). Forty-eight hits were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS providing structural information about the protease specificity, and 23 peptidotriazoles were resynthesized and evaluated in solution, with the best inhibitor displaying a K(i) value of 76 nM. A one-pot procedure was used to convert Fmoc-amino azides into their corresponding Boc derivatives. The crucial influence of weak interactions with a spacer used for detection by MALDI-TOF MS on screening results was observed.     

A group 13/group 17 analogue of CO and N2: coordinative trapping of the GaI molecule

The first row diatomic molecules N2 and CO have played central roles in developing fundamental models of electronic structure, and their interactions with transition metals have been widely investigated. By contrast, the valence isoelectronic molecules EX (E = group 13 element, X = group 17 element) have yet to be isolated under ambient conditions, either as the "free" molecule or as a simple metal complex. Here, we find that iodide abstraction from Cp*Fe(dppe)(GaI2) yields the stable complex [Cp*Fe(dppe)(GaI)]+ which features a terminally bound GaI ligand, characterized by a near linear (but readily deformed) Fe-Ga-I geometry and by very short Fe-Ga and Ga-I distances. Chemical and computational evidence reveal a relatively weak metal-ligand bond similar in strength to that found for dinitrogen analogues.     

Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Directed syn‐1,2‐Carboboration and ‐Silylation: Alkene Scope,Applications in Dearomatization,and Stereocontrol by a Chiral Auxiliary

We report the development of palladium(0)‐catalyzed syn‐selective 1,2‐carboboration and ‐silylation reactions of alkenes containing cleavable directing groups. With B₂pin₂ or PhMe₂Si‐Bpin as nucleophiles and aryl/alkenyl triflates as electrophiles, a broad range of mono‐, di‐, tri‐ and tetrasubstituted alkenes are compatible in these transformations. We further describe a directed dearomative 1,2‐carboboration of electron‐rich heteroarenes by employing this approach. Through use of a removable chiral directing group, we demonstrate the viability of achieving stereoinduction in Heck‐type alkene 1,2‐difunctionalization. This work introduces new avenues to access highly functionalized boronates and silanes with precise regio‐ and stereocontrol.     

Erratum to: Rheotaxis performance increases with group size in a coupled phase model with sensory noise

This special topics issue is a collection of contributions on the recent developments of control and synchronization in time delayed systems and space time chaos. The various articles report interesting results on time delayed complex networks; fractional order delayed models; dynamics of spatio-temporal patterns; stochastic models etc. Experimental analysis on synchronization, dynamics and control of chaos are also well investigated using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), circuit realizations and chemical reactions.     

Genesis of nanostructured, magnetically tunable ceramics from the pyrolysis of cross-linked polyferrocenylsilane networks and formation of shaped macroscopic objects and micron scale patterns by micromolding inside silicon wafers

The ability to form molded or patterned metal-containing ceramics with tunable properties is desirable for many applications. In this paper we describe the evolution of a ceramic from a metal-containing polymer in which the variation of pyrolysis conditions facilitates control of ceramic structure and composition, influencing magnetic and mechanical properties. We have found that pyrolysis under nitrogen of a well-characterized cross-linked polyferrocenylsilane network derived from the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of a spirocyclic [1]ferrocenophane precursor gives shaped macroscopic magnetic ceramics consisting of alpha-Fe nanoparticles embedded in a SiC/C/Si(3)N(4) matrix in greater than 90% yield up to 1000 degrees C. Variation of the pyrolysis temperature and time permitted control over the nucleation and growth of alpha-Fe particles, which ranged in size from around 15 to 700 A, and the crystallization of the surrounding matrix. The ceramics contained smaller alpha-Fe particles when prepared at temperatures lower than 900 degrees C and displayed superparamagnetic behavior, whereas the materials prepared at 1000 degrees C contained larger alpha-Fe particles and were ferromagnetic. This flexibility may be useful for particular materials applications. In addition, the composition of the ceramic was altered by changing the pyrolysis atmosphere to argon, which yielded ceramics that contain Fe(3)Si(5). The ceramics have been characterized by a combination of physical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, TEM, reflectance UV-vis/near-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, XPS, SQUID magnetometry, M?ssbauer spectroscopy, nanoindentation, and SEM. Micromolding of the spirocyclic [1]ferrocenophane precursor within soft lithographically patterned channels housed inside silicon wafers followed by thermal ROP and pyrolysis enabled the formation of predetermined micron scale designs of the magnetic ceramic.     

Towards an unbiased metabolic profiling of protozoan parasites: optimisation of a Leishmania sampling protocol for HILIC-orbitrap analysis

Comparative metabolomics of Leishmania species requires the simultaneous identification and quantification of a large number of intracellular metabolites. Here, we describe the optimisation of a comprehensive metabolite extraction protocol for Leishmania parasites and the subsequent optimisation of the analytical approach, consisting of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to LTQ-orbitrap mass spectrometry. The final optimised protocol starts with a rapid quenching of parasite cells to 0 °C, followed by a triplicate washing step in phosphate-buffered saline. The intracellular metabolome of 4 × 10⁷ parasites is then extracted in cold chloroform/methanol/water 20/60/20 (v/v/v) for 1 h at 4 °C, resulting in both cell disruption and comprehensive metabolite dissolution. Our developed metabolomics platform can detect approximately 20% of the predicted Leishmania metabolome in a single experiment in positive and negative ionisation mode.      

Fluoride anion binding by cyclic boronic esters: influence of backbone chelate on receptor integrity

A systematic investigation of fluoride anion binding properties as a function of chelate backbone has been carried out for ferrocene functionalised boronic esters of the types FcB(OR)2 and fc[B(OR)2]2 [Fc = ferrocenyl = (eta5-C5H5)Fe(eta5-C5H4); fc = ferrocendiyl = Fe(eta5-C5H4)2]. Cyclic boronic esters containing a saturated five- or six-membered chelate ring are readily synthesized from ferrocene, and selectively bind fluoride via Lewis acid/base chemistry in chloroform solution. The resulting complexes are characterized by relatively weak fluoride binding (e.g.K = 35.8 +/- 9.8 M(-1) for FcBO2C2H2Ph2-S,S), and by cathodic shifts in the ferrocene oxidation potential that form the basis for electrochemical or colorimetric fluoride detection. The fluoride selectivity of these systems is attributed to relatively weak Lewis acidity, resulting in weak F- binding, and essentially no binding of potentially competitive anions. By contrast, more elaborate Lewis acid frameworks based on calix[4]arene (calixH4), such as (FcB)2calix or fcB2calix, do not survive intact exposure to standard fluoride sources (e.g. [nBu4N]F.xH2O solutions in chloroform or acetonitrile). Instead B-O bond cleavage occurs yielding the parent calixarene; the differences between alkoxo- and aryloxo-functionalised derivatives can be rationalised, at least in part, by consideration of the differences in electron donating capabilities of RO- (R = alkyl, aryl).     

Effect of additives on gelatinization,rheological properties and biodegradability of thermoplastic starch

Effect of additives on the starch gelatinization was governed by the processing conditions. The order-disorder transition of starch in water can occur in more than one way and the effect of polar additives on gelatinization can also be in more than one way. The additives appear to be plasticising thermoplastic starches, resulting in improving rheological properties. The thermoplastic starches with the additives are all biodegradable although the rates of biodegradability are slightly different.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-(phenylsulfonyl)propan-2-yl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane

The compound 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(1-(phenylsulfonyl)propan-2-yl)-1,3,2-dioxabo- rolane has been prepared by the rhodium catalyzed hydroboration of allyl phenyl sulfone and characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The title compound crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with cell parameters a=16.0728(8) ?, b=9.8884(5) ?, and c=10.1926(5) ?, β=92.067(1)°, Z=4, and V=1618.90(14) ?³. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final R=0.0449 for 3627 reflections with I>2σ(I). No significant intramolecular or intermolecular interaction is observed with the Lewis acidic boron atom.