Isochorismate pyruvate lyase: a pericyclic reaction mechanism?

Isochorismate pyruvate lyase (IPL) catalyzes the cleavage of isochorismate to give salicylate and pyruvate, a key step in bacterial siderophore biosynthesis. We investigated the enzyme from Pseudomonas aeruginosa using isochorismate selectively deuterated at C2 as a substrate. Monitoring the reaction by 2H NMR spectroscopy revealed that the label is quantitatively transferred from C2 to C9, producing stoichiometric amounts of [3-2H]pyruvate as product. Moreover, the deuterium kinetic isotope effect of 2.34 +/- 0.08 on kcat indicates that C-H cleavage is significantly rate limiting. Consistent with these data, hybrid density functional theory (HDFT) calculations at the Becke3LYP/DZ+(2d,p) level of theory predict a concerted but highly asynchronous pericyclic transition structure, in which carbon-oxygen bond cleavage is more advanced than hydrogen atom transfer from C2 to C9; the calculated 2H isotope effect of 2.22 at C2 is in excellent accord with the experimental value. Together, these findings indicate that IPL should be added to the small set of proteins that are known to catalyze pericyclic reactions. They also raise the possibility that enzymes, such as chorismate pyruvate lyase, salicylate synthase, 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate lyase, and anthranilate synthase, which accelerate formally similar reaction steps, may also exploit pericyclic mechanisms.     

Dipolar and nonpolar altitudinal molecular rotors mounted on an Au(111) surface

We describe the preparation of a compound whose molecules consist of two metal sandwich stands carrying tentacles with affinity to metal surfaces and holding an axle that carries a dipolar or a nonpolar rotator. The dipolar rotor exists as three pairs of enantiomers, rapidly interconverting at room temperature. When mounted on a gold surface, each molecule represents a chiral altitudinal rotor, with the rotator axle parallel to the surface. The surface-mounted rotor molecules are characterized by several spectroscopic and imaging techniques. At any one time, in about one-third of the dipolar rotors the rotator is free to turn and the direction of its dipole can be flipped by the electric field applied by an STM tip, as revealed by differential barrier height imaging. Molecular dynamics calculations suggest that electric field normal to the surface causes members of one pair of enantiomers to rotate unidirectionally.     

Nanostructured thermoresponsive quantum dot/PNIPAM assemblies

Synthesis, characterization, and applications of novel thermoresponsive polymeric coatings for quantum dots (QDs) are presented. Comb-copolymers featuring hydrophobic alkyl groups, carboxylic groups and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) side chains with molar masses ranging from 1000 g/mol to 25,400 g/mol were obtained. The amphiphilic comb-copolymers were shown to efficiently transfer the QDs to aqueous media. The PNIPAM-coated QD materials display a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The absorbance, luminescence emission, size of the assemblies, and electrophoretic mobility were followed as a function of temperature and the reversibility of the temperature induced changes is demonstrated by cyclic heating and cooling.     

Methyl 4-toluenesulfonyloxymethylphosphonate, a new and versatile reagent for the convenient synthesis of phosphonate-containing compounds

A straightforward procedure leading to the new phosphonylating reagent, methyl 4-toluenesulfonyloxymethylphosphonate, requiring no chromatographic purification is described. This stable reagent works with the same efficiency as dimethyl and other dialkyl esters for the introduction of an O-phosphonomethyl moiety while, in contrast to dimethyl ester, it does not cause any unwanted methylation of sensitive functionalities. Its utility for the alkylation of protected nucleosides in high yield is exemplified.     

Modified interfacial statistical associating fluid theory: a perturbation density functional theory for inhomogeneous complex fluids

A density functional theory based on Wertheim's first order perturbation theory is developed for inhomogeneous complex fluids. The theory is derived along similar lines as interfacial statistical associating fluid theory [S. Tripathi and W. G. Chapman, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 094506 (2005)]. However, the derivation is more general and applies broadly to a range of systems, retaining the simplicity of a segment density based theory. Furthermore, the theory gives the exact density profile for ideal chains in an external field. The general avail of the theory has been demonstrated by applying the theory to lipids near surfaces, lipid bilayers, and copolymer thin films. The theoretical results show excellent agreement with the results from molecular simulations.     

Wave packet driven dissociation and concerted elimination in CH2I2

We follow the evolution of a vibrational wave packet in a highly excited state of the halogenated methane CH(2)I(2). We observe how the wave packet modulates both dissociation and concerted elimination to form CH(2)I(+) and I(2) (+), respectively. We present a simple and intuitive interpretation of the molecular dynamics leading to the formation of the products.     

Cyclization of Pyrene Oligomers: Cyclohexa‐1,3‐pyrenylene

First synthesis of the macrocycle cyclohexa(1,3‐pyrenylene) is achieved in six steps starting with pyrene, leading to a non‐aggregating highly twisted blue‐light‐emitting material. The cyclodehydrogenation of the macrocycle offers a promising synthesis route to holey‐nanographene.     

Three Short Stories about Hexaarylbenzene–Porphyrin Scaffolds

A feasible two‐step synthesis and characterization of a full series of hexaarylbenzene (HAB) substituted porphyrins and tetrabenzoporphyrins is presented. Key steps represent the microwave‐assisted porphyrin condensation and the statistical Diels–Alder reaction to the desired HAB‐porphyrins. Regarding their applications, they proved to be easily accessible and effective high molecular mass calibrants for (MA)LDI mass spectrometry. The free‐base and zinc(II) porphyrin systems, as well as the respective tetrabenzoporphyrins, demonstrate in solid state experiments strong red‐ and near‐infrared‐light emission and are potentially interesting for the application in “truly organic” light‐emitting devices. Lastly, they represent facile precursors to large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) substituted porphyrins. We prepared the first tetra‐hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene substituted porphyrin, which represents the largest prepared PAH‐porphyrin conjugate to date.     

NHC‐CAAC Heterodimers with Three Stable Oxidation States

The synthesis of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (CAAC) heterodimers is presented. As the free carbenes do not react together in solution, the synthetic approach involves the addition of a free NHC to a cyclic iminium salt, which results in the formation of the protonated heterodimer. Subsequent deprotonation leads to the isolation of the corresponding mixed Wanzlick dimers. One‐ and two‐electron oxidations of these triazaolefins result in the formation of stable cationic radicals and bis(cations), respectively, which have been isolated and fully characterized. Cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, spin density, and DFT calculations suggest that these heterodimers feature complementary electronic properties to tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs).