Remarkably large positive and negative allosteric effects on ion recognition by the formation of a novel helical pseudocryptand

In supramolecular chemistry, a great deal of attention has focused on regulating guest binding via an external stimulus. To utilize the same effector for both highly guest-selective positive and negative allosteric effects, however, stricter and more precise regulation of the host structure is required. A novel allosteric host 1 binds Fe(II) to afford the pseudocryptand, 1.Fe(II), which bears a cavity that is surrounded by three polyether chains in a helical fashion. The binding selectivity of 1 (Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+) is the opposite of 1.Fe(II) (Cs+ > Rb+ > K+ > Na+). Single-ion transport through a liquid membrane shows ion selectivity similar to the equilibrium constants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an allosteric recognition system, in which the same effector, that is, Fe(II), exhibits both large positive and negative allosteric effects on equilibrium and dynamic recognition events. The X-ray analysis and 1H NMR examination indicate that the combination of the macrobicyclic effect and the intramolecular interchain interactions (CH-pi interaction and steric hindrance) finely controls the positive and negative allosteric effects, which depend on the size of the guest. The helical framework opens a new general method for constructing more sophisticated, controllable receptors for helical biomolecules, for example, DNA and proteins, and helical molecular devices such as a molecular coil or spring responding to a stimulus.     

Supramolecular structures of macromolecules containing bipyridine–copper(I) complexes as revealed from transmission electron microscopy studies

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies on bipyridine (bpy) containing block copolymer systems showed the formation of nanoscopic polymer–ion complexes through complexation with copper(I) ions which segregated to highly ordered columnar domains of mesoscopic dimensions. The domains, i.e. stacks of [(bpy)₂Cu(I)] complex moieties could be visualized by complementary TEM techniques. First, electron energy loss spectra (EELS) showed the absorption edges of copper and nitrogen, which are specific for the bipyridine copper complexes. The element spectroscopic imaging (ESI) technique allowed the imaging of the net copper and net nitrogen distribution, and the coinciding pictures exhibited a microphase separated system in the case of a 3-block copolymer with complexed end segments. High resolution elastic bright field images showed interference lines with a line to line distance of about 8 A which could be related to the Cu–Cu distance in staggered Cu(I)–bipyridine complexes. Received: 6 August 1997 Accepted: 28 April 1998     

Beiträge zur Chemie der Pyrrolpigmente, 31. Mitt.: Die Spin-Gitter-Relaxation in den1H-NMR-Spektren von Bilatrienen-abc

The¹H-NMR spin lattice relaxation times of aetiobiliverdin-IV- and biliverdindimethylester were determined using the inversion recovery technique. The relaxation times of protons attached to the terminal rings A and D are longer than those situated at the rings B and C which points to a higher mobility of rings A and D. Moreover these measurements allowed an independent assignment of the¹H-NMR-signals of the methyl groups of biliverdindimethylester.

30. Mitt.:H. Falk undT. Schlederer, Ann. Chem., im Druck.     

On-line coupling of packed capillary electrochromatography with coordination ion spray-mass spectrometry for the separation of enantiomers

Pressure-supported packed capillary electrochromatography (CEC) and packed capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (pHPLC) have been coupled on-line to electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and coordination ion spray-mass spectrometry (CIS-MS). Separation of enantiomers of barbiturates and chlorinated alkyl phenoxypropanoates were performed on a permethylated beta-cyclodextrin stationary phase by pressure-supported CEC. For on-line detection with ESI- and CIS-MS, a modified sheath-liquid interface was used. CIS-MS is a universal, novel ionization technique which improves the selectivity as well as the sensitivity. Charged complexes were formed through the addition of central complexing ions such as silver(I), cobalt(II), copper(II), and lithium(I) to the sheath flow. Advantages of CIS-MS detection compared to the ESI-MS mode are discussed. In the CIS-MS mode, increased sensitivity and high selectivity was attained through different possibilities of complexation. The superiority of pressure-supported CEC compared to pHPLC in the hyphenation with CIS-MS is demonstrated.     

