Octanuclear and nonanuclear supramolecular copper(II) complexes with linear "tritopic" ligands: structural and magnetic studies

The structures and magnetic properties of self-assembled copper(II) clusters and grids with the "tritopic" ligands 2poap (a), Cl2poap (b), m2poap (c), Cl2pomp (d), and 2pomp (e) are described [ligands derived by reaction of 4-R-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic hydrazide (R = H, Cl, MeO) with 2-pyridinemethylimidate (a-c, respectively) or 2-acetylpyridine (d, R = Cl; e, R = H)]. Cl2poap and Cl2pomp self-assemble with Cu(NO(3))(2) to form octanuclear "pinwheel" cluster complexes [Cu(8)(Cl2poap-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].20H(2)O (1) and [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].15H(2)O (2), built on a square [2 x 2] grid with four pendant copper arms, using "mild" reaction conditions. Similar reactions of Cl2pomp and 2pomp with Cu(ClO(4))(2) produce pinwheel clusters [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8).7H(2)O (3) and [Cu(8)(2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8) (4), respectively. Heating a solution of 1 in MeOH/H(2)O produces a [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complex, [Cu(9)(Cl2poap-H)(3)(Cl2poap-2H)(3)](NO(3))(9).18H(2)O (5), which is also produced by direct reaction of the ligand and metal salt under similar conditions. Reaction of m2poap with Cu(NO(3))(2) produces only the [3 x 3] grid [Cu(9)(m2poap-H)(2)(m2poap-2H)(4)](NO(3))(8).17H(2)O (6) under similar conditions. Mixing the tritopic ligand 2poap with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (picd) in the presence of Cu(NO(3))(2) produces a remarkable mixed ligand, nonanuclear grid complex [Cu(9)(2poap-H)(4)(picd-H)(3)(picd-2H)](NO(3))(9).9H(2)O (7), in which aromatic pi-stacking interactions are important in stabilizing the structure. Complexes 1-3 and 5-7 involve single oxygen atom (alkoxide) bridging connections between adjacent copper centers, while complex 4 has an unprecedented mixed micro-(N-N) and micro-O metal ion connectivity. Compound 1 (C(76)H(92)N(44)Cu(8)O(50)Cl(4)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.645(1) A, c = 12.950(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 (C(84)H(88)N(36)O(44)Cl(4)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.2562(8) A, c = 12.7583(9) A, and Z = 2. Compound 4 (C(84)H(120)N(28)O(66)Cl(8)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I4(1)/a, with a = 20.7790(4) A, c = 32.561(1) A, and Z = 4. Compound 7(C(104)H(104)N(46)O(56)Cu(9)) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 15.473(1) A, b = 19.869(2) A, c = 23.083(2) A, alpha = 88.890(2) degrees, beta = 81.511(2) degrees, gamma = 68.607(1) degrees, and Z = 2. All complexes exhibit dominant intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange coupling, resulting from an orthogonal bridging arrangement within each polynuclear structure.     

Nanostructure-Driven Indocyanine Green Dimerization Generates Ultra-Stable Phototheranostics Nanoparticles

Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared (NIR) dye approved for clinical use. Despite its versatility in photonic applications and potential for photothermal therapy, its photobleaching hinders its application. Here we discovered a nanostructure of dimeric ICG (Nano-dICG) generated by using ICG to stabilize nanoemulsions, after which ICG enabled complete dimerization on the nanoemulsion shell, followed by J-aggregation of ICG-dimer, resulting in a narrow, red-shifted (780 nm→894 nm) and intense (≈2-fold) absorbance. Compared to ICG, Nano-dICG demonstrated superior photothermal conversion (2-fold higher), significantly reduced photodegradation (−9.6 % vs. −46.3 %), and undiminished photothermal effect (7 vs. 2 cycles) under repeated irradiations, in addition to excellent colloidal and structural stabilities. Following intravenous injection, Nano-dICG enabled real-time tracking of its delivery to mouse tumors within 24 h by photoacoustic imaging at NIR wavelength (890 nm) distinct from the endogenous signal to guide effective photothermal therapy. The unprecedented finding of nanostructure-driven ICG dimerization leads to an ultra-stable phototheranostic platform.     

A more sensitive MS detector does not obviously lead to a more sensitive assay: experiences with ES-285

In this paper the transfer of an existing method for the quantitative determination of the anticancer agent ES-285 in human plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry on an API 365 to an API 3000 mass spectrometer is described. The transfer appeared not to be straightforward. Problems arose resulting from carry-over and interferences. In addition, due to the expansion of the calibration range, data ought to be weighted with a different factor to increase the accuracy of the lower concentrations. After finding appropriate solutions for these problems, the lower limit of quantitation could be lowered from 10 to 1 ng/mL for ES-285 in human plasma. The usefulness and necessity of the modified assay was demonstrated by analysis of plasma samples from a patient receiving a low dosage of the drug.     

Crystal structures of 4,7-phenanthrolino-5,6:5′,6′-pyrazine tetrahydrate and 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene dihydrate

The crystal structures of 4,7-phenanthrolino-5,6:5,6-pyrazine tetrahydrate (I) and 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene dihydrate (II) have been determined from low temperature (173 K) x-ray single crystal diffraction data. I crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P with a = 11.2687(6), b = 12.4766(6), c = 12.7068(7) Å, = 113.4740(10), = 91.605(2), = 114.587(2)°, V = 1449.33(13) ų, and Z = 4. II crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pca2₁ with a = 18.187(2), b = 9.2576(11), c = 6.9672(8) Å, V = 1173.0(2) ų, and Z = 4. In both structures the planar heterocyclic molecules stack with interplanar distances down to 3.3 Å, which is consistent with self--complexation. The crystal water molecules provide links between the columns of stacked molecules through hydrogen bonds. In each compound the N-C bond lengths fall into two distinct groups (mean values 1.330(3) vs 1.361(1) Å in I and 1.320(3) vs 1.357(5) Å in II), as do the C-C bonds of the central phenyl rings (1.411(4) vs 1.467(1) Å in I and 1.405(5) vs 1.458(4) Å in II).     

Retention studies of 2′-2′-difluorodeoxycytidine and 2′-2′-difluorodeoxyuridine nucleosides and nucleotides on porous graphitic carbon: Development of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method

The development of a method for the separation of 2′-2′-difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine, dFdC), 2′-2′-difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU) and their mono-, di- and triphosphates using a porous graphitic carbon column (Hypercarb), without ion-pairing agent, is described. The retention of dFdC and dFdU could be controlled with an organic modifier (acetonitrile, CH₃CN) and the retention of the anionic nucleotides with an eluting ion (bicarbonate). Separation of all analytes was achieved using a 0–25 mM ammonium bicarbonate gradient in CH₃CN–H₂O (15:85, v/v). Under these conditions, however, very long re-equilibration times were required. Injection of an acidic solution (100 μL 10% formic acid in H₂O, v/v; 2.65 M) after running a gradient directly restored the separation capabilities of the column. Still, separation between the analytes slowly deteriorated over a period of months. These problems were solved by preconditioning the column with a pH buffered hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solution (0.05% H₂O₂ in CH₃CN–H₂O (15:85, v/v), pH 4) before starting an analytical run. The oxidation of the stationary phase with H₂O₂ prevented its slow reduction, which most likely caused the decreasing retention times. The analytes were detected using tandem mass spectrometry.     

Optical and redox properties of a series of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene oligomers

The optical and redox properties of a series of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene oligomers (EDOTn, n=1-4) and their beta,beta'-unsubstituted analogues (Tn, n=1-4) are described. Both series are end capped with phenyl groups to prevent irreversible alpha-coupling reactions during oxidative doping. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of both series reveal a significantly higher degree of intrachain conformational order in the EDOTn oligomers. Oxidation potentials (E(PA1) and E(PA2)) determined by cyclic voltammetry reveal that those of EDOTn are significantly lower than the corresponding Tn oligomers as a consequence of the electron-donating 3,4-ethylenedioxy substitution. Linear fits of E(PA1) and E(PA2) versus the reciprocal number of double bonds reveal significantly steeper slopes for the EDOTn than for the Tn oligomers. This could indicate a more effective conjugation for the EDOTn series, confirmed by the fact that coalescence of E(PA1) and E(PA2) is reached already at relatively short chain lengths ( approximately 5 EDOT units) in contrast to the Tn series (>10 thiophene units). The stepwise chemical oxidation of the EDOTn and Tn oligomers in solution was carried out to obtain radical cations and dications. The energies of the optical transitions of the radical cations and dications as determined by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy were similar for the two series. These spectroscopic observations are consistent with quantum-chemical calculations performed on the singly charged molecules. Cooling solutions containing T2.+, T3.+, EDOT2.+, and EDOT3.+ revealed the reversible formation of dimers, albeit with a somewhat different tendency, expressed in the values for the dimerization enthalpy.     

Computer-Assisted HPLC Method Development for Determination of Tolmetin and Possible Kinetic Modulators of Its Oxidative Metabolism in Vivo

Following administration of the acidic drug tolmetin (TOL) anaphylactic reactions occurred, which have been hypothesized to be related to the formation of reactive acyl glucuronides. Recently, glutathione adducts have been detected upon incubation of TOL with human liver microsomal preparations, which proved that oxidative activation might also be a pathway of formation of reactive—possibly toxic—glutathione metabolites of TOL. The aim of this work was to develop a new and robust HPLC method to investigate the in vivo effect of 2 coadministered drugs/nutritional supplements on the kinetics of TOL in rats (cimetidine; CIM) known to be a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4, an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative metabolism and Quercetin; and QUE which induces UGT1A6, an enzyme involved in glucuronidation of acidic drugs. DryLab^®, a computer simulation software package, was used to assist in the development and optimization of the HPLC method used for separation of TOL and the two potential kinetic modulators together with three potential internal standards (zomepirac, carvedilol and fexofenadine). The method was validated in biological samples obtained from rats. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis of data obtained from plasma and rat liver tissue showed significantly higher concentrations of TOL in the presence of CIM; and significantly longer elimination half-life lives in presence of QUE, which implies that drugs or food components interacting with CYP3A4 cause alteration in the metabolic oxidative biotransformation of TOL in vivo leading to accumulation of TOL in the body through a decrease of its clearance. These findings might account for to the side-effects associated with TOL when co-administered with such kinetic modulators.

     

A review of the bioanalytical methods for the quantitative determination of capecitabine and its metabolites in biological matrices

The bioanalysis of the oral anticancer drug capecitabine and its metabolites has been investigated extensively over the past years. This paper reviews methods for the bioanalysis of capecitabine and its metabolites. The focus of this review will be on sample pre-treatment, chromatography and detection. Furthermore, the choice of standards and analytical problems encountered during analysis of capecitabine and its metabolites in biological matrices will be discussed. The major challenges in the bioanalysis of capecitabine and its metabolites are the simultaneous extraction and analysis due to the differences in polarity of the analytes. Furthermore we evaluate currently described methods for the quantification of capecitabine and its metabolites. Future wishes and perspectives are stated that could serve as an inspiration for further development of assays for the quantification of capecitabine and its metabolites.     

Coordination "oligomers" in self-assembly reactions of some "tritopic" picolinic dihydrazone ligands-mononuclear, dinuclear, hexanuclear, heptanuclear, and nonanuclear examples

"Tritopic" picolinic dihydrazone ligands with tridentate coordination pockets are designed to produce homoleptic [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complexes on reaction with transition-metal salts, and many structurally documented examples have been obtained with Mn(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. However, other oligomeric complexes with smaller nuclearities have also been discovered and identified structurally in some reactions involving Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), with certain tritopic ligands. This illustrates the dynamic nature of the metal-ligand interaction and the conformationally flexible nature of the ligands and points to the possible involvement of some of these species as intermediates in the [3 x 3] grid formation process. Examples of mononuclear, dinuclear, hexanuclear, heptanuclear, and nonanuclear species involving Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) salts with a series of potentially heptadentate picolinic dihydrazone ligands with pyrazine, pyrimidine, and pyridine end groups are described in the present study. Iron and cobalt complexation reactions are complicated by redox processes, which lead to mixed-oxidation-state Co(II)/Co(III) systems when starting with Co(II) salts, and reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) when starting with Fe(III). Magnetic exchange within the polynuclear structural frameworks is discussed and related to the structural features.