Synthesis of a large amino-phenolic cage. Synthesis, crystal structures, and acid-base and coordination behavior toward cations and anions

The synthesis and characterization of the new polyaza-phenolic-macrobicycle 32-hydroxy-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaazatricyclo-[11.11.7.1(26,30)]-diatriconta-26,28,Delta(30,32)-triene (L) are reported. L incorporates a 2,6-dimethyl-phenolic unit bridging two opposite amine functions of the [24]aneN(8) polyazamacrocyclic base to obtain a large cage. The basicity and binding properties of L toward Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cl(-) were determined by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solution (298.1 +/- 0.1 K, I = 0.15 mol dm(-3)). L can add up to six acidic protons, yielding the H(5)L(5+) species or the H(6)L(6+) species, depending on the ionic medium used. The molecular topology of L permits the formation of a highly positive three-dimensional cavity in the polyprotonated species that is able to host the chloride anion. This was detected both using potentiometric data, log K = 41.33 for the reaction L + 6H(+) + Cl(-) = H(6)LCl(5+), and in (35)Cl NMR experiments that showed interactions also with the H(5)L(5+) and H(4)L(4+) species. The anion is probably hosted inside the three-dimensional cavity of L, and stabilized by H-bonding interactions with the ammonium groups, as depicted in the crystal structure of the H(6)L(6+) cation reported. L forms mono- and dinuclear complexes with all the metal ions investigated; the dinuclear species are the only existing species with an L:M(II) molar ratio of 1:2 at pH higher than 6. The phenolate oxygen atom coordinates the two metal ions in a bridged disposition, drawing them inside the macrobicyclic cavity. The two metals were found to be quite isolated by the medium, and were coordinated by all the amine groups of L, as shown by the crystal structure of the dinuclear [Zn(2)H(-1)L](3+) species. This species can bind guests such as hydroxide and phosphate anions. Studies of anion binding in aqueous solution using pyrochatecol violet as the sensing guest revealed that the [Zn(2)H(-1)L](3+) species is able to bind one phosphate at physiological pH.     

X-ray Structures of Three Penem Antibiotics: Molecular Mechanical and Dynamic Aspects

The structures of three -lactam penem antibiotics—i.e. the sodium[5R-[5,6(R*)]]-6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-7-oxo-3-[[(1-pyrrolidinylthioxomethyl)thio]methyl]-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0] hept-2-ene-2-carboxylate (compound 1), the [5R-[3(S*),5,6(R*)]]-3-[[2-(aminocarbonyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl] methyl]-6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (compound 2), and the [5R-[5,6(R*)]]-3-[[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl) methylamino]methyl]-6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (compound 3)—have been determined by X-ray analyses. In the crystal lattice two conformational isomers of 1 are present, which differ from each other in the spatial arrangement of the dithiocarbamate chain. Compounds 2 and 3 are in zwitterionic form, being the hydrogen of the carboxylic acid moved to the amino nitrogen of the chain at C2. This hydrogen atom, in both molecules, forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds with an oxygen atom of the carboxylate moiety and with the oxygen atom of the amido group of the side chain. The 3D structures of 1, 2, and 3 have been compared with those of previously reported -lactam penem antibiotics. Particularly, the Woodward parameter and the Cohen distance, which are considered important in determining the antibiotic activity, have been discussed. Least-squares minimizations (RMS) of the distances between nuclei of selected pairs of atoms defining the pharmacological pattern have been performed, comparing five common antibiotics (imipenem, ritipenem, cephaloridine, amoxycillin, and benzylpenicillin) with our compounds. Finally, molecular dynamics calculations have been carried out on the three penem antibiotics at different temperatures. The conformational behavior of the hydroxyethyl chain, the carboxylate group, and the chain at C2 is discussed by considering the variation of some selected dihedral angles.     

Polyamine macrocycles incorporating a phenolic function: their synthesis,basicity, and coordination behavior toward metal cations. Crystal structure of a binuclear nickel complex

The synthesis and characterization of two new polyazamacrocycles, 1,4,7,10-tetraaza[12](2,6)phenolphane (L1) and 1,4,7,10,13-pentaaza[15](2,6)phenolphane (L2), are reported. Both ligands incorporate the 2,6-phenolic unit within the cyclic framework. The basicity behavior and the ligational properties of L1 and L2 toward Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II) were determined by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solution (298.1 +/- 0.1 K, I = 0.15 mol dm-3). UV spectra were used to understand the role of the phenolic function in the stabilization of the cations. L1 and L2 behave as pentaprotic bases under the experimental conditions used. The UV spectra showed that the deprotonation of the phenolic function occurs at low pH values for both ligands, giving rise to the simultaneous presence of positive and (one) negative charges on the macrocycle. While L1 forms only mononuclear complexes, L2 can also form binuclear species with all the metal ions investigated. In the mononuclear species of both ligands, one nitrogen atom close to the phenol remains unbound. The UV spectra revealed that the phenol, bridging the two metal ions in phenolate form, plays an important role in the stabilization of the binuclear complexes of L2. The coordination sphere of the two metals is completed by adding a secondary ligand such as water molecules or OH-, in any case preferring substrates able to bridge the two close metal ions. These results are confirmed by the crystal structure of [Ni2(C16H28ON5)(H2O)2Cl2]Cl.H2O.CH3OH (space group P21/a, a = 14.821(5) A, b = 10.270(4) A, c = 17.663(6) A, beta = 108.87(3) degrees, V = 2544(2) A3, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0973, wR2 = 0.2136). This structure displays a Ni(II) binuclear complex of L2 in which the phenolic oxygen and a chlorine ion bridge the two close Ni(II) ions.     

X-Ray Structure of t-Butyldiazopyruvate and Its Theoretical Analysis Through a Variety of Computational Methods

The structure of the t-butyldiazopyruvate (1), an intermediate in the synthesis of DPTA-like ligands (DTPA = diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), has been determined by X-ray analysis. The molecule, which lies in a crystallographic mirror plane, is characterised by a cis arrangement of the two carbonylic oxygen atoms. Molecular mechanics and quantum mechanical molecular orbital calculations, at EHMO and ab initio levels, were performed in order to investigate the conformational properties of the isolated molecule. The packing effect has been examined by means of the program PROMET (5) by calculating the packing energies for a number of possible crystal structures. It is found that the energetic differences calculated for the various effects are small and comparable. Thus, the cis conformation found in the experimental structure is not in deep contrast with the theoretical calculations for the free molecule which favor the trans conformer. An energy barrier is detected by all of the computational methods when two CO functional groups lie in orthogonal planes. Importantly, a search in the Cambridge Structural Database indicates that all of the torsional conformations are possible in the 0–180° range. The complexity of the contrasting energetic factors is presented in some detail.     

Dominulin A and B: Two new antibacterial peptides identified on the cuticle and in the venom of the social paper wasp Polistes dominulus using MALDI-TOF, MALDI-TOF/TOF, and ESI-ion trap

Two new antibacterial peptides, denominated as Dominulin A and B, have been found on the cuticle and in the venom of females of the social paper wasp Polistes dominulus. The amino acidic sequence of the two peptides, determined by mass spectrometry, is INWKKIAE VGGKIL SSL for Dominulin A (MW = 1854 Da) and INWKKIAEIGKQVL SAL (MW = 1909 Da) for Dominulin B. Their presence on the cuticle was confirmed using MALDI-TOF by means of micro-extractions and direct analyses on body parts. The presence in the venom and the primary structure of the dominulins suggest their classification in the mastoparans, a class of peptides found in the venom of other Aculeate hymenoptera. Their antimicrobial action against Gram+ and Gram- bacteria fits in the range of the best natural antimicrobial peptides. Dominulins can represent an important defense of the colony of Polistes dominulus against microbial pathogens.     

π-Polyolefin and π-acetylene cobalt(I) complexes with the tris(tertiary phosphine) 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane. X-ray structure of [(triphos)Co(η4-C7H8)]ClO4 · O.5 CH2Cl2

Cationic cobalt(I) complexes with the general formula [(triphos)Co(L)]Y (triphos  1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl) ethane; L  1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, phenylacetylene, diphenylacetylene) have been obtained by reaction of cobalt perchlorate with a variety of conjugated polyolefins or with acetylenes in the presence of the triphos ligand. The crystal structure of the complex [(triphos)Co(C₇H₈)]ClO₄ · 0.5 CH₂Cl₂ has been determined by an X-ray analysis using diffractometric data. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with cell dimensions a 10.514(3), b 15.041(5), c 54.795(12) Å, β 92.61(3)°, Z  8. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares techniques to a final conventional R factor of 0.091. The structure, which consists of [(triphos)Co(C₇H₈)]⁺ cations, perchlorate anions, and interposed CH₂-Cl₂ solvent molecules, shows that the cycloheptatriene molecule acts as a tetrahapto ligand. The coordination polyhedron can be regarded either as a distorted square pyramid or as a distorted octahedron. The coordination geometries of all complexes have been assigned on the basis of this structure determination and of IR and NMR data.