Synthesis of the Oviposition-Deterring Pheromone (ODP) in Rhagoletis cerasi L. Preliminary communication

For the assignment of the configuration at C(8) and C(15) of the natural oviposition-deterring pheromone 1 in Rhagoletis cerasi L., the four possible stereoisomers of 1 are synthesized. By condensing the C₆ building blocks (5R)- 4 and (5S)- 4 with the boron enolates of the C₁₀ building blocks (4S)- 13 and (4R)- 13 , followed by decarboxylative dehydration, all stereoisomers of 16 are available (Scheme 5). Glucosylation of 16 followed by formation of the taurin amide gives, after deprotection, the four stereoisomers (8R,15S)- 1 , (8R,15R)- 1 , (8R,15S) -1 , and (8S,15S)- 1 (Scheme 6).     

Silica-Based and Transition Metal-Based Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials—A Comparison

Organically substituted metal alkoxides can be prepared by reaction of the parent alkoxides with complexing organic compounds. The chemical and structural consequences of such substitutions are discussed in this article. Examples are given showing how functional organic moieties, such as polymerizable groups, can be incorporated into sol-gel materials via the complexing ligands. Major structural differences between silica-based and metal-based hybrid materials originate from the different charge/coordination number ratios of silicon and most metals. This results in a high tendency for the molecular building blocks to aggregate. In many cases, metal oxide clusters are formed which are capped by the organic ligands. Such surface-modified clusters are themselves very valuable condensed matter units for materials syntheses.     

Automated multiple-layer spotting for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of synthetic polymers utilizing ink-jet printing technology

Recently, a new multiple-layer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) sample spotting technique for poly(ethylene glycol), offering improved analysis possibilities, was described. In this contribution the application of ink-jet printing to automated, multiple-layer MALDI-TOFMS sample preparation of synthetic polymers is presented, allowing accurate deposition of matrix, additive and analyte solutions. The new sample preparation technique was evaluated for poly(ethylene glycol) as well as poly(methyl methacrylate) standards, and optimized settings for both synthetic polymers have been obtained.     

Hydrogenation without a transition-metal catalyst: on the mechanism of the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones

The hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates such as olefins and ketones is usually effected by homogeneous or heterogeneous transition-metal catalysts. On the other hand, a single case of a transition-metal-free and purely base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was reported by Walling and Bollyky some 40 years ago. Unfortunately, the harsh reaction conditions (ca. 200 degrees C, >100 bar H(2), potassium tert-butoxide as base) limit the substrate spectrum of this reaction to robust, nonenolizable ketones such as benzophenone. We herein present a mechanistic study of this process as a basis for future rational improvement. The base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was found to be irreversible, and it shows first-order kinetics with respect to the substrate ketone, hydrogen, and catalytic base. The rate of the reaction depends on the type of alkali ion present (Cs > Rb - K > Na > Li). Using D(2) instead of H(2) revealed a rapid base-catalyzed isotope exchange/equilibration between the gas phase and the solvent as a concomitant reaction. The degree of deuteration of the product alcohols did not indicate a significant kinetic isotope effect. It is proposed that both ketone reduction and isotope exchange proceed via similar six-membered cyclic transition states involving the H(2)(D(2))-molecule, the alkoxide base, and the ketone (solvent alcohol in the case of isotope exchange). Mechanistic analogies are pointed out which apparently exist between the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones studied here and the Ru-catalyzed asymmetric ketone hydrogenation developed by Noyori. In both cases, heterolysis of the hydrogen molecule appears to be assisted by a Br?nsted-base (i.e., alkoxide), the latter being bound to the substrate ketone or the catalyst ligand, respectively, by a bridging Lewis-acidic alkali ion.     

Über Chalkogenolate. 159. Umsetzung von 1,2-Ethandithiolaten mit Kohlenstoffdisulfid 1. Darstellung und Eigenschaften von 1,2-Ethan-bis(trithiocarbonaten)

On Chalcogenolates. 159. Reaction of 1,2-Ethanedithiolates with Carbon Disulfide. 1. Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2-Ethane-bis(trithiocarbonates) The reaction of 1,2-ethanedithiolates with carbon disulfide forms the corresponding 1,2-ethane-bis(trithiocarbonates). The compounds M₂[S₂C? SCH₂CH₂S? CS₂] with M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, NH₄, Tl have been characterized with chemical methods as well as by means of electron absorption, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C), and mass spectra.