On a conjecture of Vorst

Let k be an infinite perfect field of positive characteristic such that strong resolution of singularities holds over k. We prove that a localization of a d-dimensional commutative k-algebra R of finite type is K _d+1-regular if and only if it is regular. This partially affirms a conjecture of Vorst.     

Cymantrene radical cation family: spectral and structural characterization of the half-sandwich analogues of ferrocenium ion

The anodic one-electron oxidation of three members of the half-sandwich family of piano-stool compounds MnCp (gamma)(CO) 3, where Cp (gamma) is a generic cyclopentadienyl ligand, has been studied in a CH 2Cl 2/[NBu 4][TFAB] electrolyte (TFAB = [B(C6F5) 4] (-)). The long-sought 17 e (-) radical cation of the parent complex MnCp(CO) 3 (cymantrene, 1, E 1/2 = 0.92 V vs ferrocene) has been shown to be persistent in solutions that use weakly coordinating anions in place of more nucleophilic traditional electrolyte anions. Spectroscopically characterized for the first time, 1 (+) was shown to absorb in the visible (530 nm), near-IR (2066 nm), and IR (2118, 1934 cm (-1)) regions. It was ESR-active at low temperatures (g parallel = 2.213, g perpendicular = 2.079, A parallel (Mn) = 79.2 G, A perpendicular (Mn) = 50 G) and NMR active at room temperature (delta = 22.4 vs TMS). The radical cations of the Cp-functionalized analogues, Mn(eta (5)-C5H 4NH2)(CO) 3, 2, E 1/2 = 0.62 V, and MnCp*(CO) 3 (Cp*= eta (5)-C 5Me 5, 3), E 1/2 = 0.64 V, were generated electrochemically as well by the chemical oxidant [ReCp(CO) 3] (+). The structures of 2 (+) and 3 (+) were determined by X-ray crystallographic studies of their TFAB salts. Compared to the structures of the corresponding neutral compounds, the cations showed elongated Mn-C(O) bonds and shortened C-O bonds, displaying the effect of diminished metal-to-CO backbonding. The bond-length changes in the Mn(CO) 3 moiety were much larger in 3 (+) (avg changes, Mn-C(O) = + 0.142 A, C-O = -0.063 A) than in 2 (+) (avg changes, Mn-C(O) = + 0.006 A, C-O = -0.003 A). Although there were only minor changes in the metal-to-center ring distances upon oxidation of either 2 or 3, there was decidedly less bending of the C(N) atom out of the cyclopentadienyl plane in 2 (+) compared to 2. The optical, vibrational, and magnetic resonance spectra of radicals 2 (+) and 3 (+) were also observed. The spectral data argue for the SOMOs of the 17-electron species being largely located on the Mn(CO) 3 moiety, having 40-50% Mn d-orbital character, with the ground states of the radicals, most likely (2)A', lying close in energy (within about 6000 cm (-1)) to excited states that are responsible for their rapid electronic relaxations. The cymantrenyl moiety is proposed as an anodic redox tag (or label) having physical and chemical properties that are significantly different from those of its ferrocenyl analogue.     

Stereoelectronic effects on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts in methoxybenzenes

Investigation of all O-methyl ethers of 1,2,3-benzenetriol and 4-methyl-1,2,3-benzenetriol (3-16) by 1H NMR spectroscopy and density-functional calculations disclosed practically useful conformational effects on 1H NMR chemical shifts in the aromatic ring. While the conversion of phenol (2) to anisole (1) causes only small positive changes of 1H NMR chemical shifts (Delta delta < 0.08 ppm) that decrease in the order Hortho > Hmeta > Hpara, the experimental O-methylation induced shifts in ortho-disubstituted phenols are largest for Hpara, Delta delta equals; 0.19 +/- 0.02 ppm (n = 11). The differences are due to different conformational behavior of the OH and OCH3 groups; while the ortho-disubstituted OH group remains planar in polyphenols due to hydrogen bonding and conjugative stabilization, the steric congestion in ortho-disubstituted anisoles outweighs the conjugative effects and forces the Ar-OCH3 torsion out of the ring plane, resulting in large stereoelectronic effects on the chemical shift of Hpara. Conformational searches and geometry optimizations for 3-16 at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, followed by B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) calculations for all low-energy conformers, gave excellent correlation between computed and observed 1H NMR chemical shifts, including agreement between computed and observed chemical shift changes caused by O-methylation. The observed regularities can aid structure elucidation of partly O-methylated polyphenols, including many natural products and drugs, and are useful in connection with chemical shift predictions by desktop computer programs.     

Spatial and temporal electrochemical control of singlet oxygen production and decay in photosensitized experiments

Active spatial and temporal modulation of domains of singlet oxygen activity is demonstrated using electrochemical tools. Using singlet oxygen microscopy in photosensitized experiments, it is shown that singlet oxygen concentrations around an ultramicroelectrode can be controlled by applying a bias voltage to the electrode. Two phenomena that can be exploited separately or collectively are examined: (1) the singlet oxygen concentration can be altered by local oxidation or reduction of the photosensitizer, which is the precursor to singlet oxygen, and (2) the reduction of oxygen to produce the superoxide anion which, among other things, is an effective singlet oxygen quencher, results in a local decrease in the concentration of singlet oxygen around the electrode. Both of these phenomena depend significantly on the diffusion of molecules along concentration gradients established by the biased electrode. The results reported herein demonstrate that one can indeed exert local electrochemical control and readily manipulate the population of singlet oxygen produced in a photosensitized process.     

Synthesis and self-association properties of flexible guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole-carboxylate zwitterions in DMSO: intra- versus intermolecular ion pairing

We have synthesized a new class of flexible zwitterions 6a-e, in which a carboxylate is linked via an alkyl chain with variable length (one to five methylene groups) to a guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole cation. The self-association properties of these zwitterions were determined by NMR dilution studies in DMSO and by ESI-MS experiments. The stability and hence also the size of the aggregates formed via self-assembly is critically dependent on the length and therefore flexibility of the spacer. Whereas the smallest zwitterion 6a forms large aggregates already at low concentrations, the more flexible zwitterions only form small oligomers (6b) or dimers (6c-e) at much larger concentrations. The differences between the five zwitterions can be explained based on the different extent of intramolecular ion pairing within the monomers. Any intramolecular ion pairing, which becomes possible with increasing linker length, stabilizes the monomer and therefore destabilizes any oligomer.     

High-density targeting of a viral multifunctional nanoplatform to a pathogenic, biofilm-forming bacterium

Nanomedicine directed at diagnosis and treatment of infections can benefit from innovations that have substantially increased the variety of available multifunctional nanoplatforms. Here, we targeted a spherical, icosahedral viral nanoplatform to a pathogenic, biofilm-forming bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. Density of binding mediated through specific protein-ligand interactions exceeded the density expected for a planar, hexagonally close-packed array. A multifunctionalized viral protein cage was used to load imaging agents (fluorophore and MRI contrast agent) onto cells. The fluorescence-imaging capability allowed for direct observation of penetration of the nanoplatform into an S. aureus biofilm. These results demonstrate that multifunctional nanoplatforms based on protein cage architectures have significant potential as tools for both diagnosis and targeted treatment of recalcitrant bacterial infections.     

A robust force field based method for calculating conformational energies of charged drug-like molecules

The binding affinity of a drug-like molecule depends among other things on the availability of the bioactive conformation. If the bioactive conformation has a significantly higher energy than the global minimum energy conformation, then the molecule is unlikely to bind to its target. Determination of the global minimum energy conformation and calculation of conformational penalties of binding is a prerequisite for prediction of reliable binding affinities. Here, we present a simple and computationally efficient procedure to estimate the global energy minimum for a wide variety of structurally diverse molecules, including polar and charged compounds. Identifying global energy minimum conformations of such compounds with force field methods is problematic due to the exaggeration of intramolecular electrostatic interactions. We demonstrate that the global energy minimum conformations of zwitterionic compounds generated by conformational analysis with modified electrostatics are good approximations of the conformational distributions predicted by experimental data and with molecular dynamics performed in explicit solvent. Finally the method is used to calculate conformational penalties for zwitterionic GluA2 agonists and to filter false positives from a docking study.     

Increased fraction of low-density structures in aqueous solutions of fluoride

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) were utilized to study the effect of fluoride (F(-)) anion in aqueous solutions. XAS spectra show that F(-) increases the number of strong H-bonds, likely between F(-) and water in the first hydration shell. SAXS data show a low-Q scattering intensity increase similar to the effect of a temperature decrease, suggesting an enhanced anomalous scattering behavior in F(-) solutions. Quantitative analysis revealed that fluoride solutions have larger correlation lengths than chloride solutions with the same cations but shorter compared to pure water. This is interpreted as an increased fraction of tetrahedral low-density structures in the solutions due to the presence of the F(-) ions, which act as nucleation centers replacing water in the H-bonding network and forming stronger H-bonds, but the presence of the cations restricts the extension of strong H-bonds.     

Latest Advances Towards Ras Inhibition: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective

Owing to their high occurrence rate across many human cancers and their lack of druggability so far, mutant forms of the signaling protein Ras are currently among the most attractive (and elusive) oncology targets. This strong appeal explains the sustained effort in the field, and the ensuing progress has rekindled optimism regarding the discovery of Ras inhibitors. In this Minireview, we discuss the most recent advances towards irreversible inhibitors, and highlight approaches to inhibitors of Ras–effector interactions that have been overshadowed by the current focus on direct Ras inhibition. At the same time, we provide a critical assessment from a medicinal chemistry perspective.